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Trump blasts Spanberger ahead of Virginia meetings, says state faces tax base exodus like New York, California
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President Donald Trump slammed Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger ahead of meetings in the state on Saturday, warning her policies are triggering a tax base exodus similar to New York and California.
Trump, in an early morning Truth Social post, said the Democratic governor had imposed a wave of taxes that he argued were draining the state’s economic strength.
«She is adding so many Taxes, a Food and Beverage Tax, Digital Services Tax, Utilities Tax, and more,» Trump wrote. «It has lost its Energy, Vitality, and Strength. People are leaving that would never have even thought of doing so!»
Trump’s comments come as Republicans have criticized Democrats in the state legislature over a slate of tax and revenue proposals, warning the measures could hurt Virginia’s business climate, though the governor has not publicly supported or signed the measures referenced by Trump.
GLENN YOUNGKIN ACCUSES GOV SPANBERGER OF ‘ILLEGAL AND UNCONSTITUTIONAL’ GERRYMANDERING IN VIRGINIA MAP FIGHT
Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger and President Donald Trump are shown in a split image as Trump criticized the governor’s tax policies and warned of a potential business exodus. (Marvin Joseph/Getty Images; Brendan Smilowski / AFP)
Trump said companies that committed to moving into Virginia under former Gov. Glenn Youngkin were now reconsidering those decisions.
«New companies that signed to come into the Commonwealth under Governor Youngkin are now looking for ways to get out — Break their Deal,» he said.
The president, who said he was heading to Virginia for meetings at Trump National Golf Club, drew comparisons to high-tax states like New York and California, which he has frequently criticized.
«We have a similar situation in New York and, most of all, in California, where Rich, Job Producing people and companies are being forced to FLEE at levels never seen before,» Trump wrote.
He added that California’s tax base was «literally disappearing» as wealthy individuals and corporations relocate, warning Virginia could face a similar trajectory.
VA DEM REJECTS ‘POWER GRAB’ CLAIMS ON SPANBERGER REDISTRICTING AS GOP WARNS 10–1 MAP WOULD SPLIT RURAL VOTE
The Virginia State Capitol during the inauguration ceremony of Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger in Richmond on Jan. 17, 2026. (Kendall Warner/The Virginian-Pilot/Getty Images)
«Remember, once people and companies leave, they are never coming back!» Trump said.
Spanberger pushed back on the criticism in a post on X, arguing Trump and his allies were mischaracterizing her policies.
«The president and his allies are talking about taxes that our state legislature never even voted on and I certainly didn’t sign,» she wrote. «Why? Because if they don’t flood the zone with fake news about fake taxes, people might hear about the bills I am signing to lower energy costs, strengthen our schools, make housing more affordable, and bring billions of dollars of business investment to Virginia.»
Spanberger has supported a broader set of revenue measures since taking office, including proposals targeting digital services and business activity, as part of an effort to fund priorities such as education and health care.
A spokesperson for Spanberger’s office also issued a statement criticizing Trump’s claims.
«Virginians are tired of Donald Trump’s lies,» the spokesperson told Fox News Digital. «Governor Spanberger has signed dozens of bipartisan bills to contend with high housing, healthcare and energy costs for Virginians — and not any of the taxes President Trump and his allies are lying about.»
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The spokesperson added that businesses have announced «more than $500 million in new investment in the Commonwealth since Governor Spanberger took office in January,» while accusing Trump of focusing on politics instead of economic stability.
On Saturday, House Speaker Mike Johnson and former Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin also took aim at Spanberger as a state vote on redistricting approaches, during a rally in Rockingham County opposing Democrats’ proposed 10-1 gerrymander ahead of the April 21 referendum election.
«She talks like a moderate, and she governs like a Marxist,» Johnson said. «I mean, this is serious stuff.»
Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger delivers the Democratic response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address on Feb. 24, 2026, in Williamsburg, Virginia. (Mike Kropf/Getty Images)
Johnson also warned that the outcome in Virginia could have national implications, citing the GOP’s narrow House majority.
Youngkin, meanwhile, accused Spanberger of weakening public safety policies in the state.
«She says she’s going to stand for public safety, and she makes Virginia a sanctuary state after one of the most successful federal-state collaborations in the entire country,» Youngkin said. «We arrested thousands of violent criminals who are here illegally, and she put a stop to it.»
Spanberger defeated Republican Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears in the 2025 gubernatorial race, securing a Democratic win. Youngkin was not eligible for re-election under state law.
She campaigned on issues including health care and abortion rights, while positioning herself as a more moderate alternative despite GOP criticism of her voting record.
Fox News Digital’s Preston Mizell contributed to this report.
abigail spanberger, donald trump, virginia, republicans elections, taxes
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California professor accused of killing pro-Israel protester will ‘likely’ avoid lengthy prison sentence
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The Jewish community is outraged after a California district attorney’s office signaled that a community college professor could escape a lengthy prison sentence after he struck an elderly pro-Israel protester with a megaphone, which led to him falling backwards onto the ground and later dying at the hospital from blunt force trauma, according to the medical examiner.
