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Trump Endorses Mike Lindell In Minnesota Governor’s Race

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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)

President Donald Trump is throwing his political weight behind one of his longest-standing allies, giving MyPillow founder Mike Lindell his “complete and total endorsement” in Minnesota’s closely watched race for governor — a move that underscores the president’s loyalty to one of his fiercest defenders even as Republicans debate the party’s best path to winning a traditionally blue state.

Trump announced his endorsement Wednesday morning in a lengthy Truth Social post, praising Lindell as a tireless supporter who has stood by him through years of political and legal battles.

“Mike Lindell, the ‘Pillow Man,’ and one of America’s greatest and most hard working Patriots, is running to be GOVERNOR OF MINNESOTA, replacing one of the worst and most incompetent governors in the history of the U.S.A.,” Trump wrote.

The president argued Lindell could reverse what he described as the state’s decline under outgoing Democratic Gov. Tim Walz.

“He can do it! Nobody has sacrificed more than Mike Lindell in fighting for our country, especially when it comes to Election Integrity,” Trump continued. “He truly deserves everything he gets – He will MAKE MINNESOTA GREAT AGAIN!!!”

Trump concluded with an unequivocal endorsement.

“MIKE LINDELL HAS MY COMPLETE AND TOTAL ENDORSEMENT – HE WILL NOT LET YOU DOWN. Good Luck Mike!!!”

The endorsement formalizes a relationship that has stretched back years. Lindell emerged as one of Trump’s most visible allies after the 2020 election, frequently appearing alongside the president, using his platform to defend Trump’s claims about election integrity, and becoming a regular presence at rallies and conservative events. His loyalty came at a steep personal and financial cost, with retailers dropping MyPillow products and voting technology companies filing high-profile defamation lawsuits against him over statements about the 2020 election.

Trump has repeatedly praised Lindell for remaining loyal despite those setbacks. Even before issuing his formal endorsement, the president had publicly said last year that Lindell “deserves to be governor of Minnesota.”

Lindell launched his gubernatorial campaign last December, joining a crowded Republican field seeking to replace Walz, who opted against seeking another term. Walz’s administration has faced sustained criticism from Republicans over massive fraud schemes involving state-administered federal nutrition programs, allegations Trump referenced again in his endorsement.

The endorsement also comes as Minnesota Republicans remain divided over their preferred nominee.

While businessman Kendall Qualls secured the Minnesota GOP’s endorsement at the state convention, Lindell has continued campaigning aggressively and has remained competitive in public polling. A recent SurveyUSA/KSTP poll showed Lindell leading the Republican primary field with 27% support, ahead of Minnesota House Speaker Lisa Demuth at 22% and Qualls at 17%, though roughly one-quarter of Republican voters remained undecided.

If Lindell captures the Aug. 11 Republican primary, he would likely face Democratic Sen. Amy Klobuchar, who entered the governor’s race after Walz stepped aside and has built a substantial fundraising advantage. Multiple early surveys have shown Klobuchar beginning the general election campaign as the favorite.

Trump nevertheless argued Republicans can prevail, while again alleging election problems have hurt the GOP in Minnesota.

In a separate Truth Social post Wednesday, the president blasted Klobuchar as “lightly respected” and accused her of knowing about the fraud allegations surrounding Minnesota’s child nutrition reimbursement programs.

“I have gotten to know Klobuchar over the years, and find her to be equally as incompetent as Walz, and probably equally as corrupt in that, as a high Government Official from Minnesota, she knew everything that was going on,” Trump wrote.

He also claimed, “If the Elections in Minnesota weren’t RIGGED, any Republican could win, but they were, and that is why nobody has won there since Richard Nixon many years ago. I thought I won it all three times, only to be disappointed in the end.”

Minnesota’s Republican primary is scheduled for Aug. 11, with the general election set for November.

Trump-Backed Pastor Drops Congressional Bid After Texting Scandal

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A prominent Oklahoma pastor who built his national profile as a staunch Trump ally and conservative Christian activist has abruptly suspended his campaign for Congress after reports revealed intimate text exchanges with a former beauty queen connected to his campaign.

