Democratic Party's collapse continues: Teachers' union boss Randi Weingarten ditches DNC after 23 years

The Democratic Party is deeply unpopular, at odds with most of the electorate on several key issues, estranged from the working class, and roiled by infighting. It's becoming increasingly clear from recent personnel changes that hatred for President Donald Trump is not enough to hold the party together.

American Federation of Teachers boss Randi Weingarten, the childless leftist who helped undermine the mental and physical health of a generation of kids by fighting to keep them out of the classroom during the pandemic, has announced that she is leaving the Democratic National Committee.

Like David Hogg — the gun-grab activist who announced Wednesday that he was not running again for the DNC vice chair position seemingly stolen from him by Democratic election deniers — Weingarten appears to have an issue with DNC Chairman Ken Martin and the current state of play within the party.

Weeks before her hysterical speech at the No Kings rally in Philadelphia, Weingarten noted in a June 5 letter to Martin obtained by Politico that she is honored to have served as an at-large member of the DNC since 2002, on its rules and bylaws committee for the past 15 years, and as a delegate to each of the Democratic conventions for the past three decades.

'It’s flabbergasting to me that a senior DNC member, much less one as supposedly committed as Randi, would take the moment to make it all about her.'

"While I am proud to be a Democrat, I appear to be out of step with the leadership you are forging, and I do not want to be the one who keeps questioning why we are not enlarging our tent and actively trying to engage more and more of our communities," wrote the lesbian union boss, who collects an annual salary of well over $450,000.

She concluded her letter by emphasizing that the AFT will be "especially engaged in the 2025-26 elections."

Alex Wong/Getty Images

Blaze News reached out to Weingarten for comment but did not immediately receive a response.

Martin, the longest-serving chairman in the history of the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party, campaigned on disabusing Americans of the understanding that "the Republican Party best represents the interests of the working class and the poor, and the Democratic Party is the party of the wealthy and the elites" and uniting "families across, age, background and class."

Weingarten, under whose leadership the AFT has championed divisive race-obsessive initiatives and narratives, backed one of the losers in Martin's DNC chairmanship race, Ben Wikler. The AFT boss lauded Wikler in a joint statement for his "inclusive leadership" and for his "ability to unite the party during a tumultuous time."

Photo by Lisa Lake/Getty Images

The union boss' issue with Martin may be a lot more personal than his victory over Wikler. After becoming DNC chair, Martin kicked Weingarten out of her position on the DNC's rules and bylaws committee.

A longtime Democratic strategist complained to The Hill about the timing of Weingarten's resignation ahead of the No Kings demonstrations held across the country on Saturday.

"Especially when the country just showed up by the millions across all demographic and geographic boundaries to take on Trump grassroots-style, it’s flabbergasting to me that a senior DNC member, much less one as supposedly committed as Randi, would take the moment to make it all about her," said the strategist.

Lee Saunders, the leftist president of the 1.4 million-member American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, also declined his nomination to remain on the DNC, telling the New York Times in a statement that the decision "comes after deep reflection and deliberate conversation about the path forward for our union and the working people we represent."

The news of Weingarten and Saunders' departures comes on the heels of David Hogg's unceremonious removal as DNC vice chair.

Hogg, who enjoyed backing from Weingarten, was elected the Democratic Party's youngest vice chairman on Feb. 1. Since the immutable characteristics of the winners of the February election were apparently undesirable, party elites declared Hogg's election null and void, then removed him last week through a virtual vote of 294 to 99.

In a long-winded thread explaining why he would not run again for the position just stolen from him, Hogg bashed the Democratic Party, claiming that Democratic leaders suffer a "serious lack of vision" and are "asleep at the wheel," and said that if Democrats "don't show our country how we are dramatically changing and provide an alternative vision for the future as a party, we will continue to lose."

He also alluded to his "fundamental disagreement about the role" of vice chair with Martin, who reportedly subjected the 25-year-old leftist to a tongue-lashing ahead of his removal.

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David Hogg removed as DNC vice chair, attacks Democrats weeks after spilling beans to undercover reporter

Gun control advocate David Hogg was elected the Democratic Party's youngest vice chairman on Feb. 1.

This proved controversial among some of his fellow travelers, including an electoral loser who complained that the Democratic National Committee had violated its own DEI bylaws by not electing enough people with preferred immutable characteristics.

Despite the party previously stating that the election was "conducted fairly, transparently, and in alignment with the rules," party elites subsequently declared Hogg's election null and void, then removed him on Wednesday through a virtual vote of 294 to 99. Hogg was therefore put in the undesirable position of competing for a seat he won 130 days earlier but had stolen from him.

