US Attorney Pirro says administration won't tolerate ‘out of control' crime in the nation's capital
"We are now in the process of bringing to the attention of law-abiding citizens, not just in D.C., but throughout the country, that we're not going to tolerate crime that is out of control in the nation's capital," she said Monday on "Hannity."
"This is the shining city on the hill that our forefathers talked about. This is the place where Ronald Reagan talked about looking up to. And in the end, it is an incredibly violent area."
Pirro, a former Fox News co-host, joined Trump and other top administration officials at the White House briefing room when the commander-in-chief announced the changes and a surge in federal law enforcement.
Trump wrote on his Truth Social account that he wants to make the federal district one of the safest cities in the world and called for teenagers as young as 14 to be charged as adults.
The comments came after ex-DOGE employee Edward Coristine, nicknamed "Big Balls," was allegedly assaulted during an attempted carjacking.
Two 15-year-olds have since been arrested and face charges of unarmed carjacking in connection with the Coristine attack, according to the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
Pirro told Fox News host Sean Hannity that D.C.'s juvenile justice system is focused more on rehabilitation than accountability.
"We've got an area where criminals are emboldened for a variety of reasons," said the top federal prosecutor.
"They know these young gangs – or, as they're called here, crews – they know that if they're 14, 15, 16, or 17, they are below the age of criminal responsibility unless they commit the crime of murder, rape one, armed robbery or burglary in the first degree. And that means if you shoot someone and they don't die, I don't even get the case as a prosecutor."
She added: "Unless and until we get our hands on them and unless and until we have the ability to punish them, they are emboldened and they are laughing at us."
MPD reported a 7% decrease in overall crime and a 26% reduction in violent crime in Washington, D.C., as of Monday, compared to the same period in 2024.
D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser cited a decline in crime incidents since the COVID-19 pandemic, after a spike in 2023, and noted that the city is at a 30-year low in violent crime.
She called the deployment of National Guard troops "unsettling and unprecedented" but pledged to work with federal officials to ensure residents are safe.
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6 minutes ago
- Yahoo
He told police 'get here quick before I kill her'
A man who was accused of trying to kill his girlfriend has pleaded guilty to attempting to seriously injure her. Karl Wexler's partner fled their flat "in terror" while only partially clothed after he throttled her with such force that he broke one of his own fingers. The thug then told police "get here quick before I kill her" during a 999 call. The victim was able to escape, however, "running for her life" before seeking refuge at a nearby social club. While Wexler went on to state that he "really didn't care about the consequences" and "admitted that his intention had been to kill", he denied attempted murder and went on trial at Liverpool Crown Court yesterday, Monday. However, the 43-year-old admitted the lesser charge of attempting to inflict grievous bodily harm. READ MORE: Live updates as black smoke seen after fire shuts East Lancs Road READ MORE: Upgraded Merseyside train station to open next week after years of delays This guilty plea was deemed acceptable by the prosecution, and he will now be sentenced on September 29. Wexler was further remanded into custody until this date by Judge Gary Woodhall. A jury of six men and six women previously heard during the prosecution's opening that Clare King dialled 999 on the evening of January 21 this year and reported that she was being attacked by Wexler, who was represented by Waheed Baber, at their home on Dentons Green Lane in St Helens. Philip Astbury, appearing for the crown, told the court: "Police responded, and, when they arrived, found her in a distressed state, only partially dressed, because she had run from the flat in terror at what he had done. "Having been arrested, he was interviewed. He admitted that his intention during that attack had been to kill Clare King. He had become angry and lost control. He now denies that which he said at the time was true. "It was eight minutes past 10 in the evening when Clare King made that 999 call. You may think that she is utterly terrified when she makes that 999 call. Something serious has happened. In the background, you can hear him saying to the police 'get here quickly before I kill her'." Ms King was thereafter said to have "run for her life" from the couple's apartment before members of the public came to her aid near Windle Social Club. She then gave an account to PCs who attended the scene "describing a violent assault" while "trying to contain her emotions and clearly very, very distressed". When arrested back at their home, Wexler stated to officers at the scene that he had "cut his hand" after "crushing a glass in temper" and "broke his little finger because of the force he had used to strangle her". Under interview, he went on to tell detectives that he had strangled Ms King and "placed his thumb on her windpipe, pressing as hard as he could". Wexler, who appeared in the dock wearing a white Under Armour tracksuit top with a set of rosary beads around his neck, went on to concede to having a "temper", adding that "she had angered him and he had lost control". Mr Astbury added: "On more than one occasion during the course of that interview, he very clearly told the police that his intention was to kill her that night. That is precisely what he intended. "Chillingly, say the prosecution, he told the officers at the time that he was doing this with his thumb on her windpipe, pressing as hard as he could, he really didn't care about the consequences. He also described an occasion 12 months beforehand when he had strangled her, having lost self control. "He told police that he put his hands around Clare King's throat and strangled her. So clear was he in his recollection that he was able to remember the date he had done it. "You may conclude that there is no question that the defendant attacked Clare King, no question, you may also think, that he attacked her with such ferocity that he too suffered injury and no question, it would seem, that he placed his hands around her neck and strangled her. The issue in this case may be whether he meant to kill her at the time he did it or whether it was something he simply said for some other reason. "The prosecution would say, if he did not intend that, why would he say it? The prosecution say that he was, that night, telling the truth. He may not have cared about the consequences at that particular moment but now, the prosecution say, having had time to think and reflect, he very much cares about the consequences and wants to avoid these charges. That is ultimately for you."