Jackson Lahmeyer, founder of the pro-Trump organization Pastors for Trump, announced he was ending his bid for Oklahoma’s 1st Congressional District following reports detailing flirtatious messages between him and former Miss Oklahoma USA Caitlin Simmons Key, who worked as a fundraiser for his campaign.

The controversy quickly exposed an uncomfortable contradiction for a candidate who has spent years promoting conservative family values while presenting himself as a moral voice within the MAGA movement.

Lahmeyer admitted he had “crossed a boundary line through text messaging” but denied having a physical affair. He said he and his wife had already addressed the matter through counseling and prayer.

“I decided to choose my wife over my ambition,” Lahmeyer told reporters after announcing his withdrawal.

The political consequences were swift.

President Donald Trump, who had previously endorsed Lahmeyer and praised him as a “MAGA Warrior,” publicly abandoned the pastor and shifted his support to Oklahoma state Rep. Mark Tedford.

While Trump thanked Lahmeyer for his loyalty and years of support, he made clear that Tedford would now carry the America First banner in the race.

Lahmeyer insists his decision to leave the race was made before Trump’s endorsement switch became public. Still, the timing underscored how quickly political fortunes can change when personal scandals collide with public campaigns.

For years, Lahmeyer cultivated close ties to the Trump movement. His Tulsa church hosted appearances from Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump, and he became a nationally recognized evangelical voice defending Trump’s agenda. He also promoted claims of widespread voter fraud following the 2020 election and worked to mobilize evangelical voters during Trump’s 2024 campaign.

Now, the pastor who built his reputation on faith, family values, and political activism finds himself stepping away from public office after failing to meet the standards he routinely championed.

His exit effectively clears the path for Tedford to become the Republican nominee in the race to replace outgoing Rep. Kevin Hern, who is running for the U.S. Senate.

This article originally appeared on Election Watch News. It is republished with permission. To receive more reporting and analysis from Election Watch News, subscribe by clicking here.

GOP Senator Warns Trump Is Headed For A Midterm ‘Disaster’ After Brutal Primary Defeat

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A veteran Republican senator who was just driven from office by President Donald Trump’s political machine is now warning that the president may soon regret it.

Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas), who lost his Republican Senate primary runoff to Trump-backed Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, is predicting that Republicans could face major trouble in the 2026 midterm elections — and that Trump himself will suffer the consequences.

In an interview with The New York Times, Cornyn said he believes the president is setting himself up for what could become “the most miserable two years of his life” if Republicans lose ground in Congress next November.

“I think November is going to be a disaster,” Cornyn told the newspaper. “He’s going to have the most miserable two years of his life in the last two years of his term.”

The warning comes just weeks after Paxton delivered a crushing defeat to Cornyn in the Texas GOP runoff, ending the senator’s more than two-decade Senate career. Trump endorsed Paxton late in the race, helping push the controversial attorney general to victory over one of the most senior Republicans in Washington.

Cornyn admitted he believed Trump might stay neutral in the contest.

“I had really thought that we’d gone on so long with no endorsement that he was just going to stay out of it,” Cornyn told the Times. “But he couldn’t resist.”

The outgoing senator also suggested Trump’s treatment of him revealed a broader problem inside today’s Republican Party.

“If he would do that to me, he would do that to anybody,” Cornyn said. “There’s never going to be good enough for him, other than 100 percent, slavish adherence to whatever he wants.”

Cornyn argued that such demands run counter to the constitutional role of senators, who are supposed to provide checks and balances rather than unquestioning loyalty to any president.

The comments mark one of the sharpest public rebukes Trump has received from a longtime Republican ally. Despite occasional disagreements, Cornyn voted with Trump’s agenda at an exceptionally high rate during the president’s first term and was widely viewed as part of Senate Republican leadership’s institutional wing.

Trump nevertheless sided with Paxton, whom he praised as a loyal supporter of both himself and the MAGA movement. Following the runoff, Trump wrote on Truth Social that Cornyn would remain his friend and that Republicans would soon see Paxton become “a fantastic, common sense Senator.”

