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Trump-endorsed Candidate Concedes Primary Following 23-Vote Margin

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Missvain, CC BY 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons

North Carolina Senate leader Phil Berger, one of the state’s most powerful Republicans, conceded his GOP primary race Tuesday after a second recount confirmed he trailed by just 23 votes. The razor-thin loss to Rockingham County Sheriff Sam Page ends Berger’s long tenure representing the Triad-area district and signals a potential leadership shake-up in a critical battleground state ahead of the midterms.

“While this was a close race, the voters have spoken, and I congratulate Sheriff Page on his victory,” Berger said in a statement following the recount results.

“Over the past 15 years, Republicans in the General Assembly have fundamentally redefined our state’s outlook and reputation. It has been an honor to play a role in that transformation.”

Unofficial results showed Page winning 13,135 votes to Berger’s 13,112, capping a dramatic contest that initially saw Page ahead by just two votes on primary night. His margin grew slightly as election officials reviewed provisional and absentee ballots, and subsequent recounts failed to change the outcome.

Berger’s defeat marks a major upset in North Carolina politics. As Senate leader since 2011, he has been a central figure in shaping Republican policy in the state. His loss comes despite an endorsement from President Donald Trump and reported efforts by GOP leaders to persuade Page to step aside, underscoring tensions within the party as it prepares for a high-stakes election cycle.

The outcome is likely to reverberate beyond the district. North Carolina is one of the nation’s top political battlegrounds, and Republicans are working to defend their legislative supermajority while also competing nationally to maintain their narrow U.S. House majority in the midterm elections. Party leaders have been particularly focused on redistricting efforts, including recent changes to congressional maps aimed at flipping a Democratic-held seat.

Page, who had urged Berger to concede as recounts concluded, framed his victory as a call for unity heading into November.

“I thank him for wishing me the best moving forward,” Page said after Berger called to concede. “Now it’s time for our community to come together and focus on winning in November.”

He will face Democrat Steve Luking in the general election in what is considered a GOP-leaning district. Berger defeated Luking in 2024.

Despite the loss, Berger will remain in office through January and continue to preside over the Senate during the short legislative session. He emphasized his intention to support fellow Republicans as they prepare for the general election.

“Looking ahead, I remain committed to working with my colleagues in the short session to ensure North Carolina continues to be the best state in the nation in which to live, work, raise a family, and retire,” Berger said. “In the months ahead, I will also do everything I can to support all Republican Senate candidates and protect our supermajority.”

With control of Congress and key state legislatures at stake, Republicans are increasingly wary of internal divisions and low-turnout primary surprises. Berger’s narrow defeat highlights how even entrenched incumbents can be vulnerable, adding a new layer of uncertainty as the party heads into a pivotal midterm season.

Taliban Releases Detained American After Pressure From US

President Donald Trump holds a Cabinet meeting, Wednesday, April 30, 2025, in the Cabinet Room. (Official White House Photo by Molly Riley)

An American who was detained by the Taliban for more than a year without charges has been released and is now on his way home, according to U.S. officials.

Dennis Coyle, 64, had spent nearly two decades working in Afghanistan before he was taken from his home in Kabul in January 2025 by Taliban intelligence forces. He was held in near-solitary confinement and never charged with a crime, officials said.

Special Envoy for Hostage Affairs Adam Boehler said Coyle’s detention was unjust and that he had been used as leverage by the Taliban.

“The United States welcomes the release of American citizen Dennis Coyle, who was wrongfully detained in Afghanistan for more than a year,” Boehler said in a statement to Fox News.

“President Trump made clear: the United States will not tolerate the unjust detention of its citizens — anywhere. His personal determination — executed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and a fully aligned interagency team — has driven a shift to accountability, pressure and results.”

Coyle’s family said he had been legally working in Afghanistan as an academic researcher supporting language communities.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio also welcomed the release, calling it progress but emphasizing that other Americans remain detained.

