Former Attorney General to President George W. Bush, Alberto Gonzales is turning his back on Donald Trump.
In the same op-ed, Gonzales called former President Donald Trump “perhaps the most serious threat to the rule of law in a generation.” Gonzales wrote:
The American presidency is the most powerful position in the world. Of course, our constitution and laws, as well as institutions such as Congress and our courts, act as guardrails to that power. The law provides the certainty of accountability and fundamental fairness. Yet it is the president’s integrity, honesty and respect for our institutions that may be the most important and reliable check on abuses of power.
As the United States approaches a critical election, I can’t sit quietly as Donald Trump — perhaps the most serious threat to the rule of law in a generation — eyes a return to the White House. For that reason, though I’m a Republican, I’ve decided to support Kamala Harris for president.
The Republican AG also officially endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris for president.
In his endorsement, Gonzales defended her from critics who have raised concerns as to why she hasn’t accomplished more as Vice President, pointing the finger at Congress:
Trump and his surrogates will blame her for the economic policies of the Biden administration, as well as the border crisis. Based on my experience, however, a vice president truly has little to no influence on economic policy. A vice president may provide input, but it is the president who is the ultimate decision-maker. That is part of the job of being the president. Further, Congress has as much, if not more, power to affect our economy through legislation. It is as much their failure as Biden’s that child care, housing, gasoline and groceries cost too much. And as for the border, Trump and his supporters in Congress assumed partial responsibility for the tough border situation when they killed bipartisan legislation in order to help Trump’s election chances.
Ultimately, Gonzales wrote that he had more faith in Harris to carry out the duties as Commander in Chief:
Harris, meanwhile, has sworn fidelity to the rule of law as a former local prosecutor and state attorney general. Her record in law enforcement shows a clear commitment to pursuing justice. While I may disagree with some of her policies, I am hopeful she will be open to dissenting views and will act always in a manner respectful of the power of all three branches of government.
In his closing, he added that Harris was “the best suited, able and committed to unite us in a manner consistent with the rule of law.”
Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz’s Republican National Convention appearance has caused an uproar online.
On Wednesday evening, the Florida lawmaker became the center of attention and mockery due to his appearance at his convention speech.
Some users on social media suggested that Gaetz had recently undergone Botox or other cosmetic procedures.
Rep. Derrick Van Orden (R-WI) compared Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) to an “inflatable sex doll” following his speech at the Republican National Convention.
“BREAKING,” Van Orden wrote to his followers in all-caps along with red siren emojis. “RNC debuts first AI powered inflatable sex doll to speak at a national convention.”
🚨 🚨 🚨 🚨 BREAKING 🚨 🚨 🚨 🚨
RNC debuts first AI powered inflatable sex doll to speak at a national convention. pic.twitter.com/Rqqj1Eq1V8
— Derrick Van Orden (@derrickvanorden) July 18, 2024
Check out some of the other reactions to Gaetz’s appearance:
Matt Gaetz after a severe Botox binge at the RNC or the Joker wreaking havoc on Gotham, who wore it better pic.twitter.com/aHDwFgWknP
On Wednesday, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis launched a redistricting effort to potentially secure additional Republican congressional seats in the state.
DeSantis announced the move, saying he will be convening a special session for the state legislature to adjust current maps. The move comes as red and blue states across the country have pursued redistricting to secure an advantage in the 2026 midterm elections.
“Today, I announced that I will be convening a Special Session of the Legislature focused on redistricting to ensure that Florida’s congressional maps accurately reflect the population of our state. Every Florida resident deserves to be represented fairly and constitutionally,” DeSantis wrote.
“This Special Session will take place after the regular legislative session, which will allow the Legislature to first focus on the pressing issues facing Floridians before devoting its full attention to congressional redistricting in April,” he added.
Currently, Republicans hold 20 of Florida’s 28 congressional districts. Florida Republicans may also face challenges because of language in the state’s constitution that puts tight restrictions on gerrymandering.
Texas and California have also pursued major redistricting efforts, with Texas overcoming some initial pushback from the courts.
