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Mamdani Blamed as Bronx Jewish Neighborhood Loses Power During Deadly NYC Heat Wave [WATCH]

Parts of the Riverdale neighborhood in the Bronx, which is home to a large Jewish community, lost electrical service during New York City’s latest summer heat wave after Con Edison temporarily shut off power to protect its equipment and reduce strain on the electrical grid, as reported by Breitbart.

Con Edison announced the planned outages on Thursday, saying the temporary shutdown was intended to lessen stress on the electrical system and help restore service more efficiently.

The utility instructed affected customers to report outages and encouraged residents needing relief from the extreme temperatures to visit city-operated cooling centers.

The loss of electricity left portions of Riverdale without air conditioning as temperatures remained elevated across New York City. The outage occurred while demand for electricity increased during the ongoing heat wave.

The timing also placed additional attention on New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who campaigned on promises to protect working New Yorkers and improve city services.

The outage in Riverdale occurred as residents coped with high temperatures and limited access to cooling inside affected homes and businesses.

At the same time, preparations continued elsewhere in Manhattan for the wedding of Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce at Madison Square Garden.

The couple is scheduled to marry on Friday after hosting a rehearsal dinner Thursday evening at the arena’s Infosys Theater.

Approximately 1,000 guests are expected to attend the ceremony, with the wedding reception scheduled to continue into the early hours of Saturday.

Earlier Friday, Mamdani urged New Yorkers to reduce electricity consumption as demand on the city’s power grid remained high during the heat wave.

He encouraged residents to set thermostats to 78 degrees, turn off unused lights and electronics, and conserve electricity whenever possible.

Con Edison said the temporary outages were implemented to protect electrical infrastructure from excessive strain while crews worked to stabilize the system.

The company stated that reducing demand on portions of the grid would help speed service restoration for affected customers.

Residents impacted by the outage were directed to notify the utility if they experienced a loss of service.

City officials also reminded those without air conditioning that cooling centers were available throughout the city for relief from the heat.

Riverdale experienced the outage while much of New York continued to deal with elevated temperatures and increased electricity use.

Utility companies often monitor demand during periods of extreme heat because prolonged high usage can place significant stress on transmission and distribution equipment.

The outage drew attention because it affected a neighborhood with a large Jewish population during one of the hottest periods of the summer.

Con Edison has not announced how many customers were affected. Still, the utility said the temporary shutdown was implemented as part of efforts to protect equipment and restore reliable service as quickly as possible.

City officials continued urging residents to conserve electricity as the heat wave persisted, while Con Edison monitored conditions and worked to restore service to impacted customers.

The utility advised customers to continue reporting outages and to take advantage of available cooling centers until electrical service was fully restored.

News

Man Sets Himself on Fire Outside UN Headquarters While Holding Tibetan Flag [WATCH]

A man carrying a Tibetan flag set himself on fire outside the United Nations headquarters in Manhattan on Thursday evening, prompting a large emergency response and an ongoing investigation by authorities, as reported by The Post Millennial.

The incident occurred near East 43rd Street and First Avenue in New York City at approximately 7 p.m., according to law enforcement sources.

Emergency personnel and New York Police Department officers quickly responded after the protest unfolded outside the UN complex.

Authorities said United Nations surveillance cameras captured the man placing a Tibetan flag on the sidewalk before the incident occurred.

Shortly afterward, first responders arrived at the scene and secured the area while emergency crews assisted the individual.

Police established a perimeter using blue police tape as investigators began examining the location.

Witnesses reported seeing numerous NYPD officers along with members of the department’s Evidence Collection Team documenting the scene and collecting evidence.

According to sources familiar with the investigation, the protester was transported to Bellevue Hospital in grave condition. Officials had not released an updated condition as of Thursday night.

Photographs taken at the scene showed the Tibetan flag remaining on the sidewalk for approximately an hour while investigators continued processing the area.

Witnesses also observed a police officer standing near signage reading “CHINA OUT OF TIBET” as law enforcement personnel carried out their investigation.

Authorities have not indicated whether the sign was directly connected to the protester, but it remained visible during the response.

