Latest news with #Soros-backed
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
FIRST ON FOX: High ranking DOJ official resigns post to run for attorney general in red state
FIRST ON FOX: Aaron Reitz, a top official in President Donald Trump's Department of Justice, has resigned his post in the administration to run for attorney general of Texas, entering what he is calling a "fight for the soul of Texas." Reitz, a former Marine and chief of staff to Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, served in the Trump administration under U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi as the assistant attorney general for the Office of Legal Policy. Following speculation of a possible run for Texas attorney general, one of the most powerful positions in the state, Reitz resigned his position with the DOJ on Wednesday and officially launched his campaign the day after. "If we lose Texas, we lose the Republic," Reitz said in a statement sent to Fox News Digital. 205 Arrested In Fbi Child Sex Operation, Patel And Bondi Announce "This is no time for half-measures or untested cowards," he said, adding, "We are in a fight for the soul of Texas, our nation, and Western civilization itself." Read On The Fox News App "As Attorney General, I'll use every ounce of legal firepower to defend President Trump, crush the radical Left, advance the America and Texas First agenda, and look out for everyday Texans," he said. This comes as current Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is running in hopes of replacing incumbent Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, in one of the most hotly contested primary races of the year. Reitz pledged to partner with the Trump administration to "clean up the border catastrophe with mass deportations and enhanced border security, take down the Soros-backed district attorneys, obliterate woke indoctrination, expose and root out election fraud, and defend our Constitutional rights without apology." John Cornyn Scores Tim Scott Endorsement, But John Rich Calls Cornyn 'The Lindsey Graham Of Texas' Reitz touted his conservative bona fides, saying, "I've spent my entire career in the trenches with the toughest conservatives in America." He is likely to garner endorsements from some of the country's leading Republicans, with DOJ officials, including Bondi, giving him a string of fond farewells after he announced his departure. In an X post Bondi said: "I'm proud to have worked with @aaron_reitz at @TheJusticeDept. Aaron played a central role in our work to Make America Safe Again — his next chapter will surely contribute to @POTUS's mission, and I look forward to seeing what Aaron does next in his home state of Texas!" FBI Director Kash Patel also chimed in, saying "Aaron is a personal friend, great American, and a relentless advocate for law and order. Thanks for serving our country, now it's time to deliver on his next mission. Good luck." Bondi Announces One Of Largest Fentanyl Seizures In Us History Before serving in the Trump administration and on Cruz's staff, Reitz previously held the position of Texas Deputy Attorney General for Legal Strategy under Paxton. In December, Paxton spoke very highly of Reitz, saying, "he's a proven and effective fighter for our Constitution and American Values" who was "our 'offensive coordinator' leading my very aggressive Texas-v-Biden docket." Paxton said that while working in his office Reitz "spearheaded some of our agency's most consequential actions on border security, immigration, Big Tech, Covid, energy, the environment, and election integrity." Texas Republican state Senator Mayes Middleton, another pro-Trump conservative, is also running for attorney article source: FIRST ON FOX: High ranking DOJ official resigns post to run for attorney general in red state
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
California looters now face 'hard-charging' consequences after blue state abandoned soft-on-crime approach
Amid the continuing unrest and flash mob-style looting incidents in Los Angeles, California is making a significant pivot toward tougher criminal enforcement. Criminal defense attorney David Wohl told Fox News Digital that the legal consequences are no longer a slap on the wrist for looters following the reversal of Proposition 47, which notably did not criminalize theft under $950. "Now we have a very conservative, hard-charging DA in Los Angeles," Wohl said. "He's adding up what is stolen by each individual co-defendant, and if that's over $950, everybody's getting charged with felonies." In a city once known for turning a blind eye to petty theft and soft prosecution, looters who are taking advantage of protests over federal immigration operations now face stricter penalties. California's Soros-backed Progressive Experiment Collapses After A Decade In 2014, California voters approved Proposition 47, a ballot initiative that reclassified several nonviolent felonies, including shoplifting, theft and drug possession, as misdemeanors if the value involved was $950 or less. Read On The Fox News App Supporters argued the measure would reduce prison overcrowding and redirect state