In early December, the Supreme Court delivered a significant victory to Texas Republicans, clearing the way for a new congressional map that could add up to five GOP-leaning seats in 2026. In a 6-3 ruling, the justices halted a lower court order and said Texas can use the map while the legal fight plays out.
🚨 BREAKING – MASSIVE VICTORY: Supreme Court UPHOLDS Texas' 2026 Congressional redistricting map in a 6-3 ruling
Florida is another key battleground where redistricting could bolster Republican prospects. Governor Ron DeSantis has already demonstrated a willingness to redraw maps, most notably by dismantling a North Florida district long viewed as favorable to Democrats. Further tweaks ahead of 2026 could reinforce Republican dominance in the state by locking in gains made over the last two cycles and reducing the number of truly competitive districts. (RELATED:Supreme Court Clears Texas To Use GOP-Friendly Map In 2026)
Similarly, in states like Ohio and Tennessee, GOP legislators continue to test the limits of court rulings and constitutional constraints, seeking maps that better reflect — in their view — statewide partisan preferences, which currently favor Republicans.
While these redistricting efforts are unlikely to produce a dramatic wave of new GOP seats on their own, they could prove decisive in a narrowly divided House. With margins expected to be razor-thin, even two or three additional Republican-leaning districts may be enough to offset losses from retirements or difficult midterm headwinds.
Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) on Thursday will announce that he is not seeking reelection in 2026, bringing an end to the longest-serving Senate leader’s political career.
“Seven times, my fellow Kentuckians have sent me to the Senate,” McConnell will say, according to prepared remarks.
“Every day in between I’ve been humbled by the trust they’ve placed in me to do their business here. Representing our commonwealth has been the honor of a lifetime. I will not seek this honor an eighth time. My current term in the Senate will be my last.”
BREAKING: Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) will be announcing on the Senate floor Thursday that he won’t see reelection in 2026, according to the Associated Press (AP).
The 83-year-old Senator is the longest-serving Senate party leader in U.S. history.
Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
These are shocking words for RINO Romney…
On Wednesday, the Utah Senator and avid Trump critic said that President Joe Biden made a huge mistake by not immediately pardoning former President Donald Trump.
During a discussion with MSNBC host Stephanie Ruhle about Trump’s ongoing hush money trial in New York, Romney said, “I think President Biden made an enormous error. He should have fought like crazy to keep this prosecution from going forward. It was a win-win for Donald Trump.”
After Ruhle questioned, “Is that Joe Biden’s job?” Romney replied, “I’ve been around for a while. If LBJ had been president and he didn’t want something like this to happen, he’d have been all over that prosecutor saying, ‘You better not bring that forward or I’m gonna drive you out of office.’”
“But I’m pretty sure you support having separate but equal branches of government,” said Ruhle.
“I do,” replied Romney, before adding:
Had I been President Biden when the Justice Department brought an indictment, I would have immediately pardoned him. I’d have pardoned President Trump. Why? Because it makes me, President Biden, the big guy and the person I pardoned the little guy. And number two, it’s not gonna get resolved before the election, it’s not gonna have an impact before the election, and frankly the country doesn’t want to have to go through prosecuting a former president.
I think the American people have recognized that President Trump did have an inappropriate affair with someone who is a porn star. I think they realize that. I think they realize that he took classified documents he shouldn’t have and didn’t handle them properly. I think they understand that as well. I think they realize that he’s been lying about the election in 2020. They know those things, so these things are not changing the public attitude, and frankly we ought to get beyond these and focus on the big issues that really matter to the American people: our inflation, our border, what’s happening around the world.
The Florida Governor issued a last-minute endorsement in Kentucky’s contentious Republican gubernatorial primary on Monday, throwing his support behind former U.N. Ambassador Kelly Craft.
“Hello, this is Governor Ron DeSantis, coming to you from the free state of Florida. You’ve had a woke, liberal governor who’s put a radical agenda ahead of Kentuckians. The stakes couldn’t be higher. I know what it takes to stand up for what’s right, and Kelly Craft’s got it. She’s proven it,” DeSantis said in a recorded statement shared with Fox News Digital.