'We will continue to lose.'

Rather than suffer more humiliation at the hands of his party, the gangling Democrat threw in the towel on Wednesday, announcing he was not running for the new DNC vice chair election.

Prior to explaining his surrender, Hogg revisited critiques of the party that previously got him in hot water with the old guard and dubbed a "twerp" by Democratic strategist James Carville.

Hogg stated in a thread on X, "I started Leaders We Deserve for a simple purpose: to be the Emily's List for progressive young Democrats."

David Hogg. Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images

Leaders We Deserve is an outfit that tries to help young leftists get elected to Congress and state legislatures in order to "defeat the far-right agenda and advance a progressive vision for the future."

"After seeing a serious lack of vision from Democratic leaders, too many of them asleep at the wheel, and Democrats dying in office that have helped to hand Republicans an expanded majority, it became clear that Leaders We Deserve had to start primarying incumbents and directly challenging the culture of seniority politics that brought our party to this place to help get our party into fighting shape again," Hogg wrote.

Hogg, warned not to challenge Democratic incumbents earlier this year by DNC Chairman Ken Martin, noted further, "We have a real challenge ahead of us. We lost voting share with almost every demographic across the board, and despite all that Trump has done, our approvals remain at 27%. If we don't show our country how we are dramatically changing and provide an alternative vision for the future as a party, we will continue to lose."

After that throat-clearing, the 25-year-old Democrat noted that while he sought to play a positive role in the position of DNC vice chair, it has become clear to him that "there is fundamental disagreement about the role."

'I respect his decision to step back from his post as vice chair.'

Hogg claimed that he ultimately decided not to run "so the party can focus on what really matters."

Had he stuck it out, Hogg would likely have faced significant criticism over his recent disclosures to an undercover Project Veritas reporter.

Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

Project Veritas released undercover footage last month that appeared to show Hogg both hammering California Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D) over her alleged insider trading and identifying Jill Biden's former chief of staff, Anthony Bernal, as an individual in the Biden White House who wielded "an enormous amount of power" — a troubling admission amid investigations into the potential misuse of the presidential autopen in the finals days of the Biden administration.

Despite reportedly giving Hogg a tongue-lashing over the weekend, DNC Chair Ken Martin said in a statement obtained by Semafor, "I commend David for his years of activism, organizing, and fighting for his generation."

"While I continue to believe he is a powerful voice for this party, I respect his decision to step back from his post as vice chair," continued Martin. "I have no doubt that he will remain an important advocate for Democrats across the map. I appreciate his service as an officer, his hard work, and his dedication to the party."

The DNC is holding new elections for the roles beginning on Thursday.

Kalyn Free, the American Indian who originally challenged the DNC's February election, tried and failed to secure the role of vice chair earlier this year. Now with Hogg out, she is reportedly trying again.

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'He can't hide': FBI identifies LA thug who allegedly hurled massive rocks at federal officers

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla (Calif.), and other Democrats demonized U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement on Friday, characterizing its lawful operations in California as terrifying and cruel.

The following day, similarly minded radicals swarmed an ICE command post near the Home Depot east of the 710 freeway in Paramount, California. Agents were savagely attacked as they drove away.

The FBI has identified one of the thugs suspected of hurling rocks at ICE agents in Paramount — and the Department of Justice made clear Monday that he won't be on the run for long.

Footage shows a radical wearing a helmet throwing fist-sized rocks into the windshields of ICE vehicles leaving the command post while someone off camera cheers him on in Spanish.

'We are coming after you.'

An individual wearing the same clothing as the rock-thrower appears multiple times in footage captured by KTTV-TV. On one occasion, he can be seen holding a red bottle while standing atop a truck and screaming at U.S. Border Patrol agents.

It is clear from video taken inside one of the ICE vehicles that the incoming projectiles threatened the lives of the ICE agents therein and, on at least one occasion, punched through the glass.

— (@)

The FBI put the then-unnamed suspect on its Most Wanted list over the weekend and offered a reward of up to $50,000 for information leading to the rock-thrower's identification, arrest, and conviction.

Anti-ICE protesters in LA on June 8. Photo by Jim Vondruska/Getty Images

The bureau noted that the suspect, accused of assault on a federal officer and damage to government property, should be considered armed and dangerous.

— (@)

Bill Essayli, U.S. attorney for the Central District of California, noted, "We will find him. We will charge him. Justice is coming."

It didn't take long to put a name to the masked face.

The FBI announced Monday evening that agents identified 40-year-old Elpidio Reyna of Compton as their suspect and indicated that he is now considered a fugitive.

