‘New York deserves better:’ Mamdani reacts to Eric Adams exit from mayoral race
With New York City Mayor Eric Adams abruptly ending his reelection campaign on Sunday, rivals of front-runner Zohran Mamdani scrambled to capitalize. Adams announced his decision in a nearly nine-minute video posted on X. He offered no clues about his plans after leaving office and did not endorse any of the remaining mayoral candidates. ERIC ADAMS DROPS OUT OF NYC MAYORAL RACE AS MAMDANI GAINS GROUND Mamdani, a democratic socialist, cast the moment as a turning point, vowing that on November 4, “New Yorkers will turn the page on the politics of big money and small ideas.” “Donald Trump and his billionaire donors might be able to determine Eric Adams and Andrew Cuomo’s actions but they will not dictate the results of this election,” Mamdani wrote in a statement. “New York deserves better than trading in one disgraced, corrupt politician for another. On November 4th, we are going to turn the page on the politics of big money and small ideas and deliver a government every New Yorker can be proud of,” he added. Meanwhile, Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa’s campaign framed him as the strongest challenger to Mamdani. NEW POLL REVEALS MAMDANI STILL HOLDS COMMANDING DOUBLE-DIGIT LEAD OVER RIVALS IN NYC MAYORAL RACE “Curtis Sliwa is the only candidate who can defeat Mamdani. Our team, our resources, and our funding are unmatched,” campaign spokesperson Daniel Kurzyna wrote in a statement. “Most importantly, we have the best solutions to help working people afford to stay in New York City and feel safe,” Kurzyna added. Former Gov. Andrew Cuomo said he believed Adams’ decision was “sincere in putting the well-being of New York City ahead of personal ambition.” CLICK HERE FOR THE LATEST FOX NEWS COVERAGE OF THE NYC MAYORAL RACE “Mayor Adams has much to be proud of in his accomplishments. Whatever differences we may have, Eric Adams’ story is undeniably one of resilience, a testament to the spirit of this city,” Cuomo added. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., thanked Adams for his service but held off endorsing a successor, saying he will share his views before early voting begins. “During his time in office, violent crime is down, the building of affordable housing units is up and New York City has recovered from the COVID-19 pandemic,” Jeffries wrote in a statement. “Over the next few days, my entire focus will be on addressing the Republican healthcare crisis and funding the government,” Jeffries said, adding that he will “publicly weigh in” on the remaining mayoral candidates before the start of early voting. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said that she has been proud to work alongside Adams to “make New York City safer, stronger, and more affordable,” she wrote in a post on X. “He leaves New York City better than he inherited it and it will always be central to his legacy as mayor,” she added.
US and Qatar secure release of American citizen Amir Amiry from Afghanistan detention
The U.S. secured the release of an American citizen being detained in Afghanistan following months of negotiations on Sunday, Fox News has learned. The U.S. and Qatar jointly negotiated for the release of Amir Amiry, U.S. Special Envoy Adam Boehler told Fox News on Sunday. “When we went to Kabul to pick up George Glezmann six months ago, I asked to see Amir Amiry. He was brought to the airport gate and when he saw us he started to cry. Leaving an American was the hardest thing that I have ever done in my life and I promised him that we would come back for him,” Boehler told Fox. “Amir Amiry became a citizen by putting his life at risk fighting for our country and our troops. Today we repay the favor. God bless America and God bless the President,” Boehler added. AFGHANISTAN MARKS FOUR YEARS IN POWER BY LURING YOUNG FEMALE INFLUENCERS TO BOOST TOURISM “Throughout Mr. Amiry’s detention, Qatari diplomats remained in close communication with US officials and carried out regular health checks to ensure his wellbeing,” a source familiar with Amiri’s detention told Fox News. AFGHANISTAN MARKS FOUR YEARS IN POWER BY LURING YOUNG FEMALE INFLUENCERS TO BOOST TOURISM “His release was facilitated by Qatari diplomats in close coordination with the team of the US Special Envoy for Hostage Affairs, through Qatar’s role as the United States’ protecting power in Afghanistan,” the source added. Secretary of State Marco Rubio celebrated Amiry’s release, thanking Qatar in an X post Sunday afternoon. “Today we welcome home Amir Amiry, an American who was wrongfully detained in Afghanistan. I want to thank Qatar for helping secure his freedom,” Rubio said. “@POTUS has made it clear we will not stop until every American unjustly detained abroad is back home.” Amiry’s release comes roughly a week after the Taliban released an elderly British couple after eight months in captivity. Barbie Reynolds, 76, and husband Peter Reynolds, 80, arrived in Qatar on Friday following months of negotiations between Qatar, the Taliban and Britain. The couple had lived in Afghanistan for 18 years, where they ran an education charity. Despite the ordeal, Barbie Reynolds said they would return to Afghanistan if they could. They are both Afghan citizens. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP “God is good, as they say in Afghanistan,” she added at the Kabul airport. Fox News’ Brie Stimson contributed to this report
Eric Adams drops out of NYC mayoral race as Mamdani gains ground
New York City Mayor Eric Adams dropped out of the city’s mayoral race on Sunday, halting his re-election campaign just five weeks before Election Day. Adams announced his decision in a nearly nine-minute video posted on social media, offering no clues about his plans after leaving office. ZOHRAN MAMDANI LANDS KEY ENDORSEMENT IN NEW YORK CITY MAYORAL RACE “It’s been an honor to be your mayor,” Adams said in his announcement, as he highlighted what he described as achievements related to crime reduction, housing affordability and economic recovery during his time in office. “And yet despite all that we have achieved, I cannot continue my re-election campaign,” he said, adding that he was unable to raise the funds for a “serious campaign.” The move followed weeks of speculation he might clear the way for former Gov. Andrew Cuomo in a contest where Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani, a democratic socialist, has gained momentum. NEW POLL REVEALS MAMDANI STILL HOLDS COMMANDING DOUBLE-DIGIT LEAD OVER RIVALS IN NYC MAYORAL RACE Adams has also trailed both Mamdani and Cuomo significantly in campaign fundraising and spending. Mamdani framed Adams’ exit as a pivotal moment, pledging that voters in November will “turn the page on the politics of big money and small ideas.” “Donald Trump and his billionaire donors might be able to determine Eric Adams and Andrew Cuomo’s actions but they will not dictate the results of this election,” Mamdani wrote in a statement. Meanwhile, Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa’s campaign framed him as the strongest challenger to Mamdani. “Curtis Sliwa is the only candidate who can defeat Mamdani. Our team, our resources, and our funding are unmatched,” campaign spokesperson Daniel Kurzyna wrote in a statement. Cuomo said he believed Adams’ decision was “sincere in putting the well-being of New York City ahead of personal ambition.” “Mayor Adams has much to be proud of in his accomplishments. Whatever differences we may have, Eric Adams’ story is undeniably one of resilience, a testament to the spirit of this city,” Cuomo added. Adams’ exit comes as New York City eyes the potential election of 33-year-old democratic socialist upstart Mamdani. Mamdani’s ascent has drawn national notice: President Donald Trump told reporters earlier this month he’d “like to see two people drop out” of the NYC mayoral race to improve the chances of beating Mamdani. CLICK HERE FOR THE LATEST FOX NEWS COVERAGE OF THE NEW YORK CITY MAYORAL SHOWDOWN The Trump administration has slammed Mamdani’s economic agenda, casting it as a threat to business and growth. The White House did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment. Mamdani has placed affordability at the center of his campaign to lead America’s largest city, pitching ideas such as free buses, city-owned grocery stores, and rent freezes for tenants in rent-stabilized apartments. Those proposals have energized progressive voters but rattled Wall Street, where executives warn they could drive investment out of New York and weaken the city’s tax base. TREASURY’S BESSENT WARNS NYC: NO BAILOUT UNDER MAMDANI – ‘DROP DEAD’ Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Wednesday that Mamdani’s proposals risk driving New York City into financial crisis, warning that if the city turns to Washington for a bailout, it won’t receive one. “You can’t enact policies like this and expect to be bailed out,” Bessent said during an interview with FOX Business’ Maria Bartiromo on “Mornings with Maria.” CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP “And are you going to give them that bailout?” Bartiromo pressed. “It will be the same thing that Gerald Ford said. Drop dead,” Bessent said.
