Democrats are facing a fight for the party's future, Sen. Bernie Sanders warned during his "Fighting Oligarchy" town hall with mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani at Brooklyn College in New York City on Saturday.The independent senator from Vermont criticized New York Democratic leaders, including Gov. Kathy Hochul, Senate Minority Leader Sen. Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, for refusing to endorse Mamdani in the heated race for Gracie Mansion."I find it hard to understand how the major Democratic leaders in New York State are not supporting the Democratic candidate," Sanders said."One might think that if a candidate starting at 2% in the polls gets 50,000 volunteers, creates enormous excitement, gets young people involved in the political process, gets nontraditional voters to vote, Democratic leaders would be jumping up and down. This is our guy!"Sanders called his party's lack of support "strange" and made his stance on the direction of the party clear: "We got another fight on our hands, and that is the future of the Democratic Party."VIRAL PHOTO SHOWS BERNIE SANDERS, AOC AND MAMDANI TOGETHER IN NYC AHEAD OF 'FIGHTING OLIGARCHY' RALLYThe Brooklyn native capitalized on the event as an opportunity to pressure New York Democrats to rally behind their nominee. Mamdani is fielding challenges from two independent candidates, former Gov. Andrew Cuomo and incumbent Mayor Eric Adams, as well as the Republican nominee, Curtis Sliwa.BERNIE SANDERS, ZOHRAN MAMDANI TEAM UP TO 'FIGHT OLIGARCHY' IN NYCWhen reached for comment regarding Sanders' apparent call to action on Saturday, Hochul's office pointed to the governor's comments on "Fox News Sunday.""There's been so much speculation about what I'm going to do. I think the bigger question is what the voters of New York want to do. I vote in Buffalo, New York, just for the record. I'm not a New York City I'm here part-time. But listen, it is up to the voters and there should not be outside influences on this decision from the White House on down. Let the voters of New York decide," Hochul told Fox News' Shannon Bream.Regardless of who wins the New York City mayoral race, Hochul said she needs that person to work with her to protect the Jewish community and ensure businesses can continue to thrive through affordability and public safety."Stay tuned. We'll see what happens," Hochul added regarding an endorsement.Schumer and Jeffries did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment.As Sanders rallied New Yorkers for Mamdani, the town hall wasn't without its detractors. "You are a communist!" one protester yelled at Mamdani as he addressed the crowd.President Donald Trump has dubbed Mamdani a "100% communist lunatic" since he won the Democratic primary in June.Ahead of the town hall in Brooklyn, the two progressive leaders marched alongside union members in Manhattan's Labor Day parade. On Saturday afternoon, Mamdani posed for a photo with Sanders and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., in Astoria. The post amassed more than 6 million views on X as of Monday morning.Sanders, a two-time Democratic presidential nominee runner-up, was an early endorser of Mamdani's primary campaign, along with Ocasio-Cortez. Their endorsements helped Mamdani consolidate progressive support in the 11-candidate field during the final weeks of the primary campaign.Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez sparked sizable buzz on the "Fighting Oligarchy" tour earlier this year, firing up thousands of Democrats at rallies across the United States who have been left without a clear party leader since devastating losses up and down the ballot in 2024.While Sanders' "Fighting Oligarchy" tour seemed for a time a glimmer of hope for a fractured party, Mamdani's surprising primary win this summer seems to have reignited that Democratic base in a new, albeit more progressive, direction.Mamdani's campaign platform promises progressive ideas like rent freezes, city-run grocery stores, free buses and raising the minimum wage all of which he plans to pay for by raising taxes on corporations and the 1%.

Former CNN anchor Don Lemon did not get a warm welcome from everyone while conducting man-on-the-street interviews in New York City on Sunday.During an interview for his YouTube program, "The Don Lemon Show," the liberal host ran into one man who insulted him and accused his former network of lying to the public."You're a f---ing moron, dude," the man told Lemon just after the journalist began filming.'BALTIMORE IS ON FIRE': RESIDENTS REVEAL WHETHER TRUMP SHOULD SEND NATIONAL GUARD TO COMBAT VIOLENT CRIME"Thank you. So are you," the ex-CNN anchor shot back.As the two shook hands and continued to smile, Lemons interview subject added, "Oh, thats very nice of you to say, except youve never heard anything Ive had to say, and Ive heard a whole bunch of what youve had to say.""Im glad you watch me," Lemon responded. "No I dont," his guest replied."You just get clipped everywhere," the man continued. He then said Lemons former network as well as MSNBC are "full of s---."After being asked why, he replied, "Cause they lie.""About what? Be specific," the reporter asked."Everything," the man said. When pressed for examples, he said, "Well, they lie about genocide. They lie about all wars."STEPHEN COLBERT HAD LEFT-WING JOURNALISTS, HOSTS ON THE LATE SHOW MORE THAN 200 TIMESLemon disputed the answer and began talking over his subject, demanding to get a word in."Dont tell me when I can speak," the man told the host, who was holding up a finger in front of his face to get him to stop.The man said he was frustrated with coverage, accusing the networks of protecting Israel.As the debate continued, the man again called Lemon a "moron.""Why would you call me a moron?" the reporter asked."Because it just comes out, man," the subject replied, adding, "because youre big and think that youre something.""And what do you think you are?" Lemon asked, appearing increasingly annoyed.CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTUREAs they continued squabbling, another onlooker took the side of the man who was being interviewed, referring to Lemon as a "racist."The host shot back, "Yeah, dont waste your time with me, Im a racist.""Yeah, youre one of the biggest racists Ive ever seen," the newcomer said.Lemon invited him to speak on the mic, but the man declined."No, Im good. But youre mad cause Trump won and lets go," he said, walking away."Im not mad cause Trump won," Lemon responded. "Yes you are," the man shot back as he crossed the street.

