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Republican Candidate Arrested After Deranged Video Saying “Trump Needs Killed” [WATCH]
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Republican Candidate Arrested After Deranged Video Saying “Trump Needs Killed” [WATCH]

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A Republican congressional candidate in Florida has been arrested and charged with threatening President Donald Trump after federal authorities said he posted a video to his campaign account on X in which he repeatedly called for the president’s death, as reported by Breitbart.

U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announced that federal authorities arrested William L. Upham, 35, of Jacksonville, Florida, on charges of threatening the President of the United States. If convicted, Upham faces a maximum sentence of five years in federal prison.

Following his initial court appearance in Jacksonville on Thursday, a federal judge ordered Upham to remain in custody pending further proceedings.

According to federal authorities, the charge stems from a video Upham posted to his own campaign account on X.

The video, which runs for nearly seven minutes, begins with remarks about God, country, repairing what he described as a broken system, and returning power to working Americans before shifting to statements about President Trump.

Upham is a qualified write-in candidate seeking to unseat Republican Rep. John Rutherford in Florida’s 5th Congressional District. Florida’s Republican primary is scheduled for Aug. 18, with the general election set for Nov. 3.

During the video, Upham claimed the nation was engaged in a spiritual conflict before making a series of statements directed at President Trump.

“There is no doubt in my mind that the president of the United States, Donald J. Trump, is the Antichrist,” Upham said. “He is a false messiah, and he is your enemy, and he must be killed.”

He concluded the remarks by stating Trump “will be killed and sent to hell.”

Federal authorities cited those statements in bringing the charge, alleging that Upham threatened the president.

Throughout the recording, Upham appeared wearing his Marine Corps uniform. At one point in the video, he recited portions of the oath he took as a Marine officer, including the pledge to defend the Constitution “against all enemies, foreign and domestic.”

He then stated that those enemies included “the enemies here at home.

The U.S. Marine Corps confirmed that Upham had been medically discharged from military service on May 30, 2025.

According to the Marine Corps, Upham’s statements were inconsistent with the oath he took while serving as a Marine officer.

The arrest was announced by U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe after investigators reviewed the video that had been published on Upham’s campaign account.

The federal charge alleges that the statements constituted a threat against the President of the United States.

The case now moves into the federal court system, where prosecutors will seek to prove the charge beyond a reasonable doubt.

If convicted, Upham could receive a prison sentence of up to five years under federal law.

The arrest comes during the 2026 election cycle as candidates prepare for Florida’s Aug. 18 Republican primary.

Upham had qualified as a write-in candidate challenging incumbent Republican Rep. John Rutherford in the state’s 5th Congressional District.

No additional charges were announced at the time of Kehoe’s statement.

The federal case will proceed in the U.S. District Court following Upham’s detention order issued after his initial appearance in Jacksonville on Thursday.

CBS Bails on Trump’s Election Fraud Speech as ABC and NBC Black Out Broadcast [WATCH]
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CBS Bails on Trump’s Election Fraud Speech as ABC and NBC Black Out Broadcast [WATCH]

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CBS News carried part of President Donald Trump’s prime-time address on election fraud Thursday evening before ending its live coverage several minutes before the speech concluded, while ABC and NBC chose not to air the address on their broadcast television networks, as reported by The New York Post.

Trump delivered the approximately 25-minute speech from the East Room of the White House on Thursday, July 16.

Before CBS joined the address, anchor Tony Dokoupil explained the network’s decision to carry the speech despite concerns surrounding the president’s claims.

Trump Scores Big in Alabama and Georgia but Faces Costly Defeat from Billionaire Challenger

“Much of what the President has said on [security of American elections] has been false,” Dokoupil said.

He continued, “There is an argument that it’s irresponsible to air the president’s speech tonight. But this speech will be made. It will be news. And it’s our job to cover the news.”

CBS began airing the speech after it had already started and concluded its live coverage roughly five minutes before Trump finished speaking.

The network switched away shortly after the president criticized ABC and NBC for not broadcasting his remarks and called for both networks to lose their broadcast licenses.

After ending its live coverage, Dokoupil began fact-checking Trump’s statements regarding alleged Chinese interference in the 2020 election.

News organizations are not required to broadcast presidential speeches live, and decisions on whether to carry them are generally made by network executives based on the content and news value of each address.

Earlier this year, when Trump delivered a prime-time speech regarding the war with Iran in April, the major broadcast networks carried the address live.

