Category: Politics

House GOP Campaign Chair Urges Trump to Campaign for Midterm Majority

The chair of the House Republican campaign group says the recent wins by Democrats in the 2025 elections are a “wake-up call” for Republican voters. Rep. Richard Hudson from North Carolina, who leads the National Republican Congressional Committee for the second time, told Fox News Digital that he wants President Donald Trump to be active in campaigning for next year’s midterm elections. The party is working to keep its slim majority in the House.

This year, Democrats won the two gubernatorial races in New Jersey and Virginia, both by large margins. They also had significant wins in important ballot measures in Georgia and Pennsylvania, as well as in Democratic areas like New York City and California.

Many Republicans have dismissed these victories, saying they happened mainly in blue states. Hudson acknowledged that these elections took place in “Democratic states.” However, he pointed out that “the big takeaway for Republicans is that the Democrats were energized. They showed up to vote in record numbers, while Republicans turned out at normal levels.”

He added, “This is a wake-up call for conservatives and Republicans who are satisfied with how things are going. They support President Trump being back in the White House. But if they want to keep this momentum, they need to show up and vote.”

Many of Trump’s MAGA supporters usually only vote when he is on the ballot. However, he will not be on the ballot for the 2026 midterm elections.

House GOPs Support Trump’s Agenda

Rep. Hudson said, “House Republicans closely support President Trump and his agenda. We want him campaigning with our candidates because he brings a lot of energy.”

He pointed out that many people do not vote when Trump is not running. Hudson stated, “I don’t need all of them to show up, but I need some of them. Having President Trump out there will really help us.”

Requests for Trump to campaign are already coming in. Matt Van Epps, the Republican candidate in next month’s special congressional election for a vacant Republican House seat in Tennessee, has asked Trump to join him in person before the December 2 election.

Democrats, on the other hand, are focusing on affordability for the 2025 campaign. Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin said his party’s candidates are talking to voters about everyday concerns. He mentioned that Democrats are running campaigns about costs and affordability from New Jersey and Virginia to New York and Georgia. Martin emphasized that the 2025 elections will give a preview of next year’s midterms.

Republicans to Launch National Coordinated Campaign

In 2026, we will launch a National Coordinated Campaign to win elections at all levels. Our goal is to provide a check on the Trump administration and its Republican allies. This is what Hudson stated.

Hudson pointed to President Joe Biden, saying, “The economy has challenges because Biden broke it. House Republicans and President Trump are working hard to fix it.”

He added, “We can always improve how we talk to voters about this. But we are focused on the issues that matter to them, like the cost of living, safety in their neighborhoods, and border security. We are committed to these issues and have provided many solutions to improve their lives.”

As tax season approaches, he said, “Many families will be happy to see they have more take-home pay, thanks to Donald Trump and House Republicans.”

Hudson, alongside other Republicans, wanted to link Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, a socialist with a far-left platform, to House Democrats, many of whom may face tough re-election campaigns next year.

“The entire Democratic Party has moved to the left. This is now Mamdani’s party,” Hudson said. “Every House Democrat needs to explain their stance on his policies. They should tell their constituents if they support Mamdani or not.”

The party currently in power, the Republicans, often faces challenges in midterm elections. Hudson made these comments as two new national polls showed that Democrats have an advantage in the 2026 race for the House majority.

However, Hudson said, “The only number I care about is three. We have three Republicans in seats that Kamala Harris won.”

He pointed out that Democrats hold “thirteen seats in districts that Donald Trump won and twenty-one more in districts that Trump barely lost. This means only a few competitive seats are available this time, with most belonging to Democrats.”

November 21, 2025
What Will Senior Citizens Pay for Medicare in 2026?

Senior citizens in America will see their health insurance premiums rise significantly in 2026. Medicare Part B premiums will rise nearly 10% next year. This is the largest increase in four years and the second-largest increase in dollar amounts in the program’s history. The standard monthly premium will be $202.90, up by $17.90 from this year, according to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. This increase will take nearly one-third of the $56 monthly Social Security cost-of-living adjustment that retirees will receive in 2026.

