President Trump’s Big, Beautiful Bill heads back to the House after a marathon Senate session – and a tie-breaking vote from JD Vance. Trump and Governor Ron DeSantis put aside past differences at Alligator Alcatraz — touting the power of their federal-state alliance. And, Bryan Kohberger avoids the death penalty – pleading guilty to murdering four Idaho students.
It’s Wednesday, July 2, and this is the news you need to know to start your day.
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<h2>The Senate Passes Trump&#8217;s Big, Beautiful Bill</h2>
<div id="attachment_924413" style="width: 868px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-924413" class="size-large wp-image-924413" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/05/GettyImages-2216484723-858x576.jpg" alt="" width="858" height="576" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/05/GettyImages-2216484723-858x576.jpg 858w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/05/GettyImages-2216484723-300x201.jpg 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/05/GettyImages-2216484723-768x516.jpg 768w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/05/GettyImages-2216484723-1536x1031.jpg 1536w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/05/GettyImages-2216484723-2048x1375.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 858px) 100vw, 858px" />(Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)</div>
Topline: After a marathon vote in Congress, the Senate narrowly passed Donald Trump’s Big, Beautiful Bill, pushing his sweeping policy agenda toward the finish line.
Senators and their staff spent the last 48 hours debating the bill non-stop — in what Washington calls a Vote-a-Rama, where members submit last minute amendments before a final vote. Votes were held on 45 proposed amendments covering everything from Medicare cuts and electric car subsidies to health care for illegal immigrants and Planned Parenthood funding. That process went all night Monday and well into Tuesday afternoon.
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Democrats made clear that they viewed the Vote-a-Rama as a means of forcing Republicans to go on the record with their views, but more importantly, to stall. That tactic angered Republicans and even some Democrats who opposed the bill, including Pennsylvania’s John Fetterman.
“Oh my God, I just want to go home,” Fetterman <a href="https://x.com/niceblackdude/status/1939829913873522764">said</a> during the Vote-a-Rama. “Keeping us here until some ungodly hour isn’t helping anyone.”
Given their slim majority, the GOP could only afford to lose three Republican votes. Senators Rand Paul (R-KY), Thom Tillis (R-NC), and Susan Collins (R-ME) were definite no votes, so it came down to Alaska’s Lisa Murkowski. Ultimately, GOP leadership won her over by offering major concessions, exempting Alaska from a number of funding cuts in the bill. The final tally was 50-50, allowing Vice President JD Vance to step in and cast the deciding vote.
The bill will now head to the House, where it’s expected to pass, though not without some difficulty – some hardline Republicans have expressed concerns about some of the Senate’s changes. Given the delay from Senate Democrats, the bill might not be voted on before President Trump’s desired deadline of July 4th. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) has said he would honor the customary 72 hour period to allow members three days to review the legislation – so it’ll be tight.
<h2>Trump-DeSantis Alliance &amp; Alligator Alcatraz</h2>
<div id="attachment_582447" style="width: 1034px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-582447" class="size-large wp-image-582447" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2023/07/RDDT-1024x576.jpg" alt="Donald Trump Ron DeSantis" width="1024" height="576" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2023/07/RDDT-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2023/07/RDDT-300x169.jpg 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2023/07/RDDT-768x432.jpg 768w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2023/07/RDDT-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2023/07/RDDT-2048x1152.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" />Getty Images</div>
Topline: President Donald Trump and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis held a press conference down at the state’s new “Alligator Alcatraz” on Tuesday.
Trump and DeSantis have reconciled since Trump beat the Florida governor in the GOP presidential primary last year, and Trump’s win in November pushed the two even closer, especially on immigration, but also on other issues as well.
“Ron, I would like to thank you, personally,” Trump said during a joint press conference. “You&#8217;re my friend. You will always be my friend. We may have some skirmishes even in the future &#8212; I doubt it &#8212; but I will always come back. We have blood that seems to match pretty well. We have a relationship that&#8217;s been a very strong one.”
DeSantis is term-limited as Florida’s governor, and he signaled that his wife Casey may jump into the 2026 race to replace him. An endorsement from Trump would be a huge boon in a Republican primary that has the potential to be extraordinarily competitive.
The press conference took place during a visit to Alligator Alcatraz – an immigration facility being built in the everglades. It could hold thousands of illegal aliens slated for deportation. In addition to the new detention facility, Trump also plans to deputize Florida National Guardsmen as immigration judges, which could massively cut down the time it takes to schedule immigration hearings – from a matter of years to just a few days.
