Home Blog Page 3

North Carolina Republican Sen. Tillis Questions Potential Use of National Guard in Charlotte

Matt OHern
-
0
North Carolina Republican Sen. Tillis Questions Potential Use of National Guard in Charlotte

North Carolina Senator Thom Tillis has expressed skepticism about the federal deployment of the National Guard to cities, including the possibility of sending troops to Charlotte, arguing that it may mask failures in local leadership.

During a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing, Sen. Tillis pressed U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi on whether dispatching the National Guard to urban areas like Portland or Chicago represents a “best practice” for public safety or whether it serves as a temporary shock measure. He asked, “Is this deployment of the National Guard a part of an emerging best practice that I just don’t get yet?”

Bondi defended the deployments, saying that the National Guard is needed to protect federal property and maintain order, though she acknowledged the arrangement isn’t ideal. She told Tillis that she did not believe Guard members would choose to be in such roles unless called upon to “keep Americans safe.”

Tillis pushed back, suggesting that turning to the Guard might be a way to bypass accountability at the state and local levels:

“I’m having a real struggle right now with the National Guard being deployed and masking the abject failure of leaders at the state, local level.”

Tillis’ concern: that reliance on military forces could become a default response, rather than strengthening local law enforcement capabilities.

The debate unfolds amid a broader clash over the limits of federal intervention in city governance, with questions of state sovereignty, civil authority, and public safety powerfully intertwined.

SBA Pro-Life America Launches $4.5 Million Voter Outreach in Georgia Senate Race

Matt OHern
-
0
SBA Pro-Life America Launches $4.5 Million Voter Outreach in Georgia Senate Race

ATLANTA — Two national anti-abortion organizations — SBA Pro-Life America and Women Speak Out PAC — announced Tuesday that they are investing $4.5 million in Georgia’s 2026 U.S. Senate contest to mount a large-scale field operation. The groups plan to reach one million voters by Election Day, using digital advertising, direct mail, and an early vote push.

The campaign will focus on Savannah, Augusta, Columbus and Chattanooga, targeting conservative voters less likely to vote in midterms, along with persuadable voters. Jillian Wooton, SBA’s Atlanta regional field director, said the effort seeks to mobilize support in what the group considers a pivotal race.

Since 2014, SBA Pro-Life America says its voter contact program has reached more than 31 million people in battleground states. In Georgia during the 2024 cycle, the group claims to have made over 171,000 home visits. The organization has been sharply critical of incumbent Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff, citing his legislative record on abortion issues and giving him an “F” rating on its scorecard.

Ossoff, first elected in 2021, has aligned with Democratic leadership on abortion-access legislation and has opposed a “born-alive” measure to require care for infants surviving attempted abortions. His campaign did not immediately respond to the new fundraising announcement.

Women Speak Out PAC, a super PAC affiliated with SBA, said it will help amplify pro-life messaging from women voters and coordinate ground operations through the 2026 midterm cycle.

2026 Senate Outlook & Polling Context

  • The 2026 U.S. Senate election in Georgia is scheduled for November 3, 2026, with a potential runoff on December 1 if no candidate wins a majority.
  • In the Republican primary, contenders include U.S. Rep. Buddy Carter, Insurance Commissioner John King, Mike Collins, Derek Dooley, and others.
  • Former Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp, despite being viewed as a possibly strong Republican challenger, has opted out of running for Senate.
  • Polling & Forecasts
  • In a widely discussed RealClearPolitics average, Sen. Ossoff is shown leading in a hypothetical matchup against Republican candidate Marjorie Taylor Greene, 51% to 37%.
  • Analysts characterize Georgia’s Senate race as competitive, with Georgia among the states to watch in 2026.
  • A recent Quantus Insights poll found substantial uncertainty and divisions among Republican primary voters over potential nominees such as Collins, Carter and Dooley.
  • Earlier polling has shown that, in a hypothetical match-up, Ossoff could face varying margins against GOP candidates. For instance, an early January poll by WPA Intelligence placed Kemp ahead of Ossoff 46% to 40% — though Kemp is not in the race — and Ossoff posted stronger margins against other contenders.
  • Strategic Implications
    Georgia is seen as a key battleground in the Senate map for 2026. Republicans enter the cycle with structural advantages in many states, but must defend or contest seats in swing states such as Georgia.The scale of the SBA/Women Speak Out investment suggests they regard Georgia’s Senate seat as a top priority.

