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Category: Politics
March 19, 2025
Politics

RINO Senator Vows to Fight Trump’s DOGE Because Firing Bureaucrats Is ‘Traumatizing.’

Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), a vocal critic of President Donald J. Trump and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) within the Republican Party, addressed a potential primary challenge funded by DOGE frontman Elon Musk during a press conference in Juneau, Alaska, on Tuesday. Murkowski, known for her Republican-in-name-only (RINO) stances that often frustrate her Senate Republican colleagues, struck a defiant tone regarding a potential primary threat.

“It may be that Elon Musk has decided he’s going to take the next billion dollars that he makes off of Starlink and put it directly against Lisa Murkowski,” the Alaska Republican said, referring to herself in the third person. Murkowski continued: “And you know what? That may happen. But I’m not giving up one minute, one opportunity, to try to stand up for Alaskans.”

Murkowski also commented on what she perceives as her GOP colleagues’ reticence to voice opposition to President Trump and his White House, attributing this silence to fears of facing primary challenges. “They’re looking at how many things are being thrown at me, and it’s like, ‘Maybe I just better duck and cover,'” she remarked.

Regarding DOGE, Murkowski reiterated her disapproval of recent cost-cutting measures, citing them as a source of undue “anxiety.” She criticized the supposedly indiscriminate and, in her view, sometimes unlawful termination of federal employees in Alaska, claiming they are “traumatizing people” and “leaving holes in our communities.”

Notably, Murkowski has faced little political opposition in Alaska since her write-in defeat of Republican Joe Miller in 2010. Alaska’s ranked-choice voting system—which Murkowski pushed to implement—gives her an additional edge in the state, allowing her to draw support from political moderates and Democrats.

Nonetheless, she acknowledged the potential influence of Musk’s capital, with his super PAC—America PAC—declaring its intent to actively participate in future primaries aimed at unseating Republicans who are insufficiently aligned with Trump’s Make America Great Again (MAGA) agenda.

WATCH:

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Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), a vocal critic of President Donald J. Trump and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) within the Republican Party, addressed a potential primary challenge funded by DOGE frontman Elon Musk during a press conference in Juneau, Alaska, on Tuesday. Murkowski, known for her Republican-in-name-only (RINO) stances that often frustrate her Senate Republican colleagues, struck a defiant tone regarding a potential primary threat. show more
March 19, 2025
Politics

U.S. Institute of Peace Sues DOGE, Trump After Leadership Removed by Police.

The U.S. Institute of Peace—established by Congress in 1984—is petitioning a federal judge to halt actions initiated by President Donald J. Trump‘s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which they describe as an illegal attempt to seize control of the institute. The lawsuit, filed Tuesday in the Federal District Court for the District of Columbia, alleges a “takeover by force” and aims to prevent what the institute characterizes as a “lawless assault.”

The conflict escalated on Monday when police assisted in removing institute staff from their Washington headquarters. This followed actions by the White House to reorganize the institute’s leadership, including naming a new acting president.

Last month, President Trump enacted an executive order mandating the institute downsize its activities to a “statutory minimum.” However, institute officials argue that the Trump White House lacks the authority to dismantle its operations, arguing that the institute is a congressionally chartered NGO and not technically part of the executive branch.

Central to the institute’s legal argument is the claim that the executive order wrongly identifies it as a “government entity.” The suit accuses the Elon Musk-led DOGE staff of trying to seize control of the institute’s infrastructure, including sensitive computer systems.

The Justice Department (DOJ) countered these assertions by maintaining that the institute is indeed a government entity and that the President is empowered to replace board members.

Image by USIP.

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The U.S. Institute of Peace—established by Congress in 1984—is petitioning a federal judge to halt actions initiated by President Donald J. Trump's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which they describe as an illegal attempt to seize control of the institute. The lawsuit, filed Tuesday in the Federal District Court for the District of Columbia, alleges a "takeover by force" and aims to prevent what the institute characterizes as a "lawless assault." show more
March 18, 2025
Wake Up Right
Politics

First Shots of the Democrat Civil War.

