Cast down imaginations & every high thing that exalts itself against God

https://www.foxnews.com/us/new-england-serial-killer-fears-reignited-after-paddleboarders-mysterious-murder-quiet-coastal-town

Authorities are urging the public to remain calm after a paddleboarder was murdered in a quiet Maine town, sparking fear within the community following rumors of a possible serial killer lurking within the region.

The remains of 48-year-old Sunshine "Sunny" Stewart were discovered near Crawford Pond on July 3, just six hours after she departed for a solo paddleboarding trip, according to a press release from the Maine State Police (MSP). 

"Captain Sunny was an amazing person" who "would give you the shirt off her back," Kim Ware, Stewart’s sister, told WMTW 8. 

PADDLEBOARDER’S MYSTERIOUS KILLING ROCKS QUIET SUMMER VACATION AREA

A multi-agency search was launched after officials received reports of a missing paddleboarder, with authorities with the Maine Game Wardens locating Stewart’s body at approximately 1 a.m. the next morning, police said. 

Following the gruesome discovery, investigators with the MSP Major Crimes Central Unit were called in to investigate the circumstances surrounding Stewart’s "suspicious death," according to the department. 

An autopsy ruled Stewart’s death a homicide, with officials choosing not to release the cause of death, according to the press release. 

NEW ENGLAND SERIAL KILLER FEARS STOKED BY 13TH BODY FOUND IN SMALL TOWN

The killing has ignited fear within the local community as authorities have not yet named a suspect in the paddleboarder’s mysterious murder. 

​​"The Maine State Police recognizes the fear and discomfort that this incident has brought to the town of Union and the Crawford Pond community," the department said in a statement on Wednesday.

The incident comes as paranoia surrounding the possibility of a serial killer lurking within the New England region grips the area following a series of unexplained deaths in recent months. 

NEW ENGLAND SERIAL KILLER FEARS: MASSACHUSETTS INVESTIGATORS IDENTIFY BODY PULLED FROM RIVER

At least 13 bodies have been discovered throughout Rhode Island, Connecticut, Massachusetts and Maine since March 2025 – with the majority found in wooded or remote areas. 

Last month, the body of 21-year-old Adriana Suazo was found in a wooded area in Milton, Massachusetts, according to the Norfolk District Attorney’s Office. Following an investigation by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, authorities announced that Suazo’s remains showed no signs of trauma, with her cause of death still waiting to be determined. 

Despite the string of victims found throughout the region, authorities are urging the public to remain calm as officials investigate the circumstances surrounding Stewart’s death. 

NEW ENGLAND SERIAL KILLER FEARS ADDRESSED BY MASSACHUSETTS DISTRICT ATTORNEY AFTER 8TH BODY DISCOVERED

"We understand the community’s concerns and ask that residents continue to remain vigilant, be aware of their surroundings and report any suspicious activity to law enforcement," MSP said.  

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

As authorities search for answers, Stewart’s loved ones are left grieving the loss of a marine biologist, lobsterman and boat captain who previously sailed to the Caribbean in a hurricane, her sister told the local outlet. 

"To know Sunny is an amazing blessing," Ware told WMTW 8. My sister and my best friend," adding, "Truly an amazing woman. Now we have to rally and give her justice!" 

https://www.foxnews.com/us/new-england-serial-killer-fears-reignited-after-paddleboarders-mysterious-murder-quiet-coastal-town

https://www.foxnews.com/world/trumps-push-israel-syria-peace-gets-major-backing-activist-brings-message-jerusalem

FIRST ON FOX – In a rare appearance at Israel’s parliament this week, Syrian political activist Shadi Martini shared a message from Damascus – one he says came directly from Syria’s transitional President Ahmed al-Sharaa.

"We have an opportunity like this only once in a hundred years," Martini quoted al-Sharaa as saying in a recent meeting held in the presidential palace. "The window will not remain open forever."

In an interview with Fox News Digital, Martini, the CEO of Multifaith Alliance and longtime advocate for humanitarian cooperation between Syrians and Israelis, said the conversation with al-Sharaa focused on potential normalization and regional security – but also revealed points of friction.

He also confirmed that President al-Sharaa knew his message might be conveyed in Israel. "It wasn’t off the record. It was honest and accurate – and the message was, ‘Act now.’"

WHY SYRIA PLAYS A KEY ROLE IN TRUMP’S PLANS FOR MIDDLE EAST PEACE

"We talked a lot about Israel," Martini said of the Damascus meeting, which occurred just after Eid al-Adha in June and days before renewed Israeli airstrikes inside Syria. "There was a lot of concern about Israeli incursions in Syrian territory. And the president made clear – how can we talk about a peace deal while that continues?"

Still, Martini emerged from the discussion hopeful. "I definitely felt there was an opportunity," he said. "It’s not just about al-Sharaa personally wanting this – there’s growing recognition across Syria that if we want investment, if we want prosperity, if we want stability, something has to change."

That same message was delivered this week to Israeli lawmakers at a first-of-its-kind regional security caucus committee meeting led by members of the Knesset. Martini, once the director of a hospital in Aleppo who escaped to the U.S. when the war in Syria broke out in 2012, addressed the body alongside a Saudi analyst and Israeli officials, signaling what he called a "historic" moment.

TRUMP SIGNS ORDER LIFTING SANCTIONS ON SYRIA

"Syria is watching Saudi Arabia closely," he said, referencing Riyadh’s signals of openness to ties with Israel under certain conditions. "Both countries are looking at the economic opportunity – what President Donald Trump is offering for the region – and wondering if Israel will seize it. Because if not, that prosperity might bypass."

Speculation about a potential U.S.-brokered agreement between Syria and Israel has been circulating in the media this week, as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met twice with President Trump at the White House.

Anna Kelly, a White House spokesperson, told Fox News Digital, "President Trump welcomes any effort toward a greater peace in the Middle East and around the world." 

When asked Wednesday morning by FOX Business Global Markets Editor and anchor Maria Bartiromo on "Mornings with Maria" whether he is currently working on a non-aggression pact with Syria, Netanyahu responded carefully: "I think there are opportunities now," he said. "You remember President Wilson used to say, ‘I believe in open covenants openly arrived at.’ I have a slight variation: I believe in open covenants secretly arrived at.

TRUMP ASKS SYRIA TO JOIN ABRAHAM ACCORDS, NORMALIZE TIES WITH ISRAEL IN RETURN FOR SANCTIONS RELIEF

"So whatever we can do in diplomacy, I think we should do discreetly – and then surprise people. We worked for three years on the Abraham Accords, and then all of a sudden we surprised people with four peace treaties. And I think more are coming."

Martini stressed that al-Sharra said some issues remain unresolved. "There’s Gaza, there’s the need for a ceasefire, and a pathway to a Palestinian state," he said. "And from Syria’s side, there’s the issue of the Golan Heights. But the first and most important step is returning to the 1974 armistice line."

Martini acknowledged that calls for peace with Israel remain controversial in Damascus.

According to Martini, Israeli lawmakers responded positively. "I felt they were genuinely listening," he said. "And I hope that having a message come directly from Syria will help clarify things."

https://www.foxnews.com/world/trumps-push-israel-syria-peace-gets-major-backing-activist-brings-message-jerusalem

https://www.foxnews.com/sports/british-golfer-charley-hull-forced-withdraw-from-tournament-after-collapsing-twice

Charley Hull's run at the Evian Championship was cut short on Thursday. The English golfer collapsed near the No. 4 tee at the Evian Resort Golf Club in France.

It was later confirmed that Hull was battling an illness.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Medical personnel tended to the women's world No. 19 golfer after she fell to the ground. Hull was not able to hit her tee short.

2025 GENESIS SCOTTISH OPEN ODDS, PREDICTIONS: FAVORITES, LONG-SHOT BETS TO MAKE

However, tournament officials did allow the trailing group of competitors to play through while Hull received assistance.

The medical attention resulted in a roughly 15-minute delay. Hull was able to regroup and did ultimately hit her tee shot, but her recovery was short-lived. Moments after finishing her swing, Hull fell to the grass again. 

Hull was eventually helped onto a cart and was placed on a stretcher. It was later reported that the 29-year-old had recently been dealing with a virus.

Hull's score stood at even par before she withdrew. She is still seeking her first major victory. The 2023 U.S. Women's Open marked one of her best tournament finishes.

She ended the competition in a tie for second place that year. Hull finished in a tie for 12th place in this year's Open.

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https://www.foxnews.com/sports/british-golfer-charley-hull-forced-withdraw-from-tournament-after-collapsing-twice

https://www.foxnews.com/politics/los-angeles-judge-weighs-severe-limits-trumps-immigration-enforcement-california

A judge in Los Angeles is set to preside over a hearing Thursday that could have major implications for immigration enforcement in California, a state that has become a focal point of President Donald Trump's aggressive deportation agenda.

Judge Maame Ewusi-Mensah Frimpong, a Biden appointee, will hear arguments about whether to grant emergency restraining orders against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) over allegations the agency is violating constitutional rights during its immigration arrests.

The case was initially brought in June as a routine petition from three detainees, but it has ballooned into a weighty lawsuit challenging the way ICE operates.

TRUMP ADMINISTRATION SUES LOS ANGELES OVER SANCTUARY POLICIES THAT 'IMPEDE' ICE OPERATIONS

Immigration rights groups and local governments, including the cities of Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Culver, and West Hollywood, have all intervened in the case and Democrat-led states have filed an amicus brief in support of them.

The plaintiffs alleged in court papers that ICE is "indiscriminately" arresting people with "brown skin" at Home Depots, car washes, farms and more. Authorities made the arrests with no "reasonable suspicion" and sometimes mistakenly apprehended U.S. citizens in the process, all in violation of the Fourth Amendment, attorneys wrote.

The plaintiffs argued the Trump administration gave ICE an unrealistic quota of 3,000 arrests per day, causing officers to feel pressured to blow past legal requirements to achieve those numbers.

