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Border Apprehensions Fall to Near 60-Year Low Under Trump

U.S. Border Patrol apprehensions along the Mexican border fell to their lowest annual level since 1968 as President Donald Trump's immigration crackdown accelerated a decline that began under former President Joe Biden, according to Department of Homeland Security data released Friday.

Federal agents recorded 98,708 apprehensions of people crossing between ports of entry during the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, down from more than 2 million annually in 2022 and 2023, reports The Financial Times on Friday. 

"The results could not be clearer: strong enforcement works," Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin said.

The total was the lowest since agents recorded 96,641 apprehensions in 1968, reflecting a sharp shift in migration patterns across the Americas.

Crossings began declining late in Biden's presidency after his administration tightened asylum restrictions and Mexico increased enforcement.

The decline accelerated under Trump, who sharply restricted access to asylum at the southern border and expanded immigration arrests and deportations inside the United States.

"The overwhelming reason for the drop in migration is the disappearance of the right to apply for asylum at the border," said Adam Isacson, a senior associate at the Washington Office on Latin America.

The restrictions have led some prospective migrants to remain in their home countries, while others have chosen to settle in Mexico. Although Mexico takes a tough approach toward economic migrants, it maintains a relatively broad asylum policy.

During Biden's presidency, monthly apprehensions at the southern border frequently exceeded 200,000. Experts and migrants said people fleeing political instability, economic hardship, and violence in countries such as Haiti and Venezuela viewed his administration as offering a more welcoming environment.

The surge became a major political liability for Democrats during the 2024 presidential election, when Trump made border enforcement a central campaign issue.

Since returning to office, Trump has paired border restrictions with an aggressive Immigration and Customs Enforcement campaign that has heightened concerns about arrest and deportation among immigrants.

"Even if you're thinking of becoming a traditional non-asylum-seeking migrant who wants to evade apprehension, you're probably not going to risk all of that just to have to dodge ICE raids once you arrive here," Isacson said.

Figures released in July showed 65,765 people held in ICE detention facilities.

Mexican men traveling alone now make up the largest group apprehended at the border. Isacson said many are likely people who were deported and are attempting to return to families or livelihoods in the United States.

Mexico's government said more than 271,000 Mexicans were deported from the United States between Trump's return to office in January 2025 and mid-August, with most returned by land.

As crossings have declined, immigration has slipped among voters' priorities ahead of November's midterm elections, with polls showing the economy and cost of living among their leading concerns.

Sandy Fitzgerald ✉

Sandy Fitzgerald has more than three decades in journalism and serves as a general assignment writer for Newsmax covering news, media, and politics. 

© 2026 Newsmax. All rights reserved.

 

CBS Tries to Trap Vance With Guilfoyle Question, but They Go Down in Flames From His Great Reply

Vice President JD Vance has been getting out there, stumping to help Republicans and to communicate to the American people that the GOP is the better choice than the Democrats. 

He appeared on CBS Saturday night to do a town hall in Michigan to address questions on a variety of issues. 

Perhaps CBS News thought they could trap him somehow by asking a question about the controversy around former U.S. Ambassador Kimberly Guilfoyle, but they failed. 

It really wasn't much of a trap; all he had to do was answer honestly, and it made the question look pretty silly. Vance wasn't biting at what Tony Dokupil was laying out there. 

"First of all, if somebody's selling access to the White House, that's disgusting and despicable and they should suffer consequences," Vance responded.

He went on to say, "I want to make those judgments based on the facts and not based on a random news media report that I read."

Not only did he give a great answer and not try to weasel around it, he also slipped in the point that he doesn't want to operate from things the media says that may not be the facts. Translation? "You guys say so much that isn't true," he can't answer if that's all that's out there. Great finish to that answer, finishing off the media and their predilection for fake news in the process. Even Dokupil has to acknowledge that's a "fair point." 

Dokupil said Congressonal Democrats had vowed to investigate if they get control of the House or the Senate, and he asked Vance if he and the administration would cooperate in that matter if the Democrats issued subpoenas. 

