Election Day: Key Test for Trump 2nd Term; 2 Arrested in Harvard Explosion | NTD News Today (Nov. 4)

Voters are heading to the polls for the first major election day during President Trump's second term. From the Virginia and New Jersey governor races to the New York mayoral race will bring you the key updates. The government shutdown has entered its 35th day, tying the record for the longest in the nation's history. And the Senate is once again voting on whether to reopen the government. Dick Cheney, former vice president under George W. Bush has died aged 84. His legacy and reactions from former President Bush. A new report suggests nearly $2 billion from foreign sources were donated to back left-wing groups and policies in the United States with at least one foreign organization connected to the Chinese Communist Party. [Music] This is NTD News Today, live from our global headquarters in New York City. >> And breaking news, the FBI and Harvard University police arrested two men today connected to Saturday's explosion at Harvard Medical School. Both men are from Massachusetts. The address the arrests follow what officials called an intentional explosion which happened early Saturday at a Harvard medical building. According to Harvard police, an officer responding to the incident saw two people running away after a fire alarm went off. Surveillance footage shows two masked individuals. One wore a gray ski mask. The other wore a long face mask and a black hoodie. The US Attorney's Office is holding a news conference at this afternoon at the federal courthouse in Boston and we'll keep you updated on that. Today is election day in the Big Apple and President Trump made it clear who he wants to see as the next mayor. Trump urged voters yesterday to vote for Andrew Cuomo in the highly watched race. He wants to prevent Zoran Mamani, a self-described Democratic socialist, from becoming the next head of the nation's largest city. NTD's Daniel Monahan has more on the race. >> Zoran Mdani, the Democratic Party nominee, was leading in polls on the eve of election day. He was heavily favored to become the next mayor. President Trump chimed in on the contest on Truth Social yesterday, writing, "I would much rather see a Democrat who has had a record of success win than a communist with no experience and a record of complete and total failure." Trump said he was considering reducing federal funding to the city of over 8 million residents to the very minimum as required if they elected Mam Dani. Trump wrote it can only get worse with a communist at the helm and I don't want to send as president good money after bad. The president says he strongly believes New York City will be a quote complete and total economic and social disaster should Mamani win. The race also includes Republican Curtis Leewa, who was running far behind Mdani and Cuomo, who ran as an independent candidate after losing the Democratic primary to Mamani. Trump warned voters not to vote for Siwa, calling it a vote for Mamani. Cuomo yesterday said he believes he had the momentum. Posting the results of an Atlas Intel poll which concluded on Monday, it found 39% of voters favored the former governor. Mom Dani garnered 44% of the vote while Siwa took in 16%. Atlas Intel has a track record of being among the most accurate pollsters in both the 2020 and 2024 presidential elections. Manny responded to Trump's criticism in an interview on CNN yesterday. >> I think you could clearly see that Donald Trump is threatened by our campaign. He's threatened by it because like his, we've diagnosed the crisis in workingclass New Yorkers lives, the cost of living. But unlike him, we're actually going to deliver on that. It's impossible to think that New York City can have a communist mayor. He's a communist. He's not a socialist, by the way. There's a big difference. >> The Democratic nominee released this video yesterday to remind New Yorkers of his vision of socialism for the city. >> There are many who say that a democratic socialist vision of governance for New York is impossible. That our ideas are untested. To them, I answer, we need to look only to our past for proof of how socialism can shape our future. Mani promises to Trump proof New York City by strengthening its sanctuary status to shield illegal immigrants. Elon Musk also threw his support behind Cuomo, posting to X yesterday for people to vote for the former governor. President Trump is also making a lastminute push in New Jersey and Virginia ahead of today's governor's races. holding teller rallies. Trump wrote on True Social, "Why would anyone vote for New Jersey and Virginia gubernatorial candidates Mikey Charelle and Abigail Spanberger when they want transgender for everybody, men playing in women's sports, high crime, and the most expensive energy prices almost anywhere in the world?" Republican Jack Chidarelli is running for governor of New Jersey, while Windsome Merrell Sears is vying to head the state of Virginia. Daniel Monahan, NTD News. >> Daniel Monahan, thank you. Candidate Zoran Mdani is now responding to yesterday's message by President Trump suggesting he plans to stand up to the president. And Andrew Cuomo, meanwhile, is criticizing his opponent, saying the self-described Democrat socialist is too extreme. >> Well, I think what you're seeing is a civil war in the Democratic party that has been brewing for a while. You have an extreme radical left that is run by the socialists that is challenging what they would call moderate Democrats. I'm a moderate Democrat. Democrats are not extreme socialist. We're not against the police. >> I look forward to representing those New Yorkers and look forward to fighting for every single dollar this city is owed. What we see in the language of Donald Trump is a premise as if it is his decision on whether or not to fund a city the very money that this city is owed. And I look forward to utilizing every single tool at my disposal as the next mayor of this