Eric Adams drops out of New York City mayoral race
New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced Sunday that he is dropping out of the city’s mayoral race on Sunday. Adams’ announcement, first reported by the New York Post before he posted a message on social media, comes as the mayor was trailing both Democratic and Republican contenders. This is a developing story. Check back soon for updates.
Mikie Sherrill stays silent as New Jersey politicians react to convicted cop killer’s death
As political figures across New Jersey react to the death of Joanne Chesimard, Democratic candidate for governor Mikie Sherrill has remained silent — a notable contrast to her Republican rival Jack Ciattarelli and other Democrats who have spoken out. Chesimard, also known as Assata Shakur, has long been a polarizing figure in New Jersey politics after her conviction in the 1973 killing of a state trooper and subsequent escape to Cuba. CONVICTED COP KILLER ASSATA SHAKUR, AN FBI MOST WANTED TERRORIST, DEAD IN CUBA, COMMUNIST REGIME SAYS “Joanne Chesimard’s death is a reminder of the lasting tragedy that justice was never served for the murder of Trooper Werner Foerster,” Ciattarelli’s campaign wrote in a statement to Fox News Digital on Sunday. “Though she will never be held accountable, we honor Trooper Foerster’s sacrifice and stand with all who carry his memory forward,” Ciattarelli added. Sherrill’s campaign did not respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment. Sherrill’s silence follows the response of political leaders from both parties, many of whom emphasized the case’s deep ties to law enforcement and its lasting impact on New Jersey’s political landscape. Democratic New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy said on Friday that he spoke to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who said the Cuban government confirmed Chesimard’s death. “For years, we have worked with the State Department to bring Chesimard back to New Jersey, so she could face justice for the cold-blooded murder of an American hero. Sadly, it appears she has passed without being held fully accountable for her heinous crimes,” Murphy wrote in a statement on X. “Unlike his killer, Trooper Foerster never had a chance to live out his days in peace. But we remain fully committed to honoring his memory and sacrifice,” he added. Murphy said that he will “vigorously oppose any attempt to repatriate Chesimard’s remains to the United States.” In a separate post, Murphy slammed the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) post on X honoring the “life and legacy of a revolutionary fighter, a fierce writer, a revered elder of Black liberation, and a leader of freedom whose spirit continues to live in our struggle.” Murphy called the post “shameful and depraved.” New Jersey Republican Assemblyman Mike Inganamort said the CTU post “celebrates a cop killer.” CHICAGO TEACHERS UNION HONORS BLACK MILITANT CONVICTED COP-KILLER AFTER DEATH IN CUBA, DRAWING BACKLASH “I’ve long stood with the NJ State Troopers in fighting for the return of this fugitive cop killer who brutally murdered Trooper Werner Foerster more than fifty years ago,” wrote New Jersey Democrat Rep. Josh Gottheimer on X. “While Joanne Chesimard found safe harbor in Cuba and escaped accountability during her lifetime, nothing can erase the pain her crimes inflicted on Trooper Foerster’s family, his fellow troopers, and our state,” he added. Meanwhile, New Jersey Rep. Tom Kean said Foerster “will forever be remembered for his honorable service and ultimate sacrifice.” “With news of her death, we honor the life Trooper Foerster lived, the courage he showed, and the legacy of heroism he leaves behind,” he wrote on X. Chesimard was riding on the New Jersey Turnpike with fellow members of the Black Liberation Army when they were pulled over. Foerster was killed in an ensuing shootout. In 1977, Chesimard was convicted of first-degree murder along with multiple related charges, including assault and battery of a police officer, assault with a dangerous weapon, assault with intent to kill, illegal possession of a firearm, and armed robbery. She was sentenced to life in prison for the 1973 murder of Foerster. In 1979, she escaped a New Jersey prison and went into hiding before resurfacing in Havana in 1984, where she is believed to have remained ever since. The FBI and the New Jersey attorney general each offered a $1 million reward for her capture.
