Author name: Justin Murray

Socialist NYC Mayoral Candidate Mamdani Faces Two Criminal Investigations
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Socialist NYC Mayoral Candidate Mamdani Faces Two Criminal Investigations

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New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani is facing two criminal referrals following allegations that his campaign accepted nearly $13,000 in contributions from donors with foreign addresses, in potential violation of federal and local election laws.

The complaints were filed on October 28, 2025, by the Coolidge Reagan Foundation (CRF), a conservative campaign finance watchdog.

The group submitted referrals to the U.S. Department of Justice’s Criminal Division and to Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, according to a report from Fox News.

The filings accuse Mamdani’s campaign of accepting prohibited foreign donations during the current election cycle.

A review of records from the New York City Campaign Finance Board (CFB) shows that Mamdani’s campaign received at least 170 donations totaling about $13,000 from contributors listing addresses outside the United States.

Those addresses included locations in Australia, Canada, Dubai, France, Germany, and Turkey.

One of the flagged donations was a $500 contribution from Mamdani’s mother-in-law, a pediatrician based in Dubai, which was refunded four days after it was made in January 2025.

Another involved a $2,100 donation in September 2025 from an investor also located in Dubai.

CRF President Dan Backer said the data revealed a “sustained pattern” of questionable contributions.

“This was a sustained pattern of foreign money flowing into a New York City mayoral race which is a clear violation of both federal law and New York City campaign finance rules,” Backer stated.

He added that refunds issued after the donations were received do not eliminate potential violations.

“The totality of the circumstances indicates likely illegal contributions, even if some donors might be U.S. citizens or green-card holders living abroad,” Backer said.

Federal law under the Federal Election Campaign Act (FECA) prohibits foreign nationals — defined as individuals who are not U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents — from contributing to any U.S. election.

The same restrictions apply to state and local races.

Knowingly accepting or soliciting such donations can carry penalties including fines or imprisonment.

CRF’s referral to the Department of Justice asserts that Mamdani’s campaign failed to properly vet donors and that the volume of foreign-linked contributions warranted criminal investigation.

As of mid-October 2025, campaign finance records showed that Mamdani’s team refunded 91 contributions totaling $5,723.50.

However, at the time of reporting, 88 additional donations amounting to about $7,190 had not yet been returned.

CRF Chairman Shaun McCutcheon called the donations a “threat to self-government” and urged immediate prosecution, saying that foreign money in U.S. elections “undermines public confidence in the democratic process.”

The Mamdani campaign acknowledged the donations but denied any wrongdoing.

Campaign spokesperson Dora Pekec said all contributions were reviewed through “a rigorous compliance process.”

She emphasized that federal, state, and city laws allow U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents living abroad to donate.

“The Campaign has a rigorous compliance process in place,” Pekec said.

“Refunds have and will be made.”

According to the campaign, 31 of the 170 questioned donors provided documentation proving U.S. citizenship or permanent residency, and the CFB determined that their contributions were permissible. The remaining 139 donations were refunded.

“Any issue regarding financial contributions has been resolved,” the campaign said in a written statement.

“We will of course return any donations that are not in compliance with CFB law.”

The allegations come just days before Tuesday’s mayoral election, where Mamdani, a self-described socialist and state assemblyman from Queens, is heavily favored to win.

His campaign has reported raising $4 million in private donations and qualifying for $12.7 million in public matching funds under New York City’s campaign finance program.

Mamdani’s opponents include Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa and former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, who is running as an independent after losing to Mamdani in the Democratic primary earlier this year.

Both challengers have called for greater scrutiny of campaign fundraising practices and transparency in donor reporting.

Trump Seeks Legal Path to Fund SNAP as ‘Radical Democrats’ Hold Americans Hostage
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Trump Seeks Legal Path to Fund SNAP as ‘Radical Democrats’ Hold Americans Hostage

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President Donald Trump announced Friday that his administration is seeking immediate legal clarification to allow funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which serves millions of Americans, as the federal shutdown nears its one-month mark.

The shutdown has halted funding for several federal programs, leaving approximately 42 million people at risk of losing access to food benefits.

