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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Memphis Resident Photo Bombs CNN Live Shot as Trump Admin Cleans Up the Blue City

A CNN live report from Memphis this week was interrupted when a resident carrying a sign critical of Democrats and supportive of President Donald Trump repeatedly entered the camera shot.

The moment occurred during coverage of Trump’s deployment of National Guard units to assist local law enforcement in the city.

The sign carried by the individual read “Democrats Destroyed Memphis” on one side and “Thank you, President Trump” on the other.

As the CNN correspondent delivered his report, the individual moved behind him multiple times to ensure the message was visible on camera.

During the broadcast, the reporter detailed the federal law enforcement efforts underway.

“More than 50 arrests were made just last night,” he said, adding, “Twenty guns have been taken off the street in the last 24 hours.”

Eventually, the reporter acknowledged the presence of the sign carrier.

“You see people like this guy, behind me with the sign,” he said.

“He has it on both sides… He’s hoping that this action by Trump will help make the city safer.”

The network then aired a clip of a local resident voicing support for the federal action, saying that increased law enforcement was welcome in the neighborhood.

Earlier in the day, Attorney General Pam Bondi highlighted the progress made by the Memphis Safe Task Force, a joint effort involving multiple federal agencies.

“In just 48 hours, our Memphis Safe Task Force has made 53 arrests and seized 20 illegal firearms,” Bondi said in a post on X.

“Yesterday, a missing juvenile was located and three firearms were recovered at the home of a murder suspect. At @POTUS direction, we are making America safe again!”

Later Wednesday, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth visited Memphis to meet with law enforcement and National Guard personnel involved in the operation.

In his remarks, Hegseth emphasized federal support for local officers. “I just cannot thank you enough for what you do, what you do in difficult places, in dark places, in dangerous places where politicians spend a lot of time second-guessing you,” he said.

“Second-guessing the impossible decisions you have to make that they will never understand,” he continued.

“We’re not here to second-guess you; we’re here to have your back. To unleash you to do your job so you come home safely.”

Hegseth also said that federal authorities would continue to provide direct support.

“Our department is here to enable you, law enforcement, to do your job,” he said.

“To help protect your facilities, help protect your people, so… that your hands can be untied to secure your city. The Tennessee National Guard is going to be right here having your back.”

The action in Memphis follows a broader federal strategy initiated by President Trump, who recently directed the federalization of law enforcement in Washington, D.C.

That operation was credited with significantly reducing violent crime in the capital.

The deployment of federal resources in Memphis reflects the administration’s continued effort to assist cities grappling with high levels of violence.

With hundreds of federal agents and National Guard troops now coordinating with local law enforcement, officials say they are focused on reducing crime and restoring security across the city.

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Hakeem Jeffries Ducks Salary Question as 750,000 Workers Go Unpaid for Schumer’s Shutdown

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries avoided directly answering Thursday when asked whether he would withhold his congressional paycheck during the ongoing government shutdown.

Instead, he argued that the shutdown would not last long enough for him to have to make a decision.

Speaking at a press conference, Jeffries said members of Congress have the option to accept or forgo their salaries during a shutdown, while federal employees face missed paychecks without a choice.

When pressed about whether he personally would decline his pay, Jeffries dismissed the question.

“First of all, that question is not even a right one because we’re anticipating that this shutdown issue will be resolved well in advance of our next paycheck, which as you all know, members of Congress are paid on a monthly basis,” Jeffries said.

Members of the House of Representatives earn a base salary of $174,000 annually. Leaders in the chamber, including Jeffries, receive $193,400, while the Speaker of the House is paid $223,500.

As Jeffries deflected the question, several lawmakers across party lines announced their own decisions regarding pay during the shutdown.

Democratic Senator Ruben Gallego of Arizona told reporters Wednesday that he would keep receiving his salary, citing family obligations.

“I’m not wealthy, and I have three kids. I would basically be missing, you know, mortgage payments, rent payments, child support,” Gallego said.

“So it’s not feasible, not gonna happen.”

Republican Representative Nancy Mace of South Carolina, who is running for governor, publicly stated she would decline her paycheck.

“Leader’s don’t ask their employees to do something they themselves would NOT do,” Mace said in her announcement Wednesday.

