Latest news with #Democrat-backed
New York Post
28-07-2025
- Politics
- New York Post
Democrat who had criminal record wiped under Dem law charged with choking and beating woman
A violent ex-felon who turned to politics as the poster child for a Democrat-backed law that allowed his criminal record to be wiped has now been charged with beating and choking a woman and dragging her by the hair, court records show. Leon El-Alamin, 44, a former cocaine dealer who became a Democratic city councilman from Flint, Michigan, was arrested on July 10 on felony and misdemeanor charges for alleged domestic violence and assault, court documents filed by the Mount Morris Township police show. The accuser said she locked herself in a bathroom to escape the violence and call 911, Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton said. 'She said that he had gotten angry with her because she was looking at her emails and that he punched her in the face, dragged her by her hair and choked her around the neck,' Leyton told WNEM. 3 Leon El-Alamin, a city councilman in Flint, MI, has been charged with domestic violence and assault. Genesee County Jail 'She had bruising on her face, which is consistent with being struck in the face. She had a mark on her neck, which is consistent with the allegation of being choked, and she claims she had been dragged out by her hair,' Leyton said. 'And I do believe they found some strands of hair on the floor on the ground, so that corroborated what she said.' An unregistered gun was also found inside the house. 3 El-Alamin pictured last year with Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer. Instagram / @leonelalamin El-Alamin was first elected to the city council in November, and has been pictured with high-profile Dem leaders such as New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker. He has also been pictured with Michigan's Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer — whose 'clean slate' criminal justice program allowed him to wipe his own record. El-Alamin was a cocaine dealer still known as Leon Wilson when he was sentenced to a least 12 years on drug and weapons charges in 2003, according to the bio on his website — which admits he was left in a coma over 'a shootout over a drug turf war.' He converted to Islam behind bars, changed his name, and founded the M.A.D.E. (Money, Attitude, Direction and Education) Institute — a non-profit that aims to provide housing and other support to at-risk youth and ex-inmates. In April 2021, he had his criminal record expunged under the new Clean Slate Act, which massively expanded the number of ex-cons in Michigan who were eligible to have their records cleared. 'I'm excited,I can't really explain it. I'm overwhelmed with joy,' El-Alamin told Mid Michigan Now at the time. 3 A former violent ex-con, El-Alamin was elected in November last year. Facebook / Leon El-Alamin 1st Ward City Councilman He became an outspoken critic of the prison system, writing in a LinkedIn post last year, 'Mass Incarceration is one of the greatest threats to our democracy in America.' El-Alamin's office and legal team did not give any comment following the news, but the councilman issued a statement on the Facebook page of the M.A.D.E. Institute. 'These recent allegations are both false and deeply disheartening, but I remain confident in the truth and in the legal process,' he wrote. 'My legal team is actively handling the matter, and I fully intend to clear my name and win this case.' El-Alamin's bond was set at $7,500 on July 16. He appeared in court for a hearing last Thursday. The governor's office did not respond immediately to requests for comment.
Fox News
22-07-2025
- Politics
- Fox News
Democratic bill would block feds from clearing homeless encampments on public land
The 'Outnumbered' panel reacts to a Democrat-backed bill that would block federal agencies from clearing homeless encampments on public lands.