President Trump said he has directed White House legal counsel to petition the courts to determine whether existing funds can be lawfully released to states so that benefits can continue without congressional action.

“Our Government lawyers do not think we have the legal authority to pay SNAP with certain monies we have available, and now two Courts have issued conflicting opinions on what we can and cannot do. I do NOT want Americans to go hungry just because the Radical Democrats refuse to do the right thing and REOPEN THE GOVERNMENT,” President Trump wrote in a statement released Friday.

The president said the administration’s legal team will move quickly to obtain judicial guidance.

“I have instructed our lawyers to ask the Court to clarify how we can legally fund SNAP as soon as possible. It is already delayed enough due to the Democrats keeping the Government closed through the monthly payment date and, even if we get immediate guidance, it will unfortunately be delayed while States get the money out. If we are given the appropriate legal direction by the Court, it will BE MY HONOR to provide the funding, just like I did with Military and Law Enforcement Pay,” he continued.

The statement marks one of the administration’s most direct responses to growing public concern over the shutdown’s effect on essential services.

While other funding measures—such as those protecting pay for military and law enforcement personnel—have been addressed, SNAP remains tied to the broader budget dispute in Congress.

President Trump blamed Senate Democrats for obstructing short-term funding proposals, accusing them of using the standoff for political advantage.

“Democrats should quit this charade where they hurt people for their own political reasons, and immediately REOPEN THE GOVERNMENT. If you use SNAP benefits, call the Senate Democrats, and tell them to reopen the Government, NOW! Here is Cryin’ Chuck Schumer’s Office Number: (202) 224-6542,” Trump said.

According to administration officials, two federal courts have issued differing opinions regarding the government’s authority to redirect certain funds during a shutdown.

That legal uncertainty has complicated efforts to resume SNAP payments at the state level. Without court approval or new congressional appropriations, the Department of Agriculture—which administers the program—cannot guarantee continued benefits.

The SNAP program, created to assist low-income families and individuals with food purchases, typically distributes benefits on a monthly schedule.

Several states have warned that they may be unable to issue February payments without new guidance or authorization.

The president’s move to seek judicial intervention reflects ongoing efforts to mitigate the shutdown’s impact while maintaining pressure on Congress to approve a funding bill.

The White House has maintained that Democrats are preventing a temporary funding solution that would reopen government agencies while broader negotiations continue.

As legal teams prepare to file motions for clarification, federal and state agencies remain in limbo, awaiting direction on how to manage the lapse in appropriations.

Administration officials said they hope to have preliminary guidance from the courts within days, but no formal timeline has been established.

President Trump’s call for legal action follows his earlier decisions to ensure that members of the military and federal law enforcement continued to receive pay during the shutdown.

He has framed those moves as necessary steps to protect Americans from political gridlock in Washington.

If the courts grant authorization, the administration is expected to release emergency funds to maintain SNAP benefits until a budget agreement is reached.

For now, however, the continuation of food assistance for millions of families remains tied to the outcome of both the legal process and the ongoing political impasse.

GOP Takes Back California’s ‘Surf City USA’ in Strong Rebuke of ‘Newsom and His Policies’
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GOP Takes Back California’s ‘Surf City USA’ in Strong Rebuke of ‘Newsom and His Policies’

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Huntington Beach, a coastal city long known for its surfing culture and proximity to Los Angeles, has undergone a sharp political shift over the past two years—re-emerging as a Republican stronghold after a brief period of Democratic control.

Once seen as a bellwether for California’s leftward political trend, the city has now moved firmly in the opposite direction, with its conservative-led council pursuing policies that diverge sharply from those in Sacramento.

The city, nicknamed “Surf City USA,” had been controlled by Democrats after the 2020 elections, a change many observers viewed as a reflection of California’s broader political realignment.

That changed in 2022 when three conservative candidates defeated their liberal rivals, flipping the city council and returning Republicans to power.

State Senator Tony Strickland, who previously served as the city’s 85th mayor, said the resurgence of conservative leadership in Huntington Beach was a deliberate rejection of progressive policies.

“If you want to be successful, do the opposite,” Strickland told the Daily Mail, referring to the city’s approach compared to state-level governance.

