Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA), the top Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee, is raising concerns about what he claims could be an effort by President Donald Trump and his allies to influence the 2026 midterm elections.
Speaking with reporters on Capitol Hill Thursday, Warner suggested that Trump’s recent comments about Republicans needing to “take over” elections from the states could signal broader plans to challenge state-run election systems.
“It appears there may be a coordinated effort to try to interfere in the ‘26 midterms,” Warner said. He added that he is concerned, “They may even start to interfere in the primaries.”
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Trump and many Republicans have argued for years that election administration should be strengthened through tighter oversight and more uniform standards, particularly after disputes over voting procedures in 2020. Democrats, however, have increasingly framed these efforts as threats to democracy.
Warner Criticizes Tulsi Gabbard’s Role in Georgia Investigation
Warner also expressed anger over Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard’s reported involvement in a federal raid in Fulton County, Georgia, where officials seized ballots and voter information as part of an investigation.
While details surrounding the raid remain unclear, Warner compared the situation to Watergate-era abuses of power — an analogy Democrats have frequently used in recent years when criticizing Trump.
In a clip posted to social media, Warner said:
“The Nixon era is back. What do I mean? Richard Nixon is most infamously known for Watergate, where he intervened in a domestic political effort under the guise of the Watergate break-in. He knew what was going on before the fact. Well, it appears the same is true.”
Trump is reviving Nixon-style scandals… and I’m worried our elections are at risk of interference because of it. pic.twitter.com/BLsnYe1FqF
Warner claimed testimony suggested Gabbard traveled to Atlanta because Trump personally asked her to.
“It appears the same is true. We got testimony yesterday that Tulsi Gabbard was down in Atlanta for that crazy raid on the voting machines because Trump asked her to go.”
Warner then questioned how Trump would have known about the investigation ahead of time:
“Well, how the hell did Trump know there was about to be a warrant issued in a lame criminal investigation before the act took place? How did he let Gabbard know to go there?”
He also criticized reports that Trump spoke directly with FBI agents involved in the case:
“This is not how American justice should work. When, when, when will any of my Republican colleagues find a spine?”
Democrats Claim Raid May Have Been Improper
In another clip posted Wednesday, Warner suggested the FBI raid itself may have been unlawful, pointing to leadership changes under FBI Director Kash Patel.
“We have seen Kash Patel basically decimate the leadership of the FBI to the point that that raid… the FBI agent in charge of that office got fired because I don’t believe he felt this was legal.”
Warner also argued that Gabbard, as DNI, should not have been involved in what he called a “domestic criminal investigation.”
“The director of national intelligence, who showed up at that domestic criminal investigation where she had no right to be there…”
He continued by questioning whether anyone in the administration attempted to stop Trump from contacting agents directly:
“I know Trump doesn’t know the law, but wasn’t there anybody in the White House Counsel that said, ‘Mr. President, you shouldn’t be talking to FBI agents…’”
Warner concluded with a sharp personal attack on Gabbard:
“This is a guy that’s being enhanced by a rogue DNI who’s way over her skis in terms of knowledge or competency.”
How far is this administration willing to go to attack our free, fair, and settled elections? pic.twitter.com/LECRngoven
Warner’s comments come as Democrats increasingly warn of authoritarianism and election manipulation, themes expected to dominate campaign messaging heading into 2026.
Republicans, meanwhile, have argued that ensuring election integrity — including investigating irregularities and enforcing stricter standards — is a legitimate government responsibility, not “interference.”
A Maryland man has been accused of attempting to murder Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Russell Vought, according to NewsNation.
Court records from Arlington General District Court show that Colin Demarco was arrested on Jan. 22 and arraigned the following day. Records indicate he faces multiple charges, including first-degree attempted murder, first-degree solicitation to commit murder, wearing a mask in certain places, and carrying a concealed firearm, a misdemeanor.
Demarco is accused of plotting to kill Vought, a law enforcement source briefed on the case told NewsNation.
