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Republican Warns Stephen Miller Will Cost GOP Midterms

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Florida state Sen. Ileana Garcia (R), a longtime supporter of former President Trump and co-founder of Latinas for Trump, is publicly criticizing the tone and tactics surrounding the administration’s latest immigration crackdown—warning that internal divisions and inflammatory rhetoric could cost Republicans in the midterms.

“I do think that he will lose the midterms because of Stephen Miller,” Garcia told The New York Times in an interview published Tuesday, referring to Trump’s White House deputy chief of staff and one of the architects of the administration’s hard-line immigration strategy.

Garcia, who has consistently supported strong border enforcement and backed Trump’s efforts to regain control of the southern border, stressed that her concern is not with securing the border itself, but with how the policy is being communicated and executed. She placed particular blame on Miller for what she described as unnecessarily aggressive rhetoric that risks alienating persuadable voters—including Hispanic Republicans who favor border security but reject what they see as dehumanizing language.

The comments follow a volatile weekend in Minneapolis, where federal agents shot and killed 37-year-old Alex Pretti during a protest tied to the administration’s immigration actions. The incident came just weeks after another fatal shooting involving federal authorities in the same city, when ICE officers shot and killed 37-year-old Renee Good earlier this month.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said Pretti “attacked” federal law enforcement officers, while Miller went further, describing Pretti as “a would-be assassin” who “tried to murder federal law enforcement.”

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt later sought to distance President Trump from Miller’s remarks, telling reporters Monday that she had not heard the president “characterize Mr. Pretti in that way” and emphasizing that the incident remains under investigation.

Garcia pushed back sharply on Miller’s framing in a post Monday on X.

“Distorting, politicizing, slandering – justifying what happened to Alex Pretti contradicts the American values the administration campaigned on. He was neither a domestic terrorist nor an assassin,” Garcia wrote.

“Allowing individuals like Stephen Miller, among others, who represent the government and make hard-line decisions, to make such comments will have long-term consequences. … This is not what I voted for!” she added.

Garcia’s criticism carries weight within Republican circles. She helped rally Latina voters for Trump during his 2016 campaign and later served in the Department of Homeland Security during his first term. While she has consistently supported deportations of criminal illegal immigrants and stronger border controls, she has previously warned against what she called “inhumane” tactics used to meet deportation quotas, arguing that they undermine public trust and conservative messaging on law and order.

Her remarks highlight a broader debate within the GOP as Republicans campaign on border security ahead of November’s high-stakes midterms. While voters continue to rank immigration and public safety among their top concerns, some party leaders are increasingly wary that overheated rhetoric—especially following deadly confrontations—could distract from Republicans’ core argument: restoring order at the border, enforcing the law, and keeping communities safe.

As fallout from the Minnesota shootings continues, political observers warn that how Republicans handle immigration enforcement—and how they talk about it—may prove just as important as the policies themselves in determining control of Congress this fall.

Trump Warns Massive Armada Has Been Sent To Iran

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Competitors in the 2024 Army National Guard Best Warrior Competition run a 1-kilometer route as part of the competition’s biathlon event at Ethan Allen Firing Range, Vermont, Aug. 6, 2024. The Best Warrior Competition is a physically and mentally challenging five-day event that tests Soldiers on a variety of tactical and technical skills. Winners are named the Army Guard Soldier and Noncommissioned Officer of the Year and move on to compete in the Department of the Army Best Squad Competition, with other Soldiers from the Best Warrior Competition filling out the ranks of their squad. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Jon Soucy)

Former President Donald Trump confirmed Thursday that the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier and its accompanying strike group are being deployed to the Middle East as a direct signal to the Iranian regime, saying the United States is prepared to take decisive action if Tehran does not negotiate.

In a series of posts on his Truth Social platform, Trump described a “massive Armada” heading toward Iran and warned that time is running out for the Islamic Republic to return to the negotiating table on terms that would bar it from obtaining nuclear weapons. “It is moving quickly, with great power, enthusiasm, and purpose. It is a larger fleet, headed by the great Aircraft Carrier Abraham Lincoln, than that sent to Venezuela,” Trump wrote. “Like with Venezuela, it is ready, willing, and able to rapidly fulfill its mission, with speed and violence, if necessary.”

