President Donald Trump unleashed a fiery critique of Obamacare, branding it a cash cow for insurance giants during a charged speech in Rocky Mount, North Carolina, on Friday night, Breitbart reported.
In a nutshell, Trump blasted the health care law for inflating costs, announced plans to confront insurance companies directly, and highlighted ongoing political skirmishes over subsidies and government funding.
Earlier that Friday, Trump didn’t mince words, signaling his intent to haul insurance executives into a meeting to demand lower prices.
Whether at Mar-a-Lago in Florida or in Washington, D.C., he’s eyeing a showdown the first week he returns to the White House.
“I’m going to call a meeting of the insurance companies. I’m going to see if they get their price down, to put it very bluntly,” Trump declared.
That’s a bold promise, but let’s be real—insurance companies aren’t exactly known for rolling over when profits are on the line, and this meeting could be more theater than breakthrough unless serious leverage is applied.
During his evening address in Rocky Mount, Trump tore into what he calls the “Unaffordable Care Act,” arguing it’s a system rigged to fatten corporate wallets while leaving everyday Americans with skyrocketing premiums.
“The current Unaffordable Care Act, commonly known as Barack Hussein Obamacare, was created to make insurance companies rich. It was bad health care at much too high a cost, and you see now that the steep increase in premiums — it’s being demanded by the Democrats,” Trump charged.
Here’s the rub: if premiums are indeed soaring under this framework, as Trump claims, it’s hard to argue that the system isn’t failing the very people it was meant to help, though some might counter that subsidies have cushioned the blow for many.
Meanwhile, the political arena is a battlefield, with House Republicans pushing legislation to the Senate aimed at slashing health care costs.
On the flip side, Democrats are angling to extend COVID-era Obamacare subsidies, a fight that played out during a 43-day government shutdown starting in October and could flare up again.
Trump, ever the strategist, warned that Democrats might force another shutdown by the end of January—possibly on January 30—if their demands for extended subsidies aren’t met, painting them as pawns of big insurance.
Beyond the political chess game, Trump floated a vision where health care funds go straight to citizens, empowering them to shop for plans at better rates.
He also dropped news of nine fresh deals with pharmaceutical companies to slash prescription prices, adding to a tally of agreements struck since late September—a win for consumers if the savings actually materialize at the pharmacy counter.
Ultimately, Trump’s latest salvo against Obamacare and his push for direct negotiations with insurers signal a renewed focus on health care reform, though the road ahead looks rocky with partisan gridlock and corporate interests in the mix; still, for many frustrated with rising costs, his willingness to shake the table offers a glimmer of hope.
Senator Cynthia Lummis of Wyoming just dropped a political bombshell by announcing she won’t run for a second term in 2026, Breitbart reported.
After serving in the U.S. House and then the Senate since 2021, Lummis revealed on Friday her decision to step away, citing the grueling demands of recent Senate sessions while pledging to push key legislation and Republican unity until her term ends.
Having cut her teeth in Congress before moving to the Senate, Lummis has been a steadfast voice for Wyoming’s interests.
She admitted the relentless pace of the job has taken its toll, stating she lacks the stamina for another full term.
“I am a devout legislator, but I feel like a sprinter in a marathon,” Lummis wrote, acknowledging her shift in perspective on reelection.
That’s a candid confession—Senate work isn’t for the faint-hearted, and her honesty about burnout is a rare glimpse behind the curtain of political life.
Throughout her tenure, Lummis has been a fierce advocate for energy policy, particularly during the Trump administration’s drive for American energy independence.
She celebrated milestones like the opening of the Brook Mine, describing it as a “triumph” for curbing U.S. reliance on China for critical minerals.
Wyoming, as she often highlighted, exports far more energy than it uses, playing a pivotal role in national priorities like powering artificial intelligence advancements.
Lummis expressed deep appreciation for colleagues like Senator John Barrasso and Representative Harriet Hageman, crediting their shared focus on Wyoming’s needs.
She’s not coasting to the finish line either, vowing to collaborate with President Trump on significant legislation in 2026.
Her commitment to maintaining Republican control of the Senate shows she’s still in the fight, even if it’s her final round.
Beyond energy, Lummis has been vocal about government overreach, especially after learning the FBI accessed her phone records in 2023 under the Biden administration’s Department of Justice.
She didn’t mince words, calling it an assault on constitutional rights and pushing for investigations alongside Senate Judiciary Chairman Chuck Grassley.