Yahoo
6 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Stock market today: Dow, S&P 500, Nasdaq futures climb as Wall Street digests July inflation report
US stock futures moved higher on Tuesday as Wall Street digested fresh inflation data and President Trump revealed his pick to head the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Futures attached to the Dow Jones Industrial Average (YM=F) rose 0.6%. Those tied to the benchmark S&P 500 (ES=F), and the tech-heavy Nasdaq 100 (NQ=F) were both up around 0.7%. The latest data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics showed that "core" inflation, which excludes volatile food and energy costs, rose 3.1% over the past year in July, ahead of June's 2.9% increase and indicating that rising goods inflation is no longer being offset by easing services inflation. But on a headline basis, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) increased 2.7% year-over-year, matching June and coming in softer than economist expectations of a 2.8% rise. The report was the first major piece of economic data to be released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics after Trump fired Erika McEntarfer as commissioner of the BLS earlier this month following the release of the July jobs report. Late Monday, Trump announced that he nominated E.J. Antoni, chief economist at the conservative Heritage Foundation, to lead the BLS. In corporate news, Intel (INTC) stock jumped more than 2% in premarket trading on Tuesday after CEO Lip-Bu Tan met with President Trump, who had called for Tan's resignation last week. After the meeting, Trump posted to Truth Social saying that he had met with Tan along with Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick and Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent. "The meeting was a very interesting one," the president wrote, adding, "His success and rise is an amazing story." On Tuesday, reports said China urged local firms not to use Nvidia H20 chips, complicating Trump's bid to turn those sales into a US windfall. Trump also granted another 90-day pause on the most punishing tariffs on China as the two countries work toward a trade deal. Read more: The latest on Trump's tariffs Investors will get two more pulse checks on the state of the economy later this week, with the release of the Producer Price Index on Thursday and retail sales data on Friday. "Core" price increases accelerate more than expected in July Price increases accelerated more than expected in July. The latest data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics showed that on a "core" basis, which strips out the more volatile costs of food and gas, consumer prices in increased 3.1% over the prior year in July, an increase from June's 2.9% and above economists' forecast for 3%. Core prices climbed 0.3% over the prior month, ahead of June's 0.2% increase but in line with expectations. The headline Consumer Price Index (CPI) showed prices increased 2.7% in July, unchanged from the month prior and below the 2.8% economists had expected. On a month-over-month basis, prices increased 0.2%, lower than the 0.3% seen the month prior. Circle stock jumps on first earnings report since going public Circle (CRCL) posted higher revenue and reserve income on Tuesday in its first quarterly report since its IPO in June, as circulation of its stablecoin USDC (USDC-USD) spread. Circle stock rose 6% in premarket trading on Tuesday. Its total gains since going public are now 133%. Reuters reports: Read more here. US small business optimism rebounds, but uncertainty clouds outlook Reuters reports: Read more here. Good morning. Here's what's happening today. 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The Canadian cannabis company traded hands at over $1 per share for the first time since February. Despite a 60% gain in the past month, however, shares are still off by 30% for the year. Other cannabis stocks saw a major lift as well. Trulieve (TCNNF) gained 38% on Monday, Curaleaf (CURLF) was up 35%, Green Thumb Industries (GTBIF) added 19%, Aurora (ACB) increased 16%, and Canopy Growth (CGC) surged 26%. On Friday, the Wall Street Journal reported that Trump told donors at a New Jersey fundraiser he was considering making marijuana a Schedule III drug, which would ease restrictions on the substance. Trump said he will make a final decision in the coming weeks. "We're looking at reclassification and we'll make a determination over the next — I would say over the next few weeks, and that determination hopefully will be the right one," Trump said. "It's a very complicated subject." Intel is still a disaster Intel (INTC) is rallying premarket as Trump walked back his apparent hate for the company's CEO, Lip-Bu Tan, after meeting on Monday. Don't be fooled by the price action, however. This isn't the case like Apple (AAPL), where CEO Tim Cook