Vance said: "Of course I will. Look, I mean, we follow the law." 

They have nothing to be concerned about, so why would they have an issue? 

Meanwhile, notice what Dokupil doesn't ask there. He doesn't seem at all concerned about the Democrats promising to weaponize the government against the Trump administration and Republicans if they got back power. Democrats have made all kinds of threats. Indeed, if they got back power, that's all we're likely to see from them: round-the-clock, anti-Trump investigations. They have no good policies to run on; they're running on "We hate Trump. 

That's the real question here. That's something that should concern the media, but they ignore it. 

But it's one more reason that people need to flood the vote and vote red. 

Credit: redstate.com 

 

Multiple Dead, Injured After Major Fire at Canadian Military Base

Multiple people were killed and injured Saturday after an explosion at Canadian Forces Base Wainwright in Alberta sparked a major fire, prompting an emergency response involving military personnel, police, firefighters, and hospitals across the province.

Canadian Defence Minister David McGuinty confirmed the fatalities Saturday evening but declined to provide a casualty count or explain what caused the incident. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) is investigating.

The RCMP received reports of a fire in the base's military training area shortly after 4 PM local time. Strong winds pushed the flames beyond the base's perimeter fence and into surrounding areas, requiring firefighting assistance from multiple jurisdictions.

McGuinty addressed the incident during a late Saturday briefing.

"I'm saddened to share that there have been both fatalities and injuries as a result of an incident on the base. The Canadian Armed Forces, the Department of National Defense, partners across the federal government, including public safety, are working with the government of Alberta and the municipal governments to mobilize all necessary support and working through the details of what actually occurred."

McGuinty described the situation as "very, very active and delicate" and said authorities would release additional information as it became available.

The number of injured appears substantial enough to have overwhelmed local medical resources. Dr. Warren Thirsk, an emergency physician at Edmonton's Royal Alexandra Hospital, said hospitals had activated a "code orange" disaster response protocol to accommodate patients transported from Wainwright.

Additional medical teams were called in, with patients being distributed among hospitals across Edmonton. Thirsk said Wainwright's healthcare facilities were already overwhelmed by the number of people requiring treatment.

"It is more patients than any of us want to count right now. It's a disaster. It's a one in every 15 to 25-year disaster."

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith described the fire as "significant and tragic," saying it was affecting numerous military personnel. Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe also announced his province was sending resources to assist Alberta's emergency response.

The Municipal District of Wainwright reported that the fire was spreading rapidly because of high winds. No evacuation order had been issued as of Saturday evening, although residents were urged to avoid the affected area and keep roads clear for emergency vehicles.

CFB Wainwright, located approximately 112 miles southeast of Edmonton, is among Canada's busiest military training installations. It houses the Canadian Manoeuvre Training Centre and the 3rd Canadian Division Training Centre, where soldiers undergo battlefield preparation and combined-arms exercises.

The base has approximately 690 military personnel and 300 civilian employees, with additional troops present during major training operations.

The fire also disrupted advance voting ahead of Alberta's October 19 referendum on whether the province should begin a process that could lead to independence from Canada. Elections Alberta reported the early closure of polling locations, with election materials secured. The referendum, the first of its kind in Alberta's history, was already drawing national attention before Saturday's disaster.

As of Saturday night, officials had not determined what caused the explosion, how many were killed, or whether a training exercise was involved. McGuinty said the investigation was ongoing and promised further details in the hours and days ahead. 

Credit: redstate.com 

 

NJ Gov. Sherrill Criticizes Plan for Firing Squad Execution of Fort Hood Shooter Nidal Hasan

New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill went on television to simp for a terrorist who murdered 13 service members and wounded 32 others in the 2009 Fort Hood shooting. 

Sherrill said of the planned December 3 execution of Nidal Hasan: "The thing that just keeps breaking my heart: imagine the 20-year-old, maybe the 18-year-old that stepped up to serve, that gets orders and says, you’re going to go shoot this guy who’s in a wheelchair."