The Democrat party is on the verge of mutiny after a group of left-wing Senators voted with Republicans to pass a Trump-endorsed spending bill over the weekend. The divide comes as the party is still struggling to regroup after its 2024 election loss.

Back up: On Saturday, ten Democrats, led by Chuck Schumer, gave Republicans the necessary votes in the Senate to pass a six-month spending package and avoid a government shutdown — despite weeks of slamming the bill.

Democrat Civil War: Writing about Democrats for the last four years under Joe Biden, one thing I always gave them credit for was showing a united front—at least publicly. That is no longer the case:

  • AOC: Rep. Alexandria Ocasio Cortez said there is a “deep sense of outrage and betrayal” and called the move “a huge slap in the face.”
  • Hakeem Jeffries: Schumer’s counterpart in the House threw shade at him in a statement saying “House Democrats will not be complicit” and repeatedly told reporters, “Next question” when asked about ousting the Senate Minority Leader.
  • Nancy Pelosi: The former Speaker said, “Democrat senators should listen to the women [female lawmakers opposing the bill]… this legislation only makes matters worse.”
  • Radio host ‘Charlamagne tha God’—who is a popular political voice on the left—said: “The Chuck Schumers of the world, the Hakeem Jeffries, they should all step down.”

AOC primary challenge: The backlash has led to whispers of having Rep. AOC run as a primary challenger against Schumer when his term ends in 2029.

  • When Rep. Jasmine Crocket—another young progressive Democrat—was asked by CNN about the prospect, she did not directly answer but remarked: “I definitely think that younger, fresher leadership may be something that many of us… may be looking for it, especially in the state of New York.”

What voters think: Two new polls illuminated how far the Democrat party has fallen in the eyes of American voters:

  • NBC News: 27% have a ‘positive’ view of Democrats—lowest in NBC history
  • CNN: 29% have a ‘favorable’ view of Democrats—lowest in CNN history

Democrat voters don’t see a clear leader: When Democrat voters were asked which leader “best reflects” the party’s “core values,” not a single name received more than 10% support.

  • Rep. AOC: 10%
  • Kamala Harris: 9%
  • Hakeem Jeffries: 6%
  • Barack Obama: 4%
  • Jasmine Crockett: 4%

Real talk from G: As I’ve said many times before, the Democrat Party is still punch-drunk from their loss in 2024. They have no strategy, no leaders, and no core values. Normally, I’d be inclined to say that a party civil war could be good for them—but in this case, it’s radical progressives who want guys in girls’ locker rooms versus legacy swamp rats who only care about their own power and money. A strong MAGA movement can take on whichever side emerges victorious.

Be sure to subscribe to the Wake Up Right newsletter! 

Image by Victoria Pickering.

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The Democrat party is on the verge of mutiny after a group of left-wing Senators voted with Republicans to pass a Trump-endorsed spending bill over the weekend. The divide comes as the party is still struggling to regroup after its 2024 election loss. show more
March 18, 2025
News
Politics
World

Another Populist Presidential Candidate Skeptical of EU and NATO Banned from Running.

Yet another populist presidential candidate has been banned from running in upcoming presidential elections in the European Union (EU). Romania’s Central Election Bureau has barred Diana Sosoaca, a Member of the European Parliament (MEP) and leader of the S.O.S. Romania Party, from the race.

The commission cited her opposition to Romania’s memberships in both the European Union and NATO as the basis for this decision, noting the country’s constitution mandates these affiliations.

Sosoaca had recently filed her candidacy while rallying supporters. This marks her second disqualification from a major election following a similar ban last November. She responded on social media, claiming the decision proves that Romania is a democracy in name only, and announced plans to appeal.

This decision comes shortly after the exclusion of another right-populist candidate, Calin Georgescu, who was barred for similar reasons. Georgescu won the first round of the presidential elections before the race was annulled and reset by the courts, supposedly because Russia had been funding TikTok videos supporting his candidacy.

