Political analyst Rick Mullaney discussed President Trump’s recent decision to sign a bill releasing Jeffrey Epstein files, describing it as a strategic move.

News4JAX Political Analyst Rick Mullaney discussed the repercussions of the week-long government shutdown, which affects many federal employees, contractors, and international airports in Jacksonville.

A woman in Texas has been arrested by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) for allegedly submitting a petition with a forged signature from a deceased voter, according to Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier.

President Trump said Iran warned the U.S. before its missile strike Monday on an American air base in Qatar.

The first 100 days of President Donald Trump’s second term moved at a dizzying pace. News4JAX political analyst Rick Mullaney joined us on The Morning Show to look at promises made, promises kept and promises that remain unfulfilled.

Gov. Ron DeSantis and his administration faced criticism after a report from Tallahassee suggested the Agency for Healthcare Administration (AHCA) may have lost $160 million.

City Councilman Ron Salem wants to create a government efficiency initiative, also known as DOGE, in Duval County. During a meeting at City Hall on Tuesday, the public had the chance to comment on the initiative and ask why and how Duval DOGE would work.

Gov. Ron DeSantis has voiced support for reducing or ditching property taxes altogether.

Just one week after winning the 2024 presidential election, President-elect Donald Trump and his transition team are moving quickly to fill key positions, and the pace has surprised political analysts.

In just over 24 hours, the first polls will close in this election, and political analysts say a few early signals could offer Americans hints about which candidates are gaining the upper hand.

"Red Mirage" is a term that describes Republican candidates doing better in states where day-of voting happens on election night but mail in ballots aren't counted until later. Historically Republicans do better on election day but Democrats fare better in mail-in ballots. In some swing states like Pennsylvania and Nevada mail-in ballots aren't counted until after day-of votes.

Trump ad playing around the country claims Kamala Harris "wants struggling seniors to pay more social security taxes while she gives medical and social security to illegals". The claim is dubious as Harris is only calling for a payroll tax cap to be lifted which would affect working Americans who make more than $168,000.

Following RFK Jr. dropping out of the race and endorsing Trump, we analyze the remaining third party candidates and their impact on the race. The highest profile of the remaining third party candidates is Green Party Candidate Jill Stein who many political observers believe impacted previous Presidential elections.

Early plans for debates between former president Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris are starting to take shape.

Many top Democrats are endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris after President Joe Biden dropped out of the 2024 presidential race, setting the stage for a likely showdown between Harris and former President Donald Trump in November.

Who is Kamala Harris? She’s been known as the vice president of the United States since 2021, but her public and political career spans 34 years.

Donald Trump’s campaign says he is “fine” after what law enforcement officials are treating as an assassination attempt during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. Officials said the man who opened fire was a 20-year-old from Pennsylvania. News4JAX Political Analyst Rick Mullaney and Government Law Attorney Chris Hand joined Kent Justice in this special edition of This Week in Jacksonville focused on the assassination attempt of former President Trump.

It took almost a year to come together, but the city of Jacksonville and the Jaguars have an agreement to renovate EverBank Stadium.

Donald Trump’s bond in his civil fraud trial has been lowered from $454 million to $175 million and he’s been given 10 days to pay it. His criminal hush money trial will start in New York on April 15.

Now that the JEA scandal has finally concluded with a federal trial leading to the conviction of the public utility’s former CEO Aaron Zahn, there’s one question that still lingers:

With President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump collectively polling as the least popular matchup in modern history, there's been a lot of buzz about other potential names on the ballot. That buzz ratcheted up in the past couple weeks when Jets Quarterback Aaron Rodgers’ name was dropped as a possible running mate for independent candidate Robert F Kennedy Junior. While an independent or third party candidate isn’t expected to win… it could significantly affect the race.

Tuesday is election day in Florida with the GOP Primary -- although you may not have known it with both Presidential primaries being over before it even began. Former President Donald Trump and President Joe Biden have secured the delegates to get their party’s nomination.

Even though former President Donald Trump easily won on Nikki Haley’s turf -- it looks like Haley’s going to stay in the race and continue to clash with Trump.

Our latest candid conversation includes a familiar face for News4JAX viewers: News4JAX political analyst Rick Mullaney, who is the head of the Jacksonville University Public Policy Institute.

Now that Governor Ron DeSantis is off the campaign trail, his focus will no longer be split between running the state and running for president. Local experts weigh in on what’s next for DeSantis.

Some are questioning whether a proposal to tax electric vehicle owners is trying to address the infrastructure issue or if it is politically motivated.

There are almost daily developments in the Georgia election interference case against Former President Donald Trump and 18 other co-conspirators.

