An immigration reform proposal from Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar (R-FL) triggered a social media eruption this week, as many Republicans are pushing back against the proposal they view as too soft on the issue.
The &#8220;<a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/4393" target="_blank" rel="noopener">DIGNIDAD Act</a>,&#8221; which is co-sponsored by 39 Republicans and Democrats, would provide legal status without a way to get citizenship for those in the country illegally before 2021 for a renewable seven-year period for individuals who are working, offer “<a href="https://salazar.house.gov/sites/evo-subsites/salazar.house.gov/files/evo-media-document/the-dignity-act-2025.pdf">protection</a>” for those in the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, and codifies certain elements of border security law.
The bill was introduced in July 2025, with little movement in Congress since then, according to the congressional website. However, Salazar and other lawmakers are doing a “Dignity Tour” to make the case for the legislation, she <a href="https://salazar.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-maria-elvira-salazar-joins-bipartisan-leaders-launch-national-dignity" target="_blank" rel="noopener">announced</a> last month.
Salazar has said that the legislation is not a form of amnesty, whereas other members of her caucus have argued otherwise.
“The DIGNITY Act removes ALL criminal illegal aliens and recent arrivals, and it shuts down future illegal immigration once and for all,” <a href="https://x.com/RepMariaSalazar/status/2041688739101946254?s=20" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Salazar</a> posted to X on Tuesday, arguing that there would be economic issues created by mass deportations of “long-time, contributing immigrants.”
“But here’s the truth: most Americans do NOT support deporting every long-term immigrant who has spent years working here, contributing to our economy, who have American kids and are part of our communities,” she added.
The thread posted by the Florida lawmaker was in response to comments from Rep. <a href="https://x.com/RepBrandonGill/status/2041649435587866911?s=20" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Brandon Gill</a>, who said that the proposal is “rank amnesty and everybody knows it.”
“I want dignity for Americans — the people whose interests we represent — not illegal aliens. That means doing what we said we’d do: mass deportations,” he added. The various posts from Gill, Salazar, and others have gone viral, leading to a major discourse on X over the policies outlined in the bill.
He told The Daily Wire’s &#8220;<a href="https://x.com/realDailyWire/status/2041987678481117459?s=20" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Wired In Live</a>&#8221; that the proposal “effectively stops the president from carrying out his deportation agenda,” adding that it is “a massive betrayal of everything Republicans ran on last election cycle.&#8221;
Republicans heavily campaigned on immigration and border security in the last election, with President Donald Trump’s campaign even touting signs with the slogan “Mass Deportation Now.”
Another clip of Salazar resurfaced on social media this week from a July 2025 interview with <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GKWBQ5kIvVQ" target="_blank" rel="noopener">WPLG Local 10 News</a>.
&#8220;At some point in the future, another legislator will write another law to give them a path to citizenship. Right now, what we need to do is buy peace for these people, allow them to stay,” she said in the interview.
Salazar’s South Florida district has a high immigrant population, and she and many <a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/4393/cosponsors" target="_blank" rel="noopener">other backers</a> of the bill represent swing districts, according to the <a href="https://www.cookpolitical.com/ratings/house-race-ratings" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Cook Political Report</a>.
Thirteen percent of likely voters said that immigration is the main issue facing the United States, as of March, according to an Emerson College <a href="https://emersoncollegepolling.com/march-2026-national-poll-47-oppose-us-military-action-in-iran-40-support/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">poll</a> of likely voters. As one of the highest rated issues behind the economy and “threats to democracy” in the survey, it will likely be a key point of contention on the campaign trail.

Maria Salazar

Push For Immigration Reform Forces Reckoning Among Republicans As Midterms Approach