Chicago Democrat Raymond Lopez tore into his own party for turning a blind eye to crime, accusing leaders like Gov. JB Pritzker and Mayor Brandon Johnson of whitewashing the issue while standing in the way of President Donald Trumps crackdown."History will prove the Democratic Party wrong in this moment," Lopez said Monday on "Fox & Friends.""There are very few of us who are standing up to say, No, we do not need to move the goalpost that far to the left to be relevant, and, unfortunately, we have a small segment of our electorate who thinks that that is the right way to go."CHICAGO MAYOR CALLS TRUMP'S FEDERALIZATION THREATS BENEATH THE HONOR OF OUR NATION, PROTESTS PLANNEDLopez, who has represented Chicago's 15th Ward as an alderman since 2015, warned that electing "left of left" leaders like Democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani will only lead Democrats further down the wrong path and tarnish their image."If we want to be of relevance, we need to get back to the center," he said.This comes as the Democrats resist the Trump administration's floated idea to expand its Washington, D.C. crime crackdown into other deep blue cities, including Chicago.CHICAGO RESTAURANT OWNER SLAMS CITY LEADERSHIP OVER CRIME: 'WE WANT LAW AND ORDER'Pritzker and Johnson have signaled multiple times that bringing in National Guard troops is an unwelcome idea in the Windy City.Both politicians have defended the city's crime statistics recently.During an appearance on journalist Katie Courics YouTube channel, Pritzker said Chicagos homicide rate has been cut in half over the last four years, crediting a mix of policing initiatives and state investments in community programs.Johnson, meanwhile, said in an August statement that crime is down in Chicago. He said the city in the past year has reduced homicides by more than 30%, robberies by 35% and shootings by almost 40%.While Lopez has acknowledged statistics are trending in the right direction, he has also said that "any" number of homicides is "not normal" and improvements can be made."Every day we've seen where individuals are being victimized in the city of Chicago" he said."And to hear our leaders like Governor Pritzker and Mayor Johnson say that 'Everything's fine. Don't worry. We're doing just great,' would be like a cancer doctor telling you that we've cured you just enough this year. We need to save some for next year. No one would ever accept that as an analogy, and neither should we in Chicago."Fox News' Diana Stancy and Marc Tamasco contributed to this report.

Some epic drama in the first two weeks of the college football season.The defending national champion Ohio State Buckeyes shut down the then-No. 1-ranked Texas Longhorns at the goal line three times. Ohio State quickly curbed talk about the greatness of Texas quarterback Arch Manning. The Buckeyes are now the No. 1 team in the country. Especially after they shellacked Grambling State 70-0 in Week 2.Florida State whipped Alabama. And we havent even talked about Bill Belichicks coaching debut at North Carolina.So settle in for quite a season between now and mid-January.But there could be new rules off the playing field. Congress may attempt to referee what collegiate athletes can earn from their own name, likeness and image, better known as NILs.LEGENDARY SPORTS AGENT BREAKS DOWN TRUMP'S 'SAVING COLLEGE SPORTS' EXECUTIVE ORDER"Without clear rules and an enforcement mechanism, the NIL landscape has become akin to the Wild West," said Rep. Russell Fry, R-S.C.There are competing bills in the House and Senate to address compensation for student-athletes. The House bill, prepped over the summer by the Energy and Commerce Committee, sets a national standard for NILs and allows schools to directly pay athletes. That would supersede a bevy of differing rules which change from state to state."We've already seen states competing with one another to get a leg up. And that patchwork is threatening the values and the balance that makes college sports so special," said Rep. Debbie Dingell, D-Mich.TRUMP SIGNS EXECUTIVE ORDER TO REGULATE THE BUSINESS OF COLLEGE SPORTSShe has reservations about the current House bill.The House legislation comes on the heels of a multibillion-dollar agreement approved by a federal judge earlier this summer. That agreement lets schools pay student-athletes up to $20.5 million per year.Thats just a sliver of what most major schools in big conferences reel in annually. But the schools will likely fork out most of the money to