The next frontier: Washington grapples with its latest space oddity
Isaac Asimov famously declared that he didn’t believe in “flying saucers.” Asimov countered that he believed in “evidence” and “observation.” “I’ll believe anything, no matter how wild and ridiculous, if there’s evidence for it,” Asimov said. “The wilder and more ridiculous something is however, the firmer and more solid the evidence should be.” The Trump administration released another batch of UFO files recently. This is part of making good on a promise to release videos and documents related to UAP, unidentified aerial phenomena. Bipartisan lawmakers pressed President Donald Trump to make good on this promise back in March. This release is the second group of material publicized by the government. And what’s in it? NEW UFO FILES REVEAL STARTLING REPORTS A space oddity. Some 57 years in the making. “They thought it was something, you know, penetrating the spacecraft, if you know what I mean,” said Apollo 12 Command Module 12 pilot about what he and his colleagues saw in outer space in late 1969. That’s one snippet of audio which is now public. The baffled astronauts tried to unravel a cosmic conundrum when they spotted weird beams of light bouncing around their spacecraft more than half a century ago. “The streaks I saw were ones that I saw on the horizontal,” said Apollo 12 Lunar Module Pilot Alan Bean. “The horizontal streaks were always a little bit above the center.” PENTAGON DECLASSIFIES APOLLO 12 AUDIO OF ASTRONAUTS DESCRIBING UNEXPLAINED ‘STREAKS OF LIGHT’ IN SPACE These were clips of audiotape the government recently dumped. Tales from tape never heard before about what some of humankind’s first space explorers experienced and observed when they slipped the surly bonds of Earth. The president pledged to publicize as much unexplained material as possible. “It’s been in the minds of people for a long time,” said President Trump in late April. “And I think some of it’s going to be very interesting to people.” It’s a document dump that is out of this world. But it’s hard to quantify and understand exactly what it all means. Let alone if it provides “evidence,” as Asimov would say, “which explains something, which to some, could be “ridiculous.” No one knows exactly what these videos and documents reveal. Especially when it comes to demonstrating that UFOs exist or that there are visitors to Earth from another planet. But that doesn’t mean that the information isn’t remarkable. EX-PENTAGON OFFICIAL SAYS UAP FILES REVEAL ‘TREASURE TROVE’ OF INTELLIGENCE DATING BACK TO THE 1940S “Virtually speechless!” is how one military pilot characterized strange “orange orbs” which materialized near his helicopter during a flight last year. Then there was a stationary pill-shaped object in the Middle East zipping off at ludicrous speed. Then there was a celestial trinity of objects synchronously hovering over water in Iran. One lawmaker who has long called for UAP transparency isn’t starstruck at the releases. Rep. Tim Burchett, R-Tenn., was skeptical before the Pentagon put out the latest tranche of information. “The stuff they’re dropping right now is just Deep State classic,” said Burchett. “They won’t show us some of the stuff that we’ve seen. They’re going to show stuff that is easily identifiable.” But this information is far from easy to identify, quantify or even understand. The government can explain some weird sightings. At a 2022 House hearing on UAP, the Pentagon demonstrated how light refracting through certain military visual aids created an optical illusion. But the stories are legion about what can’t be explained or defined. The difference now is that Congress mandated the Pentagon create an office to document and study UAP. And the government either can’t – or doesn’t want to explain a lot of what’s out there. “We have been stonewalled. We have been blocked. We have had witnesses intimidated,” said Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., on Fox. She asserted that former workers at the Pentagon UAP office were even “attacking” some witnesses and whistleblowers who have come forward. SECRETLY FILMED UFO DOC REVEALS INSIDER VIDEO AS OFFICIALS RELEASE NEW ALIEN RECORDS: ‘SOMETHING IS IMMINENT’ But here’s the other challenge: understanding exactly what documents and videos the government has in its possession. “This is not an easy thing to do. There’s not one huge repository of all of these documents and videos and photos,” said Rep. Eric Burlison, R-Mo., on Fox. Burlison is now suggesting the government “reverse engineer” what they find at certain “crash locations” or where people have discovered weird physical material here on terra firma. “The White House and the DNI (Director of National Intelligence) is now looking at places to go investigate,” said Burlison on Fox. So people sift through the files in a quest to unearth evidence that is definitely un-Earth. But more information often yields more questions. And that’s to say nothing of the other-worldly expectations set the pending release of files and information. The bar is high. And while the release of information is intriguing, no one quite knows what it all means. If you wanted proof of ET or revelations of a government conspiracy, you’re better off watching an old VHS tape. We just don’t know what these files mean. And, in many cases, even are. The document dump isn’t a nothing-burger. But a something-burger. Still, that doesn’t sate the appetite for those who are on a quest for the truth. And it likely just angers those who are convinced the government has something to hide. TRUMP ADMIN RELEASES HIGHLY ANTICIPATED FILES DOCUMENTING UFOS, ‘EXTRATERRESTRIAL LIFE’ On Fox, Burlison said he “personally” experienced “frustration” about declassifying information. But Burlison cautioned the Trump Administration against holding material back. “I’ve seen those kind of videos,” said Burlison. “I’m telling the administration through you at this moment that if they don’t release those, then I have the capabilities of getting those videos released.” In the meantime, people are sorting through the recently released material, trying to decode it. “There’s a whole bunch of big ones out my window now. It’s just bright. Looks like the
