Israel hits ‘heart’ of Iran’s nuclear program, which has materials ‘for nine atom bombs’
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that one of Iran’s top nuclear facilities had been hit in Thursday night’s strike against the regime.
“Iran has produced enough highly enriched uranium for nine atom bombs, nine,” Netanyahu said. “In recent months, Iran is taking steps that it has never taken before, steps to weaponize this enriched uranium. And if not stopped, Iran could produce a nuclear weapon in a very short time.”
The Natanz Nuclear Facility – one of Tehran’s key nuclear sites and which has been flagged by security experts that in coordination with the Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant, could produce enough weapons-grade uranium to produce 11 nuclear weapons within a month – has been hit in the strikes, though the extent of the damage remains unknown.
ISRAEL LAUNCHES SWEEPING STRIKE ON IRAN WHILE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION SEEKS DIPLOMATIC SOLUTION
“We struck at the heart of Iran’s nuclear enrichment program. We struck at the heart Iran’s nuclear weaponization program,” Netanyahu said in live remarks. “We targeted Iran’s main enrichment facility in Natanz.
“We targeted Iran’s leading nuclear scientists working on the Iranian bomb,” he added.
The Nantaz Nuclear Facility was at least partially destroyed in 2020 following an explosion, and satellite imagery has suggested Iran began constructing deep underground tunnels to further secure and obscure their nuclear program, reported the Institute for Science and International Security earlier this year.
ISRAEL ANNOUNCES PREEMPTIVE STRIKE AGAINST IRAN
It is unclear at this time if any of the underground structures were hit in the Thursday night strikes.
“We will not let the world’s most dangerous regime get the world’s most dangerous weapons, and Iran plans to give those weapons, nuclear weapons, to its terrorist proxies,” Netanyahu said. “That would make the nightmare of nuclear terrorism all too real.
“The increasing range of Iran’s ballistic missiles would bring that nuclear nightmare to the cities of Europe, and eventually to America,” he added.
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Reporting by The New York Times also said the Parchin military complex had been hit in the overnight strikes, though Fox News Digital could not independently confirm the hit.
The extent of the damage also remains unknown as it was reported in November that the Parchin military complex had been significantly damaged in Israel’s October strikes which housed a nuclear weapons research facility.
Another five military bases surrounding Tehran were also reportedly hit.
Head of Iran’s military among top officials killed in Israeli airstrikes
IDF forces early Friday confirmed that Israeli strikes on Iran have killed three of the country’s top generals.
The senior Iranian leaders taken out include the country’s chief of staff of the armed forces, Gen. Mohammad Bagheri, and the Commander of Iran’s Emergency Command.
That is in addition to the Commander-in-Chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Hossein Salami.
Saudi Arabia early Friday issued a scathing attack on Israel, condemning the Jewish State for its early morning strike on Iran.
“Saudi Arabia expresses its strong condemnation and denunciation of the blatant Israeli aggressions against the brotherly Islamic Republic of Iran,” Saudi officials said in a statement.
The Kingdom said Israel’s attack undermines Iran’s “sovereignty and security and constitute[s] a clear violation of international laws and norms.”
Israel’s top military spokesperson BG Effie Defrin has confirmed that Iran has launched 100 drones at Israel.
Defrin said that the drones had not arrived yet but that they were working to intercept them.
According to Fox News chief foreign correspondent Trey Yingst, it will take them a couple of hours for the drones to get there and likely they could be coupled with missile fire.
The attack is a response from the Iranians, following the Israeli strikes overnight that targeted Iranian nuclear facilities.
The strike according to IDF Spokesperson, BG Effie Defrin took out key Iranian commanders.“We can now confirm that the Chief of staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, Commander of the IRGC and the Commander of Iran’s Emergency Command were all eliminated in the Israeli strikes across Iran.”
Israeli civilians have been told to stay close to bomb shelters and Israel’s Prime Minister says the instructions may last for longer than previous times, according to Yingst.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said that he believes this could go on for go on for a couple of weeks.
