The early-morning arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro sent shockwaves around the world, marking the most consequential move by the United States in its war against the dictator’s notorious “Cartel of the Suns.”
Maduro was indicted alongside his wife, Cilia Flores, son and three alleged co-conspirators with federal gun and narcotics trafficking charges. The case, which mirrors original charges filed in the Southern District of New York in 2020, adds charges against Flores and was filed under seal last month.
Maduro is facing four charges, including narco-terrorism conspiracy, cocaine importation conspiracy, possession of machine guns and destructive devices and conspiracy to possess machine guns and destructive devices.
Federal prosecutors allege that for years, the Cartel of the Suns – or “Cartel de los Soles” – has worked in tandem with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) under Maduro’s leadership to execute a complex and large-scale cocaine trafficking network to funnel narcotics into the U.S.
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro addresses supporters during a rally marking the anniversary of the 19th-century Battle of Santa Ines in Caracas, Venezuela, on Dec. 10, 2025. (Pedro Rances Mattey/Anadolu via Getty Images)
“The Venezuelan regime, once led by Nicolás Maduro Moros, remains plagued by criminality and corruption,” then-Attorney General William Barr said in a 2020 news release. “For more than 20 years, Maduro and a number of high-ranking colleagues allegedly conspired with the FARC, causing tons of cocaine to enter and devastate American communities.”
U.S. officials’ war against Venezuela’s trafficking empire dates back to 1996, after the country was deemed one of the largest drug transit hubs within the Western Hemisphere, according to a 2009 report published by the United States Government Accountability Office.
Venezuela’s shared border with Colombia – along with ongoing corruption within the country’s government – has long provided criminals with consistent resources to transport narcotics throughout the region.
Venezuela’s Nicolas Maduro leads the celebration of the 22nd anniversary of late President Hugo Chavez’s return to power after a failed coup attempt in 2002, in Caracas, Venezuela April 13, 2024.(Reuters/Leonardo Fernandez Viloria/File Photo)
Since 2005, Venezuela’s cooperation with the U.S. regarding counternarcotic operations has significantly dwindled, denying visas to U.S. officials in 2007. One year later, then-President Hugo Chávez expelled the U.S. ambassador and recalled his ambassador from Washington, D.C., marking a significant blow to the two countries’ collaboration efforts.
While Venezuela and the U.S. agreed to reinstate their ambassadors in 2009, Venezuelan officials insisted the country did not need to work alongside the U.S. in counternarcotic efforts due to the country’s own programs.
Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro gestures next to his wife Cilia Flores as they leave the Capitolio, home of the National Assembly, after taking the oath during the presidential inauguration in Caracas on Jan. 10, 2025.(Juan Barreto/AFP via Getty Images)
In an effort to crack down on Venezuela’s trafficking networks, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has worked both within the country and domestically to capture the cartel’s key players.
In 2018, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) added Padrino Lopez, a general in the Venezuelan armed forces, to its Specially Designated Nationals List.
In 2020, the Department of Justice unsealed an indictment against Maduro and 14 co-conspirators, with charges stemming from investigations conducted in collaboration with the DEA.
Five years later, Hugo Armando Carvajal Barrios, a top general known as “El Pollo,” pleaded guilty to the same charges brought against Maduro. His conviction marked a notable victory for U.S. officials, with co-conspirator Cliver Antonio Alcala Cordones also pleading guilty to providing material support, including firearms, to the FARC.
In 2025, OFAC sanctioned the Cartel of the Suns as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist due to its history of providing material support to Tren de Aragua and the Sinaloa Cartel. Despite the accusations, a U.S. intelligence assessment comprised of 18 agencies later found no direct evidence of a connection between the cartels, according to The Associated Press.
However, the indictment filed against Maduro alleges he, along with his family, facilitated “cocaine-fueled corruption to flourish for his own benefit, for the benefit of members of his ruling regime, and for the benefit of his family members.”
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Federal prosecutors allege Maduro “provided law enforcement cover and logistical support,” such as facilitating transport – such as boats and airplanes – to cartels moving drugs throughout the region.
“This cycle of narcotics-based corruption lines the pockets of Venezuelan officials and their families while also benefiting violent narco-terrorists who operate with impunity on Venezuelan soil and who help produce, protect, and transport tons of cocaine to the United States,” the indictment adds.