Georgescu was once again leading the polls, but allegations of disseminating false information and incitement against constitutional order saw him barred from participating in the do-over.

Image via NATO. 

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Yet another populist presidential candidate has been banned from running in upcoming presidential elections in the European Union (EU). Romania's Central Election Bureau has barred Diana Sosoaca, a Member of the European Parliament (MEP) and leader of the S.O.S. Romania Party, from the race. show more
March 17, 2025
News
Politics
UK

Farage’s Reform Party Boosted by DOZENS of New Defections.

Brexit leader Nigel Farage has announced that 29 councilors have defected to his Reform Party ahead of the British local elections. These councilors have come from a range of parties, including the formerly governing Conservatives, the ruling Labour Party, the Liberal Democrats, and several independent groups. Farage revealed these changes during a press conference as Reform prepares for the council elections in May.

Zia Yusuf, the party chairman, confirmed that Reform plans to field candidates in all 1,641 seats set to be contested on May 1. Farage reflected on party challenges in recent weeks, indicating they had experienced “a little bit of turbulence.” One of the party’s five Members of Parliament (MPs), Rupert Lowe, had been suspended after being accused of bullying and threats of violence, which Lowe denied, instead claiming he was targeted for challenging Farage.

Farage emphasized the importance of thoroughly investigating the complaints, stating the party awaits a report from an independent King’s Counsel (KC) lawyer to ascertain the truth.

Despite these internal issues, the defections coupled with strong poll results suggest Reform’s momentum has not been significantly slowed. Polling data also indicates a majority of British electoral districts would prefer Farage as Prime Minister over Labour incumbent Sir Keir Starmer.

Image by Gage Skidmore.

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Brexit leader Nigel Farage has announced that 29 councilors have defected to his Reform Party ahead of the British local elections. These councilors have come from a range of parties, including the formerly governing Conservatives, the ruling Labour Party, the Liberal Democrats, and several independent groups. Farage revealed these changes during a press conference as Reform prepares for the council elections in May. show more
Image by IncMonocle
March 14, 2025
News
Politics
UK

Farage’s Reform Party Poised for Big By-Election Victory Over Ruling Labour.

Recent polling data suggests that Nigel Farage‘s Reform Party appears poised for a major breakthrough in a parliamentary by-election (special election) in the United Kingdom. The latest poll conducted by Lord Ashcroft indicates the populist party could secure 40 percent of the vote in the Runcorn and Helsby constituency, ahead of the ruling Labour Party’s projected 35 percent.

The by-election follows the resignation of Labour’s Mike Amesbury after he was convicted of physically assaulting a constituent. Amesbury admitted to punching the constituent but received only a suspended prison sentence.

Reform’s potential parliamentary breakthrough comes despite drama over an existing Member of Parliament, Rupert Lowe, being suspended from the party. Lowe faces bullying accusations but blames quarrels over leadership dynamics with Farage for the fallout. Lowe is also alleged to have threatened the party’s chairman, Zia Yusuf—although he denies this.

Reform has seen massive gains in polling since the July 2024 snap election, in which the party—for the first time—won a handful of parliamentary seats and placed third nationally by share of the popular vote. In recent months, they have consistently polled ahead of the Conservative Party, which governed Britain for 14 years prior to the current Labour government. They have occasionally polled ahead of Labour, too, and are well within striking distance of the leftist party.

Image by IncMonocle.

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Recent polling data suggests that Nigel Farage's Reform Party appears poised for a major breakthrough in a parliamentary by-election (special election) in the United Kingdom. The latest poll conducted by Lord Ashcroft indicates the populist party could secure 40 percent of the vote in the Runcorn and Helsby constituency, ahead of the ruling Labour Party's projected 35 percent. show more
March 14, 2025
William Upton
Politics

These 16 Democrats Just Voted AGAINST Cracking Down on Fentanyl.