Police say they were called to a Virginia residence on Aug. 10 after a witness reported that a man wearing a surgical mask and rubber gloves appeared to be standing on Vought’s porch while possibly concealing a firearm under his shirt.
According to authorities, the suspect approached the witness and asked about Vought before leaving the scene.
Investigators later identified Demarco as the man described and executed search warrants that reportedly uncovered evidence tying him to the alleged plot. NewsNation reported that authorities found Demarco had obtained directions to the budget director’s home, had posted online about the victim, and had engaged in online discussions that appeared to solicit others to murder Vought.
Demarco is currently being held without bond. He is scheduled to appear in court again on Feb. 23 for a preliminary hearing. Court records list him as being represented by a public defender.
BREAKING: A 26-year-old Maryland man, Colin Demarco, has been arrested and charged with attempted murder after allegedly showing up at OMB Director Russell Vought’s home.
The case comes amid heightened concern nationwide over threats directed at public officials. In recent years, federal authorities have warned of an increase in violent rhetoric and plots targeting government figures across the political spectrum, including presidents, members of Congress, and senior administration officials.
Earlier this week, Ryan Routh was sentenced to life in prison plus seven years over his attempt to assassinate Donald Trump on a Florida golf course.
Prosecutors argued that Routh, 60, should get a life sentence after a jury last year convicted him on five counts for allegedly plotting “painstakingly to kill President Trump, and [taking] significant steps toward making that happen.”
“Routh’s crimes undeniably warrant a life sentence — he took steps over the course of months to assassinate a major presidential candidate, demonstrated the will to kill anybody in the way, and has since expressed neither regret nor remorse to his victims,” prosecutors argued in a court filing.
Attempted Trump assassin Ryan Routh sentenced to life in prison + 84 months by Judge Aileen Cannon….. rot in hell POS pic.twitter.com/tPevPykrGs
During the September trial, a jury quickly found Routh guilty on five felony counts, including attempted assassination of a major presidential candidate and assaulting a federal officer.
Routh allegedly hid in the bushes of the Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach and pointed a military-grade SKS rifle towards Trump and a Secret Service agent.
In a strikingly bizarre footnote to the tragic assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, a Utah man who falsely claimed responsibility for the fatal shooting has now been sentenced and faces up to 15 years in prison.
Seventy-one-year-old George Hodgson Zinn — who dramatically approached law enforcement at Utah Valley University, yelling “I shot him — now shoot me” moments after Kirk was gunned down — has now pleaded no contest to obstruction of justice and guilty to two counts of sexual exploitation of a minor, according to court records.
While Zinn’s initial false confession drew headlines and confusion during the chaotic aftermath of the shooting — leading some to believe he was the shooter — investigators quickly ruled him out as a suspect in Kirk’s assassination.
During questioning at a hospital after the incident, Zinn shocked authorities by admitting he had child sexual abuse material on his phone. A warrant later uncovered more than 20 images depicting abused minors, and prosecutors charged him accordingly.
In Salt Lake County district court, Zinn was sentenced to zero to five years for obstruction and one to 15 years for each exploitation count, with the judge ordering the terms to run concurrently. The exact amount of time he will serve will be decided by the Utah parole board.
Remembering Charlie Kirk: A Conservative Voice Silenced
The backdrop to this strange prosecution is one of the most shocking episodes of political violence in recent U.S. history. On Sept. 10, 2025, Charlie Kirk — founder and executive director of the conservative youth advocacy group Turning Point USA and a leading voice in the MAGA movement — was assassinated by a sniper while speaking at an outdoor event on the Utah Valley University campus.
Kirk, just 31 years old, had become one of the most recognizable young conservative figures in America. He built Turning Point USA from a student organization into a powerful grassroots force shaping Republican campaigns, energizing young voters, and challenging campus liberal orthodoxy across the country.
Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
His death prompted an outpouring of grief and outrage from Republican leaders and conservative grassroots activists, who saw the attack as not just a crime but part of a broader pattern of hostility toward conservatives. Thousands attended memorial events, and his legacy has become a rallying point in debates over political violence and free speech on college campuses and beyond.
