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Trump says SNAP benefits will only resume when ‘Radical Left Democrats’ open government

The nation’s largest food aid program will only resume in full when ‘Radical Left Democrats’ open the government, President Donald Trump wrote Tuesday on social media.

Trump posted about the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) on his Truth Social platform, saying that the benefits, meant to be a lifeline for low-income households, were given out too freely under former President Joe Biden, sending costs skyrocketing.

‘SNAP BENEFITS, which increased by Billions and Billions of Dollars (MANY FOLD!) during Crooked Joe Biden’s disastrous term in office (Due to the fact that they were haphazardly ‘handed’ to anyone for the asking, as opposed to just those in need, which is the purpose of SNAP!), will be given only when the Radical Left Democrats open up government, which they can easily do, and not before!’ the president’s post read.

Trump’s post comes as funding for the program was set to expire over the weekend as the government shutdown entered its second month.

On Monday, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., signaled that the expiration of funding may not be enough to persuade Democrats to end the government shutdown.

When asked if Democrats voting for the GOP federal funding bill would be the most prudent way to fix that, he said, ‘No.’

The Trump administration told a federal judge on Monday that it will partially resume SNAP benefits for the month of November despite the ongoing government shutdown, though when the payments will be distributed — and how much beneficiaries will receive — remains to be seen.

A senior Trump administration official told the court in a sworn declaration that the U.S. Department of Agriculture will allocate $4.65 billion of its $5 billion contingency fund to keep the SNAP program funded for the month of November.

SNAP supports more than 40 million Americans and has come under recent attention over how expansive the program has become and to the administration’s push to ensure illegal immigrants aren’t among its recipients.

The program was among the first that Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins targeted for review, citing concerns about eligibility and oversight.

Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., recently pushed new legislation seeking special funding for farmers and food assistance programs amid the government shutdown. The legislation would reinstate federal funding for the Farm Service Agency and SNAP.

‘We need to start forcing Democrats to make some tough votes. We need to start holding their feet to the fire,’ Hawley said in an interview with Fox News Digital last month. ‘I mean, do they really not want people to be able to eat? This situation is ridiculous.’

Fox News Digital reached out to Hawley’s office for comment on Trump’s most recent post about SNAP but did not immediately hear back.

Fox News Digital’s Amanda Macias, Elizabeth Elkind, Breanne Deppisch and Anders Hagstrom contributed to this report.

This post appeared first on FOX NEWS
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Schumer pushes shutdown into record books after rejecting GOP bill a 14th time

Senate Democrats blocked Republicans’ attempt to reopen the government for a 14th time, all but ensuring that the government shutdown becomes the longest in U.S. history.

The move to again reject the House-passed continuing resolution (CR) comes as winds of optimism and exhaustion have swept through the upper chamber. Lawmakers are engaging in more bipartisan talks, and more believe that an off-ramp is in sight.

Still, Tuesday morning’s vote against the CR came as the shutdown matched the previous 35-day record set in 2019, and it all but ensured that it would surpass that unfortunate milestone later on in the evening.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and his Democratic caucus are still largely entrenched in their position that unless an ironclad deal on expiring Obamacare subsidies is struck, they won’t reopen the government.

During a speech on the Senate floor, Schumer squarely placed the blame for the healthcare issue on Republicans and President Donald Trump as Americans got notices of increased premiums over the weekend. 

‘The only plan Republicans have for healthcare seems to be to eliminate it, and then to tell working people to go figure it out on their own,’ he said. ‘That’s not a healthcare plan. That’s cruel.’ 

However, his caucus’ resolve showed signs of weakening on Monday, when a group of nearly a dozen Senate Democrats met behind closed doors to discuss a way out.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., said he was optimistic about the shutdown coming to an end soon, but he wasn’t confident that it would be by the end of this week.

He noted that Republicans have made a plethora of options available to Senate Democrats, including guaranteeing a vote on the expiring subsidies, or ‘whatever their Obamacare bill is,’ after the government reopens. When asked if he believed lawmakers were close to reaching an end, he said, ‘I hope close.’ 

‘But the pressures, the cross pressures that everybody’s feeling, are great,’ Thune said. ‘But I think there are people who realize this has gone on long enough and that there’s been enough pain inflicted on the American people, and it’s time to end it. So we’ll see whether that’s, you know, sufficient numbers are there.’

Then there’s the reality that the current end date of Nov. 21 for the House-passed CR doesn’t give lawmakers enough time to advance funding bills, which has been a primary objective for Thune and others. And, many don’t want to reopen the government just to see it close back down a few weeks later.

Lawmakers are mulling extending the current CR, either by amending it or with a new bill, which would give them enough time to finish spending bills and avoid a colossal, year-end omnibus spending bill. Some are eyeing January, while others would prefer an extension into December. A trio of spending bills, known as a minibus, could also be tied to the revamped extension.

Those talks are happening parallel to discussions on Obamacare, but neither side has so far made a move to fully construct an off-ramp out of the shutdown.

When asked if he believed that the shutdown could end this week, Sen. Mike Rounds, R-S.D., who has routinely engaged in bipartisan talks since the shutdown began, said, ‘I don’t know, I hope so.’

‘Bottom line is they can stop all this with one vote and get back into it and get back to work on a bipartisan basis,’ he said. ‘Again, that’s what we’re hoping.’

