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President Donald Trump told an enthusiastic group of supporters that he would declare another U.S. territory in the Middle East after the military operation in Iran is completed. The fate of the Strait of Hormuz is still in limbo, 167 days after the U.S. and Israel began a joint military operation to strike at Iran's nuclear capabilities and leadership.'We have the blockade. No ships get through unless we want them to ...'Trump appeared confident at a rally as he touted the many victories of his administration before making the astonishing promise to seize control of the Strait of Hormuz."We're bringing the prices way down; look at what's happening! Coming way down," said the president. "And after we finish defeating Iran, which is being very badly defeated, pretty soon I'll be declaring the Hormuz Strait a territory of the United States."The president laughed and got thunderous applause from those in attendance at the Nassau County Police Academy Center for Training and Intelligence in Garden City."Essentially that's what — we have the blockade. No ships get through unless we want them to," he added. "And how about Venezuela? Venezuela was a one-day war, and now we work great with them."Video of the president's comments was posted to social media.CBS News notes that the strait is traditionally treated as a open waterway despite it being split between Iran and Oman at its narrowest point.RELATED: That time Marco Rubio warned the Iranian regime against 'suicidal' closing of the Strait of Hormuz Control of the strait has become a contentious issue between Iran and the president, as they both seek a peace deal to end the military operation.The president has insisted that any nuclear capabilities be ruled out for Iran, while the Islamic regime has demanded that the country be allowed to charge a toll on the many tankers and other ships that cross through the key trade route.If the Trump administration agrees to such a toll, it could mean tens or hundreds of billions of dollars going to the Iranian regime.Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

The mayor of a Massachusetts city was arrested on Friday morning after prosecutors say he illegally funneled federal money into his political campaign as well as toward his personal tax debt.Lawrence Mayor Brian DePeña, a 61-year-old Democrat, allegedly received more than $1 million worth of pandemic relief cash under the assumption that it would be used to prop up his small business.'I know I'm bothering you a lot, but I have no other option. Only you can give me what I need,' he allegedly texted.Instead, DePeña allegedly used that cash to pay off his IRS and campaign debts and to make high-interest payments on other properties he owned, according to a press release from the U.S. Attorney's Office in Massachusetts. "This was emergency financial assistance meant to be a safety net for struggling businesses, not Mr. Depena’s [sic] own personal ATM," said FBI Special Agent Ted Docks.The mayor applied for the low-interest loans for a car and tire shop he owned named Tenares Tire Services Inc. After receiving more than $1.5 million, he allegedly misused $883,000 of it to pay off high-interest loans related to properties separate from the tire shop.The press release included several text messages allegedly made by the mayor seeking help from his accountant and financial adviser to obtain the loans."Brother, call me, I'm in trouble. I don't want to pressure you, but I don't have time to wait for this loan. I'm in your hands," DePeña allegedly wrote, translated from Spanish."I know I'm bothering you a lot, but I have no other option. Only you can give me what I need," he allegedly wrote in another text.The mayor was arrested on charges of wire fraud and money laundering, the press release said."Mayor DePeña was elected to be a leader for the City of Lawrence. He was looked up to and trusted by his constituents, but he betrayed that trust through his alleged corruption and lies," read a statement from United States Attorney Leah Foley. “Today’s arrest is just another example of our determination to root out fraud by anyone, even public officials and holding elected officials accountable.”RELATED: Pro-reparations Illinois Democrat indicted in FRAUD SCAM along with her daughter and husband DePeña did not respond to a request for comment from Blaze News.DePeña was first elected as mayor in 2021 and was re-elected to a second term in 2025. Prior to that he had been a member of the Lawrence City Council from 2016 until 2021.The Benefit and Voter Fraud Team was established in Massachusetts as part of the efforts to support "the administration’s war on fraud and ... the work of the vice president’s Anti-Fraud Task Force and the Department of Justice’s National Fraud Enforcement Division," according to an announcement from Foley's office in March.Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro has announced criminal charges against a woman who allegedly vandalized the World War II monument in D.C. and posted video of herself apparently in the act.Pirro noted her personal interest in the charges against Melissa Farris in a statement released Friday about the vandalism.'Our beautiful World War II Memorial was just hit. ... Where do these animals come from???'"Vandalizing our World War II Memorial is a despicable attack on a sacred monument honoring the Americans who fought and died for our freedom. Those Americans include my father and grandfather," said Pirro in a post on social media.Farris allegedly spray-painted messages on the memorial in pink paint and also allegedly put a sudsing agent into the waters of the fountains. "I'm here. I done did it," she appears to brag on video."Clean hands Dirty $" was the message scrawled in spray-paint, WJLA reported.Pirro went on to say that Farris was charged in a federal district court with depredation against the property of the United States as well as destruction of veterans' memorials.President Donald Trump noted the vandalism in a post on Truth Social."Our beautiful World War II Memorial was just hit by Spray Painting Vandals," he wrote Friday morning. "THERE CAN BE NO GREATER INSULT TO THOSE AMERICAN HEROES WHO DIED IN WORLD WAR II. First the Reflecting Pool, now this. We are on their trail! Where do these animals come from???"The president linked the war memorial vandalism to the damage allegedly done to the new lining that was sprayed into the reflecting pool at the Lincoln Memorial. Pirro dropped charges against a man accused of damaging the lining, claiming that contractor errors were to blame for the damage.RELATED: Swastika and racial slur found on fence at elementary school in SoCal town Trump was reportedly furious at Pirro, who blamed the debacle on Interior Sec. Doug Burgum.Farris could face up to 10 years in prison if convicted, according to Pirro.Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

After the birth of her second child, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt has made the decision to leave the White House — however she will remain one of his top outside advisers.“It’s not that surprising when she just had another baby,” BlazeTV host Pat Gray says on “Pat Gray Unleashed.”“All of those mothering instincts start kicking in and then they’re not doing their job all of a sudden. And that’s exactly what happened,” he adds.And she will be missed, particularly by President Trump.In a post on Truth Social, he wrote: “Our wonderful White House Press Secretary, and one of my most trusted aides, Karoline Leavitt, will be departing her role at the end of the month so she can spend more time with her beautiful young children and family, a decision I totally understand and respect!”“Karoline will now be one of my top outside advisors, and an influential voice within the Republican Party, as we work to defy History, and conclusively win the Midterm Elections. Karoline has been a real leader in the White House, and has done a phenomenal job fighting for Justice, Liberty, and Freedom, since 2018, including our Historic Re-Election Campaign of 2024. Karoline has been one of the best White House Press Secretaries in the History of the Office,” he added.“Not that many people can stand up to the press like Karoline Leavitt. So good at it. Really good. Young, smart, looked good in her position. And now she’s gone,” Gray says.However, Kris Cruz points out that the truth might be a little messier.“The word on the street is there was an argument on Marine One a couple nights ago where her and Trump got in a heated argument,” Cruz explains.“In a leaked video from last night, she looks visibility isolated during a tense Marine One exchange with Trump and another woman. Hours later, she’s out,” Cruz reads from a post on X, which shows the video.“She does not look happy,” executive producer Keith Malinak comments.“Well, she’s missing her babies,” Jeff Fisher adds.Want more from Pat Gray?To enjoy more of Pat's biting analysis and signature wit as he restores common sense to a senseless world, subscribe to BlazeTV — the largest multi-platform network of voices who love America, defend the Constitution, and live the American dream.