Author name: RVM News

Florida Climbs to World’s Fourteenth Largest Economy as Blue States Keep Losing [WATCH]
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Florida Climbs to World’s Fourteenth Largest Economy as Blue States Keep Losing [WATCH]

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Florida has climbed to become the world’s 14th-largest economy after posting strong economic growth over the past year, according to new figures released by the Florida Chamber of Commerce, as reported by Fox News.

The Florida Chamber Foundation reported that the Sunshine State’s economy reached $1.8 trillion in gross domestic product (GDP), growing 6.3% over the past year.

That growth allowed Florida to move ahead of Australia and Mexico in global economic rankings.

The state now trails South Korea, ranked No. 13, and would need about 2% additional growth to surpass it. Reaching the world’s top 10 economies would require roughly 21% more growth to overtake Canada.

Florida Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Mark Wilson said the state’s economic expansion reflects years of policy decisions focused on lower taxes, fewer regulations and support for private businesses.

“The best way to help America move forward is to have Florida lead the country forward when it comes to free enterprise and freedom,” Wilson told Fox News Digital.

“If we would follow Florida’s lead, everyone wins.”

Wilson said Florida has spent roughly two decades following a long-term economic strategy supported by state leaders and the business community.

“The secret sauce for us in Florida is this has been part of a 20-year plan,” Wilson said.

“From the governor to the legislature, to nearly all of us in the business community, we’ve been on an ultra-focused pathway here of doing the right things from a policy standpoint so that we can grow Florida the right way. So people can work, people can live the American dream, and we can show the rest of the country and the world how to do it.”

Wilson contrasted Florida’s approach with several states he described as facing economic challenges.

“We’re trying to grow the private sector and shrink the government sector,” Wilson explained.

“I mentioned the ‘death spiral,’ when you look at New York, when you look at Illinois, New Jersey, Minnesota, California, they keep increasing taxes. They keep increasing government regulations, and they keep forcing people to leave their states or incentivizing people to leave their states… so it only increases our resolve.”

According to Wilson, Florida’s daily population growth has moderated from post-pandemic highs to approximately 500 to 600 new residents each day.

However, he said wealth migration into the state continues at more than $4 million every hour.

He added that “places like New York and California are losing population, they’re losing wealth, they’re losing businesses and places like Florida are gaining [them].”

The chamber said Florida continues to rely on major industries such as tourism, agriculture and construction while also expanding into aerospace, defense, financial technology, healthcare, logistics and commercial space.

Wilson also pointed to Central Florida’s $11.6 billion modeling-and-simulation industry and chamber data showing Florida ranks first nationally in new business startups and manufacturing job growth.

Wilson also argued that maintaining low state debt has helped shield Florida businesses from broader national financial pressures. According to the chamber, Florida has the nation’s lowest state debt per capita at less than $1,000 per resident, while New York carries more than $6,500 per resident.

Wilson also addressed a recent Bloomberg analysis that found the combined cost of living in the Miami, Fort Lauderdale and Palm Beach region is approximately 5% higher than in the New York metropolitan area and nearby suburbs.

“We’re taking a deep dive into that [report], that actually doesn’t compare New York to Florida, it compares Miami to New York City,” Wilson responded.

“And what we’re looking at is not just the cost of living, but there are things like crime. Miami is now one of the safest places in America… It’s safe to walk the streets at night. Sometimes there’s no price tag you can put on some of these amenities Florida has.”

Wilson also criticized economic policies adopted by several states.

“Our country’s now at a fork in the road where some of these death spiral states like New York have adopted socialistic policies, which, of course, never work. They take away freedom, and they increase taxes and regulations.”

He said state and local leaders are continuing efforts to improve education and expand workforce housing.

“The leadership in the Miami area, I’ve spoken to them, and we’re in partnership that over the next several years, we’re going to continue to do things like improve an already awesome education system, and make sure that we have the affordable workforce housing solutions so that more and more people can live the American dream right here in Florida,” he continued.

Wilson also discussed the relocation of major companies and wealthy individuals to Florida, saying the trend has brought investment despite concerns about rising housing costs.

“They’re looking for places where they’re welcomed,” he said.

“What’s interesting is a lot of billionaires are relocating to Florida, but they’re also investing in Florida businesses… There’s no question that when a lot of wealth moves into an area, it can increase the cost of living in an area. There’s no question that that’s true… But it also brings with it an overwhelming value proposition of more wealth, more jobs, more businesses.”

“I would hate to be New York, Illinois or California, where the billionaires are leaving, the millionaires are leaving, the middle class is leaving. And there’s no one left to pay the taxes.”

