New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani pushed back on critics Sunday, arguing they are attacking a "mythical" version of him by resurfacing old tweets.Since winning the Democratic primary, the New York State assemblyman and self-described democratic socialist has become a national figure. He has faced pushback from both Republicans and Democrats over his past rhetoric and policy proposals, with critics saying he is too extreme.CBS New York chief political correspondent Marcia Kramer interviewed Mamdani about criticism of his public safety plan, which would deploy mental health workers instead of NYPD officers in cases involving emotionally disturbed individuals. Critics have argued the plan would amount to sending "somebody with a clipboard."They say thats not appropriate, that person could be in danger. Whats your answer to that?" Kramer asked.MAMDANI'S PAST 'VISCERAL DISDAIN' FOR POLICE 'SCARES A LOT OF NEW YORKERS' FOR GOOD REASON: NYC CRIME EXPERT"My answer is that many of my opponents, chiefly Andrew Cuomo, would prefer to debate a mythical version of myself rather than the person I actually am," Mamdani said. "They would prefer to focus on tweets from 2020 instead of the platform of 2025. They do that because they know our ideas are popular, and what we are putting forward responds to New Yorkers needs in ways that go beyond the failed policies theyve heard from these old politicians.""What youre really saying is that those tweets of 2020 youve evolved from that, youve changed from that, youve changed your views?" Kramer asked.Mamdani agreed, saying those past statements are "out of step with the campaign that were running" and with how he currently feels.MAMDANI'S FAILURE TO WALK BACK THESE POSITIONS COULD CAUSE RECKONING IN DEMOCRATIC PARTY: 'FIVE-ALARM WARNING'In 2020, Mamdani called to "defund the police" and labeled the NYPD "racist, anti-queer, and a major threat to public safety." Those remarks resurfaced nationally after a deadly mass shooting in midtown Manhattan that killed four people, including an NYPD officer.The candidate has also faced criticism for calling to remove a statue of Italian explorer Christopher Columbus.

The San Francisco 49ers kept Christian McCaffrey on the field in their 17-13 win over the Seattle Seahawks, but another star offensive weapon is expected to miss multiple weeks after leaving the game early.Tight end George Kittle, who scored the teams first touchdown of the year on Sunday in Seattle, left the NFC West bout with a hamstring injury. That injury is expected to keep him out three to five weeks, according to NFL Network.Head coach Kyle Shanahan made the announcement on Monday after the win, saying that Kittle would miss a "few weeks." Shanahan added that no decision has been made about placing Kittle on injured reserve.CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COMWhile Kittle isnt going to be playing this upcoming week, there is a chance that starting quarterback Brock Purdy may not play, either.Shanahan said that Purdy is dealing with left shoulder and toe injuries, and he wouldnt guarantee his quarterback would be able to play against the New Orleans Saints. Shanahan also said the toe was the worse of the two ailments.START STREAMING WITH A 7-DAY FREE TRIAL AT FOXONE.COM OR DOWNLOAD THE FOX ONE APP ON YOUR FAVORITE DEVICE"Not sure, has to see how it heals and how the week goes on it," Shanahan said of Purdy.If Purdy isnt available for the 49ers, his backup is veteran Mac Jones, the New England Patriots 2021 first-round pick who didnt pan out. He moved on to the Jacksonville Jaguars, where he gained experience stepping in when needed.Jones appeared in 10 games, seven of which were starts, in place of Trevor Lawrence last season for the Jaguars. Jones threw for eight touchdowns and eight interceptions during his time as the Jaguars quarterback.Finally, wide receiver Jauan Jennings suffered a shoulder injury that also knocked him out of the game early. But the 49ers avoided a serious situation, as ESPN reported Jennings MRI came back clean. However, they will be looking at it again with a CT scan.Unfortunately for the 49ers, they have dealt with serious injuries to key players in recent seasons, most notably McCaffrey and his bilateral Achilles tendinitis last season.But McCaffrey looked spry as usual to begin his ninth NFL season, tallying 69 rushing yards on 22 carries while catching nine passes from Purdy for 73 yards.The 49ers will be forced to have other players on the depth chart step up, including Jake Tonges, the backup tight end who scored the game-winning touchdown late in the fourth quarter.Follow Fox News Digitalssports coverage on X, and subscribe tothe Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

