Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer was pressed this week on why Joe Biden never released the Epstein files during his four years in office.
The exchange occurred after a reporter asked Schumer directly, “Why wouldn’t [the Epstein files] have been released the past four years when President Biden was in office?”
Schumer responded, “Well, that’s the question every American is asking — not every American but so many Americans are asking…what the hell is he hiding?”
He then added, “Why doesn’t he want them released? When you don’t want something like this released when a whole lot of Republicans are calling for the release — his own party members… people ask the question, ‘What’s he hiding?!’”
President Trump addressed the matter on Sunday evening, stating that congressional Republicans should vote to release all of the Epstein files.
Trump has previously directed the Department of Justice to release transcripts related to Epstein trafficking cases.
Trump issued a detailed statement on the matter, saying:
“As I said on Friday night aboard Air Force One to the Fake News Media, House Republicans should vote to release the Epstein files, because we have nothing to hide, and it’s time to move on from this Democrat Hoax perpetrated by Radical Left Lunatics in order to deflect from the Great Success of the Republican Party, including our recent Victory on the Democrat “Shutdown.”
The Department of Justice has already turned over tens of thousands of pages to the Public on “Epstein,” are looking at various Democrat operatives (Bill Clinton, Reid Hoffman, Larry Summers, etc.) and their relationship to Epstein, and the House Oversight Committee can have whatever they are legally entitled to, I DON’T CARE!
All I do care about is that Republicans get BACK ON POINT, which is the Economy, “Affordability” (where we are winning BIG!), our Victory on reducing Inflation from the highest level in History to practically nothing, bringing down prices for the American People, delivering Historic Tax Cuts, gaining Trillions of Dollars of Investment into America (A RECORD!), the rebuilding of our Military, securing our Border, deporting Criminal Illegal Aliens, ending Men in Women’s Sports, stopping Transgender for Everyone, and so much more!
Nobody cared about Jeffrey Epstein when he was alive and, if the Democrats had anything, they would have released it before our Landslide Election Victory.
Some “members” of the Republican Party are being “used,” and we can’t let that happen. Let’s start talking about the Republican Party’s Record Setting Achievements, and not fall into the Epstein “TRAP,” which is actually a curse on the Democrats, not us. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”
Florida officials announced that state and federal law enforcement agencies have arrested more than 6,200 illegal aliens this year, all of whom have been transferred to the Trump administration for removal.
The latest enforcement action, known as “Operation Criminal Return,” resulted in 230 arrests and focused on individuals identified as repeat violent offenders, child predators, and others with criminal histories.
Gov. Ron DeSantis detailed the results of the operation during a public announcement, describing the effort as a coordinated initiative involving the Florida Highway Patrol, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
He said the operation reflected the level of enforcement Florida voters expect from state leadership.
“I’m pleased to announce the successful completion of Operation Criminal Return,” DeSantis said.
“This is a joint operation between ICE as well as the state of Florida, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. We nabbed 230 criminal illegal aliens off the street. Some of these guys had committed offenses against children, sexual predators.”
DeSantis contrasted the latest arrests with previous federal immigration policies.
“These were people that under the Biden administration, they were allowed to just roam with no threat of serious deportation. The times have changed,” he said.
Florida officials have said frequently in recent months that cooperation with the Trump administration has expanded since January, noting differences between current federal enforcement activity and the previous administration’s approach.
DeSantis said the renewed federal partnership has helped accelerate the state’s efforts.
“We have tremendous momentum in the state of Florida because of our leadership on being the number one state to support the Trump administration’s policies — to take illegal aliens who are in our country, remove them, and send them back to their home country,” DeSantis said.
In addition to the arrests made through Operation Criminal Return, Florida Highway Patrol units have been conducting separate operations targeting human smuggling, trafficking activity, and repeat border crossers.
These actions, combined with the joint operations with federal authorities, contributed to the total of 6,200 arrests reported by the state.
DeSantis said Florida’s approach is intended to demonstrate that state-level enforcement can work in tandem with federal immigration authorities.
