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Americans Are Waking Up: Much of the GDP Is in Fact Fraud, Waste, and Abuse: Avery Day
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Americans Are Waking Up: Much of the GDP Is in Fact Fraud, Waste, and Abuse: Avery Day

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Avery Daye said Americans are becoming aware that a large share of the U.S. economy is tied to fraud, waste, and abuse, and argued that recent findings by a government program reveal significant problems in federal spending.

“Americans are finally waking up to the fact that a substantial portion of our GDP is actually, in fact, fraud, waste and abuse,” Daye said.

Daye referenced a government program called Doge, which he said was created to identify fraud, waste, and abuse in federal spending.

She said the program uncovered large amounts of misappropriated funds and faced opposition from Democrats.

“Gosh, if only we put in a government program whose job it was was to root out all this fraud, waste and abuse. Oh, wait, we did. There is one. It’s called Doge. And the Democrats hated it. They actively worked against it,” Daye said.

Daye claimed Doge identified an estimated $1.5 trillion in fraud, waste, and abuse within the federal budget.

She said the 2025 federal budget totaled about $7 trillion and argued that removing the misused funds shows what federal spending should be.

“What Doge found was there’s an estimated 1.5 trillion of our federal budget that is going towards fraud, waste and abuse, and our 2025 federal budget was about 7 trillion,” Daye said.

“So let’s do some simple math. And let’s say 7 trillion minus 1.5 trillion. That puts what our federal federal budget should be, which is about around 5.5 trillion.”

Daye said critics rejected Doge’s findings and dismissed its conclusions.

“Oh, but wait, Elon is bad, billionaire bad. Can’t trust Doge,” she said.

Daye said the budget figures can be evaluated by looking at federal spending before the COVID pandemic.

She pointed to 2019 as a baseline year before emergency funding measures were introduced.

“We have to take it back to 2019 pre covid, pre all these emergency funds that were put into place,” Daye said.

She said the federal budget in 2019 was $4.4 trillion and that spending had grown at about a 5 percent annual rate in prior years. Daye said using that growth rate provides a benchmark for evaluating current spending levels.

“So our federal budget in 2019 was 4.4 trillion. Previous years we had a 5% growth rate,” she said.

Daye said even assuming a portion of the 2019 budget involved fraud, waste, and abuse, the numbers still support a much lower federal budget today.

“And let’s be super, super conservative here, and say only 10% of that federal budget in 2019 was fraud, waste and abuse. That puts us around 4 trillion as a baseline number,” Daye said.

She said adding annual growth to that figure results in a projected budget consistent with Doge’s findings.

“Now let’s add 5% for annual growth. That gives us a 2026 spend of 5.5 trillion, which validates everything that Doge found,” Daye said.

Daye questioned how federal spending increased from $4.4 trillion in 2019 to $7 trillion in 2025 and said such growth could not occur without widespread misuse of funds.

“Because riddle me this, how do you go from a federal budget of 4.4 trillion in 2019, to 7 trillion in 2025, you can’t do that without astronomical amounts of fraud, waste and abuse,” Daye said.

Daye said the growth was unsustainable and harmful to Americans.

“It’s unsustainable growth. It hurts the American people, and any federal budget above 5.5 trillion is completely unacceptable,” she said.

He said opposition to addressing fraud, waste, and abuse amounts to working against long-term economic stability.

“And if you are against finding and taking action about this fraud, waste and abuse happening in America, you are working against the long term sustainable success of the American people,” Daye said.

“’.”

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‘This Is That FAFO of Donald Trump Foreign Policy’: Ben Ferguson
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‘This Is That FAFO of Donald Trump Foreign Policy’: Ben Ferguson

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Conservative commentator Ben Ferguson said President Donald Trump’s approach to foreign policy is defined by clear warnings followed by decisive action, arguing that Trump’s record shows a willingness to enforce red lines rather than allow them to be ignored.

Ferguson said Trump’s handling of national security issues reflects a consistent strategy built on leverage, enforcement, and credibility, particularly in relation to oil markets, sanctions, and military force.

“And I think the number one thing with President Trump is when he says something, especially when it deals with foreign policy, national security, he means it, and he means what he says here,” Ferguson said.

Ferguson said Trump understands both the strategic value of energy dominance and the consequences faced by adversaries who challenge U.S. interests.

“I think he understands that the people there are going to be a target. I think he understands that we have the upper hand on oil. I think he understands the embargoes that are real,” Ferguson said.

He pointed to U.S. actions involving Venezuela as an example of how Trump’s policies were carried out rather than left as rhetorical threats.