football and basketball. Those sports generate the most revenue in college athletics.But the score is far from settled."Whether or not we should allow student-athletes to be considered employees under the law, the ramifications of that would be pretty profound," said Sen. Todd Young, R-Ind.SWEEPING BIPARTISAN BILL WOULD NATIONALIZE STANDARDS FOR STUDENT-ATHLETE PAYHe noted that a Senate bill to regulate pay in college sports is on "the proverbial one-yard line."Most House Democrats oppose the plan. They believe it inhibits the rights of college athletes as workers."This bill bans student-athletes from First Amendment rights to form unions, also guaranteed by the National Labor Relations Act," said Rep. Darren Soto, D-Fla. "They have basic rights. Like the right to organize."Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., is the top Democrat on the Senate Commerce Committee. She said the House Energy and Commerce Committee bill rolls back money for minor sports, womens programs and only benefits major conferences like the Big 10 and SEC. She claims the bill will trigger "a conflict" between sports that earn money at schools and those that dont.Most Democrats argue that lawmakers should focus instead on problems in higher education, not the athletic field. Especially as some schools now face a threat from the federal government and the Trump administration.TOM BRADY IMPLORES PARENTS TO 'TEACH YOUR KID THE RIGHT VALUES' AMID RISE OF NIL IN COLLEGE SPORTS"You have to have a college to have college sports," said Rep. Frank Pallone, D-N.J., the top Democrat on the Energy and Commerce Committee. "And the way we're going with this administration, I don't even know if there's going to be any colleges or universities worth fighting for."Pallone added that the committees focus was misguided amid questions about education and healthcare."Yet Republicans are ignoring them. And instead would rather talk about college sports," said Pallone.Republicans on the Energy and Commerce panel supported the package, but Democratic support was limited. In addition, players associations for Major League Baseball, the NFL, NBA, NHL and Major League Soccer all oppose the legislation. They believe the bill inhibits college athletes from negotiating a fair wage.The "pay" and "NIL" issues have vexed top collegiate athletic officials for years. The NCAA and many schools have long pushed for congressional intervention."We feel like there's a better destination and a stabilization coming forward. But we need the help of Congress and national legislation," said ACC commissioner Jim Phillips on Fox News earlier this year.Former Alabama football coach Nick Saban echoed Phillips during an interview with colleague Bret Baier."Now we just have state legislation, and every state is different," said Saban. "We need some kind of federal standard and guidelines that allow people to enforce their own rules."NICK SABAN PRAISES TRUMP'S EXECUTIVE ORDER CRACKING DOWN ON PAY-TO-PLAY IN COLLEGE SPORTSPallone may have questioned the priorities of his committee focusing on paying student-athletes, but other lawmakers question why the NCAA itself couldnt settle the pay-for-play fight."I think if they had had stronger management, if they made some decisions early on, we wouldn't be in this position," said Rep. Richard Hudson, R-N.C. "Its unfortunate that Congress has to step in at all."However, the North Carolina Republican added he was "deeply concerned about the future of college sports if we dont act."Thats why Rep. Yvette Clarke, D-N.Y., wants Congress involved even if she opposes the current House plan."We simply cannot turn to the same entities that created the broken and inequitable system of the past to serve as the stewards of a new system," said Clarke.Attorneys general from Florida, Ohio, New York, Tennessee and the District of Columbia are worried about antitrust provisions in the House plan. The Big West Conference believes the legislation is skewed toward major conferences.So this fight may spill into overtime on Capitol Hill.Congress could vote sometime on legislation refining NILs. Or lawmakers may again punt as theyve done for several years now.But this is a lower priority for Congress. Lawmakers must avoid a government shutdown by Oct. 1, and they may need to wrestle with another government funding round later this fall.The college football season just started, but the real challenge is whether Congress will address this issue before the National Championship Game on Jan. 19, 2026.

