Author name: George Fitzpatrick

Man Opens Fire on LAPD Helicopter, Taken Down by Police K9
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Man Opens Fire on LAPD Helicopter, Taken Down by Police K9

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A Los Angeles Police Department K-9 helped bring a violent confrontation to an end after a suspect fired multiple rounds at a police helicopter during a prolonged standoff that unfolded in broad daylight last month, according to department footage released Sunday.

The incident occurred on Nov. 20 after officers responded to a call reporting an assault with a deadly weapon.

Once on scene, officers deployed an LAPD helicopter to assist with locating and monitoring the suspect.

Police identified the man as Anthony Whitsey, 57, who was seen outside his residence armed with a handgun.

According to LAPD, Whitsey fired “approximately three to five” rounds from a 9mm handgun at the helicopter as it hovered overhead.

Video released by the department shows Whitsey standing in front of his home, gesturing and shouting before raising the firearm and discharging it into the air toward the aircraft.

After the shots were fired, officers on the ground returned fire.

Whitsey was not struck by gunfire, but he eventually dropped the weapon onto his front lawn and retreated back into the house.

The incident then developed into a standoff that lasted nearly four hours as officers attempted to bring the situation to a peaceful conclusion.

During the standoff, SWAT officers established a perimeter around the home.

Negotiators attempted to communicate with Whitsey while aerial units continued to monitor the scene.

Police said the suspect remained inside the residence for an extended period before briefly stepping back outside.

Footage shows Whitsey opening his front door and stepping onto his porch, where officers were positioned nearby.

At that point, officers released a police dog toward the suspect.

The K-9 quickly engaged Whitsey, bringing him to the ground on the porch area.

The video shows the dog securing the suspect while officers moved in to take him into custody.

Whitsey was then restrained and removed from the scene without further gunfire.

Police said Whitsey was transported to a local hospital for treatment of injuries sustained during the arrest.

According to LAPD, Whitsey suffered dog bite injuries to his shoulders, arms, and legs.

He was treated and later booked on charges of assault with a deadly weapon on a police officer.

LAPD confirmed that Whitsey was not struck by bullets at any point during the standoff.

No officers were reported injured during the incident, and the police helicopter was not hit despite being fired upon.

Hilton Blocks ICE Agents From Booking Hotels in Minnesota, DHS Claims
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Hilton Blocks ICE Agents From Booking Hotels in Minnesota, DHS Claims

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The Department of Homeland Security has accused the Hilton hotel chain of refusing service to Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents operating in Minnesota, raising concerns about what DHS described as a coordinated effort to block federal law enforcement officers from securing lodging while on duty.

The allegation surfaced after DHS posted on social media, sharing screenshots of email exchanges that appeared to show Hilton hotel staff denying bookings to ICE agents specifically because of their role in immigration enforcement.

According to DHS, the refusals were not isolated incidents but part of a broader pattern targeting ICE personnel in the state.

Journalist Bill Melugin reported on the allegation, citing both DHS statements and information he received directly from ICE officers working in Minnesota.

“DHS just posting on social media a short time ago, accusing the Hilton hotel brand of refusing service to ICE agents in the state of Minnesota,” Melugin said.

“This is their X post, essentially saying Hilton is doing a coordinated campaign to stop ICE officers from booking hotels in Minnesota.”

Melugin explained that DHS shared screenshots documenting the alleged refusals.

“They posted a couple of screenshots of email exchanges showing staff at at least one Hilton Hotel telling them we researched you, we found out your immigration agents and we are not going to provide you service,” he said.

According to Melugin, similar reports have come in from multiple ICE officers stationed in Minnesota, suggesting the issue extends beyond a single property.

“Sandra, I can tell you, it is not a one off,” Melugin said.

“I’ve gotten texts from other ICE officers on the ground in Minnesota, showing me screenshots of other Hilton Hotels denying them service specifically because they are immigration agents.”