Detention capacity has been a big constraint to Trump’s immigration agenda. That’s why we’ve seen the Trump administration partner with El Salvador, for instance, to hold illegal aliens, or ship them to Guantanamo Bay. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is now arresting hundreds of illegal aliens a day, and Trump is doing whatever he can to make sure none of them are released back into the public after they’ve been caught.
<h2>Accused Murderer Accepts Plea Deal</h2>
<div id="attachment_644939" style="width: 874px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-644939" class="size-large wp-image-644939" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2023/10/GettyImages-1663792088-864x576.jpg" alt="Second District Judge John C. Judge speaks at a hearing for Bryan Kohberger, who stands accused of murder, on cameras in the courtroom in Latah County District Court on September 13, 2023 in Moscow, Idaho." width="864" height="576" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2023/10/GettyImages-1663792088-864x576.jpg 864w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2023/10/GettyImages-1663792088-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2023/10/GettyImages-1663792088-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2023/10/GettyImages-1663792088.jpg 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 864px) 100vw, 864px" />Ted S. Warren-Pool/Getty Images</div>
Topline: The man accused of the 2022 Idaho murders has accepted a plea deal. The death penalty trial was originally set to begin on August 18th.
Byran Kohberger will accept the prosecution’s plea deal and plead guilty to all charges. Those include four counts of murder, as well as burglary. In exchange, the state has agreed to take the death penalty off the table – he will serve four consecutive life sentences with no possibility of parole, and he has waived the right to appeal. There will be a change of plea hearing on Wednesday, which may provide some closure for the families of the four victims: <a href="https://www.google.com/search?cs=0&amp;sca_esv=6bab3b4dfd99b83d&amp;q=Kaylee+Goncalves&amp;sa=X&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiu1p60rZyOAxVdfzABHekEHXIQxccNegQIAhAC&amp;mstk=AUtExfAVHVDRi0V94ynk_-wXgwIe9p6AbGoJuzIiz0pCF7FCYFcqYP56aFCt_vMqUu7B0VzjpVsJ9CGG0U3uDDXjN-z2UWJXiAHpe-5dMrBL7SAcF26kj_tjAaHGQcYI7dU2WDq4CZwgj7-Gz0zgIEWPtFN-mEm4Jlb7ZlpRJ3ZAUROmbhuXvcRt8tahCE8pRTkhpY9R&amp;csui=3">Kaylee Goncalves</a>, <a href="https://www.google.com/search?cs=0&amp;sca_esv=6bab3b4dfd99b83d&amp;q=Madison+Mogen&amp;sa=X&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiu1p60rZyOAxVdfzABHekEHXIQxccNegQIAhAD&amp;mstk=AUtExfAVHVDRi0V94ynk_-wXgwIe9p6AbGoJuzIiz0pCF7FCYFcqYP56aFCt_vMqUu7B0VzjpVsJ9CGG0U3uDDXjN-z2UWJXiAHpe-5dMrBL7SAcF26kj_tjAaHGQcYI7dU2WDq4CZwgj7-Gz0zgIEWPtFN-mEm4Jlb7ZlpRJ3ZAUROmbhuXvcRt8tahCE8pRTkhpY9R&amp;csui=3">Madison Mogen</a>, <a href="https://www.google.com/search?cs=0&amp;sca_esv=6bab3b4dfd99b83d&amp;q=Xana+Kernodle&amp;sa=X&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiu1p60rZyOAxVdfzABHekEHXIQxccNegQIAhAE&amp;mstk=AUtExfAVHVDRi0V94ynk_-wXgwIe9p6AbGoJuzIiz0pCF7FCYFcqYP56aFCt_vMqUu7B0VzjpVsJ9CGG0U3uDDXjN-z2UWJXiAHpe-5dMrBL7SAcF26kj_tjAaHGQcYI7dU2WDq4CZwgj7-Gz0zgIEWPtFN-mEm4Jlb7ZlpRJ3ZAUROmbhuXvcRt8tahCE8pRTkhpY9R&amp;csui=3">Xana Kernodle</a>, and <a href="https://www.google.com/search?cs=0&amp;sca_esv=6bab3b4dfd99b83d&amp;q=Ethan+Chapin&amp;sa=X&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiu1p60rZyOAxVdfzABHekEHXIQxccNegQIAhAF&amp;mstk=AUtExfAVHVDRi0V94ynk_-wXgwIe9p6AbGoJuzIiz0pCF7FCYFcqYP56aFCt_vMqUu7B0VzjpVsJ9CGG0U3uDDXjN-z2UWJXiAHpe-5dMrBL7SAcF26kj_tjAaHGQcYI7dU2WDq4CZwgj7-Gz0zgIEWPtFN-mEm4Jlb7ZlpRJ3ZAUROmbhuXvcRt8tahCE8pRTkhpY9R&amp;csui=3">Ethan Chapin</a>.
Kaylee Goncalves&#8217; sister Aubrie called the decision to take the death penalty off the table “shocking and cruel.” The family posted a statement to social media saying, “We are beyond furious at the state of Idaho. They have failed us.”
The defense has maintained that Kohberger is innocent, although initially the evidence against him seemed overwhelming. His car was caught on surveillance, his cell phone data was consistent with him being near the scene &#8212; not just on the night of the murder, but the next morning, and on about a dozen occasions leading up to the crime, always late at night. Most damning, his DNA was found on the knife sheath left at the scene, and his purchase history showed a black ski mask similar to the one described by the witness. He was also a criminology student with apparent interest in serial killers.
Defense attorney Anne Taylor did raise arguments for reasonable doubt. First, she filed a motion to have the DNA evidence thrown out because it was obtained, according to her, through an illegal genealogy search – that would have been devastating to the prosecution&#8217;s case. She also raised the issue of mystery DNA found in the bloody handprint. Investigators determined that there was DNA from two mystery males found in that print on the bannister, and DNA from a third mystery male was found on a glove outside the residence. There was also DNA from multiple individuals found under the fingernails of one of the victims, although it was inconclusive. The defense was planning to float an alternative suspect theory, and all they had to do was make one juror have doubts. These issues also could have theoretically provided fertile ground for appeals down the road.
However, in the past week, the judge dismissed the defense’s attempt to introduce alternative suspects. And not long before that, it was revealed that a DoorDash driver may have been at the scene delivering food at 4 a.m. when the crime occurred. In leaked police interview footage, that driver can be heard saying, “I saw Bryan there,” and she claimed she parked next to him.

