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Massachusetts Dem Governor’s Deputy Busted, Over 20 Kilos of Cocaine Seized
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Massachusetts Dem Governor’s Deputy Busted, Over 20 Kilos of Cocaine Seized

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A staffer for Democratic Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey was arrested and charged with drug trafficking following the seizure of more than 20 kilograms of cocaine by state authorities.

LaMar Cook, 45, who served as deputy director of Healey’s western Massachusetts office since 2023, was charged with trafficking over 200 grams of cocaine, unlawful possession of a firearm, and unlawful possession of ammunition, Hampden District Attorney Anthony Gulluni announced Wednesday.

Authorities said Cook was taken into custody Tuesday during a traffic stop, three days after investigators carried out a controlled delivery operation of eight kilograms of cocaine to the Springfield State Office Building, where Cook worked.

According to the district attorney’s office, multiple parcels totaling roughly 21 kilograms of cocaine have been seized by Massachusetts State Police as part of the ongoing investigation into Cook.

Additional parcels containing about 13 kilograms of the drug were previously recovered at the Hotel UMass in Amherst, where Cook had been employed before joining the governor’s office.

“Evidence collected during that operation was consistent with the narcotics recovered during the most recent controlled delivery in Springfield,” Gulluni said in a statement.

Cook was arraigned Wednesday in Springfield District Court and pleaded not guilty to all charges.

His bail was set at $25,000.

A LinkedIn profile under Cook’s name described his duties as serving as a key liaison between the state government and western Massachusetts.

“In this role, I effectively manage and coordinate government initiatives and policies in 4 counties,” the profile stated.

Following the arrest, a spokesperson for Governor Healey confirmed that Cook had been terminated from his position.

“The governor’s office has been made aware of the arrest of an employee, Lamar Cook. The conduct that occurred here is unacceptable and represents a major breach of the public trust,” the statement said.

“Mr. Cook has been terminated from his position effective immediately. This criminal investigation is ongoing, and our administration will work with law enforcement to assist them in their work.”

District Attorney Gulluni said Cook’s arrest followed weeks of coordinated surveillance operations and investigative work by the Massachusetts State Police and local law enforcement agencies.

The drugs were discovered after authorities tracked suspicious packages and intercepted shipments believed to be linked to Cook.

The Springfield State Office Building, where the controlled delivery occurred, houses several state agencies and is a hub for western Massachusetts government operations.

Investigators said no other state employees have been charged in connection with the case, but the probe remains active.

Cook’s arrest drew swift reaction from political figures across Massachusetts, including Republicans challenging Healey in the 2026 gubernatorial race.

Mike Kennealy, a Republican former state official, criticized Healey’s administration on X, writing, “Healey has lost control of every aspect of her administration. When I’m Governor, we’ll clean up the mess that Maura Healey created.”

Brian Shortsleeve, former head of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, also condemned the incident.

“A top aide to Gov. Maura Healey is a drug trafficker. This is beyond shocking,” he wrote.

“This is a reflection not just on our governor and her failed leadership and management skills, but on our entire state, and we shouldn’t tolerate it. Gov. Healey owes Massachusetts an explanation.”

Authorities have not released further details on whether additional arrests are expected.

Cook remains free on bail pending a pretrial hearing in Springfield District Court later this month.

Trump Hammers Out Major Deal With Xi to Slash Tariffs, Boost U.S. Exports
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Trump Hammers Out Major Deal With Xi to Slash Tariffs, Boost U.S. Exports

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President Donald Trump met Thursday with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Busan, South Korea, marking the final stop of his weeklong Asia trip that included visits to Malaysia and Japan.

The meeting came just hours after Trump signaled online that changes to U.S. defense and trade policy could soon be announced.

The summit focused on reducing tensions between Washington and Beijing following months of escalating trade and security disputes.

Since returning to the White House in January, President Trump has imposed major tariffs on Chinese imports, prompting Beijing to respond by tightening restrictions on rare earth exports—key materials used in advanced manufacturing and defense systems.

