Ohio donors ditch Tim Ryan, pour nearly $220K into Vivek Ramaswamy’s governor bid
EXCLUSIVE – Republican Ohio gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy is touting support from a growing list of prominent donors who once backed Democrat Tim Ryan, a development his campaign says underscores a major political shift in the Buckeye State. According to Ramaswamy’s team, nearly $220,000 of the contributions raised in his first months as a candidate came from individuals who previously gave to Ryan, the former congressman from Youngstown who is weighing a bid for governor. Ryan has not officially declared a gubernatorial bid and has said he will make a decision by the end of the year. Some of the best-known business leaders in Youngstown and Northeast Ohio, long part of Ryan’s donor network, have now switched sides, Fox News Digital has learned. Ramaswamy’s campaign highlights names including Caryn and Sam Covelli, a major business leader in Mahoning Valley who gave the Republican candidate $10,000 after donating more than $59,000 to Ryan over multiple cycles; and Bruce Zoldan, a Youngstown-area business leader who gave Ramaswamy $5,000 after contributing more than $53,000 to Ryan. EXCLUSIVE: RAMASWAMY DECRIES ‘ANTI-LAW ENFORCEMENT CULTURE’ IN WAKE OF BRUTAL CINCINNATI BEATING Another business leader, Adam Thomarios, gave $10,000 and is hosting an upcoming fundraiser after contributing nearly $17,000 to Ryan. Anthony Manna contributed $10,000 after donating nearly $25,000 to Ryan between 2005 and 2021, according to Ramaswamy’s campaign. Regina Mitchell hosted a fundraiser and gave more than $13,600 to Ramaswamy after a prior $2,700 contribution to Ryan in 2017. Jeff Edwards, the president and CEO of Edwards Companies and Installed Building Products in the Columbus area, and his wife,Lisa, gave roughly $33,000 to Ramaswamy this cycle after contributing $5,800 to Ryan in 2022. Jai Chabria, Ramaswamy’s chief strategist, told Fox News Digital that the donor movement is about more than campaign finance. He said Ohioans who once trusted traditional Democratic leadership are embracing Ramaswamy’s message of economic growth and new ideas after decades of disappointment. In his view, voters are leaving behind “a tired model” that did not deliver and are backing someone who represents prosperity and reform. “It’s a very interesting thing where people who have been – who have donated to Democrats, and especially someone like Tim Ryan, and they’re flocking to Vivek,” Chabria told Fox News Digital. “There’s actually a movement where people are actually moving over not just to Republicans, but to Vivek specifically because he’s got such a message of growth, of economic growth.” He argued that the momentum is visible not only in financial reports but also in grassroots enthusiasm across the state. “I think, like many people in Ohio who were promised one thing under these institutions, and by institutions I mean people that have been elected over and over and over again and didn’t deliver for people, I think people are coming to see that someone else with fresh ideas is what they need to invest in rather than the tired old model that didn’t deliver for the state,” Chabria told Fox News Digital. Ohio Republican Party Chairman Alex Triantafilou echoed that point, calling the donor shifts “impressive” and a sign of Ramaswamy’s strength as a candidate. He said former Ryan backers now see in Ramaswamy a leader committed to workers, reshoring manufacturing and strengthening Ohio’s energy independence. Triantafilou also emphasized the GOP’s early endorsement of Ramaswamy in May – more than a year before the primary – as unprecedented. He said it helped solidify a coalition that has powered Republican victories statewide. Fox News Digital reached out to Ryan for comment. After spotlighting the defections from Ryan’s ranks, the Ramaswamy campaign is also underscoring its own financial milestones. Ramaswamy reported raising $9.7 million between February and June, which his team calls the largest sum ever collected by an Ohio gubernatorial candidate in the year before a general election. An allied super PAC has added $17 million more. RAMASWAMY PLEDGES ‘RULE OF LAW’ REVIVAL AFTER VIRAL CINCINNATI MOB ATTACK Chabria described that first report as only