"oMg, diD tHe wHiTE hOuSE reALLy PosT tHis?"That became one of the most common reactions across the White Houses feeds. The answer was always yes.Serving as director of digital content for President Donald Trump was the most meaningful and intense chapter of my professional life. From the moment we rebooted the administrations online presence on Inauguration Day, the mission was clear: speak in a voice that resonated with real Americans and make sure our MAGA message could not be ignored.We did not build a cautious, government-style account. We built a fast, culturally fluent content machine designed to cut through the noise and win online. And it worked.DEMOCRATS ARE STILL LOST BUT ONE YEAR AFTER BIDEN'S EXIT, THEY'RE STARTING TO FOLLOW A RIVAL'S ROADMAPIn just six months, the administrations platforms added over 16 million new followers, with the fastest growth among Americans aged 1834. We generated billions of video views and gained more than half a million new YouTube subscribers nearly triple the previous administrations total growth over four years.But it was never just about numbers. Our success came from echoing the humor, passion and identity of a movement that was already alive. We did not invent the culture. We gave it a megaphone.This was not entertainment for entertainments sake. Our meme-heavy, content-first strategy was aligned with the presidents priorities. Digital was not a sideshow. It was a frontline tool for shaping narratives, building momentum, and applying pressure.TRUMP IS WINNING THE CULTURE WAR WHILE DEMOCRATS ARE STILL HIRING 2008'S CONSULTANTSThat was clearest during the push for President Trumps One Big Beautiful Bill Act. We were not writing legislation. We were making sure Americans understood what was at stake. We turned policy into content people wanted to share and that shifted the conversation.That agility was only possible because of President Trump. His decisiveness gave us the freedom to move fast and take risks. Whether it was anASMR-style video of deportations, aJedi Trumpwith a bicep vein battling the deep state, or a surreal"Make It Rain" Gemini AI-generated storm of cashover the White House, every post had intention. Every choice matched the cultural moment.These were not random stunts. They were designed to draw younger Americans, many of whom had tuned out politics, back into the conversation. And it worked.We did not wait to react to headlines. We inspired them. From the100-day mugshot displayon the North Lawn toanime-style fentanyl dealers cryingon camera, we pushed the boundaries of political communication.DEMOCRATS LIKE ZOHRAN MAMDANI CLAIM TO EMBRACE YOUNG PEOPLE. THEYRE BETRAYING THEMMajor media outletstook notice. Even Democrats are playing catch-up.Gavin Newsom has pretty much stolen podcasts, memes and trolling tactics that came straight from the MAGA playbook. That is not coincidence. That is proof of impact.Here is the truth. We did not go viral because we were chasing virality. We went viral because we paid attention. We knew our audience. We stayed sharp on the message. And we operated like creators, not bureaucrats.That kind of approach takes a rare team. The White House digital staff I had the honor to serve with are some of the smartest and most imaginative minds in politics today. They understand what many still miss: politics and culture are inseparable. You move them together or you do not move them at all.CLICK HERE FOR MORE FOX NEWS OPINIONI have full confidence in the team under White House deputy communications director Kaelan Dorr to continue winning, and asDorr put it best: "The arrests will continue. The memes will continue."As I step away from my role at the White House and return to leading my public relations and digital firm, I do so with pride. We did not just manage accounts. We reinvented how people experience the presidency online. Others are only now beginning to understand that reality. We will continue to lead because we not only understand the tools. We understand the Americans who use them.

