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Shocking Details Behind Brown University’s Safety Chief Emerge in Wake of Shooting

Brown University campus safety chief Rodney Chatman previously lost a senior law enforcement position at the University of Utah after failing to obtain required credentials and amid an investigation into alleged criminal violations, according to university records and public statements.

The University of Utah Department of Public Safety disclosed the circumstances surrounding Chatman’s departure in a December 18, 2020, post, stating that Chatman had been hired on February 17, 2020, without possessing all of the certifications required to hold the position.

The university said Chatman was given one year to obtain those credentials but failed to do so.

The post explained that, despite lacking Utah Peace Officer Standards and Training certification, Chatman was granted full authority to oversee the University of Utah Police Department during his tenure.

“Over the past year despite not yet being Utah POST certified, Rodney had full authority to oversee University of Utah Police as a university department head, including making personnel, strategy and budget decisions,” the statement said.

“This is a common practice for veteran law enforcement leaders coming from outside the state who need to seek certification.”

The statement further revealed that Chatman was placed on leave after university officials learned of an investigation by the Utah State Attorney General’s Office into allegations that Chatman may have violated guidelines that were also described as criminal offenses.

University leadership said those allegations could have adversely affected his ability to obtain or maintain Utah POST certification.

“Prior to placing Rodney on leave earlier this week, I was made aware of an investigation by the Utah State Attorney General’s Office into allegations Rodney may have violated certain guidelines that are also criminal offenses, which could also adversely impact his Utah POST certification,” the statement said.

“This is a serious matter and I have expressed the university’s intent to cooperate fully in the AG’s investigation.”

The statement added that, while the university acknowledged Chatman’s work during his time at Utah, officials concluded they could not overlook the allegations or their potential impact on his certification status.

“While I appreciate the important work Rodney has done on behalf of university safety over the past year, I cannot overlook these allegations and the impact they might have on his ability to maintain an active Utah POST certification,” the statement continued.

“Hence, I made the decision to place Rodney on leave and have asked deputy chief Jason Hinojosa to oversee day-to-day operations of the police until this matter is resolved.”

Less than a year later, Brown University announced that Chatman had been hired into a senior campus safety role.

In a July 20, 2021, release, Brown said Chatman would serve as Vice President of Campus Safety.

The university’s announcement described Chatman as, “An accomplished leader with decades of law enforcement experience in municipal and higher education settings,” and said he would “direct Brown’s Department of Public Safety and oversee campus-wide safety efforts.”

“As we continue to assess and strengthen campus safety practices amid the critical national debate around policing and justice, we are set to welcome a truly accomplished leader who is ideally positioned to guide this work at Brown.” – Brown University President Christina H. Paxson

Christina Paxson talks during a press conference following a mass shooting on Dec. 14, 2025.

Chatman’s past employment history resurfaced this week following a deadly shooting on Brown University’s campus.

Two people were shot and killed Saturday, and nine others were shot and injured.

FOX News host Jesse Watters addressed the situation during his show Wednesday night, raising questions about Chatman’s role and whereabouts during the ongoing search for the suspect.

Watters asked viewers where Chatman had been during the days-long manhunt for the Brown University shooter.

He also referenced comments Chatman previously made about policing.

“Well, we just discovered the Brown University police chief isn’t a big fan of policing. He once said this, ‘Communities don’t want policing done to them,’” Watters said.

Watters then discussed Chatman’s prior tenure at the University of Utah, pointing to the circumstances surrounding his removal from that position.

“He was suspended, because he didn’t have the proper credentials,” Watters said.

The scrutiny comes as Brown University faces questions about campus safety following the shooting, which left multiple victims dead and injured and a suspect still at large.

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Marines Overhaul Combat Arms PFT as Sex-Neutral Standards Take Effect

The Marine Corps is moving to a sex neutral scoring system for the physical fitness test for Marines with combat military occupational specialties, effective January 1, 2026. This change accompanies a broader update to body composition rules that tracks with Defense Department direction.

Under the plan, combat arms Marines will be required to reach a minimum PFT score of 210 points, or 70 percent of a perfect score.

If that standard is not met by the end of the reporting period, Marines face remedial physical training, possible reclassification with a new MOS, or restrictions on promotion. These consequences underscore the seriousness with which readiness is being treated.

“Our combat arms MOSs require rigorous physical readiness for direct ground combat,” Col. James Derrick, director of the Marine Corps Training and Education Command, said in a release. “These changes ensure all combat arms Marines meet the same high sex-neutral standards.”

