The Department of Veterans Affairs is planning a reorganization that includes cutting over 80,000 jobs from the sprawling agency that provides health care for retired military members, according to an internal memo obtained Wednesday by The Associated Press. The VA’s chief of staff, Christopher Syrek, told top-level officials at the agency Tuesday that it had an objective to cut enough employees to return to 2019 staffing levels of just under 400,000. That would require terminating tens of thousands of employees after the VA expanded during the Biden administration, as well as to cover veterans impacted by burn pits under the 2022 PACT Act. The memo instructs top-level staff to prepare for an agency-wide reorganization in August to “resize and tailor the workforce to the mission and revised structure.” It also calls for agency officials to work with the White House’s Department of Government Efficiency to “move out aggressively, while taking a pragmatic and disciplined approach” to the Trump administration’s goals. Government Executive first reported on the internal memo. Veterans have already been speaking out against the cuts at the VA that so far had included a few thousand employees and hundreds of contracts. More than 25% of the VA’s workforce is comprised of veterans. The plans underway at the VA showed how the Trump administration’s DOGE initiative, led by billionaire Elon Musk, is not holding back on an all-out effort to slash federal agencies, even for those that have traditionally enjoyed bipartisan support. Michael Missal, who was the VA’s inspector general for nine years until he was fired last month as part of Trump’s sweeping dismissal of independent oversight officials at government agencies, told the AP that the VA is already suffering from a lack of “expertise” as top-level officials either leave or are shuffled around under the president’s plans. “What’s going to happen is VA’s not going to perform as well for veterans, and veterans are going to get harmed,” said Missal, who was a guest of Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn. at Trump’s Tuesday address to Congress. Rather than leaning on the missions of inspectors general, whose job is to search out waste and fraud at government agencies, Trump has moved forcefully against them, flouting statutes that require a 30-day notice and specific reasons for their dismissals. Missal is challenging his dismissal in court alongside seven other fired inspectors general. Missal described the VA as “a really complicated, hard to manage organization” that is similar in size to the largest corporations in America. He defended his work at the agency as committed to make it more efficient and responsive to veterans. By Missal’s count, the VA inspector general’s oversight resulted in $45 billion being saved at the agency during his tenure. But he added that Trump’s actions against the inspectors general is making it more difficult for the officials still in those offices to do their jobs. In Congress, Democrats have decried the cuts at the VA and other agencies, while Republicans have so far watched with caution the Trump administration’s changes. Blumenthal, the top Democrat on the Senate committee that oversees veteran’s affairs, said in a statement that the Trump administration “has launched an all-out assault” against progress the VA has made in expanding its services as the number of covered veterans grows and includes those impacted by […]
Who am I to challenge the gedolim of our generation? I say this with complete sincerity—I have the deepest respect for our rabbanim and roshei yeshiva, whose wisdom and guidance shape our communities. The ongoing initiative to address the shidduch crisis is undoubtedly well-intentioned, driven by a genuine concern for Klal Yisroel. And yet, I cannot stay silent. Because while I respect our leadership, I also respect the thousands of bnos Yisroel who are waiting in pain, their lives effectively put on hold as the crisis worsens. And instead of fixing the root of the problem, we are now telling these girls to wait even longer. The proposed solution to the shidduch crisis is to delay girls from entering shidduchim for an extra year. Let’s be clear about what this means. We are preserving the status quo for boys while telling young women to hold their lives in limbo for the system to “balance itself.” But balance at whose expense? The emotional toll of this waiting period is devastating—helplessness, uncertainty, and frustration. Why is the onus always on the girls? Why should they be the ones making sacrifices? Let me ask a simpler question: Why does a 24- or 25-year-old bochur need to marry an 18-year-old girl? Would it not make more sense to align the ages of boys and girls entering shidduchim, rather than pushing girls back another year? This isn’t