A longtime White TV anchor for Bostons CBS affiliate has filed a federal lawsuit alleging she was demoted to satisfy corporate diversity quotas under a broader diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) push.Katherine Merrill Dunham, an anchor for CBS affiliate WBZ-TV, was known to viewers as Kate Merrill. She filed a lawsuit in Boston federal court on August 5 claiming WBZ-TV "exploited" DEI policies imposed by parent corporations CBS and Paramount Global and took "career-ending action" against her to advance a companywide DEI agenda.The lawsuit notes that in 2021, CBS acknowledged "diversity, equity and inclusion standards need to be a top priority for leadership in every corner" moving forward. According to the lawsuit, CBS executives said WBZ was "too White," "the least diverse station for on air talent," and the "Whitest of all their stations."PARAMOUNT, SKYDANCE COMPLETE $8 BILLION MERGER AS FCC CONTINUES CBS PROBEIn September 2023, WBZ hired a Black meteorologist named Jason Mikell, who is listed as a defendant. A White meteorologist, Zack Green, was let go, according to the lawsuit."On February 22, 2024, Defendant Mikell made an inappropriate sexual innuendo about Ms. Merrill on air. Specifically, he implied that Ms. Merrill and her co-anchor had sexual relations at a gazebo," the lawsuit states. "Mikell was not disciplined for his sexually charged remark."The complaint states that Merrill continued to support Mikell despite her disappointment. However, in April 2024, she privately texted him to correct a mispronunciation of the town "Concord," and Mikell allegedly "loudly yelled at her on the studio floor.""His tone was aggressive and unprofessional Merrill immediately lodged a complaint with WBZs Human Resources department," the complaint states.SHARI REDSTONE BREAKS SILENCE ON 'NO-BRAINER' $16M TRUMP SETTLEMENT THAT PRECEDED PARAMOUNT-SKYDANCE MERGERWBZ, CBS and Paramount took no action to investigate, according to the lawsuit. Merrills complaint about Mikells aggressive confrontation and threatening treatment of her, nor did they investigate the previous complaints lodged by Merrills colleagues about Mikells "sexually charged" comment on air about Merrill, according to the complaint that was obtained by Fox News Digital.However, Merrill was informed "that an investigation was being conducted into allegations that she treated coworkers differently because of their race."According to the complaint, Mikell alleged that Merrill suggested he would "find his people" in Boston, was "always" critical of him, failed to ask him about his weekends and other issues."Merrill vehemently challenged the validity of Defendant Mikells allegations and denied (and denies) any of her actions, inactions, or comments were as described or motivated by overt racism or unconscious bias," the complaint states. "Based on the falsity and/or and misleading nature of Defendant Mikells allegations, Defendant Mikell acted with malice and/or improper motive in lodging a complaint against Ms. Merrill."Merrill was then informed she would be demoted from her role as co-anchor of the "Weekday Morning Show" to working weekend nights, stating that decision "had been in the works for some time," according to the complaint.SKYDANCE INFORMS TRUMPS FCC IT WILL ELIMINATE DEI AT PARAMOUNT, CREATE CBS NEWS OMBUDSMAN FOLLOWING MERGER"Merrill was advised by professional colleagues and senior leaders at SAG-AFTRA that the demotion constituted career sabotage from which her career would never recover i.e., that the demotion was career ending," the lawsuit states."Because of the catastrophic damage a demotion would have caused her career, especially in the context of allegations that she was racist, on May 24, 2024, Ms. Merrill gave notice of constructive discharge resignation, effective immediately," the suit continues. "Ms. Merrills employment agreement with WBZ expires, by its terms on June 1, 2025. It contains a non-competition provision. She was therefore unable to work in her field until after June 1, 2025. As a result, Ms. Merrill has suffered significant financial losses."Merrill claims she suffered significant reputational harm and has not been paid for 20 unused vacation days. She is seeking damages to be determined at trial.CBS' parent company, Paramount, promised it would eliminate DEI policies last month ahead of a planned merger with Skydance Media.WBZ-TV and Mikell did not immediately respond to requests for comment.CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