The words repeat a clear expectation: every member who serves in the most demanding roles must be measured against equal, objective criteria.

The service is also shifting away from the old height and weight tape test toward a waist-to-height ratio method. That adjustment will be phased in over time, with specific body composition standards to be published once the defense secretary provides further guidance.

The move aims to produce a clearer, results oriented approach to fitness that aligns with modern health expectations.

Non-combat arms Marines will continue to be tested under the current sex- and age-normed standards. In contrast, all combat Marines, regardless of sex, will be governed by male, age-normed guidelines.

The distinction reinforces the emphasis on direct ground combat readiness, even as the service remains attentive to evolving personnel policies.

The changes come in the wake of a Sept. 30 memo from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, which stressed a renewed emphasis on physical readiness. The policy shift is designed to ensure every service member meets the physical demands of combat and leads by example.

“to ensure every service member meets the physical demands of combat and leads by example,” the memo states in part, as reported in the Marine administrative release.

Speaking to hundreds of senior military officials at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Hegseth underscored the connection between fitness and battlefield effectiveness.

He made a point that resonates with conservative leaders who want to see clear, enforceable standards across the services. He also argued that combat effectiveness “all starts with physical fitness and appearance.”

The timing for the broader implementation is deliberate. Manpower information system upgrades will be phased in over six to eight months, with the full installation expected within a year.

This staged approach is meant to minimize disruption while establishing the new norms across units that train for high-intensity operations.

Supporters of the policy argue that it preserves rigorous standards without bias and that it strengthens readiness by insisting on accountability at every rank. They contend that a universal measure across combat arms provides a fair, objective baseline.

In a period of rising global tension and shifting threats, the emphasis on physical capability is presented as a necessary foundation for deterrence and decisive action.

Critics may worry about the pace of change or potential unintended consequences for particular communities. Yet the leadership insists that the goal is not to penalize individuals but to elevate the entire force.

By establishing clear expectations, the Marines aim to produce formations that can sustain demanding operations and project strength when it matters most.

In this moment, the policy aligns with a broader national posture that prizes leadership by example and readiness. The administration’s approach is to insist that those who stand on the line of duty must meet uncompromising standards of fitness.

The United States has long demanded peak performance from its servicemen and servicewomen, and these updates reflect that insistence in a modern framework.

Ultimately, the changes are designed to ensure that Marines who operate in the most dangerous environments can rely on a common standard. They reflect a disciplined effort to synchronize physical readiness with operational readiness.

The result, supporters say, will be a more capable and confident force prepared to meet any challenge.

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Bongino Clapped Back Hard at MSNBC Right Before Announcing FBI Departure

Federal Bureau of Investigation Deputy Director Dan Bongino confirmed Wednesday that he will step down from his position in January, an announcement that came hours after a public exchange with MSNBC reporter Carol Leonnig and comments from President Donald Trump suggesting Bongino would likely return to media work.

Leonnig disclosed the interaction earlier in the day in a post on X, saying she contacted Bongino to ask whether reports about his planned departure were accurate.

According to Leonnig, Bongino responded dismissively before making his departure official later that evening.

“12:55 pm – Bongino to @MSNOWNews when I asked him for comment on story saying he was leaving his position in January. ‘Print whatever you’d like. No one believes you anyway.’ 5:16 pm – Bongino on X: ‘I will be leaving my position in January,’” Leonnig wrote.

Bongino later confirmed publicly that he would be leaving the FBI in January.

In his announcement, he expressed appreciation to President Trump, Attorney General Pam Bondi, and FBI Director Kash Patel for the opportunity to serve in federal law enforcement leadership.

The confirmation followed comments made earlier in the day by President Trump, who told reporters that Bongino was expected to leave the FBI and return to his broadcasting career.

“Dan did a great job. I think he wants to go back to his show,” Trump said.

Bongino’s tenure at the FBI followed a lengthy career in law enforcement and media.

He served as a New York Police Department officer from 1995 to 1999 before joining the U.S. Secret Service, where he worked from 1999 to 2011.

After leaving government service, Bongino became a prominent conservative media figure, hosting the Fox News weekend program “Unfiltered with Dan Bongino” and later building a large national audience through his podcast, “The Dan Bongino Show.”

Following Bongino’s announcement, FBI Director Kash Patel issued a statement on X praising Bongino’s work at the bureau and crediting him with internal reforms and investigative progress.

“Dan is the best partner I could’ve asked for in helping restore this FBI. He brought critical reforms to make the organization more efficient, led the successful Summer Heat op, served as the people’s voice for transparency, and delivered major breakthroughs in long unsolved cases like the pipe bomb investigation. And that’s only a small part of the work he went about every single day delivering for America,” Patel said.

