Author name: Kyle Stevenson

Jan. 6 Pipe Bomber Identified? Forensic Analysis Points to This Ex-Capitol Officer
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Jan. 6 Pipe Bomber Identified? Forensic Analysis Points to This Ex-Capitol Officer

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A forensic gait analysis has reportedly identified a former U.S. Capitol Police officer as a potential match for the unidentified individual suspected of planting pipe bombs near the Republican National Committee and Democratic National Committee headquarters on January 5, 2021.

According to an investigation published by Blaze News and confirmed by several intelligence sources, the walking pattern of Shauni Rae Kerkhoff, 31, of Alexandria, Virginia, was determined to be a 94%–98% match to the suspect seen on surveillance footage from that evening.

Kerkhoff, who served with the Capitol Police for more than four years, left the department in mid-2021 to work on a security detail with the Central Intelligence Agency, sources told Blaze News.

In that role, she reportedly serves on dignitary protection teams that include assignments for CIA Director John Ratcliffe and other senior officials.

Her residence in Alexandria was reportedly under police watch as of Friday evening, and Blaze News Editor in Chief Christopher Bedford was briefly stopped by officers near the property before being allowed to leave.

The software analysis, which measured gait parameters such as knee flexion, hip extension, step length, and cadence, was conducted by a veteran analyst commissioned by Blaze News.

The program identified Kerkhoff’s movements as a 94% match, while the analyst’s visual review placed the similarity closer to 98%.

The study compared security footage from the Capitol on January 6 with unedited video of the pipe-bomb suspect walking near C Street on the previous night.

Former FBI Special Agent Kyle Seraphin told Blaze News that he recognized the address where he had conducted surveillance days after January 6 as being next door to the woman now suspected in the case.

“The FBI put us one door away from the pipe bomber within days of January 6, and we were deliberately pulled away for no logical or logically investigative reason,” Seraphin said.

“And everything about that tells me that they were involved in a cover-up and have been since day one.”

Seraphin said his team had monitored an Air Force civilian employee whose vehicle was allegedly connected to the individual seen picking up the bomber in Falls Church, Virginia.

His proposal to conduct a “knock and talk” was denied, and the team was removed from the assignment later that evening.

The FBI, he added, tied a SmarTrip card allegedly used by the bomber to the same civilian employee, though investigators concluded that while the man purchased the card, he had not used it.

Kerkhoff, a member of the Capitol Police Civil Disturbance Unit from 2018 to 2021, had been a training officer for “less-lethal” weapons used during the January 6 crowd control operations.

Blaze News recently published security footage showing officers firing kinetic-impact projectiles from elevated positions, striking at least 16 individuals above the waistline during the early stages of the confrontation on the Capitol’s West Plaza.

The FBI has faced growing criticism over its handling of the pipe-bomb investigation, which remains unsolved nearly five years later despite a combined reward of $500,000.

Former Director Christopher Wray has testified before Congress that the bureau conducted thousands of interviews and reviewed tens of thousands of video files, but critics such as Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) have accused the agency of withholding critical details.

In a 2023 hearing, Massie pressed Wray on whether the individual who first discovered the DNC pipe bomb—a plainclothes Capitol Police counter-surveillance officer—had been interviewed.

Wray declined to discuss specifics, saying only that “all logical investigative steps” had been taken.

Former Capitol Police Chief Steven Sund told Blaze News that he had no knowledge of any Capitol Police involvement in the bomb placements.

“I had no knowledge that it was being carried out, nor were they carrying it out with any authorization from the chief’s office,” Sund said.

“I’m unaware of any legitimate reason that any Capitol Police or other law enforcement officer would be involved in the planting of those pipe bombs.”

According to Blaze News, the gait analysis findings were confirmed by multiple intelligence sources who reviewed the results.

Video comparisons included footage from the Capitol Police security network and older recordings of Kerkhoff playing soccer for Temple University, where she had suffered a serious leg injury in 2015 that left her with a slight limp.

