Author name: Kyle Stevenson

Chicago Dem Candidate Indicted Over Attack on ICE Agent at Broadview Facility
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Chicago Dem Candidate Indicted Over Attack on ICE Agent at Broadview Facility

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Federal prosecutors have unsealed an indictment charging six individuals, including congressional candidate and former Media Matters activist Kat Abughazaleh, Cook County Board candidate Catherine “Cat” Sharp, and Democratic committeeman Michael Rabbitt, for their alleged involvement in a violent confrontation outside a federal immigration facility in Broadview, Illinois.

The indictment, filed in the Northern District of Illinois and unsealed Wednesday, accuses the defendants of conspiring to obstruct a federal officer assigned to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Prosecutors allege that the six “prevented by force, intimidation, and threat” an ICE agent from performing his lawful duties during the September 26 protest at the Broadview Processing Center.

According to court documents, the group surrounded a federal vehicle entering the facility, struck the hood and windows, and damaged its exterior by scratching the word “PIG” into the side.

The indictment states that protesters broke the vehicle’s mirrors and windshield wipers while blocking the agent’s path, forcing him to move “at an extremely slow rate of speed” to avoid hitting individuals in the crowd.

The Broadview ICE facility, located just outside Chicago, is used for processing illegal aliens detained in the region.

The site has been a recurring location for weekly demonstrations organized by anti-ICE activists.

Authorities said the September 26 protest escalated when agitators blocked entry and refused to disperse, prompting federal officers to deploy pepper balls and tear gas to clear the area.

Along with Abughazaleh, Sharp, and Rabbitt, three others — identified as Andre Martin, Brian Straw, and Joselyn Walsh — were charged under Title 18 of the U.S. Code, Sections 111(a)(1), 372, and 2, covering assaulting, resisting, or impeding federal officers and conspiracy to interfere with federal law enforcement operations.

Each count carries potential prison time if convicted.

Following the unsealing of the indictment, Abughazaleh released a video on X acknowledging the charges.

“I have been charged in a federal indictment sought by the Department of Justice. This political prosecution is an attack on all of our First Amendment rights. I’m not backing down, and we’re going to win,” she said.

In a longer video statement, Abughazaleh identified herself as a candidate running in Illinois’ 9th Congressional District and characterized the prosecution as politically motivated.

“This is a political prosecution and a gross attempt to silence dissent, a right protected under the First Amendment,” she said.

“This case is a major push by the Trump administration to criminalize protest and punish anyone who speaks out against them.”

Abughazaleh went on to allege that protesters have been “hit, dragged, thrown, shot with pepper balls, and tear gassed” by federal officers during immigration enforcement demonstrations.

“The Trump administration wants you to be afraid of speaking out against it and its anti-democratic power grabs,” she said, vowing to fight the charges and continue her campaign.

Prosecutors, however, maintain that the defendants’ actions went beyond constitutionally protected speech.

The indictment describes a coordinated effort to physically obstruct and intimidate a federal officer and damage government property during the course of official duties.

ICE officials confirmed that the September 26 incident caused significant disruption to enforcement operations at the facility and resulted in property damage to multiple government vehicles. No officers were seriously injured.

All six defendants were arraigned this week and released on bond pending trial.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office declined to comment on ongoing litigation but confirmed that additional evidence, including video recordings from the scene, will be introduced as part of the case.

Federal officials have reiterated that while peaceful protest is protected, violence, intimidation, and obstruction of federal agents constitute criminal conduct.

The case will be prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Illinois, with assistance from Homeland Security Investigations and ICE’s Office of Professional Responsibility.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for later this month in U.S. District Court in Chicago.

DOJ Sues Eight States Over Dirty Voter Rolls as Harmeet Dhillon Cracks Down
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DOJ Sues Eight States Over Dirty Voter Rolls as Harmeet Dhillon Cracks Down

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Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Harmeet Dhillon announced this week that the Department of Justice has filed lawsuits against multiple states for failing to comply with federal requests to review their voter rolls, part of an effort to ensure that only eligible U.S. citizens are registered to vote.