Soros-backed nonprofit accuses NJ Gov Sherrill of spreading ‘MAGA propaganda’ on ICE detainees
A Soros-backed nonprofit organized a demonstration outside of New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill’s office on Monday afternoon, saying the Democratic governor is spreading “MAGA propaganda” and not doing enough for the migrants detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at Delaney Hall in Newark, N.J. The protest reflected the backlash that Sherrill is facing by far-left members of her own party. On its donation page, Cooper River Indivisible directs donors to the politically powerful Indivisible Project, a 501(c)(4) nonprofit group that has been very active in backing Democratic politicians. They work closely with Indivisible Civics, their 501(c)(3) sister organization. Indivisible receives money from the Open Society Action Fund, a 501(c)(4), which is backed by notorious Democratic donor George Soros. MEET THE FAR-LEFT GROUPS FUNDING ANTI-DOGE PROTESTS AT GOP OFFICES ACROSS THE COUNTRY “WE ARE HEADING TO MIKIE SHERRILL’S OFFICE — to demand that she answer for the mess that she has made,” the event’s sign-up page reads on the Mobilize.us platform. “Governor Sherrill’s response has caused serious harm inside and outside of Delaney Hall. Peaceful protestors and journalists have been arrested, injured, and had their constitutional rights violated, all while GeoGroup Guards and ICE continue to retaliate against strikers,” the announcement continued. The group is calling on Sherrill to meet with illegal migrants who are detained at the Delaney Hall ICE facility and release young, old or sick detainees. “GeoGroup Guards” is a reference to the security personnel hired by the government contractor, Geo Group Inc., that is running the facility as part of its national contract with ICE. SOMETHING TO HIDE? ICE UNDER FIRE FOR SUBSTANDARD CONDITIONS AT FOR-PROFIT DETENTION CENTER Cooper River indivisible also accused Sherrill of “inciting violence by siccing the police on peaceful protestors” and said she is spreading “MAGA” propaganda after more than a week of protesting at the ICE facility. In 2023, Open Society Foundations, through the Open Society Action Fund, issued a two-year grant of $3 million to the Indivisible organization. The grant was “to support the grantee’s social welfare activities,” according to the Open Society Foundations’ website. Indivisible has also played a lead role in the organization of the “No Kings” protests. ASRA NOMANI: THE $2.1 BILLION MACHINE BEHIND ‘SPONTANEOUS’ ANTI-TRUMP PROTESTS According to the Open Society Foundations’ website, Soros “has given away more than $32 billion of his personal fortune” to the foundations. His son Alex Soros serves as chairman of the board. “We support a wide range of independent organizations that work to deepen civic engagement through peaceful democratic participation, a hallmark of any vibrant society and a right protected by the Constitution,” a spokesperson from Open Society Foundations told Fox News Digital. “Our grantees make their own decisions about their work, consistent with the law and the terms of their grant agreements.” Protests at Delaney Hall have exploded over the past week. Contrary to the allegations by the demonstrations, local law enforcement hasn’t been involved in arresting agitators or squashing often violent riots but New Jersey State Police did arrest rioters on Friday night. NEW JERSEY AGITATORS BITE, KICK AND PUNCH ICE AGENTS AS DELANEY HALL CLASHES CONTINUE; 9 MORE ARRESTED: DHS On Saturday morning, Sherrill said that state police were present at the riot to protect the agitators from ICE agents, but the violent battle that took place the night before was mainly between local law enforcement and the rioters, according to first-hand witness by Fox News Digital. State troopers, including some on horseback, deployed heavy riot control tactics on Friday night, including noise bombs, tear gas grenades, pepper spray and riot shields in an attempt to disperse the mob. The police had established barriers for the zone earlier in the afternoon, which rioters commandeered to fight back against police. “My top priority is keeping New Jerseyans and our communities safe – and an increased ICE surge in the area outside of Delaney Hall is a threat to public safety,” Sherrill posted to X Saturday morning. “We know that lives would be at risk were that to happen. And I will not accept that risk.” By Saturday afternoon, the New Jersey governor held a press conference, issuing a list of demands to the Department of Homeland Security, including visitation for families and medical care for the sick and vulnerable. A source at DHS told Fox News Digital that the department wouldn’t accept her demands, and that visitation was only suspended due to the violent riots. The source also said that ICE operations will continue as normal now that Delaney Hall is secure, allowing visitations to resume. Fox News Digital reached out to Indivisible and Sherrill but did not receive responses.
