Author name: Stephen Phelps

Ted Cruz Demands Judge Boasberg’s Impeachment Over Secret GOP Subpoenas
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Ted Cruz Demands Judge Boasberg’s Impeachment Over Secret GOP Subpoenas

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Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, called Wednesday for the impeachment of U.S. District Judge James Boasberg following revelations that the Obama-appointed judge secretly authorized the Department of Justice to seize private phone records belonging to Cruz and other Republican senators, as reported by The Gateway Pundit.

At a press conference in Washington, Cruz alleged that the Biden administration’s Justice Department, under the direction of former special counsel Jack Smith, subpoenaed his phone records and those of eight other GOP senators as part of an investigation tied to the 2020 election.

He described the effort as a “fishing expedition” that violated constitutional protections.

“The Biden Justice Department signed off on issuing subpoenas for the phone records of at least nine U.S. senators,” Cruz said.

“Twenty percent of the Republicans in the United States Senate were the target of this fishing expedition. They did so in complete contravention of the Constitution — of separation of powers, of the Speech and Debate Clause, of free speech, of basic rights of privacy.”

Cruz said the subpoena, sent from Jack Smith’s office to AT&T, sought his cell phone communications but that the company’s legal counsel refused to comply.

“AT&T looked at that subpoena and said, ‘You cannot comply because this is protected by the Speech and Debate Clause of the U.S. Constitution,’” Cruz said.

According to Cruz, Judge Boasberg subsequently issued an order barring AT&T from notifying the senators that their phone data had been targeted. The gag order was to remain in place for at least one year.

Boasberg wrote in his order that there were “reasonable grounds to believe that such disclosure will result in destruction of or tampering with evidence, intimidation of potential witnesses, and serious jeopardy to the investigation.”

Cruz said the justification was unfounded. “There is precisely zero evidence to conclude that I am likely to destroy or tamper with evidence or to intimidate potential witnesses,” he said. “This order is an abuse of power. This order is a weaponized legal system.”

The Texas senator accused Boasberg of engaging in political retaliation and said his actions constituted “a textbook abuse of Article III authority.” He urged the House of Representatives to begin impeachment proceedings immediately.

“I am right now calling on the House of Representatives to impeach Judge Boasberg,” Cruz said.

“Judge Boasberg put his robe down, stood up, and said, ‘Sign me up to be part of the partisan vendetta against 20% of the Republicans in the Senate.’ That is a dereliction of duty and a violation of the judicial oath.”

Cruz thanked Sens. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, and Ron Johnson, R-Wis., for pursuing details of the subpoenas and vowed to hold all responsible parties accountable.

“We are going to get the answers of every person who signed off on this abuse of power — and mark my words, there will be accountability for these zealots who wanted to corrupt the Department of Justice and the judiciary,” Cruz said.

Mamdani Under Fire for Claiming NYPD and Israel Are Linked in ‘Conspiracy’ Over Police Brutality
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Mamdani Under Fire for Claiming NYPD and Israel Are Linked in ‘Conspiracy’ Over Police Brutality

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New York Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani is facing renewed scrutiny after a resurfaced video from 2023 showed him suggesting that the New York Police Department (NYPD) and Israel Defense Forces (IDF) are connected through a “conspiracy” tied to police brutality in the United States, as reported by The Western Journal.

The remarks, first reported by The New York Post, came during a panel at the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) national convention, where Mamdani served as a keynote speaker.

The event, titled “Socialist Internationalism: The Solution to the Crisis of Capitalism,” featured discussions on global activism and left-wing solidarity.

In the resurfaced clip, Mamdani — a Democrat representing Astoria, Queens — claimed that international solidarity helps reveal connections between what he described as capitalist systems abroad and domestic law enforcement practices.

“The importance for me of international solidarity is that it takes me out of the American political landscape and reminds me just how tame some of the things are that I’m actually calling for,” Mamdani said.

He continued, “We have to make clear that when the boot of the NYPD is on your neck, it’s been laced by the IDF. We are in a country where those connections abound. Especially in New York City, you have so many opportunities to make clear the ways in which that struggle over there is tied to capitalist interests over here.”

Mamdani’s comments sparked backlash after resurfacing online this week, with critics accusing him of promoting antisemitic conspiracy theories and blaming Israel for issues related to U.S. policing.