“We’ve been asking states to produce the data of their voter rolls, to be able to make sure that they only have citizens on the rolls and that they don’t have duplicates and have people voting in multiple jurisdictions,” Dhillon told Just The News.

“So we’ve had to file eight lawsuits throughout the United States to enforce our data requests, which is something that they have to comply with under the Voting Rights Act and Civil Rights Act of 1960.”

The lawsuits were filed against California, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, New York, Oregon, and Maine.

According to Dhillon, these states have not complied with requirements under the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA) and the Help America Vote Act (HAVA), both of which require states to maintain accurate and up-to-date voter registration lists.

The Department of Justice is seeking access to full voter registration data, including names, dates of birth, addresses, state driver’s license numbers, and the last four digits of Social Security numbers, to determine whether voter rolls include duplicate registrations or noncitizens.

Dhillon said the goal is to ensure election integrity by confirming that all individuals on state voter rolls are legally eligible to vote.

President Donald Trump has repeatedly emphasized the need for accurate voter rolls and stronger election oversight since widespread concerns over the 2020 election.

Dhillon said her division is now prioritizing voter roll enforcement as a key step in restoring public confidence in election systems.

“This is an important task and tool that has really been neglected,” Dhillon said.

“In fact, when we started to bring these cases, some of the legacy lawyers in the Civil Rights Division told us that they were unfamiliar with how to do these cases. They’ve never been done in the Civil Rights Division before. So we were proud to bring back these statutes and enforce them.”

The move marks the first time in decades that the Civil Rights Division has taken this kind of direct enforcement action under the statutes.

Dhillon said her team is working to ensure compliance across all 50 states ahead of major elections next year.

In addition to the lawsuits, Dhillon said the Justice Department will also be deploying federal attorneys to monitor upcoming elections in several jurisdictions at the request of candidates.

Federal poll watchers will be present in areas of California, where a redistricting measure is on the ballot, and in Passaic County, New Jersey, where voters will choose assembly members and a governor in a statewide election on November 4.

Dhillon said the Department’s decision to send monitors has faced pushback from some Democratic state officials.

“This has met with some resistance by some state officials,” she said.

“[California] Governor Newsom has gone nutso on criticizing this, but I don’t recall ever hearing him object, or prior Democrat governors objecting when the Democrat Department of Justice sent election monitors to these jurisdictions.”

“And so turnabout is fair play,” she added.

“We’re just responding to requests from folks. I don’t know why anybody should be concerned about federal monitors when this is something that’s been done in many elections in the past.”

State officials in several of the targeted jurisdictions have raised objections to the Justice Department’s demands, arguing that federal requests for voter registration information may violate state privacy laws.

Officials in Michigan and Pennsylvania have signaled that they intend to challenge the lawsuits in court.

The Department of Justice maintains that the information sought is within its legal authority under the NVRA and the Civil Rights Act.

The law, passed in 1960, requires that states make voter registration records available for federal review to ensure the integrity of the electoral process.

Dhillon said the effort is part of a broader initiative under President Trump’s administration to strengthen election oversight, enforce voter integrity laws, and ensure equal protection under federal election statutes.

“We’re using every lawful tool available to make sure the system works as intended,” Dhillon said.

DHS Captures 46 Illegal Aliens in Single New Jersey Workplace Raid
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DHS Captures 46 Illegal Aliens in Single New Jersey Workplace Raid

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Federal authorities confirmed Thursday that 46 illegal aliens were taken into custody during a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) operation at a freight warehouse in Avenel, New Jersey. The action took place Wednesday as part of a broader federal initiative targeting immigration compliance at commercial facilities.

According to DHS officials, law enforcement personnel executed an inspection at a federally authorized container freight station in Avenel.

The inspection was part of an ongoing campaign designed to verify compliance with federal immigration and security regulations across the supply chain.

