Northeast
Trump victory brings relief to family of mom allegedly murdered by illegal immigrant on pedestrian trail
Rachel Morin’s family says they are “thankful” for President-elect Trump’s commitment to making border security “a national priority” after an illegal immigrant allegedly murdered Morin while she was out jogging on a pedestrian trail last year.
Victor Antonio Martinez-Hernandez, a 23-year-old illegal immigrant from El Salvador, is accused of brutally attacking and killing the 37-year-old mother of five on the Ma & Pa Trail in Bel Air, Maryland — an affluent Baltimore suburb north of the city — in August 2023.
“We are thankful for the support from Mr. Trump and to see border security elevated as a national priority,” Patty Morin, Rachel’s mother, said in a Monday statement. “We believe Rachel’s story played a role in highlighting the urgent need for reforms that will make America safer. We are relieved knowing that Mr. Trump’s commitment to common sense border security will work to ensure that no other family will have to suffer the same tragic loss.”
The Morin family spoke alongside Trump at a number of campaign locations ahead of the election, including a stop at the U.S.-Mexico border in Cochise County, Arizona, in August — about a year after Morin’s death.
WATCH: BODY CAMERA FOOTAGE OF MIGRANT ACCUSED IN RAPE, MURDER OF MARYLAND MOM RACHEL MORIN
A photo of Rachel Morin is posted to a tree by her family last night along the Ma and Pa Trail in Bel Air, Maryland, Thursday, Aug. 10, 2023. The 37-year-old was murdered while hiking the trail. (Mega for Fox News Digital)
“The Morins have always believed in the value of spotlighting the border crisis,” Randolph Rice, the family’s attorney, said. “Now, with the election of a leader who shares their belief, they can begin to heal, knowing that Rachel’s legacy will contribute to meaningful change. They look forward to Mr. Trump’s administration taking immediate action to protect our American communities.”
ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT INDICTED FOR RACHEL MORIN’S MURDER IN ‘CRUCIAL STEP’: FAMILY LAWYER
U.S. Republican presidential candidate and former President Donald Trump comforts Patty Morin, mother of Rachel Morin, who was murdered by an undocumented migrant, at the U.S.-Mexico border on Aug. 22, 2024 south of Sierra Vista, Arizona. (Rebecca Noble)
The family hopes Trump’s border policies will prevent future tragedies involving suspects who entered the United States illegally.
Martinez-Hernandez was apprehended in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and faces charges of first-degree murder, rape and kidnapping, in connection with Morin’s death.
MARYLAND SHERIFF’S ‘GUT’ SAYS RACHEL MORIN WAS ‘STALKED’ BY SUSPECT BEFORE HER MURDER
Patty Morin, whose daughter was allegedly killed by an illegal immigrant, testifies during a House Committee on Homeland Security at the U.S. Capitol on Sept. 18, 2024 in Washington, D.C. (Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images)
Authorities have labeled him a potential serial killer after his alleged involvement in a slew of crimes against women in Central America and the United States, and prosecutors are seeking a life sentence without the possibility of parole for the suspect.
Investigators tied DNA found at the scene of Morin’s murder to DNA found inside a Los Angeles residence after a home invasion in March of last year.
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Despite the DNA match linking the two cases, however, authorities were unable to find an identity match for the DNA samples collected from either crime scene because it was not previously logged in the national Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) system, where authorities log DNA samples of offenders arrested in the United States.
Victor Antonio Martinez-Hernandez, 23, arrives in Maryland. He is charged with first-degree murder and first-degree rape in Rachel Morin’s death on the Ma & Pa Heritage Trail in Bel Air, Maryland. (Jerry Jackson/The Baltimore Sun/Getty Images)
“We are 1,800 miles from the southern border,” Harford County Sheriff Jeffrey Gahler said in June while announcing the suspect’s arrest. “And American citizens are not safe because of their failed immigration policies.”
In what many political pundits have described as a crisis, millions of migrants flooded into the United States during the Biden administration as numbers skyrocketed in 2021 and remained at record highs through 2022 and 2023.
Numbers dropped sharply in June after Biden limited entries, although migrants have continued to come into the United States via a broad use of humanitarian parole.
While numbers are now down at the border, 2024 has seen a series of high-profile crimes by illegal immigrant suspects, some of whom were allowed into the U.S. under the administration.
Fox News’ Adam Shaw contributed to this report.
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Northeast
Noem says Trump administration is ‘on offense,’ using ‘every single tool that we have’ to protect Americans
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Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said Thursday that “we are on offense,” adding the Trump administration “is using every single tool that we have to protect the American people.”
Noem made the remark in New York City after hailing the results of Operation Salvo, which was launched in the wake of an attack on an off-duty U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agent there in July.
Noem said an investigation into that incident revealed that the “scumbags” behind it are linked to the “notorious” Trinitarios criminal gang in New York and were “protected up until that point by sanctuary city policies.”
“Operation Salvo is just the beginning of a broader and a much more sustained effort to go after not only transnational criminal organizations and networks, but also illegal criminal aliens throughout the country,” Noem declared.
