George Retes, a 26-year-old U.S. citizen and Army veteran, is speaking out five months after he says he was assaulted and wrongly detained by ICE on his way to work near Los Angeles. Retes is now the face of a new $250,000 ad campaign from Home of the Brave, a nonprofit highlighting what it calls the “catastrophic harm” of President Donald Trump’s second administration.
In the one-minute ad, The Veteran Who ICE Abducted — and Is Fighting Back, Retes recounts being surrounded by “hostile” immigration agents who shattered his car window, pepper sprayed him, pulled him from the vehicle, and held him in detention over a weekend. Nearly 200 U.S. citizens have been detained by ICE since Trump returned to office in January, according to ProPublica.
Retes, who served in Iraq, says DHS has repeatedly smeared him as violent — claims he flatly rejects, noting he was never charged with assault. DHS issued statements and social media posts accusing him of refusing to comply with law enforcement, but Retes says body-cam and surveillance footage released in the ad contradict those claims.
In a longer three-minute version of the video, Retes describes being tear-gassed, zip-tied, and pinned to the ground. While detained, he says he was placed on suicide watch, slept on a concrete bed under constant lighting, and was denied a shower despite chemical burns. The worst part, he says, was missing his daughter’s third birthday.
Retes is now working with the Institute for Justice to sue the Trump administration under the Federal Tort Claims Act. He was suspended from his job after the incident and later quit, saying the experience “left a bad taste.”
His message to national leaders is blunt: “Do your job. Make this country better.”
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, already under intense scrutiny over allegations he was involved in a possible war crime, is now facing renewed attention on a separate controversy from early in his tenure. According to analysts, the long-dormant “Signalgate” scandal is set to resurface just as pressure on Hegseth reaches a new peak.
During a discussion on MS NOW’s Morning Joe, co-host Jonathan Lemire noted that the Pentagon inspector general’s completed report on Signalgate has been delivered to lawmakers and is expected to be released publicly in the coming days. The investigation stems from Hegseth’s decision to use the encrypted messaging app Signal to share details of classified military plans — a decision sharply criticized at the time for its potential to endanger U.S. personnel.
“A bad week for Pete Hegseth? It’s about to get worse,” Lemire said, reminding viewers of the earlier incident. Co-host Joe Scarborough added that Hegseth had used a public-facing communication channel in a way that risked exposing sensitive operational information, likening the moment to a dramatic misstep straight out of a political thriller. “You just couldn’t do anything more reckless or irresponsible,” Scarborough said, emphasizing the danger posed to service members preparing for a mission.
Lemire noted that the release of the inspector general’s report will add to the mounting challenges already surrounding Hegseth, who is now navigating fallout from allegations related to an alleged unlawful military strike in the Caribbean.
Turning to contributor Richard Haass, Lemire asked whether this combination of controversies might prompt the Trump administration to reconsider Hegseth’s position. Haass agreed that the moment represents a serious inflection point, but noted that the administration appears determined not to repeat the rapid turnover seen during Trump’s first term. “He’ll dig in as long as he can — until he can’t,” Haass said.
President Donald Trump has been hit with a $310 million lawsuit in Palm Beach County accusing him, Elon Musk, and Bill Gates of participating in an alleged “trafficking venture” that plaintiffs claim mirrors Jeffrey Epstein’s operation. The lawsuit, filed Nov. 24 and reported by BOCA News Now, alleges an eight-year pattern of exploitation beginning in 2018 and continuing under Trump’s current administration.
The unnamed plaintiffs accuse Trump of “grooming” the lead plaintiff since 1998, using the Gates Foundation as a cover, and participating in coordinated assaults. They also claim the plaintiff’s infant daughter was taken from her as retaliation for filing lawsuits. The filing further alleges multiple attempts on the plaintiff’s life between 2023 and 2024.
Trump is not facing any active criminal charges, and has and continues to deny any wrong-doing as it relates to Epstein, who died in 2019 awaiting trial on sex-trafficking charges. The plaintiffs in the case are seeking at least $310 million in compensatory damages, more than $134 million in attorneys’ fees, and injunctive relief that would include the “immediate return of full legal and physical custody” of the lead plaintiff’s daughter. They also asked the court that the trial be expedited so that a trial by jury is held by Dec. 20.
The White House confirmed Monday that a second U.S. military strike on an alleged drug boat in the Caribbean did occur, saying Admiral Frank “Mitch” Bradley authorized it and was “well within his authority.” The acknowledgment contradicts earlier denials from President Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who previously dismissed reports of a follow-up strike that allegedly targeted survivors of the first attack.