city to fight for the people. >> Last night, Trump said, quote, "It is highly unlikely that he'll be contributing federal will be contributing federal funds other than the very minimum as required. if Mumani wins the election. In response, Mumani says that he'll quote not be intimidated by the president. The Democratic candidate also describes Trump's statements as threats to the city. Mumani says he'll defend New Yorkers against those alleged threats by the president. And some New Yorkers are sharing their choices for the next mayor and the issues that they care about the most in making their decision. Take a listen. I voted for Mandani >> Andrew Como >> who not necessarily we like but have to >> as someone who's been living in New York City for over 10 years affordability uh safety making New York feel like home for so many people who've been living here for decades um for all New Yorkers for working families for business people for immigrants for uh underrepresented people. So, it's really important that we have a mayor that represents all types of New Yorkers and makes New Yorkers a place where everyone can thrive uh and work and live happily, healthfully, and safely. >> It's very important. I'm a capitalist, so I think that is pretty simple. >> And safety. >> Oh, yeah. Oh, totally. Safety. Oh, we had to live here through CO. So, we know how important it is to have representation of police in the street. We know that basically when you want to raise a price of something like hourly wage, you need small businesses to support it. People run out of town when things can't be afforded. And too many people left the city already. We need to rebuild it. if Mundani wins is that ultra far left or socialist candidates have a real place in American politics and like while people every voice is valid uh it's going to draw the Democratic party too far to the left and that is not going to be good for the Democratic party. >> Continuing now with our election day coverage, we welcome political analyst Lieutenant Steven Rogers. Good to have you with us today, Lieutenant. Public safety is a top issue, particularly in the New York City race. As a retired lieutenant, how do you weigh Zoran Mamani's comments on the police force? At one time wanting to defund, now backtracking. Look, he's a socialist and a communist. And when you have a socialist and communist individual running for office, he's going to try to get complete state control over the people. the New York City Police Department and I've spoken to many officers there. They are already looking to cross the Hudson River here into New Jersey to get out of the city as soon as they could if this individual gets elected. Vanami has uh supported the defunding of police and even the elimination of police precincts in that city. He believes that well, if you have a problem in the city, pick up the phone and call a civilian agent agency, a mental health clinic, etc. So, I've got to tell you, it's having profound impact on the people of New York and perhaps across the country. >> Interesting because there was a recent poll that came out saying that up to 1 million New Yorkers would definitely consider leaving the uh this the state if if Mamani is elected. Um, so interesting that you say that about the men and women in blue. Um, what how important is the relationship between the mayor and the police force? >> Extremely important. He's like the commander-in-chief of the police department as the president of the United States is the commander-in-chief of the military. Uh, the police commissioner is chosen by the mayor of the city of New York as well as just about every single police chief or individual that gets promoted into the uh upper echelons, the upper ranks. So, you could see exactly what's going to be going on there. He's going to appoint his people who support his ideology, which again is a socialist communist ideology. And the rank and file, as you said, uh they're not waiting to leave. They're leaving now. >> Now, President Trump has threatened to withhold funding and even to send troops to New York as well if Mamani is elected. How do you see that tension there potentially playing out? Well, I'm in uh total support of the president doing what he's doing with regard to sending troops into these cities. Uh the problem with a lot of the individuals like Mandami and by the way, the Democrat party, which has embraced his ideology, uh they've they've embraced an ideology that wants to keep the criminals free and the citizens of that city kind of hindered and locked up. Uh, so sending troops in, well, I've said all along some of those Democrats, including Mandami, ought to get in a police car, drive around in a ride along program with the NYPD, and count how many people are going to be shot in that 24-hour period that they're on patrol. Maybe, just maybe, they'll wake up. >> Now, the cost of living is another top concern among voters. Mom Donnie is promising free transit, rent freezes, city operated grocery stores, and higher taxes on the wealthy. How do you see this approach in terms of what it could take to achieve the American dream today? Do you do you think it's changed the path to get there? >> Well, well, what's going to happen is that none of those policies are going to work. Uh, you know, we'll buy your groceries, we'll give you free rent, we'll do this free, education free. Well, somebody's got to pay for it. And the people who are going to pay for it are the people who are living in the city and working in the city. So, when everybody begins to flee the city, who else is going to pay for it? So certainly that's a path to destruction. Uh hopefully that the city, the people of that city are going to wake up in the next few hours and they're going to elect someone to office. Maybe not the best choice, but better than a socialist communist. >> And we do know President Trump is now endorsing or or at least publicly throwing his weight behind Cuomo who's currently