Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) endorsed populist veteran Graham Platner in Maine&#8217;s Democratic Senate primary on Thursday, further intensifying an already contentious race against Gov. Janet Mills.
Platner has also been backed by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), while Mills is supported by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY). The winner will face incumbent Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) in the November general election, which is expected to be competitive and costly.
“Graham Platner is the real deal,” Warren <a href="https://x.com/grahamformaine/status/2034603306404765726">said</a> in a video announcement. “He’s a fighter, and he’s ready to take that fight to Washington.”
Warren argued that Platner could help Democrats reclaim the Senate majority, currently held by Republicans, 53-47.
“Graham Platner has the grit to go against the grain and to fight for what is right,&#8221; she added, saying Platner exhibits the “fighting spirit that the Democratic Party needs now more than ever.”
Platner’s campaign faced numerous scandals last fall, including old Reddit posts from 2013 in which he described himself as a “communist” and made demeaning comments about women. He has since apologized for the remarks. He also faced scrutiny over a tattoo that critics said resembled a Nazi symbol, which he later covered.
The Mills campaign made the past Reddit comments a key focus of a new <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/attack-ad-targets-democrat-over-vulgar-past-comments-about-women?author=Cameron+Arcand&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=4&amp;row=0&amp;rowType=Vertical+List&amp;title=Attack+Ad+Targets+Democrat+Over+Vulgar+Past+Comments+About+Women">ad</a> released earlier this week, specifically highlighting posts saying women should “act like an adult for f*** sake” and “not get so f***ed up they wind up having sex with someone they don’t mean to.”
“Just no way I could vote for you,” a woman says in the ad.
In response, Platner re-shared a previous apology video from October and said in a post on X that he “was horrified&#8221; by the comments and &#8220;did not recognize the man on the other side of the posts.”
Samantha Cantrell, a National Republican Senatorial Committee spokesperson, said that “Chuck Schumer&#8217;s handpicked candidate is so unpopular in Maine that Elizabeth Warren just endorsed a guy with a Nazi tattoo.”
Despite the past controversies, most polling averages show Platner leading Gov. Mills ahead of the June 9 primary, according to RealClearPolling. The Cook Political Report has the general election race ranked as a “toss-up.”
Collins, who has represented Maine since 1997, won re-election in 2020 with roughly 51% of the vote, defeating Democrat Sara Gideon, who received about 42%.

2024 Democratic National Convention: Day 4

Elizabeth Warren Makes Endorsement In Maine’s Bruising Democratic Senate Primary

2026 election

Congress

Elizabeth Warren

graham platner

janet mills

Maine

Senate

Susan Collins

Republicans are at risk of losing up to four congressional seats in Virginia under a proposed redistricting amendment set for a statewide vote in an April 21 special election.
The measure, backed by Democrats, would redraw the state&#8217;s congressional map mid-decade. Critics say the proposal could result in a 10-1 Democratic advantage until after the 2030 census.
Currently, Virginia&#8217;s delegation is 6-5 in favor of Democrats.
The group &#8220;Virginians For Fair Elections,” which supports the amendment, has raised more than $22 million, compared to roughly $495,000 raised by the opposition group, &#8220;Virginians for Fair Maps,&#8221; according to <a href="https://wset.com/news/local/early-voting-underway-in-virginia-as-redistricting-groups-report-22m-vs-495k-raised-virginians-for-fair-elections-virginians-for-fair-maps-march-2026" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ABC 13 News</a>.
Former Attorney General Jason Miyares, who’s leading the charge against the redistricting proposal, argued that voters are pushing back despite the funding gap.
“We&#8217;re seeing a groundswell of support,” he said during a series of campaign stops throughout the state. Miyares described the proposal as a &#8220;power grab by left-wing politicians&#8221; that would diminish representation for Republican-leaning areas.
Miyares also pointed to recent Democratic wins in statewide races as a potential motivator for Republican voters. The Democratic slate replaced Republicans in the top statewide offices in November, with Jay Jones defeating Miyares for attorney general and Abigail Spanberger defeating Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears for governor.
“It is a message from Democratic politicians to Republicans: drop dead. This is the single most gerrymandered map in the entire country,” Miyares added, noting that “48% of Virginians voted for a Republican to represent them in Congress, and this would leave them with 9% representation.”
On the flip side, those advocating for the constitutional amendment said this is about countering President Donald Trump’s agenda, such as redistricting efforts he has encouraged in states like Texas.
“Across the country, Trump and MAGA-controlled legislatures are taking unprecedented steps to redraw congressional maps — without voter approval — to rig upcoming elections,” the Virginians for Fair Elections website states.
The group argues that without action, Virginia risks losing influence in Washington as other states adjust their maps.
Gov. Spanberger, who’s supporting the amendment, described the situation as an “extraordinary moment” where temporary redistricting is necessary.
“First, it&#8217;s temporary. Second, it&#8217;s directly in response to what other states decide to do. Third, and most importantly for me, it preserves Virginia&#8217;s fair redistricting process into the future,” she said.
As for Miyares, he’s not impressed with the high level of spending in the race from proponents.
“It&#8217;s not like all this California money cares about Virginians or care about voices of rural Virginians in Congress,” he said.
Control of the House of Representatives could hinge on outcomes like Virginia&#8217;s. Republicans currently hold a narrow 218-214 majority, with three vacant seats.

