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  • Trump Vows Muslim Brotherhood BAN

    Trump Vows Muslim Brotherhood BAN

    Verification of the Claim

    Yes, on November 23, 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump publicly vowed to designate the Muslim Brotherhood as a foreign terrorist organization (FTO), effectively banning it under U.S. law.
    This announcement came during an interview with Just the News, where Trump stated that “final documents are being drawn” and that the designation would be pursued “in the strongest and most powerful terms.” The move aligns with longstanding bipartisan efforts in Congress and recent state-level actions, such as Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s November 2025 declaration labeling the Muslim Brotherhood (and affiliated groups like CAIR) as terrorist entities, prohibiting land purchases, and enabling lawsuits to dismantle their operations.

    Background and Context

    The Muslim Brotherhood, founded in Egypt in 1928, is a transnational Islamist organization with affiliates worldwide. It has been banned as a terrorist group in countries like Egypt, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Russia, and Jordan due to accusations of promoting extremism, funding militias, and undermining secular governance. In the U.S., Trump attempted a similar designation during his first term (2017–2021), but it faced internal resistance and was not completed. Renewed momentum stems from:

    • Bipartisan Legislation: A House bill (H.R. 1234) and Senate bill (S. 567), co-sponsored by figures like Sens. Ted Cruz (R-TX) and John Fetterman (D-PA), would mandate the FTO label, enabling sanctions, asset freezes, and travel bans.
    • Recent Triggers: Israel’s ongoing conflicts with Hamas (which has Brotherhood roots) and Hezbollah, plus a French government report on Brotherhood influence in Europe, have amplified calls for action.
    • U.S. Precedents: The DHS recently deported a British journalist suspected of Brotherhood ties, signaling enforcement readiness.

    If enacted, the FTO status would criminalize material support to the group, targeting its U.S.-based networks like the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), which critics link to Brotherhood ideology.

    Reactions and Implications

    • Support: Pro-Israel groups like ISGAP and AIPAC praised the move as a “serious” counter to ideological threats. Netanyahu reportedly thanked Trump, hinting at similar Israeli actions against Brotherhood-linked parties.
    • Criticism: Some progressive voices and Muslim advocacy groups argue it risks stigmatizing legitimate political Islam and free speech, potentially echoing past overreaches like the post-9/11 Patriot Act.
    • Global Ripple: Allies like Egypt and the UAE may expand cooperation, but Qatar (a Brotherhood funder) could face U.S. pressure, though Trump’s business ties there raise skepticism about full enforcement.

    This development marks a significant escalation in Trump’s national security agenda, building on his first-term travel bans and “America First” rhetoric. For real-time updates, monitor official White House statements or congressional trackers.

    Why is this so controversial?

    Supporters say:

    • The Brotherhood is the ideological parent of violent groups (Hamas, etc.), and that treating it like a terrorist network will help cut financing and support pipelines. New York Post+1
    • Several countries (Egypt, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Russia) already list it as a terrorist organization, and they argue the U.S. is “catching up.” The Washington Institute+1

    Critics say:

    • The movement is globally fragmented, with some branches participating in elections and non-violent politics; a blanket designation could be overbroad and hard to justify under U.S. law. The Washington Institute
    • A broad FTO label could criminalize ordinary association and advocacy, hit Muslim civil society groups in the U.S., and fuel Islamophobia rather than improve security. Human Rights Watch
    • Lawyers point out that FTO designations can be challenged in U.S. courts if the evidentiary record is thin or politically driven. Brennan Center for Justice

    Sources: Egypttoday.com , Midtown Tribune news

    Midtown Tribune Independent USA news from New York

  • New York. Judge Blocks Trump Plan to Scrap 4 Federal Agencies

    New York. Judge Blocks Trump Plan to Scrap 4 Federal Agencies

    New York Attorney General Letitia James and a coalition of 20 other state attorneys general won a major court ruling blocking the Trump administration from eliminating four federal agencies that support libraries, museums, minority-owned businesses, workers, and efforts to combat homelessness. A federal judge in Rhode Island granted summary judgment stopping an Executive Order that sought to dismantle the Institute of Museum and Library Services, the Minority Business Development Agency, the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, and the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness. The court agreed with the attorneys general that the president cannot unilaterally shut down agencies created and funded by Congress, calling the administration’s actions unlawful and barring future attempts to carry out the order. James called the decision a major victory for protecting critical services that communities rely on every day.