We all know the frustration of slow or unreliable Wi-Fi. Whether it's buffering during a favorite show or lagging video calls, it feels like you spend more time trying to fix the problem than actually enjoying the internet. But with a few easy settings changes, your Wi-Fi can work harder and give you the smooth connection you deserve. These tips dont require any special apps or subscriptions, just tweak some settings and let your Wi-Fi do the heavy lifting.Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy ReportGet my best tech tips, urgent security alerts and exclusive deals delivered straight to your inbox. Plus, youll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide free when you join myCYBERGUY.COM newsletter.DON'T USE YOUR HOME WI-FI BEFORE FIXING CERTAIN SECURITY RISKSPositioning your router in a central, open location ensures the best signal distribution.Why it helps: Placing your router in a central area and off the floor prevents walls or furniture from blocking the signal. This gives your entire home a better connection.Sometimes, the quickest fix is simply restarting your router.Why it helps: Turning your router off for 30 seconds and back on helps clear out temporary issues and refreshes the connection. It's a simple fix that can solve slow Wi-Fi or connectivity problems.Updating your routers software ensures you get the latest speed and security improvements.Why it helps: Router manufacturers often release updates that fix bugs and improve performance. Make sure your routers firmware is always up-to-date to get the most reliable connection.5 PHONE SETTINGS TO CHANGE RIGHT NOW FOR A SAFER SMARTPHONEFewer devices connected to your Wi-Fi means more bandwidth for the devices that matter most.Why it helps: Each device connected to your network uses bandwidth. If multiple devices are hogging the connection (like smart TVs or game consoles), it can slow things down. Disconnect any unused devices to keep your Wi-Fi fast.If your neighbors are on the same Wi-Fi channel, switching to a less crowded one can help.Why it helps: Choosing a clearer channel or using the 5 GHz band instead of 2.4 GHz reduces interference and boosts your connection.IS YOUR HOME WI-FI REALLY SAFE? THINK AGAINDead zones in your home can make even fast internet feel slow.Why it helps: A Wi-Fi extender or mesh network expands your coverage so every corner of your home gets a strong signal.See my top mesh networking winners atCyberguy.com (search "Mesh Networking" or "extender")Protecting your network keeps others from slowing it down.Why it helps: Using strong passwords and WPA3 or WPA2 encryption prevents freeloaders from connecting and using your bandwidth. Consider using a password manager, which securely stores and generates complex passwords, reducing the risk of password reuse.Check out the best expert-reviewed password managers of 2025 atCyberguy.com.Some electronics can weaken your Wi-Fi signal.Why it helps:Keeping your router away from microwaves, cordless phones and Bluetooth hubs prevents interference that can slow your connection.Your devices may run apps or updates in the background that eat up bandwidth.Why it helps: Streaming updates, cloud backups or large downloads can slow your Wi-Fi for everyone. Pausing them during peak times frees up bandwidth for the things you actually want to do.Old routers can slow you down. Upgrading to a newer model can provide a significant speed boost.Why it helps: Newer routers support faster speeds and more devices, which is essential if your home has multiple users streaming, working or gaming at the same time. The FBI recently alerted that hackers are actively targeting outdated routers, so make sure yours is updated and secure.For my best router picks, check outCyberguy.com.Keeping your home network secure is essential to prevent unauthorized access and potential data breaches. Follow these steps to safeguard your Wi-Fi router:Most routers come with default passwords that hackers can easily find online. To secure your router, change both the admin password (used to access settings) and the Wi-Fi network password. Use a strong password with at least 12 characters, combining uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers and symbols. Avoid simple options like "password123" or personal details such as your name or birth date.Check out the best expert-reviewed password managers of 2025 atCyberguy.com.The default network name, or SSID, often includes the router's brand or model, making it easier for hackers to identify vulnerabilities. Rename your network to something unique that doesn't reveal personal information. Avoid using names, addresses or other identifiers. Instead, opt for a neutral or creative name that's easy for you to recognize but hard for others to associate with you.Router manufacturers release firmware updates to patch security flaws and enhance performance. Check your router's admin panel regularly for updates or enable automatic updates, if supported. Keeping your firmware up to date ensures you're protected against the latest threats. If your router is too old to receive updates, it might be time to upgrade to a newer, more secure model.Unauthorized devices on your network can slow it down and expose you to risks. Log into your router's admin settings to view all connected devices. If you see anything suspicious, disconnect it and immediately change your Wi-Fi password. You can also enable MAC address filtering to control which devices can access your network or disable features like WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup) that may leave you vulnerable.Use the strongest encryption protocol available for your router, preferably WPA3 or at least WPA2. Encryption scrambles the data transmitted over your network, making it much harder for hackers to intercept and decipher your information.Schedule routine reboots to clear the system memory and refresh all connections, which may disrupt potential malware.A VPN encrypts your internet traffic, making it much harder for hackers to intercept your data. This protection works anywhere, whether you're at home, in a coffee shop or on public Wi-Fi. Choose a reputable VPN provider with a no-logs policy and strong encryption standards to keep your information private.For the best VPN software, see my expert review of the best VPNs for browsing the web privately on your Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices atCyberguy.com.To further protect your devices from malware and other threats, consider using reputable antivirus software. Antivirus programs can detect and remove malicious software, provide real-time protection and alert you to potential threats. Keeping your devices secure helps ensure your entire network remains safe from cyberattacks.The best way to safeguard yourself from malicious links that install malware, potentially accessing your private information, is to have antivirus software installed on all your devices. This protection can also alert you to phishing emails and ransomware scams, keeping your personal information and digital assets safe.Get my picks for the best 2025 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices atCyberGuy.com.Think your devices and data are truly protected? Take this quick quiz to see where your digital habits stand. From passwords to Wi-Fi settings, youll get a personalized breakdown of what youre doing right and what needs improvement. Take my Quiz here:Cyberguy.com.With just a few small tweaks, you can turn your Wi-Fi from frustrating to fast. Start with the easiest changes, then work your way to bigger upgrades. Every adjustment adds up, making your internet smoother and more reliable. Keep these tips in mind, and you'll spend more time enjoying your connection and less time fixing it.Got a tip youd like to share, or what other everyday tech challenges would you like help solving? Let us know by writing to us atCyberguy.com.Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy ReportGet my best tech tips, urgent security alerts and exclusive deals delivered straight to your inbox. Plus, youll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide - free when you join myCYBERGUY.COM newsletter.Copyright 2025 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.