"Elpidio Reyna can run, but he can't hide," said Essayli.

"Reyna, 40, is charged with assault on a federal officer, and faces up to eight years in prison if convicted."

Photo by Kyle Grillot/Bloomberg via Getty Images

After likening Los Angeles to a "third-world country," Attorney General Pam Bondi told Sean Hannity Monday, "They are doing a search warrant on his house as we speak."

A spokesperson for the FBI’s Los Angeles field office told the New York Post Monday night that Reyna had not yet been captured and that the investigation was ongoing.

While Reyna had not been captured as of Monday night, Bondi put him and other possible attackers on notice: "We are coming after you, federally."

Both the recent attacks and the firm response from the legal arm of the Trump administration appear to have emboldened the Department of Homeland Security.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said in a statement to Blaze News, "Under the leadership of President Trump, we will put the safety of American citizens FIRST, not these criminal illegal aliens that sanctuary city politicians are defending."

"ICE will continue to enforce the law. If you lay a hand on a law enforcement officer, you will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law," added Noem.

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Sen. Fetterman breaks ranks, admits the truth about Democrats' radical position on the anti-ICE riots

Numerous Democratic politicians have in recent days returned to their summer 2020 strategy of characterizing violent leftist riots as peaceful protest and President Donald Trump's desire to restore order as both escalatory and authoritarian.

Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman, among the standouts in his party who previously refused to join progressives in attacking Israel in the wake of the 2023 Hamas terrorist attacks, proved willing once again to call out his colleagues for their radical approach.

The trend

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents executed a number of lawful operations last week in California. Democrats were quick to demonize the federal agents and frame their operations as illegitimate.

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, for instance, accused ICE agents of sowing "terror" and stressed that the city would "not stand for this."

California U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla followed suit, stating that the "ICE raids across Los Angeles today are a continuation of a disturbing pattern of extreme and cruel immigration enforcement operations across the country" and demanding "accountability for today's actions."

'This is a wake up call for many Democrats.'

While Democrats vilified ICE, similarly minded radicals took to the streets, attacking police and federal agents, blockading major thoroughfares, setting fires across the city, and looting downtown businesses.

Photo by RINGO CHIU/AFP via Getty Images

At the outset, Fetterman's comrades were largely silent on the matter, even as police were being brutalized by foreign flag-waving radicals. However, when President Donald Trump called up the National Guard on Saturday and deemed the rioters "troublemakers and insurrectionists," Democrats decided chaos was, actually, a problem — but a problem attributable primarily to Trump.

Bass, California Gov. Gavin Newsom, and Massachusetts Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey were among the Democrats who blamed Trump and his administration for the violence and unrest.

The exception

Fetterman suggested in a message on Monday that Democrats' failure to condemn the violent and destructive acts committed by the rioters in Los Angeles was not only immoral but a self-own.

"I unapologetically stand for free speech, peaceful demonstrations, and immigration — but this is not that," wrote Fetterman in a message accompanying a photograph of a rioter standing atop a destroyed car and waving a Mexican flag while nearby other wrecks burned. "This is anarchy and true chaos."

"My party loses the moral high ground when we refuse to condemn setting cars on fire, destroying buildings, and assaulting law enforcement," added Fetterman.

While poorly received by unhinged partisans like podcaster Keith Olbermann, Republicans welcomed the insight.

Anti-ICE protesters in LA on June 8. Photo by Jim Vondruska/Getty Images

"Well said," responded Alabama Sen. Katie Boyd Britt (R).

Ohio gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy wrote, "It's hard to preach hard truths to your own side. I respect this."

Elon Musk responded with an American flag emoji.

Deputy White House chief of staff Taylor Budowich seized upon Fetterman's tweet as a strong indicator to similarly sensible Democrats that their party may have left them behind.

"This is a wake up call for many Democrats: there is no room for you in the party of @GavinNewsom and @KamalaHarris," wrote Budowich. "Their self-obsessed pursuits of power are blind to you and your concerns. They defend chaos, reject biology, and are unbothered by the invasion of our nation."

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CNN talking head Dana Bash delivers Hakeem Jeffries some really, really bad news: 'It's pretty rough'

There is unlikely a Democrat now in Washington, D.C., unaware of just how unpopular and distrusted their party has become in recent years, particularly under the co-captaincy of Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (N.Y.) and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries — whose average disapproval ratings according to RealClearPolitics are 46.1% and 28.6%, respectively.

The disapproval rating for the party as a whole was 58.3% as of May 25, according to polling by the Economist and YouGov.

The bad news for Democrats just keeps on coming — and CNN talking head Dana Bash proved willing to deliver more of it to Jeffries in person over the weekend.