    USA news 2025 Executive order Letitia James New York State Attorney General

    Attorney General James Wins Lawsuit Stopping Elimination of Four Vital Federal Agencies

    Court Bars Trump Administration from Dismantling Federal Agencies Supporting Libraries, Museums, Minority-Owned Businesses, Workers, and Services for the Unhoused

    – New York Attorney General Letitia James today won her lawsuit protecting four federal agencies from being illegally dismantled by the Trump administration. The United States District Court for the District of Rhode Island today granted a motion for summary judgment brought by Attorney General James and a coalition of 20 other attorneys general. In April, Attorney General James co-led the coalition in suing the administration to stop the implementation of an Executive Order that would dismantle the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA), the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS), and the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH). The court’s order permanently blocks the administration from eliminating these four agencies.

    “The federal government’s illegal attack on these agencies threatened vital resources for workers, small businesses, and the most vulnerable in our communities,” said Attorney General James. “This is a major victory in our ongoing work to defend important services that New Yorkers rely on every day. I will keep fighting to stop the chaos and destruction of this administration’s attempts to dismantle our government.”

    In April, Attorney General James and the coalition sued to stop the administration’s elimination of three federal agencies:

    • IMLS, which supports museums and libraries nationwide through grantmaking, research, and policy development;
    • MBDA, which promotes the growth and inclusion of minority-owned businesses through federal financial assistance programs; and
    • FMCS, which promotes the peaceful resolution of labor disputes.

    In May, Attorney General James and the coalition secured a preliminary injunction stopping the administration from implementing the Executive Order, which sought to dismantle these three agencies. In June, the coalition filed an amended lawsuit seeking to protect another agency targeted by the same Executive Order, USICH, which coordinates the federal government’s efforts to prevent and end homelessness nationwide.

    Attorney General James and the coalition argued in the lawsuit that the Executive Order’s elimination of all four agencies violates the Constitution and the Administrative Procedure Act by attempting to override Congress. The president does not have the power to unilaterally eliminate federal agencies created and funded by Congress, and he cannot arbitrarily and suddenly cease agency programs. In its decision on the motion for summary judgment, the District Court sided with Attorney General James and the coalition, ruling that the administration’s actions were unlawful, and barred the administration from taking any future actions to carry out the Executive Order’s elimination of the four agencies.

    This lawsuit is led by Attorney General James and the attorneys general of Rhode Island and Hawaii. Joining the lawsuit are the attorneys general of Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Vermont, Washington, and Wisconsin.

    Letitia James

    New York State Attorney General

    November 21, 2025

    NEW YORK

      Sources: Ag.ny.gov , Big New York news BigNY.com
    Midtown Tribune News

    Midtown Tribune Independent USA news from New York

  • New York. Governor Hochul Announces Thanksgiving Enforcement Initiative Targeting Impaired and Reckless Driving

    New York. Governor Hochul Announces Thanksgiving Enforcement Initiative Targeting Impaired and Reckless Driving

    ny hochul news 2025

    Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that the New York State Police and local law enforcement agencies throughout the state will increase patrols to target impaired and reckless driving during the Thanksgiving travel season. Funded by the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee (GTSC), the special enforcement period runs from Saturday, November 22 through Sunday, November 30 and also will address other unsafe driving behaviors, including violations of the state’s Move Over Law.

    “Thanksgiving is the beginning of the busy holiday season with thousands of people traveling to gather and celebrate with friends and family,” Governor Hochul said. “Those celebrations should not be marred by tragedy caused by impaired or reckless driving on our roadways. I urge drivers to stay alert, stay sober and move over when you see vehicles stopped on the side of the road. I thank our troopers and local law enforcement for spending time away from their loved ones to work on Thanksgiving and throughout the holidays to help keep New York’s roadways safe.”

    In addition to increased traffic volume during the Thanksgiving holiday period, it also is a time of the year associated with increased alcohol use. During the 2024 Thanksgiving holiday period, law enforcement officers arrested 1,705 drivers for driving while impaired or intoxicated, and issued 10,078 speeding tickets, and 1,702 tickets for distracted driving.

    New York State Department of Motor Vehicles Commissioner and GTSC Chair Mark J.F. Schroeder said, “We want everyone to enjoy the Thanksgiving holiday with their friends and families this year and for years to come. Impaired driving can change the very fabric of a family and alter holiday memories forever. Nobody wants to live with the consequences of poor decisions that could have been easily avoided.”

    New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James said, “Every year, there are preventable tragedies and a wake of victims left behind because of the decisions made by reckless and impaired drivers. As we drive throughout the state to see our family and friends this Thanksgiving holiday, driver safety is absolutely imperative. The New York State Police proudly joins our law enforcement partners in the continued effort to discourage, detect, and apprehend impaired and drunk drivers.”

    The State Police will supplement regular patrols statewide through efforts including fixed sobriety checkpoints and utilizing Concealed Identity Traffic Enforcement (CITE) patrol vehicles to better spot distracted drivers and those talking or texting on handheld devices. These unmarked vehicles blend in with everyday traffic but are unmistakable as emergency vehicles once the emergency lighting is activated.

