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Tag: Democrat

  • Facts about Tyler Robinson, suspect in Charlie Kirk shooting

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    As soon as officials announced the name of the alleged assassin of conservative influencer Charlie Kirk, internet theories about the suspect’s background and motives quickly outpaced confirmed facts.

    Authorities said Tyler Robinson, a 22-year-old Utah resident, shot and killed Kirk Sept. 10 on the Utah Valley University campus. Kirk was close to President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance.

    Officials took Robinson into custody in the evening of Sept. 11. Announcing the arrest Sept. 12, Utah Gov. Spencer Cox shared four phrases etched on bullet casings found with a gun investigators believe was Robinson’s.

    When the news became public, Americans began searching for information on Robinson and sharing theories about him and his family. Much of that information, especially in the early hours after the news broke, was inaccurate. Some online users chased wrong leads and implicated innocent people in the process. 

    Here is some confirmed information about what’s true and what’s not in Robinson’s background, as of Sept. 12.

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    Suspect is not the person who donated to Trump

    One X post identified a $225 donation to Trump’s 2020 presidential campaign from a Tyler Robinson in St. George, Utah. But that’s a different Tyler Robinson than the suspect, according to records.

    Federal Election Commission records show that a person with that name in St. George contributed $224.48 on Oct. 5, 2020, to Trump’s Make America Great Again Committee. The donor listed their occupation as an entrepreneur, and other records show a person with that name and zip code is 32 years old.

    As of the date of the donation, the Robinson who is the suspect would have been 17 years old. People who are 17 can legally donate to candidates under certain conditions, but we did not find donations in federal records from the suspect.

    Robinson was an unaffiliated, inactive voter

    An X post said Robinson was a registered Republican in Utah, “according to state records.”

    That’s not what records show. The website voterrecords.com — which draws from public government records — shows a person with identifying information that matches the suspect reflects he was an unaffiliated, inactive voter.

    We contacted the Washington County, Utah, elections department to ask questions about his voter registration and did not hear back.

    An inactive voter is a registered voter who has not voted in two regular general elections and has failed to respond to a notice sent by the county clerk.

    Inactive voters must verify or update their address before receiving a ballot. Ballots are mailed only to active voters.

    About 27% of active registered voters in Utah are unaffiliated, and about half are Republican. 

    This photo released by the Utah Governor’s Office Sept. 12, 2025 shows Tyler Robinson. (Utah Governor’s Office via AP)

    No evidence that Robinson is a member of the Democratic Socialists of America

    Social media users said Robinson was a member of the Salt Lake City Democratic Socialists of America. The organization said he is not a member of any of its chapters, and the photos and videos users have pointed to as evidence of his affiliation do not show Robinson. 

    Priscilla Yeverino, a national spokesperson for the organization, said the group has no members named Tyler Robinson “anywhere in the country.” Yeverino said the organization has received several photos of people alleging they are Robinson, “which is vehemently false.”

    Users shared a video they allege showed Robinson speaking at an event for the Salt Lake City chapter days before the shooting. The full video from Sept. 6 shows the speaker is chapter co-chair Matty Jackson.

    Other users have shared a photo of a man they allege is Robinson wearing a red t-shirt with a bee that says “Salt Lake DSA.” Before Robinson was confirmed as the suspect, some users on social media shared the same photo identifying the man as Jack Bellows. Bellows describes himself as a community organizer and is running for Salt Lake City Council. A screenshot from an Instagram live video of Bellows has also been shared on social media posts identifying him as Robinson.

    Internet finds meanings for mysterious etchings on bullet casings

    Before Robinson’s arrest, online posters and eventually the Wall Street Journal had reported on an internal, unreleased FBI memo that said etched phrases on bullet casings could have expressed his support for transgender rights. But law enforcement officials later walked that interpretation back, as did the newspaper. 

    At the press conference, Cox announced the specific texts etched on four bullet casings found with a Mauser Model 98 .30-06 caliber bolt action rifle:

    • “Notices bulges, OwO what’s this?”

    • “Oh bella ciao, bella ciao, bella ciao, ciao, ciao”

    • “Hey fascist! Catch!” followed by an up arrow symbol, a right arrow symbol, and three down arrow symbols

    • “If you read this, you are gay LMAO”

    The phrases unleashed speculation about their meaning. Some users familiar with video game culture zeroed in on potential sources, with many of them couched in layers of irony and sarcasm.

    According to the website “Know Your Meme,” the phrase “Notices bulges, OwO what’s this?” has been circulating online since at least 2013, particularly to parody online role-playing subcultures, including “furries,” a community that dresses up as anthropomorphized animal characters.

    On the surface, the phrase “Hey fascist! Catch!” seems to indicate that the person who fired the weapon was someone on the political left opposed to fascism. However, X users said the phrase and the arrow sequence comes from the game Helldivers 2, which envisions battles involving fascist-uniformed fighters. A move in that game that involves pressing a series of arrows allows players to drop a 1,100-pound bomb — the game’s most destructive weapon.

    “Bella Ciao” is an Italian song with antifascist roots from World War II that have made it a popular resistance song in various international contexts. Commentators, including journalists, also said it has been used in the World War II-themed video game “Hearts of Iron IV” and has sometimes been adopted, in an ironic way, by far-right groups.

    “These reported messages seem to be sending strong ‘subcultural batsignals,’” said Whitney Phillips, a University of Oregon assistant professor of information politics and ethics who has researched shooters with ties to internet meme culture.

    Phillips said she first used that term in a 2015 book on internet trolling “to describe the winking self-referentiality you often see in trolling and trolling-adjacent communities, and which have appeared in many shooter manifestos in the last 10 years,” including a 2019 mass shooter in Christchurch, New Zealand.

    But Phillips added that phrases like the ones on the bullet casings go further, by seeking to provoke the public.

    “These don’t seem to be messages intended to be, essentially, private sigils — an expression of private rage from the shooter to Charlie Kirk,” Phillips said. “There seems to be a further aim of maximum publicity, specifically publicity aimed to arouse the strongest possible responses in as many audiences as possible.”

    PolitiFact Researcher Caryn Baird contributed to this report.

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  • Survivors, lawmakers demand release of all Jeffrey Epstein files

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    Survivors, lawmakers demand release of all Jeffrey Epstein files

    Survivors of Jeffrey Epstein’s abuse and a bipartisan group of lawmakers are pushing for a discharge petition, forcing a House floor vote to release nearly everything related to the case.

    Updated: 3:17 PM PDT Sep 3, 2025

    Editorial Standards ⓘ

    Demanding transparency, truth and their own healing, survivors of sexual abuse, along with bipartisan lawmakers, called for the release of all documents related to the Jeffrey Epstein case. Survivors accuse Epstein of abusing and trafficking countless underage girls for decades before his death in a New York jail cell in 2019. Survivors, including some speaking out for the first time, joined a bipartisan group of lawmakers, pushing for a discharge petition that would force a House floor vote on releasing nearly everything related to the Epstein case. “I am no longer weak, I am no longer powerless and I am no longer alone,” Anouska De Georgiou, a survivor, said before reporters on Wednesday. “With your vote, neither will the next generation be.”On Tuesday, the House Oversight Committee released more than 30,000 pages on the case, which some say were heavily redacted and revealed too little new information. The petition’s supporters want all investigation files released, emphasizing that the issue should be non-partisan.”The American people deserve to see everything,” Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., said. “When you sign this discharge petition, it should mean nothing should be off limits.””The FBI, the DOJ, and the CIA hold the truth. And the truth we are demanding come out,” Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., said.But the petition is already facing some roadblocks. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., says he believes the House Oversight Committee should be responsible for carefully handling the documents, while President Trump dismissed the effort Wednesday, calling it “a Democrat hoax.”Related video below: Speaker Johnson on meeting with Epstein victimsSurvivors responded directly to President Trump’s dismissal, with one registered Republican calling on him to meet her at the Capitol to share her story and explain why the issue is not a hoax. Others pleaded that he recognize the abuse as real and humanize them.Lawmakers leading the petition are close to a House floor vote, needing only two more signatures to reach the required 218. So far, the petition includes all Democrats and at least a handful of Republicans, including Greene and Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C.Lawmakers emphasized the rare coalition of bipartisanship, signifying the growing issue. If the petition passes the House, it still needs to pass the Senate before heading to Trump’s desk.Regardless of the petition’s outcome, survivors are planning their own action for justice by compiling a list of those involved in Epstein’s network of abuse, though they did not specify if or when they would release it. In Wednesday’s press conference, the victims said they aim to hold the powerful accountable and help their healing, despite concerns about retaliation from Epstein’s circle.

    WASHINGTON —

    Demanding transparency, truth and their own healing, survivors of sexual abuse, along with bipartisan lawmakers, called for the release of all documents related to the Jeffrey Epstein case.

    Survivors accuse Epstein of abusing and trafficking countless underage girls for decades before his death in a New York jail cell in 2019.

