Melodie Baker Drops Campaign for NY 27; NY61

Statement from Education and Health Care Policy Expert Melodie Baker on Withdrawing from NY-27

“I am beyond grateful for all of the support and encouragement I have received from residents throughout New York’s 27th Congressional District and beyond.  It has been an honor and a privilege to have met so many wonderful people through the process of exploring a run for Congress and I’m excited for the friendships that have been formed with Democratic leaders, community activists, and members of the Labor movement.

For me, this year will not be the time for a campaign for Congress and while I appreciate the encouragement to run for Senate District 61, I am planning to support another Democrat for that office.

My motivation to serve and make change on issues like education, health care, and economic opportunity has not changed and I’ll continue my work to improve policies as an advocate through the nonprofit organizations I’ve worked with for the past 14 years.

Thank you to everyone who supported me, encouraged me, and listened to me.  And thank you to all who step up to run for office and serve.  Our part of New York needs more voices to bring change.”

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‘Waste of human life’: Trump rages at Iran as he demands Tehran evacuate



President Donald Trump raged at Iran again on Monday afternoon for failing to sign a "deal" he said he told the country to sign.

Trump took to his Truth Social platform on Monday to attack the country, which has seen at least 224 people killed — the vast majority reportedly civilians — since Israel began its airstrikes late last week. More than 1,400 people have been injured in the country, which has also seen significant damage to civilian infrastructure, including hospitals.

"Iran should have signed the 'deal' I told them to sign. What a shame, and waste of human life," Trump wrote.

He repeated his declaration that the country cannot have a nuclear weapon.

"I said it over and over again! Everyone should immediately evacuate Tehran!" Trump wrote.

His comments come as Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi wrote on X, "If President Trump is genuine about diplomacy and interested in stopping this war, next steps are consequential."

"Israel must halt its aggression, and absent a total cessation of military aggression against us, our responses will continue. It takes one phone call from Washington to muzzle someone like Netanyahu," said Araqchi.

Israel began its surprise strikes Friday, killing nearly all of the top echelon of Iran's military commanders and its top nuclear scientists. Israel has said it controls Iran's airspace and plans to step up its attacks in coming days.

About two dozen people have been killed in Israel as a result of Iran's missile attacks, all civilians.

‘I had no clue’: Worker reacts to being blindsided by bizarre Trump event



Donald Trump subjected a crew of flagpole installers to a bizarre press conference Wednesday, trapping the workers in an impromptu political rant that covered everything from bombing Iran to Harvey Weinstein's legal troubles.

And one of those who stood awkwardly behind the president has described his bewilderment.

The spectacle unfolded when Trump, trailed by reporters, marched toward construction workers erecting massive flagpoles on White House grounds. Apparently without warning, the workers found themselves unwilling participants in a wide-ranging presidential tirade.

"Any illegal immigrants?" Trump asked the crew upon approaching—presumably as a joke.

Christopher Tattersall, a 40-year-old tree surgeon from Maryland, later described his bewilderment at being thrust into the global spotlight. "I didn't really know what to think," he told The New York Times. "I was just there, in the moment, you know, and I got the president next to me giving a worldwide press conference."

As Trump launched into attacks on Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, Tattersall admitted he was completely lost. "I had no clue who he was talking about," he said. "I was basically just there as a fly on the wall, waiting for him to wrap it up and then we could get back to work."

The president's rambling expanded to include his "war on Harvard," Vladimir Putin, and conflicts between Pakistan and India. When Trump attempted crude humor about the flagpole "lifting," making suggestive references to words starting with "E," Tattersall remained unimpressed despite Trump's obvious expectation of laughter.

The awkward political theater adds to a later meeting in the Oval Office, where he subjected visiting soccer players to another impromptu political session. Timothy Weah, son of soccer legend George Weah and a U.S. Men's National Team star, found himself trapped alongside Juventus teammates as Trump discussed missile strikes and travel bans.

"They told us that we have to go and I had no choice," Weah said afterward. "I was caught by surprise, honestly. It was a bit weird. When he started talking about the politics with Iran and everything, it's kind of like, I just want to play football, man."