Congress

Florida

Immigration

Republicans

Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA) is facing calls to drop out of the California governor’s race as he denies accusations of inappropriate conduct with staffers.
While little is known about the allegations, Gen-Z for Change Executive Director Cheyenne Hunt claimed in an <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DWjgJEAETWI/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Instagram post</a> that she received a message claiming that Swalwell had interns “sign NDAs so they don’t speak up” after possible inappropriate conduct with the congressman.
As of Wednesday afternoon, no evidence has yet surfaced in support of the accusations, and no individual has directly come forward.
Another Democratic strategist, Bhavik Lathia, claimed in an X <a href="https://x.com/bhaviklathia/status/2041013748635402563?s=20" target="_blank" rel="noopener">post</a> that allegations amplified by a large left-wing account “Organizermemes,” are “real.”
“Take it seriously. Eric Swallwell [sic] cannot be our nominee. There is going to be a lot more coming out soon,” he said. “I can’t say more right now, but stay tuned.”
Swalwell campaign spokesperson Micah Beasley slammed the “false, outrageous” allegations in a statement to <a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2026/04/07/swalwell-campaign-denies-claims-inappropriate-behavior-00862406" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Politico</a>, even though limited details have been released.
“This false, outrageous rumor is being spread 27 days before an election begins by flailing opponents who have sadly teamed up with MAGA conspiracy theorists because they know Eric Swalwell is the frontrunner in this race,” Beasley told the outlet.
<a href="https://x.com/CheyenneHuntCA/status/2041882893761573227?s=20" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Hunt</a> posted in response to Beasley’s statement that it was “forced, false, and a clear signal they are bracing for impact.”
“Another day closer to the truth coming out about Eric Swalwell and his history of alleged sexual harassment and abuse against women,” Hunt said.
“Yesterday, his campaign came out publicly to deny his behavior, his NDAs, and the existence of these allegations in a statement to POLITICO,” she continued.
Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) came to Swalwell&#8217;s defense, saying that the accusations are surfacing because of the Democrat&#8217;s standing in the race.
&#8220;When you are in first place, is when they target you. Eric is a fighter and he will win the Governors race,&#8221; he <a href="https://x.com/RubenGallego/status/2041587336052658335?s=20" target="_blank" rel="noopener">posted</a> to X.
Swalwell is already facing calls to exit the race, including one from Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco.
“This is not going to be good, and he, I hope, that he heeds his words, and he should probably drop out and save his family,” Bianco told conservative commentator Benny Johnson on &#8220;<a href="https://x.com/bennyjohnson/status/2041573934722658771?s=20" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Benny Show</a>.&#8221;
Swalwell has created a national brand around his criticism of President Donald Trump, and he unsuccessfully sought the Democratic nomination for president in the 2020 election. The California congressman also faced scrutiny in 2020 over his alleged connections with a Chinese operative known as &#8220;Fang Fang,&#8221; according to <a href="https://www.axios.com/2020/12/08/china-spy-california-politicians" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Axios</a>.
The top-two jungle primary race for governor intensified this week on multiple fronts, including with Trump’s endorsement of Republican Steve Hilton.
&#8220;With Federal help, and a Great Governor, like Steve Hilton, California can be better than ever before! Steve Hilton has my COMPLETE &amp; TOTAL ENDORSEMENT,&#8221; Trump posted to <a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/116356081038721731" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Truth Social</a> on Monday.
Meanwhile, Swalwell and billionaire environmentalist Tom Steyer are continuing to vie for a slot among the wide pool of Democratic candidates. Whoever wins the general election will succeed Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-CA), who is termed out.
The Daily Wire has reached out to the Swalwell campaign for comment.

Eric Swalwell

Chinese Spy, Fang Fang, Honeypot: Dem Faces Fresh Accusations As Old Scandal Creeps Back

2026 election

California

Chad Bianco

steve hilton

Tom Steyer

Maine Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner is increasingly confident that he will defeat Gov. Janet Mills in the June primary.
Platner has a 22% average lead in primary surveys, according to <a href="https://www.realclearpolling.com/polls/senate/democratic-primary/2026/maine---3-electoral" target="_blank" rel="noopener">RealClearPolling,</a> despite the early days of his campaign being marred by scandal over a now-covered Nazi symbol tattoo and several resurfaced Reddit posts from the early 2010s in which he made demeaning comments about women and proclaimed that he “became a communist.”
Platner’s campaign manager Ben Chin told <a href="https://www.axios.com/2026/04/06/maine-senate-primary-democrats-mills-platner" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Axios</a> that the campaign is “shifting gears and going full steam ahead into the general,” but noted they “aren’t taking our foot [off] the gas in the primary.”
Mills is backed by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, who sees her as a critical piece to winning back control of the chamber, whereas Platner has garnered the endorsements of Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA).
&#8220;We&#8217;re feeling emboldened,” Chin told the outlet.
Mills has gone on the attack against Platner in recent commercials, highlighting his scandals and running with the tagline, “Graham Platner: The closer you look, the worse it gets.”
One advertisement in particular features older, white women reacting to the populist Democrat’s comments on Reddit with disgust, but Platner’s campaign appears to have bounced back following his apology over the posts in the fall.
“These comments are shameful,” <a href="https://x.com/JanetMillsforME/status/2036401559936852198?s=20" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mills</a> continued to hammer the point home via X on March 24. “While my opponent was saying this not long ago, I was fighting as Attorney General and Governor to deliver progress for Maine people.”
A Republican strategist familiar with the race told The Daily Wire that the race remains a “target-rich environment” that could ultimately benefit Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME), who will face off against whoever wins the primary.
“It’s not really breaking through for her,” the strategist said regarding the Mills attack ads, adding that it’s “definitely not looking good&#8221; for the governor&#8217;s campaign.
In terms of the overall Republican approach, given Platner’s staying power, the strategist noted that it’s “equal opportunity until the day she drops out” and the Republicans will continue to “keep hammering on both.”
Collins defeated Democrat Sara Gideon in 2020 with just under 51% compared with Gideon’s roughly 42%. The <a href="https://www.cookpolitical.com/ratings/senate-race-ratings" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Cook Political Report</a> rates the general election race as a “toss-up,” along with the contests in North Carolina, Georgia, and Michigan.
Republicans hold a narrow 53-47 majority in the chamber, and a flip could result in radically different policies headed to President Donald Trump&#8217;s desk in the second half of his term.
The Daily Wire reached out to the Mills, Platner, and Collins campaigns for comment.

