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Bessent invokes assassination attempt '2 hours after being sworn in' in dramatic brushback of leftist threat
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Thursday he was the target of an assassination attempt by a "left-wing activist" just two hours after being sworn into office, citing the case as evidence that violent political extremism from the left is a real and growing threat.
Speaking at the State Department's Ministerial on the Resurgence of Political Terrorism, Bessent pushed back against critics who have questioned the Trump administration's focus on violent far-left extremist groups.
"I'm going to remind everyone in this room — and all the media — that I was the subject of an assassination attempt by an addled left-wing activist two hours after being sworn into my job," Bessent said. "Any of you who want to report that this is a fiction and does not exist, be there for the sentencing this August."
Bessent appeared to be referring to Ryan Michael English, a 24-year-old Massachusetts man who pleaded guilty in March to charges related to attempting to assassinate the then-Treasury secretary nominee at the U.S. Capitol.
English traveled to Washington on Jan. 27, 2025, carrying a folding knife and two improvised Molotov cocktails before approaching a U.S. Capitol Police officer and asking to turn himself in, according to the Justice Department.
Prosecutors said English admitted he had come to the Capitol intending to kill a Cabinet nominee whose Senate confirmation vote was scheduled that day or burn down a Washington think tank. Investigators also recovered a note in which he allegedly wrote, in part, "This is terrible but I cant do nothing while nazis kill my sisters."
English pleaded guilty in March to one count of unlawful receipt, possession and transfer of a firearm and one count of carrying a dangerous weapon on the grounds of the U.S. Capitol. He is scheduled to be sentenced Aug. 14.
Before his time as Treasury secretary, Bessent spent years at Soros Fund Management, serving as the firm's chief investment officer from 2011 to 2015 after earlier helping lead its London office. Following his departure, he launched Key Square Capital Management with backing from George Soros, the billionaire investor and Democratic megadonor who has frequently been a target of criticism from Trump and other conservatives.
Bessent made the remarks as administration officials gathered representatives from roughly 65 countries for a State Department summit aimed at building international cooperation against what the Trump administration describes as a resurgence of violent far-left political terrorism.
Bryson DeChambeau posts 3-under 67 at Royal Birkdale to silence critics after three straight missed major cuts
It's been a tough 2026 for two-time major champion Bryson DeChambeau. Although he won twice on LIV Golf in March, his major performance is what will define his season.
And those results haven't been good. At all. DeChambeau, for the first time in his career, missed the cut in three consecutive majors: the 2026 Masters, PGA Championship and U.S. Open.
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But you're only as good as your last round, and DeChambeau finally has some momentum going in 2026. In the first round of the Open Championship at Royal Birkdale, DeChambeau shared the lead until he made a bogey on his final hole.
Still, he managed to shoot a 3-under 67, putting himself in great position to at least make the cut and potentially contend for a major championship again.
DeChambeau hadn't shot under par in any of his six major rounds in 2026, so it was far and away his best major round of the year. He played in the same group with world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler and finished one shot better than Scheffler.
DeChambeau flashed the long game that helped vault him into the conversation as one of the best players in the world. With Royal Birkdale dried out, DeChambeau took advantage and played aggressively off the tee. Even though he hit only 5 of 14 fairways, the 32-year-old American was second in the field in strokes gained: off the tee following the morning wave.
In 2024 and 2025, DeChambeau finished inside the top 10 in six of his eight major starts, including a win at the 2024 U.S. Open and a pair of runner-up finishes at the 2024 and 2025 PGA Championships.
He was being discussed in the same conversation as Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy as one of the best golfers on the planet.
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But with the future of LIV Golf up in the air, DeChambeau made comments implying he might not return to the PGA Tour should LIV Golf shut down and could instead focus on YouTube golf.
Former players and golf analysts teed off on DeChambeau's comments, saying that his focus on YouTube golf over competitive professional golf affected his majors performance.