Meanwhile, the Trump administration is disputing the allegations and denies wrongdoing.

Department of Justice attorneys wrote that immigration arrests, of which there have been nearly 3,000 across California since early June, have been carried out legally.

"Their request that immigration authorities be enjoined from relying on certain factors like occupation and location flies in the face of established law requiring immigration officials to consider the totality of the circumstances, including things like occupation and location," the attorneys wrote.

The plaintiffs have also asked the judge to expand visitor access to a short-term detention facility in downtown Los Angeles.

The facility became the site of protests and unrest in early June, leading to authorities temporarily abandoning the building. The plaintiffs allege that detainees' access to lawyers has been hindered, in violation of the Fifth Amendment.

This is a developing story and will be updated.

https://www.foxnews.com/politics/los-angeles-judge-weighs-severe-limits-trumps-immigration-enforcement-california

https://www.foxnews.com/media/noem-rips-cnn-report-claiming-delayed-dhs-response-texas-flood-absolutely-trash

U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem savaged a CNN report Thursday stating she delayed FEMA’s response to the deadly Texas flooding from last weekend.

During a segment on "Fox & Friends," Noem responded to CNN’s piece, which alleged that FEMA – an agency under DHS – ran into "bureaucratic obstacles" imposed by the secretary that slowed the agency in providing life-saving resources to the victims of the disaster in central Texas.

"Well, there you go. Fake News. CNN again. It’s absolutely trash what they’re doing by saying that," Noem told the Fox News Channel hosts.

SEVERE WEATHER EMERGENCY ALERTS: HOW TO GET LOUD PHONE WARNINGS

Over 100 people have died and over 150 others have gone missing due to flash flooding that devastated parts of central Texas near the Guadalupe River over the Fourth of July weekend. 

A CNN article published Thursday claimed that Noem’s recent order that every DHS "contract and grant over $100,000 now requires her personal sign-off before any funds can be released," slowed down FEMA’s attempts to secure funds for disaster relief costs and contracts with on-the-ground crews.

"In essence, they say the order has stripped the agency of much of its autonomy at the very moment its help is needed most," the CNN article reported. 

TEXAS RIVER FLOODS AS EMERGENCY CREWS RACE TO FIND OTHERS MISSING; CAMP EVACUATED

A "longtime FEMA official" told the outlet, "We were operating under a clear set of guidance: lean forward, be prepared, anticipate what the state needs, and be ready to deliver it. That is not as clear of an intent for us at the moment."

"In the past, FEMA would have swiftly staged these teams, which are specifically trained for situations including catastrophic floods, closer to a disaster zone in anticipation of urgent requests, multiple agency sources told CNN," the piece said. 

"Noem didn’t authorize FEMA’s deployment of Urban Search and Rescue teams until Monday, more than 72 hours after the flooding began, multiple sources told CNN," the report added.

While on "Fox & Friends," Noem countered the claims that she caused a delayed response, stating DHS teams were deployed to the disaster zone immediately. 

CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURE

"Our Coast Guard, our Border Patrol BORTAC (Border Patrol Tactical Unit) teams were there immediately. Every single thing they asked for, we were there," the DHS head said. "The governor and the emergency management director, Nim Kidd, are fantastic and nobody there has said anything about that they didn’t get everything that they wanted immediately or that they needed. And I’m proud of the work we’ve done to support that."

She continued, noting that her department is also responding to flooding in New Mexico and North Carolina and working with ground teams there.

Noem blasted CNN once more, saying, "The fact that CNN is continuing to be political and push out fake information and false information and lies is not shocking, but it’s a disservice to the country. It’s a real disservice to the country because people start to mistrust anything that comes out then over the news."

Fox News Digital reached out to CNN for comment.

https://www.foxnews.com/media/noem-rips-cnn-report-claiming-delayed-dhs-response-texas-flood-absolutely-trash

https://www.foxnews.com/media/evangelicals-harris-apologizes-after-using-billy-graham-political-ads

The evangelical Christian group "Evangelicals for America" — formerly "Evangelicals for Harris" — issued a public apology on Tuesday for using footage of the late evangelist Rev. Billy Graham in political advertisements backing former Vice President Kamala Harris during the 2024 presidential campaign.

In a statement posted on social media, the group acknowledged that it did not obtain permission from the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) before using the clips.

"In the lead up to the 2024 presidential election, Evangelicals for America PAC's 'Evangelicals for Harris' campaign produced several ads using clips of Rev. Billy Graham. We did this believing that our use of the clips of Rev. Graham, although not done with the prior permission of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA), would meet the criteria for Fair Use under the US Copyright Act," the group wrote. 

The BGEA objected to the ads, claiming the group had infringed on its copyright by using video clips of Graham for political purposes without consent.

REV. FRANKLIN GRAHAM CALLS OUT ‘EVANGELICALS FOR HARRIS’ FOR ‘TRYING TO MISLEAD PEOPLE’ USING HIS FATHER IN AD

"Our intent was not to infringe on BGEA's copyright or to give the impression that Rev. Graham would have taken a side in publicly supporting one political candidate over another in an election, so we apologize to BGEA," Evangelicals for Harris said.

The controversy started after the group released a series of attack ads against Trump that used footage of the late evangelist.

One ad juxtaposed Graham's preaching about confession with a 2015 interview in which Trump said he wasn’t sure whether he had ever asked God for forgiveness.

Rev. Franklin Graham, son of Billy Graham and president of Samaritan’s Purse and the BGEA, publicly criticized the efforts at the time.

‘EVANGELICALS FOR HARRIS’ COURTS ‘POLITICALLY HOMELESS’ CHRISTIANS TO BACK DEMOCRAT IN NOVEMBER

"The liberals are using anything and everything they can to promote candidate Harris. They even developed a political ad trying to use my father @BillyGraham’s image," Graham wrote in a social media post in August 2024. "They are trying to mislead people. Maybe they don’t know that my father appreciated the conservative values and policies of President @realDonaldTrump in 2016, and if he were alive today, my father’s views and opinions would not have changed."

In October, the group publicly vowed to fight legal threats from the BGEA. 

Months later, they retreated from this position, removing the ads and agreeing not to use any more clips of Graham or his organization without explicit permission.

"Our hope is that these actions and our commitment not to use Rev. Billy Graham within a partisan electoral context will clarify confusion over the message in our original ads; affirm the value and importance of Christian dialogue about the way we engage in politics, and prioritizes Christians remaining in communion despite differences," their Tuesday statement continued.

The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association told Fox News Digital, "Their apology speaks for itself, as does the original response from Franklin Graham. We are grateful for the outcome."

Evangelicals for Harris reportedly spent more than $1 million on ads targeting religious voters in swing states, arguing that Harris' policies and character were a more accurate reflection of Christian values than Trump's.

https://www.foxnews.com/media/evangelicals-harris-apologizes-after-using-billy-graham-political-ads

https://www.foxnews.com/sports/who-amanda-anisimova-womens-tennis-star-could-1st-american-win-wimbledon-since-serena-williams

Amanda Anisimova shocked the tennis world when she upset world No.1 Aryna Sabalenka in three grueling sets to advance to the Wimbledon final on Thursday.

The 23-year-old star will look to become the first American to win Wimbledon since Serena Williams won in 2016. Anisimova will take on Iga Swiatek in the Wimbledon final on Saturday.

Here is everything you need to know about Anisimova heading into the grass-court final. 

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Amanda Anisimova is the daughter of Konstantin and Olga Anisimova. The couple emigrated from Russia to the United States in 1998. She was born in New Jersey, but her family moved to Miami, Florida, when she was 3 years old. 

Anisimova's father introduced her to tennis when she was 5 years old and became her coach. Her tennis idols growing up were Williams and Maria Sharapova.

In 2019, while preparing for the U.S. Open, her father died at 52 due to a heart attack. Anisimova withdrew from the tournament as she dealt with the sudden loss.

"It was the worst thing that ever happened to me, it was very tough," Anisimova said, per The Sun. "But you can't change it, and you have to get back to life."

AMERICAN TENNIS STAR AMANDA ANISIMOVA UPSETS WORLD NO 1 ARYNA SABALENKA TO ADVANCE TO WIMBLEDON FINAL

Anisimova burst onto the scene when she reached the 2016 Roland Garros girls’ final at just 14 years old. That same year, she reached a career-high ITF ranking of No. 2 in the world. The following year, she defeated Coco Gauff for the 2017 U.S. Open junior title, where she did not drop a single set during the tournament.

Anisimova won five titles in her junior career. 

The New Jersey native made her debut on the WTA Tour at the 2017 Miami Open at 15 when she was granted a wildcard into the main draw. She made her Grand Slam debut at the French Open just a few months later, becoming the youngest player to participate in the main draw of the French Open since 2005, when Alize Cornet did it. 

AMERICAN TENNIS STAR BEN SHELTON SUFFERS CRUSHING DEFEAT IN WIMBLEDON QUARTERFINALS, JANNIK SINNER ADVANCES

Her first match win on the WTA Tour came at Indian Wells in 2018, where she made it to the fourth round before losing to Karolina Pliskova. Anisimova’s first WTA title came at the Claro Open Colsanitas in Bogota in 2019.

"I’m really happy and proud of myself for how I got through them, and winning my first WTA title means so much," Anisimova said after the match, per the WTA website.

Anisimova continued her strong play in the 2019 French Open as she made it to the semifinal. She defeated Harmony Tan, Sabalenka and Simona Halep before losing to Ashleigh Barty in three sets.

Anisimova won her second career WTA Title at the Melbourne Summer Set 2 at the beginning of 2022, after mixed results during the 2020 COVID-season and 2021. 

ARYNA SABALENKA OFFERS QUICK REBUTTAL IN TELEVISED INTERVIEW AT WIMBLEDON: 'I DIDN'T SAY THAT'

In May 2023, 21-year-old Anisimova announced she was stepping away from the game of tennis, citing concerns about her mental health. She wrote in an Instagram post that she had been struggling with "mental health and burnout since the summer of 2022."

