INTERNACIONAL
EXCLUSIVE VIDEO: Marine vet prosecutor refuses to cross constitutional line on Spanberger ‘assault weapon’ ban
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EXCLUSIVE: Ryan Mehaffey, a Marine veteran and Virginia prosecutor, is taking a hard-line stance against what he believes is an «unconstitutional» new gun ban signed by Democratic Gov. Abigail Spanberger.
Spanberger, who has been slipping in the polls amid criticisms of her progressive policy agenda, signed a new bill last week banning the future sale and manufacture of «assault weapons,» including many semiautomatic rifles, pistols and shotguns. The law also bans the future sale of magazines with a capacity of more than 15 rounds.
The move caused immediate backlash from many Virginians and raised new Second Amendment violation concerns. Rather than protest, however, Mehaffey, who serves as the commonwealth attorney for Spotsylvania County, is drawing a line in the sand and flatly refusing to enforce the ban.
With the bill set to take effect this July ahead of America’s 250th anniversary of independence, Mehaffey sent a letter to Spotsylvania Sheriff Roger Harris, instructing him that the ban is «unconstitutional and cannot be lawfully enforced.»
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Virginia Democrat Gov. Abigail Spanberger is drawing Republicans’ ire and a potential Justice Department lawsuit on her latest moves against the Second Amendment. (Getty Images)
A statement released by Spanberger’s office called the assault weapons ban a «critical step toward protecting families, communities, and the law enforcement officers who serve them.»
Spanberger remarked she signed the bill into law «because firearms designed to inflict maximum casualties do not belong on our streets.»
She added that «while the General Assembly chose not to adopt my amendment that specifically carves out certain firearms frequently used for hunting, I will work with the patrons to clarify this language.»
In response, Mehaffey said in an interview with Fox News Digital that the law «is striking at the core of the militia system that existed in Virginia.»
According to Mehaffey, the Second Amendment is not just an assurance of personal freedoms, but also a safeguard for a community’s ability to defend itself through a «well-regulated militia.»
«Our founders were careful to make sure when they drafted our founding document, that the ultimate right of the people was preserved to defend themselves and to defend their community,» he explained. «So, the linchpin of the constitutional analysis is going to be does this instrument have some reasonable relationship to the preservation or efficiency of a regulated militia.»
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Mehaffey argues that Virginia historical tradition and legal precedent requires citizens own firearms for the public defense, saying, «The second amendment may not mean that you are allowed to have a nuclear weapon, but what it does allow you to have is a basic infantry weapon.» (Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
Mehaffey argues that in Virginia, historical tradition and case law precedent not only allow citizens to own firearms but even require them to arm themselves with the weapons of a basic infantryman for common defense. In the Founding Fathers’ time, Mehaffey said the standard issue was a musket and 20 rounds. Today, the basic infantry weapon in the U.S. military is the M4A1 carbine equipped with a 30-round magazine.
«The second amendment may not mean that you are allowed to have a nuclear weapon,» he laughed. «But what it does allow you to have is a basic infantry weapon.»
«That sort of weapon is the core of what’s protected by the Second Amendment. Not necessarily a nuclear warhead, but a rifle that you can take out and form either a fire team or a company to defend yourself and to defend your community.»
Mehaffey is not alone in his stance. In addition to what he characterized as the «overwhelmingly positive» response from his community, Smyth County Commonwealth’s Attorney Phillip Blevins, an Air Force veteran, has also refused to enforce the bill, arguing it is unconstitutional. The ban is also facing lawsuits from gun-rights groups, including the NRA, Firearms Policy Coalition and Second Amendment Foundation.
Blevins told Fox News Digital that «ultimately, courts will continue to address these issues, and I respect the role of the judiciary. But as the elected Commonwealth’s Attorney for Smyth County, I will continue to stand for what I believe the Constitution requires, without apology or hesitation.»
«My position is not based on politics. It is based on constitutional fidelity,» he continued, adding, «The Bill of Rights either means something, or it does not.»
