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Texas Homeowner Charged With Murder After 11-Year-Old Killed Playing Ding, Dong, Ditch
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Texas Homeowner Charged With Murder After 11-Year-Old Killed Playing Ding, Dong, Ditch

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A Houston man has been charged with murder after police say he fatally shot an 11-year-old boy who was playing the doorbell prank known as “ding dong ditch” with friends over the weekend, as reported by The New York Post.

Authorities identified the suspect as 42-year-old Gonzalo Leon Jr. He is accused of shooting Julian Guzman late Saturday night, moments after the child rang the doorbell of Leon’s home and ran away.

According to a statement from Houston police, officers were informed that Guzman and several other children were ringing doorbells in the neighborhood and then fleeing.

“A witness stated Guzman was running from a house after ringing the doorbell just prior to suffering a gunshot wound,” the statement said.

Police said that after the shooting, Guzman was transported to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead on Sunday.

Police Activity at Cape Canaveral Hospital Saturday night. The Cocoa Beach Police Department was on scene at the hospital investigating a suspicious incident. Also on scene was a heavy presence of BCSO. Fire trucks and ambulances were staged near the hospital on 520.

Officers initially questioned a person at the scene, but that individual was released. On Tuesday, however, Houston police SWAT officers arrested Leon, who was later booked into the Harris County Jail on a murder charge.

The case comes amid a series of recent incidents in which the prank has ended in violence.

Earlier this year in Virginia, a homeowner allegedly shot and killed a high school athlete after the teen and his friends knocked on his door.

In a separate case in July of last year, a teenager was shot and wounded in Maine after attempting the prank at another residence.

Police have not released additional details on whether Leon made any statements during or after the shooting. The Harris County District Attorney’s Office is expected to pursue the case in the coming weeks.

Authorities are urging parents to warn children about the dangers of pulling pranks on strangers’ homes, given the recent surge in popularity of “ding, dong, ditch” videos on social media.

Bondi Terminates DOJ Paralegal for Repeated Abusive Conduct Toward Guard
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Bondi Terminates DOJ Paralegal for Repeated Abusive Conduct Toward Guard

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Attorney General Pam Bondi has dismissed another Department of Justice employee for misconduct involving disrespect toward National Guard members in Washington, D.C., as reported by The New York Post.

Elizabeth Baxter, a paralegal in the DOJ’s Environmental and Natural Resources Division, was fired Friday following an internal investigation.

The incident occurred after Baxter allegedly flipped off a National Guard member while on her way to work and later repeated similar actions inside DOJ facilities.

Members of the National Guard patrol the area surrounding the outskirts of the Capitol Building on January 19, 2021, in Washington D.C.

According to Bondi, Baxter told a DOJ security guard on the morning of August 18 that she had just made the obscene gesture toward a guardsman at the Metro Center Metro stop and said, “F**k the National Guard.”

Later that day, DOJ surveillance cameras recorded Baxter making the same gesture again toward a National Guard member, reportedly saying, “F**k you!”

On August 25, Baxter allegedly repeated the behavior, once more telling a security guard at the DOJ’s 4CON building in the NoMa district that she hated the National Guard and telling them to “F**k off.”

Bondi confirmed the termination in a statement. “Today, I took action to terminate a DOJ employee for inappropriate conduct towards National Guard service members in DC,” Bondi said.

“This DOJ remains committed to defending President Trump’s agenda and fighting to make America safe again. If you oppose our mission and disrespect law enforcement — you will NO LONGER work at DOJ.”

Baxter’s firing comes just weeks after another DOJ employee, paralegal Sean Charles Dunn, was dismissed and later charged following a separate incident.

Dunn, who worked in the criminal division’s international affairs section, was accused of shouting obscenities at federal officers and throwing a salami sandwich at a Border Protection officer on August 10 in D.C.’s U Street neighborhood.

According to charging documents, Dunn yelled, “F**k you! You f**king fascists! Why are you here? I don’t want you in my city!” before allegedly hurling the sandwich.

