Author name: Chase Brennan

New Jersey Elects Democrat Who Refused to Condemn Convicted Cop Killer Assata Shakur
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New Jersey Elects Democrat Who Refused to Condemn Convicted Cop Killer Assata Shakur

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Rep. Mikie Sherrill, a Democrat representing New Jersey’s 11th Congressional District, has been elected governor of New Jersey, defeating Republican challenger Jack Ciattarelli in Tuesday’s closely watched race.

The contest marked the first open governor’s race in the state since 2017 and drew significant national attention as Republicans sought to build on Ciattarelli’s strong performance in his 2021 campaign, when he came within three percentage points of unseating Democratic incumbent Phil Murphy.

Sherrill’s victory solidifies continued Democratic control in one of the country’s most reliably blue states, though the race was viewed as more competitive than expected throughout the campaign.

Ciattarelli, a former state assemblyman and business owner, gained momentum in the final weeks, drawing support from independent voters, several local Democratic officials, and some labor groups that traditionally back Democrats.

Polling throughout October indicated a tightening contest.

Sherrill’s campaign faced internal concern after data showed declining enthusiasm among Black voters compared with past statewide Democratic candidates.

Party strategists privately acknowledged the challenge, noting that maintaining urban voter turnout was critical to offset Ciattarelli’s gains in the suburbs.

Sherrill’s campaign was also met with criticism over financial disclosures indicating a sharp increase in her personal net worth during her time in Congress.

Reports noted that the congresswoman’s assets had grown by several million dollars since taking office, though no explanation was offered by her campaign.

Another controversy arose after Sherrill declined to comment on the death of Assata Shakur, also known as Joanne Chesimard, a convicted murderer and member of the Black Liberation Army who fled to Cuba after being convicted in the 1973 killing of New Jersey State Trooper Werner Foerster.

Sherrill’s silence drew criticism from law enforcement groups and political opponents, while Governor Phil Murphy publicly condemned left-wing organizations that issued statements mourning Shakur’s death.

Despite those setbacks, Sherrill maintained consistent backing from the Democratic establishment and focused her campaign messaging on opposition to President Donald Trump.

Throughout debates and rallies, she framed the race as a choice between “protecting democracy” and “returning to Trump-era politics.”

That strategy resonated with Democratic voters, particularly in northern New Jersey counties where turnout exceeded early projections.

Ciattarelli’s campaign emphasized state-level issues, including the cost of living, taxes, and education.

He argued that New Jersey’s economic outlook required new leadership and criticized Sherrill’s focus on national politics.

His campaign also highlighted bipartisan endorsements, including from several municipal Democrats and local union officials who cited his record as a pragmatic legislator.

Final vote totals showed Sherrill maintaining a comfortable lead across Essex, Hudson, and Mercer counties, while Ciattarelli performed strongly in Monmouth, Ocean, and Sussex counties.

With more than 95 percent of precincts reporting, Sherrill secured approximately 53 percent of the vote to Ciattarelli’s 46 percent.

In her victory speech, Sherrill thanked supporters and pledged to “deliver for every community in this state.”

Ciattarelli, addressing his supporters in Somerset County, congratulated Sherrill on her win and thanked his campaign team for what he described as “a movement that will continue to fight for affordability and common sense in New Jersey.”

The outcome marks another statewide victory for Democrats in New Jersey, extending their control over the governor’s office and legislature as the state prepares to address ongoing challenges related to taxes, infrastructure, and economic recovery.

Zohran Mamdani Promises to Defy President Trump’s Threats to NYC
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Zohran Mamdani Promises to Defy President Trump’s Threats to NYC

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On the eve of Election Day, New York City mayoral frontrunner Zohran Mamdani led a march from the Brooklyn Bridge to City Hall, pledging to defy President Donald Trump’s warning that federal funding could be withheld if the self-described democratic socialist wins Tuesday’s election, as reported by Fox News.

