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Democratic Socialist Launches Bid to Unseat Mayor Karen Bass in Los Angeles
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Democratic Socialist Launches Bid to Unseat Mayor Karen Bass in Los Angeles

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Democratic socialist candidate Rae Huang has launched a campaign for mayor of Los Angeles, setting up a challenge to Democratic incumbent Karen Bass. Huang announced her candidacy Saturday in a statement posted to her Instagram account.

“I am excited and very humbled to announce that I am running for Mayor of Los Angeles, the second largest city in our nation,” Huang wrote.

She said she has spent more than two decades pursuing “social justice work and organizing” and stated that her decision to run stems from her desire “to finally see through the changes the LA social justice movement and I have been building for years.”

Huang, 43, is a community organizer and member of the Democratic Socialists of America.

She said her campaign will focus on universal housing, free transportation, climate resiliency and affordability.

The issues she highlighted resemble those emphasized during the initial campaign of New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani.

Huang wrote that a central part of her effort will be to challenge what she describes as the establishment.

“Over the past decade, I have worked with Los Angeles organizers and neighbors on solutions for our city. Now it’s time we implement them. I will be running against establishment and the billionaire class and will not be accepting any money from corporations,” she stated.

In an interview with The Los Angeles Times, Huang did not directly compare herself to Mamdani but said she hopes to earn the endorsement of the local DSA chapter, which celebrated Mamdani’s recent election victory.

Huang also criticized Bass’ leadership on homelessness and the response to political violence during the summer months.

She described her own campaign as a “moment for change.”

“We are in a place in our country and in our political environment where folks feel stuck and afraid,” Huang said.

“They feel like nothing is going to change, and the things that are changing are making things even worse.”

Bass spokesperson Doug Herman responded to the announcement in a statement to Fox News Digital, defending the mayor’s record.

“Under Mayor Bass’s leadership, there has been unprecedented progress on the issues that matter most to Angelenos,” Herman said.

He noted that “homelessness has declined for the first time in two consecutive years,” and stated that crime has seen “significant drops.”

Herman also referenced the ongoing Palisades fire recovery effort, saying it continues “far ahead of pace with the fastest recovery and rebuilding in California history.”

Herman added that Bass had taken a strong stance against enforcement actions carried out by federal immigration authorities.

“In addition, there was no better defender of Los Angeles than Mayor Karen Bass when Trump’s ICE raids started and we won a court ruling to help stop the illegal raids and unconstitutional arrests. That’s what we need to move Los Angeles forward,” he said.

Huang’s candidacy comes during a period in which progressive candidates have mounted challenges against Democratic incumbents in multiple cities.

Last week, progressive activist Katie Wilson defeated Seattle Democratic Mayor Bruce Harrell.

Similar to Mamdani, Wilson campaigned on government-backed grocery stores, increased taxes on wealthy residents, and expanded affordable housing programs.

Trump Flips the Entire Script on Democrats’ Push to Release the Epstein Files
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Trump Flips the Entire Script on Democrats’ Push to Release the Epstein Files

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President Trump said Sunday that House Republicans should vote to release the Epstein files as Congress prepares to consider legislation requiring the Justice Department to make the documents public.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote, “House Republicans should vote to release the Epstein files, because we have nothing to hide.”

The House is expected to vote this week on a proposal directing the Justice Department to release the files. Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) said he believes “100 or more” Republicans could support the measure. It is not yet clear whether the Senate would take up the legislation.

The renewed focus on the documents follows a series of releases involving emails connected to Jeffrey Epstein.

Democrats initially circulated selected emails they believed would harm Trump politically.

House Republicans then made more than 20,000 additional emails public, and several of the messages contradicted claims that Trump and Epstein maintained a close relationship.

In a February 2017 message to former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers, Epstein wrote that he had “met some very bad people,” but “none as bad as trump.”

In another exchange with Kathryn Ruemmler, who served as White House counsel under President Barack Obama, Epstein wrote that Trump was “worse in real life and upclose” after Ruemmler had sent a text calling Trump “so gross.”

Other emails showed Epstein discussing blackmailing Trump with author Michael Wolff.

