Tag: new york

DOJ Launches Grand Jury Investigation into Letitia James’ Prosecution Of Trump

The Department of Justice has launched two new investigations into New York Attorney General Letitia James and her office over her allegedly malicious targeting of political enemies.

The U.S. attorney in Albany, Daniel Hanlon, issued two subpoenas to James, the first one related to her office’s civil fraud case against President Trump, the New York Times reported.

The Justice Department reportedly believes her prosecution of Trump violated his Constitutional rights.

The second subpoena is related to her office’s long-running effort to dissolve the National Rifle Association (NRA), according to the Times.

Attorney General Pam Bondi has signed off on the probes, and a there is a grand jury underway in New York’s state capital Albany, Fox News reported Friday.

“The DOJ Is going after James because she took then former president Donald Trump to court ‘simply because she didn’t like him and campaigned on getting him,’” Fox reported. The Justice Department reportedly believes James violated Trump’s First Amendment rights dealing with free speech.

James had accused Trump of inflating his net worth to get a good deal on loans and other financial benefits.

Trump-hating Judge Engoron ruled in her favor and ordered the Trump Organization to pay a $454 million bond, prompting George Washington University law Professor Jonathan Turley to call it “absurdly out of line with not just the purpose of the law but the facts of the case.”

A New York Appeals Court later reduced Trump’s bond to $175 million, which he paid on March 31, 2024.

Trump fumed against Engoron and James on Truth Social after he paid the bond.

“He is a whacked out nut job who just made up a number out of thin air, just like he did on the value of Mar-a-Lago,” Trump said.

“Businesses won’t enter New York because of this decision, and many are fleeing. Think of it – I had to pay an enormous sum for the right to Appeal the ridiculous decision of a CROOKED Judge and A.G. This is Election Interference, and it all comes directly from Joe Biden and the White House. An attack, along with ALL OF THE OTHERS, on his political opponent, ME!”

After the 2024 election, James refused to drop the case, reasoning that presidents are not protected by immunity in civil cases.

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NYPD on MANHUNT for WNBA sex-toy throwing suspect in Beavis and Butthead shirt

Police are looking for a man who threw a lime-green sex toy during a WNBA New York Liberty home game, narrowly missing a 12-year-old girl, according to the NYPD.

The incident happened Tuesday at Barclays Center during the Liberty’s matchup against the Dallas Wings. Security footage released by Crime Stoppers shows the suspect wearing a “Beavis and Butthead” T-shirt, a red and black hat, black shorts, and displaying tattoos on both arms.

Witnesses said the object was launched from a higher row in section 116, where the girl was seated with her mother. “The object was thrown from someone much higher up but definitely in the same section,” a fan in the area told the New York Post. “When it landed, the girl started screaming/freaking out (understandably) for like 30 [seconds] and got the attention of most people within the surrounding rows.”

The sex toy did not make it to the court but instead landed near a mother and her child. Barclays Center staff removed it quickly, and the game continued. The Liberty went on to defeat the Wings 85–76.

This was one of two WNBA games that night where a similar incident occurred. In Los Angeles, Indiana Fever player Sophie Cunningham was struck by a green sex toy during a game against the Sparks.

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Chaotic NYC ‘Safe’ Injection-Sites Put On Notice By Trump

Democrats fully own the crime and chaos plaguing major cities, after decades of failed progressive experiments that have only backfired spectacularly, transforming some parts of America’s largest metropolitan areas into lawless, crime-ridden no-go zones. 

There’s an urgent need for course correction and to restore law and order in major cities run by rogue Democratic leaders whose failed social justice policies (influenced by leftist billionaires and their NGOs), like defunding the police and “safe” injection sites, have only fueled more crime, chaos, and disorder on the streets. 

President Trump’s “Ending Crime and Disorder on America’s Streets” executive order, issued late last month, has put these taxpayer-funded safe injection sites on notice.

Safe injection sites, such as those run by nonprofit OnPoint NYC in East Harlem and Washington Heights, supervise illegal drug use under the guise of harm reduction.

A clear legal precedent was set in 2019 under President Trump’s first term via the Department of Justice that successfully blocked a proposed safe injection site in Philadelphia under the Controlled Substances Act. The Third Circuit upheld the decision, and the Supreme Court let it stand. That ruling could now be used against NYC’s injection sites if the Manhattan U.S. Attorney chooses to follow Philadelphia’s lead. 

Trump’s new order calls on the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to ensure that none of its “discretionary grants” indirectly fund such sites, which have been causing significant problems at the local level.

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NYC to shut down last migrant hotel after shelling out $170 million to crime-ridden shelter

It’s the end of an error.

New York City’s last-standing — and most notorious — migrant hotel will soon stop housing illegal border crossers, The Post has learned.

The once-four-star Row NYC hotel on Eighth Avenue in Midtown was repurposed in October 2022, so its 1,331 rooms could be used as a shelter while the Big Apple dealt with the crippling migrant crisis, but Mayor Eric Adams confirmed the city’s $5.13 million-a-month contract with the hotel won’t be renewed in April.

