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    House GOP Campaign Arm Launches ‘MAGA Majority’ Program To Boost Trump-aligned Candidates

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
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    0

    As Republicans work to hold and expand their narrow House majority ahead of this year’s midterm elections, the party’s campaign arm is rolling out a new initiative aimed at elevating a slate of Trump-aligned candidates.

    The National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) on Tuesday announced its first group of contenders under the “MAGA Majority” program, which highlights Republican candidates competing in key battleground districts nationwide. The announcement was first shared with Fox News Digital.

    The MAGA Majority program, previously known as the “Young Guns” initiative in earlier cycles, is part of a broader GOP effort to defend its slim 218–214 advantage in the House. Democrats need a net gain of just three seats in the midterms to reclaim control of the chamber.

    “House Republicans are on offense, and the MAGA Majority is the next wave of leaders who will help us expand our majority in 2026,” NRCC Chair Rep. Richard Hudson of North Carolina said in a statement.

    Hudson added, “From veterans and job creators to proven conservative fighters and local leaders, these candidates are stepping up to secure the border, lower costs, and deliver on President Trump’s America First agenda.”

    According to the NRCC, candidates selected for the MAGA Majority will receive early backing, strategic resources, and increased visibility as Republicans seek to compete in districts they view as vulnerable for Democrats.

    The GOP faces traditional midterm headwinds, as the party in power typically loses seats. Republicans are also navigating a challenging political environment shaped by ongoing economic concerns, including persistent inflation, as well as President Trump’s underwater approval ratings.

    Still, Republicans point to opportunities on the electoral map. Democrats will be defending more than a dozen districts that Trump carried in the 2024 presidential election, and the NRCC argues that “the MAGA Majority is designed to capitalize on that opportunity.”

    The initial MAGA Majority roster includes:

    • Mike LiPetri (New York’s 3rd District), a former state lawmaker, attorney, and businessman aiming to flip a competitive Long Island seat
    • Peter Oberacker (New York’s 19th District), a state senator, farmer, and small business owner with strong ties to upstate New York
    • Tano Tijerina (Texas’ 28th District), a Webb County judge highlighted as a border security advocate
    • Eric Flores (Texas’ 34th District), a decorated Army veteran and former prosecutor from the Rio Grande Valley
    • Kevin Lincoln (California’s 13th District), former Stockton mayor and Marine, described by the NRCC as a rising Republican figure
    • Paul LePage (Maine’s 2nd District), a former two-term governor running in a district Trump has carried in all three of his presidential campaigns
    • Jay Feely (Arizona’s 1st District), a former NFL player, analyst, and humanitarian
    • Laurie Buckhout (North Carolina’s 1st District), a 26-year Army veteran and Gulf War veteran
    • Joe Mitchell (Iowa’s 2nd District), a former state representative, Trump administration veteran, and conservative grassroots organizer

    Meanwhile, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) is targeting 44 Republican-held districts as it looks to flip the House.

    Democrats remain energized despite broader polling challenges. They point to strong performances in 2025 elections and a series of special election overperformances since Trump returned to the White House, driven in part by a focus on affordability issues amid ongoing inflation.

    “Democrats are on offense, and our map reflects the fact that everyday Americans are tired of Republicans’ broken promises and ready for change in Congress,” DCCC Chair Suzan DelBene said in a statement. “Healthcare, housing, groceries, energy bills — they are all going up, and it’s directly because of Republican policies that favor the wealthiest few while leaving hardworking families behind.”

    DelBene added, “Going into the midterms, Democrats have the winning message, top-tier candidates, and the public on our side, paving the way for a new Democratic House Majority under the leadership of a Speaker Hakeem Jeffries.”

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    Former Trump Appointee Says MAGA Movement Is ‘Dead’

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
    -
    1
    Donald Trump via Gage Skidmore Flickr

    A former Trump administration official is lighting a match under the MAGA movement—and claiming it’s already burned out.

    Carrie Prejean Boller, once appointed by Trump to the White House Religious Liberty Commission, declared Monday that “MAGA is dead,” accusing the president of abandoning his “America First” roots and aligning U.S. foreign policy with Israel in the escalating conflict with Iran.

    Speaking on Piers Morgan Uncensored, Prejean Boller didn’t hold back.

