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Kristi Noem Denied Restroom Access in Illinois Public Building Clash
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Kristi Noem Denied Restroom Access in Illinois Public Building Clash

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Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem was denied entry into the Village of Broadview Municipal Building in Illinois, where she said she and her staff attempted to stop briefly to use the restroom.

The incident drew attention after Noem described being shouted at and physically blocked from entering the taxpayer-funded facility.

According to Noem, the exchange took place when she approached the building and asked, “Can we use your restroom?” A man inside the building responded, “No! You cannot!” before closing the door on her.

“This is what Governor Pritzker calls cooperation,” Noem remarked following the encounter.

She later added, “This is what we have to put up with every single day,” during an interview with podcast host Benny Johnson.

Noem said the situation reflected the type of obstruction federal authorities face regularly, despite their efforts to combat crime.

“All we’re doing is getting criminals and terrorists and heroin and gang members off the streets to make families safer,” she told Johnson.

The Village of Broadview, where the incident occurred, receives approximately $1 million annually in federal funding.

Noem stressed that the funding connection made the denial even more troubling.

In a public statement following the event, Noem said, “My team and I were just blocked from accessing the Village of Broadview Municipal Building in Illinois. We were stopping for a quick bathroom break. This is a public building. The Village of Broadview receives at least $1 million in federal funding every year.”

She added, “This is how JB Pritzker and his cronies treat our law enforcement. Absolutely shameful.”

The confrontation highlights an ongoing tension between federal officials and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker’s administration.

Noem has previously criticized the state’s handling of cooperation with federal immigration enforcement and law enforcement support.

The exchange at the Broadview facility added another public clash to that strained relationship.

The Department of Homeland Security under Noem has emphasized efforts to curb illegal activity, including targeting drug trafficking and gang violence.

During her remarks, Noem reiterated that DHS operations are aimed at “making families safer” by removing criminals from communities.

Noem’s comments came as part of broader criticism of Illinois’ approach to federal-state cooperation on law enforcement matters.

The incident in Broadview provided a concrete example for her office to point to, given that the building in question is publicly funded and partially reliant on federal support.

Officials from the Village of Broadview did not immediately provide a statement on the matter.

The refusal, however, has already been circulated widely on social media after Noem shared her account of what took place.

For Noem, the denial of entry into a building supported by federal funds became a symbol of what she describes as daily challenges in carrying out DHS operations.

At present, the Department of Homeland Security has not indicated whether it will pursue any formal complaint regarding the incident, but Noem’s statements suggest the confrontation will continue to factor into her broader criticisms of Illinois leadership.

Golf Legend Throws Down the Gauntlet, Challenges Gavin Newsom to Town Hall Debate
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Golf Legend Throws Down the Gauntlet, Challenges Gavin Newsom to Town Hall Debate

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California Governor Gavin Newsom is facing a public challenge from one of the state’s most famous athletes over his clean energy policies.

Professional golfer Phil Mickelson, a six-time major championship winner and longtime California resident, has called on the governor to participate in a town hall debate about offshore drilling projects, specifically naming Sable Offshore.

Mickelson issued the invitation Wednesday night on social media, posting, “If you would like to have a town hall meeting with me to discuss Sable Offshore I will meet you anytime and anyplace. Let’s discuss this openly so the public knows the facts.”

The unexpected call-out came shortly after Newsom criticized President Donald Trump’s administration for announcing plans to cancel billions in federal subsidies tied to green energy programs.

Bloomberg reported that nearly $8 billion in funding for hydrogen hubs, wind projects, and solar initiatives, including projects in California and the Pacific Northwest, would be halted.

Newsom, who has built a national profile on renewable energy mandates, responded on social media by condemning the cuts.

“In Trump’s America, energy policy is set by the highest bidder, economics and common-sense be damned,” Newsom wrote.

“We’ll keep chasing an all-of-the-above clean energy strategy to power our future and clean our air — no matter what politicians in DC try to dictate.”

Mickelson quickly pushed back, arguing that the state has overlooked concerns raised by Californians about controversial offshore developments.

He followed up his initial challenge with another post indicating he had attempted to contact the governor directly.

“I called your office yesterday and left my number with your assistant,” Mickelson wrote, adding a crossed-fingers emoji.

The dispute emphasizes a broader conflict between the Trump administration and democratic governors over renewable energy funding and priorities.