The DSA panel did not include any pushback or clarification from other participants when the remarks were made.

The New York lawmaker has not disavowed the comments, though he addressed the controversy in a statement to The New York Post, suggesting his campaign is focused on public safety and not on past remarks.

“I’ve said time and again that with public safety, I’m looking forward to working with police officers here in New York City to deliver it,” Mamdani said.

He also noted ongoing challenges within the NYPD, adding, “We now have about 350 officers leaving the department every month, and that is something we will bring to an end by ensuring that police officers are only asked to do the work of a police department, not the work of social services as they have it.”

Mamdani, who is running for mayor of New York City, has built his political career on a platform that includes support for socialist economic policies and advocacy for the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement against Israel.

His past rhetoric and participation in DSA events have drawn repeated criticism from Jewish organizations and political opponents.

As the mayoral race tightens, the resurfaced video adds to growing questions about Mamdani’s views on Israel and public safety policy. Neither the DSA nor Mamdani’s campaign has responded directly to accusations that the comments reflected antisemitic sentiment.

US Forces Kill 14 Alleged Narco-Terrorists in Eastern Pacific Strikes, Hegseth Says
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US Forces Kill 14 Alleged Narco-Terrorists in Eastern Pacific Strikes, Hegseth Says

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U.S. military forces struck four suspected drug-trafficking vessels in the Eastern Pacific on Tuesday, killing 14 alleged members of designated terrorist organizations, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth announced, as reported by Fox News.

The strikes, ordered by President Donald Trump, targeted ships the Department identified as transiting known narcotics routes and carrying large quantities of drugs, Hegseth said.

WASHINGTON – January 14 2025: Pete Hegseth, Secretary of Defense nominee, testifies before the Senate Armed Services Committee.

“All strikes were in international waters with no U.S. forces harmed,” Hegseth said, adding that the operations were aimed at “Designated Terrorist Organizations (DTO) trafficking narcotics in the Eastern Pacific.”

According to Hegseth, intelligence showed the four vessels were known to U.S. agencies and were operating along established narco-trafficking corridors.

Hegseth provided a breakdown of the three daytime strikes that resulted in 14 fatalities and one survivor.

“The four vessels were known by our intelligence apparatus, transiting along known narco-trafficking routes, and carrying narcotics. Eight male narco-terrorists were aboard the vessels during the first strike. Four male narco-terrorists were aboard the vessel during the second strike. Three male narco-terrorists were aboard the vessel during the third strike. A total of 14 narco-terrorists were killed during the three strikes, with one survivor.”

Regarding the survivor, Hegseth said, “Regarding the survivor, USSOUTHCOM immediately initiated Search and Rescue (SAR) standard protocols; Mexican SAR authorities accepted the case and assumed responsibility for coordinating the rescue.”

Officials said the operations follow a sustained campaign that began Sept. 2 under orders from the Trump administration to target boats allegedly transporting illicit drugs.

Dozens of suspected traffickers have been killed in recent weeks in strikes conducted in the Caribbean and the broader region, military officials said.

Hegseth framed the campaign as part of a shift in focus.

“The Department has spent over TWO DECADES defending other homelands. Now, we’re defending our own. These narco-terrorists have killed more Americans than Al-Qaeda, and they will be treated the same. We will track them, we will network them, and then, we will hunt and kill them,” he declared.

The secretary also referenced a prior operation announced Friday that targeted a vessel linked to Tren de Aragua (TdA), which U.S. officials have designated a terrorist organization.

Hegseth said that strike — the first conducted at night — killed six male narco-terrorists in international waters and that “no U.S. forces were harmed in this strike.”

U.S. military and interagency officials said all strikes were conducted in compliance with international law and rules of engagement.

Details regarding the precise locations of the recent Eastern Pacific strikes, the identities of the deceased, and the volume of narcotics seized or destroyed were not released at the time of Hegseth’s statement.

The campaign to interdict drug shipments at sea represents a prioritized effort by the Trump administration to cut the flow of narcotics and to target transnational criminal networks the Department has described as increasingly violent and dangerous to U.S. citizens.

Military officials said cooperation with regional partners — including Mexico in the case of the survivor — remains a central component of ongoing operations.

