Todd Blanche backs Jeanine Pirro after Lincoln Memorial pool vandalism case dismissal
U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche on Sunday said he supports U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro after her office moved to dismiss the vandalism case involving the newly renovated Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. Federal prosecutors on July 31 moved to drop the case against Olympic canoeist David Hearn, who was accused of damaging the $14 million project after cracks, algae growth and peeling sealant were discovered. Prosecutors cited evidence indicating the damage may have stemmed from a botched renovation rather than vandalism. Blanche said he and President Donald Trump both support Pirro, but acknowledged that he could not fault the president for his reaction to the case dismissal, as “potential vandalism” may still be involved. “I absolutely support U.S. Attorney Pirro, as does President Trump,” he said on NBC’s “Meet the Press.” TRUMP URGES JEANINE PIRRO TO REVISIT DROPPED LINCOLN MEMORIAL REFLECTING POOL VANDALISM CASE “Now, that’s different than whether the president is extraordinarily frustrated at what happened in that case. And I don’t in any way fault him for that.” Blanche clarified that the court filings did not conclude that all of the damage was caused by faulty construction, noting that a witness reportedly claimed to have seen Hearn vandalizing the reflecting pool. However, he acknowledged that witness accounts alone are not sufficient evidence to prove the case. “Well, there’s a witness that said, ‘I observed the defendant vandalizing the reflecting pool.’ Now, that’s different than whether ultimately we have the proof.” Hearn has maintained his innocence. TRUMP DOUBLES DOWN ON REFLECTING POOL VANDALISM ALLEGATIONS, CITES NEW WITNESS ACCOUNT Despite the evidentiary issues surrounding the case, Blanche said Pirro is doing a “phenomenal job” prosecuting vandalism involving memorials and monuments. His comments came after Pirro’s office pursued a separate $1,000 property-destruction case involving a veterans memorial last Thursday. A female suspect, Melissa L. Farris, allegedly spray-painted the words “clean hands, diary money” in bright pink paint and dumped bubble soap into the memorial’s fountain. “U.S. Attorney Pirro is doing a phenomenal job enforcing that, going after anybody who’s doing it. And I think judging her on a single case because of the evidence that we had is not fair,” he said. Blanche also said he would also consider last Thursday’s White House request asking the Justice Department to explore whether a new misdemeanor prosecution could be brought against Hearn after Pirro’s office dropped the original vandalism case. WORLD WAR II MEMORIAL ON NATIONAL MALL VANDALIZED WITH PINK SPRAY PAINT; FOUNTAIN OVERFLOWING WITH BUBBLES “Will I take the President of the United States’s view on something into consideration? Yes, of course,” he said. “That’s certainly something that I listen to.” The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Fox News Digital.
Trump orders major cut to US-South Korea drills as North Korea ramps up missile tests
President Donald Trump ordered the Pentagon to scale back upcoming U.S.-South Korea military exercises on Sunday, arguing that the operations cost too much and send a hostile message to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. At the same time, the president went on to criticize Seoul for declining to join U.S. war efforts to denuclearize Iran. Writing on Truth Social, Trump noted that while it was too late to cancel the drills entirely, he was dissatisfied with the longstanding military arrangement between Washington and Seoul. “Based on my very good relationship with Kim Jong Un, of North Korea, I am not happy with the fact that the United States has, long ago, agreed to participate in Joint Military Exercises with South Korea,” Trump wrote. NORTH KOREA LAUNCHES ANOTHER BALLISTIC MISSILE AS US, SOUTH KOREA PREPARE FOR MILITARY DRILLS “These exercises are not only costly, with much of these costs paid for by the United States of America (as usual!), but send a signal that is totally inappropriate and hostile, to a Country that, as long as Donald J. Trump has been President, has been unthreatening and respectful.” In the same post, Trump linked his frustration over the military exercises to a separate diplomatic exchange regarding Iran. “While somewhat unrelated (?), I recently asked the President of South Korea if they would like to join us in the Denuclearization of the Islamic Republic of Iran, and they said, ‘No thanks!’” Trump wrote, referring to Lee Jae Myung. NORTH KOREA EXPERT WARNS US CAN ‘NEVER TAKE THEIR EYE OFF’ KIM JONG UN FOLLOWING MISSILE TEST DURING IRAN WAR Trump’s directive came a day before what is known as the Ulchi Freedom Shield, an 11-day annual joint military exercise scheduled to begin Monday. The routine maneuvers are to strengthen defense readiness across the Korean Peninsula, where about 28,500 U.S. service members are stationed as part of U.S. Forces Korea. This year’s exercise is set to involve roughly 18,000 South Korean troops, a level similar to previous years. Pyongyang, however, has consistently opposed the annual drills, with North Korea’s Foreign Ministry calling the exercise “a rehearsal for an aggressive war” last week in a statement carried by state media, Reuters reported. Trump’s order to scale back operations also follows a fresh surge in weapons testing by Pyongyang, which conducted two ballistic missile launches within six days this month. MOSCOW, KYIV ASSASSINS HUNT WEAPONS BOSSES AS UKRAINE WAR SPILLS BEYOND THE BATTLEFIELD Following the most recent test on Aug. 12, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command said it was consulting closely with regional allies, adding that its assessment indicated the launch did not pose an immediate threat to U.S. personnel, territory or allies. U.S. officials issued a smiliar response after the earlier launch on Aug. 6, saying Washington remained committed to defending the U.S. homeland and its regional allies. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also warned that Pyongyang is using Russia’s invasion of Ukraine to test and refine its military hardware on active battlefields. In a statement posted to social media, Zelenskyy said Moscow is preparing to deploy additional North Korean troops and has received additional North Korean ballistic missiles. “For the first time in its history, Russia cannot wage war without reinforcements from North Korea,” Zelenskyy said. “North Korea’s ballistic missiles and other weapons are being improved through its collaboration with Russia,” Zelenskyy said. “The more North Korean strikes there are here in Ukraine, in Europe, the more their missiles and soldiers are used, the more they correct their shortcomings and blind spots, the greater the danger will later be for Japan, the Republic of Korea, the Philippines, and other countries in the region.” This is also not the first time Trump has scaled back joint exercises with South Korea. During his first term as well, following his initial Singapore summit with Kim Jong-un, he called the “war games” “provocative” and expensive.
CENTCOM commander touts USS Abraham Lincoln mental health record after more than 260 days without port call
The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) on Sunday said the USS Abraham Lincoln has recorded one of the lowest numbers of mental health cases in the Navy, amid mounting allegations of poor conditions aboard the carrier. The Lincoln, which has been at sea for more than 260 days supporting the war with Iran, has been at the center of a dispute over allegations of supply shortages, plumbing problems and crew members threatening to jump overboard. Officials have repeatedly denied such claims and announced Friday that the carrier is expected to be replaced soon. In a statement posted by CENTCOM, commander Adm. Brad Cooper touted the carrier’s mental health record among the Navy’s 11 active aircraft carriers after reportedly visiting the ship over the weekend. “My time aboard USS Abraham Lincoln yesterday was awe-inspiring. I wish every American could see the crew in action. You would beam with absolute pride when witnessing their camaraderie, teamwork and resilience,” Cooper said, according to the post on X. “Here’s an important fact: Of the U.S. Navy’s 11 active aircraft carriers, the Lincoln currently has among the lowest number of cases related to mental health.” US NAVY RELEASES PHOTOS OF ‘FRESH MEALS,’ PUSHES BACK ON REPORTS OF FOOD SHORTAGES ON MIDDLE EAST WARSHIPS In a Wall Street Journal op-ed, Cooper added that many of the allegations involving food and hot water were old concerns raised months ago that have since been addressed by the ship’s leadership. “Recent media reporting has portrayed varying perspectives on operational tempo, crew morale and the realities facing our deployed forces. What I found aboard the Lincoln is that many elements of those stories are old news. I chatted with junior enlisted personnel and junior officers in small groups. Issues related to food, hot water and other concerns raised months ago were addressed by leadership and resolved,” he said. In his CENTCOM statement, Cooper acknowledged that despite the ship’s low number of mental health cases and improved conditions, extended deployments at sea can still