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Charlie Kirk’s final book is a ‘manifesto against the machine of modern life,’ encouraging his followers to ‘stop in the name of God’ and honor the Sabbath.

Kirk, the founder and CEO of Turning Point USA, was assassinated Sept. 10 after years of promoting civil discourse on college campuses and mentoring young adults across the country.

Weeks before his murder, Kirk finished what would be his final book — ‘Stop, In the Name of God: Why Honoring the Sabbath Will Transform Your Life.’ Kirk was ‘fiercely proud of it,’ according to Winning Team Publishing — the publishing house that published his final book. 

Kirk’s beloved wife, Erika, was ‘determined to bring it into the world as a tribute to his legacy,’ and added a foreword to the book after his death, exclusively obtained by Fox News Digital.

‘I knew Charlie so deeply, in a way no one else could,’ Erika Kirk writes in the book’s forward. ‘That is why I can say with certainty: these pages are not theory for him, they are testimony. The words you hold in your hands were the convictions he lived that were written on his heart.’

‘Looking back now, I see the book as one of Charlie’s most enduring gifts to the world,’ she continues. ‘He did not know how brief his time (on) earth would be—none of us did—but the truths written in this book are not bound by time. They will outlive us all, as will the legacy of his faith.’ 

‘There is no doubt in my heart that Charlie left this world doing what he loved most: standing firm for truth, for faith, for family, and for America,’ she continued. ‘The mark he made will not fade; it is etched in countless lives and stories. Though he is no longer beside us, I find deep comfort in knowing his voice still carries on.’ 

‘As Charlie’s widow, I write these words through tears, yet also with a steady hope,’ she writes. ‘My prayer is that you (and one day my two precious children) will not only read these pages but weave them into the fabric of your life. That you will let one of Charlie’s final messages quiet your hurried steps and lead you nearer to God.’

Erika Kirk, the now-CEO and board chair for Turning Point USA, goes on to thank readers for ‘opening these pages, for allowing Charlie’s words and convictions to take root in your own life, and for helping to carry forward the legacy of a man who poured himself out for his Savior, his family, and his country.’

Charlie Kirk was killed in September as he spoke to a crowd at Utah Valley University. Authorities believe a single shot was fired from the roof of a building some 200 yards away. 

Charlie Kirk was 31, and the married father of two young children. The assassination of Charlie Kirk, one of the most prominent conservative voices in the country, sent a shockwave across the nation and mobilized thousands of young supporters on college campuses across the United States. 

Fox News Digital also exclusively obtained the prologue and introduction of the book, written by Charlie Kirk.

‘In this book, I intend to persuade you of something that may, at first, seem quaint, old-fashioned, or even unnecessary: that the Sabbath is not merely a helpful tradition or a cultural relic—it is essential to the flourishing of the human soul,’ Charlie Kirk wrote.

‘I will define the Sabbath not just in doctrinal terms but in existential ones. We will explore its origin—not in history, but in eternity; not in law, but in creation,’ he wrote. ‘I will show you how to incorporate it not as a weekly burger but as a life-giving rhythm that reorders your time, renews your mind, and restores your humanity.’

Charlie Kirk wrote that the book ‘is not written for the religiously initiated alone.’

‘It is written for the exhausted parent, the anxious student, the burned-out executive, the soul-numbed scroller,’ he wrote.

‘This is not a suggestion manual or a spiritual upgrade for those with spare time,’ he continued. ‘This is a manifesto against the machine of modern life. It is a call to war against the endless noise and ceaseless hurry that have slowly robbed you of your joy, your wonder, and your rest.’

Charlie Kirk wrote that he did not write the book to ‘affirm your lifestyle,’ but instead ‘to interrupt it.’ 

‘I am writing to cut at the root of some of the deepest wounds in our society—disconnection, anxiety, spiritual fatigue, moral confusion—and to offer you a concrete, ancient, and divine practice that can begin to heal them,’ he wrote.

