The chair of the D.C. Police Union threw his support behind President Donald Trump's federal takeover of law enforcement in the nation's capital, but warned it is only a temporary remedy"President Donald Trumps takeover this month of the D.C. police was a drastic but necessary step. On its own, however, it wont be enough to turn around a force in free fall," D.C. detective Gregg Pemberton wrote Friday in an op-ed published by The Washington Post.Pemberton called Trump's deployment of the National Guard a "critical stopgap" and noted the "positive results" seen over the past week, but stressed, "Federal control is not a long-term solution."MSNBC DISMISSES FEARS ABOUT DC SAFETY, SAYS IT AINT MAYBERRY,' AMID TRUMP CRACKDOWNInstead, Pemberton suggested the onus is on the "misguided reform agenda" of the D.C. Council, which he argued paved the way for Trumps policing takeover."Unlike most of the country, the D.C. Council still embraces reactionary anti-police thinking. Council members have passed a slew of bills that prioritized wrongheaded ideology over safety, both yours and that of officers whose duty it is to protect you. Chief among those was the Comprehensive Policing and Justice Reform Act, which Mayor Muriel E. Bowser (D) vetoed and Congress, including a Senate controlled by Democrats, sought to repeal," Pemberton wrote."The Policing and Justice Reform Act includes many harmful measures. It stripped officers of collective bargaining rights, eviscerated due process protections and replaced the objective reasonableness standard for the use of force with a hindsight-driven totality of the circumstances review. That creates a recipe for disaster: hesitation in life-and-death situations," he continued.EX-OBAMA AIDE WARNS DEMOCRATS CAN'T COUNTER TRUMP BECAUSE VOTERS DON'T KNOW WHAT THE PARTY STANDS FORThe union chief lamented weak personnel staffing, saying the Metropolitan Police Department has lost more than 600 officers since 2020. While its "authorized strength is 4,000 sworn members," they currently only have 3,181."Worse, personnel who remain on the job are treated like pariahs, not public servants. Recruitment has cratered, and resignations are increasingly common," Pemberton wrote. "Officers are burning out from unsustainable workloads. In fiscal 2024, D.C. police logged 1.8 million overtime hours, which cost taxpayers nearly $134 million. Thats more than four times the average before myriad police reform policies advanced by the council took effect."CLICK HERE FOR THE LATEST MEDIA AND CULTURE NEWSPemberton also took a swipe at Democrats who touted that crime is down, which is now under investigation following allegations that D.C. crime stats were manipulated."In recent years, homicide totals have been double what they were a decade ago," Pemberton told readers. "From 2021 to 2024, the District averaged more than 200 homicides per year. A decade ago, from 2011 to 2014, the average was about 100."CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APPHe concluded, "The presidents takeover validates what our union has been saying for five years: D.C. police cannot function under current conditions. The D.C. Police Union stands ready to collaborate with all stakeholders for a safer city. But the D.C. Council must act now: repeal the Policing and Justice Reform Act, invest in our force and let us do our jobs."