Cornyn was not impressed.

“If that’s the way friends treat you, you wonder about his enemies,” he remarked.

A Growing Republican Concern

Cornyn’s warning reflects concerns that have quietly surfaced among some Republicans since Paxton’s victory.

Several GOP senators and strategists argued before the runoff that replacing Cornyn with Paxton could complicate Republican efforts to hold the seat in November. Paxton carries years of political baggage, including impeachment proceedings in Texas and numerous ethics controversies that Democrats are expected to spotlight during the general election campaign.

According to reporting from Semafor, some Republican senators privately worried that Trump’s endorsement would make the Texas race significantly more expensive and difficult to defend, forcing the GOP to divert resources from other key battlegrounds.

TIME magazine similarly reported that establishment Republicans viewed Cornyn as a safer candidate and feared Trump’s intervention could create an opening for Democrats in a state that has remained reliably Republican for decades.

ABC News noted that Cornyn’s loss joins a growing list of Republican officials whose conservative credentials proved insufficient after falling out of favor with Trump.

Looking Ahead To 2026

Cornyn’s prediction comes as both parties begin looking toward the 2026 midterms, when control of Congress will once again be on the line.

Historically, the president’s party often loses seats during midterm elections, particularly during a second term. Should Republicans suffer significant losses in either chamber, Trump could find himself facing congressional investigations, legislative gridlock, and renewed political battles during the final two years of his presidency.

For now, however, Trump’s grip on the Republican base remains strong enough to reshape the party even against the wishes of many of its elected leaders.

Cornyn’s defeat may ultimately become one of the clearest examples yet of that reality.

The question now is whether his warning about a coming Republican “disaster” proves prophetic — or whether Trump’s political dominance continues carrying the GOP through another election cycle.

READ NEXT: Trump Calls For Expulsion Of Rep. Jamie Raskin, Escalating Feud Over Impeachment Efforts

Former NBC Host Chuck Todd Suggests a Trump Family Member Could Emerge as GOP Nominee in 2028

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Image via gage Skidmore Flickr

Former “Meet the Press” moderator Chuck Todd says he believes the possibility of another member of the Trump family seeking the White House in 2028 should not be dismissed.

During a discussion posted Tuesday on social platform X, Todd examined odds from FanDuel’s prediction market regarding potential Republican presidential contenders and suggested that a Trump family member could ultimately emerge as a serious candidate.

“I’d prefer a flyer on somebody with the last name of Trump,” Todd said.

Todd specifically mentioned several members of the president’s family, including Ivanka Trump, Donald Trump Jr., Eric Trump, and Lara Trump, the former Republican National Committee co-chair who is married to Eric Trump and currently hosts a program on Fox News.

“Any of those four, none of them are 0 percent chances in my head,” Todd added.

Watch:

While Vice President J.D. Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio are widely viewed as leading contenders for the Republican nomination once President Donald Trump leaves office, Todd’s comments reflect ongoing speculation about the Trump family’s continued influence within the GOP.

Recent polling suggests Vance and Rubio remain the early frontrunners in a hypothetical 2028 Republican primary. An Emerson College survey found Vance narrowly leading Rubio, 36 percent to 35 percent, among Republican voters.

President Trump himself recently fueled discussion about the party’s future during a podcast appearance, where he floated the idea of Vance and Rubio running together on a Republican ticket in 2028.

“I don’t know how you beat them if they’re together,” Trump said. “That would be a great team.”

Although Trump stopped short of endorsing either man as his preferred successor, his comments highlighted the growing attention being paid to the next generation of Republican leadership.

At the same time, members of the Trump family continue to maintain high public profiles. Donald Trump Jr. remains one of the president’s most active political surrogates, while Lara Trump has expanded her media presence and remains popular among many grassroots conservatives. Ivanka Trump has largely stepped away from politics since her father left office in 2021 but continues to generate interest whenever her political future is discussed.

The prospect of another Trump family member seeking national office remains speculative, and none of the individuals mentioned by Todd have formally indicated plans to run for president. However, the family’s enduring influence over the Republican Party has led political observers to continue viewing them as potential factors in the post-Trump era.

