INTERNACIONAL
Unearthed social media posts expose radical views of anti-ICE suspect captured by FBI
Manhunt underway for suspect in Texas ICE ambush
Acting U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Nancy Larson joins ‘The Story’ to discuss the ongoing manhunt for a suspect involved in the ICE agents’ ambush in Alvarado, Texas earlier this month.
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EXCLUSIVE: A social media account that is believed to belong to anti-ICE Texas attack suspect Benjamin Song, 32, who was captured Tuesday evening, contains anti-Israel, anti-police and anti-Trump rhetoric, according to posts reviewed and verified by Fox News Digital.
Song was arrested by the FBI Dallas Field Office after the FBI offered a $25,000 reward for his capture regarding the attempted murder of federal officers and firearms crimes in an Independence Day riot at the Prairieland Detention Center in Alvarado, Texas.
A local police officer is now recovering after being shot in the neck, and 11 other individuals are also facing charges, including 10 others for the aforementioned charges.
«Do you want to end mass shooting? Abolish the police,» he posted in June 2022 under the X handle, BubbleBreakBS.
FBI CAPTURES FORMER MARINE CORPS RESERVIST ACCUSED OF SHOOTING AT ICE OFFICERS AT TEXAS DETENTION CENTER
Benjamin Song’s alleged X account contains anti-Israel, anti-police and anti-Trump rhetoric. (Getty; FBI)
Fox News Digital was able to confirm that the «BubbleBreakBS» account belonged to Song after reviewing several social media posts, including a 2019 post when he thanked «Behind the Masks,» a Facebook group that was dedicated to telling stories of protesters in the Free Hong Kong Movement, for telling his story, referring to their post as «my story.»
The link that the account shared highlighted how «Ben Song, a 26-year-old Uber driver from Arlington,Texas who has been a political activist since he was 13, was moved by Hong Kong’s fight for freedom and flew from the US to show his support.»
The post went on to describe Song as «half Korean and half Japanese» and said he «gained many unforgettable moments during his hands-on participation in the movement.» BubbleBreakBS also posted out a couple of posts days later that appeared to link to a podcast «episode» on YouTube that he was featured in. The X posts, which included several pro-Hong Kong hashtags in light of the uprising against the CCP, mentioned Song’s name. However, the YouTube channel appears to be private, and Fox News Digital could not access them.
Song, a former U.S. Marine Corps reservist, appears to have been more conservative-leaning in his early college days, listing the College Republicans and martial arts clubs at the University of Texas at Arlington on his LinkedIn profile. He also listed being a contributor to a «Conservative Camp» blog for 11 months. However, during the last several years, his social media account has been littered with rhetoric attacking law enforcement, Republicans, President Donald Trump, Israel, Christians and other radical views.
WHO IS BENJAMIN SONG? NEW DETAILS EMERGE ABOUT ANTI-ICE SUSPECT CAPTURED AFTER MAJOR TEXAS MANHUNT
Then-President-elect Donald Trump speaks at a news conference at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort on Dec. 16, 2024 in Palm Beach, Florida. (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
In June 2020, Song replied to a post from Trump in which the president wrote, «Biden wants to Defund the Police!», and Song replied, «Defund the Police! Defund the Baby Bunker B–ch!,» a Trump nickname that the resistance movement used frequently online in 2020. In a 2022 post, Song called Trump «stupid as hell» and «easily controlled.»
«Really f—ed to ‘both sides’ this right now. All of Palestine is fighting for its life at this moment. The Joint Command says it had actionable intelligence that Netanyahu was going to extinguish Gaza soon. This is a death camp breakout. This is the Warsaw Uprising,» he said on Oct. 10, 2023, just three days after the Hamas attack on Israel. «Sick.»
«Hitler is scared now. Little baby Hitler-Netanyahu doesn’t want to be bullied for his heinous war crimes,» he wrote on Oct. 17, 2023.
«Israel is a vicious apartheid colony committing genocide every day. Zionism is racism. Zionism is white settler colonialism. Move Israel to Sardinia or Sicily or Goteland,» he posted in March 2022.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gives statements to the media inside The Kirya, which houses the Israeli Defense Ministry, after their meeting in Tel Aviv on Oct. 12, 2023. (JACQUELYN MARTIN/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
«ACAB because they are class traitors and white supremacist btw,» he posted about police, using the «All cops are bastards» acronym in June 2021. «There is no world where they ‘hold each other accountable.’ Cops were created by the upper class for the upper class. They protect property and keep the poor in line. They have no other purpose.»
