Author name: Stephen Phelps

Multiple Bomb Threats Reported at NJ Polling Places, Guess Who Mandami Blamed?
Democrats

Multiple Bomb Threats Reported at NJ Polling Places, Guess Who Mandami Blamed?

/

Authorities in New Jersey confirmed multiple bomb threats disrupted voting at several polling locations on Tuesday before operations resumed later in the day.

Officials said the threats were determined to be non-credible, and polling places reopened after security sweeps.

Law enforcement agencies across the state responded to reports of threats at various voting centers early in the morning.

Voters were temporarily evacuated while local police and bomb squads inspected the buildings.

State officials emphasized that the incidents did not interfere with the integrity of the election process, and voting resumed shortly after each location was cleared.

Despite the rapid response and reassurances from officials, New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani drew political attention to the events, directly blaming President Donald Trump.

“It’s incredibly concerning,” Mamdani said.

“And I think this is an illustration of the attacks we’re seeing on our democracy. Sometimes they’re blatant and explicit in the manner of these bomb threats, and we have to understand this as part of the general approach the Trump administration has taken to try and intimidate voters with baseless allegations of voter fraud, as a means of trying to repress Americans across the country.”

Mamdani’s remarks immediately drew criticism across media platforms, with many questioning the evidence behind his claims.

On Fox News, host Kennedy addressed the comments during a panel discussion, calling them politically motivated and disconnected from the facts.

“This is emptiness,” Kennedy said.

“It means nothing. What he’s doing is deflecting because he doesn’t have an answer for this, because he is not prepared. If, God forbid, something like 9/11 happened again. Just think about that… do you remember what happened to the city? Do you remember what happened to this country? Do you remember who was the mayor and what was needed from that office? Could this person really provide that? I mean, it scares the hell out of me. I hope everyone has a plan with their kids if, God forbid, something happens.”

Law enforcement officials have not linked the New Jersey threats to any organized group or political motivation.

The FBI and state police are coordinating investigations with local departments to identify those responsible for the hoax reports.

The New Jersey Department of State confirmed that all polling sites affected by the threats were reopened and that voting continued safely throughout the day.

Election monitors said turnout remained steady despite the temporary interruptions.

Officials have urged the public to avoid spreading misinformation online as investigations continue.

The incidents, though disruptive, did not result in any injuries or damage.

Mamdani, a Democratic Socialist running for mayor of New York City, has previously drawn attention for controversial remarks about national security and law enforcement policy.

His comments linking President Trump to Tuesday’s threats prompted further scrutiny from political observers who questioned whether the mayoral hopeful was using the situation to advance a broader campaign narrative.

While investigators continue to track the origins of the false threats, state officials reiterated that New Jersey’s election security systems remain intact and that voters can safely participate in the process.

Schumer’s Shutdown Breaks Record as Dems Vote 14th Time to Keep Government Closed
News

Schumer’s Shutdown Breaks Record as Dems Vote 14th Time to Keep Government Closed

/

The U.S. Senate failed once again Tuesday to advance a Republican-backed continuing resolution that would have reopened the federal government, marking the 14th unsuccessful attempt to end the shutdown that has now become the longest in American history.

The vote came as the shutdown tied the 35-day record set in 2019 and officially surpassed it by the evening.

Despite a growing sense of fatigue across party lines, Senate Democrats led by Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., refused to advance the House-passed resolution, holding firm to their demands for an agreement that includes an extension of expiring Obamacare subsidies.

During remarks on the Senate floor, Schumer blamed Republicans and President Donald Trump for rising healthcare costs that Americans are facing this year.

“The only plan Republicans have for healthcare seems to be to eliminate it, and then to tell working people to go figure it out on their own,” Schumer said.

“That’s not a healthcare plan. That’s cruel.”

While Schumer’s caucus remains largely united, signs of strain have emerged.