Gavin Newsom Mocked for Claiming His Family Was ‘Hustling’ to Pay the Bills: ‘This is How I Grew Up, Bro’
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Gavin Newsom Mocked for Claiming His Family Was ‘Hustling’ to Pay the Bills: ‘This is How I Grew Up, Bro’

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California Governor Gavin Newsom faced widespread criticism over the weekend after claiming on a podcast that his family “hustled” to pay bills while he was growing up. Many questioned his attempt to portray a working-class background given his family’s well-documented connections to wealth and influence, as reported by Fox News.

During an appearance on the All The Smoke podcast Saturday, Newsom described being raised by his mother, whom he said “came from no money and just hustled” by working multiple jobs.

Sacramento, CA – Sept 6, 2024: Governor Gavin Newsom speaking at a press conference discussing new emergency regulation on hemp products currently being sold in grocery stores.

“It was also about paying the bills, man. It was just like hustling, and so I was out there, kind of raising myself, turning on the TV, just getting obsessed. I was sitting there with the Wonder Bread,” Newsom said before the hosts interrupted him with laughter.

He continued:

“Come on, the macaroni and cheese! This is how I grew up, bro. Every day in the backyard just bouncing the basketball, throwing the ball against the wall until the ball is just like frayed… that’s it. Whole thing.”

Conservatives quickly responded to Newsom’s remarks with disbelief, mocking what they viewed as an exaggerated retelling of his upbringing.

“His dad worked for Getty oil,” comedian Adam Carolla said.

Georgia State University professor Rob Jenkins joked, “Next he’ll be telling us about the guy at the pool who used to rub his leg hairs.”

OutKick writer Ian Miller commented, “Between the extremely wealthy and privileged Gavin Newsom doing this act and Zohran Mamdani faking tears over his family being the real victims of 9-11, you can see how bright the future of the Democratic Party is.”

RedState columnist Buzz Patterson wrote, “I’m waiting for Gavin to break into a little Snoop, ‘Gin & Juice.’ What a fraud!”

Radio host Jesse Kelly also weighed in, saying, “Communists lie like they breathe. That’s why the long history of fake accents and fake backstories is so prevalent on the Left. They have nothing moral against telling the lie. The recipient has nothing moral against being told the lie. Everyone just marches on as if it’s normal.”

Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon replied simply, “G thang.”

American Majority CEO Ned Ryun added, “The dude is such a weirdo.”

In response to the criticism, a spokesperson for Newsom told Fox News Digital that the governor has been open about his upbringing.

“Anyone with more than an inch of curiosity would know that Governor Newsom was raised by his mother after her divorce from his father when he was a toddler. He has talked about moving between two different worlds, but he was raised by a mother who worked three jobs at one point — secretary, waitress, and paralegal,” the spokesperson said.

Newsom’s father, William Alfred Newsom III, served as a state appeals court judge and was an attorney for Getty Oil Company.

The governor’s remarks come as he continues to raise his national profile, with speculation about his potential political ambitions beyond California.

‘We Now Know Everything’: Trump Drops Cryptic 2020 Election Truth Social Bombshell
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‘We Now Know Everything’: Trump Drops Cryptic 2020 Election Truth Social Bombshell

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President Donald Trump’s latest post on Truth Social has renewed speculation that his administration may have uncovered additional findings regarding the 2020 presidential election. The post, made Sunday night, drew widespread attention for its closing line: “We now know everything.”

In the post, President Trump compared alleged misconduct in professional sports to what he described as far more serious wrongdoing in the 2020 election.

“What’s worse, the NBA Players cheating at cards, and probably much else, or the Democrats cheating on Elections,” he wrote.

“The 2020 Presidential Election, being Rigged and Stolen, is a far bigger SCANDAL. Look what happened to our Country when a Crooked Moron became our ‘President!’ We now know everything.”

The remark quickly led to speculation online about whether Trump’s administration has recently obtained or compiled new evidence related to alleged voting irregularities during the 2020 race.

Many supporters interpreted “We now know everything” as a signal that previously undisclosed information could soon become public.

Throughout and after the 2020 election, Trump and his legal team maintained that widespread voting irregularities occurred in key battleground states.

Multiple lawsuits were filed challenging voting procedures and mail-in ballot handling, but courts often declined to review the evidence on procedural grounds, stating that the plaintiffs lacked standing.

Critics of those rulings argued that such dismissals prevented a full investigation into potential election misconduct.

