INTERNACIONAL
Spanberger-backed redistricting vote culminates Dem ‘power grab’ in key swing state, says report
The gerrymander wars come to Virginia
Fox News’ Paul Gigot and guests Kyle Peterson and Kim Strassel examine Virginia’s upcoming redistricting vote. Governor Abigail Spanberger faces criticism for abandoning moderate positions, supporting a Democrat-favorable map, enacting new taxes, and expanding collective bargaining for unions, impacting her approval ratings. The discussion highlights voter dissatisfaction with the policy shifts.
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FIRST ON FOX: A redistricting referendum backed by Virginia Democratic Gov. Abigail Spanberger is the culmination of a rapidly escalating «power grab» by Democrats in what has been a key swing state for years, a new report by the Honest Election Project Action (HEP) alleges.
HEP’s report argues that after regaining control of the state from Republicans in 2025, Democrats are now «rigging the rules so they never lose power» again. Leveraging their unified control, the report points to the Democratic-majority Virginia legislature passing 54 election bills this session, which it said is «more than any state in the nation.»
Among the bills passed by the Virginia legislature were measures to bar immigration enforcement officers from voting locations, expand ranked-choice voting and place new limits on the removal of voters deemed ineligible. Spanberger also signed a bill to add Virginia to the National Popular Vote Compact, a coalition of states committed to awarding their Electoral College votes to the winner of the national popular vote. Perhaps most controversial, however, Spanberger signed another bill setting in motion a referendum to allow the legislature to redraw congressional districts that critics say would heavily favor Democrats.
«Democrats used their newfound status to launch a partisan power grab and a deliberate assault on election safeguards,» the report alleges, adding, «Virginia is the latest example of the left’s gerrymandering hypocrisy: condemn it when done by opponents, stop at nothing to impose it when it delivers power.»
GLENN YOUNGKIN ACCUSES GOV SPANBERGER OF ‘ILLEGAL AND UNCONSTITUTIONAL’ GERRYMANDERING IN VIRGINIA MAP FIGHT
Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger speaks during a Virginians For Fair Elections canvassing event in Woodbridge, Va., on April 18, 2026. (Graeme Sloan/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
If approved by voters today, the referendum would amend Virginia’s constitution to allow lawmakers to redraw the state’s congressional districts ahead of the 2026 midterm elections and implement a new map immediately. The change would temporarily override the state’s current bipartisan redistricting process for this cycle, with the existing system set to resume afterward.
Besides signing the bill to set the redistricting referendum in motion, Spanberger has also given her full endorsement of the amendment. In a March statement, she emphasized that «Virginia’s approach is different» regarding redistricting.
She framed the amendment as a temporary measure «directly responsive to what other states decide to do,» stressing that «it preserves Virginia’s bipartisan redistricting process for the future.»
«I supported the formation of Virginia’s bipartisan redistricting commission in 2020, and that support has not changed,» she said. «What has changed is what we’re seeing in states across the country — and a President who says he is ‘entitled’ to more Republican seats before this year’s midterm elections.»
«Virginians have the opportunity to take action in response to this extraordinary moment in history. That’s why, as a Virginia voter, I’m voting in favor of this amendment,» Spanberger added.
The effort has also been supported by former President Barack Obama, who recently released an ad urging Virginians to vote «yes» for the amendment.
VIRGINIA DEM ADMITS REDISTRICTING PUSH AIMS TO ‘STOP TRUMP’, NOT ABOUT ‘FAIRNESS’
Signs urge early voters to vote yes or no on the Virginia redistricting referendum at the Ellen M. Bozman Government Center in Arlington, Va., on Tuesday, March 31, 2026. Early voting continues across the state for Virginia’s redistricting ballot referendum. (Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)
Meanwhile, Honest Election Project argues in its report that «far from ‘strengthening democracy,’ Virginia’s 2026 session is a case study in the left’s agenda to trade election security for political advantage.»
The report points out that during the session, Democrats «delivered on virtually every major item on the left’s election-law wish list.»
In all, the report says that Virginia lawmakers introduced 103 election-related bills, 93 percent of which it says were ultimately sent to Spanberger. Thus far, the governor has signed nine of those measures, per the report.
Among the other policies HEP takes issue with is a measure to prohibit immigration enforcement within 40 feet of a polling place, election board meeting site, or recount location. The report accused Virginia Democrats of working to «exploit election law to hamper federal immigration enforcement and essentially turn areas around polling places into expansive sanctuary zones for illegal aliens.»