Israeli Ambassador to the U.N. Danny Danon warned “intense days” are ahead for the Jewish state after it launched strikes on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure.
“We know that we have intense days ahead. And we are ready for that,” Danon told Fox News’ Trace Gallagher early Friday. “And we are preparing the population of Israel to be ready for that.”
Danon said the attack was not only about the heroism of the pilots or intelligence officials involved, but also the Israeli people.
“They have to follow the instructions. Keep themselves safe. And it will not be easy for us. But we are determined to finish the job.”
Exiled Crown Prince of Iran Reza Pahlavi weighed in early Friday after an Israeli attack on Tehran.
Pahlavi, son of the Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, who’s government fell to Islamists in 1979, said the “only solution to the ongoing crisis with Iran” was “helping the Iranian people overthrow the regime that holds both Iran and the world hostage.”
“The Islamic Republic has plundered Iran’s wealth not to serve our people but to spend hundreds of billions on enrichment and a hidden nuclear program, pushing Iran to the brink of war. This regime was trying to fool the world. Now it has been exposed. It must be held to account,” the exiled crown prince said. “In the Pahlavi era, Iran was an original signatory of the NPT. But today, the IAEA has ruled that the Islamic Republic is violating it.”
Pahlavi said Iranian supreme leader and his “criminal mafia” have “announced the construction of a new enrichment facility.”
“With their violations, enrichment, and threats to withdraw from the NPT, Khamenei and his cronies are proving once again they cannot be trusted. They are not worthy partners for negotiation,” Pahlavi said. “But in contrast to this illegitimate regime, there is a real alternative: the Iranian people, who seek peaceful cooperation, and a future free from fear of war. Hold the Islamic Republic accountable by applying Maximum Pressure including Snapback sanctions and giving Maximum Support to its greatest foe: the people of Iran fighting bravely against it.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu placed a note in the Western Wall Thursday with a verse from the Book of Numbers.
The verse, Numbers 23:24 reads: “A people that rises up as a lioness, and as a lion lifts himself up.”
“Rising Lion” is the name of the operation the State of Israel launched on Iran’s “nuclear and missile infrastructure, with the aim of eliminating an existential and immediate threat to citizens of Israel and the entire world,” Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, told the UN Security-General and members of the Security Council.
President Donald Trump told Fox News Channel’s chief political anchor Bret Baier he was aware that Israel was going to conduct strikes on Iran before they happened.
“Iran cannot have a nuclear bomb and we are hoping to get back to the negotiating table. We will see. There are several people in leadership that will not be coming back,” Trump said.
Trump has spoken to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu several times in recent days.
The Trump administration reached out to at least one key Middle Eastern ally to acknowledge that the strike was going to happen, but that the U.S. was not involved in the strikes.
Trump is watching for any retaliation, and U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) is on high alert. He noted that the U.S. is ready to defend itself and Israel if Iran retaliates.
Trump said he hopes Iran returns to the negotiating table.
In recent weeks, the U.S. has replenished Iron Dome missiles, and U.S. officials have confirmed that a number of top Iranian leaders are dead after Israel’s airstrikes.
Fox News’ Jennifer Griffin contributed to this report.
The Secretary-General of the United Nations expressed concerns over Israel’s attacks on Iran’s nuclear facilities, calling on both countries to show maximum restraint.
“The Secretary-General condemns any military escalation in the Middle East,” Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’ spokesperson said. “He is particularly concerned by Israeli attacks on nuclear installations in Iran while talks between Iran and the United States on the status of Iran’s nuclear programme are underway.
“The Secretary-General recalls the obligation of UN Member States to act in accordance with the UN Charter and international law,” he continued. “The Secretary-General asks both sides to show maximum restraint, avoiding at all costs a descent into deeper conflict, a situation that the region can hardly afford.”
Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei condemned Israel’s attack on Iran, saying “the Zionist regime has prepared for…a bitter and painful fate, which it will inevitably meet.”