“And we’ve seen this with Venezuela, and this is that FAFO of Donald Trump foreign policy,” Ferguson said.

Ferguson said Trump followed through on explicit warnings to Iran regarding its nuclear program, contrasting those actions with what he described as ineffective signaling by prior administrations.

“He meant it when he said to Iran, I will hit your nuclear sites. And that’s exactly what we did,” Ferguson said.

“We pulled off the impossible mission to go and bomb those sites.”

According to Ferguson, Trump’s statements on foreign policy are often mischaracterized, and his administration’s actions should not be confused with large-scale military invasions.

“And so what I think the President is saying here is very clear, we’re not talking about invading Iraq, right? That’s not what this is,” Ferguson said.

Ferguson said Trump relied on a range of tools short of invasion, including economic pressure and targeted military actions.

“What he is saying is I have sanctions I can use against you, blockades. I can go after your boats, I can go after your oil, and I can hit military targets,” Ferguson said.

Ferguson said Trump’s posture as commander in chief has established a reputation that adversaries take seriously.

“And the president of the United States of America has been crystal clear. You don’t mess with him,” Ferguson said.

He contrasted that record with what he described as failed deterrence under previous administrations.

“When he tells you there’s a red line, he means it. Unlike Biden, unlike Obama, their red lines meant nothing to the world,” Ferguson said.

Ferguson said Trump’s actions created a documented history that foreign governments could observe and learn from.

“Donald Trump’s red lines clearly mean something,” Ferguson said.

“And you have a very quick history, you can learn just how serious he is.”

Ferguson concluded by warning that U.S. adversaries should pay attention to that record.

“And I think Iran should listen up,” he said.

WATCH:

 

‘Senate Republicans Need to Get Their Heads Out of Their A**es’: Mike Davis
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‘Senate Republicans Need to Get Their Heads Out of Their A**es’: Mike Davis

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A statement from conservative legal commentator Mike Davis focused on the future of the Senate filibuster and warnings about what Davis said Democrats would do if they regain full control of Washington.

Davis argued that Senate Republicans should eliminate the 60-vote legislative filibuster, saying Democrats have already shown they are willing to change Senate rules to advance their agenda.

“So I would say this on the filibuster. There is no question that Senate Republicans should get rid of the filibuster, the 60-vote threshold for legislation,” Davis said.

Davis pointed to past actions by Democrats during the Obama administration, saying they removed the filibuster for judicial nominations and used it to reshape the federal courts.

“Democrats got rid of the filibuster for judges under Obama and stacked the DC Circuit and the DC district court with left-wing radicals,” Davis said.

According to Davis, Republicans should not assume Democrats will preserve the legislative filibuster if they regain unified control of government.

He said the absence of former Democratic senators Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema would remove obstacles that previously slowed rule changes.

“They’re going to Democrats will do the same thing again,” Davis said.

“They don’t have Manchin and Sinema in the Senate to stop them, and the next time the Democrats control the White House, the House and the Senate, they are going to nuke the legislative filibuster.”

Davis warned that eliminating the filibuster would allow Democrats to push through major changes to the political system, including election laws and the balance of power in Congress.

“They’re going to make it much more easy to steal elections,” he said.

“They’re going to add DC, Puerto Rico, maybe the Virgin Islands, as states with two new Democrat senators in each place.”

Davis said those changes would permanently tilt the Senate and lead to additional steps that could reshape the judiciary.

“They’re going to destroy our country. They’ll pack the Supreme Court. It is game over, America,” he said.

Davis argued that Republicans should act first rather than waiting for Democrats to make those changes.

He said eliminating the filibuster now would allow Republicans to advance legislation they view as critical to election integrity.

“Senate Republicans need to get their heads out of their asses and get rid of the filibuster for legislation so we can get our legislation done right now,” Davis said.

He specifically referenced the Save Act, which he said is needed to prevent illegal voting.

“Like the Save Act to make sure that illegal aliens are not continuing to vote and steal in our elections,” Davis said.

Davis also tied his concerns to recent political outcomes in major cities, arguing that changes in voting demographics have produced leadership he believes threatens national security and cultural stability.

“There’s a reason that Mamdani is the mayor of New York City,” Davis said.

“It’s because foreign born voters put in an Islamist to run our nation’s largest city, just like the Islamist did the same thing in Europe with London.”

Davis concluded by warning that the window for action is limited and that failure to move quickly would have long-term consequences.

“We have to pass key reforms now over the next year, or we’re going to lose our country,” he said.

