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Former Viking Jack Brewer Describes High-End Somali Spending Tied to Alleged Minnesota Fraud
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Former Viking Jack Brewer Describes High-End Somali Spending Tied to Alleged Minnesota Fraud

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Former Minnesota Viking and University of Minnesota football player Jack Brewer said he has witnessed a dramatic demographic and economic transformation in Minnesota over nearly three decades, including what he described as high-end business activity involving members of the state’s Somali population and growing concerns about fraud tied to taxpayer-funded programs.

Brewer, who later became a business owner after his NFL career, said his experiences came through direct business dealings and personal connections in the state.

“You go to one of them, and they have Bentley and Maserati dealerships in Minnesota. I know because I’ve done business with them, and I’ve been endorsed by them as an athlete,” Brewer told Fox News Digital.

“Now, you go in there, and some of their main customers are these Somali fraudsters buying high-end cars in a state that gets four months of sunlight and decent weather.

They’re driving around sports cars like you would see in Beverly Hills or South Beach Miami, all off the back of the American taxpayer,” he said.

Brewer said his observations coincided with a rapid increase in Minnesota’s Somali population, which began in the early to mid-1990s as refugees fled Somalia’s civil war following the collapse of the country’s government in 1991.

He said he first noticed the change roughly 28 years ago, long before his professional football career.

At the time, Brewer was a child growing up in Grapevine, Texas. By the time he transferred from Southern Methodist University to the University of Minnesota, the Somali population in the state was estimated at approximately 15,000 people, according to the Minnesota State Demographic Center.

That number continued to grow through the 2000s.

By the time Brewer joined the Minnesota Vikings in 2002, at least 5,123 students in Minnesota reported speaking Somali as their primary language at home, according to data cited by the National Institutes of Health.

Brewer said his perspective is informed by his personal life as well. He is married to a Muslim American legal immigrant whose family came to the United States from the Middle East.

“I have been in Minnesota a long time. My wife was born and raised there, from a family of immigrants that came from the Middle East, came to America, assimilated and not just assimilated but actually made me more patriotic,” Brewer said.

“I saw Somalians coming there in droves. They had their own section of town and slowly started taking over the city of Minneapolis,” he said.

As his career progressed and he became involved in endorsements and business transactions, Brewer said he observed increased wealth and cultural influence among some Somali residents, including what he described as visible changes in Minneapolis.

“You turn on your TV. Have you ever seen a mayor on television waving a foreign country’s flag and dancing and trying to rally people to support Somalia over supporting America?” Brewer said.

“When you walk through Minneapolis, you hear Islamic sirens going off because they’ve come in here with that culture, trying to bring in Islamic culture.”

“This is a spiritual battle like we haven’t seen in a long time,” he added.

Recent scrutiny of Minnesota intensified following investigations into alleged fraud involving taxpayer-funded programs.

Activists Ryan Thorpe and Christopher F. Rufo reported that federal counterterrorism sources confirmed millions of dollars tied to Minnesota’s Medicaid Housing Stabilization Services program, Feeding Our Future, and other state-sponsored organizations were sent to Somalia, and that terrorist group Al-Shabab may have obtained some of the funds.

According to reporting cited by Thorpe and Rufo, approximately 40% of households in Somalia receive remittances from abroad.

In 2023, the Somali diaspora sent an estimated $1.7 billion to Somalia, exceeding the Somali government’s budget for that year.

Brewer said political influence has followed demographic growth, pointing to the rise of Somali elected officials in Minnesota.

Those include U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar, state senators Omar Fateh and Zaynab Mohamed, and St. Louis Park Mayor Nadia Mohamed, all Democrats.

“These people have embedded themselves into the political world, where now they are leveraging the federal government to fund their campaigns, to send money overseas to Somalia and to build luxury condos and create a lifestyle for people in Somalia off the back of the American taxpayer,” Brewer said.

“For me, as a former Minnesota Viking, as a former Gopher, I got my undergraduate and my master’s degrees from the University of Minnesota. I was a captain on both of those teams. It’s one of the most embarrassing times I’ve ever had for a state that I’ve proudly said helped turn me from a boy into a man,” he said.

Brewer said he has reduced his business exposure in Minnesota in recent years.

“I’ve pulled back many of my investment interests in the state and moved business interests elsewhere because of what we’ve seen post-George Floyd,” he said.

Some Somali residents have pushed back against broad characterizations of the community.