Washington state recently passed one of the most extreme anti-religious-liberty laws in America. If it is allowed to go into full effect, it could have a far-reaching impact on protections for clergy in states across the country.Senate Bill 5375 effectively requires clergy to serve as agents of Washington state, compelling them to report child abuse and mistreatment to government authorities. On the surface, that might sound like a good change. But in reality, it means priests, pastors, rabbis, and other religious leaders could soon be forced to report parents who refuse to affirm a childs chosen gender identity, oppose abortion, or hold traditional beliefs about sexuality.Even the confessional is not safe. Under this law, if a child admits during a sacred religious rite that their parents will not recognize their preferred gender or support an abortion, the priest hearing that confession could face criminal charges for failing to inform the state.DEMOCRATIC STATES SUE TRUMP ADMIN OVER ENDING SEX CHANGE SURGERIES FOR MINORSNew Rules for ClergyIn May,Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson, a Democrat, signed SB 5375 into law.Prior to Fergusons approval, the legislation had received overwhelming support from Democrats in the states legislature.SB 5375, which went into effect on July 27, has been sold by its supporters as an important effort to protect children from abuse, especially sexual crimes. Under the legislation, clergy are now lumped in with teachers, nurses, social workers, psychologists, and a long list of others who must alert the authorities whenever they have "reasonable cause to believe" a child has been abused or neglected.Importantly, the law requires clergy to report potential abuse regardless of how it came to their attention. That means that clergy must report what they hear even when the source of the information is from a religious confession.Confession is a rite practiced by multiple theological traditions, including Roman Catholics and some Anglicans and Lutherans.In many churches that practice confession, clergy are required to keep much of what they learn confidential. Its an essential practice, because without confidentiality, many people would be unwilling to confess. Catholic clergy can even be removed from ministry if they violate their oath to keep confessions a secret.The legislation is a clear violation of religious liberty, as it requires clergy to violate their oaths. But supporters of the law say that protecting children from sexual and physical abuse is more important than religious rights.Following the passage of the law, three Catholic bishops sued the state, alleging that the legislation violates the First Amendment.In July, a U.S. District Courtgranted a temporary injunctionthat blocks Washington officials from requiring clergy to report what they hear during a confession. However, the injunction does not apply to situations in which clergy hear about potential abuse through other means.Its Worse than You ThinkThus far, the media coverage of the law has focused on its demand for clergy to report physical and sexual abuse, as well as questions about First Amendment protections for clergy. But the legislation goes much further than forcing religious leaders to report physical and sexual abuse, a requirement that many in the public are sympathetic to.The law also includes vague mandates about reporting "maltreatment" and "negligent treatment," which includes anything negatively affecting a childs "welfare" and "health." These obscure requirements will almost certainly be used to force clergy to tell state officials when parents have conflicts about issues related to abortion, gender identity, and even sex, making this laws assault on religious freedom even more extensive than most have recognized.For illustration, under other existing Washington state regulations and laws,access to abortion is treated as a health care rightfor minors, regardless of what that childs parents believe.Further, the Washington Department of Children, Youth, and Families has issuedguidancerequiring foster parents and caregivers to affirm a childs sexual orientation and gender identity.As these examples show, in Washington state, denying a childs gender identity or trying to stop an abortion is considered to be bad for a kids health and welfare.CLICK HERE FOR MORE FOX NEWS OPINIONIn practice, this could mean that under SB 5375, if parents seek pastoral counsel about trying to stop their teenage daughter from having an abortion, or if they discuss strategies for preventing a child from transitioning to a different gender, the pastor or priest listening could be compelled to report those parents to the state. It all depends on how Washington state officials and courts choose to interpret SB 5375s vague language about "maltreatment," "health," and "welfare."Supporters of SB 5375 insist this is all about protecting children from abuse, but for many progressive government officials, "abuse" includes countless commonly held religious views.If this law is allowed to stand, it wont stop with Washington. Other progressive states will adopt similar measures, using vague definitions of "maltreatment" and "welfare" to spy or even criminalize parents who hold traditional moral beliefs.Americans must decide now whether they will tolerate a government that spies on sacred rites and punishes families for living out their faith, or whether they will demand that their leaders defend freedom.If the courts fail to uphold the First Amendment, Congress must act, stripping federal funds from states that trample religious liberty. With another election just over a year away, the time to act is now.