«Landlords are bad just like ACAB. It doesn’t matter what individual actions there are, the institution is bad. There are no good slave owners,» he said in June 2021.
«Conservatives believe in prejudice + power when it affects them (in their imagination),» he posted in July 2021.
«I’ve realized this is all fascist violence,» he posted in March 2021. «The conservatives cry mental health, the liberal cry gun control. But every time it’s white men killing people because they are black, Asian, women. This is the rising force of fascism within the neoliberal order.»
While Song’s social media profile was littered with anti-GOP posts, he also attacked some Democratic leaders, like former President Joe Biden, failed Democratic presidential candidate Andrew Yang, former Rep. Beto O’Rourke of Texas and others.
«Joe Biden is a racist. He is a sex offender. He is a corrupt puppet. His policies are s—. He engenders no hope or excitement amongst those who need it…» Song said in June 2020.
«I used to support [Andrew] Yang, even though he had some lilly livered responses when I met him in Texas. Now he’s gone full fascistic bootlicker. He will lose thankfully. A new wave movement has moved against fascism. Jan 6th was the high water mark,» he wrote in May 2021.
«Beto is a dangerous Billionaire family, racist and anti-immigrant far right fascist,» he said in February 2022.
Former U.S. Rep. Beto O’Rourke speaks to attendees during an «Our Fight, Our Future» rally at The Millennium bowling alley on Oct. 2, 2024 in Austin, Texas. (Brandon Bell/Getty Images)
In addition to Song’s X handle, Fox News Digital was able to verify through online records and Instagram videos that Song was using the same martial arts studio that lists his mom as a «program director» and «owner» for filming different tactical exercises and self-defense training in the years before the attempted murder charges.
It is unclear whether the groups of people with blurred-out faces in the social media posts were part of the Elm Fork John Brown Gun Club (EFJBGC), a left-wing «anti-fascist,» or Antifa, gun group that Song is allegedly tied to.
A Fox News Digital review revealed that Song’s X account tagged the EFJBGC X handle several times over multiple years. The group did not respond to Fox News Digital’s requests for comment.
An archived version of EFJBGC’s X account also references Song while promoting a GoFundMe to help him pay for legal services after he was arrested in August 2020. The post, which claims that Song was a «member» of the «Socialist Rifle Association,» goes on to say he was «being charged with two bullsh—felonies.» The GoFundMe verified multiple background details Fox News Digital found while digging through his X account, including how he «practiced activism from Hong Kong to San Francisco…»
The GoFundMe, which lists Song as a «beneficiary» of more than $3,000 in donations, also says Song was a «proud member of the Black Lives Matter group ‘We Take The Streets’ and that he was a «lifelong activist for the 1st Amendment, 2nd Amendment, drug reform, police brutality, and human rights.» The page also said that Song was being «charged with (2) 1st degree felonies because he was exercising his 2nd Amendment right to open carry when they were assaulted and arrested.»
Black Lives Matter leaders «exploited George Floyd’s murder to raise millions that they then put into their own pockets,» the Free Press reported. (Kerem Yucel / AFP via Getty Images)
Song’s X account referenced the arrest during that same month and tagged multiple lawyers seeking help for his defense, including controversial civil rights attorney Ben Crump, writing to him that he was «facing absolutely ridiculous but quite expensive charges.» Fox News Digital could not confirm whether Crump saw the messages or helped represent Song.
BubbleBreakBS account posted on then-Twitter in May 2021 that he was «setting up an airsoft team for training and gaming.»
The Telegram moniker in the link and the X handle match an Instagram account that posted several screenshots of BubbleBreakBS posts and videos showing the same painted walls and designs as the backdrop in footage from the archived website of the martial arts studio that Song’s mom owns. The Instagram account’s first post was also just days after BubbleBreakBS announced that the account was being created.
Song’s mom, Hope, is the program director of an Arlington, Texas, martial arts studio called Sentinel Martial Arts. An archived webpage of her bio says she is a 4th-degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do and «oversees the implementation of all in-house and off-site programming,» which includes «seminars and classes at local learning centers, schools, churches, camps and clubs; and coordination of special events, festivals, demonstrations and performances.»
Older archives of the website from 2021-2023 lists Song’s mom as an «owner» of the studio. Fox News Digital could not confirm whether Song’s mom was aware the studio was being used for recording tactical exercises.
