News

News

‘AWOL’ Pete Buttigieg Pops Up for Air Traffic Controllers, Gets Shot Down Immediately

Transportation Secretary Duffy and former Secretary Pete Buttigieg exchanged sharp words on Monday after Buttigieg criticized President Donald Trump’s message to air traffic controllers amid the final hours of the record-long government shutdown.

Buttigieg, who served as Transportation Secretary Joe Biden, posted a response to the President’s message on X, writing, “The President wouldn’t last five minutes as an air traffic controller, and after everything they’ve been through – and the way this administration has treated them from Day One – he has no business shitting on them now.”

Duffy, who succeeded Buttigieg in the position, quickly replied, accusing his predecessor of neglecting the Department of Transportation during his tenure.

“Give me a break,” Duffy wrote.

“You were basically AWOL at the DOT. I spend my whole day dealing with your neglect and cleaning up your messes. Sit this one out.”

The exchange came as the government shutdown—now the longest in American history—appeared close to resolution, with air travel operations becoming a central point of concern as federal workers, including air traffic controllers, continued to face financial strain.

President Trump addressed the issue directly on Monday through a Truth Social post directed at air traffic controllers.

He praised those who continued working despite the shutdown and criticized those who did not.

“All Air Traffic Controllers must get back to work, NOW!!!” the President wrote.

“Anyone who doesn’t will be substantially ‘docked.’ For those Air Traffic Controllers who were GREAT PATRIOTS, and didn’t take ANY TIME OFF for the ‘Democrat Shutdown Hoax,’ I will be recommending a BONUS of $10,000 per person for distinguished service to our Country.”

He continued, “For those that did nothing but complain, and took time off, even though everyone knew they would be paid, IN FULL, shortly into the future, I am NOT HAPPY WITH YOU. You didn’t step up to help the U.S.A. against the FAKE DEMOCRAT ATTACK that was only meant to hurt our Country.”

The President also addressed those who refused to return to work, stating, “If you want to leave service in the near future, please do not hesitate to do so, with NO payment or severance of any kind! You will be quickly replaced by true Patriots, who will do a better job on the Brand New State of the Art Equipment, the best in the World, that we are in the process of ordering.”

President Trump also criticized the Biden-Harris administration’s handling of aviation systems, claiming billions of dollars were wasted on outdated infrastructure.

“The last ‘Administration’ wasted Billions of Dollars trying to fix antiquated ‘junk.’ They had no idea what they were doing!” he wrote.

Secretary Duffy has received praise from several aviation and transportation groups for maintaining continuity during the shutdown and keeping essential travel operations functioning.

Industry analysts have noted that communication from the Department of Transportation under Duffy’s leadership has remained steady throughout the shutdown, minimizing potential disruptions to commercial flights and air traffic systems.

In contrast, Buttigieg faced criticism during his tenure for handling several transportation crises, including widespread airline cancellations, lengthy FAA system outages, and supply chain disruptions that led to significant economic fallout.

While President Trump’s comments drew strong reactions from both supporters and critics, Duffy’s exchange with Buttigieg reflected a broader debate over accountability within the Department of Transportation following years of strained infrastructure management.

As negotiations in Congress move closer to finalizing a deal to end the shutdown, administration officials have emphasized the importance of restoring federal operations and supporting the nation’s transportation workforce.

News

Leaked Call: USAID Employees Coordinated With Soros Groups Ahead of Trump’s Inauguration

Newly surfaced recordings shared on X by investigative reporter DataRepublican appear to show senior figures within the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) discussing how they moved internal communications off federal systems and into encrypted Signal chats ahead of President Donald Trump’s inauguration.

The material has prompted questions about whether a network of officials and contractors coordinated political activities outside the agency’s official structure.

The recordings, reportedly taken during a USAID virtual meeting, feature multiple staff members describing how internal groups prepared for what they viewed as a hostile incoming administration.

A staff member identified as “Van (she/her)” is heard explaining that, prior to January 20, USAID employees migrated discussions and data from government servers into private Signal chat groups.

“We saw the writing on the wall and the attacks that were already happening during the election cycle,” Van said.

“We had already moved our group away from the USAID main systems into Signal chats to protect our community there.”

Van said that after the inauguration, contractors established a “Stop Work Order” website and began forming private coordination groups in what she described as a rapid response to disinformation.

