Calls growing to end workplace raids as Trump admin escalates immigration crackdown
As protests continue across the U.S., people share stories of how lives are impacted, including nannies in Los Angeles afraid of being profiled by ICE agents. Celebrities have also taken to social media, including Kim Kardashian calling the ICE raids 'inhumane.' The NewsNight panel debates "overblown" or "inhumane."
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Associated Press
an hour ago
- Associated Press
Israeli strikes on Iran lead to new test of Trump's ability to deliver on 'America first' agenda
WASHINGTON (AP) — Just hours before Israel launched strikes on Iran early Friday, President Donald Trump was still holding onto tattered threads of hope that a long-simmering dispute over Tehran's nuclear program could be resolved without military action. But with the Israeli military operation called 'Rising Lion' now underway — something Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says will go on for 'as many days as it takes' — Trump will be tested anew on his ability to make good on a campaign promise to disentangle the U.S. from foreign conflicts. The administration's immediate reaction to the Israeli assault came not from Trump, but from Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who is doubling as Trump's national security adviser. He made clear that the U.S. was 'not involved' and that the administration's central concern was protecting U.S. forces in the region. 'Israel advised us that they believe this action was necessary for its self-defense,' Rubio said in a statement. 'President Trump and the Administration have taken all necessary steps to protect our forces and remain in close contact with our regional partners. Let me be clear: Iran should not target U.S. interests or personnel.' As Israel stepped up planning for strikes in recent weeks, however, Iran, had signaled that the United States would be held responsible in the event of an Israeli attack. The warning was issued by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi even as he engaged in talks with Trump special envoy Steve Witkoff over Tehran's rapidly advancing nuclear program. On Thursday, just hours before the strikes, Trump made the case that there was still time for diplomacy — but it was running out. The White House had even planned to dispatch Witkoff to Oman on Sunday for the next round of talks with Araghchi. It wasn't immediately clear how the strikes would affect plans for those discussions. Trump is set to meet with his National Security Council in the Situation Room on Friday to discuss the tricky path ahead. Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., offered rare words of Democratic praise for the Trump administration after the attack 'for prioritizing diplomacy' and 'refraining from participating in tonight's actions.' But he also expressed deep concern about what the Israeli strikes could mean for U.S. personnel in the region. Iranian officials made clear that they intended to retaliate with decisive action after the Israeli strikes targeted Iran's main enrichment facility in Natanz and the country's ballistic missile program, as well as top nuclear scientists and officials. 'I cannot understand why Israel would launch a preemptive strike at this juncture, knowing high level diplomatic discussions between the United States and Iran are scheduled for this weekend,' Kaine said. Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., said the U.S. Senate 'stands ready to work with President Trump and with our allies in Israel to restore peace in the region and, first and foremost, to defend the American people from Iranian aggression, especially our troops and civilians serving overseas.' Trump in the hours before the attack still appeared hopeful that there would be more time for diplomacy. The president, in an exchange with reporters, again urged Iran to negotiate a deal. He warned that a 'massive conflict' could occur in the Middle East without it. He later took to social media to emphasize that his 'entire Administration has been directed to negotiate with Iran.' As long as there was a chance for an agreement, Trump said of Israel, 'I don't want them going in because I think it would blow it.' But it was clear to the administration that Israel was edging toward taking military action against Iran. The State Department on Wednesday directed a voluntary evacuation of nonessential personnel and their families from some U.S. diplomatic outposts in the Middle East. 