Trump administration gutted program aimed at preventing targeted violence
WASHINGTON, June 14 (Reuters) - The Trump administration gutted a program that aimed to prevent targeted violence as part of its sweeping bid to downsize the federal government, a move that could come under fresh scrutiny after the deadly shooting of state lawmakers in Minnesota on Saturday.
The Center for Prevention Programs and Partnerships, part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, works to reduce violent extremism through intervention programs in schools, workplaces and government offices.
William Braniff, a former director of the office who resigned in protest in March, said the office went from having 45 full-time staff and several dozen contract workers to just a handful of employees currently.
The Trump administration has prioritized combating illegal immigration while shrinking other DHS offices, a factor Braniff cited. "DHS is drastically reducing everything that is not related to border and immigration security," he said.
The current head of the office is Thomas Fugate, a 22-year-old former Trump campaign worker who did not appear to have previous experience with countering terrorism and violent attacks, ProPublica, opens new tab reported earlier this month.
DHS and the White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
A gunman posing as a police officer killed a senior Democratic state assemblywoman and her husband on Saturday in an apparent "politically motivated assassination," and wounded a second lawmaker and his spouse, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and law enforcement officials said.
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Daily Mail
31 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Unearthed video shows Minnesota shooting suspect dancing at bizarre religious ceremony as links to Africa are revealed
Newly unearthed video shows Vance Boelter, the subject of a massive FBI manhunt, dancing in a church service as his links to Africa were revealed. The video, filmed in February 2023, shows Boelter, 57, delivering a passionate testimony about how he met Jesus at the age of 17. 'I met the Lord when I was 17 years old and I gave my life to Jesus Christ,' he says in the clip. He goes on to describe naming his five children after Christian virtues, Grace, Faith, Hope, Joy, and David, in what he calls a testament to God's blessings on his life. But Boelter the preacher is now the prime suspect in what authorities have described as a targeted political assassination. Boelter is accused of posing as a police officer and fatally shooting Democratic Minnesota lawmaker Melissa Hortman and her husband inside their Brooklyn Park home early on Saturday. Hours earlier, Boelter allegedly shot and wounded State Senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, at their home in nearby Champlin. In that case, both victims survived but remain in hospital The video shows Boelter not only preaching but also describing himself as a man transformed by God. His passionate 25 minute sermon stands in stark contrast to the grim reality of the manhunt now underway. The footage comes to light as it was revealed Boelter was the CEO of a security company called The Red Lion Group, which is based in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Red Lion Group has since deleted its website and LinkedIn pages, but Boelter's LinkedIn said he started at the company in December 2021. He also worked with Minnesota Africans United, a statewide organization working with African immigrants in the state. Two years ago, Boelter announced ago that he was in the country with his company, working on 'private business projects.' He claimed to have business ventures in a host of industries including fishing, farming, media, security, and motorcycle-taxis all within the Democratic Republic of Congo. 'We're partnering with 400 farmers who are ready to go on a farming project… we're doing a fishing project that works with like 500 fishermans…that's off the coast of Rwanda,' Boelter stated in an online video. 'Another one that we're looking at doing is a totally women led motorcycle-taxi business, where all the operators are women, and the leadership is women, so we're excited to get that off the ground,' Boelter explained in his pitch. 'I would like to get 1,000 female motorcycle-taxis running in the near future but we need some sponsors to invest in that,' he went on. About one month ago Boelter updated his LinkedIn to say he had returned to the US and was looking for work in the food industry on the corporate side. 'I'm looking for roles in Texas, Minnesota, Florida, and Washington DC-Baltimore area ideally, but would look at other locations if I felt it was a good fit,' he wrote. Boelter also has armed security experience in the Middle East, Africa, Eastern Europe, and North America through the Praetorian Guard Security Services, a biography about him on the site said. 'He brings a great security aspect forged by both many on the ground experiences combined with training by both private security firms and by people in the US Military,' it reads. 