President Donald Trump faced scrutiny after stating he did not know Changpeng Zhao, a cryptocurrency billionaire he pardoned. Zhao had pleaded guilty to enabling money laundering. The pardon and Trump's comments stirred debate over his use of pardon powers.
Key Facts
President Trump pardoned Changpeng Zhao, founder of Binance, last month.
Zhao had pleaded guilty to federal charges related to money laundering in 2023.
He served a four-month prison sentence and was released in September 2024.
In an interview, Trump stated he did not know Zhao despite pardoning him.
Trump suggested he pardoned Zhao due to a belief that the Biden administration treated him unfairly.
The White House commented that there were no fraud allegations or victims in Zhao's case.
The pardon has sparked debate over the extent of Trump's use of presidential pardon powers.
Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin is popular, but his successor, Winsome Earle-Sears, is trailing in polls against Abigail Spanberger in the gubernatorial race. One issue affecting the race is the impact of data centers on energy costs, which has become a concern for voters. Earle-Sears faces challenges such as limited fundraising and lack of support from President Trump.
Key Facts
Governor Glenn Youngkin has a 50% approval rating in Virginia.
Winsome Earle-Sears, the Republican candidate, is 10 points behind Democratic candidate Abigail Spanberger in polls.
Virginia and New Jersey have important gubernatorial races that affect overall political climate perceptions.
Virginia has many data centers, leading to concerns about rising energy costs.
Data centers bring tax revenue but not many long-term jobs.
Youngkin facilitated significant investments in data centers, which affected electricity costs.
Spanberger's campaign focuses on reducing energy costs and requiring data centers to pay their share.
Earle-Sears has not clearly addressed the issue of data centers' impact on energy costs during her campaign.
President Donald Trump has increased criticism of Zohran Mamdani, a state lawmaker running for New York City mayor. If Mamdani wins, Trump may take actions such as increasing immigration enforcement, suing the city, withholding federal funds, increasing federal oversight, and deploying federal officers. Mamdani, who leads in the polls, has called Trump's comments an attack on democracy.
Key Facts
Zohran Mamdani won the Democratic primary to run for New York City mayor.
President Trump labeled Mamdani a "communist" and questioned his citizenship.
Mamdani would be New York City's first Muslim and Indian American mayor.
Trump has threatened actions like withholding federal funds if Mamdani becomes mayor.
The Trump administration might increase immigration enforcement in New York City.
Trump has deployed federal troops to other Democrat-led cities, suggesting he might do the same in New York City.
New York City has faced legal action from the Trump administration over local immigration laws.
An article from Newsweek's "Conventional Wisdom" section assigns up, down, or sideways arrows to different political figures and events to show their current status in public perception. It humorously comments on recent events, such as an FBI intervention and President Trump's playful Halloween antics.
Key Facts
"Conventional Wisdom" is a feature from Newsweek focused on political figures and their public image.
It uses arrows to denote the rising or falling status of these figures in current events.
The FBI prevented a concerning event in Michigan, earning it positive recognition.
President Trump gained attention for interacting with children during Halloween without backlash.
Chinese leader Xi Jinping was the main figure at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum.
ICE agents wearing masks from a horror movie was criticized as a bad idea.
A Halloween decoration by Maryland Supreme Court Justice Peter Killough led to legal tensions.
Mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani was teased for not knowing the song "New York State of Mind."
Andrew Cuomo is campaigning to become the mayor of New York City while facing criticism regarding his past as governor of New York. Zohran Mamdani, his main rival, contrasts his own integrity against Cuomo's experience, highlighting past controversies involving Cuomo.
Key Facts
Andrew Cuomo is running for mayor of New York City.
Zohran Mamdani is a state Assemblyman and Cuomo's main opponent.
Cuomo previously served as New York State governor and has an extensive political background.
Cuomo's leadership included large projects like the redevelopment of LaGuardia Airport.
Mamdani criticizes Cuomo's past controversies, including management during the COVID pandemic and allegations of misconduct.
Cuomo resigned as governor in August 2021 following accusations of sexual misconduct.
Zohran Mamdani, despite his shorter political career, emphasizes his integrity over Cuomo's experience.
California Proposition 50 is a measure that allows the state’s Democratic leaders to bypass the independent redistricting commission to create a congressional map favoring Democrats before the midterm elections. Democratic voters view this as a way to counteract Republican redistricting efforts in other states. Proposition 50 is likely to pass, despite opposition from some Republican voters.
Key Facts
Proposition 50 allows California's Democratic leaders to temporarily bypass the independent redistricting commission.
The measure aims to make five U.S. House seats in California more favorable to Democrats.
Democratic supporters believe this counters Republican redistricting efforts in other states.
The special election for Proposition 50 concludes on Tuesday.
Polling suggests Proposition 50 is likely to pass.
Some voters have mixed feelings but feel compelled to support the measure.