In the past few weeks there has been a lot of conversation and controversy over advertising. First, we had the wild allegation that American Eagle jeans ads with Sydney Sweeney were racist, then a kerfuffle over the Cracker Barrel logo.Ever since trans celebrity Dylan Mulvaney popped open his first Bud Light, advertising has seemed less and less like an effort to sell widgets and more and more like ground zero in our societys culture wars.An early example of an ad that had significant backlash was in April 2017, when Pepsi aired a spot with Kendall Jenner in which she magically subdues angry protests by offering everyone a soda. Reaction from the left was swift and angry.SYDNEY SWEENEY 'JEANS' AD SIGNALS MAJOR CULTURAL TURNING POINT, INDUSTRY EXPERTS SAYJenner and Pepsi, it was argued, were belittling the Black Lives Matter movement.Just a few years earlier, this ad would have been a no-brainer, the message being, lets focus on what we all have in common, specifically love for our product, but suddenly the ad itself was part of the problem.Fast-forward to 2020 and the rise of COVID-19 and almost every ad on TV for anything was really an ad for lockdowns, with quiet piano music over rolling shots of empty streets and mindless platitudes like "Were all in this together," being bandied about.We all got the message. Over and over and over again.But why has the television ad risen to such a high place of prominence in our political and cultural discourse? The simple answer is that Americans just dont watch the same TV shows anymore, so ads have become the only content we really all share.If you trace the acceptance of homosexuality in America, from Stonewall to the Supreme Courts Obergefell v. Hodges decision, you can see the whole thing play out in our TV shows of the period.In the late 70s, Billy Crystal played a comic gay character in "Soap." By 1989, the boomerama drama series "Thirtysomething" featured a gay character in a serious role and in the 1990s, Jerry Seinfeld and George Constanza were not gay, but were sure to add, "not that theres anything wrong with that."Our society saw something very similar regarding race relations in our televisual offerings from the 1960s and 1970s that often attacked issues of race straight on, in fact, generally more honestly and directly than we do today.Shakespeare called this holding the mirror up to nature. The TV shows of the pre-streaming era may have played some role in driving public opinion, but their far more important role was in reflecting it. Our storytelling was catching up with society more than society catching up to the storytelling.The transgender movement would also explode into the national conversation by way of a show, this time in 2013 with the Netflix streaming program, "Orange is the New Black," making trans actor Laverne Cox a star and any doubting of his gender an act of bigotry.The next year, conservative writer Kevin Williamson would pen a column entitled "Laverne Cox is not a Woman," only for the Chicago Sun Times to take it down 24 hours later amid backlash from trans activists.This is night and day from the way in which old school television over decades tackled racism and homophobia. These were cultural conversations we all took part in, because we all watched the same shows.Only a very tiny portion of the population ever saw "Orange is the New Black," and in the world of streaming, shows that do feature trans storylines, such as the "Sex in the City" reboot, are also consumed by a very small, often lefty slice of America.So, today, if you want to get the message that men and women are interchangeable out there, your best bet isnt a guest star on a very special episode of a popular sitcom, it's to make Dylan Mulvaney prance around in a Bud Light ad.Polling has shown that there is a political dimension to what streaming services Americans use. Liberals prefer Netflix and Disney Plus, conservatives tend toward Paramount Plus, but what we all see are the same ads.For too long, the advertising industry, along with most that have a C-suite, have believed that there is some kind of social justice mission in their job description. Good corporate citizenship, or something.Advertisers should remember, to the extent they think it's their job to help fix the world, that television shows were only able to help do that because they got good ratings and made money.How did we know that America in the '80s would make the Brooklyn family of "The Cosby Show" the face of the American family? Only because they did.CLICK HERE FOR MORE FOX NEWS OPINIONJust as the writers on "The Cosby Show" spent less of their time trying to promote racial justice than they did on being funny and entertaining, advertisers should focus more on their bottom line and less on saving the world, because the former is the best path to the latter.In all likelihood, these arguments and conflagrations over advertising are going to be with us for some time to come, as Madison Avenue seeks to swing the pendulum back in the direction of tradition and away from progressive politicking.But, at least now, it is a fairer fight. Five years ago, conservatives likely would have thrown in the towel instead of defending the Sweeney ads or defying the Cracker Barrel rebrand. Today, both sides are fighting for this cultural space.The age of the ad is upon us. There will never be another show like "M*A*S*H" or "Seinfeld" that 40% of the country is watching simultaneously. Today 5% would be a massive number.The last people who have all of our attention are the advertisers and, hopefully, they can get back to selling us stuff and stop trying to engineer a new, glorious, progressive society.