Iryna’s Law: North Carolina Bill Would Revive Death Penalty, Toughen Bail

Matt OHern
-
0
Iryna’s Law: North Carolina Bill Would Revive Death Penalty, Toughen Bail

RALEIGH, N.C. — A sweeping crime bill that would toughen bail rules, mandate mental health evaluations, and revive North Carolina’s death penalty is now on Governor Josh Stein’s desk, awaiting his decision. The legislation, known as Iryna’s Law (House Bill 307), passed the Republican-led legislature following the stabbing death of a Ukrainian refugee in Charlotte earlier this year.

The bill is named after 23-year-old Iryna Zarutska, who was killed on a Charlotte light-rail train in August. The suspect in the case, a repeat offender with a history of mental illness, had previously been released on a written promise to appear in court. Lawmakers say her death underscored flaws in the state’s pretrial release system and inspired the push for stricter rules.

Under the proposal, magistrates and judges would be barred from granting “cashless bail” to individuals accused of violent crimes. Judicial officers would be required to weigh a defendant’s criminal history before setting conditions of release and to issue written justifications for their decisions. The bill also gives courts new authority to impose house arrest, GPS monitoring, or secured bonds. Magistrates who fail to follow these requirements could face suspension.

The legislation also adds a mental health dimension to pretrial decisions. It requires evaluations for defendants charged with violent crimes if they show signs of being a danger to themselves or others, or if they were involuntarily committed in the past three years. If the evaluation supports commitment, the court must begin proceedings. Lawmakers also ordered a broader study on how North Carolina’s justice system addresses defendants with mental illness.

One of the most contentious pieces of the bill is its attempt to restart the death penalty in North Carolina. The measure introduces a new aggravating factor for capital punishment when murders occur on public transportation, accelerates appeal timelines, and requires hearings to take place in the county of conviction. It also authorizes alternative execution methods—including electrocution, firing squad, or nitrogen gas—if lethal injection is ruled unconstitutional or unavailable. North Carolina has not carried out an execution since 2006.

Supporters argue the bill strengthens public safety and restores accountability in the justice system. Critics counter that it revives costly and inequitable capital punishment while providing no new funding for mental health services. Governor Stein, a Democrat, has not indicated whether he will sign the measure. If he approves it, the law could face immediate court challenges and reignite debate over the role of capital punishment in North Carolina.

Collins’ Epstein Files Remark Sparks Rift in Georgia GOP Senate Battle

Matt OHern
-
0
Collins’ Epstein Files Remark Sparks Rift in Georgia GOP Senate Battle

Newly surfaced audio reveals Rep. Mike Collins (R-GA) told attendees at a Muscogee County GOP meeting that he believes former President Donald Trump is mentioned in Jeffrey Epstein–related case files — and that those records should be made public.

The recording, obtained and published by the Washington Examiner, captures Collins responding to a voter’s question about whether Trump appears in the files. “I believe he’s in there,” Collins said, while adding that Trump had previously reported Epstein to the FBI and banned him from Mar-a-Lago. “We need to release it. I have no problem releasing it,” he continued, cautioning that legal hurdles involving judges and grand jury material have slowed disclosure.

The comments have injected new tension into Georgia’s Republican Senate primary, where Collins, Rep. Buddy Carter (R-GA), and former University of Tennessee football coach Derek Dooley are all seeking Trump’s endorsement. While Collins has positioned himself as an advocate for transparency on Epstein, Carter has echoed Trump’s stance. In an interview with Savannah’s WJCL last month, Carter said, “I support the president, and I trust the president,” signaling he is in “lockstep” with Trump on the matter. Dooley has largely sidestepped the issue.