Ex Michelle Obama aide leads Des Moines school board’s defense of superintendent arrested by ICE
Iowa Democrats are rallying behind a school superintendent who was arrested by ICE on allegations that he is in the country illegally this week, and they are led by a school board chair who once held a key role in the Obama White House. After ICE arrested Ian Roberts, the superintendent for Des Moines Public Schools (DMPS) last week, school board chair Jackie Norris called for people to have “radical empathy” as Roberts’ case plays out. Norris previously served as White House chief of staff for then-first lady Michelle Obama. Meanwhile, Republicans in the state legislature are also launching a probe into how the board chose Roberts in the first place. Norris supported Roberts in a statement on Friday in which she said that officials “do not have all the facts.” “There is much we do not know,” Norris said. “However, what we do know is that Dr. Roberts has been an integral part of our school community since he joined over two years ago.” IOWA SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT ARRESTED BY ICE, FACING PRIOR WEAPONS CHARGES, ALLEGEDLY FOUND WITH LOADED HANDGUN “During his time with our district, he has shown up in ways big and small and has advocated for students and staff, and has begun introducing concepts that will help us reimagine education for future generations,” she continued. Norris said Roberts joined the school district in July 2023 after having served in various school districts across the U.S. for “over 20 years.” Norris was not the chair of the school board at the time Roberts started, but she has been a member since 2021. Meanwhile, Republicans in the Iowa legislature are calling for a wider probe to ensure proper hiring practices are being followed across the state. Iowa’s House Government Oversight Committee also sent a letter to the DMPS directing it to preserve documents related to Roberts’ hiring. “I will not hesitate to introduce and pass legislation to mandate enhanced hiring protocols, increase transparency in district operations, and protect the resources allocated to our schools through the appropriations process,” State Rep. Austin Harris said. “Iowa’s families deserve nothing less than a safe, lawful, and effective education system for their children.” DMPS did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Fox News Digital. ICE alleges that Roberts is in the country illegally from Guyana. They say he is not legally permitted to work in the United States and had a final order of removal from a judge issued in May 2024. Roberts was arrested after allegedly driving away from law enforcement. He later abandoned his car in the woods, and Iowa State Patrol ended up finding him, according to a press release. “This suspect was arrested in possession of a loaded weapon in a vehicle provided by Des Moines Public Schools after fleeing federal law enforcement,” ICE ERO St. Paul Field Office Director Sam Olson said in a statement. “This should be a wake-up call for our communities to the great work that our officers are doing every day to remove public safety threats,” Olson continued. “How this illegal alien was hired without work authorization, a final order of removal and a prior weapons charge is beyond comprehension and should alarm the parents of that school district.” The district said Roberts had previously done an I-9 to prove legal status, but that it was conducted by a third-party group and that it did not know about an order of removal, according to The Associated Press. Roberts came to the United States with a student visa in 1999 and had charges for weapon possession in 2020, according to ICE.