The report also slams Virginia Democrats over ranked-choice voting and the National Popular Vote Compact, both of which it calls «structural changes to push politics to the left.»
The Virginia legislature also passed a constitutional amendment to automatically restore voting rights to convicted felons upon their release from prison. Virginians will have the opportunity to approve or reject the amendment at the ballot box this November.
Another measure passed by the legislature was a bill barring officials from cross-checking the state’s voter roll against the federal Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) database to identify noncitizens, and from removing ineligible voters based on a SAVE match. While Spanberger stated, «I approve the general purpose of this bill,» she returned the bill to the legislature with amendments.
HEP argues that based on the data, Virginia «stands out for the breadth and depth of its efforts to rewrite election rules.»
VIRGINIA DEMOCRAT SPARKS BACKLASH FOR OMITTING MURDER-SUICIDE IN POST ON JUSTIN FAIRFAX
Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger speaks in Richmond. (Marvin Joseph/Getty Images)
Jason Snead, executive director of Honest Elections Project Action, told Fox News Digital that «in just four months, Virginia Democrats, under Abigail Spanberger’s leadership, have launched a blatant, partisan assault on election integrity to try to rig the rules to solidify permanent Democratic power in Richmond.»
«But that’s just par for the course for Democratic lawmakers nationwide, whose first move after gaining power is to always rewrite the rules for their benefit,» asserted Snead.
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He added that Honest Elections Project Action is «proud to expose Democrats for this shameless power grab and urges Virginians to make their voices heard in opposition.»
Fox News Digital reached out to Spanberger’s office and the offices of Virginia Speaker of the House Don Scott and Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell for comment.
abigail spanberger, democrats elections, midterm elections, virginia, elections
INTERNACIONAL
Brooklyn coffee shop that targeted Jewish congressman faces DOJ probe after reported tax, health code issues
Democratic Socialists push progressive agenda in NYC primaries
Fox News national correspondent Bryan Llenas reports on the New York City primary, highlighting the influence of Democratic socialists. Candidates backed by Zohran Mamdani advocate for abolishing ICE and all deportations, even for convicted murderers.
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The owner of a Brooklyn coffee shop that publicly attacked Rep. Dan Goldman, D-N.Y., over his support for Israel is reportedly facing tax and health code issues and previously donated to Maine Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner’s campaign.
The revelations come as Poetica Coffee faces a Justice Department civil rights probe after the shop publicly targeted Goldman, a Jewish lawmaker and outspoken supporter of Israel.
Poetica Coffee is owned by Parviz Mukhamadkulov, an Uzbek immigrant, according to a report from the Washington Free Beacon.
Federal Election Commission (FEC) records show that Mukhamadkulov contributed $35 to Platner’s campaign. Platner’s campaign has been under fire for a variety of scandals, including a Nazi-linked tattoo on his chest.
A Brooklyn, N.Y., coffee shop refunded a purchase made by Rep. Dan Goldman, D-N.Y., (right) over the weekend over his support for Israel, saying the company doesn’t serve «genocide enablers.» (Google Maps; Getty Images)
In a now-deleted social media post, Poetica Coffee raged at the Jewish congressman.
«Hey @repdangoldman, we see that you stopped by our shop today for a coffee,» the post said. «Do you see how it doesn’t taste like genocide juice? Or are you still having a hard time telling the difference? See, here at Poetica, we don’t serve racists, fascists, homophobes, genocide enablers, or anyone in between.»
NYC COFFEE SHOP BANS PRO-ISRAEL POLITICIAN IN HOSTILE SOCIAL POST: ‘WE DON’T SERVE… GENOCIDE ENABLERS’
After facing backlash, the coffee shop deleted its entire Instagram account.
«Too bad we didn’t recognize you right away, or we would have turned you away,» the post continued. «We issued you a refund—we don’t need your money (it’s probably coming from AIPAC anyways). Enjoy your loss on Tuesday. Don’t ever come to Poetica.»
The Department of Justice (DOJ) has opened a civil rights probe into the matter.
SOCIAL MEDIA ERUPTS OVER MAMDANI’S SILENCE AFTER BROOKLYN COFFEE SHOP BANS JEWISH CONGRESSMAN
Meanwhile, Poetica has a growing list of issues unrelated to their post and the DOJ investigation.
Rep. Dan Goldman, D, N.Y., was criticized by Poetica Coffee, a left-leaning coffee shop in Brooklyn, which scolded him over his support for Israel. (Dan Goldman)
The Washington Free Beacon reported that as of June 20, 2026, Poetica Coffee and founder Parviz Mukhamadkulov owed New York State hundreds of thousands of dollars in unpaid taxes. Fox News Digital has reached out to the New York Department of Taxation and Finance for comment and confirmation.