Within days, hundreds of USAID employees reportedly joined these encrypted communication channels as agency leadership changed and several officials were placed on administrative leave.

“We had all read Project 2025,” Van said, referring to a policy blueprint developed by the Heritage Foundation and other conservative organizations.

“We were somewhat prepared for this administration, and in other ways, not prepared at all.”

Van cited the Office of Transition Initiatives (OTI), a USAID division typically used in foreign crisis response and governance programs, as playing a key role in organizing internal communications. “OTI has been a major player. They pre-organized because they had organized during the previous Trump administration to respond to threats to our U.S. democracy,” she said.

Another USAID employee, identified as Rosarie Tucci, can be heard discussing collaboration between the agency, Johns Hopkins University, and other international partners to create what she called “coordination structures.”

“I think the 22nd Century will be a great place to build those connections,” Tucci said.

“Johns Hopkins is also working to bridge international and domestic democracy and conflict mitigation spaces… We can bring in actors or colleagues from around the world who have dealt with this directly on very specific issue sets, whether that’s tackling corruption, responding to corruption, or mobilizing around corruption.”

According to DataRepublican’s summary of the footage, the first large-scale protest linked to these internal networks occurred on February 5.

“We had our first large-scale protest, in which several congressional leaders stood up with us, along with agency leadership,” Van said in the recording.

DataRepublican alleged that the event was coordinated by progressive groups including 50501 and Indivisible, both of which have received support from organizations linked to billionaire George Soros.

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

The reporter also claimed that the Office of Transition Initiatives’ participation in the domestic coordination effort could raise legal questions.

OTI operates under Section 491 of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, which authorizes programs to stabilize other nations in crisis.

The law does not list domestic civic engagement among the office’s functions.

“Lest you think it is harmless, they outright admit their goal is to create new ‘socio-political economic governance systems,’” DataRepublican wrote in one post.

“If that’s not a coup, I don’t know what is.”

In response to the revelations, retired Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn, former National Security Advisor to President Trump, urged action on X, writing: “IF IT LOOKS LIKE A COUP, IF IT SOUNDS LIKE A COUP, IF IT FEELS LIKE A COUP, IT’S A COUP!!!” Flynn added, “Mr. @POTUS @realDonaldTrump — Get our DOJ to hold all of these government and former government officials accountable. READ THIS THREAD NOW.”

News

Sen. Kennedy’s ‘Katie Porter to Pluto’ Line Steals the Show After Shutdown Vote

The Senate reached an agreement Monday to bring an end to the federal government shutdown after days of stalled negotiations.

The legislation now moves to the House of Representatives, where Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) said lawmakers would move quickly to hold a vote to reopen the government.

“We’re proceeding as fast as possible to put a vote on the floor to open the government,” Johnson said, following the Senate’s bipartisan breakthrough.

Among those weighing in on the developments was Sen. John Kennedy (R-LA), who shared his trademark humor during an appearance on Fox News while emphasizing the political fallout facing Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) over the shutdown strategy.

Kennedy cautioned against disrupting the fragile Senate deal. “If I did that, my colleagues would, I don’t know, they’d have Katie Porter slap me to Pluto, and I couldn’t blame ’em,” he said, referencing California gubernatorial candidate Katie Porter in a lighthearted aside.

The Louisiana senator also criticized Schumer’s handling of the negotiations.

“Senator Schumer chose to have this shutdown—he just dug up more snakes than he could kill,” Kennedy said, describing how Schumer’s strategy had backfired both legislatively and politically.

Kennedy added that Republicans “couldn’t even entertain what Schumer was asking for,” calling it an unworkable approach that lacked bipartisan support.

Kennedy went on to thank Democrats who joined Republicans in voting to end the shutdown, crediting them with acting in the national interest despite partisan pressure.

While Kennedy’s remarks drew attention for their humor, his criticism reflected broader frustration across the aisle.

Schumer’s decision to push the government into a shutdown, analysts said, appeared aimed at securing leverage with his party’s progressive wing.

But as negotiations dragged on and the effects of the shutdown deepened, backlash quickly spread within his own ranks.

Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) also condemned his party’s tactics, saying Democrats “crossed a line,” particularly by halting pay for U.S. military personnel.

Fetterman questioned leadership within the party, suggesting that both Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) had lost clarity over who was steering their legislative strategy.

The criticism came amid reports of growing unrest among Democrats over the political consequences of the shutdown.

