Author name: Stephen Phelps

Anti-Trump Florida Man Who Set Deadly L.A. Fire Was Obsessed With Climate Change
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Anti-Trump Florida Man Who Set Deadly L.A. Fire Was Obsessed With Climate Change

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A Florida man accused of igniting the massive Palisades Fire that devastated parts of Los Angeles earlier this year had a lengthy history of anti-Trump and climate change posts on social media, where he frequently mocked conservatives and blamed global warming for wildfires, according to reports.

Jonathan Rinderknecht, 29, has been charged with setting the blaze on January 1.

Prosecutors allege that he hiked into the hills above Los Angeles and deliberately started a brushfire that smoldered for days before reigniting on January 7.

The fire ultimately destroyed more than 7,000 homes and businesses, killed 12 people, and scorched roughly 24,000 acres across the region, according to the New York Post.

Officials estimate damages at approximately $150 billion.

Authorities say Rinderknecht not only filmed the initial fire but also called police to report it before later returning to the scene to watch firefighters attempt to contain the flames.

Investigators believe he left California shortly afterward and moved back to Florida, where he was later taken into custody.

The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office said Rinderknecht faces multiple felony charges, including arson causing great bodily injury and arson of an inhabited structure.

He is being held without bail pending extradition to California.

Investigators traced several social media accounts belonging to Rinderknecht, where they found a steady stream of political and environmental posts.

On Facebook, he frequently shared memes mocking supporters of President Donald Trump, promoted left-wing political causes, and reposted climate change headlines.

Among the content found on his page were links to a Harris-Biden campaign fundraiser and articles warning about global warming.

One of the shared stories, titled “Climate Change Will Force a New American Migration” from ProPublica, included imagery of wildfires tearing through residential neighborhoods in California.

Other posts featured headlines such as “Senator Kamala Harris Says Meat Is Destroying the Planet” and “Antarctica’s Ice Shelves Have Lost Millions of Metric Tons of Ice.”

Prosecutors say Rinderknecht also used artificial intelligence to create images depicting cities engulfed in flames and crowds running from apocalyptic scenes.

Authorities described the online content as consistent with his apparent obsession with fire and environmental collapse.

“The digital evidence supports the theory that the defendant was motivated by a fixation on climate-related disasters,” a law enforcement source familiar with the case told reporters.

In one of the few photos Rinderknecht shared of himself, he appeared with his face painted like a skull, his mouth open, and blood smeared across his face.

The Palisades Fire was among the most destructive in California’s history, forcing more than 60,000 residents to evacuate from Malibu, Pacific Palisades, and Topanga Canyon.

Investigators say the dry conditions and high winds allowed the flames to spread rapidly through dense brush and into residential areas.

Federal and state agencies continue to assess the total damage, which has been described as catastrophic.

The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) said that while the blaze is fully contained, the recovery and rebuilding process could take years.

Rinderknecht’s arraignment is expected later this month in Los Angeles Superior Court.

Prosecutors have not announced whether they will pursue enhanced charges related to the fatalities connected to the fire.

Greta Thunberg Caught Photo of Starved Israeli Hostage to Push Pro-Hamas Agenda
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Greta Thunberg Caught Photo of Starved Israeli Hostage to Push Pro-Hamas Agenda

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Climate activist Greta Thunberg faced widespread backlash this week after sharing an image of an emaciated Israeli hostage in a social media post that falsely portrayed him as a Palestinian prisoner.

The image, which appeared in an Instagram post published Monday, was part of a slideshow Thunberg shared in collaboration with several activists.

The post claimed to highlight the “suffering of Palestinian prisoners” and accused Israel of “cruelty and dehumanization.”

“The suffering of Palestinian prisoners is not a matter of opinion — it is a fact of cruelty and dehumanization. Humanity cannot be selective. Justice cannot have borders,” the post read.

However, the photo Thunberg used was not of a Palestinian prisoner.

It depicted 24-year-old Israeli hostage Evyatar David, who was abducted by Hamas and held in captivity in Gaza.

The image originated from a Hamas propaganda video released in August showing David digging his own grave after being deliberately starved by his captors.