More school vouchers. Expanded restrictions on teaching about sexual orientation and gender identity. Limits on using TikTok. Carrying guns without concealed-weapons licenses. A larger Florida State Guard.

More politicians are jumping into the race for president. Republican Tim Scott announced his presidential run Monday. He's one of six republican candidates whose campaigns have raised over $1 million each.

Taking a closer look at Tuesday's election results – which saw more voters show up - than in the March election. And, it wasn’t just how many turned out – but who those voters were.

The race to become Jacksonville’s next mayor is expected to be so close every vote will really matter.

The second international trade mission for Governor Ron DeSantis is raising questions about what the trip means for Floridians and who is paying for the 4-nation tour.

With more and more political ads hitting the airwaves Thursday, many of them negative, News4JAX is hearing from voters about the impact they have on their choices for mayor.

In less than a month, Jacksonville residents will elect a new mayor in a runoff election and the latest polls show the race is neck and neck between Republican Daniel Davis and Democrat Donna Deegan.

The Jacksonville University Public Policy Institute presented former City Council President Scott A. Wilson with its inaugural Shircliff Courage Award in recognition of his role in launching a historic and unprecedented city council investigation into the proposed JEA sale and bonus plan in 2019.

With the mayoral race now in the runoffs, new campaign ads for the remaining candidates are now airing.

The new JEA building is up and running, but the question of if the electric company is going to be sold still looms.

There are seven Jacksonville City Council seats that will be decided in the runoff election in May.

It appears voter turnout for the Jacksonville city election is going to be low. As of Friday, early voting and mail-in voting stands at 11%.

Voters are about a month away from heading to the polls to select new city officials, including the tense race for Jacksonville mayor, and some are exhausted at the back-and-forth between candidates.

Voters are about a month away from heading to the polls to select new city officials, including the tense race for Jacksonville mayor, and some are exhausted at the back-and-forth between candidates.

A major change to how Democrats vote in the presidential primaries is in the works as the Democratic National Committee is moving South Carolina to be the first primary in the nation, which could bypass Iowa and New Hampshire.

In March, Jacksonville will be voting for a new mayor and new city council members to run the city. Political observers anticipate a high turnout compared to past local elections as races began to become very competitive.

It almost happened in the summer of 2020 — and, once again, Jacksonville could be the site of the Republican National Convention. Local and national leaders are tiptoeing around the topic, but it seems the River City is under consideration as the host of the event in 2028.

The 11th Circuit of the U.S. Court of Appeals has denied the city of Jacksonville’s request for a stay of a federal judge’s ruling on redistricting.

WNBA star Brittney Griner was freed Thursday after being detained in Russia for nearly 10 months.

Democrat Raphael Warnock defeating his Republican challenger Herschel Walker in Georgia to win reelection to the U.S. Senate creates a new reality on Capitol Hill.

In March, Jacksonville voters will submit a ballot for the city’s next mayor. Republican Lenny Curry is term-limited and someone new will be taking the seat.

The nation is watching to see if former President Donald Trump will announce a 2024 run for president during a speech planned for Tuesday night.

Millions of dollars have poured into the highly competitive race to become the next sheriff of Jacksonville.

The race for U.S. Senate in Georgia is making headlines as numerous personal allegations have been levied against Republican candidate Herschel Walker. They involve allegations he paid for a woman’s abortion several years ago, which he denies, and a critical video of Walker released by his own son.

Following last Thursday’s acquittal of former Clay County Sheriff Darryl Daniels we’re looking into whether he has a viable path to re-enter politics. This comes after Daniels released a statement following his acquittal and statement that he is the victim of a political witch hunt.

The new law is in effect for now because the judge’s order won’t have an impact until he puts the ruling in writing.

Jacksonville Sheriff Mike Williams on Thursday announced his sudden retirement amid controversy about a recent move from Duval to Nassau County. Meantime, six people had previously announced their intentions to run for sheriff in spring 2023 during the general election, which follows the special elections later this year.

Justice Clarence Thomas says that the Supreme Court has been changed by the shocking leak of a draft opinion earlier this month.

It is a bombshell. A draft opinion leaked from the Supreme Court suggests after nearly 50 years the nation’s highest court is poised to overturn the right to abortion ensured by the nearly 50-year-old Roe v Wade decision.

A measure requested by the Duval County School Board that would put a property tax referendum on a ballot this year is poised for a final reading during Tuesday’s meeting of the Jacksonville City Council.

It’s the back-and-forth that’s had much of Jacksonville talking for more than a week.

Even though we just finished one city election, candidates are already gearing up for another in a year.

