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‘Flip flop’: Democrat firefighter in tight House race blasts popular Trump policy his national union supports
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A swing-district Democrat disparaged Trump’s landmark overtime tax break despite his national firefighters union’s support, prompting his GOP opponent to accuse him of a «flip flop.»
Nazareth, Pennsylvania’s Bob Brooks — running against Rep. Ryan Mackenzie, R-Pa., in a toss-up seat — is the president of the commonwealth’s firefighters union, setting up an apparent discrepancy with the national council, though the Democrat’s campaign says his concerns about the cuts are more nuanced and that it is the Republican who is harming first responders on the issue.
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBB) provides a maximum annual deduction of $12,500 on qualified overtime compensation, phasing out after $150,000 of gross income or $300,000 for joint filers, according to the Internal Revenue Service.
Brooks, president of the Pennsylvania Professional Firefighters Association — which is a subsidiary of the International Association of Firefighters (IAFF) — criticized the OBBB’s provisions during an appearance on the progressive «Meidas Touch» podcast in May.
«Donald Trump just did it here [in Pennsylvania]. He was up at the [Mount Airy] casino. But literally, he brought a guy up on stage and claimed he was a fireman and profiting from the no-tax-on-overtime, which 90 percent of our guys didn’t get the benefit from anyways, but the guy wasn’t a paid fireman,» Brooks said, referring to a Stroudsburg-area first responder whom Trump introduced at a Mount Pocono rally in December.
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«I just don’t understand how they keep spewing the garbage,» added Brooks, a former Bethlehem firefighter of many years who notably served in top union roles.
The man Trump introduced was indeed a volunteer firefighter but also a paid police officer in Monroe County who would therefore qualify for the no tax on overtime provision in his other first responder role.
Conversely, the IAFF came out in support of Republicans’ tax policies that included the elimination of levies on qualified overtime pay.
«Firefighters and emergency medical workers shouldn’t be penalized for choosing a career in public service,» IAFF president Edward Kelly previously told the New York Post.
Kelly called the new overtime rule a «needed fix» for his 350,000 members whose jobs demand «long hours.»
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«President Trump respects the contributions lAFF members make to our country and recognizes the importance of ensuring these brave men and women can keep more of their hard-earned money,» Kelly told the paper.
Meanwhile, the Fraternal Order of Police also wrote an April letter to Reps. Nicole Malliotakis, R-N.Y., and Emilia Sykes, D-Ohio, expressing support for House legislation ending taxes on overtime, noting it positively affects law enforcement officers nationwide.
President Donald Trump dances at a campaign event at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre in Atlanta on Oct. 15, 2024. (John Bazemore/AP)
In response, a spokesperson for Brooks said the Democrat «ran into burning buildings for 20 years [and] knows what hard work is, and he knows that first responders deserve to keep more of their hard-earned money.»
The spokesperson said Brooks does support «no tax on overtime» and «no tax on tips,» saying that instead it is Rep. Ryan Mackenzie, R-Pa.; his opponent; who doesn’t understand the issue.
«Ryan Mackenzie is a life-long politician who wouldn’t know a hard day’s work if it hit him in the face,» Brooks’ spokesperson said.
A source familiar with the matter said that, despite the IAFF’s endorsement of Trump’s policy, Brooks’ comments to Meidas Touch reflect how some firefighters do not qualify for the benefit, adding that Brooks supports fixing that discrepancy.
They added that Brooks would however not actually support any effort to repeal such no-tax-on-overtime benefits.
In a statement on his website about rural Carbon County being hurt by Washington policies, Brooks said that he would «work to repeal» the OBBB to restore higher SNAP funding, which also included the overtime policy.
The source also accused Mackenzie of voting to cut funding for first responder support through Community Project Funding Grants (CFP) – a contention Mackenzie’s camp denies.
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Rep. Ryan Mackenzie, R-Allentown, speaks at a Trump rally at Mount Airy Casino near Mount Pocono. (Adam Gray/Getty Images)
The grants plan preceded Mackenzie’s entering office in 2025, and there was later bipartisan agreement to forgo the spending bill that included the grants in favor of a continuing resolution (CR) to keep the government funded rather than adopt a new framework. The Republican voted in favor of it along with several Democrats.
«No CPF funding was allocated in FY 2025 as a result of the decision by congressional leaders on both sides to support a clean, bipartisan continuing resolution,» Mackenzie said in a statement, noting that Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., supported the same CR.
«Bob Brooks is a proven conman who was found by a court to have stolen over $100,000 from his own family,» Mackenzie said in response to the attacks.
«His latest flip-flop proves once again that this fraudster is only in it for himself.»
«Instead of standing with firefighters and the over 29 million Americans who saw record refunds from tax relief on overtime, Bob Brooks supported repealing these tax cuts and advocating for massive tax increases on everyone. Now he is now trying to trick voters by changing his unpopular position and thinking no one will notice.
