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Trump’s FBI Director Kash Patel Announces Terrorism Charges Against Antifa Extremists
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Trump’s FBI Director Kash Patel Announces Terrorism Charges Against Antifa Extremists

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A federal grand jury has indicted two individuals with alleged ties to Antifa-linked extremist groups on terrorism and attempted murder charges in connection with a coordinated attack on a federal immigration facility in Texas on July 4.

The indictments, handed down Wednesday and unsealed Thursday, name Cameron Arnold and Zachary Evetts as defendants.

Both are charged with providing material support for terrorism, attempting to murder federal officers, assisting in attempted murders, and discharging firearms during those attacks.

“This was a planned and coordinated terrorist attack on the Prairieland Detention Center in Alvarado, Texas, where armed extremists tried to murder U.S. officers on July 4th,” FBI Director Kash Patel said in a statement announcing the charges.

“For the first time ever, the FBI has arrested anarchist violent extremists and charged these Antifa-aligned individuals with material support to terrorism. We are executing under President Trump’s new authorities at record speed. To date, the FBI has made over 20 arrests tied to this case and related Antifa networks. No one gets to harm law enforcement. Not on our watch.”

Attorney General Pam Bondi said the indictments followed an extensive joint investigation by federal and local authorities into what officials described as a coordinated ambush on law enforcement officers assigned to the facility.

Bondi noted that additional charges are expected against other individuals connected to the incident.

“President Trump designated this decentralized, far-left extremist network as a domestic terrorist organization earlier this year,” Bondi said.

“We intend to pursue every lead and ensure that all individuals involved in this attack are held accountable.”

According to court filings, the attack began late on the night of July 4 when officers from the Alvarado Police Department responded to reports of a suspicious person armed with a firearm near the Prairieland Detention Center in Johnson County.

As officers approached, they came under gunfire from multiple shooters who had taken positions near the perimeter of the facility.

One officer was struck in the neck and airlifted to a hospital in Fort Worth.

He was later released after treatment. Police detained several suspects at the scene and recovered firearms and other materials believed to have been used in the attack.

Acting U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Nancy Larson said the suspects appeared to have coordinated their actions in an effort to lure officers and federal agents into an ambush.

“We’re here to tell you that late at night on July 4th, Friday night at approximately 10:37 p.m. at the Prairieland ICE Detention Center in Alvarado, Texas, 10 to 12 individuals dressed in black military-style clothing began shooting fireworks and engaging in acts of vandalism at the facility,” Larson said at the time.

Investigators said the attackers had disabled security cameras and set off distractions outside the building before opening fire. Each of the 10 individuals arrested that night — including Arnold and Evetts — were charged with three counts of discharging a firearm in relation to a crime of violence.

Three suspects also face three counts of attempted murder of a federal agent.

During searches of properties connected to the suspects, authorities recovered tactical gear, masks, gloves, two-way radios, and additional items used in the planning and execution of the attack.

Benjamin Song, identified by investigators as a former member of local Antifa groups and the Elm Fork Branch of the John Brown Gun Club, was later apprehended after an 11-day manhunt.

Another suspect, Daniel Rolando Sanchez-Estrada, 38, a former recipient of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, was charged separately with tampering with evidence related to the case.

Officials said the investigation into the broader network supporting the July 4 attack remains ongoing.

The FBI confirmed that several of those arrested have alleged connections to anarchist groups in Texas and surrounding states.

Arnold and Evetts are being held without bond pending trial in the Northern District of Texas. If convicted, they face multiple life sentences.

Hakeem Jeffries Defends Jay Jones After Text Saying ‘Two Bullets to the Head’ About Elected Official and His Children Surfaces
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Hakeem Jeffries Defends Jay Jones After Text Saying ‘Two Bullets to the Head’ About Elected Official and His Children Surfaces

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House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said Thursday that he continues to support Virginia Democratic Attorney General candidate Jay Jones despite backlash over text messages in which Jones appeared to fantasize about a Republican lawmaker being shot, as reported by Breitbart.

Speaking to reporters on Capitol Hill, Jeffries said Jones’ apology was sufficient.

“The attorney general candidate has appropriately apologized for his remarks, and I know his remarks have been condemned across the board by Democrats in the Commonwealth of Virginia and beyond,” Jeffries said. “And that’s the right thing to do.”