just about numbers—it’s about fairness. We have built a rigid, artificial system where boys always have younger options, while girls are forced into an impossible situation. And that leads us to the real issue, one that nobody seems willing to confront. Why do so many boys refuse to date girls their own age? Why has it become the norm for a 24-year-old bochur to only consider an 18-year-old girl? Why is a 21- or 22-year-old girl considered “too old”, while an 18-year-old is seen as ideal? Let’s stop pretending this is just a numbers problem. This is a cultural problem—a mindset that has been ingrained into the system for so long that we don’t even stop to question it. We have created an environment where bochurim feel entitled to the youngest match possible, as if anything beyond that is a downgrade. And here’s the most baffling part of it all: These are boys who have spent years immersed in limud torah and developing their middos—yet when it comes to shidduchim, their primary concern is that a girl shouldn’t be “too old”? Where is this coming from? How does a system that claims to produce Bnei Torah also produce a generation of young men who will outright refuse to go out with a girl just a few years closer to their own age? What does it say about our values when the same boys who spend hours learning about chessed, anivus, and yiras shamayim refuse to even consider a 22-year-old girl—but will happily meet an 18-year-old? This mindset is deeply problematic, and it is fueling the very crisis we claim to be solving. By encouraging boys to constantly choose younger, we have manufactured a system where women in their early twenties—perfectly wonderful, smart, kind, and growth-oriented women—are overlooked simply because of a number. And our solution is to push girls to wait even longer? This is not a solution. […]
Varda Ben-Baruch, the grandmother of abducted IDF soldier Edan Alexander, made an emotional appeal to the public on Wednesday to join in tefillos for her grandson and for all the hostages who have not yet returned home. Edan was born in Tel Aviv but grew up in Tenafly, New Jersey. After graduating from high school in 2022, he joined Golani as a lone soldier. On October 7, he was abducted from his base near the Gaza Strip. A Ynet report on Wednesday quoted a senior Israeli official as saying that the current US negotiations with Hamas are being carried out to ensure the release of Edan, the only US-Israeli hostage still alive, along with the bodies of four US-Israeli citizens. In an interview with Kan Moreshet, Varda expressed her pain and great frustration with the ongoing situation: “We are in a state of anticipation and uncertainty for a year and a half – nothing is happening. We would expect the releases to continue, that they would be discussed all the time, but it’s simply stuck.” Varda described the difficulty of not knowing the fate of her grandson: “What you know, I know. We have nothing to hold onto, no target date – just tefillah.” She emphasizes that emunah is what sustains her and the rest of the family during this difficult time: “Emunah strengthens us, but it’s a daily test. I keep only good things in mind. I don’t want to fall into the abyss of hopelessness.” She added that reciting Perek 22 of Tehillim: “למנצח על אילת השחר” has become a source of strength for her and many others: “I call on all of Am Yisrael to read this perek with us, to strengthen Edani from afar and give him the strength to survive.” Varda described how the families of the hostages are working tirelessly to bring their loved ones back. “We run between meetings and interviews, the Knesset and public events – all for them. It’s not normal that they are still there, every day that passes is hell.” She notes that many families are also engaged in participating in the levayos of hostages who returned in coffins and paying shiva visits. “It’s a terrible time. I want to return to my anonymity, to my home, to my family – to a whole family.” Varda added: “Edan came from the United States specifically to serve in the army and defend Israel. He enlisted at the age of 19 and has already ‘celebrated’ two birthdays in captivity. It’s incomprehensible.” When asked how it is possible to function in daily life during such a time, she replied that the families are immersed in the endless struggle: “Everything we do is for them. We are constantly in action – there is no break.” However, she notes that the upcoming Chagim fill her with hope: “Halavei that Edan and all the hostages would already return for dinner tonight but if not, then for the Purim seudah. This is a month of nissim and I believe that in the zechus of our tefillos and efforts, this neis will still happen.” “The hostages are not posters, they are not numbers – they are people with souls, dreams and desires. And their dream right now is very simple – to return home. Varda concluded with […]