    Survivors, including some speaking out for the first time, joined a bipartisan group of lawmakers, pushing for a discharge petition that would force a House floor vote on releasing nearly everything related to the Epstein case.

    “I am no longer weak, I am no longer powerless and I am no longer alone,” Anouska De Georgiou, a survivor, said before reporters on Wednesday. “With your vote, neither will the next generation be.”

    On Tuesday, the House Oversight Committee released more than 30,000 pages on the case, which some say were heavily redacted and revealed too little new information. The petition’s supporters want all investigation files released, emphasizing that the issue should be non-partisan.

    “The American people deserve to see everything,” Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., said. “When you sign this discharge petition, it should mean nothing should be off limits.”

    “The FBI, the DOJ, and the CIA hold the truth. And the truth we are demanding come out,” Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., said.

    But the petition is already facing some roadblocks. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., says he believes the House Oversight Committee should be responsible for carefully handling the documents, while President Trump dismissed the effort Wednesday, calling it “a Democrat hoax.”

    Related video below: Speaker Johnson on meeting with Epstein victims

    Survivors responded directly to President Trump’s dismissal, with one registered Republican calling on him to meet her at the Capitol to share her story and explain why the issue is not a hoax. Others pleaded that he recognize the abuse as real and humanize them.

    Lawmakers leading the petition are close to a House floor vote, needing only two more signatures to reach the required 218. So far, the petition includes all Democrats and at least a handful of Republicans, including Greene and Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C.

    Lawmakers emphasized the rare coalition of bipartisanship, signifying the growing issue.

    If the petition passes the House, it still needs to pass the Senate before heading to Trump’s desk.

    Regardless of the petition’s outcome, survivors are planning their own action for justice by compiling a list of those involved in Epstein’s network of abuse, though they did not specify if or when they would release it. In Wednesday’s press conference, the victims said they aim to hold the powerful accountable and help their healing, despite concerns about retaliation from Epstein’s circle.

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  • Colorado Republicans, Democrats disagree on how much progress was made during special session

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    DENVER — Colorado’s special legislative session ended on Tuesday after six days. The success of the session depends on which state lawmaker you ask.

    Governor Jared Polis called the session on Aug. 6 to address the state’s $1.2 billion budget hole, which he said was created by tax changes made in President Donald Trump’s One Big Beautiful Act (H.R.1). According to the governor and fellow Colorado Democrats, Colorado will collect less revenue than expected when lawmakers approved the state budget in May.

    Some of that $1.2 billion revenue loss was absorbed by the state education fund and the affordable housing fund. Around $300 million that the state had in surplus, which would have been refunded to taxpayers, will now be used to help fill the gap. That left lawmakers with a budget gap estimated to be around $783 million.

    To address the budget gap, the Democratic majority focused largely on reining in tax breaks for big corporations. Their strategy also included taking money from state reserves and cutting spending. However, they left it to Polis to determine exactly where to make those spending cuts.

    The governor is expected to present a plan to the Joint Budget Committee on Thursday.

    Denver7 has been following Colorado’s special legislative session. Read our previous coverage below:

    “This has been an incredible session,” said State Senator Jeff Bridges, D – District 26. “The special session accounted for about $250 million of the now $750 million we have to make up for in the general fund.”

    Bridges, who is the chair of the Joint Budget Committee, said Polis’ presentation is expected to address the remaining $500 million of the deficit.

    “We’ll spend about $250 million in reserves, and then there will be about $250 million in revenue reductions. So that’s things like cuts to Medicaid. It’s potentially reductions in higher education support from the state,” Bridges said. “These are going to be cuts that people will see and feel. It’s unavoidable that there will be some pain caused by cutting $250 million from a $16.5 billion budget. It’s a lot less than what we thought we were going to have to cut. It’s less because we closed those loopholes. It’s less because we have such strong reserves, but it’s still going to be really impactful for folks.”

    On the other hand, Colorado Republicans believe the special session was tailored to Democrats.

    “Actually, what we did was make a budget crisis worse,” said Colorado House Minority Leader Rose Pugliese, R – District 14. “I want to say I’m sorry to the people of Colorado that we weren’t able to accomplish what really should have been done, which is looking at how we prioritize our budget and how we keep more money in the pockets of hardworking Coloradans.”

    State Senator Barbara Kirkmeyer, R – District 23, a member of the Joint Budget Committee, told Denver7 she is extremely disappointed in the results of the special session.

    “Not only did we increase taxes, we start trying to figure out how to balance the budget on the backs of small businesses. Now that is wrong,” Kirkmeyer said. “They made our budget problem worse.”

    Kirkmeyer speculated the governor will recommend cuts to Medicaid provider rates and higher education.

    “I’m not anticipating that we’re going to agree. I’m not anticipating he’s going to come in with enough cuts,” Kirkmeyer said.

    Denver7 will follow up on the plan expected from Polis on Thursday.

    Denver7’s Brandon Richard contributed to this article.

    Denver7 | Your Voice: Get in touch with Colette Bordelon

    Denver7’s Colette Bordelon covers stories that have an impact in all of Colorado’s communities, but specializes in reporting on crime, justice and issues impacting our climate and environment. If you’d like to get in touch with Colette, fill out the form below to send her an email.

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    Colette Bordelon

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  • Colorado’s legislature has filled a third of budget shortfall by slashing tax breaks. Here’s what comes next.

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    More than $250 million down, another $530 million to go.

    That’s how much of a projected $783 million state budget hole the Colorado legislature filled by the time a special session called to address the impact of the federal tax bill ended Tuesday afternoon — and the larger amount that still remains. Erasing the rest of the red ink will fall to Gov. Jared Polis, who plans to rebalance this year’s budget in the coming days through a mix of cuts to state funding and a big dip into the rainy-day fund.

    Over six days, the legislature’s majority Democrats fulfilled their part of a plan worked out with the governor’s office: to pass legislation that is expected to generate enough revenue to close about a third of the shortfall projected for the state’s budget in the current fiscal year, which began July 1. They ended tax breaks and found other ways to offset declining state income tax revenue, while leaving spending cuts largely for Polis to decide.

    “What we did here in this special session is soften the blow,” said Sen. Jeff Bridges, a Greenwood Village Democrat who chairs the legislature’s budget committee. “But when the federal government cuts $1.2 billion in revenue from the state with a stroke of a pen, after we’ve already cut $1.2 billion (from the budget) in the regular session, that’s a tough deficit to come back from in a way that doesn’t impact the people of Colorado.”

    The special session ended with 11 bills going to Polis for final approval. Five sought to fill the budget gap, largely by ending tax incentives for businesses and high-income earners.

    The single largest revenue-raising measure, House Bill 1004, will auction off tax credits that can be claimed in future tax years for a discount. Backers expected that bill to bring in an additional $100 million to state coffers this year, at the expense of about $125 million in future years.

    Together, those measures add up to $253 million in revenue to reduce the projected deficit — money that Democrats say represents averted cuts to Medicaid, schools and hospitals.

    “Colorado legislators stepped up and helped protect children’s food access and minimized the devastating cost increases to health insurance premiums across the state, to the best of our ability,” Polis, who signed two of the new bills earlier Tuesday, said in a statement.

    The legislature’s Joint Budget Committee expects to meet Thursday to hear Polis’ plan to address the remaining $500 million or so, including mid-year spending cuts. 

    As part of his call for a special session on Aug. 6, Polis announced a statewide hiring freeze. He said in an interview before the session started that he hoped to avoid cuts to K-12 education, but he has left all other options on the table, including Medicaid program spending. 

    The plan also factors in a significant use of reserves to offset some of the remaining gap.

    Partisan debates

    Over the past week, Republicans fought the Democrats’ bills, but strong Democratic majorities in both legislative chambers all but preordained the outcome. 

    “Not only did we increase taxes, we’re balancing the budget on the back of small businesses,” said Sen. Barbara Kirkmeyer, a Brighton Republican on the budget committee.

    One of the bills heading to Polis would erase a fee paid by the state to businesses for collecting sales taxes — an outdated subsidy, according to Democrats, and an unnecessary new burden now put on businesses, according to Republicans.

    Republicans said before the session that they’d likely challenge several bills in court over allegations that they violate provisions in the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights that require voter approval for tax increases. Kirkmeyer and Rep. Rick Taggart, a Grand Junction Republican who’s also on the budget committee, said bills going to the governor that would eliminate some tax credits and allow the sale of tax credits against future collections seemed particularly vulnerable to a challenge under TABOR.

    Debate throughout the special session took a distinctly partisan edge. Democrats laid the cuts on congressional Republicans and President Donald Trump and called the federal tax bill a de facto theft of benefits from the poorest Coloradans to benefit the wealthiest.

    Republicans countered that the federal bill delivered much-needed tax cuts, and they said Democrats sought to yank those away instead of cutting partisan priorities.

    Legislators begin to gather in the Senate Chambers before the start of another day of the special legislative session at the Colorado State Capitol in Denver on Aug. 26, 2025. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/The Denver Post)

    Bills on wolves, artificial intelligence

    Other bills passed sought to respond to different aspects of the federal bill, formerly known as the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” as well as other priorities.

