Swing state voters say Biden debate performance ‘really impactful’ on their presidential election decision
HOOKSETT, N.H. – Voters in New Hampshire, a key northeastern swing state, say President Biden’s extremely rough performance two weeks ago in his debate with former President Trump will weigh heavily on their decision of whom to support in the 2024 election rematch. “I’m leaning toward Donald Trump a little bit. Just because, I mean, the debate performance is really, really, really impactful for me, I was really thrown off by Joe Biden’s performance,” a New Hampshire voter named Mario, told Fox News. Mario and nearly a dozen other voters shared their views as they stopped Monday at a highway rest area about half between the state capital of Concord and Manchester, which is New Hampshire’s largest city. Following his extremely rough debate performance in his first face-to-face showdown with Trump, Biden has been attempting to prove that he still has the stamina and acuity to handle the toughest and most demanding job in the world. And he’s trying to prove that he has the fortitude to defeat Trump. NEWSOM SAYS CALLS BY FELLOW DEMOCRATS FOR BIDEN TO END HIS RE-ELECTION CAMPAIGN ‘NOT HELPFUL’ The debate was a major setback for Biden, who at 81 is the oldest president in the nation’s history. His halting delivery and stumbling answers at the showdown in Atlanta sparked widespread panic in the Democratic Party and a rising tide of public and private calls from within his own party for him to step aside as its 2024 standard-bearer. Over the past week and a half, six House Democrats have publicly called on Biden to end his re-election bid. And on Sunday, Fox News and other news organizations reported that four House Democrats who hold top positions on key committees said on a private conference call that the president needed to step aside. BIDEN TELLS CONGRESSIONAL DEMOCRATS CALLS FOR HIM TO DROP OUT ‘ONLY HELPS TRUMP AND HURTS US’ Biden, in a letter sent to congressional Democrats on Monday as they returned from the July 4th holiday recess, reiterated that he’s “firmly committed to staying in this race” and argued that “the question of how to move forward has been well-aired for over a week now. And it is time for it to end. We have one job. And that is to beat Donald Trump.” “Any weakening of resolve or lack of clarity about the task ahead only helps Trump and hurts us,” the president added. “It is time to come together, move forward as a unified party, and defeat Donald Trump.” Mario shared, “I’m not really a Donald Trump person,” adding, “I think Donald Trump is too old, too.” “But, I mean, out of the two, to me, he was a little bit younger, a little bit more with it. So that’s where I’m leaning toward at the moment.” William Yacopucci, another New Hampshire voter, said Biden has “been an awesome president. I really like him. I think he can still do a good job for the remainder of this term.” But, he added, “Three or four years from now, he’s going to be that much older. So, though I really, really like him, I think they should give someone else another shot at it.” New Hampshire voter Al Byrnes told Fox News he “was very sad that President Biden performed like he did, but in the concept of everything, I would still totally back him tomorrow at this point.” “I do wish that he would drop out of the race, but, I would support him or whoever replaces him. Anything but Donald Trump,” Byrnes emphasized. SOME TOP HOUSE DEMOCRATS URGE BIDEN TO STEP ASIDE Rose, another New Hampshire voter who said she was leaning toward Trump, offered, “Biden doesn’t seem like he knows what he’s talking about.” But taking aim at the debate performances of both Biden and Trump, she added, “I felt like they were both just talking circles around each other.” The voters were interviewed minutes before Gov. Gavin Newsom of California, who’s a top surrogate for Biden’s re-election campaign, arrived at the highway rest area and took aim at the small but growing number of Democratic lawmakers urging the president to end his re-election bid. “It doesn’t help. Let’s be candid here,” Newsom said as he spoke with reporters in New Hampshire, the third swing state that the governor has campaigned in on behalf of Biden since Thursday. Asked by Fox News about the political damage from such calls from within the party, Newsom said, “Obviously, it’s not helpful, but it’s a handful of people.” And the governor emphasized that the “overwhelming majority of the caucus” is still supporting Biden. “Every single stop that we’ve had in the six days that I’ve been out, we’ve had to change venues because there were so many people showing up. They’re not giving in to the cynicism, fear, they’re showing up.” TRUMP GETS BOOST IN POST DEBATE POLLS AFTER BIDEN’S BOTCHED PERFORMANCE Newsom spoke with reporters soon after White House officials defended Biden’s health and denied he was ever treated for Parkinson’s disease. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre fielded a barrage of questions on Monday afternoon over recent reports that a top neurologist at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center met with Biden’s physician at the White House in January. “Has the president been treated for Parkinson’s? No,” she told reporters after being pressed further on the matter. “Is he being treated for Parkinson’s? No, he’s not. Is he taking medication for Parkinson’s? No. So, those are the things that I can give you full-blown answers on.” Asked if he had any concerns about Biden’s cognitive abilities, Newsom responded, “I don’t.” “I have spent as much or more time than probably any other governor in the country with him,” Newsom emphasized. “I’ve spent a lot of time with him privately, been with him in many public settings. I was with him just a few days ago with other governors. Been on the phone late at night and early morning, in many,
Lawmakers demand answers from top Michigan official over suspected pro-Democrat electioneering
EXCLUSIVE: The entire Michigan House GOP delegation — plus a major committee chair — is demanding answers from a top state official regarding the potential use of federal taxpayer dollars for pro-Democratic Party electioneering. Rep. Roger Williams, R-Texas, led a letter to Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson calling for a probe into whether public funds for a federal agency-linked voter registration push may have been “weaponized” to “aid and abet President Biden’s reelection campaign.” The demands followed Williams’ May subpoena to the Small Business Administration for records relating to actions in a memo forged between the SBA and Benson’s department. The memo utilized a 2021 Biden executive order on “promoting access to voting” as its keystone and provided various directives relating to registering voters, according to the letter. EXCLUSIVE: HOUSE COMMITTEE DEMANDS BIDEN AGENCY REVEAL STAFF TRAVEL HISTORIES AMID ELECTIONEERING CLAIMS Williams, head of the House Small Business Committee, and the co-signers seek to determine whether there is documentation reflecting allegations the voter registration work done under the memo strategically favors Democrats. The letter claims 39 of 52 scheduled small business outreach events in Michigan take place in “counties with the highest populations of demographics targeted by the Democratic National Committee. “Additionally, 100 percent of the visits to Michigan from the SBA Administrator and Deputy Administrator have taken place in counties with the highest populations of DNC target demographics.” Williams and co-signers, including Rep. Lisa McClain, R-Mich., questioned the proclivity of efforts occurring in places valued by the Biden administration and campaign. “The United States is built upon the principle of free and fair elections, but the Biden administration seems to not care about upholding our democracy,” McClain said Tuesday. WATCHDOG GROUP SUES FEDS FOR RECORDS AS LAWMAKER CALLS VOTER REGISTRATION EFFORTS A ‘SLAP IN THE FACE’ “Instead, they’re using the taxpayer-funded SBA to coordinate voter registration with Michigan’s Secretary of State.” She called that alleged behavior an “abuse of power” that risks future election integrity. “I will not rest until I get to the bottom of [this],” McClain said. Williams added that evidence shows the SBA “has the ability to indirectly campaign” for Biden in a must-win state. “This is a ridiculous — and likely illegal — use of taxpayer resources. I thank my Michigan colleagues for joining me in this effort, and we will not stop until the SBA is completely and totally forthcoming,” Williams said. The letter cited a covertly recorded April video released by self-described “guerrilla journalist” James O’Keefe, which shows an SBA official claiming Small Business Administrator Isabel Casillas Guzman’s travel is at times purposefully targeted to “indirectly campaign” for Biden. In the video, a Guzman visit to vulnerable Sen. Jon Tester’s, D-Mont., home state is cited. The SBA official in the video notes Tester’s seat is a must-win for a continuing Democratic majority in the upper chamber. Citing that context, the letter demanded Benson turn over all documents and communications between her department, SBA officials and external contractors relating to Michigan voter registration. NEW TRUMP VOTER FRAUD SQUADS BEGIN GEARING UP FOR ‘ELECTION INTEGRITY’ FIGHT It also demanded memo-related expense documentation, sources of the expense payments and the name of the state official designated as Benson’s liaison with the SBA. Benson was also asked to turn over lists of relevant events in Republican House districts with notations about whether that GOP member as well as the state’s two Democratic senators, Gary Peters and Deborah Stabenow, were invited. “If either of the two senators were invited but a Republican