A 104-year-old WWII Veteran absolutely crushed the National Anthem Saturday on a saxophone before the New York Islanders faced the New York Rangers in the rivalry hockey game, and the crowd went wild!
Staff Sergeant Dominick Critelli was helped onto the ice, where he performed a wonderful rendition of the anthem in a custom Islanders jersey, complete with the number 104.
His century-old lungs carried the anthem as if he were just 20 years old. Islanders and Rangers fans with hands over their hearts and pride in their eyes sang along with Critelli. It was a moving scene—a scene that, unfortunately, has become rare since the Colin Kaepernicks of the world tried to diminish the anthem.
It was nearly 10 years ago in 2016 when Kaepernick first sat out the anthem. Since then, the Star Spangled Banner has sadly often been a point of contention. But thanks to Critelli&#8217;s pipes, it seems as though America is back.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
104 year old World War 2 Veteran Dominick Critelli performed the National Anthem on the saxophone at tonight’s game! <a href="https://t.co/m0v0WT6L2Y">pic.twitter.com/m0v0WT6L2Y</a>
— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) <a href="https://twitter.com/NYIslanders/status/2005107346662436870?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 28, 2025</a></blockquote>
“USA!” chants rang out following his pre-game performance. The Army Veteran gave a strong salute to the crowd following his last note.
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Critelli served as an aircraft mechanic with the 95th Infantry Division Headquarters Battery after immigrating to the United States from Italy. According to the <a href="https://www.nhl.com/news/wwii-veteran-us-national-anthem-new-york-islanders">National Hockey League</a>, Critelli spent 151 days in combat during WWII. He fought at Normandy and in the Battle of the Bulge. Critelli went behind enemy lines during the war to help isolated American troops who needed supplies. His service to our country earned Critelli the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with three Bronze Stars. As well as the American Theatre Medal, the WWII Victory Medal, and the Good Conduct Medal.
Critelli was honored last summer on the 80th Anniversary of D-Day by French President Emmanuel Macron, who <a href="https://x.com/NLintheUSA/status/1798794940891136143?s=20">awarded</a> Critelli the Legion of Honor, France&#8217;s highest military award.
The highly decorated serviceman&#8217;s performance Saturday in front of 17,000 hockey fans wasn&#8217;t his biggest audience he&#8217;s ever played for.
In an interview with The New York Post prior to Saturday&#8217;s game, Critelli said he’d once performed on the top of a rolling army tank for thousands after helping free the Netherlands from Nazi rule.
“I guess, it must have been 50,000, 60,000 people,” Critelli told The Post.
All these years later, the proud New Yorker can still put on a show.

Credit: Steven Ryan/NHLI via Getty Images

104-Year-Old WWII Veteran Brings House Down With National Anthem

New York

New York Islanders

News

Veterans

WWII

A federal judge appointed by then-President Joe Biden ruled Tuesday that New York can proceed with implementing a law allowing illegal immigrants to obtain driver&#8217;s licenses.
U.S. District Judge Anne M. Nardacci determined that the Trump administration, which sued over New York&#8217;s &#8220;Green Light Law&#8221; in February, failed to prove that the law preceded federal authority and that it either illegally discriminates or regulates against the federal government, <a href="https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/judge-green-lights-new-yorks-drivers-license-law-128667860" target="_blank" rel="noopener">according</a> to ABC News.
New York Attorney General Letitia James celebrated Tuesday&#8217;s ruling, arguing that the state law promotes safety.
&#8220;As I said from the start, our laws protect the rights of all New Yorkers and keep our communities safe. I will always stand up for New Yorkers and the rule of law,&#8221; James said of the ruling.
The &#8220;Green Light Law&#8221; allows illegal immigrants to use foreign passports or driver&#8217;s licenses issued in other countries to obtain New York driver&#8217;s licenses, according to ABC.
Attorney General Pam Bondi <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zj2WZfv8nIA" target="_blank" rel="noopener">announced</a> the lawsuit in February, slamming Empire State officials for choosing &#8220;to prioritize illegal aliens over American citizens.&#8221;
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The first Trump administration tried to pressure New York to change the law, which was introduced in 2020, by preventing New Yorkers from enrolling in the trusted traveler programs that allow for quicker processing at airports, ABC reported.
At the time, then-Democratic New York Governor Andrew Cuomo offered to give the feds limited access to state driving records, but still kept Immigration and Customs Enforcement from seeing records of illegal immigrants who applied for the licenses.
The governor at the time, Andrew Cuomo, offered to restore federal access to driving records on a limited basis, but said he wouldn’t let immigration agents see lists of people who had applied for the special licenses available to immigrants who couldn’t prove legal residency in the U.S. The administration ultimately restored New Yorkers’ access to the trusted traveler program after a brief legal fight.