The allegations have prompted further inquiry from both DHS and Melugin’s reporting team. Melugin said his team is actively working to verify the claims and is seeking an official response from Hilton.

“Our team on the ground is looking into it, and has reached out to Hilton for comment, and we’ll update our viewers when we hear more on that front,” he said.

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Maduro’s Son Calls for People to Take to the Streets After Father’s Arrest
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Maduro’s Son Calls for People to Take to the Streets After Father’s Arrest

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The only son of detained Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro publicly called on supporters to take to the streets of Caracas following his father’s arrest, vowing to confront those he accused of betraying his family, as reported by The New York Post.

Despite the call, activity in the capital appeared limited, with reports of armed and masked paramilitaries seen in parts of the city on Monday.

Nicolás Ernesto Maduro Guerra, 35, addressed supporters over the weekend, promising to oppose what he described as U.S.-backed rule in Venezuela and to work toward freeing his parents.

Maduro Guerra, who serves in Venezuela’s National Assembly and is known by supporters as “The Prince,” was indicted by U.S. authorities in 2020 alongside his father and mother.

“You will see us in the streets. You will see a united people. You will see us wave the flags of dignity,” Maduro Guerra said in remarks reported by El Pais.

“They want to see us weak, but they won’t see us that way,” he added. “…I swear on my life, I swear on my dad, I swear on Cilia, that we’re going to get out of this mess.”

He also warned that those responsible for leaking his father’s location would eventually be identified, saying it was only a matter of time before “traitors” were exposed.

U.S. court records unsealed Saturday list multiple charges against Maduro Guerra, including conspiracy to import cocaine and conspiracy to possess machine guns.

The Department of Justice alleges he partnered with narcotics traffickers and narco-terrorist groups that shipped cocaine to the United States.

In 2017 alone, prosecutors allege Maduro Guerra shipped hundreds of pounds of cocaine from Venezuela to Miami, Florida, using shipping containers.

Maduro Guerra was appointed by his father in 2013 as Head of the Corps of Special Inspectors of the Presidency shortly after Maduro took power.

U.S. indictments also name several other senior Venezuelan officials who remain in the country:

Vladimir Padrino López, 62, has served as Venezuela’s minister of defense for more than a decade.

U.S. authorities allege that between 2014 and 2019, he conspired to distribute cocaine aboard U.S.-registered aircraft and accepted bribes from cartel groups in exchange for safe passage through Venezuelan airspace.

Diosdado Cabello Rondón, 62, currently serves as minister of interior, justice, and peace and previously led the National Assembly.

He was charged in 2020 with narco-terrorism conspiracy, conspiring to import cocaine into the United States, and weapons offenses tied to drug trafficking.

Tareck El Aissami, 51, Venezuela’s former vice president for the economy, was placed on ICE’s most-wanted list in 2019.

He is accused of facilitating drug shipments for imprisoned trafficker Walid Makled Garcia and maintaining links to Mexican and Colombian cartel figures.

Maikel José Moreno Pérez, 60, Venezuela’s former chief justice, is accused of laundering millions of dollars and accepting bribes to fix civil and criminal cases.

U.S. allegations include authorizing the seizure and sale of a General Motors auto plant valued at approximately $100 million and dismissing a multibillion-dollar fraud case involving a state oil company.

As Maduro Guerra’s call for protests circulated, there were no reports of large-scale demonstrations in Caracas. Authorities have not announced additional arrests related to the street activity.

Marco Rubio Calls Out Kamala Harris Over Hypocrisy After Maduro Arrest Operation
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Marco Rubio Calls Out Kamala Harris Over Hypocrisy After Maduro Arrest Operation

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Secretary of State Marco Rubio sharply criticized Kamala Harris and other Democrats on Sunday after they denounced the arrest of Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro, arguing their outrage ignored years of similar rhetoric and policies under Democratic leadership, as reported by The New York Post.

Rubio made the remarks following Harris’s public condemnation of a U.S. military operation that resulted in the capture of Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, during a nighttime raid in Venezuela.