During Thursday’s speech, Trump accused China of working with some American journalists in an effort to discredit him.

He also criticized ABC and NBC for declining to air his remarks on their broadcast television networks.

According to Trump, the networks were aware of the subject of his speech before it began.

“They knew what it was about because of the fact that they don’t like the topic because they know how corrupt our system is, and they don’t want to reveal it,” Trump said.

He also alleged broader media involvement, stating:

“They and others in the media are part of a plot. They want to continue this fraud for whatever reason. They want to keep it going. They want to protect the radical left.”

Trump later called for regulatory action against the networks, saying, “Fraud like this should mean a revocation of their licenses.”

Although ABC and NBC did not carry the address on their over-the-air television networks, both organizations streamed the speech on their digital platforms.

NBC also aired a previously scheduled network special after the president’s remarks concluded.

White House Communications Director Steven Cheung criticized the decision by ABC and NBC before the speech began.

“Cowards. NBC and ABC don’t want you to hear the truth. All they want to do is hide the facts from YOU,” Cheung wrote on X.

Coverage also varied across cable news outlets. Fox News carried the speech live in its entirety. CNN did not broadcast the address live, while MS Now aired portions of Trump’s remarks.

Unlike broadcast television networks, cable news channels do not operate under broadcast licenses issued by the Federal Communications Commission.

The FCC has the authority to revoke or decline to renew broadcast licenses under certain circumstances.

However, any attempt to revoke the licenses of a major broadcast network would likely result in an extended legal challenge.

The differing decisions by broadcast and cable news organizations highlighted varying editorial approaches to covering the president’s address, with some networks choosing full live coverage, others providing partial coverage, and some limiting the speech to their streaming platforms.

Tillis Melts Down Over SAVE America Act, Declares War on Trump’s Election Integrity Push [WATCH]
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Tillis Melts Down Over SAVE America Act, Declares War on Trump’s Election Integrity Push [WATCH]

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Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., delivered a lengthy speech on the Senate floor Thursday criticizing the SAVE America Act and pledging to oppose the legislation if it reaches the Senate through the budget reconciliation process, as reported by The Gateway Pundit.

The comments came one day after the House of Representatives passed the SAVE America Act as part of a national security package.

On Thursday, the House Budget Committee also advanced the SAVE and Protect America Act through the budget reconciliation process while approving a framework for a third reconciliation bill.

Under the reconciliation process, certain legislation can be considered in the Senate under rules that allow passage with a simple majority rather than the 60 votes typically needed to overcome a filibuster.

Whether individual provisions qualify for reconciliation is ultimately determined under Senate rules.

During his floor speech, Tillis argued that the legislation could not be implemented before the upcoming election and vowed to use Senate procedures to delay its progress.

“If I see a reconciliation bill come from the House with another failed attempt to confuse this election, I will use every device I have available to slow down the wheels of government until people cop a clue and do the math.”

Tillis also questioned whether the proposal could realistically be put into effect within the available timeframe.

“Don’t fool the American people into thinking you can implement something of this complexity over 60 days, my God, it needed to happen two years ago,” Tillis said.

The North Carolina senator continued by criticizing multiple versions of the legislation that have been introduced or discussed in Congress.

“I have been trying to explain for nearly a year that the SAVE Act, whether it’s the SAVE Act, the SAVE America Act, the new SAVE legislation that’s being proposed in the House, SAVE goes to Hollywood, SAVE goes to Hawaii, whatever the sequels are, all of them are fundamentally flawed and impossible to implement by this election,” Tillis said.

The House approved the SAVE America Act on Wednesday as part of a broader national security package.

The following day, the House Budget Committee advanced the SAVE and Protect America Act through the reconciliation process while also moving forward with a framework for another reconciliation package.

Supporters of using reconciliation argue that the process provides a path for legislation to pass the Senate with a simple majority if it complies with Senate budget rules.

Opponents have questioned whether provisions of the legislation would qualify under those rules.

President Donald Trump has repeatedly urged the Senate to approve the SAVE America Act.

The White House has also expressed support for the proposal, emphasizing its voter identification requirements.

“Requirement for Voter I.D. to vote should be something that NO American should oppose. If you want to register to vote in the United States, you have to be a citizen in the United States,” the White House previously said in a statement.

The administration has also cited polling indicating that more than 70% of Americans support the SAVE America Act.

