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Border Agents Find Sedated Parakeets Hidden in Man’s Underwear at Entry
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Border Agents Find Sedated Parakeets Hidden in Man’s Underwear at Entry

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A U.S. citizen living in Tijuana has been indicted on a federal smuggling charge after authorities say he attempted to cross the border with sedated, endangered parakeets concealed in his underwear, as reported by The New York Post.

Jesse Agus Martinez, 35, was taken into custody at the Otay Mesa Port of Entry on Oct. 23 after a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer noticed “a bulge in Martinez’s groin area,” according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of California.

CBP officers reviewed prior records and said Martinez had a history of attempting to smuggle birds into the United States.

He was directed to secondary inspection, where authorities said he repeatedly claimed the bulge was his “pirrin,” a Spanish slang term for penis.

However, during a search, a CBP officer allegedly discovered two brown sacks tucked into his underwear. Each sack contained an orange-fronted parakeet, officials said. Both birds appeared unconscious and heavily sedated but were still breathing.

Agents and inspectors from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service identified the animals as juvenile orange-fronted parakeets, a protected species native to western Mexico and Costa Rica.

The species has been classified as endangered since 2005. Federal officials said the birds were examined at the border by Veterinary Services before being transported to a Department of Agriculture Animal Import Center for quarantine.

Authorities noted that if the parakeets had entered the country undetected, they would have bypassed required quarantine screening for diseases, including avian influenza, which is highly contagious and can be lethal.

According to prosecutors, the birds were placed in safe care and remain in stable condition.

A federal grand jury indicted Martinez on Friday, charging him with Importation Contrary to Law, an offense that carries a maximum possible sentence of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine if convicted.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office said the investigation is ongoing and did not announce any additional suspects or related smuggling activity. Authorities also did not disclose the source of the birds or whether Martinez was allegedly transporting them for sale.

The incident is one of many animal-smuggling cases reported at ports of entry in recent years, with CBP officers frequently intercepting protected species concealed in vehicles, baggage or on individuals attempting to cross the U.S.–Mexico border.

Martinez is scheduled for further court proceedings in the Southern District of California.

Rubio: Maduro Heading a Venezuelan Cartel That Deserves Foreign Terrorist Status
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Rubio: Maduro Heading a Venezuelan Cartel That Deserves Foreign Terrorist Status

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Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Tuesday he intends to designate Venezuela’s Cartel de los Soles as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO), directly accusing Nicolás Maduro and his government of using state authority to support drug trafficking and violent operations connected to other extremist networks.

Rubio said the cartel is “headed by the illegitimate Nicolás Maduro” and asserted that the group has corrupted Venezuela’s governing institutions.

He added that it is responsible for “terrorist violence conducted by and with other designated FTOs.”

The designation would bring significant legal consequences, including criminal penalties for anyone providing material support to the group and restrictions on its assets.

The announcement comes during an increase in regional tensions.

Venezuela launched a large-scale military operation this week, saying it is responding to what it describes as an “imperialist threat” from U.S. forces. Several ships linked to the cartel have recently been destroyed by drones.

The Maduro government claims Washington is attempting to destabilize the regime, an allegation the Pentagon denies.

U.S. officials have acknowledged, however, that the region has grown more active in recent days.

Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino López said nationwide drills were ordered by Maduro and involve land, air, naval, and reserve forces.

He stated that the aim is to “optimize command, control and communications” across the country’s defense structure.

The Bolivarian Militia, a civilian reserve force established under former president Hugo Chávez, is also participating in the exercises.

The timing of the drills coincides with the arrival of the USS Gerald R. Ford in the Caribbean.

The aircraft carrier, the largest in the U.S. fleet, was redeployed from Europe after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered the movement of the strike group.

The Ford is operating with more than 4,000 sailors alongside two Arleigh Burke–class destroyers, USS Bainbridge and USS Mahan, as well as the command ship USS Winston S. Churchill.

Rubio’s planned terrorism designation adds another layer to a growing confrontation between Washington and Caracas.

