World Series champion Roger Clemens on Tuesday addressed the recent conviction of Ryan Wesley Routh, who attempted to assassinate President Donald Trump last September.During an interview on Fox News' "The Will Cain Show," Clemens was asked about his reaction to news that Routh was found guilty on all charges for the attempted assassination."You just take a big deep breath," Clemens said. "I still shake my head from not to long ago when, in Pennsylvania, they let a crazy man into a rally with a golf range finder. I mean, I just shake my head at this stuff. Like, why are you going into a rally with a golf range finder?"CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COMClemens, an open Trump supporter who has befriended the president and played golf with him in the past, reacted to the fact that Routh attempted to assassinate Trump on a golf course while the president was playing."When we golfed with him last in Virginia, the president hit the ball beautifully, but it's a little intense when you have 30 golf carts, and you have SWAT teams and Secret Service all around you," Clemens said."I love him. The reason I voted for him is because he's no-nonsense, common sense and no-nonsense. I love that about him."CHIEFS CEO'S WIFE SLAMS CRITICS CELEBRATING CHARLIE KIRK'S ASSASSINATIONClemens encouraged Americans who may not agree with Trump to still root for his success, comparing the views of those people to his view of former President Barack Obama."I didn't vote for [Obama], but once he became our president, I was rooting for him to do something well for us, and that's the way I always feel people should come together," Clemens said.Jurors on Tuesday delivered a guilty verdict for Routh on all charges after he attempted to assassinate Trump at his West Palm Beach golf club last September.CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APPRouth, 59, was charged on five federal criminal counts, including attempting to assassinate a major presidential candidate, assaulting a federal officer and multiple firearms offenses.After the verdict was read, Routh reportedly appeared to try to stab himself in the neck with a pen before four U.S. Marshals restrained him.Follow Fox News Digitals sports coverage on X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

Chicago Cubs third baseman Matt Shaw is "not concerned at all" by any backlash he could get after skipping a game to attend Charlie Kirks memorial in Arizona.Shaw missed the Cubs 1-0 loss to the Cincinnati Reds on Sunday to attend the memorial service in Glendale, though manager Craig Counsell mentioned to the media that Shaw wasnt available for the game as he was at a funeral for a friend.Shaw explained why he made it a point to attend the memorial despite his teams schedule."My connection with Charlie was through our [Christian] faith," Shaw said before the Cubs opened a new series with the New York Mets on Tuesday, per the Chicago Sun-Time. "And thats something that drives me every day, the reason why Im able to do what I do every day, and thats something Im extremely thankful for. I know without my faith and without the many blessings Ive been given in my life, that I wouldnt be here, be able to talk to you guys, able to help this team eventually go and win championships.CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM"Thats something I feel really, really blessed about, so whatever backlash comes is OK. I feel strong about my faith and that what was meant to be, happened."CUBS' MATT SHAW LEAVES TEAM TO ATTEND CHARLIE KIRK MEMORIAL SERVICE: REPORTSShaw added that he and Kirk became friends last offseason as they lived in the same apartment complex in Arizona. The two stayed in contact throughout the MLB season, Shaw said.Shaw said he was very emotional when he found out Kirk was assassinated while at a speaking event at Utah Valley University on Sept. 10."When that happened, a lot of emotions came over me," he explained. "I didnt foresee that happening. I dont know how to describe everything that happened, how I was feeling, But I will say I was tearing up pretty good. I had a lot of [teammates] supporting me, and that will be something Ill remember for my entire life."Shaw had been scratched from the Cubs lineup that night before a game against the Atlanta Braves.Kirk, a native of Arlington Heights, a north suburb of Chicago, was "one of the biggest Cubs fans I ever Met," according to Shaw. In fact, Shaw said it was Erika Kirk, his widow, who asked him to attend the memorial. After a conversation with Counsell and some teammates, Shaw felt his decision to attend was accepted."The reason Charlie and I connected so close was because of our faith," Shaw added. "Thats something that drives me every single day, something that I think about all the time. So, if people are wondering who I am and what I stand for, Id say that my faith and the many blessings Ive been given are why