Schwarzenegger Slams Newsom Redistricting Plan as ‘Total Fantasy’

October 27, 2025

Former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger sharply criticized current Governor Gavin Newsom’s redistricting proposal, calling the notion that it would be “temporary” nothing more than a “total fantasy.”

Schwarzenegger told CNN’s Jake Tapper that programs labelled “temporary” tend to become permanent, remarking: “The longest programs are government programs that are temporary… So therefore I don’t think it is temporary. So that’s total fantasy.”
He warned that a redrawing of congressional lines in California could entrench gerrymandering, stating that once the power shifts, it rarely reverts back.
The plan in question is Proposition 50, which would replace the state’s independent redistricting commission for several election cycles with maps drawn by the legislature.

Schwarzenegger, who helped establish the independent commission, framed his opposition as part of protecting democratic norms rather than a partisan maneuver. He told audiences that both parties should “outperform” each other through competitive elections rather than map manipulation.

By raising this alarm, Schwarzenegger signals concern that California’s existing structures for fair representation could be eroded under the guise of temporary reform.

Jeffries Fights CBS Host on Claims of Rigged Midterms

October 27, 2025

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries appeared on CBS’s “Face the Nation,” where he defended recent comments suggesting the 2026 midterm elections could be rigged. Host Margaret Brennan pressed Jeffries on whether such language undermines public confidence in the electoral process.

Jeffries clarified that his concern centers on Republican-led redistricting efforts. He claimed that allies of former President Trump are attempting to draw congressional maps in a way that favors their party. Brennan questioned whether accusing opponents of “rigging” elections without clear evidence mirrors the same behavior Democrats have criticized in the past.

Jeffries maintained that redistricting tactics in certain states threaten fair representation, but avoided directly addressing the contradiction between his comments and previous Democratic messaging about election integrity.

The exchange reflects a broader challenge in political discourse: maintaining confidence in elections while addressing structural concerns like gerrymandering. Both parties have raised issues about fairness, and public trust depends on a consistent, transparent standard.

Harris Pressed Over Silence on Biden’s Capacity to Run

October 27, 2025

During an interview with the BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg, former Vice President Kamala Harris was pressed about why she did not publicly express concern over President Joe Biden’s decision to seek re-election. Harris insisted she never doubted Biden’s ability to serve but acknowledged concerns about his stamina for the campaign trail.

Harris said there is a distinction between the capacity to govern and the ability to campaign. “Let’s be more precise: there is a very serious difference between capacity to be president of the United States and the capacity to run for president of the United States.” When asked why she stayed silent, Harris claimed she did not want to appear self-serving.

The former vice president also hinted at her future political ambitions, stating, “I am not done… I have lived my entire career as a life of service, and it’s in my bones.”

The interview highlighted ongoing concerns about the physical demands of presidential campaigning and the responsibilities of elected leaders to communicate openly with the public. As Harris distinguished between governing ability and campaign stamina, the exchange underscored broader questions about transparency, internal decision-making, and public trust in national leadership.

Swalwell’s Stipulation: Destroy Trump’s White House Ballroom on Day One

October 27, 2025

Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) is calling on all 2028 Democratic presidential hopefuls to commit to tearing down President Trump’s new White House ballroom project if elected. The statement came as part of a broader Democratic response to ongoing East Wing renovations initiated under Trump’s current term.

Swalwell said, “Don’t even think of seeking the Democratic nomination for president unless you pledge to take a wrecking ball to the Trump Ballroom on DAY ONE.” The post quickly drew reactions from critics who view the demand as petty and partisan.

The ballroom project, estimated at $250 million, is a privately funded renovation of the White House’s East Wing. According to administration officials, the project involves no taxpayer dollars and is designed to modernize the space while adding a 90,000-square-foot presidential event hall.

Demolition of the East Wing’s façade began in late October 2025. Despite no public funding, the project has stirred opposition from progressive lawmakers and activists who argue it represents vanity construction and undermines historical preservation.

For observers focused on traditional governance and national heritage, the controversy raises broader questions. Calls for demolishing a sitting president’s legacy project reflect heightened partisan division. While presidents routinely shape the White House during their terms, the idea of reversing such changes immediately—particularly at private expense—challenges norms of continuity and civic respect.