Debate over the legislation is expected to continue as the Senate considers whether to take up the measure and whether any version of the bill would qualify for consideration under reconciliation procedures.

Tillis indicated during his remarks that he intends to oppose the legislation if it reaches the Senate in its current form, arguing that implementation before the next election would not be feasible.

The House’s approval of the legislation and the Budget Committee’s action mark the latest steps in the legislative process, while the Senate is expected to determine the bill’s future in the coming weeks.

Virginia Democrat Pushes to Enshrine ‘Islamophobia’ in Law, Raising Alarms Over Free Speech
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Virginia Democrat Pushes to Enshrine ‘Islamophobia’ in Law, Raising Alarms Over Free Speech

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Virginia State Sen. Saddam Azlan Salim, D-Fairfax, has introduced legislation that would define “Islamophobia” within Virginia law and require law enforcement agencies to track crimes allegedly motivated by anti-Islam bias, prompting debate over its potential impact on First Amendment protections, as reported by The Post Millennial.

Senate Bill 624 would amend Virginia’s existing assault statute by defining Islamophobia as “malicious prejudice or hatred directed toward Islam.”

The proposal would also require the Virginia State Police, acting under the direction of the Office of the Attorney General and the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, to incorporate that definition into the state’s hate crime reporting system.

According to the legislation, the purpose of the change is to assist law enforcement in identifying and classifying crimes allegedly motivated by anti-Muslim bias.

Supporters of the proposal argue that establishing a formal definition would improve the state’s ability to track offenses committed against Muslims or individuals perceived to be Muslim.

Virginia law already provides enhanced criminal penalties for assaults committed because of a victim’s race, religious conviction, gender, disability, sexual orientation, or ethnic or national origin.

Under current state law, an assault and battery that results in bodily injury and is determined to have been motivated by one of those protected characteristics may be prosecuted as a Class 6 felony.

The offense also carries a mandatory minimum jail sentence of six months.

Senate Bill 624 states that it would not establish a new criminal offense, create a civil cause of action, or limit speech protected by either the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution or the Virginia Constitution.

Despite those provisions, the proposal has generated objections from critics who argue that placing a state-mandated definition of Islamophobia into Virginia law could create uncertainty regarding the distinction between constitutionally protected criticism of Islam as a religion and criminal acts motivated by hatred or bias against Muslims.

Opponents contend that while violent crimes motivated by religious bias are already covered under Virginia law, codifying a specific definition of Islamophobia raises questions about how the term could be interpreted in future enforcement and reporting.

The legislation would also direct the Virginia State Police to implement the reporting requirements with guidance from the Office of the Attorney General and the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion as part of the state’s hate crime reporting process.

The proposal has also drawn criticism from elected officials outside Virginia.

Georgia Congressman Clay Fuller criticized the legislation in a post on X, arguing that the bill moves in the wrong direction.

“Another example is that radical Islam is a true and clear threat to the United States,” Fuller wrote. “We need to call it for what it is.”

The legislation remains a proposal before the Virginia General Assembly. If enacted, Senate Bill 624 would add the statutory definition of Islamophobia to Virginia law while requiring state authorities to include that definition in hate crime reporting procedures.

The measure specifies that it does not create new criminal penalties or restrict constitutionally protected speech, although debate over its potential implications for free speech is expected to continue as lawmakers consider the proposal.

Navy Backs Blue Angels After Viral Low Pass Thrills Crowds on Florida Beach [WATCH]
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Navy Backs Blue Angels After Viral Low Pass Thrills Crowds on Florida Beach [WATCH]

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Acting Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao said Thursday that no disciplinary action will be taken following the U.S. Navy Blue Angels’ widely discussed low pass over Pensacola Beach during a practice event that attracted one of the largest crowds in recent years, as reported by Fox News.

The maneuver, which took place Wednesday morning during the annual “Breakfast with the Blues” event, generated widespread attention after videos circulated across social media showing two Blue Angels aircraft making a low flyover above cheering spectators gathered along the beach.

Cao announced that the Navy had completed its review of the flight and found no reason for reprimands or personnel changes.

According to Cao, the flight debrief had concluded, and there would be no reprimands or firings because there was “no problem” with the maneuver.

He later posted on X, “That’s the sound of Freedom! Semper fi and Hooyah,” after videos of the flyover spread online.

The Blue Angels’ appearance sparked mixed reactions on social media.

Many users praised the display and said they wished they had witnessed it in person, while others questioned how close the aircraft flew to beachgoers.