running as an independent. Now you're over in New Jersey where there's another race, this one for governor. Cost of living is also a big concern there. And Mikey Cheryl, the Democratic candidate, has made that a central focus of her campa camp campaign. How do you see her policies compared with Republican Jack Chidarelli on this point? >> Well, we go back to the uh national democratic national platform, socialism and communism. It's all over the country. Her policies are they actually mirror in some way Mandami. And by the way, she endorsed him. Jack's policies are freedom, individual rights. Parents let them uh dictate what education their children will receive. So we have in this country today, and by the way, the eyes of the nation, if not the world, are on New Jersey and New York. We are at war. We have an ideological political war going on with socialists and communists. They're making their move now. And if Mandami gets elected, watch Seattle, watch Los Angeles, watch Chicago. And in New Jersey, the same thing goes. So, I believe Jack Chidurelli is going to win and win big because I've spoken to independents and Democrats and they said they had it. Taxes, yes. Quality of life, yes. But when it comes to our freedoms and liberties and capitalism versus socialism and communism, capitalism and freedom wins. >> The stakes are certainly high and the contrast could not be higher potentially. It's good to have your opinion on this and hear your insights today. Lieutenant Steven Rogers, thank you so much for joining us. My pleasure. Thank you. >> And in New Jersey, the closely contested governor's race between Democrat Mikey Cheryl and Republican Jack Chidarelli is also drawing national attention. The campaign for New Jersey governor is shattering spending records, and the latest polls show the two candidates are in a tight race. Residents in the Garden State have this to say about their biggest policy concerns. I would say the number one thing probably is taxes. Uh the cost of living is very high. A lot of people, a lot of retired people can't afford to live here, so they're moving out of state. Uh and I think that's probably the biggest issue that has to be addressed. >> The main thing with this race is that the governors, whoever wins, they think about the people. People are suffering and it's too much politics going on and we want to hear about the real issues. We want in urban areas, in the inner cities, we need help. >> Ashley Coning, the director of the Eagleton Center for Public Interest Polling at Rutgers University, agrees that cost of living is front and center in this election. >> We had quite a utility rate hike uh during the summer that New Jerseyians acutely felt. Um, this was something that was very evident in monthly bills over the summer and this really kind of kickstarted both campaigns after a kind of sleepy dormant summer of not much going on except for lieutenant governor pickics. And so when this came onto the stage, this kind of became the personification of the affordability issue that is the defining issue of the election cycle. So affordability cost of living incredibly high within New Jersey. New Jersey has, if not the highest, one of the highest property taxes on average in the country. >> The two governor's races this year are typically viewed as an early read on the midterm elections next year. Democrats are hoping victories in New Jersey and Virginia could create some early momentum for the 2026 elections, while Republicans will see the results as a test on the Trump administration. Multiple bomb threats were made today against polling sites across New Jersey, forcing some polling areas to temporarily close. New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin said that bomb threats were emailed to polling areas in Bergen, Essex, Mercer, Middle Sex, Monmouth, Ocean, and Payic counties. Plain urged residents to call 911 if they see any suspicious activity. New Jerseys Lieutenant Governor said there were no more credible threats at this time. Both of New Jersey's gubernatorial candidates condemned the bomb threats. Democrat candidate Mikey Cheryl described the threats as quote a clear attempt to undermine our Democratic system and intimidate New Jerseyians from going to the polls to exercise their right to vote. A spokesperson for Republican candidate Jack Chidarelli said in a statement, quote, "There's no place in politics for nonsense like this." And Virginia voters are heading to the polls to elect a new governor. The Republican candidate is facing an uphill battle, but a race down the ballot looks neck andneck. There's a chance the state could elect its first mixed executive branch in two decades. And we have entities Molina Weiseup again. She's on the ground in Arlington, Virginia. Molina, tell us what you're watching in these races. >> Hi Steph, good afternoon. So, yeah, of course, at the top of the ticket here, we have the governor's race. Um, two racing to replace their sitting Republican governor, Glenn Yncan, who's at the end of his only and uh only term as allowed by Virginia law. Now, on the Democrat side, you have Abigail Spanberger, who's a former three-term congresswoman. She retired just this year, Steph, to make this very run for governor. On the Republican side, you have the current Republican Lieutenant Governor uh Winom Earl Sears, who's running on a campaign of keeping a good thing going, but it's looking like Virginia voters are looking for a change of course. That's according to polling that has showed the Democrat candidate sitting on top with a strong lead throughout the entire campaign season. Here's how both sides have appealed to voters so far. Listen, >> we want a governor who's focused on lowering costs, strengthening our communities, strengthening our public schools, uh, and growing our economy despite all of the challenges that we see coming out of DC. She wants to put us back in something called the regional greenhouse gas initiative, which