Nearly a dozen Senate Democrats met privately Monday to discuss possible exit strategies to end the standoff, reflecting growing concern among lawmakers about the impact of the prolonged shutdown.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., said Republicans remain willing to negotiate but criticized Democrats for refusing to separate the healthcare issue from the effort to reopen the government.

“Republicans have offered multiple options, including guaranteeing a vote on the expiring subsidies, or whatever their Obamacare bill is, after the government reopens,” Thune said.

When asked if a deal was close, he replied, “I hope close.”

Thune acknowledged that both parties face increasing pressure as the shutdown drags on.

“The pressures, the cross pressures that everybody’s feeling, are great,” he said.

“But I think there are people who realize this has gone on long enough and that there’s been enough pain inflicted on the American people, and it’s time to end it.”

The current House-passed continuing resolution funds the government through November 21, but many lawmakers say that timeline is too short to complete the necessary appropriations work.

Some members are considering an amended version of the resolution to extend funding further, possibly into December or January, to allow time to finalize spending bills and avoid another closure.

Others have floated a smaller “minibus” spending package that could be paired with an extension.

Sen. Mike Rounds, R-S.D., who has participated in bipartisan negotiations since the shutdown began, said he remains hopeful that progress can be made.

“I don’t know, I hope so,” Rounds said when asked if the shutdown could end this week.

“Bottom line is they can stop all this with one vote and get back into it and get back to work on a bipartisan basis. Again, that’s what we’re hoping.”

Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, has also been active in bipartisan talks and presented a proposal to extend Obamacare subsidies for two years.

She noted that because insurers have already finalized rates for open enrollment, “it would be really, really hard to do any reforms right now.” Murkowski said her plan is one of several being discussed, focusing on adjustments to income thresholds and premium contributions.

“There’s no highly brand-new thing that anybody’s really talking about,” she said.

“It’s just what’s the right concoction?”

Several Senate Democrats, however, have expressed frustration with President Trump’s limited engagement in negotiations.

Trump has stated he will not meet with Schumer or House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., until the government reopens.

Over the weekend, the President urged Senate Republicans to eliminate the 60-vote filibuster rule, a proposal unlikely to gain traction.

“At no point since Oct. 1 has Donald Trump agreed to sit down with Democratic leaders,” Sen. Andy Kim, D-N.J., said.

“So, he can talk all he wants about the filibuster, but until he actually puts some skin in the game and sits down and talks to us, that is all meaningless to me. And I honestly don’t care about him pontificating this stuff on social media. Like, if he’s got time to tweet, he’s got time to just come and talk to us.”

With negotiations continuing and partisan divisions still deep, lawmakers from both sides acknowledge the need to find a solution soon to end the historic shutdown and restore government operations.

Republicans Positioned to Keep House Majority in 2026, Targets Democrats as ‘Socialists’ in New Ad
Congress

Republicans Positioned to Keep House Majority in 2026, Targets Democrats as ‘Socialists’ in New Ad

/

The National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) says the GOP is in a strong position to maintain control of the U.S. House of Representatives heading into the 2026 midterm elections, pointing to a favorable political climate and low approval ratings for Democrats.

The House GOP’s campaign arm released a new 60-second video this week, first obtained by the Daily Caller News Foundation, signaling the party’s strategy to frame Democrats as radical and out of touch.

The ad accuses Democrats of embracing socialism, pushing for open borders, and supporting efforts to defund law enforcement.

“Unhinged Democrats want to destroy America,” the narrator says in the ad.

“In one year, we stop them.”

The NRCC argues that 2026 could break from historical patterns, as midterm elections typically favor the party not in power.

Party strategists say this cycle will differ because of what they describe as Democrats’ “historic unpopularity” and the improved political environment for Republicans compared to President Donald Trump’s first term.

Republicans currently hold a narrow majority in the House, but Democrats face an uphill battle in trying to retake control.

According to recent polling, voters only slightly prefer Democrats in a generic congressional ballot, and the party’s overall favorability remains near record lows.

A Washington Post-ABC News-Ipsos survey released Sunday found Democrats leading Republicans by just two points among 2,725 respondents.

