Trump Pardons Convicted Binance Founder; Who Wins the NYC Mayoral Debate? | NTD News Today (Oct. 23)

Welcome to NTD News Today. Here are today's top stories. Two historic illegal gambling schemes involving NBA stars and millions of dollars in proceeds. The Justice Department announces charges against Portland Trailblazers Chanty Bilips and Miami Heats Terry Rosier. Israel's Parliament votes to apply Israeli law in the West Bank. US Vice President JD Vance denounces the vote. European Union agrees on its 19th package of sanctions against Russia. The requests that Ukrainian President Vladimir Zalinski are now making for additional measures. Last night's debate for the New York City mayoral election spotlights key issues while recent polling suggests older voters could tip the Socialist Democrat Mandani's lead within the margin of error. This is NTV News Today, live from our global headquarters in New York City. >> Today is Thursday, October 23rd. I'm Stephanie Aox. Three NBA stars have been arrested in illegal gambling schemes. The Justice Department says the fraud was historic in scale. Here's the US attorney for the Eastern District of New York. >> The first indictment involves six defendants who are alleged to have participated one of the most brazen sports corruption schemes since online sports betting became widely legalized in the United States. This scheme is an insider sports betting conspiracy that exploited confidential information about National Basketball Association athletes and teams. The second indictment involves 31 defendants alleged to have participated in a nationwide scheme to rig illegal poker games. These defendants, which include former professional athletes, used high-tech cheating technology to steal millions of dollars from victims in underground poker games that were secretly fixed. In the first case, former NBA player and coach Damon Jones and Miami Heat guard Terry Roger were arrested and indicted for allegedly betting on insider information about NBA athletes and teams. The alleged information included when specific players would be sitting out future games or when they would pull themselves out early for purported injuries or illnesses. In the second case, Jones and Portland Trailblazers head coach Chanty Bilips were arrested and indicted on accusations of rigging poker games involving cheating devices. The DOJ says victims were often lured into these games by the chance to play alongside former professional athletes, including Jones and Phillips. The Justice Department said the case also involved major Italian-American mafia families in New York City. Take a listen. The mafia, specifically members and associates of the Banano, Gambino, and Genovese's organized crime families, had pre-existing control over non-rigged, illegal poker games around New York City. As a result, they also became involved in the rigged poker games, helping to organize the games and taking a cut of the proceedings and working to enforce the collection of debts. The defendants laundered their proceeds, including through cash exchanges, the use of multiple shell companies, and through cryptocurrency transfers. As part of the scheme, some of the defendants and their co-conspir conspirators also committed acts of violence, including the gunpoint robbery of a person in order to obtain a rigged shuffling machine and extortions that were perpetrated against victims in order to ensure that they repaid their gambling debts. The defendants faced charges including illegal gamb gambling, wire fraud, crypto fraud, money laundering, extortion, and robbery. The FBI said the schemes involved tens of millions of dollars and spanned multiple years. The Justice Department said it's committed to cracking down on organized crime. Roger will be appearing in federal court in Orlando, Florida, and BIPS in federal court in Portland, Oregon sometime this afternoon. They will both be arraigned. President Trump is pardoning convicted Binance founder Chaang Jiao. That's according to the White House, which says the previous administration prosecuted Jiao in a war on cryptocurrency. Jiao had to step down as the chief of Binance when the company agreed to a settlement with the US government worth more than $4 billion. Prosecutors agreed to end a year'slong probe into misconduct at the world's largest crypto exchange. Trump's pardon paves the way for Jiao to return to the business he helped found in 2017. He's already served his time in prison after a judge sentenced him to four months. And President Trump will host a round table at the White House to discuss recent operations by Homeland Security. An administration spokesperson said task forces are targeting cartels, criminal networks, and more. The round table comes after Trump and FBI director Cash Patel announced the results of the bureau's operation summer heat last week. The operation targeted violent criminals, gang members, fugitives, property crimes, child exploitation, and drug trafficking. Trump said at the White House, quote, "We ke we kept it a little quiet and it had a big impact." Unquote. Trump and Patel said the operation resulted in the the arrest of over 8,700 violent criminals in major cities nationwide. FBI director Cash Patel has announced what he called one of the agency's most significant gang takedowns to date. Operation Chalkline led to 22 arrests and major drug and weapon seizures. Agents confiscated more than 4 kg of