Trump takes decisive action against LA rioters with Marine deployment

A battalion of 500 U.S. Marines are mobilizing to Los Angeles to respond to anti-immigration enforcement riots, Fox News has learned. 

The Marines will be tasked with protecting federal property and federal personnel, according to a senior defense official, and the deployment is open-ended. 

The Marines will not be carrying out a law enforcement role, but it’s unclear what their use of force rules are if protesters throw things or spit at them. 

The new deployment comes after President Donald Trump sent some 2,000 National Guardsmen to the riot-racked city over the weekend. 

The Marines are from the 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines at Twentynine Palms, California. 

Moments before the deployment, Trump expressed optimism that the situation in Los Angeles is improving. 

“I mean, I think we have it very well under control,” he told reporters. “I think it would have been a very bad situation. It was heading in the wrong direction. It’s now heading in the right direction.”

The Marine mobilization is sure to draw outcry from liberal critics: California Gov. Gavin Newsom filed suit against the Trump administration on Monday for deploying the Guard. 

The governor’s office both downplayed the troop movement and called it “completely uncalled for.” 

“From our understanding, this is moving Marines from one base to another base. At this time, the information we have is that Marines are not being deployed (there is a difference between that and being mobilized). The level of escalation is completely unwarranted, uncalled for, and unprecedented — mobilizing the best in class branch of the U.S. military against its own citizens,” Newsom’s press office wrote on X. 

Newsom and the California attorney general claimed Trump and Defense Sec. Pete Hegseth “trampled over” California’s sovereignty by calling up the state’s National Guard without Newsom’s approval. 

Meanwhile Trump defended the decision on Monday, and added that if protesters spit in the face of guardsmen in Los Angeles, they’ll “be hit harder than they have ever been hit before.”

“IF THEY SPIT, WE WILL HIT,” Trump wrote. “Such disrespect will not be tolerated!”

Federal law typically bars the U.S. military from carrying out domestic law enforcement purposes, unless the president invokes the Insurrection Act. 

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Newsom claimed Trump is trying to “manufacture a crisis” and that the president is “hoping for chaos so he can justify more crackdowns, more fear, more control.”

The protests began in reaction to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids in the City of Angels as the Trump administration moves to make good on its promise of mass deportations. Over the weekend, protests devolved into violence that left vehicles charred to a crisp and windows smashed at the Los Angeles Police Department headquarters. 

Newsom’s anticipated WH dreams crumble, critics say, as LA immigration raid riots erupt

Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom‘s floated potential run for the White House in 2028 was likely thwarted by his handling of the anti-ICE riots gripping Los Angeles, conservative social media critics predict. 

Newsom has been floated as a likely 2028 Democratic contender for the White House as he wraps up his second term as governor in 2026. Riots plaguing the city in response to the Trump administration’s efforts to remove illegal immigrants residing in Los Angeles, which come on the heels of massive wildfires that rocked southern California this winter, have left Newsom on precarious political ground, according to conservatives who are balking at his response to the LA chaos. 

“Gavin Newsom’s odds of clinching the 2028 presidential race are practically nonexistent,” X user Angela Belcamino posted Monday. “Across the country, Americans are eyeing California’s struggles under his watch, convinced he’d unleash the same chaos nationwide if he ever won the White House.” 

“Gavin Newsom’s handling of the LA riots should be considered an in-kind contribution to the @JDVance
2028 presidential campaign. Newsom is providing a lot of ad material for free,” one social media account posted on Sunday. 

JONATHAN TURLEY: DEMOCRATS’ RABID ANTI-ICE RESISTANCE IN LA AGAINST TRUMP COULD BACKFIRE

“Notice how Newsom has no adverse commentary about the rioters – he saves all his venom for American authorities,” author and retired Army Col. James Hutton posted to X Sunday. “This is why he has no chance to be president one day. Most Americans tend to believe in this country.” 

Many critics of the riots unfolding in Los Angeles argued that photos of the scene would live in infamy and dash any hopes Newsom may hold on running for president. Some users remarked that the photos depicting rioters surrounded by flames and smoke while waving a Mexican flag “will cost Newsom his 2028 presidential run,” and that the Trump administration “couldn’t have asked for better” representation of California politics captured in photos.  

