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Vandalizing a Church with “F**k Israel” Graffiti is Protected Speech According to CAIR
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Vandalizing a Church with “F**k Israel” Graffiti is Protected Speech According to CAIR

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The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) is calling on Texas prosecutors to drop hate crime charges against three individuals accused of vandalizing a church in Euless, Texas, arguing that the incident constituted political expression protected under the First Amendment.

The vandalism took place in 2024, several months after Hamas’ October 7, 2023, terrorist attack on Israel.

The non-denominational church at the center of the case had raised an Israeli flag following the attack.

Church surveillance cameras later captured three people spray-painting the phrase “F**k Israel” and placing pro-Palestinian stickers on the building’s exterior walls.

The suspects, identified as Raqunaq Alam, Asfsheen Khan, and Julia Venzor, were charged with felony criminal mischief.

Prosecutors later upgraded the charges to a third-degree felony hate crime, asserting that the vandalism targeted a house of worship.

In September, Alam was tried and convicted of criminal mischief but acquitted of the hate crime enhancement.

He received a sentence of five years’ probation, a $10,000 fine, and an order to pay $1,700 in restitution to the church. Tarrant County Judge Biran Bolton also imposed an additional 180 days in jail, calling the graffiti “disgusting,” according to The Guardian.

Co-defendant Julia Venzor entered into a plea agreement with prosecutors in exchange for her testimony against Alam and Khan.

As part of the deal, she was sentenced to five years of probation.

Khan’s trial is scheduled to take place in the fall.

Before the trials began, CAIR-Texas issued a public statement urging prosecutors to remove the hate crime enhancements, calling them excessive and inconsistent with the law’s intent.

“Although we strongly condemn the vandalism of this church and believe that those responsible should be held accountable for this crime, Texas prosecutors are going beyond the law attempting to criminalize political speech by conflating criticism of the Israeli government with religious hatred,” said Mustafaa Carroll, Executive Director of CAIR-Texas DFW.

“Our state’s hate crime laws were meant to protect vulnerable communities, not shield foreign governments from critique. We can and should condemn the vandalism of a house of worship without criminalizing speech.”

Defense attorney Alison Grinter-Allen echoed CAIR’s position during the legal proceedings, describing the graffiti as a form of expression.

“Graffiti is the language of folks who are unheard,” Grinter-Allen said.

Texas law allows for hate crime enhancements when a criminal act is determined to target a person or group based on race, religion, national origin, or another protected characteristic.

Prosecutors in Tarrant County argued that the defacement of a church met that definition because the building was a place of worship, regardless of whether the vandals were motivated by anti-Israel sentiment or opposition to the church’s display of an Israeli flag.

The case has drawn national attention, particularly given CAIR’s argument that criticism of Israel is being mischaracterized as religious bias.

Civil liberties groups have also raised questions about the line between protected political expression and criminal conduct when it involves defacing property.

Church officials have not commented publicly since the conclusion of Alam’s trial but had previously condemned the act of vandalism and expressed relief that no physical harm occurred.

Khan’s upcoming trial is expected to further test how Texas courts interpret the state’s hate crime statute in cases where political and religious motives appear to overlap.

The Tarrant County District Attorney’s Office has not indicated whether it intends to continue pursuing the hate crime enhancement for Khan.

400 Texas National Guard Troops Headed to Illinois as ‘Chicago Has Become a War Zone’
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400 Texas National Guard Troops Headed to Illinois as ‘Chicago Has Become a War Zone’

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President Donald Trump has ordered the deployment of 400 Texas National Guard troops to Illinois, Oregon, and other states as federal agents face ongoing clashes with anti-ICE protesters, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker said Sunday night.

Pritzker, a Democrat, criticized the move and referred to it as “Trump’s invasion,” following an earlier mobilization of 300 California National Guard members to Portland, Oregon.

That city has seen more than 100 consecutive days of unrest outside an immigration detention center, a situation similar to protests that have gripped Chicago since early September.

The Illinois governor said his administration was not consulted before the announcement and denounced the deployment as overreach.

“We must now start calling this what it is: Trump’s Invasion,” Pritzker said in a post on X.

He urged “every American to speak up and help stop this madness.”

Pritzker said the plan disregards state sovereignty and claimed that federal officials had failed to coordinate with Illinois leadership.

“It started with federal agents, it will soon include deploying federalized members of the Illinois National Guard against our wishes, and it will not involve sending in another state’s military troops,” he wrote.

