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Rep. Jonathan Jackson: Kill Filibuster, Let GOP Act

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White House (Ana Lanza/Unsplash)

Rep. Jonathan Jackson (D-IL) said Friday on NewsNation’s Cuomo that he supports eliminating the Senate filibuster to allow Republicans to pass government funding legislation without Democrat input. His comments came amid a partial government shutdown and growing partisan gridlock in the Senate.

When asked by host Chris Cuomo whether the filibuster — which requires 60 votes to advance most legislation in the Senate — should be eliminated, Jackson responded, “Absolutely. I could do away with that.” He added that the filibuster remains one of the few tools that checks executive power, but that it should not stand in the way of reopening the government.

Jackson criticized the current use of the filibuster, where Senate Democrats have blocked multiple Republican funding proposals despite GOP control of the White House and the House. With a razor-thin GOP majority in the Senate, Republicans are unable to pass legislation without at least some Democrat support.

“Think about this,” Jackson said. “The president signs every executive order, he overrides every court decision, he puts the military on U.S. grounds — like, whoever stops him to say anything? This is the only one thing.”

Jackson’s call to scrap the filibuster to allow a Republican-led funding package marks a rare moment of cross-party procedural agreement. While both parties have criticized the filibuster in the past when in the minority, Jackson’s suggestion would currently benefit the GOP, highlighting Democratic frustration over the shutdown and the standoff’s political optics.

The Senate has remained deadlocked as Democrats push for increased domestic spending and border protections with a pathway to citizenship, while Republicans demand strict immigration enforcement and cuts to non-defense programs. The standoff has already triggered a halt in federal services and pay for hundreds of thousands of government employees.

New York Times Pushes Race Spin in Trump Coverage

"Racism is a Pandemic" Sign (Jon Tyson/Unsplash)

The New York Times devoted its Friday feature to portraying President Donald Trump’s legal and political disputes as racially motivated attacks against “prominent Black women,” while minimizing the substance of the investigations and scandals involving those same officials. The piece, titled “Letitia James Is Among Prominent Black Women Targeted by Trump,” emphasized identity politics over facts.

The article claims Trump has a pattern of “denigrating” Black women who challenge him, citing New York Attorney General Letitia James, Fulton County DA Fani Willis, and Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook. Rather than focusing on the legal proceedings or misconduct surrounding these individuals, the Times highlights their race and gender, calling them “firsts” in their respective roles.

Letitia James was indicted Thursday on federal mortgage fraud and false statement charges in Virginia. Prosecutors allege she falsified information related to a home loan. James maintains the issue was a minor paperwork error. This comes nearly three years after she filed a civil fraud suit against Trump, alleging asset inflation. While she won the case initially, an appellate court ruled the $527 million penalty was excessive. The state’s highest court will now review the matter.

Fani Willis was removed from the Georgia election interference case against Trump after her romantic relationship with lead prosecutor Nathan Wade created an “appearance of impropriety.” She is also under scrutiny for alleged misuse of public funds and improper coordination with the Biden White House.

Lisa Cook, the first Black woman appointed to the Federal Reserve Board, faces a Justice Department inquiry following mortgage fraud allegations raised by Federal Housing Finance Agency director Bill Pulte. Trump dismissed her in August, citing misconduct. The Supreme Court has temporarily allowed her to stay on the board pending further review.

Despite these ongoing controversies, the Times report largely downplayed the legal concerns and instead painted the officials as victims of political and racial targeting. Trump’s team responded by highlighting the ongoing $15 billion defamation lawsuit he filed against the newspaper, accusing it of pushing coordinated smear campaigns and abandoning journalistic standards.

Wikipedia Edits Stir Controversy After Charlie Kirk Assassination

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Wikipedia (Oberon Copeland/@veryinformed via Unsplash)

One month after the assassination of Turning Point USA co-founder Charlie Kirk, Wikipedia editors are under fire for a series of politically charged edits that critics say smear Kirk’s legacy and promote left-wing narratives. Despite tens of millions of views and oversight from top Wikipedia officials, including site co-founder Jimmy Wales, editors labeled Kirk “far-right,” mocked his final words, and attempted to redefine Trumpism as fascism—all within days of his death.

The controversy began when editors quickly inserted inflammatory labels into Kirk’s biography and the article on his assassination. One editor added “far-right” and “conspiracy theorist” to Kirk’s bio just two days after his murder, though those edits were later contested. Still, the labels briefly made it into Google’s Knowledge Panel, prompting Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) to call Wikipedia “wicked.”

