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Pam Bondi Rips Obama Judge for Diverting School Lunch Funds to SNAP
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Pam Bondi Rips Obama Judge for Diverting School Lunch Funds to SNAP

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Attorney General Pam Bondi sharply criticized U.S. District Judge John McConnell, an Obama appointee, after he ordered the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to use federal funds originally set aside for school lunch programs to continue financing the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) during the ongoing government shutdown, as reported by The Gateway Pundit.

During a Thursday hearing, Judge McConnell chastised Department of Justice (DOJ) attorneys representing the administration and directed the federal government to fully restore SNAP benefits to states by Friday, arguing that millions of Americans would otherwise go without food assistance.

Pam Bondi recognizes family and friends in attendance as she delivers opening remarks during a Senate Judiciary committee hearing on her nomination to be Attorney General of the United States on Jan. 15, 2025 in Washington, D.C.

“The evidence shows that people will go hungry, food pantries will be overburdened, and needless suffering will occur,” McConnell told DOJ lawyers.

“Last weekend, SNAP benefits lapsed for the first time in our nation’s history. This is a problem that could have and should have been avoided.”

The ruling affects more than 40 million Americans who rely on SNAP benefits.

Federal officials said the $5 billion emergency fund allocated earlier in the shutdown was insufficient to sustain the program through November, prompting McConnell’s order for the USDA to redirect funds from child nutrition programs — including school lunch allocations — to cover the shortfall.

Bondi denounced the move, saying it effectively “raids children’s school-lunch money” to fund the food-stamp program.

“That TRO purports to force the government to divert some $5 billion from the school lunch program to SNAP by the end of today,” Bondi said in a statement Thursday.

She also accused McConnell and the First Circuit Court of Appeals of manipulating the timing of the order to disadvantage the government’s ability to respond.

“Why could we file this brief only this morning, with that clock ticking? The First Circuit clerk’s office made it impossible to file sooner,” Bondi said.

Bondi added that her office had notified the court in advance of the likelihood of fast-moving litigation, but the court clerk’s office “refused to answer its phones until this morning and refused to offer any means of filing this emergency request until it processed certain paperwork during regular business hours.”

According to Bondi, McConnell’s late-day ruling created a “manufactured emergency,” forcing the government into a position where it could not file an appeal in time.

“We ask the First Circuit to get courts out of the business of deciding how to triage scarce funds during a shutdown,” Bondi said, emphasizing that judicial interference in funding priorities undermines executive branch authority and disrupts ongoing federal operations.

The USDA has not yet confirmed whether it will comply with McConnell’s order before pursuing an emergency appeal.

The Department of Justice said it continues to review its legal options as the administration faces mounting pressure to resolve funding disputes affecting food assistance programs, school nutrition, and other federally funded services during the shutdown.

Scott Jennings Has Entire CNN Panel in Stitches with Sarcastic Jab at Nancy Pelosi [Watch]
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Scott Jennings Has Entire CNN Panel in Stitches with Sarcastic Jab at Nancy Pelosi [Watch]

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Republican strategist Scott Jennings delivered a cutting and widely discussed moment on CNN’s The Arena Thursday night, using a segment on former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s career to spotlight her controversial stock trading history.

Host Kasie Hunt opened the discussion by asking panelists how Republicans viewed Pelosi’s tenure.

“Obviously, the president… they have their sort of animosity,” Hunt said, adding that some in the GOP had expressed “grudging respect” for Pelosi’s political acumen despite sharp partisan divides on Capitol Hill.

Jennings began by acknowledging Pelosi’s skill as a legislative leader. “Oh, yeah,” he said.

“There were people who respected her legislative ability. I mean, she was the boss of her conference.”

Then, with deliberate timing, Jennings shifted from political respect to a pointed reference to Pelosi’s financial success during her decades in Congress.

“It’s not often that someone can become a titan of both Washington and Wall Street,” he said.

“Republicans will remember her as one of the most successful and prolific day traders. She beat the S&P 500 by 559% in her stock portfolio. She’s worth a lot of money. She did an amazing job.”

