Patel defends FBI pull-up test after Hirono decries it as gender bias in Senate showdown
Democrat Sen. Mazie Hirono of Hawaii clashed with FBI Director Kash Patel during a heated Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on Tuesday, questioning agency firing and counterterrorism priorities and even calling the bureau’s physical fitness requirements “harsh” for applicants. In an exclusive statement to Fox News Digital, Patel said, “Americans expect their FBI agents to be capable, resilient and ready to protect them. “That’s why, under my watch, every field office is receiving more trained agents, more boots on the ground and a renewed commitment to getting out from behind the desks and back onto the streets where they’re needed most. We’re rebuilding a bureau that earns the public’s confidence by being present, prepared and physically ready to do the job.” The most viral clash came when Hirono pressed Patel on fitness standards. ‘MOST TRANSPARENT’ FBI EVER: PATEL UPDATES SENATE ON KIRK ASSASSINATION PROBE “One question I had is that you are now requiring applicants to be able to do a certain kind of pull-ups, which a lot of women cannot because of physiological differences. Are you requiring these kinds of pull-ups?” Hirono asked. Patel didn’t budge. “We are requiring everybody to pass the 1811 standards at BFTC. If you want to chase down a bad guy, excuse me, and put him in handcuffs, you had better be able to do a pull-up.” Hirono replied, “There are concerns about whether or not being able to do these kinds of harsh pull-ups is really required of FBI agents.” KASH PATEL’S FBI LEADERSHIP UNDER SCRUTINY AHEAD OF SENATE JUDICIARY OVERSIGHT HEARING Patel interjected, “Doing one pull-up is not harsh, and there are always medical exemptions to that.” According to the FBI recruitment website, “Starting in November 2025, pull-ups will be a required event for all candidates.” For male recruits, 2-3 pull-ups are now a required minimum alongside the traditional Physical Fitness Test (PFT). For female candidates, one pull-up is the required minimum. Any additional pull-ups count to a recruit’s overall PFT score, with the maximum points received for 20 or more pull-ups capped at 10. The White House’s official X account, @RapidResponse47, shared the exchange in a now-viral clip on X. Beyond fitness standards, Hirono accused Patel of being loyal to Trump rather than the FBI. “Your most significant qualification … was your 100% loyalty to President Trump. And I fear that continues to be the motivating factor in your position as FBI director.” Patel rejected that claim. “That is an entire falsehood. You can delete my 16 years of government service to multiple administrations all you want. … There was no loyalty then. There’s no loyalty now to anything but the Constitution.” Patel also used the hearing to share the bureau’s wins under his leadership. He pointed to 409 cyber arrests this year and 169 convictions, a 42% increase from the same time last year. He also said FBI reassignments were part of a “surge of resources” to combat violent crime. On accusations of reassignments, Patel said, “They never left their primary job. It is a surge of resources in law enforcement working with the interagency to combat violent crime and reduce crime in historical proportions.” CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP The FBI and the office of Sen. Mazie Hirono did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
FBI phone extractions, DNA testimony headline Day 7 of Ryan Routh trial
Jurors in the federal trial of Ryan Routh — accused of attempting to assassinate President Donald Trump at his West Palm Beach golf club in 2024 — heard new evidence Tuesday from FBI digital and DNA specialists, including alleged text messages blasting Trump and lab results tying Routh’s DNA to key items. Routh’s witness list also narrowed. Before jurors entered, Routh, who is representing himself in the trial, told the court, “As far as I’m concerned, we’re going to exclude my son,” confirming he will not call Oran Routh, who is in separate federal custody, as a witness. Judge Aileen Cannon noted he could not revisit that decision later. Judge Cannon cut off both prosecutors and Routh multiple times Tuesday, at one point asking, “How much longer is this going to take?” She also reminded Routh to stop interrupting. When he complained, “I don’t have hot water and can’t shower … I won’t shower for a month,” Cannon told him there were “proper administrative procedures … not piecemeal, as you have grown accustomed to.” TRUMP TRIAL CONTINUES WITH MORE FBI TESTIMONY AFTER RIFLE CALLED ‘PREPARED TO FIRE’ FBI Digital forensic examiner Jerry Llanes testified Tuesday for U.S. prosecutors that a Samsung phone recovered from Routh’s black Nissan Xterra had WhatsApp messages that included a Feb. 3, 2024, exchange with a contact saved as “Chinese hero to fight.” “I know it’s very different… I think Kennedy was killed from a hill… Certainly not an easy task. If I can help, just let me know what to do,” Routh wrote. In another chain with someone listed as “Ben,” Routh texted: “What do you think of Trump?” Ben replied: “Not a fan.” “I hate him,” Routh responded. “Shan’t get elected again.” And in a WhatsApp thread with “Captain Talk Recruiting,” Routh said: “I think Trump will be a big problem for Ukraine … For sure, what an idiot. He needs to go away. He cancelled the [Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action] for Iran. What an idiot. I hate him.” FLASHLIGHT, RIFLE, BACKPACKS: PROSECUTORS OUTLINE RYAN ROUTH’S ALLEGED SNIPER