Seattle Mariners outfielder Victor Robles was suspended for 10 games after he threw a bat at a pitcher while on a minor league rehab assignment in the Pacific Coast League.Robles was playing for the Tacoma Rainiers when a ball from Las Vegas Aviators pitcher Joey Estes came high and inside. The ball went off the bat, and as Robles twirled around the catcher, he hurled the bat toward the mound.CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COMMajor League Baseball announced the suspension on Tuesday.Jerry Dipoto, the Mariners president of baseball operations, told reporters before the teams game against the Philadelphia Phillies on Tuesday that Robles was set to be recalled next week but the incident and subsequent suspension changed their plans.He apologized in a post on his Instagram Stories on Monday.PHILLIES BROADCASTER JOHN KRUK WONDERS ABOUT THE CREATOR OF THE 1ST CLOCK DURING GAME"I want to take a moment to sincerely apologize for my recent reaction on the field," he wrote. "I let my frustration get the best of me, and I understand how that may have affected not just the game, but the energy and respect we all work so hard to maintain."Coming off a long rehab and being away from the game for most of the season has been physically and mentally challenging. Adding to that, the recent passing of my mother has been incredibly hard, and Ive been doing my best to hold it together. Thats not an excuse, but some context I feel you deserve to understand where Im coming from."The suspension will be effective on the first day Robles returns to the teams active roster. Hes not allowed to play in any game, including additional rehab games in the minors, once the suspension begins.Robles is appealing the disciplinary action.The Associated Press contributed to this report.Follow Fox News Digitalssports coverage on X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

1. Trump's border wall gets hot new upgrade2. Hot mic moment between Trump and Macron3. Blue state AG warns police they'll regret arresting her in viral videoON ALERT Hurricane Erin unleashes massive waves, extreme coastal impacts along East Coast. Continue reading PRIVILEGE REVOKED Former Obama officials stripped of clearances as Gabbard exposes betrayal. Continue reading HIGH TENSION Bryan Kohberger prosecutor breaks silence on key hearing that crushed killer's defense. Continue reading PREDATOR PATTERN Blue city rattled as alleged serial attacker preys on women in ritzy neighborhood. Continue reading WOKE OVERREACH Parents outraged as school punishes boys over trans locker room confrontation. Continue reading --SHORT AND SWEET The Supreme Court's 'most interesting justice' leaves crowd puzzled after brief remarks. Continue reading COURT COSTS Preemptively pardoned Schiff launches legal defense fund under Trump admin. Continue reading NEXT STEPS Republicans and Democrats battle over House seats before 2026 midterms. Continue reading RADICAL SHUTDOWN 'Far Left agitators' boo Trump's House GOP ally offstage at event. Continue reading Click here for more cartoonsDEI TARGET White CBS anchor claims she was demoted due to diversity quotas lawsuit. Continue reading RETURN TO SENDER 'The View' co-host mocks first lady's peace plea to Putin. Continue reading CREATURE CONSPIRACY Red-eyed monster that 'kept pace with car going 100 mph' haunts small town. Continue reading CALIFORNIA LEAVIN' Pastor warns families to flee state if Newsom signs 'dangerous' bill. Continue reading BILLY MCLAUGHLIN I made memes for the White House. Heres what I learned. Continue reading DAN GAINOR Leftist MSNBC changes its name, but its still the same embarrassment. Continue reading --TOXIC IMPORT Radioactive material discovered in food sold at Walmart. Continue reading SODA SWAP Costco's Pepsi-to-Coke switch goes viral as members sound off. Continue reading AMERICAN CULTURE QUIZ Test yourself on vintage vehicles and carnival crowds. Take the quiz here BURIED SPLENDOR 1,700-year-old Roman bathhouse unearthed by archaeologists after surprise discovery. Continue reading CALM DOWN Brain expert reveals best advice for calming mind and body. See video STEPHEN A. SMITH Trump has done more than any administration to end world conflicts. See video JAMES CARVILLE Democrats need a presidential nominee. See video Tune in to the FOX NEWS RUNDOWN PODCAST for today's in-depth reporting on the news that impacts you. Check it out ...Whats it looking like in your neighborhood?Continue readingFacebookInstagramYouTubeTwitterLinkedInFox News FirstFox News OpinionFox News LifestyleFox News Entertainment (FOX411)Fox News Sports HuddleFox BusinessFox WeatherFox SportsTubiFox News GoThank you for making us your first choice in the morning! Well see you in your inbox first thing Thursday.