Graham Platner

Nazi Tattoo Guy Has Chuck Schumer’s Handpicked Candidate On The Ropes

Chuck Schumer

Democrats

graham platner

janet mills

Maine

Senate

WASHINGTON – The Department of Justice launched a fraud enforcement division on Tuesday, as the Trump administration continues its crackdown on malicious actors taking advantage of public medical and housing programs.
“The American people deserve an end to the crisis of fraud,” Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said in a press conference, which was his first time taking questions from reporters since Pam Bondi was pulled from the position.
During the press conference, Blanche told The Daily Wire that every United States Attorney’s Office will have a minimum of one prosecutor dedicated to tackling fraud investigations, and “in many states, more than one.” The DOJ will also be “building up the division” in Washington. The division will be led by Assistant Attorney General Colin McDonald.
“Every single federal agency is involved in this,” he said, noting that many cases come from inspectors general.
The announcement of the division comes as Vice President JD Vance was recently appointed to lead the “Task Force to Eliminate Fraud.” <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/exclusive-trump-fraud-task-force-taps-lead-hunter-biden-prosecutor" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Daily Wire</a> reported last month that Hunter Biden prosecutor Scott Brady, who is the special counsel at the Department of Health and Human Services, will be the executive director of the task force.
“The attorneys and staff who join this new division, you will have the entire department&#8217;s support as you work to protect the financial integrity of our entire government and the tax system that supports it,” Blanche added, noting the creation of the National Fraud Detection Center.
“We will spare no resources in giving you the tools that you need to bring strong cases and do justice. The new division will bring together data and investigators from across the entire government so that you can track down even the most sophisticated fraudsters and hold them accountable,” he continued.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
There be will at least one fraud division prosecutor at every U.S. attorney’s office, but “‘many more” at others, Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche told me at today’s presser ⬇️ <a href="https://t.co/qmoHzcRAbS">https://t.co/qmoHzcRAbS</a>
— Cameron Arcand (@cameron_arcand) <a href="https://twitter.com/cameron_arcand/status/2041584269143757147?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 7, 2026</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Blanche highlighted numerous recent fraud cases, including eight individuals charged in California last week in a $50 million hospice fraud scheme. Other states, like Minnesota, have come into the national focus over court cases surrounding Medicaid, including fake autism treatment schemes.
“The Southern California region is a high-risk environment for hospice-related and many other forms of health care fraud,” Akil Davis, the Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office, said in a statement last week regarding the <a href="https://www.justice.gov/usao-cdca/pr/8-arrested-health-care-fraud-takedown-including-owners-hospices-billed-taxpayers" target="_blank" rel="noopener">hospice case</a>. “The United States loses hundreds of billions of dollars annually to healthcare fraud at the expense of all American taxpayers, whose benefits decrease as premiums, co-payments and taxes grow. Our aim is to reverse that trend with ‘Operation Never Say Die’ and others like it.”

Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche Holds News Conference At Justice Department

‘Crisis Of Fraud’: DOJ Unveils New Crackdown Unit To Hunt Down Billions In Government Abuse

Fraud

justice department

Minnesota

Pam Bondi

Todd Blanche

Even though Democrats have obtained tens of millions to pass a mid-decade redistricting amendment in Virginia on April 21, a recent poll indicates that the race is closer than they might hope.
Registered voters support the effort 53-44%, and likely voters back the effort at a narrower 52-47%, according to a new Washington Post/George Mason University Schar School <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2026/04/03/virginia-redistricting-poll-trump-spanberger/?pwapi_token=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJyZWFzb24iOiJnaWZ0IiwibmJmIjoxNzc1MTg4ODAwLCJpc3MiOiJzdWJzY3JpcHRpb25zIiwiZXhwIjoxNzc2NTcxMTk5LCJpYXQiOjE3NzUxODg4MDAsImp0aSI6ImJkNWRjMjI0LWFlZGEtNDZiNS05YzJlLWEyNTRjNGU4MmVhNCIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lndhc2hpbmd0b25wb3N0LmNvbS9wb2xpdGljcy8yMDI2LzA0LzAzL3ZpcmdpbmlhLXJlZGlzdHJpY3RpbmctcG9sbC10cnVtcC1zcGFuYmVyZ2VyLyJ9.5Cp3nf5eFyjVD0-MekiUof7o2qRl776d86eZVkkbQws" target="_blank" rel="noopener">poll</a>.
Those in favor of the amendment have fundraised $38 million, including from large political groups, to change the commonwealth’s congressional map from 6-5 in favor of Democrats to 10-1 in favor of Democrats, according to <a href="https://wjla.com/news/local/story/virginia-voters-to-decide-redistricting-that-could-flip-4-gop-seats" target="_blank" rel="noopener">WJLA</a> as of March 27. The maps could influence who controls the House for remainder of President Donald Trump&#8217;s term, as Republicans currently hold a narrow 218-member majority.
On the opposition side, &#8220;Virginians for Fair Maps&#8221; says it&#8217;s raised about $5 million, <a href="https://www.29news.com/2026/03/18/va-redistricting-referendum-heats-up-with-uneven-fundraising-early-voter-turnout/?utm_source=chatgpt.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">29News</a> reported on March 18.
Early voting started in the race on March 6, and it will end on April 18. The <a href="https://www.elections.virginia.gov/media/electionadministration/electionlaw/4-21-2026-Special-Election-Explanation--Text.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ballot question itself</a> frames the proposal as a way to “restore fairness in the upcoming elections” while noting that it will be in place until after the normal redistricting is done following the 2030 census.
The Virginia Democrats&#8217; <a href="https://vademocrats.org/2026-redistricting-vote-yes/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">website</a> says that the measure is because &#8220;Trump and MAGA are trying to rig the midterms.”
The proposal mirrors the one passed in California in November, which redrew the state’s maps to create five more Democrat-favored seats. Proponents of the California and Virginia ballot measures argue that it is a counteraction to the redistricting done in Texas, which added five Republican-favored seats, as well as the redistricting in other red states.
In an interview with The Daily Wire last month, former Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares (R) said that there’s been a “groundswell of support” for the opposition effort.
“It’s not like all this California money cares about Virginians or cares about voices of rural Virginians in Congress,” he said at the time.
Rep. Don Beyer (D-VA) told <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2026-election/not-done-deal-democrats-start-sweat-virginias-redistricting-referendum-rcna263726" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NBC News</a> on March 21 that the amendment is “not a done deal by any means.”
“We have to effectively make the case that even though this seems unfair in Virginia, it’s totally fair for America, for those of us who believe that taking back the House is the most significant thing we can do to stop Donald Trump,” the Democrat told the outlet.
The proposal has won the backing of former President Barack Obama and Gov. Abigail Spanberger, whereas some Republicans have hit the campaign trail against the measure. The special election comes at a major point of transition in the commonwealth, as Spanberger, along with Lt. Gov. Ghazala Hashmi and Attorney General Jay Jones, flipped the statewide leadership blue in the November in a heated off-year statewide election.
“THE VOTE WILL BE CLOSE!” Republican activist <a href="https://x.com/ScottPresler/status/2040066645180239885" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Scott Presler</a> posted to X last week. “Hakeem Jeffries is spending tens of millions of dollars trying to buy 4 congressional seats in Virginia.”
“Shock the nation by voting NO &amp; show Washington, DC, outsiders that they CAN’T buy the Commonwealth,” he added.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries

Latest Democrat Scheme To Take The House Isn’t Going To Plan

abigail spanberger

Politics

Redistricting

Virginia

Supporters of Attorney General Ken Paxton (R-TX) were divided by the news of Attorney General Pam Bondi&#8217;s ouster over whether Paxton should be considered for the national job or should remain in the fight to replace John Cornyn.
Paxton is currently in a heated Republican runoff with incumbent Sen. John Cornyn, with President Donald Trump yet to issue an endorsement ahead of the May 26 contest. If Paxton were to be tapped for a national position and drop out of the race, it would effectively clear the field for Cornyn and set the general election matchup against Democrat James Talarico.
The Daily Wire could not confirm whether Paxton is actually being considered. Other names circulating in Republican circles include EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin, DOJ Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division Harmeet Dhillon, Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT), Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody, and Sen. Eric Schmitt (R-MO).
Turning Point USA spokesman Andrew Kolvet also floated Paxton&#8217;s name, alongside others like Zeldin, Dhillon, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro, and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Russ Vought.
Kolvet said the next individual has &#8220;to be ruthless and smart and impossible to distract or slow down.&#8221; The spokesman for the conservative group said that he&#8217;s been told that former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL), who was Trump&#8217;s withdrawn pick for the role last year, is not &#8220;pursuing&#8221; the job.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
With Bondi departing, I have a few people in mind to be the next AG, who&#8217;s your pick?
• Harmeet Dhillon 
• Lee Zeldin 
• Ken Paxton 
• Jeanine Pirro 
• Ron DeSantis 
• Russ Vought (but he&#8217;s great at OMB)
Has to be ruthless and smart and impossible to distract or slow down.…
— Andrew Kolvet (@AndrewKolvet) <a href="https://twitter.com/AndrewKolvet/status/2039774655524004294?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 2, 2026</a></blockquote>
Online speculation intensified following posts from conservative commentators and political observers, many of whom <a href="https://x.com/RedEaglePatriot/status/2039776422366003312?s=20">argued</a> Paxton would have a greater impact as attorney general than as a U.S. senator.
“Bondi is OUT,” conservative influencer <a href="https://x.com/RedEaglePatriot/status/2039776422366003312?s=20" target="_blank" rel="noopener">“Red Eagle Politics”</a> posted to X on Thursday. “Ken Paxton should be our next AG. He can make a massive impact in that role, whereas in the Senate he would just be one vote out of 100.&#8221;
The prediction market <a href="https://kalshi.com/markets/kxnextag/next-ag/kxnextag-29" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Kalshi</a> gives Paxton roughly a 4% chance of becoming Trump’s nominee, compared to 57% for Zeldin and 31% for interim Attorney General Todd Blanche.
One X post from Daily Wire reporter Mary Margaret Olohan listed several names being discussed:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
People close to the White House are throwing around a lot of names for the next attorney general. Here’s a few of the names I’ve had mentioned to me today:
&#8211; Mike Lee 
&#8211; Harmeet Dhillon 
&#8211; Ashley Moody 
&#8211; Lee Zeldin 
&#8211; Eric Schmitt
— Mary Margaret Olohan (@MaryMargOlohan) <a href="https://twitter.com/MaryMargOlohan/status/2039786402221584593?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 2, 2026</a></blockquote>
Others pointed out that the brutal nature of the primary, which has highlighted Paxton&#8217;s past personal and professional controversies, could complicate the potential confirmation process.
“I think there’s a non-zero chance Trump tries to replace Pam Bondi with Texas’s Ken Paxton and rams the vote through an otherwise hesitant Senate by promising that since Cornyn would then become the TX Senate nominee, odds to keep the chamber go up,” Michigan State University policy professor <a href="https://x.com/joshcowenMI/status/2039780397727309982?s=20" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Josh Cowen</a> wrote on X.
Some conservatives pushed back on the Paxton buzz, <a href="https://x.com/ImFiredUp2/status/2039799088888053842?s=20">saying</a> he should remain in the Senate race to challenge Cornyn.
“Watch for the horse trading to put Ken Paxton up for AG thus making Cornyn the senator from Texas again,” conservative commentator <a href="https://x.com/ImFiredUp2/status/2039799088888053842?s=20" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Chad Caton</a> wrote. “THIS CANT HAPPEN. We must rid ourselves of the power and influence that John Cornyn wields. Ken Paxton must be the next Senator from Texas.”
Democrats also suggested that Paxton could be the pick to take on the top law enforcement role in the Trump administration.
“Depending on how low he wants to go, I figure he goes with Ken Paxton to replace Bondi. Who is scummier than him? Plus he clears the field in Texas for Cornyn,” Democratic activist <a href="https://x.com/PaulJacobsMedia/status/2039751328604262871?s=20" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Paul Jacobs</a> posted to X.
“My prediction: with Pam Bondi out, Ken Paxton is next up. Yes, Texas’ scandal-ridden AG who’s currently tripping his way through a primary runoff against John Cornyn,” former liberal political strategist <a href="https://www.facebook.com/sheajordansmith" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Shea Jordan Smith</a> wrote on Facebook. “They’d much rather send Cornyn into a general election than take a chance on Paxton, who’s radioactive enough to turn a winnable race into a problem… especially with James Talarico on the other side.”
The Daily Wire reached out to the Paxton campaign for comment. The Cornyn campaign declined to comment.
When asked about Bondi&#8217;s status, the White House pointed to a Truth Social <a href="https://x.com/RapidResponse47/status/2039754354471686643?s=20" target="_blank" rel="noopener">post</a> from Trump praising her for doing &#8220;a tremendous job overseeing a massive crackdown in Crime across our country.&#8221;

