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The Deep State Stalls on Trump Ban of Dangerous ‘Gain-Of-Function’ Research
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The Deep State Stalls on Trump Ban of Dangerous ‘Gain-Of-Function’ Research

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The Trump administration has missed its September 2 deadline to finalize new federal rules restricting gain-of-function (GOF) research, more than eight weeks past the due date established by executive order.

The delay has prompted concern among biosafety experts and reopened debate within the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) over the handling of high-risk biological research.

The May 2025 executive order required a multi-agency task force to develop updated policies governing the creation and manipulation of pandemic-level pathogens.

The initiative was intended to prevent research similar to pre-COVID experiments funded by NIH at the Wuhan Institute of Virology.

“The atom has been split in biology with COVID, but nobody seems to be talking about it with urgency,” said Sean Kaufman, CEO and founding partner of Safer Behaviors, a biosafety consulting firm.

The policy dispute has placed HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a longtime critic of NIH funding for Wuhan research, at odds with NIH Director Jay Bhattacharya.

Bhattacharya has faced criticism from both inside and outside the agency for mixed public statements on the GOF issue and for retaining officials linked to Anthony Fauci’s former research oversight network.

Although the 120-day deadline passed several weeks ago, a government shutdown over budget disputes delayed work on the final policy by roughly a month.

The administration has not provided a revised completion timeline.

Bhattacharya, speaking at the White House signing ceremony for the executive order in May, said the policy would “make it go away forever.”

However, in an August podcast he appeared to temper that stance, saying the new regulations would involve “a calculation” because GOF work is “sometimes really important.”

Emails described to the Daily Caller News Foundation by two former federal officials show that two NIH staffers who helped draft the 2017 pre-pandemic GOF policy—under which federal funds flowed to Wuhan—are also involved in writing the Trump-era version.

Those earlier rules, which critics said were overly permissive, limited oversight to a small number of projects and allowed internal review panels to operate in secret.

Some policy analysts have also raised questions about the scope of the May order, noting that it delegates significant authority to agency heads and allows for only a five-year research funding ban for violations—half the maximum debarment period typically applied by HHS.

A spokesperson for HHS referred all questions to the White House.

The delay also coincides with several high-level staffing changes. Gerald Parker, who led the executive order’s drafting as head of the White House Office of Pandemic Preparedness and Response Policy, stepped down over the summer for personal reasons.

The OSTP has since brought in Anna Puglisi, a former U.S. counterintelligence official with expertise on Chinese technology and biosecurity issues.

Puglisi’s views on GOF remain unclear; in a 2023 interview with Nature, she said regulators must weigh “the true risk for both not regulating it and over-regulating.”

Puglisi did not respond to requests for comment.

Following an August DCNF report alleging that one of Bhattacharya’s advisors had supported GOF research and opposed President Trump, the NIH dismissed two advisors.

The status of the advisor who backed GOF work remains unclear.

Lyric Jorgenson, the NIH associate director for science policy and the agency’s lead on drafting the GOF framework, previously oversaw the Biden-Harris administration’s GOF policy—criticized by Bhattacharya last year as inadequate.

Meanwhile, HHS recently dissolved a biosecurity office within the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response, consolidating more authority under NIH’s science policy division.

Bhattacharya has continued to defend his appointment of virologist Jeffrey Taubenberger to lead the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.

Taubenberger, a longtime advocate for GOF research, is advising on the current policy and is expected to play a key role in its implementation.

The debate over GOF oversight dates back to 2016, when the Obama administration attempted to impose stricter external review standards on federally funded pathogen research.

According to a former NIH official, the agency resisted that plan and advanced its own framework, which preserved decision-making power within HHS.

Emails released in 2025 through Freedom of Information Act requests show that NIH officials were aware as early as 2016 that coronavirus-related GOF research would take place in Wuhan but conducted no national security review beyond a “letter of support” from University of North Carolina researcher Ralph Baric.

As a result, NIH approved experiments that later became central to global scrutiny following the COVID-19 pandemic, which has been linked to more than 7 million deaths worldwide.

Biosafety experts including Alina Chan, coauthor of Viral: The Search for the Origin of COVID-19, and MIT biologist Kevin Esvelt have urged the administration to ensure independent oversight rather than allowing NIH to self-regulate.