“Hopefully Iran will quickly ‘Come to the Table’ and negotiate a fair and equitable deal — NO NUCLEAR WEAPONS — one that is good for all parties,” Trump added. “Time is running out, it is truly of the essence! As I told Iran once before, MAKE A DEAL! They didn’t, and there was ‘Operation Midnight Hammer,’ a major destruction of Iran. The next attack will be far worse! Don’t make that happen again.”

The Navy’s deployment — which includes the Abraham Lincoln and supporting warships — is part of an expanding U.S. military presence in the region intended to deter Iranian aggression and signal Washington’s readiness to act if necessary. According to U.S. military statements, the carrier strike group has entered the Middle East under U.S. Central Command and is positioned to promote regional security and stability amid heightened tensions.

Trump has also insisted that there is willingness on the Iranian side to discuss a deal. In a Monday interview with Axios, he said Tehran had reached out “on numerous occasions” and “want[s] to make a deal.” “They want to make a deal. I know so. They called on numerous occasions. They want to talk,” he told the outlet.

But U.S. officials cited by Axios said that any agreement would require Iran to remove all enriched uranium, cap its long-range missile stockpile, curb support for proxy forces, and cease independent uranium enrichment — conditions Iranian leaders have not accepted.

Iran’s mission to the United Nations responded to Trump’s posts within hours, warning that Tehran would defend itself if attacked. “Last time the U.S. blundered into wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, it squandered over $7 trillion and lost more than 7,000 American lives. Iran stands ready for dialogue based on mutual respect and interests — BUT IF PUSHED, IT WILL DEFEND ITSELF AND RESPOND LIKE NEVER BEFORE!” the statement read.

The military buildup comes amid widespread unrest inside Iran following protests that began in late December. Activist groups have reported thousands of deaths in the crackdown, and recent coverage says Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has been sheltering in a fortified underground facility as tensions escalate.

Trump is expected to hold further consultations in coming days, and White House officials continue to say that military action remains on the table if diplomacy fails to produce results acceptable to U.S. interests.

Appeals Court Won’t Reconsider Habba Disqualification, Opening Path To Supreme Court

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Gage Skidmore from Surprise, AZ, United States of America,

A federal appeals court has declined to revisit a controversial ruling that blocked President Trump’s choice to lead the U.S. Attorney’s Office in New Jersey—setting the stage for what could become a major Supreme Court showdown over presidential authority and the limits of judicial power.

In a brief order issued Monday, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit said it would not rehear a panel decision that invalidated Alina Habba’s service as U.S. attorney for New Jersey. Habba, a former personal attorney to President Trump and a trusted member of his legal team, was found by a three-judge panel to have been unlawfully kept in the position after her 120-day interim term expired.

Duncan Lock, Dflock, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons

The court noted that the judges who issued the original ruling did not request a rehearing, and a majority of the full court voted against taking the case en banc. Three of the court’s 11 active judges dissented and would have reheard the case, with one dissenting opinion to be released later. Judge Emil Bove—another Trump appointee and former Trump attorney—did not participate in the vote.

The ruling keeps in place the panel’s conclusion that Habba’s continued service violated federal law, despite what the judges described as a “novel series of legal and personnel moves” by the Trump administration to keep her in office. Critics on the right argue those moves were necessary responses to an increasingly aggressive judiciary inserting itself into executive branch decisions.

At issue is a long-standing statute governing how vacant U.S. attorney positions are filled. When Habba’s interim term expired in July, federal judges in New Jersey declined to extend it and instead used a rarely invoked power to appoint her first assistant as U.S. attorney. In response, Attorney General Pam Bondi removed that appointee, and President Trump withdrew Habba’s formal nomination, redesignating her as acting U.S. attorney.

The panel ruled that this maneuver violated the “plain text” of the statute, arguing that once a president submits a nomination—even if later withdrawn—the legal timeline changes. Writing for the unanimous panel, Judge D. Michael Fisher, a George W. Bush appointee, acknowledged the administration’s frustration with “legal and political barriers” to staffing key law enforcement roles but concluded the law did not allow the workaround.

Supporters of the administration see the case differently, arguing it highlights a broader pattern of unelected judges constraining the president’s constitutional authority to oversee the executive branch. The Justice Department warned the Third Circuit that the panel’s ruling imposes “atextual limits” on acting U.S. attorneys and raises issues of “exceptional importance,” particularly for a president seeking to implement the policies voters elected him to carry out.