New York Governor Hochul Joins Catholic Charities Turkey Distribution Ahead Of Thanksgiving

Judge Strikes Down Trump’s Effort To Stop New York From Giving Illegal Immigrants Driver’s Licenses

Donald Trump

Kathy Hochul

Rep. Elise Stefanik, who was seen as a formidable challenger to incumbent New York Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul, abruptly suspended her gubernatorial campaign Friday and is taking a step back from politics.
&#8220;While spending precious time with my family this Christmas season, I have made the decision to suspend my campaign for Governor and will not seek re-election to Congress,&#8221; Stefanik <a href="https://x.com/EliseStefanik/status/2002121519342793163?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">wrote</a> on X.
Stefanik&#8217;s choice stems from the unexpected entry of Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman into the Republican primary for governor, a move Stefanik says would inevitably lead to a costly and ultimately unnecessary primary battle.
Blakeman jumped into the primary despite a phone call from President Trump warning him against challenging Stefanik, whom the president endorsed emphatically earlier this year.
&#8220;[W]hile we would have overwhelmingly won this primary, it is not an effective use of our time or your generous resources to spend the first half of next year in an unnecessary and protracted Republican primary, especially in a challenging state like New York,&#8221; Stefanik said.
With her congressional term ending in 2027, Stefanik hopes to focus her attention on motherhood and other personal goals.
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&#8220;And while many know me as Congresswoman, my most important title is Mom. I believe that being a parent is life&#8217;s greatest gift and greatest responsibility,&#8221; Stefanik said. &#8220;I have thought deeply about this and I know that as a mother, I will feel profound regret if I don&#8217;t further focus on my young son&#8217;s safety, growth, and happiness &#8211; particularly at his tender age.&#8221;
The Harvard grad was once considered a rising star in the Republican Party and even a potential running mate for President Trump in 2024, but Stefanik has had a challenging year.
Stefanik gave up her leadership position and her spot on the House Intel committee earlier this year to accept the position of U.N. ambassador — only for the offer to be rescinded after Trump feared losing her House seat in the ensuing special election, eating into the Republicans&#8217; razor-thin House majority.
&#8220;I am incredibly grateful to the people of New York&#8217;s 21st District for entrusting me to represent you in the United States Congress. Thank you to my dedicated staff over the past decade. I am proud of the significant results that we successfully delivered for the hardworking families in our district and across America,&#8221; Stefanik concluded. &#8220;It has been a tremendous professional honor to serve as your Congresswoman over the past eleven years.&#8221;

Elise Stefanik

ELECTION SHOCK: Elise Stefanik Drops Out Of New York Governor’s Race

2026 Midterms

An illegal immigrant given a New York commercial driver&#8217;s license allegedly caused a fatal crash while driving behind the wheel of a tour bus.
Chinese illegal immigrant Yisong Huang, 54, allegedly killed a 31-year-old truck driver and injured several others in Tennessee on December 9 while he was distracted by a video on his phone, <a href="https://nypost.com/2025/12/17/us-news/nyc-bus-driver-charged-in-fatal-highway-wreck-entered-us-illegally-but-was-still-issued-license-feds/?utm_social_post_id=625806205&amp;utm_medium=social&amp;utm_campaign=nypost&amp;utm_source=twitter&amp;utm_social_handle_id=17469289" target="_blank" rel="noopener">according</a> to the New York Post. The latest collision is part of a recent, larger string of crashes involving illegal immigrants behind the wheel of heavy trucks and buses.
&#8220;Far too many innocent Americans have been killed by illegal aliens driving semi-trucks and big rigs. And yet, sanctuary states around the country have been issuing illegal aliens commercial driver’s licenses. The Trump Administration is ending the chaos,” Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said in a statement regarding the latest crash.
“The brave men and women of ICE are working nonstop to get criminal illegal aliens out of our communities and off our roads.&#8221;
After the crash, Huang failed an English proficiency test, which is required by the federal government in order to obtain a commercial driver&#8217;s license, according to DHS.
Huang crossed the border illegally in 2023, when federal authorities reported a massive surge in Chinese migrants entering through Mexico, DHS said. Border Patrol agents swiftly released him into the country, and he was later granted a work permit and a Social Security card.
The New York State Department of Motor Vehicles confirmed that Huang received the license on April 11, 2025, after he presented federal documents, according to the New York Post. The state agency denied that the license was issued unlawfully.
After a series of recent crashes involving illegal immigrants carrying commercial driver&#8217;s licenses, the Trump administration has commenced a nationwide crackdown on states issuing them. The federal government has also instituted new changes to testing requirements, including enforcing a rule that testing must be conducted in English.
A recent federal audit of New York&#8217;s issuance of commercial driver&#8217;s licenses found that more than half were issued unlawfully, <a href="https://www.transportation.gov/briefing-room/trumps-transportation-secretary-sean-p-duffy-uncovers-latest-bombshell-over-50-nys" target="_blank" rel="noopener">according</a> to the Department of Transportation. As a result, the Trump administration has threatened to withhold roughly $73 million in federal funding from the Empire State.
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Experts have told The Daily Wire that the issue metastasized when the Biden administration began handing out work permits &#8220;like candy&#8221; to illegal border crossers while taking a lax approach when it came to commercial driver&#8217;s license testing requirements.
The issue is also <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/how-illegal-immigrant-truck-drivers-ended-up-on-americas-roads?author=Jennie+Taer&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=32&amp;row=0&amp;rowType=Vertical+List&amp;title=How+Illegal+Immigrant+Truck+Drivers+Ended+Up+On+America%E2%80%99s+Roads">attributed</a> to third-party testing sites, which certify new drivers independently.
“There’s no good checks and balances, to be perfectly honest with you,” Lewie Pugh, Executive Vice President of the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association, previously told The Daily Wire.
“A lot of states allow third party testing to do the CDLs and I would say that’s how most of these people get through,” he said.