A new CNN survey conducted by SSRS and published Sunday revealed just how worthless the Democratic Party has become in the eyes of most Americans: Only 16% of Americans regard the Democrats as the party with strong leaders. By way of comparison, 40% of respondents characterized the GOP as the "party with strong leaders."

When asked which party "can get things done," 19% of respondents said the Democratic Party and 36% said the GOP.

A plurality said in response to both questions that the right answer was "neither party."

Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

When broken down by party affiliation, only 39% of self-identified Democrats said their party had strong leaders, while 13% of Democrats admitted the other party had the stronger leaders. Alternatively, 85% of self-identified Republican respondents said their party had strong leaders, and only 3% said the Democrats had strong leaders.

There was similarly low confidence on the part of self-identified Democrats when asked whether their party was effective: 49% said their party gets things done, while 8% instead said the GOP was the more effective party of the two. Conversely, 81% of Republicans said their party was effective, and, again, only 3% said as much of the Democrats.

When asked which political party's views resonate with their own, respondents chose the GOP over Democrats when it came to: the economy, 38% to 31%; immigration, 39% to 33%; crime and policing, 40% to 27%; taxes, 37% to 30%; and the federal budget, 34% to 29%.

'They're frustrated with you as well.'

The Democrats had an edge with respondents on the following topics: "protecting American democracy," abortion, "the way society deals with racial issues," "the way society deals with LGBT issues," and climate change.

Despite this and other polls painting his party in a negative light, Jeffries took a page out of Schumer's book of recent failed plays and questioned President Donald Trump's popularity in an interview Sunday with Bash, calling Trump "the most unpopular president at this point of a presidency in American history."

Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images

Dana Bash welcomed the congressman's segue into the network's damning graphics highlighting the public's low confidence in the Democratic Party's leadership and efficacy.

"It shows that only 19% of Americans say that your party can get things done; 36 say the same about Republicans," said Bash. "And just 16% say your party has strong leaders. It's pretty rough, and you are one of those leaders. How do you turn that around?"

After a pregnant pause, Jeffries said, "Yes, we don't have the presidency right now, so that's always going to be challenging a few months after a presidential election."

The Democrat identified various causes of voter frustration, prompting Bash to note that "they're frustrated with you as well, with Democrats as well."

Jeffries again tried to shield his party from accountability, noting, "Of course — they're frustrated with the system."

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Father of leftist accused of gunning down Israeli embassy staffers was Democrat's guest

Two Israeli embassy staffers were fatally gunned down Wednesday while leaving an event at the Capital Jewish Museum building in Washington, D.C. The suspected gunman, pro-Palestinian Marxist Elias Rodriguez of Chicago, allegedly shouted, "Free, free Palestine!" after his capture.

Democratic Rep. Jesús "Chuy" García (Ill.) was among the many who rushed to condemn what the Israeli Foreign Ministry deemed a "brutal terrorist attack," stating, "My heart is with the victims, and everyone impacted by the attack. We mourn the lives lost and reject the idea that justice can be won through violence."

The New York Post highlighted a curious link between García and the alleged shooter, namely the Marxist suspect's father, Eric Rodriguez.

García announced on March 3 that his guest to President Donald Trump's joint address to Congress was Eric Rodriguez, "a constituent of the district, resident of West Lawn, disabled Army veteran, frontline VA worker, and union steward in the Service Employees International Union."

'We don’t know his family.'

"Eric represents the very best of our community — someone who has served his country, continues to serve his fellow veterans, and fights every day to protect the dignity of working people," said García. "His presence at the Joint Address is a powerful statement: We will not sit back while veterans and workers are treated as political pawns."

Photo by Tom Brenner For The Washington Post via Getty Images

When pressed about his night with the alleged killer's father, a spokesperson for the Democrat told the Post Thursday night, "Eric Rodriguez was our guest during the President’s Joint Speech to Congress, but we don't know his family."

It's not just time with Eric Rodriguez that García shares in common with the suspected shooter. They also appear to have some overlapping political views regarding Israel and Palestinian activism.

After all, the congressman secured through his legislative actions and political decisions a B-score from the Americans for Justice in Palestine Action. For instance, García:

voted in 2023 against a bill imposing sanctions on Islamic terrorist organizations including Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade, the Lion's Den, and on any affiliate or successor groups;
voted in 2023 against a resolution condemning "the support of Hamas, Hezbollah, and other terrorist organizations at institutions of higher education, which may lead to the creation of a hostile environment for Jewish students, faculty, and staff";
would not sign a statement condemning Democratic Rep. Rashida Tlaib's (Mich.) use of a slogan widely used as a rallying cry for the eradication of Israel;
criticized sending arms to Israel; and
demanded a Palestinian speaker at the Democratic National Convention last year.

