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José Andrés Attacks Trump Over D.C. Crime Crackdown

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Police (Kenny Eliason/Unsplash)

Celebrity chef José Andrés lashed out at President Donald Trump this week, accusing him of harming Washington, D.C.’s restaurant industry with his aggressive anti-crime policies and immigration enforcement.

Andrés, the Spanish-born founder of World Central Kitchen, posted a lengthy rant on X accusing Trump of “terrorizing” illegal immigrants and avoiding restaurants in the city. “All your time in DC you haven’t eaten ONCE outside the White House or your own hotel,” he wrote. He went on to claim it was “a flat out lie” that half the city’s restaurants had closed because of safety concerns.

But the chef’s claims contradict reporting from late 2023, which showed that at least 52 restaurants permanently shut their doors in the District, with owners directly citing rampant crime as a leading cause. Carjackings, robberies, and homicides have all contributed to a perception of danger in the nation’s capital, driving down foot traffic for local businesses.

Andrés instead blamed Trump’s federal crackdown, arguing that law enforcement measures—including National Guard deployments—were scaring residents and workers. “Restaurants will close because you have troops with guns and federal agents harassing people…making people afraid to go out,” he wrote.

The celebrity chef ended his message with a plea for looser immigration policies, saying small businesses needed illegal immigrant labor to survive. “Government should have respect for its people, not terrorize them,” Andrés concluded.

His comments followed a viral clip of Trump noting that “half the restaurants closed, because nobody could go, because they were afraid to go outside.” Since Trump’s anti-crime surge began, D.C. has seen over 1,000 criminals taken off the streets and even recorded nearly two weeks without a murder—something locals say hasn’t happened in years.

While restaurant owners continue to warn that crime is their biggest challenge, Andrés appears more concerned about protecting illegal immigration than confronting the lawlessness that has plagued D.C. for years.

Minneapolis Catholic School Trans Shooter’s Vile Video

Person praying, hands folded in church (Himsan/Pixabay via Canva Pro)

The transgender suspect behind Wednesday’s Catholic school massacre in Minneapolis left behind a disturbing video message filled with profanity, anti-Christian rhetoric, and open contempt for children. The shooter, born Robert Westman and later identifying as Robin, killed two young students—ages eight and ten—and wounded 17 others during morning Mass at Annunciation Catholic School.

Armed with three firearms, the attacker opened fire from outside the building, shooting through windows as children and teachers gathered in pews. Federal investigators are treating the atrocity as an anti-Catholic hate crime, noting that the shooter’s writings and recorded statements revealed explicit hostility toward Christianity.

In the vile video message, the shooter declared, “F** those kids,”* and mocked believers by asking, “Where’s your f**ing God now?”* At one point, the suspect spoke as if addressing the children directly: “I didn’t ask for life, you didn’t ask for death.”

Handwritten notes visible in the recording showed the killer had been plotting the attack for a long time, describing it as something he had “wanted for so long.” The manifesto blended violent hatred with bizarre contradictions, at one point preaching “love, peace, and accepting differences” while simultaneously justifying mass murder.

The suspect apologized to family members for the act but refused to express remorse toward the victims, making clear his intent was fueled by deep-seated animosity toward Catholic faith and children.

The shooting has sparked national outrage, with critics calling for stronger recognition of anti-Christian hate crimes. Families in Minneapolis are mourning the loss of two innocent children while many others recover from injuries caused by the gunman’s rampage.

Federal authorities have pledged continued updates on the case as they gather evidence from the manifesto, video, and recovered weapons.

Trump Suggests Pre-Midterm Convention

RNC Convention (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

President Donald Trump took to Truth Social on Thursday to suggest a national convention for Republicans prior to the 2026 midterms.

“The Republican Party is doing really well. Millions of people have joined us in our quest to MAKE AMERICA, GREAT AGAIN. We won every aspect of the Presidential Election and, based on the great success we are having, are poised to WIN BIG IN THE MIDTERMS,” Trump wrote. “We have raised far more money than the Democrats, and are having a great time fixing all of the Country Destroying mistakes made by the Biden Administration, and watching the USA heal and prosper.”