'I don't want to be the one that didn't give any warning, and missiles are flying into their buildings. It's possible. So I had to do it,' Trump explained. Before Israel launched the strikes, some of Trump's strongest supporters were raising concerns about what another expansive conflict in the Mideast could mean for the Republican president who ran on a promise to quickly end the brutal wars in Gaza and Ukraine. Trump has struggled to find an endgame to either of those conflicts and to make good on two of his biggest foreign policy campaign promises. And after criticizing President Joe Biden during last year's campaign for preventing Israel from carrying out strikes on Iranian nuclear sites, Trump found himself making the case to the Israelis to give diplomacy a chance. The push by the Trump administration to persuade Tehran to give up its nuclear program came after the U.S. and other world powers in 2015 reached a long-term, comprehensive nuclear agreement that limited Tehran's enrichment of uranium in exchange for the lifting of economic sanctions. But Trump unilaterally withdrew the U.S. from the Obama-administration brokered agreement in 2018, calling it the 'worst deal ever.' The way forward is even more clouded now. 'No issue currently divides the right as much as foreign policy,' Charlie Kirk, the founder of Turning Point USA and an ally of the Trump White House, posted on X Thursday. 'I'm very concerned based on (everything) I've seen in the grassroots the last few months that this will cause a massive schism in MAGA and potentially disrupt our momentum and our insanely successful Presidency.' Jack Posobiec, another prominent Trump supporter, warned a 'direct strike on Iran right now would disastrously split the Trump coalition.' 'Trump smartly ran against starting new wars, this is what the swing states voted for — the midterms are not far and Congress' majority is already razor-thin,' Posobiec added in a posting on X. Rosemary Kelanic, director of the Middle East program at Defense Priorities, said the job ahead for Trump and his team is to protect U.S. forces who are highly vulnerable to Iranian retaliation. 'Israel's strike on Iran must not become the United States' war,' Kelanic said. 'The U.S. public overwhelmingly opposes another military engagement in the Middle East for good reason — an open-ended military campaign in Iran would risk repeating the catastrophic mistakes of the 2003 war in Iraq, which inadvertently strengthened Tehran's influence there.' ___ AP Congressional Correspondent Lisa Mascaro contributed reporting.
Fox News
an hour ago
- Fox News
Padilla cuffed, McIver indicted: Can Congress come back from the brink?
You have lots of places to choose from to get your message out to the press if you're House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La. It's best to get your message out succinctly, clearly and free of interference. So when Johnson decided to boast about the House making good on the first bill to codify DOGE cuts and slash $9.4 billion from USAID and public broadcasting, he stepped just outside the House chamber and into a throng of reporters gathered by the Will Rogers Statue. "Republicans will continue to deliver real accountability and restore fiscal discipline," said Johnson. But the Will Rogers Statue area is a major thoroughfare in the Capitol. At the moment Johnson spoke Thursday, dozens of House Democrats were headed toward the office of Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D. They were demanding answers about why federal agents tossed Sen. Alex Padilla, D-Calif., to the ground and handcuffed him during a press conference in Los Angeles with Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. When Johnson finished talking about reeling in the money for public broadcasting and USAID, reporters only wanted to ask about Padilla. Yours truly included. "Did the federal agents go too far," I asked. "Was that a bridge too far?" A long line of angry House Democrats squeezed past Johnson in the Will Rogers corridor. But because Johnson chose to speak in such a heavily-trafficked locale, Democrats hectored Johnson as they marched to the Senate. "Yes it was!" shouted an unidentified Democrat as she strode past the scrum, answering my question for Johnson. But Johnson immediately pivoted to what Padilla did, standing up at Noem's press conference to holler questions at her from the back of the room. "It was wildly inappropriate," said Johnson of Padilla as he spoke to the Capitol press corps. "You don't charge a sitting cabinet secretary…" "That's a lie!" shouted another unidentified Democrat. "A lie!" yelled someone else. Rep. Sam Liccardo, D-Calif., stopped to snarl something at the Speaker. But it was impossible to hear over the din. "He was acting like a senator," charged Rep. Dan Goldman, D-N.Y. "Why don't you stand up for Congress!" "Can you respond to these people heckling you Mr. Speaker?" I asked. "I'm not going