“I call on [Texas] Governor Abbott to immediately withdraw any support for this decision and refuse to coordinate.”

The governor accused President Trump of using the National Guard for political purposes and condemned the idea of sending troops into what he described as a “sovereign state” without approval.

The decision follows weeks of unrest tied to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s “Operation Midway Blitz,” an ongoing enforcement initiative launched last month targeting criminal illegal aliens in the Chicago area.

Federal officials have said the operation focuses on identifying and arresting individuals who relocated to Illinois to take advantage of the state’s sanctuary policies.

Local leaders, including Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, have publicly opposed the enforcement effort.

Despite their objections, protests have grown more violent, with demonstrators using vehicles to ram federal agents and block ICE operations.

The Department of Homeland Security reported that two such vehicular attacks occurred earlier in the week in the Chicago area.

On Saturday, U.S. Border Patrol agents patrolling Chicago’s South Side shot and wounded a woman who was armed during what officials described as a coordinated mob attack.

The confrontation took place approximately 15 miles from an ICE processing facility in Broadview, Illinois — an area that has become a focal point for anti-ICE demonstrations.

Since Friday, more than a dozen protesters have been arrested near the Broadview facility, according to reports from Fox News.

DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, who traveled to Illinois on Friday to assess the situation, said the violence has reached a crisis point.

“Chicago has become a war zone,” she told “Fox & Friends Weekend” on Sunday.

Noem also alleged that local officials have obstructed federal agents by restricting their access to public facilities.

She recounted being denied entry to a government building in Broadview on Friday after requesting to use the restroom.

“They wouldn’t even let me in the building,” she said during the interview.

Federal authorities have not specified how long the Texas National Guard will remain deployed in Illinois or Oregon.

Officials have confirmed, however, that the mission’s immediate goal is to reinforce federal agents facing organized resistance to immigration enforcement operations in multiple states.

As of Sunday evening, coordination efforts were ongoing between the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Defense, with further briefings expected in the coming days.

Trump Warns Hamas to ‘MOVE FAST,’ or ‘MASSIVE BLOODSHED WILL FOLLOW’
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Trump Warns Hamas to ‘MOVE FAST,’ or ‘MASSIVE BLOODSHED WILL FOLLOW’

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President Donald Trump said Sunday that negotiations aimed at ending the conflict in Gaza had made significant progress, describing recent meetings with Hamas and international partners as “very positive.”

The announcement came just before a 6 p.m. ET deadline tied to a U.S.-led peace proposal.

In a Truth Social post, Trump wrote that “There have been very positive discussions with Hamas, and Countries from all over the World (Arab, Muslim, and everyone else) this weekend” had taken place to work toward the release of hostages, an end to the war in Gaza, and what he called “long sought PEACE in the Middle East.”

“These talks have been very successful, and proceeding rapidly,” Trump said.

“The technical teams will again meet Monday, in Egypt, to work through and clarify the final details.”

Speaking with reporters later Sunday evening, Trump confirmed that discussions were progressing and that the first phase of the plan “should be completed this week.”

He said, “We had some very good meetings… and it looks like it’s working. So we’ll wait for a little while, see how it all turns out.”

Trump also issued a warning about potential consequences if the deal fails to materialize. “I am asking everyone to MOVE FAST,” he said.

“I will continue to monitor this Centuries old ‘conflict.’ TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE OR, MASSIVE BLOODSHED WILL FOLLOW — SOMETHING THAT NOBODY WANTS TO SEE!”

The peace deadline had been established several days earlier in a post Trump made on Oct. 3, in which he cautioned Hamas against rejecting the terms.

“If this LAST CHANCE agreement is not reached, all HELL, like no one has ever seen before, will break out against Hamas,” Trump wrote.

“THERE WILL BE PEACE IN THE MIDDLE EAST ONE WAY OR THE OTHER. Thank you for your attention to this matter!”

Trump’s peace plan, introduced in late September, outlines a 20-point proposal intended to bring a lasting resolution to the region.

The framework includes the cessation of Israeli military operations, disarmament of Hamas, and reconstruction of Gaza under a Palestinian governing body monitored by an international coalition led by the United States.

According to Reuters, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has agreed to the proposal.

The plan’s next phase will be negotiated in Cairo, where technical representatives from multiple nations are expected to finalize implementation details.

Trump’s initiative marks one of the most direct U.S.-led peace efforts in years.

The President has continued to emphasize the urgency of finalizing the agreement, reiterating that swift action is critical to avoid further violence and instability in the region.