‘As America has abandoned the Sabbath, we have watched nearly every major marker of health—emotional, spiritual, communal—begin to fail,’ he wrote. ‘We are more productive and less peaceful, more connected digitally and more isolated relationally. We are over-stimulated, undernourished, distracted, discontent, and desperately lonely.’

‘My mission in writing this is very simple: I desire to bring all humanity back to God’s design to rest for an entire day,’ Charlie Kirk writes. ‘To cease working, to STOP, in the name of GOD.’ 

The introduction of the book, in Charlie Kirk’s own words, brings the reader on his own journey to rediscovering the Sabbath.

Charlie Kirk brings the reader back to the summer of 2021, saying his life was ‘in perfect order,’ and after marrying Erika Kirk, his life ‘was as good as it gets.’

‘But on the inside, there was a battle brewing,’ he wrote. ‘I was fatigued, tired, and spiritually confused.’

Charlie Kirk discussed how he began to unplug, recharge and reconnect with God, family, and himself through observing the Sabbath.

The book is packed with Charlie Kirk’s practical insights and spiritual wisdom to help readers understand how honoring the Sabbath ‘restores balance, reduces anxiety, and nourishes your soul.’

The book was published by Winning Team Publishing, and will be available nationwide Tuesday, including at WinningPublishing.com, Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million, Amazon, Walmart, 45books.com and more. The book is available for pre-order. 

Erika Kirk will appear on Fox News Channel’s ‘Hannity,’ ‘Fox & Friends,’ and will co-host ‘Outnumbered’ and ‘The Five’ the week of its release to promote the book. 

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Tyler Skaggs’ relapse into opioid addiction was not evident to many of his closest associates, including his agent, who testified Wednesday, Dec. 3, in the wrongful death lawsuit of the pitcher who died after ingesting a fentanyl-laced pill in 2019.

‘Before he died, I did not think he was using,’ Ryan Hamill, the pitcher’s longtime agent, said in court, according to The Athletic.

Hamill played an active role in what’s been described as an intervention with Skaggs in 2013, when the left-handed pitcher was addicted to Percocet. Skaggs underwent Tommy John elbow reconstruction surgery a year later, before which Skaggs’ mother, Debbie Hetman, cautioned surgeon Neal ElAttrache about Skaggs’ painkiller dependency, she testified earlier.

ElAttrache, the Los Angeles Dodgers’ longtime team orthopedist, testified Dec. 3 that he couldn’t recall being told of Skaggs’ past Percocet use.

Skaggs and Hamill had a text message exchange in 2018 as Skaggs dealt with a leg injury, and Hamill suggested asking the Angels to prescribe a Dose Pack to deal with inflammation. The team declined, citing potential side effects, including liver damage.

Skaggs, The Athletic reported, then asked Hamill if he could procure one.

‘I could go to jail for that,’ Hamill responded.

He also recounted a 2019 conversation in which he noted that Skaggs’ wife, Carli, had not accompanied him on road trips. Skaggs responded: ‘I do my own thing on the road.’

Hamill did not press the matter, testifying that ‘there are certain things as an agent you don’t want to know,’ though he had no inclination Skaggs’ comment regarded drug use.

Skaggs’ family is seeking $118 million in lost wages in addition to punitive damages, claiming the Angels knew or should have known that club employee Eric Kay was providing painkillers to Skaggs and other players. Kay is serving a 22-year sentence after a Texas jury convicted him of providing Skaggs the Fentanyl-laced Oxycodone pill that contributed to the pitcher’s death.

This post appeared first on USA TODAY

Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo could be out until the calendar turns to 2026 after exiting Wednesday’s win over the Detroit Pistons early with a calf injury, according to a new update.

Antetokounmpo is expected to miss 2-4 weeks with a right calf strain, ESPN reported on Thursday, Dec. 4, and the longer end of that timeline would put his streak of all-NBA appearances in jeopardy due to the league’s eligibility rule about playing a minimum of 65 games.