MRN 7.2.25 Thumbnail_V1

Morning Brief: Senate Passes The Big Beautiful Bill, Alligator Alcatraz & Idaho Plea Deal

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Florida

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Over the past 10 years, Northern Nigeria has quickly risen to the top of the list as the most dangerous place to be a Christian. More Christians are killed here than anywhere else in the world.
The data show us that it’s not by slim margins. According to International Christian Concern, in 2022, <a href="https://www.persecution.org/2023/09/11/90-percent-of-the-5500-christians-killed-in-2022-were-nigerian/">90%</a> of all Christians killed in the world were killed in Nigeria. Last year, that number was around <a href="https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/261571/nigeria-tops-report-for-number-of-christians-killed-kidnapped-in-2024#:~:text=The%20World%20Watch%20List%2C%20released,countries%20in%20the%20same%20year.">70%</a>.
The persecution of Christians in Northern Nigeria has quickly evolved into a full-on genocide. But how did this happen? How did the region become a stronghold for this violence against those who follow Christ?
Most of the region is a virtual “wild west” of Africa, leaving Northern Nigeria largely unchecked with a sparse military presence. The geography, coupled with a rise in Islamic extremism, has allowed groups like Boko Haram and ISIS-WA (ISWAP) to flourish unimpeded.
<div id="attachment_74449" style="width: 1034px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-74449" class="wp-image-74449 size-large" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2019/12/ISIS-Truck-1024x576.jpg" alt="A vehicle allegedly belonging to the Islamic State group in West Africa (ISWAP) is seen in Baga on August 2, 2019. - Intense fighting between a regional force and the Islamic State group in West Africa (ISWAP) has resulted in dozens of deaths, including at least 25 soldiers and more than 40 jihadists, in northeastern Nigeria. ISWAP broke away from Boko Haram in 2016 in part due to its rejection of indiscriminate attacks on civilians. Last year the group witnessed a reported takeover by more hardline fighters who sidelined its leader and executed his deputy. The IS-affiliate has since July 2018 ratcheted up a campaign of attacks against military targets." width="1024" height="576" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2019/12/ISIS-Truck-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2019/12/ISIS-Truck-300x169.jpg 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2019/12/ISIS-Truck-768x432.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" />A vehicle allegedly belonging to the Islamic State group in West Africa (ISWAP) is seen in Baga on August 2, 2019. AUDU MARTE/AFP via Getty Images</div>
According to the most <a href="https://www.statista.com/statistics/1197570/deaths-caused-by-boko-haram-in-nigeria/">recent statistics</a>, Boko Haram alone is responsible for the deaths of 38,000 people between 2011 and 2023. Their growth has been so staggering that it has essentially overwhelmed the Nigerian government’s attempts to stop it. In 2023, I witnessed Nigerian soldiers walk off the job when ordered to fight Boko Haram militants. They told me that fighting Boko Haram was a suicide mission. These terrorist groups keep the people of northern Nigeria in a constant state of fear. They yield this fear skillfully to maintain control. While I truly believe Nigerian President Bola Tinubu wants to see change in the region, his government is outnumbered and outgunned.
Another equally devastating contributor to the problem is the ethnic conflict between Fulani Muslims (herders) and Christians (farmers). While this is not “terrorism” in the traditional sense of Islamic Jihad, the results are no less deadly. There are approximately 17 million Fulani Muslims in Nigeria. Most Fulani are nomadic and predominantly raise cattle to maintain their livelihood. In this region, Christians have largely settled and sustain themselves by planting crops. As the Fulani migrate their cattle over vast distances, those cattle often wander into the farm fields of Christians, destroying their crops. While some Fulani Muslims have been radicalized, the herder vs. farmer crisis is overwhelmingly the result of tensions over land.
<div id="attachment_939751" style="width: 874px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-939751" class="size-large wp-image-939751" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/06/GettyImages-1257123144-864x576.jpg" alt="TOPSHOT - A Fulani pastoralist rests at a water point in Loumbel Lana, Matam region on May 19, 2023. For pastoralist the extreme heats direct effect is that their livestock drink double what they usually do. Usually one sheep will drink around 2,5 litres of water a day, now they need 4 or 5 litres a day. Pastoralists now need to get to water points multiple times a day (up to 20km away) and spend double the money buying water. Since April the region of Matam has regularly been flagged as the hottest place on earth with temperatures reaching 48 degrees celsius in the shade and fifties in direct sun. (Photo by JOHN WESSELS / AFP) (Photo by JOHN WESSELS/AFP via Getty Images)" width="864" height="576" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/06/GettyImages-1257123144-864x576.jpg 864w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/06/GettyImages-1257123144-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/06/GettyImages-1257123144-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/06/GettyImages-1257123144.jpg 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 864px) 100vw, 864px" />JOHN WESSELS/AFP via Getty Images</div>
For years, I have brokered peace agreements between hundreds of Fulani Muslim and Christian communities. In nearly every case I have worked, the root cause of the conflict boils down to violence that arose from cattle destroying crops. And that violence is not one-sided. Christians have retaliated for the destruction of their crops; however, more often than not, these conflicts result in an inordinate number of Christian deaths.
The most recent example is the massacre of nearly <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/terrible-massacre-hundreds-of-christians-killed-by-jihadists">200 Christians</a> that happened on <a href="https://www.genocidewatch.com/single-post/fulani-jihadists-massacre-over-200-christians-in-nigeria">June 14, 2025</a>. As a result of Nigeria’s diminishing areas for cattle grazing, the Fulani Muslims attacked Christians as a means to claim land for their cattle to graze. Further evidence is that every dry season, when access to good feeding grounds is at its lowest, there is a surge of violence between the Fulani herders and Christian farmers.
Northern Nigeria, like much of Africa, is gripped by severe socio-economic challenges that fuel instability and hardship. Most people in Northern Nigeria live on the equivalent of a little more than <a href="https://www.forbesafrica.com/current-affairs/2024/08/20/majority-of-workers-in-nigerias-largest-city-earn-below-62-50-monthly-report-reveals/">$1 USD per day</a>. Currently, a <a href="https://maypatronic.com/bag-of-rice-in-nigeria/#:~:text=in%20the%20market.-,Price%20Ranges,such%20as%20region%20and%20quality.">10kg (22-pound) bag of rice costs about $35 USD</a>. People barely earn enough to feed themselves. The <a href="https://www.macrotrends.net/global-metrics/countries/nga/nigeria/inflation-rate-cpi#:~:text=Nigeria%20inflation%20rate%20for%202023,a%201.85%25%20increase%20from%202019.">annual inflation rate is around 24%</a>, which drives the cost of food higher and higher. <a href="https://www.unicef.org/press-releases/25-million-nigerians-high-risk-food-insecurity-2023">UNICEF has placed Nigeria on its crisis list</a>, stating that over 25 million people are at high risk of food insecurity. These conditions have created an environment that keeps people in a perpetual state of survival.
But how do dire socio-economic conditions contribute to Christian persecution?
<div id="attachment_168513" style="width: 1034px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-168513" class="wp-image-168513 size-large" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2020/11/BH-1024x576.jpg" alt="TOPSHOT - Mourners attend the funeral of 43 farm workers in Zabarmari, about 20km from Maiduguri, Nigeria, on November 29, 2020 after they were killed by Boko Haram fighters in rice fields near the village of Koshobe on November 28, 2020. - The assailants tied up the agricultural workers and slit their throats in the village of Koshobe. The victims were labourers from Sokoto state in northwest Nigeria, roughly 1,000 kilometres (600 miles) away, who had travelled to the northeast to find work." width="1024" height="576" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2020/11/BH-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2020/11/BH-300x169.jpg 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2020/11/BH-768x432.jpg 768w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2020/11/BH-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2020/11/BH-2048x1152.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" />TOPSHOT &#8211; Mourners attend the funeral of 43 farm workers in Zabarmari, about 20km from Maiduguri, Nigeria, on November 29, 2020 after they were killed by Boko Haram fighters. AUDU MARTE/AFP via Getty Images.</div>
Inflation and food shortages exacerbate the conflict between Fulani Muslim herders and Christian farmers because, to them, every day is a desperate fight for survival. Tensions over grazing land — the source of sustenance for both the herders and farmers — run at a fever pitch. These socio-economic conditions are also the reason why so many young men are drawn to radical Islamic groups like Boko Haram and ISWAP. Not only do these groups provide a support system, but they also pay well for people willing to follow their orders and commit violent acts. I’ve heard reports of Boko Haram paying their fighters $100 USD for the successful execution of a single act of terrorism. That’s a small fortune in this part of the world.
The desperate conditions of Northern Nigeria are the fuel that keeps the fire of persecution burning.
These are complex problems in a complex part of the world. That’s why, at <a href="https://www.acrossnigeria.org/">Across Nigeria</a>, we are driven by a powerful mission: not only to uplift suffering Christians but also to extend Christ’s love to Muslims. Through our network of primary schools across Northern Nigeria, we empower Fulani Muslims with transformative education and literacy, building bridges of hope and understanding. In every area where we operate a Fulani school, the violence has dropped by 60 to 70%. We have found that providing people with options and opportunities is the best way to deter them from resorting to violence.
By helping Muslims overcome these challenges, we are helping to significantly reduce the violence and bring an end to the suffering. We have done a lot, but we have a long way to go. With the proper support, I believe we can reduce the violence and bring an end to suffering for the Muslims and Christians in the most dangerous region in the world.
* * *
<a href="https://www.acrossnigeria.org/ourfounder">Brad Brandon</a> is the founder and CEO of <a href="https://www.acrossnigeria.org/">Across Nigeria</a>. Since 2018, he has been actively serving in predominantly high-risk, highly persecuted areas like Northern Nigeria and other parts of West Africa.
The views expressed in this piece are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of The Daily Wire.