Republican voters express concern over losing representation in California.
President Trump's use of the National Guard in U.S. cities has been a long-term plan, not an impulsive decision. The goal is to use the Guard for major immigration enforcement, which challenges traditional laws about military use in the country. Legal experts and activists are concerned about the impact of these deployments on upcoming elections.
Key Facts
President Trump has deployed National Guard troops to cities led by Democrats, saying they are needed for crime control and protecting immigration officers.
The plan to use the National Guard for immigration enforcement has been discussed by Trump and his aide Stephen Miller over the years.
There are legal limits on using the military for domestic law enforcement, but the Insurrection Act allows it under certain conditions.
Some experts worry that deploying troops could affect the 2026 midterm elections, possibly leading to voter intimidation.
Trump's campaign has focused on reducing illegal immigration and plans significant deportation operations.
Stephen Miller has supported using the National Guard for immigration for several years.
The administration faces legal challenges questioning the legality of using military forces in these ways.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is taking migrants directly from county jails in parts of the United States. This act raises concerns about the migrants' legal rights.
Key Facts
ICE stands for Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
ICE is taking migrants straight from county jails.
This action is happening in some areas of the U.S.
Concerns have been raised about the legal rights, known as "due process," for these migrants.
Due process means fair treatment through the normal judicial system.
The practice has sparked discussion about the fairness of the legal process for the individuals involved.
President Trump is returning to Washington, D.C., as a government shutdown continues for a second month. States are trying to find solutions because SNAP benefits have been stopped during the shutdown. Candidates in New York City's mayoral race are working to gather support before Election Day.
Key Facts
President Trump is going back to Washington, D.C.
The government shutdown has lasted two months.
SNAP benefits, which help people buy food, are not available due to the shutdown.
States are trying to find ways to help people affected by the loss of SNAP benefits.
There is an ongoing mayoral race in New York City.
Candidates in the New York City election are organizing rallies to gain supporters.
President Donald Trump was interviewed on CBS's '60 Minutes', where he discussed various topics, including trade relations with China, nuclear testing, and political funding. This was his first interview with CBS since a previous legal dispute with the network's parent company. During the conversation, Trump emphasized improving U.S.-China trade deals and expressed a desire to resume nuclear weapon testing.
Key Facts
President Trump had a 90-minute interview with CBS's '60 Minutes' at Mar-a-Lago.
This was his first interview with CBS since a lawsuit against the network's parent company, Paramount, settled for $16 million.
Trump announced a reduction in tariffs on Chinese goods from 20% to 10% after meeting with China's President Xi Jinping.
China agreed to delay new export controls on rare earth minerals as part of trade negotiations.
Trump expressed the importance of good relations with China and said "we get along very well at the top."
Trump confirmed intentions for the U.S. to resume nuclear weapons testing, citing other countries' ongoing tests.
He mentioned the necessity of testing for the maintenance and effectiveness of nuclear weapons.
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which helps people in the U.S. buy food, ran out of federal funds because of a government shutdown. This left many who depend on these benefits without support.
Key Facts
SNAP is a national food assistance program in the United States.
The program ran out of money because of a government shutdown.
Millions of people rely on SNAP benefits to purchase food.
The program stopped providing benefits on Saturday.
The timeline for when benefits will be restored is unclear.
The situation affects people across the United States.
People who receive SNAP benefits are worried and confused because a government shutdown has paused their food assistance. States are working to help those affected fill the gap in their benefits.
Key Facts
SNAP stands for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, which helps people buy food.
A government shutdown has temporarily paused SNAP benefits.
Many people depend on SNAP to buy groceries and feed their families.
States are trying to find ways to support people during this pause in benefits.
Recipients of SNAP have expressed feelings of confusion and anxiety due to this disruption.
The concern is widespread among people relying on these benefits for daily food needs.
The situation involves both national and state actions to address the issue.
A judge ruled that President Trump's administration must continue funding the SNAP program, which helps people buy groceries. This decision affects many Americans relying on these funds.
Key Facts
A judge has ordered the Trump administration to continue funding the SNAP program.
SNAP stands for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, providing food assistance to Americans in need.
Many Americans depend on SNAP to afford groceries.
The decision follows recent court rulings on this issue.
Cindy Long, who used to oversee the SNAP program, discussed the impact of the ruling.
A man is facing trial for throwing a sandwich at a federal officer in Washington, D.C. The trial is set to start on Monday after a grand jury decided not to charge him with more serious offenses.
Key Facts
The incident involved a foot-long sandwich thrown at a federal officer.
The event took place in Washington, D.C.
The man is charged with a misdemeanor.
A grand jury did not indict him on more serious charges.
The trial is scheduled to begin on Monday, November 3, 2025.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) told grocery stores not to give special discounts to people using food stamps. This directive comes during a government shutdown where benefits have stopped, impacting about 42 million Americans.