    Lawmakers stripped general fund money away from the voter-approved program to reintroduce wolves in the state, though releases are expected to continue this winter. They tweaked ballot language for a measure about taxes for universal school meals to allow that money to go to general food assistance, as well, if voters approve it in November.

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    Nick Coltrain, Seth Klamann

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  • Bruce Leon Announces Candidacy for Illinois’ 9th Congressional District

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    Centrist Democrat and Proven Business Leader Enters Race to Bring Unity, Pragmatism and Real-World Solutions to Washington


    CHICAGO, July 30, 2025 (Newswire.com)
    –
    Bruce Leon, Democratic Committeeman, successful entrepreneur, and fifth-generation Chicagoan, has officially announced his candidacy for Illinois’ 9th Congressional District. As the race to succeed Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky heats up, Leon enters as the only centrist Democrat in a predominantly progressive field – offering voters a pragmatic, unifying alternative to partisan extremes. Leon has lived in the area for nearly 35 years and truly understands what the community is looking for when it comes to new leadership.

    “I’m running because I believe the people of the 9th District deserve leadership that bridges divides rather than deepens them,” said Leon. “Our challenges demand practical solutions – not rigid ideology.”

    Leon brings decades of real-world business experience to the table, having founded one of the Midwest’s largest HR and employee benefits firms. His work supporting small businesses and navigating complex healthcare and workforce issues gives him a unique, on-the-ground perspective that’s often missing in Washington. His campaign will focus on commonsense economic growth, support for small businesses, and responsive, accountable government.

    “I’ve built companies from the ground up, stood up to machine politics, and fought for everyday people,” Leon said. “Now, in a tough moment for Chicagoland, I believe I can do more for the people I’ve always stood beside – by delivering the kind of steady, grounded leadership our communities deserve.”

    Leon’s candidacy also stands out for his unwavering support of Israel and democratic values. He is a strong advocate for maintaining a robust U.S.-Israel relationship and has been vocal in his condemnation of rising antisemitism at home and abroad.

    “I’ve spent my life bridging two worlds – business and public service,” Leon added. “Now I’m ready to bring that experience to Congress to fight for economic opportunity, social responsibility, and a political system that works for all of us.”

    Leon’s campaign emphasizes unity, dialogue, and real solutions for working families, small business owners, and communities seeking representation that listens – not lectures. Already generating attention for his role in challenging incumbents, Leon will push for greater transparency in local Democratic politics.

    For more information and/or to support the campaign, please visit www.bruceleonforcongress.com.

    About Bruce Leon:

    Bruce Leon is a lifelong Chicagoan and civic reformer running to restore thoughtful leadership to Congress. His campaign champions respectful dialogue, coalition-building, and results – not rhetoric. Bruce has lived in the 9th district with his wife and four daughters for 35 years.

    For any media inquires, please reach out to Samantha Frontera at sfrontera@exclusivepr.biz or at (847) 703-0529.

    Source: Bruce Leon for Congress

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  • Harris and Trump campaigns appeal to right-leaning, religious voters

    Harris and Trump campaigns appeal to right-leaning, religious voters

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    Both the Harris and Trump campaigns are intensifying their efforts in battleground states with just two weeks left until Election Day.Former President Donald Trump will campaign for a second straight day in North Carolina after making his pitch to Christian voters a day prior. He postponed a speech at a gun rights conference in Georgia and scheduled a last-minute rally in the Tar Heel state Tuesday as some polling suggests Harris is gaining support there.In a rally before faith leaders in the battleground state, Trump touched on culture war issues, including transgender and parental rights.”Christians will not be safe with Kamala Harris as president,” Trump warned. “Your religious liberty will be gone. Your free speech will be gone, your Second Amendment will be gone, and parental rights will be gone forever.”Earlier, Trump surveyed storm damage and repeated false claims about FEMA misusing taxpayer money.”They spent a lot of money on having illegal people come into our country,” Trump said.Meanwhile, Vice President Kamala Harris made her pitch to Trump-hesitant voters in three “Blue wall” states Monday.In separate events in Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin, she campaigned alongside a familiar but unlikely ally, former Congresswoman Liz Cheney, (R) Wyoming. Both aimed their messages at Trump-wary voters in counties that could decide the election.”We might not agree on every issue but she is somebody you can trust,” Cheney said. “You can vote your conscience and never have to say a word to anybody. There will be millions of Republicans who do that on November 5th.”While Harris will not hold public events, she will sit for an interview that will air Tuesday night on NBC Nightly News.In her place, former President Barack Obama and running mate Tim Walz will host a rally in Wisconsin where in-person, early voting kicks off.Republicans are also holding events to encourage early voting in favor of Trump. His campaign is pushing for all forms of voting, including by mail and in-person, to maximize votes. Trump lost Wisconsin by just under 21,000 votes in the 2020 election.

    WASHINGTON —

    Both the Harris and Trump campaigns are intensifying their efforts in battleground states with just two weeks left until Election Day.

    Former President Donald Trump will campaign for a second straight day in North Carolina after making his pitch to Christian voters a day prior. He postponed a speech at a gun rights conference in Georgia and scheduled a last-minute rally in the Tar Heel state Tuesday as some polling suggests Harris is gaining support there.

    In a rally before faith leaders in the battleground state, Trump touched on culture war issues, including transgender and parental rights.

    “Christians will not be safe with Kamala Harris as president,” Trump warned. “Your religious liberty will be gone. Your free speech will be gone, your Second Amendment will be gone, and parental rights will be gone forever.”

    Earlier, Trump surveyed storm damage and repeated false claims about FEMA misusing taxpayer money.

    “They spent a lot of money on having illegal people come into our country,” Trump said.

    Meanwhile, Vice President Kamala Harris made her pitch to Trump-hesitant voters in three “Blue wall” states Monday.

    In separate events in Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin, she campaigned alongside a familiar but unlikely ally, former Congresswoman Liz Cheney, (R) Wyoming. Both aimed their messages at Trump-wary voters in counties that could decide the election.

    “We might not agree on every issue but she is somebody you can trust,” Cheney said. “You can vote your conscience and never have to say a word to anybody. There will be millions of Republicans who do that on November 5th.”

    While Harris will not hold public events, she will sit for an interview that will air Tuesday night on NBC Nightly News.

    In her place, former President Barack Obama and running mate Tim Walz will host a rally in Wisconsin where in-person, early voting kicks off.

    Republicans are also holding events to encourage early voting in favor of Trump. His campaign is pushing for all forms of voting, including by mail and in-person, to maximize votes. Trump lost Wisconsin by just under 21,000 votes in the 2020 election.

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  • What are my voting rights? Check this list before heading to the polls

    What are my voting rights? Check this list before heading to the polls

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    *** lot of work is being done to make sure you’re safe at the polls and that the election process isn’t interrupted. And two important things to know if you’re voting in person this year, if there are long lines and polls close while you’re still in line, stay in line, you have *** right to vote and election officials will outline *** plan. And if you make *** mistake on your ballot, you can ask for *** new one and start over head to our app or our website and check out the commitment 2024 section for information on your local and national races, ballot issues and information on how to vote and join our news teams on election night for information and results as we learn that, thank you for joining us.

    Know your rights: Essential things to know before voting at the polls

    Did you make a mistake on your ballot or do you need accommodations?

    A number of laws protect voters as they play their part in our democracy, so they can cast their vote confidently. Before heading to the polls on Election Day, here are the rights you need to know that protect you by law:If the polls close while you’re still in line, stay in line. You have the right to vote. If you make a mistake on your ballot, you can ask a poll worker for a new one. If the machines are down at your polling place, you can ask for a paper ballot.If you are registered to vote but your name is not listed in the poll book, you are still entitled to a provisional ballot. Your ballot will be held separately from the regular ballots until an election official determines whether you are qualified to vote and are registered. If you meet those requirements, they will count your provisional ballot.If you are a voter with a disability and need accommodations, all polling places for federal elections must be fully accessible. Voters with disabilities and those unable to read or write can choose a person to assist in all aspects of the voting process except if the assistant is the voter’s employer or union. If you have difficulty reading or writing English, you can ask for assistance. Certain jurisdictions, determined by the Census Bureau, must provide all election information that is available in English in the covered minority language. The election process must be equally accessible in the minority language as it is in English. It is illegal to intimidate, threaten or coerce someone from voting or attempting to vote, as well as people who are urging or helping others to vote. How can I report a violation? To report a possible civil rights violation, you can report it to the Civil Rights Division online at civilrights.justice.gov or by phone at 800-251-3931.To report possible federal crimes, including potential threats against voters, election officials, or election fraud, you can contact the FBI either online at tips.fbi.gov or by phone at 800-CALL-FBI.This segment is part of a half-hour news special called Commitment 2024: Get the Facts. The special helps voters get the facts on the voting process and debunks election-related disinformation that could surface in the final hours before Election Day. To watch the full special, check your local listing for air dates or watch on the Very Local app.

