The Department of Homeland Security shutdown is now set to be largely over, after the House of Representatives approved the Senate-backed plan to fund every element of the department except for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP). A reconciliation bill is anticipated to fund the other two critical law enforcement agencies.
The move in the House was conducted with a voice vote, according to <a href="https://x.com/BillMelugin_/status/2049899389435449379?s=20" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Fox News</a>.
President Donald Trump will now have to sign off on the funding, as there were concerns once again about being able to pay employees of the department starting on Friday.
The shutdown began in mid-February, as Democrats wanted sweeping federal immigration enforcement reforms in opposition to the Trump administration, particularly Operation Metro Surge in Minnesota.
On April 1, Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader John Thune came to an agreement with the president on how to best tackle the shutdown, as the Senate passed the deal that left out ICE and CBP in late March, whereas House Republicans passed a 60-day continuing resolution that funded everything.
“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 Republican leaders <a href="https://x.com/SpeakerJohnson/status/2039413952220631443?s=20" target="_blank" rel="noopener">stated</a> at the time.
“While we hoped they would accept the 60-day CR to fund the Department entirely so that bipartisan negotiations could continue, it is now abundantly clear that Democrats place allegiance to their radical left-wing base above all else — including their own power of the purse — which means open borders and protecting criminal illegal aliens,” the statement continued.
While Democrats wanted a long list of changes made to immigration enforcement, including the end of masking and the use of judicial warrants, it’s highly unlikely they will get the reforms they sought given the workaround nature of a reconciliation deal. A reconciliation bill allows the Senate to bypass its 60-vote procedural threshold, but it follows strict rules about what’s allowed and not allowed in the legislation.
The DHS shutdown most clearly played out before Americans due to long TSA lines, as agents were going without pay for weeks until executive action was taken.

Mullin To Face Senate Scrutiny Over Ability To Lead Behemoth DHS

DHS Shutdown Ends For TSA And Secret Service, But Border Security Left Hanging

Congress

Department of Homeland Security

Government Shutdown

Illegal Immigration

Politics

Louisiana has suspended its May 16 primary elections for congressional races following the Supreme Court ruling on Wednesday on its congressional map, as districts need to be redrawn in order to be legally compliant.
The Supreme Court ruled that one of the state’s majority-minority districts was illegally racially gerrymandered.
“Yesterday’s historic Supreme Court victory for Louisiana has an immediate consequence for the State. The Supreme Court previously stayed an injunction against the State’s enforcement of the current Congressional map,” Gov. Jeff Landry (R-LA) and Attorney General Liz Murrill (R-LA) said in a statement on Thursday. “By the Court’s order, however, that stay automatically terminated with yesterday’s decision. Accordingly, the State is currently enjoined from carrying out congressional elections under the current map. We are working together with the Legislature and the Secretary of State’s office to develop a path forward.”
Justice Samuel Alito wrote in his majority opinion of the court that “the State’s attempt to satisfy the Middle District’s ruling, although understandable, was an unconstitutional racial gerrymander.”
Rep. Troy Carter (D-LA), the only Democrat in the state&#8217;s congressional delegation, blasted the Supreme Court&#8217;s decision as a &#8220;devastating blow.&#8221;
&#8220;The consequences of this decision are immediate and severe: the hard-fought progress that led to the creation of two majority-Black congressional districts in Louisiana is now in jeopardy,&#8221; Carter said in a statement.
“Let’s be clear: this is not about so-called ‘colorblind’ principles. History has shown us time and again that policies claiming neutrality, from literacy tests to poll taxes, have been used to silence Black voices. Louisiana knows this history all too well. Without the protections of the Voting Rights Act, there is no evidence to suggest that Black voters in our state will be able to elect candidates of their choice,&#8221; Carter continued.
It&#8217;s unclear if and how the move will impact other races in the state, as other contests are set to occur that day as well, including the hotly-competitive Republican Senate primary between Rep. Julia Letlow (R-LA) and Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA).
In multiple other states, including Tennessee and Mississippi, map redraws are being weighed that could get rid of deep blue districts that were created under the previous legal scope.
&#8220;I&#8217;ll keep saying it: the Tennessee legislature should reconvene immediately and REDRAW THE LINES!&#8221; Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), who&#8217;s running for governor, posted to X on Thursday. The Volunteer State has a deep blue district in the Memphis area.
Meanwhile, Republican Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves came out ahead of the decision to call for a special session three weeks after the ruling, and it could lead to a redraw of the state&#8217;s Second Congressional District, which is represented by Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-MS).
In Alabama, Republican Gov. Kay Ivey said her state will not have a special session to change its maps, citing current federal litigation.
“Litigation surrounding Alabama’s congressional districts is pending before the U.S. Supreme Court, and Alabama is currently under a court order prohibiting the use of new congressional districts until after the 2030 census. While we are not in position to have a special session at this time, I hope in light of this new decision, the court is favorable to Alabama,&#8221; she stated, according to <a href="https://1819news.com/news/item/ivey-alabama-not-in-position-to-have-a-special-session-at-this-time-on-redistricting?fbclid=IwY2xjawRgYPtleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBicmlkETF4eHBBZUJ4cml1S21pZzZ4c3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHlCocmN3Zhv-9pRJqL55hgHeyVzlORJ8bmR56akqoP_3QlqgKLRTaFAIf0d3_aem_BKbJw3WmmWStqNC5Kd5ZoA" target="_blank" rel="noopener">1819 News</a>.
Before the court&#8217;s decision, states were already taking major mid-decade redistricting actions, including five Democrat-favored seats in California and five Republican-favored seats in Texas. Virginia voted earlier this month to switch to a 10-1 map favoring Democrats with a net gain of four seats, but it is facing a dicey state Supreme Court battle.
In Florida, the legislature rapidly approved a map for four more Republican-favored seats in the Sunshine State following a push from Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis.