Fox News Poll: ‘Resilient discontent’ defines the US mood at 250th anniversary
As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary, American voters remain attached to the country, even as a majority describe it in negative terms and many believe Americans are more divided by their values than united by them. That’s according to the latest Fox News national survey released Monday. When asked what one word best describes the United States today, two-thirds of voters choose a negative word such as “failing,” “divided,” “struggling,” or “corrupt.” That includes nearly twice as many Democrats as Republicans. Only about one-quarter of voters suggest a positive word, such as “freedom,” “great,” “powerful,” or “strong,” and more than four times as many Republicans as Democrats use those terms. FOX NEWS POLL: VOTERS SEE AI REGULATION AS URGENT, RANK SAFEGUARDS AHEAD OF INNOVATION By a 16-point margin, a larger number of voters believe Americans are mostly separated by different values (58%) than bound by shared values (42%). Majorities of Democrats (62%) and independents (65%) think Americans are separated by different values, while views among Republicans are split (49% shared vs. 50% different values). FOX NEWS POLL: VOTERS SEE WELFARE FRAUD AS COMMON, STILL MOSTLY FAVOR PROTECTING BENEFITS OVER CRACKDOWNS Even so, the survey finds broad agreement on some fundamental American principles. When describing the U.S., more than 8 in 10 voters say it’s important to emphasize national unity and shared values (85%) as well as U.S. democratic principles (83%). Three-quarters (77%) prioritize highlighting the country’s multiculturalism and diversity. Of the three, there’s relatively wide partisan disagreement on multiculturalism, with 88% of Democrats viewing it as an important descriptor of the country compared to 67% of Republicans — a 21-point gap. And while national attachment remains strong, it has noticeably eroded compared to two decades ago when 93% said they would rather live in the U.S. than any other country. Today, that number is 81%, while 19% say they would rather live elsewhere — a share that has more than tripled since 2004 and 2005. The desire to leave is especially pronounced among voters under age 30 and Democrats, as about 3 in 10 of each group would rather live outside the U.S. By contrast, almost all Republicans (96%) and most voters ages 45 and over would stay in the U.S. (86%). Enthusiasm about the country’s upcoming 250th anniversary clearly reflects the partisan gap: more than twice as many Republicans (74%) as Democrats (35%) are excited about the milestone. Fully 84% of MAGA Republicans are excited compared to 57% of non-MAGA Republicans. More than half of veterans (55%), White men without a college degree (63%), and White evangelical Christians (70%) are also excited. CLICK HERE FOR CROSSTABS AND TOPLINE “These findings suggest a national mood best described as ‘resilient discontent,’” says Republican pollster Daron Shaw, who conducts Fox News surveys with Democratic counterpart Chris Anderson. “The growing share who would rather live elsewhere combined with stark partisan differences in enthusiasm for the country’s anniversary, suggests commitment to the nation is becoming less automatic and more conditional.” Conducted May 15-18, 2026, under the direction of Beacon Research (D) and Shaw & Company Research (R), this Fox News survey includes interviews with a sample of 1,002 registered voters randomly selected from a national voter file. Respondents spoke with live interviewers on landlines (109) and cellphones (635) or completed the survey online after receiving a text (258). Results based on the full sample have a margin of sampling error of ±3 percentage points. Sampling error for results among subgroups is higher. In addition to sampling error, question wording and order can influence results. Weights are generally applied to age, race, education, and area variables to ensure the demographics are representative of the registered voter population. Sources for developing weight targets include the most recent American Community Survey, Fox News Voter Analysis, and voter file data. Fox News’ Victoria Balara contributed to this report.
