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Trump gave Maduro ultimatum to flee Venezuela as land operations loom: report
President Donald Trump delivered a stern ultimatum to Nicolás Maduro to leave Venezuela immediately before announcing the country's airspace should be closed, according to a report.
Per the Miami Herald, Washington's warning was delivered in a phone call with Caracas and offered guaranteed evacuation for Maduro, his wife Cilia Flores, and their son, but only if the dictator agreed to resign on the spot.
The conversation stalled, U.S. officials said, and within hours Washington escalated dramatically.
The ensuing impasse, a source told the outlet, was over Maduro asking for "global amnesty for any crimes he and his group had committed, and that was rejected."
"Second, they asked to retain control of the armed forces — similar to what happened in Nicaragua in ’91 with Violeta Chamorro. In return, they would allow free elections."
The final issue was timing, according to the outlet, as Washington demanded that Maduro resign immediately – but Caracas refused.
Trump went on to announce Saturday that Venezuelan airspace would be considered "closed in its entirety."
The Herald also reported that the Maduro government tried to schedule another call to Washington but received no response.
According to a defense expert familiar with the country’s military and state-linked cartel ties, Maduro and key players in his regime could now face their most serious threat yet.
"I think the operations will start imminently," former Venezuelan diplomat Vanessa Neumann told Fox News Digital.
"The clearing of the airspace is an indication and a very clear public warning that missiles might be coming to take out command and control infrastructure or retaliatory infrastructure," Neumann said. "This will not be like breaking a jar into a thousand pieces, this is where you can lift the concentration of power, and it's easier to manage."
"The targets have been identified through covert operations over the last several years by people on the ground," she continued. "So they're well-mapped. This is a capture-or-kill scenario, but there's a limit to how many people you can remove quickly."
On Sunday, Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One not to "read anything into" his declaring Venezuela's airspace closed when asked if a strike was imminent.
"Maduro also doesn't have that many options, and his military is very weak," she warned. "You can't go after 30 people simultaneously, who are spread all around, but certainly high on the list would be Maduro himself."
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Venezuela’s armed forces, once among Latin America’s strongest, have been weakened by years of corruption, sanctions, defections, and lack of maintenance. Much of its equipment, Neuman says, has never even been serviced.
"Their material is extremely old, decayed, and has not been serviced," Neuman explained.
"They've got junk from the Russians. The stuff they originally had from the Americans is decades old and has not been serviced.
"So, they have neither the personnel, foreign support, nor the material," she said.
Ahead of shuttering the airspace, the U.S. also officially designated the cartel allegedly linked with Venezuela’s government, the Cartel de los Soles, as a foreign terrorist organization.
"This cartel turned Venezuela's main oil company into a narcotics trafficking money laundering operation, using the company’s access to international finance, until it was sanctioned," Neuman, who has worked with governments on countering transnational organized crime linked to the group, explained.
"They were using Venezuelan military jets to bring in cocaine from Colombia, process it in Venezuela, and then move it into Central America and then into Europe.
IRAN BACKS MADURO TO KEEP LATIN AMERICA FOOTHOLD AS TRUMP INCREASES PRESSURE ON VENEZUELA
"Jet pilots were making a lot of money off that, and they've tortured people. They target people, anybody who tell on them, they’re disappeared," Neuman said. "They’re now one of the prime drug trafficking networks into the United States and Europe, and use their military positions, including their military-to-military relations, to grow and accelerate those movements."
In fact, in September, the European Parliament also voted in favor of the EU designating Cartel de los Soles as a terrorist organization.
"The Cartel de Los Soles is also a key collaborator and financier of Hezbollah and some of the drug money has been used to fund terrorist attacks that have killed American citizens, even in the Middle East," added Neuman, CEO of Asymmetrica Group, which specializes in defense cooperation.
The U.S. has also ramped up a military and intelligence campaign targeting drug-trafficking networks linked to Venezuela, including strikes on suspected narcotics boats.