With international delegations expected to reconvene in Egypt on Monday, officials have indicated that progress made over the weekend could bring the proposal closer to completion within days.

If successful, the plan would represent a significant shift in diplomatic efforts toward stabilizing relations in the Middle East following months of heightened conflict.

Trump’s administration has not yet provided additional details on the specific timetable for each phase of implementation but confirmed that updates will follow the upcoming technical meetings.

ICE Attackers Arrested in Chicago, Kristi Noem Shocked by JB Pritzker’s Actions
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ICE Attackers Arrested in Chicago, Kristi Noem Shocked by JB Pritzker’s Actions

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Yesterday, a woman rammed a vehicle carrying federal agents in Chicago on Saturday.

The woman, identified as Marimar Martinez, was carrying a weapon and was shot.

She has been arrested.

Anthony Ian Santos Ruiz, a driver of a separate vehicle involved in the ramming, was apprehended by law enforcement.

According to federal officials, the incident occurred on Saturday morning near the intersection of 39th Place and S. Kedzie Avenue, in the vicinity of a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility.

Border Patrol law enforcement officers were ambushed by vehicles that rammed federal agents.

Agents exited a trapped vehicle, and when a suspect tried to run them over, officers shot the woman.

She drove to the hospital and was later arrested after being discharged. She is in FBI custody.

Officials said Martinez was armed with a semi-automatic weapon and has a history of doxxing federal agents.

McLaughlin said that Martinez has been named in a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) bulletin for doxxing agents and threatening them.

The armed woman was named in a @CBP intelligence bulletin last week for doxing agents and posting online “Hey to all my gang let’s f**k those mother f**kers up, don’t let them take anyone.”

A video of what was thought to be the encounter was posted on X by Kim Katie USA, but it turned out to be another attack that occurred later that day.

Authorities said the scene became increasingly violent as more people gathered and began throwing smoke, gas, rocks, and bottles at Department of Homeland Security (DHS) law enforcement.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has deployed special operations teams to Chicago.

Officials said another person was arrested at the scene for assaulting CBP.

As ICE law enforcement was responding to the shooting, a separate vehicle followed them and rammed their vehicle in an attempt to run them off the road.

That individual was arrested and is in Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) custody.

An ICE vehicle popped a tire and was subsequently surrounded, forcing law enforcement to abandon the vehicle for their safety.

The vehicle was significantly damaged.

Several CBP law enforcement officers were sent to the hospital with various injuries.

Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin issued a public statement calling for an end to violence against officers.

“These attacks on our brave law enforcement officers must END. Secretary Noem has taken action to deploy additional resources to restore law and order. We will not allow domestic terrorists to attack our law enforcement. If you law a hand on law enforcement, you will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”

McLaughlin reiterated that Martinez had been named in a CBP bulletin and referenced the social media post cited in federal materials.

Officials did not release additional details about the weapon recovered at the scene or the number of shots fired.

No law enforcement officers were seriously injured in this attack, according to federal statements.

Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker addressed the Chicago-area events during a CNN interview and described federal accounts as political messaging.

He called the ambush “propaganda.” “They are the ones that are making it a war zone,” Pritzker said.

“They need to get out of Chicago if they’re not going to focus on the worst of the worst, which is what the president said they were going to do,” Pritzker said on CNN.

Noem responded in a Fox News interview. “Sanctuary politicians like @JBPritzker have not only turned over their states to violent illegal aliens, they are also actively working against law enforcement in support of lawless anarchists. DHS under President Trump is deploying a whole-of-government approach to restore law and order in America’s cities.”

Commentary about Pritzker’s appearance circulated following the broadcast.

Townhall’s Guy Benson described Pritzker’s interview as “breathtaking.”

Federal authorities said the investigation remains active. Martinez was arrested after receiving medical care and was placed in FBI custody.

Santos Ruiz was apprehended at the scene.

Officials said additional updates would be provided as agencies review video, finalize reports, and coordinate with local law enforcement regarding potential charges.

Did Gavin Newsom Just Accelerate 800,000 Drivers’ Trip to the Unemployment Line?
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Did Gavin Newsom Just Accelerate 800,000 Drivers’ Trip to the Unemployment Line?

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California Governor Gavin Newsom on Friday announced an agreement tied to AB 1340 that allows Uber and Lyft drivers to organize and bargain at an industry level for pay and benefits.

California becomes the second state, after Massachusetts, to authorize app-based ride-hailing drivers to negotiate collectively across companies.