Untitled design – 2025-12-18T125543.316

Illegal Immigrant Tour Bus Driver With New York License Accused Of Causing Fatal Wreck

Communist China

Deportations

Illegal Immigration

U.S.

VATICAN CITY, Dec 18 (Reuters) — Pope Leo replaced Cardinal Timothy Dolan as leader of the Catholic Church in New York, the Vatican announced on Thursday, sidelining a prominent American church figure in a major shake-up of the country&#8217;s Catholic leadership.
Leo, the first American pope, appointed a relatively unknown cleric from Illinois, Bishop Ronald Hicks, to replace Dolan as leader of the nation&#8217;s second-largest Catholic diocese, home to some 2.8 million Church members.
&#8220;Hicks represents not just a new chapter for New York but for the American church as a whole,&#8221; said David Gibson, a U.S. church expert.
Dolan, Archbishop of New York since 2009 and a former president of the U.S. Catholic bishops&#8217; conference, offered to resign in February upon turning 75, as required by Church law. Cardinals often serve until 80, the mandatory retirement age.
He is regarded as a leading conservative among the U.S. bishops, who have become increasingly divided in recent years amid deepening political polarization. Cardinal Dolan delivered one of the invocations at Trump&#8217;s second inauguration and praised late Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk as a &#8220;modern-day St. Paul,&#8221; sparking online criticism from a range of Catholics. Known for his gregarious personality, Dolan has been a frequent guest on &#8220;Fox &amp; Friends&#8221; and hosts his own weekly program on SiriusXM&#8217;s The Catholic Channel.
NEW ARCHBISHOP HAS &#8216;GREAT HEART&#8217; FOR LATINO COMMUNITY
At a press conference in New York a few hours after the Vatican&#8217;s announcement, Hicks, 58, gave some remarks in Spanish before speaking in English. He said he has a &#8220;great heart&#8221; for the Latino community, citing his experience as a former missionary in Latin America.
Hicks also repeated an earlier endorsement of the U.S. Catholic bishops&#8217; condemnation of President Donald Trump&#8217;s immigration crackdown.
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He said the United States should protect its borders but &#8220;also be a country that upholds human dignity, respect, (and) treating each other well.&#8221;
Hicks, leader of the Church in Joliet, Illinois, since 2020, has several similarities to Pope Leo. They are both originally from south Chicago suburbs but spent years as missionaries — Leo in Peru, while Hicks was in El Salvador.
&#8220;(Leo) is elevating to the most prominent American see an Illinois native very much like himself,&#8221; said Gibson, director of Fordham University&#8217;s Center on Religion and Culture.
Hicks joked at the press conference that he and Leo even have the same favorite pizza restaurant.
The Archdiocese of New York is a sprawling and influential institution, serving Catholics across Manhattan, the Bronx, and Staten Island, and in seven counties to the north across 296 parishes and hundreds of Catholic schools and hospitals.
Leo&#8217;s replacement of Dolan comes as the archdiocese is struggling to raise more than $300 million for expected settlements with survivors of abuse by Catholic clergy.
The archdiocese has entered mediation with some 1,300 alleged survivors, with Dolan announcing on December 8 that the archdiocese would cut its operating budget by 10%, lay off staff, and sell properties as it sought to raise funds for payouts.
Hicks will be installed in his new role on February 6, the New York archdiocese said in a statement. Dolan will remain as the temporary leader in the interim.
HICKS SEEN AS SUPPORTER OF POPE FRANCIS&#8217; REFORMS
Gibson said Hicks is &#8220;a soft-spoken Midwesterner who embraces the reformist line of Pope Francis and who is respected by many across the divides in a polarized church.&#8221;
The late Pope Francis, who led the Catholic Church for 12 years until his death in April, pursued a reform agenda and sought to make the Church more inclusive of diverse viewpoints, sometimes drawing pushback from conservative cardinals.
In an October pastoral letter to the roughly 520,000 Catholics in Joliet, Hicks did not address political issues or Church reforms and instead urged his people to focus on their prayer lives and spread their faith to others.
(Reporting by Joshua McElwee, Editing by Andrew Cawthorne and Chizu Nomiyama)
&nbsp;

