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A Tale of Two Parties: Leaked Messages Spur GOP Firings; Dems Still Back VA AG Hopeful
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A Tale of Two Parties: Leaked Messages Spur GOP Firings; Dems Still Back VA AG Hopeful

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A leak of thousands of private messages attributed to leaders in several Young Republican organizations has prompted resignations, job dismissals, and a national statement from the Young Republican National Federation (YRNF), while a separate controversy over 2022 text messages by Virginia attorney general nominee Jay Jones continues to draw bipartisan condemnation.

POLITICO reported this week that it reviewed roughly 2,900 pages of messages from a private Telegram chat spanning January through mid-August and involving Young Republican figures in New York, Kansas, Arizona, and Vermont.

The outlet said the messages included racist, antisemitic, and violent rhetoric and references to white supremacist slogans.

Subsequent coverage detailed consequences for several participants, including job losses and calls to step down from party roles.

In a statement reported by Newsweek, the YRNF board said it was “appalled by the vile and inexcusable language revealed in the Politico article.”

The statement added: “Such behavior is disgraceful, unbecoming of any Republican, and stands in direct opposition to the values our movement represents. Those involved must immediately resign from all positions within their state and local Young Republican organizations.”

Newsweek also published a list of nine individuals named in the reporting and summarized additional responses from Republican officials.

The fallout has included personnel changes and organizational steps at the state level. POLITICO and local outlets reported that New York figures Peter Giunta and Joseph Maligno were no longer in their positions, while Kansas Young Republicans activity was halted following the disclosures.

The Kansas Reflector described actions taken after the messages became public and detailed the involvement of state-level officers.

A Forbes summary on Wednesday likewise reported multiple job separations tied to the controversy.

Newsweek’s report quoted examples from the leaked chat logs that POLITICO reviewed.

In one exchange, a participant wrote “Everyone that votes no is going to the gas chamber,” followed by a back-and-forth about “true believers.”

In another, a separate participant described rape as “Epic.”

Newsweek reported that one state leader referenced “1488,” and published additional messages attributed to individuals in the chat, along with on-record responses or apologies where available.

In New York, state Senate Minority Leader Rob Ortt said he was “shocked and disgusted,” and a senior adviser to Rep. Elise Stefanik said that if POLITICO’s description was accurate, “Congresswoman Stefanik calls for any NY Young Republicans responsible for these horrific comments in this chat to step down immediately.”

The White House, through spokesperson Liz Huston, issued a statement rejecting attempts to link President Donald Trump to the private group chat, saying: “Only an activist, left-wing reporter would desperately try to tie President Trump into a story about a random group chat he has no affiliation with… No one has been subjected to more vicious rhetoric and violence than President Trump and his supporters.”

Separately, the Virginia attorney general race has been shaped by text messages from 2022 attributed to Democrat Jay Jones.

The Washington Post reported that Jones, then a former delegate, described a hypothetical scenario involving “two bullets to the head” of the Republican House speaker and used language about opponents’ children.

Virginia-based outlets have reported continuing political reaction and calls for Jones to exit the race, while other Democrats have publicly criticized the texts.

The Virginia Mercury has covered how the disclosures remain a central campaign issue ahead of debates and voter decisions this fall.

The two developments have unfolded in parallel: one centered on internal party discipline among Young Republican groups following publication of private chat logs, and the other centered on the Virginia contest after earlier text messages surfaced involving a statewide nominee.

In the youth-organization matter, the YRNF’s national statement called for implicated members to “immediately resign,” and Republican officials in multiple states issued condemnations.

In Virginia, media reports have described criticism from both parties and continued scrutiny of Jones’s candidacy stemming from the 2022 messages.

As of Wednesday, the YRNF statement remained in effect as state organizations and individual participants weighed next steps, and campaigns in Virginia continued to respond to questions about the 2022 texts ahead of November’s vote.

GOP Odds of Keeping the House Are ‘Up like a Rocket’: CNN’s Harry Enten
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GOP Odds of Keeping the House Are ‘Up like a Rocket’: CNN’s Harry Enten

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CNN chief data analyst Harry Enten on Wednesday detailed a significant shift in indicators for control of the U.S. House of Representatives, saying prediction markets now give Republicans a stronger chance of retaining the chamber in the 2026 midterm elections while Democrats’ lead on the generic ballot trails their position from the last comparable cycle.