to respond to that," replied Johnson. The Capitol was pulsing at this point. The crush of House Democrats barged into the office of Thune, who was at the White House. Lucky him. The Democrats then trooped back across the Rotunda and poured into Johnson's office. "When the Speaker of the House refers to a sitting Member of the U.S. Senate who simply tried to exercise his First Amendment rights as acting like a thug, we're very concerned about that," said Congressional Hispanic Caucus Chairman Adriano Espaillat, D-N.Y. "Both the Speaker and Leader Thune should step up to the moment and preserve the institution of Congress, which are a balance in democracy and important balance in democracy." One lawmaker who didn't join the angry Democratic mob was Rep. Madeleine Dean, D-Pa. Dean stood apprehensively just beyond the wall of reporters and outside the invisible bubble created by Johnson's security detail. When Johnson concluded speaking, Dean tried to pierce the security ring to have a civil conversation with the Speaker. "Mike! Mike!" said Dean, trying to capture Johnson's attention. "It's Madeline." Johnson finally realized that "Madeleine" wasn't some reporter trying to squeeze in an extra question for the Speaker. But someone he obviously knew. A fellow lawmaker. Someone from across the aisle with whom he must have a friendship and working relationship. Johnson and Dean spoke in hushed tones as they walked quietly across Statuary Hall. Some in the press corps followed, trying to divine what they were saying. This wasn't an offstage chat back in the Speaker's Suite or on a private telephone call. But it went down in a very public part of the U.S. Capitol. The conversation continued as the duo stopped adjacent to the "British Steps" near the Speaker's Office. Dean clenched both of her hands into fists as she and the Speaker were about to part ways. She lightly touched Johnson on the right arm as he ducked into the Speaker's Office. "Thank you, sir," said Dean. "What were you speaking to the Speaker about?" I asked the Congresswoman. "I just want to keep that to myself," answered Dean. "But the one thing I wanted to say is that it's up to the President to turn the temperature down. Everyone is inflamed. And agitated. But it starts with the President. He said 'I'm talking to the President,'" said Dean. But other Republicans may have tried to dial up the temperature by blasting Padilla. Padilla left Washington earlier in the week to be in LA during the riots. The senator was supposed to start at first base for the Democrats in the Congressional Baseball Game on Wednesday night. Republicans charged that Padilla should have stayed moored in Washington. "He has a responsibility to show up at work not to go make a spectacle," said Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso, R-Wyo. "The fact that he's in California and not in D.C. while the Senate is voting means he's not as concerned about doing his job here," said Senate Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La. Scalise conceded he had gone home to Louisiana when hurricanes threatened the state. He argued that he "wouldn't go back home to try to stir angst against the federal agents that were coming and help us get back on our feet." Outraged Democrats thundered on the Senate floor, railing against the plight of Padilla. "This is the stuff of dictatorships. It is actually happening," said Sen. Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii. "It's despicable. It's disgusting. It is so un-American," said Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y. "I think it's unprecedented," said Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz. "It's obnoxious, and it's rather escalatory." But the outrage wasn't limited to Democrats. "I've seen that one clip. It's horrible. It is shocking at every level. And it's not the America I know," said Sen. Lisa Murkowski," R-Alaska. The band of Democrats who ran over to Thune's office never did find him. But by nightfall, Thune said he spoke to Padilla, Senate Sergeant at Arms Jennifer Hemingway and tried to contact Noem. "We want to get the full scope of what happened," said Thune. This falls against the backdrop of the feds charging Rep. LaMonica McIver, D-N.J., for assaulting federal agents at a Newark detention facility earlier this spring. These episodes have shaken Congress. Lawmakers wonder what would happen if the shoe were on the other foot. And despite the partisan chasms, they're all lawmakers. They know that if something like this can happen to Padilla, well, they could be next. Confidence and trust are waning. "I remain hopeful that Leader Thune and other Republicans can walk us back from the brink," said Schatz. "But I am not so sure anymore."
