Senate GOP breaks Democrat ‘blockade’ with massive confirmation of Trump picks
Senate Republicans confirmed a staggering tranche of President Donald Trump’s nominees on Tuesday as the government shutdown continues.
Lawmakers voted along party lines to confirm the batch of 107 of Trump’s nominees, a move that whittled down the remaining pending nominees on the Senate’s calendar to double digits. It also came as the upper chamber was deadlocked in the midst of a government shutdown, during which floor votes have largely been dedicated to trying to reopen the government.
The slate of confirmed nominees included many of Trump’s top allies and former candidates that he hand-picked to run in previous elections.
SENATE CONFIRMS DOZENS OF TRUMP NOMINEES IN FIRST TEST OF NEW NUCLEAR RULES
Some of the most recognizable on the list were former Republican Senate candidate and ex-NFL star Herschel Walker, who was tapped as the U.S. Ambassador to the Bahamas, and Sergio Gor, a top advisor to Trump who he picked to be his U.S. Ambassador to India.
Other posts confirmed included a wave of senior administration officials, several prosecutors and the reappointment of Securities and Exchange Commission Chair Paul Atkins to a seat on the commission until 2031.
GOP TRIGGERS NUCLEAR OPTION IN SENATE TO BREAK DEM BLOCKADE OF TRUMP NOMINEES
The vote also marked the second time that Senate Republicans have deployed the new rule change surrounding confirmations since going “nuclear” on Senate rules last month.
Republicans opted to change confirmation rules to allow a simple majority of votes to advance large swathes of nominees in response to Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and his caucus’ blockade of Trump’s picks that lasted nearly nine months into his presidency.
SENATE GOP READY TO GO NUCLEAR AFTER SCHUMER’S ‘POLITICAL EXTORTION’ OF NOMINEES
Typically, subcabinet-level nominees, particularly those with bipartisan support out of committee, are sped through the Senate either by unanimous consent or through a voice vote, two fast-track procedural moves in the upper chamber. But Senate Democrats refused to relent, and Republicans argued they forced their hand on a rules change that they believed would benefit both parties in the future.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
The rule change allows for an unlimited number of nominees to be confirmed in a single batch, but includes several procedural hoops to jump through before a final confirmation vote.
Senate Republicans previously confirmed 48 of Trump’s picks last month. Among that batch were Kimberly Guilfoyle, who Trump tapped to be the U.S. ambassador to Greece, and Callista Gingrich, who was picked to be the U.S. ambassador to Switzerland.
Secret network of Antifa groups operating together revealed by UNC professor
EXCLUSIVE: A professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill revealed during a panel at Harvard University that an Antifa-linked group requested his gun club to provide security during the August 2017 Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, Virginia.
“Prior to that day, as the planning for the defense of Charlottesville proceeded, the local Anarchist People of Color Collective, or APOC, had requested that Redneck Revolt be present to secure Justice Park for a wide variety of activists who were expected to assemble,” Dwayne Dixon told Harvard faculty members and students who gathered in February 2018 to discuss the merits of potential violent political activism.
UNC placed Dixon on leave on Monday, Sept. Sept. 29, after reports of his activism and run-ins with the law related to that activism surfaced. He was reinstated on Friday, Oct. 3, after pushback from supporters.
UNC PROFESSOR REINSTATED AFTER ‘THREAT ASSESSMENT’ OF ‘POLITICAL VIOLENCE’ CONCERNS, TIES TO FAR-LEFT GUN CLUB
Harvard’s Carr-Ryan Center for Human Rights abruptly deleted the video of the panel, which was first published on Feb. 3, 2018, from its official YouTube page early last week.
Dixon was a member of Redneck Revolt, a left-wing gun club that placed a banner on its website amid the controversy midday last Wednesday saying the group disbanded in 2019.
APOC is a loosely knit group of anarchists that traces back to the early 2000s. While the group does not appear to advertise publicly, The Anarchist Library sheds some light on its activities.