“The new policy must implement some form of independent oversight so that catastrophic research is not self-regulated,” Chan told the DCNF.

The White House has not said when the delayed GOF policy will be finalized. Until it is, federal agencies remain under the 2017 framework that critics say failed to prevent risky pandemic-related research abroad.

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Passenger Hailed as Hero After Blocking Knife Attack on UK Train with His Head

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An older passenger was seriously injured after shielding a young girl from a knife-wielding attacker during a violent stabbing on a packed train in the United Kingdom on Saturday, according to multiple reports.

The incident took place aboard the London North Eastern Railway (LNER) service traveling from Peterborough to London, where passengers described a chaotic and bloody scene as two suspects allegedly went on a stabbing spree before being subdued by police.

Witnesses said the older man intervened when one of the attackers lunged at a young girl.

The man reportedly used his own body to shield her from the knife, sustaining deep wounds to his head and neck in the process.

“By the time I got to the end of the carriage, I was actually at the back of it and there was about six of us,” passenger Olly Foster told the BBC.

“There was a girl, bless her, who was really really in a bit of state because the guy actually tried to stab her. And one of the older guys, who’s an absolute hero, blocked it with his head. We’re giving him jackets to keep the pressure on the blood.”

Foster said the group of passengers, some of whom had been trapped in the same train car, tried to use whatever they could find to protect themselves.

“We had a Jack Daniels bottle between us and that was it,” he said.

“So we’re sitting there with one Jack Daniels bottle looking down this carriage, praying someone doesn’t walk down with a knife or a gun.”

The witness recalled that the attack appeared to begin without warning. “Run, run, there’s a guy stabbing literally everyone and everything,” passengers shouted as they fled down the carriage, according to Foster.

At first, he thought the panic might have been a Halloween prank before realizing the situation was real.

Foster described seeing “blood all over the chairs” as injured passengers rushed to escape the attackers.

He estimated the ordeal lasted between 10 and 15 minutes, though it “felt like forever.”

British police confirmed that they used “Operation Plato,” a code reserved for incidents considered potential “marauding terrorist attacks,” as they responded to the stabbing.

Armed officers intercepted the train after it stopped at LNER station and used tasers to subdue and arrest two suspects dressed in black.

A total of ten people were taken from Huntingdon station for medical treatment, nine of whom sustained life-threatening injuries, officials said.

The victims ranged from young adults to older passengers who had attempted to help others during the attack.

Another witness, identified as Gavin, told Sky News that the attacker was armed with “quite a large knife” and was “running rampant” through the train cars.

“They were making their way through the carriage to get away from the suspects. They were extremely bloodied,” he said.

Authorities have not publicly identified the suspects or announced a motive.

British counterterrorism police are leading the investigation, and officials said they are reviewing security footage and eyewitness accounts from passengers aboard the train.

Police and emergency crews worked for hours at the scene, with forensic teams later documenting the train car where the violence occurred.

The injured passengers were transported to nearby hospitals in critical condition.

LNER confirmed the attack in a statement, expressing support for those injured and their families.

The company said services between Peterborough and London were temporarily suspended while investigators conducted their examination.

Officials have not indicated whether the suspects were known to authorities or if the incident has any connection to organized terror activity.

Investigators said further details will be released once the inquiry is complete.

GOP Takes Back California’s ‘Surf City USA’ in Strong Rebuke of ‘Newsom and His Policies’
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GOP Takes Back California’s ‘Surf City USA’ in Strong Rebuke of ‘Newsom and His Policies’

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Huntington Beach, a coastal city long known for its surfing culture and proximity to Los Angeles, has undergone a sharp political shift over the past two years—re-emerging as a Republican stronghold after a brief period of Democratic control.

Once seen as a bellwether for California’s leftward political trend, the city has now moved firmly in the opposite direction, with its conservative-led council pursuing policies that diverge sharply from those in Sacramento.

The city, nicknamed “Surf City USA,” had been controlled by Democrats after the 2020 elections, a change many observers viewed as a reflection of California’s broader political realignment.

That changed in 2022 when three conservative candidates defeated their liberal rivals, flipping the city council and returning Republicans to power.