The text messages, which surfaced earlier this month, were sent on August 8, 2022, to Republican Delegate Carrie Coyner. In the messages, Jones allegedly made violent comments about then-House Speaker Todd Gilbert and his family.

“Three people, two bullets,” one of Jones’ texts read. Another stated, “Gilbert, Hitler, and Pol Pot. Gilbert gets two bullets to the head. Spoiler: put Gilbert in the crew with the two worst people you know and he receives both bullets every time.”

The messages immediately drew condemnation from Republicans, including Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin, who called on Jones to withdraw from the race.

“This violent, disgusting rhetoric targeted at an elected official and his children is beyond disqualifying,” Youngkin said in a statement.

“Jay Jones said that ‘Gilbert gets two bullets to the head’ and then hoped his children would die. Read those words again. There is no ‘gosh, I’m sorry’ here. Jones doesn’t have the morality or character to drop out of this race, and his running mates Abigail Spanberger, Ghazala Hashmi, and every elected Democrat in Virginia don’t have the courage to call on him to step away from this campaign in disgrace.”

Jones, who previously served as a state delegate, issued an apology shortly after the messages became public, describing his comments as “deeply inappropriate.”

“I regret my words and understand the harm they caused,” Jones said. “I take full responsibility and apologize to Speaker Gilbert and his family.”

Despite the controversy, prominent Democrats have continued to stand by Jones. During a recent debate between Democratic gubernatorial nominee Abigail Spanberger and Republican candidate Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears, Spanberger refused to withdraw her endorsement of Jones.

“We just want to clarify — as of now, you still endorse Jay Jones as attorney general?” the debate moderator asked.

“I’m saying, as of now, it’s up to every voter to make their own individual decision,” Spanberger responded.

“I am running for governor. I am accountable for the words that I say, for the acts that I take, for the policies that I have put out. I am responsible for the policies I put out and the work I will endeavor to do tirelessly for the people.”

Spanberger said she condemned Jones’ rhetoric when the texts were first made public but stopped short of rescinding her endorsement.

Jones remains in the race as Democratic leaders, including Jeffries, continue to back his campaign despite growing criticism over his past remarks.

Prince Andrew Gives Up Duke of York Title Amid Renewed Scrutiny Over Epstein Ties
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Prince Andrew Gives Up Duke of York Title Amid Renewed Scrutiny Over Epstein Ties

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Prince Andrew announced Friday that he is relinquishing his royal title, Duke of York, following new revelations about his relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

The move marks the latest fallout in a scandal that has shadowed the British royal family for years, as reported by The New York Post.

In a statement released by Buckingham Palace, the 65-year-old royal said the decision came after discussions with his brother, King Charles III, and other members of the royal family.

“In discussion with The King, and my immediate and wider family, we have concluded the continued accusations about me distract from the work of His Majesty and the royal family,” Prince Andrew said.

“I have decided, as I always have, to put my duty to my family and country first. I stand by my decision five years ago to stand back from public life.”

The announcement follows the publication of excerpts from a posthumous memoir by Virginia Giuffre, who accused Epstein of trafficking her and claimed that she was forced to have sex with Prince Andrew when she was 17.

Giuffre, who died in April at the age of 41, wrote that the encounter occurred at the London home of Epstein’s associate, Ghislaine Maxwell.

Giuffre’s memoir describes Andrew as “entitled,” alleging he behaved “as if he believed having sex with me was his birthright.” Her account revived widespread media coverage of the case, which had largely faded from the public spotlight in recent years.

Prince Andrew, who has denied all allegations of sexual misconduct, reiterated his position in his statement Friday. “As I have said previously, I vigorously deny the accusations against me,” he said.

Andrew stepped back from public duties in 2019 after the allegations first became public and amid mounting criticism of his friendship with Epstein.

The Duke faced further backlash after a 2019 BBC interview in which he denied wrongdoing but failed to convey remorse over his association with the disgraced financier.

Epstein died in a Manhattan jail cell in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges. Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein’s longtime associate, was convicted in 2021 on federal charges of grooming and sexually abusing underage girls. She is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence.

Prince Andrew’s decision to give up his title adds to ongoing efforts by King Charles to distance the monarchy from past controversies as he reshapes the royal family’s public image. Buckingham Palace declined further comment on the announcement.

