With Maine and Michigan on the rocks, Democrats are increasingly focusing on the American plains as an alternative path to win Senate control. 
Democrats are hoping that an overwhelmingly favorable political environment will put solidly red states that once seemed like pipe dreams in play. And they&#8217;re hoping that a staunchly Republican constituency — American farmers — could help put them over the edge amid economic struggles exacerbated by the Trump administration&#8217;s tariff regime. 
As things currently stand, Republicans are still favorites to hold Senate seats in Iowa and Nebraska. But prediction markets put their odds in the 60-70% range in each, close enough to cause some anxiety for the GOP. Democrats are even beginning to talk about Kansas, though that remains a greater longshot. Cook Political Report has moved Iowa into the &#8220;tossup&#8221; category, while Nebraska and Kansas are &#8220;Likely R.&#8221;
Nebraska and Iowa rank among the top five soybean-producing states in the country, and have traditionally sold over 50% of their crop to China. China responded to Trump&#8217;s tariffs with a 13% import duty for soybeans, leading Brazil to overtake the United States as China’s top soybean supplier last fall.
Farmers are also seeing rising costs for fertilizer. The global fertilizer index shows the wholesale fertilizer price has increased <a href="https://ycharts.com/indicators/fertilizers_index_world_bank">84.1%</a> in the last two years, worsening since the start of the war in Iran. 
A May 2026 Fox poll showed Trump’s support across rural America <a href="https://www.newsweek.com/donald-trump-approval-rating-rural-americans-farmers-11982592">slipping</a> into negative territory, driven by farm struggles. 
The farm economy has been under pressure. The American Farm Bureau reported that Chapter 12 farm bankruptcies rose 46% in 2025. Costs for fertilizer, seeds, and equipment are up.
Yet despite these challenges, many farmers remain supportive of Trump.
“As farmers because of tariffs we are hurting, however, for the long term if something doesn&#8217;t happen the country is going to fall,&#8221; one Nebraskan farmer told The Daily Wire. “He’s trying to make changes for the better.&#8221;
A farmer from southern Illinois echoed that sentiment. “I don’t think farmers are going to start voting Democratic. Under both the Biden and Trump administrations, we&#8217;ve dealt with low grain prices alongside higher diesel costs. Farmers have been squeezed by lower commodity prices and rising input costs. The difference today is that fertilizer costs are higher than they were under the last administration, but we’ve also received some relief through the Big Beautiful Bill’s Farmer Bridge Assistance Program. It’s not a cure-all, but it does help offset some of the pressure farmers are facing.”
The farmers’ views highlight the challenge facing Democrats. Farmers across the Midwest are experiencing real economic strain, but while the frustration is real, it has not translated into a mass movement towards the other side of the aisle. 
<a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/economics/farmers-iowa-struggling-trumps-economy-still-support-him-rcna345613">NBC interviewed</a> 13 Iowa farmers and found that while many were hurting from burdening rising costs, the majority said they don’t regret supporting Trump. 
“It’s going to get ugly for a while, but in the long run, it’s going to help us,” said one farmer. “Trump is the first president we’ve had in a long time that will stand up to China, because China just runs all over us.”
The tension between the tariffs and prices persists, though. Just last week, Trump announced he is allowing a massive increase of beef imports to try and bring prices down, upsetting some in the agricultural sector.
The White House argues that Trump&#8217;s policies are addressing the challenges farmers face. White House spokesperson Anna Kelly said, “President Trump is helping our agriculture industry by negotiating new trade deals, lowering input costs, bolstering the farm safety net, doubling the death tax exemption, ending taxes on rural property loan interest, creating rural opportunity zones, and more.”
The administration has also sought to communicate those benefits directly to producers. It launched &#8220;OnlyFarms,&#8221; a federal platform featuring an interactive map that allows farmers and ranchers to calculate projected savings from Trump&#8217;s agricultural agenda. Trump also invited hundreds of farmers and ranchers to the White House in March. Speaking from a balcony overlooking a gold-painted tractor, he assured attendees that they &#8220;once again have a true friend and champion in the Oval Office.&#8221;
Still, Democrats seem determined to expand the map to America&#8217;s heartland. Chuck Schumer has staved off the DSA insurgency and gotten moderate-presenting nominees in Iowa and Kansas, and in Nebraska, the party is backing an independent candidate to try and shirk the horrific brand of the Democrats. 
More battlegrounds mean a need for more money though, and an inconvenient fact remains for Democrats: the DNC is broke, and the RNC is flush with cash.

Democrats Open New Midterm Front In America’s Heartland

2026 midterm election

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War Secretary Pete Hegseth&#8217;s visit to Iowa is fueling speculation that he could be testing the waters for a 2028 presidential run.
Officials familiar with Hegseth’s thinking told the <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2026/08/17/hegseth-travels-iowa-his-personal-capacity-amid-2028-speculation/">Washington Post</a> that the Iowa visit fits the actions of someone considering a run for president after his time in the Trump administration ends. One of those officials, speaking anonymously, described the trip as something of a test run for a possible 2028 bid.
Iowa&#8217;s longstanding role as an early presidential proving ground has added to the speculation surrounding Hegseth&#8217;s visit.
Hegseth traveled to the state in his personal capacity and appeared with several House and Senate Republicans. The Pentagon confirmed that he traveled aboard a U.S. military aircraft because he is designated a “required use” traveler.
That status requires Hegseth to use military aircraft for official and personal travel because of the need for secure communications and transportation associated with his national security responsibilities.
Hegseth appeared Monday alongside Rep. Zach Nunn (R-IA), where he praised Nunn and defended continued American involvement in the war with Iran.
He also appeared alongside Rep. Ashley Hinson (R-IA), the Republican nominee for the open Senate seat being vacated by retiring Sen. Joni Ernst, and was expected to appear with Rep. Mariannette Miller Meeks (R-IA).
The appearances come as Republicans work to hold ground in a state where recent polling has shown tighter races than in previous cycles.
<a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/hegseth-iowa-campaign-midterms-2028-b3035168.html">The Independent</a> noted that previous defense secretaries largely stayed out of overt political campaigning while in the job. Hegseth has aligned himself closely with President Donald Trump’s policy goals and has taken a more active role supporting Republican candidates while continuing to promote the administration’s national security priorities.
Other administration figures were also in Iowa this week, including U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins, and Small Business Administration head Kelly Loeffler. Their visits coincided with the Iowa State Fair, a traditional gathering that draws both statewide candidates and national political figures.
The fair routinely attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors and has long served as an important stop for politicians looking to connect with Iowa voters.
Ernst’s decision to retire has made Iowa&#8217;s Senate race a major focus this year. Hinson is running against Democratic state Rep. Josh Turek, a two-time Paralympic gold medalist, as both parties battle for control of the Senate.
Hegseth has not publicly announced plans to run for president in 2028.
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Defense Secretary Hegseth And Joint Chiefs Chairman Caine Brief Media At Pentagon