“Gavin Newsom is refusing to help stop the riots AND denying their existence because he bows to open borders donors… hoping they’ll fund his 2028 Presidential run. Do not forget this!,” Club for Growth senior analyst Andrew Follett posted to X, accompanied by a photo showing a rioter with a Mexican flag on a motorbike as smoke billowed behind him. 

CALIFORNIA LT. GOVERNOR SAYS LOS ANGELES RIOTS ARE ‘GENERATED BY DONALD TRUMP’

“Newsom 2028 off to a 🔥 start,” editor-in-chief of the DC Report Matt Foldi posted, accompanied by a similar photo showing a rioter waving what appeared to be the Mexican flag as a fire raged in front of him. 

“Gavin Newsom 2028,” DC Draino, a popular conservative X account, posted accompanied by a photo of a pair of masked rioters standing on a destroyed car waving the Mexican flag. 

Newsom spokesperson Lindsey Cobia told Fox News Digital when approached for comment on the matter: “President Trump’s actions are straight out of a dictator’s playbook. Governor Newsom won’t stop protecting California and the rule of law from Trump’s unprecedented assault on American freedom. “

Newsom is viewed as a potential leader of the Democratic Party as it navigates its future following the disastrous 2024 election cycle that saw President Joe Biden exit the race just over 100 days from Election Day and former Vice President Kamala Harris fail to rally support against now-President Donald Trump. The Democratic governor has not yet said whether he would launch a presidential run in 2028. 

NY TIMES SAYS ‘REAL EMERGENCY’ IS TRUMP SENDING TROOPS TO LOS ANGELES

Riots broke out in the left-wing city Friday evening after federal law enforcement officials converged on Los Angeles to carry out immigration raids as part of Trump’s vow to deport illegal aliens who flooded the nation under the Biden administration. Local leaders such as Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and Newsom, however, quickly denounced the raids in public statements while offering words of support for illegal immigrants in the state. 

Protests over the raids soon devolved into violence as rioters targeted federal law enforcement officials, including launching rocks at officials, as well as videos showing people looting local stores, setting cars on fire and taking over a freeway. 

Trump announced Saturday that he was deploying 2,000 National Guard members to help quell the violence, bypassing the governor, who typically activates the National Guard and sparking Newsom to file a lawsuit against the Trump administration for efforts to allegedly “federalize the California National Guard.” 

Trump and Newsom have long sparred, stretching back to the first Trump administration, including when Newsom installed coronavirus restrictions in the state during the pandemic, such as mask and vaccine mandates and social distancing rules, as well as Trump slamming Newsom for California’s spiraling crime rate as a national crime wave spiked in 2020. Trump also frequently refers to the California Democrat as “Newscum” as an ongoing jab at the governor. 

The pair, however, have most frequently and recently traded barbs over California’s fire response, which came under fierce scrutiny in January when wildfires plagued the Los Angeles area and Trump pinned blame on Newsom. 

“Governor Gavin Newscum refused to sign the water restoration declaration put before him that would have allowed millions of gallons of water, from excess rain and snow melt from the North, to flow daily into many parts of California, including the areas that are currently burning in a virtually apocalyptic way,” Trump posted to Truth Social as the fires raged just weeks ahead of Trump’s inauguration. 

NEWSOM’S OFFICE COMPARES LA RIOTS AGAINST FEDERAL AGENTS TO SPORTS CELEBRATIONS

“He wanted to protect an essentially worthless fish called a smelt, by giving it less water (it didn’t work!), but didn’t care about the people of California. Now the ultimate price is being paid. I will demand that this incompetent governor allow beautiful, clean, fresh water to FLOW INTO CALIFORNIA! He is the blame for this. On top of it all, no water for fire hydrants, not firefighting planes. A true disaster!”

Newsom’s office shot back that “there is no such document as the water restoration declaration – that is pure fiction. The Governor is focused on protecting people, not playing politics, and making sure firefighters have all the resources they need.”