Patel added that Bongino exceeded expectations during his time as deputy director and said the country benefited from his service.

“He not only completed his mission – he far exceeded it. We will miss him but I’m thankful he accepted the call to serve. Our country is better and safer for it,” Patel said.

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Navy Launches First Suicide Drone from Warship at Sea

From the deck of the USS Santa Barbara, a bold new capability emerged as the Navy launched a one way attack drone, marking the first time a suicide drone was deployed from a U.S. vessel at sea.

The mission signals a decisive shift in how America will project power from the water, using speed, affordability, and adaptive technology to meet evolving threats abroad.

The drone used in this mission is the Low-cost Unmanned Combat Attack System, known as LUCAS. It draws its basic design from a captured Iranian Shahed drone and is manufactured by SpektreWorks.

The launch took place from the flight deck of the USS Santa Barbara, an Independence class littoral combat ship now operating in the Arabian Gulf.

This region has long been a proving ground for new ideas in maritime combat, and today’s test stands as a clear demonstration of what American ingenuity can achieve when the nation is resolved.

The operation was carried out by Task Force 59 of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command and U.S. Fifth Fleet, the maritime component of U.S. Central Command. This task force is the Navy’s first unit dedicated to autonomous operations, a bold step toward a modernizing force that can respond at speed and with precision in contested environments.

“This first successful launch of LUCAS from a naval vessel marks a significant milestone in rapidly delivering affordable and effective unmanned capabilities to the warfighter. This achievement demonstrates the power of innovation and joint collaboration in this critical region,” Vice Adm. Curt Renshaw, commander of NAVCENT/C5F, said in a release.

The mission was part of the newly formed Task Force Scorpion Strike, established by CENTCOM to leverage unmanned systems for deterrence and regional security.

Led by U.S. Special Operations Command personnel, the task force is equipped with a squadron of LUCAS drones and aims to deter adversaries from its position in the Middle East, a region where strategic advantage increasingly hinges on quicker, smarter, and cheaper tools.

LUCAS drones are designed to be launched from a variety of platforms including catapults and can easily deploy in swarms over long ranges. The platform is built for simplicity and resilience, enabling units to field decisive firepower without risking high value assets.

This portability ensures that ships, aircraft, or ground launch sites can support operations as needed.

“This platform will undoubtedly enhance regional maritime security and deterrence,” said Renshaw in the same release. The words underscore a broader logic: deterrence today means not just expensive platforms, but a disciplined mix of affordable, scalable systems that can be deployed quickly to shape the battlespace.

From a strategic perspective, the test aligns with a national emphasis on maintaining a competitive edge through rapid acquisition and deployment. It shows that the United States is willing to use smaller, agile tools to complicate an adversary’s calculus and reduce the risk to American sailors.

Supporters of a stronger defense posture, including those who back President Trump, argue that turning ideas into deployable force multipliers matters most when confrontations loom in volatile regions.

They contend that speed to field and the ability to swarm an opponent with low cost, high impact assets is essential for deterrence and battlefield flexibility.

In this hypothetical framework, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth would likely emphasize aggressive modernization and a willingness to test unconventional approaches.

He would stress that securing national interests requires a confident, forward leaning defense that is prepared to outpace adversaries with innovative weapons and rapid integration into existing naval and joint operations.

The broader takeaway is clear. Small, affordable drones can complement larger platforms, extending reach and tempo while preserving the safety of sailors. This approach not only stretches the reach of American power but also multiplies the options available to commanders in dynamic environments.

At the same time, the test reinforces a key national security principle: deterrence is strengthened when options are diverse and executable under tight timelines.

By combining a proven design with practical launch methods, the United States signals that it will meet challenges with preparedness, not hesitation.

The results from this mission suggest a path forward that centers on speed, resilience, and a willingness to push frontier technologies into active service.

In sum, the LUCAS launch demonstrates that the United States can blend innovation with resolve to keep the seas secure. It is a testament to a strategy that blends affordability with effectiveness, ensuring that deterrence remains credible in a complex and changing maritime landscape.

The message to adversaries is unmistakable: America can respond decisively, deploy rapidly, and prevail.

News

Jewish Man Stabbed Near His Heart Speaks Out After Brooklyn Antisemitic Attack

A Jewish New Yorker described how he was stabbed just centimeters from his heart during an antisemitic attack on a Brooklyn street, an incident that police are investigating as a hate crime and that occurred during the Hanukkah holiday.