The big jump in Medicare Part B premiums happens when health insurance premiums are also rising for people with job-based coverage and Affordable Care Act plans. This trend makes it harder for Americans who are already struggling with high prices for food, utilities, and other everyday needs.

Jeanne Lambrew, director of healthcare reform at The Century Foundation, said, “In a world where people worry about the cost of healthcare and basic needs, it’s distressing that this increase is so large.” Higher costs for medical services and drugs, as well as more people using these services, are common reasons for rising healthcare premiums.

Medicare is also facing challenges from the growing number of baby boomers becoming eligible for enrollment. Additionally, more surgeries and medical services are now being done at outpatient facilities instead of hospitals, where Medicare Part A covers the care, said Rachel Schmidt, a research professor at Georgetown University’s Medicare Policy Initiative.

Monthly Premiums Might Gain $11 Increase

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) indicated that monthly premiums would have increased by an additional $11 if they had not approved a change in the payment structure for skin substitutes. This change is expected to reduce spending on these wound care products by nearly 90%. Last year, Medicare spent over $10 billion on skin substitutes, a significant rise from just $256 million in 2019.

In addition, Medicare Part D prescription drug policies offered by insurers will see fewer changes in 2026 than this year. Last fall, the Biden administration quickly started a multibillion-dollar subsidy program for insurers. This step aims to prevent big premium increases linked to the Inflation Reduction Act. This law, passed by Congress in 2022, requires insurers to pay more for drug costs once enrollees exceed the $2,000 catastrophic coverage limit.

According to consulting firm Oliver Wyman, the number of plans available for 2026 will slightly decrease, with the firm noting that Elevance is withdrawing from the market. Many insurers are planning to raise their premiums by as much as $50 for the upcoming year, while some are reducing or maintaining their current rates.

“If seniors in the standalone PDP market are willing to shop around, there is still stability,” said Brooks Conway, a principal at Oliver Wyman.

Currently, approximately 69 million Americans are enrolled in Medicare, which also includes coverage for individuals with disabilities. The annual open enrollment period for Medicare ends on December 7.

The Medicare Advantage Market is Experiencing a Contraction

Medicare Advantage currently serves just over half of all Medicare beneficiaries. It is undergoing significant changes for the second year in a row. These changes are due to medical costs rising faster than the payments from the federal government that insurers receive to cover Medicare enrollees.

As a result, many enrollees will need to search for new coverage for 2026, as the total number of available plans is expected to decrease by 10%, dropping to 3,373 plans, according to a report by Oliver Wyman. Major insurers, including CVS Aetna, Elevance, Humana, and UnitedHealthcare, are cutting their plan offerings in at least 100 counties. This reduction is anticipated to affect just over 2 million individuals.

It is important to note that these figures do not include special needs plans, which cater to enrollees with chronic conditions or those who are dually eligible for Medicaid. These special needs plans are projected to have more offerings for 2026 compared to this year.

In certain counties, there will be fewer policies available with $0 premiums and a reduced number of PPO plans, which typically feature broader provider networks. According to Greg Berger, a partner at Oliver Wyman, insurers are mainly looking to withdraw from or scale back their less profitable products and geographic areas.

“A lot of MAPD plans are trying not to grow,” Berger noted, referencing Medicare Advantage plans that include prescription drug coverage.

Some Plans Will Offer $0 Deductibles for Prescription Drugs

For the first time, some Americans will have no Medicare Advantage plans available to them. Blue Shield of Vermont, Blue Cross, and UnitedHealthcare have chosen to discontinue their coverage in Vermont, leaving traditional Medicare as the only option for residents in eight counties.

Despite these reductions, most Medicare beneficiaries will still have a variety of options in 2026, with an average of 39 plans available, down from 42 plans this year.

“Millions of Medicare beneficiaries will continue to have access to a huge range of affordable coverage options in 2026,” stated Dr. Mehmet Oz, the administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).