    The average drinking and driving arrest costs up to $10,000. Individuals arrested for drunk and drugged driving face the loss of their driver’s license, higher insurance rates, and expenses from attorney fees, fines, car towing and repairs, and lost time at work.

    Construction Closures Suspended

    To help ease travel during the busy holiday season, lane closures for road and bridge construction projects on New York State highways will be suspended beginning 6 a.m. on Wednesday, November 26 through 6 a.m. on Monday, December 1.

    The construction suspension aligns with New York State’s Drivers First Initiative, which prioritizes the convenience of motorists to minimize traffic congestion and travel delays due to road and bridge work. Motorists should be aware some work may continue behind permanent concrete barriers or for emergency repairs.

    Motorists must follow the state’s Move Over Law, which was expanded in March 2024 to require drivers to slow down and move over for all vehicles stopped along the roadway. The Thruway Authority and state Department of Transportation urge motorists to stay alert while driving, slow down and safely move over when they see a vehicle on the side of the road. The lives of motorists, employees, roadway workers and emergency personnel depend on it.

    Text stops, including park-and-ride facilities, rest stops, service areas and parking areas along state highways support the state’s effort to reduce distracted driving. 

    In advance of the busy travel week for the Thanksgiving holiday, all 27 service areas located on the New York State Thruway are now open. Motorists can view the service areas and plan their stops on the Thruway Authority’s website and on the free mobile app, which is available to download for free on iPhone and Android devices. The app also provides motorists direct access to real-time traffic and navigation assistance while on the go. Motorists can also sign up for TRANSalert emails, which provide the latest conditions along the Thruway.

    Travelers can also check NYSDOT’s 511NY before traveling by calling 5-1-1, visiting the 511 website, or downloading the free 511NY mobile app on the App Store or Google Play. The free service allows users to check road conditions, view 2,219 traffic cameras and link to air and transit information. The app features Drive mode, which provides audible alerts along a chosen route while a user is driving, warning them about incidents and construction.

    New York State Department of Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez said, “The Thanksgiving holiday weekend is one of the most important times of the year for families across New York to gather with their loved ones, and we want to make sure everyone gets to their destinations safely.  By lifting construction restrictions during one of the busiest weekends for travel, we’re helping all New Yorkers spend less time in traffic and more time with one another. We urge all motorists to drive carefully this holiday season, and if you do come across one of our crews over the coming weeks, please slow down and give them room to do their jobs safely.”

    New York State Thruway Authority Executive Director Frank G. Hoare said, “The Thanksgiving holiday weekend is one of the busiest travel times of the year, and suspending construction activities will help motorists get to their destinations with fewer delays. We urge motorists to make safety a priority-remain alert, don’t drive distracted or impaired, and slow down and move over if it’s safe to do so for all vehicles on the side of the road. We thank our partners at New York State Police Troop T for patrolling the Thruway and keeping motorists safe.”  

    Chautauqua County Sheriff and President of the NYS Sheriffs’ Association James Quattrone said, “The Thanksgiving holiday is a great opportunity to spend time with family and friends. It is also a time when some people may drive impaired which puts themselves and others in danger. Law enforcement will be on the lookout for impaired and aggressive drivers. The Sheriffs of New York State want you to enjoy the long holiday weekend, be safe, courteous drivers, and have a plan to not drive impaired.”

    New York State Association of Chiefs of Police President and Mount Pleasant Police Department Paul Oliva said, “As we enter the season of giving thanks for our blessings, local law enforcement will be out conducting Impaired Driver and Excessive Speed engagement details, ensuring that travel on our roadways is safe for everyone. Please drive attentively so all can make their destinations to enjoy the holiday weekend with family and friends.”

    The Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee and the New York State STOP-DWI Foundation remind motorists that their “Have a Plan” mobile app, is available for Apple, Android and Windows smartphones. The app enables New Yorkers to locate and call a taxi or rideshare service and program a designated driver list. It also provides information on DWI laws and penalties and provides a way to report a suspected impaired driver.

    November 22, 2025

    Albany, NY

    Sources: Governor.ny.gov , Midtown Tribune news
    Big New York news BigNY.com

    Midtown Tribune Independent USA news from New York

  • Hochul backs Mamdani, slams Stefanik and vows focus on affordability

    Hochul backs Mamdani, slams Stefanik and vows focus on affordability

    On MS NOW’s All In, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said the President’s meeting with Zohran Mamdani showed New York City is “in good hands” with a leader focused on public safety and affordability, making federal steps like sending in the National Guard unnecessary as crime drops and subways get safer. She said she’ll partner with the mayor-elect to build more housing, expand childcare and push down utility costs, arguing voters are “exhausted” and want leaders who understand their struggles. Hochul also blasted Rep. Elise Stefanik’s attacks on Mamdani as extreme and dangerous, and said as leader of the state Democratic Party she backed Mamdani early because New York City is the economic engine of the state and the nation.