Jaylani Hussein, executive director of the Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, previously told Fox News Digital, “Somalis in Minnesota are hard-working folks. Many of them work two jobs, and yet about 75% are still poor.”

“There are entrepreneurs, successful restaurants — people in trucking, IT and even corporate America — making significant changes. But those positive stories don’t get much attention,” Hussein said.

Data from Minnesota Compass shows that about 36% of Somali Minnesotans lived below the poverty line from 2019 to 2023, compared to the national rate of 11.1%. Somali-headed households reported a median income of roughly $43,600 during that period, compared with a national median of $78,538.

Najma Mohammad, a hair stylist who came to the United States as a child, previously told Fox News Digital, “Most people think just because some people are bad and Somali, that every Somali is bad, which is just a stereotype.”

Brewer said he continues to support Muslim legal immigrants who embrace American values, citing his own family.

“Witnessing their family — the way they do business, the way they love this country, what they stand for, their patriotism — I’ve learned from it. I’ve become better from it. I’ve loved my country more from witnessing my in-laws,” Brewer said. “So, I know what’s possible.”

“They did that by moving to Minneapolis and building their businesses. It can happen, and it does happen. That’s what this country was built upon,” he said.

At the same time, Brewer said he believes stronger action is needed at the federal level.

“I would put a freeze on all immigration until we get a handle on the depth of this fraud and the depth of the corruption that has taken place,” Brewer said.

“We need to get all these foreign terrorists out of our country. That should be a collective effort between our armed forces, our local law enforcement, our communities, our leaders, our churches — everyone — to protect our land.”

‘Somali Democrat Medicaid Fraud’ Ring Raided in Maine
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‘Somali Democrat Medicaid Fraud’ Ring Raided in Maine

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Investigative journalist Steve Robinson detailed what he described as a significant federal investigation involving Gateway Community Services, a Lewiston, Maine–based organization connected to a network of migrant-run nonprofits, Medicaid billing, and Democratic Party officials in the state.

Robinson said the organization at the center of the investigation operates as a for-profit entity while maintaining a 501(c)(3) filing that allows it to receive grant funding.

“Nonprofits and forming Medicaid agencies. The particular agency in question is called Gateway Community Services, and it’s a for-profit company that just has a 501 (c)(3) filing in order to accept grant money when you need a c3 filing,” Robinson said.

Gateway Community Services is located on Canal Street in Lewiston, an area Robinson described as a central hub for multiple migrant-run organizations.

Robinson said he was present at the site during what appeared to be a law enforcement action.

“But it has an office on Canal Street in Lewiston, and I was actually on site there, investigating and doing some monologs in front of the building,” Robinson said.

“When about 15 HSI agents rolled up with what appeared to be a search warrant, it looked like they were coming there to take away computers and filing cabinets.”

Robinson said the building houses numerous organizations tied to migrant services and Medicaid-funded operations.

“And what’s interesting about that building guy is it’s kind of a nexus for a host of migrant run NGOs,” he said.

“There’s the Maine immigrant rights coalition. There are no generational nor a bunch of home health care agencies that also bill Medicaid, or, as we call it in Maine, MaineCare.”

According to Robinson, the location functions as a shared space for multiple groups involved in health care and migrant advocacy.

“So this is a building that serves as kind of a catch all space for tons of migrant organizations,” he said.

Robinson said the investigation extends beyond what he described as alleged Medicaid fraud and includes political connections to Maine Democrats.

“And another thing I would say about this particular location and Gateway Community Services is that it’s not just a Somali Medicaid fraud,” Robinson said.

“It’s a Somali Democrat Medicaid fraud.”

Robinson alleged that Gateway Community Services has extensive ties to the Democratic Party in Maine, including connections to Governor Janet Mills and her administration.

“Because this is an organization with elaborate and extensive ties to the main Democratic Party, including Governor Janet Mills and her administration,” Robinson said.

He pointed to the involvement of Democratic lawmakers Yusuf Yusuf and Deqa Dhalac, both of whom Robinson said are linked to the organization.

“There are two Democratic lawmakers, Representative Yusuf Yusuf and Representative Deqa Dhalac who have both their state lawmakers, members of the Democratic Party,” Robinson said.

Robinson also cited the appointment of Eklas Ahmed, a former Gateway Community Services employee, to a senior role within state government.

“And Janet Mills, when she was forming the Office of New Americans as a migrant resettlement agency for the state of Maine, picked a woman named Eklas Ahmed, who is a former employee of Gateway Community Services,” Robinson said.