However, fewer plans will offer $0 deductibles for prescription drugs, and the maximum out-of-pocket limits for medical care will increase by $490, or about 10%, on average. For Medicare Advantage plans that include drug coverage and have a monthly premium, the average premium will rise to $66 next year, up from $60 this year.

Additionally, the supplemental benefits provided by Medicare Advantage plans, such as funds for over-the-counter medications, dental care, and vision services, are becoming less generous. For example, the average dental allowance is decreasing by 10% to $2,107, according to Berger.

November 21, 2025
Who is attending Former Vice President Cheney’s Funeral?

Former Vice President Dick Cheney’s funeral will take place on Thursday in Washington, DC. It will bring together former presidents and politicians from both parties to honor a key figure in the Republican Party before the MAGA movement. Notably, neither former President Donald Trump nor current Vice President JD Vance received invitations to the funeral, according to a source familiar with the situation.

Cheney will receive full military honors at the memorial service, which is expected to feature a notable gathering of Washington dignitaries from both sides of the aisle. More than 1,000 guests are anticipated at the invitation-only ceremony, scheduled for Thursday morning at the National Cathedral in Washington. This includes four living former vice presidents and two former presidents.

Former Presidents George W. Bush and Joe Biden are attending to pay their respects, along with former Vice Presidents Kamala Harris, Mike Pence, Al Gore, and Dan Quayle. Many Supreme Court Justices will be there, including Chief Justice John Roberts and Justices Brett Kavanaugh and Elena Kagan. A large number of current and former Cabinet members from both Republican and Democratic administrations will also attend, along with congressional leaders from both parties.

Speaker Pelosi is Attending the Funeral

Speaker Emeritus Nancy Pelosi is attending, as are Senate Majority Leader John Thune and former leader Mitch McConnell. The funeral guest list is a nod to a time when Washington was less polarized, with politicians from both parties paying their respects when a dignitary passed away. Cheney’s funeral is scheduled for 11 a.m. ET. Speakers will include former President George W. Bush, Cheney’s daughter Liz Cheney, and some of his grandchildren.

Cheney, who served as Bush’s vice president from 2001 to 2009, died on November 3 at the age of 84. Before his vice presidency, he held positions as defense secretary, White House chief of staff, and congressman representing Wyoming. He is regarded as one of the most powerful and influential vice presidents in U.S. history, but his role as the architect of the Iraq War left him deeply unpopular as he left office, contributing to a polarizing legacy.

While official funerals in Washington typically include invitations to the White House, the exclusion of Trump from this one is not surprising. Cheney was a lifelong conservative who initially supported Trump’s 2016 campaign. However, he later criticized him publicly. This criticism grew stronger after his daughter, Liz Cheney, became a public opponent of Trump because of her role in investigating the January 6, 2021, Capitol insurrection.

Chenny’s Remarks About President Trump

In 2022, Cheney called Trump a coward and said he posed the greatest threat to the country. So far, Trump has not offered condolences or mentioned Cheney’s death. Before the funeral, Vance remembered Cheney as someone who served his country and wished his family well during this difficult time.

Former Vice President Mike Pence, who also broke ranks with Trump over efforts to overturn the 2020 election, recalled that Cheney gave him two important pieces of advice shortly after Pence was elected vice president in 2016. Cheney urged Pence to spend “a lot of time on Capitol Hill” and to review the president’s daily briefing each morning before attending any meetings with the president. According to Pence, Cheney believed this would equip him to better advise the president by knowing in advance what issues were on the agenda and filtering them through the president’s priorities.

The White House issued a muted reaction following Cheney’s death, with press secretary Karoline Leavitt stating that Trump was aware of Cheney’s passing and noting that flags had been lowered to half-staff.

Honorary pallbearers at Cheney’s funeral will include members of his Secret Service detail, his former chiefs of staff David Addington and Scooter Libby, and photographer David Hume Kennerly. Included on one of the last pages of the service leaflet is a quote from the writer and naturalist John Muir: “The mountains are calling, and I must go.”