    “I think that a foreign country has occupied our government, and we are seeing now that this president of the United States of America is being influenced by a foreign government,” she said.

    “And MAGA, let me tell you right now, MAGA is dead. It is deader than dead, and Americans are furious. We don’t recognize President Donald J. Trump anymore,” she added, calling Trump a “dear friend” she no longer recognizes.

    Her comments come amid a growing fracture inside the Republican coalition following U.S.-Israel joint strikes on Iran on Feb. 28—an operation that has reignited debate over what “America First” actually means in practice.

    Prejean Boller herself was recently ousted from the Religious Liberty Commission after being accused of attempting to “hijack” a hearing on antisemitism. Trump had appointed her to the role in May 2025.

    But she’s far from alone in her criticism.

    Former Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, once one of Trump’s fiercest allies, is also breaking ranks—calling the strikes a betrayal of campaign promises.

    “The American people did not vote for this,” Greene told CNN. “I went to, I can’t even tell you, countless rallies all over the country for President Trump… and we said on every single rally stage, ‘No more foreign wars, no more regime change.’”

    The internal rupture deepened further Tuesday when Joe Kent abruptly resigned as director of the National Counterterrorism Center—the first Trump official to step down in protest over the Iran conflict.

    “I cannot in good conscience support the ongoing war in Iran,” Kent wrote on X. “Iran posed no imminent threat to our nation, and it is clear that we started this war due to pressure from Israel and its powerful American lobby.”

    The White House swiftly dismissed that claim. Press secretary Karoline Leavitt called the suggestion that Trump was influenced by Israel “insulting and laughable.”

    Despite the high-profile defections, early polling suggests the MAGA base hasn’t moved nearly as much as its loudest critics. An NBC News survey found just 5% of self-identified MAGA Republicans opposed the initial strikes.

    Prejean Boller isn’t buying it.

    “I talk to MAGA people all day long, every day, and the everyday, average American is absolutely against this war,” she said. “And they know that the only reason why we are even in Iran right now is because of Israel.”

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    GOP Lawmaker Warns Trump Against One Move That Would ‘Destroy’ Republican Party

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
    -
    5

    Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.) issued a stark warning Tuesday to President Trump, cautioning that a unilateral move to withdraw the United States from NATO could fracture the Republican Party and trigger long-lasting internal divisions.

    “If he broke up NATO on his own, it would be a civil war in the Republican caucus, or the conference,” Bacon warned CNN’s Kaitlan Collins. “Most of us would find that totally unacceptable, and I’m not alone. There’s a large group of us that believe in our alliances and standing up for freedom and pushing back on China and Russia.

    “We don’t want war with these guys, but you’ve got to be strong, and if he went in and somehow destroyed or tore up NATO, it would probably destroy the party for many years,” he added. “There would be many that will never forgive that.”

    Bacon, a retired Air Force general who has often positioned himself as a more traditional, internationalist Republican, has at times broken with Trump on foreign policy and national security issues. While not a consistent antagonist of the former president, he has repeatedly defended U.S. alliances and a robust global posture—placing him at odds with Trump.

    A moment later, Bacon reiterated that he believes the GOP “would implode” if the U.S. were to depart NATO.

    His comments came after Trump sharply criticized the alliance earlier Tuesday in a Truth Social post, arguing that U.S. military strength makes reliance on allies unnecessary. The president lashed out at countries reluctant to support U.S. operations tied to escalating tensions with Iran.

    “Because of the fact that we have had such Military Success, we no longer ‘need,’ or desire, the NATO Countries’ assistance — WE NEVER DID!” Trump wrote. “Likewise, Japan, Australia, or South Korea. In fact, speaking as President of the United States of America, by far the Most Powerful Country Anywhere in the World, WE DO NOT NEED THE HELP OF ANYONE!”

    Trump has also been pushing for an international coalition to escort commercial ships through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global shipping route that has been closed since late February amid the conflict with Iran. The disruption has driven sharp increases in oil, gas, and fertilizer prices worldwide.

    On Wednesday, President Trump escalated his rhetoric and floated the idea of shifting responsibility for the Strait of Hormuz to other countries that rely on the strategic shipping route after the U.S. has “finished off” Iran, in a jab at America’s “non-responsive allies.”

