Southwest
Former SEAL still fighting to defend country in Congress, this time on border security
Rep. Morgan Luttrell, R-Texas, has taken his fight to defend the U.S. from the battlefield to the halls of Congress, where the freshman representative has recently introduced or supported a flury of immigration and border security reforms.
“It’s a different role, but there’s almost kind of a similar problem set,” Luttrell, who has made the transition from Navy SEAL to a first-term member of the House of Representatives, told Fox News Digital.
Luttrell’s comments come as the Texas lawmaker has taken on a new mission for defending the country, making border security one of the top issues of his first term in office.
“Texas is taking the brunt of this, in my opinion, and I’m a fifth-generation Texan. So, when I say it’s my home, it absolutely is. I am trying to protect the home front against all enemies, and we are just being overrun,” Luttrell said.
WITHOUT FUNDING FROM BORDER BILL, ICE CONTEMPLATES RELEASING THOUSANDS OF DETAINEES
Rep. Morgan Luttrell, R-Texas, talks with reporters at the Capitol on Jan. 10, 2024. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call via Getty Images)
Luttrell, whose twin brother, Marcus, is also a well-known SEAL veteran, has made it his new mission to combat the issue, introducing three border security-related pieces of legislation in February alone.
The first, introduced at the beginning of the month and called the Defend Our Borders from Armed Invaders Act, sought to empower National Guard troops with the ability to repel armed migrants from crossing the southern border. The second, introduced last week and called the Jalisco Cartel Neutralization Act, would require the Department of Defense to “establish a strategy to kill or capture Jalisco cartel leadership and provide a report to Congress on their progress.”
The latest legislation, shared first with Fox News Digital and called the Empowering Local Law Enforcement to Fight Sex Trafficking Demand Act, would allow for JAG program funds to be used to help local law enforcement fight human trafficking, an issue exacerbated by the crisis at the border.
“Human trafficking affects communities across our country, and Houston, Texas is currently the top city in America for these horrific crimes. Tragically, the problem is only getting worse as cartels exploit our open border,” Luttrell said of the legislation, introduced Thursday, in a press release. “This crucial, commonsense legislation provides law enforcement the resources to combat the traffickers who threaten and force men, women, and children into modern day slavery. We cannot allow human traffickers to continue to run amuck in our communities.”
That legislation comes amid a contentious battle between the state of Texas and the Biden administration, who are set to go to court over a state law signed in December that allows Texas police the ability to arrest and charge illegal migrants.
JUSTICE DEPARTMENT SUES TEXAS OVER LAW TO LET POLICE ARREST ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS
The Justice Department has sued the state over the law, arguing that it needs to maintain the federal government’s “exclusive authority under federal law to regulate the entry and removal of noncitizens.”
“Its efforts, through SB 4, intrude on the federal government’s exclusive authority to regulate the entry and removal of noncitizens, frustrate the United States’ immigration operations and proceedings, and interfere with U.S. foreign relations,” the DOJ lawsuit reads.
Rep. Morgan Luttrell (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)
But Luttrell said he’s seen the devastation of the border crisis firsthand in Texas, where constituents relay stories to him of loved ones who have become addicted to drugs and died of overdoses from narcotics smuggled across the border or fallen victim to human trafficking and other crimes as the result of cartels. Instead of waiting on the political gridlock in Washington, Luttrell said the federal government should utilize the help of local law enforcement.
His latest piece of legislation, Luttrell said, could do just that.
“It seems like the federal government is applying unnecessary pressure to our local law enforcement,” Luttrell said.
OVER 40 LAWMAKERS SIGN BRIEF TO SUPPORT TEXAS IN IMMIGRATION FIGHT WITH BIDEN ADMINISTRATION
Luttrell is attempting to break the gridlock by working across the aisle, with the new legislation garnering support from Rep. Chris Deluzio, D-Pa., who said the Texas lawmaker’s bill would help make “communities safer.”
