INTERNACIONAL
Former Trump advisors wage Balkan campaign as MAGA moves into Europe
Former campaign advisors of President Donald Trump are at work on a new campaign in the Balkans, hoping to tip the scales for the right-wing Democratic Party leader Sali Berisha, who faces off against the highly favored Socialist Party leader and Prime Minister Edi Rama in Sunday’s parliamentary elections.
Former Trump campaign manager Chris LaCivita, Trump 2016 campaign manager Paul Manafort, and strategist and pollster Tony Fabrizio round out the team backing Berisha, according to the Associated Press. LaCivita has compared Trump and Berisha, saying they are both «unfairly prosecuted and persecuted by a government that has no regard for Democracy.»
When asked by Syri TV’s Cim Peka why the Albanian election is important for the world, LaCivita said that «one of the things that many of us know in the United States is that the Soros family is very active in politics around the globe, and it’s not just regular politics, it’s destabilizing politics.» LaCivita said that the family thrives «in an environment where the governments are insecure and they found the perfect home unfortunately in Albania, and they found the perfect prime minister in Edi Rama.»
SOROS V TRUMP — SOCIALISTS TARGET CONSERVATIVES IN UPCOMING EUROPEAN NATION’S ELECTION
Chris LaCivita, who served as co-campaign manager of Donald Trump’s successful 2024 presidential campaign, shakes hands with Sali Berisha, leader of Albania’s main opposition center-right Democratic Party that he is consulting for the upcoming May 11 parliamentary election, in Tirana, Albania, Feb. 10, 2025. (AP Photo)
The Socialist Rama is hoping to win a fourth consecutive term as PM in Sunday’s election on a promise of bringing Albania into the European Union while the country still faces major problems of graft and corruption.
LaCivita explained that calling out Soros’ involvement was important «because it has an impact on Albania’s future.» He said that Berisha’s campaign is «about the Albanian people,» explaining that their «biggest desire is to be able to work, live, and raise a family and have a future and so any time that there are individuals or that there are organizations that want to create an atmosphere that make that difficult, to me they’re the actual enemy and those are the people that we wage campaigns to actually defeat.»
George and Alex Soros’ Open Society Foundations has been very involved in the Balkans and has invested over $131 million in Albania in a period of 18 years.
Requests sent to representatives of the Soros’ Open Society were not returned by press time.
When Fox News Digital spoke to Berisha in April about the impediments he faced in the May 11 elections, he named the sanctions placed against him by the Biden administration for allegations of corruption in 2021. «I’m not able to meet with Albanian Americans, which are so numerous, and in this election, for the first time, they have the right to vote for the party and candidate they prefer in their country of origin,» Berisha explained.
ALBANIA ISSUES YEARLONG TIKTOK BAN AMID YOUTH VIOLENCE CONCERNS
Albania’s Prime Minister Edi Rama, center, applauds during his main election campaign rally in Tirana, Albania, Friday, May 9, 2025, as his ruling Socialist Party (PS) seeks a fourth term. (AP Photo/Vlasov Sulaj)
To date, there appears to be no movement on sanctions against Berisha. In April, the State Department did not respond to Fox News Digital’s questions about whether it would consider lifting sanctions against Berisha, and whether the sanctions in place impeded free and fair elections in Albania. A spokesperson told Fox News Digital Thursday that «the Department has nothing to report on this designation at this time.»
Berisha’s race has been fraught by other complications, including being stripped of his legal immunity in December 2023 and held under house arrest until November 2024. Berisha is currently awaiting trial on corruption charges.
Berisha told Fox News Digital that the charges were the product of lawfare leveled against him by Rama and Soros.
Berisha is not the only opposition candidate who has faced charges in the lead-up to elections. Former Albanian president Ilir Meta was also arrested on corruption allegations in October 2024.
ALBANIANS RALLY BY THE THOUSANDS AGAINST RULING SOCIALIST GOVERNMENT
Albanian opposition supporters hold a placard showing US President Donald Trump (C) and Albanian opposition leader Sali Berisha (CR) during an anti-government protest in front of the Prime Minister’s office in Tirana on February 8, 2025. Major right-wing opposition parties have accused the longtime Prime Minister Edi Rama of corruption and have called for the government to resign. (Photo by Adnan Beci/AFP via Getty Images)
Former Albanian Ambassador to the United States and the United Nations Agim Nesho told Fox News Digital that «May 11 elections are unfolding under intense pressure from the ruling Socialist Party, which has clung to power for over 12 years. The regime stands accused of jailing opposition leaders on fabricated charges, weaponizing state institutions, and silencing dissent in a country where citizens are increasingly afraid to speak freely.»
