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Wisconsin man fired for refusing to use preferred pronouns appeals to Trump administration
EXCLUSIVE: Spencer Wimmer, a Wisconsin man, is asking the Trump administration to intervene after he says he was fired for refusing to use preferred pronouns that conflict with a person’s biological sex—forcing him, he claims, to choose between his livelihood and his faith.
While the Trump administration has moved to roll back DEI and gender ideology workplace requirements, Wimmer, a devout Christian, argues that private citizens are still experiencing workplace discrimination tied to such policies.
Now, after filing a religious discrimination complaint through the Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty (WILL) to the Trump U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), he said he hopes President Donald Trump will do something about it.
In an interview with Fox News Digital, Wimmer said that he had worked hard to be a «model employee» during his five years at Generac and was in good standing with the company, having received several positive performance reviews and promotions. He said he expected to have a long, fruitful career at the power equipment company. That is, until he was suddenly pulled into a meeting with human resources and confronted about his refusal to use someone’s preferred pronouns.
‘UNLAWFUL DEI-MOTIVATED’ WORKPLACE DISCRIMINATION TO BE ROOTED OUT BY TRUMP’S NEW ACTING EEOC CHAIR
Wisconsin man Spencer Wimmer is asking the Trump administration to fight on his behalf after he says he was forced to choose between his livelihood and «love for God,» and was ultimately fired for his religious belief in not using someone’s preferred pronouns. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Wimmer says that his refusal to use preferred pronouns is rooted in his deeply held Biblical, religious belief that there are only two genders and that a person cannot switch between one and the other.
He explained that he had prior experience working with transgender people and even had a good working relationship with one of his colleagues who was transgender. However, after Wimmer had to clarify with HR that he could not in good conscience use his transgender colleagues’ preferred pronouns, he was reprimanded for «unprofessional» conduct.
According to WILL, the firm representing Wimmer, Generac HR representatives told him that his request to refrain from using transgender pronouns on religious grounds «did not make any sense.» Wimmer was issued a written disciplinary action note that stated «refusal to refer to an employee/subordinate by their preferred name/pronouns is in violation of the company’s Code of Business Conduct and No Harassment Policy.»
After an entire month in which he said he felt both targeted and bullied for his religious beliefs, Wimmer was fired from his supervisor role at Generac Power Systems on April 2. According to WILL, he was not allowed to collect his personal belongings and was escorted out of the building.
Wimmer described the entire episode as «heartbreaking.»
THE SUPREME COURT APPEARS TO SIDE WITH PARENTS IN RELIGIOUS LIBERTY DISPUTE OVER STORYBOOKS
Andrea Lucas, President Donald Trump’s pick to serve as acting chair of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), vowed to make rooting out diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) practices in the workplace a priority. (Getty/EEOC )
«I was asked to choose between my livelihood and my love for God and my beliefs,» said Wimmer, adding that it was «very emotional having everything kind of ripped out from under me.»
In its complaint to the EEOC, WILL argues that Generac violated Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, which prohibits employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. WILL asserts that Generac violated Wimmer’s rights despite there being no harassment complaints filed against him.
Cara Tolliver, an attorney with WILL, told Fox News Digital that she believes his case carries a broader significance that could impact Americans across the country.
She said that Wimmer’s case puts recent Supreme Court precedent set in a 2023 case called Groff v. DeJoy to the test, challenging the validity of an employer’s compelled gender affirmation policy against an employee’s sincerely held religious beliefs.
«Employers, I think, have kind of become seemingly fixated on a lot of identity politics in the workplace, including the topic of gender identity,» she said. «But it’s crucial to keep in mind that even where Title VII may provide some protection to employees against workplace discrimination and harassment on the basis of a gender identity, this does not supersede or eliminate Title VII protections against religious discrimination and the fact that religious discrimination is illegal.»
SUPREME COURT ALLOWS TERMINATIONS OF INDEPENDENT AGENCY BOARD MEMBERS FOR NOW
The U.S. Supreme Court is shown at dusk on June 28, 2023, in Washington, DC (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)
Wimmer told Fox News Digital that he «never asked Generac to choose between me and then this other individual.»
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«There was absolutely a way for us to work together and have a compromise where we continue to have a professional environment,» he said. «Unfortunately, there are individuals and there are organizations and structures in place that won’t let you have compromise. The fact that you have these beliefs is unacceptable to them. So, no amount of compromise is possible.»
In response to Fox News Digital’s request for comment, a spokesperson said: «We do not comment on employment matters nor comment on pending litigation.»
First Amendment Religious Freedom,Donald Trump,Woke Culture,Wisconsin
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Talks between Iran and the U.S. wrapped up in Geneva Thursday as officials cited «significant progress» and announced a next meeting set for Vienna within days.
