Home Blog Page 29

Gun Violence Falls Under Trump After Biden’s Last Year

Police
Image via Canva

Gun violence in the United States has declined during President Donald Trump’s first year back in office compared to President Joe Biden’s final year, according to new data from the Gun Violence Archive (GVA). The numbers, released Thursday in a post on X, reveal decreases in overall gun deaths, gun injuries, and even incidents categorized as “mass shootings” under GVA’s broad definition.

The GVA is frequently cited by gun control advocates who use its data to argue for stricter firearm restrictions. However, the group defines mass shootings more broadly than traditional standards, counting incidents with as few as four people injured—regardless of fatalities—and including gang violence, domestic disputes, and drive-by shootings. Even under these looser parameters, the organization’s own data shows declines under Trump compared to Biden.

The figures show that 2025, Trump’s first year as the 47th president, has seen fewer gun-related fatalities and injuries than 2024, Biden’s last year in office. This decline comes despite Trump’s strong pro-Second Amendment stance, which emphasizes protecting gun rights rather than imposing new restrictions. By contrast, Biden championed an aggressive gun control agenda during his presidency, including attempts to restrict popular firearms and push for bans on high-capacity magazines.

Critics of Biden argued that his policies focused on restricting law-abiding gun owners while doing little to stop criminals. Under Trump, federal policy has shifted toward enforcing existing laws and emphasizing crime control rather than imposing new firearm bans. The latest GVA statistics appear to show that gun violence has trended downward despite the loosening of Biden-era regulatory pressure.

The findings undermine one of the central arguments of gun control activists—that tighter restrictions automatically translate into greater public safety. Instead, the early results of Trump’s presidency suggest that violent crime can fall even while protecting the rights of lawful gun owners.

European Leaders Praise Trump’s Push for Ukraine Peace Talks

Trump
(Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

President Donald Trump’s meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Anchorage, Alaska, on Friday drew praise from several European leaders who said his efforts have opened the door to peace in Ukraine. While the summit did not produce a ceasefire or formal agreement, Trump announced progress toward a potential comprehensive peace deal after three and a half years of war.

British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said Trump’s leadership should be recognized. “President Trump’s efforts have brought us closer than ever before to ending Russia’s illegal war in Ukraine. His leadership in pursuit of an end to the killing should be commended,” Starmer told The Times of London. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni added that the talks offered “a glimmer of hope” for meaningful discussions on peace. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said Trump’s diplomacy marked a turning point, stating, “Today, the world is a safer place than it was yesterday.”

Despite the optimism, some leaders remain cautious. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas warned that Putin continues to stall negotiations. She noted that while Trump is pressing for a deal, Moscow left Anchorage without making concrete commitments. “The US holds the power to force Russia to negotiate seriously,” Kallas said, pledging that Europe would continue working with both Ukraine and Washington.

In a joint statement, Starmer, Meloni, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, and EU leaders Ursula von der Leyen and António Costa called for a trilateral summit involving Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, and Putin. They stressed that Ukraine’s sovereignty and right to pursue NATO membership must not be limited as part of any deal. “Ukraine must have ironclad security guarantees,” the leaders declared.

Trump said following the Anchorage talks that “a lot of points were agreed on” but admitted “one or two pretty significant items” remain unresolved. He emphasized that any final settlement depends on Ukraine’s approval. Zelensky, who has been meeting with European allies, is expected to meet with Trump on Monday.

Suspected Illegal Alien Killed Fleeing ICE Agents in California

ICE reporting bill
Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers (Photo by Bryan Cox/U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement via Getty Images)

A suspected illegal alien was struck and killed after running onto a freeway in Monrovia, California, while attempting to evade federal immigration agents on Thursday. City officials confirmed the man fled from a Home Depot parking lot where Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers were conducting an enforcement operation, before darting onto the 210 Freeway and being hit by a passing vehicle.

Monrovia City Manager Dylan Fiek stated that the man likely ran to avoid detection by ICE agents. According to a city press release, Monrovia police were alerted to ICE’s presence at the Home Depot on Mountain Avenue that morning. Shortly after agents began their operation, one individual fled the area on foot, crossed Evergreen Avenue, and ran directly into traffic on the freeway. At 9:52 a.m., emergency crews responded to reports of a vehicle collision with a pedestrian. The man was transported to a nearby hospital, where he later died of his injuries. Authorities have not released his identity.

