Author name: Peter Zambelli

DHS Responds to Viral Illegal Alien ‘Daycare Arrest’ Claims, Narrative Implodes
News

DHS Responds to Viral Illegal Alien ‘Daycare Arrest’ Claims, Narrative Implodes

/

Federal officials clarified details surrounding a viral video that appeared to show a woman being forcibly arrested outside a Chicago daycare, saying Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers were targeting an illegal immigrant who fled into the building during an attempted traffic stop—not conducting a raid at the childcare center.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) confirmed Wednesday that ICE officers arrested 41-year-old Colombian national Diana Patricia Santillana Galeano, who had previously been released at the southern border under the Biden-Harris administration in June 2023.

Officials said she fled into the vestibule of the Rayito de Sol Spanish Immersion Early Learning Center after officers attempted to stop a vehicle registered to her earlier that morning.

According to DHS, the vehicle was driven by a man who refused to comply with law enforcement commands and sped into a nearby shopping plaza. The department said both occupants exited the vehicle and ran toward the daycare.

“Law enforcement pursued the vehicle before the assailant sped into a shopping plaza where he and the female passenger fled the vehicle,” said DHS Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs Tricia McLaughlin.

“They ran into a daycare and attempted to barricade themselves inside the daycare, recklessly endangering the children inside. The illegal alien female was arrested inside a vestibule, not in the school.”

Video footage of the arrest shows two ICE officers restraining Santillana Galeano outside the daycare as she screamed and resisted being handcuffed.

Several daycare employees can be seen nearby, one holding a child as officers placed her into a law enforcement vehicle.

Representative Mike Quigley (D-Ill.) accused ICE of taking “a preschool teacher without a warrant in front of children,” on X.

In a statement, DHS said Quigley’s remarks were “deliberately misrepresenting the facts” and that reports suggesting ICE targeted a school or a teacher were “inaccurate and false.”

“Work authorization does NOT confer any type of legal status to be in the U.S.,” the department said.

“The illegal alien’s work authorization was approved by the Biden administration, which exploited this loophole to help facilitate the invasion of our country.”

According to DHS officials cited by Fox News Digital, Santillana Galeano was not targeted for her employment but because she was an undocumented immigrant who had been caught and released at the border.

Authorities added that she was under investigation for allegedly encouraging her two children, ages 16 and 17, to cross the border unaccompanied last month.

Officials said she may have facilitated human smuggling by hiring individuals to transport them into the United States.

Her children were later apprehended near El Paso on October 19 and placed in the custody of U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

They are now housed at a shelter for unaccompanied minors in the Chicago area known as Heartland International Children’s RC, according to DHS.

McLaughlin said Santillana Galeano initially gave false information about her identity and claimed she did not know the male driver, stating she had “picked him up from a bus stop.”

DHS confirmed that the man fled the scene, and law enforcement officials have not yet released his identity.

DHS officials emphasized that Santillana Galeano did not enter the daycare itself because the second set of vestibule doors was locked.

ICE agents made the arrest outside the secured area and not “in front of children.”

In a statement following the arrest, DHS said, “President Trump and Secretary Noem are restoring the rule of law in the U.S. and directing ICE to target criminal illegal aliens.

More than 70% of all ICE arrests are of aliens with pending charges and convictions in the U.S.”

The investigation into the incident and the male suspect remains ongoing.

Gavin Newsom’s Wife Attacks Trump, Instantly Reminded of Her Own Scandals
Democrats

Gavin Newsom’s Wife Attacks Trump, Instantly Reminded of Her Own Scandals

/

California First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom faced sharp backlash this week after using a campaign event to criticize President Donald Trump, prompting widespread reactions online highlighting controversies surrounding her and her husband, Governor Gavin Newsom.

The remarks came Monday during a press conference in Sacramento promoting Proposition 50, a Newsom-backed ballot measure that would temporarily suspend the state’s independent redistricting commission and give the legislature more control over congressional map drawing.

Supporters of the measure, including the governor, have argued it is needed to “modernize” California’s redistricting process.

Critics have said the proposal would allow Democrats to consolidate power by redrawing traditionally Republican districts in their favor.

During the event, Jennifer Siebel Newsom directed pointed comments at President Trump, calling him an unfit leader and vowing to raise her children with opposing values.