According to Robinson, Gateway Community Services also received contracts from the Mills administration without a competitive bidding process.

“And furthermore, Gateway received many no bid contracts from the Mills administration for the purposes of doing community health outreach work,” he said.

Robinson said those contracts included activities tied to voter registration efforts during the 2022 election cycle.

“Which involved registering migrants to vote in the 2022 election,” he said.

Robinson said the organization’s political and financial connections distinguish it from other entities facing scrutiny.

“So this is not just any run of the mill organization that was fraudulently billing Medicaid, allegedly,” Robinson said.

“It’s one that was very, very well tied and connected to the main Democratic Party, and remains tied to the Democratic Party.”

WATCH:

Whistleblowers: Minnesota’s New Paid Leave Law is Ripe for Fraud
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Whistleblowers: Minnesota’s New Paid Leave Law is Ripe for Fraud

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Minnesota lawmakers are raising alarms over Governor Tim Walz’s newly enacted taxpayer-funded paid leave law, warning that vague language and minimal oversight could leave the program vulnerable to widespread abuse even before it fully takes effect.

The new law allows nearly all Minnesota residents to qualify for up to 20 weeks of paid leave per year for family care or medical reasons, with benefits capped at $1,420 per week and funded by taxpayers.

The program is projected to cost between $1 billion and $1.5 billion annually, though Republican lawmakers caution that the final price tag could climb significantly.

Fox News correspondent Garrett Tenney reported that concerns are already emerging from within state government.

“Already whistleblowers in state government are saying that people are planning to scam it,” Tenney said.

“Under the new law, almost every resident is eligible to take up to 20 weeks of paid leave a year to take care of family or for medical reasons, with taxpayers footing the bill and paying out a percentage of a person’s salary up to $1,420 a week.”

Tenney noted that while the official cost estimate ranges from one to one and a half billion dollars annually, critics argue the lack of clear guardrails could drive costs far higher.

“The program is projected to cost between one and one and a half billion dollars a year, but Republican lawmakers say that could go up dramatically thanks to how vaguely the law is written, making it ripe for fraud,” he said.

State Representative Nolan West detailed what he described as one of the law’s most problematic provisions: the ability to designate a single person each year as someone requiring care, with limited verification requirements.

“One thing that people don’t know, you can designate one person annually as the person you care for,” West said.

“So I can designate my uncle living in Florida, go on vacation, and it’s up to your employer to investigate whether you’re really caring for that person or not.”

West said the responsibility placed on employers to police potential abuse creates an environment with little accountability.

“Like that’s just there’s no guardrails,” he said.

“It’s going to be ridden with fraud, just like we see in our other systems. The honor system is not the best way to distribute all his money.”

Republican lawmakers argue that similar government programs relying on self-reporting and limited enforcement have historically been exploited, and they fear the paid leave law will follow the same pattern.

They say the combination of broad eligibility, high payouts, and minimal verification invites misuse.

Despite the warnings, Governor Walz has downplayed concerns raised by critics of the program.

“Despite the growing scandal around the alleged fraud already taking place, Governor Tim Walz is dismissing those concerns from Republican lawmakers,” Tenney said.

WATCH:

Registered Sex Offender Eats Pavement While Trying to Evade Florida Deputies
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Registered Sex Offender Eats Pavement While Trying to Evade Florida Deputies

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The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office arrested two individuals and recovered a missing juvenile following a traffic stop that escalated into a vehicle apprehension spanning western Flagler County on the morning of Dec. 31, according to authorities.

Deputies initiated the traffic stop on a white Ford F-150 along U.S. Highway 1 near Whiteview Drive after receiving a tip from a caller who reported suspicious activity under a “see something, say something” alert.

When deputies made contact with the vehicle, they identified the driver as Darnell Hairston, 60, of Hastings, and confirmed there were two juvenile passengers inside the truck. Deputies instructed all occupants to exit the vehicle.

While speaking with the three individuals, deputies determined that one of the juveniles had been reported missing in St. Johns County.

Deputies recovered the missing juvenile and placed the child into a patrol vehicle as the investigation continued at the scene.

As deputies worked to gather additional information, Hairston suddenly attempted to flee on foot.

He ran and tripped into the roadway, leading to a brief physical struggle.

During the altercation, Hairston attempted to grab a deputy’s firearm, authorities said.

Deputies were able to quickly gain control and apprehend him.

Hairston was arrested on charges of resisting an officer with violence and attempting to deprive a law enforcement officer of their firearm.