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The Silent Slaughter: Inside Nigeria’s Christian Persecution Crisis

The Silent Slaughter: Inside Nigeria's Christian Persecution Crisis

Africa

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Karen Read was acquitted Wednesday of murdering her Boston police officer boyfriend in a case that exposed a flawed investigation and allegations that authorities conspired to frame her for his death.
The case began when Read was <a href="https://nypost.com/2025/06/18/us-news/karen-read-jurors-reach-verdict-in-second-murder-trial/">accused</a> of leaving her boyfriend, John O&#8217;Keefe, to die in a 2022 snowstorm after allegedly hitting him with her Lexus outside a suburban Boston house party, per the New York Post.
In her Wednesday retrial, Read, 45, was found guilty only of operating under the influence of liquor — a lesser sub-charge of the manslaughter count — resulting in a sentence of one year of probation.
Jurors acquitted her of second-degree murder and leaving the scene of an accident causing death after deliberating for about three full days, according to the New York Post.
&#8220;No one has fought harder for justice for John O&#8217;Keefe than I have — Than I have, and my team,&#8221; Read told reporters outside the courthouse, thanking her loyal advocates.
As the Daily Wire previously <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/she-was-accused-of-killing-her-cop-boyfriend-but-said-she-was-framed-a-jury-couldnt-decide-who-was-right">reported</a>, this was Read&#8217;s second trial after a hung jury led to a mistrial last year. The retrial began in April and featured key differences, including the absence of lead investigator Michael Proctor, who was fired after sending lewd texts about Read during the first trial, calling Read a “wack job c***.”
Proctor’s misconduct, combined with other <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/karen-read-is-on-trial-for-allegedly-killing-her-cop-boyfriend-but-is-she-being-framed">evidence</a> of police misconduct throughout the investigation, put the spotlight on Read’s trial, garnering her thousands of supporters who came out in droves to support her at the retrial.
&#8220;We&#8217;re all Karen Read,&#8221; one supporter <a href="https://www.nbcboston.com/news/local/were-all-karen-read-hundreds-of-supporters-celebrate-verdict/3745890/">told</a> NBC 10 Boston following the trial, while another exclaimed, &#8220;God blessed Karen Read. She didn&#8217;t even get to mourn John&#8217;s death,&#8221; per the Post.
Read&#8217;s defense team argued that O&#8217;Keefe was actually beaten, bitten by a dog, and then left outside the Canton home in freezing temperatures, claiming authorities constructed a conspiracy to frame her for his death.
The jury&#8217;s decision came after a confusing sequence of events on Wednesday afternoon. The jury initially indicated they had reached a verdict, then quickly informed a court officer they had changed their minds, before finally confirming they had reached a decision shortly after Judge Beverly Cannone provided an update.
During deliberations, jurors asked several questions that suggested they were unlikely to find Read guilty of killing O&#8217;Keefe, including inquiries about the timeframe for the drunk driving charge. The jury ultimately spent approximately three days deliberating before delivering their verdict.
Several people close to O&#8217;Keefe before his death <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/karen-read-trial-verdict-jury-murder-charges-manslaughter-what-know-rcna212763">released</a> a statement decrying the verdict as a &#8220;devastating miscarriage of justice.&#8221;
“They have suffered through so much and deserved better from our justice system. While we may have more to say in the future, today we mourn with John’s family and lament the cruel reality that this prosecution was infected by lies and conspiracy theories spread by Karen Read, her defense team, and some in the media,” the statement read.
According to NBC, several people who signed the statement were accused by Read&#8217;s defense of being possible suspects in the death of O&#8217;Keefe, but were not adequately investigated due to police misconduct.

Karen Read Acquittal

Karen Read Acquitted Of Murdering Cop Boyfriend

Boston

Massachusetts

News

Police

President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that he won&#8217;t &#8220;waste time&#8221; with a phone call to &#8220;whacked out&#8221; Minnesota Democratic Gov. Tim Walz following the assassinations of a state representative, her husband, and the near-assassination of a state senator and his wife over the weekend.
Sources close to Walz said that the governor spoke to Vice President JD Vance after the Saturday morning shootings, but added that he had not heard from the president. Asked if he would reach out to Walz, the Democrats&#8217; 2024 vice presidential nominee, Trump <a href="https://x.com/kaitlancollins/status/1934918294508638209">said</a>, &#8220;I&#8217;m not calling him.&#8221;
&#8220;I think the governor of Minnesota is so whacked out. Why would I call him?&#8221; Trump <a href="https://x.com/factpostnews/status/1934953237678899354">added</a>. &#8220;I could call and say, ‘Hi, how you doing?’ The guy doesn’t have a clue. He’s a mess. I could be nice and call, but why waste time?”
After the suspected Minnesota assassin killed Democratic state Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, and wounded Democratic state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, Trump addressed the deadly shootings.
&#8220;Such horrific violence will not be tolerated in the United States of America. God Bless the great people of Minnesota, a truly great place,&#8221; the president <a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/114682713948931541">posted</a> on social media.
Trump was also <a href="https://www.goodmorningamerica.com/news/story/trump-call-walz-after-minnesota-shootings-calls-grossly-122870353">asked</a> about reaching out to Walz during an interview with ABC News on Sunday.
&#8220;Well, it&#8217;s a terrible thing. I think he&#8217;s a terrible governor. I think he&#8217;s a grossly incompetent person. But I may, I may call him, I may call other people too,&#8221; Trump said.
Authorities arrested 57-year-old <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/suspected-minnesota-assassin-went-to-homes-of-two-other-elected-officials-prosecutor">Vance Boelter</a> on Sunday, just over 24 hours after the assassination of Hortman and the near-killing of Hoffman. The suspect is accused of impersonating a police officer and visiting the houses of at least four elected Democrats in Minnesota. At the Hoffmans&#8217; home, Boelter barged in after being confronted by the state senator and his wife. Boelter opened fire, wounding both of them. He later shot and killed Hortman and her husband at their home before engaging in a shootout with police and getting away.
Police said they found a potential &#8220;<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/read-the-hit-list-found-in-minnesota-gunmans-vehicle">hit list</a>&#8221; in Boelter&#8217;s vehicle that contained the names of numerous Democrats, including Gov. Walz, Rep. Ilhan Omar, Rep. Angie Craig, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, and Minnesota Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan.
Boelter, who was appointed to Minnesota Democrat Governor Tim Walz’s Workforce Development Council in 2019, was “very conservative,” his roommate <a href="https://x.com/lilialuciano/status/1934315979687010680">told</a> CBS News. The roommate added that Boelter “would be offended if people thought he was a Democrat,” referring to rumors spreading on social media that Boelter was a leftist. The suspect rented a room <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tYQPRPe1M3I">part-time</a> in a house in north Minneapolis, but he also <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R7c5cDL2ryU">lived</a> in a home about an hour southwest of the Twin Cities with his wife and five children.
Boelter faces federal charges, including stalking, murder, and multiple firearms-related offenses. The federal murder charge makes Boelter eligible for the death penalty.

