More than a month has passed since the tragic murder of conservative activist Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University, and court watchers are closely following developments in the case against the man accused of committing the heinous crime.
As Breitbart reports, as defendant Tyler Robinson prepares for upcoming appearances in the courtroom, he is asking the presiding judge to allow him to present himself not in prison garb and shackles, but rather in civilian clothes.
The accused killer’s request came in the form of a 21-page motion submitted to Judge Tony Graf last week, a document that outlined the defense team’s rationale for the desired adjustment.
Robinson’s attorneys made reference to the Idaho murder case of Bryan Kohberger in their contention that allowing their client to wear civilian attire would help secure his constitutional right to a fair trial.
In addition to their request regarding Robinson’s clothing, defense lawyers also now seek a closed-door hearing regarding whether physical restraints will be used during courtroom appearances.
The motion stated, “In the face of worldwide scrutiny, permitting Mr. Robinson to wear civilian clothing for court appearances is a minor inconvenience compared to the already present concerns with securing a fair trial before an impartial jury.”
Their filing continued, “With each development in the case generating thousands of articles and comments online, the likelihood of potential jurors seeing and drawing conclusions regarding Mr. Robinson’s guilt and or deserved punishment from obvious signs of pretrial incarceration will only increase.”
It is not just Robinson’s trial attire on which his defense team is focusing, as attorneys are busy developing their approach to evidence in the case and strategic arguments in furtherance of their attempt to secure an acquittal -- or at the very least prevent the imposition of the death penalty upon conviction.
Speaking to Fox News Digital, veteran defense attorney Randall Spencer described some of the priorities likely guiding the work of Robinson’s team.
Spencer noted how critical it will be to maintain the confidentiality of evidence ahead of trial in order to safeguard the impartiality of potential jurors.
“If the prosecutor or the defense of leaking…evidence to the public…that may inhibit Tyler’s right to a fair trial.”
In terms of potential defense theories, Spencer opined, “There perhaps could be a factual innocence defense being raised indicating that Tyler wasn’t actually the shooter. Probably more likely the defense…is addressing the aggravating factor…whether the defendant’s alleged actions had a high probability of causing the death of someone other than Charlie Kirk,” suggesting that such a pivot -- if successful -- could shift the charge downward “from capital homicide to standard murder.”
Even so, former Assistant U.S. Attorney Neama Rahmani suspects that prosecutors in the case will focus on efforts to “dirty up” Robinson to boost the chances that, if convicted, he will receive the death penalty, working to present evidence of alleged statements from the defendant regarding Kirk’s supposed “hatred,” his apparent admission of guilt to a romantic partner, and incriminating words said to have been etched on bullets used in the crime.
Noting that 12 of 12 jurors must agree for Robinison to be put to death, Rahmani observed, “So when jurors are weighing the death penalty, the reason why someone killed another human being, if it was for political reasons, that’s certainly an aggravated factor” but whether such consensus will be reached at the end of the process, only time will tell.
First lady Melania Trump said that she has an "open channel of communication" with Russian President Vladimir Putin when it comes to the matter of children displaced by the war between Russia and Ukraine, ABC News reported. The first lady boasted that their joint efforts have already resulted in reuniting eight children with their parents in the last 24 hours alone.
The Putin-obsessed left will no doubt make all sorts of insinuations about Melania Trump's relationship with the foreign leader. However, it appears she and Putin are doing good work in righting some of the wrongs that have come from the war.
"HOLY SMOKES: First Lady Melania Trump just announced that she’s been working behind the scenes with Russian President Vladimir Putin to return displaced children to their homes in Ukraine. Most powerful woman in the world," user Johnny Maga posted to X, formerly Twitter, on Friday.
🚨 HOLY SMOKES
First Lady Melania Trump just announced that she’s been working behind the scenes with Russian President Vladimir Putin to return displaced children to their homes in Ukraine.
