Leftist Democratic Rep. Jan Schakowsky will likely retire at the end of May after 14 terms, Breitbart reported. The 80-year-old was first elected to represent the people of the 9th congressional district of Illinois in 1999.
"I’m going to announce my plans on May 5th. Stay tuned," Schakowsky initially said about her decision to retire rather than seek reelection in 2026. In a later post on X, formerly Twitter, on Wednesday, Schakowsky hinted at this eventuality.
"I have not made a decision about my plans for re-election - I will make that decision in the coming weeks and announce on May 5," Schakowsky wrote. Her post to social media came after Politico broke the news.
I have not made a decision about my plans for re-election - I will make that decision in the coming weeks and announce on May 5.
— Jan Schakowsky (@RepSchakowsky) April 23, 2025
With her departure, Schakowsky leaves behind a legacy of leftism befitting of an Illinois liberal. She won her seat after a three-way primary for the Democrats in 1998, where she beat out J.B. Pritzker, who is the state's current governor.
During the 2009 debate over Obamacare, Schakowsky proclaimed that it would "put the private health insurance industry out of business." She meant this is a positive, of course, saying the quiet part out loud as many others were attempting to hide that aim.
Then, despite her position in a heavily Jewish district, Schakowsky has joined with her fellow leftists in aligning against Israel. She was among the 77 Democratic lawmakers in Congress who supported an embargo on Israel last year.
Most recently, Schakowsky offered a ridiculous explanation for the "low number" of women in the manufacturing industry. "I'm just wondering if just the name manufacturing sounds like a guy," Schakowsky conjectured.
Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D) suggests that the reason more women don't go into manufacturing is because "the name manufacturing sounds like a guy."pic.twitter.com/l0dndiAmIY
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) February 13, 2025
It seems that Schakowsky's impending retirement is part of a growing trend among Democrats in Illinois and nationwide that has the party panicking. Senate Minority Whip Dick Durbin has also announced he would retire after almost 40 years in the U.S. Senate, Fox News reported.
The Illinois Democrat is one of several elderly lawmakers exiting in what the network is calling the "Biden effect." It primarily impacts Democrats, who were burned in the 2024 presidential election by Biden's decision to stay in the race despite his obvious age-related issues.
"This is fallout from the 'Biden Effect.' It contaminated old Democrats," Rutgers University political scientist Ross Baker said. Several elderly politicians announced they would not seek reelection before Biden dropped out in July, but the party continues to lose incumbents.
Meanwhile, Durbin is facing a challenge from 59-year-old Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton, and Schakowsky's rival is influencer Kat Abughazaleh, who is just 26 years old. This is a clear sign that voters are ready for younger candidates to replace these Washington, D.C., mainstays.
The Democratic Party is still in shambles after the 2024 election, which demonstrated how out of touch they are with voters. Replacing these dinosaurs with younger candidates may help, but the American people are tired of the policies as much as they are of the people.
Sources say that Elon Musk and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent were locked in a contentious debate over who should head the IRS, Newsmax reported. The sources say the tussle took place in the presence of President Donald Trump.
This sensational story was first published by the leftist news outlet Axios on Wednesday. The report allegedly came to the news outlet through "two witnesses and three sources who were briefed on the matter."
The two men were arguing about whether Deputy Treasury Secretary Michael Faulkender or former acting Commissioner Gary Shapley should head up the IRS. This occurred at an Oval Office meeting on April 17, and witnesses likened it to a professional wrestling match, although there was no physical altercation.
"It was two billionaire, middle-aged men thinking it was WWE in the hall of the West Wing," a witness claimed. Bessent actually has a net worth of about $520 million.
The report claimed that this was more than a fleeting exchange. "They were not physical in the Oval, but the president saw it, and then they carried it down the hall, and that's when they did it again," a witness said.
This would surely have angered Trump, especially considering the way a second witness described it as quite a spectacle. "It was quite a scene. It was loud. And I mean, loud," the source claimed.
When asked about the argument, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt admitted that "it's no secret President Trump has put together a team of people who are incredibly passionate about the issues impacting our country." Still, Leavitt tempered her sentiments with a truthful observation.
