Category Archives: politics

Patrick Hynes: Sununu for Senate

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**IT’S OFFICIAL: Former Senator John E. Sununu Joins GOP Senate Primary Race**

Former Senator John E. Sununu has officially entered the GOP Senate primary race.

Sununu’s announcement of his candidacy earlier this week comes after a month of speculation and buzz within the New Hampshire political world.

This development significantly changes the landscape for Republicans in the upcoming race.
https://www.unionleader.com/opinion/columnists/patrick-hynes-sununu-for-senate/article_b8aee05b-f4f1-4e06-adca-e908d045a503.html

Trump’s Asia Tour: Deals, Diplomacy and a Meeting With Xi

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From Kuala Lumpur to Gyeongju, President Trump is casting himself as a deal-maker and peace negotiator.

As he travels through the region, he aims to promote tariff relief and establish steadier ties amid a wary environment.

Leaders and citizens alike are watching closely to see how his diplomatic efforts might impact the future of international relations in this part of the world.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/25/world/asia/trump-japan-korea-china.html

Truck driver shot by law enforcement after backing into Coast Guard base

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Coast Guard security personnel “issued multiple verbal commands to stop the vehicle, [but] the driver failed to comply and proceeded to put the vehicle in reverse, suddenly accelerating backwards at a high rate of speed directly toward them,” according to a statement.

“When the vehicle’s actions posed a direct threat to the safety of Coast Guard and security personnel, law enforcement officers discharged several rounds of defensive live fire,” the statement continued.

“No Coast Guard personnel were injured during the incident. Two civilians were injured and are expected to survive. The truck driver was wounded in the stomach and is being held for mental health evaluation. A bystander was struck by a fragment, treated at a local hospital, and released,” the statement said.

The DHS X account attached a video of the incident, showing the vehicle backing up at high speed toward a line of officers who riddled it with fire, causing the driver to stop and speed off in the opposite direction.

The FBI is leading the investigation into the incident, sending evidence, crisis management, and bomb technician teams to the site of the crime.

“At this time, the incident appears to be isolated, and there is no known current threat to the public,” FBI spokesperson Cameron Polan in San Francisco said in a statement.

U-Haul spokesman Jeff Lockridge said the company cooperated with law enforcement in the investigation.

The incident occurred on Wednesday after an anonymous source with knowledge of the situation told the San Francisco Chronicle that 100 U.S. Customs and Border Protection and other agents would begin arriving at the Alameda Coast Guard base on Thursday. The Coast Guard confirmed this in a statement provided to the media.

The news immediately drew outrage from San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie and Governor Gavin Newsom (D-CA). Protesters gathered earlier on Thursday to demonstrate outside the checkpoint guarding the island. The protests were largely peaceful, with the attempted truck ramming occurring hours after most of the protesters had dispersed.

In an unexpected move, President Donald Trump called off the deployment of the federal agents after a phone call with Mayor Lurie, who was supported by personal appeals from several mutual connections.

However, in a Friday press conference, DHS Secretary Kristi Noem suggested that Trump could change his mind following the attempted ramming.

“If leaders in San Francisco don’t figure out how to protect our law enforcement officers and protect our Coast Guard members, then we would be forced to come in and protect those individuals,” she said.
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/crime/3863858/truck-driver-shot-by-law-enforcement-after-backing-into-coast-guard-base/

In a Desperate Move, Virginia’s John Reid Debates AI Opponent

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John Reid, a gay Republican radio host running for Virginia lieutenant governor, posted a 40-minute video of himself debating an AI-generated version of his Democratic opponent after she declined repeated debate requests.

The attention-grabbing video, posted to Reid’s YouTube channel, shows him standing behind a podium as if at a formal debate, facing what his campaign claims is an AI-generated version of State Sen. Ghazala Hashmi (D-Richmond). This AI was programmed with her policy positions and a robotic approximation of her voice. Reid’s campaign insists he didn’t see the debate questions in advance. Even the moderator, they said, was a computer program.

The campaign told The Washington Post they turned to the AI debate after Hashmi repeatedly declined to face him. The event was live-streamed to a few hundred viewers on Reid’s YouTube channel earlier this week and remains publicly available.