Although Habba resigned last month following the ruling, she has made clear she intends to return if a higher court rules in her favor—underscoring how unsettled the law remains. The administration is widely expected to ask the Supreme Court to step in, potentially clarifying the balance of power between the presidency and the judiciary.

Habba was the first of several Trump-aligned U.S. attorneys to be sidelined under similar legal theories. Comparable rulings have since affected prosecutors in Los Angeles, Nevada, the Northern District of New York, and the Eastern District of Virginia. In Delaware, the state GOP chair-turned-U.S. attorney resigned after citing the Third Circuit’s decision.

In Virginia, Lindsey Halligan—another former Trump attorney—resigned last week after a judge barred her from acting as U.S. attorney unless she was confirmed by the Senate or appointed by the court. That ruling led to the dismissal of federal cases against former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James, two prominent critics of President Trump—fueling conservative concerns that procedural technicalities are being weaponized to interfere with prosecutorial discretion.

For many Republicans, the growing list of disqualified Trump-aligned prosecutors raises fundamental questions: Who controls federal law enforcement—the elected president or the courts? And how far can judges go in second-guessing executive decisions before crossing into policymaking themselves?

Those questions now appear headed for the nation’s highest court.

Trump Impeachment Star Witness Makes Longshot Run For Senate

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Photo via Gage Skidmore Flickr

Retired Army Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman, a former National Security Council official best known for his role in President Donald Trump’s first impeachment, announced Tuesday that he is entering Florida’s 2026 U.S. Senate race as a Democrat, challenging Republican Sen. Ashley Moody.

Vindman rose to national prominence in 2019 after testifying against President Trump over a phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky—testimony that became central to Democrats’ first impeachment effort. That impeachment ultimately failed, with the Senate acquitting Trump in a 52–48 vote largely along party lines.

In his campaign launch video, Vindman leaned heavily on footage from the impeachment proceedings, framing his candidacy as an extension of his opposition to Trump. “The last time you saw me was here,” Vindman said, referring to the impeachment hearing. “Swearing an oath to tell the truth about a president who broke his.”

Vindman went on to describe Trump as a “wannabe tyrant” and claimed the former president unleashed a “reign of terror and retribution” against him and his family—language that underscores how central anti-Trump activism is likely to be to his campaign pitch.

A political newcomer with no prior electoral experience, Vindman faces steep odds in Florida, a state that has moved decisively to the right in recent election cycles. Trump carried the Sunshine State by 13 points in November 2024, and Republicans currently hold every statewide elected office. Florida has not elected a Democratic senator since Bill Nelson’s narrow reelection victory in 2012.

Vindman, an Iraq War veteran, retired from the Army in 2020 after a decades-long military career. He later filed a lawsuit against Trump and several former aides, alleging “intimidation and retaliation,” but the suit was unsuccessful. His wife, Rachel Vindman, publicly criticized former President Joe Biden for declining to issue pardons to the couple at the end of his term.

“Whatever happens to my family, know this: No pardons were offered or discussed,” Rachel Vindman wrote in a post on Bluesky. She added that she “cannot begin to describe the level of betrayal and hurt” she felt toward the Biden administration.

Sen. Ashley Moody, a Republican and former Florida attorney general, was appointed to the Senate by Gov. Ron DeSantis to fill the seat vacated by Marco Rubio after Rubio became secretary of state. Moody is running for reelection with the backing of President Trump and the National Republican Senatorial Committee, giving her a significant institutional and fundraising advantage.

The Cook Political Report currently rates the race as “solid Republican,” its strongest rating for GOP-held seats—reflecting Florida’s recent political realignment and Democrats’ continued struggles to remain competitive statewide.

The 2026 contest is a special election to serve the final two years of Rubio’s term. The winner will need to run again in 2028 to secure a full six-year term.

Vindman has lived in Broward County since 2023, a Democratic stronghold in South Florida. His twin brother, Eugene Vindman, represents a safely Democratic House district in northern Virginia, further highlighting the family’s close ties to Democratic politics.

Nationally, Democrats face a difficult map in 2026 as they attempt a longshot effort to retake control of the Senate. To do so, they would need to defend vulnerable seats in states like Michigan and Georgia while flipping at least four Republican-held seats—an outcome most analysts consider unlikely.

Bill O’Reilly Flips Out When Host Says Trump ‘Backing Down’ After Shooting

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Veteran broadcaster Bill O’Reilly forcefully pushed back Monday night against claims that President Donald Trump is “backing down” following violent unrest in Minneapolis after a Border Patrol–involved shooting that sparked protests and national controversy.

