Defense Secretary Hegseth gives latest on US response to Israel and Iran strikes
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth told Fox News on Saturday that President Donald Trump is “dialed in” when it comes to monitoring the conflict between Israel and Iran, adding that “this is not an autopen moment.”
“We had that, where the world saw our gaze distracted, or not paying attention at all,” Hegseth continued, referencing Trump’s investigation into the Biden administration over allegations that top officials used autopen signatures to cover up the former president’s cognitive decline.
Hegseth added that the U.S. is “robustly postured” to defend American assets in the Middle East from any future aggression from Iran. On Friday, Tehran launched retaliatory airstrikes against Tel Aviv and Israel, killing at least 3 people.
“The president has been leading the way on setting the tempo of how we look at the region and ultimately recognize a couple a days ago, Israel believed in its own self-defense, it needed to take action against nuclear capabilities and ballistic missiles and we saw the response from Iran,” Hegseth said. “The U.S. is postured to defend our people in the region. We have got significant assets in the region. We are robustly postured to ensure our people, our bases, our interests are safe and we are continuing to monitor.”
“We will keep Americans safe,” Hegseth also said. “You saw what Secretary [of State] Rubio said in his first statement, ultimately, it should be clear to Iran that they should not turn their gaze to the United States, that would be a bad idea.”
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi announced Saturday that his country will not hold talks with the U.S. tomorrow about its nuclear program, which were set to take place in Oman, a report said.
Araghchi told European Union foreign-policy chief Kaja Kallas that Iran will not engage in the conversations for now, The Wall Street Journal reported, citing a person briefed on a call between them.
“The Iran U.S. talks scheduled to be held in Muscat this Sunday will not now take place. But diplomacy and dialogue remain the only pathway to lasting peace,” Oman’s Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi wrote on X.
The development comes after an Iranian official reportedly called the talks “meaningless” in the wake of Israel’s airstrikes.
“The other side [the U.S.] acted in a way that makes dialogue meaningless. You cannot claim to negotiate and at the same time divide work by allowing the Zionist regime [Israel] to target Iran’s territory,” Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei was quoted by state media as saying, according to Reuters.
The IDF announced on Saturday that it had “established aerial superiority from western Iran to Tehran” just two days into Operation Rising Lion.
Overnight, Iran retaliated against Israel and launched several missile barrages that killed three and wounded as many as 70 people.
Former U.S. men’s Olympics gold medalist and current transgender conservative influencer Caitlyn Jenner is trapped in Israel after the nation initiated a strike on Iran Thursday night.
Jenner traveled to the country to attend the Pride Month parade in Tel Aviv scheduled for Friday.
Jenner shared several social media posts declaring allegiance with Israel and showing sites of the country and subsequent chaos.
On Friday evening, Jenner posted about being in bomb shelters in Tel Aviv as Iran launches retaliatory missile strikes against the city.
“We are back in the shelters in Tel Aviv. This looks like it is the third wave of attack from Iran,” Jenner wrote.
In a post on Instagram and X Friday morning, Jenner shared a photo from the Western Wall in the Old City of Jerusalem with a caption that said, “Yesterday in Jerusalem. My heart is with Israel now and forever. Evil shall not prevail!” The post included Israeli and U.S. flag emoji.
This is an excerpt from an article written by Fox News’ Jackson Thompson.
Israeli Ambassador to the U.N. Danny Danon said on Friday that prior to the strike on Iran, Jerusalem found that Tehran was planning a “surprise attack” that would have included a ground invasion.
“Israel uncovered clear evidence that the Iranian regime was planning a surprise attack in coordination with its proxies. They had planned to invade from all sides with thousands of terrorists and thousands of projectiles,” Danon told reporters.
“As you know, October 7 was a deeply painful and traumatic day for all of us, but the danger we confronted last night was of a different magnitude: a surprise attack with a nuclear strike, which Iran was preparing for, would’ve been terminal. Israel could not and would not wait for that moment to arrive,” he added.
The IDF has given more insight into the Iranian officials killed in Operation Rising Lion, which began with an unprecedented preemptive strike early Friday morning local time. So far, the IDF says it has managed to kill the head of Iran’s Intelligence Directorate and the commander of the IRGC’s Surface-To-Surface Missile Array.
Gholamreza Mehrabi, who served as the head of Iran’s Intelligence Directorate, allegedly “played a key role” in operational planning, combat preparations and intelligence evaluations, according to the IDF. Israel also noted that Marhabi was considered to be “Iran’s most senior intelligence officer.”
Mohammad Bagheri, commander of the IRGC’s Surface-To-Surface Missile Array, was also killed. The IDF said that he oversaw most of Iran’s long-range surface-to-surface missiles, which would have served as Iran’s “primary offensive tools” against Israel. Furthermore, the IDF said that Bagheri was part of the decision-making process behind Iran’s attacks on Israel in April and October 2024.
IDF International Spokesperson Lt. Col. Nadav Shoshani accused Iran of trying to push a “fake victory narrative.” However, he said that it was “not going very well” for Teheran.
Shoshani’s post was in response to reports that Iran shot down Israeli fighter jets, a claim that Jerusalem denies.
On Saturday, the IDF released footage of the Israeli Air Force and Navy intercepting UAVs from Iran. The announcement comes after many Israelis spent the night running in and out of protected spaces due to
Iranian missile barrages.
The Associated Press is reporting that Iran’s state TV showed a fire following an Israeli strike on a former car manufacturing plant. Additionally, the Associated Press said that state-run IRNA news agency reported an Israeli strike in the southwestern province of Khuzestan.
Earlier on Saturday, Israel announced that it was carrying out more strikes on Iran following overnight missile barrages from Tehran.