"Disagreements are a normal part of any healthy policy process. And ultimately, everyone knows they serve at the pleasure of President Trump," Leavitt said. The supposed manner of this disagreement plays into rumors of Musk's volatility.
Musk has locked horns with other administration officials, including Trade Adviser Peter Navarro, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy. "Everyone thinks DOGE is great, but Elon's antics are just a bit much," a third administration official said about Musk's position as the outgoing head of the Department of Government Efficiency.
Amid these reports, Trump has remained publicly supportive of Musk. "He’s an incredible… brilliant guy. He was a tremendous help both in the campaign and in what he's done with DOGE," Trump said when asked by reporters on Wednesday.
Trump noted that Musk's Tesla company has suffered financial losses because of his willingness to work with the president. He went on to praise Musk for his achievements at SpaceX, as well as his character.
"When you see those rockets go up and come back and land in the same gantry, nobody else can do that but this man. So he's just an incredible person, and he's a friend of mine as a nice person too, as a very nice person," Trump said. Musk shared a clip of Trump's remarks on his social media platform X, formerly Twitter, on Thursday.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) April 24, 2025
Musk has done great things for the nation and for Trump by providing support and guidance. Even if these reports are true about a disagreement, it doesn't take anything away from that fact. The leftist media will want to make the most of it just the same.
The nation's high court appears to be leaning in favor of some parents from the state of Maryland who are asking for a change in some of the materials taught to their kids.
The Tuesday hearing before the Supreme Court seemed to show the majority of conservative judges offering questions that supported the parents who object to books with gay and transgender characters for primary school kids, as Breitbart News reported.
The 2½-hour oral argument centered around the parents' religious beliefs. Given that the conservative justices are in favor of religious liberty, the parents' case against the Montgomery County Board of Education was strong.
The parents are not requesting that the materials not be present in their children's school, just that they have an opt-out option for those whose religious beliefs preclude the materials' morals.
Some justices expressed concern that the board's refusal to provide an opt-out was due to religious bias.
A debate has been ongoing in Montgomery County, English language arts textbooks, since 2022, when the school board in the diverse region outside of Washington requested additional LGBTQ storybooks to more accurately represent its residents.
Muslims and Orthodox Christians objected to the content on religious grounds, citing the First Amendment, contending that their children should have the right to opt out.
Justice Neil Gorsuch, one of the more conservative members of the bench, was one of several who offered his concern about statements about the school board in question.
The school representative stated in a media interview that a student who objected to the books was "parroting dogma" from her parents, as per court documents.
She also compared their complaints to those of white supremacists who opposed civil rights laws.
“Does that suggest a hostility toward religion?” Gorsuch asked in his questioning, harkening back to a 2018 ruling in which the court ruled in favor of JackPhillips, a Christian baker who refused to make a wedding cake to celebrate a gay couple.
Several conservative justices seemed surprised by the school board's decision to make providing an opt-out too difficult for most parents to effectively do for their children, as well as the wisdom of the curriculum at all.
“Why isn’t that feasible?” Justice Samuel Alito asked.
Similarly, Justice Brett Kavanaugh questioned, “I’m not understanding why it’s not feasible."
Although the school board maintained that the policy did not mandate that students affirm or support the books' content, Chief Justice John Roberts appeared doubtful: "Is that a realistic concept when you are talking about a 5-year-old?" he asked.
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has selected Court of Appeals Judge Noah Hood to join the Michigan Supreme Court, subsequently changing the court's partisan makeup.
Gov. Whitmer's choice signifies a shift to a 6-1 Democratic majority on the Michigan Supreme Court. Noah Hood will replace Chief Justice Elizabeth Clement, who is departing for a role in a national judicial organization. Her seat will be vacant by April 30, following her previous announcement regarding her departure.
Hood’s tenure will extend through the remainder of Clement's term, continuing through next year, which then leads into the 2026 election for an eight-year term. This marks Whitmer’s second Supreme Court appointment, following the previous naming of Justice Kyra Harris Bolden in 2022. The governor previously appointed Hood to the Wayne County Circuit Court in 2019, advancing him to the Court of Appeals in 2022.