NJ Gov. Mikie Sherrill on the execution of Nidal Hasan: "The thing that just keeps breaking my heart: imagine the 20-year-old, maybe the 18-year-old that stepped up to serve, that gets orders and says, you’re going to go shoot this guy who’s in a wheelchair." https://t.co/6WdVnDjvTt

— Ezydu (@ezradulis) October 17, 2026

President Donald Trump has already canceled the planned livestreaming of Hasan’s execution, but that’s not enough for the Left. 

Sherrill tried to garner empathy for the terrorist who murdered his fellow unarmed soldiers by saying that the man is in a wheelchair. She didn’t explain that he was put into a wheelchair after murdering U.S. soldiers.

Sherrill said that she worried about the person executing Hasan and claimed that it would "harm our service members." She didn't talk about the families of the 13 murdered soldiers or the other 32 who were wounded in the 2009 attack. 

There has been a lot of discussion about Hegseth's plan to publicly execute Nidal Hasan, but not enough about what this means. Nidal Hasan killed 13 innocent soldiers and deserves to be brought to justice. But a televised public spectacle of an execution is contrary to the values that this nation stands for and that I took oaths to protect. It is hard to understand how Congress has not called an emergency session to block it. One aspect of this in particular keeps me up at night: the horror of detailing soldiers to be in the firing squad. Most veterans like myself are unfamiliar with firing squads because our military hasn't used one in over 80 years. From my understanding, they are usually made up of three to seven personnel, with some rifles being loaded with blanks to "reduce psychological harm." I think about my own kids serving in the military, and I imagine a young service member getting detailed to the firing squad, feeling they have to follow orders despite any moral objection or personal opposition. Just about anyone who has served in combat can tell you about the toll it takes. This is different and worse: firing on someone for the public spectacle of it. It infuriates me that, in an ode to Trump and Hegseth's warped view of toughness, the United States would sanction a military firing squad simply for the pageantry of it — no matter how it harms our service members. It is disgusting that this Administration is essentially glorifying violence and death by firearm — something we already have too much of in this country. It infuriates me to think of all the Members of Congress who have thanked me for my service on Veterans Day, but have said nothing about this and refuse to hold Trump and Hegseth accountable. It infuriates me that soldiers will be scarred for life if this goes forward — for no other reason beyond Pete Hegseth's vanity. I imagine the young person getting detailed to the firing squad and doing their duty, following their orders. And I think of the lasting impact that will have on them. I just wish the two men in charge of our military cared half as much about the men and women who serve as they do about themselves.

— Governor Mikie Sherrill (@GovSherrillNJ) October 15, 2026

People slammed Sherrill for defending the terrorist, but not the murdered or wounded soldiers. 

New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill on the Fort Hood shooter's firing squad: "you're going to go shoot this guy who's in a wheelchair." She says the soldiers who get those orders will "carry that burden" for the rest of their lives. Nidal Hasan opened fire in a building full of soldiers waiting for check-ups before they deployed. He killed 13 and wounded 32. At his court martial he said he was protecting "Muslims and the Taliban in Afghanistan" from the US military. Her answer found room for his wheelchair and for the firing squad. Not a SINGLE word for the 13. Carrying out that sentence isn't a burden. It's JUSTICE.

— Joey Meugniot (@realjoeymUS) October 17, 2026

Meet New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill she feels sorry for Nidal Hasan because the POS is in a wheelchair... And she actually thinks the military would use "young" soldiers to carry out the execution. I'm not in the military but I've been a supervisor in a paramilitary organization and the military are NOT going to use inexperienced soldiers to carry out this execution. So Gov you can stop clutching your pearls and maybe show some loyalty to those that lost their lives, the injured and all the families affected by his heinous act. Another excellent reason to VOTE RED MIDTERMS!!