Citing the Kalshi prediction market during a “CNN News Central” segment with host Kate Bolduan, Enten noted that Republicans stood at a 37% chance of keeping the House at the time of the broadcast, up sharply from the spring.

“[I]f you go back six months ago, you go back to April, Kate Bolduan, what were we looking at? Well, we were looking at the Democrats with a very clear shot of taking control of the U.S. House of Representatives, according to the Kalshi Prediction Market odds,” he said.

“We saw them at an 83% chance. But those odds have gone plummeting down.”

“Now we’re talking about just a 63% chance, while the GOP’s chances — up like a rocket, up like gold, up from 17% to now a 37% chance,” Enten continued.

“So what looked like a pretty clear likely Democratic win in the House come next year has become much closer to a toss-up at this point, although still slightly leaning Democratic.”

Bolduan asked what was driving the change.

Enten compared today’s national environment with the opening months of the last midterm under President Donald Trump.

“I want to take a look and compare it to 2017, 2018, right? Because that’s sort of the baseline. That was, of course, the first [President Donald] Trump term. That was where Democrats were sort of keeping pace,” he said.

“You go back to April, look at the generic congressional ballot, what’d you see? You see plus three Democrats in 2025 in April, you see plus three Democrats back in April of 2017. Now jump over to this side of the screen. What happens? Well, the Democrats are no longer keeping pace with the pace that they were setting back in 2017, 2018.”

“You look back in 2017, you saw that the Democrats had leaped up to an eight-point advantage. I remember covering this. I remember a lot of folks, including myself saying, you know what? Republicans look pretty decent right now, in terms of the fact that they had the House, they had the Senate, they had the presidency, but things were likely going to flip,” Enten added.

“And I was looking for the same signs this year. The bottom line is, it hasn’t happened, Kate Bolduan, it hasn’t happened. Democrats have stayed basically steady, they have fallen off the pace.”

Enten also addressed how map changes could influence outcomes even if Democrats hold a small national-vote lead. He said the current environment favors Republicans in seat conversion.

“If both sides max out, we’re probably looking at a GOP gain of plus seven House seats,” he said.

That calculation, he noted, does not include the potential effect of the Supreme Court’s pending actions concerning the Voting Rights Act and whether race can be used to draw congressional districts.

“If you add that in, then you could be looking about adding 10, 12, 15, 17 on top of this seven seats … It’s a different new landscape,” Enten said.

“And we’re not quite sure how much Democrats will have to be ahead in the national House vote in order to gain control.”

Issue polling reflects additional headwinds for Democrats heading into the next cycle, Enten said, pointing to a Washington Post/Ipsos survey conducted Sept. 11 to Sept. 15.

In that poll, Republicans led Democrats by 7 points on the economy, 13 points on immigration and 22 points on crime.

Enten previously noted on “CNN News Central” on Sept. 22 that these gaps could signal trouble for Democrats if they persist through the midterm year.

Taken together, the market odds, the slower movement in the generic ballot compared with 2017–2018, and the structure of competitive districts suggest a more competitive fight for House control than models showed in April.

Enten summarized the moment as one where Democrats retain an edge in national indicators but have not yet matched the surge they achieved ahead of the 2018 midterms, while Republicans benefit from favorable maps and stronger ratings on key issues.

Democrats Again Vote to Keep Government Closed as They Blame GOP for Government Being Closed
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Democrats Again Vote to Keep Government Closed as They Blame GOP for Government Being Closed

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The federal government entered its fourteenth day of the Schumer Shutdown on Wednesday, as Senate Democrats once again voted against a Republican-backed continuing resolution to reopen government operations.

The White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) announced earlier in the week that it is prepared for the long haul, confirming that reductions in force (RIFs) of federal employees will continue as long as the shutdown persists.

The agency stated it would sustain current measures until Senate Democrats agree to vote for the clean funding bill already passed by the Republican-controlled House.

House Speaker Mike Johnson criticized Democrats for “holding the American people hostage” and blocking efforts to restore funding.

He said Democrats’ demands include billions of dollars in spending on what he described as “Leftist pet causes,” citing projects such as feminist initiatives in Africa, LGBTQ+ agenda items in the Balkans, and global climate programs.

Republicans argue that the largest obstacle remains Democrats’ push for an additional $1.5 trillion in new spending, including funding to provide illegal aliens with free healthcare.