“I’m glad to join with Congressman Luttrell on the Empowering Law Enforcement to Fight Sex Trafficking Demand Act to get more federal resources in the fight against the scourge of human trafficking,” Deluzio said in a statement.
Rep. Morgan Luttrell, R-Texas, is shown during his time as a Navy SEAL. (Morgan Luttrell/YouTube)
The bill has been co-sponsored by Reps. Michael McCaul, R-Texas, Ann Wagner, R-Mo., Lori Chavez-DeRemer, R-Ore., Maria Elvira Salazar, R-Fla., Don Bacon, R-Neb., Nancy Mace, R-S.C., Mariannette Miller-Meeks, R-Iowa, Jenniffer González-Colón, R-Puerto Rico, Dan Crenshaw, R-Texas, Pete Stauber, R-Minn., and Jake Ellzey, R-Texas.
Luttrell said he intends to continue to fight for a more secure border regardless of the result of the new legislation, though he noted that the battles in Congress often require more patience than the ones he fought as a SEAL.
“It’s a lot different to use a pen. Back in my past, I used a rifle to combat threats to the country,” Luttrell said. “Now, using a pen is challenging because you want to see instant results, and that’s very challenging.”
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Los Angeles, Ca
Man wanted for deadly Los Angeles road rage shooting extradited from Mexico
A man wanted for a deadly road rage shooting in Los Angeles was arrested and extradited from Mexico after fleeing the U.S. in 2024.
The suspect was identified as Christian Rojas, 21, of Bellflower, according to the California Highway Patrol.
Authorities had been searching for him since the deadly incident on October 10, 2024.
Rojas and a second suspect, Joshua Rojas Sr., 47, of Downey, were driving on the northbound 5 Freeway in Boyle Heights around 4 p.m. when they became involved in an altercation with another driver that escalated into a shooting.
Video of the tense confrontation showed the suspects, who were driving a Dodge Durango SUV, opening fire on two men in a Cadillac sedan.
The shooting forced the victim to pull over abruptly. That’s when a suspect ran up to the Cadillac, opened the passenger-side door and fired several shots at close range.
In a panic, the Cadillac driver tried to escape by making a sudden U-turn and driving against oncoming traffic. He eventually crashed head-on into several vehicles.
The suspects ditched their SUV and fled toward a freeway exit on foot. The Cadillac driver was left with serious injuries and his passenger was killed. Their identities were not released.
The incident caused a miles-long backup that left thousands of motorists stranded on the freeway for hours and authorities worked to clear the scene.
Following an extensive investigation, detectives identified the two men as the suspects involved.
Joshua Rojas Sr. was arrested in San Bernardino on October 22, 2024, on a murder charge. He remains in custody awaiting trial.
Meanwhile, Christian Rojas had fled the U.S. and was hiding in Mexico, detectives said. A $4.3 million bail warrant was issued for his arrest.
“Through a coordinated international effort, investigators determined that Rojas was living in Palomo de Arriba, Mexico,” CHP officials said. “The U.S. Marshals Service worked with Mexican state police to locate and arrest him on the outstanding warrant.”
On June 2, 2026, Christian was arrested and extradited to the U.S. to face a murder charge.
“This arrest demonstrates that time and distance will not shield violent offenders from justice,” said CHP Southern Division Chief Chris Margaris. “For nearly two years, our detectives remained relentless in their pursuit of those responsible for this senseless act of violence. Through exceptional collaboration with the United States Marshals Service and our law enforcement partners in Mexico, we located and apprehended this suspect and brought him back to face the charges. We remain committed to protecting the public, supporting victims and their families, and holding violent criminals accountable wherever they may try to hide.”
Los Angeles, Ca
NB 405 Freeway closed near LAX after pursuit ends in gunfire
The northbound 405 Freeway will remain closed for several hours near Los Angeles International Airport after a police pursuit ended with officers opening fire Friday morning. Unconfirmed reports indicated the incident began with a robbery at a 7-Eleven store, which ended with Los Angeles Police Department officers pursuing the suspect in a Kia. The chase […]
Los Angeles, Ca
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