A baseball fan sitting in the bleachers at Wrigley Field to watch the Chicago Cubs take on the Milwaukee Brewers on Tuesday afternoon was spotted working on his laptop during the first game of a doubleheader.The Marquee Sports Network dubbed him the "fan of the game" as the Brewers started the top of the eighth inning down 6-4.CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM"How badly do you want it? Did you bring your mouse? You better bring your mouse," Cubs play-by-play broadcaster Jon Sciambi said as the camera panned to the man. "Theres only one question. Is this guy doing work or my other thought is hes going over fantasy football?"Sciambi made valid points.However, the rest of the baseball world took notice and the moment went viral across social media. The Cubs and Toronto Blue Jays were among those who added their own quips.LITTLE LEAGUE WORLD SERIES PLAYER CALLS OUT SHOHEI OHTANI AS 'NOT REALLY HUMBLE' AFTER ENCOUNTERChicago held on for the 6-4 win over Milwaukee. The Cubs scored two runs in the first inning and three runs in the third inning as they jumped out to an early lead.Cubs second baseman Willi Castro hit a three-run home run in the third. Outfielder Owen Caissie added a solo shot in the sixth inning.Chicago starter Matthew Boyd picked up his 12th win of the season. He lasted 5.1 innings, allowed four runs on six hits and struck out three.Brewers slugger Christian Yelich hit a solo home run in the fourth inning.Chicago won the second game of the doubleheader. However, Milwaukee still maintained a seven-game lead on Chicago in the race for the National League Central division crown despite the losses.Follow Fox News Digitalssports coverage on X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia advocated for the abolition of property taxes and described health insurance as a big "scam.""We need to completely abolish property taxes. It forces us to pay rent to the government on property that we own, but if we dont pay property taxes, the property that we own gets taken away from us. That should never happen in a free country," Greene declared in a post on X."Secondly, health insurance is a giant scam that has become completely unaffordable. And it doesnt make any sense and I dont know anyone, and I mean anyone, that supports the current healthcare system in the United States," she continued.REP. MARJORIE TAYLOR GREENE EXPLAINS WHY SHE'S EXTREMELY FRUSTRATED WITH DC LAWMAKERSThe congresswoman, who identifies ideologically as "America ONLY," asserted that both issues should be urgently tackled."These are American Only issues and such significant problems that we should be addressing them the same way we would if our house was on fire," she declared in the post, exclaiming, "America Only!!!!!"MTG DECLARES SHE'S RADICALLY AMERICA FIRST, TELLING THOSE WHO ARE NOT, YOU ARE THE ENEMYGreene wants the U.S. to cut off all foreign aid.In a post on X earlier this month she said "its absolutely ridiculous that Congress refuses to step off the hamster wheel of America LAST insanity. Almost everyone I work with just keeps pushing the YES button on votes for foreign aid and foreign funding like lab rats that are trained to receive treats."ABOLISH PROPERTY TAXES? DESANTIS ENDORSES THE IDEA AND EXPLAINS HOW IT COULD BE DONE IN FLORIDALast month Greene ruled out a 2026 Peach State gubernatorial bid.

