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Schumer Avoids Shutdown Talks, Here’s the Real Reason Why

Chuck Schumer
Senator Chuck Schumer (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer deliberately avoided participating in recent bipartisan negotiations to avert a government shutdown in order to protect his political standing, according to a senior Capitol Hill reporter.

During Friday’s broadcast of PBS’s Washington Week, Punchbowl News Senior Congressional Reporter Andrew Desiderio said Schumer “was not going to be part of the solution” because he needed to appear combative for political gain after what was viewed as mismanagement during the March 2025 funding crisis.

Desiderio pointed to remarks by Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), who led a group of eight Democrats in negotiations with Republicans. When asked if Schumer supported her efforts, Shaheen avoided giving a direct answer—raising questions about whether Schumer had intentionally withheld support to position himself more favorably within his party.

Desiderio noted that Senate Majority Whip John Thune (R-SD) recognized early that Schumer would not engage in compromise efforts. Instead, Schumer focused on maintaining a combative posture to win back credibility after being criticized for his handling of earlier shutdown debates.

The strategy appears to have helped stabilize his position within the Democratic caucus. Despite speculation on social media about Schumer being ousted, Desiderio dismissed the idea, stating that the New York senator is not at risk of being removed in the near term.

However, questions remain about Schumer’s long-term leadership prospects. While he has weathered internal frustrations for now, Desiderio suggested that Schumer’s future as Democratic leader beyond 2026 is uncertain and will hinge on the outcome of the midterm elections.

The report underscores the political maneuvering that often underlies major legislative negotiations in Washington, where partisan optics can override bipartisan problem-solving—even during high-stakes moments like a government shutdown.

Antifa Indicted After Texas ICE Attack Leaves Officer Shot

Photo by David Dee Delgado/Getty Images

Sixteen alleged Antifa members are facing federal charges after a violent July 4 attack on the Prairieland Detention Center in Alvarado, Texas, where Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) was housing illegal aliens scheduled for deportation. Prosecutors say the group carried out a coordinated assault involving fireworks, firearms, vandalism, and attempted murder of law enforcement officers.

A federal grand jury indicted nine suspects on charges including rioting, attempted murder of an officer, and providing material support to terrorists. Seven additional defendants were charged with providing material support to terrorists. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Texas, arraignments are scheduled for December 3, 2025, with multiple defendants expected to plead guilty.

Investigators say the incident began late on July 4 when 11 members of the Antifa cell launched explosives at the facility, vandalized vehicles, and spray‑painted anti‑police messages. One responding Alvarado police officer was shot in the neck. Authorities later said the cell had stockpiled more than 50 firearms before the attack. Most suspects were arrested near the scene, while one fugitive was captured weeks later.

Federal officials described the plot as a targeted attack on both ICE and local law enforcement. The group allegedly intended to cause chaos and disrupt immigration enforcement operations.

Acting U.S. Attorney Nancy Larson called the incident part of a disturbing trend of organized violence against law enforcement. She stated that the indictment represents the first federal case in the nation targeting a violent Antifa cell as a domestic terrorist organization. Larson said her office remains committed to pursuing charges against any group attempting to attack federal facilities or officers.

Those charged include individuals accused of securing weapons, planning the assault, and providing logistical and financial support. Several defendants are expected to plead guilty to terrorism support charges in the coming weeks.

The allegations highlight broader concerns about domestic extremist groups, particularly those driven by anti-government and anti-law enforcement ideology. For many Americans, the case underscores ongoing threats faced by police officers, immigration authorities, and detention facilities around the country.

From a conservative Christian perspective, the attack reflects the deep moral crisis facing the nation. Violence against police officers, destruction of property, and organized attempts to undermine lawful authority contradict biblical teachings on order, justice, and respect for governing authorities. The case also reinforces the need for strong enforcement of immigration laws and protection of those tasked with carrying them out.

Federal authorities say they will continue investigating related activities and will not hesitate to pursue similar domestic terrorism charges where appropriate.

San Francisco Democrat Resigns in Disgusting Pet Store Scandal

Dog
Beagles (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)

A newly appointed San Francisco district supervisor has resigned just one week into her term following shocking revelations about her former pet store business, including allegations of dead animals stored in freezers and unsanitary conditions throughout the shop.

Isabella ‘Beya’ Alcaraz, 29, stepped down as District 4 supervisor after Mayor Daniel Lurie requested her resignation. The scandal erupted after Julia Baran, who took over The Animal Connection pet shop from Alcaraz, exposed disturbing photos and videos showing hundreds of dead mice, rotting animal remains, and a store coated in urine, feces, and dust.

