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New York Post
19 hours ago
- Politics
- New York Post
NYC Mayor Eric Adams: ‘I have not asked' for Trump's help getting re-elected and president hasn't offered
President Trump has yet to make overtures to assist Mayor Adams' re-election bid — and Hizzoner isn't counting on it. Trump recently hailed Adams' re-election bid and many of the commander-in-chief's supporters continue to pressure Republican Curtis Sliwa to drop out of the race and prevent a victory by 'communist lunatic' Zohran Mamdani. But Adams told The Post 'I have not asked him for [an endorsement or help], and he has not interfered with this race at all.' 5 Mayor Eric Adams says President Donald Trump has yet to make overtures to assist his re-election bid – and he's not counting on it. J.C. Rice Adams faces an serious uphill battle to get re-elected — with a series of recent polls having him in a distant third or fourth place, more than 20 points behind Democratic nominee and frontrunner Mamdani. Adams, however, expressed confidence he'll pull off an upset win in November, even if Sliwa and former Gov. Andrew Cuomo — a registered Democrat like Adams also running as an independent — remain in the race. 'I got to win the race based on what I do best, and that's campaign,' said Adams during an interview Thursday on the backyard porch of Gracie Mansion. The trio are jockeying for the votes of moderate Dems and Republicans, as well as the largest swath of the independent voters. Cuomo and Adams have repeatedly called for each other to drop out of the race, claiming only they can stave off the young far-left socialist from being handed the keys to New York City. Adams, who has repeatedly cozied up to the president, skirted questions about whether he'd even want a Trump endorsement considering Dems outnumber Republicans 6-1 in the city. 5 Trump has declined to comment who he will support NYC mayor, instead telling reporters earlier this week, 'I don't want to say.' AFP via Getty Images However, he wondered out loud why Cuomo didn't get the same criticism he received from lefty critics after Trump on Tuesday said the ex-governor should stay in the race because he 'has a shot' to beat Mamdani and prevent a 'communist' from running NYC. Trump declined to say who he would support, instead telling reporters on the White House lawn, 'I don't want to say.' Adams also skirted questions on whether he'd accept the Republican line if it became available. For that scenario to play out, Sliwa, 71, under state election law, would either first have to accept a federal appointment or die. There's also some precedent for him to be removed from the ballot if he moves out of Gotham and alerts election officials he can't serve as mayor. Adams would then need the backing of at least three of the five Republican county chairs to replace Sliwa on the Republican line. 5 Socialist Queens Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani is frontrunner to become NYC's next mayor. Paul Martinka Sliwa, however, insists he remains all in on his mayoral bid — even though he's not expecting a Trump endorsement based on past bad blood between the two. Although Trump has yet to reach out to Adams, he has repeatedly blasted Mamdani after the socialist's stunning upset in New York's Democratic mayoral primary last month. 'Democrats have crossed the line by elevating a 100% Communist Lunatic,' Trump railed in a Truth Social post on June 25. Adams has repeatedly come under fire from his party's far-left faction for having a good working relationship with the Republican president. 5 Ex-Mayor Bill de Blasio said Adams should avoid a Trump endorsement if he wants to be re-elected. William Farrington Some pols and political pundits say Adams could see a significant bump in support from Trump-loving Republicans and moderate Democrats if the president offered the mayor his support. 'Moderates Democrats might have a problem with Trump, but they're more likely to have a bigger problem with Mamdani,' said Hank Sheinkopf, a longtime Democratic consultant. 'They might look at Adams and say he's a [retired NYPD] cop and understands all our problems.' Yet Adams should expect little support from New Yorkers who voted for Mamdani in the Democratic primary — especially if Trump endorses him, Sheinkopf added. Far-left ex-NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio agreed, adding a potential endorsement from Trump would all but doom Adams' re-election campaign. De Blasio told The Post his advice for any candidate in the left-leaning Metropolis — including Adams — is 'you're going to lose more than you gain' with a Trump endorsement, considering only 30% of NYC voters supported Trump in last year's presidential election. 5 Former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo — a registered Democrat like Adams — also is running for mayor as an independent. John Angelillo/UPI/Shutterstock 'It's simply bad math: Two-thirds of New Yorkers would react badly to someone they saw affiliated with Trump . . . so you lose a bunch of Democrats,' said de Blasio, an avid supporter of the 33-year-old Mamdani. 'It's not 2001 where a Democratic Michael Bloomberg took on the Republican [mayoral] line sort of in a fusion way like we used to have where a moderate Republican could be acceptable to a certain number of Democrats,' he said. 'This is a whole different reality because of Trumpism. People have just hardened on their positions, so I don't see how it adds up.'


