All posts tagged "senate"

MAGA lobbyist busted for sneaking drugs and pistol magazine into the Senate: report

An employee for a right-wing think tank and MAGA lobbyist was caught trying to sneak drugs and pistol ammo into Senate offices, per NOTUS.

Heritage Foundation employee Matthew Christopher Wingate faces a drug-possession charge after security at the Russell Senate Office Building found a substance that tested presumptive positive as cocaine and fentanyl in his briefcase, according to an arrest affidavit.

According to reporting by NOTUS, Wingate previously worked as a military legislative assistant for Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) and a national security adviser for Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA). With the Heritage Foundation, he was the government-relations director for defense and foreign policy.

Wingate was arrested on July 14 by Capitol Police. According to the arrest affidavit, he came through the door of the Senate building and placed his drug-loaded briefcase on the X-ray belt for routine screening. However, it was a screening for a pistol magazine that led to Wingate getting busted.

Security officers noticed "what appeared to be a pistol magazine in a brown briefcase on the screen," which led to questioning and a secondary screening. One officer asked him, "Do you have a magazine in your bag?"

"There shouldn't be," Wingate responded. During the secondary screening, officers found the pistol magazine, which was loaded "with 10 rounds of 9mm ammunition," per the affidavit. The affidavit didn't mention a pistol being found. Wingate claimed to be a "D.C. permit holder" during questioning by officers.

After Wingate was detained, Capitol Police "discovered a plastic sandwich bag" that had "four capsules and three blue pressed tablets," per the affidavit.

"The blue pills appeared to be hand pressed and were imprinted with the letter 'A' on one side and the numbers '7' '6' on the other side," the affidavit read. "The tablet was presumptive positive for Cocaine and Fentanyl" after testing.

Wingate claimed to have forgotten the magazine, though he was found to be a licensed permit holder. Meanwhile, he claimed the "drugs were prescribed."

CNN's Kasie Hunt throws Scott Jennings' prediction about his old boss back in his face

CNN conservative pundit Scott Jennings was teased on-air Thursday for suggesting that Sen. Mitch McConnell would likely release a new statement sometime by Monday.

During a segment with CNN anchor Kasie Hunt, Jennings was asked if he had heard anything new from McConnell. Jennings claimed earlier this month that he had a 17-minute phone call with McConnell, whom he has known since he was a teenager and previously worked for. The MAGA commentator has faced growing criticism over his comments, including a network statement that the company would not vouch for Jennings' comments — and that they don't represent the organization's reporting.

Both Democratic and Republican lawmakers have expressed concern about McConnell's absence since he went missing from Congress 39 days ago for undisclosed medical treatment. Two weeks ago, his team released an image of him with his wife Elaine Chao, but that hasn't quelled the skepticism and questions surrounding his unknown condition.

"I know he continues to do his rehab activities," Jennings said. "I know he's still following doctor's orders, and my assumption is sometime between now and Monday, they'll probably issue another update on how he's coming along. I don't know if they've made any decisions about whether he's going to be cleared to come back to work or not, but I would be surprised if we don't hear from them again by the weekend or by Monday."

Jennings argued that he thinks McConnell should "routinely" update his constituents on his health and "keep people apprised of the issues that he's looking in on, of the work that he's doing with his staff, and just be transparent about the things that he can do, even while he's convalescing and recovering."

"Truthfully, I think a little transparency on the front end here would have saved him a whole lot of grief," Jennings added. "But that didn't happen. And they are where they are now. But I think regular updates on things are good to do, and that'd be my advice."

Hunt commented, "I think last time that you and I spoke about this very topic, you said the exact same thing. You were like, 'Ask me on Monday.'"

Jennings joked that "the oracle of Kentucky" was right.

Fellow CNN panelist and commentator Xochitl Hinojosa had a direct question for Jennings: "At what point do you think that maybe he should resign from his seat?"

Jennings seemed surprised by the question.

