Trump-endorsed Hinson secures Iowa Senate nomination as Democrats eye GOP seat
Republican Rep. Ashley Hinson of Iowa on Tuesday captured her party’s Senate nomination in the race to succeed retiring GOP Sen. Joni Ernst. Hinson, a former TV news anchor who is in her third term representing Iowa’s 2nd Congressional District, defeated former state senator and former U.S. Senate candidate Jim Carlin in the GOP Senate primary, The Associated Press reported. The Republican-controlled seat in Iowa is a top target for Democrats, and the race is one of about a dozen crucial showdowns in this year’s midterm elections that will determine whether the Republicans hold on to their current 53–47 majority in the chamber. Hinson was backed by President Donald Trump; Senate Majority Leader Sen. John Thune; the National Republican Senatorial Committee, which is the campaign arm of the Senate GOP; and by Ernst as she cruised to her party’s nomination. Hinson, who in 2020 flipped a Democratic-held seat that covers the northeastern portion of Iowa, is seen as a rising star in the party. THE MIDTERM RACES THAT COULD TIP THE BALANCE OF POWER IN THE SENATE “It has been working Iowans from all 99 counties – and I’ve visited every single one of them – who powered this campaign and delivered a resounding victory tonight,” Hinson said in a statement released moments after her race was called. And she emphasized, “We’re going to continue fighting every day to make life more affordable for Iowa families, to take on Big Pharma and Big Health Insurance, and to root out corruption in Washington by banning Members of Congress and their spouses from trading stocks and participating in prediction markets.” Iowa was once a top battleground state that former President Barack Obama carried in his 2008 and 2012 White House victories. But the state has shifted to the right in recent election cycles, with Trump carrying the state by nine points in 2016, eight points in 2020, and by 13 points in November 2024. Republicans hold both of the state’s Senate seats — Ernst and longtime Sen. Chuck Grassley — and all four of Iowa’s congressional districts, as well as all statewide offices except for state auditor. DEMOCRACY ’26: STAY UP TO DATE WITH THE FOX NEWS ELECTION HUB But Democrats are energized heading into the midterms, when the GOP as the party in power will face traditional headwinds, a challenging political climate thanks to persistent inflation and sky-high gas prices due to what polls show is an unpopular war with Iran and Trump’s sinking approval ratings. And Iowa Democrats, in particular, are energized after flipping two GOP-held state Senate seats in special elections last year. Hinson will face off in the general election against state Rep. Josh Turek, a Paralympian. Turek defeated state Sen. Zach Wahls in an expensive and contentious Democratic Senate primary. Wahls, a progressive who Republicans have likened to New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, had the backing of liberal champion Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts. Turek, the more moderate Senate contender who flipped a GOP-held Iowa House seat in 2022, was backed by former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and had the tacit support of longtime Democratic Senate Leader Sen. Chuck Schumer of New York and Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee Chair Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand. And VoteVets, an establishment-aligned outside group, has spent big bucks on behalf of Turek. “Josh Turek is a two-time Paralympic gold medalist who has represented his country on the world stage and has built a reputation in the legislature for working across the aisle to get things done for Iowans,” Schumer and Gillibrand said in a statement. “His nomination tonight puts the Iowa Senate seat firmly in play, and in November, Iowans will reject Ashley Hinson’s self-serving politics and send Josh Turek to the U.S. Senate.” But National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) Regional Press Secretary Samantha Cantrell said that “Chuck Schumer spent $10 million dollars to coronate Josh Turek as his rubber stamp for Democrats’ radical tax-and-spend agenda. In November, Iowans will reject him and elect Ashley Hinson to keep fighting for Iowa families, farmers, and workers.” And the NRSC quickly went up with a digital ad targeting Turek for what Republicans argued is his “radical agenda.” Hinson is aiming to succeed Ernst, a retired Army Reserve and Iowa National Guard officer who served in the Iraq War and was first elected to the Senate in 2014. Ernst grabbed plenty of national attention in that campaign with her “make ’em squeal” ads as she won the high-profile Senate election to succeed retiring longtime Democratic Sen. Tom Harkin. Fox News’ Sally Persons contributed to this report.