Todd’s remarks come as Republicans increasingly look ahead to the 2028 election cycle, even as President Trump continues serving his second term and remains the dominant figure within the party.

Trump-endorsed Feenstra Concedes To MAHA-backed Lahn In Primary Upset

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President Donald J. Trump visits the El Arepazo Doral restaurant, Monday, March 9, 2026, in Miami, Florida. (Official White House Photo by Daniel Torok)

A Republican primary battle in Iowa just delivered a major surprise—and a setback for President Donald Trump’s endorsement power.

According to Fox News, Rep. Randy Feenstra (R-Iowa), who received Trump’s endorsement just days before Election Day, conceded Tuesday night after losing the GOP gubernatorial primary to political newcomer Zach Lahn.

Lahn, a farmer and businessman backed by allies of the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement, ran on an “Iowa First” platform and overcame what many considered long odds to defeat one of the state’s most recognizable Republican figures.

The upset is likely to fuel debate inside conservative circles about the growing influence of MAHA-aligned activists and outsider candidates within the Republican coalition.

Feenstra entered the race with significant advantages. The congressman represented Iowa’s 4th District, enjoyed a fundraising edge, had support from prominent Iowa Republicans—including former Gov. Terry Branstad—and secured a late endorsement from Trump, who praised him as “MAGA all the way” and gave him his “Complete and Total Endorsement.”

But it wasn’t enough.

With 99% of votes counted, Lahn held roughly a 1,600-vote lead over Feenstra, according to The Associated Press election tracker cited by Fox News.

Despite the loss, Feenstra quickly rallied behind his opponent.

“I just called Zach Lahn, and said, ‘Hey, you got to carry this torch. We got to keep this state red. You got to make sure you beat Rob Sand.’ And I’m all in to help him out,” Feenstra told supporters on election night, according to video shared by Iowa News Now reporter Skylar Tallal and cited by Fox News.

Lahn’s campaign received backing from MAHA Action, a political organization aligned with the Make America Healthy Again movement. He was also endorsed by the political arm of Turning Point USA, the influential conservative organization founded by the late Charlie Kirk.

On his campaign website, Lahn describes himself as a father, farmer, and businessman committed to putting Iowa interests first.

The race opened after Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds announced she would not seek another term, creating Iowa’s first open gubernatorial contest in two decades.

Lahn now advances to a potentially competitive general election matchup against Democratic State Auditor Rob Sand, Iowa’s only Democratic statewide officeholder. Sand, who advanced through the Democratic primary unopposed, has built his reputation around government accountability and anti-corruption efforts.

Political handicappers have already signaled that the race could be one of the most closely watched gubernatorial contests in the country. Fox News noted that the Cook Political Report recently shifted the race from “Lean Republican” to “Toss Up,” while Inside Elections continues to rate it “Lean Republican.”

Trump Endorses Congressman Missing From Washington For Nearly Three Months

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President Donald Trump on Monday threw his support behind Rep. Tom Kean Jr. (R-NJ), even as the two-term congressman remains largely absent from Washington and the campaign trail amid an ongoing health-related disappearance that has fueled speculation across New Jersey’s most competitive House district.

Ahead of Tuesday’s Republican primary in New Jersey’s 7th Congressional District, Trump issued a glowing endorsement of Kean, who is running unopposed for renomination despite not casting a vote in Congress since March 5.

On Truth Social, Trump praised Kean as a “Great Representative” and a key ally in advancing the administration’s agenda.

“A Tremendous Advocate of our America First Agenda, Tom is working tirelessly to Keep our Border SECURE, Stop Migrant Crime, Grow our Economy, Cut Taxes and Regulations, Champion Small Business, Unleash American Energy DOMINANCE, Support our Brave Military and Veterans, and Protect our always under siege Second Amendment,” Trump wrote.

In offering his backing, Trump added: “GET OUT AND VOTE FOR TOM — HE WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN!”

