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Illegal Immigrant, Released by Biden Admin, to Face Murder Charge After Killing Infant Sister

An illegal migrant who was allowed to remain in the United States under two Democrat administrations will face murder charges after allegedly strangling his eight-month-old sister in Leesburg, Virginia, as reported by The Independent Journal Review.

The Leesburg Police Department announced Tuesday that the infant, who had been hospitalized in critical condition, died from her injuries. Police arrested 24-year-old Alvaro Mejia Ayala on September 17 and initially charged him with felony strangulation.

Authorities confirmed that additional charges, including murder, will be filed following forensic review.

“Despite immediate and extensive life-saving efforts by first responders and expert medical personnel, the child succumbed to injuries just after midnight this morning,” Leesburg Police Chief Thea Pirnat said.

“Additional charges, including murder, will be filed following the return of forensic results in a case review.”

Pirnat emphasized the intentional nature of the attack.

“Let me be clear, this was not an accident. A child was murdered in a deliberate act. Leesburg Police Department and our criminal justice partners are fully committed to ensuring that the person responsible is held accountable to the fullest extent of the law,” she said.

According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Mejia Ayala is a foreign national who entered the U.S. unlawfully in 2016 as a minor. The Obama administration released him into the country at that time.

In October 2024, the Biden administration dismissed his immigration case, effectively allowing him to remain unlawfully in the country indefinitely.

DHS confirmed that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has issued a detainer for Mejia Ayala, requesting custody once his criminal proceedings conclude.

This is not the first time Mejia Ayala has been arrested. DHS reported that he was previously taken into custody for reckless driving in 2024, but was released by local authorities before ICE could lodge a detainer.

Court documents obtained by FOX 5 stated that Mejia Ayala called a friend on the day of the incident and allegedly confessed that he had been “playing with his sister and may have killed her.” Responding officers later found the infant unresponsive in the family’s apartment with a charging cord wrapped around her neck.

Mejia Ayala allegedly fled the scene before law enforcement arrived but was arrested several hours later a few blocks away. He is being held without bond.

Assistant DHS Secretary Tricia McLaughlin condemned the crime in a statement. “What kind of sick monster strangles a defenseless, innocent baby girl with a charging cord?

This barbarism has no place in the U.S. President Trump and Secretary Noem have been clear: criminal illegal aliens are not welcome in the United States.”

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Trump Declares End to Globalist Free Ride at United Nations Address

President Donald Trump delivered a forceful address at the United Nations on Tuesday, declaring that the United States will not allow globalist policies to dictate its future and pledging to defend American sovereignty in energy, trade, and border security.

Speaking to world leaders, Trump said international frameworks have long placed unfair burdens on industrialized nations while giving breaks to others, leaving the United States shouldering disproportionate costs.

He singled out the Paris Climate Accord as an example, saying it was designed to weaken America’s economic strength while allowing China and Russia to avoid comparable obligations.

“The entire globalist concept of asking successful, industrialized nations to inflict pain on themselves and radically disrupt their entire societies must be rejected completely and totally, and it must be immediate,” Trump said.

“That’s why in America, I withdrew from the fake Paris Climate Accord, where by the way America was paying way more than any other country. Others weren’t paying, China didn’t have to pay until 2023. Russia was given an old standard that was easy to meet. A 1990 standard. But for the United States, we’re supposed to pay like $1 trillion. And I said, ‘this is another scam.’ The fact is the United States has been taken advantage of by the world for many, many years, but not any longer as you’ve probably noticed.”

The president formally withdrew the United States from the Paris Agreement in January through an executive order, fulfilling a campaign promise to roll back what he described as costly and ineffective climate mandates.

He told the UN the decision was aimed at protecting American workers, securing energy independence, and preventing U.S. industries from being undercut by foreign competitors who face looser restrictions.

Trump also addressed Europe’s rising energy costs, which he attributed to the continent’s dependence on restrictive climate policies and foreign energy suppliers.

He pointed to America’s domestic energy capacity as a contrast, noting that the U.S. has abundant resources.

“We have an abundant amount of clean, beautiful coal,” Trump said.

“We’re not going to destroy our own industries while others are allowed to pollute freely.”

The president then turned to border security, criticizing open-border approaches in Europe and elsewhere.