The United States has long accused Maduro’s government of involvement in narcotics trafficking and cooperation with armed groups operating in the region.

The designation process would formally place the Cartel de los Soles on the same list as other groups deemed to be engaged in terrorism, triggering financial and criminal penalties under U.S. law.

The situation continues to evolve as both countries increase military activity in the region and political tensions escalate over control, security, and ongoing disputes surrounding drug trafficking networks.

Hunter Biden Says Dems Should ‘Turn the Temperature Up,’ Slams CNN Hosts
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Hunter Biden Says Dems Should ‘Turn the Temperature Up,’ Slams CNN Hosts

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Hunter Biden said during a recent interview that Democrats should “turn the temperature up” when addressing political extremism, while insisting he was not calling for violence, as reported by The New York Post.

The comments were made on the “Wide Awake Podcast” earlier this month during a conversation with host Joshua Rubin.

Rubin asked Biden whether both parties needed to “turn the temperature down” amid rising extremism, saying tensions appeared to be escalating.

Andrew Leyden – Shutterstock.com

Biden responded that he did not believe that was realistic. “I’m going to get myself in trouble for saying this. No, we need to turn the temperature up. We need to turn the temperature up, and we need people to see it for what it is,” Biden said.

He continued, “And what I mean by that is this: I do not believe that we are going to get to the bottom until we get to the bottom. And I want to get to the bottom faster rather than through this slow kind of process of just being picked apart — a death by a thousand cuts here.”

Biden clarified that he was not endorsing violence.

“What I mean by turning the temperature up is we need to speak truth to power,” he said. He added that Democrats should be more direct when addressing political and institutional conflicts.

“We need more people in my party, in the Democratic Party, more people in elected positions or in positions of power, or the talking heads that get paid to go on MSNBC [now MS NOW], they need to start talking about this as it is, not as a conjecture about whether or not the Supreme Court [sic] and this debate.”

Biden also criticized members of the media, naming CNN host Jake Tapper while referencing a recent text-message interview Tapper conducted with President Donald Trump.

“You have people like Jake Tapper who are having hardball discussions with Donald Trump over text. Like, what the f— are you talking about, man? That’s not journalism. That’s a complete and utter abdication of responsibility as a journalist,” Biden said.

Tapper’s text-message interview drew criticism from MS NOW host Lawrence O’Donnell at the time.

NEW ORLEANS, LA, USA – MARCH 16, 2024: Maureen Dowd and Jake Tapper discuss a career in news and novels at the New Orleans Book Festival at Tulane University

O’Donnell said, “CNN presented a so-called interview… that they can’t even prove was Donald Trump. They called it ‘breaking news,’ they called it ‘an exclusive, new interview with President Trump.’

That’s what they called it, before the interviewer said this,” referencing Tapper’s explanation that Trump answered the questions via text.

A CNN spokesperson defended Tapper in a statement to Fox News Digital, saying, “Jake Tapper is a journalist — CNN journalists will always take any opportunity to ask questions of those in power and share what we learn with our audience.”

Biden also criticized CNN host Abby Phillip and CNN political commentator Scott Jennings.

“He goes out there, and he says, just parrots the talking points of the administration. And everybody does that, has done that in the past, but not when they’re parroting what are verifiable lies. And then Abby Phillips, ‘Well, that’s just not true, Scott,’” he said.

CNN did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Biden said the broader media environment was being “gobbled up by oligarchs.”

FAA Lifts Flight Restrictions After Dems Record-Breaking Shutdown Frustrated Travelers
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FAA Lifts Flight Restrictions After Dems Record-Breaking Shutdown Frustrated Travelers

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The Federal Aviation Administration’s flight reduction emergency order will officially end Monday morning, restoring normal operations across the national airspace system following the conclusion of the government shutdown.

The order wass set to be lifted at 6 a.m. ET on Monday based on recommendations from the FAA’s safety team, the agency announced Sunday.