During the operation, agents identified 46 workers who were in the United States illegally—representing roughly 22 percent of the facility’s total workforce.

All 46 individuals were taken into federal custody and now face immigration proceedings, officials said.

The agency did not disclose details about their countries of origin or current detention locations, citing privacy and procedural considerations.

Surveillance footage from the scene reportedly showed groups of workers being escorted into waiting federal vans as officers secured the perimeter of the warehouse.

The operation involved multiple federal units and was described by authorities as a coordinated enforcement action focusing on both immigration and facility security compliance.

In a statement, DHS said the inspection was part of its continuing efforts to “safeguard the integrity of the supply chain and verify that warehouse operators are adhering to all applicable security requirements.”

A DHS spokesperson added, “DHS is committed to maintaining the highest levels of security and accountability within bonded facilities to protect both U.S. commerce and the public.”

Officials did not identify the company operating the Avenel warehouse and declined to comment on whether the employer could face administrative or civil penalties.

The agency also did not specify if additional arrests or inspections are expected as part of this enforcement effort.

The Avenel operation follows a series of similar federal actions this year aimed at tightening workplace oversight.

Nearly two months earlier, agents conducted a large-scale operation at a Hyundai-LG battery manufacturing facility in Georgia, where 475 individuals—mostly South Korean nationals—were detained on suspicion of working illegally in the United States.

That operation was one of the largest workplace enforcement efforts carried out under the current administration and signaled a renewed focus on labor-site immigration enforcement nationwide.

Officials have described these actions as part of DHS’s broader goal to ensure that bonded warehouses, factories, and other high-security commercial operations remain in compliance with both immigration and trade-related requirements.

The agency has emphasized that enforcement efforts are intended to protect legitimate businesses, maintain national security standards, and uphold the integrity of federally regulated facilities.

As of Thursday, DHS said the 46 individuals arrested in New Jersey remain in custody pending the outcome of their immigration cases.

The investigation into the Avenel facility’s employment practices remains ongoing.

Purple-Haired Dem Lawmaker Freaks Out on House Floor Over SNAP Benefits
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Purple-Haired Dem Lawmaker Freaks Out on House Floor Over SNAP Benefits

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Democratic Rep. Rosa DeLauro of Connecticut sparked controversy on Tuesday after claiming that President Donald Trump was “illegally” blocking food stamp funds amid the ongoing government shutdown, now in its fourth week.

DeLauro, 82, who has represented Connecticut’s 3rd Congressional District since 1991, made the remarks during a House gathering as lawmakers remained deadlocked over federal spending.

The dispute has centered on appropriations for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which provides food benefits to roughly 42 million Americans.

Speaking to reporters, DeLauro accused the Trump administration of failing to release SNAP payments from a contingency account.

She argued that the funds were legally obligated to be disbursed despite the shutdown.

“This administration is illegally blocking these funds,” DeLauro said.

“They are required by law to ensure these payments go out.”

However, officials familiar with the ongoing budget negotiations said the lapse in SNAP funding stems from the lack of an approved budget, not executive action.

Under current law, SNAP payments are dependent on annual congressional appropriations. With Democrats repeatedly voting against continuing resolutions to reopen the government, the program’s funding has stalled.

The dispute over SNAP payments has become a flashpoint in the broader budget impasse between the Republican-controlled White House and the Democratic-led Senate.

Democrats have voted against multiple House-passed funding measures since the shutdown began, citing opposition to proposed spending caps and policy riders.

Republicans have argued that the only obstacle to restoring federal payments, including SNAP, is the Senate’s refusal to advance appropriations bills.

“The solution is simple — reopen the government,” one House GOP lawmaker said.

“Democrats have voted no more than a dozen times on funding bills that would restore these payments. The president isn’t blocking the money. Congress is.”

House Republicans have repeatedly emphasized that the contingency fund DeLauro referenced was not designed to substitute for normal congressional appropriations.