In a translated version of Khamenei’s statement, the Ayatollah took aim at Israel.
“In the Name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful,” he said. “The Great Iranian Nation! This morning, the Zionist regime opened its filthy and bloody hand to commit a crime in our beloved country, revealing its evils more than ever by targeting population centers.
“This regime must expect severe punishment. The powerful hand of the Islamic Republic’s Armed Forces will not abandon it, God willing,” Khamenei continued. “A number of commanders and scholars were martyred in the enemy’s attacks, and their successors and colleagues will immediately return to their positions, God willing.
“With this crime, the Zionist regime has prepared for itself a bitter and painful fate, which it will inevitably meet.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said his country had targeted Iran’s nuclear program.
“We struck at the heart of Iran’s nuclear enrichment program. We struck at the heart Iran’s nuclear weaponization program,” Netanyahu said. “We targeted Iran’s main enrichment facility in Natanz. We targeted Iran’s leading nuclear scientists working on the Iranian bomb.”
Netanyahu also mentioned that the time to act was now as they believed that Iran had enough materials to make nine highly enriched uranium bombs.
“Today, Israel has shown that we have learned the lessons of history. When enemies vow to destroy you, believe them. When enemies build weapons of mass death, stop them,” Netanyahu said.
Netanyahu also said that Israel will not back down and that they have risen like lions to defend themselves.
Natanz is just one of five nuclear research sites that Iran was utilizing to create a weapon with enriched uranium. The other sites throughout Iran are in Fordow, Khondab, Isfahan and Busher.
Israel hit several targets in the heart of Tehran, eliminating several senior Iranian regime leaders, an Israeli source confirmed to Fox News.
Fox News Chief Foreign Correspondent Trey Yingst reported that the regime leaders were simultaneously eliminated in different spots, according to his source.
The source said Israel was able to surprise Iran and execute the attack at a level similar to what Israel did in the beeper operation.
Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations
, Danny Dannon, called on the UN Security-General and members of the Security Council to either stand by Israel or become partners in a “dangerous silence.”
“The State of Israel launched Operation “Rising Lion” tonight against Iran’s nuclear and missile infrastructure, with the aim of eliminating an existential and immediate threat to the citizens of Israel and the entire world,” Dannon said in a statement. “The Iranian regime is blatantly violating international agreements, advancing towards nuclear weapons, and operating a regional terror network. When the world is silent – Israel is acting.
“I call on the UN Secretary-General and the members of the Security Council: “This is a moment to make moral decisions. Stand by Israel – or you will be partners in a dangerous silence,” he continued. “Unlike in the past – today we have a state, we have an army, and we are not waiting for those who want to destroy us to surprise us.”
President Donald Trump will host a National Security Council meeting Friday morning in the White House situation room to discuss the Israeli strikes in Iran’s capital.
Trump spoke with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Thursday night, according the prime minister’s office.
The president told Netanyahu that the United States had presented a reasonable proposal to Iran, and a response is expected in the coming days.
Netanyahu was also told Trump intends to hold another round of talks with Iran over the weekend, Netanyahu’s office said.
The New York City Police Department (NYPD) is taking precautionary steps to ensure Jewish, Israeli and other sites throughout the city are protected, amid the escalating situation in the Middle East.
“The NYPD is tracking the situation in the Middle East
. Out of an abundance of caution, we’re deploying additional resources to Jewish, Israeli & other sites throughout NYC,”NYPD wrote on X. “We’re coordinating with our federal partners & we’ll continue to monitor for any potential impact to NYC.”
NYC Mayor Eric Adams said he was briefed on the situation between Israel and Iran, noting that the city’s Counterterrorism Unit is closely monitoring the situation.
“Out of an abundance of caution, we are increasing security at houses of worship and at Israeli diplomatic sites,” he said. “I am praying for peace in the region.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that one of Iran’s top nuclear facilities had been hit in Thursday night’s strike against the regime.