    Governor Hochul Is a Guest on “All In” With Chris Hayes on MS NOW

    Governor Hochul: “[We have to] set the tone to let the President know that the city is in good hands. That we have a mayor who is vested in its success and keeping people safe and being laser focused on affordability. And so once they kind of came to those terms, I think we are in a much better place. And, we’ll just continue focusing on New York and our people as I will.”

    Hochul: “I want to make sure that we get over the finish line. Building more housing. I’ve been talking about this for years. We can focus on childcare to help families that are struggling. We can do what we can to drive down utility costs, because that’s what the voters are expecting. They’re exhausted, they’re tired, they’re looking for real leadership of people who understand what they’re going through.”

    Earlier tonight, Governor Hochul was a guest on “All In” with Chris Hayes on MS NOW.

    AUDIO: The Governor’s remarks are available in audio form here.

    A rush transcript of the Governor’s remarks is available below:

    Chris Hayes, MS NOW: Governor, it’s good to have you, and I have to ask you what — was that the way that you saw this going?

    Governor Hochul: Well, I’ve had meetings with the President and the White House as well, so, I wasn’t terribly surprised. I know the mayor very well. I believe that he demonstrated credible leadership by willing to go into the White House and have this conversation. And so it was probably a lot friendlier than people expected, but they’re both people. I had a sense they both get along in this context, when they’re talking about issues where there’s a common bond and a common interest, which appears to be affordability is something I’ve talked about for a long time.

    The mayor has leaned into, in a way that was powerful. And so anyone who wants to work with us, to drive down the cost of living in New York. We’ll have those meetings, we’ll have those conversations and hopefully get things really done.

    Chris Hayes, MS NOW: Partly this is optics and partly it’s interpersonal relationships, and partly it is I think the fact the President’s actually in person pretty conflict diverse. But there’s real stakes here. I mean, we have seen the videos and headlines out of Los Angeles, out of Chicago, out of Charlotte —- border patrol wrestling people to the ground, breaking people’s windows, children running from church, U.S. citizens having people with helicopters repel down their buildings, right?

    So far, we have not seen that level of targeting of the City of New York by the federal DHS. Do you think today’s meeting is a welcome development in forestalling or avoiding that kind of faith?

    Governor Hochul: Absolutely. First of all, this was an important takeaway. This was my hope that the President would see in Zohran Mamdani — someone who can lead the city, who is focused on public safety, who is working on affordability and quality of life issues and to give the President who is a New Yorker, who cares about the city, the confidence to know that he can lead. And I will continue to be his partner and make sure he’s successful.

    But I also had a conversation with the President a few months ago, about it was unnecessary to send the National Guard to New York. Our crime rates are going down. We’ve worked hard on this. Our subways are safer than they’ve been in decades. So I said to the President, “You don’t need to send the National Guard in. We have 35,000 sworn members of the NYPD who work hard every day to protect our city. But if we need help, Mr. President, we’ll give you a call.” And he hasn’t called. We’re fine. I haven’t had to talk to him about that.

    So I think between that, and also this really important meeting, set the tone to let the President know that the city is in good hands. That we have a mayor who is vested in its success and keeping people safe and being laser focused on affordability. And so once they kind of came to those terms, I think we are in a much better place. And, we’ll just continue focusing on New York and our people as I will. And the President has certainly has other issues to be concerned about, rather than sending troops into our streets.

    Chris Hayes, MS NOW: A lot of people have noted political observers that one of the political casualties of today was Elise Stefanik, the New York member of Congress, who has announced she will be running against you for governor. And part of the reason is that she has — out of the gate — basically tried to tie you to Zohran Mamdani. She’s also keeps calling him a ‘jihadist,’ which I personally find really gross, bigoted, and objectionable. This was — he was asked about that and he swatted it away. He said, he doesn’t see it that way.

    I want to read you her statement today after the meeting. “We all want New York City to succeed, but we’ll have to agree to disagree on this one. If he walks like a jihadist, if he talks like a jihadist, if he campaigns like a jihadist. If he supports jihadist, he’s a jihadist, and he’s Kathy Hochul’s jihadist.” Do you have a response to that?

    Governor Hochul: She’s full of shit. I’m sorry. I mean, she really is. I mean, this is such an extreme position. Such an extreme position. She’s even more extreme than Donald Trump. I didn’t think that was possible. But she’s succeeded in proving that today she’s out-MAGA’d Donald Trump, the founder of the MAGA Movement.

    So I hope she’s proud of herself, continuing to spew hateful thoughts and deeds and instead — and trying to create more violence in our political rhetoric. I think it’s disgusting, it’s abhorent, but that’s who she is, and people are seeing this, and even the President — realize that’s even too far for him.