The account is intended for short-term emergencies or natural disasters, not to finance programs indefinitely during a shutdown.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has warned that SNAP benefits could run out as soon as early November if funding is not restored.

The agency said it lacks sufficient authority to draw from other accounts to maintain payments during the lapse in appropriations.

DeLauro’s remarks came as Democratic leaders sought to shift political blame for the shutdown to the White House.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has maintained that Democrats are standing firm to gain “leverage” in negotiations over budget priorities.

“Every day gets better for us,” Schumer said earlier this week.

Republican officials have countered that the strategy has backfired.

Polling data released this week shows an uptick in Republican approval ratings since the shutdown began, with GOP leaders attributing the shift to growing frustration with congressional gridlock.

As the standoff continues, federal employees and benefit recipients face uncertainty about when government operations will resume.

While negotiations are ongoing, both parties remain far apart on key spending provisions.

President Trump has said he will not approve any spending bill that fails to meet his administration’s fiscal and policy requirements, but he has not taken executive action to block SNAP payments.

Administration officials maintain that only Congress can authorize the release of additional funds.

The House and Senate are expected to reconvene later this week to continue negotiations on a short-term spending resolution that could temporarily reopen federal agencies and restore benefit programs, including SNAP.

Mamdani’s Attempt to Hit Back at Johnson After He Declares Jeffries’ Endorsement the Death of Democrats, Falls Flat on Impact
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Mamdani’s Attempt to Hit Back at Johnson After He Declares Jeffries’ Endorsement the Death of Democrats, Falls Flat on Impact

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A political clash erupted Monday between House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., and New York City Democratic mayoral nominee Zohran Mamdani amid the ongoing government shutdown, now in its 27th day, as reported by Fox News.

The exchange followed House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries’ endorsement of Mamdani’s progressive campaign, prompting Johnson to call it “the clearest sign yet that this radical insurgent movement in the Democrat Party is succeeding.”

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

Speaking at his daily press briefing, Johnson said Jeffries’ decision marked a defining moment for his party.

“After a months-long pressure campaign from the far left, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries finally relented. He gave in, and he gave his endorsement to the socialist running to be mayor of New York City. The House Democrats, they’ve shown the world what they really believe. There is no longer a place for centrists and moderates in their party,” Johnson said.

Johnson also labeled Mamdani “a Marxist,” adding, “Zohran Mamdani is expected to take the helm of one of the most important cities in the world and the largest city in America, and he now has the full blessing of the Democrat leader in the House of Representatives. It is shocking, and that leader and all the other Democrats are going to co-own the consequences of what they do to America’s largest city.”

Mamdani, speaking from Manhattan, dismissed Johnson’s remarks and accused Republicans of “seeking distractions” to cover for the effects of the federal shutdown.

“Speaker Johnson should be sitting members of Congress, as opposed to using his time to try and attack our campaign,” Mamdani said.

“But I understand if I was one of the leaders of the Republican Party that had led a campaign that promised Americans a lower cost of living and cheaper groceries, and all I could deliver for them was a government shutdown, then I, too, would be looking to distract in any way that I could from those lack of results.”

Jeffries, who represents Brooklyn in the U.S. House of Representatives, publicly endorsed Mamdani on Friday, praising his platform for “addressing the affordability crisis” and representing “all New Yorkers.” “I endorse the Democratic ticket,” Jeffries said.

Johnson urged reporters to press House Democrats on whether they agree with what he described as Jeffries’ “Marxist agenda,” declaring, “What we’re witnessing is truly the end of the Democratic Party, as we’ve known it.”

The shutdown remains at the center of the standoff. Democrats have said they will not support a federal funding bill unless it includes an extension of the enhanced Obamacare subsidies enacted during the COVID-19 pandemic, which are set to expire at the end of the year.

Republicans’ short-term continuing resolution (CR) to extend FY2025 funding passed the House on September 19 but stalled in the Senate.