Both sides recognize that changing the subsidies, either through reforms or impacting the rates, will be difficult given that insurers already released rates and guidance over the weekend in line with the start of open enrollment.

Still, lawmakers are discussing a path forward on the subsidies. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, who has been involved in bipartisan talks, said that her proposal for the subsidies would extend them for two years.

She noted that it would be, ‘Really, really hard to do any reforms right now,’ because the insurance rates had been released, and that her proposal was one of many in the mix.

Ultimately, it’ll come down to the right blend of ideas to build an off-ramp for the subsidies. Murkowski said that changing the income cap, which was eliminated when the subsidies were enhanced under former President Joe Biden, and changes to the low-cost premium contribution were just a couple ideas on the table.

‘There’s no highly brand-new thing that anybody’s really talking about,’ she said. ‘It’s just what’s the right concoction?’

But some Senate Democrats are frustrated that Trump has not gotten more involved and argue that unless he gives an explicit greenlight, any deal crafted on the Hill doesn’t matter.

Trump has agreed to meet with Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., only after the government reopens. And over the weekend, he demanded that Senate Republicans nuke the 60-vote filibuster threshold, something that is unlikely to happen any time soon, if ever.

‘At no point since Oct. 1 has Donald Trump agreed to sit down with Democratic leaders,’ Sen. Andy Kim, D-N.J., said. ‘So, he can talk all he wants about the filibuster, but until he actually puts some skin in the game and sits down and talks to us, like, that is all meaningless to me. And I honestly, like, don’t care about him pontificating this stuff on social media. Like, if he’s got time to tweet, he’s got time to just come and talk to us.’

This post appeared first on FOX NEWS
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Clippers owner sued by Aspiration investors over Kawhi deal

Los Angeles Clippers owner Steve Ballmer is facing a lawsuit filed by 11 former Aspiration investors, who claim the company was used to pay All-Star forward Kawhi Leonard in a manner that circumvented the NBA salary cap.

The amended lawsuit, initially filed in July, was subsequently filed in the California Superior Court and obtained by USA TODAY Sports, adding Ballmer’s name as a defendant. Aspiration, whose name is now Catona, claims the former Microsoft executive used the company “to secretly funnel millions of dollars to star NBA player, Kawhi Leonard.”

The lawsuit also said that “Ballmer was complicit in and aided and abetted (co-founder Joe) Sanberg’s fraud for his own self-serving purpose.’

‘It served Ballmer’s interest in getting extra money to Leonard so he could circumvent the salary cap, beat out the competition and re-sign his team’s superstar player,’ the lawsuit said. ‘Ballmer was complicit in and aided and abetted Sanberg’s fraud for his own self-serving purpose. Ballmer publicly endorsed Catona and infused over $50 million into the company. Absent Ballmer’s support, Catona could not have sustained the frauds set forth herein.’

The NBA is investigating the Clippers and Aspiration, and Commissioner Adam Silver said last month that there is no timetable for the probe to reach a conclusion and that the All-Star Game, slated to be played at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles on Feb. 15, will proceed.

‘There’s no contemplation of moving the All-Star Game, and planning for the All-Star Game and the surrounding activities are operating completely independently of the ongoing investigation,’ Silver said.

Ballmer has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing, claiming he was ‘duped,’ and during an interview with ESPN in September, claimed that he was unaware of the court documents that had originally linked Aspiration to Leonard, who was reportedly paid upwards of $30 million by Aspiration for a no-show job.

‘Plaintiffs allege that Ballmer transferred other funds to (Aspiration) to keep the company afloat and buy Sanberg’s support, cooperation and silence about the secret deal with Leonard. The full extent of Ballmer’s transfers of funds to (Aspiration) and Sanberg will be ascertained in discovery,’ the lawsuit said.

This post appeared first on USA TODAY
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Can Buffalo’s battered defense hold up after signature win over KC?

Coach Sean McDermott attributes the unit’s recent success to a tougher, ‘nasty’ attitude and increased player buy-in.
The defense has overcome significant adversity, using at least seven different starting lineups this season due to numerous injuries.
Despite a strong pass defense, the Bills rank near the bottom of the league against the run, posing a challenge for their championship hopes.

ORCHARD PARK, NY – Maybe Sean McDermott was serving up the Knute Rockne coach speak version in explaining the growth of this iteration of his Buffalo Bills defense. Given the roll of the unit lately, that’s certainly the coach’s well-earned right.

The Bills frustrated and pummeled Patrick Mahomes Nov. 2 to prove that they are still capable of hanging one on their nemesis – at least in the regular season – and a week earlier the defense smashed through Carolina. Hustle, energy and punch stats are flowing.

But wait a minute. Aren’t these the same guys who were shredded by Bijan Robinson for 238 yards from scrimmage (170 rushing, 68 receiving) during a Week 6 loss at Atlanta?

Well, yes and no. In more ways than one. McDermott, though, started with the mind when pressed for details after the big win on Sunday.

What’s changed since Week 6?

“Just the attitude,” McDermott said.

He contends that players are better understanding the necessary buy-in.

“Not that it was bad,” he added. “It’s just that it’s at another level right now. And you’ve got to be nasty if you want to play good defense. If you’re not tough as a defense, what have you got? You want to play finesse defense? That doesn’t work.”