White House Budget Director Russell Vought confirmed that the cuts are part of larger spending reductions tied to the ongoing government shutdown, with Democratic-leaning states seeing many of the reductions first.

Hydrogen energy hubs planned along the West Coast were among the initial programs affected. Newsom and other Democrats have pledged to continue advancing clean energy initiatives despite the loss of federal support.

Mickelson’s involvement has drawn attention to Sable Offshore and similar projects, which critics say have moved forward without sufficient transparency or public debate.

His call for a town hall reflects broader frustrations in the state about how energy and environmental policies are being implemented.

Mickelson has previously voiced opposition to California’s high tax policies and hinted at leaving the state, though he has remained a prominent resident and sports figure.

His challenge to Newsom adds a new voice to the debate over the state’s energy direction at a moment when California faces mounting questions about the costs and impacts of its policies.

As of Thursday, Newsom’s office had not issued a response to Mickelson’s offer.

Should the governor agree, it would set the stage for a high-profile and unusual political forum, pairing a celebrated athlete with California’s top elected official to debate the future of energy in the state.

Karoline Leavitt Dismantles Reporter Trying to Push Schumer’s Shutdown Talking Point
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Karoline Leavitt Dismantles Reporter Trying to Push Schumer’s Shutdown Talking Point

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White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt clashed with a reporter Thursday during a press gaggle outside the White House, as she defended President Donald Trump’s position on the government shutdown and criticized Democrats for attempting to restore healthcare benefits for illegal aliens.

Leavitt said the shutdown occurred because Democrats refused to support a continuing resolution (CR) that did not include the restoration of taxpayer-funded benefits to non-citizens.

She argued that Democrats had previously supported similar stopgap funding measures more than a dozen times.

“Democrats have voted for the same CR Republicans introduced 13 times in the past… now all of a sudden they are shutting the government down and they are holding our country hostage over a partisan political matter [healthcare benefits to illegal aliens]… And we stopped it. The President [Donald Trump] stopped it with the passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill,” Leavitt said.

“And now they want to undo the President’s very popular policy to ensure taxpayer-funded healthcare benefits only go to taxpaying, law-abiding American citizens.”

The exchange escalated when a reporter challenged her statement, claiming Democrats could not provide Medicaid to what he referred to as “undocumented immigrants” because it was already prohibited under existing law.

Leavitt countered directly. “Let me ask you, do you think that illegal aliens should receive Medicaid benefits? Medicaid benefits that go to the most vulnerable people in our society.”

As the reporter attempted to redirect the discussion, Leavitt continued.

“Medicaid benefits that were designed to help low-income families and Americans in our country. So what the Biden’s administration did is they allowed tens of millions of illegal aliens from all over the world to come into our country.”

She said the prior administration used parole programs to admit large numbers of migrants and then extended temporary protective status, which in turn allowed them to access government services.

“It was a complete abuse of our immigration system. They slapped a Band-Aid on these illegals. They called it temporary protective status. And then they allowed those illegals from all over the world to get free benefits,” Leavitt said.

She added that Americans struggling under inflation and long wait times in hospitals were being forced to compete with non-citizens for services.

“You know who would like free benefits? Hard-working Americans who work their butts off every day, who are living paycheck to paycheck,” she said.

“Because of the Biden-induced inflation crisis. And there were higher wait times in hospitals under the Biden administration. We saw these illegals committing crimes all over our country. And they’re getting things for free. That is fundamentally unfair. And this administration is not going to do it.”

Leavitt placed full responsibility for the shutdown on Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), saying Democrats insisted on adding taxpayer-funded benefits for illegal aliens to the funding proposal.

“This White House is showing no weakness when it comes to their messaging on the shutdown, putting the blame squarely on the Democrats and Senator Chuck Schumer,” she said.

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) backed up the White House’s position, pointing to the Democrats’ legislative text.

“This isn’t a Republican talking point, or political spin… It’s what Democrats put IN WRITING: On page 57, section 2141, of their OWN bill, Democrats restore taxpayer-funded benefits for illegal immigrants,” Johnson wrote on X.

Johnson encouraged the public to review the bill for themselves, saying the evidence was clear.

The exchange marked the latest development in the political standoff over government funding, as both chambers continue negotiations to end what Republicans have labeled the “Schumer Shutdown.”