State Senator Tony Strickland, who previously served as the city’s 85th mayor, said the resurgence of conservative leadership in Huntington Beach was a deliberate rejection of progressive policies.

“If you want to be successful, do the opposite,” Strickland told the Daily Mail, referring to the city’s approach compared to state-level governance.

Strickland said the city has focused on homelessness and public safety but has done so in ways distinct from statewide initiatives.

“We enforce our homelessness, our encampment laws. We don’t think it’s compassionate to leave someone on the ground or having urine and feces on the street,” he said.

“We give the law enforcement the tools they need, to enforce our homelessness.”

According to Strickland, homelessness in Huntington Beach has declined by 24 percent, even as other cities across California report increases.

He also said the city’s crime rate has fallen since conservatives regained control of the council.

“We prosecute small crimes,” he said.

“We don’t let that go.”

Strickland, who has been vocal in his opposition to Governor Gavin Newsom’s policies, said the city is prepared to continue challenging Sacramento on key issues.

“I think we’re one leader away from prosperity in California,” he said.

“But the only one that’s messing it up is Gavin Newsom and his policies.”

The latest flashpoint between Huntington Beach and the state government is a dispute over housing mandates.

City officials have filed multiple lawsuits challenging the state’s requirement that local governments approve more high-density housing projects.

Strickland said the state’s plan would fundamentally change the city’s suburban character.

“What they want to do in Sacramento is force urban living,” he said.

“People who live in Huntington Beach like the suburban, coastal community. What the housing mandate that came from the state of California was—they want to urbanize pretty much all of suburban California.”

According to city officials, the state’s plan includes a proposal to construct 50 high-rise apartment complexes across Huntington Beach, which Strickland said the community overwhelmingly opposes.

“That’s not what our citizens want, and we’re pushing back and we’re going to court,” he said.

Councilmember Butch Twining, who was elected during the 2022 political shift, echoed those concerns.

A lifelong resident of Huntington Beach, Twining said the cost of land and development makes the state’s housing targets unrealistic.

“It’s extremely difficult to build affordable units in Huntington Beach,” he told the Daily Mail.

“We’re going to have to either displace residents or businesses to meet the intent of what Sacramento is trying to do.”

Twining cited voter registration data showing roughly 57,000 Republicans in the city, compared to about 41,000 Democrats and 6,600 independents, as evidence that the community continues to lean strongly conservative.

“Republicans outnumber the Democrats significantly in this town,” he said.

Before the current council majority was dubbed the “MAGA-nificent 7,” the earlier conservative bloc—known locally as the “Fab 4”—included Strickland, Casey McKeon, Gracey Larrea-Van Der Mark, and Pat Burns, who now serves as mayor.

When four council seats opened due to term limits, the group mobilized quickly to recruit new candidates.

“They won significantly—it was a massacre,” Twining said.

“It wasn’t that anybody hated the four people that were termed out, they were just Democrats and they did what Democrats did. It was all about social issues, and people in Huntington Beach got tired of it.”

Twining and fellow councilmembers Chad Williams and Don Kennedy filled the open seats, solidifying Republican control.

“Huntington Beach proves that conservative leadership works,” Strickland said.

“And yes, we do the opposite of what they do in Sacramento because they’re doing it wrong in Sacramento.”

Ex-CIA Chief Brennan Snaps When Confronted About Hunter Biden Laptop Memo
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Ex-CIA Chief Brennan Snaps When Confronted About Hunter Biden Laptop Memo

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Former CIA Director John Brennan engaged in a heated verbal exchange with counterintelligence expert Thomas Speciale during a Thursday event at George Mason University.

The confrontation centered on Brennan’s role in signing a 2020 letter from 51 intelligence officials, which described reporting on Hunter Biden’s laptop as bearing “all the classic earmarks of a Russian information operation.”

The incident occurred at an event hosted by the Michael V. Hayden Center for Intelligence, featuring Brennan, former CIA Director Michael Hayden, and former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper.

Speciale, a national security consultant and former senior advisor to Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, challenged Brennan twice about his decision to endorse the letter.

A video posted to X on Saturday captured the exchange.

“Why sign that?” Speciale asked Brennan, prompting the former director to move toward him and point at his chest.

