Former Vice president Mike Pence has announced his support for a Republican Congressman who voted to impeach former President Trump over his alleged role in the 2021 Jan. 6th riot.
California Republican David Valadao, who voted to impeach Trump along with nine other House Republicans represents the 21st Congressional District and is running against Democratic challenger Rudy Salas for control over the newly drawn 22nd Congressional District.
Pence is set to headline a campaign fundraiser for Valadao in Fresno, California according to The Washington Examiner.
The former vice president has been outspoken against several Trump-backed candidates, particularly those who continue to deny the results of the 2020 election, such as Arizona’s GOP candidate for governor, Kari Lake. Pence had supported candidate Karrin Taylor Robson, whom Lake beat in the primary. He said in July that Lake wanted to make the 2022 election about the past.
“So, let me say, when you get out and vote for Karrin Taylor Robson and this Republican team, you can say yes to a future of freedom for Arizona,” he said that month.
On Sept. 14, Arizona Republican secretary of state candidate Mark Finchem accused Pence of attempting to organize a “coup” against Trump after Pence certified the 2020 election results. Finchem will compete against Democratic nominee Adrian Fontes in November. If he loses, he vowed not to concede.
Pence has been speculated as an early contender for the 2024 presidency but the former Vice President has reaffirmed his sole focus is helping Republicans succeed in this year’s midterms. However, his travels to high-profile early primary states like Iowa and New Hampshire along with his refusal to rule out a potential campaign have many Americans curious.
“I can honestly tell you in 2023, my family and I will do what we have always done. We’ll reflect, we’ll pray and determine where we might best serve, and we’ll go where we’re called,” Pence told a CNN reporter at the time
Iowa’s senior U.S. senator, Chuck Grassley, has disclosed findings from his office’s investigation into the first assassination attempt against former President Donald Trump during a July 13 rally near Butler, Pennsylvania. Revealing the latest to Fox News, Grassley’s office shared concerning security lapses by the Secret Service, which had assured local law enforcement that it would secure the American Glass Research (AGR) building overlooking Trump’s rally – an assurance that was not fulfilled.
The building in question was later used by Thomas Matthews Crooks, the would-be assassin who fired eight shots at Trump in under 30 seconds. Three rallygoers were hit, one fatally, and Trump himself was grazed by a bullet that came within an inch of his head. Despite these dangers, no law enforcement personnel were stationed on the roof where Crooks had taken his position.
“Butler County law enforcement officials stated that at separate times during the walkthrough, when they reiterated their concerns to the agents and counter sniper about securing the AGR complex buildings, the agents responded: ‘we will take care of it,’” Grassley’s office revealed in a Tuesday letter to acting Secret Service Director Ronald Rowe.
…
The Iowa senator questioned Rowe whether the Butler County law enforcement officials’ claim is true and, if so, what the Secret Service did to secure the area with the AGR complex buildings.
Grassley noted that in the weeks following the first assassination attempt, Rowe told senators during a hearing, “what was communicated is that the locals had a plan and that they had been there before,” in regard to the roof of the AGR building where Crooks took his shots from.
Crooks’ final location was only discovered when bystanders noticed him army-crawling toward Trump. A local police officer attempted to access the roof, prompting Crooks to rush his first shot.
Startling video footage, obtained by Fox News more than two weeks after the incident, showed a figure believed to be Crooks moving across the roof of the AGR building three minutes before the attack. FBI officials later revealed that Crooks accessed the roof by climbing HVAC equipment and piping, moving across multiple rooftops to establish his position about 450 feet from Trump.
CRAZY. This video is from James Copenhaver – one of the bystanders who was shot twice and critically wounded during the assassination attempt against Trump. It CLEARLY shows Crooks' head scurrying on the rooftop moments before the shooting.
The Secret Service was aware of a potential threat 10 minutes before Trump took the stage but allowed the event to proceed. Additionally, a local law enforcement countersniper had flagged the shooter as suspicious over an hour before the attack due to his use of a rangefinder and his possession of a backpack.
Grassley’s investigation raises serious questions about the security protocols in place during the rally and the Secret Service’s handling of the potential threat.
Read Grassley’s letter to acting Secret Service Director Ronald Rowe here:
On Wednesday, Phil Ehr announced his decision to drop out of the Senate primary and instead challenge incumbent Rep. Carlos Gimenez (R-Fla.) for Florida’s 28th congressional district.
The move is a stark turnaround after Ehr initially entered the senate race to unseat Republican Senator Rick Scott.
