This Dem Fires Back Against Corrupt Opponent; Michael Blake is Trump's Worst Nightmare

Summary

IHIP News – Episode Summary

Episode Title: This Dem Fires Back Against Corrupt Opponent; Michael Blake is Trump's Worst Nightmare
Hosts: Jennifer Welch & Angie “Pumps” Sullivan
Guest: Michael Blake, Congressional Candidate
Date: December 18, 2025

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Episode Overview

This episode dives into the fiercely contested Democratic primary in New York’s 15th Congressional District, where progressive candidate Michael Blake challenges incumbent Richie Torres. Hosts Jennifer Welch and Angie Sullivan foreground the urgent push for authentic, community-oriented representation in a district described as both the poorest and most diverse in America. Blake bluntly critiques Torres’ record and lays out a vision centered on housing, immigrant rights, and genuine political evolution—while the hosts combine candid political analysis with their signature comedic banter.

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Key Discussion Points

1. The Case Against Richie Torres

• External Interests Over Constituents
  • Torres’ Ties to AIPAC: The episode opens with concerns about Torres being “beholden to APAC,” suggesting he is out of touch with his Bronx constituents. [00:42]
  • Legislative Failings: Blake notes Torres “does not have a bill that has become law…[on] raising wages…housing…immigration…helping the people.” [01:12]
  • Votes with GOP on Immigration: Blake calls out Torres for voting with Republicans on the Lake & Riley Act, “which would increase deportations” in a district full of immigrants. [02:52]
  • Financial Priorities: Torres “invested in the bonds makers and what’s happening in the war when people don’t know how they’re going to pay for their bills right now.” [02:52]

2. Michael Blake’s Personal Evolution and Vision

• Political Growth on International Issues
  • Blake acknowledges his own past on an AIPAC trip, but emphasizes how “the information that was told to you is just not the case.” He frames his stance on Gaza as part of a “journey” toward deeper understanding. [01:12]
  • “How could you watch what happened on October 7th and not change you and impact you if you still needed something else? There’s a genocide happening.” [01:40]
• Progressive Policy Platform
  • Housing & Affordability: Proposes “ending credit scores for housing applications” and “increasing income limits.” [03:31], [05:54]
  • Healthcare: Advocates for Medicare for All. [03:33]
  • Immigration: Focus on protection, not deportation, and building “safe havens” (in schools, churches, community centers) to shield immigrants from ICE. [08:08]
  • Childcare & Student Debt: Champions universal childcare and “student loan forgiveness.” [05:54]
• Quote on Leadership:
  • “Any good leader should be able to acknowledge that when you learn more information that you evolve in your journey.” [06:29]

3. Listening to the Community

• Constituent Frustration
  • Blake describes being approached on “161st street, not far from Yankee Stadium,” by locals recounting how “they never call us back” when reaching out to Torres’ office. [02:52]
  • Emphasizes, “It’s not just that people are frustrated in general, they’re frustrated with Richie Torres.” [02:52]

4. Building Coalitions & Endorsements

• Recent support includes the “Alliance of South Asian American Labor” and a “veterans coalition.” Blake underscores the district’s diversity and growing multicultural support for his candidacy. [06:54]

5. Faith & Acceptance

• Role as Ordained Reverend
  • Blake’s experience as a religious leader informs his commitment to inclusivity: “You can address Muslim hate and Islamophobia and anti-Semitism and religious hate at the same time. That’s a responsible leader.” [13:13]
• Welcoming Communities
  • Host Jennifer contrasts inclusive NYC churches with exclusive, “hellfire, damnation” churches in Oklahoma, commending faith spaces that show banners like “refugees and immigrants welcome here.” [10:24]

6. Defensive, Hopeful Politics

• Blake emphasizes practical security measures—illegalizing masked ICE activity in community institutions, and the need for congresspeople who “help immigrants, unlike Richie Torres, who wants to deport them.” [08:08]
• Balances urgency with optimism:
  • “I want to give you hope. I want to give you that there’s a better way that we can do this, that we can actually talk about changing the game in a real way and have a new generation of leaders who are actually going to fight for you.” [13:56]