At the same time deputies were arresting Hairston, the second juvenile passenger, identified as Junior Bishop, 15, of Hastings, entered the Ford F-150 and fled the scene.

Authorities said Bishop nearly struck a deputy who was standing in the roadway as he drove away.

Deputies pursued Bishop southbound on U.S. Highway 1 before the pursuit turned westbound onto State Road 100.

As the vehicle apprehension approached the Putnam County line, a deputy attempted to stop Bishop by passing his vehicle on the left and positioning the patrol car in front of the truck.

Investigators said Bishop then briefly entered the eastbound lane into oncoming traffic before reentering the westbound lane and intentionally ramming the deputy’s patrol vehicle.

The collision caused both vehicles to crash into a wooded area, and Bishop’s truck rolled over.

Bishop exited the vehicle after the crash and was immediately taken into custody by deputies without further incident.

Bishop was arrested on multiple charges, including aggravated fleeing and eluding, aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer, reckless driving, driving without a license, and resisting an officer without violence.

During the pursuit, a second deputy lost control of his patrol vehicle and struck an automotive repair building in Bunnell.

Authorities said no civilians were injured as a result of that crash.

Two deputies sustained minor injuries during the incident.

Both were transported to AdventHealth Palm Coast, treated, and later released.

Bishop was also evaluated by medical personnel and was determined not to be injured.

Deputies transported Hairston and Bishop to the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility, where they are currently being processed.

Hairston is being held without bond pending his first court appearance.

Bishop will be turned over to the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice following booking procedures.

Authorities said Hairston is a registered sexual offender who was released from the Florida Department of Corrections in 2009 after serving a 12-year sentence for three counts of false imprisonment.

According to the sheriff’s office, Hairston has an extensive criminal history that includes prior arrests for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, burglary with assault or battery, cruelty toward wife, disorderly intoxication, lewd or lascivious offenses committed upon a child, property damage, and sexual battery.

Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly addressed the incident and the ongoing investigation in a public statement.

“This was a very suspicious incident that is still under investigation by our detectives, but I am thankful that nobody was seriously hurt and that we were able to recover a missing child from this pervert’s grasp,” Staly said.

“I also do not understand why a pervert who was sentenced to 12 years in prison in 2004 was released after only five years in 2009. Clearly, he has not learned anything!”

Investigators said the case remains active, including efforts to determine the nature of the relationship between Hairston, Bishop, and the recovered juvenile.

Detectives are continuing to review evidence and interview witnesses as part of the ongoing investigation.

Is This the NGO Loophole That Has Allowed Them to Get Away with It?
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Is This the NGO Loophole That Has Allowed Them to Get Away with It?

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An exchange between Walter Curt and John Fredricks focused on allegations that taxpayer-funded daycare operations tied to nonprofit organizations are being used to funnel money into political campaigns through complex corporate structures.

Curt said he and his team have uncovered what he described as a widespread scheme involving nongovernmental organizations, limited liability companies, and political donations.

According to Curt, the funding originates from taxpayer dollars that flow into NGOs operating daycare facilities, which then route money into LLCs owned by those same nonprofits.

“It is outrageous. It is outrageous how much fraud there is,” Curt said.

“The bigger thing that you should be looking at is the fact that they’re using these daycares to fund their political campaigns. That’s what we found out over the past couple days.”

Curt said the structure involves NGOs receiving taxpayer funding, transferring money to LLCs they control, and then using those LLCs to make political donations.

“The NGOs get taxpayer dollars. They push it into the LLCs that are owned by the NGOs, and then those LLCs donate to political campaigns,” Curt said.

“It’s insane, but we’re gonna prove it out over the next couple days.”

Fredricks asked Curt to provide a concrete example of how the alleged scheme works in practice.

“Draw that line for me, like, give me an example of a political campaign that got taxpayer money that came from a daycare,” Fredricks said.

Curt pointed to a specific case in Ohio.

“Well, there’s a Somalian Rep. Surprisingly enough, isn’t that strange? There’s a Somalian rep in Columbus, Ohio who four different daycares sent him $2,000 from each one of their daycare facilities,” Curt said.

Curt argued that the scale of the alleged activity could be far larger, suggesting that thousands of NGO-linked LLCs could be involved nationwide.

“Imagine if you’ve got infinite money, John, taxpayer money to fund your political campaigns,” Curt said.

“Let’s cut their money off. That’s the real way we’ve actually taken back this country.”

