AG Paxton asks court to throw Beto O'Rourke behind bars and revoke charter for his PAC



The fight over redistricting in Texas has led to the state attorney general calling for the arrest of former congressman Beto O'Rourke (D) over his support of the fleeing Democrats.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton accused O'Rourke of violating state laws by deceiving donors to his political action committee and using the donations to help Democrats avoid a vote in the legislature.

'Defendants are raising and utilizing political contributions from Texas consumers to pay for the personal expenses of Texas legislators, in violation of Texas law.'

"Robert and his unlawful influence scheme, Powered by People, have deceived donors, bought off Texas politicians, and unlawfully assisted runaway Democrats in avoiding arrest," reads a press release from Paxton that was issued Friday.

"As much as Robert and the sell-out Democrats might wish to ignore them, we do have laws that must be followed," he added. "I have asked the court to enforce its previous [temporary restraining order], throw Beto behind bars, and revoke Powered by People's charter for its unlawful conduct. There must be consequences."

The group countersued and accused Paxton of trying to intimidate O'Rourke.

On Saturday, a judge ruled in Paxton's favor.

"The Court finds that harm is imminent to the State, and if the Court does not issue this order, the State will be irreparably injured," District Court Judge Megan Fahey wrote. "Specifically, Defendants' fundraising conduct constitutes false, misleading, or deceptive acts under the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act, because Defendants are raising and utilizing political contributions from Texas consumers to pay for the personal expenses of Texas legislators, in violation of Texas law."

RELATED: Gavin Newsom threatens to redistrict California after Texas GOP drops district map proposal

Paxton praised the ruling.

"His fraudulent attempt to pad the pockets of the rogue cowards abandoning Texas has been stopped, and now the court has rightly frozen his ability to continue to send money outside of Texas," Paxton responded. "The cabal of Democrats who have colluded together to scam Texans and derail our Legislature will face the full force of the law, starting with Robert Francis O’Rourke."

The fleeing Democrats returned to Texas after claiming victory and saying they would defeat the redistricting effort in court.

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Police video shows unhinged Democrat official melting down during arrest: 'You're gonna regret this!'



A Rhode Island special assistant district attorney threatened revenge on police officers that eventually arrested her and a friend after they allegedly refused to leave a restaurant on Thursday evening.

Video of the bodycam footage shows Devon Flanagan getting arrested in front of the 24 Bannister's Wharf restaurant in Newport.

'Buddy, you're gonna regret this.'

The Rhode Island Attorney General's Office confirmed that Flanagan had been arrested and was summoned to court on a charge of willful trespass.

The entertaining video shows Flanagan challenging police commands and trying to use her position to escape responsibility.

“I want you to turn your body cam off. Protocol is that you turn it off if a citizen requests that you turn it off," Flanagan says to an officer as he approaches her in front of the restaurant.

Police talk to employees at the restaurant, and they confirm that they want them charged with trespassing.

"So you're trespassing. We have to leave now," the officer says to the women.

"We're not trespassing. You haven't notified us that we're trespassing," Flanagan replies.

"What did I just say to you? You're trespassing. Let's go. I don't want to arrest you guys," he responds.

"You're not gonna arrest us!" Flanagan says.

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The officers try to de-escalate the situation, but Flanagan continues to provoke them and demand that they shut off their body cams.

"She's a f**kin' lawyer. So she knows," her friend says.

"Well, that's bulls**t lawyer stuff, so that's not true," the officer responds. "We gotta go."

"I'm an AG! I'm an AG!" Flanagan repeats.

"Good for you. I don't give a s**t," he says. "We're going. We're leaving."

At that point, he puts handcuffs on Flanagan, and she continues to remind him that she's "an AG."

"Buddy, you're gonna regret this," she laughs and says one more time she's an AG as the officer shuts the door on the police cruiser.

The video shows the arrest of Flanagan's friend as well.

Five minutes of the interaction can be viewed on the video report on WJAR-TV.

The Rhode Island Attorney General's Office told WPRI-TV that they were reviewing the case but would not comment on personnel matters.

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Ohio Young Democrats president orders followers to berate Republican state rep: 'Roast this b***h'



A comment on Somalis in government from a Republican Ohio state representative led to a foul-mouthed response from the president of the Ohio Young Democrats.

The social media feud began after state Rep. Jennifer Gross simply asked for comments about a Democratic state representative who was advocating for more Somalis to get into office in the U.S.

'I'll always be proud to call out the freaks ... for being racist losers.'

"This is an Ohio State Representative. Thoughts?" she wrote on social media.