“We never said it was disinformation. We said it was Russian influence operations, which is what they do. There’s a big difference,” Brennan responded.

The letter, released to the media weeks before the 2020 election, stated, “The arrival on the US political scene of emails purportedly belonging to Vice President Biden’s son Hunter, much of it related to his serving on the Board of the Ukrainian gas company Burisma, has all the classic earmarks of a Russian information operation.”

It continued, “We want to emphasize that we do not know if the emails, provided to the New York Post by President Trump’s personal attorney Rudy Giuliani, are genuine or not and that we do not have evidence of Russian involvement — just that our experience makes us deeply suspicious that the Russian government played a significant role in this case.”

Speciale described the memo as offensive counterintelligence against Donald Trump and election interference from the intelligence community’s highest levels.

Earlier in the event, Speciale pressed Brennan about the inclusion of the Steele dossier, a Democratic-commissioned opposition research document, in the 2017 Intelligence Community Assessment (ICA) regarding Trump and Russia.

The dossier fueled years of Russiagate media coverage during Trump’s first term.

Speciale also raised questions about documents declassified by Gabbard, which showed Clapper urging then-National Security Adviser Mike Rogers, who doubted the assessment’s accuracy, to compromise “normal modalities” and support the ICA as a “team sport.”

Speciale told the Daily Caller News Foundation (DCNF), “I wanted answers to basic questions for my own personal interest. These are the people that as career intelligence people we looked up to. Why would you do these things?”

The confrontation highlighted ongoing scrutiny of the intelligence community’s actions during the 2016 and 2020 election cycles.

On October 21, House Judiciary Committee Chair Jim Jordan referred Brennan to the Department of Justice for potential criminal prosecution, alleging he lied under oath to Congress about the ICA.

Jordan cited declassified evidence from Gabbard showing Brennan, alongside then-FBI Director James Comey, made the final decision to include Steele dossier information in the ICA, overriding objections from senior CIA officers.

The event at George Mason University, held on October 30, 2025, drew attention to the lingering controversies surrounding the intelligence community’s handling of election-related investigations.

The Hayden Center event included discussions on intelligence practices, but the Brennan-Speciale exchange dominated post-event coverage.

The referral to the Department of Justice marks a significant development, with Jordan’s action based on documents released under Gabbard’s tenure as Director of National Intelligence.

The ICA, completed in January 2017, has been a focal point of debate, with critics questioning its reliance on unverified sources. The Justice Department has not yet commented on the referral.

Speciale’s background in counterintelligence and his advisory role under Gabbard add weight to his challenge, reflecting broader concerns within the intelligence community.

Eric Adams Expands NYPD to 40,000 Officers, Largest in Decades
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Eric Adams Expands NYPD to 40,000 Officers, Largest in Decades

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New York City Mayor Eric Adams is set to announce a major investment in the New York Police Department that will add 5,000 new uniformed officers by Fiscal Year 2029 — bringing the department’s total force to 40,000, the highest level in 20 years, according to The New York Post.

The Adams administration said the expansion will be phased in over three years, beginning with 300 officers in July 2026. The number will increase to 2,500 by July 2027 and reach the full 5,000 additional officers by July 2028.

“The vast majority of New Yorkers want more police officers on their streets and in their subways, and that is what we are delivering by adding these 5,000 new officers,” Adams said in a statement to The Post.

“With our administration’s investment, we are, once again, using our strong fiscal management to put investments where our values are.”

Adams added that New York City is “on a path to reach 40,000 police officers in the next three years — the highest number of police officers in 20 years.”

According to City Hall, the initiative was secured as part of the November 2025 Financial Plan. The administration will allocate $17.8 million to the NYPD in the upcoming fiscal year to launch the expansion effort, with funding set to increase to $315.8 million by 2029 to support full implementation.

The move marks a major shift in City Hall’s public safety strategy, following years of budget strain and declining police headcount.

The NYPD has been gradually rebuilding its force since Adams took office, with the most recent recruitment drive in August bringing in 2,911 new recruits — the department’s largest class since 2006. Another academy class is scheduled to graduate later this year.

Once the plan is complete, the NYPD will have the largest number of officers since the early 2000s, when the department’s headcount peaked amid citywide security initiatives following the 9/11 attacks.

