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New Jersey Gov Mikie Sherrill calls on lieutenant governor to resign after sexual harassment investigation
New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill called on handpicked Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell to resign by Friday after an independent investigation substantiated sexual harassment and two ethics violations.
The investigation found Caldwell told a female staffer that "you young women are looking for young sperm" after she told him her younger friend was not interested in a romantic relationship with him.
Investigators concluded the sexually charged remark constituted sexual harassment and said Caldwell's denial that he made the comment was not credible.
The staffer said she subsequently attempted to distance herself from Caldwell at work and avoid traveling with him when possible.
REPUBLICANS TIGHTEN SCREWS ON SHERRILL AS NONCITIZEN VOTER PROBE ENTERS NEW PHASE
"I’m calling for his resignation and giving him until tomorrow to do so," Sherrill said Thursday, calling the substantiated sexual harassment finding "extremely troubling."
The report also substantiated two ethics violations, finding Caldwell brought personal guests to ticketed events without advance ethics clearance or payment and repeatedly attempted to secure a promotion for a state employee with whom he had a romantic relationship.
Investigators found Caldwell continued bringing unpaid guests to events despite repeated training and warnings, including on May 23, one day after he was formally notified of the investigation.
SHERRILL ESCALATES TRUMP FIGHT OVER VOTER FIASCO DAY AFTER MULLIN PRAISES NJ COOPERATION
Four days after receiving notice of the investigation, Caldwell also used his state email account to recommend his romantic partner for a leadership position in another executive branch department, referring to her as "my friend" and forwarding her resume and letter of interest. Investigators said Caldwell did not disclose their romantic relationship while advocating for her promotion.
Caldwell denied wrongdoing in a May response to investigators, calling the allegations false and misleading and saying he believed the facts would exonerate him. He denied hitting on or asking women out while conducting official business.
Fox News Digital reached out to Caldwell for comment on the report and Sherrill's resignation demand.
Sherrill said the violations reflected "a pattern of behavior" that persisted despite warnings and training.
"The lieutenant governor’s resignation is necessary and in the best interest of New Jersey residents," the Democrat said.
Sherrill also took aim at President Donald Trump in announcing her decision, saying the president "continues to undermine confidence in public service at the federal level" and that she would not accept "a culture that sweeps misconduct under the rug" in New Jersey.
The investigation began after the state's chief ethics officer received an anonymous complaint in May alleging inappropriate behavior toward women and ethics violations. Caldwell was formally notified of the investigation May 22.
FBI says source of its jobs portal breach still unknown as hackers allege employee data compromised
The FBI is working to determine whether a breach involving its jobs website originated within the bureau or through a third-party provider after a criminal hacking group claimed it obtained FBI employees’ personal information.
"The FBI is aware of a cyber-criminal enterprise group claiming a compromise of the FBIJobs.gov portal and alleged impact to FBI employee personally identifiable information (PII)," the organization wrote in an X post Thursday.
"While the point of breach is still undetermined — whether a third-party or the FBI’s enterprise — we are actively and aggressively investigating this matter and working closely with those third-party providers that support FBIJobs.gov to mitigate any and all risk."
Jason Pack, CEO of Media Rep Global Strategies and a retired FBI supervisory special agent, said the distinction between a personnel data breach and access to the FBI’s classified systems is critical as investigators determine the scope of the incident.
FBI INVESTIGATES AFTER SHINYHUNTERS HACKERS CLAIM THEFT OF AGENTS' PERSONAL DATA
"There is a meaningful difference between somebody obtaining personnel information and somebody gaining access to classified investigative systems," he told Fox News Digital. "Based on what we know right now, there is no indication they have the keys to the kingdom."
ShinyHunters, a criminal hacking and extortion group, has taken responsibility for the breach and said it stole information belonging to nearly all FBI agents and people who applied to work for the bureau, Reuters previously reported.
A sample of data shared with Reuters contained agents’ names, home addresses, Social Security numbers, assignments and, in some cases, names of family members, according to the outlet.
DMV BREACH CONFIRMED AS HACKERS CLAIM 200,000 RECORDS STOLEN
Pack said combining personal information with information about an FBI employee's work could create additional security risks.