The House Republicans’ campaign arm told Fox News Digital that voters can proverbially see the truth through the controversy.
Bob Brooks campaigns in Allentown, left; President Donald Trump campaigns in front of a No Tax on Overtime sign in Georgia, right. (Joe Lamberti/Getty Images; John Bazemore/Associated Press)
«Bernie Bro Bob Brooks’ radical high-tax agenda would devastate working-class Pennsylvanians. Voters know Brooks wants them to keep less of their hard-earned money.» National Republican Congressional Committee spokesman Reilly Richardson said.
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Brooks’ website indicated the IAFF has also endorsed Brooks — who enjoys support from Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., Pennsylvania Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro, and former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.
Fox News Digital reached out to IAFF for comment.
midterm elections, taxes, bills, republicans, elections, pennsylvania, politics
INTERNACIONAL
El precio del barril de petróleo vuelve a subir, mientras la guerra en Medio Oriente se extiende y jaquea a la economía mundial
Mientras el precio del petróleo siguió subiendo en los mercados internacionales, la guerra en Medio Oriente se extiende a nuevos frentes y amenaza con repercusiones para la economía global con la ofensiva de los rebeldes de Yemen, aliados de Irán, contra buques sauditas en el mar Rojo.
En ese escenario, el presidente estadounidense, Donald Trump, amenazó con un “gran castigo militar” a Irán y a los rebeldes hutíes de Yemen si lanzan nuevos ataques.
El barril de crudo brent para entrega en septiembre subió 6 dólares en menos de 24 horas al pasar de los 94 dólares en los que cerró el miércoles a hasta los 100,69 dólares que tocó este jueves mediante un alza de más del 7,03%.
Por su parte, el West Texas Intermediate (WTI), de referencia en Estados Unidos, también subió el 4,92%, hasta los 90,95 dólares, mientras que el gas natural TTF caía un 1,3%, y el megavatio/hora tocó los 61,75 euros.
El fuerte repunte del precio del crudo se produjo después de que milicianos hutíes respaldados por Teherán reivindicaran ataques contra dos petroleros sauditas en el mar Rojo. Esta ofensiva abrió un nuevo punto de conflicto en otra importante vía comercial del crudo en el mundo cuando se entra en el decimotercer día de ofensiva de Estados Unidos contra Irán pese al acuerdo alcanzado en junio.
El caos se apodera del estrecho de Ormuz
Las hostilidades se reanudaron a principios de este mes tras un alto el fuego que duró apenas semanas, en una espiral que volvió a sumir a la región en un caos por el control del vital estrecho de Ormuz.
El conflicto se extendió al mar Rojo esta semana después de que los rebeldes de Yemen declararan un bloqueo de los puertos de Arabia Saudita y después afirmaran que atacaron a dos petroleros sauditas. Niños juegan en la playa en el estrecho de Ormuz, mientras detrás se observa una columna de humo (Foto: AP)
El secretario general de la ONU, Antonio Guterres, afirmó en una reunión del Consejo de Seguridad que la situación en Medio Oriente “está fuera de control”. “Una crisis alimenta a otra. Una escalada desencadena la siguiente”, declaró.
Mientras tanto, Jordania y Kuwait informaron haber interceptado proyectiles, mientras que el ejército de Irán y su Guardia Revolucionaria Islámica anunciaron golpes a objetivos militares estadounidenses en ambos países.
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“Las represalias de las fuerzas armadas continuarán mientras sigan los ataques de Estados Unidos contra la infraestructura y las zonas costeras del país”, dijo el portavoz de las fuerzas armadas iraníes, Mohamad Akraminia, según la televisión estatal.
Ataques en el mar Rojo
Estas hostilidades se produjeron tras la duodécima noche consecutiva de ataques de Estados Unidos contra instalaciones militares de la república islámica.
El miércoles, Trump advirtió que su país bombardeará la infraestructura civil iraní cada vez que Teherán dispare contra buques en Ormuz, dada su importancia en el comercio global de hidrocarburos.
El canciller iraní, Abás Araqchi, respondió que Teherán responderá de la misma manera: “Nuestra doctrina de defensa es clara: ojo por ojo”.
Los medios estatales iraníes informaron este jueves que un ataque estadounidense mató a dos personas en Shalamcheh, en la frontera de la república islámica con Irak. También reportaron que dos misiles estadounidenses impactaron en Bushehr, sede de la única planta nuclear civil del país y blanco frecuente de Washington.
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Los hutíes yemenitas afirmaron que atacaron el miércoles con misiles y drones dos petroleros sauditas en el mar Rojo, el Encelia y el Layla, y concretaron así su amenaza de bloquear a Arabia Saudita en esas aguas que sirven de vía alterna a Ormuz.