Noah Jennings, Reid’s campaign manager, said the team aimed to simulate a real debate that was “fair and accurate to [Hashmi], not campy or overdramatic.” He added that they would have preferred a real debate to what he called a gimmick.

There have been no forums or formal debates in the lieutenant governor’s race this cycle, unlike four years ago when Winsome Earle-Sears defeated Democrat Hala Ayala amid Glenn Youngkin’s sweeping gubernatorial win.

Hashmi’s campaign dismissed the stunt, telling Axios the senator never granted permission for her likeness to be used. “John Reid’s failed use of deepfakes is a desperate move straight out of Donald Trump’s playbook,” Hashmi campaign spokesperson Ava Pitruzzello said in a statement.

“While we appreciate that AI Ghazala did share her vision, like her commitment to public education and reproductive rights, it’s pretty clear Reid only cares about shoddy gimmicks and not governing. Maybe he should focus on voters instead of videos. And hasn’t he gotten in enough trouble online already?” Pitruzzello added, referencing the myriad controversies over Reid’s Tumblr account.

On X, the Democratic Party of Virginia shared screenshots of AI Hashmi’s responses that they said cast both her and the party in a positive light. “Tonight we congratulate @SenatorHashmi for winning @JohnReid4VA’s fake debate and thank John Reid for sharing Ghazala’s winning message,” the party wrote.

Hashmi’s campaign has aired two television ads, compared to none from Reid, whose team has instead released web spots on YouTube that have circulated on social media. According to the Virginia Public Access Project, Hashmi has raised more than five times Reid’s total and, as of September, held nearly ten times more cash on hand.

Despite Hashmi’s financial advantage and the Tumblr controversies that could have derailed him, the gay Republican appears largely unfazed and is running a credible, competitive campaign.

A recent Washington Post-Schar School poll showed Hashmi leading Reid by 4%, which falls within the margin of error, while a VCU Wilder School poll found them essentially tied, 44% to 43%.

Reid’s AI debate may have been born of frustration, but it perfectly captures a campaign season where technology keeps blurring the line between strategy and spectacle. Voters will decide whether it reads as clever innovation or pure desperation.
https://www.metroweekly.com/2025/10/john-reid-ai-debate-virginia/

Federal workers in South Florida left disheartened, struggling to get by amid government shutdown

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**Federal Workers in South Florida Struggle Amid Ongoing Government Shutdown**

*FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA. (WSVN)* — Federal workers across South Florida are facing financial hardships and growing disheartenment as the federal government shutdown continues, caught in the crossfire of a political battle.

At Miami International Airport on Friday, several Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agents were seen picking up food distributed by Feeding South Florida. With no end to the shutdown in sight, these federal workers are navigating tough times.

“It does help, especially for us that have kids at home and stuff, so it helps,” said one TSA worker. Another added, “I’m grateful for all the things that we are receiving today.” A third TSA agent commented, “It’s very nice of them, because we could use it.”

Friday marked the first payday federal employees have gone without their paychecks since the government shutdown began. Republican and Democratic lawmakers failed to pass a spending bill to keep the government open past October 1st. Currently, about 1.4 million federal workers are either on unpaid leave or working without pay.

Caught in the middle of the political stalemate, many federal workers are left trying to manage their finances amid uncertainty.

“So now you have to pick and choose, what can I pay now, what can I postpone, can I call the creditors to see if they’ll work with me,” said a 10-year federal employee who wished to remain anonymous. Having previously served in the military, including deployment to Afghanistan, she expressed deep frustration.

“It’s disheartening ’cause I’ve served with, you know, my country and I chose to do it again. On this side, it’s almost like a slap in the face,” she said.

Retired TSA instructor Harry Herring told 7News the financial stress caused by the shutdown adds to an already stressful job for TSA employees.

“Rent, car loans, car insurance, all those expenses that have to be taken care of, it’s not gonna be taken care of,” said Herring. “That causes what I call ‘interference with my ability to do my duty.’”

Shaunellia Ferguson, who represents nearly 700 Social Security Administration workers for the American Federation of Government Employees in eastern Florida, said her members continue to work despite the hardship.