Trump admin backs off controversial $2B fund, clearing path for stalled GOP immigration bill
The Department of Justice (DOJ) pressed pause on the Trump administration’s “anti-weaponization” fund on Monday, giving Senate Republicans runway to hammer through a massive immigration enforcement funding package in the process. The DOJ announced on X that it would abide by a Virginia federal court’s order to not move forward with the fund. It comes as Republicans in the upper chamber punted their plan to advance a $72 billion immigration enforcement package over deep concerns about who could access the flow of taxpayer dollars from the nearly $2 billion fund. The DOJ said in a statement that it “disagrees strongly with the decision on the Anti-Weaponization Fund” by the Virginia district court, “wherein the Court stated that, under no circumstances, may the Department of Justice proceed with the Anti-Weaponization Fund recently established in order to make up for the tremendous abuse, harm, and hate unfairly shown to so many people.” SENATE GOP ERUPTS OVER TRUMP DOJ ‘ANTI-WEAPONIZATION’ FUND, PUNTS ICE, BORDER PATROL FUNDING “This fund was open to anybody who was so weaponized, targeted, or persecuted, whether they were Democrat, Republican, Conservative, Independent, or otherwise,” the agency said. “The Department will abide by the Court’s ruling.” For the time being, that could ease Republicans’ concerns over whether those convicted of assaulting police officers on Jan. 6, 2021, could access the money. And it will likely allow the GOP to restart the budget reconciliation process with that political pressure point now sidelined. It comes as Democrats are gearing up for a deluge of bills and amendments that likely could have passed had the administration not halted the fund. But still, it’s unclear if it means the fund has totally been nixed, or if it’s just a temporary pause. GOP’S PRIMED FOR PRIMARY SEASON PAYBACK ON TRUMP’S MOST AMBITIOUS, CONTROVERSIAL POLICY When asked if he thought Democratic amendments and bills would survive, Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., said that the administration would have to be crystal clear about what happens next. “If the administration effectively shuts it down, and makes that very, very clear, and that, to me, should answer the question,” Thune said. Whether the fund has permanently come to an end is still an open question. Fox News Digital was referred to the DOJ by the White House for comment, and the DOJ did not immediately respond. Given that grey area, Senate Democrats plan to move full-steam ahead with their slate of legislation and amendments geared toward completely terminating the “anti-weaponization” fund. CONGRESS BARRELS TOWARD DEADLINE PILE-UP AS GOP DIVISIONS THREATEN TRUMP AGENDA “If Trump and Republicans are truly abandoning this corrupt scheme, they should have zero problem banning it in law,” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said on X. “This week, Senate Democrats will push legislation to ban this slush fund and ensure no president can ever do this again. Trump’s word is nowhere near enough.” Schumer had already primed Democrats to take advantage of the brewing dissent within the GOP with an aggressive legislative strategy during the forthcoming “vote-a-rama,” where both sides of the aisle will get a near unlimited number of amendments to vote on for the immigration package. Sen. Jacky Rosen, D-Nev., already plans to introduce three bills that would redirect the funding to address growing affordability concerns in the country. “My bills will redirect the $1.8 BILLION slush fund money to SNAP, Medicaid, and law enforcement programs like those that help our local police departments hire more officers,” Rosen said on X. “You work hard for your money, and I’ll be damned if I let Donald Trump or anyone else use it for a slush fund for their friends. Let’s see if Washington Republicans agree,” she continued.
Biden’s posh vacation enclave roiled as church axes July 4 tradition over ‘whiteness’ debate: ‘Spewing lies’
A Nantucket church on the exclusive Massachusetts island long favored by former President Joe Biden canceled its annual Fourth of July reading of America’s founding documents, citing an effort to understand “our own whiteness” and drawing sharp criticism from conservatives. “Our cancelling the 4th of July celebration this year reflects … an on-going process within the congregation to better understand our own whiteness,” wrote Nantucket Unitarian Universalists (NUU) and the Rev. Erin Splaine of the Second Congregational Meeting House Society in a letter published by the Nantucket Current on Thursday. The historic Nantucket Unitarian Meeting House has hosted a public reading of the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights in downtown Nantucket each Fourth of July holiday for the past 25 years. The decision comes as communities across the country prepare for events tied to America’s upcoming semiquincentennial celebrations, sparking criticism from social media users amid a broader debate over how the nation’s founding documents should be commemorated. THE UNWINNABLE WAR AMERICA’S FOUNDING FATHERS FOUGHT AND WON CHANGED HUMAN HISTORY FOREVER Church leaders said the decision reflects ongoing conversations within the congregation about race, privilege and the historical application of constitutional rights. “For those of us who are white the experience of the Rights and Privileges conferred by the Declaration of Independence, The Bill of