The area surrounding the United Nations headquarters remained closed to pedestrian traffic while investigators worked to document the scene and gather evidence.

Multiple emergency vehicles responded to the location as officers maintained the security perimeter.

Officials have not publicly released the identity of the protester or provided additional details regarding his background or possible motive beyond the presence of the Tibetan flag.

Investigators also have not announced whether any notes or additional materials were recovered at the scene.

The United Nations headquarters, located along the East River in Midtown Manhattan, regularly hosts international diplomatic events and demonstrations related to global political issues.

Thursday evening’s protest drew a significant law enforcement response as authorities worked to secure the area and investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Law enforcement sources said the investigation remains active.

Authorities continue reviewing surveillance footage and other evidence collected from the scene as they work to determine the full sequence of events leading up to the protest outside the United Nations headquarters.

The incident temporarily transformed the normally busy area around East 43rd Street and First Avenue into an active crime scene, with police restricting access while emergency crews and investigators completed their work.

No additional injuries were reported during the incident, and authorities have not announced any criminal charges or further developments. Officials are expected to continue reviewing evidence as the investigation moves forward.

News

Former CIA Officer Testifies MKULTRA Never Ended as Luna Exposes 50 Years of Lies to Congress [WATCH]

A House Oversight Committee hearing examining the CIA’s historic MKULTRA program renewed questions about decades of classified intelligence activities, document destruction, and whether Congress received complete information about the controversial operation, as reported by The Gateway Pundit.

Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL), who chairs the House Oversight Committee’s Task Force on the Declassification of Federal Secrets, led Tuesday’s hearing titled “Mind Control and Accountability: Uncovering the Truth of the CIA’s MKULTRA Experiments.”

The hearing focused on the CIA’s MKULTRA program, which operated from 1953 through 1973.

Lawmakers and witnesses discussed allegations that the program subjected unwitting individuals, including American citizens, hospital patients, prisoners, and veterans, to experiments involving LSD, hypnosis, electroshock, sensory deprivation, and psychological techniques intended to study mind control.

During her opening remarks, Luna described the operation as “crimes committed by the Central Intelligence Agency against American citizens” and “crimes against humanity.”

“This was a deliberate, systematic governmental operation… authorized by the very top of U.S. intelligence apparatus,” Luna said.

Luna also reviewed the destruction of MKULTRA records in 1973. According to her remarks, then-CIA Director Richard Helms ordered agency records destroyed as he departed office.

She said Sidney Gottlieb and members of his team spent an entire day destroying 152 files before Gottlieb later had his personal papers destroyed.

Luna noted that the head of the CIA’s records center objected in writing but was overruled.

“That is obstruction of justice. That is criminal destruction of federal records,” Luna stated.

She added that no one was imprisoned over the destruction of the records and that victims did not receive formal compensation.

Luna further announced that the CIA is working to declassify newly discovered documents connected to what she described as a previously unknown “forgery program.”

Former CIA officer and whistleblower James Erdman III also testified before the committee.

Erdman said approximately 40 boxes of sensitive records were removed from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence during declassification review efforts.

The testimony echoed statements Erdman previously made before the Senate Homeland Security Committee in May 2026, when he alleged the CIA “took back 40 boxes of JFK files and MKULTRA files being processed for declassification by DNI Tulsi Gabbard” during what he described as “documented efforts to circumvent oversight.”

Following those allegations, Luna and House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer (R-KY) sent a preservation letter requesting that all related records be preserved and returned.

Luna later stated on X that her task force had specifically requested the MKULTRA documents for its investigation.

Luna emphasized that the removal of the records “was not a raid,” but said the incident raised questions about the CIA’s compliance with congressional oversight and declassification efforts.

The hearing also examined allegations involving a CIA facility in Germany where MKULTRA subjects were allegedly tortured.

Luna questioned witnesses about the reported location and said she intends to contact the German government to seek assistance, including potential law enforcement cooperation, to locate and identify possible victims.

One witness testified that he may have identified what could have been a secret CIA prison or black site in Germany connected to the program.

Luna described the operation as “criminal in nature” and “horrifying,” adding that it went “unvetted, unchecked, and that there was no accountability.”