Clement, originally appointed by former Gov. Rick Snyder in 2017, held the Chief Justice position since 2022. Her unexpected career shift opens a new chapter for both Clement and the Supreme Court. During her service, she established a reputation for fairness and conscientious leadership.
Hood, whose background includes work as a federal prosecutor and attorney, has education credentials from two prestigious institutions—Yale and Harvard. Alongside his extensive legal career, he has garnered recognition for several notable rulings. These rulings include a decision to dismiss a rezoning challenge by Ford Motor Co. and an appellate decision upholding the dismissal of a lawsuit related to the Faster Horses music festival.
Whitmer has announced that Judge Mariam Bazzi will fill Hood’s position on the Court of Appeals following his advancement to the Supreme Court. Bazzi's appointment marks a significant milestone as she becomes the first Arab American woman to ascend to an appellate judge position in Michigan, offering new diversity and representation within the state's judiciary.
Whitmer's appointments do not end with Hood and Bazzi; she also appointed Christopher Trebilcock and Daniel Korobkin to the Court of Appeals. These appointments frame a period of change and influence within Michigan's legal arenas.
Trebilcock, an attorney associated with the Clark Hill law firm, has rendered services to Whitmer and her campaign in legal capacities. Daniel Korobkin has held the position of legal director at the American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan since 2019, adding further depth to the appellate court.
Amid these appointments, Hood expressed gratitude for the governor’s confidence and thanked Michigan's residents for the opportunity to further serve them. "I have had the distinct honor of serving the people of the state of Michigan for the past six years," Hood stated. He conveyed appreciation for the trust placed in him as he steps into this new role on the Supreme Court.
Hood affirmed his dedication to providing impartial and fair legal judgments. Furthermore, he stressed his commitment to upholding steady and reliable justice for Michigan residents. "I am deeply grateful to our governor for her decision to appoint me to serve on our Supreme Court," Hood expressed.
The future of Michigan’s higher courts now holds a different prospect. This period of succession and appointment underlines the evolving nature of judicial leadership. Each new appointee contributes fresh insights and experiences to Michigan's legal landscape.
As these changes unfold, the focus remains on sustaining integrity and impartiality across the board. The restructured court dynamic will be watched closely as it carries potential implications for legal proceedings and determinations across the state. Michigan residents are poised to witness the unfolding chapter of the state’s judiciary under Judge Hood’s tenure and the transition that follows.
As Michigan approaches this transformative judicial phase, the emphasis remains on delivering justice while safeguarding the interests and rights of all citizens. The transition and appointments set a forward trajectory for Michigan's Supreme Court and Court of Appeals amid evolving legal challenges and societal needs.
The Supreme Court has moved to slow down President Trump's deportation push, sparking a furious response from the president and two of the court's own members.
A 7-2 majority ordered Trump to stop removing illegal aliens being held at a facility in northern Texas until further notice. The justices issued the shock ruling past midnight on April 19.
“The Government is directed not to remove any member of the putative class of detainees from the United States until further order of this Court,” the Supreme Court’s order reads.
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) had asked the Supreme Court to shield a group of Venezuelan men in northern Texas from being deported. The court granted the request even as a lower court was still considering it.
Only two justices, Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas - neither of whom Trump appointed himself - objected to the Supreme Court's move, which Alito called "legally questionable."
“I refused to join the Court’s order because we had no good reason to think that, under the circumstances, issuing an order at midnight was necessary or appropriate," he wrote.
The controversy centers on Trump's use of a wartime law, the Alien Enemies Act, to swiftly remove alleged gang members whom the administration considers to be foreign terrorists.
The president's critics have accused him of ignoring due process, but Trump says he's just doing what the people elected him to do.
"My team is fantastic, doing an incredible job, however, they are being stymied at every turn by even the U.S. Supreme Court, which I have such great respect for, but which seemingly doesn’t want me to send violent criminals and terrorists back to Venezuela, or any other Country, for that matter —People that came here illegally!" Trump wrote on Truth Social.
With its midnight intervention, the Supreme Court signaled a more skeptical approach than it had previously taken toward Trump's aggressive deportation agenda.
The justices previously allowed Trump to use the Alien Enemies Act, but said aliens must be given a reasonable opportunity to contest their removal.
