Author name: Stephen Phelps

Undercover Journalist Exposes Antifa’s Teachers Who ‘Throw Molotov Cocktails’
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Undercover Journalist Exposes Antifa’s Teachers Who ‘Throw Molotov Cocktails’

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Independent journalist Karlyn Borysenko joined Fox News host Jesse Watters on Jesse Watters Primetime Friday, where she revealed that many members of the left-wing group Antifa, now designated a terrorist organization, have day jobs in professional fields including education and law.

Borysenko’s comments came as she discussed her recent undercover reporting on Antifa activity in cities such as San Francisco, Seattle, and Portland.

The organization has been active for years but drew renewed attention after President Donald Trump formally designated it a terrorist organization on September 17, citing its role in nationwide unrest and attacks against law enforcement and government property.

During the interview, Watters asked Borysenko about the group’s constant presence at protests outside U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facilities and at demonstrations in major cities.

“Do these people work, or do they just dance and light fires all night?” Watters asked.

“I think some of them do actually have jobs,” Borysenko replied.

“I mean, these are teachers, some of them are lawyers, some of them, you know, they’re Starbucks baristas, they’re Amazon employees. So, I don’t necessarily agree with the notion that they don’t work.”

Borysenko explained that many Antifa members use their income to fund protest operations through what the group calls “mutual aid.”

“That’s actually part of how they fund all the supplies in those tents is through something called mutual aid, where they take their salaries and they’re donating to those supplies,” she said.

“But certainly, there are some that are kind of out there 24/7.”

Watters pressed her to clarify whether she was saying that teachers were involved in violent activity.

“There are teachers that go and teach elementary school and then at night they throw Molotov cocktails at a building?” he asked.

“Oh, yeah, 100%,” Borysenko replied.

“I was just undercover at a couple of anarchist book fairs over the weekend in both San Francisco and Seattle. There were absolutely teachers in the crowd there. And I picked up multiple stickers and posters with Molotov cocktails, calls to kill ICE and calls to kill the police.”

Borysenko’s comments follow a series of reports highlighting Antifa’s continued activity in the Pacific Northwest.

Portland, in particular, has been a hub for the organization, where members frequently clash with law enforcement and target federal buildings, including ICE offices.

President Trump has repeatedly called for investigations into Antifa’s structure and funding.

He initially vowed in May 2020 to classify the group as a terrorist organization following widespread riots in Minneapolis after the death of George Floyd.

Federal officials have since increased monitoring of the organization’s online communications and financial networks.

Antifa’s origins trace back to at least 2007, but the group gained national attention during the 2020 protests, when its black-clad members appeared at demonstrations across major cities.

The network’s members operate without a centralized leadership structure but coordinate through regional collectives and online platforms.

Borysenko’s findings suggest that Antifa members often balance professional jobs with involvement in militant activism.

Her remarks have renewed questions about how deeply the group’s ideology has spread into mainstream workplaces, including schools and public institutions.

As federal agencies pursue investigations into Antifa’s organization and finances, the journalist said she plans to continue her reporting on the group’s inner workings and recruitment efforts.

“There are definitely people leading double lives,” Borysenko told Watters.

“They go to work during the day and then go out to protest or commit acts of vandalism at night.”

Pam Bondi Launches DOJ Investigations Into Pritzker, Pelosi, and Lightfoot
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Pam Bondi Launches DOJ Investigations Into Pritzker, Pelosi, and Lightfoot

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Attorney General Pam Bondi announced Thursday that the Department of Justice has opened investigations into Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), and former Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot for actions allegedly aimed at exposing and obstructing federal immigration agents during ongoing enforcement operations.

Bondi confirmed the investigations during an appearance on Fox News’ “Jesse Watters Primetime,” following recent remarks from Lightfoot about a new project intended to publicly identify U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents.

Washington D.C – January 15, 2025: Senate Judiciary Committee considers the nomination of Pamela Bondi for Attorney General.

