Transgender cult suspect learns what happens when you can’t ‘behave’ in court

A suspected member of the radical “Zizian” cult was forcibly removed from a California courtroom after claiming an officer said she should be killed for being transgender.

Alexander “Somni” Leatham, a 29-year-old trans woman from Agoura Hills, California, was one of five alleged members of the group of radical vegans, many of whom identified as trans, who were in Solano Superior Court Tuesday. 

Leatham alleged that an officer told her she “deserved to be shot for being transgender while he had a gun, and I was in chains,” according to SFGate. Leatham, and others in the group, face charges in connection with a string of killings across the country that culminated in the January killing of a U.S. Border Patrol agent along the northern border. 

Read more of Fox News Digital coverage on the Zizians here.

TRANSGENDER VEGAN ‘CULT’ MEMBERS ARRESTED

The 29-year-old reportedly went on a profanity-laden rant in the courtroom Tuesday, accusing authorities of attempting to de-transition her.

“The court has been hormonally detransitioning me for quarter of a decade as part of a state-sponsored conversion therapy program,” she said, according to SFGate. “I am not suicidal. I have never been suicidal.”

“If I am killed in police custody, it was murder!” Leatham said.

ZIZIAN LEADER JACK LASOTA: WHO IS TRANSGENDER, VEGAN CULT HEAD LINKED TO BORDER AGENT KILLING?

Judge John B. Ellis ordered Leatham to be taken to an isolation room prior to the hearing, saying that she could appear via camera due to her behavior, SFGate reported.

“If defendant Leatham can’t behave herself, she can be moved to the isolation booth,” Ellis said.  

Members of the Zizians have been charged or named as persons of interest in connection with six deaths across the country, including the stabbing of an 82-year-old landlord in January, the shooting of a U.S. Border Patrol agent in Vermont in January and the 2022 double homicide of an elderly Pennsylvania couple. 

Leatham and Suri Dao face attempted murder charges after a rent dispute with landlord Curtis Lind that ended with Zizian follower Emma Borhanian being fatally shot by Lind in self-defense. Lind was injured by a samurai sword during the altercation.

Lind had bought the property, placing 20-foot trailers and shipping containers on the land so he could rent them to people who were unable to afford the cost of housing in Vallejo, Patrick McMillan, a tenant who lives in a mobile home on the property, told the San Francisco Chronicle. Lind also lived on the property.

MANHUNT TIED TO ‘ANARCHIST’ VEGAN CULT IN BORDER PATROL AGENT KILLING: REPORT

The group lived in a cluster of trailer trucks, McMillan told the Chronicle. Initially, they paid rent but stopped paying during the pandemic.

“He had an agreement that they were going to fix up their vehicles, and then they were going to leave,” Lind’s daughter, Dina Morrill, told the newspaper.

“The truth is, they jumped him,” Lind’s son, Carl Lind, told KTVU.

Lind managed to shoot two of his alleged attackers, killing one of them, Borhanian. Prosecutors concluded that the landlord acted in self-defense. 

“After they attacked him, he got his gun out and shot two of them, killed one of them,” McMillan told the Chronicle. “The other one had three shots to the chest.”

The landlord was left seriously injured after the group attacked him with a samurai sword. McMillan told KTVU that he had the sword “stuck through his back with about a foot of it sticking out in front.”

Lind survived the initial attack but was then stabbed to death in a second attack on Jan. 17, 2025. Maximilian Snyder, 22, another “Ziz” member, was arrested and charged with his murder, according to court records obtained by FOX 13 Seattle.

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The next hearing is set for April 22 at 9 a.m. Fox News Digital reached out to Leatham’s attorney.

Social media mocks Harris for ‘word salad’ all over again after learning potential career move

Social media commentators had a field day after a report that former Vice President Kamala Harris was considering starting a center for “policy and ideas.”

The New York Times released a piece on Thursday, headlined, “Sidelined and Still Processing Her Defeat, Harris Looks for a Way Back In.” The article observed how Harris and her husband are“weighing each new opportunity with the potential political blowback in mind” as they chart a course for the future.