Looking ahead, Wilson said the Florida Chamber remains focused on moving the state into the world’s top 10 economies before the end of the decade.

The Florida 2030 Blueprint outlines long-term goals involving workforce development, fiscal policy, infrastructure and industries including life sciences, defense, agricultural technology, logistics, commercial space and cybersecurity.

“It’s like a military operation where we have all the branches, from education to infrastructure, to taxes, to regulation, to litigation — we all realize that we have a country to save,” Wilson said.

“If we’re better than other states in certain metrics, then those states can up their game. If some states have found some things that Florida can learn from, then we’ll learn from them, and that’s gonna make America better.”

Obama Center Construction Fallout Leaves Contractor Seeking Millions Through Legal Action [WATCH]
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Obama Center Construction Fallout Leaves Contractor Seeking Millions Through Legal Action [WATCH]

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A Chicago plumbing contractor that worked on the Obama Presidential Center has shut down operations, laid off 25 union employees, and entered a legal battle after claiming his company suffered nearly $4 million in losses connected to the project, as reported by Fox News.

Mike Owen, owner of Chicago-based Adamson Plumbing Contractors, told Fox News Digital that the financial impact of the dispute forced the company to walk away from roughly six other construction projects. He said suspending operations was the only way to avoid bankruptcy.

“Laying off close to 30 people is something that no owner in our industry wants to do,” Owen said. “It’s a hard thing to do, especially when you know you can finish them and the company can still make money. But we were put in a pretty bad corner.”

Adamson Plumbing performed work at the Obama Presidential Center under the name Marsh-Adamson. The company has now filed a $1.72 million mechanic’s lien against the property, claiming it remains owed money for plumbing work completed at the Chicago campus.

The dispute comes weeks after the Obama Presidential Center officially opened in Jackson Park on Chicago’s South Side.

Owen previously told Fox News Digital that the project left his company with approximately $3.9 million in losses tied to project delays, labor overruns, rework and changing construction demands.

He said he spent months attempting to negotiate with Lakeside Alliance, the project’s construction manager, before deciding to publicly discuss the dispute.

According to Owen, Adamson and Lakeside Alliance reached an agreement before the June 19 opening under which his company would provide two journeyman plumbers to complete last-minute housekeeping work during premium nighttime hours.

In exchange, Owen said Adamson was supposed to receive part of its outstanding payment before the center opened.

An email reviewed by Fox News Digital reportedly showed a Lakeside representative informing Owen that $100,000 would be released through Adamson’s May payment application.

Owen said his company completed the requested work, but the payment did not arrive before he suspended operations on June 25.

“We negotiated it in good faith,” he said.

“Against my better judgment, I agreed.”

“Not getting that large sum of money just kind of pulled the brakes on the train. It was just the final death blow to the company,” he added.

“Rather than try to stretch it out and go bankrupt, I just decided the responsible thing was to shut it down. We’ll regroup, and we’ll see where we’re at come September.”

Owen said the promised $100,000 retainage payment and approximately $35,000 for change orders eventually arrived more than two weeks after operations had already been suspended.

“It’s almost like too little, too late,” Owen said. “It probably would have just prolonged the inevitable at this point. We’re still deep in the hole of what they owe us.”

He said the money reduced debt owed to one supplier but did not change the company’s situation.

Owen also said Adamson has vacated its office building and that he is now working from home while attorneys handle the dispute.

The newly filed mechanic’s lien seeks $1.72 million, though Owen said he continues to pursue the broader $3.9 million he believes the company lost during the project.

“It doesn’t mean that I’m not going to pursue the $3.9 million in change that we lost overall,” Owen said.

“I’m still working with my legal team on that $3.9 million figure because I feel that it’s only right that we still hold ownership at the presidential center accountable.”

Owen said he initially tried to avoid legal action while seeking a negotiated settlement.

“I’m not a litigious person, but at the same time, our legal system is there to protect the small guy,” Owen said.

“I’m just going to have to fight this out legally from here on out, and these aren’t cheap costs.”

Lakeside Alliance, a joint venture led by Turner Construction along with UJAMAA Construction, Powers & Sons Construction, Brown & Momen and Safeway Construction, served as construction manager for the project.

The alliance previously said approximately 475 contractors worked on the Obama Presidential Center.

In its latest statement, Lakeside said that contractual closeout on projects of this size continues long after construction is complete.

“Lakeside Alliance remains committed to working through all outstanding matters to successfully close out the project,” a spokesperson said.

The Obama Foundation said Lakeside Alliance was responsible for managing subcontractor payments and stated it had no outstanding disputed charges with the construction manager.