Another notable moment came when a former CIA officer testified, “I don’t believe that the research stopped,” referring to MKULTRA-related work.

Witnesses also discussed historical documents referenced during the hearing describing experiments involving memory manipulation.

One document stated: “It’s feasible to take the memory of a definite event in the life of an individual, and through hypnotic suggestion, bring about the subsequent conscious recall to the effect that this event never actually took place. But that a different fictional event actually did occur.”

Author and journalist Stephen Kinzer also testified about Sidney Gottlieb’s role in the program. Kinzer said Gottlieb effectively operated with “a license to kill” issued by the U.S. government.

He testified that the CIA relied on “cut-outs” through universities and other institutions to conduct research while concealing the agency’s involvement.

Kinzer also warned that advances in modern technology could expand capabilities beyond those available during the original MKULTRA era.

“There have been enormous advances in cyber technology, neuroscience, and artificial intelligence. Covert agencies may have access to tools for mind control that Sidney Gottlieb could not have imagined.”

Witness O’Neill agreed that the significant investment in research and resources made it unlikely such capabilities would simply have been abandoned, arguing that the technology developed during the program remained valuable.

News

Tim Walz Grants Pardon to Illegal Immigrant Who Sexually Assaulted 10-Year-Old Girl [WATCH]

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz is facing criticism after the Minnesota Clemency Review Commission granted a pardon to an illegal immigrant convicted of sexually assaulting a 10-year-old girl, a decision that drew condemnation from the Department of Homeland Security and renewed attention to the state’s handling of criminal illegal immigrants, as reported by The New York Post.

The pardon was approved during the commission’s June 10 meeting. The Minnesota Clemency Review Commission is led by Walz, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, and Minnesota Chief Justice Natalie Hudson.

The pardon was granted to Tou Lue Vang, a 42-year-old Laotian national who had been expected to face deportation proceedings.

Following the commission’s decision, CRC Executive Director Carli Stark sent Vang a letter informing him that his request had been approved.

“Being granted a pardon is a notable achievement and a reflection of the work you have done since your conviction,” Stark wrote.

According to the Department of Homeland Security, Vang repeatedly sexually assaulted a 10-year-old girl between 2002 and 2006. DHS said he at one point offered the victim $10 to remain silent.

Authorities arrested Vang in 2005. According to a report by The New York Times cited in the original reporting, Vang admitted to the assaults after his arrest, referring to them as a “minor thing” and attributing his actions to cultural norms in Thailand, where he was born in a refugee camp in 1983.

Vang was convicted in 2006 of first-degree criminal sexual conduct after pleading guilty. According to the report, the plea agreement spared him from serving a prison sentence.

The Department of Homeland Security said Vang entered the United States through California in 1994 as a child after receiving legal status during the Clinton administration.

According to DHS Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis, those protections were later revoked following his 2006 conviction, making him subject to removal from the United States.

Last year, federal authorities detained Vang in Minnesota during President Donald Trump’s “Operation Metro Surge,” an immigration enforcement operation conducted in the state.

The pardon has generated sharp criticism from federal officials.

“Governor Tim Walz’s decision to pardon an illegal alien convicted child rapist so he can remain in our country is disgusting,” DHS Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis said in a statement.

She added:

“These are the criminal illegal aliens he and his Minnesota sanctuary politicians are protecting.”

According to the report, the nine-member Minnesota Clemency Review Commission initially voted on Vang’s petition in April. Four members voted in favor of granting the pardon, two voted against it, and three members were absent.

Ahead of the commission’s vote, Vang submitted a letter describing his rehabilitation efforts and stating that he had accepted responsibility for his actions.

The pardon comes as Walz continues to face scrutiny over Minnesota’s immigration policies.

President Donald Trump has previously criticized Walz, who served as former Vice President Kamala Harris’ running mate during the 2024 presidential election, over the state’s sanctuary policies involving illegal immigrants, including those convicted of violent crimes.

Earlier this year, Walz also announced that he would not seek a third term as Minnesota governor in the 2026 election despite having won reelection in 2022 by an eight-point margin.