Song’s mom nor the martial arts studio have been accused of any misconduct in connection with Song’s apparent use of the studio premises.
The alleged attack by the younger Song, who is innocent until proven guilty, came as the Department of Homeland Security is sounding the alarm on assaults on ICE agents, which DHS says have increased by 830% from last year.
John Phillip Thomas and Lynette Read Sharp are charged with alleged accessory after the fact in the July 4 shooting at the Prairieland Detention Center in Alvarado, Texas, according to court documents. (Mark David Smith/Fort Worth Star-Telegram/Tribune News Service via Getty Images; Johnson County Sheriff’s Office)
«This new data reflects the violence against our law enforcement in cities across the country in the last few weeks. Politicians across the country, regardless of political stripe, must condemn this,» DHS Secretary Kristi Noem posted to X on Tuesday.
«The FBI has worked tirelessly to arrest everyone associated with the shooting at the Prairieland Detention Center,» FBI Dallas Field Office Special Agent in Charge R. Joseph Rothrock said after Song was captured Tuesday afternoon. «We would like to thank all the entities that publicized this case and assisted in our efforts to successfully locate Benjamin Song.»
Song is being held on a $15 million bond at the Johnson County Jail and facing a slew of additional charges, including aggravated assault on a public servant, aiding terrorism and engaging in organized crime, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety.
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In addition to Song, a recent shooting at a Border Patrol annex facility in McAllen, Texas, resulted in injuries to a local officer and Border Patrol personnel, in addition to the gunman being killed.
«Our agents are never gonna be afraid. They know the job that they signed up for. But what they don’t appreciate, what we don’t want is targeting,» National Border Patrol Council President Paul Perez told Fox News Digital in a recent interview.
Fox News Digital reached out to Song, Song’s mom, the Sentinel Martial Arts studio, EFJBGC, Ben Crump, and an individual who appeared to be tied to the suspect through left-wing online activism.
INTERNACIONAL
Ohio senator introduces ‘Holly’s Act’ for woman brutally beaten in viral Cincinnati attack
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Sen. Bernie Moreno, R-Ohio, is introducing «Holly’s Act» after a woman was violently attacked by a mob in Cincinnati late last month – a move aimed at ending what he calls the justice system’s revolving door for repeat offenders.
The attack happened around 3 a.m. on July 26 at the intersection of Fourth and Elm streets in Cincinnati’s central business district.
Bystander video captured the moment a large group turned on several individuals early that morning, and in one video obtained by Fox News Digital, an unidentified man could be heard yelling racial slurs while being beaten in the street. Other footage appears to show the male victim striking a member of the group shortly before the altercation escalated.
In another video, a woman later identified only as «Holly» tried to intervene before she was slammed to the ground and knocked unconscious.
EXCLUSIVE: RAMASWAMY DECRIES ‘ANTI-LAW ENFORCEMENT CULTURE’ IN WAKE OF BRUTAL CINCINNATI BEATING
New video of the viral Cincinnati beating shows individuals yelling racial slurs as the violence unfolds. (Jay Black)
A single 911 call came several minutes after the incident, despite more than 100 people standing by, recording, or participating in the melee.
Moreno held a press conference in Cincinnati on Wednesday after meeting with city officials, the FBI special agent in charge, the future U.S. attorney, police chief and a deputy from the local sheriff’s department.
Moreno described the meeting as starting «a little rough,» but said it ended productively.
Ultimately, he said everyone at the table agreed to work together to make certain that what happened on July 26 never happens again. He also said he wants to make sure anyone who lives in Ohio can visit any of the state’s cities.
CINCINNATI VIRAL BEATING VICTIM FORCED INTO ‘SUPER-SECRET SPOT’ WITH SECURITY
Sen. Bernie Moreno speaks at a press conference alongside Holly, a victim in the viral July 26 beating in Cincinnati, at the Fraternal Order of Police headquarters in Ohio on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025. (Julia Bonavita/Fox News Digital)
«We’re going to talk to some of our state legislators to see if we can put something in place that I call — with her permission — ‘Holly’s Act,’ which is how we raise the bar on minimum sentences, minimum bail requirements… We’re going to end the revolving door of injustice,» Moreno said.
«Our judges can no longer hide behind their cloak, and they have to be held accountable for not upholding law and order,» he added.