Out in the wild, your hunting success often depends on blending seamlessly into the surrounding landscape, whether youre in the deep woods, tramping through grassy fields or wading through ponds. Getting the right camouflage clothing isnt just about looking the part, its about gaining the edge over the game youre hunting. Thats why you need to rely on trusted camo brands that produce jackets, boots, hats and pants that really deliver.Brands like American-made FORLOH, First Lite and Sitka all have top-tier camo gear that is made for seasoned hunters. L.L. Bean and Cabelas offer slightly more affordable gear for hunters heading out for the first time.A HUNTING GEAR CHECKLIST FOR BEGINNER HUNTERSFORLOH is a 100% American-made brand, from concept to finish. Known for their high-tech hunting gear, youll pay a pretty penny for most of their gear, but reviewers often say its well worth it.Protect yourself from all the elements with these Insect Shield SolAir lightweight pants. Theyre designed for warmer weather where bugs run rampant during the hunting season. The Insect Shield technology repels mosquitoes, ticks, black flies, ants and more. You can choose from a few different camo patterns, including MarshField, Exposed and Deep Cover.Made for hot, buggy environments, this Insect Shield hooded shirt keeps you cool and keeps the bugs away. This lightweight, breathable layer wicks away sweat, keeping you dry while youre out hunting. Plus, dual-action odor control keeps you fresh and makes you less detectable, no matter how hot it gets.Hunters in a variety of climates can appreciate this mens AllClima soft shell jacket. Its a windproof soft shell jacket that wont make noise as you move around. Made in three different camo patterns, you get a jacket that performs well in the heat but also works as a base layer for cool fall days. Reviewers highly recommend this jacket, whether hunting whitetail, turkey, bear or elk. The reviews claim the jacket works well in low-30-degree weather all the way up to the mid-50s.25 CAMPING ESSENTIALS YOU NEED FOR VENTURING OUT INTO THE WOODSSitka has top-of-the-line hunting gear, from vests to pants to boots. Their gear is designed to last for years and is made for all types of climates.Original price: $269Stay cool and eliminate scent with these Equinox Guard pants. Made from lightweight fabric that promotes airflow, you can stay dry for longer. The scent-free insect shield keeps mosquitoes, ticks and other pests away. There are two zippered side vents that help you expel heat when youre moving fast. A dedicated knife pocket keeps your blade safe and easily accessible, while the UPF 50+ protection keeps you safe from the sun.These VentLite GTX boots are the ultimate hunting boots with GORE-TEX technology that makes them 100% waterproof and breathable. Despite the tall design, the boots are still lightweight enough to be comfortable in temperatures as high as 60 degrees. That said, the PrimaLoft Gold insulation locks in warmth when its colder out. VentLite GTX boots are also puncture-resistant with a heel kick for easy exits.First Lite has hunting gear for every temperature and every type of hunt. Whether youre looking for ducks, deer, elk or turkey, you can get camo gear that keeps you dry, quiet and comfortable.Original price: $125Ideal as a base layer when temperatures drop or as a standalone pant on cool mornings, the Origin pants are the definition of comfortable. The sweatpants-like feel will keep you comfortable and warm, but the integrated belt and the full suite of pockets provide plenty of storage and a secure fit. Theyre also made with water-repelling materials thatll keep you dry.First Lites 308 Whitetail pants are a versatile option (despite having Whitetail in the name) that are ideal for all kinds of hunts. The four-way stretch fabric gives you unrestricted, all-direction comfort while the venting system keeps you cool as you work. Start out wearing these pants for early archery season and add base layers as the days get cooler.Original price: $240The Catalyst soft shell jacket is clearly built with advanced hunters in mind. Its silent, breathable and insulating, everything you could want from a reliable hunting jacket. The two-layer construction makes it functional for earlier, warmer hunting seasons as well as later-season hunts. Designed to be ultra-silent, waterproof and durable, you wont be noticed as you aim your shot.BUNDLE UP FOR YOUR FAVORITE FALL ACTIVITIES WITH THIS OUTDOOR APPARELL.L. Bean was created with hunters in mind. From ultra-durable hunting boots (Beans flagship product) to camo hats, vests and more, you can get comfortable, relatively affordable hunting gear.Original price: $149The Ridge Runner soft-shell vest is a lightweight option thats best for wearing over sweatshirts in cooler weather. Its windproof, and the thinner fabric wont make you overheat. There are three zippered pockets thatll keep your belongings safe, and the breathable, quiet fabric ensures you stay undetected.Keep the sun out of your eyes during early morning hunts with this L.L. Bean camo trucker hat. The moss oak camo pattern still helps you blend in while the trucker hat design is breathable, keeping you cool.Original price: $199If you get out and hunt no matter what the weather is, Ridge Runner Storm hunting pants can keep you dry and comfortable. Theyre waterproof pants that wick away water and sweat. Theyre relaxed-fit pants made from a quiet material that wont scare away game. The semi-elastic waistband accommodates additional layers as the weather grows colder.Hunting in the fall and winter requires a warm pair of boots. These mens Lacrosse insulated boots are tough, super-warm hunting boots that are ideal for wet, snowy conditions. The intense insulation will fend off the cold while the lining increases air circulation, wicking away moisture. The outsole offers excellent traction, even in icy conditions.Beginner hunters can find the right hunting gear at Cabelas. You can get hunting pants, sweatshirts and a variety of other camo options.Every hunter needs a reliable hoodie thats easy to move in. The RedHead full-zip tech fleece hoodie is a strong choice. It has odor-fighting enhancements that lower your scent, keeping you truly hidden. The soft fabric moves quietly and stretches with you.Cabelas brought back their original design for their popular Microtex hunting pants. Theyre now designed to be quieter, tougher and softer. The fabric sheds burrs, dries quickly and wicks away moisture. They also resist wind, helping you stay comfortable even on the roughest hunting days.For more Deals, visit www.foxnews.com/dealsIdeal as a base layer or a stand-alone layer on warmer days, a RedHead True Fit camo long-sleeve shirt is an affordable, soft shirt. This shirt wont shrink and has a tagless design. The ribbed cuffs also keep your hands free while youre out in the woods.