The injury, resulting from a collision on the field, required surgery and ended her collegiate soccer career.

She later joined Temple’s ProRanger program, which partners with the National Park Service, before beginning her law enforcement career.

The potential identification of a Capitol Police officer as the suspect, if validated, could have significant implications for the government’s longstanding narrative surrounding the events of January 6.

The FBI’s inability to resolve the case has drawn renewed scrutiny from lawmakers and investigators seeking to determine whether the original investigation overlooked possible internal connections or mishandled evidence tied to the bombings.

As of now, the FBI maintains that the case remains active.

Officials have reiterated their commitment to pursuing all credible leads in what has become one of the most prolonged unsolved elements of the January 6 investigation.

Bessent on Trump’s Rare Earth Revolution: ‘We’re Finally Becoming Independent Again’
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Bessent on Trump’s Rare Earth Revolution: ‘We’re Finally Becoming Independent Again’

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Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the opening of a new rare earth magnet processing center in South Carolina marks a major step in restoring American manufacturing independence and reducing reliance on China for critical materials.

In an exclusive interview with FOX Business’ Edward Lawrence, Bessent discussed the economic impact of the new facility in Sumter, operated by EVAC, and said the project represents a turning point for U.S. industry under President Donald Trump’s administration.

“This is the first magnet made in the U.S. in 25 years — we’re ending China’s chokehold on our supply chain,” Bessent said during the visit to the site.

He explained that rare earth materials are essential components used in a wide range of technologies, including smartphones, electric vehicles, wind turbines, fighter jets, and missile systems.

“We’re finally becoming independent again, thanks to companies like EVAC,” Bessent said.

Bessent described the new processing center as a key part of the administration’s strategy to revive U.S. manufacturing and strengthen economic and national security.

“President Trump was committed to bringing the manufacturing jobs back to America and this is the start,” he said.

“And the good part about this is, not only these high-paying jobs, this is part of national and economic security.”

The Sumter facility, Bessent said, employed roughly 800 construction workers during its development and is expected to expand significantly in the coming years.

“They started it 18 months ago,” he said.

“The state of South Carolina — Governor McMaster was fantastic. They said it took them eight weeks to get permits. They couldn’t believe how fast it was. And this is President Trump’s all-hands-on-deck for this national security emergency.”

Bessent credited President Trump’s executive order on rare earth production and supply chain protection for making the project possible, as well as state-level support from Governor Henry McMaster, who worked to fast-track the permitting process.

He said the administration viewed the project as both an economic and national security priority.

“This is the first major step in securing the supply chain that our industries and defense systems rely on,” Bessent said, adding that the facility could eventually expand “six to ten times bigger” as EVAC scales up production.

The Treasury Secretary also addressed the administration’s broader economic goals, including affordability for working Americans.

He contrasted current economic trends with what he described as high inflation and declining real wages under Joe Biden’s administration.

“Under Biden, working Americans saw their real wages decimated as inflation rose more than 20% and the average cost of household essentials climbed into the 30% range,” Bessent said.

Bessent noted that under President Trump, inflation has declined for the first time in four years, and consumer prices are beginning to fall.

“We’re already seeing workers get real wage increases and that’s going to accelerate like it did in President Trump’s first term,” he said.

He also cited improvements in consumer spending power, noting that Walmart recently reported Thanksgiving meal costs are down 25% compared to the previous year.

Bessent said the administration remains focused on policies that directly affect families and workers, emphasizing that affordability and job creation are central to the Trump economic agenda through 2026 and 2027.

“This is about jobs, affordability, and independence,” Bessent said.

“We’re seeing a manufacturing lift-off, and this plant in South Carolina is just the beginning.”