Speaking to Fox 32 Chicago earlier this week, Lightfoot said her team was developing a digital platform to track and reveal agents’ alleged “criminal actions.”

“We want to create a centralized archive of all the purported criminal actions of ICE and CBP agents,” Lightfoot said. “We want to create a portal where what’s happening real time can be centralized and put out for the public to view.”

Bondi told Watters that the Justice Department had already sent Lightfoot a legal notice ordering her to preserve all relevant records connected to the creation of the database. She said the department is investigating possible violations of federal law, including endangerment and obstruction of justice.

“She will be getting a letter from us tomorrow to preserve anything that she’s done, as well to make sure that she’s not violating the law. It appears she is,” Bondi said. “You cannot disclose the identity of a federal agent, where they live, anything that could harm them.”

Washington,DC, United States, May 8 2025, Pam Bondi attends an event in the East room at the White House

The attorney general added that similar notices have been sent to other prominent Democrats believed to have coordinated or supported efforts to target federal law enforcement personnel.

“Pritzker? Same ballgame with him. Pelosi got a letter today from Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche. So did Brooke Jenkins, that DA in San Francisco,” Bondi said.

“We told them, preserve your emails, preserve everything you have on this topic, because if you are telling people to arrest our ICE officers, our federal agents — you cannot do that. You’re impeding an investigation, and we will charge them if they think I won’t.”

Bondi said the Department of Justice is acting to protect federal law enforcement officers who continue to operate across the country despite ongoing disruptions caused by the government shutdown.

“They’re out there working nonstop, as you’re showing right now, during a shutdown,” she told Watters.

“These people are out there working to keep Californians safe, yet you’ve got Pelosi out there saying to obstruct their investigation, you can’t do it, and we’re going to investigate her now, as well as that DA. And Pritzker is on the list too, Jesse.”

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker has faced previous criticism for directing state officials to resist federal immigration enforcement. Earlier this year, Pritzker suggested that federal agents who conduct immigration operations in Illinois could be arrested under state law.

In addition, Chicago’s city council passed an ordinance restricting cooperation with federal immigration authorities, including attempts to prevent ICE from carrying out enforcement actions at specific city-designated “safe” locations.

California officials have made similar statements opposing federal enforcement activity. Pelosi said Wednesday that agents who operate within the state without local coordination could face “legal consequences.”

Bondi reiterated that such threats and actions violate federal law, which grants immigration agents the authority to enforce statutes nationwide.

The attorney general emphasized that any public disclosure of agents’ personal information — including names, addresses, or family details — constitutes a criminal offense under federal statutes protecting law enforcement personnel.

As of Thursday night, the Justice Department confirmed that preservation orders have been issued to multiple offices connected to the investigation.

Additional subpoenas are expected in the coming days as federal prosecutors review communications and directives tied to efforts to obstruct immigration operations.

Letitia James Pleads Not Guilty to Federal Mortgage Fraud Charges in Virginia
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Letitia James Pleads Not Guilty to Federal Mortgage Fraud Charges in Virginia

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New York Attorney General Letitia James pleaded not guilty Friday to two federal felony charges of bank fraud and making false statements to a financial institution during her arraignment at a U.S. District Court in Norfolk, Virginia, as reported by Fox News.

The charges stem from James’ 2020 purchase of a home in Norfolk. According to prosecutors, James misled a bank about the property’s intended use to qualify for better loan terms.

The indictment alleges she claimed the house would serve as her secondary residence but instead rented it to a family, allowing her to secure a lower interest rate and save nearly $19,000 over a 30-year mortgage.

James entered her plea before U.S. District Judge Jamar K. Walker. She is represented by attorney Abbe Lowell and Andrew Bosse, a former assistant U.S. attorney who once led the Norfolk office’s criminal division.

The case against James is being prosecuted by Lindsey Halligan, whom President Donald Trump appointed as acting U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia last month.

New York, NY – May 9, 2022: Attorney General Letitia James makes announcement about protecting access to abortion at AG New York office

Halligan replaced interim attorney Erik Siebert, who resigned following disputes over bringing cases against James and former FBI Director James Comey.

