logo
UK's Farage calls Jamie Raskin ‘pig-headed' during London visit

UK's Farage calls Jamie Raskin ‘pig-headed' during London visit

Politico30-07-2025
'Absolutely disgusting,' Farage said on the U.K.'s ITN in response. 'It's completely below the belt.'
Raskin said the outburst was the 'explosive reaction of one British politician who obviously didn't want any challenge to his view that he's a free speech victim,' a reference to Farage saying he'd been locked out of banking services and threatened online over his political speech.
'We thought there were some very good things in the Online Safety Act, and there might be some problematic things,' Raskin said. 'I think the intervention of Democrats who don't have a dog in that fight was maybe too much for [Farage] to handle, but we did want to make some general points about the freedom of speech.'
The U.S. delegation is expected to meet with Kyle on Wednesday.
Farage's back-and-forth came toward the end of a meeting set up by Republicans that featured a discussion of free speech issues around the world. The meeting took place following a private tour of Parliament, and it included representatives from groups like Alliance Defending Freedom, a legal firm behind several conservative legal causes that have made it to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Raskin had just begun his presentation on the history of free speech issues in the U.S. and ongoing risks posed by the Trump administration when Farage repeatedly interrupted, Crockett said. She said Raskin's comments at that point largely focused on the law and were not partisan.
'This manbaby was not feeling it. … He was gonna pigeonhole the conversation into only things that he wanted to discuss, and anything else was gonna be shut down, because that's what free speech, I guess, looks like to him,' Crockett said.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

GOP senator on DC carjacking fears: ‘I don't buckle up'
GOP senator on DC carjacking fears: ‘I don't buckle up'

The Hill

time19 minutes ago

  • The Hill

GOP senator on DC carjacking fears: ‘I don't buckle up'

Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) on Wednesday expressed his fear of being carjacked in the nation's capital, as the Trump administration ramps up its federal takeover of local law enforcement. 'And by the way, I'm not joking when I say this, I drive around in Washington, D.C., in my Jeep, and yes, I do drive myself, and I don't buckle up. And the reason why I don't buckle up, and people can say whatever they want to, they can raise their eyebrows at me again, is because of carjacking,' Mullin said during an appearance on Fox News's 'The Ingraham Angle.' 'I don't want to be stuck in my vehicle when I need to exit in a hurry, because I got a seatbelt around me and that — and I wear my seatbelt all the time,' he told host Brian Kilmeade, in a clip highlighted by Mediaite. 'But in Washington, D.C., I do not, because it is so prevalent of carjacking,' the Oklahoma Republican continued. 'And I don't want the same thing [to] happen to me what's happened to a lot of people that work on the hill.' President Trump announced earlier this week that his administration was taking control of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) and deployed hundreds of National Guard soldiers to the area to combat crime and violence in the city. The move, sparked after a former Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) staffer was attacked by teenagers during a carjacking — has received heavy blowback from Democrats and local officials. A provision in Washington's ' Home Rule Act ' allows the president to federalize the police force for up to 30 days — but any additional time requires Congressional approval. During a speech Wednesday from the Kennedy Center, Trump said he will seek a 'long-term' extension. 'Well, if it's a national emergency, we can do it without Congress,' Trump said, when asked about whether he's talked to lawmakers about extending the takeover. He added that he expects meet with Congress 'very quickly' and snag GOP support. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) signaled in a post online Wednesday that he and fellow Sen. Katie Britt (R-Ala.) were working with the Trump administration on a safety package for the district. 'Together, we will try to shepherd the DC Security Fund through Congress to give President Trump the resources he will need to improve the safety and quality of life in our nation's capital,' he wrote on social platform X. 'Every American should be behind this effort to make Washington, DC clean and safe so that it can truly become the shining city on the hill.' For such a move to advance, however, it would likely need support from some Senate Democrats. Sen. Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) made clear that his caucus would not back the measure. 'No f‑‑‑ing way,' he told podcast host Aaron Parnas. 'We'll fight him tooth and nail. … He needs to get Congress to approve it, and not only are we not going to approve it, but there are some Republicans who don't like either.' D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser has also pushed back on Trump's moves, calling them an 'authoritarian push' as data shows the crime rate declining in the nation's capital. The mayor has also used the national attention as a platform to reup the district's quest to gain statehood.