the “tip of the iceberg,” predicting that the next filing will show an even bigger number. Both strategists portrayed the fundraising and donor flips as part of a broader coalition that cuts across traditional political lines. Chabria said Ramaswamy’s background in business appeals to donors because he understands their perspective, while his detailed policy agenda shows he is prepared to govern without a steep learning curve. He pointed to priorities such as energy independence, improving Ohio’s schools and tackling crime in cities as issues resonating with small and large donors alike. “The crime in our cities is – it’s appalling. And it’s something that Vivek wants to bring all leaders together to actually try to address because people need to be able to be safe in their own homes. And in too many places, they don’t feel that way,” Chabria told Fox News Digital. “I mean, Democrats, Republicans, independents, they all need to feel safe in their homes, in their cities. So it’s definitely not a partisan issue, but sometimes it becomes one. But Vivek, I think he’s gonna try to rise above it and try to bring all people together and really listen to everybody and then try to offer real concrete solutions to this issue.” Triantafilou stressed that Ramaswamy’s agenda has broad working-class appeal, citing his proposals on manufacturing, education and eliminating the state income tax to make Ohio more competitive. He said those ideas speak directly to middle-class Ohioans, including union workers, postal employees and delivery drivers, who could benefit from lower taxes and better economic conditions. Generational change is also part of the message. At 40, Ramaswamy represents “a new era of leadership,” Triantafilou said, contrasting him with Ryan, whom he described as emblematic of Democrats focused on cultural debates rather than the economic concerns of ordinary voters. He argued that Ryan, who lost a Senate race to then-first-time candidate JD Vance in 2022, is “yesterday,” while Ramaswamy represents “tomorrow.” Republicans are already previewing the contrast if Ryan enters the governor’s race. Triantafilou criticized him as “inauthentic,”
South Korea reaches deal with US to release workers detained after immigration raid
The South Korean government has reached a deal with the U.S. to secure the release of hundreds of migrant workers detained at a Hyundai automobile factory in Georgia. Homeland Security Investigations said 475 people who were in the country illegally, primarily from South Korea, were arrested as part of the operation at the under-construction battery plant. Hyundai owns the plant, but claimed none of the workers were directly employed by the company. President Lee Jae Myung’s office says the country will send a charter plane to bring the workers back to South Korea in the coming days. South Korea’s Foreign Ministry issued a statement last week to express “concern and regret” over the raid. LOUISIANA RACETRACK ICE RAID NETS MORE THAN 80 ILLEGAL MIGRANTS DURING WORKSITE ENFORCEMENT OPERATION HSI Georgia chief Steven Schrank said some of the detained workers had illegally crossed the U.S. border, while others had entered the country legally but had expired visas or had entered on a visa waiver that prohibited them from working. HSI said some of the workers arrested were employed by subcontractors on the construction site, which has since been paused. Fox News Digital reported that ICE and other law enforcement agencies were part of the operation. 16 IN CUSTODY AFTER IMMIGRATION RAID AT LA HOME DEPOT, DHS SAYS “As of today, it is our understanding that none of those detained is directly employed by Hyundai Motor Company,” Hyundai told Fox News Digital in a statement. “We prioritize the safety and well-being of everyone working at the site and comply with all laws and regulations wherever we operate.” CLICK HERE FOR MORE IMMIGRATION COVERAGE Workplace raids have become an increasingly common operation for immigration enforcement under President Donald Trump’s administration. Last month, federal authorities butted heads with some Democratic officials in California at a cannabis farm, which resulted in the discovery of children working at the plant. Fox News’ Cameron Arcand and the Associated Press contributed to this report.