“The Taliban must end their practice of hostage diplomacy,” Rubio said. “President Trump is committed to ending unjust detentions overseas – Dennis joins over 100 Americans who have been freed in the past 15 months under his second term in office.”

Rubio added: “We thank the United Arab Emirates for its support in securing Dennis’ release. We also appreciate Qatar’s continued support and advocacy for Americans unjustly detained in Afghanistan.”

Coyle’s release comes amid broader U.S. pressure on the Taliban. Earlier this month, Rubio designated Afghanistan a “state sponsor of wrongful detention,” accusing the group of unlawfully holding Americans and other foreign nationals.

Officials say several Americans are still believed to be detained in Afghanistan, including Mahmood Habibi and Paul Overby.

The Trump administration has made the return of detained Americans a central priority during the president’s second term. According to U.S. officials, 176 individuals — including more than 100 Americans — have been brought home from wrongful detention or captivity abroad.

That effort has included multiple high-profile cases. In Afghanistan, Americans such as George Glezmann, Ryan Corbett, and William McKenty were freed following negotiations involving U.S. envoys and regional intermediaries like Qatar.

Elsewhere, the administration secured the release of Americans held in Venezuela, Russia, and by Hamas in Gaza, including teacher Marc Fogel and American-Israeli hostage Keith Siegel.

U.S. officials say many of these releases have relied on sustained diplomatic pressure and coordination with allies, particularly in the Middle East.

“In Israel, the president and his team’s dogged persistence resulted in the release of all hostages held by Hamas,” Boehler said.

“Behind these outcomes are professionals whose names will never be known—individuals who take real risks to bring Americans home. We will not accept hostage diplomacy. We will impose consequences. Americans remain detained abroad. We will not stop until every single American is home.”

DeSantis Hints At Another White House Run

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Ron DeSantis via Gage Skidmore Flickr

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) is leaving the door open to another presidential bid after his unsuccessful 2024 campaign, signaling he could reemerge as a contender in the increasingly competitive 2028 Republican primary.

“We’ll see,” DeSantis told Fox News host Sean Hannity on his podcast, “Hang Out with Sean Hannity.” The full interview is set to be released Tuesday.

DeSantis, who is term-limited and will leave office in January 2027, faces a relatively short window to decide his political future. With the 2028 primary season expected to ramp up shortly thereafter, he will have roughly a year out of office to assess whether to launch another White House run.

Once viewed as a rising star in the GOP, DeSantis entered the 2024 presidential race with significant momentum. His national profile surged his opposition to COVID-19 lockdowns and a dominant nearly 20-point reelection victory in Florida in 2022. Early on, he was widely considered one of the strongest alternatives to former President Trump.

However, his campaign struggled to gain traction amid a prolonged and often contentious rivalry with Trump, who retained deep loyalty among Republican voters. After finishing a distant second in the Iowa caucuses — with just over 21 percent of the vote and nine delegates — DeSantis suspended his campaign ahead of the New Hampshire primary and endorsed Trump. He ultimately placed third overall in the Republican primary, behind Trump and former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley.

Reflecting on that race, DeSantis suggested his support was constrained by Trump’s presence in the field.

“They were conservative voters, right? They didn’t want the non-conservative, they wanted me,” he said. “But the timing didn’t work out, obviously, for that.”

“So you just got to see what happens,” he added.

Looking ahead, the 2028 Republican primary is already beginning to take shape, with several high-profile figures jockeying for early position. Vice President JD Vance currently holds a significant polling advantage, benefiting from his national platform and close alignment with Trump-era politics.

Recent surveys illustrate the early dynamics of the race. A poll conducted by Echelon Insights found that 40 percent of Republican-leaning respondents favored Vance. Secretary of State Marco Rubio followed at 16 percent, while Donald Trump Jr., DeSantis and Haley trailed with 9 percent, 5 percent and 5 percent, respectively. Thirteen percent of respondents remained undecided.

