Video: Mayor Zohran Mamdani Holds Press Conference to Make an Announcement.
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Month: January 2026
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Mayor Zohran Mamdani Holds Press Conference to Provide Winter Weather Updates
Video: Mayor Zohran Mamdani Holds Press Conference to Provide Winter Weather Updates.
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NFL Fans Furious Over “Woke” Halftime Show Rumors — Bad Bunny, Dresses, and a Super Bowl Backlash
In a new segment, conservative commentator Benny Johnson argues that America’s biggest sports leagues are paying a price for turning marquee moments into political flashpoints. He points to recent viewership softness in the NFL and NBA and claims fans are increasingly rejecting what he frames as “message-first” programming—especially around the Super Bowl halftime show.
The video centers on Bad Bunny’s upcoming Super Bowl LX halftime performance (February 8, 2026, Levi’s Stadium) and a wave of online backlash tied to rumors about a provocative wardrobe choice and an LGBTQ-themed tribute—claims Johnson attributes to entertainment reporting and “inside sources,” while urging viewers to see the controversy as part of a broader cultural campaign. Separately, he highlights conservative responses and boycott talk, including discussion of federal security and immigration enforcement at the event.
Why it matters: The episode captures a widening debate about whether leagues should keep major broadcasts strictly entertainment-focused—or continue leaning into cultural and political messaging, even at the risk of alienating parts of the audience. Bad Bunny’s selection as headliner is confirmed by the NFL, but specific outfit details and the most sensational allegations remain unverified in official statements.
Sources:
Benny Johnson , Midtown Tribune news -
Death Threat Texts, Hotel Tail, Ice Bottles: O’Keefe Alleges Coordinated Attack in Minneapolis
Viral video posted on January 25, 2026 by commentator Benny Johnson claims that journalist-activist James O’Keefe was “hunted” in downtown Minneapolis while covering unrest tied to anti-ICE protests. In the clip, Johnson frames Minneapolis as the epicenter of a broader confrontation over federal immigration enforcement and portrays the city as a testing ground for organized street pressure against federal authorities and independent media.
Central to the video are O’Keefe’s own allegations: he says he and his team were surrounded by a crowd, pelted with ice bottles, followed to their hotel, and threatened via text message with a one-hour ultimatum to leave the city. O’Keefe also claims the group tracking them had access to unusually detailed vehicle information—down to a license plate—and suggests coordination that goes beyond spontaneous protest activity. The video further implies local or state-level complicity, though it provides no independently verified proof of official involvement beyond the commentary and screenshots shown.
The claims arrive amid a documented surge of tension in Minneapolis following deadly encounters involving federal immigration agents. Major outlets have reported on the killing of ICU nurse Alex Pretti on January 24, 2026, after which protests intensified, and on earlier clashes and legal battles over how federal agents have interacted with demonstrators and observers in the Twin Cities.
At this stage, the video’s most serious allegations—an organized attempt on O’Keefe’s life, coordinated “autonomous zones,” and state-enabled tracking—should be treated as unverified claims pending corroboration from law enforcement records, additional video evidence, or independent reporting. What is clear is that Minneapolis is experiencing a highly volatile moment, with escalating protests, competing narratives about public safety, and intensifying disputes between federal operations and local/state leaders.
Source:
Benny Johnson video , Midtown Tribune news -
New York. From Snowstorm to Showdown: Hochul’s Storm Briefing Turns Into a Sharp Rebuke of Federal Agents
New York faced a major winter storm on January 25, 2026. Speaking from the state’s Emergency Operations Center in Albany, Governor Kathy Hochul warned that the weather would be dangerous—deep snow, extreme cold, and icy conditions.
She called it an “Arctic siege” and said the cold could be life-threatening. Snow started early in Long Island and New York City, then spread north across the state.
What New York State is doing
Hochul said the state had already declared an emergency and expanded its response:
- More than 100 National Guard members were deployed to help where needed, especially downstate.
- The state placed road restrictions to reduce crashes and keep plows moving.