The mistake quickly drew outrage, particularly from David’s family.

His sister, Yeela David, responded directly under Thunberg’s post, calling the activist’s actions irresponsible and deeply offensive.

“You should make a research before you post things you don’t understand about. In the 6th slide you put a photo of an Israeli hostage who Hamas starved on purpose.

This is Evyatar David,” she wrote.

“Every minute you are not deleting the post, you are becoming a bigger joke.”

The image of David sparked international condemnation when it was first released by Hamas.

The Israeli Foreign Ministry and the Consulate General of Israel in New York later displayed the image on digital billboards in Times Square to raise awareness of the hostages’ suffering.

At the time of the video’s release, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, “Hamas terrorists deliberately starve our hostages, documenting them in a cynical, humiliating, and malicious manner.”

The disturbing footage showed David marking off days on a calendar as he noted the last time he was fed. In one part of the video, David said, “This is the grave I think I’m going to be buried in. Time is running out.”

Thunberg’s post included the image as part of a campaign tied to the second anniversary of the October 2023 Hamas attacks against Israel.

Following public criticism, the photo of David was quietly removed from her Instagram post without acknowledgment. Thunberg has not publicly commented on the mistake or issued an apology.

The controversy followed another incident involving Thunberg earlier this week. Israeli officials confirmed that she and hundreds of others were detained and later expelled from Israel after their vessel — part of the Global Sumud Flotilla — was intercepted while attempting to reach Gaza.

During a press conference after her return, Thunberg claimed that she and other detainees were mistreated while in custody.

“Personally, I don’t want to share what I was subjected to because I don’t want it to make headlines and ‘Greta has been tortured,’ because that’s not the story here,” she told reporters.

Israel’s Foreign Ministry has denied Thunberg’s claims, stating that all detainees were treated in accordance with international law and that no abuse occurred during their detention.

The misidentification of an Israeli hostage as a Palestinian prisoner has intensified scrutiny of Thunberg’s political activism, with critics accusing her of promoting misinformation and exploiting sensitive events for publicity.

The post remains visible on her social media account with the altered image set, though no clarification has been issued.

Kamala Comes Unglued, Makes Bogus Claim About Her Landslide Loss to Trump
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Kamala Comes Unglued, Makes Bogus Claim About Her Landslide Loss to Trump

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Kamala Harris raised attention during a public appearance in Houston, Texas, after declaring that the 2024 presidential election between her and President Donald Trump was “the tightest, closest presidential election in the 21st century.”

Harris made the remark Saturday during an event promoting her new memoir 107 Days at the Hobby Center for Performing Arts, which seats 2,650 people.

The event featured moderator Carlos Eduardo Espina, a self-described community organizer and immigrant rights activist.

Mediaite reported that Harris appeared animated throughout the program, often standing up, gesturing to the audience, and raising her voice for emphasis.

She described her short-lived presidential campaign as “unprecedented,” citing the roughly three-month period between her nomination and the general election.

“Here’s the other thing that is quite unprecedented — and, it was the tightest, closest presidential election in the 21st century,” Harris told the crowd.

“He does not have a mandate! That is not a mandate! That is not a mandate!”

Audience members responded with applause and cheers, with one person shouting, “And he never did!” in apparent reference to President Trump.

Harris continued, at one point joking that Espina was so energized by her remarks that he “had to get up and celebrate.”

However, Kamala’s claim about the 2024 election being the closest of the century does not align with official results.

President Trump won all major swing states and became the first Republican since 2004 to carry the national popular vote.

His winning margins in key battleground states were significantly larger than those of Joe Biden’s in 2020.

For example, Biden carried Arizona by 10,457 votes in 2020, while Trump won the same state by more than 187,000 votes in November 2024.

Trump also secured comfortable victories in states including Pennsylvania, Michigan, Georgia, and Wisconsin, which had previously been decided by narrow margins.

Following her defeat, Harris chose not to enter the California gubernatorial race and instead launched a national book tour for 107 Days, recounting her campaign and the 2024 election cycle.

Her memoir has drawn attention within Democratic circles for its candid commentary on internal party politics and rival figures.