cocaine, 20 260 grams of fentinyl, and a pound and a half of methamphetamine, six pounds of marijuana, and 23 firearms. The FBI's Milwaukee office deployed 14 SWAT teams in coordinated raids across Milwaukee and Rine. Special agents and task force officer officers executed 24 federal search warrants with help from local, state, and federal partners. Officials say the investigation was led by a Mount Pleasant police officer assigned to the FBI Milwaukee area safe streets task force. The bureau says it remains focused on combating violent crime and ensuring public safety across Wisconsin. New York's attorney general is asking the public to send photos, videos, and other evidence of federal immigration raids for review. The appeal comes just one day after an ICE operation targeting street vendors in Manhattan's CH Chinatown erupted into chaos as protesters clashed with federal agents. Leticia James said every New Yorker has the right to live without fear or intimidation. But the Department of Homeland Security called her request an obstruction of justice. The comments follow Tuesday's immigration enforcement operation on Canal Street, a stretch of Manhattan known for its street vendors and counterfeit goods. Federal officials say 14 people were arrested, including illegal immigrants from Mali, Senagal, and Guinea. Some with prior criminal records. Four people were arrested for allegedly assaulting law enforcement and another for obstruction. DHS says several of those taken into custody had previous charges ranging from robbery and do domestic violence to counterfeiting and drug offenses. And federal agents are heading to San Francisco. The Trump administration says it's sending ICE officers to the city by the bay to get what it calls the worst of the worst criminal illegal immigrants off the streets. Entities Daniel Monahan reports on that and other anti-rime operations across the country. The Department of Homeland Security says its law enforcement agents will enforce the laws of the nation. It says it's targeting murderers, rapists, gang members, pedophiles, and terrorists in cities such as Portland, Chicago, Memphis, and now San Francisco. The official did not specify when the agency would be dispatching agents to San Francisco. President Trump recently said it would be the next city to see federal immigration enforcement operations. In an appearance with FBI Director Cash Patel last week, Trump recommended the city be targeted for a cleanup >> at the request of government officials, which is always nice that you start looking at San Francisco. I think we can make San Francisco's one of our great cities 10 years ago, 15 years ago, and now it's a mess. The federal immigration crackdown in San Francisco comes months ahead of the NFL hosting Super Bowl 60 in Santa Clara, California, near San Francisco. California Governor Gavin Newsome reacted yesterday to the possible deployment. We're going to be fierce in terms of our response. Uh we are going to be focused quite literally. This is the lawsuit that I will file within a nancond of any efforts to send the military to one of America's great cities. >> Over to New York, ICE director Todd Lion said yesterday that New York City can expect an uptick in immigration arrests. Speaking on Fox News, it's >> because there are so many crimally illegal aliens that have been released in New York specifically and especially that are being harved in uh you know, New York from the lack of cooperation there in New York City. Federal immigration officers arrested nine illegal immigrants Tuesday with criminal records in an enforcement operation on Manhattan's Canal Street. The operation started just after 400 p.m. as agents targeted street vendors known for selling imitation luxury accessories and other goods in Chinatown. Some of those detained had prior criminal charges of robbery, burglary, domestic violence, assaulting law enforcement, counterfeiting, drug trafficking, and drug possession. A group of protesters disrupted the raid, blocking some federal vehicles, forcing some agents to leave on foot as protesters followed them, honking their horns. Four protesters were also arrested and accused of assaulting law enforcement. Another protester was arrested for obstruction. And in Chicago, a federal judge is extending her order blocking President Trump's plan to deploy National Guard troops in the city. The Trump administration says the troops are needed to enforce immigration laws. A move Illinois Governor JB Pritsker calls an invasion. >> The Supreme Court could act on the Trump administration's emergency appeal at any time. Daniel Monahan, NTD News. >> Four family members of an Illinois gubanatorial candidate have died in a Montana helicopter crash. The former state senator's son, daughter-in-law, and two grandchildren were killed. Darren Baileyy's campaign said in a statement that his third grandchild was not on the aircraft. The National Transportation Safety Board said it was investigating the crash in eastern Montana. The sheriff's office in Carter County said the helicopter went down early yesterday evening. Bailey lost the 2022 gubinatorial election in Illinois to now Governor JB Pritsker. He's seeking the Republican nomination again in next year's race. Illinois GOP Chair Kathy Salvi said in a statement that the party is grieving the tragic loss and our hearts go out to him and his family too. New York City may candidate sparred