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Last night, I had the opportunity to speak virtually alongside a renowned freedom-fighter named Mike Arnold with Nigerian-Americans now living in Houston and best described as foreign-born American patriots. These men and women appreciate intensely how precious – and how perishable – are the liberties most of us who had the God-given privilege of being born in this country take for granted. They also recognize the mortal threat to Texas and the rest of the United States posed by adherents to Islam's totalitarian prescription for jihadist conquest known as sharia. After all, such sharia-supremacists have for years been genocidally murdering their fellow Christians in Nigeria with impunity. Nigerian expatriates who are now U.S. citizens are especially motivated to vote for the Texas Republican primary's Proposition 10 which calls for prohibiting sharia in that state. Every patriotic Texan should without fail do the same. BanSharia.com. This is Frank Gaffney.
The Texas Senate primary is already setting records for both Republicans and Democrats, with more than $110 million spent on advertising and reserved ad time. And on the Republican side, where Senator John Cornyn is facing Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and U.S. Representative Wesley Hunt, things have gotten incredibly messy. But there's at least one thing those three candidates can agree on: Islamophobic rhetoric. So, why is the Texas GOP laser-focused on Islam? To find out, we spoke with Forrest Wilder. He's a senior writer at Texas Monthly.And in headlines, Surgeon General nominee Casey Means testifies before the Senate Health Committee, South Carolina Republican Representative Nancy Mace hopes to hold lawmakers accountable for sexual harassment violations, and Minnesota Democratic Representative Ilhan Omar's State of the Union guest is arrested after standing up during the President's speech.Show Notes: Check out Forrest's story – https://tinyurl.com/2yep8yk4 Call Congress – 202-224-3121 Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/y4y2e9jy What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday
The owner of a Dallas County warehouse that Immigration and Customs Enforcement had planned to use as a mega detention center said Monday it will not sell or lease the property to the federal government. In other news, tensions erupted this month at a Frisco City Council meeting with some arguing without evidence that Indian Americans were committing visa fraud, echoing recent charges from Texas Republicans, and stealing jobs from Americans whose ancestors emigrated longer ago; North Texas, it's time to head back to the polls again! The March 3 primary election is fast-approaching. Do you feel ready for the polls? The Dallas Morning News Voter Guide can help prepare you to cast your ballot. Check out the guide to compare candidates, get recommendations, and build your own ballot. Visit dallasnews.com/voterguide. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Thomas Massie has become the congressional court jester who ruined a man's life with an incorrect allegation of impropriety. It's time for him to be voted out. Plus, Texas Republicans are poised to pull a Herschel Walker by nominating Ken Paxton.
Rep. Lisa McLain calls out Democrat politicians for working to keep criminal illegals. Rep. tony gonzales sets Margaret Brennan straight. Chicago, a young woman named Gabryel Ayers, just 26 years old, was ambushed and murdered while sitting in a car. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson on MSNow says President Trump isn't making the city safer — then lists how he is. Louisville Judge Tracy Davis ridiculously reduced the recommended jury sentence of convicted felon Christopher Thompson from 65 years to 30 years. Rep Gene Wu, TX democrat, born in China in 1978 pushing the idea that minorities need to unite around “oppressor” white people. Baltimore City Mayor in big trouble; wife's non profit tied to missing taxpayer money. #louisville #trump #chicago #Baltimore #facethenation #cbs
A North Carolina "Republican" congressional candidate reveals she is actually a Democrat and Texas Republicans have been mentioning "sharia law" in their campaign ads. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas:The Trump DOJ's move to "nationalize" and "clean" voter rolls via massive purges is being resisted by two dozen U.S. states - but not Texas, which has already handed over our full voter roll information: https://www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/article/trump-nationalize-texas-voter-rolls-21331488.php...Meanwhile Texas officials are failing to keep up with election schedule benchmarks, citing problems related to the recent redrawing of our congressional maps, January runoffs in Tarrant and Harris Counties, and software glitches: https://www.texastribune.org/2026/02/05/texas-voter-registration-card-delays-elections-2026/Republican candidates have been leaning in on hateful messages targeting Muslims in their campaign ads - an indicator that those messages find resonance among Texas Republican primary voters: https://www.kvue.com/article/news/politics/republicans-anti-islam-muslim-march-primary/269-6d2bba8d-9d88-4af7-bc4c-620a6acdd1bfGovernor Abbott is warning Texas high school and middle school kids that their "free speech" is limited to certain times and situations - and doesn't allow the ICE protest walkouts that have been happening across the state: https://www.fox7austin.com/news/texas-student-walkouts-continue-officials-warn-school-districtsWhile the proposed massive ICE detention center in the southeast D/FW town of Hutchins has seen growing opposition, there's also a similar and equally massive project underway in San Antonio: https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/local/texas/hutchins-texas-rumored-ice-facility-san-antonio-surprise-arizona/287-ac0b014d-543f-4b54-b402-2b00fc4a7d6b...An Oregon congresswoman was denied access to a Venezuelan family, including a 7 year old girl, who have now been held at the Dilley ICE detention facility for three weeks yesterday: https://www.oregonlive.com/pacific-northwest-news/2026/02/us-rep-denied-visit-with-detained-oregon-family-at-texas-center.htmlThe 39th Annual Texas Democratic Women's 2026 Convention is coming up February 6-8 in Austin, and Progress Texas is excited to take part! Get signed up: https://tdw.org/convention/Early voting in the March primary starts in mere weeks, on February 17 - the time to research your ballot is right now: https://apps.texastribune.org/features/2026/texas-march-2026-primary-ballot/?_bhlid=7d8eca3d2a16adc7c9b44185414443fa32be6d84All about voting in Texas can be found at GoVoteTexas.org. Voter registration updates for the March primary from the Austin Chronicle HERE and from KUT Austin HERE.Check out our web store, including our newly-expanded Humans Against Greg Abbott collection: https://store.progresstexas.org/Progress Texas is expanding into both broadcast radio - including a new partnership with KPFT-FM in Houston - and into Spanish language media! Make a tax-deductible contribution to our radio initiative HERE, and to our Spanish expansion HERE.Find our web store and other ways to support our important work at https://progresstexas.org.
With national attention focused on the tactics of immigration enforcement, a concern is growing among Texas Republicans about the political fallout.We’re still months away for an important midterm election. But this weekend, voters in one part of Texas will be picking their representative to Congress. Andrew Schneider of Houston Public Media brings us the backstory […] The post Austin’s Banana Phone turns public roasting into performance art appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.