A senior Israeli intelligence official exclusively told Fox News on Saturday that “We have more surprises coming up” for Iran following the initial wave of strikes during “Operation Rising Lion.”
The high-ranking source, speaking to Fox News Chief Foreign Correspondent Trey Yingst, said Israeli intelligence projected Iran would have an arsenal of 8,000 ballistic missiles over the next two years and that this was part of the reason a decision was made to launch the operation. Right now, Israel believes Iran has about 2,000 missiles.
“We cannot end this operation knowing that we will be in the same spot two years from now,” the official said. “Everything is going as planned. Actually, better than planned.”
The official added: “We have lots of surprises. Not just the ones we already did. We have more surprises coming up.”
Forty Iranian air defense systems were hit since the beginning of the operation, which is based on three goals — targeting Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs and removing the Iranian existential threat against Israel.
During the initial strike against a meeting of Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) air force officials, Israeli intelligence assesses that 30 commanders were killed.
“It’s a historic achievement,” the official said.
Israel now expects more incoming Iranian missiles in the days ahead that will cause casualties and destruction.
The bulk of the conflict with Iran could largely be over in a matter of days.
“I think we can finish it in days… It’s a good thing that we have the U.S. by our side,” the official said.
The official also told Fox News that the U.S. is “fully coordinated” with Israel, yet declined to go into specifics.
“The way the U.S. is standing beside Israel is unprecedented,” he said. “We feel it.”
Fox News’ Trey Yingst contributed to this report.
Israel’s strikes
on Iran are as righteous as they are daring. As I write this, the Israeli Defense Forces are conducting precision operations that have already degraded Iran’s nuclear infrastructure and eliminated key figures in their military hierarchy.
These attacks aren’t just justified – they’re absolutely necessary.
Prime Minister Netanyahu has indicated that Israel is prepared for sustained operations lasting days or weeks. With intelligence suggesting the Islamic Republic is close to acquiring nuclear capabilities, waiting to act is not an option. Israel understands that their very survival is at stake, and is acting accordingly.
Their fight is America’s – and the free world’s – fight. President Donald Trump is absolutely right to make it clear to the Iranians that America isn’t playing their game anymore. The United States, our Gulf allies, and all countries that seek a free, peaceful, and prosperous future must unite in opposition to the Iranian regime and in support of Israel’s objectives.
This is an excerpt from an article by former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. Click here to read more.
Yisrael Aloni, 73, was reportedly identified as one of the three people killed in Irans missile barrage attack against Israel, according to the Times of Israel. The outlet also noted that he was killed during a barrage on the city of Rishon Lezion.
Fox News’ Alex Hogan reported early Saturday morning that three people were killed and as many as 70 were wounded in the Iranian attack.
The Israel Defense Forces released multiple new videos Saturday showing Iranian missile platforms and drones being destroyed by its forces.
“The Air Force continues to strike dozens of surface-to-surface missile platforms in Iran. This is how we accurately struck surface-to-surface missile platforms ready to launch,” IDF Arabic Spokesperson Avichay Adraee wrote on X.
In one video, missile platforms could be seen exploding into flames after being hit by Israeli airstrikes.
In another, a drone is seen flying through the air before it gets hit and starts spewing out dark smoke.
“We continue to hunt down threats and strike targets deep within the Iranian regime,” Adraee said.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz sent a stark warning to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as tensions between their two nations continue to rise.
“The Iranian dictator is turning Iran’s citizens into hostages and creating a reality in which they — especially the residents of Tehran — will pay a heavy price for the criminal attacks against Israeli civilians. If Khamenei continues to fire missiles at Israel’s home front – Tehran will burn,” Katz said following a situation assessment with IDF Chief of the General Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir and top IDF officials.
Iran has reportedly confirmed that its Fordow nuclear site was damaged, according to Reuters, which cited the semi-official ISNA news agency.
“There has been limited damage to some areas at the Fordow enrichment site,” state atomic energy agency spokesperson Behrouz Kamalvandi said, according to Reuters. “We had already moved a significant part of the equipment and materials out, and there was no extensive damage and there are no contamination concerns.”
It is unclear whether this was a direct result of an Israeli strike, as an IDF official said on Saturday that Israel did not hit Fordow.
Elon Musk seemed to indicate that Starlink was made available to the people of Iran after reports of the country limiting internet access following Israeli airstrikes.
During a Friday appearance on “Hannity,” Mark Levin, the host of “Life, Liberty and Levin,”
called on Musk to “turn on Starlink” for the people of Iran. Levin then tweeted about the possibility of Musk turning on Starlink to which the Tesla founder replied, “the beams are on.”
Iranian Foreign Minister
Abbas Araghchi held a phone call last night with U.N. Secretary General António Guterres in which he told him that Israel’s airstrikes “constitute a blatant violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Islamic Republic of Iran, as an independent U.N. member state, and are a clear act of aggression.”
“The foreign minister reiterated Iran’s determination to defend itself in line with Article 51 of the U.N. Charter and urged the Security Council and the secretary general to fulfill their responsibilities under the Charter by strongly condemning this aggression and taking immediate and concrete measures to hold the Israeli regime accountable,” Iran’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
“The U.N. secretary general voiced regret over the Israeli aggression and condemned its attacks against Iran, particularly the strikes on nuclear facilities at a time when talks between Iran and the U.S. were ongoing. He underscored his commitment to using U.N. mechanisms to help de-escalate tensions and restore peace and stability in the region,” it added.
At least two people have been killed following four rounds of Iranian missile strikes into Israel.
An Israeli woman who was critically wounded by Iranian missiles died from her wounds she sustained in attacks late Friday in Tel Aviv, the Jerusalem Post reported, and another person was killed after a fourth wave of strikes decimated a residential area at dawn Saturday in central Israel.
