INTERNACIONAL
AOC gives major hint about 2028 as Democrat civil war looms
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s political future has remained a topic of discussion within the left wing — and there’s increasing speculation that she could be set for a collision course with Democrats’ top leader in Congress.
The progressive rock star says she’s weighing what to do next, whether it be a 2028 presidential run or a bid for the seat currently held by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, a fellow Democrat and New Yorker.
«I know there is a lot of speculation about what I will decide to do in 2028. I get asked about it nearly every interview and event,» Ocasio-Cortez wrote in a recent fundraising email to supporters.
The 36-year-old lawmaker with a massive social media footprint said in a recent New York Times interview that her decision, which could happen sometime after this year’s midterm elections, would come down to answering the question, «Where can I do the most good?»
OCASIO-CORTEZ OPENS UP ABOUT 2028
If she decides on a statewide rather than a national run, it could set up a titanic Democratic Party and generational battle between her and the soon-to-be 76-year-old Schumer, who was first elected to Congress nearly half a century ago and has served in the Senate since 1999.
Ocasio-Cortez, in her interview, made clear that her decision about 2028 would not be dictated by someone else.
«I don’t think that my decisions would come down to deference,» she said.
Meanwhile, a campaign swing the past few days throughout upstate New York by Ocasio-Cortez raised some eyebrows. While the trip was aimed at boosting fellow Democrats on the ballot in this year’s elections, it sparked speculation that it was also a move by Ocasio-Cortez to build relationships far from her base in New York City.
Schumer has left his 2028 plans open and has not announced whether he’ll run for yet another term. When asked about re-election, he’s repeatedly said his «first focus is winning in 2026, getting back the Senate in 2026.»
Digital reached out to Schumer’s office regarding his thinking on a potential 2028 re-election run, but didn’t receive a response by the time this story was published.
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But a potential intra-party clash between Ocasio-Cortez and Schumer may never materialize, according to speculation from plugged-in Democratic strategists familiar with the New York state political landscape, who doubt Schumer will seek re-election even if his party wins back the Senate majority in November’s midterms.
«Everyone has an expiration date,» said one strategist, who like the others asked to remain anonymous to speak more freely.
And referring to Ocasio-Cortez, the strategist told Digital, «I think she’s in a good position to win statewide.»
Another operative, pointing to Schumer, speculated, «I think Schumer wants to go out on top and with a good legacy and one way to do that is to hand the reins over to this inspiring generational leader. At the same time, New York politics are insane and there are lots of people gunning for that spot and he may feel like he can’t do that.»
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«He’s always been pretty smart when it came to her,» the operative noted. «As other Dems were still warming to her… he was one of the first members of the New York delegation to be very welcoming and thoughtful and worked with her on legislation during COVID.»
Schumer’s approval ratings among New York voters are deep into negative territory at 36%-54%, according to a Quinnipiac University poll conducted Sept. 17-20. The senator’s favorable ratings were also underwater, at 34%-51%.
Meanwhile, 41% of Empire State voters viewed Ocasio-Cortez favorably, with 36% seeing her in an unfavorable light.
«He was the supreme retail politician. Once he became leader, he became a swamp creature from Washington and it started to chip away at his popularity back home,» a third Democratic strategist said of Schumer.
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Schumer’s short-term goal is to win back the Senate majority in the midterms.
Asked if that prospect would make potentially challenging Schumer more difficult, Ocasio-Cortez told the New York Times, «That would honestly be the best possible problem we could have as a country.»
«We’re working hard to have that problem, and I’ll cross that bridge when I get to it,» she added.
Recent fundraising text messages sent to supporters appeared to take jabs at the Democratic establishment, of which Schumer is a part. She did not name any particular person in the notes, however.
«The establishment believes that there’s only one path to winning: Don’t upset the status quo, don’t stand up to the concentration of greed taking over our country, and instead spend most of your time fundraising from powerful donors,» it read. «But Alexandria’s campaign didn’t win in 2018 by following the establishment playbook.»
Another message said her 2018 victory «represented a threat to the typical D.C. power structure that existed back then and still exists now.»
alexandria ocasio cortez, politics, chuck schumer, midterm elections, democrats elections, elections, new york
INTERNACIONAL
Liberal-city resident hesitates when pressed on beliefs: ‘I hadn’t really thought about socialism that way’
PORTLAND, Maine — Americans who were asked for their opinions of socialism by Digital offered sharply different interpretations of the ideology, with some embracing its promises of economic equality while others expressed strong reservations about government control over the means of production.