Strickland said the city has focused on homelessness and public safety but has done so in ways distinct from statewide initiatives.

“We enforce our homelessness, our encampment laws. We don’t think it’s compassionate to leave someone on the ground or having urine and feces on the street,” he said.

“We give the law enforcement the tools they need, to enforce our homelessness.”

According to Strickland, homelessness in Huntington Beach has declined by 24 percent, even as other cities across California report increases.

He also said the city’s crime rate has fallen since conservatives regained control of the council.

“We prosecute small crimes,” he said.

“We don’t let that go.”

Strickland, who has been vocal in his opposition to Governor Gavin Newsom’s policies, said the city is prepared to continue challenging Sacramento on key issues.

“I think we’re one leader away from prosperity in California,” he said.

“But the only one that’s messing it up is Gavin Newsom and his policies.”

The latest flashpoint between Huntington Beach and the state government is a dispute over housing mandates.

City officials have filed multiple lawsuits challenging the state’s requirement that local governments approve more high-density housing projects.

Strickland said the state’s plan would fundamentally change the city’s suburban character.

“What they want to do in Sacramento is force urban living,” he said.

“People who live in Huntington Beach like the suburban, coastal community. What the housing mandate that came from the state of California was—they want to urbanize pretty much all of suburban California.”

According to city officials, the state’s plan includes a proposal to construct 50 high-rise apartment complexes across Huntington Beach, which Strickland said the community overwhelmingly opposes.

“That’s not what our citizens want, and we’re pushing back and we’re going to court,” he said.

Councilmember Butch Twining, who was elected during the 2022 political shift, echoed those concerns.

A lifelong resident of Huntington Beach, Twining said the cost of land and development makes the state’s housing targets unrealistic.

“It’s extremely difficult to build affordable units in Huntington Beach,” he told the Daily Mail.

“We’re going to have to either displace residents or businesses to meet the intent of what Sacramento is trying to do.”

Twining cited voter registration data showing roughly 57,000 Republicans in the city, compared to about 41,000 Democrats and 6,600 independents, as evidence that the community continues to lean strongly conservative.

“Republicans outnumber the Democrats significantly in this town,” he said.

Before the current council majority was dubbed the “MAGA-nificent 7,” the earlier conservative bloc—known locally as the “Fab 4”—included Strickland, Casey McKeon, Gracey Larrea-Van Der Mark, and Pat Burns, who now serves as mayor.

When four council seats opened due to term limits, the group mobilized quickly to recruit new candidates.

“They won significantly—it was a massacre,” Twining said.

“It wasn’t that anybody hated the four people that were termed out, they were just Democrats and they did what Democrats did. It was all about social issues, and people in Huntington Beach got tired of it.”

Twining and fellow councilmembers Chad Williams and Don Kennedy filled the open seats, solidifying Republican control.

“Huntington Beach proves that conservative leadership works,” Strickland said.

“And yes, we do the opposite of what they do in Sacramento because they’re doing it wrong in Sacramento.”

Obama Caught on Camera Pushing Government Control of ‘Facts’ on Social Media
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Obama Caught on Camera Pushing Government Control of ‘Facts’ on Social Media

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Former President Barack Obama this week called for new government regulations on social media platforms, arguing that the federal government should play a role in determining how online platforms handle political and journalistic content.

The comments, delivered during a recent forum on media and technology, come as lawmakers move to address concerns about federal involvement in information control.

“Part of what we’re going to have to do is to start experimenting with new forms of journalism and how we use social media in ways that reaffirm facts and separate facts from opinion,” Obama said.

“We want diversity of opinion. We don’t want diversity of facts. That, I think, is one of the big tasks of social media. By the way, it will require some government, I believe, some government, um, regulatory constraints around some of these business models in a way that’s consistent with the First Amendment but that also says, look, uh, there is a difference between, uh, these platforms letting all voices be heard versus a business model that elevates the most hateful voices or the most polarizing voices or the most, uh, dangerous, in the sense of inciting violence, voices.”

Obama’s comments reignited debate over how far the government should go in overseeing online speech and the role of social media companies in determining what constitutes misinformation.