At a press conference, Newsom said the unionization framework is intended to give drivers a formal role in setting compensation and benefits.

“California is determined to give working people a voice, to give them choice, give them dignity and a say about their future,” he said.

According to supporters of the measure, the arrangement was finalized in August following talks in Sacramento involving Democratic lawmakers, representatives of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), and officials from Uber and Lyft.

The legislation, AB 1340, was introduced by Assemblymembers Buffy Wicks and Marc Berman and sponsored by SEIU California.

AB 1340 establishes rules for industrywide collective bargaining for app-based drivers.

The framework permits recognized driver organizations to negotiate with covered companies over minimum pay rates and access to employee-style benefits, including health insurance.

State officials and participating parties described the approach as a sectoral model designed to set baseline standards that apply across multiple ride-hailing platforms operating in California.

State materials and legislative summaries associated with AB 1340 indicate the policy applies to ride-hailing drivers who use app-based platforms to provide transportation services in California.

Supporters say the change aims to provide a path for drivers to seek improved compensation and benefit options through a formal bargaining structure rather than through separate company-by-company campaigns.

California officials and labor representatives noted the state’s ride-hailing workforce is large and dispersed, with drivers working part time and full time across metro and suburban regions.

Backers of the policy pointed to estimates that hundreds of thousands of drivers use the apps statewide.

The measure’s proponents said a sectoral framework offers a consistent process for negotiations while recognizing the existing marketplace in which multiple platforms compete for riders and drivers.

Uber and Lyft representatives participated in the drafting discussions that concluded in August.

The companies have adjusted driver pay structures and incentives in recent years while pursuing profitability targets.

Driver organizations and labor groups have advocated for minimum earnings floors and access to benefits that resemble those available to traditional employees, including health coverage and other protections.

The move in California follows Massachusetts, which previously adopted a policy permitting industry-level bargaining for ride-hailing drivers.

In both states, supporters say the approach is intended to create a stable standard for compensation and benefits while preserving the underlying app-based model that allows drivers to accept rides on a flexible basis.

The policy discussion also occurs alongside technological developments in the transportation sector.

Companies including Google’s Waymo and Tesla have advanced autonomous vehicle programs that operate in California and in other states such as Arizona and Texas.

Industry analysts and participants have debated how automation could affect long-term demand for human drivers and the structure of compensation across app-based services.

AB 1340’s sponsors said the legislation is designed to establish a process for driver organizations to be recognized and to begin bargaining with covered companies.

The measure outlines roles for state officials in certifying representative groups and in overseeing negotiations that set baseline compensation and benefit terms.

Additional administrative steps are expected to define timelines for recognition and bargaining sessions once the framework is in effect.

California’s adoption of an industrywide bargaining model places it among a small number of states pursuing sectoral arrangements for app-based transportation work.

With AB 1340 in place and the August agreement referenced by participants, drivers in the state will be able to form or join organizations to negotiate minimum pay and access to benefits across Uber and Lyft, consistent with the rules set out in the measure.

JB Pritzker Calls ICE Attack Propaganda Before Damning Police Audio Leaks
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JB Pritzker Calls ICE Attack Propaganda Before Damning Police Audio Leaks

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Illinois Governor JB Pritzker pushed back Sunday on a Department of Homeland Security description of an incident near a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in Broadview, Illinois, after federal officials said agents were surrounded and attacked during patrols in the area.

“This morning, during routine patrolling in Broadview, in the same area of Chicago that law enforcement were assaulted yesterday, our brave law enforcement officers were rammed by vehicles and boxed in by 10 cars,” DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin announced in a social media post.

According to McLaughlin, agents were unable to move their vehicles and were forced to exit.

“One of the drivers who rammed the law enforcement vehicle was armed with a semi-automatic weapon. Law enforcement was forced to deploy their weapons and fire defensive shots at an armed US citizen who drove herself to the hospital to get care for wounds,” McLaughlin added.

McLaughlin said the woman had recently been named in a U.S. Customs and Border Protection bulletin that detailed doxxing of agents and violent threats.

The post cited by McLaughlin stated: “Hey to all my gang let’s fk those mother f*ers up, don’t let them take anyone.” No law enforcement officers were injured, according to DHS.

McLaughlin also said local police officers were ordered to stand down as the federal agents were being surrounded. DHS did not release additional details on the number of agents at the scene, the precise time of the encounter, or the location of the hospital to which the woman drove.