U.S. Supreme Court Hears Expedited Challenges Over Texas Abortion Ban

Paxton Supporters Push Trump To Make Him AG — Others Say No Way

Attorney General

John Cornyn

Ken Paxton

Texas

Maine Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner referred to Jesus as a “zombie” and the Virgin Mary as a “skank” in a resurfaced Reddit post from 2012.
Platner has already faced scrutiny for past comments made on the social media platform over a decade ago, which he has apologized for, as it’s become the subject of campaign advertisements from his primary opposition, Gov. Janet Mills.
“I’ve spent 8 years in the infantry, Marine Corps, and Army, and I’ve been about as crudely atheist as one can be the entire time (zombie jesus jokes and Mary sucking at covering up being a skank, as examples),” Platner wrote at the time, according to a screenshot posted on X by conservative political strategist <a href="https://x.com/greg_price11/status/2039449980558041134?s=20" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Greg Price</a> on Wednesday.
Republicans criticized Platner&#8217;s comments, which resurfaced just days before Easter Sunday.
“When someone shows you who they are, believe them, and just in time for Easter the guy with a Nazi tattoo is showing us his truly disgusting and repulsive takes on Christianity,” Samantha Cantrell, spokeswoman for the National Republican Campaign Committee, said in a statement.
“This SHOULD be disqualifying but Maine&#8217;s leftist base has given Platner a pass on literally everything,” the <a href="https://x.com/mainegop/status/2039455900251901991?s=20" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Maine Republican Party</a> posted to X. “Now this. But the left will love him more.”
<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=undefined&amp;row=0&amp;rowType=Vertical+List&amp;title=Attack+Ad+Targets+Democrat+Over+Vulgar+Past+Comments+About+Women" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Daily Wire</a> reported that Mills took aim at Platner’s past comments regarding rape in a March commercial, specifically when he wrote in 2013 that 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.”
“That’s a horrible thing to say,” one woman said in the ad.
Platner responded to Mills&#8217; attack ad by acknowledging the inappropriate nature of his comments.
“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,” <a href="https://x.com/grahamformaine/status/2033923085728981129?s=20" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Platner</a> wrote on X at the time. “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.”
Whoever wins the primary will take on Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) in the competitive general election contest, which could ultimately play a role in determining which party controls the Senate.
Despite the controversies surrounding Platner, including over a now-covered Nazi symbol tattoo, Platner is still maintaining a strong standing in the race, racking up endorsements from Sens. Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren.
A recent <a href="https://emersoncollegepolling.com/maine-2026-poll-platner-leads-gov-mills-democrats-lead-sen-collins-in-maine/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Emerson College</a> poll of likely primary voters shows Platner leading Mills 55-28% in the primary. Mills is backed by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY).
The Daily Wire reached out to the Platner, Mills, and Collins campaigns for comment.