    A number of laws protect voters as they play their part in our democracy, so they can cast their vote confidently.

    Before heading to the polls on Election Day, here are the rights you need to know that protect you by law:

    1. If the polls close while you’re still in line, stay in line. You have the right to vote.
    2. If you make a mistake on your ballot, you can ask a poll worker for a new one.
    3. If the machines are down at your polling place, you can ask for a paper ballot.
    4. If you are registered to vote but your name is not listed in the poll book, you are still entitled to a provisional ballot. Your ballot will be held separately from the regular ballots until an election official determines whether you are qualified to vote and are registered. If you meet those requirements, they will count your provisional ballot.
    5. If you are a voter with a disability and need accommodations, all polling places for federal elections must be fully accessible. Voters with disabilities and those unable to read or write can choose a person to assist in all aspects of the voting process except if the assistant is the voter’s employer or union.
    6. If you have difficulty reading or writing English, you can ask for assistance. Certain jurisdictions, determined by the Census Bureau, must provide all election information that is available in English in the covered minority language. The election process must be equally accessible in the minority language as it is in English.
    7. It is illegal to intimidate, threaten or coerce someone from voting or attempting to vote, as well as people who are urging or helping others to vote.

    How can I report a violation?

    To report a possible civil rights violation, you can report it to the Civil Rights Division online at civilrights.justice.gov or by phone at 800-251-3931.

    To report possible federal crimes, including potential threats against voters, election officials, or election fraud, you can contact the FBI either online at tips.fbi.gov or by phone at 800-CALL-FBI.

    This segment is part of a half-hour news special called Commitment 2024: Get the Facts. The special helps voters get the facts on the voting process and debunks election-related disinformation that could surface in the final hours before Election Day.

    To watch the full special, check your local listing for air dates or watch on the Very Local app.

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  • Golden small business owner challenges U.S. Rep. Brittany Pettersen for suburban seat in Congress

    Golden small business owner challenges U.S. Rep. Brittany Pettersen for suburban seat in Congress

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    Colorado’s 7th Congressional District, centered on suburban Jefferson County, hasn’t had a Republican in the seat since Bob Beauprez left Congress nearly 20 years ago.

    But Sergei Matveyuk, an antiques repairman from Golden and the GOP contender for the seat in the Nov. 5 election, urges voters not to count him out in his battle with incumbent Brittany Pettersen. The first-term Democratic congresswoman is seeking reelection.

    “People are hurting economically,” Matveyuk, 57, told The Denver Post. “They want someone who feels the pain.”

    He’s running in a once-battleground district that has turned decidedly blue in the last decade or so, with Democratic former Rep. Ed Perlmutter winning election eight times running, until his retirement announcement in 2022 ushered in an open race.

    Pettersen, 42, a former state lawmaker from Lakewood, won the 2022 election by 16 percentage points over Republican Army veteran Erik Aadland. The bulk of the district’s electorate calls left-leaning Jefferson and Broomfield counties home, while redder areas in the district — such as Teller, Custer and Fremont counties — simply don’t have the populations to give Matveyuk a sizable boost.

    As of Sept. 30, Pettersen had raised more than $2.2 million this cycle, compared to about $35,000 collected by Matveyuk, according to campaign finance filings. There are two minor party candidates on the ballot this time: Former state lawmaker Ron Tupa is running on the Unity Party of Colorado ticket, while Patrick Bohan is running as the Libertarian candidate.

    Matveyuk, a political neophyte, said that as a small business owner, the historically high inflation of the last two years has hurt those like him who are particularly sensitive to escalating prices. But it’s his personal story that he thinks will resonate with voters in the current political climate, in which border policy has taken center stage. Matveyuk, who is of Polish descent, and his family left the Soviet Bloc in the late 1980s after experiencing life under communist rule and immigrated to the United States.

    “As an immigrant myself, I know how hard it is to start a new life — but it has to be legal,” he said.

    Matveyuk doesn’t echo former President Donald Trump’s calls for mass deportations but says migrants who “are hurting our people and committing crimes need to be deported, for sure.”

    “We need immigration reform — 40 years ago we had a regulated border and now we have a porous border,” he said.

    According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection data through August, there have been more than 8.6 million migrant “encounters” at the southern U.S. border since President Joe Biden took office in 2021. That influx has prompted many big city mayors across the country, including Denver Mayor Mike Johnston, to cut city services to pay for migrant housing and plead for help from the federal government.

    Pettersen acknowledged that the U.S. asylum system is “absolutely outdated.” But many of the arriving migrants are filling jobs that businesses in the district, like nursing homes, are desperate to staff, she said.

    Making people wait years before getting work permits is an unworkable policy, Pettersen said.

    “We don’t have the people in the U.S. to meet our economic needs,” she said. “We need legal pathways based on economic need.”

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    John Aguilar

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  • Former ICE field director seizes on immigration in race against Rep. Jason Crow to represent Aurora

    Former ICE field director seizes on immigration in race against Rep. Jason Crow to represent Aurora

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    John Fabbricatore enforced federal immigration laws in his position as an ICE field office director until two years ago, and now he hopes to help secure America’s borders as a congressman.

    The Republican candidate in Colorado’s 6th Congressional District is drawing on his career with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement as he runs against U.S. Rep. Jason Crow in the Nov. 5 election. Crow, a Democrat, just finished his third term in Congress as the representative of the district, which includes Aurora, Littleton, Englewood, Greenwood Village and Centennial.

    The odds weigh heavily in Crow’s favor. The nonpartisan Cook Political Report doesn’t consider the fight for the 6th District to be competitive. It’s ranked as solidly Democratic, in part because Crow, 45, won all three of his elections by double-digit percentages and redistricting in 2020 resulted in boundaries more favorable to Democrats.

    That’s a change from 2018 when the district was seen as a battleground and Crow won his first race by unseating then-U.S. Rep. Mike Coffman, now Aurora’s mayor.

    But this time, Fabbricatore, 52, says voters are looking for a candidate who will prioritize the economy and lower taxes — and he contends that he’s the person for the job.

    “They want someone that wants to fight,” Fabbricatore said.

    He and Crow share certain traits. They’re both veterans: Fabbricatore served in the U.S. Air Force, and Crow was an Army Ranger. They’re hunters, each having longstanding experience with firearms. Neither hails from Colorado originally, with Fabbricatore raised in New York City and Crow in Madison, Wisconsin.

    And the candidates, both fathers of two children, reside in Aurora.

    Beyond that, their stances on major issues diverge — including on immigration, which Fabbricatore refers to as his “subject matter expertise.”

    He argues jobs are going to immigrants compensated with lower wages, taking positions that could be filled by Americans for higher pay. Fabbricatore says he supports “legal, vetted” immigration and more stringent enforcement of existing laws.

    “If we actually just enforce those laws, we will be doing much better than we are doing today with immigration,” he said.

    In recent weeks, Fabbricatore has raised the alarm alongside former President Donald Trump and other conservatives about the presence of Venezuelan gangs in Aurora — while Crow has called out exaggerations and criticized Trump for distorting the problems in certain apartment complexes.

    Crow notes that he represents “one of the most diverse districts in the nation,” with nearly 20% of his constituents born outside of the U.S. He wants to use federal grants and other programs to help immigrants and defend them against racist rhetoric.

    He said he backed a bipartisan immigration deal that ran aground earlier this year after failing to earn enough Republican support. It would have boosted the number of border patrol agents, immigration judges and officers that oversee asylum cases, as well as established more legal pathways for migrants and others without documentation.

    Fabbricatore said in a Denver Post candidate questionnaire that he would not have supported the bipartisan bill, instead preferring another bill with a greater focus on border security.

    Gun violence is what motivated Crow to run for office. He backs a ban on assault weapons and supports universal background checks. He’s also working to pass a bill that would apply the same restrictions to out-of-state residents when they purchase long guns and shotguns as they face when buying handguns — requiring that the gun be shipped to a federally licensed seller in their home state, with a background check performed there.

    Gun violence is “just an unacceptable, avoidable, ongoing national tragedy,” Crow said. “We don’t have to live with mass shootings.”

    Fabbricatore says he believes in gun rights and is instead pushing for investments in mental health.

    The candidates differ on abortion. Crow favors abortion rights, saying he aligns with the majority of Coloradans who back legal access to abortion — and he would support a federal law establishing that as a right. Fabbricatore says Congress should leave abortion’s legal status to the states. He opposes abortion, but he says he recognizes a need for exceptions, including in cases of rape.

    “Having been someone who worked in sex trafficking and saw what many women went through, I could never tell a woman that she couldn’t have a medical procedure to end what happened to her,” he said.

    Fabbricatore points to the economy as his No. 1 issue, saying it’s impacted by energy policy and immigration. He sees Colorado’s potential to participate in the energy sector through solar, wind, fracking and coal.