WATCH:

The Democrat Party Has ‘Officially Surrendered to Radicals Who Hate America’: Mike Johnson
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The Democrat Party Has ‘Officially Surrendered to Radicals Who Hate America’: Mike Johnson

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On the 37th day of the ongoing government shutdown, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) addressed reporters on Capitol Hill, warning that the Democratic Party is being overtaken by what he described as a “communist wave” following a string of left-wing victories in Tuesday’s elections.

Johnson’s remarks came after Democrat Zohran Mamdani, a 34-year-old New York City councilman and self-described Marxist, secured a decisive win that many in Washington now see as a symbolic turning point for the party’s ideological direction.

“There are some things we really need to point out,” Johnson said during his press briefing.

“First, there were no surprises on Tuesday night, ok? You had blue states and blue cities that voted blue, to the alarm of no one, to the surprise of no one. That was what was expected.”

He continued, “It just so happened that New York, New Jersey, and Virginia were the states that were in the national spotlight on Tuesday. If the tables had been turned, and the calendar had been different, and you had three red states, we’d have an entirely different narrative that you all would be writing about. Don’t lose the simple facts.”

Johnson then turned to the broader implications of the results, saying, “The big headline that everyone is writing about, appropriately, is that the future of the Democrats was set in New York City. A 34-year-old Marxist is now the leader of the Democratic Party, and it is a very dangerous road for them to go down.”

Referencing Mamdani’s campaign, Johnson said, “It is very easy to run and win as a socialist, right? All you do is promise everything to everyone for free. What a great message that is. Boy, that really resonates with people who don’t study history.”

He warned that the allure of socialism comes with hidden consequences.

“While you’re making all those promises, you just hope they never realize the trap that you’re actually setting — the impossibility of fulfilling your fantastical claims and dreams and the extreme danger and chaos that would result if you ever could.”

Johnson argued that such campaigns threaten fundamental American principles.

“When you run as a socialist, you have to hope that they never understand that this will lead to the inevitable loss of their freedom, their opportunity, their security. The loss of meritocracy and fairness in society. The loss of colorblindness and the loss of emphasis on character and the morality and personal incentive and the common sense that we rely upon to keep a republic in operation.”

He added, “If you run as a socialist, you run on a big list of false claims. You promise everything to everyone, and you can’t deliver. And if you were ever able to deliver, it would be at the great detriment of the very people that you lured in to vote for you.”

Johnson also highlighted growing divisions within the Democratic Party, noting that more moderate members could soon find themselves politically isolated.

“The Democrats have now set themselves on a collision course in their own tent,” he said.

“If you look at Spanberger in Virginia and Sherrill in New Jersey, they tried to run as moderate pragmatists; that’s how they self-described. But they will be no match for the coming communist wave taking over their party right now.”

“The energy is on the side of the Marxists,” Johnson said.

“Look no further than the top two Democrats in Congress. They had to bend the knee to the socialists.”

On Wednesday, Johnson expanded on those remarks, calling Mamdani’s win “the biggest victory for destructive, dangerous, big government socialism in U.S. history.”

“Zohran Mamdani’s victory marks the BIGGEST WIN FOR destructive, dangerous, big government SOCIALISM in U.S. history — and a loss for freedom loving American people,” Johnson said.

“He’s an unapologetic Marxist — fully EMBRACED by the Democrat establishment. Hakeem Jeffries ENDORSED him. Barack Obama personally called to CONGRATULATE him. The Democrat Party has officially surrendered to socialists and the radicals who HATE America — they now control the movement.”

Johnson’s comments reflect growing concern among Republican lawmakers that the Democratic Party is shifting further left ahead of next year’s midterm elections.

He warned that the success of openly socialist candidates like Mamdani signals a broader ideological realignment within the party — one he described as a direct threat to freedom and democratic governance.

Supreme Court Delivers Blow of Reality to ‘Gender Ideology’ Radicals
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Supreme Court Delivers Blow of Reality to ‘Gender Ideology’ Radicals

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The Supreme Court ruled that the Trump administration can enforce a policy requiring U.S. passports to reflect a holder’s biological sex, allowing the measure to take effect while ongoing litigation continues.

