Author name: Justin Murray

Trump’s Venezuela Moves Bigger Than Reported: Taiwan, AI, BRICS, Iran, China, and Russia
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Trump’s Venezuela Moves Bigger Than Reported: Taiwan, AI, BRICS, Iran, China, and Russia

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Glenn Beck argued that recent U.S. actions involving Venezuela are not about securing oil for Americans, but about strategically cutting off China’s access to energy and weakening adversarial powers across the globe.

In detailed remarks, Beck laid out what he described as an interconnected strategy involving Venezuela, China, Iran, and global energy dominance.

“Okay, so I want to go over. I put a chalkboard up. And if you’re watching us at Glenn, beck.com you’ll see Venezuela, China, Iran. They’re all connected. All of these things are connected,” Beck said.

He acknowledged that oil is central to the issue, but said the public debate often misses the real point.

“And if one, if somebody tells you this is all about the oil, listen to them, because it is. But I don’t know if they understand what they’re even saying about that.”

Beck explained that while oil, drugs, terrorism, and military concerns are all factors, they must be separated to understand the broader strategy.

“If they’re saying, well, it’s about drugs, okay? This about terror, this about the hemisphere, this about the US military in the war machine, yes to all of those things,” he said.

He emphasized Venezuela’s resource wealth, noting, “Right, now, Venezuela has the largest proven oil reserves on Earth, 303 billion barrels. That’s 17 plus trillion dollars at the current market value.” Beck also referenced gold reserves, saying Venezuela “claim about 8,000 to 10,000 tons of gold that is still in ground.”

However, Beck argued the United States does not need Venezuelan oil.

“Now here’s the part you’re not being told. With all of that oil, we don’t need the oil. Have you noticed the gas prices? They keep coming down. We don’t need the oil,” he said.

Beck stated that U.S. domestic production and refining have reduced reliance on foreign sources.

“We need to pull the oil out of the ground ourselves. Which we are. We need to refine it ourselves. Which we are.”

According to Beck, China is the true target of the strategy. “China needs the oil,” he said.

“China buys 60 to 90% of all of Venezuela’s crude exports.”

He added that China also purchases “85 to 90% of all of the oil from Iran” and “nearly half of all Russian oil.”

Beck said recent developments have disrupted those supply lines.

“What’s happening right now? Well, 60 to 90% of all of the exports from Venezuela now not going to China,” he said.

He questioned how China could sustain its energy needs without Venezuelan oil.

“How is China going to be able to power all of their electricity needs? How are they going to do that if they don’t get oil from Venezuela.”

He also pointed to instability involving Iran.

“Oh, and what else has been destabilized this weekend, Iran,” Beck said, reiterating China’s dependence on Iranian oil.

He framed the debate over oil as misunderstood.

“No, it’s not about oil. We don’t need it. No, it absolutely is about oil, but not for us,” he said.

Beck described the strategy as part of what he called a long-term approach by President Trump.

“This is about Donald Trump again, playing to win the long game,” he said.

Beck argued that denying adversaries access to Western Hemisphere energy would limit their military and technological ambitions.

“We need the energy. The West needs the energy, and you’re not pulling it out of our hemisphere.”

He warned of major consequences for China if Venezuela and Iran were both cut off. “Okay, if Iran and Venezuela fall at the same time, China loses 70% of its non US regulated oil supply, 70%,” Beck said.

He linked that loss to broader strategic outcomes.

“Well, you can’t go into Taiwan. You certainly can’t have a war with Taiwan. You can’t have AI dominance. There’s no BRICS reserve currency.”

Beck dismissed claims that the strategy is about corporate profit.

“No, because if you shut down the oil, know what? War in Taiwan, because they don’t have the energy to do it,” he said.

“No. AI dominance, because they won’t have the energy to do it. And no BRICS currency. Game over for now.”

Beck referenced comments from Senator Marco Rubio supporting the position.

“Here’s what Marco Rubio said over the weekend, we don’t need Venezuelans oil,” Beck said, adding that Rubio emphasized preventing adversaries from controlling energy in the hemisphere.

He acknowledged debate over the legality of President Trump’s actions.

“We can argue about the constitutionality of what Donald Trump did. Does he have the right to do it? Well, I don’t know,” Beck said.

While noting disagreements among constitutional scholars, Beck concluded the policy aligns with an America-first approach.