Most powerful woman in the world.pic.twitter.com/U3DfhpHhql
— johnny maga (@_johnnymaga) October 10, 2025
Relations between Russia and the U.S. have not always been friendly, but this unexpected alliance comes when the world needs it the most. "Russia has demonstrated a willingness to disclose objective and detailed information reflective for the current situation," Trump said.
She went on to note that a "detailed report" outlined the process that led to eight children rejoining their families, thanks to the efforts of Trump and Putin. "This is an important initiative for me," the first lady said.
"It is built on shared purpose and lasting impact," Trump said. "A child's soul knows no borders, no flags," she added.
"We must foster a future for our children which is rich with potential, security, and complete with free will. A world where dreams will be realized rather than faded by war," Trump said.
The first lady was a notoriously tight-lipped figure during her husband, President Donald Trump's, first term and office and has largely remained mum even into his second term. However, this issue has brought Melania into the spotlight since she wrote a letter in August enlisting Putin's help.
According to Politico, Melania Trump raised the issue of displaced children in a letter, which President Donald Trump relayed to Putin during their meeting in Anchorage, Alaska. "A simple yet profound concept, Mr. Putin, as I am sure you agree, is that each generation’s descendants begin their lives with a purity—an innocence which stands above geography, government, and ideology," Melania Trump wrote.
She added that "it is time" for them to get the Ukrainian children back to their homes, and she committed to doing that work. "My ongoing mission is two-fold — to optimize a transparent, free-flow exchange of information surrounding all children who have fallen victim to this war and to facilitate the regular communication of children with their families until each individual returns home," Melania Trump said.
This is all excellent news for the children of Ukraine, but there will no doubt be leftists who see this as more evidence that Melania Trump is a Russian asset, as was asserted in Business Insider in 2018. Some believed that because she speaks several languages and spoke cordially to Putin, she must be an undercover spy.
This insane conspiracy theory was an outgrowth of the other outlandish and since-debunked lie that Donald Trump colluded with the Kremlin to win the 2016 election. It was an obsession of the leftists, and that kind of pathological focus is not easily forgotten.
Melania Trump is doing important work for the children, and her heart is certainly in the right place. While she risks derision for cooperating with the Russian leader, the first lady remains fearless and noble in her pursuit of the cause of these children, and that's all that matters.
Kiss frontman Gene Simmons was taken to an area hospital on Tuesday after he crashed his SUV in Malibu, the Associated Press reported. Simmons was driving the Pacific Coast Highway when he passed out behind the wheel, causing him to cross several lanes of traffic before hitting a car parked on the side of the waterfront highway.
On the day after the crash, Simmons took to X, formerly Twitter, to thank his fans for reaching out to make sure he was okay after being treated and released from the hospital. "Thanks, everybody, for the kind wishes," the 76-year-old rock star wrote.
"I’m completely fine. I had a slight fender bender. It happens. Especially to those of us were horrible drivers. And that’s me. All is well," Simmons concluded.
Thanks, everybody, for the kind wishes. I’m completely fine. I had a slight fender bender. It happens. Especially to those of us were horrible drivers. And that’s me. All is well.
— Gene Simmons (@genesimmons) October 8, 2025
While authorities have not released official word on the circumstances of the crash, it's believed that Simmons possibly fainted behind the wheel that made him lose control of his vehicle. He is no stranger to traveling, as his "Rock and Roll All Nite" band has spent nearly the last half-century touring.
In 2023, Kiss officially ended their live shows, but Simmons and the rest of his band are still slated to play in Las Vegas in November for a special event. President Donald Trump had also announced in August that the band would be among the Kennedy Center honorees for this year.
Hopefully Simmons makes a full recovery, as he is not the only band member to suffer medical problems this year. According to the New York Post, Ace Frehley, co-founder of Kiss and a former guitarist for the band, had to cancel the rest of his tour dates for the year "due to some ongoing medical issues," the Instagram account for his band, the Spaceman and Space Ace, posted on Monday.
