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McCarthy Wins Nod to Become House Speaker as Senate Leadership Feud Heats Up

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Despite a last-minute challenge from House Freedom Caucus chairman Andy Biggs (Ariz.) Kevin McCarthy (Calif.) handily won the nomination for House Speaker in a closed-door conference meeting on Tuesday.

Rep. McCarthy won easily, 188 to 31, in the internal conference meeting.

The secret-ballot House Republican Conference vote is just the first step for McCarthy to take hold of the gavel. He must win a majority in a public vote on the House floor — at least 218 votes, assuming a fully sworn-in House — on the first day of the next Congress on Jan. 3.

According to The Hill, Biggs was nominated by Rep. Chip Roy (Texas), with Reps. Michael Cloud (Texas) and Ralph Norman (S.C.) seconding the nomination, according to a source in the room. Rep. Kelly Armstrong (N.D.) gave a speech in support of McCarthy.

While McCarthy has been considered the favorite to become Speaker when Republicans retake the House the lackluster midterm results have recently spurred infighting among House Republicans, with some directly criticizing McCarthy’s leadership.

Rep. Biggs announced his plans to challenge the California Republican for the position on Monday. (RELATED: Freedom Caucus Chairman Expected to Announce Challenge for House Speaker)

Biggs acknowledged successfully challenging McCarthy would be difficult.

Separately, Senate leadership is also facing an uncertain future as Florida Senator Rick Scott officially announced he’s running to unseat Mitch McConnell (Ky.) as Senate Minority Leader.

The chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee has been at odds with McConnell for most of this year over political strategy.

Scott announced his campaign in a letter to Senate Republicans on Tuesday:

“I’m writing to you today because I believe it’s time for the Senate Republican Conference to be far more bold and resolute than we have been in the past. We must start saying what we are for, not just what we are against,” Scott said in a letter to GOP colleagues. “I do not believe we can simply continue to say the Democrats are radical, which they are. Republican voters expect and deserve to know our plan to promote and advance conservative values. “

Scott added: “For those who want to get serious about ending reckless government spending and the devastating inflation it has caused, finally take action to protect Social Security and Medicare and preserve the promise of these programs for our children and grandchildren, hold government accountable from the FBI to the IRS, truly combat the extreme danger posed by Communist China and refocus our military on lethal defense instead of woke nonsense, I ask for your support in changing the direction of the Senate and rescuing America from the dangerous path Democrats have set it on.”

Democrat Lawmaker Announces Resignation After Being Convicted on Felony Charges

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Arrest image via Pixabay

Minnesota state Sen. Nicole Mitchell (D) said that she will resign after being convicted last week on two felony charges.

Nicole Mitchell was convicted of felony first-degree burglary and possession of burglary or theft tools for breaking into her stepmother Carol Mitchell’s Minnesota home in April 2024.

Nicole Mitchell pleaded not guilty, and during the trial, her defense argued that she was at the home to check on her stepmother, who lives with Alzheimer’s.

Nicole Mitchell’s stepmother Carol Mitchell reportedly took the stand, saying that she felt “extremely violated” after finding Nicole Mitchell in her home.

Minnesota Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy said Nicole Mitchell “has gotten the due process she is entitled to and was convicted by a jury of her peers.”

“With the clarity brought by the resolution of this case, the Senate DFL Caucus will continue to focus on issues that improve the lives of Minnesota families and communities,” Murphy said.

GOP Senate Minority Leader Mark Johnson criticized her decision to not resign immediately and blamed Democrats for “refusing to hold her accountable during session.” His caucus tried and failed to expel Mitchell from the chamber in the wake of the charges.

“Senator Mitchell was convicted of two felonies; she doesn’t get to give the Senate two weeks’ notice. Democrats shielded Mitchell for 15 months to protect their political power, but a jury needed just three hours to confirm what was already clear: she shouldn’t be a senator,” he said in a statement.