But Ehr, who once ran against GOP Rep. Matt Gaetz in northwest Florida, said his decision to compete for Gimenez’s House seat was motivated by what he called the “chaos in the nation’s Capitol” due to the Republican infighting over House speaker that has kept that chamber without a leader for more than two weeks.
“We have in the House of Representatives chaos that is damaging America, chaos that is preventing us from being able to respond overseas,” Ehr told Playbook.
Ehr’s decision to mount a congressional campaign in South Florida was, in part, because he believes Gimenez is vulnerable and for the GOP lawmaker’s support of former President Donald Trump and other Republicans like Gaetz. Gimenez is currently one of the holdouts opposed to the speakership bid of Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio).
Ehr also added that he’s been a Florida resident since 1984, and while in the military he did missions in the area, including rescuing Cuban exiles during the Mariel boatlift. “This place is very familiar to me,” Ehr said.
On Tuesday evening, Florida Congressman Byron Donalds signaled he plans to campaign to become the next Florida governor days after President Trump suggested that he run.
The next Florida gubernatorial election is slated for Nov. 3, 2026.
Speaking to host Sean Hannity, Donalds said he came to the decision to run “after a lot of prayer [and] a lot of thoughts with my family and my friends.”
“Sean, we have a wonderful state,” Donalds said. “I got to Florida when I was 17 years old, off of a Greyhound bus with just a trunk full of clothes. And over the rest of my time in Florida, I built a family, I built a career. … I was able to serve four years in a state legislature, four years in Congress.
“And I think now is the time to now take the mantle and lead our state into the future.”
I arrived in the Sunshine State at 17 years old on a Greyhound bus, with a trunk full of clothes and a dream.
Now is the time to keep the best state in the country as the best state in the country.
Tonight, I am proud to announce my candidacy to be the next governor of Florida. pic.twitter.com/8jUHXw8A34
The Florida Republican said he is the only candidate in the race so far and commended Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis for his service to the state.
“We have a great governor. Ron DeSantis has done a tremendous job for our state,” Donalds said. “But now the job is to keep the best state in the country as the best state in the country. And so that’s going to be the mission at hand. And I’m excited to announce my candidacy with you tonight.”
Donalds was endorsed by President Donald Trump, who recently wrote that his fellow Sunshine State resident “would be a truly Great and Powerful Governor for Florida.”
“I am hearing that Highly Respected Congressman Byron Donalds is considering running for Governor of Florida, a State that I love, and WON BIG in 2016, 2020, and 2024,” a Trump social media post said.
“[S]hould he decide to run, [Donalds] will have my Complete and Total Endorsement. RUN, BYRON, RUN!”
Ron DeSantis via Gage Skidmore Flickr
DeSantis, however, has not signaled support for Donalds. On Monday, DeSantis told reporters he wants Florida congressmen to be “focused on enacting [Trump’s] agenda.”
DeSantis’ comments came amid rumors that his wife, Casey, might run for governor. The Florida governor dodged a reporter’s question about his wife’s plans at a press conference Monday.
“People ask me all the time about our wonderful first lady, who has done a fantastic job as first lady of Florida,” DeSantis responded. “I will tell you this. You’re talking about somebody like her. I won by the biggest margin that any Republican has ever won a governor’s race here in Florida. She would do better than me.”
Fighter pilot and decorated combat veteran Jeff Witt announced Monday he is entering the race to fill former Rep. Matt Gaetz’s seat representing Florida’s 1st congressional district.
Witt is currently serving as a policy advisor on the Trump-Vance Presidential Transition Team.
“I have served my country in uniform for 14 years, and my dedication to service extends to the community in which my family and I live,” Witt told Fox News Digital. “I am excited to meet voters from all across the district in this campaign, and prove to them that they can trust me to be a leader in Congress who represents them with conviction, hard work, and integrity.”
Witt told Fox News Digital that he will “fight to get inflation under control, secure our borders, and strengthen our military.”
“I will listen to the needs of my constituents, and I will work on their behalf to make Florida’s 1st District the finest place in America for veterans, businesses, and families,” he said.
Witt attended Harvard University for his undergraduate studies and was a Harvard football quarterback. He also received his Master of Business Administration from Harvard University.
A 2024 Club for Growth fellow, Witt has already been endorsed by top former Trump administration officials, including former Secretary of Veterans Affairs Robert Wilkie.
“Jeff Witt is a patriot and a staunch supporter of President Trump and his America First agenda,” Wilkie told Fox News Digital. “As the former Secretary of Veterans Affairs under President Trump, I know that Jeff’s mission will always be to put warriors first. I am honored to give Jeff my full endorsement.”