Other House Republicans, including Representatives Chip Roy and Keith Self of Texas and Representative Kat Cammack of Florida, have formally requested that their pay be withheld until the shutdown concludes.

Democratic Senator Andy Kim of New Jersey also issued a statement confirming he had filed a request to pause his paychecks during the shutdown.

The shutdown began Wednesday at 12:01 a.m. after Congress failed to pass a funding agreement.

According to the Congressional Budget Office, approximately 750,000 federal workers — including congressional staff — are expected to be furloughed until lawmakers reach a deal.

The standoff over government funding continues as both chambers remain at odds over the terms of a stopgap spending measure.

Until an agreement is reached, federal employees across the country face uncertainty about their next paycheck while members of Congress continue to draw salaries unless they voluntarily choose to decline them.

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Immigration Judge Rejects Asylum Request From MS-13 Gang Member Kilmar Abrego Garcia

An immigration judge on Wednesday denied an asylum request from Kilmar Abrego Garcia, an MS-13 gang member and illegal alien whose case has drawn national attention after years of deportations, indictments, and legal challenges, as reported by The Gateway Pundit.

Abrego Garcia, who had been living illegally in Maryland, was deported earlier this year to El Salvador and placed in the country’s CECOT prison.

Despite his criminal background, left-leaning judges later ordered him returned to the United States after federal prosecutors in Tennessee indicted him on child sex-trafficking charges.

Kilmar Abrego Garcia, left, meets with Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., in March in El Salvador. The senator flew there to try to secure Abrego Garcia’s release after he was mistakenly deported to a prison for terrorists. The president of El Salvador will not free him.

Following the indictment, the Trump administration informed Abrego Garcia that he might be deported to a third country, including Uganda or Eswatini, depending on international agreements.

In response, Abrego Garcia filed an emergency motion to reopen his asylum case, claiming he feared persecution and torture if deported.

“I fear persecution in Uganda on account of my race, nationality, political opinion, and membership in a particular social group. I also fear torture by or at the acquiescence of a public official in that country,” Abrego Garcia said in August, according to court filings.

On Wednesday, Regional Deputy Chief Immigration Judge Philip Taylor rejected the motion. He noted that Abrego Garcia’s asylum application was filed nearly six years after his immigration proceedings ended, far beyond the 90-day filing window required by law.

Judge Taylor also ruled that Abrego Garcia’s claims of imminent deportation to Uganda or Eswatini were speculative.

“The word ‘may’ is permissive and indicates to the Court that in sending this notification to Respondent’s counsel, the Department sought to convey that it reserved the right to remove him to Uganda, not necessarily that it intended to do so, that it had decided to do so, or that it would do so imminently,” Taylor wrote, according to ABC News.

Attorneys for Abrego Garcia argued that because he was deported to El Salvador and later returned to the United States under federal custody, he should be eligible to apply for asylum within one year of his most recent entry.

The court disagreed, stating that the motion was both untimely and unsupported by evidence.

The Department of Homeland Security has not indicated whether Abrego Garcia will be removed to El Salvador, Uganda, Eswatini, or another third country. For now, he remains in federal custody facing child sex-trafficking charges in Tennessee.

The case underscores the administration’s broader crackdown on transnational gangs and its ongoing use of third-country removals to deal with violent criminal aliens.

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Bondi: Memphis Task Force Nets 93 arrests, 28 Illegal Guns Seized in Initial Sweep

U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi announced Thursday that 93 people have been arrested in the opening days of the Memphis Safe Task Force operation, a new federal initiative aimed at reducing violent crime in the city, as reported by The Center Square.

The task force, which includes support from 13 federal agencies such as the FBI and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, has also seized 28 illegal firearms since operations began.

“Yesterday 40 arrests were made including a Tren de Aragua terrorist, a felon in possession of a firearm, a man wanted for rape of a child, and an arrest for assault on a federal officer,” Bondi said in a post on social media.

“To date, there have been 93 arrests and 28 illegal guns seized. Our work is saving lives.”

Bondi and Secretary of War Pete Hegseth traveled to Memphis on Wednesday to highlight the effort, which comes during the ongoing federal government shutdown.

“Even though the Democrats shut down the government and stopped their pay – the Tennessee National Guard will never quit,” Hegseth said in a social media statement, praising the work of Guard members supporting the operation.