Facing mounting financial difficulties, administrators of Monsey’s mosdos held an urgent meeting on Wednesday afternoon, to discuss the worsening economic strain that is making it increasingly difficult to meet payroll obligations and cover operational expenses. As the cost of living continues to rise and financial challenges weigh heavily on the broader community, local yeshivos and mosdos are experiencing unprecedented struggles to sustain themselves. Many administrators expressed concerns about their ability to pay rebbeim, teachers, and staff on time, warning that without immediate intervention, institutions may be forced to make difficult decisions. “The financial burden on mosdos has reached a breaking point,” one administrator told YWN. “We are doing everything possible to keep our schools running, but when payroll is at risk, it becomes an emergency.” During the meeting, administrators examined the root causes of the crisis, including increased operational costs, a decline in donor contributions, and economic challenges affecting families who are unable to meet tuition payments. Some yeshivos have already begun delaying payments or seeking emergency loans to stay afloat. In an effort to find solutions, meeting participants discussed various strategies, including engaging with community leaders for additional support, and advocating for increased financial aid options. “We recognize that our community is feeling the pressure, but the mosdos are the heart of our chinuch system,” another attendee told YWN. “Without immediate support, we fear that schools may not be able to continue operating as they do now.” As financial uncertainty looms, administrators are urging the community to step up and assist in any way possible. Whether through increased tuition contributions, donations, or other forms of financial support, their message was clear: without swift action, Monsey’s mosdos could face an even deeper crisis in the months ahead. Further discussions are expected in the coming weeks as leaders work to navigate this urgent situation. THIS STORY WAS FIRST PUBLISHED ON THE MONSEY SCOOP CLICK HERE SIGN UP TO THE MONSEY SCOOP WHATSAPP STATUS TO BE INFORMED OF MONSEY NEWS IN LIVE TIME (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)
President Donald Trump is granting a one-month exemption on his stiff new tariffs on imports from Mexico and Canada for U.S. automakers, as worries persist that the newly launched trade war could crush domestic manufacturing. The pause comes after Trump spoke with leaders of the “big 3” automakers, Ford, General Motors and Stellantis, on Wednesday, according to White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt. Asked if 30 days was enough for the auto sector to prepare for the new taxes, Leavitt said Trump was blunt with the automakers seeking an exemption: “He told them that they should get on it, start investing, start moving, shift production here to the United States of America where they will pay no tariff.” Shares of big U.S., Asian and European automakers jumped as much as 6% after the announcement. Pausing the 25% taxes on autos traded through the North American trade pact USMCA would only delay a broader reckoning to take place on April 2, when Trump is set to impose broad “reciprocal” tariffs to match the taxes and subsidies that other countries charge on imports. Leavitt said the president is “open” to hearing requests from other industries seeking exemptions as well. The White House repeatedly insisted that it would not grant exemptions and the sudden turnaround reflects the economic and political problems being created by Trump’s day-old tariffs. While the Republican president sees them as enriching the United States, his plans to tax imports have alienated allies and caused anxiety about slower economic growth and accelerating inflation. Trump has long promised to impose tariffs, but his opening weeks in the White House have involved aggressive threats, surprise suspensions and allies unclear at what the U.S. president is actually trying to achieve. Based off various Trump administration statements, the tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China imposed on Tuesday are about stopping illegal immigration, blocking fentanyl smuggling, closing the trade gap, balancing the federal budget and other nations showing more respect for Trump. The U.S. president engaged in a phone call on Wednesday with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick had suggested that the administration was looking to meet Canada and Mexico “in the middle.” But Trudeau refused to lift Canada’s retaliatory tariffs so long as Trump continues with his new taxes on imports from Canada, a senior government official told The Associated