Elias Rosner, 35, a member of the Lubavitch Hasidic community in Crown Heights, said the attack unfolded Tuesday afternoon after he left a temple and encountered a man shouting antisemitic threats.

In an interview with The Post on Wednesday, Rosner said the suspect made explicit statements before launching the attack.

“I’m going to kill a Jew today,” the man said, according to Rosner.

Rosner said he first noticed the suspect while standing in a crowd of Jewish people.

“I was waiting in a crowd of Jewish people and this guy started spouting stuff,” Rosner recalled.

According to Rosner, the man continued making violent statements.

“I’m going to kill Jewish people, I’m going to kill a Jew today, I don’t give a f**k … We wouldn’t be in this mess if the Holocaust had happened,” the man said, as recalled by Rosner.

Rosner said the man appeared serious and that he chose not to look away.

“I guess I was the one guy that had the bravery to look him in the eye,” he said.

Rosner said the suspect appeared to anticipate a confrontation.

“So, he was waiting. He set a trap up for me a block ahead. He came around the corner and it just started happening,” Rosner said.

The stabbing occurred around 4 p.m. at the corner of Kingston Avenue and Lincoln Place, according to police. Rosner was stabbed once in the chest.

The NYPD said the attack is being investigated as an antisemitic hate crime. The incident took place on the third night of Hanukkah.

Rosner said he narrowly escaped with his life and credited his clothing with preventing a fatal injury.

He said a sweater helped stop the blade before it reached his heart.

Rosner works at a pop-up Hanukkah donut shop on Kingston Avenue and said he has training in martial arts.

He said that training influenced how he reacted when confronted with the knife.

“So, he brandishes his knife … I’ve been standing all day, and between fight, freeze and flight. I really only had to choose between freeze and fight, and I chose to fight,” Rosner said.

“I believe in standing up to bullies,” he said.

“I knew it was on. I luckily had taken off my sweater to use as a sarong to catch the blade. I could just tell he wasn’t going to be doing anything fancy…”

“I was able to catch most of the force of the blade with the sweater and that’s basically what saved my life,” Rosner said.

Rosner suffered a deep gash near his heart but was able to walk away without serious injury.

He was treated at Kings County Hospital and later released.

As of Wednesday, the attacker had fled the scene and remained at large.

The NYPD released surveillance footage of the attack and images of the suspect.

Police described the suspect as wearing blue jeans and a black varsity jacket with the word “Genuine” on the back and the number “91” on the sleeve.

Rosner said he believes the attack reflects a broader increase in antisemitic sentiment following Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza, which he said has affected neighborhoods throughout New York City, including college campuses and the subway system.

In recent weeks, the city’s Jewish population, the largest in the world outside of Israel, has experienced multiple antisemitic incidents, including physical assaults, verbal harassment, and vandalism.

“It used to be when I was a kid we’d come out from a party late at night, and the worst thing we had to worry about was, ‘stop and frisk,’” Rosner said.

“Nowadays, it’s a lot tougher, but my motto is, ‘If you stay ready, you ain’t got to be ready.’”

Despite heightened concern, NYPD data show that anti-Jewish hate crimes were down 9% this year through Monday compared to the same period in 2024.

Police statistics show that 305 of the 550 total hate crimes reported this year targeted Jewish residents or property.

In 2024, police reported 646 bias incidents, 334 of which were classified as antisemitic.

Rosner said he believes confronting hatred remains necessary.

“Here in America, everybody has a right to live free of oppression,” he said, “and we also have to stand up to bullies who are trying to take that away from people.”

News

‘What’s the Point of Food Stamps if It’s Just for Real Food?’: Missouri Welfare Queen

A Missouri woman receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits criticized new restrictions on eligible food purchases after the U.S. Department of Agriculture approved waivers allowing states to prohibit the use of benefits for candy, sugary drinks, and other items beginning in 2026.

According to a report by St. Louis television station KMOV, Hannah Moore told reporter John Kipper that the forthcoming restrictions were unfair and questioned the purpose of the federal assistance program if it is limited to what she described as “real food.”

“What is the point of food stamps if it’s just for ‘real food?’” Moore asked during the interview.

Her comments followed an announcement Wednesday by Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins, who said the USDA had approved waiver requests from Missouri and five other states allowing them to restrict SNAP purchases of candy, sugar-sweetened beverages, and similar items after Oct. 1, 2026.

SNAP, commonly referred to as food stamps, is administered by the Department of Agriculture in coordination with individual states.