be challenging, as some sailors may respond differently than others to the demands of prolonged missions. “This doesn’t mean that all is perfect. Find any of the nearly 4 million Navy veterans in America today and they will likely tell you that service at sea for long periods isn’t for everyone. It is uniquely challenging and tough, and every single one of us, including me, reacts to stressors in different ways,” he said. TANKERS ATTACKED AS TEHRAN, TRUMP BATTLE OVER CONTROL OF STRAIT OF HORMUZ Cooper credited the ship’s leadership with fostering a culture that supports crew resilience and gives mental health the same necessary attention as “physical health and spiritual health.” “I applaud Lincoln’s leadership — the senior enlisted leaders in the Chief Petty Officers Mess in particular — for stepping up and making mental health and crew resilience a leadership priority,” Cooper said. “To all our Sailors and Marines aboard the ship, keep up the great work and fair winds and following seas on the journey home.” President Donald Trump said Friday that the Lincoln will soon be “replaced with another very similar ship,” which is currently en route to the Middle East. The WSJ reported Thursday that the USS George Washington is heading to the region from the Pacific. Allegations about conditions aboard the Lincoln emerged following reports of numerous complaints, including food shortages, contaminated water, toilet problems, and a spike in suicidal ideation after months without a port call. Sean Parnell, who said he experienced a 485-day deployment in Afghanistan, blasted the media reports Friday, calling the accusations twisted. “The media treatment of the USS Abraham Lincoln is something different. Legitimate challenges of a long combat deployment are being twisted into a false narrative, while the genuine difficulties faced by military families are being used for headlines. That is shameful,” he said in a post on X.
Anti-Israel nonprofit under federal investigation over financial dealings: report
The Department of Homeland Security is investigating a nonprofit with connections to New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani for potentially providing donor funds to a sanctioned Palestinian group, the New York Post reported Friday. The report says federal authorities are probing the U.K.-based organization known only as PFF, which has a roughly $100 million war chest used to support anti-Israel causes. It also may have contributed donor funds to Al-Haq, a Palestinian group sanctioned by the U.S., the Post reported. “A new fund set up by Arabs across the US, UK, and Australia has been built to take on Israel,” one source familiar with the operation told the Post. One source who spoke to the Post described one Bassema Yousef as the “lynchpin” for the PFF’s fundraising. Born in New York, Yousef is a longtime ally of Mamdani and a prolific Democratic donor, though she now lives in London, according to the Post. MAMDANI’S POLITICS LINKED TO MUSLIM BROTHERHOOD IDEOLOGY AS NEW YORK VIOLENCE ESCALATES: REPORT Her social media presence shows multiple anti-Israel rants, claiming Israel is committing “war crimes with U.S. tax dollars,” among other things. Sources told the Post that Yousef established the PFF with backing from two wealthy donors: Austin, Texas-based investing executive Basil Qunibi and Palestinian-Australian motorsports magnate Yasser Shahin. Corporate filings in the U.K. confirm Shahin’s role in supporting the PFF, the Post reported. The IRS also confirmed the PFF has a nonprofit arm based in Delaware. EXCLUSIVE: NEW YORK WOMAN WHO WISHED ‘EVERY DAY WERE OCT. 7’ CHARGED WITH FUNDING PALESTINIAN TERROR GROUP Sources with direct knowledge of the PFF’s operations told the Post the organization’s executives work to finance anti-Israel messages and defend pro-Palestinian activists. “PFF is a strategic foundation that is large, well-funded, and institutional in quality,” the foundation says on its website. “We partner with organisations that we believe have an ability to consistently deliver results that align with our strategic objectives.” “PFF and its partners are unequivocally committed to justice, peace, inclusion and non-violence,” the nonprofit said. The DHS did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Fox News Digital. The DHS declined to comment in a statement to the Post. “HSI does not comment on the existence or status of specific investigations, nor on investigative methods, intelligence sources, or potential enforcement actions,” a DHS spokesperson told The Post, referring to the Homeland Security Investigations unit. The Post went on to note that the reported DHS investigation does not indicate any criminal wrongdoing.