TRUMP’S STRIKE ON CARTEL VESSEL OFF VENEZUELA SENDS WARNING TO MADURO: ‘NO SANCTUARY’
"The decision is President Trump's because when he says, ‘Go’, we go. And nobody knows when he'll say that," Neuman said. "He has mobilized so many assets down there now. But what President Trump is doing now is long overdue."
"The timing is right now," she added. "Because even Maduro's biggest backers, Russia and Iran, are both on the back foot, and China will not go that far in backing Maduro as it has bigger and broader interests throughout the region."
She also noted that "Maduro is also weakened because his partners are weakened and have their own issues to deal with," and that "we also now have a concentration of power and deep repression within the country that's quite unified, which means it's easy to flip."
WASHINGTON’S SHADOW WAR: HOW STRIKES ON CARTELS THREATEN TO COLLAPSE MADURO’S REGIME
Neuman identified others in the regime who may be targeted, including Vice President Delcy Rodríguez, Diosdado Cabello, Minister of Interior, Justice and Peace and Alexander Granko Arteaga, head of Venezuela’s counter-intelligence agency, the DGCIM.
"One of the reasons Granko is an important figure is that he's one of the reasons why they haven't capitulated and why there has not been a military uprising," Neuman explained.
"It's because of the brutality of the counter-intelligence that they do to their own military, and hundreds of soldiers are tortured. That said, the Venezuelan people have made it clear that they wanted Maduro out and fought democratically but lost," she added.
"They voted in elections, protested peacefully, lobbied for sanctions, and lobbied for international support," Neuman said.
George Clooney reveals years of resentment after Brad Pitt beat him for 'Thelma & Louise' role
George Clooney reflected on how he felt about losing a pivotal role to Brad Pitt in the earlier years of his career.
During a recent interview with The Times, the 64-year-old actor revealed that he once came close to landing the role of J.D. — the charming drifter played by Brad Pitt — in the 1991 classic "Thelma & Louise."
"I got to the final test for a role in ‘Thelma & Louise.’ And, motherf-----, Brad got it," Clooney said.
The role of J.D. became Pitt’s breakout performance and turned him into a movie star almost overnight — while Clooney, at the time, was still best known for television work.
In "Thelma & Louise," sheltered housewife Thelma Dickinson (Geena Davis) and her best friend, independent waitress Louise Sawyer (Susan Sarandon), first encounter J.D. at a roadside motel after fleeing the scene of a crime.
Thelma, who is unhappily married to the controlling Darryl (Christopher McDonald), is seduced and betrayed by J.D., triggering the series of events that lead to the movie's iconic ending.
After its release, "Thelma & Louise" became a critical and commercial hit and the role of J.D. launched Pitt to stardom.
Meanwhile, Clooney became a household name a few years later when he played Dr. Doug Ross in the hit television series "ER."
However, Clooney admitted that he struggled with resentment for years after Pitt was cast as J.D. He told the Times that he was especially frustrated at the time because he believed he could have made his breakthrough into movies if he had landed the role.
"I was in TV," Clooney remembered. "I was making a good living, but back then actors would say, ‘Well, I’m a film actor — I just happen to be doing TV.’"
"I didn’t watch ‘Thelma & Louise’ for years, because I was annoyed," the two-time Oscar winner admitted. "The part launched his career in film. He was doing sitcoms and crap before, so when it was the thing that could’ve launched me? F---!!"
Despite some lingering resentment at the time, Clooney said he and Pitt eventually became close friends — and even collaborators.
The pair famously co-starred in "Ocean’s Eleven" (2001) and its sequels "Ocean’s Twelve" (2004) and "Ocean’s Thirteen" (2007), as well as "Burn After Reading" (2008) and the 2024 thriller "Wolfs."
While speaking with the Times, Clooney shared that his one-time rival still teases him about losing the role, but he has since acknowledged that Pitt was the perfect choice to play J.D.
"Oh yeah, he gives me s---," Clooney said of Pitt. "Of course, when I saw it, I was, like, well, it ‘had’ to be that guy."
