The same Democrats who crushed American freedoms with tyrannical COVID lockdowns are now latching on to the "dictator" narrative against President Donald Trump as they fight to shield illegal aliens, including those who committed additional crimes in the U.S., from the administration's immigration enforcement measures.
On June 14, No Kings held thousands of protests nationwide, highlighting the left's baseless portrayal of Trump as an authoritarian dictator with unchecked power. The demonstrations were primarily provoked by disapproval of the administration's deportation push.
'We need #ShutdownNYC now.'
Just weeks earlier, a riot broke out in Los Angeles over Trump's immigration crackdown, where protesters flooded the streets waving Mexican flags and some individuals even set vehicles ablaze.
Meanwhile, the left accused Trump of overstepping his authority by deploying National Guard troops to California to prevent further destruction and violence as Democrat Governor Gavin Newsom and Democrat Mayor Karen Bass sat on their hands.
Newsom claimed that Trump's deployment of troops was an "authoritarian use of military soldiers against citizens."
"Donald Trump is not a king and not above the law," the governor declared.
Amid the ongoing tension, more Democrats have leaned into the claims that Trump is acting like a king, vilifying the administration for delivering on the president's campaign promise to solve the nation's illegal immigration crisis.
Earlier this month, Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) attempted to ambush Department of Homeland Security Kristi Noem's press conference after previously claiming the L.A. riots were "largely peaceful."
Federal agents briefly detained Padilla for trying to bypass officers to approach Noem during her speech. The senator claimed he "ended up in handcuffs" for asking a question.
"If this is how the Trump administration treats a U.S. Senator in broad daylight, imagine what they're doing to immigrants behind closed doors," Padilla wrote in a post on X. "We cannot stay silent. We will not back down."
Many Democratic politicians, including Newsom, ran to Padilla's defense, seizing the opportunity to accuse Trump of authoritarian actions.
Newsom stated, "This is outrageous, dictatorial, and shameful. Trump and his shock troops are out of control. This must end now."
Padilla's disruptive stunt followed an incident involving Rep. LaMonica McIver (D-N.J.) the previous month.
McIver was slapped with federal charges after she was accused of assaulting an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer at a Newark, New Jersey, detention facility where Democrats had demanded access.
The congresswoman called the indictment "political intimidation," claiming that she was at Delaney Hall "to do my job."
McIver also stood up for New York City Comptroller Brad Lander, who was arrested for allegedly interfering with ICE operations when he locked arms with a man as federal agents approached them outside the courtroom.
McIver stated, "This administration will stop at nothing to intimidate those who dare to stand against their hateful agenda. This is a horrifying state of affairs for our country."
Lander accused Trump of using "authoritarian tactics."
Critics viewed Lander's move as a publicity stunt during his mayoral campaign. Lander conceded to Zohran Mamdani after he failed to convince more than roughly 11% of NYC Democrats to support him.
Democratic leaders seem unified in their messaging against Trump, portraying him as a significant threat to freedom.
However, conservatives accused those same politicians of acting like kings just a few years ago, promoting oppressive lockdowns that harmed the economy and caused irreparable damage to mental health.
Newsom imposed some of the strictest lockdown measures in the nation, preventing Americans from gathering, forcing them to close their businesses, and using police to ticket and arrest citizens for trespassing on closed beaches. During the same period, he celebrated a birthday party at a Michelin-starred restaurant in Napa Valley.
During the COVID era, Padilla backed Newsom's leadership, applauding the governor's "statewide face mask mandate" as an "important and timely effort to reduce the spread."
"Let's commit to wearing masks, getting the vaccine, and staying home and social distancing as much as possible," he stated in January 2021.
Padilla repeatedly accused Republicans of spreading "COVID-19 disinformation" that he described as "nearly as dangerous as the disease itself." He claimed conservatives were "anti-mask, anti-science zealots" for criticizing Newsom's leadership.
While insisting Americans should mask up and stay home, he advocated for illegal immigrants to receive a "pathway to citizenship," claiming that "undocumented essential workers braved harsh conditions."
RELATED: The untold story of LA’s underground COVID-era speakeasies
Meanwhile, the lockdown situation in New York was similar to that in Los Angeles.
In March 2020, Lander encouraged then-Governor Andrew Cuomo (D) and then-Mayor Bill de Blasio (D) to "close schools, non-essential businesses incl. restaurants & bars, [and] implement aggressive social distancing." He also advocated for closing places of worship.
Lander noted that social distancing would not work "until officially mandated."
"We need #ShutdownNYC now," Lander wrote.
During the COVID era, Democratic politicians enforced and supported strict lockdown measures, including business closures and vaccine mandates that trampled over American freedoms. Now, just a few years later, those same leaders are criticizing Trump's immigration enforcement as authoritarian as the left continues to prioritize illegal aliens over American citizens.