Trump Says ‘Tremendous Bad Blood’ Between Zelenskyy and Putin Delaying Peace Deal
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Trump Says ‘Tremendous Bad Blood’ Between Zelenskyy and Putin Delaying Peace Deal

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President Donald Trump said Friday that lingering tension and “tremendous bad blood” between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin are delaying progress toward a peace deal in Ukraine, despite what he described as “major momentum” in his administration’s Middle East peace efforts, as reported by Fox News.

“They have tremendous bad blood. It really is what is holding up, I think, a settlement,” Trump said during remarks at the White House, where he hosted Zelenskyy for bilateral talks. “I think we are going to get it done, and we have to make it long-lasting — as I said in the Middle East, everlasting.”

Yanosh Nemesh – Shutterstock.com

Trump pointed to the recently brokered Middle East ceasefire involving 59 countries, calling it a model for how his administration intends to approach Ukraine.

“The Middle East is a much more complicated situation. You know, we had 59 countries involved, and every one of them agreed. Most people didn’t think that was doable. This is going to be something I really believe that’s going to get done,” Trump said.

“I had a very good talk yesterday with President Putin. I think he wants to get it done.”

Zelenskyy, seated beside Trump, said he believed the U.S. president had a “big chance” to help end the conflict.

“President Trump has really showed for the world that he can manage a ceasefire in the Middle East,” Zelenskyy said. “And that’s why I hope that he will do this. And we will also have such big success. For Ukraine, it’s a big chance, and I hope that President Trump can manage it.”

During the meeting, Trump reiterated his administration’s support for continued defensive assistance to Ukraine. “We need Tomahawks, and we need a lot of other things that we’ve been sending over the last four years to Ukraine,” Trump said.

The White House meeting followed a phone call between Trump and Putin on Thursday. After the call, Trump said “great progress” was made but offered no specific details. He confirmed that he and Putin agreed to meet again soon, with Hungary being discussed as a potential location.

A conceptual photo showing U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin on screen. Putin and Trump are set to discuss the Ukraine issue in Alaska. New York U.S 11.08.2025

Trump said he discussed U.S.-Russia trade relations during the call but did not confirm whether U.S. military aid to Ukraine was addressed. Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov later told reporters that Putin opposed the delivery of Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine.

“Vladimir Putin reiterated his thesis that Tomahawks won’t change the situation on the battlefield, but they will cause significant damage to relations between our countries, not to mention the prospects for a peaceful settlement,” Ushakov said, according to Reuters.

Zelenskyy, meanwhile, has pushed for greater air defense support amid Russia’s continued aerial bombardments of Ukrainian cities, infrastructure, and hospitals.

Writing on X, Zelenskyy said, “Nothing has changed for Russia — it is still terrorizing life in Ukraine. Therefore, every air defense system for Ukraine matters — it saves lives. Every decision that can strengthen us brings the end of the war closer.”

Friday’s meeting marked Zelenskyy’s third visit to the White House this year. His previous visit in February included Vice President J.D. Vance and featured what aides described as “tense but productive” discussions over long-term defense commitments and reconstruction aid.

Hakeem Jeffries Launches Personal Attack on Karoline Leavitt, Calls Her ‘Sick’ and ‘Demented’
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Hakeem Jeffries Launches Personal Attack on Karoline Leavitt, Calls Her ‘Sick’ and ‘Demented’

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House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., launched a series of personal attacks against White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt on Friday, calling her “sick,” “out of control,” and “demented” during a heated press conference in Washington, as reported by Fox News.

The remarks came on day 17 of the ongoing federal government shutdown as Jeffries accused the Trump administration and Republican leaders of using inflammatory rhetoric against Democrats.

“You’ve got Karoline Leavitt, who’s sick. She’s out of control. And I’m not sure whether she’s just demented, ignorant, a stone-cold liar, or all of the above,” Jeffries told reporters.

“But the notion that an official White House spokesperson would say that the Democratic Party consists of terrorists, violent criminals, and undocumented immigrants makes no sense, that this is what the American people are getting from the Trump administration in the middle of a shutdown.”

Fox News Digital reached out to the White House for comment following Jeffries’ remarks.

The exchange occurred as Jeffries fielded questions about a recent controversy involving a swastika that was reportedly found embedded in a small American flag pinned to a cork board inside the office of Rep. Dave Taylor, R-Ohio.