“Iran has produced enough highly enriched uranium for nine atom bombs, nine,” Netanyahu said. “In recent months, Iran is taking steps that it has never taken before, steps to weaponize this enriched uranium. And if not stopped, Iran could produce a nuclear weapon in a very short time.”
The Natanz Nuclear Facility – one of Tehran’s key nuclear sites and which has been flagged by security experts that in coordination with the Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant, could produce enough weapons-grade uranium to produce 11 nuclear weapons within a month – has been hit in the strikes, though the extent of the damage remains unknown.
Read more about Israel’s strikes against Iran.
This is an excerpt from a story by Caitlin McFall.
The U.S. Embassy has directed all U.S. government employees and their family members in Israel to shelter in place until further notice.
The directive was shared by the U.S. State Department because of the current situation in the Middle East.
Israel launched airstrikes against Iran on Thursday night after failed nuclear negotiations.
State-run media in Iran confirmed that the Commander-in Chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), Hossein Salami, was killed during Israel’s
airstrikes on Iran Thursday night.
Salami rose through the ranks of the IRGC since the inception after the 1970 Islamic Revolution in Iran.
He replaced Qassem Soleimani after the U.S. killed the IRGC leader in January 2020.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said during a speech Thursday night that he launched Operation Rising Lion, which is to roll back the Iranian threat for Israel’s survival.
Netanyahu told the people of Israel the operation will continue for many days, as it continues to remove Iran’s threat of creating weapons of mass destruction.
“For decades, the tyrants of Tehran have brazenly, openly called for Israel’s destruction. They’ve backed up their genocidal rhetoric with a program to develop nuclear weapons,” he said. “In recent years, Iran has produced enough highly enriched uranium for nine atom bombs, nine. In recent months, Iran is taking steps that it has never taken before, steps to weaponize this enriched uranium, and if not stopped, Iran could produce a nuclear weapon in a very short time. It could be a year, it could be within a few months, less than a year. This is a clear and present danger to Israel’s very survival.”
Netanyahu said the air strikes “struck at the heart of Iran’s nuclear enrichment program.”
“We struck at the heart of Iran’s nuclear weaponization program. We targeted Iran’s main enrichment facility in Natanz. We targeted Iran’s leading nuclear scientists working on the Iranian bomb,” he said. “We also struck at the heart of the Iran ballistic missile program. Last year, Iran fired 300 ballistic missiles at Israel…Soon, those missiles could carry a nuclear payload, threatening the lives not of hundreds, but of millions.”
The top Democrat on the Senate Armed Services, Sen. Jack Reed, D-R.I., called Israel’s airstrikes on Iran a “reckless escalation that risks igniting regional violence.”
“Israel’s alarming decision to launch airstrikes on Iran is a reckless escalation that risks igniting regional violence,” Reed said. “These strikes threaten not only the lives of innocent civilians but the stability of the entire Middle East and the safety of American citizens and forces. While tensions between Israel and Iran are real and complex, military aggression of this scale is never the answer.
“I urge both nations to show immediate restraint, and I call on President Trump and our international partners to press for diplomatic de-escalation before this crisis spirals further out of control,” he continued. “President Trump must be crystal clear with the American people and the international community in charting a way forward. The world cannot afford more devastating conflict born of short-sighted violence.”
Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued a warning to Iran Thursday evening after Israel launched strikes targeting the country’s nuclear program.
“President Trump and the Administration have taken all necessary steps to protect our forces and remain in close contact with our regional partners. Let me be clear: Iran should not target U.S. interests or personnel,” Rubio said.
Rubio also said the U.S. was not involved in the strikes and the top priority is “protecting American forces in the region.”
“Israel advised us that they believe this action was necessary for its self-defense,” he continued.
Israeli Defense Forces launched a sweeping strike on Iran following months of attempted, and seemingly failed, nuclear negotiations between the Trump administration and Tehran.
Fox News’ Trey Yingst reported that Israel carried out strikes in Iran, adding that explosions were heard in the capital of Tehran.
A state of emergency has been declared across Israel as the country braces for an Iranian response.