Questions about turnout anomalies also persisted in several counties across the country. In some jurisdictions, voter turnout reportedly exceeded historical averages by wide margins, and in certain localities, observers raised concerns about discrepancies between vote totals and active voter registrations.

Allegations of “late additions” and unverifiable registrations following Election Day also drew scrutiny.

After the election, social media companies and major online platforms implemented strict policies restricting discussion of election-related claims. Posts questioning the integrity of the 2020 results were frequently labeled as “misinformation,” and several accounts were suspended or permanently removed.

The widespread moderation efforts became a point of contention among conservatives, who said they were being censored for raising legitimate concerns.

In his Truth Social post, President Trump again pressed the Department of Justice to take action. “I hope the DOJ pursues this with as much ‘gusto’ as befitting the biggest SCANDAL in American history! If not, it will happen again, including the upcoming Midterms,” he wrote.

The post reflects Trump’s ongoing stance that the Justice Department and other federal agencies should further investigate alleged coordination between Democratic officials, election administrators, and major technology companies.

Trump has repeatedly claimed that these entities worked together to suppress accurate reporting of vote counts and to shape public perception of the 2020 results.

While Trump’s message did not include specific details about new findings, it has intensified speculation that additional evidence may soon be disclosed by his administration or allied investigators.

Supporters have pointed to the phrasing “We now know everything” as an indication that a comprehensive account of election-related irregularities may be forthcoming.

The former president has continued to use Truth Social as his primary platform to communicate with the public and comment on ongoing political and legal developments.

His Sunday night post adds to a series of statements reiterating his belief that the 2020 election was compromised and that unresolved questions remain about how ballots were collected, verified, and counted in several states.

As of Monday morning, Trump’s remarks had been shared tens of thousands of times on Truth Social, with many users calling for the release of any evidence referenced in his statement.

The Department of Justice has not commented on whether any new investigations related to the 2020 election are underway.

Trump Admin Warns 42 Million Could Lose Food Stamps as Shutdown Continues: ‘Bottom Line, the Well Has Run Dry’
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Trump Admin Warns 42 Million Could Lose Food Stamps as Shutdown Continues: ‘Bottom Line, the Well Has Run Dry’

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The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has warned that roughly 42 million Americans could lose access to federal food assistance beginning November 1 if the current government shutdown is not resolved, as reported by Fox News.

The department says it lacks the authority to redirect funding to cover Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) payments without congressional approval.

According to an internal USDA memo obtained by Fox News Digital, the ongoing impasse in Congress has halted funding for SNAP, commonly known as food stamps.

II.studio – Shutterstock.com

“Due to Congressional Democrats’ refusal to pass a clean continuing resolution (CR), approximately 42 million individuals will not receive their SNAP benefits come November 1st,” the memo said.

“This jeopardizes all SNAP recipients in November, including those that have applied for benefits in the last half of October, and furloughed Federal employees who will not receive their combined October/November benefits.”

Democrats have urged the Trump administration to tap into the agency’s SNAP contingency fund, which they estimate contains about $5 billion, to continue distributing benefits. However, USDA officials say that fund cannot legally be used for regular benefits.

“SNAP contingency funds are only available to supplement regular monthly benefits when amounts have been appropriated for, but are insufficient to cover, benefits,” the memo stated.

“The contingency fund is not available to support [fiscal year 2026] regular benefits because the appropriation for regular benefits no longer exists.”

The department said the contingency fund is reserved for emergencies such as the Disaster SNAP program, which provides food assistance to families affected by hurricanes, floods, and other natural disasters.

USDA officials also rejected proposals to transfer funding from other nutrition programs, warning that doing so would hurt vulnerable Americans.

“Transfers from other sources would pull away funding for school meals and infant formula,” the memo read.

“This Administration will not allow Democrats to jeopardize funding for school meals and infant formula in order to prolong their shutdown.”

On Monday, the USDA updated its website with a statement blaming Senate Democrats for stalling funding for SNAP.

“Senate Democrats have now voted 12 times to not fund the food stamp program, also known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP),” the statement read.

“Bottom line, the well has run dry. At this time, there will be no benefits issued November 1.”

The statement added that Democrats must choose between “holding out for healthcare for illegal aliens and gender mutilation procedures or reopening the government so mothers, babies, and the most vulnerable among us can receive critical nutrition assistance.”