He said nations pursuing such policies are jeopardizing their own stability and warned leaders that continuing down that path will lead to greater decline.

“It’s time to end the failed experiment of open borders,” Trump said.

“You have to end it now. See, I can tell you. I’m really good at this stuff. Your countries are going to hell.”

Throughout his remarks, Trump emphasized that the United States will prioritize its own citizens and interests rather than submit to international frameworks that disadvantage the country.

He reaffirmed that his administration’s policy is rooted in rejecting globalist demands that, in his view, harm prosperous nations while letting others avoid accountability.

The address marked another moment in Trump’s longstanding criticism of multilateral agreements and international organizations.

His speech drew attention to a central theme of his presidency: that the United States will no longer bear a disproportionate share of costs for global initiatives while facing policies that he said undermine American workers and industries.

Trump’s message to the United Nations was clear: globalism, as it has been pursued for decades, has failed, and the U.S. will not return to policies that leave it vulnerable or exploited.

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GOP Early Voting Surge Narrows Democrat Advantage in Key Battlegrounds

Early voting and survey results are beginning to indicate shifts in the political landscape as two major gubernatorial contests move closer.

While Democrats continue to hold advantages in mail-in participation, Republicans are showing gains in turnout metrics that could impact outcomes in both New Jersey and Virginia.

New data released by Quantus Insights shows a smaller Democratic lead among mail voters in New Jersey compared with last year.

On the second day of mail-ballot returns, Democrats accounted for 62 percent of ballots, down from 66 percent at the same stage in 2024.

Republicans rose to 25 percent, up from 19 percent a year ago, while third-party and independent returns fell to 13 percent.

The overall margin shows Democrats leading Republicans in mail returns by 37 points, compared with a 47-point advantage at this point in 2024.

The 10-point narrowing could signal a meaningful shift in a state where Democrats have traditionally relied on early voting to establish large leads ahead of Election Day.

Even modest improvements for Republicans in early ballot returns may strengthen their position in competitive down-ballot races and reduce the Democratic cushion entering the final stretch of voting.

In Virginia, turnout figures reported by Quantus show Republicans performing strongly in areas carried by President Donald Trump.

As of September 23, counties won by Trump were outpacing turnout in Harris-won counties by about 2.5 points (61.21 percent compared with 58.67 percent).

Although the gap appears small, off-year gubernatorial elections often hinge on enthusiasm and turnout disparities.

Sustained or expanding advantages in Republican-leaning areas could become decisive in close contests, particularly in a state with both heavily Democratic urban centers and large conservative rural regions.

The state-level shifts come alongside national survey data also released by Quantus on September 22.

The poll showed President Trump’s approval rating at 48.2 percent and disapproval at 49.7 percent, representing a net improvement of 1.5 points since late August.

While the movement is modest, shifts of even a few points can matter in a polarized political climate.

According to the survey, the improvement was less about new supporters and more about a decline in strong opposition.

Some respondents moved out of the disapproval category, suggesting voter fatigue with ongoing political conflict or a re-evaluation of the administration’s record.

The poll also found Republican self-identification rising to 36 percent, with Democrats at 31 percent and Independents at 33 percent.

Analysts attributed part of the increase in Republican identification to the aftermath of the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk earlier this month, which has heightened party identity and energized the base.

Taken together, the data portrays an electorate that may be entering a period of transition.

Democrats retain clear advantages in mail voting, but those margins are showing signs of erosion.

Republicans are not only holding their base but demonstrating improved organization in early voting and turnout efforts.

For Democrats, the challenge will be to protect their established lead in early voting and prevent further erosion.

For Republicans, the focus will be on maintaining enthusiasm and converting turnout gains into Election Day strength.

National sentiment may play a role as well.

The Quantus survey found that 54.3 percent of Americans believe the country is on the “wrong track.”

That level of discontent could pose difficulties for incumbents and the party most associated with the direction of the country, potentially boosting Republican candidates in state-level races.

While the numbers do not yet indicate a sweeping realignment, they point to developments worth watching.

New Jersey shows a reduced Democratic margin in mail-in ballots, Virginia’s turnout figures favor Republicans, and national polling suggests GOP confidence is steadying after a turbulent summer.

Together, the data signals potential for Republicans to gain ground in upcoming elections.