The endorsement comes as Kean remains largely out of public view. The congressman has not appeared for votes in the House for nearly three months and has maintained only a limited public presence while recovering from what he has described as a serious but temporary medical condition.

In late April, Kean acknowledged for the first time that he was dealing with a “personal medical issue,” though he declined to provide details about the illness.

“My doctors continue to assure me that my recovery will be complete and that I will be back to the job I love very soon,” Kean said in a statement at the time. “I expect to return to a full schedule and be at 100 percent.”

Questions about Kean’s absence have intensified in recent weeks as one of the nation’s most closely watched House races begins to take shape. While the congressman has remained out of the spotlight, his official congressional and campaign social media accounts have continued posting regularly, creating an unusual situation in which voters have heard from the congressman online but rarely seen him in person.

Kean told the New Jersey Globe on May 21 that he expected to return to Washington and resume campaigning “in the next couple of weeks.”

He also sought to reassure constituents about his long-term outlook.

“My doctors are confident that I’m on the road to a full recovery,” Kean told the outlet. “I understand the need for public transparency, and I appreciate the support of my constituents.”

Additional reassurance came from Kean’s father, former New Jersey Gov. Tom Kean Sr., who told CNN in mid-May that his son is recovering from a serious but temporary illness.

Despite his continued absence, Kean’s campaign has remained active. Following Trump’s endorsement Monday, Kean thanked the president in a post on X and encouraged New Jersey Republicans to participate in the primary.

The timing is significant because New Jersey’s 7th Congressional District is expected to be one of the most competitive House battlegrounds in the country this year.

While Kean faces no Republican opposition, four Democrats — Rebecca Bennett, Michael Roth, Tina Shah, and Brian Varela — are competing for the chance to challenge him in November.

National Democrats view the district as one of their best pickup opportunities as they seek to regain control of the House. Republicans, meanwhile, are counting on Kean to defend a seat that could prove critical to preserving the GOP’s narrow majority.

Kean first won the district in 2022, defeating Democrat Tom Malinowski by just 2.8 percentage points. He secured reelection in 2024 by a somewhat wider 5.4-point margin against Democrat Sue Altman.

The Cook Political Report currently rates the race a “Toss Up,” placing it among just 18 House contests nationwide with that designation. Fourteen of those highly competitive seats are currently held by Republicans, underscoring the stakes for both parties heading into November.

For now, Trump’s endorsement provides Kean with a high-profile show of support at a moment when many voters are still waiting for the congressman to fully reemerge from the months-long absence that has become one of the most closely watched political stories in New Jersey.

Boebert Returns To Trump With Tail Between Her Legs

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Rep. Lauren Boebert appeared to be making peace with President Donald Trump this week after finding herself in his crosshairs over her support for ousted Rep. Thomas Massie.

Just days after Trump publicly threatened to yank his endorsement and potentially back a primary challenger against her, Boebert was back on social media loudly reaffirming her loyalty.

“Trump is my President! Jesus is Lord!” she posted Tuesday night.

The timing raised eyebrows.

Boebert’s declaration came only hours after Massie — one of Trump’s most outspoken Republican critics in Congress — was defeated in Kentucky’s high-profile GOP primary by Trump-backed challenger Ed Gallrein.

For many Republicans watching the race, the message was hard to miss: crossing Trump can carry a political price.

The blowup started after Boebert traveled to Kentucky to campaign for Massie, a libertarian-leaning conservative who has repeatedly broken with Trump and Republican leadership on spending battles, surveillance issues, foreign policy fights, and the push to release files related to the Jeffrey Epstein case.

Trump did not take kindly to seeing one of his longtime congressional allies standing shoulder-to-shoulder with one of his most frequent internal critics.

“Anybody who can be that dumb deserves a good Primary fight!” Trump wrote over the weekend, before raising the possibility of pulling his own support for Boebert if the “right person” entered the race against her.

For a politician long viewed as one of Trump’s fiercest defenders on Capitol Hill, it was a rare public dressing-down.

Boebert initially tried to shrug off the clash.

“Yes, I saw the President’s post. No, I’m not mad or offended,” she wrote after Trump’s comments. “I knew the risks when I agreed to stand by my friend Thomas Massie.”