This comes after the 74-year-old was forced to cancel a Sept. 26 performance after suffering "a minor fall in his studio" that required "a trip to the hospital." It will also derail the planned November reunion festival in Las Vegas with original bandmates, including Simmons, Frehley, Peter Criss, and Paul Stanley.
The three-day festival, Kiss Kruise: Land-Locked in Vegas, was slated for Nov. 14-26 with an itinerary mimicking a sea cruise. It was to be the first time the band played together since their 2023 retirement, but with half of the founding members of the band suffering medical issues, it's unclear what the future holds.
Kiss was known for their signature look, which included black-and-white face makeup, black wigs, and a lot of studded leather. They have a following that spans generations, and the band was looking forward to tapping into the energy their fan base again brings to the shows.
"Because we’re not touring, and because the band isn’t what it was, doesn’t mean we’ve forgotten our fans. Our fans made us who we are and continue to keep us where we are," Stanley said to Joel Madden's Artist Friendly podcast earlier this year.
Stanley also talked up the upcoming festival. "We’re doing a Kiss cruise without a ship. We’ve got the Virgin Hotel. We’re going to play. Other bands are going to play," Stanley explained.
"We’ll do Q&As," he added about the band's plans for the November gig. "There will be competitions. There’s going to be everything that people expected on the Kiss cruise," he added.
Kiss is a band beloved by many, but even rock stars have to slow down at some point. There's a chance there's still music left in Simmons, Stanley, and the rest of the band, but it's no secret that the time will soon come to hang up the wigs and leather for good.
President Donald Trump vowed to designate Antifa as a foreign terrorist organization during a roundtable discussion on Wednesday with independent journalists Jack Posobiec and Nick Sortor, Breitbart reported. The group has already been identified as a domestic terrorist group, but proponents of the move say it has ties worldwide.
The subject arose in a question from the press, and Trump seemed open to the idea and perhaps even under the impression that it was already in the works. "Well, has that been done? Pretty close, right? Would you like to see it done?” Trump said to Posobiec, who responded, "Yes, Mr. President."
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said he'd "take care of it," and White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller also said it was something he'd agree to do. "Yes, it’s true. There are extensive foreign ties, and I think that would be a very valid step to take," Miller explained.
NOW - Trump will classify Antifa a foreign terrorist organization. pic.twitter.com/Em4cvJP5WH
— Disclose.tv (@disclosetv) October 8, 2025
As Posoibec noted, Antifa has "foreign links all across Western Europe, the Middle East," but has caused a great deal of chaos in the U.S. already. Trump invited the independent journalists to speak with him at the White House over those concerns, especially considering that Sortor was arrested by Portland police while attempting to cover the escalating Antifa protests against Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
For his part, Sortor showed off the Cabinet officials and the press, presenting an American flag he snatched from demonstrators who attempted to burn it. The journalist told Trump that he knew the identity of the man who had done this, and Trump instructed him to share the information with Attorney General Pam Bondi so she could "start prosecutions."
Posobiec also brought proof of Antifa's aim and dangerous messaging, including what the suspected assassin, Tyler Robinson, allegedly etched onto the bullets meant for Charlie Kirk. "Thank you for mentioning the fact that one of the bullet casings read, ‘Hey fascist! Catch!’ on it," Posobiec said to the president.
"One of the other bullet casings right next to that had ‘Bella Ciao’ written on it. Now, ‘Bella Ciao’ is a song that is known in Antifa circles as the international anthem of Antifa," he explained. "And Mr. President, I think the situation is getting worse," Posobiec warned.
"When you look at people like Luigi Mangione in his twenties, Thomas Matthew Crooks, of course, who took a shot at you sir, the ICE shooter in Dallas, and now this Tyler Robinson, we’re starting to see a pattern of more and more murderous violence," Posobiec said of the alleged CEO assassin and Trump shooter, respectively. He later warned that action against this movement was cricual as "the next one who could be killed could be sitting at this table right now."