Supreme Court

Louisiana’s Election Calendar Just Got Blown Up After Supreme Court Ruling

Louisiana

Gov. Janet Mills (D-ME) is ending her bid for United States Senate, leaving populist Graham Platner to take on Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) in the extremely competitive general election that could determine which party controls the upper chamber.
Although Platner faced multiple scandals early in his campaign, including scrutiny of a now-covered Nazi symbol tattoo and past posts on social media, Mills struggled to gain traction in the polls. Mills had the backing of Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), whereas Platner is backed by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA).
Mills said she did not have enough money to continue campaigning.
“When I decided to run for the United States Senate last year, it was because I believed Maine people were getting a bad deal from Washington and because the President of the United States was threatening our democracy and pushing our nation to the brink of disaster. I continue to believe that today,” Mills said in a statement on Thursday morning.
“While I have the drive and passion, commitment and experience, and above all else – the fight – to continue on, I very simply do not have the one thing that political campaigns unfortunately require today: the financial resources. That is why today I have made the incredibly difficult decision to suspend my campaign for the United States Senate,” she added.
Mills gained national notoriety over her dispute with President Donald Trump over transgender-identifying athletes&#8217; ability to play in women&#8217;s sports, <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/trump-spars-with-maines-dem-governor-over-men-in-womens-sports-at-white-house" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Daily Wire</a> reported.
“We’ll see you in court,” Mills said in a viral interaction with Trump when he asked her if she would comply with his Executive Order on the issue in 2025, which stated that it should &#8220;be the policy of the United States to oppose male competitive participation in women’s sports more broadly, as a matter of safety, fairness, dignity, and truth.&#8221;
“Good, I’ll see you in court,” Trump replied. “I look forward to that, that should be a real easy one. And enjoy your life after governor, because I don’t think you’ll be in elected politics.
As for Platner, he faced backlash for past <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/dem-senate-hopeful-called-himself-a-communist-made-racist-comments-in-reddit-posts" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Reddit posts</a>, including one&#8217;s where he called himself a &#8220;communist&#8221; and said &#8220;cops are bastards.&#8221;
<a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2025/10/17/graham-platner-sexual-assault-comments-senate-midterms/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Washington Post</a> reported multiple posts he made to Reddit in 2013 regarding sexual assault, including in the military.
“Rape is a real thing. If you’re so worried about it to buy Kevlar underwear you’d think you might not get blacked out f***ed up around people you aren’t comfortable with,” he wrote.
Platner, a veteran, apologized for his past remarks, but the posts became the subject of campaign ads from Mills, which did not seem to resonate with voters. Most recent polling in the primary election showed Platner ahead of Mills by double-digits, according to <a href="https://www.realclearpolling.com/latest-polls/senate" target="_blank" rel="noopener">RealClearPolling</a>.
However, the Maine governor&#8217;s exit from the race is welcomed news to Republicans.
&#8220;Chuck Schumer and Senate Democrats just coronated a phony who is too extreme for Maine. Susan Collins has always put in the work for her constituents and delivered. Washington Democrats always fall short in Maine and will again, because they just nominated a dishonest radical,&#8221; National Republican Senatorial Committee Chairman Tim Scott (R-SC) said in a statement on Thursday morning.