Press. The official confirmed the stance on condition of anonymity as they were not authorized to speak publicly on the matter. “Both countries will continue to be in contact today,” Trudeau’s office said. Ontario Premier Doug Ford earlier told The AP that the auto sector in the U.S. and Canada would last approximately 10 days before they start shutting down the assembly lines in the U.S. and in Ontario. “People are going to lose their jobs,” he said. The prospect of a trade war appears to be an ongoing feature of the Trump administration, rather than a brief skirmish. In addition to his upcoming reciprocal tariffs that could strike the European Union, India, Brazil, South Korea, Canada and Mexico, Trump wants to tax imports of computer chips, pharmaceutical drugs and autos. He also closed exemptions on his 2018 steel and aluminum tariffs and is investigating tariffs on copper as well. Tariffs are taxes paid by importers in the […]
Initial data from the Jewish People Policy Institute (JPPI) Israeli Society Index survey indicates a growing distrust of Shin Bet leaders among right-wing Israelis. The poll reveals that 85% of right-wing Israelis don’t trust the organization’s leadership, with 51% responding that their trust is “very low” and 34% responding that it is “quite low.” A breakdown of the findings according to political party reveals: 79% of Jewish Likud voters expressed distrust in the Shin Bet’s leadership; 91% of Religious Zionist voters expressed distrust; and 100% of Otzma Yehudit voters replied that they have no trust in the organization. In contrast, 76% of supporters of Benny Gantz’s National Unity party expressed confidence in the Shin Bet; 79% of Yesh Atid voters expressed confidence, and 81% of supporters of the Democrats party responded that they trust the organization’s leadership. (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)
A Cheeto shaped like the beloved Pokémon Charizard has sold at auction for a total cost of $87,840. The Goldin auction house listed the snack as sold on Sunday. “Presented is a 3-inch long Flamin’ Hot Cheeto in the shape of the Pokémon Charizard, affixed to a customized Pokémon card and encapsulated in a clear card storage box,” the auction’s description states. “It was initially discovered and preserved sometime between 2018-2022 by 1st & Goal Collectibles. The Cheeto surged in popularity on social media platforms in late 2024.” There were 60 bids on the uniquely shaped snack, according to the listing. The winning bid was $72,000 plus a buyer’s premium. (AP)
This year, more than ever before, with the current difficult matzav for acheinu b’nei yisroel in general and B’nei Torah in particular, there is just so much negativity worldwide. We now have a unique opportunity to portray a beautiful and positive message about our simchas Purim. The zechus of the special simcha emanating from torah learning on the Yom tov of Simcha should encapsulate your life with all the brochos of Simcha! Fifteen years ago on Purim night a mini-revolution happened that addresses this issue. A group of very special Baalei Battim sponsored 23 bochurim from Yeshiva Torah Temimah in Brooklyn, NY to sit and learn for two hours on Purim night. Each bochur received a $250 credit to a tzedokah of his choice. The bais hamedrash boomed with kol torah and this certainly was the ultimate in Kimu V’kiblu of the simchas hatorah. For Habochur Hanechmod Yeshayahu Dov Eckstein A”H it would be his last Purim. That year he came home with such simcha – he had learned with such ‘geshmak’ on Purim night, and through this unique learning program his group collected over $3,500. Every year, l’ilui nishmoso the family continues this beautiful program. It has been an amazing success. Last year there were over 250 bochurim and yungerleit who were committed to learn TWO hours on Purim by night in the bais hamedrash. Success breeds success, and many Roshei Yeshivos have called to emulate this program in their own yeshivas across the country and around the world. Each year we are B”H adding more bochurim and yungerlite. Many more Bochurim and Kollel Yungerlite have been calling again to continue this program this year. We must not say ‘No’… We need your assistance to continue… This year we have been presented with many new opportunities in both Eretz Yisroel and Lakewood. PLEASE help to support this beautiful program and sponsor a bochur learning Purim night, by clicking on the following link: https://www.rayze.it/purimlearning/ With your kind donation, you will be creating DOUBLE zechus. 1) The money will go to bona fide Tzedokah 2) A bochur will learn in your zechus TWO hours on Purim by night.
“SHALOM HAMAS”: President Trump, calling Hamas a “sick and twisted” group, threatens that “not a single” terrorist will be safe if the hostages aren’t returned “now.”