WATCH:

Soros’ Open Society is Anything But; It’s a Globalist Shadow Totalitarianism: Benz and Poso
George Soros, Founder and Chairman of the Open Society Foundation gives a speech during Economic Forum in Brussels, Belgium on June 1, 2017
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Soros’ Open Society is Anything But; It’s a Globalist Shadow Totalitarianism: Benz and Poso

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Jack Posobiec and Mike Benz challenged the concept of an “open society” during a recent exchange, arguing that the term has been used to disguise a modern form of centralized control exercised through global institutions and Western influence, rather than to promote genuine freedom.

Posobiec began by addressing what he described as confusion among some observers who view figures associated with the “open society” movement as historically aligned with freedom simply because they opposed the Soviet Union.

He argued that opposition to Soviet communism does not automatically equate to promoting liberty.

“Because there’s a lot of people that I see when they when they encounter some of these histories, they’ll say, wait a minute, so Soros was a good guy at first, etc.,” Posobiec said.

“Well, it’s almost like saying that, you know, you have communism, but then you also have globalism, and neither of them are actually producing freedom, and they are not open societies, as George Soros calls them, they are, in fact, a different form of totalitarianism.”

The Heir: Inside the (Not So) Secret Network of Alex Soros

Posobiec described what he characterized as a system of control operating under the language of global cooperation and economic integration.

“It is Shadow totalitarianism. It is Shadow communism that is put under the guise of globalism and the guise of the World Economic Forum, and they create all these super national institutions and organizations to be able to claim that this is the new freedom,” he said.

He added that the outcomes of such systems reveal their true nature. “But we know, we know from the fruits of it that it is not freedom,” Posobiec said.

“So just because you were against the Soviet Union doesn’t mean you’re not peddling a new form of communism.”

Benz agreed with Posobiec’s assessment and argued that the “open society” framework collapses quickly when challenged by dissenting views.

“Right. No, that’s exactly true. There’s nothing open about the Open Society concept,” Benz said.

“When you dissent, look how fast the system snaps shut around you.”

As an example, Benz cited recent actions in Europe.

“Just today, it was, it was, as we’re recording this, it was announced that multiple journalists inside the European Union have been sanctioned for merely suggesting that Russia was going to win the war,” he said.

“For these are journalists for simply having an opinion about the war.”

Benz argued that this response demonstrates the limits of permissible discourse. “There’s nothing open about the Open Society,” he said.

“It just means open to our control the moment, the moment that control is threatened, watch how quickly the Open Society closes around you.”

According to Benz, the concept was never intended to foster openness in the traditional sense.

“But the fact is, is that that was a that was a pretext. It was a ruse,” he said.

“It was so to open it up to our to our influence and to our markets and to our control doesn’t doesn’t mean they want it genuinely open, means open to us.”

The discussion then turned to Ukraine, which Benz described as central to Western strategic interests.

“Now in Ukraine, is was the crown jewel of these maneuvers, because Ukraine has $14 trillion worth of natural resources,” Benz said.

“It is the gateway between East and West. It is the main point of transit for gas. Natural gas is entry into Europe.”

He continued by outlining Ukraine’s economic and geographic significance.

“It has unbelievable quantities of wheat and agriculture and arable land. It has the, the third largest petroleum reserves in all of Europe,” Benz said.

“It is, it is just an incredible bounty, as well as hosting the only warm water port to Russia through through the Black Sea and Crimea.”

Benz argued that Ukraine’s position makes it critical in broader geopolitical strategy.

“So tactically, if you want to control Russia, having control over Ukraine gets you there,” he said.

He added that Russia itself holds “$75 trillion worth of natural resources,” emphasizing why influence over the region has been a longstanding objective.

Reflecting on recent history, Benz pointed to earlier political upheavals in Ukraine.

“There were two color revolutions that were done to Ukraine, first in 2004 through the Orange Revolution, and then again in 2014 through the Euro Maidan Square revolution,” he said.

He noted that the latter has since been “rebranded as the so called Revolution of Dignity.”

Benz concluded by referencing visual evidence of the unrest.

“But if you go to BBC News and you look at the before and after pictures of the Euromaidan square, I think nothing quite shows in such vivid colors as the before and after pictures of what the square around the parliament building of Ukraine look like before and after the George Floyd style protests that were galvanized by John McCain,” he said.

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Human Smuggler Jumps Into a River with a Baby in Attempt to Evade Texas Troopers
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Human Smuggler Jumps Into a River with a Baby in Attempt to Evade Texas Troopers

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A Texas woman was arrested and charged with human smuggling and child endangerment after authorities say she attempted to flee a traffic stop near the southern border by jumping into the Rio Grande with an infant and trying to swim into Mexico.