“The state of Florida is leading. We’re showing what can be done when you work collaboratively with the federal government on an issue that’s very, very important to so many people — not just here in Florida, but throughout the United States,” he said.
Recent data reviewed by state officials show that ICE arrests in Florida have increased significantly this year.
The data indicate arrests of individuals without criminal charges or convictions rose more than 450 percent compared to the same period last year, a trend state officials attribute to the expanded partnership between Florida agencies and the Trump administration.
Florida continues to report increases in immigration enforcement activity across multiple jurisdictions, positioning the state as one of the most active in the country in identifying and transferring illegal aliens to federal custody.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries faced questions this week about why Americans should trust House Democrats on matters related to the Jeffrey Epstein files after past reporting showed that a Democratic member of Congress had exchanged text messages with Epstein during a 2019 congressional hearing.
The issue was raised after a reporter referenced a Washington Post report detailing that Del. Stacey Plaskett had communicated with Epstein in real time during a House hearing.
According to the report, Epstein sent messages to Plaskett as she questioned an anti-Trump witness, and she used information from those messages during her line of questioning.
The report also noted that Epstein told her “good job” during the exchange.
Plaskett had previously received donations from Epstein prior to his death in federal custody in 2019.
A reporter asked Jeffries, “Why should Americans trust you and House Democrats on the Jeffrey Epstein files when one of your own—Congresswoman Plaskett—was found to be texting with Jeffrey Epstein during a hearing, getting information from him, using that in her questioning during a congressional hearing, at one point he tells her ‘good job’?”
Jeffries did not address Plaskett directly.
He responded, “This is a bipartisan effort to make sure that, consistent with what the survivors have requested, that there’s full and complete transparency and every single predator that may be in those Justice Department files doesn’t escape accountability.”
Questions about Democratic handling of Epstein-related information have also resurfaced following the release of a previously undisclosed email.
The email showed that a Democratic-aligned funding group contacted Epstein in 2013 regarding Jeffries, referring to him as “an impressive guy” who “will be a progressive voice in New York politics for years to come.”
The message requested that Epstein contact the group by email or phone.
X Screenshot – Right Angle News Network
The contact occurred five years after Epstein had been convicted in 2008 by a Florida state court of procuring a child for prostitution and of soliciting a prostitute.
Democratic efforts to link President Trump to Epstein have also drawn scrutiny after several claims circulated publicly and were later corrected or withdrawn.
In one instance, documents released online included a redacted victim name.
The individual had previously stated under oath that President Trump never acted inappropriately with her and that she never saw him with Epstein.
In another instance, a claim that Trump spent Thanksgiving with Epstein was removed after it was publicly challenged.
The House Oversight Committee posted a series of documents and messages last week focusing on inconsistencies and errors in prior Democratic statements regarding Epstein-related material.
President Trump has stated that he supports House Republicans voting to release the Epstein files.
In a recent statement, he said House Republicans “should vote to release the Epstein files” and added that the Department of Justice had already provided “tens of thousands of pages” to the public.
He said the House Oversight Committee could access whatever material it was legally entitled to review.
House committees are preparing for additional actions concerning the release of Epstein-related records.
Lawmakers from both parties are expected to continue receiving questions about the handling of documents, past communications, and the scope of forthcoming disclosures.
The White House released a public statement questioning Democrats’ handling of the Epstein files and highlighting past associations between Democratic officials, donors, and Jeffrey Epstein.
The statement opened with a quote from President Trump: “House Republicans should vote to release the Epstein files, because we have nothing to hide, and it’s time to move on from this Democrat Hoax perpetrated by Radical Left Lunatics to deflect from the Great Success of the Republican Party.”
Following the president’s remarks, the White House asked, “Why haven’t Democrats shown the same transparency — and what else are they hiding?”
The statement then listed a series of questions regarding interactions between Democratic figures and Epstein.
The first set of questions focused on Del. Stacey Plaskett of the U.S. Virgin Islands.