Adam Sandler, who is co-starring with Clooney in the new movie "Jay Kelly," joined him for the Times interview and also weighed in on the legendary casting decision.
GEORGE CLOONEY DOESN'T REGRET URGING BIDEN TO DROP OUT IN NEW YORK TIMES OP-ED
"I saw that at the cinema and when Brad took his shirt off people went nuts," Sandler said. "But it should have been you, Clooney."
During a 2022 appearance on "The Graham Norton Show," Davis, 69, recalled Pitt's audition for "Thelma & Louise."
"Once I was cast, it was down to four finalists for that role," Davis remembered. "They said, ‘Would you read with them, so we could see what you’re like?’ Each one came in, each one was very handsome, they all had brown hair and were very talented. I didn’t care who it was going to be."
"And then the fourth one who comes in is Brad Pitt," she continued. "He’s so charismatic and so incredibly talented that I was screwing up his audition because I forgot to say my line. I’m just like, ‘Wow, he’s really talented.'"
Davis recalled later telling producers which actor she thought should play J.D. — "The blonde one!" she said.
The Academy Award winner recalled that the other three contenders for the role included Clooney, Mark Ruffalo and Grant Show.
Davis revealed that she once sat next to Clooney on a flight and described the actor as "very friendly and great."
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"Finally he said, ‘You know I hate Brad Pitt," she recalled. "And I say, ’No you don't. He's like a really good friend of yours.' And he said, ‘No I hate him because he got the part.' And I said ’Oh, did you want the part?' And he said, 'You couldn't tell when I auditioned with you?"
Davis laughingly admitted that she didn't remember Clooney "at all" from the audition.
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During a 2023 interview with W magazine, Pitt noted that "Thelma & Louise" was his "entry into the big leagues."
"I just thought, I’m the guy for this. But they went through a couple of other actors," Pitt remembered. "I didn’t get the part at first, and then it came back around, and I didn’t get it again, and I went, ‘Huh. All right. Moving on.’ And then it came back around again. I feel like it was three times."
Afghan suspect in National Guard attack was 'radicalized' after arriving to US, Noem says
Authorities believe the Afghan immigrant accused of attacking National Guard members in Washington, D.C., last week was radicalized after arriving in the U.S., Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said on Sunday.
Law enforcement officials identified Rahmanullah Lakanwal, 29, as the suspect in the Wednesday shooting that occurred just blocks from the White House, killing one National Guard member and critically injuring another.
"We believe he was radicalized since he’s been here in this country," Noem told NBC News. "We do believe it was through connections in his home community and state, and we're going to continue to talk to those who interacted with him, who were his family members."
She added that U.S. officials have received "some participation" from individuals who knew Lakanwal.
Lakanwal entered the U.S. legally in 2021 under the Biden administration’s Operation Allies Welcome, a program that evacuated and resettled Afghan refugees as the Taliban took control of Afghanistan.
Noem said that although asylum was formally granted to Lakanwal during the Trump administration in April, the vetting process all happened under the Biden administration, criticizing what she described as inadequate screening of Afghans and other foreign nationals during former President Joe Biden’s term.
VANCE’S PAST WARNINGS REIGNITE AFTER AFGHAN NATIONAL NAMED AS SUSPECT IN DC GUARD SHOOTING
"When this abandonment of Afghanistan happened, the Biden administration put people on airplanes [and] brought them to the United States without vetting them," Noem said. "They brought them into our country and then said they would vet them afterward."
"All of that vetting information was collected by Joe Biden’s administration," she added. "Joe Biden completely did not vet any of these individuals."
According to Noem, President Donald Trump has since implemented measures to strengthen vetting for incoming immigrants, including reviewing social media activity and checking on who they interact with.
After the devastating attack on Thanksgiving eve, Trump also announced that his administration will impose additional restrictions on migrants seeking to enter the United States, including a halt on all immigration from what he described as "Third World Countries."
