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Trump Doubles Down, Pushes Senate Republicans To ‘Do What They Have To Do’
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Trump Doubles Down, Pushes Senate Republicans To ‘Do What They Have To Do’

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President Donald Trump met with Republican senators for breakfast at the White House on Wednesday morning, pressing them to eliminate the Senate filibuster, reopen the government by Wednesday night, and move forward with the full Republican legislative agenda.

The president’s proposal includes measures such as requiring voter identification for all elections and other reforms designed to ensure that only U.S. citizens are eligible to vote.

Trump has been urging Senate Republicans for several days to act as the partial government shutdown continues into its record-breaking length.

According to those present at the meeting, Trump called on senators to “do what they have to do and terminate the filibuster.”

The move, he said, would allow Republicans to move forward with their own legislative priorities without obstruction.

“We should get out, we should do our own bills. We should start tonight, with ‘the country’s open, congratulations.’ Then we should pass voter ID, we should pass no mail-in voting, we should pass all the things we want to pass to make our elections fair and safe, because California’s a disaster, many of the states are disasters,” Trump said.

The president also told senators that the government shutdown had affected Republican performance in Tuesday night’s elections, which saw Democrats winning key races.

He cited New York City’s election of a self-described socialist as mayor and Democratic victories in the gubernatorial races in New Jersey and Virginia.

“The Democrats,” Trump said, “have no intention of opening the government at any point and could very well continue to keep it closed for months or even years.”

He added, “I think these guys are kamikaze, they’ll take down the country if they have to.”

Trump’s remarks came as the shutdown — now the longest in U.S. history — continues to affect federal employees, the military, and key social programs.

Democrats have refused to pass a continuing budget resolution, insisting that any deal include provisions to extend subsidies for individuals enrolled in Obamacare.

The subsidies in question originated from the 2021 American Rescue Plan Act, signed under Joe Biden, and were later extended through 2025 under the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022.

The measures removed income caps for eligibility, allowing more individuals to qualify for coverage. Roughly 14 million people currently receive subsidized coverage through the program.

Republicans have criticized the subsidies as fiscally irresponsible and politically motivated, arguing that they were designed to expand dependency on government healthcare systems.

Nearly two dozen Democrat-led states have reportedly refused to disclose how many of their illegal alien residents are receiving free or subsidized taxpayer-funded healthcare under these programs.

Democratic leaders have tied the continuation of this funding to any agreement that would reopen the government, meaning that federal workers — including military personnel, air traffic controllers, and other essential staff — have continued to go without pay.

The shutdown has also affected welfare programs and food assistance, which cost taxpayers approximately $9 billion each month.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune has expressed reservations about ending the filibuster, warning that doing so could set a precedent for Democrats to exploit if they regain control of the Senate in future elections.

However, Trump told senators that refusing to act now could allow Democrats to win in 2026, end the filibuster themselves, and pass their own agenda unopposed.

Trump urged Republicans to take decisive action to secure elections, restore government operations, and prevent Democrats from using the shutdown to advance their own policy goals.

FAA Slashes Flights at 40 Airports as Democrat Shutdown Grounds America
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FAA Slashes Flights at 40 Airports as Democrat Shutdown Grounds America

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The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced Wednesday that it will reduce flight capacity by up to 10 percent at 40 major airports across the country starting Friday, citing critical staffing shortages among air traffic controllers and flight support personnel.

Thousands of employees have been working without pay for a month due to the Democrat-led government shutdown.

FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced the measure during a press conference in Washington, D.C.

The list of affected airports will be released Thursday, officials said.

According to a report from ABC News citing officials familiar with the matter, the reductions will begin at roughly 4 percent on Friday and increase to 10 percent over the weekend.

The cuts will apply to domestic flights scheduled between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m.

International flights will be exempt from the reductions, the report said.

“Our sole role is to make sure that we keep this airspace as safe as possible. Reduction in capacity at 40 of our locations. This is not based on light airline travel locations. This is about where the pressure is and how to really deviate the pressure,” Bedford said during the announcement.

Duffy said the agency’s decision is based on both data and staffing models that project continued pressure on the system if the shutdown persists.