"If an adversary knows who somebody is, where they work and what they do, they can build a much more believable scam around that person," he said.
Pack said assignment information could also carry counterintelligence implications if it falls into the hands of a foreign intelligence service.
"There is also a counterintelligence concern. If a foreign intelligence service can associate particular people with certain assignments, it can help them identify individuals they may want to learn more about, approach or potentially assess for recruitment," he added.
"That does not mean that is happening here. It simply explains why assignment information can have value to an adversary."
CHINA-LINKED HACKERS INFILTRATED US GOVERNMENT NETWORKS BEFORE FBI TAKEDOWN
Pack stressed that the hackers’ claims remain separate from what the FBI has confirmed, and said the bureau still needs to determine what information was accessed, how the breach occurred and who may have been affected.
"The danger from stolen personal information does not necessarily end when the computer vulnerability is fixed," he said. "Criminals may hold onto that information and use it weeks or months later."
The FBI said it is working with third-party providers supporting FBIJobs.gov as investigators seek to determine the source of the breach and mitigate potential risks.
Mamdani-backed socialist arrested at anti-Netanyahu protest outside UN
Darializa Avila Chevalier, a socialist House candidate in New York, was arrested Thursday while protesting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's visit to New York City during the United Nation's General Assembly meeting, according to photos shared on social media by her campaign and public media reports.
Avila Chevalier, the Democratic nominee for New York's 13th Congressional District, was among dozens of demonstrators taken into custody after protesters blocked a roadway near the United Nations General Assembly meeting Thursday ahead of Netanyahu's address at the event.
"Darializa was just arrested while peacefully protesting Netanyahu's speech at the United Nations," a Thursday afternoon post from the candidate's social media account said.
"Our government has unlimited funds to arm a genocide against Palestinians but tells us there's nothing left to feed and house our own people. Stop arming Israel!"
ISRAEL'S AMBASSADOR SAYS NYC’S MAMDANI IS ‘SOWING CHAOS’ AHEAD OF NETANYAHU’S UN APPEARANCE
The demonstration Avila Chevalier was reportedly arrested at drew around 250 protesters to the corner of 1st Avenue and 39th Street in Manhattan, according to City & State New York. Police began making arrests after protesters sitting in the roadway refused to move.
Avila Chevalier defended her participation following the arrest.
"Netanyahu belongs at the Hague, not in the streets of New York City, and certainly not addressing the United Nations General Assembly," she said in a statement reported by Bloomberg.
Avila Chevalier was not the only New York political figure taken into custody. City Council members Chi Ossé and Alexa Avilés were also arrested during the demonstration, according to City & State, while the Daily Mail reported actress Susan Sarandon was among those detained at the protest.
Outlets reported that roughly 80 to 100 protesters who refused orders and remained at the demonstration were arrested.
Avila Chevalier, 32, pulled off a major Democratic primary upset in June when she defeated five-term Democratic incumbent Rep. Adriano Espaillat in the heavily Democratic 13th District, which covers Upper Manhattan and parts of the Bronx.
Fox News Digital previously reported that New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani endorsed Avila Chevalier in late May during an appearance on MS NOW, praising her commitment to working-class New Yorkers and saying he looked forward to fighting alongside her for their shared affordability agenda.
She is a member of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) and received backing from the group's New York City chapter during her congressional campaign.
Avila Chevalier has been a prominent pro-Palestinian activist as well, with Fox News Digital previously reporting on how she led anti-Israel protests at Columbia University and said she helped launch Columbia University Apartheid Divest's (CUAD) boycott, divestment and sanctions campaign. CUAD later drew scrutiny for social media posts, including "Death to America" and a call for the "eradication of Western civilization."
Fox News Digital reached out to Avila Chevalier's campaign for additional information about the arrest but did not immediately receive a response. The NYPD directed Fox News Digital to its public information phone line but declined to provide additional information when reached by phone.
JJ Redick takes shot at LeBron James, promises starters will not be all 'white guys' in odd presser
You can put a podcaster in the head coach's chair, but you still end up with a podcaster.
Los Angeles Lakers coach JJ Redick proved as much during his annual news conference Thursday, giving answers better suited for the Twitter timeline than a head coach's seat.
