The Department of Homeland Security on Friday released a summary of criminal charges, convictions, and immigration records for Ian Andre Roberts, an illegal alien who served as superintendent of Des Moines Public Schools until his recent arrest by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Roberts is in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service at the Polk County Jail, DHS said in a statement that described his “rap sheet and immigration history” as revealing “a long record of criminal conduct in the United States,” adding that “he should never have been serving in a role overseeing children in Iowa’s largest school district.”
Holy crap. DHS just released more info on the Iowa school superintendent and illegal alien Ian Andre Roberts. He has a very long, violent criminal record, combined with immigration fraud. He also voted in elections. pic.twitter.com/lZDeRJKmnw
Roberts is facing illegal weapons possession charges tied to firearms found during a federal search.
According to the Department of Justice, agents executing a search warrant at his residence located three guns: a loaded and chambered 9mm pistol tucked under a living-room seat cushion, a loaded rifle in a master-bedroom closet, and a shotgun behind the master-bedroom headboard.
DHS listed prior offenses and convictions in multiple states. In Maryland, Roberts was convicted in 2012 of reckless driving, unsafe operation, and speeding.
In Pennsylvania, he was convicted in 2022 of unlawful possession of a loaded firearm. New York charges include criminal possession of narcotics with intent to sell, criminal possession of narcotics, criminal possession of a forgery instrument, and possession of a forged instrument dating to 1996, as well as second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, third-degree criminal possession of a weapon, and fourth-degree weapon charges in 2020.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office said its civil division served Roberts with a sealed restraining order from Jackson County, Missouri, in August 2023.
The order’s basis was not disclosed because the document is sealed.
DHS said Roberts was also discovered to be illegally registered to vote as a Democrat in Maryland, raising questions about voter registration safeguards.
The agency’s chronology said Roberts nevertheless advanced through leadership roles in public education across Baltimore, Washington, D.C., St. Louis, California, Pennsylvania, and Iowa.
Des Moines Public Schools first placed Roberts on paid administrative leave following his arrest, then switched him to unpaid leave, and later accepted his resignation.
He had served as superintendent since 2023.
Questions were also raised about academic credentials listed on Roberts’ LinkedIn profile.
Morgan State University confirmed his attendance from 2003 to 2007 but said he “did not receive a degree.”
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology stated, “has no record of enrollment for a person with the name Ian Andre Roberts, and similarly, there is no record of enrollment in the MIT Executive MBA program at the MIT Sloan School of Management,” according to the MIT Registrar’s Office.
According to DHS, Roberts is a native of Guyana who first entered the United States in 1994 “classified as a visitor for pleasure.”
DHS said he departed at an unknown date and reentered before his 1996 New York drug charges.
He reentered again on a student visa in 1999.
He received employment authorization documents three times—in 2000, 2018, and 2019—each valid for one year, which means the last authorization expired in 2020.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services issued a notice to appear in immigration court in 2020.
On May 22, 2024, an immigration judge in Dallas, Texas, ordered Roberts removed in absentia, DHS said.
ICE, assisted by the Iowa State Patrol, arrested Roberts on Sept. 26. ICE said Roberts attempted to flee and was found hiding in brush.
Agents said they recovered $3,000 in cash, a fixed-blade knife, and a loaded Glock 9mm pistol from the vehicle he had been driving.
Those findings led to additional criminal counts alleging an illegal alien in possession of firearms.
DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said the agency’s public safety concerns extend to school environments.
“Ian Andre Roberts, a criminal illegal alien with multiple weapons charges and a drug trafficking charge, should have never been able to work around children,” McLaughlin said.
She added, “Under Secretary Noem, ICE will continue to arrest the worst of the worst and put the safety of America’s children FIRST.”
U.S. Border Patrol agents shot an armed woman in Chicago on Saturday after multiple vehicles surrounded a team of officers during a patrol, according to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
The incident occurred near 39th Place and South Kedzie Avenue on the city’s South Side.
DHS said a group of agents was conducting a routine patrol “when they were attacked and rammed by vehicles and boxed in by 10 cars.”
The department added that “The officers exited their trapped vehicle, when a suspect tried to run them over, forcing the officers to fire defensively.”
DHS described it as “an evolving situation” and said FBI agents were on the scene.
The suspect is a U.S. citizen and was armed with a semi-automatic weapon, DHS spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin said.
She said the woman was already known to federal authorities.
“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,’” McLaughlin wrote on X.
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.
Agents were unable to move their vehicles and exited the car. One…
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said additional federal resources were being directed to the area.
“Today in Chicago, members of our brave law enforcement were attacked—rammed and boxed in by ten vehicles, including an attacker with a semi-automatic weapon. I am deploying more special operations to control the scene. Reinforcements are on their way,” she wrote on X.
“If you see a law enforcement officer today, thank them,” Noem added.