CLIFTON, VA – JUNE 17: Yolanda Hutcherson surveys Northern Virg

Your Voice In Congress Could Shift – And This Vote Could Decide It

Elections

gerrymandering

Politics

Redistricting

Virginia

The SAVE America Act cleared a key procedural hurdle Tuesday night, advancing Senate debate after a 51-48 vote.
The proposal, considered the highest legislative priority of President Donald Trump, would require documentary proof of citizenship when registering to vote, mandate voter ID for federal elections, and impose new restrictions on voting by mail, with some exceptions.
Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC), a Trump critic who’s not seeking re-election, was not present at the time of the procedural vote, and Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) voted against it.
“I’m thrilled to announce that just moments ago, we won the vote on the motion to proceed with the House-passed SAVE America Act. We got 51 votes for it,” Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) said in a video.
“Game on, we need to stay on this thing now until it passes, and those who want to filibuster debate, make them speak,” he added.
Debate is expected to stretch on for days as Republicans push for a talking filibuster rather than allowing delays without continuous floor speeches, according to <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/5788105-senate-save-america-act-debate/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Hill</a>.
Democrats have vowed unified opposition. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) said Tuesday that Democrats will resist the bill “no matter how long it takes.”
“This bill is about stopping groups from voting who tend to vote for Democrats. This is again about rigging the next election,” Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR) said on the Senate floor.
Meanwhile, Sen. Eric Schmitt introduced Trump-backed amendments on Tuesday night, including restrictions on transgender-identifying athletes competing in women’s sports and preventing minors from undergoing transgender-related medical procedures.
“The American people want to see a return to common sense, and this week the Senate will vote on the SAVE America Act to deliver on this mandate,” Sen. Eric Schmitt said in a statement.
“I’ve worked closely with President Trump and the White House to introduce a substitute amendment that will save our elections, save women’s sports, and save our children from gender mutilation surgeries. It’s time to get this done,” the Republican added.
Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA), however, is calling for legislation on voter ID, rather than the full scope of unrelated proposals outlined in the SAVE America Act.
“83% of Americans agree on voter ID. 71% of Democrats agree on voter ID. Keep it basic: PHOTO ID to vote,” the moderate Democrat posted to X.
“Stop turning this into a Christmas list and attacking vote-by-mail. If GOP wants real reform over a show vote–put out a clean, standalone bill and I’m AYE,” he continued.

US Capitol building at sunset

Trump’s SAVE America Act Just Cleared A Huge Legislative Hurdle Despite Full Dem Opposition

SAVE America Act

Voting

The White House sent its Department of Homeland Security counteroffer to the United States Senate on Tuesday afternoon, after Democrats sent their own late Monday night – 18 days since the White House made its previous offer.
The letter sent to Sens. Katie Britt (R-AL) and Susan Collins (R-ME) on Tuesday said that the Trump administration “will expand the use of body-worn cameras,” “limit civil immigration enforcement activities at certain sensitive locations” with a handful of exceptions, increase oversight of detention facilities, “enforce the use of visible officer identification” and other practices for officers who are not “undercover,” and “adhere to existing law and practice of not deporting any U.S. citizen and will convey current practice of not knowingly detaining a U.S. citizen, except when the person violates a state or federal law that makes the citizen subject to arrest.”
During an on-background call with reporters on Tuesday, a senior White House official said that “this offer is reasonable, it is serious, it is the product of work that has gone on since the shutdown began.” The Democrats are asking for major changes to be made, including the end of masking for agents and the use of judicial warrants.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
READ: Letter sent by WH to Senate on DHS shutdown.<a href="https://twitter.com/realDailyWire?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@realDailyWire</a>
Trump admin offers to 
-expand body cameras 
-limit civil enforcement at “sensitive locations” 
-increase detention facility oversight 
-“officer identification worn by officers will be clearly displayed.”
And… <a href="https://t.co/6ZUlypxco5">pic.twitter.com/6ZUlypxco5</a>
— Cameron Arcand (@cameron_arcand) <a href="https://twitter.com/cameron_arcand/status/2033992494426534366?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 17, 2026</a></blockquote>
The shutdown started in mid-February over federal immigration enforcement tactics, especially in the aftermath of Operation Metro Surge in Minnesota, including the shooting death of Alex Pretti.
<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/dems-send-11th-hour-dhs-counteroffer-in-shutdown-standoff-how-americans-could-pay-price?author=Cameron+Arcand&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=0&amp;row=0&amp;rowType=Vertical+List&amp;title=Dems+Send+11th-Hour+DHS+Counteroffer+In+Shutdown+Standoff+%E2%80%94+How+Americans+Could+Pay+Price" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Daily Wire</a> previously reported that Britt’s office said that Democrats have been uncooperative in the process to get the department fully opened, even though most of the funding for Trump’s immigration priorities was already signed into law in the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” last year. Britt is considered the lead negotiator for Senate Republicans on the topic.
However, impacts of the shutdown have been rippling through the country, most notably with long lines at the airport due to TSA agents calling out or leaving the job, as they are required to work without pay. There have also been mounting national security concerns related to the shutdown amid Operation Epic Fury in Iran.
Democrats have argued that Senate Republicans have blocked legislative proposals to fund agencies like TSA, FEMA, and the Coast Guard without completely reopening DHS until a deal is hashed out.
“Right now, Republicans are holding TSA agents’ paychecks hostage because they want to provide more money to ICE, without basic reforms to protect Americans’ rights and safety,” Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, said in a statement last week. “Democrats will keep fighting to get TSA workers paid and fund FEMA and the Coast Guard, and we’ll keep pushing to enact common-sense steps to prevent more Americans from being hurt, or even killed, by masked federal agents.”
Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) is the only Democrat in the chamber against the shutdown effort, pointing to the OBBA funding for ICE and CBP as rendering the closure pointless, but he’s noted that he still backs immigration enforcement reforms.