For example, APOC has released “principles of unity” in the past, consisting of 10 bullet point statements.
“We call for a social revolution to erect a new society entirely,” the first point says.
The group also says it opposes “any forms of capitalism and class oppression and support the liberation of the poor and the workers” and “oppression of womyn, queers, transfolk, two spirits, youth, genderqueers, differently able-bodied people, people with mental health complexities, animals and all that are oppressed.”
STUDENT UPROAR ERUPTS AT ELITE COLLEGE AFTER PROFESSOR PUT ON LEAVE OVER TIES TO FAR-LEFT GUN CLUB
A 2009 mission statement signed only “APOC Philly” calls for more coordination from the group.
“Revolution, if it is to succeed, requires a coordinated, comprehensive network of dedicated revolutionaries,” the statement said. “Of course, APOC has existed for some time now. However, we have not thus far been able to create and maintain a form suitable to our needs.”
During the panel, Dixon also mentioned other groups to whom Redneck Revolt was “connected.”
Those groups included the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW), a hard-left alternative to the American Federation of Labor, Muslims for Social Justice, a North Carolina-based group that advocates for left-wing causes and the anti-war group About Face, also known as Iraq Veterans Against War.
“And we have all these other linkages to radical left organizations,” Dixon said. “I mean, Ready the Ground, … The Raqqa Society, all of these people are in conversation and are shoulder to shoulder. Yeah, the time for prudent action, planning and working with comrades in different kinds of decision-making processes, developing new kinds of horizontal organizing.”
Ready the Ground is a North Carolina-based group that says it “strengthens movements for social justice in North Carolina by offering training in nonviolent people-power action and marshaling.”
HARVARD FACULTY EXPRESSED SUPPORT FOR POTENTIAL LEFT-WING POLITICAL VIOLENCE DURING 2018 PANEL
Left-wing Antifa and similar anarchist groups claim to operate without serious organization, and instead portray themselves as individual antifascists who come together to protest.
However, Antifa itself has chapters, most notably Rose City Antifa in Portland and Atlanta Antifascists.
The Trump administration has vowed to crack down on Antifa groups, and recently declared Antifa a domestic terror organization via executive order.
“Antifa is a militarist, anarchist enterprise that explicitly calls for the overthrow of the United States Government, law enforcement authorities and our system of law,” the order says. “It uses illegal means to organize and execute a campaign of violence and terrorism nationwide to accomplish these goals.”
“Individuals associated with and acting on behalf of Antifa further coordinate with other organizations and entities for the purpose of spreading, fomenting and advancing political violence and suppressing lawful political speech,” the executive order notes. “This organized effort designed to achieve policy objectives by coercion and intimidation is domestic terrorism.”
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Dixon and UNC did not return requests for comment. Neither did IWW, Muslims for Social Justice or Ready the Ground.
APOC and The Raqqa Society could not be reached for comment.
Harvard declined to comment.
‘She’s strong, she’s loved’: Dolly Parton’s sister asks fans to pray for country star
Dolly Parton’s sister, Freida Parton, asked for prayers for the country star Tuesday, a week after the singer announced she would have to postpone concerts at her Las Vegas residency due to medical procedures.
“Last night, I was up all night praying for my sister, Dolly,” Freida wrote in a Facebook post. “Many of you know she hasn’t been feeling her best lately.”
Freida added that she truly believes in the “power of prayer, and I have been lead to ask all of the world that loves her to be prayer warriors and pray with me. She’s strong, she’s loved, and with all the prayers being lifted for her, I know in my heart she’s going to be just fine. Godspeed, my sissy Dolly. We all love you!”
Fox News Digital has reached out to representatives for Parton for comment.
DOLLY PARTON UNABLE TO WRITE NEW SONGS AFTER LOSING HUSBAND OF NEARLY 60 YEARS
On Sept. 28, the “Jolene” singer told fans she would need to postpone the concerts for her Las Vegas residency in a social media post.