During an appearance on CNN’s “State of the Union,” Pritzker characterized DHS’ account as incomplete and criticized how information was released.

Host Jake Tapper referenced McLaughlin’s description and asked, “The spokesperson for DHS, Tricia McLaughlin, accused Chicago police of leaving the scene and refusing to assist agents in securing the area. What do you know about this incident? Were federal agents boxed in and assaulted?”

“Well, we don’t have a lot of facts. What happens in these sorts of incidents is typically ICE puts out a press release before anybody else can speak with the press, and then it gets reported on social media and elsewhere,” Pritzker responded.

He then referenced a separate fatal encounter last week in Franklin Park. “At first, they said that the officer had been threatened with his life. The reality of it and the truth of it has now come out, and that wasn’t the case. They killed somebody,” he added.

Authorities have previously said the individual in the Franklin Park incident was dragging an agent with his car during a traffic stop.

Pritzker did not mention that detail in his CNN remarks.

He continued: “So here, it’s really hard to know exactly what the facts are, and they won’t let us access the facts. They are just putting out their propaganda, and then we’ve got to later determine what actually happened.”

What actually happened:

As of Sunday afternoon, DHS had not publicly identified the woman involved in the Broadview incident or provided an update on her medical condition.

The agency did not say how many shots were fired or which agency’s personnel discharged their weapons.

Local authorities did not immediately issue a separate statement addressing McLaughlin’s assertion that officers were told to stand down.

ICE maintains a facility in Broadview that is used for processing and transportation, and the area has been the site of periodic demonstrations and counter demonstrations.

DHS officials said the patrol referenced by McLaughlin was routine and that agents encountered vehicles that prevented federal vehicles from moving.

McLaughlin’s post did not specify what charges, if any, might be pursued in connection with the ramming of federal vehicles or the reported possession of a semi-automatic weapon by the driver.

Pritzker’s comments came amid broader debate over coordination between federal and local law enforcement in the Chicago region.

He said the state would seek more information from federal agencies about the Broadview encounter.

Officials urged anyone with information about the Broadview incident to contact investigators. DHS did not indicate whether additional arrests were anticipated or whether agents recovered the firearm McLaughlin referenced.

The agency said no officers were injured and that agents exited their vehicles when they were unable to move due to surrounding traffic.

Further updates are expected as federal and local agencies review reports from the scene, confirm timelines, and determine whether additional public records or recordings can be released.

Steak ’n Shake Announces Biggest America Move Local Governments Will Allow
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Steak ’n Shake Announces Biggest America Move Local Governments Will Allow

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Steak ’n Shake said Saturday it has started installing large American flags at its restaurants across the country, announcing the rollout on X and framing the effort as support for “American values and traditions.”

The Indianapolis-based burger chain shared a photo of employees beneath one of the flags and said it plans to add the tallest flags allowed by local rules at each location.

“The flag installations have begun at Steak ‘n Shake,” the company posted to X.

“Every Steak ’n Shake is getting the tallest and biggest American flag that local governments will allow! Steak ‘n Shake proudly supports American values and traditions.”

As of Sunday afternoon, the post had more than 5,000,000 views.

The announcement drew broad customer reaction on social media. “Your marketing team deserves a raise!” one X user wrote.

“If you’re looking for new customers, you’re doing it right!” another wrote.

A third said, “Looks like I’ll be eating more Steak ‘n Shake,” adding, “Thank you for being pro America.”

Other comments included, “Quickly becoming my favorite restaurant,” “You are becoming iconic…very very quickly! Thank you Steak ‘n Shake,” and “My first job as a 16 year old. Couldn’t be more proud. Awesome!”

Founded in 1934, Steak ’n Shake operates in states including Texas, North Carolina, Florida, Missouri, Tennessee, Georgia, Illinois, and Ohio.

The company did not publish a detailed installation schedule for the flags but indicated the program is intended for all locations, subject to local approvals.

Saturday’s post follows a series of brand statements this year in which the company has emphasized heritage themes.

In August, Steak ’n Shake criticized Cracker Barrel after that chain’s logo change, which Cracker Barrel later reversed.

“Heritage is what got Cracker Barrel this far, and now the CEO wants to just scrape it all away,” Steak ‘n Shake posted to X in August.

“At Steak ‘n Shake, we take pride in our history, our families, and American values. All are welcome. We will never market ourselves away from our past in a cheap effort to gain the approval of trend seekers.”

The company has also publicized menu and preparation changes.