According to the FBI's charging affidavit, the son of García's one-time guest told Washington Metropolitan Police after allegedly slaying Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Lynn Milgrim, "I did it for Palestine, I did it for Gaza, I am unarmed."

As he was escorted away by police, Rodriguez allegedly shouted, "Free Palestine!"

'The FBI is aware of certain writings allegedly authored by the suspect.'

Blaze News previously noted that Rodriguez, a graduate from the University of Illinois who donated to Joe Biden's 2020 campaign, has a history of anti-white commentary and has been involved with the pro-Palestinian group Party for Socialism and Liberation.

Prior to the deadly shooting, Rodriguez allegedly posted a manifesto to X titled "Escalate for Gaza, Bring the War Home."

Photo by Selcuk Acar/Anadolu via Getty Images

FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino stated, "The FBI is aware of certain writings allegedly authored by the suspect, and we hope to have updates as to the authenticity very soon."

The manifesto allegedly tied to Rodriguez accuses Israel of "genocide" and claims "the perpetrators and abettors have forfeited their humanity."

Rodriguez was informed Thursday that he was being held on charges of murder of foreign officials, causing the death of a person through the use of a firearm, discharge of a firearm during a crime of violence, and two counts of first-degree murder, reported WUSA-TV.

Magistrate Judge Matthew Sharbaugh told the Marxist he could face the death penalty if convicted.

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Latest attempt to impeach Trump ends in total humiliation: 'Idiotic'

Rep. Shri Thanedar, a 70-year-old Michigan Democrat drowning in primary challenges, introduced seven articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump late last month, citing "a sweeping abuse of power, flagrant violations of the Constitution, and acts of tyranny that undermine American democracy and threaten the rule of law."

On Tuesday, he implored his colleagues to support his articles of impeachment, stressing, "It's never the wrong time to stand up for our Constitution." Thanedar's fellow Democrats appear, however, to have convinced him it was actually a bad time.

Thanedar was set to call up the resolution for floor consideration on Wednesday, but backed down at the last moment in an apparent effort to spare himself further embarrassment.

"This week, Democrats ousted their DNC 'leader,' opposed the largest tax cut in history, and were exposed for actively covering up Joe Biden's four-year cognitive decline. Now, Democrats have turned their sights to threatening impeachment. We are witnessing the collapse of the Democrat Party before our eyes," White House deputy press secretary Anna Kelly told Blaze News. "Not a single one of these efforts will help the American people. The contrast could not be more clear: President Trump is fighting for historic tax relief for the American people, Democrats are fighting themselves."

Earlier in the day, Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar of California said, "This is not the right approach we should be taking," and in recent weeks, multiple Democrats asked for their names to be removed from his resolution.

Photo (left): Spencer Platt/Getty Images; Photo (center): Eric Lee for The Washington Post via Getty Images; Photo (right): Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call Inc. via Getty Images

Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) suggested that Democrats lacked the power necessary to successfully see the impeachment through, reported the Associated Press.

Congressional Democrats' approval ratings have plumbed record lows in recent weeks. According to a YouGov poll for the Economist conducted earlier this month, 54% of Americans viewed Democrats in an unfavorable light; only 33% rated them favorably.

'There's no support for an impeachment resolution.'

"As I tried to explain to him, having been around the track a couple of times on this, it's not enough to be right," Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) told the Associated Press. "[Impeachment] as a constitutional matter is a mixed question of law and politics."

Aguilar noted that Thanedar's proposal was "not ripe and not timely."

"There's no support for an impeachment resolution. There have been no hearings on compiling a record for which impeachment can be based. And this is just a procedure that's meaningless at this point," Rep. Hank Johnson (D-Ga.) told the Associated Press. "The sponsor is out of sync with the mood and the trajectory of House Democrats."

Multiple sources told Axios that Rep. Jerry Nadler (N.Y.) was applauded in a closed-door House Democrat meeting Wednesday when he called Thanedar's impeachment push "idiotic" and "horrible."

According to Politico, several Democratic representatives, including Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (N.Y.), Greg Casar (Texas), Brad Schneider (Ill.), and Raskin, were seen speaking privately to Thanedar on the floor before his reversal. Schneider reportedly impressed upon Thanedar the need to focus instead on Republicans' megabill.

"In the 15 days since I filed seven articles of impeachment against President Trump, he has committed more impeachable offenses, most dangerously accepting a $400 million private jet from Qatar, which even Republican members of Congress have called wrong," Thanedar said in a statement on Wednesday. "So after talking with many colleagues, I have decided not to force a vote on impeachment today."