The White House wrote, “Why aren’t Democrats talking about the fact that Del. Stacey Plaskett (D-U.S. Virgin Islands) solicited (and was given) $30,000 from Epstein for the DCCC after he was already a convicted sex offender? Or the fact that Plaskett herself accepted maxed out donations from Epstein for her own campaign? Or the fact that the wife of the former Democrat governor of the U.S. Virgin Islands told Epstein ‘we would have a friend in Stacey’ if he made said donations? Or the fact that Plaskett was literally texting Epstein during a committee hearing?”
The White House then turned to former President Bill Clinton.
Reports have stated that Clinton traveled on Epstein’s aircraft 26 times.
The statement noted that one of Epstein’s victims said she saw Clinton on Epstein’s island with two young women and that her account was corroborated by a former top aide to Clinton.
The Clinton Foundation had previously stated that Clinton took four trips on Epstein’s plane, while flight records listed more.
Another question raised in the statement concerned Larry Summers.
The White House wrote, “Why aren’t Democrats talking about the ‘long relationship’ and storied friendship that Larry Summers — ex-Harvard President, Clinton Treasury Secretary, and prominent Democrat — had with Epstein, who described himself as Summers’ ‘wing man’?”
The statement also referenced media and donor figures who continued to meet with Epstein after his 2008 conviction.
It cited Katie Couric’s attendance at a dinner at Epstein’s residence, a gathering held after he had served jail time.
The dinner was described as being in honor of Prince Andrew.
The White House mentioned Democratic donor Reid Hoffman, noting reports that he visited Epstein’s island, attended a dinner with him, and planned to stay at his New York residence.
Another question addressed financial donations.
The statement said, “Why aren’t Democrats talking about the fact that the Democrat National Committee refused to return $32,000 in donations from Epstein?”
It added that former DNC chairman Don Fowler responded to questions about returning the funds by saying, “Are you nuts?”
The final question referenced author Michael Wolff.
The White House asked, “Why aren’t Democrats talking about the fact that Michael Wolff ‘encouraged Jeffrey Epstein to blackmail then-presidential candidate Donald Trump — insisting the convicted pedophile could generate a ‘debt’ from him’?”
The statement concluded by saying, “It’s time for Democrats to answer for their longstanding ties to Epstein. Then, we can get back to what matters to the American people.”
The White House said Democrats have remained quiet on these issues while selectively releasing material related to Epstein.
The release marks one of the administration’s most direct responses to ongoing debate surrounding Epstein records and the calls for full disclosure.
Republicans in the House have discussed additional measures that would pertain to the release of Epstein-related documents, and President Trump has reiterated his support for making the files public.
A dark-money operation is targeting the special election to fill former Republican Rep. Mark Green’s seat in Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District, using a strategy aimed at boosting an independent candidate to influence the outcome, according to documents obtained by the Daily Caller.
The group leading the effort is the “Democratic/Liberal” PAC Your Community.
On October 31, the PAC released a poll showing Republican Matt Van Epps ahead of Democratic state Rep. Aftyn Behn by eight points ahead of the December 2 special election.
Shortly after releasing the poll, the group began distributing mailers promoting Independent candidate Jon Thorp, who previously withdrew from the GOP primary to run without a party affiliation, according to photos reviewed by the Daily Caller.
OpenSecrets data show that roughly 85% of the PAC’s spending in the 2024 cycle supported Democrats, with the remaining 15% spent opposing Republicans.
Your Community is linked to the Soros-backed Sixteen Thirty Fund and the North Fund, both part of the Arabella Advisors network.
The Atlantic has described Arabella as the “mothership” of Democratic dark money, responsible for directing large amounts of anonymous donations into elections across the country.
Your Community PAC has taken a similar approach in this Tennessee race, running an advertisement on Friday promoting Thorp rather than the Democratic candidate, effectively shifting support away from Behn and into a spoiler strategy targeting Van Epps.