Earlier this year it announced a transition away from seed oils to beef tallow for cooking and said the change was rolling out location by location.

The move drew attention from public officials and customers. “Tallow Fries now in Ohio, Colorado, Florida, Texas and Oklahoma,” Steak ‘n Shake posted to X in February.

“By March 1 ALL locations. Fries will be RFK’d!”

The company said the switch was intended to standardize preparation practices across its stores.

Saturday’s announcement framed the flag installations as part of a broader effort to lean into themes of tradition at the restaurant level while highlighting support from customers in multiple markets.

The company shared imagery showing staff members standing beneath a large flag and indicated that each store would pursue the maximum flag height permissible in its jurisdiction.

Steak ’n Shake did not release information on the number of flags installed to date or identify specific store locations where the first installations took place.

The chain said the effort applies systemwide and that location teams will coordinate with local authorities on permitting and compliance.

The company also did not specify costs associated with the installations or whether the flags would be accompanied by additional signage.

Customer reactions posted Saturday and into the evening continued to focus on brand identity and the restaurant’s long history.

Some commenters referenced family ties to the chain and first jobs at local stores, while others pointed to plans to visit more often after the company’s announcement.

The company did not respond publicly to individual questions about installation timelines or whether stores would hold events tied to the displays.

The restaurant said it would continue using its social media accounts to share updates as individual locations complete their installations.

The posts indicate the program will be ongoing as stores work through permitting and hardware setup.

The company maintained that the displays reflect its stated support for “American values and traditions” and are designed to be consistent with local rules in each city or county where it operates.

Cartels, Terror Groups Targeting ICE Agents as Democrats Give Them ‘Air Cover’: Noem
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Cartels, Terror Groups Targeting ICE Agents as Democrats Give Them ‘Air Cover’: Noem

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Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said Sunday that Democratic politicians who downplay violence against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents are giving criminals “air cover,” speaking during an appearance on Fox News Channel’s “Fox & Friends Weekend.”

Addressing recent federal operations she said she observed alongside ICE officers, Noem argued that local leaders have failed to support enforcement efforts in major cities and pointed to Chicago as an example.

She described officers making arrests while residents looked on and applauded, and she criticized the city’s leadership and public safety record.

“Let’s remember that the mayor has a less than 6% approval rating in Chicago. So the people who live there, less than 6% think he might be doing somewhat of a good job. Overwhelmingly, that man is a failure. He’s a failure for his people and hasn’t stood up for the victims of the crimes that have happened in his city. So we’re going to keep doing our work, every day when we’re there, doing our operations, when I’m there with them. People on the streets are clapping as we do our work. They’re clapping as these officers are arresting these bad criminals. And out of the 12 that we arrested during the short period of time I was there, six of them had criminal records in their backgrounds that the state had arrested them and just turned them loose on the street again for assault, for weapons, possession, for robbery. Those individuals now are off the streets thanks to President Trump, not thanks to that mayor who was delusional at best.”

Noem tied the enforcement push to the administration’s public safety agenda and credited President Donald Trump for directing federal resources to target repeat offenders.

She said the officers’ actions removed suspects with prior records from city streets and faulted local authorities for releasing offenders after earlier arrests by state agencies.

She also accused Democratic officials of minimizing violence against federal personnel and said that public comments from elected leaders create conditions that embolden offenders.

“He’s giving them air cover. He’s giving them air cover so they can go out and keep committing crimes. It’s wrong. There should be consequences for that. And for leaders that stand up and knowingly lie about the situation on the ground. This is a war zone. His city is a war zone, and he’s lying so that criminals can go in there and destroy people’s lives.”

During the segment, Noem said she would continue to join federal teams in the field and emphasized cooperation among federal and local agencies when carrying out arrests.

She described the 12 arrests she referenced as occurring within a short time span while she was present and said half of those arrested had prior criminal records involving assault, weapons possession, or robbery.

She did not provide specific case information during the interview, and Fox & Friends Weekend did not display arrest records on screen while she was speaking.

Noem’s remarks followed a stretch of public debate over federal-local coordination on enforcement, prosecutions, and pretrial release policies in large metropolitan areas.

She argued that public backing for ICE remains strong at the neighborhood level and said the reception officers received on the street demonstrates support for federal activity when it targets offenders with prior arrests.

The interview also touched on the role of elected officials in shaping public safety messaging.

Noem said statements that minimize threats to law enforcement are harmful and called for consequences for leaders who “knowingly lie about the situation on the ground.”