Lawfare is a political weapon disguised as a legal one. It is destined to fail when the scrutiny of the law eventually catches up to it.That happened Thursday when the New York appellate court tossed out the roughly $500 million civil judgment including interest against President Donald Trump in a politically driven case brought by state Attorney General Letitia James.The penalty was outrageous and wholly disconnected from the alleged wrong. It was an excessive monetary punishment that violated the Eighth Amendment, the five jurists on the panel said. Kudos to them for grasping the obvious.NY APPEALS COURT TOSSES $500M PENALTY AGAINST TRUMP IN LETITIA JAMES CIVIL CASERegrettably, they left in place the trial courts injunctive relief orders on remedial actions against the Trump Organization, which will now be the subject of additional litigation and an appeal to New Yorks highest court.But the case should never have been filed to begin with. It was the definition of lawfare. Together with the four criminal indictments against Trump, the collective goal was to bankrupt the former president, jail him and stop him from seeking re-election in 2024.The lawfare campaign was so blatant that it boomeranged against his Democratic adversaries. Voters saw Trump not as a villain but as a victim of unscrupulous opponents. It helped propel him to a second term last November.James campaigned on the unethical promise to "get Trump." At the time, she had no access to evidence or any knowledge of wrongdoing. But once in office, she scoured every nook and cranny to conjure up a specious case by mangling a consumer protection statute even though no consumers were harmed.The gravamen of her accusations was that Trump inflated the value of his assets to obtain real estate loans. Except he didnt. He hired outside property experts, respected accountants and some of the top lawyers in New York to perform the valuations. At trial, they vouched for the accuracy of their work. They complied fully with generally accepted accounting principles.JUDGE WHO FINED TRUMP $500M SEES RULING TOSSEDThe banks that loaned the money did their own due diligence by retaining other professionals who conducted separate and exhaustive valuations. They all agreed with the Trump estimates as qualified, loaned him the cash and netted hundreds of millions of dollars in profits. Finance executives testified that they wanted to lend him even more money.So, who was harmed here? No one. There was no concrete injury. In a case alleging fraud, the supposed victims insisted they were never defrauded.In a civil fraud case, the law requires proof of intent to deceive that someone knowingly made false statements. That has been the established standard in common law for more than a century.But to circumvent that fatal weakness, James commandeered a poorly conceived and rarely invoked law, Executive Law 63(12), to pursue her unprecedented action against Trump. She sought to punish him for making allegedly inaccurate statements with no intent to do so.NY AG'S OFFICE HIRES ATTORNEY THAT REPPED HUNTER BIDEN TO DEFEND LETITIA JAMES AGAINST FRAUD ACCUSATIONSIts like prosecuting a customer for robbing a bank after mistakenly accepting too much cash from a teller. It also violates the Constitution by penalizing inaccurate speech protected by the First Amendment.Trumps chances of prevailing in the remnants of the case are good. If his liability is allowed to stand, any business in New York can be taken away if the owners misstate without negligence or intent assets to secure loans.It also ignores the typical disparity in real estate values. They are inherently subjective and tied to dynamic marketplace conditions. Fluctuation is the fundamental nature of property pricing. Ask three professionals for their opinion and youll get three different answers.Ask a judge unschooled in the matter and youre likely to get an absurd opinion.CLICK HERE FOR MORE FOX NEWS OPINIONThe trial judge, Arthur Engoron, declared that Trumps Palm Beach estate was worth a minimum of $18 million. "Accordingly, there can be no mistake that Donald Trumps valuation of Mar-a-Lago from 2011-2021 was fraudulent," he wrote in an order issued Feb. 16, 2024.Heres a news alert for Engoron: $18 million in the toniest section of Palm Beach will get you a porta-potty on a spit of dirt. Thats all. Apparently, his honor doesnt understand the difference between an appraised value and a market value.This year, a vacant lot