The post included a video that Ohio state Rep. Ismail Mohamed (D) apparently recorded with Somali National TV touting his efforts to elect more Somalian politicians. He said that many of these representatives were in a group chat to organize better.

"Our main objective is to discuss things that concern Somalia. It's our country and our people. Our aim as a united front is to lobby for Somalia, helping waive [Somalia's] national debt and maritime crisis," Mohamed said, as translated in the video.

He finished by calling on those who live in Columbus to vote and help them knock on doors.

OYD president Kim Agyekum responded to Gross by calling on her followers to mock and ridicule her.

"Chat, roast this bitch @OhioYD," she posted on social media and retweeted a response.

"How are you gonna be racist and have a chopped hair cut?? Pick a struggle," reads one insult to Gross.

RELATED: VIDEO: Ilhan Omar flings expletives at reporter over very benign question on immigration

When Agyekum was called out for the post, she doubled down.

"MWUAH," she replied. "Rep. Mohamed has BEEN a public servant of our communities of central Ohio and I’ll always be proud to call out the freaks ... for being racist losers."

Blaze News reached out to Rep. Gross as well as the Ohio Young Democrats for comment and did not receive a response from either by time of publishing.

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Former AG Bill Barr testifies he found no dirt on Trump during Epstein probe, Comer says



The Epstein saga continues as the House Oversight Committee kicks off its questioning of several high-profile figures. Former U.S. Attorney General William Barr, who investigated the death of Jeffrey Epstein during the first Trump administration, appeared for a hearing Monday morning to give his testimony.

Though the hearing was behind closed doors, members of the committee updated reporters about the progress of the hearing.

'I think it's unfortunate that the Democrats are trying to, seems to me, politicize this.'

"He said that he had never seen anything that would implicate President Trump in any of this and that he believed if there had been anything pertaining to President Trump with respect to the Epstein list, that he felt like the Biden administration would probably have leaked it out," Rep. James Comer (R-Ky.) told reporters partway through Barr's testimony.

"I have more questions now than I did before going in," Rep. Suhas Subramanyam (D-Va.) told reporters before Comer's remarks. "Just generally, though, I think the Democratic side is doing most of the heavy lifting. I don't think we're learning much from the questioning from the House Republicans."

RELATED: Whistleblower drops bombshell: Did Bill Barr and Fani Willis team up to sabotage Trump's comeback?

Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

When asked about Subramanyam's comments, Comer reportedly said, "I think it's unfortunate that the Democrats are trying to, seems to me, politicize this."

Barr's hearing is the first in a series of high-profile House Oversight depositions in the coming months. Alberto Gonzales, Jeff Sessions, Robert Mueller, Loretta Lynch, Eric Holder, Merrick Garland, James Comey, Hillary Clinton, and Bill Clinton are set to appear before the Oversight Committee through October.

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Trump points out iconic image from Butler assassination attempt to European leaders



European leaders meeting at the White House to discuss the Russia-Ukraine war were directed by the president to appreciate a painting of an iconic image from the assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania.

President Donald Trump was standing with the leaders in the White House Monday when he took a moment to direct their attention to the painting hanging in the Entrance Hall. The painting is based on the Associated Press painting depicting the president pumping his fist in defiance after the shooting.

'We have a very good chance of getting there. We didn't get there, but we have a good shot of getting there.'

“That was not a good day," Trump said. "That was not a great day."

Standing next to Trump was Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, as well as French President Emmanuel Macron. Around them stood Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and Finnish President Alexander Stubb.

Video of the exchange was posted on social media, where it was widely circulated.

"To be honest, we all would like to see a ceasefire," Merz said to reporters. "I can't imagine that the next meeting would took place [sic] without a ceasefire."

Trump said a peace deal was "very attainable" after meeting with the European leaders. They are reportedly working to have a summit with Trump, Zelenskyy, and Putin next.

President Trump concluded a summit with Russian Federation President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Friday without a deal on peace in Ukraine.

"There are just a very few that are left," Trump said at the time. "Some are not that significant. One is probably the most significant. But we have a very good chance of getting there. We didn't get there, but we have a good shot of getting there."

RELATED: Journalist at Trump assassination attempt says he got PTSD — from Trump supporters

Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images

Trump went on to suggest that there might be another meeting with Putin, perhaps in Russia.

The Butler painting replaced a portrait of former President Barack Obama.

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Family of tribal chief who inspired Redskins logo calls for team to bring his 'proud' image back



The many fans of the Washington Commanders who long for the return of the team's former name and logo got a big boost from the family of the tribal chief who inspired both.

The team caved to activist pressure to drop the name and logo in July 2020 over accusations that both had racist connotations. For a brief time, the team took the name "Washington Football Team," then switched to the Washington Commanders in 2022.