The National Weather Service's Fort Worth office has issued a cold weather advisory for North and Central Texas, in effect from midnight Saturday through 11 a.m. Saturday morning. In North Texas, wind chills are forecast to range from zero to 9 degrees. In other news, President Donald Trump revived talk this week of naming Sen. Ted Cruz to the U.S. Supreme Court, praising the Texas Republican's legal credentials while joking both parties would welcome his departure from the Senate; over the last decade, the share of D-FW seniors who are struggling financially has increased by nearly 75%, according to a Dallas Morning News analysis of recently released census data; and the James Beard Foundation put out a call to action this week, urging people in the restaurant industry to contact members of Congress about the impact immigration enforcement is having on the nation's restaurant industry. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Part 1:We talk with Harvey Kronberg, publisher of the Quorum Report in Texas.We discuss the emphasis that Texas Republican politicians, particularly the governor, are using "sharia law" as a bogeyman in Texas in schools, political campaigns, etc.Rural hospitals are closing in Texas, leaving many people in the rural areas without effective access to health care.Part 2:We talk with Bill Curry and Chris Lehmann, Bureau Chief of The Nation Magazine.We discuss the reaction of the murder of Pretti in Minneapolis. The 2nd Amendment discussion has triggered even some of the Maga people.Walz's mild response to Trump has raised some criticism, in light of the public response to Trump in Minneapolis. 50% of Americans approve of shutting down the government is a good way to stop ICE, WNHNFM.ORG productionMusic: Malvina Reynolds "The Emporer Has No Clothes On"
This Day in Legal History: Monkey SelfieOn January 28, 2016, a federal judge in California dismissed a highly publicized copyright lawsuit that sought to establish whether a monkey could own intellectual property rights. The case stemmed from a 2011 incident in which a crested macaque named Naruto allegedly took a series of selfies using wildlife photographer David Slater's unattended camera in Indonesia. The resulting images, particularly a striking self-portrait of the grinning primate, went viral and sparked widespread debate over authorship and ownership. In 2015, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) filed a lawsuit against Slater on Naruto's behalf, asserting that the monkey was the true author and copyright holder of the images under the Copyright Act.The case presented novel legal questions about the boundaries of authorship and whether non-human animals have standing to sue in federal court. U.S. District Judge William Orrick ruled that animals do not have statutory standing under the Copyright Act, which applies only to human authors. In his opinion, Orrick emphasized that Congress had not intended to grant copyright rights to animals, and that extending such rights would require legislative action rather than judicial interpretation.The ruling did not settle the matter completely, as PETA appealed the decision. However, in 2018, PETA and Slater reached a settlement in which Slater agreed to donate a portion of any future revenue from the photos to organizations protecting macaques and their habitats. The case sparked lasting discussion about animal rights, legal personhood, and the reach of copyright law in the digital age. It also underscored how existing legal frameworks may be ill-equipped to address emerging questions posed by technology and non-human agency.Several Democratic-led U.S. states are advancing legislation to allow individuals to sue federal immigration agents in state courts for alleged civil rights violations. This movement gained momentum after two fatal ICE encounters in Minneapolis and broader concerns over enforcement tactics under President Trump's immigration policies. Illinois recently became the first state to pass such a law, but the Trump administration quickly filed a legal challenge, citing the Constitution's Supremacy Clause, which gives federal law precedence over state law. Other states, including California, New York, and Virginia, are considering similar measures.Supporters argue these laws would close an accountability gap, as federal agents—unlike state or local officials—are largely shielded from individual civil rights lawsuits. While Section 1983 of the U.S. Code allows such suits against state actors in federal court, no equivalent exists for federal officers. The Federal Tort Claims Act permits some claims against the U.S. government but not against agents personally, and it involves complex procedures. Legal experts say these state efforts could spark a major shift in the legal landscape, potentially giving courts a framework to hold federal agents accountable for constitutional violations.The Department of Homeland Security has defended ICE's actions and criticized the state proposals. Critics, including legal scholars, warn that parts of the Illinois law—such as those allowing punitive damages—may be unconstitutional. However, others maintain that the core idea of state-level accountability for federal misconduct is both lawful and necessary.US state lawmakers push to allow lawsuits against ICE agents | ReutersA Virginia judge blocked an attempt by state Democrats to advance a constitutional amendment that would have allowed them to redraw the state's congressional map in their favor. Judge Jack Hurley, Jr. ruled that the process used to introduce the amendment was procedurally invalid and came too close to the state's 2025 election. The decision halts a strategy that could have given Democrats control of up to 10 of Virginia's 11 U.S. House seats, up from the six they currently hold.Democratic leaders, including House Speaker Don Scott, have pledged to appeal the ruling. The blocked amendment was intended to be put before voters in a special election this spring, with a new electoral map released ahead of time for public consideration. With control of the narrowly divided U.S. House of Representatives at stake in the upcoming midterms, the decision is a significant setback for Democrats, who need only flip three seats to gain a majority.The dispute is part of a broader national struggle over redistricting, with both parties pursuing aggressive map-drawing strategies in various states. Last year, Donald Trump encouraged Texas Republicans to redraw maps targeting Democratic incumbents, prompting Democratic-led states like California to follow suit in kind.Judge blocks Virginia lawmakers' bid for pro-Democratic voting map | ReutersTop lawyers at U.S. litigation firm Susman Godfrey are now billing up to $4,000 per hour, setting a new high for hourly legal fees in 2026. The rate applies to prominent partners Neal Manne and Bill Carmody, whose hourly fees were already $3,000 last year. While most of their work is done on contingency or flat-fee arrangements, this hourly benchmark reflects growing price trends across elite law firms. Manne joked that their rate-setting process is as secretive as a papal conclave, and the firm has not disclosed how the figures were determined.Susman Godfrey, based in Houston, is known for high-end litigation on both the plaintiff and defense side and offers above-average compensation, especially to associates. The rise in billing rates is part of a broader trend—major law firms raised their hourly rates by an average of 7% in 2025, according to a report by the Thomson Reuters Institute and Georgetown Law.Other top firms are also pushing rate ceilings. Latham & Watkins reached $3,050 per hour for some partners in federal bankruptcy filings, while leading appellate lawyer Neal Katyal billed $3,250 at Milbank. Quinn Emanuel partners were billing at $3,000 an hour last year, according to court records.As lawyer rates surge, US firm charges $4,000 an hour for top partners | Reuters This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.minimumcomp.com/subscribe
Joanne Fleming is an extraordinary freedom-fighter in Texas who runs “Grassroots America We the People.” On Steve Bannon's “War Room Texas” program last night, she revealed a stunning fact. According to Ms. Fleming, during interviews of candidates seeking her group's influential endorsement, when asked what prospective constituents say is most concerning them, the threat posed by shariah's adherents is now consistently mentioned. This is particularly noteworthy because voters in the Texas Republican primary on March 3rd will have an opportunity to approve Proposition 10, which simply says “Texas should prohibit sharia law.” A new poll by Rasmussen Reports indicates that its not just Texans, but a sizeable majority of U.S. voters – seventy-seven percent – who are concerned about “the influence of radical Islam in America.” Learn more about the threat Texas – and the rest of America –face from sharia-supremacism at BanSharia.com This is Frank Gaffney.
Let's talk about Texas republicans backtracking on hand counting votes....
Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas:The U.S. House of Representatives closes down for the holiday after passing a Republican healthcare bill that does not protect ACA subsidies - all Texas Republicans voted for it, and all Texas Democrats voted no: https://www.texastribune.org/2025/12/19/texas-republicans-congress-health-care-obamacare-subsidies-2026-midterms/...Less unity among Texas House Democrats, however, as both Henry Cuellar and Vicente Gonzalez voted for and facilitated the passage of a bill criminalizing gender care for trans kids: https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2025/12/democrats-should-kick-the-three-transphobes-who-voted-for-mtgs-bill-out-of-the-caucus/Senate candidate James Talarico and congressional candidate Bobby Pulido endorsed each other at a joint rally in South Texas yesterday: https://www.texastribune.org/2025/12/18/texas-james-talarico-bobby-pulido-senate-congress/Dallas Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett's comments on that strange Donald Trump speech this week: https://www.cnn.com/2025/12/17/politics/video/rep-jasmine-crockett-on-trumps-address-to-the-nation-like-a-used-car-salesman-in-front-of-the-american-peopleDonald Trump, possibly desperate to put that bizarre speech behind him, has signed an executive order relaxing restrictions on medical use and research regarding cannabis products: https://www.kens5.com/article/news/local/texas/trump-texas-marijuana-weed-medical-cannabis-industry-san-antonio/273-16dd9155-97cb-49d8-b076-262adc2c2720Texas DPS has over doubled their fleet of surveillance drones under Operation Lone Star - it's now almost as big as the U.S. Border Patrol's federal inventory: https://www.texasobserver.org/texas-dps-drone-fleet-doubled-in-size/See the full list of 2026 races and candidates, courtesy of Lone Star Left, HERE and HERE.Check out our web store, including our newly-expanded Humans Against Greg Abbott collection: https://store.progresstexas.org/Thanks for listening! Our monthly donors form the backbone of our funding, and if you're a regular, we'd like to invite you to join the team! Find our web store and other ways to support our important work at https://progresstexas.org.
Hour 2 of the Friday Bob Rose Show, on what Texas Republicans are saying is “the gift that keeps on giving the whole year.” Will the state see through the chaos that is Jasmine Crockett, as she runs for the US Senate? Mid-tern concerns, and all the morning's biggest stories for 12-12-2025
Jasmine Crockett's launch ad did exactly what it was designed to do: dominate the conversation. It's a sparse spot — just Donald Trump's voice calling her “low IQ” while she slowly turns to camera and smiles—but the message is unmistakable. She's positioning herself as the fighter, the foil to Trump, the progressive star ready-made for the national stage. Whether you think the ad is brilliant, asinine, or somewhere in between, the confidence behind it is unmistakable. This is a politician who believes the moment belongs to her.And the moment may actually be hers. Crockett's entrance triggered the first major domino: Colin Allred is out. Allred saw exactly what was coming: a three-way field in which he was slowly slipping into fourth place, with poll numbers showing Crockett and state representative James Talarico dramatically outpacing him. In politics, you can bow out early or you can be forced out late. Allred chose the former and retreated to a reelection bid for his House seat. It was one of the rare cases of a politician reading a bad hand correctly before the stakes got worse.Politics Politics Politics is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.That leaves the primary as a one-on-one: Crockett versus Talarico. And Talarico's opening move — a polite welcome video directed at Crockett — landed with a thud. If Crockett walks into a room like a lightning bolt, Talarico walked in like a guidance counselor. He cannot afford to make this a personality contest. Crockett thrives in personality contests. If he wants to win, he has to make this about message, not magnetism. The question haunting Texas Democrats for years — can a centrist survive a primary built to reward progressives? — will finally get an answer.Democrats dreaming of flipping Texas understand the trap. Yes, Crockett is electrifying. Yes, she's a rising star. But statewide politics in Texas is still shaped by a conservative-leaning bloc of independents who view her as too far to the left. Early polling from the University of Houston and Texas Southern University shows both Crockett and Talarico losing to Attorney General Ken Paxton. Paxton, who was impeached by his own staff, dogged by scandal, and widely regarded as too extreme even by many Republicans. Yet he leads both Democrats by narrow margins.That tells you everything about the strategic stakes. If Democrats nominate a progressive firebrand, even a wounded Republican like Paxton becomes viable. And the fear for Democratic strategists is simple: the moment Crockett wins the nomination, a large number of center-right independents will default to whoever the GOP nominates. That's the shadow hanging over her rise. Her path to the nomination is the clearest. Her path to victory in November may be the hardest.Republicans: A Primary That Shouldn't Be Close, But IsOn the Republican side, the Senate primary is turning into its own demolition derby. For months, John Cornyn seemed secure: the senior statesman, the institutional favorite, the known quantity. But recent polling shows Cornyn clinging to a razor-thin lead over Paxton, with Representative Wesley Hunt sitting as a serious third-place contender. Hunt's entry infuriated the Cornyn team, and with good reason — Hunt is young, popular, and ideologically aligned with the party's post-Trump base in ways Cornyn simply isn't.Paxton, meanwhile, remains the wildcard. He survived impeachment by leaning entirely on his loyalty to Trump, and the MAGA base has rewarded him for it. Trump is widely expected to endorse Paxton, and the only mystery is whether he gives Hunt a co-endorsement. Either way, Cornyn is not getting Trump's blessing, and if you are a Texas Republican trying to win a statewide primary without Trump's blessing in 2026, you are playing football with no helmet.As filing deadlines pass and the field locks in, Republicans now find themselves with the one candidate Democrats most want to face — and simultaneously the only candidate who might actually beat them.If both primaries break the right way, Texas could get the most entertaining political matchup in modern state history: Jasmine Crockett versus Wesley Hunt. Two young, charismatic Black lawmakers representing opposite poles of America's political identity, both natural performers, both eager brawlers. They could fill AT&T Stadium for a debate. They might try. And I would pay to see it.But beneath the spectacle is the deeper truth: Texas politics is in flux. Both parties are being reshaped by their loudest wings. Both are terrified of nominating the wrong candidate. Both primaries could create general-election vulnerabilities neither side fully understands yet. We're watching political identity evolve in real time.And for once, Texas isn't just a red state or a blue target. It's the center of the storm.Chapters00:00:00 - Intro00:02:19 - Texas Senate Races Heats Up00:17:29 - Update00:19:29 - Republican Healthcare Bill00:22:22 - Ghislaine Maxwell Record Release00:24:03 - Tariff Bailouts00:26:07 - Bill Scher on Dems' 2026 Outlook and More00:58:23 - Wrap-up This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.politicspoliticspolitics.com/subscribe