Donald Trump/Tim Walz

Trump Says He Won’t Call Tim Walz After Minnesota Assassinations: ‘He’s A Mess…Why Waste Time?’

assassination

Democrats

Executive

Minnesota

Tim Walz

A federal prosecutor revealed on Monday that the suspected assassin, who shot Minnesota state Sen. John Hoffman and state Rep. Melissa Hortman along with their spouses early Saturday morning, also visited the residences of two other state lawmakers between the attacks.
Vance Boelter, the 57-year-old man accused of murdering Hortman and her husband and attempting to kill Hoffman and his wife, stopped by the homes of two other politicians while impersonating a law enforcement officer, according to Joseph Thompson, the acting U.S. attorney for Minnesota, USA Today <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2025/06/16/minnesota-shooting-vance-luther-boelter-charges-live-updates/84224901007/">reported</a>. Thompson didn&#8217;t name the other two lawmakers, but said one was a state representative and the other was a state senator.
After shooting and wounding Sen. Hoffman and his wife, Boelter traveled to the home of a state representative in Maple Grove, Minnesota. After arriving at the home, Boelter rang the doorbell at around 2:24 a.m., Thompson said during a press conference on Monday.
&#8220;Again, he was dressed as a law enforcement officer, wearing a tactical vest and body armor, carrying a handgun and a flashlight, and wearing that same hyper-realistic silicon mask,&#8221; the prosecutor <a href="https://www.mediaite.com/media/news/minnesota-shooting-suspect-went-to-the-homes-of-two-other-elected-officials-us-attorney-says/">added</a>.
&#8220;Fortunately, the state representative was not home. She and her family were gone on vacation,&#8221; Thompson said. &#8220;So Boelter left.&#8221;
The suspected assassin then traveled to another state senator&#8217;s home in New Hope, Minnesota. Outside of the home, Boelter parked his black SUV, which had a police license plate, in the street. As Boelter was parked outside, a New Hope police officer arrived on the scene to do a wellness check on the lawmaker after learning that Hoffman and his wife had been shot. The New Hope police officer believed Boelter was another officer who had been dispatched to do a wellness check and rolled down the window of her patrol car to speak with him.
&#8220;Boelter did not respond. According to the officer, he just sat there and stared straight ahead,&#8221; Thompson said. &#8220;So the New Hope police officer who had been dispatched to the scene proceeded to the state senator’s home, and she waited for other law enforcement to arrive. When they did, by the time they did, Boelter had left the scene.&#8221;
The suspected assassin&#8217;s next target was state Rep. Hortman in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, where he shot and killed her and her husband, Mark, in their home. Boelter allegedly had a &#8220;hit list,&#8221; containing the names of numerous Democratic lawmakers and abortion clinics in his vehicle, as The Daily Wire previously <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/read-the-hit-list-found-in-minnesota-gunmans-vehicle">reported</a>. Among those named on the &#8220;hit list&#8221; were Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, Rep. Ilhan Omar, Rep. Angie Craig, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, and Minnesota Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan.
Boelter, who was appointed to Minnesota Democrat Governor Tim Walz’s Workforce Development Council in 2019, was &#8220;very conservative,&#8221; his roommate <a href="https://x.com/lilialuciano/status/1934315979687010680">told</a> CBS News. The roommate added that Boelter &#8220;would be offended if people thought he was a Democrat,&#8221; referring to rumors spreading on social media that Boelter was a leftist.
The suspected assassin was <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/authorities-catch-suspected-minnesota-assassin?author=Daniel+Chaitin&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=undefined&amp;row=0&amp;rowType=Vertical+List&amp;title=Suspect+In+Minnesota+Political+Assassination+Captured+Alive">arrested</a> by authorities in a wooded area near his home on Sunday. He is charged with six counts, including stalking, murder, and multiple firearms-related offenses, according to USA Today.
&#8220;It is not an exaggeration to say that his crimes are the stuff of nightmares,&#8221; Thompson <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2025/06/16/minnesota-shooting-vance-luther-boelter-charges-live-updates/84224901007/">said</a>. &#8220;Boelter stalked his victims like prey.&#8221;

Minnesota assassination

Suspected Minnesota Assassin Went To Homes Of Two Other Elected Officials: Prosecutor

Shooting

Jihadists massacred around 200 Christians in Nigeria last week after storming a predominantly Catholic farming community and setting fire to homes, according to multiple reports.
Last Friday and Saturday, Fulani Jihadist herdsmen targeted the Christians in Yelwata, in Nigeria’s Benue State, according to Catholic news outlet, <a href="https://cruxnow.com/church-in-africa/2025/06/latest-attack-reportedly-kills-nearly-200-people-in-nigeria">Crux</a>. The militants attempted to storm St. Joseph’s Church in Yelwata, which was housing families who had been displaced by previous Fulani Jihadist attacks in other areas, but were repelled by police, according to another report from <a href="https://www.churchinneed.org/nigeria-up-to-200-dead-in-worst-killing-spree/">Church in Need</a>. The militants then attacked the town square, setting fire to buildings and killing people while yelling &#8220;Allahu Akbar.&#8221;
According to eyewitnesses on the ground in the Nigerian community, the Jihadists &#8220;surrounded Yelwata &#8230; and began slaughtering people—mostly women, children, and displaced families who thought they had found safety here.”
“We’re still finding bodies in the bushes,” <a href="https://www.genocidewatch.com/single-post/fulani-jihadists-massacre-over-200-christians-in-nigeria">said</a> local youth leader Mton Matthias. “The death toll is rising every hour.”
Pope Leo addressed the &#8220;terrible massacre&#8221; on Sunday when he said Christians &#8220;were killed with extreme cruelty, most of whom were internally displaced persons hosted by the local Catholic mission.&#8221;
&#8220;I pray that security, justice, and peace will prevail in Nigeria, a beloved country so affected by various forms of violence,&#8221; Pope Leo said before he delivered the Sunday Angelus prayer, Vatican News reported. &#8220;And I pray in a special way for the rural Christian communities in Benue State who have been unceasingly the victims of violence.&#8221;
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Pope Leo prays for the victims of a “terrible massacre” in Benue State, Nigeria.
Around 200 people were “brutally killed” in Yelwata, in the Guma Local Government Area on the night of the 13th/14th June, the Pope said, most of them internally displaced persons “sheltered by the… <a href="https://t.co/gOZw8Ny0L2">pic.twitter.com/gOZw8Ny0L2</a>
— Vatican News (@VaticanNews) <a href="https://twitter.com/VaticanNews/status/1934238312937537896?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 15, 2025</a></blockquote>
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The violence against Christians in Nigeria is not new, but last week&#8217;s massacre marks the deadliest atrocity committed against Christians in the country in recent years, according to Church in Need. Fulani herdsman, made up of Muslims, regularly threaten farming communities, made up mostly of Christians, in Benue State. Between 2023 and 2025, more than 1,000 people have been killed as the Jihadists have clashed with farmers and Nigeria&#8217;s security forces, the BBC <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/clyznnl4mddo">reported</a>.
According to Rev. Fr. Remigius Ihyula — director of the Justice, Peace and Development Foundation (JPDF) — the violence against Christians is part of an effort to clear the land of the Christian inhabitants.
“These Fulani militias are not just killing—they’re clearing land to claim it,” he <a href="https://www.genocidewatch.com/single-post/fulani-jihadists-massacre-over-200-christians-in-nigeria">said</a>. “And they’re being allowed to do it.”
The Nigerian government, led by Muslims, has been accused of looking the other way while radical Muslims attack and kill Christians.
“The credible evidence of who [the attackers] are is undeniable, so why is the government helpless in securing the safety of its citizens?&#8221; asked Father Moses Aondover Iorapuu, a Parish priest in Makurdi, Nigeria.