A separate poll by The Public Sentiment Institute showed a somewhat tighter field, with DeSantis polling at 13.5 percent — good for third place — behind Vance (29.3 percent) and Rubio (15.5 percent). Nearly 10 percent of respondents were undecided.

The early polling underscores both the opportunity and the challenge for DeSantis. While he remains a recognizable figure with a record that appeals to conservative voters, he would likely enter a crowded field that includes establishment figures like Rubio, Trump-aligned candidates such as Vance and Trump Jr., and other potential contenders still weighing bids.

With Trump’s future political role uncertain and no clear consensus successor, the 2028 race is shaping up to be a wide-open contest. Whether DeSantis can reestablish himself as a top-tier candidate may depend on how effectively he rebuilds momentum after his 2024 defeat — and whether the political environment proves more favorable the second time around.

Senate Confirms Markwayne Mullin As DHS Chief

Indian Affairs Committee Hearings to examine Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act successes and opportunities at the Department of the Interior and the Indian Health Service, in Washington, DC on September 17, 2025. (Official U.S. Senate photo by Ryan Donnell)

On Monday evening, the Senate voted to confirm Oklahoma Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R) to lead the Department of Homeland Security.

Mullin, who was picked by President Donald Trump earlier this month to lead the Department of Homeland Security, was confirmed on a largely party-line vote. Sens. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) joined nearly every Republican to clinch his nomination.

Before voting to support the nomination, Heinrich said he crossed party lines because he has seen that Mullin — who co-chairs the Senate Legislative Branch spending committee with him — “is not someone who can simply be bullied into changing his views.”

“And I look forward to having a secretary who doesn’t take their orders from Stephen Miller,” Heinrich said.

Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) was the only Republican to vote against Mullin, citing their chilly relationship and Mullin’s past comments that his 2017 assault was “justified.”

Mullin’s confirmation also saw the close of a whirlwind month in which Noem was reassigned after an explosive pair of hearings on Capitol Hill, as well as the deaths of Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti, who were fatally shot by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents.

This is a breaking news story. Please check back for updates.

New Top Prosecutor Named To Replace Alina Habba

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Gage Skidmore from Surprise, AZ, United States of America,

A veteran federal prosecutor has been selected to lead the U.S. Attorney’s Office in New Jersey, bringing a measure of stability after months of legal turmoil surrounding former acting U.S. Attorney Alina Habba.

Robert Frazer, who has spent more than 20 years in the office, was appointed to the role by federal district judges, according to a brief order posted on the U.S. District Court for New Jersey’s website. The Justice Department confirmed the move in court filings, noting it came after discussions between the judiciary and senior department officials.

Frazer steps into the position after a period of uncertainty triggered by Habba’s removal. Earlier this month, U.S. District Judge Matthew Brann ruled that Habba had been unlawfully serving as U.S. attorney after her 120-day interim term expired. The court rejected a series of efforts by the Trump administration to keep her in the role beyond that limit.

Following Habba’s departure in December, leadership of the office was handed to a group of three prosecutors. That arrangement was also later deemed unlawful by the court.

Despite the ruling, Habba praised Frazer’s appointment, saying New Jersey “deserves a great chief federal law enforcement official” aligned with former President Donald Trump’s public safety priorities. She also suggested coordination between federal judges and top Justice Department officials helped move the process forward.

Habba has indicated she may attempt to reclaim the position if a higher court ultimately rules in her favor.

The dispute in New Jersey reflects a broader national clash over the appointment of U.S. attorneys. Several Trump-backed candidates across the country have faced similar challenges as Senate confirmations have stalled. In multiple districts—including Nevada, California, New York, and Virginia—judges have stepped in to remove or decline to extend interim appointees whose terms expired.

At the center of the conflict is federal vacancy law, which allows district courts to appoint U.S. attorneys when interim terms lapse. Trump allies argue that the president retains sole authority to select prosecutors, even beyond those time limits, while courts have increasingly asserted their statutory role.