Her warnings about encrypted FBI systems hiding further abuses add a chilling layer to her critique of federal overreach—clearly, she’s not bowing out quietly on issues of liberty.
Could a fiery clash in Congress lead to a historic ouster? Rep. Randy Fine, a Florida Republican, has sparked controversy by floating the idea of forcing a vote to expel Rep. Ilhan Omar, a Minnesota Democrat, from the House over her stances and unproven claims he’s leveled against her.
Fine revealed his considerations in a recent Axios interview, targeting Omar for her criticism of Israel and other allegations, though the steep two-thirds vote requirement in the House makes his push a long shot.
For hardworking taxpayers across the nation, this isn’t just political theater—it’s a potential drain on public resources. Every minute spent on such long-shot battles diverts focus from pressing issues like inflation or border security, costing constituents real financial relief. From a conservative lens, these distractions demand scrutiny, and no one should escape accountability for wasting legislative time.
Fine, who joined Congress earlier this year, has built a reputation for unwavering support of Israel and sharp rhetoric on Middle Eastern policy. His history of controversial statements, including calls for mass expulsion of American Muslims, has fueled repeated clashes with Omar, a Somali-American Muslim known for her vocal opposition to Israeli policies.
In 2023, Omar was stripped of her spot on the Foreign Affairs Committee due to her critical remarks about Israel. This backdrop adds fuel to Fine’s current campaign, as he cites what he calls her “embrace of terror” and unfounded claims—denied by Omar—about her personal life as justification for expulsion.
“I don't think she should be a citizen, let alone a member of Congress,” Fine told Axios. With all due respect to differing views, this statement raises eyebrows—should personal disdain drive legislative action, or should hard evidence be the standard? From a populist perspective, Congress must prioritize policy over personality.
The math for expulsion is brutal: a two-thirds House vote means Fine would need roughly 85 Democrats to join a unified Republican bloc. Given the partisan divide, this effort seems destined for failure, even as Fine mulls over bringing the motion to the floor.
Earlier this year, Republicans failed to censure Omar in a separate push, underscoring the uphill battle Fine faces. House members have also grappled with overusing tools like censure and expulsion, with some even suggesting a higher threshold to restore their weight.
Fine referenced a fundraising email from Omar’s campaign that suggested he be expelled for inflammatory comments about Muslims. While political fundraising often plays hardball, using it as a basis for expulsion feels like a stretch—shouldn’t Congress focus on substantive policy disagreements instead of email spats?
Omar, for her part, dismissed Fine’s threats with a shrug. “I don't think anybody takes that man seriously,” she told Axios. While her confidence might resonate with supporters, conservatives might argue that dismissing a colleague’s intent risks underestimating the broader debate on congressional conduct.
Fine has also drawn attention for his stark views on the Israel-Hamas conflict, including advocating for Palestinians in Gaza to face unconditional surrender akin to Japan after World War II. While his passion for Israel’s security is clear, such comparisons might alienate even some conservative allies who prefer diplomacy over historical parallels.
The House’s struggle to curb partisan tools like expulsion reflects a deeper issue: governance is becoming a battlefield of personal vendettas. From a right-of-center view, it’s time to refocus on legislation that serves the American people, not endless tit-for-tat dramas.
For parents and retirees watching from home, these clashes signal a Congress distracted from bread-and-butter issues like healthcare costs or pension security. Fine’s effort, while unlikely to succeed, keeps the spotlight off tangible solutions that could ease real burdens.
Ultimately, Fine’s potential vote to expel Omar underscores a polarized House where ideological rifts often overshadow governance. While conservatives may sympathize with holding critics of Israel accountable, the path forward should hinge on evidence and policy—not unproven claims or personal grudges. Let’s hope both sides can pivot to priorities that actually impact Americans’ lives.
Supreme Court elections just got a federal makeover courtesy of a U.S. District Judge who says the current map is a Voting Rights Act no-go.
In a nutshell, Judge Sharion Aycock has ruled that the state’s electoral boundaries for the Mississippi Supreme Court dilute Black voting strength, ordering a redraw by the end of the 2026 legislative session with special elections to follow in November 2026.
For hardworking Mississippi taxpayers, this isn’t just a legal shuffle—it’s a potential financial burden as the state foots the bill for redrawing maps and running special elections. The compliance costs of this overhaul could hit state budgets hard, pulling funds from other priorities like infrastructure or education. And let’s not kid ourselves—every dime spent here is one less for the folks already stretching their paychecks.