The task force has faced criticism from some state leaders. Tennessee state Sen. Jeff Yarbro (D-Nashville) questioned whether the National Guard should be deployed in Memphis, citing past legal opinions.

“In short, only circumstances amounting to a rebellion or invasion permit the governor to call out the militia, and even then, the Legislature must declare, by law, that the public safety requires it,” Yarbro said, referring to opinions issued in 2021 and 2024.

Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti dismissed those objections, noting that such opinions are not legally binding. He also pushed back against suggestions that his office withdrew them for political purposes.

Arrested teenager with handcuffs on his hands

“If the folks at the press conference are insinuating my office withdrew these opinions six months before the election to pave the way for Trump policies a year and a half later, they have bigger problems than this legal question,” Skrmetti said in an email to The Center Square.

“If I could see the future like that, I’d be neck deep in Bitcoin and Pokémon cards.”

The Memphis Safe Task Force continues its operations in coordination with local law enforcement and federal agencies. Officials have said the initiative is designed to address violent crime, gang activity, and the flow of illegal weapons in the city.

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Trump Administration Declares Armed Conflict With Cartels After Boat Strikes: ‘We Will Blow You Out of the Water’

The Trump administration has formally notified Congress that the United States is engaged in a “non-international armed conflict” with drug cartels following a series of military strikes on smuggling operations in the Caribbean, as reported by the New York Post.

According to a Pentagon notice sent Wednesday to congressional committees, the determination comes after “hostile acts” directed at American citizens and U.S. allies.

The notice, reported by The New York Times and the Associated Press, characterized the groups as “nonstate armed groups” and “unlawful combatants” engaged in attacks against the United States.

President Trump highlighted the operations during a speech Monday at Marine Corps Base Quantico in Virginia, where he referenced the destruction of four Venezuelan boats allegedly used for drug smuggling.

“If you try to poison our people, we will blow you out of existence,” Trump said. “That’s the only language they really understand. That’s why you don’t see any more boats on the ocean.”

The strikes, conducted earlier this month, targeted vessels linked to cocaine and fentanyl trafficking. The first attack on September 2 focused on a Venezuelan prison gang accused of drug smuggling. Officials confirmed that at least 17 people were killed in the initial three strikes.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that nearly 100,000 Americans die annually from drug overdoses. In 2024 alone, at least 70,000 fatalities were attributed to cocaine or synthetic opioids such as fentanyl.

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) voiced support for the military action during a recent Senate Judiciary Committee hearing. “We’re blowing boats out of the water in the Caribbean because they’re connected to international narco-terrorist groups,” Graham said.

He also suggested Venezuela could qualify as a state sponsor of terrorism under U.S. law.

FBI Director Kash Patel, questioned during the hearing on the administration’s legal authority to strike the boats, deferred to the Pentagon. “We will provide the intelligence necessary for anyone who meets the threshold to be a state sponsor of terror,” Patel said.

National Harbor, MD US – Mar 3, 2023: Kash Patel, former Pentagon Chief of Staff at the 2023 Conservative Action Conference (CPAC). Credit: Ron Sachs – CNP

The State Department has already labeled several organizations, including Venezuela’s Tren de Aragua prison gang, as foreign terrorist organizations.

The Pentagon notice to lawmakers cited intelligence assessments that one of the targeted vessels was “affiliated with a designated terrorist organization” and was actively trafficking drugs “which could ultimately be used to kill Americans.”

The notice stated that the strike destroyed the vessel, its illicit cargo, and killed approximately three individuals classified as unlawful combatants.

It added: “Based upon the cumulative effects of these hostile acts against the citizens and interests of the United States and friendly foreign nations, the president determined that the United States is in a non-international armed conflict with these designated terrorist organizations.”

While Congress has not formally declared war since World War II, the U.S. has engaged in numerous conflicts abroad without a formal declaration. Lawmakers have not yet taken legislative action in response to the administration’s notice.

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Kamala Harris Sought Clinton Guidance Before Naming Tim Walz Running Mate

Former Vice President Kamala Harris disclosed in her new memoir that she sought guidance from Bill and Hillary Clinton on choosing a running mate during her short-lived 2024 presidential campaign, as reported by Fox News.

