A top House Republican is accusing special counsel Jack Smith of election interference as the prosecutor leads two criminal cases against former President Donald Trump. House Republican Conference Chairwoman Elise Stefanik (R-NY) announced on Tuesday that she had filed an ethics complaint against Smith with the Office of Professional Responsibility at the Department of Justice (DOJ). In her letter‚ which Stefanik posted to X‚ the congresswoman requested that Office of Professional...

Former President Donald Trump is leading President Joe Biden in most polls in key swing states‚ but in many of those states’ pivotal Senate races‚ GOP candidates are lagging behind. An Emerson College-the Hill poll released on Tuesday shows Trump leading Biden in seven swing states‚ while in five of those states’ Senate races‚ the leading Republican candidate is behind the Democrat. In Pennsylvania‚ the former president holds a 47%-45% lead over Biden‚ but Sen. Bob Casey (D-PA) holds a 46...

House Judiciary Chairman Rep. Jim Jordan sent a letter Tuesday to Attorney General Merrick Garland regarding Matthew Colangelo‚ a lead prosecutor in former President Trump’s Manhattan criminal case‚ requesting documents and communications from Colangelo’s tenure at the Biden Department of Justice (DOJ). The Daily Caller obtained a copy of the letter before it was sent‚ in which Jordan demands a number of personnel files related to Colangelo’s hiring‚ employment and termination at the DOJ‚ a...

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Several members of the Squad — including Reps. Ilhan Omar‚ Jamaal Bowman‚ and Cori Bush — are facing serious primary threats this year for their anti-Israel activism. Yet they are not backing down. In fact‚ they are intensifying their support for the anti-Israel protests that are rocking the country‚ even as an increasingly large segment of the nation is opposed to the protest movement’s illegal tactics and anti-Semitic rhetoric.  Omar dialed up the controversy significantly this week when she accused Jewish students at Columbia University of being “pro-genocide.”  Speaking in reference to the Jewish students who are participating in the encampment at Columbia and those who are not‚ she said‚ “I think it is really unfortunate that people don’t care about the fact that all Jewish kids should be kept safe‚ and that we should not have to tolerate antisemitism or bigotry for all Jewish students‚ whether they’re pro-genocide or anti-genocide.” The executive director of the Anti-Defamation League‚ Jonathan Greenblatt‚ responded to this accusation by saying: “It is abhorrent that a sitting member of Congress would slander an entire group of young people in such a cold‚ calculated manner. This is how people get killed.” Today‚ Axios reported that Omar is now facing the threat of a censure for those comments from Republican Rep. Don Bacon.  Yet the threat greater than censure that Omar faces as a result of these comments is Minnesota’s primary on Aug. 13. Don Samuels — who lost to her by only 2 percentage points‚ or less than 2‚500 votes‚ in 2022 — is back for another showdown. And Samuels is taking full advantage of Omar’s inflammatory rhetoric. On Sunday‚ he sharply criticized her claim that Jewish students were supporting genocide‚ writing: You can disagree with the Israeli government while standing with the Jewish community. You can call out antisemitism without labeling Jewish students you disagree with as “pro-genocide”. And‚ instead of embracing him‚ you could condemn the words of the student leader who said “Zionists don’t deserve to live.” You didn’t‚ and instead of apologizing‚ you’re doubling down. Our district needs new leadership. Fellow Squad member Jamaal Bowman is facing an even more acute threat than Omar in the form of Democrat George Latimer. The most recent poll for June’s Democratic primary in New York’s 16th congressional district placed Bowman a full 17 percentage points behind Latimer. To make the situation all the worse for Bowman‚ Latimer is being assisted with extensive funding from two pro-Israel groups‚ the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) and the Democratic Majority for Israel PAC.  You may think that‚ with such a threat on the horizon‚ Bowman would dial back rhetoric in support of anti-Israel radicals. However‚ the opposite is the case. In response to the protests at Columbia University‚ Bowman has accused the university’s administration of “suppress[ing] fundamental freedoms of expression.” He said in a press conference‚ “They seem to be folding to pressure from a right wing Congress’ weaponizing of the unfolding events in the Middle East as a means to suppress fundamental freedoms of expression.” Then‚ Bowman was “duped” by the parody “Chief Rabbi of Gaza” social media account that makes fun of radical anti-Israel activists with satirical anti-Israel commentary. When “Rabbi Goldstein” told Bowman‚ “I would love to host a fundraiser for you‚” Bowman’s account responded: “Thank you&;#33; How do we get in touch with you&;#63;” A follow-up message from Bowman’s team sought to connect “Rabbi Goldstein” with “a member of our finance team.”  