Dems pick challenger for GOP congressman who vanished from public view amid health mystery
Democrat Rebecca Bennett will face Rep. Tom Kean Jr., R-N.J., an embattled lawmaker sidelined for months by an undisclosed health issue, in November’s general election. Bennett, a former Navy helicopter pilot, won the Democratic nomination in a crowded primary for a battleground New Jersey House seat, according to The Associated Press. Kean, who has not appeared in public since early March, ran unopposed for the GOP nomination. Bennett’s primary victory sets up what could be the two-term incumbent’s toughest re-election fight yet. The suburban swing district is considered critical to House Republicans’ efforts to hold their slim majority. VIDEO SHOWS DEM CANDIDATE DODGING TRUMP VIOLENCE QUESTION AS CAMPAIGN ISSUES RESPONSE Gov. Mikie Sherrill, D-N.J., narrowly carried the northern New Jersey swing seat during her gubernatorial race in 2025. The nonpartisan Cook Political Report rated the contest as a “toss-up.” The brewing general election battle comes as Kean has faced mounting scrutiny for a prolonged absence from Congress that has left even House GOP leadership in the dark. “He’s had a medical issue, and he’s gonna be fully transparent and disclose all that,” House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., told reporters in May. “I mean, that’s what he told me. But I don’t even know the details, and I have to respect that.” Kean released a written statement shortly before polls closed Tuesday saying he will be “completely transparent” about his medical issue when he resumes in-person work, which he said he expects to do “within a matter of weeks.” “I understand the need for transparency on this matter, and I look forward to sharing my experience with the public,” he continued, without further elaborating on his condition. DEMOCRAT TINA SHAH CALLS TRANSGENDER HEALTHCARE FOR CHILDREN A ‘NO-BRAINER’ IN COMPETITIVE NJ HOUSE RACE Kean previously said in mid-May that he would resume work “in the next couple of weeks,” according to the New Jersey Globe. The New Jersey Republican has missed all 104 of the most recent roll call votes, according to GovTrack, a website that monitors congressional absences. He last voted March 5. His office has continued to post on social media and Kean has even introduced legislation during his absence. President Donald Trump highlighted his endorsement of Kean in a post on social media, stating the incumbent lawmaker “WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN.” Tina Shah and Michael Roth — two former Biden administration officials — challenged Bennett for the Democratic nomination. Brian Varela, a businessman running on a progressive platform, also launched a bid for the seat. Bennett, a first-time candidate, ran a less progressive campaign than the other Democrats in the race. She was the lone Democrat to stop short of calling for the abolition of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Kean defeated Democratic challenger Sue Altman by roughly 5 points in 2024. He is the son of former two-term New Jersey Gov. Tom Kean, who led the Garden State throughout much of the 1980s. The National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC), House Republicans’ campaign arm, immediately criticized Bennett following her primary win. “The truth is, Bennett is a tax-and-spend liberal who worships the socialist Squad and wants to make life more expensive for New Jerseyans,” National Republican Congressional Committee spokeswoman Maureen O’Toole said in a statement Tuesday.