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    Megan Ulu-Lani Boyanton

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  • National Border Patrol Union Makes Endorsement for President

    National Border Patrol Union Makes Endorsement for President

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    The national Border Patrol union made a major endorsement for President.

    Paul Perez, the president of the National Border Patrol Council, announced the union endorsed former Republican President Donald Trump over Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris in the presidential election.

    Border Patrol Union endorsementThe National Border Patrol Council (NBPC) represents Border Patrol agents and support personnel assigned to the U.S. Border Patrol. The union announced its full support of former President Trump during a rally in Prescott Valley, Arizona.

    “If we allow border czar Harris to win this election, every city, every community in this great country is going to go to hell,” Perez announced. “The untold millions of people unvetted, who she has allowed into this country that are committing murders, rapes, robberies, burglaries and every other crime will continue to put our country in peril.

    “Only one man can fix that. That is Donald J. Trump. He has always stood with the men and women who protect this border, who put their lives on the line for the country. A man who knows about putting his life on the line for what is right.”

    Former President Trump called the Border Patrol union endorsement a “great honor,” as he has made illegal immigration and the border crisis a major plank in his campaign. President Trump said he will secure the border and stop catch-and-release, as well as implement a mass deportation program.

    “On behalf of the 16,000 men and women represented by the National Border Patrol Council, we strongly support and endorse Donald J. Trump for President of the United States,” Perez concluded.

    Republicans are also trying to capitalize on former President Bill Clinton seemingly blaming Vice President Kamala Harris and President Joe Biden’s administration – all Democrats – for Laken Riley’s murder by an illegal immigrant.

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  • Battleground states: Key areas to watch in the 2024 election

    Battleground states: Key areas to watch in the 2024 election

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    Election Day is right around the corner. With national polls pointing toward a tight race between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump, all eyes are on a handful of swing states. However, the swing state roster has changed since the 2020 presidential election. So, what are the key states to watch come Election Day? Swing states are typically defined as areas that have similar levels of support for each political party’s candidate that can have a key role in the outcome of the presidential race.Seven states in two regions of the U.S. could have a major impact on the outcome of the 2024 election. The ‘Blue Wall’ statesThe so-called “Blue Wall” states of Michigan, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania are on the list of swing states. Trump won all three states in 2016, but President Joe Biden gained them back in 2020. Wisconsin is specifically seen as one of the most competitive states, as President Joe Biden had previously won by fewer than 21,000 votes in the 2020 election.The Sun Belt statesThe Sun Belt states of Arizona, Nevada, Georgia and North Carolina have also made it onto the list. This is due to a combination of an increase of Latino, Asian American and young Black voting demographics in the region. But North Carolina and Georgia could still be wild cards, as North Carolina has historically leaned Republican. Most notably missing from the list of swing states is the industrial midwest: Ohio and Iowa have recently leaned more Republican. According to an analysis by NPR, the change is due to the shift toward the GOP among white voters without college degrees. Prior to the Trump era, Ohio and Iowa were considered competitive for decades.Both presidential candidates have intensified their campaigns in key swing states in the past few months.As voters cast their ballots, watching these regions will be key to determining the electoral college winner in 2024.

    Election Day is right around the corner. With national polls pointing toward a tight race between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump, all eyes are on a handful of swing states.

    However, the swing state roster has changed since the 2020 presidential election.

    So, what are the key states to watch come Election Day?

    Swing states are typically defined as areas that have similar levels of support for each political party’s candidate that can have a key role in the outcome of the presidential race.

    Seven states in two regions of the U.S. could have a major impact on the outcome of the 2024 election.

    The ‘Blue Wall’ states

    The so-called “Blue Wall” states of Michigan, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania are on the list of swing states.

    Trump won all three states in 2016, but President Joe Biden gained them back in 2020.

    Wisconsin is specifically seen as one of the most competitive states, as President Joe Biden had previously won by fewer than 21,000 votes in the 2020 election.

    The Sun Belt states

    The Sun Belt states of Arizona, Nevada, Georgia and North Carolina have also made it onto the list.

    This is due to a combination of an increase of Latino, Asian American and young Black voting demographics in the region.

    But North Carolina and Georgia could still be wild cards, as North Carolina has historically leaned Republican.

    Most notably missing from the list of swing states is the industrial midwest: Ohio and Iowa have recently leaned more Republican.

    According to an analysis by NPR, the change is due to the shift toward the GOP among white voters without college degrees. Prior to the Trump era, Ohio and Iowa were considered competitive for decades.

    Both presidential candidates have intensified their campaigns in key swing states in the past few months.

    As voters cast their ballots, watching these regions will be key to determining the electoral college winner in 2024.

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  • ‘Too Late’ Or Too Scared? Donald Trump Ducks & Dodges Kamala Harris Challenging Him To Second Debate

    ‘Too Late’ Or Too Scared? Donald Trump Ducks & Dodges Kamala Harris Challenging Him To Second Debate

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    Source: Xinhua News Agency / Getty

    Kamala Harris Accepts the Debate, Trump Turns Tail

    Donald Trump is running scared—and it’s not just from those lawsuits and criminal cases—he’s ducking and dodging a second presidential debate with Vice President Kamala Harris. The former president backpedaling proves once again that he’ll tell others to fight while he flees the action, just like on Jan. 6.

    Kamala Harris came out swinging when she accepted CNN’s invitation to a second debate scheduled for October 23, just under two weeks before the 2024 presidential election. In true fighter fashion, Harris took to X (formerly Twitter) and taunted her opponent, writing,

    “I will gladly accept a second presidential debate on October 23. I hope @realDonaldTrump will join me” (X).

    But did Trump take the bait? Of course not.

    Trump: “It’s Too Late” for a Debate Rematch

    Instead of stepping up for another round, Trump scurried to his comfort zone—a rally in Wilmington, North Carolina. According to Politico, he told supporters, 

    “She’s done one debate, I’ve done two. It’s too late to do another.”

    His excuse? Early voting had already begun in states like Minnesota, Virginia, and South Dakota, so why debate now? “It’s too late. The voting is cast, the voters are out there,” he said. As if facing his opponent would be too much to handle when ballots are already flying in. Puh-lease!

    Sounds like someone’s afraid of taking another L in front of America.

     *Kamala Harris Silk Press Hair Flip*

    Harris’s Team: “Donald Shouldn’t Be Scared”

    ABC News first presidential debate

    Source: The Washington Post / Getty

    The Vice President’s campaign, smelling blood in the water, wasted no time throwing shade back at Trump. In Newsweek, Jen O’Malley Dillon, Harris’s campaign chair, kept it real in a statement:

    “Donald Trump should have no problem agreeing to this debate. It is the same format and setup as the CNN debate he attended and said he won in June.”

    The implication was clear—Trump’s dodging because he knows he might not come out on top this time.

    Remember how he taunted Biden after their Presidential debate? He even kept mentioning—excuse me—ridiculing sick Biden during his debate with Harris when he thought he had won. 

    What a sore loser. 

    Let’s also not forget Trump’s infamous boast after the first debate on September 10, when he faced Harris. He confidently said he won, even though most observers handed the victory to Harris. 

    In Truth Social, Trump’s response was posted to Harris’s call for a rematch, claiming that the only reason she wanted another debate was because he “won” the first one.

     “When a prizefighter loses a fight, the first words out of his mouth are, ‘I WANT A REMATCH,’” Trump wrote. 

    He’s not convincing anyone but the most die-hard MAGA crowd.

    The Real and Reactions: Trump is “Scared”

    Tim Ryan, former Ohio representative and frequent Trump critic, wasn’t about to let this pass either. In The Guardian, he slams Trump’s refusal to debate, saying it’s not just strategy—it’s fear. 

    “Behind the beard and the tan and the hair there are two scared little boys.” 

    Now, let’s get into the nitty-gritty of why Trump’s running scared. After all, he’s got a lot to lose. His first debate performance in June against President Joe Biden was seen by many as a win, but Biden’s lackluster showing ended up leading to his withdrawal from the race. 

    With Harris stepping into the spotlight and outperforming him in their first head-to-head in Philadelphia, Trump’s campaign knew another round could further dent his carefully cultivated image as the “tough guy” who never backs down.

    Harris Flexes: Campaign Dominates Fundraising

    The Harris campaign has been on the offensive, raking in triple the funds Trump’s team pulled in August, showing that momentum is firmly on their side. And Team Harris isn’t letting up, pushing the narrative that the American people deserve a second debate before the November 5 election. 

    Jen O’Malley Dillon, Biden’s campaign manager, shared a statement in Newsweek: 

    “It would be unprecedented in modern history for there to just be one general election debate.” 

    And she’s got a point. In previous election cycles, voters were offered multiple debates to see the candidates spar on various issues.

    Trump Says No Thanks, Voters Left in the Dark

    US-VOTE-POLITICS-DEBATE-HARRIS-TRUMP

    Source: MATTHEW HATCHER / Getty

    By dodging another debate, Trump risks giving the impression that he’s not up to the challenge—something Harris’s campaign is more than happy to remind voters of.