The image was first reported by a local Ohio social media user who goes by “The Rooster” on X.

Taylor denied any involvement by his staff, saying the flag had been placed in his office without their knowledge. “New details have emerged from a coordinated investigation into the vile symbol that appeared in my office,” Taylor said in a statement to Fox News.

“Numerous Republican offices have confirmed that they were targeted by an unidentified group or individual who distributed American flags bearing a similar symbol, which were initially indistinguishable from an ordinary American flag to the naked eye.”

Taylor added, “After a full-scale internal investigation, I am confident that no employee of this office would knowingly display such a despicable image, and the flag in question was taken down immediately upon the discovery of the obscured symbol it bore.”

It remains unclear why Jeffries invoked Leavitt specifically in his comments, as neither she nor the White House had made public statements directly connected to the incident involving Taylor’s office.

Aug 21, 2024; Chicago, IL, USA; House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., speaks during the third day of the Democratic National Convention at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Jasper Colt-USA TODAY

The dispute unfolded as tensions between Democrats and Republicans continue to escalate over the government funding impasse. Senate Democrats blocked a GOP-backed federal funding proposal for the fourth time on Thursday before leaving Washington for the weekend.

Republicans had proposed a seven-week continuing resolution to extend fiscal year 2025 funding levels while negotiations continued for a longer-term fiscal year 2026 agreement.

Democrats have resisted the measure, demanding additional healthcare provisions, including an extension of pandemic-era Obamacare subsidies set to expire at the end of 2025.

The standoff is expected to continue into its fourth week as both parties remain divided over spending priorities.

Don Lemon Urges Black and Brown Americans to Buy Guns and Arm Themselves Against ICE
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Don Lemon Urges Black and Brown Americans to Buy Guns and Arm Themselves Against ICE

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Former CNN host Don Lemon is under fire after suggesting that Black and Brown Americans should legally arm themselves in case Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents come to their homes, as reported by Fox News.

Lemon made the remarks Tuesday during an appearance on The Left Hook with Wajahat Ali, claiming that immigration officers are “rounding people up off the street without due process” and “sending them off to a gulag.”

Apr 30, 2022; Washington, DC, USA; CNN broadcaster Don Lemon arrives at the White House Correspondents Association annual dinner at the Washington Hilton. Mandatory Credit: Jack Gruber-USA TODAY

Lemon prefaced his comments by saying he was not “condoning or promoting violence” but said he was “tired of the niceties.”

He continued, “If you believe in the Second Amendment, if you believe in the Constitution, Black people, Brown people of all stripes, whether you’re an Indian American or a Mexican American or whoever you are, go out in your place where you live and get a gun legally. Get a license to carry legally.”

He then questioned the government’s actions, saying, “When you have people knocking on your door and taking you away without due process as a citizen, isn’t that what the Second Amendment was written for?”

Lemon claimed he wanted to “knock some sense” into members of the Trump administration and went on to say that “nobody is illegal.”

He argued, “It is a misdemeanor to cross the border. Now, if you do it a number of times, then it becomes something else. But there’s nowhere near the level of criminality… and what Donald Trump did is at the highest level of criminality, except for taking someone’s life.”

When asked about the comments, podcast host Wajahat Ali defended Lemon’s statements in a response to Fox News Digital, saying Lemon was exercising his First Amendment rights.

“Don Lemon has a right to express his views in the United States of America thanks to the First Amendment, which is allegedly championed by the Trump administration,” Ali said.

“If anything, I’d assume Republicans would agree with him that Americans have the right to legally bear arms thanks to the 2nd Amendment. Unless, of course, they only believe that right exists for White Trump supporters? If so, they should admit that publicly.”

Fox News Digital reported that ICE and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officials strongly condemned Lemon’s remarks. Assistant DHS Secretary Tricia McLaughlin called his statements “unhinged” and “dangerous.”

“Calling for violence against law enforcement is un-American — officers are already facing a 1,000% increase in assaults against them, including terrorist attacks, cars being used as weapons, rocks thrown at them and shot at,” McLaughlin said.

“Words have consequences, and this type of rhetoric is going to get one of our officers killed.”

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem confirmed in August that assaults against ICE agents have surged by 1,000% since the agency began increased immigration enforcement operations.