- Utility crews were put on standby in case of power problems, even though widespread outages were not expected.
What residents should expect
Officials warned that the heaviest snow would hit later in the day and overnight. In New York City and Long Island, snow could mix with sleet and freezing rain, making roads and sidewalks more dangerous.
Hochul’s main message was simple: if you can stay home, stay home. She urged employers to allow remote work when possible.
Schools and travel changes
Hochul said the mayor announced that New York City schools would switch to remote learning for the next day.
Public transit was expected to continue running on a weekend schedule, but officials said plans could change depending on conditions.
Safety tips: short and practical
The governor also shared basic safety advice:
- Shovel carefully—lift with your legs and take small amounts.
- Check smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, especially if using heaters.
- Keep emergency items in your car (blanket, charger, water) in case you get stuck.
- Check on elderly neighbors and limit pets’ time outside.
Then the briefing changed tone
Near the end, Hochul shifted from weather to politics. She spoke about a reported incident in Minneapolis involving federal immigration agents and the death of a man she identified as Alex Prey.
Hochul said the incident showed a pattern of dangerous federal actions. She called for leadership changes at the federal level and said states should be able to fully investigate when civilians are harmed.
Bottom line
This briefing became two stories in one:
- New York preparing for a severe winter storm, and
- a strong political message aimed at federal immigration enforcement.
For most New Yorkers, the immediate takeaway remained clear: limit travel, prepare for extreme cold, and follow official alerts.
Sources: Big New York news BigNY,com , Midtown Tribune news
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From Hezbollah Fan to Defending Israel . Rawan Osman’s Stunning Journey (Video )
In this video, Amir Tsarfati interviews Rawan Osman, who shares her personal journey from being raised in a culture of antisemitism to becoming a courageous voice against it.
Here’s a breakdown of the key points:
- Rawan’s Background (2:00): Rawan was born in Damascus and raised in Lebanon, attending a French Catholic school. She grew up in a society that, despite being generally tolerant, harbored a deep-seated hatred for Jews, Zionists, and Israelis (5:55). She admits to having been a strong supporter of Hezbollah, viewing them as liberators against Israeli occupation (6:25).
- Indoctrination and Misinformation (7:10): Rawan explains that she was taught to hate Jews without understanding the full historical context. She learned a simplified version of history where Israel was the aggressor, omitting details about Palestinian groups’ actions that led to Israeli military responses in Lebanon (7:10). She also describes how Christian antisemitism was subtly instilled through the school curriculum and films like “The Passion of the Christ” (8:26).
- The Problem with Education (9:49): Rawan highlights that the Lebanese curriculum presents a biased narrative of “Palestine,” portraying Theodor Herzl as the antagonist who invented Zionism to take land from Palestinians (9:49). This narrative led to the internalization that “Palestine was a country” with indigenous people, and that supporting the “underdog” against the “Jew” was the morally correct stance (10:43).
- Her Epiphany in Europe (11:07): Rawan’s perspective began to shift when she moved to Europe in her mid-20s and found herself living in a Jewish quarter in Strasbourg, France (11:07). Her initial panic attack upon seeing religious Jews made her question why she harbored such fear and hatred towards people she had never interacted with (12:22). This realization led her to re-examine the history of the region.
- Relearning History and Jewish Identity (12:57): Through her research, Rawan discovered that Jews are indigenous to the Middle East, challenging the narrative that they originated solely from Eastern Europe (12:57). She also realized that modern nation-states in the Middle East are relatively new, making the categorical rejection of Israel illogical (13:23). She was “disappointed” to learn that her “side” was the aggressor and had brainwashed people with hatred (13:48). She concludes that the problem has always been with the Jews themselves, not just the state of Israel (18:18).
- Antisemitism and Muslim Supremacy (18:43): Rawan argues that Israel’s existence as the first Jewish state challenges Muslim supremacy, as Jews were the first minority to demand self-governance and equality (18:43). She explains that in Islam, land once governed by Muslims cannot be lost, making Israel’s existence unacceptable to some (20:49).