The confrontation unfolded during NewsNation’s On Balance with Leland Vittert, where O’Reilly accused the host of adopting left-wing media framing by suggesting Trump had retreated under political pressure.

The unrest began Saturday after Border Patrol agents shot Alex Pretti during a federal immigration enforcement operation in Minneapolis. As video of the incident circulated online, activist groups and Democratic officials immediately accused federal authorities of misconduct, triggering protests that quickly escalated into disorder.

As is often the case in fast-moving, emotionally charged incidents, early claims about the shooting were disputed. Trump administration officials initially described Pretti as a dangerous suspect, while critics accused the government of spreading false narratives. Multiple videos later emerged that fueled further debate over what exactly occurred.

President Trump responded first with a blunt social media statement condemning lawlessness, defending federal officers, and criticizing Democratic leadership in Minnesota for what he has long argued is a refusal to enforce federal immigration law. As tensions grew, Trump administration officials—including Border Czar Tom Homan—shifted toward de-escalation, engaging with local leaders to restore order.

That shift became the flashpoint of the exchange between O’Reilly and Vittert.

During the interview, Vittert referenced O’Reilly’s recent commentary criticizing Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, drawing a historical comparison that sparked sharp disagreement:

LELAND VITTERT: You write “Who is the modern John C. Calhoun,” about Walz, “a despicable South Carolina senator who actually wanted the Civil War to happen.”

Do you think Walz wants the Civil War to happen and therefore should be arrested as though he was a southern governor or something in the early or late 1850s?

O’Reilly responded by arguing that state officials who openly defy federal law should face scrutiny under existing statutes:

BILL O’REILLY: I think there is evidence that should be examined, and you might be able to charge Walz with insurrection under the, if you want me to read it to you, I got it right here. It fits Walz to a tee.

Pressed on whether such action would be good for the country, O’Reilly emphasized order and de-escalation—values long central to conservative governance:

LELAND VITTERT: Would that be good for America?

BILL O’REILLY: I don’t care. Look, anarchy is the worst thing that could happen, the worst. Right now, in this present moment, de-escalation is the best thing that can happen. So Homan meeting with Frey has my 100% endorsement. Walz calling Trump, vice versa, 100%.

O’Reilly argued that cooperation does not mean capitulation—and that enforcing federal law remains non-negotiable:

BILL O’REILLY: But that doesn’t excuse what has happened and is happening, which is a rebellion against the United States law passed by Congress, by a state under the governance of Walz and a city where Frey runs.

If you continue, and I say you in a general sense, to allow states and cities to not enforce federal law, you don’t have a country. It goes! Okay? Everybody should understand.

The interview reached its most heated moment when Vittert suggested Trump was “backing down” in response to public pressure:

LELAND VITTERT: So then why is Trump backing down?

O’Reilly erupted at the framing, accusing the host of echoing legacy media talking points:

BILL O’REILLY: Now here’s the second part of the story. He’s not backing down! He’s trying to defuse. Why would you say he was backing down?! Do you want a CNN contract?!

He’s backing down! He’s defusing the way he should!

West Virginia Librarian Charged For Allegedly Recruiting People To Assassinate Trump

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Police image via Pixabay free images

A West Virginia woman was arrested in Ripley over the weekend after authorities said she used social media to issue threats against President Donald Trump.

Police arrested 39-year-old Morgan L. Morrow and charged her with making terroristic threats. Investigators allege Morrow attempted to recruit others online to help carry out violence against the president. (RELATED: Suspect Held Without Bail After Alleged Assault On Congressman)

According to the New York Post, Morrow was arrested over a TikTok video suggesting that finding a terminally ill sniper among 343 million Americans should not be difficult. The remark was cited in a criminal complaint obtained by Charleston-Huntington’s WOWK.

Morrow is being held at the South Central Regional Jail. No bond has been set, and the investigation remains ongoing.

The Post continues:

The Jackson County Public Library staffer was detained at her home and allegedly admitted to police that the TikTok was “intended as a threat directed toward President Donald J. Trump.”

Morrow revealed her “personal reasons for wishing harm upon the president,” according to the complaint, which did not elaborate on what they were.

Morrow claimed she had no intention to personally carry out the threat, the complaint said.

But deputies said such statements are “designed to encourage, inspire or entice others to carry out the threatened act, regardless of whether the speaker publicly intends to personally do so.”