Antetokounmpo left Wednesday’s game in the first quarter when he went down suddenly while heading back up the court after feeding AJ Green for a layup. The two-time MVP headed back to the locker room and the Bucks ruled him out for the game a short time later.

Bucks coach Doc Rivers told reporters during his postgame availability that Antetokounmpo was getting an MRI ‘right now.’ He added the team believed it was not an Achilles injury.

Antetokounmpo only recently returned from a strained adductor injury that cost him four games last month and has been the subject of trade rumors again this week.

This post appeared first on USA TODAY

Travis Kelce is again a nominee for one of the NFL’s most prestigious awards.

The tight end on Thursday was named the Kansas City Chiefs’ club winner for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award, making him one of 32 league-wide finalists for the honor.

Kelce, 36, was also the team’s nominee for the 2024 season, when the Jacksonville Jaguars’ Arik Armstead won the award.

The Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award is recognized as one of the league’s highest honors, with a focus on recognizing players for high-impact work in their communities as well as on the field.

Why Travis Kelce was nominated for Walter Payton award

Kelce has been at the forefront of multiple charitable endeavors, including his work with the Eighty-Seven & Running Foundation, a nonprofit organization he founded in 2015 that aims to ’empower disadvantaged youth to achieve success by providing resources and support to their communities and cultivating their talent in the areas of education, business, athletics, stem, and the arts.’

The winner for the award will be unveiled on Feb. 5 at NFL Honors, which will be held in San Francisco ahead of Super Bowl 60.

‘To be chosen as the team’s Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year is such a great honor,’ Kelce said in a statement. ‘I have so much love for Kansas City and the Chiefs organization, and to be selected once again means everything to me.

‘The opportunity to be involved and help kids through Eighty-Seven & Running and working with Operation Breakthrough as well as Ignition Lab has been such a tremendous experience. Coming from Cleveland Heights and having a strong support system has taught me the importance of having the right people around, that show up for you and want to see you succeed. Being able to give back to Kansas City and to my hometown, places that have done so much for me, has been a dream come true, and I’ll never take that for granted. Representing the team, the Hunt family, our fans, and my foundation is incredibly special and I’m very grateful.’

Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award nominees from all 32 teams

Atlanta Falcons: A.J. Terrell Jr.

Baltimore Ravens: Derrick Henry

Buffalo Bills: Dion Dawkins

Carolina Panthers: Austin Corbett

Chicago Bears: DJ Moore

Cincinnati Bengals: Ted Karras

Cleveland Browns: Grant Delpit

Dallas Cowboys: Solomon Thomas

Denver Broncos: Garett Bolles

Detroit Lions: DJ Reader

Green Bay Packers: Jordan Love

Houston Texans: Azeez Al-Shaair

Indianapolis Colts: Kenny Moore II

Jacksonville Jaguars: Logan Cooke

Las Vegas Raiders: Maxx Crosby

Los Angeles Chargers: Cameron Dicker

Los Angeles Rams: Kyren Williams

Miami Dolphins: Bradley Chubb

Minnesota Vikings: C.J. Ham

New England Patriots: Hunter Henry

New Orleans Saints: Demario Davis

New York Giants: Bobby Okereke

New York Jets: Quincy Williams

Philadelphia Eagles: Jordan Mailata

Pittsburgh Steelers: Alex Highsmith

San Francisco 49ers: Curtis Robinson

Seattle Seahawks: Julian Love

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Baker Mayfield

Tennessee Titans: Jeffery Simmons

Washington Commanders: Bobby Wagner

This post appeared first on USA TODAY

When Michelle Akers boarded a flight from New York to Italy for the USWNT’s first international match in 1985 at 19, she didn’t understand the gravity of the moment. 

‘I literally was just there to play. No money, no fanfare, no audience, nothing. It was just because we loved it,’ Akers, a member of the National Soccer Hall of Fame, told USA TODAY Sports. ‘It took me a game to understand, holy s—, I’m playing for America.’