The Minnesota Clemency Review Commission’s decision has placed renewed attention on the state’s clemency process as federal officials continue to criticize the pardon and its potential impact on immigration enforcement.

News

Florida Veteran Shot Dead in Walmart Parking Lot After Heated Confrontation [WATCH]

A retired U.S. Army staff sergeant and former combat medic was fatally shot Tuesday afternoon following a dispute over a parking space outside a Walmart in North Lauderdale, Florida, as investigators continue reviewing whether criminal charges will be filed against the woman who pulled the trigger, as reported by The New York Post.

The Broward Sheriff’s Office said the shooting occurred shortly before 12:30 p.m. Tuesday outside the Walmart supercenter in North Lauderdale.

Authorities identified the victim as 62-year-old Bart Diguglielmo, a New Jersey native and retired Staff Sergeant in the U.S. Army.

According to investigators, Diguglielmo and an unidentified woman became involved in a verbal dispute over a parking space before the confrontation escalated.

The woman told investigators she fired in self-defense, according to the Broward Sheriff’s Office. Officials have not released her identity while the investigation remains ongoing.

Witnesses described a chaotic scene immediately after the shooting.

“I was walking up and heard a lady screaming,” witness David Anderson told CBS News Miami. “She was screaming, and she was saying a lot of things.”

Video recorded by bystanders and shared on social media captured portions of the confrontation before the shooting.

The footage shows a woman wearing a white shirt stepping out of her vehicle while holding a handgun as she argued with a man believed to be Diguglielmo, who was wearing a gray shirt.

According to a video obtained by WPLG, the two repeatedly pointed at one another while standing near an empty parking space. At one point during the argument, Diguglielmo raised both of his hands into the air.

The video then appears to show Diguglielmo moving around another vehicle while the woman continued pointing the firearm at him. Moments later, a single gunshot was heard, and he fell to the ground.

Emergency responders transported Diguglielmo to a nearby hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.

Family members remembered Diguglielmo as a decorated Army veteran who served during Operation Desert Storm.

His sister told CBS News Miami that he had dedicated much of his life to military service before later working as a nurse.

A native of Hammonton, New Jersey, Diguglielmo’s Facebook profile states that he served as a combat nurse, combat medic, and tactical communications expert during his military career.

After leaving the Army, he lived in Lauderhill, Florida, where his sister said he also worked as a retired nurse.

Remembering her brother, she said:

“He was a Christian man and a very good person and would not hurt anyone.”

Investigators have not announced whether surveillance footage from the Walmart parking lot will become part of the public record, but authorities are reviewing all available evidence as they continue examining the circumstances surrounding the confrontation.

The Broward Sheriff’s Office has not identified the woman involved in the shooting.

Once detectives complete their investigation, the case will be forwarded to the Broward County State Attorney’s Office, which will determine whether criminal charges are appropriate.

The fatal shooting remains under investigation.

News

Heartbroken Boyfriend Reveals Gut Wrenching Details After Trying to Save Girlfriend from Alligator Attack [WATCH]

The boyfriend of a Florida woman who died after an alligator attack over the weekend is speaking publicly for the first time, describing his grief after unsuccessfully trying to save her during the encounter.

Brittany Clark, 31, died Sunday after an alligator attacked her while she was swimming in the Econlockhatchee River at Little Big Econ State Forest in Seminole County, Florida.

Authorities said Clark was in the river with her boyfriend, Chance Allison, and her roommate, Jayden Hernandez, when the attack occurred.

In a Facebook post shared on Wednesday, Allison reflected on the loss of Clark and the future the couple had planned together.

“I’m just still in disbelief of what took place. We had so many things planned out and memories to be made,” Allison wrote.

He continued by remembering Clark and expressing his commitment to caring for her pets.

“You were such a special person and did not deserve to go out in such a way. I love you and don’t worry about shady and hokie, I’ll take care of them forever,” he wrote, referring to Clark’s cat and dog.

Allison also said he is making arrangements for a celebration of Clark’s life.

“Also, thank you, everyone, for all the kind messages,” he wrote. “They really have helped me hold together just as much as I’m falling apart.”