According to OpenSecrets, the PAC spent $16.3 million during the 2024 cycle, with 77% of its spending directed toward media in high-profile races that included the presidential contest and competitive Senate and House races in Montana, Michigan, Wisconsin, Iowa, Ohio, and Nebraska.
In addition to mail operations, Google’s political ad archive shows six ads placed by the PAC in Michigan’s 10th District and Nebraska’s 2nd District, one of which was co-funded with American Bridge, the Democratic rapid-response organization founded by David Brock.
Financial records show continued funding from the PAC’s dark-money partners.
Since 2024, the North Fund has contributed $6.4 million to Your Community, while the Sixteen Thirty Fund has provided nearly $6.7 million, along with $35,000 in in-kind support.
Federal Election Commission filings list a compliance attorney as the group’s treasurer.
The listed Wilmington, Delaware, address is a private residence with no publicly identified owner.
The PAC identifies itself as “Democratic/Liberal” and backs progressive causes, including expanded abortion access, according to OpenSecrets.
Van Epps, a former Tennessee commissioner of General Services, won the Republican primary in a field of eleven candidates. He is the only candidate in the race to receive an endorsement from President Donald Trump.
Van Epps has also been endorsed by Mark Green, Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee, and Ohio Rep. Jim Jordan, according to NBC News.
Green resigned in July after the passage of the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act.”
A retired U.S. Army officer, he had represented Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District since 2019.
President Trump told McDonald’s owners, operators, and suppliers on Monday that prices will decline, delivering remarks at the fast-food chain’s Impact Summit in Washington, D.C.
The event came amid ongoing national discussions about inflation, the cost of living, and economic pressures affecting consumers.
“Prices are coming down,” President Trump said during his address.
“I will tell you that nobody has done what we’ve done in terms of pricing,” Trump said.
“We took over a mess. We had the highest inflation in the history of our country … and now we have normal inflation.”
Inflation measured 3 percent in September over the previous 12 months, the highest rate recorded so far this year.
Food prices remain a significant point of concern for consumers.
According to the Economist’s “Big Mac” index, the average price of the McDonald’s burger was $6.01 in July, an increase from $5.69 one year earlier.
Data from the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis showed that ground beef averaged $6.32 in September, compared to $5.67 at the same time last year.
Last week, the administration adjusted tariff rates on imports of beef, coffee, tropical fruits, and other food products as part of an effort to address affordability issues.
“We have it down to a low level,” Trump said of inflation.
“But we’re going to get it a little bit lower. We want perfection.”
Before a room of McDonald’s franchise leaders, Trump described himself as “one of your all-time, most loyal customers.”
He said McDonald’s CEO Chris Kempczinski told him that “prices at McDonald’s are coming down,” referencing ongoing cost adjustments within the company.
Trump also highlighted the administration’s economic policies, including investment and trade decisions.
He said the country would have faced significant financial challenges had he not won the 2024 election.
“You are so damn lucky that I won that election,” Trump said.
During the 2024 campaign, Trump visited a McDonald’s in Pennsylvania, where he served french fries.
He referenced that moment in his speech, saying he was “the very first former McDonald’s frycook to ever become president of the United States,” adding, “It was not that easy!” in reference to working the drive-thru.
Trump told the audience that McDonald’s employees have a unique view of everyday American life.
“Before the sun rises, you’re serving hot coffee to construction workers, nurses and police officers on the way to the job,” he said.
“In the evening, you stand ready with the fast dinner and the smile for busy moms and their children as they race from school to soccer practice. And late at night your lights are on, and the only one still glowing when the long haul trucker pulls up for a good meal and the best Coca-Cola in America.”
Trump also mentioned his preferred menu item, saying, “I like the fish,” in reference to McDonald’s Filet-O-Fish sandwich.
He added, “You could do a little bit more tartar sauce.”
A new survey indicates that voter support for closing the Department of Education increases significantly once respondents are provided with additional information about how the change would work.
The poll was conducted by the Yes Every Kid Foundation, an organization that advocates for school choice.
At the outset, 51 percent of respondents said they opposed shutting down the Department, while 38 percent supported the idea.