The Anti-ICE Crowd Just Got Some Bad News as Apple Removes Controversial App
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The Anti-ICE Crowd Just Got Some Bad News as Apple Removes Controversial App

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Apple removed a widely used tracking app from its App Store on Thursday after the Department of Justice (DOJ), under the direction of Attorney General Pam Bondi, raised concerns that the tool endangered federal immigration officers.

The app, ICEBlock, allowed users to anonymously report sightings of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers. DOJ officials argued the app put federal officers at risk and could help shield illegal aliens from enforcement operations.

“We reached out to Apple today demanding they remove the ICEBlock app from their App Store — and Apple did so,” Bondi said in a statement to Fox News Digital.

“ICEBlock is designed to put ICE agents at risk just for doing their jobs, and violence against law enforcement is an intolerable red line that cannot be crossed. This Department of Justice will continue making every effort to protect our brave federal law enforcement officers, who risk their lives every day to keep Americans safe.”

The decision comes amid heightened concern over rising violence against ICE personnel.

Last month, a shooting at an ICE field office in Dallas, Texas, left one detainee dead and two critically injured.

Officials said the suspect, identified as Joshua Jahn, researched tracking apps, including ICEBlock, before opening fire from a rooftop.

Investigators concluded Jahn’s intended targets were ICE employees. One of the injured victims, a 32-year-old father of four, later died from his injuries.

Marcos Charles, acting director of ICE’s removal operations, said at a press conference that attacks on ICE officers have dramatically increased.

“The evidence is clear that this was intended as an assault on ICE personnel who come to work every day to do their job,” Charles said.

“Violent rhetoric has led to an over 1000% increase in assaults on ICE officers, and it has to stop.”

Apple confirmed the app’s removal in a statement, noting it took action after reviewing law enforcement concerns.

“We created the App Store to be a safe and trusted place to discover apps. Based on information we’ve received from law enforcement about the safety risks associated with ICEBlock, we have removed it and similar apps from the App Store,” Apple said.

Joshua Aaron, the creator of ICEBlock, criticized Apple’s decision. “Capitulating to an authoritarian regime is never the right move,” Aaron said in a statement.

“Apple has claimed they received information from law enforcement that ICEBlock served to harm law enforcement officers. This is patently false.”

Aaron maintained that ICEBlock, which had more than 1.1 million users, functioned similarly to other crowdsourced mapping apps, such as those that alert drivers about speed traps.

He argued the app was not intended to facilitate violence.

“We are determined to fight this with everything we have,” Aaron said.

“Our mission has always been to protect our neighbors from the terror this administration continues to reign down on the people of this nation.”

The removal of ICEBlock highlights growing tensions between federal authorities and technology companies over applications that can interfere with law enforcement operations.

DOJ officials have said the move is part of broader efforts to protect federal officers from targeted attacks, while Aaron and other supporters of the app argue it represents a free speech and community safety issue.

As of Thursday evening, ICEBlock and similar apps were no longer available for download from Apple’s App Store.

The DOJ said it will continue reviewing platforms and tools that pose risks to federal personnel.

New Gallup Poll Devastating to Mainstream Media and Their Narratives
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New Gallup Poll Devastating to Mainstream Media and Their Narratives

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Public trust in the mass media has reached its lowest point since Gallup began measuring it nearly fifty years ago.

According to the organization’s latest survey, only 28 percent of Americans say they have “a great deal” or “a fair amount” of confidence in newspapers, television, and radio to report the news fully, accurately, and fairly.

The 2025 numbers mark a decline from 31 percent in 2024 and 40 percent just five years earlier.

In the 1970s, Gallup found that between 68 and 72 percent of Americans expressed confidence in the media. Trust dropped steadily over the decades and fell below a majority level in the early 2000s.

When Gallup first asked the question in 1972, trust in mass media was above 70 percent, during an era when television anchors like Walter Cronkite were viewed as authoritative.

By 1997, confidence had dropped to 53 percent.

In 2004, as blogs and independent online news sites expanded, Gallup reported that trust had fallen to 44 percent.

Since then, the number has never returned to majority levels.

High-profile controversies, including CBS’s 2004 use of disputed documents in a report about George W. Bush’s military service, accelerated skepticism toward traditional outlets.

In recent years, coverage of President Donald Trump, the handling of the Hunter Biden laptop story, and disputes over COVID-19 reporting further contributed to declining trust levels.

The Gallup poll shows sharp divides along political and demographic lines.

Republican trust in the media remains in single digits, with just 8 percent expressing confidence.

Among Democrats, trust has also slipped.