Hegseth’s Iowa Trip Raises Early Questions About 2028

ashley hinson

joni ernst

pete hegseth

zach nunn

Last week, Iowa led the nation with the first Workforce Pell Grant program in the country approved by the U.S. Department of Education. According to a <a href="https://www.ed.gov/about/news/press-release/us-department-of-education-approves-nations-first-workforce-pell-grant-program-iowa">press release</a> from the Department, it is “a major milestone in expanding faster, more affordable pathways to careers in high-skill, high-wage, and in-demand industry sectors and occupations.”
Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds <a href="https://www.ed.gov/about/news/press-release/us-department-of-education-approves-nations-first-workforce-pell-grant-program-iowa">explained</a> that “Now, the Workforce Pell program will allow schools to fast-track students within eight to 15 weeks into rewarding careers with little-to-no debt, expanding high-quality career opportunities and paving the way to a stronger and more resilient economy.”
Director of the Iowa Department of Education McKenzie Snow <a href="https://educate.iowa.gov/press-release/2026-05-01/iowa-launched-first-nation-state-application-short-term-demand-programs-access-new-federal-workforce">said</a>, “With the nation’s first Workforce Pell application, Iowa will identify postsecondary programs with the best completion, employment, and earnings outcomes, ensuring students get a strong return on their investment and employers have the skilled talent pipelines they need here in Iowa.”
For years, states have talked about education innovation. Iowa is taking strides toward making that happen with reforms that expand opportunity, strengthen workforce development, and empower families.
While many states continue to operate within outdated systems and rigid bureaucratic structures, Iowa is a national leader in rethinking how education dollars, workforce programs, and student opportunities can better align with the needs of families, educators, and employers. This shift is already visible in Iowa&#8217;s recent actions.
Earlier this year, Iowa <a href="https://x.com/EDSecMcMahon/status/2009343079569084565?s=20">became the first state</a> in the nation to receive approval from the U.S. Department of Education for a Returning Education to the States Waiver, giving state leaders greater flexibility over federal education funding and reducing administrative burdens that often divert resources away from students and classrooms. According to the U.S. Department of Education, the waiver will allow Iowa to <a href="https://www.ed.gov/about/news/press-release/us-department-of-education-approves-iowas-returning-education-states-waiver">redirect millions of dollars</a> from compliance activities to student-focused initiatives. This approval marks an important step in that broader effort.
More specifically, according to the <a href="https://educate.iowa.gov/pk-12/essa/guidance-allocations/iowas-unified-allocation-plan">Iowa Department of Education website</a>, the “plan seeks to focus more federal resources on improving student achievement over federal compliance.” The <a href="https://educate.iowa.gov/pk-12/essa/guidance-allocations/iowas-unified-allocation-plan">reduced compliance expenses</a> will allow “nearly $8 million in time and resources to be redirected from compliance to the classroom over four years.” Iowa will be able to spend less time navigating federal requirements and more time investing in student learning.
This allowance reflects the Trump administration’s recognition that state leaders are best positioned to identify and address the unique needs of their students. As a result, other states are looking to Iowa’s example and seeking waivers.
In May, Louisiana followed Iowa’s lead and became the <a href="https://www.ed.gov/about/news/press-release/us-department-of-education-approves-louisianas-returning-education-states-waiver">second state</a> to receive a Returning Education to the States Waiver, closely modeling its application after Iowa’s. Since then, Indiana, Vermont, Arkansas, and South Dakota have all sought and received waivers mirroring Iowa’s consolidation of state-level activities funds.
The Iowa Department of Education website explains that approval of the Returning Education to the States Waiver was the first step in Iowa’s <a href="https://educate.iowa.gov/pk-12/essa/guidance-allocations/iowas-unified-allocation-plan">Unified Allocation Plan</a>. With the plan, Iowa seeks to align resources around statewide priorities that produce measurable outcomes for students rather than treating federal education programs as isolated funding streams.
Iowa&#8217;s innovative approach to education did not begin with federal waivers. Thanks to Governor Reynolds’ unwavering resolve to advance education freedom, Iowa was among the first states in the nation to pass sweeping legislation allowing education funding to follow the child.
After much work, in January 2023, Governor Reynolds <a href="https://governor.iowa.gov/press-release/2023-01-24/gov-reynolds-signs-students-first-act-law">signed</a> Iowa&#8217;s Students First Act, creating an Education Savings Account (ESA) program that allows funding to follow K-12 students to accredited nonpublic schools. After its initial two-year income-restricted phase-in process, ESAs were expanded to <a href="https://governor.iowa.gov/press-release/2023-01-24/gov-reynolds-signs-students-first-act-law">all K-12 students</a> beginning in the 2025-2026 school year.
Iowa’s commitment to education freedom extends beyond ESAs. By expanding charter schools, supporting open enrollment and protecting homeschool opportunities, the state has empowered more families to choose the educational environment that best meets their children’s needs. Today, nearly one in five Iowa students exercises some form of school choice, demonstrating the state’s commitment to putting students and families at the center of education policy.
Director Snow has developed a clear vision with the following <a href="https://educate.iowa.gov/about#iowa-bold-vision-mission-amp-priorities">priorities</a>: teacher recruitment, development, and retention; evidence-based instruction; narrowing achievement gaps through accountability and support; multiple pathways to postsecondary success and completion; and vibrant, safe, and healthy learning environments.
Iowa students are achieving academic results, including an <a href="https://educate.iowa.gov/press-release/2025-08-20/iowa-achieves-impressive-gains-early-literacy-science-new-2025-spring-statewide-student-assessment">11-percentage-point</a> increase in early literacy proficiency from third to fourth grade and a <a href="https://educate.iowa.gov/press-release/2025-08-20/iowa-achieves-impressive-gains-early-literacy-science-new-2025-spring-statewide-student-assessment">seven-percentage-point</a> increase in science proficiency in tenth grade.
But it doesn’t end there. Iowa is also charting a new path in workforce readiness. Now, <a href="https://educate.iowa.gov/press-release/2025-09-15/significant-increase-number-iowa-high-school-students-achieving-work-based-learning-experiences">45%</a> of all Iowa seniors have completed at least one high-quality work-based learning experience while in high school, up <a href="https://educate.iowa.gov/press-release/2025-09-15/significant-increase-number-iowa-high-school-students-achieving-work-based-learning-experiences">20 percentage points</a> in just the past two years.
Rather than forcing students into one-size-fits-all pathways, Iowa is expanding access to industry-aligned training that can quickly connect learners to meaningful careers. It also reinforces the need for multiple pathways to success, whether that means pursuing a four-year degree, earning an industry-recognized credential, entering an apprenticeship, or launching directly into a high-demand profession.
Iowa&#8217;s approach recognizes that economic growth and educational opportunity are deeply interconnected. The state&#8217;s efforts also demonstrate what can happen when education leaders challenge long-standing assumptions. Iowa has pursued flexibility, integrated workforce development with education, and proactively developed solutions tailored to the needs of its students and communities.
Iowa’s work is far from finished. Raising student achievement, expanding opportunity, and preparing learners for success in a rapidly changing economy require ongoing commitment and continuous improvement. Yet Iowa has distinguished itself as a state willing to challenge conventional approaches and pursue meaningful reform.
With the future of education shifting away from Washington, D.C., and back to the states, where it rightly belongs, Iowa offers a compelling model for others to follow. Through greater flexibility, parent empowerment, and stronger alignment between education and workforce needs, Iowa is demonstrating how state-led innovation can better serve students. If more states embrace a similar commitment to bold leadership and results-driven reform, the nation’s education system will be better positioned to prepare the next generation for success in school, work, and life.
***
Dr. Keri D. Ingraham is a Senior Fellow at Discovery Institute, Director of the American Center for Transforming Education, and a Senior Fellow at Independent Women.

