Department of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy rebuked his predecessor, Pete Buttigieg, over the pace of efforts to revamp the nation’s outdated transportation system, calling the former Biden administration official a “sloth.” Duffy posted a montage video highlighting what he described as failures under the Biden administration’s handling of transportation while touting improvements under President Donald Trump. “Pete Buttigieg moved like a sloth. I’m moving at the speed of Trump!” Duffy said on social media. “He did nothing. He spent $80 billion on DEI and on climate change. We did more in one year than the last administration did in all four.”  Pete Buttigieg moved like a sloth. I’m moving at the speed of Trump! After four years of a do-nothing DOT Secretary, America is back

Voters in Kentucky’s 4th Congressional District ousted embattled Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) on Tuesday in the most expensive House primary in American history, marking the latest incumbent to fall amid President Donald Trump’s campaign to purge Republicans he views as disloyal to his agenda. With about half the vote reported, Trump-backed challenger Ed Gallrein, a former Navy SEAL and farmer, leads with 54% of the vote. Decision Desk HQ called the race at 7:41 p.m. ET.   It’s a stunning political collapse for the libertarian-minded fiscal hawk who rode the Tea Party wave into Congress in 2012 and remained politically untouchable ever since. LIVE UPDATES: Republican Primary Voters Go To The Polls In Kentucky, Georgia Massie’s defeat delivers another political win for Trump, who in recent weeks has exacted revenge against Indiana Republicans who bucked his redistricting effort and Louisiana GOP Sen. Bill Cassidy for voting to convict Trump on impeachment charges.  Few Republicans, if any, have provoked more ire from the president than Massie. In October 2025, Trump recruited and endorsed Gallrein, throwing the full weight of his MAGA political machine to remove Massie from the halls of Congress. In a Truth Social Post rallying his base, Trump called Massie, long a thorn in his side, a “bum” and the “worst Republican Congressman in history.” The president’s frustration with Massie traces back to March 2020, when Trump called Massie a “third rate Grandstander” and urged the GOP to kick him out of the party after he tried to stall a $2.2 trillion COVID aid package. Two years later, Trump endorsed Massie in his primary, hailing him as a “Conservative Warrior” and a “first-rate Defender of the Constitution,” The Daily Wire previously reported. But during Trump’s second term, the Kentucky Republican has stepped up criticism of the administration over a range of foreign and domestic issues. He voted against Trump’s signature tax cut and spending bill and has accused the administration of “flaunting the law,” and said Republicans opposed to his discharge petition, forcing the release of Epstein files, were voting to “protect pedophiles.”   Massie has also supported resolutions to curb Trump’s authority to launch military strikes against the Islamic Republic of Iran and has criticized the U.S.-backed operation to capture Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro, who is sitting in a federal jail pending criminal charges.  “Wake up MAGA. VENEZUELA is not about drugs; it’s about OIL and REGIME CHANGE. This is not what we voted for,” Massie said in a social media post.  On the campaign trail, Massie defended his record and insisted on voting independently of the White House.  “It’s a question of whether you can have even the slight bit of a dissenting vote on any day at all. Because I vote with the party 90% of the time,” Massie told a local news outlet. “It’s a referendum, I do believe, on whether the legislative branch works for the executive branch or if we are co-equal branches.” The campaign drew unprecedented third-party spending, amassing more than $32.6M and becoming the most expensive House primary on record, according to AdImpact. Pro-Gallrein spending accounted for $18.8M compared to $13.2M Pro-Massie fundraising.  In addition to the MAGA KY super PAC founded by former Trump campaign manager Chris LaCivita, pro-Israel groups, including AIPAC and the Republican Jewish Coalition, have spent millions opposing Massie, according to Decision Desk HQ.  Massie, on the other hand, mostly accepted out-of-state money from anti-war progressives, Muslim-American activists, and left-aligned PACs, including Integrity Political Action Committee (IPAC), which recently partnered with a chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) to undermine ICE, The Daily Wire previously reported. Money aside, the race drew political heavy-hitters into Kentucky’s 4th Congressional District, which stretches along the Ohio River and includes much of the suburban and exurban corridor between Cincinnati and Louisville. Over the weekend, Trump threatened to support a primary challenge against Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-CO) after she hit the campaign trail to support Massie.  