“The results are incredible, a record pace!!! In that light, I am thinking of recommending a National Convention to the Republican Party, just prior to the Midterms. It has never been done before. STAY TUNED!!! DONALD J. TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA”

Democrats have also considered holding a convention leading up to the midterms. According to a report from Axios, Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin has floated the idea to leaders in Minneapolis. The report explained that people familar with the matter said the convention is intended to “showcase candidates and emerging leaders of the party.”

“Americans everywhere are fired up and ready to fight back against Trump’s reckless policies — including his budget betrayal that cuts health care and food assistance for millions of people,” a DNC spokesperson said in a statement obtained by The Hill. “To showcase our tremendous candidates running up and down the ballot and harness the amazing grassroots energy we’re already seeing, several options are on the table for next year, including hosting a large-scale gathering before the midterms.”

Swiss High Court Upholds Tariq Ramadan Rape Conviction

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Switzerland’s supreme court on Thursday dismissed an appeal by Islamic scholar Tariq Ramadan, upholding his conviction for rape and sexual coercion. Ramadan, the grandson of Muslim Brotherhood founder Hassan al-Banna, had been sentenced by a Geneva appeals court in 2023 to three years in prison, two of which were suspended, for assaulting a woman in a Geneva hotel nearly two decades ago.

“The Federal Court dismissed Tariq Ramadan’s appeal against the conviction for rape and sexual coercion handed down by the Geneva Court of Justice,” the court announced.

The decision marks the first final conviction against the former Oxford University professor, who still faces multiple rape allegations across Switzerland and France. His defense has long claimed the accusations are part of a “Zionist plot,” but European courts have repeatedly advanced the cases against him.

Ramadan, a married father of four, was once celebrated in academic and Islamic circles, but his reputation collapsed after accusations surfaced during the height of the “Me Too” movement in 2017. He was forced to take leave from Oxford University and later faced multiple criminal inquiries.

The scholar has also faced scrutiny for his political ties. The Bush administration barred him from entering the U.S. in 2004 after reports surfaced that he donated to the Association de Secours Palestinien, a group accused of funding Hamas. The ban was lifted in 2010 under then-Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

The Swiss supreme court rejected Ramadan’s claims that the Geneva court’s evidence review had been “arbitrary” and dismissed his procedural objections. Lawyers for the victim, a Muslim convert identified only as “Brigitte,” welcomed the ruling, saying it brought closure after years of legal battles.

Ramadan still faces additional legal challenges in France, where several women have accused him of rape and assault.

Minneapolis Mayor Deflects Shooter’s Motives

Nicole Geri/Unsplash

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey (D) downplayed reports that the Minneapolis Catholic school shooter identified as transgender and expressed anti-Trump sentiments, instead shifting focus to gun control during an interview Wednesday on MSNBC’s The Briefing.

Host Jen Psaki noted that law enforcement had confirmed the shooter’s possible transgender identity and anti-Trump writings, including disturbing slogans scrawled on weapons. She criticized those pointing to these details as part of an effort “to weaponize” the story.

Frey quickly dismissed the significance of the shooter’s ideology. “Anybody who is using this as an opportunity to villainize trans people has completely lost touch with a common humanity,” Frey said. He added that people often “reverse manufacture the facts” to reach their preferred conclusions.

While briefly acknowledging the Catholic community targeted in the massacre, Frey pivoted to calling for love and unity rather than focusing on the shooter’s motives. “The antidote to hate is not more hate,” he said, urging Americans to stand together across communities.

But moments later, Frey placed the blame on firearms. “I’m not an expert on every statutory section of gun law throughout the country. What I do know is that we have too many of them,” he claimed. “This particular individual had a whole ton of guns, and in most places, you can buy virtually as many as you want, apparently, even if you’ve got some severe mental health disorders.”

Frey’s comments come as federal investigators confirmed the shooting is being investigated as an anti-Catholic hate crime. The shooter, identified as Robin Westman, killed two children and wounded 17 others during Mass, leaving behind a manifesto laced with anti-Christian rhetoric.

Critics argue Frey’s refusal to address the shooter’s motives—while placing blame on firearms—ignores the ideological component of an attack that specifically targeted Catholic children and their faith.