“What you cannot argue about is if you say you’re America first. This isn’t America first. This is absolutely America first.”

Beck closed by arguing that the strategy extends beyond confrontation.

“Notice another thing, Trump is not just confronting our enemies. He’s stealing alliances,” he said, pointing to diplomatic outreach in the Middle East.

“Because power flows through relationships, not just weapons. This is all about blocking Iran, China and Russia.”

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Mexico’s Sheinbaum Rejects U.S. Troops on Mexican Soil After Trump Cartel Warning
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Mexico’s Sheinbaum Rejects U.S. Troops on Mexican Soil After Trump Cartel Warning

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Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum on Monday rejected the idea of U.S. troops entering Mexico and criticized what she described as foreign intervention in Latin America, following recent U.S. military action in Venezuela and comments from President Donald Trump warning that drug cartels are “running Mexico.”

As Fox News reported, speaking at a press conference in Mexico City, Sheinbaum said Mexico would not accept outside military involvement and emphasized national sovereignty as a core principle of her administration.

“We categorically reject intervention in the internal affairs of other countries,” Sheinbaum said, according to an official transcript released by her office.

“The history of Latin America is clear and forceful. The intervention has never brought democracy; it has never generated well-being or lasting stability. Only people can build their own future, decide their path, exercise sovereignty over their natural resources, and freely define their form of government.”

Her remarks followed a U.S. military operation carried out Saturday in Caracas, Venezuela, during which American forces extracted former Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, from their compound.

U.S. authorities said the two were transferred to the USS Iwo Jima and flown to New York, where they were arraigned Monday in Manhattan.

Maduro faces four federal charges: narco-terrorism conspiracy, cocaine importation conspiracy, possession of machine guns and destructive devices, and conspiracy to possess machine guns and destructive devices.

Flores is charged with three counts, including cocaine importation conspiracy and weapons-related offenses.

In Mexico City, Sheinbaum said the arrest of Venezuela’s former leader and warnings from Trump that Mexico must “get their act together” would not alter Mexico’s position on sovereignty and self-determination.

Trump made the comments Sunday while speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One. He described Sheinbaum as a “terrific person,” but said criminal organizations dominate large parts of Mexico.

“We’re going to have to do something. We’d love Mexico to do it, they’re capable of doing it, but unfortunately, the cartels are very strong in Mexico,” Trump said.

Sheinbaum responded by stressing ongoing cooperation between Mexico and the United States in combating drug trafficking, organized crime, and the flow of fentanyl, while rejecting the notion of direct U.S. military involvement.

“I don’t believe in an invasion. I don’t even think it’s something they’re taking very seriously,” Sheinbaum told reporters in Spanish when asked about a possible U.S. intervention, according to Reuters’ translation.

She also said Trump has repeatedly raised the idea of allowing U.S. troops into Mexico during phone calls between the two leaders.

“We have said no very firmly — first because we defend our sovereignty, and second because it is not necessary,” Sheinbaum said.

Mexican officials did not indicate any change in bilateral security cooperation but reiterated that enforcement operations on Mexican soil would remain under Mexican control.

‘This Is That FAFO of Donald Trump Foreign Policy’: Ben Ferguson
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‘This Is That FAFO of Donald Trump Foreign Policy’: Ben Ferguson

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Conservative commentator Ben Ferguson said President Donald Trump’s approach to foreign policy is defined by clear warnings followed by decisive action, arguing that Trump’s record shows a willingness to enforce red lines rather than allow them to be ignored.

Ferguson said Trump’s handling of national security issues reflects a consistent strategy built on leverage, enforcement, and credibility, particularly in relation to oil markets, sanctions, and military force.

“And I think the number one thing with President Trump is when he says something, especially when it deals with foreign policy, national security, he means it, and he means what he says here,” Ferguson said.

Ferguson said Trump understands both the strategic value of energy dominance and the consequences faced by adversaries who challenge U.S. interests.

“I think he understands that the people there are going to be a target. I think he understands that we have the upper hand on oil. I think he understands the embargoes that are real,” Ferguson said.

He pointed to U.S. actions involving Venezuela as an example of how Trump’s policies were carried out rather than left as rhetorical threats.

“And we’ve seen this with Venezuela, and this is that FAFO of Donald Trump foreign policy,” Ferguson said.