Trump nominees pile up as GOP weighs rule shift once floated by Democrats
Senate Republicans are getting closer to changing the upper chamber’s rules to allow for a slew of President Donald Trump’s lower-level nominees to be confirmed, and they’re closing in on a revived proposal from Democrats to do it. The hope among Republicans is that using a tool that Senate Democrats once considered would allow them to avoid turning to the “nuclear option,” meaning a rule change with a simple majority vote. “The Democrats should support it, because it was their original proposal that we’re continuing on,” Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso, R-Wyo., told Fox News Digital. “And I wouldn’t be surprised if they won’t. This historic obstruction by the Democrats is all playing to their far-left liberal base, who hate President Trump.” REPUBLICAN DOCTORS CLASH WITH RFK JR OVER VACCINES IN TENSE SENATE SHOWDOWN Republicans met throughout the week behind closed doors to discuss their options and have begun to coalesce around a proposal that would allow them to take one vote to confirm a group of nominees, also known as “en bloc,” for sub-Cabinet level positions. So far, the only nominee to make it through the Senate with ease was Secretary of State Marco Rubio in January. Since then, various positions throughout the bureaucracy have stacked up and have not received a voice vote or gone through unanimous consent — two commonly-used fast-track procedures for lower-level positions in the administration. Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., said that before Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., was in charge of the Democrats, “this was always done in a way where, if you had some of the lower-level nominees in the administration, those were all voted en bloc, they were packaged, they were grouped, they were stacked.” “This is the first president in history who, at this point in his presidency, hasn’t had at least one nominee clear by unanimous consent or voice vote,” he said. “It is unprecedented what they’re doing. It’s got to be stopped.” TOP SENATE REPUBLICAN READY TO GO NUCLEAR, ‘ROLL OVER’ DEMOCRATS WITH RULE CHANGE TO CONFIRM TRUMP NOMINEES And the number of nominees on the Senate’s calendar continues to grow, reaching 149 picks awaiting confirmation this week. The goal would be to make that rule change before lawmakers leave town for a week starting Sept. 22. The idea comes from legislation proposed in 2023 by Sens. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., Angus King, I-Maine, and former Sen. Ben Cardin, D-Md. Republicans are eyeing their own spin on it, such as possibly not limiting the number of en bloc nominees in a group or excluding judicial nominees. Republicans would prefer to avoid going nuclear — the last time the nuclear option was used was in 2019, when then-Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., lowered debate time on nominees to two hours — but they are willing to do so, given that Democrats haven’t budged on their blockade. They may only be making a public display of resistance, however. “Democrats privately support what Republicans are talking about,” a senior GOP aide familiar with negotiations told Fox News Digital. “They’re just too afraid to admit it.” Sen. James Lankford, who worked with Thune and Barrasso over the recess to build a consensus on a rule change proposal, told Fox News Digital that his Democratic colleagues acknowledged that they’ve “created a precedent that is not sustainable.” TRUMP THREATENS LAWSUIT OVER ‘BLUE SLIPS’ AS TOP GOP SENATOR BUCKS DEMAND TO BEND SENATE RULES FOR NOMINEES “But then they’ll say, ‘but my progressive base is screaming at me to fight however I want to. I know I’m damaging the Senate, but I got to show that I’m fighting,’” the Oklahoma Republican said. “We feel stuck, I mean, literally,” Lankford continued. “Some of my colleagues have said, ‘We’re not the ones going nuclear. They’re the ones that are going nuclear.’” Klobuchar told Fox News Digital that she appreciated the prior work she’s done with Lankford on “ways to make the Senate better” but wasn’t ready to get behind the GOP’s version of her legislation. “When I proposed that, it was meant to pass as legislation, which means you would have needed bipartisan votes, and the reason that’s not happening right now is because the president keeps flaunting the law,” she said. Not every Senate Democrat is on board with the wholesale blockade, however. Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., told Fox News Digital that lawmakers should all behave in a way in which administrations, either Republican or Democratic, get “those basic kinds of considerations” for nominees. “That’s not the resistance,” he said. “I just think that’s kind of unhelpful to just move forward. I mean, you can oppose people like the big ones, whether it’s [Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F.] Kennedy or others.” Fox News Digital reached out to Schumer’s office for comment but did not immediately hear back.