Antifa has been terrorizing American cities for decades. Still, cities like Portland routinely ignore the problem and allow the riots and destructive demonstrations to continue, along with other crimes that leftists are unwilling to prosecute. Sortor believes that all of this tolerance for chaos and continued criminal activity is out of "spite" for Trump, and it's the people who live in those cities who pay the price.
"That's simply what it's about at this point. Because if you go and talk to some of these citizens, like, I'll use Portland as an example again, because I've been there for so long now. You talk to the neighbors that live in the apartments next door to the ICE facility," Sortor said during the meeting, according to Real Clear Politics.
"They are veterans with PTSD that live there, and they're here all night long, screaming, fireworks being lit off by these rioters, children crying, because they can't sleep at night, and they're scared of all the noise outside. And they can't leave. They got a lease. You can't just leave. These people aren't wealthy individuals. And that's one of the major problems here," Sortor went on.
"These people are afraid to come out and speak out, and they're getting no help from their government at all. They've been begging for the noise ordinance to be enforced outside of their apartment complex for months now, and the city of Portland has ignored them every single time. The victims are, as I said, they're afraid, but the governments aren't doing anything because they want to spite the administration. It's all political," Sortor said.
This roundtable discussion was necessary because these problems have been allowed to fester under Democratic leadership for years. Those days are over as Trump is finally willing to crack down on these terrorist organizations and clean up these cities, and it appears leftists hate nothing more than law and order and safety.
Portland has dropped the disorderly conduct charges against independent journalist Nick Sortor, who was arrested on October 2 while covering attacks on Immigration and Customs Enforcement facilities and agents, Breitbart reported. The Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office has now promised to go after the two men who were reportedly pummeling Sortor when police arrested all three of them.
On Monday, District Attorney Nathan Vasquez announced that he'd dropped the charges against the independent journalist and frequent Fox News guest. "After a careful review of the investigation, including reports and video, we do not believe the crime of Disorderly Conduct can be proven against Mr. Sortor beyond a reasonable doubt," Vasquez claimed.
Portland has a history of tacitly supporting civil unrest, and last week's arrest was a rarity that somehow included charging the alleged victim. Vasquez attempted to take the 'all-sides' approach in his remarks about the situation in a news release.
"Free speech does not include the freedom to commit crimes. It does not matter if an individual is expressing ideology from the left, right, or center. What matters is whether or not there is evidence to prove a crime was committed," Vasquez claimed.
For his part, Sortor was grateful that Vasquez was doing the right thing after the fact, but he promised this wouldn't be the end of it. "Trust me. This is ONLY the beginning," Sortor wrote in a post to X, formerly Twitter, on October 6.
Indeed, it appears that Sortor will be taking legal action against the Portland Police Department. In a post to X on Monday, Sortor's attorney, Angus Lee, drafted a letter to Portland Police Bureau Chief Bob Day claiming that his client was singled out by "a member of the command staff and/or a supervising officer" for arrest rather than just an officer on the scene who made an error.
The Vancouver, Washington, attorney said this was instead "part of a larger pattern and practice within the Portland Police Bureau of suppressing and silencing conservative media and political activity." Lee made demands to be met within seven days of the letter, including a "formal apology to sortor" and "the initiation of an internal investigation into the circumstances of this arrest, including the involvement of supervisory or command staff personnel,” Lee stated in his letter.
“Mr. Sortor hopes the Bureau will take immediate corrective action and demonstrate a renewed commitment to constitutional policing, the protection of free expression, and accountability within your department," he added. The final line promised they would "proceed accordingly" if these demands were not met.
Hey @PortlandPolice Chief Day:
Check your inbox!
We’re FAR from done here 😏 pic.twitter.com/0vhvjXd1Ab
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) October 6, 2025
Like many other conservative journalists, Sortor was attempting to call attention to the situation in Portland, whereby the city is often under siege from protesters as law enforcement does little to stop it. The leftist extremists who run the city have no interest in restoring law and order, as evidenced by recent legal action seeking to keep the National Guard from restoring peace.
