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Russia kills 12 Ukrainian miners in deadly bus attack hours after peace talks postponed
A Russian drone strike hit a bus carrying miners in Ukraine’s Dnipropetrovsk region on Sunday, killing at least 12 people.
Ukrainian emergency services later reported the death toll had risen to 15 in one of the deadliest single attacks on energy workers since the start of the war.
The attack Sunday came a few hours after President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced a new round of peace talks between Ukraine and Russia had been postponed.
A spokesperson for DTEK, Ukraine’s largest private energy firm, which employed the workers, told Fox News Digital that drones had targeted the bus as it traveled "roughly 40 miles from the front line in central and eastern Ukraine."
The DTEK spokesperson also described the incident as a "terrorist attack on civilian infrastructure."
"This strike was a targeted terrorist attack against civilians and another crime by Russia against critical infrastructure," the spokesperson added.
RUSSIA UNLEASHES MAJOR DRONE, MISSILE ATTACK ON UKRAINE AS US DIPLOMATIC TALKS CONTINUE
The bus was transporting miners after the end of their shift when it was hit by a Russian drone, the State Emergency Service of Ukraine also confirmed.
At least seven workers were injured, and a fire sparked by the impact was later extinguished by emergency crews.
"The epicenter of one of the attacks was a company bus transporting miners from the enterprise after a shift in the Dnipropetrovsk region," the company also said in a statement.
Zelenskyy condemned the strike late Sunday, calling it another deliberate attack on civilians.
Earlier in the day, he announced that the next round of trilateral talks involving Ukraine, Russia and the U.S. would now take place Feb. 4-5 in Abu Dhabi, after originally being expected for Sunday.
"Ukraine is ready for a substantive discussion, and we are interested in ensuring that the outcome brings us closer to a real and dignified end to the war," Zelenskyy said on X, adding that the delay had been agreed to by all sides.
The delay followed a surprise meeting Saturday in Florida between Steve Witkoff, President Donald Trump’s special envoy, and Kirill Dmitriev, the Kremlin’s special envoy and head of Russia’s sovereign wealth fund.
The talks in Abu Dhabi are now expected to include representatives from Ukraine, Russia and the U.S., according to the Associated Press.
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Meanwhile, Zelenskyy warned Russia is stepping up its aerial campaign against civilian and logistical targets.
"Over the past week, Russia has used more than 980 attack drones, nearly 1,100 guided aerial bombs, and two missiles against Ukraine," he wrote on X on Sunday. "We are recording Russian attempts to destroy logistics and connectivity between cities and communities."
In a statement, DTEK CEO Maxim Timchenko also explained the bus attack marked the company’s "single largest loss [of] life of DTEK employees since Russia's full-scale invasion."
"We can already say with certainty that this was an unprovoked terrorist attack on a purely civilian target, for which there can be no justification," Timchenko said.
The attack marked "one of the darkest days in our history," he added. "DTEK teams are working with emergency services on the ground in Dnipropetrovsk region to ensure the injured, and families who have lost loved ones, get all the care and support they need. Their sacrifice will never be forgotten," he added.
ICE halts ‘all movement’ due to measles at Texas detention center that held 5-year-old, dad
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has halted "all movement" within the Dilley Immigration Processing Center in Texas due to a measles outbreak, officials announced Sunday.
The Department of Homeland Security said two detainees were diagnosed with the disease on Saturday, the same day a 5-year-old boy and his father — whose detention sparked widespread alarm last month — were released from the facility.
"On January 31, 2026, the Texas Department of State Health Services confirmed active measles infections of two detainees at the Dilley Immigration Processing Center in Texas," Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said in a statement.
She added that ICE health officials are taking measures to quarantine the individuals involved until the situation is fully under control.
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"ICE Health Services Corps immediately took steps to quarantine and control further spread and infection, ceasing all movement within the facility and quarantining all individuals suspected of making contact with the infected," McLaughlin said.