Spencer Pratt stops at iconic LA restaurant on Election Day, vows to make city ‘streets safe again’
Los Angeles mayoral candidate Spencer Pratt spent part of Election Day at Roscoe’s House of Chicken ‘N Waffles, one of the city’s many recognizable culinary institutions, as voters headed to the polls in Tuesday’s primary election. Pratt first rose to fame on MTV’s reality show “The Hills” alongside his wife, Heidi Montag. This year he launched an unconventional bid for Los Angeles mayor as a registered Republican, running as an independent, in the city’s open primary election. DEMOCRACY ’26: STAY UP TO DATE WITH THE FOX NEWS ELECTION HUB After eating at the restaurant, Pratt praised the food and contrasted his visit with a recent stop by incumbent Democratic Mayor Karen Bass at another one of the soul food restaurant’s locations. “Oh, it was incredible,” Pratt told Fox News Digital. “We went to the actual Roscoe’s in LA City.” “I saw Mayor Bass enjoyed a different Roscoe’s. Still good,” he snubbed. “I don’t think she ate anything. I think she just had a soda and a photo op, but I wanted to actually go experience the LA City Roscoe’s.” Asked what he ordered, Pratt replied: “I had waffles and chicken. It was incredible.” DENNIS QUAID THROWS SUPPORT BEHIND SPENCER PRATT FOR LA MAYOR WITH BLUNT MESSAGE Founded in 1975, Roscoe’s House of Chicken ‘N Waffles has become a Los Angeles institution known for its signature pairing of fried chicken and waffles and its place in the city’s cultural history. The restaurant has long attracted a mix of local residents, celebrities, athletes and politicians. Pratt entered the mayoral race after losing his Pacific Palisades home in the devastating 2025 wildfire and has since become a vocal critic of Bass and city leadership. His campaign has focused on public safety, homelessness, wildfire preparedness and government accountability. LA MAYORAL CANDIDATE SPENCER PRATT VOWS ‘ZERO ENCAMPMENTS’ OF HOMELESS, NO FENTANYL ON STREETS Speaking outside of Roscoe’s, Pratt used the stop to reinforce his law-and-order message and vowed to clean-up the city. “What am I doing on day one? We’re gonna start making the streets safe again,” Pratt said. “It’s gonna take the first couple weeks — I gotta warn everybody — the law’s back in LA.,” he continued. “But then, once everybody’s been warned, we will be enforcing all the laws so that everybody can feel safe all across the city. Because right now, no one feels safe.” Though initially viewed as a celebrity long shot, Pratt has attracted attention through his social media presence, catchy campaign ads, viral debate performance, name recognition and outsider campaign message. His Election Day appearance at Roscoe’s reflected a campaign that has leaned heavily into Los Angeles culture while seeking to connect with voters frustrated by the city’s challenges — especially in the wake of the deadly and widely destructive wildfires last year.
California’s sluggish vote counting ripped across the political spectrum: ‘Extremely embarrassing’
Though California voters are heading to the polls tonight, they may not know the results of several key primary races for days – a fact that has people across the political spectrum raising concerns. “The fact that California elections often can’t be resolved for weeks is kind of insane and not common in other electoral systems around the world,” Nate Silver, a top political data analyst, wrote on X on Tuesday afternoon. “Like honestly ‘it’s going to take us several weeks to tell you who won the election’ is failed state sh-t and should be much more stigmatized. The fact that it’s tolerated is bad too a textbook example of learned helplessness.” Lengthy vote counts in California are a product of the state’s reliance on mail voting and its thorough review process. Under California law, every registered voter receives a mail-in ballot and votes that arrive at election offices up to a week after election day are considered valid so long as they were postmarked by election day. RNC RAILS AGAINST CALIFORNIA’S LATE MAIL-IN BALLOT COUNTING AMID NATIONAL LITIGATION: ‘IT IS ABSURD’ In tight primaries where a handful of votes decide outcomes, this process can cause voters to go weeks without knowing who will advance to the general election. “Every other state manages to count its votes in a somewhat timely manner,” Rep. Kevin Kiley, an independent who caucuses with the GOP, wrote on X. “California’s inability to competently handle the basic administration of democracy is embarrassing. It’s also indicative of why our state has so many other problems.” TRUMP MAKES LATE-NIGHT ENDORSEMENTS IN SIX STATES AHEAD OF TUESDAY PRIMARIES, INCLUDING CALIFORNIA Florida famously tweaked its election laws after the state failed to declare a winner during the 2004 presidential election and has since had relatively few problems in providing quick and accurate counts. Some, however, defend California’s system, arguing that the slow pace of counting is a worthwhile trade-off to ensure greater access for voters. USPS GIVES CRITICAL WARNING ABOUT MAIL-IN BALLOTS AS ELECTION DAY LOOMS NEXT WEEK “The delayed count is in service of maximizing turnout and access,” Democratic strategist Addisu Demissie wrote on X. “LA County is bigger than 40 states, but, well, a county.” He added that critics were being unreasonable, as knowing the results of the elections by the end of the week, which he says is acceptable. David Dayen, executive editor at The American Prospect, a liberal magazine, pointed out that fraud prevention efforts – such as checking all ballot signatures against a master file – lengthen the counting process. In a different vein, Logan Dobson, a conservative political operative, argued that California’s slow vote counting could throw the nation into disarray if the United States moved to a national popular vote system, leaving the results of presidential elections unclear for days or even weeks. “This is correct and extremely embarrassing for US democracy,” Princeton Professor Arthur Spirling wrote, responding to Silver’s criticism. “What’s also bad is the number of people, political scientists among them, who show up to tell you there’s no other way and you’re damaging the civic fabric by pointing out how ridiculous it is.”