The order issued by the Court stated, “Displaying passport holders’ sex at birth no more offends equal protection principles than displaying their country of birth—in both cases, the Government is merely attesting to a historical fact without subjecting anyone to differential treatment.”

The decision temporarily reinstates the administration’s directive, which had been blocked by lower courts following challenges from advocacy groups and individual plaintiffs.

The ruling came after the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit declined in September to pause a lower court’s injunction that had prevented enforcement of the rule.

The policy stems from an executive order signed by President Donald Trump on his first day in office, January 20, 2025.

The order directed federal agencies to “implement changes to require that government-issued identification documents, including passports, visas, and Global Entry cards, accurately reflect the holder’s sex,” defining sex as “an individual’s immutable biological classification as either male or female.”

Under the Biden-Harris administration, the U.S. State Department had permitted passport applicants to choose among “M,” “F,” or “X” as their sex marker, without requiring that the selection correspond to their biological sex.

That rule change, introduced in 2021, was reversed immediately upon President Trump’s return to office as part of his broader directive to align federal identification documents with biological definitions of sex.

In her dissent, Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, joined by Justices Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan, criticized the Court’s decision to allow the policy to take effect during ongoing litigation.

“On January 22, 2025, the agency overhauled the rules for sex markers on passports, reverting to its pre-1992 practices. Its Passport Policy now requires that all new passports reflect the holders’ sex assigned at birth,” Jackson wrote.

She continued, “Why? Because two days earlier, on January 20, President Trump issued Executive Order No. 14168, characterizing transgender identity as ‘false’ and ‘corrosive’ to American society.”

The plaintiffs in the case, who are transgender individuals, argued that the State Department’s policy violates the Equal Protection Clause by discriminating on the basis of sex and by lacking any rational basis.

Jackson summarized their argument, writing that it “unlawfully discriminated on the basis of sex, and it lacked any rational basis because it was motivated by bare animus against transgender Americans.”

The plaintiffs also claimed that the rule violates the Administrative Procedure Act (APA), asserting that it was “arbitrary and capricious” and enacted without adherence to procedural requirements under the Paperwork Reduction Act.

The Court’s order does not represent a final ruling on the underlying case but allows the Trump administration’s policy to remain in effect while the legal challenge proceeds through the appeals process.

The decision marks a significant development in the administration’s efforts to restore what it describes as biological accuracy across federal documentation standards.

The ongoing case will continue in lower courts as both sides prepare for full arguments on the constitutionality of the policy later this year.

Steelers Legend Extradited After Fleeing to Dubai Following Florida Shooting
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Steelers Legend Extradited After Fleeing to Dubai Following Florida Shooting

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Former NFL wide receiver Antonio Brown has been arrested and returned to the United States nearly six months after being accused of attempting to shoot and kill a man during an influencer boxing event in Florida.

According to law enforcement sources, Brown, 37, was extradited from the United Arab Emirates this week and flown back to the United States under federal supervision.

Authorities in Dubai transferred Brown to U.S. custody after locating him overseas, where he had allegedly been attempting to avoid prosecution.

Sources told TMZ Sports that Brown arrived in the New York metropolitan area accompanied by federal agents and was turned over to local authorities upon arrival.

He is expected to be transferred to South Florida, where the alleged incident occurred earlier this year.

Brown is expected to be booked at the Miami-Dade Department of Corrections and charged with one count of attempted second-degree murder with a deadly weapon.

The charge stems from a confrontation that took place in mid-May at an event hosted by livestreamer Adin Ross, which featured several social media influencers and celebrities.


The alleged victim, identified as Zul-Qarnain Kwame Nantambu, told TMZ Sports shortly after the incident that Brown became aggressive and ultimately tried to shoot him during the event.

Nantambu claimed the altercation began as a verbal dispute before escalating into violence.