Trump must not give anything away in Alaska
Trump must not give anything away in Alaska

The Hill

time19 minutes ago

  • The Hill

Trump must not give anything away in Alaska

Many commentators have likened President Trump's meeting with Vladimir Putin in Alaska to the 1938 Munich meeting between Adolf Hitler, British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain and French Premier Eduard Daladier over the fate of Czechoslovakia. There certainly are similarities. The Munich meeting took place without the presence of Czech President Edvard Benes, and the Alaska summit will not include Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. And there is widespread fear, especially in Europe, that Trump will yield to Putin's demands for Ukrainian territory — both that which his armed forces have already seized in Crimea and the oblasts of Luhansk and Donetsk, and those still held by Ukraine there and in the oblasts of Kherson and Zaporizhzhia. As the Institute for the Study of War points out, should Putin successfully obtain control of all four oblasts — and especially all of Donetsk, which contains what the Institute terms Ukraine's 'fortress belt' — he would control several potential vectors of attack on the remainder of Ukraine. This would enable Russian forces to seize the country, just as Hitler ultimately took all of Czechoslovakia. Yet there are significant differences as well. Hitler was determined to seize the Sudetenland, and ultimately all of Czechoslovakia, without firing a shot. He had already effectively incorporated Austria that way in the 1936 Anschluss. And he succeeded in doing so. While Putin also wants to be handed over territories that his forces have not yet occupied without having to fight for them — in this regard following Hitler's precedent — he faces a very different set of circumstances. Russian forces have been fighting a determined Ukrainian military since February 2022. Moreover, despite ceaseless and heavy bombardment of Ukrainian formations and military infrastructure, coupled with terror attacks on cities and civilian institutions, Russia has gained remarkably little territory over the past three years of intense combat. Furthermore, just as Putin mistakenly thought that a Spetsnaz (special forces) attack on Kyiv at the start of the war would decapitate the Ukrainian leadership and install a pliant pro-Russian regimen, he also appears to have erroneously thought that Russian-speaking Ukrainians, many of them in the four provinces he seeks to annex, would also take Moscow's side. Yet Russia's attacks have actually united most of Ukraine's population, most notably those selfsame Russian speakers who once held positive attitudes toward Moscow. For its part, Ukraine not only has limited Russian advances in over three years of war, it has inflicted severe damage to Russia's military infrastructure, hit targets deep inside Russia including Moscow and has killed or wounded hundreds of thousands of Russian soldiers and North Korean personnel. Still another difference relates to Ukraine's neighbors and partners. Whereas the leading European powers in 1938 hastily acquiesced to Hitler's demands, France, Germany, Britain, the Nordic and Baltic states and the European Union have all made it clear that they stand by Kyiv's determination to preserve its territorial integrity and that Ukraine must have a seat at any table that would determine its future. In addition, NATO has not closed the door on the prospect, however remote, of Ukrainian accession; Putin wants that door shut tight and permanently. That Trump has spoken of concessions in the form of land swaps, while Putin has never indicated anything like an exchange of territory, has deepened European concerns that a deal would legitimate a Russian land grab. It also worries Europeans that Trump is so eager to achieve an agreement, regardless of how its terms affect Ukraine, because he covets the Nobel Peace Prize. The prize is awarded by the Norwegian Nobel Committee, whose members are appointed by the Norwegian parliament; since Norwegians generally view Trump unfavorably, it is highly unlikely that the Committee would ever award him the prize. Hitler interpreted Daladier and Chamberlain's willingness to fold at Munich as a signal that he would not encounter British opposition to either his seizure of all of Czechoslovakia or his planned attack on Poland. He viewed both men as 'poor worms,' and Nazi documents released subsequent to World War II reveal that Hitler viewed Chamberlain as so weak that he worried that British prime minister would preemptively give away Poland, thereby robbing Germany of the ability to seize the country by force. Trump needs to demonstrate to Putin when they meet in Alaska that he is no Neville Chamberlain. He must avoid any giveaway to the Russian dictator, which would only whet Putin's clearly insatiable appetite for more conquests, be they remainder of Ukraine, neutral Moldova or one of NATO's Baltic members. As Hitler sought 'lebensraum' — 'living space' for Germans — Putin seeks to restore the Czarist Empire. Whatever the term, the objective was and is the same: territorial expansion. It took a global war to stop Hitler. Hopefully, a strong-willed Trump will obviate the prospect of another devastating conflict. Dov S. Zakheim is a senior adviser at the Center for Strategic and International Studies and vice chairman of the board for the Foreign Policy Research Institute. He was undersecretary of Defense (comptroller) and chief financial officer for the Department of Defense from 2001 to 2004 and a deputy undersecretary of Defense from 1985 to 1987.