Religious cross on a building’s gable

‘Terrible Massacre’: Hundreds Of Christians Killed By Jihadists

Death

Persecution

Pope Leo

Religion

World

The man accused of killing Minnesota House Democrat leader Melissa Hortman and her husband within the Twin Cities metropolitan area has been taken into custody, authorities said on Sunday evening.
A high-ranking state official <a href="https://www.startribune.com/melissa-hortman-shooting-vance-boelter-suspect/601373342" target="_blank" rel="noopener">told</a> the Star Tribune that the suspect, identified as Vance Boelter, was apprehended in Sibley County. Police have since confirmed the development, much to the relief of people across Minnesota and the country.
“I’m grateful that this nightmare has come to an end with the suspected murderer captured alive so he can be charged, prosecuted, and punished for the horror he has wrought on our state,&#8221; Minnesota House Speaker Lisa Demuth, a Republican, said in a statement.
She added: &#8220;Thank you to the brave men and women of local, state, and federal law enforcement who have worked around the clock to ensure this evil man faces justice.&#8221;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
The agency shared this message: “The face of evil. After relentless and determined police work, the killer is now in custody. Thanks to the dedication of multiple agencies working together along with support from the community, justice is one step closer.”
— Mary McGuire (@mcguirereports) <a href="https://twitter.com/mcguirereports/status/1934443380521492598?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 16, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Boelter, 57, has been charged with two counts of second degree murder and two counts of second degree attempted murder, according to a complaint <a href="https://www.startribune.com/melissa-hortman-shooting-vance-boelter-suspect/601373342" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reportedly</a> unsealed after the arrest.
Authorities had been searching for Boelter over the weekend following what they described as &#8220;targeted&#8221; overnight shootings by someone impersonating law enforcement.
Hortman and her husband were killed at their home in Brooklyn Park. State Sen. John Hoffman and his wife were also shot at their home in Champlin, but they survived and are recovering from their wounds.
The FBI <a href="https://x.com/FBIMostWanted/status/1933992217263186433" target="_blank" rel="noopener">offered</a> a reward of up to $50,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of Boelter. Officials said he <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/flyers-for-anti-trump-no-kings-protest-found-in-suspected-assassins-vehicle" target="_blank" rel="noopener">left</a> anti-Trump &#8220;No Kings&#8221; protest flyers in his vehicle and had a <a href="https://nypost.com/2025/06/15/us-news/minnesota-assassination-suspects-manifesto-names-dozens-of-lawmakers-abortion-providers/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">&#8220;manifesto&#8221;</a> naming dozens of lawmakers and abortion providers.
People across the political spectrum issued statements after the attacks, including President Donald Trump in a <a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/114682713948931541" target="_blank" rel="noopener">post</a> on Truth Social.
&#8220;I have been briefed on the terrible shooting that took place in Minnesota, which appears to be a targeted attack against State Lawmakers. Our Attorney General, Pam Bondi, and the FBI, are investigating the situation, and they will be prosecuting anyone involved to the fullest extent of the law,&#8221; he said.
Trump added: &#8220;Such horrific violence will not be tolerated in the United States of America. God Bless the great people of Minnesota, a truly great place!&#8221;