Baran told local media that the smell inside the store was overwhelming, saying, “It smells like death.” She also claimed she and her brother had to bury the remains of the animals found throughout the shop. Photos reportedly showed dead animals in the same freezers as commercial inventory.

The Animal Connection, located in the city’s Sunset District, had been cited by the city’s Department of Public Health multiple times, and the store’s reputation deteriorated under Alcaraz’s management. Baran further alleged that Alcaraz boasted in text messages about paying employees under the table and writing off personal expenses like dinner and drinks to lower her taxes.

Despite having no prior political experience or higher education credentials, Alcaraz was appointed by Mayor Lurie, who had previously praised her as a “bridge builder” and “problem solver.” Her appointment was widely criticized after the reports surfaced, with critics questioning how someone with such a questionable business background had been selected for a six-figure public office.

Alcaraz was sworn in just last Thursday, on her birthday. Within days, her appointment turned into a political liability for the mayor’s office. Critics, including Baran, rejected the narrative that Alcaraz had been a successful businesswoman, pointing to the overwhelming evidence of neglect and mismanagement at her former store.

The scandal has become one of the most embarrassing missteps in Mayor Lurie’s tenure to date and has sparked renewed scrutiny over how public appointments are vetted in San Francisco.

Seattle Elects Socialist Mayor in Shocking Upset

Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images

Seattle has elected Katie Wilson, a self-described socialist, as its next mayor in a race that saw her narrowly defeat incumbent Bruce Harrell despite being vastly outspent. Wilson’s victory reflects a growing trend in urban politics: a voter shift toward progressive candidates who reject corporate PAC influence and promise aggressive affordability reforms.

Wilson, 43, co-founded the Transit Riders Union and is known for pushing expanded public transit, progressive taxation, and tenant protections. She received 50.2% of the vote to Harrell’s 49.8%, winning despite raising just over $412,000 through her campaign PAC, compared to the $1.82 million raised by PACs supporting Harrell.

Her win comes on the heels of another upset: the election of socialist Zohran Mamdani as mayor of New York City over former Governor Andrew Cuomo. Like Wilson, Mamdani raised a fraction of the money compared to his opponent’s PACs but managed to build a grassroots coalition centered on housing, transit, and social equity issues.

Wilson has not claimed affiliation with the Seattle chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America but says she is comfortable being called both a Democrat and a socialist. Her campaign prioritized a vision of “affordable Seattle” centered on free or reduced-cost public transit, universal affordable child care, and stronger renter protections.

Wilson’s PAC received major donations from labor groups, including $75,000 each from the Professional and Technical Employees Local 17 PAC and the UFCW Active Ballot Club. In contrast, Harrell’s PAC was backed by major business interests, including $100,000 from the Affordable Housing Council and $90,700 from the NAIOP WA State PAC, along with individual contributions from local elites.

The shift in Seattle’s leadership may influence other elections across Washington, including initiatives currently led by conservative funder Brian Heywood. His group, Let’s Go Washington, is backing K-12 education reforms and protections for girls’ sports through statewide ballot measures, including a proposal to prohibit biological males from competing in girls’ athletics. The group has raised over $2.4 million, with $1.47 million coming from Heywood.

Despite significant funding, Let’s Go Washington lost several key initiatives in 2024, raising questions about the effectiveness of high-dollar campaigns in the current political climate. As progressive candidates like Wilson gain ground by positioning themselves against big-money politics, the effectiveness of traditional PAC-funded campaigns faces new challenges.

Wilson’s win marks a political realignment in Seattle, as voters move toward candidates who combine economic populism with a rejection of corporate influence—even in deep-blue urban centers.

Georgia Prosecutor Takes Trump Case After Everyone Else Bails

(Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

After failing to find a single attorney willing to take over Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis’ embattled 2020 election case, the head of Georgia’s Prosecuting Attorneys Council appointed himself to avoid a full dismissal.

The move followed a disqualification ruling against Willis after it was revealed she had appointed her romantic partner, Nathan Wade, as a special prosecutor in the case and benefited personally from the arrangement. Defense attorneys had long argued that Willis awarded Wade a lucrative contract while vacationing with him using funds from the case.