“No one is above the law. The charges as alleged in this case represent intentional, criminal acts and tremendous breaches of the public’s trust,” Halligan said in a statement.

“The facts and the law in this case are clear, and we will continue following them to ensure that justice is served.”

James, a Democrat, has long been a prominent political opponent of President Trump. During her 2016 campaign for attorney general, she pledged to investigate his business dealings, later bringing a high-profile civil case that resulted in a $450 million penalty.

That financial penalty was later overturned by an appeals court.

“This is nothing more than a continuation of the president’s desperate weaponization of our justice system,” James said following her indictment.

“These charges are baseless, and the president’s own public statements make clear that his only goal is political retribution at any cost.”

After her arraignment, James told reporters outside the courthouse that the Justice Department was being used as a “vehicle of retribution.” She added, “But my faith is strong. I have a belief in the justice system. Never cow down or break or bend. So there is no fear today. I will not be deterred.”

Her attorneys are expected to file motions to dismiss the case, arguing selective and vindictive prosecution, and to challenge Halligan’s appointment. Judge Walker scheduled motions hearings for early December and set the trial for January 26, 2026.

The Justice Department did not respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment on whether additional prosecutors would join the case.

Scott Jennings Drops the Mic on Geraldo Rivera’s Attack on ICE Agents Wearing Masks
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Scott Jennings Drops the Mic on Geraldo Rivera’s Attack on ICE Agents Wearing Masks

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CNN political commentator Scott Jennings pushed back against Geraldo Rivera during a network panel discussion Thursday night, defending Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents following remarks that criticized their use of masks during operations.

The exchange began when Rivera questioned why ICE officers continue to wear masks during enforcement activity.

“Nobody wears masks. Only ICE. Only ICE,” Rivera said.

“And why is it? It’s because they are embarrassed by the job they have been tasked to do. It’s absolutely horrifying. Masks should be banned in law enforcement.”

Jennings responded by explaining that the practice is a safety measure rather than a political statement.

He pointed to recent threats and harassment directed toward ICE agents and their families, much of which he said has been fueled by online doxxing campaigns and political activism.

“Counterpoint: The reason they’re wearing masks, which, by the way, their director, Todd Lyons, is against the masks,” Jennings said.

“The reason they’re wearing them is because you have a dedicated group of people out there, and some of them, unfortunately, are Democrat political officials, who are doxxing them and their families and putting them in harm’s way. They face a thousand percent increase in violent attacks this year. These people are in harm’s way every day and they’re protecting themselves and their families.”

Jennings’ comments referenced a series of incidents across the country involving threats, physical violence, and exposure of ICE personnel identities.

Federal officials have confirmed a significant increase in assaults on agents in recent years, including multiple cases where personal addresses and family information were posted online.

One of the most serious incidents occurred in Dallas, where authorities said a man identified as Joshua Jahn opened fire on ICE agents.

Jahn reportedly struck and killed two migrant detainees before being apprehended.

The shooting, according to investigators, underscored the rising danger federal officers face as anti-ICE sentiment grows.

Jennings also noted that some elected officials and advocacy groups have publicly shared tools designed to track or report ICE activity.

Democratic Party platforms have hosted online features allowing users to submit details of immigration enforcement operations.

New York Attorney General Letitia James also introduced a reporting system encouraging residents to submit information about ICE encounters, citing “accountability” concerns.

Federal law enforcement officials have warned that such reporting mechanisms can lead to operational risks if they expose agents’ identities or ongoing investigations.

Jennings’ defense of ICE agents comes amid broader national debate over federal immigration enforcement and local resistance policies.

In many major cities, including Chicago, New York, and Los Angeles, Democratic leaders have promoted so-called “sanctuary” policies limiting cooperation with federal immigration authorities.

Townhall recently reported that a city alderman in Waukesha, Wisconsin, lost his job after he allegedly doxxed several men he believed to be ICE agents.