means they're going to tell you what kind of stove you can buy and it's only electric. They're going to tell you what car you can drive and it's only electric. Now, it's generally expected that the Democrat will win this election, Steph. Um, but that's not surprising because Virginia actually has a history of electing a governor to the opposite of the party of the sitting president. Steph, >> either way it goes, Virginia will have its first female governor after today. But down the ballot, a closer race is shaping up between candidates for attorney general. Is there a chance that Virginia could elect two opposing parties to serve in the state's top positions? Yeah, there's a big chance of that happening, Steph. And if it does happen, it will be the first time in two decades that Virginiaians have voted to have two opposing parties in the executive branch. Um, it could we could be looking at a ticket where uh Abigail Spamber, the Democrat, becomes the governor, and you have a Republican attorney general. Um, now the polls are showing this race for attorney general neck andneck. Democrat Jay Jones is facing the current attorney general, James Miz. The reason why this race is so close, or one of the reasons, could be because Republicans have capitalized and uh popularized some violent texts that were sent from the Democrat candidate Jay Jones when he was sitting um among the Virginia House of Delegates in 2022 wishing for the assassination of the Republican House Speaker at the time. Now, Jones has since uh publicly apologized for making those comments, though it might have come too late since some voters might have already had a bad taste in their mouth from the fact that he made such comments to begin with. Now, I did speak with one voter who is a Democrat, said he does support Abigail Spamberger and Jay Jones, but he did note that he thinks if these text messages came to light earlier, weeks before early voting, it could have made a bigger impact in this race. Now, Molina, Virginia voters are actually making history this year. Early ballots cast so far were at a record high for an offseason election. What are some of the major issues driving voters this morning? So, I was speaking with the voters at the polls. A lot of them said the cost of living, the energy prices have gone through the roof. Um, then also you have to think about just the location of where we are. Uh Arlington, Virginia is home to a lot of federal workers. Virginia is the second most populated with federal workers in the country. California being the first. There's around 150,000 federal workers who call Virginia home. So right now with the government shutdown going on um soon to make history as the longest government shutdown that could drive more voter turnout to the polls. Um, but other other voters that I spoke to today said that their big goal here with electing a Democrat, because we are in a heavy Democrat area, is to oppose what Trump's doing in the White House. Listen to what voters told me. >> I generally believe that there's federal overreach that is happening. And I see that state elections are one way to kind of balance that out. >> I'd like to do away with guns. You know, there was a bad shooting in Scotland some time back, so they ban all guns. Well, I think it's going to hurt um probably the Republicans because there's a lot of feds sitting at home feeling um the pressure of having to pay bills and not not having the money in the bank to pay for them. So, for those people who don't have a big savings account, they're really hurting. >> Now, Steph, those are mostly Democrat vot voters that we heard from. We are in a heavy Democrat area, but you have to remember what propelled Glenn Yncan to victory back in 2020. That was school rights issues, parental control over education. That was a big issue among Republican voters. So, we'll have to see how these results shape up and if that same issue carries the same weight that it did years ago. Steph, >> certainly potentially still a hot button issue, but lots of others at the top of the uh agenda as well. Thank you so much for your report today, Molina. Next, key elections are happening today, but what do they really tell us about the direction of the US and President Trump's influence? Political science professor Dr. Bo Kabala joins us with his analysis. Dr. Bo, welcome. Good to have you with us today. >> Thanks for having us. Good to be here. Thanks so much. >> For sure. Now, how much weight should we really give to today's election results? Are they a genuine reflection of the national mood or just a local dynamics as we're seeing them play out? I think they certainly could be both. I think they reflect how people are feeling about affordability. There's also local dynamics that are extremely important in both governor's races. So, I I would say it's both. >> Do you see this as an early referendum on President Trump's leadership and or do you think that's being overstated? I would see it as a referendum in these areas both on Donald Trump's leadership and the direction of the Democratic party. So that's where this is interesting. You've got two more moderate members of the Democratic party, Mickey Cheryl, Abigail Spanberger, less progressive, definitely more moderate. And so if both were to win, that would suggest there's more space in the Democratic party for the moderate option than maybe some people currently are assuming when they consider Mandani in New York. >> Certainly the Democratic party seems to be going through some internal changes um dynamics that are yet to be seen how it all pans out, but Republicans this time, this election day, seem energized this cycle there, especially in states that lean blue. What do you think that tells us about the strength of Trump's base heading into next year's midterms? >> Well, I think it's strong. I think you're right. So, Jack Shaderelli, especially in New York, in New Jersey, some of the strength that he's demonstrated in South