GOP leaders note that the plan would expand federal health programs at taxpayer expense, adding that the proposal would raise costs for insured Americans nationwide.

Despite their refusal to advance the clean funding bill, Democratic leaders continue to claim Republicans are to blame for the shutdown.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries posted on X, “The American people know that Republicans shut down the government. Democrats want to open it up immediately. And decisively address the Republican healthcare crisis.”

Republican leaders have dismissed Jeffries’ statement as misleading, pointing to Democrats’ own healthcare policies as the root cause of rising costs.

They argue that federal mandates and expanded bureaucratic programs enacted under the Affordable Care Act continue to strain the system and inflate prices for consumers.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune also addressed the ongoing impasse on X, emphasizing that Republicans are not attaching any partisan provisions to the funding bill.

“Republicans are not asking Democrats to support any new Republican policies. We’re not asking them to swallow any partisan policy riders. We’re simply asking them to turn the lights back on,” Thune wrote.

“We have put forward a clean, nonpartisan CR. That’s the bill Democrats are rejecting.”

The continuing resolution, known as H.R. 5317, passed the House with Republican support and backing from three Senate Democrats.

The measure would fund government operations temporarily while Congress works toward a broader budget agreement.

Republicans maintain that the bill is “clean,” containing no policy riders and no new partisan measures.

Senate Democrats, however, have declined to advance it, insisting instead on additional spending and policy provisions tied to foreign aid and domestic programs.

The standoff has forced federal agencies to scale back nonessential operations while maintaining essential services.

OMB officials said contingency plans will remain in effect until new appropriations are approved.

The shutdown has intensified political pressure in Washington, with both parties seeking to shape public perception of the stalemate.

The House and Senate are expected to reconvene later this week for further negotiations, though there is little indication that Democrats plan to accept the House-passed resolution.

As the shutdown extends into its third week, Republican lawmakers say the solution remains straightforward — Senate Democrats could vote to reopen the government immediately by passing the House-approved continuing resolution.

Until then, the Schumer Shutdown continues.

Trump Shuts Down ABC Reporter After Stephanopoulos Cuts Off JD Vance
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Trump Shuts Down ABC Reporter After Stephanopoulos Cuts Off JD Vance

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President Donald Trump refused to take questions from an ABC News reporter on Tuesday following a meeting with Argentine President Javier Milei, citing frustration over network host George Stephanopoulos’ treatment of Vice President J.D. Vance during a televised interview two days earlier.

The exchange occurred after a bilateral meeting between President Trump and President Milei, where the two leaders discussed trade, energy, and regional cooperation.

During the meeting, Trump formally endorsed Milei’s re-election campaign and praised Argentina’s recent economic reforms.

Milei presented the president with a framed copy of a letter nominating him for the Nobel Peace Prize, joining other world leaders who have submitted similar nominations in recognition of Trump’s role in brokering international peace agreements.

As the press session concluded, an ABC News correspondent attempted to ask the president about the ongoing Israel–Gaza peace agreement.

Trump immediately declined to engage, responding sharply. “I don’t take questions from ABC fake news,” he said.

He continued, “After what you did with Stephanopoulos to the vice president of the United States, I don’t take questions from ABC fake news.”

The president then called on another reporter.

The comments referred to Vice President Vance’s contentious appearance on ABC’s This Week on Sunday, which ended abruptly when Stephanopoulos terminated the interview mid-conversation.

The exchange centered on a report published by the outlet ProPublica, which accused White House Border Czar Tom Homan of accepting a “bribe” as part of what the report described as a Biden Justice Department–approved sting operation conducted before President Trump’s 2024 election victory.

According to court filings and statements reviewed after the report, prosecutors found no evidence of bribery and never pursued a criminal investigation.

Despite this, Stephanopoulos pressed the vice president repeatedly on the subject.

During the exchange, Vance pushed back, questioning the network’s priorities.

“Here’s George why fewer and fewer people watch your program and why you’re losing credibility: because you’re talking for now, five minutes with the vice president of United States about this story regarding Tom Homan, a story that I’ve read about, but I don’t even know the video that you’re talking about,” Vance said.

Stephanopoulos responded by accusing the vice president of evading the question and abruptly ending the segment.

“It’s not a weird left-wing rabbit hole. I didn’t insinuate anything. I asked you whether Tom Homan accepted $50,000, as was heard on an audiotape recorded by the FBI in September 2024. And you did not answer the question. Thank you for your time this morning,” Stephanopoulos said, cutting Vance off before he could respond.