US-POLITICS-TRUMP

White House Puts New DHS Offer On The Table — Will Democrats Finally Budge?

Department of Homeland Security

Immigration

U.S. Senate

White House

There was some movement in the talks to end the shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security on Monday, as Congressional Democrats sent another counteroffer to the White House, 18 days after the Trump administration sent theirs.
“Dems sent over a counteroffer late last night and White House is currently reviewing,” a White House official confirmed to The Daily Wire on background Tuesday afternoon.
The White House sent a letter to Sens. Katie Britt (R-AL) and Susan Collins (R-ME) on Tuesday outlining their own current offer, saying that the administration “will expand the use of body-worn cameras,” “limit civil immigration enforcement activities at certain sensitive locations” with a handful of exceptions, increase oversight of detention facilities, “enforce the use of visible officer identification” and other practices for officers who are not “undercover,” and “adhere to existing law and practice of not deporting any U.S. citizen and will convey current practice of not knowingly detaining a U.S. citizen, except when the person violates a state or federal law that makes the citizen subject to arrest.”
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
READ: Letter sent by WH to Senate on DHS shutdown.<a href="https://twitter.com/realDailyWire?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@realDailyWire</a>
Trump admin offers to 
-expand body cameras 
-limit civil enforcement at “sensitive locations” 
-increase detention facility oversight 
-“officer identification worn by officers will be clearly displayed.”
And… <a href="https://t.co/6ZUlypxco5">pic.twitter.com/6ZUlypxco5</a>
— Cameron Arcand (@cameron_arcand) <a href="https://twitter.com/cameron_arcand/status/2033992494426534366?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 17, 2026</a></blockquote>
“This offer is reasonable, it is serious, it is the product of work that has gone on since the shutdown began,” a senior White House official told reporters during an on-background call, saying that the latest offer from Democrats sent late Monday night “does not indicate the seriousness that this moment needs.”
Exact details of the Democrat&#8217;s counteroffer are unknown, but Democrats have publicly said for weeks that they want to see an end to several federal immigration enforcement tactics, including the end of masking for agents, and the end of roving patrols. The Democrats are also demanding the use of judicial warrants to make immigration-related arrests.
The demands and the shutdown came amid backlash to Operation Metro Surge in Minnesota earlier this year, including the shooting of Alex Pretti.
While Democrats have intended for the shutdown to serve as leverage for immigration reforms, ICE and Customs and Border Protection have already been funded primarily through the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” last year, which means that the current shutdown has largely impacted other agencies, including TSA, FEMA, and the Coast Guard.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) told reporters on Tuesday that Democrats think the shutdown is a “political winner for them” and that the White House “went above and beyond &#8230; any initial offers that they put out there.”
“I mean, I just, you know, even with respect to body cameras, there was $20 million in the bill, the original bill. There was $100 million in the proposal from the White House, to include audits by the inspector general, you know, and reviews for noncompliance,” he added.
Sen. Katie Britt (R-AL) is considered the lead Republican negotiator on the issue for the caucus, but her office told The Daily Wire last week that Democrats have largely been uncooperative in the process.
Meanwhile, travelers are facing long lines at airports across the country as a result of the funding lapse. At least 300 TSA agents have quit, and many others have called out from the job as they are obligated to work without a paycheck. Many Senate Democrats have argued that Republicans are stopping bills that would fund other aspects of the department unrelated to immigration.
“Right now, we could be paying TSA agents, funding FEMA before the next disaster hits, protecting our cyber defenses, and making sure the Coast Guard gets paid. But Republicans said no,” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) said in a statement last week.
“Democrats have tried—six separate times—to pass simple bills to keep these critical parts of DHS running while negotiations continue. Six times, Republicans came to the floor and blocked them. TSA officers shouldn’t miss paychecks, disaster relief shouldn’t be left hanging, and Americans’ safety shouldn’t be collateral damage in a political standoff Republicans created,” Schumer continued.
The ongoing shutdown, which kicked off in mid-February, comes at a time of transition for DHS, as Secretary Kristi Noem will be leaving her position on March 31, and Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) is President Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the department next. When Noem’s exit was announced amid multiple controversies, Schumer said that her removal would not suffice to bring back full funding for DHS.
“The President has fired Kristi Noem—good riddance. But let’s be crystal clear: the problems at DHS go far beyond a personnel change,” Schumer stated on March 5. “Under this administration, Americans have seen devastating violence and reckless ICE actions that have shaken communities across the country. The rot runs deep. If the President wants accountability, he must do more than fire one official — he must end the violence and rein in ICE.”