Ahead of Thursday’s meeting, senior aides from both sides confirmed that the discussions would center on tariffs, high-tech exports, and global supply chain competition—issues that have long defined the U.S.-China relationship.

After roughly 100 minutes of private talks, Trump described the meeting as productive, saying he and Xi reached “an outstanding group of decisions” on several key areas.

“We had an amazing meeting,” Trump told reporters.

“I believe we’ve already agreed to a lot of things.”

The president announced that Xi agreed to immediately begin purchasing U.S. soybeans and other agricultural products, a move aimed at reducing trade imbalances and strengthening American farmers’ exports.

Trump also said China had committed to working “very hard” to stop the flow of fentanyl into the United States, a major focus of his administration’s anti-drug efforts.

“I believe he’s going to work very hard to stop the death that’s coming in,” Trump said.

In exchange, Trump said he would reduce U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods from 20 percent to 10 percent.

The agreement, he explained, was structured as a one-year framework to be reviewed and renewed annually.

“We have a deal,” he said.

“Every year we’ll renegotiate the deal, but I think it’ll go on for a long time.”

The two sides also reached an understanding on rare earth exports, with China agreeing to pause planned export controls for one year.

A senior administration official said both leaders intend to revisit the arrangement in 2026, with the option to extend it if both sides remain in compliance.

President Trump also confirmed that the discussions included semiconductor production and export issues.

He said China would open talks with U.S. technology company Nvidia about purchasing additional chips, though the newest generation of advanced processors was not part of the talks.

Another key outcome of the meeting was an agreement for reciprocal visits between the two leaders.

Trump announced plans to travel to China in April, with Xi expected to visit the United States later in the year.

The meeting concluded with a brief photo opportunity before both leaders departed.

As Trump waved to reporters and boarded Air Force One, he appeared to exchange final remarks with Xi before shaking hands.

“It’s an honor to be with a friend of mine,” Trump said as they met earlier in the day.

Xi responded that “it feels very warm seeing you again because it’s been many years,” adding that while disagreements between major powers are inevitable, “the U.S. and China can still find ways to thrive side by side.”

Earlier, while traveling to South Korea, Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One that he was considering tariff reductions as a gesture of goodwill toward Beijing’s cooperation on fentanyl enforcement.

“I expect to be lowering that because I believe that they’re going to help us with the fentanyl situation,” he said. “The relationship with China is very good.”

The meeting in Busan marks the most significant engagement between the two nations since Trump’s return to office.

Both leaders left open the possibility of broader trade and security negotiations later in 2025. Neither government released additional details about the private session.

Kentucky Sheriff’s Daughter Pushes Back Against Online Rumors After Judge’s Killing
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Kentucky Sheriff’s Daughter Pushes Back Against Online Rumors After Judge’s Killing

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The daughter of a former Kentucky sheriff accused of fatally shooting a district judge last year has publicly denounced online speculation about her father’s case, calling it “gossip” and “cruel.”

As The New York Post reported, Eighteen-year-old Lila Stines posted a TikTok video last week defending her father, Shawn “Mickey” Stines, 44, who has been charged in the September 2024 shooting death of District Judge Kevin Mullins, 54.

The killing occurred inside Mullins’ chambers in Letcher County, Kentucky, and was captured on surveillance video.

“Do you have nothing better to do than to sit and gossip?” Lila said in her video. “You are taking my pain and making it your pleasure.”

Authorities said the video evidence shows Stines entering the judge’s chambers, exchanging cellphones with Mullins, and looking at something on the screens before opening fire. The two men had reportedly been longtime friends and had lunch together hours before the shooting.

After the shooting, Stines walked out of the courthouse and immediately surrendered to police, telling officers, “They’re trying to kidnap my wife and kid.” He has pleaded not guilty and is pursuing an insanity defense.

In the year since the killing, rumors about possible motives have circulated online, including claims of personal or professional disputes between the two men.

Shawn “Mickey” Stines had a preliminary hearing at Morgan County District Court. Oct. 1, 2024

Some social media users have alleged infidelity involving Mullins and members of Stines’ family — speculation that Lila addressed directly in her video.