«As Commonwealth’s Attorney, I took an oath to support and defend the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of Virginia. That oath is not situational, and it does not change based on politics, headlines, or pressure from either side of an issue.»
Mehaffey believes he and those standing beside him on this issue will ultimately prevail.
«The Second Amendment is the supreme law of the land, both in the U.S. Constitution and the analog in the Virginia Constitution,» he explained. «So, whatever law is passed by the General Assembly is not going to have the ability to supersede the Constitution.»
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Marine veteran and now Spotsylvania, Virginia, Commonwealth Attorney Ryan Mehaffey with his wife, Lucie. (Courtesy of Spotsylvania Commonwealth Attorney Ryan Mehaffey)
While he has gotten a lot of personal attention for his stance, Mehaffey emphasized that, «I want nothing more than to fulfill my office with honor and to be a good servant to the people that elected me to represent them and to stick up for their rights.»
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«That’s what I’m trying to do,» he continued, adding, «I would expect any government official to remain faithful to the Constitution and to discharge their duties as servants of the people in the same way that I have.»
Fox News Digital reached out to Spanberger for additional comment.
abigail spanberger, second amendment, constitution, virginia, woke, america 250, politics
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New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill and Sen. Andy Kim, D-N.J., met with the families of detainees being held at a migrant detention facility that critics say should be shut down amid «unacceptable» conditions and an ongoing hunger strike.
Kim and Sherrill, both Democrats, have asked U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for access to the Delaney Hall center in Newark, where hundreds of illegal immigrants are being held.
«I’m back at Delaney Hall with @GovSherrillNJ and other members of the NJ delegation to meet with families of detainees and listen to community advocates,» Kim wrote Monday on X. «We’re working together to make sure they’re heard and to speak out with them. Delaney Hall must be shut down immediately. ICE cannot be allowed to continue operating in this way.»
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New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill and U.S. Sen. Andy Kim, D-N.J., were seen outside the Delaney Hall center on Monday. Democrats have called for the detention facility to be shut down amid allegations of poor living conditions for the illegal immigrants inside. (Sen. Andy Kim ; X)
Fox News Digital has reached out to ICE for comment.
A Department of Homeland Security (DHS) spokesperson said Kim personally called Secretary Markwayne Mullin, and that he was allowed in the facility to conduct his congressional oversight responsibilities. However, the spokesperson criticized Sherrill over he appearance at the detention center.
«Governor Sherrill’s visit to Delaney Hall is nothing more than a political stunt on Memorial Day when visitation is currently suspended due to riots outside the facility,» the spokesperson told Fox News Digital. «Yesterday, approximately 125 agitators surrounded Delaney Hall Detention Facility, many carrying anti-ICE signs and Antifa flags. They formed a human chain around entrances to the facility and set up barricades, blocking all entries and exits.»
On Sunday, protesters clashed with authorities outside the privately run facility — which was revamped as an immigration detention center last year — where some detainees have gone on a hunger strike to protest allegedly poor conditions inside.
Sherrill said she was «deeply disturbed» by the conditions inside Delaney Hall, noting that she has always opposed private detention facilities and advocated against them.
«I will continue to call for the closure of Delaney Hall because of reports like these,» she wrote Sunday on X. «I have contacted ICE to gain access to the facility and my office remains in close coordination with our federal delegation and with advocates, and I commend their continued oversight and work to hold DHS accountable.»
Kim and Rep. Rob Menendez, D-N.J., arrived at Delaney Hall on Sunday but were denied entry. Critics of the facility allege that detainees endure squalid conditions and mistreatment from staff.
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The Delaney Hall Facility building is shown in this image. (StateCourt.org)
«In sum, Delaney Hall is dangerous for those being detained, their loved ones, and all who care about immigrants’ rights, fundamental constitutional freedoms, and democracy,» the American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey said in February. «Yet in the face of these cruel conditions, community members and families have united in fierce opposition to Delaney Hall’s existence and the abuse of human beings therein.»
