SEDGWICK COUNTY—A man accused in a fatal hit-and-run that killed a bicyclist is due in court Wednesday 

Christopher Johnson, 23, will appear before Judge Eric Williams for an arraignment hearing, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

In August, police responded to a traffic collision involving a vehicle and an electric bicycle at 2400 N. Hoover in Wichita, according to Officer Juan Rebolledo.

First responders found 43-year-old Thomas Doyle of Wichita who was riding the bike unresponsive. Thomas was later pronounced deceased at the scene by Sedgwick County EMS.

Investigators determined Doyle was northbound on Hoover when he was struck by a vehicle driven by Johnsaon that then continued driving north.

On August 22, police arrested Johnson on felony allegations, according to&nbsp;<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/InmateSearch/Details.aspx?Id=751504">Sedgwick County booking records.</a>&nbsp; He bonded out of jail the following day.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724409391079.png" alt="Johnson-photo Sedgwick County" />
                        <figcaption>Johnson-photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>SEDGWICK COUNTY—A man accused in a fatal hit-and-run that killed a bicyclist is due in court Wednesday </p><p>Christopher Johnson, 23, will appear before Judge Eric Williams for an arraignment hearing, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.</p><p>In August, police responded to a traffic collision involving a vehicle and an electric bicycle at 2400 N. Hoover in Wichita, according to Officer Juan Rebolledo.</p><p>First responders found 43-year-old Thomas Doyle of Wichita who was riding the bike unresponsive. Thomas was later pronounced deceased at the scene by Sedgwick County EMS.</p><p>Investigators determined Doyle was northbound on Hoover when he was struck by a vehicle driven by Johnsaon that then continued driving north.</p><p>On August 22, police arrested Johnson on felony allegations, according to&nbsp;<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/InmateSearch/Details.aspx?Id=751504">Sedgwick County booking records.</a>&nbsp; He bonded out of jail the following day.</p>

Kansas man back in court for fatal hit-and-run that killed bicyclist

WASHINGTON (AP)—Elon Musk stepped back from his&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-musk-their-own-words-c0108037881469f0b5bdd8df87eba6b4">explosive feud</a>&nbsp;with U.S. President Donald Trump,&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/elonmusk/status/1932695486684950962">writing on X</a>&nbsp;that he regrets some of his posts about his onetime ally and that they went “too far.”

Early Wednesday morning, he&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/elonmusk/status/1932695486684950962">posted</a>&nbsp;“I regret some of my posts about President @realDonaldTrump last week. They went too far.”

Musk's break with a president whom he spent hundreds of millions of dollars to elect appeared to put an end to his influence in the White House and prompted concerns about effects on his companies. As a major government contractor, Musk’s businesses could be&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-musk-tesla-spacex-starlink-social-media-63bb732f2ce6ad3744f24762526286c3">particularly vulnerable</a>&nbsp;to retribution, and Trump has already&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-musk-their-own-words-c0108037881469f0b5bdd8df87eba6b4">threatened</a>&nbsp;to cut Musk’s contracts.

Musk earlier deleted a post in which he claimed without evidence that the government was concealing information about the president’s association with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/epstein-files-assassination-trump-fbi-conspiracies-aaeb07814bb8b6b3fe595f5b68e4163a">infamous pedophile Jeffrey Epstein</a>. Meanwhile, other posts that irritated Trump, including ones in which Musk called the spending bill an “abomination” and claimed credit for Trump’s election victory, remained live.

On Sunday, Trump told NBC’s Kristen Welker that he has no desire to repair their relationship and warned that Musk could face “&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vance-elon-musk-theo-von-fd6f6af0b147d129836c243df31a7fc2">serious consequences</a>&nbsp;” if he tries to help Democrats in upcoming elections.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1748629615367.png" alt="File image Elon Musk from White House video" />
                        <figcaption>File image Elon Musk from White House video</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>WASHINGTON (AP)—Elon Musk stepped back from his&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-musk-their-own-words-c0108037881469f0b5bdd8df87eba6b4">explosive feud</a>&nbsp;with U.S. President Donald Trump,&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/elonmusk/status/1932695486684950962">writing on X</a>&nbsp;that he regrets some of his posts about his onetime ally and that they went “too far.”</p><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">I regret some of my posts about President <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@realDonaldTrump</a> last week. They went too far.</p>&mdash; Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1932695486684950962?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 11, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><p>Early Wednesday morning, he&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/elonmusk/status/1932695486684950962">posted</a>&nbsp;“I regret some of my posts about President @realDonaldTrump last week. They went too far.”</p><p>Musk's break with a president whom he spent hundreds of millions of dollars to elect appeared to put an end to his influence in the White House and prompted concerns about effects on his companies. As a major government contractor, Musk’s businesses could be&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-musk-tesla-spacex-starlink-social-media-63bb732f2ce6ad3744f24762526286c3">particularly vulnerable</a>&nbsp;to retribution, and Trump has already&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-musk-their-own-words-c0108037881469f0b5bdd8df87eba6b4">threatened</a>&nbsp;to cut Musk’s contracts.</p><p>Musk earlier deleted a post in which he claimed without evidence that the government was concealing information about the president’s association with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/epstein-files-assassination-trump-fbi-conspiracies-aaeb07814bb8b6b3fe595f5b68e4163a">infamous pedophile Jeffrey Epstein</a>. Meanwhile, other posts that irritated Trump, including ones in which Musk called the spending bill an “abomination” and claimed credit for Trump’s election victory, remained live.</p><p>On Sunday, Trump told NBC’s Kristen Welker that he has no desire to repair their relationship and warned that Musk could face “&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vance-elon-musk-theo-von-fd6f6af0b147d129836c243df31a7fc2">serious consequences</a>&nbsp;” if he tries to help Democrats in upcoming elections.</p>

Read Elon Musk's post as he backs off from feud with Trump

SEDGWICK COUNTY—A Kansas woman accused in the death of a 7-year-old boy is due back in court for a preliminary hearing on Wednesday afternoon before Judge Sean Hatfield, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

&nbsp;Tasha Diane Dillard, 25, Wichita, was charged with 1st degree murder and 7 counts of aggravated endangering a child, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

On a Sunday afternoon in March, police responded to a call of a shooting at an apartment in the 3700 block of E Ross Parkway, according to Wichita Police Captain Aaron Moses. The caller reported that someone had been shot and that a child was bleeding.

When officers arrived, they found 7-year-old Davion Gunter suffering from a gunshot wound to his torso. Davion was transported to a local hospital, where he was&nbsp; pronounced deceased.

At the scene, officers found seven other children and multiple adults. Wichita Police homicide investigators and the Exploited and Missing Children’s Unit responded immediately, conducting interviews and gathered evidence.

As a result, police took Dillard into custody, and the children were placed in protective care. Dillard remains jailed on a&nbsp; bond of $500,000.&nbsp;

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1742206494454.png" alt="Dillard -photo Sedgwick County" />
                        <figcaption>Dillard -photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>SEDGWICK COUNTY—A Kansas woman accused in the death of a 7-year-old boy is due back in court for a preliminary hearing on Wednesday afternoon before Judge Sean Hatfield, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.</p><p>&nbsp;Tasha Diane Dillard, 25, Wichita, was charged with 1st degree murder and 7 counts of aggravated endangering a child, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.</p><p>On a Sunday afternoon in March, police responded to a call of a shooting at an apartment in the 3700 block of E Ross Parkway, according to Wichita Police Captain Aaron Moses. The caller reported that someone had been shot and that a child was bleeding.</p><p>When officers arrived, they found 7-year-old Davion Gunter suffering from a gunshot wound to his torso. Davion was transported to a local hospital, where he was&nbsp; pronounced deceased.</p><p>At the scene, officers found seven other children and multiple adults. Wichita Police homicide investigators and the Exploited and Missing Children’s Unit responded immediately, conducting interviews and gathered evidence.</p><p>As a result, police took Dillard into custody, and the children were placed in protective care. Dillard remains jailed on a&nbsp; bond of $500,000.&nbsp;</p>

Kansas woman accused in child's death is due back in court

DALLAS (AP) — Southern Baptist delegates at their national meeting overwhelmingly endorsed a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/southern-baptists-pornography-sports-betting-gay-marriage-aac48e558ea4b7f1c3b869b917e6eea2">ban on</a>&nbsp;same-sex marriage — including a call for a reversal of the U.S. Supreme Court's 10-year-old precedent legalizing it nationwide.

They also called for legislators to curtail sports betting and to support policies that promote childbearing.

The votes Tuesday came at the gathering of more than 10,000 church representatives at the annual meeting of the nation's largest Protestant denomination.

The wide-ranging resolution doesn’t use the word “ban,” but it left no room for legal same-sex marriage in calling for the “overturning of laws and court rulings, including Obergefell v. Hodges, that defy God’s design for marriage and family.” Further, the resolution affirmatively calls “for laws that affirm marriage between one man and one women.”

A reversal of the Supreme Court's 2015 Obergefell decision wouldn’t in and of itself amount to a nationwide ban. At the time of that ruling, 36 states had already legalized same-sex marriage, and support remains strong in many areas.

However, if the convention got its wish, not only would Obergefell be overturned, but so would every law and court ruling that affirmed same-sex marriage.

There was no debate on the marriage resolution. That in itself is not surprising in the solidly conservative denomination, which has long defined marriage as between one man and one woman. However, it marks an especially assertive step in its call for the reversal of a decade-old Supreme Court ruling, as well as any other legal pillars to same-sex marriage in law and court precedent.

Gender identity, fertility and other issues

The marriage issue was incorporated into a much larger resolution on marriage and family — one that calls for civil law to be based on what the convention says is the divinely created order as stated in the Bible.

The resolution says legislators have a duty to “pass laws that reflect the truth of creation and natural law — about marriage, sex, human life, and family” and to oppose laws contradicting “what God has made plain through nature and Scripture.”

The same resolution calls for recognizing “the biological reality of male and female” and opposes "any law or policy that compels people to speak falsehoods about sex and gender."

It urges Christians to “embrace marriage and childbearing” and to see children “as blessings rather than burdens."

But it also frames that issue as one of public policy. It calls for “for renewed moral clarity in public discourse regarding the crisis of declining fertility and for policies that support the bearing and raising of children within intact, married families.”

It laments that modern culture is “pursuing willful childlessness which contributes to a declining fertility rate,” echoing a growing subject of discourse on the religious and political right.

The pornography resolution, which had no debate, calls such material destructive, addictive and exploitive and says governments have the power to ban it.

The sports betting resolution draws on Southern Baptists' historic opposition to gambling. It called sports betting “harmful and predatory.” One pastor urged an amendment to distinguish between low-stakes, recreational gambling and predatory, addictive gambling activities. But his proposed amendment failed.

Andrew Walker, chair of the Committee on Resolutions, said at a news conference that the marriage resolution shows that Southern Baptists aren’t going along with the widespread social acceptance of same-sex marriage.

But Walker, a professor at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky, acknowledged that a realistic rollback strategy would require incremental steps, such as seeking to overturn Obergefell.

“I’m clear-eyed about the difficulties and the headwinds in this resolution,” he said.

Whistleblower's death casts pall on Dallas meeting

The two-day&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/southern-baptists-pornography-sports-betting-gay-marriage-aac48e558ea4b7f1c3b869b917e6eea2">annual meeting</a>&nbsp;began Tuesday morning with praise sessions and optimistic reports about growing numbers of baptisms. But casting a pall over the gathering is the recent death of one of the most high-profile whistleblowers in the Southern Baptists' scandal of sexual abuse.