“And I will tell you right now, I will not raise my children to think Donald Trump is an acceptable American leader,” she said.

“Nor that he is the leader of what our great country should behave like.”

“I won’t raise them to think his terror enables his power and that his greed equals success,” she continued.

“He is the exact opposite of what real strength looks like.”

Her remarks quickly drew widespread reaction online, with critics citing both her husband’s political record and her own public controversies.

Some pointed out that the First Partner’s comments appeared to overlook several well-documented scandals involving the governor.

One widely shared post read, “He’s not an acceptable American leader. Didn’t Gavin Newsom cheat on his ex-wife with his best friend’s wife? He’s not what strength really looks like. Like Harvey Weinstein, who Jennifer gave fellatio to? He doesn’t tell the truth. Like Gavin, who said he’d end homelessness in California, but it’s only gotten exponentially worse under him?”

Conservative commentator Jennifer Van Laar, editor of RedState, also weighed in, referencing Siebel Newsom’s previous connections to the Hollywood entertainment industry.

“JSN tried to silence Rose McGowan re: Harvey Weinstein, because JSN’s brother-in-law is one of the Schillers in Boies Schiller law firm,” Van Laar wrote. “JSN slandered Ruby Rippey-Tourk, Gavin’s former secretary, when Gavin had sex with Ruby after Ruby ‘showed up passed out outside his door.’ Sounds to me like JSN knows all about con artists, predators, and malignant narcissists, and defends them to her children.”

Media analyst Joe Concha of Fox News reminded followers of the governor’s actions during the COVID-19 pandemic.

He noted that both Gavin and Jennifer Newsom attended a private dinner at the French Laundry restaurant in Napa Valley while the governor’s stay-at-home order was in effect.

“Jennifer Newsom also attended the French Laundry dinner,” Concha wrote.

“The Newsoms also sent their kids to private school while the governor shut down public ones. True story.”

The criticism comes as Governor Newsom continues to face scrutiny over California’s economic and housing crises.

The state’s homelessness rate has continued to climb despite repeated pledges from the governor to reduce it, and his administration has faced bipartisan criticism over spending priorities and public accountability.

FBI Reveals Photos of Michigan Terror Suspects Training for Halloween Massacre
News

FBI Reveals Photos of Michigan Terror Suspects Training for Halloween Massacre

/

Federal agents have arrested two men accused of planning an ISIS-inspired terror attack in the Detroit area that was allegedly set to take place on Halloween, according to newly unsealed court documents, as reported by Fox News.

The suspects, identified as Mohmed Ali of Dearborn, Michigan, and Majed Mahmoud, face charges of receiving, transferring, and attempting to receive and transfer firearms with knowledge that they would be used to commit terrorism.

An FBI affidavit revealed that the plot, code-named “Pumpkin,” involved plans for a mass shooting in a Detroit suburb.

According to the complaint, Ali and Mahmoud practiced shooting at a local gun range multiple times, including sessions with a juvenile suspect identified only as “Person 1,” who used the alias “Athari,” and another unnamed co-conspirator.

In one intercepted communication, the juvenile allegedly insisted that the attack occur on Halloween.

“So ya, I talked to my brothers. We are going to do pumpkin,” he reportedly told Ali. “I talked to…[Co-conspirator 4] and [Co-conspirator 5], they said it is getting bad. So we got to do pumpkin, ya.”

Federal agents executed search warrants on both men’s residences and a storage unit in Inkster, Michigan, recovering three AR-15-style rifles, two shotguns, four pistols, more than 1,600 rounds of ammunition, GoPro cameras, tactical vests, and other equipment.

“With today’s unsealed criminal complaint, the American people can see the results of months of tireless investigative work where the FBI acted quickly and likely saved many lives,” FBI Director Kash Patel told Fox News Digital.

“We’ll continue to follow the facts, uphold the law, and deliver justice for the American people.”

Investigators say the alleged plot began around September 1 and was scheduled to target civilians on Halloween.

The suspects and several co-conspirators allegedly scouted potential attack locations in Ferndale, Michigan, a Detroit suburb known for its nightlife. Authorities noted that none of the suspects were older than 21, which raised further suspicion.