Mamdani, joined by supporters, local officials, and Attorney General Letitia James, addressed the crowd at sunrise Monday, promising to resist what he called “threats” from the Trump administration.

Nov 6, 2023; New York, NY, USA; New York Attorney General Letitia James arrives as Former President Donald Trump is scheduled to testify for his civil business fraud trial at New York Supreme Court on Monday, Nov. 6, 2023 in New York City, NY. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Altman-USA TODAY

“What we have seen in cities and states across the country is the necessity of, not just using the bully pulpit but also the courts, to ensure that every dollar that a municipality is owed is a dollar that is paid,” Mamdani said.

“And I will take every single day, after this election, to put together my city government, my city hall, to ensure that it is prepared not only for the threats from Donald Trump, but also the threats from an affordability crisis that has put one in four New Yorkers in poverty.”

President Trump, in a 60 Minutes interview with Norah O’Donnell that aired Sunday night, said it would be “hard” for him “to give a lot of money to New York” if Mamdani wins.

“Because if you have a communist running New York, all you’re doing is wasting the money you’re sending there,” Trump said.

Trump has frequently criticized Mamdani, who defeated former Governor Andrew Cuomo in the Democratic primary in June. The president has referred to Mamdani as a “100% Communist Lunatic” and “my little communist.”

Mamdani rejected the labels but continued to campaign as a progressive opponent of the Trump administration, launching a “Five Boroughs Against Trump” tour during the summer.

Mamdani responded to Trump’s latest remarks by suggesting that the president effectively endorsed Cuomo. “Late last night, Andrew Cuomo received Donald Trump’s endorsement,” Mamdani said at his rally.

Zohran Kwame Mamdani is a New York State Assemblymember and democratic socialist running for Mayor. New York, US – 04 July 2025

“If elected as mayor, our city will only descend deeper into a darkness that has forced too many of our neighbors to flee and made it impossible for working people to live lives of dignity.”

Cuomo campaign spokesperson Rich Azzopardi denied that claim, telling Fox News Digital that Mamdani is “lying.”

Azzopardi added, “There’s only one candidate in this race who has a record of fighting for New York and battling the Trump administration when it was in New York’s best interest and winning, and that’s Andrew Cuomo.”

Letitia James, who joined Mamdani’s rally days after pleading not guilty to two felony charges of bank fraud and making false statements to a financial institution, praised the candidate and said he represented “the courage that New Yorkers are desperate to see in elected officials.”

James previously filed a civil lawsuit against The Trump Organization in 2019 that found the company liable for fraud and has continued pursuing litigation against the Trump administration this year.

“Donald Trump may speak as if it is his decision, but this is money that this city is owed,” Mamdani said. “This is money that we will expect to collect.”

As Election Day approaches, Mamdani has positioned himself as the candidate most willing to challenge President Trump while framing Cuomo as aligned with the White House.

“We have long known that Andrew Cuomo is Donald Trump’s puppet in this race,” Mamdani said. “What we did not quite expect is for him to become his parrot in the final days, as well.”

The White House did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.

Scott Jennings Ends Van Jones’ Immigration Narrative, Pulls Out the Receipts
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Scott Jennings Ends Van Jones’ Immigration Narrative, Pulls Out the Receipts

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A heated exchange unfolded on CNN as political commentator Scott Jennings and analyst Van Jones debated President Donald Trump’s immigration policies and their effect on public opinion.

The discussion centered on recent comments from President Trump and new polling data showing voter sentiment on immigration enforcement.

During the debate, Jones argued that President Trump’s recent statement that Immigration and Customs Enforcement “haven’t gone far enough” in deporting illegal immigrants could pose a political problem for the administration.

Jones suggested that the president’s tough stance on immigration might alienate some Republican voters.

Jennings pushed back strongly, citing new polling data.

“I think in a CBS survey that came out today, he had a 52 percent to 48 percent on immigration enforcement, so he was still right side up on that issue in at least that one survey,” Jennings said.