Jennings’ remarks drew laughter from the panel and immediate reaction online. His comments referenced years of public scrutiny over Pelosi and her husband, Paul Pelosi, whose stock trades have repeatedly drawn attention for their timing and profitability.

Public filings have shown the couple making trades in technology and defense companies shortly before major legislative actions or hearings affecting those industries.

The House Speaker has consistently denied wrongdoing, saying her investments are handled by her husband and that she does not participate in stock trading decisions.

Still, her financial record has become a political flashpoint, with bipartisan support emerging for proposals to ban individual stock trading by members of Congress.

Jennings continued his sharp commentary on CNN, adding another line that drew laughter in the studio.

“So, what a blow for the financial houses today on Wall Street. I’m sure they’re mourning,” he said.

Democratic strategist Xochitl Hinojosa attempted to respond, joking that Jennings was conducting “opposition research.”

Hunt, appearing both amused and surprised, remarked on Jennings’ delivery.

“I’m beginning to view what you just did there as like the Scott Jennings on TV,” she said.

Jennings ended his appearance with one final jab that quickly spread across social media.

“I want Trump to put her in charge of the Social Security Administration,” he said.

“We could all retire in six months if we let this lady manage our portfolios.”

Pelosi’s investment history has long been a source of frustration for voters critical of what they see as insider privilege among elected officials.

Despite public criticism, Pelosi has faced no legal action related to her trading activity. The controversy, however, remains a recurring topic in discussions about government ethics and transparency.

Jennings’ remarks encapsulated that ongoing debate, turning a routine political discussion into a viral exchange highlighting broader frustrations with political power and personal profit.

His comments quickly circulated across X and other platforms, earning praise from viewers who saw the segment as a rare moment of blunt humor cutting through Washington’s carefully worded television discussions.

While the CNN host moved to another topic soon after, Jennings’ televised remarks added new attention to a long-running issue that continues to raise questions about ethics, wealth, and influence in national politics.

Former NFL QB Mark Sanchez Fired by Fox Sports Following Bizarre Indianapolis Stabbing
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Former NFL QB Mark Sanchez Fired by Fox Sports Following Bizarre Indianapolis Stabbing

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Former NFL quarterback Mark Sanchez, 38, has been terminated by Fox Sports one month after being involved in a stabbing incident in downtown Indianapolis that led to his arrest on multiple charges, as reported by The Gateway Pundit.

Police say Sanchez was in Indianapolis in early October to call the Raiders-Colts game when he became involved in a violent altercation that ended with both men hospitalized.

The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD) confirmed that Sanchez was arrested while being treated at the hospital for battery with injury, unlawful entry of a motor vehicle, and public intoxication—all misdemeanor offenses.

He was later charged with felony battery as the investigation developed.

According to Fox 59 Indianapolis, responding officers located two injured individuals at the scene, including one man suffering from stab wounds and another with injuries consistent with a physical fight. Police said one victim was in critical condition, while the other was “awake and breathing.”

Authorities identified the other man as a 69-year-old grease truck driver, who was hospitalized with serious injuries, including a deep laceration to his face. A photo released to local media showed a wound extending across his cheek with visible blood.

Investigators believe the altercation began when Sanchez allegedly attacked the driver during an argument. The driver reportedly defended himself, stabbing Sanchez multiple times in the upper torso before police arrived.

Sanchez was taken to a local hospital in critical condition but later stabilized. He was arrested in his hospital bed and charged with multiple offenses.

In a statement issued last month, Fox Sports said:

“Mark Sanchez was injured in Indianapolis on Saturday and is currently recovering in the hospital in stable condition. We are deeply grateful to the medical team for their exceptional care and support. Our thoughts and prayers are with Mark, and we ask that everyone please respect his and his family’s privacy during this time.”

However, TMZ Sports reported this week that Fox Sports has officially cut ties with Sanchez. “We can confirm that Mark Sanchez is no longer with the network. There will be no further comment at this time,” a Fox Sports spokesperson said.

The former quarterback’s firing ends his five-year stint as a game analyst for the network, where he had covered NFL matchups since joining in 2019.

Sanchez, who was drafted by the New York Jets in 2009, played eight seasons in the NFL, also spending time with the Eagles, Cowboys, and Washington Commanders before transitioning to broadcasting.