The India-born Democrat, whose challengers include a candidate backed by Squad member Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.), noted further that he will add to his articles of impeachment and "continue to rally the support of both Democrats and Republicans to defend the Constitution with me."

Thanedar's withdrawn resolution claimed that Trump created an "unlawful office" by establishing the Department of Government Efficiency and accused the president of "tyrannical overreach"; "usurpation of appropriations power"; "abuse of trade powers and international aggression"; "violation of First Amendment rights"; bribery and corruption; and "obstruction of justice and abuse of executive power."

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Despite Democrat hysteria, Wisconsin judge accused of thwarting ICE faces 6 years in prison after grand jury indictment

Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers' Democratic administration issued guidance on April 18 directing state employees not to immediately cooperate with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement or other federal agents. That same day, Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan allegedly helped a previously deported illegal alien facing three misdemeanor counts of battery get away from ICE.

In what proved to be a shock to some Americans now accustomed to seeing judicial activism go unchecked, the FBI arrested Dugan on April 25. The arrest sent Democratic lawmakers, former judges, and liberal activists into a frenzy.

The indictment alleges that Dugan committed multiple 'affirmative acts' to assist Eduardo Flores-Ruiz evade arrest.

Following weeks of Democratic accusations of judicial intimidation and claims about an improper arrest, a federal grand jury determined Tuesday that there was, after all, sufficient evidence to indict Dugan on charges of concealing a person from arrest and obstruction of the law.

The indictment alleges that Dugan committed multiple "affirmative acts" to assist Eduardo Flores-Ruiz evade arrest following his pre-trial April 18 appearance in her courtroom, including:

confronting members of an ICE task force and "falsely telling them they needed a judicial warrant to effectuate the arrest of E.F.R.";
directing all members of the task force to leave the public hallway outside her courtroom and to go to the chief judge's office;
addressing the illegal alien's criminal case off the record while ICE agents were waiting in the chief judge's office;
"directing E.F.R. and his counsel to exit Courtroom 615 through a non-public jury door"; and
advising Flores-Ruiz's lawyer that the illegal alien could appear by Zoom for his next court date.

Despite Dugan's alleged efforts, law enforcement was ultimately able to capture Flores-Ruiz, an illegal alien from Mexico who was previously deported in 2013, after a brief foot chase. Flores-Ruiz's battery charges reportedly include modifiers for domestic violence and reflect that he allegedly punched one individual 30 times, then brutalized the woman who attempted to intervene.

Attorney General Pam Bondi noted in an interview last month that both of Flores-Ruiz's alleged victims had to be hospitalized.

Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images

Dugan indicated through a lawyer that she will fight the charges, reported the New York Times.

"Judge Hannah C. Dugan has committed herself to the rule of law and the principles of due process for her entire career as a lawyer and a judge," said Dugan's lawyers. "Judge Dugan asserts her innocence and looks forward to being vindicated in court."

If convicted, Dugan could reportedly land up to six years in prison.

The judge turned defendant is expected to enter a plea at her Thursday hearing.

According to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, U.S. District Judge Lynn Adelman will preside over Dugan's case. That bodes well for the meddlesome judge.

After all, Adelman, a Clinton appointee who long served in the Wisconsin state Senate as a Democrat, has a history of attacking President Donald Trump, claiming, for instance, that the president makes no effort "to enact policies beneficial to the general public" and behaves like an "autocrat." The Heritage Foundation noted that Lynn has also compared Republicans to "the 'fireaters,' [sic] those fervent defenders of slavery who pushed the South into the Civil War."

The Department of Homeland Security told Blaze News, "Judge Dugan intentionally misdirected ICE agents away from this criminal illegal alien to obstruct the arrest and try to help him evade arrest. Thankfully, our FBI partners chased down this illegal alien, arrested him and removed him from American communities."

Tricia McLaughlin, the Department of Homeland Security's assistant secretary for public affairs, stated, "Since President Trump was inaugurated, activist judges have tried to obstruct President Trump and the American people’s mandate to make America safe and secure our homeland — but this judge’s actions to shield an accused violent criminal illegal alien from justice is shocking and shameful."

"We are thankful for our partners at the FBI for helping remove this accused criminal from America’s streets," continued McLaughlin. "If you are here illegally and break the law, we will hunt you down, arrest you and lock you up. That's a promise."