for the second time last night with all three contenders trading jabs in their final pitches to voters. NTD's Arlene Richards was with there and now shares some of the takeaways. It was a night of last impression on Wednesday evening as candidates for New York City mayor made their final pitches to New Yorkers in their second debate before early voting. All three contenders made their enthusiastic bids before a crowded auditorium of voters who often cheered and clapped. Wednesday's debate came as Republican candidate Curtis Leewa faces a growing number of calls to drop out of the race. He vowed to stay in and allow New Yorkers to decide. Siwa made enthusiastic and sometimes humorous jabs at his opponents in a last push to get voters on his side. >> It's us versus them. It's us versus the insiders and the billionaires. It's us versus Cuomo. It's us versus Zoran. Andrew, you didn't leave. You fled from being impeached by the Democrats in the state legislature. Meanwhile, top contenders Cuomo and Zoran Mdani exchanged heated jabs in their final pleas to New Yorkers. >> My critiques of the politics of the past is right here on the stage. You can see in Andrew Cuomo, someone who had 10 years to deliver on so much of what he's spoken about. >> You have never had a job. You've never accomplished anything. There's no reason to believe you have any merit or qualification for eight and a half million lives. >> The first question posed to candidates focused on the federal raid in New York City's Chinatown neighborhood on Tuesday that led to the arrest of nine street vendors. All three candidates agreed that the federal government shouldn't get involved in local matters, but they had slightly different views on how the mayor should handle it. >> Uh I've had a lot of dealings with President Trump. Uh, and there's only one way to deal with him. He puts his finger in your chest and you have to put your finger right back in his chest. >> Mom Donnie said the city shouldn't be collaborating with the federal government like the current mayor does. >> What we need to do is actually pass the street vending reform bills that have been in the city council, some of which that this mayor has actually overridden. Siwa said there's no communication between local authorities and the feds, >> but we can't tolerate citizens attacking our federal law enforcement forces in the street. Uh because then that will just lead to anarchy. >> At a press conference following the debate, Siwa said the NYPD didn't show up because they were hiding behind the sanctuary city law. According to Homeland Security, those arrested were illegal immigrants from West Africa. Moderators covered a number of general topics such as rising housing costs and policing. There also were questions designed for each candidate. For example, they said Mom Donnie criticizes others but avoids answering questions. Quuomo is viewed as unethical and Siwa is a character. Most recent polls show Mom Donnie is still leading the pack with Siwa a distant third. As New Yorkers head to the polls on Saturday for early voting, they will have to make some tough decisions between an embattled former governor, a character icon of the city, and a self-described Democratic socialist. >> Arlene Richards, NTD News. >> Thanks to Arlene for that report. Now, a survey of recent polls on the New York City mayoral race shows the Democratic Party's candidate, Zoran Mamani, out in front by mostly double digits. Though while there's no ranked choice voting in this election, polling suggests Mandani may still face an upset from older voters. An AARP poll found that 49% of likely voters 65 and over say they're undecided. And in a two-way matchup with independent former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, Mdani's lead falls within the margin of error. Last night, both candidates projecting contrasting visions of the future of New York. Joining us to discuss is director of debate at the University of Michigan, Aaron Call. Now, Aaron, welcome. I want to dig into the details, but first, who do you think won the debate last night? Yeah, last night I think that Andrew Cuomo probably had his his best debate, which is different than than the first one. And uh he was, you know, a little bit sharper. And I thought that Amami just um looked a little nervous um kind of sweating and he wasn't able to commit to some questions. we're less than two weeks away from the election and he was just seemed to warm out of some of the questions about um some of the policies and ballot initiatives that exist in in the election coming up and which I think is you know a lot of people don't like from politicians being on the fence and and Cuomo and and SWA in some places called him on that and so I don't think it was disqualifying or anything to to fundamentally alter the trajectory of the race but um definitely a pretty good night for Andrew Cuomo. >> Yeah, let's look at that point. Mamdani specifically declined to take a position when asked about a ballot initiative that was that's aimed at making it easier to build more affordable housing which he has said that he advocates for. So um when it came down to it, you know, he was really pressed to give a response and finally declined to outright. What do you make of that in terms of um what folks can interpret his stance to be um expect it as they're they're needing to kind of weigh that as they decide with their votes and also