Hindustan Times
14-07-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Trump assassination attempt: 5 major questions still unanswered in 2025
Donald Trump was shot during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, while he was running for president last year. Right after a bullet grazed his ear, he threw his fist in the air and yelled, 'Fight! Fight! Fight!' Meanwhile, the crowd rallied behind him. Trump later said that God had saved his life, and he went on to win the election in November, according to a Newsweek report. The FBI and Secret Service both said Crooks acted alone. Still, there are theories that someone else was involved in the assassination of Donald Trump. (Getty Images via AFP) The shooter was 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks. People at the rally noticed him acting weird outside and told security, although no one stopped him before he climbed onto a roof and started shooting. Crooks killed one person in the crowd and hurt two others; however, Secret Service agents shot and killed him. The attack exposed serious security problems. Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle resigned, and a review panel said the agency needed 'fundamental reform.' But a year later, many questions about Crooks still remain unanswered. Why did he do it? The FBI checked Crooks' phone, computer, house, and car. But they still don't know why he opened fire. He didn't leave any kind of letter or statement, and his online activity was low. He had no criminal history, and he was doing well in school. The New York Times said he had a perfect SAT score and was studying engineering. Crooks' political views weren't clear either. He signed up as a Republican when he turned 18, but he had once donated $15 to a Democrat-backed group. In the month before the shooting, he searched online a lot about Trump and Joe Biden. The Times got records showing he signed up for the Trump rally a week before the shooting and had searched 'How far was Oswald from Kennedy?' Was he working with someone? The FBI and Secret Service both said Crooks acted alone. Still, there are theories that someone else was involved. Private investigator Doug Hagmann told the New York Post in February that his team found devices linked to Crooks—ones that didn't belong to him—at his house, school, and other places. 'We don't think he acted alone,' Hagmann said. 'This took a lot of coordination. In my view, Crooks was handled by more than one individual and he was used for this.' Was he planning more? There's some evidence Crooks had bigger plans. The Times said police found a basic homemade bomb in his room. They also found bomb-making stuff at his house and explosive devices in his car. CBS News reported Crooks tried to buy more than two gallons of nitromethane, which is a chemical used in explosives. Why was he cremated so fast? The FBI has been slammed for how quickly they released Crooks' body. Rep. Clay Higgins from Louisiana said letting the family cremate the body just 10 days after the shooting could be seen as 'obstruction to any following investigative effort.' The FBI pushed back, saying that was 'inaccurate and unfounded.' They said they worked with the coroner and local police before handing over the body. 'Nothing was rushed and everything was documented as part of the investigation,' the FBI said. What about his family? Crooks' parents haven't talked to the media. They've stayed quiet. Not much is known about his home life or background.
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Conservative Podcaster Mark Kaye Announces Candidacy for U.S. Congress in Florida's 5th Congressional District
JACKSONVILLE, Fla., June 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Conservative podcaster, entrepreneur, and digital media firebrand Mark Kaye officially announced his candidacy for the United States House of Representatives, launching a bold grassroots campaign to oust incumbent Republican Congressman John Rutherford in Florida's 5th Congressional District. Kaye, known for his popular daily podcasts Mark Kaye Saves the Republic and The 47 Daily, has built a reputation for cutting through political nonsense with humor, truth, and fearless commentary. "I've been shouting into microphones and TV cameras about these lazy politicians for years, but nothing's changed," said Kaye. "So I will go to Washington and shout at them from the House floor!" Mark Kaye will be challenging incumbent Republican John Rutherford in the 2026 GOP primary. Rutherford has come under fire from conservative voters for supporting Democrat-backed legislation, including funding for Ukraine, the weaponized IRS, and taxpayer-funded gender surgeries. Kaye warns that Democrats could very easily win the House of Representatives in the midterm elections and sideline President Trump's "America First" agenda. "If that happens," says Kaye, "We're going to need a loud, combative conservative to fight, fight, fight every single day. John Rutherford is not that guy. I am." A fierce advocate for free speech and small business, Kaye has also pledged to stand up for Conservative voices being silenced online and to push back against Big Tech censorship. His campaign will lean heavily on grassroots energy, digital outreach, and the loyal support of thousands of his listeners called "Kayetriots" across Florida and beyond. Kaye's online announcement video is already going viral and donations are pouring in from around the country. About Mark Kaye:Mark Kaye is a popular political podcaster, content creator, and conservative entrepreneur. He's the founder of GAIN (Golden Age Influencer Network), a business mentorship community for freedom-loving entrepreneurs, and author of Go TRUMP Yourself! A Florida resident, loving husband, and proud father of two, Kaye is committed to preserving American values for future generations. Learn more or get involved at: Press Contact:Pamela KayeEmail: 396554@ 786-566-4694Website: View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Mark Kaye Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Miami Herald
27-05-2025
- Politics
- Miami Herald
Democrats stuck in political ‘wilderness.' Will they pivot to the center in 2026?
