An elected state representative in North Carolina is no longer a registered Democrat after she crossed the aisle to vote with Republicans on immigration.

Last week, news broke that state Rep. Carla Cunningham was no longer registered as a Democrat. She had represented the Democratic Party in office since she was first elected to the 106th Congressional District seat in 2012. Cunningham then confirmed in a statement that she “came to realize” that she wants “to serve the people, not a party.”

‘All cultures are not equal.’

“Being an independent thinker does not align with party politics, and I will never compromise the needs of my constituents to satisfy a political agenda,” her statement continued, according to the Charlotte Observer.

Cunningham’s voter registration now says she is “UNA,” or unaffiliated.

In the last year, Cunningham has faced considerable criticism after making a speech on the floor of the North Carolina House in favor of American citizens over illegal aliens and other immigrants.

“If you ask me to line up behind another group of people to raise awareness about their plight, I unapologetically say no,” she said back in July.

“It’s time to wake up. We must establish new rules to address a distinct type of migration that we are facing in our country, state, and cities. It’s time to turn the conveyor belt off,” she continued.

During the fiery speech, Cunningham noted that some immigrants come from cultures that are incompatible with the American way of life. “All cultures are not equal,” she said, adding that she would still “welcome” those immigrants who “want to adapt to [our] country, not isolate yourself, and come here legally.”

RELATED: Loud-mouthed former Democrat mayor tries to resurrect political career in a new state — and a new party

Nevertheless, Cunningham voted with Republicans that month to override a veto from Democrat Gov. Josh Stein on the Criminal Illegal Alien Enforcement Act. Her vote appears to be based on principle, as it was not needed for the veto override to pass the House, which passed the override overwhelmingly, 72-48. The state Senate likewise passed the override by a sizeable margin, 30-19.

Cunningham, who is black, claimed that she was accused of racism on account of that vote. “Yes, I was degraded for my vote. Yes, I was called racist for my vote. And yes, I was said I was trash,” she stated during her floor speech.

Mecklenburg County Sheriff Garry McFadden (D) even allegedly threatened Cunningham over that vote. In January, Cunningham joined others in filing a petition to recall McFadden, claiming that McFadden warned her not to vote to override the veto — or else.

McFadden called Cunningham and claimed that people would “come after” her if she voted to override it, Cunningham claimed in a sworn affidavit. “I don’t want to see you get hurt; you live in my county,” he added, according to Cunningham, who took those alleged statements as a threat masked as concern.

McFadden did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Blaze News.

Despite the allegations against him, McFadden effectively won re-election in March after he sailed through the Democrat primary and now faces no opposition in the general election in November.

Cunningham, however, did not fare well in the March primary. After seven terms in office, she lost her Democrat primary race to Rev. Rodney Sadler, who carried the day with nearly 70% of the vote. With no Republican or independent candidates in the race, Sadler will win the seat in November.

Blaze News was curious whether Cunningham has given any thought to running for political office again, perhaps as an independent or even a Republican. However, her office did not respond to a request for comment.

Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

​Carla cunningham, North carolina, Democratic party, Immigration, Illegal aliens, Josh stein, Politics 

An enraged crowd of family members exploded with profanities and racial slurs at an arrested male accused of fatally shooting a 15-year-old boy at a New York City playground earlier this month.

Police had to restrain relatives of victim Jaden Pierre while 18-year-old Zahir Davis was being walked out of the 113th Precinct on Saturday, WCBS-TV reported.

‘Look at my face! I hope they f**k you up every f**kin’ day!’

Davis was then taken to his arraignment in Queens criminal court where he was charged with second-degree murder, gang assault, and two counts of criminal possession of a weapon, the station said.

Davis’ private attorney entered a not guilty plea, WCBS reported.

During his perp walk out of the precinct, the crowd didn’t hold back their anger at Davis:

“You’re a f**kin’ piece of s**t!””You’re a f**kin’ bitch!””You’re a dead man!””How dare you do that to my nephew!””Look at my face! I hope they f**k you up every f**kin’ day!”

Content warning: Profanity and racial slurs:

NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch on Saturday morning announced Davis’ arrest — noting that Davis fled to Jamaica following the deadly April 16 shooting.

“NYPD detectives assigned to the U.S. Marshals Regional Fugitive Task Force have arrested Zahir Davis for the senseless murder of 15-year-old Jaden Pierre in a park in Queens last week,” Tisch wrote on X. “Davis fled to Jamaica following the shooting and was arrested immediately when he landed back in NYC last night.”

Officials told WCBS that while Pierre was being beaten, Davis allegedly pulled a handgun from his bag and shot Pierre in the chest.

The Queens District Attorney’s Office added to the station that Davis flew to Jamaica the next day “to evade responsibility,” and police urged Davis’ family to have him fly back home.

Davis is due back in court Wednesday, WCBS reported, adding that he faces 25 years to life in prison if convicted.

Davis is a reputed gang member, WABC-TV reported, adding that detectives believe the shooting stemmed from previous fights between him and Pierre.

WABC also noted that detectives who reviewed cellphone video believe Davis may have been attempting to pistol-whip Pierre, but the gun went off.

The victim’s older sister, 17-year-old Nellie Pierre, had harsh words for those recording video of the attack on her brother, telling the New York Daily News that “everyone there recording did nothing. They treated it all as entertainment. He was already beat up. He was helpless, and they shot him.”