Trump has a long history of putting Newsom’s handling of wildfires under the microscope across his first four years in the White House, including in January 2019 when he threatened to cut off federal funds to California if reforms were not made to the state’s forest management services. 

CALIFORNIA REPUBLICANS SLAM NEWSOM, BASS FOR LETTING LA BURN WITH RIOTS AMID TRUMP IMMIGRATION BLITZ

“Billions of dollars are sent to the State of California for Forest fires that, with proper Forest Management, would never happen,” he posted to X that year. “Unless they get their act together, which is unlikely, I have ordered FEMA to send no more money. It is a disgraceful situation in lives & money!” 

Newsom and other Democrats have historically pushed back that wildfires in the state are due to climate change and global warming. 

“You don’t believe in climate change,” Newsom shot back at Trump in 2019, for example, after the president slammed him for his wildfire leadership. “You are excused from this conversation.” 

The riots gripping LA following the massive Palisades wildfires in January stack the odds against a potential Newsom presidential run, other commenters argued on social media. 

“Let’s evaluate this, Gav. First… devastating fires due to you and your state’s negligence. Second, riots… once again due to your love for illegals, sanctuary cities, etc. Your aspirations for 2028 have gone up in the flames you are responsible for,” one social media commented posted to X on Monday. 

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“The LA fires and the LA riots have burned Newsom’s chances of a successful presidential run to the ground,” another X user posted. 

Others on X argued the riots in Los Angeles would help Newsom’s chances should he run in 2028. 

“Trump is making a strong case for Newsom ‘28,” Fox News’ Jessica Tarlov posted to X. 

Musk posts revealing reaction in response to Trump saying he wishes him well

President Trump’s relationship with Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, which appeared to publicly blow up last week as the two feuded in public, took a softer tone on Monday when Musk responded to a clip of the president on X. 

“We had a great relationship and I wish him well — very well, actually,” Trump said on Monday in a clip that was posted by conservative influencer ALX. 

Musk responded to that post with a heart emoji on Monday evening.

Earlier in the day, Fox News Digital reported that the public spat between the two billionaires appeared to be losing steam after Musk seemingly issued support from Trump’s handling of the anti-ICE riots in Los Angeles.

TIMELINE: INSIDE THE EVOLVING RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN TRUMP AND MUSK FROM FIRST TERM TO THIS WEEK’S FALLOUT

“Governor Gavin Newscum and ‘Mayor’ Bass should apologize to the people of Los Angeles for the absolutely horrible job that they’ve done, and this now includes the ongoing L.A. riots,” Trump said late Sunday in the post Musk shared. “These are not protesters, they are troublemakers and insurrectionists.”

Additionally, Musk also re-posted one of Vice President JD Vance’s posts on X about the riots.

“This moment calls for decisive leadership,” Vance said, sharing a screenshot of a post from Trump about how his administration would address the riots. “The president will not tolerate rioting and violence.” 

Musk also appeared to post a self-deprecating joke about himself on X on Sunday which many interpreted to be a veiled reference to the fallout with Trump.

“It’s outrageous how much character assassination has been directed at me, especially by me!” Musk posted.

While speaking with reporters in the Oval Office on Thursday, Trump said that he was “very disappointed” by Musk’s vocal criticisms of the bill. The president claimed that Musk knew what was in the bill and “had no problem” with it until the EV incentives had to be cut.

On X, Musk called that assessment “false.”

Trump turned to social media to criticize Musk, who he appointed to find ways to cut $2 trillion after forming the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).

TRUMP WARNS OF ‘SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES’ IF ELON MUSK FUNDS DEMOCRATS

“Elon was ‘wearing thin,’ I asked him to leave, I took away his EV Mandate that forced everyone to buy Electric Cars that nobody else wanted (that he knew for months I was going to do!), and he just went CRAZY!” Trump said in one post.

In another post, Trump said, “I don’t mind Elon turning against me, but he should have done so months ago. This is one of the Greatest Bills ever presented to Congress. It’s a Record Cut in Expenses, $1.6 Trillion Dollars, and the Biggest Tax Cut ever given.”