GoFundMe said that it removed multiple fundraising campaigns created on behalf of Decarlos Brown Jr., the ex-convict accused of stabbing and killing Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska aboard a Charlotte, North Carolina, light-rail train."GoFundMes Terms of Service explicitly prohibit fundraisers for the legal defense of anyone formally charged with a violent crime. Consistent with this long-standing policy, all fundraisers for Decarlos Brown Jr.s legal defense have been removed from the platform, and any donors have been fully refunded," a company spokesperson told Fox News Digital.According to information reviewed by Fox News Digital, the campaigns were taken down within hours of being flagged. GoFundMe declined to specify how many pages were removed but emphasized that it actively scans for and blocks attempts to launch campaigns on behalf of individuals facing violent charges.The companys action followed social media backlash over the fundraisers, with critics turning to social media to lambaste the fundraiser for the murder suspect as "an insult" to the 23-year-old victim.CHILLING VIDEO SHOWS MOMENTS BEFORE UKRAINIAN REFUGEE STABBED TO DEATH ON CHARLOTTE LIGHT RAILZarutska, 23, fled Ukraine with her family in 2022 to escape Russias war before settling in Charlotte, according to her obituary. She was working at a local pizzeria, Zepeddie's Pizza, at the time of her death. Fox News Digital has reached out to Zepeddie's for comment."Recently, our Zepeddies family suffered a tremendous loss. We lost not only an incredible employee but a true friend. Our dear Iryna left this world far too soon, and our hearts are heavy with grief. Since her passing, we have kept a candle burning in her memorya small reminder of the warmth, kindness and light she brought into our lives every single day. We are so grateful for the love, support and prayers weve received during this difficult time," Zepeddies Pizza said in a statement. "Iryna, we miss you more than words can say. You will forever be in our hearts."UKRAINIAN WOMAN WHO FLED WAR STABBED TO DEATH AT CHARLOTTE LIGHT RAIL STATIONHer family described Zarutska as a passionate artist and graduate of Synergy College in Kyiv, where she earned a degree in Art and Restoration. She was remembered for her creativity, her love of animals, her determination and her eagerness to learn.WATCH: Ukrainian refugee stabbed to death on Charlotte light railOn Aug. 22, according to court documents obtained by Fox News Digital, authorities found Zarutska stabbed to death on the Lynx Blue Line after she sat in front of Brown, who allegedly pulled out a folding knife and attacked her without provocation.Surveillance video reviewed by Fox News Digital shows Zarutska boarding the train just after 9:45 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 22. Wearing her pizzeria uniform, she is seen scrolling on her phone as a man in a red hoodie sits behind her.AMERICAN TOURIST STABBED IN FACE BY SYRIAN AFTER DEFENDING WOMEN ON GERMAN TRAM: REPORTAround four minutes later, the man pulls out a knife and begins stabbing Zarutska three times, including in the neck. According to the affidavit, Zarutska was stabbed in the middle of her throat.He is charged with first-degree murder under North Carolina law and is being held without bond.Records obtained by Fox News Digital reveal that Brown has a lengthy criminal history spanning more than a decade. His convictions include larceny and breaking and entering in 2013, as well as a 2015 conviction for robbery with a dangerous weapon, for which he served more than six years in prison. He was released in 2020 and remained on parole until 2021. More recent charges included communicating threats and misuse of the 911 system earlier this year.CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APPWhile campaigns to raise money for Browns defense have been shut down, a separate, verified fundraiser supporting Zarutskas family remains active on GoFundMe.The stabbing death on public transportation has renewed calls for increased public safety across cities in America.President Donald Trump mentioned the stabbing during remarks at the Museum of the Bible."We're all people of religion, but there are evil people," Trump said. "And we have to confront that. I just give my love and hope to the family of the young woman who was stabbed this morning or last night in Charlotte by a madman."Fox News Digital's Bradford Betz and Alex Nitzberg contributed to this report.