SETUP From another device, Llanes described images showing flight searches from Miami to Mexico and Bogotá, Colombia, and a photo that “appears to be a rifle tied to a tree.” FBI DNA examiner Kara Gregor additionally testified that Routh’s DNA was strongly linked to the rifle grip, a reddish-brown bag, a zip tie, a bungee cord and a glove. On the rifle, she said the DNA evidence was “250 centillion times more likely if the contributors were Routh and two unknown individuals than if the contributors were three unknown individuals.” JURY SEATED IN TRIAL OF MAN ACCUSED OF TRUMP ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT Routh challenged her on cross-examination with sarcasm: “Did you test a Colt .45 case? A golf tee? A blue flashlight? How about a Sunny D?” Gregor responded that many of those items were not tested, or she could not recall. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP The trial, moving quickly due to Routh’s quick cross examinations, continues Wednesday with more forensic experts expected. U.S. prosecutors are expected to wrap up presenting their case by Friday and Routh will bring his witnesses to the stand next week.
Bondi ‘hate speech’ remarks spark torrent of criticism from conservatives
U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi faced a torrent of criticism online Tuesday after she suggested in two separate interviews that the Justice Department would “absolutely target” hate speech in the wake of Charlie Kirk’s shooting death — sparking intense backlash from Republicans and other conservatives and prompting her to further clarify her remarks. Bondi attempted to bridge the divide between her remarks and what she called hate speech that leads to threats in a lengthy social media post Tuesday. “Hate speech that crosses the line into threats of violence is NOT protected by the First Amendment,” Bondi said, citing three U.S. laws that criminalize threats of direct violence, such as threats of kidnapping or injury. “It’s a crime.” FOLLOWING KIRK’S ASSASSINATION, LAWMAKERS REACT TO LETHAL POLITICAL CLIMATE: ‘VIOLENT WORDS PRECEDE VIOLENT ACTIONS’ “For far too long, we’ve watched the radical left normalize threats, call for assassinations, and cheer on political violence. That era is over,” she said, adding that “free speech protects ideas, debate, even dissent but it does NOT and will NEVER protect violence.” Bondi’s remarks, made during a “The Katie Miller Podcast” interview and in an interview with Fox News’ Sean Hannity during conversations about the fatal shooting of Kirk, prompted backlash across the aisle, though it was conservative voices who were the loudest. Many noted that Kirk, the Turning Point USA founder and subject of the interviews, was himself a vociferous defender of free speech protections under the First Amendment, which protects most forms of speech in the U.S., including offensive and hateful speech. Many also appeared to view the new statement as insufficient cover for Bondi’s previous remarks. “This isn’t a correction or a retraction or a retreat; it’s a post hoc attempt to bend the term ‘hate speech’ to mean something that it never has,” Charles C.W. Cooke, a senior editor at the National Review, said on social media. Nearly 24 hours after Bondi’s remarks, the criticism has continued — nearly all of it from Republicans and other notable conservative voices. Bondi came under fire for the two interviews Monday, neither of which distinguished the type of speech that threatened imminent violence from hate speech. “There’s free speech and then there’s hate speech,” Bondi said Monday in an interview with former Trump administration aide and podcast host Katie Miller. .”We will absolutely target you, go after you, if you are targeting anyone with hate speech,” Bondi said. In a separate interview on Fox News, Bondi reiterated a similar sentiment, suggesting that the government could prosecute Office Depot after an employee reportedly refused to print posters with Kirk’s face on them. She said further that the department was “looking at” the Office Depot case in question. “Businesses cannot discriminate,” Bondi said on Fox News. “If you want to go in and print posters with Charlie’s pictures on them for a vigil, you have to let them do that. We can prosecute you for that.” “I have Harmeet Dhillon right now in our Civil Rights unit looking at that immediately, that Office Depot had done that,” she said of the Office Depot employee in question. “We’re looking it up,” she said. Most of the criticism that poured in Tuesday was from Republicans, who noted that Bondi’s remarks are a flagrant violation of free speech protections guaranteed under the U.S. Constitution. They are also, some noted, directly at odds with the views famously espoused by Kirk. GOP ERUPT ON DEM RUNNING FOR ATTORNEY GENERAL IN RED STATE OVER PROFANITY-LACED CHARLIE KIRK POST “Hate speech” is a hopelessly subjective term, and even if it weren’t, there is no hate-speech exception to the First Amendment,” said Ed Whelan, a conservative legal expert who formerly clerked for the late Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia. “I’m sorry, but this is the sort of leftwing progressivism that conservatives, including Charlie Kirk, abhorred,” Erick Erickson said on X. “We stand with Jack Philips, not against him.” Asked by ABC News’s Jon Karl to respond to Bondi’s remarks on Tuesday, Trump declined to clarify, and instead floated the idea of going after Karl’s outlet, albeit in a joking tone. “We’ll probably go after people like you, because you treat me so unfairly,” Trump said.