Jennifer Lyell, a onetime denominational publishing executive who went public in 2019 with allegations that she had been sexually abused by a seminary professor while a student, died Saturday at 47. She “suffered catastrophic strokes," a friend and fellow advocate,&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/R_Denhollander/status/1931774827087667528">Rachael Denhollander</a>, posted Sunday on X.

Friends reported that the backlash Lyell received after going public with her report took a devastating toll on her.

Several abuse survivors and advocates for reform, who previously had a prominent presence in recent SBC meetings, are skipping this year’s gathering, citing lack of progress by the convention.

Two people sought to fill that void, standing vigil outside of the meeting at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center Dallas as attendees walked by. The pair held up signs with photos of Lyell and of Gareld Duane Rollins, who died earlier this spring and who was among those who accused longtime SBC power broker&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/paul-pressler-death-southern-baptist-convention-abuse-ac42aa8817b287fb6963edf3b0110273">Paul Pressler</a>&nbsp;of sexual abuse.

“It’s not a healthy thing for them (survivors) to be here,” said Johnna Harris, host of a podcast on abuse in evangelical ministries. “I felt like it was important for someone to show up. I want people to know there are people who care.”

The SBC Executive Committee, in a 2022 apology,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/religion-nashville-sexual-abuse-by-clergy-sexual-abuse-baptist-3c890a675a018d1e3d83839d2834818f">acknowledged</a>&nbsp;“its failure to adequately listen, protect, and care for Jennifer Lyell when she came forward to share her story.” It also acknowledged the denomination’s official news agency had not accurately reported the situation as “sexual abuse by a trusted minister in a position of power at a Southern Baptist seminary."

SBC officials issued statements this week lamenting Lyell's death, but her fellow advocates have denounced what they say is a failure to implement reforms.

The SBC's 2022 meeting&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/religion-california-sexual-abuse-by-clergy-baptist-southern-convention-ba7ba613947cc893659b6e8e45ab4b73">voted</a>&nbsp;overwhelmingly to create a way to track pastors and other church workers credibly accused of sex abuse. That came shortly after the release of a blockbuster&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/baptist-religion-sexual-abuse-by-clergy-southern-convention-bfdbe64389790630488f854c3dae3fd5">report</a>&nbsp;by an outside consultant, which said Southern Baptist leaders mishandled abuse cases and stonewalled victims for years.

But the denomination's Executive Committee president, Jeff Iorg, said earlier this year that creating a database is not a focus and that the committee instead plans to refer churches to existing databases of sex offenders and focus on education about abuse prevention. The committee administers the denomination's day-to-day business.

Advocates for reform don't see those approaches as adequate.

It is the latest instance of “officials trailing out hollow words, impotent task forces and phony dog-and-pony shows of reform,” abuse survivor and longtime advocate Christa Brown wrote on&nbsp;<a href="https://baptistnews.com/article/for-abuse-survivors-sbc-meeting-brings-pain-and-lessons/#:~:text=This%20small%20bit%20of%20honesty,and%2Dpony%20shows%20of%20reform.&amp;text=It%20was%20all%20a%20cruel,image%20but%20further%20betrayed%20survivors.">Baptist News Global</a>, which is not SBC-affiliated.

In a related action, the Executive Committee will also be seeking $3 million in convention funding for ongoing legal expenses related to abuse cases.

As of late Tuesday afternoon, attendance was at 10,541 church representatives (known as messengers). That is less than a quarter of the total that thronged the SBC's annual meeting 40 years ago this month in a Dallas showdown that marked the height of battles over control of the convention, ultimately won by the more conservative-fundamentalist side led by Pressler and his allies.

Messengers will also debate whether to institute a constitutional ban on churches with women pastors and to abolish its public-policy arm, the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission — which is staunchly conservative, but according to critics, not enough so.

Brent Leatherwood, president of the ERLC, said Tuesday he would address the “turbulence” during his scheduled remarks Wednesday but was confident in the messengers' support.

Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP’s&nbsp;<a href="https://bit.ly/ap-twir">collaboration</a>&nbsp;with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1749600677424.png" alt="Southern Baptist Convention President Clint Pressley during his address on Tuesday-courtesy image" />
                        <figcaption>Southern Baptist Convention President Clint Pressley during his address on Tuesday-courtesy image</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>By PETER SMITH</p><figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1749600622926.png" alt="Photo Southern Baptist Convention" />
                        <figcaption>Photo Southern Baptist Convention</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>DALLAS (AP) — Southern Baptist delegates at their national meeting overwhelmingly endorsed a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/southern-baptists-pornography-sports-betting-gay-marriage-aac48e558ea4b7f1c3b869b917e6eea2">ban on</a>&nbsp;same-sex marriage — including a call for a reversal of the U.S. Supreme Court's 10-year-old precedent legalizing it nationwide.</p><p>They also called for legislators to curtail sports betting and to support policies that promote childbearing.</p><p>The votes Tuesday came at the gathering of more than 10,000 church representatives at the annual meeting of the nation's largest Protestant denomination.</p><p>The wide-ranging resolution doesn’t use the word “ban,” but it left no room for legal same-sex marriage in calling for the “overturning of laws and court rulings, including Obergefell v. Hodges, that defy God’s design for marriage and family.” Further, the resolution affirmatively calls “for laws that affirm marriage between one man and one women.”</p><p>A reversal of the Supreme Court's 2015 Obergefell decision wouldn’t in and of itself amount to a nationwide ban. At the time of that ruling, 36 states had already legalized same-sex marriage, and support remains strong in many areas.</p><p>However, if the convention got its wish, not only would Obergefell be overturned, but so would every law and court ruling that affirmed same-sex marriage.</p><p>There was no debate on the marriage resolution. That in itself is not surprising in the solidly conservative denomination, which has long defined marriage as between one man and one woman. However, it marks an especially assertive step in its call for the reversal of a decade-old Supreme Court ruling, as well as any other legal pillars to same-sex marriage in law and court precedent.</p><h2>Gender identity, fertility and other issues</h2><p>The marriage issue was incorporated into a much larger resolution on marriage and family — one that calls for civil law to be based on what the convention says is the divinely created order as stated in the Bible.</p><p>The resolution says legislators have a duty to “pass laws that reflect the truth of creation and natural law — about marriage, sex, human life, and family” and to oppose laws contradicting “what God has made plain through nature and Scripture.”</p><p>The same resolution calls for recognizing “the biological reality of male and female” and opposes "any law or policy that compels people to speak falsehoods about sex and gender."</p><p>It urges Christians to “embrace marriage and childbearing” and to see children “as blessings rather than burdens."</p><p>But it also frames that issue as one of public policy. It calls for “for renewed moral clarity in public discourse regarding the crisis of declining fertility and for policies that support the bearing and raising of children within intact, married families.”</p><p>It laments that modern culture is “pursuing willful childlessness which contributes to a declining fertility rate,” echoing a growing subject of discourse on the religious and political right.</p><p>The pornography resolution, which had no debate, calls such material destructive, addictive and exploitive and says governments have the power to ban it.</p><p>The sports betting resolution draws on Southern Baptists' historic opposition to gambling. It called sports betting “harmful and predatory.” One pastor urged an amendment to distinguish between low-stakes, recreational gambling and predatory, addictive gambling activities. But his proposed amendment failed.</p><p>Andrew Walker, chair of the Committee on Resolutions, said at a news conference that the marriage resolution shows that Southern Baptists aren’t going along with the widespread social acceptance of same-sex marriage.</p><p>But Walker, a professor at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky, acknowledged that a realistic rollback strategy would require incremental steps, such as seeking to overturn Obergefell.</p><p>“I’m clear-eyed about the difficulties and the headwinds in this resolution,” he said.</p><h2>Whistleblower's death casts pall on Dallas meeting</h2><p>The two-day&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/southern-baptists-pornography-sports-betting-gay-marriage-aac48e558ea4b7f1c3b869b917e6eea2">annual meeting</a>&nbsp;began Tuesday morning with praise sessions and optimistic reports about growing numbers of baptisms. But casting a pall over the gathering is the recent death of one of the most high-profile whistleblowers in the Southern Baptists' scandal of sexual abuse.</p><p>Jennifer Lyell, a onetime denominational publishing executive who went public in 2019 with allegations that she had been sexually abused by a seminary professor while a student, died Saturday at 47. She “suffered catastrophic strokes," a friend and fellow advocate,&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/R_Denhollander/status/1931774827087667528">Rachael Denhollander</a>, posted Sunday on X.</p><p>Friends reported that the backlash Lyell received after going public with her report took a devastating toll on her.</p><p>Several abuse survivors and advocates for reform, who previously had a prominent presence in recent SBC meetings, are skipping this year’s gathering, citing lack of progress by the convention.</p><p>Two people sought to fill that void, standing vigil outside of the meeting at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center Dallas as attendees walked by. The pair held up signs with photos of Lyell and of Gareld Duane Rollins, who died earlier this spring and who was among those who accused longtime SBC power broker&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/paul-pressler-death-southern-baptist-convention-abuse-ac42aa8817b287fb6963edf3b0110273">Paul Pressler</a>&nbsp;of sexual abuse.</p><p>“It’s not a healthy thing for them (survivors) to be here,” said Johnna Harris, host of a podcast on abuse in evangelical ministries. “I felt like it was important for someone to show up. I want people to know there are people who care.”</p><h2>Past attempts at reforms in the SBC</h2><p>The SBC Executive Committee, in a 2022 apology,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/religion-nashville-sexual-abuse-by-clergy-sexual-abuse-baptist-3c890a675a018d1e3d83839d2834818f">acknowledged</a>&nbsp;“its failure to adequately listen, protect, and care for Jennifer Lyell when she came forward to share her story.” It also acknowledged the denomination’s official news agency had not accurately reported the situation as “sexual abuse by a trusted minister in a position of power at a Southern Baptist seminary."</p><p>SBC officials issued statements this week lamenting Lyell's death, but her fellow advocates have denounced what they say is a failure to implement reforms.</p><p>The SBC's 2022 meeting&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/religion-california-sexual-abuse-by-clergy-baptist-southern-convention-ba7ba613947cc893659b6e8e45ab4b73">voted</a>&nbsp;overwhelmingly to create a way to track pastors and other church workers credibly accused of sex abuse. That came shortly after the release of a blockbuster&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/baptist-religion-sexual-abuse-by-clergy-southern-convention-bfdbe64389790630488f854c3dae3fd5">report</a>&nbsp;by an outside consultant, which said Southern Baptist leaders mishandled abuse cases and stonewalled victims for years.</p><p>But the denomination's Executive Committee president, Jeff Iorg, said earlier this year that creating a database is not a focus and that the committee instead plans to refer churches to existing databases of sex offenders and focus on education about abuse prevention. The committee administers the denomination's day-to-day business.</p><p>Advocates for reform don't see those approaches as adequate.</p><p>It is the latest instance of “officials trailing out hollow words, impotent task forces and phony dog-and-pony shows of reform,” abuse survivor and longtime advocate Christa Brown wrote on&nbsp;<a href="https://baptistnews.com/article/for-abuse-survivors-sbc-meeting-brings-pain-and-lessons/#:~:text=This%20small%20bit%20of%20honesty,and%2Dpony%20shows%20of%20reform.&amp;text=It%20was%20all%20a%20cruel,image%20but%20further%20betrayed%20survivors.">Baptist News Global</a>, which is not SBC-affiliated.</p><p>In a related action, the Executive Committee will also be seeking $3 million in convention funding for ongoing legal expenses related to abuse cases.</p><h2>What else is on the agenda?</h2><p>As of late Tuesday afternoon, attendance was at 10,541 church representatives (known as messengers). That is less than a quarter of the total that thronged the SBC's annual meeting 40 years ago this month in a Dallas showdown that marked the height of battles over control of the convention, ultimately won by the more conservative-fundamentalist side led by Pressler and his allies.</p><p>Messengers will also debate whether to institute a constitutional ban on churches with women pastors and to abolish its public-policy arm, the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission — which is staunchly conservative, but according to critics, not enough so.</p><p>Brent Leatherwood, president of the ERLC, said Tuesday he would address the “turbulence” during his scheduled remarks Wednesday but was confident in the messengers' support.</p><p>___</p><p>Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP’s&nbsp;<a href="https://bit.ly/ap-twir">collaboration</a>&nbsp;with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.</p>

Southern Baptists at national meeting call for banning same-sex marriage

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement across Kansas continue to search for a teen wanted in connection with a homicide in&nbsp; Wichita.