Ferguson said Trump followed through on explicit warnings to Iran regarding its nuclear program, contrasting those actions with what he described as ineffective signaling by prior administrations.

“He meant it when he said to Iran, I will hit your nuclear sites. And that’s exactly what we did,” Ferguson said.

“We pulled off the impossible mission to go and bomb those sites.”

According to Ferguson, Trump’s statements on foreign policy are often mischaracterized, and his administration’s actions should not be confused with large-scale military invasions.

“And so what I think the President is saying here is very clear, we’re not talking about invading Iraq, right? That’s not what this is,” Ferguson said.

Ferguson said Trump relied on a range of tools short of invasion, including economic pressure and targeted military actions.

“What he is saying is I have sanctions I can use against you, blockades. I can go after your boats, I can go after your oil, and I can hit military targets,” Ferguson said.

Ferguson said Trump’s posture as commander in chief has established a reputation that adversaries take seriously.

“And the president of the United States of America has been crystal clear. You don’t mess with him,” Ferguson said.

He contrasted that record with what he described as failed deterrence under previous administrations.

“When he tells you there’s a red line, he means it. Unlike Biden, unlike Obama, their red lines meant nothing to the world,” Ferguson said.

Ferguson said Trump’s actions created a documented history that foreign governments could observe and learn from.

“Donald Trump’s red lines clearly mean something,” Ferguson said.

“And you have a very quick history, you can learn just how serious he is.”

Ferguson concluded by warning that U.S. adversaries should pay attention to that record.

“And I think Iran should listen up,” he said.

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Another Patriots Player Charged as Christian Barmore Faces Domestic Assault Case
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Another Patriots Player Charged as Christian Barmore Faces Domestic Assault Case

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New England Patriots defensive tackle Christian Barmore is facing a criminal charge following an alleged domestic incident, according to court documents filed in Massachusetts, marking the second legal issue involving a Patriots player to surface in recent days.

Records from Attleborough District Court show that Barmore has been charged with one count of assault and battery on a family or household member.

The charge stems from an alleged incident that occurred on August 8 involving a woman with whom Barmore was in a relationship.

According to the court filing, the woman told authorities that she and Barmore became involved in an argument inside his room over the temperature setting and over food.

She alleged that the disagreement escalated as she attempted to leave the room.

The woman claimed that Barmore snatched her phone out of her hands as she was trying to exit.

She further alleged that she attempted to scream for help but was unable to do so.

According to the filing, she stated that Barmore “grabbed her before she could and threw her to the floor.”

The complaint states that the woman alleged additional physical contact as she tried to get up.

She told investigators that Barmore grabbed her shirt “in the area of the neck,” before eventually letting her up.

The woman also claimed that the alleged incident occurred in front of the couple’s two-year-old child.

Following the alleged altercation, the woman told authorities that she and her child arranged transportation through a car service provided to Patriots players and traveled to Delaware.

According to the filing, she did not immediately press charges, stating that she feared retaliation. She instead waited until September to report the incident.

Court documents indicate that the woman later reversed course.

In an email dated December 4, she informed authorities that she would not press charges.

Despite that communication, a criminal complaint was later issued.

“The criminal complaint was issued on Dec. 16, and Barmore is scheduled to be arraigned on Feb. 3, 2026, five days before Super Bowl LX,” WCBV reported.

The New England Patriots acknowledged the pending case in a statement issued following reports of the charge.

“The New England Patriots are aware of reports regarding a pending February arraignment involving Christian Barmore, which stems from an alleged domestic incident that occurred in August,” the team said.

“The Patriots were made aware at the time of the incident and informed the NFL in a timely manner. The matter remains part of an ongoing legal process. We will respect that process, continue to monitor the situation closely, as we have over the past few months, and cooperate fully with the league. We will have no further comment at this time.”

Barmore, a former Alabama standout, has been a key part of the Patriots’ defensive line since being selected in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft.

The pending legal case places additional scrutiny on the organization at a time when it is already dealing with another off-field issue involving a high-profile player.

News of the charge against Barmore became public one day after reports emerged that Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs is also facing assault charges.

According to those reports, Diggs is accused of slapping and choking his personal chef during an alleged dispute over payment.

The two cases are unrelated, but the timing has drawn attention to the Patriots’ locker room as the NFL continues to emphasize its personal conduct policy.