Democrats Push Maryland Redistricting Effort

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

Maryland lawmaker Senator Clarence Lam (D) introduced legislation to begin the redistricting process in the state.

In a statement on X, Lam said he “filed a bill request to introduce legislation in the Senate of Maryland to redraw our congressional districts.”

“I submitted this because we need to fight back by sending a message to other states like Missouri and Indiana: ‘Don’t do it. But if you do pass these extreme gerrymanders, Maryland stands ready to act,'” he wrote. “I don’t love having to do this, but it’s necessary. I’m tired of bringing a pencil to a knife fight. All too often, Democrats are reluctant to utilize all their tools to defend their constituents and protect their communities.”

Rep. Andy Harris (R-MD), the only Republican representing the state in Congress, condemned redistricting discussions. “It disenfranchises huge amounts of the Maryland population. It just wouldn’t be fair,” he said in an interview with WTOP this week.

“For the governor, it would be a stunning reversal from his position. If you want to go and listen to his inaugural address, he talked about, ‘If they’re good ideas, you work across the aisle,'” Harris said, adding, “The most partisan thing you could do is gerrymander a state that has had two Republican governors out of the last four, into a state that can’t send a Republican to Congress.”

Maryland Governor Wes Moore (D) told CBS News’s “Face the Nation” that “all options are on the table” for redistricting.

“The fact that the president of the United States, very similar to what he did in Georgia, where he called up a series of voter registrants and said, ‘I need you to find me more votes’ — we’re watching the same thing now, where he’s calling up legislatures around the country and saying, ‘I need you to find me more congressional districts,’” he argued.

A California Republican similarly introduced a bill to split the state of California in response to redistricting efforts that would “silence rural voices and rig the political system against them forever.”

Warren Defends Lisa Cook Amid Fraud Allegations

American Flag, Church (Brad Dodson/Unsplash)

Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) defended recently fired Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook on CNBC’s Squawk on the Street, dismissing mortgage fraud allegations against her as nothing more than a political hit job orchestrated by allies of President Donald Trump.

Cook was removed from her position earlier this week after President Trump cited “sufficient cause” tied to accusations she improperly claimed two different primary residences on mortgage applications. The allegations were first raised publicly by Federal Housing Finance Agency head Bill Pulte, who presented documents suggesting Cook violated federal housing rules.

When pressed on whether a guilty verdict would justify Cook’s removal, Warren dodged, arguing that the claims are rooted in partisan attacks. “Where did they come from? They came from a Donald Trump lackey,” she said, accusing Pulte of digging through “Trump’s enemies list” to smear political opponents.

Warren insisted that firing a Federal Reserve official must be tied to misconduct directly related to the job. “What I care most about is that we follow the law here, and the law is pretty clear that firing for cause means job-related, like someone who has been inefficient or someone who’s been corrupt in doing the job,” she said.

She added that if Republicans want to broaden the legal grounds for dismissal, they should change the law through Congress. “We are a nation of laws, let’s just follow the law here,” Warren argued.

Her defense comes as Democrats rally around Cook, painting Trump’s move as part of a broader campaign to reshape the Fed. Republicans counter that Cook’s alleged fraud undermines public trust in the central bank, which is tasked with overseeing financial stability and setting interest rates.

Netanyahu Praises Trump’s Strength Against Terror

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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg, Pool, File)

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in an exclusive interview with Breitbart News, contrasted President Donald Trump’s decisive leadership against terror with the weakness of many Western leaders, especially in Europe, who have condemned Israel as it closes in on victory over Hamas in Gaza.

Netanyahu said much of the world has been misled by Hamas propaganda, aided by mainstream media willing to spread its claims. But he emphasized that Trump never fell for it. “He just doesn’t buy this. And not only does he not buy this, he stands by Israel because he knows we’re fighting your enemy. He knows that our victory will be your victory,” Netanyahu stated.

He pointed to Trump’s historic campaign against Iran — the regime backing Hamas, Hezbollah, and other terror proxies — as proof of strong American leadership. “It showed that America is back. America is not going to let a regime that chants ‘Death to America’ develop nuclear weapons to achieve that goal,” Netanyahu said.