Pittsburgh Campus Free Speech Crisis: Students Fear Speaking Out

October 27, 2025

University of Pittsburgh (Pitt) received a failing grade of 52.1/100 and ranked 219 out of 257 institutions in the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) 2026 College Free Speech Rankings. Students reported widespread self‑censorship and discomfort in expressing views, especially on controversial issues such as the Israeli–Palestinian conflict.

Pitt’s lowest scores were in the categories “Comfort Expressing Ideas” and “Administrative Support,” signaling that many students feel unable to safely voice opinions. The University stated it “has a strong record of supporting free speech for its students, faculty and staff” while acknowledging “there are always opportunities to improve.”

Students described a climate where posting conservative views at club events resulted in social backlash, and some feared academic consequences if professors discovered their political affiliation.

The University of Pittsburgh’s low ranking reflects broader national debates about free expression on college campuses. As students report discomfort with speaking openly, institutions face increasing pressure to uphold environments where a range of views can be expressed without fear of backlash. The data and student feedback suggest ongoing challenges in achieving that goal.

Lockheed Aims for 2028 Space‑Based Test in President Trump’s ‘Golden Dome’ Missile Shield

October 27, 2025

A major U.S. defense contractor, Lockheed Martin, has announced plans to conduct an on‑orbit demonstration of a space‑based missile interceptor by 2028. The test is a key part of Golden Dome for America, the missile‑defense initiative unveiled by Donald Trump, aimed at protecting the U.S. (and potentially allies) from advanced threats including ballistic, cruise and hypersonic missiles.

Lockheed’s CEO, Jim Taiclet, confirmed the company’s commitment during a quarterly earnings call, stating: “We’re actually planning for a real on‑orbit, space‑based interceptor demonstration by 2028.” The initiative echoes the Cold War‑era Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI) — dubbed “Star Wars” — but relies on now‑maturing technologies such as maneuverable interceptors, advanced sensors and space‐based kill vehicles.

According to public reports, many of the system components are already under development. For example, satellites providing missile‑warning and tracking capabilities exist and form part of the broader architecture. But analysts caution that placing interceptors in orbit and reliably engaging missiles remains a “pretty wicked hard problem physics‑wise.”

The timing is significant. With adversaries like the People’s Republic of China and Russian Federation advancing missile and anti‑satellite capabilities, the U.S. effort aims to leap ahead. Yet cost, technical complexity and deployment scale pose real challenges: some projections estimate the total cost over decades at $161 billion to over $830 billion

Students at Penn Clash Over Committee Name Change — Why ‘Belonging’ Isn’t Enough

October 27, 2025

Students at University of Pennsylvania sharply criticized the proposal to rename the institution’s “Committee on Diversity and Equity” to the “Committee on Belonging.” The change, introduced at an October 22 University Council meeting, ignited concerns that the school is stepping away from clear language about diversity and equity.

At the council meeting, student‑representative Kaison Wills described the name change as anything but neutral. He warned the shift signals the university is distancing itself from the foundational principles that marginalized students fought for. Senior Vice President for Institutional Affairs Joann Mitchell defended the proposal, citing changing legislative and legal pressures as motivating factors.

The amendment would remove key terms such as “diversity” and “affirmative action” from the committee’s official description. The committee opted to delay a vote until the next meeting, acknowledging the significance of the change and allowing time for further deliberation.

This development highlights growing tensions around the role of language in institutional policy. Shifting from specific terms like “diversity” and “equity” to broader language such as “belonging” raises questions about how universities navigate legal, political, and cultural expectations. The debate at Penn reflects a broader national conversation about the direction and scope of DEI efforts in higher education.

Historian Slams ‘Fascism’ Label on America — Calls It a ‘Category Error’

October 27, 2025

No Kings Protest, DC — (Photo by Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images for No Kings)

Historian Niall Ferguson challenged claims that the United States is sliding into fascism during a lecture at Stanford University. Ferguson said applying the term “fascism” to a democratically elected government is a misleading mistake and distracts from real issues such as China’s rise and academic corruption.

Ferguson made the remarks at a panel titled “Is This the End of the Post‑WWII New World Order,” alongside fellow historians David Kennedy and – interestingly – former Education Secretary Margaret Spellings. He critiqued demonstrators who chant “No Kings” and similar slogans as engaging in what he called an “exaggerated and misleading ‘category error.’”