    “I wonder what would happen if we ‘finished off’ what’s left of the Iranian Terror State, and let the Countries that use it, we don’t, be responsible for the so-called ‘Strait?’ That would get some of our non-responsive ‘Allies’ in gear, and fast!!!,” Trump wrote.

    Moments later he added: “Remember, for all of those absolute “fools” out there, Iran is considered, by everyone, to be the NUMBER ONE STATE SPONSOR OF TERROR. We are rapidly putting them out of business!”

    Despite his criticism of NATO, Trump warned Sunday that the alliance faces a “very bad” future if member nations do not contribute more to joint security efforts. He has long argued that NATO countries fail to meet defense spending commitments and has repeatedly threatened to withdraw the U.S. from the alliance.

    Bacon’s warning underscores the divide between Republicans on the issue. As a lawmaker preparing to leave Congress, bacon has opted to speak more candidly about the potential political consequences of Trump’s foreign policy approach. His comments reflect broader concerns among establishment-minded Republicans who view NATO as central to U.S. global leadership and national security.

    Formed in 1949 to counter Soviet expansion, NATO remains a cornerstone of Western military cooperation. While some Republicans aligned with Trump have dismissed it as outdated, others—like Bacon—argue that abandoning the alliance would not only weaken U.S. influence abroad but is also likely to ignite a damaging rift at home.

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    Report: Growing Coalition Of Republicans Quietly Turning Their Sights On Rubio For 2028

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
    -
    3
    President Donald Trump gestures to the crowd after delivering remarks at the House GOP Member Retreat, Tuesday, January 6, 2026, at the Donald J. Trump- John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. (Official White House Photo by Daniel Torok)

    A year ago, the path appeared clear for Vice President JD Vance to emerge as the heir apparent to President Donald Trump and the MAGA movement heading into the 2028 election.

    Vance, who was just 40 years old at the time of the 2024 election, entered office with a wave of support from Republicans and the strong backing of Trump’s family. Early in the administration, many within the party saw him as the natural successor to Trump.

    While the vice president remains well positioned for a likely 2028 run, quiet questions are beginning to emerge about whether his path to the nomination is as inevitable as it once seemed. Much of that speculation centers on the rising profile of Secretary of State Marco Rubio, whose influence within the administration has grown significantly during the first year of Trump’s second term — particularly following the U.S. strikes on Iran.

    The long-term political consequences of the conflict remain unclear. But Rubio’s growing visibility has caught the attention of many of Trump’s closest allies — including the president himself. According to multiple sources who spoke with ABC News, Trump has privately remarked on how “popular” and “loved” Rubio has become within the administration.

    People close to the president say Trump has repeatedly praised Rubio both publicly and privately. At times, the president has even started standing ovations for him during events and declared that Rubio will go down as “the greatest secretary of state in history.”

    Despite the growing speculation, Trump has so far declined to formally endorse either Vance or Rubio as his preferred successor. Instead, he has occasionally floated the idea of the two running together on a joint ticket — without specifying which would lead it.

    Behind closed doors, however, Trump has continued to raise the question with allies and donors. According to sources, the president has asked people directly: “Marco or JD?” — including during a discussion with donors at his Mar-a-Lago resort in late February, as first reported by Axios.

    ‘Draft Rubio’ movement begins to form

    As Rubio’s prominence grows, some Republican donors have quietly begun discussing ways to strengthen his political future ahead of the 2028 election.

    Multiple sources told ABC News that a group of donors and party figures has started exploring the possibility of organizing a “draft Rubio” effort after the 2026 midterm elections. Those discussions are being driven by supporters and political allies rather than Rubio himself, reflecting what some in Trump-aligned circles see as increasing enthusiasm for the secretary of state within the party.

    Still, Republican operatives note that donor enthusiasm does not necessarily determine the eventual nominee.

    “Donors don’t pick the nominee — the base picks,” one senior Republican operative told ABC News. “Donors tried to abandon President Trump and tried to pick [Florida Gov. Ron] DeSantis, and we all saw how that went.”

    When asked about donor interest in Rubio’s future, White House communications director Steven Cheung downplayed the speculation.

    “The President has assembled an all-star team that has achieved unprecedented success in just over one year,” Cheung said in a statement to ABC News. “No amount of crazed media speculation about Vice President Vance and Secretary Rubio will deter this Administration’s mission of fighting for the American people.”