As Fox News reported, a federal judge blocked President Donald Trump from deploying troops to assist federal agents from the U.S. Border Patrol and Department of Homeland Security in quelling the riots and attacks against them. Even after the injunction was issued on Sunday, agents made arrests and used tear gas to stop what the president called "violent riots" sparked off by ICE raids.
The Pentagon maintains that "while federalized Oregon National Guard members remain under T10 status, there are no Oregon National Guard members on mission in or around the Portland area." Nevertheless, the federal government is not about to cede the city to these insurrectionists.
"The facts haven’t changed: President Trump exercised his lawful authority to protect federal assets and personnel in Portland following violent riots and attacks on law enforcement. We expect to be vindicated by a higher court," said spokeswoman Abigail Jackson in a statement.
The situation in Portland is out of control, but leftists seem intent on leaving it that way as long as it's politically expedient. Trump has every right to use the power of the federal government to restore order, and conservative journalists like Sortor have an obligation to show the American people the truth of what's happening as Trump cheers on truth tellers like him.
Matt Van Epps will find out his fate on Tuesday after President Donald Trump's eleventh-hour endorsement in the primary for Tennessee's 7th Congressional District, Fox News reported. The election followed the resignation of Republican Rep. Park Green, who vacated the seat to take a job in the private sector in June.
The former commissioner of the Tennessee Department of General Services received Trump's endorsement late last week, even as early voting had already closed. Also in the running for the spot are Tennessee state Reps. Gino Bulso, Jody Barrett, and Lee Reeves, who would later suspend his campaign and endorse Van Epps after Trump made his pick late in the race.
On the Democratic side are businessman Darden Copeland, as well as state Reps. Aftyn Behn, Bo Mitchell, and Vincent Dixie. The primary winners from the respective parties will face off in a special election on December 2, but the GOP has an advantage as Trump won the district, which covers the central and western parts of the state, by 20 points in the last presidential election.
Many believe Trump's endorsement in this district is a significant win, setting Van Epps apart from the pack after the race had become a test of MAGA loyalty. On Monday, the conservative group Club for Growth hosted a tele-rally featuring Trump and Van Epps as part of the final push.
Trump released a statement as soon as he pledged his support to Van Epps, but he reiterated the sentiments in a post to Truth Social on Tuesday in an effort to get out the vote for his chosen candidate. "VOTE TODAY!" Trump urged on his social media platform.
"It is my Great Honor to endorse America First Patriot Matt Van Epps, who is running to represent the Great People of Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District. A West Point Graduate, and Combat Decorated Army Helicopter Pilot, Matt knows the WISDOM and COURAGE required to Defend our Country, Support our Incredible Military/Veterans, and Ensure PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH," the president touted of his Van Epps' service.
"In Congress, Matt will work hard to Keep our now very Secure Border, SECURE, Stop Migrant Crime, Grow our Economy, Cut Taxes, Promote MADE IN THE U.S.A., Champion School Choice, Unleash American Energy DOMINANCE, and Defend our always under siege Second Amendment. He is strongly supported by my good friend, Congressman Jim Jordan, and many other highly respected MAGA Warriors!" Trump added.
"Matt Van Epps has my Complete and Total Endorsement to be the next Congressman from Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District — HE WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN!" the president concluded. This enthusiastic support from the president was not shared by others, however.
Despite receiving Trump's backing, some Republicans are expressing their misgivings about Van Epps because of his role during the COVID-19 pandemic as a response coordinator. In a Tennessee Star opinion piece, author Karen Rupert Rayl took Van Epps to task over his role in perpetuating the COVID-19 lockdowns and vaccine mandates.
"Matt Van Epps may tout certain credentials, but actions speak louder than words. A true conservative doesn’t hide behind a desk, rubber-stamping policies that erode our God-given rights. A true conservative stands up for parents, business owners, and children when the government oversteps," Rayl asserted.