Iowa Approves New Six-Week Abortion Ban

The Innovative Iowa Blueprint Leading The Nation In Education Freedom

education savings account

kim reynolds

school choice

workforce pell grant

An attorney representing two migrants who were inside a van during a recent fatal ICE-involved shooting in Houston is facing serious criminal charges of his own.
Immigration attorney Hugo Balderas-Ibarra was indicted in February on a felony charge of assault involving family violence by impeding breathing, Houston station KPRC 2 <a href="https://www.click2houston.com/news/local/2026/07/14/first-on-2-attorney-representing-two-of-the-ice-detainees-is-facing-felony-assault-charge/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reported</a>. He also faces charges of kidnapping and battery in Seminole County, Florida. Court records show he is scheduled to be sentenced in that case on July 15.
He was previously convicted of burglary in 2008 and domestic assault in 2009 in Iowa.
Balderas-Ibarra represents Daniel Tirado Pantoja and José Trinidad Rojas Pliego, who were passengers in a van whose driver was fatally shot by an ICE officer last week in Houston, the local news outlet reported. The pair was swiftly taken into ICE custody and remains in a detention center in Conroe, Texas.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said the officer &#8220;weaponized&#8221; the van “in an attempt to run over an ICE law enforcement officer.&#8221; The men reportedly said they were going to work at a construction site after buying ice and water when they noticed an unmarked vehicle following them.
The attorney&#8217;s assault charge stems from an alleged attack on a woman who said she had been dating Balderas-Ibarra, who became abusive when the couple moved in together, KPRC 2 reported. The woman said she decided to leave after finding something on his phone while he was in the shower.
She then left early for a flight to Florida before Balderas-Ibarra brought her suitcases, throwing them to the ground and grabbing her by the neck as she went to pick them up. He squeezed her throat and twisted it, leaving her unable to breathe, according to KPRC 2.
A law enforcement officer determined that the woman&#8217;s neck was red and swollen through photographic evidence.
Balderas-Ibarra is out of custody on a $20,000 bond and faces a court hearing July 21, according to court records.
In a statement to KPRC 2, Balderas-Ibarra pleaded for the media to ignore his charges and focus on his defendants in the immigration case.
“I maintain my innocence and believe the focus should continue to be on my clients, rather than shifting focus onto me. Don’t lose focus!&#8221; he said.
Balderas-Ibarra has been eligible to practice law in the Lone Star State since January 2025. He is currently practicing with a probationary license, according to the Texas Bar <a href="https://www.texasbar.com/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Find_A_Lawyer&amp;template=/Customsource/MemberDirectory/MemberDirectoryDetail.cfm&amp;ContactID=356553" target="_blank" rel="noopener">directory</a>.
Balderas-Ibarra has no public disciplinary history listed on his State Bar of Texas profile.
The immigration lawyer <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7477870402107527168/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">alleges</a> that he is the “product of birthright citizenship” and <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7479236034069803008/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">calls</a> himself “El Abogado Tejano” — a lawyer who is a Texan and of Mexican descent, according to his LinkedIn account.