The FBI said the suspects referenced the November 2015 ISIS terrorist attacks in Paris, where 137 people were killed and more than 400 injured, allegedly saying they wanted to “do the same thing as France.”

Court documents show that a co-conspirator returning from overseas was stopped by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, who reportedly found Google searches for “ISIS” and “Islamic State” on his phone, along with photos of him holding weapons while wearing tactical gear.

Although ISIS lost control of its territory in 2019, federal authorities said the group continues to inspire individuals through online radicalization.

Investigators also discovered that the Michigan suspects shared extremist propaganda in encrypted messaging apps, including WhatsApp, Instagram, and Discord, and had sought advice from the father of a local “Islamic extremist ideologue.”

Michigan Halloween Plot Foil by connectwithchristineee

Both Ali and Mahmoud were legally able to purchase firearms. According to investigators, records show multiple gun purchases, modifications, and ammunition orders tied to their names.

Among the seized weapons were a Beretta A300 Ultima Competition 12-gauge shotgun, a Daniel Defense M4 V7 rifle, several 5.56 rifles from Palmetto State Armory, and a Sig Sauer 9mm pistol.

The FBI said the investigation remains ongoing and that additional charges could be filed as agents continue to review evidence recovered from the suspects’ homes and electronic devices.

Former TV Anchor Accused of Fatally Stabbing Her Mother in Wichita on Halloween
News

Former TV Anchor Accused of Fatally Stabbing Her Mother in Wichita on Halloween

/

Authorities in Wichita, Kansas, say a former Missouri television anchor was arrested on Halloween after allegedly stabbing her 80-year-old mother to death and later telling police she acted “to save herself,” as reported by The New York Post.

According to the Wichita Police Department, officers responded to a home in the 2600 block of North Clarence Street shortly before 8 a.m. Friday, after receiving a 911 call from Angelynn Mock, 47. Dispatchers reported that Mock said she had stabbed her mother.


When officers arrived, they found Mock outside the residence with blood on her hands and multiple visible injuries.

Inside the home, officers discovered Mock’s mother, identified as Anita Avers, lying unresponsive in her bed with multiple stab wounds. Avers was rushed to a nearby hospital but was pronounced dead about 30 minutes later.

Police confirmed she was a practicing marriage and family therapist with Wichita Counseling Professionals.

Neighbors told KAKE-TV they were shocked by the scene that unfolded that morning. Alyssa Castro, who lives nearby, said she and her boyfriend were in their car when a woman covered in blood approached them, asking for help.

“There was a woman who approached our vehicle with like blood, like her hands were filled, her body was filled with blood, asking to call 911,” Castro told the outlet.

Castro said Mock took her phone and ran back inside the house before calling authorities. According to Sedgwick County dispatchers, Mock told them she “stabbed [her] mother to save herself.”

Officers arrived minutes later and took Mock into custody without further incident. She was booked into the Sedgwick County Jail on a charge of first-degree murder and is being held on a $1 million bond, according to the sheriff’s office.

Castro said she and her boyfriend were later contacted by police and had their phone returned. “We never know what anyone is going through,” she said. “This happened randomly, but as long as we were able to get 911 and see what we can do, that’s all I really care about.”

Mock’s professional history includes several years as a broadcast journalist. She worked as a morning and evening fill-in anchor at KTVI Fox 2 in St. Louis from 2011 to 2015, according to her LinkedIn profile.

After leaving television, she held various sales roles until 2017 and later joined a data management firm with offices across the Midwest, including one in Wichita.

Police said the investigation remains ongoing as detectives review evidence and await autopsy results. The Wichita Police Department has not yet released further details regarding Mock’s statement or possible motive.

Alabama Cops Outwit Students in Hilarious Toilet Paper Prank Payback
News

Alabama Cops Outwit Students in Hilarious Toilet Paper Prank Payback

/

Police officers in Heflin, Alabama, carried out a coordinated “revenge” prank on local high school seniors this week after the department’s headquarters became the target of an elaborate toilet papering incident days before Halloween.

According to the Heflin Police Department, members of the Class of 2026 covered the police station, squad cars, and surrounding trees with toilet paper late last week as part of a senior tradition.

The department responded Tuesday night with a planned counter-prank aimed at several of the students involved.