“I do think it’s a polarizing issue, but a lot of people realize we weren’t enforcing federal immigration law. Now we are, and there’s a heavy debate going on. But I don’t know who voted for Donald Trump, who is all that unhappy that he’s essentially doing what he said he was going to do. Which is simply just enforce the law.”

Jennings went on to note that the administration had not implemented any new legislation to achieve those results.

“We haven’t passed any new laws. He’s just enforcing ones that are already on the books,” he said.

According to the CBS News survey referenced by Jennings, 52 percent of voters approve of the president’s handling of immigration enforcement, compared to 48 percent who disapprove.

The data suggests that despite political division over immigration policy, a majority of voters support the administration’s approach to enforcing existing laws.

The exchange highlighted the broader political divide surrounding immigration.

Jones maintained that President Trump’s rhetoric could harm his image among moderate voters.

Jennings, however, countered that the president’s policies were consistent with his campaign promises and reflected the will of voters who wanted stronger border enforcement.

While Democrats have pushed for more leniency in enforcement and greater pathways to citizenship, President Trump has prioritized strict adherence to immigration law and increased deportations of illegal aliens.

The CBS poll cited by Jennings appeared to bolster the administration’s argument that enforcing existing laws remains popular with much of the public, even as critics argue that the policies are too aggressive.

Jennings emphasized that enforcement, not legislative overhaul, has been at the center of the administration’s approach.

“He’s essentially doing what he said he was going to do,” he told Jones, pointing to the president’s consistent message on border control since his first campaign.

North Carolina Democrat Resigns After Arrest on Child Sex Crime Charges
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North Carolina Democrat Resigns After Arrest on Child Sex Crime Charges

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North Carolina state lawmaker Cecil Brockman has resigned from the General Assembly following his arrest on multiple child sex crime charges involving a 15-year-old, as reported by The New York Post.

Brockman, 41, a Democrat representing Guilford County since 2015, submitted his resignation letter to the House clerk’s office on Friday. The announcement came shortly after bipartisan leaders, including Democratic Governor Josh Stein, called for him to step down.

Court records show that Brockman was arrested on October 8 and charged with two counts of statutory sexual offense with a child and one count of taking indecent liberties with a minor. The alleged incident occurred around August 15.

In his resignation letter, Brockman wrote that he needed to focus on his defense due to the serious nature of the accusations. “As a result, I am currently unable to fulfill my duty and service to my constituents,” he said.

According to police and court filings, Brockman met the teenager in May through an online app. Guilford County District Attorney Avery Crump told the court that Brockman later tried to locate the teen by using a tracking app and even called 911 in an attempt to reach the individual.

Brockman has been held at the Guilford County Jail since his arraignment on a $1.05 million bond and has been ordered not to contact the victim.

Earlier Friday, Republican House Speaker Destin Hall announced the creation of a bipartisan committee to investigate the allegations and to recommend expulsion if necessary.

“The bipartisan House committee will investigate the charges and recommend expulsion if necessary,” Hall said in a press release.

Following Brockman’s resignation, Hall issued a statement saying, “His departure spares the House from a difficult expulsion process and brings closure to this troubling chapter.”

Under state law, Democratic officials in Guilford County will appoint a replacement to serve the remainder of Brockman’s two-year term, which runs through the end of 2026.

The Guilford County District Attorney’s Office confirmed that a bond review hearing for Brockman is scheduled for Monday.

Nancy Pelosi Melts Down on Live TV After Seeing Trump on Screen
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Nancy Pelosi Melts Down on Live TV After Seeing Trump on Screen

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Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi erupted during a live interview on Friday when footage of President Donald Trump appeared on screen as she discussed the ongoing government shutdown.

Pelosi joined Spectrum News’ The Rush Hour with host Giselle Fernandez to discuss the budget impasse now in its 31st day.