18 Dead After Mass Shooter Goes On A Rampage In Maine

Dems Stuck With Nazi Tattoo Guy After Surprise Shake-Up In Senate Primary

2026 election

graham platner

janet mills

Maine

U.S. Senate

The Supreme Court’s ruling narrowing the scope of the Voting Rights Act is already prompting calls from Republicans to redraw congressional maps, a move that could create more GOP-friendly seats, particularly across the South.
In Tennessee, Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) on Wednesday encouraged state lawmakers to reconvene and redraw district lines in a way that could flip a Democratic-held seat.
“I urge our state legislature to reconvene to redistrict another Republican seat in Memphis. It&#8217;s essential to cement [Donald Trump’s] agenda and the Golden Age of America,” Blackburn, who’s running to succeed Tennessee Republican Gov. Bill Lee, posted to X following the decision.
“I’ve vowed to keep Tennessee a red state, and as Governor, I&#8217;ll do everything I can to make this map a reality,” she added.
Memphis is currently represented by Rep. Steve Cohen (D-TN) in a heavily Democratic district.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
I urge our state legislature to reconvene to redistrict another Republican seat in Memphis. It&#8217;s essential to cement <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@realDonaldTrump</a>’s agenda and the Golden Age of America.
I&#8217;ve vowed to keep Tennessee a red state, and as Governor, I&#8217;ll do everything I can to make this map a… <a href="https://t.co/qljW0mxiqG">pic.twitter.com/qljW0mxiqG</a>
— Marsha Blackburn (@VoteMarsha) <a href="https://twitter.com/VoteMarsha/status/2049515547910381782?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 29, 2026</a></blockquote>
The court’s 6-3 ruling in Louisiana v. Callais found that the state violated constitutional limits by drawing a majority-minority district predominantly on the basis of race. Writing for the majority, Justice Samuel Alito said Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act “was designed to enforce the Constitution — not collide with it,” adding that “lower courts have sometimes applied this Court’s […] precedents in a way that forces States to engage in the very race-based discrimination that the Constitution forbids.”
“The State’s attempt to satisfy the Middle District’s ruling, although understandable, was an unconstitutional racial gerrymander,” Alito wrote.
The full implications of the ruling remain unclear, but it could open the door for challenges to similar race-based districts in other states.
In Alabama, Attorney General Steve Marshall, a Republican, <a href="https://www.alabamaag.gov/attorney-general-marshall-applauds-momentous-supreme-court-redistricting-decision/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a> the state would move quickly to ensure its maps &#8220;reflect the will of the people, not a racial quota system the Constitution forbids.&#8221;
&#8220;The Court rightly acknowledged that the South has made extraordinary progress, and that laws designed for a different era do not reflect the present reality,&#8221; Marshall stated.
Mississippi Republican Gov. Tate Reeves signaled even before the ruling that he was prepared to call a special session to redraw maps, particularly affecting the state’s deep blue 2nd Congressional District.
“It is a decision that could (and in my view should) forever change the way we draw electoral maps,” Reeves wrote last week.
In Georgia, Republican state Sen. <a href="https://x.com/DolezalForGA/status/2049508266175062141?s=20" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Greg Dolezal</a> called on lawmakers to revisit district lines, arguing that the current maps should be redrawn to benefit Republicans.
“The last thing that Republicans need to do is be weak-kneed in this moment. This is a time to be bold. This is a time to be aggressive,” Dolezal, who’s running for lieutenant governor, said in a video.
Democrats, meanwhile, blasted the decision. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) said the court “just turned its back on one of the most sacred promises in American democracy—the promise that every voice counts.”
The ruling lands amid an already intensifying redistricting battle ahead of the 2026 midterms, with both parties seeking an edge in the fight for control of the House during the final stretch of President Donald Trump&#8217;s term.

Sen. Lankford Speaks To The Press On “Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act”

Republicans Ramp Up Redistricting Push After Supreme Court Ruling

Georgia

Mississippi

Republicans

Tennessee

The top Democrats running for California governor said they would not suspend the 61.2-cent gas tax, despite the Golden State consistently having one of the highest gas price averages in the nation.
Billionaire climate activist Tom Steyer, former Rep. Katie Porter (D-CA), and former Biden-era Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra each oppose scrapping the tax, they explained during a CBS California debate on Tuesday night. The average price of gas in California is $5.98 a gallon as of Wednesday, according to <a href="https://gasprices.aaa.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">AAA</a>.
Becerra said he’s “not in favor of cutting the gas tax” and cited infrastructure funding concerns. Just days prior, the Democrat blamed Trump for the pain at the pump, even though the Biden administration also faced sharp criticism for expensive gas prices.
“Let’s make sure Donald Trump is not starting reckless wars to keep the prices of gasoline down. By up to $2 a gallon, we could reduce the price if that war in Iraq that Donald Trump started would go away,” Becerra said during the Nexstar Media Group debate last week, mistakenly referring to Operation Epic Fury in Iran as a conflict in Iraq.
During a lightning round question-and-answer session during the CBS debate, Porter simply said “no” to a suspension, and Steyer said he “wants a windfall profits tax on the oil companies.&#8221; Steyer did not follow the CBS moderator&#8217;s directions by answering either &#8220;yes or no,&#8221; but confirmed shortly after his &#8220;windfall&#8221; pitch that he is against a suspension of the tax.
Steyer echoed his stance during a Nexstar Media Group debate last week, and he also blamed the president.
“Let me say that the reason gasoline is so expensive that our president, Donald Trump, has started an insane war in Iran and driven up the cost of gasoline for everyone in California,” the Democrat said during the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cKIUJua6iCI" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Nexstar debate</a>. “That has put $70 billion into the pockets of the oil companies who actually put him in the presidency.”
Both Republicans in the race, former Fox News host Steve Hilton and Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, said they were in favor of suspending the tax.
Two non-leading Democrats also said they would give Californians some relief at the gas pump. San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, a Newsom critic and Democrat, said he would “suspend then reform the gas tax,” and he called it “the most regressive tax in California.”
Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond, a Democrat struggling in the polls, said he is a “yes” on suspending the tax.
The Golden State’s June 2 primary blew wide open earlier this month with the exit of Democratic frontrunner Eric Swalwell, who dropped out of the race and resigned from Congress after multiple allegations of sexual misconduct. Newsom has yet to endorse a candidate, whereas Hilton was endorsed by President Donald Trump.
A recent Emerson College <a href="https://www.realclearpolling.com/polls/governor/general/2026/california/open_primary" target="_blank" rel="noopener">poll</a> showed Hilton in first place, with Bianco and Steyer tied for the second-place spot, which still leaves a narrow possibility of a Republican lockout in the contest.