In addition, several homes in Tel Aviv were reportedly damaged by Iranian ballistic missiles as first responders searched for survivors.
Iran launched missile strikes targeting various parts of Israel on Friday night and early Saturday morning.
Images posted online showed homes destroyed and others with partial damage.
Magen David Adom, Israel’s national EMS, said it was treating and evacuating 21 people after a rocket strike into a residential area in the country’s coastal plain.
Social media erupts over eye-popping amount CA shells out to illegals each year
California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass have lambasted President Trump for the financial cost of sending troops to quell anti-ICE riots in their jurisdiction, which came with a price tag dramatically less than the bill taxpayers foot to pay for illegal immigrants in the state.
“Just an absolutely shameful use of taxpayer dollars that could be used to actually HELP people,” Bass recently posted on X. “Despicable.”
“$134 million that should be going to LA’s fire recovery,” Newsom posted on X. “Shameful.”
Many on social media responded to the posts from Newsom and Bass and commented on how illegal immigrants cost taxpayers billions of dollars in California, including White House Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy Stephen Miller.
GOP LAWMAKER DEMANDS ACCOUNTABILITY FOR LAPD’S DELAYED RESPONSE TIME HELPING ASSAULTED ICE OFFICERS
“Wait till you find out how many trillions we have to spend on illegal aliens,” Miller posted on X in response to Newsom.
“Now do the $9 billion you drained out of our state treasury to fund your free healthcare for illegals immigrants scheme,” campaign strategist Andrew Clark posted on X.
“How many billions have you spent on illegals Gavin? It’s well into the hundreds of billions,”Conservative activist and filmmaker Robby Starbuck posted on X. “THAT money should have gone to your citizens and fire recovery but you gave it to illegals.
Recent studies reviewed by Fox News Digital show that California spends at least tens of billions on illegal immigrants each year, far more than the $134 million cost of sending in federal troops to respond to rioting.
A Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR) cost analysis, promoted by the House Budget Committee in a 2023 press release, found that “benefits and services provided to illegal aliens in California alone in 2022” amounted to more than $22 billion.
In a more recent cost analysis, FAIR calculated that services for illegal immigrants cost California taxpayers $31 billion per year.
A 2019 study from FAIR found that incarceration costs of illegal immigrants going through the court process and being housed in jail cost California over $2 billion per year.
Earlier this year, Newsom asked for an additional $2.8 billion loan to address a bloated deficit in the state’s Medicaid program, which has surpassed budget expectations largely due to coverage for illegal immigrants.
WATCH: DEM, MEDIA OUTLETS INSIST LA ANTI-ICE RIOTS ARE ‘PEACEFUL’ DESPITE VIOLENCE, INJURED COPS
Last year, California expanded Medi-Cal to cover all low-income adults ages 26 through 49, regardless of immigration status, making it the first state to do so. Roughly 1.6 million illegal immigrants are enrolled in the state’s healthcare program, according to state data, and 15 million California residents are enrolled.
In addition to the amount of taxpayer dollars spent on individuals illegally in the country, a recent study by Wallethub found that California ranks nearly last in the country when it comes to return on investment for taxpayers.
Wallethub examined state and local tax collections and then compared that with the quality of services received in education, health, safety, the economy, and infrastructure and pollution. The Golden State ranks 47th in taxpayer efficiency in the United States.
In a statement to Fox News Digital, Assistant DHS Secretary Tricia McLaughlin fired back at California Democrats and pointed to the cost the rioters could inflict, already estimated in the millions as of Thursday, on the taxpayers in terms of property damage if not quickly quelled by federal troops.
“Governor Newsom and Mayor Bass are conveniently ignoring the high price of mass looting, rioters destroying LA’s family businesses, public property, and setting cars and other property on fire,” McLaughlin said.
“President Trump will not stand by while these lawless rioters loot and destroy a great American city. Newsom and Bass should be thanking President Trump for providing additional support to restore law and order and stop the destruction of LA.”
In a statement to Fox News Digital, Newsom Communications Director Izzy Gardon said there is an “irrefutable return on investment when Californians have access to education and healthcare.”
“There’s zero return for taxpayers when Trump blows $140 million of YOUR dollars to pull troops off the border and away from wildfire prep just so they can sit idle in L.A. while he cosplays as a dictator and chases Fox News headlines. This isn’t public safety — it’s a political stunt and a disgrace.”
Bass’s office directed Fox News Digital to a comment the mayor made on MSNBC.
“We are a city of immigrants,” Bass said. “We have entire industries that wouldn’t even be able to function without immigrant labor. So this is terrible to families, but it also is a very powerful blow to the local economy if this is going to continue.”
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Late Thursday, a federal judge issued a temporary restraining order Thursday directing President Donald Trump to return control of the National Guard to California.
The order, which takes effect at noon Friday, said the deployment of the Guard was illegal and both violated the Tenth Amendment and exceeded Trump’s statutory authority.
The Trump administration appealed that decision and hours later the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals temporarily blocked the federal judge’s order.
The court said it would hold a hearing on the matter on June 17.
Yesterday, as protesters readied to descend on city squares across America for a mass demonstration branded #NoKings, California Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis took to MSNBC, praising the movement as a righteous stand for democracy.
“People are very determined to get out there and be seen. This is the United States. We do not want a king,” she said.
ASRA NOMANI: THE $2.1 BILLION MACHINE BEHIND THE ‘SPONTANEOUS’ ANTI-TRUMP PROTESTS
What she didn’t say: The California Democratic Party is itself organizing today’s protests — from Orange County to Oakland — with the full institutional weight of the Democratic machine, and the Democratic National Committee is playing a critical role behind the scenes in protests across the country from California to Florida.