By comparison, Democrats led by 11 points at the same stage before the 2018 midterms — when they went on to flip 41 seats and regain the House majority.

As of this week, RealClearPolitics’ polling average shows Democrats with a 3.4-point advantage nationwide.

However, a Wall Street Journal survey found that 63 percent of Americans now hold an unfavorable view of the Democratic Party — one of the highest negative ratings recorded.

Only 33 percent of respondents said they view the party favorably.

The Washington Post survey also found that nearly seven in ten Americans believe Democrats are “out of touch,” a higher share than those who said the same about Republicans or President Trump.

That figure has remained unchanged since April.

Republicans also perform competitively when voters are asked which party is better equipped to handle the country’s most pressing issues.

A Gallup poll published in October found Democrats leading Republicans by just two points on that measure.

The NRCC’s ad rollout comes as the committee reports a significant fundraising advantage over its Democratic counterpart.

Between January and September, the NRCC raised $720,000 more than the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC). By comparison, Democrats led Republicans by roughly $9 million at the same point in 2017.

According to NRCC officials, this is the first time since 2015 that the committee has outraised Democrats during the first three quarters of an election cycle.

Republicans went on to win full control of Congress the following year.

“House Republicans are lapping Democrats at every turn,” NRCC spokesman Mike Marinella said in a statement.

“Voters across the country are fired up to build on this momentum and leave Democrats in the dust.”

The NRCC video also attempts to tie Democratic candidates across the country to Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic nominee for New York City mayor and a self-described socialist.

Mamdani appears three times in the ad as part of an effort to frame him as symbolic of the Democratic Party’s leftward shift.

Last week, the NRCC distributed a memo asserting that Mamdani’s candidacy would damage vulnerable House Democrats in swing districts.

The memo described him as the “face of the Democratic Party,” a label Republicans plan to repeat throughout the campaign cycle.

Republicans are also expected to benefit from mid-decade redistricting efforts in several key states, including Texas, Missouri, North Carolina, and Ohio — all of which have seen GOP-led legislatures advance maps expected to favor Republican candidates.

Party officials say additional support from the Republican National Committee and President Trump’s political operation — both of which have amassed large fundraising reserves — could further strengthen their position heading into November 2026.

Whoopi Goldberg Can’t Keep It Together, Rips Up Co-Host’s Note Mid-Broadcast
Entertainment

Whoopi Goldberg Can’t Keep It Together, Rips Up Co-Host’s Note Mid-Broadcast

/

Tension flared on ABC’s “The View” on Monday when co-host Whoopi Goldberg ripped up a note passed to her by fellow co-host Sunny Hostin during a live discussion about President Donald Trump’s recent “60 Minutes” interview.

The moment unfolded after Goldberg made a joke referencing an autopen — a mechanical device used for signing documents — in relation to a presidential pardon.

The segment began with a discussion about President Trump’s pardon of Changpeng “CZ” Zhao, the founder of Binance, one of the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchanges.

Zhao, who had been convicted of violating U.S. anti-money-laundering laws, received a pardon earlier this month.

Hostin criticized the pardon and raised questions about the president’s comments during the “60 Minutes” interview, in which Trump said he was unaware of the details surrounding Zhao’s case.

“The Trump family has made about $1.8 billion, profited off of this government and he said that Joe Biden didn’t know who he was pardoning using an autopen. How come you don’t know who this guy is?” Hostin asked.

Goldberg responded jokingly, saying, “Because he used an autopen.”

Later in the broadcast, Hostin wrote a note and passed it to Goldberg, apparently asking her to clarify the comment.

Goldberg looked at the note before addressing the audience directly. “What the hell? What?” she said, holding up the card.

“We don’t know if Trump used an autopen to pardon, it was a joke!”

Goldberg proceeded to tear up the note on camera as the studio audience reacted.

Hostin repeated that the show did not know whether President Trump had used an autopen for the pardon, and Goldberg appeared visibly frustrated by the need for clarification.