The results – including heat on Mahomes reflected with three sacks, 15 quarterback hits and the lowest completion rate for a game (44.1%) in the three-time Super Bowl MVP’s career – may start with the mindset but also coincide with the physicality McDermott alluded to.

Bills defense overcoming waves of adversity

It’s mental and physical. No stretch there, except when you consider all the bodies that have rolled in and out of the lineup all season.

The Bills defense may have found a nastier attitude along the way, but the defining identity of this unit has a lot to do with its ability to handle one dose of adversity after another that can largely trace to injuries. To say you don’t know what you’ll get from week to week is not a knock. It’s fact. Buffalo (6-3) has fielded at least seven different starting lineup combinations on its defense this season, leaving McDermott and coordinator Bobby Babich to churn for answers.

“We live in that next-man-up mentality,” edge rusher A.J. Epenesa told USA TODAY Sports. “People really buy into that. We play a game that’s full of violence. Unfortunately, injuries come along. But I think our locker room is a prime example of guys stepping up when their number is called.”

No, they aren’t looking for sympathy. Injury setbacks constitute a league-wide epidemic. Like always. Yet while the undeniable face of the franchise, reigning NFL MVP Josh Allen, leads the NFL’s No. 1-ranked offense, whatever hopes the Bills have to finally break through and claim the franchise’s first Super Bowl berth in 32 years, will weigh heavily on whether the battered defense can hold up. And be trusted. The unit passed a major test in handling Mahomes and a red-hot Chiefs offense, which should boost confidence.

But more tests await. Buffalo heads into Sunday’s game at Miami ranked No. 2 in the NFL for pass defense, but it is 28th against the run – not exactly a proven championship formula.

Yet it is the journey of this particular season. Last week, star defensive tackle Ed Oliver went on injured reserve with a torn biceps, joining safeties Taylor Rapp (knee) and Damar Hamlin (pectoral), defensive tackles DeWayne Carter (Achilles) and T.J. Sanders (knee), and cornerback Dorian Strong (neck) on IR. On Friday, Taron Johnson, arguably the NFL’s best nickel back, was scratched from last Sunday’s game with a groin injury.

Michael Hoecht injury is latest blow for Buffalo D

Then came the game. Linebackers Terrell Bernard and Matt Milano returned after missing the previous week, but a devastating blow came in the fourth quarter when edge rusher Michael Hoecht suffered a torn Achilles tendon that ended his season.

“It’s a big loss,” McDermott said.

Hoecht, like fellow D-lineman and offseason free agent signee Larry Ogunjobi, missed the Bills’ first six games due to an NFL suspension for violating the performance-enhancing drug policy. He quickly provided a boost with his toughness and smarts, McDermott said. On Sunday, he was part of the rotation, along with newcomer Joey Bosa, Greg Rousseau and Epenesa, that kept constant pressure on Mahomes. And now he’s gone.

The reaction from Hoecht after he suffered the injury fit with the identity of the unit. He waved off the cart that came to transport him to the locker room, opting instead to watch the rest of the game from the bench. When it was over, the fifth-year vet used crutches to get to the locker room.

“It says more to everybody else about who Michael Hoecht is,” Babich told reporters on Monday. “That is exactly what I thought he would do … His leg could fall off and he’d figure out a way to hop around. That’s who he is.”

Now the Bills are pressed to replace him, too. Perhaps GM Brandon Beane will swing a trade or two for reinforcements before the 4 p.m. ET, Nov. 4, deadline. Or perhaps they will find more answers from within. Third-round rookie Landon Jackson, who started training camp on the physically-unable-to-perform list and has been active for just two games, could be pegged for more action.

“We’ve got to find somebody else that’s going to step up,” McDermott said. “It’s been kind of one of those years; we’ve been tasked with doing that … We’re going to continue to figure out how we can manufacture wins at this point.

“Who’s the next up? That’s why we continue to tell the guys who may not be playing yet, ‘Make sure you’re ready.’ ”

Which is so essential to the attitude.

Contact Jarrett Bell at jbell@usatoday.com or follow on  X: @JarrettBell

This post appeared first on USA TODAY
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Trade grades: Who won Cowboys’ deadline deal with Bengals?

Jerry Jones sure knows how to entertain at the NFL trade deadline.

The Dallas Cowboys owner initially turned heads Monday with his claim that he had completed a deal that he would not reveal until Tuesday. Then, after a 27-17 loss to the Arizona Cardinals on ‘Monday Night Football,’ he cast some doubt on whether the swap would actually materialize.

Early on Tuesday, however, the Cowboys finally agreed to terms to acquire linebacker Logan Wilson from the Cincinnati Bengals in exchange for a seventh-round draft pick.

The exchange represented two embattled defenses moving in opposite directions. For the Bengals, the move represented a full embrace of the youth movement at the position. For the Cowboys and Jones, it might be a last gasp at bolstering a thoroughly maligned unit.

Here’s how each team graded out in the trade:

Cowboys trade grade: C-

It’s not quite the equivalent of a defensive version of the Jonathan Mingo trade, but this seems like an awfully big kerfuffle for a so-so return.

