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Cleveland Browns players publicly baptized at Cleveland for Christ event in powerful display of faith
The Cleveland Browns have been in the news their fair share because they recently traded Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett, have a full-blown quarterback competition going on this offseason and, yes, they fired Kevin Stefanski and hired Todd Monken as their new coach. But here's a story that also deserves the Browns getting attention:
Their players are openly dedicating their lives to God and Jesus Christ.
Members of the club on Sunday hosted a Cleveland for Christ event with multiple players showing up and getting baptized.
CHARGERS' JIM HARBAUGH LOVES SEEING NFL STARS BEING OPEN ABOUT THEIR FAITH: 'IT'S INSPIRING'
The Christian faith-based gathering featured worship music, testimonies, prayer and baptisms.
The event included quarterback Shedeur Sanders, running back Raheim Sanders, cornerback Tyson Campbell, safety Daniel Thomas and of course, team chaplain Nobles C. Darby among others. It brought together some members of the local community and Browns players for a time of praise, worship and fellowship.
Several Browns players took the opportunity to seal their public dedication to Christ by choosing to be baptized at the event. Among those was linebacker Carson Schwesinger, a second-round pick a year ago who was the NFL's Defensive Rookie of the Year.
And look, this isn't for everyone.
If you think God cannot accept you as pure and washed of sin after you've come to Christ, then feel free to live in your unbelief. If you see this as somehow wrong because it was done publicly, perhaps you should read Matthew 32-33 and Luke 8-9.
"Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven," the verses read in the Book of Matthew. "But whoever disowns me before others, I will disown before my Father in heaven."
Schwesinger did indeed acknowledge Christ publicly.
He was asked if he believes Christ died a sacrifice on the cross and rose again — thereby taking all of Schwesinger's sins.
"Yes," Schwesinger said.
The player was then asked if he was ready to make Jesus the Lord of his life.
"Yes," Schwesinger responded.
With that he was saved, born again, and soon he was underwater for his baptism.
And now a word to the critics:
The NFL in general, and society as a whole, have major problems in 2026. This isn't one of them.
Every day on this Earth, children are abused. Women are abused. People are robbed, assaulted and cheated. Those are problems.
NFL players devoting themselves to God doesn't address those problems in a macro sense. But it certainly is better than players hitting their girlfriends, or speeding 100 mph down the street, or wasting their money in strip clubs while drowning in lust.
This is supposed to settle sin problems and life issues in the micro sense for the individual players.
One more thing: None of this was about players praying for the Browns to win games, and rise from the struggles they've mostly encountered as a franchise for years.
But it cannot hurt because God is an awesome teammate.
Obama-appointed judge who blocked Trump birthright citizenship order strikes again, throws out visa overhaul
An Obama-appointed federal judge who previously blocked President Donald Trump's birthright citizenship executive order has again dealt a major setback to the administration by striking down Trump's $100,000 H-1B visa payment requirement and declaring the policy unlawful.
U.S. District Judge Leo Sorokin of Massachusetts ruled Monday that the Trump administration lacked the authority to impose the hefty payment on employers seeking new H-1B visas, finding that the requirement amounted to a tax that only Congress has the constitutional power to impose.
In Monday's 42-page decision, Sorokin sided with a coalition of 20 states that challenged Trump's September 2025 proclamation creating a new $100,000 payment requirement for employers filing petitions for foreign workers under the H-1B visa program, which allows U.S. employers to hire skilled foreign workers. Approximately 65,000 foreign workers are issued a H-1B visa each year.
TRUMP’S $100K H-1B VISA OVERHAUL COULD HIT TECH GIANTS LIKE AMAZON AND MICROSOFT HARDEST
Before Trump's proclamation, employers typically paid between $2,000 and $5,000 in filing fees to sponsor an H-1B worker, depending on the type of application and the size of the company.
The administration had argued that the measure was necessary to curb abuse of the visa system and protect American workers.
Trump's proclamation stated that the H-1B program had been exploited to replace U.S. workers with lower-paid foreign labor and that the new payment would help address those concerns.
Sorokin rejected the administration's legal justification, finding that the Immigration and Nationality Act gives presidents broad authority over the entry of noncitizens but does not authorize them to impose taxes.
"While the Executive has broad discretion over the admission and exclusion of aliens, ... that discretion is not boundless," Sorokin wrote, referring to previous case law.
Sorokin concluded that the payment functioned as a tax rather than a permissible immigration restriction.
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"The Court finds that the Policy imposes a tax on H-1B petitions without the requisite delegation by Congress," Sorokin wrote.
He further rejected the administration's argument that the payment requirement was simply another immigration restriction, bluntly stating: "Taxes are not 'restrictions.'"
Beyond the constitutional concerns, Sorokin also found that federal agencies violated the Administrative Procedure Act by implementing the policy without notice-and-comment rule making and concluded that the agencies exceeded their statutory authority.
As a remedy, Sorokin declared the policy unlawful and vacated it in its entirety.