LIKE WHAT YOU’RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS
“I want the fans and public to hear directly from me that, unfortunately, I will need to postpone my upcoming Las Vegas concerts,” Parton shared online. “As many of you know, I have been dealing with some health challenges, and my doctors tell me that I must have a few procedures.”
Parton was scheduled to perform in Sin City at the end of the year, with six performances at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace.
SYDNEY SWEENEY’S DOLLY PARTON-INSPIRED WESTERN WILL BENEFIT FROM AD BACKLASH: EXPERT
“As I joked with them, it must be time for my 100,000-mile check-up, although it’s not the usual trip to see my plastic surgeon,” Parton continued. “In all seriousness, given this, I am not going to be able to rehearse and put together the show that I want you to see, and the show that you deserve to see.”
Parton continued, “You pay good money to see me perform, and I want to be at my best for you.”
“While I’ll still be able to work on all of my projects from here in Nashville, I just need a little time to get show ready, as they say,” Parton added. “And don’t worry about me quittin’ the business because God hasn’t said anything about stopping yet.”
The “9 to 5” musician believed: “He is telling me to slow down right now so I can be ready for more big adventures with all of you. I love you and thank you for understanding.”
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER
The “I Will Always Love You” writer shared that the shows would be rescheduled for September of next year.
Earlier in September, Parton also missed an event at Dollywood marking the opening of a new roller coaster.
“Hello Dollywood! It’s me,” the 79-year-old told parkgoers in a video. “I know – and I’m here, and you’re there. And you’re wondering why that is? Well, I had a little problem.”
She explained that she had a kidney stone that had caused an infection, “and the doctor said, ‘You don’t need to be traveling right this minute, so you need a few days to get better.’”
“So, he suggested I not go to Dollywood today, but I’m there with you in spirit,” she added. “I was looking so forward to it.”
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Parton lost her husband, Carl Thomas Dean, 82, in March after the couple had been married for nearly 60 years.
Police officer gunned down, leaving behind wife and 4 children
A Missouri police officer has been killed while assisting in a mutual aid operation in Mississippi County, according to officials.
Officer Henry Franklin, 41, was fatally shot on Oct. 6, while helping the Mississippi County Sheriff’s Office serve a warrant at a residence, per the Sikeston Department of Public Safety (SDPS).
The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported that the warrant was for Nathan B. Peters, 36, who was wanted in connection with a homicide that occurred earlier that day.
In a statement released on the SDPS Facebook page, the department said Franklin, a member of the SDPS Tactical Team, had responded as part of a mutual aid request to locate and apprehend Peters.
KANSAS POLICE OFFICER DIES AFTER BEING SHOT WHILE RESPONDING TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CALL
Authorities allege Peters barricaded himself inside the residence and opened fire on officers shortly after 7:35 p.m. and that Franklin was struck by gunfire during the exchange.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Troop C SWAT Team was later called to assist.
When law enforcement entered the home around 12:35 a.m. Tuesday, Peters was found deceased from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Franklin had been with the SDPS since June 2013, and had previously served in the Army National Guard.
KANSAS CITY POLICE OFFICER KILLED BY FLEEING SUSPECT WHILE DEPLOYING STOP STICKS TO END PURSUIT
He was also well known throughout the community as the handler for K-9 Odin, his loyal partner in service.
“Our department has suffered an unimaginable loss,” SDPS Director James McMillen said in the Facebook post. “Officer Franklin was not only a dedicated public servant but also a husband, father, son, and brother. We ask that you keep Franklin’s family and our department in your prayers as we navigate this difficult time.”
UTAH POLICE OFFICERS KILLED DURING DOMESTIC DISTURBANCE RESPONSE WERE HUSBANDS, FATHERS: ‘DEFINITELY HEROES’
Franklin was born and raised in Charleston, Missouri.