As of Wednesday, Lemon had not issued a public statement or clarification regarding his comments.

Gov. Kathy Hochul Silent on ‘No One Is Above the Law’ Claim After Letitia James Indictment
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Gov. Kathy Hochul Silent on ‘No One Is Above the Law’ Claim After Letitia James Indictment

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New York Governor Kathy Hochul has remained silent after repeated inquiries asking whether she still believes “no one is above the law,” a phrase she has invoked numerous times when referring to President Donald Trump’s legal battles, as reported by Fox News.

The governor’s silence follows the indictment of New York Attorney General Letitia James on federal charges of bank fraud and making false statements to a financial institution.

New York, NY – May 9, 2022: Attorney General Letitia James makes announcement about protecting access to abortion at AG New York office

A grand jury in Virginia indicted James on Thursday after a criminal referral earlier this year from Federal Housing Finance Director Bill Pulte, who alleged that James falsified mortgage documents to secure favorable loans.

She now faces charges of bank fraud and false statements related to financial institutions.

Following the indictment, Hochul expressed support for James on social media. “New Yorkers know @NewYorkStateAGJames for her integrity, her independence, and her relentless fight for justice,” Hochul wrote on X.

“What we’re seeing today is nothing less than the weaponization of the Justice Department to punish those who hold the powerful accountable.”

U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia Lindsey Halligan, announcing the charges, stated: “No one is above the law. The charges as alleged in this case represent intentional, criminal acts and tremendous breaches of the public’s trust.”

The statement from federal prosecutors mirrored the same language Hochul once used when celebrating court actions against President Trump.

In 2019, during Trump’s first impeachment, Hochul declared, “It’s really quite simple — NO ONE is above the law. Not now, not ever.” She praised House Democrats for their “patriotic duty” to hold Trump accountable.

Dec 8, 2018; Philadelphia, PA, USA; President Donald Trump stands with West Point cadets during the 119th Army-Navy game at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Danny Wild-Imagn Images

Throughout Trump’s presidency and subsequent legal battles, Hochul frequently commented on ongoing cases, including the 2023 civil fraud trial launched by James.

At that time, Hochul said, “His conduct has been a disgrace, and I have full confidence that Donald Trump will be held accountable for his actions.”

After Trump’s 2024 criminal conviction in New York on 34 counts of falsifying business records, Hochul released a statement repeating, “Today’s verdict reaffirms that no one is above the law.”

Now, following James’s indictment, Hochul’s office has declined to answer questions about whether that same standard applies to the state’s top law enforcement official. Fox News Digital reported that Hochul’s office did not respond to multiple requests for comment.

James’s indictment adds to years of political tension between her office and Trump. James campaigned in 2018 on a promise to “hold Donald Trump accountable” and later pursued dozens of lawsuits against him and his administration.

New York State Attorney General Letitia James.

She continued to challenge the Trump Organization and publicly vowed to oppose his policies after his re-election in 2024.

Trump has long accused Democratic officials of “weaponizing” the justice system against him, a point he emphasized again in January before his return to the White House. “They’re playing with the courts. It’s called lawfare, it’s called weaponization of justice,” Trump said.

Hochul, who previously celebrated Trump’s convictions as proof that “justice is blind,” has yet to address whether she stands by that belief now that her ally, Attorney General James, faces federal criminal charges.

Luigi Mangione Claims President Trump and DOJ Smeared Him as a Domestic Terrorist, Seeks Dismissal
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Luigi Mangione Claims President Trump and DOJ Smeared Him as a Domestic Terrorist, Seeks Dismissal

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Defendant Luigi Mangione has filed a new motion in federal court accusing the U.S. Department of Justice and President Donald Trump’s administration of carrying out a coordinated public smear campaign against him, alleging that their actions have tainted potential jurors and jeopardized his right to a fair trial.

According to court documents obtained by TMZ, Mangione’s filing centers on a memorandum issued by President Trump on September 25, 2025, titled “Countering Domestic Terrorism and Organized Political Violence.”

2020 National Convention WASHINGTON, DC – AUGUST 27: U.S. President Donald Trump gestures after delivering his acceptance speech for the Republican presidential nomination on the South Lawn.

The memo, which designates “Antifa” as a domestic terrorist organization, includes references to several high-profile criminal cases. Mangione claims that one of those references was directed at him.