    Chris Hayes, MS NOW: On the politics of this as well, you were fairly early in endorsing Zohran Mamdani after he won the primary. Others took much longer like Hakeem Jeffries — notably the Senate minority leader, Chuck Schumer, who of course represents the State of New York in the US Senate, has never endorsed him. Given the fact that even Donald Trump seemed amenable to working with Mamdani and seemed charmed by him. Does it make the Senate Minority Leader’s lack of endorsement, kind of stand out as even more strange?

    Governor Hochul: No, I won’t comment on that because everyone does what they need to do, but for me, it was important to show as the leader of the Democratic Party in the State of New York, this was our Democratic nominee, and we all should be interested, invested, and committed to his success. Because New York City is the economic engine of not just our state, but the entire nation. So never root against New York City. And I’ve pledged to work with the mayor, the new Mayor-Elect.

    We’ve had many conversations and meetings that are extremely productive. And again, I want to make sure that we get over the finish line. Building more housing. I’ve been talking about this for years. We can focus on childcare to help families that are struggling. We can do what we can to drive down utility costs, because that’s what the voters are expecting. They’re exhausted, they’re tired, they’re looking for real leadership of people who understand what they’re going through.

    I do for my own life story, I see people going through this now. I know it’s real and that’s what we can do in New York. So I think it’s going to be a new era, a new chapter for New York City, and I’m really excited to continue partnering with the mayor — the Mayor-Elect.

    Chris Hayes, MS NOW: All right, Governor Kathy Hochul from Albany. Thank you very much. Appreciate it.

    Governor Hochul: Alright, thank you.

    November 21, 2025

    Albany, NY

    Sources: Governor.ny.gov , Big New York news BigNY.com ,
    Midtown Tribune news

    Midtown Tribune Independent USA news from New York

  • White House: ABC “News” Is Fake News

    White House: ABC “News” Is Fake News

    ABC “News” is not journalism — it’s a Democrat spin operation masquerading as a broadcast network. The network’s longstanding commitment to hoaxes, character assassinations, and outright fiction targeting only one side of the political aisle is a deliberate deception to wage war on President Trump and the millions of Americans who elected him to multiple terms.

    ABC “News” has a long, rich tradition of peddling lies, conspiracies, and outright opinion thinly veiled as fact:

    • In 2017, ABC suspended investigative reporter Brian Ross after he falsely reported that President Trump had directed Michael Flynn to contact Russian officials before the 2016 election.
    • In 2020, ABC suspended veteran correspondent David Wright after he was caught identifying himself as a “socialist” and admitting the network pushes an anti-Trump agenda and airs stories designed for profit, not news.
    • In 2020, George Stephanopoulos — longtime Democrat operative turned wannabe “journalist” — failed to ask Joe Biden about his son Hunter’s infamous laptop or the swirling allegations of impropriety.
    • In 2024, Stephanopoulos repeatedly lied about President Trump’s legal cases. After being sued for promoting these defamatory lies, the network agreed to settle for $16 million and issue a statement of regret.
    • In October 2024, the network erroneously “fact checked” President Trump at least five times during the presidential debate — but failed to call out his opponent a single time.
    • Following President Trump’s historic 2024 election victory, 90% of the network’s coverage of his cabinet nominees was negative.
    • In January, ABC News gave 27 times more coverage to President Trump’s pardons of January 6 defendants than of Biden’s last-minute pardons to his corrupt family members.
    • In January, ABC News editorialized in a partisan way that President Trump’s personnel directives were “retribution.”
    • In February, ABC News mischaracterized the Trump Administration’s effort to eliminate waste, fraud, and abuse in the bloated federal bureaucracy as an “attack on veterans.”
    • In April, ABC News peddled the debunked lie that the Trump Administration was unilaterally deporting U.S. citizen babies.
    • In June, ABC News’s senior national correspondent Terry Moran smeared White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller as a “world-class hater” whose “hatreds are his spiritual nourishment” — just one entry in a long series of Moran’s obvious liberal bias during his tenure.
    • In June, ABC News aired what it called a “violent Border Patrol detention” — but failed to mention the detained illegal immigrant had been chasing federal agents with a weed whacker.
    • In June, ABC News praised violent Los Angeles rioters for “self-policing” — as local businesses and property were being harmed — during coverage critical of President Trump’s National Guard deployment.
    • In July, ABC News used its special coverage of the One Big Beautiful Bill signing ceremony to falsely claim the legislation would “mostly” benefit “the wealthiest Americans” and repeat the debunked talking point that millions of Americans would “lose their healthcare.”
    • In July, ABC News refused to cover the Office of National Intelligence’s announcement of a landmark investigation into Obama-era politicization and manufacturing of intelligence assessments.
    • In July, ABC News dismissed the vicious MS-13 gang — whose motto is literally “kill, rape, control” — as a “clique.”
    • In September, Stephanopoulos repeatedly — and falsely — insisted that people had somehow “died” because of the Trump Administration’s decision to shutter a bloated, wasteful bureaucratic agency.