Police Chief Ross McGlaughn confirmed that his officers, along with community volunteers, participated in the lighthearted operation.

“We know who you are and while you just put the PlayStation controller down for a week, we are children of the 80s and 90s who perfected this craft years ago,” McGlaughn wrote in a Facebook post detailing the event.

The chief said he and his team received parental permission before targeting three student homes.

To ensure the prank came as a surprise, McGlaughn misled the students by hinting that any police retaliation would take place on Halloween night.

Instead, the officers launched their operation two days early.

“Old school rules were put into place. We would park down the road and approach the target on foot,” McGlaughn wrote.

“Speed, surprise, and violence of action” were the guiding principles behind what he jokingly called the department’s tactical plan.

The group moved quickly to cover trees, lawns, and bushes with toilet paper, then exited the area on foot before returning to their vehicles.

Officers worked to avoid activating alarms or security cameras during the prank, which McGlaughn described as an exercise in “stealth and coordination.”

However, rain overnight partially spoiled their handiwork.

McGlaughn said the toilet paper was reduced to a “soggy mess” by morning.

The playful exchange between officers and students has gained attention on social media, with the department’s Facebook post drawing hundreds of comments and shares.

Residents of Heflin—a city located about 80 miles east of Birmingham—have praised the officers for handling the situation with humor while fostering community spirit.

In an interview with CBS News, McGlaughn emphasized that the department’s response was all in good fun and that no property damage or illegal activity occurred during either prank.

“As long as they’re doing this, they’re not getting in trouble doing something else,” he said.

“I haven’t seen any type of drugs or alcohol involved, because I think they’re spending all their money on toilet paper.”

Students involved in the original prank reportedly turned their efforts into an entrepreneurial project by forming a cleanup service called the “Toilet Paper Rapid Response Team.”

The group offers “TP insurance” to local residents, pledging to remove toilet paper from insured properties after pranks for a small fee.

“It brings a sense of community,” one student told CBS News.

Chief McGlaughn said the exchange has strengthened relationships between local youth and police officers.

“It’s about having fun and remembering that community policing is also about connection,” he said.

No citations or formal complaints were issued in connection with the incidents.

The Heflin Police Department stated that the matter is considered closed—though McGlaughn left open the possibility of future “operations” if the students attempt another prank next year.

Karine Jean‑Pierre Makes Stunning ‘Cheap Fakes’ Confession During Testimony to Congress
News

Karine Jean‑Pierre Makes Stunning ‘Cheap Fakes’ Confession During Testimony to Congress

/

White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre faced questioning from the House Oversight Committee last month over her prior claims that videos showing Joe Biden appearing confused at public events were “cheap fakes.”

The committee this week released the full video and transcript of her testimony, revealing repeated denials and selective recollection about the widely circulated footage.

During the closed-door interview, Committee Chief Counsel Jake Greenberg pressed Jean-Pierre about her public statements and whether she had personally viewed the videos of Biden looking disoriented or freezing during appearances with world leaders.

Greenberg asked directly, “Were all clips circulated on social media or elsewhere showing President Biden being confused or freezing at times, were those all fakes?”

Jean-Pierre replied, “I can’t speak to everything that was on social media.”

Greenberg followed up, asking, “But there were instances where videos showed President Biden appearing confused or freezing for a moment—those were real, correct?”

“Not that I recall,” Jean-Pierre responded.

When pressed further on whether she had seen any of the videos in question, Jean-Pierre again said, “Not that I recall.”

The repeated use of that phrasing drew attention from lawmakers and observers, as the videos have been viewed millions of times online and covered extensively by media outlets across the political spectrum.

The Oversight Committee’s transcript shows Jean-Pierre attempting to distance herself from the controversy by characterizing the viral footage as misleading.

She claimed the clips “were not actually reflective of what was happening” at those moments, suggesting they had been taken out of context.

The videos in question include multiple instances from 2024 events where Biden appeared to freeze, wander away from groups of world leaders, or stand silently as others interacted around him.

According to the transcript, Jean-Pierre maintained that her previous comments about “cheap fakes” referred broadly to selective editing on social media rather than specific videos.

Lawmakers, however, pointed out that her statements had targeted major news outlets and conservative reporters who had aired the unedited footage.