According to several Democratic insiders, Harris’s tour is being closely watched as an informal test of her potential political future.

Party strategists have said the tour could serve as a way for Harris to gauge interest in a possible comeback campaign or future role in the Democratic Party.

The book reportedly contains pointed criticism of several prominent Democrats, including Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, who served as her running mate in the 2024 race.

Harris wrote that Walz was selected “as a last resort” after she determined that former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, her preferred choice, would not be viable as a presidential running mate due to concerns over his sexual orientation.

Harris also took aim at Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, describing him in the book as overly self-assured and politically ambitious.

Shapiro later responded in an interview, saying Harris would “need to answer” for her involvement in what he called the Democratic Party’s failure to address Joe Biden’s cognitive decline during his final year in office.

Harris’s next stop on her book tour is scheduled for Chicago later this month, where she is expected to discuss her tenure as vice president, her 2024 campaign, and her reflections on national politics following her defeat.

Trump Warns Hamas to ‘MOVE FAST,’ or ‘MASSIVE BLOODSHED WILL FOLLOW’
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Trump Warns Hamas to ‘MOVE FAST,’ or ‘MASSIVE BLOODSHED WILL FOLLOW’

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President Donald Trump said Sunday that negotiations aimed at ending the conflict in Gaza had made significant progress, describing recent meetings with Hamas and international partners as “very positive.”

The announcement came just before a 6 p.m. ET deadline tied to a U.S.-led peace proposal.

In a Truth Social post, Trump wrote that “There have been very positive discussions with Hamas, and Countries from all over the World (Arab, Muslim, and everyone else) this weekend” had taken place to work toward the release of hostages, an end to the war in Gaza, and what he called “long sought PEACE in the Middle East.”

“These talks have been very successful, and proceeding rapidly,” Trump said.

“The technical teams will again meet Monday, in Egypt, to work through and clarify the final details.”

Speaking with reporters later Sunday evening, Trump confirmed that discussions were progressing and that the first phase of the plan “should be completed this week.”

He said, “We had some very good meetings… and it looks like it’s working. So we’ll wait for a little while, see how it all turns out.”

Trump also issued a warning about potential consequences if the deal fails to materialize. “I am asking everyone to MOVE FAST,” he said.

“I will continue to monitor this Centuries old ‘conflict.’ TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE OR, MASSIVE BLOODSHED WILL FOLLOW — SOMETHING THAT NOBODY WANTS TO SEE!”

The peace deadline had been established several days earlier in a post Trump made on Oct. 3, in which he cautioned Hamas against rejecting the terms.

“If this LAST CHANCE agreement is not reached, all HELL, like no one has ever seen before, will break out against Hamas,” Trump wrote.

“THERE WILL BE PEACE IN THE MIDDLE EAST ONE WAY OR THE OTHER. Thank you for your attention to this matter!”

Trump’s peace plan, introduced in late September, outlines a 20-point proposal intended to bring a lasting resolution to the region.

The framework includes the cessation of Israeli military operations, disarmament of Hamas, and reconstruction of Gaza under a Palestinian governing body monitored by an international coalition led by the United States.

According to Reuters, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has agreed to the proposal.

The plan’s next phase will be negotiated in Cairo, where technical representatives from multiple nations are expected to finalize implementation details.

Trump’s initiative marks one of the most direct U.S.-led peace efforts in years.

The President has continued to emphasize the urgency of finalizing the agreement, reiterating that swift action is critical to avoid further violence and instability in the region.

With international delegations expected to reconvene in Egypt on Monday, officials have indicated that progress made over the weekend could bring the proposal closer to completion within days.

If successful, the plan would represent a significant shift in diplomatic efforts toward stabilizing relations in the Middle East following months of heightened conflict.

Trump’s administration has not yet provided additional details on the specific timetable for each phase of implementation but confirmed that updates will follow the upcoming technical meetings.

Trump Could Be Featured on New Coin for America’s 250th Anniversary
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Trump Could Be Featured on New $1 Coin for America’s 250th Anniversary

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The Treasury Department is reviewing a proposal to mint new $1 coins featuring President Donald Trump’s image as part of the upcoming commemoration of America’s 250th anniversary, FOX Business reported Friday.