Democrat Darling Under Fire For Posts Calling Jesus A ‘Zombie,’ Virgin Mary A ‘Skank’

The Trump administration is moving to more closely track and study microplastics and pharmaceuticals in Americans&#8217; drinking water, marking the first time federal regulators have formally flagged them as potential contaminants.
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. stated that microplastics are a “growing threat to human health.”
The effort is split into two initiatives, first shared with The Daily Wire.
The Environmental Protection Agency will consider microplastics and pharmaceuticals a “priority contaminant group” in a current draft list. At the same time, a Health and Human Services-backed agency is launching the Systematic Targeting of Microplastics (STOMP) project to investigate the impact of microplastics and their effects on human health.
&#8220;For too long, Americans have vocalized concerns about plastics and pharmaceuticals in their drinking water. That ends today,” EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin said on Thursday.
Microplastics have been detected in water, food, and household products, and some research has linked them to serious health issues like cancer, though scientists say more study is needed to understand their full impact, according to <a href="https://med.stanford.edu/news/insights/2025/01/microplastics-in-body-polluted-tiny-plastic-fragments.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Stanford University School of Medicine</a>.
“Americans deserve clear answers about how microplastics in their bodies affect their health,&#8221; Kennedy Jr. said. &#8220;Through [Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health’s] STOMP program, we will measure microplastic exposure, identify sources of risk, and develop targeted solutions to reduce it,” he said.
As for the administration’s initiatives, the goal of STOMP is to focus on the impact of microplastics in the body, specifically how to “measure,” “target,” and “remove” them. It will identify the most dangerous microplastics and how they affect the human body.
The EPA’s decision to include microplastics on its draft Contaminant Candidate List “does not constitute regulation, but signals that a substance warrants serious scientific attention and may be considered for future regulatory action,” the agency told The Daily Wire.
“By placing microplastics and pharmaceuticals on the Contaminant Candidate List for the first time ever, EPA is sending a clear message: we will follow the science, we will pursue answers, and we will hold ourselves to the highest standards to protect the health of every American family,” Zeldin explained.
Kimberly Wise White, Ph.D., who serves as vice of regulatory and scientific affairs at the American Chemistry Council, said the organization supports &#8220;science-driven monitoring of microplastics in drinking water and research to better understand potential impacts.&#8221;
&#8220;People want clear answers on microplastics, and any drinking water monitoring program must address <a href="https://2244cf6a.streak-link.com/C1L0mjfUFGcEd_K5ZA0yrYvB/http%3A%2F%2Flink.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com%2Fls%2Fclick%3Fupn%3Du001.Qyj58FigvMRC96dcC2S4KNjCL20O7sP-2B4Pjq84SIXsEHUfMcmsBXBIl8DmU73q7pkMjL_SRyOrIcdwJbpfaG7RzzySYK8nAywSKGplH3LOjf4JVtkcvJrNDWVwpIurOw1tOLOU8IlSbJpQxLsxantCzquhbBXxlYNYtGXx9jLylLa4TmmrSrNcYZTV90UX2gJpZg-2B4QM4t7n2iNMEZX9KlwWHDxFMZWa9Z-2B1QTMDYG1BZIxbO1fhmIIajpIJMYEwHwjfONpNpI5UYWWaWr7r4pTlNsGKK5JzokpzVUBV7Tc9yyS3DTLgaZ6jr1OAJHqvS-2BUbTte2eSvXf7TpqKOLO2sUxfA6OIDxLnZ-2Ffyb7Fx7317OgFVi9xe0q7QKqDCCXxO6-2BOooz-2FuVNZEmrSOMQLUAwfFs1nc-2BLnUZ8Q6xJEw5Z6Aaj-2F8qXwwUkME-2BBSxTH1AOYHKzsLwq00fT2ILtrVxZ2cMA-3D-3D" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">several existing hurdles</a>, including developing clear definitions, ensuring adequate lab capacity, and standardizing sampling and testing methods to be used consistently across the country,” she added.
Zeldin and Kennedy Jr. are expected to formally announce the effort in Washington, D.C. on Thursday afternoon.

Richmond Water Crisis

Trump Admin Announces Major Steps Countering Big Pharma And Microplastics

Health

Health and Human Services

Lee Zeldin

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

Most of the Department of Homeland Security could reopen pending a House vote, as Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader John Thune announced Wednesday that they will go ahead with the Senate-approved plan and fund ICE and Border Patrol through a separate reconciliation bill.
President Donald Trump <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/trump-blesses-gop-plan-to-end-shutdown-without-democrats">posted</a> to Truth Social that he wants to fund the two agencies through reconciliation, as that would not require Democratic votes.
“We appreciate and share the President’s determination to once and for all bring an end to the Democrat DHS shutdown,” Johnson and Thune <a href="https://x.com/SpeakerJohnson/status/2039413952220631443?s=20">said</a> in a joint statement.
“In the coming days, Republicans in the Senate and House will be following through on the President’s directive by fully funding the entire Department of Homeland Security on two parallel tracks: through the appropriations process and through the reconciliation process,” the leaders added.
The move could effectively limit the Democrats’ ability to successfully negotiate for any federal immigration policy reforms, which is why the shutdown began in the first place.
House and Senate Republicans were at odds last week over the best path forward: the Senate approved a funding plan that did not include ICE or Border Patrol, whereas the House approved a 60-day temporary funding plan, known as a continuing resolution, that would fully fund DHS until May 22.
House Democrats wanted the House to approve the Senate plan, so all but three voted against the continuing resolution.
However, not all Republicans are on board with the suggested plan on Wednesday.
“Funding for ICE and CBP must never be separated from DHS funding,” Rep. Keith Self (R-TX) posted to X. “If Republicans isolate it, they’re handing our border and ICE agents straight to the radicals who will defund and dismantle them every chance they get.”
“Fund DHS fully, or the open borders globalists win,” Self added.

