Author name: George Fitzpatrick

Elon Musk Rejoins Trump Orbit, Predicts Next Two Term President
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Elon Musk Rejoins Trump Orbit, Predicts Next Two Term President

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Elon Musk told attendees at a Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) reunion last month that he believes President Donald Trump’s administration will be followed by two terms of a JD Vance presidency, according to Politico.

Musk joined the event virtually and said the country was at the beginning of a “great 12-year span.”

Politico reported that Musk told the group he elected to appear remotely because the gathering had become public and he viewed himself as one of the most likely assassination targets in the United States, ranking himself behind only Trump and Vice President JD Vance.

Attendees at the reunion had their phones secured in pouches during the event and were not given them back until they boarded buses leaving the venue.

Musk’s relationship with Trump experienced tensions earlier this year following disagreement over the “Big Beautiful Bill,” a wide-ranging legislative package the president signed in July.

Despite that dispute, Trump said Tuesday that he still holds Musk in positive regard.

When asked during a Cabinet meeting whether Musk was again “in [his] circle of friends,” Trump said, “Well, I really don’t know. I mean, I like Elon a lot.”

He also noted Musk’s endorsement during the 2024 campaign and pointed to their policy differences on electric vehicles.

Musk played a prominent role in the early months of the second Trump administration.

He served as a special government employee and was the de facto leader of DOGE, an initiative focused on identifying and reducing federal overspending, fraud and mismanagement.

He frequently attended Cabinet meetings, appeared at public events with the president and participated in administrative reviews.

His tenure at DOGE concluded at the end of May.

During the 2024 election cycle, Musk campaigned for Trump by visiting battleground states that ultimately voted for Trump over Kamala Harris.

Trump repeatedly commended Musk’s DOGE efforts, which had drawn criticism from federal employees and Democratic officials earlier in the year.

The relationship between Musk and Trump encountered renewed strain in June when Musk began criticizing the legislative package the administration had been advocating.

Musk wrote on X that the bill would become the “BIGGEST DEBT ceiling increase in HISTORY,” and also posted a personal accusation involving Trump, writing that “@RealDonaldTrump is in the Epstein files.”

Trump has previously said the pair’s relationship changed when he announced plans to eliminate electric vehicle mandates.

In June, the president signed three congressional resolutions ending California’s diesel engine rules and its electric vehicle sales mandates, saying the action “will kill the California mandates forever.”

Following their public disagreement, Musk provided intermittent support to Trump’s actions on social media, including praising a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas in July.

Musk later attended a Trump-hosted event at the White House on November 18, where Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia joined dozens of business leaders for a dinner.

Melania Trump Reveals 2025 White House Christmas Theme Focused on Home, Patriotism, and Tradition
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Melania Trump Reveals 2025 White House Christmas Theme Focused on Home, Patriotism, and Tradition

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The White House on Monday released the first official look at this year’s Christmas decorations, unveiling First Lady Melania Trump’s theme, “Home Is Where the Heart Is.”

The design reflects a blend of patriotic elements and tributes to American family life as the nation prepares to mark its 250th anniversary in 2026, as reported by The Western Journal.

In a statement shared with Fox News, Melania Trump said the theme was inspired by the meaning of home throughout different stages of her life.

Donald Trump, accompanied by family members Melania Trump and Barron Trump, enters his Election Night Watch Party at the Palm Beach County Convention Center in Florida on Tuesday, November 5, 2024.

“The saying ‘Home is Where the Heart is’ resonates deeply with me, especially as I navigate the joys, challenges, and frequent motion that comes with motherhood and business,” she said.

“The constant movement has taught me that home is not merely a physical space; rather, it is the warmth and comfort I carry within, regardless of my surroundings.”

“This Christmas, let’s celebrate the love we hold within ourselves and share it with the world around us,” she added. “After all, wherever we are, we can create a home filled with grace, radiance, and endless possibilities.”

According to the White House, more than 25,000 feet of ribbon, over 2,000 strands of lights, more than 2,800 gold stars, over 10,000 blue butterflies, and more than 700 feet of garland are included in the 2025 displays.