Dallas Cowboys legendary wide receiver Michael Irvin opened up about an incident where he was arrested for cocaine possession in the prime years of the team's 1990s dynasty.During the seventh episode of the Netflix docuseries "Americas Team: The Gambler and His Cowboys," Irvin spoke about the March 1996 incident that saw him arrested and eventually tried for cocaine possession.CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COMIt came just one month after the team won its third Super Bowl in a four-year span, as Irvin had cemented himself as a league superstar and future Hall of Famer."I had a routine, after you win the Super Bowl, before the next season starts, you get about a month, and that month you cut loose and have a good time," Irvin said of the incident that occurred just before his March 5 birthday.MICAH PARSONS ISSUES 4-WORD RESPONSE AS CONTRACT DRAMA WITH COWBOYS CONTINUESThe documentary showed that, on March 4, 1996, police found Irvin, his former Cowboys teammate Alfredo Roberts and two females in a Texas hotel room with drug paraphernalia, sex toys, marijuana and cocaine. A hidden camera video showed Irvin discussing doing cocaine while in the passenger seat of a car.Irvin faced potentially 20 years in prison. But he ultimately pleaded no contest to felony cocaine possession in exchange for four years of deferred probation, a $10,000 fine and dismissal of misdemeanor marijuana possession charges. He was also suspended the first five games of the 1996 season.Still, the incident resulted in a difficult conversation with his wife, Sandy Harrell."My wife, she looked at me and she said, Dontsay a word, God has already told meI am your wife and I am not going anywhere. But you have to make your peace with God,'" Irvin said in the documentary. "I dont think I everfelt worse in my life."Follow Fox News Digitalssports coverage on X, and subscribe tothe Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

Failure wasnt an option.With the entire case against Bryan Kohberger on the line, an Idaho prosecutor held steady and helped convince a judge to allow controversial DNA evidence to stand despite the FBI violating its own policy to obtain it.Jeff Nye, chief of the criminal division at the Idaho Attorney Generals Office, was the legal big gun brought in to back up Latah County Prosecutor Bill Thompson as Kohbergers defense threw a "kitchen sink" strategy at the court challenging everything and hoping something would stick."Just pure evil is the way that I would describe him," Nye said of Kohberger. "I think it was surreal, especially going up to Latah County, you know, small courtroom, small town. When I kind of get into my groove, everything else kind of melts away. I forget kind of the external details, but then I go to sit down for my argument and I see him sitting there, and I immediately think about what he did that night and the horrible, horrible acts that he committed against these totally innocent people."BRYAN KOHBERGER FLEXED LIKE AMERICAN PSYCHO AND SENT CHRISTMAS NIGHT READING ABOUT SERIAL KILLERSOne of Nye's key contributions was overcoming the defense's challenges to investigative genetic genealogy (IGG) evidence which the FBI used to tip investigators off to Kohberger for the first time in what was revealed to be a controversial move that the defense tried to have precluded from trial."It was critical," Nye told Fox News Digital. "I mean, the stakes could not have been higher in this case on that issue."State police and the independent lab Othram had been working on IGG leads until Dec. 10, 2022, when the FBI stepped in and submitted the crime scene DNA sample to a commercial genetics database designed to help people track their family history. While technically a violation of the bureau's own internal policies and the service's terms of use, the court said the evidence could stand and knocked down Kohberger's arguments that the IGG technique had violated his Fourth Amendment rights.Nye had argued that the policy in question "does not impose any legal limitations on otherwise lawful investigative or prosecutorial activities."The judge on the case ultimately agreed that it had been a valid investigatory tactic.IDAHO MURDER DOCUMENTS REVEAL VICTIM'S STALKING FEARS AND KOHBERGER'S INAPPROPRIATE BEHAVIOR AT SCHOOL"I struggle with the idea that DNA left at a crime scene, that there's any expectation of privacy," Idaho Judge Steven Hippler told Kohberger's lawyers in January.The FBI previously declined to comment on the issue and instead pointed Fox News Digital to Hippler's Feb. 17 order, which found investigators had not violated Kohberger's constitutional rights and allowed the IGG evidence to remain in play.Nye, who argued in favor of the evidence for the prosecution, revealed to Fox News Digital that it would have been "devastating" if Hippler ruled in favor of the defense.BRYAN KOHBERGER CALLED HIS MOM WHILE RETURNING TO IDAHO MURDER SCENE THE NEXT DAY, EXPERT REVEALS"It would be devastating, because it wouldn't just be the DNA that goes out, the match at least, to Mr. Kohberger. It would be all of the fruit that came from