Gov. Tim Walz’s office is expected to announce details about a special election after Nicole Mitchell’s resignation. There is another special election set for September to fill a vacancy left by former House Speaker Melissa Hortman’s politically-motivated assassination.

Trump’s Hockey Team Surprise Sends Shockwaves To Independent Voter Approval Rating

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President Donald Trump’s introduction of the gold medal-winning U.S. men’s Olympic hockey team during Tuesday night’s State of the Union address sparked largely positive bipartisan reactions, with Independent voters showing particularly strong approval.

According to Lee Carter of the polling group maslansky+partners, Independent voters responded most enthusiastically when the team entered the House Chamber wearing their gold medals and USA sweatshirts, greeted by thunderous chants of “U-S-A.”

“The USA hockey team and military recognition moments were widely noticed,” Carter said. “Visual, patriotic moments landed more consistently than policy-heavy segments.”

Real-time dial testing conducted by the polling group showed the sharpest spike among Independent voters during the team’s entrance. Republican voters, who were already energized by the speech, showed additional gains in approval during the moment. Even Democratic voters—who overall were the least enthusiastic throughout the address—registered a modest uptick in reaction.

Participants in the polling offered enthusiastic feedback, with comments such as, “What a great moment!” and, “Love it!” Even some critics acknowledged, “They deserve recognition,” and, “It’s a nice moment.”

The president had invited the team to attend the State of the Union after their thrilling 2-1 overtime victory against Canada in the Winter Olympics gold medal game.

During the address, President Trump introduced the team to loud cheers from members of Congress and the audience, who once again broke into chants of “USA! USA! USA!”

“Our country is winning again. In fact, we’re winning so much that we really don’t know what to do about it. People are asking me, ‘Please, please, please, Mr. President, we are winning too much. We can’t take it anymore. We’re not used to winning in our country. Until you came along, we were just always losing, but now we’re winning too much.’ And I say, ‘No, no, no, you’re going to win again. You are going to win big, you’re gonna win bigger than ever.’ And to prove that point, to prove that point, here with us tonight is a group of winners who just made the entire nation proud,” Trump said, adding:

The men’s gold medal Olympic hockey team — come on in!

After extended applause inside the chamber, Trump remarked, “That’s the first time I’ve ever seen them get up. And actually, not all of them did get up, but they beat a fantastic Canadian team in overtime, as everybody saw, as did the American women, who will soon be coming to the White House.”

The president also announced that he would honor goaltender Connor Hellebuyck with the Presidential Medal of Freedom. After praising the team’s collective performance, Trump described asking players to vote on whether their goaltender deserved the nation’s highest civilian honor.

“But I have to say that, and I told them this, and we took a vote of the team. I said, ‘Anybody votes no, I’m not doing it.’ So they stood there, and they weren’t about to say no because I’ve never seen a goaltender play as well as goalie Connor Hellebuyck,” said Trump.

He continued:

Think of it– 46 shots on goal. And I asked him, “The one shot, the one where you put your stick in the back and it hit the neck of your stick and bounced off, you practice that or was that a little lucky?” He refused to answer that question, but I just want to tell you that the members of this great hockey squad will be very happy to hear, based on their vote and my vote– and in this case, my vote was more important– that I will soon be presenting Connor with our highest civilian honor, which we will be given and which has been given to many athletes over the years. But when I say many, not too many, like 12. It’s called the highest civilian honor in our country. The Presidential Medal of Freedom. Great athletes have gotten that very great, the best. And I thought he deserved it. And I did take a vote. Every single one of them. I said, “I’m not giving it if anybody goes no.” And every single one of them rapidly put up their hand. So I want to thank you all. What a special job you did. What special champions you are. Thank you very much.

The moment stood out as one of the evening’s most unifying highlights.

Tulsi Gabbard Gives Update On Trump Debate Prep

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Tulsi Gabbard via Gage Skidmore Flickr

Former President Trump’s debate prep is going “great,” former Hawaii Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard informed Fox News.

