Guests - Yvet Serino, Lisa Von Geldern, Kimberly Fletcher

Arizona's seventh congressional district has earned the dubious distinction of having the highest crime rate in the state, creating urgent challenges for residents and law enforcement across six affected counties. This critical issue draws attention to border security, local governance, and the upcoming special election to fill the congressional seat left vacant by Representative Raúl Grijalva's passing.

The Crime Crisis in CD7

"CD7 intersects six different counties - Pima, Maricopa, Yuma, Santa Cruz, Cochise, and Pinal," explains Yvette Serino, who has worked extensively on campaigns in the region. "This district has more crime than any congressional district in the entire state."

The geographic scope of the district is staggering - at one point larger than Rhode Island, Delaware, Hawaii, Connecticut, and New Jersey combined. It includes 300 miles of U.S. border with Mexico and encompasses all three ports of entry, making it particularly vulnerable to cross-border crime issues.

The effects ripple through local communities, especially in urban centers like Tucson. The recent discovery of carfentanil in Pima County highlights the evolving threat. This synthetic opioid is approximately 100 times stronger than fentanyl and 10,000 times more potent than morphine. Originally developed to tranquilize elephants, carfentanil presents extreme dangers not only to users but also to first responders who might accidentally come into contact with it.

"If someone has that in their possession and officers who arrest people encounter it, they can die just from touching it," notes Serino. "It is beyond self-inflicted - you're now endangering our first responders who may encounter homeless people."

This escalation in the drug crisis comes amid staffing shortages in police departments across the district. Santa Cruz County, located directly on the border, faces particular challenges retaining officers.

"Especially on the border in Santa Cruz County, they leave for better pay," Serino explains. "So they're constantly having to look for people that will work because other departments pay higher salaries, and that affects public safety too."

The Border Factor

The border's role in the district's crime challenges cannot be overstated. Under the previous administration, the district experienced what Serino describes as "wide open borders" with significant impacts on drug trafficking and crime rates.

"We're still seeing drugs come through, but not like we were when Biden was in office," she notes. "That totally devastated America and killed more people with the fentanyl crisis."

Since President Trump returned to office, border security has significantly improved. "We're seeing a 90% decrease in people crossing the border," Serino reports. This dramatic reduction appears to be affecting some aspects of the crime situation, though the district continues to grapple with the aftermath of years of insecurity.

The special election for CD7 takes on heightened importance against this backdrop. Following Representative Grijalva's death on March 13, 2025, the seat is being contested in a special election with primaries scheduled for July 15 and the general election on September 23. Three Republican and three Democratic candidates are vying for the position.

Adelida Grijalva, daughter of the late congressman, has entered the race, claiming what she calls "her father's seat" - a characterization that Serino strongly disputes.

"Nobody's seat, no matter what position you're elected to, is your seat. It's always going to be the people's seat," Serino emphasizes. "And they are the ones that decide who stays in it."

Economic Realities and Community Impact

Beyond the crime statistics lies a deeper economic reality. CD7 ranks as the poorest congressional district in Arizona, with the lowest average income and limited job opportunities. Critics argue that decades of representation by the same party have failed to address these fundamental challenges.

The impact extends to places like downtown Tucson, where once-vibrant areas now struggle with boarded-up buildings. The city's free bus system has become particularly problematic, serving as what Serino describes as "a getaway car for criminals or a place to live for homeless."

Bus stops throughout the district have become flashpoints for crime. Serino cites the case of a 13-year-old girl accosted by a homeless man while waiting for a bus after school. More recently, a man attacked two people with a hatchet at a bus stop near Sabino Canyon and Tanque Verde - an area typically considered safe and middle-class.

"It is unacceptable to have the crime and the homelessness that we have in Pima County," Serino states. "When you have a 13-year-old that's at a bus stop that gets assaulted, that's bad. It's not safe."

The Path Forward

As the special election approaches, the conversation around CD7's future centers on whether new leadership might bring fresh approaches to these longstanding challenges.

"The way you can help your community is by voting people in that are going to actually do what they say and make it safe for everybody," Serino advises. "Not just run around and say, 'Oh, there's nothing going on here, nothing to see here.' No, we have to address a lot of things."

Serino suggests that the current political environment may be creating an opening for change. Many traditional Democratic voters in the district are reconsidering their allegiances based on quality-of-life issues like crime and economic opportunity.

"They have their family values, they know what they need to survive. They know what's needed," she explains. "And they're just done with the drama. They're done with all the chaos."

The upcoming election represents one of the closest opportunities for change the district has seen in years. With Grijalva gone, voters face a clear choice between continuing similar policies or trying a different approach.

"This is a special election," Serino notes. "Let's give somebody else a try. If you don't like them, the next time, look and see who you want to vote for the next election."

The New Pope: American Leadership at the Vatican

In a historic turn of events, the Catholic Church has selected its first American Pope - Robert Francis Provost, now known as Pope Leo XIV. This watershed moment in Church history has potential implications for both global Catholicism and geopolitical relations, particularly regarding the Chinese Communist Party's influence within the Vatican.