First, Redick offered a shady response about the team gelling after superstar LeBron James departed.
LEBRON JAMES TELLS LOS ANGELES LAKERS HE WILL LEAVE IN FREE AGENCY AFTER EIGHT SEASONS: REPORT
He pointedly noted that this roster has a clearer identity than past squads led by James, his former podcast co-host.
"I think we’ve always tried to give our players clearly defined roles, and I think with this group, [it’s] probably the first time in my three years here that I feel like the pieces actually fit together," Redick said. "And so those roles probably get even more crystallized."
Since LeBron’s departure, a running joke has taken over Lakers fandom.
"Snowtime" has trended across social media as the tongue-in-cheek nickname for the Lakers' projected core of Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves and Walker Kessler — with nods to depth pieces like Dalton Knecht and Maxi Kleber.
STEPHEN A SMITH SHOWS HIS PRIVILEGE BY MOCKING LAKERS' ROSTER FOR HAVING TOO MANY 'WHITE DUDES'
Because the team's projected top talent isn't Black, the online gag caught fire, and Redick awkwardly addressed it with a questionable remark about his starting unit.
Without much context, Redick said he was confident two positions in his lineup would "not be white."
"I'm pretty confident in three of the spots," Redick said. "The other two spots will not be two white guys."
It was a sarcastic wink to the online crowd, and a cheap internet laugh at best.
THE CRAIG CARTON SHOW–UNFILTERED, UNAPOLOGETIC AND UNMISSABLE. DOWNLOAD HIS DAILY PODCAST NOW!
Redick now enters his third season at the helm in Los Angeles. His squad was swept in the Western Conference Semifinals by OKC last spring, following a first-round exit against the Minnesota Timberwolves in his inaugural season.
Before taking the bench, Redick spent 15 years as an NBA sharpshooter. In 2024, he teamed up with LeBron James to co-host "Mind the Game," a wine-drinking, X's-and-O's basketball podcast.
By July 2026, after two seasons together in LA, the dynamic completely shifted when LeBron packed his bags for Philly, leaving Redick to run the show solo.
Send us your thoughts: alejandro.avila@outkick.com / Follow along on X: @alejandroaveela
Final Sophie Cunningham rally of the 2026 regular season pits supporters against trans activists in Minnesota
A pro-transgender counterprotester told supporters of Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham that they "should have been aborted" outside the Fever’s game against the Minnesota Lynx on Thursday night.
The man delivered the remark through a bullhorn while wearing a T-shirt emblazoned with the word "abortion," as Cunningham supporters gathered outside Target Center for a rally in support of protecting women’s sports.
Another counterprotester used a bullhorn to repeatedly call XX-XY Athletics — a women’s sports apparel company that opposes biological males competing in women’s sports — a "hate group."
NCAA softball player Kendall Kotzmacher, who attended Thursday’s rally, told OutKick the man was the same counterprotester who allegedly told her that she "should’ve been aborted" during the first Cunningham rally in Minneapolis on Aug. 2.
"He had a megaphone and was just yelling everything about how awful people we are," Kotzmacher said after the first encounter. "At one point, I got told that I should’ve been aborted when I was younger."
Kotzmacher, a Minnesota native who plays softball at Colorado Christian University, became an advocate for women’s sports after her high school team lost a state championship game to a team featuring a transgender pitcher.
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Thursday’s demonstration marked the second Cunningham rally in Minnesota. The first drew supporters including Riley Gaines, former NFL sideline reporter Michele Tafoya and XX-XY Athletics founder Jennifer Sey, as well as pro-transgender counterprotesters.
The rallies began following Cunningham’s public support for keeping biological males out of women’s and girls’ sports. Similar demonstrations have taken place outside Fever games in Seattle, Portland and other WNBA cities.
Cunningham has said she was not involved in organizing the rallies but praised attendees for exercising their right to free speech.
"I’m here to play basketball, but I’m also here to be me," Cunningham said earlier this season, per ESPN. "I’m not gonna shadow that or hide or, you know, dim my light just because maybe people don’t agree with that."