In a statement provided to FOX Business, a Treasury spokesperson tied the proposed coin to the broader effort to honor the nation’s founding.

“Despite the radical left’s forced shutdown of our government, the facts are clear: Under the historic leadership of President Donald J. Trump, our nation is entering its 250th anniversary stronger, more prosperous, and better than ever,” the spokesperson said.

The spokesperson added that a design has not yet been finalized.

“While a final $1 dollar coin design has not yet been selected to commemorate the United States’ semiquincentennial, this first draft reflects well the enduring spirit of our country and democracy, even in the face of immense obstacles. We look forward to sharing more soon,” the statement continued.

The draft image reviewed depicts President Trump in front of an American flag with his fist raised.

The design bears a resemblance to a photograph widely circulated after the assassination attempt against him in Pennsylvania last year, where Trump was seen reacting after being wounded in the ear and escorted off stage by Secret Service agents.

The Treasury Department has the statutory authority to authorize $1 collectible coins, including those minted to mark special anniversaries such as the United States’ semiquincentennial in 2026.

Collectible coin programs have been issued in previous years to commemorate historical figures and milestones.

The U.S. Mint most recently released commemorative coins in 2024 honoring Harriet Tubman and the Greatest Generation.

According to Mint data, the Tubman coin sold 56,894 units, while the Greatest Generation coin sold 79,980.

These figures reflect the relatively limited demand for recent commemorative coins compared with earlier programs.

Historically, several commemorative issues have seen significantly higher sales.

The Mint’s most successful commemorative coin to date remains the Statue of Liberty coin issued in 1986, which sold nearly 15.5 million coins.

Programs in the mid-1990s also saw widespread interest, particularly those linked to the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta.

Between 1995 and 1996, over 2.4 million commemorative coins were sold to mark the Olympic centennial.

Other high-demand issues included the 1982 George Washington 250th anniversary half dollar, which sold more than 7.1 million units, and the 1983–1984 Olympic coins for the Los Angeles Summer Games, which sold over 5 million.

The bicentennial of the U.S. Constitution, marked by commemorative coins issued in 1987, resulted in sales topping 4 million.

Whether the proposed Trump $1 coin will be approved and how widely it will be issued has not yet been determined.

The Treasury Department is expected to release additional information as the nation moves closer to the 2026 semiquincentennial.

Letitia James’ ‘Corrupt, Dangerous Business Practices’ Have Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac Fleeing NY
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Letitia James’ ‘Corrupt, Dangerous Business Practices’ Have Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac Fleeing NY

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Government-sponsored mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will close their New York offices following what federal officials describe as “corrupt and dangerous business practices” tied to New York Attorney General Letitia James, according to a source within the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA).

The FHFA, which oversees both Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, confirmed the decision to reduce operations in the state.

“We are shutting down the two New York offices for Fannie and Freddie as a result of Letitia James’ corrupt and dangerous business practices in the state,” an FHFA source told Fox News.

The source added that while physical offices will be closed, the organizations will maintain operations involving New York residents.

“We’ll still employ New York residents, and we’ll still continue to do mortgage loans in New York, of course. But we are going to eliminate our physical presence. And to the extent that we have leases, we are going to be subleasing those,” the source said.

The decision follows an investigation by the Department of Justice into mortgages taken out by James.

FHFA Director Bill Pulte reportedly submitted a criminal referral to the DOJ in April regarding allegations that James falsified mortgage documents to secure favorable terms.

The investigation centers on a property James purchased in Norfolk, Virginia, in 2023.

According to reports, James identified the home as her primary residence on mortgage documents and forms filed with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

As New York’s elected attorney general, however, James is required to reside in the state.

The controversy has intensified scrutiny of James, who has played a prominent role in legal challenges against President Donald Trump.

During her 2018 campaign, James vowed to target Trump and subsequently led numerous lawsuits against his administration, with nearly 100 challenges filed during his first term.

She pledged to continue pursuing legal action against him following his second election victory.

In August, an appeals court threw out a nearly $500 million civil fraud judgment against Trump, members of his family, and his company.

