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Jasmine Crockett Says She’s ‘Strongly Considering’ Running for Texas Senate Seat
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Jasmine Crockett Says She’s ‘Strongly Considering’ Running for Texas Senate Seat

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Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-TX) said Wednesday she is “strongly considering” a bid for the open U.S. Senate seat in Texas, telling SiriusXM listeners that recent polls and political developments have convinced her the Democratic primary is winnable, as reported by The Gateway Pundit.

“Every other day, there’s a poll that comes out that makes it clear that I can win the primary for the U.S. Senate race in Texas,” Crockett said. “And I am looking.” A recent survey cited by Crockett’s camp put her at 31 percent support in the Democratic primary, about six points ahead of her nearest rival.

Aug 19, 2024; Chicago, IL, USA; Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas, speaks during the first day of the Democratic National Convention at the United Center. The DNC program will feature President Joe Biden and Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton during Monday’s ceremonies. Mandatory Credit: Jasper Colt-USA TODAY

Crockett’s comments come after the Texas Legislature redrew congressional districts earlier this year. She told reporters the decision to pursue a statewide campaign is in part a response to the redistricting that split her current House seat.

“If you want to take my seat of 766,000 away, I feel like there has to be some karma in that to where I take your seat that is for 30 million away,” she said.

The Dallas-area congresswoman said her final call on entering the race will hinge on her team’s ability to “expand the electorate.” “The question will be whether or not we believe that we’ve got enough juice to expand the electorate,” Crockett said.

“If we can expand the electorate, then I will strongly be considering hopping in the Senate race.”

If Crockett does formally enter the contest, she would first have to prevail in a crowded Democratic primary.

Should she win the nomination, she would likely face a Republican opponent such as Sen. John Cornyn or Attorney General Ken Paxton in the general election; Rep. Wesley Hunt is also among Republicans seeking the GOP nomination.

Crockett’s potential candidacy has prompted immediate reaction from analysts and political operatives on both sides of the aisle. Supporters point to her name recognition and strong polling in the Democratic primary as signs she could consolidate the party’s progressive base.

Aug 19, 2024; Chicago, IL, USA; Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas, speaks during the first day of the Democratic National Convention at the United Center. The DNC program will feature President Joe Biden and Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton during Monday’s ceremonies. Mandatory Credit: Josh Morgan-USA TODAY

Critics and Republican strategists argue her profile could make the general election easier for GOP nominees in a state that remains Republican-leaning in statewide contests.

The congresswoman has cast her interest in the Senate seat in both political and personal terms, saying she wants to respond to what she called an attempt by state lawmakers to dilute her district.

Texas Republicans have defended the redistricting plans as part of routine legislative work to reflect population shifts and ensure equal representation.

Crockett enters the conversation at a moment of intense attention on Texas politics. The seat is considered a top target for Republicans seeking to maintain or expand their Senate margin and a potential pickup for Democrats aiming to make inroads at the statewide level.

A contested Democratic primary could narrow resources and focus ahead of the general election.

Crockett did not set a timetable for a formal announcement. Her statement Wednesday made clear, however, that she is actively assessing polling, organizing capacity and voter-expansion strategies before deciding whether to file for the primary ballot.

Karoline Leavitt Fires Back at Karine Jean-Pierre Over ‘Deplorable’ Jab
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Karoline Leavitt Fires Back at Karine Jean-Pierre Over ‘Deplorable’ Jab

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White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt responded sharply to comments made by her predecessor, Karine Jean-Pierre, after Jean-Pierre described one of Leavitt’s recent statements as “deplorable” during an appearance on ABC’s The View, as reported by Fox News.

“With all due respect to my predecessor, she is one of the main culprits of the greatest cover-up and scandal in American history,” Leavitt said Tuesday on Jesse Watters Primetime.

WASHINGTON , DC, USA – January 28, 2025: White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt answers questions from journalists in her debut press briefing,

“She took the podium every day and lied to the press about the incompetence of her boss. And on this book tour, she continues to lie.”

Jean-Pierre, who served as press secretary under former President Joe Biden, is promoting her new memoir, Independent, which discusses her departure from the Democratic Party and her experiences in the Biden administration.

During The View, hosts replayed a clip of Leavitt’s earlier comments, in which she said Democrats’ “main constituency is made up of Hamas terrorists, illegal aliens, and violent criminals.” Jean-Pierre was quick to condemn the statement.