"Medical staff is continuing to monitor the detainees’ conditions and will take appropriate and active steps to prevent further infection. All detainees are being provided with proper medical care."
Despite the reported cases, officials emphasized that the facility provides comprehensive health care, surpassing what many immigrants had previously received.
"It is a longstanding practice to provide comprehensive medical care from the moment an alien enters ICE custody," McLaughlin said. "This includes medical, dental, and mental health services as available, and access to medical appointments and 24-hour emergency care. This is the best healthcare than many aliens have received in their entire lives."
Last year, the U.S. recorded the highest number of measles cases in decades, with 2,267 cases nationwide, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The Texas Department of State Health Services noted that at least 762 cases occurred in West Texas, resulting in at least two deaths and 99 hospitalizations, according to state data last updated in August.
The Dilley facility recently faced heightened scrutiny after detaining 5‑year‑old Liam Conejo Ramos and his father, Adrian Alexander Conejo Arias, prompting Texas Rep. Joaquin Castro to vow inspections of the facility later this week, according to San Antonio Express-News.
Castro’s office said the notification of the two reported cases came shortly after the congressman’s pledge, the outlet reported, citing spokesperson Katherin Schneider.
His office added that Castro and his staff members who visited the facility are reportedly vaccinated against measles, and that the father and son received a full medical exam before their release and would not have been allowed to leave had there been any risk.
California AG sues hospital that ended gender transition treatment for minors to comply with Trump policies
California Attorney General Rob Bonta filed a lawsuit against a San Diego hospital over its move to end gender transition treatment for minors to comply with the Trump administration's demands.
Bonta is arguing that Rady Children's Hospital violated the terms of its merger agreement with Children's Hospital of Orange County by halting transgender-related treatment for people under 18-years-old, according to KCRA3.
Rady said the issue began when the federal government threatened to strip funding and shut down the hospital for offering gender transition treatment to children, the outlet reported.
MAJOR CALIFORNIA HEALTH SYSTEM ENDING TRANSGENDER PROCEDURES FOR MINORS ACROSS ITS NETWORK
The hospital agreed to the Trump administration's demands and announced the closure of its gender transition care center, prompting California's legal challenge, according to the report.
Bonta's lawsuit alleges that the hospital violated the terms of its merger agreement, which included a commitment to continue making gender transition care available to minors.
"The recent changes to our gender-affirming care services reflect a very difficult decision," the hospital said in a statement to KCRA3.
"That decision was guided by our responsibilities as a nonprofit pediatric healthcare system to continue serving all children and families," the statement continued.
This comes as the Trump administration continues to target facilities that offer transgender-related treatment to people under 18 after President Donald Trump's executive order a year ago calling on the Department of Health and Human Services to protect children from "chemical and surgical mutilation."
Last year, California was part of a group of 19 Democrat-led states and Washington, D.C., that filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration over a declaration that seeks to restrict gender transition treatment for minors.
NEARLY 20 STATES SUE HHS OVER DECLARATION TO RESTRICT GENDER TRANSITION TREATMENT FOR MINORS
That declaration from HHS described treatments such as puberty blockers, hormone therapy and gender transition surgeries as unsafe and ineffective for children experiencing gender dysphoria.
It also warned doctors they could be excluded from federal health programs, including Medicare and Medicaid, if they provide these treatments to minors.
Actor John Lithgow defends joining 'Harry Potter' series despite JK Rowling's trans backlash
Actor John Lithgow defended his role in the upcoming HBO series based on J.K. Rowling’s "Harry Potter" books despite backlash over the author’s views on transgender issues.
The 80-year-old actor was asked about the controversy surrounding his decision to play the character Albus Dumbledore amid criticism of Rowling's outspoken opposition to transgender ideology and her defense of women-only spaces.
Lithgow insisted that he took the criticism "extremely seriously" and described Rowling's views as "ironic" given the themes of her fantasy series.
