Two Democrat candidates take cash from Epstein-tied megadonor after slamming 'Epstein class'

 Two Democratic Senate candidates, James Talarico and Jon Ossoff, are facing criticism for accepting large donations from Reid Hoffman, a billionaire with past connections to Jeffrey Epstein. This controversy highlights a perceived contradiction in their political stance against wealthy donors.

● Candidates and Donations: Talarico received $11.5 million through the super PAC Lone Star Rising, and Ossoff received the maximum contribution of $7,000 for his campaign from Hoffman.

● Criticism from Opponents: Critics argue that by accepting money from Hoffman, who is associated with Epstein, Talarico and Ossoff undermine their anti-billionaire rhetoric. GOP operatives state their actions contradict their messaging against the "Epstein class" they warn about.

● Epstein Connection: Hoffman's links to Epstein were revealed through documents showing Hoffman had visited Epstein's properties, including the infamous Caribbean island. Although these documents do not accuse Hoffman of wrongdoing, they illustrate his well-documented ties to Epstein.

● Legal and Political Ramifications: This issue also involves accusations from the Department of Justice that other Democrats have accepted Hoffman's donations, leading to further scrutiny regarding funding sources in political campaigns.

● Hoffman’s Response: Hoffman has publicly expressed remorse for his association with Epstein, stating that his presence at fundraising activities helped improve Epstein’s image and contributed to injustice.

The reactions to the donations from Hoffman to Talarico and Ossoff underscore the contentious relationship between political candidates and wealthy donors, particularly those with controversial backgrounds. The backlash against these candidates reflects wider concerns about the influence of money in politics and the consistency of candidates' messages. 

https://justthenews.com/politics-policy/elections/two-democrat-candidates-take-cash-epstein-linked-megadonor-after-slamming

Why Socialists Want to Shut Down Prisons

 Democratic Socialists have renewed discussions on the dismantling of the U. S. criminal justice system. Advocates for these changes often misunderstand the realities of crime and incarceration, leading to proposals that could exacerbate public safety issues.

1. Historical Context: The calls to "defund the police" and abolish prisons gained prominence after the George Floyd incident in 2020-21. Although these ideas lost momentum, they have resurfaced with support from certain political groups.

2. Ignorance vs. Ideology: Some advocates lack knowledge about the criminal justice system, while others are driven by a strong belief that it serves to suppress the working class. This ideological stance complicates rational discussions about the system's realities.

3. Data on Incarceration:

● A majority of prisoners (62%) are incarcerated for violent crimes, while only 13% for drug offenses.

● Although blacks are 14% of the U. S. population, they represent 33% of state and federal prisoners. Similarly, Hispanics make up about 22% of state prisoners.

● Many prisoners are career criminals with an average of 11 prior arrests before incarceration. Around 83% of released prisoners are re-arrested, often within their first year out.

4. Victim Consideration: While poverty is a reality for many incarcerated individuals, the discussion frequently neglects the poverty of their victims. In 2023, a significant percentage of homicide victims were also black, illustrating the impact of crime on these communities.

5. Limitations of Proposals: The left's main alternative to prison—restorative justice—may be effective for minor offenses but is inadequate for serious crimes. Victim-offender meetings do not sufficiently address the need for punishment and public safety regarding violent crimes.

6. E-Carceration as an Alternative: Electronic monitoring (e-carceration) could be a means to manage offenders while reducing prison populations. It allows for tracking and could curb re-offending, but it is not a standalone solution.

7. Opposition to E-Carceration: Despite the potential benefits of electronic monitoring, socialists typically oppose such measures, focusing on the abolition of the existing system rather than seeking practical solutions.

The proposals to overhaul the criminal justice system often stem from a misunderstanding of its functioning and failures to address public safety and victim rights. While alternatives like restorative justice and electronic monitoring offer some promise, they cannot fully replace the need for incarceration in managing serious crimes. The overarching goal for many advocates seems to be the dismantling of the system altogether, complicating the pursuit of effective reforms. 

https://www.city-journal.org/article/socialists-prisons-police-crime

Court crushes Joe Biden's demands to conceal audio tapes

 On July 21, 2026, the U. S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia rejected President Joe Biden's request to keep audio tapes from his interviews with biographer Mark Zwonitzer confidential. This decision is significant because it allows public access to discussions relevant to an investigation into Biden's handling of government documents.

● The appeals court ruled unanimously against Biden, stating he did not demonstrate a strong chance of winning an appeal to keep the materials hidden.

