ProPublica’s investigation into North Carolina Supreme Court Chief Justice Paul Newby, who allegedly politicized the state’s judicial system to favor Republicans, prompted a threatening response from the North Carolina Republican Party. The party’s communications director, Matt Mercer, warned ProPublica to drop the story, referencing connections with the Trump administration and suggesting repercussions. This act of intimidation highlights the GOP’s efforts to suppress unfavorable reporting, emphasizing the importance of investigative journalism. This case underscores a pattern of the GOP resorting to bullying tactics to prevent public scrutiny of their actions and governance model.
Read More
In the wake of a tough night for Republicans, California Governor Gavin Newsom celebrated the passage of Proposition 50, which allows Democrats to control congressional redistricting. This victory could lead to a gain of up to five House seats for the Democrats. Newsom’s office responded with a series of AI-generated memes depicting Trump in unflattering situations, along with provocative captions. Newsom also posted a WWE-style video and trolled Trump’s account, solidifying his victory lap after the Democrats already had a successful night.
Read More
FDNY Commissioner Robert Tucker will resign his post on December 19, shortly after the mayoral election. Tucker, who was appointed in 2024, did not give a reason for his departure but thanked Mayor Adams. His successor will be appointed by Zohran Mamdani, who will assume office on January 1, 2026. An interim acting fire commissioner is expected to be named.
Read More
The current administration, rather than moderating its stance, will likely escalate its policies, especially regarding immigration and its Project 2025 goals. Anticipate increased efforts to influence the upcoming midterms through legislation aimed at restricting voting access. Democrats should respond by addressing both economic concerns and threats to democracy, highlighting the administration’s failures and the ongoing dangers it poses.
Read More
Cory Bowman, half-brother of J.D. Vance, failed to win the Cincinnati mayoral race, according to the Associated Press. The Republican candidate was up against incumbent Democrat Aftab Pureval and received only 18% of the vote. Bowman, who founded The River Church in Cincinnati, announced his campaign in February and focused on public safety, despite facing allegations of voting fraud. Bowman was endorsed by his half-brother, but his chances were slim as a Republican hadn’t been on the mayoral ballot since 2009.
Read More
Trump called for Republicans to end the government shutdown and prioritize legislation focused on election security. His proposed measures included mandatory voter ID and the elimination of mail-in voting, arguing they would prevent cheating. This stance is contradicted by the fact that many Democratic victories came from states with existing voter ID laws, and that he himself has voted by mail in the past. Furthermore, Trump’s comparison of voting to purchasing goods at stores highlights a disconnect from reality.
Read More
California Republicans have filed a federal lawsuit challenging a newly approved U.S. House map, alleging it illegally uses race to favor Hispanic voters and violates constitutional rights. The new map, which voters passed as Proposition 50, is expected to create more Democratic seats and could aid the party in upcoming midterm elections, potentially offsetting Republican gains in other states. The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, argues the map violates equal protection and voting rights. The outcome of the lawsuit remains uncertain, with a decision on a temporary restraining order pending before the December 19 deadline for candidate signature collection.
Read More
Following a series of Democratic victories in statewide elections, former President Donald Trump called for sweeping changes to the election system on Truth Social. His demands included strict voter ID laws, the end of mail-in voting, and opposition to expanding the Supreme Court and granting statehood to Washington D.C. or Puerto Rico. The Democrats saw wins in Virginia, New Jersey, and New York City, as well as ballot initiatives in other states. These victories led to a renewed Republican concern over electoral prospects, with some Republicans blaming flawed campaigns and strategic missteps.
Read More
Across the nation, Democrats celebrated significant victories in several key races. In Pennsylvania, a county that had previously favored Donald Trump voted overwhelmingly for a Democratic county executive. Georgia Democrats achieved a remarkable feat by winning two statewide public service commissioner races, marking their first nonfederal statewide wins since 2006. Further bolstering Democratic gains, they broke the Republican supermajority in the Mississippi state Senate.
Read More
The Supreme Court is hearing a case regarding President Trump’s use of emergency powers to impose tariffs, a move with significant implications for the global economy. The administration defends the tariffs, arguing they are permissible under emergency law, while challengers, including small businesses and Democratic-leaning states, claim the president overstepped his authority. The core dispute revolves around whether the 1977 emergency powers law grants the president the authority to unilaterally levy tariffs, a power constitutionally reserved for Congress. A ruling against Trump could impact the $195 billion in revenue generated by the tariffs and potentially set the tone for future legal challenges to his policies, despite Trump having appointed a conservative majority to the court.
Read More
John Q. Hosedrinker