Loay Abdel Fattah Alnaji, 53, an anti-Israel community college professor, was initially ordered to stand trial after hitting a pro-Israel protester, Paul Kessler, 69, in the head with a megaphone, who was standing across the street from him during dueling pro-Israel, pro-Palestinian protests in Thousand Oaks, located in Ventura County, California, in 2023. Kessler fell backwards to the ground after being struck by Alnaji striking his head and sending him to the hospital before passing away shortly thereafter from blunt force trauma, according to the medical examiner.
The incident took place against the backdrop of the Israel-Hamas war tensions and concerns about antisemitism rising in the United States and more broadly. Alnaji was initially facing up to four years in prison for the matter as he fought the charges against him, but on Tuesday he reversed course and the court «indicated that it is likely to place Alnaji on formal probation with up to 365 days in jail,» according to the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office, which said it was displeased with the move.
GERMAN OFFICIALS WARN ISLAMIST, FAR-LEFT RHETORIC DRIVING SPIKE IN ANTISEMITIC ATTACKS
Paul Kessler can be seen at the intersection of Westlake and Thousand Oaks Boulevards hours before, authorities say, Alnaji delivered the blow that caused him to hit the ground and sustain fatal injuries, (Provided to Fox News Digital)
Ventura County Superior Court Judge Derek Malan, who offered Alnaji probation if he changed his plea, according to the Ventura County Star, reportedly likened the altercation to if «two old guys had a dispute and an accident happened,» Defense attorney Ron Bamieh said, after noting the offer came after multiple meetings between him and the judge.
A defense source familiar with the case said that the district attorney’s office was also involved in these talks, despite public statements indicating they were unhappy with the outcome. The defense source said the district attorney’s office had to take a harsher stance for political reasons.
«Alnaji should be sentenced to prison for his violent behavior, and our office strongly objects to any lesser sentence,» said District Attorney Erik Nasarenko. «While no amount of punishment will ever fully account for the Kessler family loss, a prison commitment underscores the severity of this crime and will deter others from committing similar acts of violence.»
A prosecutor also said Kessler’s family opposed the sentence and sought the maximum term.
ANTISEMITIC ATTACKER FACED 30-YEAR SENTENCE, GETS LESS THAN 1½ YEARS IN PLEA DEAL
Alnaji can be seen watching an ambulance cart Paul Kessler to a nearby hospital on November 5. (Provided to Fox News Digital)
However, the defense source said that prior to the plea this week, the victim’s family wanted the case over quickly and quietly, without a trial, and did not have a strong opinion about sentencing. The source also contested claims that anyone had actually seen the full incident occur and insisted there were numerous contradictions in the eyewitness accounts provided that alleged Alnaji was the aggressor.
«Mr. Alnaji made a thoughtful decision today, one guided by his family’s well-being and a deep concern for community peace. The tragedy that befell Mr. Kessler, compounded by the geopolitical tensions surrounding Israel and Gaza, led Mr. Alnaji to reconsider pursuing a full trial,» Bamieh said in a statement. «The evidence regarding Mr. Kessler’s aggressive conduct, his history of advocating violence and antagonistic tactics at pro-Palestinian rallies, and most critically, his brain stem condition—all of these facts would likely have shifted the outcome of a trial.»
The defense has argued that a pre-existing brain injury is actually what caused Kessler’s death, not blunt force trauma as was determined by the medical examiner.
ANTI-ISRAEL AGITATORS CLASH WITH NYPD OFFICERS NEAR SYNAGOGUE
«For those who have characterized Mr. Alnaji as a violent man who intentionally struck a helpless victim, I simply say: they are either uninformed about the facts of this case, or they are pursuing an agenda unrelated to justice. The record tells a different story,» Bamieh concluded.
Pictured is a mugshot of Loay Alnaji, arrested at his Moorpark, California home around 7:40 a.m. yesterday. The community college computer science professor faces involuntary manslaughter and battery charges in the death of pro-Israel protester Paul Kessler (Ventura County Sheriff’s Department)
Jonathan Oswaks, a friend of Kessler’s who was at the rally with him when the incident took place, told the Jewish Journal that the sentencing news was «deeply frustrating.»
«I’m not a lawyer, but the way this was handled raises serious questions for me. It sends a troubling message about accountability,» he told the Jewish Journal in an interview.
Oswaks recounted moments from the event in his interview with the outlet, noting how the pro-Palestinian protesters vastly outnumbered them that day. He said after the pair had split up, people began approaching him and stood inches from his face yelling into his ear and using a megaphone.
«When I tell you I had never experienced that level of hate in my life, I hadn’t,» he said. «I told them to get out of my space. They backed off briefly, then started again. I made it clear they needed to stay away, and eventually they did.»
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A memorial is set up by a gas station in Ventura County, California for Paul Kessler, on November 7, 2023. The 69-year-old died following an altercation with a pro-Palestinian protester days earlier. (The Image Direct for Fox News Digital)
After news of the deal came down, the Anti-Defamation League expressed disfavor with the likely sentencing outcome, arguing it «emboldens others to act in anger against the Jewish community.»