Law enforcement officials risk their lives every day to arrest criminals, which involves going out and making difficult arrests. But when those criminals appear in court, judges undermine the police officers’ efforts by «giving criminals a slap on the hand,» the senator said.
«Let’s be honest, because a lot of times you guys are qualifying this as a brawl,» Moreno told reporters. «This was attempted murder of an innocent woman. And that person had a rap sheet a mile long. Nobody who has that rap sheet should be walking the streets of any Ohio city free.»
FIFTH SUSPECT ARRESTED IN VIRAL CINCINNATI BEATDOWN AS VICTIM DETAILS HER ‘ONGOING BATTLE’
Holly, a victim in the viral July 26 brawl in Cincinnati, listens as Sen. Bernie Moreno speaks at a press conference at the Fraternal Order of Police headquarters in Ohio on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025. (Julia Bonavita/Fox News Digital)
Standing beside Moreno was Holly, who said she was focused on reform—not reliving the trauma.
«I’m here to talk about the future and how we can change it; how we can prevent this from happening to anybody else,» she said. «These heinous crimes have to stop. You know, I never want this to happen to anyone else, especially a mother, a daughter, or somebody who is loved.»
Holly said moving forward, more police officers are needed, as is justice reform that prohibits judges from letting people out of custody with a slap on the wrist.
«The man who attacked me, and might have permanently damaged me forever, should have never been on the streets, ever,» she said. «The fact that he had just gotten out of jail previously for something he should have been in there for years. It’s really sad to me because I can’t even fathom how many other people who have been attacked by the same type of man over and over and over in Toledo, in Columbus, Cincinnati, Dayton.»
FOURTH ARREST ANNOUNCED AS INVESTIGATION INTO VIOLENT CINCINNATI BRAWL CONTINUES
Holly, a victim in the viral July 26 brawl in Cincinnati, listens as Sen. Bernie Moreno speaks at a press conference at the Fraternal Order of Police headquarters in Ohio on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025. (Julia Bonavita/Fox News Digital)
Holly said what upsets her most is the public’s desensitization to violence.
Holly said she hopes one day there is some sort of bill that allows someone to be prosecuted or fined if they do not call 911 first to save someone’s life.
«We all need to help each other out and start helping humanity,» she said.
One reporter asked Holly if she felt like she was going to die that night.
«I truly felt like I was going to die,» Holly said. «I’m still shocked that I didn’t—and so are my doctors.»
RAMASWAMY PLEDGES ‘RULE OF LAW’ REVIVAL AFTER VIRAL CINCINNATI MOB ATTACK
Sen. Bernie Moreno speaks about the viral beating in Cincinnati, at the Fraternal Order of Police headquarters in Ohio on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025. (Julia Bonavita/Fox News Digital)
Moreno told reporters that during the meeting, the attendees spoke about offering signing bonuses for police officers as a way to bring on more staff.
He said at the end of the day, a better police presence and better technology will help prevent incidents like that from July 26 from happening.
But Moreno also stressed how critically important it is for civilians to call authorities so that aid can be brought in as soon as possible.
«We’re not people that watch a woman get beaten to the inch of her life and our first instinct is to get out and videotape something so that you can be cool on Instagram,» he said. «That’s not who we are.»
A woman was violently punched in Cincinnati. (X/@Anthea06274890)
Several individuals have been charged in connection with what police describe as «a violent attack,» including Dominique Kittle, Montianez Merriweather, Jermaine Matthews, DeKyra Vernon, Aisha Devaugh and Patrick Rosemond.
Rosemond, 38, was taken into custody Monday afternoon by the FBI and Atlanta Metropolitan Major Offender’s Task Force in Fulton County, Georgia. He is charged with two counts of felonious assault and aggravated riot, according to the Cincinnati Police Department.
He is also charged with one count of fugitive from justice for a fingerprintable charge, according to the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office.
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He is currently being held in the Fulton County Jail while awaiting extradition to Ohio, police said. Rosemond is a Cincinnati resident and does not have any registered addresses in Georgia, according to records obtained by Fox News Digital.
A grand jury is scheduled to convene on Aug. 8 for the charges filed against Kittle, Vernon, Matthews and Merriweather.