His remarks drew particular attention from critics who argued that such regulatory “constraints” could enable federal involvement in suppressing dissenting opinions or politically inconvenient narratives.

The former president’s position also renewed scrutiny of a controversial law he signed in 2012 — the Smith-Mundt Modernization Act — which removed a decades-old restriction preventing the federal government from distributing propaganda domestically.

Originally enacted in 1948, the Smith-Mundt Act prohibited U.S. agencies such as the Voice of America from broadcasting government-funded messaging intended for foreign audiences inside the United States.

The 2012 revision, included in the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013, effectively lifted that restriction.

The issue resurfaced this month when Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) introduced new legislation aimed at repealing the Smith-Mundt Modernization Act.

Massie said his proposal, formally titled HR 5704 — the Repeal the Smith-Mundt Modernization Act of 2013, would restore the original prohibition on domestic dissemination of federally funded propaganda.

“Today, Representative Thomas Massie (R-KY) introduced HR 5704, the Repeal the Smith-Mundt Modernization Act of 2013, to protect American audiences from the domestic dissemination of federally funded propaganda by the State Department, the United States Agency for Global Media (USAGM), and their component networks,” Massie’s office said in a press release.

“The 2013 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) included the Smith-Mundt Modernization Act, legislation that ended a prohibition on the federal government exposing American audiences to its propaganda.”

The proposed repeal would, according to Massie’s office, “restore the longstanding firewall prohibiting federal domestic propaganda,” and “stop the domestic dissemination of propaganda by the State Department, United States Agency for Global Media, and their component networks.”

The bill also includes provisions designed to ensure congressional oversight while maintaining transparency for legitimate foreign communication efforts.

It would “create a secure mechanism for oversight by allowing Members of Congress and accredited media to review propaganda materials sent overseas, without enabling those materials to be exploited against the American people.”

Additional measures in the proposal would “prevent clandestine online influence operations by prohibiting the State Department and USAGM from creating covert social media accounts, websites, or podcasts to target Americans.”

It also requires that propaganda materials be archived at the National Archives with a 20-year delay before public access, along with clear disclaimers identifying the U.S. government as the source.

Obama’s renewed call for regulation has added momentum to a larger debate over the intersection of free speech, government oversight, and media control in the digital age.


His comments drew reactions from lawmakers, journalists, and policy analysts who say that calls to regulate social media often blur the line between curbing harmful content and policing political discourse.

The timing of Obama’s remarks — coinciding with the introduction of Massie’s repeal bill — highlights the growing divide in Washington over how far the federal government should go in managing information flow, both online and through traditional media.

While the administration has not signaled support or opposition to Massie’s bill, the debate over free expression and government influence on public communication continues to escalate as lawmakers weigh new legislative responses.

Arrests Made in 2 Million Louvre Heist as Stolen Crown Jewels Remain Missing
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Arrests Made in $102 Million Louvre Heist as Stolen Crown Jewels Remain Missing

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French authorities have arrested five additional suspects in connection with the October 19 theft of French crown jewels from the Louvre Museum, as investigators continue searching for the missing artifacts valued at $102 million, as reported by Fox News.

Prosecutor Laure Beccuau announced Thursday that the arrests were made in separate police operations across Paris and surrounding regions, including Seine-Saint-Denis. The suspects’ identities have not been made public.

One of those detained is believed to be part of the four-person crew that carried out the daylight heist inside the Louvre’s Apollo Gallery. “Searches last night and overnight did not allow us to find the goods,” Beccuau told RTL radio.

The thieves stole eight historic pieces in less than eight minutes, including an emerald necklace and earrings once owned by Empress Marie-Louise, a reliquary brooch, and Empress Eugénie’s diamond diadem and jeweled corsage bow.

Empress Eugénie’s crown, set with more than 1,300 diamonds and emeralds, was recovered outside the museum but was found damaged.

Two of the suspects had already been arrested earlier in the week and charged on Wednesday with criminal conspiracy and theft by an organized gang. Beccuau said both suspects partially admitted to taking part in the robbery.