    The battle lines are drawn, and Harris is ready to fight. But Trump is deciding to bail, just like he’s done with several business flops. We’ve seen how confidently he confronted Biden, but Harris has him SHOOK! And rightfully so, based on the polling numbers. 

    Guess we’ll see if that strategy works for him—or if running from a fight only makes the L’s pile up faster.

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    Lauryn Bass

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  • Trump Rally Shooting Aftermath: ‘No Place For Political Violence?’ This Is America

    Trump Rally Shooting Aftermath: ‘No Place For Political Violence?’ This Is America

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    The United States is increasingly a cesspool of violence and the Donald Trump rally shooting on Saturday reflects the real state of America and its policies. As new details emerge about the alleged gunman, who was registered to Trump’s own party, there are more questions than answers.

    Source: The Washington Post / Getty

    As BOSSIP previously reported, the incident left one rally attendee dead, whom officials have identified as former Buffalo Township Fire Chief, Corey Comperatore. Another attendee was critically injured, and Trump sustained a wound to his ear.

    New Details Emerge About The Alleged Shooter

    According to USA Today, the alleged shooter was Thomas Matthew Crooks, a 20-year-old registered Republican from Bethel Park, Pennsylvania. Secret Service agents identified and quickly killed him shortly after he allegedly fired multiple shots. Following the shooting, the internet is circulating with Trump’s defiant but dangerously timed fist-pumping gesture.

    The attack has flooded social media with outlets and individuals in a frenzy, as reactions range from concern to outright denial. 

    Some dismissed the severity of the event, while others concocted conspiracy theories, including racist-driven claims that the event was staged to appeal to black voters.

    This reflects a troubling desensitization to violence and a detachment from the traumatic realities of recent years, such as the pandemic, police brutality, and ongoing wars.

    The tension and dissension of this upcoming election have reached an all-time high. 

    According to Newsweek, Witness Greg Smith saw Crooks with a rifle on a rooftop near the rally minutes before shots were fired. Smith and others attempted to alert the police, but their warnings went unheeded for several crucial minutes.

    “We noticed the guy bear-crawling up the roof of the building beside us, 50 feet away,” Smith recounted to the BBC. “He had a rifle; we could clearly see a rifle. We’re pointing at him, the police are down there running around on the ground, we’re like ‘Hey man, there’s a guy on the roof with a rifle’… and the police did not know what was going on.”

    To many, the scene was unreal. AP News states that Trump is “fine” and being treated for his injuries. 

    Leaders Condemn “Political Violence,” Critics Call Out Increasingly Violent U.S. Policies

    US-VOTE-POLITICS-TRUMP

    Source: KENA BETANCUR / Getty

    Former President Barack Obama swiftly condemned the act, emphasizing the need for civility and respect in politics. The Hill states that there was a sentiment of reform needed in politics. 

    “There is absolutely no place for political violence in our democracy,” Obama stated on X. 

    He also expressed relief that Trump was not seriously hurt and wished him a quick recovery, a sentiment echoed by Michelle Obama.

    The incident has also caused many to reflect on the irony of gun violence used towards Trump. For a leader who believes in less structure surrounding gun reform, many are calling out his party’s policies that enabled the violence he experienced and often worse for civilians without Secret Service protection. 

    There is an urgent need to address violent policies within the U.S. Despite the “no violence in politics” rhetoric, the U.S. government harbors numerous policies that perpetuate violence. Trump himself has supported several such policies:

    – Gun Control: Trump has consistently opposed stricter gun control measures, including high-capacity weapons used in mass murders.

    – Military Interventions: U.S. involvement in foreign conflicts often leads to long-term instability and violence.

    – Criminal Justice System: Policies emphasizing punitive measures over rehabilitation can exacerbate cycles of violence.

    – Immigration Enforcement: Aggressive tactics towards immigrants result in human rights abuses and violence.

    – Police Practices: Excessive use of force, militarized arsenals, and lack of accountability too often risk and end lives rather than protecting or policing them.

    President Joe Biden also condemned the violence, stating, “There’s no place in America for this type of violence. It’s sick. It’s sick.”

    Many Republicans quickly blamed the violence on Biden and his allies, arguing that sustained attacks on Trump as a threat to democracy have created a toxic environment. However, under Project 2025, Trump’s closest policy advisors proposed dismantling much of the federal government as we know it.

    The controversial plan includes expanded presidential power over the justice system, higher taxes for low-income earners to benefit the wealthy, removing workplace diversity programs, ending the Department of Education, and even criminalizing pornography.

    Others in opposition quickly responded to hold Trump accountable for his actions leading up to the shooting. Keep in mind that Trump also called for more shootings during BLM protests, mocked the near-fatal attack on Nancy Pelosi’s husband by a political extremist, and his party fought to protect people who hit or run over protesters with their cars.  

    Let’s Be Real: The U.S. Needs Reflection And Reform

    As we move forward, it’s essential to not only condemn violent acts but also to tackle the systemic issues that enable such violence. This requires a commitment to non-violence, comprehensive gun control, and reforms across various sectors.

    Let’s use this moment to reflect on our values and work towards a united, safer nation.

    Despite the chaos, it is crucial for voters to remain informed and focused on the impact of the upcoming election. Results of past elections, including local leadership, ultimately took us to this point and the 2024 outcomes could shape the country’s future for generations. 

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    Lauryn Bass

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  • Colorado state senator violated ethics rules by appearing intoxicated at public meeting, committee finds

    Colorado state senator violated ethics rules by appearing intoxicated at public meeting, committee finds

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    Sen. Faith Winter violated Colorado Senate ethics rules when she appeared to be intoxicated at an April public meeting, a legislative committee ruled Monday.

    On a bipartisan 4-1 vote, the Senate Ethics Committee found that Winter failed to uphold the public’s trust in the legislature when she drank alcohol before taking part in a contentious community meeting in Northglenn. Winter, a Broomfield Democrat and the Senate’s assistant majority leader, previously apologized for her conduct at the meeting, where her speech appeared slurred. After it ended, police intervened to help her find a ride home.

    Democratic Sens. Julie Gonzales and Dylan Roberts and Republican Sens. Paul Lundeen and Bob Gardner agreed that Winter violated ethics rules. Democratic Sen. James Coleman was the lone no vote.

    Before the vote, Gonzales said it was up to the committee to decide what was acceptable conduct by a legislator and that holding office is an honor.

    “That’s what each one of us is expected to uphold,” she said.

    The committee recommended that Senate leadership issue a letter to Winter addressing her conduct at the Northglenn meeting and her substance use. She should be invited to address the full Senate when the chamber reconvenes in January, the members said. They also recommended that, should Winter’s conduct again raise ethics concerns because of substance use, she should face immediate action from the full Senate instead of another ethics committee process.

    Winter, who voluntarily resigned a committee chair position and entered substance-use treatment in the days after the April meeting, attended Monday’s hearing at the state Capitol but was not invited to speak.

    She did not immediately return a request for comment as the hearing concluded. In a letter to the committee last month, Winter apologized again and acknowledged that she had a drink before the Northglenn meeting.

    But she asked that the complaint be dismissed and noted the culture of alcohol use in the Capitol. Gardner, a Colorado Springs Republican who previously appeared conflicted about what actions to take in response to Winter’s behavior, said he was particularly troubled by Winter’s reference to the Senate’s culture as “justification” for her actions.

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    Seth Klamann

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  • Actor Hill Harper brings empathy, advocacy, and progressive values to U.S. Senate race

    Actor Hill Harper brings empathy, advocacy, and progressive values to U.S. Senate race

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    You’ve probably seen Hill Harper on television.

    Known for his roles in The Good Doctor, Limitless, and CSI:NY, Harper is a talented, versatile actor who brings depth and nuance to his characters. He has earned a loyal fan base because of his ability to authentically convey complex character traits.

    That experience, he says, has taught him a lot about how other people live, and that compassion is what prompted him to run for the U.S. Senate seat held by Debbie Stabenow, who is retiring.

    He has emerged as the progressive challenger to frontrunner U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin.

    “Being a performer, an artist, and an actor, you spend your life in other people’s shoes,” Harper tells Metro Times. “You don’t judge your characters. You try to learn from them.”

    Off of television, Harper has shown the same compassion for less fortunate people. The 58-year-old has been a philanthropist and an advocate for higher living wages, universal health care, education, small businesses, criminal justice reform, labor unions, and civil rights. He has served as a spokesperson for the Innocence Project and One Fair Wage and served on former President Barack Obama’s Cancer Panel.

    Hill says so much is at stake in the Aug. 6 primary election. While he and Slotkin are both Democrats, their platforms and experiences are far different.

    “There is a massive difference between her and me,” Hill says.

