Southwest
Democrat faults his own party for picking wrong battle with case of deported MS-13 suspect
Rep. Henry Cuellar is pushing back against his own party over its stance on immigration, criticizing fellow Democrats for defending an illegal immigrant the Trump administration says is a violent MS-13 gang member.
“This is not the right issue to talk about due process. This is not the right case. This is not the right person to be saying that we need to bring him back to the United States,” Cuellar, D-Texas, told “The Brian Kilmeade Show” on Fox News Radio.
Cuellar was referring to Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a 29-year-old illegal immigrant deported in March to a prison in El Salvador. The Trump administration alleges that Abrego Garcia is affiliated with the violent MS-13 gang and publicized court documents for a protective order from his wife. Some Democrats argue that he was denied due process and are demanding his return.
Jennifer Vasquez Sura, Abrego Garcia’s wife, said in a recent statement that she had been acting out of caution by seeking a protective order.
“After surviving domestic violence in a previous relationship, I acted out of caution following a disagreement with Kilmar by seeking a civil protective order, in case things escalated,” she said in part. “Things did not escalate, and I decided not to follow through with the civil court process. We were able to work through the situation privately as a family, including by going to counseling.”
Cuellar said making Abrego Garcia the face of immigration advocacy damages the party’s credibility with voters.
DEMS FUME OVER ‘DUE PROCESS’ FOR ABREGO GARCIA DESPITE LONG HISTORY OF PARTY BUCKING THE LEGAL PRINCIPLE
Rep. Henry Cuellar is under scrutiny for being on the DCCC’s focus list for the 2026 election. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images/AP Photo/Eric Gay, File)
“Democrats should not take this issue,” Cuellar said. “When you look at immigration, is this the immigration case you want to take to fight on? In my opinion, absolutely no.”
Democratic lawmakers are challenging the administration’s deportation policies, including flights sending suspected criminal illegal migrants back to Central America. Several lawmakers have traveled to El Salvador to advocate for Abrego Garcia’s release and requested daily proof of life for him.
HOUSE DEMS DEMAND ‘PROOF OF LIFE’ OF ABREGO GARCIA AFTER BEING DENIED MEETING IN EL SALVADOR
Abrego Garcia crossed the U.S. border illegally, but later attempted to obtain protected legal status while living in Maryland.
His 2025 deportation was described in court as an administrative error. However, some Trump officials say the removal was justified, citing his alleged gang ties.
Cuellar, whose South Texas district includes a substantial Latino population, said he hears growing frustration from constituents about what they see as an inconsistent and unfair immigration system.
Rep. Robert Garcia, D-Calif., speaks to the media about Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran citizen who was living in Maryland and deported to El Salvador by the Trump administration, accompanied by Rep. Maxwell Frost, D-Fla., left, at a hotel in San Salvador, El Salvador, on Monday, April 21. (AP/Salvador Melendez)
“People were saying, ‘Our parents came in the legal way. They came in, became legal residents,’ and, ‘They came in and did it the right way.’ But when you see people jumping in, not knowing who they are,” he said. “That’s something wrong.”
Cuellar also expressed support for certain Trump-era border policies, particularly regarding security and enforcement. He dismissed previous Democratic claims that the border was secure.
Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., center, accompanied by Cesar Abrego Garcia, from left, Cecilia Garcia and Jennifer Vasquez Sura, speaks during a news conference upon his arrival from meeting with Kilmar Abrego Garcia in El Salvador, at Washington Dulles International Airport, in Chantilly, Va., Friday, April 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
“It was laughable when they would say that the border was secured,” he said. “Why are we going to let people in when you have no idea who these people are, and then let them roam the streets of the United States while you wait four or five years for an immigration court hearing? That was wrong, absolutely wrong.”
While Cuellar said he wouldn’t judge fellow Democrats for their choices, he questioned the party’s broader strategy on immigration and noted that some of the Trump administration’s policies were having an impact.
“The president has gotten Mexico to engage a lot more, if he can get them to play defense on their under 20-yard line instead of our 1-yard line called the U.S. border, then the better it is,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Trump administration continues to face legal challenges over its immigration agenda. The Supreme Court is set to hear a case in May involving federal judges who blocked an executive order aimed at ending birthright citizenship for children of illegal immigrants.
Read the full article from Here
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
The Austin Police Department (APD) has released mugshots of eight people who were arrested after anti-Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agitators turned violent this week.
The arrests came amid nationwide unrest that began in Los Angeles on June 7, when protests against recent ICE raids in the LA area turned violent, with agitators burning cars, throwing objects and fireworks at police, vandalizing property, blocking roads and resisting arrest throughout last weekend.
The LA riots have since bled into other major cities across the country, which are bracing for more protests and potential violence on Saturday.
After Monday’s protests in Austin, Texas, APD said the department “is committed to transparency and public safety and is sharing details regarding the events, officer injuries, arrests, and preparations for the days ahead.”