kisses Trump's butt and the company is exempt from various tariffs. Intel is a fundamental disaster right now. People in the industry I talk to are unsure if the company will ever come back to a state of health, given 1) how fast AI chip development is occurring, and 2) how far behind Nvidia and AMD Intel is. Intel's statement on the meeting: "Earlier today, Mr. Tan had the honor of meeting with President Trump for a candid and constructive discussion on Intel's commitment to strengthening U.S. technology and manufacturing leadership. We appreciate the President's strong leadership to advance these critical priorities and look forward to working closely with him and his Administration as we restore this great American company." Japan's Nikkei hits record high on tariff relief, tech rally The Nikkei 225 (^N225) hit a record high Tuesday as easing US tariff fears boosted optimism, led by tech stocks and tariff relief. Bloomberg News reports: Read more here. "Core" price increases accelerate more than expected in July Price increases accelerated more than expected in July. The latest data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics showed that on a "core" basis, which strips out the more volatile costs of food and gas, consumer prices in increased 3.1% over the prior year in July, an increase from June's 2.9% and above economists' forecast for 3%. Core prices climbed 0.3% over the prior month, ahead of June's 0.2% increase but in line with expectations. The headline Consumer Price Index (CPI) showed prices increased 2.7% in July, unchanged from the month prior and below the 2.8% economists had expected. On a month-over-month basis, prices increased 0.2%, lower than the 0.3% seen the month prior. Price increases accelerated more than expected in July. The latest data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics showed that on a "core" basis, which strips out the more volatile costs of food and gas, consumer prices in increased 3.1% over the prior year in July, an increase from June's 2.9% and above economists' forecast for 3%. Core prices climbed 0.3% over the prior month, ahead of June's 0.2% increase but in line with expectations. The headline Consumer Price Index (CPI) showed prices increased 2.7% in July, unchanged from the month prior and below the 2.8% economists had expected. On a month-over-month basis, prices increased 0.2%, lower than the 0.3% seen the month prior. Circle stock jumps on first earnings report since going public Circle (CRCL) posted higher revenue and reserve income on Tuesday in its first quarterly report since its IPO in June, as circulation of its stablecoin USDC (USDC-USD) spread. Circle stock rose 6% in premarket trading on Tuesday. Its total gains since going public are now 133%. Reuters reports: Read more here. Circle (CRCL) posted higher revenue and reserve income on Tuesday in its first quarterly report since its IPO in June, as circulation of its stablecoin USDC (USDC-USD) spread. Circle stock rose 6% in premarket trading on Tuesday. Its total gains since going public are now 133%. Reuters reports: Read more here. US small business optimism rebounds, but uncertainty clouds outlook Reuters reports: Read more here. Reuters reports: Read more here. Good morning. Here's what's happening today. Economic data: NFIB Small Business Optimism (July); Consumer Price Index (July); Real average hourly earnings (July) Earnings: Circle (CRCL), Pony AI (PONY), On Holding (ONON), CoreWeave (CRWV), Rigetti (RGTI), Cava (CAVA) Here are some of the biggest stories you may have missed overnight and early this morning: July inflation report expected to show prices accelerated Media musical chairs are reshaping the sports landscape Earnings live: Circle pops on higher revenue in first earnings report Intel stock rises after Trump praises CEO's 'amazing story' China urges firms to shun Nvidia chips, trade truce extended Musk accuses Apple of unfairly favoring OpenAI on iPhone Google and IBM believe workable quantum computer is in sight US small business optimism up but uncertainty clouds outlook Switzerland wants binding Trump commitment on gold tariffs Economic data: NFIB Small Business Optimism (July); Consumer Price Index (July); Real average hourly earnings (July) Earnings: Circle (CRCL), Pony AI (PONY), On Holding (ONON), CoreWeave (CRWV), Rigetti (RGTI), Cava (CAVA) Here are some of the biggest stories you may have missed overnight and early this morning: July inflation report expected to show prices accelerated Media musical chairs are reshaping the sports landscape Earnings live: Circle pops on higher revenue in first earnings report Intel stock rises after Trump praises CEO's 'amazing story' China urges firms to shun Nvidia chips, trade truce extended Musk accuses Apple of unfairly favoring OpenAI on iPhone Google and IBM believe workable quantum computer is in sight US small business