Critics, including Rubio, noted that the Biden administration had previously placed a substantial bounty on Maduro’s capture but never followed through with enforcement.

“There had been a $25 million reward for [Maduro’s] capture,” Rubio told NBC News’ Kristen Welker on Sunday.

“So, we have a reward for his capture, but we’re not going to enforce it?” Rubio continued, adding, “That’s the difference between President Trump and everybody else … President Trump did something about it.”

The operation, carried out early Saturday morning, was dubbed Operation Absolute Reserve. U.S. special forces captured Maduro and Flores near Fort Tiuna, a heavily fortified military complex in Caracas.

President Trump said American troops breached the compound’s defenses “in a matter of seconds.”

Harris, the failed 2024 presidential candidate, responded within hours of the announcement, posting on X to criticize the mission.

“That Maduro is a brutal, illegitimate dictator does not change the fact that this action was both unlawful and unwise,” Harris wrote.

“We’ve seen this movie before. Wars for regime change or oil that are sold as strength but turn into chaos, and American families pay the price.”

She further alleged the operation was motivated by “oil” and “Donald Trump’s desire to play the regional strongman,” rather than national security concerns.

Rubio rejected those claims during multiple Sunday appearances, stating the United States does not need Venezuela’s oil but does have an interest in preventing its vast reserves from falling under the control of hostile foreign powers.

The controversy also revived past Democratic statements on Maduro.

Former President Joe Biden faced renewed scrutiny after a 2020 post resurfaced in which he wrote, “Trump talks tough on Venezuela, but admires thugs and dictators like Nicolas Maduro. As President, I will stand with the Venezuelan people and for democracy.”

The debate extended to Capitol Hill. Sen. Chris Murphy of Connecticut criticized the operation during CNN’s “State of the Union,” calling it an “invasion” and accusing President Trump of launching an “illegal war.”

“Listen, Venezuela is not a security threat to the United States,” Murphy told host Dana Bash.

“They’re not threatening to invade us. There is no terrorist group like al Qaeda operating there that has plans to attack the United States.”

Bash then cited a 2019 Washington Post op-ed written by Murphy in which he stated, “There should no longer be any debate about Maduro’s lack of democratic legitimacy … The Trump administration is right to put restoring Venezuelan democracy at the center of our approach to this crisis.”

Murphy responded by saying the article was largely critical of what he described as early “saber-rattling” by the Trump administration.

According to U.S. officials, roughly 150 aircraft participated in Operation Absolute Reserve.

Precision strikes were conducted around Caracas, including at Generalissimo Francisco de Miranda Air Base, Port La Guaira, Higuerote Airport, and Fuerte Tiuna. The operation lasted just under two and a half hours.

President Trump said no American troops were killed. Venezuelan officials reported at least 40 deaths, including soldiers and civilians. An undisclosed number of U.S. service members were wounded and are expected to recover.

Maduro, 63, and Flores, 69, were transported to the United States and are being held at the Brooklyn Detention Center, where Maduro is expected to face federal narco-terrorism charges.

Maduro assumed power in 2013 after the death of Hugo Chávez and declared victory in the 2018 presidential election. Venezuela’s National Assembly declared in 2019 that his presidency was illegitimate.

After Maduro again claimed victory in the July 2024 election, the United States and several other nations refused to recognize him as Venezuela’s lawful leader.

Pete Hegseth Takes CBS News Anchor to School on Difference Between Iraq and Venezuela
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Pete Hegseth Takes CBS News Anchor to School on Difference Between Iraq and Venezuela

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Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said Saturday that the U.S. military operation leading to the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro will benefit the United States and its allies in the Western Hemisphere, distinguishing the action from past American interventions such as the Iraq War.

Hegseth made the remarks during an interview with CBS Evening News anchor Tony Dokoupil, responding to questions about whether the operation could draw comparisons to earlier U.S. military actions abroad.

The discussion followed President Donald Trump’s announcement that American forces supported a law enforcement operation that arrested Maduro and his wife in Caracas early Saturday morning.