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem told Fox News' Jesse Watters Tuesday, "I'm grateful that the judicial system recognized that Judge Duggan let down the court, the country, and the authority that her position held and that she will be held accountable. That [the indictment] was a great decision to recognize that nobody can facilitate breaking the law. We should not be able to allow that in this country. We need to make sure that even judges are held accountable for their actions."

Shortly after Dugan's arrest last month, FBI Director Kash Patel posted to social media: "We believe Judge Dugan intentionally misdirected federal agents away from the subject to be arrested in her courthouse, Eduardo Flores Ruiz, allowing the subject — an illegal alien — to evade arrest."

In response to a request for comment about Dugan's grand jury indictment, the FBI told Blaze News: "We don’t have anything to add to Director Patel’s public statements posted on social media."

The White House did not respond by deadline.

Dugan's indictment comes two weeks after the Supreme Court of Wisconsin relieved her of her official duties "in order to uphold the public's confidence in the courts of this state." As a result, Dugan — who appears to have flouted the Wisconsin Code of Judicial Conduct, particularly its requirement that "a judge shall avoid impropriety and the appearance of impropriety in all of the judge's activities" — is now prohibited from exercising the powers of a circuit court judge in the state until further order from the Wisconsin Supreme Court.

In the wake of her arrest, Democratic lawmakers and their allies in the media ran with the narrative that the FBI's enforcement of the law amounted to the Trump administration "making an example of the Milwaukee judge to intimidate critics and opponents."

For instance, U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisc.) stated, "We have a system of checks and balances and separations of power for damn good reasons. The President's administration arresting a sitting judge is a gravely serious and drastic move, and it threatens to breach those very separations of power."

Democratic Rep. Jamie Raskin (Md.) told Axios, "It is remarkable that the Administration would dare to start arresting state court judges."

Photo by Kayla Bartkowski/Getty Images

Rep. Greg Landsman (D-Ohio) said, "They arrested a judge?! They can no longer claim to be a party of law and order."

Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers (D) stated on the day of the arrest, "We have seen in recent months the president and the Trump Administration repeatedly use dangerous rhetoric to attack and attempt to undermine our judiciary at every level."

While some Democratic lawmakers issued their condemnations, others celebrated Dugan's alleged obstruction and concealment of a person from arrest.

Wisconsin state Rep. Ryan Clancy (D) stated, "I commend Judge Hannah Dugan's defense of due process by preventing ICE from shamefully using her courtroom as an ad hoc holding area for deportations."

Hundreds of former state and federal judges also leaned into the narrative, stating in a recent letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi — who had noted on X, "No one is above the law" — that "the circumstances of Judge Dugan's arrest make it clear that it was nothing but an effort to threaten and intimidate the state and federal judiciaries into submitting to the Administration, instead of interpreting the Constitution and laws of the United States."

This is a developing story.

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Bernie Sanders unapologetic about private jet use on anti-oligarchy tour

Rather than idle in one of his three houses, millionaire Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) has been traveling around the country for his Fighting Oligarchy Tour, hitting Americans up for money and giving speeches with Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) and other fellow travelers on "how we move forward to take on the oligarchs and corporate interests who have so much power and influence in this country."

When pressed Wednesday about the optics of taking a private jet around the country to complain about poverty and inequality, Sanders stated emphatically that he would not apologize for avoiding the alternative modes of travel used by everyday Americans.

Citing campaign expenditures released last month, the Washington Free Beacon indicated that Sanders' main campaign committee, Friends of Bernie Sanders, which manages the Fighting Oligarchy Tour, spent $221,723 on chartering private jets during the first quarter of 2025.

Some of the flights taken by Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez on the "Fighting Oligarchy Tour" were reportedly worth $15,000 an hour.

Where Sanders is concerned, this is par for the course.

In the final three months of 2019, Sanders' campaign spent nearly $1.2 million on a luxury private jet charter service — not a good look for someone critical of the wealthy and supposedly concerned about the supposed threat of climate change.

'You think I'm gonna be sitting on a waiting line at United waiting?'

During an interview Wednesday, Fox News' Bret Baier asked the self-described democratic socialist to respond to the Beacon's report concerning his jet travel.

Sanders initially tried to neutralize the question with some whataboutery, suggesting that President Donald Trump — who has made no claim to being a socialist — has not and would not fly commercial while in "campaign mode."

"But he's also not fighting the oligarchy," said Baier.

"You run a campaign, and you do three or four or five rallies in a week. [It is] the only way you can get around to talk to 30,000 people," said Sanders. "You think I'm gonna be sitting on a waiting line at United waiting? You know, while 30, 000 people are waiting?"

'Socialism for you, luxury for him.'

Sanders stressed that private jet travel was "the only way to get around."