But after Massie’s defeat, Boebert’s latest message sounded less like defiance and more like a quick political reset.

The dust-up highlights a reality becoming increasingly clear inside today’s GOP: policy disagreements may come and go, but Trump’s influence over Republican primaries remains a force few lawmakers seem eager to test.

Massie’s defeat already is being viewed by many inside Republican circles as another reminder that even longtime conservatives with strong grassroots support can face serious trouble when Trump decides to make a race personal.

Boebert appears to have gotten that message.

And she didn’t wait long to send one back.

Stephen Miller Reportedly Sidelined By Trump Admin.

By The White House - https://www.flickr.com/photos/202101414@N05/54346096651/, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=160407812

White House Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy Stephen Miller — long viewed as one of the chief architects of President Donald Trump’s hardline immigration agenda — is reportedly losing influence inside the administration as other top officials gain the president’s ear.

According to a new report from The Atlantic journalists Michael Scherer and Nick Miroff, Trump has privately expressed concern that Miller’s aggressive instincts sometimes go too far, marking a notable shift for one of the president’s most loyal and powerful longtime advisers.

The report claims Trump “has also told others in recent weeks that he understands Miller sometimes goes too far.” The alleged change reportedly became more noticeable following unrest in Minneapolis and the death of protester Alex Pretti.

Trump reportedly “recognized immediately after the second killing in Minneapolis, of the protester Alex Pretti, that the policy needed to shift.” Miller, however, took a far more confrontational tone, referring to Pretti as a “domestic terrorist” in the aftermath of the incident.

For years, Miller has been one of the most influential figures in Trump’s orbit. The former Senate aide rose to prominence during Trump’s first campaign in 2016 and quickly became the driving force behind many of the administration’s toughest immigration policies, including travel bans, refugee restrictions, and mass deportation proposals.

Unlike many Trump officials who cycled in and out of the administration, Miller built a uniquely durable relationship with the president. His fiery populist rhetoric and uncompromising stance on immigration made him a hero to many MAGA voters, while critics accused him of pushing excessively punitive policies.

But according to The Atlantic, recent months have revealed growing divisions within the administration over how aggressively to pursue Trump’s immigration crackdown.

The report states that Trump backed away from several Miller-backed initiatives after consulting with border czar Tom Homan and other officials. One major example involved a proposal to slash seasonal worker visas by 50%, a move that reportedly alarmed business interests and other administration figures.

“The new secretary is listening to Tom Homan and Rodney Scott before he is ever listening to Stephen Miller,” one senior administration official told Scherer and Miroff.

Another former official summed up Miller’s changing position bluntly: “The president knows who he is, period.”

The Atlantic also reported that while there have been no known clashes between Homan and Miller, the two men have promoted very different strategies for carrying out Trump’s mass-deportation agenda.

Miller has reportedly pushed for maximizing deportation numbers as quickly as possible, while Homan has favored a more targeted approach focused on illegal immigrants with criminal records.

“There have been no accounts of clashes or tension between Homan and Miller, and the former has even praised the latter as ‘one of the most brilliant people I’ve met in my entire life,’” the report noted.

Still, Homan’s influence appears to be growing.

According to the report, the Department of Homeland Security has quietly reversed several changes Miller pushed earlier in Trump’s second term. One key example involved accelerated training for new ICE recruits.

Miller had reportedly advocated for shortening ICE academy training to roughly eight weeks in an effort to rapidly expand deportation operations. Veteran officers reportedly warned that the abbreviated training created serious concerns, especially as dropout rates surged among recruits.

“In recent weeks, ICE reverted to a four-and-a-half-month training program similar to its former academy course,” the report stated, citing three officials familiar with the matter.

Despite the apparent shift, insiders told The Atlantic that Miller remains deeply embedded in Trump’s inner circle and is not expected to leave the administration anytime soon.

“White House insiders said that Miller remains a top adviser to the president, that he has a singular relationship to Trump built over the past decade, and that his job is not in jeopardy,” Scherer and Miroff reported.