“You’re taking our stories and turning them into entertainment pieces, jokes, and for that matter, you’re making it your income,” she said. “Since when did that become OK?”

Lila’s video has since gained more than 40,000 likes and sparked widespread debate. In a follow-up post Monday, she said she was “shocked” at the reaction and criticized commenters who mocked her appearance. She also vowed not to stay silent about the case any longer.

“I just want to say that a lot of things that are in the dark, they are coming to light,” she said. “I looked up the definition of insanity and it’s basically doing the same thing over and over and over again, expecting change. The silence is over.”

Meanwhile, new allegations have emerged from others familiar with the case. Letcher County resident Tya Adams told NewsNation’s “Banfield” program that Mullins allegedly used his position to exploit women, describing him as someone who “ran his courthouse like a brothel.”

Adams claimed she and others were coerced into sex acts in exchange for leniency. “It was consensual,” she said, “but it was the thing that we were so young, and then they used it against us and to destroy our lives later.”

Sarah Davis, a former deputy jailer, told the outlet she had also heard about “nasty and sickening” stories related to Mullins’ conduct.

Stines remains in custody awaiting trial. Prosecutors have not commented on whether any of the allegations surrounding Mullins are being investigated in connection with the case.

JD Vance Tells TPUSA Crowd Christian Values Are Key to America’s Future
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JD Vance Tells TPUSA Crowd Christian Values Are Key to America’s Future

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Vice President J.D. Vance addressed thousands of students at a Turning Point USA event Wednesday night at the University of Mississippi, where he said America’s future depends on maintaining a “properly rooted Christian moral order.”

As Fox News reported, the event honored the late TPUSA founder Charlie Kirk, whose widow Erika also spoke to the packed crowd before Vance took the stage.

During his remarks and an extended question-and-answer session, Vance discussed how his Christian faith shapes his leadership, addressed questions about religious liberty, and responded to an inquiry about raising his children in an interfaith household.

His comments focused heavily on faith’s role in public life and the moral grounding of the nation.

“I make no apologies for thinking that Christian values are an important foundation of this country,” Vance said when asked about the separation of church and state.

“Anybody who’s telling you their view is neutral likely has an agenda to sell you. And I’m at least honest about the fact that I think the Christian foundation of this country is a good thing.”

Vance criticized modern liberalism as “a perverted version of Christianity,” explaining that while compassion for the disenfranchised is admirable, liberalism’s lack of moral or civic virtue has led to chaos.

“There’s nothing wrong, of course, with focusing on people who are disenfranchised,” Vance said.

“But if you completely separate it from any religious duty or any civic virtue, then that can actually become, for example, an inducement to lawlessness. You can’t just have compassion for the criminal. You also have to have justice too.”

He added that faith and governance must not be divorced from one another. “A properly rooted Christian moral order is such an important part of the future of our country,” Vance said.

When asked about God’s role in public life, Vance rejected the notion that the Constitution requires religion to be kept out of public spaces. “Anybody who tells you it’s required by the Constitution is lying to you,” he told the audience.

“The Supreme Court interpreted ‘Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion’ to effectively throw the church out of every public place at the federal, state and local level. I think it was a terrible mistake, and we’re still paying for the consequences of it today.”

Vance also addressed questions about his interfaith marriage. His wife, Usha, is Hindu, and Vance spoke candidly about raising their two sons in the Christian faith.

Vice President JD Vance and his wife Usha Vance take the stage with their children during the inauguration parade for President Donald Trump at Capital One Arena in Washington D.C., on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025.

“Most Sundays she will come with me to church,” he said. “Do I hope eventually that she is somehow moved by the same thing that I was moved in by church? Yeah, I honestly, I do wish that. But if she doesn’t, then God says everybody has free will, and so that doesn’t cause a problem for me.”

Reflecting on Charlie Kirk’s influence, Vance said the late TPUSA leader helped him feel more comfortable expressing his faith publicly. “This is another way in which Charlie has affected my life,” Vance said.