Riad confirmó que el Encelia fue alcanzado, sin hacer comentarios sobre el otro petrolero. Aún no está claro hasta qué punto los hutíes podrían implementar un bloqueo, pero la amenaza podría agravar el impacto del cierre que Irán mantiene en Ormuz.
Allí la Guardia Revolucionaria afirmó este jueves que impidió el paso a tres petroleros, mientras Washington y Teherán compiten por el control de esta ruta por la que transitaba alrededor de una quinta parte del petróleo mundial antes de la guerra.
(Con información de EFE y AFP)
Irán, Donald Trump, Petróleo
INTERNACIONAL
California mayor’s hot mic catches candid exchange after audience sends meeting off rails
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A live microphone exposed a behind-the-scenes conversation between Sacramento’s mayor and vice mayor as they discussed whether disruptive protesters could be barred from future city council meetings after a heated immigration-related debate descended into chaos.
«We should go over this disruptions thing, because if we want to ban somebody in the future, like to take them out, we have to point out specifically…» Vice Mayor Karina Talamantes is heard saying.
«I know, but the city attorney said we can’t do that,» Mayor Kevin McCarty replied.
«We did it last time,» Talamantes responded.
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Mayor Kevin McCarty and Vice Mayor Karina Talamantes were caught on a live microphone discussing future meeting disruptions after the council chambers were cleared. (City of Sacramento)
«We can’t,» McCarty said, shaking his head. «I spent my first six months going over this. I wanted to give people, like, probation, like, you can’t come…»
Talamantes then appeared to realize the microphone was still live and quickly reached over to switch it off before continuing the conversation, according to the publicly available city council livestream reviewed by Fox News Digital.
The awkward exchange unfolded Tuesday after Sacramento City Council recessed and ordered the public removed from the chambers following repeated disruptions during a fiery debate over the city’s continued participation in a regional intelligence-sharing center.
The confrontation escalated after Talamantes defended accepting federal funding for the Central California Intelligence Center, or CCIC, arguing Sacramento’s sanctuary city policies and immigrant protections made the city better suited to oversee the grant than other jurisdictions.
«The city of Sacramento is a sanctuary city,» Talamantes said during the meeting. «If we don’t pass these dollars, other counties will apply for these dollars, they will get those dollars and we will have no safeguards to protect our immigrant communities here in Sacramento.»
Dozens of speakers had earlier urged the council to reject the agreement, arguing the intelligence center could facilitate information sharing with federal immigration authorities and undermine Sacramento’s sanctuary city policies.
Police officials repeatedly disputed those claims during the meeting, telling council members Sacramento does not share personal identifying information for civil immigration enforcement and complies with California’s sanctuary law, known as SB 54.
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Community members urged Sacramento City Council to reject continued participation in the Central California Intelligence Center during an emotional public comment session. (City of Sacramento)
As public comment grew increasingly heated, one speaker repeatedly demanded McCarty pay attention.
«Kevin, I need your f—ing eyes. Kevin, listen to me. Stop being an a–hole, dude. Listen to your f—ing constituents,» the speaker shouted.
Following Talamantes’ remarks, another round of shouting erupted inside the council chambers.
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«You’re a pick-me b—-,» one attendee shouted at Talamantes, while others yelled, «Shame on you.»
McCarty responded with what he described as a «final notice.»
«This is the final notice,» the mayor said. «We’re going to continue with the deliberation, and if there’s any more outbursts, we’re gonna have to ask the audience to leave.»
Seconds later, the disruptions intensified.
Council members debated continued participation in the Central California Intelligence Center during a meeting that later erupted into repeated disruptions. (City of Sacramento)
«You can’t do this behind closed f—ing doors!» one attendee shouted.
«We are the community,» another yelled.
«You represent us. You are our f—ing audience,» another voice exclaimed as council members attempted to continue the meeting.
Council officials then paused the meeting and cleared the chambers after repeated disruptions prevented deliberations from continuing.
Following the meeting, McCarty said the private conversation focused on existing meeting procedures, not new restrictions.
«Every Tuesday, Vice Mayor Talamantes and I are responsible for overseeing and ensuring transparent, accessible, and open Council meetings,» McCarty said in a statement to Fox News Digital.
«Unfortunately, when meetings are repeatedly disrupted, we must discuss existing policies and rules to ensure Council meetings remain effective, orderly, and respectful for both the residents in attendance and the Councilmembers. We are committed to ensuring that all members of the public can access and engage safely without distraction or intimidation.»
Mayor Kevin McCarty warned attendees about repeated disruptions before the council chambers were cleared and a hot-mic conversation followed. (City of Sacramento)
The Sacramento City Attorney’s Office declined to address McCarty’s reference to legal advice during the hot-mic exchange.
«The City Attorney’s Office has no comment and will not be providing comment on this matter,» the office said in a statement to Fox News Digital.