Wilkie told Fox News Digital that Witt “stands for the right things—family and freedom.”
Gaetz had represented Florida’s 1st congressional district from January 2017 until earlier this month, when he resigned from his post upon receiving the nomination for attorney general.
President-elect Donald Trump also urged Florida state Sen. Randy Fine to run for Congress, pledging to endorse the Sunshine State lawmaker if he opts to throw his hat into the ring.
“I am hearing that America First Patriot Randy Fine is considering launching his Campaign for Congress in Florida’s 6th Congressional District!” Trump said in a Truth Social post.
“Should he decide to enter this Race, Randy Fine has my Complete and Total Endorsement. RUN, RANDY, RUN!” Trump urged.
Gage Skidmore from Surprise, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Lauren Boebert is already facing a challenger in 2024’s campaign for what would be her third term in Congress.
On Tuesday, Adam Frisch, the Democrat who came within half a percentage point of unseating the conservative lawmaker, announced his 2024 campaign.
“November’s election results show us that Boebert is weak and will be defeated, which is why I have decided to launch my 2024 congressional campaign,” Frisch said in a statement.
Frisch drew widespread headlines in November for his unexpectedly close race against Boebert. According to The Hill, Frisch led the incumbent by 64 votes at one point during the race despite his lack of political experience.
“Lauren Boebert is everything that’s wrong with Congress,” he said in his announcement video, zeroing in on her vote against certifying the results of the 2020 presidential election and her stance against abortion.
“She’s part of the anger-tainment circus that’s tearing our country apart,” he said. “I’ll put Colorado first — Colorado energy, Colorado water and Colorado jobs.”
Despite Frisch’s early entrance to the race, a spokesperson for Boebert touted her legislative record
“The entire country watched as Congresswoman Lauren Boebert helped fearlessly lead the way in making historic improvements to how Congress operates,” Boebert spokesman Ben Stout said. “In just a matter of weeks since then, Congresswoman Boebert has cosponsored and helped pass 6 bills and authored 4 amendments, each one passing on the House floor with bipartisan support.”
By The White House - https://www.flickr.com/photos/202101414@N05/54346096651/, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=160407812
Few political advisers in modern American politics have maintained influence as persistently as Stephen Miller. Long known as the architect behind many of President Donald Trump’s most hardline immigration policies, Miller is once again at the center of intense political scrutiny.
New reports published by The Daily Beast and widely circulated through media outlets including AOL News describe what insiders characterize as a carefully managed effort by Miller to preserve — and potentially expand — his political influence within the Trump movement.
According to those reports, Miller has reportedly reduced his public profile while continuing to exercise substantial behind-the-scenes control over immigration strategy and White House operations. Critics describe the effort as a “shadow influence campaign,” while allies argue he remains one of the administration’s most effective policy strategists.
The story has reignited broader questions about executive power, political loyalty networks, and the role of unelected advisers in shaping federal policy.
The Reports Behind “Stephen Miller’s Secret Plot to Cling on to Power”
The current controversy emerged after investigative reporting suggested Miller had intentionally stepped back from public visibility while maintaining substantial operational authority behind the scenes.
According to reporting cited by The Daily Beast’s PunchUp investigations unit, several senior administration officials claimed Miller’s apparent “retreat” from media appearances was strategic rather than accidental.
Claims Reported by Media Outlets
The reports allege that:
Miller continues participating in high-level immigration discussions
He maintains influence over Department of Homeland Security operations
Public-facing responsibilities have shifted toward other officials
Internal strategy meetings reportedly still center around Miller’s priorities
Political allies remain embedded across federal agencies
Importantly, many of these claims rely on anonymous sources familiar with internal discussions. No public evidence has emerged proving unlawful conduct or formal attempts to bypass constitutional processes.
The Department of Homeland Security publicly denied suggestions of internal conflict, stating officials work collaboratively to implement administration priorities.
The “Quiet Power” Strategy
One of the most discussed aspects of the latest reporting is the idea that Miller intentionally reduced his public visibility.
Political analysts say this approach reflects a broader strategy often used by influential White House advisers: remain operationally powerful while avoiding media backlash.
Reported Strategic Changes
Public Role
Behind-the-Scenes Activity
Fewer TV appearances
Continued policy meetings
Reduced public interviews
Coordination with immigration officials
Lower social media profile
Internal strategy influence
Delegated public messaging
Maintained advisory authority
Critics argue the strategy allows controversial policy initiatives to continue without attracting the same level of public scrutiny.