near Mar-a-Lago hit the market at $200 million. Given the prominence and history of Trumps unique luxury property, some Florida real estate experts think it could fetch upward of $500 million. Probably a whole lot more.With Engoron on the bench, Trump never had a chance at a fair trial. The judge endorsed a brazen misuse of the law and deprived him of legitimate defenses. The expired statute of limitations was shrugged off.By erasing the ludicrous $500 million judgment, the appellate court belatedly recognized the gross miscarriage of justice. Although part of the case remains, Justice David Friedman argued it should be dismissed entirely. He castigated James for persecuting Trump to derail his political career and destroy his business.The ruling vindicates what voters already knew: Lawfare is a corruption of the legal system and, when wielded to unduly influence a presidential election, an assault on the principles of democracy.CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM GREGG JARRETT

The Justice Department released hours of interviews between a top federal prosecutor and Ghislaine Maxwell, the only person convicted of or held civilly liable for a role in Jeffrey Epstein's crimes.Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche sat down with Maxwell in a federal prison in Tallahassee, where she was being held until recently. The terms of the interview granted her limited immunity from further prosecution unless she told lies.She said she never witnessed President Donald Trump doing anything "inappropriate with anybody" and shot down claims that former President Bill Clinton had traveled to Epstein's infamous island in the U.S. Virgin Islands and said the Clintons were her friends not Epstein's.JUSTICE DEPARTMENT WEIGHS RELEASE OF GHISLAINE MAXWELL INTERVIEWEPSTEIN, MAXWELL GRAND JURIES RELIED ON TWO LAW ENFORCEMENT WITNESSES, DOJ FILING REVEALSAuthorities published hundreds of pages of transcripts as well as audio recordings of the interview on the DOJ website.Maxwell denied Epstein had a "client list." And she reiterated past statements that she does not believe he killed himself.She also said Epstein told her he had a heart condition that prevented him from having normal sexual intercourse.She said she met Epstein in the early 1990s and began working for him. She said their own sexual relationship stopped in 1999.In one exchange, she told Blanche that she had grown to believe that Epstein wasn't very into her."There was some indications that he would actively tell other people to lie to me or conceal things from me, and that he never loved me, and I wasn't his type," she said.In the mid-to-late 90s, she said, Epstein began traveling increasingly with "masseuses." According to Epsteins accusers, he used massages as cover for sex."In the early '90s, I don't remember traveling so much with other people," she said. "There would be a masseuse or a yoga person, but now he started to travel with more, always a masseuse."Also around that time, he began a testosterone dosage, she said."He started doing testosterone, and that altered his character," she told Blanche. "And I believe that started in the late '90s. And I believe that the FBI has his medical records and you may see that on his medical records."In a statement on Twitter, Maxwell's attorney David Oscar Markus alleged that she had only been convicted because the DOJ needed a scapegoat after Epstein died in jail before his case went to trial."Ghislaine Maxwell is innocent and never should have been tried, much less convicted, in this case," Markus wrote. "She never committed or participated in sexual abuse against minors, or anyone else for that matter."Maxwell is serving a 20-year prison sentence after she was convicted at trial in 2021 of helping Epstein traffic teen girls.She has an ongoing appeal and has signaled that she is willing to sit for interviews with both federal prosecutors and Congress.Epstein died in a federal jail cell in 2019 before he faced trial himself. His official cause of death has been ruled a suicide, a conclusion rejected by his brother.The release came with little warning, days after federal judges denied the DOJ's requests to unseal of grand jury materials from both Maxwell and Epstein's criminal cases.This is a breaking news story. Stick with Fox News Digital for updates.Fox News' Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, Jasmine Baehr, Julia Bonavita and Adam Sabes contributed to this report.

