New York GOP Rep. Elise Stefanik, who has launched a gubernatorial bid, fiercely attacked Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul, accusing her of “cowardly” silence after New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani endorsed Palestinian activist Aber Kawas for the State Assembly. Stefanik declared that Hochul, having endorsed Mamdani’s successful mayoral run, now “owns” his decision to elevate a candidate whom Stefanik labels a “terrorist sympathizer.” She demanded that Hochul condemn both Mamdani’s endorsement of Kawas and what Stefanik described as the “anti-American and antisemitic filth” being normalized. “Kathy Hochul endorsed Mamdani and now owns his latest public endorsement of radical activist Aber Kawas for New York State Assembly, a proud terrorist sympathizer and denigrator of the United States,” Stefanik said in a statement. “Kawas notoriously blamed America for 9/11 that claimed the lives of thousands of New Yorkers, citing the United States’ ‘system of capitalism,’ ‘racism,’ ‘white supremacy,’ and ‘Islamophobia’ as justification for the terrorist attacks that killed New Yorkers. It is clear that Mamdani owns and controls the Worst Governor in America, Kathy Hochul, as she cowardly remains silent on the anti-American and antisemitic filth spewed by the incoming Mayor and his endorsed candidates. Kathy Hochul must condemn Mamdani’s endorsement of Kawas immediately.” 30% off razors & DW Shop, 25% off Candle Club, 7–10% off Mayflower—bundles, gifts, & last-chance holiday shipping In 2017, Kawas stated that “the system of capitalism and racism, and white supremacy, et cetera, have all, and Islamophobia, have all been used to colonize lands, right, to take resources from other people, and so this is, like, a long trajectory. And we’re just seeing the manifestations of that continuation, right, with 9/11.” The controversy erupted after Mamdani — a member of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) and the incoming mayor — backed Kawas at a closed-door DSA meeting. Kawas has a long record of controversial statements, including a 2017 panel appearance in which she framed the September 11 attacks as a “manifestation” of U.S. capitalism, racism, white supremacy, and Islamophobia — remarks that critics say blame America for the murder of nearly 3,000 people. Kawas has also defended individuals convicted of terrorism-related offenses, including synagogue bomb plotter Ahmed Ferhani and al-Qaeda financier Fahad Hashmi, whom she described as a “living martyr” whose imprisonment deprived activists of peace of mind. Mamdani’s endorsement has also frightened Jewish New Yorkers already unsettled by his past rhetoric, including his affirmation of the phrase “globalize the intifada,” a slogan the U.S. Holocaust Museum has condemned because violence has been committed under its banner. Mamdani previously campaigned with a radical imam who spoke of “jihad” in New York City. Within the Queens Assembly race itself, Mamdani’s move set up a clash with supporters of Brian Romero, the district’s longtime community figure and outgoing Democratic Assemblywoman Jessica Gonzalez-Rojas’s preferred successor. Both Gonzalez-Rojas and Romero are reportedly DSA members. While Romero’s backers emphasized his deep neighborhood ties — especially in a predominantly Hispanic district — Kawas’s supporters insisted a Palestinian candidate was necessary to “draw the fire of the Israeli lobby,” boasting that they “did it with Zohran.”

The Department of Homeland Security issued an unusually sharp and highly public rebuke of U.S. Senate candidate and former North Carolina Democratic Governor Roy Cooper after he criticized federal immigration enforcement operations in Charlotte. Cooper wrote on social media that while he supports using federal resources to deport violent offenders, he opposes “randomly sweeping up people based on what they look like,” warning that such tactics could leave dangerous criminals at large while harming families and the economy. pic.twitter.com/QCQ6jhr5Ls — Roy Cooper (@RoyCooperNC) November 17, 2025 DHS immediately fired back, using its official X account to highlight the case of Jordan Renato Castillo-Chavez, a Costa Rican national whom North Carolina authorities had previously declined to transfer to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). DHS described Castillo-Chavez as a “criminal illegal alien” with a record that includes indecent liberties with a child, first-degree sexual exploitation of a minor, and solicitation of a child via computer. The agency’s message to Cooper was pointed: “North Carolina refused to hand him over to ICE.” .@RoyCooperNC, meet Jordan Renato Castillo-Chavez. Castillo-Chavez is a criminal illegal alien from Costa Rica. His criminal history includes indecent liberties with child, first degree sexual exploitation of a minor, and solicitation of a child by a computer. North Carolina… https://t.co/7spksrfTLq pic.twitter.com/FFzyhgzhTm — Homeland Security (@DHSgov) November 18, 2025 30% off razors & DW Shop, 25% off Candle Club, 7–10% off Mayflower—bundles, gifts, & last-chance holiday shipping Homeland Security broadened its criticism, arguing that Charlotte has become a hub for human trafficking and that “sanctuary politicians” in the state have enabled violent offenders to roam free. DHS asserted that terrorist groups and gangs exploit the region’s geography and highway networks, implicitly linking Cooper’s policies to increased vulnerability for residents. Charlotte, North Carolina has become a hub for human trafficking. Terrorist organizations and gangs have taken advantage of the city's highway system and geographic location to exploit their victims. Americans should be able to live without fear of these violent criminals, but… pic.twitter.com/r4thCUUQvx — Homeland Security (@DHSgov) November 18, 2025 Top DHS officials amplified the response. Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin accused Cooper of refusing to turn over more than 1,400 violent criminal non-citizens to ICE during his governorship and rejected his claim of racial profiling as “absurd and devoid of fact.” She argued that releasing such offenders inevitably leads to further victimization. Firstly, @RoyCooperNC refused to turn over 1,400 violent criminal illegal aliens to ICE. On his watch, when these public safety threats and predators are released back onto Charlotte’s streets they will reoffend & create more victims. Second, illegal immigration is a crime… https://t.co/qmObq2By5X — Tricia McLaughlin (@TriciaOhio) November 18, 2025 DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, overseeing the enforcement surge known as Operation Charlotte’s Web, defended the operation’s focus on repeat offenders — robbers, assailants, and impaired drivers — insisting that local and state leaders should partner with DHS rather than criticize it. Kristi Noem discusses Operation Charlotte's Web, the latest immigration enforcement operation by DHS in Charlotte, NC: "We're going after people who committed robberies, assaults, DUI's, getting them off the streets, keeping people safe. That is exactly what the leadership in… pic.twitter.com/hf9cS2rwy6 — Julia ?? (@Jules31415) November 18, 2025 DHS also announced that the sweep had already led to more than 130 arrests in its first two days, including 44 individuals with serious criminal histories. The agency framed its approach as a necessary corrective to what it characterized as years of non-cooperation from state officials. “As governor, Cooper allowed [the] release of 3,500 inmates early to settle litigation with the NAACP,” The Center Square noted. “He also vetoed legislation in 2019, 2022 and 2024 that would require local law enforcement to cooperate with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.” The DHS pushback drew support from North Carolina Republicans, who accused Cooper of misleading the public about the immigration enforcement effort.

Rapper Nicki Minaj spoke at a United Nations event on Tuesday to bring attention to the persecution of Christians in Nigeria. The Trinidadian pop star thanked President Donald Trump for prioritizing the issue and urged people “to defend Christians in Nigeria, to combat extremism and to bring a stop to violence against those who simply want to exercise their natural right to freedom of religion or belief.” Minaj was part of a panel that included U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz and faith leaders. “Today, faith is under attack in way too many places. In Nigeria, Christians are being targeted, driven from their homes and killed. Churches have been burned. Families have been torn apart and entire communities live in fear constantly, simply because of how they pray,” the 42-year-old celeb said during her speech. “Sadly, this problem is not only a growing problem in Nigeria, but also in so many other countries across the world, and it demands urgent action,” Minaj said. “And I want to be clear, protecting Christians in Nigeria is not about taking sides or dividing people. It is about uniting humanity.” 30% off razors & DW Shop, 25% off Candle Club, 7–10% off Mayflower—bundles, gifts, & last-chance holiday shipping The “Super Bass” singer isn’t politically active, but many of her fans have been melting down, accusing her of “going MAGA.” Minaj, who calls her fans “Barbz,” attempted to soothe their ruffled feathers by explaining that this issue transcended politics. “Barbz, I know you’re somewhere listening. I love you so very much. You have been the ultimate light in my life and career for so long. I appreciate you, and I want to make it very clear, once again, that this isn’t about taking sides. This is about standing up in the face of injustice. It’s about what I’ve always stood for my entire career. And I will continue to stand for that for the rest of my life. I will care if anyone, anywhere, is being persecuted for their beliefs,” Minaj said. In late October, Trump said the State Department would add Nigeria to its list of “Countries of Particular Concern.” “Christianity is facing an existential threat in Nigeria. Thousands of Christians are being killed,” Trump said. “Radical Islamists are responsible for this mass slaughter. I am hereby making Nigeria a ‘COUNTRY OF PARTICULAR CONCERN’ — But that is the least of it. When Christians, or any such group, is slaughtered like is happening in Nigeria (3,100 versus 4,476 Worldwide), something must be done!” Trump said he would send troops into Nigeria “guns a-blazing” if its government “continues to allow the killing of Christians.” Nigerian President Bola Tinubu disputed Trump’s assertions, saying they did not reflect the facts. “The characterisation of Nigeria as religiously intolerant does not reflect our national reality, nor does it take into consideration the consistent and sincere efforts of the government to safeguard freedom of religion and beliefs for all Nigerians,” he said. “Religious freedom and tolerance have been a core tenet of our collective identity and shall always remain so. Nigeria opposes religious persecution and does not encourage it.”