7. Lighthearted Moments & Local Color

• Banter about basketball (NY Knicks vs OKC Thunder) injects a human element and underscores the candidate’s Bronx/New York identity. [12:01–16:44]
• Exchanges about campaign support and “changing the game” for the community bring warmth and intimacy to the conversation.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Evolving Politically:
  • “My perspective of seeing what’s happening over there has changed… It’s comforting to hear you say that.” — Jennifer Welch [04:46]
• On Torres’ Failures:
  • “Richie Torres is one of the Democrats that voted with Republicans on the Lake and Riley act, which would increase deportations. Think about this. One of the most diverse districts in the country with immigrants.” — Michael Blake [02:52]
• On Constituent Frustration:
  • “We need help. No one actually contacted us. We desperately need something different.” — Michael Blake, quoting Bronx residents [02:52]
• On Real Leadership:
  • “Any good leader should be able to acknowledge that when you learn more information that you evolve in your journey.” — Michael Blake [06:29]
• On Welcoming Immigrants:
  • “You actually have a congressman, Michael Blake, that helps immigrants, unlike Richard Taurus, who wants to deport them.” — Michael Blake [08:08]
• On Intersectional Religious Leadership:
  • “You can address Muslim hate and Islamophobia and anti-Semitism and religious hate at the same time. That’s a responsible leader.” — Michael Blake [13:13]
• On Hope and Change:
  • “We have a moment where you are legitimately wondering, when I walk out of my house, will ICE get me? … But what I’m saying to everybody right now is I want to give you hope.” — Michael Blake [13:56]
• On Basketball Rivalry:
  • “June is going to be primary election and the NBA Finals. So I understand the assignment right there.” — Michael Blake [12:21]

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Important Timestamps

• Introduction of Michael Blake & Critique of Torres: 00:05–01:12
• Blake on Policy Failures & Personal Evolution: 01:12–02:34
• Constituent Stories & Policy Proposals: 02:52–04:46
• Affordability, Immigration, Endorsements: 04:46–07:47
• Sanctuary City & ICE Policy: 07:47–10:24
• Faith, Inclusivity & Community: 10:24–13:13
• Closing Notes, Basketball Banter: 12:01–16:44

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Tone & Atmosphere

The conversation is direct, lively, and substantively progressive, balancing earnest policy talk with humor and warmth. Michael Blake is frank yet hopeful; the hosts encourage both introspection and a fighting spirit among listeners. Frequent personal anecdotes and spirited local references keep the episode engaging, accessible, and community-focused.

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Takeaway for Listeners

Michael Blake sets out a passionately progressive vision for New York’s 15th Congressional District, sharply separating himself from Richie Torres on issues ranging from Israel/Palestine to local housing and immigrant safety. Backed by diverse coalitions and a message of hope and real change, Blake positions himself as an authentic representative driven by both lived experience and adaptive, thoughtful leadership. The hosts amplify his appeal, celebrating his unique blend of policy know-how, faith-based empathy, and Bronx pride.

Transcript

[Michael Blake]

Foreign.

[Interviewer 1]

Progressives are now in a position where they are ready to primary establishment Democrats. And in my opinion, this is the most important thing happening election wise. And here with us today, we have Michael Blake for Congress, who is running to unseat Richie Torres in New York. Michael Blake, how are you?

[Michael Blake]

I'm fantastic. I'm with y'.

[Interviewer 1]

All.

[Michael Blake]

So, like, I'm already. Vibes are good. We know what time it is. We're feeling incredible right now. How y' all doing?

[Interviewer 2]

We're great.

[Interviewer 1]

I'm very interested in watching. You can say excited.

[Michael Blake]

I thought you said excited. You go say excited or interested.

[Interviewer 1]

Oh, I'm excited. And I'm also very interested in keeping an eye on your race because Richie Torres is very beholden to apac. And I watched a really rather awkward exchange with him on a podcast. I think the guy's last name is Friedman, but he's talking about Israel. And it seems like he is so in the trance, in the APAC trance, that he's completely forgotten his constituents.

[Michael Blake]

Yeah, look, when you. You think about that interview with Adam Freeland, we. We saw pretty clearly that there was not a focus on what's going on in the district. And that's the primary reason why I'm running, because New York 15, poorest district in the country, most diverse district in the country. And you have someone, Richie Torres, who does not have a bill that has become law, that he's the prime sponsor that focuses on raising wages, nothing about actually helping with housing, nothing around immigration, nothing about helping the people. And he has effectively become an APAC talking point. And I've said to folks that this is a journey. I've had people hit me up. They're like, well, look, you were on an APAC trip. I did one years ago. And I've been very clear about the evolution and the journey that you learn and you see different things and you realize that the information that was told to you is just not the case. And how could you watch what happened on October 7th and not change you and impact you if you still needed something else? There's a genocide that's happening. I'm an ordained reverend, so someone telling me. Me saying that is making me anti something is ridiculous. But I do want to be clear on the block. You have people in the Bronx that don't know how they're going to pay for their milk, pay for their school, pay for their rent, and you have someone enriched tours that is totally not focused on them. And that's why we're running. And that's the Reason why we have support. That's why we keep building support, and that's why we're going to bring this home next June.

