Tamara 🇺🇸

Today, on Father’s Day, I want to honor Andrew Anthony, a man who has shown me the true meaning of strength, resilience, faith, and fatherhood. More than 14 months ago, your family’s life was turned completely upside down. You came to Texas seeking a better life for your family, a future filled with opportunity, stability, and hope. Then, in one moment, everything changed. While the world formed opinions, made assumptions, and passed judgment, I watched you do everything in your power to hold your family together. I watched you stand firm when others would have folded. I watched you carry fear, pressure, and uncertainty while still being the foundation your family needed. People have criticized decisions they never had to make and judged circumstances they have never lived through. They don’t know the threats, the sacrifices, the private battles, or what it costs a man mentally, emotionally, and spiritually to protect his family while the world is watching. Yet through it all, you never stopped showing up. You never stopped being the foundation. You never stopped being the protector. You never stopped being the father your family needed. To me, that is the definition of a Black father. Not perfection, but perseverance. Not public approval, but commitment. Not reacting to every attack, but staying focused, faithful, and grounded when life tries to break you. Andrew, I salute you today. Thank you for showing what resilience looks like. Thank you for showing what faith looks like. Thank you for showing what Black fatherhood looks like. You are my brother, and I will always stand with you. Happy Father’s Day.

We are closely monitoring the fire in Boyle Heights. As firefighting efforts continue, smoke and poor air quality may impact parts of Los Angeles. Out of an abundance of caution, please take steps to protect yourself and your family.

The American flag is flying over a new political divide. Just 27% of Democrats say they'll display a U.S. flag this July 4, according to a new poll, compared with 64% among Republicans. The survey also found major differences in how Americans view the holiday itself. Nearly two-thirds of Republicans (65%) said July 4 is "a day where I celebrate the United States of America," while only 24% of Democrats agreed. What was once one of the country's most universal symbols is increasingly being viewed through a partisan lens as Americans prepare to celebrate Independence Day.