"Give up his seat because he is not able to do the job of a U.S. senator," Hinojosa said.

"Well, he's not voting, Scott," Hunt added.

"And he's getting paid," Hinojosa said.

Republicans sweating as GOP lawmaker unleashes ultimatum for Mitch McConnell

A Republican lawmaker warned on Tuesday that Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) — who has been missing from Congress for six weeks amid a "secretive health crisis" — could jeopardize the narrow GOP majority in the Senate and issued an ultimatum, The Daily Beast reported.

Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) made it clear to McConnell that the GOP will need his votes in the Senate, and what he recommended the longtime Republican lawmaker should do next.

"Somebody needs to do something. Somebody needs to come out and put a little video out," Tuberville told journalist Nicholas Ballasy. "We didn’t get any information today in our luncheon. I don’t know why, what’s going on, but that’s not my business; that’s the leadership’s business, and we wish him well."

"Hopefully he gets over whatever happened. He’s had a tough couple of years, you know, from falling, hitting these hard floors and all that," Tuberville said.

He suggested McConnell return to Congress soon, before the Senate goes into recess on Aug. 8 and returns on Sept. 14.

"He’s gonna need to come back probably before this three-week session’s over with, because then we’re off for like five weeks," Tuberville added.

"We’re gonna need him because the Democrats’ not gonna give us any votes," Tuberville said.

Rumors have swirled over McConnell's health for weeks. The Republican leader's office released a statement and photo on July 12, raising further questions about his condition and recovery.

"It’s been two weeks since anyone has said they spoke to the aging senator," The Beast reported.

The week of July 6, Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-ND), whip John Barrasso and CNN conservative commentator Scott Jennings all said that they spoke with McConnell on the phone.

'Demented' MAGA senator panics colleague who fears he'll 'tee up a coup d’etat'

A top Democrat sounded the alarm on the actions of a MAGA senator and feared he'll "tee up a coup d'etat."

During an interview on Bulwark Takes, Rep. Jim Himes (D-CT) shared his thoughts on remarks made earlier this week by Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-AL), in which he questioned the legitimacy of several Democratic senators.

"If you want to rot your brain really quickly, you'll read Tommy Tuberville quotes," Himes said, telling host Sam Stein that he hadn't heard the comments. Stein explained that Tuberville's comments came as reports circulated that Trump would declare Georgia's two Democratic U.S. senators, Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock, illegitimate amid his push to find voter fraud in the state.

"Is this the next level?" Stein asked Himes, the ranking member of the House Intelligence Committee. "Where people who are already seated are going to have their validity in Congress challenged?"

"What worries me most about that is not that Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock are being kicked out of the Senate. That's not going to happen," Himes responded. "I'm not even sure there's a legal mechanism for that to happen."

Tuberville's allegations were made with "zero evidence," Himes noted, and explained they still pose a threat.

"What is devastating is that a United States senator, and maybe more than one United States senator, would effectively tee up a coup d'etat," Himes said.

Himes explained that when one or multiple senators question the legitimacy, as Tuberville did, they're challenging a "process that nobody questioned" and that courts upheld.

"What you have is somebody who is demented," Himes said. "They are either wittingly or unwittingly participating in a coup d'etat."

Tuberville is not just doing the work of Trump with his comments, but he's also accomplishing "Russia's objective," Himes warned.

"Russia's objective here is, yes, to elect Donald Trump because Donald Trump loves him some Vladimir Putin, but Russia's core objective here is to create chaos," Himes warned.

Conservative pundit blasts Mitch McConnell over opaque condition: 'You owe us the truth'

A conservative pundit called on Mitch McConnell to come forward with the truth about his condition in a scathing commentary.

Lindsey Granger, a NewsNation contributor and co-host of The Hill's commentary show Rising, said in an on-air commentary that the 84-year-old McConnell owes the public answers about why he's been hospitalized since June 14 and an update on his current condition.

"Here's a statement that should not be partisan," Granger said. "If we pay your salary, you owe us the truth about why you've vanished."