Each detail was selected by the first lady to reflect the theme and highlight American traditions.

One of the key highlights is in the Red Room, where historic cranberry trees, long associated with former First Lady Nancy Reagan, are featured. Red was also Reagan’s favorite color.

The room includes a focus on Melania Trump’s “Fostering the Future” initiative, which aims to support children in the foster care system.

Herve Pierre, described by the White House as the first lady’s “creative artist,” said the butterfly motif was chosen to represent “renewal, resilience, and new beginnings for the foster care community.”

He noted that “the blue butterfly was the perfect choice to fulfill Mrs. Trump’s creative vision for her Christmas-themed Be Best Room” and said the addition of thousands of butterflies creates “a vibrant and festive atmosphere that reflects the first lady’s style.”

A statement provided to ABC News said, “In every community, we are lifted by simple acts of kindness that reflect the enduring American spirit of generosity, patriotism, and gratitude. These moments remind us that the heart of America is strong and that Home Is Where The Heart Is.”

The State Dining Room features the annual White House gingerbread house, constructed from 120 pounds of gingerbread.

“It is edible, but you cannot take a piece with you,” Nick Clemens, spokesperson for the first lady, told USA Today.

The East Room incorporates a patriotic décor with eagle ornaments and red, white, and blue decorations. The organization America250, which focuses on commemorating the nation’s upcoming semiquincentennial, issued a statement praising the display.

“We are deeply honored that America250 is represented in this year’s White House holiday celebration,” a representative said.

“The decor and concept of the East Room highlights ‘America, Our Home,’ beautifully reflecting the spirit of unity, hope, and shared purpose that defines our nation.”

The representative added that the coming year offers an opportunity “to reflect on what connects us as Americans” while looking ahead “to the many ways we’ll come together in the year ahead to honor our past, celebrate our present, and imagine our collective future.”

White House tours showcasing the Christmas decorations will begin on Tuesday.

Tom Homan Predicts Most of Biden’s Third World Illegals Will be Deported Due to This
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Tom Homan Predicts Most of Biden’s Third World Illegals Will be Deported Due to This

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White House border czar Tom Homan said Sunday that the Trump administration will likely deport the majority of migrants who entered the United States from Third World countries because those nations cannot provide reliable information needed for vetting.

His comments followed a shooting on Wednesday that left one National Guardsman dead and another critically injured.

The alleged gunman is an Afghan national brought into the country under the Biden-Harris administration.

President Donald Trump announced Thursday on X that his administration would “permanently pause migration from all Third World Countries” after the attack.

During an appearance on Fox News’s “Sunday Morning Futures,” Homan said the United States cannot rely on governments in those regions to verify identities or criminal histories.

“[T]hese Third World nations, they don’t have systems like we do. So, a lot of these Afghanistans, when they did get here and get vetted, they had no identification at all. Not a single travel document, not one piece of identification,” Homan said.

“And we’re going to count on the people that run Afghanistan, the Taliban, to provide us any information [on] who the bad guys were or who the good guys are? Certainly not. And many people need to understand that most terrorists in this world aren’t in any database.”

Homan said the same problem applies to migrants from other countries that lack robust identification systems.

“And the same thing with illegal aliens, the over 10 million that came across the border under Joe Biden. There’s no way to vet these people. You think El Salvador or Turkey or Sudan or any of these countries have the databases or system checks that we have?” he said.

“Do you think the government[s] of China, Russia, Turkey, do you think they’re going to share that data with us even if they did have it? There’s no way to clearly vet these people 100% that they’re safe to come to this country, from these Third World nations.”

In his Thursday post, the president also said he would “terminate all of the millions of Biden illegal admissions” and deport migrants who do not provide value to the United States.

Homan said a large share of those admitted during the Biden years would ultimately be removed.

“I really, truly think that most of them are going to end up being deported because we’re not going to be able to properly vet them,” he said.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said Sunday on NBC News’s “Meet the Press” that the administration would also deport individuals with pending asylum claims.

West Virginia Army National Guard Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, 20, died Thursday from injuries sustained during Wednesday’s shooting.