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Active Shooter Leaves Multiple Detainees Shot at Dallas ICE Facility

A shooting at a Dallas Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility on Wednesday morning left multiple detainees shot, according to local police, as reported by Fox 4 News.

Authorities confirmed at least three people in ICE custody were struck by gunfire, with one victim pronounced dead and others listed in critical condition.

Police reported that the shooter, described as a white male sniper armed with a rifle, positioned himself on a rooftop near the facility. As law enforcement closed in, the suspect died from what investigators determined to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.

Emergency crews responded quickly, with dozens of police units and multiple ambulances converging on the scene. The facility is located off Interstate 35E near Empire Central, where roads were temporarily closed during the response.

Authorities said the investigation is ongoing, and the total number of victims has not yet been confirmed.

Officials noted it remains unclear whether the suspect had stationed himself on the roof of the ICE building itself or a nearby structure.

Recent Security Threats at Dallas ICE Facility

Wednesday’s shooting follows another major security incident at the same Dallas ICE Field Office less than a month earlier. On August 25, 2025, authorities reported a bomb threat against the facility, which also houses Enforcement and Removal Operations.

Police said 36-year-old Bratton Dean Wilkinson approached the reporting entrance of the field office at approximately 6:37 p.m., claiming he had a bomb inside his backpack. Wilkinson also displayed what he said was a “detonator” strapped to his wrist.

The threat forced security to issue a shelter-in-place order for the building while emergency units responded. The Federal Protective Service and local police dispatched a bomb squad to the facility.

Wilkinson was taken into custody without further incident and later charged with making terroristic threats.

Authorities confirmed that no explosives were recovered at the scene, but the incident raised security concerns about repeated threats against federal immigration facilities.

The Dallas Police Department, ICE, and federal protective agencies are continuing to investigate both the August threat and Wednesday’s sniper attack. Officials have not indicated whether there is any connection between the two incidents.

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NJ Dem Candidate in the Hot Seat, “Got Rich While Families Got Squeezed”: Ciattarelli

Rep. Mikie Sherrill, D-N.J., is facing renewed criticism over her personal finances following comments that resurfaced from a May interview on The Breakfast Club radio show and a pointed exchange during Sunday’s gubernatorial debate against Republican challenger Jack Ciattarelli.

During the May 21 radio appearance, host Charlamagne tha God pressed Sherrill about reports that she made $7 million in stock trades.

“I haven’t. I don’t believe I did, but I would have to go and see what that was alluding to…” Sherrill responded.

The exchange circulated widely on social media after the first gubernatorial debate.

A Washington Free Beacon report examined Sherrill’s financial disclosures and estimated that her household could have earned $7 million since she entered Congress in 2019.

The report said her reported assets grew from a range of $733,209 to $4,321,000 in 2019 to between $4,840,076 and $13,975,000 in 2024.

The calculation was based on the midpoint between the reported ranges.

Charlamagne pressed her multiple times during the interview, citing the $7 million figure.

Sherrill responded by pointing to her husband’s compensation.

“I think we made money from my husband’s job. He gets paid in stocks. They’re automatically sold. So, I think we made money there. We don’t make any individual money stock trading,” she said.

Sherrill added that she does not engage in trading individual stocks.

“I want people to know that I’m not somehow gaining information and enriching myself because of my work in Congress,” she said.

The Republican Governors Association highlighted the interview earlier in the summer, and the video gained further attention after Sunday’s debate.

Conservative commentator Steve Guest said the interview clip was “one of the worst answers imaginable to that question.”

At the debate, Ciattarelli made Sherrill’s finances a central line of attack.

“There’s another big difference between her public service and my public service,” Ciattarelli said.

“It actually cost me money. The time I put in and took away from my company. In the seven years that she’s been in Congress, he’s tripled their net worth.”

Following the debate, Ciattarelli reiterated his criticism during an appearance on Fox News, saying Sherrill was “just another politician getting rich while you get squeezed.”

Sherrill defended herself on the debate stage, repeating that she does not trade individual stocks and stressing her transparency.

“There have been articles written about how transparent and ethical I’ve been going above and beyond the requirements in Congress, and I continue to do that,” she said.

The issue of congressional stock trading has been a subject of national debate, with members of both parties facing scrutiny over potential conflicts of interest.

