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Supreme Court Blocks Judge’s Order Tossing Texas Redistricting Maps

The Supreme Court of the United States has temporarily halted a lower court order that struck down Texas’s newly approved redistricting maps, issuing an administrative stay as the dispute moves forward.

Earlier this week, a three-judge panel in the Western District of Texas ruled 2-1 that the maps must be thrown out.

Texas appealed the decision on Friday.

Associate Justice Samuel Alito issued the Supreme Court’s response the same day, stating that the order would be paused while the Court reviews the case.

“IT IS ORDERED that the November 18, 2025, order of the United States District Court is hereby administratively stayed pending further order of the undersigned or the of the Court. It is further ordered that a response to the application be filed on or before Monday, November 24, 2025, by 5 p.m. (EST).”

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has urged the Supreme Court to block the lower court’s ruling.

Paxton said in a public statement, “Radical left-wing activists are abusing the judicial system to derail the Republican agenda and steal the U.S. House for Democrats. I am fighting to stop this blatant attempt to upend our political system. Texas engaged in partisan redistricting solely to secure more Republican seats in Congress and thereby better represent our state and Texans. For years, Democrats have aggressively gerrymandered their states and only cry foul and hurl baseless ‘racism’ accusations because they are losing.”

If the lower court’s ruling is ultimately upheld, Texas would be required to revert to using its 2021 maps for upcoming elections.

The panel’s decision drew a lengthy dissent from Circuit Judge Jerry E. Smith, who wrote a 104-page opinion challenging the ruling.

Smith criticized U.S. District Judge Jeffrey Vincent Brown, calling the decision “pernicious judicial misbehavior” and arguing that the outcome reflected “judicial activism.”

The dispute in Texas comes as redistricting battles continue in other states.

In November, California voters approved Proposal 50, a measure that would adjust the state’s congressional boundaries.

The Department of Justice has filed a lawsuit seeking to overturn the proposal, arguing that the maps rely on race as a proxy to advance political objectives.

President Donald Trump has encouraged Republican-led states to pursue new redistricting plans aimed at increasing the number of GOP-held seats in the U.S. House.

The Supreme Court is expected to take further action after receiving the state’s filing and the required response by November 24.

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Trump Makes Major Move Against Minnesota Somalis in Wake of Massive Fraud Scandal

President Donald Trump announced Friday evening that he is ending deportation protections for Somalis living in Minnesota, stating the move is “effective immediately.”

In a post on Truth Social, the president said, “Minnesota, under Governor [Tim] Walz, is a hub of fraudulent money laundering activity,” before declaring, “I am, as President of the United States, hereby terminating, effective immediately, the Temporary Protected Status (TPS Program) for Somalis in Minnesota.”

The TPS program has allowed Somali nationals to live and work legally in the United States due to ongoing dangerous conditions in Somalia.

Minnesota has one of the largest Somali populations in the country, and the program has long been a central factor in the community’s presence in the state.

In his announcement, Trump alleged that “Somali gangs are terrorizing the people of that great State, and BILLIONS of Dollars are missing. Send them back to where they came from. It’s OVER! President DJT.”

His statement referenced several recent fraud cases in Minnesota, including the high-profile Feeding Our Future scheme, which involved hundreds of millions of dollars in embezzled COVID-19 funds.

The Feeding Our Future case has been the subject of ongoing state and federal scrutiny.

Multiple defendants have already been convicted or pleaded guilty in what authorities described as one of the largest pandemic-related fraud cases in the country.

Prosecutors said the scheme involved false claims for federal meal program reimbursements, with large amounts of money diverted from intended food assistance purposes.

The president’s announcement also followed the release of a new investigative report from the Manhattan Institute, a conservative policy organization.

The report was authored by Ryan Thorpe and Christopher F. Rufo, who said they uncovered a network of fraud tied to Minnesota’s Medicaid Housing Stabilization Services program, Feeding Our Future, and additional entities.

According to their findings, the alleged fraud involved millions of dollars in improperly obtained funds.

Thorpe and Rufo said federal counterterrorism sources confirmed that some of the stolen money was transferred to Somalia.

They reported that investigators believed the funds ultimately reached Al-Shabaab, a Somalia-based terrorist group.

The authors said their findings connected stolen U.S. taxpayer money to the foreign organization through transfers routed from Minnesota.

The fraud allegations described in the report come after several years of increased scrutiny surrounding nonprofits and organizations operating within Minnesota’s Somali community.