The DEA did not respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Julia Bonavita is a U.S. Writer for Fox News Digital and a Fox Flight Team drone pilot. You can follow her at @juliabonavita13 on all platforms and send story tips to julia.bonavita@fox.com.
Accidents will happen, and broken glass is one of the most frequent household accidents. The big pieces may be easily spotted and vacuumed, but the small, sparkling pieces are much more dangerous. These are usually left in the grout, in the spaces where appliances are located, and in the corners, silently hurting naked feet and paws. What is most interesting, however, is that a soft slice of bread is surprisingly one of the best ways to eradicate these minute pieces. Its porous texture will shape itself into the surfaces, catching the pieces that a broom and a paper towel may have left behind.The following is a step-by-step guide on how to make a slice of bread your best-kept secret.
Why tiny glass shards are harder to clean and how bread helps
Unlike larger pieces, small shards are deceptive. They scatter easily, cling to surfaces, and can be almost invisible under ordinary lighting. They move when brushed, flicked, or even when air currents pass over them, making traditional cleaning tools less effective. Professionals in restaurants or bars often encounter this issue, finding slivers long after the main spill has been cleared. These stubborn fragments are a real hazard for children, pets, and anyone walking barefoot. Using a tool that conforms to micro-surfaces is essential to eliminate this hidden threat safely.It is porous and slightly tacky so that it can stick to shards without driving them deeper into the crevice. A sponge may rip or move the shards around, or it may just slide across them. A piece of bread pushed gently into the area around the shards will act much like a blotter to catch the fragments the eye may not see. Fresh bread is best. It is important to use soft bread; a crusty or stale loaf will only make the problem worse.
Step-by-step guide to the bread technique
Prepare the area: Put on shoes and gloves, and move children and pets to another room. Sweep up all visible large pieces with a dustpan.
Use low lighting: Hold a flashlight close to the floor to spot hidden shards. This reveals fragments that overhead light may hide.
Blot with bread: Flatten a slice of bread in your hand and press it gently onto the floor. Lift, replace, and repeat, working outward from the spill in a spiral. Avoid dragging or sliding.
Reaching tight spots: Wrap bread around a credit card for baseboards or use tongs to hold folded bread under appliances.
Final cleanup: Pat the floor with a damp paper towel and use wide tape to pick up remaining shards. Seal bread and tape in a rigid container or double-layered bag, clearly labeled.
Important safety measures in the removal of small pieces of glass
Avoid pressing too hard. This can force fragments through a porous surface.
Do not use stale bread: It becomes crumbly and causes the pieces to spread out
Delay vacuuming: Vacuum hoses can spew debris backward, spitting it onto the floor. Beater bars can grind debris into surfaces. Vacuum only after the bread-and-tape technique.
Check hidden areas: Check under place mats, rugs, and pet beds. Use a wet cloth to remove any broken glass.
Pro tips: One is not usually sufficient; systematic circuits will promote a cleaner environment. Alternatives and pro tips: Instead of bread, a slice of raw potato, a marshmallow, and a lint roller can be used to pick up small pieces. The use of bread wrapped around a card or tongs comes in handy when reaching tight areas. Final scans should be done in poor lighting conditions.
Tim Bontemps is a senior NBA writer for ESPN.com who covers the league and what’s impacting it on and off the court, including trade deadline intel, expansion and his MVP Straw Polls. You can find Tim alongside Brian Windhorst and Tim MacMahon on The Hoop Collective podcast.
Why did Atlanta and Washington do this deal now? What’s next in the evolution of both franchises? This is a fascinating deal with ripple effects for both teams and throughout the NBA. Let’s dive into all of them, plus examine how the Young trade could affect other simmering potential deals across the league.
When Atlanta chose not to extend Young this past offseason, it started the countdown to the end of his tenure with the team that drafted him No. 5 in 2018.
The Hawks, who did sign guards Dyson Daniels and Nickeil Alexander-Walker to four-year contracts worth $162 million, had made it clear that the future of the franchise didn’t necessarily include Young.
That’s when Young, 27, and his agents began looking for an off-ramp — and a team that would pay him through his prime years. Young did have some leverage; he could have declined his player option for 2026-27 and walked via unrestricted free agency this July.
Atlanta chose not to wait, a decision made easier by Atlanta’s 2-8 record in the 10 games Young played this season — the guard was sidelined nearly two months because of a quad injury — and a defense that slipped 14 points per 100 possessions when he was on the court.