All detainees are provided with 3 meals a day, clean water, clothing, bedding, showers, soap, and toiletries, «DHS said.
«Illegal aliens also have access to phones to communicate with their family members and lawyers,» the agency said. «Certified dieticians evaluate meals. In fact, ICE has higher detention standards than most U.S. prisons that hold actual U.S. citizens.»
«It is a longstanding practice to provide comprehensive medical care from the moment an alien enters ICE custody,» the statement continued. «This includes medical, dental, and mental health services as available, and access to medical appointments and 24-hour emergency care. For many illegal aliens this is the best healthcare they have received their entire lives.»
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Democrats have repeatedly called for Delaney Hall to be closed. In May 2025, protesters — including three congressional lawmakers and Newark Mayor Ras Baraka — gathered outside the facility and clashed with authorities. They allegedly rushed past security through the gates, which had opened to allow an ICE bus inside.
U.S. Rep. LaMonica McIver, D-N.J., faces a federal three-count indictment for allegedly assaulting, resisting and impeding federal law enforcement officers that day. She allegedly shoved and struck officers to prevent the arrest of Baraka.
At the time, then-Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin categorized some of the detainees inside Delaney Hall as «murderers, terrorists, child rapists and MS-13 gang members» while questioning why the lawmakers continued to advocate for them.
immigrant rights, mikie sherrill, democrats, illegal immigrants, new jersey
INTERNACIONAL
Una inusual ola de calor golpea a Europa: hay alerta amarilla en varios países y temor a incendios forestales
Las elevadas temperaturas que afectan a buena parte de Europa, superiores a las habituales en mayo, obligaron a las autoridades de varios países a decretar alertas por calor y extremar las precauciones para evitar incendios forestales.
En el Reino Unido, este lunes se alcanzó la temperatura más alta en un mes de mayo, 34,8 grados centígrados, marcada en los jardines botánicos de Kew, en el suroeste de Londres.
Esta cifra supera el anterior máximo de 33,5 grados, también hoy cerca del aeropuerto de Heathrow, en Londres, y al vigente hasta ahora, los 32,8 grados registrados en 1922.
La Oficina Meteorológica británica (Met Office) sitúa las temperaturas más altas en las próximas horas en el centro y el sur de Inglaterra, especialmente en el área de Londres, y en Gales.
Alerta amarilla en España y Francia
En España, tres comunidades autónomas (regiones) del norte del país (Asturias, Cantabria y País Vasco) y el archipiélago de Canarias están en alerta amarillo por temperaturas de más de 34 grados centígrados.
La Agencia Estatal de Meteorología (Aemet) informó de que durante el fin de semana el país experimentó “temperaturas muy altas para la época”, entre cinco y diez grados por encima de lo habitual. Las altas temperaturas sacuden a varios países europeos (Foto: Reuters)
Este episodio de calor se acentuará durante el resto de la semana, con un repunte de las temperaturas a partir del miércoles.
En Francia, los servicios meteorológicos colocaron este lunes 18 departamentos, incluido París, en alerta amarilla por la ola de calor.
Para mañana, se pusieron en alerta naranja (el segundo nivel más alto de una escala de cuatro) ocho departamentos y 17 en alerta amarilla.
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Según Météo France, se trata de un “episodio de calor precoz” que afecta sobre todo al oeste del país y a la capital.
La ola de calor se extiende hacia el norte, con termómetros por encima de los 30 grados. Solo parte de las fachadas atlántica y mediterránea se escapa de estas elevadas temperaturas.
Alertas de incendio en Portugal
En Portugal, siete municipios del Algarve (sur) y una treintena del interior del país están en riesgo “máximo” o “muy elevado” de incendio por la subida de las temperaturas, de acuerdo con el Instituto Portugués del Mar y la Atmósfera (IPMA).
El aumento generalizado de las temperaturas, que comenzó el jueves, se mantendrá al menos hasta el fin de mayo.