President Trump said the operation was carried out without any American casualties.

According to the President, U.S. military forces provided protection during the mission, which culminated in Maduro’s arrest and removal from power.

Reports indicated that elite U.S. units, including the Army’s Delta Force, were involved in securing the operation.

During the interview, Dokoupil noted the visible public reaction following Maduro’s removal, both inside Venezuela and among Venezuelans living abroad.

“In the aftermath of this successful mission, there were tears of joy in Caracas. In Miami, Venezuelan refugees obviously thrilled to see Maduro out of power, his capture,” Dokoupil said.

“You can understand why, they’ve got all that oil and yet the country itself has skyrocketing prices his own people have been starving.”

Dokoupil then raised concerns voiced by some Americans who viewed the development through the lens of past U.S. interventions, particularly the Iraq War, which Hegseth served in during his military career.

“And yet a meaningful number of Americans would wake up to this news and they would be ripped back 20 years to another American president, another U.S. intervention,” Dokoupil continued.

“I’m thinking of the war in Iraq, and that led to a significant loss of U.S. treasure and of U.S. blood. Many of the president’s own supporters tonight are wondering, ‘How is this, this time around, going to be different? And how is it in the U.S. interest?’”

Hegseth responded by drawing a direct contrast between the Iraq War and the operation in Venezuela, arguing that the Trump administration’s approach was fundamentally different in both scope and execution.

“I mean, we spent decades and decades and spent, purchased in blood, and got nothing economically in return and President Trump flips the script,” Hegseth said.

“He says, ‘Through strategic action, we can ensure that we have access to additional wealth and resources, enabling a country to unleash that without having to spend American blood.’”

Hegseth described the operation as deliberate and carefully planned, emphasizing that U.S. forces were given the time and resources needed to carry it out successfully.

“I mean, this was a bold and audacious move, but it was thought through, it was well orchestrated; our military had time to set it up,” he said.

“He provided the resources and then he took that bold stroke, and through it, we flipped that very dynamic and Americans will benefit.”

Reaction among Trump supporters online was largely supportive of Maduro’s removal and arrest, though some expressed caution following the President’s statement that the United States would temporarily “run” Venezuela until a “safe, proper and judicious transition” could be achieved.

Administration officials have said the goal is to stabilize the country and support a transition that benefits both Venezuelans and regional security.

Hegseth argued that Venezuela’s economic collapse was the result of years of mismanagement and corruption under Maduro’s leadership, despite the country’s natural wealth.

“Venezuela has a long history of being a rich and prosperous country,” Hegseth said.

“It’s been stolen away from its people by horrific leadership.”

He said the administration’s strategy aims to support Venezuelans while also advancing U.S. interests in the region.

“We can do both help them and help the United States in the western hemisphere by reestablishing the Monroe Doctrine,” Hegseth said.

“Peace through strength with our allies — as was demonstrated last night and I think the hemisphere — I know the hemisphere will benefit from President Trump’s bold action.”

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‘Comrade Mamdani’ Has a Big Sad Over Maduro’s Capture, Gets Absolutely Dragged Online
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‘Comrade Mamdani’ Has a Big Sad Over Maduro’s Capture, Gets Absolutely Dragged Online

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New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani is facing widespread criticism after publicly condemning the U.S. military operation that led to the capture and indictment of Venezuelan strongman Nicolás Maduro, comments that sparked backlash from Republican lawmakers, conservative commentators, and advocates focused on drug enforcement and national security.

The controversy began Saturday after Mamdani said he had been briefed on what he described as the “U.S. military capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife,” stating that the pair were expected to be held in federal custody in New York City.

Mamdani criticized the operation as unlawful and warned it could have consequences for city residents.

“Unilaterally attacking a sovereign nation is an act of war and a violation of federal and international law,” Mamdani wrote.

He added that his administration was prioritizing the safety of Venezuelans living in New York City and said the city would “continue to monitor the situation and issue relevant guidance.”