Further, one of the company’s locations in Brooklyn has faced health code violations each year since 2023.
CHRISTIAN COFFEE SHOP OWNER HELPING HOMELESS FACES PROTESTS IN FAR-LEFT CITY
The latest violations, issued in June, describe «filth flies» inside the restaurant.
«Filth flies or food/refuse/sewage associated with (FRSA) flies or other nuisance pests in establishment’s food and/or non-food areas. FRSA flies include house flies, blow flies, bottle flies, flesh flies, drain flies, Phorid flies and fruit flies,» the violation says.
Graham Platner addresses the crowd at his watch party after winning the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate at a YMCA in Blue Hill, Maine, on June 9, 2026. Platner will face Republican Sen. Susan Collins in the election for the seat. (Matthew Symons for Fox News Digital)
Another June violation said that the sewage disposal system in the shop was «not provided, improper, inadequate or unapproved,» and that personal cleanliness among staff was «inadequate.»
PORTLAND PIZZA JOINT HITS SITE VISITORS WITH ‘F— ICE’ MESSAGE, DECLARES FOOD IS ‘POLITICAL’
The restaurant was hit with the same violations last December, plus a violation that said that there was «evidence of rats or live rats in establishment’s food or non-food areas.»
Poetica has also been cited for failing to store pesticides or other toxic chemicals properly.
Mukhamadkulov, who shared far-left messages on his X account, deleted his account on Tuesday. Several posts were archived by the Free Beacon.
UNEARTHED ANTISEMITIC, ANTI-ISRAEL POSTS FROM MAMDANI AIDE SPARK GOP OUTRAGE
In a reply to a post by conservative actor James Woods, he boasted about supporting socialist Mayor Zohran Mamdani.
NYC Mayor Mamdani And Governor Hochul Hold News Conference On World Cup Transportation Zohran Mamdani, mayor of New York, and Kathy Hochul, governor of New York, during a news conference on 2026 FIFA World Cup transportation at the MTA Rail Control Center in New York, US, on Thursday, June 4, 2026. (Adam Gray/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
«Just went to vote for him. All for you babes. He will be NYC mayor and you and all your likes cant do s— about it. Racist piece of s—,» he posted in October 2025.
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In July 2025, he celebrated the death of an Israel Defense Forces combat engineer, saying, «One less baby killer.»
He has also blamed Israel for 9/11, smeared the country as a «Nazi nation,» and accused Israel of «genocide.»
Poetica did not return a request for comment. Fox News Digital left voicemails on two phone numbers associated with Mukhamadkulov.
Goldman did not return a request for comment.
politics, graham platner, immigrant rights, coffee, zohran mamdani
INTERNACIONAL
Irán y EE.UU. se estancan con la cuestión nuclear, pero evacúan a más de 11.000 marinos varados en el estrecho de Ormuz
La evacuación de más de 11.000 marinos bloqueados en el estrecho de Ormuz por la guerra en Medio Oriente comenzó este martes, pero persisten los desacuerdos entre Irán y Estados Unidos, en particular sobre el programa nuclear iraní.
La Organización Marítima Internacional (OMI), una agencia especializada dependiente de la ONU, anunció un plan de evacuación “para los más de 11.000 marinos que siguen varados en la región” del estrecho de Ormuz.
“Esta operación a gran escala se llevará a cabo en estrecha colaboración con Irán, Omán, el resto de Estados ribereños de la región, Estados Unidos y el sector marítimo”, señaló el secretario general de la OMI, el panameño Arsenio Domínguez.
La semana pasada, Teherán y Washington firmaron un memorando de entendimiento para atajar una guerra que dejó miles de muertos, sobre todo en Irán y en Líbano, y sacudió la economía global.
El memorando sentó las bases de unas negociaciones que comenzaron el domingo en Suiza, con la mediación de Pakistán y Qatar. El objetivo es alcanzar en un plazo de 60 días prorrogables un acuerdo definitivo en cuestiones como el programa nuclear iraní y las sanciones internacionales contra Teherán.
Crean cuatro grupos de trabajo
Irán confirmó este martes que las conversaciones técnicas ya concluyeron y anunció la creación de cuatro grupos de trabajo para tratar esos temas.