"Van Epps failed that test. His bureaucratic role in administering the state’s response during COVID aligns him more with Anthony Fauci’s top-down control than with the principles of limited government we hold dear in Tennessee," she added. Attacks against Van Epps seem to center around identifying him with Fauci, the former director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, who ran the national COVID-19 response.
His opponent, Barrett, has utilized the smear as a campaign strategy and incorporated it into his campaign website. Whether this strategy will overcome the momentum from president's endorsement will be up to the voters who cast their ballots to decide whether the GOP has another Trump ally in the House of Representatives.
It's a smart strategy for Republicans to unite behind a candidate in such a crowded field. Regardless of who wins in the primary, the real test of strength will be whether the GOP can get behind whichever candidate becomes the nominee.
The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed at President Donald Trump's urging to review Hawaii's gun law that restricts people from carrying a firearm on private property unless the owner specifically allows it.
The Trump administration encouraged the court to rule on the Hawaii law in light of its 2022 ruling that expanded Second Amendment protections broadly.
Three Hawaii residents sued the state's attorney general, Anne E. Lopez, and the lower courts split on the decision.
The district court blocked the law, but the appeals court reversed the decision. In April, the petitioners submitted the case to the Supreme Court.
"In holding the Second Amendment does not apply to private property open to the public, the Ninth Circuit’s decision renders illusory the right to carry in public," attorneys Kevin O'Grady and Alan Alexander Beck wrote in the petition.
In May, the United States filed a supporting brief urging the reversal of the appeals court ruling.
"The structure and operation of Hawaii's law reveal that the law serves no legitimate purpose and instead seeks only to inhibit the exercise of the right to bear arms," Solicitor General D. John Sauer, Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon, Deputy Solicitor General Sarah M. Harris and Assistant to the Solicitor General Vivek Suri wrote.
The brief also called the rule a "near-complete ban" that "deprives individuals who want to exercise their Second Amendment rights of their ability to 'go about their daily lives.'”
Opposing counsel argued that the law balances gun rights and public safety.
"Neither petitioners nor the government has offered any persuasive reason to disturb the court of appeals’ conclusion that Hawai‘i’s default-property rule withstands constitutional scrutiny at the preliminary injunction stage," the opposing brief read.
No timetable was given for when the case will be heard, but the acceptance of the case means it will be heard and a ruling given in the coming months.
If the case does overturn the Hawaii law, it would still restrict guns on private property to those who have obtained permits and followed other gun laws in the state.
Gun control advocates warn that more guns in malls and offices could lead to more shootings.
Gun control opponents say that more lawful gun carrying could stop potential shooters and protect the public.
Though Democratic socialist New York City mayoral hopeful Zohran Mamdani has been riding high in the polls for months, he has also been a source of controversy within his party regarding the reluctance of some to offer full-throated support.
Now, with Election Day growing nearer, New Jersey Democrat gubernatorial Mikie Sherrill is among those walking a tightrope between endorsing the far-left firebrand next door and attempting to keep her distance from such a polarizing figure, as Fox News reports.
The national attention that has been trained on the Big Apple’s mayoral contest is undeniable, and it is starting to have an impact on seemingly unrelated races, in part due to GOP efforts to link Mamdani’s extreme agenda to the national Democratic Party.
As such, Sherrill has been pressed to weigh in on whether she stands in support of Mamdani’s bid to helm New York City, a question that has put more than a few liberal politicians in an uncomfortable position in recent months.
At a recent gubernatorial candidate forum, Sherrill was again asked to declare whether she is endorsing Mamdani’s candidacy, and it soon became clear that she wanted no part of the discussion.
“I am not getting engaged in that race because I’m completely focused on New Jersey. I’m going to let the people of New York decide that race,” Sherrill stated.
Noting that New Jersey voters “are constantly talking to me about affordability,” a key tenet of Mamdani’s campaign platform, Sherrill again demurred on whether she backed his candidacy, declaring, “Again, I’m focused on the New Jersey race, and that’s a New York race. I’m not registered to vote there. So I’m focused here.”