McConnell hasn't cast a vote in the Senate since June 11, Granger noted, and the public has no knowledge of what his diagnosis might be or when he'll come back, she added.

"Nothing beyond 'excellent care.' That's it," Granger said, referring to a statement about McConnell's condition that came out last month. "That's what the longest-serving Senate leader in American history gave the people who employ him."

However, she said that the "vacuum" of information has "filled itself" with dispatcher audio suggesting CPR was performed at his home last month, and "a parade of senators calling to say he 'sounded great.'"

She also noted how right-wingers like Marjorie Taylor Greene, Steve Bannon, and Glenn Beck have called for more information, with MTG "mocking" CNN conservative pundit Scott Jennings' description of a conversation with McConnell and Beck demanding, "We need the truth."

"This isn't really about whether McConnell is fine," Granger said. "It's about the era of officials deciding, on their own, how much the public deserves to know."

Fetterman sparks firestorm over Fox News interview claims: 'Look in the mirror'

The internet was livid Monday after Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) slammed Democrats for boosting Maine Senate candidate and Democrat Graham Platner — taking swipes at his own party and prominent leaders.

Fetterman appeared on Fox News in an interview with anchor Laura Ingraham, as calls were mounting for the candidate to step down from the competitive Senate race after he was accused of sexual assault.

"I would really call Bernie Sanders to apologize for pushing this kind of predator more than anyone he helped him elect," Fetterman said. "Maybe he should stop pushing these communists."

Social media users called Fetterman out for his comments.

"Says the guy also pushed on us by Bernie," Rachel Murphy Azzara, founder and executive director of Democrats Work for America, wrote on X.

"This guy is more of a FOX maga anchor than a congressman," liberal political commentator Rodger Williams wrote on X.

"Has Laura Ingraham or Fetterman for that matter ever pushed for Trump to resign?" Political writer Zaid Jilani wrote on X.

"Democrat who trashes Democrats and appears on Fox every chance he gets wants everyone else to look in the mirror," political commentator Hemant Mehta wrote on X.

"Have long disliked Platner, but Fetterman owes his Senate seat in large part to Bernie. And millions of Democrats are jusifiability [SIC] angry at Sanders pushing fake progressive Fetterman. 'While serving as Pennsylvania's Lieutenant Governor, he was a vocal progressive Democrat who aligned with the Bernie Sanders wing of the party," frequent progressive commentator Janice Hough wrote on X.

Says the guy also pushed on us by Bernie
— Rachel Murphy Azzara (@RachelAzzara) July 6, 2026

Todd Blanche's Senate confirmation fight may expose Epstein coverup: expert

President Donald Trump's pick for attorney general, his former personal lawyer Todd Blanche, and his upcoming Senate confirmation hearing could reveal more about his efforts to conceal the Epstein files and backfire on his nomination, a former White House insider explained on Monday.

Bill Kristol, the editor at large for The Bulwark and a former chief of staff to Vice President Dan Quayle, described how senators who will vote to confirm Blanche as the nation's next top law enforcement official will ultimately have to face off over Jeffrey Epstein and Blanche's role in the cover-up.

"There are many, many Republican lawyers in America," Kristol wrote. "Many, sadly, are also pro-Trump. But it is Todd Blanche who has been selected by the president to be attorney general of the United States. He has this distinction: He is the prime orchestrator and key executor of the Trump administration’s Jeffrey Epstein coverup."

Former Attorney General Pam Bondi testified to the House Oversight Committee on May 29, saying Blanche “supervised [the] entire process” of overseeing the Epstein files.

"He was leading the Epstein matter and the release of everything from the beginning," Bondi said in her testimony.

Questions have surrounded Blanche and his visit to Epstein co-conspirator and former partner to the late financier, Ghislaine Maxwell. Maxwell has been pushing for clemency as a condition of her testimony to Congress.

"Blanche has also been the most visible public defender of the coverup, and of the decision not to investigate or prosecute anyone else for crimes," Kristol wrote.