The controversy underscores broader GOP divisions over how to handle the files of the convicted sex offender, who died in federal custody in 2019. Trump has faced criticism for failing to follow through on earlier pledges to release the records. Democrats have seized on the dispute. Sen. Jon Ossoff (D-GA), up for re-election in 2026, said in a July speech: “He promised to release the Epstein files. Did anyone really think the sexual predator president, who used to party with Jeffrey Epstein, was going to release the Epstein files?”

Collins has repeatedly pushed for public access to high-profile case documents. Earlier this year, he tweeted calls to release not only the Epstein files but also records related to the 2017 Las Vegas mass shooting and long-sealed Kennedy assassination materials. His campaign has even fundraised off the House Oversight Committee’s subpoenas tied to the Epstein investigation, calling the issue “bigger than Russiagate.”

A Collins campaign spokesman dismissed the uproar in a statement to the Examiner, calling the flap “a massive nothingburger from never-Trump consultants using DNC talking points.” The spokesman insisted Collins’ words were being twisted, adding: “President Trump was right about everything, kicked Epstein to the curb, and did nothing wrong.”

The Wall Street Journal reported in July that Attorney General Pam Bondi told Trump during a routine briefing that his name appeared in Epstein case files — though the mention did not imply misconduct. Still, Collins’ remarks mark a rare acknowledgment from within Trump’s political base that the former president’s name may surface in the controversy.

Alleged Predator of Nancy Mace Arrested on 1st-Degree Domestic Violence Charges

Matt OHern
-
0
Alleged Predator of Nancy Mace Arrested on 1st-Degree Domestic Violence Charges

Eric Bowman, one of four men Congresswoman and gubernatorial candidate Nancy Mace publicly accused earlier this year of being a sexual predator, was arrested today on felony charges of first-degree domestic violence, according to multiple news outlets.

Bowman, 45, a Sullivan’s Island businessman, was arrested Wednesday morning at approximately 6:22 a.m. by Sullivan’s Island police and booked into Charleston County jail. He faces a single count of first-degree domestic violence, a serious felony under South Carolina law. A bond hearing was held shortly after his arrest, and Bowman was denied bond by the court.

The charge stems from a disturbing video recorded in 2016, in which a man, identified by authorities as Bowman, is heard slapping, kicking, choking, dragging, and assaulting a woman inside a dimly lit room. The video was made public recently and circulated widely online. Mace described the footage as “gut-wrenching.” The video was released with the consent of the victim.

In February, Mace delivered a dramatic “scorched earth” speech on the U.S. House floor, naming Bowman and three other men — including her ex-fiancé — and accusing them of crimes ranging from non-consensual recordings to sexual assault. All four men denied the allegations.

Bowman was previously arrested in April on unrelated stalking and harassment charges involving his estranged wife, though a stalking charge was dismissed earlier this month. Mace has also filed a defamation lawsuit against him.

Following today’s arrest, Mace publicly welcomed the development. “Violent criminals belong behind bars. Eric Bowman’s arrest today is an important step toward protecting victims, holding violent criminals accountable and making our community safer,” she said ahead of the bond hearing.

Bowman remains in custody as his case proceeds. The investigation stems from both the resurfaced 2016 video and the broader criminal inquiry involving allegations Mace raised earlier this year.

>

Test

Matt OHern
-
0

DHS Refutes Senator Ossoff’s Claims on ICE Detention Center Conditions

Matt OHern
-
0
DHS Refutes Senator Ossoff’s Claims on ICE Detention Center Conditions

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has publicly refuted a series of allegations made by Senator Jon Ossoff (D‑Ga.) regarding the treatment of children and pregnant women in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facilities. According to DHS, the claims are “false allegations” and lack factual basis. 

Senator Ossoff’s report—titled The Abuse of Pregnant Women & Children in U.S. Immigration Detention—cites 510 credible reports of human rights abuses since January 20, including mistreatment of 18 children, 14 pregnant women, and physical or sexual abuse in 41 cases. 