Fredricks then asked about Curt’s next steps in Ohio.

“So what do you what are your next steps in Ohio?” Fredricks asked.

Curt said he is assembling a team to investigate dozens of businesses tied to nonprofit organizations.

“Well, I’ve got a team of about 10 people that are coming out here now, and we’re all going to go find these businesses,” Curt said.

“I’ve got 73 businesses on one list just for two organizations.”

Fredricks asked Curt to explain how nonprofits could legally operate in a way that allows campaign donations.

“What do you mean by 73 businesses for two organizations? Explain what that means,” Fredricks said.

Curt described how nonprofit organizations can own LLCs, which he said creates a loophole.

“A 501(c)(3) can’t donate to a political campaign,” Curt said.

“But a 501(c)(3) can own an LLC. It’s called a disregarded entity.”

According to Curt, those LLCs are not barred from making political donations.

“There’s nothing stopping those LLCs from them donating to political campaigns just like they can do everywhere else,” he said.

Curt said he believes the donations are structured as many small contributions spread across a large number of LLCs.

“My theory was, well, what if they’ve got 10,000 businesses that sit underneath these NGOs that they then pump into political campaigns,” Curt said.

“If you’ve got 10,000 of them, and they can each donate 2000 you’ve got $20 million per candidate.”

Curt said preliminary findings suggest significant sums may already have been moved through this system.

“The numbers we’ve seen so far, it looks like $30 million just in Minnesota over the past two years,” Curt said.

Curt questioned how such large-scale fraud could occur without assistance from individuals in positions of power and raised concerns about political leadership in Minnesota.

“You don’t hide $9 billion with a fraud, John, you don’t hide that,” Curt said.

“Someone’s helping you. So that’s the question. Who is helping them? Who’s getting a cut? Where are the wheels getting greased? And that’s what we’re working on now.”

WATCH:

Tim Walz Is 30 Times More Likely to Face Indictment Than Become President: Joe Concha
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Tim Walz Is 30 Times More Likely to Face Indictment Than Become President: Joe Concha

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A Fox News segment featuring political commentator Joe Concha focused on growing scrutiny surrounding Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, the Washington Post editorial board, and what Concha described as increasing federal pressure tied to alleged fraud investigations in the state.

During the segment, the Fox News host asked Concha for his reaction to a recent editorial decision by the Washington Post, framing it in the context of alleged misuse of federal programs.

“Likely for fraud of federal programs. Your reaction to the Washington Post editorial board?” the host asked.

Concha responded by questioning how Walz might explain criticism coming from a publication that has historically aligned with liberal politics and Democratic candidates.

“Well, you got to wonder, guys, if Governor Tim Walz will blame white supremacy for The Washington Post editorial board not exactly a bastion of conservative sentiment,” Concha said.

“An editorial board has never endorsed Republican presidential candidate in its history.”

Concha noted that the editorial board’s posture toward Minnesota leadership marks a notable development, particularly given its past political leanings.

“By the way, they’re now even calling out walls and other Minnesota state leaders,” Concha said. “And rightly.”

Concha tied that criticism to what he described as intensified action by the federal government under President Donald Trump, saying Minnesota has come under scrutiny due to alleged large-scale fraud.

“Because now you got to look at all the pressure from federal government under Donald Trump, and what he’s doing in putting the pressure on Minnesota,” Concha said.

“And rightly, given the billions of dollars that were stolen allegedly by members of the Somali community for many years.”

According to Concha, multiple federal agencies have taken steps affecting Minnesota programs as part of broader investigations.

“HHS has now cut off all child care funds,” Concha said.

“The Department of Agriculture now investigating SNAP. The Labor Department is now investigating unemployment insurance fraud.”

Concha also referenced law enforcement actions involving additional federal agencies.

“And Homeland Security Justice Department, they’re now executing search warrants in a door to door fashion,” he said.

“This is a full court press.”

Concha said the accumulation of investigations and enforcement actions has created significant political and legal risk for Walz, who was Kamala Harris’s vice presidential running mate in 2024.

“And I’ll leave it here,” Concha said.

“By the way, betting markets are now saying that Governor Tim Walz, again, a vice presidential candidate with Kamala Harris in 2024 not too long ago, he now has a 30 times more chance of being indicted than he does of winning the presidency the way this is going at this point.”

Concha closed his remarks with a pointed aside aimed at the host.

“Nate, I think you might put that at 30,000 times at this point,” he said.