    Slotkin is a former CIA analyst and Department of Defense official and has established herself as a centrist whose support of Israel has turned off many voters. She voted against a 2020 amendment that would have provided $10,000 in relief on private student loans, opposed removing tax breaks for oil companies tapping into their reserves in 2023, and rejected a bill to prevent Department of Defense contracts with employers found engaging in unfair labor practices. She’s also been accused of not advocating enough for communities of color.

    Slotkin failed to join fellow Democrats in cosponsoring progressive bills such as Medicare for All, the Green New Deal, and the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2021.

    Slotkin has received more than $500,000 from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) and other pro-Israel groups, according to AIPAC tracker. She joined House Republicans last week in sanctioning the International Criminal Court (ICC) after its prosecutors called for the arrest of Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his defense minister for crimes against humanity.

    “It’s a sad day when our elected representatives are putting special interest dollars in support of their campaign over the truth,” Harper says. “It’s outrageous that 40,000 Palestinian civilians have been killed, most of whom are women and children. Who sits in these seats is a matter of life and death. It’s not hyperbole. It’s not an exaggeration. It’s real. Michigan voters have to decide: Do you want someone to be your next senator who didn’t do the right thing when it mattered? The answer consistently with my opponent is no.”

    While Hill has no experience as an elected official, his resume is undeniably impressive. He attended the U.S. Marine Corps Officer Candidates School and has degrees from Brown University and Harvard Law, where Obama was also a student. He and Obama even played basketball together in a prison to interact with inmates.

    “I looked up to Obama, not because he was taller than me, but because he was almost 30 years old coming back to school to contribute to the goals he had,” Harper says.

    A cancer survivor, Harper served on Obama’s Cancer Panel, which is tasked with combating the disease.

    But Harper has an uphill battle to become the state’s first Black U.S. senator. Polls from last month show Slotkin winning by wide margins, and she is trouncing Harper in fundraising.

    But Harper is not one to give up, and he believes the momentum is beginning to shift in his favor. He says many Democrats who are worried about a low turnout in the presidential election in November are beginning to realize that his name on the general election ballot would bring out voters who otherwise would stay home.

    “The seeds are getting planted, and now the momentum is shifting toward us because people are realizing there is a stark difference between my opponent and me,” Harper says. “I’m interested in making solutions for people and leading with empathy and compassion and trying to understand why people feel how they feel. That, to me, is where we have to get to in politics. And I think that’s why my campaign is resonating with people.”

    Harper was hoping to face Slotkin in debates and candidate forums, but he says she has ducked out of them all.

    To demonstrate that his candidacy is about the people, Harper began airing an ad this week that showed a diverse array of people signing a Senate seat.

    “This seat represents the diversity of our people, communities, and businesses,” Harper says in the ad. “And that’s why I’m here — to fight for you. This is your seat.”

    If elected, Harper tells Metro Times he will use that chair to represent Michigan in Washington D.C.

    “I’m going to be a microphone for all of us,” Harper says. “It’s our seat. It’s Michigan’s seat in this 100-person body that decides how $7.2 trillion is allocated.”

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    Steve Neavling

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  • Capitol Hill Catfight Continues: Conservatives Cosign Jasmine Crockett’s Clapback At Marjorie Taylor Greene

    Capitol Hill Catfight Continues: Conservatives Cosign Jasmine Crockett’s Clapback At Marjorie Taylor Greene

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    Source: Tom Williams/Kent Nishimura / Getty

    GOP Colleagues Secretly Applaud Crockett’s Response to Marjorie Taylor Greene’s Outburst

    This drama-filled week of government clap-backs has led to several GOP lawmakers showing their support for Texas Democrat, Rep. Jasmine Crockett. This Republican reversal follows her fiery confrontation with a certain “Bleach Blonde Bad Built Butch Body,” Georgia Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene.

    According to an interview on MSNBC’s The ReidOut, Crockett received “thumbs up,” winks, and even some compliments from across the aisle, revealing a surprising rift within the GOP ranks.

    A Fiery Exchange

    The drama unfolded during a House Oversight Committee hearing when Greene made a contentious remark about Crockett’s “fake eyelashes.” She also used the inappropriate jab to question Crockett’s ability read.

    As BOSSIP reports, Crockett did not hold back. Crockett later describes her experience working with Greene as “completely unproductive” in an interview with MSNBC’s Joy Reid.

    “Listen, she is showing the world who she is, and the fact that the Republicans continue to give her cover tells us who they are as well,” Crockett stated.

    NPR notes that, during the hearing, Crockett was repeatedly told by Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., to “calm down,” and was told she was “out of control.”

    Crockett’s Backroom Support From GOP Colleagues

    Crockett goes on to tell Reid that the tides have turned. But that didn’t stop her from calling her colleagues out to take accountability. As many learned in school, bystanders are just as much a problem as the bully.

    “Now, they want to disassociate themselves from her, but in reality, when you don’t check her, you basically are complicit in the things that she does,” Crockett said.

    Despite the public discord, Crockett revealed to Joy Reid that several Republicans privately supported her stance.

    “I’ve had thumbs up, winks, and comments from the other side. Some of them said, ‘I like your lashes,’” Crockett shared, highlighting the lack of defense for Greene from her party members. “And they’re all patting me on my back.”

    The incident led to a debate on whether to strike Greene’s remark from the record. Crockett used this opportunity to question the fairness of congressional rhetoric rules with her now-classic clapback.

    Turning Controversy Into Advocacy

    Following the hearing, Crockett kept up the controversy by trademarking “B6” and using it to fundraise with merchandise.

    In response, Greene posted a workout video online, defending her physique. “Yes, my body is built and strong NOT with nips, tucks, plastic, or silicone, but through a healthy lifestyle,” Greene wrote on the social media platform X.

    Viral Moment Sparks Public Engagement

    Crockett’s bold stand not only earned her quiet conservative cosigns but also sparked widespread conversation on social media. The viral moment continues to inspire praise for Crockett’s fearlessness and disgust at Greene’s behavior.

    By leveraging her platform to highlight internal issues within the government, Crockett draws in those who may usually avoid these critical conversations.

    This kind of outreach is crucial in an era marked by political apathy. It reminds us that acts of integrity and courage can indeed inspire change and participation. This is even more true when social media moments spark movements. In the case of Crockett’s clapback, it became another battle against racism, bullying and gender inequality.

    The Bad-Built Karen Won’t Quit

    Will Rep. Greene just take her L? She continues to amplify the disgusting behavior and racist commentary that not only affects Rep. Crockett, but any woman that partakes in beauty practices.

    Afterall all, she definitely started this catfight! Don’t dish it if you can’t take it. Didn’t we all learn about how ugly it is to be a sore loser? What’s that saying? If you can’t take the heat, STAY OUT THE KITCHEN.

    Let’s Hope for Better Gov’t Conversations To Bring Change

    Rep. Jasmine Crockett’s response to Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene exposed significant dysfunction in Congress. It also shows how little leaders really stand on business in these halls of power. If Greene didn’t get dragged for harassing Crockett, misogynoir would quietly continue as an unspoken rule like it always has.

    Crockett’s advocacy warrants support as voters grow more vigilant about who represents our communities ahead of the general election. We don’t need any more racists in the house…

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    Lauryn Bass

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  • Rally Rage: Donald Trump Predicts ‘Bloodbath For The Whole Country’ If Not Reelected

    Rally Rage: Donald Trump Predicts ‘Bloodbath For The Whole Country’ If Not Reelected

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    In a spectacle that only #MAGAmaggots would condone, Donald Trump incites his political party with his blend of bombast and audacity, threatening a “bloodbath.”

    Source: KAMIL KRZACZYNSKI / Getty

    The occasion? A rally in Vandalia, Ohio, focused on endorsing Senate hopeful Bernie Moreno. He’s running against Democrat Sherrod Brown for U.S. Senate whom Trump touts as Ohio’s next big “America First” warrior.  

    Moreno finds himself in a three-way race, contending against both a Trump-aligned Secretary of State Frank LaRose and state Sen. Matt Dolan, who carries the torch for the more traditional Republican faction. 

    Trump Threatens A “Bloodbath” If He’s Not Reelected

    But Trump wasn’t just there to sing praises for Moreno. He turned the event into a full-on Trump show, complete with dire warnings of a “bloodbath” should he not clinch victory in the coming election. 

    Yes, you read that right. According to HuffPost, the man has taken fear-mongering to a whole new level, claiming that if he’s not back in the driver’s seat, it’s not just gonna rain—it’s gonna pour… blood.

    “If I don’t get elected, it’s going to be a bloodbath for the whole — that’s going to be the least of it. It’s going to be a bloodbath for the country,” said Trump.

    Former President Trump Holds A Campaign Rally In Ohio

    Source: Scott Olson / Getty

    Now, in true Trump style, he claims he’s ready to save Social Security from the clutches of President Joe Biden. According to Trump, Biden’s presidency spells doom for the auto industry and economy. 

    Biden’s team fires back, accusing Trump of promoting political violence–once again, harking back to the insurrection. 