Harris’ book, 107 Days, released on September 23, recounts her experiences leading up to the 2024 election after President Joe Biden withdrew from the race. With just over three months until Election Day, Harris wrote that she turned to the Clintons for advice on the critical choice.

“Very few people have ever made this decision. I called Hillary and Bill Clinton, because they knew what it was like and would give me candid and confidential advice,” Harris wrote.

Former U.S. President Bill Clinton speaks in support of the Democratic Harris/Walz presdiential campaign during a noon rally at Lavery Brewing Co. in Erie on Nov. 2, 2024.

According to her account, the Clintons warned her against what they described as a “political marriage of convenience.” Harris said they encouraged her to pick a running mate whose presence would complement her style.

“One of your strengths, they said, is that you bring a joyful energy to the campaign. You have to choose someone who won’t work against that,” she recalled.

Bill Clinton, reflecting on his partnership with former Vice President Al Gore, advised her to find someone with strengths that balanced her own. “‘You have to level with them and watch how they answer,’” Harris quoted him as saying, describing his approach to vetting candidates.

Harris wrote that both Clintons emphasized that the vice-presidential candidate should understand the weight of the opportunity.

“If they were someone dying for immediate public recognition, it might not be the job for them. They might have to swallow a lot of crap,” she noted from their conversation.

Harris ultimately selected Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, describing him as her “happy warrior” on the campaign trail. “I needed to know that my running mate was a person who valued the dignity of everyone and would take a moment to show it,” she wrote.

The decision to choose Walz over other potential running mates, including Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, was later criticized as a campaign misstep.

Walz faced controversy over allegations of “stolen valor,” his handling of pandemic restrictions in Minnesota, and a debate performance against then-Sen. JD Vance that analysts described as faltering.

Harris’ memoir mentions the Clintons more than a dozen times, highlighting what she called her close relationship with the couple. On September 24, during a book tour stop at The Town Hall in New York City, Harris praised Hillary Clinton for mentoring her.

“Hillary Clinton is one of those people that believes in lifting people up and supporting people,” Harris said.

Aug 19, 2024; Chicago, IL, USA; Hillary Rodham Clinton, Former Secretary of State, 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

Harris also described reaching out to the Clintons on the day Biden ended his campaign in July 2024. She said the couple offered to campaign for her, with Hillary Clinton even suggesting she would travel by Amtrak to join the trail.

The book also includes Harris’ critiques of Biden’s failed campaign, including his debate against Donald Trump, which she described as damaging to his reelection bid.

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Israeli Navy Intercepts Gaza-Bound Flotilla, Detains Greta Thunberg and 500 Activists

Israeli naval forces intercepted a flotilla of boats attempting to break the blockade of Gaza on Wednesday, detaining hundreds of activists including Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, as reported by The Gateway Pundit.

The interception took place in international waters less than 100 miles from Gaza after Israeli authorities said the vessels ignored repeated orders to change course. Organizers said the flotilla was carrying approximately 500 activists on 40 boats, along with shipments of food and medicine.

According to The Telegraph, Thunberg was aboard a vessel named Alma, one of the first to be boarded by Israeli forces. Video from the scene showed activists donning life vests and sitting in a circle on deck while waiting for the interception.

The flotilla originally departed from Barcelona in August with plans to reach Gaza. Organizers reported that as the ships approached their destination, they encountered jamming of their communication signals and warnings from the Israeli navy to divert to Ashdod, an Israeli port.

Officials told the group that delivering aid directly to Gaza violated an established naval blockade.

“The flotilla, which set sail from Barcelona in August, had hoped to deliver food and medicine to the enclave, which is under a naval blockade,” The Telegraph reported.

Israeli naval officials confirmed that the flotilla had been warned multiple times before the boarding. Activists were told they were attempting to enter an active combat zone and were violating international maritime restrictions.

The Israeli government offered to allow the delivery of the aid through Ashdod instead.

Reports indicate that nearly 20 Israeli warships surrounded the flotilla before the boarding operations began. Spanish and Italian navy ships that initially escorted the flotilla reportedly withdrew days earlier to avoid direct conflict with Israel.

Global protests erupted following news of the interception, with demonstrations taking place in several European capitals and in the Middle East.

Activists accused Israel of blocking humanitarian aid, while Israeli officials maintained that the blockade is a security measure against weapons smuggling into Gaza.