In honor of Franklin’s service and sacrifice, Sikeston Mayor Greg Turnbow ordered all flags within the city to be flown at half-staff until the conclusion of Franklin’s funeral.
The SDPS did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
Bondi blasts senator over military record claim during fiery exchange
U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi got into a heated exchange Tuesday with Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., accusing him of lying about his military record after he questioned her about the lobbying activities of her former law firm.
The confrontation took place during a Senate Judiciary Committee oversight hearing when Blumenthal asked Bondi about a merger involving her former firm, Ballard Partners.
“In the merger that took place involving American Express GBT (Global Business Travel), I understand that Brian Ballard, a longtime backer and head of the law firm where you worked, was instrumental in lobbying the Justice Department to drop that lawsuit. … What conversations did you have with Mr. Ballard?” Blumenthal asked.
TRUMP HOUNDS BONDI TO PROSECUTE ADVERSARIES IN NOW-DELETED SOCIAL MEDIA POST: ‘THEY’RE ALL GUILTY AS HELL’
Bondi fired back, accusing Blumenthal of lying about his military record.
“Sen. Blumenthal, I cannot believe that you would accuse me of impropriety when you lied about your military service. You lied — you admitted you lied to be elected a U.S. senator,” she said, speaking over the senator.
“How dare you? I’m a career prosecutor. Don’t you ever challenge my integrity,” she added. “Do not question my ability to be fair and impartial as attorney general, or anything regarding my former firm, Ballard Partners.”
BOSTON’S WU FIRES BACK AT BONDI, CITING REVOLUTION, AS OTHER CITIES SLAM FEDS OVER ‘SANCTUARY’ WARNINGS
Blumenthal has previously said he “misspoke” about serving in Vietnam, saying in 2010 that some of his past remarks were inaccurate.
“On a few occasions, I have misspoken about my service, and I regret that and take full responsibility,” Blumenthal said at the time. He described those remarks as “absolutely unintentional” and said the mistake occurred only a few times out of “hundreds” of speeches he has given.
Blumenthal said he remains proud of his service in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
“Unlike many of my peers, I chose to join the military and serve my country,” he said. “I will not allow anyone to take a few misplaced words and impugn my record of service.”
Top officials call Comey arrest speculation ‘noise’ as legal process begins
EXCLUSIVE: Top Department of Justice officials brushed off rumors on Tuesday that James Comey would be arrested and paraded in front of the media, providing their remarks on the former FBI director’s court case one day before his scheduled arraignment.
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche and FBI Director Kash Patel told Fox News Digital in a sit-down interview at the FBI Chicago Field Office that media reports about a possible camera-ready Comey arrest, sometimes known as a perp walk, were mere distractions.
“We conduct arrests, the FBI conducts arrests at every courthouse in this country every single day of the year,” Blanche said, calling the rumors about Comey’s circumstances “gossip.”
COMEY INDICTED FOR ALLEGED FALSE STATEMENT, OBSTRUCTION OF CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDING
“Mr. Comey has been directed to appear, and I expect that he will. But the noise from MSNBC and from retired agents or unnamed anonymous sources about perp walks is just that,” Blanche said. “It’s just noise.”
Reuters, MSNBC and other outlets reported in recent days that an FBI official was fired for refusing to partake in a showy arrest of Comey and staged walk. Comey has been summoned to appear at a courthouse in Virginia on charges of making a false statement to Congress, but it is unclear if an arrest is also planned.
HOW JAMES COMEY’S INDICTMENT COULD GO SOUTH FOR THE DOJ
Patel, meanwhile, spoke as part of a visit to Chicago’s field office to show support for FBI personnel who have been partaking in “Operation Midway Blitz,” a massive immigration enforcement operation that has been rife with tension among city leaders, federal law enforcement and activists.
He called the media reports about Comey a “detraction” from the FBI’s work.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
“The mainstream media wants to take the eye off the ball and create theater,” Patel said. “We’re not about theater. We’re about producing our results in court. And that’s what you’re going to see tomorrow start, the revelation of details, and it will be forthcoming in the judicial process as everyone in America is entitled to, including Mr. Comey, and we want him to have his day in court, and it starts tomorrow.”