Additional correspondence indicated that Epstein communicated with Stacey Plaskett, the delegate from the U.S. Virgin Islands, during Michael Cohen’s 2019 congressional testimony.

The messages appeared to show Epstein offering her advice during the hearing.

Following the release of the emails by House Republicans, Democrats opposed an effort last week to make the Epstein files public.

Trump said in his Truth Social post that the Justice Department has already provided significant material.

“The Department of Justice has already turned over tens of thousands of pages to the Public on ‘Epstein,’ are looking at various Democrat operatives (Bill Clinton, Reid Hoffman, Larry Summers, etc.) and their relationship to Epstein, and the House Oversight Committee can have whatever they are legally entitled to, I DON’T CARE!,” Trump wrote. He added that he wanted Republicans to get “BACK ON POINT.”

The House vote scheduled for this week will determine whether the broader set of Epstein-related documents will be released to the public.

Girl Dads in Maine Mobilize to Block Transgender Athletes from Girls’ Sports
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Girl Dads in Maine Mobilize to Block Transgender Athletes from Girls’ Sports

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A group of fathers in Maine is continuing its effort to advance a statewide initiative that would bar transgender athletes from participating in girls’ sports.

Members of the organization Maine Girl Dads held a drive-thru signature event in Brunswick on Saturday to support the proposal, according to WMTW.

The event allowed supporters to quickly sign the petition from their vehicles. Organizers with Protect Girls’ Sports in Maine also took part in the effort, the report said.

The petition seeks to place the measure, titled “An Act to Designate School Sports Participation and Facilities by Sex,” before voters in November 2026.

WMTW reported that the group needs 68,000 signatures by February for the initiative to qualify for the ballot.

A video posted Thursday by a member of Maine Girl Dads said the campaign was “going amazing,” noting the group had already collected more than 60,000 signatures.

According to the WMTW report, the referendum would require schools to designate sports teams, bathrooms, and locker rooms by gender: male, female, or co-ed.

The debate over transgender athletes’ participation in girls’ sports has spread across the country, with female athletes in various states facing decisions about competing against biological males.

The issue has also led to disputes between state officials and the federal government.

In February, President Donald Trump had a heated exchange with Gov. Janet Mills (D-ME) over her refusal to comply with his executive order regarding the protection of women’s sports.

“You better comply because otherwise you’re not getting any federal funding,” he told her, according to reporting at the time.

U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi later announced a lawsuit against the state of Maine related to transgender sports policies.

The complaint stated, “By prioritizing gender identity over biological reality, Maine’s policies deprive girl athletes of fair competition, deny them equal athletic opportunities, and expose them to heightened risks of physical injury and physiological harm.”

The debate drew further attention in October when three activists stripped to their underwear during a school board meeting in Maine to protest the district’s policy allowing transgender athletes to participate in female sports and use related facilities, according to Breitbart News.

Maine Girl Dads describes itself as a coalition dedicated to reinforcing sex-based distinctions in schools and athletic programs.

According to the group’s website, it “is a coalition of dads (8,000 of us and counting) that have banded together over a common cause — to protect the dignity, opportunity, and privacy of our daughters.

Simply put, we want districts across Maine to re-institute sex-based policies in school & sport. No more males in female spaces nor sports.”

ICE Shooting Claim Debunked After Illegal Alien Tries to Hide in Hospital Ceiling
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ICE Shooting Claim Debunked After Illegal Alien Tries to Hide in Hospital Ceiling

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The Trump administration has expanded its immigration enforcement efforts to Charlotte, North Carolina, with the launch of Operation Charlotte’s Web on Saturday.

Federal officials said the operation is focused on arresting criminal illegal aliens living in the city.

Charlotte has approximately 900,000 residents, and 150,000 of them are foreign-born, according to CBS News.

The Department of Homeland Security said state and local officials failed to cooperate with federal requests to detain individuals flagged for immigration violations.

DHS said that 1,400 detainer requests were not honored, resulting in offenders being released back into the community.

“Americans should be able to live without fear of violent criminal illegal aliens hurting them, their families, or their neighbors,” DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin stated.

“We are surging DHS law enforcement to Charlotte to ensure Americans are safe and public safety threats are removed. There have been too many victims of criminal illegal aliens. President Trump and Secretary Noem will step up to protect Americans when sanctuary politicians won’t.”