Supporters counter that Miller’s reduced visibility merely reflects an effort to focus on operational efficiency rather than cable news appearances.
The Role of Tom Homan and DHS Leadership
Several reports suggest Miller’s influence now overlaps significantly with other immigration hardliners, including Tom Homan.
Some insiders described Miller and Homan as operating “in lockstep” on immigration strategy.
The reports also referenced tensions surrounding leadership appointments within DHS and ICE.
Key Issues Reportedly Under Debate
ICE leadership succession
Deportation targets
Enforcement visibility
Recruitment and training standards
Public communications strategy
However, official government statements have rejected narratives of dysfunction or internal rivalry.
Facts vs. Analysis
To maintain clarity, it is important to separate verified reporting from interpretation.
Verified Facts
Stephen Miller remains an influential Trump adviser
He has played a major role in immigration policy since 2016
Multiple outlets reported he reduced public appearances
Administration officials confirmed continued coordination between Miller and DHS leadership
Claims of a “secret plot” are interpretive descriptions, not legal findings
Allegations about power consolidation rely heavily on anonymous sourcing
Assertions about long-term political ambitions remain speculative
No evidence has emerged suggesting unconstitutional activity
This distinction matters because politically charged headlines often blur the line between factual reporting and analytical framing.
Conclusion
The debate surrounding Miller’s role reflects broader tensions inside modern American politics — especially over immigration, executive authority, and the growing role of influential advisers operating outside the public spotlight.
Verified reporting confirms that Miller remains deeply involved in immigration policy discussions and maintains substantial influence within Trump-aligned political circles.
As the political landscape continues to evolve heading into the final stretch of another highly contested election cycle, Miller’s growing influence is likely to remain under intense scrutiny from supporters, critics, and media organizations alike.
For now, one thing remains clear: despite reducing his public profile, Stephen Miller remains one of the most consequential — and controversial — political strategists in Washington.
This article originally appeared on American Liberty News. Republished with permission.
A federal appeals court on Friday granted former President Donald Trump more time to file a crucial document in his effort to revive his failed lawsuit against Hillary Clinton.
The lawsuit, originally filed in March 2022, accuses Clinton, the Democratic National Committee, former FBI Director James Comey and others of rigging the 2016 presidential election. Trump’s legal team claims the defendants engaged in a conspiracy to “discredit, delegitimize and defame” him during his first presidential campaign.
Trump’s request for additional time was aimed at resuscitating the racketeering (RICO) suit. His legal team also sought to expand their arguments in the case.
Now, in the waning days of his third bid for public office, the underlying lawsuit is long-since dead and gone – dismissed as “frivolous” and “hyperbole” by a district court in Florida in September 2022 – but remains on appellate life support in the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals.
In a terse order, Trump-appointed U.S. Circuit Judge Kevin C. Newsom gave Trump an opportunity to stretch the process a bit further – and to opine about the issues at stake in the appeal at length.
“Appellants’ unopposed motion to exceed the word limitation in their consolidated reply brief and to enlarge the time to file that brief is GRANTED,” the judge’s order reads. “The consolidated reply brief, which may not exceed 10,000 words, is due by September 27, 2024.”
In late August, Trump asked Clinton’s counsel for consent in order to obtain the since-granted extension – citing “pressing hearings occurring in other cases.” The original deadline was Aug. 30. The original word limit, under court rules, was 6,500 words.
Trump’s lawyers replied a few days later with a detailed request for an extension, which the judge found persuasive.
“The interests of justice and judicial economy will be served by permitting this extension of time in the context of the multiple consolidated appeals,” Trump’s attorneys wrote. “Appellants’ counsel conferred with Appellees’ counsel regarding the relief sought in this motion and all Appellees oppose this extension request.”
Following the judge’s decision, Clinton reluctantly agreed to the extension without objection.
This article originally appeared on American Liberty News. It is republished with permission.
Will the threats of political violence come to an end?
FBI agents in Michigan have arrested two individuals charged with making violent threats, including one man suspected of hinting at an assassination plot targeting President-elect Donald Trump. The charges, revealed on Tuesday, come just days before the 2024 presidential election and underscore an increase in threats against public officials across the country.
One of the defendants allegedly called Trump a “piece of s—” and threatened to shoot up conservative Christians if Trump wins; the other allegedly called Harris a “f —— communist piece of s—” and threatened violence on an unnamed PAC involved in the presidential campaign, telling the group, “I’m your worst f—— nightmare.”