The suspect in the shooting — 22-year-old Tyler James Robinson — was later arrested and charged with aggravated murder. Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty, underscoring the gravity of the crime and the national attention still focused on the case.
What This Means Going Forward
Zinn’s sentencing closes one strange chapter in the unfolding story of the Kirk assassination, but it also highlights the turmoil that followed one of the most prominent conservative leaders of his generation. A man who tried — for reasons still unclear — to throw law enforcement off the trail of the real shooter now faces prison time for his own criminal behavior.
On Wednesday, Ryan Routh was sentenced to life in prison plus seven years over his attempt to assassinate Donald Trump on a Florida golf course.
Prosecutors argued that Routh, 60, should get a life sentence after a jury last year convicted him on five counts for allegedly plotting “painstakingly to kill President Trump, and [taking] significant steps toward making that happen.”
“Routh’s crimes undeniably warrant a life sentence — he took steps over the course of months to assassinate a major presidential candidate, demonstrated the will to kill anybody in the way, and has since expressed neither regret nor remorse to his victims,” prosecutors argued in a court filing.
Attempted Trump assassin Ryan Routh sentenced to life in prison + 84 months by Judge Aileen Cannon….. rot in hell POS pic.twitter.com/tPevPykrGs
During the September trial, a jury quickly found Routh guilty on five felony counts, including attempted assassination of a major presidential candidate and assaulting a federal officer.
Routh allegedly hid in the bushes of the Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach and pointed a military-grade SKS rifle towards Trump and a Secret Service agent.
“Routh’s crimes of conviction reflect careful plotting, extensive premeditation, and a cowardly disregard for human life,” prosecutors wrote. “Routh’s motive for his crimes was unconscionable – preventing the American people from electing the candidate of their choice for President. Routh’s gloss on his crimes has always been that anything he may have done was justified by events in Ukraine or American domestic politics.”
Since his conviction, Routh was appointed an attorney and has requested a 27-year sentence that would allow him to “experience freedom again as opposed to dying in prison.” His lawyer argued that Routh could not have a fair trial because he represented himself, even though Routh made that decision after repeated warnings about the potential consequences.
Routh represented himself at trial and attempted to argue that he never intended to harm Trump or the Secret Service agent, claiming his actions were a form of protest
Judge Aileen Cannon, a Trump-appointed judge, dismissed the criminal case against the president in 2024 related to his handling of classified documents. Routh unsuccessfully attempted to have Cannon removed from the case by arguing her appointment by Trump is a conflict of interest.
This is a breaking news story. Please check back for updates.
The House Ethics Committee has found “substantial reason to believe” that Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-Fla.) violated multiple federal laws, House rules, and ethical standards, according to a report released Thursday.
The bipartisan panel said its investigative subcommittee is formally “bringing the charges” against Cherfilus-McCormick, citing potential violations of campaign finance laws and regulations, criminal statutes tied to campaign finance misconduct, the Ethics in Government Act, the Code of Ethics for Government Service, and several House rules.
The findings come as Cherfilus-McCormick already faces serious legal trouble. In November, a federal grand jury indicted the congresswoman on charges that she stole $5 million in Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funds and used a portion of that money to bankroll her political campaign.
Prosecutors allege that in July 2021, Cherfilus-McCormick and her brother received a $5 million overpayment from FEMA while their health care company was working under a FEMA-funded staffing contract related to COVID-19 vaccinations. At the time, Cherfilus-McCormick was serving as the company’s CEO.
Rather than returning the money, federal authorities claim the congresswoman and her brother conspired to keep it, routing the funds through multiple bank accounts in an effort to “disguise” their source.
According to the Ethics Committee report, investigators uncovered evidence that aligns closely with the criminal indictment—and, in some cases, points to broader misconduct.