BlazeTV host Steve Deace stated, "To be fair, these COVID tyrants are subject matter experts on what it means to be an authoritarian. Snark aside, it's impossible to be an authoritarian against invaders by the very definition of the term. We elected the Trump administration to exercise its authority to enact mass deportations, which are needed now more than ever."
Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!
On September 11, 2001, nearly 2,500 Americans were killed when two planes hijacked by Muslim terrorists struck New York City’s Twin Towers. It’s been less than 24 years, and now that same city has elected Zohran Mamdani — a “communist,” “Muslim radical,” and “jihadist apologist” — as its Democratic mayoral candidate.
Mamdani is a 33-year-old Democratic socialist backed by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.). He openly supports the Palestinian-led Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions movement, refuses to condemn the phrase "globalize the intifada," and proposes rent freezes, city-owned grocery stores, a $30 minimum wage, and a Department of Community Safety to reduce reliance on police.
All it took was 24 years for NYC to go “completely insane,” says Glenn Beck.
Mamdani was endorsed and funded to the tune of $100,000 by the Council on American-Islamic Relations, which has been accused by multiple U.S. government officials, including federal prosecutors and FBI agents as well as several conservative advocacy groups, as being a Hamas front group and a terrorist organization.
He also received campaign donations from multiple faculty members from Columbia University, where several pro-Palestinian protests, many involving violent incidents, have erupted since 2023. Some of these donors even signed a letter defending Hamas’ October 7, 2023, attacks.
In a 2024 Facebook post, Mamdani’s campaign political director, Julian Gerson, wrote that he was “looking forward to driving down Mangione Avenue a few decades from now.” The post was seen as expressing direct support for Luigi Mangione – the man charged with the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.
“Sounds like supporting killing people in the streets,” says Glenn.
On June 17, Mamdani appeared on “The Bulwark Podcast” hosted by Tim Miller and equated the phrase “globalize the intifada” to “a desperate desire for equality and equal rights in standing up for Palestinian human rights,” arguing that the word “intifada” means “struggle” or “uprising” in Arabic. He even suggested that the term was used by the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum in Arabic to describe the Jewish Warsaw Ghetto Uprising against the Nazis — a sentiment the museum condemned as “outrageous and especially offensive to survivors.”
Glenn makes an excellent point: If “intifada” describes the Jewish uprising at Warsaw, “then [globalize the intifada] is not just a harmless kind of slogan about human rights; it is a call for violence on the streets,” as the Warsaw uprising was a bloody affair marked by fierce urban combat and executions.
Mamdani’s father, a current professor at Columbia University, has denied that terror and violence are an inherent part of Islam. His book, “Good Muslim, Bad Muslim: America, the Cold War, and the Roots of Terror,” argues that terrorism is a modern political phenomenon, not a product of Islamic culture, and is often rooted in historical encounters with Western power.
“I've read the Quran and much of the Hadith, and I'm pretty sure the violence is a part of that,” says Glenn, noting that the Americans supporting the pro-Palestine movement and people like Zohran Mamdani, condemning any opposition as “Islamophobia,” are ironically the first people who will be in the crosshairs if an Islamic takeover happens.
“The progressive left — the champions of feminism, LGBTQ rights, and secularism — they're going to stand with the people who want to kill them first,” he says.
But right now, that isn’t a concern for the left. They’re amped about Mamdani’s plans to “tax the rich” so he can provide “free buses” and “city-run grocery stores.”
“I'm old enough to remember those city-run grocery stores in Moscow. They were great; the shelves were empty, but that's just Moscow. I mean it worked out completely different in Venezuela where ... oh, no, it didn't. ... They were eating the zoo animals,” mocks Glenn. This is communist dogma at work, he says, and it’s responsible for the “deaths of 100 million people.”
“Get the hell out of New York City. This is about survival,” he warns.
To hear more about New York’s new Democrat mayoral candidate, watch the clip above.
To enjoy more of Glenn’s masterful storytelling, thought-provoking analysis, and uncanny ability to make sense of the chaos, subscribe to BlazeTV — the largest multi-platform network of voices who love America, defend the Constitution, and live the American dream.
As Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton gears up to challenge incumbent U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-Texas) in the Republican primary for the 2026 Senate election, Aaron Reitz is preparing to replace Paxton as Texas attorney general. As a former deputy attorney general for legal strategy under Paxton, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, a former chief of staff to Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas), and a former assistant attorney general in the Trump administration’s Department of Justice, Reitz is perfectly suited to be Texas’ next top cop.