Yes, Jones gets a proven entity and team captain who just a year ago was a formidable presence against the run. A hard-nosed and savvy approach on that front no doubt endeared Wilson to Jones, especially amid the defense continuing to be gashed in the ground game. But it was clear before his benching that the 29-year-old had fallen off, whether it was getting to plays a step later or whiffing on tackles more often once he was in position to do something.

Most of all, it’s difficult to see how this move does much to transform a unit that has so far to go before it can offer up any kind of consistent resistance under coordinator Matt Eberflus. The post-Micah Parsons pass rush isn’t where it should be, and Wilson’s blitzing skills won’t significantly shift the outlook there. The coverage problems extend well beyond one player, and that’s far from Wilson’s strong suit at this point in his career.

Maybe the veteran adds a degree of stability to a unit that’s been far too shaky while leaning on Kenneth Murray. But the eventual return of DeMarvion Overshown seems like the change that’s actually going to make a difference here.

When he first teased a move Monday, Jones said he could also complete a couple more. If Dallas truly intends on competing at 3-5-1, he’ll probably need to figure out a way to get those done. Then again, this defense is probably beyond saving at midseason.

Bengals trade grade: C

Can’t fault Cincinnati for trying something different amid its defense’s historically woeful run. At the same time, though, it’s hard to square exactly what this does for the Bengals in both the short and long term.

One thing is clear: It’s now up to Barrett Carter, who bumped Wilson from his starting role, and fellow rookie Demetrius Knight Jr. to lead the second level of this unit given that there’s no support coming from anywhere else.

“I see a very high ceiling in Barrett,” Bengals coach Zac Taylor said last month. “I see qualities in him I wanted to see more of. The only way to do that is expand the role.”

It’s one thing to clear a path to playing time for the fourth-round pick. But Wilson was still the most reliable presence for a linebacker group that has been badly out of sorts, with the Chicago Bears’ 283-yard rushing effort against the Bengals on Sunday marking a new low.

Taylor had previously said that Wilson handled his demotion ‘really well” and had ‘done a great job with the young linebackers.’ What, then, is the upside to a split that netted a seventh-round draft pick? Unless the Bengals are also preparing to deal Trey Hendrickson and look ahead to 2026, not much is truly gained here.

A third-round pick in 2020, Wilson helped fuel the Bengals’ emergence alongside his more heralded offensive teammates. As Cincinnati tries to build up on defense, it’ll need to find more mid-round his like him in the near future.

This post appeared first on USA TODAY
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Bronny James records his best game of young season vs Blazers

Los Angeles Lakers guard Bronny James showcased his best performance of the season against the Portland Trail Blazers on Monday night.

Despite the absence of Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, the Lakers clinched a 123-115 win, largely due to Deandre Ayton’s stellar performance. Ayton’s 29 points, 10 rebounds and three blocks were instrumental in the victory. Rui Hachimura also played a significant role, contributing 28 points.

During his 19 minutes of play against the Blazers, Bronny James scored five points, collected six assists, and grabbed one rebound. He also became the first Lakers player this season to achieve at least six assists without any turnovers in a game.

The Lakers are now are a four-game winning streak but are dealing with a roster of injuries.

Bronny James stats vs Blazers

Points: 5
Field goals: 1-4
3-pointers: 1-2
Free throws: 2-2
Rebounds: 1
Assists: 6
Steals: 1
Blocks: 0
Turnovers: 0
Fouls: 1
Minutes: 19

When is Lakers’ next game?

The Los Angeles Lakers are back at the Crypto.com Arena on Wednesday night as they host the San Antonio Spurs at 10 p.m. ET.

Date: Wednesday, Nov. 5
Time: 10 p.m. ET
TV: ESPN
Location: Crypto.com Arena (Los Angeles)

This post appeared first on USA TODAY
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Who will be No. 1 in the first College Football Playoff rankings release?

The debate over the No. 1 spot in the debut College Football Playoff rankings will center on Ohio State, Indiana and Texas A&M.

Each has an argument for leading the pack. Ohio State has the nation’s best defense, one of the Bowl Subdivision’s most productive offenses and wins against Texas, Washington and Illinois. The Buckeyes have won seven in a row by 18 or more points.

Indiana has built upon last year’s breakthrough by bulldozing through Big Ten play. While the Hoosiers have often looked indestructible, they’ll be docked in this initial comparison with the Buckeyes and Aggies because of a weak non-conference slate of Old Dominion, Kennesaw State and Indiana State.

A&M is only unbeaten team in the SEC. But the Aggies didn’t draw Alabama, Georgia or Mississippi, and they struggled with game control in narrower-than-expected wins against two of the league’s worst teams in Auburn and Arkansas.

Alabama in 2020 and Georgia a year later are the only teams to land at No. 1 in the debut rankings and then go on to win the national championship. But every debut No. 1 from 2015-2018 — Clemson, Alabama, Georgia and then Alabama again — would lose in the championship game.

Here’s how the debut playoff rankings will look on Tuesday night, including where the selection committee should rank the best team in the Group of Five:

1. Ohio State (8-0)

Best win: vs. Texas (14-7), Aug. 30.

Loss: None.

Up next: at Purdue, Nov. 8.

Biggest game remaining: at Michigan, Nov. 29.

Playoff chances: Extremely strong. Ohio State can’t afford to lose out, obviously, but there’s ample wiggle room to land at least an at-large bid with four games left in the regular season.