In response, nearly all House Democrats signed a letter to USDA on Friday, arguing that the contingency fund was designed for precisely this situation. “We urge USDA to use these funds for November SNAP benefits and issue clear guidance to states on how to navigate benefit issuance,” the letter said.

Impact of Government Lapse on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program 

The standoff continues as Senate Democrats refuse to advance the House-passed continuing resolution from September 19, which would have temporarily extended fiscal year 2025 funding.

Democrats are demanding that any agreement also include an extension of enhanced Obamacare subsidies set to expire at year’s end.

Schumer Shutdown Becomes National Joke as Memes Flood Social Media
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Schumer Shutdown Becomes National Joke as Memes Flood Social Media

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The government shutdown led by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer is drawing widespread mockery across social media as frustration grows over stalled negotiations in Washington, as reported by Joe Hoff.

What began as a partisan standoff has now become a cultural punchline, with viral memes and videos spreading faster than any progress on Capitol Hill.

Online users have dubbed it the “Schumer Shutdown,” a label that has gained traction as the blame shifts toward Democratic leadership.

Social media feeds have been flooded with jokes, edits, and compilations highlighting the political deadlock, with many portraying the Democratic Party as disorganized and out of touch.

“The Democrats are losing the Schumer Shutdown and know that because they are being laughed at,” one post read. “It’s a real disaster.”

Several viral videos circulating this week feature clips of Schumer, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, and other top Democrats, often paired with music or movie scenes mocking their handling of the budget impasse.

Many of the clips have been shared thousands of times on platforms like X, TikTok, and Instagram.

“This shutdown will be remembered for its memes,” one user wrote, sharing a compilation video that has been viewed more than two million times. Others created parodies and even custom screensavers inspired by the standoff.

One popular meme circulating online shows a photo of Jeffries with the caption, “Jeffries is coming across as an idiot.”

Another features President Donald Trump with the tagline, “Trump keeps rocking,” reflecting the perception among conservatives that the president has maintained control of the political narrative despite congressional gridlock.

“This shutdown is a joke on Schumer, Jeffries, and the Democrats,” another post stated. “It’s clear the country wants this silliness from the Dems to end.”

The online reaction mirrors growing public impatience with Congress. With federal funding frozen and negotiations at a standstill, pressure is mounting on lawmakers to reach an agreement.

But while political leaders trade barbs on camera, social media users are turning the stalemate into a stream of viral humor.

For now, the Schumer Shutdown has become less about policy details and more about perception. The laughter from across the country suggests that Democrats may be losing control of both the message and the moment.

Brennan Panics on MSNBC as Jordan Refers Him for Prosecution
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Brennan Panics on MSNBC as Jordan Refers Him for Prosecution

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Former CIA Director John Brennan appeared uneasy during an MSNBC interview this week as House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan formally referred him to the Department of Justice for criminal prosecution.

The referral alleges that Brennan knowingly made false statements to Congress during a May 2023 interview regarding the CIA’s use of the Steele dossier in its assessment of Russian interference in the 2016 election.

Jordan sent the referral to Attorney General Pam Bondi on Tuesday, citing “significant evidence” that Brennan “knowingly made false statements” before the House Judiciary Committee.

The letter details how Brennan’s testimony contradicted the official record established by both the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and the CIA.

“We write to refer significant evidence that former Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) John Brennan knowingly made false statements during his transcribed interview before the Committee on the Judiciary on May 11, 2023,” Jordan wrote.

The referral accuses Brennan of violating federal statute 18 U.S.C. § 1001, which makes it a crime to knowingly and willfully make materially false statements to Congress.

Jordan emphasized that such conduct undermines the constitutional role of legislative oversight.

“Congress cannot perform its oversight function if witnesses who appear before its committees do not provide truthful testimony.

Making false statements before Congress is a crime that undermines the integrity of the Committee’s constitutional duty to conduct oversight,” Jordan stated.

According to the letter, Brennan’s claim that the CIA was not “involved at all” with the Steele dossier cannot be reconciled with newly declassified documents.

Those records, Jordan said, show that a CIA officer drafted an annex summarizing the dossier, and that Brennan, along with then-FBI Director James Comey, made the final decision to include that information in the Intelligence Community Assessment (ICA).

“Brennan’s assertion that the CIA was not ‘involved at all’ with the Steele dossier cannot be reconciled with the facts,” Jordan wrote.