“The ISC’s [Investigative Subcommittee] investigation has revealed substantial evidence of conduct consistent with the allegations in the indictment, as well as more extensive misconduct as laid out in the following Statement of Facts in Support of Alleged Violations related to violations of federal laws and regulations, as well as ethical standards,” the report said.
Cherfilus-McCormick forcefully denied wrongdoing and criticized the committee’s process.
“Today’s action was taken without giving me a fair opportunity to rebut or defend myself due to the constraints of an ongoing legal process,” she said. “I reject these allegations and remain confident the full facts will make clear I did nothing wrong. Until then, my focus remains where it belongs: delivering for my constituents and continuing the work they sent me to Washington to do.”
The investigative subcommittee detailed the scope of its work, noting it reviewed more than 33,000 documents, conducted 28 witness interviews, sent 30 requests for information, issued 59 subpoenas, and met 12 times across the 118th and 119th Congresses.
The report also highlighted Cherfilus-McCormick’s lack of cooperation in the later stages of the investigation. While she initially produced some records, the congresswoman ultimately invoked her Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination after being subpoenaed for documents and testimony.
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.
BREAKING UPDATE: West Virginia librarian Morgan Morrow has been ARRESTED following our reporting of her post appearing to recruit individuals to ass*ssinate Trump.
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.”
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:
READ NEXT: 19-Term Incumbent To Leave Congress Amid Health Controversy
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.
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.
Yes, Kristi Noem should be impeached. What we're seeing in the news scares me to death.
DHS got $191 billion in the Big Ugly Bill, and she has not come before @HouseJudiciary to explain to the American people and Congress how she's using that money. pic.twitter.com/ttxkjw0IsN
— Congresswoman Sydney Kamlager-Dove (@RepKamlagerDove) January 25, 2026
Under Secretary Noem, ICE is no longer about immigration enforcement. It's about terrorizing communities.
The incompetence surrounding President Trump is unbelievable.
Secretary Noem and fellow minions follow President Trump blindly, no matter the harm.
I’m impeaching Secretary Noem for breaking due process by directing her agents to conduct warrantless arrests and use excessive… pic.twitter.com/uuL6nBurz3
A woman testified in an English court on Wednesday that Barron Trump “saved” her life after he realized she was being violently attacked and immediately called police, according to multiple reports.
Metro UK reported jurors at Snaresbrook Crown Court in London heard a dramatic emergency call in which President Donald Trump’s son told operators, “I just got a call from a girl I know. She’s getting beaten up.”
According to testimony, Barron Trump contacted authorities after FaceTiming the young woman, a friend of his, expecting a normal call but quickly realizing she was witnessing an assault in real time.
“I just saw a ceiling and could hear screaming. I could see a guy’s head on the phone, and then the camera turns to her crying and getting hit,” Trump told operators. The call was placed from the United States.
The Daily Mail identified the accused as 22-year-old Russian national Matvei Rumiantsev, who allegedly “was jealous of the American’s relationship with the woman and flew into a rage when he tried to phone her earlier that evening.”
Jurors were told Rumiantsev later went to the woman’s home and repeatedly punched her. Prosecutors also allege he kicked the woman in the stomach and used degrading language during the video call with Barron Trump, calling her a “whore” and a “slut.”
During her testimony Wednesday, the woman praised Trump for acting quickly.
“He helped save my life,” she said. “That call was like a sign from God at that moment.”
Jurors also heard an exchange between Trump — who was reportedly 18 years old at the time — and the police operator, who pressed him for details about his connection to the victim as officers were dispatched.
Here is that back-and-forth:
Operator: “Can you stop being rude and actually answer my questions. If you want to help the person, you’ll answer my questions clearly and precisely, thank you.”
Barron Trump: “I met her on social media. She’s getting really badly beat up and the call was about eight minutes ago, I don’t know what could have happened by now.”
He added a moment later, “So sorry for being rude.”
Trump reportedly told authorities it took him a few minutes to locate the correct phone number for British police. He placed the call at 2:23 a.m. London time, or 9:23 p.m. ET.