New South Wales Police have charged a second Bankstown Hospital nurse over a viral video in which he claimed to have killed Israeli patients at Bankstown Hospital in Sydney. The police said that Ahmad Rashad Nadir, 27, was arrested at Sutherland Police Station and was charged with using a carriage service to menace, harass and offend and possessing a prohibited drug. Police discovered morphine in Nadir’s personal work locker last month. He was released on conditional bail and is scheduled to appear at the Downing Centre Local Court on March 19. The other nurse in the video, Sarah Abu Lebdeh, who said she would refuse to treat Israeli patients and would kill them instead, was indicted last week and is also scheduled to appear in court on March 19. (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)
In a fiery press briefing Wednesday, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt launched a blistering attack on Democrats and the media, accusing them of orchestrating “the most shameful moment in the history of presidential addresses.” Her remarks came in response to the uproar that unfolded during President Donald Trump’s address to Congress on Tuesday night—a moment meant to unify the nation but instead marred by outbursts and protests from Democratic lawmakers. Leavitt’s condemnation was unsparing. Among the most stunning incidents of the night, she noted, was the removal of Rep. Al Green (D-TX), who was ejected from the chamber after loudly interrupting the president, shouting grievances over issues such as Medicaid. The incident, she declared, was a glaring example of a party that had “lost touch with the American people.” Standing at the White House podium, Leavitt delivered a scathing rebuke, painting the Democratic response as an affront to both the presidency and the American public. “The behavior of Democrats last night was completely disgraceful,” she stated. “It was the most shameful moment in the history of presidential addresses in that beautiful chamber. In what was supposed to be a unifying moment for our country, Democrat members of Congress instead screamed at the president of the United States, who was just overwhelmingly reelected by their constituents, walked out of the chamber, and worst of all, they disrespected the American people.” Leavitt accused Democrats of failing to support core American values, claiming their refusal to stand or applaud for key moments exposed their political priorities. “Democrats didn’t stand to keep men out of women’s sports. They couldn’t even clap for a girl who got her head smashed in by a man on a volleyball court. They didn’t stand for an innocent and beautiful child who is surviving brain cancer. They opposed eliminating taxes on tips and Social Security. They didn’t stand in favor of cutting taxes for hardworking Americans. They couldn’t even clap for two mothers whose daughters were killed by illegal aliens. One of the only things that could get Democrats off their feet last night was cheering for Ukraine. Not for America.” Leavitt declared the night a “clarifying moment” for the nation, branding Democrats as “the party of insanity and hate” and accusing them of putting “America last.” “They’ve allowed their Trump Derangement Syndrome to stop them from celebrating America and our people, and we will not allow them to forget that,” she vowed. But Leavitt’s rebuke extended beyond Democratic lawmakers. She turned her sights on the mainstream media, singling out MSNBC host Nicolle Wallace for what she described as a “disgusting” attack on a young cancer patient whom Trump had honored during his speech. Wallace had sparked outrage when, in reaction to Trump making 13-year-old DJ Daniels an “honorary agent” to fulfill his dream of becoming a police officer, she quipped: “I hope he never has to defend the United States Capitol against Donald Trump’s supporters, and if he does, I hope he isn’t one of the six who loses his life to suicide.” Leavitt condemned the remark as proof of the media’s ongoing bias. “And it’s not just the Democrat Party,” she said. “The mainstream media still doesn’t get it. Last night, MSNBC’s Nicolle Wallace disgustingly looped in a 13-year-old boy with brain cancer into an attack […]
Dozens of pro-Palestinian protesters stormed the Milstein Center for Teaching and Learning at Barnard College on Wednesday afternoon, seizing control of the library lobby and disrupting academic activities in a brazen escalation of campus unrest. The takeover, which began around 1 p.m., saw masked demonstrators wielding Palestinian flags, megaphones, and drums, chanting slogans and clashing with administrators as they demanded the reinstatement of three expelled students. The incident ended with an NYPD intervention following a reported bomb threat, underscoring the growing tensions at the Columbia University-affiliated institution. The protesters, many concealed behind keffiyehs and masks, forced their way through an unmarked side entrance, quickly overwhelming the library’s operations. Videos circulating online showed the group banging drums, shouting through megaphones, and displaying signs, including one branding Barnard President Laura Rosenbury