“Even if people had very deep personal faith, they didn’t talk about it a whole lot. But the reason why I try to be the best husband I can be, the best father I can be, the reason why I care so much about all the issues that we’re going to talk about, is because I believe I’ve been placed in this position for a brief period of time to do the most amount of good for God and for the country that I love so much.”

TikTok Users Threaten Looting and Violence as Food Stamp Funds Run Dry
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TikTok Users Threaten Looting and Violence as Food Stamp Funds Run Dry

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Social media videos circulating on TikTok show users urging theft and violence as federal food stamp benefits face interruption because of the ongoing government shutdown, raising alarms among law enforcement and Republican critics who say the posts threaten public safety.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture warned this month that SNAP — the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program — will not have sufficient funds to cover full November benefits for roughly 42 million people across the country because of the “current lapse in appropriations.”

The announcement prompted an outpouring of clips on TikTok and other platforms in which users celebrate or promote looting, fighting and other criminal conduct should benefits fail to arrive.

In one widely shared video a man, irate over what he described as increased loss-prevention staff at a major retailer, urged viewers to resist store security and help others take goods.

“It just became ‘Help People Steal’ November. It just became ‘Help People Live’ November,” the man says in the clip.

“People deserve to eat, I dont give a fuck about Walmart’s profit margins. I personally will hold back a security guard. I will fight back a security guard if they try to stop someone from stealing food they need to fucking live.”

Other posts collected by reporters and law-enforcement monitors include threats and taunts directed at private citizens and public institutions.

One woman in a video threatened to “hunt” down white people and cannibalize them if food-stamp payments do not arrive, while another urged looting of stores that limit in-person shopping, adding the phrase “fuck Trump” in the video.

Users have also posted taunting calls to action.

One clip’s caption reads “time to start LOOTING,” while a young woman said she would “go to the White House and start windmilling,” adding, “Everybody getting slapped,” and naming “babies” and “Trump” among those she would hit.

In a separate post, a user wrote, “We robbing White people on 11/1,” and in video urged viewers to “clutch” their purses.

Several videos show users boasting about shoplifting success. In one, a woman pulls out allegedly stolen items from a designer handbag; in another, a woman displays the size of her purse as proof of how many stolen items she can carry.

A young man in one video declared, “Stealing is never wrong,” as he discussed the prospect of SNAP benefits pausing.

Local and federal law-enforcement officials have said they are monitoring social-media threats tied to the SNAP pause and the broader shutdown.

Some retailers have increased loss-prevention staffing and adjusted store policies to reduce the risk of theft.

Authorities have warned that incitement to violence and organized theft are criminal offenses and that those who post threats or coordinate criminal activity online could face prosecution.

Republican lawmakers called attention to the social-media posts as evidence of the consequences they say flow from Democrats’ stewardship of federal spending decisions.

Conservative critics argue the threats underscore the need for swift legislative action to restore appropriations and avoid disruptions to benefit programs.

USDA officials have not specified the precise timeline for addressing the funding shortfall but said in a public notice that the agency expects “insufficient funds to pay full November SNAP benefits” unless Congress acts to end the lapse in appropriations.

With roughly 42 million people enrolled in SNAP, the agency’s notice prompted immediate attention from both advocacy groups and political leaders who warned of potential hardship if payments are delayed.

Retailers and local officials are preparing contingency plans to protect stores and communities should shoplifting and looting increase.

Law-enforcement agencies urged store employees and shoppers to avoid confrontations and report threats to authorities.

The social-media clips have drawn condemnation from a range of public-safety officials and politicians who say the posts amount to irresponsible encouragement of criminal conduct.

Investigations into particular accounts and videos are ongoing as officials assess whether coordinated criminal activity is being organized through social platforms.

Four ‘Republicans’ Side with Democrats in Attempt to Block Trump’s Canada Tariffs
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Four ‘Republicans’ Side with Democrats in Attempt to Block Trump’s Canada Tariffs

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The Senate voted Wednesday evening to approve a resolution blocking President Donald Trump’s tariffs on Canada, marking a symbolic challenge to the administration’s ongoing trade policies.

The measure, led by Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia and Republican Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky, passed with bipartisan support.