One of them, a 34-year-old Algerian national living in France since 2010, was arrested at Charles de Gaulle Airport while attempting to board a one-way flight to Algeria.

Investigators said his DNA was found on a scooter used in the getaway. The man, who lived in Aubervilliers, had previous police records for traffic offenses.

The second suspect, a 39-year-old French national, was detained at his home in the same suburb. He had prior convictions for theft and was identified after forensic teams matched his DNA to a display case and other evidence left behind in the museum.

According to investigators, the suspects used a basket lift to scale the museum’s outer wall, forced open a window, and used cutting tools to remove the display glass before taking the jewels.

Louvre Director Laurence des Cars described the theft as a “terrible failure” in museum security. Beccuau said, however, that no evidence currently points to an inside collaboration.

The prosecutor issued a public appeal Wednesday night, urging the return of the jewels, emphasizing that their historical and cultural significance makes them impossible to sell.

“Anyone who buys them would be guilty of concealment of stolen goods,” Beccuau said. “There’s still time to give them back.”

The investigation remains ongoing as police continue to track the whereabouts of the stolen treasures, considered among the most valuable artifacts in France’s national collection.

Bill Gates Confesses He Was ‘Completely Wrong’ on Climate Change, Trump Declares Victory
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Bill Gates Confesses He Was ‘Completely Wrong’ on Climate Change, Trump Declares Victory

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President Donald Trump declared victory Wednesday in what he called the “War on the Climate Change Hoax” after Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates publicly stated that climate change “will not lead to humanity’s demise.”

Posting on Truth Social, President Trump wrote, “I (WE!) just won the War on the Climate Change Hoax. Bill Gates has finally admitted that he was completely WRONG on the issue. It took courage to do so, and for that we are all grateful. MAGA!!!”

The president’s comments came after Gates published an open letter ahead of the upcoming United Nations COP30 climate summit in Belém, Brazil.

In the letter, Gates argued that while climate change remains an important global challenge, it is not an existential threat to humanity and should not overshadow urgent issues such as poverty and disease.

“Although climate change will hurt poor people more than anyone else, for the vast majority of them, it will not be the only or even the biggest threat to their lives and welfare,” Gates wrote.

“The biggest problems are poverty and disease, just as they always have been.”

The 70-year-old billionaire philanthropist, who has invested heavily in clean energy and climate initiatives through his Breakthrough Energy venture, called for a shift in priorities toward improving global health and living standards.

He argued that efforts to reduce emissions should not come at the expense of other humanitarian causes.

“To be clear: Climate change is a very important problem. It needs to be solved, along with other problems like malaria and malnutrition,” Gates continued.

“Every tenth of a degree of heating that we prevent is hugely beneficial because a stable climate makes it easier to improve people’s lives.”

Gates noted that significant progress has already been made toward reducing emissions and improving environmental sustainability.

“People will be able to live and thrive in most places on Earth for the foreseeable future,” he wrote.

“Emissions projections have gone down, and with the right policies and investments, innovation will allow us to drive emissions down much further.”

He added that policymakers and global leaders should focus on reducing suffering rather than solely pursuing numerical temperature goals.

“Our chief goal should be to prevent suffering, particularly for those in the toughest conditions who live in the world’s poorest countries,” Gates wrote.

In his remarks, Gates said that health and development funding should not be sacrificed for climate goals, emphasizing that measurable improvements in quality of life—such as eradicating diseases and providing access to basic healthcare—should be treated as equal priorities.

According to the Financial Times, Gates later told reporters, “If you said to me, ‘Hey, what about 0.1 degrees versus malaria eradication?’ I’ll let the temperature go up 0.1 degrees to get rid of malaria. People don’t understand the suffering that exists today.”

The comments represent a notable shift from Gates’s earlier stance. In his 2021 book How to Avoid a Climate Disaster, he warned of dire long-term consequences if global emissions were not drastically reduced.

Over the past two decades, Gates has spent billions of dollars on climate-related projects, including investments in more than 150 clean energy startups.

Gates launched Breakthrough Energy in 2015 to support clean technology innovation and later added a policy division in Washington to advocate for emissions reduction initiatives.