4kclips – Shutterstock.com

Officials say the new investment will help strengthen public safety, reduce response times, and increase police presence across neighborhoods, subways, and public spaces.

City budget analysts expect the new officers to be distributed across all five boroughs, with a focus on high-crime areas, transit safety, and community policing. The recruitment and training process will take place through the NYPD Police Academy in Queens.

The Adams administration’s proposal is expected to be formally introduced on Friday during a City Hall press event outlining next year’s public safety priorities.

Kash Patel Confirms FBI Foiled Michigan Halloween Terror Plot, Arrests Made
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Kash Patel Confirms FBI Foiled Michigan Halloween Terror Plot, Arrests Made

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Federal agents in Michigan arrested at least five suspects early Friday morning in connection with what authorities described as a planned terrorist attack timed for Halloween weekend, according to multiple law enforcement sources who spoke with The New York Post.

“This morning the FBI thwarted a potential terrorist attack and arrested multiple subjects in Michigan who were allegedly plotting a violent attack over Halloween weekend,” FBI Director Kash Patel said in a post on X.

“Thanks to the men and women of the FBI and law enforcement everywhere standing guard 24/7 and crushing our mission to defend the homeland.”

According to federal sources, the arrests took place during coordinated raids at three homes in the Detroit suburbs of Dearborn and Inkster. Weapons were recovered from the scenes, including several legally owned firearms.

Law enforcement vehicles from the FBI and the Michigan State Police were seen near Fordson High School in Dearborn as agents entered one of the targeted homes. Investigators collected evidence, including bags of documents and materials from an FBI evidence truck.

Sources told The Post the group had discussed carrying out what they referred to as a “pumpkin day” assault. The suspects, who were under federal surveillance for months, allegedly trained at a local shooting range and drew inspiration from ISIS propaganda.

Among those detained was a 16-year-old juvenile, according to two people familiar with the case. Officials said the group debated whether to carry out the attack this weekend, with some members arguing they needed more preparation time.

Authorities have not released details about the intended targets, and sources said the plot was still in its early stages. The suspects were described as “home-grown radicals,” though investigators are examining whether they had any foreign connections or online links to extremist networks.

The FBI noted that there is no known threat to New York City, despite some of the suspects having discussed plans to visit Rockefeller Center and the Statue of Liberty as tourists.

Law enforcement officials also emphasized that there is no threat to Friday night’s Village Halloween Parade in Manhattan, though the NYPD assisted federal agents in monitoring the group.

FBI Detroit spokesperson Jordan Hall confirmed there was “no current threat to public safety.”

Patel’s announcement reportedly came before several state officials had been briefed. One senior U.S. official told The Post that Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer was not informed of the operation until after Patel’s post.

“When Patel posted, nobody had been briefed,” the official said. “So now everybody’s slowly getting the information.”

Whitmer later issued a statement on X following her briefing. “This morning, I was briefed by Director Patel on the thwarted potential terrorist attack in our state. As details continue to develop, I am grateful for the swift action of the FBI and MSP protecting Michiganders,” she wrote.

The FBI is also reviewing potential links between this case and a previous Michigan investigation involving 19-year-old former Army National Guardsman Ammar Said, who was arrested in May for allegedly plotting an ISIS-inspired attack on the U.S. Army’s Tank-Automotive & Armaments Command in Warren, Michigan.

Officials have not yet released the names of the suspects in the Halloween plot or the specific charges they will face.

Ilhan Omar Pressures Schumer to Endorse Zohran Mamdani for Mayor
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Ilhan Omar Pressures Schumer to Endorse Zohran Mamdani for Mayor

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Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) criticized Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) on Thursday for withholding his endorsement of Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic Party’s nominee in New York City’s mayoral race, as reported by Fox News.

During an interview with CNN’s Kasie Hunt, Omar said Schumer’s decision not to back Mamdani “makes no sense,” arguing that the Senate leader should follow the Democratic Party’s tradition of supporting its nominees.

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

“We as Democrats have always believed that, in an election, we support our party’s nominee,” Omar said.

“Schumer has pressured other Democrats to do just that, and he should be following his own advice.”

The Minnesota lawmaker’s remarks come as Mamdani’s campaign continues to generate controversy within the Democratic Party over his far-left platform and ties to socialist organizations.