The exchange between Jean-Pierre and Greenberg highlighted a recurring point of contention between the White House and congressional investigators over the administration’s public messaging.

Members of the Oversight Committee have argued that labeling the videos as manipulated was an attempt to dismiss legitimate public concerns about Biden’s health and performance during official duties.

The New York Post, which reviewed the released transcript, noted that Jean-Pierre’s testimony showed a consistent pattern of avoiding direct answers.

Despite the prominence of the videos online and in broadcast media, she said she could not recall viewing any of them personally.

The footage, captured at events including international summits and domestic campaign stops, has been a frequent topic of political debate.

Jean-Pierre also faced questions about the June 2024 presidential debate between Biden and President Donald Trump. When asked if Biden appeared “confused” during that event, she replied, “[H]e seemingly, to me, looked like he had a cold.”

Her response added to the ongoing scrutiny over how administration officials handled public concerns about Biden’s cognitive and physical fitness during his final months in office.

Ilhan Omar Pressures Schumer to Endorse Zohran Mamdani for Mayor
News

Ilhan Omar Pressures Schumer to Endorse Zohran Mamdani for Mayor

/

Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) criticized Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) on Thursday for withholding his endorsement of Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic Party’s nominee in New York City’s mayoral race, as reported by Fox News.

During an interview with CNN’s Kasie Hunt, Omar said Schumer’s decision not to back Mamdani “makes no sense,” arguing that the Senate leader should follow the Democratic Party’s tradition of supporting its nominees.

Zohran Kwame Mamdani is a New York State Assemblymember and democratic socialist running for Mayor. New York, US – 04 July 2025

“We as Democrats have always believed that, in an election, we support our party’s nominee,” Omar said.

“Schumer has pressured other Democrats to do just that, and he should be following his own advice.”

The Minnesota lawmaker’s remarks come as Mamdani’s campaign continues to generate controversy within the Democratic Party over his far-left platform and ties to socialist organizations.

Since his nomination, several party leaders have hesitated to publicly align themselves with him, citing policy differences and concerns about statements made by his supporters.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) has endorsed Mamdani, though reportedly with reservations. Schumer, however, has refrained from offering any support, a silence that prompted Omar’s criticism.

Dec. 7, 2023; Washington, D.C., USA; House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries speaking at a press conference on Dec. 7, 2023 in Washington, D.C.. Mandatory Credit: Jack Gruber-USA TODAY

When asked whether religion played a role in Schumer’s reluctance, Omar linked the issue to what she described as rising anti-Muslim sentiment.

“The tsunami of the anti-Muslim attacks that we are seeing is deeply concerning,” she said.

“And I would hope that the Democratic leader in the Senate would recognize that and would offer support not just to Mamdani, but the million Muslims who live in New York City and the millions who live in New York and in America.”

Omar also defended Mamdani against accusations of antisemitism after the candidate drew criticism for hesitating to condemn the slogan “Globalize the intifada.” She dismissed the concern as overblown.

“Well, everything he does or says seems to be called antisemitic,” Omar said.

“What I do know is that he has support from a broad coalition of New Yorkers. He’s got a huge coalition of Jewish voters that are supporting him. He’s got a huge coalition of Muslims of every sect. He’s got a huge coalition of young people who are supporting him.”

Zohran Mamdani at the 2025 NYC Pride March, Jun 29, 2025, NYC, NY, USA. Yannick Peterhans/NorthJersey.com

Omar credited Mamdani’s outreach efforts for building that base, saying his campaign “took the time to listen where the policy pains were for New Yorkers” and that voters “see hope in the kind of progress that he could create for New Yorkers.”

When asked whether she would support Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) if the congresswoman chose to launch a primary challenge against Schumer, Omar replied, “I would like Alex to do whatever it is that Alex wants, and I’ll be there to support her.”

Neither Schumer’s office nor Mamdani’s campaign responded to requests for comment about Omar’s remarks.

DHS: Threats Against ICE Surge 8,000% — Officials Warn of ‘Unprecedented’ Violence
News

DHS: Threats Against ICE Surge 8,000% — Officials Warn of ‘Unprecedented’ Violence

/

The Department of Homeland Security on Wednesday warned of an extraordinary spike in threats and violent targeting of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers, saying death threats against ICE personnel have jumped roughly 8,000% as agents carry out the administration’s immigration enforcement operations, as reported by Fox News.