Prosecutors in the Feeding Our Future case said the scheme involved falsified documentation, fabricated meal counts, and coordinated efforts to divert federal money intended for pandemic assistance.

Those investigations remain ongoing, with additional cases expected to move forward.

Trump’s decision to end TPS protections marks a significant policy shift affecting thousands of Somali nationals in Minnesota.

As of Friday evening, federal agencies had not released additional information about the timeline for implementing the termination or how the decision will affect current TPS holders.

The Department of Homeland Security has previously overseen TPS renewals and expirations under various administrations, but Friday’s announcement reflected a direct directive from the president.

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Somalis in Tim Walz’ Minnesota Used Taxpayer Money to Fund Al-Qaeda Affiliate: Report

Minnesota officials are facing scrutiny after a report indicated that welfare fraud involving members of the state’s Somali community funneled taxpayer money to the terrorist organization Al-Shabaab.

City Journal reported the findings, citing law enforcement sources who said “untold millions” of dollars from Minnesota programs were transferred overseas.

According to the report, state funds, including money from the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS), were allegedly routed through individuals in Minnesota and moved abroad.

The outlet reported that the funds passed through “hawalas,” clan-based money transfer networks, before being laundered to Al-Shabaab.

The group, affiliated with Al Qaeda, has carried out attacks that have killed Americans, according to the Office of the Director of National Intelligence.

City Journal quoted an unnamed source with past counterterrorism contracting experience who stated, “This is a third-rail conversation, but the largest funder of Al-Shabaab is the Minnesota taxpayer.”

The report did not specify dates, the length of time the transfers occurred, or the individual DHS programs where the money originated.

Democratic Gov. Tim Walz’s administration has come under additional scrutiny following separate federal investigations into fraud within a DHS program intended to help Minnesotans obtain taxpayer-funded housing.

That program, Housing Stabilization Services, was shut down on October 31 “due to widespread fraud,” City Journal reported.

A spokesperson for the Department of Justice told the outlet that six of the eight people federally charged in connection with fraud in the Housing Stabilization Services program are of Somali descent.

The charges were part of a federal probe examining misuse of funds within the program.

In November 2024, an Al-Shabaab operative was found guilty of plotting a 9/11-style airline attack in the United States.

The group has conducted numerous attacks internationally and is designated as a terrorist organization by the U.S. government.

The article did not indicate which Minnesota programs were the primary source of the funds or the total amount of money believed to have been transferred overseas.

City Journal’s reporting noted that the use of hawalas played a central role in the movement of money overseas.

The money transfer method is often used within communities that rely on clan-based financial systems.

According to the report, the transfers were part of the alleged laundering activity connected to the fraud.

Federal investigations into the Housing Stabilization Services program remain ongoing.

The state ended the program after investigators identified extensive fraudulent activity involving individuals who received state reimbursement funds.

Al-Shabaab has been cited by U.S. intelligence agencies as one of the most active Al Qaeda affiliates.

The City Journal report connected the alleged Minnesota-based fraud to the broader financing networks that support the group’s activities.

No further public statements have been issued by Minnesota DHS regarding the report’s claims, and federal authorities have not released any additional information related to the allegations reported by City Journal.

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Early-Morning Shooting Leaves Suspect Dead at St. Louis International Airport

A suspect was shot and killed early Friday morning inside St. Louis Lambert International Airport after an encounter with an airport police officer, according to initial information released by local outlets, as reported by The New York Post.

The incident took place at around 1 a.m. inside Terminal 1, where an officer opened fire on an individual near the American Airlines ticketing counter.

The shooting prompted airport authorities to establish a crime scene in the area as investigators began gathering evidence and documenting the sequence of events.

KSDK reported that the officer discharged a weapon inside the terminal during the early-morning hours, though officials have not released additional information about what led to the confrontation.

At the time of the shooting, only a limited number of travelers and staff were present in the terminal due to the hour, and police quickly secured the area.

Authorities said it was not immediately clear what sparked the incident, and the circumstances that preceded the shooting have not been detailed publicly.

The suspect, who has not been identified, was transported from the scene after being shot. Officials later confirmed that the individual died following the encounter with law enforcement.

No other injuries were reported, and there were no indications that any travelers or airport employees were harmed during the incident. Investigators restricted access to the immediate area around the American Airlines ticketing counter as they continued documenting evidence.