The deal has allowed the hotel — which is owned by Boston-based real estate titan Rockpoint Group — to already rake in more than $170 million.

It’s unclear what the future holds for the establishment, which once charged $414 to $435 per weeknight for standard rooms before becoming a shelter. Reps for the company did not return messages.

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‘Defund The Police’ NYC Mayoral Candidate Zohran Mamdani Has Already Spent $33,000 on Private Security

Like many Democrats running for office, New York City mayoral candidate Mohran Zamdani is a glaring hypocrite.

Mamdani, a self-described socialist and New York state assemblyman who won the Democratic nomination back in June, has poured tens of thousands of dollars into hiring a private security firm for his personal protection.

Campaign finance records reviewed by Fox News show that in June and July alone, Mamdani’s team made three separate payments to Advanced Security & Investigations, each ranging from roughly $8,000 to $13,000.

In total, the campaign shelled out $33,495 over the two-month period.

The firm openly promotes itself as a “proud employer” of New York Police Department (NYPD) officers, despite Mamdani’s long-term support for defunding the police.

Back in 2020 at the height of the Black Lives Matter riots across the country, Mamdani described NYPD as “racist, anti-queer and a major threat to public safety.”

”NO to fake cuts – defund the police,” he wrotea the time.

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Prosecutors in Mangione Case Respond to Claim They’re Lying

Manhattan prosecutors have denied claims from murder suspect Luigi Mangione’s defense team that they lied on a subpoena to access his medical records illegally, Business Insider first reported on Friday.

The defense alleges prosecutors “were plainly lying to get the materials as soon as possible,” defense attorneys Karen Friedman Agnifilo, Marc Agnifilo, and Jacob Kaplan said in a filing when the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office obtained 120 pages of private data from Aetna without their or the court’s knowledge, and that prosecutors fabricated a court date months in advance for the subpoena.

In May, Mangione pleaded not guilty to federal murder charges in the fatal shooting of UnitedHealthCare CEO Brian Thompson. Prosecutors formally declared their intent to seek the death penalty if convicted. 

Thompson, a 50-year-old father of two, was shot to death just before 7 a.m. Eastern Time last Dec. 4 outside the New York Hilton Midtown. Fingerprints recovered from a water bottle and a Kind nutrition bar near the crime scene have been matched to Mangione’s, according to police. Authorities also say that have linked bullet shells to a 3D printed ghost gun Mangione had in his possession when he was arrested.                                            

Assistant District Attorney Joel Seidemann told Judge Gregory Carro that Aetna released medical information beyond the scope of the subpoena.

“Aetna erroneously sent us materials,” he wrote. “Like Aetna, the defense then erred, compounding Aetna’s mistake. Defense counsel sent the People an email attaching the entire Aetna file she now complains about.”

“The People issued a valid subpoena to Aetna for an appropriately limited set of relevant information,” Seidemann wrote. “Through no fault of the People, Aetna seemingly provided materials outside of the scope of the subpoena. The People then properly identified the error and notified the Court and the defense and deleted our copy of said materials.”

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New York rep wants more ‘migrants’ in Brooklyn ‘just for redistricting purposes’

Rep. Yvette D. Clarke, serving New York’s 9th District in Brooklyn, NY, has said that she would like to see more immigrants into her area “just for redistricting purposes.” Redistricting is an emerging political fight ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.

“I’m from Brooklyn, New York,” Clarke said on a Zoom call. “We have a diaspora that can absorb a significant number of these migrants, and that, you know, when I hear colleagues talk about, you know, the doors of the inn being closed, no room. In the end, I’m saying, you know, I need more people in my district, but just for redistricting purposes, and those members could clearly fit here.”

New York joins Texas and California in undertaking redistricting efforts. President Donald Trump has called on Texas to redo its districts to remake some of their districts as GOP majority, saying this could be a gain of 5 seats. The Texas legislature began a special session on Monday to undertake that project.

California Governor Gavin Newsom countered that proposal by saying that he would redo California’s districts. California, however, has an independent commission in the state to create districts, per the state’s constitution.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries has also said that “all options” are on the table to win back the House in 2026, including redistricting. “All options are on the table when it comes to winning back control of the House,” he said.

Former Texas Rep. Beto O’Rourke said that with regard to redistricting across the country. “We have to be absolutely ruthless about getting back in power,” he said. “So yes, in California, in Illinois, in New York, wherever we have the trifecta of power, we have to use that to its absolute extent. And then the last thing: this may end up biting Republicans in the ass. You have the possibility that they will disperse Republican voters to make up these three or four or five new congressional districts and put those districts in play.”

The population of District 9 in New York is about 771,000, which is greater than the population of two states and the District of Columbia. Brooklyn at large has a population of 2.6 million people, which is larger than the populations of 16 states. By recent estimates, there are nearly 600,000 illegal immigrants in New York City, with the boroughs of Brooklyn and Queens holding the bulk of that population.

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Mamdani’s Plan for Schools Draws Angry Backlash from New York Parents

New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani continues to make waves with his radical agenda. This time he’s targeting charter schools, producing some strong reactions from parents and residents.