Read more about the recent developments.
This is an excerpt from a story by Caitlin McFall.
Appeals court blocks ruling ordering Trump to return control of National Guard to CA
A federal judge has ruled that President Donald Trump acted illegally when he seized control of California’s National Guard during ICE-related riots in Los Angeles.
U.S. District Judge Charles R. Breyer issued the decision Thursday, siding with Governor Gavin Newsom and ordering Trump to return control of the Guard to the state “forthwith.”
“His actions were illegal—both exceeding the scope of his statutory authority and violating the Tenth Amendment to the United States Constitution,” Breyer wrote. “He must therefore return control of the California National Guard to the Governor of the State of California forthwith.”
“Federalism is not optional,” the ruling states. “Even the president cannot legislate by fiat.”
JUDGE MULLS TRUMP’S AUTHORITY OVER NATIONAL GUARD, WARNS US IS NOT ‘KING GEORGE’ MONARCHY
Recent anti-ICE protests have led to riots, looting, and clashes with federal agents in Los Angeles. Trump issued a proclamation invoking federal authority, but Breyer rejected the justification, calling it constitutionally hollow.
In his order, U.S. District Judge Charles R. Breyer granted the plaintiffs’ request for a temporary restraining order and took immediate action to halt federal control of the California National Guard.
“Defendants are temporarily ENJOINED from deploying members of the California National Guard in Los Angeles,” the ruling states. “Defendants are DIRECTED to return control of the California National Guard to Governor Newsom.”
TRUMP TELLS JUDGE HE DOES NOT NEED NEWSOM’S PERMISSION TO CRACK DOWN ON RIOTERS, DEPLOY NATIONAL GUARD
The court stayed the order until noon on June 13, 2025, giving the defendants a narrow window to comply. Plaintiffs were also ordered to post a nominal bond of $100 within 24 hours.
Looking ahead, Judge Breyer scheduled a hearing to determine whether the temporary restraining order should become a preliminary injunction.
On Thursday evening, the government’s emergency motion led to a temporary stay by the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals of the district court’s restraining order with a response due June 15, reply due June 16, and Zoom hearing scheduled for June 17. The 9th’s order said: “The court has received the government’s emergency motion for stay pending appeal. The request for an administrative stay is GRANTED. The district court’s June 12, 2025 temporary restraining order is temporarily stayed pending further order.”
California Attorney General Rob Bonta praised the ruling Thursday night, calling it “an important step forward in protecting our communities and our rights while we continue to make our case in court.”
“The Trump administration had no right to federalize 4,000 California National Guard troops without authorization from Governor Newsom,” Bonta said. “Trump’s actions were illegal, trampled on our state sovereignty, escalated tension on the ground, and promoted rather than quelled unrest.”
Bonta also stressed that the situation in Los Angeles did not justify a military response. “We aren’t in the throes of a rebellion. We are not under threat of an invasion. Nothing is preventing the federal government from enforcing federal law,” he said.
He cited support from top retired military officials. “Just yesterday, a group of former secretaries of the Army and Navy and retired four-star admirals and generals joined together to publicly support our lawsuit,” Bonta noted. They warned against unlawful domestic deployments that “threaten core national security and disaster relief missions.”
“The truth is, the president is looking for any pretense to place military forces on American streets to intimidate and quiet those who disagree with him. It’s not just immoral—it’s dangerous, and it’s illegal,” Bonta said.
“We’d rather we have a president who follows the law and complies with the Constitution,” he said. “It’s not a good thing for the great United States of America to have a president, the most powerful elected official on the face of the Earth, to violate the law so frequently, to have such contempt for the U.S. Constitution and the rule of law.”
“He’s done it again,” Bonta said, “and it’s incumbent upon me and my fellow Democratic attorneys general… to be consistent and resolute, unapologetic and immovable in our commitment to taking [him] to court each and every time he breaks the law.”
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The Trump administration, however, disagrees and says that the court’s decision puts many federal officials in danger.