Yet despite senior U.S. officials describing the third round as «positive,» per Axios, Iranian state television also reported that Tehran will continue enriching uranium and rejected proposals to transfer it abroad.
According to The Associated Press , the reports claimed Iran would also push for the lifting of international sanctions — signaling it is not prepared to meet President Donald Trump’s demands.
The negotiations were carried out primarily indirectly, with Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi relaying messages between the two sides.
Oman’s Foreign Affairs’ Minister Badr bin Hamad al-Busaidi gives a thumbs up as he leaves his hotel to reach Oman’s ambassador residency for new round of talks between the United States and Iran to address Iran’s nuclear program. (Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP via Getty Images)
In a post on X, al-Busaidi confirmed that the round had concluded and said discussions would resume soon.
«We have finished the day after significant progress in the negotiation between the United States and Iran,» he said on X.
«We will resume soon after consultation in the respective capitals. Discussions on a technical level will take place next week in Vienna. I am grateful to all concerned for their efforts: the negotiators, the IAEA, and our hosts, the Swiss government,» al-Busaidi said.
There was no immediate public statement from U.S. or Iranian officials after the session.
LEAVITT SAYS TRUMP CHOOSES DIPLOMACY FIRST FOR IRAN, BUT REMAINS ‘WILLING TO USE’ LETHAL FORCE IF NECESSARY
Special envoy Steve Witkoff (C) and Jared Kushner (L) meet with Oman’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Sayyid Badr bin Hamad Albusaidi (R) in Geneva, Switzerland, to discuss ongoing diplomatic negotiations on Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026. (Oman Ministry of Foreign Affairs/X)
Trump’s special Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, attended the three-hour negotiations with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.
IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi was also involved, with Iranian officials presenting a draft proposal for a potential nuclear agreement with the U.S., which has key demands.
Iran insists it has the right to enrich uranium and has appeared to refuse to negotiate over other issues, including its long-range missile program and support for armed groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah.
TRUMP ADMIN RAMPS UP ‘MAXIMUM PRESSURE’ IRAN SANCTIONS AHEAD OF NEW ROUND OF NUCLEAR TALKS
Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei pictured sitting next to a senior military official in Iran. (Getty Images)
Trump, meanwhile, insists on a deal to curb Iran’s nuclear program. In his State of the Union address Feb. 24, the president said he prefers a diplomatic solution.
«My preference is to solve this problem through diplomacy, but one thing is certain: I will never allow the world’s number one sponsor of terror, which they are by far, to have a nuclear weapon,» the president said. «Can’t let that happen.»
As the Geneva talks unfolded Thursday, Ali Shamkhani, a senior adviser to Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, also wrote on X that if the main U.S. concern is preventing a nuclear weapon, that stance «aligns» with Khamenei’s fatwa and Iran’s defensive doctrine.
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He added that Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has «sufficient support and authority» to come to a final agreement in the talks.
The development came as the U.S. continues assembling military assets, including a fleet of aircraft and warships in the Middle East.
Fox News Digital has reached out to the White House for comment.
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Tensión entre Cuba y Estados Unidos: qué hay detrás de la presunta “infiltración terrorista” que dejó cuatro muertos
La Revolución cubana, cercada por un virtual colapso energético y la fuerte presión de Donald Trump, buscó exhibir fuerza letal y demostrar que mantiene un férreo control del país tras denunciar la muerte de cuatro cubanos residentes en EE.UU. que intentaron un fallida “infiltración terrorista” a la isla.
“Cuba no agrede, ni amenaza. Lo hemos planteado en reiteradas ocasiones y lo ratificamos hoy: Cuba se defenderá con determinación y firmeza frente a cualquier agresión terrorista y mercenaria que pretenda afectar su soberanía y estabilidad nacional», dijo el presidente Miguel Díaz-Canel en un posteo en X.
Leé también: Cuba activó el modo supervivencia: no entran dólares y las familias dependen de la plata que llega del exilio
El discurso combativo contra las “agresiones mercenarias” suele mover las fibras más sensibles de la Revolución cubana, que tiene a la invasión de un grupo de “mercenarios” cubanos exiliados en la Florida, organizada por la CIA en 1961 en Bahía Cochinos (Playa Girón), como “la primera derrota del imperialismo yanqui en América Latina”. El exilio de Miami tilda este discurso como “propaganda”.
¿Una guerrilla anticastrista en Cuba?
De confirmarse la versión oficial, no sería la primera vez que se produce un desembarco (o un intento fallido) de un grupo armado de exiliados a la isla.
De hecho, en la década del 60 existió una guerrilla anticastrista en la Sierra del Escambray, en el centro del país. A sus integrantes, la Revolución los calificó de “bandidos”. El presidente de Cuba, Miguel Díaz-Canel denunció una campaña de guerra piscológica de EE.UU. (Foto: captura de video).