"It's become unbearable being at tennis tournaments. At this point, my priority is my mental well-being and taking a break for some time," she wrote in her post.

At the time she stepped away, she was ranked No. 46 in the world. 

Anisimova returned to play in January 2024 at the ASB Classic, as she took eight months away from the game. Upon returning, Anisimova played some of her best tennis as she won her first WTA 1000 title at the 2025 Qatar Open. 

After she advanced to the Wimbledon final, she said after the match that she "would not believe" that she had made it. 

"To be honest, if you had told me I would be in the final at Wimbledon, I would not believe you. At least not this soon," Anisimova said after her upset win over Sabalenka.

"It’s been a year turnaround since coming back and, to be in this spot, it’s not easy and so many people dream of competing on this incredible court. It’s been such a privilege to compete here, and to be in the final is just indescribable."

Anisimova will have a chance to compete one more time at the All England Club on Centre Court on Saturday in the Wimbledon final, where she will play Swiatek.

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https://www.foxnews.com/sports/who-amanda-anisimova-womens-tennis-star-could-1st-american-win-wimbledon-since-serena-williams

https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/sofia-vergara-tom-brady-spark-summer-romance-rumors-luxury-yacht

Sofia Vergara and Tom Brady are rumored to be heating things up this summer.

The "Modern Family" bombshell and NFL legend sparked romance rumors after they were reportedly spotted cozying up aboard a star-studded luxury yacht. 

Vergara and Brady posed for a photo on a Ritz-Carlton yacht during a star-studded European voyage, according to Page Six. 

SOFIA VERGARA BEGS FOR SUMMER WITH CHEEKY BIKINI SNAP

In the photo, the Hollywood actress is seen with her hands on her hips, eyes closed and smiling for the camera while being kissed on the forehead by singer J Balvin.

Brady flashed a smile and wore sunglasses while seated next to Vergara at a dinner table. 

The pair have reportedly been spending time together in Ibiza, Spain, as a source described the situation as a "summer romance," according to Page Six. 

"He asked to switch seats to sit next to her at dinner," a source told the media outlet.

Vergara and Brady weren't the only celebrities on the yacht. Kate Hudson, Naomi Campbell, Ashley Graham, Martha Stewart and Adriana Lima were also seen enjoying their time on Luminara – "the newest superyacht from The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection" – in photos shared on the company's official Instagram page. 

KATE HUDSON AND TOM BRADY SOAK UP THE SUN ON STAR-STUDDED YACHT IN IBIZA

The yacht "set sail on an unforgettable journey from Rome to Valletta, welcoming a select group of global tastemakers, artists, and innovators," the social media caption read.

However, Vergara and Brady seem to be the only two making waves.

The two reportedly continued hanging out in Ibiza after the yacht trip, according to Page Six. But fans shouldn't get too excited because other reports are shutting down the romance rumors.

"Tom loves being single and is enjoying his summer before he starts working again and he is not looking for a relationship..." a source told the Daily Mail.

"He's not looking to be settled down right now. He wants to just have fun..."

According to TMZ, Vergara and Brady are not dating and this is nothing more than a summer fling.

Reps for Vergara and Brady did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment. 

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Vergara has been highlighting her European summer, posting photos and videos of her partying in Ibiza.

She also shared a cheeky bikini video of her soaking up the sun on a boat. Vergara appeared to be topless as she smiled and waved to the camera. She captioned her social media post "Happy internacional bikini day from Ibiza."

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The "America’s Got Talent" judge split from her ex-husband, Joe Manganiello, in 2023. Manganiello filed for divorce after eight years of marriage, citing "irreconcilable differences."

Although the two never had children together, Vergara has a 33-year-old son named Manolo from her first marriage.

As for Brady, he and his ex-wife Gisele Bündchen announced their divorce on Oct. 28, 2022, in separate social media posts.

The former Victoria’s Secret model shares two kids with Brady – Benjamin and Vivian.

Brady is also father to a son, John Edward Thomas, with his ex, Bridget Moynahan.

Bündchen shares a new baby with boyfriend, Joaquim Valente, who she began dating in June 2023, around seven months after her divorce from Brady was finalized.

https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/sofia-vergara-tom-brady-spark-summer-romance-rumors-luxury-yacht

https://www.foxnews.com/politics/mamdani-campaign-shells-out-millions-firm-key-media-strategist-obama-campaigns

FIRST ON FOX: The campaign of New York City’s Democratic socialist mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani has dished out millions to the firm of a key media strategist that helped shape the media-buying strategy of former President Barack Obama's campaigns.

Over the past few months, campaign finance records show the Mamdani team has disbursed over $3 million to the Los Angeles-based Debra Schommer Media Group for expenditures that were described as going toward television ads, TV production and digital advertising. 

Schommer has more than 30 years of experience in the media planning and buying field, according to her website bio, and lists herself as a previous director of media planning and buying for AKPD Message and Media, a consulting firm started by Obama confidantes David Axelrod and David Plouffe.

Schommer's website also touts her work managing and forming media strategies for political campaigns, including the presidential campaigns of Obama and former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, who unsuccessfully ran for president in 2020.

RESURFACED MAMDANI PHOTO SPARKS SOCIAL MEDIA FIRESTORM, OUTRAGE FROM KEY VOTING BLOC: 'SHAMEFUL'

"As the Director of Media Planning and Buying for David Axelrod, since the inception of Axelrod and Associates (which later formed AKPD Message and Media), Debra built the department, led, managed, and worked on media strategies for Democratic candidates – Local, State, and Presidential (including Obama and Buttigieg), Independent Expenditures, and Advocacy campaigns," her bio reads.

"She made sure every dollar we spent counted," Axelrod wrote in support of Schommer's work. "She’s the best!"

Schommer's archived bios from 2009-2015 on AKPD's website listed her as the director of media planning/buying and later the vice president of media planning, describing her as "a seasoned and skilled expert" and saying she has an "impeccable reputation in the media community along with being known for her passion and commitment to politics."

ADAMS REBUKES MAMDANI FOR 'ROMANTICIZING' SOCIALISM IN NYC MAYORAL CAMPAIGN

In addition to Plouffe and Axelrod, an archived AKPD website says Mike Donilon, a decades-long advisor to former President Joe Biden and Democratic strategist, was a partner at the firm. 

Reports from 2008 said AKPD had received over $2 million from the Obama campaigns since 2005 and played an instrumental role in marketing Obama to voters. AKPD would later make headlines the following year after it was revealed it was one of two firms "working on the $24 million in ads" selling the ObamaCare push.

"Mamdani and his team will throw millions at voters to run from his positions," Targeted Victory Executive VP Matt Gorman told Fox News Digital. "Consultants can work wonders, but they're not miracle workers. A communist is still a communist."

In addition to Mamdani, a Fox News Digital review found that her firm played an instrumental role in crafting television ad buys for far-left "Squad" Reps. Jamaal Bowman and Cori Bush, who were both defeated last year during their Democratic primaries. Both ex-lawmakers were vocal about defunding the police, along with other radical proposals like reparations, and their campaigns dished out hundreds of thousands of dollars to Schommer's firm, according to the FEC website.

Mamdani's surge to the forefront of the political landscape has sparked divisions within the Democratic Party between moderates who have opposed his socialist platform and the progressive wing led by Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who endorsed Mamdani.

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In the wake of Mamdani's primary victory last month, the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) highlighted that "this movement is bigger than one person, election, city, or organization."

"We encourage all people inspired by the Zohran campaign to join their local DSA or YDSA chapter and get involved so we can continue to fight alongside Zohran and DSA elected officials across the country to create the future we all deserve," they added in a statement.

Fast-forward to Wednesday, and DSA leaders are apparently mulling running primary challengers against Jeffries as well as other House Democrats whose districts are in New York City, including Reps. Ritchie Torres, Jerry Nadler, Dan Goldman and Yvette Clarke.

However, Democratic strategist Andre Richardson, a top Jeffries political advisor, pushed back hard and told CNN that they will "teach" Mamdani's "Team Gentrification" allies "a painful lesson on June 23, 2026."

Fox News Digital reached out Axelrod, Schommer, and the Mamdani campaign.

Fox News' Paul Steinhauser contributed to this report.

https://www.foxnews.com/politics/mamdani-campaign-shells-out-millions-firm-key-media-strategist-obama-campaigns

https://www.foxnews.com/politics/fox-news-politics-newsletter-pro-trump-troll-gets-biden-era-conviction-tossed-appeal

Welcome to the Fox News Politics newsletter, with the latest updates on the Trump administration, Capitol Hill and more Fox News politics content. Here's what's happening…

- One year after Trump assassination attempt, Butler widow demands accountability from Secret Service

- Brazil hits back at Trump’s 50% tariff as he decries ‘witch hunt’ on Bolsonaro for alleged coup attempt

- Federal judge blocks Trump's birthright citizenship ban for all infants, testing lower court powers

An appeals court has reversed the conviction of a pro-Trump influencer charged with spreading false information on social media to suppress Democratic voter turnout during the 2016 election, voiding conspiracy charges and a monthslong federal prison sentence handed down by a jury in Brooklyn, New York.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit on Wednesday unanimously voided the conviction of Douglass Mackey on federal conspiracy charges and remanded the case back to the U.S. Court in the Eastern District of New York to enter a new judgment of acquittal.

The unanimous three-judge panel said in their ruling that "no rational jury" could have found that Mackey, 36, "knowingly" joined others in an illegal conspiracy aimed at influencing the outcome of the 2016 election or depriving people of their right to vote… READ MORE.

