News On Tap For Friday, October 17, 2025

No Kings, Only Democracy

Today’s “News On Tap” is filled with anticipation for a great weekend of love-filled No Kings rallies - and how MAGA world is losing their minds over it. We’ve also got updates on the Trump/Republican shutdown, & Trump’s war on America. Plus there’s some good election updates, foreign affairs, & entertainment news too. And we’ve got some special guests tonight - Martin Sheen will join us to talk about his new show, and Karen & Anita from TruBlu Politics will be here too. Read up & get informed!

First Round - Love Vs Hate

Those Who Love Democracy

• ‘No Kings’ Organizers Project A Massive Turnout For This Weekend’s Protests

• Jill Lawrence: Republicans’ Attacks On ‘No Kings’ Protests Reek Of Desperation

• Garett Graff: Three Reasons I Still Have Hope For America

• No Kings - Find A Protest Near You

Hate-Filled MAGA World In Disarray

• Multiple Republican Congressional Offices Received Flag With Nazi Swastikas Earlier This Year; At Least One Allowed It To Be Posted In His Office

• Photo Discovered Showing Trump Backstage At Political Rally With Republicans Involved In Racist Texts Scandal

• Trump’s Former MAGA Ally Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene Is Now Slamming Parts Of Trump’s Agenda As “America Last”

• Influential Podcaster Joe Rogan Rips Trump For Setting A ‘Dangerous Precedent’ By Deploying Troops Into Cities

Second Round - The Trump/Republican Shutdown, Still Going

• Democrats Dismiss Thune’s Offer, Citing A Severe Lack Of Trust That Republicans Will Allow An ACA Vote If Govt. Reopened

• With Deep, Ugly Roots, Republicans In Congress Are Straining To Get Past Their Own Quagmire With Obamacare

• Trump Regime Confirms ICE & Border Patrol Agents To Continue Receiving Pay During Shutdown, Even As Other Federal Workers Go Without

• How Russ Vought Became Trump’s Shadow President

Third Round - Trump’s Failing Govt.

Trump’s War On America

• Protesters Arrested Outside Broadview ICE Facility In Illinois As Gov. Pritzker Blasts DHS Sec. Noem’s Visit

• Federal Judge To Require ICE Agents In Chicago Area To Wear Body Cameras After Violent Clashes

• Federal Appeals Court Denies Trump Admin. Appeal Of National Guard Deployment Ruling In Illinois

• Democrats Lay Out ‘Damning’ Examples Of ICE’s Tactics In Chicago

• Propublica Finds More Than 170 U.S. Citizens Have Been Held By ICE. They’ve Been Kicked, Dragged And Detained For Days.

Trump’s Weaponized DOJ

• John Bolton Surrenders To Authorities After Federal Indictment In Classified Information Probe

• John Bolton Pleads Not Guilty To Mishandling Classified Information In U.S.

Fourth Round - More News To Drink About

Election Land

• Mamdani & Cuomo Clash Over Policy & Handling Trump In Fiery NYC Mayoral Debate

• Fox Poll: Mamdani Maintains 21-Point Lead In NYC Mayoral Race

• Frank Rich: Why The Democratic Party, The New York Times, & The Donor Class Got Zohran Mamdani So Wrong

• Democrats In Maryland & Illinois Discussing New Maps, As Republicans Press Forward With Their Redistricting War

Foreign Affairs

• U.S. Military Strike On A Cartel Boat Leaves Survivors For The First Time, U.S. Official Confirms

• Trinidadian Family Now Says U.S. Military Killed Their Relative In Latest Boat Attack [Gift Link]

• Bipartisan Group Of Senators Move To Force Vote That Would Block Trump’s Threatened Ground Strikes In Venezuela

• Military Commander Overseeing Escalating Attacks Off Venezuela Coast Is Stepping Down, Suddenly [Gift Link]

• Gaza Aid Still Critically Scarce, Say Relief Agencies, As Israel Delays Convoys

• Trump To Host Zelenskyy At The White House With Long-Range Missiles Topping The Agenda

Fifth Round - Media, Entertainment, & More

• Susan Stamberg, NPR ‘Founding Mother,’ Dies At 87

• Ace Frehley, Kiss’ Original Lead Guitarist And Founding Member, Dies At 74

• Trump Refiles $15B Suit Against New York Times After Judge’s Rebuke Last Month

• Dodgers 1 Game Away From Heading Back To World Series, After Beating Brewers 3-1

• Scherzer Turns Back The Clock As Toronto Blue Jays Beat Seattle Mariners 8-2 In Game 4, To Even ALCS At 2 Games A Piece

Today’s Special Guest

Martin Sheen, known to many as “President Jed Bartlet” is known to us here at The Politics Bar as a friend & mentor to many people we care about - and sometimes even “Uncle Martin.” We’re thrilled to have him in the bar to answer for himself & his daughter Renée that inimitable question from Jed Bartlet, “What’s Next?” The answer is their new podcast, The Martin Sheen Podcast, where he’ll share personal stories, inspirational poetry, & his wisdom on hope, faith, love - and what it means to be human.

Your Bar Regulars Tonight…

After all that’s happened in the past week, we definitely need an on-the-ground check-in from our friends Karen from Chicago, and Anita From San Antonio,, co-hosts of Tru Blu Politics. They’ll fill us in on how Trumpism is unfolding in their corners of the bar, and they’ll give their takes on the news of the day too. Grab a drink & join us!

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