Two Minnesota State Legislators And Spouses Shot In Targeted Attacks

Suspect In Minnesota Political Assassination Captured Alive

UPDATE: The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension Superintendent Drew Evans said they are reviewing a &#8220;manifesto&#8221; allegedly penned by the suspect, identified as Vance Boelter, but the motivation has still not been determined.
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“This is a very active and fluid investigation throughout the day, as you’ve been waiting, and these teams have been working out in the field, and they have been gathering more documents and information,&#8221; he <a href="https://www.cnn.com/us/live-news/minnesota-shootings-manhunt-06-14-25">said</a>. &#8220;So it would be premature for me at this point to really say exactly what the motivation might be from these writings, but we will be continuing to work on that and provide that information when we’re able.&#8221;
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Evans added that they are &#8220;still exploring&#8221; to see if the suspect knew those he targeted.
“There’s certainly some overlap with some public meetings, I will say, with Senator Hoffman and the individual, but we don’t know the nature of the relationship or if they actually knew each other,&#8221; he said.
<div>
Boelter still remains at large.
</div>
</div>
</aside>
Original report:
Minnesota law enforcement officials confirmed on Saturday that the suspect involved in the <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/lawmakers-spouses-gunned-down-in-targeted-shootings?author=Amanda+Prestigiacomo&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=0&amp;row=0&amp;rowType=Vertical+List&amp;title=Lawmakers%2C+Spouses+Gunned+Down+In+‘Targeted’+Shootings" target="_blank" rel="noopener">murder and attempted murder of four people</a>, including state lawmakers, had the names of other elected officials and anti-Trump &#8220;No Kings&#8221; protest flyers in his vehicle.
Additionally, the suspect, identified as Vance Boelter, 57, was appointed to Minnesota Democrat Governor Tim Walz&#8217;s Workforce Development Council in 2019.
“When we did a search of the vehicle, there was a manifesto that identified many lawmakers and other officials. We immediately made alerts to the state. We took action on alerting them and providing security where necessary,” said Brooklyn Park Police Chief Mark Bruley, <a href="https://www.whio.com/news/police-say-they-have/QN6NVORVYJEQ5FXGK5YXQU2FNA/">according</a> to the Associated Press.
State Patrol Col. Christina Bogojevic said during a presser that the suspect had “No Kings” flyers in his car, displaying a photo of the materials (see below). &#8220;No Kings&#8221; is a reference to nationwide left-wing protests taking place on Saturday to object to President Donald Trump.
Organizers of &#8220;No Kings&#8221; protests in the state of Minnesota have canceled today&#8217;s events.
<div id="attachment_934625" style="width: 871px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-934625" class="wp-image-934625 size-large" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/06/Screenshot-2025-06-14-at-1.22.26-PM-861x576.png" alt="" width="861" height="576" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/06/Screenshot-2025-06-14-at-1.22.26-PM-861x576.png 861w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/06/Screenshot-2025-06-14-at-1.22.26-PM-300x201.png 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/06/Screenshot-2025-06-14-at-1.22.26-PM-768x514.png 768w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/06/Screenshot-2025-06-14-at-1.22.26-PM.png 1390w" sizes="(max-width: 861px) 100vw, 861px" />Minnesota State Patrol</div>
As reported by <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/lawmakers-spouses-gunned-down-in-targeted-shootings?author=Amanda+Prestigiacomo&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=0&amp;row=0&amp;rowType=Vertical+List&amp;title=Lawmakers%2C+Spouses+Gunned+Down+In+‘Targeted’+Shootings">The Daily Wire</a> on Saturday morning, state Sen. John Hoffman and state Rep. Melissa Hortman and their spouses were shot by a suspect allegedly impersonating a police officer in Champlin and Brooklyn Park.
<div id="attachment_934575" style="width: 840px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-934575" class="wp-image-934575 size-full" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/06/Screenshot-2025-06-14-at-10.47.41-AM.png" alt="" width="830" height="506" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/06/Screenshot-2025-06-14-at-10.47.41-AM.png 830w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/06/Screenshot-2025-06-14-at-10.47.41-AM-300x183.png 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/06/Screenshot-2025-06-14-at-10.47.41-AM-768x468.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 830px) 100vw, 830px" />MN State Senate//Melissa Hortman via Facebook</div>
The pair were attacked in their homes. Rep. Hortman and her spouse were killed in what Gov. Tim Walz said was a &#8220;politically motivated assassination.&#8221; Hoffman and his wife were both shot numerous times, but are expected to survive.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
NEW: Minnesota law enforcement announce that &#8220;No Kings&#8221; flyers were found in the car of the suspect who k*lled MN State Representative Melissa Hortman.
The &#8220;No Kings&#8221; protests are being held today across the country in protest of President Trump.
&#8220;Given the targeted shootings… <a href="https://t.co/X6UPxjHEZ9">pic.twitter.com/X6UPxjHEZ9</a>
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) <a href="https://twitter.com/CollinRugg/status/1933929181026685181?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 14, 2025</a></blockquote>
Boelter was identified as the suspect in the attacks on Saturday afternoon, per sources close to the Associated Press. He was appointed to serve on the Workforce Development Council in 2019 by Gov. Walz, and Boelter&#8217;s term expired in January 2023, <a href="https://kstp.com/kstp-news/top-news/57-year-old-suspect-sought-in-targeted-shootings-of-minnesota-state-lawmakers/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">according</a> to EYEWITNESS NEWS.
Boelter previously served on the board, which is categorized as nonpartisan, back in 2016 by then-Governor Mark Dayton, also a Democrat.
This post has been updated with additional information.
Related: <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/lawmakers-spouses-gunned-down-in-targeted-shootings?author=Amanda+Prestigiacomo&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=0&amp;row=0&amp;rowType=Vertical+List&amp;title=Lawmakers%2C+Spouses+Gunned+Down+In+‘Targeted’+Shootings" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Lawmakers, Spouses Gunned Down In ‘Targeted’ Shootings</a>

“No Kings” flyers

Flyers For Anti-Trump ‘No Kings’ Protest Found In Suspected Assassin’s Vehicle

San Antonio Police Chief William McManus walked back statements he previously made about his department finding “no evidence whatsoever” that actor Jonathan Joss’ death was a hate crime.
Social media and mainstream media lit up following the death of the “King of the Hill” voice actor on Sunday. At first, news reports were saying that the Texas native was shot following a dispute with his neighbor. Soon after, a man claiming to be Joss’ husband said Joss was really the victim of anti-LGBT bigotry.
While San Antonio police originally ruled out a hate crime, now McManus is walking back those statements. “That was way, way, way premature,” he <a href="https://www.facebook.com/SanAntonioPD/videos/1356101808802458/">said</a> during a Thursday press conference. “Shouldn’t have done it. It was way too soon before we had any real information, and I will own that and simply say, again, that we shouldn&#8217;t have done that. It was way too early in the process for any statement of that nature to be issued.”
“We understand that many in the LGBTQ+ community are feeling anxious and concerned,” he continued. “A lot of it has to do with that premature statement that we released, and again, I own that, shouldn&#8217;t have done it. The loss of Jonathan Joss was tragic and most, most heavily felt by the LGBTQ+ community.”
Just two days earlier on June 3, the SAPD said that they “thoroughly reviewed all available information” and said there was no reason to believe Joss’ death “was related to his sexual orientation.”
<a href="https://get.dailywire.com/gift/?utm_medium=website&amp;utm_source=wisepops&amp;utm_campaign=dad&amp;utm_content=fathersdaygiftpopups" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Gift Dad an All Access Membership. Use code DAD40 at checkout to save 40%!</a>
As some people have pointed out, the post from Joss’ alleged husband following the incident is full of extreme, unsubstantiated accusations, including one about angry neighbors burning down their home several months ago. But <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/lgbt-activists-have-found-their-next-hate-crime-hoax-and-its-the-most-insane-one-yet">news reports</a> from the time state that Joss admitted to using a propane heater, which may have caused the fire.
According to a report from local station WFAA, Joss also had a long history of getting into altercations with his neighbors and was reported to have been causing a disturbance on the night he was killed.
“Neighbors [said that Joss] was at the site Sunday night checking his mail, which he did regularly, when something went terribly wrong. A video shared by a neighbor who was present shows a man, who they identified as Joss, pacing up and down the street with a pitchfork and screaming,” the outlet reported.
It went on, “The neighbors say it was common behavior over the years for Joss to scream while carrying weapons, and even though they say they didn’t like it, several neighbors said they were surprised when a man who lives just 50 yards away responded to the situation with a gun around 6 p.m. Sunday.”
One person claiming to be a neighbor of Joss posted on Facebook saying the voice actor “started gun fights constantly” and “constantly threatened his surrounding neighbors.”
Footage of Joss behaving aggressively at an event for the &#8220;King of the Hill&#8221; revival two days before his death also started circulating online. The voice actor had to be escorted from the premises by security.
Sigfredo Ceja Alvarez, 56, who is described as a former neighbor of Joss, was arrested and charged with first-degree murder. His is currently under house arrest on $200,000 bond.