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth also commented on the controversy by posting on X, “The flyovers will continue until morale improves.”

Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell joined the discussion by sharing a photograph of one of the Blue Angels aircraft during the event and writing, “Carry on Patriots.”

Eric Trump also weighed in after sharing an ABC News report about the incident on X.

He wrote, “Can’t stand the manufactured outrage by the low-T mainstream media. This was undoubtedly the highlight of these people’s day…”

The ABC News report shared by Eric Trump stated that Navy officials confirmed Blue Angels leadership was “reviewing the circumstances surrounding the maneuver and conducting a thorough safety review.”

The Blue Angels did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Fox News Digital.

The flyover occurred during the annual “Breakfast with the Blues,” an event that opens Red, White and Blues Week on the Gulf Coast.

The gathering gives spectators an opportunity to watch the Navy’s flight demonstration squadron rehearse before its public air show performances.

According to local television station WALA-TV, this year’s event attracted one of the largest crowds in recent memory.

Casino Beach and Quietwater parking lots reportedly filled by approximately 7 a.m. as thousands of spectators lined Pensacola Beach to watch the demonstration team practice for about two hours ahead of the weekend performances.

Longtime attendee Brenda Bennett said the event has grown significantly over the years.

“I’ve been coming since 1997, and this is the best kept secret, but I think the secret’s out because there’s more people here than normally,” Bennett said.

Theresa Smith and Sheri Marinovich also spoke about the large turnout, explaining they had to park farther away than in previous years because of the crowds.

Despite the longer walk, they said the experience remained worthwhile.

“They’re showing out,” the pair told the newspaper.

“They love to put on a show for the breakfast crowd. You feel like they’re just so much closer, and we get to hear them talking on the radio, and they do different maneuvers than they do for the show.”

Many attendees also told the local outlet that the event carried added significance following the recent America 250 celebrations.

Bennett said she hopes Americans continue celebrating “our freedom that we have here in the United States.”

The Blue Angels are scheduled to continue practice flights on Thursday before holding public air show performances on Friday and Saturday as Red, White and Blues Week continues in Pensacola.

Ashcroft Destroys Adam Schiff With Epic Civics Lesson on Capitol Hill [WATCH]
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Ashcroft Destroys Adam Schiff With Epic Civics Lesson on Capitol Hill [WATCH]

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Former Attorney General John Ashcroft returned to Capitol Hill this week and delivered an unforgettable clinic in integrity and law to none other than Adam Schiff, as reported by PJ Media.

The California Democrat, known more for his love of grandstanding than grasp of the Constitution, tried to lure Ashcroft into condemning Donald Trump. It did not go well for him.

The 84-year-old Republican statesman appeared before the Senate for the confirmation hearings of Todd Blanche for Attorney General and Jay Clayton for Director of National Intelligence.

Schiff saw his moment to score political points and wasted no time setting up what he thought was a clever trap. But Ashcroft was several steps ahead.

The exchange began when Schiff asked if Ashcroft believed a president has the right to direct the Justice Department to investigate his political enemies.

Ashcroft calmly responded by explaining that the Attorney General has not only the right but the duty to enforce the law impartially. His words were clear, measured, and devastating to Schiff’s argument.

“I believe that the Attorney General of the United States has the right and responsibility to enforce the law uniformly, and if the law has been broken by the president’s ‘enemies,’ he has a duty,” Ashcroft said.

He pointed out that lawbreakers do not suddenly earn immunity just because they oppose a sitting president.

Then Ashcroft delivered the line that sent the room into stunned silence.

“As a matter of fact, the people who break the law are in enmity with the people of the United States. We used to call people who break the law, ‘public enemies.'”

Schiff’s carefully constructed narrative about Trump’s supposed political persecutions collapsed in an instant.

That was not the answer Schiff had prepared to handle. Visibly irritated, he tried again. “If you do have a problem with that, please say so,” Schiff demanded, his frustration flashing through his rehearsed politeness.

He wanted Ashcroft to take the bait, to say something critical about Trump that could be clipped for media headlines. But Ashcroft refused to play his game.

“I believe the president needs to be an advocate of strong law enforcement, and that includes enemies of his,” Ashcroft replied.

“If an enemy of the president goes out and conducts a violent crime, there’s nothing wrong with the president calling the attorney general and saying, ‘I hope you do something about this violent crime.'”

It was the kind of straightforward common sense that the left cannot process. Holding criminals accountable does not become a scandal simply because one of them happens to oppose the president.