Wichita Police Department issued a felony pick-up for 18-year-old Jaden Watts in connection with the crime. The Sedgwick County District Attorney filed second-degree murder charges against Watts last week. 

Just before 4 a.m. March 22, police responded to an EMS call at a residence in the 14000 block of E. Twinlake Drive in Wichita, according to Officer Juan Reboledo.

First responders located a victim later identified as 24-year-old Demarc Burgess, according to police. Burgess had sustained multiple gunshot wounds. He was transported to a nearby hospital, where he was later pronounced deceased.

In April, police issued an alert for Watts for questioning regarding this case.&nbsp;

Preliminary investigations indicate that the incident occurred during a gathering at the residence, where a disturbance broke out between a suspect and Burgess, which ultimately led to the shooting. The individuals involved are known to each other, and this is not believed to be a random act of violence.&nbsp;

If you have information about Watts whereabouts, please call 911 immediately or contact WPD Investigators at 316-268-4407.

If you wish to remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 316-267-2111.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1742835831698.png" alt="Watts photo Wichita Police" />
                        <figcaption>Watts photo Wichita Police</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement across Kansas continue to search for a teen wanted in connection with a homicide in&nbsp; Wichita.</p><p>Wichita Police Department issued a felony pick-up for 18-year-old Jaden Watts in connection with the crime. The Sedgwick County District Attorney filed second-degree murder charges against Watts last week. </p><p>Just before 4 a.m. March 22, police responded to an EMS call at a residence in the 14000 block of E. Twinlake Drive in Wichita, according to Officer Juan Reboledo.</p><p>First responders located a victim later identified as 24-year-old Demarc Burgess, according to police. Burgess had sustained multiple gunshot wounds. He was transported to a nearby hospital, where he was later pronounced deceased.</p><p>In April, police issued an alert for Watts for questioning regarding this case.&nbsp;</p><p>Preliminary investigations indicate that the incident occurred during a gathering at the residence, where a disturbance broke out between a suspect and Burgess, which ultimately led to the shooting. The individuals involved are known to each other, and this is not believed to be a random act of violence.&nbsp;</p><p>If you have information about Watts whereabouts, please call 911 immediately or contact WPD Investigators at 316-268-4407.</p><p>If you wish to remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 316-267-2111.</p>

Kansas teen charged with murder is still hiding from police

DOUGLAS COUNTY—Police investigators are asking for help solving a&nbsp; incident involving gunfire outside an apartment complex in Lawrence.

The incident happened at the Connections near 31st and Ousdahl about 12:30, as Friday night turned to Saturday morning, according to a media release from Lawrence Police.

 That night, officers collected more than a dozen shell casings in the parking lot outside a unit where a party was going on. Police did not find anyone hit by gunfire, but cars were damaged. Officers talked to several people who heard or saw the events, but when the gunfire rang out, many potential witnesses ran for their own safety. 

Police want anyone who saw the shooter or has information about what happened, to please call. The suspect had been described at a black male between 5-foot-5 and 5-foot-8, with a thin build wearing dark clothing and carrying a red backpack. P

lease call non-emergency dispatch at 785.843.0250 or the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/LawrenceCrime?__cft__[0]=AZVG6BnItQMZx38LBfrf3D5KoWqvq_AW2k3ZiklGCaGBxvr_qY055KcNL-kW1f-ZYuWZ70wQ4CC9WuS-Znaft1RiYJ7SWbCcvsvpU56En92IU12pKagvO3XpOc-gNw6nSiXzJSmpVc6CaTWa5blCjhlG82ZgAB1-7YqRUiEV0Xj7FTn3iK4EKreKMBVmmzis5o2j8ZY3T9xLdCb_5GX4XZCA&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">Crime Stoppers of Lawrence and Douglas County</a> at 785.843.TIPS.  Tips leading to an arrest could be eligible for a reward and you can choose to remain anonymous.

<p>DOUGLAS COUNTY—Police investigators are asking for help solving a&nbsp; incident involving gunfire outside an apartment complex in Lawrence.</p><p>The incident happened at the Connections near 31st and Ousdahl about 12:30, as Friday night turned to Saturday morning, according to a media release from Lawrence Police.</p><p> That night, officers collected more than a dozen shell casings in the parking lot outside a unit where a party was going on. Police did not find anyone hit by gunfire, but cars were damaged. Officers talked to several people who heard or saw the events, but when the gunfire rang out, many potential witnesses ran for their own safety. </p><p>Police want anyone who saw the shooter or has information about what happened, to please call. The suspect had been described at a black male between 5-foot-5 and 5-foot-8, with a thin build wearing dark clothing and carrying a red backpack. P</p><p>lease call non-emergency dispatch at 785.843.0250 or the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/LawrenceCrime?__cft__[0]=AZVG6BnItQMZx38LBfrf3D5KoWqvq_AW2k3ZiklGCaGBxvr_qY055KcNL-kW1f-ZYuWZ70wQ4CC9WuS-Znaft1RiYJ7SWbCcvsvpU56En92IU12pKagvO3XpOc-gNw6nSiXzJSmpVc6CaTWa5blCjhlG82ZgAB1-7YqRUiEV0Xj7FTn3iK4EKreKMBVmmzis5o2j8ZY3T9xLdCb_5GX4XZCA&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">Crime Stoppers of Lawrence and Douglas County</a> at 785.843.TIPS.  Tips leading to an arrest could be eligible for a reward and you can choose to remain anonymous.</p>

Multiple vehicles damaged by gunfire outside Kan. apartment party

FORT BRAGG, N.C. (AP) — President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-taxes-investment-section-899-f343d4418707335d8db844c9242751a9">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;called protesters in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/los-angeles-trump-immigration-ice-raids-protests-6823da82d8d25e12d392088c7cde40c5">Los Angeles</a>&nbsp;“animals” and “a foreign enemy” in a speech at Fort Bragg on Tuesday as he defended deploying the military on demonstrators opposed to his immigration enforcement raids and as he vowed to “liberate” the West Coast city.

Trump, in his most aggressive language yet regarding the protests, used a speech ostensibly supposed to be used to recognize the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army to denounce the protesters while repeating his false statements about the 2020 election being rigged and attacking the previous commander in chief, former President Joe Biden.

The Republican president, who sees the military as a critical tool for domestic goals, has used the recent protests in Los Angeles as an opportunity to deploy the National Guard and U.S. Marines over the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-california-immigration-customs-enforcement-newsom-0482a8935419d88986b890b18db5cc03">objections of California's Democratic governor</a>. Protesters blocked a major freeway and set cars on fire over the weekend in Los Angeles, but the demonstrations in the city of 4 million people have largely been centered in several blocks of downtown.

“We will not allow an American city to be invaded and conquered by a foreign enemy. That’s what they are,” Trump said Tuesday.

Trump’s heated rhetoric came as he has left open&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-immigration-military-los-angeles-a2611009fd40d593f07c58255911513d">the possibility of invoking the Insurrection Act</a>, one of the most extreme emergency powers available to the president. It authorizes him to deploy military forces inside the U.S. to suppress rebellion or domestic violence or to enforce the law in certain situations.

Trump received plenty of cheers from the crowd, which laughed at the president’s jokes and delighted in his dancing to his campaign anthem of “&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-ymca-dance-rallies-05da758dfeb2dd9c2ed22ebb88610b24">YMCA</a>.” However, some members of the audience were uneasy with certain aspects of his remarks.

Robin Boothe, who voted for Trump and works on the base as an audiology assistant, said the speech was “classic Trump.” However, she also found it to be too partisan, especially his comments on Los Angeles.

“I thought that was better left for a news conference than what we were celebrating today,” the 50-year-old said.

The president called Los Angeles “a trash heap” with “entire neighborhoods under control” of criminals and said the federal government would “use every asset at our disposal to quell the violence and restore law and order.”

“We will liberate Los Angeles and make it free, clean and safe again,” Trump said.

Trump authorized the deployment of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/los-angeles-protests-national-guard-trump-14c9dda32663d7d2c45f2b1c5a1d219c">4,000 National Guard soldiers</a>&nbsp;to the city against the wishes of California Gov.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-gavin-newsom-immigration-protests-a8269425e604f6f03affdc627a2a5721">Gavin Newsom</a>. About 700 Marines were deployed to the Los Angeles area but had not yet been sent to respond to the protests.

Newsom&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/los-angeles-protests-ice-national-guard-9dfd2d025070bb6060d908dd3cf9b1f0">asked a federal court Tuesday to block</a>&nbsp;Trump from using the military in his city. California leaders accused Trump of fanning protesters’ anger and stoking the unrest.

Trump also announced his administration was restoring the names of seven military bases that were given the monikers of Confederate leaders until being changed by the Biden administration. Fort Pickett, Fort Robert E. Lee and Fort A.P. Hill in Virginia, Fort Hood in Texas, Fort Gordon in Georgia, Fort Rucker in Alabama and Fort Polk in Louisiana will have their names changed back, Trump said.

Defense Secretary&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pentagon-congress-hegseth-signal-hearings-c53cd37c2eae4327dd74e4c717057469">Pete Hegseth</a>&nbsp;has already brought back the names of Fort Bragg and Fort Benning in Georgia.

“Can you believe they changed that name in the last administration for a little bit?” Trump said. “We’ll forget all about that.”

As they did when they changed back Fort Bragg and Fort Benning, Defense officials announced Tuesday that they had identified service members with the same last names in order to make the change and not have the bases officially carry Confederate-related names.

Before he spoke, Trump watched the U.S. Army demonstrate a missile strike, a helicopter assault and a building raid, a preview of the kind of show of American military might he's expected to display in the nation's capital for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-parade-military-secret-service-dc-birthday-cb66cba29cdc06ba798521454918271d">a massive military parade this weekend</a>.

Trump has promoted the Army’s anniversary as a reason to hold the parade on Saturday, which is also his 79th birthday. Tanks and other vehicles will roll down city streets in a reminder of how the Republican president is reshaping the armed forces after returning to the White House this year.

“I think it’s going to be great,” Trump told reporters at the White House earlier Tuesday. “We’re going to celebrate our country for a change.”

As a backdrop to the parade, “No Kings Day” protests are planned across the country on Saturday to push back against what critics see as the administration's draconian policies. Trump said earlier Tuesday that there would be more immigration raids and that any additional protests would be met with even greater force, including those who show up at the parade.