Heading into the Open Championship, Nick Faldo said DeChambeau "has zero clue of strategy".
Brandel Chamblee piled on: "It's almost like he went from chasing Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy to chasing [YouTube golfer] Grant Horvat. It's like he wants to outdo every YouTuber in the game of golf instead of outplay everybody in the game of golf."
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DeChambeau, who usually makes himself available to the media following his rounds, declined to speak to reporters following Thursday's performance.
But, for at least one day at the Open Championship, DeChambeau looked a lot more like Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy than Grant Horvat.
Whether he can keep it up remains to be seen.
Juan Soto has 12 hits and 5 home runs off Aaron Nola as Mets open series against Phillies
We have reached the unofficial second half of the MLB Season. I mention it being unofficial, as we are about 95+ games played for all teams at this point, meaning fewer than 70 games are remaining for any team to make a move. We saw the first decent trade of the season with Lance McCullers Jr. going from Houston to Milwaukee. I can't wait to see what the deadline brings and how the race to the postseason plays out.
Let's start this "second half" on the right foot with a win in the game between the Mets and Phillies.
The New York Mets are among the most disappointing teams in the Majors. In order for them to win enough games and make it to the postseason, they will need to play something like .650 or better baseball. That's not official math from me, but they are 17 games under .500 at the moment. With 70ish games left, they would probably need to go 50-20 or something to have a realistic shot. That would put them about 10 games over .500. They are only ahead of the Colorado Rockies in the Wild Card race, and I probably don't need to explain that the Rockies have no chance to make the postseason.
Perhaps there will be a turnaround. They are going to want to get off to a good start, and they turn to Christian Scott today to give them a good outing. Scott, for the year, is 2-1 with a 3.17 ERA and a 1.30 WHIP. He has been slightly better on the road with a 2.79 road ERA. He really hasn't had a bad start this season, but he also hasn't completed six innings in any of his 12 outings. He did face the Phillies one this season and went 4.1 innings, allowing three hits and two earned runs.
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The Philadelphia Phillies already had their turnaround, and they've been dominating ever since. I've written about it many times, but after a disastrous start, they fired their manager. Don Mattingly is now at the helm, and he continues to prove that he is a transformational manager. He did well as the Dodgers manager and then led the Marlins to their first playoff appearance in 17 years. Now he is helping the Phillies get comfortable and in position to once again be a tough out in the playoffs. I don't usually think managers have an impact, but he clearly has done well.
It also helps that the Phillies have a very good team and a solid roster. One dude that they need to get back in line if they want him to pitch in the postseason is today's starter, Aaron Nola. Before the All-Star break, Nola went 3-6 with a 5.75 ERA and a 1.43 WHIP. He's only 33 years old, so I don't think he has fallen off a cliff, but he clearly isn't pitching all that well. Nola has been rough at home, allowing 29 earned runs in 38.1 home innings. July, so far, has been his best month of work. The Mets are hitting .257 against him, but he did have a decent outing against them earlier in the season.
I am not quite sure what to make of the total. Nola has been giving up too many runs, and it seems like the Mets are cautious with Scott, but he could still allow a few runs before his day is done. Perhaps a better bet than taking the total is a player prop. Juan Soto is 12-for-45 against Nola with five home runs. He is +232, so it isn't a great number, but still might be worth it.
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My official play will be on the Mets through five innings. I don't like the way that Nola has pitched, but I really don't trust the Mets for a full game. Maybe Nola has turned around, but Scott has been more consistent between the two. Give me the Mets through five innings to start the second half of the season.
For more sports betting information and plays, follow David on X/Twitter: @futureprez2024
Missouri teen girl shot and killed at home, and now 3 friends face charges
A Missouri teen was shot dead and left inside her home for hours before her mother returned and discovered her body, leading to criminal charges against three juveniles, authorities said.
Deputies responded Saturday afternoon to a home on Tower Road near Hillsboro, about 45 minutes southwest of St. Louis, where they found 16-year-old Gabbriana Boyster with a gunshot wound to the head, according to the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office. Investigators believe she was shot Friday evening while three juveniles who knew her were inside the home.
