Did ‘BJP goons’ attack TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee’s residence? Here’s all you need to know
The TMC leader, in a post on X, levelled serious allegations against opposition workers, the Kolkata Police, and higher judicial institutions. According to Banerjee, “BJP goons” attacked his house at 2:00 AM last night.
Delhi AQI Update: Air quality stays ‘very poor’ in National Capital before Diwali, 22 stations hit severe levels
The situation remained particularly concerning at several monitoring stations across the national capital, with AQI readings crossing the 400 mark at 22 locations, placing them in the ‘Severe’ category.
Ghaziabad Blast: AC unit explodes at Vasundhara police outpost, delivery worker injured
The delivery worker was injured by shattered glass after the explosion. ACP Suryabali Maurya said the sub-inspector and the delivery boy were inside the outpost when the incident occurred.
US offers $20 million reward for information on Iran’s nuclear program
The U.S. is offering up to $20 million to anyone with information on Iran’s nuclear program. “If you have information on Iran’s nuclear program, assets, or associated individuals, send it to us via Signal or our Tor-based tip line. You may be eligible for a reward and relocation,” the U.S. Department of State’s Rewards for Justice program said in an announcement posted to X. The State Department said it was seeking information on “nuclear scientists and staff, nuclear program-related technologies, and capabilities, associated organizations and personnel.” EXPERTS ‘DEEPLY’ CONCERNED OVER IRAN’S WORK AT UNDERGROUND NUCLEAR SITE “The U.S. government remains committed to countering any attempt by Iran to develop a nuclear weapons program,” the agency added. The announcement comes as President Donald Trump considers renewed military strikes against Iran while Washington and Tehran continue negotiations over the country’s nuclear program. IRANIAN NEGOTIATORS KICKED OUT OF US AS TALKS STALL; TRUMP LAYS OUT ‘POSSIBLE’ TIMELINE FOR MORE STRIKES Trump reiterated Friday that Iran would never be permitted to obtain a nuclear weapon, pointing to previous U.S. military operations targeting Tehran’s nuclear facilities. The president met with his national security team Thursday to consider renewing military strikes against Iran after Trump promised to wait until after the midterms. TRUMP ADMIN THREATENS IRAN WITH ‘CONSEQUENCES’ AS ALLIES CONVENE AMID THREATS OF POST-ELECTION ESCALATION Nov. 9 marks a new moon in the Middle East, meaning little to no moonlight, a condition favorable for military operations, senior U.S. officials told Fox News. Trump told reporters in the Oval Office earlier Thursday that Washington would “make a decision” on resuming the war. TRUMP’S MOAB THREAT COULD PUT IRAN’S DEEPEST BUNKERS IN AMERICA’S CROSSHAIRS “Do we want to go further” with strikes to ensure Iran’s nuclear program is dead and that “it will never happen again?” he added. US EMBASSIES IN MIDDLE EAST WARN AMERICANS OF ‘UNFORESEEN ESCALATION’ AS LATEST STRIKES HIT IRAN “I would rather not destroy the rest of the country if possible, but maybe I will have to. You’ll know soon enough.” U.S. Central Command is finalizing preparations for a potential resumption of major operations in Iran but has not received a new directive from Washington, according to reports citing a U.S. official. Fox News’ Emma Bussey and Brittany Miller contributed to this report.