Xavier Becerra

Top Democrats Could Instantly Lower Gas Prices. They Refuse To Do It.

California

Gavin Newsom

Katie Porter

Tom Steyer

A growing push to legalize marijuana in conservative Indiana is setting up a clash among Republican leaders, with Gov. Mike Braun signaling openness to change while Sen. Jim Banks is urging him to hold the line.
The Hoosier State remains one of the few states that largely bans marijuana in all forms, but pressure is mounting as surrounding states have moved to legalize the drug in some capacity.
“I’m kind of agnostic on that issue,” Braun said last month, according to <a href="https://www.wfyi.org/public-affairs/2026-03-21/gov-braun-says-reform-possible-on-states-cannabis-laws" target="_blank" rel="noopener">WFYI</a>. “But when you’ve got four states surrounding you, you’re probably going to have to address it.”
Braun has directed state agencies to meet with pro-medical marijuana groups, <a href="https://www.marijuanamoment.net/indiana-gop-governor-directs-state-agencies-to-meet-with-medical-marijuana-advocates-as-federal-rescheduling-takes-effect/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Marijuana Moment</a> reported on Monday, as his administration weighs whether to revisit the state&#8217;s longstanding ban.
Marijuana is now legal for recreational use in 24 states, while 40 states allow it for medicinal purposes, according to the <a href="https://www.ncsl.org/health/state-medical-cannabis-laws#:~:text=Legislative%20Updates,a%20program%20is%20%22comprehensive%22:" target="_blank" rel="noopener">National Conference of State Legislatures</a>.
Braun on Tuesday pointed to recent federal movement on the issue, noting the Trump administration&#8217;s decision to reschedule marijuana could make changes at the state level “more likely.” He stressed, however, that any shift in policy should be guided by “what makes sense” and include input from law enforcement.
“You’re going to need to ask the legislators and the leaders in those two chambers to see what they’re thinking, because I’m clear in terms of where I’m at,” Braun said Tuesday, according to the <a href="https://indianacapitalchronicle.com/2026/04/29/braun-signals-openness-to-marijuana-legalization-as-outside-report-outlines-policy-considerations/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Indiana Capital Chronicle</a>. “You’ve got to take what’s evolved over time.”
“Public safety has always been a top priority for the Governor, which is why Indiana State Police have increased enforcement, drug seizures, and interdiction efforts across the state drastically over the last year,” Braun spokesperson Griffin Reid told The Daily Wire on Wednesday. “Governor Braun is aligned with President Trump &#8211; allowing further research into a substance already legal in some form in 40 states will give law enforcement better tools and clearer guidance, while also helping ensure veterans have access to safe, well-studied medical treatment options.”
Banks, meanwhile, is warning that even limited legalization could carry serious consequences. In a letter to Braun on Tuesday, exclusively obtained by The Daily Wire, the Indiana Republican argued that legalizing marijuana would put public safety at risk.
“Even in states that limit recreational use, addicts are accessing medical marijuana cards—and medical use itself can lead to use disorders,” Banks <a href="https://www.scribd.com/document/1032899451/2026-04-28-Letter-to-Gov-Braun-Re-Marijuana#from_embed">wrote</a>. “Making marijuana legal does not make it safe, and it does not reduce usage.”
Banks urged Braun to &#8220;prioritize public safety and the well-being of Hoosiers—especially those under the age of 18—and maintain the state’s prohibitions on marijuana use.&#8221;
The senator said he frequently hears from constituents who want stricter controls, not looser ones.
“They tell me about how their children’s lives were ruined by addiction; how they treat the consequences of cannabis disorder in hospitals every day; and how schools are struggling to stop students from smuggling marijuana onto campus using vape pens,” Banks wrote.
Efforts to loosen Indiana&#8217;s marijuana laws have repeatedly stalled in the state legislature, according to <a href="https://www.21alivenews.com/2026/03/25/braun-says-marijuana-legalization-may-need-be-addressed/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">21 Alive News</a>.
At the federal level, officials from the Trump administration have framed recent changes as an opportunity to expand research and better understand the drug&#8217;s effects.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche <a href="https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/justice-department-places-fda-approved-marijuana-products-and-products-containing-marijuana" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a> last week that the &#8220;rescheduling action allows for research on the safety and efficacy of this substance, ultimately providing patients with better care and doctors with more reliable information.”
“The Department of Justice is delivering on President Trump’s promise to expand Americans’ access to medical treatment options,” he added.
&nbsp;