Im able to be here, and I just want to make sure that I can give that back to people, that I can support people around me, that I can love people around me the same way that Ive been blessed."The Cubs were among the teams in MLB to pay tribute to Kirk, calling for an end to "all political violence."The flag at Wrigley Field was flown at half-staff in accordance with MLBs request that teams follow President Donald Trumps presidential proclamation honoring Kirk.Follow Fox News Digitalssports coverage on X, and subscribe tothe Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer, a Heisman Trophy favorite, needs surgery on his right throwing hand a huge blow to the Sooners offense.However, Mateer is expected to return "this season" for the Sooners, though they will need to stay afloat until then.Head coach Brent Venables announced the Mateer news on Tuesday, a surprising situation following Oklahomas 24-17 win over Auburn.The Sooners are 4-0 to start the season.CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM"After consulting with medical experts, it became clear that surgery is the best option for John and his short- and long-term future," Venables said in a statement. "Hes extremely disappointed he will miss some game action but is eager to correct the issue and move forward."As he is with everything, we know he will be aggressive with his rehabilitation and work to return to the field as quickly as possible."EXPERT DETAILS HOW LATEST INJURIES TO JAYDEN DANIELS, JJ MCCARTHY COULD HAMPER THEIR ABILITIESMateer is reportedly dealing with a broken bone in his right hand, per ESPN, though its unknown how the injury occurred. He is expected to miss around a month for the Sooners.Oklahoma said that Mateer suffered the injury during the first quarter of the win over Auburn, though he continued to play. He went 24-of-36 through the air for 271 yards with a touchdown pass. He also scored on a rush attempt.While the Sooners dont play this upcoming Saturday as theyre on a bye week, Michael Hawkins Jr., Mateers sophomore backup, is expected to start against Kent State on Oct. 4.Mateer will also be missing the highly anticipated Red River rivalry game against Texas on Oct. 11.Of course, losing a potential Heisman finalist is hard to overcome, but Oklahoma must have Hawkins step up with SEC standings and College Football Playoff implications at stake.After the Texas game, Oklahoma will face South Carolina and a gauntlet of ranked teams including Ole Miss, Tennessee, Alabama, Missouri and LSU.Mateer, who transferred to Oklahoma after three seasons at Washington State, leads the SEC in passing yards (1,215), and completions (95) over four games.Follow Fox News Digitalssports coverage on X, and subscribe tothe Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

The daughter of 59-year-old Ryan Routh, who was convicted on Tuesday of attempting to assassinate President Donald Trump during his 2024 presidential campaign, stormed out of the courtroom after the verdict, cursing at the press and making threats.The drama came after Routh was found guilty of all charges against him, and seemingly tried to stab himself in the neck with a pen several times before four U.S. Marshals restrained him.His daughter, Sara Routh, stood up in the courtroom and started cursing in front of the jury.BONDI PRAISES RYAN ROUTH VERDICT, SAYS ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT WAS AN 'AFFRONT TO OUR VERY NATION ITSELF'"Dont do anything. I will get you out," Sara Routh said. "What the f---. F---. He didnt hurt anybody. This is not fair. This is all rigged you guys are a--holes."She stormed out of the building, telling the media to "go away" and "get the f--- out of my face."JURORS BEGIN DELIBERATIONS IN TRUMP GOLF COURSE ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT TRIALRyan Routh, who represented himself, was convicted of five criminal counts, including attempting to assassinate a major presidential candidate, assaulting a federal officer, and multiple gun charges.The charges carry a maximum sentence of life in prison.As Ryan Routh departed in a black SUV, Sara Routh chased after it, repeatedly shouting, "I love you."PROSECUTORS PRESENT FINAL WITNESS TYING RYAN ROUTH TO TRUMP'S GOLF CLUB AND GUN PURCHASESara Routh and her brother, Adam Routh, walked to their car, as she continued to berate the press.One reporter asked, "Is your dad OK?" to which she replied, "He's better be or everybodys f--king dead You can all go to hell. Its all yalls fault. F--king lies. Spreading lies about my f---ing father."CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APPAdam Routh, who appeared to remain calm during the meltdown, ushered his sister into the car.As the media crowded the vehicle, he pointed and asked reporters to move out of the way, before driving off.Fox News Digital's Breanne Deppisch, Jamie Joseph and Heather Lacy contributed to this report.