The second victim, Air Force Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, remained in critical condition at the time of publication.

The alleged attacker, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, entered the United States in September 2021 following the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan.

He previously worked with the U.S. government, including the CIA, and was brought into the country under the Biden-Harris administration’s Operation Allies Welcome, which resettled Afghans who assisted American forces.

Lakanwal applied for asylum in 2024. The Trump administration granted the application in April 2025, according to Reuters.

Independent journalist Julio Rojas reported that the gunman shouted, “Allahu akbar!” before opening fire with a revolver.

As of December 2024, more than 180,000 Afghans had been resettled in the United States following the August 2021 withdrawal, the State Department said.

In the aftermath of the shooting, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced an immediate pause on “all immigration requests relating to Afghan nationals” with the suspension remaining in place “indefinitely.”

The agency also said Thursday it would conduct a full reexamination of all green cards issued to individuals from 19 countries identified as “of concern,” following direction from the president.

USCIS said it would consider “negative, country specific factors,” including whether a country can “issue secure identity documents,” when reviewing cases involving nationals of those countries.

MS-13 Loving Dem Senator ‘is Now Defending Venezuelan Drug Traffickers’
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MS-13 Loving Dem Senator ‘is Now Defending Venezuelan Drug Traffickers’

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Maryland Senator Chris Van Hollen said Sunday that President Donald Trump’s authorization of strikes against Venezuelan drug vessels could amount to a war crime, responding to questions about a report concerning a second strike on a targeted boat.

Van Hollen made the comments during an appearance on NBC’s This Week with host Jonathan Karl, who asked about a Washington Post report alleging that Secretary of War Pete Hegseth ordered a second strike on a vessel after an initial strike left two survivors.

Karl began the exchange by asking Van Hollen for his assessment of the report.

Karl said, “So let me ask you about that Washington Post report on the — on the attack on that Venezuelan alleged drug boat. What do you make of what happened there? Do you think there was a war crime committed?”

Van Hollen said the possibility existed. “I think it’s very possible there was a war crime committed. Of course, for it to be a war crime, you have to accept the Trump administration’s whole construct here,” he said.

Karl clarified the point. “That we’re at war.”

Van Hollen responded, “Which is we’re in armed conflict, at war with this particular — with the drug gangs. Of course, they’ve never presented the public with the information they’ve got here. But it could be worse than that. Right? If that theory is wrong, then it’s plain murder.”

Karl then asked whether the first strike would be considered murder if the administration’s view of armed conflict did not apply. “The first strike is murder in that case?”

Van Hollen said, “That’s correct.”

Karl continued, “You’re alleging.”

Van Hollen replied, “That’s correct. Well, I’m saying that it’s either murder from the first strike, if their whole theory is wrong, and I think, you know, the weight of the legal opinion here is that they have concocted this ridiculous legal theory. But even if you accept their theory than it is a war crime, and so I do believe that the secretary of Defense should be held accountable for giving those kind of orders.”

The remarks came as discussions continued about President Trump’s posture toward Venezuela and the Maduro regime.

The debate follows recent reporting and public statements that have fueled questions about potential U.S. military actions in the region.

On Saturday, Venezuelan airspace went silent after President Trump announced that it would be closed.

No further details were provided about the duration or scope of the closure, and officials have not issued additional statements on the matter.

Various reports have circulated claiming that Nicolás Maduro may have fled the country due to concerns about a possible U.S. operation.

Those reports have not been confirmed by U.S. officials or Venezuelan authorities. Information about Maduro’s whereabouts remained unverified as of the weekend, and there were no official announcements from Caracas addressing the claims.

The Washington Post report referenced by Karl has prompted questions about the chain of command and the legal framework governing U.S. actions in international waters.

The allegation that a second strike may have been ordered after survivors were identified has led to calls for additional scrutiny of the decision-making process within the Department of War.

Van Hollen’s comments represent one of the strongest public reactions from a sitting senator regarding the legality of the strike.

His remarks centered on whether the administration’s stated justification qualifies as an armed conflict under applicable legal standards, and whether actions taken under that justification comply with established rules governing the use of force.