The city’s published meeting rules state that members of the public receive two minutes per agenda item and may speak on no more than four items during a meeting, limits intended to help the council conduct city business.
The hot-mic exchange quickly drew criticism from some activists, who argued Talamantes appeared interested in silencing vocal opponents.
Joshua Masias, a volunteer organizer with the Sac Immigration Committee, told The Sacramento Bee the conversation showed an authoritative approach toward members of the public.
«It’s very authoritative how she wants to use her power,» Masias told the outlet. «It stuck out to me that she was the only one to try to silence the crowd.»
Resident Leanna Hunt, one of the council’s most outspoken critics, also defended the protesters’ frustration.
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«I’m fed up,» Hunt told the Bee. «It’s not even a tactic — I’m just tired of being treated like we are an audience and that the king is deigning to see us peasants today and when the peasants are unruly, the king gets upset.»
Fox News Digital reached out to Vice Mayor Talamantes’ office, Sacramento Police Department and the Sac Immigration Committee for additional comment.
local, state and local, sanctuary cities, controversies state and local, politics
INTERNACIONAL
La capital de Guatemala entra en alerta por las protestas de transportistas y posibles bloqueos este viernes 24 de julio
La capital de Guatemala se encuentra en alerta ante la expectativa de complicaciones de tránsito masivas para este viernes 24 de julio. Luego de que diversas asociaciones de transportistas, mototaxistas y taxistas urbanos anunciaran movilizaciones pacíficas y posibles bloqueos en los principales accesos a la metrópoli, impulsados por el descontento ante los constantes incrementos en los precios de los combustibles.
Las organizaciones convocantes han anunciado movilizaciones pacíficas y posibles bloqueos en puntos neurálgicos de la capital y sus alrededores.
Según datos de la Policía Municipal de Tránsito (PMT), se prevén concentraciones en arterias clave, entre ellas:
- La calzada Roosevelt, específicamente en el sector de Molino de las Flores
- La calzada Raúl Aguilar Batres
- La avenida Bolívar
- La calzada San Juan
- La avenida Petapa
Estas vías que unen la metrópoli con Mixco y municipios del sur del departamento. También se ha hablado de bloqueos en la Calle Martí, pero aún no existe confirmación oficial.
Aunque, en las redes sociales se ha compartido imágenes de bloqueos en puntos clave de todo el país, hasta ahora no se ha confirmado la veracidad de los mismos, ni los grupos que convocan.
La expectativa de una parálisis vial ha llevado a las autoridades a reforzar los protocolos de seguridad y a recomendar a la población tomar previsiones.
El Gobernador Departamental de Guatemala, Mauricio Benard, aseguró que las fuerzas de seguridad han sido notificadas de las convocatorias y que se mantiene un monitoreo constante para coordinar la respuesta institucional.
“Todo indica que sí habrá manifestaciones y nos estamos preparando con todos los protocolos que están establecidos. Lo que espero, sinceramente, es que no haya bloqueos. Esa situación sí genera una dificultad para toda la población, no para el Gobierno, no para el Presidente, no para un ministro, sino para toda la población“, manifestó Bernard.
El Gobernador reconoció que manifestarse es un derecho constitución, pero recordó que la libertad de locomoción, también lo es, por lo que ”los bloqueos es algo que está prohibido y se hará lo posible para que no se de».
El descontento de los transportistas gira en torno a los constantes aumentos en el precio del diésel y la gasolina, factores que reducen los márgenes de ganancia y presionan a los operadores a analizar un posible ajuste en las tarifas del transporte urbano.
Transportistas han recalcado que el costo de los insumos y repuestos también se ha disparado, aumentando la presión sobre el gremio y el bolsillo de los usuarios.
Por ahora, las autoridades de tránsito han recomendado a los ciudadanos que salgan con mayor anticipación hacia sus destinos, que consideren opciones como el teletrabajo cuando sea posible y que permanezcan atentos a los canales de información oficial.
Los conductores de taxi rechazaron que el precio del galón de gasolina en Guatemala supere los Q40 por su impacto en la rentabilidad del sector y anunciaron una caravana pacífica en la Ciudad de Guatemala para protestar por el alza de combustibles este viernes 24 de julio. (Redes Sociales)
Las asociaciones de transportistas han advertido sobre la posibilidad de extender las medidas si no obtienen una respuesta efectiva por parte del Organismo Ejecutivo. Exigen medidas concretas como un nuevo subsidio a los combustibles o la eliminación de tributos a los carburantes. En tanto, el presidente Bernardo Arévalo convocó a una conferencia de prensa para dar a conocer las acciones que se tomarán desde el Ejecutivo, luego de reuniones sostenidas con el Gabinete de Gobierno.
Guatemala,Bloqueos,Transportistas,Precio gasolina,Combustible,Caravana
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