New York City’s progressive Mayor Zohran Mamdani shattered nearly a century of civic tradition by becoming the first mayor since 1939 to skip the installation ceremony of a new Catholic Archbishop, delivering a stunning snub to the city’s 2.5 million Catholics just weeks into his administration. Breaking Decades of Mayoral Tradition Mayor Zohran Mamdani made history for all the wrong reasons on February 9, 2026, when he chose not to attend Archbishop Ronald Hicks’ installation Mass at St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Every New York City mayor since Fiorello LaGuardia in 1939 had attended such ceremonies, viewing attendance as a civic duty that transcended personal religious beliefs. The tradition represented respect for the Archdiocese of New York, which serves Manhattan, the Bronx, and Staten Island, ministering to 2.5 million Catholics. Mamdani’s absence marked a deliberate break from this longstanding practice, occurring just over a month into his progressive administration. Scheduling Conflicts Fail to Justify the Snub Mamdani hosted an Interfaith Breakfast at the New York Public Library the same morning as the installation ceremony, quoting scripture but conspicuously omitting any mention of Archbishop Hicks’ historic occasion. No Catholic clergy spoke during the main program of his breakfast event. The mayor then attended a weather press conference rather than walking the short distance to St. Patrick’s Cathedral for the installation Mass. Critics noted that Mamdani had been personally invited and had ample time to attend given the venue’s proximity to his morning event. This timing raised questions about whether the absence reflected poor planning or deliberate avoidance of the Catholic ceremony. Catholic Community Responds with Outrage The Catholic League’s Bill Donohue condemned Mamdani’s decision as “wrong and rude,” characterizing it as the mayor’s third instance of disrespecting Catholics. Former mayoral aides from previous administrations joined the criticism. Bill Cunningham, who served under Mayor Bloomberg, called it a “missed opportunity to serve all segments” of New York’s diverse population. Ken Frydman, a former Giuliani spokesman, accused Mamdani of showing disdain for Catholics. The Daily News editorial board echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the rudeness of ignoring such a significant religious and civic milestone. This backlash threatens to erode the mayor’s early goodwill and signals potential strain in Church-city relations on issues like education and housing. Archbishop Hicks Seeks Collaboration Despite Slight Archbishop Ronald Hicks, the 58-year-old Chicago native who became New York’s 11th Archbishop, maintained an optimistic tone despite the mayor’s absence. In statements before and after the ceremony, Hicks emphasized his desire to work with government officials “for the common good,” even acknowledging potential disagreements on various issues. The new Archbishop focuses on building a missionary church and fostering partnerships across sectors. However, the Archdiocese confirmed that Mamdani had no contact with Hicks before or immediately after the installation, though they anticipated a meeting “very soon.” This lack of outreach contradicts Mamdani’s social media claims of shared commitment to collaboration and human dignity. Political Implications for Progressive Mayor Mamdani’s decision carries significant political risk in a city where Catholics represent a substantial voting bloc, particularly among Italian and Irish communities in key boroughs. When confronted by reporters on February 10, the mayor dismissed the criticism, stating he looked forward to meeting with Archbishop Hicks and valued faith leaders during crises. Yet this response rings hollow given his failure to prioritize the ceremony itself. The incident highlights tensions between progressive political agendas and respect for traditional religious institutions. Conservative observers note this pattern fits a broader leftist tendency to marginalize faith communities that don’t align with woke ideology, raising concerns about whether religious freedom and traditional values will receive equal consideration under Mamdani’s administration. Mayor Mamdani Becomes First NYC Leader to Skip Archbishop Installation in Almost a Century https://t.co/921u3V7iWZ — Townhall Updates (@TownhallUpdates) February 10, 2026 The long-term implications remain uncertain, but this early controversy tests whether Mayor Mamdani can balance his progressive agenda with the inclusive governance New York requires. His absence from such a historically significant ceremony sends a troubling message about priorities and respect for communities that form the fabric of the city. For Catholics watching their new leader ignore their spiritual shepherd’s installation, actions speak louder than tweets. Whether Mamdani can repair this relationship or whether this signals deeper conflicts ahead will shape his administration’s success in governing America’s most diverse metropolis. Sources: NYC Mayor Skips Ceremony for New Catholic Archbishop Despite Missing Historic Mass, Mayor Mamdani Promises Partnership with New Archbishop Hicks Mayor Mamdani Archbishop Hicks Meeting No-Show Mamdani Stiffs Catholics For Third Time Mayor Mamdani Quotes Scripture at Interfaith Breakfast