Missouri’s Cori Bush is likewise facing a primary challenger backed by both the AIPAC and the Democratic Majority for Israel PAC. In the most recent poll in that primary race‚ from February‚ Bush registered 28 percent support compared to her challenger Wesley Bell’s 50 percent support. In large part due to Bell’s support from pro-Israel organizations‚ he “has more than twice as much cash on hand” as Bush‚ according to the most recent FEC campaign filings.  In concert with Omar and Bowman‚ Bush has continued to back the anti-Israel protests with adamancy. Last week‚ while expressing her support for the anti-Israel protests‚ she accused the Israeli government of perpetuating a “genocide” against civilians. “[Y]oung folks on college campuses across our country are standing up &; speaking out for what‘s right: ending the Israeli government’s genocide of Palestinians‚” she said on X. Bush continued by arguing that it is “unconscionable” that “public officials have chosen to condemn‚ ridicule &; belittle student activists for being outraged that their tax &; tuition dollars are used to fund these atrocities.”  For now‚ AIPAC is not backing primary challenges against other members of the Squad‚ but the organization’s spokesman‚ Marshall Wittmann‚ told the Hill that it is “evaluating other primary races involving detractors of the U.S.-Israel relationship.” That could potentially include getting involved in Omar’s primary race in Minnesota’s 5th congressional district. Involvement in other Squad races is less likely‚ as it appears that Michigan Rep. Rashida Tlaib — who represents heavily Muslim Dearborn — and New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez are safe this cycle.  Tlaib’s all-but-assured victory comes despite the fact that she has engaged in perhaps the most inflammatory anti-Israel rhetoric of any member of the Squad. Last November‚ she was censured for defending the chant “from the river to the sea‚ Palestine will be free.” Then‚ earlier this month‚ she refused to condemn the chants of “Death to America” that took place at a protest in her district when prompted to do so. When a Fox News reporter asked her to condemn those chants‚ she said‚ “I don’t talk to Fox News‚” and claimed the network was using “racist tropes.” When the reporter continued to prompt her‚ asking‚ “Is chanting death to America racist&;#63;” Tlaib responded: “I’m talking about your guys’ racist tropes. You guys know exactly what you do. I know you’re Islamophobic.” In response to all the happenings at Columbia University‚ Tlaib attacked universities for shutting down encampments and claimed students were protesting “genocide.” She said on X: “From UM to Vanderbilt to USC to Columbia‚ students across our country are being retaliated against for using their constitutional rights to protest genocide. It’s appalling.” Ocasio-Cortez‚ for her part‚ has referred to the anti-Israel protests at universities as “Palestinian human rights protests” and claimed that there have been “asymmetric crackdowns” against them.  Even in spite of the serious ouster threats against them — and growing opposition to their support for the anti-Israel protests — members of the Squad are feeling better about their reelection prospects. That’s because fellow Squad member Rep. Summer Lee achieved victory last week in a closely watched primary race that pitted her against a pro-Israel challenger‚ Bhavini Patel.  In her victory speech‚ Lee stressed that her fellow Squad members should carry the momentum from her victory into their own races. “We got this victory here in Pittsburgh‚ but this is just the first step. This was the first race‚” she said. “So we gotta make sure that we have the same energy and we pick it up and we take it over to New York next. And when we’re done with Jamaal Bowman‚ we’re heading over to St. Louis‚ where we’ll make sure … Cori Bush gets over the finish line.”  The question is how far Reps. Ilhan Omar‚ Jamaal Bowman‚ and Cori Bush can push their rhetoric while still holding onto their seats. READ MORE: Antisemitism Is Not a Major The Campuses Are a Time Bomb Ticking on America It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like 1938 The post Squad Members‚ Defiant Amid Ouster Threats‚ Intensify Backing of Anti-Semitic Protests appeared first on The American Spectator | USA News and Politics.