Fox News Digital reached out to Comey’s attorney for comment.
Deion Sanders’ blunt reaction to Browns’ shocking QB trade says it all
With the Cleveland Browns sending Joe Flacco to the Cincinnati Bengals to take over their quarterback duties, rookie Shedeur Sanders naturally slides up the Browns’ depth chart heading into Week 6.
Dillon Gabriel, who made his first NFL start in London in a loss to the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, remains the starter. But since Flacco was his backup after being benched following four weeks, Sanders will now be behind him as they prepare to face the Pittsburgh Steelers on the road.
As the Browns made this surprising in-division trade, Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders — the legendary father of Cleveland’s fifth-round pick — was asked about the trade during his weekly press conference ahead of his own game this week.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
His response?
“I don’t care,” Sanders told reporters bluntly. “I don’t give a darn about the Browns at all. I care about the Colorado Buffaloes. I do love me some Shedeur Sanders, though, believe that. I care about him, and the rest of that mess I don’t. I’m a coach trying to win games just like they’re trying to win games. I could care less who they traded.”
Fair enough from “Coach Prime.”
BROWNS TRADE JOE FLACCO TO BENGALS AMID CINCINNATI’S QB STRUGGLES
The elder Sanders is staring at a 2-4 record through six games with his Buffaloes. They are coming off back-to-back losses against BYU and TCU, and Sanders is hoping to snap an 0-3 record in Big 12 play ahead of his matchup against No. 22 Iowa State in Boulder on Saturday.
Deion did predict that his son would play at some point in his rookie campaign, though he wouldn’t give a definitive timeline.
Sanders shared his thoughts on the “New Heights” podcast, telling hosts Jason and Travis Kelce he has “got a feeling when it’s going to go down.” He has been telling his son to “be patient and be ready,” as he has faith his time is coming.
In his first start, Gabriel was 19-of-33 (57.6% completion rate) for 190 yards with two touchdown passes in the 21-17 loss to the Vikings overseas. Minnesota ended up winning the game in the late stages, as Jordan Addison scored the game-winning touchdown with just seconds left on the fourth-quarter clock.
The Bengals were clearly desperate to get someone else in the building at quarterback after Jake Browning, who had taken over for the injured Joe Burrow, lost each of his first three starts. With Burrow likely out for the remainder of the regular season, the Bengals reportedly called on multiple fronts before landing on Flacco.
Flacco didn’t fare well through four weeks, as the Browns went 1-3. He completed 58.1% of his passes for 815 yards with two touchdowns and six interceptions. Head coach Kevin Stefanski made the change, though he kept Flacco as the team’s backup instead of moving Shedeur up the depth chart, too.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
While it’s unknown if Flacco will start immediately for Cincinnati, the move figures to have him in place over Browning after three straight losses.
Remains of history’s most beloved saint to be displayed in rare event
The relics of St. Francis of Assisi, one of the most beloved saints in history, will be put on display in Italy next year.
Vatican News, the official outlet of the Vatican, reported the news on Oct. 4, St. Francis’ feast day.
The relics will be on display at the Basilica of Saint Francis in Assisi from Feb. 22 to March 22, 2026, during which time Francis’ body “will be moved from its tomb in the crypt and placed at the foot of the papal altar in the lower church of the basilica,” the outlet noted.
TREASURES IN ITALY, INCLUDING 2,300-YEAR-OLD TOMB, UNEARTHED DURING SEWER INSTALLATION
At the close of the veneration route, each visitor will receive a small gift from the Franciscan community.
Officials are expecting a large influx of pilgrims and tourists, who are required to sign up using a free online reservation system.
Accessible routes are also being set up for visitors with disabilities.