Beautiful green leaves of marijuana close up

Marijuana Push Reaches Deep Red State As GOP Senator Sounds Alarm

Indiana

Jim Banks

Marijuana

Mike Braun

The Supreme Court delivered a major 6-3 ruling Wednesday, striking down Louisiana’s congressional map in Louisiana v. Callais after the state added a second majority-black district.
The Court said that move wasn’t required under the Voting Rights Act, so using race to draw it made the map unconstitutional. The decision doesn’t eliminate Section 2 but could impact redistricting fights nationwide.
The Court is signaling that states can’t lean on race unless the law clearly demands it. That’s likely to make it harder to push similar redraws in other states and could shift how future maps are drawn heading into upcoming elections.
In the majority opinion, Justice Samuel Alito explained that &#8220;Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 [&#8230;] was designed to enforce the Constitution— not collide with it.&#8221;
However, he rebuked how lower courts used the &#8220;Court’s precedents in a way that forces States to engage in the very race-based discrimination that the Constitution forbids.&#8221;
In her dissent, liberal Justice Elena Kagan wrote that “the consequences are likely to be far-reaching and grave” and referred to Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act as a “dead letter” after the ruling.
“After today, those districts exist only on sufferance, and probably not for long. If other States follow Louisiana’s lead, the minority citizens residing there will no longer have an equal opportunity to elect candidates of their choice. And minority representation in government institutions will sharply decline,” she wrote.
The decision triggered a wide range of reactions across the political spectrum, including intense backlash from the left.
&#8220;Too many people have fought too hard for the right to vote, especially black Georgians. Now the Supreme Court has given Donald Trump &amp; his sycophants license to further destroy democracy and green light racial discrimination.  People should pick their representatives, not the other way around. This is despicable,&#8221; former Georgia Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan, who switched his party affiliation from Republican to Democrat in 2025, posted to X.
However, Republicans considered the ruling to be a major win.
“Today’s decision is a victory for the Constitution and the principle that every American citizen is equal under the law… This ruling restores fairness, strengthens confidence in our elections, and ensures every voter is treated equally,&#8221; National Republican Campaign Committee Chair Richard Hudson stated, according to <a href="https://x.com/maxpcohen/status/2049506573366473007?s=20" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Punchbowl News</a>.
Gov. Tate Reeves (R-MS) said prior to the ruling that he would call a special session of the Mississippi Legislature to redraw maps in the state three weeks after the court&#8217;s decision in the case. Mississippi&#8217;s Second Congressional District is a deep blue majority-minority district.
&#8220;It is a decision that could (and in my view should) forever change the way we draw electoral maps,&#8221; he posted to X last week. &#8220;It is my belief and federal law requires that the Mississippi Legislature be given the first opportunity to draw these maps. And the fact is, they haven’t had a fair opportunity to do that because of the pending Callais decision.&#8221;
&#8220;It is my sincere hope that, in deciding Callais, the U.S. Supreme Court will reaffirm the animating principle that all Americans are created equal and that when the government classifies its citizens on the basis of race, even as a perceived remedy to right a wrong, it engages in the offensive and demeaning assumption that Americans of a particular race, because of their race, think alike and share the same interests and preferences – a concept that is odious to a free people whose institutions are founded upon the doctrine of equality,&#8221; Reeves continued.

Blue Hour, United States Supreme Court Building, Washington DC, America

Supreme Court Rules On Key District Case With Ripple Effects Nationwide

Former Rep. Katie Porter (D-CA) sparked backlash with a profanity-laced campaign-fundraising email sent just over 24 hours after a third assassination attempt was made on President Donald Trump.
The email in question was sent on Monday night — less than two days after would-be assassin Cole Tomas Allen charged a Secret Service security checkpoint and opened fire at the Washington Hilton, where thousands were gathered for the annual White House Correspondents&#8217; Dinner.
The email’s subject line was simply “F*** Trump,” and it encouraged people to read the Democrat’s speech from the California Democratic Party’s convention and “then make a donation to Katie’s campaign for governor.” At the bottom of the email, it asked specifically for $5 to help Porter achieve her gubernatorial aspirations.
“Say it with me. Ready, 1 … 2 … 3 … F*** Trump,” the email stated, referring back to her remarks.
“Yeah, that’s right, F*** Trump. Together, we’re going to kick Trump’s ass in November and stop him in his tracks,” Porter added.
“I’ll stand up to Trump and his cronies again and again, just as I did in Congress — with or without my whiteboard. But this election for Governor is about far more than defeating Trump,” her speech continued.
The California Democrat made no posts to Facebook or X condemning the shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner on Saturday night, even as information came out indicating that the alleged shooter was intentionally trying to target the president and other administration officials.
The Daily Wire obtained and reviewed the email that came from LeftNet, which describes itself as “an online political network fighting for progressive causes and candidates focused on social, racial, economic, and environmental justice.”
Conservative writer <a href="https://x.com/bethanyshondark/status/2048902821244731404?s=20" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Bethany Mandel</a> called out the email on X, writing in a now-viral post to “imagine Barack Obama surviving three assassination attempts and 18 hours later, a Republican sent a fundraising email like this.”
“It takes a lot to shock me. But this truly is shocking,” Kari Lake, who helps lead the United States Agency for Global Media, wrote in response.
“The Democrat party is unhinged,” Texas state Rep. Daniel Alders wrote.
Porter is in a hotly competitive race to be Gov. Gavin Newsom’s (D-CA) successor, with her position recently bolstered as former Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA) <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/eric-swalwell-suspends-campaign-amid-sexual-assault-allegations">exited the race</a> due to sexual misconduct allegations.
Many polls for the top-two June 2 primary show Republican Steve Hilton leading, with billionaire climate activist Tom Steyer as the highest polling Democrat. However, Porter is not far behind in the packed field, according to <a href="https://www.realclearpolling.com/polls/governor/general/2026/california/open_primary" target="_blank" rel="noopener">RealClearPolling</a>.
Porter’s campaign has faced multiple controversies, including an explosive interview with <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DR4SRUWANjI&amp;t=822s" target="_blank" rel="noopener">CBS News California</a> that led to questions about her temperament to serve as governor. In addition, <a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2025/10/08/katie-porter-tears-into-staffer-new-video-00598942" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Politico</a> reported that she was <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/new-episode-drops-in-katie-porter-drama-staffer-takes-verbal-abuse-for-being-in-my-shot">caught on video</a> in 2021 telling one of her staffers to “Get out of my f***ing shot!”