“The court’s order is unprecedented and puts our brave federal officials in danger. The district court has no authority to usurp the President’s authority as Commander in Chief. The President exercised his lawful authority to mobilize the National Guard to protect federal buildings and personnel in Gavin Newsom’s lawless Los Angeles. The Trump Administration will immediately appeal this abuse of power and looks forward to ultimate victory on the issue,” White House spokesperson Anna Kelly said.
DOJ alerts US attorneys ahead of weekend ‘No Kings’ anti-Trump protests
The Department of Justice on Thursday advised its nearly 100 U.S. Attorney Offices to be prepared for criminal investigations related to the planned nationwide protests on Saturday against the Trump administration’s policies.
Thousands of “No Kings” protests are slated to take place across the country on Saturday, with attendees expected to rally against the Trump administration’s policies.
“As we’ve said repeatedly, the Department respects the right to peacefully protest & assemble to engage on important issues,” a DOJ spokesperson wrote in a statement to Fox News Digital. “However, the Department and its 94 US Attorney Offices will not tolerate unlawful violence & destruction of property.”
PROTESTERS EXPECTED TO CONVERGE ON DC, NEIGHBORING CITIES AHEAD OF TRUMP’S MILITARY PARADE
Washington, D.C. on Saturday will host a large military parade for the Army’s 250th anniversary, which coincides with Flag Day.
No Kings’ website, however, alleges the military parade is in honor of President Donald Trump, describing the event as “a made-for-TV display of dominance for his [79th] birthday.”
The parade and protests follow multiple days of violent riots in Los Angeles and New York City.
FRESH WAVE OF ANTI-ICE PROTESTS THREATENS UNCERTAINTY, VOLATILITY BEFORE TRUMP’S MASSIVE MILITARY PARADE
“No Kings is a nationwide day of defiance,” organizers wrote on their website. “From city blocks to small towns, from courthouse steps to community parks, we’re taking action to reject authoritarianism—and show the world what democracy really looks like. … The flag doesn’t belong to President Trump. It belongs to us. We’re not watching history happen. We’re it.”
TRUMP WARNS ANY POTENTIAL PROTESTORS AT HIS MILITARY PARADE WILL BE ‘MET WITH VERY BIG FORCE’
U.S. Attorneys have reportedly been warned that federal charges may need to be filed if the protests become violent.
“We are prepared to respond accordingly,” a spokesperson said.
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Organizers noted on the No Kings site they will not be hosting an event within the nation’s capital, focusing instead on rallies in Philadelphia, Virginia and Maryland.
However, No Kings’ partners, DC Joy Day, will be hosting an event in Anacostia Park, located within the city.
Democrat senator hauled away from Noem’s press conference after fiery confrontation
A California senator was quickly rushed away from Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem after allegedly “lunging” at her during a press conference addressing the Los Angeles anti-ICE riots.
After loudly speaking over Noem and approaching the podium where she was standing, Sen. Alex Padilla, D-Calif., was pushed out of the room by authorities as they ordered him to put his hands up.
The incident happened shortly after Noem said the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) was “staying here to liberate this city from the socialist and the burdensome leadership that this governor and this mayor have placed on this country and what they have tried to insert into this city.”
ICE RAMPS UP ARRESTS OF CONVICTED CRIMINALS AS RIOTS RAGE IN BLUE CITY: ‘YOU WILL NOT STOP US’
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said Padilla did not initially identify himself as a senator, and was not wearing his Senate security pin.
However, footage captured by Fox News shows him saying, “I’m Senator Alex Padilla, I have questions for the secretary,” as he was escorted out of the room.
Noem told The Story’s Martha MacCallum that Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) personnel began handcuffing the senator in the hallway, at which point he identified himself, and they ceased action.
“During a press conference today held at the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office, Senator Alex Padilla was detained by members of the U.S. Secret Service assigned to Secretary Noem’s detail when he became disruptive while formal remarks were being delivered,” an FBI spokesperson told Fox News. “Secret Service Agents were assisted by FBI Police who are in Los Angeles at this time. Senator Padilla was not wearing his senate security pin; however, was subsequently positively identified and released.”