Authorities launched an investigation following Nantambu’s account, and a warrant for Brown’s arrest was later issued in Florida.

Investigators determined that Brown had left the country shortly after the alleged confrontation and remained abroad for several months.

Brown has denied the allegations and insisted that he acted in self-defense.

In statements to media outlets following the incident, he claimed he had been targeted by individuals attempting to rob him at the venue and that his actions were taken in response to what he viewed as an immediate threat.

Officials have not yet released details regarding Brown’s arraignment or bail status.

The Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office is expected to oversee the prosecution.

Brown’s return to the United States marks the latest legal development for the former NFL player, whose career has been overshadowed by repeated off-field controversies.

A four-time All-Pro and Super Bowl champion, Brown last played professionally with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the 2021 season.

In recent years, Brown has faced multiple legal challenges, including domestic incidents and lawsuits related to unpaid wages and breach of contract.

He has also been involved in public disputes on social media and made high-profile appearances in the entertainment industry following his retirement from football.

The attempted murder case now places Brown at the center of one of his most serious legal battles to date.

Officials confirmed that the extradition process was coordinated between U.S. federal law enforcement and authorities in the United Arab Emirates, who assisted in detaining Brown after confirming his presence in Dubai.

Brown remains in custody pending his transfer to Miami, where he will face formal charges in connection with the alleged shooting.

Trump Says Dems Are Kamikaze Pilots Amid Longest Government Shutdown in U.S. History
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Trump Says Dems Are Kamikaze Pilots Amid Longest Government Shutdown in U.S. History

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President Donald Trump drew a sharp comparison between congressional Democrats and World War II kamikaze pilots during a Wednesday breakfast with Republican senators at the White House, as the government shutdown stretched into its 36th day — the longest in U.S. history, as reported by Fox News.

“I think they’re kamikaze pilots,” Trump said. “I just got back from Japan and talked about the kamikaze pilots. I think these guys are kamikaze. They’ll take down the country if they have to.”

The President’s comments followed his recent trip to Asia, where he met with Japanese officials before returning to Washington amid continued deadlock in Congress.

Lawmakers have been unable to reach an agreement on a short-term funding measure to reopen the government, which partially shut down on October 1 due to disagreements between Senate Republicans and Democrats.

At issue are healthcare provisions tied to the continuing resolution (CR).

Republicans have accused Democrats of attempting to insert measures that would extend Affordable Care Act subsidies while rolling back parts of Trump’s 2017 tax and domestic policy legislation — which reduced Medicaid eligibility for non-U.S. citizens.

“It is Democrat-created, but I don’t think they’re getting really the blame that they should,” Trump told the senators. “The government must open soon.”

President Donald Trump delivered a special commencement address to University of Alabama graduates on May 1, 2025.

Democrats have denied the charge, insisting their goal is to permanently extend certain Affordable Care Act subsidies set to expire at the end of 2025.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer reiterated that position Tuesday, saying his caucus would not support a funding bill that excludes those provisions.

“The only plan Republicans have for healthcare seems to be to eliminate it, and then to tell working people to go figure it out on their own,” Schumer said. “That’s not a healthcare plan. That’s cruel.”

Aug 20, 2024; Chicago, IL, USA; Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., speaks during the second day of the Democratic National Convention at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Jasper Colt-USA TODAY

Trump also told Republican lawmakers that he believes the ongoing shutdown contributed to recent GOP losses in Tuesday’s elections, including gubernatorial contests in Virginia and New Jersey.

“Exactly one year ago, we had that big, beautiful victory,” Trump said. “But I thought we’d have a discussion after the press leaves about what last night represented and what we should do about it. And also about the shutdown and how that relates to last night.”

“I think if you read the pollsters, the shutdown was a big factor. Negative for the Republicans, and that was a big factor,” he added.

Despite calls from the White House to pass a stopgap measure, Senate Democrats have continued to block Republican efforts to fund the government without including new healthcare spending. Negotiations are expected to continue through the week.