“We are human beings too. We don’t make a lot of money, we’re not wasteful, we’re not parasites the way they’re calling us, we’re not,” said Ferguson. “Especially now without getting paid, you’re still doing it, you’re still hearing all the concerns and you’re sitting there wondering ‘How is my rent gonna be paid?’ or ‘How am I gonna cover child care?’ We have feelings just like everyone else and we work and we are here to serve you, the American public.”

Organizations like Feeding South Florida have been working tirelessly to support federal workers throughout the country. However, Ferguson emphasized that what federal employees truly want is for politicians to come together and find a solution.

*Copyright.*
https://wsvn.com/news/local/miami-dade/federal-workers-in-south-florida-left-disheartened-struggling-to-get-by-amid-government-shutdown/

‘I will not be deterred!’ Letitia James issues warning to Trump after leaving courthouse

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New York Attorney General Letitia James issued a firm warning on Friday, declaring that she would “not be deterred” or “distracted” after leaving a federal courtroom where she pleaded not guilty to charges of bank fraud. Critics argue that these charges are politically motivated, stemming from James’ previous legal battles with former President Donald Trump.

The allegations against James involve claims that she misrepresented her income and assets on a loan document. The Trump administration initiated its criminal probe into James back in May. This move follows James’ prior prosecution of Trump in 2022, which resulted in a $454 million judgment. That case centered on accusations that Trump and his real estate company inflated asset values to secure more favorable loan agreements.

As she exited the courtroom in New York City on Friday, James was greeted by cheers from dozens of supporters who had gathered to back her.

Addressing the crowd, an animated James criticized the Trump administration for using the Justice Department as “a vehicle of retribution.” She emphasized that the prosecution would not silence her.

“There’s no fear today, no fear! No fear!” James shouted. “No fear, because I believe that justice will rain down like water, and righteousness like a mighty stream! And I’m here to say that my work, my job and all that I do, I’ve stood up for the rights of New Yorkers and Americans and I will not be deterred! I will not, will not be deterred!”

The Trump administration’s targeting of James has attracted further scrutiny after a high-ranking DOJ official posted a photo outside her New York home in August. The image was shared on social media alongside a threatening message, occurring before she was formally indicted on fraud charges.
https://www.rawstory.com/letitia-james-2674230613/

Trump Ends Canada Trade Talks Over Television Ad Using Reagan Speech Against Tariff Policy

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President Trump abruptly halted trade negotiations with Canada on Thursday night, citing a television ad airing in the United States that he claims amounts to foreign interference in a pending Supreme Court case over his administration’s “reciprocal” tariff policy.

His decision followed the Canadian province of Ontario purchasing airtime on U.S. television to run a commercial featuring a speech from President Ronald Reagan, in which Reagan spoke out against tariffs.

“The Ronald Reagan Foundation has just announced that Canada has fraudulently used an advertisement, which is FAKE, featuring Ronald Reagan speaking negatively about tariffs,” Mr. Trump said on Truth Social. He was referring to the Supreme Court’s November 5 scheduled oral arguments regarding legal challenges to a major portion of his tariff policies, which include country-specific rates.

“They only did this to interfere with the decision of the U.S. Supreme Court, and other courts,” he added.

The ad, which aired during an American League Championship Series game between the Toronto Blue Jays and the Seattle Mariners, begins with Reagan saying, “When someone says, ‘Let’s impose tariffs on foreign imports,’ it looks like they’re doing the patriotic thing by protecting American products and jobs, and sometimes for a short while it works, but only for a short time.”

“But over the long run, such trade barriers hurt every American worker and consumer,” Reagan continues in the ad, which was also posted on X by Ontario’s premier, Doug Ford.

“Using every tool we have, we’ll never stop making the case against American tariffs on Canada. The way to prosperity is by working together,” Mr. Ford wrote in his post.

In response, the Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute announced it was “reviewing its legal options” regarding the use of Reagan’s remarks. The foundation stated that “the ad misrepresents the Presidential Radio Address, and the Government of Ontario did not seek nor receive permission to use and edit the remarks.”

This is not the first time Mr. Trump has ended trade negotiations with Canada. In June, he declared he was “terminating ALL discussions on trade with Canada,” citing concerns about how American tech companies and dairy farmers were being treated.