Baltimore residents reveal what changes they want to see to combat crime amid National Guard threat
BALTIMORE – While politicians debate how to combat crime in Baltimore, Maryland, local residents who spoke to Fox News Digital advocated for more affordable housing, recreational centers and accessible community resources. Earlier this month, Gov. Wes Moore and Mayor Brandon Scott deployed the Maryland State Police and the Transportation Authority Police to partner with the Baltimore Police Department after President Donald Trump floated deploying the U.S. National Guard to crackdown on crime. “We got so many kids getting into stuff and killing and on drugs, especially down here in this neighborhood on the Penn North,” Tasha, a young mother who spoke to Fox News Digital earlier this month while pushing her baby’s stroller through Baltimore’s Penn-North neighborhood, said. Tasha said more kids need access to rec centers because “so many of them are getting hooked on drugs and caught up in things that they don’t got no business getting caught up in, all because they don’t have nothing else out here to do.” BALTIMORE RESIDENTS REJECT NARRATIVE FROM CITY LEADERS ABOUT VIOLENT CRIME DROPPING: ‘NOT GOING LOW’ Fox News Digital spoke to more than a dozen Baltimore residents about how crime is impacting their community. While locals were split on whether Trump deploying the National Guard would curb crime, residents said safety concerns were top of mind. ‘BALTIMORE IS ON FIRE’: RESIDENTS REVEAL WHETHER TRUMP SHOULD SEND NATIONAL GUARD TO COMBAT VIOLENT CRIME More than two dozen people were hospitalized in a mass drug overdose event in Penn-North in July. Meanwhile, three out of the seven homicides in Baltimore during August were in the nearby Park Heights, according to local reporting. Between people selling and using drugs on the corner as one police car was parked just down the street, Tasha said that in Penn-North, “everything is back out here running like it didn’t even happen a month ago.” Joseph, a Penn-North resident who spoke to Fox News Digital while a homeless woman slept on his front stoop, said there are abandoned houses and buildings on his street and “all over the place.” But Trayvon, another Baltimore local, asked, “How can you fix a place and not fix the people?” “If you fix that, all you’re going to do is make a prettier place to sell drugs,” he said. Scott Graham, a Republican who campaigned in 2022 for Maryland’s House of Delegates to represent the Baltimore suburbs, said high property taxes “discourage people from coming in and buying” property. “We have vacant housing all over the place, and people are reluctant to come in. That vacant housing is in areas where there’s high crime,” Graham said. Moore and Scott have touted “historic reductions in violent crime” in Baltimore, pointing to 91 homicides and 218 nonfatal shootings in 2025, which Scott said are 29.5% and 21% drops. But statistics compiled by the nonprofit research institute Just Facts show that Baltimore’s 2024 murder rate is still 6.8 times the average for all metropolitan areas in the nation and that if the murder rate stays the same as it was in 2024, roughly 1 in every 38 people in the city will have their lives cut short by murder at some point during the course of their lives. The 17 Baltimore locals who spoke to Fox News Digital earlier this month were divided over whether deploying the National Guard is the solution to their crime concerns. While many worried it would raise tensions and inspire riots, others said the troops could serve as a crime deterrent. “We just need to get back to where we used to be when we were coming up as kids, where everybody got together and everybody worked together, and they moved people off the blocks, and they made the clean blocks, and they did all of those things,” Ronette, a Baltimore resident, said. “Our city just got to a point where we just, it’s everybody for their self. Nobody works together.” Trump signed a memorandum this month establishing a task force to address crime in Memphis, Tennessee, similar to his ongoing crime crackdown in Washington, D.C. He said the effort includes deployment of the National Guard, the FBI, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations and Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Last month, Trump mobilized 800 D.C. National Guard troops to reduce crime in the nation’s capital. More National Guard troops from Ohio, West Virginia, South Carolina, Louisiana, Mississippi and Tennessee were dispatched to support the crime crackdown. In addition to Baltimore, Trump has also floated deploying troops to Chicago and Oakland, but the plans have been met with resistance by Democrats. Fox News Digital’s Diana Stacy contributed to this report.