WATCH: Dem senators excuse Platner’s conduct at crisis huddle with embattled Maine candidate
Democratic senators attending a closed-door meeting with Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner on Tuesday brushed off questions about the controversies engulfing his campaign, with some expressing confidence in his chances. Platner made a crisis trip to Washington, D.C. to meet with Democratic senators a week before his primary election on June 9 as his campaign continues to face questions over his alleged sexting scandals and resurfaced online posts. “I’m very confident we are going to win Maine,” Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., told reporters outside the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee building when asked if she still supports the progressive candidate. DEM SENATORS DEFLECT QUESTIONS ON PLATNER’S SCANDAL-PLAGUED CAMPAIGN: ‘NOT FOLLOWING THAT RACE CLOSELY’ Pressed on whether she had confidence in Platner, Gillibrand replied, “I do. I have confidence that we are going to win Maine and I have no doubt.” Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., defended Platner, pointing to the millions of dollars being spent on advertising in Maine targeting the Democratic candidate. “All I can tell you is that the wealthiest people in this country have now reserved close to $100 million in TV ads in a small state like Maine,” Sanders said. “So what are the billionaires worried about? Why are they spending so much money trying to defeat this guy?” “The answer is that he’s going to stand up to the oligarchies,” he concluded ahead of the sit-down with Platner. SANDERS SAYS PLATNER HAS THE ‘GUTS’ TO FIGHT BILLIONAIRES DESPITE GROWING SCANDAL PILEUP Meanwhile, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., declined to answer questions from reporters about the controversies surrounding Platner’s campaign as she entered the meeting at DSCC headquarters. Sen. Peter Welch, D-Vt., for his part, said the decision is “going to be up to voters in Maine.” Asked whether he believes the moderate jurisdiction will back Platner, the Vermont senator replied, “We’ll see.” Among the controversies facing the leading Democratic candidate is a Wall Street Journal report that his wife discovered sexually explicit text exchanges with multiple women just months after they were married in 2024. In a statement sent to Fox News Digital, Platner said, “Amy and I went through something hard — because of me.” SENATE CANDIDATE GRAHAM PLATNER SENT EXPLICIT TEXTS TO MULTIPLE WOMEN WHILE MARRIED, WIFE SAYS: REPORT “We did the work, and I’m grateful for her every hour of every day,” he added. “I’ve learned throughout this campaign is that people don’t care about gossip or headlines, they care that you’re fighting for their hospitals, their paycheck, their kids.” A Kik account appearing to belong to Platner featuring a sexually suggestive photo of Platner posing shirtless with only a towel wrapped around his waist was found. However, his campaign told Fox News Digital that the account was created while he was single and “has long been deleted from his phone.” The Marine Corps veteran has also faced criticism over a Nazi-linked tattoo and resurfaced online posts, including a 2019 Reddit post that said Purple Heart veteran Teddy Daniels “didn’t deserve to live.” Platner will face David Costello in Maine’s Democratic Senate primary on June 9. The winner will take on five-term Republican Sen. Susan Collins in the general election.