'Vance has focused all this experience to make sure Praetorian Guard Security Services covers the needs you have to keep your family and property safe.' He had previously worked at 7-Eleven and Geencore as a general manager, a system manager at Del Monte Foods, and a operational leader at Johnsonville Sausage, according to his LinkedIn. His LinkedIn also revealed his deep connections to politics, as he asked his followers to vote ahead of the 2020 election. Boelter, a husband and father-of-five, holds degrees in international relations, management, and leadership for the advancement of learning and service from various Minnesota and Wisconsin universities. The FBI has offered a $50,000 reward for information leading to Boelter's arrest, and authorities have described him as armed, dangerous, and potentially targeting more lawmakers. The footage shows Boelter delivering an emotionally charged sermon to a small congregation. He can be heard preaching about repentance, God's plan, and the power of faith as the ultimate equalizer between rich and poor. At one point, he describes his family as a divine gift and says, 'God has a plan for each of us... and no one can take you out of it - only you can walk away.' The message is intensely spiritual while also laced with a level of determination that authorities now fear may have spiraled into extremist belief. Law enforcement sources say Boelter left behind 'No Kings' flyers and written manifestos naming Hortman, Hoffman, and other elected officials. Though officials have not publicly stated a motive, one source said that Boelter's writings expressed rage toward pro-choice lawmakers and contained elements of anti-government ideology. Boelter is a former political appointee who served on Minnesota's workforce development board - the same one as Senator Hoffman, though it's unclear how well the two men knew each other. He also ran a private security firm with his wife, Praetorian Guard Security Services, which promoted armed event security and featured imagery of tactical gear and patrol vehicles resembling police cruisers. Police say Boelter used that look to his advantage. After allegedly shooting the Hoffmans around 2am, officers responded to the second scene at Hortman's house and found Boelter outside, dressed as a law enforcement officer and standing next to a police-style vehicle. When they approached, he opened fire and escaped on foot during the exchange. Inside his vehicle, investigators recovered multiple AK-style rifles. Authorities say he is still believed to be armed with a pistol. Governor Tim Walz called the killings 'a politically motivated assassination' and warned of broader threats against public officials in a nation increasingly beset by political violence. 'We must all, in Minnesota and across the country, stand against all forms of political violence,' Walz said at a press conference earlier in the day as he ordered flags to fly at half-staff in Hortman's honor. The former House Speaker, 55, was a central figure in Minnesota politics, known for her support of expanded abortion access and her role in a high-profile standoff with Republicans earlier this year. Her husband, Mark Hortman, died later at the hospital. Autopsies show both died from multiple gunshot wounds. Hoffman, 60, remains in critical but stable condition after surgery. Walz said he is 'cautiously optimistic' about the senator's recovery. The attacks prompted a sweeping security response across the Twin Cities, including the cancellation of several anti-Trump 'No Kings' demonstrations that Boelter may have been monitoring. State Patrol Col. Christina Bogojevic said the suspect's car contained flyers from the group and writings that mentioned potential future targets. Boelter reportedly texted friends just before the shootings, writing cryptically: 'I've made some choices... I'm going to be gone for a while. May be dead shortly. I just want to let you know I love you guys and I wish it hadn't gone this way.' As the FBI, state police, and local law enforcement fan out in search of him, residents remain shaken by the attacks. 'This is crazy - someone going after representatives?' said Douglas Thompson, a Brooklyn Park resident. 'This is wrong. I'm hoping they'll catch him.'
Sky News
40 minutes ago
- Sky News
Washington parade celebrates US Army's 250th anniversary on Donald Trump's 79th birthday
Sunday 15 June 2025 07:24, UK Why you can trust Sky News A rare military parade marking the US Army's 250th anniversary has taken place in Washington DC - on Donald Trump's 79th birthday. The event coincided with hundreds of so-called "No Kings" protests against the Trump administration in towns and cities across the US. Mr Trump said the patriotic spectacle in the capital was going to be a "big day" and admitted: "We want to show off a little bit." It was the first time tanks had rolled through the streets of Washington in more than 30 years. 3:12 Officials estimated 200,000 people could turn out to see around 6,600 soldiers, 150 vehicles, 50 aircraft and numerous artillery pieces. However, far fewer people appeared to be there - possibly due to the poor weather. The event was also criticised by some as expensive and not in the American tradition. Mr Trump watched alongside the first lady and defence secretary as troops and military hardware filed past, accompanied at times by up-tempo rock music. The event started half an hour early due to forecasted heavy rain, with cloud forcing the cancellation of a flypast by fighter jets. Helicopters such as Apaches, Chinooks and Black Hawks still took part however. Mr Trump had warned that any protesters who interfered would "be met with very big force". Military parachutists from the Golden Knights swooped in at the start of the programme, and some soldiers paraded in historic uniforms, complete with horses and wagons. Vehicles from the Second World War and Vietnam War also took part. Washington fireworks as missiles fall in Israel and Iran Mark Stone US correspondent @Stone_SkyNews It was the marking of a birthday that has riled so many across this country. All-American or un-American? Jingoistic or patriotic? Among the crowd in the heart of Washington it felt like a celebration, and it was certainly a show. The United States was born 249 years ago this year. The Continental Army was born a year earlier to deliver a new