One suspect has been charged with involuntary manslaughter, unlawful use of a weapon resulting in death, armed criminal action and abandonment of a corpse, according to the Jefferson County Juvenile Office. Two others were each charged with abandonment of a corpse and later released. Authorities have not identified the suspects because they are minors.
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Boyster's mother, Candy G'Sell, was away when the shooting happened, according to the sheriff's office. She told KSDK the last conversation she had with her daughter came Friday night.
"She told me she was staying home. I told her to lock the door," G'Sell told the outlet.
When G'Sell returned home Saturday afternoon, she found her daughter's body and called 911, according to the sheriff's office. Paramedics pronounced the teen dead at the scene.
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"I walked in the room and she was laying there ... sitting up," G'Sell said. "In the blink of an eye, you know. She didn't deserve that."
Investigators have not said what led to the shooting, though they say Boyster and the three suspects knew one another. G'Sell told the outlet that the boys were all friends of her daughter.
"It's not a game. Guns are not toys," G'Sell said.
Jefferson County Sheriff's Office spokesman Grant Bissell said the case has left multiple families grieving.
"There's no getting around the loss of life," Bissell told KTVI. "You've got one family who is torn apart by the loss of their loved one. You've got three other families that are now potentially going to be torn apart by the consequences [of the] actions of these young people. It's a no-win situation for anybody."
G'Sell remembered her daughter, known to friends as "Gabby," as a kind-hearted teenager who loved her family, cared deeply about her friends and dreamed of becoming an ultrasound technician, according to KSDK. Instead of getting ready for her daughter's junior year at Hillsboro High School, G'Sell said she spent the week planning her daughter's funeral.
"There's no relief. My baby is gone," G'Sell told the outlet. "What mother wants to bury their baby?"
The Hillsboro School District said grief counselors will be available for students and families following Boyster's death.
"Our hearts are with the student's family, friends, and everyone impacted by this unimaginable loss," Superintendent Dr. Jon Isaacson said in a statement obtained by KMOV. "While words cannot take away the pain of this tragedy, we want our students, staff, and families to know they are not alone. We are committed to providing support and care for everyone who is grieving during this difficult time."
McDonald's newest menu item has fans begging for one discontinued favorite
McDonald's is rolling out a new Caesar sauce nationwide — and it's already prompting customers to ask the fast-food giant the same question: Where are the salads?
The Illinois-based fast-food chain announced that beginning July 21, and for a limited time, participating restaurants nationwide will offer McDonald's Caesar Sauce, "a creamy, garlicky Parmesan blend infused with notes of lemon that's giving fan-favorite chicken items a glow-up this summer."
The Caesar sauce is designed for chicken items, namely the new Caesar Snack Wrap and the Bacon Caesar McCrispy Sandwich, McDonald's said. There will also be a Caesar Dip Cup available.
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"Want extra Caesar for dipping and dunking?" McDonald's said in its news release. "You can order dip cups à la carte at participating restaurants."
But as McDonald's promoted the new sauce on Instagram, many commenters focused on what wasn't on the menu.
"To put on what?! Salads still aren't back," an Instagram user wrote alongside an emoji rolling its eyes.
"There better be a salad dropping with this," another user wrote.
"Just bring the shakable salads cups please," commented another.
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"None of your employees or CEO likes salad?" wrote someone else.
"How about bringing back salads to start first, just a thought," someone commented.
"Ok but what about salad shakers to go with?" a user wondered.
Several other Instagram commenters echoed the salad sentiment.
McDonald's has experimented with salads over the years. The Washington Post reported on the debut of the healthier menu item in 1986. The fast-food chain began testing the McSalad Shaker in 1999.
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"The new salads are packaged in a large, clear cup with a domed lid so that customers can pour in the dressing and toss it evenly," the Los Angeles Times reported at the time.