President Trump Attends GOP House Caucus Meeting On Capitol Hill As Budget Bill Faces Resistance

Trump-Backed DHS Plan Takes Step Forward In Bid To Sidestep Democrats

homeland security

House of Representatives

President Donald Trump is urging Congress to use the budget reconciliation process in order to fund the Department of Homeland Security, a move that would allow Republicans to bypass the Senate filibuster.
Trump said in a <a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/116330487356155648" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Truth Social</a> post on Wednesday that Republicans &#8220;are going forward&#8221; with a plan to fund Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Border Patrol that &#8220;doesn’t need Radical Left Democrat votes.&#8221;
&#8220;We are going to work as fast, and as focused, as possible to replenish funding for our Border and ICE Agents, and the Radical Left Democrats won’t be able to stop us,&#8221; Trump wrote. &#8220;We will not allow them to hurt the families of these Great Patriots by defunding them. I am asking that the Bill be on my desk NO LATER than June 1st.&#8221;
Budget reconciliation allows certain legislation to pass the Senate with a simple majority, avoiding the 60-vote threshold typically required to overcome a filibuster. However, the process comes with strict rules that limit which provisions can be included.
Some Republicans have floated reconciliation as a path forward as negotiations over DHS funding remain stalled. Trump&#8217;s comments could bolster last week&#8217;s Senate-approved proposal, which did not include ICE and Border Patrol funding, as Trump noted how the reconciliation plan would be for those two agencies, <a href="https://x.com/AndrewDesiderio/status/2039390619022270576?s=20" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Punchbowl News</a> reported.
Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL) told The Daily Wire that the approach could allow Congress to fund the agency without Democratic votes, though he also reiterated his support for eliminating the filibuster altogether. If the filibuster were scrapped for good, it would open the door for other legislation to go to Trump&#8217;s desk, such as the House-passed SAVE America Act.
&#8220;It doesn&#8217;t appear today we have the votes to get rid of the filibuster, but a year ago, we didn’t have the votes to change the rules on nominations,” Scott said, saying that he thinks Republicans are “gonna get there.”
House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-MN) floated the possibility of a “skinny reconciliation” proposal that could “move very quickly” in a Wednesday interview on <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/video/2026/04/01/rep-tom-emmer-on-the-dhs-shutdown-tsa-staffing-shortages-and-iran-war-latest.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">CNBC,</a> while Sen. John Hoeven (R-ND) indicated a three-year funding bill for DHS could be in the works as well, according to <a href="https://x.com/BillMelugin_/status/2038634941756359075?s=20" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Fox News</a>.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) and other Republicans have cautioned against eliminating the filibuster, warning it could open the door for Democrats to pass their agenda with a simple majority vote in the future.
“What&#8217;s happening on ICE and CBP is just showing you how radical the Left is, and these Democrat senators, they&#8217;re controlled by AOC and [New York City Mayor Zohran] Mamdani, and Chuck Schumer&#8217;s scared to death of them,” Sen. Scott said. “And so they&#8217;re playing to their far left base that hates this country. They don&#8217;t want Trump to have any success.”
The push comes as Congress remains divided over how to fund DHS. Last week, the Senate approved a measure that did not fully fund ICE and Border Patrol, while the House passed a 60-day funding bill extending DHS funding until May 22.
President Trump has also called for ending the filibuster, encouraging Thune to find the votes necessary to scrap the threshold, <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/republican-senator-asks-president-trump-to-force-congresss-hand-on-dhs-shutdown?author=Cameron+Arcand&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=3&amp;row=0&amp;rowType=Vertical+List&amp;title=Calls+Grow+To+Force+Congress+Back+As+DHS+Shutdown+Hinges+On+One+Move" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Daily Wire</a> reported Monday.

President Trump Delivers The State Of The Union Address

Trump Blesses GOP Plan To End Shutdown — Without Democrats

John Thune

Rick Scott

Rep. Susie Lee (D-NV) deleted a profane X post about President Donald Trump after it drew backlash online.
Lee made the comment early Wednesday in response to reports that Trump planned to attend Supreme Court oral arguments in a high-stakes birthright citizenship case.
“So f*cking f*cked up. I’ll pray they f*ck him to his face,” Lee wrote at around 1 a.m. Eastern Time Wednesday in the replies to an Associated Press story about the visit. “Sorry, I say f*ck a lot these days.”
The post was later deleted, but she appeared to defend herself in a subsequent post on Wednesday morning.
&#8220;Clearly my language touched a nerve — my nerve was touched by the attacks on our Constitution and its separation of powers. I took an oath to protect and defend it,&#8221; Lee wrote.
The posts were both made from her personal account, where the banner touts a claim that she is &#8220;America&#8217;s #1 Most Bipartisan Member of Congress.&#8221;
The National Republican Campaign Committee, which helps GOP candidates in competitive House races, slammed the congresswoman’s comments, noting that Trump narrowly carried the district Lee represents in 2024, while she won re-election by a similarly slim margin.
“President Trump won Nevada Democrat [Susie Lee’s] district,” NRCC War Room Director <a href="https://x.com/bennpetersen/status/2039303115053154580?s=20" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ben Petersen</a> pointed out in an X thread. Trump won the congressional district 50-49% in 2024, and Lee was re-elected 51-48%.
“But Lee had this to say about President Trump in the middle of the night, Petersen added. “Her Trump Derangement Syndrome reaching volcanic levels.”
Lee represents a battleground district rated “Lean Democrat” by the <a href="https://www.cookpolitical.com/ratings/house-race-ratings" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Cook Political Report</a>, meaning there will likely be significant resources spent in the competitive district in the November general election.
The Daily Wire reached out to Lee&#8217;s campaign for comment but did not receive a response.
Trump&#8217;s appearance at the Supreme Court marks the first time a sitting president has attended oral arguments. The case centers on an <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/01/protecting-the-meaning-and-value-of-american-citizenship/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">executive order</a> seeking to end birthright citizenship for children of parents who are “unlawfully present” or here on a “lawful but temporary” basis.
If the Supreme Court rules in the president’s favor, it could strongly change the legal interpretation of the 14th Amendment.
“Birthright Citizenship has to do with the babies of slaves, not Chinese Billionaires who have 56 kids, all of whom ‘become’ American Citizens. One of the many Great Scams of our time!” Trump posted to <a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/116325785902961629" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Truth Social</a> on Tuesday.