The United States Senate has overwhelmingly passed the HALT Fentanyl Act (S.331), which permanently designates fentanyl-related substances as Schedule I drugs in the Controlled Substances Act. While a total of 84 Senators backed the legislation, sponsored by Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA), 16 Democrats inexplicably voted against the measure. The reason for their opposition is either blind partisanship or an embrace of soft-on-crime policies.

The Democrats opposing the final passage of the HALT Fentanyl Act include: Angela Alsobrook (D-MD), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), Corey Booker (D-NJ), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Ed Markey (D-MA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Bernie Sanders (D-VT), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Peter Welch (D-VT), and Ron Wyden (D-OR).

Sen. Cassidy’s legislation—now on its way to the House of Representatives, where it is expected to also pass with bipartisan support—upgrades punishments for so-called “fentanyl-related substances” and aligns them with the penalties applied to fentanyl analogues. Notably, penalties for offenses involving 100 grams or more of fentanyl analogues carry a minimum sentence of 10 years in prison. The federal mandatory minimum sentence is likely the reason why most of the 16 Democrats opposed the bill—though the influence of Chinese agents cannot be discounted.

Chinese chemical and pharmaceutical companies illicitly export hundreds of kilograms of fentanyl precursor chemicals to the United States every month. In February, several executives with the Wuhan, China-based Hubei Aoks Bio-Tech Co. Ltd were indicted by U.S. federal prosecutors for illegally importing fentanyl precursors into the United States. In October of last year, eight Chinese companies and their employees were indicted for similar crimes in Florida.

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The United States Senate has overwhelmingly passed the HALT Fentanyl Act (S.331), which permanently designates fentanyl-related substances as Schedule I drugs in the Controlled Substances Act. While a total of 84 Senators backed the legislation, sponsored by Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA), 16 Democrats inexplicably voted against the measure. The reason for their opposition is either blind partisanship or an embrace of soft-on-crime policies. show more
March 13, 2025
William Upton
Media
Politics

Michelle Obama Podcast Only Draws a Few Thousand Subscribers Despite Media Blitz.

Former First Lady Michelle Obama launched a new podcast with her brother, IMO with Michelle Obama and Craig Robinson—but you can’t be blamed if you didn’t know. Despite an intense marketing campaign, the digital offering garnered only around 12,000 subscribers in its first 14 hours on YouTube earlier on Thursday. Even several hours later, that number still stood at just over 20,000.

While Apple Podcasts and Spotify do not publish real-time subscriber numbers, on neither site does IMO boast more than a few thousand reviews, with around 8,000 on Apple and just under 5,000 on Spotify. The podcast has received disproportional media attention and paid promotion, which typically translates to fairly quick success. However, that isn’t the case with the Michelle Obama offering.

Dramatic media headlines speculating about a possible divorce, based on a rather mundane complaint the former First Lady makes regarding her husband Barack Obama, do not even seem to be enough to generate listener interest.

Discussing their marriage, Mrs. Obama told her brother, “Barack, you know, he had to adjust to what ‘on time’ was for me.” She continued, revealing that former President Obama would wait until the last minute to use the bathroom or find his glasses when the family was about to leave.

“I was like, ‘Dude, a 3 o’clock departure means you’ve done all that,’ you know, it’s like, don’t start looking for your glasses at the 3 o’clock departure,” Mrs. Obama recalled, though she conceded her husband has gotten more timely: “He’s improved over 30 years of marriage, but that was a ‘you must adjust.'”

While the former First Lady’s absence from Jimmy Carter‘s funeral and President Donald J. Trump‘s inauguration—both attended by former President Obama—has fueled separation rumors, this remains speculation.

Image by Gage Skidmore.

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Former First Lady Michelle Obama launched a new podcast with her brother, IMO with Michelle Obama and Craig Robinson—but you can't be blamed if you didn't know. Despite an intense marketing campaign, the digital offering garnered only around 12,000 subscribers in its first 14 hours on YouTube earlier on Thursday. Even several hours later, that number still stood at just over 20,000. show more
March 13, 2025
Jack Montgomery
Health
Politics

Trump’s Pick for CDC Director Says Big Pharma ‘Probably Behind’ Nomination Withdrawal.