FILE PHOTO: Pope Leo XIV holds a general audience in Saint Peter’s Square at the Vatican

Pope Leo Replaces New York’s Cardinal Dolan, A Leading Conservative Voice, In U.S. Church Shake-Up

Pope Leo

Religion

Democratic Rep. Josh Riley canceled an informal discussion with local Democrats last-minute after taking credit for federal funding for his district that he voted against.
The New York congressman is one of about a dozen House Democrats who have touted funding flowing to their districts as part of a spending package they voted against, but that ended the longest government shutdown in the history of the United States. After a flurry of <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/10/us/politics/shutdown-earmarks-democrats.html">critical</a> <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/democrats-tout-projects-government-shutdown-funding-bill-opposed-rcna248441">news</a> <a href="https://www.politico.com/newsletters/weekly-score/2025/12/15/dems-are-taking-some-credit-for-bills-they-voted-against-00690142">coverage</a>, Riley last week canceled a meeting with the Green County Democrats the day before it was set to take place.
“We are writing to let you know that tomorrow&#8217;s scheduled gathering with Congressman Josh Riley will need to be postponed to a date and time to be determined,” said a Friday email from the local Democratic group obtained by The Daily Wire.
“Unfortunately Congressman Riley&#8217;s team has decided to cancel their meeting with us tomorrow over concerns regarding safety and other groups disrupting the event,” it continued. “We will be in touch as soon as a new date – hopefully in January – is confirmed. Thank you, as always, for your continued engagement and commitment to Greene County Democrats.”
Riley’s office did not respond to a request for comment from The Daily Wire.
Riley last month touted three different projects in his district that will receive federal funding because of the bill.
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“It means Guilford’s volunteer firefighters will finally have a safe station to work from, families in Margaretville will have better access to care close to home, and South Fallsburg will get the permanent clinic it’s needed for years,” said Riley in a <a href="https://riley.house.gov/media/press-releases/riley-schumer-gillibrand-deliver-2634-million-upstate-new-york-fire-safety-and">statement</a>.
“I’ll keep pushing to make sure rural communities in Upstate New York get the resources they deserve,” he added, taking credit for the funds that he voted against.
Like the other Democrats who are touting funding for their particular districts, Riley had a hand in attaching his pet projects to the final spending bill. But after his requests were acceded to, he voted against the final version of the legislation.
Republicans have taken the opportunity to clobber Riley.
“Out of touch Democrat Josh Riley voted against funding that improves health care access for his constituents and facilities for first responders in his own district. Now that he’s been exposed, he’s refusing to face the very people he tried to hurt with his vote. Riley is a fraud and a coward,” said Maureen O’Toole, spokeswoman for the National Republican Congressional Committee.
Riley is facing a challenging 2026 reelection campaign. His district, New York’s 19th, is a competitive swing district that was last won by a Republican in 2022, a race that Riley lost. Riley unseated former Rep. Marc Molinaro in 2024, winning that race by just two points. The Cook Political Report <a href="https://www.cookpolitical.com/house/race/483666">ranks</a> NY19 as a “Lean D” race in 2026, but only by one point.