member of Congress was not, please detail the reasoning behind the lack of invitation,” Williams wrote. In response to past criticisms of the Michigan Department of State’s (MDOS) work under the memo, spokeswoman Angela Benander said the agency enjoys being part of a “first-in-the-nation effort” with the small business community to “play an active role in our democracy.” CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP “Allegations that this program is being used to drive large amounts of voter activity in a partisan manner are patently false,” Benander said, adding, unsolicited, that criticisms of the voter registration web portal are unfounded due to its minimal use. Critics, however, have suggested the attention given by a Biden administration agency to a key swing state in this way continues to draw suspicion. Previously, Guzman said in a statement heralding the memo that it is meant to promote civic engagement and fulfill a Biden administration promise to protect and strengthen democracy. “Small businesses are busy working on and in their businesses, and by meeting them where they are — on our website and at our small business outreach events — we can help facilitate voter registration and civic engagement so their voices are heard,” Guzman said. An SBA representative declined to respond to a question about the veracity of O’Keefe’s video.
NATO summit in DC is ‘pivotal’ make-or-break for Biden as scrutiny over fitness for office intensifies
President Biden must use the NATO summit in Washington, D.C., this week to make his case that he is fit to serve as his party’s nominee, while the Democrats remain skeptical following his debate performance, according to experts. “This week is pivotal for President Biden, not only because of the intense interest in what he will be saying at his press events but also because this summit provides a clear example of restored American global leadership in support of our nation’s defense,” Joel Rubin, a former State Department official during the Obama administration, told Fox News Digital. “The long-term bipartisan investment in NATO is paying off, and the president will have a chance, at this summit, to remind the American people about why his approach of building security coalitions with global partners advances both America’s security abroad and our economy right here at home.” Biden has faced growing resistance to his campaign for re-election ever since his debate against the presumptive GOP nominee, former President Trump, which many deemed a disaster for showcasing the president in a worse light than many anticipated. Trump at one point said, “I really don’t know what he said at the end of that sentence” as Biden appeared to trail off during one of his answers. HOUSE DEMOCRATS REACH ‘NO CONSENSUS’ ON BIDEN AFTER ‘TOP SECRET’ CLOSED-DOOR MEETING The response to the seeming shortcoming proved resounding. Biden-friendly media outlets, including major newspaper editorial boards, started publishing op-eds to urge the president to hand off his campaign to another candidate. And rumors abound that Democrats in the House and Senate will present letters to the president urging him to reconsider his insistence on running for a second term. All of that scrutiny will continue in greater magnitude during this week’s NATO summit, which Biden leads in the nation’s capital and must use to show the American public that he can still get the job done, according to a number of members of Congress. Rep. Mike Lawler, R-N.Y., told Fox News Digital that Biden “must show the American public that he has the ability to serve out the remainder of this term, let alone a future one” as the “eyes of the world” watch the NATO summit. “It is on President Biden to show he’s capable and up to the task,” Lawler said. “What we’ve seen in recent weeks doesn’t cut it.” FORMER WH PHYSICIAN PUSHES BACK ON KJP’S ‘RIDICULOUS EXCUSE’ SURROUNDING BIDEN’S DOCTOR VISITS Rep. Mike Waltz, R-Fla., argued that Biden’s situation is difficult enough without “having to pander to our allies” and China and Russia “closely watching.” He called the entire situation “frightening.” “With our open border and enemies on the march, we are in a period of maximum danger,” Waltz said. “The world has two clear choices this November: more weakness and chaos under Biden or a return to strength under Trump.” A spokesperson for Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., referred to recent statements the senator made about Biden and his fitness to serve in which Fetterman called out party members for allegedly looking to abandon Biden after his poor debate showing. During an appearance on Fox News this month, he called the reaction “the dumbest s— I’ve ever heard.” “I mean, if you are more inclined to vote for a Democrat or be a Democrat, if you’re willing to walk away from Joe Biden, you’re, by defecting, helping Trump,” Fetterman told Fox News Sunday