The McSalad Shaker was an official McDonald's item on menus nationwide by 2000.
"The revolutionary packaging concept makes eating a McSalad Shaker easy and fun," Gerald Tomlinson, McDonald's corporate chef, said at the time. "It's very portable, and the clear packaging allows our customers to see the fresh ingredients from top to bottom."
By 2003, however, the McSalad Shaker had been replaced by a line of large-format Premium salads, Food & Wine reported. Salads were discontinued altogether during the COVID-19 pandemic when McDonald's streamlined its menu, according to the publication.
"You know, our founder famously said in 1970, 'I don't know what people are going to be eating in the year 2000, but we're going to serve more of it than anybody else,'" McDonald's USA president Joe Erlinger said during a 2024 interview at the Wall Street Journal's Global Food Forum.
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Erlinger said it's been his experience that salads aren't what customers want from McDonald's.
"One thing that won’t be returning to U.S. restaurants nationally is salads," Erlinger added.
"The demand just isn't there. They're looking for great french fries. They're looking for a $5 meal deal. They're looking for a hot, fresh sandwich, and so that's what we're going to continue to provide them."
Fox News Digital reached out to McDonald's for comment.
Olympians speak out against WNBA for handling of Caitlin Clark
Caitlin Clark was infamously left off the last U.S. Olympic women's basketball team in Paris in 2024.
Two years later, the controversy surrounding the WNBA's handling of Clark has reached many corners of the sports world, and caught the attention of Olympians from multiple countries.
After weeks of controversy, ignited by a punch to Clark's throat by another player and has since featured Clark screaming in the face of referees on Wednesday night, eight Olympians across three countries have come forward to Fox News Digital to speak out against the WNBA in defense of Clark.
"The WNBA needs the courage to act decisively for athlete safety. Caitlin Clark is a generational superstar, but she deserves the same protection as every player," Hogshead told Fox News Digital.
"The WNBA cannot continue to allow any dangerous conduct to go unchecked. A fist pressed against a player's throat is never 'just part of the game.' It's wildly unacceptable. WNBA: Enforce your rules, hold offenders accountable, and put athlete safety first."
"As an Olympian, I’ve always believed sports has never been about what you look like or where you come from. It’s always been finding the answer to the one pressing question: can the champion stay on top, or can the next contender rise up and take their place? The athletes who prepare the hardest, perform when the pressure is the hardest, and deliver in the biggest moments are the ones who earn respect. Caitlin Clark has done exactly that. Yet instead of celebrating her elite competition, too much of the conversation has shifted to who she is rather than what she’s accomplished," Watson told Fox News Digital.
"She has faced repeated hard fouls and relentless criticism, that if roles were reversed people would now use race as an excuse and the league always looks like it’s reacting instead of leading.The reality is that Caitlin Clark brought unprecedented attention back to the WNBA.
"The league had passionate fans before she arrived, but her impact expanded the audience in a way that’s hard to ignore. That’s what transcendent athletes do for their generation, they elevate the sport. Every era has someone willing to push the standard higher, and that’s how sports grow.
"Her legacy is already taking shape. The challenge now isn’t proving if she belongs because she has already shown that. It’s continuing to perform at an elite level while the league does its part to protect its players and let the competition, not the controversy, be the headline story.
"For those of us pioneers who had no college or professional sports opportunities and have worked tirelessly to elevate all women in sports, the abuse behavior directed at Caitlin Clark is disrespectful and shortsighted. A talented performer in any sport lifts up everyone. Players who do not understand this are undermining the WNBA," de Varona told Fox News Digital.
"Holy Cow! That’s what I thought when seeing a fist on Caitlin’s throat. Then to hear Sophie [Cunningham] say she feels they are targeting her? What’s being done about this?" Uhlaender told Fox News Digital.