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Shams: Trae Young is being traded to the Wizards
Shams Charania details the trade sending Trae Young to the Wizards and what’s next for the Hawks.
This now means the Hawks can fully lean into a young core featuring likely first-time All-Star Jalen Johnson, last year’s No. 1 pick Zaccharie Risacher, last year’s Most Improved Player Daniels and Alexander-Walker, who has proved to be an excellent free agent signing.
That grouping, with either Onyeka Okongwu or Kristaps Porzingis playing center, has been very successful this season. Add a potential top-6 pick in the 2026 NBA draft via the New Orleans Pelicans or Milwaukee Bucks and around $30 million in cap space, and Atlanta now has the chance to grow into a consistent contender in the Eastern Conference.
“Other than a few details, this trade was essentially a three-way deal where the Pelicans got Jordan Poole, the Hawks got CJ McCollum and the Wizards got Trae Young,” one East executive told ESPN, referencing the Poole-McCollum swap from last June.
“If that had all happened in the summer in one move, there may have been some more questions for Atlanta. But the way this season has played out and with how terrific Jalen [Johnson] has played as a creator, it makes more sense now.”
Why did Washington do this trade?
This was a value move that the Wizards couldn’t pass up. Young is a four-time All-Star and multiple-time league assists leader at a position of dire need.
He can facilitate offense for recent draft picks in shooting guard Tre Johnson (No. 6 in 2025), big man Alex Sarr (No. 2 in 2024) and forward Kyshawn George (No. 20 in 2024). And the cost of taking on Young’s $49 million player option for the 2026-27 season wasn’t an issue for a team that was projected to hit the offseason with $80 million in cap space. (Washington also cleared $14 million by sending Kispert to the Hawks.)
“This is pre-agency,” a second East executive said. “The Wizards are using cap space in this deal that they would’ve had this summer.”
The Wizards are hoping to mimic one of two recent moves. In 2019 as Oklahoma City was entering a roster restructuring period after trading Paul George and Russell Westbrook, bringing in veteran point guard Chris Paul helped develop young teammates in the roster, including future MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. The other was from 2023 when the Houston Rockets, in a situation more similar to where the Wizards are now, were hoping to turn their situation around after drafting a number of prospects and aggressively acquired veteran point guard Fred VanVleet in free agency.
What did the league think of the deal?
The prevailing opinion from sources around the league was that Atlanta did well to move away from a player in Young who is both extremely expensive and plays a position, point guard, that might be the NBA’s deepest.
“I know from a value proposition why you look at it,” an East scout said. “But if I’m the Wizards, just keep being bad, and stuff will figure itself out. I’m not sure why they felt the need to do this.”
A Western Conference executive pointed to Young’s defensive deficiencies, coupled with the rise in offensive production around the league, as making it difficult to bet on Young’s future value.
“Offense is so easy now,” the executive said. “One of the worst teams in the league can still easily put up 115 points in a game. … It’s hard for these small point guards to have real value with how the game is played now.”
Meanwhile, the strong expectation around the league is Young will sign an extension with the Wizards. The league’s evaluation of this deal, multiple executives said, hinges on what contract Young agrees to with the Wizards and his production over the next few seasons.
What’s next for the Hawks?
Before the 2024-25 season, the Hawks were capped out into the future and were out of draft picks because of the steep price they paid to acquire Dejounte Murray from the San Antonio Spurs.
The Hawks’ front office has made four key moves since. They traded Murray to New Orleans and acquired Daniels; moved De’Andre Hunter to Cleveland to create the cap flexibility to sign Alexander-Walker; completed a draft-night deal with the Pelicans that landed them a potential high lottery pick in the 2026 draft; and now they have traded Young in a cap-clearing move. Rival executives saw the contracts they have given Johnson, Alexander-Walker and Daniels as savvy.
It’s not yet clear how their move this summer to acquire Porzingis, who has dealt with illness throughout the season and is on an expiring contract of his own, will play out. But the Hawks’ roster became younger and more balanced after Wednesday’s trade.
There has been discussion between the Hawks and Mavericks about Anthony Davis, sources said, but talks aren’t currently active, though it’s something to monitor over the next month. But with a likely high lottery pick coming to Atlanta, along with a young core and future salary flexibility, the Hawks don’t appear to be in a hurry.