"The President is absolutely determined to stop all processes at this point in time from third-world countries until we can have a thorough opportunity to go through these individuals," Noem said on Sunday.
Trump says 'don't read anything into it' when asked about declaring Venezuela's airspace closed
President Donald Trump defended calling Venezuela’s airspace closed, saying the country is sending criminals into the U.S., but told reporters not to "read anything into it" when asked whether the warning suggested an imminent strike.
While speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on Sunday, Trump said Venezuela is "not a very friendly country" and claimed it has sent criminals, gang members and drug traffickers into the U.S.
On Saturday, Trump told airlines, pilots, drug dealers and human traffickers to "consider THE AIRSPACE ABOVE AND SURROUNDING VENEZUELA TO BE CLOSED IN ITS ENTIRETY."
When asked Sunday if the warning meant an airstrike is imminent, Trump said: "Don’t read anything into it."
WHITE HOUSE RESPONDS TO REPORTS OF TRUMP PREPARING TO HIT MILITARY TARGETS INSIDE VENEZUELA
Trump also confirmed a report from the New York Times that he spoke on the phone with President Nicolás Maduro, though he offered no details about the conversation.
"I wouldn’t say it went well or badly," he said. "It was a phone call."
The president’s comments come amid rising tensions between the U.S. and Venezuela over Venezuela’s failure to stop drug traffickers from sending narcotics into the U.S.
TRUMP’S STRIKE ON CARTEL VESSEL OFF VENEZUELA SENDS WARNING TO MADURO: ‘NO SANCTUARY’
Since September, the Trump administration has conducted over 20 strikes against alleged drug boats in Latin American waters and beefed up its military presence in the Caribbean as part of Trump’s effort to crack down on the flow of drugs into the U.S.
The strikes have brought the total number of suspected narco-terrorists eliminated to over 82, with three survivors.
But as the U.S. continues to bolster forces in the waters off Venezuela, Maduro has called for peace but also remained defiant against what he called "imperialist aggression."
U.S. WARSHIPS TO PATROL INTERNATIONAL WATERS AROUND VENEZUELA AS TRUMP VOWS TO STOP CARTELS
Maduro delivered an address in Caracas last week while brandishing a sword and warning supporters to prepare for confrontation, saying the U.S. will "very soon" begin stopping suspected Venezuelan drug traffickers on land.
He appeared at a mass rally in the capital holding the sword of Simón Bolívar, the 19th-century independence leader regarded as the liberator of much of South America. Maduro told supporters the country was facing a decisive moment.
The Associated Press reported that he said, "For anyone, whether civilian, politician, military, or police – Let no one make excuses. Failure is not an option. The homeland demands it! Our greatest effort and sacrifice. And with (Simón) Bolívar, I come to say that if the homeland demands it, the homeland will have our lives, if necessary," he declared while raising Bolívar’s sword.
Maduro framed the situation as a struggle against what he described as external threats, urging Venezuelans to mobilize against any foreign aggression.
Fox News Digital’s Diana Stancy and Efrat Lachter contributed to this report.
NFL Week 13 scores: Playoff races tighten as season begins to wind down
Week 13 of the NFL season provided some incredible games starting with Thanksgiving Day and carrying through Sunday.
Two games on Thursday were decided by three points while Thanksgiving and Black Friday featured upset victories by the Cincinnati Bengals and Chicago Bears. The Kansas City Chiefs fell to the Dallas Cowboys and are seeing their playoff hopes hang on by a thread.
Meanwhile the Buffalo Bills were able to bounce back from a head-scratching loss to the Houston Texans. Speaking of the Texans, they made the AFC South race more interesting with a victory over the Indianapolis Colts.
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The playoff races have tightened and there’s only about a month left of the season.
Read below for the complete scoreboard.
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Josh Allen sets NFL record as Bills thump Steelers
Josh Allen stood on the top of the mountain alone as he helped the Buffalo Bills top the Pittsburgh Steelers, 26-7, behind hard-nosed defense and a dynamic rushing attack on Sunday.