Trump-backed candidate ‘confident’ Republicans will have great night in California: ‘Very excited’
HUNTINGTON BEACH, CA – Trump-backed Republican Steve Hilton expressed confidence Tuesday as California Republicans fight to avoid being shut out of the governor’s race under the state’s unique “jungle-primary” system. Hilton and Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco are the two main Republicans in the race to succeed term-limited Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom. After Hilton received President Donald Trump’s endorsement, his neck-and-neck position with Bianco became a lead, but as the election neared, concern arose that two Democrats may outdo he and the sheriff – leaving no Republican on the ballot, “I’m very excited that it looks like we’re going to have a good night tonight,” Hilton said. “I think the president’s endorsement has been a great honor. The vice president endorsed me this morning. What an incredible thing for someone who’s a new American citizen,” the former Fox News host – a native of Great Britain – added. Hilton portended a good night regardless of Bianco’s decision to stay in the race. “I think everyone in California understands we need change,” he said. Hilton said California Republicans – of which there are more numerically than any other state – are energized and that the early ballot returns depict such. “I’m pretty confident that we are going to do fine one way or the other.” The mood extended beyond the governor’s race. In Los Angeles, independent mayoral candidate Spencer Pratt spent Election Day courting voters in neighborhoods Republicans and independents increasingly see as receptive to change. Pratt was spotted at the famed Roscoe’s Chicken & Waffles, mingling with voters at the soul food establishment – and also seen in another clip hosting a cookout in a park in a majority-minority community. With Gov. Gavin Newsom term-limited and Mayor Karen Bass under fire for her handling of crime, homelessness and the Palisades fires, Republicans and Pratt see an opportunity for marked change in California. Former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger – who like Hilton is an immigrant and Republican – was the last member of the Grand Old Party to hold court in Sacramento.
Jared Kushner’s overseas luxury resort project faces anti-corruption investigation amid violent protests
Albanian anti-corruption prosecutors are investigating changes to the protected status of a coastal wetland where a luxury resort project linked to Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of U.S. President Donald Trump, has drawn environmental opposition and protests, according to Politico. SPAK, Albania’s special anti-corruption prosecution office, has opened a probe into changes made to the status of the Vjosa-Narta protected landscape in Zvërnec, Politico reported. The coastal wetland area is home to flamingos, Mediterranean monk seals, and sea turtle nesting sites, Politico reported. IVANKA TRUMP BREAKS DOWN IN EMOTIONAL INTERVIEW TALKING ABOUT HER MOTHER IVANA’S DEATH, OTHER CHALLENGES In 2024, Kushner publicly discussed plans for his firm, Affinity Partners, to develop luxury tourism projects in Albania, including in the Zvërnec area. Earlier this year, he visited the area with his wife, Ivanka Trump. Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama recently confirmed to Politico that talks were ongoing between the government and Kushner over the deal, which is expected to include roughly 10,000 hotel rooms and villas. EUROPEAN CAPITAL ROCKED BY VIOLENT PROTESTS AS GOVERNMENT CORRUPTION PROBE FUELS UNREST “I want to make Albania a country that is a destination to be envied in the region, and this project is part of this effort,” Rama said Monday. Fox News Digital has reached out to Affinity Partners and SPAK for comment. Protests by Albanian citizens and nonprofit groups began in May when large, barbed-wire-topped fences were erected at the proposed site, preventing locals and tourists from accessing the beach. On Sunday, protesters assembled outside government offices to demand an end to the project as well as Rama’s resignation. Following Sunday’s protests, footage emerged showing private security guards appearing to assault and drag a protester along a cliff. Some guards allegedly threatened other demonstrators who were attempting to remove fences and halt construction. The licenses of two private security companies were revoked following the incident. Meanwhile, around 15 protesters have been charged, and the local police chief has been stripped of his duties.