“If this Bill doesn’t pass, there will be a 68% tax increase, and things far worse than that. I didn’t create this mess, I’m just here to FIX IT. This puts our Country on a Path of Greatness. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”

At one point, Musk referenced late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein in relation to Trump as part of the larger tirade in a comment that several Republicans told Fox News Digital went “too far.”

Musk deleted that post days later. 

Other posts from Musk included a claim that Trump would not have won the election without his help while accusing Trump of “ingratitude.” In another post, Musk suggested that Trump should be impeached and replaced by Vice President Vance. 

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Trump told Fox News on Friday that he isn’t interested in talking to Musk, adding that “Elon’s totally lost it.”

Trump also said to Fox News’ Bret Baier that he isn’t worried about Musk’s suggestion to form a new political party, citing favorable polls and strong support from Republicans on Capitol Hill.

Maxine Waters’ confrontation of national guardsmen draws federal response

A top Homeland Security official lambasted Rep. Maxine Waters for “lies” about the peacefulness of the riots and her efforts to force entry into a detention center to meet a detained union leader.

DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin told Fox News Digital on Monday that access to the Los Angeles detention facility was “temporarily restricted” to ensure the safety of both detainees and uniformed personnel – when Waters hurried toward a group of guardsmen entering a plywood-protected door to the building over the weekend. 

The 86-year-old, 18-term Democrat approached the guardsmen saying, “Hello, hello, hello — I’m Congresswoman Waters,” but the last one bluntly told her to talk to “public affairs” and slammed the door.

“As a result, Congresswoman Maxine Waters was denied entry,” McLaughlin said of that exchange.

MAXINE WATERS TAUNTS ARMED AGENTS AFTER FEDS SLAM DOOR ON HER DURING LA RIOTS: ‘YOU BETTER SHOOT STRAIGHT’

“The safety and security of DHS personnel, ICE agents, and those in our custody remain our top priority.”

Going on to reference when Waters, D-Calif., hollered at assembled armed guardsmen on the street and asked if they planned to shoot her, McLaughlin said the lawmaker’s efforts could be better used elsewhere.

“Instead of taunting national guard members, the congresswoman should be trying to defuse these violent riots,” she said.

“Elected officials need to tone down their dangerous rhetoric about ICE law enforcement.”

President Donald Trump had federalized the California National Guard, and Waters accused him of not properly informing Gov. Gavin Newsom, in one clip of comments to reporters.

DHS also rebuked Waters’ summary appearance on TV following clips of her various confrontations going viral:

“This morning on CNN, the congresswoman spewed lies that these riots have not been violent,” McLaughlin said.

“The American people can see with their own eyes the truth. Rioters have assaulted law enforcement officers, thrown rocks, burned American flags, set cars on fires, slashed tires, defaced buildings, and taxpayer-funded property.”

“The violent targeting of law enforcement in Los Angeles by lawless rioters is despicable and Congresswoman Waters must call for it to end.”

Waters had told anchor Wolf Blitzer that “everybody was wondering what happened to” David Huerta, the SEIU leader detained during one of the immigration raids that sparked the violence.

She said she was wearing a congressional emblem on her jacket but lamented that the guardsmen still didn’t allow her in.

She called protests in the immediate area “very small and very peaceful – there was no animosity.”

Waters also expressed concern that the assembled guardsmen were armed, saying that “Trump has instigated all of this.”

“My message to Donald Trump, you are a cruel human being — and you are using the poorest people in the land… to promote your politics,” Waters said separately.

“His ridiculousness has taken over the armed services to celebrate his birthday coming up,” Waters added, referring to the president’s planned military parade to signify the 250th birthday of the U.S. Army – which will also coincide with Flag Day and his 79th birthday.

In a statement on the incident, Waters said she went to the Metropolitan Detention Center to check on Huerta – whom the SEIU said was “caught” in one of a series of ICE raids in Los Angeles County the union described as “a violent sweep.”

Waters also alluded to another viral clip she produced, which showed her taunting armed agents standing in formation in another part of the city.