“I do want to say something to the first clip that you all just showed, which is, hearing that, it’s deplorable,” Jean-Pierre said.

“And I’m using that word on purpose. Because they don’t seem to understand, this is the Trump White House, that they don’t work for just one man. They work for the American people.”

Leavitt, who serves as President Donald Trump’s press secretary, responded by accusing Jean-Pierre of being “bitter” and continuing to mislead the public.

“I know Karine unfortunately worked for the most incompetent president in history,” Leavitt said. “So, I guess she has a reason to be bitter, but being bitter will not sell you books.”

oct 7 2024 Washington DC The House Press Press Briefing By Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre Spoke to the medialea

Leavitt also took aim at Jean-Pierre’s continued defense of Biden’s performance and her claim that the former president regularly addressed the press.

“She took that podium and lied day after day about his mental fitness and his ability to lead,” Leavitt said. “They gaslit the American people about what was happening right in front of their eyes.”

Jean-Pierre doubled down on her defense of Biden during a separate appearance Monday on The Bulwark podcast. “He addressed the public a couple of times a week,” she said, rejecting suggestions that Biden avoided the media.

The back-and-forth between Leavitt and Jean-Pierre comes as the former press secretary continues her media tour to promote her memoir and discuss her split with the Democratic Party, while Leavitt maintains a prominent role in the Trump administration’s communications team.

Josh Hawley Calls Code Pink ‘Human Rights Violators’ in Heated Exchange
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Josh Hawley Calls Code Pink ‘Human Rights Violators’ in Heated Exchange

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Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO) confronted a Code Pink activist in a hallway Wednesday, accusing the anti-war group of taking “blood money from China” and calling the organization a “human rights violator,” as reported by The Independent Journal Review.

“I think the U.S. ought to investigate your organization and maybe you for the money that you’ve taken from Chinese donors who are persecuting Uyghurs,” Hawley said, according to a video obtained by the Daily Caller News Foundation.

The exchange began when the activist asked the senator whether he supported regime change in Venezuela. Hawley responded by referencing a New York Times report that detailed links between Code Pink and donors tied to the Chinese government.

“I’m pro-Israel. You hate Israel,” Hawley said during the exchange. “You love China. You take blood money from China. It’s simple.”

The activist denied the accusation, calling it a “lie.” Code Pink has repeatedly denied receiving funds from China or any foreign government.

“To state it very clearly: CODEPINK is in no way funded by China, nor any other foreign government or agency,” the group’s China Is Not Our Enemy campaign coordinator wrote in April. “We are funded primarily by donations from concerned citizens that support peace over war.”

A 2023 New York Times investigation reported that roughly a quarter of Code Pink’s donations since 2017 were tied to groups connected to Neville Roy Singham, a wealthy American businessman with strong affiliations to Chinese state media and government-backed organizations.

Republicans in Congress have called for investigations into the group’s alleged connections.

In April, Sen. Jim Banks (R-IN) sent a letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi urging the Department of Justice to examine what he described as “growing evidence of Code Pink’s deep connections” to the Chinese Communist Party.

“Code Pink routinely lobbies for conciliatory U.S. policies on China and aggressively denies reports of CCP atrocities, including the CCP’s genocide against the Uyghur people in Xinjiang,” Banks wrote.

“In January 2025, Code Pink acknowledged that it had organized a 10-day ‘community trip’ to Xinjiang—presumably on a tightly controlled itinerary staged by the Chinese government.”

As the exchange concluded, Hawley continued pressing the activist on Code Pink’s funding. “You don’t have the moral decency to admit to yourself that you take blood money, that you are funded by foreign groups who are persecuting minorities, Christians, Muslims,” he said.

“You’re wearing a Palestinian flag, which tells you everything you need to know, while you take this money from China. You are morally reprehensible.”

Code Pink has not issued an official response to Hawley’s remarks.

Cuomo, Sliwa Pummel Mamdani in Fiery Final New York City Mayoral Debate
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Cuomo, Sliwa Pummel Mamdani in Fiery Final New York City Mayoral Debate

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The final New York City mayoral debate Wednesday night turned combative as Democratic front-runner Zohran Mamdani faced sharp attacks from both independent candidate Andrew Cuomo and Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa.