According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, the incident occurred on Dec. 19 in Laredo, a border city in South Texas.

DPS officials said Brenda Castro, a U.S. citizen, was a passenger in a Ford Explorer driven by her husband, who is also a U.S. citizen, when state troopers attempted to conduct a traffic stop.

Castro’s husband allegedly refused to stop, prompting a pursuit.

DPS released dashcam footage showing the SUV traveling at a high rate of speed through residential neighborhoods and rural roadways as troopers attempted to stop the vehicle.

Authorities said the situation escalated when Castro exited the vehicle during the chase while carrying an infant and ran toward the Rio Grande, which separates the United States from Mexico.

Officials said Castro entered the river with the child and attempted to swim across to the Mexican side.

DPS confirmed that Castro’s husband also entered the river and successfully swam across into Mexico, evading arrest.

A DPS spokesperson told Fox News Digital that the husband made it to the Mexican side of the border and was not apprehended at the scene.

State and local law enforcement officers responded to the riverbank and directed Castro to return to the U.S. side with the infant.

Authorities said officers repeatedly instructed her in Spanish to get back to dry land with the child as she struggled in the water.

Video from the scene shows a law enforcement officer eventually removing the infant from the river.

While escorting Castro into a law enforcement vehicle following her arrest, an officer addressed her actions.

“I can’t believe you tried to run back with the baby. You both could have drowned,” the officer told Castro.

Authorities said the child was taken into protective custody and placed under the care of officials following the incident.

The condition of the child was not disclosed, but no injuries were reported.

After securing the scene, DPS troopers searched the Ford Explorer and discovered five illegal aliens inside the vehicle, authorities said.

The individuals were turned over to the U.S. Border Patrol for processing.

DPS said the presence of the illegal aliens inside the vehicle led investigators to pursue human smuggling charges against Castro.

She was also charged with endangering a child due to the alleged attempt to flee into the river with the infant during the pursuit.

Officials did not immediately release the identities or nationalities of the illegal aliens found in the vehicle, nor did they specify whether the individuals were connected to any broader smuggling operation. DPS said the investigation remains ongoing.

The incident is the latest in a series of smuggling-related arrests along the Texas-Mexico border involving U.S. citizens accused of transporting illegal aliens.

State officials have repeatedly warned that human smuggling cases frequently involve dangerous conditions, including high-speed pursuits and attempts to evade law enforcement in remote or hazardous terrain.

Authorities emphasized that fleeing into the Rio Grande poses serious risks, particularly for children.

Law enforcement officials have documented numerous drownings in the river in recent years, especially during smuggling attempts or illegal crossings.

Castro was taken into custody at the scene and booked on the charges.

Additional details regarding court proceedings or bond information were not immediately available.

Byron Donalds Calls Out Senate Dems Blocking Proof of Citizenship Vote
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Byron Donalds Calls Out Senate Dems Blocking Proof of Citizenship Vote

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Florida Rep. Byron Donalds is calling out both Senate Democrats and the Republican-controlled Senate for blocking the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, legislation that would require documentary proof of U.S. citizenship to register and vote in federal elections.

The SAVE Act passed the House of Representatives in April by a narrow 216–208 vote. Republicans were unified in support, joined by four Democrats: Reps. Ed Case of Hawaii, Henry Cuellar of Texas, Jared Golden of Maine, and Marie Perez of Washington. Despite House passage, the bill has not advanced in the Senate.

The legislation would amend the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 to require documentary proof of citizenship for participation in federal elections.

Under current law, voters are not required to present proof of citizenship, such as a U.S. passport or a REAL ID, when voting for president, the U.S. House, or the U.S. Senate.

According to the bill text, states would be prohibited from processing voter registrations unless applicants provide proof of citizenship.

Acceptable documentation would include a REAL ID–compliant driver’s license, a U.S. passport, or a certified birth certificate paired with a government-issued photo ID.

The bill would also require states to actively remove noncitizens from voter rolls using federal databases, including the Department of Homeland Security’s Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements system and Social Security Administration verification tools.

The SAVE Act would mandate that states establish voter eligibility verification programs within 30 days of enactment.

Federal agencies would be required to provide citizenship data to state election officials within 24 hours of a request at no cost.

The legislation also includes criminal penalties for election officials found to have knowingly registered noncitizens.