The Marion County Prosecutor’s Office has not yet announced a trial date, but Sanchez could face several years in prison if convicted of the charges against him. The investigation remains active.

Obama Urges Democrats to Embrace Socialism After NYC Election Win
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Obama Urges Democrats to Embrace Socialism After NYC Election Win

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Former President Barack Obama said Democrats should welcome socialists as part of the party’s broader coalition, arguing that the party should avoid imposing ideological “litmus tests” on its members.

His comments came during an appearance on the “Pod Save America” podcast Thursday, which was posted to YouTube on Friday.

Obama’s remarks followed the projected victory of Democratic Socialist Zohran Mamdani, who was elected mayor of New York City earlier in the week.

Mamdani, who ran on a progressive platform that included raising taxes on corporations and wealthy residents, implementing rent freezes, offering free public buses, and establishing city-owned grocery stores and free childcare, was expected to win by a significant margin.

“Tuesday was nice, but we’ve got a lot of work to do. And your task is going to be not to impose litmus tests,” Obama said on the podcast.

“We had [Democratic Virginia Gov.-elect] Abigail Spanberger win and we had Zohran Mandani win and they are all part of a vision for the future. Our job is to say that we want everybody engaged.”

Obama added that Democrats should focus on uniting diverse viewpoints within the party rather than drawing rigid ideological lines.

“And we want to have a conversation about how to make sure that every person in this country is treated with dignity and respect, and there are ladders of opportunity, and that there’s the possibility of community,” he said.

“And that we’re getting along not in some cliché, phonied way, but in a genuine, deep way where we recognize, yeah, we have differences, and yes, there are fights that are going to have to be fought, but that deep down there is something core in us that we have in common that is extraordinary.”

Obama’s comments come at a time when the Democratic Party continues to debate how far left its policies should lean.

Mamdani’s platform and win represent a growing socialist influence in local and state politics, a movement that has gained visibility through figures like Sen. Bernie Sanders and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.

Public opinion among Democratic voters has also shifted in recent years.

According to a Gallup poll released Sept. 8, only 42% of Democrats said they viewed capitalism positively, while 66% expressed a favorable view of socialism.

The findings highlight an ongoing generational and ideological divide within the party over economic and political priorities.

Some political analysts have warned that this shift could have national implications for Democrats in future elections.

On Sept. 9, NewsNation political contributor Chris Cillizza said on his YouTube channel that openly embracing socialism could hurt the party’s chances in 2028.

“I guess it’s not terribly surprising, but I do think if I am a Democrat who wants to win the 2028 election … That would worry me candidly because socialism broadly will not sell,” Cillizza said.

“You can call it democratic socialism. You can call it whatever you want. But the idea of socialism will not sell in the country.”

Other party officials, however, have echoed Obama’s call for unity.

Democratic National Committee (DNC) Chairman Ken Martin said on Fox News’ America’s Newsroom on Aug. 6 that the party’s success depends on inclusion across ideological lines.

“We have lots of people in that tent from all of the different ideological wings, from conservative Democrats to centrists, to progressives, to these new leftists,” Martin said.

“And the reality is is I’ve always said that you win through addition, not subtraction. You don’t win by pushing people out of your coalition, you win by bringing people into your coalition.”

Obama’s remarks signal continued tension within the Democratic Party over how to balance its progressive and moderate factions, as well as how to appeal to a national electorate that remains divided over issues of economic policy and government expansion.

Obama Judge Rebuked as Supreme Court Halts SNAP Spending Mandate
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Obama Judge Rebuked as Supreme Court Halts SNAP Spending Mandate

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The Supreme Court on Friday granted a temporary reprieve to the Trump administration, allowing it to withhold roughly $4 billion in funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) while legal challenges continue over how to sustain the nation’s food aid during the ongoing government shutdown.

Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson issued an administrative stay pausing a lower court order that had required the administration to fully fund November payments for approximately 42 million low-income people in America.

The stay will remain in effect until two days after the Boston-based U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit rules on the administration’s request to limit payments.

The legal battle began when U.S. District Judge John McConnell in Rhode Island ordered the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) on Thursday to allocate $4 billion in contingency funds to fully support the SNAP program through November.