"Safety is not a political issue. All players deserve fair play, safety, and sports are at their best when the focus is on the game, not on whether the integrity of the officials are up to standard. If athletes are questioning the officials, what is the WNBA doing to address that? I want to see the integrity of the rules upheld consistently, so should the WNBA."
"The goal of every functional sports league should be to promote the sport and the athletes in the sport. The goal of all of the athletes in the league should be to showcase their athleticism to the fans. When the public focus of the league becomes peripheral drama having nothing to do with the fundamental sport, the league will always suffer," Gebhardt told Fox News Digital.
"The WNBA never misses an opportunity to miss an opportunity. Having spent years falling all over themselves seemingly trying to build a social movement rather than an actual sports league, they are now botching a once in a generation opportunity with an athlete like Caitlin Clark," Bremer told Fox News Digital.
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"If the WNBA wants to become a truly relevant sports league that offers women a high-paid professional opportunity, they will need to clear out the petty drama and focus on building a world-class sporting operation that supports their star athletes."
"I noticed that after the letter was sent by members of Congress, news media called out the 11th best player vote by fellow players, criticism of the officiating. The last game changed from gutter/thug ball to professional ball. I hope Caitlin is finally going to be recognized as a passionate athlete and a generational player. Celebrate her, her awesome teammates, and the WNBA. All should thrive, instead of this ripping apart everything to its demise," Thompson told Fox News Digital.
"The WNBA has not been aggressive enough in protecting Caitlin Clark. Every player in the league deserves the same safeguards when they step on the court. The WNBA’s responsibility is to enforce its rules consistently and make it clear that talent should be challenged by great basketball, not by unchecked cheap shots," Zimmerman told Fox News Digital.
Country star Riley Green reveals why fan emotion at his shows beats industry awards every time
Riley Green finds pleasure in the simple things in life.
Green has become a legit country music superstar over the past couple years, and his rise has been a ton of fun to watch.
He's currently on tour, but that's not all he's cooking up. Green's new album "That's Just Me" comes out on September 18th.
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So, how does one of country music's biggest stars find joy?
His answer is shockingly simple and straightforward.
Green appeared on Theo Von's incredibly popular podcast "This Past Weekend w/ Theo Von" for an episode released Wednesday, and he shared some refreshing comments about success, fame and what makes him happy.
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How much do awards and professional attention matter to Green? Not nearly as much as the fans at his shows do.
"For me, I think I appreciate a lot more a sold out show, but when fans are there and they're like singing a song that I wrote and it, like, I can tell it means something to them. There's emotion in it, like that means more to me than an award."
Von also asked the country music icon about if he feels pride in what he's done, and he shared a very humbling answer.
"I think that you got to find things in your life that you do feel proud of yourself about. Like for me, it's not musical achievements. For me, I feel proud about my farm. I feel proud that I, you know, could put my parents in a nice house and buy my dad a truck. I feel more for that than anything I've ever bought myself, you know, and like my niece and nephew sending me pictures, my sister, of them catching fish in my lake. Like, I'm proud of, like, that. And that those are things that I know will last forever," the "Jesus Saves" singer explained.
You can watch Green's full comments in the video below starting around 1:15:00, and let me know your thoughts at David.Hookstead@outkick.com.
It's always great to hear someone speak a little common sense, especially when there is very little in the entertainment industry.
Seeking attention from industry insiders or awards shows is a waste of time. It's about the people close to you and the fans.
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That's all it's ever about because those are the people who actually care at the end of the day, especially family and friends.
Everything else is a distraction.
What do you think about Green's comments? Let me know at David.Hookstead@outkick.com.
Breanna Stewart and Sabrina Ionescu look to snap Dallas Wings' five-game winning streak
At the beginning of the WNBA season, there were two teams that people assumed would win the WNBA Championship. One of them was the New York Liberty. The other was the Las Vegas Aces. After all, the teams have won the past four championships. The Minnesota Lynx were expected to be fine, but take a step back due to missing their MVP. We go into tonight's game with the Liberty looking anything but a championship contender, and their challenger, the Wings, looking like they could be.