Rights, and the Constitution of the United States have, for centuries, been tragically, often violently, and unequally applied to fellow citizens who are not white,” the letter explained. In previous years, local leaders and the island’s chamber of commerce had promoted the event on social media platforms for all to attend to celebrate the holiday. The letter stated that Splaine would not “engage” with anyone concerned with the cancelation on social media, saying those concerned could make an “appointment” to speak with her. “Social media is not the place for important, tender conversations,” the letter stated. Nantucket, a famed summer retreat off the Massachusetts coast, attracts celebrities, millionaires — and billionaires. Biden and his family head up to the island almost every year to celebrate Thanksgiving with family for decades. Critics were quick to flood social media with reactions, pointing to the island’s exclusivity and arguing that some on the left appear increasingly uncomfortable celebrating America’s founding ahead of the nation’s 250th birthday. WEALTHY COASTAL ENCLAVE’S DIRTY SECRET REVEALED THROUGH WASTEWATER TESTING SURVEILLANCE “If you know anything about Nantucket, you know that’s where the rich, privileged people live. Just another self important dem who thinks she’s important,” posted an X user. “OK Nantucket, break out those fireworks. Don’t let this idiot spoil your fun.” “Nothing says ‘inclusive’ like canceling a national holiday,” wrote one user on X. “Someone needs to tell this nitwit that over 600,000 white men died in the battle to end slavery in this country by the way, the only country that decisively fought to end slavery,” said an X user. “I’m so tired of these people spewing lies because they refused to learn the truth. Pick up an old history book. It’s there.” “She’s throwing a tantrum, and her congregation gets to take it and not ask any questions,” posted another person. DEATH OF AMERICAN HISTORY? PROFESSORS WARN STUDENTS, EVEN TEACHERS SHOW ‘SHOCKING IGNORANCE’ OF FOUNDING DOCS RARE, HISTORIC US DOCUMENTS TRAVELING COUNTRY ON ‘FREEDOM PLANE’ AHEAD OF AMERICA’S 250TH ANNIVERSARY To salvage the annual event, another church on the island, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, announced it would read the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights, the Nantucket Current reported. “We may not be there yet but we felt it was important to gather together and try to live up to the promises our country has made,” said St. Paul’s Rev. Max Wolf. “Those documents are aspirational.” Fox News Digital reached out to the Nantucket Unitarian Meeting House for comment, as well as Biden’s office.
Another NATO ally signs onto European nuclear umbrella as continent boosts self-defense
France has added a ninth European country to President Emmanuel Macron’s growing nuclear deterrence initiative as European governments move to take on a larger role in its own defense following years of pressure from President Donald Trump to shoulder more of NATO’s security burden. Norway announced Wednesday that it will join France’s so-called “forward deterrence” initiative, becoming the latest country to participate in discussions over how France’s nuclear arsenal could contribute to European security. The effort also includes Germany, Poland, the Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark, Sweden, Greece and the United Kingdom. Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre stressed that “our deterrence will continue to be provided by NATO” and said France had consulted both NATO and the U.S. as the initiative expanded. EUROPE STEPS UP TO FUND ITS OWN DEFENSE, PROVIDE SECURITY FOR UKRAINE AFTER TRUMP THREATS The expansion comes as European governments race to strengthen its militaries amid concerns that Russia could eventually push beyond Ukraine and threaten NATO territory. It also marks another step in Macron’s effort to position France at the center of a more self-reliant European security framework as NATO allies increase defense spending and military cooperation. It also follows years of warnings from Trump that the U.S. should not continue carrying a disproportionate share of Europe’s defense burden. “If they don’t pay, I’m not going to defend them,” Trump said in 2025 when discussing NATO allies that fail to meet defense spending commitments. Trump repeatedly has argued that European countries relied too heavily on American military power while underinvesting in their own defenses. At NATO’s summit in The Hague earlier in 2026, alliance members agreed to a new goal of spending 5% of GDP on defense and defense-related investments by 2035, a dramatic increase from NATO’s longstanding 2% benchmark. France has not announced plans to permanently station nuclear weapons in nations participating in the initiative and retains sole authority over any decision involving its nuclear arsenal. Instead, participating countries will take part in discussions, planning and exercises related to French nuclear deterrence while France signals that the security of its European partners is increasingly tied to its own. Macron also has said participating countries could temporarily host French strategic air forces as part of the initiative. Macron has increasingly positioned France as a leader in Europe’s push to take greater responsibility for its own security. France is the European Union’s only nuclear-armed country, and the French president has argued that France’s nuclear deterrent should play a larger role in