“We’re not going to wait for a safety problem to truly manifest itself when the early indicators are telling us we can take action today to prevent, you know, things from deteriorating. So the system is extremely safe today will be extremely safe tomorrow,” Bedford added.

The FAA’s decision comes as the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) continues to warn that the prolonged shutdown is straining an already understaffed workforce.

NATCA, which represents more than 10,800 certified air traffic controllers nationwide, has urged Congress to pass a clean continuing resolution to restore government funding.

NATCA President Nick Daniels said controllers are being pushed to their limits as they continue to work through six-day, 10-hour schedules with no pay, amid what he described as a 3,800-person staffing shortfall.

“These American patriots, they are the unsung heroes that Secretary Duffy speaks about so often. They are the ones that have been thrust into the spotlight, into center focus of a shutdown. And air traffic controllers, we don’t start shutdowns, we’re not responsible for ending shutdowns. Who does? Congress,” Daniels told Fox News.

Controllers, who are classified as essential federal workers, received their last partial paycheck for pre-shutdown work on October 14.

Since then, they have received multiple pay cycles showing zero pay, with many logging more than 120 hours of unpaid labor.

The shutdown has also led to the furlough of 2,350 engineers, technicians, and other support personnel.

New hiring and training programs have been suspended, and ongoing maintenance and modernization projects across the national airspace system have been halted.

Over the weekend of October 31 through November 2, the FAA logged 98 separate “staffing triggers,” which forced flight delays, ground stops, and rerouting at several major airports.

Half of the 30 busiest U.S. facilities reported significant shortages, with the New York area experiencing absences as high as 80 percent.

Industry experts and NATCA officials have warned that prolonged understaffing and maintenance delays could compromise the overall reliability of air travel nationwide.

In a recent statement, NATCA said the ongoing shutdown “erodes essential layers of safety” and makes the National Airspace System “less safe with each passing day.”

The FAA is expected to release its final list of affected airports and detailed operational adjustments on Thursday, with reductions set to begin early Friday morning.

Megyn Kelly Wastes No Time In Calling Mamdani On His ‘Bullsh*t’
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Megyn Kelly Wastes No Time In Calling Mamdani On His ‘Bullsh*t’

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Megyn Kelly sharply criticized New York City’s new mayor, Zohran Mamdani, during her podcast on Thursday, accusing him of hypocrisy and political pandering following his election night speech.

Mamdani, a self-described democratic socialist who has been labeled a communist by critics, was elected mayor earlier this week.

During his victory address, he thanked immigrant communities across the city and pledged to fight for working-class New Yorkers.

Kelly took aim at both the tone and substance of Mamdani’s remarks, claiming he revealed his true priorities immediately after taking office.

“Last night in his speech, he thanked every foreign nation known to man — like the Senegalese whatever, hot dog salesman, the Nepalese cab driver. That’s who he sees as his constituency,” Kelly said.

“Meanwhile, he’s up there talking about how this is for the guys who’ve got the scars on their knuckles and the calluses on their hands. They voted against you, you cretin. They all voted against you. The working class can’t stand you. They’re not buying your bullshit because the working class never buys bullshit. They can’t afford to.”

According to a CNN exit poll cited by the Daily Caller, independent candidate Andrew Cuomo defeated Mamdani among voters earning less than $30,000 a year by a 48% to 42% margin.

Kelly used those numbers to argue that Mamdani’s rhetoric about representing working-class citizens is disingenuous.

“They actually have to struggle to put food on their tables and worry about their kids in school — and going to a school that’s safe and one that doesn’t have 45 different languages coming from the teachers because of the mandatory immigration laws we have now,” Kelly said.

“They cannot worry about bullshit. The working class did not vote for you. They know you’re a liar. And as I’ve been saying, a wolf in sheep’s clothing … The working class knows you’re a phony!”

Kelly’s remarks follow a contentious election that saw Mamdani defeat Cuomo by appealing to progressive and immigrant voters across the city.

Mamdani, who represents a left-wing faction of New York’s Democratic Party, ran on a platform of expanding public housing, increasing taxes on higher earners, and implementing new citywide social programs.

Critics argue that his policy agenda mirrors national progressive figures like Senator Bernie Sanders, who also referenced working-class Americans in his remarks following the election.

Kelly accused both Mamdani and Sanders of misleading voters with populist rhetoric while pushing policies that would increase the financial burden on the very people they claim to support.

