Connect with us

INTERNACIONAL

Soros-backed prosecutor hit with rebuke after dismissing probe as Trump ‘partisan attacks’: ‘Hey scumbag’

Published

on


NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

Embattled Soros-backed prosecutor Steve Descano is facing scrutiny again, this time for dismissing a Justice Department probe into allegations that he gave favorable deals to illegal immigrants, calling it one of President Donald Trump’s «partisan attacks.»

Advertisement

Jennifer Harrison, head of the Victim Rights Reform Council, responded to Fairfax County, Virginia, Commonwealth’s Attorney Descano’s claim by writing on X, «Hey scumbag … This has NOTHING to do with President Trump and it’s not going to be the fundraising tool you thought it would – no Soros blood money for you today.»

The DOJ opened a «pattern or practice» civil rights investigation into Descano last week, examining whether his office violated federal law by weighing «immigration consequences» in charging decisions and plea deals, amid an ongoing spate of violent crime in Fairfax County involving illegal immigrants.

Victim Rights Reform Council requested that the DOJ launch an investigation on behalf of Cheryl Minter, whose daughter, Stephanie Minter, was fatally stabbed at a bus stop earlier this year, allegedly by Abdul Jalloh, a 32-year-old illegal immigrant from Sierra Leone.

Advertisement

DOJ OPENS INVESTIGATION INTO SOROS-BACKED DA ACCUSED OF SHIELDING ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS FROM CONSEQUENCES

Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney Steve Descano speaks at an event in Fairfax County, Va. (Sarah Voisin/Getty Images)

Descano responded to the DOJ investigation through spokeswoman Laura Birnbaum, who wrote in a statement that «this investigation is the latest example of the Trump administration’s own ‘pattern or practice’ of misusing the Justice Department to launch partisan attacks.»

Advertisement

Birnbaum said the «DOJ’s letter announcing the investigation distorts the office’s policy,» which she said has «been in place publicly for over five years – and happened to arrive just a week before Commonwealth’s Attorney Descano is set to testify before Congress.»

Descano, whose entry into political office was propelled by a massive $627,653 donation from the Soros family’s Justice and Public Safety PAC, is set to testify before the House Judiciary Committee’s Subcommittee on Immigration Integrity, Security, and Enforcement on Thursday.

The hearing is titled «Fairfax County, Virginia: The Dangerous Consequences of Sanctuary Policies.» County Sheriff Stacey Kincaid will also testify, along with Minter, former Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares, a Republican, and Virginians for Safe Communities President Sean Kennedy.

Advertisement

SOROS-BACKED DA’S LAX ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION POLICIES LED TO ‘PREVENTABLE’ BUS STOP STABBING MURDER: COMPLAINT

Abdul Jalloh and Stephanie Minter shown in separate images

Abdul Jalloh, 32, is accused of killing Stephanie Minter, 41, at a bus stop in Virginia. (Fairfax County Police Department; provided)

Birnbaum insisted, «Our office’s policies are fair, legal, and reflect the values of Fairfax County.»

She said Descano’s office «will not be distracted from our mission of keeping this community safe and holding individuals accountable when they commit crimes.»

Advertisement

In response, Harrison said the civil rights investigation was initiated after a request from a victim’s loved one.

«Hey scumbag – Cheryl Minter, mother of Stephanie filed the complaint that initiated the investigation. I know bc I filed it on her behalf,» wrote Harrison.

She continued, «We are also well aware that your deadly and disastrous policies were in place for quite some time – if not Cheryl’s daughter Stephanie would still be alive which is why we filed the complaint and asked for this investigation.»

Advertisement

DEM GOVERNOR UNDER FIRE AFTER ILLEGAL ALIEN ALLEGEDLY STABS WOMAN TO DEATH AT BUS STOP: ‘HEINOUS’

Harmeet K. Dhillon speaking at the IAC National Summit in Hollywood, Florida

Harmeet K. Dhillon speaks at the IAC National Summit 2026 at The Diplomat Beach Resort in Hollywood, Fla., on Jan. 17, 2026. (Noam Galai/Getty Images)

In another X post, Harrison called the victim’s mother «an amazing, brave woman,» writing, «We cannot bring Stephanie back but we can make sure this does not keep happening in her honor.»

Fox News Digital reached out to Descano’s office for comment.