The outlet reported that Pope Leo XIV approved the display. His predecessor, Pope Francis, took his papal name in honor of the 13th-century saint.
St. Francis lived from 1181 to 1226. He is famous for founding the Franciscan Order, a community dedicated to helping the poor and living a simple life.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER
He was known as the patron saint of animals — and his tomb in Assisi became a major pilgrimage site during the Middle Ages.
His remains will soon draw an influx of pilgrims once again.
The Franciscan friary of the basilica, Sacro Convento, noted in a statement that the event comes nearly 800 years after his death.
MORE FROM FOX NEWS LIFESTYLE
“[This is] an extraordinary gift, a profound invitation to prayer and an opportunity to see the Gospel of Christ lived out fully in the life of someone just like us,” the friary said.
“This exposition, rooted in the Gospel theme of the seed that dies to bear fruit in love and fraternity, invites us to reflect on the life of the Saint, which continues to bear fruit 800 years later and still inspires humanity along the path of peace, fraternity, service to the poor, joy and care for creation.”
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Fox News Digital reached out to the Basilica of Saint Francis in Assisi to learn which relics would be on display, but did not immediately hear back.
Mamdani hands big check to radical group boasting about infiltrating his campaign
FIRST ON FOX: Newly released campaign finance records reveal New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani’s campaign gave over $28,000 last month to the New York City Democratic Socialists of America, a radical group that has boasted about the level of influence it will have if Mamdani is elected mayor.
The Mamdani campaign made a payment of $28,677.57 to DSA’s NYC chapter on Sept. 15 and filled in the purpose field that the funds were for “Other: explntion / Texting.”
Mamdani’s campaign has previously given numerous smaller payments totaling roughly $3,000 to DSA for “Fundraising / Fundraising Emails” but the September donation represents by far the largest contribution to the group since his campaign was launched. NYC-DSA has received 36 payments, totaling over $33,000 from Mamdani’s campaign since early 2025.
The donation comes amid public boasting from DSA that they wield massive influence on Mamdani’s platform.
‘ABSOLUTELY A COMMUNIST’: MAMDANI DODGES LABEL, BUT HIS RECORD AND EXPERT SAY OTHERWISE
During a July panel discussion, Fox News Digital previously reported how DSA members discussed how they have been closely collaborating with Mamdani and how he has the organization positioned to “seize state power.”
DSA organizer Daniel Goulden claimed the organization has been intimately involved in Mamdani’s campaign, even helping to write portions of his platform.
“With Zohran, we’re in basically the best possible position to seize state power that we can be in because, you know, we’re like this,” Goulden said, indicating with his fingers that the campaign and organization are very close.
Goulden went on to suggest that “one of the things that made Zohran really successful with his policy rollouts is specifically relying on DSA
“DSA has regular meetings with him, let alone his team. His policy director is my friend. I’ve been working with his campaign manager for well over a year. You know? I have friends who are his staff,” he said.
He went on to say the DSA worked especially closely with Mamdani on his “trans rights” platform to use city resources to give free transgender treatments to people across the country.
“We wrote the platform with him. The team was so happy to work with us on this,” he explained. “What we explicitly wanted to do was use the power of New York City to provide free gender-affirming care – and I say free in case insurance companies decide to boot us off – free gender-affirming care, not just to people in New York City, but across the country.”
“Our endorsed candidates are expected to follow the will of the membership,” chapter leader Darren Goldner concluded.
Last week, New York Post reported from a DSA event that group leaders boasted about a “symbiotic” relationship with Mamdani that will last past the election if Mamdani wins.
Mamdani revealed during a 2021 interview that he was “very excited about being a member of DSA, specifically the New York City chapter” and that the anti-Israel Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions movement was a major issue pushed by DSA in order to get endorsements, Fox News Digital previously reported.
“Within the questionnaire when you submit to be considered a candidate to be endorsed by the organization, you’re asked what your views are on BDS and I think that has also brought what it is typically thought of as a separate issue into the sphere of local politics where we create a bench of candidates,” Mamdani said. “We’re not legislating on BDS on a daily basis, but it’s clear that our commitment is unabashed to justice.”