“One possibility: establishing an institute for policy and ideas,” The Times reported. “Brian Nelson, an adviser to Ms. Harris since she was California’s attorney general, has broached the idea with several universities, including Howard and Stanford. But some allies have noted that raising money for such a center could, depending on the donors, create liabilities in future races.”

KAMALA HARRIS REVEALS HER TIMETABLE ON HER NEXT POLITICAL STEPS

The notion that Harris’ next political move could involve starting a think tank — despite a presidential campaign often criticized for gaffes — resulted in many jokes on social media outlets like X.

Washington Free Beacon senior writer Andrew Stiles summarized the report as “NYT: Kamala Harris, known for her deep knowledge and ability to articulate complex issues, is thinking about launching ‘an institute for policy and ideas.'”

He joked the institute would be called, “The Kamala D. Harris Institute for Examining the Importance of Understanding What Needs to Be Done,” appearing to mock Harris’ so-called “word salads.”

“Job 1: Finding some ideas and learning what policy is,” PJ Media’s Stephen Green quipped.

Republican communicator Matt Whitlock said, “The ‘Kamala Harris Institute for Policies and Ideas’ sounds a little bit like a Babylon Bee headline. Sort of like if the Kardashians opened a think tank.”

Twitchy’s Doug Powers posted, “The Kamala Harris Center for the Unburdening of What Has Been should provide a bottomless well of material.”

“[The Babylon Bee] can’t compete with this,” communications professional and political advisor Nathan Brand wrote.

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Republican Party deputy communications director Abigail Jackson suggested the center be called “The Coconut Tree Institute,” referring to an often-mocked quote from Harris.

“I can only imagine the type of deep thinkers that will be affiliated with this venture,” Senator Cynthia Lummis’ communications director, Joe Jackson, said.

Fox News Digital reached out to Harris’ office and did not receive an immediate reply.

Golfer apologizes after Masters debut leaves everyone talking about his unsavory moment

Jose Luis Ballester won the 2024 U.S. Amateur, which granted him a spot at the Masters this year, but the 21-year-old’s first time competing in the major on the famed course was overshadowed by a moment during the first-round action.

Ballester seemingly admitted that he had urinated in Rae’s Creek at Amen Corner at Augusta National Golf Club on Thursday. The Spaniard said he “completely forgot that we had those restrooms to the left of the (13th) tee box,” and after playing partner Justin Thomas “had an issue on the green,” he said he had taken advantage.

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But as the hours and days following the incident in question passed, Ballester began making it clear that he was ready to put the now-infamous moment behind him.

“I already apologized to the club, and I think we just move on from this moment,” Ballester responded to questions about whether Augusta National officials had spoken to him about his actions.

NOTABLE PLAYERS WHO MISSED THE CUT AT THE MASTERS, INCLUDING ANGEL CABRERA IN HIS AUGUSTA RETURN

Ballester also competes in the collegiate ranks for the Arizona State Sun Devils. He arrived at Augusta National on Thursday wearing a hat that said “Sun Devils” upside down.

Friday did not go according to plan for Ballester, as he ended up missing the cut. Nevertheless, he had a positive takeaway and took advantage of the opportunity to learn from Thomas and his other partner, Scottie Scheffler, who has won two of the last three Masters.

“These guys are here especially because of how good they are around the greens, how much knowledge they have, how good they are at perceiving the slopes and reading greens,” Ballester said.

“I hit many good shots with drivers and irons both days, but what I felt that those guys are in a completely [different] level from where I am is around the greens.”

Last year, amateur Neal Shipley spent his final round with five-time winner Tiger Woods.

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Ballester acknowledged the disappointing result at the tournament, but he also expressed optimism about his future. “It was not a great week for me in that aspect, but also looking forward to the next opportunities that I get to see how I compare myself with them,” he said.

