Constitutional Battles: Birthright Citizenship, Lawfare, and Hurricane Relief Progress

Colorado Tax Relief Push

Start listening at 16:56 – Hour 1 Senator John Carson presented SB 25-138, which would make permanent the temporary income tax reduction from 4.4% to 4.25% and gradually eliminate the state income tax entirely by 2035. Carson emphasized that nine states already operate without income taxes and have lower overall tax burdens.

“We’ve got to be competitive in Colorado and keep ratcheting down our state income tax rate. When you cut taxes, you boost the economy, you help people, create jobs and businesses and make Colorado more competitive.”

John Carson, Colorado State Senator

Carson explained that the TABOR surplus represents an interest-free loan that taxpayers give to the state government, and reducing the income tax rate allows people to keep more of their money upfront rather than waiting for refunds.

Hurricane Helene Recovery Update

Start listening at 32:53 – Hour 1 Five months after Hurricane Helene devastated western North Carolina, Beth Maranville reported significant progress in cleanup and rebuilding efforts. She credited the change in federal administration with accelerating relief operations.

“When President Trump came in on January 24th, we began to see a marked difference. Within days, literally what we had seen as devastation every single day since September 27th has begun to improve.”

Beth Maranville, Asheville Dream Center

Maranville described the resilience of mountain communities living in the hollers of western North Carolina, who stepped up when government response was lacking. Despite progress, she noted ongoing needs for volunteers, fresh food, RVs for displaced families, and help with rebuilding homes damaged by mold. The Asheville Dream Center continues coordinating relief efforts and accepting donations at ashevilledreamcenter.org.

The Constitutional Case on Birthright Citizenship

Start listening at 69:53 – Hour 2 John Eastman, subject of the documentary “The Eastman Dilemma: Lawfare or Justice,” explained the constitutional basis for President Trump’s executive order on birthright citizenship. He argued that the 14th Amendment’s “subject to the jurisdiction” clause requires complete allegiance to the United States, not merely physical presence.

“The complete jurisdiction means you owe allegiance to the United States directly and immediately, and not to any foreign power. That’s actually how the 1866 Civil Rights Act provided it.”

John Eastman, Constitutional Attorney

Eastman connected this to the Declaration of Independence, noting that the Founders explicitly rejected the English doctrine of perpetual allegiance when they absolved allegiance to the king. This act of treason against the crown was simultaneously a repudiation of birthright subjectship. Congress, through its constitutional power over naturalization, has policy authority over who joins the American political community.

Lawfare and Election Integrity

Eastman provided updates on his ongoing legal battles in Georgia and Arizona, noting a recent win on First Amendment grounds where a judge ruled the state must prove its prosecution was not retaliation for protected speech. He also discussed the Colorado open primary lawsuit challenging Proposition 108, arguing that forcing political parties to allow non-members to vote in their primaries violates First Amendment freedom of association.

“Our country was on the precipice of losing the freedoms we’ve inherited. And for whatever reason, I’ve been cast into a leading role on the front lines of this battle to preserve our liberty, to preserve our freedom.”

John Eastman, Constitutional Attorney

On the Tina Peters case, Eastman argued that the Mesa County Clerk should receive medals rather than a prison sentence for attempting to preserve election records as required by federal law. He noted that her efforts exposed concerning code patterns in voting machines that merit investigation.

The documentary “The Eastman Dilemma: Lawfare or Justice” is available for free streaming at EastmanDilemma.com.