Republicans have blamed Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., for blocking the resolution to appease progressives, including Mamdani’s faction and allies of Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., who is reportedly weighing a run for Schumer’s Senate seat or a 2028 presidential campaign.

While Jeffries has now thrown his support behind Mamdani, Schumer has yet to do so. Fox News Digital reached out to both Jeffries and Johnson for comment but did not immediately receive a response.

KJP’s Confusing Word Salad Sparks Debate Over Biden, Democrats, and Party Loyalty
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KJP’s Confusing Word Salad Sparks Debate Over Biden, Democrats, and Party Loyalty

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Former White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre left New Yorker writer Isaac Chotiner visibly puzzled during a lengthy interview in which she struggled to explain her defense of former President Joe Biden and her decision to leave the Democratic Party, as reported by The New York Post.

The exchange, published Monday, quickly went viral after clips revealed several confusing answers and circular explanations.

The interview centered on Jean-Pierre’s new memoir, “Independent: A Look Inside a Broken White House, Outside the Party Lines.”

Sep 2th 2024 Washington DC The House Press Press Briefing By Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre and the office of Intergovernmental Affairs Tom Perez talked at today press briefing

The 51-year-old former spokeswoman used the conversation to reiterate her belief that Democrats “betrayed” Biden during the months leading up to his decision to end his reelection campaign last year.

“You feel like you had to leave the Democratic Party because of the way it treated Joe Biden,” Chotiner said. “How did it treat Joe Biden?”

“I call it a betrayal,” Jean-Pierre responded. “It was an all-out, full-on campaign to embarrass him, to push him out… And I just thought to myself, this man is one of the most decent people that I know. And objectively, it was a good presidency.”

When Chotiner pressed her on how she could leave the party after calling President Donald Trump a “threat to democracy,” Jean-Pierre replied, “Well, I mean, I just laid it out. There was an obvious campaign. You just had to watch.”

As the interview went on, Jean-Pierre’s answers became increasingly difficult to follow.

Asked why Democratic leaders wanted Biden to step aside, she said, “Because they believed that he needed to step aside,” before adding that her perspective as “a Black woman who is part of the LGBTQ community” informed her view of how the party failed to protect “vulnerable people.”

“I’m a little unclear about what this has to do with Democratic leaders and many Democrats thinking that Joe Biden was going to lose to Donald Trump,” Chotiner replied.

Jean-Pierre doubled down:

“Nobody knows anything. Nobody knows what would’ve happened. People also thought that if you replace Joe Biden we were going to win, or have a better chance of winning. Millions of people who showed up in 2020 didn’t show up in 2024. There was an incumbency issue as well.”

“I’m not sure what you’re saying,” Chotiner interjected.

Jean-Pierre maintained that Democratic leaders “embarrassed” Biden after his performance in the June 2024 debate, where he stumbled repeatedly and lost his train of thought on national television.

The fallout led to panic across the Democratic Party, ending with Biden’s withdrawal on July 21 and his endorsement of then–Vice President Kamala Harris, who went on to lose to Trump in November.

“I watched Democratic leadership abandon, and in the end betray, a man who’d led our country through a pandemic and a time of historic political turmoil,” Jean-Pierre said.

She argued that her departure from the party was about “dignity,” not disloyalty. “Treating somebody with dignity is not the same as loyalty,” she said.

When pressed on whether Biden’s age made him unfit for another term, Jean-Pierre insisted she “did not see anything that would’ve given me concern,” even as she acknowledged his age.

“He was older. He talked about not speaking as well as he used to. But he was engaged, on top of policy, challenging his staff.”

Chotiner cited Biden’s halting ABC News interview after the debate as evidence of his decline. “When I watched that, I thought, ‘This man should not be president for four more years,’” he said.

“I’m not the only person who feels this,” Jean-Pierre responded.

“I’m just the one speaking very loudly. I’m the person who’s saying the quiet thing out loud.”