SHADOW GOVERNMENT: Dossier used by top Obama officials to probe, brief Trump despite knowing it was unverified 'internet rumor'

'LISTEN TO ME': One year after Trump assassination attempt, Butler widow demands accountability from Secret Service

BROKEN PROMISES: 10 reasons the DOJ and FBI face backlash over Epstein files flop

UNLIKELY BOND: New book reveals what Obama and 'conqueror' Trump chatted about in viral moment during Carter's funeral

FEDERAL FAILURE: Secret Service suspended 6 agents tasked with protecting Trump during July 2024 assassination attempt

SPACE SHUFFLE/BLAST OFF: Trump taps Sean Duffy to serve as interim NASA chief

PATRIOT'S PURSE: Trump installs massive new American flags at the White House - and they don't cost taxpayers a penny

PAYBACK: Brazil hits back at Trump’s 50% tariff as he decries ‘witch hunt’ on Bolsonaro for alleged coup attempt

'NO CHOICE': Trump cautioned Putin he would ‘bomb the s---' out of Moscow if Russia invaded Ukraine, new book claims

DEFENSE UPGRADE: Taiwan conducts live-fire drills with US-made tanks as president looks on

DIPLOMAT OUT: Ukrainian US ambassador, seen with head in hands during Oval Office meeting, is departing DC

FATAL AMBUSH: Top Ukrainian spy gunned down in Kyiv ambush attack: report

CLASS ACTION ACT: Federal judge blocks Trump's birthright citizenship ban for all infants, testing lower court powers

'BLACK MARKET' OP: DOJ charges seven Chinese nationals in multi-million dollar marijuana trafficking ring

PLAY FOR PAY: Sweeping bipartisan bill would nationalize standards for student athlete pay

BEIJING BLOCK: Hawley moves to block China's buy-up of US farmland as Trump admin sounds alarm

VOTE-A-RAMA DRAMA: 'Gut check time': Dissent among Senate GOP ranks threatens to reduce Trump's spending cut demand

ICE, ICE MAYBE: Federal judge to hear from ICE on its plans for Abrego Garcia pending release from custody

MEDICAL BILL: Comer dismisses Biden doctor's bid for pause in cover-up probe: 'Throwing out every excuse'

POWER PLAY: Mamdani lands endorsement of a top Cuomo backer in NYC mayoral primary

EXPOSING IDENTITIES: Massachusetts bill would force ICE agents to unmask

Get the latest updates on the Trump administration and Congress, exclusive interviews and more on FoxNews.com.

https://www.foxnews.com/politics/fox-news-politics-newsletter-pro-trump-troll-gets-biden-era-conviction-tossed-appeal

https://www.foxnews.com/politics/john-fetterman-disses-zohran-mamdanis-nyc-mayoral-campaign-not-democrat

Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., told Fox News' Chad Pergram on Thursday that 33-year-old socialist Zohran Mamdani winning New York City's Democratic primary is "Christmas in July for the GOP."

"Everything that I've read on him, I don't really agree with virtually any of it politically," Fetterman explained. "That's just where I'm at as a Democrat. He's not even a Democrat, honestly."

Fetterman has built a reputation in the U.S. Senate for breaking with his party on politically divisive issues, like support for Israel and immigration reform. And while Mamdani handily won New York City's primary in June, the New York Democratic Party's old-guard establishment has yet to fully embrace their socialist nominee. 

The Pennsylvania Democrat said Mamdani's political rise will be the Republican Party's gift that keeps on giving, telling Pergram that Mamdani "provided an opportunity for the GOP to brand our party" along his radical policy lines, which includes campaign promises like taxing the 1%, free city buses, rent increase freezes, and city-run grocery stores, to name a few. 

THE PLOT TO STOP MAMDANI: DEMOCRATS SCRAMBLE TO BLOCK FAR-LEFT TAKEOVER IN NEW YORK

Mayor Eric Adams and former Gov. Andrew Cuomo are both running in the general election as independents. While Adams stayed out of the Democratic primary amid low approval ratings and since-dropped federal indictment charges, Mamdani defeated Cuomo through New York City's ranked-choice voting. 

MAMDANI'S PRIMARY WIN EXPOSES DEMOCRAT DIVIDE AS TOP LEADERS WITHHOLD ENDORSEMENTS

Joining the growing chorus of politicians calling for Adams and Cuomo to consolidate their votes against Mamdani, Fetterman told Fox News, "They have to figure out on the other side. Otherwise, it's a sure mutual destruction if they all remain in that race."

Jim Walden, a former federal prosecutor, is also running as an independent in the general election, and Guardian Angels co-founder Curtis Sliwa is the Republican mayoral nominee for the second straight election. 

Mamdani secured the endorsement of New York Democrat Rep. Adriano Espaillat on Thursday, who had endorsed Cuomo in the primary. Mamdani said he is in discussions with New York Democrats Gov. Kathy Hochul, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, though none has yet to publicly endorse him.

While some Democratic strategists and pundits have dubbed Mamdani's primary win an indicator of a general shift for a party struggling to find its footing in the aftermath of losing Congress and the White House in 2024, Fetterman said a New York City Democratic primary is "not an accurate reflection of the electorate."

"It's definitely not Pennsylvania. It's not Wisconsin. It's not Nevada. If you look at any of the battleground states, New York City has no actual relevance to the kinds of states and the kind of races which determine that in 2028," Fetterman told Pergram. 

He added: "Is it going to be useful for attack campaigns? Absolutely. He's a gift to the Republicans in that way, but there's no lessons to be learned. There's no special kind of insight. For New York City, politically, that's a circus mirror of the reality of politics and the politics of our country."

Mamdani's campaign did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment. 

Fox News' Lucy Cox and Chad Pergram contributed to this report. 

https://www.foxnews.com/politics/john-fetterman-disses-zohran-mamdanis-nyc-mayoral-campaign-not-democrat

https://www.foxnews.com/tech/top-multi-factor-authentication-apps-protect-your-accounts

Hackers often exploit reused passwords, gaining access to multiple accounts if just one is compromised. To stay safe, use strong, unique passwords for every account and change them regularly. However, passwords alone aren't enough. That's where multi-factor authentication apps come in.

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Multi-factor authentication (MFA) adds an extra layer of protection to your accounts. Instead of relying only on a password, MFA requires you to verify your identity using two or more methods. These can include SMS codes, authenticator apps, or physical security keys.

Two-factor authentication (2FA) is a type of MFA that uses exactly two verification methods. MFA, on the other hand, can involve two or more factors. For example, logging into your bank might require a password and a code from an app-this is MFA in action.

Not all websites and apps support every type of MFA, so your choice may depend on what's available. Here's how the main options compare:

Many banks use SMS for two-factor authentication because it's easy to set up and works on any phone. However, SMS is not the most secure method. Authenticator apps and physical security keys offer better protection against modern threats. 

Unfortunately, there's no universal MFA solution for every account. The best approach is to use the strongest MFA method each service supports. Whenever possible, choose an authenticator app or a physical security key over SMS. 

Using a multi-factor authentication app is one of the best ways to protect your online identity. Here are some of the top-rated options available for iPhone and Android:

The Microsoft Authenticator app gives you an easy, secure sign-in experience for all your accounts and gives you additional account management options for your Microsoft personal, work, and school accounts. It can use multi-factor authentication with a one-time passcode, can go password-less by using your phone instead of a password to log in, or can use autofill passwords for you. It's easy to use and can keep multiple accounts safe and secure for you. 

Twilio Authy is another great app that you can use for all your accounts, including Facebook, Dropbox, Amazon, Gmail, and thousands more. It provides secure cloud-encrypted backups so that you will never lose access to your accounts, even if you lose your device. The app uses the same algorithms as many banks and the NSA use to protect their information, so you can pretty much guarantee that you'll be safe. Plus, you can even use it if you're offline or in airplane mode.

The Google Authenticator app will give you an extra layer of security for your online apps. You can sync your authenticator codes to your Google Account and across your devices. It offers support for multiple accounts, and you can transfer accounts between devices by using a QR code. Plus, you can choose the type of code generation used that best suits your needs, and it works without a network or cellular connection. 

The Aegis Authenticator app is a free option for Android users. It is a great app to protect your online accounts from hackers and phishing. It adds an extra layer of security by generating one-time codes that you need to enter alone with your password. This way, even if a hacker steals your password, they won’t be able to access your account with your phone. The Aegis Authenticator app also lets you customize and organize your accounts, backup and restore your data, and use it offline.

While multi-factor authentication adds critical protection, it works best when combined with strong, unique passwords for every account. That’s where a password manager comes in. Instead of trying to memorize dozens of complex passwords, a password manager securely stores them for you and automatically fills them in when needed. It can generate strong, random passwords, store them in an encrypted vault, and sync across your devices so you always have access. Using NordPass along with multi-factor authentication is one of the best strategies to keep your accounts and personal data safe from hackers. 

Get more details about my best expert-reviewed Password Managers of 2025 at Cyberguy.com/Passwords.

Keeping your accounts safe doesn't have to be complicated. By using multi-factor authentication apps, you're adding a strong layer of protection that goes beyond just passwords. These apps make it much harder for hackers to get in, even if they somehow learn your password. Ready to take your security up a notch?

Have you tried using an authenticator app? What has your experience been like? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact.

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Copyright 2025 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.

https://www.foxnews.com/tech/top-multi-factor-authentication-apps-protect-your-accounts

https://www.foxnews.com/politics/border-patrol-union-chief-blasts-anti-masking-proposal-tone-deaf-politics

National Border Patrol Council President Paul Perez slammed the Democratic-backed proposed "VISIBLE Act" in Congress that would require federal immigration authorities to present clear identification and prevent them from wearing face coverings in public-facing circumstances.

"Tone-deaf politics, especially after law enforcement agents have been specifically targeted," Perez told Fox News Digital in an interview.

"What they'd like to see is our agents get killed because there is absolutely no reason for you to require a policy that forces our agents to identify themselves in public because everybody's got a camera so that they can be doxxed and attacked," he said, adding it poses a risk to officers' families as well.