The mayor’s remarks came hours after President Donald Trump announced that Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, had been captured during a U.S. military operation and removed from Venezuela.

The announcement followed a night of explosions reported in Caracas. Maduro has been under U.S. indictment since 2020 on federal narco-terrorism charges.

According to federal prosecutors, Maduro and senior members of his regime coordinated with Colombian drug trafficking organizations to move large quantities of cocaine into the United States.

U.S. authorities have long characterized Maduro as the head of an illegitimate regime linked to transnational criminal networks.

Mamdani’s response prompted immediate criticism from Republican lawmakers in New York and beyond. Rep. Mike Lawler, a New York Republican, accused the mayor of sympathizing with a foreign adversary.

“The Marxist Mayor of New York City seems upset that a socialist dictator/narco terrorist is removed from power and will stand trial in New York for his illegal activities that resulted in the deaths of tens of thousands of Americans,” Lawler wrote, adding, “God help New York.”

Florida Rep. Carlos Giménez, who represents a district with a large Venezuelan exile population and chairs the House Homeland Security Subcommittee on Transportation and Maritime Security, also condemned Mamdani’s statement.

“Wow! The socialist mayor of NYC supporting the murderous, illegitimate narcoterrorist dictator of Venezuela! It’s pathetic, laughable, and highly unfortunate — but unsurprising,” Giménez wrote.

Rep. Nicole Malliotakis of New York urged the mayor to consider the scale of Venezuela’s humanitarian collapse before criticizing the U.S. action.

“Before defending a murderous narco terrorist, did it ever cross your mind why 8 million people—nearly equivalent to the population of NYC—fled the Maduro Marxist regime?” Malliotakis wrote.

“Maybe ask some Venezuelan New Yorkers before you bring his failed socialist oppressive policies here.”

Other national figures also weighed in. Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas mocked the mayor by referring to him as “Comrade Mamdani.”

Conservative commentator Scott Jennings responded to Mamdani’s remarks by writing, “Guy using al Qaeda’s lawyer has thoughts.”

Harmeet Dhillon, the Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights at the U.S. Department of Justice, dismissed the mayor’s comments in a brief post, writing, “Blah blah cry harder.”

Michael Henry, a Republican candidate for New York attorney general, accused Mamdani of ignoring the impact of Venezuelan-linked criminal activity in the city.

“When Tren de Aragua infiltrated and terrorized New Yorkers — including their fellow Venezuelans — you were an absentee Assemblyman,” Henry wrote. “I guess it hurts to see Socialism fail before your own very naive eyes.”

Several critics focused on the broader consequences of Venezuela’s drug trafficking operations.

Author Robert Spencer questioned the mayor’s emphasis on diplomatic concerns over public safety.

“What about the safety and security of New Yorkers whose lives have been destroyed by drugs coming in from Venezuela?” Spencer asked.

Former Arkansas Governor and U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee also criticized Mamdani’s stance, writing that he felt sorry for New Yorkers who “elected a mayor who sides with a drug trafficker & ally of Iran & Hezbollah rather than his constituents.”

Critics further pointed to Mamdani’s past statements, including earlier comments suggesting he would support the arrest of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if he visited New York City.

“This is the same guy who said he’d arrest Benjamin Netanyahu if he came to NYC,” wrote conservative writer and podcast host Ian Haworth.

The New York Republican Party said the mayor’s remarks reflected a disconnect from the reality facing Venezuelan communities.

“While Mamdani expresses outrage,” the party said, “Venezuelans are celebrating the fall of a brutal dictator and narco-terrorist.”

Maduro’s capture has prompted celebrations among Venezuelan communities worldwide, while Mamdani’s response has intensified scrutiny of his early tenure as mayor and his approach to foreign policy and national security issues affecting the city.