Trump's bold immigration push has set up a dramatic conflict between the White House and the courts, which have gone so far as to order Trump to return illegal aliens to U.S. soil.
The Supreme Court has not gone to that extreme, instructing Trump to "facilitate" the return of a Salvadoran man who was deported to his native country, Kilmar Abrego Garcia. The justices rebuked a liberal judge who used stronger language to demand Garcia's return.
"The district court should clarify its directive, with due regard for the deference owed to the executive branch in the conduct of foreign affairs," the justices wrote.
Meanwhile, the president says the courts are imposing "ridiculous" burdens on his efforts to deport those living in the country illegally.
"We cannot give everyone a trial, because to do so would take, without exaggeration, 200 years. We would need hundreds of thousands of trials for the hundreds of thousands of Illegals we are sending out of the Country. Such a thing is not possible to do," he said.
"What a ridiculous situation we are in!" he wrote.
Ashley Biden is facing an IRS complaint after she failed to disclose donations to her charity from wealthy benefactors, including Meghan Markle.
Women’s Wellness Spa(ce), Biden's nonprofit, underreported its income by six figures, according to the Washington Free Beacon.
Ashley Biden, a social worker who wrote about childhood trauma in an infamous diary, started the nonprofit to help women with mental health struggles.
The conservative National Legal and Policy Center flagged a $500,000 discrepancy in the group's IRS filings.
Despite reporting an income of $170,296 in 2023, Biden's charity received $250,000 grants from Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's Archewell Foundation and the Silicon Valley Community Foundation.
Biden's non-profit began in 2023, while her father was still president, which has raised concerns to some about influence peddling.
"Ashley Biden’s failure to disclose to the IRS receiving $500,000 in grants in 2023 raises the question of what other contributions is she hiding," Paul Kamenar, a lawyer with the National Legal and Policy Center told the Washington Free Beacon.
An accountant for the charity told the Free Beacon that the most of the $500,000 was not distributed until 2024. But according to Kamenar, Biden's group is required to report donations when they are pledged, not when they are actually received.
Ashley Biden settled a $5,000 tax bill last year that dated to 2015. She is not the only member of her family with tax woes: her half-brother, Hunter, was facing prison after he pled guilty to evading taxes on over $1.4 million that he received from his international business deals.
President Biden wiped the slate clean with a controversial blanket pardon.
Ashley, the only child of Biden and his second wife Jill, was one of the only family members who did not receive a pardon from President Biden before he stepped down, the Free Beacon noted.
While Ashley Biden has received comparatively little publicity compared to Hunter Biden, the infamous theft of her diary led to scrutiny of her unusual family life. In the book, Biden wrote about "showers with dad" and being "sexualized" at a young age.
Ashley Biden's non-profit bills itself as a "trauma-informed wellness center," but the group's online presence is marginal outside of an Instagram account that has not posted anything since February.
The charity claims to offer guided meditation and psychotherapeutic treatments like Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), which Ashley Biden used after her half-brother Beau died from brain cancer.
A leftist protester vandalized President Trump's golden "45" plaque at Trump Tower in New York, prompting police to shut down the iconic Fifth Avenue building.
Nathaniel Smith, 36, spray-painted "USA" in graffiti over the presidential insignia inside the lobby before kneeling on the floor and closing his eyes, as onlookers filmed on their smartphones.
Moments later, Smith unfurled a banner that read, "Game Over," as a security guard approached and told him to leave.
The man started shouting about global warming as he was led away by a group of police officers in suits.
The scene caused mixed reactions. One man swore in disgust and shook his head, while another man in a backpack told officers not to touch Smith and repeatedly asked them to share their names and badge numbers.
After the protester was led out, a police officer told the crowd that the building would be closed.
The protester was with the radical environmental group Extinction Rebellion, which is known for vandalizing landmarks to draw attention.
Smith, of Crown Heights, Brooklyn, was arrested and charged with making graffiti, possession of a graffiti instrument and criminal tampering. According to the New York Post, he has a prior arrest for criminal trespass at Columbia University.
