Author name: Peter Zambelli

Zohran Mamdani Vows to ‘Work’ With Trump ‘On Any Agenda’ When It Benefits NY Residents
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Zohran Mamdani Vows to ‘Work’ With Trump ‘On Any Agenda’ When It Benefits NY Residents

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New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani said Thursday he intends to work with President Donald Trump where possible despite major ideological differences, highlighting affordability as the top priority for his upcoming meeting at the White House, as reported by Fox News.

Mamdani will meet with Trump on Friday, marking their first official discussion since the mayoral election.

Feb 9, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; President Donald Trump on the sideline before Super Bowl LIX between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Kansas City Chiefs at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

Speaking at a press conference at City Hall Park in Lower Manhattan, Mamdani said, “I intend to make it clear to President Trump that I will work with him on any agenda that benefits New Yorkers. If an agenda hurts New Yorkers, I will also be the first to say something.”

He acknowledged the political divide between them but said the city’s challenges require cooperation. “I know that for tens of thousands of New Yorkers, this meeting is between two very different candidates who they voted for, for the same reason,” he said.

“They wanted a leader who would take on the cost of living crisis that makes it impossible for working people to afford living in this city.”

New York State Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani speaks in a Malikah’s Iftar Ramadan event at the Museum of the Moving Image on March 07, 2025 in the Queens Borough of New York City.

Trump has been openly critical of Mamdani’s political positions, referring to him as a “Communist Lunatic” after the election. Before Election Day, Trump warned he would consider pulling federal funding from New York City if Mamdani won.

After the election, Trump said he would “help them a little bit.”

Mamdani, who identifies as a democratic socialist, said affordability would be central to his meeting with the president.

“When we speak about an affordability crisis, we’re speaking about 1 in 4 New Yorkers living in poverty, 1 in 5 struggling to afford $2.90 to ride the bus. New Yorkers, for whom the daily acts of life are becoming increasingly harder to afford,” Mamdani said.

The meeting comes amid rising costs for transportation, housing and basic necessities across the city. Mamdani said that despite disagreements on major policy areas, he would work with the administration whenever it aligns with the needs of New Yorkers.

Trump and Mamdani have clashed in the past, with the president repeatedly criticizing the mayor-elect’s positions during the campaign. Mamdani said Thursday that disagreements would not prevent him from attempting to secure support for New York City.

The White House meeting is expected to focus on economic concerns and federal partnerships. Mamdani did not elaborate on specific proposals but emphasized that affordability would guide his approach.

The mayor-elect said he hopes to make clear that the city’s residents expect cooperation to ease cost pressures impacting daily life.

Activist Educators Protest ICE in NC Even as Violent Offenders Are Arrested Nearby
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Activist Educators Protest ICE in NC Even as Violent Offenders Are Arrested Nearby

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Leaders of the Asheville, North Carolina, affiliate of the National Education Association joined activists Monday in calling for the city to block United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement from using any municipal property.

The press conference followed the arrest of 81 illegal immigrants in Charlotte during the opening phase of ICE’s enforcement effort known as “Charlotte’s Web.”

The event, streamed by the Buncombe County Association of Educators, featured teachers’ union representatives, local pastors, and Asheville City Councilwoman Kim Roney, who is also a candidate for mayor.

Speakers urged Asheville officials to adopt a formal ban similar to the order Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson enacted.

“We appreciate the public statements that many of our local and state leaders have made in response to this recent deployment,” Asheville City Association of Educators President Carson Bridges said at the Land of Sky United Church of Christ, where a “Black Lives Matter” banner was displayed.

“But statements alone don’t keep children safe. Policies do, resolutions do, action does.”

Roney discussed the resolution she is urging the council to consider.

She accused ICE of “violating constitutional rights of residents” and referred to the agency’s operations as “gross federal overreach.”

Roney said, “Immigration enforcement is not a criminal matter, it’s a civil one. There are actions, more than statements, that local elected officials can do to keep our communities safe.”

The Rev. Claudia Jimenez, Minister of Faith Formation at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Asheville, addressed the press after Roney.