Allen ran eight yards and was pushed into the end zone in the fourth quarter for a touchdown to help give Buffalo a 23-7 lead. The rushing touchdown was the 76th of his career. He surpassed Cam Newton for most rushing touchdowns by a quarterback in NFL history.
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He also had a touchdown pass to Keon Coleman to cap off an incredible performance against the Steelers. Allen finished 15-of-23 with 123 passing yards and contributed 38 yards on the ground.
James Cook III led the Bills’ rushing attack the entire game. He had 144 yards on the ground on 32 carries. Buffalo totaled a whopping 249 rushing yards against the Steelers.
The Bills’ defense also came up big.
PANTHERS REACH 7 WINS FOR FIRST TIME SINCE 2022 WITH UPSET VICTORY OVER RAMS
Buffalo trailed Pittsburgh 7-3 to start the second half. Bills defensive end Joey Bosa came around and nailed Aaron Rodgers to jar the ball loose. Bills cornerback Christian Benford recovered the fumble and returned it for a touchdown.
Rodgers was briefly knocked out of the game. Mason Rudolph came in on the subsequent drive and threw an interception to Benford. The defensive prowess helped spark the Bills’ win.
The team scored 23 unanswered points to seal the win.
Rodgers was 10-of-21 with 117 passing yards. Steelers running back Jaylen Warren led the team with 35 rushing yards and a touchdown.
Buffalo improved to 8-4 on the year. Pittsburgh fell to 6-6.
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Archaeologists find artifacts older than Stonehenge beneath Britain's Houses of Parliament: 'Incredibly rare'
Archaeologists digging beneath the Palace of Westminster recently unearthed priceless historic treasures – some of which even predate Stonehenge.
In a Nov. 19 announcement, the Houses of Parliament Restoration and Renewal Delivery Authority said it had discovered relics ranging from Mesolithic flint chips to 19th-century artifacts.
The excavations were part of a three-year investigation aimed at shaping the Palace's upcoming restoration work.
The Palace of Westminster, also called the Houses of Parliament, was first used as a royal residence in the 11th century. Its oldest surviving structure is Westminster Hall, built in 1097 for William II.
ANCIENT ROMAN THEATER DISCOVERED BENEATH TOWN HALL THANKS TO MASSIVE EARTHQUAKES
The earliest remains found during the excavation were 60 flint fragments produced during toolmaking, likely dating back to 4300 BC. The flint flakes predate Stonehenge, which began construction in 3100 BC.
The prehistoric remains were once part of Thorney Island, a sandy area near the River Thames that eventually became the heart of medieval Westminster.
"The flints were found in undisturbed sand deposits that once formed part of Thorney Island, an area where prehistoric communities are thought to have fished, hunted and gathered food," the Restoration and Renewal Delivery Authority said in its announcement.
"These rare finds offer a glimpse into early human life in what is now central London."
STUNNING MEDIEVAL RING FOUND BELOW RUBBLE AT 'HISTORICALLY IMPORTANT' TOURIST SITE
Diane Abrams, the archaeology lead at the Restoration and Renewal Delivery Authority, told Fox News Digital that finding prehistoric remains in situ in central London is "incredibly rare."
"While research suggested we might find traces of early human activity on the site, I was surprised to discover direct evidence of flint tool-making dating back to around 6,000 years ago," said Abrams.
Archaeologists also found medieval leather boot and shoe soles dating back 800 years, as well as 19th-century decorated clay tobacco pipes and a 19th-century five-pint beer jug inscribed "Geo[rge] Painter."
They also found a fragment of a 2,000-year-old ancient Roman altar that was likely repurposed, as well as a heart-shaped lead badge dating back to the Middle Ages.
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One of the most significant moments was when archaeologists unearthed the remains of Lesser Hall, a medieval building dating to 1167. First built as a royal dining space, the hall saw "key moments in Parliamentary history," officials said.
"Over the centuries, it housed the Court of Chancery, the Court of Requests, and even the House of Commons and House of Lords at different times," the Restoration and Renewal Delivery Authority said.