"No apologies for that," continued the senator. "That's what campaign travel is about. We've done it in the past. We're gonna do it in the future."

— (@)

"I think at a time when the people on top are doing phenomenally well, when seniors, working-class people are struggling, people want to hear action to stand up to the people who have the wealth and the power and create an economy that works for all of us, not just the people on top," Sanders told Baier.

Critics seized upon Sanders' comments as another example of his apparent hypocrisy.

"Ironic that a self proclaimed socialist doesn't like to stand in line since that's what people do in socialist countries. It's just for food, gas, and medical attention — not flights on United," tweeted former Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker (R).

All-American swim star Riley Gaines noted, "The socialist who rails against the wealthy flies private and scoffs at flying commercial — socialism for you, luxury for him."

Sanders admitted during his October appearance on the "Lex Fridman Podcast" that it is easy for politicians to lose touch with everyday Americans and their priorities, noting that "it's a very easy trap to fall into — you can get separated from ordinary people and their struggle."

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'Genocidal language': JD Vance, Democrat strategist James Carville blast Ilhan Omar over anti-white comments

Vice President JD Vance and Democratic strategist James Carville both blasted Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar (Minn.) this week over her apparent racial animus. Whereas Vance characterized the Minnesota congresswoman as a "disgrace," Carville suggested she was a political liability whose supporters "are more trouble than they're worth."

Omar was asked in a February 2018 interview about President Donald Trump's Executive Order 13780 — the so-called "Muslim travel ban" that placed restrictions on entry to the U.S. by nationals from terrorist hotbeds such as Syria and Omar's native country of Somalia.

"Do you think President Trump doesn't want people like you in the country? Because he says it's not personal; it's national security," Mehdi Hasan, a liberal talking head known for his "anti-Israel agitprop," asked Omar in the interview.

'Our country should be more fearful of white men.'

"If we were really being honest about what could be masqueraded as a national security issue, we know that no one from any of these countries has ever posed a threat within this country," said Omar.

Hasan noted later in a portion of the interview that has repeatedly gone viral that "a lot of conservatives in particular would say that the rise of Islamophobia is the result not of hate but of fear — a legitimate fear, they say, of 'jihadist terrorism,' whether it's Fort Hood or San Bernardino or the recent truck attack in New York. What do you say to them?"

Omar — who previously summarized the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks as "some people did something" and whose community saw dozens of young men, including the first known American Islamist suicide bomber, return to Somalia to fight for Islamic terrorist groups — appeared keen to downplay the relative threat of Islamic terrorism.

"I would say our country should be more fearful of white men across our country because they are actually causing most of the deaths within this country," said the Democratic congresswoman. "And so if fear was the driving force of policies to keep America safe, Americans safe inside of this country, we should be profiling, monitoring, and creating policies to fight the radicalization of white men."

'This is blatant racism.'

An excerpt from the seven-year-old interview recently resurfaced and, with the amplification of influencer accounts like Libs of TikTok, quickly went viral.

Vice President JD Vance commented on the excerpt, which had over 17.5 million views at the time of publication, writing, "This isn't just sick; it's actually genocidal language."

"What a disgrace this person is," added Vance, who previously suggested that Ilhan Omar would be "living in a craphole" if the U.S. hadn't welcomed her.

Omar punched back, claiming she was "referring to the rise of white nationalism in an annual report issued by the Anti-Defamation League that said white supremacists were responsible for 78 percent of 'extremist-related murders.'"

"PS you should look up what 'genocidal' actually means when you're actively supporting a genocide taking place in Gaza," added Omar.

Other critics piled on, with some X users issuing reminders about Omar's past difficulty filing accurate tax returns and others calling for her deportation.

Utah Sen. Mike Lee (R) said of Omar's comments, "This is blatant racism. Who condemns it?"

'There are people that actually agree with her.'

Republican Majority Whip Tom Emmer (Minn.) said Omar "never ceases to be an embarrassment for Minnesota."

Carville similarly took aim at Omar over her comments days later at the Sir Harry Evans Investigative Journalism Summit when discussing how Democrats might "regain their mojo," emphasizing that they aren't doing her party any favors.

"Ilhan Omar says that white men are responsible for most of the deaths in the United States," Carville said Wednesday. "So let me get this straight: 69% of the people — I'm stuck on that number; I don't know — but 69% of people who're going to vote are white. Of that, [48.5%] are males. So I don't know, my rough math is 33%. Let's go out and piss off 33% of the people that vote."

"That's a smart strategy," added Carville sarcastically. "There are people that actually agree with her, and I think these — honestly — I think these people are more trouble than they're worth."

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