Comedian Guy Branum claimed he was left with bruises after an alleged altercation with a fellow passenger during a recent flight on Delta Air Lines.On Sept. 14, the 49-year-old actor shared a video on Instagram in which he said he was sitting in the middle seat when a man sat down next to him and complained about not having enough space. Branum alleged the man then elbowed him and told him that he was "too fat" to fly."I had an exciting adventure on my plane flight today," the "No Strings Attached" actor began his video, which he labeled "Flying While Fat.""Normally when I [have] more money, I'll fly business class because I'm a big guy and I don't want to be in anybody else's space," he continued. "And this time, I got a Comfort Plus ticket." According to Deltas website, Comfort+ seats are the same width as standard economy but provide more legroom.COMEDIANS TURN FAT SHAMING JOKE ON JOE ROGAN'S PODCAST INTO ANNUAL 5K THAT IS CHANGING LIVESBranum said he often worried about flying since he has had "people freak out at me before.""And today, it was a middle seat, not great," he said. "A guy came down, a White man in his sixties."And first, he freaked out at a woman because she was putting something in the overhead compartment near his seat," Branum continued. "Then he sat down next to me, and he immediately was just p----- off at me and asked me if I could move over. And I was like, 'No, I can't.' Then he just elbowed me as hard as he could."In the video, Branum displayed an image of bruises on his side that he allegedly sustained after the incident."And then I took this video," he said as the clip cut to another video in which he was seen seated on the plane next to the man."Elbowed me because he believes that I'm too fat to be sitting next to him," Branum claimed to the camera as the man remarked, "Well, who wouldn't believe that?""Would you be happy if I elbowed you back?" Branum asked the man.LIKE WHAT YOURE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS"Well, there's not a lot of room here for me," the man replied. "I paid for this seat too.""I paid for this seat as well," Branum pointed out."Think you'd want to at least share the armrest?" the man asked. Branum responded, "Yes, we're not sharing the armrest right now. Right now, you are using the armrest because you elbowed me to get out.""I'm not even on the armrest," the man said before Branum told him, "I'm not on the armrest either."The two continued to argue as the man appeared to imply that Branum should lose weight. After Branum told the man, "You are hardly svelte yourself," the man said he was a member of WeightWatchers.""And that is how I lost the weight," the man told him.Branum then asked the man if he expected him to lose weight in the "next 20 minutes or so.""No, have you ever," the man said as Branum interjected, "Do you think I have ever tried to lose weight, Sir?""I don't know," the man said.CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER"Do you really think that I'm a fat person in this country, and I've never tried to lose weight?" Branum asked."I don't know," the man repeated."OK," Branum said.The video cut to Branum as he addressed the camera, explaining that he told a flight attendant that the man had "hit" him but "I was OK to stay in the seat if necessary."Branum claimed the man complained to the airline staff that he was "too fat."The comedian said multiple Delta staffers came to observe "if I was too fat," including a senior crew member who told the man that Branum would not be removed. Eventually, the man switched seats with a woman across the aisle, and Delta offered her frequent flyer miles for the inconvenience. Branum said he also requested miles.Branum noted that the woman who eventually sat next to him was "so nice." However, he went on to say that "fat people shouldn't be waiting for some future moment when we'll be worthy of traveling and living our lives."The Emmy Award winner alleged a staff member asked him to delete his video, but he refused. He said other passengers then backed him up, telling staff the man had been difficult with others on the flight.He said the woman who eventually sat beside him was "so nice," but added that "fat people shouldnt be waiting for some future moment when well be worthy of traveling and living our lives."Fox News Digital has reached out to Delta Air Lines for comment.In an interview with TMZ on Saturday, Branum said he plans to file a police report and a civil lawsuit against the man. "You cant hit somebody because you think theyre fat," he told the outlet.Branum also alleged that the man was not removed from the flight because of his status as a frequent flyer. He told TMZ he has been in contact with Delta representatives about the issue.Fox News Digital has also reached out to representatives for Branum for comment.