MASSACHUSETTS BILL WOULD FORCE ICE AGENTS TO UNMASK

"It's insane to create a policy. You're pandering to people that cannot even vote for you. You know, you're protecting illegal immigrants that have no right to be in this country, and you're sacrificing honorable law enforcement officers," he continued, saying that agents are being tasked to enforce laws that Congress enacted to begin with.

"Our agents are never gonna be afraid. They know the job that they signed up for. But what they don't appreciate, what we don't want is targeting," he said.

ICE agents have seen a 700% increase in assaults from the same time in 2024, and recent protests and riots have drawn serious concerns about the safety of law enforcement as they ramp up deportation and other immigration operations.

GUNMAN AMBUSHES BORDER PATROL AGENTS DAYS AFTER HOUSE DEMS REJECT RESOLUTION CONDEMNING ANTI-ICE VIOLENCE

A Border Patrol annex facility in McAllen, Texas, faced an ambush on Monday that resulted in a local police officer being injured along with two Border Patrol personnel.

Meanwhile, an anti-ICE attack at the Prairieland Detention Center in Alvarado, Texas, last Friday resulted in a local police officer being shot in the neck, and 10 individuals are now facing attempted murder charges.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE IMMIGRATION COVERAGE

Democrats have said that the VISIBLE Act, which stands for "Visible Identification Standards for Immigration-Based Law Enforcement," is a necessary degree of accountability for agents amid a major shift in immigration policy under the Trump administration. The bill is co-sponsored by 13 other Democratic senators: Tammy Duckworth, Adam Schiff, Tina Smith, Peter Welch, Andy Kim, Patty Murray, Ron Wyden, Elissa Slotkin, Amy Klobuchar, Chris Van Hollen, Mazie Hirono, Gary Peters, and Richard Blumenthal.

"When federal immigration agents show up and pull someone off the street in plainclothes with their face obscured and no visible identification, it only escalates tensions and spreads fear while shielding federal agents from basic accountability," Sen. Alex Padilla, D-Calif., said in a statement in support of the bill, which he is leading with New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker.

TRUMP SEETHES THAT DEMS FLOATING BILL REQUIRING THE UNMASKING OF ICE, CBP AGENTS MUST 'HATE' AMERICA

"Immigration agents should be required to display their agency and name or badge number – just like police and other local law enforcement agencies. The VISIBLE Act’s commonsense requirements will restore transparency and ensure impersonators can’t exploit the panic and confusion caused by unidentifiable federal immigration enforcement agents," the Democrat continued.

At the state level, the debate over whether agents should mask comes as discussions about how lower-level authorities should coordinate with the federal government, and to what extent. 

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"Well, I'll leave that to Congress to decide," Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs told Fox News Digital at a press conference in Phoenix on Thursday when asked her stance on the federal bill.

"I can tell you I've had conversations, and I understand people's concerns about agents being masked. But I've had conversations with leadership here at [Arizona Department of Public Safety] and there certainly are circumstances where for officer safety, they might have officers masked in a situation. And so I don't think there's a cut and dry ‘yes or no,’ ‘this should happen or not.’ I trust our state leadership to make the right decisions in those circumstances," Hobbs added. 

Other states, like Massachusetts and California, have had lawmakers pitch similar ideas but would likely face constitutional barriers, as it would regulate federal authorities. 

https://www.foxnews.com/politics/border-patrol-union-chief-blasts-anti-masking-proposal-tone-deaf-politics

https://www.foxnews.com/health/bryan-kohberger-luigi-mangione-may-share-same-rare-neurological-condition-what-know

Two individuals at the center of recent high-profile murder cases may have the same rare and concerning health condition.

Bryan Kohberger, who pleaded guilty to the murder of four University of Idaho students, and Luigi Mangione, accused of stalking and ambushing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, apparently have the same neurological condition known as visual snow syndrome.

The rare disorder impairs vision, as if the person is looking through snow or static on an old television.

DIABETIC PATIENTS TAKING GLP-1S MAY FACE INCREASED RISK OF EYE DISEASE, STUDY SUGGESTS

Both Kohberger and Mangione have posted publicly about their condition, according to multiple reports. 

Kohberger reportedly posted in a forum on a platform called TapATalk in 2011 about his struggle with visual snow syndrome (VSS), saying his vision made the world feel like a "video game."

In one post, which has resurfaced on Reddit, these words stood out: "As I hug my family, I look into their faces, I see nothing. It is like I am looking at a video game, but less … It is like I have severe brain damage. I am stuck in the depths of my mind, where I have to constantly battle my demons."

Mangione also reportedly posted about the topic on Reddit in 2018, commenting in forums on VSS as well as on other conditions he apparently suffers from, including brain fog and chronic back pain.

Mangione, who faces numerous charges, including terror-related murder, has also allegedly written at length about his disgust with the health insurance industry.

YOUNG POLICE OFFICER DIES BY SUICIDE AFTER ‘DEBILITATING’ LASER EYE SURGERY COMPLICATIONS

Cleveland Clinic describes visual snow syndrome as "flickering dots throughout your field of vision." 

Some people describe it as seeing things inside a snow globe that’s been shaken up.

The "snow" can be colorful, black and white — or transparent. And it may flash, according to Cleveland Clinic.

Scientists assume the condition may be related to "excitability" or hyperactivity in the occipital lobes of the brain, where images are processed, but there’s no definite cause and no standard treatment.

Visual snow syndrome is a chronic condition for many, who may also experience migraines and anxiety.

FOOD CHOICES THAT CAN BOOST YOUR VISION AND PROTECT AGAINST EYE DISEASE

The uncommon disorder only impacts about 2% to 3% of people globally, said Cleveland Clinic.

Symptoms of visual snow syndrome can include:

People with visual snow syndrome may also experience the following, according to Cleveland Clinic:

In order to get a diagnosis of visual snow syndrome, experts urge visiting a neurologist and an ophthalmologist, or a neuro-ophthalmologist, who can rule out other diseases or conditions.

Visual symptoms cannot be the same as migraine aura, Cleveland Clinic reported, and cannot be due to the use of drugs that can cause "snow" to appear in vision.

Dr. Ashley Brissette, an ophthalmologist in New York City, told Fox News Digital that she's seen patients with VSS who present with visual complaints — but the eye exam, imaging and function test results are "typically normal."

"Though it is not harmful to vision, visual snow can be highly distressing," the doctor said (she has not treated either Kohberger or Mangione). 

"Patients often experience constant visual disturbances that interfere with daily activities like reading, driving or using screens, leading to frustration and sensory overload." 

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"The lack of understanding of the condition, along with normal test results, can cause anxiety, fear of serious illness and feelings of being dismissed by healthcare providers."

These "unrelenting symptoms" can lead to depression, sleep disturbances, fatigue and social isolation over time, Brissette said. 

"Because visual snow is invisible to others, many patients feel misunderstood or alone, making emotional support and mental health care an essential part of managing the condition," she said.

Although Kohberger and Mangione allegedly share this condition, Brissette commented that "many things could have influenced their mental health" and the full clinical context is unknown.

"The combination of uncomfortable neurological symptoms and the stress of navigating unexplained health issues likely exacerbated anxiety, lowered quality of life, and added to mental illness," she said.

For more Health articles, visit www.foxnews.com/health

While there is no treatment for the condition, some providers may suggest medication for mental health symptoms, including antidepressants, according to Cleveland Clinic. 

Some migraine medications have also been suggested and tested. Cleveland Clinic additionally recommended the use of blue-light blockers on devices.

Relieving stress and avoiding fatigue can also help with certain symptoms, which activities like enjoyable exercise, yoga, meditation and massage can help with, as well as taking steps to improve sleep.

Kohberger's defense team, bound by a gag order on the case, did not respond to questions about the condition. A spokeswoman for Mangione did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Michael Ruiz and Khloe Quill, both of Fox News Digital, contributed reporting. 

https://www.foxnews.com/health/bryan-kohberger-luigi-mangione-may-share-same-rare-neurological-condition-what-know

https://www.foxnews.com/media/democratic-senators-demand-full-fcc-vote-paramount-skydance-merger-following-trumps-cbs-settlement

A pair of Democratic senators urged the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to hold a "full Commission vote" on the proposed Paramount-Skydance merger because the former’s recent eight-figure settlement with President Donald Trump "raises serious questions" about the editorial independence of CBS News. 

CBS and parent company Paramount agreed to settle Trump’s "election interference" lawsuit last week, setting the stage for a long-planned merger of Paramount and Skydance to become official once the FCC approves the deal. But Trump critics have blasted the settlement and Sen. Ed Markey, D-Mass., and Sen. Ben Ray Lujan, D-N.M., sent a letter addressing concerns on Thursday to FCC Commissioner Olivia Trusty, who was nominated earlier this year by Trump. 

"We write today regarding the proposed merger between Paramount Global and Skydance Media now pending before the FCC. Paramount’s recent agreement to settle for $16 million a frivolous lawsuit brought by President Donald Trump against CBS — a Paramount subsidiary — over its editorial decision-making raises serious questions about Paramount’s rationale for the settlement and its implications for media independence," Markey and Lujan wrote. 

PARAMOUNT, CBS FORCED TO PAY EIGHT FIGURES, CHANGE EDITORIAL POLICY IN SETTLEMENT WITH PRESIDENT TRUMP

"For that reason, we urge you to insist that the FCC conduct its merger review with the utmost transparency, including holding a full Commission vote on any order to approve the merger," they continued. "The Paramount-Skydance merger is unique in the FCC’s storied history, with the sitting President actively litigating against a news organization whose parent is seeking FCC approval of a major media merger."

Trump was seeking $20 billion in his lawsuit against CBS over its handling of a "60 Minutes" interview last year with then-Vice President Kamala Harris, accusing the network of election interference through unethical editing to make her appear more articulate leading up to the 2024 contest.