“He knows the issues. He is very honed in on her [Kamala Harris’] record in reminding voters… ‘what have you done for the last three and a half years?’ You can paint this rosy picture about what you’re going to do, but we’re paying attention to what you’ve already done and how her policies have destroyed our economy, made us less safe, both here at home and abroad,” she told “FOX & Friends” co-host Brian Kilmeade.

The former president recruited Gabbard to help sharpen his skills ahead of the highly-anticipated Sept. 10 debate, where he is slated to face off against Vice President Kamala Harris at the National Constitutional Center in Philadelphia. 

Gabbard infamously tore into Harris during a 2019 Democratic primary debate for jailing hundreds of Californians for marijuana violations despite smoking the drug herself.

“She put over 1,500 people in jail for marijuana violations and then laughed about it when she was asked if she ever smoked marijuana,” she said during the viral exchange.

Supreme Court Responds To Michael Cohen Appeal

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Duncan Lock, Dflock, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons

The Supreme Court will not get involved.

On Monday, the Supreme Court declined to revive Michael Cohen’s lawsuit seeking damages for retaliation during his prison sentence.

Cohen’s lawsuit comes after the former Trump “fixer” began serving his sentence for federal election finance crimes during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Due to health reasons that would be exacerbated by the virus, Cohen’s prison term was furloughed, and he was temporarily sent to home confinement. 

Officials later ordered him back to prison after he raised issue with a release condition asking him to waive his ability to criticize then-President Trump

A federal judge ruled to release Cohen again and said the former president’s ex-fixer suffered unconstitutional retaliation for wanting to critique Trump on social media and in a book. However, the judge later dismissed Cohen’s claim for damages over the incident. 

The Hill reports:

“As it stands, this case represents the principle that presidents and their subordinates can lock away critics of the executive without consequence,” Cohen wrote in his request for the justices to hear his case.  

Trump attorney Alina Habba said in the former president’s brief to the court that Cohen’s complaint is “entirely devoid of merit.” She also added a question over whether Cohen’s claim is barred by presidential immunity, which the justices declined to weigh. 

Cohen testified as a star witness in the Manhattan district attorney’s criminal case against his former boss, which ended in a conviction in May, and took the stand in an earlier civil fraud trial against Trump and his business.  

In a previous interview with The Hill, Cohen said his appeal to the justices was about deterrence. His experience, he said, was “merely a practice run” for the sweeping retribution Trump has vowed in a potential second term. 

“Donald has opened up a Pandora’s box for future Trump 2.0s acting in the same autocratic manner,” Cohen said. “This writ of certiorari will be part of the process that would prevent any other U.S. citizen ever from being imprisoned because they refused to waive their First Amendment right or because they express criticism.”  

The type of relief Cohen sought against Trump, various officials involved and the federal government itself for violating his constitutional rights is known as a Bivens claim. Over the past 44 years, the Supreme Court has turned away a dozen such lawsuits – making the ex-fixer’s request an uphill fight. 

This is a breaking news story. Click refresh for the latest updates.

Years After Public Feud Trump Endorses South Dakota Senator

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Donald Trump via Gage Skidmore Flickr

In an unexpected move, President Trump has endorsed Sen. Mike Rounds for re-election despite vowing to “never endorse” him again years ago.

Trump previously endorsed Rounds in 2020, but later eviscerated the senator in 2022 after Rounds appeared on ABC’s “This Week” and described the 2020 election as “fair.”

“‘Senator’ Mike Rounds of the Great State of South Dakota just went woke on the Fraudulent Presidential Election of 2020,” Trump declared at the beginning of a lengthy statement in January 2022.

“Even though his election will not be coming up for 5 years, I will never endorse this jerk again,” Trump later said in the statement.