DHS has formally addressed several key claims from the report:

  • Alleged mistreatment of children, including U.S. citizens: DHS asserts comprehensive medical, dental, and mental health screenings occur within 12 hours of arrival, followed by a full health assessment within 14 days. DHS noted this level of care often represents the most medical attention some children have received.  
  • Obstruction of congressional oversight and site visits: The department stated that neither Senator Ossoff nor his staff were denied access to ICE facilities; tours were granted and no complaints were raised during visits.  
  • Conditions for pregnant detainees: DHS maintains detained pregnant women receive regular prenatal care, mental health services, nutritional support, and community-standard accommodations, and emphatically noted that no pregnant detainee was forced to sleep on the floor.  
  • Food, hygiene, and communication standards: DHS confirmed that all detainees are provided proper meals (certified by dieticians), adequate medical care, and opportunities to contact family and legal counsel. They emphasized that ICE detention standards surpass those in most U.S. prisons holding citizens.  

What to Watch Next

DHS’s rebuttal sets the stage for a broader debate over ICE detention practices and oversight. Senator Ossoff’s report has ignited bipartisan scrutiny over conditions in government custody, particularly for vulnerable populations. Advocates and congressional members may now press the department for more transparency, oversight, and potential reforms.

Nancy Mace Launches Campaign for South Carolina Governor

Matt OHern
-
0
Nancy Mace Launches Campaign for South Carolina Governor

Republican U.S. Congresswoman Nancy Mace formally announced her campaign for governor of South Carolina. Mace launched her campaign on the campus of The Citadel, her alma mater, where she became the first woman to graduate from the Cadets in 1999. In her announcement, Mace stated, “God’s not done with South Carolina and neither am I,” positioning herself as a bold, unapologetic conservative and adopting the branding of “Trump in high heels” to emphasize her alignment with President Donald Trump.

Nancy Mace’s campaign platform focuses on eliminating the state income tax, implementing tough-on-crime policies, expanding school choice, banning the use of preferred pronoun requirements in classrooms, opposing transgender initiatives in schools, and overhauling the judicial system.

A key flashpoint in Nancy Mace’s campaign is her public feud with Attorney General Alan Wilson, a fellow Republican and a candidate in the same GOP primary. Four months ago, Mace delivered a nearly hour-long speech on the U.S. House floor, accusing her former fiancé, Patrick Bryant, and three other men of sexual assault, voyeurism, and misconduct. Mace claimed that Wilson’s office had shown systemic inaction despite her requests for investigations and victim advocacy.

Mace labeled Wilson the state’s “Do-Nothing Attorney General,” asserting he “ignored evidence” and delayed prosecution despite her pleas. Wilson categorically denied her claims, stating he was never informed by Mace or anyone in her office about the allegations before her speech and that no record of such a referral existed in his files. He called her assertions “categorically false” and emphasized that he only learned of the case once the speech was made public.

Meanwhile, the South Carolina State Law Enforcement Division confirmed it has been investigating allegations of assault and harassment involving Mace’s ex-fiancé since December 2023, after being contacted by U.S. Capitol Police. However, local law enforcement indicated that no report was ever filed by Mace herself.

This personal and political confrontation has escalated tensions between the two candidates, raising the prospect of a bitter and highly personal GOP primary contest.

Nancy Mace’s campaign launch at The Citadel Military College of South Carolina carries significant symbolic weight. In 1999, she broke a historic barrier by becoming the first woman to graduate from its Corps of Cadets, at a time when the institution was led by her father, Emory Mace, who served as Commandant of Cadets.

Her experiences at The Citadel, which she later recounted in her memoir, In the Company of Men: A Woman at The Citadel (2001), often serve as a cornerstone of her political narrative: a story of resilience, breaking barriers, and challenging entrenched institutions.

By launching her campaign at The Citadel, Mace aimed to highlight her outsider credentials and independence—not only as a woman who succeeded in a male-dominated institution, but also as a self-styled reformer ready to challenge South Carolina’s political establishment.

Mace enters a crowded GOP primary field that also includes Alan Wilson, Lieutenant Governor Pamela Evette, and Representative Ralph Norman. Early polling from March 2025 shows Mace polling between 16% and 29%, with Wilson often leading or closely trailing. This race remains unsettled, and Trump’s eventual endorsement could significantly influence its direction. With Governor Henry McMaster term-limited, this marks the first open race in 16 years, making the winner of the GOP primary heavily favored in the November 2026 general election.

1234...67Page 3 of 67