A recent poll showed a decline in Schumer’s approval ratings, and some Democratic lawmakers have begun quietly calling for a change in party leadership.

Political observers have noted that the shutdown may have been intended to energize Democratic voters ahead of the Nov. 4 elections.

However, the plan may have backfired, leaving Schumer facing frustration from both moderates and progressives.

As the Senate and House move toward final votes to reopen the government, Schumer’s standing within his own caucus appears weaker than before.

His decision to pursue the shutdown, meant to strengthen his influence, instead left him navigating renewed division and diminished confidence from within his party.

For now, lawmakers from both parties are working to finalize the deal and restore normal operations, while the political consequences of the standoff continue to reverberate through Capitol Hill.

News

Based Florida Sheriff Demolishes Drug Den: ‘We’re Going to Tear Your Little Playhouse Down’

Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey announced Monday that a condemned house appearing on the sheriff’s “High Intensity Target” list is being torn down after repeated calls for service involving drugs, shootings, and other criminal activity.

Sheriff Ivey said the property had long been a danger to the neighborhood and had been declared uninhabitable. The demolition follows a legal process to remove what he described as a “nuisance property” linked to drug use and violence.

In a video statement, Sheriff Ivey said, “Hello everyone. I’m Sheriff Wayne Ivey, the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office, and this house right here. Yeah, it made the sheriff’s high intensity target list. So you know what’s happening. We’re going to take these and we’re going to tear this piece of crap down.”

He added, “We’ve had repeated calls for service here—drugs, flop house, all sorts of craziness, people shooting in there, everything else. You might remember this place, though, because out front is where they put all the graffiti up talking about how much they hated the sheriff’s office and how they didn’t like me.”

“Well, guess what? Now they got a reason not to like me, because we’re going to tear their little playhouse down,” Ivey said before turning to his team.

“David, you ready? Terry, you ready? Let’s go tear that playhouse down.”

Addressing critics who might question the legality of the demolition, Ivey said, “Before any of you soft on crime, little cry babies start talking and saying, oh, you can’t do that, it’s illegal—everything we’re doing is legal. We’ve done it the right way, with the proper paperwork and everything else.”

He added, “Folks, I wouldn’t let anybody live in this. It’s uninhabitable. It is festered with drugs and everything else. This place is not safe for anybody. It’s been condemned, and we are taking it out.”

Ivey said the house is one of several properties identified as community threats due to illegal activity. He said demolishing such sites helps keep neighborhoods safe and deters future criminal activity.

“So everybody, you see what happens when you sell drugs, have a flop house, nuisance house, all of the above,” Ivey said.

“Because once you make the sheriff’s high intensity target list, we’re coming. This team right here—this is our unit—and we’re going to tear your little playhouse down.”

Offering a warning to others, he continued, “So here’s the thing—you don’t want your playhouse torn down? Don’t break the law. Don’t do drugs. Don’t be a nuisance house. Don’t have prostitution. All of those things. Don’t annoy your neighbors, because we’re not going to have it.”

“We’re going to have peace in our neighborhoods,” he said.

“And if you don’t want to be on our social media site, don’t break the law in Brevard County.”

The sheriff’s office confirmed that the property had been condemned by county officials and that the demolition followed proper procedures.

Sheriff Ivey said his department will continue targeting nuisance properties throughout Brevard County, adding that residents deserve safe and peaceful neighborhoods free from drug activity and violent behavior.

News

Scott Bessent Fact Checks MSNBC Host’s False Narrative on Their Own Airwaves

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent corrected an MSNBC panel Tuesday morning after host Jonathan Lemire misstated the nature of a $20 billion lending arrangement between the United States and Argentina.

The exchange took place on the network’s “Morning Joe” program and quickly drew attention online for Bessent’s firm response.

Lemire referred to the deal as a “bailout,” echoing language used by several left-leaning commentators in recent days.

The agreement, finalized on October 20, allows Argentina to exchange its weakening peso for U.S. dollars to stabilize the nation’s reserves and prevent a currency collapse.

Under the arrangement, the United States earns interest on up to $20 billion lent at a fixed rate.

“How does a $20 billion bailout of Argentina help Americans?” Lemire asked during the segment.

Bessent immediately pushed back. “Well, do you know what a swap line is?” he replied.

Lemire responded that he did, calling it a “currency swap,” before adding, “You’re the treasury secretary, sir.”

The comment drew an immediate correction from Bessent, who criticized the framing of the transaction as a bailout.