Sherrill’s defense centers on her insistence that any stock-related gains stemmed from her husband’s compensation rather than trading activity tied to her position in Congress.

As the New Jersey gubernatorial race heads toward the November election, Sherrill’s finances are expected to remain a flashpoint.

Ciattarelli has signaled that he will continue to question whether her household wealth increase is appropriate for an elected official, while Sherrill maintains that she has adhered to congressional ethics standards and exceeded transparency requirements.

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Marco Rubio Schools ABC’s Stephanopoulos on USAID Corruption and Foreign Aid Facts

Secretary of State Marco Rubio defended the Trump Administration’s decision to shut down the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) during a tense interview on ABC’s Good Morning America on Tuesday.

The exchange came just hours before President Donald Trump addressed the United Nations General Assembly.

Host George Stephanopoulos pressed Rubio repeatedly, accusing the administration of putting lives at risk by ending USAID’s operations.

Rubio rejected the claim, arguing that the agency had become corrupt and ineffective.

“We shut down USAID because it was a dysfunctional organization,” Rubio said.

“Number two, we are going to do more foreign aid than any country in the world, but we’re going to do it the right way. We are not going to fund an NGO industrial complex that built itself up by taking a substantial percentage of the money. It was not going directly to the recipients, it was going to these multi-billion dollar organizations.”

Stephanopoulos challenged Rubio on whether lives had been lost as a result of the decision.

“Senator, that’s all in the future. But are you standing by that comment that no one has died because of the aid cuts? Are all those aid organizations lying?” he asked.

Rubio dismissed the claim.

“No. That’s ridiculous. Well, then they died because England or Canada didn’t give more, or China, the second largest economy in the world. Let’s blame the other countries who don’t give any foreign aid.”

The Secretary of State emphasized that the United States continues to provide more foreign aid than any other nation, even after USAID’s closure.

He argued that critics overlook the failure of other wealthy nations to contribute at comparable levels.

“So you’re no longer disputing that the aid cuts didn’t cost people their lives?” Stephanopoulos pressed.

“It did not,” Rubio replied.

“Anyone who tells you it’s the US, if we cut a dollar, we’re responsible for some horrific thing? It’s just not true. It’s not because we cut the aid. It’s because there’s a war going on, and the aid never got to the people…they use aid as a tool against the people. In some of these places, it can’t even be distributed. Look at Haiti. It gets hijacked and stolen by criminal gangs…They’re the ones to blame, not us, who’ve provided more than anyone else.”

When Stephanopoulos continued to press him, Rubio stood firm.

“No one has died because the US cut aid. No. People have died because gangs steal the aid, other countries haven’t stepped up, but the US has saved more lives than any country in the world. We’re not gonna continue to pour billions out the door of taxpayer funds for programs that don’t work and in some cases were flat-out corrupt.”

Rubio also pointed to ongoing conflicts and instability as major obstacles to effective aid distribution.

He said that wars and criminal activity, particularly in nations like Haiti, prevent assistance from reaching those in need regardless of funding levels.

The decision to dismantle USAID and restructure foreign aid programs has become a flashpoint in Washington and abroad, with critics warning of humanitarian consequences.

Rubio, however, maintained that the administration’s approach is designed to make assistance more effective while holding organizations accountable for how money is spent.

The interview highlighted the sharp divide between the administration and its critics over the future of U.S. foreign aid.

Rubio signaled that while America will continue to lead the world in humanitarian assistance, reforms are necessary to ensure taxpayer funds reach the people they are intended to help.

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Charlie Kirk’s Executive Producer Reveals Staggering Data Surrounding Arizona Memorial

Fox News host Jesse Watters interviewed Andrew Kolvet, the executive producer of the Charlie Kirk Show, about the scale and meaning of the recent tribute event at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, and the way Charlie Kirk’s legacy is shaping the work of Turning Point USA.

Watters opened the segment by asking, “Andrew Kollwitz, the executive producer of the Charlie Kirk show, Andrew, what would have Charlie thought about yesterday?”

Kolvet replied that the moment matched the ambition Kirk carried for years.

