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Shutdown Confrontations Explode as Jeffries Tells Lawler to ‘Keep Your Mouth Shut’

Hakeem Jeffries
(Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

Tempers flared on Capitol Hill this week as frustration with the government shutdown boiled over into shouting matches between top lawmakers, reflecting the growing dysfunction in Washington as the government shutdown enters its third week.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), and Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY) clashed in a heated hallway exchange after Jeffries’ daily press briefing. “You’re embarrassing yourself right now!” shouted Jeffries. Lawler fired back, “The only embarrassment here is you!” When Lawler refused to back down, Jeffries snapped, “So just keep your mouth shut!”

The outburst was one of several confrontations as tensions rose over stalled negotiations. Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA), faced Democratic Sens. Mark Kelly and Ruben Gallego outside his office, where the senators blasted him for not swearing in Rep.-elect Adelita Grijalva. “This is absurd,” said Johnson, later telling reporters the situation “concerns me” and calling for civility. “Let’s have policy disputes. But not make it personal,” he urged.

Republicans argue that Democrats are more interested in political theater than solutions. Lawler accused Jeffries of grandstanding while Democrats push to extend Obamacare subsidies instead of reopening the government. “If you believe in it so much!” he said, challenging Jeffries’ stance.

As emotions run high, Johnson is keeping the House out of session for now — a move aimed at preventing further chaos. “Emotions are high. People are upset. I’m upset,” Johnson admitted.

Mamdani Breaks Silence on Hostage Release, Omits Trump in Statement

Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images

Zohran Mamdani—New York City mayoral candidate—finally issued a statement after the release of the Israeli hostages, calling the moment “profoundly moving” but omitting any credit to President Trump.

He described the reunions and the first respite from Israeli bombardments in Gaza as a “glimmer of hope,” and called for reconstruction, accountability, and a future “without occupation and apartheid.” Mamdani also criticized U.S. funding to Israel, asserting that taxpayer dollars have “funded a genocide” and warning of a lasting moral stain unless the nation reexamines its policies.

The statement drew immediate backlash. Opponents noted the absence of any acknowledgment of Hamas’s role or the president’s diplomatic involvement. Some, including former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, publicly criticized Mamdani’s delay and lack of clarity in his response.

Mamdani’s measured but partial reaction underscores political tightropes in public discourse. While he affirmed the humanitarian significance of the event, his choice to sidestep mention of key actors reflects the balancing act some candidates perform on polarizing foreign policy issues.

Former Student Stabs 3 Staff at California Special‑Needs School, Then Issues Bomb Threat

Police vehicle lights via Canva Pro

A former student is in custody after allegedly stabbing three staff members at Switzer Learning Center in Torrance, California—a private school serving K‑12 special education students—on Monday morning. Authorities also say the suspect attempted to stab a fourth person and later claimed to have placed pipe bombs nearby.

The incident was reported around 8:15 a.m., when officers responded to the school after receiving calls of violence on campus. Two of the victims were hospitalized with non‑life‑threatening injuries; a third was treated at the scene.

Police say the suspect told officers he had left two devices near 208th Street and Amapola Avenue. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Bomb Squad was dispatched and later confirmed that two suspicious devices were rendered safe.

The school was placed on lockdown while law enforcement secured the area, examined evidence, and evacuated nearby streets.

Authorities have not yet released the suspect’s identity or motive. The investigation is ongoing.

Virginia Dems Face Pressure to Clarify Trans Bathroom Position After Sex Offender Emails

Virginia Republican Lt. Governor Winsome Sears (AP Photo/Cliff Owen, File)

Bombshell emails revealed that registered sex offender Richard Kenneth Cox, who identified as “Riki” in correspondence with Arlington County schools, made demands to use women’s facilities—sparking renewed criticism of Democratic leaders for failing to clearly oppose transgender bathroom policies.

Lt. Gov. and Republican nominee Winsome Earle‑Sears slammed Democrat Abigail Spanberger for not articulating a firm stance. She accused Spanberger of tacitly siding with “men nude in girls’ locker rooms” and called on her to publicly repudiate such access.