Kristi Noem wrapped up the Almira Gulch vote. Some other constituencies remain skeptical. In her new book No Going Back: The Truth on What’s Wrong with Politics and How We Move America Forward‚ South Dakota’s governor tells the story of bringing an “untrainable‚” “less than worthless” Wirehaired Pointer that she “hated” to a gravel pit to shoot in the head. Why not reveal you give out carrots on Halloween or volunteer “Yoko Ono” as your favorite Beatle&;#63; READ MORE from Daniel J. Flynn: The Three Weirdest Witnesses in Legal History All in One Case Along with commercials ostensibly promoting her state that air frequently on cable news‚ this book she undoubtedly envisioned as a springboard to a place on the national Republican ticket. It surely would become her Dreams from My Father or Conscience of a Conservative; alas‚ no. Sharing that she put down 14-month-old Cricket‚ which had killed a friend’s chickens and ruined a hunting expedition‚ ostensibly illustrated Noem’s ability to make tough choices. It really showcased a disconnect between her and the country she had hoped to if not lead then at least wait to lead as Donald Trump’s running mate. No Going Back‚ indeed. How much do Americans love dogs&;#63; Puppy Bowl XX reached an audience of 12.6 million viewers to become the most watched non-sports program on Super Bowl Sunday in February. More Americans own a pet than a gun. Dogs‚ the most popular pet‚ belong as part of the family in 65 million homes (44.5 percent of all U.S. households). Dog owners estimated in one survey that they spend an average of $4‚512 annually in food‚ purchasing/adoption fees‚ veterinary care‚ and other expenses for their pets. If that number seems high‚ then consider the many companies vying for a market share of this product that did not exist 50 years ago when you google “dog ice cream.” Noem’s book also revealed a startling unfamiliarity with American political history. Dogs can make a politician’s life ruff or paw-some. Franklin Roosevelt famously ridiculed Republican attacks on “my little dog Fala” following rumors that he turned a naval destroyer around to retrieve his pet‚ which he left on one of the Aleutian Islands. George H.W. Bush’s English Springer Spaniel authored a memoir‚ which cynics claim was ghostwritten‚ called Millie’s Book that reached the top of the New York Times bestsellers’ list. Lyndon Johnson‚ who bore a familial resemblance to his Beagles‚ scandalized animal lovers by picking Him (guess what he named the female of the pair) up by the ears. Joe Biden’s German Shepherd‚ Commander‚ exited the White House after reports surfaced of 24 known biting incidents‚ at least one of which resulted in stitches. Noem seems not have learned from the past by revealing she did her dog the way Tuddy Cicero did Tommy DeVito in Goodfellas (remember: man’s best friend‚ not woman’s best friend). Though she could not rehabilitate her puppy‚ she might rehabilitate her political reputation by calling for an abolition of dog sufferage through dog suffrage. If Starbucks can offer Puppuccinos and one can send the family canine to any number of dog resorts and spas‚ then certainly dogs casting ballots claims support of some segment of the population above that which approves squatter’s rights but below that which wants to defund National Public Radio. In an earlier‚ perhaps less sensitive age‚ Theodore Roosevelt and his son Kermit hunted 512 animals on a post-presidency safari that included 18 lions‚ 12 elephants‚ and nine black rhinoceroses. Still‚ people loved animals in 1910‚ and a backlash caused the former president to publicly defend his lengthy African trip upon his return. Jimmy Carter famously fended off an aquatic “killer rabbit‚” i.e.‚ a regular rabbit sensationalized by the press‚ that made him the butt of jokes. If only TR had hunted Golden Retrievers or Jimma had used his oar to splash away a Corgi‚ then they‚ too‚ might have suffered Noem’s fate in the political doghouse. As George Orwell informed‚ some animals are more equal than others. The one most equal‚ the 37th president learned when his spot as the 34th president’s running mate looked imperiled‚ is dogs. Richard Nixon saved his place on the Republicans’ 1952 ticket through his “Checkers” speech‚ in which he insisted that‚ whatever the outcome of the accusations that he accepted donations from supporters for a personal slush fund‚ he planned to keep the Cocker Spaniel gifted his family. Kristi Noem obliterated any chance of serving as Donald Trump’s running mate by overlooking the lesson of Checkers and instead announcing checkmate on poor Cricket. Snoop Dogg‚ Dog the Bounty Hunter‚ and Glenn “Big Dog” Robinson do not approve. The post Exclusive&;#33; Almira Gulch Endorses Kristi Noem for VP appeared first on The American Spectator | USA News and Politics.