Newly released FBI documents reveal President Trump contacted Palm Beach police in 2006 to support their investigation into Jeffrey Epstein, telling the chief, “thank goodness you’re stopping him, everyone has known he’s been doing this.” Trump’s Early Warning to Law Enforcement Former Palm Beach Police Chief Michael Reiter detailed in a 2019 FBI interview that Donald Trump contacted him in July 2006 during the initial investigation into Jeffrey Epstein. Trump reportedly stated, “Thank goodness you’re stopping him, everyone has known he’s been doing this,” according to the FBI summary released through Department of Justice files. Trump informed Reiter that he had thrown Epstein out of Mar-a-Lago and described Ghislaine Maxwell as Epstein’s “evil” operative. Trump also told the police chief that people in New York were aware of Epstein’s behavior and recounted leaving an Epstein event after seeing teenagers present. Investigation Timeline and Context The Palm Beach Police Department launched its investigation into Epstein in April 2005 after reports surfaced that he was recruiting underage girls, some as young as 14, for sexual massages at his mansion. Chief Reiter led the probe despite facing resistance from local prosecutors who sought a lenient approach. By June 2006, a grand jury indicted Epstein on one count of solicitation of prostitution, and the FBI began its own investigation shortly after. Trump’s call to Reiter came as details of the investigation became public, positioning him as one of the first high-profile figures to contact law enforcement in support. This contradicts years of media attempts to link Trump to Epstein’s criminal activities. Transparency Act Reveals Truth The FBI document emerged following the November 18, 2025, signing of the Epstein Files Transparency Act by President Trump under congressional pressure. The legislation mandated the release of previously sealed materials, including unredacted documents, Maxwell depositions, and new evidence from the investigation. The Miami Herald first reported the FBI interview summary with Chief Reiter, who was interviewed by federal agents in October 2019, two months after Epstein’s death. These files validate Trump’s longstanding claims that he cut ties with Epstein years before the financier’s 2019 arrest. The documented 2006 phone call demonstrates Trump’s proactive cooperation with law enforcement, not the complicity that partisan critics falsely alleged for years. Vindication Against False Narratives The newly released documents directly refute the mainstream media’s sustained effort to implicate Trump in Epstein’s crimes. While Trump and Epstein had social connections in the 1990s and early 2000s, FBI records confirm Trump’s account that he banned Epstein from Mar-a-Lago and distanced himself once he became aware of Epstein’s criminal behavior. Trump’s willingness to contact police and provide information about Epstein’s activities and associates demonstrates the opposite of what left-wing outlets suggested. The files provide primary evidence that Trump recognized Epstein’s predatory behavior and supported law enforcement efforts to stop him, protecting potential victims. This stands in stark contrast to other elites who remained silent or enabled Epstein’s activities through their networks and influence, highlighting the double standard in how the media treats different political figures. The release of these documents underscores the importance of government transparency and accountability that conservatives have long demanded. The FBI’s documentation of Trump’s 2006 call to Chief Reiter provides concrete evidence that should silence critics who exploited the Trump-Epstein connection for political gain. As more files continue to emerge from the ongoing review of three million documents related to the Epstein investigation, Americans deserve the full truth about who enabled these crimes and who worked to stop them. The facts now show President Trump was on the right side of this fight from the beginning. Sources: Ex-police chief says Trump told him ‘thank goodness you’re stopping’ Epstein in 2006 Relationship of Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein

A Minnesota state employee with two decades of experience is blowing the whistle on what may be the largest welfare fraud scheme in American history—and claims state leadership tried to silence her instead of stopping the thieves. Whistleblower Exposes Staggering Fraud Scheme Faye Bernstein, a contract management and compliance specialist at Minnesota’s Department of Human Services, has come forward with explosive allegations about systematic fraud within the state agency. Federal prosecutors estimate up to $9 billion was stolen through networks of fraudulent fronts posing as daycare centers, food programs, and health clinics. Bernstein began raising red flags about the fraud in 2019, consistently escalating her concerns to the Governor’s Office and external oversight bodies. Despite her two decades of experience and documented expertise, state leadership allegedly dismissed her warnings and characterized her as “the bad employee.” This represents one of the largest welfare fraud cases in recent United States history. Retaliation Instead of Investigation Bernstein describes facing a coordinated effort to silence her legitimate concerns about taxpayer dollars being stolen. According to her testimony, she was branded “racist” for identifying fraud patterns, had her work responsibilities diminished, and was ultimately “trespassed from all DHS-owned or leased property.” She stated she notified leaders in multiple departments so frequently that she became embarrassed about sounding like “a broken record.” The retaliation demonstrates a disturbing pattern: instead of investigating massive fraud, state bureaucrats attacked the messenger. Bernstein emphasized that claims of leadership unawareness are “absolutely false,” directly contradicting Governor Walz’s public denials of prior knowledge. Democrat Whistleblower Puts Truth Over Party What makes Bernstein’s testimony particularly compelling is her political background. She is a self-identified Democrat with a voting history exclusively for Democratic candidates. This undermines any attempt to dismiss her allegations as partisan attacks. Bernstein rejected characterizations of the fraud as “make-believe,” stating: “I see this every day… and it is not make-believe.” Her willingness to expose corruption within her own party’s leadership demonstrates the non-partisan nature of these fraud concerns. This is about protecting taxpayers and ensuring government accountability, not political gamesmanship. The case highlights how honest public servants face institutional barriers when challenging powerful bureaucratic interests, regardless of party affiliation. Congressional Investigation Forces Accountability The Trump administration’s federal oversight has brought this scandal into the national spotlight. Governor Walz and Attorney General Keith Ellison are now scheduled to testify under oath in a congressional investigation. Walz has announced he will not seek re-election, abandoning his 2026 campaign amid the growing scandal. Senator Joni Ernst has proposed legislation creating early-warning systems for federal fraud, requiring documented attendance for childcare payments, and mandating recovery of improper payments. These reforms directly address the vulnerabilities Bernstein exposed. The investigation continues with federal prosecutors charging individuals involved in the fraud network, while the Treasury Department conducts audits and investigations into Minnesota’s payment systems. Systemic Failures Demand Reform The Minnesota fraud scandal exposes dangerous vulnerabilities in government contracting and oversight processes. The lack of guardrails in contracting oversight has been characterized as “pretty shocking” by fraud experts examining the case. Minnesota taxpayers bore the financial burden of this $9 billion theft, while legitimate childcare providers and service organizations suffered reputational damage from association with fraudulent operators. State employees and potential whistleblowers now face a chilling effect on future reporting, having witnessed how Bernstein was treated for doing her job. This case serves as a warning about vulnerabilities in federal payment systems and demonstrates why limited government and strong oversight mechanisms matter for protecting taxpayers from bureaucratic incompetence and corruption. Sources: Minnesota DHS Whistleblower Details ‘Smear Campaign’ After Reporting Fraud Concerns to State Minnesota Fraud Exposed – Fox News Politics Trump Defends Minneapolis Federal Enforcement Treasury Announces Audits and Investigations in Minnesota