protecting the continent as governments across Europe increase military spending and expand defense cooperation. MOCKING HIM AS ‘MICRON,’ RUSSIA WARNS MACRON AGAINST MAKING NUCLEAR ‘THREATS’ France built an independent nuclear deterrent during the Cold War under President Charles de Gaulle. France conducted its first nuclear test in 1960 and developed its own arsenal in part to ensure the country would never be entirely dependent on Washington for its security. The arrangement leaves open questions about exactly what commitments France is making. For decades, Europe’s ultimate nuclear backstop has been the U.S. which stations nuclear weapons in several NATO countries including Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands as part of the alliance’s broader deterrence posture. France’s proposal is less explicit, seeking to strengthen deterrence by making Russia consider the possibility that threats against European allies could implicate French security interests without offering a formal nuclear guarantee. The initiative highlights how some European governments are looking to strengthen regional defense arrangements even as the U.S. remains NATO’s dominant military power and primary nuclear guarantor. It also comes as Trump and Macron continue a relationship marked by both cooperation and public disagreements. In March, Trump rated Macron an “8 out of 10″ as an ally while discussing French support for a U.S.-led effort to secure the Strait of Hormuz. “Not perfect, but it’s France,” Trump said. “We don’t expect perfect.” At the same time, Macron has increasingly pushed for Europe to take greater responsibility for its own defense and has publicly broken with Washington on several foreign policy issues, including criticism of U.S. military actions in the Middle East. Those tensions reflect a broader challenge facing NATO as European governments seek to strengthen their own military capabilities while continuing to rely heavily on the United States for much of the alliance’s military power and nuclear deterrence.
Marine combat veteran bets big on Hispanic outreach in bid to flip Dem-held House seat
A congressional candidate in New Mexico is betting that his Hispanic ties — and military background — are just the thing historically Democratic voters will need to go Republican in the fall. “I connect with them on that level. They wanted somebody with law enforcement or military experience, which, you now know, I have both,” Greg Cunningham said, referring to the Hispanic community in the state’s 2nd Congressional District. “One of the reasons that I decided to run — that I feel so strongly about this is, you know, Hispanic culture is at its core a conservative culture.” Cunningham’s hope that the GOP can win over the Hispanic vote, a historically Democratic voting bloc, continues longstanding efforts from Republicans to flip the script among minorities, especially in fringe districts that could decide the balance of power in 2026. That’s especially true in New Mexico’s 2nd Congressional District — currently held by Rep. Gabe Vasquez, D-N.M. It’s one of thirteen that voted for President Donald Trump in 2024, but that sent a Democratic representative to Congress anyway. The Cook Political Report indicates the district “leans” Democratic, despite a D+0 rating. Cunningham, who became the default GOP candidate after a lone primary challenger dropped out in April, will be the first new GOP candidate voters will consider since 2018. Former Rep. Yvette Herrell, who has been the candidate since then, last lost in 2024 by 4.2% to Vasquez. Cunningham believes his background is uniquely suited to the challenges of the district. A Marine reconnaissance veteran who served in combat, Cunningham joined the Albuquerque Police Department, spent years on patrol and narcotics, worked as a DEA task force officer on federal drug and cartel cases and later operated in undercover roles before transitioning into private security. TRUMP MAKES PLAY FOR BLUE-LEANING STATE AS HE BRIEFLY DETOURS FROM THE BATTLEGROUNDS “I love Yvette Herrell, but I am a different person in every way, shape, and form. And what I bring to CD2 and to this race is exactly what we need,” Cunningham said. Specifically, Cunningham believes that his background will help address high levels of crime and narcotics that have persisted despite lowered levels of illegal immigration. “The human invasion portion of that equation is solved. The law enforcement, human trafficking, narcotics trafficking, all of those challenges are the same exact challenges that I faced when I worked down there 20 years ago. Nothing has changed,” Cunningham said. But more than his practical knowledge and experience, Cunningham said he hopes to appeal to values central to the Hispanic community. “We value our families, we value our culture, we value our faith. And so, I think when you take Republican or Democrat, take the donkey or the elephant out of it, and you start speaking to people on a core level, who are you?” Cunningham said. HOUSE GOP RUSHES TO COURT CRITICAL VOTING BLOC WHILE FACING UPHILL MIDTERM BATTLE “We all want the very same things,” he added. New Mexico is roughly 50% Hispanic, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Like all Democratic strongholds and competitive districts, Cunningham believes half the battle will be convincing voters that Republicans can secure the seat in the first place. “I just have to convince [New Mexico’s 2nd Congressional District] why we can win this,” Cunningham said.