funds to additional programming. Critics argued that it contributed to a noticeable increase in retail theft and emboldened looters. In 2024, voters voiced their concerns and overwhelmingly chose a sharp course correction from the progressive reforms that Proposition 47 implemented and voted in favor of Proposition 36. Prop 36 restored the ability to file felony charges against repeat offenders, regardless of whether their latest crime falls under the $950 limit. It also enhances penalties for group theft and organized looting, which had previously fallen into legal gray zones under Prop 47. The shift stems from a growing rejection of the previous criminal justice model championed by former District Attorney George Gascon, who Wohl described as "more liberal than a lot of public defenders." Under Gascon's leadership, prosecution was often delayed or diminished, with an emphasis on giving offenders "second, third, fourth, fifth chances," Wohl said. Los Angeles Officials Still On 'Progressive Warpath' Despite Overwhelming Voter Rebuke Of Leftist Policies William Jacobson, a law professor at Cornell University and founder of offered a sharp critique of California's criminal justice policies in light of the emergence of looters during the ongoing L.A. protests against immigration enforcement. "Looting and violence have always been illegal, even in California," Jacobson told Fox News Digital. "Unfortunately, California's lax enforcement of the criminal laws, including the former decriminalization of shoplifting, has created a culture of criminality that has played out in numerous riots over the years." "The current riots against immigration enforcement and violence targeting both ICE and the community are part of the California political ecosystem," he said. Several stores across downtown Los Angeles were hit by looters in the early morning hours as anti-ICE riots continued. On Monday night, looters took to the streets and ransacked a series of storefronts, the Los Angeles Police Department confirmed with Fox News Digital. Apple and Adidas were among the stores hit by thieves, as well as several mom-and-pop shops. "What have they done to my business? I don't know," one local business owner shared with Fox News affiliate KKTV. "I have to go inside and see what's going on. I don't know what they have done with the business." WATCH: One video, taken by Brendan Gutenschwager, captured looters ransacking an Apple storefront on Monday night. The video captured a slew of individuals dashing up to the technology storefront and grabbing goods before dispersing as police arrived. The footage captured the store's glass windows spray-painted with "F--- ICE." Other photos showed ransackers disappearing into the night with stolen goods after a smash-and-grab in Compton, a city south of Los Angeles. It was unclear if the thieves were participating in the ongoing anti-ICE protests or if they were being opportunistic of the city's unrest. "Let me be clear: ANYONE who vandalized Downtown or looted stores does not care about our immigrant communities," Mayor Karen Bass said in a post to X. "You will be held accountable." On Tuesday and Wednesday, after continued protests, other businesses set out to protect their stores. Fox News Digital saw a T-Mobile store on the corner of 3rd Street and Broadway boarding up ahead of likely another night of protests in the city. While a security guard protected the property, a repairer worked on the CVS store on the corner of 7th and Spring streets in downtown Los Angeles after several nights of rioting. Attorney General Pam Bondi offered a blunt message to would-be robbers and looters in the deep-blue city on "Fox & Friends" Tuesday. "If you loot a business in California during this, we're charging you with robbery under the Hobbs Act. No longer are the days of non-prosecution for looting. It's a criminal act," she said. The administration is also determined to crack down on those who inflict harm on law enforcement. "We've all made over 190 arrests, [and] more [are] coming. If you hit a police officer, you assault a police officer, state or federal, we are coming after you."Original article source: California looters now face 'hard-charging' consequences after blue state abandoned soft-on-crime approach
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Soros-backed Philly DA could face uphill battle for re-election if GOP write-in scheme succeeds