    The White House

    November 19, 2025

    Sources: White House , Midtown Tribune

    Midtown Tribune Independent USA news from New York

  • RUBIO ORDERS RESTITUTION FOR HUNDREDS OF STAFFERS DENIED PROMOTIONS UNDER BIDEN DEI RULE – U.S. Department of State

    RUBIO ORDERS RESTITUTION FOR HUNDREDS OF STAFFERS DENIED PROMOTIONS UNDER BIDEN DEI RULE – U.S. Department of State

    The previous administration’s extreme DEI agenda imposed ideological litmus tests on government workers and robbed nearly 300 Foreign Service Officers of promotion opportunities.

    Now the State Department is rewarding merit and providing restitution to those unjustly impacted.

    An internal study conducted by the State Department revealed that 295 Foreign Service Officers were denied promotion opportunities in 2024 after the diversity, equity, and inclusion agenda was embedded into the promotion process.

    Officers were disadvantaged in promotion considerations if they didn’t fully embrace the discriminatory DEI agenda.

    The policy prioritized adherence to an extreme ideology over merit and competency.

    Now the State Department is rewarding excellence. Those harmed by these extreme DEI policies will be treated fairly based on past performance.

    Source: U.S. Department of State’s Post , Midtown Tribune news

    Midtown Tribune Independent USA news from New York

  • New York. Governor Hochul Announces MTA Opening First-of-its-kind Railcar Acceptance and Testing Facility

    New York. Governor Hochul Announces MTA Opening First-of-its-kind Railcar Acceptance and Testing Facility

    Yard Inspects All New Subway Cars Shipped Via Truck, Rail and Barge; Features Direct Link to New York City Transit Tracks, Allowing Modern Trains to Enter System Faster and More Efficiently

    Builds on MTA’s Plan To Add More than 1,500 Modern Subway Cars in 2025-29 Capital Plan; Details of the MTA Capital Plan Are Available Here

    Three-Year Project Completed on Time and $5.5 Million Under Budget

    Link to Photos of Railcar Acceptance and Testing Facility Is Available Here; B-Roll Is Available Here

    Governor Kathy Hochul and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) today announced the opening of the first-of-its-kind Railcar Acceptance and Testing Facility. Delivered on time and under budget, this state-of-the-art complex serves as the first stop for all new subway cars before they are put into service. This facility will help the MTA process new subway cars, work locomotives and other rolling stock more efficiently, helping complete onsite testing so they can enter service more quickly. This comes as the MTA prepares to receive the biggest infusion of new rail cars since systematic capital planning was first introduced more than a generation ago.

    “Thanks to funding from congestion pricing and the MTA’s 2025-29 Capital Plan, we are making generational upgrades to our subway fleet,” Governor Hochul said. “Thousands of new, modern cars are set to improve the riding experience for millions of New Yorkers. By streamlining the process needed to get these new cars on the rails and into service, this new facility will ensure that riders feel the benefits of a new and improved subway fleet faster than ever.”

    Located near the South Brooklyn Marine Terminal in Sunset Park, the facility can accept rolling stock delivered by truck, rail, or boat. Once accepted, individual cars will be linked together for testing and commissioning on the facility’s in-house tracks. The newly created trains will then be sent via the facility’s direct connection to the subway network to complete further testing and will be entered into revenue service once they pass final inspection. This is the first brand-new, full-scale subway car facility located on a new property that the Authority has added since the Pitkin Yard opened in Brooklyn in 1948.

    MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber said, “Our historic $11 billion investment in rolling stock calls for a top-of-the-line new testing facility. Now we’re ready to start processing the 1,500+ rail cars included in the Capital Plan, no matter how they’re delivered — by land or by water.”

    MTA Construction and Development President Jamie Torres-Springer said, “This facility consolidates work that was once spread amongst different yards and unites it all under one roof. It’s another example of the MTA delivering a critical project on time and under budget to improve subway reliability for decades to come.”

    New York City Transit President Demetrius Crichlow said, “As we continue to upgrade our rolling stock with modern cars, the Railcar Acceptance and Testing Facility provides a state-of-the-art space for NYC Transit employees to ensure new cars are safe, reliable, and ready to enter service. With streamlined inspections and a direct connection to transit tracks, NYC Transit has never been more prepared to keep up with the historic 2025-29 Capital Plan and the unprecedented investment it provides in rolling stock.”