“When you saddle up on the horse of stupidity, you have to be prepared for the ride that follows,” Jackson County Sheriff Ross Mellinger told local media(RELATED: Shot In The Butt: Fighting The Wrong Guy At The Wrong Apartment)

The arrest comes amid heightened scrutiny of threats against public officials. In recent years, federal authorities have prosecuted multiple cases involving threats, plots, or attempts targeting President Trump.

WATCH:

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Report: Noem Demanded Hours-long Meeting With Trump After She’s Sidelined

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By The White House - https://www.flickr.com/photos/202101414@N05/54581054338/, Public Domain,

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem requested a two-hour meeting with President Trump in the Oval Office late Monday as the administration faced intensifying backlash over a deadly shooting in Minneapolis involving federal immigration agents.

The meeting came after President Trump announced that longtime border enforcement official Tom Homan would travel to Minneapolis to take charge of Department of Homeland Security efforts following the death of protester Alex Pretti during a confrontation with Border Patrol agents, according to the New York Times.

The closed-door discussion, which included several of the president’s top aides, reflected the administration’s effort to recalibrate its response as tensions mounted across the city and criticism grew over how the incident was initially described.

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem receives a tour of the Terrorist Confinement Center CECOT with the Minister of Justice and Public Security Gustavo Villatoro in Tecoluca, El Salvador, March 26, 2025. (DHS photo by Tia Dufour)

Noem came under fire after she labeled Pretti a “domestic terrorist,” saying he had charged officers while brandishing a gun. However, multiple videos circulating online showed the ICU nurse holding a cellphone and attempting to flee from agents at the time of the encounter.

The administration has since faced pressure to clarify its messaging, particularly as images and video from the scene fueled protests and intensified scrutiny of federal enforcement tactics in Democrat-run cities already resistant to immigration crackdowns.

Earlier Monday, Trump said he was sending Homan — a well-known hardliner on border enforcement — to oversee the situation on the ground. The move sparked questions about whether the president was dissatisfied with Noem’s handling of the fallout.

Despite the speculation, Trump did not indicate that Noem’s job was in jeopardy during the meeting, sources told the outlet.

Separately, Border Patrol chief Greg Bovino and some of his agents were ordered Monday to begin pulling back from Minnesota, according to sources.

Bovino, like Noem, drew criticism for his initial assessment of the incident. He had said Pretti was brandishing a firearm and “wanted to do maximum damage and massacre law enforcement,” a claim later challenged by video evidence.

Amid reports suggesting internal consequences, the Trump administration pushed back against claims that Bovino had been demoted.

“Chief Gregory Bovino has NOT been relieved of his duties,” DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin wrote on X. She added that Bovino remains a “key part of the president’s team and a great American.”

Trump Says DOJ Is Investigating Congresswoman Ilhan Omar

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Photo via Gage Skidmore Flickr

President Donald Trump announced Monday on social media that the Justice Department is investigating Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN), escalating a long-running clash with the progressive “Squad” lawmaker amid ongoing tensions in Minneapolis.

“The DOJ and Congress are looking at ‘Congresswoman’ Illhan [sic] Omar, who left Somalia with NOTHING, and is now reportedly worth more than 44 Million Dollars,” Trump shared. “Time will tell all. Thank you for your attention to this matter!”

Trump made the announcement early Monday as Minneapolis remained on edge after a chaotic weekend. Unrest intensified after a federal immigration agent fatally shot an armed anti-ICE protester during demonstrations opposing immigration enforcement efforts. Trump also said he is dispatching border czar Tom Homan to Minnesota.

The Truth Social post also pointed to broader concerns about fraud and misuse of taxpayer-funded programs in the state.

Trump added that a major investigation into the “massive 20 Billion Dollar, Plus, Welfare Fraud that has taken place in Minnesota” has been launched, arguing that it is “at least partially responsible for the violent organized protests going on in the streets.”

Omar Responds, Calls Trump’s Claim a “Deflection”

Omar quickly pushed back, accusing Trump of using her as a political distraction.

In response, Omar posted on social media: “Sorry, Trump, your support is collapsing and you’re panicking. Right on cue, you’re deflecting from your failures with lies and conspiracy theories about me. Years of ‘investigations’ have found nothing.”

She added: “Get your goons out of Minnesota.”