Sorokin, a Yale and Columbia Law School graduate, was nominated to the federal bench by President Barack Obama in 2013 and confirmed by the Senate in 2014. Last year, Sorokin was the fourth judge to issue a nationwide injunction blocking Trump's executive order seeking to limit birthright citizenship. He ruled that the policy is likely unconstitutional under the 14th Amendment. That dispute has since reached the Supreme Court, and a ruling is expected in the coming weeks.
The administration is expected to appeal Sorokin's decision, setting up another legal battle over the scope of presidential authority in immigration matters and the limits of executive power.
"President Trump has clear legal authority to restrict entry of any class of aliens he determines is not in America’s best interests, and that is exactly what he did," White House spokesperson Taylor Rogers told Fox News Digital. "The H-1B program has been abused for decades, and President Trump finally took action to fix it. A federal judge in Washington already upheld a nearly identical order, and the Administration is confident this order will be reversed on appeal."
In a separate challenge filed in December 2025, U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell in Washington declined to block the policy after dismissing claims from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce that the additional H-1B charge violated federal immigration law.
Minnesota fraud report accuses state AG of 'incompetence, willful blindness or worse'
The House Oversight Committee's Republican majority accused Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison of repeatedly contradicting public accounts of Minnesota's massive Feeding Our Future fraud scandal in a 205-page report released Monday.
The scandal, which thrust the Land of 10,000 Lakes into the national spotlight, set off a chain of journalistic and congressional investigations that exposed a wider web of waste, fraud and abuse, including allegations that members of Minnesota's Somali community exploited the social services framework to funnel millions of dollars to unqualified recipients, including Mogadishu-area terror groups.
The report describes several instances that investigators said show Ellison and Gov. Tim Walz were aware of fraud concerns earlier than they publicly acknowledged.
"The governor and the attorney general knew about fraud in the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) and the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) as early as April 2020, despite contrary claims made to the media," the committee said.
WALZ ADMINISTRATION IGNORED FRAUD WARNINGS AS BILLIONS VANISHED, HOUSE OVERSIGHT REPORT ALLEGES
"The governor and the attorney general knew about fraud in the Child Care Assistance Program as well as Non-Emergency Medical Transportation program as early as spring 2019. The Governor and the Attorney General also became aware of fraud in 13 additional high-risk Medicaid programs at various times during their tenure and failed to act."
Interviews with education, human services and executive-office officials led investigators to conclude Ellison was aware of fraud concerns years before they became public.
Those interviews found Ellison was aware of fraud in "high-risk Medicaid programs" administered by the state as early as 2019 and tied that timeline to more than $300 million in Feeding Our Future fraud and what federal prosecutors estimate could be up to $9 billion in fraud involving high-risk Medicaid programs.
MASSIVE MEDICAID FRAUD SCHEME PUTS MINNESOTA’S FEDERAL FUNDING AT RISK — AND FALLOUT COULD WIDEN
The committee said it was unable to determine whether Ellison’s alleged failure to protect Minnesota taxpayers was "incompetence, willful blindness or worse."
Ellison’s office pushed back hard on Republicans’ findings, calling the report "riddled with inaccuracies and misrepresentations in order to politicize the issue of fraud."
In one example, the committee recounted how Ellison issued a press release in September 2022 that "misrepresents the timeline" of his office’s knowledge of alleged impropriety by Feeding Our Future (FOF), and a threat of litigation from the nonprofit against the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE).
Ellison claimed he stepped in during the "Fall of 2020" to advise and support MDE against the legal threat from FOF. However, the committee found that MDE had been confronted by FOF in April 2020, leaving what the committee described as months of delay by Democrats.
MDE Assistant Commissioner Daron Korte testified to the committee that it wasn’t until the following year that his agency declared "serious deficiency" in FOF’s compliance with federal program rules – and placed a stop-pay order against them.
Korte said MDE always had the authority to do so, but resumed payments and hedged for fear of being taken to court.
The report found Ellison and Walz showed knowledge of alleged fraud much earlier than they admitted or announced.
MINNESOTA DHS WHISTLEBLOWER DETAILS 'SMEAR CAMPAIGN' AFTER REPORTING FRAUD CONCERNS TO STATE
"[They] claimed to know very little about the widespread fraud occurring in Minnesota until long after potentially billions of dollars had gone out the door, and believed that the child care fraud that predated the beginning of their terms in 2019 had been resolved by the time they took office," the report said.
The committee accused Ellison of slow-walking oversight of FOF and other concerns and characterized the former congressman as instead waiting for the federal government to do his job for him.
They wrote that despite his spring 2020 knowledge of the situation, his corrective actions did not come until after news of the FBI’s pandemic-fraud investigation emerged two years later.
During the trial of FOF leader Aimee Bock, the defense presented Exhibit 710, which included a nearly hour-long recording of AG Ellison meeting with several defendants in the case in 2021.