“We are not dangerous criminals,” she said.

“We are not violent. We are your neighbors… How many of you had immigrant siblings take care of your roofs after [Hurricane] Helene? How many of you have immigrant siblings whose businesses you support and that support you? How many of you have immigrant siblings that clean your clothes and serve the yummy food that Asheville is known for?”

A Department of Homeland Security release connected to the “Charlotte’s Web” operation reported that among those arrested were members of the MS-13 gang, designated as a foreign terrorist organization by President Donald Trump hours after taking office on Jan. 20.

Others arrested included illegal immigrants with convictions for assault, larceny, and DWI.

Federal authorities have documented multiple attacks on ICE personnel in recent months.

Agents have been fired upon during operations in both Illinois and California. DHS released a statement Tuesday highlighting an increase in ramming incidents targeting federal officers involved in immigration enforcement.

Two illegal aliens were killed during a Sept. 24 shooting at an ICE office in Dallas, where the gunman later took his own life.

Since July 4, there have been at least two other incidents in Texas in which shots were fired at ICE or Border Patrol facilities.

Ten people have been charged with attempted murder in connection with an ambush on an ICE detention center.

DHS reported in an Oct. 30 release that death threats against ICE agents have risen by 8,000%.

A Sept. 22 release from the agency noted a 1,000% year-over-year increase in assaults on its personnel.

‘Beyond Embarrassing’: Top Michigan Education Official’s Gender Answer Goes Viral
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‘Beyond Embarrassing’: Top Michigan Education Official’s Gender Answer Goes Viral

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A video clip of Michigan Chief Deputy Superintendent Dr. Sue Carnell responding to a question about gender definitions circulated widely on social media this week, drawing significant attention as the state finalized new sex education standards.

The exchange took place on October 28 during a hearing in the Michigan Legislature.

In the clip, which was resurfaced on X by LibsofTikTok on Sunday and viewed more than two million times, Republican state Rep. Jay DeBoyer asked Carnell, “How many genders are there?”

Carnell smiled and paused without answering. DeBoyer repeated the question: “How many genders are there?”

Carnell replied, “Different people have different beliefs on that.”

The clip’s circulation drew reactions from several conservative figures.

Former Michigan Republican gubernatorial candidate Tudor Dixon said in a statement to Fox News Digital, “Democrats want to sexualize every facet of the curriculum and the MBOE is imposing its radical ideology on all Michigan K-12 schools.”

Michigan state Sen. Aric Nesbitt posted on X, “3/4 Michigan kids can’t read at grade level. When you realize these are the people in charge of education in Michigan, that number starts to make a lot more sense.”

X Screenshot – Senator Aric Nesbitt

Roger Severino, vice president at the Heritage Foundation, posted, “Surprised progressives are still not prepared for the ‘what is a woman’ question when they testify at hearings. You would think they would have come up with something better than ‘I’m not a biologist’ (as Justice Jackson said) by now.”

X Screenshot – Roger Severino

Conservative influencer Paul A. Szypula reacted by posting, “This is beyond embarrassing. If a person can’t answer how many genders there are then they shouldn’t be allowed to vote.”

X Screenshot – Paul A. Szypula

Political commentator Wesley Yang posted, “She is caught in the grips of an institutionalized mania.”

X Screenshot – Wesley Yang

Carnell, in a statement to Fox News Digital, addressed the broader context of her testimony.

She said, “What I want people to know about gender identity is what’s in the update to the Michigan Health Education Standards Guidelines. It’s not about gotcha questions. It’s about providing local school districts with research-based information about health topics and including a few standards about gender identity areas for consideration by local schools.”

Carnell said the guidelines are intended to ensure students can, by the end of eighth grade, “Define gender identity, gender expression, and sexual orientation, and explain that they are distinct components of every individual’s identity” and “explain how biological sex, gender identity, and gender expression are distinct concepts and how they interact with each other.”

The Michigan State Board of Education last week approved new sex education standards after a 6–2 vote.

The standards include recommendations that students be taught about gender identity and sexual orientation.