The 90-minute debate at LaGuardia Community College saw Mamdani repeatedly pressed for clear answers on education, public safety, housing, and ballot measures with less than two weeks remaining before the Nov. 4 election.

Cuomo and Sliwa repeatedly challenged Mamdani, accusing him of evading questions and offering vague policy explanations.

New York, NY – July 20, 2020: New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo makes an announcement and holds media briefing at Port Authority Administration Building at JFK

“Don’t be a politician,” Sliwa said when Mamdani avoided taking a stance on ballot proposals, adding that he was merely “appreciative that those measures will be on the ballot.”

Cuomo interjected, “Oh, what a shocker,” while mimicking Mamdani’s gestures to mock his response.

The 34-year-old Queens assemblyman, who has run on a progressive platform emphasizing rent freezes and community policing reforms, struggled to provide detailed responses to key policy questions.

On education reform, Mamdani reiterated his opposition to mayoral control of schools and support for the state’s class size mandate, but he did not outline specific steps to address ongoing dysfunction in the public school system.

On public safety, Mamdani promoted his plan for a Department of Community Safety to send social workers to mental health and domestic disturbance calls alongside the NYPD.

When pressed for specifics, he said similar programs had worked in other U.S. cities and added, “I trust the dispatchers who would be receiving these calls to make the determination as to whether there was any indication of violence.”

On housing, Mamdani said the city needed to “streamline the processes of private sector construction across the city” to address the housing shortage but offered no timeline or plan for implementation.

He also declined to take a position on several upcoming ballot measures, saying repeatedly, “I have not reviewed the proposals.”

Cuomo, appearing more assertive than in the previous debate, highlighted his accomplishments as governor, including the LaGuardia Airport redesign and the first phase of the Second Avenue Subway project.

He also declared he was prepared to “stand toe-to-toe with a hyper-aggressive President Trump” if elected mayor.

He cited the President’s description of Mamdani as “my little communist,” adding, “He thinks he’s a kid and he’s going to knock him on his tuchus.”

Cuomo then went on saying:

“You’ve never had a job. You’ve never accomplished anything… You’ve literally never proposed a bill on anything you are talking about in your campaign. You had the worst attendance in the assembly, and you gave yourselves the highest raise in the United States of America. You went from $110K to $140K, and then you never showed up for work and you missed 80% of the votes.”

Cuomo also criticized Mamdani for posing in a photograph with Ugandan Deputy Prime Minister Rebecca Kadaga, who has supported anti-gay legislation.

“He’s a great actor, he missed his calling,” Cuomo said while ridiculing Mamdani’s rent freeze proposal.

“Freeze the rent sounds great, yeah, it affects about 25% of the number of housing units in the city of New York. It’s not a new idea. Bill de Blasio did it.”

Cuomo later added, “And by the way, it’s all because the mayor doesn’t have the power to do it anyway. The Rent Guidelines Board does, and he doesn’t control the Rent Guidelines Board, so nothing is going to happen. It’s just the old political blather, Mr. Mamdani.”

When Mamdani attempted to assure Jewish voters he would represent them fairly, Cuomo interrupted, “You are the savior of Jewish people?”

Cuomo also faced his own challenges during the debate, including renewed scrutiny over the sexual misconduct allegations that led to his 2021 resignation.

When asked about the 13 women who accused him of harassment, Cuomo struggled to provide a clear answer.

One accuser, Charlotte Bennett, attended the debate as part of a Mamdani campaign effort to remind voters of the former governor’s past controversies.

Mamdani countered by labeling Cuomo “Donald Trump’s puppet,” arguing that Cuomo’s long tenure contributed to ongoing crises in housing, transportation, and the state’s pandemic response.

“You will hear from Andrew Cuomo about his experience, as if the issue is that we don’t know about it,” Mamdani said.

“The issue is that we have all experienced your experience.”


Sliwa joined in the exchanges, calling Mamdani’s proposals “fantasy” while also taking shots at Cuomo.

“Your resume could fit on a cocktail napkin,” Sliwa said to Mamdani, later shouting at Cuomo, “You fled from being impeached!”

Despite speculation that Sliwa might bow out to consolidate support behind Cuomo, the Guardian Angels founder maintained a combative presence, attacking both opponents throughout the night.

Analysts said Mamdani’s performance was his weakest of the campaign cycle.