“The Radical Left Democrats and RINOS, like ‘Senator’ Mike Rounds, do not make it easy for our Country to succeed. He is a weak and ineffective leader, and I hereby firmly pledge that he will never receive my endorsement again!” Trump asserted in that statement several years ago.

But in a surprising turnaround, President Trump is now endorsing Rounds.

In a Monday Truth Social post, the President called the South Dakota Senator “An America First Patriot,” declaring, “Mike Rounds has my Complete and Total Endorsement for Re-Election – HE WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN!”

Sen. Rounds responded to Trump, thanking him for the endorsement.

Eric Trump Leaves Door Open To Future White House Bid

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Gage Skidmore Flickr

Eric Trump, the son of President Donald J. Trump, left the door open for a future political career after speaking at the Bitcoin Asia conference in Hong Kong, signaling that the Trump family’s influence on American politics and business is far from over.

In an interview with Nikkei Asia, the 41-year-old Trump Organization executive said he would “never” rule out running for office. “I’m not saying no, but I’m also not saying yes,” he remarked. His comments came shortly after his wife, Lara Trump—now serving as co-chair of the Republican National Committee—announced she would pass on a Senate bid in North Carolina, opting instead to strengthen the GOP nationally.

A New Generation of Trumps in Politics?

Though neither Eric nor his brother Donald Trump Jr. has previously expressed personal ambition for elected office, both played an active role in their father’s successful 2024 campaign. The Trump sons were fixtures on the campaign trail, rallying conservative voters, motivating grassroots supporters, and building relationships with Republican donors across the country.

Eric Trump has emphasized that any decision about entering politics would center on family values and ensuring a better America for his children. “Would I want my kids to live the same experience over the last decade that I’ve lived? You know, if the answer was yes, I think the political path would be an easy one,” he told the Financial Times earlier this summer. “And by the way, I think other members of our family could do it too.”

Building American Prosperity Abroad

While speculation about his political future grows, Eric Trump has remained focused on expanding the Trump Organization’s international reach. For much of the past year, he has traveled extensively to promote World Liberty Financial, the Trump family’s new cryptocurrency project. The venture officially launched this week, backed by strong enthusiasm from international investors as well as confidence from many within the Trump administration that it represents an innovative step for American financial leadership.

Supporters see the company as a testament to the Trump family’s commitment to bold, market-driven solutions that put the U.S. at the center of the global economy. At a time when Democrats continue to impose heavy regulations on small businesses and emerging industries, the Trump family’s private-sector leadership signals to many conservatives that innovation and entrepreneurial spirit remain cornerstones of American success.

Addressing Concerns, Defending Integrity

Some lawmakers have raised concerns about the Trump family’s ongoing business activities while President Trump is in office. Eric, however, has strongly rejected any suggestion of impropriety.

“I had nothing to do with the government. I’ve been in the private sector my entire life,” he told Nikkei Asia. He emphasized that his professional work and the administration’s leadership have remained separate, pointing out that his family has always operated with integrity, even under constant media scrutiny.

The Trump Legacy Continues

Eric Trump’s willingness to consider a future in politics underscores the enduring impact of the Trump brand within the Republican Party. With Donald J. Trump serving once again in the Oval Office, Lara Trump helping lead the RNC, and both sons energizing conservative audiences across the nation, the Trump family remains a political force like no other in American history.

For many Republicans, Eric Trump’s comments serve as a reminder that the MAGA movement is not just about one presidency—it’s a generational vision of strong leadership, economic opportunity, and putting America first.

Mike Lawler Announces Re-Election Campaign As Republicans Seek To Defend Razor-Thin Majority

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Donald Trump via Gage Skidmore Flickr

Republicans are breathing a sigh of relief…

On Wednesday morning, Republican Rep. Mike Lawler of New York announced he will seek re-election in next year’s midterms in his crucial battleground House district, which covers a large swath of New York City’s northern suburbs.

