“A federal judge on Thursday indicated she would probably order the Trump administration to use reserves to partially fund food assistance for about 42 million Americans in November, potentially delaying a complete cutoff in benefits during the government shutdown,” the Washington Post reports.
The Interview Assassin
Columbia Journalism Review: “If Isaac Chotiner comes calling for an interview, is it best to just hang up? His Q&As for The New Yorker have been known to spark their own media-news cycles, often for reasons that aren’t flattering to the interview subject.”
“That was the case on Monday, when Chotiner’s latest Q&A dropped—a lengthy interview with Karine Jean-Pierre, the White House press secretary under President Joe Biden, about her new book, Independent. The interview shows Chotiner at the height of his powers, relentlessly pressing Jean-Pierre on inconsistencies such as why she didn’t think Kamala Harris could win the 2024 election but was also mad at Democrats who called for an open convention.”
Harris Says Biden Didn’t Want Debate with Trump
Former Vice President Kamala Harris said that then-President Joe Biden “didn’t want that debate,” describing a reluctant president whose fateful night on stage accelerated President Trump’s return to the White House, Axios reports.
Said Harris: “If you don’t want to be in the competition, it will absolutely have an impact on your performance. I’m pretty sure that he did not want to debate… I think he got talked into it.”
Sherrill Leads in Close New Jersey Race
A new Suffolk University poll in New Jersey finds Mikie Sherrill (D) leading Jack Ciattarelli (R) in the governor’s race, 46% to 42%.
Maryland Lawmaker Charged with Extortion
Federal officials have charged Maryland state Sen. Dalya Attar (D) on extortion and conspiracy charges, the Washington Post reports.
According to the court docket, Attar was charged with eight crimes, including multiple counts of conspiracy, extortion via interstate communications, aiding and abetting, interception and disclosure of a wire, and more.
Trump Casts a Shadow on New Jersey
President Trump might not be on the ballot in New Jersey, “but he is one of the biggest forces in the state’s surprisingly competitive gubernatorial election,” the Washington Post reports.
“Trump lost New Jersey last year by less than six percentage points — a far lower margin than in past elections, which saw Republicans lose the state by double digits every cycle in the last 20 years. That narrow loss prompted Republicans to dare to hope they might win the governorship this year.”
The Price of a Pardon
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A Call at 4 AM
Just published: A Call at 4 AM: Thirteen Prime Ministers and the Crucial Decisions that Shaped Israeli Politics by Amit Segal.
The full and untold story of Israeli politics penned by one of Israel’s most distinguished political journalists.
A Call at 4 AM: Thirteen Prime Ministers and the Crucial Decisions that Shaped Israeli Politics
- Amazon Kindle Edition
- Segal, Amit (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 299 Pages - 10/14/2025 (Publication Date) - Wicked Son (Publisher)
‘Sometimes You Have to Let Them Fight’
President Trump said China and the U.S. are working together on ending the war in Ukraine, but “sometimes, you have to let them fight,” Politico reports.
Senate Votes to Block Trump’s Tariffs on Canada
“The Senate voted Wednesday to end the national emergency that President Donald Trump declared to impose tariffs on imports from Canada,” the Washington Post reports.
“Four Republicans joined with all Senate Democrats to approve the measure, which passed 50 to 46.”
“But it won’t go into effect because it would still need to be approved by the House, which voted earlier this year to block all legislation challenging Trump’s tariffs until March 2026.”
Someone Really Doesn’t Want a Vote on the Epstein Files
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Ohio Republicans Cut Redistricting Deal with Democrats
Punchbowl News: “This compromise is a shocking development. Ohio’s constitution mandates a complicated redistricting process that includes the commission and the state legislature. The Buckeye State is required to redraw its map for 2026 because it passed in 2021 without bipartisan support.”
“Both parties expected the commission to reach a stalemate and that redistricting would revert back the state’s GOP-controlled legislature.”
“But Democrats were able to successfully leverage the prospect of a referendum campaign. For their part, Republicans dangled the threat of pushing through a less favorable map if Democrats rejected their offer.”
Crime in U.S. Seen as Less Serious Problem
Gallup: “Building on last year’s less-negative assessments of crime in the U.S., Americans’ perceptions have again improved in 2025.”
“Less than half, 49%, now say crime is an ‘extremely’ or ‘very’ serious problem in the U.S., and the same percentage say crime has increased in the past year. These readings are down seven and 15 percentage points, respectively, since last year and are at their lowest levels since at least 2018.”
Pentagon Readying Thousands of Guard ‘Reaction Forces’
“The Pentagon has ordered thousands of specialized National Guard personnel to complete civil unrest mission training over the next several months, an indication that the Trump administration’s effort to send uniformed military forces into urban centers — once reserved for extraordinary emergencies — could become the norm,” the Washington Post reports.
“The Defense Department’s newly established ‘quick reaction force’ within the National Guard must be trained, equipped with riot-control gear and ready for deployment by Jan. 1.”
“An existing separate but similar structure, the National Guard Reaction Force, is expected to complete civil unrest training and be fully operational by April 1. The total size of the force will be 23,500 troops across all 50 states and three territories, excluding the District of Columbia.”
Kash Patel Accused of Using Government Jet for Date Night
FBI Director Kash Patel is accused of using taxpayer money to fly his 26-year-old country singer girlfriend around the country, the Daily Beast reports.
Governor’s Staffer Fired After Drug Arrest
A staffer for Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey (D) was arrested after 8 kilograms of cocaine were reportedly delivered to him at a government building, NBC Boston reports.
Top Trump Officials Are Moving Onto Military Bases
The Atlantic: “It is an ominous marker of the nation’s polarization, to which the Trump administration has itself contributed, that some of those top public servants have felt a need to separate themselves from the public. These civilian officials can now depend on the U.S. military to augment their personal security.”
“But so many have made the move that they are now straining the availability of housing for the nation’s top uniformed officers.”
Confirmation Hearing Delayed as Nominee Goes Into Labor
“The Senate hearing for President Donald Trump’s nominee for surgeon general, Dr. Casey Means, is postponed as the nominee goes into labor with her first child,” CNN reports.