The claims stand in stark contrast to earlier reporting that portrayed Miller as perhaps the single most influential policy figure in Trump’s second administration.

A bombshell report published by The New York Times in March suggested Miller had effectively become the driving force behind major Justice Department priorities.

“It was clear from the start that Mr. Miller, who is not a lawyer, would exercise control inside the department, current and former Trump aides said,” the Times reported at the time.

Whether Miller’s reported decline in influence proves temporary or permanent remains unclear. But the emerging picture suggests that even some of Trump’s most trusted allies are now competing for influence as the administration navigates mounting political and public pressure over immigration enforcement and domestic unrest.

Report: Trump Quietly Coaxing Senate Dem To Switch Political Party

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President Trump and Senate Republicans are making a bold, behind-the-scenes play: trying to lure Sen. John Fetterman out of the Democratic Party — and into the GOP’s column.

According to Politico’s Jonathan Martin, some Republicans believe they could cling to Senate control even if they lose multiple seats this fall — if they can convince the Pennsylvania Democrat to switch sides.

“Trump has made the sell, offering his patented total and complete endorsement plus a financial windfall to the Pennsylvanian,” Martin reported. Behind the scenes, GOP senators have also been “gently feeling out Fetterman” about the idea of defecting, according to multiple high-level Republican officials.

So far, Fetterman is holding the line — publicly, at least.

“I’m not changing,” he said. “I’m a Democrat and I’m staying one.”

But the intrigue hasn’t died down.

When one Republican floated the idea of Fetterman becoming an independent, the senator didn’t shut it down outright — he “absorbed the suggestion and didn’t embrace or reject the overture,” according to a GOP official familiar with the exchange.

And in Washington, actions often speak louder than words.

Fetterman has increasingly drifted from his Democratic colleagues, skipping party luncheons and spending hours with Republicans during Senate votes. He’s developed a friendly rapport with Senate Majority Leader John Thune — the two reportedly text regularly — and has been spotted hanging out in the GOP cloakroom, once considered off-limits territory for Democrats.

His growing ties to Republicans extend beyond politics. According to Martin, Fetterman has formed close relationships with Sen. Dave McCormick (R-PA) and Sen. Katie Britt (R-AL), along with their spouses — relationships some insiders believe could ultimately influence his political future.

At the same time, Fetterman has been openly at odds with his own party on key issues — especially immigration.

“The Democratic Party… we became an open border party, without a doubt. And now that’s wrong,” Fetterman said in a recent interview. “I support to make our border more secure, and deport all of the criminals right now.”

Still, he insists a full switch isn’t in the cards.

“So I can’t be a Republican because in many other areas, I disagree… but I’m staying in my party,” he said.

Even so, his standing among Democrats appears shaky. When asked about his relationships within the caucus, Fetterman laughed before answering: “Well, I mean, cordial… but I’m not necessarily the popular guy.”

Threats Add a Dark Backdrop

The political maneuvering comes amid a disturbing real-world threat targeting both Fetterman and Trump.

Federal authorities recently arrested a Pennsylvania man — who had just launched a Senate campaign against Fetterman — after he allegedly left a series of violent voicemails threatening the senator, his family, and the president.

According to court filings, Raymond Eugene Chandler III is accused of making graphic threats over the course of a year. In one message, he allegedly warned that Fetterman and his daughter would be dragged from their home and have their “throat… slit.”

Days later, prosecutors say, he escalated further — urging Fetterman to assassinate Trump.

“Walk into the Oval Office with a gun in your hand… put it to the President’s head… and… pull the trigger,” the caller said, according to investigators.

Authorities say the threats prompted increased security for lawmakers and their families, part of a broader surge in political violence and intimidation nationwide.

In a bizarre twist, Chandler posted a YouTube video announcing his Senate campaign just hours before his arrest, pitching a far-left platform that included wealth taxes, universal basic income, and abolishing ICE.

High Stakes, High Drama

For Republicans, flipping Fetterman would be a political earthquake — and a potential lifeline in a tight Senate map.