Supporters hail Trump’s Pentagon rebrand as ‘honest,’ critics call it reckless
As U.S. forces carry out strikes abroad and policymakers prepare to release a new national defense strategy, the Trump administration has chosen to revive a name not heard in Washington since 1947: the Department of War. Friday’s executive order has opened a debate over whether words shape policy, or whether the symbolism matters less than the capabilities behind them. Supporters argue the shift restores honesty to the Pentagon’s identity, acknowledging that America’s armed forces have long been engaged in conflicts that stretch beyond “defense.” Critics counter that the change risks glorifying war, unsettling allies and giving adversaries new propaganda lines at a sensitive moment in global security. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, who proudly assumed the new title, described the move as a cultural reset. “Words matter. Titles matter, cultures matter,” Hegseth told Fox News Digital. “George Washington founded the War Department.” HEGSETH VOWS TO REBUILD MILITARY DETERRENCE SO ENEMIES ‘DON’T WANT TO F— WITH US’ Jennifer Kavanaugh, a senior fellow at Defense Priorities, said recent strikes have emboldened Trump to lean more heavily on military power. She pointed to U.S. attacks on Iranian targets earlier this summer and, more recently, a strike on a Venezuelan drug-smuggling boat, which she said the administration clearly views as both policy successes and strong political points. “These two strikes, as well as other small things, are maybe pushing Trump to be more aggressive than he was on the campaign trail, or even than he planned to be coming in,” Kavanaugh said. Others were more skeptical of the name’s practical impact. Frank Rose, a former Defense Department and Nuclear Security Administration official, said the change does little to address real challenges. “I have no problem with the [new] name,” he said. “The real question is this: Will this name change allow us to get capability faster to the warfighter and stay ahead of Russia and China? I’m skeptical. Names don’t deter. Capabilities deter.” Some observers worry the debate over symbolism is overshadowing substantive developments. “This story is overshadowing more important news,” said John Byrnes, strategic director for Concerned Veterans for America. “The overdue National Defense Strategy seems about to be published, and sources are reporting that it outlines a pivot toward focusing more resources on defense here in North America.” The Pentagon’s strategy document, released once per administration, is expected soon. A recent report in Politico suggested it will center on homeland defense and the Western Hemisphere, underscoring a shift in priorities as the U.S. faces threats closer to home. The executive order allows the Pentagon to continue using “Department of Defense” as a secondary name, a concession that may ease the daunting task of changing countless seals, emblems and bureaucratic references. TRUMP TO RENAME PENTAGON, RESTORING HISTORIC ‘DEPARTMENT OF WAR’ IN LATEST MILITARY MOVE For most of the nation’s history, the U.S. military was overseen by the Department of War. Created in 1789 as one of the first executive departments, it managed the Army, fortifications and the nation’s defenses. The Navy, established separately in 1798, was not folded into the War Department. By the mid-20th century, policymakers were rethinking the military’s role. The devastation of World War II and the onset of the Cold War spurred the 1947 National Security Act, which merged the War and Navy Departments into the National Military Establishment. In 1949, that structure was renamed the Department of Defense. The new title was meant to signal a mission of deterrence and stability rather than aggressive war-making, aligning with America’s Cold War role as a global protector. For more than 75 years, the Department of Defense has symbolized that mission. Restoring the “War” name represents a striking departure from that framework. Modern governments have largely abandoned the blunt language of “war” in naming their defense bureaucracies. The United Kingdom once had separate War and Air ministries, which were merged after World War II into today’s Ministry of Defence. In Germany, pre-1945 governments relied on a War Ministry, but postwar leaders created a Federal Ministry of Defense to emphasize collective security within NATO. Russia maintains a Ministry of Defense, headquartered in Moscow, even as it wages wars abroad. The trend reflects a 20th-century shift toward language that frames militaries as protectors rather than aggressors. America’s decision to move in the opposite direction stands out globally. Kavanaugh noted that the rhetorical turn may resonate differently with U.S. audiences. For some, she said, it will emphasize the military’s lethality — a theme Trump and Hegseth have repeatedly embraced. For others, it will serve as a reminder that the United States spends far more time intervening abroad than defending its own borders. “Department of War is sort of a much more accurate description of what the military does,” she said. “The homeland itself is actually very secure: we have oceans on two sides, weak neighbors to the north and south… so I do think it calls attention to what is the fundamental role of the military here, which is fighting wars abroad, which hasn’t always advanced U.S. interests.” It remains unclear whether Trump can make the change permanent without congressional approval. His order directs Hegseth to propose both legislative and executive measures to enshrine the name. Democrats have already voiced opposition. “Totally something my 8-year-old would come up with,” Sen. Andy Kim, D-N.J., wrote on X. “Americans want to prevent wars, not tout them.” “Only someone who avoided the draft would want to rename the Department of Defense to the Department of War,” added Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz.