what it says potentially about him as a candidate? >> Yeah, I don't know what the the public would um be led to believe. You'd think you likely would be um in in favor of it. The entire race has been about issues of affordability and just the the lack of housing and and how important that is in a city like New York is just so important. But um you know when you don't commit to it, it kind of shows that you're not giving it the proper attention it deserves. Um there's so a short amount of time left to the election. Early voting, you know, starts I think over over the weekend. And so when when you make that the centerpiece of your campaign, but then you're not um you won't commit to, you know, something one way or another, then I think that that um just puts a lot of, you know, there's a lot of kind of politicians that they don't want to give a straight answer and they, you know, talk in very vague language and a lot of the you know, kind of characteristics, negative ones. I think it reaffirms that. And, you know, he's someone who's very young. He, you know, has some assemblyman experience, but not as as much experience certainly as Andrew Cuomo. So, um, he's energized kind of the the youth vote, but you mentioned earlier that, you know, some of the more reliable older voters are an assault on him. And so, you know, I think this um, you know, he has a very large double digit lead, but this is not the way you want to, you know, kind of, you know, close your campaign just before early voting starts. So, I definitely think it was a missed opportunity last night. >> And let's look more broadly at the cost of living. There's there's many aspects to this. Of course, affordable housing is one and and rent prices in general, but um more broadly, how did you see each candidate's response to this aspect? >> Yeah, I mean, there's so many issues in the race, you know, starting out with immigration. The the race really has become nationalized with President Trump and you know, how he is deploying National Guard in every other states and depending on the winner of this election, how that will will come there. But but yes and and this is an issue also you know facing President Trump the costs uh continue to increase. Housing is probably the most important but and the debate that talked about other issues the um you know the price of groceries you know the um getting around the city and taxis and Ubers um schooling um just the the subway the fairs for that. So, um, you know, the the stock market is one thing. There's a lot of other metrics of the economy, but a place like New York when costs are even higher in all those main areas, you know, people can't, um, live their lives and and raise families with that. And, you know, there these are mayors and so there's kind of a limited amount of of things that they can do, but um, they have different ideas, although some of those ideas may cause, you know, come with an increasing of taxes or needing more money. And that was something that was discussed last night. But uh I think that shows not just in New York but likely nationally that just kind of costs inflation that continues to be one of the major issues facing candidates in all different races occurring. >> Yeah. And on this point of these undecided voters um nearly eight and 10 of the undecided voters in this election are age 50 and above and the cost of health care ranks high for them among their concerns. What did you make of the fact that this issue was not addressed in the debate? >> Yeah, there's in every debate um you know I do feel for the moderators there were three of them and there's a limited amount of of time and questions and they did have you know previous debates that occurred uh last week and there were some debates in the primaries as well. So generally you can't get to every question and a lot of times debates the questions are really it's about kind of what is in the news lately or or what just occurred and so we had some some new polling that came out right before the debate. There was some news that um was going to um ask the current police commissioner to to join his administration if he won and so that was something was asked about. So, it's just something that at that particular time um maybe wasn't as prominent and but I I can't blame the moderators too much because there's an infinite amount of questions asked in a very limited number of time and also there are three candidates where a lot of debates are just kind of one-on-one and and you saw right after the debate he went out Cuomo went out to Madison Square Garden to sit next to the current mayor Eric Adams and I saw that he just um endorsed him today. He's going to do some campaigning. So, there's less than two weeks but um you know it doesn't seem like anybody's going to drop out. Um but certainly a lot of unknowns in in these debates. Uh the candidates like to make their kind of closing arguments to get the momentum heading into early voting and election day. So that's why the debates do remain so important. >> Certainly. And just lastly, Mumani calls himself a socialist Democrat. Trump has described him as a communist. There was a a question specifically about the future mayor's relationship with or relations with Trump. Uh, how did you see Mumdani's response there? >> Yeah, I I mean, I don't think that there's really any way to to sugarcoat it. I think um either um SA or Cuomo would have a much better