Later in the interview, she said she no longer felt “seen” in a Democratic Party that she claimed has stopped protecting marginalized groups. “They’re throwing the LGBTQ community under the bus. They’re not fighting enough for migrants and immigrants,” she said.

Jean-Pierre also defended Harris, calling it “an insult” that Democrats hesitated to back her as the nominee after Biden’s exit. But when asked if she believed Harris could have won, Jean-Pierre admitted, “The truth was, I never really believed Harris could win.”

The exchange ended with Chotiner observing that many Democrats simply concluded Biden was “too old to be president for another four years.” Jean-Pierre’s final remark summed up her frustration: “He’s out of the picture now, and we lost.”

Search Underway After Cruise Crew Member Goes Overboard in Mediterranean
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Search Underway After Cruise Crew Member Goes Overboard in Mediterranean

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An urgent search is underway in the Mediterranean Sea after a crew member aboard the Viking Star cruise ship went overboard Monday morning during a voyage between Crete and Sicily, as reported by Fox News.

A spokesperson for Viking Cruises confirmed to Fox News Digital that a crew member was seen going overboard at approximately 11:31 a.m. local time. The ship immediately activated its emergency response procedures and began a coordinated search effort with the Italian Coast Guard.

“The ship initiated a full-scale search in coordination with Italian authorities,” the Viking spokesperson said. “No further details are available at this time.”

The incident occurred during the vessel’s eight-day, seven-night cruise that began in Athens, Greece, with scheduled stops in Turkey, Crete, Sicily, Naples, and Civitavecchia — the port city outside Rome. The overboard alert was made while the ship was en route from Crete to Palermo, Italy.

Passengers onboard said the announcement that a crew member had gone overboard came as a shock. According to a Fox News producer traveling on the cruise, a waiter froze upon hearing the alert as others rushed toward the deck to look out over the water.

One person was heard shouting, “I see someone,” as passengers peered toward the waves.

Witnesses reported seeing a crew member throw an orange life ring into the sea, followed by another rescue device — a smaller ring with a flare attached.

The Viking Star reportedly slowed to circle the area where the person was last seen while search operations continued under the direction of the Italian Coast Guard.

The ship’s cruise director later made an announcement informing passengers that the search perimeter had been expanded as the Coast Guard continued to sweep the area by air and sea.

As of Monday evening, details regarding the missing crew member — including their identity and the circumstances surrounding the incident — remained unclear.

The Viking Star, a 745-foot ocean liner, can accommodate up to 930 passengers and around 500 crew members. It is one of Viking’s fleet of luxury ocean vessels known for their smaller capacity and focus on destination-based travel.

Following its scheduled stop in Palermo, the ship’s itinerary includes visits to Naples and the port of Civitavecchia before returning to Greece.

Authorities have not yet confirmed whether the search will impact the remainder of the cruise schedule. The Italian Coast Guard continues to lead recovery efforts in the Mediterranean as of Tuesday morning.

Zohran Mamdani Protested Biden Over Israel Yet Secured Endorsements from Jeffries and Hochul
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Zohran Mamdani Protested Biden Over Israel Yet Secured Endorsements from Jeffries and Hochul

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New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani, a self-described socialist, has drawn attention for winning endorsements from two of New York’s most prominent Democrats — House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Governor Kathy Hochul — despite his history of public opposition to President Joe Biden’s stance on Israel, as reported by The Gateway Pundit.

Mamdani, who has been outspoken in his criticism of U.S. foreign policy, joined demonstrations against Biden during the 2024 Gaza conflict. At the time, Biden had reaffirmed America’s support for Israel as it defended itself against Hamas terrorist attacks.

New York, NY – January 7, 2020: Former Vice President & Democratic hopeful Joe Biden made foreign policy statement at Current on Pier 59

Mamdani accused the administration of enabling “war crimes” and aligned himself with protest groups calling for a “global intifada,” a term widely recognized by Jewish leaders as a call for violence.