The Democratic lawmakers blasted the lawsuit as "baseless," but said "Paramount has nevertheless agreed to settle that lawsuit for $16 million." Paramount's controlling shareholder Shari Redstone reportedly pushed for the settlement in hopes of paving the way for Trump’s FCC to approve the lucrative merger.

LONGTIME '60 MINUTES' CORRESPONDENT STEVE KROFT, JON STEWART BASH CBS’ TRUMP SETTLEMENT AS ‘SHAKEDOWN’

"This settlement casts a shadow over the proposed Paramount-Skydance merger and raises serious questions about the editorial independence of one of the nation’s largest media organizations. The Commission cannot turn a blind eye to this context," Markey and Lujan wrote.

"For that reason, in our May letter, we urged Chairman Carr to hold a vote on the merger by the full Commission, instead of unilaterally directing the Media Bureau to approve it on its delegated authority," they added.

"The FCC owes the public a transparent, deliberative process on such a high-profile and controversial issue," they added.

The FCC did not immediately respond to a request for comment. 

TOP '60 MINUTES' PRODUCER RESIGNS FROM SHOW, CITES LACK OF INDEPENDENCE

Fox News Digital has learned that the sum being paid to Trump could reach north of $30 million, with $16 million being paid upfront for his future presidential library, in addition to another eight-figure allocation set aside for advertisements, public service announcements or other similar transmissions, in support of conservative causes paid for by the network’s incoming ownership in the future. 

Paramount has defended the settlement. 

"Companies often settle litigation to avoid the high and somewhat unpredictable costs of legal defense, the risk of an adverse judgment that could result in significant financial or reputational damage, and the disruption to business operations that prolonged legal battles can cause. Settlement offers a negotiated resolution that allows companies to focus on their core objectives rather than being mired in uncertainty and distraction," a Paramount spokesperson told Fox News Digital. 

https://www.foxnews.com/media/democratic-senators-demand-full-fcc-vote-paramount-skydance-merger-following-trumps-cbs-settlement

https://www.foxnews.com/politics/russia-sanctions-bill-gains-steam-white-house-appears-change-tone-putin

An effort to advance a blistering sanctions package against Russia and its trade partners is again gaining steam in the Senate, and this time it appears that President Donald Trump is on board.

A sanctions bill advanced by Sens. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., and Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., was largely sidelined as the Senate sprinted to hit its July 4 deadline to pass Trump’s "big, beautiful bill," but has come roaring back into the limelight now that the grueling reconciliation process has been put to bed.

The duo’s bill would slap up to 500% tariffs on countries buying energy products from Moscow, effectively placing Russia’s war machine in a chokehold by imposing duties on oil, gas, uranium and other exports, largely purchased by China and India, which account for nearly three-quarters of Moscow’s energy business.

MASSIVE RUSSIA SANCTIONS PACKAGE STALLS AS TRUMP PUSHES FOR UKRAINE PEACE TALKS

But the bill hit a snag at the White House, where Trump maintained that he wanted to continue peace negotiations between Ukraine and Russia, and also wanted more flexibility on the proposed penalties in the bill.

However, there’s been a tonal shift in Trump’s opinion of Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Graham believes that Trump is now on board with the plan.

WHITE HOUSE TAKES INTEREST IN PROPOSED RUSSIAN SANCTIONS AS UKRAINE WAR PEACE TALKS DRAG ON

"My goal is to get them on the president’s desk before the August break. We got 85 co-sponsors," he said. "There’s a waiver in the bill to give the president leverage. I told the president last week about it. He thinks the bill will be helpful. So we'll get it to him."

Fox News Digital reached out to the White House for comment.

On the changes that are coming to the bill, Blumenthal said the waiver authority making its way into the legislation was working out "technical issues" on how the stringent sanctions would affect the world’s financial system, how America’s allies could be impacted, and providing Trump more flexibility over how the sanctions are levied against Russia’s trade partners.

"Trump is seeing what we've all recognized, which is that Putin is playing the United States for free," he said of the president’s change in tone toward Putin.

"He's stalling and stonewalling, continuing his aerial reign of terror on Ukrainian civilians and his atrocities against kidnapped children," Blumenthal continued. "The president is simply reflecting the fact that Putin has no interest in peace. He wants domination."

SENATE REPUBLICAN MOVES TO GIVE US AN EDGE ON CHINA IN HARVESTING MINERALS FOR WEAPONS SYSTEMS

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., wants to get the bill on the floor by the end of the month, and noted that the upper chamber was working in conjunction with the House and the White House to "get it in a form where it's ready."

Still, he said it was an "open question" as to when Graham and Blumenthal’s bill could get a vote.

"I think it's an important message to send, especially now, and I think it's leverage that we need," Thune said.

While the bill does have broad bipartisan support within the Senate, and the backing of House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., not every Senate Republican is on board with the plan.

Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., charged that the measure was "not a Russian sanctions bill. It's a worldwide embargo tariff bill."

He argued that the bill would institute "500% tariffs" to any country that does business with Russia, and noted that there are a handful of European Union countries that are dependent on Russian oil and gas.

Paul also charged that slapping China with such a hefty sanction would lead to no more trade with the country.

"It's the worst, most economically illiterate bill ever to be presented in modern history," he said. 

https://www.foxnews.com/politics/russia-sanctions-bill-gains-steam-white-house-appears-change-tone-putin

https://www.foxnews.com/politics/justice-jackson-i-get-tell-people-how-i-feel-court-opinions

Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson reflected on her role on the Supreme Court during an event in Louisiana over the weekend, saying she enjoyed making her opinion known through court cases.

"I just feel that I have a wonderful opportunity to tell people in my opinions how I feel about the issues, and that's what I try to do," Jackson said.

Jackson, an appointee of former President Joe Biden, made the remarks during a sit-down with ABC News on stage during the Essence Festival of Culture in New Orleans as part of a tour for her book, "Lovely One."

WHY JUSTICE JACKSON IS A FISH OUT OF WATER ON THE SUPREME COURT

Despite being the most junior justice, Jackson has made her voice heard in the high court by going out of her way to write her own dissents in high-profile cases, even if she is not the principal dissenter, as she did in a recent major decision in which the Supreme Court found universal injunctions from judges were unlawful.

"I write separately to emphasize a key conceptual point: The Court’s decision to permit the Executive to violate the Constitution with respect to anyone who has not yet sued is an existential threat to the rule of law," Jackson wrote in defense of universal injunctions.

In a biting rebuke, Justice Amy Coney Barrett responded in her majority opinion that Jackson’s remarks were "at odds" with more than 200 years of court precedent and the Constitution and that they were not worth dwelling on.

Recently, Justice Sonia Sotomayor, a liberal justice who often sides with Jackson in prominent cases, went out of her way to disagree with Jackson in an emergency order that permitted President Donald Trump's sweeping federal job cuts.

SOTOMAYOR BREAKS WITH JACKSON IN DECISION OVER TRUMP CUTS TO FEDERAL WORKFORCE

Jackson indicated during the interview that the justices have good relationships with one another. She noted that they have a ritual by which they shake each other's hands before walking out into the courtroom and that some also have lunch together weekly.

"The rule at lunch is that you don't talk about cases, so you learn about people's families and sports and books and movies and that kind of thing, and you get to know them outside of work," Jackson said.

Jackson, a Harvard Law School graduate and former federal judge, has also attracted attention for how frequently she chimes in during oral arguments. Analyses by the Empirical SCOTUS blog found Jackson spoke more than any of her colleagues during arguments in the 2022 and 2023 court terms.

"It’s funny to me how people focus on how much I talk at oral argument," Jackson said during the interview.

"I was always this person on the bench," Jackson said. "And so it’s been a bit of an adjustment, because, as a trial court judge, you have your own courtroom, so you can go on as long as you want. And, so, trying to make sure that my colleagues get to ask some questions has been a challenge for me, but I’ve enjoyed it. I really have."

https://www.foxnews.com/politics/justice-jackson-i-get-tell-people-how-i-feel-court-opinions

https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trumps-nominee-lead-us-office-special-counsel-refutes-antisemitic-claims-ties-holocaust-denier

FIRST ON FOX: President Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the U.S. Office of Special Counsel (OSC) sat down with Fox News Digital to address a barrage of attacks from Democrats and the media as he heads toward his Senate confirmation.

Paul Ingrassia, a Cornell Law School graduate from Long Island, New York, was nominated by President Trump at the end of May to lead OSC, a nonpartisan, independent agency mainly responsible for investigating and protecting federal whistle-blowers, and enforcing the Hatch Act, which restricts federal employees from using federal funds for political gain.

Ingrassia, who is just 30 years old and served as White House liaison to the Department of Justice before being reassigned to the Department of Homeland Security in Trump’s second term, has faced heavy criticism from Democrats and the mainstream media leading up to his Senate confirmation hearing.

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Concerns mainly surround his young age paired with antisemitic allegations, which Ingrassia has sternly denied. 

"I'm not an antisemite," Ingrassia said on a call with Fox News Digital. "The hit piece and the smears that are being propagated by CNN is just a total lie."

"The fact that they're smearing me as a Holocaust denier, I think it’s disgusting," Ingrassia continued. "I grew up in New York, New York, where there were within my own neighborhood survivors of the Holocaust three houses down from me and I [listened] to their stories. I understand that we can never go through something like that ever again."

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Ingrassia is alleged to have ties with fringe figure Nick Fuentes, an openly outspoken antisemite and Holocaust denier. 

Trump’s OSC nominee previously posted to X that Fuentes should be allowed to speak at a Talking Point USA conference last year, arguing that "conservatives should always uphold the first amendment," referring to Fuentes as a "dissident" voice. 

But when asked about antisemitism broadly, Ingrassia made clear that his views on the matter do not align with those of Fuentes.