Back in August, Judge Aycock dropped the initial bombshell, declaring the 1987 electoral map for the state’s highest court a violation of Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act. She pointed out how it splits the Delta region—a historically Black area—right down the middle, weakening voting power in the Central District.
Fast forward to her latest ruling on a recent Friday, and the judge doubled down, giving the Mississippi Legislature a deadline to fix this mess by the close of their 2026 regular session. No dragging feet here—she’s serious about seeing a new map pronto.
Once that map gets the green light, special elections are slated for November 2026, with Judge Aycock promising to keep deadlines tight. She’s holding off on deciding which seats face the ballot until the new lines are drawn, keeping everyone guessing for now.
The push for this change started with a 2022 lawsuit from the American Civil Liberties Union, which argued the current setup unfairly diminishes Black influence in judicial races. “Mississippi is nearly 40% Black, but has never had more than one Black Justice on the nine-member Court,” said Ari Savitzky, senior staff attorney with the ACLU’s Voting Rights Project. “We couldn’t be happier to see justice on the horizon.”
Now, hold on—while the ACLU is popping champagne, let’s ask if this rush to redraw maps mid-decade is really about fairness or just another progressive agenda item. Mississippi’s elections are nonpartisan, so why the sudden urgency to overhaul a system that’s stood since 1987?
Judge Aycock’s August findings also noted that only four Black justices have ever served on the court, all from the same Central District seat and initially appointed by governors. That’s a stat worth chewing on, but does it justify a federal judge stepping in to force special elections?
Meanwhile, the Mississippi Secretary of State’s Office isn’t taking this lying down—they’re appealing the August ruling. The Fifth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has paused proceedings while waiting on a related U.S. Supreme Court case about Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act. Neither the Secretary of State nor the Attorney General’s office had a comment ready when asked.
Adding another wrinkle, two current Mississippi Supreme Court justices were recently tapped for federal judgeships in December, leaving Gov. Tate Reeves to appoint temporary replacements. Those stand-ins will hold the fort until new justices are elected under whatever map emerges.
From a conservative angle, this whole saga smells like federal overreach into state affairs, especially when the Voting Rights Act provision at play is under Supreme Court scrutiny. Why not wait for that ruling before upending Mississippi’s judicial elections?
For now, the state’s voters—especially those in the Delta—wait to see how the new map reshapes their influence on the nine-member court. The promise of special elections in 2026 might sound like progress to some, but it’s also a disruption to a long-standing system.
Let’s be real: while ensuring fair representation matters, the timing and cost of this federal mandate raise eyebrows among those who value state sovereignty and fiscal restraint. Mississippians deserve a say in how their courts are shaped, not just a directive from on high.
National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett and President Donald Trump are promising a financial boost for taxpayers through massive refunds and higher take-home pay, projecting savings for many families between $11,000 and $20,000 annually.
For blue-collar workers, this could mean a tangible relief from financial strain, with Hassett estimating a nearly $2,000 raise this year after inflation adjustments, a direct result of wages outpacing price increases. That’s real money back in the pockets of those who’ve been squeezed by economic policies that often seem to favor the elite. And from a conservative standpoint, it’s high time for some accountability on how tax dollars are managed—no more hiding behind bureaucratic red tape while workers struggle.
Hassett didn’t mince words on FOX Business’ “Varney & Co.,” boldly predicting an unprecedented refund cycle for the nation. “We are going to see the biggest refund cycle ever in the history of America, and people are going to get massive refund checks,” he declared. That’s a claim worth watching, especially when so many families are desperate for a break from overreaching government spending.
President Trump echoed this optimism, forecasting what he calls the largest tax refund season ever come in the springtime. From a populist perspective, if this pans out, it could be a rare win for the little guy against a system that often feels rigged. But let’s keep the pressure on until those checks are cashed—promises aren’t paychecks.
Hassett also pegged the individual refund value at around a couple of thousand dollars per person, a figure that could make a real difference for middle-class households. While progressive agendas often push for more taxes to fund sprawling programs, conservatives argue that this kind of direct relief proves that less government interference can yield better results. Let’s see if the numbers match the hype.