Progressive Minneapolis mayor’s viral hip-hop moves spark ‘humiliation ritual’ mockery online
Social media is erupting over a viral video of Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey showing off his awkward dance moves while attending the Black Entrepreneur State Fair, with the clip quickly spreading across X as users call the dance a “cringe” performance. The clip, posted on TikTok last week, shows Frey moving his hips and shoulders to hip-hop music while wearing sunglasses and interacting with an emcee on the dance floor, prompting a wave of mockery from conservative commentators. “Why are they always like this? This is almost worse than when he pretended the Somali food he was choking down his throat was delicious. He’s a walking humiliation ritual,” said conservative commentator Benny Johnson. “What an embarrassment,” said one user. SOCIAL MEDIA ERUPTS WITH MOCKERY AS DEM SENATE CANDIDATE’S PEP TALK GOES VIRAL: ‘IS THIS FOR REAL?’ “I’d honestly prefer that he defund the police,” joked commentator Emily Jashinsky. “One of the worst parts of Democrats becoming the party of theater kids isn’t just that they’re destroying American cities, it’s that they were clearly the worst and least talented theater kids, which is why they went into politics,” said Outkick writer Ian Miller. “The world is full of white liberals willing to play the fool,” wrote a user. MILLION-DOLLAR SNAP FOOD STAMP FRAUD SCHEME IN WALZ’S BACKYARD SPARKS OUTRAGE: ‘CRUEL JOKE’ “Mayor Frey is out here dancing like his state his city is not in complete disarray and plagued with rampant fraud at every level. His ability to put on blinders and just vibe is unmatched,” said X host Mario Nawfal. “Cringe: Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey looking like the classic white guy dancing caricature,” said one user. Fox News Digital reached out to Frey’s office for comment. The annual Black Entrepreneur State Fair, a weeklong celebration of Black-owned businesses, was held Aug. 9-15 at Midtown Global Market in Minneapolis. The video comes amid a string of Democratic lawmakers and candidates drawing online mockery over attempts to connect with voters through dance and other lighthearted performances, with critics branding the moments awkward and bizarre. HASAN PIKER CALLS FOR DEMOCRATS WHO OPPOSE ABDUL EL-SAYED TO BE ‘PUNISHED’ Michigan Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed also faced criticism after a campaign video parodying the children’s series “Blue’s Clues” to explain voting by mail resurfaced online. Wearing a green-striped shirt, he recreated the show’s “Mail Time” song and dance, while pulling an “Abdul for Senate” ballot from a mailbox to explain ballot deadlines and voting procedures in the style of the children’s program. He ended the video by adapting the show’s “Blue’s Skidoo” catchphrase to “Vote ski-doo. We can too!” and disappearing into a campaign-themed picture frame. The internet piled on El-Sayed, with critics calling the video “the most cringeworthy political advert” and “disgusting.” Fox News Digital’s Hannah Brennan and Peter D’Abrosca contributed to this report.
Federal judge clears path for border wall construction in Arizona
A federal judge in Arizona cleared the path for border wall construction in the state after a Native American tribe attempted to block its construction. The Tohono O’odham Nation had argued that constructing the border wall along its southern border with Mexico would constitute illegal trespassing on tribal lands as well as effectively shrink the reservation. Judge Richard Leon noted in his ruling a federal proclamation in 1907 that the first 60 feet of the reservation could be taken for federal use. “Given the national security and foreign policy considerations related to the border wall, deference to the government is warranted,” he said. ‘AMERICA FIRST’ IMMIGRATION OVERHAUL BILL WOULD CODIFY TRUMP’S CAMPAIGN PROMISES ONCE AND FOR ALL Members of the Tohono O’odham Nation had erected “no trespassing” signs in reaction to federal workers visiting the border sites to scope out construction. The reservation’s shared border with Mexico extends roughly 62 miles. “ANY construction related activities to the illegal and destructive border wall be warned, informed of trespass and escorted off the Nation’s land by law enforcement,” the tribe wrote on its Facebook page on Aug. 8. Judge Leon pointed to a proclamation by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1907 stating that all public land within 60 feet of an international boundary is under the exclusive control of the federal government. The proclamation argued it was necessary “as a protection against the smuggling of goods between the United States and the Republic of Mexico.” Leon further noted that the Tohono nation was not declared a reservation until 1917, after Roosevelt’s proclamation. The legal win for the federal government comes after President Donald Trump’s administration celebrated 15 consecutive months of having zero border releases at the U.S.-Mexico border last week. OPINION: THE BORDER IS CLOSED THANKS TO PRESIDENT TRUMP. IN VIRGINIA, THAT DOESN’T MATTER Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin’s office said daily apprehensions at the border are down 94% compared to former President Joe Biden’s administration and are at the lowest level seen in 30 years. “Again this month, the results are clear: President Trump’s border security agenda is restoring order and putting the safety of the American people first,” Mullin said in a statement. “DHS remains focused on enforcing our immigration laws, securing the border, and ensuring those who enter our country illegally are removed swiftly. Thanks to the strong leadership of President Trump, we have the most secure border in history,” he added.