Noem said the pair later met in a private room, where they spoke privately for about 15 minutes and exchanged phone numbers.
She said the senator had concerns about ICE operations, and they opened up a line of communication, noting things were OK between the two of them.
However, Padilla later spoke to the media, claiming he was “forced to the ground.”
CALIFORNIA SHERIFF SAYS NEWSOM ‘ENCOURAGED’ LA RIOTS AS ICE ARRESTS VIOLENT ILLEGAL ALIENS
“If this is how this administration responds to a senator with a question, if this is how the Department of Homeland Security responds to a senator with a question, you can only imagine what they’re doing to farm workers, to cooks, to day laborers out in the Los Angeles community and throughout California,” he told reported. “We will hold this administration accountable.”
A DHS spokesperson said Padilla was told “repeatedly” to back away, and “did not comply” with officers’ commands.
“[Secret Service] thought he was an attacker and officers acted appropriately,” the spokesperson said.
Noem fired back after Padilla’s public remarks, calling his statement “absolutely ridiculous.”
“This man burst into a room, started advancing toward the podium, interrupting an opening statement, elevating his voice, [and] shouting questions. People tried to stop him from interrupting the press conference. He refused and continued to lunge towards the podium,” Noem said. “That is when he was removed from the room. The way that he acted was completely inappropriate.”
She added Padilla’s behavior was not becoming of a senator or public official.
“Perhaps he wanted the scene … but I think the American people are sick of this kind of action,” Noem said. “I think the American people are tired of this. They just want the truth, and they just want to know what’s happening, and that’s what we were trying to provide.”
Gov. Gavin Newsom took to X to comment on Padilla’s outburst, placing blame on the Trump administration for his temporary detainment.
“@SenAlexPadilla is one of the most decent people I know,” Newsom wrote in the post. “This is outrageous, dictatorial, and shameful. Trump and his shock troops are out of control. This must end now.”
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Less than 24 hours prior to the incident, Padilla was pulled out of the Congressional Baseball Game in Washington, D.C. Wednesday night to fly home to Los Angeles because of the riots.
He was slated to start at first base.
Walmart forced to respond after heiress releases full-page ad against Trump
Billionaire Walmart heiress Christy Walton faced backlash from the White House and avoidance by Walmart itself after she bought an ad appearing to call Americans across the country to protest against President Donald Trump.
Walton, one of the richest women in America, bought a full-page ad in The New York Times declaring “NO KINGS,” referring to the No Kings organization that is coordinating hundreds of protests across the country against Trump’s administration on the same day as his military parade this weekend.
Andrew Cook, a spokesman for the No Kings organization, told Forbes there will be more than 1,800 events across America.
While Walton’s ad does not mention Trump directly, it instead appears to echo many common liberal critiques of the president and his policies by declaring, “We are a people of principle and honor. We honor our commitments and stand by our allies. We defend against aggression by dictators. We uphold and defend the Constitution.”
MARINES ARRIVE IN LOS ANGELES AS MAYOR ISSUES CURFEW FOR PART OF DOWNTOWN AMID ANTI-ICE PROTESTS
The ad continued, “We care for our children and veterans. We respect our neighbors and trading partners. We support a healthy national and international economy, community, and environment. We are the world leader trusted to uphold the stability of the rule of law.”
It then concludes, “We are the people of the United States of America. The honor, dignity, and integrity of our country are not for sale. Our government is of the people, by the people, for the people.”
A spokesperson for Walton told Fox News Digital in a statement: “The personal ad message from Christy Walton published, Sunday, June 8, focuses on encouraging people to engage peacefully and civically in next weekend’s events on June 14th. It is unrelated to the events we have seen unfold the past several days. Christy has provided no funding to organizations or individuals involved in the demonstrations in Los Angeles or other cities, nor has she provided any funding to those organizing the upcoming events.”