This story discusses suicide. If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, please contact the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-TALK (8255).Chicago Bears star quarterback Caleb Williams painted fingernails have been a talking point since his college days, and he has often shared a message with them in focus.That was the case before the Bears 2025 NFL season opener on Monday night against the Minnesota Vikings, as Williams shared a powerful message during his pregame warmups.Williams nails were painted with the suicide prevention logo and colors on his right, throwing hand. His other hand displayed the numbers "988," which is the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COMSeptember is suicide prevention awareness month, with World Suicide Prevention Day being Sept. 10.As the first overall pick in last years NFL Draft, Williams confident personality and fashion choices were on display as he looked to lift the Bears out of the NFLs basement and back into playoff contention.START STREAMING WITH A 7-DAY FREE TRIAL AT FOXONE.COM OR DOWNLOAD THE FOX ONE APP ON YOUR FAVORITE DEVICEWhile that wasnt the case in his rookie campaign, his painted fingernailswhich once featured his No. 18 and messages like "Da Bears"were always a fun sight before games.Williams also used to write motivational phrases on his nails, including a highly controversial message that read "F--- Utah" during his time at USC.Williams 2024 strugglesin which head coach Matt Eberflus was fired midway through the season and the team finished 5-12led to him abandoning the tradition during his rookie year."It was hard to do," Williams revealed in an interview with ESPN. "We were losing, and days were long trying to figure out how to get things back on track. I think also part of it was the rookie year. It got a little tiring at the end."Williams is back to his usual ways, showing his trademark confidence under new head coach Ben Johnson, who has jolted new life into the Bears offense. That includes being unapologetic about his choiceslike painting his fingernailswhich returned in 2025."Part of its just me being myself and just [being] unapologetic about it," Williams said. "And you know, Im not going to apologize about it. Im gonna be me. It doesnt bother me what people have to say about me because I know what I am. I know who I am and what I like to do."Williams certainly knows what to do on the football field, too, as he began the 2025 season with an opening-drive touchdown run that had Bears fans at Soldier Field rocking.Follow Fox News Digitalssports coverage on X, and subscribe tothe Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

A massive nationwide crackdown on the deadly Sinaloa Cartel has culminated in more than 600 arrests, officials say.The big swoop included 171 suspects in New England, as part of a week-long operation that targeted one of the worlds most powerful drug trafficking organizations, according to officials.The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) announced Monday that from Aug. 25 to 29, agents arrested 617 people with ties to the cartel across 23 field divisions in the U.S.The enforcement action, billed as a DEA surge, also netted a massive haul of drugs, firearms, and cash.TRUMP-SIGNED FENTANYL LAW WILL END CAT AND MOUSE WITH TRAFFICKERS, STATE ATTORNEYS GENERAL SAYAmong the seizures: 480 kilograms of fentanyl powder, 2,209 kilograms of methamphetamine, 7,469 kilograms of cocaine, 16.5 kilograms of heroin, more than 714,000 counterfeit pills, 420 firearms, and $11 million in cash."These results demonstrate the full weight of DEAs commitment to protecting the American people," DEA Administrator Terrance Cole said in a statement."Every kilogram of poison seized, every dollar stripped from the cartels, and every arrest we make represents lives saved and communities defended. DEA will not relent until the Sinaloa Cartel is dismantled from top to bottom."DEA, FBI SEIZE $10 MILLION IN CRYPTOCURRENCY 'DIRECTLY LINKED TO THE SINALOA CARTEL'In New England, officials said 171 suspected cartel members were arrested, and 244 kilograms of drugs, 22,115 counterfeit pills, $1.3 million in cash, and 33 guns were seized.Arrest totals included 64 in Connecticut, 49 in Massachusetts, 33 in New Hampshire, 11 in Maine, 10 in Rhode Island, and three in Vermont."Theyre our public enemy number one in New England," said Jarod Forget, Special Agent in Charge of the DEAs New England Division.One of the largest coordinated takedowns in the region came on Aug. 27 in Franklin, New Hampshire, where 27 people were arrested after a three-month investigation.CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APPAuthorities said the suspects had trafficked fentanyl and methamphetamine from Lawrence, Massachusetts.The operation underscored the cartels reach into both large urban centers and small rural communities."This shows that the Sinaloa Cartels tentacles spread far and deep; no community is spared," said Jim Scott, Special Agent in Charge of the Louisville Division, which covers Kentucky, Tennessee, and West Virginia.Fox News Digital reached out to the Drug Enforcement Administration for comment.