Senators Speak Following Weekly Policy Luncheons On Capitol Hill

Dems Send 11th-Hour DHS Counteroffer In Shutdown Standoff — How Americans Could Pay Price

Government Shutdown

Maine Democratic Gov. Janet Mills is targeting her populist primary opponent for the U.S. Senate with a new ad highlighting past comments he made on Reddit about women and sexual assault.
The ad, released Tuesday, features multiple women reacting to 2013 posts by Graham Platner in which he said women should “act like an adult for f*** sake” and “not get so f***ed up they wind up having sex with someone they don&#8217;t mean to” if they are fearful of being raped.
“That’s a horrible thing to say,” one woman, identified as Jill from South Portland, says in the ad.
“Just no way I could vote for you,” Peggy from Vassalboro, adds.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
.<a href="https://twitter.com/grahamformaine?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@grahamformaine</a> blamed women for sexual assault, saying they should &#8220;take some responsibility for themselves&#8221; and &#8220;act like an adult.&#8221;
Here&#8217;s what Maine women had to say about his words. <a href="https://t.co/sztt7khZ4S">pic.twitter.com/sztt7khZ4S</a>
— Janet Mills (@JanetMillsforME) <a href="https://twitter.com/JanetMillsforME/status/2033861065289732184?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 17, 2026</a></blockquote>
Platner’s campaign dismissed the ad, with his campaign manager saying in a statement that it is “a desperate attempt for relevance from the governor, who is trailing an oyster farmer in every recent poll,&#8221; according to the <a href="https://x.com/aseitzwald/status/2033909477179543759?s=20" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Midcoast Villager</a>.
&#8220;Mainers know that Graham should not be defined by the worst thing he said on the internet over a decade ago,&#8221; the campaign manager added.
The comments previously drew backlash when they resurfaced last year. Platner responded at the time with an apology, which he reshared on Tuesday.
&#8220;Back in October, when my past internet comments resurfaced, I read through them. I was horrified and did not recognize the man on the other side of the posts,&#8221; Platner posted on X.
I shared my thoughts and apologies here directly with Mainers. And I’ve been talking with Mainers every day since, at town halls across the state.&#8221;
Platner, who is backed by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), has remained competitive in the primary despite the controversy. Mills has the support of Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY).
Earlier on Tuesday, Platner released his own ad taking aim at Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME), whom the Democratic nominee will face in the general election in November. The spot features a Maine voter, also named Susan Collins, who supports Platner.
Republicans say the Democrat infighting could benefit Sen. Collins.
“The girls are fighting! It doesn’t matter how the Chuck Schumer vs. Bernie Sanders proxy war ends, because both of these candidates will lose to Susan Collins,” National Republican Senatorial Committee spokesperson Samantha Cantrell told The Daily Wire.
The race is one of four Senate contests currently rated as a “toss-up” by the Cook Political Report, along with North Carolina, Georgia, and Michigan. Republicans hold a 53-47 majority in the chamber.