Former San Jose State University women's volleyball assistant coach Melissa Batie-Smoose has filed a lawsuit against the Board of Trustees of the California State University (CSU) system. SJSU is one of 23 California-based schools that are part of the CSU system.Batie-Smoose's contract was not renewed when it expired in February, after being suspended from the team in the middle of the season for filing a Title IX complaint over the program's handling of a transgender athlete on its team and a female player who objected to the trans athlete.Now, Batie-Smoose is alleging wrongful termination, claiming she "suffered and continues to suffer lost wages, loss of professional reputation and opportunity, emotional distress, and other damages.""Defendants actions were willful, intentional, and/or taken with reckless disregard for Plaintiffs federally protected rights," the lawsuit states.CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM"Other coaches who did not oppose the inclusion of a biological male on the womens volleyball team or who did not advocate for the rights of female athletes, were not subjected to suspension, termination or any discriminatory actions as was Plaintiff."A spokesperson from San Jose State University responded to the lawsuit."We are aware of the filing and have no further comment, due to pending litigation," the spokesperson told Fox News Digital.Batie-Smoose's Title IX complaint against the school, which she filed at the end of last October, first brought to light allegations that the transgender athlete, Blaire Fleming, conspired with an opposing player to have teammate Brooke Slusser spiked in the face during a game.Slusser previously joined a lawsuit against the NCAA and filed another against the Mountain West Conference, citing her experience of being made to share changing spaces and hotel rooms with Fleming without being told Fleming's birth sex.Batie-Smoose was then suspended at the start of November, while the allegations against Fleming prompted an investigation by the Mountain West into the situation.The Mountain West's investigation determined that sufficient evidence could not be found, however, Fox News Digital later reported that the law firm hired to conduct the investigation, Willkie Farr & Gallagher (WFG), is the same firm that is representing the Mountain West against Slusser's lawsuit, which also contain the allegations against Fleming of conspiring to have Slusser harmed, as seen in public records obtained by Fox News Digital.Slusser also previously told Fox News Digital that she had a conversation with a teammate who was interviewed as part of WFG's investigation.INSIDE GAVIN NEWSOM'S TRANSGENDER VOLLEYBALL CRISIS"Based on what I was told, exactly what one of my teammates had seen go on that night about talking about the scouting report and leaving the net open was told to those lawyers. So, that should have been sufficient evidence [of the alleged plan by Fleming]," Slusser told Fox News Digital, adding she wants to see the investigation reopened."People are telling you this happened, and it's not second-hand information. She sat there and heard the conversation between Blaire and [former Colorado State volleyball player] Malaya [Jones]. So, to me, just from what I know without even having to dig deep into this investigation, there is sufficient evidence, and they were told sufficient evidence."Fox News Digital cannot independently verify that Slussers teammate corroborated the allegations against Fleming when speaking to investigators.WFG later deleted a Nov. 27 online press release from its website that announced the legal victory to keep Fleming eligible. The page is still viewable via an online archive.Fox News Digital has asked WFG multiple times why the page was deleted but has not gotten a response.Meanwhile, Batie-Smoose previously told Fox News Digital what she recalled during the Oct. 3 game against Colorado State in which Fleming was accused of conspiring with opposing player Malaya Jones to have Slusser spiked in the face."Close to the end of that set was when [Fleming] overpassed a serve right on top of the net for Malayla to hit toward Brooke Slusser, and then