Climate protester arrested after spray painting over presidential insignia at Trump Tower https://t.co/hDJvx41oJw pic.twitter.com/aY9EAIc2Gu
— New York Post (@nypost) April 23, 2025
Secret Service was not involved in the arrest, but they said they are "aware of an incident involving a person spray painting graffiti inside the public lobby of Trump Tower in New York City.”
“There are no disruptions to protective operations,” spokesperson James Byrne said. “We thank the NYPD for their immediate response and unwavering partnership.”
Trump Tower was Trump's main residence and business headquarters for decades before he entered politics. The building houses Trump's opulent penthouse and the headquarters of the Trump Organization.
While Trump no longer lives there full-time, the iconic Midtown skyscraper continues to attract Trump fans, as well as protesters looking to start trouble.
Dozens of pro-Palestine protesters were arrested in March for occupying the Trump Tower lobby in support of Columbia graduate and activist Mahmoud Khalil.
Trump famously declared his historic 2016 presidential campaign in the lobby of Trump Tower after a ride down his golden escalator.
This story was originally published by the WND News Center.
It was only days ago that the Washington Examiner editorialized about the affinity Democrats have for violence.
Really bad violence.
The report noted more than half of Americans who "identify as 'left of center'" think assassinating President Donald Trump is 'justifiable."
"That's what a new study from Rutgers University has found. According to the survey produced by the university's Social Perception Lab that asked 1,264 U.S. citizens about their attitudes toward political violence, 55% of all self-identifying 'liberals' believe killing the president is a justifiable means of pursuing their political goals."
The Examiner explained, "This is the fruit of hysteria that Democratic politicians and their allies in the news media have nurtured in their followers for the past eight years. This is a political faction that considers 'misgendering' to be 'literal violence,' but it is one also building an assassination culture."
The attitude really isn't that new. Fox News reported months ago that Democrats' violent rhetoric was exploding.
That conclusion followed two assassination attempts against Trump during his campaign in 2024, including one in Butler, Pennsylvania, where a bullet nicked his ear.
Trump has said he thinks God allowed him to escape that assassination attempt so that he could be president and help America.
That violent rhetoric included comments from both Joe Biden and Kamala Harris that Trump is a "threat" to democracy.
One Democrat, Rep. Dan Goldman, a Democrat, said Trump is so dangerous he "has to be eliminated," and then quickly apologized.
Now, those circumstances have drawn from Victor Davis Hanson, a senior fellow at the Hoover Institution, a warning about what result the circumstances could produce:
He said, "So, they are lowering the bar on what's permissible. And we're going to see something like we saw with these two assassination [attempts]. I don't want to predict it; I hope it never happens."
He added, according to the Daily Caller News Foundation, "But if they keep this language up and you start to see polls that say 50% of self-identified leftists think it's okay to shoot, and you see them romanticizing a assassin [allegedly] like [Luigi] Mangione, and you see them go fund an alleged murderer like Karmelo Anthony and basically saying that he was a victim and you see this [alleged] MS-13 wife beater who was pulled over for trafficking and let go and was found — yes, everybody, he was found by a immigration judge to have MS-13 ties. Even his wife did not deny it. She didn't deny that she was beaten by him either."
He explained that the result is a growing risk of more assassination attempts against the president.
In light of the Democrats' popularity being assessed as low as 27%, he said, there will be desperation.
"I'm just watching this and I see that the more impotent they are and the less actual power they wield, and the less the public likes them — if you look at the polls of the Democratic Party, 29%, 27%, one poll I think was 23% approval — they react to that by being crazier and more strident and upping the, you know, not just 'fascist,' but the other day [Democratic Texas Rep.] Jasmine Crockett said that Trump was like worse than the MS-13 gang member, you know."
In fact, Crockett claimed she believed alleged MS-13 member Kilmar Abrego Garcia was "less criminal" than Trump, the report explained.
Hanson said being created is a "climate of fear and legitimizing violence, and something's going to happen."
This story was originally published by the WND News Center.
The U.S. Department of Justice has just escalated its battle against members of Tren de Aragua, a violent Venezuelan terrorist organization that has moved into America and "destroyed American families with brutal violence … [and] human trafficking."