What’s next for the Wizards?
The Wizards’ 2026 first-round draft pick goes to the New York Knicks if it falls outside the top eight. That cannot and will not happen.
They won’t say it publicly — just like the Utah Jazz, who are in the same situation in the Western Conference, won’t either — but keeping that protected pick would seem to be Washington’s top priority.
The Wizards, thanks to some strong recent play by McCollum, have won five of their past seven games, and it’s unclear when, or how much, Young is going to be on the court for Washington this season.
“They could say it’s a coincidence,” a second scout said, “but them doing this deal now after McCollum was leading them to wins they don’t need probably played a role.”
Young is coming off a sprained knee and a quad bruise. Expect the Wizards to give him all the time he needs — and probably lots more — to heal.
This situation calls to mind the Toronto Raptors doing what they could to protect their own pick last season by dealing for Brandon Ingram at the trade deadline. Ingram, like Young, was up for a new contract.
Ingram, who was dealing with a nasty ankle sprain at the time, did not play a single minute for the Raptors last season after they acquired him, even after agreeing to a three-year, $120 million extension at the time of the trade.
“This is what life is like under our [draft] lottery system, with partially protected draft picks,” one executive said. “You have one team [the Hawks] that doesn’t have its pick trading a player because they were losing too much when he was playing.
“And you have another team [the Wizards] who desperately needs to keep its pick who may find a reason not to play the same player because they might win too much if he plays.”
What does this mean for the rest of trade season?
With Young off the board, the question is whether he’ll be the biggest name traded this deadline season or whether another star deal — be it Giannis Antetokounmpo, Davis or some surprise entry (a la Luka Doncic last season) — materializes between now and Feb. 5.
Antetokounmpo again dismissed the idea of a trade in an interview with The Athletic on Wednesday, declaring he will never ask out of Milwaukee. Sources have continued to reiterate for weeks that the Bucks have no intention of moving him, and will instead scour the trade market to upgrade around the two-time MVP forward.
The Davis situation is more fluid. Between the dynamics of the Mavericks still searching for a long-term replacement at general manager to a desire to build long term around No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg, to the fact Davis — who will turn 33 in March, has a lengthy injury history and is owed $58 million next year and has a $62 million player option for the 2027-28 season — has a tepid market, it’s hard to see how and from where a deal would come.
“I don’t understand why they wouldn’t just keep him,” a third East executive said. “Just let things play out, get to the summer time when it’s easier to make this kind of move anyway, and see where things stand.”
Said a third East scout: “[Dallas] ownership wants to see those guys play together before they do anything, and until they do that I don’t think they’ll rush into doing anything. … I’m not optimistic it’s anywhere close to where they hope his value is.”
There’s a real possibility Young is, indeed, the biggest name traded between now and Feb. 5. Between the dearth of picks available across the league and so many teams stuck in difficult and move-limiting financial situations, multiple scouts and executives predict a slow trade deadline.
Then again, that’s what people thought last year — only for arguably the most stunning trade in the history of the league to take place less than a week before the deadline.
One of the teams involved in the Doncic trade — the Lakers — are a prime example of why this deadline might be quiet. Despite the team’s glaring flaws, particularly on defense, the Lakers have limited draft assets and are just a million dollars below their first-apron hard cap for the season, giving them little flexibility to make the improvements to the roster necessary to truly become a threat in the West.
“They just need to fast forward to the offseason,” another West executive said. “They can’t realistically add to the roster. They don’t have a solve.
“They’re focused on keeping cap space and trying to do moves on the margins, and it’s hard to find a lot that makes sense.”
Josh Allen has finally won a road playoff game, and it took his Superman traits to get it done for his Buffalo Bills.
The Bills took down the Jacksonville Jaguars, 27-24, behind Allen’s two rushing scores, including the game-winner on Sunday afternoon.
The fourth quarter was electric for both teams, as each scored two touchdowns in the 15 minutes that ensued. But it was Allen’s second rushing score of the game that mattered most in the end.
Josh Hines-Allen of the Jaguars sacks Josh Allen of the Buffalo Bills during the AFC wild-card game at EverBank Stadium on Jan. 11, 2026, in Jacksonville, Florida.(Mike Carlson/Getty Images)
Allen and the Bills’ offense faced a 24-20 deficit after Trevor Lawrence found Travis Etienne Jr. for a 14-yard touchdown catch, where he broke one tackle and flew into the end zone. The Duval County crowd went nuts, but the clock was still in Buffalo’s favor.