The first three quarters werent pretty for Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy in his first NFL start on Monday night, but all that matters is what happens in the fourth quarter.McCarthy led the Vikings on a thrilling comeback, scoring 21 points in the fourth quarter to defeat the Chicago Bears, 27-24, on the road to begin the 2025 NFL season.Last season, McCarthy was on the sideline with a season-ending meniscus injury suffered during preseason. He watched as Sam Darnold led the Vikings to a 14-3 record, but McCarthy knew heading into this campaign it was his turn to get the job done at quarterback in head coach Kevin OConnells dynamic offense.CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COMMcCarthy was having some trouble doing so to start this game, as the Bears defense, led by new coordinator Dennis Allen, was drawing up the right pressures to fluster the young signal caller. He was only able to get Will Reichard into field goal range twice in the first half, while Caleb Williams and the Bears offense got off to a hot start under new head coach Ben Johnson.But crunch time in the fourth quarter, with the Vikings down 17-6, McCarthy answered the call.It all started with a six-play drive, where McCarthy fired a bullet to the front of the end zone to find his star receiver, Justin Jefferson, for his first score of the new campaign. Then, the Vikings defense kept up the pressure on Williams to give McCarthy another chance at the lead with a three-and-out forced on the ensuing possession.START STREAMING WITH A 7-DAY FREE TRIAL AT FOXONE.COM OR DOWNLOAD THE FOX ONE APP ON YOUR FAVORITE DEVICEMcCarthy, after getting a generous defensive pass interference call, launched a perfectly placed deep ball to running back Aaron Jones for the lead, 20-17, after a successful two-point conversion.The dagger in this come-from-behind win was a nine-play drive that ended with a 14-yard touchdown run by none other than McCarthy, who kept the ball on a third-and-1 read option from the Chicago 14-yard line. He barreled his way into the end zone, and let out a roar with his Vikings teammates all huddling around him as the score went to 27-17 with 2:53 left in the game.Williams got off to such a hot start, running in a touchdown on the Bears opening drive of the game. But the Bears offense, expected to be upgraded with Johnsons play-calling in place given his success with the Detroit Lions, sputtered after that. They only mustered a field goal in the second quarter, while kicker Cairo Santos missed another in the fourth.The other touchdown scored for the Bears was a pick-six thrown by McCarthy in the third quarter which, at the time, seemed to be a total killer because of how poorly he was playing.But it was Williams needing to run hurry-up offense late to get back into the game, and he was finally able to find the end zone again. The Bears drought ended with Rome Odunze wide open for the one-yard score to get the deficit down to three for Chicago with two minutes left to play.The Bears defense was able to force a three-and-out on the Vikings, but there was not enough play clock left for a miracle as the Vikings celebrated their hard-fought victory on the road.McCarthys first career start ended with a line of 13-for-20 for 143 yards with two touchdowns and one interception. It was also notable to see Jordan Mason getting the lions share of touches in the run game, totaling 15 for 68 yards, with the veteran Aaron Jones Sr. getting eight carries for 23 yards. Jones, though, was tied with Jefferson for 44 yards in the receiving game.For the Bears, Williams was 21-of-35 for 211 yards with his touchdown pass and rushing score. He led the Bears with 58 rushing yards on just six carries, while DAndre Swift had 53 yards on 17 touches in the backfield. D.J. Moore also had 70 yards on just three receptions.Follow Fox News Digitalssports coverage on X, and subscribe tothe Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

The murder of Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska on the Charlotte Metro last month has sparked federal attention from FBI Director Kash Patel and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, who say the case is under federal investigation and will have implications far beyond North Carolina.Patel says the FBI has been investigating the Charlotte train tragedy "from day one" and even hinted that new developments could be released soon. "Stay tuned," he added to a social media post on X, suggesting that the federal probe could reveal more than what has been disclosed thus far.Duffy also took to social media to announce that the agency is launching an investigation of its own into how the Charlotte transit system failed to protect Iryna Zarutska.Duffys announcement is tied directly to a recent message from President Donald Trumps "zero tolerance" message regarding crime.TRUMP SAYS DEMOCRATS HAVE BLOOD ON THEIR HANDS AFTER DEADLY CHARLOTTE TRAIN STABBING"If mayors cant keep their trains and buses safe, they dont deserve the taxpayers money," Duffy said in a statement. "@USDOT will be investigating Charlotte over its failure to protect Iryna Zarutska. And we will also be looking at other crime-ridden cities across the country."His message was accentuated