This episode is presented by Create A Video – The US Supreme Court ruled that the new redistricting map drawn by Texas Republicans can remain in place for the upcoming midterms. Subscribe to the podcast at: https://ThePetePod.com/ All the links to Pete's Prep are free: https://patreon.com/petekalinershow Media Bias Check: GroundNews promo code! Advertising and Booking inquiries: Pete@ThePeteKalinerShow.comGet exclusive content here!: https://thepetekalinershow.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The news of Texas covered today includes:Our Lone Star story of the day: Texas Republicans to lose another incumbent in Congress to retirement but this one has a twist of a twin thrown in. Plus other political and campaign news such as RINO state Rep. VanDeaver deciding a re-election bid to the House isn't something he wants to go through.Democrats throw in the towel on their legal challenge to Tarrant County's redistricting. Tarrant County Judge Tim O'Hare continues to impress as a true pro-taxpayer conservative leader.Our Lone Star story of the day is sponsored by Allied Compliance Services providing the best service in DOT, business and personal drug and alcohol testing since 1995.Corpus Christi man gains notoriety (or infamy) for handing out cheap Harbor Freight machetes to vagrants and bums. Gotta have something to clear out new bum camps with under those stream bridges!Another bad asylum call: Afghan national allegedly threatened to bomb Fort Worth. Afghan accused of killing national guard soldier in DC was known, and reported, by many to “spiraling into mania” but was given asylum anyway.Listen on the radio, or station stream, at 5pm Central. Click for our radio and streaming affiliates. www.PrattonTexas.com
President Trump signed a bill ordering the Department of Justice to release all unclassified material related to Jeffrey Epstein. The bill - signed on November 19th - calls on the DoJ to deliver the files within 30 days. The president initially resisted Congressional efforts to sign the bill before reversing course ahead of a House vote. Democrats rallied around the push to get the files out, but are they picking the wrong fight? The affordability issue was a boon for Democrats in their sweeping victories in the 2025 elections. It could be the defining issue of the midterms. In the face of a cost of living crisis, the president rescinded a number of tariffs on vital goods last week. Will it be enough to win back the political ground he's lost? Plus, the redistricting effort in Texas faces a loss in federal court. Could that impact the effort to create more seats in California and other blue states that looked to counter Texas Republicans?As we look ahead to the Thanksgiving holiday, the panel shares what they're thankful for (with help from a few friends). Plus, KCRW remembers broadcasting pioneer Susan Stamberg.
OA1209 - Are you done with legal doomerism? Us too. Take some time away from doomscrolling and join Matt and Jenessa for Rapid Response Friday as we consider four stories of legal corruption and authoritarianism failing in the face of honest federal judges, and a footnote about how one brave prison nurse exposed even more corruption in Epstein accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell's special treatment by the Trump administration. Complaint in United States v. State of New York, Northern Dist. of NY (7/9/25) New York's motion to dismiss in U.S. v. New York (8/4/25) Judge Mae D'Agostino's order granting plaintiff's motion to dismiss in U.S. v. NY (11/17/25) Indictment of James Comey, Eastern Dist. of VA (9/25/25) Judge William Fitzpatrick's order granting disclosure of grand jury materials in U.S. v. Comey (EDVA)(11/20/25) Judge Jeffrey Brown's order in LULAC v. Abbot, Western Dist. of TX (11/18/25) Decision on the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's motion to dismiss in 9/11 litigation, Southern Dist. of NY (8/28/25) Check out the OA Linktree for all the places to go and things to do!
-- On the Show: -- David shares a story about his recent medical procedure -- Nearly five years of rising prices leave middle-income families struggling while Donald Trump denies the crisis and his tariffs and policies worsen affordability for millions -- Gavin Newsom secures California's extra House seats by removing the Prop 50 trigger, outmaneuvering Texas Republicans who are now tied up in court -- Donald Trump prepares a revenge campaign after losing the fight to block the Epstein files, targeting Democrats while pretending he supported transparency -- Donald Trump calls Democrats traitors deserving execution for telling troops to refuse illegal orders while his allies excuse or minimize the threats -- Karoline Leavitt defends Donald Trump calling a reporter "piggy," dodging questions about extremist symbols, and insisting every presidential order is lawful -- A White House official who previously represented Andrew Tate pressured DHS to return seized devices to Tate during a trafficking investigation -- Donald Trump plans to sell F-35 jets to Saudi Arabia while the Trump Organization pursues a major business deal in a Saudi megaproject overseen by Mohammed bin Salman -- The Friday Feedback segment -- On the Bonus Show: A Fox poll finds Americans think Trump's economy is worse than Biden's, Benny Johnson says every personal problem is because of undocumented immigration, and much more...
Texas Republicans just suffered a major legal defeat — and now they're panicking. After their gerrymandered redistricting scheme collapsed in court, a dissenting judge went off the rails, name-dropping Marc Elias and pushing conspiracy-style attacks instead of legal arguments. In this video, Marc explains why the GOP lost, what made their map unconstitutional, and how these wild attacks on voting rights lawyers expose the weakness of their case. When extremists can't win on the law, they go after the people defending democracy. Support independent journalism: https://newsletters.democracydocket.com/member-youtube Stay informed with the latest news and political analysis: https://newsletters.democracydocket.com/youtube Follow Democracy Docket: Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/democracydocket.com Instagram: https://instagram.com/democracydocket Facebook: https://facebook.com/democracydocket X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/DemocracyDocket TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@democracydocket Threads: https://www.threads.net/@democracydocket
11.21.2025 #RolandMartinUnfiltered: TX GOP Cries Foul Over Map Ruling, Fuentes Infiltration Warning, ER Birth Scandal Explodes There are some whiny Texas Republicans and calling it a double standard after judges call their redistricting plan 'racially gerrymandered.' As State Attorney Ken Paxon prepares to appeal the decision, election officials and county parties scramble to adjust in the middle of the candidate filing period for the March primary. I'll talk to a Political Science Professor about the impact on the voters. I'm finally going to tackle how White Nationalist Nick Fuentes is planning to "infiltrate" politics. Alabama's Congressional delegation honors the death of the last Tuskegee Airman. An Indiana hospital fired the doctor and nurse who turned away a black pregnant woman minutes before she gave birth in her car. An Ohio jury found a white cop not guilty of murdering Ta'Kiya Young, a pregnant Black mother accused of shoplifting. And Chadwick Boseman's legacy was honored by fans, friends, and family as the late "Black Panther" actor received a posthumous star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. #BlackStarNetwork partner: Fanbasehttps://www.startengine.com/offering/fanbase This Reg A+ offering is made available through StartEngine Primary, LLC, member FINRA/SIPC. This investment is speculative, illiquid, and involves a high degree of risk, including the possible loss of your entire investment. You should read the Offering Circular (https://bit.ly/3VDPKjD) and Risks (https://bit.ly/3ZQzHl0) related to this offering before investing. Download the Black Star Network app at http://www.blackstarnetwork.com! We're on iOS, AppleTV, Android, AndroidTV, Roku, FireTV, XBox and SamsungTV. The #BlackStarNetwork is a news reporting platform covered under Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