The program is intended to supplement grocery budgets for low-income individuals and families so they can purchase “nutritious food essential to health and well-being.”

According to the USDA website, as of Tuesday, 18 states have received waivers to prohibit the use of SNAP benefits for junk food.

Moore told KMOV that she was unhappy with the changes and expressed confusion about the policy direction.

“That’s not even cool, like why they do that?” she said. She later added, “I don’t know what Trump is doing or what is going on.”

The waiver approvals come as federal officials pursue broader efforts to address diet-related health concerns.

Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has advocated removing sugary drinks, including sodas, from SNAP eligibility, according to reporting by The Wall Street Journal. Kennedy has linked the effort to rising rates of chronic disease, which affect roughly three in five Americans, as part of an initiative often referred to as the Make America Healthy Again movement, or MAHA.

Moore told KMOV she was particularly concerned about how the changes could affect families with children.

“Thank God I don’t got kids, but the people out there with kids are not going to be cool,” she said.

Moore added that she worried parents would not be able to buy snacks their children enjoy.

The SNAP program has been the subject of ongoing debate over eligibility requirements, allowable purchases, and work mandates.

During the federal government shutdown in October and November, several federal district judges ordered the Trump administration to access contingency funds to continue SNAP benefits during the funding lapse.

Those orders were overturned by the Supreme Court on Nov. 8, shortly before lawmakers reached an agreement to end the shutdown.

More recently, changes to SNAP eligibility requirements have drawn public criticism.

In a Dec. 3 news report, a woman complained about new work requirements imposed on able-bodied adults up to age 64 as a condition of maintaining SNAP eligibility.

Those requirements were enacted as part of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which President Donald Trump signed into law in July.

Under the law, certain adults without dependents must meet work or training requirements to continue receiving benefits.

Supporters of the changes argue the requirements encourage workforce participation and self-sufficiency, while critics say they risk removing benefits from individuals who rely on the program.

The USDA has said the waiver approvals allowing states to restrict junk food purchases are intended to give states flexibility while aligning SNAP with its stated mission of promoting nutrition and health.

States that receive waivers are not required to implement the restrictions but are permitted to do so under federal guidelines.

Missouri officials have not yet announced how the state plans to implement the waiver or what specific items will be prohibited once the changes take effect in 2026.

The USDA has indicated that implementation details will vary by state and that additional guidance will be provided closer to the effective date.

As the debate continues, SNAP remains one of the largest federal assistance programs, serving millions of people each month.

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Minnesota’s Massive Fraud Scandal Deepens as More and More Info Emerges

Minnesota officials and prosecutors are warning that the state is confronting an unprecedented fraud crisis across its social service programs, with potential losses estimated to exceed $1 billion and possibly climb beyond $2 billion, according to lawmakers and investigators familiar with the cases.

Republican state Sen. Michael Kreun said Minnesota has been aware of widespread fraud for years but failed to rein it in.

“Minnesota has an epidemic of fraud, as the rest of the nation is learning,” Kreun said.

“We’ve known here in Minnesota for quite some time that we’ve had a massive fraud problem. And it’s turning out that probably Minnesota is the epicenter of fraud in the United States right now.”

The warnings come in the wake of the Feeding Our Future case, one of the largest pandemic-related fraud prosecutions in U.S. history, and amid increased scrutiny of other state programs, including Housing Stabilization Services (HSS) and autism-related services.

The HSS program has emerged as a key example cited by lawmakers as evidence of how fraud allegedly spiraled out of control.

The program was launched nearly four years ago and was originally projected to cost approximately $2.6 million per year.

Instead, spending ballooned to more than $100 million last year and was on track to exceed $120 million this year before the program was shut down.

“We’re learning [it is] probably at least $300 million in fraud right now,” Kreun said.

“And the fraud was so pervasive that they basically had to shut that program down.”

An in-person investigation conducted by Fox News Digital found that numerous addresses listed in HSS and Feeding Our Future claims were fabricated.

Some addresses led to empty parking lots, nonexistent office suites, or legitimate businesses that had no connection to the organizations submitting the claims.

Kreun said similar patterns may exist in other Minnesota social service programs, including autism services.

“The autism services program, for example, probably has that level of fraud, maybe even more,” he said.

Federal investigators uncovered allegations involving Asha Farhan Hassan, who is accused of defrauding Minnesota’s autism-treatment program of roughly $14 million.

Prosecutors allege Hassan billed Medicaid for therapy sessions that never occurred, employed untrained staff, and paid parents between $300 and $1,500 per month to keep their children enrolled in the program.