Rumiantsev is facing serious charges, including assault, two counts of rape, intentional strangulation, and perverting a court of justice, according to The Daily Mail.
By The White House - https://www.flickr.com/photos/202101414@N05/54581054338/, Public Domain,
Mexico’s new president, Claudia Sheinbaum, says she had “a very good conversation” with President Donald Trump on Monday — a call that focused heavily on cartel violence, cross-border drug trafficking, and the Trump administration’s push for tougher action against transnational criminal groups
The call lasted about 15 minutes and came after Sheinbaum said she requested direct dialogue with the Trump administration, following a week of escalating rhetoric from Trump about the cartels and Mexico’s security crisis.
A familiar dispute: U.S. military action vs. Mexican sovereignty
Trump has repeatedly suggested the United States could use the U.S. military to strike cartel networks inside Mexico — an idea that resonates with many Republican voters who view the cartels as a direct national-security threat tied to fentanyl deaths, human trafficking, and illegal immigration.
Sheinbaum, however, again rejected the idea of U.S. intervention, signaling that her government wants continued security cooperation, but on Mexico’s terms.
Trump “still insisted that if we ask for it, they could help” with military forces, Sheinbaum said, adding that she rejected the offer again:
“We told him, so far it’s going very well, it’s not necessary, and furthermore there is Mexico’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and he understood.”
For Republican-leaning audiences, the tension here is straightforward: Mexico wants U.S. support — but not U.S. control, even as American communities continue facing the fallout of cartel-driven fentanyl trafficking.
Trump presses the issue: “The cartels are running Mexico”
Trump’s posture has been consistent: treat cartels like the enemy force they are.
In a Fox News interview aired last week, he said:
“We’ve knocked out 97% of the drugs coming in by water and we are going to start now hitting land, with regard to the cartels. The cartels are running Mexico. It’s very sad to watch.”
That message plays to a key Republican argument: the U.S. cannot allow criminal organizations to operate with near-military power just across the border, especially when those groups fuel drug deaths and destabilize communities on both sides.
Venezuela raid adds new weight to Trump’s threats
The conversation also came in the wake of a dramatic U.S. operation in Venezuela — the removal of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro — which Sheinbaum said Trump raised directly.
“He (Trump) asked me my opinion about what they had done in Venezuela and I told him very clearly that our constitution is very clear, that we do not agree with interventions and that was it,” Sheinbaum said.
Sheinbaum’s comments reflect a longstanding Mexican government position against foreign military interventions, but the timing matters: the Venezuela operation has made leaders across the region take Trump’s warnings more seriously — including when he talks about Mexico, Cuba, and even Greenland. AP News+1
Rubio demands “tangible results” from Mexico
The Trump administration’s pressure campaign hasn’t been limited to the president.
Mexico’s Foreign Affairs Secretary Juan Ramón de la Fuente spoke Sunday with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who called for “tangible results” and more cooperation to dismantle cartel power, according to the U.S. State Department.
That demand reflects what many Republican voters have argued for years: Mexico must do more than make promises — it must deliver measurable enforcement.
Sheinbaum claims progress — and wants credit
Sheinbaum said Mexico shared results with the U.S. side, including:
a significant drop in homicides
falling U.S. fentanyl seizures
lower fentanyl overdose deaths in the U.S.
Even so, U.S. officials and border-state Republicans have frequently questioned whether Mexico’s progress is durable and nationwide, or simply temporary or concentrated in certain regions while cartels continue adapting.
Why intervention is still unlikely — for now
Experts say U.S. intervention in Mexico remains unlikely because Mexico is currently doing much of what Washington has requested and remains one of America’s most important economic partners. But they also expect Trump to keep using hardline rhetoric to maintain pressure.
Cuba left out — but still a point of friction
Sheinbaum said the two leaders did not discuss Cuba, even though Trump has recently threatened action related to the island. Mexico remains an important ally of Cuba, including through oil shipments, which have become even more significant now that the Trump administration has moved to stop Venezuelan oil from reaching Cuba.