Democrats slam Trump for ‘war’ threats targeting US cities: ‘Not your war zone’
Democrats are criticizing President Donald Trump for a social media post that appeared to threaten Chicago with deportations and the U.S. military. Trump posted on Truth Social an AI image of himself styled as Robert Duvall’s character in “Apocalypse Now,” a Vietnam War epic about a decorated U.S. officer who has gone rogue deep in the Cambodian jungle. The words “Chipocalypse Now” were also seen on the image. “‘I love the smell of deportations in the morning…’” Trump wrote in the post on Saturday morning, a play on a famous quote from the 1979 film. “Chicago about to find out why it’s called the Department of WAR,” he added, referring to his recent executive order renaming the Department of Defense to the Department of War. TRUMP ROILS CHICAGO DEMOCRATS WITH APOCALYPSE NOW MEME HINTING AT NATIONAL GUARD DEPLOYMENT Several Democrats blasted the president for his threats of “war” against U.S. cities, which comes as the federal government is potentially considering deploying the National Guard to Chicago to deal with crime – a move Illinois leaders have repeatedly criticized. California Gov. Gavin Newsom responded to the post by saying Trump was “using our troops like political pawns.” “The President of the United States is deploying the military onto US streets and using our troops like political pawns,” Newsom wrote on X. “DO NOT ALLOW YOURSELF TO BECOME NUMB TO THIS.” Newsom butted heads with Trump over the summer after National Guard troops and Marines were deployed to Los Angeles to respond to anti-ICE demonstrations and support federal immigration enforcement. CHICAGO MAYOR CALLS TRUMP’S FEDERALIZATION THREATS ‘BENEATH THE HONOR OF OUR NATION,’ PROTESTS PLANNED Both Illinois senators pushed back on the president’s “disgusting” post suggesting he would wage war on the Windy City. “No Donald, Chicago is not your war zone,” Democratic Sen. Tammy Duckworth wrote on X. Duckworth is also a combat veteran and retired Army National Guard lieutenant colonel. CHICAGO RESIDENT GOES AFTER CITY’S ‘PROGRESSIVE DEMOCRATIC GANG’ FOR REFUSING TRUMP’S FEDERAL HELP ON CRIME Democratic Sen. Dick Durbin wrote on X that Trump should be focused on his “weak jobs reports,” “record measles cases,” “tariffs hurting American farmers and businesses” and “hidden Epstein files,” instead of “asking ChatGPT to make him memes and threatening to turn our brave armed forces against American cities.” “This tweet this morning was disgusting to suggest that the troops are coming into Chicago or that the Department of War is going to be engaged is an embarrassment,” Durban said during remarks before a parade in Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood, according to FOX 32 Chicago. Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson have been feuding with Trump in recent weeks over the potential deployment of National Guard troops to Chicago. “The President of the United States is threatening to go to war with an American city,” Pritzker wrote on X on Saturday. “This is not a joke. This is not normal. Donald Trump isn’t a strongman, he’s a scared man. Illinois won’t be intimidated by a wannabe dictator.” Johnson has previously cited data showing that violent crime in Chicago has declined in the last year, including homicides and robberies dipping by more than 30%, and shootings dropping by nearly 40%. “The President’s threats are beneath the honor of our nation, but the reality is that he wants to occupy our city and break our Constitution,” Johnson wrote on Saturday. “We must defend our democracy from this authoritarianism by protecting each other and protecting Chicago from Donald Trump.”