She said she would continue to participate in operations and that the department’s work would proceed regardless of criticism.

Fox & Friends Weekend hosts framed the discussion around violence directed at ICE and the broader question of how local and federal authorities coordinate enforcement.

Noem’s comments reflected the department’s emphasis on arresting individuals with prior criminal histories and prioritizing cases involving violent offenses and weapons violations.

Noem did not identify the individuals arrested or specify the dates and locations within Chicago where the arrests occurred.

She said the arrests took place during a brief period when she accompanied officers and repeated that she viewed community reaction firsthand.

She said city leadership has not supported victims or backed officers as they work through operations.

The Department of Homeland Security did not issue additional details during the broadcast segment.

Noem said federal teams will continue to conduct operations in major cities and that she expects further results from ongoing efforts.

WATCH:

Hakeem Jeffries Gets Confronted with His Own Words by NBC’s Kristen Welker
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Hakeem Jeffries Gets Confronted with His Own Words by NBC’s Kristen Welker

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NBC host Kristen Welker pressed House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries on Sunday during “Meet the Press” over Democratic senators withholding votes to reopen the federal government and aired clips of Democrats speaking against shutdowns after he blamed Republicans.

After Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer led most Democrats to vote against the Republicans’ spending bill, the government shut down early Wednesday morning. In discussing who was responsible for the lapse in funding, Welker noted Republican senators need at least five more Democratic votes to pass the bill to reopen the government.

“But let me ask you, because you say this is a Republican shutdown, but it’s Democratic senators who are withholding their votes on what is called a clean resolution — that means no strings attached — which is something, quite frankly, Leader, that you and other Democrats have advocated for in the past,” Welker said.

Welker then played a montage featuring Democrats — including former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, former Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, and Jeffries — advocating for avoiding a shutdown and passing a clean continuing resolution.

The host followed up by asking why Democrats would not “fund the government and debate extending Obamacare tax credits after,” noting that the credits do not expire until the end of 2025.

“What we’ve called for is a bipartisan negotiation where Democrats and Republicans can sit down in good faith, reopen the government, pass a spending bill that actually improves the quality of life of the American people in an environment where the cost of living is already too high,” Jeffries responded.

“Republicans promised to lower costs on day one. Costs aren’t going down, they’re going up.”

“If these Affordable Care Act tax credits are allowed to expire, premiums and healthcare costs are going to skyrocket. America is already too expensive for the American people because of the Trump-failed policies, the Trump tariffs. This will make things worse,” Jeffries added.

“So we just want a bipartisan negotiation that addresses the healthcare crisis at the same period of time with the fierce urgency of now.”

The House passed the GOP-led spending bill late Tuesday evening.

With a shutdown looming hours away, the measure moved to the Senate, where it did not meet the 60-vote threshold.

The vote was 55–45, with three Democratic senators joining Republicans.

Since the shutdown began, Democrats have said Republicans failed to negotiate on concerns related to healthcare access.

Republicans countered that Democrats tried to attach policy demands, including proposals they say would extend benefits to illegal aliens, and argued Schumer is following the lead of progressives such as Democratic New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.

The exchange on “Meet the Press” came against the backdrop of recent funding standoffs.

In March 2025, lawmakers avoided a shutdown when Schumer and nine other Senate Democrats joined Republicans to approve a GOP-led spending bill.

Schumer, then under pressure from his left flank, quickly drew criticism from progressives, including Ocasio-Cortez.

Ocasio-Cortez publicly called that move “a tremendous mistake.”

Speculation followed about whether she might consider challenging Schumer for his Senate seat in 2028.

Despite questions about Schumer’s posture in the latest impasse, Ocasio-Cortez has denied having any influence over the Senate minority leader.

As negotiations continue, the central dispute remains whether to pass a short-term “clean” continuing resolution or to link funding to policy provisions, including the timing of decisions on Affordable Care Act tax credits.

Jeffries has argued that any temporary measure should address healthcare costs at the same time, while Republican leaders have pushed for reopening the government first and debating policy riders separately.

The Senate’s failed vote keeps pressure on both chambers to find a path forward.

Republican leaders say a straightforward extension without additional conditions is necessary to restore federal operations.

Democratic leaders insist talks must include their healthcare priorities before reopening. No new Senate vote had been announced as of Sunday’s broadcast, and House leaders indicated they were waiting for the Senate to act.

Both parties encouraged agencies and constituents to monitor official updates for contingency guidance while negotiations continue.