They included the owner of a now-defunct Somali restaurant, Salim Said, who was convicted of 20 felonies, and others, including Shakur Abdinur Abdisalam, who pleaded guilty in March to defrauding the federal government of millions of dollars.
According to the report, Ellison originally told a reporter that he was prepared to meet with Mohamed Omar, a friend of his who is the Imam of Bloomington, Minnesota’s Dar al-Farooq mosque, and that he was surprised the other attendees were there when he arrived.
AUDIO OF ELLISON MEETING WITH CONVICTED FRAUDSTERS RESURFACES AS LAWYER ALLEGES WALZ, AG SHARE BLAME
But the committee contended that account contradicted what Ellison told Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., during the hearing, when he described the group as coming to him and seeking solutions to "difficult[ies] with the bureaucracy."
Ellison told Luna that he investigated what they told him, and then worked with the feds to prosecute suspects, tallying 57 that were convicted of crimes.
"They were not what they claimed to be," Ellison said.
The report found some at the meeting had "pledged the Somali community’s political and financial support to Ellison" if he intervened in their claims they were being racially profiled or discriminated against by government agencies.
Ellison responded that he would help "fight these people."
When Rep. Eric Burlison, R-Mo., confronted Walz about that exchange during a hearing, the governor said it was his first time hearing it and that he would not "speculate" on it.
GREGG JARRETT: IF WALZ IS CHARGED IN MINNESOTA FRAUD SCANDAL, HIS BEST DEFENSE IS INCOMPETENCE
The committee further found that, when asked about his prosecutorial authority, Ellison said he has jurisdiction over Medicaid fraud probes but that other criminal cases must be referred by county attorneys.
The panel contended that this was an obvious omission from prior testimony before the Senate, when Ellison said non-Medicaid criminal cases may also be referred to him by the governor’s office.
Ellison spokesman Brian Evans told Fox News Digital that the House would be better served by "actually helping Minnesota protect tax dollars and go after fraudsters."
"The record is clear that Attorney General Ellison fought fraud wherever possible and as soon as he was able to," Evans said.
"In areas where Attorney General Ellison has the authority to file criminal charges, he has charged and convicted over 340 Medicaid fraudsters. In fact, Attorney General Ellison's Medicaid Fraud Control Unit regularly ranks as one of the most effective Medicaid fraud-fighting units in the nation."
GOP LAWMAKER UNVEILS WALZ ACT AFTER BILLIONS LOST IN MINNESOTA FRAUD SCANDAL
As for the jurisdictional divisions mentioned in the report, Evans said that when Ellison didn’t have proper jurisdiction to go after fraudsters, he defended Minnesota from frivolous litigation by those trying to hide schemes.
Ellison recently introduced legislation in St. Paul to broaden his Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, his office said, while adding that the House report does not properly distinguish between authorities of the AG’s office and other agencies.
Ellison’s office said they remain solely empowered to prosecute Medicaid fraud and that other social services fraud is the purview of counties or the feds.
Walz spokesman Teddy Tschann told Fox News separately the report shows the committee has proven itself "time and time again to be nothing more than a joke" by "rehash[ing] COVID-era fraud to distract from endless wars, gas prices, ICE and [President Donald Trump's alleged] insider trading."
The House report noted both Walz and Ellison were given an opportunity to explain their actions during the March 2026 hearing but failed to provide what the committee considered sufficient answers.
House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer, R-Ky., was so alarmed by the investigation’s findings, he sent a letter Monday to Vice President JD Vance — in the Ohioan’s capacity as chair of the White House Task Force to eliminate fraud — to conduct its own thorough review of Minnesota’s social services programs.
Fox News' Tyler Olson contributed to this report.
Alex Murdaugh murder case gets new judge as retrial looms following Supreme Court reversal
A South Carolina judge has been assigned to take over Alex Murdaugh’s blockbuster murder case after the disgraced legal scion’s convictions in the slayings of his wife and son were overturned.
South Carolina Supreme Court Chief Justice John W. Kittredge signed an order Monday giving Judge Debra R. McCaslin jurisdiction over all proceedings tied to Murdaugh’s murder-case indictments.
The order gives McCaslin authority over "any future retrial on the murder charges" as well as motions, jury trials, civil forfeiture actions and other related matters in the case.
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The brief order does not set a new trial date or rule on any outstanding motions. Instead, it puts McCaslin in charge of the next phase of the case.
In a statement to Fox News Digital, South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson's office said: "As always, we look forward to presenting the State's case in court as part of a fair, open, and transparent process."
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McCaslin, an at-large circuit court judge, was elected by the South Carolina General Assembly on Feb. 5, 2020, according to the South Carolina Judicial Branch.
She earned her law degree from the University of South Carolina School of Law in 1993 and was admitted to the South Carolina Bar that year. The Judicial Branch says she was also admitted to the U.S. District Court, the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals and the U.S. Supreme Court.