WATCH:

Trump Says Venezuelan Dictator Nicolas Maduro and His Wife Have Been Captured
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Trump Says Venezuelan Dictator Nicolas Maduro and His Wife Have Been Captured

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The United States carried out a military operation against Venezuela early Saturday that included strikes across multiple regions and resulted in the capture and removal of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, according to an announcement by President Donald Trump.

In a statement posted Saturday morning, President Trump said the operation targeted Venezuela and its leadership and confirmed that Maduro and his wife were taken into custody and flown out of the country.

“The United States of America has successfully carried out a large-scale strike against Venezuela and its leader, President Nicolas Maduro, who has been, along with his wife, captured and flown out of the Country,” Trump wrote.

“This operation was done in conjunction with US Law Enforcement. Details to follow.”

Explosions were reported beginning around 2 a.m. local time in and around Caracas during the operation.

Reports indicated that at least seven explosions were heard in the capital city. Low-flying aircraft were observed over Caracas during the early morning hours as the strikes unfolded.

The strikes affected multiple locations, including sites in the state of Miranda, where Caracas is located, as well as nearby Aragua and La Guiera.

The explosions sent smoke and fire into the air and caused power outages in affected areas.

Photographs from the capital showed fire burning through Fuerte Tiuna, Venezuela’s largest military complex located in Caracas, following an explosion at the site.

Residents in Caracas reacted to the blasts as they moved through the city streets.

“The whole ground shook. This is horrible. We heard explosions and planes in the distance,” Carmen Hidalgo said.

“We felt like the air was hitting us.”

As the military activity continued, the Federal Aviation Administration issued a Notice to Air Missions early Saturday prohibiting all U.S. commercial aircraft from operating at any altitude within Venezuelan airspace.

The restriction was issued because of what the FAA described as ongoing military activity.

The U.S. Embassy in Caracas also issued guidance advising Americans not to travel to Venezuela and urging U.S. citizens currently in the country to leave.

The Venezuelan government denounced the operation, calling it an act of aggression by the United States and a violation of the United Nations charter.

In a statement, the government said the objective of the attack was to seize Venezuela’s strategic resources.

“The objective of this attack is none other than to seize Venezuela’s strategic resources, particularly its oil and minerals, attempting to forcibly break the nation’s political independence,” the statement said.

“They will not succeed. After more than two hundred years of independence, the people and their legitimate government remain steadfast in defense of sovereignty and the inalienable right to determine their own destiny.”

Following the strikes, Maduro declared a state of emergency and ordered all national defense plans to be implemented.

The declaration granted expanded authority to the armed forces and allowed for the suspension of certain rights. A government statement called on citizens to mobilize.

“Today, with the spirit of Bolivar, Miranda, and our liberators, the Venezuelan people rise up once again to defend their independence against imperial aggression. People, take to the streets!” the statement said.

In a video address aired earlier in the week, Maduro accused the United States of seeking to force a change in Venezuela’s government and gain access to the country’s oil reserves.

Maduro, 63, has held power in Venezuela for 13 years and has been charged by the United States with narco-terrorism.

One day before the strikes, he met with a special envoy for Chinese President Xi Jinping at the presidential palace in Caracas to reaffirm ties with China amid growing tensions with the United States.

Regional leaders responded to the operation as reports emerged. Colombian President Gustavo Petro said Venezuela had been attacked and called for an emergency meeting of the Organization of American States and the United Nations.

“Right now they are bombing Caracas. Alert to the whole world, they have attacked Venezuela,” Petro wrote.

“They are bombing with missiles. The OAS and the UN must meet immediately.”

Cuban officials also condemned the strikes. “Our ‘Peace Zone’ is being brutally assaulted. State terrorism against the brave Venezuelan people and against Our America,” Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel said.

“Homeland or Death We Shall Overcome!”

Maduro had previously claimed that his government was willing to discuss an agreement with the United States aimed at preventing drug trafficking.

“The US government knows, because we’ve told many of their spokespeople, that if they want to seriously discuss an agreement to combat drug trafficking, we’re ready,” Maduro said in a recorded interview broadcast on state television.

The U.S. military has carried out drone strikes off the Venezuelan coast targeting suspected drug-smuggling boats, and Maduro’s remarks came shortly after a drone strike on a docking area believed to be used by cartels.

Venezuela has detained at least five Americans following the latest round of U.S. military and economic pressure.

One detainee, James Luckey-Lange of Staten Island, has said he was wrongfully detained while crossing the Venezuelan border during a long trip across Latin America.