    The vice president’s office declined to comment.

    Rubio’s Expanding Role in the Administration

    Over the course of the administration’s first year, Rubio has steadily taken on a larger role in Trump’s government.

    In addition to serving as secretary of state, Rubio has at times taken on other major responsibilities, including acting national security adviser and acting director of the U.S. Agency for International Development. His growing list of assignments has even become something of a running joke around Washington, with some observers wondering what position Rubio might take on next.

    His profile rose even further following the administration’s recent military strikes on Iran.

    Rubio emerged as one of the leading public voices explaining the operation alongside Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. When Trump authorized the sweeping strikes — known as Operation Epic Fury — Rubio was already traveling to Mar-a-Lago, where he joined the president in a makeshift situation room to monitor the opening hours of the operation.

    Meanwhile, Vance remained in Washington during the strikes.

    The vice president monitored the operation from the White House Situation Room alongside Energy Secretary Chris Wright, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard. They were connected by conference line to Trump and the rest of the national security team at Mar-a-Lago.

    A spokesperson for Vance told ABC News that the vice president stayed in Washington “to maintain operational secrecy and in keeping with the administration’s security protocol to limit the President and Vice President co-locating away from the White House.”

    During the early days of the conflict, Rubio remained by Trump’s side at Mar-a-Lago, further fueling speculation about his rising influence inside the administration.

    At the same time, that higher profile could carry political risks. If Rubio ultimately pursues the presidency, his role in the Iran operation could become a central issue. Early polling suggests the military strikes are unpopular with many Americans. According to an Ipsos poll, just 29% approve of the strikes, while 43% disapprove and 26% remain unsure.

    Vance Keeps a Lower Public Profile

    In contrast, Vance — a Marine Corps veteran who served in Iraq — maintained a relatively low public profile in the early days of the conflict.

    More recently, however, the vice president has begun ramping up both his political and official appearances. On Friday he spoke in Rocky Mount, North Carolina, where he briefly addressed the Iran conflict in remarks to supporters.

    Vance has also been noticeably less active on social media platforms like X than in the past.

    A senior White House official told ABC News that the administration intentionally limited public messaging during the early stages of the operation.

    “The national security team was deliberate on letting the President’s statements and addresses to the nation stand as the operation unfolded,” the official said.

    Vance was also scheduled to participate in a town hall with CBS News that was expected to air Saturday, but the broadcast was postponed following the Iran strikes.

    Despite the quieter public posture, the vice president remains deeply engaged politically. As finance chair of the Republican National Committee, Vance continues to maintain a busy fundraising schedule, with events planned in Dallas and Austin later this month, according to fundraiser invitations obtained by ABC News.

    During a press conference Monday, Trump acknowledged that he and Vance had differed somewhat on the Iran decision.

    “I don’t think so. No, no, we get along very well on this,” Trump said. “He was, I would say philosophically a little bit different than me. I think he was maybe less enthusiastic about going, but he was quite enthusiastic. But I felt it was something we had to do. I didn’t feel we had a choice. If we didn’t do it, they would have done it to us.”

    Betting Markets Reflect Uncertainty

    Prediction markets and betting sites are also reflecting the emerging uncertainty surrounding the 2028 race.

    On Kalshi, Rubio recently moved ahead of both Vance and California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) to become the market’s top choice to succeed Trump. Kalshi traders currently give Rubio a 19% chance of winning the 2028 election, with both Vance and Newsom at 18%.

    On Polymarket, however, Vance remains the favorite with a 21% chance, followed by Newsom at 18% and Rubio at 16%.

    Traditional betting markets still place Vance slightly ahead as well. DraftKings lists Vance at +376 to win the presidency, meaning a $100 bet would yield $376 if he wins. Newsom stands at +426, while Rubio is listed at +488.

    On BetMGM, Vance is seen as roughly twice as likely to win, with odds of +350 compared to Rubio’s +700.

    For now, the 2028 race remains wide open — but Rubio’s growing prominence inside the Trump administration has begun to complicate what once looked like a straightforward path for Vice President JD Vance.