He was initially arrested for felony assault, but after a grand jury declined to indict, prosecutors charged him with misdemeanor assault, which carries a penalty of up to one year in jail.

Bondi addressed the matter after Dunn’s termination, stating, “This is an example of the Deep State we have been up against for seven months as we work to refocus DOJ. You will NOT work in this administration while disrespecting our government and law enforcement.”

Baxter’s termination letter, issued Friday evening, removed her from her position as Paralegal Specialist, GS-0950-11, effective immediately. DOJ officials emphasized that the decision followed multiple witness statements, video evidence, and a full review of her conduct.

Bernie Sanders Demands RFK Jr. Resign as Trump’s HHS Secretary
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Bernie Sanders Demands RFK Jr. Resign as Trump’s HHS Secretary

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Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) is calling on Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to resign from President Donald Trump’s administration over his vaccine policies, warning that his continued leadership could cause a public health crisis, as reported by Fox News.

“We’ve got to rally the American people. This is a huge issue,” Sanders told Fox News Digital on Monday during a visit to Manchester, New Hampshire, where he headlined the state AFL-CIO’s annual Labor Day breakfast.

Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., is seen during the Senate Finance Committee confirmation hearing on Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s nomination for Secretary of Health and Human Services on Jan. 29, 2025, in Washington, DC.

Sanders, the ranking member of the Senate’s Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, argued that Kennedy’s long-standing opposition to vaccines and his actions since becoming secretary threaten to undermine decades of public health progress.

“I’m not a scientist, I’m not a doctor, but I do talk to scientists, and I do talk to doctors, and the evidence is overwhelming. It’s not contestable. Vaccines work. They save millions and millions of lives,” Sanders said.

Sanders also warned, “If Kennedy and his friends are able to make people think that vaccines are not safe, it will be a real public health crisis for America.”

Kennedy, a longtime environmental activist and vaccine skeptic, was appointed late last year by President Trump as health secretary in his second administration. Since then, a number of his decisions have drawn scrutiny.

The calls for his resignation intensified after last week’s dismissal of Centers for Disease Control Director Susan Monarez, less than a month after she was confirmed.

Monarez was removed after refusing to carry out Kennedy’s directives to impose new restrictions on the availability of certain vaccines, including COVID-19 shots.

Jan 29, 2025; Washington, DC, USA; Robert F. Kennedy Jr. testifies before the Senate Finance Committee during a confirmation hearing on his nomination to be Secretary of Health and Human Services on Jan. 29, 2025 in Washington.. Mandatory Credit: Jack Gruber-USA TODAY via Imagn Images

Following her firing, four other top CDC officials resigned in protest, accusing Kennedy and the administration of politicizing public health.

In a weekend opinion piece in the New York Times, Sanders wrote:

“Mr. Kennedy and the rest of the Trump administration tell us, over and over, that they want to Make America Healthy Again. That’s a great slogan. I agree with it. The problem is that since coming into office, President Trump and Mr. Kennedy have done exactly the opposite.”

Sanders further criticized Kennedy’s statements, noting that he has “absurdly claimed that ‘there’s no vaccine that is safe and effective.’” Sanders pointed out that one of Kennedy’s cited experts had his medical license revoked and saw a study retracted from a scientific journal.

The controversy has sparked rare bipartisan concern in Congress, with both Republicans and Democrats questioning Kennedy’s leadership of HHS.

The White House, however, defended the decision to fire Monarez. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters Thursday that President Trump has the authority to remove officials who are not aligned with his administration’s goals.

Jan 31th 2025 the secend White House Press Briefing By press Secretary Karoline Leavitt . She got asked a lot of questions on the DCA crash and on the FAA and on tariff what are being put in place

“The president and Secretary Kennedy are committed to restoring trust and transparency and credibility to the CDC by ensuring their leadership and their decisions are more public-facing, more accountable, strengthening our public health system and restoring it to its core mission of protecting Americans from communicable diseases, investing in innovation to prevent, detect and respond to future threats,” Leavitt said.

