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    Former Jack Smith Deputy Involved In Prosecuting Trump Announces Run For Congress

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
    -
    1

    J.P. Cooney, a former top deputy to special counsel Jack Smith in the Biden-era Justice Department, has launched a Democrat bid for Congress in Virginia — centering his campaign on his role in prosecuting President Donald Trump.

    Cooney announced his candidacy in a post on X, writing: “I was fired by Donald Trump’s Department of Justice because of my work to prosecute him. But I won’t let Trump – or anyone – stop me from serving. I’m J.P. Cooney, and I’m running for Congress in Virginia’s 7th District.”

    According to his LinkedIn profile, Cooney served as Principal Deputy to Special Counsel Jack Smith and was a lead prosecutor in the federal cases brought against Trump alleging obstruction of justice and conspiracy. Those cases, filed during a period of intense political division, were widely criticized by Republicans as unprecedented uses of prosecutorial power against a political opponent — particularly as Trump was running for president.

    Many conservatives have argued that the prosecutions reflected a broader pattern of what they describe as a “weaponized” Justice Department under Democrat leadership. House Republicans have held hearings examining federal law enforcement’s conduct in high-profile political investigations, questioning whether equal standards were applied across party lines.

    Smith, whose tenure as special counsel was sharply debated on Capitol Hill, praised Cooney in remarks reported by The New York Times. “I’ve known J.P. for a long time and I think the world of him as a person and as a public servant,” Smith said. “He’s a man of integrity who has committed his career to upholding the rule of law.”

    For Republican voters in Virginia, Cooney’s campaign is likely to revive debates about the legitimacy and timing of the Trump prosecutions. GOP leaders have consistently maintained that the legal actions were politically motivated and designed to damage Trump’s electoral prospects rather than to serve impartial justice.

    Adding another layer of controversy, Cooney is running in Virginia’s 7th Congressional District — a district that does not yet exist in its current proposed form. According to The New York Times, Democrats in Virginia are advancing a redistricting effort that would significantly alter the 7th District’s boundaries. That plan would face legal hurdles and would ultimately require approval via ballot referendum.

    Republicans in the state have criticized the redistricting push as an attempt to engineer a more favorable electoral map, particularly in competitive suburban districts that have swung between parties in recent cycles. Virginia’s 7th District has been one of the most closely watched battlegrounds in the Commonwealth, reflecting broader national shifts in suburban voting patterns.

    In comments to the Times, Cooney framed his candidacy as a response to what he described as congressional inaction. “Never has there been a Congress that has been such a weak and ineffective check on a president’s abuses of power,” he said. “I lie awake every night worrying that Donald Trump does not have the best interests of our country in mind.”

    Those remarks are likely to energize Democratic primary voters but may also sharpen partisan contrasts in a state where divided government and razor-thin margins have become the norm. Virginia has trended more competitive in recent elections, with Republicans making gains in statewide contests and emphasizing issues such as public safety, parental rights in education, inflation, and federal spending.

    Cooney’s entry into the race signals that the legal battles surrounding Trump will continue to spill into the political arena.

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    Trump DOJ Declines To Indict 6 Democrats In ‘Illegal Orders’ Video

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
    -
    1

    Department of Justice prosecutors were unable on Tuesday to secure indictments against multiple Democratic lawmakers following scrutiny over a controversial video urging members of the military to refuse unlawful orders, according to a new report.

    The New York Times reported Tuesday — citing four individuals familiar with the matter — that prosecutors led by U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro failed to persuade a grand jury to support indictments. NBC News also confirmed the development.

    The lawmakers involved in the video include Sens. Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) and Mark Kelly (D-AZ), along with Reps. Jason Crow (D-CO), Maggie Goodlander (D-NH), Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA), and Chris Deluzio (D-PA). All have military or intelligence backgrounds.

    In the video, the lawmakers urged service members not to comply with what they described as illegal directives and warned of internal threats to the Constitution.

    “You can refuse illegal orders. You must refuse illegal orders,” the lawmakers said.

    The remarks drew sharp backlash from President Trump and others, who argued the video crossed a dangerous line by encouraging disobedience within the armed forces — something many conservatives view as undermining military discipline and chain of command.

    “IT WASN’T, AND IT NEVER WILL BE! IT WAS SEDITION AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL, AND SEDITION IS A MAJOR CRIME. THERE CAN BE NO OTHER INTERPRETATION OF WHAT THEY SAID!” Trump wrote on Truth Social in November.

    In another post, Trump warned that sedition is “punishable by DEATH.”

    Kelly Escalates Fight With Pentagon Over Rank and Benefits

    Sen. Mark Kelly has since launched a separate legal battle tied to the fallout. Last month, he announced he filed a civil lawsuit against Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth after the Defense Department reportedly took steps to reduce Kelly’s rank and pension based on the video.