In the six-to-one Democrat stronghold of Philadelphia, winning a seat as a Republican is tough to say the least. There hasn't been a Republican mayor since Bernard Samuel in the 1950s, for example. So it may not be that surprising that the local GOP has a plan it hopes will give a Democrat primary challenger to incumbent District Attorney Lawrence Krasner a crucial second round against the Soros-backed prosecutor should he get knocked out in Tuesday's primary election. Krasner is facing fellow Democrat and former judge Pat Dugan, who also has the support of several Democrat ward committees and Philadelphia political stalwarts like state Sen. Tina Tartaglione, plus a slew of union groups like IAFF and the Teamsters. In his pitch to voters, Dugan drafted a "geographic prosecution plan" to crack down on crime in the city. 2024: The Year Law And Order Was Restored By Voters "This plan is about more than just fighting crime—it's about rebuilding communities. [It] will hold criminals accountable, provide second chances when appropriate, and ensure every neighborhood feels the impact of a fair and just system they can trust and believe in again," Dugan said in a statement on his campaign site. Read On The Fox News App Krasner, seeking a third term, has been lambasted for his progressive criminal justice policies and faced impeachment proceedings from Republicans in the now-Democrat-controlled State House of Representatives. In 2023, a Commonwealth Court judge ruled the GOP-controlled Senate cannot hold a trial because the House's articles of impeachment didn't meet the bench's standards. One top Republican, 2022 gubernatorial nominee Sen. Doug Mastriano, notably opposed Krasner's impeachment, quipping, "Philadelphia: They want Krasner – they like him. That's a huge mandate." While there was a drop in homicides year-over-year in 2023, Philadelphia saw a spike from 351 the year he took office in 2018 to 562 in 2021. Krasner also ceased charges for certain offenses like marijuana possession, eliminated cash bail for some offenders and has sought generally more lenient sentences than conservatives want. In the city where then-Mayor James Kenney did a dance on social media to celebrate its inception as a sanctuary city, Krasner has followed up by refusing to honor ICE detainer requests, saying that letting the feds tell him who to jail is unconstitutional. Philadelphia Da Krasner Slammed By Murder Victim's Sister: We're Fed Up Krasner's backing from about $1.45 million in political action committee support tied to Hungarian-American billionaire George Soros has also led to criticism. Last week, Dugan told PhillyVoice the city is feeling "Krasner fatigue" after eight years. "Many people come up to me and tell stories about how upset they are with some of the policies with the DA's office," he said. Republicans, largely out of power in the city for decades outside of two at-large city council seats that they – or independents – must statutorily be elected to, see Dugan's candidacy as an opportunity to oust Krasner and have a way to give him a second chance should he fail in Tuesday's primary. The city's Republican Party funded a website advising voters to write-in Dugan on the Republican line. By law, if Dugan receives 1,000 write-ins, he will be named the Republican general election nominee unless he declines the opportunity. That would give more city voters a chance to turn out Krasner in the November general election. "This is about making crime in Philadelphia illegal," PhillyGOP chair Vince Fenerty told the South Philly Review. Fox News Digital reached out to both Krasner and Dugan via their campaigns for comment but did not hear back by the publication article source: Soros-backed Philly DA could face uphill battle for re-election if GOP write-in scheme succeeds


New York Post
07-05-2025
- Politics
- New York Post
Why Justice must bring the hammer down on EVERY corrupt Soros prosecutor
Attorney General Pam Bondi and Justice Department civil-rights chief Harmeet Dhillon just put one 'Soros DA' on warning; let's hope they keep it up. The target: Hennepin County, Minn., District Attorney Mary Moriarty's directive seemingly ordering up selective prosecutions, according to race. Sounds too crazy to be true, but the woke warrior copped to it in (so to speak) black and white: Her so-called 'Negotiations Policy for Cases Involving Adult Defendants' says 'racial identity . . . should be part of the overall analysis,' and prosecutors 'should be identifying and addressing racial disparities at decision points, as appropriate.' Advertisement In other words, a literal two-tiered justice system based on skin color, with whites and Asians presumably getting the short end of the stick. Of course, the Soros-backed Moriarty has already implemented two-tier justice. Advertisement Witness her letting anti-Tesla terrorist Dylan Bryan Adams walk after he vandalized Teslas all over town to the tune of $20,000 in damages, while going hard after other car vandals for doing less harm. And her fondness for giving violent killers sweetheart deals so they can stay free to walk the streets, like one of the sociopathic teens who slew Zaria McKeever on the orders of her jealous ex. Moriarty's obscene 'policy' generalizes the same sick principle — i.e., one rule for people dumb enough to be law-abiding, another for the politically favored and nakedly criminal. Advertisement Having public officials entrusted with the administration of justice give in to their hard-left ideology, as Moriarty clearly has, is ruinous to public trust. Kudos to Bondi and Dhillon for launching a probe that could result in federal civil-rights charges: Prosecutors are not above the law. Here's hoping the Justice Department now has its eyes on all the other Soros DAs around the country and the massive damage they've done and will go on doing to everyday Americans until they're stopped.