anchor Shannon Bream, pointing to his own difficult debate that preceded a historic win as proof that it’s possible to recover. DEMOCRATS ARE IN A ‘BIG-TIME PICKLE’: LEE ZELDIN “I refuse to join the Democratic vultures on Biden’s shoulder after the debate. No one knows more than me that a rough debate is not the sum total of the person and their record,” Fetterman wrote on social media platform X shortly after the debate ended and panic set in throughout the party. House Foreign Affairs Committee Chair Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Texas, told FOX Business’ “Varney & Co.” host Stuart Varney, “When you have a president that projects weakness, this is what you get: It invites conflict and aggression and war,” referring to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war and Israel’s operations against Hamas in Gaza. “I think after the debate performance … it was very dangerous, in my view, because it sends a signal of weakness and incompetence to our foreign adversaries,” McCaul added, separately writing on X, “As world leaders gather in D.C. this week, all eyes are on the president.” The ongoing war in Ukraine has already made the NATO summit a vital one as the conflict rumbles through its third year with no clear path toward an ending. Rubin noted the need for NATO to come away with some direction and clear intent as threats from the likes of Russia, China and Iran remain. “President Biden has successfully pressed the majority of NATO countries (23 out of 37) to meet the critical benchmark of 2% spending of their GDP on defense,” Rubin noted. CLICK TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP “This number was at six when his administration began,” he explained. “NATO is also going to be announcing its plan for Ukraine to have a bridge to NATO membership and will be backing up this plan with concrete actions, including elevating the coordination of Ukraine’s defense assistance to be held under NATO command.” “Lastly, yet crucially, America’s defense industry will be accessing new global opportunities for investment both abroad and at home, with more than $36 billion of American taxpayer funds dedicated for Ukraine’s military being spent right here at home in almost every state of the nation,” Rubin said. Fox News Digital’s Julia Johnson contributed to this report.
Florida woman charged after allegedly making online death threats toward DeSantis: ‘Will not be tolerated’
A Florida woman was arrested Tuesday after she allegedly confessed to making online death threats toward Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis, according to officials. Danyele Callaway, 20, was charged with written or electronic threat to kill or inflict bodily injury, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release. DeSantis’ office notified the Florida Department of Law Enforcement on Monday after threatening messages were made to his office on his website. The agency then contacted the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office about the threats. The message from the suspect, later identified as Callaway, included a request for an immediate in-person meeting and “life-threatening statements,” sparking concerns among the governor’s staff, the sheriff’s office said. NEW FLORIDA LAW ESTABLISHES SAFE SPACE IN SHERIFF’S OFFICE PARKING LOTS FOR CHILD CUSTODY EXCHANGES Callaway has been arrested before, including for domestic violence-related charges and battery on public servants, the sheriff’s office said. She has also previously made verbal threats against DeSantis and has made anti-government and anti-law enforcement comments. Deputies from the sheriff’s office’s Behavioral Resource Unit responded to Callaway’s home at about 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday to conduct a mental health evaluation and assess the potential threat. Callaway was taken into custody after allegedly admitting to making the threats during an interview with deputies. She was booked into the Orient Road Jail. ‘SATANIC TEMPLE’ MEMBERS WANT TO VOLUNTEER IN FLORIDA SCHOOLS, BUT GOVERNOR’S OFFICE SAYS IT WON’T HAPPEN “The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office will not tolerate any threats, especially from individuals who think they can hide behind their keyboards to spread fear and harm,” Sheriff Chad Chronister said in a statement. “We will not accept a threat against anyone in our community, especially our Governor.” He continued: “Threatening the lives of those who serve our democratic institutions is an attack on the very principles of our society and justice system. While everyone is entitled to their own opinions, no one has the right to endanger others’ lives. This case is a stark reminder that violent threats will not be tolerated. We will continue to pursue and hold accountable anyone who seeks to disrupt the peace and safety of our community.” The incident remains under investigation.