“Why would you call it a bailout?” Bessent said.

“In most bailouts, you don’t make money. The U.S. government made money. We used our financial balance sheet to stabilize the government, one of our great allies in Latin America, during an election. The president there won in a landslide.”

Bessent was referring to Argentine President Javier Milei, who was re-elected on a platform of free-market reforms and deregulation.

Milei’s government has pursued economic liberalization policies and strengthened ties with the Trump administration, emphasizing closer cooperation on trade, energy, and regional security.

The Treasury Secretary emphasized that the arrangement benefits both countries, describing it as a strategic investment rather than an act of foreign aid.

“I would rather use peace through economic strength than have us be shooting at narco boats coming off the shore if the government collapses,” Bessent said.

“We have a generational opportunity in Latin America to create allies.”


The swap line agreement, a financial tool often used among allied nations, allows Argentina to access dollar reserves through the U.S. Federal Reserve in exchange for its local currency.

The mechanism is designed to prevent short-term liquidity crises and stabilize exchange rates during periods of financial stress.

Economists have noted that the deal helps bolster Argentina’s foreign reserves amid ongoing inflationary pressures and market volatility.

For the United States, the agreement generates interest income while reinforcing economic stability with a key partner in the Western Hemisphere.

Bessent’s exchange with Lemire highlights the growing scrutiny of U.S. financial support mechanisms abroad, particularly as the administration focuses on strengthening partnerships in Latin America.

Argentina’s cooperation has become increasingly valuable as the U.S. seeks to counter narcotics trafficking and expand regional trade opportunities.

Following the segment, Bessent’s remarks circulated widely on social media, with many praising his clarification of how swap lines function and how they differ from direct bailouts.

The Treasury Department later confirmed that the agreement remains part of a broader U.S. strategy to support economic resilience among allied nations while ensuring measurable returns for American taxpayers.

News

Liberal Black Lesbian Woman Confronts Dem Wiener About Protecting Real Women

Los Angeles-based musician Tish Hyman confronted California Sen. Scott Wiener during a town hall-style event, pressing the Democratic lawmaker to address women’s safety in single-sex spaces following an alleged altercation she had with a biological male in a women’s locker room.

Hyman posted a video of the exchange Tuesday across her social media accounts, showing her questioning Wiener about state policies that allow individuals to self-identify their gender and use facilities that align with that identity.

She described the issue as a matter of basic safety for women.

“Recently, I had an altercation with a biological male in the women’s locker room at Gold’s Gym Beverly Center on Nov. 2,” Hyman said during the event.

“I’m deeply concerned about women’s safety in our female-only spaces.”

She then asked Wiener directly: “What would you say to women who are seeking assurance that their safety will be protected from men who, by California law, can self-ID as women in women-only spaces, sir? Please tell me.”

Wiener responded by reaffirming his position on gender identity.

“Yeah, so we want, I mean, everyone to be safe. We also know that we have trans people, both men and women, who are men and women,” he said.

“So if you’re a trans woman, [they] are women.”

While acknowledging some of Wiener’s past legislative efforts, Hyman said she believed certain policies he has supported have created dangerous situations for women and young girls.

“I’m telling you, as a woman, first and foremost, that this is dangerous,” she said.

“I want to support you. I have millions of people behind me watching this right now. We want to know, are you going to protect women?”

Hyman emphasized that her concern was specifically about biological women.

“Not trans women, women. Trans women are a different thing,” she added as members of the audience began to object. One person off-camera could be heard saying, “Trans women are women.”

Hyman stood her ground, addressing the crowd directly.

“So if there’s another black woman in here who wants to tell me how they feel, please join in. But all of you are not. I don’t know who you are, what you are, but I’m a lesbian,” she said. “I’m telling you right now, men are harassing women in the locker room.”

In response, Wiener said he appreciated Hyman’s perspective and apologized for the experiences she described.

He also stated that safety concerns extend to “all women,” including those who identify as transgender.

“Trans women are also brutalized in this country,” Wiener said, adding that both “women and cisgender women” deserve protection from violence.

In a statement to the Daily Caller News Foundation, Hyman said her question to Wiener was not politically motivated but rooted in accountability.

“My exchange with Senator Wiener wasn’t about politics — it was about accountability. Women deserve to have their safety and privacy respected without being dismissed or labeled for speaking the truth. I hope our leaders start listening to women instead of trying to silence them,” she said.