2. Indiana (9-0)

Best win: at Oregon (30-20), Oct. 11.

Loss: None.

Up next: at Penn State, Nov. 8.

Biggest game remaining: Penn State.

Playoff chances: Extremely strong. Indiana has wins against Illinois, Iowa and Oregon. The Hoosiers have won every game but one (Iowa) by double digits and taken their past two Big Ten games by a combined 95 points. There is zero reason to think this team will lose before the Big Ten championship game.

3. Texas A&M (8-0)

Best win: at Notre Dame (41-40), Sept. 13.

Loss: None.

Up next: at Missouri, Nov. 8.

Biggest game remaining: at Texas, Nov. 28.

Playoff chances: The best in the SEC. Being unbeaten helps, of course. But A&M also has a top-notch road win against the Fighting Irish along with another two victories against SEC opponents with a winning record (Mississippi State and LSU). Barring the unexpected against South Carolina or Samford, the Aggies can grab at least an at-large berth with a road win this weekend against Missouri or against Texas on Black Friday.

4. Alabama (7-1)

Best win: at Georgia (24-21), Sept. 27.

Loss: at Florida State (31-17), Aug. 30.

Up next: vs. LSU, Nov. 8.

Biggest game remaining: vs. Oklahoma, Nov. 15.

Playoff chances: Getting stronger every week. Alabama’s seven-game winning streak includes four ranked wins, starting with a victory in Athens that represents the most impressive result by any team in the FBS. The Tide have a deeper résumé and a better strength of schedule than A&M but will be docked for that loss to the Seminoles.

5. Georgia (7-1)

Best win: vs. Mississippi (43-35), Oct. 18.

Loss: vs. Alabama (24-21), Sept. 27.

Up next: at Mississippi State, Nov. 8.

Biggest game remaining: vs. Texas, Nov. 15.

Playoff chances: Better than ever. Recent wins against the Rebels and Florida have left Georgia needing one win from Texas and Georgia Tech to lock in an at-large spot. While the rivalry with the Jackets will be must-see TV, the Longhorns are the bigger of the two matchups because of the possibility that a win there lands the Bulldogs the SEC championship game — though they’d still need some help to make that happen.

6. Mississippi (8-1)

Best win: at Oklahoma (34-26), Oct. 25.

Loss: at Georgia (43-35), Oct. 18.

Up next: The Citadel, Nov. 8.

Biggest game remaining: at Mississippi State, Nov. 28.

Playoff chances: Holding firm. The Rebels might’ve been in some trouble had they lost in Norman two weeks ago. But a win there and an easy finish to November will land them in the playoff, as long as they don’t slip up in the Egg Bowl.

7. Brigham Young (8-0)

Best win: vs. Utah (24-21), Oct. 18.

Loss: None.

Up next: at Texas Tech, Nov. 8.

Biggest game remaining: Texas Tech.

Playoff chances: Far from certain. But that would change with a win against Texas Tech. The unbeaten Cougars have four wins against opponents with a winning record (East Carolina, Arizona, Utah and Iowa State) but need to beat an elite opponent to strengthen their postseason case and provide more room for error.

8. Oregon (7-1)

Best win: at Northwestern (34-14), Sept. 13.

Loss: vs. Indiana (30-20), Oct. 11.

Up next: at Iowa, Nov. 8.

Biggest game remaining: at Washington, Nov. 28.

Playoff chances: Could be better. The Ducks pass the eyeball test and have the credibility to join Ohio State and Indiana in the playoff even with a second loss. Oregon has no meaningful wins, though, even if that could change with games against Iowa, Southern California and Washington. A loss to the Hawkeyes or Trojans would set up a must-win finale against the Huskies.

9. Texas Tech (8-1)

Best win: at Utah (34-10), Sept. 20.

Loss: at Arizona State (26-22), Oct. 18.

Up next: vs. Brigham Young, Nov. 8.

Biggest game remaining: Brigham Young.

Playoff chances: Check back on Sunday. Beating BYU would basically lock Tech into the Big 12 championship game and the playoff, given games against Central Florida and West Virginia to end November. That setback in Tempe notwithstanding, the Red Raiders have looked the part of the league’s best team by taking each of their five other Big 12 games by at least 23 points.

10. Notre Dame (6-2)

Best win: vs. Southern California (34-24), Oct. 18.

Losses: at Miami (27-24), Aug. 31; vs. Texas A&M (41-40), Sept. 13.

Up next: vs. Navy, Nov. 8.

Biggest game remaining: at Pittsburgh, Nov. 15.

Playoff chances: Start looking up flights. Notre Dame has recovered from those two losses out of the gate by taking six in a row. The next two games against Navy and Pittsburgh will decide whether the Irish return to the playoff. But one more loss would eliminate Notre Dame because of a lack of marquee wins.

11. Texas (7-2)

Best win: vs. Vanderbilt (34-31), Nov. 1.

Losses: at Ohio State (14-7), Aug. 30; at Florida (29-21), Oct. 4.

Up next: at Georgia, Nov. 15.

Biggest game remaining: Georgia.

Playoff chances: Texas has climbed back into at-large position during a four-game winning streak bookended by key wins against Oklahoma and the Commodores. While the rivalry against Texas A&M looms on Black Friday, the Longhorns would be cast in a spoiler role if they can’t upset Georgia in two weeks.