Advertisement

In a press release following Minter’s death, the Department of Homeland Security claimed that Descano’s office had been warned about Jalloh and the danger he posed to the public ahead of Minter’s death.

Last week, Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon said the investigation into Descano would zero in on his plea bargaining, charging decisions and sentencing policies.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

Advertisement

«Under my leadership, the Civil Rights Division will not allow local prosecutors to pick and choose winners based on their immigration status,» said Dhillon, adding, «This investigation will uncover whether this prosecutor is putting the community at risk in offering sweetheart deals to illegal immigrants charged with serious crimes.»

Fox News Digital also reached out to the DOJ and White House for comment.

Fox News Digital’s Leo Briceno and Ashley Oliver contributed to this report.

Advertisement

sanctuary cities, migrant crime, illegal immigrants, justice department, george soros, virginia, woke

Advertisement

INTERNACIONAL

Keir Starmer reportedly considering stepping down as PM and could announce timetable for departure

Published

on


NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is reportedly considering stepping down and could announce a timetable for his departure as early as Monday, according to a report published Saturday.

Advertisement

Britain’s Observer newspaper reported that Starmer was discussing his future with his wife at his Chequers country residence before making a final decision.

The outlet reported that senior Labour Party figures expect a statement addressing his future as early as next week.

A government source told Reuters that Starmer remains focused on governing and pointed to previous comments in which he vowed to remain in office.

Advertisement

AS EPSTEIN-LINKED APPOINTMENT SPARKS BACKLASH, UK PM STARMER FACES PARTY REVOLT AMID RESIGNATION CALLS

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer awaits Switzerland’s Federal President Guy Parmelin on the sidelines of the G7 summit, in Evian-les-Bains, France, Tuesday. (Isabel Infantes/Pool Reuters via AP)

Fox News Digital has reached out to the prime minister’s office for comment.

Advertisement

Pressure on Starmer has been building for months amid growing dissatisfaction within his party and concerns over the government’s handling of the economy and cost-of-living issues.

The political threat to Starmer intensified Friday after rival Andy Burnham won a seat in Parliament, positioning him to mount a formal leadership challenge.

LABOUR MP PUTS CABINET ‘ON NOTICE,’ THREATENS TO TRIGGER LEADERSHIP CHALLENGE AGAINST STARMER BY MONDAY

Advertisement
Britain's Labour party candidate Andy Burnham speaks after winning by-election in Makerfield, England, on Friday, June 19, 2026

Britain’s Labour party candidate Andy Burnham speaks to supporters after the Makerfield by-election in Ashton in Makerfield, England, Friday. (Jon Super/AP)

Starmer congratulated Burnham following the victory, writing on X that voters, «chose Labour’s campaign of hope and optimism over division and hate.»

When asked about Burnham’s apparent ambitions to replace him, Starmer insisted he intends to remain in office.

«I’ve said repeatedly I’m not going to walk away from that,» Starmer said.

Advertisement

UK’S STARMER JUGGLES TROUBLE AT HOME AS HE WALKS GEOPOLITICAL TIGHTROPE WITH TRUMP

Keir Starmer

Sir Keir Starmer is battling to save his position and refusing to stand aside despite dozens of Labout MP’s demanding he resigns. (Leon Neal/Getty Images)

Starmer has led the Labour Party since 2020 and became prime minister in 2024.

Calls for his resignation intensified last month, with more than 100 Labour lawmakers publicly urging him to step aside or set out a timetable for his departure. Several parliamentary aides also resigned in protest.

Advertisement

The internal revolt followed a series of disappointing local election results for Labour, which lost hundreds of council seats across England, surrendered long-held ground in Wales and fell behind political rivals in Scotland.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer speaking at a news conference at Downing Street in London

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer speaks a news conference at Downing Street in London, March 5. (Tolga Akmen/EPA/Bloomberg via Getty Images, File)

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

Starmer’s popularity has also declined amid a persistently high cost of living, sluggish economic growth and criticism over his acceptance of gifts from wealthy donors.