by a statement from the White House, signed by POTUS himself, saying he viewed the crime footage and demanded accountability."I have seen the horrific video of a beautiful, young Ukrainian refugee, who came to America to escape the vicious War in Ukraine, and was innocently riding the Metro in Charlotte, North Carolina, where she was brutally ambushed by a mentally deranged lunatic. The perpetrator was a well known career criminal, who had been previously arrested and released on CASHLESS BAIL in January, a total of 14 TIMES. What the hell was he doing riding the train, and walking the streets? Criminals like this need to be LOCKED UP," a post on the White House X account said.Duffy went further, suggesting that federal transportation funding is at risk for cities that dont work to curb violence on public transit.Both Duffy and Patel seemingly framed the incident in Charlotte as a national test of accountability.The Trump administration is weighing in on whether federal funds should be a leveraging tool used to force local governments to do their job and ensure the safety of the public.IRYNA ZARUTSKA FLED UKRAINE FOR SAFETY BUT DEMOCRATS' SOFT-ON-CRIME POLICIES FAILED HER"Our position is, if you dont clean up your act, were not going to invest in you If you dont, were going to pull your money and well put it somewhere else," Duffy said on Fox Newss The Ingraham Angle.Duffy also emphasized the human cost, quoting a Charlotte resident who said, "I dont feel safe on public transportation. But, I have to work." He added: "No American should be put in that position and the Trump administration will do everything in its power to change that."Local police are leading the homicide investigation with federal assistance. Details have not been released by the FBI of its probe, and the Department of Transportation has not yet said whether Charlottes transit funding could be formally affected. The Trump allies have signaled the administration will keep the case in the national spotlight as part of its broader crime-and-safety agenda.

CNN media analyst Brian Stelter said the fatal stabbing of 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska is being used as a "political symbol" by "pro-Trump activists."Recently released video of Zarutska's killing last month in Charlotte, North Carolina, spread across social media. The clip shows 34-year-old Decarlos Brown standing up behind her on a light rail train and stabbing her with a pocketknife. Brown has been charged with first-degree murder."Most murders in the U.S. never become national news," Stelter began Monday during a CNN segment. "This one's got our attention for a couple of reasons. No. 1, first and foremost, the recent release of that gruesome video. Second, the energy from pro-Trump activists. They picked up on this video from local news and ran with it.""It's a little bit like the times when civil rights groups have raised attention about police-involved shootings. In this case, it is Trump-aligned influencers who are posting up a storm about this case on social media, really over the weekend," Stelter continued. "Elon Musk, Charlie Kirk, other Trump-aligned figures succeeded in making this senseless death a symbol of big city crime."TRUMP CONDEMNS LUNATIC IN CHARLOTTE STABBING: IF WE DONT HANDLE EVIL, WE DON'T HAVE A COUNTRY'Stelter, who said the murder became a "political symbol" for "MAGA media" in pushing for harsher punishments and more incarcerations, also suggested there was a racial element to the outrage because the suspect, 34-year-old Decarlos Brown, is Black."I have to say, some of the replies to Musk, some of the comments around this story are baldly racist, stoking fear of African Americans because this man attacked a White woman," Stelter told CNN's Brianna Keilar. "The open racism on sites like X today, it's eye popping. But there are also legitimate questions about this so-called career criminal, someone who had been a repeat offender. And those questions, I hope they're not lost amid all of the cesspool kind of comments on social media."DEM GOVERNOR BREAKS SILENCE ON MURDER OF UKRANIAN REFUGEE AFTER SOCIAL MEDIA BACKLASHZarutska came to the U.S. as a refugee fleeing war-torn Ukraine after Russia's 2022 invasion. She had been working at a pizzeria in Charlotte and was still wearing her uniform the night she was attacked, just after 9:45 p.m. on Aug. 22.Records obtained by Fox News Digital show that Brown has had more than a dozen arrests going back at least a decade, including convictions for felony larceny and felony breaking and entering in 2013, and a 2015 conviction for robbery with a dangerous weapon that sent him to prison for more than six years. He was released in 2020 but remained on parole until 2021, and subsequent charges against him included communicating threats and misuse of the 911 system earlier this year.CLICK HERE FOR THE LATEST MEDIA AND CULTURE NEWSPresident Donald Trump condemned the "madman" behind Zarutska's death while offering his condolences to her family."A lunatic just got up and started," Trump said of the suspect. "It's right on tape. Not really watchable because it's so horrible, but just viciously stabbed. She's just sitting there."Fox News' Stephen Sorace contributed to this report.