What looked like Gov. Greg Abbott's gift to President Donald Trump may turn out to be a nightmare for the White House. A court this week put Abbott's plan to eke out five new GOP congressional seats in jeopardy, thanks largely to one big misstep by the governor himself. San Antonio Express-News reporter Bayliss Wagner joins host Jeremy Wallace to explain the problem and show how, instead of boosting Republicans' chances in next year's midterms, the redistricting push could wind up making it easier for Democrats to regain the House majority. Plus, U.S. Rep. Lizzie Fletcher, D-Houston, joins the program to give her take on what just happened and why the federal judges who stopped the redistricting plan were right. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas:The national redistricting arms race that Texas Republicans helped Donald Trump start is not going their way at the moment: https://www.texastribune.org/2025/11/19/texas-redistricting-map-california-national-arms-race/...Prop 50 in California was proposed as contingent on Texas going through with redistricting, not a failure to pass legal muster - thus, it's still in play: https://abc7.com/post/prop-50-impacted-judges-block-texas-using-new-house-map-expert-says/18175003/...On the 2021 map, Texas Republicans were faced with sticking with their own arguments or adopting Trump's deeply flawed narrative - they went with Trump, of course: https://www.dallasnews.com/opinion/editorials/2025/11/20/texas-republicans-own-words-backfired-on-them-in-gerrymandering-ruling/...Prop 50 doesn't have the same legal frailty as the Texas map, as their voters were asked to vote for it to oppose Trump's power grab, which is 100% political: https://prospect.org/2025/11/20/texas-said-wrong-magic-words-rigging-their-maps/...Judge Jeff Brown's call comes from a guy with deep ties to Trump, Abbott, Rick Perry and more: https://www.houstonchronicle.com/opinion/editorials/article/redistrict-gerrymander-texas-judge-jeff-brown-21195989.php...Brown is no liberal - his rulings on same sex marriage and reproductive rights are offensive to progressives - but in this case, he couldn't ignore the flimsy case of the GOP: https://www.texastribune.org/2025/11/19/texas-redistricting-ruling-judge-jeffrey-brown-republican-attacks/...Meanwhile dissenting Judge Jerry Smith is attacking Brown and the map's opponents as lackeys of George Soros and Gavin Newsom in a highly partisan and unprofessional opinion: https://www.politico.com/news/2025/11/19/texas-redistricting-case-dissent-00660625?ICID=ref_fark&utm_content=link&utm_medium=website&utm_source=fark...Read Smith's rant here: https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.txwd.1150387/gov.uscourts.txwd.1150387.1439.0.pdf We're excited to see YOU at one (or both!) of our 2025 Holiday Parties this December in Austin and Dallas - for the first time, featuring live podcast tapings! Tickets and sponsorship opportunities are available now: https://act.progresstexas.org/a/progress-texas-holiday-parties-2025Check out our web store, including our newly-expanded Humans Against Greg Abbott collection: https://store.progresstexas.org/Thanks for listening! Our monthly donors form the backbone of our funding, and if you're a regular, we'd like to invite you to join the team! Find our web store and other ways to support our important work at https://progresstexas.org.
On Wednesday's Washington Times Front Page: Both the House and Senate acted overwhelmingly to force the Justice Department to publicly release all the files it has from investigating convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, a federal court has blocked Texas Republicans' new congressional map, saying it illegally denies minorities their voting rights, and more.
Rob McKenna on President Trump's failed defamation lawsuit against CNN // Xavier Walton on the blocking of Texas Republicans' attempts at a new Congressional map // Ed O'Keefe on the vote to release the Epstein Files, the Saudi Crown Prince in D.C. and the blocking of the GOP-led Congressional Map // Charlie Commentary with a reminder of a local sexual assault cover-up, in light of the vote on the release of the Epstein Files // Scott Sistek with an extended forecast for weather on Thanksgiving and into December // Gee Scott on an uptick in job applications to previously "unwanted" jobs
The bill to release the Epstein files passes by unanimous consent in the Senate. Nicolle Wallace discusses that victory, but also speaks with Marc Elias about his victory in court over Texas Republicans' gerrymandered map after a federal panel of judges moves to block the map. Later, Nicolle discusses Trump's meeting with Saudi Arabia's Mohammed bin Salman and the disparaging comments he made about Jamal Khashoggi.For more, follow us on Instagram @deadlinewhTo listen to this show and other MSNBC podcasts without ads, sign up for MSNBC Premium on Apple Podcasts. For more from Nicolle, follow and download her podcast, “The Best People with Nicolle Wallace,” wherever you get your podcasts.To listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ads, sign up for MS NOW Premium on Apple Podcasts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas:As Trump changes his tune on the Epstein files, Texas Republicans are suddenly also no longer opposed - showing their spineless complicity with the Dear Leader: https://www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/texas/article/jeffrey-epstein-files-texas-congress-21192934.php...Trump could just order the release of the files - but language in the discharge petition may protect him from their complete release: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/17/us/politics/trump-epstein-files-congress.htmlTexas' junior Senator Ted Cruz may be using his recent feud with Tucker Carlson and related hard-right loons to make himself look relatively normal ahead of a 2028 presidential run: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2025/11/17/trump-reacts-ted-cruz-2028-presidential-run/87325162007/83% of Texans who use the Affordable Care Act for their health insurance coverage are about to see their premiums double, at least: https://www.texastribune.org/2025/10/30/texas-aca-obamacare-health-insurance-open-enrollment/The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. are preparing a legal and public relations challenge to the THC ban that was attached to the bill that ended the federal government shutdown: https://www.expressnews.com/news/article/texas-veterans-thc-hemp-ban-21189415.phpThe head of FEMA, after a disastrous response to the July 4 floods in Texas, is headed for the door: https://www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/texas/article/fema-david-richardson-resigned-texas-21192820.phpA Texas judge has rejected Ken Paxton's requests to ban the company that makes Tylenol from testifying that the product is safe for pregnant women, and a request to stop them from paying dividends to their shareholders: https://arstechnica.com/health/2025/11/judge-smacks-down-texas-ags-request-to-immediately-block-tylenol-ads/The embattled former CEO of Alamo Trust is suing Lt. Governor Ken Paxton and Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham, who pressured her to resign over what they saw as her "woke" supervision of the Alamo: https://www.expressnews.com/news/texas/article/alamo-ceo-lawsuit-resignation-21193101.phpAfter weeks and weeks, the University of Texas at Austin remains silent on whether or not they will accept Donald Trump's "compact", which would turn burnt orange into the new MAGA red: https://www.kxan.com/news/whats-actually-happening-ut-austin-students-feel-left-in-the-dark-university-remains-silent-on-trump-compact-deal/The Houston Black American Democrats are hosting both Colin Allred and James Talarico tonight (Tuesday 11/18) at 6pm for a Texas Senate Race Spotlight at 6pm: https://maps.app.goo.gl/jbHXb62bZRXupMUo6We're excited to see YOU at one (or both!) of our 2025 Holiday Parties this December in Austin and Dallas - for the first time, featuring live podcast tapings! Tickets and sponsorship opportunities are available now: https://act.progresstexas.org/a/progress-texas-holiday-parties-2025Check out our web store, including our newly-expanded Humans Against Greg Abbott collection: https://store.progresstexas.org/Thanks for listening! Our monthly donors form the backbone of our funding, and if you're a regular, we'd like to invite you to join the team! Find our web store and other ways to support our important work at https://progresstexas.org.