Nearly 100 pro-life groups are urging Congress to ensure that if they choose to extend subsidies in the Affordable Care Act (ACA) they need to also include specific provisions ensuring that those subsidies do not get used to pay for elective abortions.The letter, spearheaded by Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America (formerly Susan B. Anthony List), argues that pro-choice Democrats "craftily" authored the ACA to avoid protections from the Hyde Amendment, passed in the late 70s to prevent tax dollars from going toward elective abortions. Coverage for elective abortions through ACA insurance plans, the letter says, comes from cost-sharing reduction payments and premium tax credits set to expire at the end of the year.Under Republicans' "one big, beautiful" spending package passed in early July, federal Medicaid payments were prohibited to entities that provided abortions beyond the Hyde Amendments exceptions for rape, incest or the life of the mother. But, according to the 88 different pro-life groups who signed the SBAs letter to Congress, that progress could be lost if Americans become compelled to pay for abortion services through the ACA, also known as "Obamacare."BIDEN-ERA POLICY INDIRECTLY PAYING FOR UNACCOMPANIED MINORS' ABORTIONS RESCINDED BY TRUMP DOJ"The American people clearly dont want to be in the business of subsidizing the violence of abortion," SBA President Marjorie Dannenfelser said in a statement provided to Fox News Digital. "Sixty percent of voters, including Democrats, pro-choice voters, and the majority of independents, oppose taxpayer funding of abortion."When the ACA was written, a provision of the landmark health legislation, Section 1303, sought to prohibit any federal funds from going towards non-Hyde exempt abortions. The ACA provision requires any ACA health insurers that provide elective abortion coverage to collect a separate private payment from enrollees for such coverage, to ensure that it is not being covered by federal funds.However, subsequent Obama-era guidance allowed the separate abortion premium payments to be consolidated into a single transaction with payments for non-abortion coverage, effectively removing any distinction between abortion-related coverage payments and non-abortion related coverage payments.Republicans and pro-life advocates have argued that this move has led to taxpayer funds being commingled with the separate private funds meant for abortion coverage, which, in turn, indirectly funds elective abortions. They also argue it obscures information from pro-life consumers who may not want to be party to a health insurance plan that provides funding for abortion.DEMOCRATS SEEK TO ABOLISH ANTI-ABORTION HYDE AMENDMENT BUT HOW FAR ARE THEY WILLING TO GO?In 2014, the Government Accountability Project (GAO) examined compliance with Section 1303 of the ACA among a sample of 18 insurance companies that provide coverage for non-Hyde exempt abortions. While the analysis found no evidence of federal funds being used directly for abortions, not a single one of the 18 insurers it looked into was fully complying with the ACAs mandate to collect a separate payment specifically for abortion coverage.Nationwide, the GAO found that 1,036 Qualified Health Plans that covered non-Hyde exempt abortions, most of them had highly subsidized enrollment rates around the 87% average that encompasses all ACA health plans.During President Donald Trumps first term, he attempted to mandate stricter separate transaction requirements, but they were ultimately repealed under Biden. "We just defunded Big Abortion, but our progress is lost if Americans are forced to fund abortion on demand through Obamacare. Obamacare was the largest ever expansion of taxpayer-funded abortion since Roe v. Wade, subsidizing insurance plans that cover elective abortion. As if that wasnt enough, Biden significantly expanded Obamacare as a form COVID-19 relief, which in turn vastly expanded taxpayer funding for abortion through Obamacare," Dannenfelser said. ""This pro-life Congress must not further extend Obama and Bidens legacy of taxpayer- funded subsidies that end the lives of countless unborn children."Fox News Digital reached out to numerous pro-choice groups for their take on the letter calling for Hyde-specific protections for any ACA expansion.Liz McCaman Taylor, senior federal policy counsel at the Center for Reproductive Rights, said the letter from the coalition of 88 pro-life groups serves "to push abortion services even furtherout of reach, including in states where abortion is legal.""The reality is that people already have extremely limited access to abortion care through the Affordable Care Act," McCaman argued."This is an attempt to dictate states' decisions about what benefits they can and cannot offer their citizens," McCaman said. "Anti-abortion advocates' claims to 'leave abortion up to the states'were clearly a lie."

Federal agents detained nearly 500 workers during an immigration raid at a Hyundai battery plant construction site near Savannah, Georgia an operation that has rattled U.S.South Korea relations and drawn scrutiny regarding how America staffs its biggest industrial projects.About 475 workers at the battery plants construction site were detained on Sept. 4 under suspicion of being in the U.S. illegally, with at least 300 reportedly hailing from the democratic half of the Korean peninsula which is also a top U.S. ally and key Asian partner.The incident at the plant in Bryan County several miles west of the Savannah suburb of Pooler -- renewed scrutiny on construction sites of large projects as the Trump administration continues to investigate illegal worksite practices.TRUMP BACKS ICE RAID AT HYUNDAI PLANT, BUT SAYS US NEEDS FOREIGN EXPERTS TO TRAIN AMERICANSSteven Schrank, a top official at Homeland Security Investigations Atlanta bureau, said the raid sent "a clear and unequivocal message that those who exploit our workforce, undermine our economy and violate federal laws will be held accountable."The plant, still under construction and aiming to produce "Hyundai-LG" batteries, was the largest single-site operation in DHS history, according to several reports.Schrank alleged some workers either overstayed their visas or were improperly employed in violation of them.James Kim, president of the