Nesho claimed that «the Albanian people are being denied the basic democratic rights to organize, vote, and oppose the government without fear. This system of repression, critics say, is supported—either tacitly or directly—by elements of the Biden administration and global actors like Alex Soros, who have worked to undercut the opposition and prevent free and fair elections, much like the political persecution seen in the United States against former President Donald Trump.»
Saying that the «election could mark a turning point,» as «a true grassroots movement is rising—ready to challenge state corruption and restore Albania’s path to freedom, development, and democratic self-determination,» Nesho called «on the Trump administration to closely monitor these elections and send a clear message to Tirana: America is watching.»
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Albania’s Prime Minister Edi Rama waves as he addresses his supporters in the central square of Tirana, following his Socialist Party election victory on April 27, 2021. Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama told supporters on April 27, 2021, that they had delivered his Socialist Party’s «most difficult but sweetest» election victory, as almost complete results suggested he had clinched a record third term in office. (Photo by Gent ShkullakuAFP via Getty Images)
Nesho said «the United States must stand firmly on the side of democracy and the rule of law. The Albanian people deserve free elections, not another manipulated outcome enforced through fear and political imprisonment.»
Politico reported that while Rama’s Socialist Party appears to be ahead in polling, the impact Albanians who live abroad being allowed to vote for the first time, and a lack of reliability in polling data may still leave room for Berisha to secure victory and return to office as prime minister.
INTERNACIONAL
ICE director says Portland facility faces violence with ‘little help from local police’
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Federal immigration officials say their Portland, Oregon, facility has come under nightly attack, with little help from local police because of political directives from city leaders.
In an exclusive interview with Fox News’ Bill Melugin, Cammila Wamsley, director of Portland’s ICE office, said the facility has faced violence for more than 100 consecutive nights, with Portland police largely absent under guidance from the mayor and city council.
«I just, I can’t figure out what’s happening at the FDA. I’m totally baffled by it,» Wamsley said, describing her frustration at seeing federal staff attacked outside the building while officers inside lack jurisdiction to intervene. «It’s frustrating for us to watch people be attacked on the street and know that we don’t have the authority to be able to really step in unless there’s some nexus to federal law.»
She said nightly protests have escalated beyond chants and signs, with bottle rockets striking the ICE building, rocks shattering windows, lasers targeting officers’ eyes and barricades blocking vehicles.
ANTI-ICE PORTLAND RIOTERS WITH GUILLOTINE CLASH WITH POLICE IN WAR-LIKE SCENES
People protest outside a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility as federal agents watch from the rooftop in Portland, Ore., Wednesday. (AP Photo/Amanda Loman)
Wamsley said protesters have followed ICE staff members home and doxxed at least six employees.
«Later, towards the evening and around dark, there are a lot of folks that come up dressed in all black,» she explained. «They are here to wreak havoc. They’ll block our cars, throw paint, damage property and even try to follow our folks home.»
She warned that when crowds swell quickly, the violence becomes more dangerous.
ICE DIRECTOR REVEALS DANGEROUS NIGHTLY ANTIFA ‘BATTLE’ AS TRUMP PREPARES FEDERAL DEPLOYMENT TO PORTLAND
A Federal Protective Service officer stands guard in front of demonstrators as protests against Immigration and Customs Enforcementdraw hundreds to the ICE headquarters in south Portland, Ore., Sunday. (John Rudoff/Reuters)
«We’ve seen it before. The folks here can go from a crowd of 50 to a crowd of 1,000 in 30 minutes,» she explained. «Sometimes we only have 20 officers here. We would not be able to defend the building with that show of force.»
Wamsley said the Portland Police Department has been slow to respond — and sometimes doesn’t respond at all — because of city policy. She explained that assaults have occurred outside and across the street from the building, but police have either taken too long to arrive or not shown up at all.