While 76 percent reported confidence in 2018, the figure stands at 51 percent today.

Independents reported only 27 percent confidence, leaving them closer to Republicans than Democrats in their views.

Generational divides are also evident.

Only 28 percent of adults aged 18–29 said they trust the media.

Among those aged 30–64, the figure drops further, to 23 percent.

Older Americans remain somewhat more trusting, with 43 percent of those over 65 saying they have confidence in the media.

Gallup Poll: Trust in Media at New Low of 28% in U.S. by Red Voice News

The Gallup survey highlights a steep loss of faith in traditional media outlets and suggests that skepticism cuts across party lines. Confidence in the media stood at 45 percent in 2017; in just eight years, it has dropped to 28 percent.

Media analysts note that diminished trust directly impacts the ability of traditional news outlets to influence public opinion.

Without widespread confidence, newspapers, television, and radio have less ability to shape political narratives or reach undecided voters.

Republicans have long criticized major networks and newspapers as biased against conservatives.

In 2020, more than 50 intelligence officials signed a letter dismissing the Hunter Biden laptop story as potential Russian disinformation, a characterization later shown to be inaccurate.

That episode, combined with years of disputes over coverage of President Trump, remains a frequent example cited by those who distrust the press.

Democrats, though traditionally more supportive of mainstream outlets, have also shown declining levels of trust.

After years of media predictions about Trump’s political downfall, polling now shows barely half of Democratic voters confident in the press.

Gallup’s latest findings reveal a continuing downward trend that shows no signs of reversing.

With only 28 percent of Americans reporting confidence in newspapers, television, and radio, trust in the media has fallen to its lowest point in nearly half a century.

As skepticism spreads among Republicans, independents, and even Democrats, the survey suggests that the nation’s leading media outlets face an ongoing challenge in regaining credibility with the American public.

Elizabeth Warren Comes Unglued When CBS Host Calls Out Healthcare for Illegals
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Elizabeth Warren Comes Unglued When CBS Host Calls Out Healthcare for Illegals

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Democratic Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren forcefully denied that her party supports taxpayer-funded healthcare for illegal immigrants during a heated exchange Thursday morning on CBS Mornings.

The interview came as Democrats face renewed criticism for provisions in their government funding counter-proposal that Republicans argue would restore healthcare benefits to certain non-citizens.

During the interview, host Tony Dokoupil pressed Warren on the issue, noting that the Republican continuing resolution (CR) was blocked after Democrats introduced their own plan, which Republicans said would reinstate healthcare benefits for non-citizens.

The benefits had previously been rolled back under a Trump-era law that Republicans referred to as the “big, beautiful bill.”

“Republicans say what you’re really fighting for is taxpayer dollars, as they put it, for illegal aliens. I know that’s not strictly true, but there is a provision—” Dokoupil began.

Warren interrupted sharply, saying, “Excuse me, not strictly true. It is a flat-out lie. It is a flat-out lie! There is nothing in Medicaid, there is nothing in Medicare that permits one undocumented immigrant to get one dollar of assistance. None, zero.”

Dokoupil attempted to clarify, stating, “In the Democratic counter offer, the proposal for funding, there is a restoration for Medicaid benefits for certain non-citizens that had been taken away in the big, beautiful bill as Republicans put it. Republicans don’t think those people should be getting healthcare on the taxpayers’ dime, I’m not asking on the merits. Politically, putting that in there exposes you to this talking point, this lie as you put it. Why put it in there? Why is it worth it?”

Warren rejected the framing, insisting that Democrats are working to ensure hospitals are reimbursed for emergency care provided to patients, regardless of immigration status.

“We want hospitals to be able to provide emergency care to any patient and still get reimbursed,” Warren argued.

The dispute comes in the wake of Wednesday’s government shutdown, which occurred after Senate Democrats voted against the GOP-led continuing resolution.

Democrats opposed the measure in part because it did not include an extension of Obamacare subsidies first expanded under the Biden-Harris administration.

The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) has estimated that permanently extending the tax credit tied to those subsidies would increase the federal deficit by $350 billion between 2026 and 2035.

Republicans insisted Congress should focus on passing a clean government funding measure before considering any long-term healthcare subsidies.

Despite most Democrats voting to reject the Republican CR, a handful broke with the party.

Democratic Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, along with Democratic Senator Catherine Cortez Masto of Nevada and Independent Senator Angus King of Maine, who caucuses with Democrats, voted to keep the government open.