“Bernie and Mamdani are not going to do anything for working people except tax them more,” she said.

Kelly’s comments quickly spread across social media, with clips of her podcast circulating widely among conservative commentators and news outlets.

City officials said Thursday that the mayor is focused on assembling his transition team and outlining his first major policy initiatives.

The election marks the first time in decades that New York City has chosen a mayor with open socialist affiliations, drawing both national attention and sharp divides among voters.

As the new administration prepares to take office, political analysts say the tension between the city’s progressive leadership and its working-class base could shape policy debates in the months ahead.

Woman Who Claimed She Was in U.S. Illegally Wins Mayoral Race in Minnesota
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Woman Who Claimed She Was in U.S. Illegally Wins Mayoral Race in Minnesota

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Democratic State Representative Kaohly Vang Her was elected the next mayor of St. Paul, Minnesota, on Tuesday night, defeating incumbent Mayor Melvin Carter in a ranked-choice election that concluded after a tabulation of second-choice votes.

Her, who was born in Laos and arrived in the United States as a refugee, has faced renewed scrutiny following past remarks in which she said both she and her parents were living in the country illegally.

Her made the statement during a June 2024 debate in the Minnesota House of Representatives over a bill that extended Medicaid eligibility to illegal migrants.

“I am illegal in this country. My parents are illegal here in this country,” she said during the debate.

“I tell you this story because I want you to think about who it is that you are calling illegal. My family was just smarter in how we illegally came here.”

The comments immediately drew attention at the time, prompting Her to later clarify her remarks.

Speaking to the Minnesota Reformer after the debate, she claimed that both she and her parents were American citizens and said her earlier statement was meant to “inspire empathy” during the policy discussion.

“Technically, you would say my father broke the law, right? But we would have come anyway,” she told the outlet, explaining that her family had entered the United States through the refugee process after fleeing Laos.

Her’s earlier remarks resurfaced following her victory on Tuesday night, as questions were raised about her eligibility to hold public office if her initial statements were accurate.

Under both federal and state law, individuals who are not U.S. citizens are prohibited from holding elected office.

Her, 43, will officially take office in January 2026.

She will be the first woman and the first member of the Hmong community to serve as mayor of St. Paul, a city of roughly 300,000 residents.

Prior to challenging Carter, she served as a policy advisor within his administration.

In her campaign, Her emphasized housing affordability, public safety reform, and expanding health care access for city residents.

Her campaign also focused on strengthening ties with immigrant and refugee communities in the Twin Cities area.

During the debate in which her controversial statement was made, Her spoke in support of extending public health benefits to individuals living in the U.S. without legal documentation.

Her comments about her own family’s immigration status were cited by lawmakers on both sides of the aisle as part of a broader debate on how the state should define eligibility for taxpayer-funded programs.

The Minnesota House ultimately approved the measure that allowed certain illegal migrants to qualify for Medicaid coverage.

Since her election, neither the St. Paul City Council nor state election officials have announced any formal review into Her’s past remarks or immigration status.

The transition period for Her’s incoming administration is expected to begin early next year as the city prepares for a new leadership team to take over in 2026.

Driver Shouts ‘Allahu Akbar’ During Arrest After Allegedly Mowing Down Pedestrians
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Driver Shouts ‘Allahu Akbar’ During Arrest After Allegedly Mowing Down Pedestrians

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French authorities have taken a driver into custody after a series of collisions that left several people injured on the island of Oléron in western France on Wednesday morning.

According to Interior Minister Laurent Nunez, the alleged attacks occurred along routes in Saint-Pierre-d’Oléron and Dolus-d’Oléron.

In a statement shared on his verified X account, Nunez said two of the victims are in critical condition while three others sustained injuries.

“This morning, a motorist struck several pedestrians and cyclists on his route in Saint Pierre d’Oléron and Dolus d’Oléron.

Two victims are in absolute emergency, and 3 other people are injured. The suspect has been taken into custody by the gendarmes. An investigation has been opened. At the request of the Prime Minister, I am heading to the scene,” Nunez said.

X Screenshot – Laurent Nuñez

Local authorities described the incident as deliberate.