After all, we’ve seen Allen have some good playoff heroics in the past. But he was 0-4 in road playoff games for his career coming into this contest, and the pressure was certainly on as Jacksonville’s defense was making it hard for him all game.
Allen’s first clutch moment of the drive came when he threw the ball 36 yards off his back foot to Brandin Cooks to flip the field into Jaguars territory. Cooks stepped up with 58 yards on three receptions, including this key one down the stretch.
Then, the Bills found themselves with a fourth-and-inches play, the game on the line from Jacksonville’s 11-yard line. It wasn’t hard to tell Buffalo was going to run their version of the tush push with Allen, but no one expected what happened next.
Not only did Allen get the push he needed for the first down, but his teammates continued to thrust him forward for 10 yards, almost finding the end zone.
On the very next play, after officials reversed their initial ruling of a touchdown, the Bills went back to the well as Allen was pushed into the end zone without much of a Jaguars threat. Jacksonville seemed to want them to score with just over a minute left to play and down three points.
Trevor Lawrence of the Jaguars throws a pass against the Buffalo Bills at EverBank Stadium on Jan. 11, 2026, in Jacksonville, Florida.(Mike Carlson/Getty Images)
Given kicker Cam Little’s leg — he reset the NFL’s longest made field goal record earlier this season — Lawrence didn’t need to go too far to allow a chance to send the game to overtime.
But on the very first play of the drive, a pass intended to Jakobi Meyers was tipped by Tre’Davious White, who had a tremendous game, and intercepted by safety Cole Bishop. Bishop smartly fell to the turf and the game was over with the Jaguars not possessing any timeouts.
The Bills will now wait to see who their next opponent will be in the divisional round.
In the box score, Allen was 28-of-35 for 273 yards with a touchdown pass to Dalton Kincaid in the fourth quarter. He also had 33 rush yards on 11 carries, while James Cook had trouble all day against the league’s top rushing defense, with only 46 yards on 15 touches in the backfield.
Khalil Shakir stepped up for Buffalo as well, hauling in all 12 of his targets for 82 yards.
For Jacksonville, Lawrence had three touchdown passes on his 30 attempts, but also two interceptions, the other by Shaq Thompson in the first half. He threw for 207 yards with 31 rushing yards on six attempts to close out his season.
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen looks to pass against the Jacksonville Jaguars in an AFC wild-card at EverBank Stadium on Jan. 11, 2026.(Nathan Ray Seebeck/Imagn Images)
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The rush attack was good for the Jaguars, who saw Etienne pick up 67 and Bhayshul Tuten adding 51 on only four carries.
In the pass game, Parker Washington closed his season with yet another solid performance, hauling in seven catches for 107 yards to lead the game.
Agitators directing traffic and impeding law enforcement activity in Minnesota are drawing sharp criticism from a former police official, who warns the scenes signal a dangerous normalization of obstruction that threatens public safety and the rule of law.
Retired NYPD detective and adjunct professor Mike Alcazar told Fox News Digital the behavior would never have been tolerated during his career, calling the lack of intervention a clear departure from long-standing enforcement standards.
“It would have been shut down immediately. It never would have happened,” Alcazar said.
Drawing on decades of experience policing large-scale demonstrations in New York City, Alcazar said protesters were historically permitted to exercise their First Amendment rights, but only within clearly enforced boundaries intended to prevent disorder and violence.
Residents barricade the 3300 block of Portland Avenue in Minneapolis, Minn., Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, where Renee Nicole Good was shot the day before by an agent with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.(Derek Shook for Fox News Digital)
He said civilians were not allowed to take over roadways, direct traffic or block pedestrian access, and officers routinely used barriers, separation tactics and a visible uniformed presence to maintain control.
“You cannot take over a roadway. That is not part of your right to protest,” Alcazar said. “That’s where we draw the line.”
Alcazar said those lines now appear increasingly blurred, allowing demonstrations to drift into obstruction. When enforcement standards are not clearly maintained, he said, agitators exploit the absence of consequences — surrounding officers, escalating confrontations and introducing items that can be used as weapons, such as wooden poles.