The FAA said the decision followed safety reviews and improvements in air traffic control staffing levels across the United States.

According to the announcement, staffing has largely returned to normal since the shutdown ended.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said the agency’s safety personnel ensured continuity throughout the shutdown period.

“I want to thank the FAA’s dedicated safety team for keeping our skies secure during the longest government shutdown in our nation’s history and the country’s patience for putting safety first,” Duffy said in a statement.

“Thanks to President Trump’s leadership, controllers have returned to their posts and normal operations can resume.”

Duffy added that renewed hiring efforts would move forward.

“Now we can refocus our efforts on surging controller hiring and building the brand new, state-of-the-art air traffic control system the American people deserve,” he said.

The FAA provided updated staffing data from the days leading up to the order’s removal.

The agency reported six staffing triggers on Friday, eight on Saturday, and one on Sunday.

The FAA said those figures are consistent with pre-shutdown conditions. By comparison, the agency recorded 81 staffing triggers on Nov. 8.

With the order lifted, restrictions placed on various aviation operations will also end.

The announcement said that limits on general aviation operations at 12 airports would be rescinded, as well as restrictions on visual flight rule approaches at facilities experiencing staffing triggers.

The end of the order also removes limits on commercial space launches and reentries, parachute operations, and photo missions.

FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford said the move reflects improvements in staffing and system performance.

“Today’s decision to rescind the order reflects the steady decline in staffing concerns across the NAS and allows us to return to normal operations,” Bedford said.

“I am grateful for the hard work of the FAA safety and operations teams and for their focus on the safety of the traveling public.”

The emergency order had required flight reductions at 40 U.S. airports.

On Friday, Duffy and Bedford announced that those required reductions would be lowered from 6 percent to 3 percent as the government reopened after the record-setting shutdown.

The reduction took effect Saturday at 6 a.m. following a recommendation from the FAA safety and operations team.

The FAA’s decision marks the full restoration of air traffic operations following weeks of disruptions tied to staffing shortages during the shutdown period.

YouTube Star Challenges Cops to a Duel, It Doesn’t End Well for Him
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YouTube Star Challenges Cops to a Duel, It Doesn’t End Well for Him

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YouTube creator Jack Doherty was arrested early Saturday in Miami Beach after standing in the middle of a street and refusing repeated police commands to move to the sidewalk, according to videos circulating on TikTok. Doherty, 22, was later charged with possession of amphetamines and resisting an officer.

Footage posted online showed an officer approaching Doherty as he remained in the roadway.

“You think you’re funny? If you’re gonna be funny, get out of the f**king street. I don’t know who the f**k you think you are, bro,” the officer said in the video.

Doherty appeared to be preparing to film a prank segment when the officers approached.

@kodiyakkblackk Jack dohertys arrest footage released! #jackdoherty #jail #arrested #fyp ♬ Locked Up – Akon

The influencer, who has a combined following of 28 million across YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok, can be seen interacting with officers while holding his phone.

Additional footage captured Doherty challenging police moments before the arrest.

“Alright, we challenge you to a duel,” he said to a group of officers.

“Guys, go on the sidewalk,” an officer responded.

“After we duel, sir,” Doherty replied.

“I’m not gonna tell you again — go on the sidewalk,” the officer said.

“Yes, sir, after we duel,” Doherty replied while continuing to look at his phone.

Videos showed officers warning Doherty again before one officer reached out and grabbed his hand to place him in cuffs.

“Oh! I’m going!” Doherty said as he reacted to the arrest.

“Chill, chill, chill,” he added while the officer secured his other hand.

@streamswatted Full video of @Jack Doherty getting arrested just now #jackdoherty #arrested ♬ Apocalyptic – Perfect, so dystopian

Miami Beach Police released some bodycam footage of the encounter:

According to jail records, Doherty was booked into the Miami-Dade County facility at 8:48 a.m.

He later posted a video describing his time in custody, stating he slept on a bench in a cell alone “for five hours” before being fingerprinted and having his mug shot taken.