Graham Platner Maine

Attack Ad Targets Democrat Over Vulgar Past Comments About Women

The family of the late Rev. Jesse Jackson is walking back endorsement claims in a heated Democratic primary for a United States Senate seat in Illinois.
Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton said that she was backed by Jackson, who died on Feb. 17, based on information she received regarding his potential decisions that had not been made public yet, according to the <a href="https://chicago.suntimes.com/elections/2026/03/16/jesse-jackson-family-disputes-posthumous-juliana-stratton-endorsement-us-senate-primary" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Chicago Sun-Times</a>.
“Out of respect for my father, we decided not to publicly release his intended selections given the process had not been finalized,” said Yusef Jackson, his son, according to the outlet on Monday afternoon.
“Unfortunately, this weekend, a draft sample ballot that was in development was released without authorization. It is important to note that the Jackson Family does not issue political endorsements, nor do Rainbow PUSH or the Rainbow PUSH Coalition,” Jackson added.
The primary includes Reps. Robin Kelly and Raja Krishnamoorthi, with most polls showing either Stratton or Krishnamoorthi leading.
“And I just got notice that he made final personal endorsements before he passed away, and in his personal endorsement he endorsed me for United States Senate,” Stratton told MSNOW on Saturday while at the Rainbow/PUSH office in Chicago.
“That’s the kind of fight we need, someone who’s really gonna put the people at the center, I learned that from Rev. Jackson, and now I look forward to continuing to fighting for the people of Illinois when I get to the Senate,” she added.
In an X post promoting the MSNOW hit, she added that she &#8220;will work day and night to carry on his legacy for the people of Illinois when I get to the United States Senate.&#8221;
The Stratton campaign told The Daily Wire in a statement that &#8220;Juliana spoke on Saturday at Rainbow PUSH for a Women’s History Month event and officials told her she received the endorsements.&#8221;
&#8220;Organizers shared the sample election ballot that was already being distributed and encouraged her to share the news,&#8221; the campaign added. &#8220;Juliana is spending the final hours of this campaign talking to voters and making sure every Illinoisan hears how she plans to take on Donald Trump and bring their voices to Washington.&#8221;
The primary election is on Tuesday, and the November general election is ranked as “Solid Democrat.” Whoever wins will be replacing retiring Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL). The Daily Wire reached out to the other two Democratic campaigns, but neither were immediately available for comment.
“You know, I&#8217;ve talked to a couple of his kids. They don&#8217;t know anything about it, so I don&#8217;t know. It is what it is,&#8221; Kelly told <a href="https://x.com/aaronpellish/status/2033260951730864138?s=20" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Politico</a> on Sunday when asked about the endorsement.
Kelly was reportedly contacted by Jackson’s widow to apologize for the mix-up, <a href="https://x.com/maryannahernnbc/status/2033626166448316737?s=46">according</a> to NBC 5 Chicago.
Jackson&#8217;s funeral was on March 6 in Chicago, and it featured remarks from former Presidents Joe Biden, Barack Obama, and Bill Clinton, as well as former Vice President Kamala Harris. Jackson himself ran for president unsuccessfully in 1984 and 1988, and he was the shadow senator for Washington, D.C., from 1991 to 1997.

Jesse Jackson

Jesse Jackson’s Family Walks Back Endorsement Claims In Key Democratic Primary

Democrats

Illinois

Airline CEOs are calling on Congress to end the Department of Homeland Security shutdown as travelers face longer lines at the airport, and TSA agents are struggling to make ends meet while working without pay.
The department has faced a lapse in funding since Feb. 14 over a dispute regarding federal immigration enforcement policies. TSA, the Coast Guard, and FEMA are among the most heavily impacted agencies, as the Trump administration’s immigration agenda was already largely funded through the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” last year.
“Americans-who live in your districts and home states-are tired of long lines at airports, travel delays and flight cancellations caused by shutdown after shutdown,” the letter addressed to Congress said, which was signed by the CEOs of Alaska Air Group, American Airlines, Atlas Air, Delta, Southwest, Fedex, United, JetBlue, and UPS, as well as Airlines for America President and CEO Chris Sununu. The letter was first published in The Washington Post, according to a <a href="https://www.airlines.org/news/airline-ceos-open-letter-to-congress-published-in-the-washington-post/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">press release</a>.
“Yet, once again air travel is the political football amid another government shutdown,” the letter added, saying that the “problem is solvable.”
The letter released on Sunday comes as travelers are headed throughout the United States and around the globe for spring break vacations. The White House confirmed to The Daily Wire last week that 300 TSA agents have quit since the shutdown started, as the essential government employees received an empty paycheck this cycle. The Denver International Airport even asked people to consider giving $10 and $20 grocery store and gas station gift cards to TSA agents. Starting pay for agents can sometimes be under $40,000 a year.
“TSA officers just received $0 paychecks. That is simply unacceptable. It&#8217;s difficult, if not impossible, to put food on the table, put gas in the car and pay rent when you are not getting paid,” the letter added.
“But too many travelers are having to wait in extraordinarily long-and painfully slow-lines at checkpoints. Wait times of 2, 3 and even 4 hours have been reported. Airlines are doing everything we can to mitigate disruption by holding flights for late passengers and rebooking others,” it added.
Talks to end the shutdown have appeared minimal as of late last week, with Sen. Katie Britt (R-AL), the top Republican negotiator on the issue, saying that Democrats have yet to come to the table, <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/mounting-frustration-as-senate-dems-dig-in-on-dhs-shutdown?author=Cameron+Arcand&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=1&amp;row=0&amp;rowType=Vertical+List&amp;title=Hundreds+Of+TSA+Workers+Quit+As+Dems+Dig+In+On+Shutdown" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Daily Wire</a> reported.
“TSA officers have gone 74 days without a paycheck in FY26 because of Democrats’ two shutdowns. This is absolutely unacceptable,” Britt posted to X on Monday in response to the airline CEOs&#8217; letter. “Democrats need to end their political posturing, stop using our TSA agents as political pawns, and fully fund DHS.”
However, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) posted last week that “Democrats are ready to fund TSA. Republicans are blocking it. Democrats are ready to fund CISA. Republicans are blocking it. Democrats are ready to fund FEMA. And Coast Guard. Republicans are blocking it.”

Landing in sunset hues, airplane landing at sunrise.