McConnell, appointed by former President Barack Obama, said the administration’s prior decision to fund only 65% of benefits would leave families without adequate food assistance.

“It’s likely that SNAP recipients are hungry as we sit here,” McConnell said before issuing his order.

The judge also directed the USDA to use all available funds, including a $23.35 billion child-nutrition account partially supported by tariff revenue, to cover the full monthly cost of between $8.5 and $9 billion in SNAP benefits.

The Trump administration swiftly appealed the ruling, asking the First Circuit to halt McConnell’s injunction.

In its filing, the Justice Department argued that the order “makes a mockery of the separation of powers” and forces the USDA to spend money not appropriated by Congress.

Solicitor General D. John Sauer said the decision would “sow further shutdown chaos” and warned it could “prompt a run on the bank by way of judicial fiat.”

“There is no lawful basis for an order that directs USDA to somehow find $4 billion in the metaphorical couch cushions,” the administration said in its filing.

The government’s lawyers added, “This is a crisis, to be sure, but it is a crisis occasioned by congressional failure, and that can only be solved by congressional action.”

McConnell accused the administration of withholding funds “for political reasons” and said officials failed to comply with an earlier order requiring SNAP payments before they lapsed on Nov. 1.

“The government did nothing to ensure that the money would be paid on Wednesday,” he said, emphasizing that this was the first time in the program’s 60-year history that benefits had lapsed.

The USDA complicated matters Friday when it informed states that funds would be available to pay full SNAP benefits, even as the administration continued to seek relief from the order.

Some states, including New York, New Jersey, and Massachusetts, moved quickly to issue full payments to avoid further disruption.

By Friday evening, Wisconsin, Oregon, Hawaii, and Pennsylvania confirmed that full benefits had been released, while Colorado, North Carolina, and Illinois said distributions would occur over the weekend.

Delaware also began using state funds to provide emergency payments to affected recipients.

Sauer told the Supreme Court that several states acted quickly to “seize what they could of the agency’s finite set of remaining funds” before an appeal could be filed.

SNAP benefits, previously known as food stamps, provide assistance for groceries to low-income households.

Depending on income, benefits can reach up to $298 per month for single individuals and $546 for two-person households.

As the case proceeds, millions of Americans remain uncertain about when or whether their food aid will arrive.

The First Circuit’s pending decision will determine whether the USDA must resume full funding immediately or await further congressional action.

The dispute highlights the broader challenges facing federal agencies as the Democrat led government shutdown continues to strain public programs and resources nationwide.

Jan. 6 Pipe Bomber Identified? Forensic Analysis Points to This Ex-Capitol Officer
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Jan. 6 Pipe Bomber Identified? Forensic Analysis Points to This Ex-Capitol Officer

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A forensic gait analysis has reportedly identified a former U.S. Capitol Police officer as a potential match for the unidentified individual suspected of planting pipe bombs near the Republican National Committee and Democratic National Committee headquarters on January 5, 2021.

According to an investigation published by Blaze News and confirmed by several intelligence sources, the walking pattern of Shauni Rae Kerkhoff, 31, of Alexandria, Virginia, was determined to be a 94%–98% match to the suspect seen on surveillance footage from that evening.

Kerkhoff, who served with the Capitol Police for more than four years, left the department in mid-2021 to work on a security detail with the Central Intelligence Agency, sources told Blaze News.

In that role, she reportedly serves on dignitary protection teams that include assignments for CIA Director John Ratcliffe and other senior officials.

Her residence in Alexandria was reportedly under police watch as of Friday evening, and Blaze News Editor in Chief Christopher Bedford was briefly stopped by officers near the property before being allowed to leave.

The software analysis, which measured gait parameters such as knee flexion, hip extension, step length, and cadence, was conducted by a veteran analyst commissioned by Blaze News.

The program identified Kerkhoff’s movements as a 94% match, while the analyst’s visual review placed the similarity closer to 98%.

The study compared security footage from the Capitol on January 6 with unedited video of the pipe-bomb suspect walking near C Street on the previous night.