As of Saturday afternoon, Justin Rose was atop the Masters Leaderboard at 8 under par. Meanwhile, Scheffler was working to move out of a four-way tie for fifth place as third-round action played out. 

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Aaron Rodgers could have a new NFL team on his radar as potential option emerges

As four-time MVP quarterback Aaron Rodgers remains in the free agency pool, another potential option may have opened up for him in the NFL. 

The New Orleans Saints could be desperate for a veteran option at the position after news that Derek Carr’s 2025 season could be in jeopardy due to a shoulder injury. 

NFL Network reports that surgery could be an option for Carr, which “threatens his availability for this season.”

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Injury was a theme in Carr’s second year in New Orleans last season, as he missed seven games last year due to a concussion and fractured hand. 

Now, with his season in jeopardy, perhaps the Saints could tap into Rodgers to see if the Big Easy is somewhere he’d want to star next year. 

SAINTS’ DEREK CARR’S SEASON IN JEOPARDY DUE TO NEW SHOULDER INJURY: REPORT

“Expect to see a report, sooner [rather] than later, that the Saints have reached out,” Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio said on Friday. “Whether it goes anywhere remains to be seen. However, New Orleans becomes another option for Rodgers.”

The New York Giants and Pittsburgh Steelers were the other two frontrunners for Rodgers, but the former is out of that running after signing Russell Wilson, the Steelers’ starting quarterback, last season, as well as Jameis Winston this free agency period. 

It was expected, then, that Rodgers would be heading to the Steel City, but he hasn’t made his intentions known just yet. The Minnesota Vikings continue to remain an option, but the organization is adamant that J.J. McCarthy, their first-round pick last season who had to miss the whole year due to injury, is their starter heading into camp. 

As for the Saints, Carr’s absence for the season would leave the quarterback position up to Spencer Rattler or Jake Haener, as the depth chart reads. Rattler filled in for Carr during his injuries last year, and it didn’t work out for the 2024 fifth-round pick, as he went 0-6 in his six starts. 

While Rodgers may be an option, the ninth overall pick belongs to the Saints this year, and they will be an interesting team to watch. Could they move up above other quarterback-needy teams to nab their potential quarterback of the future? 

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It’s worth noting that Carr has just one year left on his deal with the Saints before becoming a free agent in 2027. 

Rodgers, 41, is coming off a failed tenure with the New York Jets, going 6-12 in his 18 starts with the team. 

Wife, 19, turns heads when she ditches feminism and its ‘lies’ for more ‘fulfilling’ calling

American shoppers see tariff surcharges on receipts as trade war hits their wallets

American consumers are noticing a new line on their shopping receipts — a tariff surcharge. Even with President Donald Trump’s 90-day pause on tariffs, companies and customers are feeling the impact, especially those that import their products from China. 

The surcharges have been popping up across several industries, impacting nearly everything from prices of clothing to automobile manufacturing. Some companies are charging flat fees, while others charge a percentage of the total cost of a given purchase. 

TRUMP’S TARIFFS: WHAT TARIFFS HAVE BEEN IMPOSED ON MAJOR TRADING PARTNERS OR PAUSED?

Alexandra Fine, CEO and co-founder of Dame, a sexual wellness company, spoke with The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) about her company’s recent $5 “Trump Tariff Surcharge” add-on. 

“It doesn’t cover the full cost—not even close—but it felt better than pretending everything’s fine,” Fine told WSJ. She said the surcharge was about a “statement” and letting customers “know how these policies are impacting all of us.”

The company manufactures its products in China, which has been hit with a 145% import tariff amid escalating trade tensions between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping.

KEVIN O’LEARY BACKS TRUMP TARIFFS TO STOP CHINA FROM ‘KILLING SMALL BUSINESS IN AMERICA’

Amazon CEO Andy Jassy recently told CNBC that he thinks manufacturers will start to “pass that cost” on to customers rather than trying to absorb it. Many of the company’s third-party sellers — which make up 60% of products sold on Amazon — are based in China, and are facing the harshest of Trump’s tariffs.