The men turned out to be local businessmen meeting for lunch. Officials said the misidentification could have led to serious consequences if private citizens had attempted to confront them.

Jennings’ comments follow months of heightened rhetoric surrounding immigration enforcement and federal authority.

ICE officials have repeatedly emphasized that anonymity measures, including the use of masks and unmarked vehicles, are intended to protect officers from retaliation, harassment, and potential violence.

Neither Rivera nor CNN management have commented further on the exchange. ICE’s leadership has not announced any changes to its current operational guidelines regarding officer identification or protective gear.

The Department of Homeland Security has not released updated statistics on recent threats to ICE agents but has acknowledged that hostility toward federal enforcement personnel has significantly increased since 2021.

Reckless Driving, Violent Texts, and Now a Criminal Investigation for Jay Jones
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Reckless Driving, Violent Texts, and Now a Criminal Investigation for Jay Jones

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With less than two weeks remaining before Election Day, Virginia Democratic attorney general nominee Jay Jones is facing a new criminal investigation tied to his 2022 reckless driving conviction.

The latest controversy adds to a series of scandals that have disrupted his campaign, including previous reports about violent text messages directed at a Republican lawmaker and his family.

Court records released this week show that Jones, who was convicted of reckless driving after being stopped for traveling 116 miles per hour in a 70 mile-per-hour zone on Interstate 64, is now being investigated for the circumstances surrounding his court-ordered community service.

Following his conviction, Jones agreed to complete 1,000 hours of community service and pay a $1,500 fine as part of his sentencing arrangement.

According to the newly surfaced documents, Jones reported that he performed 500 hours of community service with the Virginia NAACP.

The remaining 500 hours, however, were listed as having been completed through “Meet Our Moment,” a political action committee (PAC) that Jones himself operates.

Community service requirements are typically intended to be fulfilled through charitable or nonprofit organizations that serve the public interest, not political entities.

The revelation that half of Jones’s hours were reportedly completed through his own PAC prompted scrutiny from prosecutors.

New Kent County Commonwealth’s Attorney Scott Renick raised concerns about the documentation submitted to the court, noting that Jones’s filing did not make clear that Meet Our Moment was a political committee or that he controlled it.

The issue led a New Kent County Circuit Court judge to appoint a special prosecutor to investigate whether Jones misrepresented his community service to avoid jail time.

“The records lacked full disclosure of the nature of the organization and its political status,” Renick said.

The special prosecutor will determine whether any laws were violated during the submission of the service records.

The development marks the second major controversy for Jones this month.

Earlier in October, text messages from 2022 resurfaced in which Jones appeared to discuss violent fantasies involving former Virginia House Speaker Todd Gilbert.

In the messages, Jones allegedly suggested Gilbert “deserved two bullets to the head” and referenced scenarios in which Gilbert’s wife would be “holding their dying children in her arms” in an attempt to make him change his stance on gun control.

The release of the messages drew widespread condemnation from Republican officials and calls for Jones to withdraw from the race.

Despite the backlash, Jones has remained in the race and has not commented publicly on the latest allegations regarding his community service arrangement.

Republican Attorney General Jason Miyares, who is seeking re-election, responded to the revelations on Tuesday, saying the new investigation raises serious concerns about Jones’s fitness to serve as the state’s top law enforcement officer.

“It is not possible for Jay Jones to fulfill the duties of the attorney general while under an open criminal investigation,” Miyares said.

“If he stays in the race, it shows a contempt for voters never seen in modern Virginia political history.”

Miyares’s campaign has since highlighted the investigation as part of a broader argument about ethics and accountability in state leadership.

The special prosecutor’s office has not announced a timeline for completing its review, but legal experts have noted that a finding of misconduct in a sentencing agreement could result in additional penalties.

The controversies have reshaped what was once considered a competitive statewide race.

Polling in recent weeks has shown momentum shifting toward Miyares as the Democratic candidate faces mounting scrutiny over both his rhetoric and legal record.