    Kelly framed the move as retaliation for political speech, though Republicans have argued that elected officials — particularly those with prior military service — should be especially cautious about messaging that could be interpreted as encouraging insubordination in the ranks.

    “Pete Hegseth is coming after what I earned through my twenty-five years of military service, in violation of my rights as an American, as a retired veteran, and as a United States Senator whose job is to hold him—and this or any administration—accountable,” Kelly said in a statement.

    “His unconstitutional crusade against me sends a chilling message to every retired member of the military: if you speak out and say something that the President or Secretary of Defense doesn’t like, you will be censured, threatened with demotion, or even prosecuted.”

    The case adds to a broader debate over whether political figures should be using their platform to issue guidance to troops — especially at a time when conservatives have warned about growing politicization within federal institutions, including the military itself.

    Slotkin Claims Victory After Grand Jury Declines to Indict

    Following the grand jury’s decision not to proceed, Sen. Slotkin celebrated the outcome and criticized the administration.

    “Today, it was a grand jury of anonymous American citizens who upheld the rule of law and determined this case should not proceed. Hopefully, this ends this politicized investigation for good,” Slotkin wrote Tuesday night on X.

    “But today wasn’t just an embarrassing day for the Administration. It was another sad day for our country,” she added.

    Slotkin argued that even pursuing the case reflected misuse of federal power.

    “Whether or not Pirro succeeded is not the point. It’s that President Trump continues to weaponize our justice system against his perceived enemies. It’s the kind of thing you see in a foreign country, not in the United States we know and love,” Slotkin said.

    Still, many Republicans counter that the central issue is not politics but accountability — particularly when lawmakers make statements that could be interpreted as urging troops to question lawful authority.

    “No matter what President Trump and Pirro continue to do with this case, tonight we can score one for the Constitution, our freedom of speech, and the rule of law,” Slotkin added.

    Ongoing Debate Over Civil-Military Boundaries

    While prosecutors were unable to secure indictments this week, the controversy underscores a growing national debate: how far elected officials can go in addressing service members directly without undermining military order or injecting partisan rhetoric into the armed forces.

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    War Department Takes Out Cartel-Owned Drone

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
    -
    1
    By Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America - Pete Hegseth, CC BY-SA 2.0

    On Wednesday morning, the White House confirmed drone activity from Mexican drug cartels caused the sudden closure of U.S. airspace over El Paso, Texas.

    In a statement to Newsweek the White House said: “Mexican cartel drones breached US airspace. The Department of War took action to disable the drones.

    “The FAA and DOW have determined there is no threat to commercial travel.”

    A Trump administration official told Fox News that the initial lockdown came in response to “Mexican cartel drones” that breached U.S. airspace. The FAA had announced Wednesday morning that all flights to and from El Paso were being grounded, including commercial, cargo and general aviation. The restriction was initially set to be effective from February 10 at 11:30 p.m. MST to February 20 at 11:30 p.m. MST.

    “Mexican cartel drones breached US airspace. The Department of War took action to disable the drones. The FAA and DOW have determined there is no threat to commercial travel,” the official told Fox News.

    Restrictions set earlier by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) have been lifted and authorities say there remains no threat to commercial air travel.

    “The temporary closure of airspace over El Paso has been lifted. There is no threat to commercial aviation. All flights will resume as normal,” the FAA said on its X account.

    This is a breaking news story. Please check back for updates.

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    Suspect Arrested In Attempted Murder Plot Targeting OMB Director Russell Vought

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
    -
    0

    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.

    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. 

    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. 

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    Man Who Falsely Claimed To shoot Charlie Kirk Sentenced To Prison

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
    -
    0
    Image via Pixabay

    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.

    Hero policeman Salvatore Oldrati was named Officer of the Year after stopping an armed suspect and now liberals want to ruin his life. His family is facing an uphill battle and crushing legal bills. Stand with the men and women who protect us. [Help Police Officers HERE]

    Trump Awards Medal of Honor to Fallen Army Ranger During Personal Phone Call

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
    -
    2

    President Donald Trump personally called the family of Staff Sgt. Michael Ollis to inform them that their son would be awarded the Medal of Honor—the nation’s highest military decoration.

    The emotional phone call, captured on video, shows Ollis’ father, Robert, answering the call on speakerphone, visibly stunned as the president delivers the news.

    “We’re very nervous,” Robert Ollis says at the start of the call.

    “You should be, because your son is going to get the highest honor that you can have,” President Trump replied. “There is no higher honor than the Congressional Medal of Honor.”

    Robert’s disbelief quickly turned to joy, his mouth hanging open before breaking into a wide smile as the weight of the moment set in.

    “He’s looking down at you right now,” Trump told the family. “He’s saying, ‘Well, my mom and dad are handling this pretty well.’”