Muslim woman entitled to seek maintenance from spouse after divorce, SC rules in landmark decision
The bench said maintenance is not charity but the right of married women and it is applicable to all married women irrespective of their religion.
Trump wants Biden, hits Kamala, as White House admits visits by Parkinson’s doctor
Donald Trump clearly wants to run against Joe Biden, even though many Democrats and media liberals want the president to bow out. But he’s starting to rough up Kamala Harris, just in case. There may be a little reverse psychology at play here, as well as a fundraising bonanza. The more that Trump argues that Biden is toast, the more he may stiffen the president’s resolve not to be pressured out of the race. Not even by the New York Times, which yesterday ran a second editorial: “He has come to regard himself as indispensable. He does not seem to understand that he is now the problem — and that the best hope for Democrats to retain the White House is for him to step aside.” BIDEN CALLS ‘MORNING JOE,’ DENOUNCES MEDIA AND POLITICAL ELITES AS DEMOCRATS WARN OF TRUMP VICTORY Trump is so certain of a big victory after Biden’s debate meltdown that it may well affect his VP choice, which I’m certain will be unveiled at week’s end. He had been talking about an announcement the first day of next week’s Milwaukee convention, which would blow out coverage of the first couple of days, but has switched saying before the convention. And it has probably given a big boost to J.D. Vance. In a phone interview last night with Sean Hannity, Trump was asked if he wanted to run against Biden. “Well, we prepared for him, but I don’t think it’s going to matter,” Trump said, adding that the president is “only semi-running things” while the people that surround the Oval Office are really in charge. What about the talk that if Biden steps aside, it would be Kamala Harris? “Well, I think that it will be her,” said Trump. “I think they are very concerned about the vote if it’s not her. They are very, very– I mean, they’re gun-shy, they don’t want to do it any other way. I’ve actually come to believe that’s what they’re going to do.” He concluded, “I think she’s an ineffective person, she was in charge of the border, she’s never been there, she didn’t do a good job, and she hasn’t done a job on a lot of other things, but it would seem to me from a political standpoint that’s who they’re going with.” Trump had called her “pathetic” in those golf cart comments taped by an aide. The subject lines of two recent fundraising emails: “Biden is dropping out!” and “President Kamala Harris?” . BIDEN DIGS IN WHILE DEMOCRATS LAUNCH BLAME GAME AS MUCH OF THE PARTY WISHES HE’D BOW OUT Biden insists he’s doing nothing of the sort, but he’s had an awful couple of weeks. He has lost Stephen Colbert and Jon Stewart, two anti-Trumpers, especially Colbert, who held a softball session with the president just three months ago. More important, the White House has been caught in another coverup. The New York Post first reported that the White House physician, Kevin O’Connor, brought in a Parkinson’s specialist who visited the building 10 times between 2022 and last March. This neurologist, Kevin Cannard, examined the president three times, but it was buried in a report as if it were a routine part of Biden’s annual physical. What many are missing is that Cannard met with a liaison in the medical unit and was undoubtedly providing Parkinson’s guidance to Biden’s longtime doctor. Karine Jean-Pierre was absolutely hammered at Monday’s briefing, with CBS’s Ed O’Keefe accusing her of misleading the press. O’Connor released a BS letter confirming Cannard’s role that was basically a non-denial denial. Getting information out of this White House is like pulling teeth. What’s more, Politico reports that O’Connor was basically in business with Biden’s brother Jim, introducing him to hospital officials in an effort to drum up business. The leak of Biden’s comments to Democratic governors that he won’t do events after 8 p.m., so he can get more sleep, brought plenty of mockery. The Wall Street Journal, which drew so much condemnation from the MSM a month ago for its piece “Biden Seems to be Slipping,” was back yesterday with devastating new reporting. “The White House has limited Biden’s daily itinerary and shielded him from impromptu exchanges…and sought to make sure meetings with donors stuck to scripted pleasantries. THE VEEPSTAKES GOES ‘APPRENTICE’: WILL TRUMP REALLY PICK