Sin embargo, desmintió unas declaraciones del vicepresidente estadounidense JD Vance. Así, negó que su gobierno haya aceptado invitar a los inspectores del Organismo Internacional de la Energía Atómica (OIEA) para que supervisen sus sitios nucleares bombardeados por las fuerzas israelíes y estadounidenses durante la guerra de 12 días de junio de 2025. Un pequeño bote pasa frente a embarcaciones ancladas en el estrecho de Ormuz, frente a Bandar Abbas, Irán (Foto: AP/ISNA/Amirhosein Khorgooi).
“No hemos tenido ninguna reunión con el director general del Organismo Internacional de la Energía Atómica y tampoco prevemos que el Organismo inspeccione las instalaciones nucleares iraníes dañadas por la agresión militar estadounidense y sionista”, declaró el portavoz de la diplomacia, Esmail Baqai.
El presidente estadounidense, Donald Trump, insistió en que Irán aceptó “plena y completamente” permitir inspecciones nucleares “al más alto nivel”.
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“Sobre la base de esta y otras concesiones importantes que está haciendo Irán, he acordado permitir que el estrecho de Ormuz permanezca ABIERTO, sin ningún otro bloqueo naval”, indicó en un mensaje en su red social, Truth Social.
El negociador principal de Irán advirtió que la circulación por el estratégico estrecho de Ormuz – por donde circulaba el 20% de las exportaciones globales de hidrocarburos – no volverá a ser como antes de la guerra.
“Servicios marítimos”
Irán y Omán anunciaron que prestarán “servicios marítimos”, en el marco de una administración conjunta del estrecho.
La posibilidad de que los buques tengan que pagar una tasa por transitar por Ormuz ganó cuerpo este martes, cuando ambos países anunciaron que están estudiando los “costos” derivados de esos servicios.
“La administración del estrecho de Ormuz nunca volverá a ser lo que era antes de la guerra”, declaró Mohamad Baqer Qalibaf, negociador jefe iraní y presidente del Parlamento. Una pequeña lancha de motor pasa junto a embarcaciones ancladas en el estrecho de Ormuz, el miércoles 17 de junio de 2026, frente a Bandar Abbas, Irán. (Amirhosein Khorgooi/ISNA vía AP)
La advertencia de Marco Rubio
A su llegada este martes a Emiratos Árabes Unidos, el secretario de Estado estadounidense Marco Rubio destacó que “ningún país tiene permitido cobrar peajes o tasas en una vía navegable internacional”
Emiratos es la primera parada de una gira de Rubio por los Estados del Golfo destinada a mostrar solidaridad con aliados clave que resultaron golpeados por la guerra.
Por su parte, el presidente iraní, Masud Pezeshkian, y su canciller, Abbas Araqchi, viajaron a Pakistán, según medios estatales.
La ronda de negociaciones en el lujoso complejo Bürgenstock de Suiza alentó la esperanza de una solución duradera al conflicto e hizo caer los precios del petróleo.
Leé también: Turistas argentinos quedaron atrapados en un tiroteo en una favela de Río de Janeiro: “Fue una situación de guerra”
El Departamento del Tesoro de Estados Unidos indicó que había levantado las sanciones a Irán para permitirle producir, vender y suministrar petróleo y productos derivados hasta mediados de agosto.
Como parte de su acuerdo, Washington aceptó desembolsar 12.000 millones de dólares en activos iraníes congelados, informó la agencia de noticias iraní Mehr.
JD Vance dijo que los activos aún no habían sido desbloqueados pero que, si lo fueran, solo se usarían para comprar bienes estadounidenses como soja y no para financiar actividades “terroristas”.
Aun así, el embajador iraní ante la ONU, Alí Bahreini, señalo que Irán será el “único país” que decidirá qué hacer con esos activos.
Frente libanés
El memorando de acuerdo establece el cese de hostilidades en todos los frentes, incluido el libanés, una de las principales reivindicaciones de Teherán.
Líbano se vio arrastrado a la guerra en Medio Oriente el 2 de marzo por el movimiento Hezbollah, que apoyó a Irán, atacado por Estados Unidos e Israel.
Pese a que los enfrentamientos en Líbano se redujeron tras la declaración de un nuevo alto al fuego, soldados israelíes mataron este martes a dos personas que “se encontraban cerca de una excavadora” en una carretera del sur del país, informó la prensa estatal.
Estos disparos tuvieron lugar mientras se abre en Washington una quinta sesión de negociaciones directas entre Israel y Líbano, a las que se opone Hezbollah.
El grupo chiíta denunció una “violación flagrante” del alto el fuego y exigió una retirada total de Israel según un calendario preciso.
