Midwest
Navy vet charged with hate crime for smashing satanic statue in Iowa Capitol gets support from conservatives
Navy Reserve veteran Michael Cassidy received wide-spread support from conservatives and other notable figures after being charged with a hate crime for destroying a satanic statue that was erected at the Iowa state Capitol.
Notable figures like Elon Musk and Chaya Raichik, creator of Libs of TikTok, came to Cassidy’s defense after news of him being charged broke on Tuesday. Many who spoke out in support of Cassidy, lamented how left-wing protesters, who destroyed and vandalized statues of American historical figures, didn’t face the same stiff penalties that Cassidy now faces.
Local Iowa outlets reported that Polk County prosecutors accused Cassidy – who destroyed the statue in December – of violating the state’s hate crime statute and charged him.
NAVY VET DEFENDS BEHEADING IOWA CAPITOL’S SATANIC BAPHOMET STATUE: ‘CHRISTIAN CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE’
The Christian man who destroyed a statue of Baphomet at the Iowa state Capitol in December was recently hit with a hate crime charge for the offense. (Rep. Jon Dunwell)
The statue, depicting the horned demon Baphomet, was erected in the Capitol building by the Satanic Temple of Iowa as a religious display and therefore allowed to be there during the holidays under state rules.
After destroying the statue, Cassidy was initially cited for criminal mischief in the fourth degree and released after he told security that he had destroyed the statue. The felony hate crime charge was added Tuesday because according to a spokesman for the Polk County Attorney’s Office, the evidence indicated that Cassidy destroyed the statue for religious reasons.
“Evidence shows the defendant made statements to law enforcement and the public indicating he destroyed the property because of the victim’s religion,” Polk County Attorney’s Office spokesperson Lynn Hicks said.
The new charge means that Cassidy faces up to five years in prison. One of his lawyers, R. David Younts, told Fox News Digital, “It is deeply disappointing that my client is being targeted with this type of charge. His nonviolent actions were motivated by his sincere and deeply held religious faith.
“Nothing he did was targeted at any specific individual or organization. I hope that as the DA’s office carefully reviews the facts of this case they will dismiss the charge,” Younts added.
THE RISE OF THE SATANIC TEMPLE IN 2023
The statue of Baphomet was erected in the Capitol building by the Satanic Temple of Iowa last December. (Getty Images)
The official Libs of TikTok X account came to Cassidy’s defense and called out a perceived double standard in the U.S. justice system.
Mentioning the Black Lives Matter rallies of 2020, it stated, “Violent activists tore down dozens of statues including Columbus, Thomas Jefferson, and George Washington. None were held accountable or charged with a hate crime. Michael Cassidy knocks over a Satan statue made out of household items and gets charged with a hate crime.
“Welcome to America’s 2-tier-justice system. The police state made it clear who they worship. Wokeness and Satanism is the new religion,” the account added.
Tesla CEO and X owner Elon Musk weighed in on Cassidy’s legal charge, asking, “What has become of America?”
“It’s okay to hate Satan,” The Blaze columnist Auron MacIntyre wrote.
Pro-Trump influencer “DC Draino” mentioned a double standard here as well, posting, “Under the Biden regime: Razor wire is good for stopping Americans but bad for stopping illegal aliens. Statues of US Presidents can be torn down but touching statues of Satan is a hate crime. Violent criminals aren’t arrested but defending yourself will get you locked up. Insane.”
Libertarian commentator “Sal the Agorist” noted, “Destroy a statue of Robert E. Lee & you’ll get political points on MSM. Behead a statue of Satan & you’ll get charged with hate crime.”
The Post Millennial editor-in-chief Libby Emmons made a similar point, writing, “Statues of Jefferson, Washington were both torn down bc of hatred of white men. But the guy who tears down a statue of Satan is charged with a hate crime.”
“It’s now a crime in America to hate Satan,” conservative digital strategist Greg Price said.
“It was never mentioned that the trans Nashville shooter who specifically targeted Christian children committed a hate crime, but knocking over a statue of Satan is. America has fallen and we’re left to pay the price,” former NCAA athlete and anti-trans activist Riley Gaines wrote.
“Hate crime?!?!? Are you kidding me. Satan has NO PLACE in our state capitol,” conservative commentator Graham Allen said.
Fox News Digital’s Jeffrey Clark contributed to this report.
Read the full article from Here
Midwest
Terrifying moment caught on camera as road collapse suddenly swallows vehicles at busy intersection
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
Dramatic video showed the moment a road collapsed below two unsuspecting motorists near the University of Nebraska-Omaha Tuesday, sending their vehicles feet below ground.
Footage taken by university security cameras appeared to show the two vehicles rolling up to an intersection, side-by-side, before a car pulled up behind them, seemingly triggering the collapse.
Emergency crews responded to the incident at 67th and Pacific streets at about 3:30 p.m., local outlet WOWT reported.