The emails show Cox repeatedly used female locker rooms and claimed he experienced “pressure” when asked to shower in a separate single‑occupancy space. Arlington school board replies acknowledged the restrictions but emphasized adherence to legal protections for gender identity in public accommodations.

Spanberger has not given a direct response on whether she supports restricting facility access by biological males. Democratic silence has frustrated opponents who argue that ambiguity undermines safety.

This controversy strikes at the heart of ongoing policy battles over public accommodations.

Amanpour Regrets Comparing Israeli Hostages to ‘Average Gazan’ — Deletes Misstep

CNN anchor Christiane Amanpour has walked back comments she made on air suggesting Israeli hostages might have been treated “better than the average Gazan” because Hamas used them as leverage.

She issued a statement during her show Amanpour, acknowledging that the remark was “insensitive and wrong.” She said she regretted saying it and expressed sorrow for the pain her words caused.

In her explanation, Amanpour reaffirmed her recognition of the suffering endured by Israeli captives over their captivity. She also acknowledged continuing civilian suffering in Gaza and described her comment as ill‑judged in the context.

Media critics say the episode illustrates how deeply polarized and emotionally charged the Israel‑Gaza narrative has become. Comparisons that draw equivalencies risk distorting moral clarity and can inflame tensions. From a conservative Christian perspective, the outcry underscores how careful media figures must be when discussing victims and conflict zones—especially when involving asymmetric warfare.

Bari Weiss Demands CBS News Staff Memo — Union Tells Workers to Defy

60 minutes
CBS News (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello, File)

CBS News’s newly appointed editor‑in‑chief, Bari Weiss, has sent a memo requiring staffers to submit detailed descriptions of their daily work by Tuesday. She asked employees to explain what they do, highlight their accomplishments, and point out areas in need of improvement.

The Writers Guild of America East has cautioned its members not to respond until CBS provides clarity about how those memos will be used. The union wants disclosure on whether failing to comply could lead to discipline, whether management will use AI to analyze the responses, and who will have access to submitted materials.

Weiss framed the request as an opportunity to “familiarize myself with you — and I want you to do the same with me — to know that we are aligned on achieving a shared vision for CBS News.” But critics—both within the union and in media circles—argue the memo carries implicit pressures and risks turning internal review into a tool for control.

For news organizations, the balance between accountability and editorial freedom is delicate. Demanding such structured disclosures without transparent safeguards could chill journalistic autonomy. This standoff tests how new leadership treats staff rights versus managerial control—and whether the pledge to avoid partisanship includes internal processes as well as reporting.

Trump Threatens to Send Tomahawks to Ukraine if Putin Doesn’t Back Down

Karollyne Videira Hubert/ Unsplash

President Trump warned aboard Air Force One that he may supply Ukraine with long‑range Tomahawk missiles if Russian President Vladimir Putin does not end the war. He said, “I might say, ‘if this war is not going to get settled, I’m going to send them Tomahawks,’” and added that “We may not, but we may do it.” Trump characterized the Tomahawk as “an incredible weapon” and implied its deployment could change the strategic pressure on Moscow.

Russian reaction was sharp. Kremlin spokespersons described the possibility as an extreme escalation. Dmitry Medvedev — a former Russian president and prominent hawk — warned that deploying Tomahawks could provoke serious consequences, especially since it becomes difficult to distinguish whether such missiles carry conventional or nuclear payloads once launched.

Analysts note that Trump has not committed to a full decision but is considering setting the threat as leverage in diplomatic pressure on Putin. There is also practical concern about U.S. missile inventories and command control: some Russian officials argue that such weapons might require U.S. operational involvement, thus raising direct confrontation risks.

This shift marks a more aggressive posture compared to Trump’s earlier approach of seeking negotiated settlement and de‑escalation. For conservative and Christian observers, supplying longer‑range weaponry aligns with robust support for Ukraine’s defense. But it also tests the boundaries of escalation, alliance handling, and the risk of drawing the U.S. deeper into conflict dynamics.