'White Calf’s name was dropped from the Redskins narrative. His life story was erased from history. Even worse: Uncle Two Guns was dehumanized.'

According to Thomas White Calf, the team was named after his late uncle Two Guns White Calf, who was a chief of the Blackfeet tribe. Thomas told the New York Post the storied history of his uncle and called for the team to restore the name to honor his family and the Native American community.

"White Calf defended tribal traditions in our Blackfeet homeland in Montana, where many of us still live today," Thomas wrote. "He went to Washington, D.C., where he forced the U.S. government to honor Indian treaties. He served as a model for the U.S. Mint’s famous 1913 'Indian head' nickel. White Calf’s face is still a collector’s item."

Thomas White Calf said his uncle was friends with Teddy Roosevelt Jr. and made President Calvin Coolidge a member of the Blackfeet Nation. His death in 1934 was front-page news.

He went on to criticize the left-wing movement that led to the removal of his uncle's visage from the team logo.

White Calf became the proud warrior face of the Redskins in 1972, championed by Blackfeet leader Blackie Wetzel and with support of Native Americans across the country.

Cancel-culture racists decided at some point they wanted to get rid of Indian images in the public domain. The Redskins and Two Guns were their No. 1 target.

White Calf’s name was dropped from the Redskins narrative. His life story was erased from history. Even worse: Uncle Two Guns was dehumanized. He was ridiculed as a “savage and clownish mascot.”

Thomas White Calf went on to link the group that opposed his uncle's presence on the logo to billionaire leftist George Soros. He also thanked President Donald Trump for using his influence to pressure the team to change the name back.

"We ask that the American Indian never be erased, dehumanized or forgotten again," he wrote. "God Bless the Blackfeet. God Bless President Trump. And God Bless the United States of America."

RELATED: Washington Commanders' coach apologizes for 'irresponsible' comment on Jan 6 rioting

The issue was revived by comments made in July by football linebacker Von Miller, who had signed on to the team and referred to it by its former name rather than the Commanders.

"The Washington Redskins called me a month and a half ago and started talking and agreed to come here to Washington about a week and a day ago. And here I am, so excited to be here," he said at an introductory press conference.

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Israeli government official arrested in child sex-crime sting, flees to Israel



An Israeli government official was arrested during a child sex-crime joint sting operation in Nevada earlier this month, racking up a felony charge of "luring a child with computer for sex act," according to a Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department press release.

Tom Artiom Alexandrovich, 38, was named as one of the eight arrested during a Nevada Internet Crimes Against Children Unit joint operation with the FBI's Child Exploitation Task Force earlier this month.

Alexandrovich was reportedly released from custody on $10,000 bail after an initial court appearance and then returned to Israel.

Those arrested reportedly believed that they were meeting underage children whom they had met online for sex acts, but they were apprehended by law enforcement in part of the two-week sting operation.

RELATED: Epstein-funded MIT lab hosted panel that discussed 'child-size sex robots'

Photo by ABIR SULTAN/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

According to an alleged screenshot of a since-deleted LinkedIn profile, Alexandrovich is the executive director of the Israel Cyber Directorate, a government agency that operates under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office. Another screenshot also placed him in Nevada during early August, talking about the Black Hat conference and cybersecurity:

Two things you can’t escape at Black Hat 2025: the relentless buzz of generative [artificial intelligence] and the sound of Hebrew … in every corridor. ... The key takeaway? The future of cybersecurity is being written in code, and it seems a significant part of it is being authored in #TelAviv and powered by LLMs. An exciting time to be in the field!

Black Hat 2025 was a cybersecurity conference scheduled for August 2-7 at Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The Jewish Chronicle reported that a "Tom Alexandrovich" is due in court in Clark County, Nevada, on August 27 in connection with an alleged offense on August 6, a date that coincides both with the Black Hat Convention and with the Nevada police sting operation. Alexandrovich was reportedly released from custody on $10,000 bail after an initial court appearance and then returned to Israel.

According to an article published Wednesday by Ynet, an Israel-based outlet, the Israeli prime minister’s office initially issued a statement denying that the official was even arrested. “A state employee who traveled to the U.S. for professional matters was questioned by American authorities during his stay,” the initial statement read. “The employee, who does not hold a diplomatic visa, was not arrested and returned to Israel as scheduled.”

In a Saturday report, Ynet said that the Cyber Directorate claimed its earlier statement "was accurate based on the information provided to us" when presented with evidence of the arrest. The office denied that it had any involvement with posting Alexandrovich's bail, though it is unclear who posted it. Alexandrovich is reportedly on leave "by mutual decision."

The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department did not respond to Blaze News' request for comment on the circumstances of Alexandrovich's arrest.