Ferguson invoked the early years of Adolf Hitler’s regime as a stark contrast to the modern American political landscape. He pointed out that in Nazi Germany there was no rule of law, courts had no real independence, and political targets were regularly arrested by the SD.
He emphasized that a populist, democratically elected government cannot reasonably be labeled “fascist” without losing the meaning of the term.

Ferguson urged attention to the “inability of the American establishment to offer a response to the rise of China” and criticized elite universities, which he claimed “had ceased to be meritocratic institutions” and lacked ideological diversity. On the other hand, Kennedy argued the alleged “abuses” of higher education had been “greatly exaggerated,” noting that fields like organic chemistry and biophysics remain relatively free from “wokeness.”

Baltimore AI School Panic, Chips Mistaken for Gun

October 26, 2025

A Baltimore County high school student was held at gunpoint by police after an artificial intelligence detection system misidentified a bag of Doritos as a firearm.

Sixteen-year-old Taki Allen had just finished football practice and was waiting outside his school when he tossed an empty bag of chips into his pocket. Within 20 minutes, multiple police vehicles swarmed the scene. Officers exited their vehicles with weapons drawn, ordering the teen to the ground.

“They told me to get on the ground. I was putting my hands up, confused, like, ‘what’s going on?’” Allen recounted. “Then they cuffed me.”

The false alarm was triggered by the school’s AI-powered surveillance system, which flagged the crumpled snack bag as a possible weapon. The alert was initially canceled after human review. However, the school principal, unaware of the cancellation, reported the incident to the school resource officer, who then contacted local law enforcement.

Despite public outcry, Baltimore County Superintendent Dr. Myriam Rogers defended the controversial system. “The program is designed for human oversight,” she explained. “It performed as expected—flagging a possible threat so humans could assess it.”

Critics argue the situation illustrates the dangers of overreliance on flawed AI, particularly in school environments where false positives can lead to dangerous escalations. Others have raised concerns about the psychological trauma such incidents may inflict on students—especially when police response involves drawn weapons and public detainment.

While no charges were filed against Allen, his family is demanding accountability. Community members are now calling for a thorough review of the AI system’s protocols and the district’s handling of safety alerts.

Gallego Slams U.S. Military Strikes as ‘Sanctioned Murder’

October 26, 2025

NEWPORT-NEWS-Va.-June-11-2016-Tug-boats-maneuver-Pre-Commissioning-Unit-Gerald-R.-Ford-CVN-78-Photo-by-Mass-Communication-Specialist-3rd-Class-Cathrine-Mae-O.-Campbell — NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (June 11, 2016) -- Tug boats maneuver Pre-Commissioning Unit Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) (Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Cathrine Mae O. Campbell)

On Sunday’s edition of NBC’s Meet the Press, Sen. Ruben Gallego (D‑AZ) accused the Trump administration of sanctioning “murder” by authorizing U.S. military strikes on suspected drug‑smuggling boats in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific.

During the segment, host Kristen Welker asked about the legality of recent operations—where naval forces deployed against alleged drug vessels and the president signaled potential land strikes into Venezuela. Gallego did not mince words: “If this is an act of war, you use our military, and then you come and talk to us first,” he said. “But this is murder. It’s sanctioned murder that he is doing.”

Gallego argued that since the administration claims these are law enforcement actions, they should instead be handled by the United States Coast Guard—not warships. “This president has zero understanding about the responsibility someone has when it comes to make life‑and‑death decisions,” Gallego added.

He challenged the administration’s narrative that the maritime strikes are essential to stopping fentanyl. “The boats in the Caribbean do not carry fentanyl,” Gallego asserted. “The story that this is about fentanyl killing people is false.”

The Air Force‑led operations—since September 2025—have targeted vessels allegedly linked to Latin American narcotics networks. At least 40 people have been killed according to independent estimates. Critics raise legal and ethical questions about using military force without full congressional authorization or transparent evidence.

Gallego’s statement intensifies pressure on the administration to provide clear legal justification and to explain why the Coast Guard hasn’t been the lead agency. Congressional oversight is growing, especially as U.S. partners in the region voice concerns about sovereignty and human‑rights violations tied to the strikes.