Both matters are subject to ongoing legal proceedings, and the league has not announced whether disciplinary action will be taken while the cases move through the courts.

Barmore is expected to appear in Attleborough District Court for his arraignment on February 3, 2026.

Until then, the charge remains pending, and no trial date has been announced.

Somalians Allegedly Placed Bounties on Nick Shirley’s Head After He Exposed Them
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Somalians Allegedly Placed Bounties on Nick Shirley’s Head After He Exposed Them

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Independent journalist Nick Shirley said he is facing serious personal threats after reporting on what he alleges is widespread fraud involving billions of dollars in Minnesota, warning that the backlash has escalated to the point where his safety is now at risk.

Shirley discussed the situation during an exchange with Donald Trump Jr., describing an atmosphere of anger and retaliation following his reporting.

Shirley said the exposure of the alleged fraud has enraged those who benefited from it for years.

“They’re so mad. They’re so, the Somalians are so mad,” Shirley said.

He described a sense of long-standing complacency among those now facing scrutiny.

“Because, can you imagine, for years you’re at the dinner table talking with your family about how everything’s good? Oh, we don’t need to worry, because the government and whatnot.”

According to Shirley, a large share of those implicated were receiving public assistance while also generating substantial revenue.

“I mean, 81% of these people are on welfare,” he said.

“But on top of that, they’re collecting millions of dollars for these companies, tax exempt, by the way, especially the daycares.”

Shirley said the realization that the alleged scheme is being exposed has triggered intense backlash.

“So can you imagine how mad they are now,” he said.

“Like, that’s why they’re right now, there’s like, people are so upset, like, there’s like bounties on me here in Minnesota, because people are so upset, as far as the fraud that’s being exposed.”

He said the anger reflects a broader frustration among the public as well.

“Because they know their time’s up, and they know everyone’s just sick and tired of this happening inside their own state and across America,” Shirley said.

Donald Trump Jr. asked Shirley to elaborate on the nature of the threats.

“What have some of those threats been?” he asked.

Shirley said the threats have gone beyond online harassment and raised serious safety concerns.

“Yeah, there was apparently, like, a bolo that they used,” he said.

“That’s the word that some people told me. It was on me.”

He said he has been advised to limit what he shares publicly due to the severity of the situation.

“And I can’t reveal too much because, just because I don’t want to reveal but, like, yeah, very, lots of messages, death threats, obviously, on social media,” Shirley said.

Shirley said the threats have affected his daily life and ability to move freely.

“And then just not the most safe thing for me to be moving around freely, right now,” he said.

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‘They’ve Gone Off the Deep End’: JD Vance Torches Far-Left Dems’ Immigration Stance
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‘They’ve Gone Off the Deep End’: JD Vance Torches Far-Left Dems’ Immigration Stance

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JD Vance addressed a deportation case that he said was misrepresented by Democrats and media outlets, which initially described the individual as an innocent father while omitting key details later confirmed by an immigration judge.

Vance said the case involved an individual deported to El Salvador who was determined in 2019 to be a member of the MS-13 gang and who had a record of traffic violations and missed court appearances.

“There’s been a few cases out there where the Democrats and the media say, oh, this person was just an innocent father of three, and then you find out, for example, I think this is the case that you’re talking about,” Vance said.

“Back in 2019 an immigration judge looked at all the evidence, looked at all the data, and concluded that this allegedly innocent person that we sent to El Salvador was actually a member of an MS 13 gang. He had also committed some traffic violations. He had not shown up for some court dates. This is not exactly Father of the Year here. This is a person that we don’t think should be in our country.”

Vance said the deportation itself was not disputed, even by critics, and that objections focused instead on the reasoning behind the decision.

He emphasized that the individual’s immigration status was not in question.

“Here’s the most important point, though, Lawrence is, whatever the argument is, whatever the justification is, no one doubts,” Vance said.

“Not even the crazy left wing media criticized the idea that we could deport this person, they just took issue with the reasoning for why we deported this person.”

Vance said the immigration judge’s findings established that the individual had no legal right to remain in the United States.

“This was unquestionably an illegal alien,” he said.

“This was unquestionably a person who broke the laws to get into our country. This is unquestionably a person an immigration judge had found had zero right to be in the United States of America.”

He criticized Democrats for opposing deportations while, in his view, placing the interests of illegal aliens ahead of American citizens.