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INTERNACIONAL
El acuerdo entre Estados Unidos y Japón elimina barreras para autos, pero no conquista el mercado nipón
“Pensando en las necesidades básicas del mercado, sus autos simplemente no encajan”. La frase de Tsuyoshi Kimura, profesor en la Universidad Chuo de Tokio y exdirectivo de General Motors en Japón, resume la paradoja que persiste tras el reciente acuerdo comercial entre Estados Unidos y Japón. Aunque la administración de Donald Trump celebró la apertura del mercado japonés a los vehículos estadounidenses como un triunfo largamente buscado, la realidad del sector automotor nipón sugiere que el impacto será, en el mejor de los casos, limitado.
El anuncio de Japón de eliminar barreras a la importación de automóviles estadounidenses permitió a Trump proclamar una victoria en una batalla comercial que ha perseguido durante décadas. Para el presidente de EEUU, la omnipresencia de marcas japonesas en las carreteras estadounidenses contrasta de forma irritante con la escasa presencia de vehículos estadounidenses en Japón, una asimetría que, a su juicio, refleja la falta de reciprocidad en la apertura de los mercados y alimenta el persistente déficit comercial de Estados Unidos. Según The New York Times, la nueva estrategia de la Casa Blanca se apoya en el aumento de aranceles y la presión directa sobre otros países para que eliminen obstáculos, desde impuestos a productos agrícolas hasta requisitos técnicos y de contenido local en mercados como Japón e Indonesia.
El acuerdo más reciente con Japón se selló tras la imposición de un arancel general del 15% a los productos japoneses, inferior al 25% inicialmente amenazado. A cambio, Japón se comprometió a invertir cientos de miles de millones de dólares en Estados Unidos y, lo que Trump calificó como “quizá lo más importante”, a abrir su mercado a los automóviles y camiones estadounidenses. El principal negociador comercial japonés confirmó en rueda de prensa que el país aceptará la importación de vehículos fabricados en Estados Unidos sin exigir los estándares de seguridad y pruebas específicas que tradicionalmente han encarecido la entrada de estos productos. En palabras de Trump, “Japón abrirá su país al comercio, incluidos autos y camiones”.
La administración estadounidense replicó la fórmula con Corea del Sur, que aceptó el mismo arancel del 15% y la entrada de más vehículos estadounidenses sin gravámenes adicionales. No obstante, tanto en Japón como en Corea del Sur, la cuota de mercado de las marcas estadounidenses sigue siendo marginal.
El trasfondo de esta situación es complejo. Japón no impone aranceles a los vehículos importados desde finales de los años 70, pero los requisitos de seguridad y pruebas pueden sumar decenas de miles de dólares al costo de cada automóvil estadounidense, según analistas del sector citados por The New York Times. Además, el mercado japonés está saturado y dominado por marcas locales como Toyota, Honda y Nissan, que ofrecen una amplia gama de modelos pequeños, eficientes y adaptados a las calles estrechas y congestionadas del país. La mayoría de los consumidores japoneses prefiere vehículos compactos con el volante a la derecha, una configuración poco habitual en los catálogos estadounidenses.
La historia reciente refuerza el escepticismo sobre el efecto real de la eliminación de barreras. En 2016, Ford Motor abandonó Japón tras concluir que no existía un camino viable hacia la rentabilidad. El año pasado, las marcas estadounidenses representaron menos del 1% de las ventas de automóviles en Japón. Kimura, con experiencia directa en el sector, sostiene que “las barreras comerciales nunca han sido el problema”. Según su análisis, la falta de adaptación de los fabricantes estadounidenses a las particularidades del mercado japonés explica la escasa demanda: “Aunque se haya declarado que Japón abre su mercado automotor, es improbable que los autos estadounidenses se vendan”.
El propio Wilbur Ross, exsecretario de Comercio y presidente de la Japan Society, reconoce que los cambios regulatorios difícilmente convencerán a los consumidores japoneses. Para Ross, la eliminación de obstáculos comerciales responde más a un principio de equidad que a una expectativa real de incremento en las ventas. Relató a The New York Times una anécdota de su etapa negociadora con la Unión Europea sobre el veto al pollo estadounidense desinfectado con cloro: propuso que los productos se ofrecieran en los supermercados debidamente etiquetados y que el mercado decidiera. La administración Trump ha mantenido la presión sobre la Unión Europea para que abra su mercado a productos agrícolas estadounidenses, logrando que el bloque se comprometa a abordar “barreras que afectan el comercio de alimentos y productos agrícolas”, aunque sin detalles concretos.