those two were kind of always doing eye contact and making smirks up to that point. But then, when that happened, they both laughed, and [Fleming] said, Thank you, and that's when Blaire blew her a kiss," Batie-Smoose alleged.Weeks after her contract was not renewed in February, Batie-Smoose's home in Scotts Valley, California, was vandalized in a shooting.Scotts Valley Police Department Captain Scott Garner previously told Fox News Digital that officers determined that the weapon used was a pellet gun, and was investigated as an act of vandalism. The pellet had been recovered by police. Nobody was harmed and no suspect or motive was determined.Batie-Smoose said she previously received hostile emails about her stance on Fleming and trans inclusion in women's sports. She also claimed to have had in-person altercations with individuals in Santa Cruz and Scotts Valley who disagreed with her stance."People recognize me in the community and I'm in an area that's speaking out and speaking to fight for women's sports, I'm in an area with some crazies and I definitely believe it was a target on me for speaking out," she said.Meanwhile, SJSU is under an ongoing investigation by the U.S. Department of Education for its handling of the situation involving Fleming and Slusser.Follow Fox News Digitalssports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told Fox News anchor Bret Baier in an exclusive interview with "Special Report" that his relationship with President Donald Trump has grown closer, with more frequent communication and stronger alignment on how to handle the ongoing war with Russia.Asked directly by Baier if his ties with Trump had improved, Zelenskyy said, "I think we have better relations than before. Its good that we have often [had] phone calls and meetings, and the fact that [Russian President Vladimir] Putin was lying to President Trump so many times also made a difference between us."Zelenskyy also said the intelligence shared between Kyiv and Washington is now more closely aligned, which he described as important for making decisions on the battlefield.ZELENSKYY ACCUSES TRUMP OF GIVING PUTIN 'WHAT HE WANTED' AT ALASKA SUMMITDuring the program, Baier read part of a Truth Social message in which Trump said Ukraine, with European and NATO backing, could win back all its territory. Zelenskyy admitted the outlook surprised him but called it encouraging."President Trump was more positive in it, and he showed that he wants to support Ukraine to the very end," Zelenskyy said. "I was very positive about signals from the side that Trump and America will be with us to the end of the war."Zelenskyy said Trump understands the need for stronger measures against Moscow. He called for pressure directly on Russias energy sector and banking system and said more sanctions are expected from the U.S.BACK FROM ALASKA, TRUMP STARTS WEEK WITH CRUCIAL FOREIGN POLICY TALKS OVER UKRAINE WARHe added that Trumps position has shifted to territorial concessions."I think he understands for today that we cant just swap territories. Its not fair," Zelenskyy said.The interview marked Zelenskyys clearest signal yet that he believes Trumps administration is committed to Ukraines defense.The Ukrainian leader said he wants the conflict to an end as quickly as possible, while cautioning that Putin remains unwilling to negotiate in good faith.CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP"As I said, we are ready for peace, but we have to be in strong position," Zelenskyy told Baier.The White House did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy is slamming the Biden administration, especially former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, for leaving behind an "unprecedented backlog" of critical infrastructure safety improvements across the country.A spokesperson for Buttigieg, who is a rumored 2028 Democratic presidential candidate, dismissed the DOTs criticisms as "nonsense."This week, Duffy announced that his department is obligating four grants, totaling $42 million, to improve safety on Floridas Brightline high speed railway, which runs from Miami to Orlando. According to the department, the grants were announced