Karl Rove is warning Republicans that even Texas—long treated like safe ground—could slip in 2026 if Latino support keeps sliding. Rove’s Texas Warning Puts the Senate Map Back in Play Karl Rove used a recent appearance on Fox News’ Journal Editorial Report to argue the 2026 midterms could turn on a basic problem: Republicans cannot assume Texas will hold if key voters drift away. Rove framed the state as central to keeping GOP control of the House and Senate, describing Texas as a “real mess” if current trends persist and Democratic incumbents remain difficult to dislodge. Rove’s message is not that Republicans suddenly become the minority in Texas overnight. His warning is narrower and more tactical: small shifts in turnout and persuasion in competitive districts can break a majority. When the Senate margin is tight, a single seat can decide the chamber, and Texas is no longer immune from the national push-and-pull of voter moods, issue salience, and candidate quality. Latino Support Softens in Districts Trump Barely Carried Rove highlighted South Texas districts where Trump’s 2024 margins were thin, including a corridor running from Corpus Christi to Brownsville that Trump reportedly carried by about a point. He also cited Rep. Henry Cuellar’s district, where Trump’s 2024 performance was described as a mid-single-digit win. Those numbers matter because a modest swing—driven by economic dissatisfaction, immigration messaging, or local dynamics—can flip a House seat even without a major statewide shift. The same coverage cites post-2024 polling that paints a rougher picture for Republicans with Hispanic voters. An Economist/YouGov snapshot put Trump’s approval among Hispanic respondents at 36%, with roughly 70% disapproval. Another poll discussion referenced public unease over immigration enforcement, underscoring how quickly the political ground can move when headlines focus on enforcement actions and controversies. The research does not provide a full poll crosstab, but the toplines align with Rove’s caution. Gerrymandering Isn’t a Substitute for Durable Coalitions Rove’s argument also doubles as a critique of overreliance on mapmaking. Texas Republicans benefited from redistricting advantages after the 2021 redraws, and the research notes the GOP’s long history of pushing aggressive redistricting strategies. Rove’s point, as summarized in the reporting, is that even favorable lines have limits when a party’s support in a target community declines. A shrinking coalition eventually overwhelms structural advantages, especially in fast-changing regions. For conservative voters frustrated by years of Washington overspending, inflation pressure, and the political gamesmanship that often replaces governance, the Texas conversation offers a practical takeaway: elections are won with persuasion and turnout, not just clever district boundaries. If voters believe the economy is not improving fast enough, or that the immigration debate is chaotic, they can punish incumbents regardless of which party drew the lines. The Cuellar Pardon Created New Complications in a Must-Win Area The reporting also centers on a political subplot Republicans expected to help them: President Trump’s December 2025 pardon of Rep. Henry Cuellar and his wife on bribery-related charges. According to the research summary, the pardon was followed by expectations—at least among some Republicans—that Cuellar might switch parties. Cuellar did not. That refusal matters because it kept an entrenched Democrat in place in a district Republicans viewed as increasingly reachable. Trump then moved to back Cuellar’s Republican opponent, signaling that the GOP still wants the seat. Rove’s caution, however, is that “unlikely” races remain unlikely if voter sentiment shifts the wrong way, and if incumbency advantages hold. The research does not provide fresh district polling, so the strongest available support for the warning comes from the broader Hispanic approval numbers and Rove’s on-air assessment of softness in precisely the areas Republicans need to improve. A Special Election Shock Signals Vulnerability—But Not Destiny Adding to the concern, the research cites a recent Texas state senate special election in which Democrat Taylor Rehmet won by 14 points in a district described as Trump +17. That result does not automatically translate to a general midterm environment, but it does reinforce Rove’s warning that local races can break expectations when one side is better organized, better messaged, or simply more motivated. Trump publicly downplayed the contest as a local matter. Karl Rove Warns GOP It Has to Worry About Losing the Senate in Midterms — And 'Real Mess' in Texas https://t.co/8yhg0OpvKy — Mediaite (@Mediaite) February 9, 2026 The broader midterm lesson is straightforward: Republicans cannot bank Senate control on yesterday’s coalition, and Democrats cannot bank it on Republican complacency. Rove’s warning is rooted in measurable indicators—narrow 2024 margins in South Texas districts and polling that shows steep Hispanic disapproval. If GOP leaders respond by tightening local outreach and focusing on kitchen-table concerns, Texas remains winnable; if not, the “real mess” becomes a national problem. Sources: Karl Rove Warns GOP It Has to Worry About Losing the Senate in Midterms — And ‘Real Mess’ in Texas Republican Guru Karl Rove Warns Biggest Red State Is Turning on Trump The Midterms Are Democrats’ to Lose