Humanoid robots could patrol southern border, CEO pitches, as futuristic technology moves closer to reality
Humanoid robots capable of autonomously navigating rugged terrain and detecting people could eventually join federal agents patrolling the southern border, with one U.S. robotics company telling Fox News Digital it has already demonstrated the technology to Department of Homeland Security officials. Sankaet Pathak, founder and CEO of Foundation, spoke with Fox News Digital to discuss the company’s development of humanoid robotics and their potential applications at the border. Pathak said Foundation is in talks with several national security agencies. “We’re in conversations with almost all national security government bodies, so Air Force, Navy, Army, DHS,” Pathak said. “We continue to have dialogues. We’re starting to negotiate contracts and some applications for them.” PALANTIR’S SHYAM SANKAR SAYS ‘EVERY DAY WE’RE MAKING PROGRESS’ AS AI SUPERCHARGES AMERICAN WORKERS A DHS spokesperson told Fox News Digital that no formal arrangement is currently in place. “The Department of Homeland Security currently does not have any non-contractual agreements, pilots, or active prime contracts with Foundation.” Pathak envisions Phantom conducting reconnaissance and surveillance in terrain that can be difficult for humans, vehicles, aerial drones or fixed cameras to navigate. “If drones and watchtowers were able to solve for everything, why do we still have humans at the border?” Pathak told Fox News Digital. Pathak said existing automated solutions struggle with tasks ranging from logistics to navigating complex terrain, adding that he thinks “humanoids will fill that gap quite well.” Pathak said Phantom can distinguish humans from other obstacles, autonomously traverse uneven terrain and map its environment. The company’s goal is for robots to conduct those reconnaissance functions autonomously before flagging potential border crossings for human officers. TRUMP ADMIN MARKS 15 STRAIGHT MONTHS WITH ZERO BORDER RELEASES AS APPREHENSIONS PLUNGE 94% Pathak also pointed to tunnels along the border as another potential application for the technology, saying Foundation would explore underground operations as part of its use cases. “Our biggest thing is if we can keep our officers in a safe place, and these robots can continue to surveil 24/7,” Pathak said. He said robots could flag significant activity and allow human officers to respond when intervention is necessary. “Tomorrow I think we could do a pilot. Next couple of months, we can do something much larger.” Pathak said weather resistance remains one of the principal limitations of the current Phantom, but a second-generation model expected in the coming months is designed to be waterproof, dustproof and substantially more rugged for outdoor deployment. While Foundation’s immediate vision centers on surveillance and reconnaissance, Pathak said the company would be willing to arm robots for border operations if requested by the federal government. He stressed, however, that the machines are not envisioned making enforcement decisions independently in the near future. INSIDE CHINA’S AI ‘WOLF PACK’ DRONES BUILT WITH TAIWAN CONFLICT IN MIND “They will detect and then flag and then a human would decide kind of like what the next step it needs to be,” Pathak said.