Attorney General Pam Bondi received a response this week from the governor of the first state to pass "sanctuary" legislation, after she had warned it was engaged in "policies and procedures that hinder federal immigration enforcement to the detriment of the interests of the United States."Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek, a Democrat, confirmed receipt of Bondis original letter from the prior week, writing back that she "respectfully disagree[s]" with Bondis assertion."The State of Oregon, its public officials, and its law enforcement officers do not engage in conduct that thwarts federal immigration enforcement," Kotek said, noting the Beaver State passed Americas first sanctuary state law in 1987.State Rep. Rocky Barilla, D-Eugene, introduced the bill which was then signed by Gov. Neil Goldschmidt amid concerns police were wrongly profiling Latinos about their immigration status.BOSTONS WU FIRES BACK AT BONDI, CITING REVOLUTION, AS OTHER CITIES SLAM FEDS OVER SANCTUARY WARNINGSIn her response to Bondi, Kotek said in the nearly 40 years since, Oregon officials and law enforcement have not violated federal immigration law while abiding by the state policy."A 2018 ballot measure to repeal portions of Oregons federal immigration enforcement law failed when 63% of Oregon voters opposed repealing the existing law," she said, adding that the 1987 law was revisited and "strengthened" by Salem lawmakers in 2021.Kotek cited Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblums statement after the 2021 actions:"Oregon stands for the safety, dignity, and human rights of all Oregonians," the state prosecutor said at the time, as Kotek also echoed the contention the state is acting within the law due to legal precedent from contemporary Tenth Amendment called the Anticommandeering Rule.That rule, borne out of cases like New York v. U.S. in 1992 which focused on requests for states to dispose of nuclear waste -- prescribes that the federal government cannot force them to administer federal programs.TRUMP ADMIN SLAMS ACLU FOR COMPARING ICE CENTER TO JAPANESE INTERNMENT CAMP: DERANGED AND LAZYKotek said in her letter to Bondi that she is aware of warnings that the Trump administration may pursue civil actions against public officials on grounds they are obstructing federal immigration efforts or facilitating lawbreaking."The state does not take on the additional expense or burden to perform federal immigration enforcement as it is the job of the federal government," Kotek went on, citing the Anticommandeering Rule."The state of Oregon is in compliance with federal law and will continue to follow state law. Therefore, no 'immediate initiatives' are necessary to eliminate laws that impede immigration enforcement," she concluded, noting that her letter was delivered to the Justice Department via Federal Express.The back and forth comes as an Oregon federal judge is poised to decide on a notable immigration case in the state, and rule on whether a twice-deported Guatemalan asylum-seeking farmworker can be released from federal custody despite prior deportations.Identified only as L.J.P.L., the foreign national had been deported during the Obama administration, and litigants argued whether he could be released so long as he makes regular check-ins at a Eugene immigration office.Judge Karin Immergut, a Trump appointee whom Chief Justice John Roberts also named to the FISA Court, will decide whether ICE can move forward and immediately deport "L.J.P.L.," according to Oregon Public Broadcasting.