The foundation also said it exceeded industry standards by using a 15-day payment cycle and, in some cases, accelerating payments or advancing funds before work was completed.

The project has also drawn attention for rising construction costs. Initially estimated at about $350 million, costs had climbed to $830 million by 2021 and have since reportedly exceeded $1 billion.

Questions have also been raised after only $1 million was deposited into a planned $470 million reserve intended to protect Chicago taxpayers.

The Obama Foundation secured the 19.3-acre Jackson Park site through a 99-year lease requiring a one-time $10 payment.

Reflecting on the experience, Owen said the project has taken a heavy personal toll.

“This entire process really drained me out financially and emotionally,” Owen said. “So that’s where I’m at — just kind of in a holding pattern.”

He said the center’s opening celebration, which featured Bruce Springsteen, Christina Aguilera, John Legend, Bono, The Edge and others, made the situation even more difficult for subcontractors who were still seeking payment.

“There would be holy hell to pay,” Owen said.

“They would be picketing. They would be storming the castle.”

Owen also questioned why Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker had not publicly addressed the payment disputes or the union layoffs.

“But he hasn’t said anything publicly about the union companies at the presidential center getting stiffed,” Owen said. “And it bothers me.”

Pritzker’s office did not respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.

Owen said he is not blaming former President Barack Obama personally but believes the Obama Foundation should recognize the subcontractors’ concerns and work toward resolving them.

“It’s become perfectly obvious to me that the ownership group there — they truthfully just don’t care,” he said.

“I don’t know any other way to say it.”

He added that many contractors believed the disputes would be settled once construction concluded.

“But I think a lot of us out there, the main subcontractors, all still had this feeling that it was going to be worked out in the end — until it wasn’t,” he said.

Looking ahead, Owen said he is uncertain whether Adamson Plumbing will reopen.

“I mean, the only leverage I have now is just to continue speaking out and see where it goes,” he said.

“But my career — it’s funny — I’m going to have to go find a job, which is fine. It’s just that I did not anticipate the completion of this project would take this turn.”

Jim Jordan Refers Jack Smith to Justice Department for Possible Criminal Charges Over False Testimony [WATCH]
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Jim Jordan Refers Jack Smith to Justice Department for Possible Criminal Charges Over False Testimony [WATCH]

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House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, has formally referred former Special Counsel Jack Smith to the U.S. Department of Justice for possible criminal prosecution, alleging that Smith made false statements to Congress during sworn testimony regarding the scope of his investigation into President Donald Trump, as reported by PJ Media.

According to the referral, which was sent July 22 to Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, Jordan contends Smith provided inaccurate testimony during a December 2025 deposition before the House Judiciary Committee.

The referral alleges Smith testified that his office obtained only telephone toll records and did not seek or review the contents of text messages belonging to members of Congress.

Jordan argues that recently released records contradict that testimony.

“All individuals have an obligation to comply with a duly authorized congressional inquiry. Mr. Smith is no different,” Jordan wrote in the referral, accusing the former special counsel of making “intentionally false statements” that impeded congressional oversight.

The referral follows the release of records by Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa.

According to Grassley, investigators working for Smith reviewed text messages involving 44 members of Congress from both political parties, along with current and former Trump administration officials, during an investigation known as Operation Arctic Frost.

Grassley also alleged that some communications were reviewed before a Justice Department filter team completed its privilege review, raising questions about compliance with procedures designed to protect privileged material.

During his December 2025 deposition, Smith testified that investigators sought telephone toll records containing routing information such as phone numbers, dates, times, and call durations rather than the contents of calls or text messages.

Jordan’s referral argues that the records released by Grassley demonstrate Smith’s team obtained and reviewed message content, which Republicans contend conflicts with Smith’s sworn testimony.

The Justice Department confirmed it had received Jordan’s referral and stated it would review evidence of any alleged criminal conduct. No criminal charges have been filed against Smith, and the referral itself does not initiate a criminal prosecution.

Smith has denied wrongdoing.

The issue has also drawn attention from other Republican lawmakers.

Last week, Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., discussed the matter during an appearance on Fox News with Sean Hannity.

“What did he do with the text messages? We don’t know that yet. What we do know is he absolutely read them. He absolutely shared them with members of his team and all of that illegally,” Hawley said.

“The Justice Department requires that there be screening for any members of Congress [regarding] their text messages. Jack Smith said under oath that he didn’t seek the text messages of members of Congress, but in fact, we know that he did. So he lied, he violated the law, he violated the Constitution. This guy ought to be prosecuted.”

Democrats on the House Judiciary Committee disputed Jordan’s referral.

Ranking Member Jamie Raskin, D-Md., described the referral as “baseless and vindictive,” arguing that Republicans have mischaracterized Smith’s testimony.