The updates drew objections from parents, pastors, and several lawmakers who argued that the changes undermine parental authority and conflict with religious views.

Dixon told Fox News Digital, “Despite serious concerns from parents and legislators, board members passed this controversial far left change while the state already had standards.”

Following the vote, the Michigan Department of Education said the standards serve as guidance rather than mandates.

“The standards provide guidance to local school districts and, as in previous versions, local control remains in place and parents retain the right to decide whether their children should participate in sex education instruction,” the Department said in a news release.

The Department added that local boards determine curriculum for their districts.

“Local boards of education determine the health curriculum for their districts which may include sex education curriculum — if the district decides to offer sex ed— that has been reviewed by local sex education advisory boards that must include 50% parent representation,” the statement said.

Jennings Warns Democrats Their Epstein Attacks on Trump Could Backfire Fast
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Jennings Warns Democrats Their Epstein Attacks on Trump Could Backfire Fast

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Republican strategist Scott Jennings said Tuesday that Democrats could face growing political consequences as newly released documents continue to reveal previously undisclosed connections between prominent party figures and Jeffrey Epstein.

Appearing on the podcast “2WAY Tonight with Mark Halperin,” Jennings discussed the release of new records, including messages showing that Virgin Islands Delegate Stacey Plaskett exchanged texts with Epstein during former Trump attorney Michael Cohen’s 2019 congressional testimony.


Jennings said Democrats may be creating complications for themselves as they attempt to link President Donald Trump to Epstein.

“This was just the latest Democratic plan to tie him up and try to tie him down. He’s lived through these episodes before. And I think what we’re learning today, Mark, Democrats may be careful what they wish for here because, look, what do we already know?” Jennings asked.

Jennings referenced several examples highlighted in the latest document releases.

“A bunch of prominent Democrats were pretty tied in with Epstein. We have Stacey Plaskett on the House floor today trying to defend herself. It turns out after he was convicted, she’s getting text messages from Epstein programming her on what to say in congressional hearings,” he said.

Jennings also cited a 2013 fundraising solicitation sent to Epstein by a firm representing current House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries.

He continued, “We know Hakeem Jeffries was trying to fundraise with Epstein. We know Larry Summers has now had to take a step back from public life because he was soliciting dating advice from Epstein.”

Jennings said Democrats are trying to present the expanding disclosures as a Trump-related controversy, but he argued the evidence suggests the developments could shift attention to Democratic political figures instead.

“I think what we’re going to find out is that there’s more evidence that Epstein was doing a lot of stuff with Democrats than he was doing anything with Donald Trump. So Democrats want people to think this is a Trump story. We may find out it’s a Democrat story sooner,” Jennings said.

The newly released material prompted debate in the House of Representatives earlier Tuesday, where lawmakers considered a Republican-led resolution to remove Plaskett from the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.

The move followed reporting that she exchanged messages with Epstein during the 2019 hearing.

Rep. Jamie Raskin of Maryland defended Plaskett on the House floor.

Raskin said the messages amounted to routine engagement with someone classified as a constituent at the time and argued that Republicans had not presented evidence of an ethical violation.

He maintained that the matter should be directed to the House Ethics Committee if members wanted a formal review.

Raskin referred to the exchange as a conversation with a “constituent.”

He added that Republicans lacked a basis for censure.

The House ultimately rejected the resolution.

A group of Republicans joined Democrats to defeat the measure, preventing Plaskett’s removal from the Intelligence Committee.

The release of Epstein-related documents continues to provide new information about the late financier’s interactions with public officials.

Additional batches of records are expected as review processes move forward.

Chaos in Mexico City: Over 100 Police Injured as Protesters Attack National Palace
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Chaos in Mexico City: Over 100 Police Injured as Protesters Attack National Palace

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A protest in Mexico City on Saturday left more than 100 police officers injured and resulted in at least 20 arrests, according to officials.

The demonstrations, driven largely by young Gen-Z participants, focused on corruption concerns and issues of public safety.

Thousands of protesters gathered in the city’s historic center and moved toward the National Palace, which houses Mexico’s executive branch.