Kyle Juszczyk responds to beer fine by explaining in detail his celebration is about his nickname – Juice
The NFL unwittingly waded into a silly back-and-forth with Kyle Juszczyk on Thursday by fining him over a touchdown celebration that it says imitates "chugging a beer" which the league finds offensive while but San Francisco 49ers fullback has a pretty convincing explanation for:
"Man, I feel like there's already been so much put out there," Juszczyk said while facing a scrum of reporters around his locker stall. "I don't know how else to say it. I wasn't drinking beer in my celebration.
"I think you guys all know my nickname is 'Juice.' I have juice [inscribed] on my pads, and the stadium yells, 'Juice' when I catch the ball.
NFL FINES PLAYER NICKNAMED 'JUICE' $14,926 FOR USING A DRINKING CELEBRATION, CALLING IT OFFENSIVE
"When I celebrate, I celebrate by drinking juice and it's been that way for years."
That wasn't the NFL's interpretation when it sent Juszczyk an email telling him he's being fined $14,926 for what it described as, "an offensive demonstration" that could "reasonably be construed as being in poor taste."
NEW NFL FINE SCHEDULE IS GOING TO A POINT SYSTEM THAT COULD LEAD TO SUSPENSIONS BUT ALSO REFUNDS
The celebration in question includes Juszczyk raising his hand to his mouth and acting as if he's drinking something.
The league immediately decided Juszczyk was imitating drinking beer.
"That's the other side of it, is I don't even drink beer," Juszczyk said. "I may be drinking like five times a year and always in the offseason, and it's usually with [teammate] George [Kittle] because he peer pressures me."
Kittle, by the way, found this whole episode quite funny. Maybe because it's ridiculous.
Anyway, the tight end has called Juszczyk by his nickname for years. But know he's going to change that.
"I think we're going to sign a petition," Kittle said. "Juice's new nickname is Beer now."
Niners quarterback quarterback Brock Purdy doesn't understand the fine because Juszczyk has been doing his drinking celebration for years and never been fined for it before.
"Yeah, I've seen Juice do his celebration for like five years," Purdy said. "So I'm a little confused about that punishment he's dealing with."
Purdy said head coach Kyle Shanahan has warned the players about violent acts in their celebrations or jumping on the goal post — looking at you, Stefon Diggs – but never has the Juszczyk celebration been mentioned.
"Juice, that's his name, he drinks a juice box after scoring a touchdown," Purdy said. "We're all confused and it [stinks] to be honest for him."
This also kind of [stinks]: Juszczyk said he didn't find out from the league first. Shanahan found out first and told him early Thursday morning.
"When Kyle told me that during breakfast, I thought maybe he was just messing with me," Juszczyk said. "But it's real."
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Look, the NFL has rules and some apply to improper celebrations. But to jump to conclusions that the intent of this celebration was to drink alcohol and specifically beer was a leap.
(Maybe not a leap from a league that is awash in beer sponsorships).
Juszczyk confirmed he is appealing, as OutKick reported earlier. The appeal hearing is scheduled for Tuesday via Zoom.
Michigan nurse accused of breaking bones and bruising premature infant at children's hospital
A nurse is accused of beating a prematurely born 4-month-old baby girl at a Michigan hospital, leaving the infant with broken bones and bruises, including injuries to her tongue, according to reports.
Kieran Ansley, 43, who was fired from Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital in Grand Rapids, is charged with multiple counts of child abuse.
The child was born four months premature but was making progress after spending months in the ICU and was expected to go home in April, WOOD-TV reported.
TEXAS DENTIST ACCUSED OF FATAL MISTAKES AFTER 4-YEAR-OLD DIES DURING DENTAL PROCEDURE
"She was born at 23 weeks — 1 pound, 1 ounce," her grandfather, Robert Steavens, told WOOD-TV. "And she made it through her due date, ready to go home. And then, two days before she was ready to go home, this happened."
The girl's mother visited her April 2. As she approached the room, Ansley "‘jogged’ to cut them off before getting to the room, telling them that the infant had ‘slept through the night,’" court records show.
MARYLAND DAD BLAMED 'SATAN' AFTER 2-MONTH-OLD DAUGHTER DIED FROM HORRIFIC HEAD TRAUMA
The mother also noticed that the infant's tongue was "blue and black" and that several bruises were on the child that weren't there the night before.