Today in Chicago, members of our brave law enforcement were attacked—rammed and boxed in by ten vehicles, including an attacker with a semi-automatic weapon.
I am deploying more special operations to control the scene. Reinforcements are on their way.
After the shooting, the woman drove herself to seek treatment “to get care for her wounds,” McLaughlin said.
A Chicago Fire Department spokesperson told the Chicago Sun-Times the woman was later found and transported to a local hospital in stable condition. Authorities did not immediately release the precise time of the shooting.
“Thankfully, no law enforcement officers were seriously injured in the attack,” McLaughlin wrote.
She also criticized state and local authorities, saying, “Unfortunately, [Gov.] JB Pritzker’s Chicago Police Department is leaving the shooting scene and refuses to assist us in securing the area. There is a crowd growing and we are deploying special operations to control [it].”
The Sun-Times reported that a crowd gathered near the scene and that federal agents used tear gas.
The confrontation followed increased tensions around federal immigration enforcement activities in the Chicago area.
Last month, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement announced “Operation Midway Blitz,” an effort the agency said was designed to “target the criminal illegal aliens who flocked to Chicago and Illinois because they knew Governor Pritzker and his sanctuary policies would protect them and allow them to roam free on American streets,” according to an ICE post on X.
DHS is launching Operation Midway Blitz in honor of Katie Abraham who was killed in a drunk driving hit-and-run car wreck caused by criminal illegal alien Julio Cucul-Bol in Illinois.
This ICE operation will target the criminal illegal aliens who flocked to Chicago and Illinois… pic.twitter.com/OjbgtTE1Au
Since the announcement, crowds have repeatedly gathered outside an ICE processing center near where Saturday’s shooting occurred.
Fox News reported that more than a dozen demonstrators were arrested in the streets near the facility on Friday.
DHS said federal officers have faced vehicle attacks around Chicago in recent days.
On Wednesday, the department reported that “criminal illegal aliens weaponized their vehicles in deliberate attempts to ram and injure officers carrying out their sworn duty to uphold our nation’s immigration laws” during incidents in Bensenville, Ill., and Norridge, Ill.
DHS said no members of law enforcement were killed in those attacks.
McLaughlin blamed elected leaders who oppose federal immigration enforcement for fueling hostilities toward officers.
“This is exactly what happens when Governor Pritzker, [Chicago] Mayor [Brandon] Johnson, and other sanctuary politicians demonize ICE and encourage illegal aliens to resist law enforcement,” she said.
She added that federal agencies would respond firmly to threats against personnel. “Comparing ICE day-in and day-out to the Nazi Gestapo, the Secret Police, and slave patrols has consequences,” she said.
“The men and women of ICE and CBP are fathers and mothers, sons and daughters. They get up every morning to try and make our communities safer. Like everyone else, they just want to go home to their families at night. The violence and dehumanization of these men and women who are simply enforcing the law must stop. We are praying for our law enforcement and their families,” McLaughlin said.
An FBI agent has been relieved of duty after refusing to participate in a proposed “perp walk” for former FBI Director James Comey, who was indicted last month on federal charges of lying to Congress and obstruction of justice.
BREAKING: An FBI agent has been FIRED for refusing to arrange the perp walk and arrest of disgraced former FBI Director James Comey, who has been indicted, per Reuters.
Comey was formally charged on September 25 with making false statements and obstructing a congressional investigation.
The indictment stems from his September 30, 2020, testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee, where prosecutors allege he made false statements regarding the FBI’s handling of classified information and obstructed inquiries related to the agency’s “Crossfire Hurricane” investigation.
That probe, launched in 2016, examined alleged Russian interference in the election and led to the now-discredited “Russia collusion” claims involving President Donald Trump.
Following the indictment, Comey was issued a summons to appear before a federal court in Northern Virginia for arraignment on October 9.
His attorneys notified prosecutors that he intends to appear voluntarily.
According to a report from CBS News, senior officials within the FBI discussed whether to stage an arrest rather than permit Comey to self-surrender.
The network, citing multiple sources familiar with internal deliberations, reported that some officials considered having agents execute the arrest “in full kit,” equipped with Kevlar vests and jackets clearly marked “FBI.”
The plan mirrored tactics used in several high-profile arrests during recent years, including pre-dawn raids on individuals connected to the events of January 6, 2021, and on former Trump administration officials such as Peter Navarro and Roger Stone.
Those operations drew widespread criticism for the use of heavily armed tactical teams to apprehend defendants charged with non-violent or procedural offenses.
The CBS News report stated that FBI Supervisory Special Agent Chris Ray, assigned to the violent crimes division of the bureau’s Washington Field Office, was instructed to organize the Comey operation.
However, Ray declined to comply with the directive, reportedly believing the proposed show of force was “inappropriate and highly unusual for a white-collar defendant like Comey.”