Since his nomination, several party leaders have hesitated to publicly align themselves with him, citing policy differences and concerns about statements made by his supporters.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) has endorsed Mamdani, though reportedly with reservations. Schumer, however, has refrained from offering any support, a silence that prompted Omar’s criticism.

Dec. 7, 2023; Washington, D.C., USA; House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries speaking at a press conference on Dec. 7, 2023 in Washington, D.C.. Mandatory Credit: Jack Gruber-USA TODAY

When asked whether religion played a role in Schumer’s reluctance, Omar linked the issue to what she described as rising anti-Muslim sentiment.

“The tsunami of the anti-Muslim attacks that we are seeing is deeply concerning,” she said.

“And I would hope that the Democratic leader in the Senate would recognize that and would offer support not just to Mamdani, but the million Muslims who live in New York City and the millions who live in New York and in America.”

Omar also defended Mamdani against accusations of antisemitism after the candidate drew criticism for hesitating to condemn the slogan “Globalize the intifada.” She dismissed the concern as overblown.

“Well, everything he does or says seems to be called antisemitic,” Omar said.

“What I do know is that he has support from a broad coalition of New Yorkers. He’s got a huge coalition of Jewish voters that are supporting him. He’s got a huge coalition of Muslims of every sect. He’s got a huge coalition of young people who are supporting him.”

Zohran Mamdani at the 2025 NYC Pride March, Jun 29, 2025, NYC, NY, USA. Yannick Peterhans/NorthJersey.com

Omar credited Mamdani’s outreach efforts for building that base, saying his campaign “took the time to listen where the policy pains were for New Yorkers” and that voters “see hope in the kind of progress that he could create for New Yorkers.”

When asked whether she would support Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) if the congresswoman chose to launch a primary challenge against Schumer, Omar replied, “I would like Alex to do whatever it is that Alex wants, and I’ll be there to support her.”

Neither Schumer’s office nor Mamdani’s campaign responded to requests for comment about Omar’s remarks.

CNN Anchor Kaitlan Collins Fact-Checks Rep. Jasmine Crockett Over False Trump Ballroom Claim
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CNN Anchor Kaitlan Collins Fact-Checks Rep. Jasmine Crockett Over False Trump Ballroom Claim

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CNN host Kaitlan Collins corrected Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas) on-air Monday night after the congresswoman repeated a false claim that President Donald Trump’s top priority during the government shutdown was the construction of a new White House ballroom, as reported by The New York Post.

The exchange took place on The Source, when Crockett was asked about the ongoing shutdown but shifted the discussion to criticize Trump’s East Wing renovation project.

WASHINGTON D.C., USA – FEBRUARY 4, 2025: Kaitlan Collins speaks ahead of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Donald Trump news conference in the East Room of the White House.

“The president has time to do everything but what he needs to focus on,” Crockett said. “In fact, we heard the press secretary say his main priority is the ballroom — the ballroom that no one asked for. The ballroom that requires him to destroy historic pieces of the White House.”

Collins interjected to correct the record, explaining that Crockett’s comment misrepresented a previous statement by White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt.

“Yeah, and that context of the comment from Karoline Leavitt — she was asked if the president was working on any other renovations when it came to the White House,” Collins said. “And she was saying his focus was the ballroom.”

The fact-check followed several days of confusion over remarks Leavitt made during an October 23 White House briefing, which were later circulated in a misleading clip by Acyn Torabi of MeidasTouch, a progressive media outlet.

During that briefing, Leavitt was asked whether President Trump was pursuing “any other renovations or significant projects” beyond the new ballroom and Rose Garden patio.

She responded, “Not to my knowledge, no. But he’s a builder at heart, clearly. And so his heart and his mind is always churning about how to improve things here on the White House grounds. But at this moment in time, of course, the ballroom is really the president’s main priority.”

Torabi’s edited version omitted the question’s context and only included the line, “At this moment in time, the ballroom is really the president’s main priority.”

The shortened clip received over two million views on X and was shared widely by Democratic officials and commentators, who accused President Trump of focusing on “vanity projects” while government operations remained halted.

Among those reacting were California Governor Gavin Newsom, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), and Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D-Ohio). Newsom posted, “Good to know.” Schumer wrote, “Honestly, you can’t make this sh*t up.”