The Virginia attorney general election will take place on Nov. 4.

New Details Emerge in Luigi Mangione Case….’Ladyboys’ in Thailand?
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New Details Emerge in Luigi Mangione Case….’Ladyboys’ in Thailand?

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Federal prosecutors say 27-year-old Luigi Mangione, charged in the fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in Midtown Manhattan, once told friends about a violent encounter with transgender women while traveling in Thailand.

According to a report from the New York Post, Mangione allegedly described incidents from his backpacking trip across Asia in WhatsApp messages, including one where he claimed he was “beaten up by seven ladyboys,” using a slang term for transgender women.

X Screenshot – Luigi Mangione

He reportedly sent friends a photo of a bruised arm following the altercation.

Mangione, a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, has pleaded not guilty to both state and federal charges stemming from the December 2024 killing of Thompson.

The UnitedHealthcare CEO was shot outside an investor conference in Manhattan in what authorities have described as a deliberate attack.

The Justice Department has confirmed that it is pursuing the death penalty in the case.

Prosecutors allege that Mangione acted with premeditation and was in possession of a firearm during the killing.

The shooting, which occurred outside UnitedHealthcare’s event headquarters, drew national attention both because of Thompson’s high-profile position and due to online reactions from users who appeared to celebrate the attack.

Federal investigators have since been monitoring social media activity linked to the case.

Mangione is scheduled to return to federal court on December 5, though no trial date has been set.

Court documents indicate that he remains in custody as the Justice Department continues its investigation into potential motives and mental health concerns.

While prosecutors have not confirmed whether the alleged incident in Thailand will be introduced as evidence, federal sources told the Post that investigators consider the WhatsApp messages relevant in establishing Mangione’s behavioral history.

Authorities described him as exhibiting erratic tendencies in the months leading up to the killing, citing multiple reports of volatile behavior and disturbing messages recovered from his devices.

The federal indictment charges Mangione with premeditated murder and weapons violations.

If convicted, he could face either the death penalty or life imprisonment.

Prosecutors are also examining the timeline of his movements in the days before the attack, including surveillance footage and digital evidence obtained from his phone and laptop.

According to the Justice Department, the shooting appeared to be targeted and planned in advance.

Federal officials have not disclosed a specific motive but have confirmed that the attack was not random.

UnitedHealthcare released a statement following Thompson’s death describing him as a respected leader within the organization and the healthcare industry.

The company has continued to cooperate with investigators and has tightened security protocols at corporate events.

Mangione’s defense attorneys have not commented publicly on the details of the prosecution’s latest revelations.

They previously stated that Mangione maintains his innocence and intends to contest the charges at trial.

The case remains under the joint investigation of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, the FBI, and the NYPD.

Stephen A. Smith Bends the Knee, Says Sorry to Rep. Jasmine Crockett
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Stephen A. Smith Bends the Knee, Says Sorry to Rep. Jasmine Crockett

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SiriusXM host Stephen A. Smith issued a public apology Wednesday to Democratic Rep. Jasmine Crockett of Texas during his show “Straight Shooter,” following criticism of his earlier comments about her rhetoric toward President Donald Trump.

Smith had faced backlash after his Oct. 8 remarks, in which he described Crockett’s frequent verbal attacks on President Trump as “disrespectful” and questioned whether her behavior served her constituents.

The sports and political commentator said in a video on his YouTube channel that he regretted how his comments may have been used to amplify attacks against Crockett.

“I get it now with Trump feeding into that nonsense, giving him fodder or ammunition to continue to go out there and talk about our black women that way. I got it. I don’t like that at all. I don’t want to be associated with nothing like that,” Smith said.

“And I apologize because I respect the hell out of Jasmine Crockett and what she has accomplished. I absolutely do. And I appreciate the fact that she feels compelled to fight the way that she’s fought, the way that she fights because of what she’s dealing with.”

Smith said his intent was never to add to criticism of Crockett from others, including the president.