Michigan College Student Killed in Murder-Suicide After Months of Stalking
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Michigan College Student Killed in Murder-Suicide After Months of Stalking

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A Michigan college student was fatally shot by her ex-boyfriend in what police are calling a murder-suicide, after months of stalking and harassment, as reported by The New York Post.

Sarah Carroll, 20, was killed Saturday at the Woodland Villa Apartments in Westland, near Detroit, according to Fox 2.

Police identified the incident as a murder-suicide after her ex-boyfriend, identified only as Lincoln, called 911 to report that he had shot Carroll before taking his own life.

Carroll’s mother, Jennifer Carroll, said her daughter had been attempting to obtain a personal protection order against Lincoln in the weeks before the shooting.

“She was with Lincoln, her ex-boyfriend, for almost a year and they were having trouble,” Jennifer told Fox 2. “He was stalking her for the past two months. And he came here last night, shot her, called 911, said he killed his girlfriend, and then shot himself.”

Jennifer added that her daughter had not told her parents about the extent of the stalking before the tragedy. “To other parents — watch your kids,” she told Click on Detroit. “Try to get more into their life, try to get them to be open and talk to you.”

Sarah’s father, James Carroll, said Lincoln “was suffering from mental illness” and that his daughter had been shot multiple times with a shotgun.

“If their children are suffering from mental illness, get them some help. Get them the help that they need before something like this happens,” he said.

Carroll was a student at Schoolcraft College, where she was pursuing a degree to become a physician assistant. Her father described her as someone who was loved by everyone who knew her. “She was wonderful. I’m going to miss my baby,” he said.

The Westland Police Department said it will release further details as the investigation continues.

A GoFundMe page created to help cover funeral expenses described Sarah as “smart, brave, strong, and with a smile that lit up every room she entered.”

The fundraiser’s organizer, Deborah Carroll, wrote, “She was only just beginning her journey, and losing her at such a young age is something no family should ever have to go through.”

James Carroll also posted on Facebook to thank supporters for their generosity. “We are truly overwhelmed by the outpouring of love, support, and generosity we have received through this GoFundMe,” he wrote.

“Every single donation, share, and prayer means more to us than words can express.”

Authorities said they will provide additional updates later this week.

Airbnb Co-Founder Dumps Democrats, Backs Trump Over Border Crisis
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Airbnb Co-Founder Dumps Democrats, Backs Trump Over Border Crisis

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Airbnb co-founder Joe Gebbia has confirmed he left the Democratic Party over the border crisis and now supports President Donald Trump, citing concerns about immigration enforcement and national security, as reported by The New York Post.

Gebbia, who had long identified as a Democrat, said his views began to shift in 2021 as he watched the situation at the U.S.-Mexico border deteriorate under then-President Joe Biden.

A door on storm water drain leading to a man-made tunnel under the U.S.-Mexico border can be seen in a drone image taken on Jan. 13, 2025.

In an interview on “The Katie Miller Podcast” released Monday, Gebbia said he realized he could no longer support a party that “lets in criminals and dangerous people into our country.”

“I remember just being like, ‘Holy cow, this is crazy,’” Gebbia said. “‘This is not right, this is a real problem and there’s no reason why we shouldn’t be enforcing the laws of our country and our border.’”

Gebbia explained that he initially reached out to Jared Kushner, former White House senior adviser and Trump’s son-in-law, for perspective. From there, he said, he began reevaluating other issues.

“I sort of, you know, begin to look at other topics and eventually came to the point where I don’t think I can support a political party that wants to have an open border, that lets in criminals and dangerous people into our country,” Gebbia said.

“That’s just not something I can get behind.”

His move toward the Republican Party was influenced by friendships with Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and businessman Elon Musk.

Gebbia credited both with encouraging him to look more closely at broader policy issues and to take a stronger interest in government accountability.