"This is the most significant discovery of the current archaeological investigations and provides vital insights into the layout and survival of historic structures beneath the modern Palace."
Excavators found Lesser Hall's stone wall and original foundation, which were remarkably preserved through both the Great Fire of 1834 and a World War II bomb strike.
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Abrams told Fox News Digital that the hall was one of the "most exciting and unexpected" discoveries of the excavation.
"It was unclear just how much of it would survive below the present-day courtyard and car park," she said.
"Today, its remains – and other pre-1834 structures – have been carefully recorded and even turned into 3D digital models before being reburied to protect them."
Archaeologists also spotted later repairs to the hall, including red brickwork that once separated two adjacent properties.
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"There is also a larger red brick wall which likely belonged to a cellar dividing two properties shown on plans from 1739," said Abrams.
"These details help us piece together the archaeology and history of the site to learn more about the past people who lived and worked there."
All in all, Abrams said that the discoveries "reveal a remarkable timeline of human activity on this iconic site."
"The findings will also help us to guide the design and planning for Parliament's future restoration works," she said.
Trump envoy Steve Witkoff heads to Moscow as Ukraine peace talks gain momentum
Steve Witkoff, the U.S. special envoy to the Middle East, will travel to Moscow on Monday, a U.S. official tells Fox News.
The trip comes as peace talks between Ukraine and Russia show signs of progress, with the White House pushing a peace plan to end the nearly four-year-long war.
On Sunday, Witkoff — a central figure in negotiating the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas — joined Secretary of State Marco Rubio and senior advisor Jared Kushner in Florida to meet with Ukrainian negotiators.
Rubio described the meeting as "very productive." In a statement, Rubio said that the end goal is "not just the end of the war."
STATE DEPARTMENT SAYS UKRAINE READY TO ACCEPT 30-DAY CEASEFIRE DEAL: 'BALL IS NOW IN RUSSIA'S COURT'
"Obviously, that's essential and fundamental. We want to see the end of the killing and the death and the suffering, and I'm sure the Ukrainian side, I know they do as well," Rubio said.
"They want peace. But it's also about securing an end to the war that leaves Ukraine sovereign and independent and with an opportunity at real prosperity."
Last week, Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Moscow could reject the White House's peace deal framework if it does not uphold the "spirit and letter" of what President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed to at the Alaska summit in August.
TRUMP: WE'RE GOING STRAIGHT TO RUSSIA-UKRAINE PEACE DEAL, 'NOT A MERE CEASEFIRE'
He warned that if the terms of the "key understandings" are "extinguished" then the situation would become "fundamentally different."
Despite Lavrov's comments, Putin showed interest in Trump's plans to end the war on Thursday, calling the drafted plans a starting point.
"We need to sit down and discuss this seriously," Putin told reporters, according to The Associated Press.
Trump’s plan as "a set of issues put forward for discussion" rather than a draft agreement.
"Every word matters," Putin added.
Fox News Digital's Sarah Tobianski, Kyle Schmidbauer and Ashley Carnahan contributed to this report.
Tim Walz fires back at Trump accusation of 'incompetence,' dodges on responsibility for fraud in Minnesota
Gov. Tim Walz, D-Minn., fired back at President Donald Trump on Sunday during an appearance on "Meet the Press," as host Kristen Welker asked if he wanted to take "responsibility" for failing to stop fraud in his state.
The Justice Department announced new charges last week against the 78th defendant in the Feeding Our Future fraud scheme, which prosecutors say involved more than $250 million in stolen funds from a federally-funded child nutrition program and has already resulted in over 50 convictions. Many of the individuals charged come from Minnesota’s Somali community.
In a Truth Social post on Thanksgiving, Trump tore into Walz, who the president called "seriously r------d," and accused him of doing nothing "either through fear, incompetence." The president said in the post, "hundreds of thousands of refugees from Somalia are completely taking over the once great State of Minnesota. Somalian gangs are roving the streets looking for 'prey' as our wonderful people stay locked in their apartments and houses hoping against hope that they will be left alone."