After learning that K–12 funding would remain in place and that functions would be reassigned to other federal agencies, support rose to 56 percent.
Opposition declined to 30 percent.
X Screenshot – The White House
Madi Biedermann, deputy assistant secretary for communications at the Department of Education, discussed the administration’s approach in comments to the New York Post.
She said, “President Trump and Secretary [Linda] McMahon are dedicated to improving education for our nation’s students — and that begins with empowering those who are closest to the child.
Returning education to the states means rightsizing the federal role in education by removing unnecessary red tape and micromanagement by DC while maintaining critical funding for students with disabilities and low-income schools and continuing to protect students’ civil rights.”
The poll showed that support rose again after respondents were informed about long-term declines in reading and math scores.
With that additional context, 59 percent said they favored closing the Department.
The survey’s findings come as the administration continues efforts to reduce the Department of Education’s size.
President Trump has directed Education Secretary Linda McMahon to shrink the department to what he described as the “maximum extent appropriate and permitted by law.”
According to the information released, the department has been reduced by nearly half, with several programs consolidated as part of preparations for a potential closure.
Closing the Department of Education would require legislation passed by Congress.
Republicans do not currently have enough votes to enact such a measure, but the administration has said it will continue to pursue reductions allowed under existing law.
The Yes Every Kid Foundation survey contrasts with other polling frequently cited by major media outlets, which has indicated that closing the Department would be unpopular.
The new findings suggest that voter opinions shift once respondents receive more detailed explanations about funding, program transitions, and the roles of state governments.
The poll results reflect ongoing discussions in Washington about federal involvement in education policy.
The administration has emphasized that any restructuring would maintain funding for students with disabilities and low-income schools while shifting other responsibilities to states or different federal agencies.
Tom Homan outlined ongoing enforcement actions and challenges during an interview with Bill Hemmer, focusing on sanctuary city policies, recent operations in major cities, and concerns about individuals released into the country without proper vetting.
Hemmer opened a segment by asking Homan to respond to criticism from a sanctuary city mayor.
“Go ahead. Go ahead and answer that. Mr. Homan, sir, if you could, she says, total disregard for the people of her community,” Hemmer said.
Homan responded that federal officers are carrying out existing law and removing dangerous offenders.
“No, she doesn’t understand we’re enforcing the law. Mean, what other federal agency does she think should not enforce laws we are taking public safety threats out of her community every day, which makes your community safer,” Homan said.
He added that cooperation would benefit local residents.
“You think she’d be hand in hand with us and thanking President Trump for focusing on the worst of the worst, prioritizing those public safety threats, so child rapists and murderers and others. So we’re gonna keep doing it. She can. She can dislike it all she wants. We’d like her to be a partner and come and work with us on it, but she doesn’t want it stand aside and watch us do your job.”
Hemmer asked whether operations were continuing in Charlotte.
“That operation continues in Charlotte, right? You’re still operating there?”
“Yes,” Homan replied.
Hemmer then compared results in Houston with other locations.
“Okay, Chicago’s been an issue. I know you’re well aware of it. We just put us some numbers from Houston, Texas… Is the mayor in Charlotte cooperating? Or are we seeing numbers the way we are in Houston? Because there is cooperation from that Mayor in Texas.”
Homan described the Houston operation as significant.
“No. You know what happened in Houston? Was a fantastic operation. I actually went out there and kicked that operation off. And I mean, the first day, I can’t tell you how many child rapists. I mean, the worst of the worst, to me is a child rapist. How many of them we arrested the first day? I think we nine were arrested the first day,” he said.
He added that the agency enforces the law regardless of a city’s political leanings.
“We’re like, regardless of republican or democratic city. We’re going to force the laws across this country and take those public safety threats off the street, Bill.”
Homan said sanctuary city policies continue to create enforcement gaps.
“Sanctuary cities were flooding the zone because we know they’re releasing public safety threats in the communities every day. That’s where the biggest problem is, and that’s where we’re sending the majority of the agents.”