“As the newly declassified documents show, a CIA officer drafted the annex containing a summary of the dossier; Brennan made the ultimate decision, along with then-FBI Director James Comey, to include information from the dossier in the ICA; and, as discussed further below, Brennan overruled senior CIA officers who objected to the inclusion of the dossier material.”

The referral further alleges that Brennan misled Congress by claiming the CIA opposed including the Steele dossier in the ICA.

Jordan’s letter argues that evidence contradicts that testimony, pointing to internal CIA communications and records from the House Intelligence Committee.

During his interview on MSNBC with host Nicolle Wallace, Brennan dismissed Jordan’s referral as political retribution.

Wallace asked, “New tactic, same story. What is your response to Jim Jordan getting in the action?”

Brennan replied that Jordan was “getting into the action of Trump’s revenge tour.”

“Well, it’s clear that that’s exactly what he’s doing. He’s trying to get into the action of Trump’s revenge tour,” Brennan said.

“As I’ve said several times on this program, as well as in congressional testimony, I’ve cooperated with all these inquiries and investigations of the government.”

“I have explained exactly what transpired during the Russian interference in the 2016 election,” he continued.

“And Jim Jordan now, I think, is trying to twist my words and misrepresent and mischaracterize the facts as a way to play to and be a supplicant to Donald Trump, which is why he’s making this referral now to the Department of Justice.”

Brennan added that the matter had already been reviewed multiple times and claimed his account was consistent with what he described in his memoir.

“But as you pointed out, I’ve said before, this ground has been retread and plowed numerous times. And I even wrote about it in my memoir, exactly what happened there,” Brennan said.

He concluded by denying any wrongdoing. “Why, oh, why would I have any motivation to not tell the truth to Congress about this? Because it’s already a matter of public record,” Brennan said.

The move marks the latest development in ongoing congressional investigations into the origins of the Russia probe and the use of opposition-funded materials in U.S. intelligence assessments.

Twelve NJ Democrat Mayors Break Ranks to Endorse Republican Jack Ciattarelli
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Twelve NJ Democrat Mayors Break Ranks to Endorse Republican Jack Ciattarelli

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Republican New Jersey gubernatorial candidate Jack Ciattarelli announced that he has received endorsements from at least 12 Democratic mayors across the state as early voting gets underway.

During an appearance on Fox News, Ciattarelli said his campaign had just completed its second of six early-voting rallies and highlighted the growing bipartisan support behind his candidacy.

“When Democratic mayors are endorsing the Republican nominee, it tells you how badly people want change,” Ciattarelli said.

“We’ve raked up at least 12 Democratic mayors that have endorsed me.”

According to Newsweek, the Democratic mayors who have publicly backed Ciattarelli include North Bergen Mayor Nick Sacco, Branchville Mayor Anthony Frato, and Garfield Mayor Everett Garnto Jr. Garnto also announced that he is leaving the Democratic Party entirely following his endorsement of Ciattarelli.

Sacco, a longtime critic of Democratic Governor Phil Murphy, formally endorsed Ciattarelli two weeks ago, citing dissatisfaction with what he described as years of state funding cuts affecting local communities.

“North Bergen has faced significant challenges in recent years, losing critical state funding and aid despite our ongoing appeals for support,” Sacco wrote in a post on Instagram.

“Jack has been consistently responsive and pledged to stand with North Bergen and ensure that our community—and others like it across New Jersey—receive the resources and attention they deserve.”

Sacco continued, “I have full confidence in his leadership and his commitment to doing what’s right for our residents and for the future of our state. The welfare and well being of our North Bergen residents are more important than party lines.”

The endorsements mark a significant development in the closely watched gubernatorial race, which has drawn national attention as early voting begins.

Ciattarelli’s campaign has focused heavily on cost-of-living issues, state tax rates, and education funding, while his Democratic opponent, Mikie Sherrill, has emphasized maintaining state programs implemented under Governor Murphy.

In addition to the endorsements from New Jersey mayors, Ciattarelli has received support from the New Era Democrats, a Brooklyn-based political organization that describes itself as a working-class advocacy group.

“We are proud to endorse Jack Ciattarelli for Governor of New Jersey,” said the group’s president, Celia Lervasi.

“As life continues to become unaffordable for the working class and New Jersey continues to be one of the highest taxed states in the country, Jack is the right person that is needed to make life more affordable for the residents of the Garden State.”