Democrats

NY Dem Bails On Event After He Was Caught Touting Bill He Voted Against

Congress

Government Shutdown

Politics

Citing the Founding Fathers, New York Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul announced Wednesday that she would sign a bill allowing doctors to prescribe fatal drugs to patients if they have a prognosis of less than six months to live.
In an op-ed <a href="https://www.timesunion.com/opinion/article/hochul-approves-aid-in-dying-21246206.php">published</a> in the Albany Times-Union, Hochul said that she reached a deal with New York lawmakers on legislation that would legalize assisted suicide. Hochul’s announcement comes after a diverse coalition of Christian, conservative, and disability-rights advocates has urged her to veto the legislation.
“Two and a half centuries ago, our founding fathers established a vision of a country based on limited government and broad individual rights that together protect rights of speech, worship, privacy and bodily autonomy,” Hochul wrote. “This is the context in which I have considered the Medical Aid in Dying Act, a bill to allow suffering terminally ill individuals with less than six months left to live the right to medical aid to speed up the inevitable.”
The Democrat-controlled legislature passed assisted suicide legislation over the summer, but Hochul asked lawmakers to make a few revisions. She claimed these revisions would “protect family members, caregivers and doctors” and “ensure” the legislation is “not misused or broadly applied.”
She said lawmakers had agreed to these revisions and would amend the bill to include them once they returned in January. Hochul then said she would sign the legislation.
“I have come to see this as a matter of individual choice that does not have to be about shortening life but rather about shortening dying. And I do not believe that in every instance condemning someone to excruciating pain and suffering preserves the dignity and sanctity of life,” she wrote.
Hochul’s announcement was condemned by the New York State Republican Party, which said it was a “profound moral failure.”
“At a moment when New Yorkers are struggling with isolation and mental health crises, she is choosing to tell the most vulnerable among us that their lives are expendable,” <a href="https://nygop.org/nygop-statement-on-hochul-signing-assisted-suicide-bill/">said</a> New York GOP Chair Ed Cox. “This is not compassion, it’s abandonment. True leadership defends life, dignity and hope, even when it’s hard.”
Cox urged New Yorkers to back Republican gubernatorial candidate Elise Stefanik, who he said “believes every life has value and who will fight relentlessly for families, the disabled and the voiceless.”
A joint statement from the Bishops of New York State condemned Hochul’s decision.
“We are extraordinarily troubled by Governor Hochul’s announcement that she will sign the egregious bill passed by the legislature earlier this year sanctioning physician-assisted suicide in New York State,” they said. “This new law signals our government’s abandonment of its most vulnerable citizens, telling people who are sick or disabled that suicide in their case is not only acceptable, but is encouraged by our elected leaders.”
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Another group that opposed the legislation was the New York Alliance Against Assisted Suicide. This included groups like the Center for Disability Rights, Democrats for Life of New York, and New York Families Action.
“Even with changes, this legislation would still single out disabled and terminally ill New Yorkers for radically different treatment than other individuals experiencing suicidal ideation,” they said. “It would still transform physicians into facilitators of suicide. It would still undermine medical transparency by requiring false reporting on death certificates.”
New York would become the 13th state, in addition to Washington, D.C., to pass laws legalizing assisted suicide. Earlier this month, Illinois legalized assisted suicide after Democrat Governor JB Pritzker signed a bill that was advanced to his desk on Halloween.

New York State Governor Kathy Hochul

‘Moral Failure’: Hochul Slammed After Citing Founding Fathers To Support Assisted Suicide

Assisted Suicide

Culture

Social Issues

Bruce Blakeman&#8217;s gubernatorial bid is off to a rocky start.
The New York Republican this week announced that he would mount a primary challenge to Rep. Elise Stefanik (R.) in one of the most closely-watched gubernatorial races of the coming midterm election cycle. Stefanik, who last month announced that she would run against New York Governor Kathy Hochul (D.), was expected to cinch the Republican nomination.
But Blakeman, county executive for Nassau County on Long Island, had an early advantage: a New York Times story, released shortly after he announced his bid, which revealed that President Trump &#8220;did not go so far as to dissuade him&#8221; from challenging Stefanik, a key Trump ally.
The Times story fueled early speculation that Trump may not get involved in the primary — or make a double endorsement, as he&#8217;s been known to do — two things that would likely help Blakeman.
But the Times issued a major correction just hours after publication, amending the story to say that the original story &#8220;inaccurately described President Trump’s phone call with Bruce Blakeman,&#8221; and that the president &#8220;tried to dissuade Mr. Blakeman from running in the Republican primary,&#8221; but &#8220;stopped short of explicitly telling Mr. Blakeman not to run.&#8221;
It’s unclear who leaked details of the call that led to the initial story. Trump equivocated when asked about the primary Monday, saying &#8220;I&#8217;ll think about it, but he&#8217;s great and she&#8217;s great,&#8221; adding, &#8220;We have a lot of great people in the Republican party.&#8221;
The Blakeman campaign did not respond to a request for comment.
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A recent poll has Stefanik beating Blakeman with 74% of the vote in a primary challenge, the New York Post reported last month. The congresswoman also garnered the backing of 58 Republican Party county chairs,  giving her over 75% of the party’s “weighted vote,&#8221; meaning she will likely not need to petition in order to get on the ballot
Blakeman will almost certainly have to gather 15,000 signatures to make it onto the ballot. The Nassau County Executive has attempted to pitch his candidacy as something Republicans should welcome, saying, &#8220;We&#8217;re not like the Democratic Party that had a coronation for Kamala Harris.&#8221;
Stefanik, who was once Trump’s pick to be the United Nations ambassador, touted a long list of local endorsements, including county executives and state lawmakers, following Blakeman’s entrance into the race.
New York City Councilwoman Inna Vernikov blasted Blakeman’s entrance into the race in an X post without explicitly naming him, calling it “the height of political malpractice” to primary the congresswoman.
“Elise will out raise any primary opponent by significant #-s, will kill on the debate stage (if it even gets to that, doubt it), and will generally wipe the floor with them on primary night. Why attempt to take out your own party’s candidate with major name rec. when the majority of your party supports her and when that candidate is well positioned to beat Kathy Hochul?” she wrote.
“Why not help us beat the Democrats instead of beating up on our candidate before she moves on to the General? But more than that, why cause yourself the embarrassment and lose support in the one county where you are actually popular and well liked? Because that county will also vote for Elise for Governor &#8230; This is what happens when politicians are only out for themselves, and think they’re better and smarter than everyone else. Suit yourselves,” the councilwoman added.
The Hochul campaign is referring to the Republicans as “Sellout Stefanik” and “Bootlicker Blakeman.”
The primary is on June 23. The race will likely get heightened attention not only with the big names already involved, but it could also prove to be a litmus test for how the state is reacting to New York City mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani’s early days in power.