Omar has been one of the loudest critics of immigration enforcement under Trump and has accused ICE of carrying out a “terror campaign.” She also claimed a federal agent “murdered” Renee Good, an anti-ICE activist who was shot and killed by a federal immigration agent after she allegedly drove her car toward him.

DHS Secretary Noem Praises Homan Deployment

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said Monday that sending Tom Homan to Minnesota will bring “peace, safety, and accountability” to Minneapolis as federal authorities dig deeper into suspected fraud and expand enforcement operations.

“This is good news for peace, safety, and accountability in Minneapolis,” Noem wrote on X.

“I have worked closely with Tom over the last year and he has been a major asset to our team— his experience and insight will help us in our wide-scale fraud investigations, which have robbed Americans, and will help us to remove even more public safety threats and violent criminal illegal aliens off the of [sic] streets of Minneapolis,” she added. “We continue to call on the leadership in Minnesota to allow for state and local partnership in our public safety mission.”

Trump-Omar Feud Reaches New Level Amid Minnesota Immigration Crackdown

Trump and Omar have been feuding for years, but their confrontation has intensified in recent weeks as the Trump administration surged immigration enforcement resources into Minnesota. Trump has sent 3,000 immigration agents to the state, with Minneapolis—represented by Omar—receiving special focus.

The president has also highlighted a series of fraud scandals in Minnesota’s social service system, with several cases drawing scrutiny for alleged ties to networks operating within Somali American communities.

Last week, Trump again targeted Omar personally, accusing her of benefiting financially during her time in Congress and demanding an investigation into her wealth.

“Congresswoman Ilhan Omar is worth over $30 Million Dollars,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “There is no way such wealth could have been accumulated, legally, while being paid the salary of a politician. She should be investigated for Financial and Political Crimes, and that investigation should start, NOW!”

Financial Disclosures Raise Questions as Trump Points to Wealth Claims

While Trump claimed Omar is worth more than $44 million, Omar’s official financial disclosures suggest a smaller—but still significant—range that critics argue deserves scrutiny.

In a May 2025 financial disclosure, Omar listed two large assets tied to her husband, whom she married in 2020. One is a winery business valued between $1 million and $5 million, and the other is a venture capital firm valued between $5 million and $25 million. Based on the valuations, Omar and her husband have a net worth between $6 million and $30 million, minus liabilities, such as Omar’s student loan debt of between $15,000 and $50,000 that she disclosed on a 2024 form.

Members of Congress are required to file annual financial disclosures designed to promote transparency and reduce corruption. The disclosures typically report ranges of asset values, rather than exact dollar figures—meaning a lawmaker’s true net worth can be difficult to pinpoint from public documents alone.

Still, Trump and his supporters argue that Omar’s reported rise in wealth should be investigated, especially given her vocal role in shaping federal policy debates and her influence within the Democratic Party’s activist wing.

Noem Impeachment Calls Escalate As ICE Shooting Fallout Continues

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem receives a tour of the Terrorist Confinement Center CECOT with the Minister of Justice and Public Security Gustavo Villatoro in Tecoluca, El Salvador, March 26, 2025. (DHS photo by Tia Dufour)

Prominent Democrats are escalating calls to remove Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, accusing her of rushing to defend federal officers involved in two separate fatal shootings — a push that Republicans are likely to view as more partisan pressure on law enforcement than a serious, evidence-based accountability process.

According to Axios, a House Democratic caucus phone call on Sunday “lit up” with demands to impeach Noem after the death of Minneapolis protester Alex Pretti, who was shot and killed by federal agents on Saturday.

Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D-FL) reportedly warned colleagues that if Noem refuses to step down, “we will have no other option but to begin impeachment,” according to anonymous sources cited by Axios.

House Homeland Security Committee ranking member Bennie Thompson (D-MS) — “who was once reticent about impeachment” — also called for Noem to be impeached during the same call, Axios reported.

Outside Washington, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) also demanded Noem’s removal, writing, “@Sec_Noem has forfeited her right to lead. I’m calling on her to resign.”

Hochul went further, adding, “Gregory Bovino must also be fired,” referring to a senior Border Patrol official who publicly defended the shooting at a press conference Sunday.

Democrats point to pattern; Republicans see familiar impeachment politics

Democrats argue Noem is showing a troubling pattern of defending federal officers before facts are fully established, pointing to a similar incident earlier this year.

The article notes that Renee Good was “shot four times and killed” on Jan. 7 by “officer Jonathan Ross,” and that Noem also immediately said the officer acted in self-defense.