Trump administration names Rosario ‘Pete’ Vasquez to serve as next US Border Patrol chief
The Trump administration has selected a veteran Border Patrol official with more than 26 years of service to lead the agency following the resignation of former Chief Mike Banks. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced Monday that Rosario “Pete” Vasquez will serve as the next chief of the U.S. Border Patrol, overseeing nearly 20,000 agents and professional staff operating across the country. Vasquez most recently led the Border Patrol’s Blaine Sector in Washington state, overseeing operations along the U.S.-Canada border and coordinating with federal, state, local, tribal and international partners. CBP Commissioner Rodney S. Scott praised the appointment, calling Vasquez “a Border Patrol agent’s agent.” US BORDER PATROL CHIEF MIKE BANKS ABRUPTLY RESIGNS, FOX NEWS LEARNS “He has spent more than two decades leading from the front, earning the respect of the workforce, and delivering results in some of the most challenging operational environments in the country,” Scott said in a statement. “He understands what this mission demands because he has lived it. There is no one better suited to lead the United States Border Patrol into its next chapter.” Vasquez succeeds former Border Patrol Chief Mike Banks, who announced his retirement in May after leading the agency during President Donald Trump’s second administration. Banks told Fox News last month that he was stepping down after helping oversee what he described as a dramatic turnaround in border security. BORDER PATROL CHIEF OWENS ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT, TEXAS BORDER CZAR TO TAKE OVER “I feel like I got the ship back on course from the least secure, disastrous, chaotic border to the most secure border this country has ever seen,” Banks told Fox News correspondent Bill Melugin at the time. “Time to pass the reins, 37 years, it’s time to enjoy the family and life.” As chief, Vasquez will be responsible for leading Border Patrol operations across nearly 7,000 miles of international land borders and approximately 2,000 miles of coastal waters. According to CBP, Vasquez has served in a variety of operational and leadership roles throughout his career, including assignments along the southwest and northern borders, at CBP headquarters and in international postings. BORDER PATROL ANNOUNCES ‘PHENOMENAL’ TURNAROUND AS NUMBER OF MONTHLY MIGRANT RELEASES DROPS TO ZERO His résumé includes service with the Border Patrol’s Search, Trauma, and Rescue Unit, the agency’s Special Operations Group and CBP’s Office of Anti-Terrorism. He also served as director of the Alliance to Combat Transnational Threats, assistant attaché for CBP in Canada and acting executive director within CBP’s Office of Trade. The appointment comes as Border Patrol officials continue focusing on efforts to combat transnational criminal organizations, disrupt human smuggling and narcotics trafficking networks and strengthen border security operations. “It is the honor of a lifetime to serve as chief of the United States Border Patrol, and I’m grateful for the trust placed in me by President Trump, Secretary Mullin, and Commissioner Scott,” Vasquez said. “Our agents have never backed down from a challenge, and neither will I. As chief, my focus is clear: support our agents, strengthen our operational capabilities, and ensure the U.S. Border Patrol remains the most effective border security force in the world.” Established in 1924, the U.S. Border Patrol is one of the nation’s largest federal law enforcement organizations and serves as the primary agency responsible for securing America’s land borders.
The next frontier: Washington grapples with its latest space oddity
Isaac Asimov famously declared that he didn’t believe in “flying saucers.” Asimov countered that he believed in “evidence” and “observation.” “I’ll believe anything, no matter how wild and ridiculous, if there’s evidence for it,” Asimov said. “The wilder and more ridiculous something is however, the firmer and more solid the evidence should be.” The Trump administration released another batch of UFO files recently. This is part of making good on a promise to release videos and documents related to UAP, unidentified aerial phenomena. Bipartisan lawmakers pressed President Donald Trump to make good on this promise back in March. This release is the second group of material publicized by the government. And what’s in it? NEW UFO FILES REVEAL STARTLING REPORTS A space oddity. Some 57 years in the making. “They thought it was something, you know, penetrating the spacecraft, if you know what I mean,” said Apollo 12 Command Module 12 pilot about what he and his colleagues saw in outer space in late 1969. That’s one snippet of audio which is now public. The baffled astronauts tried to unravel a cosmic conundrum when they spotted weird beams of light bouncing around their spacecraft more than half a century ago. “The streaks I saw