and touted under Buttigiegs leadership, but the Biden administration never actually delivered on obligating those funds.The DOT said the Trump administration inherited a backlog of over 3,200 grants that were announced but never obligated by Buttigieg-Biden. The department said that this has "delayed critical investments in communities across the country."DUFFY EXPANDS AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL TRAINING PROGRAM TO FIGHT NATIONWIDE SHORTAGEIn Florida, the oldest grant now being obligated by the Trump administration was first announced three years ago in 2022. The department said that "after much fanfare, their administration failed to do any of the work to actually process and deliver these funds to Brightline or project sponsors in Florida."DOT said these unfulfilled grants were to help install safety fencing, grade crossing upgrades and a trespassing alert system. The grants included $24.9 million for a trespassing and intrusion mitigation project, $15.4 million for a Broward County sealed corridor project, $1.6 million for a trespassing identification and classification system and a $150,000 grant for Palm Beach County Sheriffs Office to support overtime costs for enforcement of pedestrian trespassing at hot spots."Under Secretary Duffys direction, the Department of Transportation is working diligently to accelerate the distribution of these long-overdue funds and address core infrastructure projects," said DOT.In the statement, Duffy called the unfulfilled safety grants "the latest consequence of the unprecedented Biden-Buttigieg backlog."One of the defining moments of Buttigiegs tenure as transportation secretary involved a major train wreck that released toxic materials in East Palestine, Ohio, in 2023. While Buttigieg was criticized for his handling of the crisis, he placed the blame on the Trump administration for reversing a rail regulation because of a law passed by Congress in 2015. "Their failure to execute on these rail grants some of which stretch back years put Brightlines three million annual passengers and Florida communities in unnecessary danger," said Duffy. "Under President Trumps leadership, America is building again. We are delivering critical resources in record time to enhance safety on our railways, roads, and bridges."BUTTIGIEG 'GOT NOTHING DONE,' DUFFY DECLARES: 'PETE APPEARS UNBURDENED BY NO LONGER BEING A CABINET SECRETARY'In response, Chris Meagher, a spokesman for Buttigieg, dismissed the DOTs criticisms as "more of the same nonsense we've heard from them in the past.""We invested in more projects than any administration in the past, and more than 22,000 projects were completed duringPete's time in office," Meagher told Fox News Digital.He said that during Buttigiegs tenure, the DOT announced more than $390 billion of funding for more than 78,000 projects, more than 22,000 of which were completed, including 445 rail projects, over 200,000 miles of roadway repairs and improvements, over 12,300 projects to build, repair and modernize bridges, and other projects.He noted that "some of those projects take time to get done right.""As with any change in Administration, it then becomes the job of the incoming Administration to finish the job, which is nothing new," said Meagher. "What is new is that the current officeholder complains about it instead of just getting the job done."BIDEN'S STAFF WANTED A COGNITIVE TEST TAKEN AFTER 2024 PRESIDENTIAL DEBATEA spokesperson for the Trump DOT, meanwhile, told Fox News Digital that while Buttigieg and Biden "talked a big game," their backlog "speaks volumes."CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP"They didnt do the hard work to actually get critical infrastructure dollars out the door. Instead, they spent their time wasting billions on DEI programs and worrying about whether the term cockpit was offensive," said the spokesperson."The contrast here couldnt be more clear," the spokesperson went on. "In less than a year, Secretary Duffy has moved quickly to get clear the backlog and invest in real infrastructure projects like these rail grants. Brightline riders and Florida communities will be safer because of it."