November 20, 2025
Trump Announces New Pardons for Jan 6 Defendants

President Donald Trump has recently granted pardons to two defendants connected to the January 6 incident, who are also facing charges on unrelated matters. One of these defendants, Suzanne Kaye, was sentenced to 18 months in prison for allegedly threatening to shoot FBI agents in her social media posts.

According to the Department of Justice under the Biden administration, on January 31, 2021, the day before Kaye was scheduled to meet with FBI agents regarding a tip about her presence at the U.S. Capitol during the January 6 riot, she posted videos on social media claiming that she would “shoot” FBI agents if they came to her home. The FBI became aware of Kaye’s social media posts on February 8, 2021, and she was arrested at her home in Florida on February 17, 2021.

A White House official told Fox News Digital that Kaye is prone to stress-induced seizures and experienced one while the jury read its verdict in 2023. The official noted that this case involved disfavored political speech, which is protected under the First Amendment.

U.S. Special Attorney Ed Martin posted about the recent pardon on Saturday, expressing gratitude to Trump in a post on X. He stated, “The Biden DOJ targeted Suzanne Kaye for her social media posts, resulting in an 18-month federal prison sentence. President Trump is undoing the damage caused by Biden’s DOJ weaponization, allowing the healing process to begin.”

Wilson – January 6 Defendant Continued to Serve Time for the Firearms

Daniel Wilson, a defendant from January 6, remains imprisoned despite Trump’s pardons for several convicted rioters. This is because he had pleaded guilty to firearms charges. A White House official told Fox News Digital that President Trump decided to grant Wilson an additional pardon due to the firearms being discovered during a search of Wilson’s home in relation to the Capitol riot.

Although Wilson was included in the broad pardon granted to January 6 defendants by Trump on January 20, 2025, he continued to serve time for the firearms charge, set to be released in 2028. Before his sentencing on January 6-related charges, for which he received a five-year prison term, Wilson pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm by a banned person and possession of an unregistered firearm.

Initially, the Trump administration’s Justice Department said the firearms charge wouldn’t be part of the January 6 pardon. They later reversed this decision, citing “further clarity,” but did not explain the change.

In his original pardon, Trump stated that under his authority granted by Article II, Section 2 of the U.S. Constitution, he was commuting the sentences of individuals “convicted of offenses related to events that happened at or near the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021.” This pardon included Wilson’s charges from January 6, but did not cover those related to firearms.

A U.S. Judge Condemned the Phrase “Related to” in Trump’s Original Pardon

U.S. District Judge Dabney Friedrich, a Trump appointee involved in Wilson’s case, rejected the broad interpretation of what Trump was pardoning. She argued that it extended the bounds of the order too far. In her opinion, Friedrich criticized the use of the phrase “related to” in Trump’s original pardon, stating that it should indicate a specific factual link between the conduct underlying a particular offense and the events of January 6, 2021.

An appeals court later upheld her objections, requiring Wilson to remain in custody during the appeal process. Wilson has previously identified himself as a member of the Oath Keepers and the Gray Ghost Partisan Rangers militia, according to Politico.

“Dan Wilson is a good man. After being unjustly imprisoned for more than seven months, he is happy to be back home with his family,” said Wilson’s attorneys, George Pallas and Carol Stewart, in a statement to Politico. “This act of mercy restores his freedom and highlights the problems that have divided our nation.”

November 16, 2025
Americans Are Hurting as Shutdown Disrupts Airports and Grocery Stores

Millions of Americans are in limbo as a result of the longest federal government shutdown in US history, which is causing worries about an impending economic crisis. Travelers were frustrated as thousands of flights were delayed and over a thousand were canceled on Friday. As President Donald Trump’s administration continues to fight in federal court to refuse to pay full benefits for November, many who depend on food stamps were left in a precarious situation.