Noem’s supporters — and many Republicans — are likely to counter that federal officers operating in volatile environments, including protests and border-related enforcement actions, deserve the presumption that they were responding to a real threat until evidence proves otherwise, especially amid increasingly aggressive anti-police rhetoric.

Republicans have also criticized Democrats for using impeachment as a political weapon in recent years, arguing that removing Cabinet officials should be reserved for clear misconduct, not disputed narratives still under investigation.

Border Patrol official calls Pretti “assaultive,” claims he interfered with federal action

At Sunday’s press conference, Bovino described Pretti as an “assaultive subject” who was “assaulting” officers and interfering with a federal action — language that underscores how federal officials are framing the encounter as a fast-moving confrontation rather than an unprovoked shooting.

Bovino’s comments, however, are now being disputed by Democrats and major media outlets that reviewed video from the scene.

Video review raises questions about the Trump administration’s initial account

Major news organizations, including The Wall Street Journal, reviewed bystander footage and reported that “Bystander footage appears to tell a different story” than the Trump administration’s claims.

The Journal reported: “A frame-by-frame review by The Wall Street Journal shows a federal officer pulling a handgun away from Pretti. Less than a second later, an agent fires several rounds. Pretti died at the scene.”

Both The Journal and The New York Times concluded that “At least 10 shots appear to have been fired within five seconds.”

Political fallout likely to intensify as facts emerge

The dispute is now shifting into familiar political territory: Democrats are pressing for impeachment and firings, while Republicans are likely to insist that the federal government should not allow high-pressure incidents involving officers to be immediately adjudicated by political opponents — especially before investigators have fully reviewed evidence, witness statements, and body camera footage, if available.

Trump Threatens Canada With 100% Tariffs

President Donald Trump on Saturday warned Canada that it could face steep consequences if it deepens trade ties with China, including a potential 100% tariff on Canadian imports entering the United States.

“If Canada makes a deal with China, it will immediately be hit with a 100% Tariff against all Canadian goods and products coming into the U.S.A. Thank you for your attention to this matter!,” Trump wrote in a post on his social media platform.

Trump did not specify which agreement he was referencing. However, Canada and China reached an agreement last Friday that would reportedly have Canada scale back its 100% tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles in exchange for lower Chinese tariffs on Canadian agricultural products.

Canadian officials quickly pushed back on the idea that the country is pursuing broader economic alignment with Beijing. Dominic LeBlanc, the Canadian minister responsible for Canada–U.S. trade, released a statement Saturday insisting that “there is no pursuit of a free trade agreement with China,” while emphasizing Canada’s relationship with Washington.

“Canada and the United States have built a remarkable partnership in the economy, in security, and in rich cultural exchange,” LeBlanc said, calling the U.S.-Canada relationship a “remarkable partnership.”

His statement added, “The new Government of Canada is strengthening the Canadian economy through a plan that consolidates our national strength and bolsters our trade partnerships around the world.”

Trump’s latest warning comes amid renewed scrutiny from Republicans and conservatives over Canada’s willingness to do business with the Chinese Communist Party while continuing to rely on U.S. markets and security guarantees. The post followed another social media message Trump shared the day before, in which he criticized Canada’s reported stance toward his proposed “Golden Dome” missile defense initiative and blasted Ottawa’s trade engagement with China.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney addressed Trump’s criticism Thursday, arguing that Canada’s identity and strength are independent of the United States, even as the two countries remain close allies.

“Canada and the United States have built a remarkable partnership in the economy, in security, and in rich cultural exchange,” Carney said. “But Canada doesn’t live because of the United States. Canada thrives because we are Canadian.”

The clash also comes after Trump was asked last Friday whether he was concerned about Canada growing closer to China during Carney’s visit. At the time, Trump signaled he was not opposed to Canada pursuing trade deals—as long as U.S. interests are protected.

“That’s what he should be doing. It’s a good thing for him to sign a trade deal. If you can get a deal with China, you should do that,” Trump said.

In Saturday’s post, Trump referred to Carney as “governor” rather than prime minister—a term he previously used for former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, tying it to his long-running suggestion that Canada should become the 51st U.S. state.

The warning also comes after Trump recently walked back tariffs he had threatened to impose on European allies who resisted his proposals involving Greenland. Trump said he and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte have “formed the framework of a future deal with respect to Greenland.”