The statement continued, “Her interest is simply in encouraging people to listen to one another, participate in their communities, and productively engage on the issues they care about. She believes while we have the right to protest, we do not have a right to violence. She condemns violence in all forms and her message promotes civic engagement, peaceful dialogue, and the sharing of diverse views and voices.”
TRUMP WARNS ANY POTENTIAL PROTESTERS AT HIS MILITARY PARADE WILL BE ‘MET WITH VERY BIG FORCE’
Fox News Digital reached out to the White House, which argued that the ad rings tone-deaf to the mandate of Americans who elected Trump last November.
“Great, a left-wing billionaire feels like burning some of her inheritance for a PR stunt. It’s not going to change the fact that over 77 million Americans voted for mass deportations, border security, and America First trade policies — a mandate that the Trump administration is committed to using every lever of executive power to deliver on,” a White House spokesperson said.
Walmart appeared to distance itself from Walton and her activism in a statement to Fox News Digital, saying, “We condemn violence, including when it’s directed towards law enforcement, and the damaging of property.”
SEN JOSH HAWLEY EXPANDS PROBE INTO GROUPS ALLEGEDLY FUNDING ANTI-ICE RIOTS, THREATENS SUBPOENAS
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“As a company with associates and customers in the Los Angeles region, we remain focused on their safety and that of impacted communities. The advertisements from Christy Walton are in no way connected to or endorsed by Walmart. She does not serve on the board or play any role in decision making at Walmart,” the company statement added.
Billionaire Cuban shocked as liberal ‘safe space’ platform turns toxic post-election
Billionaire Mark Cuban seemed to realize this week that liberals’ social media alternative to X, the platform Bluesky, has become toxic and “hateful” because of the anger on display there.
In a series of recent posts to Bluesky, the business mogul lamented that people on the platform – the majority being liberals – have “grown ruder and more hateful.”
“Even if you agree with 95% of what a person is saying on a topic, if there is one point that you might call out as being more of a gray area, they will call you a fascist etc.,” Cuban wrote.
‘PATHETIC’: TOP 10 MEDIA MELTDOWNS FOLLOWING TRUMP’S ELECTION WIN, FROM ON-AIR TEARS TO CLAIMS OF ‘MISOGYNY’
Bluesky, a social media platform created by Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey, saw a massive growth in users following President Donald Trump’s election in 2024, many of them fleeing X to escape conservative voices. Dorsey quit Bluesky’s board last year.
A recent Pew Research Center study found that Bluesky went from 10 million to 30 million users between November 2024 and May 2025, the majority of them being liberals looking for friendlier online spaces.
Prominent outspoken liberals like actor Mark Hamill, actor John Cusack, and author Stephen King have moved their regular anti-Trump postings from X to Bluesky following Trump’s win.
TRUMP WARNS ANY POTENTIAL PROTESTERS AT HIS MILITARY PARADE WILL BE ‘MET WITH VERY BIG FORCE’
Cuban created an account on the platform as well, initially posting about his hope for the platform. “Hello Less Hateful World,” he wrote after joining the platform in November 2024, days after the election.
In the months since, it appears that the Dallas Mavericks owner’s tune has changed. The billionaire posted on Monday, “The replies on here may not be as racist as Twitter, but they damn sure are hateful. Talk AI: FU, AI sucks go away. Talk Business: Go away. Talk Healthcare: Crickets.”
“Engagement went from great convos on many topics, to agree with me or you are a nazi fascist. We are forcing posts to X,” he added.
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In another post, Cuban shared a Washington Post column, titled “The Bluesky bubble hurts liberals and their causes.”
The piece argued, “Because the Musk and Trump haters are the largest and most passionate group, the result is something of an echo chamber where it’s hard to get positive engagement unless you’re saying things progressives want to hear — and where the negative engagement on things they don’t want to hear can be intense.”
Cuban appeared to agree with the analysis, commenting, “The lack of diversity of thought here is really hurting usage.”
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