Schiff’s insistence on treating political opposition as a shield from the law is what truly reveals the Democrat mindset.

But if Schiff’s first mistake was testing Ashcroft’s intellect, his second was rewriting history right in front of everyone. As he rambled on, Schiff took the astonishing position that no Democratic president had ever used federal power to target political opponents.

“I don’t remember any Democratic president calling the attorney general and saying, ‘ You need to prosecute him or her, and you need to go after this organization. We have never seen that before, or anything like it,” Schiff claimed.

The audience could practically hear the collective eye roll.

This is the same Democratic Party that stood by as Barack Obama’s administration spied on Donald Trump’s campaign.

The same party that weaponized the IRS against conservative Tea Party groups.

The same crowd that cheered while Biden’s Justice Department spent four years trying to put Trump in prison.

Schiff’s memory lapse conveniently excludes Biden’s FBI labeling parents as domestic terrorists for speaking up at school board meetings. It skips over the prosecution of pro-life activists whose only “crime” was praying outside abortion clinics.

And it certainly leaves out the spying on Catholic churches and the invasive surveillance of political opposition. When it comes to weaponizing government power, the Democrats wrote the manual.

Ashcroft’s dignified performance served as a painful mirror for Schiff’s hypocrisy. The former Attorney General refrained from raising his voice or indulging in theatrics.

He simply reminded everyone that the rule of law is not conditional on party affiliation. Schiff, on the other hand, looked like a man desperate to protect his own narrative while being publicly schooled on civics.

The irony is that Schiff spent years spinning his own conspiracy theories about “collusion” that never existed.

He used his seat on the House Intelligence Committee to push fake evidence, leak selective information, and mislead the public.

Now, when confronted by someone who actually understands justice, he folds instantly into partisan talking points.

For conservatives, the moment felt like long-overdue payback. Watching Schiff’s smug confidence crumble as Ashcroft dismantled his argument line by line reminded everyone that facts still matter.

Real lawmen like Ashcroft stand in sharp contrast to the political activists who now infest Washington’s institutions.

If this exchange proved anything, it is that the left’s accusations about Trump often reveal their own guilt.

Democrats accuse Republicans of weaponizing government because Democrats have been doing it for years. And when an elder statesman reminds them of that truth, they have no defense left but bluster.

Mullin Scrambles for Cover After Trump Reinstates ICE Traffic Stops and MAGA World Erupts
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Mullin Scrambles for Cover After Trump Reinstates ICE Traffic Stops and MAGA World Erupts

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Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin said he and President Donald Trump are aligned on immigration enforcement after reports that an earlier directive temporarily pausing certain Immigration and Customs Enforcement traffic stops had drawn criticism from some conservatives, as reported by The Gateway Pundit.

The issue followed two recent ICE-involved shootings in Maine and Texas. According to multiple reports cited in the original article, the temporary directive originated within the Department of Homeland Security and was issued before President Trump had been briefed.

CNN reported, “Neither Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin nor Homan alerted Trump to the pause on traffic stops before imposing it, according to two people familiar with the chain of events.”

After learning of the directive, President Trump publicly stated that ICE should continue using traffic stops as part of its enforcement efforts.

In a Truth Social post, Trump wrote:

“The men and women of ICE are doing a GREAT job, one that has to be done. CRIME IS WAY DOWN IN AMERICA, in many cases with numbers that haven’t been seen in decades. The Open Border Policy of Sleepy Joe Biden allowed 25,000,000 people to pour into our Country, unchecked and unvetted. Many were Criminals, and we have to get them out. In order to do this, we must be strong, tough, and smart, and we CANNOT give up one of I.C.E.’s most important and effective crime-fighting tools, THE TRAFFIC STOP! Once we do, we are playing right into the criminal’s hands. The Radical Left Dumocrats would like to see this done, but it won’t happen on my watch. I.C.E., be judicious, fair, and smart, and go back and do your very important job. Keep those Crime Stat Records coming! Remember, you are loved and respected in America.”

The White House later confirmed that the temporary suspension had been reversed and that ICE traffic stops had been reinstated.

Following the President’s statement, Mullin shared Trump’s Truth Social message on X before posting his own statement emphasizing continued immigration enforcement.

“Our #1 goal is to keep our officers safe and get criminals OFF our streets. Illegal aliens will be arrested and deported wherever they are. If you are here illegally, LEAVE NOW. As our officers carry out operations to enforce our nation’s laws, they are facing a more than 1,300% increase in vehicle attacks.