“I’ve been on my journey. Everyone’s been on a journey,” Gebbia said.

“I think through, you know, certainly Bobby Kennedy and supporting him, and I’ve been so grateful for the work that he’s doing, to be somebody who just cares so much about the health of our nation, and you know, has no ties to industry and is really just able to bust through walls and sort of, like, right-size the ship.”

In February, Gebbia volunteered with Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency, assisting with reviews of retirement procedures for government employees.

Last month, President Trump appointed him chief design officer of the newly launched National Design Studio, a program intended to improve the usability and design of federal government websites.

Gebbia’s public remarks mark a significant shift for one of Silicon Valley’s most recognizable figures, highlighting growing tensions between the tech industry and the Democratic Party’s policies on immigration and governance.

Another Red State Governor Presses Redistricting to Stop “Extreme Left” Influence
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Another Red State Governor Presses Redistricting to Stop “Extreme Left” Influence

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Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe announced Friday that he has ordered a special legislative session for lawmakers to return to Jefferson City next week to redraw the state’s congressional maps.

The move comes as Republicans across the country push new redistricting efforts ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.

Under the current map, Republicans hold six of Missouri’s eight U.S. House seats.

The special session is expected to consider a new proposal that could reshape at least one of the two Democratic-controlled districts.

Analysts believe the 5th Congressional District, centered around Kansas City and currently held by Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (D-Mo.), is the most likely to be targeted.

The legislature, controlled by a Republican supermajority in both chambers, is expected to advance the effort.

However, the move is likely to face legal challenges, as Missouri’s constitution requires new congressional maps to be drawn following the decennial U.S. census, with the next scheduled redistricting set for 2030.

Governor Kehoe framed the decision as part of a broader effort to align state policies with what he described as “Missouri values.”

“Today, I am calling on the General Assembly to take action on congressional redistricting and initiative petition reform to ensure our districts and Constitution truly put Missouri values first,” Kehoe said in a statement.

He also released what he referred to as the “Missouri First Map,” a proposal drafted by his team for consideration by lawmakers.

Kehoe described the plan as “a more compact, contiguous proposed map” that reduces the number of split counties and municipalities.

According to the governor, the map would preserve two districts in their current form and keep each sitting U.S. Representative within their respective districts.

“Missourians are more alike than we are different, and our Missouri values, across both sides of the aisle, are closer to each other than those of the extreme Left representation of New York, California and Illinois,” Kehoe said.

“Missouri’s conservative, common-sense values should be truly represented at all levels of government, and the Missouri First Map delivers just that.”

President Donald Trump previously praised Missouri in a Truth Social post, calling Missouri a critical part of Republican redistricting efforts.

“The Great State of Missouri is now IN. I’m not surprised. It is a great State with fabulous people,” Trump wrote.

“I won it, all 3 times, in a landslide. We’re going to win the Midterms in Missouri again, bigger and better than ever before!”

Missouri joins a growing list of Republican-led states pursuing aggressive redistricting measures ahead of the next federal elections.

In Texas, Governor Greg Abbott signed into law new congressional maps on Friday that shifted five Democrat-held districts into Republican-leaning territory.

Under the Cook Partisan Voting Index, three of those seats are now considered “safe Republican,” one is “likely Republican,” and one is “lean Republican.”

Meanwhile, Florida Speaker of the House Daniel Perez announced earlier in the week that the state will form a committee to study potential redistricting efforts.

Republicans in Florida have said they are aiming to flip between three and five Democrat-controlled congressional seats before the 2026 elections.

The Missouri General Assembly is scheduled to convene in Jefferson City on Wednesday to begin considering the governor’s proposed changes.

If passed, the map would mark a significant shift in Missouri’s political landscape ahead of the midterms, giving Republicans a chance to expand their control in the state’s congressional delegation.

Democrats Attempt to Protest GOP Women’s Event in Alabama, It Doesn’t Go Well
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Democrats Attempt to Protest GOP Women’s Event in Alabama, It Doesn’t Go Well

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Republican organizations in Alabama are adjusting how they host political events after recent protests disrupted a town hall with Congressman Barry Moore (R-AL).