Peter Skandalakis, Executive Director of the Prosecuting Attorneys Council of Georgia (PACGA), announced the decision on the November 14 deadline. Skandalakis stated he had contacted several prosecutors, all of whom declined the appointment. Without a new lead attorney, the case was at risk of being dismissed for lack of prosecution.

Skandalakis cited public interest in the outcome and stated that, despite the difficulty in filling the position, he would take responsibility himself and complete a full review of the case before determining next steps.

Willis had falsely claimed that all special prosecutors were paid the same hourly rate, though documents later showed Wade was paid more than the state’s top racketeering expert. Her conduct triggered scrutiny and calls for dismissal of the entire case, especially from defense counsel representing President Trump.

President Trump’s lead Georgia attorney, Steve Sadow, stated that the politically motivated prosecution should be ended and expressed confidence that an impartial review would result in dismissal.

The case itself stems from allegations that President Trump and others sought to overturn the 2020 election results in Georgia. With the original prosecutor removed, and no replacement willing to take the case, the self-appointment underscores the growing uncertainty and fragility of the legal proceedings.

Billie Eilish Explodes on Elon Musk, You Won’t Believe Why

ashley
Elon Musk (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

Pop singer Billie Eilish launched a vulgar attack against Elon Musk on Thursday, November 13, criticizing the Tesla and SpaceX CEO after resharing a post accusing him of failing to use his wealth for global humanitarian efforts. The comments come shortly after a shareholder vote approved a pay package that could make Musk the world’s first trillionaire.

Eilish reposted a graphic from the group “My Voice, My Choice” that began with a photo of Musk and the caption, “Elon Musk became the world’s first trillionaire—here’s what he could do with it.” The post claimed Musk could end world hunger by spending $40 billion annually through 2030, provide universal clean water for $140 billion over seven years, and restore endangered species with $1–2 billion annually. Another claim said Musk could rebuild Gaza and the West Bank for $53.2 billion, or as much as $70 billion according to United Nations estimates. The post also mentioned that rebuilding Ukraine and Syria could cost an additional $793.2 billion.

Eilish added her own caption to the last slide, writing, “Etc … Fing pathetic p** b*** coward.”

The singer’s comments follow a November vote by Tesla shareholders to approve Musk’s controversial compensation plan, which is projected to be worth over $1 trillion if all goals are met. According to Business Insider, Musk would need to raise Tesla’s market capitalization to $8.5 trillion by 2035, sell 12 million vehicles annually, deploy 1 million robotaxis, and produce 1 million humanoid robots. Musk must also remain as Tesla’s CEO for 7.5 years to unlock the full value of the deal.

This is not Eilish’s first public criticism of wealthy individuals. At the Wall Street Journal’s Innovator Awards on October 29, she challenged billionaires in the audience to donate more, saying, “If you’re a billionaire, why are you a billionaire? No hate, but yeah. Give your money away, shorties.” Facebook cofounder Mark Zuckerberg was in attendance but did not respond to her remarks, according to eyewitnesses.

Eilish’s public statements align with a growing trend of celebrities pressuring wealthy entrepreneurs to redistribute private capital toward social programs and global relief efforts. Critics argue that such calls often ignore the market forces and shareholder responsibilities tied to private business ventures.

Musk has not publicly responded to Eilish’s remarks. A spokesperson for Musk was contacted for comment.

Russia’s Humanoid Robot Crashes in Bloody Debut, Epic Fail

Russia
Russia flag (Canva Pro)

Russia’s much-hyped entry into the world of humanoid robots suffered a humiliating blow during its grand unveiling in Moscow this week. The AI-powered android, named AIDOL, was introduced as the nation’s first human-like robot — but instead of a triumphant debut, it faceplanted on stage in front of stunned journalists.

To the dramatic tune of the “Rocky” theme song, handlers escorted AIDOL onto the stage where it briefly raised a hand to greet the audience. Seconds later, the android began to stagger and promptly crashed face-first onto the floor. Pieces of its frame broke off and scattered as the robot flailed helplessly. Meanwhile, the lyrics “Trying hard now! It’s so hard now!” played on, perfectly capturing the unfolding disaster.

Panic ensued. Handlers scrambled to lift the fallen robot while another tried to hide the wreckage behind a black curtain — but the curtain tangled, leaving the crowd with an unobstructed view of the struggling machine. A brief silence was followed by nervous applause, as clips of the robotic blunder quickly went viral online.