Dr. Dave Weldon, pulled from a planned Senate hearing on his nomination to head the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) at the eleventh hour on Thursday, believes Big Pharma was “probably” responsible for sinking his prospects. He cites Senator Susan Collins (R-ME)—who has been resistant to several of President Donald J. Trump’s nominees—and Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA) as the Republicans most likely to have stabbed President Trump in the back by siding with the Democrats against him.

In an official statement on the withdrawal, Weldon wrote, “The concern of many people is that big Pharma was behind this which is probably true.” He explained: “They are hands-down, the most powerful lobby organization in Washington DC giving millions of dollars to politicians on both sides of the aisle. They also purchased millions of dollars of advertising in newspapers, magazines, and on television. For any news or organization to take on big Pharma could be suicide.”

“I have learned the hard way don’t mess with Pharma,” he added, revealing he had been “told that Big Pharma had desperately tried to get rid of Bobby Kennedy but were unable due to the strong support of President Trump… So, if they had to live with Bobby for 4 years they were definitely not going to have both him and me and put serious pressure on Collins and Cassidy.”

A qualified medical doctor as well as a former Congressman, Weldon believes his “big sin” was having had “the temerity to take on the CDC and big Pharma on two critical childhood vaccine safety issues” decades ago—although he denies any ideological opposition to vaccines as such, having administered many to his patients.

The pharmaceutical and medical establishment insist there is no link between vaccines and conditions such as autism. However, aluminum, used as an adjuvant in most vaccines to strengthen their potency, is a known neurotoxin—and no real safety studies have ever been conducted to rule out any cumulative negative effects.

Weldon said Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was “very upset” at his nomination being scuttled, believing he was “the perfect person” to lead the CDC. However, Weldon bore no ill will towards the administration, noting, “The president is a busy man doing good work for our nation and the last thing he needs is a controversy about CDC.”

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Dr. Dave Weldon, pulled from a planned Senate hearing on his nomination to head the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) at the eleventh hour on Thursday, believes Big Pharma was "probably" responsible for sinking his prospects. He cites Senator Susan Collins (R-ME)—who has been resistant to several of President Donald J. Trump's nominees—and Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA) as the Republicans most likely to have stabbed President Trump in the back by siding with the Democrats against him. show more
March 13, 2025
Jack Montgomery
Health
Politics

Trump Admin Pulls Dave Weldon’s CDC Nomination Moments Before Senate Hearing.

In a surprising move on Thursday, the White House abruptly withdrew Dr. Dave Weldon’s nomination to lead the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Weldon, a former Republican congressman from Florida, was set to testify before the Senate Health Committee for his confirmation. However, Weldon reportedly received notification of the withdrawal just before his scheduled appearance.

The nomination, announced last November, faced opposition primarily due to Weldon’s views on vaccines and autism. These views had aligned Weldon with Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. A medical doctor, Weldon has insisted, “I give shots, I believe in vaccination”—but he also believes the CDC has attempted to “short-circuit important research and draw premature conclusions” to dismiss any connection between vaccines and the development of autism in children.

“Until we get a free and open dialogue within the scientific community, I don’t think, for one, I will ever be satisfied that there isn’t some data suggesting that some children may have serious side effects from some of these vaccines that is really going undetected, unnoticed, and they may actually cause autism,” he said in 2002.

According to White House officials speaking to the New York Times, the decision to pull Weldon’s nomination was made after it became clear he lacked the necessary Senate votes for confirmation.

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In a surprising move on Thursday, the White House abruptly withdrew Dr. Dave Weldon's nomination to lead the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Weldon, a former Republican congressman from Florida, was set to testify before the Senate Health Committee for his confirmation. However, Weldon reportedly received notification of the withdrawal just before his scheduled appearance. show more