Border Patrol Commander Greg Bovino said that more than 80 individuals were arrested on the first day of the operation.

He noted that the majority of those taken into custody had “significant criminal and immigration history.”

A video posted on social media showed a leftist activist confronting Bovino during one of the arrests carried out over the weekend while federal agents were detaining an alleged illegal alien.

“Are you doing nice things?” the activist asked.

“Absolutely, making the community safer for you,” Bovino responded.

Bovino also posted several examples of recent arrests in Charlotte on X.

“Let’s paint this picture for you. An illegal alien from Mexico gets deported 4 times, strolls back to Charlotte, then racks up a hit & run AND a DUI/DWI?” he wrote.

“It’s time to go back home.”

In another post, he highlighted a separate arrest.

“Who’s at the same grocery store as you?” he wrote.

“This illegal alien from Honduras with a criminal history. He has arrests for aggravated assault, assault with a dangerous weapon & DUI. He has also been removed from the U.S. twice, so now that he’s here AGAIN, he committed a felony by re-entering the U.S.”

Reports circulated Sunday claiming that Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents had shot an individual during the ongoing operations.

McLaughlin addressed the report directly, saying the claims were false.

“This criminal illegal alien from Mexico had a panic attack and was taken to the hospital where he attempted to escape by climbing into the ceiling tiles from the hospital bathroom. He was unsuccessful and was apprehended inside the ceiling by law enforcement,” McLaughlin stated.

“He has a prior arrest for assault.”

Operation Charlotte’s Web marks an escalation of federal enforcement efforts in North Carolina as DHS continues to respond to concerns regarding repeat criminal offenders returning to communities after previous removals.

‘Tech-Illiterate Boomer Sheriff Deputies’ Arrest Texan Over ‘Felony-Level Trolling’
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‘Tech-Illiterate Boomer Sheriff Deputies’ Arrest Texan Over ‘Felony-Level Trolling’

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A Navy veteran in Hood County, Texas, was arrested earlier this month after local authorities alleged he violated the state’s online impersonation statute by posting a satirical social media image.

The Hood County Sheriff’s Office charged Kolton Krottinger with felony “online impersonation-name/persona create page” in the third degree, though his attorney maintains the post was political humor.

Krottinger, who operates the Blue Branch Historic Ranch, a veterans’ mental health center in Granbury, was arrested on November 5.

His detention appears tied to an October 2 Facebook post containing a fake screenshot formatted to resemble a real post from a rival local activist.

The image used the activist’s profile picture and name above text expressing support for then–Granbury ISD school board candidate Monica Brown.

According to the complaint, “The Victim states that she does not support Monica Brown for this election and stated that the public is being misled by the post as to what the Victim’s actual beliefs are concerning this particular election race.”

Rob Christian, Krottinger’s attorney, told the Dallas Express the image should not constitute a criminal offense.

“After 25 years of experience as a district attorney and criminal defense attorney, I have never seen anyone get arrested for engaging in political speech,” Christian said, describing the post as “a meme.”

Local officials also questioned the basis of the arrest.

Hood County Constable John Shirley told the outlet that the activist who was depicted “very openly, loudly, and publicly hates” Brown.

Shirley added that the satirical nature of the image was widely recognizable.

“It’s a picture of a political sign that anybody who knows the person whose account this was pasted onto would know that it’s fake and a joke,” he said.

Shirley also voiced concern about the broader implications.

“I’m outspoken about the First Amendment. I believe in the Constitution, I believe in the Bill of Rights,” he said.

“This kind of stuff really smells of authoritarianism.”

Under Texas state law, it is a crime to use “the name or persona of another person” to “harm, defraud, intimidate, or threaten any person.”

Sheriff Roger Deeds told Blaze News, “this case is still under investigation so I cannot comment further on it,” but the sheriff’s office still appeared to reference the matter in a November 10 bulletin posted on Facebook.

The bulletin stated, “The Hood County Sheriff’s Office has been made aware of numerous social media posts with regards to bullying, harassment, threats and similar, directed towards citizens in our community.”