Christophe Sueur, the mayor of Saint-Pierre-d’Oléron, told French broadcaster BFMTV that the suspect appeared to intentionally target people during what he called a “deliberate act.”

“The suspect intended to strike everyone he could meet,” Sueur said, according to a translation of his remarks.

He added that the driver “intentionally set fire to his vehicle” after the collisions.

Sueur said the man was known to local authorities for “not entirely normal attitudes and alcohol-related problems.”

The mayor’s comments were echoed by other officials who confirmed that the suspect had prior interactions with law enforcement.

The La Rochelle prosecutor’s office said the motive has not yet been determined, though it confirmed reports that the suspect shouted “Allahu Akbar” at the time of his arrest.

Nunez also confirmed the statement but said it represents only one part of a broader investigation into the driver’s behavior and intent.

Nunez said the suspect allegedly drove for approximately 35 minutes, striking a total of five people before being detained.

Among the injured is a 22-year-old woman who “suffered multiple traumas,” according to BFMTV.

Emergency services responded quickly to the scene, and the injured were transported to nearby hospitals.

Authorities said two of the victims remain in “absolute emergency” condition, a term used in France to denote life-threatening injuries.

The Interior Ministry said additional police resources and forensic investigators have been deployed to the island to assist in reconstructing the driver’s route and identifying potential witnesses.

Nunez told reporters he is coordinating directly with the Prime Minister’s office and the Ministry of Justice to ensure that investigators have access to all available evidence, including witness statements, surveillance footage, and traffic data.

As of Wednesday evening, the national gendarmerie confirmed the suspect remains in custody.

Prosecutors have opened a formal investigation into attempted homicide, with counterterrorism officials monitoring developments as new evidence is reviewed.

Local officials said the community is cooperating fully with law enforcement as authorities work to determine the motive and circumstances of the attack.

The investigation is ongoing.

Biden’s Green New Scam in the Crosshairs as GOP Lawmakers Ask Where the Money Went
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Biden’s Green New Scam in the Crosshairs as GOP Lawmakers Ask Where the Money Went

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House Republicans are demanding answers from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) over billions of dollars in climate grants distributed to left-leaning organizations during the final days of the Biden-Harris administration.

In a letter dated November 5, members of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce requested documentation from EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin concerning how nearly $30 billion in taxpayer funds from the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF) were awarded.

The letter was signed by Committee Chairman Brett Guthrie (R-KY), Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations Chairman John Joyce, M.D. (R-PA), and Subcommittee on Environment Chairman Gary Palmer (R-AL).

“In the final days of the Biden-Harris Administration, the EPA put their far-left allies ahead of the American people, giving away Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund grants worth nearly $30 billion to recipients who were not equipped to receive such large amounts of funding,” the chairmen said.

“By requesting documentation about this grant process from the EPA, Republicans on the Committee on Energy and Commerce are continuing our work to root out waste, fraud, and abuse while being good stewards of taxpayer dollars.”

The GGRF was established under the Inflation Reduction Act, which authorized the EPA to create and implement a $27 billion program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and expand access to clean energy.

Of that funding, $20 billion was awarded to just eight organizations.

According to EPA records, $14 billion was allocated under the National Clean Investment Fund (NCIF) program, and another $6 billion was awarded through the Clean Communities Investment Accelerator (CCIA) program.

The Republican committee leaders expressed concern that several of the organizations receiving the grants were not financially capable of managing such large sums.

“The Committee finds the potential for financial mismanagement particularly worrisome, as some of the grantees’ previous revenues were only a small fraction of the GGRF funds they received, which raises questions about whether the grant recipients can adequately manage grant amounts that are significantly larger than their previously documented revenue,” the letter stated.

Earlier this year, the committee sent requests for information to eight nonprofits that collectively received more than $20 billion through the GGRF.

The new letter expands that inquiry, seeking additional documentation from the EPA to determine whether the agency followed proper procedures before awarding the grants.