The court determined that although the New York Supreme Court and James “correctly found defendants liable,” the financial harm “was not the cataclysmic harm that can justify a nearly half billion-dollar award to the State.”

The FHFA’s move to close the New York offices of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac marks a significant shift for the housing finance industry in the state, where the two entities have long maintained a presence.

Federal officials emphasized that mortgage lending in New York will continue, but the withdrawal of physical operations signals a sharp rebuke of James as she faces ongoing scrutiny.

The Department of Justice has not yet released findings from its investigation into James’s mortgage dealings, and her office has not issued a public response regarding the FHFA’s decision.

Kristi Noem Denied Restroom Access in Illinois Public Building Clash
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Kristi Noem Denied Restroom Access in Illinois Public Building Clash

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Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem was denied entry into the Village of Broadview Municipal Building in Illinois, where she said she and her staff attempted to stop briefly to use the restroom.

The incident drew attention after Noem described being shouted at and physically blocked from entering the taxpayer-funded facility.

According to Noem, the exchange took place when she approached the building and asked, “Can we use your restroom?” A man inside the building responded, “No! You cannot!” before closing the door on her.

“This is what Governor Pritzker calls cooperation,” Noem remarked following the encounter.

She later added, “This is what we have to put up with every single day,” during an interview with podcast host Benny Johnson.

Noem said the situation reflected the type of obstruction federal authorities face regularly, despite their efforts to combat crime.

“All we’re doing is getting criminals and terrorists and heroin and gang members off the streets to make families safer,” she told Johnson.

The Village of Broadview, where the incident occurred, receives approximately $1 million annually in federal funding.

Noem stressed that the funding connection made the denial even more troubling.

In a public statement following the event, Noem said, “My team and I were just blocked from accessing the Village of Broadview Municipal Building in Illinois. We were stopping for a quick bathroom break. This is a public building. The Village of Broadview receives at least $1 million in federal funding every year.”

She added, “This is how JB Pritzker and his cronies treat our law enforcement. Absolutely shameful.”

The confrontation highlights an ongoing tension between federal officials and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker’s administration.

Noem has previously criticized the state’s handling of cooperation with federal immigration enforcement and law enforcement support.

The exchange at the Broadview facility added another public clash to that strained relationship.

The Department of Homeland Security under Noem has emphasized efforts to curb illegal activity, including targeting drug trafficking and gang violence.

During her remarks, Noem reiterated that DHS operations are aimed at “making families safer” by removing criminals from communities.

Noem’s comments came as part of broader criticism of Illinois’ approach to federal-state cooperation on law enforcement matters.

The incident in Broadview provided a concrete example for her office to point to, given that the building in question is publicly funded and partially reliant on federal support.

Officials from the Village of Broadview did not immediately provide a statement on the matter.

The refusal, however, has already been circulated widely on social media after Noem shared her account of what took place.

For Noem, the denial of entry into a building supported by federal funds became a symbol of what she describes as daily challenges in carrying out DHS operations.

At present, the Department of Homeland Security has not indicated whether it will pursue any formal complaint regarding the incident, but Noem’s statements suggest the confrontation will continue to factor into her broader criticisms of Illinois leadership.

Woman Effs Around with the Wrong Conservative, Goes Down, Gets Maced in the Face
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Woman Effs Around with the Wrong Conservative, Goes Down, Gets Maced in the Face

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A confrontation at Washington, D.C.’s Union Station involving conservative activist Cam Higby went viral this week after video captured him pepper-spraying a woman who lunged at him and struck him with his MAGA hat.

Higby, who has been traveling the country on his “Fearless Tour” modeled after the late Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk, said the incident reflected his goal of confronting political hostility while encouraging open debate.

Higby had hosted a debate event at the University of Maryland earlier on Wednesday before arriving at Union Station with colleagues.

In a phone interview with Fox News Digital, he described how the encounter escalated.

“At some point, she dropped to her knees, intentionally … and she started yelling at us and started touching us,” Higby said.

“I told her to back up and stop touching me, and she lunged at me and attacked me.”

Video footage shows the woman approaching Higby, pushing him back in his chair, taking his hat, and hitting him with it before falling into a bush.