U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer holds a can of insect repellant as he speaks outside the county health department offices in Pomona Oct. 9, 2024. Schumer, along with Rockland County Executive Ed Day, was on hand to talk about mosquito control and the danger of Eastern Equine Encephalitis, the potentially fatal virus that humans can contract through the bite of an infected mosquito.

The viral post was later debunked by multiple outlets that clarified Leavitt had been referring solely to ongoing renovation work, not the president’s governing priorities. The ballroom project — estimated to cost around $300 million — is being funded entirely by private donors, according to the White House.

Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) joined other critics in suggesting that future Democratic administrations should “tear down” the ballroom if elected.

Crockett’s office has not commented on her remarks or the correction issued during the interview. She told Collins during the segment that she had “no idea” when the shutdown might end.

Kamala Drops F-Bombs Over Shutdown as Democrats Refuse to Reopen Government
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Kamala Drops F-Bombs Over Shutdown as Democrats Refuse to Reopen Government

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Kamala Harris came under renewed scrutiny Thursday after she launched into a profanity-filled tirade against President Donald Trump while discussing the ongoing government shutdown.

The remarks, which circulated widely online, drew attention not only for their tone but also for their timing, as Congress remains deadlocked over efforts to pass a continuing resolution to restore federal funding.

The outburst occurred during an interview in which Harris criticized the administration’s handling of the shutdown and claimed that federal food assistance programs were on the verge of running out of funds.

“Are you f**king kidding me? This guy wants to create a ballroom for his rich friends while completely turning a blind eye to the fact that babies are going to starve when the SNAP benefits end in just hours from now!” Harris said during the exchange.

“Come on! So what, I’m not going to be distracted by, ‘Oh, does the guy have a big f**king hammer!?’ What about those babies!?”

Harris’s comments immediately drew backlash across political circles, with critics noting that her description of the situation surrounding the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) did not align with legislative realities.

The shutdown, now stretching into its fifth week, has persisted as Senate Democrats continue to block attempts by Republicans to pass a short-term funding bill.

President Trump has pushed for a clean continuing resolution to fund essential programs, but the measure has repeatedly stalled in the Senate.

According to congressional records, Republicans have introduced at least 13 separate proposals to reopen the government on a temporary basis.

Each has failed to advance after Senate Democrats voted to sustain a filibuster, preventing the measures from reaching the president’s desk.

Harris’s outburst comes as the former vice president has faced mounting criticism over her recent public appearances.

Earlier interviews and speeches have fueled speculation among some political observers about her judgment and temperament, particularly as she continues to comment on national issues despite no longer holding office.

The White House has argued that the shutdown’s continuation rests entirely with Senate Democrats.

Administration officials have pointed to Democratic opposition to temporary spending bills as the primary obstacle to restoring funding for federal operations, including SNAP and other assistance programs.

Republicans have also noted that Democrats previously rejected standalone measures that would have funded military pay during the shutdown.

The GOP-backed bill, introduced earlier this month, failed after Democratic leadership insisted on a comprehensive reopening package rather than targeted funding for select programs.

Harris’s remarks were met with silence from many in her own party, though some Democratic aides privately acknowledged that the tone of her comments was unhelpful as negotiations remain stalled.

Political analysts noted that the comments could further complicate Democrats’ efforts to project unity and discipline in the face of sustained criticism over the shutdown.

For the Trump administration, the controversy offered another opportunity to emphasize its position that Democrats are refusing to negotiate in good faith.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, and Senate Majority Leader John Thune have each said in recent days that the administration stands ready to sign a bipartisan resolution as soon as one reaches the president’s desk.

Meanwhile, the standoff has continued to impact several federal programs, including those related to agriculture, transportation, and food distribution.

SNAP administrators have confirmed that contingency funds remain available for short-term use but warned that those reserves could run out if Congress fails to act soon.

Harris’s comments add another layer of controversy to an already tense political standoff.

While congressional leaders continue to trade blame, the stalemate shows no immediate sign of resolution as both chambers prepare to leave Washington for the weekend without a finalized agreement.