If they do, Trump said, “they will be met with very big force.”

“I haven't even heard about a protest but you know, this is people that hate our country. But they will be met with very heavy force.”

Fort Bragg, which was briefly Fort Liberty and is near Fayetteville, North Carolina, serves as headquarters for the U.S. Army Special Operations Command. Highly trained units like the Green Berets and the 82nd Airborne are based there.

The atmosphere resembled a state fair with military flair. Inflatable slides and attractions for children were set up in a field, with artillery, trucks and helicopters parked on another section of the lawn. Right outside the security checkpoint — but still on the base — two stands were selling Trump political hats, T-shirts and other paraphernalia.

Hegseth and Army Secretary&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/army-secretary-driscoll-confirmation-vote-0dc8d52c0f537fabab30bbc2d90e7c7f">Dan Driscoll</a>&nbsp;were also at Tuesday’s event, along with service members, veterans and their families.

Driscoll, who spoke to the crowd before Trump arrived, called the president “the greatest recruiter in our Army’s history.”

Hegseth told the crowd that the U.S. is “restoring the warrior ethos” to its armed forces.

“We’re not a college or a university. We’re not interested in your woke garbage and political correctness,” Hegseth said, drawing cheers.

Price reported from Washington. Associated Press writers Aamer Madhani and Lolita Baldor in Washington contributed to this report. Follow the AP's coverage of President Donald Trump at&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump</a>.

<p>FORT BRAGG, N.C. (AP) — President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-taxes-investment-section-899-f343d4418707335d8db844c9242751a9">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;called protesters in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/los-angeles-trump-immigration-ice-raids-protests-6823da82d8d25e12d392088c7cde40c5">Los Angeles</a>&nbsp;“animals” and “a foreign enemy” in a speech at Fort Bragg on Tuesday as he defended deploying the military on demonstrators opposed to his immigration enforcement raids and as he vowed to “liberate” the West Coast city.</p><p>Trump, in his most aggressive language yet regarding the protests, used a speech ostensibly supposed to be used to recognize the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army to denounce the protesters while repeating his false statements about the 2020 election being rigged and attacking the previous commander in chief, former President Joe Biden.</p><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">President Trump Delivers Remarks at Fort Bragg <a href="https://t.co/PCi5rIgaPX">https://t.co/PCi5rIgaPX</a></p>&mdash; The White House (@WhiteHouse) <a href="https://twitter.com/WhiteHouse/status/1932533682402676883?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 10, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a>: &quot;This week, we honor 250 years of valor, and glory, and triumph by the greatest fighting force ever to walk the face of the Earth: The United States Army. For two and a half centuries, our soldiers have marched into the raging fires of battle and obliterated America&#39;s… <a href="https://t.co/ySJ6IT3O3b">pic.twitter.com/ySJ6IT3O3b</a></p>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1932537512570016080?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 10, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a>: As President of the United States, let me express the undying gratitude of our nation for every solider here today—for every veteran and their families... across America—and for every patriot who has worn the uniform over 250 years... we thank you from the absolute… <a href="https://t.co/FXe0XEmeb0">pic.twitter.com/FXe0XEmeb0</a></p>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1932537643771871237?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 10, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Happening Now! 🇺🇸🦅<br><br>President Trump at Fort Bragg… <a href="https://t.co/HOq7oxPIyK">pic.twitter.com/HOq7oxPIyK</a></p>&mdash; Dan Scavino (@Scavino47) <a href="https://twitter.com/Scavino47/status/1932532008938303835?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 10, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">President Trump arrives at the Holland Drop Zone—Fort Bragg… <a href="https://t.co/VQrOWoyata">pic.twitter.com/VQrOWoyata</a></p>&mdash; Dan Scavino (@Scavino47) <a href="https://twitter.com/Scavino47/status/1932523443758498075?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 10, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">CHILLS! 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 <a href="https://t.co/fUoC0GtwVN">pic.twitter.com/fUoC0GtwVN</a></p>&mdash; Margo Martin (@MargoMartin47) <a href="https://twitter.com/MargoMartin47/status/1932535360124301674?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 10, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560"><p lang="und" dir="ltr">45–47🕺🏼🇺🇸🦅 <a href="https://t.co/Kw7v2DMOkx">pic.twitter.com/Kw7v2DMOkx</a></p>&mdash; Dan Scavino (@Scavino47) <a href="https://twitter.com/Scavino47/status/1932557919372919001?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 10, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a>: &quot;Wherever danger is there, the U.S. Army will be. Whatever peril comes our way, whatever menace threatens our people, you will stand strong, you will be proud, you will charge hard, and you will keep that flame lit... You will FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT and you will WIN WIN WIN.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/UCWFUL68dH">pic.twitter.com/UCWFUL68dH</a></p>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1932549219543335181?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 10, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a> recognizes Eric Phillips, a Distinguished Service Cross and Silver Star recipient, for his heroic actions on a deployment in the War on Terror: <br><br>&quot;You did us all proud!&quot; <a href="https://t.co/qhpwrJrNUg">pic.twitter.com/qhpwrJrNUg</a></p>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1932549123447926805?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 10, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a>: &quot;Army warriors who have laid down their lives for America rest by the thousands in the sacred soil of Arlington and Gettysburg, Anzio and Manila, and to far-off places known only to God... There could be no greater tribute to their memory then to prepare the Army to… <a href="https://t.co/QRR8B3LEMz">pic.twitter.com/QRR8B3LEMz</a></p>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1932547631894630643?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 10, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a>: &quot;The weapons of war have changed with every generation, but the unflinching loyalty of the American soldier has always remained the same. The Army has always stayed true to its motto — &#39;THIS WE&#39;LL DEFEND.&#39;&quot; <a href="https://t.co/c2PGNk1Ntp">pic.twitter.com/c2PGNk1Ntp</a></p>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1932547025075384451?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 10, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">At Fort Bragg, <a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a> tells the story of Francis Scott Key — and recognizes Major Kyle Key, his 8th generation descendant: <a href="https://t.co/YhaQPCCs2E">pic.twitter.com/YhaQPCCs2E</a></p>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1932544885938180504?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 10, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a>: &quot;The only flag that will wave triumphant over the streets of Los Angeles is the American Flag — SO HELP ME GOD.&quot; 🇺🇸 <a href="https://t.co/R24qAnzQLZ">pic.twitter.com/R24qAnzQLZ</a></p>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1932542409000554950?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 10, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a>: &quot;Generations of Army heroes did not shed their blood on distant shores only to watch our country be destroyed by invasion and third-world lawlessness here at home — like is happening in California. As commander-in-chief, I will NOT let that happen.&quot; 🔥 <a href="https://t.co/YNSCC03g5P">pic.twitter.com/YNSCC03g5P</a></p>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1932539612410364309?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 10, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">BREAKING: WE ARE RESTORING THE NAMES OF FORT PICKETT, HOOD, GORDON, RUCKER, POLK, A.P. HILL, AND ROBERT E. LEE <a href="https://t.co/yXaGXOP6Xg">pic.twitter.com/yXaGXOP6Xg</a></p>&mdash; DOD Rapid Response (@DODResponse) <a href="https://twitter.com/DODResponse/status/1932541641941823633?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 10, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><p>The Republican president, who sees the military as a critical tool for domestic goals, has used the recent protests in Los Angeles as an opportunity to deploy the National Guard and U.S. Marines over the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-california-immigration-customs-enforcement-newsom-0482a8935419d88986b890b18db5cc03">objections of California's Democratic governor</a>. Protesters blocked a major freeway and set cars on fire over the weekend in Los Angeles, but the demonstrations in the city of 4 million people have largely been centered in several blocks of downtown.</p><p>“We will not allow an American city to be invaded and conquered by a foreign enemy. That’s what they are,” Trump said Tuesday.</p><p>Trump’s heated rhetoric came as he has left open&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-immigration-military-los-angeles-a2611009fd40d593f07c58255911513d">the possibility of invoking the Insurrection Act</a>, one of the most extreme emergency powers available to the president. It authorizes him to deploy military forces inside the U.S. to suppress rebellion or domestic violence or to enforce the law in certain situations.</p><p>Trump received plenty of cheers from the crowd, which laughed at the president’s jokes and delighted in his dancing to his campaign anthem of “&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-ymca-dance-rallies-05da758dfeb2dd9c2ed22ebb88610b24">YMCA</a>.” However, some members of the audience were uneasy with certain aspects of his remarks.</p><p>Robin Boothe, who voted for Trump and works on the base as an audiology assistant, said the speech was “classic Trump.” However, she also found it to be too partisan, especially his comments on Los Angeles.</p><p>“I thought that was better left for a news conference than what we were celebrating today,” the 50-year-old said.</p><p>The president called Los Angeles “a trash heap” with “entire neighborhoods under control” of criminals and said the federal government would “use every asset at our disposal to quell the violence and restore law and order.”</p><p>“We will liberate Los Angeles and make it free, clean and safe again,” Trump said.</p><p>Trump authorized the deployment of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/los-angeles-protests-national-guard-trump-14c9dda32663d7d2c45f2b1c5a1d219c">4,000 National Guard soldiers</a>&nbsp;to the city against the wishes of California Gov.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-gavin-newsom-immigration-protests-a8269425e604f6f03affdc627a2a5721">Gavin Newsom</a>. About 700 Marines were deployed to the Los Angeles area but had not yet been sent to respond to the protests.</p><p>Newsom&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/los-angeles-protests-ice-national-guard-9dfd2d025070bb6060d908dd3cf9b1f0">asked a federal court Tuesday to block</a>&nbsp;Trump from using the military in his city. California leaders accused Trump of fanning protesters’ anger and stoking the unrest.</p><p>Trump also announced his administration was restoring the names of seven military bases that were given the monikers of Confederate leaders until being changed by the Biden administration. Fort Pickett, Fort Robert E. Lee and Fort A.P. Hill in Virginia, Fort Hood in Texas, Fort Gordon in Georgia, Fort Rucker in Alabama and Fort Polk in Louisiana will have their names changed back, Trump said.</p><p>Defense Secretary&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pentagon-congress-hegseth-signal-hearings-c53cd37c2eae4327dd74e4c717057469">Pete Hegseth</a>&nbsp;has already brought back the names of Fort Bragg and Fort Benning in Georgia.</p><p>“Can you believe they changed that name in the last administration for a little bit?” Trump said. “We’ll forget all about that.”</p><p>As they did when they changed back Fort Bragg and Fort Benning, Defense officials announced Tuesday that they had identified service members with the same last names in order to make the change and not have the bases officially carry Confederate-related names.</p><p>Before he spoke, Trump watched the U.S. Army demonstrate a missile strike, a helicopter assault and a building raid, a preview of the kind of show of American military might he's expected to display in the nation's capital for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-parade-military-secret-service-dc-birthday-cb66cba29cdc06ba798521454918271d">a massive military parade this weekend</a>.</p><p>Trump has promoted the Army’s anniversary as a reason to hold the parade on Saturday, which is also his 79th birthday. Tanks and other vehicles will roll down city streets in a reminder of how the Republican president is reshaping the armed forces after returning to the White House this year.</p><p>“I think it’s going to be great,” Trump told reporters at the White House earlier Tuesday. “We’re going to celebrate our country for a change.”</p><p>As a backdrop to the parade, “No Kings Day” protests are planned across the country on Saturday to push back against what critics see as the administration's draconian policies. Trump said earlier Tuesday that there would be more immigration raids and that any additional protests would be met with even greater force, including those who show up at the parade.</p><p>If they do, Trump said, “they will be met with very big force.”</p><p>“I haven't even heard about a protest but you know, this is people that hate our country. But they will be met with very heavy force.”</p><p>Fort Bragg, which was briefly Fort Liberty and is near Fayetteville, North Carolina, serves as headquarters for the U.S. Army Special Operations Command. Highly trained units like the Green Berets and the 82nd Airborne are based there.</p><p>The atmosphere resembled a state fair with military flair. Inflatable slides and attractions for children were set up in a field, with artillery, trucks and helicopters parked on another section of the lawn. Right outside the security checkpoint — but still on the base — two stands were selling Trump political hats, T-shirts and other paraphernalia.</p><p>Hegseth and Army Secretary&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/army-secretary-driscoll-confirmation-vote-0dc8d52c0f537fabab30bbc2d90e7c7f">Dan Driscoll</a>&nbsp;were also at Tuesday’s event, along with service members, veterans and their families.</p><p>Driscoll, who spoke to the crowd before Trump arrived, called the president “the greatest recruiter in our Army’s history.”</p><p>Hegseth told the crowd that the U.S. is “restoring the warrior ethos” to its armed forces.</p><p>“We’re not a college or a university. We’re not interested in your woke garbage and political correctness,” Hegseth said, drawing cheers.</p><p>___</p><p>Price reported from Washington. Associated Press writers Aamer Madhani and Lolita Baldor in Washington contributed to this report. Follow the AP's coverage of President Donald Trump at&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump</a>.</p>