In Saturday night Truth Social posts, Trump railed against Republicans backing Massie for “parading around like fools,” calling Boebert “weak-minded.” “Boebert is campaigning for the Worst ‘Republican’ Congressman in the History of our Country, Thomas Massie, of the Great Commonwealth of Kentucky, and anybody who can be that dumb deserves a good Primary fight!” Trump said.  “Even though I long ago endorsed Boebert, if the right person came along, it would be my Honor to withdraw that Endorsement and endorse a good and proper alternative,” he said. “Yes, I saw the president’s post. No, I’m not mad or offended. I knew the risks when I agreed to stand by my friend Thomas Massie. I was, and will be, America First, America Always, and MAGA,” Boebert said in response. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth on Monday hit the stump for Gallrein. “At some point, being against everything becomes an excuse for accomplishing nothing,” Hegseth said at a Kentucky campaign event. “President Trump does not need more people in Washington who are trying to make a point, especially from his own party. He needs people willing to help him win, to vote with him when it matters the most.”  In response, Massie said, “Dogs don’t bark at parked cars.”  “The fact you got cabinet secretaries that may be coming to my district to campaign against me, during a war, shows how serious this is to the global elites that I lose,” he said.

On Tuesday, two Democratic congressmen, one of whom is seeking the U.S. Senate seat in his state, berated CENTCOM Commander Admiral Brad Cooper in an obvious attempt to make a splash with their constituents and on social media. Massachusetts Congressman Seth Moulton, who is seeking the Senate seat currently held by hard-Left Ed Markey, started his attack by consistently insinuating that the US war on Iran was failing. “You keep using the term ‘significantly degraded,’” he said to Cooper. “Last summer, we were told that Iran’s nuclear weapons program was obliterated. Can you clarify the distinction between obliterated and significantly degraded?” When Cooper replied regarding the Iranian nuclear program, Moulton said patronizingly, “I’m not asking you to talk about the Iran nuclear program. I’m asking you to talk about the English language.” Moulton segued to asking Cooper about General William Westmoreland, who was vilified during the Vietnam War for speaking of body counts. “Admiral, are you familiar with General Westmoreland?” Moulton asked snidely. “I’m very familiar, Congressman,” Cooper replied. “He’s well known for talking about body counts,” Moulton declared. “Now, when I think about you and this war, I always think about how you always got up there and would say everything’s going according to plan.” Moulton mocked President Trump’s war effort, saying, “I will actually give you credit for regime change. I know that was part of the plan. You’ve replaced an 86-year-old in failing health with a fatwa against producing nuclear weapons with a more hardline guy in his 50s, who, in case he wasn’t hardline enough, he killed his immediate family. Was that part of the plan? Is that the regime change you wanted?” “Congressman, we were given very specific military objectives to degrade Iran’s power projection capability. That’s exactly what we did,” Cooper responded. “On March 5, you talked about how you built the most integrated air missile defense or air defense system in the Middle East. And yet, well into the war, you had to ask Ukraine for help with defenses against drones,” Moulton suggested. “That’s not accurate,” Cooper said tersely. Moulton then pirouetted away from that question to ask about oil prices. “What’s the plan now to actually win this war? Because it feels like we’re losing,” Moulton huffed a bit later. “We achieved all our military objectives. We’re presently in a ceasefire. We’re executing a blockade, and we’re prepared for a broad range of contingencies,” Cooper answered. Then Moulton descended into outright and complete malevolence, spitting, “I would like to know how many more Americans we have to ask to die for this mistake. Do you know?”   With dignity, Cooper replied, “I think it’s an entirely inappropriate statement from you, sir, with all due respect. With all due respect.” Moulton dodged, “It’s not a statement. It’s a question.” Rep. Seth Moulton spent 5 minutes trying to corner CENTCOM commander Adm. Brad Cooper today. “How many more Americans do we have to ask to die for this mistake?” “I think that’s an entirely inappropriate statement from you, sir.” pic.twitter.com/OpYR6SiUaG — Kassy Akiva (@KassyAkiva) May 19, 2026 At the same hearing, Colorado Rep. Jason Crow attacked Cooper by consistently asking him if he would ever use the phrase “no quarter will be given,” a phrase formerly used by War Secretary Pete Hegseth when speaking of the military’s campaign against narco-terrorists. “The U. S. military follows the law,” Cooper replied, adding, “We will follow everything that’s in the law.” “Answer the question, Admiral Cooper,” Crow said. “You have tens of thousands of service members under your command. I literally