“He would have been blown away. You know, Tyler Bowyer, who runs the c4 for us, shared a a text chain from 2021 and he he put in it, he said, This is my vision. And it was a picture of stadiums full of people, you know, because at turning point, we were sort of known for these big events, but Charlie was always dreaming bigger.”

Kolvet said those close to Kirk recognized what had just happened.

“And for for those of us closest to him, we knew that his vision had just become reality. And it’s tragic that it happened this way, but it was also beautiful for the country, and I know that Charlie would be marveling at the harvest.”

He described how the memorial centered on faith.

“He would be so proud at US pointing to God and us holding vigils and praying and seeing the world’s most powerful leaders coming to Phoenix to honor Him and to lift up the name of Jesus. It was truly remarkable.”

Kolvet added that Kirk’s widow took in the magnitude of the moment.

“I know Erica was blown away, and as she always told Charlie in private, this is not normal. There’s nothing normal about Charlie Kirk’s life. There’s nothing normal about Charlie Kirk’s death.”

Watters followed up: “You spent so much time with him. How do you feel today?”

Kolvet described the past stretch as a rush of emotion and work.

“If I’m being honest with you, Jesse, I feel like the last 11 days were a whirlwind. We went from Shell Shocked to devastated, heartbroken, so many tears, to instantly thrown into this moment where we had to plan a stadium event for hundreds of 1000s of people.”

He shared a data point from event partners.

“And by the way, I’m going to break a little bit of news on your program, Jesse, our partners that do sort of geo tagging with devices, they told us that they tracked over 277,000 devices in the vicinity of State Farm stadium in Glendale, Arizona, 277,000 that just gives you an idea of the scale of humanity out there.”

Kolvet credited the team that organized the gathering.

“But I just want to give a hat tip and a major kudos to our team that pulled this off. They did an event that should have taken six months to plan in about six days, and it is a absolute testament to the leadership of Charlie Kirk and the type of people he surrounded himself with, and the type of people that are still in this organization.”

He said the work helped those grieving.

“They carry a piece of him with them, and they did the impossible, and they did it for Charlie. It was amazing, and I think it was cathartic for all of us as we’re grieving.”

Kolvet added that the organization intends to build on the momentum.

“And I think now there’s a moment where, yes, we’re going to march forward. We’re going to make sure that this mission and this vision that is turning point grows and multiplies and thrives. We want a 10X it, Jesse, but I think there’s a moment where, if I’m being honest with you, some of it is still hitting me just now.”

Watters asked about Kirk’s widow: “Of course. How’s Erika?”

Kolvet praised her public remarks.

“She’s strong. She is She is a fierce lioness. She is a, I mean, just an incredible woman. I know that everybody can see that through her now two speeches, and I told her, I said, you’ve given the two best speeches I think I’ve ever heard, and you did it in quick succession.”

He pointed to her message the previous night.

“And I don’t think anybody would disagree with me. Jesse, I can’t remember a more important speech than the one she gave last night where she forgave the assassin of Charlie Kirk and just how powerful that is.”

Kolvet said the decision to forgive shaped the national response.

“And I told her, you know, what you have done is so critically important for the future of this country, because what could have been a convulsive moment of chaos and anarchy has turned into this beautiful moment where we can actually direct this energy in a positive way.”

He added, “We can have peace. We can have unity, because you’ve taken the first hardest step and let go of that, out of your heart this this person has no power over you anymore.”

Kolvet said the focus remains on faith and legacy.

“Erika, and more than that, I just want to say, Jesse, I personally am so blown away at how little this character has become in this saga, how small of a role he has played. Because of the legacy of Charlie has grown so big, and so many new people are discovering Charlie, and so many people are opening their Bibles. I’m blown away at how little I’ve thought of him.”

Watters closed the segment by referencing her earlier comments.

“It’s like what Erica said last Friday. You have no idea what you’ve just unleashed, Andrew, thank you so much for taking the time. I know you probably need to rest after the week the turning point has had. So why don’t you do that and come back even stronger? We really appreciate everything you’ve done. You guys have been complete professionals throughout all this. Thank you.”

Kolvet responded, “Thank you. Jesse. God bless you.”

WATCH:

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Karoline Leavitt Just “Ended This ‘Reporter’s’ Career” After He Tried to Gaslight Her

During a press briefing, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt was pressed on President Donald Trump’s recent social media comments expressing frustration with the Department of Justice.