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"I've done a lot currently in my role as a White House liaison to advance Jewish patriots and many jobs across the federal government," Ingrassia told Fox. "I think what happened on Oct. 7 was, you know, an atrocity, a tragedy, and I never want to see something like that happen again."

CNN also claimed that various Jewish advocacy groups didn’t know who Ingrassia was and did not endorse him, with one of those groups being the Zionist Organization of America. However, the organization’s national president was quick to dispute the claim. 

"A CNN article [said] that I never endorsed Paul Ingrassia for his nomination of a position with OSC," Morton Klein, national president for the Zionist Organization of America, told Fox News Digital. 

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"In fact, I merely stated that I didn’t clearly recall endorsing him. But upon further reflection, I now recall that I did endorse him during a recent Newsmax interview. And since then, I’ve had further conversations with Paul Ingrassia which only strengthened my support of having him confirmed."

"He also made clear to me that he finds ‘Fuentes views on denying the Holocaust and viciously and inappropriately condemning the Jewish State of Israel abhorrent and despicable,’" Klein said. 

CNN also quoted Jonathan Burkan, a Trump-appointed member of the Holocaust Memorial Council, as another Jewish advocate who does not support Ingrassia.

But Burkan told Fox News Digital: "On a personal level, I know Paul to be a good man who is not an antisemite nor a Holocaust denier."

"I am confident based on my conversations with him that he is a friend and an ally of the Jewish community, and anything to the contrary is a vicious and disgusting smear against him." 

The timeline for Ingrassia’s Senate confirmation hearing and confirmation is unclear, but he will likely face questions surrounding similar topics when facing Congress. 

https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trumps-nominee-lead-us-office-special-counsel-refutes-antisemitic-claims-ties-holocaust-denier

https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/gary-colemans-ex-wife-defends-taking-him-off-life-support-admits-could-have-helped-him-more

Shannon Price believes she "had no choice" but to take her ex-husband Gary Coleman off life support.

In May 2010, the former child star suffered an intracranial hemorrhage from a fall at his Utah home. Two days after he was placed in a medically induced coma, Price instructed the hospital to take Coleman off life support. 

People magazine reported that the former "Diff’rent Strokes" star had a will requesting that he be kept alive for 15 days before terminating treatment.

GARY COLEMAN'S EX KNOWS MORE ABOUT HIS DEATH 'THAN SHE'S TELLING': FORMER FBI AGENT

"He had gone into cardiac arrest, and that is ultimately what took his life," Price claimed in the upcoming A&E special, "Lie Detector: Truth or Deception," as quoted by People magazine.

When host Tony Harris asked Price, 39, if she could have given Coleman, 42, more time, she replied "No."

"They called me Thursday morning and said, ‘Does Gary have a DNR [do not resuscitate order]?’" she explained, as quoted by the outlet. "And I said, ‘Yeah, resuscitate him.’ I tried. I tried to do everything in my will."

"Thursday I go visit him, speak with the doctors, and they are like, ‘Shannon, we do not think that he is going to make it until Friday,’" she said. "Meaning his condition is not going to get any better. I made the right decision."

"I asked the questions, I saw the condition he was in," she insisted. "I just knew. I mean, he was basically already gone. And I said, ‘Okay, are his eyes dilated?’ And they said, ‘Yes.’ And I said, ‘OK, can I see?’ And they showed me, and that’s when I knew."

Price and Coleman married in 2007 and divorced the following year. She was still living with Coleman at the time of his fatal fall.

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"It was my decision. He did not want the divorce," she claimed. "I was just still at the house. My stuff was there, everything was there, we were still together… There’s two things I regret - divorcing him and not being able to save his life."

According to the special, Price presented a document to the hospital that named her the decision maker on Coleman’s medical directive. 

Price claimed she found Coleman in a pool of blood after she heard a loud thud in their home. In a recording of her 911 call, Price is heard refusing to listen to the operator’s instructions to help him, saying that she couldn’t cope with the amount of blood present. 

"As far as rendering aid, I could have helped him a little bit more," Price admitted in the special.

Price maintained her innocence regarding the incident. She has also never been charged in connection with his death.

In 2010, Santaquin Police Chief Dennis Howard told People magazine that "there was absolutely nothing suspicious about [Coleman’s] death" and there was "no [criminal] investigation going on." According to the outlet, Coleman’s death certificate also listed his manner of death as an "accident."

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For the special, Price took a polygraph test administered by retired FBI special agent and veteran polygraph examiner George Olivo. She was questioned about the details surrounding Coleman’s fatal fall. The lie detector showed "deception indicated" when directly asked if she physically caused Coleman’s fall.

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A statement from Price was shared with Fox News Digital. "We were extremely disappointed with the overall experience of both the polygraph testing and dealing with A&E. Many promises were made and not kept. The testing situation was unfair and very uncomfortable, and the testing was performed non-verbally--which I should have refused. From the beginning, it was apparent they cared more about ratings than finding the truth."

Olivo was adamant about the results.

"When I say that she failed the exam, I’m not saying that she deliberately, with willful intent, killed him in cold blood – I’m not saying that at all," Olivo told Fox News Digital. "I don’t know what happened in that house. All I know is that she knows why she failed, and there’s more to the story than she’s telling."

"It could be that maybe she was there when he fell," Olivo shared. "Maybe they got into a heated argument, and it turned into a shoving match, and he slipped and fell… I don’t know what it is. I’m not trying to say that I know what happened. I just know that there’s more to the story. It could still be an accident, but an accident that she doesn’t want to show her involvement in."

Olivo has conducted thousands of polygraph examinations for the FBI. Notably, Olivo administered a lie detector test to Casey Anthony’s parents in 2024 for the A&E and Lifetime special, "Casey Anthony’s Parents: The Lie Detector Test."

"There’s this idea or notion that if someone tells a lie long enough, then they begin to believe it – I don’t really believe that," Olivo explained. "I’ve tested folks that were crimes committed 20, 30 years ago, and they’ve been saying the same story."

"When someone gets very, very confident… they don’t believe they’re going to get caught. They’re so confident now that the lie is accepted. [So], they’re just as confident as if they were telling the truth. But [Price] knows why she failed my test. I’m very confident about that."

"I don’t purport to know what happened in that house," Olivo stressed. "Only she knows. She’s the only one alive now who knows what happened in that house. But I maintain that she knows exactly why she failed my test."

In the episode, Price is heard saying, "I know where I’m at. I’m at peace. There is a reason I am not in prison. There is a legit reason for that. It's because they did a thorough investigation."

https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/gary-colemans-ex-wife-defends-taking-him-off-life-support-admits-could-have-helped-him-more

https://www.foxnews.com/lifestyle/seniors-flock-new-hooters-restaurant-plus-clue-leads-shipwreck-discovery

GRANDPA'S HOTSPOT: Seniors from a Florida retirement community couldn't wait to try out a new Hooters restaurant.

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https://www.foxnews.com/media/washington-post-ceo-urges-staffers-who-dont-feel-aligned-papers-new-direction-take-buyout

Washington Post publisher and CEO Will Lewis is urging staffers who don't "feel aligned" with the paper's new direction to take a buyout and leave. 

In a memo sent to staff Wednesday, Lewis touted the Post's "reinvention journey" it has taken in recent months, including its "reimagining" of its opinion pages that "champion American values" among other company initiatives. 

"The moment demands that we continue to rethink all aspects of our organization and business to maximize our impact," Lewis wrote in the memo obtained by Fox News Digital. "If we want to reconnect with our audience and continue to defend democracy, more changes at The Post will be necessary. And to succeed, we need to be united as a team with a strong belief and passion in where we are heading."

"I understand and respect, however, that our chosen path is not for everyone," he continued. "That’s exactly why we introduced the voluntary separation program. As we continue in this new direction, I want to ask those who do not feel aligned with the company’s plan to reflect on that. The VSP is designed to support you in making this decision, give you the ability to weigh your options thoughtfully and with less concern about financial consequences. And if you think that it’s time to move on to a new chapter, the VSP helps you take that next step with more security."

LONGTIME WASHINGTON POST COLUMNIST QUITS PAPER, SLAMS GROWING EDITORIAL CONSTRAINTS UNDER BEZOS

"Regardless of what you decide, I want to thank all of you for everything you have done for this organization. If you choose to move away from The Post, thank you for all your contributions, and I truly wish you the best of luck. If you believe in our next chapter, I’m excited for the work ahead of us," Lewis concluded the memo. 

The Washington Post did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment. 

Lewis' memo came less than two months after the paper launched its latest buyout program specifically targeting veteran staffers that would conclude at the end of July. 

WASHINGTON POST EDITOR ON LEAVE AFTER DOJ CHARGES HIM WITH POSSESSING CHILD PORNOGRAPHY

According to a VSP document previously viewed by Fox News Digital, nine months of base pay would be given to staffers employed for 10-15 years, 12 months of base pay for 15-20-year veterans, 15 months of base pay for 20-25-year veterans and 18 months for anyone who has worked at the Post for more than 25 years. All of them would also receive 12 months of pay credit in their Separate Retirement Account (SRA). 

The Post has suffered a dramatic decline in subscriptions, which was further fueled by multiple boycott campaigns against the "Democracy Dies in Darkness" paper over decisions made by its billionaire owner Jeff Bezos. 

JEFF BEZOS' TENURE AS WASHINGTON POST OWNER IN SPOTLIGHT AS PAPER GRAPPLES WITH LOW MORALE, STAFFER EXODUS

The first was in October when Bezos halted the paper's endorsement of then-Vice President Kamala Harris just days before the November election. The second was in February when Bezos announced his directive for the Post's editorial pages to promote "personal liberties and free markets" and vowed not to publish pieces opposing those principles. 