Authorities said hundreds of thousands of dollars were sent overseas, including funds used to purchase real estate in Kenya.

According to Dr. Mehmet Oz, administrator of the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the autism program’s budget surged from $3 million in 2018 to nearly $400 million in 2023.

At least 85 entities connected to the programs are currently under investigation.

Former federal prosecutor Joe Teirab, who briefly worked on the Feeding Our Future case, said the scheme stood out not only for its scale but also for how easily it was carried out.

“Honestly how easy this fraud was to do,” Teirab said.

“These fraudsters were just saying that they were spending all this money on feeding kids… and they were just making up these PDFs, putting false names into Excel sheets.”

“I could do that in five minutes on a computer if I had absolutely no conscience,” he added.

Teirab said failures in oversight within the Minnesota Department of Education and other agencies contributed significantly to the problem. He also cited political pressures as a factor.

“There were huge incentives to just turn the other way,” Teirab said.

“There’s a sense of, ‘If we say something, are they going to call us racist?’ And that’s exactly what happened.”

A whistleblower account from within the Minnesota Department of Human Services alleged that employees who raised fraud concerns internally were ignored, reassigned, or sidelined, aligning with Teirab’s account.

Townhall columnist Dustin Grage said political pressure intensified after the Minnesota Department of Education temporarily halted payments to Feeding Our Future over fraud concerns.

“Omar Fateh… as well as Jamal Osman, a city councilman in Minneapolis, they actually ended up lobbying to the governor and saying, ‘Hey, this is racist if you are to do this,’” Grage said.

Although a lawsuit was filed against the state after payments were suspended, it was later dismissed.

Payments resumed, and restrictions were eased. Grage also noted that the governor had the authority to subpoena bank records tied to Feeding Our Future but did not do so.

“They have that tool in their disposal, and they refuse to use it for whatever reason,” Grage said. “Maybe they knew about it. Maybe it’s just complete incompetence.”

Feeding Our Future founder Aimee Bock and local restaurant owner Salim Said were convicted for their roles in the scheme.

Prosecutors said they used fraud proceeds on luxury homes, vehicles, and lavish lifestyles. Authorities said the organization falsely claimed to have served 91 million meals and fraudulently obtained nearly $250 million in federal funds.

Teirab said Feeding Our Future was not an isolated case, pointing to another nonprofit, Partners in Nutrition, also known as Partners in Quality Care, which has been identified in Fox News Digital reporting.

When combining alleged fraud linked to Feeding Our Future, Partners in Quality Care, housing stabilization, and other programs, losses exceed $1 billion. Teirab and former acting U.S. Attorney Joe Thompson said the total could surpass $2 billion.

“So that is what we’re dealing with,” Teirab said.

“It’s a travesty that our hard-earned taxpayer dollars are being wasted away.”

Investigations and audits remain ongoing as lawmakers and prosecutors warn that without major reforms, similar fraud schemes could continue to operate undetected across Minnesota’s social service programs.

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So Called Gender Affirming Care for Kids is Not Medicine, It is Malpractice: RFK Jr.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced actions aimed at banning transgender sex-change procedures for children, arguing that such interventions violate basic medical ethics and cause lasting harm to minors.

Kennedy said his decision is based on scientific evidence, federal health findings, and an executive order issued by President Trump.

In a statement outlining the rationale for the move, Kennedy accused doctors and major medical organizations of abandoning their obligations to protect children.

“Doctors assume a solemn obligation to protect children,” Kennedy said.

“Doctors across the country now provide needless and irreversible sex, rejecting procedures that violate their sacred Hippocratic Oath, endangering the very lives that they are sworn to safeguard.”

Kennedy specifically criticized organizations such as the American Medical Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics, accusing them of promoting what he described as false claims about transgender medical treatments for minors.

“The American Medical Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics peddle the lie that chemical and surgical sex rejecting procedures could be good for children who suffer from gender dysphoria,” he said.

He argued that these positions have harmed a large number of young people.

“They betrayed the estimated 300,000 American youth ages 13 to 17, conditioned to believe that sex can be changed,” Kennedy said.

“They betrayed their Hippocratic oath to do no harm.”

Kennedy said procedures commonly referred to as “gender affirming care” have resulted in long-term damage.

“So called gender affirming care has inflicted lasting physical and psychological damage on vulnerable young people,” he said.

“This is not medicine, it is malpractice.”

According to Kennedy, his actions are supported by recent federal health findings.

He cited a peer-reviewed report issued by the Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health.