Jersey uh and of course New Jersey has been leaning uh more Republican in the last few years. So, I think especially as Mr. Mr. Shaderelli continues to rise and and that race is is a dead heat right now based on all the information I'm receiving. So as Mr. Shaderelli my prediction is he'll he'll win does very well. I think that continues to show unexpected sources of support for the Trump administration in New Jersey. >> Yeah. How significant is voter turnout among conservatives in off-year elections? And what might motivate Trump supporters to show up when he's not on the ballot? >> Well, and so that's right. And not only is this off year in terms of a a congressional election, this is the year before a congressional election. So I think we've got a government shutdown. Some of the issues that typically maybe are more local are getting a little nationalized with the National Guard and and troops sometimes even in major cities. So, I think it certainly feels like with affordability and many issues that we're dealing with that the national level in our federal system is is closer than ever before. >> Yeah, those issues really do span the full nation um in terms of what's most important and pressing for people at this time. Now, we've seen Trump endorse candidates in key governor's races this time around. How much do his endorsements actually move the needle do you think or potentially swing moderate state in moderate states? >> So I think with the most committed with his most committed uh supporters certainly it is especially meaningful in in New Jersey which is the closer race. I think the the dynamics of South Jersey especially where Mr. Shadowelli has years of experience and he's built so many close personal relationships. I think that'll be very important as well. But I think in some surprising ways maybe that we weren't seeing three, four, five years ago as political analysts, consultants, a presidential level endorsement will go a long way, especially with the people who are most intense. We refer to it as voter intensity most likely to turn out in South Jersey and and across the state of New Jersey. So, I think it'll matter. I think it'll matter. >> And Democrats have been struggling in some ways to connect with workingclass voters, which is a group that Trump continues to resonate with. How do you see that trend at this point in time? So this is let me say the two moderate Democrats who are running Mickey Cheryl AB in New Jersey, Abigail Spanberger in Virginia, they've both insulated themselves a little bit I think from that worry and this is why the races are closed. So Spanberger in Virginia has received the endorsement of one of the police unions. She resisted sort of during the height of the abolish the police discussions going that full distance. We're looking why these two races especially I think are so interesting is that they're both moderates. They sort of have resisted the Alexandria Kaziocortez direction for the Democratic party. And so I think and then obviously just the fact that Mickey Cheryl has the background that she does, there's appeal that they're both projecting to workingclass voters as well. >> And does that pan out when you dig deeper into their policies? I know u for example Cheryl has really focused on the cost of living but uh her social policies are less in the in the limelight but attacks from um the other side in in campaign ads and such do point to policies that still may not resonate with middle-of the road folks. So, and this is I agree and and Spanberger uh in Virginia, for example, has I think it's fair to say been a little ambiguous on transgender questions and and sort of that hasn't been maybe the direct appeal to working-class voters that she could have made. I think a Spanberger there's been a negative attack ad relating her to time teaching at an Islamic academy. So negative ads are hit or miss. I mean they can certainly work uh sometimes. In other instances they they really backfire. So this is again what makes the races so interesting. Both candidates have reached out in some ways to workingclass voters in my opinion. Spanberger especially in Virginia could have done more to communicate directly on some civil rights issues but again people are more worried about the economy and affordability. So we will see how this goes. And on that point, Mam Dani over in New York City in the Maril race, he's uh said this morning that he believes he can deliver for working class people um through his more socialist policies and he contrasted that with President Trump's appeal to workingclass people. But Mumani has been criticized for whether or not he actually can deliver on his grandiose promises. your thoughts there to finish up. >> Yes, absolutely. And so again, speaking of what makes uh this day so interesting, he's a younger candidate. He's representing a different part of the Democratic party that's, I would say, searching for its soul. And I am surprised to see him with the lead that he does have in the great city of New York. I think his his positivity, the fact that he comes across as young and energetic is is helping with that. So, and and again, it's he's running against Cuomo and and Schliva, and they may have challenges and issues that that help Mom Donnie. So again, with the negative attack ads, sometimes they can really work and and in the New York race, I think Mam Donnie hasn't exactly been been teflon, but if he gets to 50% tomorrow, he will be. I'm personally skeptical uh that his socialist policies could could work, but it it appears that he is he's definitely in the lead in New York City. >> Personality certainly plays a big role in campaigning. the the policies themselves are what pan out and what people feel in the end once they've elected their leader. So, we'll have to wait and see. Thank you so much for your time today, Dr. Bo Kabala. Good to have you with us. >> Great to be here. Thank you. >> And Democratic redistricting is also on the ballot