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“I pled [sic] with the National Guard, which was heavily armed, not to use their weapons against peaceful demonstrators who were simply exercising their rights to freedom of speech and protest,” Waters said in a statement posted to X, formerly Twitter. 

“All people deserve to be treated with dignity and due process under the law: Peaceful, nonviolent demonstrations are critical to protecting our constitutional rights.”

“The President of the United States is a cruel, dishonorable human being,” she said, adding that he and others would “just as soon” like to see agents “shoot somebody down.”

When filmed confronting National Guardsmen on the street, Waters shouted, “You’re gonna shoot an elected official? If you shoot me, you better shoot straight.”

Fox News Digital reached out to Waters’ office for additional comment, but she could not immediately be reached.

Defense attorney slams podium, prosecutor admits error in Karen Read murder case

Wearing two black gloves and slamming his palms on the podium Monday, Karen Read’s defense attorney Robert Alessi moved for a mistrial for a second time in her retrial on murder charges in the death of her former boyfriend, Boston cop John O’Keefe. 

The exchange, based on special prosecutor Hank Brennan’s questioning of a defense witness regarding holes in the back of O’Keefe’s sweatshirt that were put there by a state crime lab employee, got Alessi trending among true crime followers on X Monday afternoon, but it also drew praise from defense attorneys who are not connected to the case.

Read’s defense denies the prosecution’s allegation that she killed O’Keefe by backing into him with her Lexus SUV amid a drunken argument and fled the scene. They have maintained that the vehicle never struck him at all, and that something else caused his injuries.

“If I’m Alessi, I’m throwing out those missiles every time,” said Louis Gelormino, a New York City defense lawyer. 

KAREN READ JUDGE BLOCKS SANDRA BIRCHMORE MENTIONS; EXPERT SAYS CASES SHOULD BE WAKE-UP CALL FOR POLICE

During a motion hearing without jurors present, Brennan asked the judge to instruct jurors about his error rather than grant the motion for a mistrial.

“It appears that I made a mistake,” he said, conceding that a state criminologist made the holes and documented them in her records.

Gelormino told Fox News Digital that the longer things play out, the better off Read will be – especially if this trial ends without a verdict like her first one.

WATCH: Karen Read defense moves for a mistrial again

“A third trial, the county might not wanna pay for,” he said. “They might give her a plea at that point. The longer these things go out, the better it is for the defense. All the time.”

Read’s first trial ended with a deadlocked jury last year, prompting Judge Beverly Cannone to declare a mistrial and the district attorney’s office to bring in high-profile defense attorney Brennan as a special prosecutor. His rich and powerful clients have included the mobster James “Whitey” Bulger.

The defense moved for a mistrial earlier in the second trial as well in another contentious exchange over O’Keefe’s hoodie, arguing Brennan improperly brought up the absence of dog DNA evidence during cross-examination of a witness who claimed holes in O’Keefe’s sweatshirt were consistent with dog bites.

Cannone denied that motion as well as the new one Monday. A routine motion seeking to have her declared not guilty after the prosecution rested its case was also denied. 

JURY SKEPTICISM OF EXPERTS COULD DETERMINE OUTCOME IN KAREN READ MURDER TRIAL: FORMER JUDGE

Other legal experts raised doubts about whether the misstep was a mistake or a calculated move.

“It is unfathomable that he didn’t know that the holes were made by his own witness,” said Mark Bederow, another New York City defense attorney who is representing Read ally Aidan Kearney, a Canton blogger. “And what about the two other prosecutors sitting next to him? Are we to believe they didn’t know after handling this case for three years?”

Unlike Brennan, they were working for the district attorney’s office during her first trial, which assistant district attorney Adam Lally led.

“There are many reasons why a large segment of the population believes the investigation and prosecution of Karen Read is unjust and lacks credibility,” Bederow said.

GET REAL-TIME UPDATES DIRECTLY ON THE TRUE CRIME HUB

Canton police were cleared of Read’s conspiracy allegations in an independent audit completed just before her second trial began – but they made a series of embarrassing missteps during the investigation, including storing DNA evidence in red Solo cups and a grocery bag.