On Thursday, the Republican Women of Madison County held an event at Movement Church in Madison, Alabama, featuring Congressman Dale Strong (R-AL) as the keynote speaker.

Strong spoke about his career, from serving as Madison County Commissioner to his current role in the U.S. House of Representatives, and about his work supporting President Donald Trump’s agenda, including the recently passed One Big Beautiful Law.

The event came just days after another Republican lawmaker, Congressman Barry Moore of Enterprise, Alabama, faced a protest during a town hall in Daphne.

The disruptions prompted the Madison County group to change its original plan of opening the Strong event to the public.

Protests targeting Republican lawmakers have increased in Alabama in recent weeks.

On July 16, the Republican Women of Madison County announced on Facebook that Strong would be their speaker.

Once they caught wind of the event, left-leaning groups such as Indivisible, 50501, and Madison County Democrats began planning demonstrations.

Similar organizations, including Indivisible Baldwin County, were behind protests at Moore’s town hall.

At Daphne City Hall, Moore encountered a vocal crowd that booed and heckled him as he answered questions.

Many of the demonstrators were affiliated with progressive organizations or local Democratic groups. Moore, a member of the House Freedom Caucus, defended his record and addressed the interruptions directly.

“My constituents asked me to do town halls, so I did four across my district while Congress was out of session,” Moore told AL.com following the event.

“We showed up, listened, and answered questions directly. Alabamians deserve leaders who are willing to have tough conversations. I’ll always answer to the folks I serve. That’s what accountability looks like.”

Citing the disruptions at Moore’s event, Republican Women of Madison County president Sheila Banister explained the last-minute change for the Strong gathering.

“After seeing what happened with Barry Moore recently, after much discussion and prayer, we decided to close the event to only our members, local Republican members in the area, and their guests,” Banister said.

“And so that’s what we decided to do. It was very last minute, but going back to our mission, our first mission is to educate our own group, and it’s important that we’re able to have a good, open dialogue with Congressman Strong.”

The private setting meant that protestors who arrived at Movement Church were not permitted inside.

Banister noted the decision was necessary to ensure the group could conduct its event without disruption.

The Madison Police Department was present to enforce the rules of the venue, which is privately owned.

The incident reflects growing tensions between Alabama Republicans and progressive organizations that have sought to challenge them at public events.

While demonstrators outside the Madison event carried signs and chanted slogans, they were unable to gain entry after the rules were changed.

Congressman Strong proceeded with his remarks to attendees inside, focusing on his legislative work and on advancing Trump’s policy goals in Washington.

The event concluded without interruption.

The series of events underscores how both Republican lawmakers and grassroots conservative groups in Alabama are adapting in response to protest activity.

While elected officials like Moore continue to hold open town halls, private groups are increasingly limiting public access to ensure that their events can proceed as planned.

Pharmacies Scale Back COVID Vaccines as FDA Ends Emergency Use
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Pharmacies Scale Back COVID Vaccines as FDA Ends Emergency Use

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CVS and Walgreens are reducing access to updated COVID-19 vaccines in multiple states after federal regulators narrowed eligibility to seniors and high-risk groups.

CVS confirmed it has halted distribution in three states—Massachusetts, Nevada, and New Mexico—and imposed restrictions in 13 others, along with the District of Columbia.

“Based on the current regulatory environment, CVS has completely stopped offering the shots in three states – Massachusetts, Nevada and New Mexico – and has limited access in 13 others as well as the District of Columbia,” CVS Health spokesperson Tara Burke said.

The states where CVS has limited vaccine access include Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Utah, Virginia, and West Virginia.

Burke added, “We’ll administer FDA-authorized COVID-19 vaccines in states where legally permitted at CVS Pharmacy and/or MinuteClinic to meet our patients’ needs.”