Court records show Ansley claimed to have "seen this in the past, and it was not a big deal," court records show.
During an investigation, one hospital staffer said Ansley "seemed flustered" and "a little bit frustrated" that night. Ansley was also described as being "scatterbrained."
OHIO DAYCARE WORKER CONVICTED OF HORRIFIC PHYSICAL ABUSE OF TODDLERS SENTENCED TO YEARS IN PRISON
Others recalled Ansley being "heated" and "overwhelmed," court records show.
A staff log from the night the infant was allegedly abused showed 32 instances in which someone entered the baby’s room. Ansley accounted for 27 of those visits, the records show, the news station reported.
Fox News Digital reached out to Ansley's attorney and the hospital for comment.
Defense attorney Damian Nunzio told the news outlet Ansley has been cooperative during the investigation, spent "many years" working with ICU patients and is a "very good person.
"And we are confident that our investigation will let the truth come to light," Nunzio added.
Ansley, who was released on bond and is expected to appear in court Nov. 10, was fired after the allegations came to light.
The child, now 10 months old, is at home and "doing wonderful," Steavens said.
"We’ve been blessed, and we’ve watched the baby grow," he continued. "We’re trusting in God and healing as a family and trusting the process will move forward."
Xi can’t escape protesters’ cries at deafening dinner demonstration
Audible protests blared over President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump’s welcome to Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife, Peng Liyuan, at the White House Thursday night, at times drowning out the state dinner event.
"Free Hong Kong," "Xi Jinping, you’re not welcome" and "Freedom for political prisoners" were among the chants shouted.
Protesters gathered across the Northern portico in Lafeyette Park to stand against the communist leader’s visit, during which the two leaders are expected to discuss artificial intelligence and intellectual property theft, trade practices and rare-earth minerals.
TRUMP-XI REUNION COMES WITH UNFINISHED BUSINESS — AND A BIGGER BATTLE LOOMING
The chants could be heard clearly before the Marine Corps band began playing and remained audible, though less prominently, throughout the performance.
Tibetan, Uyghur, Hong Kong democracy, Chinese pro-democracy and Falun Gong groups gathered in Washington this week to call attention to the Chinese government’s alleged human rights abuses.
President Trump has previously referred to Chinese President Xi Jinping as "Pooh Bear," a nickname rooted in an online meme comparing Xi to Winnie-the-Pooh. Protesters leaned into the comparison Thursday, dressing as the cartoon bear during a demonstration outside the White House.
The dinner welcomed 134 guests, including the two leaders and prominent tech CEOs, such as Jensen Huang of Nvidia, Mark Zuckerberg of Meta, Lisa Su of AMD, Tim Cook of Apple, Sam Altman of OpenAI, Elon Musk of Tesla and SpaceX, Jeff Bezos of Amazon, Satya Nadella of Microsoft, Sundar Pichai of Google and TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew.
TRUMP SHOULD PRESS XI ON CHINA’S PERSECUTION OF BELIEVERS AT HOME AND ABROAD
Many demonstrators have called for the release of political prisoners. So has House Speaker Mike Johnson, who has called for the release of Dr. Gulshan Abbas.
Abbas is a retired Uyghur doctor who disappeared from her home in China Sept. 10, 2018. Chinese officials later sentenced her to 20 years in prison on terrorism-related charges that her family calls fabricated.
XI PREPARES CHINA ‘FOR BATTLE’ AS EXPERT WARNS OF GRAVE DANGER FACING US AHEAD OF DC SUMMIT
Fox News Digital reached out to the White House to see if her release, or others, are on the negotiating table during this visit.
Famous American tenor Christopher Macchio, who was featured at the Republican National Convention in Dallas a few weeks ago, will entertain for the evening along with military musicians from the Army and the Marine Corps.
After the dinner, both presidents are expected to retire for the evening ahead of their visit to the National Archives Friday.
Iranian president blames US for Middle East conflict while denying nuclear ambitions, offers to dilute uranium
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian flatly denied Thursday that Tehran wants a nuclear bomb while claiming Iran is willing to submit its nuclear program for international inspection, blaming Washington for the nearly seven-month war in the Middle East and accusing it of blocking diplomacy.