WABC also reported that Davis was separately charged with aggravated harassment and harassment for allegedly threatening to shoot his ex-girlfriend, the mother of his child, on April 12. That was just four days before the fatal shooting of Pierre.

Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

​Arrest, Zahir davis, New york city, Queens, Nypd, Police, Murder charge, Jaden pierre, Fatal shooting, Beatdown, Perp walk, Crime 

FBI Director Kash Patel is facing some tough questions in the aftermath of yet another assassination attempt against President Donald Trump.

Trump and members of his Cabinet were targeted Saturday night at the annual White House Correspondents’ Dinner after a gunman rushed past a security checkpoint and opened fire in the Washington Hilton lobby. The suspect, later identified as 31-year-old Cole Allen, was staying at the hotel and was armed with a shotgun, a handgun, and multiple knives.

‘It was a total failure.’

Before he was apprehended and taken into custody, the gunman shot a Secret Serviceman who was wearing a bulletproof vest.

Allen’s alleged manifesto was later made public, revealing anti-Trump and anti-Christian motivations that may have fueled the attack.

Although the Secret Service successfully stopped the third assassination attempt, several questions remain about the efficacy of the security measures in place since the shooter was able to get that far.

RELATED: Stunning new details reveal the ‘depraved’ motivation of the suspected WHCD shooter

US President Trump via Truth Social/Anadolu/Getty Images

“They did a great job on the ground,” “Fox & Friends” host Lawrence Jones said of the Secret Service. “But they remain reactive. The proactive approach is still under great scrutiny. The president of the United States is averaging an assassination attempt once a year.”

“So who’s going to do the investigating of the procedures?” Jones asked Patel. “Secret Service can’t investigate themselves because there are still people in leadership at the Secret Service that were responsible for Butler. How does that happen? It was a failure.”

Patel acknowledged the failures that took place in Butler, Pennsylvania, but deferred to the Department of Homeland Security under Secretary Markwayne Mullin’s leadership. Patel did not detail which procedures or protocols would be improved or changed but indicated that some sort of reform would take place.

“I can’t speak to Butler, and I agree it was a total failure. Absolutely,” Patel responded. “But I have full confidence in Secretary Markwayne Mullin. He oversees the United States Secret Service. I’ve talked to him repeatedly over the weekend … and said, ‘Whatever you need from the FBI, whatever we can assist in, and however we can better prepare to protect our protectees going forward, with the U.S. Secret Service, this FBI stands ready to do.’ And we’re going to improve that process under Markwayne’s leadership and oversight of the Secret Service.”

RELATED: Trump evacuated from White House Correspondents’ Dinner following possible gunfire

Celal Gunes/Anadolu/Getty Images

Patel was also pressed about the suspect’s proximity to the event. He had checked into the Washington Hilton the day before. Although the Hilton hosts the dinner, only a portion of the hotel is secured despite the dozens of dignitaries in attendance.

“This was a matter that needs to be heavily scrutinized, because it almost took the lives of dozens if not hundreds of people,” Patel said.

“We’re going to be talking about how we improve the security, not just for this event but for all events going forward,” Patel added. “We’re going to learn from this one, and we’re going to utilize President Trump’s leadership and backing of the blue and law enforcement and work with DHS to ensure our Cabinet, our protectees, and the American civilian population is as best protected as possible.”

Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

​Butler pennsylvania, Cole allen, Department of homeland security, Donald trump, Fbi, Fox and friends, Kash patel, Lawrence jones, Secret service, Washington hilton, White house correspondents dinner, Whcd shooter, Dhs, Markwayne mullin, Politics 

The White House Correspondents’ Dinner came to an abrupt and premature end Saturday night after shots rang out at the venue.

But the party didn’t stop for some attendees.

‘Repugnant!’

In the ensuing chaos after gunshots sounded at the Hilton, some dinner attendees decided to grab some souvenirs as most people vacated the scene.

One video has gone viral showing a blonde woman apparently grabbing two bottles of wine off an empty table, sparking an online “scandal” some have dubbed “wine-gate.”

RELATED: Stunning new details reveal the ‘depraved’ motivation of the suspected WHCD shooter

Mandel NGAN/AFP/Getty Images

One account that posted the video wrote in a caption: “So, there you have press members STEALING wine bottles: this is who the press is! Repugnant!”

It is not clear whether the woman in the video is a member of the press or another guest. She has not yet been identified.

Another photo from the aftermath of the event went viral, gaining over one million views since its posting on Saturday night.

The photo shows a man in a white tuxedo holding what appears to be two bottles of champagne.

The caption of the post, made by a user named Comfortably Smug, reads, “Bro they are removing the journos from the ballroom and journos are taking all the booze with them two bottles at a time LMAOOOOO.”

The White House Correspondents’ Dinner was interrupted when a shooter attempted to breach security and opened fire at the venue. One agent, who was wearing a bulletproof vest, was shot and taken to the hospital. The shooter was subdued and taken into custody.

Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

​Ballroom chaos, Champagne bottles, Online scandal, Politics, Press members, Suspected shooter, Taken into custody, White house correspondents, Wine bottles, Winegate, Repugnant behavior, Trump, Trump shooter, Cole allen