The Senate’s “blue slip” tradition—giving home-state senators the power to block nominees—has further complicated confirmations, contributing to the growing number of vacancies. As a result, only a fraction of U.S. attorney offices nationwide are currently led by Senate-confirmed appointees.

Top Iranian Official Responds To Report He’s Trump’s Secret Negotiating Partner

A senior Iranian official identified in media reports as a potential backchannel to President Donald Trump has publicly denied any involvement in negotiations with the United States.

Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Iran’s parliamentary speaker, rejected the reports after The Jerusalem Post described him as the “top person” Trump had suggested his administration was engaging with behind the scenes.

In a post on X, Ghalibaf dismissed the claim and accused the U.S. of spreading misinformation.

“Iranian people demand complete and remorseful punishment of the aggressors. All Iranian officials stand firmly behind their supreme leader and people until this goal is achieved. No negotiations have been held with the US, and fakenews is used to manipulate the financial and oil markets and escape the quagmire in which the US and Israel are trapped.”

The denial comes amid conflicting signals from Washington about the state of diplomacy. Just hours earlier, Trump said his administration had engaged in “very good and productive conversations” with Iran and announced a five-day pause on planned military strikes targeting Iranian energy infrastructure.

Read Trump’s Truth Social message:

“I AM PLEASE TO REPORT THAT THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AND THE COUNTRY OF IRAN, HAVE HAD, OVER THE LAST TWO DAYS, VERY GOOD AND PRODUCTIVE CONVERSATIONS REGARDING A COMPLETE AND TOTAL RESOLUTION OF OUR HOSTILITIES IN THE MIDDLE EAST,” Trump wrote. “BASED ON THE TENOR AND TONE OF THESE IN DEPTH, DETAILED, AND CONSTRUCTIVE CONVERSATIONS, WITCH WILL CONTINUE THROUGHOUT THE WEEK, I HAVE INSTRUCTED THE DEPARTMENT OF WAR TO POSTPONE ANY AND ALL MILITARY STRIKES AGAINST IRANIAN POWER PLANTS AND ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE FOR A FIVE DAY PERIOD, SUBJECT TO THE SUCCESS OF THE ONGOING MEETINGS AND DISCUSSIONS.”

The pause marked a sharp shift in tone after Trump had warned over the weekend that Iran could face “total decimation” if it failed to comply with U.S. demands regarding the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global shipping route.

Speaking to reporters before boarding Air Force One, Trump hinted at the existence of a high-level Iranian contact but declined to identify the individual.

“A top person,” Trump said, offering no further details.

When asked whether Iran’s newly named supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, was involved, Trump said the U.S. had not heard from him. Khamenei has not appeared publicly since his appointment and is widely believed to be gravely injured.

“Don’t forget: We’ve wiped out the leadership phase one, phase two and largely phase three. But we’re dealing with a man who I believe is the most respected and the leader, you know it’s a little tough, they’ve wiped out — we’ve wiped out everybody,” Trump added.

Trump’s claims of active discussions followed his announcement that strikes would be temporarily halted to allow negotiations to continue. However, Iran’s Foreign Ministry has also denied that any talks are taking place, underscoring the uncertainty surrounding the diplomatic track even as tensions remain high following U.S. threats tied to the Strait of Hormuz.

Trump Reverses Iran Strike Orders Hours After Threatening ‘Total Decimation’

Photo via Gage Skidmore Flickr

President Donald Trump on Monday announced a temporary pause in planned military strikes against Iran, just hours after escalating rhetoric in which he warned the country would face “total decimation.”

The shift came after what Trump described as “very good and productive conversations” between U.S. and Iranian officials over the past two days, raising the possibility of a broader de-escalation in the ongoing conflict.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump said he had ordered a five-day halt to attacks targeting Iran’s energy infrastructure while negotiations continue.