He continued, “I don’t want enemies. I truly don’t. But I’m not here to make friends. I’m here to call it like I see it. It should be done respectfully. It should be done with the sensitivity that it needs to be done with. I get it. I understand.”

He then reiterated his apology directly, saying, “But I’m going to be me. I’m going to call it like I see it. I can look Jasmine Crockett in the face and say, ‘I’m sorry for any, any, any, any kind of noise I caused in your direction.’ Because she is accomplished and she is smart and she does have an incredible, incredible challenge working in this political climate on Capitol Hill. I got it.”

Smith did not identify which of President Trump’s remarks prompted his apology, but Trump had referred to Crockett as “a very low IQ person” during an appearance on “Sunday Morning Futures.”

 

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“And when Trump came at her like that, I said, ‘Damn it.’ I was pissed off because I said that’s what they’re talking about when they’re saying, you know what, when you question something about her, it’s going to invite that,” Smith said.

“I understand.”

Before his apology, Smith had addressed the controversy on Oct. 13 without retracting his original critique.

He said then that he stood by his assessment but emphasized that his comments were meant as constructive criticism.

“What I was saying was: this educated, brilliant black woman representing over 750,000 people is engaging in verbiage and rhetoric for the streets! And that’s fine when you in the streets!” Smith said.

“How many of y’all bring the streets to the table when you at the negotiating table trying to get a deal done? How many of you are able to think that for a second that you able to bring street verbiage to Capitol Hill and that’s gon’ work for you?”

Rep. Crockett, who has drawn attention for her combative approach in Congress and frequent clashes with Republicans, has been outspoken in her criticism of President Trump.

She has referred to him as both a “wannabe Hitler” and “an enemy to the United States.”

During an interview on SiriusXM’s “The Lurie Daniel Favors Show” on Wednesday, Crockett said she is considering a run for the U.S. Senate in 2026.

She claimed that she believes she could defeat the current Democratic primary field, citing recent polling data.

Crockett, a first-term congresswoman representing Texas’s 30th Congressional District, has built a national profile through high-profile committee confrontations and strong partisan commentary.

Smith’s apology appears to have been aimed at repairing tensions after his remarks drew pushback from Crockett’s supporters and segments of his own audience.

The exchange between Smith and Crockett marks the latest in a series of public clashes involving prominent figures reacting to the congresswoman’s outspoken style.

Whether the apology will ease tensions between Smith’s audience and Crockett’s supporters remains unclear as both continue to comment publicly on political and cultural issues.

State Department Blasts Democrats for Shutdown Threatening U.S. National Security
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State Department Blasts Democrats for Shutdown Threatening U.S. National Security

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The U.S. Department of State, led by Secretary Marco Rubio, criticized congressional Democrats on Monday for prolonging the federal government shutdown, warning that the standoff is undermining national security and restricting vital diplomatic operations, as reported by Fox News.

The government shutdown is approaching its third week, leaving many federal employees with partial pay from the previous period and facing the possibility of missing an entire paycheck in the coming days.

Jul 16, 2024; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla.delivers remarks during the second day of the Republican National Convention at the Fiserv Forum. The second day of the RNC focused on crime and border policies. Mandatory Credit: Jasper Colt-USA TODAY

“President Trump is delivering historic peace deal after historic peace deal,” State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott told Fox News Digital. “Congressional Democrats are delivering a shutdown that undermines our national security.”

The Senate remains at the center of the funding impasse, where Democrats have insisted that Republicans undo Medicaid policy changes included in President Donald Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act.

The continuing resolution to reopen the government through late November requires a 60-vote threshold, meaning Democrats would need to break ranks with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., to move forward.

U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer speaks during a press conference announcing that the Buffalo-Rochester-Syracuse Tech Hub is one of 12 winners of federal grant money that will be used to create a regional semiconductor center Tuesday, July 2, 2024 at Monroe Community College in Rochester.

“Congressional Democrats have decided to jeopardize our national security with their politically motivated government shutdown,” another State Department official told Fox News Digital.