After widespread backlash, Mamdani said he would no longer use the term “global intifada,” but the controversy highlighted a growing divide within the Democratic Party over its stance toward Israel.

While Mamdani’s positions put him at odds with the Biden administration and pro-Israel voters, Jeffries and Hochul have both endorsed his mayoral campaign.

Jeffries, traditionally viewed as a reliable supporter of Israel, backed Mamdani despite the candidate’s history of protests against Democratic leadership. Hochul, who had previously criticized Mamdani’s rhetoric, later followed suit with her own endorsement.

Dec. 7, 2023; Washington, D.C., USA; House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries speaking at a press conference on Dec. 7, 2023 in Washington, D.C.. Mandatory Credit: Jack Gruber-USA TODAY

The endorsements represent a striking political contradiction — two leading Democrats supporting a candidate who publicly opposed the president from their own party.

Mamdani’s candidacy has drawn sharp criticism from Jewish organizations and moderate Democrats who view his policies as dangerous to the U.S.-Israel relationship.

His calls to reduce American military aid to Israel and his participation in anti-Israel demonstrations have raised concerns among New York’s large Jewish population.

For many observers, the support Mamdani has received from top Democrats reflects the growing influence of the party’s far-left faction. Critics argue that the endorsements signal a shift away from the party’s long-standing commitment to Israel as a key American ally.

Zohran Mamdani speaks to the press at the 2025 NYC Pride March, Jun 29, 2025, NYC, NY, USA. Yannick Peterhans/NorthJersey.com

The Biden administration has maintained its position that Israel has the right to defend itself against terrorism.

Mamdani, however, has continued to align himself with activists who oppose U.S. military assistance to the Israeli government and frame the conflict as one of oppression rather than defense.

Despite the controversy, Mamdani’s campaign has continued to gain traction among progressive circles. His endorsements from Jeffries and Hochul underscore the challenges facing Democratic leaders as they navigate tensions between moderate and socialist factions within the party.

Eric Swalwell’s Trump Derangement Syndrome Reaches New Heights with 2028 Pledge Demand
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Eric Swalwell’s Trump Derangement Syndrome Reaches New Heights with 2028 Pledge Demand

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Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., is calling on future Democratic presidential candidates to make a striking campaign promise: destroy President Donald Trump’s newly constructed White House ballroom if elected.

“Don’t even think of seeking the Democratic nomination for president unless you pledge to take a wrecking ball to the Trump Ballroom on DAY ONE,” Swalwell wrote on X on Saturday.

His post quickly drew attention as debate continues over the president’s ongoing redesign and expansion of parts of the White House complex.

For the first time in the building’s history, the White House will include a formal ballroom, constructed on the site of the former East Wing.

The addition, announced by White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt on July 31, marks one of the largest structural projects ever undertaken at the executive residence.

Leavitt said the 90,000-square-foot ballroom will be able to host about 650 seated guests and is designed to match the White House’s neoclassical style.

“The White House is currently unable to host major functions honoring world leaders in other countries without having to install a large and unsightly tent approximately 100 yards away from the main building’s entrance,” Leavitt stated.

She added that the new facility would be “a much-needed and exquisite addition.”

Construction began earlier this month and is expected to continue through 2026.

The total cost is estimated at $250 million, fully financed by President Trump and private donors, according to officials.

The project’s unveiling came as crews began clearing sections of the East Wing, with images of demolition circulating widely online.

The work has drawn both praise and criticism — supporters calling it an investment in American hospitality and tradition, while opponents accuse the president of altering a historic landmark.

In addition to the ballroom, several other changes have been introduced across the White House grounds.

The Oval Office and Cabinet Room now include gold accents, while the Rose Garden lawn features new stone pavers.

Two 88-foot flagpoles have been installed near the North Lawn, visible from Pennsylvania Avenue.

A monument titled the “Arc de Trump” is being constructed near the South Portico, and a “walk of fame” display includes portraits of past presidents.