The Herald Scotland
a day ago
- Politics
- The Herald Scotland
'Stupid as hell': Don Bacon blasts Hegseth on military base names
While it was unclear if the measure would make it into the final defense bill, Bacon had harsh words for Hegseth's moves to fiddle with legally mandated efforts to remove the names of Confederate generals from U.S. military bases. "I think they're trying to be too cute by Hegseth on this, saying, 'Well it's Bragg, but it's a different Bragg," Bacon said July 18, referring to the now twice-renamed Army base in North Carolina. "To me, it looks stupid as hell." More: Fort Who? Republicans join House Dems to bar Hegseth's military base name changes Bacon co-sponsored the original bipartisan push to prohibit U.S. base names honoring Confederate figures, which became law in January 2021. Although President Donald Trump vetoed the bill, lawmakers overrode him and forced the Pentagon to find new names that didn't honor Confederates. In 2022 the Biden-era Defense Department implemented recommendations of a bipartisan Naming Commission, renaming posts to honor figures such as five-star general and former President Dwight Eisenhower. But Hegseth reversed those changes by again renaming the bases - this time for U.S. servicemembers whose surnames matched those of their earlier Confederate namesakes. The House Armed Services Committee-approved draft defense policy bill for fiscal 2026 would protect the Naming Commission's recommendations by barring the Pentagon from using official funds for base name changes. Bacon, who represents Omaha, and fellow Republican Rep. Derek Schmidt of Kansas joined Democrats in a dramatic late-night vote to approve the amendment, which was authored by Rep. Marilyn Strickland, D-Washington. The Senate Armed Services Committee passed a limited-but-similar measure in its version of the bill to block renaming of bases in Virginia. "Congress has made it clear where we stood," Bacon said, adding the re-renamings "fly in the face of what Congress intended." In February, Hegseth reversed Fort Liberty's name to Fort Bragg by naming it for Pfc. Roland Bragg, who was awarded the Silver Star for his service in World War II. In March, Fort Benning followed, shedding its short-lived Fort Moore moniker for Cpl. Fred Benning, who received the Distinguished Service Cross during World War I. Trump in June then announced that all of the Army's base names would change to honor soldiers who shared names with their former Confederate namesakes. He and Hegseth have argued that the original names boost soldier morale and only changed due to so-called "wokeness" in the military. The defense secretary has also said the old names provide a "generational link" between veterans and modern troops. Bacon contends that Republicans shouldn't support the names, which were originally proposed by segregationist Jim Crow-era Southern Democrats during World War I and World War II. The name of Fort Benning, for example, was suggested by the United Daughters of the Confederacy, an organization that sought to rewrite history textbooks and erect monuments that honored the Confederacy and downplayed slavery's centrality to the Civil War. And perhaps Bacon's support has personal roots as well - the congressman's great-great-great grandfather, a Virginia-born abolitionist, moved to Illinois and fought for the U.S. Army during the Civil War, Bacon noted. The practical effect of the amendment remains to be seen, according to a defense official. The House and Senate will have to iron out the discrepancy between their approaches to base names before the chambers agree to a final version. More: Trump visits Fort Bragg. The base has been renamed twice in 2 years. Why? Meanwhile, the process of renaming the bases may be completed before the law takes effect, the official said. If that occurs, Bacon - who is retiring from Congress in 2026 - said he believes a future Democratic president is "going to change them all back." Contributing: Tom Vanden Brook and Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA TODAY.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Loomer: Epstein threatens to ‘consume' Trump presidency
Right-wing activist Laura Loomer, a longtime ally of President Trump's, said in a new interview she's concerned the federal government's handling of the Jeffrey Epstein case could threaten to 'consume' the president's second term. In an interview Wednesday with Politico, Loomer compared the latest intrigue to the media's fascination with Russia during the president's first term in office. 'I don't want it to consume his presidency,' she said. She noted there are key differences between the Russia story nearly a decade ago and the case involving the late financier and convicted sex offender. 'Obviously, this is not a complete hoax given the fact that Ghislaine Maxwell is currently serving 20 years in prison in Florida for her crimes and activities with Jeffrey Epstein, who we know is a convicted sexual predator,' she said. 'This is why I said, and I'll reiterate it again, the best thing that the president can do is appoint a special counsel to handle the Epstein files investigation,' she continued. Loomer, who has bashed Attorney General Pam Bondi for her handling of the Epstein documents, previously told Politico's Playbook newsletter that a special counsel should be appointed 'so that people can feel like this issue is being investigated, and perhaps take it out of [Bondi's] hands, because I don't think that she has been transparent or done a good job handling this issue.' A number of prominent Trump supporters, including members of Congress, have similarly called for the administration to release more information around the Epstein files, and Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.) has joined Loomer's call for a special counsel. The Justice Department and FBI issued a joint memo last week that said Epstein did not have a client list and confirmed he died by suicide — not due to foul play as many suspected — in his New York City jail cell in 2019. The findings incensed members of the MAGA movement, who have for years pushed conspiracy theories about Epstein's death and claims that prominent Democrats would be named on a client list. But Trump has pushed back against the criticism and on Wednesday wrote a lengthy Truth Social post, in which he dismissed the uproar over the Epstein files as a 'scam' perpetuated by Democrats and suggested he no longer welcomed his backers who have called for more transparency around the documents. 