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"Young and old people love 'Harry Potter' and the 'Harry Potter' stories," Lithgow said, according to The Hollywood Reporter. "It’s so much about acceptance. It’s about good versus evil. It’s about kindness versus cruelty. It’s deeply felt."
He continued, "I find it ironic and somewhat inexplicable that Rowling has expressed such views. I’ve read about them, and I’ve never met her. She’s not really involved in this production at all. The people who are re-adapting 'Harry Potter' and turning it into an eight-year-long TV series are remarkable…These are people I really want to work with."
Lithgow added that there was "no trace of transphobic sensitivity" in the story and said that he was upset to learn that some critics opposed his involvement in the project.
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"So it was a hard decision on the basis of that [controversy], and it made me very uncomfortable and unhappy that people were actively insisting that I walk away from this job. But I chose not to do that," Lithgow said.
Lithgow previously said in an interview in April that he was shocked about the backlash he received for joining the series, saying he did not consider Rowling's political views before accepting the role.
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He also said that before taking the role, he received a text from "a very good friend who is the mother of a trans child" and called the moment "the canary in the coal mine."
However, Lithgow said that the controversy did not make him reconsider the role.
"Of course, it was a big decision because it’s probably the last major role I’ll play. It’s an 8-year commitment, so I was just thinking about mortality and that this is a very good winding-down role," Lithgow said.
Lightning players wear full-padded Bucs uniforms, get Baker Mayfield escort before Stadium Series in Tampa
The Boston Bruins were being hosted by the Tampa Bay Lightning not in the usual Amalie Arena way on Sunday night, but rather at Raymond James Stadium — home of the NFL’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
So, before they hit the outdoor ice on a very chilly Tampa night, the Lightning players were spotted coming off the bus wearing throwback "Creamsicle" Bucs uniforms.
Pads, helmets and all.
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Fans were cheering as the players, all with their numbers and last names on the back of the bright orange jerseys, made their way into the stadium for their clash with the Bruins.
It was a lot different than the regular blue, black and white jerseys the Lightning players are used to, but these throwback jerseys are a staple in the Tampa area. The Bucs still wear them today on occasion, though it used to be synonymous with losing when the franchise first began in 1976.
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The Bucs were an expansion team, and they turned heads with their uniform color choice. However, they went a whopping 0-26 in them before finally coming away with a win in their second season.
And it wasn’t just the Lightning players the fans were cheering for. At the head of the pack were Bucs stars, quarterback Baker Mayfield and left tackle Tristan Wirfs, leading the way while wearing the actual blue sweater the hockey team would don on the ice at Raymond James Stadium.
Meanwhile, the Bruins also had a football theme considering their fellow NFL team in New England is going to the Super Bowl in a week.
With the Patriots back in the "Big Game," the Bruins showed up in full Patriots outfits, looking like our founding fathers as they got off the bus.
While the NHL and its teams are having fun with this Stadium Series game, both of these squads are coming into the contest on fire.
The Bruins and Lightning each own an 8-1-1 record over their last 10 games, and the Lightning own the Eastern Conference’s best record at 34-14-4. The Bruins are not too far behind, though, at 32-20-3.
Finally, hockey outdoors in Florida is usually conducive, but the NHL will actually need a heater to get the ice to the proper temperature as it’s an uncharacteristic 40 degrees on Sunday night.
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Trump backs former critic Sununu in high-stakes swing state Senate race
President Donald Trump on Sunday endorsed former Sen. John E. Sununu of New Hampshire, a longtime GOP Trump critic, over one of his first-term ambassadors, former Sen. Scott Brown, in a crucial Senate race that's one of a handful that may determine the Senate majority in the midterm elections.
Sununu, who was praised by Trump as an "America First Patriot" who "will work tirelessly to advance our America First Agenda," is seen by top Senate Republicans as the strongest candidate to flip the seat held by longtime Democratic Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, who is retiring at the end of this year rather than seek re-election to a fourth six-year term.
"John E. Sununu has my Complete and Total Endorsement — HE WILL NOT LET YOU DOWN. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN — ELECT JOHN E. SUNUNU," Trump emphasized, in a post on social media.