RUBIO, VANCE OR BURGUM? “Senior aides dismissed travel suggestions over worries the president didn’t have the stamina for them…including an idea for Biden to make weekly cross-country trips in 2022 to tout the benefits of his infrastructure law.” Anita Dunn, who oversees communications strategy, and such longtime loyalists as Steve Richetti and Mike Donilon, are getting some of the blame. All of this unfolded as Biden’s slips became increasingly obvious, and his top advisers were assuring everyone the president was fine. Regarding Biden and Dunn’s shared disdain for the media, a spokesman said, “The president and Anita only feel that way about some of the press.” Another telling anecdote: German officials, knowing of the fatigue issue, planned a 2022 event for Biden in the early evening. But Biden didn’t show, and Tony Blinken filled in, saying the president had gone to bed. The secretary of State denies saying this. Having fumbled the Stephanopoulos sitdown, when he could have been doing five interviews, Biden faces one more test: A solo press conference tomorrow at the NATO summit in Washington. It’s his chance to show he’s quick enough to deal with aggressive questioning. And a supposed revolt by congressional Democrats hasn’t materialized. After lying low, Trump will seize the spotlight again with his veep announcement. And his expectation that he’ll win easily has given a boost to Vance, who is backed by Don Jr. The Ohio senator, despite being in office less than two years, has become perhaps the most forceful advocate of a populist version of the MAGA agenda, one that favors tariffs and America First isolationism over traditional Republicanism. Although the “Hillbilly Elegy” author opposed Trump
Weather update: IMD predicts heavy rainfall for next 5 days, issues orange alerts for these states, check forecast here
IMD has issued heavy rainfall in isolated areas of West Bengal, Assam, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, and Meghalaya.
SC upholds West Bengal government’s plea challenging CBI’s Sandeshkhali probe
The SC bench comprising Justices BR Gavai and Sandeep Mehta, in addition, rejected initial protests of the Centre on the maintainability of the suit.
Biden blames Texas officials for delayed federal response to Beryl
Gov. Greg Abbott has spent the duration of the hurricane on a pre-scheduled trip to meet with foreign diplomats in Asia, leaving Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick as acting governor.
Sacramento city attorney reportedly threatened to fine Target store for reporting theft crimes
The City of Sacramento, California’s legal department threatened to fine a popular retail store for public nuisance over numerous calls to police after thieves stole from its Land Park location multiple times, according to a report. The Sacramento Bee reported that a person with knowledge of the warning who wanted to remain anonymous out of fear they could be retaliated against, said Sacramento officials warned they would issue an administrative fine to the Target at 2505 Riverside Boulevard in Land Park, during the past year. A police spokesperson confirmed the location to the publication after being asked about the alleged warning. After learning about the city’s warning and comparable actions across the state, state lawmakers added an amendment to a retail theft bill, outlawing these types of threats toward businesses from authorities. SACRAMENTO MASS SHOOTING SUSPECT FOUND DEAD IN JAIL CELL WHILE AWAITING TRIAL Gov. Gavin Newsom, Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas, and Senator Mike McGuire are pushing a package with 14 bills that tighten penalties on retail theft offenses. The lawmakers believe their legislation will help deal with retail theft crimes, rather than pass changes to Proposition 47. Last month, California’s Secretary of State announced that petitioners had garnered more than enough signatures to place a measure to reform Proposition 47 on the November ballot. Prop 47, a voter-approved initiative passed in 2014, loosened the penalties for drug and theft crimes in California and has been blamed for California’s rampant theft problems. Shortly after the measure to reform Prop 47 was approved, legislators in the Democrat-controlled Capitol in Sacramento began debating legislation that they say would address crime in the state. Critics say the move is essentially a “poison pill” that Democrats will use to discourage people from voting to fix Prop 47 in November by