relationship with um with President Trump and I thought that was good earlier in the debate talking about just the amount of experience he's had in in dealing with him um on major issues where um Madami does lack, you know, kind of a lot of political experiences younger. And so you I think President Trump is maybe secretly hoping that Madami wins because that's will make good fodder for him and he can make you know political uh decisions that could could help his administration or Republicans as they you try to retain Congress in 2026. And so it'll be very adversarial and um and and you know New York City does require a lot of federal funding and so having good relationship with the president is important. that just may not be impossible given the the wide gulf that exists between them. Although certainly he'd try to make it the best of a bad situation if he does in fact win for the betterment of the city. >> That deadline for the election coming up very soon, 4th of November. We'll be watching it closely. Thank you for your insights today, Aaron Call. >> Of course, anytime. And the Treasury Department says the nation's budget deficit from April through September was the lowest in six years, totaling $468 billion, down nearly 40% from a year ago. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent credits stronger revenues and tighter federal spending, calling it proof the administration's fiscal policies are working. This comes soon after the Treasury Department reported that the government posted a budget surplus of $198 billion in September, the largest of any surplus in September on record. But the good news comes alongside a sobering milestone. The national debt has now topped $ 38 trillion just two months after crossing 37 trillion. Bessant says the White House remains focused on lowering interest rates and bringing the deficit to GDP ratio down to 3% within the next few years. Welcome back. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is in Israel to support a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas terrorists. The visit comes amid a vote in the Israeli parliament to apply Israeli law to the West Bank. Here's Rubio commenting on that vote. >> That's a vote in the Knesset, but obviously I think the president's made clear that's not something we'd be supportive of right now and we think is even threatening to the peace deal. Well, every day there'll be threats to it, but I I actually think we're ahead of schedule in terms of bringing it together. And the fact that we made it through this weekend is a good sign, but there's going to be challenges every single day. >> The Israeli Parliament's preliminary approval of the law came during a visit by Vice President J. D. Vance. Israel has been in control of the West Bank since the 1967 Middle East War. Palestinians see the territory as the heart of a future independent state. Rubio said the US is sending diplomats to coordinate efforts to maintain the ceasefire in Gaza. He warned that Hamas remains a violent group and a threat to both Israel and Gazins. Vice President JD Vance criticized Israel's parliament today after that vote on West Bank annexation. Here he is speaking on the tarmac of Tel Aviv's international airport. >> Oh yeah, that was weird. That was weird. I was sort of confused by that. Um, now I actually asked somebody about it and they told me that it was a symbolic vote, some symbolic vote to recognize or a symbolic vote to annex the West Bank. >> Vance met with Israeli military leaders and other officials during his visit to the country. Some 200 US troops are working alongside the Israeli military and other countries for the stabilization and reconstruction of Gaza. The annexation bill won preliminary approval in Israel's parliament yesterday. The legislation would apply Israeli law to the West Bank. Israel has maintained control of the region since the 1967 war. Palestinians see the territory as the heart of a future independent state, as you heard earlier. Here's a clip of Vance objecting to the vote, saying it's at odds with current US policy toward the region. >> I mean, look, if it was a political stunt, it was a very stupid political stunt, and I personally take some insult to it. The West Bank is not going to be annexed by Israel. The policy of the Trump administration is that the West Bank will not be annexed by Israel. That will continue to be our policy. And if people want to take symbolic votes, they can do that. Uh but but we certainly weren't happy about it. >> Global oil prices rose sharply today. The Trump the jump comes as traders worry about a squeeze on global supply after the US imposed sanctions on two Russian oil companies. Here's more. Oil prices surged almost 5% early Thursday. Markets reacted after the US put sanctions on leading Russian suppliers Rosene and look oil over the Ukraine war. One analyst said the sanctions mean refineries in China and India will need to find other suppliers for oil or they risk exclusion from the western banking system. Both countries are major buyers of Russian oil. The US said it was prepared to take further action as it called on Moscow to agree to a ceasefire in Ukraine. Britain sanctioned Roseneft and look oil last week. EU countries have approved a 19th package of sanctions against Russia, which includes a ban on imports of the country's LNG. Brent and West Texas intermediate futures rose by more than $2 a barrel after