A source familiar with the matter told the network that Ray was subsequently suspended for insubordination after refusing to assemble the tactical arrest team.
The source added that Ray’s suspension followed his internal objections to what he viewed as a politicized use of the FBI’s operational capabilities.
Despite the refusal, senior leadership within the bureau has continued preparations for a potential arrest before Comey’s scheduled court appearance.
Barb McQuade right before the Biden/Trump debate last year: It was Russian disinformation in 2016 that Hillary wasn’t healthy, and it’s Russian disinformation now that Biden has declined and is too old to lead.pic.twitter.com/NCLoh9mNix
According to CBS News, other supervisors have also voiced concerns about the optics and necessity of the plan, but the agency is expected to find personnel willing to carry out the order.
Comey’s indictment marks a rare prosecution of a former FBI director.
His testimony before Congress in 2020 had focused on the origins of the Crossfire Hurricane probe and the handling of Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) applications targeting members of President Trump’s campaign.
The Justice Department’s inspector general later identified “significant inaccuracies and omissions” in those filings, though no charges had been brought against Comey until last month.
As of this week, it remains unclear whether the bureau will proceed with a formal arrest or permit Comey to appear voluntarily for his October 9 arraignment.
The Department of Justice has not commented on the internal dispute, and the FBI has not responded publicly to reports of Ray’s suspension.
The case has drawn attention across political circles given Comey’s prominent role in the FBI’s leadership during the 2016 election and his involvement in the investigations that shaped subsequent political controversies.
The outcome of the internal standoff within the FBI—and how the agency handles Comey’s court appearance—remains to be seen as the arraignment date approaches.
The Supreme Court has ruled in favor of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), allowing the agency to proceed with ending Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Venezuelan nationals residing in the United States.
The 6-3 decision clears the path for the removal of 300,000 to 600,000 Venezuelans who had been shielded under TPS designations issued during Joe Biden’s presidency.
BREAKING: In a 6-3 decision, the Supreme Court clears the way for the Trump admin to REVOKE Temporary Protected Status for 600K Venezuelans, paving the path for mass deportations! pic.twitter.com/RNiBMS9Qcq
In the Court’s opinion, justices affirmed that their earlier ruling on the matter still applied.
“Although the posture of the case has changed, the parties’ legal arguments and relative harms generally have not. The same result that we reached in May is appropriate here,” the decision stated.
The Immigration Act of 1990 authorized the Secretary of Homeland Security to grant TPS to migrants from countries experiencing extraordinary or temporary conditions, such as armed conflicts or natural disasters, that would make their safe return impossible.
The designation allows recipients to remain and work in the United States until the conditions in their home country change.
In March 2021, then-DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas granted TPS protections to Venezuelans who had been residing in the U.S. since March 8, 2021.
That designation was extended in September 2022 through March 10, 2024, and later extended again through September 10, 2025.
In October 2023, Mayorkas further expanded eligibility to Venezuelans who had resided in the U.S. since July 31, 2023, significantly increasing the number of migrants covered under the program.
On January 17, 2025, Mayorkas announced another extension of TPS protections for Venezuelans through October 2, 2026.
The decision to repeatedly expand TPS came under immediate legal scrutiny. Upon taking office, DHS Secretary Kristi Noem rescinded Mayorkas’s extensions and sought to return TPS policy to its original statutory framework.
DHS argued that Mayorkas exceeded his legal authority and undermined the “temporary” nature of the protections.
The legal fight was most contentious in the Northern District of California, where U.S. District Judge Edward Chen, an appointee of former President Barack Obama, repeatedly ruled against DHS.
Even after the Supreme Court issued its initial ruling in May affirming DHS’s authority, Chen again ruled that the agency could not terminate protections, stating that the Supreme Court’s order “did not provide any specific analysis.”
When DHS appealed, the Ninth Circuit sided with Chen, prolonging the dispute.
The Supreme Court’s latest decision directly rebukes those rulings, reaffirming DHS’s authority to end the TPS program for Venezuelans.
The Supreme Court’s decision paves the way for the removal of hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans living under TPS.
Additional benefit — since both temporary and permanent injunctive relief have now both been reversed by SCOTUS, the Trump Admin can proceed with immediate removal of any Venezuelan covered by either of the two TPS designations, and neither the District Judge nor the Ninth… https://t.co/cpEZrcpVcx
The ruling comes as the Trump administration continues to focus resources on border security and broader immigration enforcement.
The return of large numbers of Venezuelan nationals could have repercussions in South America, particularly for the government of Nicolás Maduro.
The Trump administration has previously signaled its opposition to Maduro’s regime and taken steps to increase pressure on Caracas.
With this decision, DHS is expected to move forward with plans to terminate the program and begin removals in coordination with U.S. immigration enforcement.
The ruling represents a significant turning point in ongoing legal and policy battles over the use of TPS designations and the federal government’s broader immigration authority.