Meanwhile…

Tim Walz Is 30 Times More Likely to Face Indictment Than Become President: Joe Concha
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Tim Walz Is 30 Times More Likely to Face Indictment Than Become President: Joe Concha

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A Fox News segment featuring political commentator Joe Concha focused on growing scrutiny surrounding Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, the Washington Post editorial board, and what Concha described as increasing federal pressure tied to alleged fraud investigations in the state.

During the segment, the Fox News host asked Concha for his reaction to a recent editorial decision by the Washington Post, framing it in the context of alleged misuse of federal programs.

“Likely for fraud of federal programs. Your reaction to the Washington Post editorial board?” the host asked.

Concha responded by questioning how Walz might explain criticism coming from a publication that has historically aligned with liberal politics and Democratic candidates.

“Well, you got to wonder, guys, if Governor Tim Walz will blame white supremacy for The Washington Post editorial board not exactly a bastion of conservative sentiment,” Concha said.

“An editorial board has never endorsed Republican presidential candidate in its history.”

Concha noted that the editorial board’s posture toward Minnesota leadership marks a notable development, particularly given its past political leanings.

“By the way, they’re now even calling out walls and other Minnesota state leaders,” Concha said. “And rightly.”

Concha tied that criticism to what he described as intensified action by the federal government under President Donald Trump, saying Minnesota has come under scrutiny due to alleged large-scale fraud.

“Because now you got to look at all the pressure from federal government under Donald Trump, and what he’s doing in putting the pressure on Minnesota,” Concha said.

“And rightly, given the billions of dollars that were stolen allegedly by members of the Somali community for many years.”

According to Concha, multiple federal agencies have taken steps affecting Minnesota programs as part of broader investigations.

“HHS has now cut off all child care funds,” Concha said.

“The Department of Agriculture now investigating SNAP. The Labor Department is now investigating unemployment insurance fraud.”

Concha also referenced law enforcement actions involving additional federal agencies.

“And Homeland Security Justice Department, they’re now executing search warrants in a door to door fashion,” he said.

“This is a full court press.”

Concha said the accumulation of investigations and enforcement actions has created significant political and legal risk for Walz, who was Kamala Harris’s vice presidential running mate in 2024.

“And I’ll leave it here,” Concha said.

“By the way, betting markets are now saying that Governor Tim Walz, again, a vice presidential candidate with Kamala Harris in 2024 not too long ago, he now has a 30 times more chance of being indicted than he does of winning the presidency the way this is going at this point.”

Concha closed his remarks with a pointed aside aimed at the host.

“Nate, I think you might put that at 30,000 times at this point,” he said.

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Protests Rock Iran as Economy Craters and Anger Boils Over
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Protests Rock Iran as Economy Craters and Anger Boils Over

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Iran ground to a near standstill on Wednesday as businesses, universities, and government offices closed across much of the country under a government-ordered shutdown amid escalating protests tied to a deepening political and economic crisis.

Video footage circulating online and shared by the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (MEK) showed intense clashes between protesters and security forces in multiple cities, including Shiraz, Isfahan, Kermanshah, and Tehran.

The videos depicted crowded streets where demonstrators confronted security personnel while chanting anti-regime slogans.

In several clips, protesters could be heard shouting, “Death to the Dictator” and “Proud Arakis, support, support,” as scenes of chaos unfolded.

The footage included sounds of screaming and what appeared to be gunfire, with demonstrators throwing objects at security forces.

Additional videos released by MEK showed crowds chanting, “Death to Khamenei!” and “Shame on you, shame on you!” as unrest appeared to spread across the country.

Much of the protest activity centered on bazaar-led demonstrations, particularly in Tehran, where merchants reportedly shut down operations in coordination with broader strikes.

Some of the most dramatic confrontations were reported in the city of Fasa, located in south-central Iran.

Video circulating online showed demonstrators hurling objects at the gates of a government complex and violently shaking them until the gates opened.

Opposition groups reported that protesters stormed the governor’s office, prompting Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps forces to open fire, according to Reuters.

Military helicopters were seen flying over Fasa, apparently as a show of force aimed at intimidating residents and preventing the unrest from spreading to surrounding areas.