“A peer reviewed report published by the HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health last month confirms that sex rejecting procedures imposed medical dangers and lasting harm on children who receive these interventions,” Kennedy said.

Kennedy said his response includes multiple steps intended to halt these practices nationwide.

“So today, we are taking six decisive actions guided by gold standard science and the week one executive order from President Trump to protect children from chemical and surgical mutilation,” he said.

He also announced the signing of a formal declaration addressing the use of these procedures on minors.

“This morning, I signed a declaration sex rejecting procedures are neither safe nor effective treatment for children with gender dysphoria,” Kennedy said.

Kennedy framed the actions as a break from what he described as ideology-driven medical practices and said the focus must return to child welfare.

“We’re done with junk science driven by ideological pursuits, not the well being of children,” he said.

WATCH:

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‘Hold the Phone’: Democrats’ Poll Numbers Now at Lowest Point in Modern History

CNN data analyst Harry Enten and anchor Kate Bolduan discussed collapsing approval ratings for Democrats in Congress during a recent segment, pointing to polling that shows historic lows across the electorate, including among independents and Democrats themselves.

Enten said congressional Democrats are facing unprecedented disapproval, citing long-running polling data.

“Right now? Yeah. I mean Democrats, in the minds of the American public are lower than the Dead Sea,” Enten said.

“What are we talking about here? Well, let’s take a look the net approval rating for Democrats in Congress. You said it. Kate Bolduan, the lowest ever.”

Enten said the overall net approval rating for Democrats in Congress is deeply negative.

“Overall, they are 55 Points underwater. Their approval rating is south of 20%,” he said.

He added that the numbers are even worse among independents.

“It’s even worse when you look at Independence, look at this negative 61 points. That means that their approval rating is 61 points lower than their disapproval rating.”

According to Enten, the figures are the worst recorded since Quinnipiac began tracking the data decades ago.

“Quinnipiac has been polling this question for the better part of the 21st Century. They have never found Democrats, at least those in Congress, in worse shape than they are right now,” he said.

Bolduan pressed Enten on whether the collapse extended beyond independents.

“That’s independents and overall. But what about Democrats on Democrats?” she asked.

Enten responded that dissatisfaction within the Democratic base is now contributing to the overall decline.

“Yeah, what about Democrats on Democrats?” he said.

“So part of the reason overall is so low is independents are driving it low. But that’s not the only reason it’s so low.”

Enten said Democrats had not previously rated their own party negatively in congressional approval polling.

“Democrats, and that approval rating of congressional Democrats, I want you to keep in mind, they had never rated Democrats negatively until this year,” he said.

“And right now, what are we talking about? We’re talking about a net approval rating from Democrats. This is Democrats, and Democrats, their approval rating is actually lower, lower than the disapproval rating, and that is quite the drop from October.”

He attributed part of the decline to backlash following a government shutdown.

“I think during the shutdown, there was a bit of a boost for Democrats, right? There was a rallying around the flag effect going on, but Democrats did not like how that shutdown turned out. They have returned against Democrats in Congress,” Enten said.

Enten also referenced internal Democratic political consequences, mentioning Rep. Dan Goldman.

Feb 7, 2023; Washington, DC, USA; Feb. 7, 2023; Washington, DC, USA. Rep. Dan Goldman (D-N.Y.) during the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability hearing on border and immigration issues on February 7, 2023 in Washington. Mandatory Credit: Jack Gruber-USA TODAY

“One of the reasons that Dan Goldman is in trouble right now in a potential primary against Brad Ladner is because at this point, the Democratic base is so upset with Democrats,” he said.

“So even if Democrats take back Congress, don’t be surprised if Dan Goldman ain’t there because of numbers like this one.”

Bolduan noted the scale of the shift reflected in the polling.

“This is quite a shift that you’re looking at here,” she said.

“I mean, so this gets to the midterms, of course. What is this? What does this do to Democrats chances of taking back majorities in Congress?”

Enten said Democrats could still regain control, but argued the numbers show a weaker position than in past cycles.

“Yeah, you know we’re talking about it. You mentioned it. What is this? 22 six? That’s a 28 point decline falling through the floor,” he said.

“But of course, the question is, Can Democrats still take back Congress, even with their ratings as low as this? The answer is yes, but in my mind, it’s definitely hurting them.”

He pointed to the generic congressional ballot as an example.

“Democrats are ahead, but they’re only ahead by four points. Historically, that is quite weak,” Enten said.

He compared the current numbers to previous cycles, noting larger Democratic leads during other periods.

“So we’re talking about a lead of less than half what we normally expect.”