optimism up but uncertainty clouds outlook Switzerland wants binding Trump commitment on gold tariffs Cannabis stocks soar as President Trump considers reclassifying marijuana Tilray (TLRY) stock rose another 10% in premarket trading on Tuesday after soaring 41% on Monday amid speculation that President Trump may move to reclassify marijuana as a less dangerous drug. The Canadian cannabis company traded hands at over $1 per share for the first time since February. Despite a 60% gain in the past month, however, shares are still off by 30% for the year. Other cannabis stocks saw a major lift as well. Trulieve (TCNNF) gained 38% on Monday, Curaleaf (CURLF) was up 35%, Green Thumb Industries (GTBIF) added 19%, Aurora (ACB) increased 16%, and Canopy Growth (CGC) surged 26%. On Friday, the Wall Street Journal reported that Trump told donors at a New Jersey fundraiser he was considering making marijuana a Schedule III drug, which would ease restrictions on the substance. Trump said he will make a final decision in the coming weeks. "We're looking at reclassification and we'll make a determination over the next — I would say over the next few weeks, and that determination hopefully will be the right one," Trump said. "It's a very complicated subject." Tilray (TLRY) stock rose another 10% in premarket trading on Tuesday after soaring 41% on Monday amid speculation that President Trump may move to reclassify marijuana as a less dangerous drug. The Canadian cannabis company traded hands at over $1 per share for the first time since February. Despite a 60% gain in the past month, however, shares are still off by 30% for the year. Other cannabis stocks saw a major lift as well. Trulieve (TCNNF) gained 38% on Monday, Curaleaf (CURLF) was up 35%, Green Thumb Industries (GTBIF) added 19%, Aurora (ACB) increased 16%, and Canopy Growth (CGC) surged 26%. On Friday, the Wall Street Journal reported that Trump told donors at a New Jersey fundraiser he was considering making marijuana a Schedule III drug, which would ease restrictions on the substance. Trump said he will make a final decision in the coming weeks. "We're looking at reclassification and we'll make a determination over the next — I would say over the next few weeks, and that determination hopefully will be the right one," Trump said. "It's a very complicated subject." Intel is still a disaster Intel (INTC) is rallying premarket as Trump walked back his apparent hate for the company's CEO, Lip-Bu Tan, after meeting on Monday. Don't be fooled by the price action, however. This isn't the case like Apple (AAPL), where CEO Tim Cook kisses Trump's butt and the company is exempt from various tariffs. Intel is a fundamental disaster right now. People in the industry I talk to are unsure if the company will ever come back to a state of health, given 1) how fast AI chip development is occurring, and 2) how far behind Nvidia and AMD Intel is. Intel's statement on the meeting: "Earlier today, Mr. Tan had the honor of meeting with President Trump for a candid and constructive discussion on Intel's commitment to strengthening U.S. technology and manufacturing leadership. We appreciate the President's strong leadership to advance these critical priorities and look forward to working closely with him and his Administration as we restore this great American company." Intel (INTC) is rallying premarket as Trump walked back his apparent hate for the company's CEO, Lip-Bu Tan, after meeting on Monday. Don't be fooled by the price action, however. This isn't the case like Apple (AAPL), where CEO Tim Cook kisses Trump's butt and the company is exempt from various tariffs. Intel is a fundamental disaster right now. People in the industry I talk to are unsure if the company will ever come back to a state of health, given 1) how fast AI chip development is occurring, and 2) how far behind Nvidia and AMD Intel is. Intel's statement on the meeting: "Earlier today, Mr. Tan had the honor of meeting with President Trump for a candid and constructive discussion on Intel's commitment to strengthening U.S. technology and manufacturing leadership. We appreciate the President's strong leadership to advance these critical priorities and look forward to working closely with him and his Administration as we restore this great American company." Japan's Nikkei hits record high on tariff relief, tech rally The Nikkei 225 (^N225) hit a record high Tuesday as easing US tariff fears boosted optimism, led by tech stocks and tariff relief. Bloomberg News reports: Read more here. The Nikkei 225 (^N225) hit a record high Tuesday as easing US tariff fears boosted optimism, led by tech stocks and tariff relief. Bloomberg News reports: Read more here. Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
6 minutes ago
- Yahoo
No evidence Aimee Betro was paid for her role in assassination plot