Already, I established in analysis for the Pearl Project, a nonprofit journalism initiative, that the protests are organized by 197 organizations aligned with the Democratic Party. This network harnesses a machine of about $2.1 billion in total annual revenues toward this cause. That effort alone represents a partisan political enterprise that I call the protest industrial complex.
Now, in a new analysis of 148 protest listings uploaded on Mobilize.us, a Democratic Party organizing platform, I have established that at least 70 Democratic National Committee affiliates are also organizing protests in at least 19 states and the District of Columbia. This is a clear indicator of the partisanship of these protests as an orchestrated, calculated expression of the opposition party, not a spontaneous grassroots outpouring.
Despite the rhetoric of populist uprising, it’s clear: #NoKings is the Democratic Party staging political theater in the streets of America.
As editor-in-chief of the Pearl Project, I have spent the last week building this database of the protest organizers and the findings expose the true architecture of today’s “day of defiance.” From Mobilize links and protest pages to organizing toolkits, we traced the digital and physical infrastructure behind the June 14 demonstrations.
I’ve added a tab with the Democratic Party events in a public spreadsheet that I invite readers to study.
Here’s what I found about the hand of the Democratic Party:
- At least 70 unique Democratic Party committees and clubs are organizing at least 140 protest events across the country in at least 19 states and the District of Columbia.
- Democratic Party clubs are also organizing protests in at least four countries overseas: Australia, Italy, Mexico and Norway, with groups like “Democrats Abroad Norway.”
It’s important to recognize: the Democrat Party isn’t just supporting these protests — they’re leading them, often under the radar.
Here’s just a glimpse of the geographic footprint of Democratic National Committee club and committee activity. It’s dense, but I share it so you can know we have the receipts:
- Arizona: Apache Junction: Pinal County Democratic Party; Flagstaff: Coconino County Democratic Party and Indivisible Northern AZ; Show Low: Navajo County Democratic Party; Window Rock: Apache County Democratic Party.
- California: Auburn: Auburn Area Democrats; Bakersfield: California Democratic Party; Big Bear Lake: Democratic Club of Big Bear Valley; Chico: Butte County Democratic Party Central Committee; Chino Hills: California Democratic Party; Dana Point: Democratic Party of Orange County, Democratic Women of South Orange County; East Bay: Alameda County Dems, Wellstone Democratic Renewal Club; Huntington Beach; Joshua Tree: Democrats of the Morongo Basin; Laguna Beach: Laguna Beach Democratic Club; Los Angeles County: Swing Left; Marysville: Yuba Dems; Newport Beach: Newport Beach Women’s Democratic Club; Oakland: ; Rancho Cordova: America River Democrats Club; Redlands: Redlands Area Democratic Club; Riverside: Democrats of Greater Riverside; San Francisco: San Francisco Democratic Party; San Jose: California Democratic Party; San Rafael: California Democratic Party; Santa Clara: Santa Clara County Democratic Party; Seal Beach: Democratic Club of Seal Beach, Seal Beach Leisure World Democratic Club; Sebastopol; Sunnyvale: Sunnyvale Democratic Club; Tehachapi: California Democratic Party; Victorville:High Desert Progressive Democrats.
- District of Columbia: DC Ward 8 Democrats
- Florida: Casselberry: Seminole County Democratic Party; Englewood: Sarasota County Democratic Party; Fort Walton Beach: Okaloosa Democrats; Ft Lauderdale: Broward Democratic Party; Gainesville: Alachua County Democratic Party; Naples: Collier County DEC; Palm Beach Gardens: Palm Beach County Democratic Party; Pensacola: Escambia Democratic Party; Sarasota: Sarasota County Democratic Party; Tallahassee; Venice: Sarasota County Democratic Party.
- Georgia: Atlanta: DeKalb County Democrats; Brunswick: Democratic Party of Georgia; Dalton: Douglasville: Volunteer organized for Democratic Party of Georgia; Griffin; Hiawassee: Towns County Democrats; Hiram: Paulding Democrats; Rome: Democratic Party of Georgia
- Illinois: DeKalb: DeKalb County Democratic Party IL; Princeton: Bureau County Democratic Party.
- Indiana: Auburn: Indiana DeKalb County Democratic Party; Connersville: Indiana Fayette County Democratic Party; Nashville: Indiana 9th District Democratic Party; New Albany: Indiana Floyd County Democratic Party.
- Maryland: Easton: Talbot Democrats.
- Michigan: Lansing: Ingham County Democratic Party.
- Nebraska: Alliance, Columbus, Kearney, Scottsbluff: Nebraska Democratic Party:
- New Hampshire: Enfield: New Hampshire Democratic Party.
- New York: New York City: Manhattan Young Democrats.
- North Carolina: Asheboro: Randolph County Democratic Party; Edenton: North Carolina Democratic Party.
- Oklahoma: OKDems, Oklahoma Democratic Party, Federation of Oklahoma Latin Democrats.
- Ohio: Dayton: Green County Ohio Democratic Party; Warren: Trumbull County Democratic Party.
- South Carolina: Bluffton, Hilton Head Island: Beaufort County Democratic Party.
- South Dakota: Aberdeen, Sioux Falls, Spearfish, Yankton: South Dakota Democratic Party.
- Tennessee: Knoxville: KnoxDems, Knox County Democratic Party.
- Texas: McKinney: Collin County Democratic Party; San Antonio: Comal County Democratic Party.
- Wisconsin: Platteville: WisDems.
What does this list tell us? This is a party infrastructure, not a protest movement. Let’s be honest: this isn’t about stopping a “king.” It’s about protecting a political party.