Higby then pepper-sprayed her.

He said he could not be certain whether she was carrying a weapon because she kept her hands in her pockets for most of the encounter.

After being sprayed, the woman walked toward a light pole where other protesters assisted her and called police.

Higby said that when U.S. Park Police arrived, the situation escalated again.

“At this point now, she’s struggling with federal police, and then they tried to arrest her,” Higby recounted.

“Her dad is yelling at us, ‘why did you spray my daughter,’ as she’s actively fighting with federal police. In my head, I’m thinking, this is why she got sprayed. It took four federal police officers to hold her down, and finally they loaded her into the back of the police car.”

According to Higby, police reports listed him and a colleague as victims, and the woman is expected to face federal charges for resisting arrest and assaulting officers.

This was not the first time Higby has been targeted during public events.

On June 14 in Seattle, he was allegedly attacked at an anti-ICE rally by three men who attempted to rip off his equipment and physically assault him.

Higby said he pepper-sprayed one of the assailants in self-defense but suffered a concussion and other injuries that required medical treatment at urgent care and the emergency room.

“I’ve come to the point where I carry Mace on me at all times,” Higby said.

“I think I show incredible restraint with the points at which I use my Mace, because I personally think after four verbal warnings not to touch me, it would have been perfectly valid to use it. … The roles are reversed, and I’m overly criticized because it’s a woman, but I don’t know what she has on her, and I’m not going to throw a punch at her. I think that using Mace is way better [alternative].”

Higby and his team are known for setting up debate-style tables on college campuses, often with signage challenging students to engage in discussions.

Their events are modeled after Charlie Kirk’s approach, with slogans such as, “The left is violent! Let’s Debate!”

He said the Union Station incident unfolded differently, with no banners or displays present and the only identifiers being their MAGA hats.

“We want people fired up. We want people to be excited to talk about political issues, but what we don’t invite people to do is touch us, and that’s the problem,” Higby said.

“I think most of my takes are pretty reasonable. That’s your problem, not my problem—if you have such low impulse control that you can’t stop yourself from using physical violence.”

The Union Station incident adds to a series of confrontations Higby has experienced while hosting debates and public events across the country.

Federal authorities have not yet released further details on the charges against the woman involved in Thursday’s altercation.

Hakeem Jeffries Gets Cornered on CNN Over Healthcare Funding for Non-Citizens
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Hakeem Jeffries Gets Cornered on CNN Over Healthcare Funding for Non-Citizens

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House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) struggled to respond Wednesday when CNN’s Jake Tapper pressed him on provisions in Democrats’ shutdown demands that could extend healthcare benefits to certain non-citizens.

The exchange came as the federal government remained closed after funding negotiations broke down earlier in the week.

Democratic leaders, including Jeffries and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), have insisted that their healthcare-related provisions are focused on extending Affordable Care Act (ACA) tax credits and expanding benefits for American citizens.

Schumer strongly rejected Republican claims during an MSNBC appearance Wednesday morning, calling the argument “a total, absolute [expletive] lie.”

Jeffries has echoed that position in multiple interviews, accusing Republicans of spreading misinformation.

“Federal law prohibits the use of taxpayer dollars to provide medical coverage to undocumented individuals. That’s the law. And there is nothing in anything that we have proposed that is trying to change that law,” Jeffries said during a September 30 interview with CNBC.

Republican leaders have countered that Democrats’ proposals would, in effect, provide healthcare for certain categories of non-citizens.

Vice President J.D. Vance and House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) have pointed to Biden-era programs that expanded access for asylum seekers and individuals with temporary protected status.

“Yes, it is illegal for illegal aliens to receive health care paid for by hardworking American taxpayers. But [Democrats are] making the demand to change that. … That’s one of Chuck Schumer’s primary demands to keep the government open,” Johnson told CNN on September 28.

On Wednesday, Jeffries returned to CNN as the shutdown passed the 24-hour mark. Tapper directly questioned him about the details of the Democrats’ proposal.

“So let me ask you about a provision that the Republicans are talking about quite a bit. I know you want to talk about and Democrats want to talk about extending the Obamacare subsidies which expire at the end of 2025. But they talk about the provisions and it’s right here,” Tapper said, holding up a copy of the text.