Mamdami marks Pride Month, says honoring ‘queer and transgender’ contributions would take more than 30 days
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani marked the beginning of June’s Pride Month with a Monday post on X, saying it would take longer than just one month to honor the ways in which “queer and transgender” residents have benefited the city over time. “It would take far more than a month to honor the contributions of queer and transgender New Yorkers,” Mamdani wrote. “From the Cercle Hermaphroditos in 1895, the first trans advocacy group in the United States, to the drag balls of the Harlem Renaissance, to the Stonewall uprising, to the Lesbian Herstory Archives, to ACT UP!, founded in 1987 as queer people fought for their lives while the Reagan administration looked away, New York City’s history has long been shaped by queer and trans New Yorkers,” he continued. ‘THIS IS NOT THE NEW YORK CITY I KNEW’: JEWS, MUSLIMS AND CHRISTIANS UNITE AT ANTI-MAMDANI RALLY “To all our queer and trans neighbors: you deserve a City where you can afford to live safely, openly, and joyfully. Happy Pride, New York City,” he added. The Democratic National Committee also issued a post on X marking June’s Pride Month, stating, “Love openly. Live authentically. Happy Pride!” NYPD COMMISSIONER ‘PROUDLY’ LEADS ISRAEL PARADE AS GRAND MARSHAL; MAMDANI BREAKS TRADITION, AVOIDS EVENT Various Democratic figures also expressed their support. “During #PrideMonth we celebrate love, freedom and the courage to live authentically. From San Francisco to communities across our nation, we honor the trailblazers and activists who expanded the promise of equality and pledge to carry on the work they began. Happy #Pride!” former House Speaker Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said in a post on X. MAMDANI’S ‘COGE’ ROLLOUT GETS DOGE’S ATTENTION AFTER CRITICS SAY HE RIPPED OFF ELON MUSK Former Vice President Kamala Harris declared in a post, “Pride is joy. Pride is courage. Pride is a celebration. And Pride is the ongoing fight to ensure every person can live as their authentic self. This month and every month, we celebrate the LGBTQ+ community and all those continuing the fight for equality. Happy Pride!”
Pratt ‘could be the guy’ LA needs to ‘disrupt’ institutional chaos plaguing city: Beach volleyball legend
SANTA MONICA, CA — Beach volleyball legend and Los Angeles native Christopher ‘Sinjin’ Smith is touting Spencer Pratt’s “disrupter” mayoral campaign and explained why he believes Pratt has tapped into voter frustration over the glaring issues facing the city. “It doesn’t surprise me at all that Spencer is resonating with the people of Santa Monica and LA in general, because he’s saying common-sense things,” Smith, the first volleyball player to win 100 career tournaments during a storied Hall of Fame career that earned him the nickname “King of the Beach,” told Fox News Digital. “We’ve all seen the news and everything else of what’s been going on for the past years and how things aren’t as good as they could be, and Spencer steps in and goes. This doesn’t make any sense, particularly with the fires, and things could be a lot better. And I believe that he’s really going to try to make things better for everybody. This isn’t a political thing, I don’t think at all, I think it’s more, how do you make the lives of all people from Los Angeles better? And he’s hitting all the key points, and it seems like he could be the guy.” Smith, who was born in Santa Monica and has lived in Los Angeles for the entirety of his life, including in the Pacific Palisades, told Fox News Digital that Pratt feels like the man for the moment. REALITY TV STAR SPENCER PRATT GAINS TRACTION IN LOS ANGELES MAYORAL RACE AFTER FIERY DEBATE “What’s been going on in the city of LA has been going on for a long, long time, as long as I’ve been around,” Smith explained. “I think a lot of people in LA have been waiting for someone like him, somebody with common sense who speaks logically and is willing to do the tough things to make our town better.” The devastating Palisades wildfire came within a few miles of Smith’s Santa Monica home and several of his friends lost everything they owned in the tragedy that many believe Mayor Karen Bass, who is running for re-election, didn’t do enough to prevent, respond to, or rebuild from. THE CELEB ENDORSEMENTS BOOSTING SPENCER PRATT’S CHANCES OF BECOMING THE NEXT LA MAYOR Smith said he has met Bass and that she is a “very nice lady,” but for “whatever reason,” it “doesn’t seem like she wants to do the hard work to make things better for people.” “Particularly when you have the fire and so many different things that went wrong before the fire, during the fire, after the fire,” Smith said. “It seems like anything and everything that could go wrong went wrong, and leadership is the key for all of that. Again, very nice lady, but if she’s not willing or not capable of doing the things that are gonna help the people of LA, then what’s the point? I think you have to try something different and, again, politics out of it.” While the city of Santa Monica is one of several independent municipalities that do not vote in the LA mayor race, the winner’s policies will impact all residents of Los Angeles County, and Smith believes that Pratt’s outsider status is necessary to shake up the institutional problems like homelessness, fraud and crime. “Spencer Pratt is the kind of person that he’s been on the outside for so long, he’s seen all this bad stuff that’s going on, and he’s going, why is it like this? And it doesn’t have to be,” Smith said. “So yeah, I really get a sense that he wants to come in, he wants it to change things, he wants to disrupt everything that’s been going on in the past and change it for the better. It just makes logical sense. All the things that he’s been saying, and I certainly hope that if he does get into office, he’s able to accomplish the things that he wants to accomplish, because it’ll be good for everybody.” Pratt will face off in the mayoral primary on Tuesday night against Bass and progressive city council member Nithya Raman in an election where the top two candidates will move on to the November general election. However, if a candidate receives 50% of the vote, they become the next mayor outright.