On a recent episode of “Prime Time with Alex Stein,” Reitz joined Alex to talk about a disturbing development in New York’s 2025 mayoral race: Zohran Mamdani, a "socialist-communist Muslim," just won the Democratic nomination.
Mamdani ran on promises to provide free city buses and universal child care, to freeze rent on stabilized units, to open city-owned grocery stores, to institute a $30 minimum wage by 2030, and to build 200,000 affordable housing units – all funded by taxing the wealthy and corporations.
With none other than Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) as his muse, Mamdani is as socialist as they come.
And he’s a Muslim who defends the phrase “globalize the intifada” and is an outspoken advocate for Palestinian causes. Among his long list of brow-raising campaign donors is the Council on American-Islamic Relations — a group widely criticized as a Hamas front with suspected terrorist ties, notorious for its anti-Israel propaganda and support for extremist causes.
In an ironic twist, however, Mamdani’s Muslim faith — a religion associated with deeply traditional values — hasn’t hindered him from being as socially progressive as it gets.
Alex shares a 2020 Instagram post from Mamdani that tells you exactly where he falls on the woke meter.
The caption reads: “Defunding the police is a feminist issue. Women, especially trans women, are disproportionately impacted by police violence & the violence of incarceration. We need to divest from these systems & invest in services that lift all of us up.”
“I actually think he's going to be good for New York City, because if this is what New York City wants, this is what New York City gets,” says Alex. “They are at a point where I have no sympathy for them whatsoever.”
Reitz agrees — “They say in a democracy you get the leaders that you deserve.”
And maybe electing Mamdani will actually help New York correct its course in the end.
“What helped President Trump win in 2024 was we just went through four years of a disastrous Biden administration,” says Reitz. “I think that New Yorkers are going to have to unfortunately experience this disaster administration of Zorban whatever his name is — the pajama-wearing socialist feminist — in order to learn the lesson.”
“Good luck, New York! You guys will need it,” says Alex.
To hear more of the conversation and see a clip of Mamdani in action, watch the episode above.
To enjoy more of Alex's culture jamming, comedic monologues, skits, and street segments, subscribe to BlazeTV — the largest multi-platform network of voices who love America, defend the Constitution, and live the American dream.
Let’s face the truth. Being Jewish is a marvelous way of life, but it is also a very dangerous one. Jews need to wake up to the fact that there are imminent threats to their safety seemingly everywhere now in our country: in their homes, workplaces, synagogues, community centers, schools, and wherever else they happen to be.
FBI hate crime statistics against Jews are now at the highest they have been in decades. Just in the past several weeks, there have been two high-profile anti-Semitic attacks in America: the murder of two Israeli embassy staffers outside the Capital Jewish Museum on May 21 and the Molotov cocktail attacks against Jews at a pro-Israel event in Boulder, Colorado, on June 1.
Jewish gun ownership isn’t a luxury. It’s a necessity. Don’t wait. Do it now.
But the truth is, these incidents are not unusual. They are becoming all too common. Anti-Semites from both the radical left and radical right are out for Jewish blood. Their violent, unhinged anger is not going away any time soon.
It is also chilling how many Americans, especially in the younger generations, believe that violence is justified in the name of their political ideals. This is evidenced, for example, by the astonishingly high percentage of younger Americans who sympathize with Luigi Mangione in the murder of a health care executive.
Although Mangione’s case has nothing to do with Jews, it’s indicative of what people think are reasonable forms of activism. Increasingly, people believe that killing innocents is justified and normal.
The fact is, plenty of radicals blame “the Jews” for whatever they happen to be angry about that day — whether it’s the conflicts in the Middle East, America’s economic support for Ukraine, capitalism, globalism, woke ideology, high prices, or whatever else. Both sides have their reasons for wanting to see Jews dead.
Now that we recognize just how precarious Jewish lives have become, American Jews have two solutions going forward. The first is to rely on government to protect us. How is that working out, though? While many attacks are foiled by law enforcement, plenty still slip through the cracks. Unless we’re prepared to turn America into a full-on Orwellian surveillance state that watches everyone’s every move and strips basic freedoms from all, dangerous people will always slip through.
The second solution is more reasonable: Jews must become more self-reliant. That means becoming armed.
Unfortunately, American Jews are among the groups least likely to own guns. According to a survey from the American Jewish Committee, Jewish gun ownership is around 10%. Compare that to roughly 32% for the general population, according to Pew. And the AJC also found that 70% of Jews support strict gun control laws.
The irony is maddening. Jews face greater threats than most, yet they oppose the very means of self-defense they need most. This needs to change.
RELATED: Now more than ever, Jews must learn to shoot
Jewish Americans need to buy guns, seek firearms training, and carry legally. Synagogues and community centers should sponsor training workshops and allow lawful carry on premises. They should also build neighborhood watch teams and community security groups.