Airport police and other responding agencies have not released details regarding the actions of the suspect prior to the shooting, the nature of the threat perceived by the officer, or whether any commands or attempts at de-escalation were made before shots were fired.

Oxnard police were investigating gunfire around Southwinds Park that reportedly left several teens injured Tuesday night, March 4, 2025.

The officer involved has not been publicly identified, and authorities have not stated whether the officer has been placed on leave pending further review, which is standard protocol in officer-involved shootings.

St. Louis Lambert International Airport continued normal operations outside the secured crime-scene area.

Travelers arriving later in the morning encountered an increased police presence inside Terminal 1 as investigators worked through the early stages of the inquiry.

Airport officials have not provided updates on how long the area near the ticketing counter will remain restricted while the investigation proceeds.

Authorities have stated that further information will be released as the investigation develops. As of Friday morning, the identity of the deceased suspect, details surrounding the encounter, and the officer’s account of the incident remain unavailable.

The St. Louis Airport Police Department and other agencies continue examining the circumstances that led to the shooting inside the terminal.

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JD Vance Urges Patience as Trump Administration Pushes to Lower Prices

Vice President J.D. Vance told voters Thursday that the administration recognizes the ongoing strain of high costs and is continuing efforts to bring prices down, offering one of the Trump administration’s most direct acknowledgments of economic frustration to date, as reported by the Independent Journal Review.

Speaking at a Breitbart News event, Vance said the White House has made progress but added that Americans should expect more work ahead.

According to The Associated Press, Vance said the administration has “a lot more work to do” and urged voters to give Republicans “a little bit of patience” as they advance their economic agenda.

“We hear you,” he said. “As much progress as we’ve made, it’s going to take a little bit of time for every American to feel that economic boom, which we really do believe is coming.”

His comments come as Republicans continue working to sharpen their message on affordability — an issue that played a major role in recent gubernatorial races in Virginia and New Jersey. Voters in both states listed the cost of living as a leading concern, underscoring challenges facing the party heading into next year’s midterm elections.

Vance argued that President Donald Trump has “made incredible progress” reversing former President Joe Biden’s policies and setting the stage for stronger economic growth. He also acknowledged that many Americans still face higher costs in everyday purchases.

Trump has regularly cited lower gas and egg prices as evidence of improvement and has dismissed Democrats’ affordability messaging as “a con job.” More recently, he has also said there remains “room” for further price declines.

During the discussion, Vance was asked about recent internal tensions within the Make America Great Again coalition, including Trump’s public break with Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene and questions surrounding Trump’s decision not to distance himself from Nick Fuentes, who recently appeared in a friendly interview with commentator Tucker Carlson.

Vice President JD Vance departs a meeting with House Republicans at the United States Capitol as Republicans seek to pass interim spending bill that would keep federal agencies funded through Sept. 30 on Tuesday, March 11, 2025.

Vance did not specifically address those disputes but said internal disagreements are expected within a large political movement. “It’s totally reasonable for the people who make up this coalition to argue,” he said.

He added that differing views can be productive as long as the movement remains focused on what he described as “a radical leftist movement” that he believes threatens shared priorities.

“Have our debates — but focus on the enemy, so that we can win victories that matter for the American people,” Vance said.

Looking ahead to the midterm elections, Vance emphasized that Republican unity and a strong message will be essential. He warned that working-class voters who strongly support Trump do not always vote in midterm cycles.

“I think that’s one of the lessons that we learned in Virginia and New Jersey,” he said.

“When Donald Trump is not on the ballot, you’ve got to give people something to actually believe in, something to be inspired by. They’re not going to vote just because you have an ‘R’ next to your name.”

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DOJ Sues Gavin Newsom for Granting Tuition Benefits to Illegal Immigrants

The Department of Justice filed a lawsuit Thursday against California Gov. Gavin Newsom over a state policy that allows illegal immigrants to receive in-state college tuition benefits, marking the third federal action taken against the governor in the span of a week, as reported by Fox News.

The complaint, filed in the Eastern District of California, challenges provisions of the state’s education code that the DOJ says unlawfully grant benefits to individuals living in the country illegally while placing out-of-state U.S. citizens at a financial disadvantage.

Justice Department attorneys argued in the filing that California’s policy results in “unequal treatment” and is “squarely” at odds with federal law.

Pam Bondi, a former Attorney General of Florida, appearing at the Conservative Political Action Conference, CPAC 2024, at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center on Feb 23, 2024.