Untitled design – 2026-07-14T160122.853

Immigration Lawyer Representing Migrants In ICE Shooting Exposed for Criminal Background

Anti-ICE

crime

florida

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)

Lawyer

texas

President Donald Trump’s successful endorsement streak came to an end in Iowa on Tuesday after Iowa farmer and businessman Zach Lahn narrowly defeated Trump-endorsed Rep. Randy Feenstra to win the Republican nomination for governor.
Lahn defeated Feenstra by less than 2,000 votes, winning 37.79% of the vote to the Republican congressman’s 37.01%. Feenstra, who entered Congress in 2021 after ousting former Rep. Steve King in the Republican primary, received Trump’s endorsement late last week. Conservative businessman Adam Steen won 15% of the vote. 
“We were outspent, opposed by the establishment, told to wait our turn. Well, tonight, the people of Iowa had something to say about that, that we&#8217;re not gonna wait anymore,” Lahn said during his victory speech. “They said Iowa doesn&#8217;t belong to the political class. They said our state does not belong to the lobbyists, special interests, and corporate giants for far too long have had way too much power in our state.”
WATCH FROM TODAY&#8217;S EPISODE OF MORNING WIRE:
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Lahn had the backing of the MAHA Action political action committee and the endorsement of Charlie Kirk&#8217;s Turning Point Action, while Trump endorsed Feenstra last Friday. 
“A Fourth Generation Iowan, successful Businessman, former Treasurer of Sioux County, State Senator, and now, as a distinguished U.S. Congressman, Randy has delivered strong results for the Hawkeye State,” Trump said in a Truth Social post. 
Trump’s endorsement record has proved strong in recent weeks, helping to take down numerous GOP incumbents, including Rep. Thomas Massie (Kentucky) and Senators John Cornyn (Texas) and Bill Cassidy (Louisiana). 
That streak ended with Feenstra — the first candidate Trump backed for governor, the House, or the Senate to lose a 2026 primary — who said Tuesday that he would support Lahn&#8217;s campaign against Democrat candidate Rob Sand.
&#8220;I just called Zach Lahn, and said, ‘Hey, you got to carry this torch. We got to keep this state red. We&#8217;ve got to make sure we beat Rob Sand. And I’m all in to help him out,'&#8221; he said. 
Lahn campaigned heavily on MAHA issues, <a href="https://www.zachlahn.com/policy">promising</a> on his campaign website to “confront the cancer crisis” by conducting “independent state safety tests on products used in Iowa,” pursuing “antitrust suits against monopolistic agricultural input companies to help our farmers,” and giving “incentives” to farmers to “address agricultural runoff and water contamination.”
Fast food chain Steak ‘n Shake entered the race last week as well, endorsing Lahn. 
“Congratulations to Zach Lahn! Voters took a stand and supported a MAHA candidate in a tight primary race,” the restaurant <a href="https://x.com/SteaknShake/status/2062137748366954677">said</a> Tuesday. “Steak n Shake remains undefeated in political endorsements.”
Lahn will face Sand, Iowa’s current state auditor and the most recent Democrat elected to statewide office.

MixCollage-03-Jun-2026-08-42-AM-2153

Razor-Thin Governor Primary Snaps Trump Endorsement Streak

Trump Endorsement Streak Ends After Razor Thin Governor Primary

donald trump

maha

U.S. Politics

Vice President JD Vance said on Tuesday that uncovering fraud in the federal government was like “fishing in a barrel with dynamite.” His comment came after The Daily Wire <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/medicaid-millionaires-how-the-feds-pay-immigrants-billions-to-hang-out-with-their-families?author=Luke+Rosiak&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=1&amp;row=0&amp;rowType=Vertical+List&amp;title=DW+Investigation+Reveals+One+Of+The+Biggest+Government+Waste+Scandals+Hiding+In+Plain+Sight">reported</a> Monday that Ohio was doling out federal Medicaid dollars for people to spend time with their families. 
Vance, who is heading up the President Donald Trump’s Fraud Task Force, said he is surprised every week to find what kind of fraud his team was discovering. 
“Finding fraud in the federal government, it&#8217;s kind of like fishing in a barrel with dynamite. Every week, I get a report for the task force,” Vance said during an appearance in Iowa. “I am shocked every single day by the things that we find.”
Vance previously promised on Monday that the Fraud Task Force would dig into The Daily Wire’s reporting on Medicaid fraud in his home state. 
“These shocking allegations, if true, show why the Fraud Task Force’s work is so important. I’m directing the task force to look into it and take immediate action to prosecute any fraudsters involved and stop all further payments as appropriate,” he wrote on X, sharing a thread from Daily Wire investigative reporter Luke Rosiak detailing the uncovered fraud.
Rosiak reported Monday that Ohio spent a billion dollars on home health care in 2024, the last year for which data is available. What these funds went toward was difficult to verify because they often went toward “home health care” performed in private residences by family members of those getting the care.
During his speech in Iowa, Vance said that the Trump administration was working to go after the fraudsters who have grown rich by defrauding the American taxpayer. 
“We had let fraud become so rampant in this country that people were able to get rich, not by creating something amazing, not by employing something, not by building something beautiful with their hands,” Vance said. “They were able to get rich by defrauding every single person in this room.”
The vice president said Somali fraudsters in Minneapolis had taken advantage of a program intended to help autistic children and discussed rampant Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) waste uncovered by Agricultural Secretary Brooke Rollins. 
He said that Rollins had found 355,000 people receiving double SNAP benefits and 186,000 dead people on SNAP. 
“I actually think that we should take food stamps away from dead people,” Vance said. “I&#8217;m guilty of that. I think that&#8217;s a reasonable thing.”
The fight over SNAP fraud has now <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/no-more-food-stamps-for-millionaires-the-fight-over-snap-fraud-heads-to-the-states">headed to the states</a> where lawmakers are attempting to eliminate a loophole called broad-based categorical eligibility which allows people to qualify for SNAP without asset testing.

Vice President JD Vance Speaks At A Manufacturing Facility In Des Moines, Iowa

JD Vance Ramps Up ‘Dynamite’ Fraud Crackdown After DW Investigation Exposes Barrel Of Abuse