It continued, “While certain online posts may seem offensive, cruel, threatening or inappropriate to some, much of what is posted online is protected by the 1st amendment. However, these acts may sometimes constitute a criminal offense, such as the example below, from a recent and notable case.”

The announcement cited Texas Penal Code § 33.07 governing online impersonation and encouraged additional potential victims to file reports.

The arrest prompted an online petition from Nate Criswell, former chair of the Hood County Republican Party, urging the district attorney to drop the charges.

“Tech-illiterate Boomer Sheriff Deputies in Hood County, Texas arrested my friend for felony-level trolling,” Criswell wrote.

Texas attorney general candidate Aaron Reitz also weighed in, arguing the case did not appear to satisfy statutory requirements.

“From what I can tell, Kolton Krottinger created an obviously satirical meme,” Reitz said.

He continued, “Moreover, his conduct doesn’t appear to meet the ‘intent’ requirement under Texas Penal Code § 33.07 (Online Impersonation). On its face, this case seems far outside the scope of the statute’s text, purpose, and precedent.”

Reitz added that the charges might ultimately be dismissed. “But that provides little immediate relief and doesn’t undo the current or past injustices that have led to this point,” he said.

“Kolton may also have recourse under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 if the County has deprived him of his First Amendment rights, which I strongly suspect it has done. The longer this situation continues, the greater the potential liability for Hood County.”

On Wednesday, Brown, the former school board candidate at the center of the post, filed her own complaint regarding Krottinger’s arrest and treatment.

“Mr. Krottinger shared a harmless political satire meme related to a local school board election. He was arrested, handcuffed, placed in solitary confinement, classified as ‘high-profile,’ had his phone confiscated, and denied access to social media, which is his livelihood,” Brown wrote.

Marines Forced Into Gunfight with Gang Members Outside U.S. Embassy in Haiti
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Marines Forced Into Gunfight with Gang Members Outside U.S. Embassy in Haiti

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U.S. Marines assigned to protect the American embassy in Haiti exchanged gunfire with suspected gang members in Port-au-Prince on Nov. 13, according to a statement released by a Marine spokesman.

The incident occurred as Marines were supporting routine embassy security operations in the Haitian capital.

Capt. Steven J. Keenan confirmed the exchange in an emailed statement to Fox News Digital on Sunday.

He said Marines came under fire from individuals believed to be associated with local gangs and responded immediately.

“U.S. Marines are committed to the safety and security of U.S. embassies worldwide and respond to all threats with professionalism and swift, disciplined action,” Keenan said.

The incident resulted in no Marine injuries.

The Washington Post first reported the exchange over the weekend.

The U.S. Embassy in Haiti and the State Department did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The shooting took place against the backdrop of escalating violence throughout Haiti.

The United Nations has reported that armed groups control as much as 90 percent of Port-au-Prince.

These groups have blocked access roads, attacked key infrastructure, and targeted civilians with kidnappings, rapes, and killings.

The continuing instability has created challenges for local authorities as they attempt to maintain order and respond to the worsening conditions.

Haiti has not had an elected government since the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in 2021.

Since then, violence has expanded across the capital and surrounding regions.

The lack of a functioning government has made it more difficult for Haitian officials to respond to gang activity, which has continued to spread and increase in severity.

According to the UN, a Gang Suppression Force of 5,550 personnel was scheduled to begin work in Haiti on Oct. 2.

The force is intended to support Haitian authorities in efforts to neutralize gangs, secure infrastructure, and improve humanitarian access.

The multinational mission was authorized by the UN Security Council and is designed to assist in addressing the widespread violence affecting the country.

The mission’s stated goal is to “protect vulnerable populations from escalating violence and prevent the displacement that inevitably causes.”

It has not yet been determined which countries will contribute personnel to the operation.

Funding for the effort is expected to come largely from voluntary contributions made by UN member states.

The timeline for full deployment and operational capability remains unclear as planning continues.

The United States has maintained a strong advisory presence for American citizens regarding security conditions in Haiti.

The State Department lists Haiti under a “Level 4: Do Not Travel” warning due to kidnapping risks, crime, civil unrest, and concerns over possible terrorist activity.

Nonemergency U.S. government employees and their families were ordered to leave the country in July 2023 because of ongoing security threats.