Advertisement

Fox News Digital’s James Cirrone and Emma Bussey, and Reuters contributed to this report.



uk politics, elections, united kingdom, world

Advertisement
Continue Reading

INTERNACIONAL

Tras el anuncio de Irán de cerrar el estrecho de Ormuz, Trump amenaza con cobrar peaje en ese paso si no hay un acuerdo en 60 días

Published

on


Horas después de que el Ejército iraní anunciara el cierre del estrecho de Ormuz en represalia por la seguidilla de ataques de Israel en Líbano, el presidente de Estados Unidos, Donald Trump, amenazó este sábado con imponer peajes en esa vía fluvial si no se alcanza un acuerdo final con Irán en 60 días.

El anuncio de Trump se dio esta tarde a través de la red Truth Social, propiedad del magnate, donde aseguró que decidía aplicar en el estrecho ubicado en Asia los peajes a cobrar por Estados Unidos «por los servicios prestados como Ángel Guardián a los países de Medio Oriente».

Advertisement

El contexto en el que fue publicado el posteo también llamó la atención dado que se encuentra en marcha un proceso de mediación, que encabeza Pakistán, y que iniciará este domingo conversaciones técnicas en Suiza. De hecho, en representación de Estados Unidos estarán el vicepresidente JD Vance, quien emprendió viaje esta tarde, el yerno de Trump, Jared Kushner y el inversor inmobiliario Steven Witkoff.

«No habrá peajes en el Estrecho de Ormuz durante 60 días en el Período de Alto el Fuego, y no habrá peajes después de que haya expirado el período de 60 días, a menos que sean impuestos por y para los Estados Unidos de América, en caso de que el acuerdo no se complete», escribió Trump.

Y, justificó su decisión con el argumento de «servicios prestados como el Ángel Guardián a los países de Oriente Medio con fines de reembolso de costos tanto pasados, presentes y futuros».

Advertisement

Por la mañana, las Fueras Armadas de Irán habían anunciado el cierre del estrecho en repudio a los ataques israelíes, la “mala fe” de Estados Unidos y una “clara violación de sus compromisos” para poner fin a la guerra.

Tras señalar que el acuerdo provisional pretende detener los combates en todos los frentes, el comunicado de las fuerzas iraníes advirtió que “si la agresión continúa, se han planificado medidas posteriores”.

De todas formas, el equipo negociador de Irán se dirigía a Suiza, encabezados por el presidente del Parlamento, Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, el ministro de Relaciones Exteriores, Abbas Araghchi, y funcionarios del banco central y del sector petrolero, entre otros.

Advertisement

En la reunión de mañana, se espera lograr que se descongelen los activos de Irán en el exterior, aunque el portavoz del Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores, Esmail Baghaei, admitió que podría ocurrir poco hasta que Irán considere que Estados Unidos está cumpliendo el acuerdo.

“Este viaje, por lo tanto, trata de exigir que la otra parte cumpla sus obligaciones”, dijo el funcionario y señaló que las negociaciones hacia un acuerdo final comenzarán sólo una vez que se respeten compromisos clave. Si no lo son, subrayó, “entonces el memorando de entendimiento en su conjunto se verá comprometido”.

JD Vance, rumbo a Suiza, acompañado por su esposa Usha, y funcionarios de la armada. AP

En Washington, el vicepresidente JD Vance explicó que emprendía su viaje a Suiza para participar de las negociaciones en el complejo de Bürgenstock pero lamentó que «solo podía estar allí uno o dos días».

«Espero que podamos avanzar en el tema nuclear y en el alto el fuego en el Líbano. Esos son los dos temas principales en los que debemos centrarnos. Estoy seguro de que los iraníes también tendrán asuntos que querrán tratar», dijo a la prensa antes subir al avión, minutos después de las 16 de Washington.

Advertisement

En Suiza, lo esperan Jared Kushner y Steve Witkoff con los detalles técnicos de las negociaciones previstas sobre el programa nuclear de Irán, con el que esperan lograr un acuerdo provisional en 60 días, aunque el plazo puede ampliarse una vez más..

El vicepresidente estadounidense aseguró que «a pesar de los titulares» sobre la situación en Líbano, que motivó que Irán declarara hoy el cierre del estrecho de Ormuz, «la situación está mejorando y la violencia se está calmando un poco».