He said he spent “another five-plus hours” waiting and appeared in the video wearing a shirt printed with the mug shot.

“I was like damn, I’m flying to Dubai in my mind right now,” Doherty recalled in the post-release video.

He also claimed he “hogged” the phone while he was in custody.

@streamswatted @Jack Doherty explains his whole process while he was in prison #jackdoherty ♬ Haunted – Perfect, so dystopian

The arrest follows previous incidents involving the influencer. Last year, he crashed his $200,000 McLaren while livestreaming in Miami and appeared to be texting behind the wheel at the time.

More recently, his wife, OnlyFans model McKinley Richardson, 22, announced she was splitting from Doherty less than a year after their Las Vegas wedding, where she said he presented a pre-nup at the ceremony.

NAACP President Sparks Outrage After Saying Trump Saw Hitler as ‘Greatest Man’
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NAACP President Sparks Outrage After Saying Trump Saw Hitler as ‘Greatest Man’

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Rev. Corine Mack, president of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), is facing criticism after delivering a speech in which she claimed President Donald Trump views Adolf Hitler as “the greatest man ever on Earth.”

The comments were made on November 10 during an event at a community center in the Charlotte area.

Approximately 150 people attended, and video of her remarks was later circulated on social media.

“Donald Trump really believes that Hitler was the greatest man ever on Earth. He’s a wolf in sheep’s clothing, a fake Christian trying to create a 1940s Germany right here in the United States,” Mack said.

“He wants that kind of control. He wants that kind of power. And if we don’t stand up, if we don’t vote, if we don’t organize, that’s exactly what we’re going to get.”

Mack used the speech to urge attendees to vote Democrat in the upcoming midterm elections.

She described what she called “fascist” policies and said, “History teaches us to recognize patterns of hate and division. We must speak out—loudly, clearly, and without apology.”

Her remarks referenced claims from an anonymously sourced article in The Atlantic alleging that Trump kept a copy of Hitler’s speeches and privately expressed admiration for the dictator’s leadership style.

John Kelly, the former chief of staff cited in the reporting, walked back those claims earlier this year.

Mack has previously made pointed statements during local and national controversies.

Following the 2016 officer-involved shooting of Keith Lamont Scott in Charlotte, she said, “This was state-sanctioned murder. What we are witnessing is systemic genocide against Black people in this city.”

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police said at the time that Scott was armed, ignored repeated commands to drop his weapon, and posed what officers described as an “imminent deadly threat.”

Authorities recovered a handgun and holster at the scene, and investigators reported that Scott’s DNA and fingerprints were found on the firearm.

No charges were filed in the case.

The incident prompted two nights of protests in the city and led to a temporary curfew.

Mack spoke at a press conference outside police headquarters during the unrest, saying, “They care more about protecting windows than they do about protecting Black lives.”

Mack also made similar comments during the 2020 national demonstrations following the death of George Floyd.

At a Mecklenburg County Commission public comment session, she said, “This is a segregationist plot dressed up as choice. They want to siphon money from schools that serve our children and give it to institutions that will never reflect our community.”

The NAACP leader’s most recent remarks have renewed scrutiny of her public statements, which have drawn attention during several major events in Charlotte over the past decade.

Chaos in Mexico City: Over 100 Police Injured as Protesters Attack National Palace
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Chaos in Mexico City: Over 100 Police Injured as Protesters Attack National Palace

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A protest in Mexico City on Saturday left more than 100 police officers injured and resulted in at least 20 arrests, according to officials.

The demonstrations, driven largely by young Gen-Z participants, focused on corruption concerns and issues of public safety.

Thousands of protesters gathered in the city’s historic center and moved toward the National Palace, which houses Mexico’s executive branch.

Demonstrators attempted to breach a security barrier surrounding the complex, leading to extended clashes with police.

Tear gas filled the area as hooded protesters confronted riot police.

Footage showed officers being pulled from their positions, beaten with hammers and chains, and targeted with explosive devices. Some riot police were stripped of their shields and communication radios during the confrontations.