In western Iran, footage from Kermanshah showed bazaar merchants confronting security forces while chanting, “Dishonorable, dishonorable,” as tensions flared between civilians and authorities.

The one-day shutdown affected 21 of Iran’s 31 provinces, including the capital Tehran, as President Masoud Pezeshkian moved to contain mounting public anger fueled by soaring inflation, currency instability, and declining living standards.

The shutdown marked one of the most extensive nationwide closures in recent years.

Demonstrations, strikes, and clashes with security forces continued for a fourth consecutive day in cities across the country, signaling that the unrest showed little sign of subsiding.

The protests unfolded against a backdrop of economic hardship that has intensified pressure on Iran’s leadership.

The unrest has also coincided with a series of high-level leadership changes that have added to political and economic uncertainty.

On Wednesday, Pezeshkian appointed Abdolnaser Hemmati, a former economy minister, as the new head of Iran’s central bank following the resignation of Mohammad Reza Farzin.

State media quoted the president as acknowledging the challenges facing the new central bank chief.

According to IRNA, Pezeshkian said the role was “extremely difficult and complex,” warning that Hemmati would face intense pressure and criticism amid ongoing economic turmoil.

Separately, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei announced the appointment of IRGC Brig. Gen. Ahmad Vahidi as deputy commander in chief of the Revolutionary Guards, a move that came as security forces remained heavily engaged in responding to nationwide unrest.

Iran has faced repeated waves of protests in recent years driven by economic grievances, political dissatisfaction, and anger over corruption and governance.

Wednesday’s shutdown and the scale of the demonstrations marked a significant escalation as authorities attempted to regain control while protesters continued to challenge the government in streets and marketplaces across the country.

MTG: ‘Can We Just Do America?’ as Trump Meets Zelenskyy, Netanyahu
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MTG: ‘Can We Just Do America?’ as Trump Meets Zelenskyy, Netanyahu

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Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., publicly criticized Donald Trump on Sunday over his meetings with foreign leaders, urging the president to focus solely on domestic priorities as international conflicts continue to dominate the global stage, as reported by Fox News.

Greene’s comments came as President Trump held talks in Florida with Volodymyr Zelenskyy and prepared to meet with Benjamin Netanyahu, marking another chapter in a growing and very public rift between the Georgia congresswoman and the president.

WASHINGTON – February 22, 2025: President Donald Trump arrives at the White House South Lawn on Marine One after his visit to CPAC.

Trump met with Zelenskyy on Sunday at Mar-a-Lago to discuss a potential peace plan aimed at ending the Russia-Ukraine war, which began when Moscow launched its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

The meeting was part of Trump’s ongoing efforts to engage directly with world leaders since returning to the White House.

Netanyahu arrived in Florida on Sunday ahead of a scheduled meeting with Trump on Monday at Mar-a-Lago. The talks are expected to focus on Israel’s ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, including the war with Hamas.

The upcoming meeting will be the sixth between Trump and Netanyahu this year.

Reacting to the back-to-back meetings, Greene posted a message on X, expressing frustration with what she characterized as an international-first approach by the administration.

“Zelensky today. Netanyahu tomorrow,” Greene wrote. “Can we just do America?”

Greene has consistently opposed U.S. military and financial aid to foreign nations involved in overseas conflicts, arguing that American resources should be directed toward domestic needs.

She has been one of the most vocal critics in Congress of continued involvement in both the Russia-Ukraine war and the Israel-Hamas conflict.

In past statements, Greene has referred to Zelenskyy as “a dictator who canceled elections” and has described Israel’s military campaign in Gaza as a genocide and humanitarian crisis.

Those remarks have drawn attention and criticism across the political spectrum, including from within her own party.

The comments mark another escalation in Greene’s strained relationship with President Trump.

The two have experienced a public falling out over the past several months, particularly after Greene pushed for the release of documents related to investigations involving deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Trump publicly opposed the effort and withdrew his endorsement of Greene.