Johnathan Joss

San Antonio Police Chief Walks Back Statement That Jonathon Joss’ Murder Wasn’t A Hate Crime

San Antonio Police Chief Walks Back Statement That Jonathon Joss' Murder Wasn't A Hate Crime

Celebrities

Entertainment

Hate Crime

LGBTQ

San Antonio

04-Jun-2025-05-00-PM-4422

LGBT Activists Have Found Their Next Hate Crime Hoax And It’s The Most Insane One Yet

actors

Homosexuality

Matt Walsh

Texas

Voice actor Jonathan Joss, best known for portraying the voice of John Redcorn on the long-running animated comedy “King of the Hill,” died from a fatal gunshot wound in San Antonio on Sunday night. He was 59 at the time of his death.
According to early reports, Joss died after getting into a fight with his neighbor, who allegedly then pulled out a gun and shot him several times, per <a href="https://www.tmz.com/2025/06/02/king-of-the-hill-jonathan-joss-dead-shot-san-antonio-texas-voice-actor/">TMZ</a>. The gunman is then reported to have gotten into a vehicle and fled the scene.
San Antonio police confirmed that the suspect was captured a block from the scene of the accident. Officers detained 56-year-old Sigfredo Alvarez Cejam, who has been booked for murder. The investigation is ongoing.
The paramedics responded and tried to revive Joss, but they were ultimately unsuccessful, the outlet noted.
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The actor’s death occurred just two days after he attended the 2025 ATX TV Festival in Austin, Texas, with other “King of the Hill” cast members. Joss last shared an Instagram post of himself walking around Austin and noting how the show’s “reboot is up and moving,” as People <a href="https://people.com/king-of-the-hill-voice-actor-jonathan-joss-dies-at-59-after-being-fatally-shot-police-11746467">noted</a>.
Joss took over for the original actor, Victor Arron, for season 3 of the series after Arron died in a car accident in 1996.
The “King of the Hill” reboot is slated to premiere on Hulu in August and had already started recording, the outlet noted.
Joss also appeared in other popular shows such as “Parks and Recreation,” “Tulsa King,” “Ray Donovan,” “True Grit,” “The Magnificent Seven,” and others.

‘King Of The Hill’ Voice Actor Shot, Killed Following Dispute With Neighbor

'King Of The Hill' Voice Actor Shot, Killed Following Dispute With Neighbor

Animation

Television

There is a philosophy that has now become dominant on the Left and even parts of the center. It&#8217;s throughout the West.
The deeper roots of this philosophy bear a deadly fruit.
Let’s begin with a bizarre and hilarious spectacle. Great Britain’s King Charles III was visiting the Canadian Parliament and decided that it would be worthwhile to offer a land acknowledgment.
This is hilarious because King Charles is the King of Great Britain. The only reason the Canadian Parliament exists is because of the settlement of Canada by British citizens. That’s why he is there in the first place.
Charles doing a land acknowledgment and taking that seriously would amount to essentially disestablishing Canada, the United States, Australia, South Africa and a bunch of other countries, because all of those countries were originally created as functioning polities by the British Empire.
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This bizarre idea that Charles can arrive on Canadian territory and start apologizing to the indigenous people for the presence of white people in this particular area is absurd, especially coming from King Charles, who is the greatest beneficiary on planet Earth of the imperialism of the British Empire.
There are human universals, such as migration, settlement, annexation, and conflict, and they are not unique to white people, Westerners, or Europeans; it&#8217;s just that white people, Westerners and Europeans, have been much better at it than other parts of the population on planet Earth. They&#8217;re more successful, particularly in the 18th and 19th centuries, but that does not mean that there is some unique sin that attends to whiteness, being Western, or being European.
Charles said, “I would like to acknowledge that we are gathered on the unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishinaabe people. This land acknowledgement is a recognition of shared history as a nation. While continuing to deepen my own understanding, it is my great hope that in each of your communities, and collectively as a country, a path is found toward truth and reconciliation, in both word and deed.”
Of course the land is unceded, because the nature of human conflict is that when people migrate from one part of the Earth to another part of the Earth, conflict tends to arise, and then someone wins and someone loses. And it is a very good thing that the British Empire won in Canada.
<h3><a href="https://www.dailywire.com/episode/bss-ep-2208-the-trump-2026-victory-plan?elementPosition=0&amp;row=0&amp;rowType=Vertical+Show+Episodes+Carousel" target="_blank" rel="noopener">WATCH: The Ben Shapiro Show</a></h3>
Here’s the basic idea: The world is better off because of the British Empire. The world is better off because of American power and the spread of European ideals. That is obviously true. The spread of things like property rights, due process of law, capitalism, freedom of religion, all of which are not human universals — those are the legacy of the West.
There&#8217;s always an attempt to take human universals and then project them as West-specific problems. That is not true.
The problems of murder and raping and looting and slavery are human universals.
What is unique about the West is all the other stuff. Reversing that polarity and suggesting that the West is somehow uniquely sinful because it was better at war than others, or because Westerners were better at settlement than the Algonquin who lived on the land where Canada&#8217;s parliament now sits, and that is a human tragedy, is not, in fact, a human tragedy.
Bad things happen throughout human history. The bad things are tragedies. But overall, in the broad scope of history, it is an absolutely wonderful thing that Europeans ended up on the North American continent.
Anyone who doesn&#8217;t believe so should probably leave. If you don&#8217;t believe that, you probably should go back to your dingy apartment and cede it back to the natives from whom your ancestors took it.
All of this ties into a deeper and more deadly philosophy.
The president of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa, visited the White House and was asked about the “Kill the Boer” chant, which has become common at some rallies, targeting the Afrikaner farmers who originally settled in the area of South Africa as early as the 17th century, fought for hundreds of years, and were responsible at one point for tremendous racism against black people.
But the solution to that is not genocidal chants. Yet there’s an idea that as long as the people who are shouting the genocidal chants are not white, European and Western, it suddenly becomes okay.
Why? Because the rules don&#8217;t equally apply in this left-wing philosophy, where the sins of the West are unique and the West is unique in its evil.
What that means is that the West has to be destroyed. This has deadly consequences. And it doesn&#8217;t matter whether you call this stuff anti-white or anti-Semitic or anti-whatever. The problem with this generalized philosophy is that it is simply evil.
When you separate the world into victims and victimizers and you suggest that anyone who&#8217;s been uniquely successful is the victimizer and anyone who is not is a victim, what you get is victimizers with the moral impetus and the moral weight to kill people.
What you end up with is actual terrorism, actual violence, actual overthrow of the institutions that made the West great in the first place.

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