According to Raskin, Smith was not specifically questioned about presidential records or lawmakers’ text messages during more than 13 hours of testimony and answered questions regarding telephone toll records as they were presented.

Jordan’s referral marks the latest step in ongoing congressional scrutiny of Smith’s handling of investigations related to President Trump.

In November 2025, Jordan separately referred Smith’s former deputy, Thomas Windom, to the Justice Department over alleged obstruction of Congress.

In that earlier referral, Jordan wrote, “Congress cannot perform its oversight function if witnesses who appear before its committees corruptly refuse to provide information that the law requires them to furnish.

The obstruction of a committee investigation undermines Congress’s core constitutional oversight obligations.”

Jordan’s latest request asks the Justice Department to determine whether Smith’s testimony should be evaluated for possible perjury or making false statements before Congress.

The department has not announced whether it will pursue any additional action beyond reviewing the referral.

Software Company Fires Back At Democrat Governor Over Illegal Voter Software ‘Glitch’ [WATCH]
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Software Company Fires Back At Democrat Governor Over Illegal Voter Software ‘Glitch’ [WATCH]

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A technology company identified by New Jersey officials in connection with the erroneous registration of thousands of non-citizens to vote is disputing claims that a software malfunction caused the problem, saying its system processed information according to specifications provided by the state, as reported by Trending Politics News.

The dispute follows a press conference Tuesday in which New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill announced that approximately 6,600 non-citizens were registered to vote between June 2023 and June 2024 through the state’s Motor Vehicle Commission system.

According to Sherrill, the registrations occurred when individuals applied for driver’s licenses or identification cards and indicated that they were not U.S. citizens.

The governor said a software error nevertheless resulted in those individuals being registered to vote.

“Last week I learned that a serious software error in New Jersey’s Motor Vehicle System led to the registration of roughly 6,600 people who indicated that they were not U.S. citizens between June 2023 and June 2024, almost three years prior to my taking office,” Sherrill said.

“These individuals answered ‘no’ when asked on a keypad whether they were a U.S. citizen when applying for drivers’ licenses and identification cards, but through no fault of their own, the system registered them anyway.”

Sherrill said a preliminary review found that fewer than 400 of those individuals cast ballots.

She announced that the affected registrations would be removed from the voter rolls and said the state had retained an outside organization to investigate the circumstances surrounding the registrations.

The governor also stated that the Motor Vehicle Commission had begun replacing the vendor associated with the registration system.

The vendor, French technology company IDEMIA, responded by rejecting the characterization that its software experienced a glitch or improperly altered voter information.

“The 6,600 records submitted to the [Motor Vehicle Commission] and Division of Elections contained correct information according to the design specifications as set out by the state,” an IDEMIA spokesperson said.

“All 6,600 individuals indicated ‘Yes’ to wanting to register to vote and ‘NO’ to being a US Citizen.”

The company added, “At no point was a noncitizen ever marked as a citizen in the database.”

IDEMIA said its role is limited to collecting information provided by applicants and transmitting that information through the system.

“IDEMIA does not control or manage voter enrollment, our role is simply to collect self-reported citizenship and interest data,” the company said.

The statement also questioned how the registrations were ultimately approved, saying, “This leads to more questions – if the Division of Elections had missing information which is required to register in the State of New Jersey, did the Division of Elections approve these individuals be added to the Voter Rolls?”

According to the company, the records transmitted to the Division of Elections also lacked certain information, including party affiliation.

The conflicting accounts have prompted federal scrutiny.

Following the governor’s announcement, the U.S. Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division opened a formal investigation into the matter.

Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon, who leads the division, announced the investigation in a public statement.

“Today, NJ Gov. Sherrill stated that 400 non-citizens voted in elections. This is unacceptable and illegal! The Civil Rights Division at the Justice Department is investigating this unlawful dilution of American votes,” Dhillon said.

As of publication, New Jersey officials and IDEMIA continued to disagree over whether the registrations resulted from a software malfunction or from the way the state’s voter registration process handled information submitted through the Motor Vehicle Commission.

The Department of Justice investigation is expected to examine the circumstances surrounding the registrations and determine whether federal election laws were violated.

Historic Buffalo Church Torched in Arson Amid Push to Convert Site Into Mosque [WATCH]
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Historic Buffalo Church Torched in Arson Amid Push to Convert Site Into Mosque [WATCH]

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Authorities have determined that a second fire at the former St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Buffalo, New York, was intentionally set, marking the latest incident involving the historic property after another blaze damaged the site just days earlier, as reported by the Gateway Pundit.