Hemmer asked about local leaders in San Francisco seeking to handle issues independently.
“Apparently, a lot of local leaders in San Francisco approached the administration and said, We can do this on our own… What do you know about that?”
Homan said he spoke directly with San Francisco’s mayor.
“Well, I can tell you the President Trump and me talked about San Francisco, and I actually spoke to the mayor of San Francisco, and he said, he goes, Look, let my law enforcement, my leadership, let us see what we can do within our own government agencies here, and give us, give us a chance.”
Homan said some local officials were taking action against dangerous offenders.
“Even though they’re sanctuary city, they’re taking some actions against the worst of the worst. We’ll see it. Will monitor it.”
He also said operations are planned for New York City.
“But New York City, I plan on being in New York City in the near future. We’re going to do operations in New York City… We know in New York City, me and Mayor Adams at one point had an agreement to let ice into Rikers Island so we can rest the public safety threats in the safety and security of that facility, but the city council shut it down.”
Homan added, “We’re going to be coming to New York City. We’re already there now. I mean, teams are there now, but we will increase the enforcement present New York City again, because they’re a sanctuary city, and we know we have an issue. There are public safety threats sitting in the street everyday.”
Hemmer asked whether San Francisco’s approach could be replicated in New York.
“With that answer, is there a distinction between what’s happening in San Francisco and what can or will happen in New York?”
Homan replied, “We’ll see. I mean, I think President said last night, if the mayor of New York City wants to come and talk about making the street safer, open up for discussion. I’m willing to meet with anybody. President Trump’s willing to meet with anybody.”
He said cooperation is preferred.
“We much rather work with with these sanctuary cities than keep, you know, putting our agents at extreme risk going out in the community and wrestling public safety trip, they could have rested them in the safety and security of a jail.”
He added, “But if they don’t want assist, they want to keep pushing back and impeding our efforts, then we’re going to just send more teams there. We’re going to flood the zone.”
Hemmer closed with a question about an illegal alien from Uzbekistan arrested in Kansas. “What do we know about this? Or what do we need to know about him?”
Homan said the case fits concerns he has raised for years.
“You know, Bill, you and I talked the last four years… I said the Biden administration was lying to American people. And they said, everybody they released in the country was properly vetted. They weren’t.”
He said whistleblowers described pressure to release individuals before FBI checks were complete.
“They were forced to release people quickly so there wasn’t overcrowding… They released them before vetting even came back.”
Homan said many dangerous individuals will not appear in U.S. databases.
“Most terrorists in this world, you can’t find in any database unless they’re on the battlefield and had a retina scan done by DOD, unless they’re part of a T3 investigation.”
He concluded that federal law requires detention.
“Federal law says if you enter country through an illegal route without proper documentation, you shall be detained… And that’s what President Trump’s doing, most secure border in history in the nation. History, in the nation right now because we’re following federal law.”
The head of security for Turning Point USA (TPUSA) founder Charlie Kirk says he alerted Utah Valley University (UVU) police about rooftop access two days before Kirk was assassinated during a TPUSA event on campus. The claim was made public Monday on “The Shawn Ryan Show.”
Kirk was killed on Sept. 10 during an appearance at UVU in which he was taking questions from attendees.
Brian Harpole of Integrity Security Solutions, who oversaw the security detail for the event, read what he described as text messages sent to UVU Police Chief Adam Long on Sept. 8 regarding access to the rooftop from which the alleged shooter fired.
“We have some correspondence with the chief of the school uh on that day, on Monday, before Charlie was killed and why this hadn’t come out and why he won’t stand up like a man and admit this, I don’t know, but he’s watching a bunch of men lose their careers and he’s okay with it,” Harpole told host Shawn Ryan.
Harpole then read the messages he said were sent on Sept. 8: “Hello, Chief Long. We received this message today from the student group. ‘There is a student roof access pretty close to where CK will be set up at the Utah Valley. (The Sorenson Center has a couple of staircases that go up to walkways on the roofs.)’”
According to Harpole, the reply from Chief Long asked if the security team needed access to the roof.