Mamdani has nabbed some very high-profile endorsements, including from the Democratic National Committee itself.
Also voicing support for his candidacy have been liberal heavy-hitters such as New York Attorney General Letitia James, Democrat Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Jerrold Nadler, New York City Comptroller Brad Lander, and Sen. Bernie Sanders.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, however, seemed to resist the idea of throwing her support toward Mamdani most of the summer, only recently adding her name to the candidate’s list of prominent supporters.
Notably absent on Mamdani’s current list of endorsements are the names of Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries.
Republican efforts to tie Mamani’s rise -- and the socialist policies for which he advocates -- to the future of the national Democratic Party, have been viewed as part of an effective messaging campaign that could harm liberals’ prospects in the 2026 midterm elections and beyond, potentially explaining the reluctance of folks like Sherrill to endorse.
Conventional wisdom during the current cycle has been that unless a few members of the crowded mayoral field were to exit the race, Mamdani stood a strong likelihood of victory.
The recent departure of Mayor Eric Adams from his re-election has -- at least temporarily -- boosted former Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s fundraising coffers and his hopes of an upset, but whether that will be enough to close what remains a significant gap in voter support, only time will tell.
House Speaker Mike Johnson has canceled next week's vote in a bid to force Democrats' hand in approving Republicans' spending bill, The Hill reported. Democrats have repeatedly rejected passing a continuing resolution, which would keep the government operational for an additional seven weeks until a budget deal can be reached.
Republicans have drafted a "clean" bill that Democrats could vote on immediately to end the shutdown. Instead, they've let it drag on so that they can blame Republicans while hoping to hold out long enough to get their spending priorities funded, including reversing spending cuts made earlier this year.
However, Johnson is onto their tricks and has already been dropping hints that he might decide to cancel the vote altogether in the House of Representatives, just ahead of the Senate's revote. "The House will come back into session and do its work as soon as Chuck Schumer allows us to reopen the government," Johnson said.
Sure enough, Johnson designated a "district work period" for the week of Oct. 7-13, meaning business will not be conducted in the House of Representatives. Johnson canceled votes last week for the Senate, but he's excused the House lawmakers, who have been on recess since the shutdown began, from duty for another week.
At the beginning of last week, Johnson had promised to continue and planned to bring congressional representatives back to Washington, D.C., for the coming week. "Yes, the House will be returning next week, and they would be here this week, except that we did our work," Johnson said on Wednesday.
"But there is nothing truly that we can do, much on the floor, while the lights are almost literally out here. We have to open the government," Johnson later added.
Now it seems that both sides are unwilling to budge, and it has them locked in an impasse as the government grinds to a halt. Republicans believe they have crafted an acceptable spending bill, but Democrats continue to hold out for their pet causes as the closure drags on.
"We passed it, and it's been rejected by the Senate. So the House will come back into session and do its work as soon as Chuck Schumer allows us to reopen the government. That's plain and simple," Johnson told reporters Friday, according to Fox News.
Still, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries has promised to bring his caucus to Washington, D.C. this week and has kept House Democrats in town despite the shutdown. House Republicans were expected to participate in a conference call Saturday morning as well.
Friday's downvote marks the fourth time the Senate has voted against the Republicans' effort to keep the government open with a continuing resolution. Instead, Democrats want to pack additional spending onto the budget, including $88 million in extra security for lawmakers and extending the Obamacare healthcare subsidies set to expire this year.
They also want to reverse Medicaid cuts that were included in President Donald Trump's "One Big, Beautiful Bill" earlier this year. Democrats also wish to reinstate funding for PBS and NPR, which are supposed to be for the public good but are just leftist mouthpieces anyway.
Democrats are playing games, both with the spending bill and the way they're characterizing the decision to shut down Congress. They have accused Republicans of purposely delaying a vote, forcing the Department of Justice to release the Epstein files. Reps. Thomas Massie (R-KY) and Ro Khanna (D-CA) needed the signature of one more lawmaker to make it happen, but will fall short now that Rep.-elect Adelita Grijalva (D-AZ) can't be sworn in.