According to the Buffalo Fire Department, firefighters responded to reports of a fire at the former church on Broadway at approximately 5:45 p.m. Tuesday.

Fire crews located the fire and extinguished it before it spread throughout most of the building.

Investigators later ruled that the fire was the result of arson.

St. Ann’s Catholic Church was constructed in 1886 and served the Buffalo community for more than a century before permanently closing in August 2024.

Following its closure, the property was sold for $250,000 to an Islamic community. According to the report, there have been plans to convert the former Catholic church into a mosque.

The latest fire came less than one week after firefighters battled another major blaze at the same property.

Last Friday, the Buffalo Fire Department responded to a three-alarm fire at the former church.

The report did not indicate whether investigators have connected that incident to the arson fire reported this week.

The church property has experienced multiple significant fires this year.

In January, firefighters responded to a four-alarm fire at the former St. Ann’s Roman Catholic School, which is located next to the church.

According to the report, that fire destroyed much of the building’s interior, although the exterior structure remained standing.

The extent of the damage caused by Tuesday’s arson has not been fully disclosed. Officials said it remains unclear exactly where within the building the fire originated.

A spokesperson for the Buffalo Fire Department told WGRZ that investigators concluded the latest fire was intentionally set after examining the scene.

WGRZ reported:

“The Buffalo Fire Department was once again called to fight a fire at the former St. Ann’s Church on Broadway, with investigators determining arson as its cause.

A spokesperson for Buffalo Fire told 2 On Your Side that fire crews were sent to the site of the former church at around 5:45 p.m. Tuesday for reports that another fire had started in the building.

They add that fire investigators have ruled the cause of the fire as arson.

Firefighters were able to find the fire and extinguish it before it spread to most of the building. It is unknown exactly where the fire was in the building and how badly the building was damaged.

This is the second fire that was started at the former church in just the past week. Last Friday, Buffalo Fire tackled a three-alarm fire at the site, and in January, a four-alarm fire ripped through the church’s neighboring building, the former St. Ann’s Roman Catholic School.

That first fire destroyed much of the inside of the former school; however, the exterior is still standing.”

Authorities have not announced any arrests in connection with the arson investigation, and no information has been released regarding a possible suspect or motive.

The investigation remains ongoing as fire officials continue working to determine the circumstances surrounding the latest blaze and whether it is connected to the previous fires at the property.

Google Bets Big on Miami as Founders Ditch California’s Billionaire Tax Chaos [WATCH]
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Google Bets Big on Miami as Founders Ditch California’s Billionaire Tax Chaos [WATCH]

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Google has expanded its office footprint in Miami after co-founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin acquired high-value residential properties in South Florida, according to a report by Bloomberg News.

Alphabet, Google’s parent company, reportedly signed a lease that adds 45,000 square feet to its existing 10,000-square-foot satellite office in Miami’s financial district.

Bloomberg cited two people familiar with the matter who said the expansion was driven in part by the recent relocation of the company’s co-founders to South Florida, as Fox Business reported.

Google first established its Miami office in 2016. Even with the additional space, the Florida location remains significantly smaller than the company’s headquarters in Mountain View, California, which spans more than 10 million square feet, and its Hudson Square campus in New York, which encompasses approximately 1.7 million square feet.

Page and Brin stepped down from executive leadership positions at Google in 2019 but continue serving on the company’s board of directors.

Brin has also reportedly remained active in guiding Google’s artificial intelligence initiatives.

The office expansion follows a series of major real estate purchases by both co-founders.

According to an earlier Wall Street Journal report, Page purchased a waterfront compound in South Florida for $101.5 million in December.

He later acquired a nearby residence for $71.9 million in early January, bringing his recent real estate purchases in the area to approximately $173 million.

Bloomberg reported that Brin subsequently purchased a $51 million waterfront home in Miami Beach after Page completed his acquisitions.

Brin has also been linked to the purchase of a $42 million mansion on the Nevada side of Lake Tahoe in December.

The reported relocations come as California voters prepare to decide a proposed constitutional amendment that would establish a one-time wealth tax on billionaires.

Under the proposal, taxpayers and trusts with more than $1 billion in covered assets would be subject to a one-time 5% wealth tax.

Revenue generated by the measure would be directed toward healthcare, food assistance programs, and public education.

The proposed tax would apply to a broad range of assets, including privately held businesses, securities, artwork, collectibles, and intellectual property.

Real estate holdings, pensions, and certain retirement accounts would be exempt under the proposal.

If approved by voters this November, the tax would apply retroactively to individuals who were California residents as of Jan. 1, 2026. Payments would become due with 2027 tax filings.