Trump highlights NASA nuclear-powered Mars spacecraft mission planned for 2028
President Donald Trump highlighted NASA’s ambitious plans to launch its first nuclear-powered spacecraft to Mars within the next two years, reaffirming his administration’s push to expand American space exploration and eventually send astronauts to the red planet. Speaking at the UP Summit at Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida, Trump touted the mission as part of his administration’s broader ambitions to expand America’s presence beyond Earth. “Within the next two years, NASA will launch the first-ever nuclear-powered spacecraft to Mars,” Trump said. The president described the mission as a step toward eventually sending American astronauts to the planet. TRUMP CALLS ISS CREW FROM HOUSTON TO PRAISE SPACE PIONEERS AND OFFER ‘OVAL OFFICE TIME’ “We’re going to be paving the way for astronauts to plant the Stars and Stripes on the red planet,” he said. The planned mission comes as NASA’s Artemis program aims to establish a long-term human presence on the moon before eventually sending astronauts to Mars. Earlier this year, astronauts completed a lunar flyby during the Artemis II mission. Artemis III is scheduled to test spacecraft and landing systems in Earth orbit in 2027, while Artemis IV is expected to attempt a lunar landing in early 2028, before the end of Trump’s presidential term. PETER NAVARRO: TRUMP’S ARTEMIS VISION IS NOW FLYING — AND CHINA IS PAYING ATTENTION Trump also outlined his administration’s plans to accelerate space exploration and establish a lasting American presence beyond Earth, saying the U.S. “will establish a permanent presence on lunar soil.” The president pointed to his recently issued American Declaration of Freedom in Space, which asserts the right of Americans to explore and settle beyond Earth under U.S. law. “Just this week, I issued the American Declaration of Freedom in Space, proclaiming all of space opened for American settlement, American civilization and American freedom,” Trump said. Before introducing the president, NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman also discussed the space agency’s Mars ambitions and long-term goals. CHINA IS RACING TO THE MOON, AND AMERICA MUST CLEAR THE PATH FOR SPACE INNOVATION “We are going to venture farther into the solar system and move closer to that next giant leap,” Isaacman said. He described the administration’s ultimate goal as the day “American astronauts plant the Stars and Stripes on Mars.” The administration has previously outlined broader space ambitions, including plans for a U.S. Space Academy, which Trump announced in August. The proposed institution would train students for careers in the Space Force, NASA and the civilian spaceflight industry. Trump also emphasized his broader vision for American space exploration. “Our calling is to explore. Our purpose is to build, and our aim is always to win,” he said.
The Hitchhiker’s Guide to what happens next on Capitol Hill
The midterms are over. But even more pitched battles are underway. These are internal House and Senate leadership elections. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., won’t pursue the minority leader post. President Trump doesn’t always see eye-to-eye with Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., but the president hasn’t demanded a change there. Some incoming House and Senate progressives have expressed their reservations about House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., despite the stunning Democratic wins from Tuesday night. REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK: A DEMOCRATIC MAJORITY COULD EXPOSE THE LIMITS OF THE PROGRESSIVE AGENDA Sen.-elect Abdul El-Sayed, D-Mich., has long warned he might not support Schumer for Majority Leader. “If you’re Chuck Schumer, I’m dangerous,” El-Sayed advised in late June. The Michigan Democrat ducked the question when asked about supporting Schumer on NBC just after the election. “I am going to vote for the option that gives me the best chance of getting money out of politics. Putting money in pockets and passing Medicare for all,” said El-Sayed. “I’m interested to see, working with the rest of our caucus, what options we’ve got.” By Thursday on CNN, El-Sayed was reiterating his support for Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., who hasn’t announced he’s running for anything. “I think he’d be an amazing Senate majority leader,” said El-Sayed of Van Hollen. But even other newcomers weren’t committing to Schumer. “No, I will not (support Schumer),” Sen.-elect Adam Hamilton, D-Kan., said on Fox before the election. “And I’ve already said I’m not going to vote (for him).” “I think it’s really clear that both parties are ready for a new generation of leadership,” Sen.-elect Annie Andrews, D-S.C., told colleague Bret Baier. “I told Sen. Schumer that I’m going to support somebody else,” offered Sen.-elect Troy Jackson, D-Maine. But Schumer is shrugging that off. “I’ll be re-elected as majority leader,” Schumer said when asked by reporters on Wednesday. “But the issue is focusing on the American people and what they want.” Schumer only needs around 29 of his members to support him in a secret caucus vote to become majority leader. That’s a majority of expected Senate Democrats who will serve next year. At least five members of the Democratic Socialists of America are pledging to withhold their support for Jeffries as the first Black House speaker in U.S. history unless they secure commitments for their agenda. The successful candidate for speaker requires an outright majority of the entire House — 218 votes of 435, if all Representatives-elect cast ballots — when the new Congress convenes Jan. 3. Keep in mind that House Democrats may score more than 260 seats once all races are settled. So, he can afford dozens of defections. For House Republicans, Johnson may have signaled his future last month when speaking to colleague Aishah Hasnie. “If God moves on our hearts and says we should go back to my hometown of Shreveport and start a lawn business, I’ll do that,” said Johnson. Now it’s far from certain that Johnson will soon channel Groundskeeper Willie from the Simpsons. But perhaps becoming “The Lawnmower Man” is a better option for Johnson than getting mowed down by your own colleagues in a bid for minority leader. Maybe the grass IS greener back in Louisiana. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., and Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, are running to become the House’s top Republican. House Majority Whip Tom Emmer, R-Minn., wants to return as minority whip. He’s facing a challenge from Rep. August Pfluger, R-Texas. But here’s the trick. How do these House Republicans win the leadership positions yet maintain their own coalitions? It’s unclear if Republicans think that Jordan and Scalise are right for the party — right now. Both are aligned with President Trump. And some Republicans hope to move past that. Regardless, Democrats campaigned on two things: the cost of living and holding the Trump administration accountable. But what does the Democrats’ legislative agenda look like? This isn’t like 1994, when former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, R-Ga., famously crafted the 10-point Contract with America as a pledge to voters as to what Republicans would do if they flipped the House for the first time in 40 years. CHUCK SCHUMER AFTER SWEEPING DEMOCRATIC MIDTERM VICTORIES: ‘I’LL BE RE-ELECTED AS MAJORITY LEADER’ Democrats have a host of ideas on what they plan to vote on. “We have to first get in there and really focus on rolling back the cuts from the one big ugly bill,” Sen.-elect Juliana Stratton, D-Ill., promised on CNN. Also expect votes on renewing expired Obamacare subsidies. Democrats demanded money to offset the costs of rising premiums in exchange for their votes to fund the government. The House finally passed a bill to do that. But the Senate didn’t. The standoff over the Obamacare aid was the key component to last year’s record-breaking, 43-day government shutdown. “The shutdown sharpened the American people’s view of the distinction between the parties on this crucial issue,” Schumer said. Democrats are also focused on a key issue from the midterms: the future of AI and data centers. They’re concerned that AI threatens American jobs. “This revolt against data centers are just the initial tremors of a bigger AI earthquake that is upending American politics,” said Rep. Greg Casar, D-Texas, chairman of the Progressive Caucus. “And we have to be on the right side of this issue.” There will undoubtedly be votes to end the war in Iran — perhaps by cutting off money for those operations. The House approved three “war powers” resolutions. The Senate green-lighted one. But those machinations did nothing to hem in the president on the war. Democrats believe that ending the war will reduce gas prices. And that, in turn, will lower the cost of groceries. Congressional Republicans balked at unwinding tariffs imposed by President Trump. So, there could be votes on that front, too. Democrats believe the election shifted the dynamic of Republicans aligning behind the President in near lockstep. “This is the time for
Trump’s move from Wiles to Miller signals major tactical shift for governing without Congress
President Donald Trump tapped Stephen Miller to succeed Susie Wiles as White House chief of staff, elevating an adviser who reportedly helped develop plans to advance his agenda without congressional approval as Democrats prepare to take control of Congress in January. Miller, Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought and White House lawyers have worked since April to identify executive actions Trump could take without new legislation, including measures on immigration, tariffs, housing costs and federal spending, Reuters reported Sunday, citing three people familiar with the planning. With Democrats set to control Congress in January, Trump will face greater obstacles to passing legislation, while Democratic lawmakers will gain the power to launch investigations into his administration. “If crazed Democrats want to abuse their power and politicize their process of investigations, subpoenas, and destroying lives, they should be reminded that we still control the federal government and all of its powers,” a White House official told Fox News Digital Friday afternoon. ‘LAWYER UP’: DEMS IMMEDIATELY PUT TRUMP ON NOTICE AMID REPUBLICANS’ MIDTERM BLOODBATH Asked by CBS on Tuesday how he would advance his agenda if Democrats took control of Congress, Trump cited the Supreme Court’s June ruling in Trump v. Slaughter, which expanded his authority to remove certain federal officials. “We won the Slaughter case and the Slaughter case gives the president tremendous powers that it never had before,” Trump told CBS in the interview. TRUMP TOUTS ‘ULTIMATE POWER’ OF VETO IF DEMOCRATS WIN CONTROL OF HOUSE AND SENATE In Trump v. Slaughter, the Supreme Court handed Trump a significant victory on presidential authority in June, ruling that he had the constitutional power to remove former Federal Trade Commission Commissioner Rebecca Slaughter despite a federal law restricting the president’s ability to fire FTC commissioners. Trump said the ruling will be a cornerstone for how he intends to govern by executive action. He also discussed vetoing bills passed by the Democratic Congress until they’re willing to come to the bargaining table. On numerous occasions, he has already referred to himself as “Mr. Veto.” TRUMP REVIVES RARE BUDGET MANEUVER TO RESCIND $810M IN CONGRESSIONALLY APPROVED FUNDS “As the President has said, he’s willing to work with anyone to continue