Haiti has remained under a state of emergency since March 2024 as authorities attempt to respond to gang activity and maintain stability.

The exchange of gunfire near the embassy highlights the continued volatility in Port-au-Prince and the challenges faced by U.S. personnel working in the region.

The incident marked another example of rising violence in the capital as armed groups continue to exert control across large portions of the city.

Massive Cage-Side Brawl Erupts at UFC 322, Fighter Receives Lifetime Ban
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Massive Cage-Side Brawl Erupts at UFC 322, Fighter Receives Lifetime Ban

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A chaotic scene unfolded at UFC 322 inside Madison Square Garden when a cage-side altercation broke out involving jiu-jitsu world champion Dillon Danis.

The incident occurred during Saturday’s event as fights were taking place inside the octagon.

Danis, known as a training partner of Conor McGregor, became involved in a physical confrontation with members of Islam Makhachev’s team.

During the exchange, Danis received several punches to the back of the head, which appeared to be thrown by Magomed Zaynukov.

UFC Chief Business Officer Hunter Campbell and multiple security officials attempted to intervene and separate the groups.

Security ultimately apprehended Danis and removed him from the area.

At the post-fight press conference, UFC President Dana White stated that Danis was not present at the event in any official capacity.

White explained that Danis had purchased a ticket and was not invited by the promotion.

The situation escalated earlier in the night when Danis began moving between different seats.

White expressed significant frustration over the incident.

“Dillon Danis will never be at a UFC event ever again,” White said, calling it a lifetime ban.

When asked whether Danis might ever have an opportunity to fight in the promotion, White dismissed the idea immediately. “[He starts trouble] among a lot of other things,” he added.

White also said he had been alerted that Danis was present when former welterweight title challenger Jorge Masvidal confronted him, stating that he was going to fight Danis.

According to White, he should have stepped in at that moment, acknowledging there was longstanding tension between Danis and members of Makhachev’s team.

During the confrontation, one of Danis’ red shoes was knocked off and sent across the area.

Danis appeared to retrieve it after the brawl was broken up.

Abubakar Nurmagomedov, a cousin of UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov, also appeared to be involved in the commotion.

There is a lengthy history of disputes between Danis and members of the Nurmagomedov and Makhachev teams.

Danis was part of McGregor’s inner circle during the buildup to the UFC 229 fight, which ended with Khabib submitting McGregor.

After the bout, Khabib threw his mouthguard toward Danis before leaping over the cage and sparking a large-scale melee involving coaches, teammates, and officials.

McGregor and Danis were central figures in that rivalry, which extended across members of the Nurmagomedov family, Makhachev, and representatives associated with both fighters.

Danis is not under contract with the UFC. He has been competing in regional organizations while attempting to earn an opportunity with the promotion.

He previously told The Post that he remained in regular communication with the UFC regarding a potential debut.

Danis holds a 2-0 professional record and last competed in August, securing a first-round submission victory over Warren Spencer with a guillotine choke.

Trump Calls Out the Climate ‘Suckers: ‘The Whole Thing is a Hoax
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Trump Calls Out the Climate ‘Suckers: ‘The Whole Thing is a Hoax

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President Donald Trump delivered extended remarks dismissing climate change as a manufactured concept, repeating his long-held position that shifting terminology around the issue shows it lacks substance.

Speaking about how the discussion has evolved over several decades, Trump said the idea has been repackaged multiple times and remains, in his view, a political and economic tool used against countries like the United States and the United Kingdom.

Trump said, “You know, when they talk about the climate it’s the whole thing is a hoax. They used to say it was started by other countries to cause problems, but, and they used to call it global warming, but that didn’t work, because it started getting cold.”

He added that earlier descriptions of environmental concerns also changed over time.

“They even called it many years ago, global cooling, but those things don’t work. So now they call it climate change, because with climate change, you can’t lose it.”

His comments framed the terminology shift as evidence that the issue lacks clear scientific grounding.

The summary of Trump’s remarks noted that he argued the concept has been flexible enough to fit any weather pattern and has been used by foreign governments to create economic pressure.

Trump criticized the United Kingdom during his comments, referring to its policies as an example of what he sees as misguided adoption of environmental goals.