Sen. Mark Kelly Touts Kamala Harris as ‘Strong’ 2028 Contender

Harris
Vice President Kamala Harris (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

Senator Mark Kelly (D‑AZ) publicly endorsed former Vice President Kamala Harris as a “strong” candidate for the 2028 presidential race during an appearance on Meet the Press.

Asked whether Harris would be a strong contender, Kelly replied, “Yeah, absolutely. … I think she would be incredibly strong.” He also predicted a crowded field in the Democratic primary.

Kelly’s praise contrasts with Harris’s record in the 2024 election, when she failed to carry a single battleground state against President Trump despite extensive campaign efforts.

He declined to dwell on his own political prospects, shifting focus to foreign policy issues including Ukraine and China.

The endorsement signals a soft attempt at party unification and a nod to name‑recognition over results. Kelly’s backing may carry weight among establishment Democrats, but Harris will face uphill challenges convincing voters she can rebound from a lopsided defeat.

Carney Floats Keystone XL Revival as Trade Leverage in Tariff Talks

canada
Canadian flag, U.S. flag (chris robert/Unsplash)

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney reportedly proposed reviving the Keystone XL pipeline during a meeting with President Trump, tying it to negotiations over U.S. tariffs on Canadian steel, aluminum, and autos. The suggestion positions the pipeline—not merely as energy infrastructure—but as a diplomatic bargaining chip in broader trade disputes.

The Keystone XL project, once a centerpiece of American‑Canadian energy cooperation, has faced persistent opposition and legal challenges. The U.S. permit was revoked in 2021 under President Biden, despite its earlier revival under Trump. In recent years, the pipeline segment has lacked an active developer willing to pursue reconstruction, complicating any “comeback.”

Carney’s overture reflects mounting pressure from Alberta and Canadian provinces to break free from punitive U.S. tariffs. His energy pitch seeks to convert a contentious cross‑border project into political leverage. Observers say that using infrastructure proposals as trade incentives could reset power dynamics—but only if both sides commit resources and risk.

Critically, any Keystone XL revival would clash with institutional constraints and past precedent. Environmental groups and Indigenous communities are likely to strongly oppose renewed construction, reigniting debates over climate policy, land rights, and sovereignty. Meanwhile, the absence of a committed backer or builder raises doubts about whether this is a serious offer or political theater.

If the pipeline becomes part of the final trade package, the consequences will extend beyond energy markets. It would reshape Canada–U.S. relations, deepen interdependence in natural resources, and possibly redraw boundaries around federal permit authority and environmental law.

Harvard Cashes In: $13,760 DEI Certificate Sparks Backlash

DEI
DEI (Amy Elting/Unsplash)

Harvard University is offering a graduate certificate in “Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging Leadership” priced at $13,760, provoking critique over the cost and substance of the program.

The certificate, administered by Harvard’s Division of Continuing Education, includes four required sections: History, Core, Leadership, and an Applied Learning segment. Course topics range from “Understanding Race and Racism” and “Riots, Strikes, and Conspiracies in American History” to “Power and Privilege in Systems” and “Diversity and Inclusion Management.” The program markets itself as equipping participants with “critical knowledge and skills to address bias and marginalization and to foster an inclusive corporate culture.”

Critics view the price tag as exploitative, accusing Harvard of monetizing ideological training under the guise of prestige. Some conservative voices argue it exemplifies how elite institutions leverage academic branding to monetize progressive orthodoxy. Others defend it as an advanced credential for professionals working in human resources, corporate DEI roles, or nonprofit management.

The high cost and narrow focus of Harvard’s DEI certificate raise legitimate concerns about the growing intersection of higher education and ideological programming. While institutions have the right to offer specialized training, charging nearly $14,000 for a credential rooted in politically charged content invites scrutiny. Programs of this nature warrant greater transparency, including full access to course materials, measurable outcomes, and evidence of career value. Without such accountability, critics are justified in questioning whether this initiative reflects educational rigor—or simply institutional profit masked as social progress.

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