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Bill Barr Says Trump Never Intervened In Epstein Case, No Evidence Of Crime

Barr cooperated fully in the deposition

Trump Blasts Media’s ‘Dishonest’ Coverage Of Russia-Ukraine Negotiations

President Trump blasted the legacy media’s “great dishonesty” in their coverage of his attempts to peacefully end the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. The moment came on Monday during a White House meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky about a potential peace deal with Moscow. While taking questions from reporters, Trump was asked about the press’s coverage […]

Peter Doocy confronts Zelenskyy with question central to peace talks — and the response speaks volumes



President Donald Trump hosted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and a handful of European leaders at the White House on Monday to discuss bringing an end to the war in Ukraine.

Ahead of involving NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, and his other guests, Trump first sat down with Zelenskyy for a meeting that went far more smoothly than the Ukrainian president's February Oval Office appearance.

'Are you prepared to keep sending Ukrainian troops to their deaths for another couple years, or are you going to agree to redraw the maps?'

It certainly did not hurt that Zelenskyy wore a suit this time around and expressed a great deal of gratitude to Trump, first lady Melania Trump, and the U.S. at the outset of the meeting.

While the meeting was largely positive, the Ukrainian president appeared keen to dodge the question of whether he would accept a redrawing of the map in order to bring the conflict to a close.

Trump noted in the meeting on Monday that since retaking office, he has resolved multiple conflicts — between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Cambodia and Thailand, and India and Pakistan — and "thought this maybe would be the easiest one" but discovered "it's a tough one."

The war in Ukraine is now nearly halfway through its third year, with an estimated 400,000 Ukrainian casualties, 950,000 Russian casualties, and over 3.7 million people displaced.

RELATED: Bitter rival Hillary Clinton admits Trump would deserve glory if he ends Russia-Ukraine war

Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

Trump, who had an "extremely productive" meeting on Friday with Russian Federation President Vladimir Putin, stressed, however, that there is now a "good chance" of ending the war through these meetings.

The president told reporters, "The war is going to end, and [Zelenskyy] wants it to end, and Vladimir Putin wants it to end. I think the whole world is tired of it, and we're going to get it ended."

— (@)

"We're going to make sure that if there's peace, the peace is going to stay long-term," Trump said. "We're not talking about a two-year peace, and then we end up in this mess again. We're going to make sure that everything's good."

Trump indicated that to this end, the U.S. will give Ukraine "very good protection, very good security."

While Trump reportedly got Putin to agree to non-NATO security guarantees for Ukraine as well as to "land swaps," the Russian president conditioned peace on Kyiv abandoning the Donetsk and Luhansk regions in the east of the country.

Zelenskyy has softened his stance about giving up conquered lands as part of a potential settlement. Whereas earlier this month, Zelenskyy indicated that "Ukrainians will not gift their land to the occupier," he is apparently now amenable to some exchanges of territory; however, the Ukrainian president told reporters over the weekend that he would not give up Donetsk.

Russia occupies around 20% of the entire country and most of the Donbas — including all of the Luhansk region, most of the Donetsk region, much of the Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions, and parts of the Sumy and Kharkiv regions.

Fox News' Peter Doocy asked Zelenskyy in the Oval Office, "Are you prepared to keep sending Ukrainian troops to their deaths for another couple years, or are you going to agree to redraw the maps?"

— (@)

Zelenskyy did not directly answer the question but instead noted that Ukrainians live under constant attack and alluded to the drone strike that took place overnight and reportedly claimed the lives of seven people, including a toddler, in the northeastern city of Kharkiv.

RELATED: Zelenskyy — still holding onto power a year after his term ended — commandeers anti-corruption bureau, sparking protests

Photo by Antonio Masiello/Getty Images

"We need to stop this war, to stop Russia, and we need support from American and European partners, and we will do our best for this," Zelenskyy said.

'So you're saying during the war you can't have elections?'

While the Ukrainian president avoided answering the question of whether he would agree to redrawing the maps, he did underscore his support for Trump's "diplomatic way of finishing this war" and expressed a readiness for trilateral talks.

Trump once again made clear that he wants the killing to stop.

"I love the Ukrainian people, but I love all people. I love the Russian people. I love them all. I want to get the war stopped," Trump said.

Trump also quipped that he was a fan of Ukraine's rule where elections are suspended indefinitely during wartime — the rule that has kept Zelenskyy in power well past the end of his presidential term.

"So you're saying during the war you can't have elections? So let me just see. Three and a half years from now, so you mean if we happen to be in a war with somebody, no more elections?" Trump said. "I wonder what the fake news would say."

— (@)

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