We remind illegal aliens attempting to evade arrest is dangerous. This reckless illegal alien activity comes after sanctuary politicians held webinars and shared resources for how to openly defy @ICEgov:

▪️Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez hosted a webinar providing tips for illegal aliens to evade arrests at homes, workplaces, or in public.

▪️Dan Goldman posted a video online calling on illegal aliens to make a plan for ICE encounters.

▪️Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass issued multilingual flyers and online resources advising illegal aliens on how to evade arrest.

▪️California Governor Gavin Newsom released guides and sanctuary laws advising illegal aliens how to recognize ICE, block entry, and defy arrest.”

Mullin later posted a second message addressing reports suggesting disagreement between himself and the President.

“President Trump and I are on the same page. We want our ICE officers to have all options available to keep them safe while executing our mission of deporting as many illegal alien criminals from our country as possible.”

The controversy prompted reactions from several conservative commentators on social media.

Tomi Lahren posted, “Clean up on aisle RINO.”

Vince Langman wrote, “You need to resign in disgrace after bending the knee to the radical left.”

Kim “Katie” USA added, “Step down. You aren’t cut out for this position.”

The White House has confirmed that ICE traffic stops remain authorized following President Trump’s decision to overturn the earlier pause.

Fetterman Reveals What It Would Take to Leave the Democratic Party [WATCH]
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Fetterman Reveals What It Would Take to Leave the Democratic Party [WATCH]

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Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., said he has no plans to leave the Democratic Party but warned that he would depart if the party were to formally adopt what he described as an anti-Israel position, as reported by Fox News.

Speaking Wednesday at the Hill Nation Summit in Washington, D.C., Fetterman said support for Israel remains one of his clearest political principles and expressed concern about what he views as the Democratic Party’s changing direction on the issue.

“My long-term concern has been with the Democratic Party, as I am a member of that, is that our party is going to back away and turn their back to Israel,” Fetterman said.

Fetterman's Break from the Left Shows How Far Democrats Have Fallen Off the Cliff

“If our party ever becomes, and just makes it official, the anti-Israel party, that’s when I would leave because that’s been a moral clarity for me.”

Fetterman’s comments come as he continues to distance himself from several positions embraced by progressive Democrats.

Since taking office on Jan. 3, 2023, after his election in 2022, the Pennsylvania senator has increasingly broken with his party on several high-profile issues while maintaining that he remains a Democrat.

Earlier this month, Fetterman and fellow Pennsylvania Sen. Dave McCormick, R-Pa., launched a bipartisan joint fundraising political action committee called “Common Ground PA,” according to Federal Election Commission filings.

The committee is designed to split donor contributions between each senator’s campaign and leadership committees.

In a May opinion article, Fetterman wrote that his governing philosophy has remained consistent even as he believes the Democratic Party has shifted.

“Though I was elected as a Democrat, I’m proud to serve all Pennsylvanians. It has become increasingly lonely to serve in that way, but I firmly believe it’s what is needed.”

“My party cannot simply be the opposite of whatever President Donald Trump says. The president could come out for ice cream and lazy Sundays, and my party would suddenly hate them. Such pointless pile-ons and attacks are unproductive. The American people want us to work together to find solutions on issues they and our country face.”

In that same piece, Fetterman identified several issues where he believes he differs from many members of his party, including Israel, open borders, party toxicity, what he called an anti-Trump reflex, government shutdowns, defunding the police, unwillingness to work across the aisle, candidate vetting, and opposition to voter identification requirements.

At Wednesday’s summit, Fetterman said the Democratic Party’s stance on Israel has become an increasing concern.

“You look at the kinds of individuals that are winning our recent primaries,” he said. “It’s becoming more… anti-Israel and hostile to people.”

Although he declined to discuss what he called private conversations with Republicans regarding a possible party switch, Fetterman reiterated what he wrote in May—that if he were ever to leave the Democratic Party, he would first become an independent.

“Being an independent voice that works with the other side to deliver for Pennsylvanians might put me at odds with the party that I have stayed committed to and have no plans to leave — but I will continue to put the commonwealth and the country first,” he wrote.

“Plus, I’d be a terrible Republican who still votes overwhelmingly with Democrats.”

Fetterman also recently opposed an amendment from Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., that would eliminate $3.3 billion in annual security assistance to Israel, another indication of his continued support for the U.S.-Israel relationship.