Former FBI Special Agent Kyle Seraphin told Blaze News that he recognized the address where he had conducted surveillance days after January 6 as being next door to the woman now suspected in the case.

“The FBI put us one door away from the pipe bomber within days of January 6, and we were deliberately pulled away for no logical or logically investigative reason,” Seraphin said.

“And everything about that tells me that they were involved in a cover-up and have been since day one.”

Seraphin said his team had monitored an Air Force civilian employee whose vehicle was allegedly connected to the individual seen picking up the bomber in Falls Church, Virginia.

His proposal to conduct a “knock and talk” was denied, and the team was removed from the assignment later that evening.

The FBI, he added, tied a SmarTrip card allegedly used by the bomber to the same civilian employee, though investigators concluded that while the man purchased the card, he had not used it.

Kerkhoff, a member of the Capitol Police Civil Disturbance Unit from 2018 to 2021, had been a training officer for “less-lethal” weapons used during the January 6 crowd control operations.

Blaze News recently published security footage showing officers firing kinetic-impact projectiles from elevated positions, striking at least 16 individuals above the waistline during the early stages of the confrontation on the Capitol’s West Plaza.

The FBI has faced growing criticism over its handling of the pipe-bomb investigation, which remains unsolved nearly five years later despite a combined reward of $500,000.

Former Director Christopher Wray has testified before Congress that the bureau conducted thousands of interviews and reviewed tens of thousands of video files, but critics such as Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) have accused the agency of withholding critical details.

In a 2023 hearing, Massie pressed Wray on whether the individual who first discovered the DNC pipe bomb—a plainclothes Capitol Police counter-surveillance officer—had been interviewed.

Wray declined to discuss specifics, saying only that “all logical investigative steps” had been taken.

Former Capitol Police Chief Steven Sund told Blaze News that he had no knowledge of any Capitol Police involvement in the bomb placements.

“I had no knowledge that it was being carried out, nor were they carrying it out with any authorization from the chief’s office,” Sund said.

“I’m unaware of any legitimate reason that any Capitol Police or other law enforcement officer would be involved in the planting of those pipe bombs.”

According to Blaze News, the gait analysis findings were confirmed by multiple intelligence sources who reviewed the results.

Video comparisons included footage from the Capitol Police security network and older recordings of Kerkhoff playing soccer for Temple University, where she had suffered a serious leg injury in 2015 that left her with a slight limp.

The injury, resulting from a collision on the field, required surgery and ended her collegiate soccer career.

She later joined Temple’s ProRanger program, which partners with the National Park Service, before beginning her law enforcement career.

The potential identification of a Capitol Police officer as the suspect, if validated, could have significant implications for the government’s longstanding narrative surrounding the events of January 6.

The FBI’s inability to resolve the case has drawn renewed scrutiny from lawmakers and investigators seeking to determine whether the original investigation overlooked possible internal connections or mishandled evidence tied to the bombings.

As of now, the FBI maintains that the case remains active.

Officials have reiterated their commitment to pursuing all credible leads in what has become one of the most prolonged unsolved elements of the January 6 investigation.

Transgender Student Arrested After Flipping Turning Point Tables on Campus
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Transgender Student Arrested After Flipping Turning Point Tables on Campus

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A University of Iowa student was arrested Wednesday after being caught on video flipping a Turning Point USA table during a campus event.

The student, identified as 19-year-old Justin Pham Calhoon, also known as Niko, now faces multiple misdemeanor charges in Johnson County, Iowa.

The incident took place during a Turning Point USA outreach event called “Cocoa and Conservatives,” where members of the organization were distributing hot chocolate and engaging students in conversation.

In video footage posted by Frontlines TPUSA — the organization’s official on-the-ground coverage account — Calhoon can be seen walking up to the table and declining an offer before saying, “No thanks,” and flipping the table over.

The contents of the display spilled across the ground as bystanders watched.

According to Johnson County court filings obtained by the Iowa Pulse, Calhoon faces charges related to two separate incidents.

The first occurred on October 27, when the student allegedly overturned another conservative group’s table on campus.

The second, on November 5, involved the Turning Point USA event.

In both cases, Calhoon was charged by the University of Iowa Department of Public Safety.