were ones that I saw on the horizontal,” said Apollo 12 Lunar Module Pilot Alan Bean. “The horizontal streaks were always a little bit above the center.” PENTAGON DECLASSIFIES APOLLO 12 AUDIO OF ASTRONAUTS DESCRIBING UNEXPLAINED ‘STREAKS OF LIGHT’ IN SPACE These were clips of audiotape the government recently dumped. Tales from tape never heard before about what some of humankind’s first space explorers experienced and observed when they slipped the surly bonds of Earth. The president pledged to publicize as much unexplained material as possible. “It’s been in the minds of people for a long time,” said President Trump in late April. “And I think some of it’s going to be very interesting to people.” It’s a document dump that is out of this world. But it’s hard to quantify and understand exactly what it all means. Let alone if it provides “evidence,” as Asimov would say, “which explains something, which to some, could be “ridiculous.” No one knows exactly what these videos and documents reveal. Especially when it comes to demonstrating that UFOs exist or that there are visitors to Earth from another planet. But that doesn’t mean that the information isn’t remarkable. EX-PENTAGON OFFICIAL SAYS UAP FILES REVEAL ‘TREASURE TROVE’ OF INTELLIGENCE DATING BACK TO THE 1940S “Virtually speechless!” is how one military pilot characterized strange “orange orbs” which materialized near his helicopter during a flight last year. Then there was a stationary pill-shaped object in the Middle East zipping off at ludicrous speed. Then there was a celestial trinity of objects synchronously hovering over water in Iran. One lawmaker who has long called for UAP transparency isn’t starstruck at the releases. Rep. Tim Burchett, R-Tenn., was skeptical before the Pentagon put out the latest tranche of information. “The stuff they’re dropping right now is just Deep State classic,” said Burchett. “They won’t show us some of the stuff that we’ve seen. They’re going to show stuff that is easily identifiable.” But this information is far from easy to identify, quantify or even understand. The government can explain some weird sightings. At a 2022 House hearing on UAP, the Pentagon demonstrated how light refracting through certain military visual aids created an optical illusion. But the stories are legion about what can’t be explained or defined. The difference now is that Congress mandated the Pentagon create an office to document and study UAP. And the government either can’t – or doesn’t want to explain a lot of what’s out there. “We have been stonewalled. We have been blocked. We have had witnesses intimidated,” said Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., on Fox. She asserted that former workers at the Pentagon UAP office were even “attacking” some witnesses and whistleblowers who have come forward. SECRETLY FILMED UFO DOC REVEALS INSIDER VIDEO AS OFFICIALS RELEASE NEW ALIEN RECORDS: ‘SOMETHING IS IMMINENT’ But here’s the other challenge: understanding exactly what documents and videos the government has in its possession. “This is not an easy thing to do. There’s not one huge repository of all of these documents and videos and photos,” said Rep. Eric Burlison, R-Mo., on Fox. Burlison is now suggesting the government “reverse engineer” what they find at certain “crash locations” or where people have discovered weird physical material here on terra firma. “The White House and the DNI (Director of National Intelligence) is now looking at places to go investigate,” said Burlison on Fox. So people sift through the files in a quest to unearth evidence that is definitely un-Earth. But more information often yields more questions. And that’s to say nothing of the other-worldly expectations set the pending release of files and information. The bar is high. And while the release of information is intriguing, no one quite knows what it all means. If you wanted proof of ET or revelations of a government conspiracy, you’re better off watching an old VHS tape. We just don’t know what these files mean. And, in many cases, even are. The document dump isn’t a nothing-burger. But a something-burger. Still, that doesn’t sate the appetite for those who are on a quest for the truth. And it likely just angers those who are convinced the government has something to hide. TRUMP ADMIN RELEASES HIGHLY ANTICIPATED FILES DOCUMENTING UFOS, ‘EXTRATERRESTRIAL LIFE’ On Fox, Burlison said he “personally” experienced “frustration” about declassifying information. But Burlison cautioned the Trump Administration against holding material back. “I’ve seen those kind of videos,” said Burlison. “I’m telling the administration through you at this moment that if they don’t release those, then I have the capabilities of getting those videos released.” In the meantime, people are sorting through the recently released material, trying to decode it. “There’s a whole bunch of big ones out my window now. It’s just bright. Looks like the