California Governor Gavin Newsom was supported by a who's-who of Texas Democratic leaders and elected officials on Saturday as he rolled into Houston for a rally in celebration of his state's passage of Prop 50, which will allow California Dems to nullify (at least!) the gains that Donald Trump has demanded of Governor Greg Abbott and Texas Republicans in their mid-decade gerrymander of our congressional map. In order of appearance, the speakers included Austin State Rep. and gubernatorial candidate Gina Hinojosa (1:39), Harris County Democratic Party Chair Mike Doyle (3:30), Houston State Rep. and Minority Leader Gene Wu (6:32), Houston Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher (13:17), Houston Congressman Al Green (14:14), Dallas Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett (17:47), and California Governor Gavin Newsom (25:25).Full video of the event: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jPiw2082mWoThanks for listening! Learn more about Progress Texas and how you can support our ongoing work at https://progresstexas.org/.
Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas:A Rhode Island judge has ordered the Trump administration to fully fund SNAP by the end of the day today, but Texas HHS says it will take as long as three days for Lone Star Cards to be funded: https://www.texastribune.org/2025/10/31/snap-benefits-texas-court-rulings/Even before figuring in the Trump SNAP clawback, the Latino vote has swung hard against the GOP in this week's elections - boding badly for the new Republican redistricting map: https://washingtonmonthly.com/2025/11/07/latinos-swing-left-texas-gerrymandering/...Trump's favorability rating among Texas Hispanics lags far behind his overall rating, at only 30%: https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/article/texas-latinos-still-support-trump-data-shows-21091083.phpCalifornia Governor Gavin Newsom - seen as a likely Democratic candidate for President in 2028 - will rally in Houston tomorrow to celebrate the Texas quorum breakers: https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/5594463-newsom-texas-rally-redistricting/Both D/FW International Airport and Love Field are on the list of 40 high-volume airports having their flight schedules slashed this weekend due to air traffic controllers going unpaid during the federal government shutdown: https://www.dallasobserver.com/news/dallas-airports-to-see-flight-cancellations-this-week-40614333/...Meanwhile North Texas grocery shoppers - even those who haven't had their SNAP benefits cut - are paying some of the highest prices statewide at the store: https://www.nbcdfw.com/investigations/how-bad-is-your-grocery-bill-data-suggests-dfw-pays-among-the-highest-prices-in-texas/3942026/Amidst stacking losses and bad omens for the future, Texas Republicans are sticking to their playbook and celebrating a court ruling that will allow them to ban drag shows: https://www.dallasnews.com/news/politics/2025/11/06/texas-can-enforce-drag-ban-law-court-rules/An announcement of an announcement next weekend from former San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg, on his future plans: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DQvDxkzFPBG/?igsh=MTUzY29jYW1jc3JiOQ%3D%3D...Check out our visit with Mayor Ron from last May: https://progresstexas.org/podcast/special-live-pod-san-antonio-party-progress-mayor-ron-nirenberg-and-mayoral-candidate-ginaWe're excited to see YOU at one (or both!) of our 2025 Holiday Parties this December in Austin and Dallas - for the first time, featuring live podcast tapings! Tickets and sponsorship opportunities are available now: https://act.progresstexas.org/a/progress-texas-holiday-parties-2025Check out our web store, including our newly-expanded Humans Against Greg Abbott collection: https://store.progresstexas.org/Thanks for listening! Our monthly donors form the backbone of our funding, and if you're a regular, we'd like to invite you to join the team! Find our web store and other ways to support our important work at https://progresstexas.org.
California's Prop 50 could completely erase Republican representation in elections. The measure would hand Gov. Gavin Newsom's administration the power to redraw California's congressional districts. Supporters say the measure simply mirrors what Texas has done to strengthen Republican representation, but Hanson argues this is a blatantly partisan effort to cement Democrat control and eliminate what little Republican representation remains in California. He breaks it down on today's episode of “Victor Davis Hanson: In a Few Words.” “Gavin Newsom, moreover, when he's been asked about that, he says that he wants to punch these people. I guess he was referring to Republicans in general or the Texas Republicans in particular. He wants to ‘punch them in the mouth.' He said he wants to punch Donald Trump in the mouth. The rhetoric is heating up but will Proposition 50 pass in a state that is 60%, in most elections, voting toward the Left or for Democrats? It probably will. And we in California who are on the conservative side will go from 17% representation—not 40%, of which reflects our actual numbers, but 17%—now to about 9% after Proposition 50 passes.”
A new report from the Wall Street Journal raises questions about how a prominent Texas Republican got rich as a politician. The report puts the personal finances of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in the spotlight, though his supporters are calling it a hit piece. We’ll talk with one of the reporters behind the story.A […] The post New exhibit captures the meaning of ‘The Selena Effect’ appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.
Taylor Swift is engaged, Trump is tormenting the Federal Reserve, Texas Republicans are trying to mandate Christian teachings in public schools, and Erin Ryan and guest-host Megan Gailey are here to talk about it. Then they unpack how the debate of what spaces should be child-free might just be anti-women. Next, KCRW's Evan Kleiman joins to discuss the state of public media, the impact of ICE raids on restaurants in LA, and her favorite summer recipes. They wrap up with a discussion in the Sanity Corner about the return of the football season, the fabulous Katseye Gap ad, and the KPop Demon Hunters phenomenon.For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.Cook to sue Trump over order to fire her from Federal Reserve (BBC 8/26)Ken Paxton wants zero exceptions to Ten Commandments law in Texas schools (Chron 8/25)A.I.-Driven Education: Founded in Texas and Coming to a School Near You (NYT 7/27)Trump orders colleges to prove they don't consider race in admissions (AP 8/7)Tennis Player Emma Raducanu Asked For A Crying Child To Be Removed From The Audience, And The Comments Are HEATED (Buzzfeed 8/12)
A UN-backed panel of experts says there is famine in northern Gaza, the Justice Department is expected to deliver a first batch of files from its Jeffrey Epstein investigation to the House Oversight Committee and California Governor Gavin Newsom signed a California redistricting plan today to counter Texas Republicans.Want more comprehensive analysis of the most important news of the day, plus a little fun? Subscribe to the Up First newsletter.Today's episode of Up First was edited by Jason Breslow, Emily Kopp, Acacia Squires, Arezou Rezvani and Mohamad ElBardicy. It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Nia Dumas and Christopher Thomas. We get engineering support from Stacey Abbott. And our technical director is David Greenburg. Our Executive Producer is Jay Shaylor.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
President Trump called on Texas Republicans to redraw their state's congressional maps to favor Republican candidates. In response, California voters will get a chance to approve a plan to redraw their state's maps to favor Democratic candidates. We look at how partisan gerrymandering has become more politically accepted — and expedient.This episode: senior White House correspondent Tamara Keith, and voting correspondents Miles Parks & Ashley Lopez.This podcast was produced and edited by Casey Morell & Bria Suggs. Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi.Listen to every episode of the NPR Politics Podcast sponsor-free, unlock access to bonus episodes with more from the NPR Politics team, and support public media when you sign up for The NPR Politics Podcast+ at plus.npr.org/politics.For handpicked podcast recommendations every week, subscribe to NPR's Pod Club newsletter at npr.org/podclub.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
California launches its redistricting blitz to counter Texas Republicans' Trump-backed effort. But will voters approve new maps in November? Then, President Trump holds a meet-and-greet with D.C. police and military that he deployed on the nation's capital. Plus, Hurricane Erin's brings coastal flooding just as one high-ranking NOAA employee warns about the impact of the administration's cuts. Jacob Soboroff hosts as Jon Allen, Maeve Reston, Tim Miller, Ron Insana, John Harwood, Steve Volz, and Lee Gelernt join The 11th Hour this Thursday night.