Iraqi president calls nation ‘100% safe’ even as ISIS, Iranian militia threats persist
Iraq is entering “a new phase” of stability and growth, President Abdullatif Jamal Rashid said in an interview, declaring the country “100% safe” as U.S. troops prepare to draw down after more than two decades on the ground. While praising the U.S. for helping to defeat ISIS, Rashid stressed that Iraq now intends to stand on its own — maintaining ties with both the United States and neighboring Iran. “Americans have helped us in defeating terrorism… and I think Iraq is 100% safe and secure,” Rashid told Fox News Digital on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly. “It’s a new phase in Iraq, really concentrating on improving the infrastructure.” Those who served in Iraq in the early 2000s — through the War on Terror and a civil war — may not recognize it as the same place, according to Rashid. SENIOR ISLAMIC STATE LEADER KILLED IN IRAQ, TRUMP SAYS HIS ‘MISERABLE LIFE WAS TERMINATED’ “We have started development in every field of life, and there are good opportunities for number of American companies, American businessmen, to be our partner in improving the situation in Iraq.” Under this “new phase,” Rashid said he wants Iraq to be defined less by conflict and more by commerce. “Our relationship with the United States is a long relationship. We want to make a stronger relationship… on trade, on investment, on energy and water.” The timing is significant. The U.S.-led coalition that toppled Saddam Hussein in 2003 and later fought ISIS was scheduled under an agreement last year to begin its final withdrawal this September. That exact timeline is unclear, and the Pentagon has disclosed few details. The issue is sure to dominate next month’s parliamentary elections, where a swath of Iraqis want the U.S. to adhere to its agreement and leave. “This is a hot button political issue,” said Behnam Taleblu, fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD), “with a timetable that was technically — or at least allegedly — already supposed to have started by then, is going to be something that we should be keeping our eyes on.” American commanders have warned that ISIS cells remain active in rural areas, while Iran-aligned militias have targeted U.S. and Iraqi government facilities with rockets and drones. US CHAMPIONS LEBANON’S RESPONSE TO HEZBOLLAH DISARMAMENT, HINTS AT ABRAHAM ACCORDS OPPORTUNITY Some argue the counter-ISIS mission is not over, and U.S. troops should remain. Others say the U.S. footprint lacks a clear purpose at this point. “The deterrent effect of U.S. forces there, I think, could be significant,” said Taleblu. Pressed on these concerns, Rashid dismissed talk of Iraq being “overrun with Iranian proxies” as exaggerated and said Baghdad is determined to prevent outside powers from dictating its politics. “We want to keep our independence, our decision-making in Iraq as the Iraqis, not to be influenced by outsiders,” he said. On reports of militia attacks, Rashid claimed ignorance but insisted such actions would not be tolerated. “I’m not really aware of any groups [carrying out attacks]. We will not allow it. And these are against the Iraqi security and Iraqi independence,” he said. Still, the perception of Iranian influence remains a flashpoint in Washington. ARMENIA AND AZERBAIJAN LEADERS SEEK TO EASE RUSSIAN AND IRANIAN CONCERNS AFTER US-BROKERED PEACE DEAL “Iranian influence has already taken over Iraq,” Rep. Joe Wilson, R-S.C., told Fox News Digital. Tehran has close ties to Shiite parties that shape government coalitions in Baghdad, and it supports militias within the Popular Mobilization Forces that remain powerful players in the country’s security environment. Iraq also relies on Iranian electricity and natural gas imports, while Iranian goods fill local markets, making Iraq one of Tehran’s most important trading partners despite international sanctions. UN GIVES LONG ROUND OF APPLAUSE AFTER PALESTINIAN AUTHORITY PRESIDENT ACCUSES ISRAEL OF ‘GENOCIDE’ That reach, however, is not uncontested. Iraqi nationalist movements — including many Shiites — have resisted Tehran’s sway, and mass protests in recent years have condemned Iran’s role, sometimes targeting its consulates. Baghdad today remains a space of competing influence. “The Islamic Republic benefits from Iraq looking like Swiss cheese,” said Taleblu, referring to Iranian pockets of influence across the country and its institutions. “Iran and Iraq are two neighbors,” Rashid said, emphasizing that they had friendly relations. “We will not allow politicians from either [U.S. or Iraq] to be imposed on Iraqi people.” Still others say Iran could take note of the Iraqi success story. In less than 20 years, the nation rose from decades of conflict and dictatorial leadership under Saddam Hussein to relative stability and democratic elections. Rashid confirmed that Baghdad and the Kurdistan Regional Government have resolved their dispute over oil exports, paving the way for flows to resume after months of disruption. “It’s a big deal,” said Rashid, who himself is Kurdish by background. The Iraqi presidency is reserved for a Kurd under an informal power-sharing agreement, while the prime minister is Shi’a Arab and the speaker of the parliament is Sunni Arab. Rashid also pointed to November’s parliamentary elections as proof of democratic stability. “We are going to have elections in two months’ time in November. That’s really an indication of how stable the country is… We want the process to be fully democratic,” he said. But the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) — a state-sanctioned umbrella of mostly Shiite militias, some with close ties to Tehran — are seen by critics as a parallel power structure undermining Iraq’s sovereignty. Rashid, however, argued that integrating all armed groups under the constitution strengthens, rather than weakens, the state. And on foreign policy, Rashid tried to position Iraq as a bridge. He welcomed growing recognition of a Palestinian state, cautiously praised Donald Trump’s push for peace in Gaza, and reiterated that war — whether in the Middle East or in Ukraine — “doesn’t solve any problem. It makes the problem more complicated.”