The shutdown, which began over stalled negotiations in Congress, has centered on spending priorities between Senate Democrats and the White House.

During the interview, Pelosi was criticizing President Trump’s leadership when a clip of him walking across the South Lawn of the White House was displayed on screen.

The sight appeared to agitate the former Speaker, who broke from her comments to address the image directly.

“He is the worst president for children! There he is walking! The worst! Hi!” Pelosi said, waving at the monitor.

“The worst president for anybody, any president in our history.”

Pelosi referred to Trump as a “very, very dangerous man,” claiming that his policies have harmed American families.

She also accused him of taking “food out of the mouths of babies,” a reference to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) funding dispute.

The comments came as the Democratic caucus in the Senate has repeatedly voted against funding measures to reopen the government, citing disagreements over provisions related to healthcare and immigration programs.

Republicans have argued that Democrats’ refusal to advance temporary funding legislation is prolonging the shutdown.

Pelosi’s latest remarks follow a series of increasingly tense public appearances in recent weeks.

In a separate interview with NBC Boston last month, she drew attention for using explicit language when discussing negotiations with the White House.

Asked by a reporter if she had confidence in ongoing talks, Pelosi responded, “I have no idea. Going into it, let’s review what the President has said. What we’re talking about is meeting the health care needs of the American people, little babies, moms with breast cancer, dads with a stroke, and all of that. The President has said, I hear what they’re saying. It’s all unserious and ridiculous.”

She continued, “In fact, I’ve listened to their sh*t, and I tell them to go f**k themselves.”

The exchange marked one of the most direct and profane moments from Pelosi since leaving the Speaker’s office in early 2023.

Her comments drew criticism from some in her own party, who have urged Democrats to lower the temperature in public rhetoric amid heightened political tensions.

Friday’s remarks also come amid mounting pressure on Congress to end the shutdown, which has affected multiple federal agencies and delayed pay for thousands of workers.

Senate Republicans have introduced measures to restore funding for key programs, including SNAP, but Democratic leadership has continued to block passage.

During her appearance on The Rush Hour, Pelosi reiterated her belief that Trump’s leadership style and policies remain harmful to the country.

“He is a very, very dangerous man,” she said, emphasizing her view that his presidency has been damaging “for children and families” across the United States.

Bondi Could Arrest Judge Boasberg Immediately for These Three Things: Mike Benz
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Bondi Could Arrest Judge Boasberg Immediately for These Three Things: Mike Benz

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Two Republican senators have accused Special Counsel Jack Smith and U.S. District Court Chief Judge James Boasberg of authorizing an unlawful surveillance operation targeting elected officials, escalating what has become known as the “Arctic Frost Scandal.”

The allegations surfaced after it was revealed that the Department of Justice secretly subpoenaed the phone records of at least ten Republican senators, including Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and Ted Cruz of Texas.

Both senators confirmed this week that their official and campaign phone data had been obtained through sealed court orders signed by Judge Boasberg, who also imposed a gag order preventing them from being informed for more than a year.

The subpoenas were issued to multiple telecommunications companies, including Verizon, as part of Special Counsel Jack Smith’s investigation into political communications related to the 2020 election and the early stages of the 2024 campaign.

Senator Graham released a statement on X, criticizing both Smith and Boasberg for what he described as a serious constitutional violation.

“It is now clear that my official and campaign phone records were subpoenaed by Special Counsel Jack Smith,” Graham wrote.

“Worse, a judicial gag order was issued prohibiting me from being informed of the subpoena for at least a year because Judge Boasberg believed that if I were informed, it would lead to witness tampering and destruction of evidence. That is legal slander.”

Graham accused Verizon of “extremely irresponsible” conduct for complying with the subpoena and said the company should have refused to turn over the records.

“They should have followed AT&T’s example and declined to turn over the records because it is a violation of the Speech and Debate Clause of the U.S. Constitution,” Graham said.

“The misconduct here is worthy of a Watergate-style investigation.”