Beyond refunds, Hassett pointed to encouraging wage growth, noting a 3.7% increase for the average worker in a recent jobs report. With core inflation at just 1.6%, real wages are climbing at about 2% to 2.5%, a trend that could ease the burden for many. That’s a refreshing change from years of stagnant earnings under policies that seemed to prioritize corporate interests over Main Street.
For blue-collar Americans, this wage bump translates to significant gains after accounting for rising costs. Hassett’s data suggests these workers are already seeing substantial increases in their buying power. If true, it’s a point in favor of economic strategies that focus on empowering individuals over expanding bureaucracies.
Yet, not everyone feels the prosperity, as Hassett acknowledged a Fox News Poll showing 44% of Americans feel they’re slipping behind financially. With 74% viewing the economy as lackluster or worse, there’s clearly a disconnect between the stats and public sentiment. From a right-of-center view, this signals a need for even bolder reforms to cut through the noise of misguided progressive policies.
Hassett also shed light on why some taxpayers might not have noticed relief sooner, pointing to a major tax overhaul dubbed the ‘Big, Beautiful Bill.’ “We didn’t pass the ‘Big, Beautiful Bill’ until the middle of the summer,” he explained. This delay meant many changes affecting last year weren’t reflected in earlier tax filings, potentially leaving folks unaware of benefits.
This timing snag underscores a broader conservative critique of government inefficiency—why does it always take so long to deliver on promises? Taxpayers deserve transparency and swift action, not excuses about late legislation. Let’s hold lawmakers’ feet to the fire on this.
Looking ahead, Hassett remains confident that the impact will eventually hit home. His prediction of massive refunds could shift public perception if families see those dollars in their accounts. Still, skepticism is warranted until the results are undeniable—government overpromises are nothing new.
Adding another layer to this economic narrative, Hassett is reportedly a leading candidate to replace Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell. Trump has openly criticized Powell for dragging his feet on lowering interest rates, a move many conservatives see as vital to spurring growth. If Hassett steps in, it could signal a sharper focus on policies aligned with working-class priorities.
For now, the spotlight remains on the promised tax refunds and wage gains. If these projections hold, they could offer a lifeline to families tired of being nickel-and-dimed by overzealous taxation. But from a conservative angle, vigilance is key—let’s ensure this isn’t just campaign-season chatter.
Ultimately, the proof will be in the paystubs and refund checks next year. For a nation weary of empty political promises, this could be a chance to restore some trust in leadership that claims to champion the forgotten American. Until then, keep the calculators handy and the skepticism sharper.
America’s Coast Guard is hot on the trail of a rogue oil tanker in the Caribbean Sea, flexing muscle against Venezuela’s shady dealings.
This high-stakes pursuit, part of a broader Trump administration crackdown, involves seizing sanctioned vessels tied to Venezuela’s government for evading U.S. sanctions through shadowy operations.
For hardworking American taxpayers, this isn’t just a nautical chase—it’s a fight to recover billions in lost investments from Venezuela’s nationalized oil assets, with legal battles like ExxonMobil’s $1.6 billion arbitration win still unpaid. These seizures signal a push to hold foreign regimes accountable, ensuring that U.S. companies aren’t left footing the bill for socialist overreach. And let’s be honest, every dollar unrecovered is a burden on our economy that we can’t afford.
The timeline of this saga kicks off on Dec. 10, 2025, when the Coast Guard, backed by the Navy, nabbed a tanker called Skipper, operating without a national flag and hauling sanctioned cargo. It was a bold first strike against what’s been dubbed a shadow fleet sneaking around U.S. restrictions.
President Trump didn’t mince words after that seizure, promising a blockade of Venezuelan oil traffic and ramping up pressure on Nicolás Maduro with warnings that his grip on power is slipping. Trump’s also demanded the return of assets swiped from American oil firms years ago, pointing to decades of nationalization under Maduro and his predecessor. It’s a reminder that U.S. interests aren’t a global charity case.
Fast forward to Dec. 20, 2025, and the administration scored again with a predawn capture of the Panama-flagged Centuries, labeled by the White House as a “falsely flagged vessel operating as part of the Venezuelan shadow fleet to traffic stolen oil.” That’s quite the accusation, but if true, it’s another nail in the coffin of Venezuela’s illicit oil schemes. Shouldn’t we be asking why these vessels think they can dodge accountability on the high seas?