Vice President JD Vance teases 2028 bid, says it won’t be ‘given’ to him
Vice President JD Vance stopped short of confirming a 2028 White House run during an appearance on My View with Lara Trump Saturday night, but he acknowledged the possibility—noting if he does his job well, “the politics will figure itself out.” Vance, whose resilience amid an upbringing marked with family turmoil and economic hardship won over the nation, said he “doesn’t like thinking about” a potential presidential bid and insisted his attention remains on his current role. “If we do a good job in 2025 and 2026, then we can talk about the politics in 2027,” Vance said. “I really think the American people are so fed up with folks who are already running for the next job, seven months into the current one.” 2028 LOOKS LIKE TROUBLE FOR DEMOCRATS — AND REPUBLICANS ARE POISED TO CAPITALIZE The second-in-command added if he ends up running, he knows he will have to work for it. “There are a lot of great people,” Vance said. “If I do end up running, it’s not going to be given to me—either on the Republican side or on the national side. I’m just going to keep on working hard. … [This] may be the most important job I ever had, outside of being a father to those three beautiful kids. So I’m going to try to do my best job, and I think if I do that, the politics will figure itself out.” When asked specifically about potential 2028 Democratic candidates, he noted most of them “obviously have very bad records.” JD VANCE SHUTS DOWN MAGA SUCCESSION CHATTER AFTER MUSK REPORT Vance mainly focused on discussing his own ticket, praising President Donald Trump’s relentless work ethic and trusting leadership style and explaining the president “doesn’t have an off switch.” “Sometimes, the president will call you at 12:30 or 2 a.m., and then call you at 6 a.m. about a totally different topic,” Vance said. “It’s like, ‘Mr. president, did you go to sleep last night.’ … What’s made this so much fun is the president, all the time, just saying, ‘JD you go and do this,’ or ‘JD you go and talk to these leaders about this particular issue.’ That ability to delegate and trust his people has been really amazing.”
California woman facing felony charges for registering her dog to vote, casting 2 ballots
A California woman illegally registered her dog to vote and cast two ballots under the canine’s name, according to officials. Laura Lee Yourex, 62, of Costa Mesa, faces five felony charges, including perjury, procuring or offering a false or forged document to be filed, casting a ballot when not entitled to vote and registering a non-existent person to vote, according to the Orange County District Attorney’s Office. Yourex submitted mail-in ballots under her dog’s name, Maya Jean Yourex, during the 2021 gubernatorial recall election and the 2022 primary, the District Attorney’s Office said. NONCITIZEN ILLEGALLY VOTED IN SWING STATE’S 2024 ELECTION, AUTHORITIES SAY The recall ballot was counted, but the primary ballot was rejected. The woman reported herself in October of last year to the Orange County Registrar of Voter’s Office, which reported her to the District Attorney’s Office. An investigation into the incident revealed she posted about her dog’s voting activity on social media. In January 2022, Yourex posted a photo of her dog wearing an “I Voted” sticker and posing with the ballot. In October of last year, she posted a photo of the dog’s collar and a mail-in ballot addressed to the animal, saying that Maya still received the ballot despite passing away. “Maya is still getting her ballot,” Yourex wrote. Yourex faces a maximum sentence of six years in prison if convicted on all counts. TWO MEN CONVICTED IN PENNSYLVANIA MAYORAL RACE ELECTION FRAUD CASE HIT WITH HARSHER SENTENCES THAN EXPECTED The District Attorney’s Office did not reveal how Yourex cast the fraudulent votes or which party received the dog’s votes. To register to vote in California, an eligible voter must fill out a form with identifiable information, political preference and affirm their citizenship under the penalty of perjury. Proof of residence or identification is not required for citizens to register to vote or cast a ballot in state elections, but proof of residence and registration is needed for first-time voters to cast a ballot in a federal election.