“I AM PLEASE TO REPORT THAT THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AND THE COUNTRY OF IRAN, HAVE HAD, OVER THE LAST TWO DAYS, VERY GOOD AND PRODUCTIVE CONVERSATIONS REGARDING A COMPLETE AND TOTAL RESOLUTION OF OUR HOSTILITIES IN THE MIDDLE EAST,” Trump wrote. “BASED ON THE TENOR AND TONE OF THESE IN DEPTH, DETAILED, AND CONSTRUCTIVE CONVERSATIONS, WITCH WILL CONTINUE THROUGHOUT THE WEEK, I HAVE INSTRUCTED THE DEPARTMENT OF WAR TO POSTPONE ANY AND ALL MILITARY STRIKES AGAINST IRANIAN POWER PLANTS AND ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE FOR A FIVE DAY PERIOD, SUBJECT TO THE SUCCESS OF THE ONGOING MEETINGS AND DISCUSSIONS.”

The announcement marked a notable reversal from Trump’s earlier statements. On Sunday, during a phone interview with Channel 13 reporter Neria Kraus of Israel, the president warned that Iran would soon face overwhelming military action if it failed to comply with U.S. demands.

“You’re gonna find out soon. It’s gonna be very good. Total decimation of Iran,” Trump said. “It’s gonna work out very good.”

Trump also criticized Iran’s leadership, saying the country had been “very bad for 47 years” in reference to the 1979 Islamic Revolution, adding, “Now they’re getting their comeuppance.”

A day earlier, Trump had issued a 48-hour ultimatum for Iran to “FULLY OPEN” the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global shipping route. He warned that failure to do so would trigger immediate U.S. strikes on Iranian infrastructure.

“If Iran doesn’t FULLY OPEN, WITHOUT THREAT, the Strait of Hormuz, within 48 HOURS from this exact point in time, the United States of America will hit and obliterate their various POWER PLANTS, STARTING WITH THE BIGGEST ONE FIRST!” he wrote.

The ultimatum followed weeks of escalating conflict between the United States and Iran, including joint U.S. and Israeli strikes that killed Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and intensified regional tensions.

Shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has declined sharply since the conflict began on February 28. According to the BBC, maritime traffic dropped as much as 95% in March, with daily vessel counts falling from a typical 138 ships to around 100. The disruption has contributed to a surge in global oil prices, which rose to $98.09 per barrel on Friday—an increase of 47% since before the war began.

Despite earlier predictions that the conflict was progressing quickly and nearing resolution, Trump’s latest comments suggest a potential shift toward diplomacy, at least in the short term, as negotiations continue.

Robert Mueller Dead At 81

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Former Special Counsel Robert Mueller, who led the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election and its ties to Donald Trump’s campaign, has died at the age of 81, according to a statement from his family.

“With deep sadness, we are sharing the news that Bob passed away” on Friday night, his family said in a statement shared with The Associated Press on Saturday. “His family asks that their privacy be respected.”

Mueller had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease several years ago, though an official cause of death has not yet been disclosed. News of his passing was first reported by MS NOW.

Mueller previously served as director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, taking over the role just one week before the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. He remained in the position for 12 years after being nominated by former President George W. Bush.

Following news of Mueller’s death, Trump posted a message on Truth Social on Saturday afternoon: “Robert Mueller just died. Good, I’m glad he’s dead. He can no longer hurt innocent people!”

Former Vice President Mike Pence Chimes In On Trump’s Strikes On Iran

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Mike Pence via Gage Skidmore Flickr

Former Vice President Mike Pence is offering strong praise for President Donald Trump’s military strikes on Iran—an endorsement that comes despite the long-standing and highly public rift between the two former running mates.

In an interview with Fox News Digital, Pence applauded Trump for what he described as decisive leadership in confronting Iran, while also criticizing a growing isolationist faction within the Republican Party.

“It’s one of the things I give President Trump great credit for,” Pence said this week.

Pence’s comments arrive nearly three weeks into ongoing U.S. military strikes against Iran, part of a broader escalation that has drawn sharp criticism from some populist and anti-war voices aligned with the MAGA and “America First” movements. Those critics argue the operation risks entangling the U.S. in another prolonged conflict overseas.