that match. And that's a lot of things," he told Fox News Digital. "That's all the Cellebrite stuff, because they don't have his devices to review if they never made the identification. That's all of his cellphone records, you know, those warrants were issued based on the identification that was made from the DNA. So all of that's gone. It would have put the state in a very bad position to move forward in this case."The IGG argument ended up being the biggest of his career, he said and that's coming from a Georgetown-educated prosecutor who has argued homicide cases in front of the Idaho Supreme Court."The other thing that made me a little bit nervous is when you're arguing Fourth Amendment issues, even if the state loses and the court finds that there was a violation of the Fourth Amendment, there are some exceptions to the exclusionary rule that the state can sometimes argue..." he said. "In my brief and an oral argument, we didn't even assert an exception to the exclusionary rule, because there just wasn't one that could apply, and so everything hinged on that argument that this did not violate the Fourth Amendment."BRYAN KOHBERGER PLEADED GUILTY TO IDAHO STUDENT MURDERS, BUT THESE KEY QUESTIONS REMAIN UNANSWEREDIf he failed, prosecutors could have lost access to the IGG and any evidence derived from it or from search warrants based on it, he said.He also had out-of-state decisions that went in the prosecution's favor, but it was the first time the controversy had come up in Idaho. He was nervous at least before he stepped in front of the judge."Once you get into a back and forth with the court, or at least once I do, that kind of melts away, and I can focus on the argument," he told Fox News Digital.KOHBERGER PRACTICED HOME INVASIONS AND BURGLARY TECHNIQUES YEARS BEFORE MURDERING IDAHO STUDENTS: NEW BOOKDetectives said during a news briefing after Kohberger's sentencing that they believed they would still have identified the suspect if he hadn't left DNA at the scene. They had his car, and they said they would have found him eventually.On Nov. 13, 2022, Kohberger entered an off-campus house at the University of Idaho and killed Madison Mogen, 21, Kaylee Goncalves, 21, Xana Kernodle, 20, and Ethan Chapin, 20.He dropped a Ka-Bar knife sheath at the crime scene, near Mogen's hip. And his DNA on the snap generated the lead that brought police to the killer in December 2022. Officially called a "tip" in IGG terms, the DNA match was confirmed when police swabbed Kohberger's cheek upon his arrest at his parents' house in Pennsylvania.After years of denying the allegations, Kohberger's defense took a major turn in July. Having failed to have the IGG thrown out or to have the potential death penalty removed ahead of trial, in large part to Nye's work on the case, Kohberger pleaded guilty.BRYAN KOHBERGER TRADED DEATH PENALTY FOR LIFE SENTENCE THAT COULD STILL END VIOLENTLY BEHIND BARS"I wanted to hear him say that, and he finally did," Nye said. "By the time of the sentencing, I had decided myself, I'm done with him. I want nothing else to do with him. I don't care what he's thinking, I do not care what he's doing, and so I made a very conscious effort at the sentencing to not ever look at him, to not pay him any attention, and instead to focus on the victims as they gave their impact statements."The now-convicted murderer received four consecutive sentences of life in prison with no parole one for each of the first-degree murder charges he faced plus another 10 years for burglary. As part of the plea deal, he waived his rights to appeal and to seek a sentence reduction.After Idaho AG Raul Labrador took office in 2023, he promoted Nye to run the criminal division in part because of his plan to revamp how the department works with county prosecutors, offering them assistance on major cases in an about-face from policy under the prior administration, which would either take full control over cases or avoid getting involved at all.BRYAN KOHBERGER TOLD CLASS 'VICTIMS FAMILY SHOULD HAVE A SAY' ON DEATH PENALTY: DOCSBefore the promotion, he said he led the special prosecutions unit and had a ground-level view of what smaller jurisdictions were asking for when they came to the state for help. It made sense, he said, to want to have control over a case, but he also believes that a community's ability to bring killers to justice should not be based on its population and budget."I personally feel pretty strongly that the state should step in in these bigger cases and offer to assist," he said. "And so that's what happened in this case."Nye, deputy AG Madison Gourley and former deputy AG Ingrid Batey, who is now a member of the Canyon County Prosecuting Attorney's Office, all assisted on behalf of the attorney general's office.Thompson, the Latah County prosecuting attorney, led the case. His senior deputy, Ashley Jennings, also played a major role, handling a massive discovery process and battling more of Kohberger's pretrial motions. And former U.S. Attorney Joshua D. Hurwit was commissioned as a special deputy prosecutor to assist if the case had gone to trial.