“Both his opponents were in rare form, and ganged up on him all night,” communications specialist Andrew Kirtzman said.

“At one point they were literally laughing at him from both sides.”

Kirtzman added that while Mamdani struggled, Sliwa’s strong performance could complicate Cuomo’s path to victory.

“The problem for Cuomo, though, is that he needed both of them to have a bad night,” Kirtzman said.

When asked how he would rank his opponents in a hypothetical ranked-choice election, Mamdani replied, “Myself number one, and Curtis number two.”

Sliwa quipped in response, “Oh, please don’t be glazing me here, Zohran,” drawing laughter from the audience.

FBI Releases New Surveillance Footage of 2021 DNC, RNC Pipe Bomb Suspect as 0,000 Reward Renewed
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FBI Releases New Surveillance Footage of 2021 DNC, RNC Pipe Bomb Suspect as $500,000 Reward Renewed

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The FBI has released new, higher-quality surveillance footage showing previously unseen movements of the suspect who planted pipe bombs near the Democratic and Republican National Committee offices on Jan. 5, 2021.

The agency is again offering a $500,000 reward for information leading to the suspect’s identification and arrest.

In a statement posted to X, the FBI wrote, “The FBI is still offering a $500,000 reward for information that helps identify the person who placed pipe bombs at the offices of the Democratic National Committee and Republican National Committee on January 5, 2021. As part of our ongoing investigation, we’re releasing an updated video of the subject, which includes previously unreleased footage, higher quality video, and longer clips of the subject’s movements.”

The newly released video follows the suspect’s path through several Capitol Hill neighborhoods in Washington, D.C., between 7:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. on the night before the Capitol riot.

The individual can be seen carrying a backpack and placing explosive devices outside both party headquarters before leaving the area.

According to the FBI, the suspect is believed to be approximately 5 feet 7 inches tall and was wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt, black gloves, and Nike Air Max Speed Turf shoes featuring a yellow logo.

The person also covered their face with a mask while carrying the backpack containing the devices.

Investigators said the suspect was first spotted near 1st Street and North Carolina Avenue SE at 7:34 p.m.

Surveillance footage shows the individual moving through residential streets before stopping briefly on South Capitol Street, where one of the bombs was reportedly placed.

At approximately 7:54 p.m., the suspect sat on a bench outside the Democratic National Committee headquarters, where video shows one of the explosive devices being positioned near the building.

The second device was planted at the Republican National Committee headquarters at about 8:16 p.m., after which the suspect disappeared from view.

In January, the FBI renewed its focus on the case by releasing additional video of the suspect.

In May, Deputy Director Dan Bongino told “Fox & Friends” that investigators were “pretty confident” they were closing in on suspects connected to the incident.

The FBI has reviewed thousands of hours of video footage and followed hundreds of leads since the pipe bombs were discovered.

The agency said it has conducted more than 1,000 interviews as part of its investigation.

Officials continue to encourage the public to submit any information that might help identify the person responsible.

Bongino stressed that public cooperation and social media remain essential tools in tracking down the suspect, noting that even small details from eyewitnesses or digital evidence could prove critical.

Although the devices were safely removed and no one was injured, authorities said the potential danger was significant.

The bombs were planted on the eve of the Capitol riot, during heightened tensions across Washington.

Then–Vice President-elect Kamala Harris was inside the Democratic National Committee building when the device near that location was found.

Then–House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California had also passed by the area earlier in the evening before the device was safely defused by law enforcement personnel.

The FBI continues to urge anyone with relevant information to contact its tip line or visit fbi.gov/pipebombs.

The $500,000 reward remains available for information leading to the suspect’s identification and arrest.

Scott Jennings: Democrats Too Scared of Their Base to End Shutdown, Brings Receipts
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Scott Jennings: Democrats Too Scared of Their Base to End Shutdown, Brings Receipts

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Concerns are growing within the Democratic Party that the far-left faction of its base has become increasingly unmanageable, with some lawmakers reportedly fearing political and even physical consequences if they compromise on reopening the federal government.

Political commentator Scott Jennings highlighted the issue during a CNN appearance, citing reports of Democrats hesitant to support a continuing resolution, or CR, to fund the government.

Jennings said one Democratic senator privately acknowledged that members are afraid to vote for a deal out of fear of backlash from their own base.