“I’m sorry. The hardest thing about this job now is no one understands nuance,” Goldberg said.

“You know when you hear a joke, when somebody is fooling around, when they’re not saying something specific. Especially on this show. I’m very specific when I’m pointing stuff out. When I’m making jokes, you know when I’m making jokes. This is ridiculous.”

The audience applauded as Goldberg continued her remarks, shifting the discussion to immigration policy under the Trump administration.

“One thing that really upsets me about all of this is that when people do it legally, everybody b—-ed and moaned and said ‘they are not doing it legally,’ so people are showing up when they’re supposed to be showing up at court, and you’re scooping them up for immigrant checks,” Goldberg said.

She went on to criticize the administration’s enforcement actions.

“And this is how you treat them. So how should we believe anything you’re saying when we saw how folks in Chicago were treated over the weekend? We saw that. We see what’s going on. We see what happens when children are in court by themselves. Come on now, you know exactly what you’re doing, and you seem to be having a good time while you’re doing it.”

Fugitive Democrat Official Flees to Mexico After Elderly Fraud Charges
News

Fugitive Democrat Official Flees to Mexico After Elderly Fraud Charges

/

A former Clackamas County commissioner is the subject of an international manhunt after allegedly fleeing Oregon with her 9-year-old son while facing felony theft charges.

Authorities believe 44-year-old Melissa Fireside crossed into Mexico last week and may be attempting to reach Europe, where she holds an Austrian passport valid through 2032.

Fireside, a Democrat who was elected to the Clackamas County Board of Commissioners in November 2023, resigned her position earlier this year after being charged with multiple counts of first-degree theft and forgery.

According to investigators, she is accused of orchestrating a financial scheme that defrauded an elderly man of tens of thousands of dollars.

Court documents show Fireside allegedly impersonated her mother’s 83-year-old boyfriend, Arthur W. Petrone, to obtain a $21,000 bank loan and a $9,000 credit card advance.

Investigators say she forged Petrone’s signature to access the funds. Petrone, a retired supermarket employee who lived in an assisted living facility, died in August.

His daughter became suspicious after discovering unexplained withdrawals from his accounts and alerted authorities.

The Oregon Department of Justice launched an investigation that uncovered additional evidence suggesting Fireside attempted to secure a $35,000 loan in Petrone’s name but only succeeded in obtaining $21,000 due to insufficient funds in his accounts.

Fireside had been scheduled to stand trial in December.

According to The Oregonian, she failed to appear for a scheduled hearing last week and is believed to have taken her son out of school without notifying authorities.

Investigators discovered that she had left her listed bail address, and travel records indicate she had a flight booked from Mexico to Amsterdam the following day.

Oregon DOJ spokesman Jerry Gorman confirmed to The Oregonian that Fireside possesses a valid Austrian passport but said it remains unclear how she acquired dual citizenship.

Her current whereabouts are unknown.

Prosecutors allege that $29,000 from the fraudulent loans was used to repay a personal debt to Oregon State Representative April Dobson, also a Democrat.

Dobson told The Oregonian she believed she was helping a struggling single mother when she lent Fireside money for “temporary relief for her personal business.”

There is no indication Dobson was involved in or aware of any criminal activity.

At the time of her disappearance, Fireside owned a $900,000 home in Lake Oswego, an affluent suburb outside Portland.

She had also established a limited liability company tied to luxury real estate ventures, according to business registration records.

Investigators suspect that Fireside crossed the southern border by car and continued on to Europe, where her Austrian citizenship would allow unrestricted travel across the European Union.

When she was first charged earlier this year, her attorneys maintained that Fireside was “entitled to the presumption of innocence.”

Federal and state authorities are now coordinating with international law enforcement agencies to locate Fireside and her son.

The Oregon Department of Justice has not yet confirmed whether an international arrest warrant or Interpol Red Notice has been issued.