Fetterman described his vote as choosing “our country over [his] party,” calling the shutdown a “sad day for our nation.”

The shutdown is already raising concerns about the potential impact on federal workers.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt warned Thursday that “thousands” of federal employees could face layoffs in the coming days if Congress does not move to reopen the government.

The exchange between Warren and Dokoupil highlights how the debate over healthcare for non-citizens continues to play a central role in the broader funding battle.

Republicans have said the provisions in the Democratic counter-offer amount to extending taxpayer-funded healthcare benefits to illegal immigrants, while Warren and other Democrats insist the claims are false.

The issue is likely to remain a key point of contention as negotiations continue over how to bring the shutdown to an end.

Disturbing Details Emerge in Arrested Illegal Alien Iowa School Superintendent Case
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Disturbing Details Emerge in Arrested Illegal Alien Iowa School Superintendent Case

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The superintendent of Des Moines Public Schools resigned this week after federal immigration officers arrested him on Sept. 26 for working illegally in the United States and evading a deportation order.

Ian Andre Roberts, 51, originally from Guyana, had been earning a $287,000 annual base salary leading Iowa’s largest school district before his arrest.

According to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Roberts attempted to flee and was discovered hiding in brush.

Officers reported finding a fixed-blade hunting knife, a loaded Glock 19 firearm, and $3,000 in cash in the school-owned vehicle he was driving.

Roberts’ employment authorization expired in 2020, yet he continued working in top education positions around the country.

DHS records show he had previously been ordered deported during the Biden-Harris administration.

Roberts built his career on a résumé that, records now indicate, contained numerous fabrications.

The Des Moines Public Schools website listed him as an MBA graduate of MIT’s Sloan School of Management. However, an MIT spokesperson told reporters they had no record of his attendance.

Roberts also claimed to have studied at Harvard and Georgetown, but those affiliations have not been verified.

For years, he said he had earned a doctorate from Morgan State University in Baltimore. Morgan State confirmed he never obtained a degree there.

Roberts’ past included superintendent roles across the country, including Millcreek Township schools near Erie, Pennsylvania, where he worked from 2020 to 2023

. During his tenure, the district faced multiple lawsuits and ultimately paid more than $400,000 in settlements related to sex discrimination claims.

Former colleagues described him as a controversial figure who was more focused on appearances than responsibilities.

In Millcreek, court records show Roberts was named in a settlement involving former HR chief Melody Ellington, who resigned in 2022 after one year on the job and threatened to sue for “constructive discharge.”

The district agreed to pay $250,000 to resolve the matter. Ellington, who had previously worked in St. Louis during Roberts’ tenure as superintendent there, did not return calls for comment.

Sources in Pennsylvania told local media that Roberts was the subject of rumors involving inappropriate relationships with coworkers.

The Post reported unverified claims that he was caught having sex with a colleague on school property.

Former colleagues also said Roberts was hired in part because of his Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion credentials, though many described him as deceptive and ineffective. Some claimed he misrepresented personal details, including the number of children he had.

Past Employment and Public Profile
Before his time in Pennsylvania and Iowa, Roberts served as Chief Schools Officer for Aspire Public Schools in Oakland, California, and as superintendent in St. Louis, Missouri.

Earlier, he worked as a principal in Washington, D.C., and Baltimore. Records also show he taught in New York City as a substitute teacher from 2000 to 2001.

Roberts is also an accomplished athlete, having competed for Guyana in the men’s 800 meters at the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games.

He studied at Coppin State University in Baltimore, graduating in 1998, and later received a master’s degree from St. John’s University in Queens.

Alongside the revelations about his credentials and immigration status, Roberts was found to have an active Democrat voter registration in Maryland.

Congressional Republicans have since demanded answers from the Maryland State Board of Elections about how a noncitizen was able to remain on the voter rolls, citing concerns about election integrity.

In a statement, Des Moines Public Schools said Roberts’ employment had been properly vetted, including an FBI background check, and that all required paperwork was submitted at the time of his hire.

“The School District received all required clearances, including an FBI background check, prior to Roberts serving as Superintendent. No disqualifying events were identified,” the district said.

Roberts’ resignation was formally accepted Wednesday as ICE continues his detention. Legal proceedings related to his removal from the country are ongoing.

What once looked like a career spanning coast-to-coast leadership roles in education has now collapsed under the weight of fabricated credentials, lawsuits, and a pending deportation order.