The proposal would also allow eligible taxpayers to pay the obligation in five equal installments. Any unpaid balance carried forward would be subject to an annual deferral charge of 7.5%.

Neither Alphabet nor Google publicly announced the reported lease expansion in connection with the real estate purchases. Bloomberg reported that sources familiar with the matter said the office growth was influenced in part by the presence of Page and Brin in South Florida.

The expansion reflects Google’s continued investment in Miami while maintaining its primary operations in California and New York.

The company’s Mountain View headquarters remains its largest campus, and the Miami office continues to represent a comparatively small portion of Google’s overall real estate footprint.

The developments also coincide with ongoing discussion about business investment, executive relocations, and tax policy as California voters prepare to decide the proposed wealth tax measure later this year.

O’Keefe Exposes Pentagon Advisor Caught Trashing Trump on Hidden Camera [WATCH]
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O’Keefe Exposes Pentagon Advisor Caught Trashing Trump on Hidden Camera [WATCH]

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A senior adviser in the Office of the Secretary of the Navy has been placed on administrative leave after an undercover video released by O’Keefe Media Group showed him making critical remarks about President Donald Trump and discussing his role within the Pentagon, as reported by The Gateway Pundit.

The video, published Wednesday by O’Keefe Media Group, features Brandon Newsom, identified in the report as a senior official who has served in the Office of the Secretary of the Navy for 16 years.

According to James O’Keefe, Newsom oversees corporate operations supporting Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, including human resources, information technology, security, facilities, records management, and implementation of executive orders.

Following publication of the video, Acting Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao announced that Newsom had been placed on administrative leave while the Department of the Navy reviews the matter.

“The Department of the Navy takes the conduct shown in this video extremely seriously. Such statements and apparent intent to leverage a position to undermine the policies and direction set by our elected leaders are inappropriate and incompatible with the standards expected of Department personnel,” Cao said.

“Effective immediately, this individual has been placed on administrative leave while we determine next steps to ensure accountability and protect the integrity of our mission,” he said.

According to O’Keefe Media Group, James O’Keefe wore a disguise consisting of a mustache and glasses before meeting with Newsom during what was described as a date.

In the undercover recording, Newsom discussed his position and influence within the federal government.

“I’ve seen some things. In true D.C. nature, you don’t always reveal everything in D.C,” Newsom told O’Keefe.

“I have the influence…., I can undo whatever’s been done,” Newsom told James O’Keefe.

Newsom also expressed criticism of President Trump during the recorded conversation.

“I think Trump is a narcissist.”

Discussing the conflict involving Iran, Newsom said:

“Yeah. I think it’s [War in Iran] completely stupid, but it’s driven on one man’s [President Trump] ego to me, in my own personal opinion,” he said.

At another point in the conversation, Newsom remarked to O’Keefe, “I mean, you could be a news reporter.”

According to the report, Newsom also said he intends to seek reversal of the Pentagon’s monthly voluntary Christian prayer service.

After releasing the recording, O’Keefe questioned whether career government officials can influence or delay the implementation of policies established by elected leaders.

“This begs the question: If a government director says he can slow or reverse a sitting President’s agenda, who really governs the country? Is it the individual Americans elect or the career officials who outlast every administration?” James O’Keefe said.

The video was published on O’Keefe Media Group’s social media platforms on July 22 and was accompanied by excerpts highlighting Newsom’s comments about President Trump and his role within the Department of the Navy.

The Department of the Navy has not publicly released additional information regarding the review beyond Cao’s announcement placing Newsom on administrative leave.

It also has not announced whether any disciplinary action beyond the leave has been taken.

As of publication, the department said it is continuing to evaluate the matter to determine appropriate next steps while emphasizing accountability and the integrity of its mission.

Mamdani Faces Fresh Questions After Netanyahu Arrest Claim Falls Apart [WATCH]
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Mamdani Faces Fresh Questions After Netanyahu Arrest Claim Falls Apart [WATCH]

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New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani is facing renewed criticism after acknowledging that he does not have the legal authority to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a future visit to New York, a position that has prompted opponents to question several of his campaign promises and priorities.

As The New York Post reported, the issue gained attention after Mamdani released a social media video earlier this week in which he acknowledged he lacks the authority to carry out an arrest of Netanyahu, despite previously stating he would enforce the International Criminal Court’s arrest warrant if the Israeli leader visited the city.

The International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Netanyahu in November 2024, alleging war crimes and crimes against humanity related to the war in Gaza.

The Israeli Consul General criticized Mamdani’s previous comments in a statement.

“Mayor Mamdani knew that he does not have legal authority to arrest Prime Minister Netanyahu, yet he continues with his blood libels against Israel,” the Israeli Consul General said.