Wild Domino’s Pizza Brawl Ends with Cop Hit by Flying Chair in New Jersey
News

Wild Domino’s Pizza Brawl Ends with Cop Hit by Flying Chair in New Jersey

/

Authorities in Glassboro, New Jersey, are searching for two suspects accused of attacking a police officer during a violent brawl that erupted inside a Domino’s Pizza early Saturday morning.

According to the Glassboro Police Department, officers were dispatched to the restaurant just before 3 a.m. for reports of a large fight involving multiple individuals.

The disturbance, which occurred amid Halloween weekend celebrations, quickly escalated as officers attempted to make arrests.

Police said that during the response, two male suspects allegedly picked up a chair and threw it at one of the officers, striking him in the back of the head.

The department stated that the men appeared “extremely hysterical” as they fled the scene.

“At approximately 2:44 a.m. this morning, officers responded to Domino’s Pizza for a large fight that erupted inside the store,” the Glassboro Police Department said in a public statement.

“While officers were making multiple arrests, two males, seen in this attached video (black male wearing gray jacket and black male wearing light blue sweatshirt), picked up a chair and threw it at our officers, striking one of them in the back of the head. Not only was this intentional, they found it extremely hysterical while they ran from the scene. We need your help in identifying them.”

Surveillance footage from inside the restaurant shows the moments leading up to the attack.

The video captures a chaotic scene — customers wearing Halloween accessories, several individuals standing on tables and chairs, and others recording the commotion on their phones as tensions rose.

In the clip, two men can be seen grabbing a red chair and hurling it out of frame as onlookers screamed and scattered.

Police said the incident left one officer injured, though the department has not disclosed the extent of his injuries.

Investigators released still images taken from the surveillance video showing the two men believed to have thrown the chair. Authorities are now asking the public for assistance in identifying the suspects.

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Glassboro Police Department by texting “GLASSPD” to 847411, calling 856-881-1500, or emailing Detective Aitken at

sa*****@gl*********.org











.

The department emphasized that tips can be submitted anonymously and that identifying those responsible is a priority for investigators.

Glassboro, located about 20 miles south of Philadelphia, has seen an increase in late-night disturbances near its downtown area, which is popular with local college students.

Police have not said whether the individuals involved in the Domino’s incident are affiliated with nearby Rowan University.

As of Monday, no arrests had been announced, and the investigation remains ongoing.

Democrats’ Shutdown Leaves Millions Without Heat as Winter Sets In
News

Democrats’ Shutdown Leaves Millions Without Heat as Winter Sets In

/

As winter approaches, federal funding delays tied to the ongoing government shutdown are threatening heating assistance for millions of low-income Americans.

Nearly six million households rely on the $4.1 billion Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), which helps vulnerable families cover heating costs during the cold months.

Now in its fifth week, the shutdown has stalled the release of program funds, leaving state officials warning of potential disruptions as temperatures continue to fall.

Several states have said that the delay could affect households that depend on the aid to stay warm.

In Philadelphia, 74-year-old Jacqueline Chapman, a retired school aide, said she is among those directly affected.

Chapman, who receives $630 a month in Social Security benefits, told Boston’s WCBB5 that she recently lost access to her food assistance through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and has now been told her heating assistance may also be at risk.

“I feel like I’m living in scary time,” Chapman said. “It’s not easy to rest when you know you have things to do with limited accounts, limited funds. There isn’t too much you can do.”

The federal court system has begun addressing some of these funding gaps.

On Friday, a federal judge in Rhode Island ordered the Trump administration to partially fund SNAP benefits with existing reserve money, providing temporary relief to approximately 42 million Americans who depend on the program for food assistance.

Still, agencies responsible for administering LIHEAP and SNAP say the situation remains urgent.

Mark Wolfe, executive director of the National Energy Assistance Directors Association (NEADA), said that if the standoff in Washington continues, many families could face immediate consequences.

“The impact, even if it’s temporary, on many of the nation’s poor families is going to be profound if we don’t solve this problem,” Wolfe said.

His organization represents state directors who oversee LIHEAP funding across the country.

“These are important income supports that are all potentially heading toward a cliff at the same time,” Wolfe added.