Explained U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, on the filing of organized crime charges against 27 gang members, "As alleged, Tren de Aragua is not just a street gang – it is a highly structured terrorist organization that has destroyed American families with brutal violence, engaged in human trafficking, and spread deadly drugs through our communities. Today's indictments and arrests span three states and will devastate TdA's infrastructure as we work to completely dismantle and purge this organization from our country."
Matthew Podolsky, the acting U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, filed the cases against 27 individuals, and said, "Today, we have filed charges against 27 alleged members, former members, and associates of Tren de Aragua, for committing murders and shootings, forcing young women trafficked from Venezuela into commercial sex work, robbing and extorting small businesses, and selling 'tusi,' a pink powdery drug that has become their calling card. Today's Indictments make clear that this office will work tirelessly to keep the law-abiding residents of New York City safe, and hold accountable those who bring violence to our streets."
The charges were listed in two superseding indictments that named the individuals, and alleged "racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking conspiracy, drug trafficking conspiracy, robbery, and firearms offenses."
"Of the 27 defendants, 21 are in federal custody, including 16 who were already in federal criminal, immigration, or state custody and five who were arrested last night and today in operations in New York and other jurisdictions," the federal announcement said.
Border czar Tom Homan said: "Every member of TdA should be on the run because the Trump administration is committed to removing every single member of TdA and MS-13 from this country."
Todd M. Lyons, acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, said, "We are at the forefront of efforts to identify, disrupt and dismantle transnational criminal gangs like Tren de Aragua from operating in our cities and around the world."
"Tren de Aragua is one of the most dangerous gangs in the country, and the NYPD has taken significant action to shut down their operations in New York City. For the first time ever, TdA is being named and charged as the criminal enterprise that it is. This isn't just street crime—it's organized racketeering, and this gang has shown zero regard for the safety of New Yorkers. As alleged in the indictment, these defendants wreaked havoc in our communities, trafficking women for sexual exploitation, flooding our streets with drugs, and committing violent crimes with illegal guns," explained NYPD Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch.
The charges allege TdA is a "criminal organization" and works to build its own power through "acts involving murder, assault, robbery, other acts of violence, and threats of violence, including acts of violence and threats of violence directed at former members and associates of TdA who associated with a splinter organization known as Anti-Tren."
Also cited are activities including smuggling individuals, "including young women from Venezuela, into Peru and the U.S." for "sex trafficking."
Part of the gang's operations include terrorizing victims and potential victims, defending its members caught committing crimes and concealing criminal activities.
The DOJ announcement included a long list of names and an even longer list of aliases.
"This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Justice Department to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department's Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN). In February 2025, Tren de Aragua was designated a Foreign Terrorist Organization," the announcement said.
This story was originally published by the WND News Center.
The No. 2 Democrat in the U.S. Senate, Dick Durbin, will not seek reelection in 2026, as he announced his retirement Wednesday after 44 years in Congress.
"The decision of whether to run for reelection has not been easy. I truly love the job of being a United States senator," Durbin said in a video he posted on X.
"But in my heart, I know it's time to pass the torch. So, I am announcing today that I will not be seeking reelection at the end of my term."
"I have given more than half of my life to House and Senate congressional service, and I've always tried to stand up to power on behalf of the people of Illinois and our country," he continued.
"I am proud of what I have achieved and hope my record will speak for itself.
"But none of it would have been possible without my wife, Loretta; our children, Christine, Paul, and Jennifer; my energetic grandchildren; and my extended family, who stood with me and accepted the demands of my public career.
"I have been blessed to have them, as well as the best Senate staff anyone could ask for.
"Right now, the challenges facing our country are historic and unprecedented.
"The threats to our democracy and way of life are real, and I can assure you that I will do everything in my power to fight for Illinois and the future of our country every day of my remaining time in the Senate."
Durbin, 80, is the fourth Senate Democrat to announce their retirement this year.
"I have to be honest about this. There are good people in the wings, good people on the bench ready to serve, and they can fight this fight just as effectively as I can," Durbin told the New York Times.
"There comes a point where you have to face reality that this is the time to leave for me."
In 2018, Durbin claimed on NBC's "Meet the Press" that former President Barack Obama went eight years in office "without a major scandal."
"Under President Obama, eight years without an indictment, eight years without a major scandal," he said.