Republican Sens. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, Susan Collins of Maine, and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska joined Democrats in voting to terminate the national emergency declaration that serves as the legal foundation for the tariffs.

The resolution followed Tuesday’s separate vote to overturn Trump’s 50% tariffs on Brazilian imports, which passed with support from five Republicans.

North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis voted in favor of the Brazil measure but opposed the effort to block the tariffs on Canada. Both resolutions required a simple majority to pass.

“Massive tariffs on close trading partners such as Brazil and Canada are ill-advised abuses of presidential power that will make Americans poorer,” Kaine and Paul wrote in a joint op-ed for The Washington Post on Wednesday.

“Further, Trump is misusing an unrelated emergency statute to do it. His reckless, unconstitutional actions risk sending our country full steam ahead into economic chaos.”

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell issued a statement explaining his vote in favor of the resolution, citing the impact of tariffs on consumers and his state’s farming sector.

“These tariffs have increased prices for Kentucky families and hurt our agriculture industry,” McConnell said.

Despite the Senate’s vote, the resolution is unlikely to advance further.

House Speaker Mike Johnson is not expected to bring the measure to the floor for a vote, effectively halting its progress.

The Senate’s action comes in response to President Trump’s decision to raise tariffs on Canadian imports to 35%, following an Ontario government-funded television advertisement that featured remarks by former President Ronald Reagan criticizing protectionist trade policies.

The ad included Reagan warning that tariffs “hurt every American worker and consumer.”

The Trump administration defended the tariffs as a necessary tool to rebalance trade relationships and protect U.S. manufacturing.

White House officials have maintained that Canada’s trade practices, particularly in the agricultural and steel sectors, have placed American workers at a disadvantage.

Vice President J.D. Vance, speaking to reporters Tuesday after a Senate Republican luncheon, urged party members to support the president’s approach.

“Tariffs give us the ability to put American workers first,” Vance said.

“They force American industry to reinvest in the United States of America instead of a foreign country. They’re also incredible leverage for the president of the United States in negotiating these trade deals overseas.”

The Senate previously voted to nullify the president’s emergency declaration tied to tariffs on Canada earlier this year.

Paul, McConnell, Murkowski, and Collins also joined Democrats in that vote, citing similar concerns about executive overreach and economic fallout.

Administration officials argue that the tariffs are part of a broader strategy to counter what they describe as unfair trade practices and to strengthen domestic production.

President Trump has defended his decision to invoke emergency powers under existing trade law, stating that tariffs are a temporary measure designed to encourage new negotiations with allies and competitors alike.

Lawmakers expect additional votes related to the president’s trade authority later this week.

A bipartisan group of Senate Democrats, along with Paul, is preparing to introduce another resolution aimed at ending the emergency powers that justify the administration’s global baseline tariffs.

The White House has not indicated whether President Trump would veto any legislation limiting his tariff authority.

The administration’s trade team has said the current policy is vital to maintaining leverage in ongoing negotiations with both allied and rival nations.

Purple-Haired Dem Lawmaker Freaks Out on House Floor Over SNAP Benefits
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Purple-Haired Dem Lawmaker Freaks Out on House Floor Over SNAP Benefits

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Democratic Rep. Rosa DeLauro of Connecticut sparked controversy on Tuesday after claiming that President Donald Trump was “illegally” blocking food stamp funds amid the ongoing government shutdown, now in its fourth week.

DeLauro, 82, who has represented Connecticut’s 3rd Congressional District since 1991, made the remarks during a House gathering as lawmakers remained deadlocked over federal spending.

The dispute has centered on appropriations for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which provides food benefits to roughly 42 million Americans.

Speaking to reporters, DeLauro accused the Trump administration of failing to release SNAP payments from a contingency account.

She argued that the funds were legally obligated to be disbursed despite the shutdown.

“This administration is illegally blocking these funds,” DeLauro said.

“They are required by law to ensure these payments go out.”

However, officials familiar with the ongoing budget negotiations said the lapse in SNAP funding stems from the lack of an approved budget, not executive action.