Secretary Pete Hegseth had already issued a detailed public response to the claims raised in the Washington Post report.

New Country Song Shows Women Aren’t Buying the Feminist Girlboss Lifestyle Anymore
Entertainment

New Country Song Shows Women Aren’t Buying the Feminist Girlboss Lifestyle Anymore

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Country music artist Kelsea Ballerini released a new single on November 7 titled “I Sit in Parks,” a two-minute track centered on the tension between career ambitions and motherhood.

The song has drawn significant attention across social media and commentary platforms for its focus on regret tied to choosing professional goals over becoming a parent.

The chorus includes the lines: “Did I miss it? By now is it / A lucid dream? Is it my fault / For chasin’ things a body clock / Doesn’t wait for? I did the d**n tour / It’s what I wanted, what I got / I spun around and then I stopped / And wondered if I missed the mark.”

Ballerini, 32, is divorced and does not have children.

In the song, she reflects on the decision to prioritize her music career, conveying the pain and regret associated with that choice.

The release prompted a wide range of reactions, including criticism from feminist commentators and support from pro-natalist voices who viewed the song as a notable cultural moment in mainstream music.

Among those responding was BlazeTV host Allie Beth Stuckey, who addressed the song on her program, “Relatable.”

“I can see how this vulnerability is speaking to what a lot of people feel. This is certainly not Christian, but it’s kind of reflecting this trend that we’re seeing among a lot of young people … wanting to go back to tradition, wanting to go back to church, wanting to go back to marriage, wanting to actually have children,” she said.

Stuckey discussed how the song aligns with concerns she has raised about the pressures placed on young women to avoid motherhood.

She argued that the idea that “motherhood isn’t for everyone” leads women toward choices they later find unfulfilling.

According to Stuckey, this message overlooks what she described as an ingrained maternal instinct.

“This motherhood instinct that we all have when we’re little girls — it doesn’t go away,” Stuckey said.

“We take care of our pets; we take care of our dolls; we take care of our flowers because that is the instinct that God has given us in general as women.”

Stuckey noted that even women who say they do not want children often direct nurturing tendencies toward pets, plants, work, or other areas.

She said this does not replace the fulfillment traditionally associated with motherhood.

She also stated that while marriage and having children are not part of everyone’s life, the drive to nurture remains and can be expressed through ministry, mentorship, or mission work.

She argued that channeling this instinct toward people is necessary to feel fulfilled if traditional motherhood is not part of a woman’s path.

Ballerini’s single, Stuckey said, illustrates what can result when motherhood is delayed or set aside entirely.

The song’s depiction of loneliness and reflection, she argued, resonates with listeners confronting similar questions about family, career, and long-term fulfillment.

‘CIA Operation’: Rogers Says Democrats Trying to ‘Start a Color Revolution’
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‘CIA Operation’: Rogers Says Democrats Trying to ‘Start a Color Revolution’

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Arizona State Senator and retired Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Wendy Rogers spoke this week about Democratic lawmakers’ recent video urging military personnel to disobey “illegal” orders and the Department of War’s investigation into former Navy captain and Arizona Senator Mark Kelly.

The situation began after Kelly and five other Democratic lawmakers with military or intelligence backgrounds released a video telling active-duty service members and intelligence officials they have a “duty” to disobey “illegal” orders from President Trump.

No illegal orders have been issued. Rogers characterized the video as an effort to interfere with military operations.

Democratic Rep. Elissa Slotkin of Michigan, a former CIA officer who participated in the video, acknowledged that President Trump has not given any illegal orders.

She referenced Adolf Hitler, Nuremberg trials, and films such as “A Few Good Men” while addressing service members.

President Trump later described the group’s actions as “traitorous” and said “military courts” were reviewing the matter.

On Monday, the Department of War announced that Kelly may be recalled to active duty to face court-martial proceedings under the Uniform Code of Military Justice.

The department said Kelly is under investigation for possible violations of federal law, including 18 U.S.C. § 2387, which prohibits actions intended to interfere with loyalty, morale, good order, or discipline within the armed forces.

Rogers explained that Kelly is “the only one of the six who can be recalled to active duty,” noting that he remains subject to the Uniform Code of Military Justice.