    “Thank you so much, Mr. President. You have no idea the happiness we have,” Robert responded.

    Ollis’ mother, Linda, expressed gratitude not only for the recognition, but for the years-long effort it took to make it happen.

    “Thank you for facilitating this! This is so wonderful,” she said, explaining that the family had advocated for years, reaching out to countless officials and organizations to ensure their son’s heroism was properly recognized.

    President Trump acknowledged that persistence, noting that grassroots advocacy—often led by families and veterans—is essential to ensuring acts of valor are not forgotten.

    “Otherwise, how are we going to know, right?” Trump said. “People don’t know. So I think that’s fantastic.”

    The decision comes after sustained advocacy from veterans’ groups, elected officials, and the Staten Island community, all of whom argued that Ollis’ actions clearly met the standard for the Medal of Honor.

    Staff Sgt. Ollis, a U.S. Army Ranger from Staten Island, was killed in Afghanistan on August 28, 2013. During a suicide bombing, the 24-year-old soldier threw himself over a Polish army officer, sacrificing his life to save that of an allied serviceman—an act emblematic of the selflessness and courage that define America’s warriors.

    The Medal of Honor is awarded for acts that go far beyond the call of duty, recognizing “conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life,” according to the Congressional Medal of Honor Society. While criteria have evolved, the standard has always reflected extraordinary courage. The current guidelines were formalized during the Vietnam War in 1963.

    As the call continued, President Trump reflected candidly on the magnitude of Ollis’ sacrifice.

    “I read what your son did, and it’s—I wouldn’t do it, Linda,” Trump said.

    “I’m not brave enough either,” Linda replied softly.

    “Neither am I,” Robert added. “Even though I’m a Vietnam vet, I still wouldn’t have done it.”

    Trump urged the family to come together and celebrate their son’s legacy, telling them that Michael Ollis would be proud of them.

    Near the end of the call, a woman could be heard excitedly shouting in the background: “Yes, we’re going to the White House, we love you, we’re praying for you every day. Yes, let’s do this MAGA.”

    Robert identified the woman as his daughter, gently signaling for her to calm down.

    “Hey Robert, bring them all down,” Trump said, inviting the family to the White House before ending the call.

    Watch the heartwarming moment below:

    Hero policeman Salvatore Oldrati was named Officer of the Year after stopping an armed suspect and now liberals want to ruin his life. His family is facing an uphill battle and crushing legal bills. Stand with the men and women who protect us. [Help Police Officers HERE]

    Republican Mega-donor Rebukes ‘Corrupt’ Trump Admin.

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
    -
    1
    Image via Pixabay free images

    Ken Griffin, the billionaire founder of Citadel and one of the Republican Party’s most influential donors, delivered a sharp warning this week about the direction of the Trump administration, accusing it of ethical lapses and raising concerns about government pressure on corporate America.

    Speaking Tuesday at a Wall Street Journal–hosted conference in West Palm Beach, Griffin said the administration has blurred the line between public service and private enrichment.

    “This administration has definitely made missteps in choosing decisions or courses that have been very, very enriching to the families of those in the administration,” Griffin said. “That calls into question: is the public interest being served?”

    Griffin emphasized that public trust depends on leaders acting with integrity and restraint.

    “One of the things that you want to believe is that those who serve the public interest have the public interest at heart in everything they do,” he added.

    Concerns Amid New Reporting on Trump Family Finances

    Griffin’s remarks come as new reporting has intensified scrutiny of the Trump family’s business dealings. According to recent coverage, Trump and his sons reportedly received a $500 million investment connected to the United Arab Emirates for their cryptocurrency venture shortly before Trump’s second inauguration.

    Separately, The New York Times reported last month that Trump and his family have earned at least $1.4 billion since returning to office—a figure the paper described as a conservative estimate.

    The White House rejected Griffin’s criticism. Spokesman Kush Desai told the Financial Times that the administration’s record speaks for itself:

    “The only special interest guiding the Trump administration’s decision-making is the best interest of the American people. The fact that major stock indexes have hit multiple all-time highs, real wages have grown, and inflation has cooled since President Trump took office is proof that this administration is delivering for every American.”

    A Free-Market Conservative Pushback

    Griffin, who donated tens of millions of dollars to Republican candidates in 2024 but declined to formally endorse Trump, has increasingly positioned himself as a free-market conservative skeptical of government overreach and protectionism. He has been especially critical of tariffs, warning they place the U.S. economy “on a slippery slope to crony capitalism.”

    That concern extends to what Griffin sees as an unhealthy dynamic between Washington and the private sector.

    “Griffin said the dynamic has generated concerns that the US would enter a continuous cycle of corporate leaders needing to pander to whomever is in power, instead of relying on the success of their business,” the Financial Times reported.

    Griffin put it more bluntly during the conference:

    “Most CEOs just don’t want to find themselves in the business of having to in some sense suck up to one administration after another to succeed in running their businesses.”