Across the country, Democratic Party chapters have flooded local organizing channels with official flyers, water bottles branded with county logos, talking points and coordinated slogans. In Santa Monica, Calif., the local Democratic Club is marching along the boardwalk.
In Flagstaff, Ariz., the Coconino County Democratic Party is rallying on the steps of city hall. In Naples, Florida, the Collier County Democratic Executive Committee is mobilizing volunteers with signage pre-approved by national political action committees.
DEMOCRATS FORGE STRANGE BEDFELLOWS AS PARTY FLOUNDERS IN TRUMP’S 2ND TERM
In Seminole County, Fla., the advertising is about political canvassing with these details for volunteers: “Signs will be provided to place next to the cooler that say ‘Free Water from SemDems.’ Consider bringing trash bags to tie to the handle of the cooler to collect used bottles. Email deb4elections@gmail.com if you can bring a cooler with water. Passing out SemDems cards. Stand at protest area entry points and make sure people receive a SemDem card so they can connect with us. Passing Out Protest Signs. Hand out signs for people to wave if they didn’t bring one. Help people make a sign using SemDems supplies. In this role, you will be too busy to participate in the protest at the street.”
In total, we tracked scores of unique combinations of state and club, proving that multiple organizations — including groups like Swing Left and Indivisible — are operating across several states with the Democratic Party, deploying scripts, signs, and staff.
Here is what you won’t hear on most of the media’s coverage:
- In Apache Junction, Ariz., the Pinal County Democratic Party is collaborating with local Indivisible chapters for a branded “No Kings” march, complete with printed materials calling Trump a “tyrant.”
- In Oakland, Calif., the East Bay Democratic Party and Indivisible East Bay are co-hosting a rally where participants are encouraged to “paint the town” with pre-approved chalk messages distributed at a booth.
- In Pensacola, Fla., the Escambia Democratic Party has arranged for voter registration drives under the #NoKings banner, blurring the line between civil protest and electoral campaigning.
These are not the spontaneous actions of private citizens. They are events sanctioned by the Democratic Party dressed up in the language of moral resistance.
These are not the spontaneous actions of private citizens. They are events sanctioned by the Democratic Party dressed up in the language of moral resistance.
These protests amount to a new chapter of political puppetry. One longtime Democratic volunteer, granted anonymity, described to us the internal pressure they felt to participate: “It feels less like a movement and more like a performance. We are told which graphics to share, what signs to print and even how to answer reporters. It is like the whole protest is a campaign rollout — but in protest clothes.”
This comment is telling. The Democratic Party is not showing up to these protests as supporters. They are stage managers. The very people warning us against authoritarianism are deploying authoritarian tactics to choreograph outrage. It’s political cynicism at its finest—activism from above, not below.
Why does this matter? In 2002, my friend and colleague Daniel Pearl was murdered by extremists in Pakistan. The ideology that led to his death — sectarianism, division, moral absolutism — has haunted me ever since. That same dogma is now playing out in American streets, cloaked in slogans like “No Kings” and “Save Democracy.”
CLICK HERE FOR MORE FOX NEWS OPINION
In my 2023 book, Woke Army, I warned of an unholy alliance between far-left radicals and ideological opportunists that undermines institutions from within. Today’s protests manifest this alliance and they are the logical next step: not organic resistance, but manufactured dissent designed to influence the next election cycles.
This isn’t about Donald Trump’s flaws or strengths. It’s about the weaponization of protest by those already in power.
Today’s protest is not a revolution. It’s a message that refuses the 2024 election results. The message is this: the Democratic Party is willing to use every tool available — PACs, nonprofits, public unions and even street protests — to control the narrative heading into the next elections.
Voters should be wary of any party that cries “democracy” while scripting the applause, supplying the signs and managing the stage.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Today, as you watch video clips of marchers chanting and waving signs, ask yourself: who paid for the microphone? Who printed the signs? And who benefits when the crowd disperses? The answer is clear with Trump’s birthday party for the Army: it’s an expression of the ruling Republican administration.
That’s the kind of transparency we need to have about the street protests. The protests aren’t grassroots. They are the political puppeteering of the Democratic Party.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE FROM ASRA NOMANI
AOC calls senator’s removal ‘crazy’ as GOP rep slams ‘Democrat men’ for behavior
House lawmakers from both sides of the aisle gave strong reactions shortly after Sen. Alex Padilla’s, D-Calif., viral outburst that got him thrown out of a Department of Homeland Security press conference in Los Angeles on Thursday.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York, Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, Anna Paulina Luna of Florida and Jim Jordan of Ohio spoke to Fox News Digital after Padilla was escorted out of the hearing.
“That was crazy,” Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., said.
“It’s a disgusting situation,” Jeffries said.
SENATE SHAKEN: BIPARTISAN WORRY ERUPTS AFTER INCIDENT INVOLVING CALIFORNIA DEMOCRAT
Many Democrats condemned how the Secret Service handcuffed and removed Padilla from the room during the event, with some even calling on Noem to resign. Padilla and DHS Secretary Kristi Noem ended up holding a meeting afterward, which Padilla’s office described as “civil,” and Noem described as “cordial” despite the strong disagreements between the two.
Luna, a Florida Republican, said the viral incident speaks to a larger optics issue with men in the Democratic Party.
“I think optics are pretty bad for Democrat men as a whole,” Luna said.
“I mean, he aggressively was approaching her. Obviously, security saw that as a threat. I know after the fact, she actually was gracious enough after he pulled that to talk with him for a little bit and then exchange numbers. But the fact is that he’s a sitting senator, and he’s acting like a weirdo. I don’t know how else to describe it, other than you should not act like that, period, and especially not show aggression like that towards women,” she continued.