Assistant DHS Secretary Tricia McLaughlin described a pattern of escalating danger for frontline officers:

“From bounties placed on their heads for their murders, threats to their families, stalking, and doxxing online, our officers are experiencing an unprecedented level of violence,” she said, in part.

People march down E Kilbourn Ave as part of the “People’s Independence Day” march hosted by The Milwaukee Alliance Against Racist & Political Repression on Friday July 4, 2025 in Milwaukee, WI.

McLaughlin said the surge has included direct offers of money for killings, explicit online doxxing, stalking of employees and threats aimed at officers’ families.

She also blamed what she called “sanctuary politicians” for contributing to the rise in hostility, asserting the tactics of some elected officials have helped foment violence.

McLaughlin said “sanctuary politicians” have contributed to the surge “through their repeated vilification and demonization tactics, including gross comparisons to the Nazi Gestapo.” She added that “this violence against law enforcement must end.”

DHS cited several recent incidents to illustrate the threat environment. In Dallas, investigators arrested Eduardo Aguilar, a Mexican national living in the U.S. illegally, after he allegedly posted a TikTok message offering $10,000 for the murder of an ICE agent.

According to DHS, the post — written in Spanish — sought “10 dudes in Dallas with determination who aren’t afraid to [two skull emojis].”

In another Texas case, an ICE officer’s spouse reportedly received a voicemail that read, in part:

“I don’t know how you let your husband work for ICE, and you sleep at night. F**k you, f**k your family. I hope your kids get deported by accident. How do you sleep? F**k you. Did you hear what happened to the Nazis after World War II? Because it’s what’s going to happen to your family.”

DHS also pointed to threats in Washington state. Fox News Digital reported that a man identified as James Adrian Warren allegedly targeted the ICE office in Ferndale, posting online that officers were “Nazis” and “the Gestapo.”

Warren allegedly wrote: “They need to be told they are Nazis every day they come to work, they need to be reminded that they are Nazis every day when they go home. I start on my next day off, you should too.”

DHS said Warren also planned to watch, tail, record, and report employees to make “life harder for ICE here in Whatcom County.”

Los Angeles, California, USA – June 10, 2025: U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) field officers guard a federal building during ICE deportation protests in Downtown LA.

Officials emphasized that threats extend beyond insults to calls for violence and organized harassment. DHS said the agency has documented doxxing campaigns and coordinated efforts to intimidate officers both on duty and at home.

Citing Secretary Kristi Noem, DHS issued a blunt warning to would-be attackers and anyone who would abet them: “ICE and our federal law enforcement partners will continue to enforce the law.

And if you lay a hand on a law enforcement officer, you will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” DHS said, citing Noem.

The department said it is coordinating with federal, state, and local partners to investigate threats, protect personnel, and pursue prosecutions.

McLaughlin urged political leaders and the public to reject rhetoric that encourages violence and to recognize the personal risk law-enforcement officers face while performing their duties.

Authorities Foil Alleged Synagogue Attack Plot, Arrest Alabama Suspect
News

Authorities Foil Alleged Synagogue Attack Plot, Arrest Alabama Suspect

/

Authorities in Alabama say they have prevented a potential mass attack after arresting a man accused of making violent threats against synagogues across the state and surrounding areas, as reported by The New York Post.

The Clarke County Sheriff’s Office in Grove Hill confirmed Tuesday that 45-year-old Jeremy Wayne Shoemaker was taken into custody Monday night in Needham, Alabama, following what officials described as “credible threats of violence made against multiple synagogues throughout Alabama and surrounding states.”

“Likely acts of violence were averted before they happened,” the sheriff’s office said in a statement. Deputies executed a search warrant at Shoemaker’s residence, where they reportedly found several firearms, body armor, and “more than a suitcase full of ammo.”

According to the department, investigators also uncovered evidence suggesting Shoemaker had planned not to be taken alive and had “intentions of possibly planning attacks on public figures as well.”

The sheriff’s office confirmed that “numerous” federal agencies are now involved in the investigation and that “multiple federal charges are likely.” For now, Shoemaker faces state charges, including resisting arrest and illegal possession of firearms by a prohibited person.