Federal employees who have been unpaid for weeks claimed they had run out of alternatives and that their bills were due. There is no end in sight to the shutdown because Congress is at a standstill, with minority Democrats adhering to their demands for health insurance financing and majority Republicans still lacking the 60 votes required to pass a government funding plan in the Senate.

The “wheels came off” in compromise negotiations with Democrats, South Dakota Republican Senate Majority Leader John Thune told reporters on Friday. He instructed senators to stay in Washington so they could cast ballots this weekend. In an effort to put more pressure on the GOP to reach a compromise, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer stated that Democrats would consent to end the shutdown in exchange for an additional year of increased Affordable Care Act subsidies.

One of Trump’s senior economic officials raised the alarm on Friday due to growing worries about the potential harm the closure may have to the economy as a whole. Kevin Hassett, the director of the National Economic Council, stated on Fox Business that the shutdown’s economic effects are “far worse” than first anticipated “because it’s gone on for so long.”

Travelers Face Widespread Flight Cancellations and Delays

Hassett remarked, “Who knows how bad the economy could be this quarter if we go another month or so.” More than a thousand flights were canceled at 40 major airports as a result of the Federal Aviation Administration’s 4% domestic flight restriction, which went into effect on Friday. Additional cuts are planned for the weekend owing to staffing shortages for air traffic controllers.

Major airports, such as those in Washington, Atlanta, San Francisco, and Newark, were seeing significant delays as a result of understaffed control towers in addition to the cancellations. CNN was informed by travelers nationwide that they were afraid their plans will be disrupted.

US People Are Hurting as Shutdown Disrupts Airports, Grocery Stores Source: Web

On Saturday, Alicia Leva was scheduled to tie the knot in South Florida. However, Leva said she witnessed travel arrangements quickly falling apart because over half of her visitors were from all over the nation. “I was just really nervous when I learnt about the flight delays,” she remarked. Leva was still grieving her initial vision of the couple’s special day, but she didn’t want to compare her wedding problems to those of others who have been severely impacted by the government shutdown.

Mounting Pressure on Federal Workers Sparks Concerns

Lisa Morales, a nurse who works at a military post in El Paso, Texas, stated that while she was able to pay her rent in October and November, she is now unable to continue working for free. She stated that without a monthly cheque, she is unsure of how she will pay for her car and insurance, petrol, groceries, dog food and utilities this month.

She claimed that if the closure doesn’t end soon, she doesn’t know where she will live and that her landlord won’t cooperate. “Because we continue to report to work, we are not eligible for unemployment benefits,” Morales stated, adding, “If the government stays closed this month, I will have to look for another job.”

November 8, 2025
Mamdani’s ‘Trump-Proofing NYC’ Campaign Sparks Political Clash With White House

After winning New York City’s mayoral election, Zohran Mamdani didn’t take long to confront the guy who had threatened to jail and deport him in addition to defunding the city. Mamdani, a Democrat, addressed the Republican president from the stage of his Brooklyn victory party, saying, “Donald Trump, since I know you’re watching, I have four words for you: Turn the volume up.”

Additionally, he challenged the president directly. “The city that gave rise to Donald Trump is the one who can show a nation betrayed by him how to defeat him,” he declared. As Mamdani went from being a little-known state lawmaker to a national Democratic star, and as Trump portrayed the modern Democratic Party as extreme and disconnected from common voters, the announcement served as an example of how both men have taken advantage of each other as politically useful foils.

Speaking at a business conference in Miami the day after the election, Trump frequently brought up Mamdani, portraying the incoming mayor as a nightmare that he swore to combat while widely associating other Democratic politicians with their party’s new political hero.

Trump declared, “Just look at the outcome of yesterday’s election in New York, where their party installed a communist as mayor of the largest city in the country, if you want to see what congressional Democrats wish to do to America.”