The Secretariat of Citizen Security of Mexico City said through social media that at least 60 police officers sustained minor injuries.

Another 40 officers were transported to local hospitals for additional treatment.

The protest comes amid rising anti-government sentiment and follows the recent assassination of Uruapan Mayor Carlos Manzo. Manzo was shot seven times after publicly criticizing Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum for what he described as insufficient action against cartel violence.

“We need greater determination from the president of Mexico,” Manzo told local reporters in September.

“I do not want to be just another mayor on the list of those who have been executed and had their lives taken away from them. … I am very afraid, but I must face it with courage.”

Sheinbaum, who became Mexico’s first female president when she took office in October 2024, has faced increased scrutiny following a series of high-profile killings.

Critics have accused her administration of tolerating organized crime and failing to bolster anti-cartel operations.

In May, Sheinbaum publicly acknowledged rejecting U.S. military assistance offered by President Donald Trump for the purpose of combating drug trafficking organizations and violent cartel activity.

Pablo Vázquez, Secretary of Citizen Security of Mexico City, said that approximately 120 people were injured in total during the unrest, including about 100 police officers.

In a Sunday update on X, Vázquez provided additional information regarding the injured officers.

X Screenshot – Pablo Vázquez Camacho

Authorities said none of the injuries appeared to be life-threatening.

However, officials and observers noted that the large turnout, level of violence, and ongoing concerns over security conditions suggest further protests may follow as discontent with Sheinbaum’s government continues.

Illegal Immigrant Released by Biden, Charged in Hammer Attack on Texas Jogger
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Illegal Immigrant Released by Biden, Charged in Hammer Attack on Texas Jogger

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A Texas woman is recovering after authorities say she was attacked with a hammer by an illegal immigrant who had previously been released by the Biden administration despite multiple arrests, as reported by Fox News.

The incident occurred in Plano on Nov. 13 at Bob Woodruff Park, according to FOX 4.

Police responded to a report of an assault at approximately 5 p.m. When officers arrived, the victim told them she had been jogging in the park when an unknown man struck her with a hammer at least twice.

She fought back, and the suspect fled the scene. The victim was taken to a hospital, where she was treated for non-life-threatening injuries.

Investigators identified 17-year-old Sergio Noe de Nova Duarte as the suspected attacker after locating several items at the scene, FOX 4 reported. Police recovered the hammer allegedly used in the attack, along with duct tape and additional undisclosed items.

Duarte was taken into custody, and according to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), immigration authorities placed an arrest detainer on him. DHS said Duarte has been charged with aggravated kidnapping and bodily injury.

Federal officials said Duarte originally entered the United States in 2016 on a B2 tourist visa and was ordered to return to Mexico later that same year. According to DHS, Duarte has a substantial criminal history, including arrests for burglary and larceny in 2024.

Following his 2024 arrests, DHS said the Biden administration released Duarte with a notice to appear before an immigration judge in 2026. He remained in the country pending immigration proceedings.

Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin issued a statement after the Nov. 13 attack, criticizing the earlier release. “This criminal illegal alien should have never been loose in our communities to attack this woman jogging in a park with a hammer,” McLaughlin said.

“Following this illegal alien’s arrest in 2024, the Biden Administration released this criminal illegal alien back into our communities. Under President Trump and Secretary Noem, ICE lodged an arrest detainer to ensure this criminal illegal alien is never able to prey on innocent women in our country again.”

Plano police have not yet released further details regarding the investigation or whether additional charges may be filed. DHS did not disclose whether Duarte is expected to face immigration court proceedings before resolution of the criminal case.

The victim has not been publicly identified, and authorities said she is expected to recover.

Soft-on-Crime Advocate’s Own Staffer Robbed at Knifepoint Inside District Office
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Soft-on-Crime Advocate’s Own Staffer Robbed at Knifepoint Inside District Office

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A staff member working in the district office of Illinois Senate President Don Harmon was robbed at knifepoint on Friday, according to authorities and a statement released by Harmon, as reported by The Gateway Pundit.