Sec. Scott Bessent Blasts Democrat Senators Warren and Klobuchar as ‘Failures’ in Fiery Takedown
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Sec. Scott Bessent Blasts Democrat Senators Warren and Klobuchar as ‘Failures’ in Fiery Takedown

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Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent sharply criticized Senate Democrats on Wednesday night, taking direct aim at Sens. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota.

In a statement posted to X, Bessent called both lawmakers “failures” and accused them of focusing on political posturing instead of working to reopen the government.

“@SenWarren and @SenAmyKlobuchar: you are failures,” Bessent wrote.

“You failed to derail the electoral success of one of our great allies in Latin America, President @JMilei. He won in a landslide with the poorest members of society voting for economic freedom—a notion anathema in particular to the Senate’s resident American Peronist, Senator Warren.”

The secretary’s post referenced Argentina’s recent election of President Javier Milei, a libertarian economist who campaigned on free-market reforms.

Bessent linked that development to the Trump administration’s economic policies and the president’s recent trip to Asia.

“You failed to reopen the government, preventing our Administration’s efforts to get aid to American farmers, as well as our planned activation of the Farm Credit Agency to assist our farmers with next year’s crops,” he continued.

Bessent said the administration’s agricultural initiatives would have advanced sooner if Congress had passed the necessary funding.

“Today’s announcement after his meeting with President Xi will be a resounding victory for our great farmers,” he wrote.

“While I know it will be soul-crushing for you, please re-focus your staff away from writing incoherent letters to myself and others, and instead work towards opening the government. If you decide to further add to your legacy of failure by voting to keep the government closed over the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday, ruining the number one travel day for American families, you should both be ashamed.”

The exchange followed a letter sent Monday by a group of Democratic lawmakers accusing Bessent of prioritizing foreign governments over domestic agriculture.

The letter cited reports that the administration was considering international financial aid programs as negotiations with China over soybean imports continued.

Speaking to FOX Business host Maria Bartiromo on Thursday, Bessent said China had agreed to purchase 12 million metric tons of soybeans “during this season,” which he indicated would be before January.

He added that the administration expects Beijing to buy at least 25 million metric tons annually over the next three years.

Bessent also estimated that President Donald Trump’s Asia trip could yield as much as $2 trillion in new investments into the United States.

Bessent shared a photo of President Trump addressing world leaders at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in South Korea, writing that it demonstrated “what successful American leadership looks like.”

In the same post, he included a pointed message to his critics: “P.S. I am happy to inform you both that the Argentine economic bridge has now turned a profit for the American people. While ‘profit’ is a private sector word that you may both be unfamiliar with, I would urge you to look past your previous experience working alongside the Biden Administration’s autopenned efforts to bankrupt the US government.”

Sen. Klobuchar responded on X late Wednesday, suggesting Bessent’s remarks were unbecoming of a cabinet official.

“At first I thought, wow, this must be a fake account given your really important job and all. But no, it’s really you. DOUBLE WOW!” she wrote.

“Since you and I have had no public or private personal ‘BEEFS’ (Argentinian or otherwise), maybe it is just your jet lag from all the overseas travel.”

Klobuchar defended the letter she co-signed as “super serious and fact-based,” saying it asked Bessent to reconsider the administration’s tariff policies and their effect on rural economies.

“While your announcement today reversing just part of your own administration’s bad policies is always helpful, there is just so much left to undo before these across-the-board tariffs upend the economy in rural America forever,” she wrote, adding a postscript that referenced ongoing budget negotiations in the House.

“P.S. thanks for sending that glam pic of the President in Asia. Here’s one of the House of Representatives this week. Love it if they came back to meet with us and your boss to do something about health insurance premiums and end the shut down.”

Earlier in October, Bessent had announced U.S. participation in a currency swap program with Argentina’s central bank aimed at stabilizing the peso.

The move was described as part of a broader effort to strengthen trade and financial cooperation between Washington and Buenos Aires.

At the time, Bessent said the Treasury Department was “prepared, immediately, to take whatever exceptional measures are warranted to provide stability to markets” and noted that up to $20 billion in new financing could be deployed through a combination of public and private funds.

The sharp exchange between Bessent and Senate Democrats marks the latest round in a series of public disputes over the administration’s trade and fiscal priorities as the partial government shutdown continues into its fifth week.


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