— Kat™ The Hammer ⚒️ (@KatTheHammer1) October 17, 2026

Credit: townhall.com 

 

Former Congressman and Retired Army Lt. Col. Allen West Was Barred From Speaking on College Campus

Left-wing extremism and censorship are major problems on college campuses, with everyone from students to professors to administrators holding to one ideology and doing everything in their power to make conservatives — and conservative ideals — unwelcome on campus. At Florida's Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU) in Daytona Beach, Florida, this extremism led to school officials blocking former Florida Congressman and retired Army Lt. Col. Allen West from speaking on campus.

Students with Young America's Foundation (YAF) sought to host Lt. Col. West for an event promoting conservative values, and despite trying to follow the university's procedures, members of YAF say administrators restricted the event without providing a clear explanation.

In emails shared with Townhall, Negar Afshar, the Director of Student Organizations and Engagement, communicated with Matthew Finkel, the Chairman of the Embry-Riddle chapter of YAF. The first message, from Afshar dated Tuesday, October 6, was a "friendly reminder" that YAF had agreed to meet with Afshar regularly, "as well as discussing any event or speaker ideas in advance so we can approve and renew them together." Afshar then informed Finkle that he received a Speaker Request form.

"We need to discuss that before anything can move forward," Afshar wrote. "Please select a time on my calendar as soon as possible so we can reconnect and review your plans."

Finkle responded on October 8, explaining he reviewed ERAU YAF chapter bylaws and cited multiple events YAF held — like the 9/11 Never Forget Project — that were approved through "proper SchedulER requests and approvals."

"It was clear to me that by the rules you set in place, the speaker form, created by you last semester, was our way of advising you of our intent to host a speaker on campus in any future instances, and that by filling it out with all the requested information, we would be providing you with the information you need to approve the event or come back to us with any changes that we would need to make to host the speaker on campus," Finkle wrote. "When attending RSO officer training, it was clearly relayed multiple times that all event requests/approvals should start with filling out the respective forms on campus groups, which again led us to believe that we should start the process with the Speaker Form."

Afshar responded the same day by instructing Finkle to schedule a meeting and that he would "send a full response to your email shortly." On October 9, Finkle asked Afshar to continue the conversation over emails to "prevent any delays with approvals."

That day, Afshar confirmed that the "speaker request is currently moving through the appropriate review process." Afshar continued, "My request to meet with you and any available members of your executive board, as well as my response to your previous email, are separate from that process and are not delaying the review of the speaker request."

Remember, in the October 6 email, Afshar told Finkle, "I also see that a Speaker Request form was submitted, and we need to discuss that before anything can move forward."

It wasn't until six days later that Afshar finally replied to Finkle in a lengthy email where he disregarded the YAF chapter bylaws, calling them "the internal rules and procedures that a student organization sets for itself" and saying that those bylaws "would not shed any light on the long-standing expectations between YAF and the Office of Student Engagement." Afshar admitted that the 9/11 Never Forget Project and an accompanying Spirit Rock component were "routed through the appropriate reviewers, and I was looped in by the staff overseeing those processes." He also said the Speaker Request Form was created "in response to a new requirement from university leadership that all speaker requests be reviewed through their respective areas."

Finkle never asked about or questioned the Speaker Request Form; he had said it was his understanding that "all event requests/approvals should start with filling out the respective forms on campus groups, which again led us to believe that we should start the process with the Speaker Form."

Afshar then said that while YAF had no incidents, "civil discourse, respectful engagement," and "positive recognition from YAF National," there was a "shift in tone and approach" under new YAF leadership.

"Emails have become increasingly accusatory and adversarial, with assumptions made without consultation and broad claims presented without verification. This is not how YAF has historically operated on our campus, and it is not a sustainable approach moving forward," Afshar wrote. He then added, "You and your leadership team have a decision to make: If you would like to return to the collaborative, respectful, and transparent relationship that YAF has maintained with this office for nearly a decade, I am more than willing to continue that partnership. If not, then we will need to move forward differently."