🎥Highlights of Trump's speech to mark 250th anniversary of the Army

KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement investigating a crash that occurred just after 11:45p.m.&nbsp; June 1, reported a passenger identified as 67-year-old Cecil Henderson died Monday, according to the Jackson County Medical Examiner.

Henderson was the rear seat passenger in a Nissan that was eastbound on MLK Boulevard in Kansas City when it was involved in a collision with a northbound Cadillac.&nbsp; 

Preliminary investigation revealed that the driver of the Nissan failed to stop for a red traffic light at Prospect. EMS transported Henderson to a local hospital for treatment where he remained until his death, according to Becchina.

<p>KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement investigating a crash that occurred just after 11:45p.m.&nbsp; June 1, reported a passenger identified as 67-year-old Cecil Henderson died Monday, according to the Jackson County Medical Examiner.</p><p>Henderson was the rear seat passenger in a Nissan that was eastbound on MLK Boulevard in Kansas City when it was involved in a collision with a northbound Cadillac.&nbsp; </p><p>Preliminary investigation revealed that the driver of the Nissan failed to stop for a red traffic light at Prospect. EMS transported Henderson to a local hospital for treatment where he remained until his death, according to Becchina.</p>

Back seat passenger dies days after 2-vehicle Kansas City crash

An investigation at a church in Wichita has revealed sex abuse by a former student ministries director.

In July of 2024, according to a statement on the church web site Eastminster Presbyterian Church, 1958 North Webb Road in Wichita, allegations against Bodie Weiss, a former director of Student Ministries at the church, were brought to Eastminster’s governing Board of Elders accusing him of sexually abusing boys within his youth group during the 1990’s and early 2000’s. 

In response, to these allegations Eastminster’s Session hired Fact Finding Ministry (“FFM”) to investigate these allegations. Over the next six months, FFM conducted over fifty-two interviews with former staff, victims and witnesses. In addition, FFM screened forty-three former students. Out of these interviews, FFM determined that there was a total of twenty-three victims. Eastminster’s Board of Elders received the final, summary report in May of 2025.&nbsp; 

Weiss died in June of 2020 at the age of 59, according to <a href="https://www.cozine.com/obituaries/bodie-weiss">an online obituary</a> with Cozine Memorial Group.

"We acknowledge and grieve over all harm suffered by each victim (as well as all families and friends of each victim) subjected to the ministerial misconduct, spiritual abuse, sexual harassment and sexual abuse perpetrated by Bodie Weiss during his tenure at Easminster Church."

"We lament all that happened during Weiss’s tenure and pray for those who were and are affected by this abuse. Eastminster takes the safety of our children as the utmost priority and are continually updating our safety trainings, policies and practices under the programs and guidance of MinistrySafe."

 If you have any additional questions regarding the practices or policies, please reach out to us at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:info@eastminster.org">info@eastminster.org</a>.

If you or someone you know was affected or if you are a congregant of Eastminster, we invite you to attend our Service of Repentance, Lament and Healing on Sunday, June 22 at 4p.m.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1749589852900.png" alt="Bodie Weiss courtesy photo" />
                        <figcaption>Bodie Weiss courtesy photo</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>An investigation at a church in Wichita has revealed sex abuse by a former student ministries director.</p><p>In July of 2024, according to a statement on the church web site Eastminster Presbyterian Church, 1958 North Webb Road in Wichita, allegations against Bodie Weiss, a former director of Student Ministries at the church, were brought to Eastminster’s governing Board of Elders accusing him of sexually abusing boys within his youth group during the 1990’s and early 2000’s. </p><figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1749575823069.png" alt="Google image" />
                        <figcaption>Google image</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>In response, to these allegations Eastminster’s Session hired Fact Finding Ministry (“FFM”) to investigate these allegations. Over the next six months, FFM conducted over fifty-two interviews with former staff, victims and witnesses. In addition, FFM screened forty-three former students. Out of these interviews, FFM determined that there was a total of twenty-three victims. Eastminster’s Board of Elders received the final, summary report in May of 2025.&nbsp; </p><p>Weiss died in June of 2020 at the age of 59, according to <a href="https://www.cozine.com/obituaries/bodie-weiss">an online obituary</a> with Cozine Memorial Group.</p><p>"We acknowledge and grieve over all harm suffered by each victim (as well as all families and friends of each victim) subjected to the ministerial misconduct, spiritual abuse, sexual harassment and sexual abuse perpetrated by Bodie Weiss during his tenure at Easminster Church."</p><p>"We lament all that happened during Weiss’s tenure and pray for those who were and are affected by this abuse. Eastminster takes the safety of our children as the utmost priority and are continually updating our safety trainings, policies and practices under the programs and guidance of MinistrySafe."</p><p> If you have any additional questions regarding the practices or policies, please reach out to us at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:info@eastminster.org">info@eastminster.org</a>.</p><p>If you or someone you know was affected or if you are a congregant of Eastminster, we invite you to attend our Service of Repentance, Lament and Healing on Sunday, June 22 at 4p.m.</p><p>Planned Actions by Eastminster:</p><ul>
                        <li>Send update letters to victims and interviewees</li><li>Reimburse counseling costs for victims and affected witnesses</li><li>Utilize Ministry Safe 3rd party training while continuing Eastminster’s current Safe Sanctuary policies and procedures</li><li>Make FFM’s summary report available to Eastmtinster members and participants of the investigation in a highly confidential and secure manner through the church office, as we seek to protect the identity and confidential testimonies of the victims and witnesses. This will be available following the Service of Repentance and Lament. Members and participants may contact&nbsp;<a href="mailto:brobert@eastminster.org">Bryan Robert</a>&nbsp;to schedule and request access to the report. Appointments to read the summary report can be made following the June 22nd service.&nbsp;</li>
                    </ul>

Kan. church looks for more victims of sex abuse by former youth director

HARVEY COUNTY —On June 6, 2025, Judge Jason Lane of the 9th Judicial District of Kansas sentenced Marcus Perez Jr., 34, of Leonardville, Kansas, to 154 months in the Kansas Department of Corrections for Unlawful Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine in an amount exceeding 100 grams, according to the Harvey County Attorney's office.

The sentence stems from a July 5, 2024, traffic stop conducted by Harvey County Sheriff’s Deputies, during which Perez was found in possession of a significant quantity of methamphetamine. The drugs were hidden in a magnetic box concealed under Perez’s seat.

Further investigation included a search of Perez’s phone, which uncovered multiple conversations indicating ongoing attempts to distribute illegal narcotics. Perez has a history of prior convictions, having been convicted of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine in both 2015 and 2018 in Clay County, Kansas.

This sentence reflects the seriousness of Mr. Perez’s continued involvement in drug trafficking and the Harvey County Attorney Office’s commitment to protecting our communities from the dangers of methamphetamine. The case was prosecuted with the assistance of the Harvey County Sheriff Drug Interdiction Unit. 

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1749503296535.png" alt="Perez photo KBI offender registry" />
                        <figcaption>Perez photo KBI offender registry</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>HARVEY COUNTY —On June 6, 2025, Judge Jason Lane of the 9th Judicial District of Kansas sentenced Marcus Perez Jr., 34, of Leonardville, Kansas, to 154 months in the Kansas Department of Corrections for Unlawful Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine in an amount exceeding 100 grams, according to the Harvey County Attorney's office.</p><p>The sentence stems from a July 5, 2024, traffic stop conducted by Harvey County Sheriff’s Deputies, during which Perez was found in possession of a significant quantity of methamphetamine. The drugs were hidden in a magnetic box concealed under Perez’s seat.</p><p>Further investigation included a search of Perez’s phone, which uncovered multiple conversations indicating ongoing attempts to distribute illegal narcotics. Perez has a history of prior convictions, having been convicted of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine in both 2015 and 2018 in Clay County, Kansas.</p><p>This sentence reflects the seriousness of Mr. Perez’s continued involvement in drug trafficking and the Harvey County Attorney Office’s commitment to protecting our communities from the dangers of methamphetamine. The case was prosecuted with the assistance of the Harvey County Sheriff Drug Interdiction Unit. </p>

Kansas felon caught hiding meth in metal box under his car seat

WASHINGTON (AP) —Correspondent Terry Moran is out at ABC News, two days after the organization&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abc-moran-suspended-trump-miller-haters-db3b0e127ed977e3bca4c207c4349526">suspended its correspondent</a>&nbsp;for a social media post that called Trump administration deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller a “world class hater.”

The network said Tuesday that it was at the end of its contract with Moran “and based on his recent post — which was a clear violation of ABC News policies — we have made the decision not to renew.”

The Trump administration, including Vice President JD Vance, quickly condemned Moran for his late-night X post criticizing Miller, which was swiftly deleted.

Moran had interviewed President Donald Trump only a few weeks ago. He said in his X post that the president was also a hater, but that his hatred was in service of his own glorification.

But for Miller, Moran said, “his hatreds are his spiritual nourishment. He eats his hate.”

Moran, 65, had worked at ABC News since 1997. He was a longtime co-anchor of “Nightline,” and covered the Supreme Court and national politics. During an interview with Trump that was broadcast in prime-time a month ago, the president said “you're not being very nice” in the midst of a contentious exchange about deportations.

In a particularly bad case of timing for him, Moran's contract with ABC had been due to expire on Friday, according to people with knowledge of the situation who were not authorized to speak publicly about personnel issues.

His post, a breach of traditional journalism ethics on expressing personal opinions on reporting subjects, came at what was already a sensitive time for ABC News. The network&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abc-trump-lawsuit-defamation-stephanopoulos-04aea8663310af39ae2a85f4c1a56d68">agreed to pay</a>&nbsp;$15 million toward Trump's presidential library in December, in order to settle a defamation lawsuit over George Stephanopoulos' inaccurate assertion that Trump had been found civilly liable for raping writer E. Jean Carroll.