- The Global Reach of Antisemitism (22:07): She discusses the 1929 Hebron massacre as an example of pre-state anti-Jewish violence, leading Jews to leave Arab countries out of fear (22:07). Rawan notes the widespread nature of antisemitism in the Arab world, citing examples like Hitler’s Mein Kampf being found in Gaza and stores named “Hitler” in the West Bank (27:10). She highlights that October 7th revealed the extent of this global problem, where world sympathy for Israel quickly turned into condemnation (30:03).
- Hope for the Future (47:56): Despite the challenges, Rawan expresses optimism, driven by her newfound faith and identification with Judaism (47:56). She believes that while the West is turning against Israel, support will emerge from the Arab world, as people realize their own economic and social problems are not caused by Israel or Jews (49:16). She points to countries like the UAE and Morocco as examples of nations that have blessed Israel and consequently experienced blessings (49:40).
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White House: Dangerous anti-ICE rhetoric from Mayor Frey & Gov Walz hasn’t protected anyone, only fueled chaos (Video)
The video, titled “Dangerous anti-ICE rhetoric from Mayor Frey & Gov Walz hasn’t protected anyone, only fueled chaos,” discusses the stance of Mayor Frey and Governor Walz against cooperation with ICE and other federal agencies.
- Non-cooperation with ICE (0:00-0:05): Mayor Frey explicitly states that Minneapolis will not cooperate with ICE or any federal agency.
- Fueling chaos and distrust (0:07-0:10): The video claims that such actions are causing chaos and distrust.
- Responsibility to “bring down the temperature” (0:13-0:16): The speaker mentions bearing responsibility to reduce tensions regarding ICE.
- Protests as patriotic duty (0:26-0:41): Protests in Minneapolis are described as peaceful, and the desire to protest against the administration is considered a “patriotic duty.”
- Peaceful protests (0:44-0:48): It is noted that tens of thousands of people have been peacefully protesting.
- Standing up for neighbors (0:52-0:54): People are willing to stand up for their neighbors.
- No further federal help needed (1:03-1:09): A clear message is sent that no further help is needed from the federal government.
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Mayor Zohran Mamdani Holds Press Conference January 25,2026 (Video)
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, joined by NYC Emergency Management (NYCEM) and other officials, held a press conference on January 25, 2026, to update the public on the city’s response to a major snowstorm and sustained cold temperatures.
Key points from the press conference include:
- Remote School Day (1:09): All New York City public schools will switch to remote learning the following day due to extreme weather. All after-school programs, adult education, and school-based programming are canceled.
- Weather Forecast (2:14): The city expects up to 11 inches of snow with heavy snowfall continuing into the afternoon and wind gusts up to 35 mph. Light freezing rain is expected overnight, tapering off by noon the next day.
- Cold Weather Dangers and Homeless Outreach (2:44): The intense cold poses a fatal risk to those without shelter. Five New Yorkers were found deceased outdoors before the snow began, emphasizing the danger of extreme cold (2:56). The city has opened 10 warming centers in school buildings, in addition to 126 shelters, over 50 hospitals, and 35 safe havens (3:27). A “code blue” is in effect, ensuring no one is denied shelter (3:51).
- City Operations and Snow Removal (4:50): DSNY (Department of Sanitation New York) began pre-salting highways and major streets on Friday. Over 2,500 sanitation workers have been deployed, with more than 700 salt spreaders and 2,200 plow vehicles monitored by the DSNY’s BladeRunner system (5:00).
- Transportation Updates (6:00): All agencies are coordinating their efforts. The MTA is maintaining regular operations with some adjustments (6:21). The Long Island Railroad and Metro-North are operating on reduced schedules, and NYC Ferry service has been suspended (6:26). The Staten Island Ferry has moved to hourly service (6:43). All bus service at Port Authority has been suspended (6:49).
- Public Safety and Advice (7:47): New Yorkers are strongly advised to stay home and off the roads due to hazardous conditions. If shoveling, pace yourself and check on seniors and neighbors (8:15). The Mayor encourages New Yorkers to sign up for Notify NYC updates by texting “notify NYC” to 692692 (8:46).