Lawler, who announced his news in an interview Wednesday morning on Fox News’ “Fox and Friends,” had been seriously considering a bid for New York State governor.

“There’s no question Kathy Hochul is the worst governor in America,” Lawler told Fox News’ Brian Kilmeade, before adding, “In 2026, she needs to be defeated. But after months of deliberating over this and really working through it, I’ve decided the right thing to do for me and my family and my district is to run for re-election.”

His news is seen as a major relief to the White House and congressional Republicans, who are defending their razor-thin House majority in the 2026 midterms. 

Top House Republicans as well as President Donald Trump had pressed Lawler to seek re-election, and Fox News confirmed that Lawler met with Trump last week at the White House to discuss his 2026 plans and other issues.

“While I fundamentally believe I am best positioned to take on Kathy Hochul and offer New Yorkers a real choice for Governor, I have made the decision to run for re-election to the House and continue the important work I’ve been doing over the past two and a half years,” Lawler shared in a statement with Fox News Digital Wednesday morning. 

The Democratic Governors Association called Lawler’s decision a “humiliating setback” for Republicans, arguing that his choice means he doesn’t believe a Republican can win statewide.

However, Republicans now seem likely to avoid a hotly contested primary, as they said they hoped only one of Lawler or Elise Stefanik would go forward with a gubernatorial run.

Elise Stefanik released a statement Wednesday morning, calling Republicans “more unified than ever in our mission to fire the Worst Governor in America Kathy Hochul in 2026” and Lawler a “great, effective, and hardworking Representative for New York’s 17th Congressional District.”

“As I have previously stated, I am focused on supporting strong Republican local and county candidates on the ballot this November to lay the groundwork with a strong team for next year. I will make a final decision and announcement after this year’s November election which we are all focused on,” Stefanik added. 

Stefanik seems all but certain to run for governor, with a source familiar with her thinking telling The Hill last month that “it’s not a matter of if, it’s a matter of when.”

Republicans have been hopeful that they could seriously compete for the office in 2026 after impressive performances in recent years. Hochul only won reelection in 2022 by about 6 points, a much closer margin than observers expected.

Trump also made significant gains in New York in last year’s presidential election, while still falling short by double digits of victory in the state.

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Fox News Star Predicts Two Dems Will Announce 2028 Bids Early

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Fox News contributor and former Trump White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany is already looking ahead to the next presidential cycle—and her prediction underscores a growing concern on the Right: Democrats may try to mimic President Donald Trump’s political playbook after years of vilifying it.

In a promotional video shared by Fox News on X and captioned, “We asked our talent to share their predictions for 2026!”, McEnany kicked off the segment with a bold forecast. According to McEnany, Democrats—despite routinely attacking Trump’s unconventional style—are quietly preparing to copy the very strategy they once denounced.

“Happy 2026,” McEnany said. “Here’s my prediction: there will be a Democrat who tries to emulate and copy the Trump playbook—meaning they will declare their candidacy for the presidency before the end of next year.”

McEnany named California Gov. Gavin Newsom as the most likely Democrat to break with tradition and launch an early White House bid, followed closely—perhaps uncomfortably closely—by former Vice President Kamala Harris.

“I believe that Democrat will be Gavin Newsom,” McEnany continued. “And shortly thereafter—though I don’t want to scare everyone—I believe Kamala Harris will declare shortly after in 2027. We’ll see!”

Democrats Imitating Trump?

The irony of McEnany’s prediction is hard to miss. For nearly a decade, Democrats and legacy media outlets have castigated President Trump for disrupting political norms, launching early campaigns, dominating media attention, and speaking directly to voters outside traditional party structures. Yet as Republicans consolidate behind Trump-style populism, Democrats appear increasingly eager to borrow from the same rulebook—early announcements, personality-driven politics, and nonstop media exposure.