More concerning was the deliberate use of “Easter egg” links—hidden internal links that redirected seemingly neutral phrases like “hard-right” to pages on “far-right politics,” accompanied by imagery of neo-Nazis from the 2017 Charlottesville rally. Critics noted this gave readers the false impression that Kirk’s ideology was linked to violent extremism.

Efforts to correct the record were met with censorship. Editors who challenged the far-right label, including one named “Quadrow,” were sanctioned and banned from political articles, while those advocating for inflammatory descriptions remained active. Some editors even suggested Kirk’s assassination was a consequence of his political stance, while rejecting calls for neutrality.

Beyond Kirk, Wikipedia editors aggressively pushed to equate Trumpism with fascism. One editor, using the alias “Rangooner,” tried inserting the MAGA movement into Wikipedia’s list of fascist movements and attempted to label Trumpism as “neo-fascist” across multiple articles. Though some of these edits were rolled back, others stuck, especially on broader pages like the article on fascism.

Meanwhile, media outlets on the left continued to defend Wikipedia as a “neutral” and “independent” resource, dismissing conservative criticism. Yet the site’s increasingly open hostility toward mainstream conservative voices, particularly in the wake of Kirk’s murder, raises serious questions about whether Wikipedia is functioning as an impartial encyclopedia or a tool of ideological enforcement.

SC Justice Returns After No Contest Plea in Husband’s Corruption Case

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New Hampshire Supreme Court Justice Anna Barbara Hantz Marconi is set to return to the bench just days after pleading “no contest” to a misdemeanor charge linked to her husband’s criminal case. A special judicial panel ruled Thursday that the justice had not committed a “serious crime,” clearing the way for the reinstatement of her law license without restrictions.

Hantz Marconi had been suspended since last fall, when she was indicted on multiple felony and misdemeanor counts for allegedly attempting to influence the prosecution of her husband, Geno Marconi, the former director of the New Hampshire Port Authority. Prosecutors say she reached out to then-Governor Chris Sununu to pressure him into intervening in her husband’s case.

On Tuesday, Hantz Marconi entered a no contest plea to one count of criminal solicitation, a misdemeanor. Under the plea agreement, she avoided jail time and did not admit wrongdoing. In return, all other charges were dismissed. Court documents described the offense as outside the scope of a “serious crime,” which allowed the panel to restore her ability to practice law and resume her duties on the state’s highest court.

Her husband, Geno Marconi, still faces multiple charges, including felonies for witness tampering and falsifying evidence. A third figure, Bradley Joseph Cook, chairman of the Division of Ports and Harbors Advisory Council, was also indicted for perjury and giving false statements during the investigation.

Despite returning to the bench, Justice Hantz Marconi’s tenure will be brief. She is expected to reach the state’s mandatory judicial retirement age of 70 in February.

New Hampshire Attorney General John Formella strongly criticized her actions, stating that her attempt to use her position to sway a criminal case “undermines confidence in our criminal justice system.” He emphasized that judges are held to a higher ethical standard and must avoid even the appearance of impropriety.

Tennessee Military Explosives Plant Blast Kills, Sparks Probe

Tennessee Capitol (Brandon Hooper/Unsplash)

A deadly explosion rocked a military-grade explosives facility in Bucksnort, Tennessee, early Friday morning, leaving multiple people dead and others missing. The blast occurred around 7:45 a.m. at Accurate Energetic Systems, a company that manufactures explosives for military, aerospace, and commercial demolition use.

Humphreys County Sheriff Chris Davis confirmed the explosion leveled an entire building on the company’s 1,300-acre property located near the Hickman County line, about 50 miles west of Nashville. Authorities have secured the site, but Davis warned that the investigation and recovery effort could last several days.

“We do have the scene as secure as possible at this time,” Davis said during a press briefing. “We are probably going to be here a couple, few days.”

A massive multi-agency response is now underway, involving the FBI, ATF, Department of Homeland Security, Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, and local county authorities. The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) has dispatched district coordinators and is providing support for affected families.

Accurate Energetic Systems, founded in 1980, is known for producing a wide range of energetic materials and explosives used by the U.S. military and commercial demolition industries. The company has established a Family Assistance Center on site, with TEMA offering aid to those impacted by the tragedy.

The cause of the explosion remains under investigation. Federal and local authorities are working to determine whether the blast was accidental or potentially criminal in nature. The facility’s sensitive operations and the presence of large quantities of energetic materials have heightened the seriousness of the probe.