- School Preparedness (10:10): The Chancellor of Schools, Kamar Samuels, reiterated the move to remote learning and highlighted the preparations made by educators and IT teams to ensure a successful virtual learning day. Students in grades K-8 will receive real-time and asynchronous instruction (11:14).
- MTA Operations Update (12:34): A representative from the MTA emphasized the ongoing efforts to keep transit running smoothly. All subway lines are operating, mostly as locals, with the entire bus fleet outfitted with chains (13:13). Commuter railroads are on modified schedules (14:44).
- Addressing Concerns (16:29): The mayor addressed questions regarding the five deaths, stating that at this time, it does not appear they were homeless, and an investigation is ongoing. He also explained the decision for a remote school day, citing state law requiring 180 days of instruction (20:48). For any technology issues with remote learning, parents can call the support desk at 718-935-5100, active from 6 AM to 6 PM (21:36).
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We’re getting a snowstorm tomorrow. But New York City is prepared.
The video provides an overview of New York City’s preparations for an incoming winter storm expected to bring 8 to 9 inches of snow (0:00-0:06).
Key preparations and public advisories include:
- Department of Sanitation Efforts (0:09-0:40): The Department of Sanitation (DSNY) has converted thousands of trucks into snow plows, forming the nation’s largest snow-fighting force. Over 2,000 sanitation workers will be on 12-hour shifts, salting roads as soon as snow falls and plowing once there’s more than two inches on the ground.
- Emergency Management Coordination (0:42-0:48): The city’s emergency management team is coordinating the response and keeping New Yorkers informed.
- Public Responsibilities (0:50-0:56): Property owners are responsible for clearing snow and ice from their sidewalks.
- Service Delays and Updates (0:57-1:10): Trash and recycling pickup may be delayed. Residents can get updates by calling 311, checking nyc.gov/dsny, or texting “notifynyc” to 692692.
- Travel and School Advisories (1:12-1:26): Residents are advised to avoid unnecessary travel on Sunday. The MTA will ensure public transit runs smoothly, and a decision on Monday’s school status (in-person or remote) will be made by Sunday at 12:00 p.m.
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Chemerinsky Warns “Democracy Won’t Last.” Critics Reply: America Was Built as a Republic to Restrain Mob Rule — and He’s Speaking in NYC Feb. 5
Erwin Chemerinsky—Dean of UC Berkeley School of Law and one of the country’s best-known constitutional law scholars—has a blunt thesis: the United States is facing a crisis of legitimacy and institutional design that could make democratic self-government unsustainable. He lays out that argument in his 2024 book, No Democracy Lasts Forever: How the Constitution Threatens the United States, and in a widely circulated Berkeley Law alumni talk that frames the book as a warning flare for the American system.
That warning has sparked an equally blunt rebuttal from many critics: the United States was never designed to be a “pure democracy” governed by simple majorities. It was designed as a constitutional republic—a representative system constrained by a written constitution—precisely to protect individuals from two perennial dangers: tyranny from above (abuse by rulers) and tyranny from below (majority faction turning politics into legalized coercion).
This debate isn’t an academic parlor game. It’s now moving to a major public stage in New York.
What Chemerinsky argues in No Democracy Lasts Forever
Chemerinsky’s core claim is that American democracy is under severe stress because public confidence in institutions has collapsed and political polarization has hardened into something closer to mutual illegitimacy. In the Berkeley book talk, he argues the crisis is not just cultural—it is structural.
Among the structural issues he highlights:
- The Electoral College: He argues it can produce presidents who lose the national popular vote and that winner-take-all allocation in most states amplifies that risk.
- The U.S. Senate: Equal representation for states regardless of population, he argues, violates democratic intuitions about political equality and entrenches “minority rule.”
- Gerrymandering and representation: He contends partisan map-drawing has made the House less responsive, and that legal constraints limit effective remedies.