Earlier this year, the company announced significant cuts, including the elimination of its climate policy group, signaling a change in focus.

Despite his new emphasis on balancing priorities, Gates said that clean energy research and development would remain vital to global progress.

“Temperature is not the best way to measure our progress on climate,” he said.

Climate scientists and advocates have reacted sharply to Gates’s remarks. Michael Oppenheimer, a Princeton University professor of geosciences and international affairs, told The New York Times that Gates’s framing was “a misleading narrative usually propagated by climate skeptics.”

“Despite his efforts to make clear that he takes climate change seriously, his words are bound to be misused by those who would like nothing more than to destroy efforts to deal with climate change,” Oppenheimer said.

Others disagreed. Johannes Ackva, who leads climate work at Founders Pledge, told the outlet that Gates’s perspective reflected a pragmatic shift.

“He saw the U.S.A.I.D. situation as more pressing, and something where he could be more effective,” Ackva said.

In his open letter, Gates wrote that COP30 provides an opportunity for world leaders to adopt a broader and more balanced view of global challenges.

“It’s not too late to adopt a different view and adjust our strategies for dealing with climate change,” Gates said.

“COP30 is an excellent place to begin, especially because the summit’s Brazilian leadership is putting climate adaption and human development high on the agenda.”

Obama Slammed for Backing White Democrat Spanberger After Scolding Voters Over Not Voting for Harris Because She’s Black
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Obama Slammed for Backing White Democrat Spanberger After Scolding Voters Over Not Voting for Harris Because She’s Black

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Former President Barack Obama is facing backlash for campaigning in support of Democratic candidate Abigail Spanberger in Virginia’s governor’s race — a move that critics say contradicts his own messaging during the 2024 presidential election, when he publicly chastised Black voters for not backing Kamala Harris, as reported by The Gateway Pundit.

Obama is set to appear alongside Spanberger at a campaign event next Saturday as polls show Republican candidate Winsome Earle-Sears, who is a Black woman, closing the gap in the race.

Former U.S. President Barack Obama leaves the stage after slaming President Trump and republicans at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in Urbana, Illinois, September 7, 2018.

Spanberger, a former congresswoman, had been considered a strong favorite early in the campaign, but her lead has narrowed amid several controversies and declining enthusiasm among Democratic voters.

During the 2024 election, Obama urged Black men to support Kamala Harris, warning that a lack of enthusiasm for the Democratic ticket could hurt the party.

His remarks at the time drew mixed reactions, with some praising his loyalty to the Democratic candidate and others criticizing what they viewed as condescension toward Black voters.

Now, Obama’s decision to campaign against Sears — Virginia’s first Black female lieutenant governor and a Republican — has prompted accusations of hypocrisy.

“I watched Obama sit there and chastise black men saying, y’all don’t want to support this woman, but at the same time turn around, go to Virginia, and campaign against a real natural black woman,” one Virginia resident said in a TikTok video that has gained traction online.

The Daily Mail reported that Democrats are growing increasingly anxious about the outcome in Virginia, with Spanberger struggling to maintain her lead as Sears gains momentum.

The controversy also extended to the NAACP after the organization hosted an event featuring Spanberger while excluding Sears.

The group later claimed that it does not endorse political candidates, though critics noted that featuring one candidate over another effectively sent a partisan message.

A Virginia resident criticized the move in a viral X post, accusing the NAACP of prioritizing party allegiance over community representation. “They care more about Democrats than they do about Black people,” the man said in his video.

Sears, who has campaigned on issues of public safety, education, and fiscal responsibility, responded directly to Obama and Spanberger’s alignment, saying voters see through the political double standard.

Obama’s appearance in Virginia comes as Democrats attempt to shore up support in a state that has leaned blue in recent election cycles but remains competitive at the statewide level. Polling indicates that the governor’s race could tighten further in the final weeks before Election Day.

House Oversight Committee Declares Biden Autopen Actions ‘Null and Void,’ Demands DOJ and Bondi Investigation
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House Oversight Committee Declares Biden Autopen Actions ‘Null and Void,’ Demands DOJ and Bondi Investigation

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The House Oversight Committee, led by Chairman James Comer (R-KY), released a 100-page report on Monday declaring that all executive actions and pardons signed using President Joe Biden’s autopen are “null and void.”