Asked point-blank during an exclusive interview on Fox News’ "Special Report," "Do you want a nuclear bomb or not?" Pezeshkian firmly rejected the premise.
"Not at all. Not at all. Our martyred, esteemed supreme leader had announced several times that, from a religious decree, it is unholy. It is illegal," he told Bret Baier, referencing religious edicts issued against weapons of mass destruction.
IRAN 'ALREADY AGREED' TO GIVING UP NUCLEAR WEAPON AMBITIONS, TRUMP REVEALS
The Iranian leader's public denial came amid long-term international scrutiny of Iran’s nuclear program and its enrichment of uranium to levels well beyond those typically used for civilian nuclear power.
This became President Donald Trump's central rationale for launching Operation Epic Fury in February.
On Thursday, however, Pezeshkian indicated Tehran would be open to lowering its enrichment levels and allowing outside verification as part of an effort to ease nuclear tensions.
"So, that weapon's mass destruction. We said we’re willing to dilute them. It’s not a big deal. We are willing to submit ourselves to verification," he said.
Pezeshkian also pointed to the failed memorandum of understanding, or MOU, signed by him and President Donald Trump in June intended to halt hostilities and establish a framework for a broader U.S.-Iran agreement.
The process was intended by Washington to lead to an end to Iran’s nuclear ambitions and included a 60-day process toward that final agreement.
"We have no problems. We did reach an agreement with your president," Pezeshkian said of Trump, who signed the agreement.
"That agreement was signed, and, based on that, we are willing and still wish to move forward.
IRAN NUCLEAR DEAL HINGES ON IAEA ACCESS TO LONG-BLOCKED ATOMIC WEAPON SITES, EXPERTS SAY
"And the framework was agreed upon. We had not closed the Strait of Hormuz; it was open without any legal justification or framework," he said.
"They attacked us. They assassinated and martyred our esteemed supreme leader, our scientists, our military commanders and government."
Pezeshkian then criticized Washington for the subsequent breakdown in diplomacy but insisted Tehran remains prepared to reach an agreement.
"The problem is that America, instead of conducting dialog, they descend into the arena by bombing us first, by blocking every pathway. We are ready," he said.
"This is not the way to conduct yourself on the world stage. They can have free access to see whatever we have, but not to put us under such pressure, under blockades, deny us access."
Pezeshkian also placed broader blame on Washington for the war.
"We do not seek to kill Americans, as shown by actions, demonstrable actions. America has sought to kill Iranians," Pezeshkian said. "What we know is that if we’re attacked, we must defend ourselves."
TRUMP BETS ECONOMIC PRESSURE CAN SQUEEZE IRAN AS REGIME’S OWN FAILURES DEEPEN THE PAIN
Addressing U.S. military strikes — including Operation Outcast — and increasing secondary sanctions, Pezeshkian said Iran would continue resisting Washington’s campaign.
"This is something that has been the doing of the United States," he said. "We will keep resisting. We will find ways, and the life of our country will continue. We will remain.
"Yes, we do have economic issues, certainly. But in order to remain, we will go through any hardship and endure.
"If America thinks that they can keep sanctioning us, we have nothing to do, nor do we consider any type of American elections. If the current American government, within international legal frameworks, wishes to reach an agreement, fine. If not, before the elections or after the elections, what difference does it make for us?"
Pezeshkian repeated that Iran does not want the war to continue, while blaming Israel for helping provoke the conflict and putting responsibility on Washington to bring it to an end.
TRUMP GIVES EVERY NATION AN EASY CHOICE: DO BUSINESS WITH AMERICA OR TERRORIST IRAN
"We will stand resolutely to defend ourselves. We never sought war. We do not seek war," he said.
"I deeply believe that humans should not cause the death of another human. But with the instigations conducted by Israel, they have imposed this war on us.
"But we do not wish to continue. It’s America that must choose whether it wants to end this or not."
The Iranian president also addressed reports that Iranian forces used Chinese satellite imagery to carry out a deadly strike on a U.S. base in Jordan. The attack resulted in the deaths of three U.S. service members.
When questioned about the reports, Pezeshkian denied direct knowledge.
"I’m specifically unaware of these purported images that you talk about," Pezeshkian said.