Ciattarelli’s campaign has sought to expand its appeal beyond the Republican base, focusing on bipartisan endorsements as evidence of discontent with the state’s current leadership.

The New Jersey race has become one of the most competitive statewide contests in the country, with both parties viewing it as a potential bellwether ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.

A Rutgers University–Eagleton poll released Thursday shows Sherrill holding a narrow lead, with 50 percent of likely voters supporting her compared to 45 percent for Ciattarelli.

The same survey found that nearly one in ten voters remain undecided, a margin that could play a decisive role as early voting continues through next week.

Ciattarelli, a former state assemblyman and 2021 Republican nominee, has emphasized fiscal reform and education accountability as the centerpieces of his campaign.

He has pledged to lower state property taxes, expand small-business incentives, and address concerns about classroom curriculum transparency.

Sherrill, a former U.S. Representative, has campaigned on maintaining social service funding, preserving state healthcare programs, and continuing climate initiatives launched during Murphy’s administration.

Both campaigns have increased statewide outreach in the final stretch before Election Day, with early voting expected to drive record turnout levels.

Aircraft Carrier Strike Group Deployed to the Caribbean to Help Fight Venezuela Cartels
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Aircraft Carrier Strike Group Deployed to the Caribbean to Help Fight Venezuela Cartels

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Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Friday directed a U.S. aircraft carrier strike group to deploy to the Caribbean as tensions with Venezuela escalated over alleged narcotics trafficking operations.

The U.S.S. Gerald R. Ford, accompanied by several guided-missile destroyers and a submarine, was ordered to the region under the command of U.S. Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM).

The deployment follows a series of operations led by the Trump administration targeting drug smuggling routes allegedly connected to Venezuelan networks.

Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell confirmed the deployment in a statement posted on X, saying the move was designed to strengthen the U.S. military’s presence and operational capabilities in the region.

“The enhanced U.S. force presence in the USSOUTHCOM [Area of Responsibility] will bolster U.S. capacity to detect, monitor, and disrupt illicit actors and activities that compromise the safety and prosperity of the United States homeland and our security in the Western Hemisphere,” Parnell said.

“These forces will enhance and augment existing capabilities to disrupt narcotics trafficking and degrade and dismantle transnational criminal organizations.”

The deployment marks one of the largest U.S. naval movements in the Caribbean in recent years and underscores the administration’s renewed focus on countering organized criminal operations linked to Venezuela and other regional actors.

Hegseth’s order came the same day the Pentagon confirmed a separate military engagement in the Caribbean.

According to Hegseth, U.S. forces struck a boat operated by members of the Tren de Aragua organization, a Venezuelan-based criminal network known for its involvement in drug trafficking and violent crimes across South America and the Caribbean.

The operation reportedly resulted in the deaths of six individuals described by the Pentagon as “narco-terrorists.”

No U.S. personnel were injured during the incident.

The strike on the Tren de Aragua vessel followed weeks of heightened intelligence activity in the region as U.S. agencies tracked increased trafficking movements tied to the group.

Defense officials said the operation was part of a broader campaign to intercept smuggling networks and prevent the transfer of narcotics into the United States.

USSOUTHCOM, headquartered in Doral, Florida, oversees U.S. military operations across Latin America and the Caribbean.

Its mission includes countering drug trafficking, supporting humanitarian efforts, and strengthening regional security partnerships.

Officials have not specified how long the Gerald R. Ford strike group will remain deployed, but defense analysts said the movement signals a clear deterrent message to Venezuela and other governments accused of facilitating or tolerating criminal enterprises in their territorial waters.

The deployment also comes amid renewed diplomatic tension between Washington and Caracas following reports of Venezuelan cooperation with foreign actors under U.S. sanctions.

President Donald Trump has repeatedly accused the Venezuelan government of turning a blind eye to drug smuggling operations and harboring criminal groups that pose threats to regional stability.

Defense Department sources said the strike group’s presence will support ongoing joint operations with regional allies, including Colombia and the Dominican Republic, aimed at intercepting narcotics shipments before they reach U.S. shores.

The U.S.S. Gerald R. Ford, commissioned in 2017, is the Navy’s newest and most advanced aircraft carrier.

Its deployment to the Caribbean reflects an intensified U.S. focus on maritime security and counter-narcotics enforcement in the Western Hemisphere.


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