Authorities said Allison attempted to pull Clark away after a 13-foot alligator clamped onto her while the group was swimming in approximately three feet of water.

Emergency responders were dispatched after a frantic 911 call from the scene. Audio obtained by the New York Post captured a caller describing Clark’s injuries while asking for immediate medical assistance.

Clark could also be heard in the background during the call as emergency personnel gathered information to help first responders locate the victims.

Clark, who worked as a bulldozer operator in the Orlando area, was transported to a hospital but died before arriving.

According to a medical examiner’s report obtained by The Times, Clark died from “multiple blunt force injuries of the upper extremities.”

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said its investigation found no indication that Clark had done anything to provoke the alligator before the attack.

According to the agency, Clark had been swimming in water approximately three feet deep when the incident occurred.

Following the attack, wildlife officers captured and euthanized two large alligators in the area as part of the ongoing investigation.

“A 13-foot alligator found at the incident location, and a 12.5-foot alligator half a mile away were captured and killed,” the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said in a statement.

The agency added that testing is continuing as investigators work to determine which animal was responsible for the attack.

“Samples from the alligators have been collected, and the FWC’s investigation into this incident remains active.”

Officials have not announced any final conclusions regarding the investigation.

The fatal attack has drawn attention across Florida as investigators continue reviewing evidence collected from the scene.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has not released additional findings beyond confirming that the investigation remains active.

News

Cops Rip NYC Mayor for Withholding Holiday Pay Ahead of Fourth of July Chaos

Thousands of New York City police officers preparing for an unusually busy Fourth of July weekend learned this week that their holiday pay would be delayed, prompting the Police Benevolent Association to file a grievance against the city as frustration spread among officers, as reported by The New York Post.

According to city officials, union leaders were informed Wednesday that holiday paychecks for NYPD officers would be distributed during the third week of July instead of the second week, which has been the practice in previous years.

The announcement came in an email from Police Benevolent Association President Patrick Hendry to union members.

The delay initially sparked criticism directed at Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s administration, although the NYPD later said the issue resulted from an internal payroll processing problem that officials were working to correct.

In his message to officers, Hendry criticized the delayed payments, noting that officers are working extended shifts during one of the busiest security periods of the year.

“This is not only a violation of our contractual rights. (It’s) also an insult to PBA members who are working long hours in extreme heat to meet the extraordinary security demands of the upcoming holiday weekend,” Hendry wrote.

The union president also announced that the organization would formally challenge the city’s decision.

“The PBA will therefore file a grievance seeking to bar the City from delaying payment of the holiday checks, and we will continue to pursue every measure to hold the current City administration accountable for its refusal to support our members,” Hendry wrote.

Sources said union officials submitted the grievance on Wednesday through the NYPD’s Office of Labor Relations. If the dispute is not resolved, it could proceed to arbitration.

Later Wednesday, the NYPD released a statement explaining that the delay stemmed from an internal processing issue rather than a policy decision.

“This was an internal processing error, and we are working hard to address it immediately. We believe we will be able to fix it and ensure that everyone receives their holiday pay in the second paycheck of this month, as they so rightfully deserve. No one does more for this city than the cops, and the very least they deserve is timely pay for the work they have done,” the department said.

According to sources, holiday pay varies depending on an officer’s salary level. Officers at the entry pay scale are expected to receive nearly $2,800 in holiday compensation.

The current dispute follows a similar payroll delay that occurred in January shortly after Mamdani assumed office.

According to Hendry’s email, city officials at that time said payroll processing had been delayed because the city’s payroll office needed to update its systems to comply with new tax requirements.

Hendry noted that the current delay came without a similar explanation.

“This time, the City has offered no excuse for the delay,” his email stated.

The payroll issue comes as the NYPD prepares for one of its largest security operations of the summer.

Mayor Zohran Mamdani and NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said during a joint news conference on Wednesday that thousands of uniformed officers will be assigned to 12-hour shifts leading up to and throughout the Independence Day holiday.