The lawmakers requested six categories of records to be delivered by November 19, including:

  1. The complete grant files for the three NCIF and five CCIA grantees, including applications, supporting documentation, and any memos reflecting changes to terms or conditions.
  2. The scoring breakdown and rationale for all NCIF and CCIA applications, including any rescoring decisions and explanations.
  3. Any internal EPA checklists or guidance on pre-award due diligence, as well as briefing materials provided to senior EPA officials regarding the selection process.
  4. Reports from Citibank or the U.S. Treasury concerning account balances or transaction histories for GGRF accounts held by the grantees or their sub-awardees.
  5. Progress reports submitted by the grantees.
  6. The names of all panel chairs, senior reviewers, selection officials, and others involved in evaluating and ranking the applications.

The lawmakers said the goal of the investigation is to ensure accountability and transparency in how taxpayer money is being used.

Republicans on the Energy and Commerce Committee have repeatedly voiced concerns about the Biden-era GGRF awards, arguing that the size of the grants and the limited track record of some recipients present significant oversight risks.

According to the lawmakers, their inquiry aims to “combat waste, fraud, and abuse within the EPA” and ensure that the funds are used for legitimate environmental purposes rather than for advancing partisan interests.

DHS Responds to Viral Illegal Alien ‘Daycare Arrest’ Claims, Narrative Implodes
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DHS Responds to Viral Illegal Alien ‘Daycare Arrest’ Claims, Narrative Implodes

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Federal officials clarified details surrounding a viral video that appeared to show a woman being forcibly arrested outside a Chicago daycare, saying Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers were targeting an illegal immigrant who fled into the building during an attempted traffic stop—not conducting a raid at the childcare center.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) confirmed Wednesday that ICE officers arrested 41-year-old Colombian national Diana Patricia Santillana Galeano, who had previously been released at the southern border under the Biden-Harris administration in June 2023.

Officials said she fled into the vestibule of the Rayito de Sol Spanish Immersion Early Learning Center after officers attempted to stop a vehicle registered to her earlier that morning.

According to DHS, the vehicle was driven by a man who refused to comply with law enforcement commands and sped into a nearby shopping plaza. The department said both occupants exited the vehicle and ran toward the daycare.

“Law enforcement pursued the vehicle before the assailant sped into a shopping plaza where he and the female passenger fled the vehicle,” said DHS Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs Tricia McLaughlin.

“They ran into a daycare and attempted to barricade themselves inside the daycare, recklessly endangering the children inside. The illegal alien female was arrested inside a vestibule, not in the school.”

Video footage of the arrest shows two ICE officers restraining Santillana Galeano outside the daycare as she screamed and resisted being handcuffed.

Several daycare employees can be seen nearby, one holding a child as officers placed her into a law enforcement vehicle.

Representative Mike Quigley (D-Ill.) accused ICE of taking “a preschool teacher without a warrant in front of children,” on X.

In a statement, DHS said Quigley’s remarks were “deliberately misrepresenting the facts” and that reports suggesting ICE targeted a school or a teacher were “inaccurate and false.”

“Work authorization does NOT confer any type of legal status to be in the U.S.,” the department said.

“The illegal alien’s work authorization was approved by the Biden administration, which exploited this loophole to help facilitate the invasion of our country.”

According to DHS officials cited by Fox News Digital, Santillana Galeano was not targeted for her employment but because she was an undocumented immigrant who had been caught and released at the border.

Authorities added that she was under investigation for allegedly encouraging her two children, ages 16 and 17, to cross the border unaccompanied last month.

Officials said she may have facilitated human smuggling by hiring individuals to transport them into the United States.

Her children were later apprehended near El Paso on October 19 and placed in the custody of U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

They are now housed at a shelter for unaccompanied minors in the Chicago area known as Heartland International Children’s RC, according to DHS.

McLaughlin said Santillana Galeano initially gave false information about her identity and claimed she did not know the male driver, stating she had “picked him up from a bus stop.”

DHS confirmed that the man fled the scene, and law enforcement officials have not yet released his identity.

DHS officials emphasized that Santillana Galeano did not enter the daycare itself because the second set of vestibule doors was locked.

ICE agents made the arrest outside the secured area and not “in front of children.”

In a statement following the arrest, DHS said, “President Trump and Secretary Noem are restoring the rule of law in the U.S. and directing ICE to target criminal illegal aliens.

More than 70% of all ICE arrests are of aliens with pending charges and convictions in the U.S.”

The investigation into the incident and the male suspect remains ongoing.