delivering victories for hardworking Americans,” White House spokeswoman Lauren Bis told Fox News Digital. “If Democrats choose to pursue sham investigations and radical left policies, they are choosing to work against the American people.” Republicans on the Hill expressed concerns about what Miller’s appointment could mean for the final two years of his presidency. MIKE JOHNSON’S NO 2 LAUNCHES GOP TAKEOVER BID AS HOUSE FALLS TO DEMOCRATS Asked whether Miller’s promotion could lead Trump to rely more heavily on executive action, one House Republican told Fox News Digital: “I’ve been concerned about that for two years.” “I’m also concerned [Trump] will embrace his populist roots that are not conservative to pass things with the Dems,” the lawmaker said. TRUMP CONGRATULATES DEMOCRATS AFTER DOMINANT MIDTERMS, SAYS HE LOOKS FORWARD TO WORKING WITH THEM Another said the Trump administration will continue governing “without Congress, as they’ve been doing.” STEPHEN MILLER SAYS TRUMP ADMINISTRATION IS PURSUING POLICY TO DEBANK ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS A Trump administration official praised Miller’s appointment, particularly given Miller’s immigration bona fides. “A great pick,” the official told Fox News Digital. “He has the trust of millions of Americans who understand that reversing mass migration is the crisis of our time.” Miller will begin his new role Monday, and Wiles will move to Trump’s political operation.
Houston mayor bolts early from ICE cooperation after blue wave crashes in Texas
The Democratic mayor of America’s fourth-largest city is reversing course on cooperation with federal immigration authorities despite an executive order from defeated Texas Republican Gov. Greg Abbott that threatened the loss of millions in state funding for noncompliance. The Lone Star State swung blue for the first time since its new senator-elect, James Talarico, was born, and Houston Mayor John Whitmire wasted no time Friday announcing new restrictions on cooperation with ICE. Whitmire told The New York Times that city police are not permitted to notify ICE if they encounter an illegal immigrant in “nonviolent contacts” like traffic stops or minor offenses. ‘WE DIDN’T EXPECT THIS’: TEXAS DEMOCRATS STUNNED AS BLUE WAVE TOPPLES GOP STRONGHOLD “If they’re charged with a new crime, we’ll let ICE know as we get them to the jailhouse,” he told the paper Friday. Abbott lost his bid for a fourth term Tuesday, and Talarico flipped one of the state’s Senate seats blue for the first time since Clinton Treasury Secretary Lloyd Bentsen won his final re-election bid in 1988 — seven months before the current senator-elect was born. Texas’ most recent Democratic governor, Ann Richards, the mother of former longtime Planned Parenthood president Cecile Richards, was elected shortly thereafter in 1990. Whitmire did not respond to a request for comment but signaled to the Times that he made the decision at least in part because Abbott’s order requiring DHS contact caused “anxiety” among Houstonians. In a statement put out Friday afternoon, Whitmire said, “I have signed an executive order directing HPD to no longer contact ICE for nonviolent offenses, helping reduce fear in our communities. Thank you to Chief Diaz, our state and local leaders for their collaboration. A step toward building a stronger Houston. Let’s Go to Work.” He also acknowledged Gov.-elect Gina Hinojosa won’t take office until January but characterized his decision as “responsible” and “more effective policy.” A DHS spokesperson responded to Whitmire’s move in comments to Fox News Digital. “We remain disappointed that sanctuary politicians seek to limit cooperation with ICE, as our law enforcement are simply fulfilling their sworn duties to serve and protect our communities,” the spokesperson said. “Partnerships with law enforcement are critical to having the resources we need to arrest criminal illegal aliens across the country. Seven of the top 10 safest cities in the United States cooperate with ICE. When politicians bar local law enforcement from working with DHS, our law enforcement officers have a more visible presence so that we can find and apprehend the criminals let out of jails and back into communities. The spokesperson pointed to some recent criminal illegal aliens captured by ICE in Houston – including Alexander Montano of Cuba, convicted of willful homicide, burglary and forced entry into a residence. Vietnamese national Ding Nguyen, also convicted of homicide, along with Guatemalan national Julio Camey, convicted of sex offense against a child, were also mentioned by the spokesperson. “You write a citation or you warn them, and they go about their way. No contact with [ICE] over nonviolent, non-jailable offenses,” Whitmire told the AP. A previous policy enacted in March by Whitmire and Police Chief Noe Diaz stipulated that if a background check revealed an immigration-related warrant, a sergeant would be called to oversee ICE involvement, according to Houston’s FOX affiliate. The policy also said that if ICE could not make it to the stop within half an hour, the subject would be released. SIGN UP TO GET THE POLITICS NEWSLETTER The Houston City Council subsequently approved an ordinance in April limiting how long officers could detain individuals while awaiting ICE agents, but Whitmire backed revisions after Abbott threatened to withhold more than $100 million in state funding and then-Attorney General Ken Paxton launched an investigation into the city’s immigration policies. The revised policy restored greater discretion for officers to contact ICE and wait for federal agents during encounters involving civil immigration warrants. Whitmire’s latest announcement would instead limit such notifications to encounters involving jailable offenses, marking a return to the restrictions city lawmakers initially sought.