While the memorandum does not mention Mangione by name, it cites “the 2024 assassination of a senior healthcare executive” as part of the rationale behind classifying Antifa as a terrorist group.

Mangione argues that this description clearly refers to his alleged involvement in the December 4, 2024, fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in New York City.

Mangione and his attorneys — Karen Agnifilo, Marc Agnifilo, and Jacob Kaplan — claim that President Trump’s public comments and the DOJ’s coordination with UnitedHealthcare executives have unfairly influenced public perception of the case.

In their motion, they argue that the administration’s statements amount to government-led defamation that could impact jurors, calling it a deliberate attempt to prejudice the legal process.

The defense motion also cites a Wall Street Journal report alleging that senior officials from the Department of Justice met with UnitedHealthcare executives. Mangione’s team claims those meetings, reportedly arranged by DOJ staff, demonstrate coordination between the company and the federal government.

They also note that UnitedHealthcare’s leadership met separately with the White House Chief of Staff, though those discussions were described publicly as unrelated to Mangione’s prosecution.

Mangione’s attorneys have requested that the court dismiss his federal indictment and the DOJ’s Notice of Intent to Seek the Death Penalty, citing what they call “prejudicial government conduct.”

In his separate state case, a New York judge previously dismissed terrorism-related charges against Mangione, ruling that prosecutors failed to establish that he conspired with any terrorist organizations or acted to spread political violence.

However, Mangione still faces multiple counts, including murder and the federal charge of using a firearm to commit murder, which carries a potential death sentence.

Mangione’s case continues to move through federal court, where prosecutors have yet to respond publicly to the latest defense filing.

Senate Democrats Block Bill to Pay American Troops During Schumer’s Ongoing Shutdown
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Senate Democrats Block Bill to Pay American Troops During Schumer’s Ongoing Shutdown

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Senate Democrats on Thursday blocked consideration of a defense appropriations bill that would have funded the Department of War for the remainder of the fiscal year and ensured that U.S. service members continued to receive pay during the ongoing government shutdown.

The vote failed 50–44, with only three Democrats—Sens. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, Catherine Cortez Masto of Nevada, and Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire—joining Republicans in support of the measure. The legislation required 60 votes to advance.

The bill would have guaranteed uninterrupted pay for active-duty military personnel and provided a scheduled pay raise for troops.

Despite broad bipartisan support when the measure passed out of the Senate Appropriations Committee in July, it became the latest casualty of a partisan stalemate that has now extended the federal government shutdown to its 16th day.

The Biden-Harris administration has relied on temporary funding measures authorized by President Donald Trump to ensure troops continue receiving paychecks.

However, Pentagon officials warned that those funds are limited and will not guarantee pay for service members if the shutdown extends into November.

Senate Minority Leader John Thune (R-SD) sharply criticized Democrats for blocking the measure, noting that they had previously supported a defense authorization bill to raise troop pay but were now preventing the funds from being distributed.

“After voting last week for an authorization bill to increase troop pay, Democrats just voted against the bill that would actually pay the troops,” Thune said on the Senate floor.

“They’re happy to sacrifice any American and evidently any principle to their political goals. Democrats like to position themselves as the party of the little guy and the defender of hard-working Americans, but as this vote makes clear, who do Democrats really care about?”

Republican senators echoed Thune’s criticism, arguing that Democrats were putting politics ahead of national security and the welfare of military families.

Sen. Eric Schmitt (R-MO) said the vote demonstrated that Democrats were “not serious about working on appropriations bills” and called their continued opposition “a losing argument with the American people.”

Democratic Sen. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut acknowledged earlier in the day that Congress has a responsibility to pay service members but still voted against the bill.

“We have an obligation, and now an opportunity, to pay our military in a lawful way instead of just moving funds from one account to another, as President Trump is doing,” Blumenthal said before the vote.

Earlier Thursday morning, Democrats also filibustered a bipartisan stopgap funding bill that would have reopened the federal government.

That marked the tenth time Democrats have blocked efforts to end the shutdown.

Sen. Fetterman, Sen. Cortez Masto, and Maine Sen. Angus King, an independent who caucuses with Democrats, broke ranks to vote with Republicans in favor of reopening the government.

Republican leaders have accused Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) of intentionally prolonging the shutdown to gain leverage on unrelated policy issues.