The lead homicide detective, Michael Proctor, lost his job with the Massachusetts State Police after another investigation found he improperly shared sensitive and confidential information in a group chat that included lewd and “inappropriate” messages about Read that were read in court.

FOLLOW THE FOX TRUE CRIME TEAM ON X

“The prosecution has a higher standard because they are supposed to be about fairness and justice – which is what Brennan said to the press when he took the case,” said Grace Edwards, a Massachusetts trial attorney who is closely following the case. “This was not a mistake by a seasoned attorney.”

Brennan is tasked with overcoming the state’s credibility issues and also clean-up after a witness for the commonwealth admitted she gave an incorrect statement to the grand jury and the defense grilled another whose resume showed inflated credentials.

“He is good, but he can only play the cards he’s dealt,” said David Gelman, a Philadelphia-area defense lawyer and former prosecutor, who invoked OJ Simpson’s high-drama 1990s trial after Alessi donned black gloves in court and then invoked his A-list defense again. “You can be Johnnie Cochran, and it won’t matter.”

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Jack Lu, a former Massachusetts judge and now a law professor at Boston College, was more forgiving of the special prosecutor.

“To the aspiring trial lawyer-law student, it shows that even the greatest stumble,” he told Fox News Digital. “What a grueling occupation.”

Dr. Elizabeth Laposata returns to the stand Tuesday for a second day of testimony as the defense nears an end to its case. She testified Monday that O’Keefe’s skull fracture was consistent with a backward fall – but something else, possibly a fist, caused the cut above his right eye.

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Read could face up to life in prison if convicted of the top charge of second-degree murder. She is also accused of drunken driving manslaughter and leaving the scene.

House Homeland Security chair to resign from Congress after Trump bill vote

House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Mark Green, R-Tenn., is departing Capitol Hill early, he announced on Monday.

Green said he is leaving Congress for the private sector after the House votes again on President Donald Trump’s “big, beautiful bill” in the coming weeks, in a statement first obtained by Fox News Digital.

“It is with a heavy heart that I announce my retirement from Congress. Recently, I was offered an opportunity in the private sector that was too exciting to pass up. As a result, today I notified the Speaker and the House of Representatives that I will resign from Congress as soon as the House votes once again on the reconciliation package,” Green said.

HOUSE GOP TARGETS ANOTHER DEM OFFICIAL ACCUSED OF BLOCKING ICE AMID DELANEY HALL FALLOUT

He called serving Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District “the honor of a lifetime.”

“They asked me to deliver on the conservative values and principles we all hold dear, and I did my level best to do so. Along the way, we passed historic tax cuts, worked with President Trump to secure the border, and defended innocent life. I am extremely proud of my work as Chairman of the Homeland Security Committee, and want to thank my staff, both in my seventh district office, as well as the professional staff on that committee,” Green said.

Green acknowledged in his statement that he had previously geared up to retire in the last Congress, but reversed course.

MEET THE TRUMP-PICKED LAWMAKERS GIVING SPEAKER JOHNSON A FULL HOUSE GOP CONFERENCE

“Though I planned to retire at the end of the previous Congress, I stayed to ensure that President Trump’s border security measures and priorities make it through Congress,” he said.

“By overseeing the border security portion of the reconciliation package, I have done that. After that, I will retire, and there will be a special election to replace me.”

Green is an Army veteran who has served in Congress since 2019.

As House Homeland Security Committee chairman, he oversaw Republicans’ impeachment of former Biden administration DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.

It’s not clear where in the private sector Green will go, but it’s a safe bet to assume his House seat will stay in Republican hands.

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The district voted for President Donald Trump by more than 20 percentage points over former Vice President Kamala Harris last year.

Republican leaders are hoping to complete consideration of Trump’s massive agenda bill by the Fourth of July or shortly thereafter.

The bill passed the House in a narrow 215-214 vote, and it is now being considered by the Senate. If the Senate changes the bill, as expected, the House will have to approve that version before it hits Trump’s desk.

Riley Gaines shocked as fans turn on Simone Biles in heated transgender sports feud

Riley Gaines suggested on Monday in a radio interview that she was stunned by the public’s response to Simone Biles’ personal attack against her.