The incident drew attention across major news outlets and social media platforms, where viewers debated whether the ABC host had acted prematurely in ending the discussion.

Administration officials have not commented further on the exchange, but sources familiar with the president’s remarks confirmed that Trump’s refusal to take ABC questions was a direct response to what he described as a pattern of bias.

The Tuesday meeting with Milei marked another step in the strengthening of U.S.–Argentina relations.

White House officials said both leaders plan to expand joint efforts on energy production, security cooperation, and market stability.

The event was held at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building and attended by senior administration and cabinet officials.

President Trump’s remarks to reporters concluded the session, which followed his endorsement of Milei’s re-election campaign and his commitment to continue bilateral cooperation with Argentina on economic and regional security matters.

State Department Boots Foreigners Who Celebrated Charlie Kirk’s Assassination
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State Department Boots Foreigners Who Celebrated Charlie Kirk’s Assassination

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The U.S. State Department announced Tuesday that six foreign nationals had their visas revoked after they made online posts celebrating the assassination of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk.

The agency said the individuals expressed approval of violence against Americans and are no longer welcome in the United States.

In a post to X, the State Department wrote, “The United States has no obligation to host foreigners who wish death on Americans. The State Department continues to identify visa holders who celebrated the heinous assassination of Charlie Kirk. Here are just a few examples of aliens who are no longer welcome in the U.S.”

The Department included screenshots of several foreign nationals’ comments mocking Kirk’s death.

One post cited by the agency came from an Argentine national who said that Kirk “devoted his entire life spreading racist, xenophobic, misogynistic rhetoric” and “deserves to burn in hell.”

The agency confirmed that individual’s visa had been revoked.

A South African national was also identified in the post, having written, “They’re hurt that the racist rally ended in attempted martyrdom,” and that Kirk was “used to astroturf a movement of white nationalist trailer trash.”

That person’s visa was also revoked, according to the State Department.

Another example included a Mexican national who wrote that Kirk “died being a racist, he died being a misogynist,” adding, “There are people who deserve to die. There are people who would make the world better off dead.”

The agency stated that this individual’s visa was likewise revoked.

The State Department’s announcement featured six total cases of foreign nationals who posted similar remarks.

Following the examples, the agency wrote, “[President Trump] and [Secretary Rubio] will defend our borders, our culture, and our citizens by enforcing our immigration laws. Aliens who take advantage of America’s hospitality while celebrating the assassination of our citizens will be removed.”

Officials said the action reflects an ongoing policy to deny U.S. entry or residency to foreign citizens who promote or glorify violence against Americans.

The agency reiterated that U.S. visas are privileges granted to individuals who uphold American law and values, not rights extended to those who advocate harm against citizens.

The revocations follow the assassination of Charlie Kirk, which occurred at Utah Valley University, where he had been speaking to students during a campus event.

The incident prompted widespread condemnation and an ongoing investigation by law enforcement.

Federal officials have not released further details regarding the assailant or motive.

In recent weeks, the State Department has also taken additional measures to revoke visas from foreign nationals accused of criminal activity or public support for terrorism.

Those actions have included cancellations of student and work visas, as well as restrictions placed on individuals suspected of engaging in violent or extremist behavior while in the United States.

The Department emphasized that its enforcement decisions align with immigration law and national security directives under the Trump administration.

A spokesperson for the agency said its policies aim to safeguard U.S. citizens and maintain the integrity of the nation’s immigration system.

Officials said more reviews are ongoing to identify visa holders who have publicly endorsed or encouraged violence against Americans.

The State Department confirmed it would continue to publish updates on visa actions involving individuals who violate U.S. entry standards.

Mamdani Backing Sarsour Listed as Speaker for Hamas-Affiliated Event in Istanbul
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Mamdani Backing Sarsour Listed as Speaker for Hamas-Affiliated Event in Istanbul

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A Hamas-affiliated organization has listed American activist Linda Sarsour as a featured participant at an upcoming conference in Istanbul, Turkey, though she has denied accepting any invitation or planning to attend.

The Popular Conference for Palestinians Abroad (PCPA), which Israel designated as a Hamas front group in 2021, announced in a September 24 statement that Sarsour was “expected to participate” in its upcoming “Palestinian National Forum for Dialogue” scheduled for November.