and Dean of Student Life Leslie Grinage as “wanted” for what they called the “wrongful expulsion of pro-Palestinian students.” The demonstration disrupted classes and displaced students attempting to study, drawing sharp criticism from college officials and observers. Barnard administrators swiftly condemned the action, issuing a statement that emphasized the college’s commitment to a safe and respectful academic environment. “Our academic mission is at the heart of what we do, and disruptions to that mission are an affront to the purpose of higher education and cannot be tolerated,” the statement read. President Rosenbury added that the protesters’ actions undermined the college’s core values, noting that campus activities outside the Milstein Center continued as normal despite the chaos within. The protesters’ demands centered on reversing the expulsions of three students disciplined for distributing flyers during a Columbia University lecture—an incident that reportedly involved inflammatory content. Barnard had offered to negotiate with the group on the condition they remove their masks, a request met with defiance. “We have offered you multiple opportunities to leave the building peacefully,” a memo from administrators warned, threatening further action if the group did not comply. The demonstrators tore up the notices in response, signaling their intent to remain. The standoff took a more alarming turn when the NYPD descended on the campus to evacuate the building following a 911 call reporting a bomb threat. “Anyone who refuses to leave the location is subject to arrest,” police announced, with as many as ten individuals reportedly taken into custody. The bomb threat investigation remains ongoing, casting a shadow over the already volatile situation. Authorities have not confirmed whether the threat was credible or directly linked to the protest. Columbia University, Barnard’s affiliate, distanced itself from the incident in a statement, calling the disruption “not acceptable conduct” while affirming its support for its own student body. The takeover comes amid heightened scrutiny of both institutions following a wave of pro-Palestinian protests last year, which included encampments and building occupations at Columbia. Critics argue that the administrations’ failure to decisively curb such actions has emboldened further disruptions. Wednesday’s events follow a similar incident last week, when protesters occupied Milbank Hall for nearly seven hours, demanding a meeting with administrators over the same expulsions. That demonstration ended with a tentative agreement for dialogue, but the Milstein takeover suggests a refusal to de-escalate. The repeated targeting of campus facilities has fueled frustration among students and faculty who see their learning environment increasingly compromised. The NYPD’s presence marked a stark contrast to Columbia’s previous pledge […]
The U.S. government will stop sharing air quality data gathered from its embassies and consulates, worrying local scientists and experts who say the effort was vital to monitor global air quality and improve public health. In response to an inquiry from The Associated Press, the State Department said Wednesday that its air quality monitoring program would no longer transmit air pollution data from embassies and consulates to the Environmental Protection Agency’s AirNow app and other platforms, which allowed locals in various countries, along with scientists around the world, to see and analyze air quality in cities around the world. The stop in sharing data was “due to funding constraints that have caused the Department to turn off the underlying network” read the statement, which added that embassies and consulates were directed to keep their monitors running and the sharing of data could resume in the future if funded was restored. The fiscal cut, first reported by the New York Times, is one of many under President Donald Trump, whose administration has been deprioritizing environmental and climate initiatives. The U.S. air quality monitors measured dangerous fine particulate matter, known as PM2.5, which can penetrate deep into the lungs and lead to respiratory diseases, heart conditions, and premature death. The World Health Organization estimates that air pollution kills around 7 million people each year. News of the data sharing being cut prompted immediate reaction from scientists who said the data were reliable, allowed for air quality monitoring around the world and helped prompt governments to clean up the air. “A big blow” to global air quality research Bhargav Krishna, an air pollution expert at New Delhi-based Sustainable Futures Collaborative, called the loss of data “a big blow” to air quality research. “They were part of a handful of sensors in many developing countries and served as a reference for understanding what air quality was like,” Krishna said. “They were also seen to be a well-calibrated and unbiased source of data to cross-check local data if there were concerns about quality.” “It’s a real shame”, said Alejandro Piracoca Mayorga, a Bogota-based freelance air quality consultant. U.S. embassies and consulates in