The Pennsylvania senator also voiced concern over Michigan’s Democratic Senate primary, pointing to Abdul El-Sayed’s campaign and suggesting Democrats could face a more difficult general election if El-Sayed secures the nomination against former Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Mich.

“Rogers just barely, barely lost in ’24,” Fetterman said.

“If El-Sayed wins, then that puts Michigan much more in play for us and would require us to spend more money. What’s defined El-Sayed is the more anti-Israel and hostile-to-Israel thing.”

Fetterman also criticized progressive candidates over previous support for the “defund the police” movement, arguing Democrats risk repeating mistakes he believes contributed to the party’s losses in the 2024 election.

“Now here’s more Democrats to ‘defund the police,’” he said.

“Here we are back to part of the worst impulses that we just can’t resist.

“We forgot the crazy things that we said, and that cost us the election in 2024. Now we want to revisit that — if anything, they’re coming back in the strongest kind of terms. Look at the people who are winning.”

The senator also criticized fellow Democrats over their support for former Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner before Platner ended his campaign following allegations that he sexually assaulted a woman in 2021.

Fetterman said he was “angry” that Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., had supported Platner and questioned why Democratic leaders continued backing the candidate.

“Why did you push these people? Why did you buy in and then plunge that most consequential Senate race now into chaos?” Fetterman asked.

He argued the situation has made it “more difficult” for Democrats to defeat Republican Sen. Susan Collins and regain control of the closely divided Senate.

“Where’s the accountability?” Fetterman asked. “Imagine if I would have done that and pushed that kind of individual.”

Fox News Digital reported that it reached out to Fetterman’s Senate office and campaign officials for additional comment.

Italian Artist Plans Bold Tribute to Charlie Kirk With Statue in Times Square [WATCH]
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Italian Artist Plans Bold Tribute to Charlie Kirk With Statue in Times Square [WATCH]

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Italian artist Sergio Furnari says he plans to unveil a memorial statue honoring Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk in New York City’s Times Square on Sept. 10, marking the one-year anniversary of Kirk’s assassination, as reported by Fox News.

Furnari has been sculpting images of Kirk since last year and has documented the project’s development through videos posted on his Instagram account.

The artist said the completed monument will be displayed in Times Square and is intended to honor Kirk while promoting the principle of free speech.

“It’s going to be in the middle of Times Square, the center of the universe,” Furnari said in one of his videos over the weekend.

“You can bring over whoever you want, family or friends. If you were a big fan of Charlie, this will be your opportunity to maybe find a little bit of peace or harmony.”

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Sergio Furnari (@sergiofurnariart)

According to Furnari, work on the project began after Kirk was assassinated during a Utah Valley University event. The sculptor has continued refining the design over the past several months while sharing updates with supporters online.

In one of his earliest videos discussing the project, posted in November, Furnari explained that he had not been a supporter of Kirk before his death but came to respect what he viewed as Kirk’s willingness to engage with people who disagreed with him.

“I did not agree with 99.9% of whatever he was talking about, but there’s the 0.001% that I agree with him. At the moment you kill or assassinate people just because you don’t agree with somebody, that’s when you become like the worst country ever,” Furnari said.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Sergio Furnari (@sergiofurnariart)

Since then, Furnari has continued promoting the larger memorial sculpture and has announced plans to publicly display it on Sept. 10.

As the unveiling date approaches, Furnari said he has received threats directed at both himself and the statue.

Addressing critics in a video posted Tuesday, the artist defended the project and said it represents free expression rather than a political message.

“Now, to all the haters, how many times you guys want to kill Charlie?” Furnari asked.

“I mean, wasn’t one time enough? To all of you guys out there that want to come and destroy…want to bring a drill bat and some spray paint, and you want to destroy him, you want to burn him, come on, guys. The guy’s dead. I mean, if you guys are afraid of a statue, there’s something really wrong with you. It’s just a statue. The message is simple: freedom of speech. I’m exercising my First Amendment [right], which is freedom of speech. That’s all it is.”

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Sergio Furnari (@sergiofurnariart)

In comments provided to Fox News Digital, Furnari said he is not overly concerned about criticism surrounding the project.

He said critics “bark like chihuahuas” but “they don’t bite.”

Furnari also noted that he experienced similar reactions after creating a bust of President Donald Trump, which he displayed in recognition of Trump’s 80th birthday.