Sununu is a former three-term representative who defeated then-Gov. Shaheen in New Hampshire's 2002 Senate election. But the senator lost to Shaheen in their 2008 rematch.
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"I want to thank the President for his support and thank the thousands of Granite Staters who are supporting me," Sununu said after landing Trump's endorsement.
The endorsement will further boost Sununu, who enjoys a polling and fundraising advantage over Brown.
After Trump's endorsement, the Senate Leadership Fund, which is aligned with Senate Majority Leader John Thune, said on X that "John Sununu is the clear choice to be New Hampshire's next US Senator, and President Trump's critical endorsement has put an end to the primary."
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But Brown, as of now, has no intentions of dropping out.
"I’ve always believed that the people of New Hampshire are the ultimate authority on our future, and they deserve a choice between candidates seeking to earn their support," he said in a statement.
And apparently questioning Sununu's MAGA credentials, he added, "I am running to ensure our America First agenda is led by someone who views this mission not as a career path, but as a continuation of a lifelong commitment to service."
Brown emphasized, "My priorities for New Hampshire remain clear: a stronger economy, a secure border, reliable and affordable energy and better health care for our veterans. This mission has always been about you, not me. Let’s keep working!"
Sununu is a brand name in New Hampshire politics. His father, John H. Sununu, is a former governor who later served as chief of staff in then-President George H.W. Bush's White House. And one of his younger brothers is former Gov. Chris Sununu, who won election and re-election to four two-year terms steering the Granite State.
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But Sununu has a long history of backing Trump rivals. He served as national co-chair on the 2016 Republican presidential campaign of then-Ohio Gov. John Kasich, who declined to support Trump as the party's nominee.
And Sununu, along with then-Gov. Chris Sununu, endorsed former ambassador and former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley in the 2024 New Hampshire Republican presidential primary, as she battled Trump for the nomination.
And on the eve of the first-in-the-nation presidential primary, the former senator wrote an opinion piece titled "Donald Trump is a loser," that ran in the New Hampshire Union Leader, the state's largest daily newspaper.
Brown endorsed Trump ahead of his 2016 New Hampshire primary victory, which launched him toward the GOP presidential nomination and ultimately the White House. Brown later served as U.S. ambassador to New Zealand during Trump's first term.
Some in New Hampshire's MAGA base immediately rejected the president's endorsement of Sununu, calling it a "slap in the face to grassroots supporters" who have long backed Trump.
"The Sununu family openly mocked, degraded, and worked against the America First movement, the President himself, and the policies that energized New Hampshire voters," a group of MAGA activists posted on X. "We will continue and intensify our campaign opposition to the Sununu operation."
Brown formally launched his Senate campaign in June, after over six months of reaching out to grassroots supporters in the state. He raised roughly $1 million during his first three months as a candidate.
Sununu jumped into the race in late October, with the backing of the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC), which is the Senate GOP's campaign arm.
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NRSC chair Sen. Tim Scott said at the time that Senate Republicans were "all-in" for Sununu.
Since then, Sununu has landed the backing of a majority of the Republicans in the Senate, as well as from GOP leaders in New Hampshire.
The seat in New Hampshire, along with an open Democrat-held seat in Michigan are two of the NRSC's top targets this year as they aim to expand their 53-47 majority in the chamber. Georgia, where the GOP views Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff as very vulnerable, is the NRSC's other top target.
Sununu more than doubled Brown's fundraising haul during the past three months, and the latest public opinion polls in New Hampshire indicate Sununu with a double-digit lead over Brown in the GOP primary, which won't be held until September.
Pappas, a four-term congressman who represents the eastern half of the state, outraised both Sununu and Brown combined during the 4th quarter of 2025 fundraising.
And the latest polls indicate Pappas topping Sununu by single digits and Brown by double digits in hypothetical general election matchups.
