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House Aides Volunteer as Observers for Tight Midterm Contests
Hundreds of House aides have volunteered as election observers for tight midterm races and will deploy to districts this fall. The House Administration Committee runs the program, codified into law in 2024. It trains and dispatches staff to observe voting, ballot processing, and tabulation, and to take notes, creating a factual record if an election is contested. Observers may not interfere with local administration or engage in political advocacy. Rep. Joseph D. Morelle (D-NY), the top Democrat on the committee, said 275 aides from his party signed up, a record. Democrats and Republicans will decide together where to deploy them to as many as five dozen closest races. Chairman Bryan Steil (R-WI) said the observers are “our eyes and ears on the ground ensuring the integrity of congressional elections.” Roughly 600 contested House races have occurred in history, most of them quickly resolved.
Editor’s Note: DHS and ICE should deputize all of them for rapid response if illegal voting occurs.
🏛️ News & Politics
Democrat Candidates Dust Off Medicare Expansions In Swing State Races
Democratic candidates running in battleground states are reviving pitches for Medicare expansions and Medicare for All as midterm voting approaches. Michigan Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed continues to center his campaign on a single-payer system offering coverage from cradle to grave without premiums, copays or deductibles. Candidates in other competitive contests, including Maine, have echoed similar calls for broader government-run coverage. Republican opponents argue the proposals would force Americans off preferred private insurance plans and add trillions in new federal spending. Recent polling shows majority Democratic support for the concept alongside majority Republican opposition, keeping the issue contested in tight races.
Editor’s Note: Every time government (mostly at the behest of a Democrat initiative) “expands” a program or creates a new one, that means more money out of your pocket. Nothing is ever free…
Supreme Court Rejects Bid to Restore Plea Deals for Alleged 9/11 Plotters
The Supreme Court on Monday turned away appeals by Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, Mustafa al Hawsawi and Walid bin Attash seeking to reinstate 2024 plea agreements that would have removed the death penalty in exchange for guilty pleas and life sentences. Then-Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin revoked the deals two days after retired Brig. Gen. Susan Escallier approved them, writing that responsibility for such a decision “should rest with me.” The high court left in place a D.C. Circuit ruling that Austin had authority to withdraw the agreements. The three men remain at Guantanamo Bay as proceedings move toward a possible military commission trial in 2028.
Administration Asks Supreme Court to Limit Courts’ Power to Vacate Agency Rules Nationwide
Trump administration lawyers petitioned the Supreme Court on Oct. 14, arguing the Administrative Procedure Act does not allow federal judges to vacate agency actions for non-parties nationwide. “The APA does not authorize such sweeping relief,” Solicitor General D. John Sauer wrote, adding that universal vacatur is not a proper default remedy. The case involves the Texas Medical Association’s challenge to No Surprises Act arbitration rules. A district court and the full Fifth Circuit vacated portions of an interim final rule. Sauer said traditional equitable principles require relief specific to each party. Opposing parties have not filed a response brief yet.
Federal Agents Charge 28 Green Card Holders With Illegal Voting In California
Federal agents arrested 11 foreign nationals Monday among 28 charged with illegally registering to vote and casting ballots in California elections. All are lawful permanent residents barred from voting as non-citizens. Charges include false statements on naturalization applications and fraudulent registration, felonies carrying up to five years in prison. Arrests form part of Operation Protect the Vote by the state’s four U.S. attorney offices. Acting Deputy Attorney General Trent McCotter said, “Every illegal vote cancels out the vote of a lawful American citizen.” Defendants appear on a list of more than 20,000 likely noncitizen registrants the state refused to review.