Vance said deportation decisions are made to serve the country’s interests, not to satisfy political critics.

“We do not ask permission from far left Democrats before we deport illegal immigrants, we do the American people’s business,” Vance said.

“And again, for the American people who are watching this is such a weird, mistaken placement of priorities.”

Vance said the focus of national leadership should be on strengthening the country, improving economic conditions, and ensuring public safety.

He questioned why Democratic lawmakers express stronger reactions to the deportation of gang members than to crimes committed by those individuals.

“We need to make our country stronger. We need to create jobs. We need to make our streets safer,” he said.

“What is it about congressional Democrats that get more angry at deporting violent gang members than they do at the victims of those violent gang members. I don’t even understand where they’re coming from.”

Vance concluded by saying Democrats have lost touch with reality on immigration enforcement and public safety.

“They’ve gone off the deep end, and they got to come back to reality,” Vance said.

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TX Father Uses Phone Tracking to Find Kidnapped Daughter, Suspect Arrested
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TX Father Uses Phone Tracking to Find Kidnapped Daughter, Suspect Arrested

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A father in Porter, Texas, used parental control tracking features on his 15-year-old daughter’s cell phone to locate her after she was kidnapped while walking her dog on Christmas Day, leading to the arrest of a 23-year-old suspect now facing multiple felony charges, as reported by Breitbart.

According to the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, the kidnapping occurred shortly before 4:50 p.m. on Dec. 25 on the 4000 block of Conner Mills Court in Porter.

Deputies responded after receiving a report that a teenage girl had gone missing and failed to return home after taking her dog for a walk.

Authorities said witnesses at the scene reported that a man threatened the girl with a knife and forced her into a pickup truck. Investigators were provided with a description of the vehicle involved in the abduction.

Using tracking data available through the parental control features on his daughter’s phone, the father traced her location to a secluded area nearly two miles from where the kidnapping occurred.

When he arrived at the location, the father found his daughter and her dog inside a maroon-colored pickup truck along with a partially nude adult male.

The father removed his daughter from the vehicle and immediately provided the information to law enforcement, allowing deputies to begin searching for the suspect and the truck.

Based on witness descriptions and the information provided by the father, Montgomery County Sheriff’s deputies located the vehicle and arrested 23-year-old Giovanni Rosales-Espinoza without incident.

Authorities said Rosales-Espinoza has been charged with Aggravated Kidnapping and Indecency with a Child. He is being held without bond in the Montgomery County Jail, according to officials.

A preliminary investigation determined that the suspect threatened the girl with a knife before abducting her from the street. Detectives with the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Unit are continuing to investigate the case.

Montgomery County Sheriff Wesley Doolittle addressed the incident in a statement, emphasizing the seriousness of the crime and the response by law enforcement.

“Christmas is a day meant for joy, but this man chose to shatter that joy by targeting a child,” Doolittle said.

“I am incredibly proud of our deputies and detectives who worked tirelessly to ensure this dangerous predator was swiftly apprehended and is now off our streets.

Rest assured that your Sheriff’s Office remains vigilant every hour of every day to keep your families safe.”

Doolittle said the investigation remains active and that no additional information will be released at this time.

Following the arrest, Breitbart Texas contacted U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to request information regarding the suspect’s citizenship or immigration status. An immediate response was not available.

The case has drawn attention to the role of phone tracking technology in emergency situations, as well as the rapid response by both family members and law enforcement that led to the girl’s safe recovery.

FCC Taking Enforcement Steps Against Robocall Scam Providers After Years of Abuse
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FCC Taking Enforcement Steps Against Robocall Scam Providers After Years of Abuse

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Sen. Ted Budd questioned Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr about the growing problem of robocalls during a recent exchange, as both men addressed widespread public frustration and the increasing sophistication of phone-based scams affecting Americans nationwide.

Budd said robocalls are one of the most common complaints he hears from constituents across his state.

“At nearly every telephone town hall that I do, and including one last week, the folks always bring up robocalls,” Budd said.

“They feel overwhelmed by them. They feel that they perpetrate real harm. They give examples.”

He said concerns have intensified as new technology has made scams more convincing and easier to deploy.

“As I’m around the state, people talk about robocalls huge concerns, especially as we have things like aI generated personalized voices, and the scans become more and more sophisticated and easier to carry out,” Budd said.