fraud

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The former superintendent of Iowa&#8217;s largest school district, who was in the United States illegally, published a book from jail while awaiting sentencing on federal charges.
Ian Roberts, the former head of Des Moines Public Schools, released a book titled &#8220;Unshakable: How Bold Leaders Win Hearts, Inspire Minds, and Obtain Results During Crisis&#8221; on Monday while in custody.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) <a href="https://www.dhs.gov/news/2025/09/27/ice-arrests-criminal-alien-serving-des-moines-public-schools-superintendent-prior">arrested</a> Roberts, a Guyanese national, in September. Authorities said he had an active deportation order and was living in the United States illegally at the time of his arrest.
Roberts attempted to flee from the federal agents and was found with a loaded handgun, $3,000 in cash, and a fixed-blade hunting knife, the Department of Homeland Security said at the time.
Roberts pleaded guilty in January to federal charges of making false statements about his immigration status and unlawfully possessing a firearm.
Rep. Ashley Hinson (R-IA) called Roberts&#8217; book release &#8220;insane,&#8221; saying he&#8217;s &#8220;trying to profit&#8221; from his situation.
Roberts came to the United States as a tourist in 1994, then obtained a student visa five years later, according to DHS. He applied for a green card on four separate occasions and was denied each time.
Roberts was <a href="https://www.dhs.gov/news/2025/10/03/dhs-releases-new-information-extensive-criminal-history-illegal-alien-ian-roberts">charged</a> in 1996 with criminal possession of narcotics with intent to sell, criminal possession of narcotics, criminal possession of a forgery device, and possession of a forged instrument in New York, according to DHS. Two years later, he was charged with third-degree unauthorized use of a vehicle in Queens, New York, which was later dismissed.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
What on earth?? The illegal immigrant &amp; ICE fugitive who led Iowa’s largest school district is now trying to profit from it?
You can’t make this up. Insane. <a href="https://t.co/tDgbGsVEAY">pic.twitter.com/tDgbGsVEAY</a>
— Ashley Hinson (@hinsonashley) <a href="https://twitter.com/hinsonashley/status/2049951022508855604?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 30, 2026</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Roberts was convicted of reckless driving, unsafe operation, and speeding in Maryland on November 1, 2012. In 2020, he was hit with charges for second-degree criminal possession of a weapon (having a loaded firearm outside his home or business); third-degree criminal possession of a weapon (an ammunition feeding device); and fourth-degree weapons charges, according to DHS.
His work permit expired on December 18, 2020, roughly three years before he was hired to lead Des Moines Public Schools. He never showed up to his immigration hearing and a judge ordered his deportation in his absence.
Roberts was convicted of unlawful possession of a loaded firearm in Pennsylvania in 2022.
Federal officials say Roberts falsely claimed to be a United States citizen when applying for the superintendent role in June 2023.

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Illegal Immigrant Ex-School Official Accused Of ‘Trying To Profit’ Behind Bars

illegal immigration

immigration and customs enforcement

Sarah Trone Garriott has a Harvard Divinity degree, a Lutheran ordination, and a history of calling Christianity a threat. Now she wants to be your Congresswoman.
Garriott, who is currently serving in the Iowa State Senate and running to flip Iowa’s Third Congressional District blue, made remarks in 2023 that should follow her to every campaign stop, debate stage, and Iowa church pew between now and November. Speaking about religious conservatives, she described them as &#8220;uncomfortable&#8221; — as something that “feels very threatening” — and linked Christianity itself to “political violence.” Not radical Islam. Not jihadist ideology. Christianity. 

She said this as an ordained minister of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
Three years later, with Holy Week upon us and a string of Islamic terror attacks fresh in the national memory, Garriott’s remarks deserve to be exhumed, examined, and explained. Not because they were gaffes — they weren’t. They deserve attention because they are a window into exactly what the modern religious Left believes: that the greatest threat to civil society is not the ideology responsible for over 60,800 terror attacks in the last half-century, but the people filling church pews on Palm Sunday.
During Holy Week, as Christian communities are still burying their dead from coordinated massacres in Nigeria, this inversion of morality is morally obscene.
Christianity is the most persecuted religion in the world, so it was unfortunately not a complete shock that on Palm Sunday, while progressive politicians were busy casting aspersions on churchgoing Christians, <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/30/world/africa/palm-sunday-attack-nigeria-dead.html">coordinated attacks</a> devastated Christian communities across central and northern Nigeria in what survivors are calling the Palm Sunday Massacres. Entire congregations were targeted. Families were slaughtered on one of the holiest days of the liturgical calendar. Christianity is not causing violence, Reverend Garriott; it is absorbing it. 
This is not an anomaly. It is an escalating pattern that cowardly politicians refuse to name. In March of 2026 alone, there were four confirmed Islamist terror attacks on Western soil, with at least four additional major plots thwarted before they reached fruition. As we approach the 25th anniversary of the September 11 terror attacks, the trend driving mass-casualty violence is not Christian nationalism — it’s the jihadist radicalism that’s been methodically seeping into this country for decades: Over 60,800 Islamic terror attacks were carried out globally in the last fifty years. The comparable figure for attacks attributed to Christian or Jewish extremism amounts to a few hundred. These are not remotely equivalent threats, and any elected official who pretends otherwise is either ignorant or dishonest. 
So what, precisely, does threaten these power-hungry clerics? It is not the Sermon on the Mount. It is not the notion that He is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6). What threatens them is the downstream consequence of a populace that actually lives by those words. Christians grounded in Scripture are harder to manipulate, less dependent on the government as their provider, and far less likely to hand power to pseudo-believers whose lives represent the antithesis of everything Christ commands. This dynamic was on full display just this week when Daily Wire host <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/daily-wire-host-fires-back-after-the-view-melts-down-over-her-support-for-young-families">Isabel Brown</a> was publicly castigated for the radical act of suggesting marriage and children are worth pursuing — a principle so foundational it runs from Genesis through the Pauline epistles. Garriott herself has voted against protecting women’s sports from biological males and against banning gender-transition procedures for minors. That is the true threat they fear — not violence, not extremism, but a people too grounded in faith to go along with these cultural lies. 
 
Certainly, there are wolves in the pulpit. There are leaders who have abandoned orthodoxy, twisted Scripture for popularity and applause, and led congregations into confusion rather than conviction. That apostasy is real and genuinely threatening to the Church and her faithful. But the solution to bad theology is not to hand political power to the theologians perpetrating it. In a world where America is still called the “Great Satan” by those who mean it literally, and where our cultural foundations are being eroded daily, authentic Christians are not the problem. They are the last best hope of restoring the Christian values upon which this republic was built.
Sarah Trone Garriott is a wolf in pearls — ordained, Harvard-educated, interfaith-credentialed, and deeply hostile to the faith she claims to represent. A minister who thinks Christianity is an imminent threat is not a pastor; she is a politician in a collar. Don’t let her do to Iowa’s Third District what Judas did in the garden — betray it with a kiss, wearing the vestments of a friend.