Akers and the 16 founding members of the USWNT embarked on a seismic journey armed with $10 a day, Adidas cleats and hand-me-down men’s uniforms. What the original 85ers lacked in resources was made up by sacrifice, grit and belief in each other.

It’s the DNA and mentality that laid the foundation for the USWNT dynasty to become the most dominant team in women’s sports history. Yet, the 17 trailblazers that started it all rarely get that recognition.

Until now. Storied Sports partnered with Adidas to release a seven-part audio series, titled, “Origin Story: The 85ers,’ which premieres Dec. 10 in celebration of the 40th anniversary of the inaugural 1985 team. Akers, who served as co-producer on the project, said it’s an ’emotional’ story she’s been trying to tell for decades.

‘You’ve spent and invested your blood, sweat, tears, your dreams, your identity into building change and building lasting, empowered opportunity and equality,’ said Akers, an Olympic gold medalist (1996) and two-time World Cup champion (1991, 1999).

‘To look back 40 years later, from that first U.S. women’s national team, and see that it’s not only changed and elevated the USWNT, it’s changed women’s sports all around the world. And that, to me, is incredible.’

1985 USWNT was made of ‘warriors’

The origin of the USWNT dates back to the 1985 U.S. Olympic Sports Festival in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, more than a decade before the U.S. women won the first Olympic gold medal. The USWNT would be to be selected at the end of the tournament.

Players anxiously sat bleachers after the festival concluded, Akers recalled. And then USWNT head coach Mike Ryan read aloud a list of names that would form the first USWNT to compete overseas: Michelle Akers, Pam Baughman Cornell, Denise Bender, Denise Boyer-Merdich, Tara Buckley, Laurie Bylin, Stacey Enos, Linda Gancitano, Cindy Gordon, Ruth Harker, Tuca Healy, Lori Henry, Sharon McMurtry, Ann Orrison, Emily Pickering, Kathy Ridgewell and Kim Wyant.

‘They read the list of names and we got on a plane and went to New York … had a training camp, and the team was chosen and we left for Italy. So they made the team in three days,’ said Akers, who noted that their airfare was covered otherwise she ‘never would’ve been able to go.’

Akers said Ryan reminded the team of the opportunity ‘He’s yelling at us. You don’t understand what it is the privilege and honor it is to play for your country!’ and to a certain extent, she agreed. Akers didn’t realize what the USWNT would become. Consider: there was no women’s World Cup, it started in 1991, and Olympic women’s soccer tournament, it began in 1996.

Akers, one of the youngest of the bunch, said her teammates saw the bigger picture. Little did Akers know she was ushering in a program that would transcend not only the sport and the country, but the world.

‘Some of my other teammates, they had more vision I think, than I did. So for me, going there, I was so excited to play at the highest level in the world for the U.S.,’ she said. ‘It took a minute to let that sink in and feel the privilege of that, but also the opportunity to wear that jersey.’

Akers said she and her teammates had to hand-sew Team USA patches on their jerseys, old men’s uniforms that were given a second life by the women’s team. And although they didn’t have their last names on the back, Akers felt a tremendous amount of pride wearing it, an honor she feels to this day.

The USWNT lost to Italy 1-0 in its first international match on Aug. 18, 1985. They finished in a 2-2 draw against Denmark in their second match, before ending the tournament with losses to England (3-1) and Denmark (1-0).

‘Playing against Italy, that first game, and we got our asses kicked,’ Akers said. ‘… They were true soccer football players. And I recognize we had a long way to go.’

But the Americans’ confidence grew each time they took the pitch and Akers knew they had something special: ‘We were warriors. We wanted to win. That’s that mentality… It carries on over 40 years.’

‘We’ll outwork you, outplay you and never ever give up,’ Akers said. ‘And we see that time and time again in every competition, the USA plays in.’