“If they stop holding the government hostage, they could easily walk in there tonight, pass the CR, give us seven weeks. The president brings everybody together. And my strong belief is that they would wind up negotiating on a number of issues, and they would come to an agreement,” Jennings said.

He continued, “A Democrat senator anonymously said none of us want to vote to open the government because ‘we’d face the guillotine.’ That’s their words from our base.”

Jennings’ comments come amid mounting frustration from both sides of the aisle over the shutdown impasse.

Lawmakers have struggled to agree on a temporary spending measure, even one similar to those that have routinely passed in previous years.

Republicans have pushed for what they describe as a clean CR, extending government funding while negotiations continue on broader fiscal priorities.

Democrats, meanwhile, have appeared divided over whether to back such a measure, with some citing pressure from far-left activists demanding hardline stances on social and budgetary issues.

In recent months, reports and internal statements have surfaced suggesting that many Democratic lawmakers fear backlash from within their own ranks.

According to party insiders, members of the progressive wing have accused more moderate Democrats of being unwilling to “fight hard enough” for left-wing policy goals.

The rhetoric from some activists has alarmed party strategists.

Over the summer, Democrats reportedly acknowledged that certain segments of their base have adopted increasingly militant rhetoric, suggesting that “there needs to be blood” for meaningful political change.

House Majority Leader Steve Scalise also addressed the escalating tensions on Wednesday, criticizing Senate Democrats for prioritizing fundraising efforts over negotiations to reopen the government.

Scalise specifically called out Sen. Jon Ossoff of Georgia for collecting campaign donations during the shutdown.

“Sen. Jon Ossoff is raking in millions in donations while refusing to vote for a clean CR,” Scalise said, adding that the Democratic Party has been “hijacked by radicals, including communists and socialists.”

Scalise argued that the refusal to pass a short-term funding measure demonstrates how deeply the Democratic Party has been influenced by its most extreme activists.

The GOP leader noted that Democrats have supported similar resolutions in the past but are now avoiding action amid growing pressure from their left flank.

The government shutdown, which continues to affect federal operations and worker pay, has become another flashpoint in the broader ideological struggle within the Democratic Party.

Analysts say the tension reflects a growing disconnect between the party’s leadership and its most outspoken grassroots members.

The standoff has left President Trump and congressional Republicans urging Democrats to break the deadlock by supporting a clean CR to keep the government open while budget talks continue. So far, no bipartisan path forward has emerged.

As the shutdown drags on, questions remain about whether Democratic leadership can regain control of its message — and its base — in time to reach an agreement.

Texas Democrat Threatens to Slash Republicans’ Throats on Live CNN Interview
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Texas Democrat Threatens to Slash Republicans’ Throats on Live CNN Interview

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A Texas state lawmaker running for Congress, Rep. Jolanda Jones, drew condemnation Wednesday after a televised interview on CNN in which she said she would respond to political opponents with violent force.

Jones made the remarks during an appearance on Erin Burnett’s program, telling the host that because she is “from the hood” she would escalate confrontations to physical harm.

“I’m from the hood, okay!? So when the bully comes like – if there are no rules you have to figure it out so Donald Trump has changed things,” Jones said.

She went on to link her comments to what she described as Democrats losing support among certain constituencies: “And I think that’s why Democrats are losing black people. That’s why they’re losing poor people.”

Jones then described a violent escalation in blunt terms: “Because poor people, all they want is for us to fight, so if you hit me in my face, I’m not gonna punch you back in your face, I’m gonna go across your neck.”

She added an explicit call for political retribution directed at other states, saying, “You gotta hit hard enough where they won’t come back and so yeah, for the same way that I went to New York and spoke with governor Kathy Hochul and said that if they’re gonna try to wipe up out in Texas, we need to wipe out every Republican in New York and California, and Illinois.”

The exchange was notable not only for Jones’s language but for the soft response she received from the CNN host.

Burnett did not confront Jones about the violent phrasing or demand clarification during the live interview, a point that critics seized on afterward.

Jones is campaigning for the U.S. House seat in Texas’s 18th Congressional District.

Her campaign materials emphasize extensive domestic policy priorities and a combative approach toward Republican opponents.