El ministerio del Interior denunció el miércoles que mató a cuatro personas, de un grupo de 10, que no acataron la orden de detenerse en aguas cubanas y que dispararon contra las tropas guardacostas cuando viajaban en una lancha rápida hacia la isla.
Según la nota oficial, en la acción se incautaron fusiles de asalto, armas cortas, artefactos explosivos artesanales, chalecos antibalas, mirillas telescópicas y uniformes de camuflaje.
Leé también: Cocinan de madrugada y a leña: así sobrevive una familia de Cuba en medio del apagón interminable
El analista cubano Raudiel Peña dijo a TN que esta “es más una operación para subir la moral de las Fuerzas Armadas y de seguridad cubanas que otra cosa. Después del fracaso ante las Fuerzas Armadas de Estados Unidos en la operación del 3 de enero (en Venezuela), hechos como este sirven para aumentar la moral de los militares”, afirmó.
Cuba perdió 32 de sus agentes que custodiaban a Nicolás Maduro durante el ataque estadounidense a Venezuela. En ese escenario, la Revolución necesitaba mostrar fuerza. “Ya sea que esas personas fueron a Cuba a infiltrarse o a una operación de tráfico de personas, la manera en la que las autoridades cubanas respondieron es justamente eso: mostrar músculo y sacar pecho luego del fracaso del 3 de enero».
Dudas y confirmaciones en La Habana y Miami
Pero las dudas emergieron en la Florida. El ministerio del Interior cubano identificó con nombre y apellido a varios de los integrantes de esta supuesta célula armada.
Pero uno de los cubanos “heridos” en la acción, identificado como Roberto Azcorra Consuegra, desmintió la versión y dijo que se encuentra en Estados Unidos
Según le comentó al bloguero cubano Eliecer Ávila, está “bien”. Además, contó que conoce personalmente a varias de las personas que aparecen en las fotos divulgadas tras el operativo.
“En la foto que están poniendo salen personas que yo conozco, pero poner mi nombre y confirmar que soy yo, cuando nunca ha sido así, eso es algo muy grave. Yo no soy la persona que está muerta ni herida ahí”, afirmó.
Leé también: Tras hablar con su mujer, Nahuel Gallo abandonó la huelga de hambre
Pero desde Miami se confirmó que Michel Ortega Casanova, uno de los cuatro tripulantes abatidos, “quería ir a combatir” a Cuba, dijo a AFP un compañero de militancia en el exilio.
Su objetivo “era ir a combatir contra una narcotiranía criminal y asesina, ver si eso prendía la chispa y el pueblo se levantaba y los apoyaba”, dijo Wilfredo Beyra, responsable en Tampa del Partido Republicano de Cuba, una organización anticastrista con sede en Florida a la que pertenecía el fallecido.
Los datos se acumulan. El dueño de la lancha utilizada en el fallido desembarco, y cuyo nombre no trascendió, denunció que “un muchacho” robó la embarcación. En un audio divulgado por Univisión, afirmó: “Esto nos tomó totalmente de sorpresa porque al muchacho nosotros lo conocemos como una persona noble, callado, tranquilo. No conocemos todavía si el muchacho que se robó el bote está muerto”.
Mientras tanto, entre analistas en La Habana llamó la atención el anunciado arresto en Cuba de un cubano identificado como Duniel Hernández Santos y que había sido deportado a la isla hace dos años. Según la nota oficial, fue “enviado desde los Estados Unidos para garantizar la recepción de la infiltración armada, quien en estos momentos se encuentra confeso de sus acciones”.
Hernández Santos sería el “contacto” del grupo armado en la isla. Según el portal opositor CiberCuba, llegó a la isla en 2024 tras haber estado detenido en Estados Unidos y posteriormente deportado.
En círculos revolucionarios la sospecha es que fue “plantado” por la inteligencia norteamericana.
Un trabajador limpia las ventanas del Ministerio de Salud en La Habana, Cuba, el viernes 20 de febrero de 2026. (Foto AP/Ramon Espinosa)
¿Cómo respondió el gobierno de Donald Trump?
A contramano de las intempestivas reacciones de Donald Trump, la respuesta oficial del gobierno estadounidense fue de cautela.
Desde Washington, el secretario de Estado, Marco Rubio, dijo que la Casa Blanca recopilará información propia para esclarecer lo que pasó. Además, negó que su gobierno estuviera involucrado en la acción.
“A medida que recopilemos más información, estaremos preparados para responder en consecuencia”, dijo.
A su vez, el fiscal general de Florida, James Uthmeier, anunció la apertura de una investigación junto con autoridades federales. “El gobierno cubano no es de fiar y haremos todo lo que esté en nuestra mano para pedir cuentas a estos comunistas”, dijo en X
En rueda de prensa en La Habana, el vicecanciller cubano, Carlos Fernández de Cossío, dijo que Washington “ha mostrado disposición a cooperar” en la investigación.