American Chamber of Commerce in Korea, criticized challenges and confusion in U.S. visa process in comments to the Washington Post."When you are sending people for factories involving semiconductors or electric batteries, you need people on the floor who know what theyre doing," Kim said, as the paper reported South Korea had dealt with roadblocks pertaining to a limit on popular H1-B and other visa types.Kim told the paper the situation left many workers in a "gray zone" visa-wise.Following the raid, South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun left for the U.S. on Monday to repatriate the detained workers, as Seoul said Washington had agreed to release them in that way.SOUTH KOREA REACHES DEAL WITH US TO RELEASE WORKERS DETAINED AFTER IMMIGRATION RAIDCho was expected to meet with Secretary of State Marco Rubio upon his arrival, according to the Financial Times.Kang Hoon-sik, a spokesman for President Lee Jae Myung, told the outlet that South Korean companies business activities and workers rights "should not be unfairly infringed in the U.S. law enforcement process."Meanwhile, President Donald Trump sought to reassure reporters that U.S.-South Korean relations remain strong.Trump signaled he will continue to welcome foreign investment, contingent on such nations following U.S. immigration laws."Your Investments are welcome, and we encourage you to LEGALLY bring your very smart people, with great technical talent, to build World Class products, and we will make it quickly and legally possible for you to do so," Trump wrote on Truth Social."What we ask in return is that you hire and train American Workers. Together, we will all work hard to make our Nation not only productive, but closer in unity than ever before," he said.SOCIAL MEDIA FIRESTORM AFTER MASSIVE GEORGIA IMMIGRATION RAID: 'TAKING BOLD ACTION'Trade negotiations with South Korea led to a July deal, some details of which are still in flux, according to Reuters.Hyundai itself had indicated it would invest $26 billion in the U.S. under the agreement.Meanwhile, then-President Joe Biden caught flak amid the controversy as comments resurfaced from his 2022 trip to South Korea, where he described the Hyundai site as a boon for Americans' employment."Its great to be here to announce the more than $10 billion in new investment in American manufacturing. This new commitment of $5 billion for advanced automotive technology and $5.5 billion investment to open a new factory near Savannah, Georgia, is going to create more than 8,000 new American jobs," he said at the time.Hyundai Motor Company told Fox News Digital that none of the detained foreign nationals are directly employed by the automaker."We prioritize the safety and well-being of everyone working at the site and comply with all laws and regulations wherever we operate," the company said in a statement.CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APPTrump separately told reporters one idea that should be considered is allowing foreign experts to temporarily reside in the U.S. to train Americans in advanced industries."If you dont have people in this country right now that know about batteries, maybe we should help them along," he said.Critics of Trumps tariffs have pointed to products where the U.S. has little or no domestic production capacity.U.S. mainstays like coffee and chocolate are imported exponentially more than grown stateside, with Hawaii being the only major state source in either case.Fox News Digital's Cameron Arcand, Greg Wehner, and Michael Dorgan and the Associated Press contributed to this report.

President Donald Trump said Monday that Dr. Ben Carson told him during the 2016 Republican primary cycle that he would win the election that year because God wanted him to."He was a very tough opponent," Trump said, reflecting on the 2016 Republican primary election. "We were fighting it out, and we had actually 18 [sic] candidates, including me. And Ben came up to me right after the first debate. He said, You know you're going to win, don't you?"The president spoke to the White House Religious Liberty Commission at the Museum of the Bible in Washington, D.C."And I said, No, I don't know that. I think I'm going to win, but I don't know it,'" Trump said. "I had never done it before. They had all done it. They were all governors and senators, talented people. He said, No, you're going to win it, because God wants you to win it. Right?"TRUMP CALLS ON AMERICANS TO PRAY FOR NATION AS 250TH BIRTHDAY APPROACHES: 'ONE NATION UNDER GOD'Trump joked it didn't stop Carson from continuing to run, as the retired neurosurgeon remained in the primary fight through that cycle's Super Tuesday."But that didn't stop him When is this guy going to quit?" Trump said as the crowd laughed.Carson led in some early national GOP polling but failed to win any primaries or caucuses and dropped out on March 4, 2016. He went on to endorse Trump, and he was proven correct as his former GOP foe ultimately won the presidency.Carson led the Department of Housing and Urban Development during Trump's first term."He was a tough one," Trump said. "He was a tough one, but we love Ben. Ben's special."Trump also said Monday that he wanted to bring back religion in America."America was founded on faith, as we know, and I've been saying it for a long time, when faith gets weaker, our country seems to get weaker," Trump said. "And under the Trump administration, we're defending our rights and restoring our identity as a nation under God. We are one nation under God, and we always will be."TIM SCOTT PRESSED ON CBS ABOUT HOW HE CAN 'RECONCILE' HIS CHRISTIAN FAITH WITH SUPPORTING TRUMP"We have to bring back religion in America, bring it back stronger than ever before," Trump said.The speech coincided with the second meeting of the Religious Liberty Commission, a panel Trump created earlier this year through an executive order as part of his new White House Faith Office.The commissions mission is to safeguard Americans ability to practice their religion freely, particularly in public education, and to identify what the administration calls "emerging threats" to First Amendment protections.CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURECLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APPFox News' Jasmine Baehr contributed to this report.