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
If Trump Wants To Back Blue, Start With These Unjust Prosecutions
If President Trump wants to implement the pro-police policies he outlined in his April 29 Executive Order, a good start would be dropping two unjust (but ongoing) federal prosecutions of police. The two flimsy and politically motivated cases - in Kentucky and Massachusetts - are left over from the Biden Justice Departments war on cops. Trump can make good on his law enforcement-first approach by putting an end to these egregious charges brought by Biden officials (including a now-disgraced Soros DA) and career bureaucrats. Trumps EO, "Strengthening and Unleashing Americas Law Enforcement to Pursue Criminals and Protect Innocent Citizens," lays out the White Houses refreshingly pro-law enforcement approach. In addition to directing more federal resources to local law enforcement, it orders the Justice Department to provide much-needed legal resources to aid the defense of wrongfully accused cops. The executive order builds on concrete actions the administration has already taken in pausing burdensome consent decrees and pardoning unjustly prosecuted police officers like D.C. Police Officer Terence Sutton. But Trump doesnt have to pardon these officers if he keeps his own Justice Department from repeating the same injustices inflicted on Sutton. Like in that case, politics is driving these prosecutions - facts be damned. And worse, these interim U.S. attorneys (who hold office until Trumps picks are confirmed) are doing it all under the noses of a pro-police president and attorney general. In Massachusetts, a police sergeant with the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority Police, which patrols Bostons subway system, faces federal charges for filing a false report - a rarely charged offense - related to a subordinates minor use of force on a homeless man in 2018. Sgt. David Finnerty, who as shift supervisor was not present and did not participate in the incident, could get 20 years in prison for allegedly lying on the report. State charges were originally brought in 2019 by Bostons Soros-backed local prosecutor, Rachael Rollins, who had unilaterally decriminalized most public order offenses. After Rollins charged Finnerty and another officer, she got Bidens nod to be Bostons chief federal prosecutor in 2021. The next year, Rollins successor as district attorney dropped the case after uncovering computer evidence that Finnerty had not made the false report edits. But Rollins, who has a long history of anti-police animus, wasnt finished. The Soros-funded DA went after Finnerty again for the same offense in federal court, despite the new exculpatory evidence. But Finnertys pursuer resigned in disgrace in 2023 after being found to have engaged in influence-peddling, corruption, and - yes - perjury. Yet, Rollins case against Sgt. Finnerty remains, more than three months after Trump took office. Career lawyers at the Justice Department plan to try the zombie case in the coming weeks. In another egregious example of anti-police prosecutions, three Kentucky State Troopers face decades in federal prison over force incidents. The indictment was sought by Michael A. Bennett, the U.S. attorney who took office under Biden. Shockingly, the charges were brought in March 2025 - under the Trump administration - since Bennett remains in charge. Notably, Bennetts office also led the questionable investigation into the Louisville Police Department, alleging systemic police abuses to justify federal meddling. Thankfully, a federal judge and the Trump Administration kiboshedthat effort. The federal case largely stems from two incidents in the spring of 2020. During an April arrest for a domestic violence bench warrant, the troopers James Wright and Thomas Czartorski struck the wanted man and took him to the ground. Czartorski, who struck the suspect on the leg with a flashlight, lost his job and later pleaded guilty to perjury for denying, in a civil suit deposition, that he struck the man. Wright, who was cleared in an internal affairs investigation and local prosecutors declined to charge, now faces 25 years in federal prison. Lewis is accused of tasing a suspected drunk driver, but was also cleared by police investigators and never charged at the state level. After the federal indictment, the decorated officers (Wright was nominated for Trooper of the Year) were immediately suspended. In the four officers cases, local officials already imposed consequences (Czartorski) for misconduct or found no basis for prosecution, yet in the wake of the 2020 anti-police unrest, the Biden Justice Department persisted. The Trump DOJ should not be carrying out an unethical Soros prosecutors vendetta in Boston, nor should it allow Biden holdovers to go after cops in Kentucky unjustly. Just like it did with unnecessary police consent decrees, Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi should put an end to these egregious political prosecutions of police in Kentucky and Massachusetts. Jason Johnson is the president of the Law Enforcement Legal Defense Fund, which advocates for pro-police policies and provides legal aid to wrongfully accused officers. Johnson is the former deputy commissioner of the Baltimore Police Department.