TWO ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT SUSPECTS INDICTED ON ATTEMPTED MURDER CHARGES IN CBP OFFICER SHOOTING CASE IN NYC
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem speaks during a press conference in New York City Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026. (Yuki Iwamura/AP)
“We are on offense. The Trump administration is using every single tool that we have to protect the American people. Sanctuary policies, whether they’re here in New York City, whether they’re in California, Illinois or Minneapolis, if you are a criminal illegal alien, we are coming to get you,” she added.
“We will arrest you, we will bring justice, and we will also bring safety to the American people. We are warning anyone if you think you can harm an individual, a citizen of the United States, or a law enforcement officer, we will find you and bring you to justice.
NOEM ALLEGES WOMAN KILLED IN ICE SHOOTING ‘STALKING AND IMPEDING’ AGENTS ALL DAY
Cristihan Ayba Berroa, left, and Miguel Francisco Mora-Nunez, were arrested after the shooting of an off-duty CBP officer in New York City in July 2025. (Department of Homeland Security)
“If you lay a finger on one of our officers, we will catch you, we will prosecute you, and you will feel the full extent of the law. In every single thing the Trump administration does, we put the American people first.”
Noem told reporters that 54 individuals have been taken into custody as a result of Operation Salvo, which involved coordination from CBP, Homeland Security Investigations, Enforcement and Removal Operations, federal prosecutors from the Southern District of New York and the New York County District Attorney’s Office.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem arrives at a news conference Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, in New York City. (Yuki Iwamura/AP)
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“Those arrested are violent transnational gang members and affiliates associated with Trinitarios, who are responsible for weapons trafficking, for human smuggling, for narcotics distribution and for armed robberies,” she added.
“They had perpetuated previous violent attacks across the city of New York City. We have already removed not only many, many of these individuals that we have arrested, but over 60% of them have been returned back to their home countries to face justice for their crimes there as well.”
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Boston, MA
Boston City Council starts new term with turbulence
A chaotic carousel is turning at Boston City Hall.
One week has passed since City Councilor Liz Breadon, who represents District 9, was elected president following a last-minute candidacy.
“It’s been a very rock start,” said District 2 City Councilor Ed Flynn.
“It’s really important, today, that we move forward,” said City Councilor Sharon Durkan of District 8.
Breadon claiming the gavel was aided by a late-night meeting from Durkan and District 5 City Councilor Enrique Pepén, who came to Breadon’s home hours before the vote asking her to be a compromise candidate.
In November, District 1 City Councilor Gabriela Coletta Zapata claimed to have the votes needed to become council president, but she faced a challenge from City Councilor Brian Worrell of District 4.
Coletta Zapata bowed out of the race the night before the vote.
“This city council election for presidency divided the council,” said Flynn. “Many people thought of all the 13 city councilors, the most talented and well-respected was Brian Worrell.”
“You actually saw it all play out in real time on the council floor,” said Durkan. “A lot’s been made about the visit that I made to Councilor Braden’s house. It really, I just thought she would make a good president, and when I was unable to reach her on the phone, I just thought, ‘Why not.’”
Questions have also swirled about whether Boston Mayor Michelle Wu played a role in Breadon’s candidacy.
“My choice for president has always been about what I think is good for the city, but it’s true, what’s good for the city council and what’s good for the mayor is good for the city,” said Durkan.
That back-and-forth spilled into the weekend. On Friday, Breadon told NBC10 Boston’s @Issue that she would choose Coletta Zapata as her vice president. But on Saturday, she said Coletta Zapata wanted to be chair of government operations instead, and that Worrell would be vice president.
Sunday night, Worrell said he would decline the role, and on Monday, Coletta Zapata said she had accepted it.
“I look forward to a city council that’s ready to work, together, for our city,” Coletta Zapata said via text message.
Breadon echoed those sentiments on @Issue.
“It behooves me to really engage with my colleagues and try and heal the wounds and move forward as a solid body,” she said.
The Boston City Council does not have a scheduled meeting until Jan. 28 as committee assignments for the term are finalized.
Pittsburg, PA
Pittsburgh Steelers release inactive list for Texans playoff game, including two young players
PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Steelers have released their inactive list for the Houston Texans, and it has no surprises on it with the team fully healthy.
Running back Kaleb Johnson and wide receiver Roman Wilson remain inactive. The Steelers gave both chances to prove what they could do, but they have been inactive for the last few weeks after the team shortened its rotation.
Meanwhile, offensive lineman Jack Driscoll remains inactive. Driscoll is the ninth offensive linemen on the roster, and the team is fully healthy at that position, meaning that he will not play.
Quarterback Will Howard remains the emergency third quarterback. Since returning from injured reserve earlier this season, Howard has remained in that spot behind Mason Rudolph and Aaron Rodgers.
Cornerback Tre Flowers was elevated off the practice squad but is inactive. The Steelers did the same thing last year when wide receivers Scotty Miller and Jamal Agnew.
Flowers played in one game for the Steelers this year before being released and re-signed to the practice squad.
Lastly, the have made outside linebacker Jeremiah Moon and interior defensive lineman Logan Lee inactive. Moon was signed off the Panthers practice squad once T.J. Watt was injured. Lee had been active over the last few weeks when the Steelers faced run heavy teams.
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