The Department of Homeland Security would be tasked with investigating and potentially deporting any noncitizen found to be unlawfully registered to vote.

Senate Democrats have publicly opposed the bill.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said on the Senate floor in April that no Democrat would support the SAVE Act and described it as a threat to the Democratic Party’s future.

Schumer labeled the legislation “voter suppression” and compared it to Jim Crow laws.

“The kind of legislation, the kind of executive orders, which are so jaundiced, so slanted on the side of one party, are the antithesis of democracy,” Schumer said.

He continued, “On the other, Republicans in Congress are pushing the SAVE Act, one of the most destructive, dangerous voter suppression bills in recent memory. It is very reminiscent of Jim Crow.”

Schumer added, “They want to not only restore Jim Crow in the south, they want to have Jim Crow spread from one end of this country to the other. It will not happen. It will not happen. Let me be clear. I will not let this noxious bill, the Save Act, become law. Every Senate Democrat, every single one of us is united against it. They need 60 votes. The SAVE Act is dead on arrival.”

Utah Sen. Mike Lee weighed in publicly, posting on X that, “The SAVE Act, which requires proof of citizenship to register and vote in federal elections, passed the House in April. The Senate should send it to President Trump’s desk for signature ASAP. Do you agree?”

Donalds responded by criticizing the Senate’s failure to act and pressing for immediate passage. “The SAVE Act ensures ONLY US CITIZENS can vote in US elections,” Donalds said.

He added, “LAST YEAR: @HouseGOP PASSED The SAVE Act, but Senate Dems blocked us. 264 DAYS AGO: @HouseGOP PASSED The SAVE Act again, but it’s held-up in the Senate. I agree with @SenMikeLee—It’s time to PASS THE SAVE ACT NOW!”

Elon Musk responded to the exchange by writing, “This is essential.”

Donalds later called for eliminating the filibuster to advance the legislation.

“Eliminate the Filibuster. Pass The Save Act. Put the AMERICAN PEOPLE FIRST. ONLY US CITIZENS should be able to vote in US elections,” he said.

Last month, President Donald Trump again urged Republicans to terminate the filibuster to move election-related legislation forward as negotiations continued over reopening the government.

“The Democrats are cracking like dogs on the Shutdown because they are deathly afraid that I am making progress with the Republicans on TERMINATING THE FILIBUSTER!” Trump said in a statement. “Whether we make a Deal or not, THE REPUBLICANS MUST ‘BLOW UP’ THE FILIBUSTER, AND APPROVE HUNDREDS OF LONG SOUGHT, BUT NEVER GOTTEN, POLICY WINS LIKE, AS JUST A SMALL EXAMPLE, VOTER ID (IDENTIFICATION). Only a LOSER would not agree to doing this!”

In a later post, Trump again wrote, “TERMINATE THE FILIBUSTER!”

The President has repeatedly called on Senate Republicans to invoke the nuclear option to pass voter ID requirements and other election measures, arguing that Democrats will eventually do the same.

“I wouldn’t have been in favor of that a long time ago, but you know, the Democrats are going to do that,” Trump said.

“So why aren’t we doing it?”

 

‘JD Vance Is Pulling Off Something Historic’: CNN’s Data Guru Harry Enten
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‘JD Vance Is Pulling Off Something Historic’: CNN’s Data Guru Harry Enten

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With the 2028 presidential election still 34 months away, early polling and prediction market data are already offering a glimpse into how the next Republican primary race could take shape.

According to recent analysis highlighted on CNN, Vice President J.D. Vance has emerged as the clear early favorite for the Republican presidential nomination, posting numbers that have surprised even veteran political analysts.

CNN chief data analyst Harry Enten said Monday that he was struck by how strongly Vance performed in a recent poll of likely New Hampshire Republican primary voters when compared with other potential contenders, including former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nimarata “Nikki” Haley, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, and several sitting and former elected officials.

Enten pointed to prediction market data showing Vance far ahead of the rest of the field.

On Polymarket, Vance’s odds of becoming the Republican presidential nominee in 2028 stand at 54 percent.

The next closest contender on the platform, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, is listed at 9 percent.

Similar results appear across other platforms. PredictIt reflects comparable confidence in Vance’s position, while the federally regulated prediction market Kalshi places Vance’s odds at 48 percent, with Rubio again trailing at 10 percent.

“JD Vance is like Mario Andretti, and Marco Rubio and the rest of the field are like going around in go-karts at this point,” Enten said.

“That’s really what we are looking at. JD Vance is the clear, heavy favorite at this time.”

Enten said the early dominance shown in prediction markets is supported by polling data rather than speculation.