Senate Candidate Forum

READ IT: Dem’s Profanity-Laced Fundraising E-mail Sent After Assassin Targeted Trump

Donald Trump

Rep. Tom Kean Jr. (R-NJ) says he will be returning to work “very soon” amid an undisclosed “personal medical issue” after being absent from the chamber since early March.
Kean’s public statement comes as his colleagues said they had not heard from him; then, Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) told the Washington Examiner last week that he was finally able to communicate with the Republican congressman over the phone.
&#8220;My doctors continue to assure me that my recovery will be complete and that I will be back to the job I love very soon,” Kean stated on Monday, adding that he expects “to return to a full schedule and be at 100 percent.”
The New Jersey Republican is notably running for re-election in one of the most competitive swing districts in the country, which is ranked a “toss-up” by the Cook Political Report—and only 16 other races currently meet that designation.
“I take my responsibilities seriously and have a strong record of showing up and delivering, which makes this absence all the more difficult,” he added. “I am especially proud of my Congressional team, who have kept constituent services and legislative work moving forward without interruption, and my political team for ensuring the campaign continues to run strong.”
Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R-NJ) told <a href="https://www.njspotlightnews.org/2026/04/radio-silence-concerns-grow-about-congressmans-health-during-lengthy-absence/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">New Jersey Spotlight News</a> in an April 22 report that it was “complete radio silence” from the lawmaker.
“Nobody’s covering up. We just haven’t heard a word,” Van Drew added.
Johnson told the <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/house/4542255/johnson-kean-missing-votes/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Examiner</a> that he and Kean were able to talk on Friday afternoon.
“He is attending to a personal health matter and expects to be back to 100% very soon,&#8221; the speaker stated.
There are multiple Democrats hoping to take on Kean in the midterms, including Dr. Tina Shah and Rebecca Bennett, according to the <a href="https://newjerseyglobe.com/congress/nj-7-democratic-field-drops-to-four-after-orourke-adubato-end-campaigns/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">New Jersey Globe</a>.
The seat is critical to determining who will control the House of Representatives in the second half of President Donald Trump’s term, as Republicans hold a narrow 218-212 majority, with five seats being vacant after recent resignations and the death of Rep. David Scott (D-GA) last Wednesday. This week, the House is in the thick of multiple critical debates ranging from FISA to finding a solution to end the Department of Homeland Security shutdown.

Rep. Thomas Kean Jr.

GOP Congressman Seemingly Disappeared. Now He’s Back To Explain His Absence.

House of Representatives

New Jersey

Tom Kean

The nationwide mid-decade redistricting battle appears to be entering its final stretch, with major developments unfolding in Florida, Texas, and Virginia.
Florida Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday unveiled his proposed congressional map that could add up to four GOP- leaning seats, as lawmakers prepare to take up the plan during a special session that kicks off on Tuesday.
&#8220;Florida got shortchanged in the 2020 Census, and we’ve been fighting for fair representation ever since,&#8221; DeSantis told <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/ron-desantis-unveils-new-florida-congressional-map-would-give-gop-extra-four-seats" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Fox News</a>. &#8220;Our population has since grown dramatically, and we have moved from a Democrat majority to a 1.5 million Republican advantage. Drawing maps based on race, which is reflected in our current congressional districts, is unconstitutional and should be prohibited.”
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court cleared the way for Texas’s congressional map to move forward, shooting down a lower court ruling that had blocked it over claims of race-based gerrymandering. The map is expected to produce five Republican-leaning seats, according to the <a href="https://www.texastribune.org/2026/04/27/texas-redistricting-map-ruling-us-supreme-court-upheld-2026-midterms/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Texas Tribune</a>, and the high court had previously signaled in December that it was likely to allow the plan to stand.
“This was an intentional effort to limit the power of people of color in a state known for going to extremes to suppress the vote,” said Damon Hewitt, president and executive director of the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law. “It is one of the most blatant examples yet of modern-day racial gerrymandering, under the thin guise of partisanship.”
In Virginia, the state Supreme Court heard oral arguments Monday in a closely watched case that could determine the fate of a newly approved congressional map. Voters last week narrowly backed a constitutional amendment that would shift the state&#8217;s delegation from a 6-4 split to a 10-1 Democratic advantage.
If the Virginia court blocks the new map, it could significantly alter the broader redistricting fight and determine which party will come out on top.
“Hang in there. This isn’t over in Virginia, and that’s just the Virginia chapter,&#8221; former Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli, a Republican, told <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/virginia-dem-power-grab-faces-courtroom-showdown?author=Cameron+Arcand&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=7&amp;row=0&amp;rowType=Vertical+List&amp;title=Virginia+Dem+Power+Grab+Faces+Courtroom+Showdown" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Daily Wire</a>. &#8220;I think there’s a lot of regret across the country about the redistricting play in Virginia.”
With Republicans holding a narrow 218-212 majority in the House, and five seats currently vacant, the outcome of these redistricting battles will play a decisive role in determining control of Congress.