The exchange centered on whether Trump’s remarks contradicted his inaugural promise not to weaponize federal power against political opponents.

A reporter asked, “On a different topic, going back to the President’s social media post from over the weekend regarding the DOJ and his seeding frustration that they hadn’t taken action quickly enough, I want to point to something that the President said during his inaugural address, never again will the immense power of the state. You weaponize to persecute political opponents. You do not allow that to happen. Is the President going back on his promise?”

Leavitt responded directly, rejecting the suggestion.

“No. In fact, the President is fulfilling his promise to restore a Department of Justice that demands accountability, and it is not weaponizing the Department of Justice to demand accountability for those who weaponize the Department of Justice, and nobody knows what that looks like, more than President Trump,” she said.

The press secretary argued that critics were attempting to mislead the public.

“We are not going to tolerate gaslighting from anyone in the media or from anyone on the other side who is trying to say that it’s the president who is weaponizing the DOJ. It was Joe Biden and his attorney general who weaponized the DOJ,” Leavitt said.

She accused the prior administration of abusing federal law enforcement against political opponents.

“Joe Biden used this sacred American institution to go after his political opponent in the middle of an election year, and you look at people like Adam Schiff and like James Comey and like Letitia James who the president is rightfully frustrated. He wants accountability for these corrupt fraudsters who abuse their power, he abused their oath of office to target the former president and then candidate for the highest office in the land,” Leavitt continued.

Leavitt added that Trump’s stance reflects the expectations of the electorate.

“And I think the President is reaffirmed in those frustrations and his hope for accountability by the millions and millions of people who re elected him to this office with a mandate to demand accountability. And the President has not been shy about this,” she said.

She pointed to Trump’s public statements earlier this year as consistent with his current position.

“Gabe, in fact, when he traveled to the Department of Justice earlier this year, all of you were there to cover it, he said, quote, I demand a full and complete accountability for wrongs and abuses that have occurred. The American people gave a mandate to investigate and root the corruption out of our system, and that’s what the President wants to see done.”

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Newsom’s Press Office Appears to Threaten Kristi Noem, Gets Referred to the Secret Service

Acting U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California Bill Essayli announced Saturday that he has referred a social media post from Governor Gavin Newsom’s press office to the U.S. Secret Service for review, citing concerns that it could be interpreted as a potential threat against Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.

Earlier in the day, Newsom’s press office posted on X, “Kristi Noem is going to have a bad day today. You’re welcome, America.”

The statement did not include any context to clarify what the office was referencing.

The post drew immediate criticism from officials in Washington.

Tricia McLaughlin, Assistant Secretary at the Department of Homeland Security, condemned the remark publicly on X.

“This reads like a threat. This is ugly [Gavin Newsom]. Your keyboard warrior team may hide behind their laptops and spew this kind of vitriol but you would never have the guts to say this to her face,” McLaughlin wrote.

Following her comment, Newsom’s press office responded by mocking McLaughlin’s own wording.

The online exchange prompted Essayli to weigh in.

In a post of his own, he stated, “We have zero tolerance for direct or implicit threats against government officials. I’ve referred this matter to [The U.S. Secret Service] and requested a full threat assessment.”

The governor’s press office has increasingly adopted a style that appears designed to mimic or parody the online persona of President Donald Trump.

The account frequently posts in all capital letters and borrows phrasing associated with Trump’s statements on Truth Social.

Hours after the initial message directed at Noem, the press office shifted tone and issued another post announcing that Newsom would be signing legislation described as protecting “immigrant communities” and aiming to “hold Trump accountable.”

The timing of the remarks sparked additional backlash amid an already tense political climate.

Just weeks earlier, conservative activist Charlie Kirk was assassinated, an event that has heightened scrutiny over rhetoric and perceived threats directed toward public officials.

The Trump administration has also faced security concerns in recent months.

Reports this week confirmed that White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt was recently assigned a Secret Service protective detail in response to threats.

As of Saturday evening, the Secret Service had not publicly commented on whether a formal investigation into the California governor’s office post had been opened.

The agency routinely reviews reports of statements considered threatening toward federal officials.

Secretary Noem, appointed by President Trump to lead the Department of Homeland Security, has not publicly addressed the message from Newsom’s office.