You may have thought campaigning for Jacksonville‘s City council ended for a while with Tuesday’s special election where Nick Howland will now take the seat vacated by the late Tommy Hazouri.

Election Day is Tuesday in Jacksonville.

The race to be the next Jacksonville sheriff in 2023 is getting more crowded.

The heated debate over voting reform in Congress is about to come to conclusion. Senate Democrats are pushing for an overhaul in our nation’s election system but they may frankly not have the votes as Republicans are unified in stopping the legislation.

Some workers will still have to vaccinate or get tested for COVID-19, but the U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday ruled that large businesses do not have to follow that plan.

It’s been one year since the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. As the congressional investigation continues, we’re looking into what effect it could have on the midterm elections later this year.

If you've been to a gas station or grocery store lately, you've likely noticed prices are up.

News4JAX is taking a closer look at Tuesday’s election results for the late Tommy Hazouri’s City Council seat.

Florida lawmakers are in the midst of a special session in Tallahassee aimed at blocking federal COVID-19 mandates. That includes President Joe Biden’s mandate for larger businesses.

Time is running out for Congress, as lawmakers try to keep a government shutdown from happening again.

As the community mourns the death of local political icon Tommy Hazouri the city council works to figure out how to fill his empty seat.

There were remarkable shows of political unity that marked the aftermath of the deadliest terrorist attack in American history.

Baptist Health is just one of the hospital systems in our region reeling from the sudden increase in COVID-19 cases. Baptist Health CEO Michael Mayo joins this edition of “This Week in Jacksonville” to explain some of his biggest concerns. Plus, the battle of vaccinations and masks, and what’s at stake if school districts or local governments decide to make them mandatory. News4Jax political analyst Rick Mullaney and political expert Pastor John Newman join us.

School leaders and city leaders have different considerations when they determine if they want to develop policies that adhere to Gov. Ron DeSantis’ executive order on mask mandates.

You might think Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry is the highest paid person in the city’s government, but he’s not.

On this edition of “This Week in Jacksonville,” Terrance Freeman, the new vice president of the Jacksonville City Council, joins us as he prepares for his new role. We talk about development, crime and a literacy program he’s passionate about. And Democrats and Republicans are facing off in Washington, D.C., on important issues that impact you -- much of it centering around historic spending. U.S. Rep. Kat Cammack shares her views. We also hear from News4Jax political analyst Rick Mullaney for his perspective.

A hero to longtime Georgia Bulldog fans could be entering next year’s race for U.S. Senate, taking on Sen. Rafalael Warnock.

Rick Mullaney is a political analyst for News4Jax and provides commentary on law, policy and government at the local, state and federal level. He regularly appears on The Morning Show, evening news broadcasts, This Week in Jacksonville and special programming during elections and breaking news.

On this edition of “This Week in Jacksonville,” News4Jax political analyst and Jacksonville University Public Policy Institute Director Rick Mullaney gives perspective on the Jacksonville City Council voting to double Duval County’s gas tax. State Reps. Tracie Davis and Clay Yarborough discuss the pros and cons of the state’s new gambling agreement. And Florida Speaker of the House Chris Sprowls talks about the 2021 legislative session.

On this edition of “This Week in Jacksonville,” we are joined by Mayo Clinic Jacksonville CEO Dr. Kent Thielen to discuss the changes to health care becoming permanent following the pandemic. We’re also digging deeper into plans for Emerald Trail in Duval County with Groundwork Jacksonville CEO Kay Ehas and Jacksonville University Public Policy Institute Director Rick Mullaney. And we’re closing our show with a tribute to JU’s beloved former President Fran Kinne and a look back at her 62-year association with the university.

On this edition of “This Week in Jacksonville,” Northside Coalition President Ben Frazier and Jacksonville Fraternal Order of Police President Steve Zona each discuss the impact of the guilty verdict in the Derek Chauvin verdict. Then Jacksonville University Public Policy Institute Director Rick Mullaney joins the show as Jacksonville Transportation Authority CEO Nat Ford and Jacksonville Civil Council Chairman John Delaney each discuss the city’s infrastructure needs and the proposed gas tax increase.

One is traditional infrastructure, capital spending on roads, bridges, highways, electrical grids, water, even broadband. The other areas he focused on were climate and green energy and the controversial $400 billion home care aspect of the plan. Biden hopes to pass an infrastructure plan by summer, which could mean relying solely on the slim Democratic majorities in the House and the Senate. Ad“Ninety-one Fortune 500 Companies, including Amazon, pay not a single solitary penny in income tax,” Biden said. AdStandard & Poor’s chief U.S. economist, Beth Ann Bovino, estimated last year that a $2.1 trillion boost in infrastructure spending could add as much as $5.7 trillion in income to the entire economy over a decade.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Jacksonville University Public Policy Institute Director Rick Mullaney guest hosts this edition of “This Week In Jacksonville.”Mullaney sits down with JTA CEO Nat Ford to discuss the gas tax increase proposal. Also, JEA CEO Jay Stowe talks about the new direction of the utility.