‘Origin Story: The 85ers’: A sisterhood revisited

Ahead of every USWNT match, U.S. players enthusiastically chant ‘Ooosa, Ooosa, Ooosa’ before taking the pitch. It’s a tradition that dates back to the founding members being greeted by Italian fans cheering for ‘USA’ upon their arrival in 1985, an endearing connection between the past and present.

‘It makes my heart explode with pride and just a sisterhood,’ Akers said. ‘This thread continues and it’s represented by this cheer from that very first team. So it’s, it’s really, really special.’

Sisterhood is a central theme of the documentary-style audio series ‘Origin Story: The 85ers,’ which reunites the original members through conversations, memories and shared experiences. Forty years may have passed, but ‘nothing’s changed at all,’ Akers joked, likening her teammates to the cast of ‘A League Of Their Own.’

‘These are the characters of my teammates. They are off the hook,’ she added. ‘They’re completely authentic. They did things no one has ever done before, and they’re still doing it because that’s who they are. So I think as serious and intense it can be, it’s funny and emotional too.’

Akers said the reunion was extra special because it was the first time some of her teammates revisited 1985. Although Akers went on to have a prolific soccer career that stretched until 2000, many of her teammates hung up their cleats after that trip to Italy to pursue a job, families, education or anything deemed legitimate, because ‘soccer wasn’t a thing’ back then, Akers recalled.

‘Some of them literally packed their gear away in the attic and never looked at it again. And then when we started developing this project, they took it out of the attic and it was so emotional,’ Akers said. ‘The thought that now finally they’re being recognized and what they did is special.’

The 85ers ‘lit that spark’ that turned into a wildfire

In addition to the 17 members of the 1985 team, many USWNT icons — Brandi Chastain, Julie Foudy, Lindsey Heaps, Kristine Lilly, Becky Sauerbrunn and Abby Wambach — make appearances throughout the seven-part audio series to reflect on the 85ers legacy. The voices highlight how far the program has come.

‘You can’t understand the rise of women’s sports today without understanding and appreciating the women who built it,’ said Jaymee Messler, co-founder and co-CEO of Storied Sports. ‘I feel like it closes a loop that honors the past while acknowledging how deeply it’s shaped the present. And it feels like the 85ers lit that spark that this next generation turned into a wildfire.’

It’s appropriate the series is presented by Adidas, who was part of their story from the beginning ‘before there were lights, cameras or sponsorship dollars,’ Messler added. Adidas provided the first USWNT jersey.

Storied Sports is doing more than sharing the story. The content studio created an athlete-owned team LLC, where all 17 players are represented and trademarked in an effort to turn ‘history into equity.’

‘There’s so much investment going into women’s sports right now,’ Messler said, ‘and Michelle and I and our team have been focusing on how to create some of that investment into the women themselves that have built these sports.’

The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news — fastDownload for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more. 

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The National Women’s Soccer League wants to keep Washington Spirit star Trinity Rodman in the league for years to come.

But Rodman’s services will come at a cost, and according to multiple media reports, NWSL commissioner Jessica Berman vetoed a deal that would have kept Rodman in the league. According to The Athletic, the 23-year-old Rodman was ready to accept a multi-million-dollar deal from Washington, only for Berman to nix it.

According to The Athletic, Berman believed the proposed deal would have violated league rules. The league’s players’ union has commenced a grievance filing on Rodman’s behalf, The Athletic reported.

‘Our goal is to ensure that the very best players in the world, including Trinity, continue to call this league home. We will do everything we can, utilizing every lever available within our rules to keep Trinity Rodman here,’ a league spokesperson said in a statement.

The deal would have been worth more than $1 million per season, and Berman has previously stated that owners not being able to outspend each other promotes parity. The team salary cap is $3.5 million for the 2026 season.

Rodman became a free agent last month after her Spirit team lost in the NWSL championship to Gotham FC.

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Ralph Lauren designed the opening and closing ceremony uniforms for Team USA at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
The opening ceremony uniform features a white wool coat, while the closing ceremony outfit includes a color-blocked puffer jacket.
All items in the uniforms are manufactured in the United States.
Team USA athletes praised the new designs for their style, warmth, and comfort.