Reporter’s Notebook: A user’s manual to upcoming leadership elections in the House and Senate
Internal party House and Senate leadership elections are some of the most fascinating exercises that unfold on Capitol Hill. Both House and Senate Democrats and House and Senate Republicans will choose their leaders in the coming days. And the changes are going to be seismic. But not everyone is on board with heir apparent leaders. That’s what makes this process so intriguing. However, there are only two rules in leadership elections: You can’t beat someone with no one. And, perhaps more importantly, it’s about the math. PROGRESSIVES FUME AT HAKEEM JEFFRIES FOR SAYING DEMOCRATS WON’T ‘GET EVEN’ WITH TRUMP There are some progressives and DSA-affiliated Democrats who will be House Members next year who want someone other than House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y. Who? Well, no one has said. Again, you can’t beat someone with no one. And, frankly, it’s hard to believe that Democrats would not elect the first Black speaker of the House. But drill down on the math. For the sake of argument, let’s say Democrats have 260 House seats in the new Congress. First, Democrats must tap a nominee for speaker in their caucus. That needs a simple majority. So, surely Jeffries will score at least 131 votes in a private ballot for speaker. The speaker of the House is the constitutional officer for the legislative branch of government, much like the president is for the executive branch and the chief justice of the United States for the judicial branch. Thus, the ENTIRE House votes for speaker when it convenes the new Congress at noon on Jan. 3. There are 435 members. If all members cast ballots, Jeffries simply needs 218. Jeffries could lose 40 votes or so and still prevail. So, that is not going to happen. It might not even lose more than a couple votes, frankly. Now let’s look at the GOP and their case for minority leader. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., is running against Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio. If Democrats have 260 seats, Republicans would have 175. All INCOMING House Republicans (including non-voting delegates from U.S. territories) are allowed to vote in CONFERENCE. The selection of minority leader does NOT go before the entire House like speaker. So, the winning candidate only needs a simple majority. That would be 88. The same for the race between House Majority Whip Tom Emmer, R-Minn., and Rep. August Pfluger, R-Texas, for minority whip. MIKE JOHNSON’S NO 2 LAUNCHES GOP TAKEOVER BID AS HOUSE FALLS TO DEMOCRATS The Senate Democratic Caucus and Republican Conference work much the same way as the House. A simple majority wins for majority leader in the Democratic Caucus and minority leader in the Republican Conference. However, the selection of Senate majority leader is not a vote that plays out on the floor. The concept of “Senate majority leader” has only been around since the early 20th century and is not mentioned in the Constitution. Remember what we said about the House speaker being the head of this branch of government. It would be hard to envision a scenario where Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., would not become majority leader after Democrats flipped the Senate in a beatdown. First, who else is running? Well, Sen. Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii, is popular among Senate Democrats. But he’s running for majority whip to succeed retiring Senate Minority Whip Dick Durbin, D-Ill. One could see Democrats defaulting to Schatz if something happens with Schumer. Sen.-elect Abdul El-Sayed, D-Mich., has said he wants to look at his options and has endorsed Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., for majority leader. But Van Hollen isn’t running. Sen.-elect Annie Andrews, D-S.C., told colleague Bret Baier she wants a “generational change” in leadership. Sen.-elect Troy Jackson, D-Maine, and Sen.-elect Adam Hamilton, D-Kan., both said they would oppose Schumer. FIRST MUSLIM SENATOR, FIRST BLACK FEMALE GOVERNOR: 2026 MIDTERM ELECTION RESULTS MAKE HISTORY But again, you can’t beat someone with no one. Here’s the math: Let’s say Democrats do win Mississippi and Alaska, giving them 56 senators who caucus with the Democrats. All Schumer needs is 29 Democrats to support him in the Caucus, and he’s the next majority leader. There has not been as much rumbling about the future of Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D. Heretofore, President Trump has not called for new leadership in the Senate. But Senate Republicans would choose Thune or anyone else on a secret ballot in the Senate GOP Conference. A simple majority would win. If Republicans are down to 44 seats, the winner would just need 23 votes.