arguing that doing so would undo the legislation that combats crime. NEWSOM PROPOSES DEFUNDING LAW ENFORCEMENT, PRISONS, PUBLIC SAFETY AS CALIFORNIA FACES MASSIVE DEFICIT “Newsom keeps insisting that reports of theft are dropping – well now we know why. Not only are thieves let off without even a slap on the wrist, but now the victims are being threatened for even reporting crimes,” California Assembly GOP Leader James Gallagher told Fox News Digital. “Everyone can see that Newsom’s pro-criminal policies are a failure – no matter how much his allies try to cover it up.” Criminal defense attorney Nicole Castronova also weighed in on the matter, telling Fox News Digital politicians in California are leaving citizens out to dry, as “crime begets crime.” “Lawmakers have allowed smash and grab robberies to terrorize our cities. As a consequence, retailers are leaving major cities in droves – taking jobs with them,” she said. Castronova explained that losing jobs directly correlates to an increase in crime. ‘UNETHICAL’: CALIFORNIA SHERIFF RIPS DEMS FOR PLOTTING ‘IMMORAL’ MOVE TO SINK ANTI-CRIME PROPOSAL She also said retailers are being victimized by the government for failing to protect them. “Now the government seeks to silence those retailers and, in turn, manufacturers lower crime rates,” Castronova said. “No citizen should ever be penalized for lawfully calling upon its government for protection.” Alexander Gammelgard, president of the California Police Chiefs Association, testified during the State Assembly’s first retail theft committee meeting in December, saying he was surprised anyone would ever attempt to make a nuisance case out of someone calling to report a legitimate crime. “I don’t think there is a place for that,” Gammelgard said. NEWSOM URGED TO HALT PROGRESSIVES’ ‘SCHEMING’ TO DERAIL POPULAR ANTI-CRIME INITIATIVE It is not clear why the city attorney, Susana Alcala Wood, and her office would issue warnings to businesses like Target, seeking assistance from police. Her office did not respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment. California State University, Stanislaus criminal justice professor Blake Randol told the Sacramento Bee he found the situation in Sacramento to be disconcerting. He told the publication the city has a responsibility to help residents, and if the city were to threaten public nuisance for reporting crimes, it could deter a business from making a report. Randol also said city officials may issue warnings to make it look like crime statistics are going down. “What’s problematic is that what Target is complaining about is a legitimate crime concern,” Randol told the Sacramento Bee. “The city does have a responsibility to be more responsive to the public and be responsive to crime control demands from the public.” NEWSOM SEEKS TO RESTRICT STUDENTS’ CELLPHONE USE IN SCHOOLS: ‘HARMING THE MENTAL HEALTH OF OUR YOUTH’ The location in question has drawn criticism from the local community, as reported by a local CBS station. Sacramento City Councilman Rick Jennings II, city police and the city attorney’s office reportedly put together a plan after seeing the reports, to meet with the retail store and produce a safety plan to mitigate incidents, the Sacramento Bee discovered through a public records request. “It would be great to be at the store and show what we have actually [been] working on to address the concern raised most recently in all the news this week,” Alex Garcia, a former director of Target’s governmental affairs, wrote in an email regarding past news coverage. The note was sent to Dennis Rodgers, Jennings’ chief-of-staff. GOV GAVIN NEWSOM UNDER FIRE FOR ‘BOLD-FACED LIE’ ABOUT NATIONAL GUARD AT SOUTHERN BORDER As a result of the collaboration, the Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design was created to address concerns brought up in the reports. The plan also included “placement of security measures such as alarms, cameras, and security personnel” along with the implementation of “light fixtures, landscaping, wayfinding and space activation measures,” the internal communications reportedly showed. During the meetings, city officials also got a chance to discuss their “concerns” with Target, which also acknowledged its “problems,” according to a statement from Jennings. The concerns raised, though, are still vague. Fox News Digital reached out to both Target and the City of Sacramento for a statement but did not immediately hear back. The publication reported that