Pappas is the clear front-runner for his party's nomination, in a race that also includes Karishma Manzur, a member of the New Hampshire Democratic Party's rules committee.
Justin Bieber stuns Grammys by performing in underwear; Trevor Noah jokes about Nicki Minaj in monologue
Justin Bieber made the Grammy Awards feel just like home Sunday as he paraded around stage wearing just his underwear.
Bieber, 31, looped together instrumentals while singing his "Yukon" hit from his seventh studio album, "Swag," in a pair of silky blue boxers covered in crystals.
Trevor Noah took aim at Nicki Minaj's new association with President Donald Trump while opening the 68th annual Grammy Awards Sunday in Los Angeles, Calif.
After welcoming Justin and Hailey Bieber, Billie Eilish, Pharrell Williams and Tyler the Creator to the 2026 Grammy Awards at Crypto.com Arena, Noah assured the crowd, "Nicki Minaj is not here."
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As the audience erupted in cheers, Noah added, "She is still at the White House with Donald Trump, discussing very important issues."
The former Daily Show host impersonated Trump during his sixth and final run as host, and said, "Actually, Nicki, I have the biggest a--. I know they say it's you, but it's me."
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Minaj and Trump went viral Wednesday after they were photographed holding hands at the U.S. Treasury Department's Trump Accounts Summit.
The "Super Bass" singer also called herself Trump's "number one fan."
Representatives for the White House and Minaj did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment.
Some fans weren't too pleased with Noah's jokes and pleaded with the Grammys to re-evaluate hosting responsibilities.
"Who keeps picking him as a host?? Give us variety please and it’s music not politics," one user wrote on Instagram.
Justin and Hailey Bieber were just two of the stars wearing "Ice Out" buttons while walking the red carpet Sunday to protest against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE.)
Best New Artist winner Olivia Dean was overcome with emotions as she accepted her award on stage. The "Man I Need" singer honored her family in a poignant immigration statement.
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"I'm up here as a granddaughter of an immigrant," Dean said while holding her Grammy. "I wouldn't be here – I'm a product of bravery and I think those people need to be celebrated. So ya, we're nothing without each other."
Bad Bunny, who's scheduled to perform during the halftime show at Super Bowl LX next weekend, protested immigration efforts while accepting his Grammy for Best Música Urbana Album for "DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS."
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"Before I say thanks to God, I'm gonna say ICE out," he pleaded from the stage. "We're not savages, we're not animals, we're not aliens — we are humans, and we are Americans."
Bad Bunny pleaded for unity and said that "the only thing that is more powerful than hate is love."
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"We have to be different," he said. "If we fight, we have to do it with love. We don't hate them. We love our people, we love our family, and that's the way to do it — with love. Don't forget that, please. Thank you. Thank you, God, and thank you to the Grammys."
Later in the evening, the "Ojitos Lindos" singer dedicated his album of the year award "to all of the people who had to leave their homeland, their country, to follow their dreams."
Jelly Roll sent a political message while accepting the award for Best Contemporary Country Album for "Beautifully Broken," as he declared, "Jesus is not owned by any political party."
"Jesus, I hear you and I am listening Lord," he said on stage. "I want to thank my beautiful wife."
"I believed that music had a power to change my life and God had the power to change my life," he continued. "Jesus is Jesus and anyone can have a relationship with him."
Kendrick Lamar leads nominations with nine nods, and won the Best Rap album award at the beginning of the Paramount+ live telecast. He is followed closely by Lady Gaga, Jack Antonoff and Cirkut who each have seven nominations.
Each best new artist nominee performed Sunday, including Leon Thomas, Olivia Dean, Katseye, The Marías, Addison Rae, sombr, Alex Warren and Lola Young.
Justin Bieber returned to the stage Sunday as a scheduled performer, in addition to Bruno Mars, Rosé, Tyler, the Creator, Lady Gaga, Sabrina Carpenter, Clipse and Pharrell Williams.