Trump aide Steven Cheung responded to Moran's exit on Tuesday with a profane comment on X, saying those who talk down the president and his staff “get hit.”

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1745978717017.png" alt="Terry Moran taped an Oval Office interview for ABC with President Trump in April- image courtesy White House video" />
                        <figcaption>Terry Moran taped an Oval Office interview for ABC with President Trump in April- image courtesy White House video</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>WASHINGTON (AP) —Correspondent Terry Moran is out at ABC News, two days after the organization&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abc-moran-suspended-trump-miller-haters-db3b0e127ed977e3bca4c207c4349526">suspended its correspondent</a>&nbsp;for a social media post that called Trump administration deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller a “world class hater.”</p><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">An ABC journalist <a href="https://twitter.com/TerryMoran?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TerryMoran</a> posted this absolutely vile smear of Stephen Miller. It’s dripping with hatred. Remember that every time you watch ABC’s coverage of the Trump administration. <br><br>As it happens, I know Stephen quite well. And he’s motivated by love of country. He’s… <a href="https://t.co/hX93zKTWjy">pic.twitter.com/hX93zKTWjy</a></p>&mdash; JD Vance (@JDVance) <a href="https://twitter.com/JDVance/status/1931694721354645752?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 8, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><p>The network said Tuesday that it was at the end of its contract with Moran “and based on his recent post — which was a clear violation of ABC News policies — we have made the decision not to renew.”</p><p>The Trump administration, including Vice President JD Vance, quickly condemned Moran for his late-night X post criticizing Miller, which was swiftly deleted.</p><p>Moran had interviewed President Donald Trump only a few weeks ago. He said in his X post that the president was also a hater, but that his hatred was in service of his own glorification.</p><p>But for Miller, Moran said, “his hatreds are his spiritual nourishment. He eats his hate.”</p><p>Moran, 65, had worked at ABC News since 1997. He was a longtime co-anchor of “Nightline,” and covered the Supreme Court and national politics. During an interview with Trump that was broadcast in prime-time a month ago, the president said “you're not being very nice” in the midst of a contentious exchange about deportations.</p><p>In a particularly bad case of timing for him, Moran's contract with ABC had been due to expire on Friday, according to people with knowledge of the situation who were not authorized to speak publicly about personnel issues.</p><p>His post, a breach of traditional journalism ethics on expressing personal opinions on reporting subjects, came at what was already a sensitive time for ABC News. The network&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abc-trump-lawsuit-defamation-stephanopoulos-04aea8663310af39ae2a85f4c1a56d68">agreed to pay</a>&nbsp;$15 million toward Trump's presidential library in December, in order to settle a defamation lawsuit over George Stephanopoulos' inaccurate assertion that Trump had been found civilly liable for raping writer E. Jean Carroll.</p><p>Trump aide Steven Cheung responded to Moran's exit on Tuesday with a profane comment on X, saying those who talk down the president and his staff “get hit.”</p><p>___</p>

Correspondent out at ABC News after negative social media post

KANSAS CITY —Two suspects are facing multiple charges for their alleged involvement in an organized ring responsible for multiple burglaries across the Kansas City metropolitan area, according to Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson.&nbsp; Four more are also under investigation.

<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2639/Gavrilys-Afterhours-Complaint-Packet-FINAL_Redacted">Idonnas J. Gavrilys</a>, 25, identified by investigators as the alleged leader of the burglary operation, faces two counts of 2nd Degree Burglary, four counts of 1st Degree Burglary, and four counts of Armed Criminal Action.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2640/Draper-Afterhours-Complaint-Packet_Redacted">Dante K. Draper</a>, 26,&nbsp; faces 17 counts of 2nd Degree Burglary, two counts of 1st Degree Burglary, two counts of Armed Criminal Action, and two counts of Stealing. *

Investigators allege that there are at least six suspects part of the organized burglary group who follow a consistent pattern when burglarizing businesses. &nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1749227372766.png" alt="Draper photo Jackson County" />
                        <figcaption>Draper photo Jackson County</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>KANSAS CITY —Two suspects are facing multiple charges for their alleged involvement in an organized ring responsible for multiple burglaries across the Kansas City metropolitan area, according to Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson.&nbsp; Four more are also under investigation.</p><p><a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2639/Gavrilys-Afterhours-Complaint-Packet-FINAL_Redacted">Idonnas J. Gavrilys</a>, 25, identified by investigators as the alleged leader of the burglary operation, faces two counts of 2nd Degree Burglary, four counts of 1st Degree Burglary, and four counts of Armed Criminal Action.&nbsp;</p><figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1749227316238.png" alt="Gavrilys photo Jackson Co." />
                        <figcaption>Gavrilys photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
                    </figure><p><a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2640/Draper-Afterhours-Complaint-Packet_Redacted">Dante K. Draper</a>, 26,&nbsp; faces 17 counts of 2nd Degree Burglary, two counts of 1st Degree Burglary, two counts of Armed Criminal Action, and two counts of Stealing. *</p><p>Investigators allege that there are at least six suspects part of the organized burglary group who follow a consistent pattern when burglarizing businesses. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

Police: 6 suspects involved in organized Kansas City burglary ring

TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — U.S. Rep. LaMonica McIver was indicted Tuesday on federal charges alleging she assaulted and interfered with immigration officers outside a New Jersey detention center while Newark’s mayor was being arrested after he tried to join a congressional oversight visit at the facility.

Acting U.S. Attorney for New Jersey Alina Habba announced the grand jury indictment in a post on X.

“While people are free to express their views for or against particular policies, they must not do so in a manner that endangers law enforcement and the communities those officers serve,” Habba said.

In a statement, McIver said the charges amounted to the Trump administration trying to scare her.

“The facts of this case will prove I was simply doing my job and will expose these proceedings for what they are: a brazen attempt at political intimidation,” she said.

McIver, a Democrat, was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/new-jersey-mciver-habba-baraka-ice-facility-272c436f7c8eaf67552ce932750ff3e0">charged in a complaint</a>&nbsp;by Habba last month with two assault charges stemming from the May 9 visit to Newark’s Delaney Hall — a 1,000-bed, privately owned facility that Immigration and Customs Enforcement uses as a detention center.

The indictment includes three counts of assaulting, resisting, impeding and interfering with federal officials. Habba said two of the counts carry a maximum sentence of up to eight years in prison. A third has a maximum sentence of one year.

McIver's lawyer, former U.S. Attorney for New Jersey Paul Fishman, said in a statement that they would challenge the allegations “head-on” in court.

“The legal process will expose this prosecution for what it truly is -- political retaliation against a dedicated public servant who refuses to shy away from her oversight responsibilities,” Fishman said.

The indictment is the latest development in a legal-political drama that has seen President Donald Trump’s administration take Democratic officials from New Jersey’s largest city to court, tapping into the president’s immigration crackdown and Democrats’ efforts to respond. The prosecution of McIver is a rare federal criminal case against a sitting member of Congress for allegations other than fraud or corruption.

At the same visit that resulted in McIver’s charges, Newark Mayor Ras Baraka was arrested on a trespassing charge, which was later dropped.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/newark-mayor-ras-baraka-lawsuit-arrest-immigration-0d17f4adb136b9fefc02ea8b498124ed">Baraka is suing Habba</a>&nbsp;over what he said was a malicious prosecution.

A nearly two-minute clip released by the Homeland Security Department shows McIver on the facility side of a chain-link fence just before the arrest of the mayor on the street side of the fence, where other people had been protesting. She and uniformed officials go through the gate, and she joins others shouting that they should circle the mayor. The video shows McIver in a tightly packed group of people and officers. At one point, her left elbow and then her right elbow push into an officer wearing a dark face covering and an olive green uniform emblazoned with the word “Police” on it.

It isn’t clear from police bodycam video whether that contact was intentional, incidental or a result of jostling in the chaotic scene.

The complaint says she “slammed” her forearm into an agent then tried to restrain the agent by grabbing him.

The indictment says she placed her arms around the mayor to block his arrest and repeats the charges that she slammed her forearm into an agent and grabbed the agent.

New Jersey Reps. Bonnie Watson Coleman and Rob Menendez had joined McIver at the detention center that day. They and other Democrats have criticized the arrest and disputed the charges as well.

By law, members of Congress are authorized to go into federal immigration facilities as part of their oversight powers, even without notice. Congress passed a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.congress.gov/116/plaws/publ93/PLAW-116publ93.pdf">2019 appropriations bill</a>&nbsp;that spelled out the authority.

McIver, 38, first came to Congress in September in a special election after the death of Rep. Donald Payne Jr. left a vacancy in the 10th District.

She was then elected to a full term in November. A Newark native, she served as the president of the Newark City Council from 2022 to 2024 and worked in the city’s public schools before that.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1747704005330.png" alt="Rep. McIver in the red blazer as shown on police body camera video" />
                        <figcaption>Rep. McIver in the red blazer as shown on police body camera video</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — U.S. Rep. LaMonica McIver was indicted Tuesday on federal charges alleging she assaulted and interfered with immigration officers outside a New Jersey detention center while Newark’s mayor was being arrested after he tried to join a congressional oversight visit at the facility.</p><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">🚨WATCH: US Congresswoman, LaMonica McIver (wearing a red blazer), storms the gate of Delaney Hall Detention Center ASSAULTING an ICE agent. <a href="https://t.co/4Q1deds1tl">pic.twitter.com/4Q1deds1tl</a></p>&mdash; Homeland Security (@DHSgov) <a href="https://twitter.com/DHSgov/status/1921271072147546558?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 10, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><p>Acting U.S. Attorney for New Jersey Alina Habba announced the grand jury indictment in a post on X.</p><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Today a federal grand jury seated in Newark, New Jersey returned a three-count indictment charging U.S. Representative LaMonica McIver with forcibly impeding and interfering with federal law enforcement officers. This indictment has a maximum penalty of 8 years for Count One, an…</p>&mdash; US Attorney Habba (@USAttyHabba) <a href="https://twitter.com/USAttyHabba/status/1932572573713514913?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 10, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><p>“While people are free to express their views for or against particular policies, they must not do so in a manner that endangers law enforcement and the communities those officers serve,” Habba said.</p><p>In a statement, McIver said the charges amounted to the Trump administration trying to scare her.</p><p>“The facts of this case will prove I was simply doing my job and will expose these proceedings for what they are: a brazen attempt at political intimidation,” she said.</p><p>McIver, a Democrat, was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/new-jersey-mciver-habba-baraka-ice-facility-272c436f7c8eaf67552ce932750ff3e0">charged in a complaint</a>&nbsp;by Habba last month with two assault charges stemming from the May 9 visit to Newark’s Delaney Hall — a 1,000-bed, privately owned facility that Immigration and Customs Enforcement uses as a detention center.</p><p>The indictment includes three counts of assaulting, resisting, impeding and interfering with federal officials. Habba said two of the counts carry a maximum sentence of up to eight years in prison. A third has a maximum sentence of one year.</p><p>McIver's lawyer, former U.S. Attorney for New Jersey Paul Fishman, said in a statement that they would challenge the allegations “head-on” in court.</p><p>“The legal process will expose this prosecution for what it truly is -- political retaliation against a dedicated public servant who refuses to shy away from her oversight responsibilities,” Fishman said.</p><p>The indictment is the latest development in a legal-political drama that has seen President Donald Trump’s administration take Democratic officials from New Jersey’s largest city to court, tapping into the president’s immigration crackdown and Democrats’ efforts to respond. The prosecution of McIver is a rare federal criminal case against a sitting member of Congress for allegations other than fraud or corruption.</p><p>At the same visit that resulted in McIver’s charges, Newark Mayor Ras Baraka was arrested on a trespassing charge, which was later dropped.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/newark-mayor-ras-baraka-lawsuit-arrest-immigration-0d17f4adb136b9fefc02ea8b498124ed">Baraka is suing Habba</a>&nbsp;over what he said was a malicious prosecution.</p><p>A nearly two-minute clip released by the Homeland Security Department shows McIver on the facility side of a chain-link fence just before the arrest of the mayor on the street side of the fence, where other people had been protesting. She and uniformed officials go through the gate, and she joins others shouting that they should circle the mayor. The video shows McIver in a tightly packed group of people and officers. At one point, her left elbow and then her right elbow push into an officer wearing a dark face covering and an olive green uniform emblazoned with the word “Police” on it.</p><p>It isn’t clear from police bodycam video whether that contact was intentional, incidental or a result of jostling in the chaotic scene.</p><p>The complaint says she “slammed” her forearm into an agent then tried to restrain the agent by grabbing him.</p><p>The indictment says she placed her arms around the mayor to block his arrest and repeats the charges that she slammed her forearm into an agent and grabbed the agent.</p><p>New Jersey Reps. Bonnie Watson Coleman and Rob Menendez had joined McIver at the detention center that day. They and other Democrats have criticized the arrest and disputed the charges as well.</p><p>By law, members of Congress are authorized to go into federal immigration facilities as part of their oversight powers, even without notice. Congress passed a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.congress.gov/116/plaws/publ93/PLAW-116publ93.pdf">2019 appropriations bill</a>&nbsp;that spelled out the authority.</p><p>McIver, 38, first came to Congress in September in a special election after the death of Rep. Donald Payne Jr. left a vacancy in the 10th District.</p><p>She was then elected to a full term in November. A Newark native, she served as the president of the Newark City Council from 2022 to 2024 and worked in the city’s public schools before that.</p>