Cops Rip NYC Mayor for Withholding Holiday Pay Ahead of Fourth of July Chaos

Security operations begin Friday with the wedding of Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce at Madison Square Garden.

Additional major events scheduled throughout the weekend include the International Naval and Aviation Review, the Parade of Sails, and Macy’s annual Fourth of July fireworks celebration on Saturday.

The deployment will continue on Sunday with the FIFA World Cup Round of 16 match between Brazil and Norway at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

The combination of nationally significant celebrations, major sporting events, and large public gatherings is expected to require an extensive police presence across the New York metropolitan area throughout the holiday weekend.

City Hall did not immediately respond to a request for comment regarding the payroll dispute.

News

President Trump Honors Teddy Roosevelt With Grand North Dakota Library Opening [WATCH]

President Donald Trump traveled to Medora, North Dakota, on Wednesday to participate in the opening of the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library, honoring one of the presidents he has frequently cited as an inspiration, as reported by Red State.

The new library highlights the life and legacy of President Theodore Roosevelt, whose years in the North Dakota Badlands played a defining role in shaping his character and leadership.

Although Roosevelt was born in New York, his connection to western North Dakota began in 1883 when he traveled there on a buffalo hunting trip.

He returned in 1884 at the age of 25 following a devastating personal tragedy. Roosevelt’s wife died from a kidney ailment, and his mother died of typhoid on the same day in the same New York home.

Seeking time away from the city, he returned to North Dakota, where he later credited the experience with transforming him into a stronger man.

Roosevelt often pointed to his time in the Badlands as helping shape his outlook on life and public service. His experiences there also inspired his lifelong commitment to nature and conservation.

One of Roosevelt’s best-known speeches, “The Man in the Arena,” continues to be associated with his philosophy of leadership and perseverance. The speech includes one of his most famous passages:

“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.”

The ceremony in Medora drew a large crowd as Trump arrived aboard the Freedom250 train.

He was welcomed by members portraying Roosevelt’s famed Rough Riders before taking part in the official ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Trump was joined by Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum, the former governor of North Dakota, as the two officially opened the library.

According to the White House, Trump toured several featured exhibits inside the museum, including the train exhibit, journal exhibit, campfire exhibit, AI President Theodore Roosevelt exhibit, and the “Man in the Arena” speech exhibit.

One of the most talked-about moments from the visit came during Trump’s interaction with the library’s artificial intelligence version of Theodore Roosevelt.

The exhibit allows visitors to engage in conversations with an AI recreation of the 26th president.

During the exchange, Trump asked the AI Theodore Roosevelt whether he believed construction of the Panama Canal was his greatest achievement.

The digital Roosevelt offered what was described as a thoughtful and nuanced response to the question.

The conversation also gave Trump an opportunity to connect Roosevelt’s historic accomplishments with current geopolitical issues.

Following the exchange, Trump said he would not allow China to take control of the Panama Canal, referencing China’s actions in the region.

Roosevelt played a central role in advancing the construction of the Panama Canal during his presidency, a project that dramatically changed global shipping and trade by creating a direct connection between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.

The opening of the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library marks a significant addition to North Dakota’s historical attractions while celebrating the legacy of one of America’s most influential presidents.

Trump’s appearance at the event underscored his admiration for Roosevelt’s leadership, conservation efforts, and lasting impact on American history, while also tying Roosevelt’s legacy to contemporary issues discussed during the visit.

News

Obama Insider Says Black Voters Could Sink Texas Democrat’s Senate Dreams [WATCH]

Democratic strategists are raising concerns that James Talarico’s campaign for the U.S. Senate in Texas could face challenges from a lack of enthusiasm among Black voters, particularly Black women, following his victory over Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas, in the Democratic primary, as reported y Fox News.

Ashley Etienne, a Democratic strategist and former advisor to President Barack Obama and former Vice President Kamala Harris, discussed the issue during a recent appearance, saying Talarico remains a strong general election candidate but faces an important hurdle with a key voting bloc.

Etienne said she believes Talarico is “incredibly well-positioned” to become the first Democrat in decades to win a Texas U.S. Senate seat.

However, she identified what she described as a significant concern involving Black voters’ reaction to the primary outcome.