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Murdaugh, 57, was convicted in March 2023 of murdering his wife, Maggie, 52, and their 22-year-old son, Paul, at the family’s sprawling hunting estate in Colleton County in June 2021.
He was sentenced to life in prison, but his lawyers later pushed for a new trial, arguing that the jury had been improperly influenced by former Colleton County Clerk of Court Rebecca Hill.
MURDAUGH HOUSEKEEPER REVEALS ONE DETAIL THAT CONVINCED HER ALEX WAS GUILTY OF MURDERS: 'HE DID IT'
The South Carolina Supreme Court reversed the denial of Murdaugh’s new-trial motion on May 13 and sent the case back to the circuit court.
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Murdaugh, a once-prominent Hampton County lawyer from a powerful legal dynasty, has repeatedly denied killing Maggie and Paul.
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The pair were found shot to death near the dog kennels at the family’s Moselle estate, a sprawling property in South Carolina’s Lowcountry.
Prosecutors argued Murdaugh killed his wife and son to distract from his crumbling legal and financial world as years of thefts and lies were closing in on him.
His defense team insisted he was a loving husband and father who had been wrongfully accused after investigators zeroed in on him too quickly.
Although Murdaugh’s murder convictions were overturned, he remains behind bars on separate financial-crime convictions after admitting he stole from clients and his former law firm.
Prosecutors have said they intend to retry him on the murder charges.
Federal judge strikes down Trump’s $100K H-1B visa fee, ruling it an unconstitutional tax
A federal judge on Monday struck down President Donald Trump's $100,000 fee requirement for employers seeking H-1B visas for highly skilled foreign workers, ruling that the administration exceeded its authority by imposing what amounted to a tax that only Congress can authorize or delegate.
U.S. District Judge Leo Sorokin, an Obama appointee, issued the ruling in a lawsuit filed by 20 states in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts, according to court filings.
The lawsuit, challenging the fee Trump announced in September, was led by California and named Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin, whose department oversees the H-1B visa program, as a defendant. Several federal agencies involved in implementing and enforcing the policy were also named in the suit.
As part of the ruling, Sorokin invalidated agency memoranda, guidance documents, website instructions, FAQs and fee schedules that established and enforced the $100,000 H-1B visa fee.
TRUMP’S $100K H-1B VISA OVERHAUL COULD HIT TECH GIANTS LIKE AMAZON AND MICROSOFT HARDEST
According to the filing, Sorokin ruled that the fee was designed to raise revenue from a lawful program and therefore functioned as a tax rather than a penalty, as the Trump administration had argued. Under the U.S. Constitution, the power to impose or delegate taxes rests with Congress.
"Here, the $100,000 payment requirement for all H-1B petitions does not aim to establish that hiring H-1B workers is illegal," the filing said. "The payment is not a penalty... because it is not ‘punishment for an unlawful act or omission.’ Hiring workers pursuant to the H-1B program is plainly lawful."
The fee also violated the Administrative Procedure Act (APA), which requires agencies to undergo a "notice-and-comment" period to gather public feedback, the judge ruled.
Sorokin said the agencies that implemented and enforced the fee failed to adequately explain their reasoning, consider alternative options or assess the policy’s potential consequences, and lacked a valid emergency or foreign-affairs justification for bypassing the process.
"[T]he mere fact that Defendants followed a presidential directive does not grant them free rein to ignore the requirements of the APA," Sorokin wrote.
ARE AMERICAN WORKERS BEING REPLACED? INSIDE THE H-1B VISA CONTROVERSY
As of Feb. 15, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has received 85 payments of the $100,000 requirement, resulting in $8.5 million in payments, the administration said in a March filing.
The H-1B program provides 65,000 visas annually, with an additional 20,000 reserved for workers with advanced degrees, typically valid for three to six years, according to Reuters.
Employers generally paid between $960 and $7,595 in fees prior to Trump’s proclamation, court filings said.
Trump introduced the fee last September, arguing the H-1B visa process was fueling the large-scale replacement of American workers and had "undermined both our economic and national security."
His move to address the issue drew widespread criticism from business and tech leaders.
From 2024 through mid-2025, Amazon received 19,301 H-1B approvals, more than any other major tech company, according to USCIS data. Microsoft also secured 9,914, while Apple received 8,075.
Panthers' Bryce Young, Xavier Legette spend offseason weekend riding horses and ripping ATVs
Bryce Young may be the signal caller, but this weekend he was living in Xavier Legette's world.
The Carolina Panthers teammates enjoyed a little offseason bonding while riding horses and four-wheelers out in the country. Rookie wide receiver Chris Brazzell tagged along, too.
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And it looked like a dang good time.
In videos circulating on social media, Young and Legette can be seen riding horses near an open field before hopping on ATVs and cruising around the countryside.
For anyone familiar with Legette, none of this should come as a surprise.
The South Carolina native has become one of the Panthers' most popular players — not just because of his play on the field, but because of his unapologetically country lifestyle off the field. This is the same guy who brings home-cooked raccoon in a lunch box to work.