Phil, Brett, & Raymond are joined by Theresa Payton to discuss Texas Republicans winning the redistricting fight against Democrats, Bed Bath & Beyond roasting California's insane policies, Cracker Barrel being roasted over logo redesign, and Trump ordering the southern border wall be painted black to make it hotter. Hosts: Phil @PhilThatRemains (X) Brett @PopCultureCrisis (everywhere) Raymond @raymondgstanley (X) Serge @SergeDotCom (everywhere) Guest: Theresa Payton @TrackerPayton
August 21, 2025, 4pm: Alicia Menendez and panel discuss how California lawmakers are fighting fire with fire in response to massive redistricting moves by Texas Republicans. Later in the hour, Basil Smikle and former Senator Claire McCaskill join Alicia to dig into J.D. Vance's trip to Georgia, as he attempts to sell voters on the GOP's “Big, Beautiful Bill”.For more, follow us on Instagram @deadlinewh. To listen to this show and other MSNBC podcasts without ads, sign up for MSNBC Premium on Apple Podcasts.
With a vote of 88 ayes and 52 nays, the Texas House passed a controversial new election map on Wednesday night. If approved in the state Senate, the redrawn lines would create five new congressional districts that lean heavily red.The Texas House vote comes a few weeks after Texas Democratic lawmakers fled the state in an attempt to stall the GOP effort. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) threatened the lawmakers with lawsuits and arrests.So, they returned with a plan. Guest host Ava Wallace talks with politics reporter Maeve Reston about how Texas Republicans were able to gain this advantage – and how blue states are responding with redistricting plans of their own. Today's show was produced by Rennie Svirnovskiy. It was edited by Reena Flores and mixed by Sam Bair. Thanks to Thomas Lu, Molly Hennessy-Fiske, and Noah Bierman. Subscribe to The Washington Post here.
President Trump's huge meeting with Ukraine and European allies goes swimmingly; Democrats remain bamboozled at Trump's diplomacy; and Texas Republicans finally get their quorum for redistricting. Click here to join the member-exclusive portion of my show: https://bit.ly/3WDjgHE Ep.2262 - - - Facts Don't Care About Your Feelings - - - DailyWire+: Join millions of people who still believe in truth, courage, and common sense at https://DailyWirePlus.com My new book, “Lions and Scavengers,” drops September 2nd—pre-order today at https://dailywire.com/benshapiro Get your Ben Shapiro merch here: https://bit.ly/3TAu2cw - - - Today's Sponsors: Perplexity - Ask anything at https://pplx.ai/benshapiro and try out their new AI-powered web browser Comet at https://comet.perplexity.ai/. PureTalk - Switch to PureTalk and start sav ing today! Visit https://PureTalk.com/SHAPIRO Policygenius - Head to https://policygenius.com/SHAPIRO to get your free life insurance quotes and see how much you could save. Bambee - Right now, get one month of Bambee for just ONE DOLLAR! Go to https://Bambee.com and type in 'Ben Shapiro' under Podcast to schedule your first call with an HR Manager RIGHT NOW! ARMRA - Go to https://armra.com/SHAPIRO or enter SHAPIRO at checkout to get 30% off your first subscription order. Kikoff - Start building credit with Kikoff today, and you can get your first month for as little as $1. Visit https://getkikoff.com/shapiro - - - Socials: Follow on Twitter: https://bit.ly/3cXUn53 Follow on Instagram: https://bit.ly/3QtuibJ Follow on Facebook: https://bit.ly/3TTirqd Subscribe on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3RPyBiB - - - Privacy Policy: https://www.dailywire.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In response to Trump and Texas Republicans' attempt to rig the 2026 midterm elections, Governor Gavin Newsom calls a special election to redraw California's congressional map. The governor stops by the show to talk to Dan about why California Democrats decided to strike first—and what it will take for the ballot proposal to become law. But first, Jon and Dan discuss Trump's authoritarian power grab in the nation's capital, the January 6th attendee he appointed to run the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and the President's negotiations in Alaska with Russian President Vladimir Putin.For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.