● The court pointed out that the public interest in disclosing the materials outweighs any potential invasion of Biden's privacy.

● These tapes relate to Biden's discussions with Zwonitzer from 2016 and 2017, and they gained relevance during a later investigation by special counsel Robert Hur.

● Hur's investigation examined Biden's handling of documents, especially since Biden and former President Trump faced similar legal issues at the time.

● Hur's report described Biden's cognitive difficulties, noting that his interviews revealed a "diminished faculties" and struggles with memory.

● The ruling is temporarily paused until August 3, giving Biden a chance to appeal further.

● Biden's representatives criticized the push for disclosure, claiming it was a misuse of the Department of Justice.

The appeals court's decision to reject Biden's request underscores the balance between public interest and personal privacy. The outcome of Biden’s potential appeal, once it occurs, may further impact public understanding of the special counsel's investigation and Biden's standing.

https://www.wnd.com/2026/07/court-crushes-joe-bidens-demands-conceal-audio-tapes/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=court-crushes-joe-bidens-demands-conceal-audio-tapes

Shocking 105 million Americans are not working – more than during Covid or the Great Recession

 As of June 2026, a record 105.8 million adults in the United States are classified as "not in the labor force" (NILF). This figure surpasses previous peaks during the Great Recession and the COVID-19 pandemic. The term includes all individuals aged 16 and over who are not working, including retirees and students.

1. Significant Increase in NILF Population:

● The NILF count rose by 832,000 in June 2026 alone.

● Current NILF levels are unprecedented, surpassing both pre-pandemic and Great Recession figures.

2. Demographics of NILFs:

● Nearly 50% of those not working are retirees, largely due to the aging Baby Boomer generation.

● A significant portion, about 5% (5.3 million), are discouraged workers who have stopped looking for jobs.

● Up to 22% of the NILF group are receiving long-term disability or related benefits.

3. Dropout Trends:

● Notably, many prime-age men (ages 25-54) are leaving the workforce, contributing to a decline in labor force participation, which hit 59% in June 2026, its lowest since September 2021.

● There is also a growing number of women who are similarly disengaged from work, totaling around 3.5 million.

4. Comparative International Trends:

● Other aging societies, such as those in Europe and Japan, are not experiencing similar withdrawal from the labor force despite their demographic challenges.

5. Economic Insight:

● Labor economist Nicholas Eberstadt suggests that various disability programs in the U. S. may be contributing factors to the NILF surge.

● He warns against the introduction of a universal basic income (UBI), arguing it could lead to further disengagement from the workforce.

6. Implications of Technology:

● The rise of automation and AI is causing concern about job losses in both blue-collar and white-collar sectors.

● Eberstadt argues for maintaining a focus on engaging individuals in productive activities rather than providing a passive income.

The increasing number of Americans not participating in the labor market raises significant concerns about economic productivity and social engagement. While a notable segment of this population comprises retirees, the growing dropout rates among working-age adults, especially men, highlight underlying issues in workforce dynamics. Addressing these challenges requires careful consideration of economic policies and societal structures, particularly as technology continues to evolve and redefine job markets. 

https://nypost.com/2026/07/22/business/number-of-americans-not-in-the-labor-force-surges-to-record-105-8m-as-total-exceeds-great-recession-covid-era/

High-Profile Report Linking Extreme Weather to Human-Caused Climate Change Lists Lawyer Suing Oil Companies, Researchers Paid by Anti-Oil Lawsuit Funders in Acknowledgments

 A recent report by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) links human-caused climate change to extreme weather events and has potential implications for ongoing lawsuits against oil companies. This report has raised concerns about conflicts of interest, given its acknowledgments of individuals involved in climate litigation.

1. Report Findings: The NASEM report concludes that human-induced climate change significantly affects extreme weather events such as heatwaves and heavy rainfall. This scientific finding could support legal actions taken by various states against oil companies.

2. Legal Connections: The report acknowledges contributions from legal scholar Michael Burger, who is associated with a law firm (Sher Edling) that is actively suing major oil companies like Chevron and ExxonMobil. Burger has helped public agencies hold fossil fuel companies accountable for climate-related damages.

3. Potential Impact on Litigation: Experts believe the report will strengthen lawsuits that link the activities of oil companies to damages incurred from extreme weather events. The credibility of the report, backed by NASEM's prestige, could greatly benefit the plaintiffs.

4. Political and Financial Backing: Several researchers cited in the report, particularly from Climate Central, have connections to various left-leaning organizations that fund climate change advocacy. This has led to accusations of politicization of the scientific findings.