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Legette owns more than a dozen horses and even rode one of his horses, "Dolla Bill," to a Panthers game last season.
The wide out's love of horses goes far beyond a hobby, too.
While attending the Kentucky Derby last year, Legette revealed that he eventually hopes to have a horse competing in the sport's biggest race.
"I see it as, like, kind of a big investment," Legette said of his stable. "And one day I want to get into the derby."
As for Young, the Panthers’ offense could use every bit of chemistry they can get heading into the 2026 season.
Carolina captured the NFC South title in 2025, though that’s not exactly saying much. The division was by far the weakest in football, and the Panthers won it with an 8-9 record.
So needless to say, there’s room for improvement.
The organization spent the offseason adding defensive talent in linebackers Jaelan Phillips and Devin Lloyd and making it clear it expects to contend again. That puts even more pressure on Young, who enters what feels like a pivotal season in his development as the franchise quarterback.
If the Panthers are going to take the next step, Young and his receivers will need to be on the same page.
And if that means riding horses and ripping four-wheelers through the South Carolina countryside, then so be it.
Finland’s foreign minister says Ukraine ‘is now holding the cards’ as Russia signals talks
EXCLUSIVE: Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen said Ukraine has gained new leverage against Russia, arguing that Moscow’s renewed talk of negotiations comes as Kyiv has strengthened itself militarily, politically and diplomatically.
Valtonen’s comments carry particular weight because Finland is one of NATO’s newest members and now sits on the alliance’s longest border with Russia. Finland joined NATO in April 2023 after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, ending decades of military nonalignment and transforming the country into a frontline state in Europe’s security posture.
"Ukraine certainly is now holding the cards," Valtonen told Fox News Digital Monday in an interview at the United Nations headquarters in New York. "They have strengthened themselves immensely over the course of the past three, four months, both militarily and politically, diplomatically. And I think this opens a great window of opportunity for actually advancing the peace talks."
UKRAINE MAKES FASTEST GAINS IN YEARS AS RUSSIA TALKS STALL, EXPLOITING CRACKS IN KREMLIN COMMAND
Her assessment comes as Reuters reported that Ukraine’s top military commander said Ukrainian forces had recaptured more than 600 square kilometers, or roughly 230 square miles, of territory so far in 2026, a shift after years of slow Russian gains. It also follows renewed diplomatic activity, including Zelenskyy’s stated willingness to halt fighting along current lines as a path to talks and Putin’s public rejection of a direct meeting for now.
Finland shares a roughly 820-mile border with Russia, making it one of the alliance’s most strategically exposed members.
Valtonen said Moscow has shown little willingness to make concessions and argued that the responsibility for ending the war remains with the Kremlin.
"So far, Russia hasn’t been willing to make any concessions, and essentially Russia could end the war today if they wanted to, because it was their war in the first place," she said. "So I’m hopeful that this could be the right time to relaunch those talks."
Peace efforts remain stalled over the same core divide that has shaped the war for years: Ukraine has called for a ceasefire and negotiations without surrendering territory, while Russia has continued to demand control over occupied Ukrainian regions. Putin said in early June there was "no point" in meeting Zelenskyy for now and repeated Moscow’s broader war aims.
Asked about U.S.-led efforts to negotiate an end to the war, Valtonen praised Washington’s role but stressed that Ukraine alone must decide whether to accept any concessions, including on territory.
"I think the U.S. involvement in this entire process has been a very good one, and it’s important that the U.S. stays engaged, because at the end of the day, it’s about freedom, it’s the future of not only Europe, but also of global peace," she said.
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Valtonen said Europe also needs to be part of the process because Russia’s war directly affects the continent’s security architecture.
She said any serious negotiations would require Russia to accept a full ceasefire.
"First and foremost, we would need Russia at the table willing to end the war," Valtonen said. "And that would need to happen through a full ceasefire, because only that would open the possibility for true negotiations."
Valtonen also credited President Donald Trump with pushing European allies to increase defense spending, saying the pressure had moved the continent in the right direction after years of imbalance inside NATO.
Finland has moved aggressively to increase defense spending. Helsinki plans to raise defense spending to 3.2% of GDP by 2030, up from 2.5% in 2025, Reuters reported in April.
WHY NATO’S DEFENSE SPENDING IMBALANCE LASTED FOR DECADES
Secretary of State Marco Rubio also praised Finland and Sweden Tuesday during a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing, saying the two newest NATO members had strengthened the alliance by bringing "their own defense industry" and "advanced technologies."
He called them "a great partner" and "an extraordinary partner."
Valtonen said Finland’s approach is shaped by its own history with Moscow.
"Finland obviously has taken the Russian threat extremely seriously because we have the longest border with them," she said. "We certainly worship our status as the happiest country in the world, i.e. democracy, the rule of law and human rights, which we hold dear as values over anything that Russia could offer."
She also pointed to Finland’s experience in World War II, when the Soviet Union invaded Finland, as a reminder of why deterrence matters.