33 Leaders Call for Mosque Investigations and Moratoriums in Texas and Florida
On Oct. 19, 2026, 33 leaders of patriotic organizations delivered an open letter to Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R). The BanSharia.com Coalition letter requests investigations of mosques tied to the Muslim Brotherhood and sharia networks, along with temporary moratoriums on new mosque construction in both states. It thanks the governors for designating the Brotherhood and CAIR as terrorist organizations. Signatories call the facilities critical infrastructure of jihad, noting estimates of at least 3,150 such centers nationwide, and reference a 1991 Brotherhood memorandum from the Holy Land Foundation trial describing civilization jihad. US Rep. Keith Self (R-TX) signed the letter.
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📢 The Fifth Column Watch
House Panel Threatens Depositions for Singham-Linked Nonprofits Defying Subpoenas
House Ways & Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith (R-MO) warned The People’s Forum, BreakThrough News, and Tricontinental: Institute for Social Research that they have until Oct. 20 to comply with subpoenas or face possible depositions of 21 officials and staff members. Lawmakers are probing alleged Chinese Communist Party influence operations funded by Shanghai-based Neville Roy Singham, who has directed more than $39 million through donor-advised funds to the groups since 2017. “Either these organizations turn over the documents, or their leaders will answer the Committee’s questions under oath,” Smith said. BreakThrough News raised First Amendment objections, which the committee rejected as the inquiry concerns finances and organizational control rather than speech. US Rep. Darin LaHood (R-IL) previously noted the funding structure obscures the original donor.
Progressive Funds Flow to Super PAC Backing Decoy Namesake Challenger of Alaska Sen. Sullivan
Federal Election Commission records show the Right for Alaska super PAC received $990,000 from the Sixteen Thirty Fund and $1.8 million from the Liberty Force Action Fund. It spent $1.15 million supporting Dan J. Sullivan, also known as “Decoy Dan”, who shares the name of incumbent Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-AK). The money backs claims of a bid to confuse voters in the close race with former Democrat Rep. Mary Peltola of Alaska. Both groups list Thomas Datwyler as treasurer. He previously served as treasurer for former US Rep. George Santos (R-NY). Officials removed the namesake over concerns about confusion, but courts restored him to the ballot.
Editor’s Note: So, when a Democrat screams about “free and fair elections”, remember how they tried to manipulate the people in this instance.
Obama Administration Placed El-Sayed Sister-in-Law on Terror Watchlist
Democrat U.S. Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed is linked to sister-in-law Mariam Jukaku, reportedly placed on the terrorist watchlist by the Obama administration. A 2016 lawsuit states she became aware in 2012 at Detroit Metropolitan Airport when her boarding pass was stamped SSSS for known or suspected terrorist status. She underwent extensive searches, pat-downs, and chemical testing. The FBI neither confirms nor denies her inclusion. Half-sister Eman Abdelhadi wrote in 2012 that the family had a strong Muslim Brotherhood connection. She later said “Allahu Akbar” supporting Hamas on the Oct. 7 anniversary. Eric Daugherty urged keeping El-Sayed from the Senate and backed US Rep. Mike Rogers (R-MI).
Billionaire With Epstein Ties Gives Half-Million to Super PAC Backing Kentucky Anti-Corruption Democrat
LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman gave $500,000 to Kentuckians Not Corruption on September 24, according to Federal Election Commission records. The super PAC backs Kentucky Democrat Zach Dembo for the 6th District against former state Sen. Ralph Alvarado. Dembo has campaigned against ultra-wealthy influence and dark money. Hoffman visited Epstein’s island and Manhattan townhouse and sent ice cream, noting: “either for yourself or for the girls.” Alvarado called the cash “dirty Epstein class money” and said it was offensive. Weekly WLEX-TV buys rose from roughly $14,650 in mid-September to nearly $110,000 the week of October 6. Dembo’s campaign stayed silent.