Hyman previously shared a video recorded on Nov. 2 of her encounter at Gold’s Gym Beverly Center, in which she alleged that a biological male identifying as a transgender woman assaulted her multiple times.

Hyman said their final interaction began when the individual approached her from behind and called her a “bitch” in a deep, angry voice.

Under California law, individuals may use restrooms and locker rooms consistent with their stated gender identity.

The Unruh Civil Rights Act, as interpreted by the ACLU of Southern California, protects individuals’ rights to access facilities aligned with their gender identity in both public and private establishments.

Sen. Wiener, who has long supported transgender policies, did not respond to a request for comment from the Daily Caller News Foundation.

In 2023, he made headlines for attempting to label a Christian advocacy organization a “hate group” after its representative testified before a state committee that men cannot have menstrual cycles.

The town hall exchange has drawn widespread attention online, reigniting debate over the balance between gender identity policies and the safety and privacy rights of women in public spaces across California.

News

Hollywood Nepo Baby Tries to Debate CNN’s Scott Jennings, It Doesn’t Go Well for Him

A debate between CNN political commentator Scott Jennings and Dylan Douglas, the 25-year-old son of actors Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones, turned tense on Monday’s edition of NewsNight after Jennings sharply countered Douglas’s claims about the ongoing government shutdown.

The exchange occurred during a roundtable segment analyzing the Senate’s passage of a funding bill aimed at ending the record-length shutdown, now in its 42nd day.

The measure is expected to clear final procedural steps by the end of the week, reopening the federal government.

Douglas, who has been active in political commentary and advocacy, blamed Republicans for the shutdown, asserting that they were responsible for the financial strain it caused Americans.

“Scott, with all respect, you cannot put on the American people that Democrats were the one that were hurting people, making this plight,” Douglas said.

Jennings immediately challenged the claim. “Who was casting the votes against opening the government, Democrats or Republicans?” he asked.

Both men began talking over one another before Douglas attempted to redirect the argument.

“Who was wanting to cut SNAP benefits?” he asked, referring to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

Jennings countered with a factual response, noting that Republicans had consistently voted to maintain funding for SNAP throughout the shutdown votes.

“Republicans voted to fund the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program 15 times,” Jennings said.

“Democrats voted against it in each instance.”

The figure referenced the number of Senate votes held during the shutdown, with each proposed funding package including provisions for SNAP.

Jennings went on to emphasize that bipartisan cooperation had been required to advance the latest bill, which contained appropriations for multiple federal agencies.

“We had to get eight to join us,” he said, referring to the eight Democratic senators who crossed party lines to vote for reopening the government.

As Jennings spoke, Douglas appeared to struggle to respond, stammering while bringing up expiring Affordable Care Act tax credits — one of the key sticking points Democrats cited for refusing to approve earlier funding measures.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune has since indicated he plans to hold a mid-December vote to extend those credits, part of the negotiated concessions that helped secure the critical Democratic votes.

The bill, which passed with bipartisan support, is expected to provide full fiscal year funding for several major departments, including Agriculture, Veterans Affairs, and Defense.

The White House has signaled it will sign the measure once it clears the House.

The debate quickly gained traction on social media, with clips circulating of Jennings pressing Douglas on the facts of the shutdown vote.

Many commentators noted that Jennings’s detailed rebuttals appeared to leave Douglas visibly flustered.

Dylan Douglas, who works as both an actor and political commentator, has increasingly turned his focus toward progressive political causes.

He hosts Young American with Dylan Douglas on SiriusXM and co-founded the political action committee Make Room, which supports young progressive candidates.

Douglas has also participated in several campaign efforts and previously appeared on MSNBC’s Morning Joe in September.

Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones, his parents, co-starred in Traffic (2000) and The Mask of Zorro (1998).

Michael Douglas is known for his acclaimed roles in Wall Street and Basic Instinct.

Monday’s NewsNight appearance marked Dylan Douglas’s second televised debate on a major network — one that ended with Jennings’s arguments prevailing and highlighting the political divide over responsibility for the lengthy shutdown.

News

DOJ Launches Investigation After Antifa Mob Attacks TPUSA Event at UC Berkeley

The Department of Justice announced it has opened an investigation into the University of California, Berkeley following violent protests linked to Antifa activists outside a Turning Point USA (TPUSA) event held on campus earlier this week.

Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division Harmeet Dhillon confirmed the investigation Tuesday in a post on X, sharing a letter addressed to UC Berkeley Police Chief Yogananda Pittman.

The letter instructed the university’s police department to preserve all materials related to its “preparation, execution, and response” to the November 10 TPUSA event, where protesters clashed with attendees and police.

“The @CivilRights Division, under @AGPamBondi’s leadership, has asked UC Berkeley Police to preserve all records regarding their response to the mob violence at UC Berkeley’s TPUSA event,” Dhillon wrote. “Every American has the right to speak at and attend events without fear.”

The letter outlined the Department’s concerns that the university may have failed to provide adequate security for the event, referencing a 2018 settlement between UC Berkeley and conservative organizations over similar issues of free speech and public safety.

“The U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division has recently become aware of concerning incidents occurring on your campus at the University of California (UC), Berkeley on or about November 10, 2026,” the letter stated.

“These events may implicate the University of California’s commitment to provide adequate security pursuant to a 2018 settlement agreement in Young America’s Foundation, et al. v. Napolitano et al., U.S. District Court, Northern District of California, No. 17-02255. Our office previously opened investigations of the University of California System for potential violations of Title VI and Title VII based on other events. We will determine whether the events of November 10 should also be included in those investigations.”

The Justice Department also indicated that it is evaluating whether the recent incidents could warrant additional investigations for possible violations of constitutional rights, including the First and Fourteenth Amendments.

The letter directed UC Berkeley officials to retain a broad range of records, including written and electronic communications concerning the TPUSA event, any pre-event planning or coordination involving outside groups, and communications from the UC Berkeley Police Department over the past year related to TPUSA or campus demonstrations.

The order followed the circulation of videos on social media showing masked Antifa protesters outside the event lighting flares and shouting profanities, including “F**k you, fascists.”

Multiple witnesses reported property damage and attempts by demonstrators to block attendees from entering the venue.

Attorney General Pam Bondi released a statement Tuesday condemning the violence and confirming that federal authorities have assigned the FBI-led Joint Terrorism Task Force to investigate.

“Antifa is an existential threat to our nation,” Bondi said.

“The violent riots at UC Berkeley last night are under full investigation by the FBI-led Joint Terrorism Task Force. We will continue to spare no expense unmasking all who commit and orchestrate acts of political violence.”

Bondi’s statement marked one of the strongest federal responses to campus unrest in recent years, signaling renewed scrutiny of how public universities handle politically charged demonstrations.

The DOJ investigation will focus not only on the actions of violent demonstrators but also on whether UC Berkeley complied with its legal obligations to protect attendees and uphold constitutional free speech rights.

UC Berkeley officials have not yet issued a public statement in response to the DOJ’s preservation order.

The investigation follows years of tension between the university and conservative groups over campus speech policies and protest management, with prior incidents prompting litigation and federal oversight.

The DOJ said it will continue gathering evidence and reviewing whether the November 10 events at UC Berkeley fit into ongoing investigations concerning possible civil rights violations within the University of California system.

News

Trump Secures Another Win as The Supreme Court Makes Emergency SNAP Ruling

The U.S. Supreme Court granted a request from the Trump administration to extend a temporary pause on a lower court order that would have required the federal government to fully fund food aid benefits during the ongoing government shutdown.

The order, issued late Tuesday, extends a stay previously granted by Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson on an injunction from U.S. District Judge John McConnell of Rhode Island.

McConnell’s ruling had directed the administration to use additional funds to fully finance the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and related child nutrition programs despite the lapse in appropriations.

Solicitor General John Sauer filed the emergency appeal on behalf of the federal government, arguing that the district court had overstepped its authority.

“The core power of Congress is that of the purse, while the executive is tasked with allocating limited resources across competing priorities,” Sauer wrote in the filing.

“But here, the court below took the current shutdown as effective license to declare a federal bankruptcy and appoint itself the trustee, charged with picking winners and losers among those seeking some part of the limited pool of remaining federal funds.”

The administration had previously agreed to partially fund SNAP benefits at approximately 65 percent during the shutdown.

Judge McConnell’s order, however, required the government to identify and use separate funding sources to maintain the program at full levels.

“The only way to end this crisis — which the executive is adamant to end — is for Congress to reopen the government,” Sauer added, emphasizing that the executive branch could not unilaterally reallocate funds without congressional authorization.