The clarification sparked immediate backlash online, with critics accusing the Trump administration of shifting blame and obscuring who actually ordered the second strike. Commentators noted that Trump had said he “would not have wanted” a second strike, raising questions about whether he and Hegseth were unaware of actions taken by U.S. forces—or whether the White House is now distancing them from potential wrongdoing. Lawmakers and veterans demanded transparency and called for the release of unredacted footage, timelines, and communications tied to the incident.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth sparked new outrage after posting a meme on X that appeared to mock growing accusations—raised by both Republicans and Democrats—that he may have committed war crimes. As Trump publicly distanced himself from Hegseth following his “kill them all” directive, which allegedly led to survivors of a suspected drug-boat attack being fired upon as they clung to their vessel, Hegseth reposted an image of children’s book character Franklin the Turtle shooting from a helicopter, adding: “For your Christmas wish list…” Critics across the political spectrum condemned the post, calling Hegseth “sick,” “pathetic,” and unfit to lead the Pentagon. Some warned the meme could be used against him in a future trial, while others noted the apparent copyright issues behind misusing the Franklin character. The incident intensified scrutiny around Hegseth’s conduct and the administration’s handling of the alleged attack.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem faced an uncomfortable and revealing exchange on Sunday after attempting to blame last week’s deadly shooting of two National Guard members on the Biden administration—only to be confronted with the fact that the suspect’s asylum was actually approved under former President Donald Trump’s second administration.
The incident at the center of the discussion occurred last Wednesday, when two West Virginia National Guard members deployed to Washington, D.C., as part of Trump’s crime-focused security mission were shot in what officials described as a targeted attack near the White House. One of the soldiers, 20-year-old Sarah Beckstrom, later died of her injuries, while the second, 24-year-old Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, remains hospitalized in critical condition.
Authorities have identified the suspected shooter as Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a 29-year-old Afghan national who arrived in the United States following the 2021 U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. Lakanwal had reportedly worked with the CIA on counterterrorism operations while overseas, a detail that has added complexity to the early coverage of the case. Questions have since emerged over how he entered the country, how he was vetted, and which administration was ultimately responsible for approving his asylum request.
During an appearance on NBC’s Meet the Press, Secretary Noem swiftly placed blame on President Biden, arguing that his administration had allowed dangerous individuals into the country without adequate background checks. “The vetting process happens when the person comes into the country, and Joe Biden completely did not vet any of those individuals, did not vet this individual!” Noem said, asserting that the shooting was the predictable result of what she characterized as failed immigration policy.
But moderator Kristen Welker quickly challenged Noem’s account, noting a key fact that undermined her claim: Lakanwal’s asylum request was approved this April, during the Trump administration—not under Biden.
“His asylum was approved in April of this year on the Trump administration's watch, so just to be very clear, was there a vetting process in place to approve that asylum request?” Welker asked.
The correction appeared to catch Noem off guard. Her response—“Yeah, the vetting process all happened under Joe Biden's administration”—sidestepped the timeline entirely. Welker pressed her again, reiterating that whatever vetting did or did not occur when Lakanwal arrived in the United States, his asylum determination was still granted during Trump’s second term. That distinction is significant in terms of administrative responsibility, especially because asylum approval involves its own independent process, separate from the screening that happens when a migrant first enters the country.
“But was he vetted when he was granted asylum—are you saying he wasn’t vetted when he was granted asylum?” Welker asked, attempting to pin down a clear answer.
Noem did not directly respond. Instead, she repeated her original accusation, insisting that the Biden administration had “abandoned” rigorous vetting, while declining to explain how that claim aligned with the fact that the decision point she was citing occurred under Trump. “Vetting is—vetting is—vetting is happening when they come into the country, and that was completely abandoned under Joe Biden's administration,” she repeated, appearing increasingly flustered.
The exchange underscored a recurring challenge for Republican officials attempting to tie high-profile crimes to immigration policies: the timeline and administrative details do not always align with the political narrative. In this case, Noem’s attempt to place sole responsibility on the Biden administration was undercut in real time by the documented record regarding when and how the suspect’s asylum was adjudicated. Welker’s questioning exposed a glaring gap between Noem’s claims and the available facts, leaving Noem struggling to reconcile her statements with the timeline presented on air.
President Trump announced yesterday that West Virginia National Guard soldier Sarah Beckstrom, 20, had died from the injuries she sustained in a targeted shooting near the White House. In remarks captured on video, Trump blamed the previous administration for allowing the suspected gunman into the country, calling them “such a bad administration,” and described Beckstrom as a “highly respected” young service member with a “magnificent” record. Her father told the New York Times she was unlikely to recover, saying, “She has a mortal wound.”
A second Guardsman, Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, 24, remains in critical condition and is “fighting for his life,” Trump said. Both soldiers were part of a West Virginia National Guard deployment sent to Washington as part of Trump’s crime-fighting mission in the capital. Investigators are examining the actions and possible motive of the suspect, 29-year-old Afghan national Rahmanullah Lakanwal, who was wounded by a third Guard member at the scene and remains hospitalized.
President Donald Trump ignited a backlash inside his own MAGA base after launching a blistering attack on Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene following her surprise resignation announcement. In a post on Truth Social, Trump mocked Greene’s “plummeting poll numbers,” accused her of going “BAD,” and blamed her ties to Rep. Tom Massie for her downfall.
But instead of rallying behind him, Trump’s most loyal supporters revolted. MAGA commenters blasted the president for turning on one of his fiercest allies, accusing him of acting petty, vindictive, “middle school,” and “disloyal.” Many demanded he explain what Greene truly did wrong, while others questioned why he targets MTG but remains friendly with Republicans like Lindsey Graham.