today. Millions of voters across California will cast their ballots to weigh a plan known as Proposition 50. If successful, it will likely allow Democrats to gain five more seats in the US House of Representatives. California Governor Gavin Newsome and state Democrats pushed through the redistricting plan over the summer in response to Texas's move to redraw its maps. Missouri, North Carolina, and Ohio also recently redrrew their congressional maps. More states, including Florida, Illinois, Louisiana, and Maryland, among others, are considering similar options. Around 60% of likely voters planned to support the proposition, according to a recent Berkeley poll. Former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger criticized the measure, saying they're trying to fight for democracy by getting rid of the Democratic principles of California. Let's look at the lineup tonight. Polls are closing in Virginia and at 7 p.m. We're watching three races in that state, Lieutenant Governor, uh, Governor, and Attorney General. In New Jersey, polls are closing at 8:00 p.m. Voters there are also choosing a new governor. In New York City, polls are closing at 9:00 p.m. And in California, polls close at 11:00 p.m. Eastern time on Prop 50, a prodemocrat redistricting plan. Make sure you tune in tonight at 700 p.m. Eastern to get the latest election results with live analysis from our data reporters and on the ground teams, NTD, Steve Lance, and Tiffany Meyer. We'll bring you our live special coverage of all the biggest races from the New York's Merryill race to the gubanatorial races in New Jersey and Virginia. That's tonight starting at 700 p.m. Eastern, only here on NTD. You won't want to miss it. Maryland has become the latest state to enter the tit fortat between Republican and Democrat-led states over the control of the House. Maryland's Democratic Governor Wes Moore announced today that he's forming an advisory commission to consider redrawing state congressional maps. It comes on the same day that California residents will vote on a ballot initiative to redraw congressional districts in a way that would be more favorable to Democrats. As you've been hearing, Texas Republicans were successful in their effort to redraw maps to benefit the GOP. And former Vice President Dick Cheney has died. his family said in a statement that he passed away last night from complications of pneumonia and heart disease. >> A former Wyoming Congressman and Secretary of Defense Cheney became vice president under George W. Bush. Under Bush, Cheney would expand the influence of the vice presidency. He was a leading advocate for the 2003 invasion of Iraq, arguing at the time that the war was necessary because Saddam Hussein possessed weapons of mass destruction. Those claims were ultimately disproved. His daughter, Liz Cheney, followed him into politics, serving in Congress until she lost her seat after voting to impeach President Trump. Cheney is survived by his wife of 61 years, Lynn, and their daughters, Liz and Mary. Dick Cheney was 84 years old. >> And former President George W. Bush reacted to Cheni's death in a statement. He said, quote, "The death of Richard B. Cheney is a loss to the nation and a sorrow to his friends. Laura and I will remember Dick Cheney for the decent, honorable man that he was. Bush continued, quote, "History will remember him as among the finest public servants of his generation, a patriot who brought integrity, high intelligence, and seriousness of purpose to every position he held." unquote. And today marks 35 days of the federal government shutdown that ties the record for the longest ever shutdown in United States history. >> The Schumer shutdown was never about healthcare or any other policy. It is about fear. It's about fear. Right now, the Democrats fear political retribution from the far-left left activists in their party more than they fear the consequences of keeping the government closed for weeks on end. They fear political retribution from far-left activists more than families going hungry and workers missing paychecks. >> Question that needs to be asked of our Republican colleagues, they've been on the wrong side of Republican sentiment for weeks now and they could care less. How else can you explain the fact that they are weaponizing hunger? How else can one explain the fact that they refuse to extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits and they're hurting their own constituents, the five states most impacted by the failure to extend the Affordable Care Act are all led by Republicans. The Senate is about to fail its 14th vote on the GOP stop gap plan to reopen the government unless something changes. And neither side expects substantial progress on this election day. However, a small group of lawmakers in Washington insists there's real momentum for trying to end the standoff as soon as this week. the impass for both parties healthc care funding. And the Trump administration says it will partially fund food stamps for November at reduced levels. The federal government shutdown has now entered its second month and millions of Americans are starting to feel the effects. Here's the latest. The Trump administration says it will partially fund November's food stamp payments after a federal judge ordered the Department of Agriculture to act. According to a court filing, the agency will spend billions in contingency money, but no more. The USDA says it's relying on about 4.5 billion, about half of what it's normally needed for a full month of benefits. That means millions of low-income families could receive just half their usual benefits this month. Officials say they will not use tariff related revenue to fully fund the month because that money supports school lunch programs. USDA Deputy Under Secretary Patrick Penn called the decision a no-win quandry. House Speaker Mike Johnson says the president wants to move money as quickly as possible to help struggling families but can't do