Midterm Fight Over Trump Bill, Tariffs Starts Early At Iowa Fair

She Said Christianity Feels ‘Threatening.’ Now She Wants Your Vote.

She Said Christianity Feels 'Threatening.' Now She Wants Your Vote.

congress

Elections

Leftists

radical islam

religion

A Democrat Senate candidate, looking to court the votes of working and middle-class families in Iowa, held a campaign event at a Leftist bookstore that once promoted a 14-year-old “drag queen” and routinely stocks sexually explicit books parents don’t want their kids to access at school. 
Zach Wahls, running for the seat currently held by Senator Joni Ernst, hosted an event at the Ames-based Dog-Eared Books, a bookstore that remains a haven for leftist ideology. The bookstore has promoted &#8220;Drag Queen Story Hour&#8221; for children and called for the abolition of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). 
At the event, Wahls and his wife, romance novelist Chloe Angyal, <a href="https://www.mobilize.us/zachwahls/event/900039/">discussed</a> “the art of storytelling, the demands of public service, and the intersection of writing and advocacy.” They also discussed how their “parallel careers as authors have shaped their approach to politics, family, and the urgent work of building a better Iowa.” 
While Wahls has portrayed himself as a moderate seeking to work across partisan lines, Dog-Eared Books was a fitting venue for the Senate hopeful. Wahls has a documented history of advocating for leftist politics, though he <a href="https://zachwahls.com/meet-zach-wahls/">pledges</a> to &#8220;always put Iowa families first, no matter what.&#8221;
In September 2021, Dog-Eared Books <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CTSLAH9D2No/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&amp;igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D">promoted</a> a teenage boy “drag performer” who goes by the stage name Lonika LaBelle Knight.
“Lonika is a 14 years old drag queen with almost three years of experience under her belt. She nabbed the title of Miss Mason City Youth Pride and performs regularly at Lefty’s Live Music and The Garden Nightclub,” the bookstore posted on Instagram. “She can dance, twirl and capture the attention of everyone in a room with sass and class!”
That same performer returned in June 2023 for “a drag storytime” aimed at children. The bookstore <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CtutfoTOBKa/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&amp;igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA%3D%3D">posted</a> on Instagram that the event would “feature movement activities alongside a picture book reading so kids can engage both their minds and bodies.”
<div id="attachment_1054155" style="width: 1005px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-1054155" class="size-full wp-image-1054155" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/03/Screenshot-2026-03-05-at-9.03.57-AM.png" alt="" width="995" height="999" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/03/Screenshot-2026-03-05-at-9.03.57-AM.png 995w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/03/Screenshot-2026-03-05-at-9.03.57-AM-300x300.png 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/03/Screenshot-2026-03-05-at-9.03.57-AM-574x576.png 574w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/03/Screenshot-2026-03-05-at-9.03.57-AM-150x150.png 150w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/03/Screenshot-2026-03-05-at-9.03.57-AM-768x771.png 768w" sizes=" (max-width: 995px) 100vw, 995px" />Dog-Eared Books/Instagram.</div>
Dog-Eared Books has <a href="https://www.facebook.com/dogearedbooksames/posts/pfbid02BxtSgY7jjQf3xq9kxo8q3KXhW4FtBvdBSeUSyz6AnxJfhcxuJJYZitqkKwVtrcrbl?rdid=zAKdxXXuBuAuZWKp">hosted</a> a “Tattoos for Palestine” fundraiser, <a href="https://shop.dogearedbooksames.com/lists/LFoOMjVaW1e0">maintains</a> a “Books for Fighting Fascism” list that includes a book by leftist Senator Bernie Sanders, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/dogearedbooksames/posts/pfbid02WFRj6eM98T5tm8Y4768j5HYFWWSoSFMHY1ZxGdRbQ3CnGPrufAEN5sgrVv5TrjWHl?rdid=bBddJGdRmSsMAYxS">called</a> for ICE to be abolished, and has a “You Can’t Read That At School” book <a href="https://dogearedbooksames.com/lists/LJuzFSmrJNY0">selection</a>. That section includes books like “Let’s Talk About It,” a graphic novel that contains explicit depictions of sex. 
The bookstore also released a <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CqI36acNBXW/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&amp;igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA%3D%3D">statement</a> slamming Iowa Republicans when they <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/iowa-bans-transgender-procedures-on-minors-trans-identifying-students-from-using-public-facilities-opposite-of-biological-sex">voted</a> to pass a law shielding kids from transgender procedures. It also <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Cq_nWwqNk1-/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&amp;igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA%3D%3D">raised</a> over $3,000 for the Iowa Trans Mutual Fund, a <a href="https://www.iowatransmutualaidfund.org/aboutus">group</a> that provides grants to Iowans seeking &#8220;gender-affirming care.&#8221; 
As a state senator, Wahls has vehemently opposed laws aimed at protecting kids from transgender surgeries and cross-sex hormonal procedures. He <a href="https://x.com/ZachWahls/status/1633580068696907778">claimed</a> that there was “blood on the hands” of Iowa Republicans who supported the law. His opposition was based on questionable evidence that claimed children would be more likely to commit suicide if they weren’t given transgender procedures. 
Wahls, who <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZzzDOzKagHA">rose</a> to prominence after discussing his experience of being raised by a lesbian couple, has close connections to <a href="https://oneiowa.org/">One Iowa</a>, an activist group &#8220;rooted in intersectional advocacy for LGBTQ Iowans.&#8221; Wahls toured with the group to promote gay marriage back in 2012 and even <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qPV-fDydoKI&amp;t=417s">presented</a> an award to them.
One Iowa <a href="https://oneiowa.org/resources/medicalcareban/">offers</a> to help gender-confused kids access cross-sex hormones from out-of-state providers and schedule surgeries outside of Iowa. The group pushes girls to find breast binders to compress their chest so that it looks more masculine and other gender-confused kids to pursue “voice therapy.” The radical organization <a href="https://x.com/OneIowaAction/status/1493686950959714309?s=20">praised</a> Wahls for supporting male participation in female sports. 
Despite his links to the far-Left, Wahls’ <a href="https://zachwahls.com/issues/">campaign website</a> portrays him as a moderate focused on cutting costs and combatting political corruption. Wahls <a href="https://zachwahls.com/issues/">claims</a> to support securing the border by hiring thousands more Border Patrol agents and immigration judges, and wants to ensure “secure” elections. He also says he wants to “restore abortion access,” pass paid family and medical leave, and a path to “legal status” for illegal aliens “who’ve been here for years, are working, and haven’t committed crimes.”