The Liberty are one of those teams that has plenty of star power, but things just aren't going great this season. Let us start with the good - Breanna Stewart remains one of the best players in the league, and she is dominating with 20.4 points per game. They won when it mattered most (so far), by taking the WNBA Commissioner's Cup. It looks like Sabrina Ionescu is finally getting back in her stride. However, outside of the Cup, they are just 2-7 over their last nine games.
Maybe this is just a matter of the Liberty knowing they need to get into the playoffs, then do their damage. They've shown signs of being streaky all season. They had an eight-game winning streak, but as mentioned, they've struggled as well. Like most teams, they've had to deal with injuries, and that can be a problem for getting a consistent lineup to gel. I think the Liberty ultimately will be fine, but they probably need to make a run fairly soon.
I won't break my arm patting myself on the back, but of all the WNBA teams, I picked the Wings to have the biggest step forward this season. They had two players who were added to the roster, who I thought would make a big impact. The first is Azzi Fudd, the number one overall pick in this past year's draft. I know, great insight, saying the first pick would be helpful. After looking a bit timid early in the year, she is now shooting much better and playing better as well. She is third on her team in shot attempts, and I think that helps give her teammate Paige Bueckers some options for another threat on the court with her.
The other person whom I expected to make an impact was Alanna Smith. She will not be available in tonight's game and has played in 20 of their 24 games. She has also started only seven games for the Wings. She is not making the impact I expected. She is a 3-and-D player and was a co-Defensive Player of the Year last year. The Wings struggled on defense significantly last year, and I thought she would help transform that part of the game.
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For the year, the Wings are still allowing 85 points per game, which is better than last season, but not great. The Liberty aren't much better at 84 points per game. Dallas is also playing some of their best basketball, having won five straight games. They've run their record to 16-8 for the season and look like they will make the postseason.
I'm going to take a shot on the Liberty tonight. This game is a bit of a toss-up, but the Liberty have lost the first two games to the Wings this season, and now are on the verge of being swept for the season. I also like that the Liberty lost to the Wings just a few days ago. I know that Dallas is playing better basketball, but I think the pride comes out a bit here and New York wins. Give me them at +105.
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For more sports betting information and plays, follow David on X/Twitter: @futureprez2024
Dems roasted for comparing Hegseth's testosterone initiative to 'gender-affirming care'
Democrats, including Sens. Adam Schiff of California and Mazie Hirono of Hawaii, are being mocked online for likening the Pentagon’s new testosterone testing and treatment plan to cross-sex "gender-affirming care."
Following Secretary of War Pete Hegseth’s announcement that the military would begin screening for testosterone deficiency, Democratic leaders quickly took to social media to mock the program as a return to "gender-affirming care."
"Pete Hegseth comes out in favor of gender-affirming care…," wrote Schiff, while Hirono wrote, "So the Pentagon is promoting gender-affirming care now?" Several other Democrats piled on with similar posts.
Their posts, however, were met with immediate pushback.
Commenting on Schiff’s post, one user wrote, "Giving testosterone to men is gender-affirming and not harmful. Chemically castrating a boy or a double mastectomy on a girl is gender-denying, irreversible and harmful. [Schiff] is not only a liar, he is stupid."
In response to a post by Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., saying, "Sounds like gender-affirming care to me," conservative influencer "Just a Bama Gal" shot back, "Not even close."
Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., even brought up the program during a House hearing, bashing it as "absurd" and suggesting that the government could begin testing whether representatives are "male enough to be in Congress."
"The Secretary of Forever Wars, Pete Hegseth, just announced they are going to provide hormone therapy to male service members who don’t have enough testosterone," Jayapal wrote on X. "Let’s be clear: This is gender-affirming care, and it completely debunks all of Republicans’ attacks on trans people."
In response, one user who goes by the name Ellie May wrote, "Let’s be clear your ignorance is showing. Giving your body more of something that it naturally produces is not the equivalent of giving your body the exact opposite it needs to thrive and survive."