The only map you need to see as California’s billionaire tax fight heats up
California voters are set to decide whether to slap a new tax on the state’s billionaires as IRS data show thousands of taxpayers, and billions of dollars in income, are already flowing out of the Golden State. The outflow is adding fuel to the debate over California’s proposed billionaire tax, with Mark Cuban warning Saturday the measure could drive not only wealthy residents but investment and startups out of the state. Cuban’s warning came amid a heated back-and-forth with Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna, who has defended the proposed tax. The billionaire investor threatened to steer future investments away from California if the measure moves forward. The clash comes as California is already experiencing significant taxpayer outflows, according to the latest IRS data compiled from federal tax returns. AMERICA’S TOP DESTINATION FOR NEW TAXPAYERS IS QUIETLY GETTING POORER, IRS DATA REVEALS Los Angeles County, home to Hollywood and one of the nation’s largest economic engines, led the nation in taxpayer losses, with a net 17,496 tax filers leaving for other states. Those departing taxpayers took nearly $1.9 billion in income with them. Other California counties also saw significant outflows. Orange County recorded a net loss of 11,618 tax filers, followed by San Diego County with 9,401, Riverside County with 8,968 and San Bernardino County with 8,462. The movement of taxpayers and their income can affect state and local tax collections that help fund schools, public safety and infrastructure. AMERICANS KEEP MOVING TO TEXAS AND FLORIDA — BUT ONE OTHER RED STATE IS GROWING EVEN FASTER Against that backdrop, California’s proposed billionaire tax has become a flashpoint in the debate over whether the state’s tax policies could push more wealth and investment elsewhere. The proposed ballot initiative, backed by the Service Employees International Union, would impose a one-time 5% wealth tax on Californians with a net worth exceeding $1 billion. The measure, which has qualified for the November ballot, would apply retroactively to Californians who were residents as of Jan. 1, 2026. Supporters argue the tax would generate billions of dollars for healthcare and education, while critics warn it could drive wealth and investment out of California. Cuban has gone further, arguing the measure could influence not only where billionaires live, but where investors put their money and startups do business. AN OVERLOOKED RED STATE QUIETLY BUILT ONE OF AMERICA’S MOST COMPETITIVE TAX SYSTEMS “If this passes, and it doesn’t directly impact me at all, I won’t be a Cali resident, but you can bet if I’m investing in a multi billion dollar startup, I’m asking them to move from California first,” Cuban wrote. GET FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO BY CLICKING HERE He went even further, adding, “IMO, if this passes, only idiot startup founders stay in Cali.”
Hasan Piker torched over playbook to dodge his past controversies: ‘Bats— crazy’
Shannon Watts, a Democratic political operative and gun control activist, torched a rising progressive kingmaker on Friday, accusing him of trying to brush off his past controversial comments online. In her view, Hasan Piker, a far-left streamer, used the same playbook to downplay his unhinged claims after facing backlash on social media. “Hasan Piker defense Bingo card: ‘It’s a joke, satire, hyperbole. It’s out of context. It was years ago,’” Watts said in her post. “’English is my second language. I stream for hours. Bad faith clipping. Smear campaign. Critics are being paid for Israel.’” HASAN PIKER NAMES PRO-CCP TYCOON SINGHAM AS FINANCIER OF ‘POLITICAL MOVEMENTS’ DESPITE NONPROFIT VENEER It didn’t take long for Piker to fire back — even as he admitted the pattern. “All of that is true and valid. You behave as a GOP operative. You’re a shameless grifter who doesn’t care about the Dem Senate majority or punishing Trump,” Piker wrote. “And you are a copycat of MAGA tactics engaging in alternative facts,” Fred Guttenberg, a Democratic activist whose daughter was murdered in the Parkland shooting, fired back. “As a Jewish person whose daughter was murdered in the Parkland shooting and whose brother died because of 9/11, your attack on Shannon is batsh– crazy and your comparison of the NRA and AIPAC only confirms your insanity. “Using your MAGA styled attacks against someone like Shannon or me won’t work. Stop being a copycat,” he continued. Watts’ online clash with Piker showcases the concern some Democrats have shown over comments, posts and videos that have resurfaced among progressives. For example, concerns about former Senate candidate Graham Platner started as eyebrow-raising Reddit posts ballooned into sexual assault allegations. Michigan’s Senate Democratic