“He should start focusing on the people of his city instead of meddling in matters he doesn’t understand.”

Mamdani has continued to criticize Netanyahu publicly, referring to him as a “war criminal” and saying he is not welcome in New York City, even while acknowledging that arresting the Israeli prime minister is outside the mayor’s legal authority.

The controversy has also renewed attention on several proposals Mamdani promoted during his campaign.

Among those proposals was a pledge to provide free bus service throughout New York City. According to estimates cited in the report, the initiative would cost approximately $1 billion, and no program has been implemented.

Responsibility for bus fares also rests with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority rather than the mayor’s office.

Mamdani also proposed increasing taxes through a corporate tax hike and a 2% personal income tax on the city’s wealthiest residents.

Those changes have not been enacted because income tax authority rests with the state.

The report noted that Gov. Kathy Hochul advanced a separate proposal involving a tax on second homes that are not primary residences.

Another campaign proposal called for opening city-owned grocery stores in every borough to reduce food costs.

According to the report, only two potential locations have been identified, with the first store not expected to open until at least 2027.

Mamdani also promoted a $1 billion community safety initiative intended to replace the New York Police Department on most 911 calls.

The report stated that only two staff members have been assigned to the effort and that police officers continue responding to those emergency calls.

His proposal to freeze rents has also encountered legal challenges. The report noted that after appointments to the city’s rent stabilization board, landlords filed a lawsuit this week challenging the effort.

Democratic operative Ken Frydman said Mamdani understood the legal limitations surrounding Netanyahu before making the original pledge.

“Unfortunately, that threat plays politically to his far-left base. So it was worth it to him to float it,” Frydman argued.

The debate over Mamdani’s priorities comes as New York City also responds to a Legionnaires’ disease outbreak on the Upper East Side.

According to the report, five people have died, and dozens of others have been infected.

On Tuesday, City Council Speaker Julie Menin introduced legislation calling for stronger public health response measures while criticizing City Hall’s handling of the outbreak.

“But public health depends on public trust — and public trust depends on timely, transparent communication and action,” Menin wrote in a follow-up op-ed in The Post.

“This outbreak exposed a dangerous gap between what our laws require and how the city executes them.”

Veteran Democratic consultant Hank Sheinkopf argued that city leadership should concentrate on local issues.

“Legionnaires’ disease knocks off Manhattanites and the best this guy can do is to pretend he’s got powers that he doesn’t,” Sheinkopf said.

“This proves again that hating Jews gets you news but fighting for dying New Yorkers gets you zero.”

Political strategist Evan Roth Smith of Slingshot Strategies offered a different assessment, saying Mamdani continues to enjoy strong support among his political base.

“He has total undying loyalty from his political base and, beyond that, he has a whole lot of people who watch to attach themselves to his politics and his rise,” Smith said.

“When he has to sell something to his own base that diverges that they actually want like arresting Netanyahu, he knows exactly what to say.”

Mamdani has also faced criticism over the city’s response to a homeless encampment that stretched across more than a dozen blocks on Manhattan’s West Side.

According to the report, City Hall took more than a week to respond to concerns from residents before city workers and police cleared the area. The report said many of the individuals later relocated elsewhere.

Despite the criticism, some supporters argue it is too early to judge the mayor’s administration.

“He’s like a bullfighter, and he’s just dancing with everyone in a good way,” said Jose Bayona, CEO of Grassroots Strategies and former executive director of the mayor’s Office of Ethnic and Community Media.

“The first year is the honeymoon, and he is extending that, and we don’t know yet if it’s anything,” Bayona said. “We will know in 2027. Have to give the guy one or two years.”

Democrat Meltdown in Wisconsin as Scandal Engulfs Evers-Backed Candidate [WATCH]
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Democrat Meltdown in Wisconsin as Scandal Engulfs Evers-Backed Candidate [WATCH]

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The Wisconsin governor’s race has taken another unexpected turn after past social media activity linked to Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley became the focus of scrutiny just days after he re-entered the Democratic primary, as reported by Red State.

Crowley recently returned to the race after previously withdrawing, a move that came as Democratic leaders sought to consolidate support ahead of the party’s August 11 gubernatorial primary.

According to the report, party leaders viewed Crowley as a stronger general election candidate as state Rep. Francesca Hong gained momentum among Democratic voters.

The report also stated that former Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes, another Democratic candidate remaining in the race after Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez exited amid campaign finance questions, is viewed by some within the party as being too progressive.

The renewed attention on Crowley’s campaign follows the discovery of an old social media account containing offensive posts dating back roughly 15 years.