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    House Dem Vows To Continue Impeachment Efforts If Elected

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
    -
    5
    Gage Skidmore Flickr

    Rep. Christian Menefee, a Texas Democrat who won a January special election to succeed the late Rep. Sylvester Turner, says he plans to continue efforts to impeach President Donald Trump — a campaign long championed by veteran Rep. Al Green — while arguing he could build broader support for such a move within the Democratic Party.

    Menefee made the remarks as he faces Green in a closely watched Democratic primary runoff that has effectively become a contest between an established anti-Trump figure and a younger lawmaker promising a more strategic approach to the same goal.

    Green, who has represented Texas in Congress for two decades, has repeatedly introduced articles of impeachment against Trump in recent years, framing the issue as a moral and constitutional test for lawmakers. None of those attempts have succeeded in advancing through the House.

    Menefee told Fox News Digital that if elected, he would continue pursuing impeachment but would focus on coordinating with fellow Democrats to ensure any effort has enough backing to move forward.

    “I’m the candidate in this race who has a track record of standing up for my community, of fighting back and doing so effectively in a way that gets things done,” Menefee said in an interview.

    He added that his approach would prioritize building consensus within the Democratic caucus before formally introducing impeachment articles.

    “My approach is going to be, when I file articles of impeachment, my goal is for them to either pass or to get very close to passing,” Menefee said.

    “That means collaborating with the other members of the Democratic caucus to make sure that it’s going to be effective. My approach is generally, if I start something, I am doing it because I want to ultimately take it across the finish line in a way that’s going to actually help people.”

    The debate over impeachment comes as Menefee and Green compete for the Democratic nomination in Texas’ 18th Congressional District. Menefee entered Congress earlier this year after winning a special election following the death of longtime Democratic Rep. Sylvester Turner in March 2025.

    The two Democrats were placed on a political collision course after Republican-led redistricting plans in Texas reshaped several congressional districts and threatened multiple Democratic-held seats. Green subsequently announced he would seek reelection in the 18th District — the same seat Menefee now holds.

    While Menefee declined to directly criticize Green’s impeachment strategy, he suggested his own approach would focus less on symbolic votes and more on building support within the party.

    Green’s most recent impeachment effort, introduced in December 2025, drew support from 140 House Democrats. However, the measure failed to advance after 23 Democrats joined Republicans in voting to table it, while another 47 voted “present.”

    Green has long made opposition to Trump a central theme of his congressional career, frequently calling for impeachment and framing the issue as a question of constitutional accountability.

    “We have to participate. This is a participatory democracy. The impeachment requires the hands and the guidance of all of us,” Green said in November 2025 while announcing his latest impeachment push.

    The congressman has also drawn national attention during presidential addresses to Congress. In 2026 he was removed from President Trump’s State of the Union address after displaying a sign that read, “Black people aren’t apes.” The year before, during the 2025 State of the Union, Green was escorted out after refusing to take his seat while waving his cane toward the president in protest.

    Despite their shared opposition to Trump, Menefee has attempted to distinguish himself by emphasizing unity within the Democratic caucus and a pragmatic legislative strategy rather than what some critics have described as Green’s more confrontational style.

    Neither candidate secured a majority in the district’s Democratic primary earlier this month, forcing the race into a runoff election scheduled for May 26. The outcome will determine which Democrat advances to represent one of Houston’s most prominent Democratic strongholds in Congress — and which approach to confronting Trump voters in the district prefer.

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    Leading GOP Candidate In Georgia Governor’s Race Sues Trump-Backed Opponent

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
    -
    0

    Billionaire health care executive Rick Jackson filed a defamation lawsuit Monday against Georgia Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, his Republican primary opponent in the state’s 2026 gubernatorial race.

    The lawsuit, filed in Fulton County Superior Court, alleges that Jones made three separate defamatory statements about Jackson on social media over the past week. Jackson’s campaign confirmed the filing Monday morning.

    “Burt Jones is learning real fast that the days of him doing and saying anything for his own benefit are coming to an end,” Jackson campaign spokesman Dave Abrams said in a statement provided to the Daily Caller News Foundation on Monday. “Rick Jackson is holding self-serving politician Burt Jones accountable for his words and his actions.”

    In the complaint, Jackson argues that Jones has resorted to personal attacks rather than campaigning on his own record.