Graham also called for the formation of a Senate Select Committee to investigate the matter.

“This fishing expedition against at least ten Republican U.S. Senators by Special Counsel Jack Smith is the biggest violation of separation of powers in our nation’s history,” he added.

“The driver of this outrageous conduct was a desire to stop President Trump’s 2024 campaign for president.”

At a separate press conference, Senator Cruz called for immediate congressional action, including impeachment proceedings against Judge Boasberg.

“I am right now calling on the House of Representatives to impeach Judge Boasberg,” Cruz said.

“Judge Boasberg put his robe down, stood up, and said, ‘Sign me up to be part of the partisan vendetta against 20% of the Republicans in the Senate.’ That is a dereliction of duty and a violation of the judicial oath.”

Cruz thanked Senators Chuck Grassley and Ron Johnson for investigating the matter, pledging that the Senate would pursue accountability.

“We are going to get the answers of every person who signed off on this abuse of power — and mark my words, there will be accountability for these zealots who wanted to corrupt the Department of Justice and corrupt the judiciary in order to try to attack their enemies list,” Cruz said.

Legal analyst Mike Benz outlined three potential criminal charges that Attorney General Pam Bondi could bring against Judge Boasberg in connection with the Arctic Frost investigation.

In a post shared on X, Benz cited the following statutes:

  • Deprivation of Rights Under Color of Law (18 U.S.C. § 242) — for allegedly depriving senators of their right to be notified of legal actions involving their official communications.
  • Obstruction of Proceedings Before Congress (18 U.S.C. § 1505) — for allegedly preventing the Senate from exercising oversight or intervening in the subpoenas.
  • Conspiracy Against Rights (18 U.S.C. § 241) — for allegedly conspiring with the special counsel’s office to conceal the subpoenas and avoid Senate challenge.

Benz said these charges could apply based on evidence that Boasberg knowingly concealed the subpoenas’ existence from the senators affected.

The case has drawn renewed scrutiny because Judge Boasberg previously presided over high-profile matters involving January 6 defendants and Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court actions related to political investigations.

Former federal prosecutor Mike Davis also criticized Boasberg, claiming the judge “allowed Team Biden to illegally spy on Trump allies,” including sitting senators.

Davis said the House should move to impeach Boasberg, describing the conduct as “a grave breach of judicial ethics and constitutional limits.”

The Department of Justice and Special Counsel Jack Smith have not commented publicly on the reported subpoenas.

The House Judiciary and Senate Judiciary Committees are expected to seek further information regarding the scope of the surveillance orders and the reasoning behind the gag orders signed by Judge Boasberg.

Bill Maher Says Democrats Pulled ‘Bait-and-Switch’ for Their Shutdown Narrative
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Bill Maher Says Democrats Pulled ‘Bait-and-Switch’ for Their Shutdown Narrative

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On Friday’s episode of HBO’s Real Time with Bill Maher, host Bill Maher said the ongoing government shutdown is tied to Affordable Care Act subsidies that Democrats originally justified as temporary COVID-era measures but have since made permanent.

Maher’s comments came during a discussion with “The Fifth Column” podcast co-host Michael Moynihan, who explained that the dispute in Washington centers on federal subsidies expanded during the pandemic.

Moynihan noted that the extra funding, initially approved under emergency authority, has now been renewed and written into ongoing budget negotiations.

“We’re talking about these subsidies, that were COVID-era subsidies that were renewed. And the entire shutdown is based on these subsidies,” Moynihan said.

Maher agreed, describing the policy extension as misleading.

“That is what the shutdown is based on. For people who don’t know, let me just say, during COVID, they upped the subsidies. And then, it is a bit of a bait-and-switch, I’ll give you, that’s true on that one,” Maher said.

He went on to argue that Democrats have not been transparent about the policy’s permanence.