nominee, Abdul El-Sayed, came under fire for past calls to defund the police. Watts’ spat with Piker puts a question mark on whether the party’s banner carriers should shoulder more responsibility for their past rhetoric. Watts, who has dedicated the last 14 years to gun control advocacy, has boldly argued in recent months that Democrats are turning a blind eye to the online histories of some of their candidates at the expense of their electability and trustworthiness. Although he himself is not running for office, Piker has drawn scrutiny for a long list of controversial remarks, especially as he acts as a surrogate for El-Sayed and other progressive candidates. SANDERS SAYS PLATNER HAS THE ‘GUTS’ TO FIGHT BILLIONAIRES DESPITE GROWING SCANDAL PILEUP In 2019, Piker famously said that “America deserved 9/11,” arguing later that the U.S. had “brought it on itself.” He would later walk it back and call it “inappropriate” after massive backlash online. Once, when asked if he supported terrorism, Piker answered by saying, “No, I don’t. I don’t support the state of Israel, and I don’t support the state of the United States of America.” Piker’s clash with Watts began when some of those past comments cost him on Thursday after the University of Washington said it had decided to cancel an upcoming event with him, citing his rhetoric on Israel. In response, Piker took to X, arguing that Democrats should stand up for First Amendment principles. “We must fight back against the undemocratic & unamerican forces of Trumpism, which means protecting free speech and due process, two fundamental rights Trump is actively seeking to destroy at this moment!” Piker wrote. The comment prompted a retort from Watts, noting that Piker has a seemingly uneven track record of calling for the defense of rights. She recalled an instance where Piker had encouraged President Donald Trump to “lock up” a longtime Dem nemesis. “When Trump threatened to arrest Adam Schiff for being his political enemy, Hasan Piker said: ‘Oh my God, I hope they arrest him. Oh my God, I hope he goes to prison. Yeah, this is political. Sure. I don’t care. Lock him up. Lock him up,’” Watts reminded audiences. Piker has repeatedly criticized Schiff for receiving contributions from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) and for, in his view, not doing enough to push back against U.S. ties to Israel. HASAN PIKER CALLS FOR DEMOCRATS WHO OPPOSE ABDUL EL-SAYED TO BE ‘PUNISHED’ In 2019, Piker told Schiff to “suck my entire d—” while bashing the senator for hosting a fundraiser hosted by Raytheon, a prominent U.S. defense contractor. Piker, faced with his own past words, said his remarks about Schiff had been a joke. “I voted for him. This is a joke, you dumb—,” Piker responded to Watts. A Democratic commentator fired back at Piker’s comment, asking, “How is it a joke? You just gonna say that for every single thing you’ve said? You are very clearly serious in this video.” Representatives for Piker did not respond to requests for comment from Fox News Digital on whether the party’s base was placing enough emphasis on past online comments, or at what point online rhetoric should be disqualifying for political candidates.
Swing-state’s fraud reckoning raises Minnesota-style alarm as wild schemes exposed
The DOJ’s expanded anti-fraud task force made its first sweeping bust of Medicaid scofflaws in Pennsylvania this month, drawing comparisons to the massive fraud scandals that rocked Minnesota — but with one major difference. Republicans and Democrats in the state united in outrage after nearly two dozen people were charged in Philadelphia and elsewhere. The DOJ noted Pennsylvania spends $8 billion on Medicaid home-care services, more than almost any other state, and those services were the target of the busts. “The allegations are really disturbing just as they are in Minnesota and other places where we’ve seen this,” House Ways and Means Committee member Lloyd Smucker, R-Pa., told Fox News Digital in an exclusive interview. PENNSYLVANIA AG EXPLAINS WHY STATE LEADS NATION IN MEDICAID FRAUD CONVICTIONS WHILE OTHERS BATTLE MASS SCHEMES “It’s criminal activity that is taking money from individuals who really need it. And this is Medicaid — It’s not Medicare, which is more for seniors. But this is for people who truly need help, who are disabled — these are individuals who are relying on Medicaid to help them get through every day. And these are criminals who are taking that money and lining their pockets with it,” said Smucker, whose Lancaster-area district has an older population and has anywhere from two in 10 to four in 10 constituents enrolled in Medicare, Medicaid or both, according to reports. The DOJ’s anti-fraud chief echoed those sentiments while describing some of the most egregious cases among the 19 Pennsylvania defendants charged as of last week. One