MixCollage-06-Mar-2026-01-44-PM-2267

‘Family First’ Democrat Senate Hopeful Campaigns At Bookstore That Promoted Teen ‘Drag Queen’

Democrat Senate Hopeful Campaigns At Bookstore That Pushed Teen 'Drag Queen'

2026 Midterms

lgbt

transgender

President Trump touted his record on the economy and unveiled a massive investment by John Deere in the United States during a speech in Iowa on Tuesday afternoon.
Trump traveled to the city of Clive outside of Des Moines and spoke in front of hundreds of supporters crowded into the Horizon Events Center. The president largely focused on the economy as he attempts to sell Republican success on the key issue to voters ahead of the midterm elections.
Early in his speech, Trump <a href="https://x.com/RapidResponse47/status/2016280565935231054">announced</a> that agriculture equipment manufacturer John Deere plans to build an excavator factory in North Carolina, relocating some of its production from Japan to the United States. The company said in a Tuesday announcement that it also plans to build a distribution center in Indiana to spur its manufacturing in the United States.
Trump also touted a number of agriculture-related actions his administration has taken in a speech aimed at appealing to Iowa’s farm-heavy industry. The president noted he had cut &#8220;ridiculous water restrictions” at the Environmental Protection Agency. He also brought up <a href="https://www.hoosieragtoday.com/2025/08/12/epa-zeldin-def/">reforms</a> that the agency made to Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) standards to prevent severe slowdowns to vehicles due to DEF system failures.
“I terminated the so-called Diesel Exhaust Fluid requirement, saving family farmers more than $1 billion a year,” <a href="https://x.com/RapidResponse47/status/2016281218023571808">said</a> Trump.
The president also pushed the administration’s move to cut the electric vehicle mandate, which would have forced automakers to make over half the vehicles they sell electric by 2032, and support ethanol subsidies.
In the middle of the speech, the president brought on stage two workers in the service industry to <a href="https://x.com/RapidResponse47/status/2016286390359646491">tout</a> his tax legislation, in particular Trump’s campaign promise to end taxes on tips.
&#8220;Thanks to our tax cuts, millions of Americans will soon receive record-setting tax refunds—an average of more than $1,000. Think of that. $1,000 compared to last year.&#8221;
Trump also touched on a number of other issues, including foreign policy and health care. He also mentioned his deportation efforts, which have been under the microscope after a Border Patrol agent fatally shot anti-ICE activist Alex Pretti in Minneapolis.
“They have to show that they can love our country, not hate our country. They have to show that they’re not going to blow up our shopping centers,” said Trump, talking about immigration into the country while his deportation agenda suffers complications over the tensions in Minnesota.
The president also <a href="https://x.com/RapidResponse47/status/2016289770956062865">threw</a> a barb at Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota: “They have to show that they can love our country. They have to be proud — not like Ilhan Omar.&#8221;

Donald Trump

Trump In Iowa Says John Deere Will Move Manufacturing From Japan To America

Executive

north carolina

The illegal immigrant who served as the superintendent of Iowa’s largest school district has a lengthy rap sheet going back nearly two decades, the Department of Homeland Security <a href="https://www.dhs.gov/news/2025/10/03/dhs-releases-new-information-extensive-criminal-history-illegal-alien-ian-roberts" target="_blank" rel="noopener">revealed</a> Friday.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/illegal-immigrant-superintendent-wasnt-checked-through-federal-e-verify-system?author=Jennie+Taer&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=4&amp;row=0&amp;rowType=Vertical+List&amp;title=Illegal+Immigrant+Superintendent+Wasn%E2%80%99t+Checked+Through+Federal+E-Verify+System">arrested</a> Des Moines Public Schools Superintendent Ian Andre Roberts of Guyana last week after he received a deportation order in May 2024, according to ICE.
Roberts was most recently hit with federal charges for allegedly being an illegal alien in possession of a firearm following his latest arrest, where he was caught with a loaded handgun, $3,000 in cash, and a fixed-blade hunting knife after he tried to flee the scene, according to DHS.
“Ian Andre Roberts, a criminal illegal alien with multiple weapons charges and a drug trafficking charge, should have never been able to work around children,” DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said in a statement following the latest revelation on Roberts’ criminal record.
“When ICE officers arrested this Superintendent, he was in possession of an illegal handgun, a hunting knife, and nearly $3,000 in cash. This criminal illegal alien is now in U.S. Marshals custody and facing charges for being an illegal alien in possession of a firearm. Under Secretary Noem, ICE will continue to arrest the worst of the worst and put the safety of America’s children FIRST.”
<div id="attachment_977623" style="width: 1210px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-977623" class="wp-image-977623 size-full" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/09/Untitled-design-13.jpg" alt="" width="1200" height="675" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/09/Untitled-design-13.jpg 1200w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/09/Untitled-design-13-300x169.jpg 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/09/Untitled-design-13-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/09/Untitled-design-13-768x432.jpg 768w" sizes=" (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" />Credit: Immigration and Customs Enforcement</div>
Roberts first came to the United States in 1994 as a tourist, before acquiring a student visa in 1999, according to DHS.
It wasn’t long before Roberts found himself wrapped up with the law in the United States.
On July 3, 1996, Roberts was charged with criminal possession of narcotics with intent to sell, criminal possession of narcotics, criminal possession of a forgery device, and possession of a forged instrument in New York, according to DHS.
Two years later, he faced a charge for third-degree unauthorized use of a vehicle in Queens, New York, which was later dismissed.
Roberts was convicted for reckless driving, unsafe operation, and speeding in Maryland on November 1, 2012, DHS said.
He then faced charges in 2020 for second-degree criminal possession of a weapon (having a loaded firearm outside his home or business); third-degree criminal possession of a weapon (an ammunition feeding device); and fourth-degree weapon charges.
Roberts was convicted in 2022 of unlawful possession of a loaded firearm in Pennsylvania, according to DHS.
The ex-superintendent tried to apply for a green card four different times and was denied on each attempt.
His employment authorization expired on December 18, 2020, roughly three years before he was hired for his latest role in Des Moines, according to DHS.
He also failed to appear at his latest hearing, where an immigration judge ordered his removal from the United States, according to DHS.
Des Moines Public Schools hired the firm JG Consulting to recruit possible superintendent candidates in December 2022, the school district <a href="https://www.dmschools.org/2025/09/announcements-on-detention-of-dr-ian-roberts/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a>. The firm used the company Baker-Eubanks to conduct a background check into Roberts, which the district said “found nothing related to citizenship or immigration matters related” to him.
However, a spokesman for Baker-Eubanks recently told The Daily Wire that “all publicly available criminal records” were shared with the school district, which “ultimately chose to proceed with the hire despite having received” the concerning history.
The school district is now <a href="https://www.dmschools.org/news_release/dmps-files-lawsuit-against-superintendent-search-firm-jg-consulting/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">suing</a> JG Consulting, saying it failed to properly vet Roberts.