AdAfter announcing his election proposals, DeSantis called on the state’s former Republican Party chairman to make remarks that attacked how other states ran their elections last fall. On Limbaugh, DeSantis said he would announce the dates to lower the flags once the date of Limbaugh’s internment was announced. “There’s no doubt that Rush Limbaugh was a pioneer but he was also was a very polarizing figure,” Mullaney said. Crist has announced he’s running for governor,” Mullaney said. DeSantis was doing this because of age and seniors in those communities or whether it was, in fact, inequitable.

In addition to Burr and Cassidy, voting to find Trump guilty were GOP Sens. Susan Collins of Maine, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Mitt Romney of Utah, Ben Sasse of Nebraska and Patrick Toomey of Pennsylvania. The seven votes were easily the largest number of lawmakers to ever vote to find a president of their own party guilty at impeachment proceedings. He pointed out that after the vote, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell made comments that echoed his earlier harsh criticism of Trump’s conduct. But McConnell said his vote to acquit in the end was based on the fact that Trump is a former president.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Rick Mullaney of the Jacksonville University Public Policy Insitute joins this edition of “This Week in Jacksonville” to talk about the article of impeachment against former President Donald Trump that will be sent to the Senate, as well as the ramifications and possible repercussions for continuing the impeachment process. Then, U.S. Rep. Michael Waltz joins the show to talk about his views on the impeachment process and the impacts of the riot at the Capitol. Finally, Jacksonville City Councilwoman Brenda Priestly Jackson joins the show to talk about her views and optimism for President Joe Biden’s administration and the historic moment of Vice President Kamala Harris being sworn in.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The FBI Jacksonville Division is prepared to respond to any threats of violence or criminal activity in North Florida. The letter, dated Jan. 15, reads, in part:“As the leader of the FBI Jacksonville Division, I want to assure you that my team stands ready to respond to any threat of violence or criminal activity that falls within our federal jurisdiction. Instead of 200,000 people attending, you may have 2,000.”Mullaney said that while there has been heightened security at previous inaugurations, this year’s will also be different. Ron DeSantis on Friday activated the Florida National Guard to assist state and local law enforcement agencies. The governor’s executive order mobilizing the National Guard was issued “in response to reports of potential civil unrest,” DeSantis’ office said in a news release.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Rick Mullaney of Jacksonville University’s Public Policy Institute, U.S. Rep. Al Lawson, U.S. Rep. Buddy Carter, U.S. Rep. Kat Cammack and former U.S. Rep. David Jolly join this edition of “This Week in Jacksonville” to talk about their experiences during the riot at the Capitol. They also discuss their views on the impeachment of President Donald Trump, including how they voted and why, and look ahead to the upcoming inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – News4Jax political analyst Rick Mullaney of Jacksonville University’s Public Policy Institute, Florida Sen. Audrey Gibson, U.S. Rep. John Rutherford and News4Jax anchor Tom Wills join this edition of “This Week in Jacksonville” as they discuss the invasion of the halls of Congress, objections to Electoral College votes and whether impeachment should be attempted. In addition, former advisor to President Donald Trump, Omarosa Manigault Newman, provides her perspective on the breach of the U.S. Capitol.

ATLANTA – Polls will open Tuesday for a rare Georgia runoff election because no candidate for either Senate seat had 50% of the vote in November. Election Day. That would give Democrats a Senate majority to go along with their control of the House and executive branch. A recorded phone call with Brad Raffensperger, Georgia’s secretary of state, has sparked debate from both Republicans and Democrats. “You just can’t let them steal the U.S. Senate, you can’t let it happen.”More than 3 million Georgians already have voted.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – On this edition of “This Week in Jacksonville,” OurJax representatives Michael Ward and Audrey Moran talk about their objections to the Lot J development deal with the city. After that, Pastor John Allen Newman and News4Jax political analyst Rick Mullaney discuss the upcoming U.S. Senate runoff elections in Georgia and the use of attack ads during the campaigns. They also talk about memorable moments of 2020 and what they are looking forward to in 2021.