RODNEY KING RIOTS OFFICER SAYS LA MAYOR ACTED ‘TOO LATE’ AS ANTI-ICE VIOLENCE ENGULFS CITY
Austin police arrested eight alleged agitators on June 8 following protests that turned violent downtown. (Austin PD/ Brandon Bell)
“APD fully supports the constitutional right to peaceful protest and values civic engagement. However, unlawful actions that place the community or officers at risk will not be tolerated, and these incidents will be addressed,” APD said in a press release.
The Austin demonstration began at the Texas Capitol on Monday evening, which was closed at the time. Protesters moved through downtown Austin and eventually gathered at the J.J. Pickle Federal Building, “where individuals began defacing property with graffiti,” APD said.
TRUMP TAKES ACTION AGAINST ‘ORCHESTRATED ATTACK’ ON LAW ENFORCEMENT BY DEPLOYING MARINES TO LA: ASSEMBLYMAN2
Nationwide demonstrations in solidarity with Los Angeles are scheduled to occur this upcoming week as President Donald Trump continues preparations to send additional law enforcement to assist ICE raids in California. (Brandon Bell)
“Officers issued dispersal orders and moved the crowd west along 8th Street. Two individuals were arrested for criminal mischief related to the graffiti,” police said.
Tensions continued to escalate throughout the evening as agitators began throwing rocks at officers, and one person spat in an officer’s eye, according to police.
PROTESTERS HAULED AWAY AS ANTI-ICE PROTESTS CONTINUE IN LOS ANGELES DESPITE MAYOR’S CURFEW ORDER
The Austin Police Department arrested two people accused of graffitiing a federal building downtown. (Brandon Bell)
“In an effort to de-escalate, officers briefly withdrew, but the crowd advanced again. Officers held their position to prevent further damage and to protect both protesters and themselves, deploying pepperball towards the ground, to saturate the area,” APD said.
Officers with the Texas Department of Public Safety, which helped respond to the rioting, deployed tear gas to deter agitators from the federal building. Some protesters threw scooters and barricades into roadways as officers continued trying to contain the crowd.
COAST-TO-COAST ANTI-ICE CHAOS CAUGHT ON CAMERA
By the end of the evening, APD made eight arrests, noting that a total of four officers were injured and hospitalized in the riots. Three of the four officers were struck by rocks and the fourth suffered a shoulder injury. They are expected to make full recoveries, APD said.
Nationwide demonstrations in solidarity with Los Angeles are scheduled to occur this upcoming week as President Donald Trump continues preparations to send additional law enforcement to assist ICE raids in California. (Brandon Bell)
Conor Williams and Abigail Pore are charged with criminal mischief related to graffiti on a federal building, Alexandra Haddix is charged with failure to obey a lawful order, Cody Bates is charged with harassment of a public official, Edgar Tovar is charged with reckless driving, Shaneal Harun is charged with rioting and resisting arrest, Margarito Perez Montalvo is charged with interference with public duties and resisting arrest and Hayden Perez is charged with failure to obey a lawful order and harassment of a public servant.
DOZENS OF ANTI-ICE RIOTERS ARRESTED IN LA AS TRUMP SENDS IN NATIONAL GUARD TO QUELL VIOLENCE
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on Wednesday announced the deployment of National Guard troops across the state in response to protests.
“The State of Texas stands ready to deploy all necessary personnel and resources to uphold law and order across our state,” Abbott’s press secretary, Andrew Mahaleris, told Fox News Digital in a statement earlier this week. “Texas National Guard soldiers are on standby in areas where mass demonstrations are planned in case they are needed.”
A person displays signs during an “ICE Out of Austin” demonstration on Jun. 9, 2025, in Austin, Texas. People gathered during an emergency protest against the ongoing ICE (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement) raids and deportations across Los Angeles. (Brandon Bell/Getty Images)
Mahaleris noted that while “peaceful protests are part of the fabric of our nation,” the Lone Star state “will not tolerate the lawlessness we have seen in Los Angeles.”
“Anyone engaging in acts of violence or damaging property will be swiftly held accountable to the full extent of the law,” Mahaleris said.
Read the full article from Here
Southwest
Ex-megachurch founder hit with $1M lawsuit claiming sexual abuse and elaborate cover-up scheme
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
A former Texas megachurch pastor is being sued by a woman who claims he sexually assaulted and abused her when she was 12 years old.
The suit, filed this week in Dallas County District court, accuses Gateway Church founder Robert Morris and others of libel, malice, defamation, slander, failure to report, civil conspiracy, intentional infliction of emotional distress and unjust enrichment.
They are seeking more than $1 million in damages.
Pastor Robert Morris applauds during a roundtable discussion at Gateway Church Dallas Campus, Thursday, Jun. 11, 2020, in Dallas. A statement issued on Tuesday, Jun. 18, 2024, said that Morris resigned after a woman said he had abused her on multiple occasions in the 1980s, beginning when she was 12. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
HIGH SCHOOL TEACHER CHARGED WITH SEXUALLY ASSAULTING FORMER TEEN STUDENT AT HER HOME
Cindy Clemishire and her father, Jerry Lee Clemishire, filed the suit less than a year after sharing the allegations with a religious watchdog blog, The Wartburg Watch.
Cindy, 53, claimed she met Morris in 1981 while he was preaching at her church in Oklahoma and their families became close.