The national DSA organization and its chapters, including the NYC-DSA, have shared views on several issues that they have been vocal about, including their disdain for ICE and cracking down on on “bad landlords” by having the city take control of properties when a landlord refuses to make repairs or “demonstrates consistent neglect” of their tenants.
He also believes he can fix New York City’s affordable housing crisis by immediately freezing the rents of the over two million New York residents who live in rent-stabilized apartments, which is part of DSA’s housing justice platform.
“Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani is here to bring New Yorkers back to the left. With a platform focused on cost of living: from utility bills to grocery bills to bus fares to childcare to rent, Zohran is the candidate who wants to make life in New York City more affordable,” NYC-DSA’s website says. “His platform focuses on the pillars of free childcare, fast and free buses, and freezing rent for all rent-stabilized tenants.”
A Fox News Digital review found that multiple staff members of Mamdani’s campaign are directly involved with DSA, including Tascha Van Auken, who has been paid over $100K by the campaign and is the campaign’s field director. In a July 2025 profile piece, she explained how the Mamdani campaign adopted the DSA’s model of canvassing.
“So I would say that the beginning of the campaign for us is building up the leadership structure, building up the infrastructure, really honing in on what we’re talking to voters about,” Auken, who has been branded as the NYC-DSA’s “field operations guru,” said. “Then once petitioning is over, we go full force into persuasion, which is basically just lots and lots of talking to voters that we haven’t talked to before, persuading them to vote for Zohran or just identifying that they are Zohran supporters or not.”
CUOMO WARNS DEM SOCIALIST RIVAL’S TAX PLAN WOULD TRIGGER MASS EXODUS OF NYC’S WEALTHY
Elliana Bisgaard-Church, who previously served as Mamdani’s campaign manager during the Democratic primary and is member of his inner circle, is also a member of the NYC-DSA and worked closely with top leaders of the DSA chapter. Mamdani and Bisgaard-Church, who raked in a six-figure salary working for Mamdani, met on a weekly basis with NYC-DSA co-chairs Grace Mausser and Gustavo Gordillo, according to The Nation.
“Toward the end of the race, in a final get-out-the-vote push, Mausser recalled a meeting in which Bisgaard-Church requested help to secure as much youth turnout as possible. NYC-DSA responded at a moment’s notice with a text- and phone-banking effort by the organization’s youth wing, as well as an extensive tabling operation at several nightclubs in Bushwick and the Ridgewood neighborhood of Queens,” The Nation reported.
“So I would say that the beginning of the campaign for us is building up the leadership structure, building up the infrastructure, really honing in on what we’re talking to voters about,” Auken, who has been branded as the NYC-DSA’s “field operations guru,” said. “Then once petitioning is over, we go full force into persuasion, which is basically just lots and lots of talking to voters that we haven’t talked to before, persuading them to vote for Zohran or just identifying that they are Zohran supporters or not.”
Elliana Bisgaard-Church, who previously served as Mamdani’s campaign manager during the Democratic primary and is a member of his inner circle, is also associated with NYC-DSA and worked closely with top leaders of the DSA chapter. Mamdani and Bisgaard-Church, who raked in a six-figure salary working for Mamdani, met on a weekly basis with NYC-DSA co-chairs Grace Mausser and Gustavo Gordillo, according to The Nation.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
“Toward the end of the race, in a final get-out-the-vote push, Mausser recalled a meeting in which Bisgaard-Church requested help to secure as much youth turnout as possible. NYC-DSA responded at a moment’s notice with a text- and phone-banking effort by the organization’s youth wing, as well as an extensive tabling operation at several nightclubs in Bushwick and the Ridgewood neighborhood of Queens,” The Nation reported.
Fox News Digital reached out to Mamdani’s campaign and NYC-DSA for comment.