Elise Stefanik, Kathy Hochul

How The New York Times Tried — And Failed — To Carry Water For Elise Stefanik’s Primary Opponent

2026 election

New York City&#8217;s Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, a self-described democratic socialist, promised on Thursday to end homeless encampment sweeps when he takes over next month.
Mamdani said he would discontinue a priority enacted by current Mayor Eric Adams, who attempted to clear out &#8220;makeshift, unsafe houses&#8221; that have popped up throughout the city, The New York Post <a href="https://nypost.com/2025/12/04/us-news/mamdani-to-stop-all-sweeps-of-homeless-encampments-as-nyc-mayor/">reported</a>. The mayor-elect will stop the sweeps despite city officials receiving more than 45,000 complaints about the homeless encampments so far this year.
Mamdani argued that the Adams administration&#8217;s policy has failed because it did not connect &#8220;homeless New Yorkers to the housing that they so desperately need.&#8221;
“We are going to take an approach that understands its mission is connecting those New Yorkers to housing,” Mamdani added. “Whether it’s supportive housing, whether it’s rental housing, whatever kind of housing it is, because what we have seen is the treatment of homelessness as if it is a natural part of living in this city, when in fact, it’s more often a reflection of a political choice being made.”
New York City currently <a href="https://portal.311.nyc.gov/article/?kanumber=KA-02253">urges</a> residents to &#8220;report homeless people who have established encampments on public property,&#8221; adding, &#8220;In New York City, obstructions and encampments are not allowed.&#8221;
Mamdani cruised to a landslide mayoral election victory over former New York Democratic Governor Andrew Cuomo and Republican Curtis Sliwa last month in part because of his focus on affordability and housing. Mamdani vowed to build more affordable housing in the city and said he would push to freeze rents in some apartment buildings.
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He did not specify how he would address complaints about homeless encampments or if he would remove the city&#8217;s online complaint portal. New York City&#8217;s homeless population has skyrocketed in recent years, largely due to the massive influx of illegal immigrants, <a href="https://www.osc.ny.gov/press/releases/2025/01/dinapoli-numbers-homeless-population-doubled-new-york">according</a> to the New York state government. In January 2022, an estimated 45,343 people were in the city&#8217;s homeless shelters. Just two years later, there were nearly 90,000.
Mamdani&#8217;s opposition to the sweeps is partly based on a 2023 audit released by New York City Comptroller Brad Lander, which found that during Mayor Adams&#8217; homeless encampment raids, only a small percentage of homeless people removed from their makeshift housing accepted temporary shelter with the city, Fox News reported.
&#8220;The evidence is clear: by every measure, the homeless sweeps failed,&#8221; Lander argued.
The Adams administration has pushed back on the audit, saying that Lander&#8217;s findings took the data &#8220;out of context.&#8221;
“Cherry-picking numbers and sharing them out of context paint a disingenuous picture as these cleanups have actually connected more than 500 New Yorkers to safe, stable housing,” City Hall said on Thursday.
“New York City continues to have the lowest rate of unsheltered homelessness of any major city in the nation,” City Hall added.