He cited a University of New Hampshire poll conducted in October that surveyed voters planning to participate in the 2028 Republican presidential primary in New Hampshire.

According to the poll, 51 percent of respondents said they would vote for Vance.

Haley was a distant second at 9 percent, followed by Gabbard at 8 percent.

Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders received 5 percent support, while Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky drew 4 percent.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and Ohio gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy each received 3 percent support.

Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, who was born in Calgary and has previously run for president, failed to reach 1 percent in the poll.

Cruz was among the candidates defeated by President Donald Trump during the 2016 and 2024 Republican primary contests.

“Take a look here! JD Vance at 51%!” Enten said while reviewing the poll results.

“The next closest is Nikki Haley, who’s at 9 — who’s at 9! I mean, what is that? That’s 42 points ahead of the pack.”

Enten added that the significance of New Hampshire’s early primary status helps explain why Vance’s numbers have translated so strongly into prediction market confidence.

“There’s a reason why he’s such a heavy favorite in the prediction market so far, because if you win the GOP primary in New Hampshire, chances are, you’re going to be the Republican nominee for president,” he said.

When asked whether such a commanding early lead was unusual, Enten said it was historically rare.

“I looked back. Hitting 50% plus in the early New Hampshire polls for a non-sitting president — JD Vance is the only one,” he said.

“JD Vance is pulling off something historic at this time.”

Historically, recent vice presidents who have sought the presidency have fared well in their party primaries.

The last five sitting vice presidents who ran for president ultimately secured their party’s nomination.

Additional signs of Vance’s early strength emerged earlier this month at Turning Point USA’s annual AmericaFest, where a straw poll was conducted. Widowed CEO Erika Kirk publicly endorsed Vance during the event.

Blake Neff, a producer for “The Charlie Kirk Show,” said Vance won the AmericaFest straw poll by a larger margin than President Trump won a similar poll ahead of the 2024 election.

Neff noted that while 82.6 percent of respondents previously supported Trump as the GOP nominee, 84.2 percent said they wanted Vance to be the Republican nominee in 2028.

The same University of New Hampshire poll that showed Vance with majority support among Republican voters also suggested a more fragmented contest on the Democratic side.

Among likely Democratic primary voters in New Hampshire, 19 percent said they would support former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. California Gov. Gavin Newsom followed at 15 percent, with New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez at 14 percent.

Former Vice President Kamala Harris received 11 percent support, Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont drew 8 percent, and Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker registered 6 percent.

While the 2028 election remains years away, early polling and market indicators suggest that the Republican field is already coalescing around Vance in a way rarely seen this early in the cycle.

Another Patriots Player Charged as Christian Barmore Faces Domestic Assault Case
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Another Patriots Player Charged as Christian Barmore Faces Domestic Assault Case

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New England Patriots defensive tackle Christian Barmore is facing a criminal charge following an alleged domestic incident, according to court documents filed in Massachusetts, marking the second legal issue involving a Patriots player to surface in recent days.

Records from Attleborough District Court show that Barmore has been charged with one count of assault and battery on a family or household member.

The charge stems from an alleged incident that occurred on August 8 involving a woman with whom Barmore was in a relationship.

According to the court filing, the woman told authorities that she and Barmore became involved in an argument inside his room over the temperature setting and over food.

She alleged that the disagreement escalated as she attempted to leave the room.

The woman claimed that Barmore snatched her phone out of her hands as she was trying to exit.

She further alleged that she attempted to scream for help but was unable to do so.

According to the filing, she stated that Barmore “grabbed her before she could and threw her to the floor.”

The complaint states that the woman alleged additional physical contact as she tried to get up.

She told investigators that Barmore grabbed her shirt “in the area of the neck,” before eventually letting her up.

The woman also claimed that the alleged incident occurred in front of the couple’s two-year-old child.

Following the alleged altercation, the woman told authorities that she and her child arranged transportation through a car service provided to Patriots players and traveled to Delaware.

According to the filing, she did not immediately press charges, stating that she feared retaliation. She instead waited until September to report the incident.

Court documents indicate that the woman later reversed course.

In an email dated December 4, she informed authorities that she would not press charges.

Despite that communication, a criminal complaint was later issued.

“The criminal complaint was issued on Dec. 16, and Barmore is scheduled to be arraigned on Feb. 3, 2026, five days before Super Bowl LX,” WCBV reported.

The New England Patriots acknowledged the pending case in a statement issued following reports of the charge.