Footage of the October 27 incident shows Calhoon, dressed in a black outfit, approaching a conservative display table before forcefully knocking it over and making an obscene gesture toward the camera.

Both videos were circulated widely across social media and drew national attention from journalists and commentators.

Andy Ngo, a journalist and editor-at-large for The Post Millennial, identified the student as transgender in a social media post.

“A trans person named Justin Pham Calhoon flipped over a TPUSA table after being unable to control himself. Mainstream trans activists encouraged trans people & their allies to be violent to intimidate political opposition,” Ngo said.

Court records show that Calhoon faces two counts of Disorderly Conduct — Disturbing a Lawful Assembly or Meeting, two counts of Harassment in the Third Degree, and one count of Criminal Mischief in the Fifth Degree.

The Iowa Pulse reported that Calhoon was released without bond and is subject to no-contact orders related to the incidents.

Two non-jury trials are scheduled for March 2026.

The altercation marks the latest in a string of confrontations involving Turning Point USA chapters on college campuses following the assassination of the organization’s founder, Charlie Kirk, on September 10 at Utah Valley University.

Kirk was fatally shot during a campus event where he was taking questions from students.

Authorities later identified the suspected shooter, Tyler Robinson, who reportedly has a transgender partner.

The attack prompted a series of heightened security measures at conservative campus events nationwide.

Since Kirk’s death, Turning Point USA has reported an increase in harassment and vandalism directed at its chapters.

At the University of New Mexico, a man was arrested last week after allegedly attempting to steal TPUSA signs while shouting that Kirk “got shot in the neck for a reason.”

At the University of Arizona, another individual with pink hair was captured on video calling TPUSA activists “Nazis” and warning them to “watch your neck” while walking past their table.

Despite the rise in confrontations, Turning Point USA says student interest in forming new chapters has surged.

The organization reported receiving more than 120,000 inquiries from students at high schools and universities nationwide since September.

Bessent on Trump’s Rare Earth Revolution: ‘We’re Finally Becoming Independent Again’
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Bessent on Trump’s Rare Earth Revolution: ‘We’re Finally Becoming Independent Again’

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Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the opening of a new rare earth magnet processing center in South Carolina marks a major step in restoring American manufacturing independence and reducing reliance on China for critical materials.

In an exclusive interview with FOX Business’ Edward Lawrence, Bessent discussed the economic impact of the new facility in Sumter, operated by EVAC, and said the project represents a turning point for U.S. industry under President Donald Trump’s administration.

“This is the first magnet made in the U.S. in 25 years — we’re ending China’s chokehold on our supply chain,” Bessent said during the visit to the site.

He explained that rare earth materials are essential components used in a wide range of technologies, including smartphones, electric vehicles, wind turbines, fighter jets, and missile systems.

“We’re finally becoming independent again, thanks to companies like EVAC,” Bessent said.

Bessent described the new processing center as a key part of the administration’s strategy to revive U.S. manufacturing and strengthen economic and national security.

“President Trump was committed to bringing the manufacturing jobs back to America and this is the start,” he said.

“And the good part about this is, not only these high-paying jobs, this is part of national and economic security.”

The Sumter facility, Bessent said, employed roughly 800 construction workers during its development and is expected to expand significantly in the coming years.

“They started it 18 months ago,” he said.

“The state of South Carolina — Governor McMaster was fantastic. They said it took them eight weeks to get permits. They couldn’t believe how fast it was. And this is President Trump’s all-hands-on-deck for this national security emergency.”

Bessent credited President Trump’s executive order on rare earth production and supply chain protection for making the project possible, as well as state-level support from Governor Henry McMaster, who worked to fast-track the permitting process.

He said the administration viewed the project as both an economic and national security priority.

“This is the first major step in securing the supply chain that our industries and defense systems rely on,” Bessent said, adding that the facility could eventually expand “six to ten times bigger” as EVAC scales up production.

The Treasury Secretary also addressed the administration’s broader economic goals, including affordability for working Americans.

He contrasted current economic trends with what he described as high inflation and declining real wages under Joe Biden’s administration.

“Under Biden, working Americans saw their real wages decimated as inflation rose more than 20% and the average cost of household essentials climbed into the 30% range,” Bessent said.