Lima, Sao Paulo and Bogota have had the public air monitoring. “It was a source of access to air quality information independent of local monitoring networks. They provided another source of information for comparison.” Khalid Khan, an environmental expert and advocate based in Pakistan, agreed, saying the shutdown of air quality monitoring will “have significant consequences.” Khan noted that the monitors in the city of Peshawar in Pakistan, one of the most polluted cities in the world, “provided crucial real-time data” which helped policy makers, researchers and the public to take decisions on their health. “Their removal means a critical gap in environmental monitoring, leaving residents without accurate information on hazardous air conditions,” Khan said. He said vulnerable people in Pakistan and around the world are particularly at risk as they are the least likely to have access to other reliable data. In Africa, the program provided air quality data for over a dozen countries including Senegal, Nigeria, Chad and Madagascar. Some of those countries depend almost entirely on the U.S. monitoring systems for their air quality data. The WHO’s air quality database will also be affected by the closing of U.S. program. Many poor […]
Democratic Rep. Sylvester Turner of Texas, a former Houston mayor and veteran public servant, died unexpectedly late Tuesday night, mere hours after attending President Donald Trump’s address to a joint session of Congress. Turner, who had been sworn into his first term in the House just two months ago, was 70 years old. His sudden passing has sent shockwaves through Capitol Hill and his Houston community. Turner’s final hours unfolded against the backdrop of a high-profile congressional event. On Tuesday evening, he joined fellow lawmakers in the House chamber to hear President Trump deliver his first address to Congress since reclaiming the presidency. The speech, a 100-minute outline of Trump’s ambitious second-term agenda, drew a packed audience of legislators, dignitaries, and guests. Turner was present throughout, seated toward the back of the chamber, as captured in photographs and video footage from the night. Earlier that day, Turner had been active on Capitol Hill, engaging with constituents and colleagues. Around 8:30 p.m., he posted a video on X from outside his Washington office, introducing his guest for the address, Angela Hernandez, a mother from his Texas 18th Congressional District. Hernandez’s daughter, Baislee Garcia, suffers from a rare genetic disorder, Chromosome 8p: Inversion/Duplication/Deletion, and relies on Medicaid for treatment. In the video, Turner’s voice was firm and resolute as he delivered what would become his final public message: “My message to the current administration for tonight’s State of the Union: ‘Don’t mess with Medicaid.’” It was a pointed critique of proposed cuts to the program, a cause Turner had championed throughout his career. But sometime after the speech concluded, Turner’s health took a sudden turn. According to sources familiar with the events, he began feeling unwell late Tuesday night. Capitol Police were notified of a medical emergency involving the congressman, and he was rushed to a hospital. After treatment, he was released to his home, where he passed away early Wednesday morning. The exact cause of death remains unclear, pending an official statement from his office or family. Turner had previously battled osteosarcoma, a form of bone cancer, diagnosed in 2022, undergoing surgery and radiation treatment. He had declared himself cancer-free in 2024 during his congressional campaign, but no immediate link between his past illness and his death has been confirmed. Sylvester Turner’s death marks the abrupt end of a remarkable journey in public service. Born and raised in Houston, he rose from humble beginnings to become a towering figure in Texas politics. After earning a law degree from Harvard, he served 27 years in the Texas House of Representatives, where he earned a reputation as a fierce advocate for the working class and a skilled negotiator, even as a Democrat in a Republican-dominated legislature. As chair of a budget subcommittee, he wielded significant influence over funding for criminal justice and public safety. In 2015, Turner was elected mayor of Houston, leading the nation’s fourth-largest city through crises like Hurricane Harvey in 2017 and the COVID-19 pandemic. His tenure, which ended in 2024 due to term limits, was lauded for its focus on resilience and equity, though not without controversy. When Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, a political ally and longtime holder of Texas’s 18th District seat, died of pancreatic cancer in July 2024, Turner stepped up to carry on her legacy. Elected […]
“As soon as you got elected, we knew we would get out.” A group of former hostages just met with President Trump in the Oval Office. Doron Steinbrecher, Omer Shem Tov, Eli Sharabi, Keith Siegel, Naama Levy, and Iair Horn thanked the President.
DUI HIRE: House Speaker Mike Johnson’s chief of staff, Hayden Haynes, was arrested on a DUI charge after President Trump’s address to Congress last night.
