Politics/Religion Consolidated Megathread Extravaganza

[DKG]

More than 61,000 TSA employees are affected by the partial DHS shutdown.

The reform demands are a protest of the deaths of anti-ICE activists Alex Pretti and Renee Good, but they ignore the fact that ICE is already funded through the One Big Beautiful Bill Act passed in 2025.

Still, Democrats have rejected a DHS funding bill (for the fifth time on Friday), withholding funds from TSA and FEMA.

With many TSA workers not being paid during the partial shutdown, the lack of staffing has had a trickle-down effect to travelers. For example, at Hartsfield-jackassson Atlanta International Airport, passengers faced screening wait times of up to two hours this week, according to CNN.

All the turmoil has President Trump brainstorming possible solutions, and on Saturday afternoon he suggested throwing ICE into the mix.

"If the Radical Left Democrats don't immediately sign an agreement to let our Country, in particular, our Airports, be FREE and SAFE again, I will move our brilliant and patriotic ICE Agents to the Airports where they will do Security like no one has ever seen before," Trump wrote on Truth Social.

[Herman]

[DKG]

Gavin Newsom's foreign policy plan if he becomes president is that everything will return to normal. Does that mean billions more for Ukraine and the Iranian government?

[DKG]

President Trump is throwing his full support behind the proposed SAVE America Act, framing it as a once-in-a-generation opportunity to overhaul U.S. elections and restore public confidence in their right to vote.

And he's not going to let those who oppose it off so easily.

"The Save America Act is one of the most IMPORTANT & CONSEQUENTIAL pieces of legislation in the history of Congress, and America itself. NO MORE RIGGED ELECTIONS! Voter I.D., Proof of Citizenship, No Rigged Mail-In Voting (We are the only Country in the World that allows this!), No Men in Women's Sports, No Transgender MUTILIZATION of our Children," President Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social.

"Only sick, demened, or deranged people in the House or Senate could vote against THE SAVE AMERICA ACT. If they do, each one of these points, separately, will be used against the user in his/her political campaign for office — A guaranteed loss!" he added.

[Herman]

[Herman]

[Brent]

Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick is under federal indictment.

A Democrat faces possible expulsion from Congress after federal prosecutors alleged that she stole millions in federal funds and used that money to finance her campaign.

The House Ethics Committee will host a public trial for Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-Fla.) on Thursday in connection with the allegations. According to reports, such public trials are rare and signal that Cherfilus-McCormick may be in deep trouble.

Indeed, she is already under federal indictment.

Back in November, the Department of Justice announced that Cherfilus-McCormick, her brother Edwin Cherfilus, and other co-defendants had been charged after they allegedly bilked millions from a FEMA-funded COVID-19 vaccination staffing contract.

According to the DOJ, Cherfilus-McCormick and Cherfilus' family health care company was given a COVID vax contract in 2021 and subsequently received an overpayment of $5 million from FEMA.

The defendants "conspired to steal that $5 million and routed it through multiple accounts to disguise its source," the DOJ alleged, adding that a significant portion of the money was allegedly used to bolster Cherfilus-McCormick's 2021 congressional campaign.

The money was also allegedly used for luxury items, including "a huge diamond ring."

Cherfilus-McCormick pled not guilty in federal court in early February. At that time, she publicly stated that she is "innocent" and called the accusations a "distraction."

Regardless of the findings of the House Ethics Committee, expelling Cherfilus-McCormick would require a vote from two-thirds of the House, and Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) has already declared himself a "hard no."

"So-called 'Leader' Hakeem Jeffries talks a big game on corruption, but when it's one of his own, he suddenly loses his voice. Jeffries and House Democrats have the backbone of a wet paper straw," said a statement from National Republican Congressional Committee spokesman Mike Marinella.

Cherfilus-McCormick is just one of several Democrats who've been mired in a COVID-related fraud scandal in just the last few months.

Georgia state Rep. Sharon Henderson was arrested in December for allegedly fraudulently pocketing nearly $18,000 in COVID relief. She has since been suspended in the state House.

Henderson's office did not respond to a request for comment.

Weeks later, her Democrat colleague state Rep. Karen Bennett resigned her seat in the Georgia House just before federal prosecutors charged her for allegedly stealing about $14,000 in COVID relief funds. Bennett pled guilty in January to making false statements.

Yet another Georgia Democrat, former state Rep. Dexter Sharper, was charged in late January in connection with nearly $14,000 in alleged unemployment fraud related to COVID. Sharper pled guilty and resigned his seat earlier this month.

[Brent]

Republicans are facing yet another brutal electoral loss after Democrat Emily Gregory sailed through her special election in a deep-red district.

Gregory was elected to represent the 87th district in the Florida House Tuesday night, securing 51.2% of the vote while her Republican opponent, Jon Maples, won just 48.8% of the vote. This district, which includes President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate, was previously held by Republican Mike Caruso.

[Lokmar]

Republicans are facing yet another brutal electoral loss after Democrat Emily Gregory sailed through her special election in a deep-red district.

Gregory was elected to represent the 87th district in the Florida House Tuesday night, securing 51.2% of the vote while her Republican opponent, Jon Maples, won just 48.8% of the vote. This district, which includes President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate, was previously held by Republican Mike Caruso.

That area isnt deep red. Its purple.