“Las autoridades del gobierno estadounidense se han mostrado dispuestas a cooperar para esclarecer estos lamentables hechos”, sostuvo.
Para Raudiel Peña, el gobierno cubano busca sacar provecho de esta acción.
“Es una situación que le sirve para mantener el estado de alerta en la población y las fuerzas de seguridad. Desde enero cada fin de semana se desarrollan ejercicios militares en Cuba, y esto opera como un justificante de la movilización del aparato de seguridad y militar”, concluyó.
cuba, Miguel Díaz-Canel
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Travis County DA faces renewed ‘soft on crime’ criticism after career criminal charged with murder
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A Texas-based career criminal with a lengthy rap sheet is behind bars in Travis County after he was charged with murdering a father of five outside a 7-Eleven in Austin, reviving scrutiny of Travis County District Attorney José Garza and what critics call his controversial prosecutorial record and «soft on crime» approach.
Caleb Anthony Jenkins, described by police as a career criminal, was charged with murder in connection with a shooting last year that left a 25-year-old father dead outside a 7-Eleven. According to Austin police, Jenkins allegedly shot the victim and drove off.
But critics argue the killing may have been preventable. Garza’s office previously dismissed or declined to prosecute three separate gun charges against Jenkins in incidents dating back to 2022. He was also arrested in 2023 on a domestic violence charge and failed to appear in court, as Fox News reported. Most recently, he was re-arrested and released after his bond was raised.
Taken together, the developments have intensified public criticism of Garza, the Democratic district attorney backed by liberal mega-donor George Soros,
District Attorney Jose Garza in Austin, Texas. ((Photo by Spencer Selvidge for The Washington Post via Getty Images))
Garza, who was elected Travis County DA without prior experience as a prosecutor, has faced criticism from police advocacy groups and victims’ families since taking office. They have accused him of deliberately slow-walking certain cases and embracing lenient sentencing policies.
The criticism has sparked national attention in years past. In 2023, the family of 25-year-old Doug Cantor, who was shot and killed in the 2021 Sixth Street mass shooting in downtown Austin, criticized Garza for slow-walking the trial of the gunman.
Family members told Fox News Digital in an interview at the time that they believed Garza had put the case on the «back burner.»
«It’s very clear that his focus and attention is not on this case,» Nick Kantor told Fox News Digital in an interview reflecting on the two-year anniversary of his brother’s death — and the way Garza, who has been widely criticized for soft-on-crime policies, has handled the case.
AUSTIN DA GARZA CREATES CONFUSION WITH ANNOUNCEMENT OF IMPENDING INDICTMENTS AGAINST MULTIPLE POLICE OFFICERS
Travis County District Attorney Jose Garza poses in front of the Austin skyline in a portrait from the county website. Garza has faced criticism for accusations that he aggressively prosecutes police officers accused of wrongdoing while going easy on career criminals. (Travis County DA Website)
«He’s doing things that are clearly causing distress on the trial and on the overall outcome of the case and for getting justice for my brother,» Kantor said.
Other victims’ families cited similar behavior from Garza’s office in interviews with Fox News Digital.
While overall reported crime in Travis County has declined, opponents argue dismissal rates have been «political,» and could further endanger public safety.
It «appears that Garza has now become more of an advocate for the criminal than he has for the victim,» Dennis Farris, president of the Austin Police Retired Officer’s Association, previously told Fox News Digital.
«The prosecution is acting more like defense attorneys than they are prosecutors,» Farris said in an interview roughly one year after Garza took office. «Whatever his skewed view of what criminal justice reform is, it isn’t working. It sure isn’t working for the victims.»
CRIME EXPERTS RESPOND TO SOROS DEFENDING SUPPORT FOR PROGRESSIVE DAS AMID CRIME WAVE: ‘DISASTROUS’
U.S. investor, philanthropist George Soros delivers a speech on the sidelines of the 2022 World Economic Forum in Davos. (FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP via Getty Images)
«It used to be that they got the victims’ buy-in before offering plea bargains. Now it doesn’t appear he’s even doing that, because they’re not even communicating with them, and that’s what’s leading to the revictimization of these families.»
Current and former local law enforcement officers have criticized Garza’s actions and his alleged «war on cops,» after the Soros-backed district attorney campaigned on indicting police officers and «reimagining» policing in Austin.
Soros contributed $652,000 to the Texas Justice & Public Safety PAC in the months leading up to the 2020 Travis County DA election, according to campaign finance records.
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That same PAC spent almost $1 million on digital and mail advertisements to help Garza’s campaign, as Fox News reported.
The Travis County District Attorney’s Office did not respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
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