El patrón de las negociaciones actuales evoca episodios de las décadas de 1980 y 1990, cuando las tensiones comerciales entre Estados Unidos y Japón alcanzaron su punto álgido, en parte por la cuestión automotriz. En 1995, Japón adoptó medidas para facilitar el acceso de los fabricantes extranjeros a su red de concesionarios, pero las ventas estadounidenses no aumentaron. En paralelo, los fabricantes japoneses intensificaron su producción en Estados Unidos, lo que diluyó el conflicto en las conversaciones bilaterales.
La dimensión política de estos acuerdos resulta ineludible. Alan Wolff, investigador del Peterson Institute for International Economics, observa que la insistencia de Trump en sectores concretos, como los automóviles o los productos lácteos durante la negociación del acuerdo Estados Unidos-México-Canadá, responde a su valor simbólico y electoral. “Tienen relevancia política para él, y por tanto para Estados Unidos”, afirmó Wolff a The New York Times. A su juicio, se podrían haber negociado cuestiones de mayor alcance, como los tipos de cambio, pero la prioridad presidencial ha sido asegurar concesiones tangibles en sectores emblemáticos.
La resistencia cultural y las preferencias de los consumidores japoneses han quedado ilustradas en episodios como el que vivió Glen S. Fukushima, entonces ejecutivo de AT&T y vicepresidente de la Cámara de Comercio Estadounidense en Japón. Tras un encuentro con el embajador estadounidense Walter Mondale, quien sugirió que su chofer en Tokio debería conducir un auto estadounidense, Fukushima probó un Cadillac Fleetwood. El vehículo resultó demasiado voluminoso para las calles cercanas a su residencia, por lo que regresó a su Nissan Cima y explicó la situación al diplomático. “Era un hombre razonable”, recordó Fukushima. “Lo entendió”.
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Following reports that former presidential candidate Beto O’Rourke’s nonprofit Powered by People was helping fund Texas state Democrats’ exodus out of the state to halt Republican redistricting efforts, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton Wednesday announced he would be launching an investigation into the matter.
Texas House Democrats fled the state this week in an attempt to stop Republican efforts to redraw the state’s congressional maps. As a result, Texas House Republicans authorized civil arrest warrants for the absent lawmakers for depriving the House chamber of its ability to conduct official business. Meanwhile, Governor Greg Abbott subsequently called on the Texas Department of Public Safety to help arrest them. The civil arrest warrants, however, are only enforceable within state lines, and it is unclear how they will be executed.
Meanwhile, amid the partisan battle, a report from The Texas Tribune on Tuesday claimed that O’Rourke’s nonprofit founded in 2019 called Powered by People was among one of the main groups funding air transport, lodging, logistical support, and helping with the $500-per-day fines for the absent state lawmakers, citing anonymous sources involved with the fundraising efforts.
WATCH: TRUMP SAYS FBI ‘MAY HAVE TO’ HELP TEXAS ROUND UP AWOL DEM LAWMAKERS
Texas Attorney General launches probe into former Democratic presidential candidate Beto O’Rourke over allegations he is helping finance the exodus of state lawmakers from the state who are trying to halt GOP redistricting efforts. (Getty Images)
The report followed a warning issued by Abbott, indicating the fleeing state lawmakers could potentially be in felonious territory if they solicit, accept or agree to accept funds «to assist in the violation of legislative duties or for purposes of skipping a vote.»
«Any Democrat coward breaking the law by taking a Beto Bribe will be held accountable,» Paxton said in a press release announcing the probe Wednesday. «Texas cannot be bought.»
In Paxton’s announcement, he charged Powered by People with being one of the «top groups» providing financial assistance to Texas House Democrats who have left the state in order to obstruct Republicans’ redistricting efforts, which they claim is essential to ensure racial gerrymandering is not taking place.
According to Paxton, the financial assistance could amount to a violation of Texas bribery laws and potentially other laws governing campaign finance, «coercion of a public servant, and abuse of office.»
In response to the investigation, O’Rourke described Republicans in Texas as «thugs» attempting to «steal our country,» and accused Paxton of bribery himself. In 2023, the Texas state Senate acquitted Paxton of 16 articles of impeachment accusing Paxton of corruption and bribery.
«The guy impeached for bribery is going after the folks trying to stop the theft of five Congressional seats,» O’Rourke said in a statement to Fox News Digital. «I encourage everyone to text FIGHT to 20377. Let’s stop these thugs before they steal our country.»