Congresswoman indicted on federal charges for skirmish at ICE center

BARTON COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating four suspects on multiple drug allegations in connection with two separate incidents.

Just after 4p.m. June 6, a deputy conducted a traffic stop in the 2900 block of 22nd Street in the City of Great Bend, according to Sheriff Brian Bellendir.

 Deputies became suspicious of contraband in the vehicle and a Barton County Sheriff’s K9 detected the presence of a controlled substance. Further investigation revealed suspected methamphetamine, suspected marijuana, suspected psilocybin mushrooms as well as drug paraphernalia. 

The driver and sole occupant of the vehicle, identified as Tracy Hilton of Hoisington, was arrested at the scene and transported to the Barton County Jail on requested charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana, possession of hallucinogenic drugs as well as possession of drug paraphernalia. She is being held in lieu of a $10,000 bond.

Just after 8:30p.m. June 7, deputies conducted a traffic stop in the 200 block of Walnut Street in Great Bend. Again, a Sheriff’s Office K9 was used for a free air sniff around the vehicle. The dog alerted to the presence of controlled substances. A search of the vehicle revealed the presence of methamphetamine. All three occupants were arrested at the scene and transported to Barton County jail.

Jonathan Hiner of Great Bend and Michelle Nelson also of Great Bend were arrested and transported to the Barton County jail on requested charges of possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia. Nelson acquired additional charges for attempting to introduce contraband into a correctional facility at the jail. Hiner is being held in lieu of a $10,000 bond and Nelson’s bond was set at $40,000.&nbsp;

The third suspect in the vehicle, identified as Heaven Wornkey of Great Bend, was arrested and transported to the Barton County jail on requested charges of possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Wornkey had an additional outstanding warrant from the City of Great Bend for contempt of court. She is being held in lieu of a $10,000 bond on the drug charges and a $552 bond for the contempt charges.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1749483535225.png" alt="Tracy Hilton photo Barton Co." />
                        <figcaption>Tracy Hilton photo Barton Co.</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>BARTON COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating four suspects on multiple drug allegations in connection with two separate incidents.</p><p>Just after 4p.m. June 6, a deputy conducted a traffic stop in the 2900 block of 22nd Street in the City of Great Bend, according to Sheriff Brian Bellendir.</p><p> Deputies became suspicious of contraband in the vehicle and a Barton County Sheriff’s K9 detected the presence of a controlled substance. Further investigation revealed suspected methamphetamine, suspected marijuana, suspected psilocybin mushrooms as well as drug paraphernalia. </p><p>The driver and sole occupant of the vehicle, identified as Tracy Hilton of Hoisington, was arrested at the scene and transported to the Barton County Jail on requested charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana, possession of hallucinogenic drugs as well as possession of drug paraphernalia. She is being held in lieu of a $10,000 bond.</p><p>Just after 8:30p.m. June 7, deputies conducted a traffic stop in the 200 block of Walnut Street in Great Bend. Again, a Sheriff’s Office K9 was used for a free air sniff around the vehicle. The dog alerted to the presence of controlled substances. A search of the vehicle revealed the presence of methamphetamine. All three occupants were arrested at the scene and transported to Barton County jail.</p><figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1749483498145.png" alt="Hiner -photo Barton Co." />
                        <figcaption>Hiner -photo Barton Co.</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>Jonathan Hiner of Great Bend and Michelle Nelson also of Great Bend were arrested and transported to the Barton County jail on requested charges of possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia. Nelson acquired additional charges for attempting to introduce contraband into a correctional facility at the jail. Hiner is being held in lieu of a $10,000 bond and Nelson’s bond was set at $40,000.&nbsp;</p><figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1749483454995.png" alt="Nelson-Barton Co." />
                        <figcaption>Nelson-Barton Co.</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>The third suspect in the vehicle, identified as Heaven Wornkey of Great Bend, was arrested and transported to the Barton County jail on requested charges of possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia.</p><figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1749483516537.png" alt="Wornkey" />
                        <figcaption>Wornkey</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>Wornkey had an additional outstanding warrant from the City of Great Bend for contempt of court. She is being held in lieu of a $10,000 bond on the drug charges and a $552 bond for the contempt charges.</p>

Kan. sheriff's K9 helps find meth, psilocybin mushrooms

<b>By&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/tim-carpenter/">TIM CARPENTER</a><br></b><a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/02/24/gov-laura-kelly-skeptical-kansas-houses-anti-tenure-legislation-will-reach-her-desk/"><i>Kansas Reflector</i></a>

TOPEKA — The vice chairman of the Kansas Board of Regents intends to resign from the state higher education board rather than complete the final two years of his second term.

Jon Rolph, president and CEO of a Wichita restaurant company, was appointed to the Board of Regents in 2019 by Gov. Laura Kelly. He is expected to depart by June 30. The governor would appoint a replacement, subject to confirmation by the Kansas Senate, to finish a term ending in June 2027.

The nine-person Board of Regents has jurisdiction over public universities, community colleges and technical colleges in Kansas.

“Jon is an enthusiastic supporter of higher education who has prioritized the needs of Kansans and our state during his time on the board,” said Carl Ice, chairman of the Board of Regents.

Ice said Rolph “helped our system implement and move forward many key strategic initiatives. He has been an outstanding colleague.”

In 2021, Rolph endorsed a board policy that made it easier for campus administrators of the six state universities to suspend, dismiss or terminate employees, including tenured faculty members, without formally declaring a financial emergency. The policy was implemented in 2022 by Emporia State University to justify dismissal of 30 faculty. It triggered a state and federal court battle that continued into 2025.

In 2023, Rolph revealed that he had surgery to remove a tumor in his abdomen and was undergoing treatment for cancer.

Rolph was serving as chairman of the Board of Regents when the board voted in 2024 to change its diversity and multiculturalism policy under pressure from members of the Kansas Legislature.

The revised policy declared state universities in Kansas couldn’t require faculty to pledge “allegiance to, support for or opposition to diversity, equity or inclusion” or DEI.

“This is, again, our good-faith effort in trying to listen to the Legislature,” Rolph said at the time.

Rolph’s company, Thrive Restaurant Group, operates or owns more than 170 restaurants. It is the second-largest Applebee’s franchisee with restaurants in 15 states. He was a student body president at Baylor University.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1749589406815.png" alt=" Jon Rolph, center, a Wichita member of the Kansas Board of Regents, plans to resign from the higher education panel with two years remaining on his second four-year term. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)" />
                        <figcaption> Jon Rolph, center, a Wichita member of the Kansas Board of Regents, plans to resign from the higher education panel with two years remaining on his second four-year term. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
                    </figure><p><b>By&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/tim-carpenter/">TIM CARPENTER</a><br></b><a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/02/24/gov-laura-kelly-skeptical-kansas-houses-anti-tenure-legislation-will-reach-her-desk/"><i>Kansas Reflector</i></a></p><p>TOPEKA — The vice chairman of the Kansas Board of Regents intends to resign from the state higher education board rather than complete the final two years of his second term.</p><p>Jon Rolph, president and CEO of a Wichita restaurant company, was appointed to the Board of Regents in 2019 by Gov. Laura Kelly. He is expected to depart by June 30. The governor would appoint a replacement, subject to confirmation by the Kansas Senate, to finish a term ending in June 2027.</p><p>The nine-person Board of Regents has jurisdiction over public universities, community colleges and technical colleges in Kansas.</p><p>“Jon is an enthusiastic supporter of higher education who has prioritized the needs of Kansans and our state during his time on the board,” said Carl Ice, chairman of the Board of Regents.</p><p>Ice said Rolph “helped our system implement and move forward many key strategic initiatives. He has been an outstanding colleague.”</p><p>In 2021, Rolph endorsed a board policy that made it easier for campus administrators of the six state universities to suspend, dismiss or terminate employees, including tenured faculty members, without formally declaring a financial emergency. The policy was implemented in 2022 by Emporia State University to justify dismissal of 30 faculty. It triggered a state and federal court battle that continued into 2025.</p><p>In 2023, Rolph revealed that he had surgery to remove a tumor in his abdomen and was undergoing treatment for cancer.</p><p>Rolph was serving as chairman of the Board of Regents when the board voted in 2024 to change its diversity and multiculturalism policy under pressure from members of the Kansas Legislature.</p><p>The revised policy declared state universities in Kansas couldn’t require faculty to pledge “allegiance to, support for or opposition to diversity, equity or inclusion” or DEI.</p><p>“This is, again, our good-faith effort in trying to listen to the Legislature,” Rolph said at the time.</p><p>Rolph’s company, Thrive Restaurant Group, operates or owns more than 170 restaurants. It is the second-largest Applebee’s franchisee with restaurants in 15 states. He was a student body president at Baylor University.</p>

Vice chair of Kansas Board of Regents to resign post with two years left on term

LOS ANGELES (AP) — California Gov.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/gavin-newsom">Gavin Newsom</a>&nbsp;asked a federal court Tuesday to block the Trump administration from using the National Guard and Marines to assist with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-california-immigration-customs-enforcement-newsom-0482a8935419d88986b890b18db5cc03">immigration raids in Los Angeles</a>, saying it would only heighten tensions.