Wild Brawl Breaks Out at Bass Pro Grand Opening in Odessa
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Wild Brawl Breaks Out at Bass Pro Grand Opening in Odessa

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A chaotic scene unfolded at the grand opening of a Bass Pro Shop in Odessa, Texas, when a heated argument over a restroom line erupted into a large brawl inside the store on Saturday afternoon, as reported by The New York Post.

According to a report from Fox 4 News, the fight began around 3 p.m. when two men waiting to use the restroom exchanged words that quickly turned physical. Within moments, multiple customers joined the melee, sending the grand opening event into disarray.

Video footage posted to X captured the chaos as pairs of men swung punches and wrestled on the floor while startled bystanders looked on.

As the situation intensified, a man wearing a Texas Longhorns jersey jumped into the fray, shoving one of the participants to the ground. The fight continued briefly before Bass Pro Shop employees and customers intervened to separate those involved.

In the footage, a visibly frustrated woman could be heard shouting, “Grown-ass men acting like idiots!” She added, “And you wonder why our schools are falling apart! It’s their fault! Look at the example that you’re setting!”

Police reports obtained by TMZ indicated that the confrontation began when a man waiting in line with his wife and child became angry at another man who was taking too long in the restroom.

When the man finally exited, the two exchanged words and briefly moved outside before returning indoors, where the confrontation escalated into physical violence.

The Odessa Police Department stated that none of the men involved wished to file criminal charges. However, those identified as the primary aggressors were issued criminal trespass warnings and permanently banned from the store.

Authorities confirmed that several individuals sustained minor injuries but declined medical transport.

Bass Pro Shop employees managed to restore order after several minutes of commotion, allowing the grand opening to continue. The incident did not result in any significant property damage, and the store remained open following the altercation.

Bass Pro Shops, founded in 1972 by Johnny Morris in Springfield, Missouri, has expanded from a small operation selling fishing gear inside a liquor store to one of the largest outdoor retailers in North America.

The company now operates more than 200 locations, including 18 in Texas, offering fishing, hunting, camping, and boating equipment.

While no arrests were made, local authorities said the altercation served as a reminder of how quickly minor disputes can escalate in crowded public settings. The Odessa Police Department confirmed the investigation is closed since no parties pursued further legal action.

Scott Jennings Warns CNN Panel as Democrats Celebrate Election Victories
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Scott Jennings Warns CNN Panel as Democrats Celebrate Election Victories

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CNN political commentator Scott Jennings issued a sharp warning to Democrats during the network’s election coverage Tuesday night, pushing back as other panelists celebrated a series of Democratic wins across several key states, as reported by The Gateway Pundit.

The night’s results included Democratic victories in New Jersey and Virginia’s gubernatorial races. In New York City, Zohran Mamdani — a self-described socialist — was elected mayor.

Zohran Mamdani at the 2025 NYC Pride March, Jun 29, 2025, NYC, NY, USA. Yannick Peterhans/NorthJersey.com

In Virginia, Jay Jones won the attorney general’s race, despite having faced controversy for remarks in which he spoke about wishing death on political opponents and their children.

While other panelists expressed excitement over the results, Jennings called the night a “terrible” moment for the Democratic Party, arguing that the outcomes would damage the party’s image nationally. “You own this now,” Jennings said, directly addressing the Democrats on the panel.

Jennings first turned his attention to Mamdani’s win, describing it as a significant shift for Democrats in New York. “AOC is going to be the next senator from New York,” he said, directing his comments toward Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer.

The remark referenced growing influence from the far-left faction of the Democratic Party, led by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.

The conversation then shifted to Virginia, where Jennings expressed concern over the party’s support for Jones.

“I see the energy in Virginia Democrats looking the other way on a violent candidate for attorney general who says he wants to murder Republicans and their children,” Jennings said.

“If you think you’re getting rid of Graham Platner in Maine now, think again. This is a terrible night for the national Democratic image given what is happening inside their party.”

Jennings also pointed out that Mamdani’s own words leave little room for interpretation. “Mamdani is an avowed socialist. It’s not what people say that he is. It’s what he says that he is,” he said. “He’s now the leader of their party. That’s their energy and Chuck Schumer’s—”

CNN host Anderson Cooper interrupted with a skeptical question, asking, “[Mamdani’s] the leader of the Democratic Party?” Jennings immediately responded, “Who is the leader? Can someone tell me?” prompting laughter from the other panelists.