According to the report, Crowley and his campaign have denied that he authored the controversial posts, despite acknowledging that he had access to the account.

They contend that multiple individuals shared use of the account during that period.

However, NBC News questioned that explanation, pointing to several details within the account that appeared to identify Crowley personally.

According to NBC News, the account repeatedly referred to Crowley in the first person, displayed a selfie, included his initials, described itself by stating, “this is my twitter page where I loosen up the tie and bring out the bottles!! Ya dig!” and also stated, “I can’t really have my face out there when i’m representing #DWightman!!”

The report noted that Crowley was working for former Democratic Sen. Russ Feingold during the period in question.

Additional reporting cited by the article pointed to the account’s biography.

According to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, the profile described itself as “A different side of me…,” language that some observers argue is difficult to reconcile with the campaign’s assertion that approximately 10 to 12 people shared the account.

The account reportedly remained active at the time of publication and continued to display older posts that critics have characterized as embarrassing.

The controversy arrives during an already competitive Democratic primary campaign.

Earlier in the election cycle, Democratic leaders encouraged Crowley to re-enter the race after concerns that Hong could secure the nomination but face a difficult general election against Republican Rep. Tom Tiffany, who is backed by President Donald Trump and is considered the presumptive Republican nominee.

The report also referenced the recent Maine Democratic Senate primary, where nominee Graham Platner suspended his campaign after facing multiple controversies.

According to the report, criticism surrounding Platner included allegations regarding his past conduct as well as offensive online posts.

The article contrasted Platner’s response with Crowley’s, noting that Platner publicly acknowledged responsibility for his online comments while saying he had changed since making them.

In Crowley’s case, the campaign continues to dispute that he personally wrote the posts attributed to the shared account.

Whether the issue influences Democratic primary voters remains unclear.

With the August 11 primary approaching and a gubernatorial debate scheduled in the coming days, the controversy is likely to receive additional attention as candidates make their final appeals to voters.

As the campaign continues, questions surrounding the old social media account are expected to remain part of the discussion heading into one of Wisconsin’s most closely watched statewide races.

Sophie Cunningham Silences Leftist Reporter After Defending Women’s Sports from Transgender Activism [WATCH]
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Sophie Cunningham Silences Leftist Reporter After Defending Women’s Sports from Transgender Activism [WATCH]

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Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham is drawing renewed attention after addressing her views on transgender athletes competing in women’s sports during a pre-game press conference, where she declined to back away from her position despite a reporter’s question on the subject, as reported by Townhall.

Cunningham has remained in the national spotlight in recent weeks following a viral moment during the Indiana Fever’s June 24 game against the Phoenix Mercury.

During a heated fourth quarter that featured technical fouls and multiple confrontations, Cunningham and Phoenix Mercury player DeWanna Bonner exchanged words.

A clip of Cunningham pointing toward Bonner quickly spread across social media, with many fans turning the gesture into a widely shared meme.

The latest attention surrounding Cunningham, however, centers on comments she made regarding participation in women’s sports.

During a pre-game media availability, Cunningham was asked about her position on transgender athletes competing in women’s athletics.

Rather than avoiding the question, she responded by emphasizing that her views are not rooted in politics while maintaining that protections for biological women in sports remain important.

According to the report, Cunningham told reporters that she is not political and believes every person deserves love and respect.

At the same time, she said she believes the rights of biological women should be protected and indicated that she is not changing her position on the issue.

The exchange quickly generated discussion online, with supporters and critics weighing in on Cunningham’s comments.

Her response also came as the broader debate over eligibility standards in women’s sports continues to receive national attention from athletes, lawmakers, sports organizations, and advocacy groups.

The report noted that Cunningham’s remarks drew criticism from some progressive audiences after she stated that transgender athletes should not compete in women’s sports.

The article also referenced polling that it said found approximately 70 percent of Americans agree with that position.

Cunningham did not frame her remarks as a political statement.

Instead, she emphasized that respect for individuals and protections for women’s athletics can coexist, according to the report.

The Indiana Fever guard has become one of the WNBA’s most recognizable personalities in recent months, both for her play on the court and for moments that have resonated with fans on social media.

Her June 24 interaction with Bonner during the game against the Mercury became one of the league’s most widely circulated highlights, adding to her growing public profile.

Her latest comments ensure she remains part of another national conversation, this time focused on policies governing women’s sports.

As debates over competitive eligibility continue across athletic organizations and government bodies, Cunningham made clear during the press conference that her position has not changed.

The remarks came during routine media availability before the Fever took the court, ending an exchange in which Cunningham reiterated that while she believes everyone deserves dignity and respect, she also believes biological women’s sports should remain protected.


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