Grandstanding

“I said, ‘Andrew, are you that level of arrogance? I’m the sitting mayor! I’m the sitting mayor of the city of New York, and you expect for me to step aside when you just lost to Zohran by 12 points?’” —NYC Mayor Eric Adams in response to being asked to step aside by Andrew Cuomo

Right Message, Wrong Target

“They need to leave, and they need to leave right now. This is unacceptable.” —Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass speaking not of criminal immigrants but of ICE agents attempting to catch them

Setting the Record Straight

“Unfortunately, in the wake of this once-in-a-generation natural disaster, we have seen many falsehoods pushed by Democrats such as Senator Chuck Schumer and some members of the media. Blaming President Trump for these floods is a depraved lie and it serves no purpose during this time of national mourning.” —White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt on the devastating Texas flood

Straight From the Horse’s Mouth

“I got on scene, boots on the ground at Camp Mystic, kind of discovered I was the only person there as far as first responders go. I had about 200 kids mostly, all scared, terrified, cold, having probably the worst day of their life.” —Coast Guard rescue swimmer Scott Ruskan

Faux Pas

“Maybe the kids weren’t fit or camping near a river if they couldn’t swim?” —streamer Steven “Destiny” Bonnell

Wolves in Sheep’s Clothing

“There is a movement afoot. … People are pushing President Trump for amnesty. They are pushing him for the mass legalization of illegals.” —Charlie Kirk

Behind the Curtain

“Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina and Representative Don Bacon of Nebraska are staunch conservatives who usually vote with their party. But they also believe in bipartisan collegiality, in forming alliances across the aisle, and in making up their own minds. … [They] aren’t rebels. They just don’t believe their job is to elevate hardline ideological rigidity above all other considerations.” —Jeff Jacoby

The Greatest Country in the World

“It’s not until you travel out of the U.S. that you really learn how wonderful and great our country is. … You’ll be reminded of the freedom and prosperity we have. And you’ll understand why millions of foreigners today are still willing to risk their lives or pay a fortune to get here.” —Michael Reagan

Belly Laugh of the Day

“I mean, [the Democrats’] tent is so diverse that in one corner, you have the socialists, and in the other corner, the communists. It’s really wide!” —CNN’s Scott Jennings