suspect billed Medicaid for services that supposedly occurred while police had pulled him over for a moving violation and charged him on suspicion of marijuana possession, according to the DOJ. Another suspect billed Medicaid for services during a period when he was in court watching a family member get sentenced for Medicaid fraud-related offenses, according to Colin McDonald. I’M OHIO’S STATE AUDITOR — MEDICAID FRAUD IS NOT JUST A WASHINGTON PROBLEM Another suspect billed Medicaid for home-care services that McDonald said were supposedly provided while the suspect was driving for a rideshare company. Another billed for services while in prison, according to McDonald. Smucker said Pennsylvania welcomes fellow Keystone Stater and CMS Administrator Mehmet Oz and his investigators, adding that he is grateful state officials in Harrisburg are also taking note. That cooperation sets the Pennsylvania busts apart from those in Minnesota, where Gov. Tim Walz has faced accusations of inaction over what has become a multibillion-dollar scandal. Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro signaled cooperation and collaboration with Republicans in going after Medicaid fraudsters in remarks his office made to Fox News Digital. TIM WALZ BECOMES GOP PUNCHLINE IN SWEEPING NEW WAR ON WELFARE FRAUD Shapiro, a Democrat and the commonwealth’s former attorney general, prosecuted public assistance-related crimes and now governs the state with the nation’s highest number of criminal convictions for Medicaid fraud. The governor — who was considered a runner-up to Walz in then-Vice President Kamala Harris’ search for a running mate — said the commonwealth is a “national leader in stopping fraud.” “Here in Pennsylvania, we combat fraud wherever we find it. In 2024, we charged 119 cases of Medicaid fraud — recovering more than $11 million for taxpayers,” Shapiro said in a recent statement. “Governor Shapiro has made fighting public assistance fraud a cornerstone of his career in public service, rooting out waste, fraud and abuse as attorney general where he cracked down on fraud and public assistance benefit theft, charging dozens of people who stole millions in taxpayer dollars,” Shapiro spokeswoman Rosie Lapowsky told Fox News Digital. READ: DR. OZ PUTS ALL 50 GOVERNORS ON NOTICE OVER BILLIONS LOST TO MEDICAID FRAUD Lapowsky said the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) brought one of the cases referenced by McDonald to the Justice Department for further investigation during Shapiro’s tenure. “[That is] clearly showing our system works,” she said, adding that Pennsylvania’s high number of home-care service providers is not by itself an indicator of fraud. Conservative critics in Minnesota and Washington state have pointed to similar provider numbers to raise suspicions about fraudulent activity. Pennsylvania — the fifth-most populous state, behind California, Texas, Florida and New York — has seen a 20% increase since 2018 in the number of adults in home-care programs, according to DHS. DHS said it employs “ongoing monitoring,” including an electronic visit-verification system, to ensure proper billing and curtail fraud. The department refers potential fraud cases to Republican Pennsylvania Attorney General David Sunday’s office. WATCH: DR. OZ SAYS NEWSOM, OTHER BLUE STATES HAVE TURNED MEDICAID FRAUD INTO A ‘FEATURE’ “This criminal conduct is much more than someone ‘working the system’ — the impact is deep and wide-ranging, as every dollar diverted deprives someone in need of care,” Sunday said in a statement. “In collaboration with our partners, my office last year convicted more than 100 defendants, and clawed back more than $40 million that was intended for Pennsylvanians in need.” In 2025, Sunday’s office handled 744 referrals from DHS alone, according to Harrisburg sources. Smucker said all stakeholders must continue being vigilant for both Medicaid and Medicare-related fraud. SIGN UP TO GET THE POLITICS NEWSLETTER “People like the four seasons here,” he said, referring to the high number of retirees who call Amish country home. “But we have a lot of people who are relying on these programs… and we have seen fraud across the system in federal programs. This is probably hundreds of billions per year that is being siphoned-off from taxpayer dollars,” he said. Pennsylvania officials say investigators continue to make progress fighting Medicaid fraud. “We are coming for you,” said former Pittsburgh U.S. Attorney Scott Brady, whom President Donald Trump tapped to lead the White House’s nationwide anti-fraud task force The DOJ’s “Northeast Strike Force” was originally organized in Brooklyn and Newark before expanding into Pennsylvania as part of the broader crackdown. “Our message is clear: if you are a medical provider who chooses greed over your professional responsibility, DEA will hold