By contrast, Netanyahu accused European leaders of appeasing radical Islamist minorities within their countries, abandoning Israel in an effort to pacify extremists at home. Quoting Winston Churchill, he warned that appeasement only feeds the “crocodile,” which eventually turns on its feeders. “When they sacrifice Israel, the crocodile will go after them … then go after Europe, and then go after the United States,” Netanyahu cautioned.

The prime minister also rejected accusations that Israel was starving Palestinians in Gaza, stressing that Israel was sending unprecedented levels of humanitarian aid to an enemy population—something never before done in wartime.

Netanyahu credited his nation’s partnership with President Trump as a bulwark against catastrophe, arguing that strong U.S.-Israeli cooperation is vital to defeating radical Islam and protecting the West itself.

Newsom Denies UCLA Antisemitism Crisis

(Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

California Governor Gavin Newsom is refusing to acknowledge the extent of antisemitism at UCLA, where Jewish students were harassed and excluded from campus spaces by anti-Israel protesters during 2024’s encampments. His dismissal comes as the Trump administration presses the university to pay a $1 billion fine for civil rights violations and implement reforms to protect Jewish and Israeli students.

A federal judge sharply rebuked UCLA in an August 2024 ruling, writing: “Jewish students were excluded from portions of the UCLA campus because they refused to denounce their faith. UCLA does not dispute this.” The court rejected UCLA’s claim that it bore no responsibility since protesters orchestrated the exclusion, emphasizing the school’s constitutional duty to safeguard religious freedom.

Despite the ruling, Newsom has resisted calls to hold UCLA accountable. Politico reported that the governor scoffed at the idea of a fine, saying, “Fine for what?” He added that he would resign before approving such a settlement, doubling down on his defense of state institutions.

Meanwhile, President Donald Trump has condemned UCLA as one of the nation’s worst offenders in fostering a hostile environment for Jewish students. His administration has demanded accountability and pledged to enforce civil rights protections vigorously.

Newsom, who has pushed progressive causes such as a reparations task force for slavery in a state that entered the Union as free in 1850, has shown little interest in addressing what Jewish students endured. Instead, he framed the issue through partisan attacks on Trump, referencing the former president’s controversial 2022 dinner guest list while ignoring the documented harassment on campus.

Jewish students and faculty remain deeply concerned, with federal authorities signaling that further penalties may follow unless UCLA enacts serious reforms.

Minneapolis Catholic School Shooting Labeled Anti-Christian Hate Crime

"Jesus Saves" Sign (Jason Betz/Unsplash)

Federal officials confirmed Wednesday that the deadly shooting at a Minneapolis Catholic school is being investigated as an anti-Christian hate crime after evidence revealed the gunman’s open hostility toward Christianity.

Two children, ages 8 and 10, were killed and 17 others wounded when the attacker opened fire during Mass. FBI Director Kash Patel said the suspect, identified as Robin “Robert” Westman, left behind a manifesto and videos displaying deep hatred for Christians and explicit calls for violence.

Westman’s YouTube page, since deleted, contained footage of his weapons, including gun magazines inscribed with phrases such as “Kill Donald Trump,” “Where is your God?” “Mashallah,” and “Israel Must Fall.” In one disturbing display, Westman pinned a picture of Jesus Christ to a body target and fired at it.

Investigators also uncovered drawings in which Westman depicted himself speaking with a “demon” in the mirror urging him to commit suicide. His writings repeatedly mocked Christianity, taunted believers, and displayed anti-Catholic themes.

“The FBI is investigating this shooting as an act of domestic terrorism and hate crime targeting Catholics,” Patel said. “There were 2 fatalities, an 8-year-old and a 10-year-old. In addition, 14 children and 3 adults were injured.”

The attack, one of the deadliest on Christians in recent years, underscores the growing danger of anti-Christian violence in America. Officials noted that the shooter’s actions and writings fit the profile of religiously motivated domestic terrorism.

The tragedy has rocked Minneapolis, leaving families grieving and a community reeling from the targeting of children in a sacred setting. Federal investigators continue to piece together Westman’s motivations but emphasize his clear animosity toward Catholic faith and symbols of Christianity.

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