Newsom, the progressive governor of California, has long been rumored to harbor national ambitions. His frequent appearances on cable news, high-profile red-state visits, and aggressive messaging against Republican governors have fueled speculation that he is positioning himself as the Democratic Party’s next standard-bearer.

Harris, meanwhile, remains one of the most polarizing figures in modern Democratic politics. After a historically weak vice presidency marked by staff turnover, low approval ratings, and policy misfires—particularly on immigration—Harris has been cautiously testing the waters for a political comeback.

A Tense California Power Struggle

Adding intrigue to McEnany’s prediction is the longstanding rivalry between Newsom and Harris, two California Democrats whose careers have frequently intersected—and occasionally clashed.

The relationship has often been described by political observers as “frenemies.” While publicly supportive, both figures clearly view one another as obstacles on the path to higher office.

That tension surfaced last summer during Newsom’s appearance on Pod Save America, shortly after Harris replaced President Joe Biden at the top of the Democratic ticket. Asked about the abrupt switch, Newsom responded with thinly veiled sarcasm.

“We went through a very open process, a very inclusive process,” Newsom quipped. “It was bottom-up—I don’t know if you know that. That’s what I’ve been told to say!”

The remark was widely interpreted as a jab at Democratic leadership and their handling of Biden’s exit, reinforcing GOP criticisms that Democratic “democracy” often amounts to backroom decision-making.

Harris, for her part, took a swipe at Newsom in her campaign memoir 107 Days. She recalled calling Newsom to secure his support after Biden dropped out of the race—only to receive a terse text message.

“Hiking. Will call back,” Newsom reportedly replied.

“He never did,” Harris added pointedly.

Signs of a Harris Comeback?

Despite her past struggles, Harris has been making calculated moves that many Democrats—and Republicans—see as the early stages of a 2028 presidential run.

According to Axios, Harris has been “stepping toward” another campaign, citing her expanded book tour, renewed engagement with Democratic donors, and a high-profile appearance before the Democratic National Committee earlier this month.

Reporter Alex Thompson noted that after lying low for much of the year, Harris has suddenly reemerged on the national stage—raising eyebrows within her own party.

“After embarking on a 2024-focused book tour,” Thompson wrote, “Harris made several moves this week that many Democrats see as the beginnings of a 2028 campaign.”

DNC Chair Ken Martin has also offered unusually warm public praise for Harris, further fueling speculation.

Former Democrat Rep. Endorses Trump

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Donald Trump via Gage Skidmore Flickr

He’s just telling it like it is…

Former Democratic Rep. Peter Deutsch of Florida publicly endorsed former President Donald Trump on Monday, specifically calling out the Biden administration’s weak stance on global conflicts.

Deutsch, who served Florida’s 20th Congressional District for six terms from 1993-2005,  endorsed Trump during a campaign call commemorating the anniversary of the Hamas attacks on Israel, according to The Hill. 

“I feel very comfortable today publicly announcing that I’m endorsing Donald Trump to be reelected as president,” Deutsch said, The Hill reported. “Driving force for me to make this decision is what I believe is the most important factor in being president, which is really world peace.”

“And I think that Kamala Harris and the Harris-Biden administration in terms of what they have done and are doing … make the world a dramatically less safe place,” Deutsch added.

On Monday, Trump participated in an October 7th remembrance event and released a statement:

“Today, President Trump will commemorate the one-year anniversary of October 7th with a visit to Ohel Chabad Lubavitch, the final resting place of Rabbi Schneerson in New York, and he will give remarks at an October 7th Remembrance Event in Florida. The atrocities, including the slaughtering and capturing of innocent Israelis and Americans, that took place on October 7th would have never happened if President Trump were still in the White House. For Americans and Israelis alike, it’s imperative that President Trump is re-elected so he can end the bloodshed caused by an emboldened Iranian terrorist regime, which is stronger and richer today from the Harris-Biden Administration’s incompetence and weak policies.” – Karoline Leavitt, Trump Campaign National Press Secretary