12. Oklahoma (7-2)

Best win: at Tennessee (33-27), Nov. 1.

Losses: vs. Texas (23-6), Oct. 11; vs. Mississippi (34-26), Oct. 25.

Up next: at Alabama, Nov. 15.

Biggest game remaining: Alabama.

Playoff chances: Not great. Things look better after the road win against Tennessee, but losses to Texas and Mississippi could be very hard to overcome when you think of the number of SEC teams the Sooners would have to leapfrog to land an at-large bid. An even more pressing concern is games against Alabama and Missouri. Those provide opportunity, sure, but one more loss would drop Oklahoma out of the picture. The Sooners’ strength of schedule and non-conference win against Michigan will put them ahead of a pair of one-loss ACC teams in Virginia and Louisville.

23. Memphis (8-1)

Best win: vs. South Florida (34-31), Oct. 25.

Loss: at Alabama-Birmingham (31-24), Oct. 18.

Up next: vs. Tulane, Nov. 7.

Biggest game remaining: Tulane.

Playoff chances: Pretty good. Look for the Tigers to be the only Group of Five team in the debut rankings, though contenders such as South Florida and North Texas will also come under consideration. Wins against the Bulls, Troy and Arkansas give Memphis the edge, though the order will change with a loss against Tulane. In the bigger picture, the winner of the American is virtually guaranteed to earn the automatic playoff bid.

This post appeared first on USA TODAY
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Marvin Harrison Jr. among Cowboys-Cardinals winners, losers

Arizona’s defense was a key factor, forcing three takeaways and allowing only one offensive touchdown.
Cardinals quarterback Jacoby Brissett threw for 261 yards and two touchdowns in the victory.
Rookie receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. had a career-high seven catches for 96 yards and a touchdown.

The Arizona Cardinals snapped their five-game losing streak on ‘Monday Night Football’ in Week 9.

Behind a strong defensive performance, the Cardinals stunned the Dallas Cowboys, 27-17, at AT&T Stadium.

Arizona’s defense contained a hot Cowboys offense throughout the game. The Cardinals forced three takeaways and only allowed one touchdown in the victory. It’s the Cardinals’ fourth consecutive win over the Cowboys.

The Cardinals improved to 3-5, while Dallas fell to 3-5-1 and now looks ahead to the trade deadline.

Winners from Cowboys vs. Cardinals

Marvin Harrison Jr. shines in first half

Harrison Jr. had a breakout game that we’ve all been waiting for.

Harrison equaled a career-high with six receptions in the first half alone. He produced 80 receiving yards and one touchdown in what was a stellar first half. His touchdown catch came on a filthy quick slant route that made Cowboys cornerback DaRon Bland touch the earth.

Harrison produced a career-high seven catches for 96 yards and a touchdown. Almost all his production came in the first half.

Jacoby Brissett makes a case to be Arizona’s starter

Brissett recorded his first win of the season as the Cardinals’ starting QB. Cardinals coach might want to seriously consider starting Brissett the rest of the way.

Brissett completed 21-of-31 passes for 261 yards and two touchdowns. Arizona’s offense has performed more efficiently with Brissett behind center. He’s passed for at least 260 yards in every start this season. Kyler Murray hasn’t passed for over 220 yards in five games this season.

Cardinals coach Jonathan Gannon has a big decision to make once Murray returns from a foot injury. Brissett did have a couple of errant throws, including one intended for Marvin Harrison Jr. in the fourth quarter that would’ve allowed the Cardinals to milk the clock with a little over two minutes remaining.

Brissett’s 115.1 passer rating on Monday night was a season-high for a Cardinals starting quarterback.

Cardinals defense

Arizona’s defense held the Cowboys offense to 122 total yards and no touchdowns in the first half. The Cowboys’ only first-half touchdown came on a blocked punt that was recovered for a touchdown.

The Cardinals’ defense didn’t give up an offensive touchdown until the fourth quarter.

Aside from the block punt TD, the Cardinals defense held the Cowboys to 10 total points, 333 total yards and Dallas went 0-3 on fourth downs. Arizona’s defense forced three takeaways, including a forced fumble and game-sealing interception in the fourth quarter.

Walter Nolen III

The Cardinals’ rookie defensive lineman made his NFL debut Monday night after Arizona drafted him 16th overall in the NFL draft. Arizona activated Nolen from the PUP list hours before the game.

The start of Nolen’s career was delayed due to a calf injury he suffered before training camp.

Nolen had a sack in his first NFL game. The rookie finished with four tackles, two tackles for loss, one sack and one pass deflection.

Calais Campbell

The oldest active defensive player in the NFL tallied two sacks and three QB hits. The 39-year-old defensive lineman still makes an impact up front.

Sam Williams

Williams blocked Pat O’Donnell’s punt with his helmet, of all things. Cowboys’ Marshawn Kneeland recovered the football in the end zone.

It was the Cowboys’ first block punt for a touchdown since 2021, per the ESPN broadcast.

Losers from Cowboys vs. Cardinals

Cowboys defense

Dallas ranked last in the NFC in both total defense and points allowed entering Monday night’s Week 9 game against the Arizona Cardinals.