That email was sent on October 15 at 9:47 AM. Exactly one minute later, another email from Afshar was sent notifying YAF that they were "unable to approve the invitation for former Congressman Allen West at this time."

"This is not intended to prevent students from engaging with differing viewpoints; rather, our responsibility is to consider the broader impact of any event on the campus community. Our goal is to support speakers and programs that challenge students intellectually while maintaining an environment grounded in respect, safety, and constructive dialogue," the email read. "We remain committed to opportunities that expose students to differing perspectives and encourage thoughtful and meaningful engagement. If your organization would like assistance identifying alternative speakers who align with your goals and our institutional values, we are happy to support that process."

Neither Negar Afshar nor any other official with Embry-Riddle administration gave a reason why they rejected the request to have former Congressman and retired Lt. Col. Allen West speak on campus.

This incident raises serious concerns and questions about the treatment of conservative organizations on college campuses. As Townhall reported last week, Virginia State University (VSU) is facing a lawsuit for a new policy that requires only Christian student groups to be supervised by the Campus Minister. Muslim and non-Christian groups are exempt from that VSU policy. We have to wonder if conservative students at Embry-Riddle and other colleges are being afforded equal opportunities to express their views and host speakers of their choosing.

Young America's Foundation President and former Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker said in a statement, "Embry-Riddle University is targeting conservative students and denying them the same free-speech rights afforded to everyone else by blocking their effort to host Army Veteran and former Florida Congressman, Allen West. Students should not need administrators’ approval to express conservative beliefs or hear from a speaker who represents their views. Silencing conservative students is not inclusion. It is yet another example of discrimination conservative students face on campus."

"I am absolutely appalled at the actions taken by the Embry-Riddle Administration in restricting Lt. Col. West's speaking event on our campus," said YAF Chapter Chairman Matthew Finkle. "It is a shame to see freedom of speech and respectful exchanges of ideas restricted in such a biased and blatant way here in the United States. It is disappointing that our chapter has made clear effort to follow the due process and still be restricted in our activities with no direct reason or explanation given."

Credit: townhall.com 

 

CBS News Had a Weird Phrase to Describe France's Widespread Riots

UPDATE: CBS News deletes the tweet.

🚨 JUST NOW: CBS News has DELETED a post after they got ripped and Community Noted for calling the mass violent leftist French riots "scuffles" with "small groups" 🤡🤡 They LITERALLY did the CNN "fiery but peaceful protest" lie. The media is not getting away with it anymore! These rioters tried K*LLING COPS.

— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) October 18, 2026

***Original Post***

France is being overrun by rabid, depraved Muslims who are torching cars and burning down buildings. The riots are widespread, and the French Interior Ministry isn’t ready to declare a state of emergency. Are these people insane? The French had this ‘we’re safe behind the Maginot Line’ in 1940. It turned out poorly. Initial reports on the mayhem said it was over education funding. Yeah, that died in real time as communist and Palestinian flags were shown. Now, we have the media trying to run interference, calling these clashes scuffles (via CBS News):

Firey but mostly peaceful scuffles.

— L A R R Y (@LarryOConnor) October 17, 2026

Palestinianism is a Trojan horse promoted and pushed by the enemies of the West. 📸 Joan of Arc statue in Toulouse. https://t.co/D5Byf451hs

— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) October 17, 2026

A picture from today’s massive riots in France. This is the flag of violence https://t.co/J65aA8KnYu

— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) October 17, 2026

BREAKING: Foreign rioters are defiling French national and religious symbols. For the second time in less than 3 years, they are targeting the statue of Saint Joan of Arc in Paris https://t.co/DR9CyTjJSM

— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) October 17, 2026

Les boomers pendant que le pays se fait piller. https://t.co/hZjMNCA112

— Brivael Le Pogam (@brivael) October 17, 2026

JUST IN - France's Interior Minister says he will not declare a state of emergency for now amid ongoing widespread riots.