“You can’t say — it’s not quite kosher to say, we’re just doing this for the COVID emergency, and then when the emergency’s over, say, oh, no, it’s forever. At least be honest about it,” Maher added.

The discussion highlighted one of the key disputes behind the federal budget stalemate that has led to a prolonged shutdown.

Lawmakers remain divided over whether to continue the higher subsidy levels created under the 2021 American Rescue Plan.

Those subsidies expanded eligibility for federal assistance through the Affordable Care Act, reducing health insurance costs for millions of Americans during the pandemic.

Republican lawmakers have argued that the emergency measures were never intended to be permanent and have pressed for a return to pre-pandemic funding levels.

Democrats, meanwhile, have insisted that the extended subsidies help keep health care affordable for middle-class families and should remain in place as part of the broader federal budget.

The standoff has continued for weeks, with both sides refusing to compromise on the issue. While Maher is often critical of both parties, his remarks Friday echoed a growing sentiment that pandemic-era programs have extended beyond their original intent.

The dispute over the subsidies has become one of several sticking points in the funding negotiations, which have affected multiple federal agencies and programs since the shutdown began.

As Congress faces mounting pressure to reach a resolution, the debate over how long COVID-related spending should continue remains central to broader discussions about fiscal policy and government priorities.

Maher’s acknowledgment of the “bait-and-switch” claim drew attention online over the weekend, with clips of the exchange circulating widely on social media.

Viewers pointed to the rare moment of agreement between the liberal talk show host and critics of Democratic spending policies.

While negotiations in Washington remain at a standstill, the shutdown has prompted renewed debate over how emergency funding should be phased out and whether post-pandemic budgets should reflect pre-pandemic norms.

For now, the disagreement over the Affordable Care Act subsidies continues to block a spending deal and prolong the government shutdown.

The Deep State Stalls on Trump Ban of Dangerous ‘Gain-Of-Function’ Research
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The Deep State Stalls on Trump Ban of Dangerous ‘Gain-Of-Function’ Research

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The Trump administration has missed its September 2 deadline to finalize new federal rules restricting gain-of-function (GOF) research, more than eight weeks past the due date established by executive order.

The delay has prompted concern among biosafety experts and reopened debate within the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) over the handling of high-risk biological research.

The May 2025 executive order required a multi-agency task force to develop updated policies governing the creation and manipulation of pandemic-level pathogens.

The initiative was intended to prevent research similar to pre-COVID experiments funded by NIH at the Wuhan Institute of Virology.

“The atom has been split in biology with COVID, but nobody seems to be talking about it with urgency,” said Sean Kaufman, CEO and founding partner of Safer Behaviors, a biosafety consulting firm.

The policy dispute has placed HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a longtime critic of NIH funding for Wuhan research, at odds with NIH Director Jay Bhattacharya.

Bhattacharya has faced criticism from both inside and outside the agency for mixed public statements on the GOF issue and for retaining officials linked to Anthony Fauci’s former research oversight network.

Although the 120-day deadline passed several weeks ago, a government shutdown over budget disputes delayed work on the final policy by roughly a month.

The administration has not provided a revised completion timeline.

Bhattacharya, speaking at the White House signing ceremony for the executive order in May, said the policy would “make it go away forever.”

However, in an August podcast he appeared to temper that stance, saying the new regulations would involve “a calculation” because GOF work is “sometimes really important.”

Emails described to the Daily Caller News Foundation by two former federal officials show that two NIH staffers who helped draft the 2017 pre-pandemic GOF policy—under which federal funds flowed to Wuhan—are also involved in writing the Trump-era version.

Those earlier rules, which critics said were overly permissive, limited oversight to a small number of projects and allowed internal review panels to operate in secret.

Some policy analysts have also raised questions about the scope of the May order, noting that it delegates significant authority to agency heads and allows for only a five-year research funding ban for violations—half the maximum debarment period typically applied by HHS.

A spokesperson for HHS referred all questions to the White House.