    “Rather than standing on his record, fighting like an honest man, and earning the trust and support of Georgians, Burt Jones is resorting to what he knows best: cheap and dirty politics,” the complaint states.

    Jones’ campaign dismissed the lawsuit and defended the remarks.

    “Rick Jackson’s thin skin is showing,” Kayla Lott, a spokesperson for Jones’ campaign, told the DCNF in a statement Monday. “Why is Rick so embarrassed to have received a billion dollars in state contracts, helped Planned Parenthood recruit, and staff a pediatric doctor’s office that serves ‘transgender patients.’ He should be proud Georgia knows how his company made its money.”

    The dispute centers on a March 5 post by Jones on X, where he claimed Jackson “made his fortune recruiting for Planned Parenthood, helping doctors perform transgender procedures on minors, and pocketed over $1 billion in state contracts on the backs of Georgia taxpayers,” adding “Georgia’s not for sale.”

    The lawsuit escalates an already contentious Republican primary race.

    After launching his campaign relatively late on Feb. 3, Jackson has spent nearly $16 million on advertising—almost six times the amount spent by Jones—according to NBC News, citing data from AdImpact.

    Recent polling suggests Jackson currently leads the GOP field. A JMC Analytics and Polling survey of likely Republican primary voters released Monday found 37% support Jackson, while 22% backed Jones.

    A Quantus Insights poll conducted in February found Jackson leading with 32.6% support among likely GOP primary voters, compared to 16.9% for Jones.

    However, an Emerson College poll released March 5 showed a tighter race. The survey found 21% of voters supporting Jones and 20% backing Jackson.

    The poll also found Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger—known for clashing with Trump over the 2020 presidential election—receiving 11% support, followed by Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr at 6%, while 38% of respondents remained undecided.

    Among voters who said President Donald Trump’s endorsement makes them more likely to support a candidate, Jones led with 31% support compared to Jackson’s 21%, according to the Emerson poll.

    Under Georgia law, if no candidate receives more than 50% of the vote in the May 19 Republican primary, the top two finishers will advance to a runoff election scheduled for June 16.

    The defamation lawsuit marks the second legal clash between the candidates this year. In February, Jackson and his campaign committee filed a separate lawsuit against Jones challenging a state campaign finance law that Jackson argued gives Jones an unfair advantage in the primary, CBS News reported.

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    Republican Senator Calls For Stephen Miller To Be Removed From Trump Inner Circle

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
    -
    9
    President Donald Trump signs Executive Orders, Thursday, April 17, 2025, in the Oval Office. (Official White House Photo by Molly Riley)

    Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) said Sunday that White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller should be removed from President Donald Trump’s inner circle, arguing the longtime adviser wields too much influence over administration policy and has contributed to repeated controversies.

    Speaking on CNN’s State of the Union, Tillis told host Jake Tapper that Miller has had an “outsized influence” on the administration and is “out of his depth” in his current role.

    When asked directly whether Miller should be relieved of his duties, Tillis replied, “Oh, of course I do.”

    “Not only does Stephen really want to just paint a picture. He’s not worried about substance. He’s more worried about form,” Tillis said. “But I also think that he has an outsized influence over the operations of the Cabinet. And I believe we have got qualified Cabinet members there that sometimes are doing less than what they want to because of his direction and his outsized influence.”

    Miller, one of Trump’s closest advisers since the president’s first campaign, has long been a key architect of the administration’s hardline immigration policies. He currently serves as deputy chief of staff and has played a central role shaping the White House’s approach to border enforcement and deportation initiatives.

    Tillis’s remarks come amid broader scrutiny of the administration’s immigration enforcement strategy and leadership at the Department of Homeland Security. The criticism follows a series of controversies, including the fatal shootings of two U.S. citizens by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis earlier this year.

    Tillis previously criticized Miller and then–Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem after both officials suggested Good and Pretti were acting unlawfully before they were killed, assertions that drew backlash from lawmakers and civil liberties advocates. The North Carolina Republican has called for a thorough investigation into the incidents and greater accountability within DHS.

    The comments also come as the administration undergoes leadership changes at the department. Trump recently removed Noem from her post as homeland security secretary following mounting criticism of her tenure and controversies surrounding immigration enforcement operations.