According to Etienne, some Black voters have expressed disappointment following Crockett’s loss to Talarico.

She said Black voters are “feeling like they were betrayed” by “what happened to Jasmine Crockett.”

Etienne explained that “some voters, Black women in particular, are feeling as though the Democratic Party and Democratic candidates want our labor, but not our leadership.”

She cited what she described as “the two biggest examples,” saying they are “Kamala Harris’ loss and Jasmine Crockett’s loss.”

Talarico, a Texas state lawmaker and Presbyterian seminarian, secured the Democratic nomination earlier this year after defeating Crockett in the primary election.

During the campaign, Talarico also received attention for previous public comments that resurfaced, including statements in which he said he “hates Christianity,” referred to God as “nonbinary,” and asserted there are six sexes.

Etienne said she believes those remarks can be addressed politically, but argued that concerns among Black voters present a more significant challenge.

A Texas native, Etienne has also served as a senior advisor to former President Joe Biden, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and several members of Congress from Texas. She now leads the communications firm, Etienne & Saint.

Etienne pointed to an opinion article she co-authored in the Houston Chronicle, which included comments from a Black female voter.

“We as Black women give 92 percent of our vote to the Democratic Party, and we get nothing out of the deal,” the voter said.

Etienne said, “That’s one example of what I think is a larger sentiment across Black women.”

She described those concerns as an “alarm warning for Talarico.”

According to Etienne, approximately 1.1 million registered Black voters in Texas are not currently participating in elections. She argued that increasing turnout among those voters will be critical if Democrats hope to compete statewide.

She also emphasized the political influence of Black women within Democratic voter mobilization efforts.

“We are a force multiplier effect when it comes to Black voters,” Etienne said. “We have the ability to bring the entire community to – and we have proven that we do this every cycle after cycle – bring the entire community to the polls.”

Etienne added that “if the mood of Black women is low, then you lose an opportunity… to really reach and mobilize and engage and energize the rest of the Black community.”

“That’s the nut he’s going to have to crack,” she said.

Dallas Jones, a Democratic strategist who served as the Texas political director for the Biden-Harris campaign in 2020, offered a similar assessment.

Jones criticized pressure placed on Crockett to actively campaign alongside Talarico after endorsing him.

“There’s rhetoric that’s being turned up that she has to come and support him, and a lot of that is coming from people that support him,” Jones said.

“So, what it translates to is people basically telling this accomplished, decorated, Black female member of Congress what she ought to do. And all that does is stoke flames and fires for her supporters, who are saying, ‘She really doesn’t have to do anything. You won, you’re the nominee, you come earn our vote, she doesn’t have to help you do that.’”

Jones also argued that millions of potential Democratic voters remain available to the campaign if enthusiasm can be increased.

“There are millions of black Texans out there ready for the taking, ready to support the campaign… [but] every day that goes by there’s an erosion of that support,” he said.

While acknowledging that Talarico’s past comments are likely to be highlighted during the campaign, Jones said he does not believe they will substantially affect Black voters.

“There will be a lot of energy and effort to weaponize those types of statements,” Jones said. “But I truly don’t think that it’s going to have a huge impact.”

He added, “Black Texans that show up in November are not voting for Ken Paxton.”

Jones concluded that Talarico’s challenge is increasing turnout rather than changing minds.

“The challenge is creating the enthusiasm to get enough of them to go and vote for him.”

“He himself has admitted that he cannot win the state without Black voters,” Jones continued. “It’s not a persuasion game, it’s an enthusiasm game.”

Fox News Digital reported that it reached out to Talarico’s campaign, Crockett’s office, and the campaign of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton for comment.

News

Walz Torched Online After Calling Supreme Court Sports Ruling ‘Cruel’ As Critics Fire Back Hard [WATCH]

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz is learning the hard way that calling the Supreme Court “cruel” for protecting women’s sports might not be the winning message he thought it was.

The Democratic governor took to social media after the Court’s decision to uphold laws in Idaho and West Virginia requiring athletes to compete based on their biological sex, as reported by Fox News.