Wedding dresses are also going up in price because of the tariffs. Paul Virilli, co-owner of Jan’s Boutique in New Jersey, told CBS News that prices of gowns from China are also going up.

“We hope China and the U.S.’ relationship gets fixed and resolved so we can continue to sell this dress at the price it’s marked at,” Virilli told CBS News. The outlet noted that most of his gowns come from China and Vietnam.

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On Friday, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Trump is “optimistic” about making a deal with China over tariffs. Currently, Beijing has an 84% tariff on American imports.

“The president has made it very clear he’s open to a deal with China,” Leavitt said. She also said that Trump would be “gracious if China intends to make a deal with the United States.”

Drug nearly eliminates hidden cholesterol that lifestyle changes can’t touch, study says

Researchers have discovered an experimental medication that significantly reduces a cholesterol-like particle that can increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes.

Many Americans are unaware that elevated levels of this particle — known as lipoprotein(a) or Lp(a) — are circulating in their blood.

Elevated Lp(a) cannot be modified with lifestyle changes, and has been called “one of the last untreatable frontiers of cardiovascular risk” by Cleveland Clinic, who led the study.

LOW-CARB KETO DIET MAY NOT RAISE HEART DISEASE RISK, NEW STUDY SUGGESTS

This new research confirmed earlier findings showing that the experimental drug — lepodisiran, made by Eli Lilly, who funded the study — can “silence” the main gene responsible for synthesizing Lp(a).

(Other experimental gene therapies with a similar mechanism of action are also in development, according to Cleveland Clinic.)

The findings were published in The New England Journal of Medicine and were also presented at the annual meeting of the American College of Cardiology on March 30.

What to know about Lp(a)

Lipoprotein(a) levels are elevated in approximately 20-25% of people worldwide, according to the American Heart Association. 

This equates to approximately 64 million people in the U.S. and 1.4 billion people globally.

Lp(a) shares similarities with another lipoprotein that doctors target to reduce the risk of heart disease, known as low-density lipoprotein (LDL) – often referred to as “bad cholesterol.”

HEART DISEASE RISK HIGHER FOR WOMEN WHO HAVE THESE UNHEALTHY LIFESTYLE HABITS

But lipoprotein(a) is more prone to plaque buildup and clots in the arteries than LDL, according to lead author Steven Nissen, M.D., chief academic officer of the Heart, Vascular & Thoracic Institute at Cleveland Clinic.

“Lipoprotein(a) is an independent risk factor for heart disease that is largely determined by genetics — that is, it is inherited,” added Dr. Deepak L. Bhatt, director of Mount Sinai Fuster Heart Hospital and a professor of cardiovascular medicine at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York, told Fox News Digital. (He was not part of the study.)

Lp(a) is primarily determined by differences in one gene, while LDL cholesterol levels are influenced by multiple genes.

“That’s a very big difference, and LDL has a much larger environmental component,” Nissen noted.

“Lp(a) is an independent risk factor for heart disease that is largely determined by genetics.”

Diet, exercise and weight loss can help decrease LDL levels, but they do not have an impact on Lp(a) levels, experts say.

And unlike LDL, which can be reduced with medications like statins, there are currently no approved drug treatments that lower Lp(a).

“There is no approved pharmacotherapy for lipoprotein(a) by regulatory authorities in any country in the world,” Nissen confirmed.

Study design

The researchers performed a clinical trial of 320 individuals from Argentina, China, Denmark, Germany, Japan, Mexico, the Netherlands, Romania, Spain and the U.S. from Nov. 11, 2022, to April 17, 2023.

The participants were randomly assigned to receive either a placebo or one or two subcutaneous injections of lepodisiran.

The normal level of Lp(a) is less than 75 nanomoles per liter and the average level for people in the trial was about 250 nanomoles per liter, Nissen told Fox News Digital.

“They were very high — more than three times the upper limit of normal,” he added.