He then asked Carr directly what actions the FCC can take.

“So chairman, again, thank you all for being here. Chairman, what can the FCC do to proactively protect folks, and how can you stay ahead of the curve with these changing criminal tactics?”

Carr responded that robocalls are the top consumer complaint received by the FCC and acknowledged that past enforcement efforts often struggled to keep pace with evolving tactics.

“This is the number one consumer complaint we get at the FCC,” Carr said.

“Historically, it felt like a game of whack, a mole. We put a technology solution in place. We’d go after a single bad actor, but this would just pop up in another way.”

Carr said the agency has shifted to a more comprehensive strategy designed to disrupt robocalls at multiple stages.

“What we’re doing right now is we’re taking an approach. We’re tackling illegal robocalls at every single portion of the call life cycle,” he said.

According to Carr, that includes restricting access to phone numbers and making it more difficult for foreign robocalls to reach U.S. consumers.

“We’re making it harder to get access to telephone numbers, we’re making it more difficult for foreign robocalls to enter the US,” he said.

Carr also described efforts to close regulatory gaps.

“We’re looking at potential loopholes, including ones for non IP networks,” he said.

One initiative under review involves how overseas call centers are identified on caller ID.

“And one issue we’ve recently teed up is taking a look at any robocall, legal or otherwise, that originates from a call center overseas,” Carr said.

He explained that foreign calls can currently appear to originate domestically, misleading consumers.

“Right now, when that comes to your phone, it can show up with a US area code to fool you into thinking the call center or the call is here in America,” Carr said.

He said the FCC is considering requiring accurate disclosure of foreign origins.

“And so we’re looking at changing that so it would accurately display that’s a foreign call center.”

Carr added that transparency could also have broader economic effects.

“If United or any of the business wants to put a call center abroad, then they should be able to disclose that to the consumer,” he said.

“And if this helps with onshoring, then that might be a good thing as well.”

He noted that enforcement actions are already underway.

“We’re taking a real new approach, including kicking out over 1200 providers from our robocall mitigation database, which effectively cuts them off from the systems,” Carr said.

“We’re trying to really tackle this at every portion of the call.”

Budd then asked whether there were limits preventing the FCC from going further.

“Is there any specific limitations that prevent your agency from doing more in this area?” he said.

Carr replied that the FCC already has broad authority but must continue identifying weaknesses exploited by scammers.

“As of right now, we have a fair amount of legal authority in this area,” Carr said. He emphasized cooperation with other enforcement bodies.

“We’re working increasingly with state AGs on this. We are deepening our partnership and collaboration with FTC, the nation’s premier consumer protection agency, and we’re going to keep at this issue.”

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SWAT Standoff, Two-Day Release, Then Another Shooting in Texas
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SWAT Standoff, Two-Day Release, Then Another Shooting in Texas

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A 21-year-old Texas man is back in custody after authorities linked him to a series of alleged drive-by shootings in Hays County, including one incident that occurred after he was released from jail just days following a standoff with a SWAT team.

Abraham Herrera, 21, faces multiple charges tied to two drive-by shootings and a barricade incident involving Hays County SWAT officers last month.

The case spans several cities south of Austin, including Kyle, Buda, and Martindale, according to reporting from FOX 7 Austin.

The first shooting occurred on Nov. 3, when Hays County deputies responded to reports of gunfire in the 500 block of Santa Fe Run in Kyle.

Upon arrival, deputies found a homeowner who had been seriously injured after multiple rounds were fired into the residence. Investigators determined the shooting appeared to be a random act of violence, and authorities reported there was no known connection between the suspect and the victim.

Nine days later, on Nov. 12, Hays County SWAT was called to assist deputies responding to another report of shots fired, this time in Buda.

According to FOX 7, officers made contact with Herrera, who then allegedly fled into a wooded area near the scene and refused to surrender.

Authorities said the situation escalated into a standoff, prompting the deployment of the SWAT team. After negotiations, Herrera was taken into custody.

Law enforcement officers recovered an AR-15-style firearm and ammunition at the scene.

Following his arrest, Herrera was charged with evading arrest or detention, unlawful carrying of weapons, disorderly conduct, and tampering or fabricating with evidence, according to court records cited by FOX 7.

Despite the charges and the nature of the standoff, court documents show Herrera was released from jail just two days later.