The California Highway Patrol reported that the man was hit by an SUV traveling approximately 50–60 mph. The driver remained at the scene and cooperated with investigators.

This incident comes as immigration enforcement has increased across California, with Home Depot locations emerging as common sites for operations due to the presence of day laborers seeking unauthorized employment. In early August, 16 illegal aliens were arrested in Los Angeles during “Operation Trojan Horse,” when Border Patrol agents disguised in a rental truck surprised workers gathered outside another Home Depot.

Federal officials argue that such sites often include individuals with criminal histories. Gregory K. Bovino, commander overseeing federal immigration enforcement in California, noted earlier this month that arrests have included day laborers with records of theft, drug possession, DUI convictions, and prior deportations.

Not everyone has welcomed the enforcement efforts. On Thursday, members of the Party for Socialism and Liberation protested outside the Monrovia Home Depot, chanting against ICE and holding signs that read “ICE Out of Our Communities.” Homeland Security has indicated that nationwide enforcement actions will continue in the coming months.

Bill Maher Admits Liberals Lost Control on Crime and Homelessness

LA homeless
Image via Canva

On Friday’s broadcast of HBO’s Real Time, host Bill Maher acknowledged that Washington, D.C. suffers from high crime and homelessness, while also conceding that liberals have failed to address the problem. Maher argued that although he disagrees with President Trump’s approach, the former president is not wrong to insist that city streets belong to law-abiding citizens, not to criminals or homeless encampments.

Maher pointed out that while D.C.’s crime is severe, several counties in other states report even higher murder rates, including Shelby County, Tennessee, and Jefferson County, Alabama. He questioned why federal authorities are not deployed in those areas as well. Still, Maher admitted that Trump is capitalizing on issues Democrats have failed to fix. “This is another instance of Trump having an idea that’s not completely wrong…he takes advantage of when liberals f*ck up,” Maher said.

The host criticized the way checkpoints have been placed in some of the wealthiest neighborhoods of Washington, D.C., while more dangerous parts of the city remain neglected. He argued that residents should not have to live in fear or surrender public spaces to encampments.

Maher further warned that progressive policies have enabled homelessness to become a “lifestyle,” with leaders unwilling to enforce basic standards. He insisted that citizens should not be forced to watch their streets taken over by tent cities and open-air drug use. “You can’t just take over the streets of the city,” Maher said, stressing that homelessness needs real solutions, not excuses.

While critical of President Trump’s hardline tactics, Maher’s comments reveal growing frustration among liberals over their own party’s inability to manage urban decline. His remarks echo the concerns of millions of Americans who believe Democrat-led cities have abandoned the principle that public spaces belong to taxpayers, not lawbreakers.

Newsom Blames Trump While Dodging California Homeless Crisis

California Governor Gavin Newsom (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli,File)

California Governor Gavin Newsom (D) attempted to link the state’s ongoing homelessness and quality-of-life crisis to President Trump during an interview with Fox 11 Los Angeles’ The Issue Is. In remarks released Friday, Newsom described the state’s efforts to handle street encampments as a “roller coaster on progress,” but then shifted the discussion toward “authoritarian tendencies” he claimed were tied to Trump.

Host Elex Michaelson, who has interviewed Newsom multiple times, reminded viewers of the governor’s past appearances, from cleaning trash under an overpass to traveling abroad. When asked about his favorite segment on the show, Newsom pointed to homelessness, calling it the most important issue but immediately pivoted to national politics. “It explains, in many ways, why we’re here talking about Donald Trump and his authoritarian tendencies,” Newsom said.

California has faced intense criticism for its handling of homelessness, with encampments expanding across Los Angeles, San Francisco, and other cities despite billions of dollars spent on housing and services. Residents have complained of rising crime, unsanitary conditions, and declining public safety in neighborhoods overrun with tents.