"Now, what do militaries do with one another between two countries? It is their own business within their own guidelines."
Meet 'the devil': Actor who plays Satan, Judas Iscariot shares power of comedy in uncertain political times
Jarret LeMaster has played some sinister roles as Satan, Adolf Hitler and Judas Iscariot, but now he's stepping into one of pop culture's most beloved franchises as Bumblebee.
The Christian actor, writer and former worship leader voices the Autobots in "Optimus Prime: Awakening," the new animated short accompanying the 40th anniversary theatrical rerelease of "The Transformers: The Movie."
But LeMaster told Fox News Digital there is one thing he would rather not do on camera: kiss another woman.
"I don't wanna kiss anybody, and, so, playing bad guys makes a lot of sense for me," LeMaster said. "They never kiss anybody, you know. They just murder them.
BILLY BALDWIN ADMITS HE REFUSED TO KISS CO-STAR AFTER WEEKS OF TENSION ON SET
"When you're murdering somebody, you're always pretending," he continued. "When you're kissing someone, you are always actually kissing them. And, so, you know, that's my line. I don't wanna cross that line.
"Playing bad guys really works for my family," he joked. "And then my kids can look up to me as a great villain."
It's an unusual résumé for someone who spent years working in church ministry.
LeMaster said he still volunteers and leads worship at his local church, although he tends to keep some of his acting work "on the DL."
SKILLET’S JOHN COOPER SAYS CHRISTIANS WHO CALL ROCK MUSIC ‘DEMONIC’ ARE ‘GETTING THE GOSPEL WRONG’
"Sometimes people are upset that I play 'Woke Jesus.' Sometimes people think that it's weird that I played the devil. Sometimes people were offended that I would, you know, play Adolf Hitler," he said. "The one that is not offensive is Bumblebee. People are very excited about that for some reason."
LeMaster's path from church ministry to professional villain began when he got a call one day asking him to play a Russian murderer in a sketch for Christian satire outlet The Babylon Bee.
"We need a Russian murderer. You kind of look like that," LeMaster recalled being told.
At the time, he was working full time at his church and with the Bee. He initially assumed the company must be based somewhere like "Idaho or Narnia," only to discover it was in California.
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One villain eventually led to another.
"I don't know why I always get cast as bad characters," LeMaster said. "I think it's probably just because I'm bald. ... I blame the media. I blame [actor] Jason Statham."
His latest role puts LeMaster firmly on the other side of the good-versus-evil divide.
"Optimus Prime: Awakening" features LeMaster as Bumblebee alongside Frank Welker as Megatron and Soundwave and the late Peter Cullen as Optimus Prime. The short accompanies a 40th anniversary rerelease that exceeded initial box-office projections, prompting additional theatrical dates through Oct. 7.
LeMaster said he initially underestimated the significance of the project because director Josh Wassung was a friend.
FROM DISNEY MAGIC TO ANCIENT FAITH: DAVID HENRIE ON WHY GEN Z IS FLOCKING TO CHURCH
"I thought this was my friend's little movie, this little Transformers movie that he was making for Hasbro," he said.
Then he learned Cullen was involved. LeMaster praised the longtime Optimus Prime actor for embodying "strength and gentleness and kindness" and "protecting the weak."
"Who am I? Why do I get to play Bumblebee?" LeMaster recalled wondering.
For LeMaster, even the Transformers role connects back to his faith.
"It's an opportunity to sort of spread good news in the kingdom through, you know, robots," he said.
And despite joining the Autobots, LeMaster admitted Satan remains particularly fun to play.
"I love playing the devil because he is so much like me," he said. "I know that sounds really weird."
His Babylon Bee version of Satan is less fire-and-brimstone than frustrated corporate middle management.
"What if the devil was an HR director?" LeMaster said.
"You know, guys, it's been a rough quarter," he said in character. "Make sure that you put cover letters on all the things you turn in, please."
Beneath the joke is a serious approach to portraying villains. LeMaster said he looks for something good in a character's motivations and then considers how it became distorted.
"There's nothing that the devil can create in and of himself. He can only take what's good, and he can twist it," he said.
"You always start with a good guy, and then you can twist it to something evil," LeMaster added. "That's kind of what I think the best villains end up being like."