With a physique a witness described as 'small and fat' and wearing a summer dress and flip-flops, Aimee Betro looked more like a relaxed tourist heading for the beach than a determined assassin. Standing at just 5ft 5ins, Betro's appearance was so unassuming that a taxi driver unwittingly ferried her away from the scene of a shooting, despite hearing three gunshots shortly after she got out of his cab and walked into a nearby cul-de-sac. During her evidence to jurors, the 45-year-old mostly stuck with short answers, and passed herself off as someone who had obeyed instructions from her lover to buy a 'burner' phone without having any knowledge of a plot to kill. Addressing the court in the same accent and monotone pattern of speech as she used in two calls to taxi firms which police recovered as evidence, Betro claimed she was of medium build and the would-be assassin caught on CCTV was of slim appearance. Almost laughably, she also claimed that 'another American woman', who had a similar voice and footwear, knew Nazir, and had booked taxis to her hotel using a phone she had bought, was the female wearing a niqab whose gun jammed in Measham Grove, Yardley, Birmingham, on September 7 2019. Jurors at Birmingham Crown Court deliberated for almost 21 hours over five days before finding Betro guilty of conspiracy to murder, possessing a self-loading pistol and a charge of fraudulently evading the prohibition on importing ammunition. The childhood development and graphic design graduate, who denied all the charges, flew into Britain to take part in a plot orchestrated by co-conspirators Mohammed Nabil Nazir, 31, and Mohammed Aslam, 56, to shoot dead Aslat Mahumad following an altercation in a shop. Betro, from West Allis in Wisconsin, was caught on CCTV at the scene of a failed attempt to shoot Mr Aslam's son, Sikander Ali, and during a return visit to the same street at which she fired three aimed shots through two front windows. Evidence also showed that Betro contacted Mr Mahumad on September 6 after he advertised a car for sale, but he declined to meet her and offered to have someone else show her the vehicle. Father and son Aslam and Nazir, both from Derby, were jailed last year for their part in the failed assassination plot. Recounting how she had feelings for and was in love with Nazir, who she said she had slept with at an Airbnb in London during one of two previous trips to the UK, Betro claimed she had flown into Manchester from Atlanta on August 22 2019 to celebrate her birthday. But she instead found time to hire a car to take part in a £12,000 'crash-for-cash' scam involving Nazir before the attempted murder of Mr Ali. After trying to kill Mr Ali on September 7, Betro returned to the US on September 9, with Nazir following on a Manchester-Atlanta-Chicago flight on September 13, giving immigration officials Betro's Wisconsin address as his point of contact. 'He was going to stay at hotels but he used my address,' Betro told her trial. 'I was excited about seeing him.' According to Betro's account, the pair rented a car and drove to Seattle 'just for a road trip' with stops at an amusement park, Area 51 in Nevada and in Los Angeles and San Francisco. Betro told jurors she did not even know there had been a shooting in Measham Grove and Nazir had not mentioned it during his time in the States, which ended in mid-October when he flew with Norwegian Air back to Gatwick and was arrested. Detective Chief Inspector Alastair Orencas, of West Midlands Police, commenting on the inquiry, said the vehicle-related insurance scam showed 'the pure depth of criminality and lack of respect for the normal rules of society' of Betro and her co-conspirators. Asked if he believed Betro was paid or had acted out of loyalty to her partner Nazir, the officer said: 'We've not seen evidence of payments. 'They met on a dating site, whether this is a partner doing something for another partner, again, there's no clear evidence of that. I see it as a criminal association and a murderous plot.' There was no evidence that Betro had any previous experience with firearms from either the US or Armenian authorities, although she did hit the windows upstairs and downstairs during her return to Measham Grove. The weapon she used is likely to have been a semi-automatic 9mm pistol, which experts say are not particularly difficult to use. Mr Orencas said of Betro: 'I would describe her as a criminal with murderous intent, with an absolute disregard for the safety of people. 'She clearly attempted to murder on the sixth. That didn't work out because of the lack of the meeting. She tried to do it again on the seventh. 'She goaded (the intended victim through text messages) after that. She then went and discharged (the pistol) into a house where people may well have been hit while sleeping. 'She's a criminal, with murderous intent, as are the other people that have been convicted in this.'
