Latest news with #Republicans'
The Hill
an hour ago
- Politics
- The Hill
In the Epstein saga, it's Trump against America
On the long list of Republicans' recent disgraces, Speaker Mike Johnson's (R-La.) decision to shut down the House until September rather than allow a vote to release Jeffrey Epstein's files may be at the very top. Apparently the people who urged Americans to ' do your own research ' on vaccines really don't want you thumbing through information on Epstein. Johnson's spineless play is one more MAGA middle finger to a public that just wants Congress to keep its word. What makes this retreat truly shameful is the fact that Republicans aren't doing any of this for some lofty moral purpose. Their stop-work order doesn't represent the desires of MAGA voters, a majority of whom want the Epstein files released. It doesn't prevent a bad law from passing or draw attention to an injustice being committed on the House floor. Rather, Johnson and his Republican colleagues have decided that whatever is in the Epstein files is worse for them than the hell they're currently catching from voters. That says a lot, because President Trump's handling of the Epstein scandal is absolutely toxic with almost every group in America. Only 40 percent of Republicans approve of Trump's handling of the files, while some of the president's top MAGA influencers now openly wonder why he's working so hard to protect information about one of the country's most notorious pedophiles. At just 38 percent approval, Trump is approaching a level of unpopularity he hasn't felt since early 2017, as voters struggle to make sense of his abrupt about-face. Republican lawmakers aren't having much luck figuring out Trump's motives, either. They've given up even trying to defend his bizarre claim that Epstein's crimes were a hoax financed by Democrats. Instead, they've turned off the lights on Capitol Hill and sprinted away. Voters are right to be suspicious. 'We should get real answers on what happened to Jeffrey Epstein. All of that should be open to the public, it should be absolutely transparent,' Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. told Fox News in 2023. But Kennedy, who made several trips on Epstein's private jet, now refuses to answer questions. In 2021, future Vice President JD Vance implied that anyone fighting to keep Epstein's files secret could be a potential client. 'What possible interest would the US government have in keeping Epstein's clients secret?' he added. It's a great question that still demands an answer. Last week, the White House introduced its latest effort to delegitimize whatever horrors are hidden in the pages it still refuses to reveal. In an Oval Office press conference, Trump authorized Attorney General Pam Bondi to release ' whatever is credible ' from files he claimed a day before didn't exist at all. By floating the idea that some of Epstein's files could be fake, Trump is setting the stage to invalidate any references to him in the documents — if those specific pages are even allowed to see the light of day. What must be going through Johnson's head as he directs House Republicans to sink bill after bill ordering the release of Epstein's files? Johnson has long made his Christian faith a centerpiece of his public identity, to the point of questioning whether religion should even be separate from government. Yet his desire to lead Congress with Christian morality was no match for Trump, who seemingly co-opted Johnson into his cover-up scheme without a whisper of resistance from the Speaker. Johnson's decision to walk off the job and away from the business of the American people is jarring even by the low standards of the Trump era. After whining for an entire campaign season that Democrats weren't working hard enough, Johnson's Republicans have passed fewer laws and worked less than any Congress in decades. Cornered by Epstein drama of their own making, Johnson's Republicans are no longer even pretending to do their jobs. Congressional Republicans no longer serve the American people at large, or even their own conservative constituents. They serve — or in the case of Johnson's early recess, don't serve — in whatever way best protects Trump's personal and political interests. If that means hiding Epstein's heinous crimes from public accountability and denying closure to his many victims, so be it. Johnson's decision to shutter the House in order to protect Trump reveals a Congress in an advanced state of decay and a Republican Party willing to rationalize any evil in the name of protecting its strongman. What other horrors will Mike Johnson bury in order to keep his morally bankrupt party afloat? Max Burns is a veteran Democratic strategist and founder of Third Degree Strategies.