President Trump reignited his vision of American territorial expansion by reposting an AI-edited map showing Greenland, Canada, and Venezuela under the U.S. flag, signaling serious strategic intentions beneath what critics dismiss as trolling. Trump Revives Greenland Acquisition Push with Bold Visual Statement President Donald Trump escalated his campaign for U.S. control of Greenland by sharing an AI-manipulated image on Truth Social depicting an expanded American map. The doctored photo overlays the U.S. flag on Canada, Greenland, and Venezuela in a real August 2025 image from Trump’s meeting with European leaders. This digital provocation arrived alongside screenshots of what appeared to be private communications from world leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron, asking, “I do not understand what you are doing on Greenland.” The overnight posting spree demonstrates Trump’s willingness to use unconventional methods to advance strategic objectives while keeping adversaries off-balance. National Security Justification Grounds Territorial Ambitions Trump’s interest in Greenland dates to 2019, when he first proposed purchasing the self-governing Danish territory, framing it as essential for national security and Arctic dominance. The current push revives post-World War II American strategic interests in securing military bases and natural resources in the Arctic region. Trump explicitly told Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre that he needs “Complete and Total Control of Greenland” for global security, linking his denial of the Nobel Peace Prize to reduced obligations to peaceful diplomacy. This America First approach prioritizes tangible territorial gains over globalist niceties that have traditionally constrained U.S. sovereignty and security decisions. Military Force and Economic Leverage Remain on Table The president declined to rule out military action when questioned Monday about Greenland acquisition methods, signaling serious intent beyond social media theater. Trump administration officials have positioned tariff threats against European nations as economic leverage to pressure Denmark into negotiations. Plans to raise the issue of Greenland at the World Economic Forum in Davos demonstrate Trump’s determination to make territorial expansion a central diplomatic priority. This multifaceted pressure campaign combines economic weapons, diplomatic maneuvering, and military options—precisely the kind of strength-based negotiating conservatives recognize as effective against foreign governments accustomed to American weakness under previous administrations. European Resistance Highlights Sovereignty Divide Greenland’s self-governing administration has categorically rejected American integration proposals, which Denmark has backed with its assertion of territorial integrity and European Union solidarity. The leaked Macron message reveals European confusion and concern over Trump’s unconventional diplomatic approach, exposing the transatlantic divide between American national interest and European multilateralism. Denmark and its allies counter U.S. pressure through unified public statements, yet possess limited leverage against American economic and military power. Short-term diplomatic friction risks escalating into tariff wars that affect EU trade, while long-term implications could fundamentally reshape Arctic geopolitics and strain NATO relations if Trump pursues military options. JUST IN – Trump posts a picture of himself talking to European leaders with a map depicting Greenland and Canada as part of the U.S. in the background. pic.twitter.com/5EI2OYAXXe — Disclose.tv (@disclosetv) February 9, 2026 Strategic Vision Versus Globalist Opposition Trump’s vision of territorial expansion reflects core conservative principles of American strength, resource security, and a rejection of artificial constraints imposed by international institutions. The Arctic region holds immense strategic value for military positioning and untapped natural resources that could benefit American prosperity and independence. While establishment critics frame Trump’s actions as destabilizing trolling, supporters recognize calculated moves to secure American interests against rising threats from China and Russia in the Arctic. The president’s approach bypasses failed diplomatic conventions that have allowed adversaries to strengthen positions while America remained passive. This bold reassertion of American power demonstrates the leadership our frustrated nation desperately needed after years of globalist retreat and apologetic foreign policy. Sources: Trump Adds Greenland, Canada and Venezuela to U.S. in Post of AI-Edited Map – Notus