An onlooker holds a sign reading “Shame” as law enforcement officers work the scene following a suspected shooting by an ICE agent during federal operations in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on Wednesday.(Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
According to Alcazar, the risks intensify when federal agents are operating without visible local law enforcement support. Immigration enforcement operations, he said, are not designed to manage hostile civilian crowds and instead rely on local departments to secure scenes and prevent interference.
“ICE agents are trained for enforcement operations — not crowd control,” Alcazar said. “When local police pull back, you’re leaving federal agents exposed.”
Those risks were visible on the ground. Fox News correspondent Matt Finn captured a tense moment in downtown Minneapolis when a resident used a vehicle to briefly block Border Patrol agents during an active enforcement operation, forcing agents to order the driver to move. Finn reported that Border Patrol units often avoid remaining in one location for extended periods because agitators frequently attempt to surround or impede them, making even brief delays a safety risk.
Tensions escalated in Minneapolis after a fatal shooting Wednesday during a federal immigration enforcement operation, when 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good was shot and killed by an ICE agent.
Federal officials said Good attempted to drive her vehicle toward agents during the encounter, a claim disputed by family members and some local leaders. The shooting led to agitators taking to the streets and heightened scrutiny of federal enforcement activity in the city, contributing to repeated confrontations between demonstrators and federal agents.
City officials, however, said recent demonstrations have largely remained peaceful and that steps are being taken to ensure public safety.
A spokesperson for the Minneapolis Police Department said lawful assemblies had been peaceful and comparable to other small- and large-scale demonstrations that regularly occur in the city. Police emphasized that keeping streets clear is critical to protecting lives, property and first responders.
Minneapolis City Council member Jason Chavez (L) addresses onlookers following a shooting by an ICE agent during federal law enforcement operations on Jan. 7, 2026, in Minneapolis, Minnesota.(Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
The city said it was removing barriers blocking streets near the site of Wednesday’s shooting to ensure emergency access.
Minneapolis Fire Department Interim Chief Melanie Rucker warned that blocked streets can delay emergency response and endanger lives.
“Safety has to come first — every second matters when lives are on the line,” Rucker said, noting crews recently responded to a three-alarm fire just blocks from the area. “When streets are blocked, it slows our response and puts both residents and emergency responders at risk.”
City officials said residents have raised concerns about neighborhood access, with multiple 311 calls requesting barrier removal. While memorials created by community members will remain intact, the city said surrounding streets must stay clear to ensure emergency access.
Residents barricade the 3300 block of Portland Ave. in Minneapolis, MN, Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026. The block is where Renee Nicole Good was shot by an ICE agent.(Derek Shook for Fox News Digital)
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey has sharply criticized the presence and actions of federal immigration agents following the shooting, telling ICE to “get the f— out of Minneapolis” and rejecting the Department of Homeland Security’s account of the incident. Frey said the city does not want federal agents there, arguing their presence has contributed to chaos and undermined public safety.
Additional concerns were raised by Adam Swart, CEO of Crowds on Demand, who told Fox News Digital his firm declined to participate in Minneapolis demonstrations because many crossed into illegal activity, including blocking streets and obstructing federal law enforcement.
Fox News host Laura Ingraham speaks with an agitator during a demonstration in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The agitator claimed she is being paid “right now” to attend the demonstration.(The Ingraham Angle)
Swart said mixing peaceful protesters with individuals engaging in obstruction creates serious safety risks, as officers cannot easily distinguish between lawful demonstrators and agitators.
“When you’re blocking streets, clashing with law enforcement, and obstructing federal agents, those are illegal protests,” Swart said. “Law enforcement can’t easily distinguish between peaceful protesters and people creating those obstructions.”
Swart rejected claims that blocking roadways or restricting law enforcement movement constitutes “nonviolent resistance,” warning that preventing federal agents from moving freely puts officers, protesters and emergency responders in danger.
He added that such tactics are often counterproductive, saying efforts to obstruct ICE operations are more likely to trigger an increased federal presence rather than deter enforcement.
Mark Ross, president of the St. Paul Police Federation, also weighed in, sharply criticizing local political leadership and the impact of so-called separation ordinances on public safety.
“It’s a recipe for disaster,” Michael Alcazar said about leaving federal officers to operate amid disorder. “That’s how civilians get hurt, officers get hurt and situations spiral out of control.”(Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
Ross said city leaders have conflated routine crowd control support with “working with ICE,” despite local police departments having no role in federal immigration enforcement.