— Disclose.tv (@disclosetv) October 17, 2026

Rioters with Palestinian flags have stormed the City Hall of Marseille. Once inside, the vandals toppled a bust of Marianne, a symbol of the French Republic https://t.co/okbKRAIKRZ

— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) October 17, 2026

Cars were set on fire and shops were looted in Paris on Saturday as police used tear gas and water cannons to disperse violent protesters who joined nationwide demonstrations against rising living costs and in support of high school students' grievances.

Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez's office reported "a growing number of violent incidents" across the country, including assaults on officers, looting and damage to public buildings. Police made at least 272 arrests across the country, including in Paris.

Protesters across France responded to calls on social media to revive the "yellow vest" movement, which emerged in 2018 against social injustice. Demonstrators expressed widespread frustration and anger at the government as gasoline, energy and food prices have spiked in recent months.

Police fired tear gas and water cannons to push back people wearing hoods and masks and throwing fireworks, paving stones and other objects at officers in the Place de la République, northeast of the Paris city center.

[…]

Many metro stations were closed Saturday at police request, including those around the Champs-Elysées and near the presidential palace, parliament and government offices.

[…]

In Lyon, France's third-largest city, where about 20,000 protesters joined the march, a fire broke out inside a tourist office.

In the southern port city of Marseille, some shops and a municipal police station were damaged, while protesters briefly forced their way into the lobby of City Hall.

"This is unacceptable," Marseille Mayor Benoît Payan told BFM TV, describing the damage in City Hall as "limited."

NOW - Chaos at Place de la République in Paris, France. https://t.co/QE7Z7VmwFL

— Disclose.tv (@disclosetv) October 17, 2026

NEW: Video & photos provided to @FoxNews via @GraceCarnathan, who is in Paris right now, give a look at the ongoing riots there, with fires burning in multiple areas of the city. One mob shown with Soviet Union & pro-Communist flags. https://t.co/1q3ertO4q8

— Bill Melugin (@BillMelugin_) October 17, 2026

These are riots, and they’re not peaceful. When buildings are set ablaze, we all know what we’re seeing.

When you import the third world, you get the third world. 

🔴 ÚLTIMA HORA | Una periodista de TVE cuenta desde París lo que está ocurriendo con los disturbios y un grupo de magrebíes la increpan, hacen a la cámara la señal de cortar el cuello y cortan la transmisión. Una vez más, la izquierda tragándose su relato https://t.co/jsjB8R8nF2

— Unai Cano (@unaicano10) October 17, 2026

Marine Le Pen 2027. 

💔

— Beverly Hallberg (@BeverlyHallberg) October 17, 2026

🚨🚨 https://t.co/XH01sHb6FI

— Brivael Le Pogam (@brivael) October 17, 2026

And this is what we get with the current French leadership, huh (via NY Post):

Macron is blasted for dancing at a Celine Dion concert with Brigitte while France burns and rioters take to the streets https://t.co/T2wgk8OmJk

— Daily Mail (@DailyMail) October 17, 2026

Chaos exploded across France on Saturday as 550,000 protesters flooded the streets, torched cars and buildings, looted from posh stores including Louis Vuitton and Hermès, and even threatened to storm the Élysée Palace—prompting a defiant President Emmanuel Macron to rage: “Let them come and get me!”

In Paris alone, an estimated 110,000 demonstrators took to the streets, with masked protestors backed by the country’s far-left opposition leader smashing storefronts, targeting luxury business and confronting riot police armed with tear gas and water cannons.

Yeah, again, Macron, history has shown the people did get their leaders, and not so good things happened to them. 

Credit: townhall.com 

 

DOJ: L.A. County could face criminal charges for counting votes of 20K suspected illegal registrants

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has deepened its scrutiny of the Golden State by issuing a letter to Los Angeles County election officials warning that if they allow noncitizens to vote, they put themselves at risk of criminal investigation and possible prosecution.

In a stern letter sent Friday, U.S. Acting Deputy Attorney General Trent McCotter reminded Los Angeles Assistant County Counsel Peter M. Bollinger of the dataset the Justice Department recently provided to the county “identifying more than 20,000 individuals who federal agencies reasonably believe are likely noncitizens registered to vote in California.”