“And I can’t point to a similar time in recent history where we’ve had this.”

The delays come as energy costs continue to rise nationwide. Wolfe told USA Today that both electricity and natural gas prices have increased sharply, adding pressure to household budgets already stretched by inflation.

According to NEADA data, about 21 million households—roughly one in six across the country—are currently behind on their energy bills.

The group also reported that since late 2023, household energy costs have risen by about 31 percent on average, leaving many families in a precarious position as the winter months begin.

“The situation is really grim regarding (rising energy) pricing and availability of LIHEAP funds,” Wolfe told USA Today.

“Even if all goes well now, the earliest we will see funds will be December.”

The administration has not announced an updated timeline for when states can expect full funding for LIHEAP to resume.

For now, states are continuing to process applications with limited resources as the funding impasse persists.

Officials have said that once Congress reaches an agreement to reopen the government, the Department of Health and Human Services will prioritize resuming LIHEAP payments to participating states.

Until then, many low-income families face uncertainty as winter sets in and utility bills continue to rise.

Dem Rep Bynum Doesn’t Seem to Know Why She Voted to Shut Down the Government
News

Dem Rep Bynum Doesn’t Seem to Know Why She Voted to Shut Down the Government

/

Democratic Representative Janelle Bynum of Oregon’s 5th Congressional District faced scrutiny on Friday after appearing unable to explain her vote against a short-term spending measure to reopen the government or acknowledge her party’s role in the ongoing shutdown that threatens to halt Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.

The exchange occurred during a C-SPAN interview, a clip of which was later shared on X by House Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana.

In his post, Johnson highlighted Bynum’s remarks as an example of confusion among House Democrats regarding the continuing resolution (CR) that would have temporarily funded the government through the existing budget levels.

“Everyone should watch this incredible clip. Many House Democrats literally DON’T EVEN KNOW what they voted against when they closed the government! (Remember: Our CR was totally clean and nonpartisan, and only 24 short pages in length),” Johnson wrote.

The current shutdown, now in its 31st day, began after Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Democratic leadership refused to advance the Republican-backed clean CR.

The measure would have extended funding without additional policy riders or spending cuts, mirroring the same resolution Democrats supported earlier in March.

As the November 1 deadline approaches, funding for SNAP benefits is set to lapse, potentially affecting millions of low-income families.

Republican leaders have introduced a standalone bill to extend SNAP funding temporarily, but Democrats have resisted separate funding efforts while negotiations over the broader budget continue.

During her C-SPAN appearance, Bynum was asked directly whether Democrats should approve the GOP-led standalone measure to protect SNAP benefits from interruption.

Rather than answering directly, she said Republicans control “the White House, House, and Senate,” adding that they have “the control to make sure Americans get what they need.”

Her statement was inaccurate, as Democrats currently hold the majority in the Senate and have used procedural control there to block the House’s continuing resolution.

Pressed again by the host, Bynum declined to take a firm position on the SNAP bill.

“I just got here. I don’t play politics. I want a clean bill that focuses on the American people. That makes sure kids have a full belly,” she said.

“All of the clean this, clean that, Americans don’t understand that. They know if they have their benefits or not.”

She continued, “So put a bill on the table. Make sure it’s very pure and clean, as they like to say. And it doesn’t have a whole lot of fluff in it.”

The interviewer then reminded her that Republicans had already voted on a clean CR on September 19.

When asked if she had voted on that bill, Bynum replied that she “disagrees with” the characterization of the measure, insisting that Republican proposals contain “poison pills.”

When pressed for specifics about what provisions she was referring to, Bynum did not identify any and shifted away from the question.

The remarks drew attention online as the shutdown’s economic and social consequences grow more severe.

Critics noted that the continuing resolution Bynum opposed was nearly identical to the one Democrats themselves passed earlier this year.

The standoff has left key federal programs, including SNAP, in jeopardy as states prepare for potential disruptions to benefits next week.

The Department of Agriculture has warned that without new appropriations, funds for the food assistance program could run out after the start of November.