The Treasury Department is reviewing a proposal to mint new $1 coins featuring President Donald Trump’s image as part of the upcoming commemoration of America’s 250th anniversary, FOX Business reported Friday.
In a statement provided to FOX Business, a Treasury spokesperson tied the proposed coin to the broader effort to honor the nation’s founding.
“Despite the radical left’s forced shutdown of our government, the facts are clear: Under the historic leadership of President Donald J. Trump, our nation is entering its 250th anniversary stronger, more prosperous, and better than ever,” the spokesperson said.
BREAKING Secretary of Treasury Scott Bessent just CONFIRMED the first drafts of Trump on the $1 coin honoring America’s 250th Birthday are real
The spokesperson added that a design has not yet been finalized.
“While a final $1 dollar coin design has not yet been selected to commemorate the United States’ semiquincentennial, this first draft reflects well the enduring spirit of our country and democracy, even in the face of immense obstacles. We look forward to sharing more soon,” the statement continued.
The draft image reviewed depicts President Trump in front of an American flag with his fist raised.
The design bears a resemblance to a photograph widely circulated after the assassination attempt against him in Pennsylvania last year, where Trump was seen reacting after being wounded in the ear and escorted off stage by Secret Service agents.
The Treasury Department has the statutory authority to authorize $1 collectible coins, including those minted to mark special anniversaries such as the United States’ semiquincentennial in 2026.
Collectible coin programs have been issued in previous years to commemorate historical figures and milestones.
The U.S. Mint most recently released commemorative coins in 2024 honoring Harriet Tubman and the Greatest Generation.
According to Mint data, the Tubman coin sold 56,894 units, while the Greatest Generation coin sold 79,980.
These figures reflect the relatively limited demand for recent commemorative coins compared with earlier programs.
Historically, several commemorative issues have seen significantly higher sales.
The Mint’s most successful commemorative coin to date remains the Statue of Liberty coin issued in 1986, which sold nearly 15.5 million coins.
Programs in the mid-1990s also saw widespread interest, particularly those linked to the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta.
Between 1995 and 1996, over 2.4 million commemorative coins were sold to mark the Olympic centennial.
Other high-demand issues included the 1982 George Washington 250th anniversary half dollar, which sold more than 7.1 million units, and the 1983–1984 Olympic coins for the Los Angeles Summer Games, which sold over 5 million.
The bicentennial of the U.S. Constitution, marked by commemorative coins issued in 1987, resulted in sales topping 4 million.
Whether the proposed Trump $1 coin will be approved and how widely it will be issued has not yet been determined.
The Treasury Department is expected to release additional information as the nation moves closer to the 2026 semiquincentennial.
CNN political commentator Van Jones criticized Democrats during an appearance on HBO’s Real Time Friday, saying the decision to allow a government shutdown was poorly timed and could damage the party politically.
Jones described the move as Democrats doing “the wrong thing at the wrong time for the right reason,” arguing that shutting down the federal government would have immediate negative consequences for federal workers and government services.
“I am going to maybe piss off some of my Democratic friends, but I think you can always trust our party to do the wrong thing at the wrong time for the right reason, okay,” Jones said.
“So, here’s the problem: Right now, if the Democrats don’t do anything and they pass this clean resolution, which they don’t want to do, if they did it, guess what would happen this month? Premiums would start going through the roof this month. By the time you get to the end of November, you would have Americans marching in the streets saying, I can’t pay 150% more for my insurance premiums, what the heck is going on?”
He continued, “Instead, we decided to not let that happen and shut the entire government down. So, now, people are going to be mad about the Post Office and a hundred other things that Republicans can then blame on us. So, I’m like, I get it, the base is upset, the base wants us to do something, please do something, do anything, but the something probably shouldn’t be throwing a bunch of people out of work in the federal government and crushing America’s government’s ability to function right before the pain was about to start. So, that’s my concern.”
Jones emphasized that he supported Democrats having leverage but believed the shutdown was not executed at the right time.
“I like the fact that we have this leverage, and I just want to use it at the right time,” he said.
The CNN commentator also recounted a recent conversation with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), pointing to what he viewed as inconsistency in the Democratic leadership’s stance on shutdowns.
“The weird thing is, I talked to Chuck Schumer about this like three months ago, and he was kicking me in the butt, because I had been tough on him for not allowing the government to shut down, and he convinced me that shutting the government down is stupid. Then I come on TV and he says, we’re now shutting the government down. I said, hold on a second, guys.”
Jones argued that Republicans were vulnerable over rising health care costs and that Democrats could have timed their strategy differently.
“So, look, my view is, the Republicans were about to let a bunch of Americans, 15 million Americans, step on a rake called their insurance premiums going through the roof. That’s when you shut the government down, but you do it before, and, now, it’s just going to be one more piece of garbage coming at the American people. I just think the timing’s not that great, but, look, maybe it’ll work.”