Shedeur Sanders' slide to the fifth round of the NFL Draft was the subject of widespread controversy and speculation, even by President Donald Trump, in April.Now, Hall of Famer Eric Dickerson is claiming that teams were "told not to" draft Sanders to "make an example" out of the quarterback."I tell you this much, what I heard from someone that's in the NFL that the NFL told [teams] don't draft him, do not draft him," Dickerson said in an interview on the "Roggin and Rodney" show on AM 570 LA Sports on Thursday. "'We're going to make an example out of him.' And this came from a very good source, a very good source."They were going to have him not get drafted to basically show you 'this is what happens when you do this.' I mean, look, the NFL's got all kinds of power, they do all kinds of stuff."Sanders was eventually taken by the Cleveland Browns on the third and final day of the draft with the 144th pick. The quarterback was initially considered a possible contender for the first overall pick early in the draft process after finishing his final season at Colorado.Dickerson claims the Cleveland Browns were told to draft Sanders, but did not say who told them to do it."He said that I won't say who somebody called the Cleveland Browns and said 'don't do that, draft him,'" Dickerson said. "Because they weren't going to draft him either... They were forced into drafting him because somebody made a call to them."Fox News Digital can not independently verify the truth of Dickerson's claims. Fox News Digital has reached out to the NFL for a response.Sanders' slide out of the first round shocked many, including Trump, who sent a post on Truth Social condemning the league's owners for passing on the quarterback."What is wrong with NFL owners, are they STUPID? Deion Sanders was a great college football player, and was even greater in the NFL. Hes also a very good coach, streetwise and smart! Therefore, Shedeur, his quarterback son, has PHENOMENAL GENES, and is all set for Greatness," Trump wrote. "He should be "picked" IMMEDIATELY by a team that wants to WIN. Good luck Shedeur, and say hello to your wonderful father!"Then, once Sanders fell out of the second and third round the following day, the online discourse ramped up even more.EX-NBA PLAYER MAKES SHEDEUR SANDERS-LEBRON JAMES COMPARISON AFTER QB'S PRESEASON DEBUTESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. said on-air after the third round ended, "I think it's disgusting. I don't understand what the heck's going on with this."ESPN host Stephen A. Smith revealed a text message from an associate who compared the situation to Colin Kaepernick being out of the NFL since 2016, suggesting "collusion" was occuring."'This is a bad look for the NFL. This feels like Kaepernick-level collusion,'" Smith said the text read, adding that the situation goes beyond "talent evaluation.""All the hard work the NFL League Office puts in to eradicate these kinds of perceptions, only to turn around and watch as the OWNERS look like theyre colluding, messing up everything. What has been done to Shedeur will outshine everything else in this draft. Well never believe this is about just talent evaluation again."Once Sanders was finally taken by the Browns, the team's general manager Andrew Berry even admitted that the organization wasn't planning to take two quarterbacks, after it selected fellow rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel earlier in the draft."It wasn't necessarily the plan going into the weekend to select two quarterbacks, but, you know, as we talk about, we do believe in best player available. We do believe in positional value. And we didn't necessarily expect him to be available in the fifth round," Berry said.Sanders earned the praise of many fans and pundits with his first preseason performance on Aug. 8, when he threw two touchdowns against the Carolina Panthers.He is set to play in the team's final preseason game on Saturday against the Los Angeles Rams.Still, Sanders is buried on the team's current depth chart, listed as the fourth quarterback behind veterans Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, and the fellow rookie Gabriel.Follow Fox News Digitalssports coverage on X, and subscribe tothe Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

Conservative activist CJ Pearson said Friday that White liberals are beginning to fear they are losing their "power" over Black Americans, after reacting to a sign that went viral in Virginia this week."This is a sign being held by a white liberal protesting against the black Republican nominee for Governor in Virginia speaking out against boys using the girl's bathroom," Pearson wrote on X this week, quoting a photo the Arlington GOPposted Thursday of a White woman holding a sign that said, "Hey Winsome, if trans cant share your bathroom, then Blacks cant share my water fountain.""White liberals are some of the most racist people in the United States," Pearson said in the post.VIRGINIA SCHOOL DISTRICTS SUPPORT FOR TRANSGENDER STUDENTS' RIGHTS IN GOVERNOR'S RACE SPOTLIGHTThe sign, which wasat a protest outside an Arlington County school board meeting in Virginia, went viral on social media and drew widespread outrage over its racial messaging, particularly since Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears, the GOP nominee for governor, is Black."First and foremost, I'm not surprised by what happened at that protest and those comments that were directed at Winsome. I think the Left has always been unapologetically nasty to Black people who think for themselves," Pearson toldFox News Digital."And the reason that they do is because they