On her campaign website, Jones lays out a slate of policy goals in language quoted directly from the site:

“In Congress, I will fight to stop Trump cuts to healthcare and Medicaid, Social Security, education, and veterans. I’ll fight to lower the cost of prescription drugs, expand coverage for mental health care and substance abuse – and make healthcare more affordable and accessible for all of us,” Jones writes.

She also pledges to prioritize reproductive rights: “I’ve been fighting my entire career for women’s rights, bodies, and voices, and will never stop working to restore abortion rights to make sure women — not politicians — make their own healthcare decisions.”

Jones framed her campaign as a call to more aggressive Democratic action: “Everywhere I go, people ask why Democrats aren’t fighting harder. Join me – and together, let’s show them exactly how to fight Donald Trump,” the website states.

Jones’s remarks on CNN come amid heightened scrutiny of political rhetoric and the role media outlets play in moderating interviews.

Critics argued the host should have challenged Jones’s descriptions of violence and asked whether she was endorsing physical harm against political opponents.

Supporters of Jones have defended her statements as rhetorical and contextualized within a broader critique of political tactics and inequality; detractors said the comments cross a line by normalizing threats of physical violence.

The episode adds to a series of high-profile moments in which elected officials’ on-air comments have prompted debate about acceptable political discourse.

Federal and local law-enforcement agencies are typically sensitive to direct threats and language that could be interpreted as incitement.

Legal experts say that while heated rhetoric is protected in many circumstances as political speech, statements that amount to targeted threats or calls for violence can carry legal consequences depending on context and intent.

Jones’s campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment beyond the statements on her website.

The CNN segment remains available in archived clips and on the network’s digital platforms, where viewers can review the exchange in full.

As Jones continues her congressional bid, the incident is likely to be raised by opponents and media analysts alike, who will scrutinize both the lawmaker’s rhetoric and the network’s handling of her remarks.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

“I understand.”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Democrat Councilman Switches Sides, Joins GOP and Endorses Ciattarelli
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Democrat Councilman Switches Sides, Joins GOP and Endorses Ciattarelli

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A Democratic councilman in Bergen County, New Jersey, announced Wednesday that he is leaving the Democratic Party and joining the GOP, becoming the latest local official in the state to back Republican gubernatorial nominee Jack Ciattarelli.

Alpine Councilman David Kupferschmid revealed his party switch during a public statement, saying he no longer recognizes the Democratic Party’s direction.

He will now serve as the lone Republican on the Alpine Borough Council, marking the first time in more than two decades that a Republican has held a seat on the governing body.

“The Democrat Party does not represent us anymore,” Kupferschmid said.

“With my switch, I will now be the first Republican on the council in more than 20 years. I hope that this is the beginning of a resurgence for the Republican Party in Alpine where alternate voices are much needed on the governing body.”

Kupferschmid, who was first elected in 2023, will be up for re-election next year.

He cited the increasing influence of far-left figures, such as New York Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani, as an example of how the party’s priorities have shifted.

Mamdani, a self-described socialist and front-runner in the New York City mayoral race, has drawn criticism for his openly pro-communist views.

“The Democratic Party has become unrecognizable,” Kupferschmid said, adding that his decision reflects a growing frustration among voters who no longer feel represented by the current leadership.

Alpine, a small Bergen County community of about 1,750 residents, has been reliably Democratic in local elections despite trending Republican in state and national contests.

In 2021, Ciattarelli carried Alpine by roughly 18 percentage points, and President Donald Trump won the community in last year’s presidential election.

However, Democrats have continued to dominate the town’s council races, with no Republican elected in over 20 years, according to the New Jersey Globe.

Kupferschmid expressed support for Ciattarelli’s campaign message, which he said focuses on issues that matter most to local residents.

“While Sherrill refuses to denounce the far left radicals in her party, Jack Ciattarelli has been appealing to all sides with a common sense message that includes putting the brakes on over-development and cleaning up crime, both of which are critical issues for Alpine,” he said.

Ciattarelli, who previously ran against Gov. Phil Murphy in 2021, has drawn increasing bipartisan support in his current race against Democratic U.S. Rep. Mikie Sherrill.

His campaign has gained traction in several northern New Jersey municipalities that have historically leaned blue.

Kupferschmid is not the only Democrat in Bergen County to break ranks.

Garfield Mayor Everett E. Garnto Jr. also announced his decision to leave the Democratic Party and endorse Ciattarelli.