Under current law, SNAP payments are dependent on annual congressional appropriations. With Democrats repeatedly voting against continuing resolutions to reopen the government, the program’s funding has stalled.

The dispute over SNAP payments has become a flashpoint in the broader budget impasse between the Republican-controlled White House and the Democratic-led Senate.

Democrats have voted against multiple House-passed funding measures since the shutdown began, citing opposition to proposed spending caps and policy riders.

Republicans have argued that the only obstacle to restoring federal payments, including SNAP, is the Senate’s refusal to advance appropriations bills.

“The solution is simple — reopen the government,” one House GOP lawmaker said.

“Democrats have voted no more than a dozen times on funding bills that would restore these payments. The president isn’t blocking the money. Congress is.”

House Republicans have repeatedly emphasized that the contingency fund DeLauro referenced was not designed to substitute for normal congressional appropriations.

The account is intended for short-term emergencies or natural disasters, not to finance programs indefinitely during a shutdown.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has warned that SNAP benefits could run out as soon as early November if funding is not restored.

The agency said it lacks sufficient authority to draw from other accounts to maintain payments during the lapse in appropriations.

DeLauro’s remarks came as Democratic leaders sought to shift political blame for the shutdown to the White House.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has maintained that Democrats are standing firm to gain “leverage” in negotiations over budget priorities.

“Every day gets better for us,” Schumer said earlier this week.

Republican officials have countered that the strategy has backfired.

Polling data released this week shows an uptick in Republican approval ratings since the shutdown began, with GOP leaders attributing the shift to growing frustration with congressional gridlock.

As the standoff continues, federal employees and benefit recipients face uncertainty about when government operations will resume.

While negotiations are ongoing, both parties remain far apart on key spending provisions.

President Trump has said he will not approve any spending bill that fails to meet his administration’s fiscal and policy requirements, but he has not taken executive action to block SNAP payments.

Administration officials maintain that only Congress can authorize the release of additional funds.

The House and Senate are expected to reconvene later this week to continue negotiations on a short-term spending resolution that could temporarily reopen federal agencies and restore benefit programs, including SNAP.

Antifa Finds Out as Feds Arrest Members Behind Attacks on ICE Agents in Two States
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Antifa Finds Out as Feds Arrest Members Behind Attacks on ICE Agents in Two States

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Federal authorities have announced a series of arrests connected to violent ambushes targeting Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents and other law enforcement officers in California and Texas last summer.

The Department of Homeland Security confirmed that several individuals accused of organizing or participating in the attacks have been taken into custody in recent days, with others still at large.

The operations, carried out by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Department of Justice, stem from two high-profile incidents: the July 10 raid on a marijuana cultivation facility in Ventura County, California, and a separate July 4 ambush at an ICE detention center in Alvarado, Texas.

Both incidents involved coordinated assaults on law enforcement personnel by organized groups, including members of Antifa-linked organizations and self-described “rapid response” networks.

According to court filings from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California, the Ventura County incident occurred during a federal raid on the Glass House marijuana farm, where ICE and other federal agents discovered underage workers and detained more than 300 people.

Before the operation was completed, individuals affiliated with a local activist network known as VC Defensa were alerted to the raid through social media and arrived at the site to disrupt the operation.

VC Defensa, described by authorities as a volunteer organization that monitors ICE and DHS activity, reportedly mobilized a group of individuals who constructed makeshift barricades with farm machinery to block access to the facility.

Investigators said some participants carried weapons, while others used farm tools and rocks to attack federal vehicles.

Federal agents said one protester fired a handgun at officers.

Another suspect, identified as Isai Carrillo of Oxnard, California, was arrested Wednesday morning and charged with conspiracy to impede or injure a federal officer.

Prosecutors allege Carrillo and another individual, Virginia Reyes—who remains at large—threw large rocks at government vehicles during the confrontation.

Both face potential prison sentences of up to five years if convicted.

Officials said the same investigation led to additional arrests in Los Angeles and Las Vegas, where several individuals were accused of attacking California Highway Patrol officers with rocks, bicycles, scooters, and incendiary materials during protests connected to immigration enforcement operations.