“The whole thing is a hoax, and your country, among others, but your country is one of the worst you talk about UK. It’s one of the worst in the world. They believe this nonsense is fiction,” he said.

He then focused on China, claiming the country benefits financially from global environmental policy debates while continuing to rely on conventional energy at home.

According to the summary provided with his remarks, Trump suggested China advances its own economic interests by selling wind-energy equipment abroad while not adopting the same technology for domestic use.

During his statement, Trump said China’s strategy has involved dominating the wind-turbine market.

“As an example, China, very smart. They sell, they sell the windmills. Almost all of them. Used to be Germany and China. Now it’s mostly China,” he said.

He contrasted that with what he described as China’s internal energy choices.

“And yet, if you go around China, you see almost no wind farms. So they make the windmills and they sell it to the suckers, you know, the stupid people. But they don’t have them themselves. They use oil and gas, they use coal, but they don’t use the wind.”

Trump’s comments reflected the position summarized in the description of the statement: that climate change, as a concept, was promoted by foreign countries to create complications for others while those same nations pursued different policies at home.

Gen Z Protests Erupt in Mexico City, Clash with Riot Police Over Cartel Linked Politicians
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Gen Z Protests Erupt in Mexico City, Clash with Riot Police Over Cartel Linked Politicians

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A large crowd of demonstrators pushed through security barriers and clashed with riot police outside Mexico’s National Palace on Saturday, marking one of the most confrontational protests President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo has faced since taking office.

The protest, organized and promoted heavily by young activists identifying themselves as “Gen Z,” drew participants of all ages amid growing frustration over cartel violence and allegations of political corruption.

The unrest came as criticism intensifies over the government’s response to cartel-related crime and the recent killing of public officials.

In recent months, several politicians and local leaders who spoke out about cartel influence have been assassinated, including Uruapan Mayor Carlos Manzo, whose death was cited by multiple protesters at the demonstration.

Eduardo Verástegui, a former presidential candidate who opposed Sheinbaum in the most recent election, posted a statement on X celebrating the turnout.

“There are no words to describe the emotion felt when seeing so many Mexicans awakened, on the move, and more determined than ever. No matter how many stones we encounter on the path. We are going to move this country forward. All together! United in the truth! Long live Mexico!” he wrote in Spanish, according to a translated version shared online.

The protest followed a series of allegations that cartel money has influenced political campaigns and protected criminal groups from prosecution.

Mexican Sen. Lilly Téllez, speaking to Fox News in a recent interview, said she has been targeted for raising concerns.

“The president has threatened me to proceed against me with criminal prosecution to get me out of the Senate and get me in jail just because I told you,” Téllez said.

Protesters at the scene told reporters they were motivated by concerns about personal safety and the escalating threat posed by organized crime groups.

Arizbeth Garcia, a physician, told the Associated Press, “[Doctors] are also exposed to the insecurity gripping the country, where you can be murdered and nothing happens.”

Another participant, 29-year-old Andres Massa, said, “We need more security.”

Rosa Maria Avila, 65, said she attended the demonstration in memory of Mayor Manzo. “He was killed because he was a man who was sending officers into the mountains to fight delinquents.

He had the guts to confront them,” Avila told the AP.

Manzo had publicly warned that he feared assassination, but insisted he would not step back from efforts to confront criminal groups.

His killing has become one of several high-profile cases cited by citizens demanding action from the federal government.

President Sheinbaum has responded to rising unrest by attributing tensions to misinformation and politically motivated attacks.

Officials in her administration have argued that social media has amplified fears and distorted public perception of security conditions in the country.

Opposition lawmakers have rejected that claim, insisting that the violence is documented and widespread.

Saturday’s demonstration was one of the most forceful acts of public defiance at the National Palace in recent years.

Protesters breached a metal barricade surrounding the historic building as police deployed shields and equipment to prevent them from entering the grounds.

Footage shared online showed officers using crowd-control measures while demonstrators attempted to push forward.

The protest comes as Mexico faces sustained levels of cartel violence, extortion, and targeted political killings.

Security experts have noted that violence often spikes during political transitions, including local and national elections, as criminal organizations attempt to expand territorial control or influence candidates.


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