The Canadian government responded by imposing quotas on steel products.

Prime Minister Carney made a trip to the White House in early October, and relations between the two nations appeared to have improved. During an Oval Office appearance with Mr. Carney, President Trump discussed the “mutual love” between the United States and Canada.

However, tensions remain. “We want Canada to do great,” he said. “But you know, there’s a point at which we also want the same business.”
https://www.nysun.com/article/trump-ends-canada-trade-talks-over-television-ad-using-reagan-speech-against-tariff-policy

Virginia Democrats Call Legislature Into Special Session To Redraw Congressional Maps

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Democrats in the Virginia legislature will reconvene next week to consider redrawing the state’s congressional maps ahead of the 2026 midterms, House of Delegates Speaker Don Scott announced Thursday.

The initiative has the full backing of Minority Leader Congressman Hakeem Jeffries, who has been pushing blue states to redraw maps in response to red states’ redistricting efforts.

In a letter to lawmakers on Thursday, Speaker Scott notified them that they will need to return to Richmond for a special session beginning Monday afternoon. During this session, Democrats are expected to introduce a bill that would allow them to redraw Virginia’s congressional maps. The House of Delegates is the lower chamber of Virginia’s bicameral General Assembly.

Scott’s decision to call the special session was first reported by Virginia Scope.

If Democrats move forward with the plan, they would likely target two or three congressional seats currently held by Republicans. For instance, Congresswoman Jen Kiggans, who narrowly won re-election last year, could see her district redrawn to include the more Democratic parts of Norfolk and its surrounding suburbs.

Similarly, Congressman John McGuire, who currently represents Charlottesville and the more rural southern part of Virginia, might have his district reshaped to include more of Richmond. Congressman Rob Wittman may also see his district shift leftward if Democrats redraw it to incorporate parts of Richmond or Fredericksburg.

Prior to Speaker Scott’s special session announcement, the majority leader of the state Senate, Scott Surovell, confirmed to the New York Times that the legislature would be returning to “address” the redistricting issue.

The process Democrats are pursuing in Virginia mirrors similar efforts in other states, such as California. Over the summer, Governor Gavin Newsom asked California’s legislature to disempower the state’s non-partisan redistricting commission, enabling lawmakers to set up a statewide ballot initiative scheduled for this November. If approved by voters — which polling indicates is likely — Democrats there would regain control over redistricting and could gain five congressional seats.

Virginia’s redistricting requirements are slightly different but comparable. Two sessions of the state legislature must independently approve legislation to suspend the state’s redistricting commission. Speaker Scott, Senator Surovell, and other Democratic leaders would need to pass one bill in the upcoming special session, and then another after the new legislative session begins in January.

While the state Senate’s next election isn’t until 2027, Virginians will vote for new members of the House of Delegates next month. Democrats are expected to pick up seats in the chamber and flip the governor’s mansion from red to blue.

After the legislature approves suspending the redistricting commission in two separate sessions, voters must approve the move via a statewide ballot initiative.

National Democrats have been actively seeking blue states where they can redraw congressional maps ahead of the 2026 midterms. Maryland Governor Wes Moore has indicated he may collaborate with legislators to eliminate his state’s lone Republican district.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul also expressed readiness to “go to war” with the GOP over redistricting, though such efforts there won’t be possible until at least 2027. Colorado and New Jersey are other states Democrats believe could redraw maps either by next year or in time for the 2028 elections.

On Thursday, Congressman Jeffries confirmed his support for Illinois Democrats’ efforts to redraw their maps. However, redistricting in Illinois has faced concerns among Black lawmakers seeking to protect majority-minority districts. Jeffries assured reporters that those districts would be safeguarded.

Earlier this week, Punchbowl News reported that Jeffries is slated to headline a fundraiser in Ohio, where Republicans may redraw their congressional maps. He told reporters on Thursday that he supports ballot initiatives in Missouri and Ohio aimed at blocking gerrymandered maps from being used in the 2026 elections.