“The New England Patriots are aware of reports regarding a pending February arraignment involving Christian Barmore, which stems from an alleged domestic incident that occurred in August,” the team said.

“The Patriots were made aware at the time of the incident and informed the NFL in a timely manner. The matter remains part of an ongoing legal process. We will respect that process, continue to monitor the situation closely, as we have over the past few months, and cooperate fully with the league. We will have no further comment at this time.”

Barmore, a former Alabama standout, has been a key part of the Patriots’ defensive line since being selected in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft.

The pending legal case places additional scrutiny on the organization at a time when it is already dealing with another off-field issue involving a high-profile player.

News of the charge against Barmore became public one day after reports emerged that Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs is also facing assault charges.

According to those reports, Diggs is accused of slapping and choking his personal chef during an alleged dispute over payment.

The two cases are unrelated, but the timing has drawn attention to the Patriots’ locker room as the NFL continues to emphasize its personal conduct policy.

Both matters are subject to ongoing legal proceedings, and the league has not announced whether disciplinary action will be taken while the cases move through the courts.

Barmore is expected to appear in Attleborough District Court for his arraignment on February 3, 2026.

Until then, the charge remains pending, and no trial date has been announced.

Protests Rock Iran as Economy Craters and Anger Boils Over
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Protests Rock Iran as Economy Craters and Anger Boils Over

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Iran ground to a near standstill on Wednesday as businesses, universities, and government offices closed across much of the country under a government-ordered shutdown amid escalating protests tied to a deepening political and economic crisis.

Video footage circulating online and shared by the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (MEK) showed intense clashes between protesters and security forces in multiple cities, including Shiraz, Isfahan, Kermanshah, and Tehran.

The videos depicted crowded streets where demonstrators confronted security personnel while chanting anti-regime slogans.

In several clips, protesters could be heard shouting, “Death to the Dictator” and “Proud Arakis, support, support,” as scenes of chaos unfolded.

The footage included sounds of screaming and what appeared to be gunfire, with demonstrators throwing objects at security forces.

Additional videos released by MEK showed crowds chanting, “Death to Khamenei!” and “Shame on you, shame on you!” as unrest appeared to spread across the country.

Much of the protest activity centered on bazaar-led demonstrations, particularly in Tehran, where merchants reportedly shut down operations in coordination with broader strikes.

Some of the most dramatic confrontations were reported in the city of Fasa, located in south-central Iran.

Video circulating online showed demonstrators hurling objects at the gates of a government complex and violently shaking them until the gates opened.

Opposition groups reported that protesters stormed the governor’s office, prompting Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps forces to open fire, according to Reuters.

Military helicopters were seen flying over Fasa, apparently as a show of force aimed at intimidating residents and preventing the unrest from spreading to surrounding areas.

In western Iran, footage from Kermanshah showed bazaar merchants confronting security forces while chanting, “Dishonorable, dishonorable,” as tensions flared between civilians and authorities.

The one-day shutdown affected 21 of Iran’s 31 provinces, including the capital Tehran, as President Masoud Pezeshkian moved to contain mounting public anger fueled by soaring inflation, currency instability, and declining living standards.

The shutdown marked one of the most extensive nationwide closures in recent years.

Demonstrations, strikes, and clashes with security forces continued for a fourth consecutive day in cities across the country, signaling that the unrest showed little sign of subsiding.

The protests unfolded against a backdrop of economic hardship that has intensified pressure on Iran’s leadership.

The unrest has also coincided with a series of high-level leadership changes that have added to political and economic uncertainty.

On Wednesday, Pezeshkian appointed Abdolnaser Hemmati, a former economy minister, as the new head of Iran’s central bank following the resignation of Mohammad Reza Farzin.

State media quoted the president as acknowledging the challenges facing the new central bank chief.

According to IRNA, Pezeshkian said the role was “extremely difficult and complex,” warning that Hemmati would face intense pressure and criticism amid ongoing economic turmoil.

Separately, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei announced the appointment of IRGC Brig. Gen. Ahmad Vahidi as deputy commander in chief of the Revolutionary Guards, a move that came as security forces remained heavily engaged in responding to nationwide unrest.

Iran has faced repeated waves of protests in recent years driven by economic grievances, political dissatisfaction, and anger over corruption and governance.

Wednesday’s shutdown and the scale of the demonstrations marked a significant escalation as authorities attempted to regain control while protesters continued to challenge the government in streets and marketplaces across the country.

