Democrats slam Trump for politicizing military in speech. ‘Deeply un-American’

Congressional Democrats accused President Donald Trump of politicizing the U.S. military in a recent speech, denouncing his remarks as alarming and “deeply un-American.”

Twenty-five House Democrats outlined their concerns in an open letter to Trump, citing his Sept. 30 address to generals and officers in Quantico, Virginia.

The signers include Rep. Pat Ryan of New York, Rep. Jason Crow of Colorado and Rep. Chris Deluzio of Pennsylvania — all Iraq War veterans.

“We write as freedom-loving Patriots to strongly reject both the rhetoric and substance of your remarks,” they wrote. “You delivered an overtly partisan political speech and doubled down on your blatantly unconstitutional plans to deploy U.S. troops against U.S. citizens in American cities.”

In his speech, Trump spoke of his intention to send troops into U.S. cities to quell violence.

—The Seattle Times

Mamdani would end Gifted and Talented program for NYC kindergarten students

NEW YORK — Mayoral front-runner Zohran Mamdani plans, if elected, to end the Gifted & Talented program for kindergarten students at New York City public schools.

This would be a step toward returning to the plan advanced by former Mayor Bill de Blasio in 2021 to phase out the program from elementary schools. Mayor Eric Adams reversed de Blasio’s move, expanding the program during his term and making changes to its admissions process.

Mamdani said he would end the program just for kindergartners.

The candidate first pledged to do so in a questionnaire with The New York Times on Wednesday.

“Zohran knows that 5-year-olds should not be subjected to a singular assessment that unfairly separates them right at the beginning of their public school education,” Dora Pekec, a Mamdani spokeswoman, said.

—The New York Daily News

Gov. Josh Shapiro garners strong show of support among Pennsylvania voters ahead of 2026, poll shows

Even though he and state lawmakers are tangled in a months-long budget stalemate, Gov. Josh Shapiro can point to strong support from Pennsylvania voters and a rising national profile almost a year before he's up for re-election in 2026, a new poll suggests.

Sixty percent of voters say they approve of Shapiro's performance, according to a survey of more than 1,500 Keystone State voters by Quinnipiac University. The rating marks the governor's highest since Quinnipiac began tracking his approval in June of 2023.

The latest poll provided an early look at voters' perspectives on the governor's race, with Republican state Treasurer Stacy Garrity campaigning and gaining name recognition, and 2022 Shapiro opponent state Sen. Doug Mastriano still floating a run before Shapiro has announced a reelection bid.

Quinnipiac also highlighted Shapiro's status as one of several Democratic leaders viewed as potential White House contenders in 2028, with respondents currently favoring the former attorney general and state representative 53%-43% over former Ohio senator and Vice President JD Vance in a hypothetical general election matchup.

The poll also showed voters divided on the early tenure of Republican Sen. Dave McCormick, and Democratic Sen. John Fetterman seeing big swings in support: down from Democrats and up from Republicans.

"Governor Josh Shapiro clinches an enviable 60 percent job approval and leaves his two potential gubernatorial challengers in the rear-view mirror in a very early look at Pennsylvania's 2026 gubernatorial race," Quinnipiac University Polling Analyst Tim Malloy said in a statement.

—Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Do Americans support government efforts to honor Charlie Kirk? What a poll found

Following the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, politicians across the U.S. have advanced efforts to permanently memorialize him, including through coins, statues and official holidays.

Congress designated Oct. 14, 2025, as the National Day of Remembrance for Kirk — who was shot and killed in Utah on Sept. 10 — and two House Republicans introduced legislation that would create commemorative silver dollars bearing his image.

Meanwhile, state lawmakers in Pennsylvania, Oklahoma and Illinois moved to establish state holidays in Kirk’s honor, while proposals in Arizona and Florida would rename highways after him. And, in Oklahoma, a bill has been put forward that would require all public universities in the state to erect a statue of Kirk.

Most of these efforts, though, are opposed by a majority of Americans, according to a new YouGov poll.

—Miami Herald

Israel says Gaza flotilla halted completely as activists hail success

The Israeli Foreign Ministry said on Thursday it had prevented the Global Sumud Flotilla from breaking through the naval blockade of the Gaza Strip, despite contradictory claims from the activists on board.

The organizers of the aid flotilla, which set sail from Barcelona in late August and aimed to deliver humanitarian aid directly to Gaza's population, said Israel intercepted around 40 boats in the Mediterranean Sea.

However, the activists said one boat, the Mikeno, reached within a few kilometers of Gaza's coast, as shown on their online ship tracking service.

They described the mission as a success, saying it was the first time a civilian vessel had managed to break through the Israeli naval blockade and enter the territorial waters off the Gaza Strip.

—dpa