The detained activists, including Thunberg, are expected to be processed by Israeli authorities in the coming days. It is not yet clear how many of the 40 vessels were boarded or how many of the 500 participants will face charges.

The Israeli government has not yet released detailed statements on the detention procedures but confirmed that the aid shipments would be inspected and could be redirected through official humanitarian channels.

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Ex-Girlfriend of NYC Mayor Eric Adams to Release Tell-All Book on Secret Romance

A former girlfriend of New York City Mayor Eric Adams is set to publish a memoir revealing details of their past relationship, just days after resigning from a $160,000-a-year position within his administration, as reported by the New York Post.

Jasmine Ray, 42, who was appointed by Adams as the city’s first director of the Mayor’s Office of Sports, Wellness and Recreation, is releasing a book titled Political Humanity on Sunday.

The memoir describes her relationship with Adams, which she says began in 2014, years before he became mayor.

According to Ray, she met Adams at a Brooklyn Nets game in 2014, and they began dating the following year while Adams was serving as Brooklyn Borough President.

She claims the relationship ended abruptly in 2016, leaving her devastated, though the two attempted to rekindle it in 2021 after Adams won the Democratic primary.

“Their hidden relationship — marked by intimacy, sacrifice, and betrayal — mirrors the larger struggles of politics itself: the tension between personal humanity and public expectation,” the book’s description reads.

Ray told The New York Times that Adams contacted her after his 2021 primary victory, saying, “I’m going to be mayor of New York City, and I don’t want to do this without you.”

She recalled meeting him soon afterward on a Staten Island boardwalk, where Adams reportedly spoke at length about former Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s influence on him. “He was like, Bloomberg, Bloomberg, Bloomberg,” she said. “And I was like, yes, Bloomberg is amazing.”

When Adams took office in 2022, he appointed Ray to the newly created post of sports czar. She resigned from that role last Friday, the same day Adams announced he was ending his re-election campaign.

The memoir also contains personal anecdotes, including Ray’s description of comforting Adams by rubbing a scar on the back of his head. “He could sit still for hours if I kept my hand there, as if my touch eased something no one else could reach,” she wrote.

Ray claims Adams spent years urging her not to publish the book, fearing it would damage his political career. Adams has not publicly acknowledged their past relationship. He has been in a long-term relationship with Tracey Collins, a Department of Education administrator.

Adams’ office did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

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Woman Loses It Over $1 Sauce Fee, Accused of Causing $1,000 Damage at Little Caesars

A Kentucky woman is facing criminal charges after police say she caused more than $1,000 in damage at a Little Caesars restaurant when told she would need to pay $1 for extra sauce, as reported by The Blaze.

According to court documents cited by WDRB-TV, Breanna Haynes placed a phone order with the Little Caesars location and went to pick it up earlier this year.

While at the store, Haynes requested extra sauce. When an employee informed her there would be an additional $1 charge, police said Haynes “created a disturbance in the store.”

Authorities reported that Haynes knocked items off the counter, including a custom-made computer stand and the store’s register system. The total cost of damages exceeded $1,000.

Surveillance footage was reviewed by Louisville police, who matched the suspect to a known photo, allowing employees to confirm her identity.

Haynes was charged with criminal mischief in connection with the January incident. She was not arrested until late September.

Court records show that Haynes was also accused of a separate act of vandalism on September 22. Police said she allegedly threw a brick at a vehicle belonging to the father of her child during a dispute over his desire to move back to Cincinnati.

That incident reportedly caused another $1,000 in damages. She was subsequently charged with both assault and criminal mischief in that case as well.

The incidents have drawn widespread public reaction. On Facebook, commenters expressed disbelief that the initial confrontation began over a $1 sauce charge.

“That must be some good sauce!” one commenter wrote. Another added, “I guess she’d rather pay $1,000 plus lawyers instead of just giving up the dollar. Smh, wish I had that kind of money.”

Other commenters were critical of Haynes’ behavior. “Stay home if you don’t know how to behave in public,” one person advised.

Another remarked, “Can’t afford a buck for sauce? Maybe you shouldn’t be buying pizza then.”

Haynes is scheduled to appear in court on the charges. The Louisville Metro Police Department has not released further details on the pending cases.


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