[Interviewer 2]

When you look at your district and you see how underserved they are, are people coming to you, the people that would be your future constituents, are they coming to you seeking answers? Or has the electorate just become kind of used to their politicians not delivering?

[Michael Blake]

No, they're, they're. Well, they're used to Richard Torres not deliver. And so, you know, I was on the block, I was at 161st street, not far from Yankee Stadium, and three different people walked up to us and in real time, in succession said, I've reached out to Richie Torres's office. They never call us back. We reached out to Richie Store's offices. We need help. No one actually contacted us. We desperately need something different. That was just like walking down the block, they recognized me and they recognized that they needed something different. And so when we think about what's happening, it's not just that people are frustrated in general, they're frustrated with Richie Torres. And I want to make it very clear, not only is he a continual failure when it comes to the topic, what's going on in the Middle East. Rich Torres is one of the Democrats that voted with Republicans on the Lake and Riley act, which would increase deportations. Think about this. One of the most diverse districts in the country with immigrants. It will be easier for more people to be deported because something that Richie did. Rich Torres is someone who invested in the bonds makers and what's happening in the war when people don't know how they're going to pay for their bills right now. So when you think about what's at stake, I'm coming at them with a different vision. And I'm not just saying like, look, Rich story is terrible. I'm clear about that. Momma tell you why I'm good. We're going to say we should end credit scores for housing applications to increase income limits. We should have Medicare for all. We should be very focused on what we're doing to actually protect our immigrants rather than deport our immigrants. We need to think more concretely and how we're changing the game to actually raise wages. And we have to have a different vision of what's going on in the Middle east because when you're a member of Congress, you got to actually represent the people. So not only are they discussing that he's not helping them, they're looking for someone to give them something different. And that's the reason why we have the endorsements that we have, and we're going to keep building. And that's why people are ready for something in the Bronx. You need someone that's actually focused on the Bronx, not focused on himself. And that's why I'm running for Congress.

[Interviewer 1]

A couple of things. Number one, I think your confession of political evolution is something that a lot of people in the Democratic Party are going through right now. It's very relatable. It's so comforting to hear you say that, that I've evolved on this issue. My perspective of seeing what's happening over there has changed. Secondly, I love your laser focus on affordability, which reminds me of where I met you, which was Zoran Mamdani' victory party.

[Michael Blake]

That's right.

[Interviewer 1]

And how did. How did that district do in the mayoral race? Did it. What. What were the. What were the results of that? The district you're running in in the.

[Michael Blake]

General election, Zoron won every assembly district against Andrew Cuomo. And for context, you all remember during the. The mayoral debate when I made it very clear that Andrew Cuomo had no damn business being on stage. Richie Torres actively endorsed Andrew Cuomo, would not do anything to help Zoram Ondani. Zorin and I cross endorsed each other in the primary, and I continue to support him throughout the general election. In the primary election, the combination of votes between me and Zoron exceeded Cuomo. The combination of votes between me and Adrian Adams exceeded Cuomo. The combination of votes between me and Brad Lander effectively tied what was happening with Cuomo. So to the district, people are ready for something different and real, and they are laser focused on. We are tired of being the poorest district in the country. We need something to change, and we need it to change right now. And when you think about what are the two main expenses people have to deal with, it's housing and childcare. When you're very clear around ending credit scores and increase in income limits on housing applications, that changes the game for people immediately. When you focus on universal childcare and actually make sure we have student loan forgiveness, you change the game immediately. But also, you know, real talk, I'm a son of immigrants, right? My family's from Jamaica. I'm named after Jamaican prime ministers. And when you have someone in Richie Torres who took a vote that will lead to more immigrants being deported, it's inhumane to the previous point. I think any good leader should be able to acknowledge that when you learn more information that you evolve in your journey. And I do think it is Important that we're very clear about this, that when you see what's going on, that Netanyahu is continuing a war for his own political gain. But yet we don't have people that are wondering how they're going to get books. We got to change that. And so the reason why we had, you know, former mayor has endorsed us in de Blasio. We're excited that we've now had recent endorsements from the alliance of South Asian American labor, which is about 7% of the district itself. Very diverse community. We have a recent endorsement from the veterans coalition in the community, all of which to one of the earlier questions. They're tired of Richie, not focused on the issues. And I'm a Crested and Burnside kid from the Bronx. And we have to change the game. And that's what we're going to do when I get elected next June.