Democratic strategist David Axelrod replied with a grin, saying, “He’s a life raft for Republicans who have to go on TV and get their asses kicked.” As the group continued to mock his concerns, Jennings repeated his warning: “You own this now. You all own this now.”

Despite the laughter from others on the panel, Jennings’ comments reflected a broader concern among conservatives that Democratic victories in states like New York and Virginia signal a leftward turn that could alienate moderate voters heading into the next election cycle.

Virginia Snubs Black Female Candidate, Elects Former CIA Operations Officer Instead
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Virginia Snubs Black Female Candidate, Elects Former CIA Operations Officer Instead

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Former Democratic Congresswoman and CIA Operations Officer Abigail Spanberger has been elected governor of Virginia, defeating Republican Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears in Tuesday’s statewide race.

Major networks, including NBC News, projected Spanberger’s victory shortly before 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time with about 30 percent of the vote counted.

At the time of the call, Spanberger held 54.3 percent of the vote compared to Earle-Sears’ 45.5 percent, according to NBC News.

The outcome reflected consistent polling and fundraising advantages for Spanberger throughout the campaign.

RealClearPolitics’ polling average showed the Democrat leading by 10.2 points heading into election day, signaling a comfortable win in what was widely viewed as a decisive test for both parties.

Republican Governor Glenn Youngkin, who scored a major upset in 2021, was unable to seek re-election due to Virginia’s one-term limit for governors.

That left Earle-Sears, the state’s lieutenant governor, as the Republican nominee.

Earle-Sears’ campaign focused heavily on criticizing Spanberger’s positions on transgender policies in K-12 schools and education-related parental rights. In the closing weeks of the race, she also condemned Spanberger for declining to publicly denounce Jay Jones, the Democratic nominee for attorney general, who came under national scrutiny after reports revealed violent text messages he sent in 2022 threatening political opponents.

Despite her alignment with several of President Donald Trump’s policies, Earle-Sears did not receive a formal endorsement from the President.

Trump, however, urged Virginia voters to support Republican candidates during the final days of campaigning.

“Why would anyone vote for New Jersey and Virginia Gubernatorial Candidates, Mikie Sherrill and Abigail Spanberger, when they want transgender for everybody, men playing in women’s sports, High Crime, and the most expensive Energy prices almost anywhere in the World?” Trump wrote on Truth Social on Sunday.

Speaking to reporters on October 19, Trump said, “I think the Republican candidate is very good and I think she should win because the Democrat candidate’s a disaster. So, I haven’t been too much involved in Virginia … I think the Republican candidate is excellent.”

Spanberger repeatedly sought to link Earle-Sears to Trump, attacking her refusal to disavow the administration’s policy initiatives, including staffing reductions through the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).

The cuts affected large numbers of federal employees in northern Virginia, where the federal workforce forms a key part of the state’s economy.

“We need a governor who will support the thousands upon thousands of Virginia’s families whose livelihoods have been disrupted or destroyed because of DOGE and now this government shutdown,” Spanberger said during a campaign rally in Norfolk on Saturday, where she appeared alongside former President Barack Obama.

Though Spanberger presented herself as a centrist throughout the race, her recent positions indicate potential shifts toward the progressive wing of her party.

She has pledged to terminate Virginia’s cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement and has avoided answering whether she would uphold Governor Youngkin’s executive order banning biological males from participating in girls’ sports or using female locker rooms.

The election results will likely provide insight into whether Democrats have expanded their support among voters who previously backed President Trump.

Kamala Harris carried Virginia by just under six percentage points in 2024, while Trump lost the state in both 2016 and 2020.

Spanberger first entered Congress in 2018, when Democrats regained control of the House of Representatives.

She represented a competitive central Virginia district for three terms, earning a reputation as a moderate while at times criticizing the Democratic Party’s left wing.

In an interview with CNN last week, Spanberger commented on New York City mayoral nominee Zohran Mamdani’s progressive agenda, saying, “People do want us to be aspirational and dream big. They also don’t want us to lie to them.”

The final vote tally in Virginia is still being reported, but Spanberger’s projected win marks another statewide victory for Democrats in a year of competitive contests across the country.


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