Rather than outlining new solutions, Newsom used the interview to attack President Trump and shift focus away from the state’s failures. His comments echo a broader Democratic strategy of tying local problems to national politics while sidestepping accountability for policy shortcomings.

Despite repeated promises to reduce homelessness, California remains home to nearly one-third of the nation’s homeless population. Recent reports show tent cities and open-air drug use remain a defining feature of urban life in the state. Newsom’s remarks suggest he views political attacks on Trump as a way to deflect from growing frustration over his leadership in California.

NYC Crime Stats Manipulation Exposed

Image via Canva Pro

New York City Councilman Robert Holden (D), who is backing Republican Curtis Sliwa for mayor, accused city officials of manipulating crime statistics to make conditions look better than they are. In a Friday interview on Fox News Radio’s Brian Kilmeade Show, Holden said he believes the city is “playing with the numbers” and reclassifying crimes to downplay the surge in violence and disorder since the pandemic.

Holden’s remarks came after Kilmeade pressed him about the contradiction between official reports claiming crime is down and the reality residents face daily. Holden emphasized that New Yorkers see through the statistics: “We see what’s going on, and we see that we need to make a change.” He added that despite city leaders’ assurances, quality of life has sharply declined in recent years.

The councilman pointed out that crime data appeared to shift suddenly at the end of last year. He said numbers that had been consistently high for seven to eight years were abruptly revised, fueling his suspicion that the city is reclassifying incidents to make trends appear more favorable. This echoes concerns in other major cities, including Washington, D.C., where lawsuits have been filed demanding access to accurate crime records.

Holden, a Democrat representing Queens, has long criticized progressive policies that he says have worsened public safety. By endorsing Sliwa, he broke ranks with his party, arguing that New York needs a leader in the mold of former Mayor Rudy Giuliani, who aggressively tackled crime during the 1990s. Holden praised Giuliani as “the greatest mayor of the city of New York” and suggested Sliwa’s approach would bring similar results.

Skepticism over official crime reporting has grown as residents across the five boroughs continue to report increased theft, drug activity, and random violence on the streets and subways. Despite city leaders’ claims of progress, surveys show that public confidence in safety remains low. Holden’s comments highlight a growing divide between the lived experiences of New Yorkers and the statistics touted by city hall.

Trump, Putin Meet in Historic Summit

(Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin met in Alaska for a major summit as the United States seeks an end to the Russia-Ukraine war.

Ahead of the meeting, Trump told Fox News, “It’s not for me to negotiate a deal for Ukraine, but I can certainly set the table to negotiate the deal, and our next meeting will have President Zelenskyy, President Putin, and probably me. I’d like to focus on doing our country, but I get these interruptions.”

Asked what his expectations are, Trump said, “You don’t like to have too many expectations,” adding, “I won’t be happy if I walk away without some form of a ceasefire.”

“This is really setting the table today,” he noted.

Trump said this week that there will be “very severe consequences” if Putin fails to reach a peace agreement with Zelenskyy.

“There will be consequences,” Trump told reporters. “I don’t have to say. There will be very severe consequences.”

“I’ll tell you what. I’ve had that conversation with him. I’ve had a lot of good conversations with him then I go home and I see that a rocket hit a nursing home or a rocket hit an apartment building, and people are laying dead in the streets,” Trump said. “So, I guess the answer to that is no, because I’ve had this conversation. I want to end the war. It’s Biden’s war, but I want to end it. I’ll be very proud to end this war, along with the five other wars I ended. But, I guess the answer to that is probably no.”

This is a developing story.

Hawley Condemns Meta for ‘Sensual’ AI Chats With Children

Josh Hawley
Senator Josh Hawley (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

Senator Josh Hawley (R-MO) sent a letter to Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, demanding that the company share information related to reports that its AI chatbots have exchanged “sensual” comments with children.

Hawley wrote that Meta’s approved internal rules for its chatbots permitting “romantic” and “sensual” exchanges with children are “unacceptable.”

“Meta must immediately preserve all relevant records and produce responsive documents so Congress can investigate these troubling practices,” he wrote, providing an example such as an eight-year-old being told their body is “a work of art” and a “treasure.”