Zohran Mamdani

Mamdani Sides With Homeless Encampments Over NYC Taxpayers

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A coalition of pro-life crisis pregnancy centers won a big victory on Monday against New York Attorney General Letitia James over her targeting of organizations that promote a protocol that can help a mother save her child if she regrets taking an abortion pill.
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit <a href="https://adflegal.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/nifla-v-james-2025-12-01-appellate-opinion.pdf">affirmed</a> that the coalition has a First Amendment right to speak about the abortion pill reversal protocol, a process that is meant for women who want to counter the effects of taking an abortion-inducing drug. In 2024, James <a href="https://ag.ny.gov/press-release/2024/attorney-general-james-sues-anti-abortion-group-and-11-new-york-crisis-pregnancy">sued</a> 11 faith-based pregnancy centers for their promotion of the protocol, claiming they were spreading false and misleading information.
“Many women regret their abortions, and some change their minds after taking the first abortion drug and want to try to save their unborn babies’ lives. They should be allowed to hear about this option and make that choice,” said Caroline Lindsay, a lawyer for Alliance Defending Freedom who represented the coalition in court.
The protocol is a method <a href="https://lozierinstitute.org/abortion-pill-reversal-a-record-of-safety-and-efficacy/">backed</a> by a coalition of pro-life organizations and involves a woman taking a prescribed dose of bioidentical progesterone to potentially reverse the effects of Mifepristone and save an unborn child if she changes her mind at the last minute about going through with the abortion.
The coalition was composed of the National Institute of Family and Life Advocates, Gianna’s House, and Options Care Center. While James did not sue them over the abortion pill reversal protocol, they argued in court that her actions could infringe on their free speech rights. A district court agreed, granting the coalition an injunction against James. The appeals court on Monday upheld that decision.
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“The district court correctly determined that the speech at issue is noncommercial because, based on the uncontroverted evidence in the current record, the speech is religiously and morally motivated, the [National Institute of Family and Life Advocates] plaintiﬀs receive no remuneration or other financial benefit for engaging in it, and, as the NIFLA plaintiﬀs do not provide [Abortion Pill Reversal] themselves, the speech serves only to provide the public with information about [Abortion Pill Reversal] and access to third-party providers that can oﬀer [Abortion Pill Reversal],” the judges wrote.
In May 2024, James <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/new-york-crisis-pregnancy-centers-pick-up-legal-victory-against-letitia-james">announced</a> a suit against Heartbeat International and 11 pregnancy center organizations for promoting the abortion pill reversal protocol. James claimed that the organization was “spreading dangerous misinformation by advertising &#8216;abortion reversals&#8217; without any medical and scientific proof.”
Heartbeat International says that the lives of over 7,000 babies have been saved through the abortion pill reversal protocol. On Tuesday, the Supreme Court heard oral arguments on whether a Christian pregnancy center can challenge New Jersey over a wide-ranging subpoena it issued related to the protocol.

NYC Early Voting Surges Ahead Of Nov. 4 Mayoral Election

Pro-Life Pregnancy Centers Pick Up Big Win Against New York AG Letitia James

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First Amendment

Letitia James

pregnancy centers

Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) is calling out New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) for her silence over the latest anti-police move made by far-left Mayor-Elect Zohran Mamdani, whom Hochul endorsed.
Mamdani recently appointed Alex Vitale to his community safety committee. Vitale, a sociology professor, is the author of &#8220;The End of Policing&#8221; and has espoused radical anti-police views, such as suggesting all officers and their unions are embedded with &#8220;deep racism&#8221; and calling for the defunding and abolition of police.
“Kathy Hochul must condemn Zohran Mamdani’s appointment of Alex Vitale to his transition advisory committee,&#8221; Stefanik told The Daily Wire.
&#8220;Vitale is a radical police abolitionist who will destroy New York if he gets his way,&#8221; she added.
Stefanik <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/stefanik-launches-gubernatorial-bid-to-oust-empire-states-communist-loving-red-queen?author=Leif+Le+Mahieu&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=undefined&amp;row=0&amp;rowType=Vertical+List&amp;title=Stefanik+Launches+Gubernatorial+Bid+To+Oust+Empire+State’s+‘Communist’-Loving+Red+Queen">announced</a> her bid for New York&#8217;s next gubernatorial election in November, just days after Mamdani, a self-described democratic socialist, won the election as New York City’s next mayor with Hochul’s endorsement.
When Hochul endorsed Mamdani, she claimed that Mamdani told her he would maintain all police resources to ensure the safety of New Yorkers was a top priority. Vitale&#8217;s appointment seems to fly in the face of that commitment, though Hochul has so far stayed mum.
Back in 2020, Vitale strongly backed the &#8220;defund the police&#8221; movement and criticized police unions and their members for their supposed &#8220;deep racism.&#8221;
&#8220;They become, in many cities, the locus, the institutional hub, for a whole set of right-wing &#8216;thin blue line&#8217; politics that believe that policing is not only effective but it’s the most desirable way to solve our problems,&#8221; Vitale <a href="https://www.democracynow.org/2020/6/8/alex_vitale_end_of_policing?">said</a>. &#8220;And embedded in this is a deep racism that says that certain populations can only be managed through constant threats and coercion.”
The professor added that this is the &#8220;logic of slavery&#8221; and &#8220;colonialism,&#8221; and activists must &#8220;take concrete steps to dismantle their political power.&#8221;
As highlighted by <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/mamdani-names-end-of-policing-author-who-called-cops-violence-workers-to-transition-team">The Daily Wire</a>, Vitale&#8217;s book, “The End of Policing,” imagines a world in which “modern policing” is broadly replaced by a combination of decriminalization and community empowerment. He argues that policing is designed to reinforce inequality, and that giving police officers diversity training is not enough to bridge the gap.
Vitale has also called for the decriminalization of offenses such as prostitution and drug use, and advocates for private corporations or government programs that would provide permanent housing for the homeless population.
Mamdani himself has espoused radical anti-police views, like calling NYPD officers &#8220;racist, anti-queer &amp; a major threat to public safety&#8221; and calling for the &#8220;wicked &amp; corrupt&#8221; department to be defunded and dismantled.
In addition to his controversial Vitale appointment, Mamdani has picked a black nationalist named Lumumba Bandele to serve on a Community Organizing committee. As <a href="https://nypost.com/2025/11/25/us-news/rep-elise-stefanik-challenges-hochul-after-call-to-fire-nightmare-mamdani-transition-team-pick/">noted</a> by the New York Post, Bandele previously aligned with Black Liberation Army members convicted of killing police officers in the tristate area.
“Kathy Hochul’s endorsed Mayor-elect, Zohran Mamdani, just picked a man who supports the killers of cops in New York and New Jersey to serve on his transition team,” Stefanik said.
“Mamdani’s vision for New York is getting very clear and it’s starting to look like a nightmare,&#8221; the Republican added. &#8220;Kathy Hochul must immediately call on Mamdani to fire Lumumba Bandele from his transition team.”
Related: <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/mamdani-names-end-of-policing-author-who-called-cops-violence-workers-to-transition-team">Mamdani Names ‘End Of Policing’ Author Who Called Cops ‘Violence Workers’ To Transition Team</a>