    Tillis, who has announced he will not seek reelection, has been among the more vocal Republican critics of the administration’s handling of the Minneapolis incidents and broader immigration enforcement policies. On Sunday, he said the administration should rely more heavily on Cabinet officials rather than informal influence from White House advisers.

    “He’s a big problem in this administration,” Tillis said of Miller. “He has been from the beginning.”

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    Trump Cuts Tucker Carlson Loose From Political Movement

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
    -
    0
    Photo via Gage Skidmore Flickr

    President Donald Trump said Thursday that Tucker Carlson is no longer part of the MAGA movement, declaring in an interview that the former Fox News host “has lost his way.”

    “Tucker has lost his way,” Trump told ABC News’ Jonathan Karl. “I knew that a long time ago, and he’s not MAGA. MAGA is saving our country. MAGA is making our country great again. MAGA is America first, and Tucker is none of those things. And Tucker is really not smart enough to understand that.”

    Trump’s comments come after Carlson sharply criticized the administration over recent U.S. strikes on Iran. Carlson called the military action “absolutely disgusting and evil.” He has also criticized the Trump administration on other issues, including the Epstein files and the war in Ukraine.

    In the same interview, Trump defended the Iran operation and described it as a success. The president gave multiple interviews Thursday in which he praised the strikes and insisted that Americans support the decision, saying people are “loving it,” despite polls suggesting a more divided public response.

    “They are decimated for a 10-year period before they could build it back,” Trump said of Iran.

    Carlson, meanwhile, warned that the decision to strike Iran could reshape Trump’s political movement. In an interview with Karl, he said the move would “shuffle the deck in a profound way” politically.

    Trump previously dismissed Carlson’s criticism of the strikes, saying it had no impact on him. Carlson reportedly visited the White House multiple times last month to lobby against the attack.

    Despite the public criticism, Carlson said he still supports Trump.

    Speaking to Status reporter Oliver Darcy on Thursday, the former Fox News host expressed continued loyalty to the president even after Trump publicly distanced himself from him.

    “There are times I get annoyed with Trump, right now definitely included,” Carlson said, adding, “but I’ll always love him no matter what he says about me.”

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    Paxton Offers Conditions For Potential Exit From Texas Senate Race 

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
    -
    0

    Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) said Thursday he would consider dropping out of the closely watched Republican Senate primary against Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) if Senate Republicans meet several conditions, a statement that comes as President Donald Trump prepares to weigh in on the race.

    Paxton said he would consider exiting the contest if Senate leadership agreed to eliminate the filibuster — the 60-vote threshold typically required to advance most legislation in the upper chamber — and pass a bill requiring voters to show proof of citizenship to register to vote.

    The legislation, known as the SAVE America Act, has already passed the House but remains stalled in the Senate, where Republicans lack the 60 votes needed to overcome a filibuster.

    Paxton framed his proposal as part of a broader effort to advance Trump’s agenda in Washington.

    “John Cornyn is a coward who has refused to support abolishing the filibuster to pass this bill. Now, Fake News reporters and the establishment are trying to destroy me with misinformation,” Paxton wrote Thursday on the social media platform X.

    “The truth is clear: No one has been more loyal to Donald Trump than me—fighting the stolen 2020 election, being in Mar-a-Lago when he announced his 2024 campaign, and standing with him in NY in the face of lawfare,” he added. “For the good of our country and for the good of passing President Trump’s agenda, I am determined to help him get this done.”

    Paxton’s comments come a day after Trump said he plans to issue an endorsement in the Texas Senate runoff and urged whichever candidate he does not back to exit the race to unify the party.

    In a lengthy post on Truth Social, Trump said the GOP must quickly coalesce around a nominee ahead of the general election.

    “The Texas Republican Senate Primary has been very interesting to watch,” Trump wrote.

    “The Texas Republican Senate Primary cannot, for the good of the Party, and our Country, itself, be allowed to go on any longer,” he continued. “IT MUST STOP NOW! We have an easy to beat, Radical Left Opponent, and we have to TOTALLY FOCUS on putting him away, quickly and decisively! Both John [Cornyn] and Ken [Paxton] ran great races, but not good enough. Now, this one, must be PERFECT!”

    The Republican primary advanced to a runoff earlier this week after neither Paxton nor Cornyn secured a majority of the vote. The runoff election is scheduled for May 26.