The conference, to be held in Istanbul, will reportedly focus on what organizers describe as “escalating waves of Judaization, uprooting, and annexation” in Palestinian territories and “Israel’s genocidal war.”

In response to inquiries from the Daily Caller News Foundation (DCNF), Sarsour denied any involvement with the event or the group.

“This is misinformation and I will not be attending this conference,” she said in an email.

Sarsour also said she was unaware that her name had been included in the group’s announcement until she was contacted by the outlet.

Sarsour, a long-time activist and former co-chair of the Women’s March, has been politically active in New York and nationally.

She has been a vocal supporter of New York Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani, a self-described democratic socialist and candidate for mayor of New York City.

The two have appeared at multiple campaign and advocacy events together since at least 2020, with Sarsour emerging as a prominent figure in Mamdani’s political base.

Both Sarsour and Mamdani have faced criticism over their rhetoric surrounding the October 7, 2023 Hamas terrorist attacks in Israel.

Following the massacre, Mamdani attributed the violence to “occupation” and “apartheid” in posts that did not condemn Hamas directly.

On the second anniversary of the attacks, he referred to the assault as a “horrific war crime” but continued to emphasize criticism of Israel’s military response. Sarsour, for her part, has publicly rejected accusations of supporting Hamas or endorsing violence, saying she opposes “hate” within the pro-Palestinian movement.

Recent polling shows him leading the field in the November mayoral election following his victory in the Democratic primary.

The PCPA did not respond to inquiries from reporters about its invitation list or its designation by Israel as a terrorist-linked organization.

When labeling the group a Hamas proxy in 2021, Israel’s foreign ministry released documents it said showed “high-ranking, well-known Hamas members working in the PCPA.”

Among the documents was a letter from deceased Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh praising the organization’s efforts to expand Hamas’s international influence.

“The organization operates under the pretense of civilian cover and is responsible, on behalf of Hamas, for mobilizing actions against Israel, including violent demonstrations, marches against Israel, and demonstration and provocation flotillas,” the ministry said at the time.

The PCPA has also been linked to recent pro-Palestinian activities, including a flotilla event near Gaza that involved climate activist Greta Thunberg, according to Israeli officials.

A Wednesday statement from the group expressed support for the recent ceasefire brokered by President Donald Trump, which led to the release of multiple Israeli hostages.

The PCPA credited the outcome to “the steadfastness of the Palestinian people and their heroic resistance.”

Names of several individuals with reported ties to Hamas appeared alongside Sarsour’s in the PCPA’s conference announcement.

One listed speaker, Hisham Abu Mahfouz, a PCPA leader, posted photos of himself in January 2023 alongside Ahmed Abd al-Hadi, Hamas’s representative in Lebanon.

Another image from January 2024 showed him at a meeting where posters depicted figures from Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad.

Another announced guest is Munir Shafiq, a former leader of the Jihad Brigades, a militant group responsible for attacks in Israel during the 1980s, according to the Leibniz Institute of European History.

Also listed is Wadah Khanfar, a former Al Jazeera executive, who was described by Arabic media in 2011 as a senior Hamas official.

According to reporting from The Guardian, Khanfar is also the brother of a “Hamas activist” in Jenin.

Sarsour maintains that she had no knowledge of the event or the organization’s use of her name.

The PCPA has not publicly clarified how she came to be listed among its expected attendees.

Hakeem Jeffries Gets Embarrassed Live on CNN by Liberal Host Dana Bash
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Hakeem Jeffries Gets Embarrassed Live on CNN by Liberal Host Dana Bash

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House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) faced an unexpected exchange during an interview on CNN Tuesday when anchor Dana Bash pressed him to personally engage with House Speaker Mike Johnson amid the ongoing government shutdown that began on October 1.

The shutdown, now in its second week, took effect at 12:01 a.m. after two separate measures to fund the government failed in the Senate. Both proposals required 60 votes to pass.

The GOP-backed measure, which included temporary funding to keep government operations open, fell short in a 55-45 vote, with Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) joining Democrats in opposition.

Democrats have remained firm against any continuing resolution that excludes provisions for healthcare benefits for illegal aliens and other domestic funding priorities.

Meanwhile, Republicans have accused Senate Democrats and Majority Leader Chuck Schumer of prolonging the shutdown by prioritizing political objectives over maintaining government functions.