"The last time the Soviet Union, i.e. Russia, tried to invade us was during the Second World War," Valtonen said. "Happily, we were able to fend them off, but of course at the massive cost to the society."
"For us, it has been clear that if we invest in our deterrence, then that’s a signal to Russia — do not come here," she added.
On Iran, Valtonen said Finnish President Alexander Stubb’s March comments, reported by The Guardian, that the conflict was not a NATO matter should not be understood as Europe washing its hands of the crisis.
"I don’t think our president meant that this has nothing to do with European countries or NATO allies," Valtonen said. "I think what he probably meant more is that NATO obviously is not directly involved as an organization, which is true."
EX-NATO AMBASSADOR WARNS US AND ALLIES MUST 'STOP THE SNIPING' AND UNITE TO END IRAN CONFLICT
Her comments came after another weekend escalation in the Iran war, with Tehran launching missiles at Israel and Israel striking military targets in western and central Iran overnight. The flare-up unfolded as the U.S. and its allies continue efforts to prevent Iran from becoming a nuclear state and keep pressure on Tehran over threats to Israel and regional shipping.
The Strait of Hormuz, a critical global energy choke point, has become a central focus for Western governments after Iranian threats and restrictions on maritime traffic. Reuters reported Monday that the European Union sanctioned Iranian-linked individuals and an Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps navy unit over threats to shipping in the strait.
"We as individual member states in Europe have definitely been helping the U.S. effort," Valtonen said. "We don’t want to see Iran as a nuclear state. We know what kind of a threat Iran has projected towards the region, especially toward Israel."
Valtonen added Finland has also joined efforts led by France and the United Kingdom to keep the Strait of Hormuz open once conditions allow for safe operations in the area.
"It’s so important that such straits are not weaponized by any country around the world," Valtonen said.
Asked whether European countries had refused U.S. requests to use bases during the Iran crisis, Valtonen said Finland has no U.S. bases to shut down but argued that most European allies have supported Washington’s requests.
"Finland has been helping the U.S. through so many ways," she said. "We don’t have any U.S. bases in Finland, so there’s nothing we can shut down."
"But having said this, the vast majority of European countries have said yes to everything that the U.S. has asked during the past couple of months when this war effort has been ongoing, independent of the fact that, of course, we are not directly involved as countries in the war," she added.
Valtonen said that support demonstrated NATO allies’ willingness to help Washington even when the alliance itself is not formally involved.
"I think that really shows the engagement by NATO allies in this and our willingness to help when the U.S. really needs some assistance," she said.
Best early Prime Day camping deals: Up to 40% off tents, grills, outdoor fans and more
Gear up for camping season and all your outdoor adventures now that warmer weather is here to stay. Early Amazon Prime Day deals are already live, with savings of up to 40% on solar string lights, Coleman tents, Jackery power banks, grills and more. Whether you're planning a weekend getaway in the woods or upgrading your backyard setup, these discounts have you covered.
2-gallon camping water container: $6.99 (30% off)
Traeger Grills 22 pellet grill and smoker: $389 (29% off)
Mosquito head net: $9.99 (23% off)
Pop-up shower tent: $30.99 (16% off)
Energizer LED headlamp, 2-Pack: $11.96 (15% off)
OFF! Clean Feel insect repellent: $6.87 (14% off)
Camping lantern, 4-pack: $26.99 (10% off)
Original price: $142.99
Coleman's Triton propane stove — currently priced at a 90-day low — is a compact camping favorite that reviewers swear by. Its two adjustable burners ignite at the press of a button, no matches required. Dual wind guards also help prevent the flame from suddenly going out.
READ MORE: Cookout season is here: These are the best grills to buy this summer
Original price: $799
If you like to camp in the deep woods, power your entire site with a Jackery Explorer 1000. The power station runs six devices at once, and with 1,500 watts of output, you can run lights, keep your essential devices online and even set up a mini fridge. Enable Emergency Charging Mode in the app, and it can recharge from 0% to 100% in just one hour.
Original price: $84.99
A classic Coleman cooler has a leakproof design and thick insulation that retains ice for an entire weekend. The 70-quart capacity holds up to 50 cans and 35 pounds of ice, while a sturdy lid that supports up to 250 pounds allows it to double as a seat.
Original price: $289.99
Shopping for a durable cooler that can handle tough terrain? The Igloo Trailmate has rugged wheels and sturdy legs that keep it off the ground. A telescoping handle also reduces strain while you pull. The 70-quart interior fits up to 112 cans, and the exterior features multiple spots for fishing rods.
Original price: $58.99
Get a sturdy camping chair from Coleman for just $40 — a 90-day low. The simple, lightweight chair has an insulated pouch that can fit four cans and multiple storage pockets that fit snacks, books and your phone.