the sanctions were announced. Analysts argue the impact of sanctions on oil markets will depend on how India reacts and if Russia finds alternative buyers. India became the largest buyer of discounted seaborn Russian crude after Moscow began its war in Ukraine. Western allies are increasing pressure on Russia. The US is hitting Russia's major oil companies with sanctions and EU member states also agree on their 19th package of sanctions against Moscow. Ukrainian President Flet Zalinski welcomed the decision at the European Council summit earlier today. Take a listen. >> We have not only to defend with all Europe with the United States together we have to pressure on Putin to stop this war. Pressure it mean sanctions packages long range air defense and of course financial support about water. Today's measures by the EU add to an already extensive list of restrictions targeting Russian interests across Europe. At the summit, Zilinski also urged European allies to supply Ukraine with longrange weapons. The Ukrainian president also called on Europe to agree on a plan to use frozen Russian assets to aid KE. According to Zilinski, Ukraine would use a significant part of any available funds to buy European-made weapons. Meanwhile, fighting in Ukraine continues. A Russian drone strike in Detsk killed two Ukrainian journalists. According to the regional governor, Kee condemned the attack as a war crime. US forces have carried out another lethal strike against alleged drug traffickers. The strike on a suspected drug trafficking boat operating in the eastern Pacific Ocean killed three people. Here's President Trump. >> One shot, everyone dead center. Uh, and the only way you can't feel bad about it is you realize that you won't feel badly about it. Is you realize that every time you see that happen, you're saving 25,000 American lives. Every one of those boats that gets knocked out is saving 25,000 American lives. Not to mention the torn up families all over the country. And whenever I see that, I I I say to myself, I just saved 25,000 lives. I will say >> Trump says his administration may eventually go to Congress for authorization. Some lawmakers from both parties have expressed concerns about the strikes. Meanwhile, Secretary of State Marco Rubio defended the strikes saying if people want to stop seeing drugs drug boats blown up, stop sending drugs to the United States. War Secretary Pete Seg Hegsath says the V the vessel was known by US intelligence to be involved in illicit narcotic smuggling. He says it was transiting along a known narot trafficking route and was carrying narcotics. Three males aboard the vessel were vict were killed. It came after a previous strike on Tuesday in the same region. It brings the total number of US strikes on alleged drug boats to nine. NBC is reporting that French police have discovered DNA on items left by the Lou thieves. Samples were reportedly found on a helmet and gloves left at the scene of the heist. The outlet also reported that authorities have new video showing the thieves escaping the Paris Museum. French prosecutors didn't confirm if the samples belonged to the suspects. A group of thieves stole eight pieces of jewelry from the world's most visited museum in a brazen daytime robbery Sunday. In a matter of just a few minutes, the perpetrators were able to break display cases with powerful tool power tools and escape with the jewels. Authorities have estimated the value of the loot at over $und00 million. The thieves sped away on mopeds, dropping a 19th century tiara during their getaway. Police are working to recover the items before they're potentially broken down into pieces and sold. Tens of millions of red crabs are crawling their way to the ocean as part of their annual migration on Australia's Christmas Island. Up to 100 million are expected to make their way from the forest to the shoreline. NTD's Andrew Thomas has more on how locals are adapting to the their journey. >> Red crabs rain on Christmas Island. They outnumber humans and often overrun the locals. But Christmas Island National Park acting manager Alexia Djankowski says residents appreciate the natural phenomenon. >> Some people might think they're a nuisance, but most of us think they are um a bit of a privilege to experience. They they're indiscriminate. So whatever they need to go over to get to the to the shore, they will go over it. So if you leave your front door open, you're going to come home and have a whole bunch of red crabs in your living room. >> Locals going about their daily lives try to be careful. Some use leaf blowers and other methods to help the crabs on their way. >> Sometimes for some people if they need to drive their car out of the driveway in the morning, they've got to rake them themselves out or they're not going to be able to leave the house without injuring crabs. So yes, they do change the way we live during this time and we just have to be um very mindful of that. >> The female crabs are expected to release their spawn into the ocean at high tide on November 14th or November 15th during the last quarter of the moon. The offspring spend a month riding the ocean currents before returning to Christmas Island as small crabs. Andrew Thomas, NTD News. If you have any feedback on the show or have something you'd like to see us cover, send us an email at news.tent.com. We'd love to hear from you. We'll cover more news right after this break.