The committee is now calling on the Department of Justice and Attorney General Pam Bondi to open a full investigation into what it calls a “cover-up” orchestrated by Biden’s senior staff, as reported by the Gateway Pundit.

According to the report, the White House used an autopen — a mechanical device that replicates a person’s signature — to sign official documents, including pardons and executive orders, while Biden was away from Washington.

The report describes these actions as constitutionally invalid, arguing that such documents must bear the President’s own signature to be legally binding.

Chairman Comer stated that his committee’s investigation “exposed the Biden Autopen Presidency,” revealing how “top aides misled Americans and worked to maintain the illusion of presidential control as Biden’s capacity declined.”

The committee’s findings assert that multiple Biden aides, some of whom invoked their Fifth Amendment rights during questioning, were directly involved in authorizing and concealing the autopen’s use.

The Oversight Committee’s report further demands that the D.C. Board of Medicine review the conduct of Biden’s personal physician, alleging that the doctor participated in obscuring the President’s true medical condition from the public.

“We have provided Americans with transparency about the Biden Autopen Presidency, and now there must be accountability,” the report concludes.

The controversy over the use of Biden’s autopen gained national attention earlier this year after the Oversight Project revealed that several executive actions and clemency decisions had been signed mechanically while Biden was on vacation.

In one documented case, six criminals were pardoned on December 30, 2022, while Biden was in St. Croix. The documents bore autopen signatures instead of the President’s handwritten ones.

The White House Counsel’s Office has reportedly launched its own review, examining over one million documents related to the autopen process.

While the administration has not commented directly on the committee’s findings, officials have maintained that the autopen is a long-accepted tool used in limited circumstances by previous presidents.

However, House Republicans argue that Biden’s use of the device went far beyond precedent, effectively delegating presidential authority to unelected staff. Comer said that such actions violate constitutional requirements and should be “considered void.”

President Donald Trump has previously weighed in on the matter, stating that those responsible for authorizing Biden’s autopen “committed treason.” The White House has not issued a formal response to the latest report.

The Oversight Committee’s move marks a significant escalation in its ongoing investigation into the administration’s transparency and the President’s capacity to fulfill his duties. The Department of Justice has not yet indicated whether it plans to pursue a formal inquiry into the matter.

Portland’s Anti-ICE Protesters Melt Down After Police Enforce Laws
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Portland’s Anti-ICE Protesters Melt Down After Police Enforce Laws

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Portland police have moved to dismantle an anti-ICE protest camp outside the city’s U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility after weeks of escalating tension, federal scrutiny, and renewed attention from the Trump administration.

The development comes amid a legal dispute over whether the National Guard could be deployed to assist local authorities.

The Portland Police Bureau (PPB) had faced criticism for its limited response to ongoing protests that had obstructed access to the ICE facility and created safety concerns for both law enforcement and the public.

The encampment, which had been active for several weeks, was known for frequent clashes with federal agents.

Protesters had reportedly used spotlights to target officers’ eyes and then sought protection from local police when agents responded.

According to reports from Frontlines and independent journalists, federal agents had previously met with PPB leadership to discuss the growing safety concerns at the site.

Following those discussions, the PPB carried out a coordinated raid on the encampment near the ICE building late last week.

Officers cleared out multiple supply tents and directed protesters to stop blocking sidewalks and nearby streets.

Police also warned demonstrators that they would begin enforcing laws against jaywalking, blocking roadways, and other local ordinances often ignored during prior demonstrations.

Footage from the scene captured protesters arguing with police as officers removed materials from tents and extinguished open fires.

Some protesters pleaded with police for assistance in moving their belongings, while others expressed frustration over the sudden enforcement of local laws.

According to The Post Millennial reporter Katie Daviscourt, officers detained at least one individual dressed in black bloc attire during the sweep.

Other journalists at the scene, including Nick Sortor, documented conservative counter-protesters nearby chanting “USA! USA!” as police worked to clear the area.

