Dem free-for-all engulfs NJ as 13 contenders scramble for Sherrill’s House seat ahead of critical 2026 fight

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth faced backlash after stating he did not remain to observe a second military strike on an alleged drug-trafficking boat, which resulted in significant casualties. This incident has drawn criticism from Democrats, who labeled Hegseth as 'spineless' and a 'national embarrassment.' The White House has been accused of shielding Hegseth amid growing scrutiny over the legality of these military operations.

A left-wing coalition is advocating for a significant minimum wage increase, proposing a rise to as high as $30 an hour, which is gaining traction in swing states and major cities. This push aims to energize Democratic voter turnout ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, following the successful campaign of Zohran Mamdani in New York City, where affordability was a central theme.

House Majority Leader Steve Scalise announced that Republican leaders are exploring alternative avenues to incorporate a measure that would prevent state-level artificial intelligence (AI) regulations, as efforts to include this provision in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) have stalled. This initiative, which has received backing from President Trump, has faced internal divisions among Republican lawmakers during ongoing negotiations.

President Donald Trump criticized Democrats during a Cabinet meeting, labeling their approach to affordability as a 'scam' and asserting that they need to fix the economic issues they have created. Vice President JD Vance expressed optimism about significant economic improvements expected by 2026.

Former President Donald Trump has criticized the Democrats' affordability platform while the Tennessee special election between Republican Matt Van Epps and Democrat Aftyn Behn gains national attention. Trump labeled the Democrats' approach as 'fake affordability,' indicating a significant political divide as the election approaches on December 2.

A shooting incident near the White House critically injured two members of the West Virginia National Guard, with the suspect identified as Rahmanullah Lakanwal, an Afghan national. In response, Tom Homan, a prominent figure in Trump's immigration policy, challenged Democrats to confront him while dismissing concerns about potential prosecution.

New Jersey's First Choice Women's Resource Centers is contesting a subpoena from the state demanding the disclosure of its donors, a move that has prompted the center to take its case to the Supreme Court. Aimee Huber, the center's director, argues that this demand infringes on First Amendment rights and is part of a broader trend of hostility towards pro-life organizations in the state.

A special congressional election is taking place in Tennessee's 7th Congressional District, a historically Republican area, on December 2. This election is significant as it presents an opportunity for Democrats to potentially flip a seat that has been held by the GOP for decades, reflecting changing voter sentiments in the region.