Fox News
an hour ago
- Fox News
Diddy's alleged 'sexual deviant' behavior doesn't prove government's case: expert
Sean "Diddy" Combs' ex-girlfriend provided the jury more insight into the rapper's life outside his music mogul status when she returned to the witness stand Tuesday for cross-examination in his federal trial for sex crimes. Using a pseudonym, "Jane" testified that she broached the subject of rehab for the "Last Night" rapper after allegedly witnessing him "overdoing the partying." She claimed he would offer her ecstasy before engaging in role play and that Diddy liked to use the words "voyeurism" and "escapism" to describe his fantasies of watching her participate in sexual encounters with male escorts. Attorney David Seltzer told Fox News Digital that while Jane's testimony was compelling, her claims did little to aid in the prosecution's case to convict Diddy of the five charges he's facing. "The testimony from the latest witness, Jane, continues to show the world that Mr. Combs is a sexual deviant," Seltzer said. "Someone who thought he was untouchable and above the law. Still, while there is no doubt Mr. Combs broke multiple laws. The charges he is facing in federal court are not laws he has broken. "Jane's testimony, voice notes and all, while chilling and demonstrate Mr. Combs' controlling behavior, does not, in my opinion, prove the government's case. Rather, it further depicts Mr. Combs as morally reprehensible and as such someone the jury should convict." Former federal prosecutor Neahma Rahmani told Fox News Digital that this case "comes down to coercion versus consent." "Combs' lawyers cross-examined victim Jane the entire day and suggested that Jane chose to participate in the hotel nights. For the first time, we heard the defense's theory of their case," Rahmani said. "The testimony from the latest witness, Jane, continues to show the world that Mr. Combs is a sexual deviant." "Combs' lawyers also suggested that he was a drug addict and taking antidepressants, likely to play the sympathy card for the jury." During cross-examination, Jane said in 2022 she was trying to figure out her relationship with Diddy and came upon the term "cuckold," a word for a man turned on watching his woman have sex with another man. According to Jane, she wanted to know what was driving the rapper and to find an understanding of his alleged fantasies. She said she found multiple reasons, including that a "cuckold" derives pleasure from seeing his woman receive pleasure from another man. Jane testified that "cucks" could also have a curiosity that they were too ashamed to experience themselves, so they used a woman. Jane claimed Diddy liked to use voyeurism and escapism. "I would use the work 'cuck' for him," she told his defense lawyers. She also testified that Diddy was upfront with her about dating multiple women at the start of their relationship in 2021. She explained the rapper was "polyamorous" and she was OK with that at the time. She testified at first she didn't mind because she was just getting to know Diddy. According to Jane, she was forced to participate in "hotel nights." During these sessions, which could last from 24 hours to multiple days, she was allegedly expected to have sex with other men while Diddy watched. "Jane's testimony, voice notes and all, while chilling and demonstrate Mr. Combs' controlling behavior, does not, in my opinion, prove the government's case. Rather, it further depicts Mr. Combs as morally reprehensible and as such someone the jury should convict." While on the stand, Jane told defense lawyer Teny Geragos that she had been texting Diddy about him buying purses for another woman. Geragos commented that Jane received a bag of her own. "No, I only got trauma … after three-and-a-half years, I really don't think I garnered anything," Jane told the court. Geragos pressed, "How much do Bottega bags cost?" to which Jane replied, "How much does my body cost?" before asking the court for a break from testimony. When court resumed, Jane apologized to Geragos. "She claimed to be righteous and was going to walk away from Mr. Combs after her ask of '3 months' of continued financial support, but here we are over a year later and Mr. Combs is still paying her rent and legal fees as she testified against him," Seltzer said. "Is that the testimony of a victim? Is that the face of fear? I think Jane is primed to really help boost the defense case when all these points are honed in on." In a federal indictment unsealed on Sept. 17, Combs was charged with racketeering conspiracy (RICO); sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion; and transportation to engage in prostitution. If found guilty, he faces a minimum of 15 years behind bars or a maximum sentence of life in prison. He has maintained his innocence throughout the trial, in which witnesses have testified to alleged rape, sexual assault, severe physical abuse, forced labor and drug trafficking. The trial is expected to wrap by July 4.