The raid followed an incident earlier in the week involving journalist Brandi Kruse, who reported being struck by one of the anti-ICE demonstrators during a confrontation near the encampment.

Police referenced the assault as one of several incidents contributing to their decision to take action.

In an updated statement, the PPB said it would begin enforcing municipal codes more strictly going forward, including pedestrian and traffic laws, to prevent further disruptions.

Officers also said anyone found blocking streets or impeding traffic could face arrest for disorderly conduct.

Federal officials have closely monitored the ongoing situation in Portland.

Trump administration aides and local law enforcement sources confirmed that discussions had taken place about deploying the National Guard to assist if city authorities continued to refuse enforcement.

Federal agents already operating in the area had repeatedly raised concerns about the safety of personnel and the impact of the protests on federal operations.

The anti-ICE demonstrations outside the Portland facility are among the longest-running protest actions in the country targeting immigration enforcement.

Despite the police raid, demonstrators have vowed to continue their activities, though with increased restrictions now in place.

As of Monday, a smaller number of protesters remained at the site under closer watch from local police and federal officers.

The PPB said further enforcement actions are possible if the protesters attempt to reestablish encampments or interfere with the operation of the ICE facility.

The Trump administration’s renewed pressure on Portland officials, combined with the police department’s recent enforcement actions, marks a significant shift from the city’s previous hands-off approach.

Authorities have not confirmed whether any additional arrests will be made or if the National Guard remains on standby pending future unrest.

Marco Rubio’s State Department Cuts Nearly 0 Million in Biden-Era Travel Waste
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Marco Rubio’s State Department Cuts Nearly $100 Million in Biden-Era Travel Waste

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The U.S. State Department has reduced travel spending by nearly $100 million under President Donald Trump’s administration, marking a significant rollback of Biden-era expenditures, according to internal documents obtained by Fox News Digital.

Between January and September 2025, the department spent $212 million on domestic and international travel, compared with $306 million during the same period in 2024, when Joe Biden was in office.

The data shows a broad effort led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio to eliminate unnecessary spending and streamline operations.

Rally goers, 45th President Donald Trump and Marco Rubio are seen at the Save America Rally at the Miami Dade County Fair and Expo in Miami on Sunday November 6, 2022. ORG XMIT: 2634540 (Via OlyDrop) Xxx 110722 Mia Trump Rubio 6 Jpg

The largest reductions came from domestic travel, with nearly $37 million in savings. A significant portion of that decrease — about $7 million — was attributed to reduced conference attendance, while site visits and consultations within the United States dropped by roughly $14 million.

Special mission travel within the country also declined by about $5.5 million.

International travel saw similar declines. Spending dropped from $206 million in 2024 to $149 million this year. Overseas site visits and consultations fell by approximately $12.5 million, while training-related travel costs were reduced by another $15 million.

“The Trump Administration has consistently been on the side of the American people and the American taxpayer, and these numbers prove that,” said State Department Principal Deputy Spokesperson Tommy Pigott.

“We believe in real diplomacy, not meetings for the sake of meetings.”

The cost-cutting measures are part of a broader restructuring effort at the State Department.

In April 2025, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) issued a memo recommending that the combined budget for the State Department and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) be reduced from $55 billion to $28.4 billion for the upcoming fiscal year.

The proposed plan includes scaling back humanitarian assistance and global health programs by more than half, along with the closure or downsizing of several U.S. missions abroad.

Florida Senator Marco Rubio, left, Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, and Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin applauded Gold Star Families during the third day of the Republican National Convention at Fiserv Forum. The third day of the RNC focused on foreign policy and threats.

As of July 2025, more than 1,300 domestic staff positions have been eliminated as part of the effort to modernize and reduce the department’s operational footprint.

Officials said the initiative is designed to ensure that taxpayer dollars are used responsibly while preserving critical diplomatic priorities. The administration’s approach focuses on reducing bureaucratic excesses that had expanded under the prior administration’s spending patterns.

By reining in unnecessary travel and operational costs, the Trump administration’s State Department has aligned its diplomatic mission with fiscal discipline — a shift aimed at making foreign policy both efficient and accountable to the American people.


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