CONSERVATIVES ERUPT AFTER DEM SENATOR’S ‘TEMPER TANTRUM’ SENDS DHS PRESSER OFF THE RAILS
“I think he was trying to get clickbait, but I don’t know about how you were raised, but I was raised that you don’t throw temper tantrums, and you certainly don’t approach women like that,” she continued.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE IMMIGRATION COVERAGE
Jordan, an Ohio Republican, wondered why Padilla was in Los Angeles instead of Washington, D.C., as the Senate was in session on Thursday.
“Well, I mean, the first thing that comes to mind is, why isn’t he here voting? I – just like, the Senate’s in session. I just did a press conference with senators,” he said.
“I know they’re in session, so why is he here doing that? And then. Second, why not just wait and do your own press conference? Like, the press is there. The cameras are there.The microphones are there. If you wait till Secretary Noem is done, and then you tell them you want to say a few things, you cover him, everyone will cover you, journalists, everyone cover him. So, to me, those are the two takeaways. Why not just do it the common-sense way instead of going in and making a scene,” the Republican added.
PADILLA HOPES PEOPLE FEEL ‘OUTRAGE’ OVER HIS FORCIBLE REMOVAL AND DETAINMENT
The FBI said that he was let go after he had properly identified himself, as he was not wearing his security pin when he interrupted Noem while trying to ask a question during her remarks. Padilla did state his name and was wearing a shirt that said the U.S. Senate on it.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
“If this is how this administration responds to a Senator with a question, you can only imagine what they’re doing to farmworkers, to cooks, and to day laborers throughout California and throughout the country. We will hold this administration accountable,” he said after the incident.
Meanwhile, DHS slammed it as “disrespectful political theater.” The press conference was focused on anti-ICE civil unrest in Los Angeles as federal immigration authorities continue arrests of illegal immigrants in the region.
TSA agent arrested for allegedly attacking 79-year-old passenger in Florida
A Transportation Security Administration agent was arrested for allegedly assaulting a 79-year-old passenger at Fort Lauderdale’s airport, with police saying she was “forcefully pushing her,” a report said.
Janiyah Wilson-Robinson, 21, of Margate, was taken into custody Wednesday following the incident at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, according to WPLG.
The station, citing a Broward Sheriff’s Office arrest report, said Wilson-Robinson attacked the woman from Palm Beach Gardens by “forcefully pushing her,” causing her to fall to the ground and hit her forehead.
The passenger, who was at the airport that day traveling on a JetBlue flight, suffered “minor bruising,” deputies reportedly added.
TORONTO MAN PLEADS GUILTY AFTER WILD AIRPORT ASSAULT ON TSA AGENTS IN MIAMI WAS CAUGHT ON VIDEO
It wasn’t clear what led to the alleged confrontation.
The Broward Sheriff’s Office did not immediately respond Saturday to a request for comment from Fox News Digital.
The passenger received an ice pack and declined a trip to a local hospital, WPLG reported.
WOMAN SUES AMERICAN AIRLINES AFTER ALLEGED SEXUAL ASSAULT ON PLANE, CITES PATTERN OF IN-FLIGHT ATTACKS
Wilson-Robinson was charged with aggravated battery on a person 65 or older and was released on a $1,000 bond.
“The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is aware of the recent arrest of one of our officers. TSA holds its employees to the highest standards of professionalism and integrity, and we do not tolerate behavior that violates these standards or the public’s trust,” a TSA spokesperson told Fox News Digital.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
“The individual has been placed on administrative leave pending further investigation. We are fully cooperating with law enforcement authorities in their investigation,” the spokesperson added.
What experts say were the deciding moments in Karen Read’s high-profile trial
Karen Read’s retrial in the death of Boston cop John O’Keefe is near an end after more than a month’s worth of pivotal testimony.
Experts say key moments decided the case in their minds. Now her fate is in the hands of jurors.
For David Gelman, a Philadelphia-area defense attorney and former prosecutor, that moment was when special prosecutor Hank Brennan played police dashcam video of the crime scene, showing Read’s frantic reaction to finding her boyfriend unresponsive in the snow.
FATE OF KAREN READ NOW IN JURY’S HANDS AS MURDER TRIAL REACHES CRITICAL PHASE
“Showing the video of O’Keefe’s body, the jury saw how Read reacted, and it really puts them at the alleged scene,” he told Fox News Digital. “Seeing her reaction in the courtroom is a big moment. The jury I guarantee wanted to see her reaction.”
Jack Lu, a retired Massachusetts judge and Boston College law professor, said the key moments were peppered throughout the trial whenever Brennan played clips from Read’s many televised interviews, putting her words in front of the jury without her taking the stand in her own defense.
“She boxed herself in,” he said.
Brennan reused some of those clips in his closing argument Friday to dramatic effect, he added.
KAREN READ TRIAL NEARS ITS FINALE: WHAT EACH SIDE IS BANKING ON
WATCH: Prosecution plays Karen Read interview clip before resting case in trial
“I cannot identify a better trial lawyer I have personally observed in 40 plus years at the Massachusetts bar,” he said of the special prosecutor.
But the defense also put on a strong case in an effort to contradict the prosecution’s entire theory about how O’Keefe died, according to Grace Edwards, a Massachusetts trial attorney who is closely following the case.
“The pivotal point for me was learning that ARCCA, having been hired by the defense, did their own testing – and that testing proved there was no collision,” she told Fox News Digital. “Add on the testimony of Dr. Laposata to say the injuries were not consistent with being struck by a vehicle and I was sold.”
KAREN READ ANNOUNCES SHE WILL NOT TESTIFY IN HER DEFENSE AS MASSACHUSETTS TRIAL NEARS CONCLUSION
ARCCA, a crash reconstruction firm, sent two scientists to testify in the trial. Both agreed that the damage to Read’s car and injuries to O’Keefe were out of alignment.