At least 50 dead after vessel carrying Sudanese refugees catches fire
In the Mediterranean Sea, at least 2,452 migrants or refugees died or went missing last year. Published On 16 Sep 202516 Sep 2025 Click here to share on social media share2 Share At least 50 people have died after a vessel carrying 75 Sudanese refugees caught fire near the Libyan coast on Sunday, according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM). The United Nations migration agency said on Tuesday that it has provided medical support to 24 survivors. Recommended Stories list of 4 itemsend of list “Urgent action is needed to end such tragedies at sea,” IOM’s Libya chapter posted on X. Last month, at least 68 refugees and migrants died and dozens went missing after a boat capsized off the coast of Yemen, according to the IOM. At least 2,452 migrants or refugees died or went missing in the Mediterranean Sea last year, according to the IOM, making it one of the deadliest routes for refugees. Libya has emerged as a transit route for migrants or refugees trying to reach Europe since the fall of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. During Gaddafi’s rule, African migrants found work in the oil-rich country. But since his ouster, the North African country has been mired in armed conflict among rival militias. Libya is home to around 867,055 migrants. Adblock test (Why?)
Mexico celebrates Independence Day with female leader for first time
NewsFeed Mexico celebrated its Independence Day with a female president leading the commemorations for the first time in its history. President Claudia Sheinbaum gave the symbolic “Cry of Dolores” from the balcony of the National Palace. Published On 16 Sep 202516 Sep 2025 Click here to share on social media share2 Share Adblock test (Why?)
UN: Israel’s war on Gaza is genocide
Nearly two years into Israel’s war on Gaza, a United Nations fact-finding mission has delivered its most damning verdict yet: genocide. Navi Pillay, chairwoman of the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, says Israeli leaders’ statements and the destruction on the ground prove intent. Speaking to Hashem Ahelbarra in Geneva, she explains the commission’s findings, what legal consequences Israel could face and what must happen next. As famine sets in and civilian casualties mount, Pillay outlines why this report could mark a turning point in international accountability – and whether the UN will be able to act on its own conclusions. Published On 16 Sep 202516 Sep 2025 Click here to share on social media share2 Share Adblock test (Why?)
Dismissed IAS Puja Khedkar’s parents in trouble, her father absconds amid kidnapping charges
This is not the first instance in which Puja Khedkar and her family are facing criminal charges. Earlier, videos showing Manorama threatening a farmer with a pistol sparked outrage. Among others, the family has previously faced cases of assault, intimidation, and abuse.
Mother Dairy cuts prices across products; milk, ghee, paneer now more affordable after GST waiver; check revised rates here
Mother Dairy cuts prices: The Mother Dairy products price reduction ranges between Rs 2 and Rs 30, depending on the product and packaging.
Good news for Mumbai commuters: Bike taxis make comeback with new fare rates/km; Ola, Uber, and Rapido get…: check details
The Maharashtra State Transport Authority (STA) has introduced a standardized fare structure for bike taxis, with a minimum fare of Rs 15 for the first 1.5 kilometers and a per-kilometer rate of Rs 10.27 beyond that distance.
Good news for Mumbaikers: Navi Mumbai International Airport to begin operations by…, to serve 90 million passengers annually, first airline to fly would be…
Mumbai is set to gain a new international gateway with the upcoming launch of the Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA). The airport is strategically positioned in Navi Mumbai, near Ulwe and Panvel. The launch is scheduled for the end of September. It will operate alongside the existing Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA). This will create a twin-airport system, similar to the networks in Dubai (DXB-DWC) or New York (JFK-Newark).