Original price: $99.99
Brighten your campsite with a set of solar string lights on a 200-foot cord. The 72 shatterproof LED bulbs withstand the elements thanks to the waterproof design. Choose from three brightness levels to create the perfect atmosphere, and use the included remote to adjust the lights from up to 25 feet away.
READ MORE: From patio furniture to lawn equipment: Save up to 72% on outdoor deals
Original price: $117.99
Set up this Coleman tent in just 10 minutes. It's a multi-season option that handles wind up to 35 miles per hour and includes a rainfly for added protection. Extra-large windows ventilate the tent, while the E-Port slot accommodates an extension cord.
Original price: $47.99
This compact 15-piece kit comes complete with plates, cups and silverware for two people, plus a tea kettle you can put over the fire. The whole kit stacks together for efficient storage, leaving more space in your pack for other essentials.
READ MORE: Heading outdoors? This camping packing list has everything you need, from $6
Original price: $12.99
One downside to camping is dealing with insects. Luckily, these mosquito-repellent bracelets save you from constantly reapplying bug spray. They're adult- and kid-friendly and contain no DEET or other harmful chemicals.
Original price: $39.99
Stay cool on your patio or out in the woods with a hanging camping fan. The rechargeable battery keeps it running for up to 60 hours, and a built-in LED light can double as a lantern. Use the USB output port to charge your phone, tablet or even a laptop during an emergency.
Original price: $15.99
Your phone's flashlight isn't as bright as these LED flashlights, so stock up while a 2-pack is just $10. Built from aircraft-grade material, they're highly durable and come with five different light modes, such as SOS and strobe settings, to help illuminate even the darkest of paths.
Original price: $24.99
Be prepared for scrapes and bruises with a travel first-aid kit complete with bandages, gloves, an emergency blanket and much more. With 300 pieces in total, you'll have plenty of supplies for camping trips, road trips and minor emergencies.
READ MORE: 18 emergency items to buy before you actually need them — starting at $6
Original price: $106.49
This Coleman sleeping bag has a flannel lining that makes it an all-season must-have. The big-and-tall design gives campers up to 6-foot-5 ample legroom. The 22% discount drops the price to less than $100.
For more Deals, visit www.foxnews.com/deals
Original price: $59.99
This smart meat thermometer just dropped $22, making now the right time to buy. Insert the probe and monitor cooking temperatures in real time through the handheld remote or phone app. You'll also get access to preset cooking temperatures and recipes from culinary professionals.
If you're an Amazon Prime member, you can get these items sent to your door ASAP. You can join or start a 30-day free trial to start your shopping today.
Save up to 50% on top-rated sneakers before Prime Day — from Skechers to adidas
You don't have to wait until Prime Day kicks off to upgrade your sneaker collection for less. With these early deals on brands like Skechers, New Balance and Dr. Scholl's, you can save up to 50% on best-selling pairs weeks before the rush. We've found options for both men and women with discounted styles for walking, working and everyday wear.
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adidas Run Falcon 5 shoes: $38.97 (40% off)
Rockport Colle Tie sneakers: $79.95 (36% off)
adidas Daily 4.0 shoes: $46 (29% off)
Bruno Marc KnitFlex sneakers: $39.99 (25% off)
Skechers Summits slip-in sneakers: $69.95 (20% off)
Original price: $84
Enjoy $20 off a pair of Skechers Go Walk Flex sneakers. The lightweight shoes slip on hands-free, making them ideal for quick errands or long walks. A comfortable insole relieves pressure on your feet, while the breathable mesh encourages airflow.
Original price: $109
Shopping for a reliable pair of work sneakers? These Skechers slip-ins have slip-resistant outsoles that give you proper traction on wet, slippery floors. They're electrical hazard-safe and water-repellent, plus you can get them for less than $100 right now.
READ MORE: Best Amazon deals under $50 before Prime Day: Skechers, Sony, Blink and more
Original price: $89
With summer nearly here, switch out those hot, clunky work boots for a pair of Skechers steel-toe shoes. The safety toe meets impact and compression standards, and the memory foam insole helps prevent foot fatigue, making them an ideal choice for workers who spend many hours standing.
Original price: $79.99
New Balance cross trainers are a classic for a reason. The thick midsole absorbs impact, while the suede upper gives you a polished look for the golf course, the office or yard work. Save $25 on a pair while the deal lasts.
Original price: $99.99
For a smart-looking pair of shoes that still offers athletic performance, go with these New Balance 574 Core sneakers. Suede and mesh combine to create a solid yet airy shoe you can wear daily. A rubber outsole holds up to trails or sidewalks and gives you lasting grip.
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Original price: $75
Under Armour's Charged Asserts use layered lightweight mesh to create a pair of shoes that feel comfortable during workouts and everyday activities. An extra-thick outsole lasts for years, even with daily use.