Pritzker rallies Dems: No more funk
Pritzker rallies Dems: No more funk

Politico

time38 minutes ago

  • Politico

Pritzker rallies Dems: No more funk

Happy Thursday, Illinois. Step right up, folks, and get ready for another day at the Illinois State Fair. TOP TALKER SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Gov. JB Pritzker offered a blueprint Wednesday for how Democrats might climb out of the political funk that's loomed over their party since the 2024 election. Pushing back: Addressing more than a thousand guests at the Bank of Springfield Center, Pritzker poked at the national pundits, consultants and strategists who have been picking apart the Democratic Party, claiming it's lost its way. Pritzker's answer: End the pity-party and follow Illinois' lead. 'To those who are wondering what's next for the Democratic Party: She's alive and well and stronger than ever and right here living in the great state of Illinois,' Pritzker said, pointing to legislative wins and Democrats putting a priority on 'values.' Simply, said Pritzker: 'It's time to stop surrendering when we need to fight. And yes, folks, we are messing with Texas,' a reference, of course, to the Texas House Democrats staying in Illinois to protest a GOP redistricting bill in Texas. The morning event included high-profile speeches followed by a barbecue on Democrats' day at the fairgrounds — with more speeches Sen. Tammy Duckworth, who received the most extended applause from the morning crowd, called on Democrats 'to channel our outrage to action.' And Hakeem Jeffries, the U.S. House Democratic leader and headliner of the morning event, ticked off his own playbook for 2026: 'We have to continue to do more, more rallies, more demonstrations, more protests, more press conferences, more speeches on the House floor, more speeches on the Senate floor, more town hall meetings … and more extraordinary actions like those being taken by courageous Texas Democrats.' Senate intrigue: The three top Democratic U.S. Senate candidates — Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton, Congresswoman Robin Kelly and Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi — jockeyed for attention on stage and with the press corps, each holding a gaggle. Speaking of the Senate race: Don Tracy jumps in on GOP side, by the State Journal Register's Steven Spearie And Sen. Dick Durbin drew a laugh when he reminded the breakfast crowd that he's not out of office yet. The veteran senator, who isn't seeking reelection next year, reflected on how integral the party has been in his life going back to his childhood in East St. Louis. 'We were Catholics, members of unions, ate fried chicken after church on Sundays, drove Ford automobiles — and we were Democrats.' SIDENOTE: Pro-Palestinian protesters demonstrated outside of the Bank of Springfield Center where Jeffries spoke Wednesday, and his speech was interrupted three times by three different protesters, who were escorted out of the arena. RELATED At Illinois State Fair, Democrats celebrate state as a leader of the Trump resistance: And they lashed out at the Republican administration and its allies in Congress 'in an effort to regain party momentum for next year's midterm elections,' by the Tribune's Rick Pearson, Jeremy Gorner and Olivia Olander. 'Fair play:' Democratic Senate candidates jockey for Durbin's seat on Governor's Day at state fair: 'All three major Senate Democratic candidates have said they've spoken to Durbin about an endorsement, but it's unclear whether the senator will choose a side in a competitive race that is also becoming one of the most expensive in the country,' by the Sun-Times' Tina Sfondeles and Mitchell Armentrout. Indiana House Dems join Texas House Dems to stand against mid-decade redistricting, by the Post-Tribune's Alexandra Kukulka 'No plan at this point' to go home, says Texas Dem at Chicago Planned Parenthood event, by the Daily Herald's Marni Pyke THE BUZZ UNITY GAP: Wednesday was a day of party unity for Democrats from across the state — but an empty seat from Chicago's City Hall spoke its own kind of politics. Mayor Brandon Johnson didn't make the trip to Springfield, and we didn't see anyone from his team, either, a point that was noticed by a few folks. Johnson's spokespeople didn't return a request for comment. 