5. Concerns about Objectivity: Critics, including those from the right, argue that NASEM's engagement with climate litigation undermines its scientific neutrality, describing the report as a tool for advancing political agendas rather than a strictly scientific document.

6. Broader Context of Lawsuits: Numerous Democrat-led states and municipalities have initiated lawsuits against fossil fuel companies, claiming that these companies have knowingly caused climate change and its associated damages. If successful, these lawsuits could require substantial financial payouts from the energy sector.

7. Notable Cases: One example includes Multnomah County, Oregon, demanding $51.6 billion in damages due to a past heatwave. Legal experts highlight that cases like these could set important precedents for future litigation against the oil industry.

8. Funding Sources: NASEM received funding from several left-leaning foundations known for supporting green advocacy, raising further questions about impartiality in its findings.

The NASEM report linking climate change to extreme weather could significantly influence ongoing lawsuits against oil companies, given its scientific weight and the connections of those involved in its creation. However, concerns about potential conflicts of interest and the politicization of the science behind these findings continue to prompt debate over the integrity of the report and its implications for the future of climate litigation.

https://freebeacon.com/energy/high-profile-report-linking-extreme-weather-to-human-caused-climate-change-lists-lawyer-suing-oil-companies-researchers-paid-by-anti-oil-lawsuit-funders-in-acknowledgments/

Like FBI on terrorism after 9-11, Trump is pressing feds to stop fraudulent payments beforehand

 The U. S. Treasury Department has introduced new measures to prevent fraud in federal payments, following President Trump's executive order. This system is designed to stop payments from going to deceased individuals and to create a more proactive approach against improper payments.

● The new initiative has already blocked nearly $100 million in payments to about 4,900 deceased individuals, based on data screening involving over 885 million transactions amounting to $2.77 trillion.

● This approach is based on a "Do Not Pay" system, which aims to prevent unauthorized payments before they are issued, rather than attempting to recover funds after they have been sent.

● Previously, many payment programs like Social Security and Medicare would automatically send funds, leading to issues where payments were made to the deceased due to bureaucratic lag or fraud.

● The initiative reflects lessons learned from 9/11, where a focus on prevention was deemed essential in preventing future threats. The Treasury Department aims to apply this prevention-first mindset to fiscal fraud as well.

● The Treasury Secretary emphasized the integration of real-time data to enhance the effectiveness of the system in stopping improper payments before they occur, with projections of saving hundreds of millions annually.

● The IRS has also adopted a prevention-first strategy, highlighted by CEO Frank Bisignano, who has a strong commitment to cybersecurity and protecting sensitive information.

● The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) similarly announced deferrals of over $1 billion in Medicaid payments to California and Minnesota, prompting states to verify high-risk claims' legitimacy.

The Treasury Department's latest fraud prevention measures signify a significant shift towards a proactive stance on financial integrity, aiming to stop improper payments before they happen. This approach not only seeks to safeguard taxpayer money but also emphasizes the importance of immediate action against potential fraud, reflecting larger governmental reforms inspired by past failures. 

https://justthenews.com/government/white-house/trump-admin-enforces-proactive-prevention-vs-reactive-cleanup-saving?utm_source=justthenews.com&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=external-news-aggregators

DOJ Launches Investigation After Dem Governor Admits Non-Citizens Voted In Elections

 The U. S. Justice Department has launched an investigation after New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill disclosed that thousands of non-citizens were mistakenly registered to vote in the state.

● Governor Mikie Sherrill, a Democrat, revealed that a software error at the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission led to about 6,600 non-citizens being registered between June 2023 and June 2024.

● Although applicants indicated they were not U. S. citizens, the system still added them to the voter rolls.

● Nearly 400 of these non-citizens ended up voting in federal elections, across various party affiliations.

● Governor Sherrill attributed the issue to a glitch from the vendor IDEMIA and stated the problem was discovered recently, blaming her predecessor, Phil Murphy, for failing to address it sooner.

● The DOJ’s Civil Rights Division is investigating, emphasizing the importance of ensuring that American citizens’ votes are not diluted by those of non-citizens.

● The investigation involves obtaining detailed records related to the erroneous registrations and votes.

The DOJ's inquiry underscores serious concerns about voter registration accuracy and compliance with federal voting laws in New Jersey following Governor Sherrill's admission of the registration errors. 

https://trendingpoliticsnews.com/just-in-doj-launches-investigation-after-dem-governor-admits-to-having-illegals-on-voter-rolls-cmc/