Politico Propagandist Suggests Somalis Use Lethal Force Against Reporters Exposing Fraud
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Politico Propagandist Suggests Somalis Use Lethal Force Against Reporters Exposing Fraud

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Rob Schmitt and Sebastian Gorka criticized a Politico article and its promotion on social media during a discussion that also featured video from a former Department of Homeland Security whistleblower, arguing that the reporting normalized violence while downplaying what they described as large-scale fraud involving taxpayer funds and potential links to terrorism.

Schmitt opened the exchange by citing a post from a Senior Legal Affairs reporter for Politico, which referenced Stand Your Ground laws in the context of journalists investigating alleged Somali-run scam operations in Minneapolis.

“This is the Senior Legal Affairs reporter for Politico posting on x at some point, the amateur effort to knock on doors of home daycares intersects with robust Stand Your Ground laws,” Schmitt said.

“What is being exposed right now is so dangerous for the left, for the Democrat Party, for the people that this fake reporter supports, that he’s essentially hoping that one of these Somali refugees running one of these scam operations in Minneapolis, I guess, shoots reporters that are going to knock on the door.”

Gorka responded by rejecting the comparison drawn in the article and accusing the outlet of distorting self-defense laws.

“Yeah, I’m going to have to take your word for it. Rob that’s an actual real quote from one of these fake news outlets, the idea that you’re conflating what a burglar breaking into your house and being allowed to use deadly force against that burglar, as opposed to a young reporter who is getting to the bottom of billions of dollars of built taxpayer funding,” Gorka said.

He went on to argue that the real wrongdoing lay with those allegedly misusing public funds.

“If there are any burglars in this story, it’s not the young, fearless journalist; it’s the Somali community members who are stealing your taxpayer funds, my taxpayers’ funds, and had signs for their learning centers where they can’t even spell the word learn grammatically correctly,” Gorka said.

Schmitt returned to the Politico reporter’s role, questioning the intent behind the reporting and its political implications.

“This is a Senior Legal Affairs reporter for Politico? And does anything indicate better that the threat that this reporting, that this story has on all the institutions that this he claims to be a reporter, he’s not a reporter. He’s not a reporter. He’s a propagandist for the left in this country, for the Democrat Party,” Schmitt said.

He added that the exposure of alleged fraud threatened broader support for government programs.

“Who is going to want to vote for more government and for bigger safety nets when they see that all of our money is just being lit on fire and just dumped into refugees coming here and scamming us out of billions of dollars?” Schmitt asked.

Gorka argued that the language used in the article amounted to a call to violence.

“Well, look, I think there’s two things that need to be said. Number one, that article that quote, unquote legal expert is doing what the left always does, which is normalizing violence,” Gorka said.

“That’s a dog whistle talking about, stand your ground, legal authorities, that’s about the use of deadly force.”

He framed the issue as one that should concern Americans regardless of politics.

“There can’t be anybody in America who who agrees with what we’re witnessing in these reports,” Gorka said.

“If you’re just a normal human being and you go, hang on a second, this is just wrong. This is my money.”

Schmitt then introduced video from a former Minnesota DHS whistleblower, noting past warnings about the misuse of funds.

“You’re talking about counterterrorism reports for the last month of Somali fraud funds being sent to Al Shabaab,” Schmitt said.

“You have a former Minnesota DHS whistleblower that said, seven years ago, talking about this same issue.”

In the clip, the whistleblower described concerns investigators had following terrorist attacks overseas.

“Every time there was a terrorist attack, Paris, San Bernardino, France, Paris, even the Syrian war, we would as investigators, We would get together the day after the attack, and we would think we would ponder amongst ourselves, how much Minnesota taxpayer dollars was being used to fund that war, that attack, what bought that gun? Where that money come from?” the whistleblower said.

Reacting to the clip, Schmitt called the statement alarming.

“That’s an unbelievable statement from seven years ago, and it makes you realize just how much of this money could have been going to these places,” he said, asking how authorities planned to determine where the funds ended up.

Gorka responded by citing current enforcement efforts and recent arrests. “I’ll quote, I think it was on a news program earlier today on Newsmax, where I saw the Secretary Noem at DHS state, unequivocally, this is going to be one of the largest investigations at DHS,” Gorka said, referring to investigations into alleged fraud involving immigrants and taxpayer funds.

He also referenced a recent case. “Recent arrest in Texas of somebody who has now been charged with material support to ISIS for trying to wire $38 to ISIS,” Gorka said, adding that the broader concern involved “potentially millions of dollars leaving America from those fraudulent entities to fund terrorist organizations abroad.”

“So we have only just begun,” Gorka said.

“We are on the case, and people will face justice.”

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