If theres one thing that Donald Trump absolutely, positively despises, its bad publicity.And after RFK Jr. got absolutely hammered at that hearing the other dayincluding by a member of the leadership, Senate Majority Whip John Barrassohe realized that he had to cut his losses.What was he going to do, say ignore those Republican senators, like Bill Cassidy, whos a doctor, like Barrasso, when he says that vaccines work and hes deeply concerned that Kennedy misled the Hill during his confirmation hearings?So after months of letting him "go wild," in his words, Donald has broken with Bobby.REPUBLICAN DOCTORS CLASH WITH RFK JR OVER VACCINES IN TENSE SENATE SHOWDOWN"You have some vaccines that are so incredible. I think you have to be very careful when you say some people dont have to be vaccinated," the president said."Look, you have vaccines that work. They just pure and simple work. Theyre not controversial at all, and I think those vaccines should be used, otherwise some people are going to catch it, and they endanger other people,"The president has had enough.Whats more, Kennedys familyincluding his sister Kerry and former congressman Joe Kennedy IIIdemanded he resign, along with every Democrat on the Senate committee.Theres some chatter that Kennedy may be let go after a decent interval. Trump really likes him, and the magic of the Kennedy name, but lets face it, hes damaged goods right now.He also was poorly briefed, or didnt do his homework. Remember that he cut a deal in exchange for dropping out of the presidential race, and offered the same arrangement to Kamala Harris.When asked how many Americans had died of COVID, I instantly knew it was 1.2 million. RFK said he didnt know. Asked whether the COVID vaccine had been helpful, he mumbled that hed have to look at the data. Theres plenty of data available.And thats the problem. The greatest achievement of Trumps first term, as even his detractors admit, was Operation War Speed, bringing the COVID vaccine to market at the height of the pandemic.JOE KENNEDY III BLASTS RFK JR. AFTER FIERY SENATE HEARING, FUELING KENNEDY FAMILY INFIGHTING: 'HE MUST RESIGN'But Kennedy is the same anti-vaccine crusader hes always been. He has called COVID "the most dangerous vaccine" ever. Hes insisted that vaccines cause autism, completely debunked by mainstream science.CDC performed miserably during the pandemic, but Kennedy fired CDC chief Susan Monarez just one month after praising her appointment, and then called her a liar for supposedly admitting she was not trustworthy.So RFK was in effect denigrating Trumps huge accomplishment by firing the mainstream members of a vaccine panel and replacing them with vaccine skeptics or outright anti-vaxxers.Kennedys view is that everyone else is conflicted because of ties to Big Pharma and that only he is pure. But his actions speak louder than his words.INTO THE ARENA: HOSTILE DEMOCRATS, SKEPTICAL REPUBLICANS TEAR INTO KENNEDY ON THE HILLMeanwhile, the president won a double victory at the Supreme Court. The justices, in what Politico says were 6-3 rulings, gave ICE the ability to carry out "roving" arrests and raids in California against those believed to be illegal immigrants.SCOTUS also said the president can fire FTC member Rebecca Slaughter, one of two Democratic commissioners he dismissed in March at the supposedly independent agency.Then Trump checks the conservative media.The Wall Street Journal editorial page, in a piece titled "Operation Warped Speed," asks whether RFK is suffering from long COVID. The usually supportive New York Post called RFK a "paranoid kook" with a "tinfoil hat" that is "blocking out all sense."So Trump got mostly booed at the U.S. Open, along with some cheers. Big deal. Hes endured far worse.But having the nations highest court on your side is worth its weight in gold, Trumps favorite decorating glitter.Footnote: The Wall Street Journal has obtained Trumps birthday message to Jeffrey Epstein, which he repeatedly insisted he never sent, prompting him to sue the paper.Against the backdrop of a sketch of a naked womanwith Trumps signature in the pubic areathere is this exchange:Donald: We have certain things in common, Jeffrey.Jeffrey: Yes we do, come to think of it.Donald: Enigmas never age, have you noticed that?Jeffrey: As a matter of face, it was clear to me the last time I saw you.Donald: A pal is a wonderful thing. Happy Birthdayand may every day be another wonderful secret.By itself, I dont think its that big a deal. Lots of friends and acquaintances were solicited to send messages for Epsteins 50th birthday. He could have owned it. But Trump *still* insists its fake.By vehemently insisting it wasnt conceivable that he sent such a message, Trump now has a mess on his hands.