The collapse appeared to be triggered by a pickup truck behind the two cars. (UNO Public Safety/TMX)
The vehicles’ occupants had escaped the hole by the time authorities arrived.
“This caught everybody by surprise,” University of Nebraska-Omaha Public Safety Lt. Dan Martin told the outlet.
Dust could be seen as the vehicles fell into the pavement. (UNO Public Safety/TMX)
SOUTH KOREAN TOURISTS DISAPPEAR DURING ROAD TRIP BETWEEN GRAND CANYON, LAS VEGAS
No injuries were reported, though WOWT reported a water main broke during the collapse.
It is unclear what led to the collapse.
The outlet reported a heavy-duty tow truck with a crane retrieved the cars a few hours later, and crews worked to pull concrete from the crater.
It is unclear what led to the road collapse. (UNO Public Safety/TMX)
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
Martin warned the sinkhole could expand, though it appears no additional sinkholes had been spotted as of Wednesday night.
Officials told WOWT the street will remain closed for “several days,” and motorists should avoid the area.
Related Article
Read the full article from Here
“Slow down and move over” is the message that Michigan State Police is sending to drivers after one of its troopers in a parked patrol car was struck while investigating a crash this weekend. The driver of that vehicle fled the scene.
Michigan State Police tells CBS News Detroit that we’re two months into the year, and it has had six incidents across the state where patrol cars were struck by oncoming vehicles. One of those incidents occurred on Sunday evening.
“Could have been much more tragic,” said MSP Lieutenant Rene Gonzalez, First District public information officer.
Gonzalez says on Sunday, an MSP trooper was near M-10 and Schaefer Highway in Detroit, simply doing his job, when his patrol car was hit from behind.
“Trooper was out there, and he was investigating a crash when, at the time, a Jeep SUV drove into the rear of the parked vehicle,” Gonzalez said.
The impact slid the trooper’s car into a concrete wall. The 29-year-old Detroit woman driving the Jeep SUV struck the center median, got out of the vehicle, and ran away.
“Not sure why they did it. Maybe not paying attention if they were distracted. They’re attempting to locate her at this time,” said Lt. Gonzalez.
The trooper walked away with minor injuries. Gonzalez says this incident is an example of why Michigan’s Move Over Law was put in place many years ago. The law, which went into effect in 2019, requires drivers to move over into the next lane and reduce their speed by at least 10 mph when emergency or service vehicles — police, fire, rescue, ambulance and road service — have their lights activated.
Drivers who are not able to move over are still required to reduce their speed.
“Trying to do our jobs, however, people are not paying attention. The law is easy. It’s simple. You see us, you see our lights activated, you have to slow down ten miles below the posted speed limit, and then if able, move over to the next occupied available lane,” Gonzalez said.
Gonzalez says crashes like this can be deadly and often avoided.
“One life lost over something that was a totally preventable crash, it’s way too much. We’re asking that you slow down and move over when you see our lights. It’s a simple message that we’ve been pushing out for years,” he said.
Sunday’s crash remains under investigation. Michigan State Police detectives are still working to track down the 29-year-old suspect.
In the meantime, police are out enforcing the Move Over Law.
North Texas voters flood polls early, boosting turnout in both parties
Utah snowpack numbers looking dismal with not much time to catch up
In Vermont, small town meetings grapple with debate on big issues
Del. Dan Helmer on Virginia redistricting and congressional run
Sister Bay, Wisconsin: 2026 USA TODAY 10BEST Readers’ Choice Awards
Florida High School Football Rankings: Top 25 teams – Oct. 21
Cleary's 21 help Le Moyne down Central Connecticut State 69-64 in OT
How old is Bo Nix? What to know about Oregon quarterback ahead of 2024 NFL Draft
99th annual Pony Swim held in Virginia
Indiana Members Credit Union announced as new anchor tenant at Bottleworks District
Trump sends official notification to Congress on strikes against Iran
Unexpected birth brings hope to near-extinct Amazon tribe
Supreme Court blocks redrawing of New York congressional map, dealing a win for GOP
Map: Earthquake Shakes Central California
Gas prices could jump as Middle East tensions threaten global oil supply
-
World5 days agoExclusive: DeepSeek withholds latest AI model from US chipmakers including Nvidia, sources say
-
Massachusetts5 days agoMother and daughter injured in Taunton house explosion
-
Denver, CO5 days ago10 acres charred, 5 injured in Thornton grass fire, evacuation orders lifted
-
Louisiana1 week agoWildfire near Gum Swamp Road in Livingston Parish now under control; more than 200 acres burned
-
Technology1 week agoYouTube TV billing scam emails are hitting inboxes
-
Politics1 week agoOpenAI didn’t contact police despite employees flagging mass shooter’s concerning chatbot interactions: REPORT
-
Technology1 week agoStellantis is in a crisis of its own making
-
News1 week agoWorld reacts as US top court limits Trump’s tariff powers