GET REAL-TIME UPDATES DIRECTLY ON THE TRUE CRIME HUB
Jurors began deliberating around 2:40 p.m. Friday after both sides had an hour and 15 minutes to give closing arguments and Judge Beverly Cannone spent about an hour reading jury instructions.
Cannone selected Juror No. 5 to be the foreperson. The court clerk randomly pulled Nos. 13, 7, 6, 17, 2, and 8 as alternates, and they will not take part in deliberations unless someone is excused.
At 4:30 p.m., the judge sent jurors home for the weekend. Deliberations resume Monday morning.
Read, 45, is accused of slamming her 2021 Lexus SUV into O’Keefe and leaving him to die on the ground in a blizzard on Jan. 29, 2022. Jurors heard more than 30 days of testimony in a trial that began on April 22. Before that was three weeks of jury selection.
FOLLOW THE FOX TRUE CRIME TEAM ON X
Read’s first trial ended with a deadlocked jury last year after the panel could not reach a unanimous agreement on all of the charges against her.
She is accused of second-degree murder, drunken driving manslaughter and leaving the scene of a deadly accident.
Brennan and defense attorney Alan Jackson gave impassioned closing arguments – with diametrically opposed conclusions about the case.
SIGN UP TO GET THE TRUE CRIME NEWSLETTER
The defense asserted that a sloppy investigation and a disgraced lead detective left too many questions unanswered and prematurely accused Read of a crash that never happened.
“There was no collision,” Jackson told jurors three times to kick off his final argument. Furthermore, police didn’t investigate other potential sources of O’Keefe’s injuries, interview key witnesses or even follow protocols at the crime scene.
But Brennan countered that the defense theories are far-fetched and contradicted by clear evidence – the data from O’Keefe’s phone and Read’s car, as well as the taillight fragments embedded in his clothes.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
“She was drunk. She hit him. And she left him to die,” Brennan said. “It’s that simple.”
O’Keefe, described by friends as a selfless 46-year-old who took in his orphaned niece and nephew, may even have survived if someone had called for help after he fell, Brennan suggested.
Gelman, who has won and lost in trials as both a prosecutor and a criminal defense attorney, said both sides put on powerful cases from start to finish.
“Both closed strong,” he said. “But if it’s even, that’s reasonable doubt.”
Marlee Matlin says Henry Winkler opened his doors after tumultuous relationship
When Marlee Matlin ended her tumultuous relationship with William Hurt, she leaned on her mentor, Henry Winkler, for support.
The Oscar winner is detailing her rise to Hollywood stardom in a new documentary, “Marlee Matlin: Not Alone Anymore.”
According to the film, Matlin turned to the “Happy Days” star after she ended her relationship with actor William Hurt. In the documentary, Matlin claimed that her “Children of a Lesser God” co-star had a “habit of abuse.” Hurt died in 2022 at age 71.
HENRY WINKLER’S DAUGHTER SHARES THE TRUTH ABOUT GROWING UP WITH ‘HAPPY DAYS’ STAR AS HER DAD
The 59-year-old, who is deaf, told Fox News Digital through an interpreter that turning to Winkler during a difficult time in her life was a no-brainer.
“He didn’t make it hard for me to reach out to him,” said Matlin. “He was always available. It was like an open door – an open door to his heart and my heart. And he knew that.”
“He knows that he’s done that to a lot of people,” she shared. “But to have that close relationship, I was just very, very fortunate. And I knew that both he and his wife were gold to me. I don’t think if I had Henry in my life, I would be here. I don’t think I would’ve made it this far. I don’t think so.”
Hurt and Matlin starred in the 1986 film about a deaf woman’s romance with a hearing-speech teacher. Matlin was 19 when she was cast opposite Hurt, 35.
While the relationship was plagued with problems, Matlin did credit Hurt for inspiring her to check into the Betty Ford Center after using up every bit of cocaine and marijuana she had in their New York City apartment.
However, post-rehab, Matlin realized their relationship would not be the same.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER
“I walked out of that house and never went back,” she said in the film.
Winkler encouraged a sober Matlin to visit him and his wife Stacey Weitzman at their California home. There, they could “talk.” Matlin took up his offer.
The actor, who catapulted to fame as “The Fonz,” described Matlin knocking on his door.
WATCH: ‘HAPPY DAYS’ STAR HENRY WINKLER SHARES HIS FONDEST MEMORY FROM THE SHOW
“’I just broke up with my boyfriend,’” Winkler recalled Matlin telling him in the film. “’Can I stay with you just for the weekend?’ ‘Sure. Stace, what do you think?’ ‘Of course.’”
“Two years later, she finally moved out!” Winkler chuckled.
Matlin said Winkler and his family took her in “as if I were one of their own.”
Winkler noted that Matlin was not “completely whole at that time.”
“What I told her was, ‘If you know what you want without ambivalence, if you’re clear about what you want, everything else will fall into place,'” he said in the film.
Not only did Matlin begin to heal, but she also found true love. In 1993, she married Kevin Grandalski, a police officer, at Winkler’s home.
LIKE WHAT YOU’RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS
“You just knew,” said Winkler in the film about the romance. “This is different. This is where a home is made. [And] there was no other thing to do, there was no other place for her to get married, except in our yard, in her home away from home.”
Winkler first saw a 12-year-old Matlin on stage in a Chicago variety show. In the documentary, Winkler recalled how Matlin’s mother took him aside and asked if he could warn her daughter from pursuing an acting career because it would be too difficult for her. Winkler replied, “You got the wrong guy.”
Winkler became a friend and mentor to the then-aspiring actress. Their friendship has lasted for decades.