“I’m strongly encouraging you to go out and vote for my friend, Kelly Craft. Kelly shares the same vision we do in Florida. She will stand up to the left as they try to indoctrinate our children with their woke ideology. Kelly will fight against crazy ESG policies that are trying to end the coal industry in Kentucky. And Kelly’s going to do everything in her power to end the fentanyl crisis that is hurting Kentucky families,” he said.
In a statement to Fox News, Craft said she was “honored and grateful” to have DeSantis’ support, and praised his leadership of Florida.
“He sets the example for Republican leaders around the nation because he delivers bold, conservative results. Kentucky needs to look more like Florida instead of California, and I look forward to ushering in a new generation of conservative leadership as Governor of Kentucky,” she said.
However, Donald Trump backed Craft’s opponent, Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron, early on in the race.
The race is widely viewed as a bellwether for Republican chances at taking back the White House and Senate in 2024. DeSantis’ last-minute endorsement of Craft ahead of Tuesday’s Republican primary pits him squarely against former President Donald Trump as he seeks to test the strength of his own endorsement after being blamed by some Republicans for the GOP’s disappointing 2022 midterms results.
Fellow Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy has also endorsed Craft.
Craft and Cameron are facing a crowded field of 10 other Republican candidates, including Kentucky Agriculture Commissioner Ryan Quarles.
The winner of Tuesday’s contest will go on to face Democrat Gov. Andy Beshear in the November general election.
Could Donald Trump’s second White House administration include family members after all?
Ivanka Trump, the former President’s oldest daughter, signaled a willingness to return to politics if her father wins another term in the White House.
Puck’s Tara Palmeri reported, citing someone familiar with the matter, that the former president’s daughter, who served in his first administration, is “warming to the idea of trying to be helpful” again. The source told Palmeri that Ivanka Trump is “privately not ruling out having some sort of role.”
“She’s not like ‘Hell no’ anymore,” the person said.
Ivanka Trump served as an advisor in her father’s administration but announced in 2022 that she was leaving politics behind even though her father is running again. Other Trump family members have also made similar statements regarding future roles in the White House.
“This time around, I am choosing to prioritize my young children and the private life we are creating as a family. I do not plan to be involved in politics,” she said at the time.
Palmeri reported that Ivanka Trump has been advised to wait to make a full dive back onto the Trump team until the GOP convention this summer.
A spokesperson for the couple said in a statement that both are still committed to being in the private sector currently.
“As they’ve both repeatedly stated, Ivanka and Jared continue to focus on their family and lives in the private sector and do not intend to go back to politics,” the spokesperson said.
Ivanka Trump’s husband, Jared Kushner, also served as a senior advisor in Trump’s administration, helping to negotiate the historic Abraham Accords.
The 2024 Pennsylvania Senate race is emerging as one of the most closely watched and pivotal contests in the nation, with significant implications for the balance of power in the U.S. Senate. Incumbent Democrat Senator Bob Casey Jr. is seeking reelection for a fourth term, while Republicans are coalescing around David McCormick, a former hedge fund executive.
Both candidates are gearing up for what is expected to be one of the most expensive and competitive Senate races in the country…
Bob Casey Jr.: The Incumbent
Bob Casey Jr., son of the late Governor Bob Casey Sr., has served Pennsylvania in the Senate since 2006. Casey has built a reputation as a pragmatic legislator who prioritizes health care, jobs and labor rights.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
In the Senate, Casey has leveraged his seniority to secure key committee assignments, including on the influential Senate Finance Committee.
However, the political climate in Pennsylvania has become increasingly polarized in recent years, teeing up a more challenging electoral environment for the seasoned politician this year. With the Keystone State narrowly voting for Joe Biden in 2020 after flipping to Donald Trump in 2016, Republicans see this as an opportunity to unseat Casey.
David McCormick: The Challenger
David McCormick, a former hedge fund CEO and Army veteran, is a prominent figure in Pennsylvania politics and business. McCormick served as the CEO of Bridgewater Associates, one of the world’s largest hedge funds, from 2020 to 2022, where he gained a reputation for strong leadership in the financial sector. A West Point graduate, McCormick also served as an Army officer during the Gulf War, earning a Bronze Star for his service.