Rabbi Noah Farkas, president and chief executive of the Jewish Federation of Los Angeles, said that «while we would have liked a harsher sentence,» he welcomed «the admission of guilt for this heinous crime,» according to the L.A. Times.
«Our hope is that today’s news helps bring closure to his family and gives our community the ability to demonstrate safely,» Farkas added.
Alnaji’s sentencing is scheduled for June 25, and he remains at home after posting $50,000 bail.
in court, trials, trials, anti semitism, hamas
INTERNACIONAL
Honduras: ONG instan al Estado adoptar medidas urgentes para frenar violencia contra personas de la diversidad sexual
El Comisionado Nacional de los Derechos Humanos (CONADEH) en Honduras expresó su profunda preocupación por el incremento de muertes violentas contra mujeres trans en el país, luego de contabilizar nueve asesinatos en lo que va del 2026, situación que calificó como un reflejo de la violencia sistemática y la discriminación estructural que enfrenta la población LGBTIQ+.
A través de un comunicado la titular del organismo, la abogada Blanca S. Izaguirre, condenó los recientes crímenes ocurridos en Juticalpa, Olancho, y Nacaome, Valle, donde fueron asesinadas Marcus Noah y Dayana Pavón, respectivamente.
El ente defensor de derechos humanos urgió al Estado hondureño a adoptar medidas inmediatas de prevención y protección para frenar la violencia motivada por prejuicio y estigma contra las personas de la diversidad sexual.
“El CONADEH manifiesta su profunda preocupación y condena enérgicamente el incremento de muertes violentas contra mujeres trans en Honduras”, señala el documento oficial.
Según el organismo, los asesinatos registrados este año no son hechos aislados, sino parte de un patrón de violencia sistemática que coloca a las personas LGBTIQ+, especialmente a las mujeres trans, en una condición de extrema vulnerabilidad.
El comunicado hace énfasis en que Honduras continúa enfrentando serios problemas de discriminación estructural que limitan el acceso a derechos fundamentales para las personas diversas.
“Existe una negación fáctica de derechos y garantías constitucionales para las personas LGBTIQ+ en Honduras”, advirtió el CONADEH, señalando además que persisten patrones de impunidad que invisibilizan a las víctimas y vulneran su derecho a la identidad y a la justicia.
La institución recordó que el Estado hondureño ya ha sido condenado internacionalmente por violaciones a derechos humanos contra personas transgénero.
En marzo de 2021, la Corte Interamericana de Derechos Humanos emitió sentencia en el caso de Vicky Hernández, mujer trans asesinada durante el contexto de la crisis política de 2009 en Honduras.
Posteriormente, en enero de 2026, también condenó al Estado en el caso de Leonela Zelaya y otra versus Honduras.
Ambas resoluciones establecen la obligación de los Estados de garantizar el derecho a la vida y a la integridad personal sin discriminación por identidad de género, así como investigar con debida diligencia las violaciones graves a derechos humanos cometidas contra personas LGBTIQ+.
El CONADEH subrayó que las investigaciones relacionadas con este tipo de crímenes deben realizarse con perspectiva de género y evitando cualquier lenguaje discriminatorio o estigmatizante que afecte la dignidad de las víctimas.
“Las autoridades deben abstenerse del uso indiscriminado de lenguaje estigmatizante y cualquier sesgo que desmejore la integralidad de las víctimas a causa de prejuicios sociales y personales”, puntualizó la institución.
Marcus Noah fue asesinada en circunstancias de extrema violencia en la ciudad de Juticalpa, departamento de Olancho. Mientras tanto, Dayana Pavón perdió la vida en Nacaome, Valle, en otro hecho violento que ha causado indignación entre organizaciones defensoras de derechos humanos y colectivos de diversidad sexual.
Diversas organizaciones sociales han denunciado en reiteradas ocasiones que la mayoría de asesinatos contra personas trans en Honduras quedan en la impunidad, mientras las víctimas son revictimizadas por prejuicios sociales y falta de reconocimiento de su identidad de género.
Ante este panorama, el CONADEH exhortó al Estado hondureño a garantizar el cumplimiento de las sentencias emitidas por la Corte Interamericana de Derechos Humanos.
El organismo defensor concluyó que mientras no existan políticas efectivas de protección, acceso real a la justicia y combate frontal a la discriminación, las personas trans seguirán enfrentando graves riesgos para su vida e integridad en Honduras.
La situación ha generado preocupación entre sectores defensores de derechos humanos, quienes consideran urgente la implementación de acciones concretas para detener la violencia y reducir los niveles de impunidad que históricamente han afectado a la población diversa en el país.
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POLITICA3 días agoPatricia Bullrich le pidió a Manuel Adorni que presente su declaración jurada: «No puede quedar la sensación de que somos iguales a los que venimos a correr»
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Marcela Pagano cruzó a Milei por acusarla de “mentirosa compulsiva”: “Confundió rating con grandeza”
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Javier Milei adelantó que Manuel Adorni presentará su declaración jurada, tras la presión de Bullrich