"This is a good and hopeful sign," notes Ava Chen from the New Federal State of China. "There are going to be changes."

The election came with remarkable speed - white smoke emerged just one day after cardinals began deliberations. This swift consensus suggests a clear mandate for change after years of controversies under Pope Francis.

Born in Chicago to a World War II Navy veteran father of French-Italian descent and a Creole mother from Louisiana, Pope Leo XIV brings distinctly American sensibilities to the papacy. An avid sports enthusiast and Chicago White Sox fan, his background makes him both relatable and distinctive compared to his predecessors.

Chen sees the selection through the lens of "unrestricted warfare" - not a shooting conflict but a battle using all available tools to shape global influence. "This is a war of political influence," she emphasizes, noting that the Vatican with its 1.4 billion followers represents one of the world's most influential institutions.

Most significantly, Chen reveals that the Vatican previously entered into a secret deal with the Chinese Communist Party in 2018. "They're getting 1.6 billion every year," she explains, "but then the next time they renew, the price gone up to 2 billion." The agreement was renewed for a four-year term, with details kept confidential.

Reform advocates are now calling for Pope Leo XIV to release and repeal this secret agreement. "That's the key whether he is a good pope or not," Chen argues, suggesting his approach to China will be the defining test of his papacy.

The election's timing coincides with significant shifts in U.S.-China relations, particularly regarding trade policy under President Trump. Chen sees this as part of a broader realignment where American institutions are pushing back against Chinese influence.

For Catholic observers like Lisa Von Geldrin, the new pope brings both hope and concerns. While celebrating the elevation of an American, she suggests cautious optimism about his doctrinal positions.

"I hoped for return to a more Catholic, Catholic Church and not a global Catholic Church," Von Geldern explains. "I want to return to the catechism of the Catholic Church before Vatican II, which is the true faith."

Von Geldern emphasizes that papal authority is specifically limited to doctrinal issues. "The Pope cannot dictate whatever he wants," she clarifies. "When he speaks, it's only doctrinal issues that are of concern."

The persecution of Catholics in China adds urgency to questions about Vatican-CCP relations. "Catholics are being slaughtered in Africa now," Von Geldern notes. "The Chinese government persecutes, they say Christians, but really it's Catholics."

She explains that the Chinese Communist Party wants to be "your mother church," creating an inherent conflict with Catholic allegiance to Rome. This has forced many faithful Catholics in China to practice underground, maintaining traditional worship away from government oversight.

As Pope Leo XIV begins his papacy, both supporters and skeptics will be watching closely to see whether he charts a new course in Vatican-China relations or continues the accommodationist approach of recent years.

Trump's Economic Strategy: The China Tariff Breakthrough

President Trump's administration has secured a significant trade agreement with China, reflecting a strategic approach that combines pressure with pragmatism. The deal represents a dramatic shift from the tensions that characterized U.S.-China relations throughout much of 2024 and early 2025.

"I think Trump did a fantastic job for the past 72 hours," says Ava Chen, who shared exclusive intelligence about the agreement's specifics. "This is what I can share with you based on our intel just obtained."

According to Chen, the agreement includes four critical commitments from Chinese President Xi Jinping that mainstream media has not reported:

First, China has committed to opening its financial markets - a promise originally made when entering the World Trade Organization in 2001 but never fulfilled. "Particularly not only the financial markets but also insurance," Chen explains. This includes Chinese participation in structural economic reforms that would potentially loosen the grip of what Chen calls the "kleptocracy" of elite CCP families who control the country's wealth.

Second, Xi Jinping has agreed to continue selling rare earth elements and precious metals to the United States, despite recent restrictions. "We know they blocked seven of the rare earth related elements not long ago during the escalating tariff war," Chen notes. The agreement also allows American companies to invest in these strategic sectors and create joint ventures with Chinese companies.

Third, and perhaps most surprisingly, China has promised not to launch a gold-backed digital currency during Trump's four-year term. This addresses what Chen describes as "an absolute threat to America" that would challenge the U.S. dollar's status as the world reserve currency.

Fourth, China has committed to collaborating with U.S. law enforcement to significantly reduce fentanyl exports to the United States. Given the devastation caused by synthetic opioids in communities across America, this represents a potentially major public health breakthrough.

The tariff structure reveals Trump's negotiating leverage. While the reciprocal tariff was reduced from 125% to 10% on both sides, the U.S. maintained additional punitive tariffs. "The total tariffs majority of the goods... is 50% right now," Chen explains, "and the CCP is only charging imported American goods for 10%."

Certain strategic sectors remain subject to even higher tariffs, including car parts, steel, and aluminum. This selective approach allows for what Scott Benson has called "strategic decoupling" rather than a complete economic separation.

Chen characterizes these concessions as evidence of Xi Jinping's desperation amid internal pressures. "Xi Jinping must have felt very unsafe at this moment," she suggests. "That's why he is so desperate and he would agree the terms that pressed by the United States."