[Interviewer 2]

We see the sanctuary city issue. We see Trump sending military, masked ICE agents into these cities. And you have, you said the most diverse district. So in a district where this is probably, probably going to happen or it's been threatened to happen, how do you make people feel safe?

[Michael Blake]

You actually have a congressman, Michael Blake, that helps immigrants, unlike Richard Taurus, who wants to deport them. You know, you think there's very practical things that we should be doing. We should designate our schools, our community centers, our places of worship as safe havens, because then you can't have ice rolling in in that regard. Something concrete that really doesn't get talked about. Years ago, during COVID you all remember that they changed it thereafter, that you couldn't have mask up on trains. They started to say after Covid that that would be a public safety concern. Well, I would ask people then, why would we not implement it so that it'd be illegal for ICE agents, rogue ICE agents, to have their mask up to try to deport people and grab people. It just came out today around the language that Latino communities, and Latino immigrants in particular are being harassed and deported at a larger number in New York because of ice. And so the reason why African leaders are endorsing us, Caribbean leaders are endorsing us, Latino leaders are endorsing us, South Asian leaders are endorsing us is because the second you walk outside, you have to wonder, do I get back home? And they need to know that they have someone who is actually going to fight for them. When I think about this being very practical and real on the block, I want people to see Michael Blake is a person who is a son of immigrants who understands this journey who's going to put policies in place to protect you, Unlike Richie Torres, and I'm not new to this, when I worked for President Obama for six and a half years in the White House and both campaigns we focus on efforts in terms of protecting our dreamers. When I was an assembly member, I led the effort around minority women, business protections as well as diversity in medicine. After the Hurricane Melissa hit my homeland. For our family in Jamaica, we immediately mobilized because we understand the assignment that's there. But I'm also an ordained reverend and so I understand that you can't have ICE come into a church or to a synagogue or to a mosque or to a school trying to get somebody. And Richie Torres has no credibility on this. That's why Politico did a story that called it the deportation flip flop for Richie Torres. So if you want someone who's actually going to help the immigrants, that's going to help people. It's going to help you raise your wages and actually have more respect in the South Bronx. My name is Michael Blake and I want to be a member of Congress.

[Interviewer 1]

I was interested. Now I am excited. I'm really excited about a great candidate. I mean, this is just fantastic. I think your messaging is spot on. And this is where this primary is so important for our party and for our country. The politicians like Richie Torres who have sold out to interests that are bigger and don't have his constituents best interests at heart, they need to leave the Democratic Party and they're not going to. So we have to go kick their ass in the ballot box and you have to go kick his ass in the ballot box. But something I want to leave the viewers with. I recently moved to New York from Oklahoma City and I will tell you, the churches up here that I see are so welcoming and I see these beautiful banners of a pride flag or a trans flag and the one by my apartment has a huge banner that says, right, refugees and immigrants welcome here. And it was the nicest thing I've ever seen on a church because a lot of the churches in Oklahoma, real hellfire, damnation kind of white nationalist style evangelical churches. And I just, every time I walk by there, I've never had a good. I'm an atheist. When I walk by churches, I'm always like, eh. But when I walk by this one, I'm always like, oh, I love this church. I have this real affection for it. And I do think having faith leaders that bring not to convert people but bring the message, message of acceptance and helping the marginalized is something that's really important for our country to heal from this abuse that we're all suffering.

[Michael Blake]

100 well, first we're going to pray that the Oklahoma City Thunder don't beat the Knicks. So I'm glad you're here.

[Interviewer 1]

Oh, they're going to beat the next baby. They're going to beat the next. Hey listen, I'm, I'm thunder all day baby.

[Michael Blake]

Rich Torres ass. I need to focus on the Knicks kicking the Oklahoma City Thunders ass.

[Interviewer 1]

I mean that's what I happen. It ain't happening.