"Well, certainly I take responsibility for putting people in jail. Governors don’t get to just talk theoretically. We have to solve problems and I will note, it’s not just Somalis. Minnesota is a generous state, Minnesota is a prosperous state, a well-run state, we are AAA bond-rated, but that attracts criminals. Those people are going to jail, and we are doing everything we can, but to demonize an entire community on the actions of a few, it’s lazy," Walz said.
Trump said in a Nov. 21 Truth Social post that he would be terminating the temporary protected status for Somalis in Minnesota, citing "fraudulent money laundering activity." "Send them back to where they came from. It’s OVER!" he wrote.
Walz accused Trump of cutting programs that could help Minnesota tackle this.
"So we are, we'll take it on and put folks in jail. I don’t care what your nationality is, I don't care who your religion is, your color, if you're committing crimes. These were programs meant to serve students with autism, housing, making sure people had enough to eat. There’s a reason Minnesota ranks as the top lowest childhood poverty, best place for children to live. That is disconnected with demonizing an entire group of people who came here fleeing civil war and created a vibrant community that makes Minnesota and this country better," Walz continued.
He insisted Trump wouldn't fix any fraud. Earlier in the discussion, Walz was asked to respond to the Truth Social post from the president.
"Look, Donald Trump insulting me is a badge of honor for me, but I think we all know, both as an educator for a couple of decades and as a parent, using that term, is just so damaging. It’s hurtful," he said, referring to Trump's use of the r-word. "We have fought three decades to get this out of our schools, kids know better than to use it. Look, this is what Donald Trump has done. He’s normalized this type of hateful behavior and this type of language, and mainly, look, at first, I think it's just because he’s not a good human being, but secondly, it's to distract from his incompetency."
WALZ RIPPED FOR 'VILE' COMMENT ON FUTURE 'NEWS' ABOUT TRUMP'S HEALTH: 'WHAT A MONSTER'
The New York Times reported that what initially appeared to many Minnesotans as an isolated case of pandemic-era fraud has broadened into a much wider concern for state and federal officials.
The New York Times reported on Saturday that over the past five years, according to law enforcement authorities, several fraud schemes proliferated in parts of Minnesota’s Somali community. A number of individuals allegedly created companies that billed state agencies for millions of dollars’ worth of social services that were never delivered.
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Walz addressed the fraud at a press conference last week, saying it "undermines trust in government," and "undermines programs that are absolutely critical in improving quality of life."
"If you’re committing fraud, no matter where you come from, what you look like, what you believe, you are going to go to jail," Walz said.
Fox News' Ashley Carnahan contributed to this report.
Steelers' Aaron Rodgers bloodied after taking huge hit from Bills defender
Aaron Rodgers was bloodied and battered in the Pittsburgh Steelers game against the Buffalo Bills and was forced to leave Sunday’s matchup after taking a hard hit in the third quarter.
Rodgers and the Steelers led the game 7-3 as they began the second half with the ball. The four-time NFL MVP dropped back to pass and was rocked by Bills defensive end Joey Bosa. Rodgers’ face scraped across the frozen grass as he landed on his already broken left wrist.
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Bills defensive back Christian Benford scooped up the loose ball and returned it for a touchdown. Rodgers was seen bleeding from the bridge of his nose as he returned to the sideline.
Mason Rudolph replaced Rodgers on the next drive. He threw an interception to Benford and it set up a Josh Allen touchdown drive.
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Rodgers came back into the game about midway through the third quarter. The Steelers' medical staff was dealing with the cut on his nose
Rodgers, who suffered a broken wrist a few weeks ago, was 6-of-13 for 54 yards before he was taken out. He decided to play through the pain and was working out of the pistol formation for most of the game.
The Steelers came into the Week 13 matchup fighting for first place in the AFC North. Rodgers had 1,969 passing yards, 19 touchdown passes and seven interceptions through 10 games.
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