DSA Congressional Hopeful Claims Extra ICE Scrutiny of Non-Citizens Violates Constitution
DSA member and Democrat candidate for New York’s 13th District Darializa Avila Chevalier claimed Immigration & Customs Enforcement scrutiny of non-citizens based on birthplace violates the Constitution. On the WNYC podcast Who’s Running This Place? she said citizens who engage in criminal activity go through the criminal system and pay their debt to society. “But if that person is for some reason not a citizen or was born elsewhere. All of a sudden, they have to face an additional level of scrutiny through ICE. That is in itself a violation of our Constitution on the basis of where someone was born,” she stated. Backed by Mayor Zohran Mamdani (DSA), Chevalier has called the agency a rogue force that creates chaos and should be abolished.
ON THIS DAY IN 1987:
The Dow Jones Industrial Average plunged by 508 points—a 22.6% drop in a single day—marking the largest one-day percentage decline in Wall Street history.
🌐 International
Unverified Reports Claim Kim Jong Un Rushed to Beijing Hospital After Alleged Brain Hemorrhage
Unverified reports claim North Korean leader Kim Jong Un suffered a severe cerebral hemorrhage, fell into a coma, and was rushed to Peking Union Medical College in Beijing due to poor facilities in Pyongyang. Wanjun Xie, chairman of the China Democracy Party, wrote that a team was dispatched but conditions forced the transfer, suggesting he “succumbed to his injuries and died.” He was last seen October 11 at a defense museum. Similar rumors arose in 2020. South Korea’s National Intelligence Service said he weighs over 140 kilograms with cardiovascular risk. Sister Kim Yo-jong would lead interim until daughter Kim Ju-ae, 13, succeeds.
Northern French Cities Placed Under Night Curfews as Minister Concedes Police Lost Control
France ordered 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfews in Lille, Douai, Wattignies and Denain after Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez admitted police lost control in major cities during weekend riots over living costs and school conditions. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu directed prefects to impose limited, localized curfews, vowing to restore order while leaving the possibility of a state of emergency open. Nuñez offered his resignation, which President Emmanuel Macron refused, to maintain command. Officials reported nearly 2,500 arrests and almost 1,000 officers injured. Looters damaged thousands of businesses and destroyed Limoges city hall by fire. Macron left for the Gulf to secure fuel supplies.
Egypt Offers Saudi Arabia Support Against Escalating Houthi Strikes
Egypt’s presidency said Sunday that Cairo is ready to provide Saudi Arabia with all necessary support to defend its security and stability as Iran-aligned Houthis intensify their attacks. President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi requested an urgent parliamentary session to authorize the military to assist if asked. Houthis recently struck Riyadh’s airport and Saudi Aramco amid renewed fighting with Saudi-backed forces after a truce collapsed. The National Defense Council, chaired by Sisi, affirmed the pledge to protect resources, territorial integrity and holy sites. Sisi said Egypt would follow guidance from King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman after their September visit.
Houthis Claim Strikes On Saudi Aramco Sites And Airports As US Alerts Dozen Mideast States
Yemen’s Houthis claimed Monday they attacked Saudi energy, airport and military targets including an Aramco site in Yanbu, the Shaybah oilfield, King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh and Abha airport. Saudi officials have not confirmed the strikes. The U.S. State Department issued an urgent alert covering twelve Middle East countries. It warned that hostilities “have the potential to escalate rapidly beyond that immediate area” and that Iran and supportive groups “may target other U.S. interests overseas.” Adviser Mohammad Mokhber said Iran would strike nine countries if bases or petrochemical facilities are attacked again. Much of Saudi airspace remains closed.
Australian Independent MP Critically Injured in Apparent Deliberate Vehicle Attack Outside Office
Independent MP Helen Haines, 65, suffered critical injuries Monday when a white Toyota Land Cruiser struck her outside her Wangaratta office in Victoria as she retrieved items from her car boot around 3:35 p.m. A 43-year-old Tarrawingee man was arrested by a passer-by, and police seized a knife from the vehicle. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called it a deliberate act, not an accident, adding it was too early to determine a motive. Counter-terrorism teams, including ASIO, are investigating. Haines, elected in 2019 as a former nurse and midwife, is hospitalized. Her family thanked bystanders and responders.