One of the fashion world’s fashion capitals, Milan carries a reputation that should motivate designers to bring their best while outfitting the elite athletes for the opening and closing ceremonies of the upcoming 2026 Winter Olympics. 

That was precisely Ralph Lauren’s goal for Team USA. 

“It’s the proudest moment for our country, as these athletes take the stage,” Ralph Lauren chief branding and innovation officer David Lauren told USA TODAY Sports. “If we can make them look great in Italy, we’ve scored.” 

Ralph Lauren has designed the ceremony outfits for 20 consecutive Olympics, including the Milan Games. The opening ceremony uniform features a white coat made of wool with heritage-inspired wooden toggles and an iconic American flag knitted onto the sleeves. Athletes walking in the festivities on Feb. 6 will wear a wool turtleneck sweater and tailored wool trousers.

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The baggier fit appeals to snowboarder Red Gerard, who is a fan of the winter white color and the casual nature it exudes.

“And they’re warm,” Gerard told USA TODAY Sports, “which is really nice. A lot of times people forget that even though it’s the opening ceremony, it’s the ‘Winter Olympics.’ Really cold.” 

A two-time Olympian and gold medalist from the 2018 slopestyle event, Gerard said walking out with Team USA teammates at the opening ceremony is “when it hits you that this is bigger than any other competition.” 

The fits are a reminder that Gerard is representing something much bigger than himself. 

“This is by far my favorite opening, closing ceremony outfits,” said Gerard, who is also a “sucker for a good sweater.” 

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Paralympic snowboarder Brenna Huckaby prefers the closing ceremony set, which draws inspiration from vintage ski racing kits and features a “sporty and modern” color-blocked puffer jacket with bold Team USA graphics and a wool turtleneck sweater in a patriotic color palette, paired with a crisp white utility pant. 

“It’s fast,” Huckaby told USA TODAY Sports. “It looks like we’re going to go really fast on our snowboards.

Huckaby appreciates that the Paralympic and Olympic athletes wear the same uniforms, with either the Olympic or Paralympic logo emblazoned on the jackets. 

“It feels very uniting,” Huckaby said.  

All items in each uniform are produced in the United States. Both looks are completed with red, white and blue knit hats and mittens, a leather belt and brown suede alpine boots with spirited red laces. The company works about 2.5 years on the ceremony clothing to “try to bring to life the clothing and tell a story of what America is about,” Lauren said.

Some pieces make excellent gifts or can be worn again, Huckaby said. She stashes her favorite items away to maybe one day give to either of her daughters, ages 9 and 5. The turtleneck sweater is her favorite part of the Milan ceremony wardrobe. Trading clothing items isn’t uncommon in the athlete villages, Huckaby said, but that won’t be the case for Huckaby in Italy. 

“It’s just so chic and clean,” she said. “I don’t know. I would wear everything outside of opening and closing ceremonies. It fits.” 

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First lady Melania Trump announced Thursday that an additional seven Ukrainian children have returned to their families in the war-torn country as part of a Russia-Ukraine youth reunification initiative.

‘My dedication to guaranteeing the safe return of children to their families in this region is unwavering,’ Melania Trump said in a statement shared by the White House, which noted that six boys and one girl were involved.

‘I commend the leadership and persistent diplomacy of Russia and Ukraine in the pursuit of the reunification of children and families. Their bridge-building has created a tangible collaborative environment — an anchor for optimism. This cooperation will continue to drive the process forward through the next phase,’ she added.

‘In close partnership, my representative and I have provided humanitarian support from the United States to enhance the reunification initiative’s outcome. My hope is that, ultimately, our collective efforts will lead to broader regional stability,’ Melania Trump also said.

The first lady previously wrote a ‘peace letter’ to Russian President Vladimir Putin telling him ‘it is time’ to protect children and future generations around the globe, Fox News Digital reported in August.

