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October 28, 2025
Border Patrol agents under fire for allegedly disrupting children's Halloween parade in Chicago
(ABC News) The U.S. Border Patrol is coming under criticism from Chicago residents who claim federal agents disrupted a children's Halloween parade over the weekend, allegedly with aggressive tactics and tear gas during an immigration enforcement incident. The latest clash between federal agents and residents came as Border Patrol commander Greg Bovino, who is leading the "Operation Midway Blitz" immigration enforcement in Chicago, is scheduled to appear before a federal judge on Tuesday.
"You're Dead, Liberal": Federal Agent Threatens to Shoot Veteran
(New Republic) A federal agent blatantly violated a court order against using excessive force against journalists and protesters last Thursday by pointing a gun in a veteran’s face, saying “Bang, bang” and “You’re dead, liberal.” The Chicago Headline Club, a nonprofit representing journalists in the Chicago area, filed a complaint in federal court after the incident, which took place in the city’s Little Village neighborhood. According to the complaint, combat veteran Chris Gentry was “lawfully standing on the side of the road voicing his opposition as agents were driving by in their vehicles.” That’s when an agent pointed a gun at him and threatened to kill him.
Go to discussionTrump administration says emergency funds can't be used to keep SNAP benefits going
(NPR) The Trump administration says it will not use emergency funds to send out federal food aid at the beginning of November, blaming Democrats for not working to reopen the government. Millions of Americans are expected to lose their benefits this week – leaving states scrambling to pitch in and pay the difference, even as some have already notified recipients not to expect their monthly food assistance.
Go to discussion'Playing dumb': Mike Johnson hammered after wild claim about who's running the government
(Raw Story) President Donald Trump was caught mocking Speaker Mike Johnson, claiming not only to be the president but also to control Johnson so thoroughly that he is, in effect, the speaker as well. This has prompted renewed questions about who is actually running the government. Writing in The New Republic on Monday, Edith Olmsted argued that Johnson is taking "playing dumb to a whole new level." Johnson holds daily news conferences about the government shutdown, and during Monday's event, he insisted that it’s not just Republicans who control the government. Since the GOP controls the House, Senate, and White House, the claim raised eyebrows.
Trump restoring medical debt to credit reporting could "wreck credit for millions"
(Raw Story) A total of 15 states currently have laws that limit medical debt from impacting individuals' credit scores, laws that were enacted under the Biden administration, which in early 2025 issued a new rule that would have removed all medical debt from credit reports, eliminating an estimated $49 billion in unpaid medical bills from credit reports. However, the Trump administration is set to issue guidance Tuesday that would roll back the Biden administration’s efforts by prohibiting states from withholding individuals’ medical debt from credit reporting, The Lever reported Monday, a move that could “harm” millions of Americans, according to Chi Chi Wu, an attorney with the National Consumer Law Center.
Go to discussionTrump demands 'no early voting' in latest threat to upcoming elections as California and New York ballots roll in
(The Independent) Even as he cast ballots by mail himself and launched messaging campaigns encouraging his supporters to do the same, Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened to eliminate mail-in voting altogether, baselessly casting doubt on the legitimacy of mail-in votes. Now he appears to be calling for the end of all forms of early voting. After publicly demanding the prosecution of his political enemies, Trump encouraged the Department of Justice to investigate the outcome of the 2020 presidential election with “gusto” — and signaled that the “biggest SCANDAL in American history” will “happen again” unless the government eliminates early voting.
Go to discussionTexas Sues Tylenol Makers, Claiming They Hid Autism Risks
(New York Times) Ken Paxton, the Republican attorney general of Texas, sued the makers of Tylenol on Tuesday, claiming that the companies hid the risks of the drug on brain development of children. The lawsuit is the latest fallout from President Trump’s claim last month that use of Tylenol during pregnancy can cause autism. That link is unproven. Mr. Paxton filed the suit against Johnson & Johnson, which sold Tylenol for decades, and Kenvue, a spinoff company that has sold the drug since 2023.
Go to discussionDoug Ford Boasts About 'Best Ad I Ever Ran' in Dig at Donald Trump
(Newsweek) Ontario Premier Doug Ford is boasting about an anti-tariff advertisement that he says prompted U.S. President Donald Trump to cancel trade talks with Canada. Ford told reporters Monday the ad — which featured a clip of former U.S. President Ronald Reagan denouncing protectionism — had more than “a billion impressions around the world” and sparked a debate in the United States about tariffs. Calling it “the best ad I ever ran,” the populist Conservative premier said the campaign accomplished its goal of drawing attention to Trump’s trade policies.
Go to discussionGOP-led Oversight Committee says Biden pardons signed by autopen are 'void' in final report
(CNN) The committee “deems void President Biden’s executive actions that were signed using the Autopen, and the committee determines that action by the Department of Justice is warranted to address the legal consequences of that determination,” it wrote to Bondi in the letter released Tuesday morning. The letter was made public alongside a 93-page report outlining the committee’s conclusions from its months-long investigation into Biden’s use of the autopen.
Go to discussionLocal GOP official's social media post draws backlash in Kentucky for its depiction of the Obamas
(AP) A local Republican leader in Kentucky shared a social media video depicting former President Barack Obama and his wife as apes, a historically racist trope that has ignited a backlash and a strong rebuke from the state GOP for the since-deleted post. The post by Bobbie Coleman, chairwoman of the Hardin County Republican Party, was condemned as “vile and reprehensible” by state GOP Chairman Robert J. Benvenuti III. The state party is investigating, and he promised the “harshest action available to us” against those involved.
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