Viral photo shows Bernie Sanders, AOC and Mamdani together in NYC ahead of ‘Fighting Oligarchy’ rally
A viral photo showing Sen. Bernie Sanders, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Democrat mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani in Astoria lit up social media on Saturday. Senator Sanders is set to headline a Brooklyn town hall on his “Fighting Oligarchy” tour where he is expected to stump for Mamdani, according to reporting from the New York Times. The post went up around 3:36 p.m. and quickly drew more than 350,000 views. The three progressive figures smiled together in Queens, a shot fans cheered and critics mocked. The photo of the three arguably most recognizable faces in the modern far-left camp was simply captioned, “A perfect afternoon in Astoria.” BERNIE SANDERS, ZOHRAN MAMDANI TEAM UP TO ‘FIGHT OLIGARCHY’ IN NYC Sanders, 84, and Mamdani, 33, marched together earlier this week in Manhattan’s Labor Day parade side-by-side while holding up a “Power in Unity” banner. Governor Kathy Hochul, a fellow Democrat, also participated. Mamdani has pitched himself as a democratic socialist focused on affordability. The Assemblyman promises free buses and state-operated grocery stores funded by higher taxes on the wealthy. He capped grassroots donations at $8 million. Sanders, who grew up in Brooklyn, has used his “Fighting Oligarchy” tour to lift the voices of younger progressives like Mamdani and Ocasio-Cortez. Both remain popular with the left wing of New York Democrats. AOC, SANDERS WELCOME MAMDANI TO DC FOR HIS CAPITOL HILL DEBUT, URGING RELUCTANT DEMS TO ‘GET TO KNOW HIM’ The photo also triggered blowback. “Three millionaires talking about socialism,” one user posted. Another joked, “The last thing your money sees before it dies.” Others wrote, “3 communists walk into a bar, they demanded the workers pay for everything.” Mamdani is expected to appear on stage with Sanders at his rally, scheduled for 6:00 pm at Brooklyn College’s Leonard & Claire Tow Center for the Performing Arts. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Representatives for Zohran Mamdani did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
Trump roils Chicago Democrats with ‘Apocalypse Now’ meme hinting at National Guard deployment
President Donald Trump on Saturday gave possibly his strongest hint yet that he may deploy federal troops to Chicago by posting a parody meme of himself as a commander at war with Chicago. The post drew a swift rebuke from Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and other officials who said it amounted to a threat. In the image, Trump, known to provoke his opponents with his savvy use of social media, is styled as Robert Duvall’s character in “Apocalypse Now,” a Vietnam War epic about a decorated U.S. officer who has gone rogue deep in the Cambodian jungle. “I love the smell of deportations in the morning…” Trump wrote above the image, a play on the famous quote from the hit 1979 film. “Chicago is about to find out why it’s called the Department of WAR,” he wrote, followed by three helicopter emoji. It came a day after he signed an executive order changing the Defense Department’s name to the Department of War. ‘SLAP IN THE FACE’: MAJOR BLUE STATE GOVERNOR SIGNS BILL OPENING FINANCIAL AID TO ILLEGALS The post appeared aimed at provoking Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, who have both strongly opposed Trump’s threats to activate the National Guard in the Windy City to clamp down on crime and help enhance immigration enforcement efforts. In the image, Trump is dressed in military fatigues resembling Duvall’s character, Lt. Col. Bill Kilgore, a flamboyant and fearless air cavalry officer who leads a helicopter air assault on a Vietnamese village. Helicopters fly over the Chicago skyline in a fiery background, evoking Vietnam War scenes. The text “Chipocalypse Now” is scrawled on the bottom of the image, a riff on “Apocalypse Now,” with “Chi” referring to Chicago. Trump’s goading appeared to work. Within an hour, Pritzker shot back, with Johnson also weighing in. ILLINOIS GOV CALLS FOR MASS PROTESTS AGAINST TRUMP ADMIN: GOP ‘CANNOT KNOW A MOMENT OF PEACE’ “The President of the United States is threatening to go to war with an American city,” Pritzker wrote on X “This is not a joke. This is not normal. Donald Trump isn’t a strongman, he’s a scared man. Illinois won’t be intimidated by a wannabe dictator.” Johnson conveyed similar words of warning. “The President’s threats are beneath the honor of our nation, but the reality is that he wants to occupy our city and break our Constitution,” Johnson wrote. “We must defend our democracy from this authoritarianism by protecting each other and protecting Chicago from Donald Trump.” Another outspoken Trump critic, Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., also decried the post on Saturday during remarks before a parade in Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood. “This tweet this morning was disgusting to suggest that the troops are coming into Chicago or that the Department of War is going to be engaged is an embarrassment,” Durban said, according to Fox 32 Chicago. Trump has repeatedly floated the idea of deploying the National Guard in Chicago, replicating operations in Washington, D.C., which has also seen the federal government take control of the local police. National Guard units sent without state approval are generally restricted to defending federal property and personnel. When Guard troops were deployed to Los Angeles in June over anti-U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement protests, they were confined to federal buildings and escort duties for immigration agents. In Washington, D.C., which is under federal jurisdiction, Guard units have conducted armed patrols alongside local police. Chicago recorded 573 homicides in 2024, marking the 13th straight year Chicago has led the nation in total murders, according to Chicago Police Department data compiled by Wirepoints. According to the Council on Criminal Justice’s year-end 2024 update, aggravated assaults declined by 4% compared to 2023 but remained 4% higher than in 2019. The council reported that gun assaults fell 15%, though they were still 5% above 2019 levels, and that carjackings dropped 32% year-over-year, yet were 25% higher than in 2019.