Digital took to the streets of Maine’s largest city, a progressive bastion, to talk to residents about their definitions of socialism and how far they would be willing to go to embrace its ideals.
The topic of socialism has featured prominently in campaign coverage during this midterm election cycle, as candidates backed by the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) scored high-profile victories over more centrist rivals in a slew of Democratic primaries this year. DSA’s outsized influence has been a driving force in the ballot box battle for the Democratic Party’s ideological future.
LIBERAL HOTSPOT RESIDENTS CAN’T AGREE ON WHAT SOCIALISM MEANS
A new national poll indicates 32% of voters have a favorable view of socialism, with 64% seeing it in an unfavorable way. But the favorable rating matches an all-time high, first reached five years ago, since first began asking the question in 2019. And a September Gallup poll found that 43% of Americans had a positive image of socialism, the highest level since the polling organization began tracking the question in 2010.
Lewis, a retired Navy veteran, said socialism was a good thing because it «looks out for people’s needs…. and it’s not communism.»
Socialism and communism both emphasize collective ownership of the means of production, such as factories, businesses and major industries. But socialism encompasses a range of approaches, including those that allow private enterprise, while communism traditionally envisions the abolition of private ownership of productive assets and, ultimately, a classless society.
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Lewis turned skeptical when Digital asked whether he would personally surrender private property to government or collective control.
«I guess. I hadn’t really thought about socialism that way. I think about taking care of the needs of people, you know, things like… national health care, things like that,» he answered. «I don’t like government taking things away from you.»
Nolan, who recently moved to Portland, told Digital «there’s a lot of wealth imbalance in America right now, and we could benefit from some sort of leveling system.»
He said socialism exists to help «people who aren’t as, you know, benefiting in society.»
Nolan added that «business owners should have their autonomy» and that «people deserve to earn their money.»
«But there are a lot of really high-end… corporations that benefit so much… that really don’t need that much wealth… there’s so much exorbitant wealth at the top end that a lot of that could trickle down to people who are disadvantaged and don’t have homes,» Nolan stated.
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Nola, another resident passing through Portland’s Monument Square, said socialism’s «a good thing. It means equity.»
Asked about the takeover of businesses and means of production under socialism, Nola said she still «100%» supported socialism.
«I’m the daughter of a small business owner. I’ve seen how tough it is to run a small business in this country and how easy it is for corporations to just do whatever they want,» she explained. «So if we gave actually back to small businesses and the government helped them out… and so much of the market that’s privatized actually became public, I think… with how big the U.S. has gotten, it’s only a good thing.»
Ted disagreed.
«Socialism overall, I think it’s a horrible idea,» he emphasized. «If we can learn from history, anything from history, we see that it’s gonna really give way too much power to the government institution. It’s gonna… make things that are harmful overall for everyone… it’s like it’s dictatorship.»
Ted argued that «socialism just impoverishes. Capitalism, the free market economy is a good thing.»
He added that while «some people are very wealthy and very greedy,» that overall capitalism «creates other wealth for other people.»
The new poll found that 51% of voters had a favorable view of capitalism, compared with 32% who viewed socialism favorably. Another 46% had an unfavorable view of capitalism.
politics, socialism, polls, maine, midterm elections, democrats elections
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A prominent French newspaper delivered a blistering critique of the country’s leadership after nationwide protests descended into riots, looting and arson.
The article, written by Vincent Trémolet de Villers for the conservative newspaper Le Figaro and published Sunday afternoon local time, blamed years of political failures for contributing to the unrest and took particular aim at President Emmanuel Macron.
It criticized what it described as a justice system that is «lenient toward criminals,» accused far-left groups of carrying out violence with little consequence and took aim at France’s immigration and security policies.
«A judiciary that is lenient toward criminals but unrelenting toward decent citizens. The incomprehensible privilege of these far-left militias, who destroy, set fires, and kill with impunity,» the article stated, according to a translation.
«An uncontrolled immigration, in which a portion of the immigrants rebels against the country that took them in.»
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The article took aim at Macron over his past calls for police to show greater empathy. (Ludovic Marin/Pool Photo via AP)
The article also took aim at Macron over his past calls for police to show greater empathy.
«Emmanuel Macron’s reprimands toward a police force he deemed insufficiently ‘empathetic’ — directed at officers under attack by bolts, cobblestones, and mortar fireworks — will remain an indelible stain,» it stated.
The author argued that the unrest reflected deeper failures by France’s political establishment.
«If the far-left, criminals, and looters can turn France upside down in a matter of hours, it is primarily because a technocratic monarchy — intoxicated by its own self-importance — has methodically dismantled all the moral, security, cultural, and economic safeguards that allow a society to remain standing.»