Mamdani’s ‘Trump-Proofing NYC’ Campaign Sparks Political Clash With White House Source: Web

Mamdani, who was born in Uganda and obtained U.S. citizenship after completing his undergraduate education, portrayed himself as the leader of the opposition to the president’s strong, anti-immigrant policies during his second term. In his statement on election night, he declared, “New York will remain a city of immigrants, a city built by immigrants, powered by immigrants, and, as of tonight, led by an immigrant.”

The statement continued, “So hear me,” President Donald J. Trump, “when I say this: To get to any of us, you will have to get through all of us.” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt later confirmed that Trump, who has been disparaging Mamdani for months and threatening to destroy the city if he won, was present at the address. “AND SO IT BEGINS!” he said on social media as Mamdani was speaking.

Nevertheless, it’s anticipated that Mamdani, a democratic socialist who ran on a platform of far-left progressive policies and upbeat optimism that contrasts sharply with Trump’s darker and more extreme strategies, will continue to face the president’s relentless political criticism as well as a federal government that might attempt to obstruct his agenda. However, it’s still unclear how Trump intends to react and whether the courts will intervene.

Mamdani Vows to Shield the City from Future ‘Trump-style’ Politics

Mamdani made it apparent during his first press conference as mayor-elect on Wednesday that one of the biggest obstacles he will have in his new position is the city’s most influential former resident. “An authoritarian government and an affordability crisis are the twin crises that New Yorkers are currently facing,” he stated. “And it will be my responsibility to fulfill both.”

According to Mamdani, “Trump-proofing” New York City, entails “protecting those with the least from the consequences of a man with the most power in this country.” However, Mamdani repeatedly stated that if anyone could assist New Yorkers, he would be open to working with them, including Trump. He claimed that since his victory, neither the president nor the White House had contacted him.

November 6, 2025
Early Voting Insights for Upcoming Elections in New York, New Jersey, Virginia

The electorate is typically substantially smaller because the New York City’s mayoral elections are held in off-years, meaning there isn’t a presidential race on the ballot. Additionally, because older voters tend to be more politically active, it tends to skew older than presidential elections. Furthermore, early voters are typically older than those who cast ballots on election day.

The older demographic of those who cast ballots during the initial days of early voting was therefore not surprising. However, there was a significant increase in younger voters on the last day of early voting. This made the last wave of early voters even younger than those who cast ballots in the general election of 2024.

Though it’s also important to note that both candidates have a sizable portion of support in older age groups, Zohran Mamdani’s supporters are typically younger, while former Governor Andrew M. Cuomo has greater support among older voters. With likely voters under 30, Mr. Mamdani topped Mr. Cuomo 73 percent to 10 percent in a September New York Times/Siena survey. They were deadlocked among voters aged 65 and over.

New Yorkers Voted by Age & New Jerseyans Voted by Party

According to more recent surveys, voters in their 50s, 60s, and older give Mr. Cuomo a tiny edge. Why not make a comparison between this election and the 2021 mayoral race? For starters, there was little competition in that election; Eric Adams received more than twice as many votes as Mr. Sliwa, his nearest rival.

Such a comparison wouldn’t reveal much because there was less suspense, which meant that fewer individuals of all ages showed up to vote early. Since its implementation in 2019, early voting has also gradually increased in popularity in New York. It’s difficult to predict precisely how early and election day voting will ultimately be distributed given the overall trend toward early voting.

New York City does not disclose the number of mail-in ballots returned prior to the election, so the early votes displayed here for 2025 do not include mail-in votes. Like it’s obvious that the number of mail-in ballots returned thus far is tabulated for Virginia and New Jersey below.

Voters in New Jersey register according to their political party. Accordingly, we may determine whether one party is especially energized or depressed based on the early voting results.

Early Voting Insights for Upcoming Elections in New York, New Jersey, Virginia Source: Web

Compared to Republicans, Democrats are more likely to cast early ballots. Democrats accounted for over half of the early vote this year. Furthermore, it is difficult to forecast exactly what will occur on election day due to the added percentage of unaffiliated voters and the fact that voters do not necessarily choose the candidate of their party.