know that courage is contagious," he added. "They know that the more Black people that wake up start asking questions, [including the] biggest question of all, What have the Democrats done for us lately?,' their political grip on the Black community will start to loosen, and they will lose power."Earle-Sears appeared on "Fox & Friends" Friday to talk about why her state is atrisk of losing federal funding over transgender bathrooms.Earle-Sears' 2025 gubernatorial opponent, former Rep. Abigail Spanberger, D-Va., recently addressed the sign that Pearson commented on in his X post.VIRGINIA REPUBLICAN WHO COULD BECOME STATE'S FIRST WOMAN GOVERNOR SHRUGS OFF IDENTITY QUESTIONSSpanberger called the poster "racist, abhorrent and unacceptable," but Earle-Sears said her response should have been stronger, calling it a "very weak response from a very weak person who we know cannot lead Virginia as governor."Pearson saidhe thought Spanberger's response to the poster was calculated."It took time for her to come out apparently, to condemn what was objectively racist, objectively vile, because I guess she had to go and ask her consultants whether or not it was okay for her to do so,"Pearson said."And I think that is one of the other things that are a huge distinguishing characteristic in this race is that you have [Winsome Earle-Sears], who is authentically and apologetically herself, and you have Abigail Spanberger, who takes her marching orders from a D.C. political class of elites who actually don't care about everyday Virginians."Pearson, who is co-chair of the GOP Youth Advisory Council, said that there should be more focus on why the Left is racist."And so what I would say is that, you know, it's good to see her actually come out and condemn the racism among her supporters, but also, too, the Left says this all the time," Pearson said. "Why is this racism cultivated among her supporters, right? I would love to hear her speak to that."In a post on Friday, Spanberger said, "As I said yesterday, the sign displayed in Arlington last night was racist and abhorrent. Many Virginians remember the segregated water fountains (and buses and schools and neighborhoods) of Virginias recent history."She added, "And no matter the intended purpose or tone, and no matter how much one might find someone elses beliefs objectionable, to threaten a return of Jim Crow and segregation to a Black woman is unacceptable. Full stop."Fox News Digital reached out to Spanberger's campaign for additional comment.Fox Newss Marc Tamasco contributed to this report.

Welcome to the Fox News Politics newsletter, with the latest updates on the Trump administration, Capitol Hill and more Fox News politics content. Here's what's happening-Republicans rally around GOP senator after ousted Dem jumps into high-profile Ohio race-Top Trump agency slashes billions in government waste with move to expose 'abuse' of US tax dollars-John Bolton's home raided by federal agentsJeffrey Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell told the Department of Justice earlier in 2025 that she never saw President Donald Trump act inappropriately, according to DOJ documents released Friday of her interview."I think they were friendly like people are in social settings. I don't I don't think they were close friends or I certainly never witnessed the President in any of I don't recall ever seeing him in his house, for instance." she told the DOJ. "I actually never saw the President in any type of massage setting. I never witnessed the president in any inappropriate setting in any way. The president was never inappropriate with anybody. In the times that I was with him, he was a gentleman in all respects."Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche interviewed Epstein associate Maxwell at the Federal Correctional Institution in Tallahassee, Florida, in July, where she has been serving a 20-year prison sentence for sex traffickingREAD MORE.BOLTON STONED: John Bolton blasted by Trump ally Roger Stone, who faced Biden FBI raid: 'Karma is a b----'JUDICIAL CLASH: Jackson scathing dissent levels partisan charge at colleagues after high-profile ruling'WORKING BACKWARDS': 'Leftist' taxpayer-funded academy sparks backlash after moving against Trump's rollback of key regulation'UNFOCUSED': TrumpBolton feud back in focus after FBI raid: 'Never had a clue what a dope!''WONDERFUL JOB': Longtime Trump ally formally succeeds Whatley as Republican Party chairSECURITY SPOTLIGHT: Bolton tweet shows focus was elsewhere as FBI searched his houseTESTING TRUTH: Jillian Michaels accuses CNN of 'lying,' 'smearing' her after viral slavery debateON DUTY: Hegseth authorizes 2,000 National Guard troops to carry weapons in DC if necessaryTRAITOR FOR CASH: US Navy sailor convicted of selling military secrets to China for a year and a halfBLOOD FOR MOSCOW: Kim Jong Un acknowledges deaths of 100 North Korean soldiers he sent to fight for Vladimir Putin'CRITICAL RESOURCES': GOP senator reveals which 'essential' measure will help crackdown on child traffickingSWAMP STRIKE: James Comer praises Kash Patel for 'holding deep state accountable' as FBI raids John Bolton's homeTRUCKER BRO NABBED: ICE arrests brother of illegal immigrant trucker in deadly Florida Turnpike wreckCULTURE WAR: DeSantis fires back after Dem decries Florida's move to ditch LGBT rainbow colors from crosswalk in OrlandoFREE MAN: Abrego Garcia released from jail, will return to Maryland to await trialIT'S A 'MESS': Trump hints at federal crackdown in Chicago amid DC anti-crime pushGet the latest updates on the Trump administration and Congress, exclusive interviews and more on FoxNews.com.