The North Jersey county, which shifted toward Republicans in 2024, is often viewed as a bellwether for statewide elections.

Other Democrats crossing party lines include Dover Mayor James P. Dodd and Garfield Deputy Mayor Tana Raymond, both of whom also supported former Republican Gov.

Chris Christie’s 2013 re-election campaign. In addition, Jamel Holley, a Democrat who previously served in the State Assembly and as mayor of Roselle, has endorsed Ciattarelli.

Oscar James II, a former Newark City Councilman, said he too plans to vote for Ciattarelli this year.

Speaking with the New York Post, James said he believes Sherrill has failed to connect with average voters.

“When you talk to everyday people, the people picking up the kids when I’m picking up my kids, the people in the grocery line…she does not relate to Democratic voters,” he said.

James, who served on Newark’s City Council from 2006 to 2010, criticized Sherrill’s campaign for focusing too heavily on national politics and her opposition to President Trump instead of local concerns.

“People want to hear what she has to offer, not that this is a vote against Trump — and she’s not talking about what she has to offer.”

With growing discontent among moderate Democrats and independents, Ciattarelli’s campaign continues to gain momentum in areas long considered Democratic strongholds.

The New Jersey gubernatorial election is set for Nov. 4.

Kristi Noem Reports Nearly Half a Million Criminal Illegal Alien Arrests Under President Trump
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Kristi Noem Reports Nearly Half a Million Criminal Illegal Alien Arrests Under President Trump

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The Department of Homeland Security has arrested more than 480,000 illegal aliens since January, most of whom have criminal charges or prior convictions, according to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.

The announcement came Monday during a press conference in Sarasota, Florida, where Noem outlined the department’s ongoing enforcement actions under President Donald Trump’s direction.

“Since January, the Department of Homeland Security has arrested over 480,000 criminal illegal aliens — 70 percent of those individuals have criminal charges against them or have been convicted of those criminal charges,” Noem said.

The arrests represent a significant expansion of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations nationwide. Noem said the department remains committed to removing dangerous individuals who pose a threat to public safety.

“We are not going to let these individuals terrorize our streets anymore and we’re not going to let them make victims out of families that live in this country,” she said.

According to Noem, DHS and ICE have prioritized targeting illegal aliens with serious criminal histories, including repeat offenders who have re-entered the United States after deportation. “We are focused on the worst of the worst, bringing these individuals to justice,” she said.

Among the cases highlighted during the briefing was that of Erick Carlos Artiles Ramos, an illegal alien from Cuba who was previously convicted of homicide, kidnapping, robbery, armed carjacking, and drunk driving.

Artiles Ramos had been ordered deported by a federal immigration judge in 2008 but evaded removal until ICE agents apprehended him earlier this year.

Another case involved twice-deported illegal alien Oscar Alfredo Retana Marroquin of El Salvador, who was taken into custody after being convicted of sexual assault of a child and driving under the influence.

ICE also arrested Arturo Sanchez Morales, an illegal alien from Mexico who had previously been deported and had a final deportation order dating back to 2019. Sanchez Morales has been convicted of lewd or lascivious acts with a minor, incest with a minor, and driving under the influence.

In addition, ICE officers arrested twice-deported illegal alien Lelis Reinaldo Bejarano-Zeron of Honduras, who has prior convictions for domestic violence.

Noem said these arrests reflect DHS’s renewed focus on enforcement after years of lax policies. The department, she said, is concentrating its resources on individuals with violent criminal records or those who have re-entered the country after prior deportations.

“Every arrest we make represents a step toward restoring law and order in communities that have been affected by repeat offenders,” Noem said. She added that ICE is working in close coordination with federal, state, and local agencies to locate, arrest, and remove criminal aliens.

Federal data from DHS shows that the current arrest totals mark one of the highest enforcement surges in recent years, driven by a directive from President Trump to expand interior enforcement operations and close gaps that had allowed criminal aliens to remain in the United States.

Noem said the administration will continue to pursue deportations aggressively and ensure that those with criminal backgrounds are removed from U.S. communities. “Our priority remains protecting the American people,” she said. “We will continue these operations until the job is done.”

The department did not provide additional details about pending prosecutions but confirmed that a majority of the recent arrests involved individuals with violent felony convictions. ICE officials said the agency will release updated nationwide enforcement figures in the coming weeks.


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