Original price: $135
Cole Haan is an affordable luxury brand, so these $81 Grand Crosscourt sneakers are a rare deal. They pay homage to vintage tennis shoes with a light, breathable build. A cushioned insole helps create a pair of shoes that look sleek and stay comfortable all day.
adidas Ultrarun 5 running shoes: $60 (25% off)
Sperry Crest Vibe sneakers: $44.79 (36% off)
Brooks Ghost Max 3 walking shoes: $119.95 (25% off)
Skechers Meet Ya There sneakers: $51.95 (24% off)
Orthofeet casual walking sneakers: $99.99 (23% off)
ASICS Gel-Venture 11 trail running shoes: $69.95 (22% off)
Puma Riaze Prowl cross trainers: $71.29 (19% off)
Original price: $70
A classic pair of adidas Grand Court tennis shoes is more than $30 off — a nearly 50% discount. The synthetic design brings a polished look to dinner or the gym. A Cloudfoam Comfort sockliner feels soft underfoot, while the tough rubber outsole provides lasting traction.
READ MORE: Summer work boots that won't leave your feet drenched in sweat, from $50
Original price: $89
Snag a pair of Easy Spirit sneakers for more than half off before the price jumps. These flexible walking shoes feature a padded collar and foam sockliner that help minimize ankle irritation and chafing when walking long distances.
Original price: $79.99
New Balance's 608 V5 cross trainers offer an NDurance rubber outsole that holds up to frequent wear, while the shock-absorbing midsole gives you cushioning and support. Choose from white or black and pair them with any outfit while they're discounted at $50.
READ MORE: 30+ early Amazon Prime Day deals worth shopping now, with discounts up to 79% off
Original price: $73
Grab a pair of responsive Skechers Go Run sneakers for $45 — a savings of $28. The air-cooled cushioning helps reduce impact, whether you're walking, running or on your feet all day at work. Throw them in the washing machine for easy maintenance.
For more deals, visit www.foxnews.com/deals
Original price: $110
Need extra room in your sneakers? These Dr. Scholl's Time Off shoes have a roomy design and a wider-than-average toe box for extra comfort. The water-resistant faux leather body holds up in all types of weather, while the flexible grooves adapt to your natural stride.
If you're an Amazon Prime member, you can get these shoes sent to your door ASAP. You can join or start a 30-day free trial to start your shopping today.
Whoopi Goldberg defends Trump attending Knicks NBA Finals game
Whoopi Goldberg defended President Donald Trump and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani on "The View" Monday, saying both men had earned a place at Madison Square Garden for Game 3 of the NBA Finals because they are longtime Knicks fans.
"I think anybody who’s a Knicks fan should be there," Goldberg said. "You earned the right as a Knicks fan. I don’t have to like you."
Goldberg pushed back after the show played clips of fans objecting to Trump and Mamdani attending Game 3.
"I’m sorry. Trump and Mayor Mamdani are Knicks fans and have been, they're New Yorkers," Goldberg said. "And ... there’s nothing either one of them can do to change what’s happening in this city for this team."
TRUMP EXPECTED TO ATTEND KNICKS-SPURS NBA FINALS GAME 3 AT MADISON SQUARE GARDEN
Goldberg opened by celebrating the Knicks' return home with a 2-0 Finals lead.
"Tonight, tonight, tonight! Come on, Knicks! Come on, Knicks! Come on, Knicks!" Goldberg said. "We earned this bad boy. We earned this!"
The show aired a clip of Trump saying Knicks owner James Dolan had invited him.
"I’ve been a Knicks fan for a long time and also a Jim Dolan fan," Trump said. "He’s a nice guy. The answer is, yes, he’s invited me, and I’m going."
GOV KATHY HOCHUL'S ATTEMPT AT DUNKING ON PRESIDENT TRUMP'S NEW YORK KNICKS FANDOM BACKFIRES
A clip played of one fan saying that both political figures should stay away.
"I think I speak for all New Yorkers when I say that Mayor Mamdani and President Trump, do not come to Madison Square Garden. We don’t want you," the fan said.
Goldberg rejected the idea that either figure could hurt the Knicks’ chances.
"You know what, I don’t think anything can jinx anything," Goldberg said. "I think these guys are on a mission."
Co-host Alyssa Farah Griffin said Trump could face blame if the Knicks lost.
"If I were advising him, I would be like, do not go, because if they lose tonight, everybody is going to —" Farah Griffin said before Sunny Hostin interjected, "The jinx!"
NYC MAYOR-ELECT MAMDANI PREDICTS 'JUNE BANNER' FOR KNICKS AFTER TEAM WINS NBA CUP
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Hostin argued Trump should not attend because he could bring "bad juju," while Goldberg said fans should stay focused.
"All we need to concentrate on is putting our energy and good energy towards them, towards the Knicks," Goldberg said. "That’s what this is about."
Trump is attending as Dolan’s guest, while Mamdani is expected to attend separately and has said he will not sit with the president.
The Knicks lead the Spurs 2-0 entering Game 3, the first NBA Finals game in New York since 1999. Security concerns around Trump’s attendance prompted officials to cancel a planned watch party outside Madison Square Garden and add enhanced screening for fans.