National Archives at College Park – Still Pictures, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
In public service, McCormick held senior economic positions in the George W. Bush administration, including Under Secretary of the Treasury for International Affairs. His platform emphasizes economic growth, job creation and strengthening national security. McCormick is also focused on fiscal conservatism, advocating for reduced government spending and taxes.
McCormick previously ran for Senate in 2022, narrowly losing the Republican primary to Mehmet Oz, who ultimately lost to Democrat John Fetterman in the general election. Since then, McCormick has remained active in Pennsylvania politics, positioning himself as a fiscal conservative and critic of the Biden administration’s economic policies.
McCormick’s background in business and finance has appealed to Pennsylvania’s suburban voters, while his military service has resonated with the state’s sizable veteran population along with Donald Trump’s MAGA base.
Key Policy Issues
In his 2024 campaign, McCormick has focused on national security, economic freedom and his status as a business leader and political outsider, in stark contrast to Casey’s long tenure in Washington. This dynamic has brought the race to a near tie.
I retired from the Army as a captain after a combat tour in Iraq, but I've never stopped serving my country.
I'm a seventh-generation Pennsylvanian, political outsider, & PA job creator.
Bob Casey is a weak, liberal, 30-year career politician who has failed our commonwealth. pic.twitter.com/NnuK1F25Su
McCormick’s platform focuses on reducing government spending, boosting economic growth and opposing progressive policies that he argues have hurt the state’s energy sector, particularly coal and natural gas.
Fundraising and Campaign Spending
The Pennsylvania Senate race is expected to be one of the most expensive in the nation, with both candidates benefiting from substantial outside spending.
According to Federal Election Commission (FEC) data, Bob Casey has raised more than $21 million, thanks to strong support from labor unions, healthcare groups, and Democrat super PACs such as the Senate Majority PAC. Casey’s deep connections with national Democrats and his long-standing relationships with Pennsylvania’s organized labor groups have made him a fundraising powerhouse.
On the Republican side, David McCormick has raised over $17 million with significant support from national conservative groups such as Club for Growth and Americans for Prosperity.
Endorsements and Support
Donald Trump: Former President Donald Trump officially endorsed McCormick’s Senate bid last April during a Pennsylvania rally.
“I am officially giving my endorsement to David McCormick tonight. He’s a good a man. He wants to run a good ship. He’s a smart guy, who was a very successful guy. He’s given up a lot to do this,” Trump told supporters at a rally in Schnecksville, Pennsylvania.
“I’ll tell you what: He’s the nominee of the Republican Party, David McCormick. Go out and vote for him because Casey doesn’t do a damn thing,” Trump said.
Pat Toomey: Former Senator Pat Toomey praised McCormick’s economic expertise and commitment to conservative values, saying he’s the right leader to represent Pennsylvania.
Ari Fleischer: The former White House Press Secretary endorsed McCormick at a September fundraiser, highlighting his strong leadership and policy experience.
Organizational Endorsements:
Senate Leadership Fund: Backed McCormick as part of their efforts to secure Republican Senate seats.
Republican Jewish Coalition (RJC): Endorsed McCormick for his unwavering support for Israel and stance against antisemitism.
“RJC trusts Dave McCormick – a 7th generation Pennsylvanian, West Point graduate, combat veteran, Bronze star recipient, Pennsylvania job creator and business leader – to be a Senator the people of Pennsylvania can be proud of.”
“Bob Casey is no friend of Israel. Where Bob Casey has failed, Dave McCormick will lead.”
Voter Sentiment and Polling
Recent polling data suggests that the race between Casey and McCormick is likely to be close, reflecting Pennsylvania’s status as a swing state. Polls indicate that Casey holds a slight lead over McCormick, but the race is expected to tighten as November draws closer. Pennsylvania has a history of closely contested statewide elections, with margins often decided by just a few percentage points.
RealClearPolitics (October 14, 2024): Casey leads McCormick 47.8% to 44.6%
Emerson College Poll (October 2024): 48% support incumbent Democrat Senator Bob Casey while 46% support Republican Dave McCormick.
Trafalgar Polling (October 2024): Casey leads McCormick 47.4% to 45.6% with 7% undecided.