The artist rejected suggestions that the Charlie Kirk memorial is intended as a political statement, saying his motivation centers on honoring someone who lost his life.

“I’m not into that stuff at all. I like Trump, but that’s it. I’m basically talking, you know what I mean? You know, it felt like I’m a MAGA, you know, or I’m Republican, or I am a Democrat. I’m an artist, that’s it. I never voted, never will. Yeah, it’s not about politics. You know, this is not like a political statement. This is just like a guy that got killed and then got bullied,” Furnari said.

To help complete the project, Furnari has established a GoFundMe campaign for what he describes as a “bigger than life-size” statue of Kirk.

According to the fundraising page, the sculptor has sold his apartment to continue financing the memorial.

If completed as planned, the statue will be unveiled in Times Square on Sept. 10, one year after Kirk’s death, as Furnari continues to promote the project as a tribute focused on free speech and remembrance.

GOP Divides Over McConnell Absence Before Trump’s Senate Agenda Moves Forward [WATCH]
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GOP Divides Over McConnell Absence Before Trump’s Senate Agenda Moves Forward [WATCH]

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Republican senators are divided over questions surrounding Sen. Mitch McConnell’s extended absence from the Senate, with Sen. Tommy Tuberville calling for more information about the Kentucky Republican’s condition while Sen. John Kennedy urged colleagues and the public to stop speculating about McConnell’s health, as reported by Fox News.

McConnell, R-Ky., has been away from the Senate since he was hospitalized on June 14. After weeks of silence about his condition, he recently issued a statement on social media explaining that he remains under doctors’ orders and is not yet ready to return to the Senate floor.

McConnell also pledged that he intends to return before retiring at the end of his current term.

Mitch McConnell Hospitalized After Sudden Illness, Condition Still a Mystery

Tuberville, R-Ala., said Republicans need more clarity as the Senate prepares to vote on key portions of President Donald Trump’s legislative agenda before lawmakers leave Washington for the August recess.

“Somebody needs to do something,” Tuberville told Fox News Digital. “Somebody needs to come out.”

According to Tuberville, Senate Republicans have not received additional information from leadership regarding McConnell’s expected timeline for returning or any further details about his condition.

“We didn’t get any information today in our luncheon,” Tuberville said Tuesday. “I don’t know what’s going on, but you know that’s not my business.”

McConnell recently disclosed that complications stemming from childhood polio contributed to a fall last month that left him “briefly unconscious.”

He said he later developed a “mild case of pneumonia” while recovering, extending the amount of time needed before he could return to work.

His statement addressed widespread speculation that followed his June hospitalization, including rumors suggesting he had suffered cardiac arrest.

Kennedy, R-La., strongly rejected rumors circulating about McConnell’s condition and said he believes what the longtime senator has publicly stated.

“Look, I believe Mitch,” Kennedy said. “I don’t believe all these stories that he’s brain dead and all of that. People need to get a life.”

Kennedy also pointed to McConnell’s age and injuries as reasons for his recovery period.

“I think he had a fall, and Mitch is not 29 anymore,” Kennedy said. “And he’s recuperating from it, and he’ll be back as soon as he can.”

He added, “That’s what he said, and I take him at his word.”

While Tuberville emphasized that he wishes McConnell a full recovery, he argued that Republicans need to know when the Kentucky senator expects to return because of the Senate’s upcoming schedule.

Lawmakers are expected to remain in session for several more weeks before departing for the August recess. Senators are scheduled to leave Washington beginning Aug. 8 and return on Sept. 13.

Tuberville said the Senate’s narrow margins make every Republican vote important as lawmakers prepare to consider President Trump’s legislative priorities before the extended break.

“He’s gonna need to come back probably before this three-week session’s over with, because then we’re off for like five weeks,” Tuberville said.

Republicans, he added, cannot expect assistance from Democrats during upcoming legislative votes.

“We’re gonna need him, because the Democrats are not gonna give us any votes,” Tuberville said.

McConnell has not publicly provided a specific date for his return to the Senate.

In his recent statement, he said he plans to return once his doctors determine he is medically cleared to do so and reiterated his commitment to serving through the end of his term before retiring.

His continued absence has fueled questions on Capitol Hill as the Senate prepares for a series of legislative votes ahead of the August recess.

While some Republicans, including Tuberville, are seeking additional information about McConnell’s status, others, including Kennedy, say the senator’s public explanation should be accepted as he continues his recovery.


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