Just a day later, on Dec. 21, 2025, the Coast Guard was at it again, chasing down another tanker in the Caribbean, confirmed by a U.S. official as a “sanctioned dark fleet vessel that is part of Venezuela’s illegal sanctions evasion.” If that doesn’t scream organized deception, what does? The administration isn’t playing games with vessels flying false flags and ignoring judicial seizure orders.
This latest pursuit, first flagged by Reuters, shows the U.S. isn’t backing down from its mission to disrupt Venezuela’s workaround tactics. Some of these sanctioned tankers are already rerouting to avoid capture, a sign that Trump’s tough talk is hitting home.
Trump’s broader strategy isn’t just about oil—it’s tied to accusations of drug trafficking, with orders to the War Department for strikes on vessels in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific suspected of smuggling fentanyl and other drugs. Since early September 2025, at least 104 lives have been lost in 28 known strikes. It’s a grim tally, but one that underscores the high stakes of securing our borders from multiple threats.
Let’s not forget the backstory—U.S. oil giants dominated Venezuela’s petroleum sector until nationalizations in the 1970s, and again under Chávez and Maduro stripped them of assets. The compensation offered? A pitiful fraction, laughed off by American firms as woefully inadequate.
Trump’s rhetoric ties these seizures to lost investments and a pressure campaign against Maduro, whose regime he accuses of everything from asset theft to narco-trafficking. It’s a populist stand that resonates with Americans tired of seeing their nation’s interests undermined abroad.
For retirees and investors with stakes in these oil companies, the financial hit from uncompensated seizures is a lingering wound. Legal exposure from unpaid arbitration awards, like the $1.6 billion owed to ExxonMobil since 2014, keeps the issue alive. Isn’t it time for justice to be more than a word on paper?
Trump’s blockade threat isn’t just bluster—it’s a signal to Venezuela that the days of exploiting U.S. sanctions loopholes are numbered. With each seized tanker, the noose tightens on Maduro’s economic lifelines.
The question remains: will this aggressive stance finally force Venezuela to return stolen assets and play by international rules? For now, the Coast Guard’s pursuits are a loud message that America’s patience has run dry.
At the end of the day, this isn’t about picking fights—it’s about protecting American interests and ensuring that regimes like Maduro’s face consequences for skirting the law. For every tanker chased down, it’s a small victory for accountability in a world too often swayed by progressive excuses for bad behavior. Let’s keep the pressure on until the job is done.
Buckle up, folks—Friday’s massive document drop from the Department of Justice has unveiled a Pandora’s box of Jeffrey Epstein files that are raising eyebrows across the political spectrum.
This latest release, mandated by the Epstein Files Transparency Act, includes thousands of documents and hundreds of photos tied to the sex trafficking investigations of Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, with former President Bill Clinton front and center in several striking images, Fox News reported.
Let’s start with the timing: the Department of Justice chose a late Friday to unleash this trove, a classic move to bury news when folks are winding down for the weekend.
Among the photos, we’ve got Clinton, shirtless and relaxed, lounging in a dimly lit hot tub with his arms casually folded behind his head—hardly the image of presidential decorum.
Another shot captures him wading in a pool alongside Maxwell and an unidentified woman whose face has been redacted, leaving us to wonder about the context the DOJ isn’t sharing.
Then there’s Clinton, all smiles, arm-in-arm with Epstein himself at what looks like a lively dinner party, sporting a festive shirt as if no storm clouds loomed on the horizon.
Other images show Clinton rubbing elbows with pop icons Michael Jackson and Diana Ross, a reminder of the star-studded circles Epstein moved in.
Yet another photo places him on a plane next to a woman wearing an American flag pin, her identity obscured by redactions, adding more mystery to an already murky narrative.
Unfortunately, the DOJ provided no details on where these photos were snapped, leaving the public to piece together a puzzle with half the pieces missing.
Beyond Clinton, the files feature over a dozen politically notable figures, though their presence doesn’t automatically signal wrongdoing—a fair point to keep perspective.
The release also includes glimpses into Epstein’s world, with shots of his properties’ interiors and exteriors, personal photos with various individuals, and heavily redacted exhibits related to potential victims.
While the Epstein Files Transparency Act, signed into law by President Donald Trump, demanded this disclosure 30 days after its passage, some files remain withheld to protect ongoing probes and victims’ privacy—a necessary balance, though it fuels suspicion.
White House deputy press secretary Abigail Jackson didn’t mince words, stating, “Here is Bill Clinton in a hot tub next to someone whose identity has been redacted.”