His attempt at moral outrage quickly turned into political embarrassment as critics reminded him exactly what cruelty looks like.

On X, Walz posted, “As the Supreme Court says states can be cruel to trans kids, my message is clear: Here in Minnesota, we stand with and value our trans neighbors and youth.”

The comment was red meat for his progressive base, but outside that bubble, it landed like a lead balloon. Conservatives immediately hit back, and their responses have gone viral across Minnesota and beyond.

“What’s cruel is making a teenage girl, already uncomfortable in her own skin, change in a locker room next to a naked boy,” Republican state Senator Julia Coleman fired back.

She continued, “What’s cruel is letting our girls get the sh*t kicked out of them by biological males on the field and lose out on scholarships and more chances to compete.”

Walz’s remarks were also condemned by retired Minnesota State Patrol Lt. John Nagel, who is running for Congress as a Republican.

Nagel blasted the governor as “the face of everything that is wrong with the Democratic Party,” accusing him of abandoning women and ignoring the rule of law.

He added that Walz “doesn’t support women’s rights” and “doesn’t stand for anything”—a brutal summary of how many Minnesotans now view their governor.

Renee Carlson, a True North Legal attorney, asked the obvious question that cuts right through Walz’s virtue signaling. “Which Minnesota girl deserves to lose her spot on a team to a male athlete?” she posted on X.

The post quickly gained traction because it reflects the real-world consequences at the heart of this controversy.

Even the Republican National Committee got in on the action. Its account blasted Walz’s comments, saying, “Tim Walz calls it ‘cruel’ that the Supreme Court ruled to protect young girls and keep men out of their sports. What’s actually ‘cruel’ is advocating for the gender mutilation of children and letting men in their locker rooms, you sicko.”

The post reflected the growing frustration among parents sick of politicians throwing common sense out the window to satisfy fringe activists.

“Minnesota is being run by people who have completely lost touch with reality,” said state Senator Michael Holmstrom.

He did not mince words, writing that the “true cruelty” to children is “perpetuating the LIE that they can be a different gender.” Holmstrom added that such policies are destroying lives and victimizing girls across the state.

Townhall columnist Dustin Grage summed up the mood among conservatives in Minnesota with a particularly blunt dismissal.

“Worst Governor in America. Thankfully, we have exposed him, and he’ll be headed to retirement soon. Good riddance, Tim.”

Walz, for his part, tried to recover by explaining that his state’s stance would not change because of the ruling. “The Supreme Court has allowed states to be as cruel as they want to be to transgender people,” he said later in the day.

He added, “They’ve also allowed states like Minnesota to be as kind and welcoming as they can, so I kind of view this as a mixed bag.” In other words, he’s doubling down on the woke language that got him into trouble in the first place.

Walz told reporters, “We’re going to view it as a positive considering what could have been done. In Minnesota, we can continue to treat our transgender athletes and youth with dignity and humanity and respect.”

But his moral posturing ignores the clear meaning of the Supreme Court’s ruling and the growing national majority demanding fairness in women’s athletics.

In the cases West Virginia v. B.P.J. and Little v. Hecox, the Court affirmed that states have the right to protect female competition by ensuring athletes play according to their biological sex.

Constitutional law scholars highlighted that transgender status is not considered a protected class under federal law, meaning states have the power to decide for themselves.

More than half the states in the country now have protections on the books to ensure female athletes are not forced to compete against biological males.

That’s not cruelty—it’s common sense, and it’s a return to fair play that most Americans quietly support, even if their politicians lack the backbone to say it out loud.

Meanwhile, Walz’s polling numbers have been sliding—another sign that constant pandering to the far left is wearing thin in the Land of 10,000 Lakes.

Between scandal fatigue, economic frustrations, and now this tone-deaf outburst against the Supreme Court, even Democrats in his state are privately wondering whether Walz has become a liability.

The governor’s “cruelty” narrative might have played well at a faculty lounge in Minneapolis, but for ordinary voters who still believe in fair competition and biological reality, his moral compass looks badly out of whack.

Judging by the reaction online, Tim Walz picked the wrong fight, and his “cruel” choice of words might be what defines his decline.


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