The scathing assessment followed a day of violence across France, where masked groups clashed with police, looted businesses, set fires and attacked public buildings, according to The Associated Press.
Macron addressed the nation Sunday, condemning the violence and vowing that those responsible would be held accountable.
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«Nothing will excuse their actions. We all tonight feel angry. We feel shame as well,» Macron said, according to a translation of his televised remarks.
«There needs to be a response. Those people who looted need to pay for their crimes,» he added.
The French president also acknowledged concerns raised by the youth about their economic prospects and futures.
«The youth of our nation are expressing great anguish and concern about the future, the conditions of where their careers will take them, what role they will be able to play in society,» Macron said. «… I hear what they are saying, for the past ten years I’ve been fighting for them, so we need to pay heed to what they are saying.»
Macron said he ordered officials to increase security around public buildings and businesses, with protests potentially restricted in some areas.
At least 2,400 people were arrested nationwide, including 855 in the Paris region, according to the AP.
More than 500 police officers, gendarmes and firefighters were injured, the AP reported, citing Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez.
LIMOGES TOWN HALL ‘LARGELY LOST’ AFTER FAR-LEFT RIOTERS SET HISTORIC BUILDING ON FIRE AMID FRENCH UNREST
The criticism also comes as Macron faces scrutiny over his decision to attend a Celine Dion concert with his wife, Brigitte, on Friday night, on the eve of the nationwide demonstrations. (LUDOVIC MARIN/AFP via Getty Images)
Authorities estimated roughly 550,000 people took part in Saturday’s demonstrations, while organizers put turnout at 800,000, according to the AP.
Hundreds of businesses were looted nationwide, and unrest continued Sunday in Paris, where police used tear gas as tensions flared around Place de la République.
The criticism also comes as Macron faces scrutiny over his decision to attend a Celine Dion concert with his wife, Brigitte, on Friday night, on the eve of the nationwide demonstrations.
The protests, fueled in part by anger over rising living costs, school conditions and public services, erupted into violence Saturday.
Macron’s office and Le Figaro could not immediately be reached by Fox News Digital for comment.
Fox News Digital’s Bradford Betz and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
world, emmanuel macron, france, crime world, politics, world protests
The Trump administration is expected to decide by late December whether to strip the American Bar Association’s (ABA) law school accrediting arm of federal recognition, a move that would not automatically end the ABA’s accreditation of law schools or change state bar-admission rules but could accelerate states’ efforts to approve alternative paths to becoming a lawyer.
Two legal education experts told Digital that while most law students would be unlikely to lose access to federal loans if the ABA’s accrediting arm loses recognition, the decision could accelerate a broader shift away from the organization’s longstanding dominance over legal education, with states increasingly exploring alternative accreditation pathways that could change how law schools operate and who qualifies to practice law.
«I think the biggest thing is, everyone should know that the federal recognition of the ABA is just the first step,» Adam Biggs, general counsel of the University of Austin, told Digital. «If they get knocked off their perch, that’s going to supercharge the conversations of these state supreme courts to create alternative pathways that are not just the ABA.»
The looming decision follows a September vote by the National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity (NACIQI), the federal panel that advises the Education Department on accreditation matters, which remained deadlocked over whether to recommend renewing the ABA’s federal accreditation recognition. Education Department staff have already recommended denying renewal, and now the decision rests in the hands of Under Secretary of Education Nicholas Kent to rule on whether the ABA’s accrediting arm can retain its federally recognized status, which it has held since 1952.
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The ABA has long served as the primary gatekeeper for legal education in the United States, with most states requiring graduates to have attended an ABA-accredited law school to qualify for the bar exam. Although losing federal recognition would not automatically end that arrangement, critics argue it could accelerate efforts already underway in some states to recognize alternative law school approval systems, potentially allowing institutions to experiment with cheaper, shorter programs outside the ABA’s traditional accreditation model.
One such alternative is taking shape in Texas, where Biggs is helping develop a new law school at the University of Austin (UATX) that would operate without ABA accreditation. The university is considering a two-year law program or a model that combines undergraduate and legal studies. It plans to make tuition free and avoid federal funding altogether. The proposed school could also depart from traditional law school staffing models by relying more heavily on practicing attorneys and federal judges as adjunct instructors, rather than maintaining the extensive full-time faculty structure that Biggs says ABA accreditation standards require and that can pose a high bar for institutions.