Demonstrators attempted to breach a security barrier surrounding the complex, leading to extended clashes with police.

Tear gas filled the area as hooded protesters confronted riot police.

Footage showed officers being pulled from their positions, beaten with hammers and chains, and targeted with explosive devices. Some riot police were stripped of their shields and communication radios during the confrontations.

The Secretariat of Citizen Security of Mexico City said through social media that at least 60 police officers sustained minor injuries.

Another 40 officers were transported to local hospitals for additional treatment.

The protest comes amid rising anti-government sentiment and follows the recent assassination of Uruapan Mayor Carlos Manzo. Manzo was shot seven times after publicly criticizing Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum for what he described as insufficient action against cartel violence.

“We need greater determination from the president of Mexico,” Manzo told local reporters in September.

“I do not want to be just another mayor on the list of those who have been executed and had their lives taken away from them. … I am very afraid, but I must face it with courage.”

Sheinbaum, who became Mexico’s first female president when she took office in October 2024, has faced increased scrutiny following a series of high-profile killings.

Critics have accused her administration of tolerating organized crime and failing to bolster anti-cartel operations.

In May, Sheinbaum publicly acknowledged rejecting U.S. military assistance offered by President Donald Trump for the purpose of combating drug trafficking organizations and violent cartel activity.

Pablo Vázquez, Secretary of Citizen Security of Mexico City, said that approximately 120 people were injured in total during the unrest, including about 100 police officers.

In a Sunday update on X, Vázquez provided additional information regarding the injured officers.

X Screenshot – Pablo Vázquez Camacho

Authorities said none of the injuries appeared to be life-threatening.

However, officials and observers noted that the large turnout, level of violence, and ongoing concerns over security conditions suggest further protests may follow as discontent with Sheinbaum’s government continues.

NYPD Officer Shot in the Face, Returns Fire During Early Morning Gunfight in Brooklyn
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NYPD Officer Shot in the Face, Returns Fire During Early Morning Gunfight in Brooklyn

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A New York City police officer was shot during a confrontation with a homicide suspect in Brooklyn on Monday, according to the NYPD.

Officer Sharjeel Waris, 25, was wounded in the face during an exchange of gunfire in Brownsville shortly before 7:45 a.m.

Police said the incident unfolded as officers responded to a homicide that occurred earlier in the morning.

The suspect opened a door from a first-floor apartment at 1046 Thomas S. Boyland St. and fired a shotgun at officers.

Waris returned fire and struck the suspect, who then retreated into the apartment and barricaded himself.

NYPD Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said Waris suffered injuries “consistent with bird shot pellets being fired from a shotgun” and was taken to Brookdale Hospital.

Officers entered the apartment by breaking a first-floor window and deployed a drone, which showed the suspect “lying motionless on the kitchen floor with a shotgun on the floor near him,” Tisch said.

Responders attempted to administer aid, but the suspect, who has not yet been identified, died at the scene.

Police had been called to the same address shortly before 6 a.m. after a 41-year-old man, identified as Leroy Wallace, was found outside with a gunshot wound to the chest.

Wallace was pronounced dead, and officers were still on scene when the shooting involving Waris occurred.

While officers responded to the report of Waris being shot, two members of the 73rd Precinct were involved in a vehicle collision.

Both officers and the driver of the second vehicle sustained minor injuries and were transported to Brookdale Hospital.

Waris is a four-year NYPD veteran who joined the department after taking his exam at age 19 and receiving his badge at 21, according to Police Benevolent Association President Pattrick Hendry.

He was released from the hospital around noon in a wheelchair as more than 100 uniformed officers lined up to salute him.

Hendry addressed reporters following Waris’ release.

“I ask all of our elected leaders to work with us. To support New York Police Officers. Help us make our jobs easier,” he said.

“Do not make our jobs hard. Together we can keep New Yorkers safe.”