Newsweek
3 hours ago
- Politics
- Newsweek
Teacher Detained by ICE After 'Overstaying Visa'
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents have apprehended a teacher who allegedly overstayed his visa. Fernando Alves-Rocha, a 45-year-old citizen of Brazil, was arrested in Monroe, Washington, according to ICE Seattle. "We are aware that one of our employees appears to have been detained by ICE," the Lake Washington School District said in a statement reported by Fox13 Seattle. "We have been in contact with the employee to provide appropriate employment documentation. Due to privacy considerations, we are limited in what we can share, but we are monitoring the situation closely." Newsweek has contacted ICE and the school district for comment outside of office hours. An Immigration and Customs Enforcement Baltimore briefing on January 27, 2025, in Silver Spring, Md. An Immigration and Customs Enforcement Baltimore briefing on January 27, 2025, in Silver Spring, Md. Alex Brandon/AP Why It Matters The Trump administration is enacting plans to carry out what it calls the largest deportation operation in U.S. history as part of the Republicans' hard-line immigration agenda. What To Know Alves-Rocha managed the theater department at Juanita High School, per Fox13 Seattle. He originally entered the U.S. in 2018 on a tourist visa, which he overstayed, according to a post on X by ICE Seattle. Fernando Alves-Rocha, 45, is a citizen of Brazil arrested by @EROSeattle in Monroe, WA. Alves entered the U.S. in 2018 under a tourist visa which he overstayed, and is wanted by law enforcement authorities in Brazil for theft. He'll be detained by ICE pending removal proceedings. — ICE Seattle (@EROSeattle) July 22, 2025 His attorney, Adolfo Ojeda, told KIRO Newsradio that Alves-Rocha applied for asylum after his tourist visa expired in 2018. According to Ojeda, Alves-Rocha currently holds a valid work visa. Alves-Rocha is also wanted by Brazilian law enforcement on theft charges, ICE Seattle said in its post. He is currently in ICE custody pending removal proceedings, the post added. What People Are Saying Representative Suzan DelBene's office said in a statement on Tuesday, according to Fox13 Seattle: "Congresswoman DelBene is aware of the arrest of Fernando Rocha by ICE earlier this week. We have been in contact with Mr. Rocha's attorney, Lake Washington School District, and state Sen. Dhingra, and are hopeful this situation will quickly resolve itself in court. We will continue to follow the case closely. Donald Trump promised to go after the worst of the worst, but his administration's heavy-handed tactics in many cases ignore people's constitutional rights and the rule of law." State Senator Manka Dhingra said in a statement, per Fox13 Seattle: "We wanted to make sure we are protecting people's due process rights. Given what is happening nationally about people with legal status basically being taken off our streets by masked individuals, I wanted to make sure he was connected to the right resources." What Happens Next? Alves-Rocha's attorney said he has a bond hearing scheduled for July 29, according to MyNorthwest.
Politico
14 hours ago
- Business
- Politico
Senate takes first bipartisan step on government funding ahead of September shutdown cliff
The Senate cleared the first hurdle Tuesday toward passing a government funding bill meant to keep federal cash flowing for several federal agencies beyond September. The 90-8 vote was a major bipartisan overture in cross-party government funding talks strained by the GOP's partisan moves to cut and boost federal cash without Democratic buy-in, while President Donald Trump withholds billions of dollars more that Congress approved in bipartisan votes. Sen. Mike Lee of Utah was the only Republican to vote 'no,' joined by other Democratic Sens. Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff of California, Ed Markey and Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, Chris Murphy of Connecticut and Peter Welch of Vermont. Welch's fellow Vermonter, Independent Sen. Bernie Sanders, also opposed moving ahead with consideration of the package. But the bipartisanship is not guaranteed to last. Though Democrats helped overcome Tuesday's hurdle, they aren't committed yet to helping pass the bill, which will at the very least contain funding for the Department and Veterans Affairs and military construction projects. And as lawmakers stare down the Sept. 30 government shutdown cliff in just 10 weeks, fiscal conservatives and the White House are again calling for Republicans to abandon funding negotiations with Democrats. Ahead of the procedural vote Tuesday, Minority Leader Chuck Schumer praised the Senate's veterans funding bill as containing 'some important steps to reverse a number of the awful cuts' posed by the Department of Government Efficiency and White House budget director Russ Vought. But Schumer also warned Republicans not to bank on automatically having Democratic votes to pass the bill, adding: 'We will see how the floor process evolves here on the floor. Given Republicans' recent actions undermining bipartisan appropriations, nothing is guaranteed.' The contents of the package are also still in flux. The measure will certainly contain funding for the VA and military construction projects, but Republicans also plan to add largely non-controversial funding for federal agriculture programs, the FDA and operations of Congress. 'I'd like to make it a package of bills, and get as many bills going as we can,' Majority Leader John Thune said in a brief interview, adding that there was a 'discussion' about what to do with more controversial funding for the Justice Department and FBI. Thune could get heat from his own members. Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) said in an interview he objected to leadership's desire to attach the agriculture and legislative branch spending bills to the pending package, saying he wanted to vote on each measure 'separately' and that the bill funding congressional operations would cost 'too much money.' On the other side of the aisle, Schumer is trying to hone the Democratic government funding strategy after caving to Republicans' strong-arm tactics in March. Democrats haven't settled on what their demands should be heading into September — and there are competing factions split over how hard the party should fight against even bipartisan funding bills in the wake of Republicans green-lighting Trump's $9 billion funding clawbacks package.
CNBC
18 hours ago
- Business
- CNBC
Sen. Mike Lee posts, deletes fake resignation letter by Fed Chair Powell: Reports
Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah., speaks to reporters as he arrives for the Senate Republicans' lunch meeting in the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday, June 17, 2025. Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, on Tuesday reportedly shared and then hastily deleted a fake, apparently AI-generated letter purporting to show Jerome Powell resigning as chairman of the Federal Reserve. The phony letter — addressed to "The President" — featured a garbled Fed seal with non-English characters and a slightly misshapen depiction of an eagle, as well as some unusual text spacing. "After much reflection, I have decided to resign from my position as Chair of the Board of governors of the Federal Reserve System, effective at the close of business today, July 22, 2025," the letter read. It was posted on Lee's verified personal X account, @BasedMikeLee, according to journalists at Politico who took screenshots of the post before it was deleted. "Powell's out!" Lee wrote in between two emojis of red flashing sirens, the screenshots show. Powell has not resigned.