Newsom filed the emergency request after President Donald Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/los-angeles-protests-national-guard-trump-14c9dda32663d7d2c45f2b1c5a1d219c">ordered the deployment</a>&nbsp;to LA of roughly 4,000 National Guard members and 700 Marines&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-protests-arrests-austin-aa726c826047f8d7eb4091acc8929b8e">following protests</a>&nbsp;of the president’s stepped-up enforcement of immigration laws. The demonstrations in the city of 4 million people have largely been centered in several blocks of downtown.

The federal government said Newsom was seeking an unprecedented and dangerous order that would interfere with its ability to carry out enforcement operations. A judge set a hearing for Thursday.

The governor's request said it was in response to a change in orders for the Guard members, who were originally deployed to protect federal buildings. The court documents said sending troops on immigration raids would only escalate tensions and promote civil unrest.

The Marines and another 2,000 National Guard troops&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/insurrection-act-trump-troops-newsom-military-national-guard-a842f79e1c0e244039be274a6f266a7a">were sent to LA</a>&nbsp;on Monday, adding to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-california-immigration-customs-enforcement-newsom-0482a8935419d88986b890b18db5cc03">a military presence that local officials</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/insurrection-act-trump-troops-newsom-military-national-guard-a842f79e1c0e244039be274a6f266a7a">Newsom do not want</a>&nbsp;and that the police chief says makes it harder to handle the protests safely.

Marine Corps&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/marine-commandant-smith-heart-attack-2d6040d39682f352deee58e4fff3c6ae">Gen. Eric Smith</a>&nbsp;said Tuesday that the Marines deployed to the area had not yet been called to respond to the protests and were there only to protect federal officials and property.

The Marines were trained for crowd control but have no arrest authority, Smith told a budget hearing on Capitol Hill.

Paul Eck, deputy general counsel in the California Military Department, said the agency was informed that the Pentagon plans to direct the California National Guard to start providing support for immigration operations. That support would include holding secure perimeters around areas where raids are taking place and securing streets for immigration agents, he said in the governor's emergency request.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1749586014589.png" alt="Photo Homeland Security" />
                        <figcaption>Photo Homeland Security</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>LOS ANGELES (AP) — California Gov.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/gavin-newsom">Gavin Newsom</a>&nbsp;asked a federal court Tuesday to block the Trump administration from using the National Guard and Marines to assist with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-california-immigration-customs-enforcement-newsom-0482a8935419d88986b890b18db5cc03">immigration raids in Los Angeles</a>, saying it would only heighten tensions.</p><figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1749585759720.png" alt="" />
                        <figcaption></figcaption>
                    </figure><p>Newsom filed the emergency request after President Donald Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/los-angeles-protests-national-guard-trump-14c9dda32663d7d2c45f2b1c5a1d219c">ordered the deployment</a>&nbsp;to LA of roughly 4,000 National Guard members and 700 Marines&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-protests-arrests-austin-aa726c826047f8d7eb4091acc8929b8e">following protests</a>&nbsp;of the president’s stepped-up enforcement of immigration laws. The demonstrations in the city of 4 million people have largely been centered in several blocks of downtown.</p><p>The federal government said Newsom was seeking an unprecedented and dangerous order that would interfere with its ability to carry out enforcement operations. A judge set a hearing for Thursday.</p><p>The governor's request said it was in response to a change in orders for the Guard members, who were originally deployed to protect federal buildings. The court documents said sending troops on immigration raids would only escalate tensions and promote civil unrest.</p><p>The Marines and another 2,000 National Guard troops&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/insurrection-act-trump-troops-newsom-military-national-guard-a842f79e1c0e244039be274a6f266a7a">were sent to LA</a>&nbsp;on Monday, adding to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-california-immigration-customs-enforcement-newsom-0482a8935419d88986b890b18db5cc03">a military presence that local officials</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/insurrection-act-trump-troops-newsom-military-national-guard-a842f79e1c0e244039be274a6f266a7a">Newsom do not want</a>&nbsp;and that the police chief says makes it harder to handle the protests safely.</p><p>Marine Corps&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/marine-commandant-smith-heart-attack-2d6040d39682f352deee58e4fff3c6ae">Gen. Eric Smith</a>&nbsp;said Tuesday that the Marines deployed to the area had not yet been called to respond to the protests and were there only to protect federal officials and property.</p><p>The Marines were trained for crowd control but have no arrest authority, Smith told a budget hearing on Capitol Hill.</p><p>Paul Eck, deputy general counsel in the California Military Department, said the agency was informed that the Pentagon plans to direct the California National Guard to start providing support for immigration operations. That support would include holding secure perimeters around areas where raids are taking place and securing streets for immigration agents, he said in the governor's emergency request.</p><p>According to U.S. officials, the Guard members who were deployed were authorized to provide protection and secure streets and perimeters around areas where enforcement actions are taking place. The officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss military operations, said the Guard members are not participating in any of the enforcement actions, but are providing security and have already been doing some of those missions in the Los Angeles area.</p><p>The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency posted photos on the social platform X that appeared to show troops standing alongside while officials detained two men during an operation in Los Angeles.</p><h2>Marines have not responded to protests yet</h2><p>In other developments Tuesday, the Marine Corps commandant said the Marines that deployed to the Los Angeles area on Trump's orders have not yet been called to respond to the protests and are there only to protect federal officials and property,</p><p>The 700 Marines and another 2,000 National Guard troops were ordered to LA on Monday,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-california-immigration-customs-enforcement-newsom-0482a8935419d88986b890b18db5cc03">escalating a military presence that local officials</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/insurrection-act-trump-troops-newsom-military-national-guard-a842f79e1c0e244039be274a6f266a7a">Gov. Gavin Newsom do not want</a>&nbsp;and that the police chief says makes it harder to handle the protests safely.</p><p>Marine Corps Gen. Eric Smith told a budget hearing on Capitol Hill that the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-raids-los-angeles-2d1d5e2f638da600c4b34fe8bf8cf3aa">battalion</a>&nbsp;has not yet been sent to any protests. The Marines were trained for crowd control but have no arrest authority and are there to protect government property and personnel, he said.</p><p>Trump left open the possibility of invoking the Insurrection Act, which authorizes the president to deploy military forces inside the U.S. to suppress rebellion or domestic violence or to enforce the law in certain situations. It's one of the most extreme emergency powers available to a U.S. president.</p><p>“If there’s an insurrection, I would certainly invoke it. We’ll see,” he said Tuesday from the Oval Office. “But I can tell you last night was terrible, and the night before that was terrible.”</p><p><a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-los-angeles-immigration-raids-police-f7f62335459f43ff8b208e5957f57276">Trump</a>&nbsp;has described Los Angeles in dire terms that Mayor Karen Bass and Newsom say are&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/los-angeles-trump-immigration-ice-raids-protests-6823da82d8d25e12d392088c7cde40c5">nowhere close to the truth</a>.</p><p>While protesters blocked a major freeway and set cars on fire over the weekend, the demonstrations in the city of 4 million people have largely been centered in several blocks of downtown. On Monday, they were far less raucous, with thousands of people peacefully attending a rally at City Hall and hundreds more protesting outside a federal complex that includes a detention center where some immigrants are being held following workplace raids across the city.</p><p>At daybreak Tuesday, guard troops were stationed outside the detention center, but there was no sign of the Marines.</p><p>Obscene slogans directed at Trump and federal law enforcement remained scrawled across several buildings. At the Walt Disney Concert Hall, workers were busy washing away graffiti Tuesday morning.</p><p>In nearby Santa Ana, armored guard vehicles blocked a road leading to federal immigration and government offices. Workers swept up plastic bottles and broken glass near buildings sprayed with graffiti.</p><p>Sending in the military is the latest step in the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-california-ice-arrests-eae3354dec46c19310c5c622c29c3e65">administration’s immigration crackdown</a>&nbsp;as Trump pursues the mass deportations he promised last year during the presidential campaign. The protests have been driven by anger over the stepped-up enforcement that critics say is breaking apart migrant families.</p><p><a href="https://apnews.com/hub/pete-hegseth">Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth</a>&nbsp;suggested Tuesday that the use of troops inside the U.S. will&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pentagon-congress-hegseth-signal-hearings-c53cd37c2eae4327dd74e4c717057469">continue to expand</a>.</p><p>“I think we’re entering another phase, especially under President Trump with his focus on the homeland, where the National Guard and Reserves become a critical component of how we secure that homeland,” he said on Capitol Hill.</p><h2>Los Angeles officials say police don't need help</h2><p>The mayor and the governor say Trump is putting public safety at risk by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/los-angeles-national-guard-protests-watts-riots-ce79302269291672444e34ab8ab4563a">adding military personnel</a>&nbsp;even though police say they don’t need the help.</p><p>Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell said he was confident in the police department’s ability to handle large-scale demonstrations and that the Marines’ arrival without coordinating with the police department would present a “significant logistical and operational challenge.”</p><p>Newsom called the deployments reckless on the social platform X. “This isn’t about public safety,” the governor said. “It’s about stroking a dangerous President’s ego.”</p><h2>Protests spread across the U.S.</h2><p>The protests began Friday after federal immigration authorities arrested more than 40 people across Los Angeles and continued over the weekend as crowds blocked a major freeway and set self-driving cars on fire.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/video/australian-reporter-hit-by-nonlethal-round-while-covering-intensifying-protests-in-los-angeles-9695217ad2fa48c9a1adc4fbb0091c59">Police responded</a>&nbsp;with tear gas, rubber bullets and flash-bang grenades.</p><p>Demonstrations spread Monday to other cities nationwide, including San Francisco and Santa Ana, California, as well as Dallas and Austin, Texas. Authorities in Austin said police used pepper spray balls and tear gas to disperse a crowd that threw rocks and bottles at officers, injuring four.</p><h2>Los Angeles response takes stage on Capitol Hill</h2><p>The Pentagon said deploying the National Guard and Marines&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pentagon-congress-hegseth-signal-hearings-c53cd37c2eae4327dd74e4c717057469">costs $134 million.</a>&nbsp;That figure came out Tuesday just after Hegseth engaged in a testy back-and-forth about the costs during a congressional hearing.</p><p>The defense secretary said the department has a budget increase and the money to cover the costs, and he defended Trump’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/marines-protests-california-deployed-trump-503e1de25b45c760218d8ae879c8d2d3">decision to send the troops</a>, saying they are needed to protect federal agents doing their jobs.</p><p>Meanwhile, Democratic members of California’s congressional delegation on Tuesday accused the president of creating a “manufactured crisis” with his orders to send in troops.</p><p>Rep. Nancy Pelosi contrasted Trump’s actions with his handling of the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the U.S. Capitol when law enforcement officers were beaten. “We begged the president of the United States to send in the National Guard. He would not do it,” Pelosi said.</p><h2>California pushes back against sending troops</h2><p>California Attorney General Rob Bonta filed a lawsuit over the use of National Guard troops following the first deployment, telling reporters that Trump had “trampled” the state’s sovereignty. He sought an order declaring Trump’s use of the Guard unlawful and asking for a restraining order to halt the deployment.</p><p>Trump said the city would have been “completely obliterated” if he had not deployed the Guard.</p><p><a href="https://apnews.com/article/marines-protests-california-deployed-trump-503e1de25b45c760218d8ae879c8d2d3">U.S. officials said the Marines</a>&nbsp;were needed to protect federal buildings and personnel, including immigration agents. A convoy of buses with blacked-out windows and escorted by sheriff’s vehicles arrived overnight at a Navy facility just south of LA.</p><p>Despite their presence, there has been limited engagement so far between the Guard and protesters while local law enforcement implements crowd control.</p>