‘Tech-Illiterate Boomer Sheriff Deputies’ Arrest Texan Over ‘Felony-Level Trolling’
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‘Tech-Illiterate Boomer Sheriff Deputies’ Arrest Texan Over ‘Felony-Level Trolling’

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A Navy veteran in Hood County, Texas, was arrested earlier this month after local authorities alleged he violated the state’s online impersonation statute by posting a satirical social media image.

The Hood County Sheriff’s Office charged Kolton Krottinger with felony “online impersonation-name/persona create page” in the third degree, though his attorney maintains the post was political humor.

Krottinger, who operates the Blue Branch Historic Ranch, a veterans’ mental health center in Granbury, was arrested on November 5.

His detention appears tied to an October 2 Facebook post containing a fake screenshot formatted to resemble a real post from a rival local activist.

The image used the activist’s profile picture and name above text expressing support for then–Granbury ISD school board candidate Monica Brown.

According to the complaint, “The Victim states that she does not support Monica Brown for this election and stated that the public is being misled by the post as to what the Victim’s actual beliefs are concerning this particular election race.”

Rob Christian, Krottinger’s attorney, told the Dallas Express the image should not constitute a criminal offense.

“After 25 years of experience as a district attorney and criminal defense attorney, I have never seen anyone get arrested for engaging in political speech,” Christian said, describing the post as “a meme.”

Local officials also questioned the basis of the arrest.

Hood County Constable John Shirley told the outlet that the activist who was depicted “very openly, loudly, and publicly hates” Brown.

Shirley added that the satirical nature of the image was widely recognizable.

“It’s a picture of a political sign that anybody who knows the person whose account this was pasted onto would know that it’s fake and a joke,” he said.

Shirley also voiced concern about the broader implications.

“I’m outspoken about the First Amendment. I believe in the Constitution, I believe in the Bill of Rights,” he said.

“This kind of stuff really smells of authoritarianism.”

Under Texas state law, it is a crime to use “the name or persona of another person” to “harm, defraud, intimidate, or threaten any person.”

Sheriff Roger Deeds told Blaze News, “this case is still under investigation so I cannot comment further on it,” but the sheriff’s office still appeared to reference the matter in a November 10 bulletin posted on Facebook.

The bulletin stated, “The Hood County Sheriff’s Office has been made aware of numerous social media posts with regards to bullying, harassment, threats and similar, directed towards citizens in our community.”

It continued, “While certain online posts may seem offensive, cruel, threatening or inappropriate to some, much of what is posted online is protected by the 1st amendment. However, these acts may sometimes constitute a criminal offense, such as the example below, from a recent and notable case.”

The announcement cited Texas Penal Code § 33.07 governing online impersonation and encouraged additional potential victims to file reports.

The arrest prompted an online petition from Nate Criswell, former chair of the Hood County Republican Party, urging the district attorney to drop the charges.

“Tech-illiterate Boomer Sheriff Deputies in Hood County, Texas arrested my friend for felony-level trolling,” Criswell wrote.

Texas attorney general candidate Aaron Reitz also weighed in, arguing the case did not appear to satisfy statutory requirements.

“From what I can tell, Kolton Krottinger created an obviously satirical meme,” Reitz said.

He continued, “Moreover, his conduct doesn’t appear to meet the ‘intent’ requirement under Texas Penal Code § 33.07 (Online Impersonation). On its face, this case seems far outside the scope of the statute’s text, purpose, and precedent.”

Reitz added that the charges might ultimately be dismissed. “But that provides little immediate relief and doesn’t undo the current or past injustices that have led to this point,” he said.

“Kolton may also have recourse under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 if the County has deprived him of his First Amendment rights, which I strongly suspect it has done. The longer this situation continues, the greater the potential liability for Hood County.”

On Wednesday, Brown, the former school board candidate at the center of the post, filed her own complaint regarding Krottinger’s arrest and treatment.

“Mr. Krottinger shared a harmless political satire meme related to a local school board election. He was arrested, handcuffed, placed in solitary confinement, classified as ‘high-profile,’ had his phone confiscated, and denied access to social media, which is his livelihood,” Brown wrote.