Speaker Johnson and House Republicans continue to urge Democrats to return to the negotiating table and pass a short-term funding measure.

The House-approved CR, described by Johnson as “clean and nonpartisan,” remains stalled in the Senate as leadership continues to link broader spending priorities to the reopening of the government.

With the shutdown entering its fifth week, the political impasse shows no immediate signs of resolution.

Millions of Americans who rely on federal nutrition assistance now await congressional action to restore funding before the November 1 deadline.

Sec. Scott Bessent Blasts Democrat Senators Warren and Klobuchar as ‘Failures’ in Fiery Takedown
News

Sec. Scott Bessent Blasts Democrat Senators Warren and Klobuchar as ‘Failures’ in Fiery Takedown

/

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent sharply criticized Senate Democrats on Wednesday night, taking direct aim at Sens. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota.

In a statement posted to X, Bessent called both lawmakers “failures” and accused them of focusing on political posturing instead of working to reopen the government.

“@SenWarren and @SenAmyKlobuchar: you are failures,” Bessent wrote.

“You failed to derail the electoral success of one of our great allies in Latin America, President @JMilei. He won in a landslide with the poorest members of society voting for economic freedom—a notion anathema in particular to the Senate’s resident American Peronist, Senator Warren.”

The secretary’s post referenced Argentina’s recent election of President Javier Milei, a libertarian economist who campaigned on free-market reforms.

Bessent linked that development to the Trump administration’s economic policies and the president’s recent trip to Asia.

“You failed to reopen the government, preventing our Administration’s efforts to get aid to American farmers, as well as our planned activation of the Farm Credit Agency to assist our farmers with next year’s crops,” he continued.

Bessent said the administration’s agricultural initiatives would have advanced sooner if Congress had passed the necessary funding.

“Today’s announcement after his meeting with President Xi will be a resounding victory for our great farmers,” he wrote.

“While I know it will be soul-crushing for you, please re-focus your staff away from writing incoherent letters to myself and others, and instead work towards opening the government. If you decide to further add to your legacy of failure by voting to keep the government closed over the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday, ruining the number one travel day for American families, you should both be ashamed.”

The exchange followed a letter sent Monday by a group of Democratic lawmakers accusing Bessent of prioritizing foreign governments over domestic agriculture.

The letter cited reports that the administration was considering international financial aid programs as negotiations with China over soybean imports continued.

Speaking to FOX Business host Maria Bartiromo on Thursday, Bessent said China had agreed to purchase 12 million metric tons of soybeans “during this season,” which he indicated would be before January.

He added that the administration expects Beijing to buy at least 25 million metric tons annually over the next three years.

Bessent also estimated that President Donald Trump’s Asia trip could yield as much as $2 trillion in new investments into the United States.

Bessent shared a photo of President Trump addressing world leaders at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in South Korea, writing that it demonstrated “what successful American leadership looks like.”

In the same post, he included a pointed message to his critics: “P.S. I am happy to inform you both that the Argentine economic bridge has now turned a profit for the American people. While ‘profit’ is a private sector word that you may both be unfamiliar with, I would urge you to look past your previous experience working alongside the Biden Administration’s autopenned efforts to bankrupt the US government.”

Sen. Klobuchar responded on X late Wednesday, suggesting Bessent’s remarks were unbecoming of a cabinet official.

“At first I thought, wow, this must be a fake account given your really important job and all. But no, it’s really you. DOUBLE WOW!” she wrote.

“Since you and I have had no public or private personal ‘BEEFS’ (Argentinian or otherwise), maybe it is just your jet lag from all the overseas travel.”

Klobuchar defended the letter she co-signed as “super serious and fact-based,” saying it asked Bessent to reconsider the administration’s tariff policies and their effect on rural economies.

“While your announcement today reversing just part of your own administration’s bad policies is always helpful, there is just so much left to undo before these across-the-board tariffs upend the economy in rural America forever,” she wrote, adding a postscript that referenced ongoing budget negotiations in the House.