Harpole said he responded that he had been told students had access to the area above the planned event space.
Harpole said he then told the chief, “If this is true it would be nice to either have it controlled access or allow one of my guys to be there as well if possible.”
Harpole said the final message he received from the police chief read, “I got you covered.”
“What else am I to do when a command level person from an accredited police department says, ‘I’ve got this area.’?” Harpole said.
Ryan reacted to the exchange by saying, “Holy sh*t.”
Video released after the shooting shows the alleged gunman dropping from the rooftop and fleeing.
Authorities arrested 22-year-old Tyler Robinson early on Sept. 12. He is accused of fatally shooting Kirk from an upper-level walkway.
“Probably literally all they had to do is post anybody at that stairwell,” Harpole said.
A video clip of Michigan Chief Deputy Superintendent Dr. Sue Carnell responding to a question about gender definitions circulated widely on social media this week, drawing significant attention as the state finalized new sex education standards.
The exchange took place on October 28 during a hearing in the Michigan Legislature.
In the clip, which was resurfaced on X by LibsofTikTok on Sunday and viewed more than two million times, Republican state Rep. Jay DeBoyer asked Carnell, “How many genders are there?”
Carnell smiled and paused without answering. DeBoyer repeated the question: “How many genders are there?”
Carnell replied, “Different people have different beliefs on that.”
The clip’s circulation drew reactions from several conservative figures.
Former Michigan Republican gubernatorial candidate Tudor Dixon said in a statement to Fox News Digital, “Democrats want to sexualize every facet of the curriculum and the MBOE is imposing its radical ideology on all Michigan K-12 schools.”
Michigan state Sen. Aric Nesbitt posted on X, “3/4 Michigan kids can’t read at grade level. When you realize these are the people in charge of education in Michigan, that number starts to make a lot more sense.”
X Screenshot – Senator Aric Nesbitt
Roger Severino, vice president at the Heritage Foundation, posted, “Surprised progressives are still not prepared for the ‘what is a woman’ question when they testify at hearings. You would think they would have come up with something better than ‘I’m not a biologist’ (as Justice Jackson said) by now.”
X Screenshot – Roger Severino
Conservative influencer Paul A. Szypula reacted by posting, “This is beyond embarrassing. If a person can’t answer how many genders there are then they shouldn’t be allowed to vote.”
X Screenshot – Paul A. Szypula
Political commentator Wesley Yang posted, “She is caught in the grips of an institutionalized mania.”
X Screenshot – Wesley Yang
Carnell, in a statement to Fox News Digital, addressed the broader context of her testimony.
She said, “What I want people to know about gender identity is what’s in the update to the Michigan Health Education Standards Guidelines. It’s not about gotcha questions. It’s about providing local school districts with research-based information about health topics and including a few standards about gender identity areas for consideration by local schools.”
Carnell said the guidelines are intended to ensure students can, by the end of eighth grade, “Define gender identity, gender expression, and sexual orientation, and explain that they are distinct components of every individual’s identity” and “explain how biological sex, gender identity, and gender expression are distinct concepts and how they interact with each other.”
The Michigan State Board of Education last week approved new sex education standards after a 6–2 vote.
The standards include recommendations that students be taught about gender identity and sexual orientation.
The updates drew objections from parents, pastors, and several lawmakers who argued that the changes undermine parental authority and conflict with religious views.
Dixon told Fox News Digital, “Despite serious concerns from parents and legislators, board members passed this controversial far left change while the state already had standards.”
Following the vote, the Michigan Department of Education said the standards serve as guidance rather than mandates.
“The standards provide guidance to local school districts and, as in previous versions, local control remains in place and parents retain the right to decide whether their children should participate in sex education instruction,” the Department said in a news release.
The Department added that local boards determine curriculum for their districts.
“Local boards of education determine the health curriculum for their districts which may include sex education curriculum — if the district decides to offer sex ed— that has been reviewed by local sex education advisory boards that must include 50% parent representation,” the statement said.
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