Trump Snubbed for Nobel Peace Prize, White House Hits Back

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The White House sharply criticized the Norwegian Nobel Committee on Friday after President Donald Trump was passed over for the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize. Communications Director Steven Cheung accused the committee of “placing politics over peace” for selecting Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado instead of the former president, who recently brokered a historic ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.

Machado was awarded the prize for her efforts to restore democracy in Venezuela, with the committee praising her campaign against the Maduro regime. But Trump officials and allies contend the decision was politically motivated and ignored Trump’s extraordinary recent achievements in international diplomacy.

“President Trump will continue making peace deals, ending wars, and saving lives,” Cheung said. He added that Trump’s passion for peace stems from his humanitarian heart, not from seeking accolades. “There will never be anyone like him who can move mountains with the sheer force of his will.”

Republican leaders, including Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL), formally nominated Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize following his successful negotiation of a peace agreement between Israel and Hamas. The deal included a prisoner exchange and a ceasefire, ending a two-year conflict that had claimed thousands of lives.

The Trump administration also secured support from several nations, including Israel, Cambodia, and Pakistan, to back his nomination. However, insiders pointed out that Nobel nominations were due on February 1—well before many of Trump’s peace accomplishments took place—potentially disqualifying his late-term successes from consideration.

In a post on Truth Social, President Trump praised the peace agreement, calling it a “GREAT Day” for the Arab and Muslim world, Israel, and the United States. He also thanked mediators from Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey for their efforts in assisting his administration’s negotiations.

Trump, who has previously criticized the Nobel Committee, downplayed the snub in comments to reporters Thursday. “Whatever they do is fine,” he said. “I know this—I didn’t do it for that. I did it because I saved a lot of lives.”

Letitia James Hit with Mortgage Fraud Bombshell

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New York Attorney General Letitia James (AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews, File)

Constitutional law expert Jonathan Turley sharply criticized New York Attorney General Letitia James on Thursday during an appearance on Fox News Channel’s Hannity, calling her “lawfare’s happiest warrior” as she now faces legal trouble of her own.

James is reportedly under investigation for mortgage fraud. Turley pointed to the irony of her situation, given her aggressive prosecution of President Donald Trump using civil fraud statutes despite no actual financial losses to any parties involved. “She relished the limelight,” Turley noted, highlighting how the court agreed that “not a single dime was lost” in the Trump case, yet James moved forward anyway based on allegedly inaccurate financial statements.

Host Sean Hannity brought up the wildly disputed $18 million valuation of Mar-a-Lago used by the court in James’ case against President Trump. Hannity emphasized that James and the judge refused to allow expert testimony from Palm Beach realtors who could have established a value exceeding $1 billion. “Sounds like she’s in trouble to me,” Hannity said, noting that Trump’s personal documents supported a much higher valuation of the property.

Turley acknowledged that while James may be facing serious allegations, any resulting trial will not be simple or quick. He explained that challenges are already being prepared regarding Lindsey Halligan’s authority as acting U.S. attorney, citing prior legal limits on Trump’s appointment powers for that post. This procedural hurdle could delay a trial significantly.

Still, Turley pointed out the district selected for any prosecution is “very blue” and favorable to James politically, even if it’s not New York. This suggests she may still have a sympathetic jury pool despite growing concerns about politicized prosecutions.

Letitia James built her reputation by aggressively targeting President Trump and conservative political figures, often seen celebrating her legal battles on camera. Now, she may be on the other side of the courtroom as questions rise about her own financial dealings.

Alvin Bragg Drops Case Against Pro-Life Assault Suspect

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 30: Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg stands with members of his staff at a news conference following the conviction of former U.S. President Donald Trump in his hush money trial on May 30, 2024 in New York City. Trump was found guilty on all 34 felony counts of falsifying business records in the first of his criminal cases to go to trial. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s office has declined to pursue prosecution in a violent assault case involving a pro-life activist, despite video evidence showing the incident in full. Attorneys for Savannah Craven Antao, the victim, say the DA’s office not only dropped the case but has refused to refile felony charges despite legal grounds to do so.

The incident occurred in April when Craven Antao was conducting interviews in Harlem for Live Action. During the outreach, she was violently punched in the face by Brianna Rivers, who was later arrested and initially charged with second-degree assault, a felony. The blow left Antao bloodied and required stitches. The DA’s office later downgraded the charge to a misdemeanor and then dropped the case altogether after missing a critical filing deadline.

