Tricia McLaughlin, an unflappable 31-year-old defender of the Trump administration's crackdown on illegal immigration, announced on Tuesday that she is stepping down as Department of Homeland Security assistant secretary.
One DHS official told the New York Times that McLaughlin — a former top communications aide to Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine (R) and ABC News contributor — had made plans to leave the agency in December but, feeling duty-bound, stuck it out for several more months to lend her support amid backlash over the fatal shootings of anti-U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement radicals Alex Pretti and Renee Good.
'Your boos mean nothing.'
McLaughlin told the Cincinnati Enquirer last month that she wanted to return to Cincinnati with her husband, Republican political strategist Benjamin Yoho, to start their family. Yoho and McLaughlin tied the knot in August.
She noted further that with regard to running for office or getting involved in local politics, she "wouldn't rule anything out."
In a statement on Tuesday, McLaughlin expressed gratitude to President Donald Trump, DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, and the American people, claiming that it has been an "honor and privilege to serve this great nation."
Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call Inc. via Getty Image
"I am immensely proud of the team we built and the historic accomplishments achieved by this Administration and the Department of Homeland Security," added McLaughlin.
McLaughlin noted further that Lauren Bis, who has been working as deputy assistant secretary for media relations, will take over as assistant secretary for public affairs and that Katie Zacharia — a commentator on Fox News and Newsmax — will step into the role of both DHS spokeswoman and deputy assistant secretary.
Noem said that McLaughlin "has served with exceptional dedication, tenacity, and professionalism" and "played an instrumental role in advancing our mission to secure the homeland and keep Americans safe." Noem added that she was "sad to see her leave."
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt similarly expressed sorrow to see McLaughlin leave and lauded the young woman for being "a strong and fearless voice on behalf of President Trump and the brave men and women of federal law enforcement."
Republicans and others happy with the work the DHS has done in making good on Trump's promises to the American people thanked McLaughlin for her service. Democrats, however, attacked her.
New Jersey Rep. Rob Menendez (D), for instance, wrote, "Hope you have time to reflect on all the harm & damage you caused, all the bs [sic] spin that came directly from you, & all the reputations you tarnished including the memories of dead Americans."
Menendez — the son of disgraced former Democrat Sen. Bob Menendez (N.J.) and a champion of illegal aliens who has supported legislation that would repeal the Alien Enemies Act, limit immigration enforcement actions, and defund U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement — noted further that he hopes McLaughlin's work for the DHS "haunts" her for the remainder of her career.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries branded McLaughlin "another MAGA extremist" and suggested she had been "forced out of DHS."
McLaughlin didn't let such remarks get to her in the past.
On Jan. 1, McLaughlin shared a "Rick and Morty" meme captioned, "Your boos mean nothing[.] I've seen what makes you cheer."
A DHS official told the Times that the young woman demonized by Democrats — including Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Rep. Dan Goldman (N.Y.) — has, along with her family, been deluged with threats.
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Crikey, that was awkward. A trainwreck live segment from the Winter Olympics to an Australian television network sparked equal measures of confusion and concern for the reporter involved Wednesday after it went to air.
The post Video: Slurring Aussie TV Journo in Trainwreck Live Report from Winter Olympics appeared first on Breitbart.
The world's richest man shared a candid moment in his religious journey this week on social media, much to the surprise and excitement of many Christian commentators.
On Tuesday afternoon, Elon Musk made a surprise admission under a post about "evangelizing" the multibillionaire.
'I agree with the teachings of Jesus.'
"Someone needs to evangelize Elon Musk," the original post said. "Who will lead him to Christ?"
Musk's reply generated more than twice the engagement as the first post, climbing close to four million views by Wednesday morning.
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Photographer: Krisztian Bocsi/Bloomberg via Getty Images
"I agree with the teachings of Jesus," Musk commented.
This prompted responses from many Christian politicians and political commentators, many of whom encouraged him to take the next step in his journey.