The other lawmakers would face potential Department of Justice action instead.

Rogers said she expects DOJ indictments to be “the next shoe to drop,” adding, “If this were to happen, it’d be fairly unprecedented, but we’re in very unprecedented times.”

Rogers also addressed Rep. Ruben Gallego’s response video in which he directed profanity at Pete Hegseth and President Trump.

She called the remarks “so off-color, so inappropriate, unprofessional, and really indicative of how unhinged and ill-prepared, and scared the Democrats are.”

Rogers described the lawmakers’ effort as a “CIA operation” and an attempt to “start a color revolution,” saying it was designed to create doubt among service members.

She argued that referencing Nuremberg or Hollywood portrayals of military tribunals was a “fanciful” attempt to appear aligned with the military despite having no executive authority.

She pointed to the COVID-19 vaccine mandate for service members as an example of Democrats supporting orders that military personnel were compelled to follow.

Rogers said Democrats are now “at a loss” and referenced the Supreme Court, redistricting, and the economy while attributing their actions to political setbacks.

Rogers noted that Kelly, as a retired officer, can be recalled for a court-martial regardless of his current position in the Senate.

“He’s subject to the UCMJ, so he can be called back to active duty and court-martialed,” she said.

When asked about the consequences for Democratic lawmakers encouraging disobedience of lawful orders, Rogers said the courts should determine the outcome.

“It’s sedition, not treason, because you’re not aligning with another foreign power to overtake us. You’re doing it from within. And let the evidence decide, let the courts decide, but at least get it out into the limelight. Have it evaluated, have the rest of the country see it for what it is. It’s unprecedented, historically.”

Anti-ICE Rioters Trap Officers, Snarl Traffic, and Clash With NYPD in Manhattan
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Anti-ICE Rioters Trap Officers, Snarl Traffic, and Clash With NYPD in Manhattan

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Police responded to a major disruption outside a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in New York City after protesters created roadblocks that prevented federal agents from leaving a government garage.

The incident occurred near the U.S. General Service Administration building on Centre Street, according to information provided to the New York Post by the New York Police Department.

The disturbance began when a large group of protesters blocked access points to the garage that ICE agents had entered.

The NYPD said officers were dispatched after a 911 call reported protesters obstructing the area.

When police arrived, they encountered barriers built from trash and other objects placed across the street, which prevented vehicles from exiting the facility.

Some individuals climbed the exterior of the garage and attempted to look inside while chanting “ICE out of New York! ICE out now!”

Police said several people were arrested on charges of obstructing government administration and disorderly conduct.

Officers issued repeated instructions for the crowd to disperse, but those orders were ignored by many in the group.

Protesters also carried potted plants and other heavy items, some of which were thrown toward police lines.

One protester speaking to the New York Post said, “There were people climbing up trying to see who ICE had inside. They were arresting people for no reason.”

Others clashed with officers as they attempted to construct metal barricades outside the facility’s entry points.

Additional protesters stood in the middle of Centre Street in attempts to block traffic.

Some in the crowd directed criticism at police for preventing them from stopping federal officers from leaving.

“It’s not right what they’re doing,” said Peter Suh of New Jersey, who told the outlet he was visiting New York City with his family.

“People should be left alone to protest.”

An Australian tourist described the interactions between protesters and police as forceful.

“A lot of people were shoved to the ground,” she said.

The unrest follows recent statements from President Donald Trump regarding immigration enforcement in New York City.

The president has said federal immigration operations will intensify in the city following the election of Zohran Mamdani, who has described himself as a socialist.

Mamdani and President Trump met at the White House, though Mamdani has publicly committed to “resist” deportation efforts and to position New York City as a sanctuary aligned with what he described as “international law.”

In response to the mayor’s position, the Trump Administration has said deportation operations will be expanded in the region.

The situation outside the ICE facility unfolded amid these broader developments concerning federal and local approaches to immigration policy in New York City.