The Olympic great launched into Gaines with a post responding to the former NCAA swimmer criticizing Minnesota softball officials for turning comments off of a post celebrating a high school’s state championship win with a transgender player on the team.

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Biles called Gaines “truly sick” among other things. But the social media reaction didn’t appear to get behind the gold medalist.

“To acknowledge how the public has shifted to this, look at Simone Biles’ comments section, go on Instagram, go on Twitter, go on any article that’s being posted, go on TikTok and she is getting absolutely demolished to the point where I almost feel bad for her, like I really do,” Gaines said on “Clay & Buck.” 

“I have read these comments, I’m like, ‘oh my gosh.’ I was prepared when I got that notification on my phone for that onslaught of hatred to come towards me. I was like, ‘Oh gosh, she’s gonna send all of her little minion people who follow her over to my page.’ That is not at all what is happening. I haven’t heard a single negative comment about myself following this interaction.”

SIMONE BILES DOESN’T REALIZE WHAT SHE’S ADMITTING ABOUT TRANS WOMEN IN HER POSTS, RILEY GAINES SAYS

Gaines pointed out the recent spate of transgender athletes winning championships in girls’ sports across the country.

“Minnesota, California, Washington, Oregon and Maine, where boys stole state qualifying spots, state championships or podium spots from deserving, hard-working girls,” the OutKick contributor added. “So, the whole ‘it doesn’t really happen’ argument, it can’t stand at all when it continues to happen. 

“But that’s the classic progression. It never really happened — that was step one. Then it slowly shifts to, ‘OK, well, it is happening, but it’s not happening a lot, therefore we shouldn’t be concerned.’ Then it progresses to, ‘OK, well, it’s happening, and here’s why it’s a good thing.’ And then the final stage of it is, ‘it’s happening, it’s a good thing, and you’re going to accept it — or else.”

Gaines revealed the support her stance on transgender athletes in women’s and girls’ sports received in various comments’ sections during an episode of the “Gaines for Girls” podcast.

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Biles has not reacted since her first post toward Gaines on Friday.

Blue state to roll out single-use bottle ban at hotels with violators facing $100 fine

A bill in Maine would mandate hotels to forgo small bottles containing “single-use plastic containers” in “lodging establishments” — banning single-size hotel shampoo offerings and other toiletries. 

The enforcement bill is advancing in the Pine Tree State’s legislature in the hopes of reducing waste.

“This bill prohibits lodging establishments from providing personal health or beauty products in small single-use plastic containers to persons staying in a lodging establishment or within bathrooms shared by the public and guests of the lodging establishment,” reads bill LD 1928’s summary.

HAWAII ENACTS ‘GREEN FEE’ ON TOURISTS TO RAISE $100 MILLION ANNUALLY FOR CLIMATE, ECOLOGY PROTECTION

Hotels, motels, resorts, bed and breakfasts, inns, time-share properties, short-term rentals and vacation rentals are listed as lodging establishments.

Beginning on Jan. 1, 2030, lodging establishments with more than 50 rooms will not be able to provide toiletry bottles under 6 ounces. 

In 2032, the ban will expand to lodging establishments with fewer than 50 rooms.

For hotels that do not comply, a civil violation will be issued with a $100 fine.

While the bill says lodging establishments cannot provide single-use toiletries, it is unclear if establishments can still sell them to travelers. 

Some large hotels have already begun making adjustments. 

“We have long been focused on our residential amenities program, switching from small toiletry bottles to larger, pump-topped bottles as part of our commitment to reduce plastic waste,” a Marriott Hotels spokesperson previously told FOX Business.

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A Hilton spokesperson previously told FOX Business, “As of 2023, Hilton properties were required to transition to full-size shampoo, conditioner and soap amenities, eliminating single-use miniature bottles and reducing disposed bars of soap.”

Maine is not the first state to tackle a ban on hotel toiletry bottles.

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New York, California and Illinois all have similar laws in place — while Washington’s ban will take effect in 2027.

Fox News Digital reached out to Gov. Janet Mills’ office for comment.