BlazeTV's "Fearless" host, Jason Whitlock, wrote: "Thanks for saying this. It's a start."
Michael Knowles of the Daily Wire wrote, "Always a good thing to do! But if one of Jesus' teachings — and a teaching he repeats — is that he is God, what does that imply for our own lives and actions?"
One prominent account backed up Knowles' point, adding, "This is the leap of faith that most people agreeing with Jesus's teaching won't take. It's a metaphysical commitment."
Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) offered his encouragement to Musk: "He lives. He loves. He redeems."
"We are all sons and daughters of the King," Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) added.
"Agreement is a short step away from belief, and then faith will follow," Frontier magazine contributor and poet Joseph Massey said.
The original poster, the Art of Purpose, left a comment under Musk's reply that summed up many of the responses well: "Brother you are so close. I'm rooting for you."
While Musk's most recent comment made waves on social media, this is not the first time Musk has suggested that he at least accepts the teachings of Christ.
Musk told Jordan Peterson in a July 2024 interview that he was a "cultural Christian" and that "the teachings of Jesus are good and wise," according to UnHerd.
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What outgoing Late Show host Stephen Colbert said about CBS on Tuesday contradicts what he said on Monday.
The post Nolte: Stephen Colbert Changes Story, Backs Off Claim CBS Killed James Talarico Interview appeared first on Breitbart.
Feb. 18 (UPI) — Former Disney Channel star Shia LaBeouf is out of jail following a Mardi Gras brawl in New Orleans.
The post Shia LaBeouf Out of Jail Following Mardi Gras Brawl appeared first on Breitbart.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani (D) is laying out two stark options to close the city’s fiscal year 2027 budget gap: raise taxes on high earners and corporations or increase property taxes.
During his preliminary budget presentation, Mamdani framed the first option as “the most sustainable and the fairest path,” calling for “ending the drain on our city and raising taxes on the richest New Yorkers and the most profitable corporations.”
'There is no third option of failing to balance the budget'
But he warned that this path depends on cooperation from Albany and Democrat Gov. Kathy Hochul.
“If we do not go down the first path,” Mamdani said, “the city will be forced down a second, more harmful path. … We would have to raise property taxes.”
The mayor acknowledged that New York City’s property tax system is “broken,” but emphasized that it is currently the only tax that the city has the authority to raise on its own.
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Photo by Stephani Spindel/VIEWpress via Getty Images
“What I am showcasing to New Yorkers is that there is one tax the city can raise,” he said. “It is a broken property tax system. We do not want to do so. … We want to work with Albany to ensure that we resolve this fiscal crisis by addressing the structural roots of it.”
Mamdani described a property tax increase as a “last resort,” stressing that the city is legally required to balance its budget — a mandate that dates back to the fiscal crisis of the 1970s, when New York City was pushed to the brink of bankruptcy.
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Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images
“There is no third option of failing to balance the budget,” he said.
“This is something that we do not want to do,” Mamdani said, “and this is something that we are going to utilize every single option to ensure does not come to pass.”
If Albany does not approve higher taxes on wealthy residents and corporations, Mamdani said the city could be forced to raise property taxes by a staggering 9.5%.
Hochul is opposed to raising property taxes.
"I'm not supportive of a property tax increase," she said at a press conference in Manhattan this week. "I don't know that that's necessary, but let's find out what is really necessary to close that gap."
The message is clear: If the state doesn’t act, homeowners and commercial property owners could pay the price.
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Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos claimed that Paramount Skydance has been "flooding the zone with misinformation" to derail the WB takeover.
The post Netflix Co-CEO Ted Sarandos: Paramount ‘Flooding the Zone with Misinformation’ to Derail Warner Bros. Takeover appeared first on Breitbart.
Every year, cars become smarter, more connected, and more convenient. But that convenience comes with a hidden cost. Hackers are no longer focused only on computers and smartphones. Modern vehicles are rolling networks — gateways to your personal data, your finances, and in some cases, even physical control of the car itself. This threat is real, and most drivers are only beginning to understand how exposed they’ve become.