If either Republican wins, their party will keep a one-vote majority that could block Biden’s legislative initiatives and judicial nominees. The Republicans are driving that point home with traditionally conservative South Georgia voters, calling their opponents radicals and portraying them as puppets of liberal Democrats in Washington. “This is week two of my ‘Georgia Firewall Tour,’” Loeffler said Saturday during her campaign stop in Glynn County. “It does seem to me like we’re in for a higher turnout election than is typical for a runoff,” McDonald said. The last time there was a runoff for a U.S. Senate seat in Georgia -- 2008 -- about 2 million votes were casts and Republican Saxby Chambliss defeated Democrat Jim Martin.

Kathy Kratt of Orlando, Fla., displays her Trump flags as she and other protesters demonstrate their support for President Donald Trump at the Supreme Court in Washington, Friday, Dec. 11, 2020. Trump bemoaned the decision late Friday, tweeting: “The Supreme Court really let us down. Two days after Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed his suit, Trump jumped into the high court case. “If the Supreme Court shows great Wisdom and Courage, the American People will win perhaps the most important case in history, and our Electoral Process will be respected again!” he tweeted Friday afternoon. Many Republican voters in several states won by Biden have demanded that their elected officials find a way to invalidate the president-elect's victories.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – News4Jax political analyst Rick Mullaney of Jacksonville University’s Public Policy Institute joins this edition of “This Week in Jacksonville,” which explores the Lot J proposal from multiple angles with Downtown Investment Authority CEO Lori Boyer, Jacksonville Civic Council CEO and President Jeanne Miller, Urban Land Institute Chair Tarik Bateh, Jaguars Senior Vice President and Chief Legal Officer Megha Parekh and Mayor Lenny Curry’s Chief of Staff Jordan Elsbury.

We’ve heard your concerns about the election results, and we will continue to report the facts. We didn’t win the election,” Clinton said during her concession speech. Clinton and the Democrats didn’t really accept the outcome, according to News4Jax political analyst Rick Mullaney. “Joe Biden has 290 electoral votes because they haven’t finished counting in Georgia, but Georgia appears to be trending towards Joe Biden,” Mullaney explained. And we will continue to report the facts of the election provided to us by election officials counting the votes.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – As President Donald Trump’s campaign continues to make allegations of fraud and systemic problems in last week’s election, without enough evidence in court, he will not be able to overturn his election loss to President-elect Joe Biden. News4Jax on Monday spoke with legal experts about what it will take for Trump to have any hope of overturning the election but didn’t speak with one attorney or analyst who thinks this is an easy path for the president. The most critical state where Trump would need to win a lawsuit would be in Pennsylvania. Some wonder whether Trump would have more success in the U.S. Supreme Court, where he has installed three justices during his term. There are some critical deadlines Trump’s legal process is fighting against to win in court.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The COVID-19 pandemic and the “Big Blue Wall” of Michigan, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania were what turned the 2020 presidential election in favor of president-elect Joe Biden, according to News4Jax political analyst Rick Mullaney. Mullaney said it was fitting that Biden’s birth state of Pennsylvania was the one to propel him over the top. Mullaney said Biden’s projected victory hinged on several key moments, including his win in the South Carolina primary and the reaction to the candidates' first debate. “Prior to South Carolina, Joe Biden was a long shot. South Carolina really changed everything,” Mullaney said.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The state of Florida always gains the attention of voters during an election cycle. But the national attention has perhaps never been higher for the Sunshine State during an election than in the year 2000. The mere mention of the 2000 election unsettles people in Palm Beach County. But George W. Bush became president after the Supreme Court decided, 5-4, to halt further Florida recounts, more than a month after Election Day. But as we learned in 2000, Election Day isn’t the end.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Duval County Supervisor of Elections Mike Hogan appeared Sunday on “This Week in Jacksonville" ahead of Election Day. Hogan reminded voters that Election Day is always busy and there are usually lines, so if voters come prepared, the lines will be shorter. “And we still believe that.”But he went on to say there was a spike in provisional ballots this week. “So we’re right at 500, I think, provisional ballots," Hogan said. We want to get ahead of that as best we can.”As far as projected voter turnout, Hogan said: “We’ve always looked at between 85% turnout to 92% turnout.”As of Sunday morning, Hogan said, turnout was around 57%.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – On this edition of “This Week In Jacksonville,” News4Jax political analyst Rick Mullaney of Jacksonville University’s Public Policy Institute co-hosts alongside News4Jax anchor and reporter Kent Justice. Former U.S. Reps. David Jolly and Patrick Murphy discuss a new book, which they co-authored, designed to talk about barriers on Capitol Hill. Duval County Supervisor of Elections Mike Hogan talks about high voter turnout and concerns just before Election Day. And Mullaney describes the five things that could be affected if the Democrats earn a majority in the Senate.