- The Supreme Court’s role and tenure: He criticizes life tenure as placing too much power in too few hands for too long, and describes the Court as a central actor in democratic backsliding.
- Money in politics: He argues that the scale and opacity of campaign spending corrodes public trust and democratic legitimacy.
Chemerinsky also proposes remedies—some statutory, some constitutional—and, in the longer arc, suggests Americans should at least begin thinking about what a modern constitutional replacement process might look like (even if not imminent).
The controversy: “Democracy is failing” vs. “A republic with guardrails is the point”
The sharpest disagreement is not whether the country is polarized. It is what standard should be used to evaluate constitutional design.
Chemerinsky often describes the U.S. as a “constitutional democracy” and measures legitimacy against a majoritarian benchmark: outcomes should track popular majorities more consistently, and institutions that systematically distort majority rule are treated as core democratic defects.
Critics respond that this framing smuggles in a premise the Founders explicitly resisted: that “more direct democracy” is inherently better.
1) The Constitution guarantees “republican” government—not direct majoritarian rule.
Article IV, Section 4 requires the United States to guarantee each state a “Republican Form of Government.” Whatever else Americans argue about, the constitutional text chooses “republican” as the baseline civic architecture.2) Madison’s warning: “pure democracies” can be violent and unstable.
In Federalist No. 10, Madison draws a famous contrast between a republic and what he calls “such democracies,” warning they have historically been “spectacles of turbulence and contention” and incompatible with personal security and the rights of property.This is a foundational insight for critics: the system was designed not to maximize majority power, but to control the predictable pathologies of majority power.
3) The “two tyrannies” problem: protect society from rulers and from majorities.
Federalist No. 51 states the principle in plain language: it is vital “in a republic” not only to guard society against oppression by its rulers, but also to guard “one part of the society against the injustice of the other part,” because if a majority unites around a common interest, the rights of the minority will be insecure.This is the conceptual backbone of the “constitutional republic” critique of Chemerinsky: many so-called “anti-democratic” features are better understood as anti-tyrannical guardrails—constraints that prevent elections from becoming a moral permission slip to punish disfavored groups.
4) Courts are not meant to be majoritarian institutions.
Chemerinsky’s critique of judicial power and long tenure often collides with Hamilton’s argument in Federalist No. 78 that life tenure “during good behavior” is a barrier against despotism in a monarchy—and, in a republic, a barrier against “encroachments and oppressions of the representative body.”In this view, the judiciary’s legitimacy is not measured by popularity; it is measured by fidelity to higher law—especially when popular majorities demand shortcuts.
A key clarification that strengthens the critique
Even many constitutional conservatives concede an important nuance: the Constitution does not literally contain the phrase “constitutional republic.” The more precise claim is that the U.S. is a representative republic operating under a written constitution, and that “democracy” (as used in modern speech) should be understood as representative democracy, not pure direct democracy.
This matters rhetorically. It allows critics to challenge Chemerinsky’s framing without making an easily refutable claim like “America isn’t a democracy at all.” The stronger, more defensible line is: America is not a pure democracy—and it was never intended to be; it is a constitutional republic built to protect liberty against both top-down tyranny and majority faction.
Coming up in NYC: Brennan Center Jorde Symposium, Feb. 5
This dispute over constitutional legitimacy will intersect with an in-person NYU event next month.
On Thursday, February 5, 2026, the Brennan Center for Justice will host the Jorde Symposium: “Against Constitutional Theory” at NYU School of Law (Greenberg Lounge), 40 Washington Square South, New York, NY.
The program runs 4:00–5:50 p.m. ET, followed by a reception 5:50–6:30 p.m.Erwin Chemerinsky is the featured lecturer. Commentators include Leah Litman (University of Michigan Law School) and Sherif Girgis (University of Notre Dame Law School). The event is open to the public but requires RSVP, and is listed as free.
For anyone tracking the national argument over “democracy,” constitutional limits, and the role of courts, this is one of the most substantive public constitutional law events on the New York calendar—especially because it puts Chemerinsky’s broader book thesis in conversation with scholars who do not share all of his premises.