The New Jersey State Fraternal Order of Police (NJ FOP) endorsed gubernatorial candidate Jack Ciattarelli Tuesday, marking a red shift on law enforcement issues in the Garden State.Ciattarelli, a former State Assembly member endorsed by President Donald Trump, reacted to the endorsement on X, noting he was "honored" to have the faith, trust and confidence of the organization's leadership."As Governor, I will do everything in my power to support law enforcement - and their families. Working in close partnership, we can and will make communities all across New Jersey safe," he wrote in a post."In a number of ways, the job of law enforcement has never been more difficult, which is why recruitment, retention and morale is down. We can change all that by restoring respect for authority, law and order and, most of all, the men and women in blue who are trained and dedicated professionals very much committed to serving and protecting."TRUMP NOT ON BALLOT, BUT PRESIDENT FRONT AND CENTER IN 2025 ELECTIONSThe NJ FOP does not always endorse a gubernatorial candidate. Its most recent endorsement before the Ciattarelli nod was handed to Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy in 2016.Murphy, who led consistently in the polls, won the race in 2017."Law enforcement needs the support of our political leadership," Ciattarelli wrote in the post. "As Governor, they will have it from me, the Attorney General, and my entire administration."GIANNO CALDWELL MULLS SENATE BID AS CHICAGOANS ARE 'BEGGING FOR CHANGE' ON CRIME WOESThe 63-year-old business owner first ran for governor in 2017, finishing runner-up in the Republican primary. In 2021, he secured the GOP nomination but fell short of ousting Murphy in a near upset.Ciattarelli vowed that, on his first day of office, he will repeal the states Immigrant Trust Directive, which restricts local police from working closely with federal immigration authorities.While he promised to direct the attorney general to withdraw lawsuits brought against the Trump administration, he said his allegiance is with New Jerseyans.In response to recent surveys predicting he is falling behind Rep. Mikie Sherrill, D-N.J., Ciattarelli told affiliate FOX 5 New York, "This is the same polling that had me down double digits with two weeks to go last time. Weve got it as a dead heat, as does my opponent."

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is targeting an illegal alien who is charged with strangling his infant sister with a power cord, leaving the baby in critical condition.In a statement Tuesday, the Department of Homeland Security announced it had lodged a detainer against Alvaro Mejia-Ayala, a 21-year-old Salvadoran national, after he was arrested for strangulation of an infant by police in Leesburg, Virginia.According to the Leesburg Police Department, police responded to a report of an infant not breathing on the morning of Sept. 17. The department said it discovered the baby had been the victim of an assault and that Mejia-Ayala had fled on foot.Local Fox affiliate Fox 5 reported that the infant was found unresponsive with a white charging cable around her neck.TRUMP OFFICIALS SLAM BLUE STATE GOVERNOR FOR IGNORING CHAOTIC ANTI-ICE RIOTERS DISRUPTING OPERATIONWith the assistance of the Loudoun County Sheriffs Office, the department tracked down Mejia-Ayala. He is now in custody and is being charged with strangulation.According to DHS, the baby is in critical condition.A spokesperson for the agency told Fox News Digital that Mejia-Ayala entered the U.S. as part of a family unit from El Salvador during the Obama administration in 2016. The spokesperson said that on Oct. 17, 2024, the Biden administration dismissed Mejia-Ayalas immigration case, allowing him to illegally remain in the U.S. indefinitely.DHS also said that Mejia-Ayala was previously arrested by police for reckless driving in 2024, but he was released "before ICE could even lodge a detainer."DHS REJECTS NBC REPORT CLAIMING ICE USED 5-YEAR-OLD AUTISTIC GIRL AS BAIT TO ARREST FATHERThe Virginia General District Court online database says that Mejia-Ayala pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of reckless driving in February 2024. The database also lists several other charges against Mejia-Ayala, including driving without a license in 2023 and failure to display license plates in 2024 and 2025.DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin commented on the case, saying that "ICE lodged an immigration detainer to ensure this heinous criminal is not released on U.S. streets.""What kind of sick monster strangles a defenseless, innocent baby girl with a charging cord? This barbarism has no place in the U.S.," said McLaughlin."President Trump and Secretary Noem have been clear: Criminal illegal aliens are not welcome in the United States."In a separate message posted to X, McLaughlin wrote, "Pray for this precious baby girl. May God cover her and protect her."MISSING NY GIRL FOUND IN ILLINOIS AMONG ILLEGAL MIGRANTSIn another X post, Homeland Security called Mejia-Ayala a "monster" and the case an example of "PURE EVIL.""This criminal illegal alien STRANGLED AN INFANT with a charging cable," DHS wrote, adding, "President Trump and @Sec_Noem will not allow this barbarism in America."A spokesperson for Biden declined to comment. Fox News Digital also reached out to Obama spokespeople but did not receive a response by the time of publication.