During the dispute, Trump referred to Greene as a “traitor,” signaling a sharp break from their previously aligned political relationship.

Scott Jennings Says MTG ‘Became a Lib,’ Went ‘Off the Deep End’
WASHINGTON, DC – March 22, 2024: U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) speaks to reporters after voting against a government spending bill, and filing a motion to oust House Speaker Mike Johnson.

Greene is set to resign from the House of Representatives in January, a move that comes amid the ongoing conflict with the president and her outspoken positions on foreign policy.

Despite Greene’s criticism, Trump has remained deeply involved in international diplomacy, positioning himself as a central figure in negotiations tied to some of the world’s most high-profile conflicts.

Administration officials have said the meetings are intended to explore pathways toward de-escalation while protecting U.S. interests abroad.

Greene’s remarks highlight continuing divisions within Republican circles over the scope of U.S. involvement overseas, particularly as the administration balances foreign policy engagement with domestic priorities.

Scott Jennings Says MTG ‘Became a Lib,’ Went ‘Off the Deep End’
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Scott Jennings Says MTG ‘Became a Lib,’ Went ‘Off the Deep End’

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CNN political commentator Scott Jennings criticized Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., during a Sunday appearance on ABC News, saying the Georgia congresswoman “became a lib” and went “off the deep end” amid emerging divisions within the broader MAGA movement, as reported by Breitbart.

Jennings made the remarks while appearing on This Week, hosted by Jonathan Karl, during a discussion about internal disagreements among prominent conservative figures and supporters of President Donald Trump.

Karl raised the issue by pointing to what he described as a relatively new divide within the MAGA coalition, suggesting that Greene’s recent posture toward President Trump represented one of the more surprising developments of the year.

Karl said, “The kind of divide in MAGA, which is a relatively new phenomenon — I mean, there was always a little bit there, but if I were to say what the most surprising story was, I would say Marjorie Taylor Greene becomes not just a Trump critic, but a—”

Jennings then interjected, cutting off Karl’s sentence to deliver a blunt assessment of Greene’s political shift.

“MTG becomes a lib. I mean, that is what happened this year,” Jennings said.

“She got a little bent out of shape because the president wouldn’t support her for a statewide office in Georgia, which she was going to lose if she had gotten into it, by the way, and so she goes off the deep end.”

Greene, a high-profile Republican lawmaker from Georgia, has long been associated with vocal support for President Trump and the MAGA movement.

Jennings’ comments suggested her recent criticism of Trump stemmed from personal political frustrations rather than broader ideological differences.

Despite highlighting Greene’s break with Trump, Jennings downplayed claims that such disagreements represent a serious fracture within the Republican Party.

He argued that President Trump remains overwhelmingly popular among GOP voters and continues to exert unmatched influence over the party’s direction.

“Look, I don’t think these divisions and all this fraying are as big a deal as some people make it out to be,” Jennings said.

“Trump is still extraordinarily popular among Republicans. He’s the strongest party boss in the modern era.”

Jennings further argued that Trump’s influence extends well beyond primary politics, emphasizing his ability to drive legislative action through allies in Congress.

“And he can get his allies in Congress to do most anything he wants them to do,” Jennings said, pointing to the former president’s record of shaping Republican priorities.

Looking ahead, Jennings suggested that Republicans should focus on solidifying Trump-era policies through legislation.

He said lawmakers should spend the coming year attempting to codify executive orders and other initiatives introduced during Trump’s presidency.

“And he can get his allies in Congress to do most anything he wants them to do, which is why I think in the coming year they really ought to spend some time trying to codify his executive orders and some of the other initiatives that he’s had, really try to make it stick and really fight it out,” Jennings said.

“Because I think a lot of the things he did would actually be pretty popular political debates to have.”

The comments come amid ongoing debate within conservative media and Republican circles about party unity, loyalty to President Trump, and the future direction of the MAGA movement heading into the next election cycle.


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