The incident occurred just after 11 a.m. inside Harmon’s office on West North Avenue in Oak Park.

Police arrested 35-year-old Scott Loeffler, who allegedly entered the office, produced a knife, and took the staffer’s iPhone. According to the Chicago Tribune, the staffer had allowed Loeffler inside after believing he was a constituent. As she briefly looked away, Loeffler allegedly displayed the knife and took the phone. He then asked, “Do you have a wallet?”

The staffer was able to move into an adjoining room connected to Harmon’s campaign office, where another staff member called 911. Harmon was in another room of the office during the incident. The staffer was not physically harmed.

In a written statement, Harmon addressed the incident and said the robbery did not appear to be politically driven.

“On Friday, a man entered the district office and confronted an employee with a knife. Thank God she is physically unharmed. The suspect is in custody and charged with armed robbery. This incident does not appear to have been politically motivated. I want to thank the Oak Park Police Department for a quick response, and I want to thank my staff for their bravery and unwavering commitment to public service. Their safety is my top priority.”

According to public information, Harmon attended an event last month marking the 10-year anniversary of “Restore Justice,” a criminal-justice advocacy organization.

Harmon has supported a number of criminal justice and policing reform initiatives put forward in Illinois, including policy changes under the SAFE-T Act and measures involving parole eligibility, property seizure rules, and sentencing reforms for certain offenders under age 21.

Loeffler has been charged with armed robbery in connection with Friday’s incident. Oak Park police have not released additional details beyond confirming the arrest.

The district office remains open, and Harmon’s office said staff safety procedures are being reviewed following the incident.

Colorado Professor Emeritus Shouts ‘Nazis’ at TPUSA Supporters After Chapter Approved
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Colorado Professor Emeritus Shouts ‘Nazis’ at TPUSA Supporters After Chapter Approved

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A retired professor from Fort Lewis College in Colorado was recorded calling Turning Point USA supporters “Nazis” and making obscene gestures after the student government voted to approve a TPUSA chapter on campus, as reported by Fox News.

The incident occurred on Nov. 7 following a reversal by the Associated Students of Fort Lewis College (ASFLC), which had initially rejected the chapter’s request for recognition.

David Kozak, a former professor of anthropology at the college, was seen on video reacting to the ASFLC vote during an emergency meeting.

The chapter’s approval came after senior Jonah Flynn’s proposal was first turned down, prompting campuswide debate and petitions both supporting and opposing the group.

Footage from the meeting showed Kozak flipping off the person recording before shouting at those present.

He called TPUSA supporters “Nazis” and added, “F— the Nazis.” Kozak continued, “Go on, fascists,” and “Go on, Nazi lovers,” while repeatedly shouting, “C’mon Nazis!”

A spokesperson for Fort Lewis College told Fox News Digital that Kozak no longer works for the institution. “Mr. Kozak retired from Fort Lewis College in 2022 and is no longer employed by the institution,” the spokesperson said.

“At Fort Lewis College, we remain committed to fostering an environment grounded in academic excellence, free expression, and civil discourse.”

The TPUSA chapter faced strong opposition after Flynn attempted to form the group earlier this fall. On Oct. 17, members of the Fort Lewis College community launched a petition that gathered more than 400 signatures.

The petition argued that TPUSA “has engaged in actions that directly harm our community” and stated concerns about student safety.

It said, “At a college where many students identify as Indigenous, students of color, LGBTQ+, or from other underrepresented backgrounds, this harm cannot be ignored.”

Following the rejection, a counter-petition was created supporting TPUSA, which has since collected more than 1,000 signatures. Supporters said the student organization should be allowed to operate on campus like any other recognized student group.

The ASFLC held an emergency meeting on Nov. 7, where members voted to approve the chapter despite the earlier controversy. The decision immediately prompted Kozak’s recorded reaction.

Kozak did not respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.


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