Stefanik, Hochul, Mamdani

Stefanik Blasts Mamdani, Hochul Over Wild Anti-Police Appointment

mamdani

An illegal immigrant who was given a trucking license by New York State allegedly caused a multi-car collision that killed an Indiana National Guardsman while behind the wheel of an 18-wheeler, The Daily Wire has learned.
Georgian national Goderdzi Gujabidze, 56, was driving a truck towing a trailer carrying multiple cars when he swerved and caused a military Humvee to swerve off the road. Indiana National Guardsman Terry Frye died at the scene, and three other victims were hospitalized.
The illegal immigrant trucker received a non-domiciled Commercial Driver&#8217;s License in New York after he was waved across the border in San Luis, Arizona, by the Biden administration in 2022, the Department of Homeland Security told The Daily Wire. The Trump administration said the blame is on the sanctuary state of New York for allowing him to drive the heavy truck.
“Another senseless and avoidable tragedy on America’s roads at the hands of an illegal alien driving a commercial vehicle. Sanctuary states are recklessly providing commercial driver’s licenses to illegal aliens who should not be operating 18-wheeler and trucks on America’s highways,” Assistant Homeland Security Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said in a statement shared with The Daily Wire.
“Thanks to the cooperation from Boone County Sheriff’s Office, this illegal will never again be allowed to terrorize American roads again. We pray for the family of Terry Frye as they mourn the loss of their son and thank him for his service to this nation,&#8221; McLaughlin added.
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When the authorities tried to communicate with Gujabidze at the scene, they discovered a &#8220;language barrier&#8221; that required &#8220;a translator,&#8221; according to the Boone County Sheriff&#8217;s Office.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement has since lodged a detainer to take Gujabidze into custody upon his release.
The Trump administration recently commenced a crackdown on states issuing commercial driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants, with the worst offender being California, after a series of fatal collisions.
Federal authorities recently discovered that an Uzbek <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/illegal-immigrant-on-terror-watchlist-received-pennsylvania-trucking-license?author=Jennie+Taer&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=5&amp;row=0&amp;rowType=Vertical+List&amp;title=Illegal+Immigrant+On+Terror+Watchlist+Received+Pennsylvania+Trucking+License">illegal immigrant</a> on the terror watchlist for allegedly distributing terrorist propaganda calling for jihad online and recruiting fellow terrorists was carrying a Pennsylvania trucking license.
The Department of Transportation has <a href="https://www.transportation.gov/briefing-room/trumps-transportation-secretary-sean-p-duffy-takes-emergency-action-protect-americas" target="_blank" rel="noopener">launched</a> an audit of states&#8217; records of trucking license recipients, while instituting an English-language requirement for new truckers.
“What our team has discovered should disturb and anger every American,” Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said recently of the crackdown.
“Licenses to operate a massive, 80,000-pound truck are being issued to dangerous foreign drivers — often times illegally,” Duffy added.
“This is a direct threat to the safety of every family on the road, and I won’t stand for it. Today’s actions will prevent unsafe foreign drivers from renewing their license and hold states accountable to immediately invalidate improperly issued licenses.”

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Collision Involving Illegal Immigrant Truck Driver Leads To Death Of National Guardsman

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