The delay also coincides with several high-level staffing changes. Gerald Parker, who led the executive order’s drafting as head of the White House Office of Pandemic Preparedness and Response Policy, stepped down over the summer for personal reasons.

The OSTP has since brought in Anna Puglisi, a former U.S. counterintelligence official with expertise on Chinese technology and biosecurity issues.

Puglisi’s views on GOF remain unclear; in a 2023 interview with Nature, she said regulators must weigh “the true risk for both not regulating it and over-regulating.”

Puglisi did not respond to requests for comment.

Following an August DCNF report alleging that one of Bhattacharya’s advisors had supported GOF research and opposed President Trump, the NIH dismissed two advisors.

The status of the advisor who backed GOF work remains unclear.

Lyric Jorgenson, the NIH associate director for science policy and the agency’s lead on drafting the GOF framework, previously oversaw the Biden-Harris administration’s GOF policy—criticized by Bhattacharya last year as inadequate.

Meanwhile, HHS recently dissolved a biosecurity office within the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response, consolidating more authority under NIH’s science policy division.

Bhattacharya has continued to defend his appointment of virologist Jeffrey Taubenberger to lead the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.

Taubenberger, a longtime advocate for GOF research, is advising on the current policy and is expected to play a key role in its implementation.

The debate over GOF oversight dates back to 2016, when the Obama administration attempted to impose stricter external review standards on federally funded pathogen research.

According to a former NIH official, the agency resisted that plan and advanced its own framework, which preserved decision-making power within HHS.

Emails released in 2025 through Freedom of Information Act requests show that NIH officials were aware as early as 2016 that coronavirus-related GOF research would take place in Wuhan but conducted no national security review beyond a “letter of support” from University of North Carolina researcher Ralph Baric.

As a result, NIH approved experiments that later became central to global scrutiny following the COVID-19 pandemic, which has been linked to more than 7 million deaths worldwide.

Biosafety experts including Alina Chan, coauthor of Viral: The Search for the Origin of COVID-19, and MIT biologist Kevin Esvelt have urged the administration to ensure independent oversight rather than allowing NIH to self-regulate.

“The new policy must implement some form of independent oversight so that catastrophic research is not self-regulated,” Chan told the DCNF.

The White House has not said when the delayed GOF policy will be finalized. Until it is, federal agencies remain under the 2017 framework that critics say failed to prevent risky pandemic-related research abroad.

Rosie O’Donnell Speaks Out After Daughter’s Prison Sentence in Wisconsin: ‘Prayers Welcomed’
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Rosie O’Donnell Speaks Out After Daughter’s Prison Sentence in Wisconsin: ‘Prayers Welcomed’

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Rosie O’Donnell’s daughter, Chelsea O’Donnell, has been sentenced to prison in Wisconsin after violating the terms of her probation, according to court documents obtained by Us Weekly.

As reported by The Gateway Pundit, the judge in Marinette County ruled last week that the 28-year-old had breached the conditions of her probation due to sexual assault allegations and for failing to show progress in her court-ordered drug treatment program.

“The facts surrounding this request have been staffed with the Marinette County Treatment Drug Court Team and have been deemed sufficient grounds to warrant termination from the Marinette County Treatment Drug Court Program,” the court filing stated.

Chelsea O’Donnell will serve her sentence at Taycheedah Correctional Institution, a medium-security women’s prison located in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. Officials have not disclosed how long she will remain incarcerated.

Her mother, actress Rosie O’Donnell, posted on Instagram following the ruling, asking her followers to pray for her daughter. “My child chelsea belle – before addiction took over her life – i loved her then i love her now as she faces a scary future – prayers welcomed,” she wrote.

In a statement to Us Weekly, O’Donnell added that her daughter was “born into addiction” and described the situation as “a painful journey for her and her children.” The actress continued, “We continue to love and support her through these horrible times.”