Republicans see this for what it is as a political ploy, but Democrats believe they have another issue to club Republicans with after this. "Johnson and the House Republicans care more about protecting the Epstein files than protecting the American people," Schumer claimed.
Both sides blame the other for the shutdown, but it's clear that Democrats want to make political capital that they believe comes from holding out. Unfortunately for them, they've likely gravely miscalculated as the American people saw through their tricks enough to vote against them in the first place.
Rep. Madeleine Dean cornered House Speaker Mike Johnson to charge that President Donald Trump was "unhinged" in his remarks to military leaders on Tuesday, the UK Daily Mail reported. The Pennsylvania Democrat ensured the interaction took place in front of reporters and cameras in the halls of Congress.
War Secretary Pete Hegseth called a meeting of military leaders to Quantico, Virginia, to roll out some much-needed tweaks to military policy. Trump addressed the group, and, as usual, many of his critics didn't like what he had to say, including Dean.
The 66-year-old congresswoman attempted to score political points by complaining to Johnson, who seemed unfazed by her claims. "The president is unhinged. He is unwell," Dean told Johnson. The House Speaker fired back, "A lot of folks on your side are, too." Journalist Aaron Rupar shared a clip of the exchange on X, formerly Twitter, on Friday.
MADELEINE DEAN: The president is unhinged. He is unwell.
MIKE JOHNSON: A lot of folks on your side are too
DEAN: Oh my god, please. That performance in front of the generals?
MIKE JOHNSON: I didn't see it
DEAN: It's so dangerous! Our allies are looking elsewhere. Our enemies… pic.twitter.com/WNvZRo638S
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) October 2, 2025
Although Johnson's retort was a sharp one and indeed true, Dean continued with her line of attack against Trump even as the expression on Johnson's face demonstrated that he had no desire to hear what she had to say about it. "That is so dangerous,” Dean told Johnson.
"You know I serve on Foreign Affairs and Appropriations. This is a collision of those two things," Dean said. Of course, Johonson is well aware of what committees Dean serves on, but she ticked off her resume just in case anyone watching at home wasn't sure who she was.
"Our allies are looking elsewhere. Our enemies are laughing. You have a president who is unwell," Dean said.
What did Trump say that was so outrageous that Dean had to confront Johnson with it? Well, as the New York Times reported, it was a pretty typical Trump speech where he attacked his political enemies and complained about his opposition, at least until one throwaway line that Dean and other Trump critics glommed onto.
"I told Pete, we should use some of these dangerous cities as training grounds for our military," Trump said to Hegseth. The Times found this so objectionable that it repeated the line in italics for maximum effect.
While Dean and others try to pretend that Trump was speaking out of turn, the truth is that the president has been forced to deploy the National Guard to Democratic-run cities because of conditions there. The president recently ordered 200 troops to the city of Portland, Oregon, after chaos had erupted at the Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility, Fox News reported.
"It's been a consistent battle every night with Antifa in Portland," Todd Lyons, acting ICE director, said Wednesday of the state of things in Portland. "We've called on local and state officials to help, but we just haven't seen the help." The troops will help, but in the meantime, it's a war zone.
"We’re out there every night battling people that are bringing sticks, bats, shields, throwing their own CS grenades at us. So it's not a peaceful situation," Lyons added. His fears are well-founded as a facility in Dallas, Texas, was attacked on Sept. 24 by a lone gunman.
During that attack, two detainees were shot and killed, while a third was wounded, before the shooter took his own life. This kind of violence and anger directed at ICE agents in America is certainly reminiscent of a battlefield abroad, which makes Trump's "training ground" remark seem quite accurate.
The left has tried every line of attack on Trump, including claiming that he's suffering from cognitive decline or some other age-related malady based on something he's said. And, like all of the rest of the attacks, Trump will surely survive this one and prove them wrong no matter what Dean or anyone else has to say about him.