Both instances sparked a mass exodus of paid subscribers and several resignations, including opinion editor David Shipley, who opposed Bezos' new policy. Last month, the Post tapped Adam O'Neal, formerly of The Economist and The Wall Street Journal, to lead the opinion pages. 

https://www.foxnews.com/media/washington-post-ceo-urges-staffers-who-dont-feel-aligned-papers-new-direction-take-buyout

https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-installs-massive-new-american-flags-white-house-dont-cost-taxpayers-penny

President Donald Trump installed two massive 88-foot-tall American flags on either side of the White House this summer in a patriotic endeavor that did not cost U.S. taxpayers a cent. 

"President Trump personally paid to install two big, beautiful American Flags to wave proudly over the White House for years to come. This is just one of many projects President Trump selflessly paid for to make the White House even more patriotic and beautiful," White House spokesperson Davis Ingle told Fox News Digital on Thursday. 

The flagpoles were estimated to cost $50,000 each. 

An American flag has flown on the White House roof stretching back decades, with Trump first announcing in April that he planned to install additional flags on the North and South lawns. 

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"They needed flagpoles for 200 years," Trump told the media back in April when he first announced plans for the flag installations. "It was something I’ve often said, you know, they don’t have a flagpole per se. So we’re putting one right where you saw us, and we’re putting another one on the other side, on top of the mounds. It’s going to be two beautiful poles."

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"Paid for by Trump," he added. 

The flagpoles were installed last month ahead of the 4th of July holiday and now frame the White House on either lawn.

Trump held a flag-raising ceremony on June 18, when he remarked that these are the "best poles anywhere in the country or in the world," while reveling in the manual installation of the poles. 

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"Only if you’re in construction is this exciting," Trump said during the ceremony last month. "See, you have to get it perfectly straight and once it’s perfect, they pour in the sand, and it’s there for 100 years."

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The installation of the flag poles is Trump's latest revamp to the White House under his second administration. The White House Rose Garden, for example, is currently under construction after Trump announced in March that he planned to renovate the historic garden with pavers, citing the grass "doesn’t work," citing how the soft grass terrain was difficult for some visitors, notably women in high-heels, to navigate.  

https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-installs-massive-new-american-flags-white-house-dont-cost-taxpayers-penny

https://www.foxnews.com/us/watch-ice-agents-fight-off-masked-mob-outside-blue-city-immigration-court

A confrontation erupted outside the San Francisco Immigration Court this week, as video shared by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) captured a tense altercation between agents and protesters.

The clash, which took place Tuesday, is the latest in a growing series of confrontations with federal immigration officers. 

According to ICE, assaults on immigration agents have surged nearly 700% compared to last year.

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Footage posted by the agency on X shows masked protesters scuffling with ICE agents wielding batons. 

"Get back, get back," agents are heard repeatedly telling protesters.

"Shame on you, shame on you," protesters are heard yelling, amid screams. 

At one point, demonstrators appeared to attempt access to a black ICE SUV parked outside the courthouse. A protester is seen lunging at officers as they push back, and several individuals climb onto the hood of the vehicle.

"This behavior is NOT protesting," ICE wrote in a post Thursday. "It’s assaulting federal employees while they’re on duty. It’s impeding federal officers. It’s ILLEGAL. It’s DANGEROUS. And it will NOT stop us from enforcing immigration law."

Many of the demonstrators were seen wearing keffiyeh scarves, a symbol often associated with pro-Palestinian activism. 

The group reportedly sought to prevent ICE from placing a detained migrant into the van, though the individual's identity and legal status were not disclosed.

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According to local outlet Mission Local, the protest was in response to the detainment of a specific migrant, but further details of the case have not been made public. 

An ICE spokesperson told Fox News Digital that rioters "violently attacked and obstructed federal law enforcement officers who were exercising their sworn duties." 

"These violent individuals have zero respect for the rule of law and casually violate it. This type of vile behavior has led to a 700% increase in assaults against ICE officers, and just last week, a coordinated attack at an ICE facility led to an officer being shot," they said. "Under Secretary Noem’s leadership, DHS will not tolerate violence against officers, and those responsible will be held accountable."

WATCH:

As the Trump administration continues to ramp up immigration enforcement, individuals against the administration have actively opposed ICE operations, particularly the practice of detaining individuals at immigration courthouses.

Demonstrators have called for an end to ICE agents operating in plainclothes and using unmarked vehicles, practices they argue contribute to fear and lack of accountability. 

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The Visible Identification Standards for Immigration-Based Law Enforcement (VISIBLE) Act, introduced by Democratic Sens. Alex Padilla of California and Cory Booker of New Jersey, aims to ban immigration officers from concealing their identities while engaged in enforcement activities.

"For weeks, Americans have watched federal agents with no visible identification detain people off the streets and instill fear in communities across the country," Booker said of the bill Tuesday. "Reports of individuals impersonating ICE officers have only increased the risk to public and officer safety. The lack of visible identification and uniform standards for immigration enforcement officers has created confusion, stoked fear and undermined public trust in law enforcement."

https://www.foxnews.com/us/watch-ice-agents-fight-off-masked-mob-outside-blue-city-immigration-court

https://www.foxnews.com/politics/federal-judge-hear-from-ice-its-plans-abrego-garcia-pending-release-from-custody

A federal judge will hear from a top Homeland Security official Thursday as she weighs next steps in the case of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran migrant erroneously deported from the U.S. and now central to a legal fight over Trump’s presidential powers.

U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis ordered the Trump administration on Monday to produce a government witness "with personal knowledge" about the administration’s plans for Abrego Garcia, who she said will be expected to testify, under oath, about the "who, what, where, and when" involving the government's plans to deport him again to either El Salvador or a third country pending release from federal custody.

Justice Department officials notified Judge Xinis hours before the hearing that they plan to call as a witness Thomas Giles, the assistant director for the Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations office in Los Angeles, California.

Trump administration officials are expected to address on Thursday, "among other topics, the asserted lawful bases for detention, the nature and timing of any notice to be provided to Abrego Garcia, the location of any proposed custody or transfer, and the procedural steps Defendants intend to pursue," Xinis said in her order. 

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The request came after Justice Department officials conceded at a hearing earlier this week that Abrego Garcia could be removed from the U.S. as soon as July 16 — nine days from today, when a federal judge in Tennessee will consider whether he should be freed and transferred to DHS custody.

Abrego Garcia, currently held by U.S. Marshals in Tennessee, was returned from El Salvador in June — three months after his deportation and weeks after the Supreme Court backed Xinis’s order to facilitate his return.

Upon arrival, Abrego was immediately slapped with federal charges stemming from a 2022 traffic stop. Justice Department officials acknowledged in court this week that they plan to immediately take him into ICE custody as early as this month and deport him to a third country — regardless of the status of his criminal case.

Xinis, who is handling his civil case, grilled Trump administration lawyers for details Monday as to when they opened a federal investigation into Abrego Garcia in the U.S. Middle District of Tennessee — and how the timing of the investigation and federal indictment squared with the government's testimony in her own court. 

SCOTUS DENIES FLORIDA AG REQUEST TO ENFORCE CONTROVERSIAL IMMIGRATION LAW

She took umbrage at the dueling timelines of the criminal investigation, noting that, by the government’s own admission, it began investigating Abrego Garcia in the Middle District in Tennessee on April 28, 2025 — the same time officials were telling the court that the administration was powerless to order a foreign government to return Abrego Garcia, in compliance with the court order.

"Now I have real concerns — as if I haven't for the last three months," Xinis noted in response.

Justice Department lawyers also told Xinis that they do not plan to keep him in the U.S. until his trial is over.

"No," Justice Department attorney Jonathan Guynn answered simply. 

"There’s no intention to just put him in limbo in ICE custody while we wait for the criminal case to unfold," Guynn told Xinis. "He will be removed, as would any other illegal alien in that process."

"Given the series of unlawful actions" here, I feel like it’s well within my authority to order this hearing — perhaps more than one — to hear testimony from at least one witness with firsthand knowledge, who can answer these questions about the immediate next steps" from the government pending Abrego Garca's release from custody, Xinis said.

https://www.foxnews.com/politics/federal-judge-hear-from-ice-its-plans-abrego-garcia-pending-release-from-custody

https://www.foxnews.com/sports/nfl-first-round-draft-pick-falls-victim-cunning-bank-impersonation-scam-cost-him-thousands

An NFL first-round draft pick was the victim of a $240,000 heist after someone pranked him into thinking he was speaking to a banker.

Minnesota Vikings linebacker Dallas Turner received a call from someone impersonating himself to be a banker at JPMorgan Chase on Feb. 19, which led to the eventual bank heist.

The caller "claimed someone was attempting to impersonate [Turner] at a Chase Bank branch in Arizona and presented two copies of ID to execute a wire transfer," according to the Minnesota Star Tribune, citing an affidavit.

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Turner was then told by the caller to transfer money to two separate business accounts to stop the supposed theft. He then sent two payments, each worth $120,000, to "Island Food Truck LLC" and "CNL FL LLC."

"[Turner] spoke with a family member and determined [he] may have been a victim of a fraud scam," the affidavit read.

"Through our investigation, several suspects have been identified, and we are working toward criminal charges to hold them accountable," Eagan Police Sgt. Rich Evans said in a statement to ESPN.

RAMS' DAVANTE ADAMS SAYS LEBRON JAMES WOULD HAVE BEEN ONE OF THE BEST WIDE RECEIVERS IN NFL HISTORY

Police have also asked JPMorgan Chase if its own internal investigation found whether its own employees played a role in the scheme and how "the fraudster was able to obtain sensitive account details including Dallas’ full name, linked phone numbers and [his] LLC account info."

Turner was the 17th overall pick in last year's NFL Draft out of Alabama, where he was named the SEC's Co-Defensive Player of the Year in his senior year. He lost the national championship with the team against Georgia in his freshman season.

The linebacker racked up 20 combined tackles (eight solo, 12 assisted), three of them for loss, as well as another three sacks and an interception.

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https://www.foxnews.com/sports/nfl-first-round-draft-pick-falls-victim-cunning-bank-impersonation-scam-cost-him-thousands