Bolduan emphasized that the shift among Democrats themselves stood out.

“Especially if you see that change from October,” she said.

“Yeah, if you see when you see your base going a 28 point shift, and when you see numbers like this, you see this overall,” Enten replied.

Bolduan added, “A lot can change.”

“A lot a lot can change at this point,” Enten said.

He concluded by cautioning Democrats against overconfidence.

“Democrats are hoping that Donald Trump’s unpopularity can ride them to a congressional majority. But you know what? When you have numbers like this, hold the phone just a second.”

WATCH:

News

Inspector General Exposes Filthy Barracks and Leaking Facilities at Border Bases

The Inspector General’s field review of soldiers stationed along the border reveals a troubling picture of maintenance neglect and leadership shortfalls that undermine readiness and morale, a matter that must concern every American who wants a strong, disciplined force protecting the nation.

The IG “observed unsanitary conditions in bathroom facilities” at soldiers’ barracks at Fort Bliss, Texas, and housing facilities at the Doña Ana Range Complex in New Mexico, which included “leaking raw sewage, non-functional toilets, and general disrepair of facilities.”

This level of neglect is unacceptable for a force kept ready for crisis and must be addressed with urgency because it directly affects the welfare and effectiveness of those guarding the frontier.

The review focused on housing for the 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division from Fort Carson, Colorado, at a time when nearly 2,400 soldiers from the unit had deployed to the border, bringing Joint Task Force-Southern Border to nearly 9,000 personnel.

In May through August 2025, the brigade’s preventative medicine team flagged health and safety concerns at the Doña Ana Range Complex, noting that housing air conditioners caused respiratory symptoms for soldiers and that standing water from AC unit condensation and rain caused a “large increase in both the insect and mosquito population.”

They also documented outstanding work orders for clogged toilets and broken AC units, and soldiers told investigators that the air conditioners routinely didn’t work. Because air quality and humidity control are basic requirements for any housing, the findings illustrate a preventable drain on troop readiness.

Fort Bliss officials told the Inspector General that exceeding the housing areas’ electrical capacity could trip the circuit breakers, creating a fire risk in aging buildings, a risk that should never be tolerated in units tasked with border security and rapid response.

At the same time, the absence of reliable power undermines medical readiness and daily comfort, which in turn saps morale when the nation requires unwavering vigilance.

When U.S. Northern Command established the Joint Task Force-Southern Border, leaders requested barracks from the Fort Bliss Garrison, but Bliss personnel determined that they couldn’t meet the housing needs on post, so they decided to house some soldiers at the Doña Ana Range Complex.

The barracks on Fort Bliss were designated as “housing for transient personnel and not for continuous use,” reads the watchdog report, a designation that underscores the misalignment between housing policy and the demanding realities of border missions.

Beyond the unsanitary and unsafe conditions, regulators found that the housing itself ran afoul of regulations that specify the amount of time soldiers can be housed in cramped conditions, with exceptions that require waivers from commanders or medical personnel.

Fort Bliss housing had “as little as 45 square feet per soldier,” and Doña Ana Range Complex had “as little as 69 square feet per soldier.”

These figures reveal a breach not merely of comfort but of basic standard protections for service members in the midst of demanding deployments.

As of November 2025, soldiers at the border were no longer housed at the Doña Ana Range Complex, a development that signals both a corrective step and a warning that similar failures cannot be allowed to recur.

The episode should serve as a catalyst for reform, because a frontline force must be housed in conditions that reflect the seriousness of its mission and the nation’s commitment to its guardians.

This situation matters beyond the immediate mess on the ground, because it speaks to accountability at the highest levels and to the readiness of the armed forces under a President who has pledged bold leadership on national security.

The men and women who volunteer to defend the country deserve facilities that respect their service, especially when their duties place them at the most vulnerable frontiers.

In the current moment, the approach to border defense cannot tolerate bureaucratic inertia or excuses about infrastructure.

Accountability must accompany policy, because soldiers’ welfare and mission readiness depend on credible investments in housing, air quality, and electrical safety.

The report’s findings should spark not only corrective fixes but a broader reexamination of how the defense establishment allocates resources to sustain a force capable of meeting the challenges ahead.

President Trump and Secretary of War Pete Hegseth would undoubtedly press for swift reforms, because a fighting force cannot operate from barracks that degrade health and morale.

Therefore, lawmakers and military leaders should regard this report as a call to action, ensuring every dollar spent on border security translates into secure, habitable, and capable housing for those who stand guard on our nation’s front lines.


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