On Dec. 1, investigators were notified of another drive-by shooting that occurred in Martindale over the Thanksgiving weekend.

Evidence gathered during the investigation allegedly connected Herrera to that incident as well.

After the second shooting was reported, authorities moved to take Herrera back into custody.

He is now facing additional charges related to the alleged shootings and remains jailed as the investigation continues.

Hays County is located roughly 15 miles south of Austin and has experienced rapid population growth in recent years.

The series of incidents has drawn attention due to the short time frame between the alleged shootings, the SWAT standoff, and Herrera’s initial release from custody.

Officials have not publicly detailed why Herrera was released so quickly following the Nov. 12 arrest, and court records do not indicate whether bail conditions were imposed at the time.

FOX 7 reported that the release occurred despite the recovery of a rifle and ammunition and the pending charges.

Law enforcement agencies involved in the case have emphasized that the investigation remains ongoing.

Authorities continue to review ballistic evidence, witness statements, and other materials related to the shootings in Kyle and Martindale.

The homeowner injured in the Nov. 3 shooting survived, and no fatalities have been reported in connection with the incidents.

Officials have not released details about the victim’s current condition.

The case highlights ongoing questions about pretrial release decisions, particularly in cases involving alleged violent offenses and repeat encounters with law enforcement.

DC Police Sued for Blocking Lawful Firearm Registration, Including AR-15s
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DC Police Sued for Blocking Lawful Firearm Registration, Including AR-15s

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The Civil Rights Division’s Second Amendment section has filed what officials describe as a landmark lawsuit against the Metropolitan Police Department in Washington, D.C., challenging the department’s refusal to register certain lawful firearms for residents of the district.

The lawsuit targets the District of Columbia’s prohibition on registering an entire category of firearms commonly labeled as assault rifles, including the AR-15, which is widely owned across the United States.

According to the filing, the policy prevents law-abiding citizens from registering firearms that are otherwise legal under federal law, effectively barring possession within the district.

The legal action was announced by Harmeet Dhillon, who said the case marks the beginning of a broader effort by the Civil Rights Division to confront firearm restrictions it views as inconsistent with the Second Amendment.

“Hi. I’m here with an important update from the Civil Rights Division, Second Amendment section, which today filed a landmark lawsuit against the DC Metro Police Department for its refusal to register lawful firearms of law abiding citizens here in the district, namely the entire category of so called assault rifles, including the nation’s most popular rifle, the AR 15, are not permitted for registration here in the district, and our lawsuit will put a stop to that,” Dhillon said.

The lawsuit focuses on the District’s registration system, which requires residents to register firearms with local authorities.

Under current policy, the Metropolitan Police Department does not permit the registration of firearms it classifies as assault rifles, regardless of whether the owner is otherwise eligible to possess a firearm.

The complaint argues that this approach unlawfully blocks residents from exercising their rights by refusing to process registrations for a broad class of commonly owned firearms.

Dhillon said the case reflects a shift in enforcement priorities within the Civil Rights Division under Attorney General Pam Bondi.

She indicated that the lawsuit against the District of Columbia is not an isolated action but part of a larger strategy to address similar restrictions in other jurisdictions.

“We’re just getting started here in the Civil Rights Division under Attorney General Pam bondi’s leadership, there are many more important lawsuits planned to take aim at restrictions on our lawful Second Amendment rights throughout the country,” Dhillon said.

The announcement signals that the Civil Rights Division intends to play a more active role in Second Amendment litigation, particularly in areas where state or local governments impose categorical limits on firearm ownership.

By focusing on registration practices rather than individual criminal cases, the lawsuit seeks to challenge regulatory systems that, according to the division, function as de facto bans on commonly owned firearms.

The AR-15, referenced directly in the lawsuit, is among the most popular rifles in the United States and is legal to own under federal law.

Supporters of the lawsuit argue that prohibitions on registering such firearms in the District of Columbia place residents at a disadvantage compared to citizens in other parts of the country and conflict with constitutional protections.

The case is being closely watched by legal observers because it could establish a precedent for how federal civil rights authorities address local firearm regulations.

If successful, the lawsuit could compel changes to registration policies in the District and influence similar challenges elsewhere.

Dhillon concluded her announcement by addressing the timing of the filing during the holiday season.

“Stay tuned and everyone have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year,” she said.

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