'I think it's really important that we're working to build bridges with our statewide colleagues in Springfield,' said Ald. Bill Conway, who made the trip along with fellow Chicago City Council members Michelle Harris, Matt Martin, Emma Mitts and David Moore Money matters: Conway noted the state recently handed the city a $4 billion pension liability. 'It doesn't seem like there was really any collaboration from city government on that,' he said, flagging the looming transit fiscal cliff as another fiscal storm cloud. It's about face time: 'Maybe I'm old-school,' Harris said. 'When Democrats have an opportunity to get together and spend time together, we should be in that space solidifying our relationships any chance we get.' If you are Brandon Johnson, Playbook would like to hear from you! Email: skapos@ WHERE'S JB At AFL-CIO Headquarters in Springfield at 10:30 a.m. to sign worker rights bills WHERE's BRANDON At Little Village Park at 6:45 p.m. for the community bash event Where's Toni At the Cook County Building at 10 a.m. with the Cook County Department of Transportation and Highways to announce $8.27 million in grant funding for 32 Invest in Cook projects — At Dr. Jorge Prieto Health Center at 4 p.m. with Congressman Jesús 'Chuy' García for the 50th anniversary of the South Lawndale Health Center Have a tip, suggestion, birthday, new job or a (gasp!) complaint? Email skapos@ SPOTLIGHT There's a battle brewing between two of the state's most powerful Democrats — House Speaker Emanuel 'Chris' Welch and Senate President Don Harmon. They're both eyeing the state central committeeperson seat now held by Congressman Danny Davis, who says he's not seeking reelection to the committee or to his congressional seat. It's not unusual for Illinois General Assembly folks to run for the central committee. What is unusual: Both Welch and Harmon live in same 7th Congressional District in the western suburbs. Who's in: Welch has already announced he's running. But Harmon hasn't made it official, saying he's still 'evaluating' — though he did acknowledge already having gathered nearly all the signatures he needs on his petitions. They both downplayed the idea of a potential power struggle, report the Sun-Times' Mitchell Armentrout and Tina Sfondeles. 'I don't think there's a fissure,' Welch told the Sun-Times. Says Harmon: 'We worked for a long time with a state party that didn't serve the entire state, and it's important to me that the Democratic Party of Illinois serve the entirety of the Democratic Party apparatus, not just the Illinois House.' BUSINESS OF POLITICS — Harsh message: Jim Rule, chair of the Tazewell County GOP, sent out a message to members Wednesday with an ominous message: 'The situation with the Illinois Republican Party is grim. People are fed up and morale is low. There is no confidence in our ability to WIN and with the Democrats imploding all over the state, we are not prepared to turn this state RED,' he wrote. We'll see how it plays out during today's Republican Day at the Fair. — Joe Cervantez has launched his bid for Illinois attorney general on the Republican ticket: The former Jackson County state's attorney says he'll announce his candidacy today at the State Fair, by the Southern's Paul Wilcoxen. — Jumping in: State Sen. Mary Edly-Allen is running for the open seat for State Central Committeewoman for Illinois' 10th Congressional District. Edly-Allen is also president of Lake County Democratic Women. 'We need leadership that bridges divides, lifts up new voices, and keeps us moving forward — and that's the work I am committed to continue to do.' — In IL-07: Dr. Thomas Fisher says he raised $175,000 in the first 24 hours after announcing his campaign for Illinois' 7th Congressional District, according to his team. Fisher is a Democrat. — State House endorsements: Demi Palecek, a Democrat running for the 13th District House seat, has been endorsed by Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, City Clerk of Chicago Anna Valencia and 1st Ward Committeeperson Laura Yepez. 