For instance, Democrats in New Jersey had a 12-percentage-point lead over Republicans in 2024 when it came to the party registration of all voters. However, the Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris won the state by a mere six points.

In the years since the pandemic, people have been forming new preferences for how they cast their ballots, just like in other countries. Many more voters from both parties now cast their ballots early, either in person or by mail. Comparisons to the previous governor’s contest in 2021 are therefore less useful.

November 4, 2025
Trump Govt. Excludes Democrats from Briefing on Recent U.S. Military Strikes

According to a prominent Senate Democrat and a person with direct knowledge of the matter, the Trump administration briefed Republicans on Wednesday regarding US military operations on suspected drug boats without informing Democratic senators of the briefing. When the Trump administration excluded Democratic members on Wednesday, Senate Intelligence Committee Vice Chairman Mark Warner blasted the action as “a partisan stunt” that “is a slap in the face to Congress’ war powers responsibilities and to the men and women who serve this country.”

A classified Justice Department OLC memo detailing the administration’s legal rationale for the strikes – which CNN first reported on earlier this month – was presented to the Republicans by administration officials during the meeting. Warner said in a statement that it is “indefensible and dangerous to exclude Democrats from a briefing on U.S. military strikes and to withhold the legal justification for those strikes from half the Senate.”

“Decisions regarding the use of American military force are not the exclusive domain of one political party, nor are they the subject of campaign strategy sessions,” he stated. “Any administration that treats them in that manner undermines our national security and violates Congress’ constitutional duty to supervise matters of peace and war.”

The Virginia Democrat continued, “It also sets a reckless and deeply troubling precedent,” adding that the administration should immediately provide Democrats the same briefing and the OLC opinion. CNN has reached out to the White House for comment. Warner’s comments come as the Trump administration accelerates its attacks against boats that they allege are involved in drug trafficking.

Highly Misleading Briefings

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said on Wednesday that the US military conducted another strike against a vessel in the Pacific Ocean that day, killing four people. “This vessel, like all the others, was known by our intelligence to be involved in illicit narcotics smuggling, was transiting along a known narco-trafficking route, and carrying narcotics,” Hegseth said in a post on X.

This is the 14th time that the US military has reportedly attacked a suspected drug-smuggling ship. On 15 boats in total, the activities had claimed the lives of 61 persons. Earlier this week, the Trump administration told CNN that it has given seven different secret briefings on US military operations on suspected drug boats.

President Trump Govt. Excludes Democrats from Briefing on Recent U.S. Military Raid Source: Web

However, other politicians claim they haven’t gotten the information they’re looking for. The administration “appears to be counting the same briefing given multiple times to certain staff or members (including in small groups),” a Democratic Senate official told CNN. Therefore, seven briefings are incredibly deceptive.

According to two sources who spoke to CNN earlier Wednesday, Pentagon officials are scheduled to provide members of the House Armed Services Committee with a classified briefing on Thursday regarding the recent US military strikes on vessels suspected of being involved in drug trafficking.

October 30, 2025
California Gov. Newsom Elaborates On His Plans, Confirms Consideration for 2028 Presidential Run

California Governor Gavin Newsom had a lengthy interview on CNN‘s “The Story Is with Elex Michaelson” on Monday, going into further detail about his remarks regarding a possible 2028 presidential campaign. According to Newsom, “people talk about it, and you’d be lying if you haven’t thought about it, processed it.” Newsom added, “I’m literally arguing that there might not be a free and fair election in 2028, which is why I have this initiative, Prop 50.”

The term-limited governor, who will step down in January 2027, stated that he hasn’t considered running for president “beyond just a few people bringing things up and talking about the future.” However, Newsom has recently been more open about his political chances, much like a few other possible 2028 contenders.

Even while he seemed to be making efforts to increase his national reputation, the California governor said for years that he had “sub-zero” interest in running for president. On Monday, Newsom stated that “everything has changed,” which is why his position has changed. He cited the president’s choice to station the National Guard in cities like Los Angeles as an illustration of how the nation has changed due to new norms.