“Republicans on Capitol Hill are prepared to move forward with a clean continuing resolution, but instead, Democrats are trying to exploit this moment to push their political pet projects like healthcare for illegal immigrants, continuing wasteful COVID payments, and harmful climate extremism.”

Republicans currently hold 53 seats in the Senate, while Democratic Senators John Fetterman of Pennsylvania and Catherine Cortez Masto of Nevada have crossed the aisle in some of the previous ten failed attempts to end the shutdown.

“By putting the American people last, Democrats are forcing the American people to have a State Department with limited diplomatic engagement around the world, significantly reduced communications, and disruptions that will impact U.S. foreign policy,” a State Department official added.

“While we will undergo every possible effort to ensure critical missions continue, the Democrats’ obstruction will have serious impacts on the national security interests of the United States.”

The State Department also pointed to statements from former top diplomats under previous Democratic administrations that contradict the party’s current position on shutdowns.

Former Secretary of State John Kerry said during the 2013 shutdown, “A self-inflicted wound, like the shutdown that we just endured, can never happen again. As President Obama said, the shutdown ‘encouraged our enemies, emboldened our competitors, and it depressed our friends who look to us for steady leadership.’”

Former Secretary of State and Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton also said in 2013 that “the partial government shutdown is emblematic of too many people in politics choosing scorched earth over common ground.”

SCRANTON, PENNSYLVANIA/USA – AUGUST 15, 2016: Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton appears during a rally alongside Vice President Joe Biden on Aug. 15, 2016, in Scranton, Pennsylvania.

More recently, former Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who served under the Biden administration, warned that such shutdowns harm America’s standing globally.

“If we’re serious about U.S. leadership in the world, we can’t keep operating without knowing whether we’ll have a budget for the next fiscal year,” Blinken said during last year’s budget battles.

No date has been confirmed for the next vote on a continuing resolution, though Senate Majority Leader John Thune said additional votes could take place this week.

Jen Psaki’s Attack on JD and Usha Vance Backfires Instantly Across X
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Jen Psaki’s Attack on JD and Usha Vance Backfires Instantly Across X

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MSNBC host Jen Psaki is under fire after making comments suggesting that Vice President J.D. Vance’s wife, Usha Vance, is afraid of him.

The remarks were made Tuesday during an appearance on the “I’ve Had It” podcast, where Psaki discussed her concerns about Vance’s position in the Trump administration.

During the conversation, Psaki described Vice President Vance as “scarier” than President Donald Trump and speculated about his marriage.

“I think the little Manchurian candidate, JD Vance, wants to be president more than anything else,” Psaki said.

“I always wonder what’s going on in the mind of his wife. Like, are you OK? Please blink four times. We’ll come over here. We’ll save you.”

Psaki continued, “And that he’s willing to do anything to get there. And your whole iteration you just outlined, I mean, he’s scarier in certain ways in some ways. And he’s young and ambitious and agile in the sense that he’s a chameleon who makes himself whatever he thinks the audience wants to hear from him.”

The podcast episode’s description repeated Psaki’s comments, adding, “Usha Vance, please blink twice if you need help.”

Psaki’s remarks quickly drew criticism across social media, with many accusing her of mocking the vice president’s marriage and demeaning his wife.

Several users on X called her comments “vile” and “disgusting.”

Fox News contributor Joe Concha wrote, “Not a good person. At all.”

The Libs of TikTok account posted, “Unhinged Jen Psaki is now smearing JD Vance, suggesting that his wife, Usha, wants to leave her husband and offers to ‘save’ her. She also thinks JD Vance is ‘scarier’ than Donald Trump. @MSNBC should be ashamed to pay her salary.”

Townhall.com writer Amy Curtis said, “Also, this is an absolutely vile thing to say. Usha Vance is happily married. She made a vow to JD and those words mean something. It’s also an insult to women who are in actual bad marriages.”