Texas DPS Goes on Offense, Operation Turns Troopers into Cartel Hunters
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Texas DPS Goes on Offense, Operation Turns Troopers into Cartel Hunters

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Texas Department of Public Safety troopers are continuing an expanded law enforcement role along and beyond the U.S.–Mexico border as part of Operation Lone Star 2.0, a state-led security initiative that has coincided with a sharp decline in illegal border crossings during the first full year of border policy changes under President Donald Trump.

Rather than limiting their duties to traffic enforcement and roadway safety, DPS troopers are engaged in a broad range of border and interior operations that include human smuggling interdiction, tracking illegal border crossers through remote ranchlands, and assisting federal agencies with investigations into foreign gang and terrorist activity.

State and federal officials say the combined efforts of Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s continued border initiative and the Trump administration’s enforcement posture have reduced crossings to levels not seen in decades.

Operation Lone Star 2.0 builds on Abbott’s original Operation Lone Star, which began in 2021, and keeps Texas law enforcement actively involved in border security even as federal policies have shifted.

Under the updated approach, DPS personnel focus on activities ranging from stopping human smuggling on state highways to mounted patrols across private farms and ranches in border counties.

Troopers are also involved in investigations targeting suspected terrorists and foreign gang members operating within Texas.

According to unofficial Border Patrol data cited by a source within U.S. Customs and Border Protection, approximately 6,400 illegal aliens were apprehended crossing the southwest border in December.

That figure represents a significant drop compared with nearly 50,000 apprehensions during the same month the previous year and close to 250,000 in December 2023, when the border crisis reached record levels.

While Border Patrol agents have been reassigned in part to large-scale deportation operations in cities such as Los Angeles, Chicago, Charlotte, and New Orleans, Texas DPS troopers have increased their presence along the border itself.

Troopers patrol on foot, by all-terrain vehicle, and on horseback in some of the most remote and rugged areas of the Texas–Mexico border region.

These efforts are supported by K-9 units, manned aircraft, and drone technology.

DPS troopers assigned to rural highways continue to focus on identifying human smugglers who use commercial vehicles to transport illegal aliens away from the border.

Although both crossings and smuggling attempts have declined since January, state officials say the expanded enforcement posture has made smuggling operations more difficult for cartels and criminal networks.

Illegal aliens attempting to bypass Border Patrol checkpoints by moving through farms and ranches now face additional obstacles, including mounted DPS patrols and tracking teams operating well beyond traditional border zones.

These tactics have contributed to a steep decline in arrests in areas that were once overwhelmed by illegal crossings.

The DPS Border Mounted Patrol made its first arrests of the year on a rural ranch in Maverick County on Thursday.

Troopers tracked two illegal aliens for approximately 10 miles before apprehending them with the assistance of a tracking K-9.

Maverick County, which recorded nearly 5,000 apprehensions per day during the height of the border crisis in 2023, now sees only a small number of arrests.

Operation Lone Star 2.0 enforcement activities extend far inland as well. DPS troopers work alongside the FBI, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and Homeland Security Investigations on cases involving stash houses, organized crime, and suspected terrorist networks.

In November, DPS Highway Patrol troopers and investigators participated in a joint task force operation that led to the arrest of 51 confirmed members of the Tren de Aragua gang at an illegally operated nightclub in San Antonio.

The arrests followed the execution of a search warrant developed through cooperation between state and federal agencies.

Later in November, DPS troopers and the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force arrested Mohammad Dawoode Alokozay, an Afghan national who entered the United States under President Joe Biden’s Operation Allies Welcome resettlement program.

Authorities said Alokozay made online terrorist threats and posted a video to TikTok appearing to show him constructing an explosive device while threatening to detonate it at a building in Fort Worth.

Texas Department of Public Safety Lieutenant Chris Olivarez commented on that arrest and the broader interagency effort, saying, “Our unified approach strengthens our response to domestic terrorism and threats to life as we work every day to protect our great state. We collaborate daily to monitor, identify, and arrest dangerous criminals who threaten our communities.”

State officials say the continuation of Operation Lone Star 2.0 reflects Texas’s decision to remain actively involved in border security as part of what the Trump administration has described as a whole-of-government approach.

The combined efforts of state, local, and federal agencies have reshaped enforcement along the Texas–Mexico border and significantly reduced illegal crossings compared with levels seen during the height of the previous administration’s border crisis.