Governor DeSantis And ICE Announce Largest Joint Immigration Enforcement Operation In Florida History

Map Wars Heat Up As DeSantis, Supreme Court, And Virginia Clash Over Congressional Lines

Florida

Ron DeSantis

Texas

Virginia

Republicans in Congress are pushing to approve legal authority for the White House’s privately-backed ballroom project, which is facing a major court challenge.
There was renewed interest and support for the ballroom, including from Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA), following the attempted assassination of Trump administration officials at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner on Saturday night. A district court judge recently said that Congress needs to <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2026/04/27/will-congress-back-ballroom-now/">clear a legal path</a> for the project to proceed, according to The Washington Post.
Sen. Tim Sheehy (R-MT) explained Sunday on X that we would push for “unanimous consent” on a proposal that would grant “express approval” for ballroom construction, as it would be built where the East Wing used to be.
“It is an embarrassment to the strongest nation on earth that we cannot host gatherings in our nation’s capital, including ones attended by our President, without the threat of violence and attempted assassinations,” Sheehy said.
“There is no place for political violence in America. Unfortunately, it seems, too many people believe trying to kill our President and members of our government is acceptable,” he added, saying that presidents “should be able to host events in a secure area without attendees worrying about their safety.”
In the House of Representatives, Rep. Randy Fine (R-FL) posted Sunday that he’s introducing the “Build the Ballroom Act” for “explicit statutory authority” for the ballroom plan.
“While the lawsuits attempting to stop this privately-funded gift to the country are nonsense, last night makes it clear that we need it — and we need it now,” Fine stated. “I look forward to Democrats repudiating their violent rhetoric against President Trump by cosponsoring and supporting this bill.”
Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-CO) also posted that she is drafting a bill to get the project across the finish line.
“I don’t believe congressional approval is required for the project, but if it’ll keep activist judges on the sideline, so be it,” she wrote.
The Justice Department asked the National Trust for Historic Preservation to end its lawsuit after the incident, which left a Secret Service agent shot at the Washington Hilton.
“Enough is enough. Your client should voluntarily dismiss this frivolous lawsuit today in light of last night’s assassination attempt on President Trump,” Brett Shumate, Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Division, wrote Sunday, saying that he plans to “move to dissolve the injunction and dismiss the case in light of last night’s extraordinary events” if the case was not dropped by Monday at 9 a.m.
The Daily Wire reached out to the group for comment, but they did not immediately respond.
“The White House ballroom will ensure the safety and security of the President for decades to come and prevent future assassination attempts on the President at the Washington Hilton,” he added.
The preservation group argues that there needs to be more input into the project before it begins.
“The National Trust remains committed to honoring the historic significance of the White House, advocating for our collective role as stewards, and demonstrating how broad consultation, including with the American people, results in a better overall outcome,” National Trust President and CEO Carol Quillen said after an April 11 federal circuit court of appeals order in the case that stopped construction.