Zelensky’s Chief of Staff’s House, Offices Raided by Anti-Corruption Units, He Resigns within Hours
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Zelensky’s Chief of Staff’s House, Offices Raided by Anti-Corruption Units, He Resigns within Hours

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Ukrainian anti-corruption agencies conducted searches at both the office and residence of Andriy Yermak, chief of staff to President Volodymyr Zelensky, as part of an expanding investigation into alleged misconduct inside the country’s energy sector.


The searches were carried out this week by the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office, two agencies tasked with addressing long-standing corruption issues in the government.

The agencies confirmed that Yermak’s office was searched.

Yermak, a senior political figure and one of Zelensky’s closest advisers, said investigators also searched his apartment.

He stated that he was cooperating with the inquiry.

“The investigators are facing no obstacles,” Yermak wrote on Telegram, adding that his lawyers were present and that he was providing full assistance.

The investigation concerns a $100 million corruption scandal involving energy officials.

The probe has widened in recent months, drawing renewed attention to allegations of financial wrongdoing in Ukraine’s public sector.

The scandal has placed additional pressure on Zelensky at a time when Ukraine is attempting to maintain military and financial support from the United States and European Union amid ongoing negotiations related to Russia’s invasion.

Two of Yermak’s former deputies, Oleh Tatarov and Rostyslav Shurma, left the government in 2024 after being investigated by watchdog groups for alleged financial crimes.

Another deputy, Andrii Smyrnov, was investigated for possible bribes and other misconduct, though he remains employed under Yermak.

The scrutiny around the case has prompted significant political strain within Zelensky’s party.

Earlier this month, investigators released findings tied to the energy sector probe, which led to internal dissent among lawmakers.

Although Yermak has not been accused of wrongdoing, several members of Zelensky’s parliamentary bloc argued that Yermak should take responsibility to restore public confidence.

Some lawmakers said that if Zelensky did not dismiss Yermak, the party risked fracturing, potentially endangering the president’s parliamentary majority. Zelensky did not act on those demands.

The situation has complicated Ukraine’s broader diplomatic efforts.

The European Union, which Ukraine seeks to join, has emphasized the need for measurable progress against corruption.

Simultaneously, US officials have pressed Ukraine to define its position in ongoing discussions aimed at ending the conflict with Russia.

In response to political tensions, Zelensky urged lawmakers to remain unified and “stop the political games.”

Yermak is considered one of the most influential figures in the Ukrainian government.

He first met Zelensky more than 15 years ago while working as a lawyer and entering the television production industry at a time when Zelensky was a well-known comedian and actor.

After Zelensky entered politics, Yermak took a leading role in foreign affairs during the administration’s first term and became chief of staff in February 2020.

Since the Russian invasion in February 2022, Yermak has accompanied Zelensky on each foreign visit and has been closely involved in negotiations with international partners.

His proximity to the president has contributed to perceptions of his influence within the administration.

Domestically, officials describe him as a primary gatekeeper for senior appointments.

He is widely believed to have influenced the selection of top government officials, including prime ministers and cabinet ministers.

This is not the first time individuals connected to Yermak or the presidential office have been investigated.

Previous inquiries have focused on associates and appointees linked to the administration.

The latest searches expand the scope of oversight efforts and add to the pressures facing Zelensky as the government manages both the war and internal demands for transparency in state institutions.

Minnesota Teachers Told to ‘Interrupt Whiteness’ as Test Scores Collapse
Woke

Minnesota Teachers Told to ‘Interrupt Whiteness’ as Test Scores Collapse

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Minnesota’s largest teachers union is facing scrutiny over a series of professional development programs that focus on topics including “Interrupting Whiteness,” “LGBTQ+ Training,” and other race- and identity-based instruction.

The programs are listed on the Education Minnesota website and are available to members who request them for their schools.

According to the union, the “racial equity trainings” can be brought “to your building” and include courses such as “Culturally Responsive Teaching With a Racial Justice Lens” and “Cultural Competency.”

State law requires Minnesota educators to complete cultural competency training in order to renew their teaching licenses.

The state government lists topics that may be included in those trainings, such as “Systemic Racism,” “Gender Identity, Including Transgender Students,” and “Language Diversity.”

