In response to the government shutdown, Republicans are threatening punitive measures against Democrats, including federal worker layoffs and freezing funding in blue states. House Speaker Mike Johnson warned of increased “pain,” while former President Trump explicitly endorsed partisan payback. The administration is implementing holds on infrastructure projects in New York and clean energy programs in several blue states. Some Republicans express concerns about these retaliatory actions potentially hindering a bipartisan agreement to reopen the government, as Democrats remain firm on extending health insurance subsidies.
Read More
Former South Carolina Representative RJ May will plead guilty to distributing child sexual abuse material. Using the screen name “joebidennnn69”, May exchanged 220 files of child sexual abuse content on the Kik social media network. The plea agreement includes five counts, each carrying a five to 20-year prison sentence, as well as sex offender registration and potential fines. May, who was acting as his own attorney, resigned earlier this year and was previously incarcerated.
Read More
RJ May, a former South Carolina state lawmaker, has agreed to plead guilty to distributing child sexual abuse material, after allegedly exchanging over 200 explicit files. May resigned from the South Carolina House of Representatives last month and faces up to 20 years in prison on each of five counts, along with sex offender registration and a potential $250,000 fine. The former lawmaker was using the screen name “joebidennnn69” and was also acting as his own attorney. May has been in custody since June after being arrested while serving his third term in the South Carolina House.
Read More
South Carolina House member RJ May, under the screen name “joebidennnn69,” has agreed to plead guilty to distributing child sexual abuse material. The former Republican, who resigned earlier this year, is accused of exchanging 220 files of child sexual abuse content on Kik. Facing up to 20 years in prison per count, May will also be required to register as a sex offender and could be fined $250,000. May, who acted as his own attorney, is scheduled to formally change his plea in federal court.
Read More
Oregon State Representative Cyrus Javadi has announced his departure from the Republican Party, becoming a Democrat. Javadi cited the GOP’s abandonment of core principles like fiscal responsibility and the rule of law as the reason for his switch. His move strengthens the Democratic supermajority in the Oregon House, weakening Republican influence. Javadi stated he found more common ground with Democrats focused on problem-solving. The switch comes amid a backdrop of shifting party affiliations nationwide.
Read More
A Justice Department staffer was secretly recorded stating the department would redact all Republican names from the Jeffrey Epstein investigation files before their release. The staffer, speaking to an undercover operative, indicated that only the names of liberal Democrats would remain visible in the files, despite the administration’s claim of transparency in providing the files to Capitol Hill. The Justice Department has since confirmed the video’s authenticity while denying the staffer’s claims, stating his comments were based on media reports and lacked knowledge of the review process. The incident has fueled conservative backlash over the administration’s handling of the Epstein files, with a House Oversight Committee subpoena and legal action being taken to ensure the material’s release.
Read More
James E. Yokeley, the GOP election chairman of Surry County, North Carolina, was arrested for allegedly drugging his granddaughters’ ice cream with cocaine and MDMA. Police responded to a report where the children discovered pills in their ice cream purchased at a Dairy Queen. Video footage revealed Yokeley placing the pills in the ice cream, leading to his arrest on multiple felony charges, including child abuse and contaminating food. Yokeley has been barred from seeing his granddaughters, and the Surry County Board of Elections is aware of the situation.
Read More
During a town hall event in Bolivar, Missouri, Republican Representative Mark Alford faced criticism from constituent Fred Higginbotham. Higginbotham, a farmer, expressed his anger over funding issues and criticized Alford’s perceived alignment with former President Donald Trump. The outburst, captured in a C-Span clip, resulted in applause from some audience members, highlighting growing discontent among constituents. Despite the heated exchange, Alford acknowledged Higginbotham’s concerns and stated his staff would speak with him, and will continue hosting town halls in his district.
Read More
Texas lawmakers have approved new congressional maps that are likely to benefit Republicans in the upcoming elections. The redistricting plans, which passed the Texas House of Representatives after a period of opposition from Democrats, are expected to create several new Republican-leaning seats, potentially solidifying the party’s majority in Washington D.C. The maps were drawn amidst a contentious debate over gerrymandering, with Democrats accusing Republicans of drawing the maps along racial lines. Other states, including California, are considering similar actions, with California’s Governor Gavin Newsom responding with, “It’s on, Texas.”
Read More
Texas Representative Nicole Collier filed a writ of habeas corpus, arguing that her confinement in the state Capitol by the Republican majority is unlawful. Collier, along with other Democrats, had previously left the state to block the enactment of new congressional maps. House Speaker Dustin Burrows, a Republican, subsequently required Democratic legislators to sign a form agreeing to 24-hour police surveillance, which Collier refused to do. Collier’s lawsuit contends that the legislature lacks the power to detain a lawmaker based on concerns about future absences, thus making her confinement illegal.
Read More
John Q. Hosedrinker