More than 70 Democratic lawmakers demanded President Trump’s removal from office through the 25th Amendment or impeachment, as Republicans secured a special election victory in Georgia that slightly padded their House majority. The developments highlight the deepening partisan divide in Washington as both parties position themselves for the 2026 midterm elections. Georgia Special Election Victory Republicans won a special House election in Georgia, strengthening their slim majority in Congress. The victory came despite representing the largest swing against the GOP compared to 2024 presidential results across seven special elections during Trump’s second term. Democrats view the narrowing margin as evidence of growing voter frustration with the administration. Lower turnout in special elections makes it difficult to predict November outcomes, though the trend suggests a potentially competitive midterm landscape for both parties. Democrats Intensify Removal Efforts Democratic lawmakers from both chambers used social media to call for Trump’s Cabinet to invoke the 25th Amendment, declaring him unfit for office. The constitutional provision allows the vice president and Cabinet members to remove a president unable to discharge duties. Some legislators went further, demanding both impeachment proceedings and 25th Amendment action. The coordinated messaging campaign reflects Democratic strategy to maintain pressure on the administration ahead of crucial midterm contests, though Republicans retain unified control of Washington. Wisconsin Supreme Court Shifts Left Chris Taylor won a Wisconsin Supreme Court seat, expanding the liberal majority to a decisive 5-2 advantage that cannot be challenged until at least 2030. Taylor, a state appeals court judge and former Democratic legislator, defeated conservative Maria Lazar for retiring Justice Rebecca Bradley’s position. The outcome secures liberal control over the battleground state’s highest court through multiple election cycles. Democrats also celebrated Taylor’s victory as part of broader electoral momentum, hoping to translate local wins into national gains this November. Looking Ahead to 2028 Senator Elissa Slotkin of Michigan positioned herself as a potential 2028 presidential contender during a keynote address at an Iowa Democratic Party dinner. Slotkin emphasized Midwest pragmatism as a path forward for Democrats navigating the current political climate. She urged audiences to carefully evaluate White House hopefuls, underscoring Iowa’s traditional role as an early presidential contest state. The appearance signals early jockeying among Democrats to succeed or challenge Trump, depending on constitutional term limits and party calculations heading into the next presidential cycle. Sources Nbcnews: Live updates: Democrats demand Trump’s ouster; Republicans win Georgia special election

Bill Gates’ daughter Phoebe sparked controversy after her AI startup team approached a fashion influencer demanding free promotional work, exposing a troubling pattern of elite entitlement masquerading as entrepreneurial independence. Entitled Outreach to Working Influencer Phoebe Gates and co-founder Sophia Kianni launched Phia, an AI-powered price-comparison app, in April 2025. The following month, the startup team contacted fashion influencer Jarrod Jenkins through his free Substack subscription tier, requesting he review and promote their app to his substantial TikTok following without compensation. Jenkins, who typically commands fees exceeding $100,000 for professional promotional work, tested the app and discovered multiple problems including arbitrary recommendations and poor deal-finding capabilities. This approach demonstrates a fundamental misunderstanding of professional business relationships and fair compensation for skilled labor. Ignored Expertise and Public Backlash Jenkins responded to the outreach by offering unpaid advisory assistance to help improve Phia’s functionality before launch, identifying specific technical shortcomings that undermined the app’s core value proposition. The Phia team completely ignored his professional guidance and failed to respond to his offers of help. Feeling disrespected and used, Jenkins took his concerns public through TikTok and VnExpress, criticizing Gates for what he characterized as spoiled and bratty behavior. His criticism resonated with audiences frustrated by wealthy individuals expecting free labor from working professionals while claiming entrepreneurial credibility. Jenkins specifically noted the irony of being treated dismissively by the daughter of Bill Gates. Phoebe Gates says she didn’t use her father’s last name until high school. Her parents wanted her and her siblings to grow up without the instant attention that comes with being a Gates. She explained on her podcast that using Melinda French Gates’ maiden name helped her make… pic.twitter.com/8YP5IXUF0G — Benzinga (@Benzinga) November 28, 2025 Self-Made Claims Ring Hollow Gates publicly claimed she funded Phia independently from her parents’ fortune, following advice from mother Melinda Gates to “learn and fail” without family money. She secured approximately $1 million from unnamed investors and grants to employ four full-time engineers. However, this narrative of bootstrap independence falls apart when the startup’s