Joy Reid Launches Profane Attack On Vice President J.D. Vance: ‘F**k You!’
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Joy Reid Launches Profane Attack On Vice President J.D. Vance: ‘F**k You!’

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Former MSNBC host Joy Reid unleashed a profanity-laced attack on Vice President J.D. Vance this week after the vice president suggested she should show gratitude for her opportunities in the United States, as reported by The New York Post.

The exchange began Thursday morning when Vance posted on X in response to past remarks Reid made in an interview about her mother’s migration from Guyana to the United States. Reid had described her mother’s experience by saying, “My mother got the rude awakening like, ‘Oh, it’s racist here.’ She was like, ‘They didn’t tell me this was the land of opportunity, but not for me.’”

Commenting on the clip, Vance wrote:

“Joy Reid has had such a good life in this country. It’s been overwhelmingly kind and gracious to her. She is far wealthier than most. Yet she oozes with contempt. My honest, non-trolling advice to Joy Reid is that you’d be a much happier person if you showed a little gratitude.”

His post drew over 3 million views.

Hours later, Reid responded during an interview published on writer Tommy Christopher’s Substack. “J.D. Vance, since you’re paying attention to me: F**k you!” Reid said. She went on to call Vance a “racist a**hole” and dismissed his comments as an attack on her background.

Reid argued she was speaking for “every black woman” offended by Vance’s rhetoric, pointing to a November 2024 campaign speech in which he criticized then-candidate Kamala Harris. “I say that on behalf of every black woman who heard you call Kamala Devi Harris ‘the trash,’” Reid said.

She ended her comments by adding, “Like, f**k you forever!” in reference to Vance, who is currently first in the line of presidential succession.

Reid also pushed back against what she characterized as a dismissal of black immigrants’ achievements.

Joy-Ann Reid speaks during the MLK Day Convocation organized by the Interdenominational Ministers Fellowship at Tennessee State University Monday, Jan. 20, 2020, in Nashville, Tenn. Cp17592

“You, because you are a racist a**hole, believe that black people are given opportunity by white people,” Reid said. She added that her mother, who earned a PhD and became a college professor, achieved success through her own efforts.

She further claimed that conservatives such as Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk, who was assassinated in September at Utah Valley University, would argue that her mother’s success came at the expense of others.

Reid was dismissed from MSNBC in February after more than a decade at the network. Since then, she has continued to comment on politics through interviews and digital media outlets.

Woman Effs Around with the Wrong Conservative, Goes Down, Gets Maced in the Face
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Woman Effs Around with the Wrong Conservative, Goes Down, Gets Maced in the Face

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A confrontation at Washington, D.C.’s Union Station involving conservative activist Cam Higby went viral this week after video captured him pepper-spraying a woman who lunged at him and struck him with his MAGA hat.

Higby, who has been traveling the country on his “Fearless Tour” modeled after the late Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk, said the incident reflected his goal of confronting political hostility while encouraging open debate.

Higby had hosted a debate event at the University of Maryland earlier on Wednesday before arriving at Union Station with colleagues.

In a phone interview with Fox News Digital, he described how the encounter escalated.

“At some point, she dropped to her knees, intentionally … and she started yelling at us and started touching us,” Higby said.

“I told her to back up and stop touching me, and she lunged at me and attacked me.”

Video footage shows the woman approaching Higby, pushing him back in his chair, taking his hat, and hitting him with it before falling into a bush.

Higby then pepper-sprayed her.

He said he could not be certain whether she was carrying a weapon because she kept her hands in her pockets for most of the encounter.

After being sprayed, the woman walked toward a light pole where other protesters assisted her and called police.

Higby said that when U.S. Park Police arrived, the situation escalated again.

“At this point now, she’s struggling with federal police, and then they tried to arrest her,” Higby recounted.

“Her dad is yelling at us, ‘why did you spray my daughter,’ as she’s actively fighting with federal police. In my head, I’m thinking, this is why she got sprayed. It took four federal police officers to hold her down, and finally they loaded her into the back of the police car.”

According to Higby, police reports listed him and a colleague as victims, and the woman is expected to face federal charges for resisting arrest and assaulting officers.

This was not the first time Higby has been targeted during public events.

On June 14 in Seattle, he was allegedly attacked at an anti-ICE rally by three men who attempted to rip off his equipment and physically assault him.