She added, “Per the Epstein Files Transparency Act, DOJ was specifically instructed only to redact the faces of victims and/or minors. Time for the media to start asking real questions.” Her point is sharp—why the secrecy if there’s nothing to hide? Let’s hope journalists take up the challenge instead of chasing the next trendy outrage.
Clinton’s deputy chief of staff, Angel Ureña, pushed back hard, insisting, “The White House hasn’t been hiding these files for months only to dump them late on a Friday to protect Bill Clinton. This is about shielding themselves from what comes next, or from what they’ll try and hide forever.” His defense sounds like a deflection; if it’s not about Clinton, then who is it about? The public deserves clarity, not spin, and this late-week drop only deepens the skepticism many conservatives feel about entrenched elites dodging accountability.
Well, folks, the Democratic National Committee (DNC) has pulled a classic bait-and-switch, deciding to bury their 2024 election after-action report rather than face the music.
The DNC revealed on Thursday that it will keep the findings of this critical review under wraps, a directive straight from Chairman Ken Martin, Just The News revealed.
This move starkly contrasts with earlier promises of openness, especially as the party gears up for future congressional fights.
Let’s step back to February 2024, when Martin was elected DNC chair with a mission to dissect the party’s losses in the Senate and White House.
As reported by The New York Times, he committed to a thorough audit of past mistakes and a blueprint for recovery.
Yet, that promise has been shelved, with Martin now opting to seal the report from public view.
A DNC spokeswoman, speaking anonymously to The New York Times, noted that Martin fears a public reckoning could undermine efforts to reclaim congressional power next year.
This decision follows Democratic successes in statewide races in New Jersey and Virginia in 2024, raising questions about whether recent wins have dulled the appetite for self-reflection.
Over the summer, sources hinted the report would sidestep thorny issues like former President Biden’s reelection bid and key choices in former Vice President Kamala Harris’s campaign.
Internally, the party clashed over the audit’s scope, with some senior Harris aides even refusing interviews, leaving accountability in limbo.
Still, DNC officials leaked a summary of findings to The New York Times, painting a picture of strategic blunders that conservatives might quietly applaud.
The report critiques the party’s obsession with sheer volume of voter contacts over quality engagement, while peer-to-peer texting failed to move the needle.
It also flags underinvestment in streaming platforms to court younger voters, strained data systems, and a defensive stance on public safety and immigration while Republicans seized economic messaging.
Martin summed up his rationale with a quip: “Here’s our North Star: Does this help us win?” (The New York Times).
One wonders if winning means dodging hard truths, as this secrecy suggests the DNC might be more focused on optics than fixing what’s broken.
Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani just dropped a bombshell by naming Julie Su, a polarizing figure from the Biden administration, to a freshly minted role as deputy mayor for economic justice, according to the New York Post.
On Friday, Mamdani rolled out Su’s appointment alongside Leila Bozorg as deputy mayor for housing and planning, signaling a sharp left turn for New York City’s future policies.
Let’s unpack Su’s baggage first, because it’s heavier than a rush-hour subway car. She served as acting secretary of labor under President Joe Biden but couldn’t muster enough votes for full Senate confirmation, with even moderate Democrats and Republicans balking at her progressive leanings.
During her time as California’s labor secretary, Su oversaw a disaster of epic proportions at the Employment Development Department. A jaw-dropping $30 billion was lost to unemployment fraud, according to the Los Angeles Times, while millions of Californians faced payment delays or wrongful denials, per a non-partisan report.
Now, Mamdani seems to think this track record qualifies Su to oversee worker protection policies in NYC, including agencies like the Taxi and Limousine Commission and the Department of Consumer and Worker Protections. One can’t help but wonder if “economic justice” will mean more red tape than relief for struggling New Yorkers.
Su’s defenders, like Sen. Bernie Sanders, paint her as a champion of the working class, but critics aren’t buying it. Her 2005 paper arguing that corporate definitions fuel economic injustice only fuels concerns that her agenda might prioritize ideology over practicality.
Speaking of Mamdani, he’s brushing off Su’s rocky history like it’s a minor inconvenience. “I’m aware of the deputy mayor’s record, and I’m very excited to have her,” he said on Friday, doubling down on his enthusiasm for her labor advocacy.
That optimism might be misplaced when you consider the opposition Su faced in Washington. Senators like Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema rejected her nomination over her progressive stances, and business groups weren’t exactly sending her fan mail either.