Gateway Church is also involved in a legal battle surrounding former pastor Robert Morris’ contract.
DIDDY ACCUSER SUES HARVEY WEINSTEIN FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT
She said Morris touched her inappropriately while staying at her house in 1982, and continued for the next four-and-a-half years.
An Oklahoma grand jury in March indicted Morris on five counts of lewd or indecent acts with a child. He is currently out on bond.
In the newly filed suit, Cindy alleges Morris’ wife, sons and church members attempted to cover up the abuse for financial gain, according to a report from affiliate FOX 4.
Though the lawsuit is in Texas, the sexual abuse allegedly occurred in Oklahoma. (Tamir Kalifa/Getty Images)
SWISS-BORN LIBERAL MEGADONOR SLAPPED WITH LAWSUIT FOR ALLEGEDLY GROPING, SEXUALLY HARASSING WINERY EMPLOYEE
“[The] defendants acted in concert, cooperated with each other and conspired to maximize their profits through their unlawful and unjust course of action to fraudulently conceal and cover up the rape of Plaintiff,” according to court documents.
Morris resigned in June 2024 and later filed a lawsuit against the church, stating his “highly inappropriate” relationship with a minor was not a breach of contract, and Gateway Church should fulfill its contractual financial obligations to him.
Church officials said he would have received millions in deferred compensation, additional retirement benefits and a severance payment, according to the report.
Gateway Church declined Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
Read the full article from Here
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
The Texas Department of Public Safety has announced on X that they have made an arrest in connection to the threats made to lawmakers earlier today.
According to the post on X, the arrest occurred during a traffic stop in La Grange, Texas.
The Texas DPS also said there is no additional active threat at this time. The capitol building and grounds have been reopened.
The Texas DPS said the investigation is still ongoing and will update more information as it becomes available.
The Texas Department of Public Safety earlier announced that they evacuated the Texas Capitol building and surrounding grounds.
TEXAS GOV. GREG ABBOTT DEPLOYS NATIONAL GUARD ACROSS STATE AHEAD OF ANTI-ICE PROTESTS
The Texas state capitol building, in Austin, Texas, has been evacuated due to credible death threats to lawmakers was discovered. (Fox News – Paul Steinhauser)
The evacuation came after Texas DPS discovered a credible threat to lawmakers.
The same lawmakers who were threatened later attended a protest in Austin.
Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick posted on X to heed the warning and take the threat seriously.
ANTI-TRUMP MILITARY PARADE DEMONSTRATIONS PUT MAJOR CITIES ACROSS AMERICA ON HIGH ALERT
Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick posted on X to heed the warning and take the threat seriously.”I urge everyone to take appropriate precautions and heed the warning of the Texas Department of Public Safety until the threat is no longer active,” Patrick said on X. “Just today, a credible threat was made to possibly kill members of the Texas Legislature at the Capitol.” (Getty)
“I urge everyone to take appropriate precautions and heed the warning of the Texas Department of Public Safety until the threat is no longer active,” Patrick said on X. “Just today, a credible threat was made to possibly kill members of the Texas Legislature at the Capitol.”
Patrick also said on X that while lawmakers receive threats and emails monthly, each must be taken seriously.
“There’s a difference between free speech complaints, which we welcome, and making death threats. The latter can be a crime. What happened today in Minnesota was an absolute criminal act and a tragic loss of life. Our prayers go out to those in Minnesota,” Patrick said on X.
Protests happened Saturday across the country, in what was described as a “day of defiance” against President Donald Trump and his allies.
Protesters march during a No Kings rally in Washington, D.C., Saturday, June 14, 2025. The demonstration is taking place at the same time as a parade marking the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army. (David Dee Delgado for Fox News Digital)
These protestors say they are defending democracy and are opposed to what they call Trump’s “authoritarian” rule.
These protests came on the same day Washington hosted the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary parade.
Fox News Digital’s Michael Dorgan contributed to this story.
Nick Butler is a reporter for Fox News Digital. Do you have any tips? Reach out to Nick.Butler@Fox.com.
Read the full article from Here
NBA Finals Chat: OKC Thunder vs. Indiana Pacers (Game 5)
2026 Quarterback Prospect Decommits From Iowa Hawkeyes
Dozens of metro artists to fill the air with the sounds of Kansas City
Four-star safety commits to Kentucky over Gophers and two other finalists
Supreme Court to hear appeal from Chevron in landmark Louisiana coastal damage lawsuits
-
West1 week agoBattle over Space Command HQ location heats up as lawmakers press new Air Force secretary
-
Technology1 week agoThere are only two commissioners left at the FCC
-
News1 week agoA former police chief who escaped from an Arkansas prison is captured
-
World1 week agoUkraine: Kharkiv hit by massive Russian aerial attack
-
Technology1 week agoXbox console games are suddenly showing up inside the Xbox PC app
-
News1 week agoMajor union boss injured, arrested during ICE raids
-
World1 week agoColombia’s would-be presidential candidate shot at Bogota rally
-
Technology1 week agoMassive DMV phishing scam tricks drivers with fake texts