As redistricting battles continue to unfold across the country, Democrats are focused on leveraging legal and legislative avenues to create more favorable electoral districts ahead of upcoming midterms.
https://www.nysun.com/article/virginia-democrats-call-legislature-into-special-session-to-redraw-congressional-maps

Trump’s CZ pardon draws fury from Maxine Waters over ‘pay-to-play’ crypto ties

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United States Representative Maxine Waters has strongly criticized former US President Donald Trump for his decision to pardon Binance founder and former CEO Changpeng “CZ” Zhao.

Trump pardoned Zhao on Thursday, stating that people told him “what he did is not even a crime.” Waters, the top Democrat on the House Committee on Financial Services, responded later that day with a sharp rebuke. In a statement, she claimed, “Trump is doing massive favors for crypto criminals who have helped line his pockets.”

Waters continued, “Trump’s pardon of Binance founder Changpeng Zhao—who pleaded guilty to enabling money laundering and facilitating suspicious transactions with child abusers, drug dealers, and terrorists—is an appalling but unsurprising reflection of his presidency.”

According to Trump, his decision to pardon Zhao followed advice from “a lot of people” who told him CZ was not guilty. “It wasn’t a crime; he was persecuted by the Biden Administration,” Trump asserted.

### Waters Disagrees

Maxine Waters further accused CZ of lobbying Trump and his family for months while funneling billions into Trump’s personal crypto company, World Liberty Financial. She insisted that the pardon was a direct result of these efforts and called it “a blatant example of the kind of pay-to-play corruption that Trump and his Administration continue to engage in.”

These statements come amid recent reports highlighting an extraordinary rise in Trump’s personal wealth during what would have been his second term in office. This wealth increase has been driven, in part, by a sprawling cryptocurrency empire linked to the president and his family.

### Trump Family’s Crypto Ventures

The Trump family’s crypto ventures are reported to have generated more than $1 billion in pre-tax profit over the past year. The family does not shy away from this fact; Trump’s son, Eric Trump, even claimed that their actual profits were “probably more.”

### World Liberty Financial’s Success

World Liberty Financial (WLFI), named by Waters, is at the center of this new wealth. The decentralized finance (DeFi) company was founded by Trump’s sons and close associates. It has sold billions of dollars in tokens and stablecoins, bolstering the family’s crypto fortune.

Back in June, Trump disclosed $57.4 million in income derived from his involvement with World Liberty Financial. In the following month, the family’s stake in WLFI surged to $5 billion after a token unlock. More recent estimates suggest that the family’s earnings from WLFI this year alone have reached approximately $550 million.

—

*Related: Polymarket bets that Sam Bankman-Fried gets pardon surge to 12%*
*Related: Crypto execs fork over cash at Trump’s ballroom fundraiser*
https://cointelegraph.com/news/trump-accused-of-rewarding-crypto-criminals-after-pardoning-binance-s-cz?utm_source=rss_feed&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=rss_partner_inbound

German economy minister arrives in Ukraine, pledges energy support

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German Economy Minister Katherina Reiche arrived in Kiev on Friday with a business delegation, pledging support to help Ukraine get through the coming winter amid ongoing Russian attacks on its energy system.

“We will do everything we can to ensure Ukraine gets through this winter,” Reiche told reporters upon her arrival in the Ukrainian capital. She emphasized that the focus would be on supporting the reconstruction of destroyed energy infrastructure.

From the very beginning, Russia had deliberately targeted Ukraine’s energy supply in an attempt to wear down its people, Reiche explained. Highlighting the severity of the situation, she noted that between 55% and 60% of the country’s gas infrastructure has been damaged by Russian attacks.

Reiche also signaled increased financial support from Germany and stronger involvement of German energy equipment producers. Additionally, Germany will provide extra funds for the purchase of natural gas to help stabilize Ukraine’s energy needs.

Berlin has already contributed one third of the €390 million ($452 million) energy support fund for Ukraine, Reiche added, underscoring Germany’s commitment to the country’s recovery.

As part of the visit, German drone manufacturers are expected to sign cooperation agreements with Ukraine’s defense industry, further strengthening the collaboration between the two nations.

Ukraine has been defending itself against the invasion launched by Russia for more than three and a half years, relying on ongoing support from Western countries. This latest visit and pledge of support from Germany come at a critical time as Ukraine prepares to face the challenges of winter.
https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/german-economy-minister-arrives-ukraine-080720936.html