WHEN MEASURING HEART ATTACK RISK, ONE IMPORTANT RED FLAG IS OFTEN OVERLOOKED, DOCTORS SAY

After one injection of the highest dose, participants showed a nearly 100% reduction in levels of lipoprotein(a) at six months.

Those who received a second dose at six months maintained an almost 100% reduction at the one-year mark.

In other words, the therapy removed virtually all lipoprotein(a) from the blood, according to Nissen.

Cardiologists say these findings may ultimately help treat millions of Americans who have elevated levels of Lp(a).

“The results are very impressive,” Bhatt said.

Potential limitations

The researchers noted that there were no major safety concerns, but 12% of participants reported mild reactions at the injection site.

The study had only a few Black participants — a population that needs more research, as they are more likely to have elevated lipoprotein(a) concentrations than White persons, according to previous studies.

(To address this concern, the researchers are enrolling many more Black patients in their larger phase 3 clinical trial.)

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Another limitation was that only two doses of lepodisiran were administered in the trial, so the effect of more doses is not known.

The study also did not show that reducing Lp(a) levels also reduces the risk of heart attacks and strokes, outside experts noted.

“A phase 3 trial testing the clinical impact of this drug is needed to see if the large reduction of Lp(a) translates into lower rates of heart attack,” Bhatt said.

Nissen confirmed that the phase 3 trial to address this question is already underway.

“Whatever your level is when you’re 24 years old is the level when you’re 64 years old – it doesn’t change, because it’s genetic.”

The European Society of Cardiology and the National Lipid Association in the U.S. both recommend that all adults check their Lp(a) levels.

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“I have been checking Lp(a) levels in all patients for many years,” Bhatt said.

But unlike traditional cholesterol, which doctors typically monitor over time, Nissen pointed out that lipoprotein(a) only needs to be checked once in a lifetime.

“Whatever your level is when you’re 24 years old is the level when you’re 64 years old – it doesn’t change, because it’s genetic,” he said.

“So you only need to get it once, and if you get it early in life, then you know you’re at risk, and you can live your life accordingly.” 

Dave Portnoy unloads against ‘really lazy, entitled’ employees in fiery no-holds-barred rant

Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy didn’t mince words when discussing the “lazy, entitled losers” taking baby boomers’ place in today’s workforce.

Gen Z – the generation born between 1997 and 2012 – has received a bad rap for laziness, entitlement, emotional sensitivity and poor communication skills in recent years. Since they’ve overtaken their baby boomer grandparents at the office, the changes are already showing for some of those managing them.

“They don’t want to work. They’re spoiled brats,” Portnoy said Thursday on “Varney & Co.” 

MILLENNIALS, GEN Z GO ON TIRADES OVER JOBS CLIMATE: ‘A BONE TO PICK WITH AMERICA’

“They’ve grown up in a world where it’s [an] everyone gets a trophy generation, and the idea of showing up and going through traffic and being at the office at 8:45 and working until six, they look at you like you’ve got 10 heads,” he continued. 

Portnoy proceeded to claim the youngest working age group expects everything handed to them “on a silver platter” and lamented they’re “very hard to motivate.”

He closed out the criticism by branding Gen Zers “really lazy, entitled losers.”

GEN Z PUSHES BACK AGAINST LAZY STEREOTYPE BY FLAUNTING OFFICE JOBS IN TIKTOK TREND

A recent Wall Street Journal report discussing the “locker room playbook” for managing Gen Z looks to the literal locker room where professional athletes – many of whom are Gen Z – have to be motivated and led, just as Gen Zers in other professions.

The outlet highlights that many Gen Zers prioritize things like self-care and work-life boundaries more than other generations before them may have. 

Marti Wronski, chief operating officer of the Milwaukee Brewers who has been with the franchise for over two decades, told the outlet the generation typically asks questions that other age groups wouldn’t have asked during job interviews – questions about the amount of paternity leave available, the organization’s values and what it represents and how the role fits their personal “big picture,” indicating a focus on matching jobs to personal interests and life goals.

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