Jones’ remarks highlight divisions within the Democratic Party over how to approach the standoff and the broader political risks of a prolonged shutdown.
A Maine resident’s unexpected discovery of 250 official state ballots inside an Amazon package has fueled new concerns over election security as the state prepares for a November referendum on requiring photo identification to vote.
The incident, first reported by Maine Wire, has prompted calls for federal authorities to investigate.
The ballots, shrink-wrapped in tamper-evident packs of 50, were reportedly found earlier this week in a shipment delivered to a resident of Newburgh, Maine.
WTF. A woman in Maine received 250 state election ballots packaged inside her Amazon delivery of food and toys.
The order, which contained household items including paper plates, a bag of rice, and a toy lightsaber, appeared to have been tampered with before arriving at the woman’s home.
“When I opened it, there were 250 official State of Maine referendum ballots inside my box. Thank goodness I am an honest citizen and immediately reached out to my town clerk and took the ballots to the town for safekeeping,” the resident said.
She added, “I am greatly concerned for our state and its voting requirements.”
Election officials who reviewed photographs confirmed the ballots appeared to be authentic 2025 referendum ballots.
They were turned over to the local town office for review.
The November 4 ballot measure will decide whether Maine becomes the 37th state to require photo identification at the polls.
The proposal has drawn partisan responses, with Democrats warning it could reduce voter turnout and Republicans arguing it is necessary to restore election integrity.
Maine Democratic Party Chairman Charlie Dingman has acknowledged concerns that a voter ID law could cost his party support.
In a May 30 text message to voters, he said, “If Maine adopted Voter ID requirements similar to those of 36 other states, it could result in a loss of 13,000 Democratic votes being counted in subsequent elections.”
Republicans said the ballot discovery raises serious questions. Maine Republican Party Chairman Jim Deyermond, a retired Massachusetts State Trooper, called the incident “beyond the realm of accidental.”
He added, “This incident should be treated as a potential crime and a crime scene,” and urged the Department of Justice to “assume jurisdiction over this matter immediately.”
The Department of Justice has already been in conflict with Maine election officials over voter roll accuracy.
Last July, the DOJ requested Maine’s voter registration records, citing potential irregularities.
Deputy Assistant U.S. Attorney General Michael Gates noted that Maine could have as many as 11,000 duplicate registrations.
“Please provide a description of the steps that Maine has taken, and when those steps were taken, to identify registered voters who are ineligible to vote as well as the procedures it used to remove those ineligible voters from the registration list,” the DOJ wrote in a letter at the time.
Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows rejected the request and responded, “The Gulf of Maine is awfully cold, but maybe that’s what the DOJ needs to cool down. So, here’s my answer to Trump’s DOJ today: go jump in the Gulf of Maine.”
Bellows, a Democrat who is running for governor in 2026, has also acknowledged that non-citizens are registered to vote in Maine.
Maine’s Secretary of State admits she believes non-citizens are registered to vote in Maine. pic.twitter.com/ekw46kUJTe
The ballot incident comes as debates over federal oversight of elections intensify.
During the Reconstruction era, states with histories of discriminatory practices were subject to federal supervision under the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
Section 5 of the act required federal approval for election law changes and authorized federal observers to monitor voting in certain jurisdictions.
Some analysts argue that similar oversight could be necessary in modern contexts where states are alleged to be failing to enforce federal election law.
Steve Robinson, reporting for Maine Wire, noted that irregularities involving 13,000 or 11,000 votes could significantly alter control of Congress.
With Maine voters set to decide the photo ID referendum in November, questions remain about how the state will respond to the ballot incident and whether further federal action will be taken.
The case has reignited calls for stronger safeguards to ensure only eligible citizens cast ballots in upcoming elections.
President Donald Trump has directed his administration to examine whether federal funds can be withdrawn from Portland, Oregon, following violent protests in the city.
The directive came after the arrest of conservative influencer Nick Sortor on charges of second-degree disorderly conduct during demonstrations near an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed the president’s order during a Friday press briefing, citing growing concerns over unrest in the city and what she described as tolerance for lawlessness by local officials.
“This incident is part of a troubling trend in Portland, where left-wing mobs believe they get to decide who can visit and live in their city. It is not their city, it is the American people’s city, and President Trump is going to restore that,” Leavitt told reporters.
She added that the president has instructed his staff to begin reviewing federal aid directed to Portland.
“I just spoke with the President about this, and he has directed his team here at the White House to begin reviewing aid that can potentially be cut in Portland. We will not fund states that allow anarchy. There will also be an additional surge of federal resources to Portland immediately, including enhanced CBP and ICE resources. Law and order will prevail, and President Trump will make sure of it,” Leavitt said.