The agreement provides the United States with critical time to address dependence on China for key resources. "America has to face the reality," Chen states. "You cannot afford completely decoupling at this time without hurting yourself."

The pharmaceutical sector illustrates this vulnerability - "91% of the generic drugs are sourcing from China," Chen reveals. Even medications manufactured in India typically rely on Chinese precursors.

This reality creates what Chen calls a "chemical warfare" capability that China has wielded against America. The new agreement aims to reduce this threat while giving American industries time to develop alternative supply chains.

The 90-day timeframe established for implementing details will likely extend as China employs delaying tactics. "Xi Jinping's strategy is stalling," Chen explains, noting that the Chinese leader is "betting on the pendulum effect" of American politics potentially bringing a more accommodating administration after Trump's term.

Despite these challenges, Chen sees the agreement as a major victory for Trump's negotiating approach. "He single-handedly stopped what could be really devastating for the entire world," she concludes, noting that conflict between nuclear powers required a strategic rather than military solution.

Moms for America: Reclaiming Family Influence and Values

For 20 years, Kimberly Fletcher has led Moms for America with a mission to empower mothers as agents of cultural and political change. As founder and president, she brings a passionate conviction that motherhood represents society's most influential role - one that progressive forces have systematically undermined.

"Women are destroying this country and it's going to take women to say this," Fletcher states boldly. "The feminist movement has really, really hurt us. And we, as women, we are the most powerful entity."

Fletcher draws inspiration from the film "My Big Fat Greek Wedding," citing the line: "He may be the head, but I'm the neck." This captures her view of women's unique power to shape society through influence rather than direct authority.

"We are influencing every aspect of society and culture," she explains. "The feminist movement has taken away the power that we did have."

This diminishment of traditional femininity, Fletcher argues, has led to a decline in mutual respect between men and women. "When a woman walks into an office and she walks in dressed very immorally and provocatively... that is the standard that's set for that whole entire office," she observes. By contrast, a woman who carries herself with dignity "the whole office will rise to that occasion."

The progressive movement's efforts to devalue motherhood serves a strategic purpose, Fletcher contends. "They have tried very hard to devalue, discredit, and distract women from motherhood for the sole purpose of keeping us away from the greatest influence that we have, which is our children."

Fletcher sees this as part of a larger battle for America's future. "Every great horrible despot of the modern time knows and has stated publicly, if you want the future, you go after the kids," she explains. "And that's what they're doing. Who stands in the way? Mothers."

This perspective informs Moms for America's approach to education reform. Fletcher enthusiastically supports the appointment of Linda McMahon as Secretary of Education, particularly her commitment to dramatically reducing the department's size and influence.

"A Department of Education, in my mind, is just the beginning," Fletcher declares. "I want to take a hacksaw to all those departments in Washington, D.C."

The current education system, she argues, has failed American children while advancing political agendas. "The Department of Education has been bribing and blackmailing schools and districts and states with money that promotes their agendas, their political nonsense," Fletcher states. "And we just want reading, writing, arithmetic, real science, and true history."

Fletcher's criticism extends to other institutions she believes have betrayed families' trust. "I have absolutely no trust in the medical system," she admits. "I do not trust doctors. You have to hunt hard, fly and low to find one that you can still have any confidence in."

The mental health profession faces similar skepticism. "If you go to someone in the mental health industry, for the most part... they don't deal with the root cause of whatever the issue is," Fletcher argues. "They just tell you, you're not in the right body or you might be gay."

Her organization's work extends beyond advocacy to direct political involvement. Moms for America played a crucial role in organizing rallies during Donald Trump's 2024 campaign, often receiving last-minute requests to assemble supporters. This dedication earned recognition from the president after his election.

"People in Washington, DC, when I see them, they're working 16, 18 hours a day," Fletcher notes. "I don't know how people do it for a living. It is a lot of work."

What sustains her is a sense of generational responsibility. "When I looked at where our country was going and would hold my little grandbabies in my arms, I mean, it's like, this is their future," she explains. "And whatever has to be done, I have to do it."

Since Trump's inauguration, Moms for America has gained unprecedented access to policy discussions. "We have been invited just about weekly, sometimes twice a week, to be at various different events, signings of Executive Orders, speaking at public press conferences," Fletcher shares. "It's just really nice to not just have a seat at the table, but to be heard."

She particularly values the administration's decisive action on protecting women's sports from transgender competition. Fletcher was present at the signing of the executive order prohibiting biological males from competing in women's sports, a moment she describes as historic.

Looking ahead, Fletcher advocates for a fundamental return to family values and personal freedom. "Family and freedom have just risen to the top," she observes. "Whether or not you are a person of faith or believe in the Lord, people are realizing this is not right."

The ultimate goal, she suggests, is leadership guided by selflessness rather than political ambition. "You leave with love," Fletcher concludes. "You have to remove self-interest and lead with greater love."