Higby said he pepper-sprayed one of the assailants in self-defense but suffered a concussion and other injuries that required medical treatment at urgent care and the emergency room.

“I’ve come to the point where I carry Mace on me at all times,” Higby said.

“I think I show incredible restraint with the points at which I use my Mace, because I personally think after four verbal warnings not to touch me, it would have been perfectly valid to use it. … The roles are reversed, and I’m overly criticized because it’s a woman, but I don’t know what she has on her, and I’m not going to throw a punch at her. I think that using Mace is way better [alternative].”

Higby and his team are known for setting up debate-style tables on college campuses, often with signage challenging students to engage in discussions.

Their events are modeled after Charlie Kirk’s approach, with slogans such as, “The left is violent! Let’s Debate!”

He said the Union Station incident unfolded differently, with no banners or displays present and the only identifiers being their MAGA hats.

“We want people fired up. We want people to be excited to talk about political issues, but what we don’t invite people to do is touch us, and that’s the problem,” Higby said.

“I think most of my takes are pretty reasonable. That’s your problem, not my problem—if you have such low impulse control that you can’t stop yourself from using physical violence.”

The Union Station incident adds to a series of confrontations Higby has experienced while hosting debates and public events across the country.

Federal authorities have not yet released further details on the charges against the woman involved in Thursday’s altercation.

Indianapolis Man With 99 Prior Arrests Has Attempted Murder Charges Reduced
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Indianapolis Man With 99 Prior Arrests Has Attempted Murder Charges Reduced

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An Indianapolis man with a lengthy history of arrests is facing new charges after an attempted murder case was downgraded before reaching court. Local officials are raising concerns over why repeat offenders with serious criminal records are continually released back into communities.

Authorities say 41-year-old Courtney Boose has been charged with aggravated battery following his most recent arrest.

Boose’s criminal history spans multiple offenses, including trespassing, theft, battery, drug crimes, and causing bodily injury.

Despite his record, which local officials noted is nearly double the combined arrest histories of two other repeat offenders involved in recent violent crimes, Boose has never served time in prison.

WIBC reported that the original attempted murder charge against Boose was reduced to aggravated battery before the case entered the court system.

Indianapolis Fraternal Order of Police President Rick Snyder voiced concerns over the downgrade during an interview on “The Hammer and Nigel Show” this week.

“We’re really confronted by our after the fact, ‘Billy Badass’ prosecutor and our ‘woke, broke’ criminal justice system,” Snyder said on Wednesday.

He pointed directly to Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears for reducing the charge.

“That means this case, without even taking it’s first breath in the court system, has automatically been downgraded and reduced, cutting the possible sentencing range from an attempted murder at 20 to 40 years of imprisonment, all the way down to three years to 16 years,” Snyder said.

Court records show that many of Boose’s prior cases ended in dismissals or plea deals. The repeated pattern of arrests without prison time has raised questions among law enforcement leaders and community members about the effectiveness of local prosecution.

Snyder expressed frustration at what he described as a cycle of leniency that enables violent offenders to remain on the streets.

“What’s the number of times where somebody in a black robe says ‘you know what, I don’t think this guy is getting it,’” Snyder asked.

Indianapolis has experienced consistent violent crime levels, with Snyder pointing out that the city averages one homicide every 53 hours.

He added that the current homicide rate is approximately 10 percent higher than Chicago’s.

“The daily headlines show that mass shootings, mass murders, and mass carnage keep going up,” Snyder said.

“This shows the devaluing of the sanctity of life here in our capital city.”

Boose’s case comes as other high-profile crimes involving repeat offenders have drawn national attention.

In South Carolina, 22-year-old Logan Federico, an aspiring teacher, was killed during a home invasion by Alexander Dickey, who had been arrested 39 times, including 25 felony arrests.

In Charlotte, 23-year-old Iryna Zarutska was stabbed to death by Decarlos Brown Jr., who had 14 prior arrests.

Community leaders say the pattern of repeat arrests without meaningful consequences highlights deeper issues within the justice system.

Critics argue that offenders with extensive records should not be given repeated opportunities to reoffend, especially when prior cases show a clear history of escalating criminal behavior.

As the case against Boose moves forward, local residents and law enforcement officials are watching closely to see whether the judicial system will impose stronger penalties or continue the trend of reduced charges and light sentencing.

For Snyder and others, the outcome will be another test of whether Indianapolis courts can address concerns over public safety in a city facing persistent violent crime.


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