Key Facts
The USDA directed stores to not treat SNAP-EBT customers differently than other customers.
This action is due to the ongoing federal government shutdown, which has stopped SNAP benefits.
SNAP is a federal program helping low-income Americans buy groceries.
The USDA said grocery stores must follow the “Equal Treatment Rule” for all customers.
President Trump requested legal guidance on using emergency funds for SNAP.
Two federal judges ruled that emergency funds must pay for food stamps during the shutdown.
The government shutdown began on October 1 and is the second-longest in history.
Payments could resume soon, but families remain uncertain about benefit availability.
New polls indicate that Democrats are expected to win key elections in Virginia, New Jersey, and New York. In Virginia, notable races include the governor and Attorney General positions, where Democratic candidates lead. The polls suggest Democrats could strengthen their hold on political offices before the 2026 midterm elections.
Key Facts
In Virginia, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Abigail Spanberger leads Republican Winsome Earle-Sears by 11 points, polling at 55% to 44%.
Democrat Jay Jones leads in the Virginia Attorney General race against Republican Jason Miyares, polling at 49% to 47%.
In New Jersey, Democrat Mikie Sherrill holds a narrow lead over Republican Jack Ciattarelli in the governor’s race, polling at 50% to 48%.
Economy is the top issue for New Jersey voters, with over half citing it as their primary concern.
In New York City, Democrat Zohran Mamdani leads the mayoral race with 50% support, ahead of Andrew Cuomo and Republican Curtis Sliwa.
Polls were conducted with a margin of error of around +/- 3 percentage points, depending on the state.
Early voting trends favor Democrats, but final outcomes depend on Election Day turnout.
New York City is about to elect a new mayor. Zohran Mamdani, a Democratic candidate, is leading in the polls against his main competitors Andrew Cuomo, running as an independent, and Curtis Sliwa, the Republican candidate. Early voting numbers show high participation, especially among younger voters.
Key Facts
Zohran Mamdani leads the polls with an average 14.7-point advantage over Andrew Cuomo.
Andrew Cuomo, a former New York Governor, is running as an independent.
Curtis Sliwa is the Republican candidate in the race.
Early voting ended on November 4, with over 735,000 early ballots cast.
President Donald Trump has warned that federal funding for NYC is at risk if Mamdani wins.
Current NYC Mayor Eric Adams endorsed Andrew Cuomo.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries endorsed Zohran Mamdani.
Recent polls show Mamdani with varying leads, from 6 to 26 percentage points.
A U.S. citizen named Carlos Jimenez was shot by a federal immigration officer in Ontario, California. Officials say the officer fired in self-defense when Jimenez reversed his car toward them, while Jimenez's lawyers contend he was shot while warning agents about children nearby. Jimenez now faces charges of assaulting a federal officer.
Key Facts
Carlos Jimenez, a U.S. citizen, was shot by an immigration officer in California.
The shooting happened during a vehicle stop on October 30, at around 6:30 a.m.
Officials claim Jimenez reversed his car toward officers, causing one to fire in self-defense.
Jimenez's lawyers argue that he was trying to inform officers about nearby children when he was shot.
Jimenez was charged with assaulting a federal officer.
The bullet remains in Jimenez's shoulder; he has not been treated to remove it.
The incident is part of increased immigration enforcement operations under President Trump's administration.
President Donald Trump stated that if the Supreme Court rules against him on tariffs, it could harm the U.S., potentially leading to its "ruination." The Court is set to hear arguments on November 5 in cases questioning Trump's authority to impose tariffs without Congress. Trump believes tariffs have bolstered the U.S. economy and security.
Key Facts
President Trump warned the Supreme Court's decision on tariffs could lead to the U.S.'s downfall.
The Supreme Court will review two cases presented by small businesses.
These cases question the President's power to impose tariffs without Congress's consent.
Trump posted his concerns about the ruling on the social media platform Truth Social.
He claims using tariffs has strengthened the U.S. economy and security.
Trump argues not having tariff power could put the U.S. at a disadvantage globally.
He states the decision will be one of the most crucial ever made by the Supreme Court.
Trump predicts if he wins, the U.S. will be "the Richest, Most Secure Country." If he loses, the country could suffer greatly.
A judge has extended a block on President Donald Trump's plan to send National Guard troops to Portland, Oregon. This decision came after legal arguments about the president's authority to deploy the military domestically against local government wishes.
Key Facts
A judge stopped President Trump from deploying National Guard troops to Portland, Oregon.
The decision followed a three-day court hearing.
The Trump administration wanted to use troops to tackle what it called rising crime in Democrat-led cities.
President Trump has already deployed federalized National Guard troops to Los Angeles and Washington, D.C.
The local police in Portland argued they could handle the situation without federal troops.
The judge found no strong evidence of uncontrolled violence in Portland that justified federal military intervention.
The court ruling prevents deploying National Guard troops to Portland until at least November 7.