Social media firestorm erupts after massive Georgia immigration raid: ‘Taking bold action’
Social media erupted across the political spectrum following Thursday’s federal immigration raid at a Hyundai mega plant in Georgia that resulted in the arrests of about 475 suspects, most of whom were Korean nationals. The raid, about 20 miles outside of Savannah, was part of a long-term investigation and is one of many notable worksite operations that have occurred amid the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown. Hyundai officials said they do not believe any of their direct employees were arrested but said it would “comply with all laws and regulations.” LG Energy Solution, which also plays a role in the plant, also said it will work with authorities. Some took aim at the fact that the factory was touted by former President Joe Biden, as both Democratic and Republican politicians have hailed the project as a win for American manufacturing. The EV manufacturing part of the facility is not believed to have been impacted, but the battery factory under construction was the focus of the multi-agency effort. MASSIVE DHS RAID HITS GEORGIA HYUNDAI FACTORY THAT BIDEN TOUTED AS MAJOR VICTORY FOR ‘NEW AMERICAN JOBS’ “Even when Democrats pretend to be America-First, they are secretly America Last. Every. Single. Time. That is truly unbelievable,” scientist Matt Van Swol posted to X. “We as an American company with legal workers are always cut out of those mega projects, because we are too expensive. Finally this problem gets addressed,” Maik Peters, CEO of Pitco Engineering, posted. CLICK HERE FOR MORE IMMIGRATION COVERAGE “Time to pull the licenses of these construction companies for hiring illegals,” another user wrote. FEDERAL AGENTS ARREST HUNDREDS AT HYUNDAI PLANT CONSTRUCTION SITE IN GEORGIA Others criticized the Trump administration, as the South Korean government also expressed concerns about the operation. “Completely incredible. Lutnick and Trump brag about getting South Korea to invest billions in the U.S., then turn around and arrest South Koreans who were here temporarily in the U.S. to help Hyundai set up a factory in Georgia. The stupidity burns,” writer James Surowiecki posted. Rep. Nikema Williams, D-Ga., wrote that the raid was an “act of cruelty and injustice” by the Trump administration. “Reportedly, U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents have also been wrongfully detained,” she posted. “This administration is actively working to instill fear and chaos within our most marginalized communities. Due process is not optional, it is the law. The administration needs to follow it and abide by the constitutional rights of every worker affected.” FEDERAL AGENTS CONDUCT IMMIGRATION RAID IN LOS ANGELES DESPITE FIERCE OPPOSITION FROM DEMOCRAT MAYOR In a statement to Fox News Digital, Rep. Buddy Carter, R-Ga., said Democrats enabled the illegal immigration issues in the U.S. “for far too long.” “That’s no longer the case under President Trump and Operation Take Back America. I applaud the Trump Administration and our brave law enforcement officers for taking bold action to put American workers first and protect our communities from the scourge of illegal immigration,” Carter wrote. “For anyone who thinks they can take jobs from hardworking Americans and give them to illegal immigrants, take note: not under Donald Trump’s watch.”