Nvidia, a U.S.-based chip manufacturer that's now the richest company on earth, has agreed to pay the federal government 15 percent of its profits from selling its chips to China, in a deal that became public this week. Basically, the United States government is now a partner in not one, but two private companies that are selling AI technology to the country that is supposed to be our biggest competitor. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the model could "expand in the future to other companies." But for critics, the deal is giving serious mob vibes, while also posing a national security risk. Ashley Gold, senior tech and policy reporter at Axios, explains what the deal does and why so many people — including some Republicans — are concerned about it.And in headlines: President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin are set to meet in Alaska today, California Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom unveiled a redistricting plan to go head-to-head against Texas Republicans, and the Trump Administration got more bad news from the Labor Department.Show Notes:Check out Ashley's – work www.axios.com/authors/agoldCall Congress – 202-224-3121Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/3kk4nyz8What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcastFollow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday
Texas Republicans want to remake voting maps to their advantage. Democrats say they're ready to play that game too. Who wins? You have to listen to find out. This episode was produced by Peter Balonon-Rosen, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Andrea Kristinsdottir, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram. Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. Transcript at vox.com/today-explained-podcast. Texas state lawmakers boarding a bus after leaving the state earlier today so a quorum could not be reached on a redistricting vote. Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Israel's government is considering expanding the war in Gaza despite a growing chorus of voices in Israel calling for an immediate end to the war, Texas Republicans are threatening to arrest Democratic lawmakers unless they return to the statehouse for a redistricting vote, and the Trump administration has plans to end two satellite missions that measure carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.Want more comprehensive analysis of the most important news of the day, plus a little fun? Subscribe to the Up First newsletter. Today's episode of Up First was edited by Hannah Bloch, Larry Kaplow, Neela Bannerjee, Janaya Williams and Alice Woelfle. It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Nia Dumas and Christopher Thomas. We get engineering support from Damian Herring. And our technical director is Carleigh Strange. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
In a dramatic act of protest on Sunday, Democratic members of the Texas House of Representatives began to flee the state. It is a last-ditch attempt to stop President Trump and Texas Republicans from adopting an aggressively redrawn congressional map that would eliminate Democratic seats — and could help lock in a Republican majority in next year's elections.Shane Goldmacher, a Times political correspondent, explains this new chapter in the era of unvarnished partisan warfare.Guest: Shane Goldmacher, a political correspondent for The New York Times.Background reading: The redrawn map, unveiled by Texas Republicans and pushed by Mr. Trump, puts areas of Houston, Dallas and San Antonio that have incumbent Democrats into districts that would now favor Republicans. “We're leaving Texas to fight for Texans,” Gene Wu, a state representative from Houston and the chair of the Democratic caucus in the Texas House, said in a statement Sunday. Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
This week on the Mark Levin Show, On Monday's Mark Levin Show, Europe didn't do a anything to take on Hamas after the October 7th attacks, instead they push Israel to surrender. Europe is historically tied to evils like the Holocaust, Nazism, Stalinism, and Marxism, now conquered by radical Islamists through open borders. The Biden administration, Democrats, left-wing forces in media/academia, and isolationists undermined Israel, who could have ended the war sooner without interference. What's happening in Gaza is that people are going without food. Why? Israel isn't starving them. This is a last desperate move by Hamas to save itself by slaughtering its own people. Later, the Allied bombing of Dresden in February 1945 was a terror campaign targeting civilians in a non-military city, resulting in massive casualties via firestorms from British and U.S. air raids. The modern hypocrisy from U.K. and French leaders, who pressure Israel over Gaza—blaming it for starvation caused by Hamas, demanding ceasefires, and threatening Palestinian state recognition—while ignoring their own countries' declines due to open borders and radical Islamists, and applying impossible standards to Israel that no nation, including the U.S, would accept for itself. Zohran Mamdani recently returned from a lavish, expensive wedding in Uganda featuring a walled estate and armed guards, funded by capitalists rather than the government. He portrays himself as the victim while yelling at Andrew Cuomo and Eric Adams. Don't believe a word Mamdani says, he would defund the police and disarm the citizen. The 2020 U.S. Census contained significant errors, overcounting populations in blue states, while undercounting in red states leading to misallocated congressional seats that favored Democrats and cost Republicans about five seats. This widened Trump's Electoral College victory margin and tightened House control more than warranted. In response, Texas Republicans are holding a special legislative session to redraw congressional districts, potentially gaining up to five more GOP seats in the 2026 midterms. The move echoes a 2003 gerrymander, with Democrats decrying it as hypocritical given their own history of similar tactics in blue states, but it's necessary since Democrats don't play fair. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
It's Liberation Day…again. After two missed deadlines and only a few trade deals done, Trump's global tariffs officially go into effect today. To mark the occasion, White House trade advisor Peter Navarro says the president not only deserves a Nobel Peace Prize—but also a Nobel Prize in economics. Meanwhile, Trump can't stop talking about Jeffrey Epstein, telling reporters on Air Force One that Virginia Giuffre was "stolen" by Jeffrey Epstein from the Mar-a-Largo spa. Trump pressures Senate Republicans to kill a ban on congressional (and presidential) stock trading. Jon and Dan discuss the latest, including Democrats' shifting views on Gaza, Kamala Harris's decision not to run for California governor, and Texas Republicans' attempts to steal the 2026 midterm elections by redrawing their congressional map. Then, Congressman Jason Crow joins Tommy in the studio to talk about recruiting Democrats to run for office, and why he's suing ICE after being denied entry to a detention facility in his district.
On Thursday's Mark Levin Show, the 2020 U.S. Census contained significant errors, overcounting populations in blue states, while undercounting in red states leading to misallocated congressional seats that favored Democrats and cost Republicans about five seats. This widened Trump's Electoral College victory margin and tightened House control more than warranted. In response, Texas Republicans are holding a special legislative session to redraw congressional districts, potentially gaining up to five more GOP seats in the 2026 midterms. The move echoes a 2003 gerrymander, with Democrats decrying it as hypocritical given their own history of similar tactics in blue states, but it's necessary since Democrats don't play fair. Also, a two-state solution for Israel and Palestine would carve up Israel's indigenous lands and holy sites to create a terrorist state aimed at destroying Israel. Arab nations reject Palestinians while forcing concessions on Israel. Imagine what would have happened if President Trump wasn't President – the destruction of Israel by terrorists, Marxists, European quislings, the UN, and anti-Semitic elements worldwide, including in the Democrat Party, media, academia, podcasters, influencers, and isolationists. Later, death penalty practices in red states are superior to those in blue states, as the executions of these monstrous criminals are warranted. Afterward, On Power explains that history is filled with tyrants seizing power under the guise of liberty, such as in Marxist regimes where promises of liberation through class warfare and collectivism lead to genocidal police states. Abraham Lincoln highlighted how "liberty" means different things to different people—individual freedom for some, exploitation of others for the rest—resulting in incompatible concepts labeled as liberty and tyranny. Similarly, "democracy," loosely defined as non-autocratic government, is misused by the power-hungry to deceive, as George Orwell noted in Politics and the English Language, where political words are perverted dishonestly, and regimes claim to be democratic for praise while fearing a fixed definition. Finally, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin calls in to announce a proposal to rescind the 2009 Obama-era Endangerment Finding. This finding declared that greenhouse gas emissions pose a danger to public health and welfare, enabling extensive regulations such as the Clean Power Plan and costing over $1 trillion in compliance. The proposed rescission aims to eliminate burdensome rules, saving small businesses at least $170 billion and reducing regulatory overreach on emissions standards for vehicles and power plants. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
The Wall Street Journal publishes a shocking 50th birthday letter Donald Trump wrote to Jeffrey Epstein that discusses a "wonderful secret" the two shared. Jon and Dan react live to The Journal's letter, discuss Trump's attacks against his supporters who still want the Epstein files released, and debate why the Department of Justice decided now was the right time to fire Maurene Comey — the federal prosecutor who worked on both Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell's criminal cases. Then the two talk through Senator Josh Hawley's sad attempt to roll back the Medicaid cuts he just voted for and President Trump's draft termination letter for Fed Chair Jerome Powell. Then Congressional Progressive Caucus Chair Greg Casar stops by to talk about Texas Republicans' attempts to redraw congressional maps to sway the 2026 midterms elections. For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.