Helicopter blades whirred overhead as police SUVs fanned out through the neighborhood, spotlights cutting across dark yards in search of their suspect, who abandoned a silver sedan in front of a house, next to a "Smile! Youre on camera" poster.The trees had given the suspect cover when he took off on foot, but the Tennessee Highway Patrols aviation unit said he hadnt left the neighborhood, located near the Memphis airport.Curtains shifted. Blinds raised. A man, woman and three children, all in their pajamas, watched from a sidewalk."They see us running into the yard, see flashlights, they kind of start to get worried," one trooper told Fox News Digital, adding that people "can be nervous and frightened, but I appreciate the cooperation."ALLEGED TREN DE ARAGUA GANG MEMBER NABBED BY TENNESSEE HIGHWAY PATROL IN COORDINATED ICE EFFORTSeveral people allowed troopers to check their yards and even offered to unlock sheds, he added.Suddenly, three troopers frog-marched the suspect through the front yard of one of the homes. After so much drama, he went quietly into the back seat of one of the SUVs. It wasnt clear at the time what had prompted him to flee when troopers tried to pull him over for having false temporary tags, leading them on a long, circular chase and at one point crossing into Mississippi before looping back into Memphis.But for the members of THPs Bluff City Task Force, the arrest exemplified what increased police resources can accomplish in a city thats long had a reputation for rampant crime.In May, FBI Director Kash Patel dubbed Tennessee's second most populous city the "homicide capital of America," and said the bureau would send a task force to the Volunteer State.The FBI has so far not provided details to Fox News Digital on when such a task force will be rolled out, or what it would do. But just a couple of weeks before Patels comments, THP rolled out its own task force.Nearly 50 troopers are now permanently stationed in Shelby County, according to THP Lt. Col. Jimmie Johnson, a stark increase from just six troopers around a decade ago.On a Thursday evening in August, around half of that contingent prepared to hit the roads and the skies around Memphis."If you're going to work some of the hot spots, make sure that you're working in groups," Johnson advised the group. "Stay focused, stay safe, and let's make a difference."US CRIME DROPPED WIDELY IN 2024, FBI SAYS WITH SOME NOTABLE CAVEATSTroopers donned their hats and set out in their SUVs. The patrols aviation unit kicked up a blinding cloud of debris as it lifted off from the parking lot.Within minutes, troopers were making their first arrest, after a stop for fake tags rampant in Memphis turned up suspected fentanyl and LSD.While traffic enforcement on the I-240 loop and surrounding highways is the primary objective, Johnson said flooding high-crime areas with officers can help root out more violent crimes. Troopers regularly seize drugs and weapons. Some of the guns theyve confiscated have been tied to murders and other shootings, according to highway patrol officials.Road-rage shootouts, drag racing, and other interstate takeovers are also down, said Johnson, who was born in Memphis and spent most of his career policing the highways around the Bluff City."We know that if we look beyond the stop, that can prevent something more violent from happening," he said.Troopers made several other arrests over the next few hours, primarily for drug possession, but also for outstanding warrants. And they did plenty of traffic enforcement, like ticketing a driver for allegedly going 90 mph in a 55 zone, with two unbuckled children in the back seat.The increased presence is being felt far beyond the interstate.Pastor Keith Norman of First Baptist Church Broad told Fox News Digital that Memphis residents arent just noticing fewer drag races and reckless drivers theyre noticing the officers themselves."Visibility and consistency are the two most positive things," Norman explained. "Weve seen troopers not only on the highways but stopping by community spaces to introduce themselves. That helps take away the stigma that law enforcement is here to harm, and shows theyre here to protect."CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APPViolent crime does appear to be declining in Memphis and other cities, according to newly released FBI data. And homicides in the Bluff City are down about 11% compared to this time last year, Memphis Police Department data show.With an increased presence on the highways, law enforcement hopes trends will continue in a positive direction."When we all work together the good guys win," Sgt. Anthony Johnson said.