Federal statute prohibits states from providing residency-based tuition benefits to individuals living in the United States unlawfully unless the same benefits are made available to U.S. citizens, regardless of where they live.

The department’s lawsuit asserts that California is violating that requirement by making in-state tuition available to undocumented students while out-of-state citizens are required to pay higher rates.

The federal action against California is part of a broader effort by the Justice Department, which has brought similar lawsuits in other states.

Minnesota is currently fighting one such lawsuit, though that case was delayed for weeks during the recent government shutdown.

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, a Democrat, has moved to dismiss the DOJ complaint, arguing the department’s interpretation of federal law is incorrect and that U.S. citizens do have equal access to the benefits offered to undocumented students.

Newsom faced two other federal lawsuits this week. One challenge was filed over a newly passed California ballot measure that allows the state legislature to adopt a congressional map shifting five districts toward Democratic control.

Earlier this week, the DOJ sued over legislation California enacted in September that prohibits immigration officials from wearing masks that hide their identities.

A spokesperson for Newsom criticized the series of lawsuits, characterizing them as politically driven.

Sacramento, California / USA – May 31, 2020: California State Governor Gavin Newsom holds his head in though before a meeting.

“The DOJ has now filed three meritless, politically motivated lawsuits against California in a single week. Good luck, Trump. We’ll see you in court,” the spokesperson said in a statement.

A DOJ official defended the actions taken against the nation’s most populous state, telling Fox News Digital that the department is acting within its authority.

“From racial gerrymandering, to undermining law enforcement, to discriminating against American students, Newsom has flagrantly disregarded federal law in his quest to ruin California,” the official said.

“We will see him in court as many times as necessary.”

The federal government has not yet indicated when hearings will begin on the tuition-benefit lawsuit, and California has not formally filed its response in court.

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Kathy Hochul Backtracks, Confirms Discussions on Mamdani’s Free Bus Plan

Gov. Kathy Hochul acknowledged this week that she is in discussions with New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani’s team about his proposal to make city buses free, marking a reversal from her earlier public stance rejecting the idea.

Mamdani, who takes office in January, campaigned on a $700 million plan to eliminate bus fares across the five boroughs, a policy he framed as a major step in reducing transportation costs for working families, as reported by The New York Post.

In an interview with Politico, Hochul confirmed that conversations are underway between her administration and Mamdani’s staff.

New York State Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani speaks in a Malikah’s Iftar Ramadan event at the Museum of the Moving Image on March 07, 2025 in the Queens Borough of New York City.

“We’re having conversations with his team, I will say that,” she said when asked directly about the proposal.

Hochul added that while formal details are not yet available, her administration and Mamdani “have a lot of alignment on the overall, overarching objective.”

She said similar discussions have taken place on several policy fronts, including child care. “When it comes to individual proposals, whether it’s child care — we’ve had conversations about what a rollout of that could look like,” Hochul said.

“Same thing with buses. What’s the overall objective here? Is it to make it more affordable for people that are struggling? That’s something I understand.”

Her latest remarks contrast sharply with comments made earlier this month at the SOMOS political retreat in Puerto Rico, where she expressed concern about diverting money from the transit system, noting the state had already poured significant funds into the financially strained Metropolitan Transportation Authority.

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul speaks during the first day of the Democratic National Convention at the United Center.

“We’re spending a lot of money, so I cannot set forth a plan right now that takes money out of a system that relies on the fares of the buses and the subways,” she said on Nov. 8.

She did, however, emphasize at the time that she supported improving affordability, saying, “But can we find a path to make it more affordable for people who need help? Of course we can.”

Hochul also made clear to Politico that implementing a statewide free-bus program is not feasible. Asked whether the plan would require raising taxes, she said, “Well, certainly statewide, to have all free buses, that’d be impossible.”

She added, “Let’s just figure out how we can take bites at the problem and start solving that.”

The governor noted that policy changes cannot be made solely for New York City. “I can’t do anything just for the city,” she said.

“So a city wants to do something, they want to do pilots, they want to do certain things, we can have the conversations with them, but policies overall happen statewide.”

The renewed discussions come as Hochul faces a more than $4 billion state budget shortfall next year and ongoing pressure to avoid tax hikes on high earners.

Though she previously vowed not to raise income taxes, she is reportedly having preliminary conversations about increasing the corporate tax rate to help close the deficit and cover potential costs of Mamdani’s free-bus proposal.