outreach strategy involves exploiting influencers for free promotional work rather than budgeting appropriately for marketing expenses. Gates herself acknowledged that privilege colors perceptions, admitting that success would be attributed partly to her family connections. This incident validates those concerns, revealing that rejecting parental funds while maintaining entitled attitudes toward other people’s labor is not genuine independence. Pattern of Elite Entitlement The controversy surrounding Phoebe Gates reflects broader frustrations with nepotism beneficiaries in the tech industry who leverage family connections and credibility while claiming self-made status. Gates’ sister Jennifer faced similar “out-of-touch nepo baby” criticism previously, suggesting a pattern within elite families of misunderstanding how ordinary Americans build businesses through genuine sacrifice and fair dealing. Professional influencers like Jenkins invest years building audiences and expertise that deserve fair compensation, not exploitation by startups backed by investor money. The incident also revealed that Gates faced inappropriate personal questions from some investors about family planning, which she found frustrating, yet this does not excuse unprofessional outreach to working content creators. The Phia controversy underscores the importance of respecting market norms for professional services. Conservatives value genuine entrepreneurship built on merit, fair exchange, and respect for individual labor. When wealthy founders claim independence while demanding free work from middle-class professionals, they reveal the hollow nature of their self-made narratives. True business success requires understanding that every professional’s time and expertise has value, regardless of one’s family name. As of early 2026, no resolution between Gates and Jenkins has been reported, and Phia continues operating with its initial funding, though the reputational damage from this incident may complicate future partnerships with influencers and other marketing professionals. Sources: Bill Gates’ Daughter Phoebe Soured Her Reputation With Spoiled Behavior – The List When will you have… the investors question that annoyed Bill Gates’ daughter Phoebe Gates the most while raising funding for her startup – Times of India

President Donald Trump has issued a stark ultimatum to Iran: reopen the Strait of Hormuz by Tuesday evening or face immediate strikes on civilian infrastructure including bridges and power plants. The deadline expires at 8 p.m. Eastern Time, with Trump warning that failure to comply will result in widespread destruction within four hours. Strikes Intensify Across Iran Throughout Tuesday, military operations escalated significantly inside Iran. American and Israeli forces targeted railway bridges, highway infrastructure, a petrochemical facility, and transmission lines, according to Iranian state media. Power outages hit areas west of Tehran after strikes damaged substations. Explosions rocked Kharg Island, home to Iran’s primary oil export terminal, which Trump has publicly considered destroying or seizing. An attack on Khorramabad International Airport and another strike in Alborz province killed 18 people. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed his air force struck bridges and railways, claiming they transported materials for weapons production. Iran responded by declaring it would no longer restrain attacks on Gulf neighbors’ infrastructure. Tehran’s Revolutionary Guards struck Saudi Arabia’s Jubail industrial site, where Western oil companies operate billion-dollar facilities. Verified footage showed flames and smoke rising from the complex. Iranian forces also claimed fresh strikes on vessels in the Gulf. A synagogue in Tehran was destroyed overnight in what Iran described as Israeli airstrikes, with Hebrew texts scattered among debris. Lawmaker Homayoun Sameh, representing Iran’s Jewish community, confirmed Torah scrolls remained buried under rubble. International Concerns Mount Trump posted on social media that a whole civilization would die unless Iran agrees to end the conflict. Former State Department legal adviser Brian Finucane stated Trump’s language could plausibly constitute threats of genocide under American and international law. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney responded to questions by emphasizing that all parties must respect international laws and avoid targeting civilians or civilian infrastructure. Carney noted Canada has made this position clear both publicly and privately. Stakes Continue Rising Iran maintains its blockade of Gulf oil shipments while Trump’s deadline approaches. Iranian officials warned their response would deprive America and regional allies of oil and gas for years. The Revolutionary Guards stated that up until now, Tehran has shown restraint in selecting retaliatory targets out of consideration for neighboring countries. Gulf cities depend entirely on electricity and water systems that could become vulnerable if regional infrastructure warfare expands. Both sides appear committed to their positions with hours remaining before Trump’s stated deadline for launching what he termed an unprecedented bombardment campaign. Sources Cbc: U.S., Israel launch strikes across Iran, including energy hub Kharg Island | CBC News

Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin warns that major international airports in sanctuary cities could lose federal customs operations if local governments continue refusing to cooperate with immigration enforcement. Sanctuary Cities Face Airport Consequences Secretary Mullin told Fox News that his department is examining whether cities that refuse to enforce immigration laws should retain their customs processing capabilities. He questioned why federal agents should process international arrivals when local authorities immediately shield those same individuals from immigration enforcement once they leave the airport terminals. The proposal targets major hubs including New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco, where local policies prevent police from assisting federal immigration officers. When pressed on whether major airports could actually lose customs operations, Mullin confirmed the possibility. He explained that Democrats are already pushing to defund Customs and Border Protection, which forces him to make hard decisions about resource allocation. The secretary emphasized he would prioritize cities willing to partner with federal authorities while staying within policies established by Congress. San Francisco Incident Highlights Conflict The threat comes after a recent incident at San Francisco International Airport where ICE agents detained an illegal immigrant, only to face interference from far-left activists while local police refused to provide assistance. San Francisco’s sanctuary city policies prevented officers from supporting federal law enforcement, illustrating the conflict Mullin now addresses. The city’s airport handles millions of international passengers annually, making customs operations essential to its economy and transportation infrastructure. What This Means for Major Cities Removing customs operations would force international flights to reroute to airports in jurisdictions that cooperate with federal immigration law. This would devastate local economies dependent on international travel and business connections. Mullin argues that sanctuary city policies are unlawful and that federal resources should support communities willing to enforce immigration statutes. The proposal represents a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict between federal immigration enforcement and local sanctuary policies that have shielded individuals from deportation for years. Sources The Gateway Pundit: DHS Secretary Mullin Threatens to Remove CBP Operation from Sanctuary City International Airports Until They Stop Harboring Illegals and Comply with Federal Law

Georgia voters head to the polls for a critical House runoff that will determine the balance of power in Washington, as Republican Clay Fuller faces Democrat Shawn Harris to replace Marjorie Taylor Greene after her dramatic split with President Trump over Iran policy. Race Holds National Stakes Republicans currently hold 218 seats in the House, including one independent who caucuses with the party, while Democrats control 214. The Georgia seat becomes pivotal as Fuller and Harris compete to fill the vacancy left by Greene’s departure. Harris narrowly edged Fuller in the March 10 special election, but neither candidate secured the majority needed to avoid a runoff. Political analysts attribute Harris’ slight advantage to a crowded Republican field rather than Democratic momentum in a district Greene consistently won by 30-point margins. Iran War Divides Candidates Fuller, a district attorney and Air National Guard veteran, strongly backs Trump’s military action against Iran. He described the Iranian regime as a death cult that cannot be negotiated with, declaring the country safer because of Trump’s Iran decisions. Harris, a retired Army general and farmer, called the conflict a war of choice during their debate last month. He argued Trump should focus on economic recovery instead of foreign intervention. Greene herself has not endorsed either candidate, but her criticism of Trump remains fierce. She accused the president of going insane after he threatened to bomb Iranian infrastructure if the Strait of Hormuz remained closed. Path Forward Remains Uncertain Both candidates face potential rematches throughout the year. The runoff winner will serve until January 2027, but Fuller and Harris must first navigate May 19 midterm primaries before a November general election determines who holds the seat through January 2029. Greene first won the district in 2020 by nearly 50 points and maintained 30-point victories in subsequent races. Her break with Trump over America First principles creates unusual dynamics in a traditionally conservative stronghold, though Democrats face steep odds in flipping the seat. What This Means The Georgia runoff represents more than a single House seat. It tests whether Trump’s endorsement still carries weight after his split with Greene, and whether voters prioritize foreign policy or economic concerns. The result could signal shifting conservative priorities as the nation grapples with war abroad and economic challenges at home. Both parties watch closely as every seat matters in the narrowly divided chamber. Sources Cbsnews: Georgia runoff to decide who replaces Marjorie Taylor Greene after her spat with Trump