During his CNN appearance, Jeffries sought to place responsibility for the shutdown on House Republicans and President Donald Trump, claiming they had refused to engage in bipartisan discussions.

However, Bash pushed back against his characterization and offered a direct challenge.

“You’re right down the hall from Mike Johnson’s office,” Bash said during the exchange.

“I know exactly where you are. You could probably take a few steps, knock on the door, and talk to him. Have you tried that?”

Jeffries responded, “Speaker Johnson hasn’t been given permission to have a conversation with me or Leader Schumer. And he said as much earlier today.”

Bash continued to press, asking whether Jeffries believed Johnson would refuse to meet if approached directly.

Jeffries replied, “We could have a conversation, but the problem is that unless they get the green light to have a meaningful discussion to find common ground, any conversation is not going to be fruitful.”

Jeffries acknowledged that no direct meetings or discussions have taken place between House leadership from either party since the shutdown began.

“We’ve had no meetings, no discussions. Donald Trump has held them back from having even a meaningful engagement,” he said.

Bash’s challenge highlighted growing frustration in Washington over the lack of progress toward reopening the government.

Lawmakers from both chambers have continued to introduce funding measures, but partisan disagreements have prevented any from advancing.

Republicans have accused Democratic leaders of using the shutdown to gain political leverage, citing the party’s insistence on including funding for programs unrelated to basic government operations. Democrats, in turn, have accused Republicans of submitting proposals that exclude key social and immigration provisions they consider nonnegotiable.

As negotiations remain stalled, federal employees and service members are bracing for delayed paychecks, while several agencies have reduced operations.

President Trump’s administration has authorized temporary measures to ensure that military personnel continue to receive pay.

The on-air exchange between Jeffries and Bash quickly gained attention on social media, with clips circulating widely across political channels.

Viewers from both sides of the aisle commented on the unusual moment when a CNN anchor pressed a Democratic leader to take direct action rather than assigning blame.

As of Tuesday evening, no additional meetings between congressional leaders had been scheduled.

Speaker Johnson’s office has not issued a public response to Jeffries’s remarks or Bash’s comments.

The current impasse marks one of the most visible political standoffs since the start of the fiscal year, with both parties facing increasing public scrutiny as the shutdown continues without a clear resolution.

Dem Senator Gets a ‘Pink Slip’ for Siding with ‘California Crazies and New York Nutjobs’
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Dem Senator Gets a ‘Pink Slip’ for Siding with ‘California Crazies and New York Nutjobs’

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As the partial government shutdown stretches into its second week, Republican leaders are pointing blame squarely at Senate Democrats for refusing to pass a continuing resolution that excludes funding for healthcare benefits for illegal aliens.

Among those taking aim at the Democratic bloc is Georgia Congressman Mike Collins, who delivered a symbolic “pink slip” to the Atlanta office of Sen. Jon Ossoff on Monday.

Collins’ move came as the shutdown entered its 13th day, with negotiations in Washington remaining at a standstill.

In a statement emailed to supporters, Collins accused Ossoff and other Democrats of “abandoning the people of Georgia” by siding with what he described as the far-left priorities of states like California and New York.

“It’s been 13 days since Jon Ossoff abandoned the people of Georgia to vote with California and New York to shut down the government because he’s fighting to give healthcare to illegal aliens,” Collins said.

“Meanwhile, federal aid for farmers is blocked, our military was at risk of missing a paycheck until President Trump stepped in, and our economy is saddled with uncertainty. We the people have had enough. It’s time for Georgians to have a U.S. Senator that stands for our values, not the California Crazies or New York Nutjobs.”

Ossoff, a first-term Democratic senator elected in 2021, faces reelection in 2026 and has been a central target of Republicans critical of the Democratic strategy during the shutdown.

The GOP argues that Democrats have deliberately delayed passing a short-term funding bill to secure additional benefits for individuals residing in the country illegally.

Collins’ symbolic “pink slip” delivery to Ossoff’s district office was intended to represent what he believes should happen at the ballot box.

The congressman, known for his lighthearted and meme-driven approach to politics, previously told The Hill that “a little bit of levity can help ease the tensions in a lot of ways,” referring to his habit of posting political jokes on social media.

His X account’s pinned post humorously edits his congressional title to describe himself as a “memer,” rather than a “member,” of Congress.

Beyond his online persona, Collins has built a reputation for legislative persistence.