GOP’s primed for primary season payback on Trump’s most ambitious, controversial policy
Senate Democrats are doing everything they can to kill President Donald Trump’s “anti-weaponization” fund, and Republicans may be keen on helping them. The nearly $2 billion fund has drawn heavy criticism from both sides of the aisle since its announcement last month as part of the settlement between Trump and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). And Senate Republicans, already incensed over Trump’s decision to push out two popular members of the conference, strongly dislike the fund. Though not the primary driver in Republicans’ disdain for the fund, Trump’s choice to get involved in Louisiana and Texas against the Senate GOP’s favored candidates — and incumbents — added fuel to their fury against the nearly $2 billion fund. SENATE GOP ERUPTS OVER TRUMP DOJ ‘ANTI-WEAPONIZATION’ FUND, PUNTS ICE, BORDER PATROL FUNDING That bubbling frustration played out last month, when the fund played a key part in blowing up the GOP’s push to advance billions in immigration enforcement spending. It was a combination of timing and lack of information that drove the GOP to press pause. Many were surprised about the “anti-weaponization” fund, and argued that the administration could have held off on announcing it just days before reconciliation was set to wrap up. And as lawmakers return from a week-long break, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and Democrats aren’t going to let the issue die quietly. “This week, Senate Democrats will launch a coordinated effort to kill the slush fund before one cent goes out the door,” Schumer wrote in a letter to his colleagues. “And no matter what Republicans do, we will force them to vote.” “If Republicans return to reconciliation, we will be ready with amendments to shut the fund down,” he continued. “If they try to bury the issue, we will force them to the Senate floor. If they try to sneak behind appropriations, we will fight them there too.” The Senate is returning to pick up where lawmakers left off on budget reconciliation, the party-line process that the GOP is using to ram through $72 billion to fund Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Border Patrol for the next three and a half years. REPUBLICANS RECOIL AS TRUMP’S BILLION-DOLLAR DOJ ‘SLUSH FUND’ FOR ALLIES THREATENS ICE, BORDER PATROL PLAN Part of that process includes a “vote-a-rama,” where unlimited amendment votes happen. Democrats already have several amendments in the works to curtail the fund, including one that would prevent those convicted of rape and sexual assault from gaining access to the taxpayer-funded pot of money. And Republican leaders feared that many in the GOP would support those amendments. The relationship between Senate Republicans and Trump is not on its highest note, either, following the president’s decision to back successful primary challengers to Sens. Bill Cassidy, R-La., and John Cornyn, R-Texas. But the dissent within the GOP against the Department of Justice (DOJ) fund is far broader than just two Republicans, with at least half the conference taking issue with it during a fiery closed-door meeting with acting Attorney General Todd Blanche. REPUBLICAN BREAKS WITH TRUMP AFTER PRIMARY LOSS, CALLS FOR ‘STEADY, NOT ERRATIC’ LEADERSHIP Several wanted to know what kind of action, if any, would be taken by the administration to put guardrails on the fund to prevent those convicted of assaulting police officers during the riots of Jan. 6, 2021, from gaining access to the money. Many see this as an issue that Trump and the administration need to solve, especially with how close Republicans were to ramming the broader reconciliation package through. But the DOJ has argued that they aren’t seeking reconciliation money for the fund, and that it’s an issue that has nothing to do with the process. However, Republicans see it differently, given that the Senate Judiciary Committee, which has oversight of the Justice Department, plays a significant role in the legislative package. Schumer and Democrats, however, want to outright demolish the fund. “There will be no escape hatch,” Schumer said. “No fake guardrails or backroom promises to hide behind. No Justice Department announcement that makes this corruption acceptable.” “Republicans are scrambling for a way out — not to end the corruption, but to manage it,” he continued. “That will not be enough. You do not fix a corrupt slush fund by promising to manage it better. You end it.”