But Pence, a longtime advocate of a more traditional Republican foreign policy rooted in strong global engagement and deterrence, rejected those concerns. He framed Trump’s actions as a rejection of isolationism within the party.

“Around this administration, and to some extent in this administration, there have been some increasingly loud voices calling for America to pull back from our role as leader of the free world. Isolationist voices have taken hold in some quarters of the Republican Party,” Pence said.

“But fortunately, President Trump turned a deaf ear to those voices last year when he struck Iran, and this year, when he launched Operation Epic Fury,” Pence emphasized. “I think it’s greatly to his credit.”

Pence argued that Trump’s approach aligns with the broader Republican base.

“I think it’s reflective of where the overwhelming majority of Republicans are. Republicans understand that America is the arsenal of democracy, that we’re the leader of the free world, that we have obligations to lead,” he said.

The former vice president also drew on his firsthand experience serving alongside Trump during their time in the White House.

“I’ve told people many times, I’m proud of President Trump for making the decision to launch operation Epic Fury. But I’m not surprised, because the President I served with is no isolationist.”

The praise is notable given the fractured relationship between the two men. Pence and Trump have been estranged since the final days of their administration, particularly following the January 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol. Trump publicly pressured Pence to reject the certification of the 2020 election results—something Pence refused to do, citing constitutional limits. The fallout led to years of mutual criticism, with Pence at times condemning Trump’s actions and Trump frequently targeting Pence in speeches and on social media.

Despite that personal and political break, Pence has occasionally continued to support Trump’s policy decisions—especially on national security—reflecting enduring alignment on certain ideological priorities even as their political alliance has dissolved.

The current conflict underscores those stakes. U.S. and Israeli strikes have reportedly killed Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and severely weakened Iran’s military leadership and infrastructure. In response, Iran has launched retaliatory attacks across the Middle East, targeting Israel and regional neighbors.

The conflict has also had major global economic consequences. Iranian attacks on energy infrastructure and disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz have halted roughly 20% of the world’s oil supply, sending fuel prices sharply higher in the U.S. and worldwide.

Against that backdrop, Pence doubled down on his support for the administration’s aggressive posture.

“I couldn’t be more proud of President Donald Trump for making the decision to send our troops directly against an enemy that has literally claimed thousands of American lives, including nearly 1,000 service members,” he said.

He added that Trump has “unleashed the armed forces of the United States to take the fight directly to the source of global terrorism. And I think at the end of the day, the American people understand that this is a fight that we have to win, and it’s going to be important that we finish the threat that Iran has posed to the American people, to our cherished ally, Israel, to nations across the region and across the West, once and for all.”

Pence concluded by offering advice he would give Trump if asked:

“To finish the threat that the mullahs and Tehran have posed to the people of this country once and for all.”

Trump Denies Plan To Deploy Troops Amid Iran Conflict

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President Donald Trump answers questions from members of the media aboard Air Force One en route to Mount Pocono, Pennsylvania, for a rally on the economy, Tuesday, December 9, 2025. (Official White House Photo by Molly Riley)

President Trump on Thursday denied he would deploy additional U.S. troops to aid in his war in Iran, telling reporters he’s not putting forces “anywhere.”

“No, I’m not putting troops anywhere,” Trump said at the White House when asked whether he intends to send more service members to the Middle East.

“If I were, I certainly wouldn’t tell you,” he continued, before adding that the U.S. “will do whatever’s necessary to keep the price” of oil down. 

The comments come as Reuters reported the Trump administration is considering deploying thousands of U.S. troops to reinforce its operation in the region.

At least 13 service members have already died in the conflict, while another 200 have been injured, including 10 severely, according to the Pentagon.

The war is now nearing the end of its third week with no clear conclusion in sight. The White House is set to ask Congress for $200 billion in supplemental funding for its military campaign.

This article is breaking news and will be updated as more information becomes available.