Biggs argued that the ABA’s longstanding influence over legal education has discouraged such experimentation by imposing what he described as a «one size fits all elitist model of education,» which he said drives up costs and limits schools’ ability to offer alternative approaches to training future lawyers.
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«Right now, the model they force makes it impossible to cut overhead, and it’s going to be an expensive product,» Biggs said, criticizing the ABA’s accreditation requirements. «That makes the decision for you. Because you need to live in a big city to go work at a firm to pay off your massive amount of debt.»
Biggs added that reducing the cost of legal education could help address attorney shortages in rural and underserved communities, where graduates carrying substantial student debt may struggle to pursue lower-paying legal work. Allowing law schools to operate with less overhead, he said, could give new attorneys greater flexibility to serve those communities and potentially make legal services more affordable.
The ABA faculty requirements criticized by Biggs are also facing scrutiny from the Justice Department, which has threatened an antitrust investigation over restrictions on adjunct professors teaching core law school courses. In an Oct. 7 letter, Associate Attorney General Stanley Woodward gave the ABA 15 days to revise or justify its rules, arguing that the requirements restrict competition and contribute to higher tuition costs, The Wall Street Journal reported.
The emergence of alternative accreditation pathways could offer aspiring lawyers new opportunities, but also introduce complications for graduates hoping to practice in states other than where they attended law school.
While the federal government determines which accrediting agencies it recognizes for federal purposes, state supreme courts generally set their own bar-admission requirements. Many states currently require graduation from an ABA-accredited law school, a requirement that would not automatically disappear if the ABA loses its federal recognition.
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That means graduates of schools approved through alternative state-level processes, such as the one UATX hopes to pursue in Texas, could qualify for the bar in their home state but face additional hurdles elsewhere. Biggs predicted that as more states adopt alternative pathways, others could face pressure to reconsider their requirements.
«Eventually there’s gonna be a very large group of states that are not ABA or nothing,» Biggs said, predicting that states such as New York and Illinois would eventually have to confront the issue. «They’re gonna have to come to the table and try to figure out how portability is gonna work.»
Several states have already begun loosening the ABA’s longstanding hold over legal education. In January, Texas became the first state to end its exclusive reliance on ABA accreditation for bar eligibility, with the state Supreme Court assuming authority to approve qualifying law schools. Florida followed nine days later, adopting its own approach to recognizing law schools outside the traditional ABA system.
The movement has since extended to other states. Ohio’s Supreme Court proposed changes in May to establish a state-run law school approval process, while courts in Tennessee, Alabama and Washington have also taken steps toward reducing their reliance on the ABA, as Digital previously reported.
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The potential consequences for federal student loans, meanwhile, may be far more limited. Biggs explained that most law schools are affiliated with larger universities that maintain their own institutional accreditation, allowing students to access federal aid without relying exclusively on the ABA’s recognition.
«So unless you are a freestanding law school that only relies on the ABA, your students are gonna be fine,» Biggs said.
Sarah Parshall Perry, attorney and vice president of nonprofit Defending Education, similarly told Digital that the more immediate federal-aid concerns would fall on standalone law schools that rely on the ABA’s federal recognition rather than a parent university’s institutional accreditation. Perry estimated that roughly 15 standalone law schools could potentially face federal funding complications if the ABA loses its recognition.
Beyond the immediate financial implications, Perry argued that loosening the ABA’s grip on legal education could bring more fundamental changes to what law schools teach and how they prepare students for the profession.
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«These law students are actually going to get a better education,» Perry argued. «Because we get the ABA meddling away from curricular inclusions, and we get them away from race mandates in admissions and in hiring and promotions, we get back to ground zero on making excellent lawyers.»
«I don’t care what color my attorney is if I get in a car crash. I am very concerned that he recognizes principles of contract law and insurance liability. That’s what matters most,» she added.
The ABA’s accrediting council has already moved to roll back some of its DEI requirements amid concern the federal government could strip its accrediting status. In September, the council voted 10-6 to repeal Standard 206, which had required law schools to demonstrate a commitment to diversity and inclusion among students, faculty and staff.
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Education Department officials previously told Digital that staff had recommended denying the organization’s renewed recognition after finding it out of compliance with more than 26 federal recognition criteria, including concerns about the accrediting council’s independence from the broader ABA membership and advocacy activities.
The ABA has disputed the Department’s findings and defended the independence of its accrediting council. Even if the administration ultimately revokes federal recognition, the organization could continue accrediting law schools, leaving states to decide whether to maintain their longstanding reliance on ABA approval or embrace alternative pathways as some have already started doing.
education, law, politics, justice department, regulation, reform
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