New Jersey Republican gubernatorial candidate Jack Ciattarelli was endorsed by the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 825. According to the New Jersey Globe, the backing of the 8,000-member union could provide Ciattarelli with critical on-the-ground support. “New Jersey is at a crossroads. We face an energy crisis, an affordability crisis, and a crisis of common sense. The solutions are basic but may not be politically popular,” Greg Lalevee, the union’s business manager, said, according to New Jersey Globe. “We need a Governor who will tackle our challenges and not cave to the fringe political voices. Jack Ciattarelli understands New Jersey and what needs to be done to fix our great state,” he added. JUST IN: Powerful and influential labor union endorses Trump-backed JACK CIATTARELLI for Governor of NEW JERSEY. This is a big deal. They endorsed a Democrat last time. The International Union of Operating Engineers Local 825 will be able to provide Ciattarelli campaign… pic.twitter.com/0wjls2SvSp — Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) June 20, 2025 Per New Jersey Globe: Four years ago, Local 825 endorsed Democrat Phil Murphy for re-election against Ciattarelli, who came within three percentage points of winning. Lalevee cited Ciattarelli’s willingness to create jobs by supporting projects involving natural gas and panned the Democratic nominee, Mikie Sherrill, for “banking on solar” as a solution to the state’s energy needs. “The notion that we can do this without natural gas is insane,” Lalevee told the New Jersey Globe. “We can’t get there just on solar. That’s impossible.” The union leader was especially critical of environmental groups, including the Sierra Club, which supports Sherrill. “They kick, scream, lie, cry, stomp their feet, hold their breath, and the politicians wilt as they don’t offer solutions,” Lalevee said. Ciattarelli, a former assemblyman from Somerset County, has promised to replace current members and top Board of Public Utilities staff, something Lalevee suggested he likes. “New Jersey has the most mileage of replaceable pipe in the U.S., and the BPU asks utility companies to scale them down,” Lalevee said. “We need a robust economy.” Lalevee hinted that there are more building trades endorsements on Ciattarelli’s horizon. President Trump endorsed Ciattarelli for New Jersey governor last month. President Trump Makes Endorsement In “Very Important Gubernatorial Election” “Jack Ciattarelli is a terrific America First Candidate running to be the next Governor of a State that I love, NEW JERSEY!” Trump posted on Truth Social. “Jack, who after getting to know and understand MAGA, has gone ALL IN, and is now 100% (PLUS!). He is strongly supported by the most Highly Respected Leaders in New Jersey and, as your next Governor, Jack Ciattarelli will work closely with me and the Trump Administration to advance our America First Agenda. Jack will fight tirelessly to Grow our Economy, Cut Taxes and Regulations, Restore our Economic Power, Help Secure our now VERY Secure (Record Setting!) Southern Border, Stop Migrant Crime, Murderers, and other Criminals from illegally entering our Country, Protect our Great Military/Vets, Advance American Energy DOMINANCE by helping to keep the price of Gasoline, Oil, and all forms of Energy VERY LOW (CHEAP!), and Defend our always under siege Second Amendment, which has not been attacked, amended, or changed while I was President,” Trump continued. “Also, Jack is the Republican Candidate who is best positioned to STAND TALL against the Radical Left Democrats and, most importantly, ensure a Big Victory in this Very Important Gubernatorial Election, an Election that is being closely watched by the entire World because, we are ending WOKE, and all of the other NONSENSE that goes along with it, AND NOBODY WANTS TO SEE IT COME BACK!” he added. “Jack Ciattarelli is a WINNER, and has my Complete and Total Endorsement – HE WILL NOT LET YOU DOWN. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN, ELECT JACK CIATTARELLI!” he concluded. From the Courier Post: Early polling suggests that the general election for New Jersey governor has kicked off with Democrat Mikie Sherrill holding a slight — or possibly a not-so-slight — lead over Republican Jack Ciattarelli. Two privately contracted voter surveys, both now made public, came to different results. Sherrill, a congresswoman, and Ciattarelli, the 2021 GOP gubernatorial candidate, both faced multiple opponents before winning their respective primaries June 10. One of the recent polls was carried out with 785 adults from May 28-30 by Survey USA. This poll was commissioned by members of a Democratic-leaning organization called Education Reform Now Advocacy. This poll had Sherrill with a 51% to 38% lead over Ciattarelli, with 12% of the sample group undecided. Respondents who expected to vote in the election numbered at 576 people. Approximately 65% told Survey USA that they believe young people will be a little worse off or a lot worse off financially than previous generations. Other questions were on what two issues elected officials should focus on to improve the future of young people: 64% answered reducing inflation and the cost of everyday expenses such as groceries. 32% chose reducing health care costs. 31% chose improving public schools. 25% chose making college more affordable. 21% chose stopping job outsourcing and automation of “good paying" jobs. The second poll was carried out with 600 adults June 11-12 by National Research Inc., which was hired by members of the Ciattarelli campaign. This poll, which was limited to likely November voters, found Sherrill ahead 45% to 42%. In an email to supporters, the Sherrill campaign noted that this lead falls within the poll’s estimated margin of error of plus or minus 4% and can be seen as a statistical tie. As with the Survey USA poll, 12% of respondents said they were undecided.