Zohran Kwame Mamdani is a New York State Assemblymember and democratic socialist running for Mayor. New York, US – 04 July 2025

Hochul is up for re-election in 2026, and her handling of the state’s fiscal issues, as well as her approach to Mamdani’s transportation plan, is expected to play a central role in the political landscape leading into the next campaign cycle.

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Nancy Pelosi Pushes Back After Michelle Obama Says America Isn’t Ready For Female President

Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Wednesday responded to recent comments by former first lady Michelle Obama, who said Americans are “not ready” to elect a woman president, as reported by Fox News.

Speaking with CNN’s Anderson Cooper, Pelosi questioned why a woman commander-in-chief would be unacceptable and pushed back on the idea that the public is unwilling to support female leadership in the Oval Office.

Sep 21, 2022; Washington, D.C., USA; House Speaker Nancy Pelosi during a memorial service for the late Queen Elizabeth II at Washington National Cathedral Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2022. Mandatory Credit: Josh Morgan-USA TODAY

When Cooper asked whether she agreed with Obama’s remarks, Pelosi said she respected the former first lady but disagreed with the conclusion.

“Well, I hope — I mean, I respect her and I know that view is one that we all are saddened by, but we — I think we have to change,” Pelosi said.

She added that throughout her career she has heard “every excuse in the book,” including claims that women could not serve as commander-in-chief. “Well, why not?” she asked. “‘Well, I served in the military.’ Well, OK. And so? So do women serve in the military.”

Pelosi said she believed the United States would have elected a woman president before ever seeing a woman serve as speaker of the House.

She noted that becoming speaker was not a role she had set out to pursue. Cooper asked why she thought a female president might have come first, and Pelosi said she believed the American public was more open to the idea of a woman in the Oval Office.

“Just the thought of it is so exciting and the message it sends to the world,” she said. She added that the House of Representatives had remained “male-dominated for hundreds of years,” and recalled resistance when she first ran for party leadership.

“They said, ‘Who said she could run?’” she told Cooper. Pelosi recalled her own response:

“Oh, poor babies. I’m not waiting for you to tell me I can run.”

Pelosi also said there is a “pecking order” among men in Washington who feel entitled to certain positions in government, adding that this dynamic “still exists really on the Republican side.”

She said younger women frequently tell her they aspire to become president. “Now, people say to me, kids say to me, students, they say, ‘It’s nice you were speaker, but I’m going to be president,’” Pelosi said. “I said, ‘Well, I certainly hope so.’”

Obama made her comments on Nov. 14 during an event at the Brooklyn Academy of Music while promoting her new book, “The Look.” Addressing a crowd of women, she said Americans are “not ready” to elect a woman to the White House, citing Vice President Kamala Harris’ loss to President Donald Trump in the 2024 election.

“As we saw in this past election, sadly, we ain’t ready,” Obama said. She added, “Don’t even look at me about running, because you all are lying. You’re not ready for a woman. You are not.”

RALEIGH – OCTOBER 4: FLOTUS, Michelle Obama, speaking to students at NC State University. Other speakers were former governor Jim Hunt and Deborah Ross, on October 4th, 2016 in Raleigh, USA.

Obama also said she believes many men in the United States are not comfortable with a woman leading them. “You know, we’ve got a lot of growing up to do, and there’s still, sadly, a lot of men who do not feel like they can be led by a woman, and we saw it,” she said.

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Democrats Divided as House Votes to Denounce Socialism Nationally

The House of Representatives passed a resolution Friday condemning socialism in all forms, just hours before New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani — a self-described democratic socialist — was scheduled to meet with President Donald Trump at the White House, as reported by The New York Post.

The vote highlighted significant divisions among Democrats as Mamdani, 34, arrived in Washington for the 3 p.m. sit-down.

New York State Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani speaks in a Malikah’s Iftar Ramadan event at the Museum of the Moving Image on March 07, 2025 in the Queens Borough of New York City.

The concurrent resolution was introduced by Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar (R-Fla.) and passed with bipartisan support in a 285–98 vote.

All “no” votes came from Democrats, with two members — Janelle Bynum of Oregon and Deborah Ross of North Carolina — voting “present.”

The resolution states, “Congress denounces socialism in all its forms, and opposes the implementation of socialist policies in the United States.”

During the debate, Salazar referenced her parents’ escape from Cuba after Fidel Castro’s rise to power and criticized Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.), who opposed the measure.