Pro-Israel Republican makes major campaign finance pledge after razor-thin election victory
Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., a key ally of Israel in Congress, announced plans on Thursday to reject all corporate PAC money or funding from special interest groups tied to “foreign policy” after narrowly hanging on to her seat in the midterm elections. “I still am on [the committee on] foreign affairs and I’ve taken a particular interest in peace deals as well as supporting the administration’s peace deal efforts. And I want my constituency to understand when I’m either talking on these things or advocating for them in Washington, that I am controlled by no one, influenced by no one,” Luna said in a video posted to X. Luna’s announcement comes on the heels of devastating midterm results for Republicans that have sparked debate about the role of pro-Israel political spending and U.S. policy toward Israel in several Democratic campaigns. FOX NEWS VOTER POLL: 2026 MIDTERM ELECTIONS USHER IN A BLUE WAVE AS DEMOCRATS WIN CONTROL OF CONGRESS Luna herself only narrowly beat out Democratic challenger Leela Gray, a veteran, in a 49.5% to 48.7% victory in Florida’s 13th Congressional District — a seat that has leaned safely Republican in years past. Many Democrats, including Luna’s opponent, used the Iran conflict as a proxy to attack Republicans on the cost of living after the conflict sharply restricted fuel exports from the Middle East. “In February, we were told this war would last ‘four to six weeks.’ Eight months later, at least 22 service members are dead, 800+ more are injured and the cost of living crisis at home is out of control,” Gray said in a post to X a week before the election. “Despite the obvious and disastrous consequences of the war, Luna voted to continue it six times,” Gray added, referring to Luna’s opposition to restricting Trump’s war powers. But those criticisms also spread far beyond Florida’s 13th Congressional District. Michigan Democratic senator-elect Abdul El-Sayed made the issue one of the cornerstones of his campaign, explicitly questioning Israel’s influence over the Republican Party and its role in the Iran conflict. MICHIGAN DEMOCRAT WHO LOST SENATE PRIMARY TO ABDUL EL-SAYED TAKES AIM AT BERNIE SANDERS OVER ISRAEL STANCE “I don’t consider an ally a country that takes us to wars we don’t need to fight, and I don’t want to be fighting wars we don’t need to fight,” El-Sayed said in a debate ahead of the election. El-Sayed’s position on Israel coincided with many other progressive candidates who also opposed U.S. support for Israel — a key policy difference that created Democrat-on-Democrat tension in several key races. In New York, for instance, several political newcomers like Brad Lander, Darializa Avila-Chevalier and Claire Valdez all defeated Israel-aligned Democratic opponents in their primaries. In Colorado, progressive challenger Melat Kiros unseated an incumbent who had served 30 years in office while advocating for a full arms embargo against Israel. And in Minnesota, Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan won her Democratic primary against Rep. Angie Craig, D-Minn., while sharply critiquing her opponent’s political contributions from AIPAC. For her own part, Luna has consistently supported Israel as a key ally of the United States, citing aligned interests in the Middle East. She introduced the Stand with Israel Act, a bill that would bar U.S. funding for the U.N. Human Rights Council until it condemned Hamas for its Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel that left over a thousand victims dead. She also voted repeatedly to send U.S. financial assistance to Israel between 2023 and 2025 and condemned the International Criminal Court for issuing an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for alleged war crimes. Campaign-finance records show Luna received roughly $38,000 in direct contributions from AIPAC’s PAC — less than 1% of the more than $4.3 million her campaign raised through mid-October. BERNIE SANDERS DEMANDS DEMOCRATS BAN SUPER PACS FROM PRIMARIES, BLASTS AIPAC, ‘CORRUPT SYSTEM’ Luna did not immediately respond to a request for comment on whether she would encourage other Republicans to also forgo funding from foreign groups. She noted that her small-dollar contributions would uniquely enable her to shun PACs tied to corporate or foreign interest groups. “I ruffle a lot of feathers in Washington. These races can get expensive. Fortunately, this cycle, I was able to raise close to $4 million, if not more, largely from small-dollar donations. So I am able, because of you guys’ support, to not take that money anymore,” Luna said.