Kari Lake on Friday announced mass terminations at the U.S. Agency for Global Media. “USAGM now operates near the statutory minimum; lean and focused. This is a clear example of responsible government—cutting waste, restoring accountability, and delivering on the promise to put American taxpayers first,” Lake said. “Today, we took decisive action to effectuate President Trump’s agenda to shrink the out-of-control federal bureaucracy,” she added. The former Arizona gubernatorial candidate has eliminated approximately 1,400 positions, an 85% decrease in personnel. Trump Admin Senior Advisor @KariLake announces mass terminations at US Agency for Global Media “USAGM now operates near the statutory minimum; lean and focused. This is a clear example of responsible government—cutting waste, restoring accountability, and delivering on the… pic.twitter.com/MpO2YOcIOF — Kari Lake (@KariLake) June 20, 2025 A closer look: From POLITICO: The Trump administration on Friday sent out termination notices to hundreds of employees at Voice of America. Included in that group are employees working for the network’s Persian-language service who were called back from administrative leave just last week in the wake of Israel’s attack on Iran, according to two people familiar with the decision. The move — which makes official what has long been expected since hundreds of contract employees got termination notices in early May — is a part of the Trump administration’s sweeping target to downsize the government and remake America’s role in the global order. Critics of the administration’s focus on VOA have said that the network has played a vital role in combatting disinformation abroad. But the administration says these cuts are in service of “cutting waste” and putting “American taxpayers first.” JUST IN: Kari Lake announces she has TERMINATED 85% of the employees at USAGM and Voice of America, the U.S. government’s media propaganda arm USAGM had become a cesspool for foreign spies, as it was a great cover, and ripe with waste, fraud, and abuse. Lake also terminated… pic.twitter.com/hPYgrVnssy — Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) June 20, 2025 Per NPR: A significant number of those called back received the layoff notice on Friday too, according to several staffers, including one from the Persian-language newsroom. They spoke to NPR on condition of anonymity, citing fear of repercussions. This move “spells the death of 83 years of independent journalism that upholds U.S. ideals of democracy and freedom around the world,” three employees suing Lake said in a joint statement. The three staffers are Voice of America White House bureau chief Patsy Widakuswara and Press Freedom Editor Jessica Jerreat and U.S. Agency for Global Media Director of Strategy Kate Neeper. “We call on Congress to continue its long transition of bipartisan support for VOA,” they said. “Moscow, Beijing, Tehran and extremist groups are flooding the global information space with anti-American propaganda. Do not cede this ground by silencing America’s voice.” They are among those who received the layoff notices. The reduction in force is to take effect Sept. 1. “The scope of the agency’s actions appears massive and would eviscerate Voice of America’s congressionally mandated role to provide objective news to closed societies and other places around the world,” said Michael Abramowitz, the Voice of America’s director, who had not received a layoff notice by Friday afternoon, but is currently on involuntary paid administrative leave. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Radio Free Asia and the Middle East Broadcasting Networks have each sued Lake and the Trump administration as have journalists from Voice of America in separate litigation.

The British House of Commons narrowly approved an “assisted dying” bill on Friday, as critics warned the legislation contains weakened safeguards that could endanger vulnerable patients. Catholic priest John Howard, who led people in prayer outside parliament, called the bill’s passage “a dark day for our country.” The legislation, which passed with a narrow 314-291 vote, would allow mentally competent, terminally ill adults in England and Wales with six months or less to live to choose to end their lives with medical assistance. Critics note that support for the bill has weakened since November’s initial vote of 330-275, as some lawmakers withdrew support after safeguards were diluted. The original plan requiring court approval for assisted deaths has been replaced with a requirement for review by a panel including a social worker, senior legal figure, and psychiatrist. British Health Secretary Wes Streeting warned that the bill in its current form could lead to a “chilling” scenario in which the cash-strapped National Health Service (NHS) could pressure terminally ill patients into an early death to save NHS money. Care Not Killing released a statement calling the bill “deeply flawed and dangerous,” and CEO Gordon Macdonald slammed the process, criticizing the fact that “[m]embers of Parliament had under 10 hours to consider over 130 amendments to the Bill, or less than 5 minutes per change.” “Does anyone think this is enough time to consider changes to a draft law that quite literally is a matter of life and death?” Macdonald continued. Prime Minister Keir Starmer voted in favor of the bill, which now proceeds to Britain’s upper chamber, the House of Lords, for months of further scrutiny. The unelected Lords are traditionally reluctant to block legislation passed by elected members of the House of Commons. However, insiders told the Times this bill has many critics in the House of Lords, and could lead the upper chamber to break this norm. One source told The Times there were “plenty of black arts that could be used to kill the bill off,” and that they could “not imagine how it could get through.” Another peer concurred: “This bill is still going to have an extremely difficult path to the statute book. There are enough peers in the Lords who are vehemently opposed to it becoming law and more than enough opportunity for them to thwart it. It is far from a foregone conclusion.” However, many in the U.K. celebrated the bill’s passage despite flaws pointed out by critics. Emma Bray, a 42-year-old mother of two with motor neuron disease who has been given six months to live, celebrated the vote result. “This result will mean that people will not have to go through the same suffering I have faced,” Bray told Reuters, revealing she had been planning to starve herself to death next month to relieve her pain.