Tommy Loftis, public affairs specialist for the FBI’s Mobile Field Office, told JNS that Shoemaker is currently being held at the Clarke County Jail on state charges while federal authorities continue their investigation.

Clarke County Sheriff DeWayne Smith credited the coordinated response between local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies for preventing what could have been a deadly incident.

“Because we worked together, you’re not reading about in the paper a situation where there was a mass shooting or something, and everybody’s wondering how we could have prevented it,” Smith said. “This is what happens when all the agencies work together.”

The Birmingham Jewish Federation released a statement Tuesday confirming that “there is no credible threat to our community at this time.” The organization expressed gratitude to law enforcement for their quick and coordinated response.

“We are deeply grateful that swift and coordinated action by the FBI, state investigators and local law enforcement prevented what could have been a devastating act of violence,” the federation said.

“This incident is a sobering reminder that threats motivated by antisemitism and hate persist. Yet it also highlights the power of partnership, preparedness, and vigilance.”

Federal officials have not yet announced what additional charges Shoemaker could face, but investigators say the case remains open as multiple agencies continue to examine the scope of the threats and the weapons found in his possession.

JD Vance Tells TPUSA Crowd Christian Values Are Key to America’s Future
News

JD Vance Tells TPUSA Crowd Christian Values Are Key to America’s Future

/

Vice President J.D. Vance addressed thousands of students at a Turning Point USA event Wednesday night at the University of Mississippi, where he said America’s future depends on maintaining a “properly rooted Christian moral order.”

As Fox News reported, the event honored the late TPUSA founder Charlie Kirk, whose widow Erika also spoke to the packed crowd before Vance took the stage.

During his remarks and an extended question-and-answer session, Vance discussed how his Christian faith shapes his leadership, addressed questions about religious liberty, and responded to an inquiry about raising his children in an interfaith household.

His comments focused heavily on faith’s role in public life and the moral grounding of the nation.

“I make no apologies for thinking that Christian values are an important foundation of this country,” Vance said when asked about the separation of church and state.

“Anybody who’s telling you their view is neutral likely has an agenda to sell you. And I’m at least honest about the fact that I think the Christian foundation of this country is a good thing.”

Vance criticized modern liberalism as “a perverted version of Christianity,” explaining that while compassion for the disenfranchised is admirable, liberalism’s lack of moral or civic virtue has led to chaos.

“There’s nothing wrong, of course, with focusing on people who are disenfranchised,” Vance said.

“But if you completely separate it from any religious duty or any civic virtue, then that can actually become, for example, an inducement to lawlessness. You can’t just have compassion for the criminal. You also have to have justice too.”

He added that faith and governance must not be divorced from one another. “A properly rooted Christian moral order is such an important part of the future of our country,” Vance said.

When asked about God’s role in public life, Vance rejected the notion that the Constitution requires religion to be kept out of public spaces. “Anybody who tells you it’s required by the Constitution is lying to you,” he told the audience.

“The Supreme Court interpreted ‘Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion’ to effectively throw the church out of every public place at the federal, state and local level. I think it was a terrible mistake, and we’re still paying for the consequences of it today.”

Vance also addressed questions about his interfaith marriage. His wife, Usha, is Hindu, and Vance spoke candidly about raising their two sons in the Christian faith.

Vice President JD Vance and his wife Usha Vance take the stage with their children during the inauguration parade for President Donald Trump at Capital One Arena in Washington D.C., on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025.

“Most Sundays she will come with me to church,” he said. “Do I hope eventually that she is somehow moved by the same thing that I was moved in by church? Yeah, I honestly, I do wish that. But if she doesn’t, then God says everybody has free will, and so that doesn’t cause a problem for me.”

Reflecting on Charlie Kirk’s influence, Vance said the late TPUSA leader helped him feel more comfortable expressing his faith publicly. “This is another way in which Charlie has affected my life,” Vance said.

“Even if people had very deep personal faith, they didn’t talk about it a whole lot. But the reason why I try to be the best husband I can be, the best father I can be, the reason why I care so much about all the issues that we’re going to talk about, is because I believe I’ve been placed in this position for a brief period of time to do the most amount of good for God and for the country that I love so much.”


Scroll to Top