    The Railcar Acceptance and Testing Facility was completed within its three-year timeline and $5.5 million under budget by utilizing design-build delivery that streamlines project design and management. The MTA realized significant savings through the use of prefabricated building components and precast concrete for the track pit construction, speeding the project’s completion and minimizing cost.  

    The American Council of Engineering Companies of New York recently awarded the facility the silver medal in the Transportation category at the 2026 Engineering Excellence Awards Competition. This prestigious award recognized the yard’s state-of-the-art design, innovation, complexity and the benefits it will bring to the subway riding public and community as a whole.

    The opening of the facility comes as the MTA is actively buying hundreds of modern R211 and R268 subway cars that will eventually replace all R46 and R68 subway cars, which have been in service for decades. The historic $68 billion 2025-29 Capital Plan includes the purchase of 1,500 new subway cars – the largest new investment in rolling stock since the 1980s. New R211 cars are being delivered at a rapid pace, with 750 already delivered and another 860 still to arrive.  

    First placed into service in March 2023, the R211 features pre-installed security cameras in each car, as well as 58-inch-wide door openings that are eight inches wider than standard door openings on the existing car fleet. These are designed to speed up boarding and reduce the amount of time trains sit in stations. In addition to wider doors, these cars provide additional accessible seating, digital displays that will provide more detailed station-specific information, and brighter lighting and signage, among other features that improve the customer experience.

    The R211 is currently in service on the Staten Island Railway, as well as the A, B, C and G lines. There are plans to add the R211 on the D and the Rockaway Park S within the next two years. The R211 is just the start of the MTA’s investment in new subway cars. The MTA Board recently approved the purchase of 378 new R268 subway cars, which feature many of the same amenities as the R211. The R268s will service the MTA’s B division lines beginning in 2028. In addition, the 2025-29 Capital Plan will include the purchase of new cars for the A Division, replacing the existing R62 trains serving the 1, 3 and 6 trains.

    These modern cars also assist the MTA in its efforts to upgrade subway lines to Communications-based Train Control (CBTC), the international gold standard of signal systems. All R211s and R268s come equipped with technology that seamlessly integrates with CBTC signals, leading to a better overall commute for millions of daily riders — including more reliable service, fewer delays, more frequent trains and less waiting.

    Crews are actively working to complete CBTC upgrades on the A, C, E, F and G lines. Planned work on the Fulton St and Liberty Av Lines of the A and C trains in Brooklyn and Queens and the 6th Av Line of the B, D, F and M trains in Manhattan are being paid for by funds generated from congestion relief. Upcoming CBTC modernization efforts on the A, Rockaway Park S, J and Z trains from the Williamsburg Bridge to Broad St, as well as on the N, Q, R and W trains in Manhattan and Astoria will be financed through the 2025-29 Capital Plan.

    Representative Daniel Goldman said, “The new railcar acceptance facility in my district in Sunset Park is exactly the kind of smart transit investment that delivers real results for New Yorkers. By streamlining delivery and testing for new subway cars, this site will help modernize our fleet, improve reliability across the system, and get riders the safe and efficient service they deserve. I am grateful for the leadership and vision that made this possible, and I look forward to seeing the benefits for Brooklyn and our entire city.”

    State Senator Leroy Comrie said, “Investing in modern, reliable rail service is essential to keeping New York moving. This new testing facility will help the MTA bring upgraded subway cars online faster and more efficiently, improving safety, reliability and the rider experience system-wide. I commend Governor Hochul and the MTA for delivering this project on time and under budget and I look forward to continued progress that improves our ability to keep the system in a state of good repair, improving the ability of our transit network for all New Yorkers.”

    Assemblymember Marcela Mitaynes said, “Today’s opening builds on Sunset Park’s legacy of industrial innovation and maritime commerce. As we strive to uphold our commitment to improving public infrastructure and transportation, I am proud to welcome this first-of-its-kind facility to our community. Thank you to everyone involved in ensuring the project was delivered on time and under budget.”

    New York City Council Member Alexa Avilés said, “I am proud to welcome this new railcar acceptance facility into our district. Our public transportation system is the beating heart of our city. Investments that improve the efficiency of our trains will serve me and my neighbors, who rely on NYCT for their daily commutes across the city. I want to thank NYCT for the hard work they have put into opening this facility and look forward to supporting the dedicated NYCT workers who keep our city running.”