country from British rule. This is the 250th year of the US Army. There was a salute to the president, of course, but as commander-in-chief, not a nod to his birthday. From General Washington's soldiers, the show was a journey through the centuries – the War of Independence, World Wars and America's wars: Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan. And there was a somewhat unsettling glimpse into the future - drones and robo-dogs passing down Constitution Avenue. For all the talk of this being a political stunt by Donald Trump to celebrate his birthday, it didn't feel like that among the crowds. From those we spoke to, all were there to celebrate the birthday of the army, not the president. Sure, many - maybe most - there love him, but they were there for the Army. But it's the timing, the context beyond the parade, which had shifted the framing of this day. It generated a stark real time split screen, because as the soldiers were marching in Washington, volleys of tear gas were being fired at protesters in Los Angeles. The juxtaposition came at the end of a week when the president deployed the military on America's streets against protesters. It was the only major clash despite over a thousand protests with tens of thousands in towns and cities across the country. "No Kings" was the tag for the biggest nationwide movement of people against what they see as the growing authoritarianism of Donald Trump since he became president again. Back at the parade, it wasn't the moment to mention the division. The president's speech was uncharacteristically free of politics. He focused on what was in front of him. "Every other country celebrates their victories. It's about time America did too. That's what we're doing tonight," he said. Nor did he make any mention of the other stark split-screen. As the Washington show went on, Israel's largest city, Tel Aviv, was under attack. The cameras in Washington caught Trump's Middle East envoy with his eyes on his phone not the parade. And Marco Rubio, the Secretary of State, looked like his mind was elsewhere. The night in Washington ended with fireworks. In Israeli and Iranian towns and cities the bangs were from missiles. Mr Trump stood and saluted many of the passing soldiers - and even personally swore in some troops. The US leader is said to have got the idea after being impressed with France's Bastille Day celebrations during a visit in 2017. Metal plates were put down on some of Washington's streets to protect them against the heaviest tanks - especially the 60-ton M1 Abrams. Even so, the US Army set aside several million dollars in case of any damage. The last time such a major display took place in the US was 1991, when tanks and troops paraded to celebrate the ousting of Saddam Hussein's army from Kuwait. Read more from Sky News: Why parade is so controversial Manhunt after US politician and husband shot dead Mr Trump paid tribute to the soldiers, saying they "made all Americans very proud" and it was "about time" America publicly celebrated its military. He was joined on the podium by the first lady and presented with the US flag by one of the Golden Knights parachutists. Fireworks then lit up the sky behind the iconic Washington Monument to bring things to a close. Critics had hit out at the event and said it was something more associated with dictatorial regimes such as Russia or North Korea. An estimated cost as high as $45m (£33.33m) also raised eyebrows given Mr Trump's efforts to slash the budget of many federal departments. Among the critics was California governor Gavin Newsom, who has been trading barbs with the president since the outbreak of riots in LA. He accused the president of forcing troops "to put on a vulgar display to celebrate his birthday, just as other failed dictators have done in the past". The show of military might came as more than 1,500 protests against the Trump administration, organised under the slogan "No Kings", were scheduled to take place across the US on Saturday. Los Angeles was the scene of one demonstration, with police firing tear gas to disperse people after the formal protest ended. Tension is high in America's second-biggest city after recent raids by immigration officers sparked unrest this week. Other large demos happened on Saturday in San Diego, Atlanta, Denver, Portland and Chicago - where police estimated a crowd of about 15,000 people with just one arrest "No Kings" organisers claimed 200,000 had turned out in New York alone and millions across the country. The name of the protests comes from the accusation that Mr Trump acts more like an authoritarian monarch than a democratically elected head of state. Related Topics Donald Trump
The Sun
an hour ago
- The Sun
Trump parade LIVE: Army birthday party takes place in Washington DC as cops fire tear gas at ‘No Kings' protesters in LA
What did Trump say in his speech? Trump only delivered a short speech unlike his usual self as he praised all US soldiers for their valour on battlefields around the world. He also offered a warning to those thinking of going against his military saying: "Time and again America's enemies have learned that if you threaten the American people, our soldiers are coming for you. "Your defeat will be certain. Your demise will be final, and your downfall will be total and complete. "Because our soldiers never give up. Never surrender and never, ever quit. They fight, fight, fight. And they win, win, win." He went on to thank the men and women who have served across the last 250 years and said "America stands tall" as always. "America stands proud, and America stands free. We're the hottest country in the world right now," he added. "And our country will soon be greater and stronger than ever before."