Trump Calls Out the Climate ‘Suckers: ‘The Whole Thing is a Hoax
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Trump Calls Out the Climate ‘Suckers: ‘The Whole Thing is a Hoax

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President Donald Trump delivered extended remarks dismissing climate change as a manufactured concept, repeating his long-held position that shifting terminology around the issue shows it lacks substance.

Speaking about how the discussion has evolved over several decades, Trump said the idea has been repackaged multiple times and remains, in his view, a political and economic tool used against countries like the United States and the United Kingdom.

Trump said, “You know, when they talk about the climate it’s the whole thing is a hoax. They used to say it was started by other countries to cause problems, but, and they used to call it global warming, but that didn’t work, because it started getting cold.”

He added that earlier descriptions of environmental concerns also changed over time.

“They even called it many years ago, global cooling, but those things don’t work. So now they call it climate change, because with climate change, you can’t lose it.”

His comments framed the terminology shift as evidence that the issue lacks clear scientific grounding.

The summary of Trump’s remarks noted that he argued the concept has been flexible enough to fit any weather pattern and has been used by foreign governments to create economic pressure.

Trump criticized the United Kingdom during his comments, referring to its policies as an example of what he sees as misguided adoption of environmental goals.

“The whole thing is a hoax, and your country, among others, but your country is one of the worst you talk about UK. It’s one of the worst in the world. They believe this nonsense is fiction,” he said.

He then focused on China, claiming the country benefits financially from global environmental policy debates while continuing to rely on conventional energy at home.

According to the summary provided with his remarks, Trump suggested China advances its own economic interests by selling wind-energy equipment abroad while not adopting the same technology for domestic use.

During his statement, Trump said China’s strategy has involved dominating the wind-turbine market.

“As an example, China, very smart. They sell, they sell the windmills. Almost all of them. Used to be Germany and China. Now it’s mostly China,” he said.

He contrasted that with what he described as China’s internal energy choices.

“And yet, if you go around China, you see almost no wind farms. So they make the windmills and they sell it to the suckers, you know, the stupid people. But they don’t have them themselves. They use oil and gas, they use coal, but they don’t use the wind.”

Trump’s comments reflected the position summarized in the description of the statement: that climate change, as a concept, was promoted by foreign countries to create complications for others while those same nations pursued different policies at home.

DOJ Drops the Hammer on Antifa After Officer Shot in the Neck During ICE Facility Attack
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DOJ Drops the Hammer on Antifa After Officer Shot in the Neck During ICE Facility Attack

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Sixteen individuals linked to an Antifa-affiliated group face federal charges following a July 4 attack on the Prairieland Detention Center in Alvarado, Texas, where a police officer was shot in the neck while responding to the incident.

The Justice Department announced the indictments and charges Friday, detailing a coordinated effort that investigators say involved weapons, explosives, and plans communicated through encrypted channels.

Nine suspected members of a North Texas Antifa cell were indicted on 12 counts related to the attack.

Those indicted are Cameron Arnold, Zachary Evetts, Benjamin Song, Savanna Batten, Bradford Morris, Maricela Rueda, Elizabeth Soto, Ines Soto, and Daniel Rolando Sanchez-Estrada.

According to federal prosecutors, they face charges including rioting with intent to commit an act of violence, providing material support to terrorists, conspiracy to use and carry an explosive, using and carrying an explosive, attempted murder of officers, discharging a gun during and in relation to a crime of violence, corruptly concealing a document or record, and conspiracy to conceal documents.

Six additional suspects — Nathan Baumann, Joy Gibson, Susan Kent, Rebecca Morgan, Lynette Sharp, and John Thomas — were each charged with one count of providing material support to terrorists.

A 16th defendant, Seth Sikes, was charged in late October with one count of providing material support to terrorists.

FBI Director Kash Patel addressed the charges in a statement to Fox News Digital.

“Anyone who targets law enforcement or uses violence to advance an anarchist agenda will face the full weight of the federal government,” Patel said.

“These are domestic terrorists, and under President Trump’s leadership, we’re finding them and bringing them to justice.”

Acting U.S. Attorney Nancy Larson noted the scope of the case, stating, “This is the first indictment in the country against a group of violent Antifa cell members.”