Reba McEntire, Brandy Clark and Lukas Nelson performed the in memoriam segment, with Ms. Lauryn Hill paying tribute to D’Angelo and Roberta Flack.
Post Malone, Andrew Watt, Chad Smith, Duff McKagan and Slash honored Ozzy Osbourne.
'Melania' documentary shocks Hollywood press with 'face-saving' debut that 'over-performed' expectations
"Melania," the documentary detailing the 20 days in the first lady’s life before President Donald Trump's second term in office, shocked the Hollywood press with its surprise opening weekend.
Reports indicated that "Melania" posted the best opening weekend for a documentary in over a decade, in stark contrast to its low critic score.
"No one saw that coming, with many suggesting 'Melania' was a bomb before it even opened based on empty, or nearly empty, seat maps in cinemas across the country," The Hollywood Reporter reported Saturday.
It continued, "[E]xhibitors weren’t so convinced, based on sluggish ticket sales and an endless stream of social posts showing auditoriums where only a smattering of tickets had been sold (it’s hard to remember a non-concert doc that’s been so scrutinized in terms of its opening number)."
Other entertainment outlets also expressed surprise at the box office performance of the "Melania" documentary.
"'Melania: Twenty Days to History' is proving the haters and losers wrong. The Brett Ratner-directed documentary chronicling three weeks in the life of the incoming first lady has over-performed expectations," Rolling Stone magazine reported on Sunday.
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Variety reported that the film was "eclipsing box office expectations," while Deadline claimed "Melania" had "crushed it exactly where she was suppose to" in red areas despite concerns about a "great deal of juicing" at the box office.
The New York Times called the numbers a "face-saving result for the first lady" after initial predictions placed the film at only $5 million, though it contextualized the sizeable opening.
"On Saturday, analysts projected roughly $8 million in domestic ticket sales for the nearly two-hour film. The actual amount, $7 million, suggests that opening day was front loaded with Mrs. Trump’s fans," the New York Times wrote.
Fox News Digital reached out to Amazon MGM Studios for a comment.
Reports also found that Amazon MGM Studios spent $40 million on the documentary with another $35 million spent on marketing. However, the studio reportedly intends to recoup these costs through licensing deals as well as upcoming plans to add the film to its Prime Video streaming service.
"We’re very encouraged by the strong start and positive audience response, with early box office for ‘Melania’ exceeding our expectations," Amazon MGM’s head of domestic theatrical distribution, Kevin Wilson said in a statement to Variety. "This momentum is an important first step in what we see as a long-tail lifecycle for both the film and the forthcoming docu-series, extending well beyond the theatrical window and into what we believe will be a significant run for both on our service. We are confident in the long-term value this rollout will deliver to customers both in theaters, and for years to come on Prime Video."
The "Melania" documentary was also widely panned by entertainment critics as a form of "propaganda" for the Trump administration. By contrast, verified audience users on the Rotten Tomatoes website largely praised the film, giving it a 99% approval rating.
Iran stages Khamenei photos to mask cracks in IRGC, opposition groups say
Iran’s regime released staged images of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in an attempt to show strength and boost a military under strain, according to opposition groups operating outside the country.
The photographs, published by Iranian state media Jan. 31, marked Khamenei’s first public appearance in weeks and showed him praying at the tomb of Islamic Republic founder Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini as regime officials issued new threats against the U.S. and Europe.
Ali Safavi, a senior official with the National Council of Resistance of Iran, said the images were aimed less at reassuring the public than at boosting morale among the regime’s weakening security forces.
"The images of Ali Khamenei were pure propaganda," Safavi told Fox News Digital. "He wanted to show that he is not afraid of dying, but at the same time he is desperately trying to boost the morale of his demoralized forces."
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Safavi said the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) remains the backbone of the regime’s power but is showing signs of strain after weeks of suppressing nationwide protests.
"These images are intended to project strength and shore up the repressive forces," he said. "But underneath, the regime is reeling from the reality that its criminal clique cannot break the will of the people and Khamenei knows the situation will never return to what it was before Dec. 28."