it alone. >> So what the president said logically was, "Okay, your honor, if you're saying we can do it, I'll go for that because I want SNAP to go to the people. It's the Democrats that stopped it, not us. So tell me how to do it because I have all my personnel here in the office, the legal minds and and the uh and the number crunchers, and they're trying to figure out how this can be done. Give us some guidance. We're glad to do it." The government shutdown has also forced many Head Start programs to close, cutting off early education and child care for thousands of low-income families. The National Head Start Association warns that more than 65,000 children and families could soon lose vital services. The closures have left hundreds of staff members without pay. In speaking to Fox News Monday, Democratic Senator John Federman called on both parties needs to set aside their differences and reopen the government. every union that's attached to this shutdown, you know, um they're all calling this has to end. You know, if we're if we're fighting for working families, why don't we agree with them and just do this? >> House Minority Leader Hakeim Jeff says Democrats are willing to work with Republicans, but healthcare needs to be addressed. We will sit down with any Republican who is prepared in good faith to find a bipartisan path forward to reopening the government to entering into a spending agreement that actually makes life better for the American people, not worse. The USDA says it's working with states to issue partial food stamp payments as quickly as possible, but warns it could take weeks to reach all recipients. As the shutdown enters day 35, it is now tied for the longest in US history. It now matches a standoff during Trump's first term when the administration clashed with Democrats over funding for a border wall. >> And as the Supreme Court prepares to take up those arguments tomorrow, top administration officials will be watching closely. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessant says he'll attend the Supreme Court hearing, calling the tariff fight a matter of national security. Bessent told Fox News that Trump's tariff policy is helping balance global trade and prevent an economic crisis. Here's the secretary. >> I'm actually going to go and sit the hopefully in the front row and and listen have a ringside seat. And Jesse, this is a matter matter of national security in Korea. The Chinese agreed to start working to bring down the precursors for fentanyl. If fentanyl is not a n a national emergency, what is? China on October 8th threatened to uh curtail rare earth to the entire world. The entire world. President Trump threatened to put on 100% tariffs and protected our national security using the power. Nearly $2 billion dollar from foreign sources donated to back left-wing groups and policies in the United States. At least one of the foreign organizations is connected to the Chinese Communist Party. That's according to a new report by the group Americans for Public Trust. NTD's Molina Weissup has the details. Protests for green energy, diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, and other social justice policies like anti-immigration enforcement bankrolled by foreign money. A nonpartisan report uncovered five foreign charities funneling money to left-wing groups. One called the Children's Investment Fund Foundation has ties to the Chinese Communist Party. We were able to trace that over $550 million in foreign money has come from his UK based charity into US-based organizations. >> 550 that is a third of the entirety >> of Kla Harris's presidential campaign. >> Right. >> Another group called the Oak Foundation has contributed at least $8.2 million to a center that funds protests to abolish ICE. the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement. While the United States technically has laws preventing foreign nationals and governments from giving money directly to campaign packs and candidates, grassroots advocacy on big policy disputes flies under the radar. You cannot win without all these outside groups that are the 501c3s and the 501c4s. You cannot tell me you can win today without C3s and C4s on the outside. Guess what's not regulated by the FEC? Yeah. >> Issue advocacy campaigns, voter education protests. So there's these huge loopholes on the state and federal level. >> Her group Americans for Public Trust is working to get the loopholes closed. Today in Michigan, Sutherland will testify to support a bill to do so. Some states are already working to stop foreign adversaries from purchasing land or contributing to state ballot issue campaigns. Reporting from Washington DC, Molina Weissup, NTD News. And >> President Donald Trump is considering asking Transportation Secretary Shawn Duffy to terminate New York City's vehicle congestion fee. A district judge in May issued an preliminary injunction preventing the transportation department from withholding federal funding from New York. Duffy told New York Governor Kathy Hokll in April that the department could withhold federal funds if the state did not end congestion pricing. Trump criticized Hokll on Truth Social. The president posted, quote, "New York City is getting killed by her ridiculous congestion pricing where people have to pay a fortune to come into Manhattan, so they don't they just don't come," he said. Now, First in the Nation program was launched in January. Most passenger vehicles face a $9 fee during peak periods to enter Manhattan south of 60th Street. Hocus said tourism and business have increased in New York City because the fee is reducing traffic. We'll keep you updated there. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is calling on all nations to remove mercury from vaccines. The mercury based preservative called tig mercerol is used to prevent microbial growth in vaccines. Here's more on what Kennedy had to say about the substance. >> Byol's own label requires it to be treated as hazardous material and warns against ingestion. There is not a single study that proves it safe. That's why in July of this year, the United States closed the final chapter on the use of thyarisol as a vaccine preservative. Something that should have happened years ago. >> Kennedy had been speaking via video address yesterday during the convention on mercury meeting in V in Geneva. A study published last year in the journal of trace elements in medicine and biology exposed rats to tamer. Researchers found that the exposure in rats significantly damaged brain bioenergetic pathways. However, there are different views on the substance. The American Academy of Pediatrics said in July that extensive research has shown the mercile to be safe. I'm Stephanie Aox and this is World Watch. Secretary War Secretary Pete Haggsath today praised South Korea's plans to raise its military spending. He says the Asian ally will take a larger role in defending itself from North Korean aggression and other challenges. >> Minister An and I discussed practical steps that we can take to modernize the alliance and I'm greatly encouraged by Minister An's commitment to increase defense spending and to make greater investments in Iraq military capabilities. This includes critical missile defense and space capabilities that our forces need to preserve the peace and prevail, god forbid, in war. >> Hagath said the investments would help South Korea's ability to counter North Korean aggression, but also could keep other regional threats in view. Hagsath also defended recent strikes on alleged drug smugglers. He said when designated terrorist organizations traffic drugs headed to the United States to kill hundreds of thousands of Americans, the US will take action. He said the US will treat those cartels like the al-Qaeda of the Western Hemisphere and put them at the bottom of the Caribbean. The US military has carried out at least 15 such strikes in the Caribbean or Eastern Pacific since early September, killing more than 60 people. And South Korea's spy agency sees a high possibility the US and North Korea may hold a summit next year. A South Korean lawmaker spoke to reporters after a parliamentary audit on the country's intelligence service. He said North Korea was analyzing the Trump officials responsible for North Korean affairs. The agency believes Pyongyang may pursue a meeting between President Trump and North Korea's Kim Jong-un next March. Trump called for a meeting with Kim to take place during his trip to South Korea last week, but Kim did not respond. And the US now has a new ambassador to Greece, Kimberly Gilfoil, a former California prosecutor and Fox News host as a close ally of President Trump. She formerly took office in Athens this morning. Energy Secretary Chris Wright and Interior Secretary Doug Bergam are expected in Athens this week. They'll join talks on expanding western gas exports to war torn Ukraine through a multinational pipeline network. Greece and the United States have strengthened military ties since 2018. Ukrainian President Sinsky said today he received a very good signal from the European Union about Ke's bid to join the block. He also spoke to further support for the country's energy sector. We have finished a conversation with the president of the European Commission, Ursula Vander Lion. We are very grateful for the support and what we heard is very important for us. Naturally, the top priority is energy. >> Slinsky also discussed the battlefield situation. He said the Ukrainian military was fighting several hundred Russian troops who entered the eastern stronghold of Pakovsk and another 60 Russian soldiers who entered the city of Kupyanksk in the Kkefe region. Meanwhile, Russia said today its forces were tightening their encirclement of Ukrainian troops in Pakovsk. They've been trying to capture the transport hub for over a year. Russia says it's also squeezing Ukrainian troops near Kupyanks. Ukraine says that its troops are encircled in either location. Starbucks says it plans to in to form a joint venture with investment Chinese firm Boou Capital. The deal is valued at $4 billion. Here are the details. >> Starbucks will sell control of its China operations to investment firm Boy Capital, one of the most valuable divestments of a China unit by a global consumer brand in recent years. The $4 billion deal gives Boyu up to 60% of Starbucks's retail business in China, while Starbucks keeps 40% and continues to own and license its brand and intellectual property to the new entity, the company said. Starbucks said it expects proceeds from the sale, combined with its retained stake and licensing over the next decade to top $13 billion. The company's shares rose about 3% in after hours trading. The move comes as Starbucks loses ground to cheaper local rivals and faces a slowy economy that's making consumers more price sensitive. Rival Lucken now operates more than 20,000 franchise stores, far ahead of the 7,800 stores operated by Starbucks, though its model focuses on takeaway and delivery. Starbucks's comparable store sales in China rose 2% in the quarter that ended on June 29 after flat growth the previous quarter. Starbucks also flagged that rising US China tensions pose risks including tariffs, boycotss, and growing political sensitivities in China. Starbucks is not the first US brand to divest or partially divest its operations in China. McDonald's, for example, sold a majority stake in its China and Hong Kong operations to investors, a tie-up widely seen as successful. Election season is back. Socialism is on the ballot in New York, and Trumpbacked Republicans in Virginia and New Jersey face their Democratic opponents for governor with results that could impact each party's future. Watch these key races and more during our live special coverage with live data analysis and on the ground teams. Join NTD's Steve Lance and Tiffany Meyer on Election 2025 tonight at 700 p.m. Eastern, only on NTD.