Newsom’s press team has also not offered clarification beyond its follow-up remarks.

The development places new attention on the conduct of Newsom’s communications staff and adds to the scrutiny surrounding political rhetoric as campaigns and legislative battles continue across the country.

The referral is expected to trigger at least a preliminary assessment by the Secret Service.

If deemed necessary, a full investigation could follow to determine whether the comment constituted a credible threat or was limited to partisan political expression.

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Trump Blasts Pam Bondi’s Lack of Action Against the Deep State in Now-Deleted Post

President Donald Trump escalated tensions inside his own administration this week, publicly airing frustrations with Attorney General Pam Bondi while simultaneously moving to reshape federal prosecutorial leadership in Virginia.

In a series of posts on Truth Social, Trump shared what appeared to be a private message he had sent to Bondi, accusing her of being “all talk, no action” and demanding results in prosecuting figures he described as political enemies.

He listed former FBI Director James Comey, Senator Adam Schiff of California, and New York Attorney General Letitia James, writing, “they’re all guilty as hell.”

“We can’t delay any longer, it’s killing our reputation and credibility,” Trump told Bondi in the now-deleted message.

Much of Trump’s anger focused on Erik Siebert, the outgoing U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia.

Siebert had declined to pursue charges against James for alleged mortgage fraud, citing insufficient evidence, and did not bring a case against Comey after Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard accused the former FBI chief of threatening Trump in a social media post.

Siebert resigned last week, though Trump claimed in his Truth Social post that the prosecutor was fired.

“He even lied to the media and said he quit, and that we had no case. No, I fired him, and there is a GREAT CASE, and many lawyers, and legal pundits, say so,” Trump wrote.

Trump proposed Lindsey Halligan, a member of the White House counsel’s office, as Siebert’s replacement.

Halligan has defended Trump in several high-profile cases, including the classified documents investigation. In a follow-up post made roughly thirty minutes later, Trump confirmed he intends to nominate Halligan as U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia.

Describing Siebert as a “Democrat Endorsed ‘Republican,’” Trump said Halligan would “be Fair, Smart, and will provide, desperately needed, JUSTICE FOR ALL!”

He also softened his tone toward Bondi, adding that she is “doing a GREAT job.”

Bondi, who served as Florida’s attorney general from 2011 to 2019, was appointed as the nation’s top prosecutor with a mandate to aggressively pursue accountability against officials Trump accused of running partisan investigations.

Her standing was already under scrutiny following controversies tied to the Jeffrey Epstein case.

Trump has long targeted Comey, Schiff, and James. He dismissed Comey as FBI director in 2017 while the bureau was investigating alleged Russian election interference, which Trump has consistently called a hoax.

Schiff led the House impeachment inquiry in 2019 over Trump’s handling of aid to Ukraine.

James brought the 2022 civil fraud trial against the Trump Organization, which resulted in a $454 million judgment currently under appeal.

Halligan has represented Trump for years. In August 2024, U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon dismissed the classified documents case against Trump, ruling Special Prosecutor Jack Smith’s appointment unconstitutional.

The 11th Circuit Court of Appeals formally dismissed the case in February 2025, ending the matter.

Halligan has also been involved in Trump’s cultural reviews, including a recent assessment of Smithsonian exhibits.

In an August interview with Fox News, she argued that slavery was “overemphasized” at the Washington, D.C. museum.

“The fact our country was involved in slavery is awful — no one thinks otherwise,” she said.

“But what I saw when I was going through the museum, personally, was an overemphasis on slavery, and I think there should be more of an overemphasis on how far we’ve come since slavery.”

“There’s a lot of history to our country, both positive and negative, but we need to keep moving forward. We can’t just keep focusing on the negative — all that does is divide us,” she added.

While Trump has announced his intention to nominate Halligan, Bondi has reportedly tapped Mary “Maggie” Cleary as acting U.S. attorney in the interim.

Cleary, formerly an assistant U.S. attorney in the Western District of Virginia, was investigated over an allegation that she was present at the January 6 Capitol incident.

She was placed on administrative leave but later cleared after an internal review.

If confirmed, Halligan would oversee one of the country’s most influential federal prosecutor’s offices.

With Republicans holding a 53-seat Senate majority, her confirmation is expected to move forward.


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