RobertsICE

Illegal Immigrant Who Was Des Moines School Superintendent Had Lengthy Rap Sheet

Des Moines

education

illegal immigrant

The Iowa Democratic Senate candidate who hired a now-infamous illegal immigrant to be superintendent of Des Moines Public Schools is in a dead heat with her primary opponent, a new poll obtained by The Daily Wire shows.
Des Moines School Board Chair Jackie <a href="https://www.dmschools.org/board/school-board-members/jackie-norris/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Norris</a>, who is now running to replace outgoing Iowa Senator Joni Ernst (R), was serving the school district when Ian Andre Roberts of Guyana was hired to lead as its superintendent.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested Roberts last week after he received a deportation order from an immigration judge in May 2024 and had weapons charges from Feb. 5, 2020, the agency said.
<div id="attachment_979441" style="width: 1210px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-979441" class="wp-image-979441 size-full" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/10/Untitled-design-15.jpg" alt="" width="1200" height="675" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/10/Untitled-design-15.jpg 1200w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/10/Untitled-design-15-300x169.jpg 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/10/Untitled-design-15-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/10/Untitled-design-15-768x432.jpg 768w" sizes=" (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" />Credit: YouTube//Des Moines Register</div>
Since then, the school district has faced backlash for its vetting of Roberts when he was hired in 2023.
A recent poll conducted by the National Republican Senatorial Committee found that Norris has 23% popularity, while candidates Zach Wahls has 24.7%, and Josh Turek has 17.6%.
Meanwhile, 74% of the Democratic voters polled supported Norris&#8217; recent call for &#8220;radical empathy&#8221; following Roberts&#8217; arrest. The poll also revealed that 30% of Democrats believe it&#8217;s permissible to harass elected officials and public figures with whom they disagree.
Fifty-seven percent said they support abolishing ICE altogether.
The poll surveyed 579 Democratic primary voters via text-to-web surveys conducted between Sept. 29 and 30, according to the NRSC.
The margin of error is ±4.05% at the 95% confidence level.
Norris <a href="https://www.dmschools.org/2025/09/announcements-on-detention-of-dr-ian-roberts/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">claimed</a> Monday that “at no point was any DMPS employee or board member notified that Dr. Roberts was not eligible to work, either by a federal agency or Dr. Roberts.”
Roberts also “stated he was a citizen” on his I-9 employment eligibility form and provided a driver’s license and social security card when he was hired, said Norris.
United States Citizenship and Immigration Services also recently revealed to The Daily Wire that Roberts did not undergo an immigration employment verification check through the federal <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/illegal-immigrant-superintendent-wasnt-checked-through-federal-e-verify-system?author=Jennie+Taer&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=4&amp;row=0&amp;rowType=Vertical+List&amp;title=Illegal+Immigrant+Superintendent+Wasn%E2%80%99t+Checked+Through+Federal+E-Verify+System" target="_blank" rel="noopener">E-Verify</a> system, which ensures workers are in the country legally and eligible to work, before assuming the role.
<div id="attachment_977665" style="width: 1210px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-977665" class="wp-image-977665 size-full" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/09/RobertsICE.png" alt="" width="1200" height="740" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/09/RobertsICE.png 1200w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/09/RobertsICE-300x185.png 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/09/RobertsICE-934x576.png 934w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/09/RobertsICE-768x474.png 768w" sizes=" (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" />Credit: Immigration and Customs Enforcement</div>
The Dentons Davis Brown law firm was tasked with reviewing the form and accompanying documents and stated that the information provided “did not raise concerns about his eligibility to work,” Norris said.
Des Moines Public Schools also brought on the firm JG Consulting to recruit possible superintendent candidates in December 2022, the school district <a href="https://www.dmschools.org/2025/09/announcements-on-detention-of-dr-ian-roberts/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a>.
The firm used the company Baker-Eubanks to conduct a background check, which “found nothing related to citizenship or immigration matters related to Dr. Roberts,&#8221; the district said.
The school district is now <a href="https://www.dmschools.org/news_release/dmps-files-lawsuit-against-superintendent-search-firm-jg-consulting/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">suing</a> JG Consulting, saying it failed to properly vet Roberts.
“Dr. Roberts should have never been presented as a potential Superintendent,” Norris said.
“JG Consulting’s contract required them to bring all known information of a positive or negative nature to the Board, and since that did not happen, the Board will pursue aggressive legal action in accordance with the law.”
A spokesman for Baker-Eubanks recently told The Daily Wire that “all publicly available criminal records” were shared with the school district, which “ultimately chose to proceed with the hire despite having received” Roberts&#8217; history.
Roberts subsequently resigned after being placed on unpaid leave and losing his superintendent license.
When he was initially approached by ICE officers, Roberts fled the scene and abandoned his car in the nearby woods, the agency said. They eventually tracked him down and found that he had a loaded handgun, $3,000 in cash, and a fixed-blade hunting knife.
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Roberts first came to the U.S. in 1999 on a student visa, which has since expired.
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Iowa Dem Who Hired Illegal Alien Superintendent Nearly Tied in Senate Primary, New Poll Finds

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