Louisiana Mom Helps Police Catch Suspect, Gets Citizenship Award
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Louisiana Mom Helps Police Catch Suspect, Gets Citizenship Award

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A Louisiana mother of three was recognized Tuesday for her quick thinking after she helped police pursue and capture a suspected shoplifter by lending an officer her car during a chase in Slidell.

The incident began Saturday at the Dillard’s store in Slidell, when Sgt. Jeff Kahrs of the Slidell Police Department responded to a report of an active shoplifting case.

Authorities said the suspect, 34-year-old Kelsey Baird of Navarre, Florida, noticed Kahrs entering the store and immediately abandoned the merchandise she had been attempting to steal.

When Kahrs confronted Baird, she fled through the parking lot and jumped into a waiting car driven by her boyfriend, identified by police as 43-year-old Eric Boudreaux of Biloxi, Mississippi.

Body camera footage shows Kahrs chasing Baird as she ran toward the vehicle.

The video captures Baird climbing into the passenger seat before the car sped away through the lot. As Kahrs ran after them, a passing driver stopped and offered help.

“Want to hop in?” the driver asked, according to footage released by police.

Kahrs accepted the offer and directed the driver as they followed the suspects through nearby streets.

“The citizen-officer duo safely followed the suspects, while Sgt. Kahrs gave a play to play to responding officers via his police radio,” the Slidell Police Department said in a statement.

Backup officers quickly arrived and intercepted the suspects, leading to their arrest a short time later.

Both Baird and Boudreaux were charged with theft and resisting an officer by flight.

Baird also faces an additional charge for possession of methamphetamine.

Police Chief Daniel Seuzeneau praised the citizen for her actions, noting that her assistance helped bring the situation to a safe end.

“To the good Samaritan, who I spoke with this morning, people like you are the reason why Slidell is a great place to live and work,” Seuzeneau said.

“Without hesitation, you assisted one of our officers… expecting nothing in return.”

On Tuesday, police identified the good Samaritan as Lesli Smith, a lifelong resident of Slidell.

During a ceremony attended by police officers and Slidell Mayor Randy Fandal, Smith was presented with the department’s Citizenship Award in recognition of her help.

“All I was thinking at the time was, ‘How could I help?’” Smith said.

She added that she was impressed with the way police handled the pursuit and wanted to emphasize her appreciation for their professionalism.

“I was so impressed, that was my most important thing I wanted to come across,” Smith told reporters.

She said that after assisting Kahrs, she dropped him off near the suspects’ location, made a U-turn, and went back to her shopping trip at TJ Maxx.

Chief Seuzeneau said Smith’s actions reflected the type of cooperation that strengthens the relationship between officers and residents.

He also issued a warning to anyone planning to commit crimes in the city.

“We will do whatever it takes to catch you and fully prosecute you. Stay out of our city,” Seuzeneau said.

Police said the investigation remains ongoing and that both Baird and Boudreaux are being held on multiple charges related to the incident.

Trump Doubles Down, Pushes Senate Republicans To ‘Do What They Have To Do’
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Trump Doubles Down, Pushes Senate Republicans To ‘Do What They Have To Do’

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President Donald Trump met with Republican senators for breakfast at the White House on Wednesday morning, pressing them to eliminate the Senate filibuster, reopen the government by Wednesday night, and move forward with the full Republican legislative agenda.

The president’s proposal includes measures such as requiring voter identification for all elections and other reforms designed to ensure that only U.S. citizens are eligible to vote.

Trump has been urging Senate Republicans for several days to act as the partial government shutdown continues into its record-breaking length.

According to those present at the meeting, Trump called on senators to “do what they have to do and terminate the filibuster.”

The move, he said, would allow Republicans to move forward with their own legislative priorities without obstruction.

“We should get out, we should do our own bills. We should start tonight, with ‘the country’s open, congratulations.’ Then we should pass voter ID, we should pass no mail-in voting, we should pass all the things we want to pass to make our elections fair and safe, because California’s a disaster, many of the states are disasters,” Trump said.