    Cornyn has expressed some openness to changes to Senate filibuster rules but has warned that eliminating the 60-vote threshold could backfire if Democrats regain control of the chamber.

    The incumbent senator has also supported the SAVE America Act, which would require voters to show proof of citizenship to register to vote and present photo identification at the polls.

    Some Republicans have floated adopting a “talking filibuster,” which would require senators opposing a bill to hold the floor continuously to block passage. Under that proposal, legislation could ultimately pass with 51 votes once opponents stop speaking. However, Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) has expressed skepticism about implementing such a change.

    Republican leadership has also reportedly urged Trump to endorse Cornyn in hopes of avoiding a prolonged and potentially divisive primary fight.

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    Trump-aligned Texas Congressman Loses Primary

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
    -
    2
    Gage Skidmore from Surprise, AZ, United States of America,

    Republican Congressman Dan Crenshaw of Texas lost his primary bid Tuesday night, marking a major upset and ending the four-term lawmaker’s run for a fifth term in Congress.

    Crenshaw was defeated by Texas state Rep. Steve Toth, a staunch conservative who successfully rallied support from the party’s most hard-line voters in the Houston-area district. The loss makes Crenshaw one of the first Republican incumbents to be ousted in the 2026 election cycle and underscores ongoing ideological divisions within the GOP.

    Although Crenshaw has voted consistently in support of former President Donald Trump’s policy agenda, he entered the race as the only House Republican in Texas on the ballot without Trump’s endorsement. Toth seized on that dynamic, presenting himself as the more reliable ally of the president and the conservative grassroots base.

    The contest intensified when Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) publicly backed Toth’s campaign and appeared in a political advertisement promoting the challenger.

    “You deserve an unwavering fighter, a Republican who walks the walk. That’s why I’m proud to endorse Steve Toth for Congress. Steve Toth has a strong record of standing up for limited government, faith and freedom, and fiscal responsibility. Washington needs a no-nonsense Texan like Steve Toth to secure our border, fight alongside Trump, and put money back in people’s pockets. Please join me in electing Steve Toth,” Cruz said in the ad, which was funded by the Alamo Freedom Fighters PAC.

    Toth also sought to portray Crenshaw as out of step with the party’s conservative base. During the campaign, he criticized the congressman for refusing to repeat Trump’s claims that the 2020 presidential election was stolen and for supporting a bipartisan immigration proposal negotiated toward the end of the Biden administration.

    Crenshaw rejected the criticism and defended his conservative record in office.

    “I’m out there defending Trump in places where Republicans are too scared to go,” Crenshaw told The New York Times during the campaign.

    First elected in 2018, Crenshaw quickly became one of the Republican Party’s most recognizable figures. A former Navy SEAL who lost his right eye in Afghanistan, he built a national profile as a foreign-policy hawk and vocal advocate for military veterans. In Congress, he often supported aid to Ukraine in its war against Russia and backed tough sanctions against Venezuela’s socialist government.

    Despite that record, Crenshaw’s relationship with segments of the conservative movement grew strained in recent years. His willingness to criticize some right-wing media personalities and his refusal to embrace claims that the 2020 election was fraudulent drew backlash from MAGA-aligned activists and commentators.

    The congressman also faced personal controversy last year after an incident during a congressional delegation trip to Mexico. According to Punchbowl News, Crenshaw was having drinks with a group of Mexican officials when one official made a crude remark that made a woman present uncomfortable.

    “During an August trip to Mexico, Crenshaw was having drinks with a group of Mexican officials,” reported Punchbowl’s Andrew Desiderio. “One Mexican official cracked a crude joke that made a woman present uncomfortable. Crenshaw toasted the remarks.”

    The incident led to a tense meeting between Crenshaw, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA), and House Intelligence Committee Chair Rick Crawford (R-AR). Crawford ultimately banned Crenshaw from international travel with the committee for three months, a rare disciplinary step. Crawford also sought to remove Crenshaw from the Intelligence Committee entirely, though leadership declined to do so. Instead, Johnson shut down Crenshaw’s proposed cartel task force within the committee.

    Those controversies, combined with ideological attacks from the right, helped erode Crenshaw’s standing with Republican primary voters in the newly drawn district.

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