Quinnipiac Univesity (October 2024): Incumbent Democratic Senator Bob Casey leads Republican challenger David McCormick 51% to 43%. Democrats 96% to 3% back Casey, while Republicans 88 % to 10% back McCormick. Independents are evenly split, with 44% supporting McCormick and 44% supporting Casey.
Both candidates will need to appeal to Pennsylvania’s diverse electorate, which includes rural, suburban, and urban voters. Rural parts of the state have trended Republican in recent elections, while urban areas like Philadelphia and Pittsburgh remain Democratic strongholds. The key battleground will likely be the suburbs, particularly in counties like Bucks and Montgomery, where moderate and independent voters could swing the outcome.
While questions are still swirling over which party will control Congress and if the results will impact Donald Trump’s upcoming announcement a senior adviser says Americans should “buckle up” for next Tuesday.
The adviser claimed that members of the media have “all moved in unison against Donald Trump at their own peril” after the GOP experienced less than stellar results from the midterm elections, according to NBC News.
“It’s like they want to recreate 2015-2016,” the adviser said. “Let them. We are doing it again. Buckle up.”
Invites for Trump’s announcement should go out today.
On Election Day eve, Trump teased a “big announcement” coming on November 15th and many people anticipate him to formally announce his third presidential campaign.
However, while a Republican red tsunami was expected to sweep the midterm elections the results thus far have been disappointing as the GOP has yet to officially win a majority in either chamber. Some conservatives have blamed Trump’s interference as a major factor behind the lackluster results and have expressed hopes he will reconsider his announcement.
Former House Speaker for the GOP, Newt Gingrich, stated on Wednesday that he believes Trump might be reconsidering his plans for 2024.
“I mean, just in my own emails today, [with] the number of people who want somebody other than Trump who have decided, literally overnight, that person is going to be DeSantis, he’s going to find it almost impossible to avoid running,” Gingrich toldJust the News. “I think Trump’s got to look at the results and be troubled.”
President Donald Trump warned Tuesday that Democrats would waste no time pursuing impeachment if they manage to retake the House of Representatives in November, arguing that their opposition is driven more by hostility than policy disagreements.
“They’ll find something. There’ll be something,” Trump said during an exclusive interview on “The Will Cain Show.”
“I made the wrong turn at an exit, and let’s impeach him. They did that before. They impeached me on a perfect phone call, turned out. They impeached me twice and, by the way, I won the impeachments very easily and quickly, but they impeach. They’re very nasty people [and] they have bad policy.”
Trump’s comments reflect long-standing frustration among Republicans with what they view as Democrats’ reliance on investigations and impeachment rather than legislative solutions. During his first term, Trump became the only president in U.S. history to be impeached twice—once over a phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and later over events surrounding January 6. In both cases, the Senate declined to convict, outcomes Trump and his supporters cite as vindication.
The president joined Will Cain live from Iowa, where he kicked off a push toward the 2026 midterm elections. The visit included interactions with voters and culminated in a campaign-style event in Clive, underscoring the administration’s early focus on maintaining Republican momentum and defending narrow congressional margins.
Republicans currently hold a razor-thin majority in the House of Representatives, with 218 seats to Democrats’ 213. That slim advantage has heightened concerns within the GOP about historical trends that tend to favor the out-of-power party during midterm elections.
History suggests Trump and Republicans face an uphill battle heading into November. Since the 1930s, midterm elections have almost always resulted in the president’s party losing House seats—and frequently losing control of the chamber altogether. Political analysts often attribute the pattern to voter complacency among the president’s supporters and heightened motivation among the opposition.
Trump acknowledged that reality while speaking to Cain.
“Whether it’s Republican or Democrat, when they win, it doesn’t make any difference. They seem to lose the midterms, so that’s the only thing I worry about,” he said.
“Maybe they [voters] want to put up a guard fence. You just don’t know. It doesn’t make sense. Even if a president did well, they seemed to lose the midterms, but hopefully we’re going to change that around.”
Republicans argue that the stakes of the upcoming midterms are especially high, pointing to Democratic calls for renewed investigations, aggressive regulatory policies, and expanded government spending. Trump’s message to voters in Iowa centered on the need for unified Republican turnout to prevent what he described as partisan gridlock and politically motivated impeachment efforts from resurfacing.