    “He wants another January 6, but the American people are going to give him another electoral defeat this November because they continue to reject his extremism, his affection for violence, and his thirst for revenge,” said Biden campaign spokesperson, James Singer.

    And what’s a Trump rally without a bit of personal drama? The rally exposed Bernie Moreno, who once wasn’t a Trump fan, calling him a “lunatic” and a “maniac.” 

    But what a coincidence that Moreno now stands shoulder to shoulder with Trump, bashing those who criticize the former head of the White House.

    Trump also defends Moreno against some eyebrow-raising allegations similar to his own. From criminal indictments to profiles on adult websites allegedly linked to Moreno’s past, it’s clear they both share a disdain for what Trump calls “Democrat fake treatment.”

    According to Politico, the rally finishes with Trump criticizing Biden over Social Security and dehumanizing immigrants. The event underscored not just the political divide but the sheer spectacle of Trump’s undiminished influence in GOP politics.

    “When I’m President of the United States, we will demand justice for Laken on day one. My administration will terminate every open border policy of the Biden administration,” said Trump.

    So there you have it, folks—a day in Ohio filled with pipe dreams, false promises, and violent threats. Trump’s endorsement of Moreno sets the stage for a heated GOP primary.

    Will the cases against Trump halt his campaign? As the political theater unfolds, one thing’s for sure: the road to the election is anything but dull.

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    Lauryn Bass

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  • Colorado House committee defeats bill to repeal anti-BDS law on PERA investments

    Colorado House committee defeats bill to repeal anti-BDS law on PERA investments

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    Colorado’s public pension program must continue divesting from companies that economically boycott Israel after a state House committee rejected a bill that would have repealed the requirement.

    The 10-1 bipartisan defeat of HB24-1169 late Monday in the House Finance Committee came after hours of emotional and tense testimony. The discussion often spiraled into support or condemnation for Israel and its months-long military campaign in the Gaza Strip.

    More than 100 people testified for or against the measure, which would have repealed a 2016 state law that requires the Public Employees Retirement Association to divest from companies that participate in the BDS movement. That movement promotes boycotts, divestment and sanctions against Israel as a way of protesting the country’s treatment of Palestinians.

    Only three companies have been flagged under the law, according to PERA. It applies only to international companies. The law costs roughly $10,000 a year to administer.

    Just one member of the Democrat-controlled finance committee, Rep. Lorena Garcia, an Adams County Democrat, voted to advance the bill. The measure was sponsored by Rep. Elisabeth Epps, a Denver Democrat. She was reprimanded by House leadership last month for, among other things, disrupting House proceedings and joining pro-Palestinian protesters seated in the House’s gallery during the November special session.

    Nearly 30,000 people have been killed in Gaza during Israel’s war with Hamas, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. Israel launched the war in response to Hamas’ Oct. 7 terrorist attacks, which killed 1,200 people and included the taking of about 250 hostages, some of whom are still being held.

    Epps told fellow lawmakers Monday that she repeatedly had been told the legislature had no business weighing in on international affairs, but she argued that the 2016 anti-BDS law did just that.

    “There is a particularly insidious criticism that is made of folks who are protesting a range of issues,” she said. “The central element of that criticism is that we’re not doing it right. … If you want to petition your pension board to do an economic boycott, that’s not right either. That can’t be how we continue to do business here.”

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    Seth Klamann

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  • Biden Reportedly Refers To Trump As A ‘Sick F***’ In Private – And The Media Loves It

    Biden Reportedly Refers To Trump As A ‘Sick F***’ In Private – And The Media Loves It

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    Opinion

    Screenshot: CNN YouTube Video

    President Joe Biden has referred to his predecessor, Donald Trump, as a “sick f***” in private conversations with close friends and aides, according to a report by Politico.

    The outlet cited multiple sources who have heard the President using profane language in describing the likely GOP nominee for the White House.

    “The president has described Trump to longtime friends and close aides as a ‘sick fuck’ who delights in others’ misfortunes,” they write.

    Politico also states that one of those sources that they spoke with said Biden recently remarked about Trump: “What a f***ing a**hole the guy is.”

    RELATED: Joe Biden Suggests Union President Should Rough Up Republican Lawmaker Kevin Cramer

    Biden, The Man Who Ran On Decency, Calls Trump A ‘Sick F***’

    Remember when Dr. Jill once argued that “decency is on the ballot” prior to the 2020 presidential election? Surely the left will come out and vociferously condemn the President over his use of such language.

    Or maybe not.

    MSNBC host Joe Scarborough celebrated the news and advised Biden’s handlers that voters would like to see more of this tough guy version.

    “I think this may be one reason why the White House probably should let him out more,” Scarborough said. “There’s been concerns that that he’s not getting out, he’s not doing enough stuff, he’s not answering enough questions.”

    Others on social media also felt that Biden upped his street cred with this report.

    The perpetually bitter and unserious Meghan McCain loves this version of Biden as well.

    “Him calling Trump a ‘sick f***’ is my favorite thing he’s done in months and months,” she wrote on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter.

    The New Republic said President Biden should call Trump a “sick f***” in public.

    “Biden should just go ahead and say it publicly. Not all the time of course. But once or twice,” they write. “It won’t hurt. Most likely it will help.”

    They also claim without evidence that most of America agrees with Biden. In reality, Biden has a lower approval rating than Trump, and we think most Americans while shopping for groceries or cashing their paychecks, or anybody who has been sniffed by him, might think Biden is actually projecting.

    RELATED: Biden Calls Fox News Reporter ‘Stupid Son of a B*tch’ At Press Conference

    Not The First Time Biden’s Acted Like This

    It’s funny that this report about calling his political opponent a “sick f***” came out at about the same time that Biden, the decency and civility candidate, was discussing checking in on people and helping them experience sunnier days with … Elmo.

    Of course, the nice guy shtick was always a ruse. This is, after all, the same guy who calls reporters that don’t parrot his talking points a “sick son of a b****.”

    Biden also, speaking at a campaign rally for former Democrat Senator Heidi Heitkamp in 2018, suggested her Republican opponent needed to get roughed up.

    And who could forget Biden saying of Trump: “If we were in high school, I’d take him behind the gym and beat the hell out of him.”

    Look, we’re under no delusion that Trump is a saint when it comes to this kind of thing, but Biden’s comments are equally inappropriate.

    Only one is going to be portrayed negatively in the media for it though.

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  • California Lieutenant Governor Wants Trump Kicked Off State's Ballot

    California Lieutenant Governor Wants Trump Kicked Off State's Ballot

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    Opinion

    Official White House Photo by Joyce N. Boghosian/Public Domain

    This week the Colorado Supreme Court ruled that Donald Trump could not be on their state’s ballot in the presidential race due to his alleged incitement of insurrection.

    Now other states are following Colorado’s lead. First came Michigan, and now the biggest state in the country is attempting to follow suit.

    RELATED: Never Trump Republican John Kasich Blasts Colorado Ballot Ruling As ‘Pure Partisan Ridiculous Stuff’

    California Too?

    As legal scholar Jonathan Turley recently wrote, the temptation is just too great for Democrat politicians to play above board, in spite of all their teeth-gnashing about “protecting democracy.”

    Yahoo News reports:

    On Thursday, California’s Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis called on the secretary of state to “explore every legal option to remove former President Donald Trump from California’s 2024 presidential primary ballot,” leveraging the Colorado Supreme Court’s decision as a precedent.

    “This decision is about honoring the rule of law in our country and protecting the fundamental pillars of our democracy,” Kounalakis wrote in the letter. “California must stand on the right side of history. California is obligated to determine if Trump is ineligible for the California ballot.”

    “There will be the inevitable political punditry about a decision to remove Trump from the ballot, but it is not a matter of political gamesmanship. This is a dire matter that puts at stake the sanctity of our constitution and our democracy,” she concluded.

    Actually, it’s a direct assault on the Constitution – and the Democrats are well aware of it. President Trump isn’t guilty of “insurrection” just because Democrat politicians say so.

    And yet, Colorado, Michigan, and California aren’t alone. As Yahoo points out, there are also challenges lined up in Alaska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, South Carolina, Texas, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming, Vermont, and Virginia.”

    RELATED: Karin A. Lips’ ‘You’re Not Alone: The Conservative Woman’s Guide to College’ Sets to Empower Young Women Stepping Foot on Liberal Campuses

    Threatening Democracy

    It’s funny how many Democrats want to kick Trump off of ballots in the name of protecting democracy, when letting voters choose is actual democracy.

    The states doing this are threatening long established democratic norms in the United States, and ultimately it will be up to the Supreme Court on whether they will be allowed to keep doing it.

    After that, it will be up to the people to keep or toss those responsible.

    Straw Poll Shows Young Trump Voters Want Carlson Or Vivek As VP

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    is a professional writer and editor with over 15 years of experience in conservative media and Republican politics. He has been a special guest on Fox News, Sirius XM, appeared as the guest of various popular personalities, and has had a lifelong interest in right-leaning politics.

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    John Hanson

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