Newsweek
20 hours ago
- Politics
- Newsweek
New Jersey Governor Doesn't Rule Out Redistricting That Could Target GOP
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy said this week he is not ruling out the possibility of redrawing the state's Congressional districts to counter Texas Republicans' redraw efforts. However, any attempt at changing the Garden State's Congressional boundaries will face a major legal roadblock, Dan Cassino, professor of government and politics at Fairleigh Dickinson University, told Newsweek. "The New Jersey Constitution explicitly forbids a mid-decade redistricting, unless the state's districts are struck down by a court, so the odds of New Jersey redistricting are slim to none," Cassino said. Newsweek reached out to the New Jersey Democratic and Republican parties, as well as Murphy's office, for comment. Why It Matters Democrats and Republicans are facing a growing "arms race" over Congressional redistricting ahead of the 2026 midterm elections after Texas Republicans, with the support of President Donald Trump, entered a special session to address their redraw. Trump has said he'd like to see Republicans gain five new seats from the process. Democrats are now responding by warning they could redraw Congressional lines in blue-leaning states. California Governor Gavin Newsom has said the state could retaliate, and Murphy has not ruled it out, he told reporters this week. These redistricting battles could have key implications for the midterms, when Democrats are hoping to win back a House majority. What To Know Murphy said on Monday there are no current plans to alter New Jersey's district lines but that it is "too early" to make a definitive statement on the matter, reported The New Jersey Globe. He also said it could be a conversation for Democratic governors in upcoming meetings. "I suspect as the Democratic governors get together for a drink or a coffee, this will be high on the agenda," he said. New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy speaks in Asbury Park, New Jersey on November 3, 2021. New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy speaks in Asbury Park, New Jersey on November 3, 2021. EduardoHowever, Democrats would have needed to have already started the process of changing the law if they wanted to redraw their boundaries by next November, Cassino said. "Of course, this is Jersey, so the fact that something wouldn't be strictly legal hasn't always stopped folks from trying things in the past, but this would also require gutting the bi-partisan committee that redraws the districts, so it's not something that could be forced through easily or without a great deal of controversy," he said. It could also be risky to Democratic incumbents, he said. "Moreover, while you could draw one more Dem-leaning district in the state, you could only do so by making some existing districts a lot more competitive: the exact opposite of what Democrats proposed in 2020, when they shored up Dem districts, at a cost of making one district more friendly to Republicans. That would be dangerous, if not in 2028, then in later elections, where it would leave Democrats vulnerable to a wave election," he said. Currently, Democrats hold nine of the state's 12 Congressional districts and are targeting New Jersey's Seventh Congressional District, a battleground held by Republican Representative Tom Kean. Additionally, Democratic Representative Nellie Pou represents a Trump-won district based around Paterson, which was once a Democratic stronghold but shifted to the right last November. Democratic Representatives Herb Conaway, Josh Gottheimer, Frank Pallone and Mikie Sherrill all represent seats that former Vice President Kamala Harris won by a single-digit margin last November. Redistricting 'Arms Race' Ahead of Midterms Texas Governor Greg Abbott called for a special session that began on Monday to address several topics of concern, including redistricting. Republicans are hoping to thwart losses in the midterms. Historically, the party in the White House loses seats during the midterms. In 2018, Democrats gained 41 seats to reclaim control of the House. Newsom responded to the news about Texas' redistricting in an X post earlier this month, writing, "Two can play this game." However, California has an independent redistricting committee, passed by the state's voters in 2010, so it's not clear if the state could legally do so. Many Democratic-leaning states similarly have independent commissions, limiting the party's ability to respond to the move from Texas. There are other potential redraws in Ohio, where Republicans are hoping to make a few Democratic-held seats more conservative, and Utah, where Democrats are hoping to see a newly drawn Salt Lake City seat that would lean to the left. What People Are Saying Dan Cassino told Newsweek: "I don't think that there is going to be any serious attempt to redraw the districts before 2030, but I don't think any such attempt would make much of a difference in the gubernatorial election. These sort of process issues rarely resonate with New Jersey voters, and anyone who is paying attention right now is paying a lot more attention to the news out of Washington" Lakshya Jain of Split Ticket wrote on X on Sunday: "This is some of the most speculative cope I've seen. Democrats don't have a House majority in Minnesota right now and would likely require amendments in California, New York, New Jersey, and Washington." What Happens Next With the Texas special session underway, blue states will continue exploring ways to counter the redraw effort. Any attempt to alter New Jersey's map faces significant legal barriers, however.