Among them is a photograph of the autopen that signed documents during Joe Biden’s tenure, an inclusion that has drawn attention from visitors and staff alike.

White House officials have emphasized that none of the upgrades will require taxpayer funding.

All contributions, Leavitt confirmed, are privately sourced and approved through the same commission process used for prior renovations.

While the ballroom’s completion is still months away, it has already become a centerpiece of political discussion in Washington.

Swalwell’s call for Democrats to campaign on demolishing the addition signals how the construction has evolved from an architectural project into a partisan talking point ahead of the 2028 election cycle.

The ballroom is intended to host state dinners, summits, and ceremonial events traditionally held offsite due to space limitations.

When finished, it will become one of the largest enclosed venues within the White House complex — and, according to officials, a permanent fixture unless a future administration acts otherwise.

Karine Jean-Pierre Cornered on CNN Over Biden’s Cognitive Decline
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Karine Jean-Pierre Cornered on CNN Over Biden’s Cognitive Decline

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White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre appeared on CNN Thursday to promote her new book but faced tough questioning from anchor Brianna Keilar, who pressed her about Joe Biden’s mental and physical fitness during his time in office.

The interview quickly shifted from the topic of Jean-Pierre’s memoir to Biden’s cognitive abilities after Keilar cited Original Sin, a recently released book by Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson.

The book reported that multiple former cabinet secretaries believed Biden was not capable of handling late-night crises and included claims that actor George Clooney said Biden did not recognize him at a fundraiser he hosted.

Keilar directly challenged Jean-Pierre: “Why, why didn’t you see… Why didn’t you have concerns? Why didn’t you raise them?”

Jean-Pierre responded by defending Biden’s performance and denying that she had ever seen signs of mental decline.

“So, I did not have any concerns. I saw him on a daily basis, Brianna. You know that. I saw him every day. I engaged with him every day,” Jean-Pierre said.

She acknowledged that Biden “showed age” but insisted, “This is a president that was sharp. This is a president that pushed his staff. This is a president that was on top of what the policies that he cared about that were important to the American people.”

Jean-Pierre continued by emphasizing what she described as Biden’s leadership record.

“This is a president that led a coalition… when it came to the war in Ukraine,” she said, adding that the administration achieved “historic successes” in its first years.

Keilar pressed further, asking bluntly, “Do you think he should be president right now?”

Jean-Pierre repeated that she had no concerns about Biden’s capacity to serve.

“No. I did not see anything that concerned me when he decided to run for president. I did not,” she said.

“I saw him every single day. He was sharp, and he was on top of the policies.”

Keilar then asked whether Jean-Pierre had read Original Sin, which draws on interviews with more than 200 sources, including officials close to the former president.

Jean-Pierre admitted she had not read the book and had no plans to.

Keilar challenged that response.

“A lot of people, if the leadership of their workplace imploded… and someone wrote a book with 200 sources… they would want to read it. They’d want to reflect on that. Why not?” she asked.

Jean-Pierre replied, “No, because… I saw it personally and I experienced it personally. On an average day-to-day. And right now… look where we are today.”

The discussion then took an unexpected turn when Jean-Pierre shifted topics to what she described as domestic threats to minority communities.

“There are people who are going missing in the street because there’s military being told to round people up who are brown, who are black. And some of them are US citizens,” she said.

“We are in a place where the rule of law has been thrown out the window.”

The interview drew attention across media and social platforms, with observers noting Keilar’s persistent questioning and Jean-Pierre’s repeated refusal to engage directly with the claims raised in Original Sin.

Jean-Pierre’s remarks come amid continued debate over Biden’s condition during his presidency and the accounts of senior officials who have described internal concerns about his ability to fulfill the demands of the office.

The segment marked one of the most direct confrontations Jean-Pierre has faced from a mainstream network since leaving the White House, highlighting ongoing scrutiny of Biden’s tenure and the accounts documented by former administration insiders.


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