Some longtime Trump loyalists said this was the first time they felt “ashamed” of him, warning that his treatment of Greene raises concerns about how he views his own supporters. The episode revealed rare open dissent inside the MAGA movement and raised questions about Trump’s ability to manage internal fractures as he begins his second term.
Trump speaks with reporters about Marjorie Taylor Greene's sudden resignation. Courtesy of C-SPAN
Before heading off for a day at the Ryder Cup, Donald Trump unleashed a string of angry Truth Social posts aimed at former FBI Director James Comey, who was indicted Thursday by newly appointed U.S. Attorney Lindsey Halligan on federal charges. Trump, who has long sought Comey’s prosecution, used the news to revive his claim that the former FBI chief lied to Congress—calling it a “very simple, but IMPORTANT” lie that couldn’t be explained away.
Trump also preemptively attacked the legal process by blasting U.S. District Judge Michael Nachmanoff, appointed by President Joe Biden, who was assigned to oversee the case. Labeling Comey a “dirty cop” and “destroyer of lives,” Trump insisted his onetime nemesis must now “pay a very big price.” The tirade capped off with Trump in all-caps rage branding Comey a “DIRTY COP” as he sought to rally his supporters before a day of golf.
Watch below to hear Trump's comments on the indictment.
At Charlie Kirk’s memorial service in Glendale, Arizona, President Donald Trump praised the slain conservative activist for uniting the MAGA movement and for his approach to debate—but also drew a sharp contrast between them. Trump told mourners he disagreed with Kirk’s willingness to wish his political opponents well, recounting a story in which Kirk said he wanted to “lead them into the great way of life in our country.”
“That's where I disagreed with Charlie,” Trump said. “I hate my opponent and I don't want the best for them.” Trump added that perhaps Kirk’s widow, Erika, could persuade him otherwise, but insisted, “Right now I can’t stand my opponent.”
The remarks underscored both Trump’s admiration for Kirk’s influence and his own refusal to temper hostility toward political rivals.
President Trump at Charlie Kirk Memorial Service: "He did not hate his opponents. He wanted the best for them. That's where I disagreed with Charlie. I hate my opponent and I don't want the best for them. I'm sorry. I am sorry Erika."
During a heated Senate Judiciary Committee hearing, Cory Booker (D-NJ) accused Kash Patel of making the U.S. “less safe” by diverting seasoned Federal Bureau of Investigation agents from critical terrorism and child trafficking task forces to enforce Donald Trump’s immigration agenda. Patel erupted, yelling that “America is safer because of the work of the FBI” as the two shouted over each other until Chuck Grassley intervened. Booker told Patel he wouldn’t last long in the job, while Patel fired back that Booker’s “time is over.”
Former GOP congressman and Air Force veteran Adam Kinzinger ripped into Donald Trump after the president bizarrely declared himself a “war hero” for approving a bombing mission against Iran’s nuclear facility. In a heated CNN appearance, Kinzinger called the remarks “nuts,” blasting Trump for equating himself with veterans who actually served while pointing out Trump’s history of avoiding military service with bone spur claims. Kinzinger said Trump’s self-promotion insults those who have sacrificed for the country and shows just how far his supporters will go to justify him.
Read the full story here or watch the video below.
President Donald Trump is backing away from his bold campaign pledge to swiftly end Russia’s war in Ukraine, instead leaving it to Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelenskyy to organize their own talks. Despite previously claiming he could resolve the conflict “in 24 hours,” Trump has adopted a wait-and-see stance, telling advisers he will consider hosting a trilateral meeting only after the two leaders first meet themselves. With no clear plans, stalled progress, and mixed signals from Moscow, Trump’s reluctance underscores the gap between his campaign rhetoric and the reality of brokering peace.
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Donald Trump and his allies continue to peddle baseless claims that Barack Obama committed crimes in the Russiainvestigation, even though Trump himself has admitted presidents are largely shielded from prosecution under the very immunity case he pushed through the Supreme Court. But Sen. Eric Schmitt (R-MO) is still pressing the conspiracy theory, telling a right-wing host that he sees a “path to indictments” against Obama and top intelligence officials like James Clapper and John Brennan—despite years of evidence confirming Russian operatives interfered in 2016 on Trump’s behalf and no credible indication of wrongdoing by Obama.
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Donald Trump’s push to strong-arm Senate Republicans into scrapping the long-standing “blue slip” tradition for presidential nominees has backfired, with even his usual GOP allies refusing to cave. After publicly insulting 91-year-old Senate Judiciary Chair Chuck Grassley, Trump demanded an end to the rule requiring home-state senators’ approval for district court judges and prosecutors. But Republicans, wary of erasing a tool they themselves rely on when out of power, are openly defying him. As Politico reports, GOP senators know ditching blue slips would hand Democrats sweeping power to flood conservative states with judges under a future presidency — leaving Trump with almost nothing to gain from the fight.
Read the full story here or watch the video below.