The Cardinals equaled a season-high 27 points on the Cowboys’ defense. Arizona’s offense was moving the ball down the field at will through the first three quarters.

Dallas gave up 23 first downs and 340 yards. Arizona went 3-4 in the red zone.

Micah Parsons trade still haunts Cowboys, Jerry Jones

The Cowboys defense continues to be one of the worst units in the NFL without Parsons. Dallas has no impact players on defense after they traded away one of the most impactful defenders in all of football.

The ESPN cameras routinely showed Jones in his owner’s suite at AT&T Stadium while the Cowboys trailed throughout the contest.

To be determined

Cowboys trade?

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones appeared on SiriusXM Radio Monday and revealed the team already has a deal ahead of Tuesday’s 4 p.m. ET deadline. Jones didn’t disclose the player’s identity but said he’ll be an instant contributor.

We’ll find out soon if Jones’ words on the radio are validated. The Cowboys need a lot of help on defense.

Follow USA TODAY Sports’ Tyler Dragon on X @TheTylerDragon.

This post appeared first on USA TODAY
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Politics

Senate majority leader indicates there’s not enough support to eliminate filibuster despite Trump push

While President Donald Trump is pressuring Senate Republicans to nix the filibuster, Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., said during an interview on Fox News Radio’s ‘Guy Benson Show’ that ‘there just simply aren’t the votes’ to eliminate the ’60-vote threshold.’

While Republicans hold the majority in the upper chamber, the procedural hurdle serves as a check on the majority party’s power due to the threshold required to advance matters towards a vote in the chamber.

Thune suggested that there is likely no more than 10 to 12 of the 53 GOP senators who would vote to eliminate the filibuster.

The senator said it had been an ‘important tool’ for Republicans when they had the minority, noting that last year they ‘blocked a whole host of terrible Democrat policies’ due to ‘the 60-vote threshold.’

While Thune suggested that Democrats would vote to eliminate the filibuster if they have the majority, he warned that if Republicans ‘do their dirty work for them,’ Republicans will ‘own all the crap’ Democrats would later do.

President Donald Trump is pushing Republicans to end the procedural hurdle.

‘The Democrats are far more likely to win the Midterms, and the next Presidential Election, if we don’t do the Termination of the Filibuster (The Nuclear Option!), because it will be impossible for Republicans to get Common Sense Policies done with these Crazed Democrat Lunatics being able to block everything by withholding their votes. FOR THREE YEARS, NOTHING WILL BE PASSED, AND REPUBLICANS WILL BE BLAMED. Elections, including the Midterms, will be rightfully brutal,’ the president declared in a portion of a lengthy Truth Social post.

‘TERMINATE THE FILIBUSTER NOW, END THE RIDICULOUS SHUTDOWN IMMEDIATELY, AND THEN, MOST IMPORTANTLY, PASS EVERY WONDERFUL REPUBLICAN POLICY THAT WE HAVE DREAMT OF, FOR YEARS, BUT NEVER GOTTEN. WE WILL BE THE PARTY THAT CANNOT BE BEATEN – THE SMART PARTY!!!’ he declared.

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UN under fire as USAID investigators probe Hamas diversion of aid to Gaza

As the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas continues to play out, the USAID Office of the Inspector General (USAID OIG) pursues its investigation into allegations of U.S. taxpayer dollars being diverted to foreign terrorist organizations.

A U.S. diplomatic official briefed on USAID OIG’s ongoing investigations told Fox News Digital that the OIG’s office ‘received and continues to receive reports directly from aid workers and other parties on the ground that counters the sanitized narrative that Hamas was never involved in the theft of American funded aid.’ The official reported that reports are still being ‘sent in by whistleblowers and aid workers who are fed up with the U.N.’s failure to identify Hamas as the culprit.’

USAID OIG issued its first warnings about the possible diversion of American aid to Gaza in Nov. 2023, noting that it was an ‘investigative priority to ensure that assistance does not fall into the hands of foreign terrorist organizations (FTOs), including, but not limited to, Hamas.’

In a July 30 update, USAID OIG reported that it was ‘investigating credible allegations of Hamas interference, diversion, and theft of humanitarian aid in Gaza, as well as allegations of smuggling contraband into Gaza through humanitarian aid shipments.’

The United Nations has admitted that most of the aid it sent into Gaza after May 2025 was diverted by armed actors and hungry Gazans. Yet the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs has stated that Hamas was not responsible for widespread aid diversion.

In July, Reuters reported that a USAID analysis found little evidence of Hamas theft of Gaza aid, something the State Department and the White House disputed. Anna Kelly, a White House spokesperson, told Reuters that it ‘was likely produced by a deep state operative,’ seeking to discredit President Donald Trump’s ‘humanitarian agenda.’

Over half of USAID programming is obligated to U.N. organizations. However, the USAID OIG reported in July 2024 that since October 2023, it had received ’17 reports of alleged misconduct from five USAID-funded implementers,’ only two of which were submitted by U.N. organizations.

The OIG also noted that U.N. organizations were exempt from USAID’s partner vetting process, which ‘creates risk to USAID’s programs.’