The president also told senators that the government shutdown had affected Republican performance in Tuesday night’s elections, which saw Democrats winning key races.

He cited New York City’s election of a self-described socialist as mayor and Democratic victories in the gubernatorial races in New Jersey and Virginia.

“The Democrats,” Trump said, “have no intention of opening the government at any point and could very well continue to keep it closed for months or even years.”

He added, “I think these guys are kamikaze, they’ll take down the country if they have to.”

Trump’s remarks came as the shutdown — now the longest in U.S. history — continues to affect federal employees, the military, and key social programs.

Democrats have refused to pass a continuing budget resolution, insisting that any deal include provisions to extend subsidies for individuals enrolled in Obamacare.

The subsidies in question originated from the 2021 American Rescue Plan Act, signed under Joe Biden, and were later extended through 2025 under the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022.

The measures removed income caps for eligibility, allowing more individuals to qualify for coverage. Roughly 14 million people currently receive subsidized coverage through the program.

Republicans have criticized the subsidies as fiscally irresponsible and politically motivated, arguing that they were designed to expand dependency on government healthcare systems.

Nearly two dozen Democrat-led states have reportedly refused to disclose how many of their illegal alien residents are receiving free or subsidized taxpayer-funded healthcare under these programs.

Democratic leaders have tied the continuation of this funding to any agreement that would reopen the government, meaning that federal workers — including military personnel, air traffic controllers, and other essential staff — have continued to go without pay.

The shutdown has also affected welfare programs and food assistance, which cost taxpayers approximately $9 billion each month.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune has expressed reservations about ending the filibuster, warning that doing so could set a precedent for Democrats to exploit if they regain control of the Senate in future elections.

However, Trump told senators that refusing to act now could allow Democrats to win in 2026, end the filibuster themselves, and pass their own agenda unopposed.

Trump urged Republicans to take decisive action to secure elections, restore government operations, and prevent Democrats from using the shutdown to advance their own policy goals.

JD Vance’s Brother Cory Bowman Delivers Classy Concession After Election Defeat
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JD Vance’s Brother Cory Bowman Delivers Classy Concession After Election Defeat

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Cory Bowman, the half-brother of Vice President J.D. Vance, was among several Republicans who suffered major defeats in Tuesday’s elections, losing the Cincinnati mayoral race to Democratic incumbent Aftab Pureval by a wide margin, as reported by The Blaze.

According to unofficial results from the Hamilton County Board of Elections, Pureval received 78.21 percent of the vote compared to Bowman’s 21.76 percent. Cincinnati, which has not elected a Republican mayor since 1971, once again sided decisively with the Democratic candidate.

Bowman, 36, entered the race earlier this year, saying he was motivated after watching President Donald Trump’s second inauguration. “I was just really inspired, because I look up to my brother not just as a political model but as a role model,” Bowman told Politico in May.

During his campaign, Bowman focused on local concerns, pledging to address what he described as Cincinnati’s “deteriorating infrastructure, unsafe streets, and misallocated funds.”

Despite his efforts to distance himself from partisan divisions, his opponent repeatedly tied him to the national Republican brand.

In an October 9 mayoral debate, Pureval claimed Bowman “represents MAGA” and told voters, “You either support the Trump agenda or you don’t.”

The Democratic mayor, who first took office in January 2022, also reiterated in May that Cincinnati is a “sanctuary city” and should remain “a global destination for top-tier talent.”

After the results were announced, Bowman called for unity and offered prayers for the city’s leadership. “Pray for our leadership,” he said.

“We have to pray for our city. We want them to win because — I’ve said this since the beginning of the campaign — we cannot copy and paste national politics when it comes to these city elections. We cannot just divide ourselves more and more when it comes to these cities. We want our cities to succeed.”