just read a provision from the law of war manual, our own manual. Will you not just say what I just read to you?” When Cooper answered simply, “I will say that we will follow the law of armed conflict to the T,” Crow clutched his pearls, hyperventilating, “This is just unbelievable to me.” “I find the same thing, sir,” Cooper said calmly. “This is not leadership,” Crow said, about to evaporate. “This is not leadership.” Another Congressman trying to corner Admiral Brad Cooper. Seems they have a new strategy to go after America's non-political military leaders in order to attack President Trump. pic.twitter.com/2ENhlq868w — Kassy Akiva (@KassyAkiva) May 19, 2026 Chairman Mike Rogers pointed out, “I want to make it clear that when a member is recognized, it is the member’s time. They can make a speech with their time if they want to. They can ask a question with their time if they want to. They can do a little of both. They can try to ask the witness leading questions. It does not mean the witness has to answer the way they want. The witness is in charge of their answers. The member may or may not like their answers, but you cannot compel the witness to give the answer you want them to give.” Rep. Derrick Van Orden (R-WI), a retired Navy SEAL expressed his fury over the exchanges, saying: I think it’s wholly inappropriate to ask active duty members of the United States military to answer political questions because that’s not what you are here to do. And when my colleagues berate active duty members of the United States military to try to demand that they answer political questions, it’s wholly inappropriate, and it’s inexcusable. When we are seeking different offices than we are in currently, and we’re trying to make splashes for television, that’s what you get. Navy SEAL veteran and Rep. Derrick Van Orden blasted Democrat lawmakers for “berating” active-duty military officers during today’s Iran hearing. pic.twitter.com/PmJDSoxVln — Kassy Akiva (@KassyAkiva) May 19, 2026

A Washington D.C. father who had to physically shield his children from a violent teen brawl inside a Chipotle says the incident left his family shaken, with his son telling him afterward, “I can’t unsee that.” Rafael Jauregui, an Air Force veteran and father of seven, was taking five of his children out for dinner after a Washington Nationals vs. Baltimore Orioles game on Saturday when a large fight erupted inside the restaurant, according to local reporting. Video of the chaos showed teens throwing punches and smashing chairs as customers scrambled for safety. A chaotic teen takeover turns violent inside a Washington, D.C. Chipotle. The group of teens can be seen throwing punches and hurling restaurant chairs and stools at one another as innocent bystanders huddle for safety in a corner of the restaurant. The incident comes just days… pic.twitter.com/HcHeOftGcf — Fox News (@FoxNews) May 18, 2026 “At that point, I tell the children, ‘get with me, get up, let’s start backing up,’” Jauregui told ABC7 News. “And then it was like an ambush.” Jauregui said the group “looked like ninjas, dressed in black, with ski masks,” as they flooded into the restaurant and began swinging chairs at one another. He said he and his children were forced into a corner while he scanned the crowd for weapons, relying on his military training to assess whether any of the teens were armed. He watched as the fight escalated into what U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro described Monday as a “takeover of a restaurant.” “It was not just violence occurring between individuals. It was simply destruction of property,” Pirro said during a press conference. “It was a takeover of a restaurant by individuals who felt like they could get away with it. Well, they’re not going to get away with it.” Pirro said the Federal Bureau of Investigation is now involved in identifying those responsible for the weekend melee, which broke out in the city’s Navy Yard neighborhood one day after she announced a new crackdown on juvenile crime. She vowed to prosecute not only the teens involved but, in some cases, their parents. “If you know where your teen is and what they are doing and allow them to continue their conduct and continue to allow them to flourish, we’re going to prosecute you,” Pirro said. Jauregui said he supports that approach, arguing the violence went far beyond teenagers “messing around.” “[I’m] in line with what the U.S. Attorney is trying to do,” he said. “This is next level. Where a dad can’t bring their kids to a Nats game and grab a bite after.” The father said his two sons helped shield their younger sisters during the chaos, but the emotional impact lingered after the family left. “My son said on the way home, ‘Papa, I can’t unsee that,’” Jauregui said. “Those individuals have now directly impacted my security, my life.” The incident is the latest in a string of so-called “teen takeovers” that have disrupted public spaces in Washington, as city officials face growing pressure to rein in youth violence ahead of major national celebrations planned in the capital this summer.

Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) may have ended the political aspirations of San Francisco’s favorite gay liberal when she weighed in Monday on the race to fill her soon-to-be-vacated seat in Congress. Pelosi chose to back City Supervisor Connie Chan over state Senator Scott Wiener and tech entrepreneur Saikat Chakrabarti ahead of the June 2 primary, the latter of whom previously worked for Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez but failed to snag her endorsement in the race. WATCH: BREAKING: Nancy Pelosi endorses SF Supervisor Connie Chan to succeed her in Congress, saying Chan “stands above” all the other candidates. The Speaker Emerita’s backing is one of the most coveted in San Francisco politics. Pelosi has held the seat for nearly 40 years. pic.twitter.com/9osp5FpboM — Monica Madden (@themonicamadden) May 18, 2026 “I know and love this district, I know the Congress, and I know Connie. I’m proud to endorse Democrat Connie Chan and ask you to join me in electing her to Congress,” Pelosi said, appearing alongside Chan in a video endorsement. Pelosi followed that with an additional statement, adding, “Connie understands San Francisco — our values, our diversity, our communities, and our responsibility to lead with both compassion and strength. She’s a mom who knows her power and knows her why. I am confident Connie is ready to bring clarity and purpose to the work ahead — For The Children.” But Pelosi’s choice appears to have left some scratching their heads. Wiener, who has consistently polled as the top contender, represents a State Senate district that overlaps substantially with Pelosi’s Congressional District — but several reports suggest that Pelosi’s issues with Wiener are more personal than political. It’s been no secret, for example, that the openly gay senator has been waiting for the 20-term congresswoman to retire so that he could make the move to the U.S. House. He also may have angered the former House Speaker more recently when, knowing that her daughter Christine Pelosi was eyeing a run at his state senate seat, Wiener opted not to resign his seat while running for Congress. “Nancy Pelosi hates Scott Wiener on a personal level, and Saikat tried to unseat her; she’s trying to settle scores. The idea that this means Connie Chan is some kind of insider trading mega Zionist is silly. Pelosi also endorsed a DSA candidate. San Francisco is weird!” comedian Kate Willett observed, adding, “Pelosi hates the creepy SF tech bro sh*t Wiener embodies more than she hates having the odd progressive in power. She loved what San Francisco was. She resents her beautiful, gay city being turned into an incel fiefdom.” While some more moderate Democrats have voiced concern over Chan’s far-left positions on many issues, Wiener’s legacy in California may be more troubling. He has consistently supported laws like California’s transgender shield laws, creating a sanctuary state for those seeking cross-sex hormones and sex-change surgeries, and mandating that foster families recognize and accommodate trans-identifying children in their care. He was also behind a push to reduce the mandatory sentence guidelines for people who knowingly exposed others to HIV. Wiener also sparked backlash when he, as co-chair of the California Jewish Caucus, accused Israel of “committing genocide” in Gaza. A recent campaign event featured a drag queen pig in frilly pink attire singing, “Scott Wiener is a girl’s best friend.” Creepy Scott Wiener campaign event featured drag queens including one mocking women while dressed as a pig singing “Wiener is a girl’s best friend” in front of kids This is one the most disgusting things I’ve ever seen pic.twitter.com/Ceaz5oSWfT — Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) May 18, 2026 Pelosi’s endorsement is likely to open the donor floodgates for Chan, who has been trailing Wiener in terms of cash on hand, and should give her a much-needed boost in the polls as well.