Ten people have been charged with obstructing and interfering with law enforcement during a civil disorder. Each count carries a maximum five-year federal prison term.

“While the Constitution protects the freedom of speech and the freedom to peaceably assemble, it does not provide for the freedom to assault federal officers, impede or obstruct federal officers or conspire to do so, or destroy government property,” said Eddy Wang, Special Agent in Charge of HSI Los Angeles.

Authorities said that during the Glass House confrontation, rioters damaged at least four government vehicles and injured one officer.

The Justice Department indicated that more arrests may follow as investigators analyze digital communications and surveillance footage from the scene.

In a related case in Texas, federal prosecutors confirmed progress in the ongoing investigation into the July 4 attack at the Prairieland ICE facility in Alvarado.

That incident involved members of the Socialist Rifle Association and the John Brown Gun Club, groups linked to Antifa activity in the Dallas–Fort Worth area.

According to law enforcement sources, explosives were detonated outside the facility to lure officers into an ambush, during which a police officer was shot in the neck. The officer survived.

Eighteen people have been arrested in connection with the Texas plot, with two facing terrorism charges.

In recent days, another suspect—identified as 35-year-old Janette Goering of Carrollton, Texas—was arrested on state charges of aiding the commission of terrorism.

Goering, who authorities said used the alias “Anarchy Marie,” is accused of providing technical and material support to the group, including electronic devices designed to evade detection.

She allegedly supplied a Faraday bag to the cell’s leader, who authorities described as a self-styled extremist with ties to other anarchist organizations.

Officials said the Antifa-aligned network behind the Texas plot employed tactics similar to those used in the 2019 attack on an ICE facility in Tacoma, Washington, in which an armed assailant attempted to ignite propane tanks and open fire on law enforcement officers.

Federal officials emphasized that the investigations into both the California and Texas incidents are ongoing and that additional arrests are expected.

Authorities said they intend to pursue the cases as examples of coordinated efforts to obstruct federal law enforcement and intimidate officers engaged in immigration and anti-trafficking operations.

The Justice Department reiterated that violence against law enforcement officers will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

“Assaulting or obstructing a federal officer is not protest—it is a felony,” one DOJ official said in a statement.

“Those who attack law enforcement in the name of political activism will be held accountable.”

Parents Groups Demand 50-State Audit to Eliminate DEI in Schools
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Parents Groups Demand 50-State Audit to Eliminate DEI in Schools

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Dozens of parental rights and education organizations are urging governors in all 50 states to conduct full audits of K–12 school policies and laws, warning that diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, poor hiring practices, and violations of civil rights protections remain widespread in public education, as reported by Fox News.

The coordinated effort, led by Defending Education and joined by more than 20 parental rights groups, was outlined in a letter sent to every state and Washington, D.C.

The letter calls for state leaders to review and repeal provisions that promote race or sex-based preferences in hiring and programming, or that conflict with federal protections under Titles VI, VII, and IX of the Civil Rights Act or the Equal Protection Clause.

“It has become common practice for states to violate federal law in the name of diversity,” said Erika Sanzi, senior director of communications for Defending Education.

“With so many ideological bullies in state government and in our schools, cowardice and ignorance have ruled the day for far too long. State laws, regulations and practices that promote (and even require) race and sex-based discrimination must be exposed and eliminated. It’s time that every state cleans up the mess they’ve made in the name of DEI.”

The letter also highlights concerns about inadequate teacher vetting, referencing the recent resignation of Des Moines, Iowa, Superintendent Ian Roberts.

Roberts, who entered the U.S. illegally from Guyana, was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement in September after a car chase. Homeland Security officials confirmed that Roberts had a “final order of removal and no work authorization” and was facing prior weapon possession charges from February 2020. A loaded handgun was also found in his vehicle at the time of his arrest.

The groups warned that inadequate screening processes have also allowed teachers accused of child sexual abuse to remain in the system.

The letter cites research showing that abusive educators are often transferred to other districts and can victimize dozens of students before facing legal or professional consequences.