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    Attempted Trump Assassination Suspect Sentenced In Court

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
    -
    0

    Just in…

    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. 

    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.

    Hero policeman Salvatore Oldrati was named Officer of the Year after stopping an armed suspect and now liberals want to ruin his life. His family is facing an uphill battle and crushing legal bills. Stand with the men and women who protect us. [Help Police Officers HERE]

    Trump Signs Bill To End Partial Government Shutdown

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
    -
    1
    By The White House - https://www.flickr.com/photos/202101414@N05/54325633746/, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=159707159

    Just in…

    President Trump has signed a bill to end a partial government shutdown after the funding legislation was held up by lawmakers over the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) immigration recent enforcement efforts.

    The bill funds DHS for the next 10 days, with a new deadline set for that agency’s funding to expire on Feb. 13 as Democrats demand for increased oversight of Trump’s Immigration Customs Enforcement and Border Protection.

    Surrounded by a swath of Senate and House Republicans, including Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), Trump lauded the bill’s passage, which also includes funding until Sept. 30 for the departments of Energy, Defense, Treasury, State, Labor, Transportation, Heath and Human Services, Education and funding to the judicial branch and independent agencies.

    Watch:

    This story is breaking news. Check back for updates.

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    GOP Congressman Issues Warning To Trump Admin Official: ‘Come And Take It’

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
    -
    4
    By Gage Skidmore from Surprise, AZ, United States of America - Jeanine Pirro, CC BY-SA 2.0,

    Republican Florida Rep. Greg Steube issued a forceful response to comments from Jeanine Pirro, President Donald Trump’s nominee for U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, after she warned that anyone carrying a firearm in Washington, D.C., should expect to be arrested.

    During a Monday night interview with Fox News host Martha MacCallum, Pirro took a hard line on guns in the nation’s capital while discussing efforts to remove repeat offenders and illegal firearms from the streets.

    “You bring a gun into the District, you mark my words, you’re going to jail. I don’t care if you have a license in another district and I don’t care if you’re a law abiding gun owner somewhere else. You bring a gun into this District, count on going to jail, and hope you get the gun back! And that makes all the difference,” Pirro warned.

    Her remarks immediately drew criticism from gun-rights advocates and several Republican lawmakers, including Steube, who pointed out that lawful concealed carry is permitted in Washington, D.C., including for non-residents.

    “I bring a gun into the district every week, @USAttyPirro. I have a license in Florida and DC to carry. And I will continue to carry to protect myself and others,” Steube wrote on X. “Come and Take it!”

    MacCallum defended Pirro’s position during the interview, arguing that tougher enforcement changes behavior. “It’s amazing how accountability works, and people think if they actually get arrested they might have to do time and they might get taken off the street, it sorta puts a little bit of a different message in people’s heads.”

    Republican Kentucky Rep. Thomas Massie also pushed back, noting that D.C. law allows permitted carry and has done so for years.

    “The District of Columbia has been ‘shall issue’ since 2017 when the requirement that you must have a ‘good reason’ to carry a handgun was struck down. Non-residents can obtain a permit in DC — don’t ask me how I know,” Massie said in a post on X.

    In a separate post, Massie questioned Pirro’s rhetoric more broadly, writing, “Why is a ‘conservative’ judge threatening to arrest gun owners?”

    The National Rifle Association clapped back at Pirro on Tuesday, writing on social media, “Now is the time for Congress to pass HR 38, the National Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act. Your right to self-defense should not end simply because you crossed a state line or into Washington, D.C.”

    The backlash surprised many conservatives, given the Trump administration’s long-standing and vocal support for Second Amendment rights.

    Facing growing criticism, Pirro addressed the controversy in a video posted Tuesday to X, emphasizing her support for gun ownership and constitutional rights.

    She said she is a “proud supporter of the 2nd amendment” and a gun owner herself, noting that she previously keynoted a National Rifle Association convention. Pirro stressed that her comments were aimed at criminals, not law-abiding citizens.

    “However, you need to be responsible. And every responsible gun owner that I know makes sure they understand the laws where they are going and understand whatever registration requirements there might be,” Pirro said. “President Trump’s goal here, and my goal as well, is to make sure we take guns out of the hands of criminals.”

    She added, “There is a reason that we have the lowest homicide rate in reported history. We’re taking guns off the street — illegal guns — in the hands of criminals, who want to use those guns to victimize law-abiding citizens. There is a big difference here. If you are responsible, you follow the laws, you are not going to have a problem with me.”

    Pirro’s clarification appeared aimed at reassuring conservatives that her tough-on-crime stance is focused on illegal firearms and repeat offenders—not Americans lawfully exercising their Second Amendment rights.

    Tuesday morning, Pirro attempted to quell the outrage with a post on X.

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