President Donald Trump then hand-delivered the message to the Russian leader before their summit in Alaska that month.

In October, Melania Trump said eight Ukrainian children displaced during the ongoing war with Russia had been reunited with their families.

‘Each child has lived in turmoil because of the war in Ukraine. Three were separated from their parents and displaced to the Russian Federation because of frontline fighting. The other five were separated from family members across borders because of the conflict, including one young girl who has now been reunited from Ukraine to Russia,’ Melania Trump said at the time.

‘My ongoing mission is twofold: to prioritize and optimize a transparent, free flow of health-related information surrounding all children who have [fallen] victim to this war, and to facilitate the reunification of children with their families until each individual returns home,’ Melania Trump said. 

Fox News Digital’s Brooke Singman and Rachel Wolf contributed to this report.

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Former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernández thanked President Donald Trump for pardoning him, writing on social media that he was ‘wrongfully convicted.’

‘My profound gratitude goes to President @realDonaldTrump for having the courage to defend justice at a moment when a weaponized system refused to acknowledge the truth. You reviewed the facts, recognized the injustice, and acted with conviction. You changed my life, sir, and I will never forget it,’ Hernández wrote on X in his first remarks since he was released by the Bureau of Prisons.

‘I was set up by the Biden Harris administration and the deep state through a rigged trial. There was no real evidence, only the accusations of criminals who sought revenge. Yet the truth of my innocence prevailed,’ he said in part.

Hernández was sentenced to 45 years in prison in June 2024 for conspiring to distribute more than 400 tons of cocaine and for related firearms offenses.

Former Attorney General Merrick Garland said the ex-two-term president used his power to support one of the largest and most violent drug trafficking conspiracies in the world.

‘Hernández received millions of dollars of drug money from some of the largest and most violent drug-trafficking organizations in Honduras, Mexico, and elsewhere, and used those bribes to fuel his rise in Honduran politics,’ the Department of Justice said.

Hernández’s brother, Juan Antonio Hernández Alvarado, was also convicted in October 2019 and sentenced to life in prison.

Trump said he pardoned the former Honduran leader because ‘a lot of people in Honduras’ asked him to, adding he feels ‘very good about it.’

‘Well, he was the president, and they had some drugs being sold in their country, and because he was the president, they went after him – that was a Biden horrible witch hunt,’ Trump told reporters Tuesday.

Several GOP lawmakers criticized the pardon amid the White House’s targeting of alleged drug boats off the coast of Venezuela.

Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., criticized the decision to pardon Hernández, saying it made little sense to free him while the U.S. continues to pursue Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro on federal narco-terrorism charges.

Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., also criticized the move in an interview on CNN, saying he couldn’t understand how the U.S. could ‘threaten a potential land war against a thug and a narco-terrorist who plays like he’s the president of Venezuela, and then go easy on someone whose investigation that led to an indictment started in the Trump administration.’

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The suspect who allegedly planted pipe bombs blocks from the U.S. Capitol on January 5, 2021, has been identified as Brian Cole Jr. of Woodbridge, Va., according to two sources briefed on the arrest.

The sources say Cole, 30, is in FBI custody as of Thursday following roughly five years of investigation.

The FBI arrested Cole in northern Virginia. 

Authorities have not released further details about the man, but one federal law enforcement source told Fox that the FBI is carrying out ‘court-enforced activity’ at Cole’s residence.

Authorities discovered the two pipe bombs near the Republican and Democratic National Committees’ headquarters around the same time that thousands of protesters a few blocks away began to storm the Capitol over the 2020 election results.

Neither bomb detonated, but authorities say both were viable and dangerous.

Video footage released by the FBI showed the suspect placing the pipe bombs near the two headquarters more than 16 hours before law enforcement found them.

The suspect was seen wearing a gray hoodie, Nike Air Max Speed Turf sneakers, a mask, glasses and gloves, but Cole’s identity had long been unknown.

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