The diplomatic source also reported seeing U.N. duplicity over food deliveries into Gaza firsthand. The source attended Joint Coordination Board meetings where officials from the Israel Defense Forces, U.S. Army, U.S. aid organizations, the U.N. and the International Committee of the Red Cross had ‘robust, extensive, and productive’ discussions about aid deliveries and appeared to share ‘a sense of mission.’

‘It was shocking then to read press releases by those same U.N. agencies, the very next day totally body-slamming the government of Israel for failing to coordinate delivery of aid,’ the official said.

Much of the USAID OIG’s effort since the outbreak of war following Hamas’ Oct. 7 attacks has concerned Hamas’ infiltration of the U.N. Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).

The office concluded an investigation in April 2025 that found three UNRWA members were connected with the Oct. 7 attack and another 14 were affiliates of Hamas.

UNRWA previously fired nine employees for their association with the attacks, according to reports.

In July, USAID OIG reported being ‘unable to obtain from UNRWA’ the names of the personnel it fired.

The diplomatic source said that the USAID OIG investigators ‘opened an independent investigation, obtaining information that UNRWA refused to provide through other sources and methods,’ with the goal of ensuring ‘that UNRWA officials associated with Hamas do not recirculate to other U.S. taxpayer-funded organizations operating in Gaza,’ the official said.

Chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, Rep. James Comer, R-Ky., has begun an investigation into UNRWA staff participation in the Oct. 7 attacks, which led to over 1,200 Israelis and 32 Americans being killed and 251 people taken hostage.

In an open letter to U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres dated Oct. 27, Comer requested unredacted copies of a U.N. Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS) report into UNRWA participation in the deadly attack and asked for correspondence and other details about staff who were investigated for their possible roles.

Comer noted that the U.S. provides 22% of the U.N.’s general budget, 40% of its humanitarian budget and 25% of its peacekeeping budget, in addition to providing $343 million in 2022 and $422 million in 2023 to UNRWA. ‘The requested documents and communications are required for verification that no U.N. entity or NGO receiving American taxpayer funds employs individuals affiliated with or supporting terrorist entities,’ Comer said.

Stéphane Dujarric, spokesperson for Guterres, told Fox News Digital that the U.N. has been ‘sharing information with the United States government on matters raised in the letter. We are presently considering the committee’s request and intend to respond with relevant information.’ Dujarric said he would ‘not say anything more publicly at this time.’

William Deere, director of the UNRWA Representative Office in Washington, D.C., told Fox News Digital that ‘the United Nations provided the USAID IG with an unredacted copy of the U.N. Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS) investigation report months ago. To suggest information is being withheld from the U.S. is simply disingenuous. Following the government of Israel’s initial allegations in January of 2024 of potential UNRWA staff misconduct, Commissioner-General Lazzarini immediately terminated the appointments of the named staff ‘in the interest of the Agency,’ to protect UNRWA’s ability to deliver humanitarian assistance.’

Deere claimed that, ‘regrettably, since that time the government of Israel has failed to provide the United States, the United Nations, or UNRWA with the information and evidence that would substantiate its claims against UNRWA employees. Significantly, the government of Israel has also failed to take action against any of the named individuals in their own judicial system. The record is clear, UNRWA investigates every claim brought to it of potential employee misconduct, as evidenced by the multiple requests the agency has made to the Israeli government for the information in these cases.’

The U.S. diplomatic official familiar with UNRWA’s investigation disputes the U.N.’s assertion that members of Hamas do not remain on UNRWA’s payroll, saying that ‘Perhaps ‘some’ of the Oct. 7 terrorists were removed, but UNRWA continues to employ Hamas members, there is no question. They are a subsidiary of Hamas.’

A report on Monday by the Washington Free Beacon said a confidential copy of the U.N. Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS) report on UNRWA members’ participation in the Oct. 7 attack claimed to show that OIOS dismissed the evidence provided by Israeli intelligence of intercepted calls between Hamas personnel and UNRWA staff as ‘likely authentic’ but ‘insufficient’ proof of cooperation to support the firing of 10 additional UNRWA employees. Additionally, the report said that the U.N. ‘did not investigate ties to Hamas outside participation in the Oct. 7 attacks.’

Foundation for Defense of Democracies Senior Advisor Richard Goldberg told Fox News Digital that ‘UNRWA was Hamas in Gaza. It remains a terror and radicalization threat elsewhere. When Israel banned UNRWA in Gaza, it was quickly replaced by other U.N. agencies and NGOs. UNRWA proved neither indispensable nor irreplaceable — a lie repeated by many.’

‘We also need to dismantle the entire agency in the context of deradicalization,’ Goldberg said. ‘Oct. 7 will keep happening again and again so long as UNRWA exists. The Trump plan will fail where UNRWA is present. Arab countries are making peace with Israel. UNRWA is still waging the war of 1948.’

USAID OIG confirmed that its ‘investigations of UNRWA officials affiliated with Hamas are active and ongoing, and intended to prevent the recirculation of terrorists to other U.S.-funded organizations operating in Gaza.’

In response to questions about whether the State Department had utilized the USAID OIG report on UNRWA members’ participation in Oct. 7 attacks, a spokesperson told Fox News Digital that ‘As a general matter, the department does not comment on internal or investigative reports, nor on actions that may be under consideration. UNRWA was complicit in Oct. 7 and is unfit for purpose. Our policy is that it will not play a role in Gaza again.’

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