White House Director of Communications Steven Cheung also responded, writing, “Jen Psuki [sic] must be transferring her own personal issues onto others. @jrpsaki is a dumba** who has no comprehension of the truth and has to overcompensate for her lack of talent by saying untrue things. Circle back on that, moron.”

Margot Cleveland, senior legal correspondent for The Federalist, commented, “I must admit, the pivot to ‘JD Vance is worse than Hitler’ started earlier than I anticipated.”

Conservative commentator Doug Powers added, “A NEW ‘Worse than “worse than Hitler”’ is on the way!”

Turning Point USA contributor Jack Posobiec also weighed in, writing, “Usha is accompanying JD right now in Israel securing the Gaza Peace Deal. Absolutely disgusting comments.”

James Comey Faces New Setback as DOJ Questions His Lead Lawyer’s Role
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James Comey Faces New Setback as DOJ Questions His Lead Lawyer’s Role

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Federal prosecutors indicated Sunday that they may seek the removal of former FBI Director James Comey’s lead defense attorney, citing a possible conflict of interest tied to disclosures Comey made in 2017 after President Donald Trump dismissed him during his first term.

The Department of Justice pointed to the long professional relationship between Comey and his current attorney, Patrick Fitzgerald, as a potential issue.

Prosecutors questioned whether Fitzgerald had any involvement in Comey’s sharing of information during that period.

“This fact raises a question of conflict and disqualification for current lead defense counsel,” prosecutors wrote of Fitzgerald, a longtime friend and former colleague of Comey.

Both men previously served as federal prosecutors in the Southern District of New York.

In a filing submitted to U.S. District Judge Michael Nachmanoff, prosecutors requested an expedited review and the appointment of a “filter team” of government attorneys.

That team would be responsible for assessing materials in Comey’s criminal case, including communications potentially protected by attorney-client privilege.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Tyler Lemons and Gabriel Diaz stated in the filing that the team would help determine Fitzgerald’s potential role in disseminating information Comey disclosed after leaving the FBI.

“Based on publicly disclosed information, the defendant used current lead defense counsel to improperly disclose classified information,” they wrote, according to court documents first obtained by Politico.

Comey’s legal team quickly filed an opposition Monday, rejecting the government’s request for an expedited filter team and protocol.

They argued that the memos Comey shared with his lawyers in 2017 were not classified at the time and that the classification occurred later.

“In short, there is no good faith basis for attributing criminal conduct to either Mr. Comey or his lead defense counsel,” the filing stated.

Comey’s lawyers described the government’s claim as “provably false” and an attempt to damage Fitzgerald’s reputation.

“Similarly, there is no good faith basis to claim a ‘conflict between’ Mr. Comey and his counsel, much less a basis to move to disqualify lead defense counsel,” they added.

Fitzgerald, a former U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, is part of Comey’s broader legal team defending him in the Eastern District of Virginia.

The former FBI director was charged last month with one count of making a false statement and one count of obstruction of justice.

Prosecutors referenced a 2019 report from the Justice Department’s Office of the Inspector General that criticized Comey for sharing certain details about his interactions with President Trump with his attorneys.

While the report determined that some of the material later became classified, it also found no evidence “that Comey or his attorneys released any of the classified information contained in any of the memos to members of the media.”

The Inspector General’s office ultimately declined to recommend charges related to the disclosures.

The motion arrives as prosecutors seek early procedural wins in the case, which is expected to draw new attention this week.

Comey’s defense team has challenged multiple government actions, including President Trump’s appointment of former White House aide Lindsey Halligan as acting U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia.

Halligan was appointed to the post last month following the resignation of interim U.S. attorney Erik Siebert, who reportedly faced pressure to move forward with indictments against Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James.

Comey’s attorneys have argued that Halligan’s appointment, made three days before the grand jury issued Comey’s indictment, could strengthen their forthcoming motion to dismiss.

That filing is expected to allege that the case represents a “vindictive” prosecution.

The court is set to hear arguments in the coming days on both the Justice Department’s request for a filter team and the defense motion to dismiss.


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