Harris recalls stun over Biden’s botched debate response about fallen service members in Afghanistan
Former Vice President Kamala Harris revealed in her new political memoir, “107 Days,” that she was stunned by then-President Joe Biden’s debate response about his administration’s botched withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021, which left 13 service members dead. Biden’s debate performance against Donald Trump in 2024 was viewed as an abject failure, with the Democratic president tripping over his words, losing his train of thought and displaying a raspy voice attributed to a cold during the event. Harris argued that Biden whiffed an easy question on the military and omitted any acknowledgment of the 13 U.S. service members who died during the Afghanistan withdrawal. She also pointed to his claims that he was “the only president this century” and “this decade” who did not have any troops “dying anywhere in the world.” KAMALA HARRIS REJECTS IDEA THAT BUNGLED ‘VIEW’ INTERVIEW WAS TIPPING POINT IN CAMPAIGN Harris in her book, however, identified those who were killed as “13 marines,” — except it was not all Marines who died during the withdrawal. Eleven Marines, one soldier and one Navy corpsman were killed in a suicide bombing at the Kabul Airport’s Abbey Gate. Harris explained in her book that Biden first faced a question on the economy during his debate in June 2024, which she said was rushed, with Biden showing “no light in his eyes, no expression in his voice.” The next question was on the military, and included Biden omitting an acknowledgment of the horrific attack that plagued his administration as one of its greatest failures. “He’s got so much material on this—Trump calling our fallen soldiers ‘suckers and losers,’” Harris wrote of what ran through her head when Biden was asked about his role as commander-in-chief. KAMALA HARRIS BREAKS SILENCE ON BIDEN DROPOUT, ADMITS SHE HAS REGRETS ABOUT HER HANDLING OF SITUATION “He managed to get off that line but had stepped on it earlier by saying no one had died in wars overseas on his watch, seeming to forget the thirteen marines who died in the bomb blast at the airport during the evacuation of Afghanistan. I’d been on Air Force Two when it happened, and we had to change our flight plan to get back to DC in the face of that tragedy. How could he overlook that day?” she wrote, expressing her surprise over the response, but misidentifying those who were all killed as members of the Marines Corps. “I know his deep feelings for those men and women. It’s personal to him,” she added. KAMALA HARRIS REVEALS WHAT BIDEN TOLD HER JUST BEFORE CRUCIAL DEBATE WITH TRUMP THAT LEFT HER ‘ANGRY’ The Biden administration repeatedly came under fire for its handling of the Afghan withdrawal. It was viewed as paving the road for adversaries such as Russia to invade Ukraine, as the U.S. looked weak on the international stage, critics such as Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, said at the time. The Taliban regained control of Afghanistan upon the U.S.’ withdrawal. The families who lost loved ones during the botched withdrawal previously slammed Biden and Harris for their deaths, including launching a scathing defense attack against Harris when she was running for president. Parents and other loved ones claimed that the “administration killed my son” and that they “have not seen any support from you or your administration.” KAMALA HARRIS COMPLAINS ABOUT ‘IMPOSSIBLE’ LACK OF SUPPORT FROM BIDEN’S COMMS TEAM, INNER CIRCLE Biden added fuel to the fire of the botched withdrawal criticisms when he appeared on a tarmac during a dignified transfer ceremony of those killed in 2021 and was seen looking at his watch. Fox News Digital reached out to Harris’ office for comment on the section of the book, including a response as to why Harris stated the 13 service members were all identified as “marines,” but did not immediately receive responses. Biden’s office declined to comment. Harris’ book, “107 Days,” hit store shelves Tuesday and reflects on the former vice president’s truncated presidential campaign cycle after Biden dropped out of the race amid mounting concern over his mental acuity. Harris is set to go on tour promoting her book in cities such as New York, San Francisco and London.