Security Scare at The White House Correspondents’ Dinner with President Trump

White House Ballroom Fight Heats Up After Shooting Raises Stakes

Lauren Boebert

Randy Fine

Secret Service

Tim Sheehy

White House

An alleged shooter is in custody, and President Donald Trump was evacuated, after shots were fired at the White House Correspondents&#8217; Dinner on Saturday night. A Secret Service agent was reportedly shot, but wasn&#8217;t seriously hurt because of a vest, according to Fox News. There are no reported injuries beyond the agent.
The president said that law enforcement believes the shooter was a &#8220;lone wolf,&#8221; and the suspect has been identified as Cole Allen, 30, from Torrance, California, according to <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-white-house-correspondents-dinner-gunshots-press-conference/?intcid=CNM-00-10abd1h" target="_blank" rel="noopener">CBS News</a>.
Metropolitan Police Department Interim Chief Jeffrey Carroll said at a press conference that the suspect was armed with a shotgun, a handgun, and multiple knives, and United States Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro said that the suspect will be arraigned on Monday for charges of &#8220;using a firearm during a crime of violence&#8221; and &#8220;assault on a federal officer using a dangerous weapon.&#8221;
Carroll confirmed that the suspect was &#8220;charging&#8221; in the direction of the ballroom, and that he was a guest at the hotel, The Washington Hilton.
&#8220;Quite an evening in D.C. Secret Service and Law Enforcement did a fantastic job,&#8221; Trump posted to Truth Social. Trump also posted an <a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump" target="_blank" rel="noopener">image</a> of the downed suspect, along with <a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/116468650367386223" target="_blank" rel="noopener">video</a> of the suspect being taken down.
&#8220;Everyone owes a debt of gratitude to the courage of law enforcement,&#8221; Trump said at a press conference in the White House Briefing Room shortly after 10:35 p.m. EST.
&#8220;We have to resolve our differences [&#8230;] there was a tremendous amount of love and coming together,&#8221; he added, later saying it was a &#8220;rather traumatic experience&#8221; for first lady Melania Trump.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said at the briefing that charges will be filed soon and added that the investigation is &#8220;ongoing and just started.&#8221;
&#8220;I promise you, justice will be served,&#8221; Blanche added.
The dinner was canceled, but White House Correspondent&#8217;s Association President Weijia Jiang said the event could be rescheduled within 30 days.
&#8220;They acted quickly and bravely. The shooter has been apprehended, and I have recommended that we &#8216;LET THE SHOW GO ON&#8217; but, will entirely be guided by Law Enforcement. They will make a decision shortly. Regardless of that decision, the evening will be much different than planned, and we’ll just, plain, have to do it again,&#8221; Trump posted shortly after the shooting.
<div id="attachment_1084283" style="width: 2570px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-1084283" class="size-full wp-image-1084283" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/04/GettyImages-2273150920-scaled.jpeg" alt="Agents stand guard after an incident at the annual White House Correspondents Association Dinner April 25, 2026 in Washington, DC." width="2560" height="1707" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/04/GettyImages-2273150920-scaled.jpeg 2560w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/04/GettyImages-2273150920-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/04/GettyImages-2273150920-864x576.jpeg 864w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/04/GettyImages-2273150920-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/04/GettyImages-2273150920-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/04/GettyImages-2273150920-2048x1365.jpeg 2048w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/04/GettyImages-2273150920-1800x1200.jpeg 1800w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/04/GettyImages-2273150920-1200x800.jpeg 1200w" sizes=" (max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px" />Andrew Harnik/Gettyimages</div>
&#8220;The president and the first lady are safe along all protectees. One individual is in custody. The condition of those involved is not yet known, and law enforcement is actively assessing the situation,&#8221; Anthony Guglielmi, Secret Service Chief of Communications, stated.
The first lady and many officials were rushed out quickly by law enforcement. The Daily Wire can confirm that high-profile individuals, including cabinet officials, were also evacuated out of the event, but television cameras still showed people remaining inside the ballroom for awhile after the incident. Jiang originally told the audience that the dinner was expected to go on.
<div id="attachment_1084289" style="width: 2570px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-1084289" class="size-full wp-image-1084289" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/04/GettyImages-2272595352-scaled.jpeg" alt="US Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is rushed out by Secret Service agents after loud bangs were heard during the White House Correspondents' dinner at the Washington Hilton in Washington, DC, on April 25, 2026." width="2560" height="1682" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/04/GettyImages-2272595352-scaled.jpeg 2560w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/04/GettyImages-2272595352-300x197.jpeg 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/04/GettyImages-2272595352-877x576.jpeg 877w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/04/GettyImages-2272595352-768x505.jpeg 768w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/04/GettyImages-2272595352-1536x1009.jpeg 1536w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/04/GettyImages-2272595352-2048x1345.jpeg 2048w" sizes=" (max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px" />Mandel NGAN / AFP via Getty Images</div>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Shots fired at the White House Correspondence Dinner. <a href="https://t.co/DlVSc8IAZ4">pic.twitter.com/DlVSc8IAZ4</a>
— Gianno Caldwell (@GiannoCaldwell) <a href="https://twitter.com/GiannoCaldwell/status/2048200299098055036?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 26, 2026</a></blockquote>
Video of the incident indicates popping noises, as well as people shouting to &#8220;stay down.&#8221;
Trump rushed off stage during White House Correspondents Dinner! <a href="https://t.co/L5yCFk4bNj">pic.twitter.com/L5yCFk4bNj</a>
— MSJ (@M_S_J) <a href="https://twitter.com/M_S_J/status/2048199944683532533?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 26, 2026</a>
Trump was sitting at the table onstage, along with the first lady and Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, among others, when popping sounds were heard, according to NewsNation. They were cleared extremely quickly from the table, as some people sitting at the dinner ducked under their chairs.
<div id="attachment_1084285" style="width: 2570px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-1084285" class="size-full wp-image-1084285" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/04/GettyImages-2273148555-scaled.jpeg" alt="Federal agents draw their guns out after an incident at the annual White House Correspondents Association Dinner April 25, 2026 in Washington, DC." width="2560" height="1707" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/04/GettyImages-2273148555-scaled.jpeg 2560w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/04/GettyImages-2273148555-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/04/GettyImages-2273148555-864x576.jpeg 864w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/04/GettyImages-2273148555-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/04/GettyImages-2273148555-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/04/GettyImages-2273148555-2048x1365.jpeg 2048w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/04/GettyImages-2273148555-1800x1200.jpeg 1800w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/04/GettyImages-2273148555-1200x800.jpeg 1200w" sizes=" (max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px" />Nathan Howard/Getty Images</div>
Many details are still unknown. The Washington Hilton is where President Ronald Reagan was shot in 1981.
This is a breaking story; refresh for updates.

WHCD Shooting Incident

Trump Rushed Out Of WH Correspondents’ Dinner As Gunfire Erupts

Trump Administration

Menu

Cameron Arcand