Even Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.), chair of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, didn’t mince words about Su’s tenure. “Throughout her tenure at the Department of Labor, she prioritized partisan activism over American workers and their families,” Cassidy stated, slyly adding, “Julie Su is a perfect fit for the Mamdani administration.” Ouch—that’s a backhanded compliment if ever there was one.
Su’s new gig will involve enforcing policies like a recent City Council bill safeguarding Uber drivers from unfair terminations, which Mamdani touted as a blueprint for her work. But at what cost to the gig economy, which already struggles under heavy regulation?
Democratic operative Ken Frydman offered a colorful take, likening Su’s role to a union-friendly “Robin Hood” who might “take from the rich and give to the poor.” While witty, it raises a fair question: will this focus on wealth redistribution deepen the city’s budget woes?
Meanwhile, Mamdani’s other pick, Leila Bozorg, steps into the housing and planning deputy mayor role with her own set of credentials. She’s credited for work on the “City of Yes” housing initiative under Mayor Eric Adams, though some City Hall insiders grumble that Dan Garodnick, the true architect of that zoning overhaul, was snubbed for the position.
Not everyone’s sold on Bozorg’s qualifications either, with one insider noting she didn’t “drive the bus” on “City of Yes” despite being involved. Still, Mamdani’s team seems confident in her ability to tackle the city’s housing crisis.
Dean Fuleihan, named as Mamdani’s first deputy mayor, rounds out the trio of appointments, edging out Garodnick for that top spot. It’s clear this administration is setting a bold, progressive tone, but whether it resonates with everyday New Yorkers remains to be seen.
For now, Su’s appointment is the lightning rod, drawing both praise from labor advocates and sharp criticism from those wary of her past mismanagement. As the city braces for this new chapter, one thing is certain: Mamdani’s vision of “economic justice” will be a battleground, and taxpayers might just be caught in the crossfire.
Texas Sen. Ted Cruz just turned a Senate hearing into a masterclass on defending free speech with a side of cinematic flair, the Daily Caller reported.
During a fiery Senate Commerce Committee hearing on Wednesday, Cruz, a staunch Republican, took on FCC Chair Brendan Carr over a prior warning to Disney about late-night host Jimmy Kimmel’s controversial remarks, igniting a broader debate on government overreach into private media.
This saga kicked off earlier when Kimmel made tasteless comments about conservative figure Charlie Kirk, leading to a suspension by ABC, Disney’s subsidiary.
Back in September, Cruz stood up for Kimmel’s right to speak, however crude his words, arguing that any consequences should come from ABC, not government pressure.
Enter FCC Chair Carr, who had warned Disney they could handle the Kimmel situation “the easy way or the hard way,” as he told interviewer Benny Johnson—a line Cruz didn’t let slide.
“That’s right out of ‘Goodfellas,’” Cruz fired back during the hearing, likening Carr’s words to a mobster’s shakedown of a defenseless shopkeeper.
Cruz didn’t mince words, calling out what he sees as a dangerous precedent of government officials strong-arming private companies into silencing voices.
He acknowledged Kimmel’s remarks as distasteful but insisted that the decision to discipline or drop the comedian rests solely with ABC and its affiliates, not Washington bureaucrats.
Several Republican senators echoed Cruz’s alarm, warning that such threats from the FCC could cast a chilling shadow over free expression in media.
Cruz also took a swipe at past Democratic silence on similar issues, pointing to what he described as the Biden administration’s pressure on social media platforms to suppress conservative viewpoints.
“I welcome them, now having discovered the First Amendment and the Bill of Rights,” Cruz quipped, extending an olive branch to Democrats who joined in criticizing Carr’s stance.
Still, he maintained that neither party should play referee over truth or opinion, a principle he sees as non-negotiable for a free society.
Carr, for his part, held firm, agreeing on the importance of free speech but stressing his obligation to follow Communications Act guidelines on broadcast content and public interest.
Democratic senators, including Minnesota’s Amy Klobuchar and Hawaii’s Brian Schatz, piled on with their own critiques, questioning whether Carr would target others for similar provocative statements.
Klobuchar pressed Carr on whether he’d try to yank Kimmel off the air if the comedian had echoed controversial remarks akin to those by former President Donald Trump, a hypothetical Carr dismissed as an attempt to push him into policing online discourse.