The release of the photos coincided with calls from the European Parliament to designate the IRGC as a terrorist organization.
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"The IRGC is the backbone of this regime," Safavi said. "Its disintegration can only occur after a fundamental shift in the balance of forces and with the presence of organized resistance on the ground. Only then do defections at lower levels of the military become meaningful."
Tehran reacted angrily to the European move with Iranian lawmakers appearing in IRGC uniforms in a highly choreographed show of solidarity, according to reports.
A banner reading, "The Revolutionary Guard is the largest anti-terrorism organization in the world," was displayed at the speaker’s podium, and the IRGC flag was prominently featured, according to the Times of Israel.
"We saw the same thing when the U.S. designated the IRGC a foreign terrorist organization in 2019," Safavi said.
"More than half of these lawmakers are former IRGC commanders," he added. "The IRGC dominates Iran’s economy and permeates the executive, legislative and judicial branches, as well as educational institutions."
After the U.S. dispatched a naval strike group led by the USS Abraham Lincoln to the region, Khamenei also warned Sunday in comments reported by Iranian state media that any military action would trigger a wider regional conflict.
"We are not the ones who start a war," Khamenei said . "But if America attacks or harms Iran, the Iranian nation will deliver a strong blow — and any war started by America will spread across the region," he said per reports.
President Donald Trump said Sunday that if Iran does not reach a deal on its nuclear program, "we’ll find out" whether Khamenei’s warning proves correct.
"Doing business with Iran means doing business with the IRGC," Safavi said. "The IRGC is the regime — even the clerics."
Deputy AG denies 5-year-old, father has asylum claim after family released from ICE detention
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said Sunday that the 5-year-old boy and his father, who were detained by ICE in Minneapolis last month, did not apply for asylum, as officials announced that the family was released over the weekend.
Blanche said there have been conflicting claims regarding the legal status of the boy, Liam Conejo Ramos, and his father, Adrian Alexander Conejo Arias, who entered the U.S. in 2024, according to public reporting, though officials and the family’s lawyers dispute the circumstances of their entry and asylum processing. Lawyers representing the Ecuadorian family say they have an active asylum claim currently being processed, allowing them to remain in the country pending a court decision.
The deputy attorney general denied that they have a pending asylum case, echoing previous claims by the Department of Homeland Security, which described the family as being in the country illegally.
"That is not true. There’s a very meaningful dispute about whether they had properly applied for asylum," Blanche said during an appearance on ABC’s "This Week."
"I cannot get into the … specifics of this litigation, but you can read the same briefs I can. And what you just said is not true."
While some immigrants detained by federal agents do not have prior criminal records, Blanche added that the Trump administration considers unauthorized entry into the U.S. a crime and believes such individuals should be detained.
"The fact that they’re here illegally is a crime," he said. "And so when you say they don’t have criminal records, they are – by their presence being here without status, having come into this country illegally or overstayed illegally, that is a crime."
"There is a schism in the law right now about whether an illegal alien can be held pending their proceeding or whether they need to be released on bail," he added. "We very strongly believe that they should be held and there’s a bunch of appellate cases."
Blanche’s comments come after several days of widespread backlash from attorneys and lawmakers who condemned the operation that detained the five‑year‑old when his father picked him up from school on Jan. 20.
The boy and his father were released from a detention center in Dilley, Texas, on Saturday, after a judge issued a ruling earlier in the day.
Rep. Joaquin Castro, D-Texas, posted on social media Sunday that he picked up the family Saturday night and escorted them back to Minnesota the next morning.
In a letter he also shared, the congressman wrote to the boy: "Don’t let anyone tell you this isn’t your home. America became the most powerful, prosperous nation on earth because of immigrants not in spite of them."
Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., celebrated their release on social media with a photo of her standing next to the family and Castro, writing, "Liam is home now and we are grateful to Joaquin Castro for traveling to Minneapolis with him and his dad. Welcome home Liam."