BREAKING: President Trump has ordered Pete Hegseth to deploy active duty troops to liberate “war ravaged Portland” following the city’s targeted, politically-motivated arrest of me
“President Trump will END the RADICAL LEFT’S REIGN OF TERROR in Portland once and for all!” pic.twitter.com/h9PRsFyDxC
The administration has already deployed 200 Oregon National Guard soldiers to Portland in response to the demonstrations, although a federal judge is currently reviewing the legality of that deployment.
Portland Mayor Keith Wilson pushed back against the White House:
“Let me be clear: Portland is not a military target. We will use every legal and constitutional tool at our disposal to protect our residents, uphold our values, and defend the rights of every Portlander,” Wilson said in a statement.
Wilson’s office also criticized the administration’s threat to withhold funding, claiming no formal notice had been delivered to the city.
“The federal government should be focused on partnering with us to expand housing, create jobs, and bolster social services – not siphon vital funding from our economy during a government shutdown that is already hurting cities like ours across the nation,” Wilson added.
Portland Mayor Keith Wilson denounces military deployment, falsely claims footage from violent ICE riots is from 2020:
“This is not a military target. The president will not find violence or lawlessness here.” pic.twitter.com/MW9V2Gf4CI
BREAKING: I went behind the scenes at the ICE facility in Portland with the Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Protective Service (@FPSDHS).
As anti-ICE protesters lay siege to the ICE facility for more than 90 consecutive days, here’s an inside look at the officers who… pic.twitter.com/Uy5pe4jJ5D
The move against Portland comes as the Trump administration is reviewing funding to several Democratic-led cities and states during the third day of a government shutdown.
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Russ Vought confirmed that $2.1 billion earmarked for Chicago’s Red Line Extension and the Red and Purple Modernization Project had been put on hold.
“It’s because the administration is concerned that the Biden administration was handing out taxpayer dollars to pay for this construction based on DEI,” Leavitt said.
“DOT is reviewing the race-based contracting on unconstitutional grounds, and in the meantime, the Department of Transportation funds for these projects are on hold.”
Earlier in the week, Vought announced that $18 billion in funding for several New York infrastructure projects had also been paused over similar concerns.
An additional $8 billion for environmental initiatives across 16 Democrat-led states was either paused or canceled outright.
On Thursday, President Trump and Vought met to evaluate which federal agencies could face additional layoffs if the shutdown continues.
“Discussions continue between the Office of Management and Budget and Cabinet agencies across the board, and they are actively identifying where these cuts and these layoffs have to be made as this government shutdown hopefully does not continue,” Leavitt told reporters.
The president’s directive on Portland signals an escalation in the administration’s approach to cities experiencing unrest and resistance to federal intervention.
With funding reviews underway and additional deployments announced, the White House has indicated that federal action in Portland will expand in the coming days.
Democratic candidate for Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones is facing scrutiny after text messages from 2022 surfaced in which he allegedly made violent threats against Republican colleagues, including former Virginia House Speaker Todd Gilbert.
The texts were reported Friday by National Review, which said it obtained the messages from Jones’ former colleague, Republican Delegate Carrie Coyner.
According to the report, Jones sent multiple messages to Coyner in August 2022, months after leaving the Virginia House of Delegates, in which he expressed violent intentions toward Gilbert.
“I will go to their funerals to piss on their graves … [to] send them out awash in something,” Jones wrote, according to National Review.
Jones reportedly went further, writing that if he were faced with Gilbert and two dictators along with a gun containing two bullets, “Gilbert gets two bullets to the head.”
In another message, he told Coyner, “Spoiler: put Gilbert in the crew with the two worst people you know and he receives both bullets every time.”
Coyner pushed back in the exchange, asking Jones to stop.
“It really bothers me when you talk about hurting people or wishing death on them … no matter who they are,” she wrote, according to the outlet.
Jones allegedly responded with “Lol” and “Ok, ok.”
The private messages offer a disturbing glimpse into how Jones — who is looking to oust incumbent Republican Attorney General Jason Miyares this fall — describes his political adversaries in private conversations. pic.twitter.com/vvbtcn4vIQ
The texts have become a significant issue in Jones’ campaign against Republican Attorney General Jason Miyares ahead of Virginia’s November general election.
Jones, however, issued a statement to WTVR Richmond, where he did not deny sending the texts but blamed the controversy on what he called “Trump-controlled media.”
“Like all people, I’ve sent text messages that I regret and I believe that violent rhetoric has no place in our politics,” Jones said.
He accused Miyares of “dropping smears through Trump-controlled media organizations to assault my character and rescue his desperate campaign.”
According to National Review, after the 2022 text exchange, Jones also called Coyner and reportedly said that Republican officials such as Gilbert should “experience pain” so that it would result in policy changes.
He allegedly suggested that Gilbert’s wife should witness her child die.