While Pureval had earlier criticized Bowman and his supporters as “MAGA extremists,” he later acknowledged that Bowman was “very classy” in how he handled the loss and said he would be open to potential collaboration.

Bowman concluded his concession speech by focusing on faith. “Government can’t fix everything,” he said.

“But you know what can fix everything is our relationship with Jesus Christ. And that’s why I want to encourage anybody watching, as well, if you’ve never given your heart to Jesus, if you’ve never even considered it, try it.”

The defeat was part of a broader trend on election night that saw multiple Republican candidates lose key races across the country.

In Virginia, Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earle-Sears lost the state’s gubernatorial race to Democrat Abigail Spanberger, while Republican strategist John Reid was defeated in the lieutenant governor’s race by state Sen. Ghazala Hashmi.

In New Jersey, Republican Jack Ciattarelli fell to Democrat Rep. Mikie Sherrill.

Bowman’s campaign emphasized his independence and local priorities, but his loss reflects the continued challenge Republicans face in deep-blue urban areas.

Smoking Gun: James Comey Appears to be Caught Red-Handed, New Documents Reveal
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Smoking Gun: James Comey Appears to be Caught Red-Handed, New Documents Reveal

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Former FBI Director James Comey has been indicted by the Department of Justice on federal charges of making a false statement to Congress and obstructing a congressional investigation connected to his 2020 Senate testimony regarding the FBI’s handling of classified information and media leaks.

The indictment, filed in federal court, alleges that Comey falsely denied authorizing leaks to the press about the Hillary Clinton email investigation and the FBI’s 2016–2017 inquiry into alleged ties between the Trump campaign and Russian officials.

The DOJ contends that newly recovered email correspondence shows Comey was both aware of and involved in sharing information with members of the media, contradicting his sworn testimony.

According to documents reported by Just the News, prosecutors uncovered a collection of personal emails in which Comey and senior FBI aides discussed providing information to reporters anonymously in the days leading up to the 2016 presidential election.

The emails also included conversations in which Comey expressed confidence that he would soon be working for “President-elect Hillary Clinton.”

Federal prosecutors cited this correspondence as evidence that Comey’s testimony before Congress was knowingly false.

“Consistent with the above-described correspondence, Richman corresponded extensively with members of the media regarding or on behalf of the defendant, including in an anonymous capacity,” the DOJ filing stated.

The reference was to Daniel Richman, a longtime Comey associate who has previously been identified as an intermediary used to share information with journalists during the FBI’s investigation of then-candidate Donald Trump.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Katherine Halligan, who is leading the prosecution, wrote that the emails “demonstrate that the defendant was aware of and encouraged” Richman’s media outreach, even as he later told lawmakers under oath that he had not authorized any such leaks.

The filing also addressed Comey’s motion to dismiss the case, in which he alleged that he was being subjected to a “vindictive” prosecution at the direction of President Donald Trump.

Prosecutors rejected that claim outright, stating that the evidence against Comey was based on documentary proof, not political motivation.

“Through a mix of news reports, social media posts, and speculation, the defendant weaves a tale of what he calls ‘glaring constitutional violations’ that resulted in his indictment for making a false statement to Congress and obstructing a congressional investigation,” prosecutors wrote.

“When the rigorous legal standard is applied to the facts here, it is clear that the defendant has failed to show the Constitution requires the Court to take the extraordinary step of dismissing this case.”

One of the government’s exhibits reportedly includes a handwritten note by Comey on official FBI letterhead referencing internal discussions about the so-called Russia collusion narrative that dominated the early months of the Trump administration.

Prosecutors described the note as direct evidence of Comey’s knowledge of the media coordination surrounding the FBI’s activities.

The indictment follows years of controversy surrounding Comey’s role in the FBI’s investigations into both Hillary Clinton’s handling of classified emails and the Trump campaign’s alleged connections to Russian officials—claims that were later discredited by the Justice Department’s own inspector general and by Special Counsel John Durham’s findings.


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