The Supreme Court’s decision to extend the stay allows the pause to remain in effect through Thursday at midnight while the administration continues efforts to resolve the shutdown.

The development comes as Congress moves closer to passing legislation to fully reopen the government after a record 42-day lapse in federal funding.

Attorney General Pam Bondi praised the Court’s action, describing it as a necessary step to prevent further judicial interference in the administration’s management of federal programs.

“Our @TheJusticeDept attorneys just secured a further administrative stay through Thursday at midnight at the Supreme Court to prevent further judicial upheaval for the SNAP and Child Nutrition programs,” Bondi wrote on X.

“Thank you to the Court for allowing Congress to continue its swift progress to end the shutdown WITHOUT last-ditch disruption from lower courts. We will continue fighting and winning to protect President Trump’s agenda from meritless judicial activism.”

The case has drawn intense political scrutiny.

Justice Jackson faced criticism from left-leaning activists after initially granting the emergency pause, which some mischaracterized as a partisan decision favoring the administration.

Legal analysts noted, however, that the move was procedural and in line with standard practice for emergency requests pending full consideration by the Court.

Approximately 42 million Americans rely on SNAP benefits, according to the Department of Agriculture.

The temporary disruption of benefits during the shutdown has sparked concern among recipients and advocacy groups.

“The first thing I did was grab my phone and call, and when I heard ‘zero dollars,’ my chest went into my throat!” said Maggie Aragon of New Mexico in an interview with KOAT-TV.

“I have depended on those benefits since the 1990s, and it’s detrimental to my life if I don’t get them.”

The administration has maintained that ensuring long-term stability of SNAP funding depends on congressional action, not judicial intervention.

With lawmakers expected to vote on a funding package later this week, the Supreme Court’s stay preserves the status quo until the legislative process concludes.

The Justice Department confirmed that it will continue defending the administration’s position in court while supporting congressional negotiations to end the shutdown and restore full funding for essential programs.

News

Erika Kirk Posts Tearful Moment as Daughter Sings Father’s Lullaby to Baby Brother

Erika Kirk, widow of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, shared an emotional video of her 3-year-old daughter singing to her baby brother — the same lullaby her late father used to sing to her before his death, as reported by The New York Post.

The video, posted on Instagram over the weekend, shows the toddler standing beside her brother’s crib, gently singing “Jesus Loves Me.” Erika wrote that the moment brought back powerful memories of her husband’s nightly routine with their daughter.

“I see you alive in our babies, especially at night,” Erika wrote in the caption.

The memorial for Charlie Kirk at the Turning Point USA headquarters in Phoenix, Arizona, on Sept. 11, 2025.

“I remember walking into her room and hearing both of you singing ‘Jesus Loves Me’ as she falls asleep. Her voice now carries both you and her in one. And in this moment, when I witness this every night on the monitor, Heaven feels even closer.”

The post comes nearly two months after Charlie Kirk was assassinated on September 10 during a Turning Point USA event at Utah Valley University.

The tragedy left the conservative community in mourning and thrust Erika into the public spotlight as she assumed leadership of her late husband’s organization.

In a recent interview with Fox News host Jesse Watters, Erika revealed that her daughter still asks about her father.

“It’s really sweet because I keep explaining to her a few things, and I said, ‘If you ever want to talk to Daddy, you just look up to the sky and start talking, and he can hear you,’” she said.

“I told her, ‘You know, Daddy is in Heaven’ — and she goes, ‘Do you think I could go sometime?’” Erika said through tears. “I said, ‘Baby, we will all go one day.’”

Charlie Kirk’s widow Erika Kirk reacts after finishing her speech during the memorial service honoring Charlie Kirk at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, on Sept. 21, 2025. Charlie Kirk, the conservative activist and founder of Turning Point USA was assassinated on Sept. 10, 2025.

Erika and Charlie Kirk were married in May 2021 and have two children together — a daughter and a son. Though Charlie was a prominent national figure, the couple kept their family life private, rarely sharing images or details about their children.

Since her husband’s passing, Erika has continued his work with Turning Point USA, stepping into the role of president.

Her leadership has been marked by both public grief and determination to preserve her husband’s mission of advancing conservative values among young Americans.

The video has drawn widespread support and condolences from friends, supporters, and members of the conservative movement.

Many commented on Erika’s post, offering prayers and expressing admiration for her strength and faith as she raises their children in the wake of her husband’s death.


Scroll to Top