‘Escape From New York’: Researcher predicts NYC business exodus if Zohran Mamdani wins
Zohran Mamdani’s promises to freeze rents and raise taxes on corporations could trigger a New York City business exodus, Michael Toth, a research fellow at the University of Texas at Austin’s Civitas Institute, told Fox News Digital. Businesses have railed against Mamdani’s progressive platform since his primary win shocked the political establishment, with leaders like Gristedes CEO John Catsimatidis sounding the alarm on Mamdani’s plans to open city-run grocery stores and raise taxes on the 1% if he wins in November. “We have a far-left socialist mayor who’s trying to take control of the epicenter of global finance,” Toth said in an exclusive interview. “It’s like oil and water.” Toth, a legal commentator on economic and regulatory reform, explained why Mamdani becoming mayor would trigger a “stampede” of businesses out of New York City in his essay, “Escape From New York.“ SOCIALIST’S NYC MAYORAL WIN SPARKS FIERCE DEBATE OVER FEASIBILITY OF RADICAL POLICY AGENDA The Texas-based researcher argued that Mamdani’s policies “are obviously not what has built New York City into the city that it’s become,” through leading finance, media and communication industries. NYC OFFICIAL WARNS BUSINESSES WILL FLEE ‘IN DROVES’ IF DEMOCRATIC SOCIALIST CANDIDATE WINS MAYORAL RACE “If I’m a New Yorker, and I’m looking for an affordable place to live, it’s not going to be in a city where Zohran Mamdani is running,” Toth said. Affordability has been central to Mamdani’s campaign. His platform also includes promises like fast, free buses and free childcare, contrasting his “grassroots energy” to his general election opponents, former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, Mayor Eric Adams and Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa. “Billionaires – and the politicians who do their bidding – have made New York City unaffordable for too many New Yorkers and now, this campaign is mobilizing tens of thousands of volunteers ready for a new kind of politics,” campaign spokesperson Dora Pekec said in a recent statement announcing more than 230,000 campaign doors. But Toth said that Mamdani is lacking a key understanding of supply and demand. “He completely shortchanges how hard it is for businesses to stay afloat and to consistently bring products to their customers,” Toth said. “More supply is better for consumers,” Toth said. “More government mandates is worse for consumers because it drives prices up.” Toth said New York City’s mayoral election is consequential, not just for its residents, but for Americans, arguing there could be a “continued reorientation of the American capital markets to places like Dallas and Florida.” If New Yorkers elect Mamdani, “these policies are going to set the city back decades,” Toth said. Mamdani has maintained that he doesn’t like capitalism, telling CNN’s Erin Burnett in June that he has “many critiques of capitalism.” When asked about the criticism from business leaders, particularly grocery stores owners, Mamdani told Fox News Digital it will be possible for a “partnership” between the city and grocery store and bodega owners, despite his plan to open five city-run grocery stores if elected mayor this November. “I am interested in working with each and every New Yorker, and I’ve actually spoken with a number of grocery store owners and made clear to them that I both recognize, and I appreciate the work that they have done. The fact is that they are a critical part of our communities,” Mamdani said. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Despite Mamdani’s reassurances, real estate moguls have signaled support for Adams and Cuomo recently rallied support among local business leaders as pressure mounts to consolidate support against Mamdani. The latest Suffolk University CityView poll revealed that 45% of New Yorkers are very or somewhat likely to vote for Mamdani in November’s general election for mayor, with a 20-point lead over Cuomo. Fox News Digital reached out to Mamdani’s campaign for comment but did not immediately hear back.