Most American Jews live in the three most virulently anti-gun states: New York, New Jersey, and California. They need to support state-level reforms to restore the God-given right to self-defense as America’s founders intended.
Two things stand in the way. The first is hoplophobia — irrational fear of guns. Many Jews treat firearms as inherently evil simply because bad people use them. They need to understand good people use them, too.
The second obstacle is uncertainty. For those unfamiliar with gun culture, it can be daunting. But help is easy to find. NRA-certified instructors are available across the country. The NRA website has a full directory. And several excellent Jewish gun-rights organizations already exist — including Cherev Gidon in the Catskills and Magen Am in Los Angeles.
Jewish gun ownership isn’t a luxury. It’s a necessity. Don’t wait. Do it now. Your life, your family, and your community may depend on it.
New York state Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani won the Democratic nomination for the mayoral election in New York City on Tuesday night.
Despite being behind in almost every poll, Mamdani beat former New York governor and second-place nominee Andrew Cuomo by around seven points. New York City Comptroller Brad Lander came in third.
Mamdani's election platform included endorsing "LGBTQIA+ protections," "city-owned grocery stores," and "Trump-proofing" New York City. Mamdani is also a Democratic Socialist and has worked on the campaigns of fellow socialists.
'In the words of Nelson Mandela ...'
Mamdani took to his X account after his victory and thanked his voters, quoting late activist and first president of South Africa Nelson Mandela.
"In the words of Nelson Mandela: it always seems impossible until it's done," Mamdani wrote. "My friends, it is done. And you are the ones who did it. I am honored to be your Democratic nominee for the Mayor of New York City," the new Democratic candidate added.
During his acceptance speech, Mamdani told supporters, "Above all, our democracy has been attacked from within ... and when we no longer believe in our democracy, it only becomes easier for people like Donald Trump to convince us of his worth."
Governor Cuomo conceded just after 10:30 p.m. Eastern Time, saying Mamdani "touched young people, and inspired them, and moved them, and got them to come out and vote."
"He really ran a highly impactful campaign," Cuomo told supporters. "I applaud him sincerely for his effort."
Cuomo served as governor for more than 10 years and was leading almost every major poll by double digits coming into the primary. On Election Day, the New York Times reported that of the 10 most recent polls conducted in June, Cuomo led nine of them, with his biggest lead at +19.
One poll from Public Policy Polling had Mamdani at +5, however.
Just days before the primary, Mamdani's office told the New York Post he had received a car-bomb threat, despite not owning a car. Mamdani had allegedly received four voicemails in the last few months calling for his or his family's death, with the latest reportedly calling him a "terrorist piece of s**t."
Mamdani had blamed the right wing for a threatening message in which the caller said he was going to have the candidate "wash his European feet."
RELATED: NYC comptroller locks arms with man to prevent ICE arrest: 'Show me your warrant!'
New York City Comptroller Lander made his own last-minute headlines last week as well. Lander was arrested by federal agents after locking arms with a man facing deportation.
The comptroller yelled, "Show me your warrant! Show me your badge!" as agents attempted to pry him away from a man who had just left a Manhattan courtroom.
In a statement to Blaze News, Dept. of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said Lander was arrested for "impeding a federal officer."
Lander had claimed he was "not obstructing" and was simply "standing right here in the hallway."
New York investigative reporter Oren Levy reacted to Mamdani's victory, telling Blaze News, "Mamdani's win tells you everything about where this city is heading — off a cliff."
Levy continued, "He's anti-Israel, a socialist, wants to replace cops with social workers … basically a checklist for the far-left agenda."
Mamdani recently struggled to answer questions from reporters over criticisms that he supported the phrase "globalize the intifada." After about 20 seconds trying to find his words, Mamdani told reporters that as mayor, he would do his best to eliminate anti-Semitism in New York City.
Reporter Levy has covered issues like crime and illegal immigration from the mayor's office in the past few years and predicted "more crime" and "more chaos" under a potential Mamdani rule.
"It's not over," Levy added. "November's coming. Let's see if New Yorkers wake up by then."
Mamdani still has to face off against Curtis Sliwa, the Guardian Angels founder who won the Republican primary unopposed, and Mayor Eric Adams, who announced in April that he will run as an independent in November's election.
"Our city needs independent leadership that understands working people," Adams wrote on X.
Adams has been mayor of New York City since January 1, 2022.
Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!
It’s been fun watching the dying news media in recent days swoon over New York Democrat mayoral nominee Zohran Mamdani as if he’s a revolutionary who just broke political party dogma. The reality is that he’s yet another version of the same type of Democrat the media have been fawning over since as far back […]
thefederalist.com
www.theblaze.com