Walgreens issued a similar statement, noting it is “prepared to offer the vaccine in states where we are able to do so,” according to a report from CBS News.

In areas with restrictions, high-risk individuals may still receive updated boosters if they obtain prescriptions from authorized providers.

The policy changes follow actions taken this week by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

On Wednesday, the FDA ended emergency use authorization for COVID-19 vaccines and transitioned them to full market approval with updated guidelines.

Under the new rules, the updated vaccines are only approved for seniors and those with underlying medical conditions that increase the risk of severe illness.

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced the regulatory shift in a post on X.

He wrote, “I promised 4 things: 1. to end covid vaccine mandates; 2. to keep vaccines available to people who want them, especially the vulnerable; 3. to demand placebo-controlled trials from companies; 4. to end the emergency.”

“In a series of FDA actions today we accomplished all four goals,” Kennedy continued.

“The American people demanded science, safety, and common sense. This framework delivers all three.”

The new federal guidelines represent a significant change in vaccine distribution compared to the emergency phase of the pandemic.

Pharmacies and clinics across the country are now adjusting to the FDA’s revised framework, which places a stronger focus on protecting seniors and individuals with health conditions while scaling back widespread access to the vaccines.

Both CVS and Walgreens have said they will continue to administer the vaccines in compliance with the updated regulations where allowed by state law.

High-risk patients in states with restrictions are advised to consult their physicians to obtain prescriptions if they wish to receive booster doses under the new FDA-authorized framework.

The announcement comes as demand for COVID-19 vaccines has already declined nationwide, and the Biden-Harris administration’s earlier vaccine mandates have been rolled back.

The changes highlight the federal government’s shift from emergency response measures to long-term regulatory oversight in managing the availability and administration of COVID-19 vaccines.

Biden’s “Green New Scam” Suffers 9M Blow, California Hit Hardest
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Biden’s “Green New Scam” Suffers $679M Blow, California Hit Hardest

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Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced this week that the federal government has rescinded $679 million in funding previously allocated to offshore wind projects across the United States.

The largest withdrawal affects California’s Humboldt Bay Offshore Wind project, where $427 million in planned funding has been cancelled.

According to a report from CNBC, the Humboldt Bay project was intended to support California’s target of generating 25 gigawatts of offshore wind power by 2045.

The project was one of a dozen nationwide impacted by the Department of Transportation’s decision.

In his statement, Duffy explained that the funding will be redirected to strengthen traditional infrastructure projects and bolster the U.S. maritime industry.

“Wasteful, wind projects are using resources that could otherwise go towards revitalizing America’s maritime industry,” Duffy said.

“Joe Biden and Pete Buttigieg bent over backwards to use transportation dollars for their Green New Scam agenda while ignoring the dire needs of our shipbuilding industry. Thanks to President Trump, we are prioritizing real infrastructure improvements over fantasy wind projects that cost much and offer little.”

President Donald Trump has consistently criticized wind energy initiatives.

During a White House Cabinet meeting earlier this week, he reiterated his opposition to new wind projects.

“We’re not allowing any windmills to go up,” Trump said.

“They’re ruining our country. They’re ugly, they don’t work, they kill your birds. They’re bad for the environment. And if you look at them from a house, your house is worth less than 50 percent.”

The Department of Transportation, in a follow-up statement, emphasized that both the department and its Maritime Administration are now focused on advancing projects that enhance the nation’s shipbuilding sector and increase reliance on proven energy sources.

The statement read, “The Department of Transportation and the Maritime Administration are rebuilding America’s shipbuilding capacity, unleashing more reliable, traditional forms of energy, and utilizing the nation’s bountiful natural resources to unleash American energy.”

The withdrawal of funds from offshore wind projects marks a significant policy shift.

The Biden-Harris administration had supported offshore wind development as part of its broader renewable energy strategy, but those initiatives are now being rolled back under the Trump administration.

The Humboldt Bay project had been central to California’s offshore wind ambitions, intended to serve as a hub for turbines off the northern California coast.