“Collective bargaining agreements negotiated between teacher unions and school districts are a key contributor to the problem,” the letter stated, adding that personnel records are often scrubbed to conceal misconduct.

Among the organizations signing the letter are School Boards for Academic Excellence, Parents Unite, Protective Parent Coalition, Conservative Ladies of America, Awake Illinois, Power2Parent, and Californians for Equal Rights Foundation.

The Trump administration previously issued an executive order targeting DEI practices across federal agencies, the military, and schools.

However, many institutions have since rebranded DEI departments under alternative names such as “belonging” or “inclusivity,” according to Defending Education’s findings.

“Our assessment of state education laws coast-to-coast reveals a troubling reality: many state laws are at odds with federal anti-discrimination provisions and are going to invite federal scrutiny,” said Sarah Parshall Perry, vice president and legal fellow at Defending Education.

“The Civil Rights Act’s mandates of equality in educational programs aren’t being realized in too many American classrooms.”

A report released earlier this year by Defending Education found that DEI consulting firms have collected over $123 million in taxpayer-funded contracts from K–12 schools across 40 states.

The group said those contracts spanned both red and blue states, including Florida, Alabama, California, and Washington.

“Public education is a state responsibility,” Defending Education wrote.

“Yet every state that accepts federal funds must follow federal civil rights law. Too many states are out of compliance … Our organizations are calling for ‘legal housekeeping’ to ensure that schools operate lawfully, transparently, and in the best interests of students and families.”

Sean Duffy is ‘Over It’ as Shutdown Drags On and Air Traffic Controllers Go Unpaid
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Sean Duffy is ‘Over It’ as Shutdown Drags On and Air Traffic Controllers Go Unpaid

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Air traffic controllers across the United States missed their first full paycheck on Tuesday as the government shutdown entered its 28th day, according to Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy, as reported by Fox News.

During an appearance on “Fox & Friends,” Duffy said the situation is increasingly difficult for thousands of federal employees who continue working without pay. “Today is the first day that air traffic controllers don’t get any money,” he said.

Rep. Sean Duffy speaks during a President Donald J. Trump’s Make America Great Again Rally on Saturday, April 27, 2019, at the Resch Center in Green Bay, Wis.

“The first day is hard, but the second day is even harder than that. And the third day. Because they have gas, they have childcare costs.”

Duffy shared that he had personally spoken to one controller who described the financial strain his family was facing.

“I had one controller tell me, ‘my 10-year-old daughter made the traveling volleyball team, and it cost hundreds of dollars. I had to tell her I couldn’t pay the money because I don’t have a check coming in. I have to put food on the table.'”

Duffy praised the professionalism of air traffic controllers who continue to show up to work without pay. “You are safe to fly because these controllers come in, they’re the most amazing professionals. They do their job, they keep you safe,” he said.

“But again, I don’t want them driving DoorDash. I don’t want them going to the food bank. I want them focused on keeping you safe.”

Roughly 13,000 air traffic controllers are employed nationwide. They are classified as essential workers, which requires them to continue working during a government shutdown without pay until back pay is issued after the shutdown ends.

Many already work six-day weeks due to a long-standing shortage in the aviation workforce.

The Senate is expected to consider legislation this week from Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, that would provide pay for air traffic controllers during the shutdown. However, Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., has not yet brought the measure forward for a vote.

“We’ll see what the temperature is of our senators,” Thune said, noting that reopening the government would be the simplest way to restore full pay to all federal employees.

Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., dismissed Republican criticism of Democrats for failing to approve temporary funding measures.

“Air traffic controllers have been really admirable in coming to work and doing their job,” he told Fox News Digital, adding that Democrats oppose piecemeal bills that fund select parts of the government.

Cruz criticized Senate Democrats for blocking the proposal, calling their inaction “reckless.” “The Democrats not paying air traffic controllers is reckless,” Cruz said. “This is about keeping our skies safe and ensuring that the people doing the work are paid for it.”

The shutdown continues to impact multiple federal agencies as negotiations over broader funding legislation remain unresolved.


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