“Similar conduct outlined in these reports is reprehensible and outrageous—and demonstrates a cavalier attitude when it comes to the real risks that generative AI presents to youth development absent strong guardrails,” the senator noted.

“Parents deserve the truth, and kids deserve protection,” Hawley wrote in the letter. “The Senate Judiciary Committee Subcommittee on Crime and Counterterrorism, which I chair, will commence an investigation into whether Meta’s generative-AI products enable exploitation, deception, or other criminal harms to children, and whether Meta misled the public or regulators about its safeguards.”

Reuters first reported that Meta’s policies allow the artificial intelligence to “engage a child in conversations that are romantic or sensual.” After receiving questions regarding the policies, Meta removed portions of its internal guidelines. The policy limited some talk, however, and read, “It is unacceptable to describe a child under 13 years old in terms that indicate they are sexually desirable.”

Meta spokesperson Andy Stone told Reuters, “The examples and notes in question were and are erroneous and inconsistent with our policies, and have been removed.”

“We have clear policies on what kind of responses AI characters can offer, and those policies prohibit content that sexualizes children and sexualized role play between adults and minors,” said Stone.

Schiff Targets Vance While Facing Fraud Allegations

(Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

Senator Adam Schiff (D-CA) sent a letter to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works Adam Telle, and Secret Service Director Sean Curran demanding information about the use of water resources during Vice President JD Vance’s trip to Caesar Creek Lake earlier this month.

Schiff discussed his “serious concerns” with the “potential abuse of power exercised by Vice President Vance and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) on August 2, in which the Secret Service directed USACE to change the outflow of Ohio’s Caesar Creek Lake for a recreational boat outing for the Vice President’s birthday.”

“As a result of this request, Army Corps leadership improperly leveraged access to public services for personal use and waived standard documentation requirements to identify and justify risks associated with this deviation from normal practice,” the letter read, adding, “Reporting suggests that the request from the Secret Service to alter the outflow request for Caesar Creek Lake was not just to ensure safe or secure conditions but also to create favorable kayaking conditions. If true, this is an inappropriate and embarrassing abuse of power over publicly owned resources by the Trump administration.”

Schiff’s call for information on the matter comes as he is facing accusations of mortgage fraud.

“Adam ‘Shifty’ Schiff is in BIG TROUBLE! He falsified Loan Documents. He once said my son would go to prison on a SCAM that Schiff, along with other Crooked Dems, illegally ‘manufactured’ in order to stage an actual coup,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “Now Shifty should pay the price of prison for a real crime, not one made up by the corrupt accusers!”

Recent whistleblower statements also alleged that Schiff approved the leak of information intended to hurt President Donald Trump.

Kennedy Puts End to 2028 Rumors

Kennedy
HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. ended rumors that he may run for president in 2028.

Explaining that the “swamp is in full panic mode,” Kennedy said DC lobbyists are “laboring fiercely to drive a wedge between President Trump and me, hoping to thwart our team from dismantling the status quo and advancing [President Donald Trump’s] Make America Healthy Again agenda.”

“They’re pushing the flat-out lie that I’m running for president in 2028. Let me be clear: I am not running for president in 2028,” he wrote on social media. “My loyalty is to President Trump and the mission we’ve started. Their attacks on my staff, especially Stefanie Spear — a fierce, loyal warrior for MAHA who proudly serves in the Trump Administration and works every day to advance President Trump’s vision for a healthier, stronger America — are proof we’re over the target. We’ll keep moving forward, we’ll keep delivering wins, and no smear campaign will stop us.”

Kennedy honored President Trump’s delivery on “every promise,” including “ending war, protecting free speech, rebuilding American industry and the American middle class, delivering transparency and gold standard science, and breaking the grip of entrenched interests.”

“The president has made himself the answer to my 20-year prayer that God would put me in a position to end the chronic disease epidemic — and that’s exactly what my team and I will do until the day he leaves office,” he added.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio has floated the possibility of being involved in the 2028 Presidential Election, throwing Governor Ron DeSantis’ name in the running as well.

1...282930...3,563Page 29 of 3,563
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. ©2023 American Faith News Media. All rights reserved.