Schumer has insisted that Democrats will not agree to a temporary funding measure unless Republicans accept additional healthcare provisions tied to the spending package.

The defense appropriations measure would have provided funding for the military through September 2026, including pay for more than 1.3 million active-duty troops and essential defense programs.

The Senate is not scheduled to reconvene until Monday, meaning the government shutdown—already one of the longest in recent history—is expected to continue into next week.

Thune said he intends to keep bringing funding measures to the floor until Democrats agree to reopen the government.

“At some point, reasonable Democrats are going to have to come to the conclusion that this doesn’t benefit anybody,” Thune told MSNBC’s Ali Vitali in an interview that aired Thursday.

“I don’t believe government shutdowns benefit anybody, and that used to be a position that was held by the Democrat leadership.”

As of Thursday evening, there was no agreement between party leaders on how to move forward.

The defense spending measure is expected to be reintroduced when the Senate returns to session next week.

Millions Missing: DOJ Charges Two in California Homeless Funding Scandal
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Millions Missing: DOJ Charges Two in California Homeless Funding Scandal

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Trump-appointed U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli announced Thursday that two Los Angeles-area men have been charged in separate federal cases involving the alleged misuse of millions of dollars in public funds intended for homelessness and affordable housing programs.

Essayli, who leads the Central District of California, said the cases are part of a broader federal probe into the state’s homelessness spending, which has totaled billions of dollars over the past several years with little measurable progress.

“California has spent billions of taxpayer dollars to combat its homelessness crisis with very little to show for it,” Essayli said in a post on X.

“Six months ago, I announced the Homelessness Fraud and Corruption Task Force. Today, we begin to hold people accountable by announcing two cases where more than $50 million of homelessness funding was fraudulently obtained.”

According to the Department of Justice, one of the defendants, Cody Holmes, 31, of Beverly Hills, was arrested Thursday morning.

Prosecutors allege Holmes used falsified financial records to secure nearly $26 million from the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) through a state program known as Project Homekey.

Holmes previously served as chief financial officer for Shangri-La Industries LLC, a Los Angeles-based development company that received funding to build affordable housing in Thousand Oaks.

The DOJ alleges Holmes diverted the money to pay personal expenses, including credit card bills and purchases at luxury retailers, instead of completing the state-funded housing project.

“Even though the developer received all the money from the state, the developer did not complete the construction of the Thousand Oaks project,” Essayli said at a news conference Thursday.

“Essentially, he stole the money.”

In a separate case, real estate developer Steven Taylor was indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of fraudulently obtaining loans through false statements to financial institutions.

Prosecutors allege Taylor inflated property values to secure additional funds, including one property in Cheviot Hills that he later sold to a homeless housing developer for more than double its original price.

Essayli said both cases were uncovered as part of his office’s newly formed Homelessness Fraud and Corruption Task Force, which launched earlier this year to investigate potential misuse of state and federal funding related to California’s ongoing homelessness crisis.

“Federal agents this morning arrested Cody Holmes, the former CFO of Shangri-La Industries, and a grand jury yesterday indicted real estate developer Steven Taylor, both of whom are charged with fraud in separate cases,” Essayli said.

“Holmes allegedly siphoned public funds for homelessness and used millions of dollars for his own use. Taylor is accused of lying to banks to fraudulently obtain loans.”

Project Homekey, the state program at the center of one of the cases, was launched in 2020 to convert hotels, motels, and other properties into permanent housing for the homeless.

The program has distributed billions of dollars in state and federal funds to developers and local governments.

Essayli said the arrests mark the beginning of a series of investigations into potential fraud linked to California’s homelessness programs.

He emphasized that federal authorities intend to pursue additional cases where evidence shows that public money was misused.

California has spent more than $20 billion on homelessness initiatives since 2018, according to state data, yet the state continues to have the largest homeless population in the country.

Federal officials said the new task force will focus on tracing where that money has gone and ensuring accountability for individuals and organizations that misused taxpayer funds.

Both Holmes and Taylor are expected to make their initial court appearances in the coming days in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.

If convicted, they each face multiple counts of wire fraud and related financial crimes.

Essayli said his office will continue coordinating with federal and state agencies to ensure that taxpayer money intended to address homelessness is properly used.

“We will hold accountable those who exploit this crisis for personal gain,” he said.


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