“The legal consequences for either facilitating or ignoring a federal crime are significant,” McCotter cautioned. “Noncitizen voting in a federal election is a federal crime—and knowingly facilitating such conduct is equally unlawful.”

 

The letter cited both the federal law prohibiting noncitizens from voting and the law against aiding and abetting federal offenses.

The DOJ did not ask county officials to do the work of determining individuals’ immigration status or to “purge” voter rolls, but instead, requested that the county temporarily segregate ballots received from those on the provided list until their citizenship and eligibility to vote can be confidently verified.

The department also argued that California cannot rely on its standard voting procedures — which allow voters to declare their own eligibility — to override federal voting laws, given that it has been provided with reason to believe that illegal voter registration has occurred.

“Your assertion that ballots must be counted simply because California’s registration system relies on self-attestation does not relieve election officials of their obligations under federal law when they are on actual notice of noncitizen voting. Nor can state procedures supersede federal criminal statutes,” McCotter wrote. 

McCotter also contended against the state’s reliance on the National Voter Registration Act’s (NVRA’s) “quiet period,” a 90-day limitation on voter-list maintenance, which he said did not apply in cases of targeted investigations with “individualized evidence of unlawful voting identified by federal law enforcement.”

“Invoking the NVRA to justify counting ballots unlawfully cast is both legally incorrect and operationally irresponsible,” he stated.

“Additionally, the administrative burdens, timing constraints, or the fact that the investigative list includes individuals residing outside Los Angeles County do not permit the County to knowingly tabulate ballots federal law prohibits,” McCotter continued. “Once the United States provides credible evidence that certain ballots may be unlawful to count, election officials may not disregard that information because it is inconvenient to process. Administrative difficulty is not a defense to violating federal law or aiding or abetting a federal offense.” 

President Donald Trump shared the contents of the letter to his Truth Social platform on Friday.

“They will all go to jail for a long period of time!!!” Trump added in warning.

 — Commentary Donald J. Trump Truth Social Posts On X (@TrumpTruthOnX) October 17, 2026

Credit: oan.com 

 

Trump rebuts Politico report that he would fire Susie Wiles: She ‘has my COMPLETE confidence’

President Donald Trump dismissed reports that White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles’ job was on the line, saying there was no chance he would replace her.

Upon Katie Zacharia’s exit as White House press secretary on Friday, Politico reported that Wiles was next on the Trump administration’s chopping block, writing that “the ‘ice maiden’s’ melting influence” pointed to her potential “political obituary.”

“TOTAL FAKE NEWS Politico doesn’t care about facts, integrity, or honest journalism — it’s why I kicked them out of the White House!” Trump said in a statement the White House provided to the outlet. “Susie Wiles is my loyal and longest serving Chief of Staff — there is a reason for that. She has been with me since the beginning, is my trusted advisor, and has my COMPLETE confidence.”

 

Pressed on the issue on Friday, Trump told reporters outside the White House, “The Susie Wiles story was a fake story.”

 

The president went on to praise Wiles’ work during his second presidential term, in which she became the first female White House chief of staff.

“She has been incredible. We’ve had maybe the most successful first two years — and it’s not even two years — in the history of the presidency,” he said.

“She’s smart, she’s tough, she just went through a lot with the cancer surgery … and she recovered — fully recovered. She’s phenomenal,” he continued.

 

Six months after Wiles, 69, revealed her breast cancer diagnosis, she announced last month that she was cancer-free.

 Trump cited this incident as a good example of the “fake news” stories that prompted him to ban the outlet’s journalists from the White House last month.

“We told that to Politico. We said, ‘Your story is totally wrong,’” Trump clarified. “The only one that matters is me, because I’m the one that makes the decision. So, they made up fake news. They released it knowing it was a fake story.”

“Susie is here, and she’s going to be here for a long time,” he concluded.

Credit: oan.com 

 

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