[Michael Blake]

June is going to be primary election and the NBA Finals. So I understand the assignment right there. You know, look, I tell folks in many regards two different pieces to your, to your comment there, which is spot on. I'm a ordained reverend in the Baptist Church. I was minister United Methodist and ame and I'm born on Christmas Day. So it seems quite apropos in so many ways that there's a very short verse that too often gets misinterpreted when people talk about the birth of Jesus. And it's not a Christian comment. It's just the language of the verse where people say Mary and Joseph with Jesus, that there was no room at the end. But it doesn't actually say that it said there was no room for them. And I think that's important. When you think about the conversation that's happening around how we are welcoming in this moment, how are we making room for them? So whether it be what's going on in the Middle east, where I have baptized people Jews, Christians and Muslims in the Jordan river and prayed with them at the Western Wall, that in the same way you would not say I'm anti American if I criticize Donald Trump, don't say that someone is anti Israel because you criticize Bibi Netanyahu, that does not make someone anti Semitic. We conflate these terms too often. You can address Muslim hate and Islamophobia and anti Semitism and religious hate at the same time. That's a responsible leader. When we think about the moment that exists around our immigrants in particular and our communities in particular, we have a moment where you are legitimately wondering, when I walk out of my house, will ice get me? When I walk out of my house, will I have enough money to pay for my groceries? When I walk out of my house, am I wondering if a rogue government is going to come after me? But what I'm saying to everybody right now is I want to give you hope. I want to give you that there's a better way that we can do this, that we can actually talk about changing the game in a real way and have a new generation of leaders who are actually going to fight for you. So if you are tired of Richie Torres, who has sold out our party and sold out what our policies need to be, and if you actually want somebody who has a track record from White House, State House and locally. My name is Michael Blake and when the Knicks beat the Thunder in June.

[Interviewer 1]

Never happens. Michael Blake.

[Michael Blake]

I get elected in New York. 15. Go to michaelblakeforcongress.com after you read about the NBA Finals and all the things at that same time.

[Interviewer 1]

I'll tell you this. I want every listener right now to go to Michael Blake for Congress right now. Send him $5, send him $10. That's where it's at right now. We need to do grassroots funding to help these people get elected. Clearly, this candidate is exactly what the Democratic Party needs. Phenomenal. But I'm going to tell you this. Michael Blake for Congress. The Thunder is going to hum. Going to be so goddamn embarrassing. I will meet you over at Madison Square Gardens and I have a fantastic national championship Oklahoma City Thunder jacket. I'll sit right next to you. I will shit talk. We will have the best time. And then when we leave, you can go. Damn, that SGA is good.

[Michael Blake]

Look, SGA is. He's ridiculous. He's ridiculous.

[Interviewer 1]

We got it. We got a bunch of dogs just like that. It's deep, baby. Yeah.

[Michael Blake]

You know, I mean, you had to bring in a former Nick and Hartenstein to make you better. I'm just saying. And we. And we now have Mike Brown and we're going to do our thing. Look, I am grateful that Oklahoma City is excited about having something of success. It's wonderful. It's wonderful. But the Mecca of basketball is Madison Square Garden. We all know it. We all understand it. Same thing. Like the Mecca. Baseball is Yankee Stadium. So we welcome you. We welcome. This is me bringing everybody to the fold. Right?

[Interviewer 1]

We're going to go. We're going to the game. I think it's in February.

[Michael Blake]

I'm ready.

[Interviewer 1]

Madison Square Gardens. I will be just the source. Worst winner imaginable. You're a terrible winner. That podcast. Get me away from her immediately. She's insufferable. Michael Blake for Congress. Listen, you guys go give him 10, 15, 20 bucks. We want to have you back on again. You're a phenomenal candidate. I appreciate everything you said and the Bronx needs you. And go Thunder. That's all I have to say.

[Michael Blake]

Go Yankees. We were doing so well. So well. I let you get everything except that part. I appreciate that.

[Interviewer 1]

All right, Bye.

[Michael Blake]

Michael, Blake, I appreciate what you both are doing. You've changed the game in the conversations around the country. Keep keeping it real. Keep talking the way that you do. We need this right now. And. And just know that you. You're necessary and you're appreciated even in rooms you don't even know. It means a lot what you're doing right now. I have been in a lot of spaces where people will pull up the clips in real time. Keep being that voice. We need you.

[Interviewer 1]

Thank you. That means a lot. Some days it's hard. So I really, really appreciate that and I want to have you back on in a few months, get you some more money for your campaign. You got to go win for the Bronx, baby.

[Interviewer 2]

You got to do it.

[Michael Blake]

Thank you. Much love, y'.

[Interviewer 1]

All. Bye.

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