Bessent noted that under President Trump, inflation has declined for the first time in four years, and consumer prices are beginning to fall.

“We’re already seeing workers get real wage increases and that’s going to accelerate like it did in President Trump’s first term,” he said.

He also cited improvements in consumer spending power, noting that Walmart recently reported Thanksgiving meal costs are down 25% compared to the previous year.

Bessent said the administration remains focused on policies that directly affect families and workers, emphasizing that affordability and job creation are central to the Trump economic agenda through 2026 and 2027.

“This is about jobs, affordability, and independence,” Bessent said.

“We’re seeing a manufacturing lift-off, and this plant in South Carolina is just the beginning.”

WATCH:

Leaked Documents Exposed Democratic Socialist Plans to Control Zohran Mamdani
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Leaked Documents Exposed Democratic Socialist Plans to Control Zohran Mamdani

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Internal planning documents from the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) show the organization intends to exert direct influence over New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s administration, pushing for a sweeping agenda that combines socialist economic priorities with anti-Israel measures.

The file, obtained by Just the News and titled AWWG Palestine Policy Meeting Agenda & Notes (November 2, 2025), outlines a detailed strategy from DSA’s Anti-War Working Group (AWWG).

The document includes instructions to “make the terms clear going in,” emphasizing that elected officials must adhere to DSA priorities in exchange for organizational support.

“Make it clear to electeds that if they want our support, our priorities matter,” the document states.

It calls for a public statement from Mamdani’s administration “on 1st day,” while advising supporters to focus on concrete actions rather than press statements.

The strategy outlines a series of policy demands tied to the DSA’s anti-Israel platform.

Among them are directives for New York City to divest pension funds from Israeli bonds, pull deposits from banks doing business with Israel, and cancel contracts with Israeli-linked companies.

The document further calls for banning Israeli products from city-owned grocery stores, revoking nonprofit status from organizations that support the Israel Defense Forces, dismantling the NYC–Israel Economic Council formed under former Mayor Eric Adams, and ending NYPD cooperation with the Israeli military.

It even suggests that the city “arrest Benjamin Netanyahu and IDF officials” for alleged war crimes.

The notes also indicate a plan to pressure Mamdani into hiring staff aligned with DSA’s ideology and coordinating his administration’s agenda with the organization’s leadership.

“Provide a plan for him to implement,” one section reads.

“Pressure him to staff with people whose values are aligned.”

Documents reviewed by Just the News show that these expectations are consistent with national DSA practices.

Endorsement questionnaires from DSA chapters in Seattle and Washington, D.C., contain similar requirements, effectively binding candidates to the movement’s positions once elected.

In 2019, a Seattle DSA questionnaire required candidates to support the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement against Israel, oppose “imperialist foreign policy,” and end police partnerships with the Israeli Defense Forces.

A 2024 questionnaire from the Metro DC DSA went further, requiring candidates to refuse ties with groups such as AIPAC and J Street, endorse BDS, and reject adoption of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s definition of antisemitism because it “harms Palestinians.”

The Metro DC DSA also demanded that endorsed officials regularly attend meetings with its “Socialists in Office” committee to maintain compliance with DSA policy goals.

Candidates were required to back legislation that defunds and sanctions Israel and to avoid any contact with organizations that support U.S.-Israel cooperation.

Beyond foreign policy, the documents include domestic priorities such as open-border immigration policies and the abolition of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

DSA-aligned candidates must support making their jurisdictions sanctuaries for illegal aliens, guaranteeing benefits for all residents regardless of immigration status, and ending local cooperation with federal enforcement.

The organization’s platform on gender and reproductive issues, outlined by its Metro DC Bodily Autonomy Working Group, calls for unrestricted abortion access, universal gender-affirming healthcare “including for minors,” and the decriminalization of sex work.

Candidates are instructed to oppose any religious exemptions to anti-discrimination laws and to endorse what DSA describes as the “democratization of care work.”

The DSA’s approach has raised concerns about elected officials being used to advance activist agendas rather than representing their constituents.