Coyner later confirmed the text exchange in a statement to the outlet, saying, “What he said was not just disturbing but disqualifying for anyone who wants to seek public office.”
Jones’ remarks drew condemnation from both Republicans and Democrats.
Former Democratic Representative Abigail Spanberger, now the Democratic nominee for Virginia governor, told WJLA that she spoke to Jones after the story surfaced and told him “that he must fully take responsibility for his words.”
BREAKING: Virginia Democrat Gubernatorial Candidate Abigail Spanberger Responds to Bombshell Leaked Messages from AG Nominee Jay Jones
She is “disgusted” and claims she has “made it clear” that she “condemns violent language”.
The Republican Attorneys General Association (RAGA) called on Jones to withdraw from the race.
In a statement posted on X, Executive Director Adam Piper said, “Conservatives are being executed for their beliefs, and text messages like these are part of the problem. Virginia deserves far better.”
Jones’ campaign has already faced controversy over unrelated issues.
In 2022, he served a sentence for reckless driving in Virginia, fulfilling community service hours through his own political action committee.
Miyares criticized the move in a recent post on X, saying Jones attempted to avoid jail time by counting work for his PAC as community service.
“This raises serious, troubling questions about Jay Jones’ judgment, his ability to uphold the law, and, ultimately, his qualifications for Attorney General,” Miyares wrote.
Instead of taking accountability for his actions, it appears that my opponent submitted a letter to the Court stating that he performed 500 hours of ‘community service’ for his own PAC, which isn’t a charitable organization under state code, to dodge potential jail time.
Hamas announced on Friday that it had agreed in principle to release all remaining Israeli hostages in Gaza, including both the living and the dead, and expressed readiness to enter negotiations aimed at ending the conflict.
The announcement followed what the group described as “extensive consultations” and came just days after President Donald Trump introduced a detailed peace proposal alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The militant group issued a statement saying it was prepared to immediately begin negotiations with the involvement of mediators to finalize the details of an arrangement.
According to Israeli and international reports, approximately 48 hostages remain in Gaza, with about 20 believed to still be alive.
The development comes amid heightened pressure from the United States.
President Trump set a firm deadline of 6 p.m. Sunday for Hamas to accept his peace initiative, warning that “all hell” would break loose if the group refused.
His remarks followed the release of a 20-point peace plan earlier in the week, which Israel formally accepted.
President Donald J. Trump’s Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict:
1. Gaza will be a deradicalized terror-free zone that does not pose a threat to its neighbors.
2. Gaza will be redeveloped for the benefit of the people of Gaza, who have suffered more than enough.
1. Gaza will be a deradicalized terror-free zone that does not pose a threat to its neighbors.
2. Gaza will be redeveloped for the benefit of the people of Gaza, who have suffered more than enough.
3. If both sides agree to this proposal, the war will immediately end. Israeli forces will withdraw to the agreed upon line to prepare for a hostage release. During this time, all military operations, including aerial and artillery bombardment, will be suspended, and battle lines will remain frozen until conditions are met for the complete staged withdrawal.
4. Within 72 hours of Israel publicly accepting this agreement, all hostages, alive and deceased, will be returned.
5. Once all hostages are released, Israel will release 250 life sentence prisoners plus 1700 Gazans who were detained after October 7th 2023, including all women and children detained in that context. For every Israeli hostage whose remains are released, Israel will release the remains of 15 deceased Gazans.
6. Once all hostages are returned, Hamas members who commit to peaceful co-existence and to decommission their weapons will be given amnesty. Members of Hamas who wish to leave Gaza will be provided safe passage to receiving countries.
7. Upon acceptance of this agreement, full aid will be immediately sent into the Gaza Strip. At a minimum, aid quantities will be consistent with what was included in the January 19, 2025, agreement regarding humanitarian aid, including rehabilitation of infrastructure (water, electricity, sewage), rehabilitation of hospitals and bakeries, and entry of necessary equipment to remove rubble and open roads.
8. Entry of distribution and aid in the Gaza Strip will proceed without interference from the two parties through the United Nations and its agencies, and the Red Crescent, in addition to other international institutions not associated in any manner with either party. Opening the Rafah crossing in both directions will be subject to the same mechanism implemented under the January 19, 2025 agreement.
9. Gaza will be governed under the temporary transitional governance of a technocratic, apolitical Palestinian committee, responsible for delivering the day-to-day running of public services and municipalities for the people in Gaza. This committee will be made up of qualified Palestinians and international experts, with oversight and supervision by a new international transitional body, the “Board of Peace,” which will be headed and chaired by President Donald J. Trump, with other members and heads of State to be announced, including Former Prime Minister Tony Blair. This body will set the framework and handle the funding for the redevelopment of Gaza until such time as the Palestinian Authority has completed its reform program, as outlined in various proposals, including President Trump’s peace plan in 2020 and the Saudi-French proposal, and can securely and effectively take back control of Gaza. This body will call on best international standards to create modern and efficient governance that serves the people of Gaza and is conducive to attracting investment.