Court records show that Chelsea’s probation violations were tied to her participation in a county treatment program, which was intended to provide rehabilitation options instead of incarceration. However, the court determined that she had failed to comply with program requirements and subsequently ordered her removal and imprisonment.

Rosie O’Donnell, a longtime Hollywood figure known for her outspoken political views and highly publicized feud with President Donald Trump, has kept a relatively low profile in the United States this year. In March, she revealed that she had relocated to Ireland with her 12-year-old transgender child, stating that she would not return to the U.S. until she felt it was “safe” to do so.

“I was never someone who thought I would move to another country,” O’Donnell said at the time. “That’s what I decided would be the best for myself and my 12-year-old child. And here we are.”

She added, “I miss many things about life there at home and I’m trying to find a home here in this beautiful country, and when it is safe for all citizens to have equal rights there in America, that’s when we will consider coming back.”

The sentencing marks another difficult chapter for the O’Donnell family, which has faced years of public scrutiny and personal challenges.

Jamie Lee Curtis Calls Sydney Sweeney’s Sexy Look ‘Perfect’ at Variety Event
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Jamie Lee Curtis Calls Sydney Sweeney’s Sexy Look ‘Perfect’ at Variety Event

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Actress Jamie Lee Curtis had an unexpected reaction on Wednesday when she spotted Euphoria star Sydney Sweeney at Variety’s 2025 Power of Women event in Los Angeles, as reported by The New York Post.

Curtis, 66, was walking the red carpet when she noticed Sweeney, 28, wearing a form-fitting, crystal-covered gown by Christian Cowan x Elias Matso. The design, which Sweeney wore without a bra, immediately caught Curtis’s attention.

In a video shared by Entertainment Tonight, Curtis pointed to Sweeney in admiration before greeting her with a hug.

Curtis, who earned the nickname “The Body” early in her career for films like Trading Places and Perfect, had addressed that label in a 2010 CBS interview. “No, no. I don’t think anyone likes to be known for something that’s exterior,” Curtis said at the time.

“I don’t think any woman wants to be known for being beautiful or busty. I think you want to be known for who you are.”

Sweeney was one of the honorees at Variety’s Power of Women gala, recognized as a cover star for the publication. Speaking ahead of the event, she reflected on her early experiences in Hollywood and the criticism she received about her appearance.

“I had someone tell me to fix my face or else I’m not going to make it. I should get Botox. I was 16,” Sweeney told Variety. “Or I’m in a casting and I’m reading my scene and the casting director is eating a bag of chips, and I’m like, ‘You’re not paying attention at all.’”

The Emmy-nominated actress said she has never had cosmetic procedures, explaining, “I’ve never gotten anything done. I’m absolutely terrified of needles. No tattoos. Nothing. I’m going to age gracefully.”

In online discussions, some social media users compared older and newer photos of Sweeney, claiming she had altered her appearance.

The actress dismissed those comments, saying, “It’s really funny. I’m like, ‘I’m 12 in that photo. Of course, I’m going to look different. I have makeup on now and I’m 15 years older.’”

Sweeney also told The Wall Street Journal in August that she occasionally monitors online chatter about herself. “I think it’s important to have a finger on the pulse of what people are saying, because everything is a conversation with the audience,” she said.

In June, Sweeney faced backlash for her partnership with Dr. Squatch after launching a limited-edition soap line advertised as being made from her “bathwater.” She later explained to E! News that the concept was meant as a playful promotion she had personally pitched.

The actress also made headlines in July for her American Eagle campaign, “Sydney Sweeney has great jeans.” Some critics misinterpreted the ad’s wordplay as promoting “great genes,” prompting the company to clarify the slogan’s intent.

“ ‘Sydney Sweeney has great jeans’ is and always was about the jeans,” American Eagle said in a statement.

Sweeney, who is currently filming the third and final season of Euphoria, told People she was thrilled to join the brand. “When they were like, ‘We want it to be a denim campaign,’ I was through the roof,” she said.


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