Airline CEOs Send Warning As Americans Face 4-Hour Airport Lines

Airlines

Airports

Department of Transportation

Transportation

President Donald Trump announced Monday that White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles has been diagnosed with “early stage” breast cancer.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said Wiles plans to begin treatment immediately but will continue working in her role.
“She has decided to take on this challenge, IMMEDIATELY, as opposed to waiting,” Trump wrote, adding that she will work “virtually full time” while undergoing treatment.
“She has a fantastic medical team, and her prognosis is excellent!” he continued.
Trump praised Wiles, one of his closest advisors, for continuing to serve.
“Her Strength and her Commitment to continue doing the job she loves, and does so well, while undergoing treatment, tells you everything you need to know about her,&#8221; Trump wrote. &#8220;Susie, as one of my closest and most important advisors, is tough and deeply committed to serving the American People. She will soon be better than ever!”
The president added that he and first lady Melania Trump are supporting Wiles during the process.
&#8220;Melania and I are with her in every way, and we look forward to working with Susie on the many big and wonderful things that are happening for the benefit of our Country!”
Speaking during a Kennedy Center board meeting at the White House, Trump described the diagnosis as a &#8220;minor difficulty&#8221; and said Wiles would &#8220;be in good shape.&#8221;
Wiles, who is the first woman to serve as the White House chief of staff, attended the meeting and was seated next to Trump.
She was spotted wearing a pink blazer, the color commonly associated with breast cancer awareness, though it was unclear whether the choice was related to the announcement.
Following Trump&#8217;s announcement, she released a statement of her own revealing that she was the diagnosis last week.
&#8220;Nearly one in eight women in the United States will face this diagnosis. Every day, these women continue to raise their families, go to work, and serve their communities with strength and determination. I now join their ranks,&#8221; Wiles stated, according to <a href="https://x.com/edokeefe/status/2033590229475418468?s=20" target="_blank" rel="noopener">CBS News</a>.
&#8220;I am grateful to have an outstanding team of doctors who detected the cancer early and are guiding my care, and I am encouraged by a strong prognosis. I am also deeply thankful for the support and encouragement of President Trump as I undergo treatment and continue serving in my role as White House Chief of Staff,&#8221; she continued.

Republican Presidential Nominee Donald Trump Holds Election Night Event In West Palm Beach

White House Chief Of Staff Susie Wiles Diagnosed With Breast Cancer

Susie Wiles

Trump Administration

Nine defendants in the anti-ICE Prairieland Detention Center riot last Independence Day in Texas were convicted in federal court on Friday.
The defendants were convicted on a range of charges including rioting, “providing material support to terrorists,” “conspiracy to use and carry an explosive,” and &#8220;using and carrying an explosive&#8221; in the North Texas Antifa Cell attack that left a local police officer shot in the neck.
In a <a href="https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndtx/pr/antifa-cell-members-convicted-prairieland-ice-detention-center-shooting" target="_blank" rel="noopener">statement</a>, FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge R. Joseph Rothrock described the incident as a “coordinated attack” on the facility where illegal immigrants were being held before deportation from the United States.
Two individuals were also convicted of “conspiracy to conceal documents.”
According to the Department of Justice, Benjamin Song was considered the attack’s “leader,” who gave out firearms and recruited people for the effort. Song was convicted of attempted murder of federal officers for the “unlawful attempt to kill with malice aforethought the Alvarado Police Officer” and for unlawful discharging of a firearm in “the attempted murder of two correctional officers and an Alvarado Police Officer,” as he was the one who shot the officer in the neck.
Song successfully fled the scene but was arrested on July 15, 2025, while law enforcement arrested most of the other individuals involved “shortly after,” the DOJ <a href="https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndtx/pr/antifa-cell-members-convicted-prairieland-ice-detention-center-shooting">said</a>.
Song could face up to life behind bars, with a minimum of 20 years, according to a Department of Justice press release. Seven of the individuals could get 10-60 years in prison, and Daniel Rolando Sanchez Estrada could be sentenced to up to 40 years in prison.
“These guilty verdicts and convictions rightly reflect the vicious, armed attack that these Antifa cell members planned and executed against law enforcement and detention center officers on the night of July 4 last year,” U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould said in a statement.
“Their terrorist acts, attempted murder, vandalism, and explosives launched at a detention facility were a far cry from some peaceful protest or First Amendment expression. Because of the prompt action of first responders that night and tenacious work of our law enforcement partners in tandem with the prosecutors in my office, sixteen people have been brought to justice for these violent acts and their attempts to conceal them. We will continue in this mission to hold others accountable who perpetrate such violence and fund these ANTIFA groups in the Northern District of Texas.”
Notably, the attackers used &#8220;monikers&#8221; in group chats to plan the riot. The attackers also used fireworks and committed acts of vandalism, including spray-painting “F*ck You Pigs” on a building.

Portland Antifa

America’s First Antifa Terrorism Trial Just Reached A Verdict

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Courts

Crime

Department of Justice

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)

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U.S.