El vicepresident JD Vance habló con la prensa desde la base Andrews, antes de viajar a Suiza. AP

«El gran problema es que alguien dispara y alguien responde, y se crea un círculo vicioso en el que hay que detener los disparos el tiempo suficiente para que el alto el fuego se mantenga; eso es lo que vamos a intentar hacer», adelantó sobre el contenido de las conversaciones ante las que el ministro de Exteriores de Irán, Abás Araqchí, exigió el «cumplimiento de los compromisos» del memorando para iniciar negociaciones.

El ministro del Interior de Pakistán, Mohsin Naqvi, se reunió con Araghchi en Teherán este sábado, según funcionarios en Islamabad que hablaron bajo condición de anonimato.

Advertisement

En medio, el capitán Tim Hawkins, portavoz del Comando Central de Estados Unidos, afirmó que “Irán no controla el estrecho de Ormuz. El tráfico continúa fluyendo, y las fuerzas estadounidenses están monitoreando la situación para garantizar que esto siga siendo así”.

El ejército resaltó que 55 barcos mercantes transitaron el sábado con más de 17 millones de barriles de petróleo.

Imagen del estrecho de Ormuz. Efe

Los barcos habían comenzado a transitar el estrecho después que se firmara a principios de semana el acuerdo provisional entre Estados Unidos e Irán, un hito que ha dejado muchas preguntas sin respuesta. Estados Unidos levantó su bloqueo de los puertos de Irán y ahora permite a Teherán vender su petróleo libremente, términos que han llevado a algunos en el Congreso estadounidense a preguntarse si la guerra valió la pena.

Los ataques israelíes en Líbano dejaron al menos 16 muertos en las últimas horas, tras lo cual un dirigente de Hezbollah dijo a la agencia AP que Irán les avisó que no reabrirá el estrecho hasta que Israel anuncie públicamente que cumplirá un “alto el fuego integral” en Líbano y el fin de las operaciones militares allí. En ese marco, afirmó que Hezbollah se comprometería con un alto el fuego si Israel lo hace.

Advertisement

El número de muertos en la última guerra entre Israel y Hezbollah ya ha superado los 4.000, según el Ministerio de Salud de Líbano.

Un jefe militar israelí reveló que Hezbollah había disparado más de 50 proyectiles contra las fuerzas rivales en el sur de Líbano durante la noche. El funcionario habló bajo condición de anonimato de acuerdo con las normas del departamento. El ejército afirmó que atacó decenas de objetivos y a miembros de Hezbollah en el sur de Líbano, incluidas posiciones de lanzamiento de cohetes y centros de mando de la milicia.

Ciudadanos iraníes pasan junto a una gran valla publicitaria con la imagen del difunto líder supremo iraní, el ayatolá Ruhollah Khomeini, y del líder supremo, el ayatolá Ali Khamenei. Efe

Hezbollah e Israel entraron en guerra dos días después que Estados Unidos e Israel atacaran Irán el 28 de febrero: el grupo disparó cohetes y drones contra comunidades civiles en el norte de Israel y el ejército israelí se apoderó de amplias franjas de territorio en el sur de Líbano.

Se espera que la próxima semana se celebre en Washington una nueva ronda de conversaciones entre el gobierno libanés e Israel auspiciada por la Casa Blanca.

Advertisement

El primer ministro israelí Benjamin Netanyahu ha prometido mantener a sus tropas en el sur de Líbano hasta que se elimine cualquier amenaza para su nación. Hezbollah se ha negado a detener sus ataques a menos que Israel se comprometa a retirarse de suelo libanés.

Con información de agencias SMB

Advertisement
Continue Reading

INTERNACIONAL

Pope Leo sends unmistakable message on immigrants during visit honoring America’s first saint

Published

on


NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

Pope Leo XIV used a visit Saturday honoring St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, the first American saint and patron saint of immigrants, to deliver his latest appeal on behalf of them, asking Catholics to look to her example at a time when migration remains one of the defining issues of his emerging papacy.

Advertisement

The remarks came as Leo continues to make migration a central focus of his public ministry, a position that has sparked months of public friction with President Donald Trump over immigration and foreign policy.

«What could be more relevant today than a missionary charism dedicated to serving migrants?» Leo said during an evening prayer service in Sant’Angelo Lodigiano, the northern Italian town where Cabrini was born.

The American-born pope prayed at Cabrini’s tomb and urged young Catholics to learn from the saint’s life of serving immigrants, many of whom had left their homelands in search of better opportunities.