Bipartisan Lawmakers Launch The Dignity Coalition In Support Of DIGNIDAD

‘F*ck Him To His Face’: Democrat Lawmaker Deletes Unhinged Late-Night Post About Trump

Donald Trump

Nevada

Supreme Court

The Texas Senate Republican primary runoff is pressing onward, as President Donald Trump has yet to make an endorsement between Sen. John Cornyn and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in the May 26 runoff.
When neither Paxton nor Cornyn was able to deliver a decisive victory in the initial vote — triggering the coming runoff — Trump indicated that an endorsement of one candidate was imminent. He did not name the candidate at the time — and has not indicated since who he might endorse or when — but said that when he did deliver his endorsement, he planned to call on the other candidate to drop out of the race.
A GOP operative familiar with the Cornyn campaign said that the campaign has not heard anything regarding where the president stands on an endorsement.
“Senator Cornyn over-performed all expectations by winning the March 3 primary after Ken Paxton spent two weeks predicting he would win without a runoff,” Cornyn campaign senior advisor Matt Mackowiak said in a statement, adding that Cornyn has “voted with President Trump 99.3% of the time and is one of his most effective allies in the Senate.”
“Democrats nominated their strongest candidate for U.S. Senate. Texas Republicans must nominate John Cornyn who is our strongest nominee by far to gain five new Congressional seats and advance Trump’s legislative agenda in the final two years of his second term,” Mackowiak added.
The Daily Wire reached out to the Paxton campaign for comment. Paxton is backed by Turning Point Action, and Cornyn is backed by the National Republican Senatorial Committee.
“The runoff electorate is gonna naturally favor Paxton, because these are conservatives, these are people that are enthusiastic to turn out and support a strong attorney general and President Trump,” a Republican consultant told The Daily Wire on background in order to speak freely about the race.
<a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/trump-cornyn-paxton-endorsement-texas-senate-race-rcna263483" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NBC News</a> reported on March 14 that the president would make a decision “over the next week or so,” but no announcement had been made even after two weeks had passed.
“I like both candidates very much,” he told the outlet, stressing that “a lot has to do with the SAVE America Act.”
“A lot is going to determine — Republicans have to get that passed, because that will secure voting in this country,” he added.
Paxton made waves after posting to X on March 5 that he would consider dropping out of the competitive runoff election if the Senate was able to pass the SAVE America Act.
“I would consider dropping out of this race if Senate Leadership agrees to lift the filibuster and passes the SAVE America Act,” <a href="https://x.com/KenPaxtonTX/status/2029607496395239546?s=20" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Paxton</a> wrote.
The Republican later criticized Cornyn for his <a href="https://nypost.com/2026/03/11/opinion/sen-cornyn-why-the-save-act-matters-more-than-the-filibuster/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">New York Post</a> op-ed, saying he would back potential changes to Senate rules in order to pass the voter identification legislation, calling it a “historic” pivot.
Cornyn wrote in the op-ed that he had previously backed the “60-vote threshold to protect the country,” but said that “when the reality on the ground changes, leaders must take stock and adapt.”
Prior to the SAVE America Act push, Paxton had previously said he would remain in the race even if the president gave Cornyn his blessing.
“Well, that’s bad for him to say,” Trump told <a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2026/03/05/trump-paxton-texas-senate-primary-00814209" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Politico</a> on March 5. “That is bad for him. So maybe, maybe that leads me to go the other direction.”
Whoever wins the May 26 runoff will face off against Democrat James Talarico, at whom who the president had taken direct aim despite not weighing in on the Republican race. In a March 22 <a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/116273343074887409" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Truth Social post</a>, the president called Talarico a “weak, ineffective guy.”
The president added that “this guy is worse” than his primary opponent, Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-TX).
“It does not matter because they’re both solid candidates,” an individual familiar with Republicans thinking on the race said on background, saying that recent coverage of the Democrat has been hurting his campaign.
“At this point, it’s more likely that Talarico drags Dems down at the bottom of the ticket.”
The Daily Wire reached out to the Talarico campaign for comment.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and Senator John Cornyn.

Trump Holds Cards In Texas Showdown As One Move Could Clear The Field

James Talarico

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