10. A Trump economic development plan to rebuild and energize Gaza will be created by convening a panel of experts who have helped birth some of the thriving modern miracle cities in the Middle East. Many thoughtful investment proposals and exciting development ideas have been crafted by well-meaning international groups, and will be considered to synthesize the security and governance frameworks to attract and facilitate these investments that will create jobs, opportunity, and hope for future Gaza.
11. A special economic zone will be established with preferred tariff and access rates to be negotiated with participating countries.
12. No one will be forced to leave Gaza, and those who wish to leave will be free to do so and free to return. We will encourage people to stay and offer them the opportunity to build a better Gaza.
13. Hamas and other factions agree to not have any role in the governance of Gaza, directly, indirectly, or in any form. All military, terror, and offensive infrastructure, including tunnels and weapon production facilities, will be destroyed and not rebuilt. There will be a process of demilitarization of Gaza under the supervision of independent monitors, which will include placing weapons permanently beyond use through an agreed process of decommissioning, and supported by an internationally funded buy back and reintegration program all verified by the independent monitors. New Gaza will be fully committed to building a prosperous economy and to peaceful coexistence with their neighbors.
14. A guarantee will be provided by regional partners to ensure that Hamas, and the factions, comply with their obligations and that New Gaza poses no threat to its neighbors or its people.
15. The United States will work with Arab and international partners to develop a temporary International Stabilization Force (ISF) to immediately deploy in Gaza. The ISF will train and provide support to vetted Palestinian police forces in Gaza, and will consult with Jordan and Egypt who have extensive experience in this field. This force will be the long-term internal security solution. The ISF will work with Israel and Egypt to help secure border areas, along with newly trained Palestinian police forces. It is critical to prevent munitions from entering Gaza and to facilitate the rapid and secure flow of goods to rebuild and revitalize Gaza. A deconfliction mechanism will be agreed upon by the parties.
16. Israel will not occupy or annex Gaza. As the ISF establishes control and stability, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) will withdraw based on standards, milestones, and timeframes linked to demilitarization that will be agreed upon between the IDF, ISF, the guarantors, and the Unites States, with the objective of a secure Gaza that no longer poses a threat to Israel, Egypt, or its citizens. Practically, the IDF will progressively hand over the Gaza territory it occupies to the ISF according to an agreement they will make with the transitional authority until they are withdrawn completely from Gaza, save for a security perimeter presence that will remain until Gaza is properly secure from any resurgent terror threat.
17. In the event Hamas delays or rejects this proposal, the above, including the scaled-up aid operation, will proceed in the terror-free areas handed over from the IDF to the ISF.
18. An interfaith dialogue process will be established based on the values of tolerance and peaceful co-existence to try and change mindsets and narratives of Palestinians and Israelis by emphasizing the benefits that can be derived from peace.
19. While Gaza re-development advances and when the PA reform program is faithfully carried out, the conditions may finally be in place for a credible pathway to Palestinian self-determination and statehood, which we recognize as the aspiration of the Palestinian people.
20. The United States will establish a dialogue between Israel and the Palestinians to agree on a political horizon for peaceful and prosperous co-existence.
Trump and Netanyahu presented the proposal as the most viable path to ending the war that began with Hamas’ October 7, 2023 attack on Israel.
Israeli forces launched a large-scale ground operation in Gaza in response to that assault, which killed and injured thousands and led to the abduction of hostages into Gaza.
Since then, Israel’s military campaign has targeted remaining Hamas strongholds, with operations continuing even as hostage negotiations moved forward intermittently.
For weeks, international mediators, including officials from Qatar and Egypt, attempted to broker agreements for partial hostage releases, but progress stalled repeatedly.
The announcement from Hamas represents the first time the group has publicly signaled willingness to release all hostages and enter comprehensive negotiations under an American-led framework.
Families of the hostages have urged both governments and international actors to secure their loved ones’ release as quickly as possible, citing deteriorating conditions and uncertainty about their fate.
President Trump has framed the situation as a critical test for Hamas, telling reporters earlier this week that his administration was prepared to escalate consequences if the deadline was ignored.
“All hell will break loose if they don’t agree,” he said, driving home his administration’s position that further delays would not be tolerated.
The conflict, which has stretched nearly a year, has drawn international responses ranging from calls for ceasefire to diplomatic recognition of Palestinian statehood by some European governments.
The announcement from Hamas introduces a possible turning point, though questions remain over whether the group will follow through.
As the deadline approaches, attention remains on whether Hamas will act on its statement and whether the mediated talks will move forward.
For the families of those still in captivity, the possibility of resolution offers a measure of hope, but uncertainty remains as Israel and its allies weigh the next steps in the conflict.
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