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton launched a probe into a nonprofit linked to Beto O’Rourke, citing potential violations of state bribery and campaign finance laws. (Dylan Hollingsworth/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
GEORGE SOROS, BETO O’ROURKE BEHIND FUNDING FOR DEMS FLEEING TEXAS OVER GOP CONGRESSIONAL MAP
Paxton is demanding documents and communications from Powered by People regarding the «potentially unlawful activity,» noting he is not afraid to take «aggressive legal action» against the Democrats who have obstructed legislative proceedings in Texas.
The Texas Tribune’s report said that O’Rourke has been «working the phones» to encourage Texas lawmakers to leave the state to block the GOP’s legislative efforts, citing an individual familiar with the discussions.
Powered by People is also actively soliciting donations on its website to support the Democratic effort, promising potential donors that «100% of your donation will go to supporting Texas Democrats in their fight against Trump’s power grab.»
Meanwhile, the outlet reported that, in 2021, O’Rourke’s group Powered by People reportedly helped raise $600,000 to help fund Texas House Democrats stay in the nation’s capital as they tried a similar tactic at the time to obstruct Republican reforms of Texas state election laws.
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker (L) and Texas Rep. Trey Martinez Fischer (R) listen as Texas House Democratic Caucus Chair Gene Wu speaks to reporters during a press conference at the DuPage County Democratic Party headquarters on August 03, 2025 in Carol Stream, Illinois. Wu was with a group of Democratic Texas lawmakers who left the state earlier today so a quorum could not be reached during a special session called to redistrict the state. (Scott Olson/Getty Images)
During a CNN interview Wednesday, O’Rourke was asked point-blank why he was helping Democrats flee Texas.
«We could see a similar scenario this time around. Is it worth it?» CNN anchor Pamela Brown asked in reference to O’Rourke’s 2021 efforts to obstruct Texas legislative proceedings.
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«Absolutely,» O’Rourke responded. «If we fail, the consolidation of authoritarian power in America will be nearly unstoppable.»
But Brown challenged O’Rourke on whether the funds might be «better spent» aiding vulnerable Texans instead.
«We’ve seen it in the past—they flee, but then inevitably they have to come back, right? You can’t just stay out in perpetuity, and the governor can continue to call these special sessions,» Brown said. «Do you think the money could be better spent helping those folks you mentioned?»
«I actually believe that they can stay out long enough to stop this steal in Texas,» O’Rourke responded.
Fox News Digital’s Anders Hagstrom and Kristine Parks contributed to this report.
beto orourke,texas,democratic party,controversies state and local,state and local,politics
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Sin repitencia y aprendizaje por proyectos: para el año próximo sumarán 90 secundarias al nuevo sistema educativo porteño
La desgarradora despedida de la familia de Mila Yankelevich luego de su trágica muerte: «Fue una ceremonia íntima»
Cristina Kirchner cruzó a Milei por la corrida cambiaria: “Lo único que se te ocurre es echarles la culpa a los ‘kukas’”
Milei interrumpió la nota con Fantino para firmar un decreto: avaló contrarreloj una suba a estatales y residentes del Garrahan
Mauro Szeta reveló la información más dura de la muerte de Mila Yankelevich: «Eso causó el deceso»
Malas noticias para Wanda Nara: por qué la bajaron misteriosamente de MasterChef: «No va a salir este año»
Karina Milei impone condiciones y deja afuera a Jorge Macri de la negociación porteña
Rakitic, obligado a pedir disculpas tras felicitar a Modric por su fichaje
Ivan Rakitić, centrocampista croata recientemente retirado, no estuvo acertado en su felicitación a Luka Modrić por su fichaje con el...
Sebastián Pareja justificó el armado de listas de LLA en la Provincia: “El desafío era dar una opción diferencial”
Sobre la recta final frente a las elecciones legislativas bonaerenses, Sebastián Pareja, mano derecha de Karina Milei y armador de...
El Como de Fàbregas, el nuevo rico de Italia
En Italia ha nacido un nuevo rico: el Como 1907. El club lombardo, impulsado por los hermanos multimillonarios indonesios Robert...
CHIMENTOS1 día agoMalas noticias para Wanda Nara: por qué la bajaron misteriosamente de MasterChef: «No va a salir este año»
- DEPORTE1 día ago
El Como de Fàbregas, el nuevo rico de Italia
- POLITICA1 día ago
Sebastián Pareja justificó el armado de listas de LLA en la Provincia: “El desafío era dar una opción diferencial”