'Their new SCAM is what we will forever call the Jeffrey Epstein Hoax, and my PAST supporters have bought into this 'bulls‑‑‑,' hook, line, and sinker,' Trump posted. 'They haven't learned their lesson, and probably never will, even after being conned by the Lunatic Left for 8 long years. 'I have had more success in 6 months than perhaps any President in our Country's history, and all these people want to talk about, with strong prodding by the Fake News and the success starved Dems, is the Jeffrey Epstein Hoax,' Trump continued. 'Let these weaklings continue forward and do the Democrats work, don't even think about talking of our incredible and unprecedented success, because I don't want their support anymore!' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Virginia lawmakers discuss FEMA restructuring following deadly Texas flooding
(WFXR)- Central Texas has been dealing with dangerous flooding this month and more than one thousand miles away in Virginia, the tragedy is being felt. 'These people are like family to us, deep relationships,' said Governor Glenn Youngkin. More than one hundred people have died in the Texas floods and at least as many are still missing. Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin and his family were in Texas at the start of the flooding. He says the Commonwealth, which regularly experiences flash flooding, has assisted in helping the Lone Star State. Federal funding at risk: what it means for public broadcast in Roanoke 'The Commonwealth of Virginia has sent swiftwater rescue teams to go support them.' said Youngkin. 'You all know from the efforts we've had in order to manage natural disasters here, that the teams get tired. The flooding comes amid talks by President Trump and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to either remake or wind down FEMA. '[FEMA] is shifting from bloated, DC-centric dead weight to a lean, deployable disaster force that empowers state actors to provide relief for their citizens,' according to a recent FEMA statement. However, a New York Times report claimed FEMA did not answer thousands of emergency calls from Texans struggling during the flooding. Republican state lawmaker John McGuire said the communication issues began before Trump took office. ''If you do what you always did, you're going to get what you always got,' said Rep. John McGuire of Virginia's fifth district. 'We've all heard that phrase, right? The Biden Administration refused to help homes during the flooding from Hurricane Helene in North Carolina.' Not everyone in Congress shares McGuire's opinion. The Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities Program, which helped local governments reduce hazard risks, was cut from FEMA in April. Virginia Dems join Planned Parenthood to launch 'Bros for Repro' U.S. Senator Tim Kaine said FEMA provides a crucial service to Americans. 'If you didn't have that, and every state had to have their emergency management teams at kind of surge level to prepare for a hurricane it would be very wasteful,' said Kaine. 'So, I think it's actually a better bang for the buck.' According to the Virginia Department of Emergency Management, it is too early to think about what will happen if FEMA is restructured. WFXR's Paul Hess contributed to this article. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.


The Hill
a day ago
- Politics
- The Hill
DOJ asks judge to unseal Epstein, Maxwell grand jury testimony
The Justice Department (DOJ) asked a federal court on Friday to unseal the grand jury transcripts in the Jeffrey Epstein case. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche filed two different, almost identical, motions to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York to release the transcripts of the man convicted of sex-trafficking minors and his accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell. The motions state that even though the DOJ and FBI remain confident about the July memo, which indicated there was no evidence of a 'client' list and confirmed that Epstein died by suicide, the court should unseal the testimonies out of 'public interest.' The move comes amid furor over the release of the so-called Epstein files, particularly among some of Trump's staunchest supports. The DOJ will work to remove the names of potential victims and 'other personal identifying information' before the transcript is released, the motions state. It is rare for a grand jury transcript to be released due to sensitive information; however, it can be done if there is enough public demand. There is still no information on how long it will take the court to unseal the files. The DOJ has not immediately responded to requests for comment. On Thursday, the Wall Street Journal released a bombshell repor t about a letter President Trump reportedly sent to Epstein for his 50th birthday. The letter includes a drawn picture of a naked woman and the words 'Happy Birthday — and may every day be another wonderful secret.' Trump refuted the allegations and is now suing the reporters and the paper's owner Rupert Murdoch. Friday's motion comes after the president directed Attorney General Pam Bondi to release the 'pertinent grand jury testimony', in an attempt to calm criticism about the administration's handling of the case. 'Based on the ridiculous amount of publicity given to Jeffrey Epstein, I have asked Attorney General Pam Bondi to produce any and all pertinent Grand Jury testimony, subject to Court approval. This SCAM, perpetuated by the Democrats, should end, right now!,' Trump posted on Truth Social. The administration in recent weeks has faced increased pressure from Republicans and Democrats alike to share more information about the case, prompting frustration from the president. 'I have had more success in 6 months than perhaps any President in our Country's history, and all these people want to talk about, with strong prodding by the Fake News and the success starved Dems, is the Jeffrey Epstein Hoax,' Trump posted on Truth Social. 'Let these weaklings continue forward and do the Democrats' work, don't even think about talking of our incredible and unprecedented success, because I don't want their support anymore!'