Today’s vehicles rely on complex software and constant connectivity. Features like remote start, navigation, hands-free driving, and vehicle tracking make life easier, but they also create new attack surfaces. A single weak link — a compromised app, outdated software, or a hacked key fob — can give criminals access to sensitive information, or worse.
The vehicle is tricked into believing a valid key fob is present, disabling the immobilizer and unlocking the doors in minutes.
This isn’t science fiction. In 2015, cybersecurity researchers demonstrated that hackers could remotely disable a Jeep while it was being driven on a highway. That incident triggered a nationwide recall and forced automakers to take vehicle cybersecurity seriously. Since then, attacks have grown more sophisticated, targeting not just vehicle controls but personal data, financial information, and location tracking.
Remote riskAt the center of every modern vehicle is the electronic control unit. Most cars contain multiple ECUs, controlling everything from braking and steering to door locks and infotainment systems. If a hacker gains access, the consequences can range from stolen data to direct manipulation of vehicle functions. While dramatic remote-control scenarios grab headlines, the most common real-world threats involve identity theft, financial fraud, and unauthorized tracking of a driver’s movements.
Hackers can gain access in several ways. Physical access is one method — such as plugging an infected USB device into a vehicle’s data port. Key fobs, especially older designs, can be cloned or exploited using devices that capture and replay their signals, allowing thieves to unlock and start a car without the original key.
Phoning it inSmartphone apps introduce another layer of risk. A compromised phone can become a bridge into the vehicle and everything stored on the device. Telematics systems, which collect and transmit data about vehicle location and usage, can also be targeted by cybercriminals.
Law enforcement is seeing a rise in thefts using CAN bus injection attacks, particularly involving Toyota SUVs like the Land Cruiser and 4Runner. In these cases, criminals access wiring through headlights or taillights and connect a disguised electronic device. The vehicle is tricked into believing a valid key fob is present, disabling the immobilizer and unlocking the doors in minutes. These attacks bypass traditional security measures and show how vulnerable even modern “smart” key systems can be.
Automakers are responding with stronger cybersecurity tools, including encrypted communications, intrusion detection systems, and software updates. But drivers still play a critical role. Use only manufacturer-approved apps, keep your vehicle’s software up to date, and regularly review which devices and accounts have access to your car. Remove old devices and unnecessary permissions as soon as possible.
RELATED: How automakers are quietly locking you out of your own car
NurPhoto | Getty Images
Physical deterrentsThere are also practical steps drivers can take to reduce risk. Using a virtual private network on devices that connect to your vehicle can help mask data traffic and limit exposure if a device is compromised. Physical deterrents still matter as well. Police often recommend visible tools like steering wheel locks, which can prevent theft even when electronic security is bypassed. Toyota, for example, offers a bright red steering wheel lock with four-point steel contact — an unmistakable signal that a vehicle isn’t an easy target.
Criminals increasingly use signal relay devices to capture and extend a key fob’s signal, tricking a car into thinking the key is nearby. Blocking that signal can stop the attack. Drivers can protect themselves by:
The era of connected cars offers real convenience, but it also demands greater awareness. A hacked vehicle isn’t just a transportation problem — it’s a digital, financial, and safety issue. Staying informed, practicing basic cybersecurity habits, and taking simple protective steps can dramatically reduce risk. Cars may be smarter than ever, but keeping them secure still depends on the driver.
Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez met with his Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov, on Wednesday.
The post Cuba Sends Top Diplomat to Russia, Seeking Support in Face of Trump-Led Oil Crackdown appeared first on Breitbart.
Michael Black told his wife to run then lunged for the transgender shooter's gun at Dennis M. Lynch arena in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, Monday afternoon.
The post Hero Who Grabbed Trans Shooter’s Gun at Hockey Rink Recounts Deadly Last Moments appeared first on Breitbart.