According to criminal documents filed in federal court, here are the two Michigan men who landed on the FBI’s radar in recent months over threatening comments targeting both campaigns, candidates and their supporters:
The most recent arrest involves Isaac Sissel, 25, a transient Ann Arbor man who allegedly threatened to shoot conservative Christians with an AR-15 should Trump win the election. The FBI arrested him Tuesday, but said it did not find any weapons on him when agents found him in a Travelodge motel room on Monday in Canton Township, according to the criminal complaint.
In an FBI affidavit on file in court, Sissel is described as a transient individual with no known home address who claimed to have hidden out on the University of Michigan campus and slept near a rehab clinic.
According to court documents, one of the suspects allegedly sent a message threatening violence should Trump secure an election victory. The message, cited by The Detroit News, reportedly contained plans to attack “conservative Christian filth” and referenced a stolen AR-15 rifle. The individual claimed to have hollow-point bullets and a chemical irritant, suggesting that the planned attack’s execution and the concealment of weapons would complicate FBI intervention.
This case highlights the FBI’s intensified response to rising security risks in a polarized political climate, where threats against public figures have become an acute concern for federal and local authorities.
Article Published With The Permission of American Liberty News.
Oscar-winning actor George Clooney is weighing in on who he believes should take the reins of the Democrat Party next after helping push out Joe Biden ahead of the 2024 election.
In a candid interview with CNN anchor Jake Tapper on Wednesday, Clooney offered an unexpected endorsement for one Democrat he said was “levitating above” the rest: Maryland Governor Wes Moore.
He began: “I really … there’s one person in particular I think is spectacular. There are a few: I like [Kentucky Governor] Andy Beshear.”
“I’m a Kentucky guy, I like him, he’s a good guy. And they’re smart. And he’s won in a red state. He’s a Democrat. I like [Michigan Governor] Gretchen [Whitmer], I think is very good.”
He continued: “But who I think is who I think is levitating above that is Wes Moore. I think he is the guy that has handled this tragedy in Baltimore beautifully. He has two tours of duty in Afghanistan, active duty. He speaks sort of beautifully. He’s smart. He ran a hedge fund. He ran the Robin Hood Foundation. He’s a proper leader.”
Watch:
“He’s a proper leader.” George Clooney reveals his choice for the 2028 Democratic presidential nominee: Maryland Governor Wes Moore. pic.twitter.com/j8yiNw0b3V
Circling back to Moore, Clooney added, “I like him a lot. I think he could be someone we could all join in behind. We have to find somebody rather soon, you know, because we need to redo… Look, the other side, the side that I don’t support, they are, you know, running through government and doing their thing. So it’s our job now to put together a proper team to stand up because we’re right now polling very poorly.”
Statistician and FiveThirtyEight founder Nate Silver is predicting that Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) would become the presidential nominee for the Democratic Party in 2028.
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez @ Women’s March NYC, 2019 [Photo Credit: Dimitri Rodriguez, CC BY 2.0, AOC]
In a video published to his Silver Bulletin newsletter on Wednesday, Silver and former FiveThirtyEight podcast host Galen Druke both chose Ocasio-Cortez as their No. 1 pick for likely 2028 Democratic presidential nominee.
“I think there’s a lot of points in her favor at this very moment,” said Druke. “In a Yale poll just out this week, AOC has the highest net favorability rating of any of the Democrats that they asked about.”
He argued:
So that means that Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has broad appeal across the Democratic Party and there’s a lot of people who could potentially get on board with her. But I think equally important is the fact that she has very fervent support. I think a lot of people are gonna run in 2028 and it’s going to be a contest for attention and getting those sort of people who might be in your boat to turn out and stay with you through thick and thin, and I think that’s Ocasio-Cortez. Like, the media is kind of obsessed with her, and they’re going to follow her every move, which means she will be able to keep the attention on her throughout the primary process.
Nate Silver reveals his top picks for the most likely 2028 Democratic presidential nominee:
Silver replied, “I agree with everything. She was going to be my first pick, and I can’t conceal that now, right? Because of some of the polling; because she has this kind of progressive lane, probably not to herself; because she is younger and media savvy. I mean, look, in polls, if she were to try to primary Chuck Schumer, she is now ahead in those polls and New York Democrats are actually a pretty moderate bloc.”
After Silver added, however, that he was not yet sure whether Ocasio-Cortez would even run, Druke said, “I think she’s gonna run. If you’ve been following her moves in terms of her ‘Fight Oligarchy’ tour, in terms of the kind of content she’s putting out on social media.”