He worked across party lines earlier this year to help advance the Laken Riley Act, which strengthened enforcement against criminal illegal aliens following the murder of Georgia nursing student Laken Riley.

The bill drew bipartisan attention in Congress and underscored Collins’ focus on border and public safety issues—topics that have also featured prominently in his critique of Ossoff and Senate Democrats.

Collins is currently a top contender in the 2026 Republican primary race to challenge Ossoff for his Senate seat.

His campaign has quickly gained momentum, raising $1.9 million in just eight weeks, according to recent filings.

Early polling has shown Collins ahead of other potential GOP candidates, including Rep. Buddy Carter and former football coach Derek Dooley, who has drawn the backing of Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp.

With endorsements from conservative leaders across Georgia’s 159 counties, Collins has positioned himself as a grassroots candidate with a statewide network of supporters.

His campaign emphasizes fiscal responsibility, border enforcement, and veteran support—issues that have resonated with conservative voters frustrated by the ongoing shutdown and what they view as Democratic obstruction in Congress.

As of this week, there is no agreement in sight to end the shutdown, which has delayed federal paychecks and stalled assistance programs across the country.

Republicans continue to push for a “clean” continuing resolution that keeps the government funded without adding new benefits for illegal aliens, while Democrats maintain that such measures should be included.

For now, Collins’ pink slip delivery marks one of the most visible political statements of the shutdown, symbolizing growing conservative frustration with Senate Democrats and setting the tone for what is expected to be one of Georgia’s most closely watched political battles in 2026.

Karoline Leavitt Claps Back at the Anti-ICE ‘Emergency’ Naked Bike Ride in Portland
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Karoline Leavitt Claps Back at the Anti-ICE ‘Emergency’ Naked Bike Ride in Portland

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A group of protesters in Portland, Oregon, staged an “emergency” naked bike ride on Sunday to demonstrate against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations and the potential deployment of National Guard units to the city.

The event, typically held during the summer as an annual demonstration, was organized outside of its regular schedule and promoted on social media as a form of resistance.

Organizers of the event wrote on Instagram that “Joy is a form of protest. Being together with mutual respect and kindness is a form of protest. It’s your choice how much or little you wear.”

The statement encouraged participants to express themselves freely while promoting unity and nonviolent action.

The protest took place despite rainy conditions, with dozens of participants riding through downtown Portland and over the Burnside Bridge.

Local news outlets, including regional affiliates, blurred video footage of the event due to the lack of clothing among participants.

The group also conducted a “die-in” demonstration on the Burnside Bridge, during which several riders lay on the pavement to symbolize opposition to federal immigration enforcement.

The demonstration temporarily disrupted traffic but ended without major incidents or arrests at that location.

Journalists including Jorge Ventura and Katie Daviscourt shared footage of the event online, showing participants in varying degrees of undress.

While some riders wore costumes or partial coverings, others appeared fully nude.

The videos quickly circulated across social media, prompting a wide range of public reactions.

The protest’s message focused on demanding an end to ICE operations in Portland and opposing reports of federal consideration of National Guard support for local law enforcement.

The demonstration followed weeks of smaller anti-ICE gatherings at the local ICE facility, where activists have regularly confronted federal officers.

Following the demonstration, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt commented on the event in response to a social media post by Daviscourt, stating, “If you think this is crazy, congratulations, you’re a Republican!”

The remark was widely shared online by conservative commentators highlighting the incident as an example of political extremism in progressive cities.

Later that evening, federal officers and ICE agents engaged with a separate group of protesters outside the Portland ICE facility. According to local reports, agents deployed pepper balls to disperse demonstrators after some refused to leave the property. Several individuals were taken into custody following confrontations in muddy conditions.

Video from the scene showed anti-ICE activists shouting at officers and demanding the release of those detained. Nearby, counter-protesters displayed American flags and a large painting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, voicing support for ICE and federal enforcement efforts.

Despite the naked bike ride protest and its attempts to draw attention to immigration enforcement policies, ICE operations in Portland continued without interruption. The agency has not issued any statements indicating a change in policy or activity following the demonstration.

The “emergency ride” marked the latest in a long line of unconventional protests in Portland, a city known for its frequent and often highly visible political demonstrations. Organizers have not announced plans for future rides but indicated online that they view such displays as necessary to express solidarity and opposition to federal action.

Authorities have not reported any significant property damage or injuries related to Sunday’s event.


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