For now, the senator remains a Democrat — but with Trump making his pitch, GOP senators keeping the door open, and tensions rising both politically and personally, Washington is watching closely.

Trump Calls To Impeach Democrat Leader Over Supreme Court Comments

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By The White House - https://www.flickr.com/photos/202101414@N05/54581054338/, Public Domain,

President Donald Trump is turning up the heat on House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries — and floating a move that isn’t even constitutionally possible.

In a fiery Truth Social post Sunday night, Trump demanded to know why the New York Democrat isn’t being impeached after branding the U.S. Supreme Court “illegitimate” over its latest Voting Rights Act ruling.

“Hakeem Jeffries, a Low IQ individual, said our Supreme Court is ‘illegitimate.’ After saying such a thing, isn’t he subject to Impeachment?” Trump wrote. “I got impeached for A PERFECT PHONE CALL. Where are you Republicans? Why not get it started? They’ll be doing this to me! President DONALD J. TRUMP.”

The post quickly ignited backlash — and confusion — since members of Congress aren’t subject to impeachment under the Constitution. Instead, lawmakers can only be expelled by a two-thirds vote of their chamber.

Still, Trump’s message was clear: he wants Jeffries gone.

The clash comes days after the Supreme Court’s 6–3 decision striking down Louisiana’s second majority-Black congressional district, ruling it was an unconstitutional racial gerrymander.

Chief Justice John Roberts described the district as a “snake” drawn along racial lines, while Justice Samuel Alito called the map an “unconstitutional gerrymander” and framed the ruling as an “update” to how courts interpret the Voting Rights Act.

Trump praised the decision, calling it the “kind of ruling I like.”

Jeffries, meanwhile, unloaded on the high court.

“Today’s decision by this illegitimate Supreme Court majority strikes a blow against the Voting Rights Act and is designed to undermine the ability of communities of color all across this country to elect their candidate of choice,” he said.

“It’s an unacceptable decision, but not an unexpected decision,” Jeffries added. “Because this isn’t even really the Roberts Court. It’s the Trump Court.”

He also accused the ruling of helping Trump “scheme to suppress the vote and rig” upcoming elections.

Trump wasn’t having it — and fired back with his impeachment call, even as constitutional reality undercuts the demand.

Jeffries brushed off the attack with a short jab of his own on X: “Jeffries Derangement Syndrome,” a play on Trump’s long-used “Trump Derangement Syndrome” line.

The ruling has sparked outrage across liberal media circles, with commentators like Al Sharpton, Abby Phillip, and legal analyst Paul Butler slamming the decision and arguing it shows the court does not “respect” the rights of minority voters.

But for Trump, the focus isn’t the ruling — it’s the rhetoric.

And he’s making it clear he wants Republicans to escalate the fight.

Trump’s demand — even if constitutionally misplaced — comes at a time when expulsion threats are no longer theoretical on Capitol Hill.

Just weeks ago, Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) resigned from Congress as sexual misconduct allegations mounted and colleagues began weighing an expulsion vote.

“I am aware of efforts to bring an immediate expulsion vote against me and other members,” Swalwell said at the time. “Expelling anyone in Congress without due process… is wrong. But it’s also wrong for my constituents to have me distracted from my duties. Therefore, I plan to resign my seat in Congress.”

Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-Texas) stepped down the same week under similar pressure, with both lawmakers facing potential removal by their colleagues.

Most recently, Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-Fla.) announced she is resigning from the House of Representatives after Republicans vowed to force a vote to expel her from the chamber for committing a bevy of violations involving financial misconduct. 

“Rather than play these political games, I choose to step away so I can devote my time to fighting for my neighbors in Florida’s 20th District,” she wrote on social media. “I hereby resign from the 119th Congress, effective immediately.”

“This fight is far from over,” Cherfilus-McCormick, who was indicted by a grand jury last year for allegedly stealing COVID-19 emergency funds, added in her statement. 

The House Ethics Committee found “clear and convincing evidence” in March that the Florida Democrat misused federal disaster relief money that was improperly paid to her family’s healthcare company, among other misconduct. 

She is facing 53 years in prison as part of a separate criminal indictment.