After the files were released, no follow-up investigations have been underway.

"But thanks to Trump’s nomination of Blanche, there is a chance to force a real public debate, with real Senate votes, on the Epstein coverup," Kristol explains.

"That is not what Blanche wants. In early April, shortly after becoming acting attorney general, Blanche told Fox News, 'And so I think that to the extent that the Epstein files was a part of the past year of this Justice Department, it should not be a part of anything going forward,'" Kristol wrote.

And that doesn't mean senators will not question him about it.

"But the Epstein coverup should be part, a key part, of one thing going forward: It should be a key part of the upcoming debate on Blanche’s confirmation as attorney general," Kristol wrote. "The Blanche confirmation fight can bring the Epstein coverup back into the spotlight this summer. His nomination can be turned into a referendum on the coverup by the Trump administration, and by the entire political class, of Epstein and his co-conspirators and clients."

"The vote on Blanche can become, it should become, a vote on Epstein," Kristol further added.

Steve Bannon makes a staggering prediction about the midterms

With a few months left before the November midterms, a former Trump White House insider predicted Republicans will lose the Senate.

Steve Bannon, Trump's former chief White House strategist, in the latest episode of his podcast, "War Room," said, "You're going to lose the Senate in the fall anyway," speaking to Republicans.

Bannon blasted Republicans for losing sight of working-class voters, who are feeling "crushed," he said.

"That's the backbone of the nation," Bannon said. "When we lose sight of that, you lose it all."

He told big GOP donors, "You might as well take your money out in big barrels and take it in the front yard like leaves and just burn it," Bannon said. "Just like you did in Texas," referring to money wasted on campaigning for Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX).

"The Senate is lost," Bannon continued, saying GOP candidates are behind in the polls in Maine, North Carolina, and Ohio. "Last time I looked, I think they're kind of MAGA country. You're down there. Why? People are not going to go door to door and engage."

One-on-one canvassing and engagement is what wins modern voters, Bannon insisted, and the GOP, specifically Trump-backed candidates, lack "volunteers who believe in something."

Senate GOP shoots down effort to kill Trump slush fund — despite 3 Republicans flipping

Senate Republicans defeated the first attempt by Democrats to permanently block Trump's $1.8 billion anti-weaponization fund, the New York Times reported.

Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY), the Senate minority leader, motioned to prohibit the fund by adding an amendment to an immigration bill, according to the NYT.

The motion failed 50 to 49, with three Republicans joining the Democrats, including senators running to keep their seats in November, such as Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME), Jon Husted (R-OH), and Dan Sullivan (R-AK), per the NYT.

Todd Blanche's old podcast appearance may haunt him at confirmation hearing: report

President Donald Trump's former personal attorney and now pick for attorney general, Todd Blanche, might be confronted with tough questions from the Senate over his "cozy relationship" with the lawyer for convicted sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell, according to a report on Thursday.

David Oscar Markus has represented Maxwell and suggested she could be pardoned by Trump. She has agreed to testify before the House Oversight Committee, but only under the condition of clemency.

And with Trump's decision to reward Blanche with the nomination for the nation's top legal job, survivors of Jeffrey Epstein and his co-conspirator, Maxwell, have questioned the president's move, wrote Farrah Tomazin, The Daily Beast's political correspondent covering the White House and Congress, in a post for The Swamp, The Daily Beast's Substack.

"Senators involved in the confirmation process might also want to check out Blanche’s cozy relationship with Ghislaine Maxwell’s defense attorney David Oscar Markus," Tomazin wrote.

"Indeed, back in 2024, Markus appeared on a podcast with Blanche, who warmly described him as a 'friend,' someone he 'knows pretty well,' and 'the best out there,'" Tomazin added. "When the lawyer for one of the country’s most notorious sex offenders is publicly embraced by the Justice Department’s first-in-command—and that same sex offender is now seeking a pardon —you can see why victims are concerned."