Ghislaine Maxwell, the only person convicted in relation to Jeffrey Epstein's crimes, said she believed the deceased financier didn't kill himself, noting that life is cheap in prison, according to transcripts from a Florida jailhouse interview with federal prosecutors released Friday.Epstein was found dead in 2019 in his jail cell inside the federal Metropolitan Correctional Center (MCC) in lower Manhattan. His death, which was ruled a suicide, has spawned several conspiracy theories about whether Epstein really took his own life.GHISLAINE MAXWELL SAYS NO JEFFREY EPSTEIN CLIENT LIST EXISTS AS DOJ RELEASES INTERVIEW RECORDINGSOn Friday, the Justice Department released hours of transcripts and audio recordings from interviews in which Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche sat down with Maxwell in a federal prison in Tallahassee.During the interview, Maxwell was asked if she believed Epstein killed himself."I do not believe he died by suicide, no," she said.She added that she didn't have any speculation about who could have killed him. However, she added that the U.S. Bureau of Prisons is rife with mismanagement.EPSTEINS FORMER LAWYER: GHISLAINE MAXWELL SHOULD GET IMMUNITY IN EXCHANGE FOR SECRETS"There's a third component to that, which is having experienced now, the mismanagement and inefficiencies and total dereliction of duty at the Bureau of Prisons.""In prison, where I am, they will kill you or they will pay somebody can pay a prisoner to kill you for $25 worth of commissary," she added. "That's about the going rate for a hit with a lock today."Maxwell further stated that she didn't believe that someone outside the prison could have had Epstein killed."If it is indeed murder, I believe it was an internal situation," she said, further stating that she didn't believe his death was a way to silence him."I do not have any reason to believe that," she added. "And I also think it's ludicrous because if that I also happen to think if that is what they wanted, they would've had plenty of opportunity when he wasn't in jail. And if they were worried about blackmail or anything from him, he would've been a very easy target.

KILLER CAUGHT: Idaho police chief reveals new details about Bryan Kohberger student murder investigationAWAITING THEIR FATE: Menendez brothers confront parole board before Gov. Newsom decides whether to set killers freeCANDY MAN: Accomplice of serial killer breaks silence about role in murdersHOUSE OF HORRORS: Idaho murders bodycam footage shows surviving roommate's accountFOLLOW THE FOX TRUE CRIME TEAM ON XKILLER PLAYS VICTIM: Experts react to Kohberger's prison behavior: 'A snitch who is weak will never survive'AMONG THE PREDATORS: Kohberger demands prison transfer after complaining of inmate threats'HAVEN'T GIVEN UP': New crime scene details emerge in manhunt for fugitive dad accused of killing 3 daughtersSIGN UP TO GETTRUE CRIME NEWSLETTERTRUTH UNCOVERED: Moscow police chief challenges claims Kohberger mentioned Kaylee Goncalves by name during attackPRIVACY BATTLE: Court blocks Idaho police from releasing more murder victim bedroom footage and materialsDARK OBSESSIONS: Kohberger flexed like 'American Psycho' and spent Christmas night reading about serial killersLIKE WHAT YOU'RE READING? FIND MORE ON THE TRUE CRIME HUBRED FLAGS: Idaho murder documents reveal victim's stalking fears and Kohberger's 'inappropriate behavior' at schoolPRISON AGENDA: Convicted killer Jodi Arias signals fresh legal push more than decade after guilty verdict