(Con información de EFE)
Irán, Medio Oriente
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A controversial candidate sharing the name and party affiliation of a vulnerable GOP incumbent is vowing not to go down without a fight after Alaska’s top election official blocked him from the state’s blockbuster Senate race.
Dan J. Sullivan, the same-name challenger running against Sen. Dan S. Sullivan, R-Alaska, filed a lawsuit to remain on the August primary ballot after Director of Elections Carol Beecher disqualified his candidacy last week.
Beecher determined that Dan J. Sullivan, a retired teacher who recently changed his party affiliation to the GOP, did not launch his campaign «in good faith» and sought to «confuse or mislead» voters at the ballot box.
But counsel affiliated with the same-name candidate argues that his removal runs afoul of state law.
Sen. Dan Sullivan, a Republican from Alaska, stands in the Senate Subway of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on June 17, 2026. (Daniel Heuer/Bloomberg)
SAME-NAME CANDIDATE DISQUALIFIED FROM KEY SENATE RACE OVER ALLEGED DEM SCHEME TO CONFUSE VOTERS
«Nothing in Alaska law regulates in any way the private motivations that draw individuals to declare or campaign for office,» a court filing from attorneys Jeffrey Robinson, Bryn Pallesen and Zoe Eisberg obtained by The Associated Press reads.
The fate of his candidacy could prove decisive in the state’s hotly contested Senate race in which Sen. Dan S. Sullivan is seeking a third term in the Republican-leaning state. Democrats are hoping that former Rep. Mary Peltola, D-Alaska, whom Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., helped recruit into the race, will unseat Sullivan in November.
Primary ballots are expected to be printed later this month.
Under Alaska’s open primary system, the top four vote-getters will advance to the November general election.
Republicans have argued that Dan J. Sullivan’s candidacy is a «sham» attempt orchestrated by Democratic operatives to potentially trip up voters and siphon off votes from the incumbent. But Democrats, including Peltola, have denied involvement.
«Even by Chuck Schumer’s low standards, this was an outrageous attempt to trick Alaska voters and rig the election,» Senate Republican Conference Chairman Tom Cotton, R-Ark., said last week.
Newly introduced Senate candidate Dan Sullivan, left, pictured alongside Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, right. (Sullivan for U.S. Senate; Brandon Bell-Pool/Getty Images)
GOP FIGHTS TO STOP MULTIPLE DAN SULLIVANS FROM APPEARING ON ALASKA BALLOT, CALLS CANDIDACY A ‘SHAM’
Dan J. Sullivan has dismissed Lt. Gov. Nancy Dahlstrom, R-Alaska, highlighting «credible allegations» that suggested he filed to run with the intention of deceiving voters.
«The Lieutenant Governor’s job is to oversee elections fairly and impartially,» Dan J. Sullivan wrote on Facebook last week. «Instead, her actions create the impression that the state government is being used to protect an incumbent senator at the ballot box.»
«The people of Alaska are fully capable of deciding for themselves who should represent them in Washington,» he added.
The political newcomer has come under scrutiny over ties to Democratic consultant Amber Lee, who was revealed as the author of his campaign launch announcement in metadata reviewed by Fox News Digital. Lee has notably supported Peltola’s prior runs for office and expressed optimism to The Hill in January that the Alaska Democrat would unseat the incumbent Sullivan.
According to Beecher’s letter, Dan J. Sullivan requested to appear on the primary ballot under the name «Dan Sullivan» despite previously registering as «Daniel J. Sullivan, Jr.» Beecher also noted that his campaign materials are visually similar to the incumbent Republican’s campaign and that he had no affiliation with the GOP prior to jumping into the race shortly before the filing deadline.
The nascent candidate notably sought to register with the incumbent’s «S» initial at one point, according to Beecher.
«‘S’ is Senator Sullivan’s middle initial, not yours,» the election official noted.
Amid mounting scrutiny, Dan J. Sullivan has largely brushed off concerns about his name.
Rep. Mary Peltola speaks during the Capitol Christmas tree lighting ceremony in Washington, D.C., on Dec. 3, 2024. (Nathan Posner/Anadolu)
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«My grandfather was Dan, and between my dad, uncle, and cousins, there were six more Dans in the family,» he wrote on Instagram recently. «Nicknames were a necessity, and mine will never be revealed.»
Fox News Digital reached out to the Dan J. Sullivan campaign for comment.
politics, democrats elections, republicans, primary results, elections state and local, senate elections
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