    November 21, 2025

    Albany, NY

    Sources: Governor.ny.gov , Big New York news BigNY.com ,
    Midtown Tribune news

    Midtown Tribune Independent USA news from New York

  • Hochul Vows New York Will Lead on ‘Responsible AI’ Despite Broadband Funding Clash

    Hochul Vows New York Will Lead on ‘Responsible AI’ Despite Broadband Funding Clash

    New York Gov. Kathy Hochul is blasting the Trump administration, saying the White House is threatening to pull hundreds of millions of dollars in rural broadband funding from upstate communities because the state passed tough new rules on artificial intelligence.
    Hochul says the AI safeguards are designed to protect kids, workers and consumers, and accuses Washington of siding with big corporations that don’t want to take basic steps to prevent AI-related harm. Calling the move “unacceptable,” she vows to keep fighting for working families and to keep New York at the forefront of “responsible AI” policy.

    nov 20 2025 Hochul New York

    Statement from Governor Kathy Hochul

    “We passed some of the nation’s strongest AI safeguards to protect kids, workers and consumers. Now, the White House is threatening to withhold hundreds of millions of dollars in broadband funding meant for rural upstate communities, all to shield big corporations from taking basic steps to prevent potential harm from AI.

    “This is unacceptable. In New York, we protect working families and set the standard for the nation. I will continue to fight to ensure our state remains a global leader in responsible AI.”

    Sources: Governor.ny.gov , Big New York news BigNY.com

    Midtown Tribune Independent USA news from New York

  • New York City Comptroller Brad Lander is choosing to go to trial on a federal misdemeanor instead of taking a deal that would have quietly ended his case.

    New York City Comptroller Brad Lander is choosing to go to trial on a federal misdemeanor instead of taking a deal that would have quietly ended his case.

    What is he charged with?

    • Lander is facing a federal misdemeanor obstruction charge.
    • The charge comes from a Sept. 18 sit-in/protest on the 10th floor of 26 Federal Plaza in Manhattan, where ICE uses holding rooms for immigrants.
    • Prosecutors say he was blocking entrances/foyers/corridors while he and other elected officials tried to inspect the detention area to see if ICE was complying with a judge’s order on overcrowding and conditions. AP News

    What deal did he refuse?

    • Federal prosecutors offered an “adjournment in contemplation of dismissal” (ACD) style deal:
      • No guilty plea.
      • Case would be dropped in about six months if he stayed out of trouble on federal property.
    • All or most of the other 10 elected officials arrested with him accepted that offer.
    • Lander was the lone holdout and told reporters, “I want a trial.” ABC7 New York+1

    Why does he say he wants a trial?

    According to his public statement and reporting:

    • He argues the “real crime” happened inside the detention area, not in the hallway where he was arrested.
    • He says a trial will “bring to light” how ICE is treating people in those holding rooms and whether they’re complying with court-ordered limits on crowding, cleanliness, sleeping mats, etc. AP News+1
    • It also fits his long pattern of civil-disobedience-style protests around immigration enforcement. The Forward+1

    What’s the potential penalty?

    • The charge carries a maximum of 30 days in federal jail if he’s convicted. AP News
    • Realistically, for a first-time nonviolent misdemeanor of this type, outcomes often range from a fine or conditional discharge up to short jail, but that’s ultimately up to the judge if he’s found guilty.

    How does this tie to his earlier ICE arrest?

    • Back in June 2025, Lander was arrested by masked ICE agents at the same federal complex while linking arms with an immigrant who was being taken into custody; those earlier charges were dropped after big political backlash. The Guardian+2AP News+2
    • The current case is separate: it’s about the September sit-in on the 10th floor detention area, not the June hallway arrest.

    Midtown Tribune Independent USA news from New York

  • N.Y. governor, education chief blast Trump plan to kill Education Department: ‘Won’t go down without a fight’

    N.Y. governor, education chief blast Trump plan to kill Education Department: ‘Won’t go down without a fight’

    ALBANY, N.Y. — New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and state Education Commissioner Betty Rosa fired back Wednesday at President-elect Donald Trump’s push to eliminate the U.S. Department of Education, calling the move “catastrophic” and a “direct attack” on the state’s schools. In a sharply worded joint statement, the Democratic leaders warned that breaking up the federal agency and shifting its duties elsewhere would put millions of New York students at risk and disrupt everything from special education services to civil rights enforcement in classrooms. “We won’t go down without a fight – not when our kids are on the line,” they declared, vowing to defend public education against what they described as an attempt to dismantle the nation’s school system.

    Joint Statement from Governor Kathy Hochul and State Education Commissioner Betty Rosa

    “The Trump administration’s decision to tear apart the Department of Education carries catastrophic consequences for education nationwide. By outsourcing the Department’s responsibilities to other federal agencies, the administration is moving closer to its misguided goal of dismantling our education system, and in doing so, threatens to upend New York’s school system, putting millions of students’ educations at risk. Make no mistake, this maneuver is a direct attack on New York teachers, students, and families and its effects will be felt in schools statewide.

    “New York is committed to standing up for our students and ensuring their futures remain front and center. We won’t go down without a fight – not when our kids are on the line.”

    November 18, 2025

    Albany, NY

    Sources: Governor.ny.gov/ , Big New York News BigNY.com