The impact of the Department of Homeland Security shutdown is continuing to intensify, leading to frustration from Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA), who is the only Democrat to support funding the department as it currently stands, as well as hundreds of TSA workers quitting.
“We all have to acknowledge that this shutdown had no impact, zero impact on ICE, all of the funding was already in place there from the Big Beautiful Bill that I did not vote for,” the Democrat told “Elizabeth Vargas Reports” on NewsNation this week, and the comments were later shared by the Republican National Committee Research account.
“Why punish all those TSA agents and all the other people under the DHS umbrella just because the base demands that we just shut it down, knowing, absolutely knowing it will have no impact on ICE,” he added, acknowledging in a <a href="https://x.com/CBSNews/status/2031849814279725197?s=20" target="_blank" rel="noopener">CBS News</a> interview that he does support reforms to the Trump administration&#8217;s immigration policies.
Negotiations on federal immigration enforcement tactics have stalled, as Democrats want to see drastic changes to policies, including the end of masking for agents and the use of judicial warrants to make many immigration-related arrests.
“Democrats are ready to fund TSA. Republicans are blocking it. Democrats are ready to fund CISA. Republicans are blocking it. Democrats are ready to fund FEMA. And Coast Guard. Republicans are blocking it,” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) posted to X on Thursday evening.
A Senate “test vote” failed 51-46 on Thursday to potentially fully fund the department, which covers agencies like TSA, the Coast Guard, and FEMA in addition to ICE and Customs and Border Protection, according to <a href="https://x.com/ChadPergram/status/2032162082943094950?s=20" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Fox News</a>.
Meanwhile, TSA agents are working without paychecks as of Friday, which is leading to more callouts and longer lines at airports throughout the country, like Austin-Bergstrom International Airport on Friday morning.
“They’re not getting rich doing these jobs. They live paycheck to paycheck,” Ken Cuccinelli, a former top Homeland Security official in President Donald Trump’s first term, told <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/democrat-dhs-shutdown-poses-grave-risk-as-terror-incidents-rock-american-communities-experts-warn?author=Cameron+Arcand&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=5&amp;row=0&amp;rowType=Vertical+List&amp;title=Top+National+Security+Experts+Warn+Dems+%E2%80%98Playing+Chicken+With+Terrorists%E2%80%99" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Daily Wire</a> earlier this week.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) told reporters this week that the “impacts of not funding DHS are real, and they&#8217;re in an unsustainable position,” noting that it’s been over two weeks since the White House sent Senate Democrats a counteroffer. Sen. Katie Britt (R-AL) is considered the lead negotiator for the Republicans on the shutdown, but she’s noted that Democrats have not been cooperative.
“Four different times this afternoon, Republicans offered a 2-week funding stopgap for DHS to reopen and ensure hardworking Americans get paychecks,” Britt posted to X on Thursday.
“Each time, Democrats responded with bills that not only defund law enforcement, but defund TSA, Secret Service, Coast Guard, FEMA and more,” she added.
In a statement to The Daily Wire on Friday afternoon, the White House said that they are “interested in continuing conversations with Democrats about ways to end this shutdown.”
“Democrats, regrettably, have chosen to punish the American people with long TSA lines and withholding paychecks from workers who help protect our country,” they added, noting 300 TSA agents have quit since the shutdown started.