The Democratic Party suffered significant blows in 2024 with President Donald Trump's reelection and the narrow loss of both chambers of Congress. Now, months into the president's second nonconsecutive term, Democratic leadership is left to analyze how the party should move forward. "I do think, right now, the party … is sort of in the wilderness," said Flavio Hickel Jr., an associate professor of political science at Washington College. Recent election results aren't providing much clarity. In April, Democrat-backed Judge Susan Crawford beat Trump's pick to fill a seat on the Wisconsin state Supreme Court by 10 points - despite tech billionaire and Trump ally Elon Musk dumping millions of dollars into the race. But last week, incumbent Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey, a progressive Democrat in a city that leans blue, lost his primary election bid, leaving some to wonder if the national party will take a more centrist foothold as it turns its eyes to the 2026 midterm elections. "You're going to see that kind of conflict as the party figures out what it wants to do" and "how it can reconfigure," Hickel said. There was clear infighting among Democrats in 2024, as President Joe Biden waited nearly a month before the Democratic National Convention to announce his withdrawal from the race, giving Vice President Kamala Harris little time to campaign against a formidable Republican candidate like Trump. The party found itself split between voters who thought Biden was too old and not nearly progressive enough, and those who stood by the incumbent out of party loyalty or otherwise. Analysts say that battle is likely to continue in the 2026 midterm elections. "There's obviously going to be a fight in the party between progressives and moderates and, as is normal, both are going to claim that the other side had too much influence," said Todd Eberly, a professor of political science at St. Mary's College of Maryland. "Loss really does bring out divisions among the party as they try to figure out the best path forward for them." But political scientists are also noticing a generational shift among the Democratic Party. Roger Hartley, the dean of the University of Baltimore's College of Public Affairs, said a "changing of the guard" is slowly occurring as party mainstays like Biden and U.S. Reps. Steny Hoyer and Nancy Pelosi prepare to move on. That shift was visible in Maryland in 2024, as U.S. Reps. John Sarbanes and Dutch Ruppersburger and U.S. Sen. Ben Cardin declined to seek reelection, paving the way for a younger, more diverse state congressional delegation. "Some of this, I think, is generational, and it's somewhat natural," Hartley said. But, will we see Democrats move to the center, "or are they going to act upon this backlash and make the argument that they just didn't have the right candidates in place?" Regardless, Hartley said that parties tend to reevaluate their values and message after major losses. Like the Republican Party under former President Barack Obama, Hartley said Democrats are struggling to identify a path forward and determining if their values that are under attack, like DEI and immigration, are "worth fighting to the mat for." If they are, he said, they'll run those candidates - likely some with little national name recognition, like governors or current members of Congress. "Democrats probably want fresh and or exciting faces, and that's what they're looking for, and they're looking at their bench and they're trying to find those fresh, exciting faces who can appeal to their voters," Hartley said. Turning point As midterm campaigns begin to ramp up, the Maryland Democratic Party is focused on giving voters a seat at the table and will support candidates who are "willing to fight like hell versus" those interested in maintaining the status quo, said Maryland Democratic Party spokesman Joe Francaviglia. "The Maryland Democratic Party is constantly trying to make sure we bring more voters into the fold and hear as many voices as possible," Francaviglia said. "We never want to be caught by surprise, and so we see election results from across the country and try to understand what are voters saying while trying to put forward our vision for what can make Maryland and our party as strong as possible." Maryland's Democratic Party is also at a critical turning point, as Chair Ken Ulman prepares to step down. Hickel said that this could provide an opportunity for the state party to undergo a tactical shift as it gears up for the 2026 midterm elections. Maryland has a Democratic supermajority and outward unity among its top elected officials. Political infighting among progressive and conservative members of the Democratic Party in a small blue state like Maryland could splinter integrity, making it easier to oust incumbents or flip some seats red. In 2026, every seat in Maryland's 188-member General Assembly will be up for election, and Gov. Wes Moore and Attorney General Anthony Brown, both Democrats, will campaign for their respective second terms in office. Each of the state's U.S. House representatives will also be up for reelection. U.S. Rep. Andy Harris, a Trump ally and the sole Republican member of the Maryland congressional delegation, could also face a significant Democratic challenger. In spite of problems seen among the national party and an incoming state party chair, Maryland Congressman Johnny Olszewski, who won his seat in November, said that there is much "more that unites Democrats, especially in this moment," than divides, and the Trump administration is crystalizing just how stark of a difference there is between Democrats and Republicans." "We know that actions, including legislation we just considered last night" to line the pockets of the ultra-wealthy, eliminate health care coverage for millions of Americans, and end food programs for hungry children "is a reminder of precisely that," Olszewski said in an interview Friday afternoon. "I think were having really important conversations within our party about what our priorities should be." But, with only a little over a year until the midterm elections, will Democrats be able to unify themselves enough to take back Congress? Eberly says, "Absolutely … just because that's what we do." "We elect a unifying government in the general election" and flip Congress in the midterms, he said. "Republicans, right now, in Congress have a very narrow majority" and Trump has an approval rating in the low 40s. "That's a recipe for the party out of power to pick up somewhere around 30 seats." ---------- Copyright (C) 2025, Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Portions copyrighted by the respective providers.