With the cancellation of federal funding, the project faces uncertainty, as state officials will need to determine whether alternative financing can be secured.

The move underscores the administration’s stated priority of investing in traditional infrastructure, particularly in sectors such as shipping, shipbuilding, and domestic energy production.

The decision is also consistent with President Trump’s longstanding position against wind energy and his repeated calls to support American manufacturing and energy independence through conventional means.

With the reallocation of funds, federal resources will be redirected toward maritime improvements and infrastructure projects aimed at strengthening U.S. energy and industrial capacity.

AOC Torched for ‘Putting Sprinkles on Sh*t’ After Bragging About Garbage Cans
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AOC Torched for ‘Putting Sprinkles on Sh*t’ After Bragging About Garbage Cans

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Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is facing criticism from residents and community leaders in Queens after touting her role in bringing dozens of new trash cans to Roosevelt Avenue, an area long plagued by prostitution, illegal vending, and organized crime.

Earlier this month, Ocasio-Cortez announced on social media that her office had worked with the New York City Department of Sanitation to secure more receptacles for the busy commercial corridor.

“After meeting with local vendors and business owners, my office reached out to the New York City Department of Sanitation about the need for more trash cans along Roosevelt Ave,” she wrote on August 8.

“Thanks to their quick response, 51 trash cans were installed! Grateful for their partnership in keeping our community clean!”

The announcement quickly drew sharp backlash from locals, who said the congresswoman ignored more pressing issues.

“Celebrating garbage cans is like putting sprinkles on s–t and calling it a birthday cake,” said Ramses Frias, a Republican candidate for City Council in Queens’ 25th District.

“It’s all for show.”

He added, “Of course, AOC won’t speak about what’s really happening here so she can keep up the facade that her district is amazing and a paradise.”

Others echoed the sentiment online. “That’s all you’re worried about on Roosevelt Ave?” wrote John Lomonaco in response to her post on Facebook.

The criticism centers on Roosevelt Avenue’s reputation as the so-called “Market of Sweethearts,” a stretch known for prostitution, illegal street vending, and gang-related activity.

Residents and merchants have pleaded for greater intervention, warning that criminal networks have expanded in the area amid the city’s migrant crisis.

Community advocates have even called on federal authorities to investigate possible ties between the illegal sex trade on Roosevelt Avenue and organized crime.

“I have not personally seen Ocasio-Cortez since she’s been elected. I have not seen her in the community,” said Rosa Sanchez, president of the Restore Roosevelt Avenue Coalition, earlier this summer. “I have seen her in a parade — that’s it.”

Ocasio-Cortez, a Democrat and member of the progressive “Squad,” has in the past voiced support for decriminalizing prostitution, framing it as legitimate work.

Critics argue this position has contributed to a lack of urgency in addressing the illegal activity that continues to thrive along Roosevelt Avenue.

The Department of Sanitation confirmed to the New York Post that it replaced 48 missing baskets — not 51 as Ocasio-Cortez had stated — along Roosevelt Avenue between 82nd Street and 111th Street.

The agency said the replacements were part of routine citywide maintenance. “Unfortunately, corner litter baskets go missing – or sustain damage or excessive wear-and-tear – from time to time,” a spokesperson explained.

Residents remain unconvinced that more bins are the solution.

“Real talk, we need more Sanmen, or more overtime for the ones we do have,” said John McGarry in a Jackson Heights residents’ group on Facebook, alongside photos of overflowing trash bins earlier this month.

Ocasio-Cortez’s office defended her actions, saying she responded to requests from local business owners. A spokesperson said sanitation was “a very big concern for them” during a roundtable the congresswoman hosted this summer.

Her office also noted that she requested $500,000 in federal funding for nonprofits assisting victims of sexual violence.

Despite these assurances, community leaders and residents continue to press for stronger action to address crime and public safety on Roosevelt Avenue, saying that trash cans alone do little to solve the problems plaguing the district.


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