Sen. John Fetterman

Hundreds Of TSA Workers Quit As Dems Dig In On Shutdown

John Fetterman

Texas Senate Democratic nominee James Talarico is facing scrutiny over social media posts from his time as a teacher in a public middle school, including assignments in which students were instructed to write &#8220;Obama memoirs” and encouraged to watch the Democratic National Convention.
Facebook posts reviewed by The Daily Wire from Talarico&#8217;s teacher page during the 2011 and 2012 school years show the then-sixth-grade language arts instructor incorporating his own political perspectives at Jeremiah Rhodes Middle School in San Antonio.
In a November 13, 2012, post, days after President Barack Obama defeated Republican Mitt Romney, Talarico <a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=530403600320566&amp;set=pb.100066594441728.-2207520000&amp;type=3">posted</a>: “Today, we finished writing our Obama memoirs. We&#8217;ve been learning about narrative non-fiction writing like memoirs for the past 2 weeks.”
“Students wrote a memoir of Election Night from the point of view of a member of the Obama family. Awesome job, Wildcats!” he added. A photo accompanying the post showed a student essay beneath the word, &#8220;Victory!!!!!!&#8221;
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<div id="attachment_1058609" style="width: 310px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-1058609" class="size-medium wp-image-1058609" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/03/Screenshot-2026-03-12-at-8.57.19-AM-300x166.png" alt="Texas Senate Democratic nominee James Talarico had his students write &quot;Obama memoirs.&quot; " width="300" height="166" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/03/Screenshot-2026-03-12-at-8.57.19-AM-300x166.png 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/03/Screenshot-2026-03-12-at-8.57.19-AM-1024x566.png 1024w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/03/Screenshot-2026-03-12-at-8.57.19-AM-768x424.png 768w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/03/Screenshot-2026-03-12-at-8.57.19-AM-1536x849.png 1536w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/03/Screenshot-2026-03-12-at-8.57.19-AM-2048x1132.png 2048w" sizes=" (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />Texas Senate Democratic nominee James Talarico had his students write &#8220;Obama memoirs.&#8221;</div>
In another <a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=531684123525847&amp;set=pb.100066594441728.-2207520000&amp;type=3" target="_blank" rel="noopener">post</a>, Talarico highlighted the student memoirs on a classroom wall alongside images of the Obama family and the Obama campaign logo.
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<div id="attachment_1058611" style="width: 410px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-1058611" class=" wp-image-1058611" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/03/Screenshot-2026-03-12-at-8.57.45-AM-300x137.png" alt="Talarico’s wall of “Obama memoirs.”" width="400" height="183" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/03/Screenshot-2026-03-12-at-8.57.45-AM-300x137.png 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/03/Screenshot-2026-03-12-at-8.57.45-AM-1024x467.png 1024w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/03/Screenshot-2026-03-12-at-8.57.45-AM-768x350.png 768w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/03/Screenshot-2026-03-12-at-8.57.45-AM-1536x700.png 1536w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/03/Screenshot-2026-03-12-at-8.57.45-AM-2048x933.png 2048w" sizes=" (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px" />Talarico’s wall of “Obama memoirs.”</div>
Other posts show students participating in “debate bingo” during the presidential and vice presidential debates and being asked which candidate they thought won.
On September 4, 2012, Talarico <a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=497685506925709&amp;set=pb.100066594441728.-2207520000&amp;type=3" target="_blank" rel="noopener">encouraged</a> his students to watch then-San Antonio Democratic Mayor Julian Castro deliver the keynote address at the DNC.
“Tonight, our own San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro will give the keynote speech at the Democratic National Convention!” Talarico wrote. “Mayor Castro grew up near Rhodes Middle School although he went to Tafolla MS. You can watch his speech tonight at 9pm on WOAI or KENS 5.”
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<div id="attachment_1058613" style="width: 310px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-1058613" class="size-medium wp-image-1058613" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/03/Screenshot-2026-03-12-at-8.56.54-AM-300x170.png" alt="Talarico encouraging his students to watch then-San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro’s speech at the 2012 Democratic National Convention. " width="300" height="170" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/03/Screenshot-2026-03-12-at-8.56.54-AM-300x170.png 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/03/Screenshot-2026-03-12-at-8.56.54-AM-1016x576.png 1016w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/03/Screenshot-2026-03-12-at-8.56.54-AM-768x435.png 768w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/03/Screenshot-2026-03-12-at-8.56.54-AM-1536x871.png 1536w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/03/Screenshot-2026-03-12-at-8.56.54-AM-2048x1161.png 2048w" sizes=" (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />Talarico encouraging his students to watch then-San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro’s speech at the 2012 Democratic National Convention.</div>
Photos from the classroom also show a “free thinker” wall featuring public figures including Obama, Castro, leftist activist Dolores Huerta, Cesar Chavez, Bill Gates, and Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor, and various writers and artists, according to a September 2011 <a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=275448369149425&amp;set=pb.100066594441728.-2207520000&amp;type=3" target="_blank" rel="noopener">post</a>.
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<div id="attachment_1058615" style="width: 310px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-1058615" class="size-medium wp-image-1058615" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/03/Screenshot-2026-03-12-at-8.55.48-AM-300x126.png" alt="Talarico’s “free thinker” wall highlighting numerous liberal leaders. " width="300" height="126" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/03/Screenshot-2026-03-12-at-8.55.48-AM-300x126.png 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/03/Screenshot-2026-03-12-at-8.55.48-AM-1024x430.png 1024w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/03/Screenshot-2026-03-12-at-8.55.48-AM-768x322.png 768w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/03/Screenshot-2026-03-12-at-8.55.48-AM-1536x645.png 1536w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/03/Screenshot-2026-03-12-at-8.55.48-AM-2048x859.png 2048w" sizes=" (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />Talarico’s “free thinker” wall highlighting numerous liberal leaders.</div>
The Daily Wire reached out to Talarico&#8217;s campaign and the San Antonio Independent School District for comment.
Republicans have commented on the resurfaced posts.
“From these Facebook posts it is clear he was pushing a partisan political message to middle school students in a deeply inappropriate way,&#8221; said Matt Mackowiak, a senior advisor to incumbent Sen. John Cornyn&#8217;s campaign. &#8220;It makes you wonder what he was teaching those kids in class behind closed doors.”
Cornyn and Attorney General Ken Paxton are headed to a May 26 runoff in the Republican primary, as both campaigns hope to earn the endorsement of President Donald Trump. The winner will face Talarico in November. The Cook Political Report currently rates the general election as &#8220;Likely Republican.&#8221;

James_Barack

The ‘Obama Family POV’ Assignment Dem James Talarico Had Students Write

James Talarico

Julian Castro

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