«That is not the stance they would take six blocks from here, but it is the stance they take with us because of guidance from the mayor and city council,» Wamsley said.
PORTLAND MAYOR DOUBLES DOWN ON SANCTUARY STATUS AFTER VIOLENT ANTI-ICE RIOT
Anti-ICE protesters roll out a guillotine in front of the ICE field office in Portland, Ore. (X/@KatieDaviscourt)
Fox News Digital has reached out to the Portland mayor’s office and police department for comment.
Still, Wamsley said ICE staff remain committed to their mission despite the unrest.
«The people that work here are here to serve the American public,» she said. «They are here to enforce the same immigration laws we’ve had in place since the 1950s. Nothing has changed in that regard. We come to work every day. We do our job the way we have been doing it, and we’ll continue to do that.»
PORTLAND RAMPS UP PRESSURE ON ICE BUILDING WITH LAND USE VIOLATION NOTICE
Federal agents arrest a person outside an Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Portland, Ore., in June. (X/@choeshow/@frontlinesTPUSA)
Todd Rignel, assistant special agent for Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in Oregon, said federal agencies are targeting Antifa-linked groups they blame for organizing much of the unrest.
«They’re not just facing HSI. They’re facing the FBI, ATF, DEA, IRS — all of these agencies,» he said. «That’s a force to be reckoned with.»
Portland remains a flashpoint for unrest with the ICE facility at the center of nightly confrontations.
President Donald Trump announced plans to send 200 National Guard troops to Portland to support immigration authorities. Officials said the troops would be stationed near protest areas.
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The warnings follow an attack on an ICE facility in Dallas Sept. 24. Authorities said two detainees were killed and another was hospitalized after a gunman opened fire before dying of a self-inflicted gunshot.
Investigators said shell casings recovered bore an «ANTI-ICE» message.
Fox News Digital’s Madison Colombo contributed to this report.
oregon,homeland security,immigration,antifa,vandalism
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QUIERO RECIBIRLO
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Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday said the assassination of Charlie Kirk was a sign of a «deep rift» in American society, while offering his condolences to the family of the late conservative activist.
Speaking at the Valdai Discussion Club in Sochi at a forum of Russian experts, Putin addressed the killing, according to Reuters.
«This is a disgusting atrocity, especially since it was broadcast live. We all saw it. It was truly horrific,» Putin said. «First and foremost, I extend my condolences to Mr. Kirk’s family and all his loved ones. We sympathize and empathize.
JD VANCE DECLARES THERE IS ‘NO UNITY’ WITH PEOPLE WHO CELEBRATE CHARLIE KIRK’S ASSASSINATION
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday condemned the killing of Charlie Kirk while speaking to a panel of Russian experts. (Getty Images)
«What happened is a reflection of a deep division within society. In the United States, I don’t believe there is any need to escalate the situation externally, as the country’s political leadership is working to restore order domestically,» he added.
Kirk was shot and killed in September while speaking at Utah Valley University.
His alleged killer, Tyler Robinson, faces seven charges, including aggravated homicide, which carries the potential death penalty; felony discharge of a firearm; obstruction and witness tampering.
Robinson returned to court Monday and is scheduled to appear again Oct. 30. Prosecutors said they had already gathered «voluminous» evidence against him.
TRUMP DEFENDS LABELING ANTIFA A ‘TERRORIST ORGANIZATION’ AS HE TARGETS LEFT-WING EXTREMISM
Charlie Kirk speaks before he is assassinated during Turning Point’s visit to Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah, Sept. 10, 2025. (Tess Crowley/The Deseret News via AP)
Kirk’s murder has intensified debate over political violence in the United States. Republican leaders have urged Democrats to moderate their rhetoric toward President Donald Trump and to embrace greater tolerance for opposing views.
In addition to addressing Kirk’s death, Putin responded to Trump’s recent characterization of Russia as a «paper tiger.»
«A paper tiger? Then go deal with this paper tiger,» Putin said. «If we are fighting the entire NATO bloc, moving forward, advancing and feeling confident, and we are still called a paper tiger, then what does that make NATO itself?»
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Last week, Trump predicted Ukraine could reclaim all its territory from Russia before labeling Moscow a «paper tiger.»
vladimir putin,charlie kirk,russia
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