“Subtitle E, and this has to do with the repeal of health care subtitle changes and specifically what it is they’re—how they characterize it, is you want to give health insurance uh to undocumented immigrants,” Tapper continued. Jeffries interrupted, responding, “That’s a lie.”

Tapper agreed that the provision was not directly about undocumented immigrants but clarified that some funding would impact non-citizens.

He noted that the plan would restore funding for emergency Medicaid to hospitals, which could cover undocumented immigrants and uninsured individuals in urgent care situations.

Tapper added, “And also there is this provision, and it’s not about undocumented immigrants, it’s about people with asylum seekers and people with temporary protected status, et cetera, et cetera, but about their ability to get Medicaid. So they’re non-citizens, they’re not undocumented, they’re not illegal. Why even include that in a bill knowing that they’re going to seize right upon that and use that to message?”

The exchange highlighted the sharp partisan divide over shutdown negotiations, with Republicans accusing Democrats of prioritizing benefits for non-citizens and Democrats maintaining that their proposals are focused on protecting American families.

The stalemate in Congress has left the government shuttered, with no clear resolution in sight.

NC Dem Defends Bail System After Repeat Offender Kills Ukrainian Refugee Iryna Zarutska
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NC Dem Defends Bail System After Repeat Offender Kills Ukrainian Refugee Iryna Zarutska

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A North Carolina lawmaker is facing backlash after downplaying a connection between the state’s bail system and the murder of a 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee.

State Rep. Marcia Morey, a Democrat from Durham and former judge, said during a legislative session that there was “no correlation” between the death of Iryna Zarutska and the release of the man accused of killing her, despite his lengthy criminal record.

Decarlos Brown, the suspect charged in the case, has been described by law enforcement as a career criminal with a history of arrests.

Authorities say Brown had been jailed and released 14 times before allegedly stabbing Zarutska to death on a Charlotte light rail train in August.

The case has intensified debate over bail policies in North Carolina, with critics pointing to repeated releases of violent offenders as a public safety failure.

“But don’t correlate what happened in January and a magistrate who set a bail according to guidelines to what happened in August. There is no correlation,” Morey said, defending the state’s system of pretrial release.

Morey has long been one of the state’s most vocal advocates for bail reform, arguing that the system often discriminates against low-income defendants who cannot afford to post bond.

She has maintained that the current guidelines are designed to ensure fairness and consistency.

However, her remarks drew sharp criticism from lawmakers who say the Zarutska case demonstrates the dangers of allowing repeat offenders to cycle in and out of jail without consequence.

Republican Senate Leader Phil Berger directly linked the crime to policies that he argues put criminals ahead of victims.

“Iryna should still be alive. She should be thriving and enjoying time with her family and friends,” Berger said.

“We cannot let North Carolina be held hostage by woke, weak-on-crime policies and court officials who prioritize criminals over justice for victims. We are also taking steps to revive the death penalty for those who commit the most heinous crimes.”

Families of victims have also spoken out, saying the system’s leniency for repeat offenders often leads to preventable tragedies.

For them, Brown’s history of arrests and releases reflects a pattern of failures that ultimately resulted in Zarutska’s death.

The debate over bail reform has been ongoing in North Carolina for years.

Supporters argue that requiring cash bail disproportionately impacts poor defendants charged with nonviolent offenses, while wealthier individuals accused of serious crimes are able to post bond and secure release.

Opponents say the Zarutska case highlights the flaws of such policies, contending that violent offenders should not be given repeated opportunities to return to the community.

They argue that public safety must outweigh concerns about financial fairness when it comes to individuals with a record of violent behavior.

The killing of Zarutska has added urgency to legislative discussions on bail reform and criminal justice.

While Democrats like Morey continue to press for changes aimed at reducing inequities, Republicans are pushing for stricter measures to ensure repeat offenders remain behind bars.

As the investigation and court proceedings in Brown’s case move forward, Zarutska’s death remains central to a broader debate about crime, punishment, and accountability in North Carolina.

The issue is expected to remain a top focus in the state legislature in the months ahead.


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