The union website also features content related to “Anti-immigrant rhetoric & deportation,” various “anti-racism” resources, and a section dedicated to “racial and social justice.”

That page states that “certain politicians” are using police officers in ways that harm minority students.

“Most of us believe that every child, no matter what they look like or where they come from, deserves a safe and welcoming school where they can thrive,” the website says.

“But certain politicians try to divide us by sending police to monitor and punish Black and brown students in schools that have been denied funding to even cover the basics, while ensuring well-resourced schools with mostly white students have enrichment activities, teacher training, and parent engagement.”

The union’s website references “the murder of George Floyd” and cites “attacks on honesty in education” as challenges it seeks to address.

Education Minnesota’s offerings are part of its “Facing Inequities and Racism in Education” (FIRE) series, which the group says is designed to “disrupt systemic racism and racial inequities in Minnesota’s education system.”

The union also runs a “Racial Equity Advocate network” and organizes events under its “Equity EdCamps” banner.

While these programs have expanded, recent academic performance data shows that more than half of Minnesota’s 4th-grade students tested below the national proficiency standard in 2024.

The same year, approximately 66% of 8th-grade students tested below proficient in math, and 72% tested below proficient in reading.

Democratic Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, former vice presidential nominee, signed legislation in 2024 that allocated funding for race-based teacher training programs and set goals for increasing the number of “diverse” teachers in the state’s schools.

In 2023, Walz approved a law requiring schools to offer “ethnic studies” courses, which begin introducing students to these topics starting in kindergarten.

Alleged National Guard Shooter is an Afghan National with Ties to the CIA
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Alleged National Guard Shooter is an Afghan National with Ties to the CIA

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Rahmanullah Lakanwal, the Afghan national accused of shooting two West Virginia National Guard members near the White House, had worked with multiple U.S. government entities, including the CIA, during his time as part of a partner force in Afghanistan, according to information provided to Fox News Digital.

Lakanwal, 29, arrived in the United States in September 2021, one month after the Afghanistan withdrawal conducted under the Biden-Harris administration.

He entered the country through “Operation Allies Welcome,” the program created to bring Afghan nationals to the U.S. following the evacuation.

Intelligence sources told Fox News Digital that Lakanwal had a prior working relationship with various U.S. agencies due to his role with a partner force in Kandahar.

CIA Director John Ratcliffe told Fox News Digital that the administration cited that prior work as justification for permitting him to enter the country in 2021.

“In the wake of the disastrous Biden withdrawal from Afghanistan, the Biden administration justified bringing the alleged shooter to the United States in September 2021 due to his prior work with the U.S. government, including CIA, as a member of a partner force in Kandahar, which ended shortly following the chaotic evacuation,” Ratcliffe said.

Ratcliffe also stated: “The individual—and so many others—should have never been allowed to come here. Our citizens and service members deserve far better than to endure the ongoing fallout from the Biden administration’s catastrophic failures.”

He added: “God bless our brave troops.”

Fox News Digital learned that the FBI has taken the lead on the investigation into the shooting. Multiple senior intelligence officials told the outlet that the incident is being treated as a possible act of international terrorism.

FBI officials confirmed that the two Guardsmen remain in critical condition.

President Donald Trump addressed the nation online late Wednesday.

He called the shooting a “savage attack” and described how one of the Guardsmen “was shot at point-blank range in a monstrous ambush-style attack just steps away from the White House.”

Trump said the “heinous assault” was “an act of evil and act of hatred and an act of terror. It was a crime against our entire nation. It was a crime against humanity.”

Trump also said: “The hearts of all Americans tonight are with those two members of the West Virginia National Guard and their families. The love of our entire country is pouring out for them, and we are lifting them up in our prayers as we are filled with anguish and grief for those who were shot, we’re also filled with righteous anger and ferocious resolve. As President of the United States, I am determined to ensure that the animal who perpetrated this atrocity pays the steepest possible price.”

D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser said during a Wednesday news conference that the attack was aimed specifically at the Guardsmen.

“This is a targeted shooting,” Bowser said.

“One individual who appeared to target these guardsmen. That individual has been taken into custody.”


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