Soros-backed nonprofit accuses NJ Gov Sherrill of spreading ‘MAGA propaganda’ on ICE detainees
A Soros-backed nonprofit organized a demonstration outside of New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill’s office on Monday afternoon, saying the Democratic governor is spreading “MAGA propaganda” and not doing enough for the migrants detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at Delaney Hall in Newark, N.J. The protest reflected the backlash that Sherrill is facing by far-left members of her own party. On its donation page, Cooper River Indivisible directs donors to the politically powerful Indivisible Project, a 501(c)(4) nonprofit group that has been very active in backing Democratic politicians. They work closely with Indivisible Civics, their 501(c)(3) sister organization. Indivisible receives money from the Open Society Action Fund, a 501(c)(4), which is backed by notorious Democratic donor George Soros. MEET THE FAR-LEFT GROUPS FUNDING ANTI-DOGE PROTESTS AT GOP OFFICES ACROSS THE COUNTRY “WE ARE HEADING TO MIKIE SHERRILL’S OFFICE — to demand that she answer for the mess that she has made,” the event’s sign-up page reads on the Mobilize.us platform. “Governor Sherrill’s response has caused serious harm inside and outside of Delaney Hall. Peaceful protestors and journalists have been arrested, injured, and had their constitutional rights violated, all while GeoGroup Guards and ICE continue to retaliate against strikers,” the announcement continued. The group is calling on Sherrill to meet with illegal migrants who are detained at the Delaney Hall ICE facility and release young, old or sick detainees. “GeoGroup Guards” is a reference to the security personnel hired by the government contractor, Geo Group Inc., that is running the facility as part of its national contract with ICE. SOMETHING TO HIDE? ICE UNDER FIRE FOR SUBSTANDARD CONDITIONS AT FOR-PROFIT DETENTION CENTER Cooper River indivisible also accused Sherrill of “inciting violence by siccing the police on peaceful protestors” and said she is spreading “MAGA” propaganda after more than a week of protesting at the ICE facility. In 2023, Open Society Foundations, through the Open Society Action Fund, issued a two-year grant of $3 million to the Indivisible organization. The grant was “to support the grantee’s social welfare activities,” according to the Open Society Foundations’ website. Indivisible has also played a lead role in the organization of the “No Kings” protests. ASRA NOMANI: THE $2.1 BILLION MACHINE BEHIND ‘SPONTANEOUS’ ANTI-TRUMP PROTESTS According to the Open Society Foundations’ website, Soros “has given away more than $32 billion of his personal fortune” to the foundations. His son Alex Soros serves as chairman of the board. “We support a wide range of independent organizations that work to deepen civic engagement through peaceful democratic participation, a hallmark of any vibrant society and a right protected by the Constitution,” a spokesperson from Open Society Foundations told Fox News Digital. “Our grantees make their own decisions about their work, consistent with the law and the terms of their grant agreements.” Protests at Delaney Hall have exploded over the past week. Contrary to the allegations by the demonstrations, local law enforcement hasn’t been involved in arresting agitators or squashing often violent riots but New Jersey State Police did arrest rioters on Friday night. NEW JERSEY AGITATORS BITE, KICK AND PUNCH ICE AGENTS AS DELANEY HALL CLASHES CONTINUE; 9 MORE ARRESTED: DHS On Saturday morning, Sherrill said that state police were present at the riot to protect the agitators from ICE agents, but the violent battle that took place the night before was mainly between local law enforcement and the rioters, according to first-hand witness by Fox News Digital. State troopers, including some on horseback, deployed heavy riot control tactics on Friday night, including noise bombs, tear gas grenades, pepper spray and riot shields in an attempt to disperse the mob. The police had established barriers for the zone earlier in the afternoon, which rioters commandeered to fight back against police. “My top priority is keeping New Jerseyans and our communities safe – and an increased ICE surge in the area outside of Delaney Hall is a threat to public safety,” Sherrill posted to X Saturday morning. “We know that lives would be at risk were that to happen. And I will not accept that risk.” By Saturday afternoon, the New Jersey governor held a press conference, issuing a list of demands to the Department of Homeland Security, including visitation for families and medical care for the sick and vulnerable. A source at DHS told Fox News Digital that the department wouldn’t accept her demands, and that visitation was only suspended due to the violent riots. The source also said that ICE operations will continue as normal now that Delaney Hall is secure, allowing visitations to resume. Fox News Digital reached out to Indivisible and Sherrill but did not receive responses.