California Holds Key Vote in 2026 Midterms

According to Newsom, “I simply believe that we’re on the other side of something drastically different, not slightly different,” continuing further, “everything has changed, including my perspective on the world we live in, my energy, my focus, and my mindset.”

And the question of whether Democrats want to run someone perceived as a liberal from San Francisco is one of the image problems that Newsom’s presidential candidacy would probably encounter in a Democratic primary. The governor stated that he intends to address how some Americans view him in a book that he will publish the following year.

The largest myth surrounding Newsom, who was raised by a single mother who worked several jobs for the most of his childhood, is “this notion of the silver spoon,” that he “was born into great wealth and privilege,” according to Newsom. “Quite the opposite,” he stated. “In that regard, I’m going to be pushing back.”

California Gov. Newsom Elaborates On His Plans, Confirms Consideration for 2028 Presidential Run Source: Web

Newsom has spearheaded the push to approve Proposition 50, a ballot initiative that would enable his party to favor Democrats in five GOP-held California House seats, at a time when Democrats are searching for new party leaders. Mr. Newsom claimed that the Department of Justice was attempting to stifle free speech by sending election monitors to six California counties prior to the Proposition 50 vote on November 4.

Furthermore, he remarked, “It’s a pattern and practice.” They’re using it as a tactic of intimidation. They are attempting to stifle the vote.

October 28, 2025
US-China Talks Outline Rare Earths Deal, Tariff Pause Ahead of Japan Summit

According to the US Treasury Secretary, the two countries have reached an agreement on the framework of a possible trade agreement that will be considered when their presidents meet later this week. This includes a “final deal” on TikTok’s US operations and a postponement of China’s stricter rare earth mining regulations, Scott Bessent told CBS, the BBC’s US news partner.

Additionally, he said that he did not expect President Donald Trump’s planned 100% tariff on Chinese imports to take effect, even though China will once again buy a lot of soybeans from the US. Both countries want to prevent the trade war between the two biggest economies in the world from getting worse. On Thursday, Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping are scheduled to meet in South Korea.

On the fringes of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) summit in Malaysia, which Trump is also attending as part of his Asia visit, Bessent spoke with top Chinese trade officials. They conducted “constructive” talks, according to Beijing.

According to Bessent, the nations had “reached a substantial framework for the two leaders” and “the tariffs will be averted.” Both negotiating teams “reached a basic consensus on arrangements to address their respective concerns,” according to a statement from the Chinese government. “Both sides agreed to further finalize specific details,” they stated.

Trump’s Tariff Pressure & Political Play

Trump has threatened and implemented broad taxes on imports from other nations since reentering the White House, claiming that the measure would increase American manufacturing and employment.

Many nations, including the UK, have reached new agreements with the US as a result of the imposition of tariffs. However, he has threatened China with the highest levies. Although the two agreed to postpone the implementation of the levies while seeking a trade agreement, Beijing has responded with its own measures.

In reaction to China’s tightening restrictions on the sale of rare earths, which are elements necessary for the manufacturing of many electronics, Trump earlier this month said that he would put an additional 100% tariff on Chinese imports starting in November. The president of the United States accused Beijing of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to “captive” the world.

China & US Talks Outline Rare Earths Deal, Tariff Pause Ahead of Summit in Japan Source: Web

Supplying rare earths to US firms is a crucial negotiating chip because China produces over 90% of the world’s supply, which is used in everything from solar panels to smartphones. Many US companies that depended on the materials protested when Beijing last tightened export limits, after Trump’s increase in tariffs on Chinese exports earlier this year.

According to Bessent, China will “delay that for a year while they re-examine it” on Sunday on This Week, a different news program. China is the world’s largest consumer of soybeans, which is another point of concern. US farmers suffered when China stopped all orders as the trade conflict intensified. Bessent suggested that the boycott would end shortly, but she would not elaborate.

October 27, 2025