Activist Linda Sarsour, a DSA member and ally of Mamdani, said during a livestream that “electing Zohran doesn’t mean we’re going to let him do whatever the hell he wants.”

The AWWG notes reflect that same stance, describing a framework in which elected officials operate under continued oversight from DSA activists.

The AWWG plan also highlights the organization’s effort to embed anti-Israel policies within city governance.

The document calls for boycotts of Israeli businesses, the revocation of charitable status for groups supporting Israel, and criminal penalties for entities that maintain partnerships with Israeli institutions.

These ideas have already appeared in public demonstrations. On October 8, 2023, while Hamas was still carrying out attacks on Israeli civilians, the New York City DSA organized a rally in Times Square where participants burned Israeli flags and displayed symbols associated with antisemitism.

The leaked planning documents suggest that DSA’s strategy for Mamdani’s administration is designed to merge local policymaking with international activism, using city government as a platform for advancing the organization’s national and global ideological goals.

MSNBC ‘BRAINWORMS’: Host Makes Wild Claim on What ‘Sent Voters to Polls’ Against GOP
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MSNBC ‘BRAINWORMS’: Host Makes Wild Claim on What ‘Sent Voters to Polls’ Against GOP

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Several MSNBC hosts, including Rachel Maddow and Lawrence O’Donnell, speculated during Tuesday night’s election coverage that President Donald Trump’s recently constructed White House ballroom may have contributed to Republican setbacks at the polls.

During the live broadcast, O’Donnell referred to a report from MSNBC correspondent Vaughn Hilliard, who had spoken with a voter in New Jersey.

“Rachel, I was struck by something Vaughn Hilliard reported from a voter in New Jersey, saying that this voter was out there today voting because of, quote, this is what Vaughn said, the phrase he used, ‘the White House demolition,’” O’Donnell said.

“Donald Trump tearing down the East Wing of the White House — that sent a voter to the polls in New Jersey. Surely it sent thousands of voters to polls all around the country,” he continued.

O’Donnell then suggested that Trump’s renovation project may have become a symbolic issue for some voters.

“And the mind reels at how many ways, if you’re a Republican candidate, Donald Trump can ruin your campaign any day of your campaign,” he added.

“Let’s just assume Donald Trump was determined to do this to the White House. No one in the Republican Party could say to him, ‘Could you wait until November 5th? Could you just — November 5th. Don’t do anything before then.’”

Maddow and other panelists appeared amused as the discussion continued, with several on-air laughing at O’Donnell’s remarks.

The conversation took place as MSNBC analysts debated the causes behind the Republican Party’s underperformance in several closely watched races across the country.

While the network’s panel speculated about public reaction to construction at the White House, others pointed to more substantive factors, including the ongoing government shutdown, which has now reached 38 days — the longest in U.S. history.

President Trump has attributed the GOP’s losses to the shutdown’s impact on federal programs, particularly the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

Nearly one in eight Americans relies on the program for food assistance, and the temporary lapse in funding has had widespread effects across several states.

Administration officials have said the shutdown was the result of congressional gridlock over budget priorities, not a reflection of the president’s leadership or policy agenda.

Still, the political fallout from the shutdown appears to have energized Democratic voters, who turned out in higher-than-expected numbers in several battleground areas.

Democratic candidates also capitalized on voter concerns about economic uncertainty and government services, with many campaign ads highlighting the direct effects of the funding lapse.

While O’Donnell’s comments about the White House ballroom renovation drew attention online, there has been no indication from election data or voter surveys that the construction played any role in voter behavior.

The project, a privately funded addition to the White House grounds, has been described by officials as part of a long-term modernization effort to expand event and diplomatic hosting capabilities.

President Trump has not commented on the MSNBC discussion but has previously dismissed speculation about the renovation, saying the ballroom was designed to accommodate official functions and reduce costs for large-scale events held offsite.

Political analysts note that off-year elections often see lower turnout among Republican voters compared to general election cycles, which may have contributed to this year’s results.

The White House has said it remains focused on advancing the administration’s economic and infrastructure priorities as the government shutdown continues.

As of Wednesday, the ballroom construction was ongoing, with White House officials confirming that the project remains fully funded through private donations and is expected to be completed in 2026.


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