Irlanda también registra temperaturas récord para mayo, que podrían superar los 28 grados en los próximos dos días.
El día más caluroso en mayo sucedió en 1997 en la localidad de Ardfert Liscahane, en el condado de Kerry, cuando el mercurio subió hasta los 28,4 grados. Las condiciones podrían cambiar a partir del jueves con la llegada de lluvias desde el suroeste.
Temperaturas récord para un mes de mayo se reportan en Europa (Foto: EFE)
En Alemania, el largo fin de semana (por la festividad de Pentecostés) fue muy cálido, con máximas de 33 grados el sábado.
Las temperaturas descendieeron posteriormente, aunque, conforme a la previsión del Servicio Meteorológico Alemán (DWD), es posible que a lo largo de la semana vuelvan a alcanzarse los 30 grados en algunas zonas.
Austria activó este lunes alertas amarillas por altas temperaturas en cinco capitales regionales del país con valores superiores a 30 grados y previsiones de un ligero aumento el martes, según el servicio meteorológico público Geosphere Austria.
En la capital, Viena, los termómetros llegarán hasta los 30 grados. La alerta amarilla por esta primera ola de calor del año se mantendrá en amplias zonas del país el martes y el miércoles.
En la misma línea, el servicio meteorológico de la República Checa alertó sobre el riesgo de incendios forestales en las regiones central y noroeste de Bohemia, una advertencia que podría extenderse a otras zonas del país.
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Praga, situada en la región de Bohemia Central, registró máximas de 29 grados durante el fin de semana, muy por encima de los valores habituales para mayo.
El récord histórico para este mes en la capital checa es de 32,2 grados, alcanzado el 11 de mayo de 1866.
Italia vive temperaturas casi veraniegas debido a un anticiclón de origen subtropical instalado en el área del Mediterráneo. Las altas temperaturas, superiores a lo habitual, se mantendrán, según los expertos de ‘IlMeteo.It’, hasta el jueves.
En Milán se alcanzarán picos de 35 grados, mientras que en la capital, Roma, o en Nápoles (sur) rondarán los 30 grados.
(Con información de EFE)
ola de calor, Europa
INTERNACIONAL
Canadian teen girl charged with arson after allegedly torching American baseball team’s charter bus
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A Canadian teenager is facing arson charges after authorities say she torched a charter bus belonging to an American professional baseball team during a road trip to Winnipeg, Canada.
The Kane County Cougars, a U.S.-based independent professional baseball team, were traveling in Canada for games against the Winnipeg Goldeyes.
On May 21, law enforcement agencies responded to the team’s bus engulfed in flames outside Blue Cross Park, according to Winnipeg Police Service.
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A Canadian teenager is facing arson charges after police say she set fire to a charter bus carrying the Kane County Cougars during a road trip in Winnipeg. (SEBASTIEN ST-JEAN/AFP via Getty Images)
Authorities determined that the fire was intentionally set. Two teenagers were initially taken into custody. A 15-year-old girl has since been charged with arson causing damage to property and possession of incendiary material.
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The teen was later released into the custody of a responsible adult, police said.
«The entire bus and contents were destroyed,» the Winnipeg Police Service said in a release.
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A New York Yankees photo shows a bag of baseballs on a field. (New York Yankees/Getty Images)
«We are very disappointed that this could happen to our family-owned company, and the loss of this vehicle will impact our business and operations,» Windstar operations manager Jackson Greteman told a CBC Lite.
«We are happy that no one was hurt in this reckless act of vandalism and are co-operating with local authorities,» he added.
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Police in Winnipeg arrested a Canadian teen after a charter bus belonging to an American professional baseball team was destroyed in a fire. (Mark Cunningham/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
Greteman said damage to the 56-seat bus and destroyed equipment is estimated at roughly $425,000.
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Authorities have not publicly discussed a possible motive as the investigation continues.
fires disasters, toronto, wisconsin, vandalism
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