Lawmakers in both chambers said they remain in contact over potential adjustments that could secure the additional votes needed to clear the 60-vote hurdle in the Senate.

VA Dems Go ‘Ten Toes Down’ For Candidate Who Fantasized About Killing Opponents’ Kids
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VA Dems Go ‘Ten Toes Down’ For Candidate Who Fantasized About Killing Opponents’ Kids

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Democratic leaders in Virginia are not calling for state attorney general candidate Jay Jones to leave the race after the publication of 2022 text messages in which he discussed violence against Republican officials, including then–House Speaker Todd Gilbert.

The messages were first reported by the National Review and have since been covered by multiple outlets, including the Associated Press and local stations in Richmond and Hampton Roads.

In a text exchange with a colleague in 2022, Jones wrote that he hoped Gilbert’s children would die and suggested such grief might be “a good thing” if it advanced his politics, according to reporting by the New York Post and other outlets.

Additional messages compared Gilbert to historical dictators and referenced shootings.

After the texts became public, Jones apologized and sought to contain the fallout as the November election approaches.

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Abigail Spanberger criticized Jones’s language but did not call for him to step aside.

“I will always condemn violent language in our politics,” Spanberger said, adding that she had spoken “frankly” with him after the texts surfaced.

Local party organizations signaled continued support.

The Virginia Beach Democratic Committee issued a statement urging voters to stand with the ticket.

“We are lined up, ten toes down, ready to organize, mobilize and deliver voters for Jay and our entire Democratic ticket,” the statement read.

“Recent press may have spotlighted past mistakes. We say, let those without sin cast the first stone. Jay Jones has taken responsibility, apologized and shown he is committed to serving with integrity and accountability that his public record already shows.”

Republican statewide leaders condemned the messages and said Jones should not hold the office of attorney general. “Jay Jones has shown he’s reckless, biased, and willing to trade away his integrity,” Attorney General Jason Miyares wrote in an open letter to Virginians posted late Saturday.

“This conduct is disqualifying.” Miyares continued: “If you believe it is okay to wish death upon a political opponent, vote for my opponent. If you believe it is worth the death of children to advance your political goals, vote for my opponent. If you want to give a green light to violent lunatics, vote for my opponent.” He added that he would protect every Virginian, “regardless of whether they are a Democrat or Republican,” and said he “cannot imagine someone running for this job who advocates for violence.”

Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears, speaking on Oct. 4, also called for accountability. “The enemy is among us, devouring us in Virginia and in America today,” Earle-Sears said.

“Jay Jones fantasizes about murdered little children lying lifeless in their mother’s arms. And yet he runs for attorney general, our chief law enforcement officer.”

Jones has acknowledged the messages and apologized publicly.

He called the remarks “embarrassing and shameful,” and said he had contacted Gilbert and his family to apologize personally.

Reporting this weekend indicates that Jones has not suspended his campaign and continues to seek support ahead of Election Day.

Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin urged Jones to end his campaign.

“This violent, disgusting rhetoric targeted at an elected official and his children is beyond disqualifying,” Youngkin said on X on Saturday morning.

The governor’s statement followed additional coverage of the texts by state and national outlets and added pressure on Democrats to respond.

As of Sunday, no prominent Democratic figures were calling on Jones to withdraw from the race.

Spanberger and other Democrats criticized the language while emphasizing a broader rejection of violent rhetoric, and local committees pointed to Jones’s apology.

The campaign developments arrive amid a high-intensity election cycle in Virginia, where statewide offices, including attorney general, will be decided in November.

The original messages, described in reports as part of a 2022 conversation with a state legislator, included references to shooting Gilbert and comments about his family.

Those details have been central to Republican attacks and to calls from GOP officials for Jones to leave the race.

Jones has said he takes responsibility for the texts and has attempted to refocus his campaign on policy issues and his record in public office.

The attorney general serves as Virginia’s chief law enforcement officer, with responsibilities that include representing the Commonwealth in legal matters, working with local prosecutors, and coordinating with federal and state agencies on public safety.

With early voting underway, both campaigns have escalated their outreach.

Miyares has used his official platform and campaign channels to argue that the content of the texts disqualifies his opponent.

Jones’s campaign has emphasized his apology and continued to court Democratic and independent voters who may be weighing whether the statements should end his bid.

Voters will decide the contest in early November.

In the meantime, party leaders, advocacy groups, and law enforcement officials are monitoring the campaign’s next steps as the fallout from the texts continues to shape the attorney general race.


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