“P.S. thanks for sending that glam pic of the President in Asia. Here’s one of the House of Representatives this week. Love it if they came back to meet with us and your boss to do something about health insurance premiums and end the shut down.”

Earlier in October, Bessent had announced U.S. participation in a currency swap program with Argentina’s central bank aimed at stabilizing the peso.

The move was described as part of a broader effort to strengthen trade and financial cooperation between Washington and Buenos Aires.

At the time, Bessent said the Treasury Department was “prepared, immediately, to take whatever exceptional measures are warranted to provide stability to markets” and noted that up to $20 billion in new financing could be deployed through a combination of public and private funds.

The sharp exchange between Bessent and Senate Democrats marks the latest round in a series of public disputes over the administration’s trade and fiscal priorities as the partial government shutdown continues into its fifth week.

Letitia James Gets ‘DENIED’ in Her Attempt to Muzzle Federal Prosecutors
lev radin - Shutterstock.com
News

Letitia James Gets ‘DENIED’ in Her Attempt to Muzzle Federal Prosecutors

/

The federal judge presiding over New York Attorney General Letitia James’ mortgage fraud case on Friday rejected a motion that sought to compel federal prosecutors to log all their communications with the media.

U.S. District Judge Jamar Walker issued a six-page order denying the request from James’ defense team, which was filed by attorney Abbe Lowell last week.

The motion followed reports that U.S. Attorney Lindsey Halligan had exchanged encrypted Signal messages with a reporter about the case.

“[T]he defendant does not demonstrate that it is necessary for the Court to order the government to track communications with the media in any particular form,” Walker wrote in his ruling.

“The defendant’s request that the government be required to keep a communication log is DENIED.”

The judge, who was appointed by President Biden, acknowledged that Halligan’s Signal chat with Lawfare senior editor Anna Bower earlier this month was “unusual,” though he stopped short of characterizing it as improper.

Walker said he would not “offer an opinion on whether they were improper in any sense, either legal or ethical.”

While rejecting the request for a communication log, Walker directed prosecutors to comply with existing court rules governing evidence preservation and disclosure.

He also issued a litigation hold “preventing the deletion or destruction of any records or communications having to do with the investigation or prosecution of this case.”

Reports indicate that Halligan’s Signal messages to Bower were set to automatically disappear after eight hours.

The defense motion argued that this practice could interfere with discovery obligations, but the judge disagreed.

“[T]he Court is not persuaded that preservation of evidence related to the government’s communications requires such evidence be maintained in any particular form,” Walker wrote.

“The defendant does not demonstrate that a communication log is necessary, so the Court will not order the government to maintain one.”

Walker added, “The Court trusts that counsel on both sides will comply with this Order without further handholding.”

In a separate request, federal prosecutors asked Walker to impose a gag order on James, citing the defense motion and related publicity. The judge declined to issue the gag order.

James pleaded not guilty last week to one count of bank fraud and one count of making a false statement to a financial institution.

According to the indictment, the charges stem from her purchase of a three-bedroom, one-bathroom home on Peronne Avenue in Norfolk, Virginia, in August 2020.

Prosecutors allege that James obtained a $109,600 loan to buy the property and signed a “second home rider” stating that she was the sole borrower who would occupy and use the residence as her own.

The filing claims that this false statement allowed her to secure more favorable mortgage terms, saving her nearly $19,000.

However, investigators say the home “was not occupied or used” by James, but “was instead used as a rental investment property” for her grandniece, Nakia Thompson.

The controversy deepened earlier this month when The New York Times reported that Thompson told a grand jury she never paid rent for the property.

Following that report, Halligan allegedly sent Signal messages disputing the article’s accuracy.

Judge Walker’s order did not determine whether those messages constituted material subject to discovery.

He stated only that prosecutors must preserve all relevant evidence moving forward.

If convicted on both counts, James faces up to 60 years in prison and a fine of up to $2 million.

The case continues in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia.


Scroll to Top