'Demi's a [military] veteran who has consistently demonstrated her leadership and commitment to our Democracy. Her unique perspective and dedication to upholding equality and justice are precisely why we need to send her to Springfield to fight for us,' said Schakowsky in a statement. — Endorsements: The 43rd Ward Democrats and Committeeman Lucy Moog are endorsing Paul Kendrick for state representative for the 12th District and Catherine 'Cat' Sharp for Cook County commissioner for the 12th District. The committee selected Kendrick 'for his pragmatic approach to government' and Sharp 'for her deep understanding of the county's budgeting process and priorities,' according to a statement. — He's in: Cook County Commissioner Scott Britton announced he's running for a third term to represent the county's 14th District. ILLINOIS' POPE — Pope Leo XIV-themed bus tour kicks off Thursday at Holy Name Cathedral: 'The tour also includes stops at Pope Leo's birthplace in Bronzeville, the former Mercy Hospital, and the Catholic Theological Union seminary in Hyde Park, where he trained for the priesthood,' by the Sun-Times' Selena Kuznikov. CHICAGO — CPS budget plan hedges on city pension payment, but some board members are insisting it be paid: 'In its plan to close a $734 million deficit out Wednesday, CPS officials proposed cutting operations, refinancing debt and spending down a reserve fund. They didn't propose a loan,' by WBEZ's Sarah Karp — CPS banking on TIF funding, pension contingency to keep cuts out of classrooms in latest budget plan, by WTTW's Matt Masterson — Lawsuit alleges Lettuce Entertain You staged a 'corporate coup': Business partner Gerard Centioli files lawsuit alleging Rich Melman fraudulently transferred ownership, by Crain's Brandon Dupré. — State's attorney's office declines to file charges against CPD officers in Dexter Reed shooting: 'State's Attorney Eileen O'Neill Burke said the 'evidence is clear and overwhelming' that prosecutors would not be able to meet their burden of proof, calling the scene 'terrifying and chaotic'... 'What happened that evening was a tragedy,'' by the Tribune's Madeline Buckley and Sam Charles. Reader Digest We asked what one thing from the federal government would you cut. Mike Gascoigne: 'Military spending.' John Huebler: 'Retirement benefits for members of Congress.' Charles Keller: 'The IRS. 14 billion to collect your money is way too much.' Fabrice Guyot-Sionnest: 'The military! Our global capabilities are very important, but the DOD budget is massive, and it has never passed an audit. We should be investing in life instead of death.' NEXT QUESTION: What's one fun fact about Illinois culture that everyone should know? THE NATIONAL TAKE — A GOP divide is growing over Trump's redistricting play, by POLITICO's Lisa Kashinsky and Meredith Lee Hill — Trump floats circumventing Congress to maintain control of D.C. police, by POLITICO's Giselle Ruhiyyih Ewing — Gaza is already emerging as a foreign policy litmus test for 2028 Dems, by Adam Wren, Elena Schneider and Holly Otterbein EVENTS — Friday: Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton will host the 'Standing Up for Illinois: Protecting Women' roundtable. Also on the panel: Deputy Gov Grace Hou, Planned Parenthood of Illinois President Tonya Tucker and Women Employed CEO Cherita Ellens. Details here — Wednesday: Town Hall with Congressman Bill Foster and State Rep. Dave Vella on Wednesday. Details here TRIVIA WEDNESDAY's ANSWER: The Kaskaskia River's name derives from the old Miami-Illinois tribe's word for a katydid. TODAY's QUESTION: Who had the longest non-consecutive tenure of any Illinois congressperson? Email to: skapos@ HAPPY BIRTHDAY Former state Rep. Adam Brown, American Red Cross of Illinois CEO Kellie O'Connell, JPMorgan Chase philanthropy leader Charlie Corrigan, Diversified Search Group's Sonya Olds Som, Res Publica Group VP Kevin Owens, JP Morgan Banker VP Jeremy Wynes and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois comms exec Nicole Stickel -30-

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store