Authorities said the suspects were part of a larger militant enterprise made up of small groups and networks advocating for the overthrow of the U.S. government and law enforcement.

Attorney General Pam Bondi told Fox News Digital, “Antifa is a terrorist organization, and today’s guilty pleas — for violent assaults against law enforcement — mark a turning point in how the Department of Justice is approaching Antifa cases.”

She added, “At President Trump’s direction, we are prosecuting Antifa like we prosecute groups such as Tren de Aragua and MS-13. Expect similar cases to come as we dismantle Antifa.”

Federal prosecutors said 11 of the suspects took part in the attack on the detention center, which was being used to house illegal aliens awaiting deportation.

They were dressed in “black bloc” clothing with face coverings intended to conceal their identities.

Investigators said the group allegedly fired and threw fireworks at the building, damaged vehicles, and vandalized a guard shack.

Correctional officers called 911 as the incident unfolded. An Alvarado police officer responded and was issuing commands to Baumann when, according to prosecutors, Song yelled, “Get to the rifles,” and opened fire.

The officer was struck in the neck while correctional officers ran for cover. Song fled the scene but was captured by law enforcement on July 15.

Federal prosecutors said the cell had allegedly acquired more than 50 guns in the Dallas and Fort Worth area prior to the attack.

To coordinate their actions, they used an encrypted messaging platform with auto-delete functions, which investigators say permanently removed communications between some participants.

Members allegedly used monikers in group chats and conducted reconnaissance while planning what equipment to bring, including firearms, fireworks, and medical kits.

The nine indicted defendants are scheduled to appear in federal court for arraignment on December 3.

Paper Trail Raises Questions About Jack Smith, Chris Wray, J6, and the ‘Arctic Frost’ Probe
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Paper Trail Raises Questions About Jack Smith, Chris Wray, J6, and the ‘Arctic Frost’ Probe

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A newly disclosed FBI document shows that former Special Counsel Jack Smith met with former FBI Director Christopher Wray in 2023 while overseeing the federal investigation known as “Arctic Frost.”

The meeting was listed internally by the FBI as a “significant case notification,” according to records shared with congressional investigators.

Fox News reported that the document was provided to Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley of Iowa and Sen. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin as part of their ongoing review into Smith’s handling of the January 6 and 2020 election inquiries.

Smith launched those investigations before the March 2023 document was drafted.

The FBI document, created as part of its “significant case notification” system, stated: “On 5/24/2023, Special Counsel Jack Smith met with FBI Director Wray.” The meeting occurred one day before the FBI generated the notification, which highlighted developments in the Arctic Frost investigation.

A “significant case notification” is used by the FBI to update senior leadership and field offices about cases deemed to have substantial public importance.

The Arctic Frost probe was categorized as a “sensitive investigative matter,” according to information provided to lawmakers.

Grassley said the newly revealed document contradicts Smith’s unwillingness to clarify whether he met with senior Biden-Harris administration law enforcement officials.

Grassley said, “Jack Smith claims he wants to tell his story to Congress, but when I asked him point-blank if he ever met with Garland, Monaco, or Wray as part of his investigation, he refused to answer.”

In October, Grassley sent a letter asking Smith if he had met with Wray, then-Attorney General Merrick Garland, then-Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco, or then-FBI Deputy Director Paul Abbate during the Arctic Frost investigation.

Smith responded to the letter but did not disclose whether he had held meetings with any of the officials.

Grassley said, “Either Smith has a bad memory, or he’s simply not willing to come clean about his actions,” adding that, “if Smith really wanted the American people to hear the truth, he’d be cooperating with my straightforward congressional oversight requests instead of making excuses. I’m going to continue investigating to ensure the public gets full transparency.”

Sen. Johnson has also raised concerns about the Arctic Frost probe, which continues to draw scrutiny from lawmakers seeking details about the contacts between the special counsel’s office and senior Justice Department or FBI officials.

The meeting between Smith and Wray noted in the FBI document has added further questions about internal discussions related to the investigation.


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