Dan is a managing editor at Raw Story based in Colorado, producing and editing breaking political news.
Dan previously worked as a news associate at The Associated Press in Philadelphia, and later as local editor, breaking news editor and eventually manager at Patch, overseeing the company’s breaking news and Long Island/Hudson Valley teams.
Dan has covered major breaking stories such as mass shootings and wildfires in California, and overseen teams that covered George Santos and the Gilgo Beach serial killings.
A native of Colorado and the Philadelphia area, Dan graduated with a degree in journalism from Temple University.
A lively discussion about the Trump administration demanding oversight of courses at Columbia University culminated in two audible gasps from a culture critic aghast at a Republican co-panelist's remarks.
Abby Philip, host of CNN's "NewsNight" kicked off the discussion, sharing a letter from the administration threatening to revoke Columbia's federal funding unless they "overhaul the department that oversees the Middle East, South Asian, and African Studies."
"What Trump is doing when it comes to Columbia's curriculum is also something we have never seen," she said, sparking discussion.
"Yeah. This is what you do in a dictatorship, that you tell them what you can teach the people. This is frightening and disgusting. If this went through, it would completely ruin one of the great institutions in America because who would want to go here after he destroys —" began culture critic Touré, before pointing out the curious lineup of regions targeted by the president.
"How interesting that he is targeting those departments. Again, another attack on people of color. It's just constant with these people. It's all about white supremacy," he said.
Bryan Lanza, a former senior adviser to the Trump campaign, defended the MAGA leader and pleaded with the panel to remember what happened at Columbia and other universities last year, when they were rocked by protests.
"The violence. The disrespect. People paid hard-earned money to go to these universities and thugs shut it down," said Lanza.
The Trump administration, he said, has taken the stance that it's a privilege to be in the United States. Those in the country on a visa have to behave a "certain way" — and can't be disruptive at universities.
"I said you can't be disruptive in universities," Lanza began, before the panel piled on.
"It's a protest," Touré shot back. "You're talking about protests."
As the panel tried to talk over each other, Touré continued: "You're not talking about the shutting down of teaching. What does that have to do with teaching at universities?"
"They shut down schools! The protesters shut down universities," Lanza replied.
When Phillip pressed Lanza on why the Trump administration is trying to tell schools what they can teach, Lanza's response drew gasps from Touré.
"Because clearly the Trump administration's Department of Education sees that's what is being taught in universities is corrosive to the American Culture," said Lanza.
After Touré audibly gasps, he shot back, "Oh my God! I can't believe you would say that with a straight face! Are you kidding?"
When Phillip asked for proof, Lanza pointed to videos of the protests.
Touré again expressed astonishment.
"Wow!" he exclaimed, as Lanza insisted the "vast majority of America" would agree with him on the point.