“As far as I’m concerned, these mayors and councils have some blood on their hands and bear some responsibility,” Ross said.
Ross argued that allowing local police to provide basic crowd control — rather than restricting coordination — could have reduced risks during recent confrontations. He said police assistance focused solely on keeping crowds from interfering with federal agents might have prevented dangerous escalation.
Ross added that his department has repeatedly offered help limited to crowd management, not deportations or federal enforcement duties, to ensure the safety of both agents and demonstrators.
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Alcazar said the unrest underscores the danger of leaving federal agents to operate amid disorder without local law enforcement support, warning that the absence of a visible police presence increases the risk of escalation and injury for officers and civilians alike.
“It’s a recipe for disaster,” he said. “That’s how civilians get hurt, officers get hurt and situations spiral out of control.”
Alcazar warned that allowing obstruction to go unchecked sends a dangerous signal that enforcement standards no longer apply.
“Once civilians start controlling the streets, police lose control of the streets,” Alcazar said. “When people don’t know where the limits are, they’re going to take advantage.”
Fox News’ Matt Finn and Louis Casiano contributed to this report.
Stepheny Price covers crime, including missing persons, homicides and migrant crime. Send story tips to stepheny.price@fox.com.
Stepheny Price is a Writer at Fox News with a focus on West Coast and Midwest news, missing persons, national and international crime stories, homicide cases, and border security.
An electric bus arrives at a bus terminal in Jhelum. — Screengrab via X/@BilalAKayani
Minister of State for Finance Bilal Azhar Kayani said on Sunday that passengers appreciated the electric bus service launched by the Punjab government, ensuring safe, affordable and convenient transport facility.
While visiting his Jhelum constituency, the state minister travelled on the electric bus to inspect the public transport service that was inaugurated in Jhelum two weeks ago.
The Punjab government launched the electric bus service in Jhelum last month with a fleet of 15 vehicles, aiming to provide residents with modern, environmentally friendly transport facilities in line with services available in other parts of the province.
He said in an X post that he spoke to passengers at the bus stop and during the journey to get their feedback.
“All passengers appreciated the service launched by CM Punjab, which has ensured safe, affordable and convenient transport for the citizens. I was delighted to see a number of women and elderly benefitting from the service.”
Kayani added that he also visited the Cath Lab in District Headquarters (DHQ) Hospital Jhelum, inaugurated last Monday for the provision of cardiac treatment, to review the facility and check progress.
“Nine angiographies and three angioplasties have been successfully done so far, all free of cost for the patients.”
“This is the first Cath Lab in any DHQ Hospital in Punjab. Citizens of Jhelum no longer have to travel to Islamabad or Lahore for affordable and quality cardiac care,” he added.
Kayani also met local party colleagues to discuss local issues, and offered fateha and condolences to constituents whose loved ones have recently passed away.
Kelly Clarkson weighs in on life without the father of her children
With five months having passed since the death of Brandon Blackstock, the ex-husband and father to Kelly Clarkson’s kids, River, 11, and Remington, 9, the singer has come forward.
She delivered her words during a backstage Q&A session on The Kelly Clarkson Show, and explained what she prioritizes now that her ex has passed.
She started by gushing over the ages her kids currently are and said, “my kids, they’re 9 and 11. Kind of that special little fun stage where they can wipe their own behinds, but they’re still small enough to, like, love cuddling and love snuggles” so “there’s been a lot for our family recently, and so I have allowed my kids to sleep with me quite a bit.”
In regards to life after her ex’s passing she said, “it’s my two dogs, my two kids and me. It’s a lot.”
However, she did not forget to offer some positives because she called the moments ‘really special’ for memories because in her eyes, “the conversations you have during that time are pretty cute. So that’s probably my favorite time of day,” which she concluded by saying.
For those unversed with Brandon’s passing, he passed away back in August of 2025, following a battle with cancer which lasted for more than three years.
At the time a spokesperson for Clarkson came forward to say, “he passed away peacefully and was surrounded by family. We thank you for your thoughts and prayers and ask everyone to respect the family’s privacy during this very difficult time.”
At just 17 years, three months, and 22 days old, Lionel Messi makes his official league debut for Barcelona, coming on as a substitute late in the game. against Espanyol. At the time, he becomes the youngest player to represent the club in an official game after joining the club’s famed La Masia academy in 2000, moving from Argentine club Newell’s Old Boys as a 13-year-old.