AIDOL is the creation of a small, independent Russian startup with a team of only 14 developers. The company later issued a statement saying they were puzzled by the media attention over the fall. They emphasized the project was not government-funded and that AIDOL represents one of Russia’s most advanced efforts in robotics.

Designed to walk, speak, and even express 12 different emotions, AIDOL can carry up to 22 pounds and was touted as Russia’s answer to humanoid projects like Tesla’s Optimus and Boston Dynamics’ Atlas. The creators blamed the fall on voltage issues and poor stage lighting, claiming the robot had successfully navigated other surfaces during tests.

While the stumble may be seen as a PR nightmare, the developers insist it’s simply a hiccup in the path of progress. Still, critics online have been quick to mock the moment, comparing AIDOL’s failure to past overhyped tech stunts.

America at 250 Years — Are We Out of Time? Part 2

Mount Rushmore
Photo by John Bakator, Unsplash

Civilizations do not collapse because their enemies are strong. They collapse because their foundations weaken. They collapse because their blacksmiths disappear—those individuals who shape conviction, truth, courage, and character. . .

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Xi Jinping Snubs G20 Summit, What’s China Hiding?

(Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

China has confirmed that President Xi Jinping will not attend the G20 summit in Johannesburg, scheduled for November 22 and 23. Instead, Premier Li Qiang will lead the Chinese delegation, according to an announcement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Xi’s decision not to attend comes in the wake of a similar move by former U.S. President Donald Trump, who announced that no member of his administration would be attending the summit. Trump cited concerns about violence against white farmers in South Africa—claims the South African government has denied as baseless.

The absence of Xi Jinping is notable, as he attended the previous G20 summit and has used international forums to project China’s global influence. While Beijing has not given a reason for Xi’s no-show, foreign policy experts suggest this does not reflect a withdrawal from multilateral institutions. “There’s no sign China is pulling back from global governance platforms,” said Scott Kennedy of the Center for Strategic and International Studies. “The G20 still plays a key role in advancing China’s global messaging.”

Xi and Trump’s nonattendance follows the already-expected absence of Russian President Vladimir Putin, who is avoiding international travel due to an active International Criminal Court arrest warrant. Argentine President Javier Milei and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum are also skipping the summit, adding to concerns about diminished engagement.

The wave of high-profile no-shows raises doubts about the summit’s influence this year. South Africa, hosting the G20 for the first time, had planned to leverage the presidency to highlight African economic challenges and solutions. Key agenda items include debt relief for developing countries, energy transition strategies, and addressing trade imbalances amid global geopolitical tensions.

Iran Snatches Oil Tanker in Bold High‑Seas Grab

iran
Akbar Nemati/Unsplash

Iranian forces seized an oil tanker named Talara on Friday as it passed through the strategically critical Strait of Hormuz, triggering what could become a major international standoff. The vessel, flagged in the Marshall Islands — a nation under U.S. protection — was en route from the UAE to Singapore with a shipment of high-sulphur gasoil when it was intercepted by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

According to maritime security sources, the Talara was first approached by three small Iranian boats while navigating the narrow waterway. Later, Iranian forces confronted the tanker again near the Gulf of Oman, forcing it back into Iranian waters.

Columbia Shipmanagement, which operates the vessel, reported losing contact with the Talara around 8:22 a.m. local time, roughly 20 nautical miles off the coast of Khor Fakkan in the UAE. The UK Maritime Trade Operations agency confirmed the incident, citing “state activity” as the likely reason the ship altered course.

The IRGC, a powerful military branch tied directly to Iran’s clerical regime and designated as a terrorist organization by the U.S., has a history of such maritime provocations. It often uses fast-moving small boats to swarm and intercept commercial ships — a tactic that has become a hallmark of Iranian aggression in the region.

The U.S. Navy reportedly monitored the seizure in real time via a MQ-4C Triton surveillance drone. A U.S. defense official told media outlets that Iran’s actions constitute a “clear violation of international law,” though the Biden administration has not yet issued a formal response.

This isn’t the first time Tehran has taken foreign ships hostage in the Strait of Hormuz. In 2024, the IRGC seized a Portuguese-flagged cargo ship using helicopters, releasing the crew after a month while still holding the vessel. In other incidents, Iran has used its maritime seizures as leverage to extract financial penalties or apply diplomatic pressure, often targeting companies with alleged ties to Israel or the West.

As of Friday evening, Iranian officials had not publicly addressed the Talara seizure, leaving global observers bracing for what comes next in this high-stakes confrontation near one of the world’s most vital oil shipping routes.

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