“Madame Waters, for decades you traveled to Cuba dozens of times to visit Fidel Castro personally, whom you considered your friend,” Salazar said on the House floor.

WASHINGTON D.C., USA – June 24, 2022: Congresswoman Maxine Waters speaks in front of the Supreme Court against the Dobbs v. Jackson decision released today.

Waters objected and moved to take her colleague’s words down, prompting Salazar to withdraw her remarks. Salazar went on to cite human rights abuses associated with Cuba’s communist regime, including political imprisonment and violence against Afro-Cubans.

Rep. Robert Menendez (D-NJ), son of former Sen. Bob Menendez, also voted against the resolution despite his own family history of fleeing Cuba before Castro took power.

Members of Congress who endorsed Mamdani, including Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), voted “no” along with other members of the far-left “Squad.”

House Speaker emerita Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) also opposed the resolution, as did New York Democrats Yvette Clarke, Adriano Espaillat, and Dan Goldman.

The vote took place shortly after Mamdani landed at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. The mayor-elect has said he intends to “speak plainly” with President Trump about policies to make New York City more affordable.

Trump, who previously said he might cut federal funding if “my little Communist” won the election, told Fox News Radio’s “Brian Kilmeade Show” on Friday that he expected the meeting to be “quite civil.” He added, “I think we’ll get along fine.”

At a Thursday news conference in City Hall Park, Mamdani said, “I have many disagreements with the president, and I believe that we should be relentless and pursue all avenues and all meetings that could make our city affordable for every single New Yorker.”

The vote also exposed ideological rifts among Democrats that emerged during Mamdani’s mayoral campaign. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) endorsed Mamdani but voted in favor of the GOP resolution condemning socialism.

New York, NY – September 7, 2020: Congressman Hakeem Jeffries speaks at US Senator Chuck Schumer and members of NY House delegation media briefing on 3rd avenue in Manhattan

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) did not endorse Mamdani and did not indicate how he voted in the mayoral race.

“Let me educate our colleagues on the other side of the aisle: socialism is communism-light,” Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY) said during debate.

She noted that her mother fled Cuba in 1959 and said Mamdani’s stated goals — including abolishing private property rights and establishing government-run supermarkets — mirrored “policies straight out of the Communist playbook of Karl Marx.”

Lawmakers also criticized the failures of modern socialist governments, including Venezuela.

The resolution documents historical examples of socialist regimes collapsing into communist dictatorships under leaders such as Lenin, Stalin, Mao Zedong and Castro, resulting in widespread famine, political oppression, and mass deaths.

It cites estimates of mass starvation in North Korea and the Soviet Union, and between 15 million and 55 million deaths during China’s Great Leap Forward.

A companion resolution was introduced in the Senate by Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.). Both measures were filed in early September — weeks before Mamdani won the New York City Democratic primary and secured his position as mayor-elect.

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Eric Swalwell Uses Jimmy Kimmel Appearance to Announce His Future Political Plans

Rep. Eric Swalwell of California announced Thursday that he is running for governor in the 2026 election.

Swalwell revealed his candidacy during an appearance on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” and later shared the news on social media.

In a post on X reacting to President Donald Trump’s criticism of Kimmel, Swalwell wrote, “He’s going to hate tonight’s episode.”

Ahead of the announcement, Swalwell told the San Francisco Chronicle that he believes the next governor of California should focus on two key objectives.

“One, keep Trump out of our homes, streets and lives,” he said.

He added that the second objective is to “write the story of a new California on lower prices, on business growth and modernizing the state.”

Swalwell later told MediasTouch, “I’m running to be a governor for all Californians. I’m the son of two Republicans, the son of a cop, and I grew up in a law-enforcement family. I worked as a prosecutor myself. I know that whether you’re a Republican or a Democrat in this state, public safety for yourself, your kids, and your community is a top priority.”

Swalwell described his platform as one centered on being a “protector and fighter” for Californians as he begins his campaign to succeed Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom.

Newsom is term limited and cannot run again in 2026.

Several other candidates are also entering the race.

On the Democratic side, those running include former U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra, former U.S. Rep. Katie Porter, and billionaire activist and 2020 presidential candidate Tom Steyer.

Republican candidates include former Fox News host Steve Hilton and Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco.

The 2026 gubernatorial race is expected to draw national attention as California prepares for its first open governor’s seat since 2010.

Newsom, who is completing his second term, has been discussed as a potential contender in the 2028 Democratic presidential primary.


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