Attorneys with the Thomas More Society, representing Craven Antao, hand-delivered a letter to Bragg’s office urging a felony refiling, citing the law’s extended discovery deadlines in such cases. They also recommended charging the incident as a hate crime, given the assault targeted a peaceful pro-life advocate engaged in public discourse. The DA’s office responded on October 8, refusing to proceed further and offering only a vague explanation.

In a statement, senior counsel Christopher Ferrara called the DA’s response “unacceptable,” arguing the decision reveals a “disturbing double standard” in the justice system. He noted that Bragg’s office admitted to system failure yet chose not to correct it. Ferrara questioned whether the case would have been treated differently had the ideological roles been reversed.

Video footage confirmed Craven Antao was engaged in peaceful discussion before the assault. Her attacker, Rivers, was seen walking away and flipping off the camera. After her arrest, Rivers issued an apology while accusing Antao of selectively sharing footage and antagonizing her. She claimed Craven Antao was a “professional antagonist,” not a reporter.

The Thomas More Society, which has defended numerous pro-life advocates targeted by federal and state authorities, highlighted this case as further evidence of political bias in prosecutorial decisions. They emphasized their commitment to pursue justice through civil litigation and continue defending pro-life Americans from politically motivated violence.

Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Sparks Political Firestorm

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Movie Theater (Szemerey/Pexels via Canva Pro)

Acclaimed novelist Bret Easton Ellis has sharply criticized Paul Thomas Anderson’s latest film One Battle After Another, calling it a politically charged piece of propaganda masquerading as cinematic art. While the film has received widespread praise from left-leaning critics, Ellis argues that its acclaim stems more from its progressive message than from its actual artistic merit.

Speaking on his podcast, Ellis acknowledged Anderson’s past brilliance—especially in the 2007 classic There Will Be Blood—but said the director’s latest effort falls flat. He described One Battle After Another as “not a very good movie” that has been overhyped due to its ideological leanings. According to Ellis, the film’s glorification of leftist revolutionary movements, particularly Antifa-style activism, is what resonates with critics in the current political climate—not its storytelling or cinematic execution.

Ellis went further, suggesting the film will be remembered not as a classic but as “a kind of musty relic of the post-Kamala Harris era,” a reference to the current administration’s leftward shift. He criticized critics who hail the film as “important,” urging them to “read the room” in light of the heightened political violence and unrest, including the recent assassination of Charlie Kirk.

While Ellis admitted the cinematography was “gorgeous,” he accused both political sides of misreading the film. The right sees it as a threat, the left as a rallying cry—yet Ellis believes the film fails to reflect the true political atmosphere of America in late 2025.

“There’s a liberal mustiness to this movie that already feels very dated by October 2025,” Ellis remarked. “It reads a tiny corner of the room, but it does not read what is going on in America.”

His comments have reignited debates about Hollywood’s ideological bias, as critics and audiences increasingly clash over whether films should reflect or challenge prevailing political narratives.

NYC Social Media Lawsuit Targets Big Tech Over Teens

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New York City has filed a sweeping federal lawsuit against Meta, Google, Snap, and TikTok, accusing the tech giants of fueling a youth mental health crisis. The city claims these companies knowingly designed addictive platforms that exploit children and teens for profit, creating a “public nuisance” that burdens schools, hospitals, and law enforcement.

The 327-page complaint, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, alleges the platforms use manipulative algorithms that maximize engagement by targeting developing minds. NYC’s school districts and health department joined the lawsuit, arguing that the companies’ business models prioritize user retention over well-being, leaving minors exposed to harmful content and digital addiction.

The lawsuit highlights the role of social media in promoting dangerous trends such as “subway surfing,” which has resulted in at least 16 teen deaths, according to NYPD data. The deaths of two young girls, ages 12 and 13, while engaging in the stunt drew public outrage and renewed scrutiny of platform responsibility.

Survey data included in the filing shows 77.3 percent of NYC high schoolers spend three or more hours a day on screens. The city links this screen time to sleep deprivation and a spike in chronic school absences, now affecting over 36 percent of public school students. Officials argue that social media is directly undermining education and health in the nation’s largest city.

This lawsuit adds New York City to a growing coalition of states and municipalities seeking to hold Silicon Valley accountable. Over 2,000 similar lawsuits are in progress nationwide, accusing the same companies of exploiting minors through addictive technologies. With nearly 2 million children under age 18, New York City’s legal action marks one of the most significant government-led challenges to the unchecked power of Big Tech.