Explosions Rock Caracas as U.S. Military Strikes Inside Venezuela’s Capital
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Explosions Rock Caracas as U.S. Military Strikes Inside Venezuela’s Capital

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Reports from Venezuela indicated that at least seven explosions were heard in the capital city of Caracas during the early morning hours.

According to The Associated Press, low-flying aircraft were seen over Caracas at approximately 2 a.m. local time on Saturday, coinciding with the reported explosions.

U.S. officials did not immediately release details about the targets of the strikes, the duration of the operation, or the specific military assets involved.

The confirmation marked a significant escalation in U.S. military activity involving Venezuelan territory.

In a related move, the Federal Aviation Administration issued a Notice to Air Missions at 1 a.m. Eastern Standard Time on Saturday.

The notice prohibited all U.S. aircraft from operating “at all altitudes within Venezuelan airspace.”

The restriction applied broadly and did not specify an expiration time, indicating heightened concern about safety conditions in and around Venezuelan airspace following the reported military activity.

The reported strikes came as the U.S. military has been conducting operations targeting alleged drug-smuggling boats operating in the Caribbean and the Eastern Pacific.

U.S. authorities have previously stated that those efforts are focused on disrupting trafficking routes and networks that move narcotics toward the United States and other destinations.

The developments followed recent public comments from Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.

On Thursday, Maduro said his government was open to negotiating an agreement with the United States after months of what he described as American military pressure targeting drug trafficking networks tied to his government.

Maduro’s statement came amid ongoing tensions between Washington and Caracas, particularly surrounding allegations that elements within the Venezuelan government are linked to international drug trafficking operations.

U.S. officials have repeatedly accused Venezuelan leadership of facilitating or benefiting from those networks, accusations the Venezuelan government has denied.

The reported strikes and the FAA’s airspace prohibition suggested a rapidly evolving security situation early Saturday.

The Notice to Air Missions effectively grounded U.S. civilian aviation operations over Venezuela, a step typically taken when military activity or other risks pose a threat to flight safety.

These Atlanta Churches Have Over a Thousand Voters Registered to Their Addresses
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These Atlanta Churches Have Over a Thousand Voters Registered to Their Addresses

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David Khait alleged that more than 1,000 people were registered to vote from a single address in Fulton County, Georgia, and said the address, 01 Washington Street Southwest, is a church located near the Georgia Capitol.

“Why would 1000 people be registered to vote from one single location to 01 Washington Street Southwest, and when you come here, you realize that this is actually a church,” Khait said.

Khait said he discovered the registrations while reviewing voter registration lists from a previous election cycle and said the volume of registrations from one location raised concerns.

“What was happening when we were looking through the voter registration list from the previous election cycle is I noticed well over 1000 people registered from one single location come to find out it’s a church,” he said.

Khait said further review led him to believe the registrations were part of an organized effort involving Democrat donors.

“When we looked into it further, we realized what was actually happening here. It’s actually a very well organized plan by Democrat donors like George Soros,” Khait said.

Khait claimed that organizations funded by George Soros registered homeless individuals to vote using the church’s address.

“George Soros poured in millions into an organization here in Atlanta that did what they went around this entire place and signed up all the homeless people,” he said.

The Heir: Inside the (Not So) Secret Network of Alex Soros

Khait said the church is commonly occupied by homeless individuals and said the activity occurred during daytime hours.

“It’s during the day right now, so you don’t see all the homeless people. But usually this place is filled with homeless people,” Khait said.

Khait said the church is located directly across from the Georgia Capitol.

“And to make things even crazier, if we turn around, this place is directly across the Georgia capitol,” he said.

Khait said another nearby location showed similar voter registration numbers.

“The building right next to 201 Washington Street is actually a Catholic church,” Khait said.

Khait said that location, at 48 Martin Luther King Jr Drive Southwest, had more than 2,000 registered voters.

“Well, guess what? This place 48 Martin Luther King Jr, drive southwest, has registered over 2000 people to vote from one single location,” he said.

Khait said the registrations were tied to what he described as a progressive organization registering homeless individuals.

“And guess who it was? It was the progressive organization signing up homeless people that are literally right across the street,” he said.

Khait said weather conditions at the time did not reflect typical activity in the area.

“It’s freezing here in Atlanta. It’s actually 35 degrees at 1pm but usually all of this area is filled up with the homeless people,” he said.

Khait reiterated his concerns about the number of registrations tied to a single address.

“And again, we’re outside one of these mega churches that ended up registering more than 1000 people to vote from just one single place,” he said.

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