Advertisement

POPE LEO XIV STRONGLY SUPPORTS US BISHOPS’ CONDEMNATION OF TRUMP IMMIGRATION RAIDS: ‘EXTREMELY DISRESPECTFUL’

Pope Leo XIV presides over a celebration at the parish of Santi Antonio Abate e Francesca Cabrini in Sant’Angelo Lodigiano, Italy, Saturday. The visit was part of his pastoral journey to nearby Pavia and marked the birthplace of Francesca Cabrini, the first U.S. saint and Patroness of Migrants. (Mario Tomassetti/Vatican Media)

But Leo also invoked his predecessor, Pope Francis, whose own papacy was defined in part by calls to welcome migrants.

Advertisement

«Let us ask ourselves: if Mother Francesca were alive today, what would her missionary spirit tell her?» Leo said. «And what would a pope like Francis — who, as the son of Italian immigrants, made service to migrants one of the key priorities of his pontificate — ask of her?»

The comments are the latest in a series of migration-focused appearances that have helped define Leo’s first year as pope.

POPE LEO APPOINTS PRO-IMMIGRATION BISHOP TO DIOCESE HOME TO TRUMP’S MAR-A-LAGO

Advertisement
Pope Leo XIV greeting faithful outside parish in Sant'Angelo Lodigiano Italy

Pope Leo XIV greets faithful as he leaves the parish of Santi Antonio Abate e Francesca Cabrini in Sant’Angelo Lodigiano, Italy, Saturday. (Mario Tomassetti/Vatican Media)

Last week, Leo traveled to Spain’s Canary Islands, a major destination for migrants departing West Africa, where he met migrants and called for greater efforts to welcome and integrate people fleeing hardship and conflict.

During that trip, Leo urged world leaders to create «legal and safe pathways» for migration and warned against reducing migrants to statistics.

Leo’s migration advocacy has frequently drawn criticism from Trump, who has accused the pontiff of venturing into politics and sharply disagreed with some of his comments on immigration and foreign affairs.

Advertisement

The public disagreements have become one of the most closely watched relationships between the Vatican and Washington during Leo’s papacy.

INCLUSIVE TONE OF NEW POPE ISN’T SITTING WELL WITH SOME IN THE ‘AMERICA FIRST’ MOVEMENT

Pope Leo XIV presiding over a celebration at the parish of Santi Antonio Abate e Francesca Cabrini in Sant'Angelo Lodigiano Italy

Pope Leo XIV presides over a celebration at the parish of Santi Antonio Abate e Francesca Cabrini in Sant’Angelo Lodigiano, Italy, Saturday, during his pastoral journey to nearby Pavia. (Mario Tomassetti/Vatican Media)

Earlier this year, Reuters reported that Secretary of State Marco Rubio was expected to meet with Vatican officials and Italian leaders during a period of heightened tensions between the Holy See and the Trump administration.

Advertisement

Leo has rejected suggestions that his remarks are political attacks, arguing instead that his appeals stem from Catholic teaching on human dignity, peace and care for vulnerable people.

Saturday’s visit centered on Cabrini, who became a naturalized U.S. citizen and spent decades serving Italian immigrants through schools, hospitals and orphanages before her death in Chicago in 1917.

US CATHOLIC BISHOPS PRESIDENT SAYS DEPORTATIONS INSTILLING ‘FEAR’ IN ‘WIDESPREAD MANNER’: ‘CONCERNS US ALL’

Advertisement
Pope Leo XIV holding a private audience with US Vice President J.D. Vance at the Apostolic Palace

Pope Leo XIV holds a private audience with Vice President J.D. Vance at the Apostolic Palace in Vatican City, May 19, 2025. (Simone Risoluti/Vatican Media)

The Vatican has also announced that Leo will travel to the Italian island of Lampedusa on July 4, a date likely to draw attention in the United States given the pope’s American roots.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

Lampedusa has become one of Europe’s most recognizable migration flashpoints because of the thousands of migrants who attempt dangerous crossings from North Africa each year. The island also carries symbolic importance within the Catholic Church because it was the destination of Pope Francis’ first trip outside Rome after becoming pope in 2013.

Advertisement

Fox News Digital’s Eric Mack and Robert McGreevy, and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

pope leo xiv, pope francis, italy, immigration, immigrant rights, donald trump, politics

Continue Reading

Tendencias