In an exclusive report by The New York Post, the newspaper wrote that Mamdani “plans to declare war on charter schools if he’s elected mayor,” according to a survey he answered June before the Democratic primary.

The state assemblyman said he would “fight efforts to open more charters, which largely educate minority, working-class students, and even opposed the schools sharing space in city-owned buildings,” the article read.

“I oppose efforts by the state to mandate an expansion of charter school operations in New York City,” he said in a Staten Island Advance questionnaire.

Mother Arlene Rosado, who has a son in 10th grade at the “Nuasin Next Generation” K-12 charter school in the Bronx, said Mamdani doesn’t know what he’s talking about.

“I don’t understand why Mamdani would be hostile to charter schools,” she said. “I think he’s very misinformed.”

Rosado reportedly moved her son there because he was being bullied in public school. His situation has since improved after he was given the option to leave.

“Charter schools are helping kids in the community,” Rosado added. “You should always have a choice. Taking that choice away is not cool.”

The socialist candidate claimed charter schools divert public resources and mainly serve the wealthy, while harming lower-income families, The Hill reported last month.

Mamdani also promised to conduct audits of charter schools that are within the city’s Department of Education buildings, claiming they get too much public money.

“I also oppose the co-locating of charter schools inside DOE school buildings, but for those already co-located my administration would undertake a comprehensive review of charter school funding to address the unevenness of our system,” his survey answer read.

He added, “Matching funds, overcharged rent, and Foundation Aid funding would be part of this audit as my administration determined how to manage the reality of co-located schools and legal entitlements.”

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NYC to Open Nation’s First Trans-Only Homeless Shelter — Will Cost Taxpayers $65 Million

The city of New York is opening the nation’s first transgender-only homeless shelter.

The shelter, a partnership between a local LGBTQ nonprofit and the city government, will cost the city an extraordinary $65 million and will be the first transgender homeless shelter in the nation.

Further details were outlined in a joint press release:

There will also be a full-time psychiatric nurse practitioner onsite who will work closely with the social workers and other credentialed staff to provide comprehensive mental health support.

On-site clinical staff will provide health education through coaching and counseling with the end goal of improved health outcomes and increasing clients’ self-sufficiency.

This model will offer specialized services to address depression, anxiety, and other challenges our residents may experience.

Destination Tomorrow will also employ holistic approaches to health and mental wellness with programs offering yoga and meditation.

In addition, Destination Tomorrow is developing a work study program for culinary arts, this will provide hands-on experience and internship opportunities for residents seeking careers in hospitality and food service.

DSS and Destination Tomorrow will work closely with key community stakeholders to identify collaborative ways to better serve and support New York City’s thriving LGBTQ+ community.

“ We’ve watched so many other corporations and foundations and businesses just like completely turn their back on the community and the city didn’t do it,” said Sean Ebony Coleman, founder and CEO of Destination Tomorrow, the nonprofit that will manage the shelter for the city.

“The city is keeping in line with what New York City has always been, a sanctuary city, a safe haven, but more importantly, a trendsetter when it comes to LGBTQ rights.”

City officials are openly championing the initiative, with Department of Social Services Commissioner Molly Wasow Park declaring they “could not be prouder” of the announcement.

“Ace’s Place will offer Transgender New Yorkers a safe place to heal and stabilize in trauma-informed settings with the support of staff who are deeply invested in their growth and wellbeing,” she added.

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Zohran Mamdani Opposes Charter Schools in NYC, Even Though He Went to a Private School

New York City Democrat candidate for mayor, and noted communist, Zohran Mamdani has gone on record saying that he opposes charter schools in the city.

When Mamdani came to the United States as a child, he attended the Bank Street School for Children, a private school that charges $37,554 – $68,793 in tuition, according to Wikipedia.

There are two important issues in play here.

First, charter schools are important because they offer an alternative to traditional public schools, which frequently benefits minority children. Second, charter schools are typically opposed by teacher unions who correctly see these schools as a form of competition for public schools. As a Democrat candidate, Mamdani is undoubtedly depending on the support of teacher unions in the mayoral election.

The New York Post reports:

Zohran Mamdani’s vow to declare war on charter schools if elected NYC mayor sparks outrage from parents, advocates: ‘Very misinformed’

Socialist Zohran Mamdani plans to declare war on charter schools if he’s elected mayor, according to a survey he answered — sparking outrage from advocates and parents who called the front-runner’s views “very misguided.”

The 33-year-old Queens assemblyman said he would fight efforts to open more charters, which largely educate minority, working-class students, and even opposed the schools sharing space in city-owned buildings.

“I oppose efforts by the state to mandate an expansion of charter school operations in New York City,” he said in a Staten Island Advance questionnaire before the June 24 Democratic primary.

Mamdani’s hostility to charter schools — which are privately run and publicly funded — puts him in sync with the United Federation of Teachers union, which endorsed him in the November general election following his primary victory over ex-Gov. Andrew Cuomo and others.

So typical for the left. School choices for me but not for thee.

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