“I think anyone who has that kind of mentor would understand and appreciate how important he was to me,” Matlin explained for Fox News Digital.
“He provided a place for me to feel safe,” she said. “I could always depend on the fact that he was a person who believed in me, genuinely, believed, and helped build my own self-confidence and trust the fact that he allowed me to be open and see the world more clearly. I’m so fortunate… that I was one of the people that he really cares about, truly cares about, genuinely cares about.”
“He was probably one of the most famous people in the world at times,” Matlin beamed. “He was more famous than the President, in my opinion, and one of the most beloved people in the world. So, who would’ve ever thought that he would take the time and give attention to someone like me, the little girl that I was when he met me, the little deaf girl when he didn’t even know American sign language?”
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
“He didn’t know anything about being deaf, about deaf culture,” Matlin continued. “But you know what? It didn’t matter to him. He acknowledged, of course, yes, that I communicated. He didn’t ignore the fact that I was deaf, but at the same time, he treated me with love and respect, as anyone should to anyone. And I grabbed that moment when we first met, knowing that he was the real deal.”
Winkler, 79, said in a statement sent to Fox News Digital, “When we first saw her at age 12, it was evident how powerful and talented she was. She will always be part of our lives.”
Matlin is the youngest and first deaf best actress Academy Award winner. Her memoir, “I’ll Scream Later,” was published in 2009. In it, the actress said she was molested as a child and alleged abuse from Hurt during their relationship.
“I didn’t know that you could ask for help,” Matlin told Fox News Digital. “I didn’t know that while screaming for help, I didn’t know that I could go out and seek out help, as opposed to while it was happening… hoping that somebody would come. But no one did while I was screaming. No one did… I don’t want to dwell on that, but that’s what happened.”
Following the book’s publication, Hurt issued a statement to Access that read, “My own recollection is that we both apologized, and both did a great deal to heal our lives. Of course, I did, and do apologize for any pain I caused. And I know we both have grown. I wish Marlee and her family nothing but good.”
The documentary’s director, Shoshannah Stern, who is also deaf, told Fox News Digital through an interpreter that she admired Matlin’s bravery in speaking before the #MeToo movement.
MARLEE MATLIN REACTS TO EX WILLIAM HURT’S DEATH AMID ABUSE ALLEGATIONS: ‘WE’VE LOST A REALLY GREAT ACTOR’
“Everyone had so much doubt,” said Stern. “And then asking Marlee, ‘Why didn’t you leave?’ ‘Why did you stay in that relationship?’ I just felt that they just re-traumatized her… The questions that they asked made it worse, asking, ‘Did you think that those events happened to you because you were deaf?’ And Marlee continuing to say, ‘I didn’t know.’… And people just overlooking that comment over and over, not understanding what she meant and her strength.”
“She didn’t know that abuse was abuse at the time,” said Stern. “And that’s what happens to so many deaf people in the world.”
The work continues for Matlin, along with telling her story.
“I was determined to prove [my critics wrong],” Matlin told Fox News Digital about pursuing a Hollywood career. “It just made me want to roll up my sleeves, even more, to prove to them that I’m a deaf woman who loves acting as much as anybody else… I didn’t get into this business for nothing. It was a dream come true. So why shouldn’t I be able to do another film?”
“But if it happened today, I would’ve made a lot of noise back then,” Matlin reflected. “I didn’t know how to speak out against those who… wanted to put me in a negative light… As a result of all those criticisms, I had to grow up so quickly.
“I was 19 years old when I got into [‘Children of a Lesser God’], I turned 20 during the making of the film, and I had a much older boyfriend. It was my first film, and I was trying to get sober, and everything was coming at once. And they were more interested in pulling me down than all the other things that I was going through.”
Mexico president urges ICE to avoid actions at Mexico-Dominican match
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum sent a message to U.S. immigration forces in Los Angeles, asking for grace for fans at the Mexico vs. Dominican Republic Gold Cup soccer game at SoFi Stadium Saturday.
“We don’t believe that at any soccer match there will be any [immigration] action … we call for none to be taken by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement,” Sheinbaum said in a Friday press conference.
“Mexico will always promote peace,” she added.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
A now-deleted post to social media post by U.S. Customs and Border Protection stated a promise to be “suited and booted” at the first round of Club World Cup soccer matches this week.
In response to its social media post, the CBP said it regularly provides security at big sporting events.
“U.S. Customs and Border Protection is committed to working with our local and federal partners to ensure the FIFA Club World Cup 25 is safe for everyone involved, as we do with every major sporting event, including the Super Bowl. Our mission remains unchanged,” it told The Associated Press on Thursday.
CALIFORNIA SHERIFF SAYS NEWSOM ‘ENCOURAGED’ LA RIOTS AS ICE ARRESTS VIOLENT ILLEGAL ALIENS
Downtown Los Angeles remains under a curfew.
Los Angeles police have made nearly 400 arrests and detentions since Saturday, the vast majority of which were for failing to disperse, according to the police department. A handful of more serious charges have included assault against police officers, possession of a Molotov cocktail and possession of a gun.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that several convicted criminals who are in the U.S. illegally were arrested as part of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations in Los Angeles on Monday and Tuesday.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
The ICE operations in Los Angeles triggered protests and riots in parts of the city, and President Donald Trump deployed National Guard troops to protect the federal immigration officers while they continued arrests.
“Murderers, pedophiles, and drug traffickers. These are the types of criminal illegal aliens that rioters are fighting to protect. How much longer will Governor Newsom and Mayor Karen Bass continue to prioritize these criminal illegal aliens over their own citizens?” Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said in a statement on Wednesday.
MVglu sHW WPVn iYp oWcQCPu