DEMOCRATS REVOLT OVER 'BIOLOGICAL' WORDING IN WOMEN'S HISTORY MUSEUM BILL
"Are you crazy???" responded another user named Leah Babcock, "When a woman goes through menopause and gets hormone replacement she’s not suddenly a trans person."
Hegseth announced the program in a post on Wednesday. He explained the military would begin testosterone screening for service members over 30 and optional screening for those under 30 as part of its annual health assessment.
Hegseth said that if treatment is recommended, service members will have the choice of undergoing testosterone replacement therapy. He clarified, "This is not about artificial enhancement; it’s about restoring and optimizing your natural capabilities, protecting your longevity and ensuring you have the biological foundation required to sustain the fight."
In an X post, he labeled his announcement "the High-T Department of War."
Meaghan Mobbs, a former Army paratrooper and president of the nonprofit the R.T. Weatherman Foundation, posted on X, "If you are one of the people melting down because the Department of War wants to screen men over 30 for testosterone deficiency, I am begging you to spend ten minutes reading the science before letting Hegseth Derangement Syndrome rob you of common sense."
"Testosterone is not some cosmetic ‘masculinity’ metric," Mobbs explained. "It is a major endocrine signal tied to muscle mass, bone density, red blood cell production, metabolism, sexual function, energy, concentration, mood, recovery, and physical performance. Clinically low testosterone can present as exhaustion, loss of strength and muscle, impaired concentration, irritability, depressed mood, reduced motivation, and diminished sexual function."
She said that "for years, veterans, clinicians, and military families have begged the system to [take] endocrine health more seriously," adding, "Now someone finally is. Thank God."
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Likewise, Assistant Secretary of Health and Human Services Adm. Brian Christine wrote, "I fully support Secretary Hegseth’s initiative at the Department of War in recognizing the importance of healthy testosterone levels in its warfighting men!"
"Optimizing testosterone supports strength, endurance, healthy body composition, cognitive performance, mission readiness, and overall well-being—ensuring America’s fighting force is prepared to perform at its highest level," wrote Christine.
Memphis pizza joint sparks backlash after owner refuses to serve National Guard troops
A Memphis pizza restaurant is facing backlash after refusing service to four members of the Tennessee National Guard last weekend, with the owner telling Fox News Digital he stands by the decision and would "make the same decision tomorrow."
Miles Tamboli, owner of Tamboli's Pasta & Pizza, said he refused to serve the Guardsmen on Saturday night because he opposes the federally led Memphis Safe Task Force, arguing the use of National Guard troops in local law enforcement has made the city less safe rather than more secure.
"I love this country and I love this city, and that is exactly why I made this call," Tamboli told Fox News Digital in a statement. "I want Memphis to be safe. Every business owner does. And the honest truth is that Memphis was already getting safer before this Task Force ever arrived. Crime was at a 25-year low through the first eight months of 2025, according to the Memphis Police Department's own data, later confirmed by an independent Tennessee Bureau of Investigation audit. That progress was earned by the people of this city. It was not delivered by soldiers."
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The Memphis Safe Task Force is a federally led initiative established in September 2025 by President Donald Trump to stop violent crime in the city. The task force combines local police with agents from various federal agencies, the Tennessee National Guard, and state troopers to enforce public safety laws.
"What the Task Force has actually done is make this city harder to live in," Tamboli continued. "Its own records show that the overwhelming majority of its arrests began with routine traffic stops, not violent crime. Families in this city are now afraid to drive to work, afraid to take their kids to school, afraid to be seen. Our own schools reported that fear drove children to stop showing up to class. And this month, a 20-year-old Memphian named Tyrin Johnson was shot and killed by National Guard troops during a foot chase, with no body camera footage and no answers for his family. None of that makes us safer. It makes us less safe, and it does the most damage to the people who were already struggling."
Tamboli said he believes that the approach being taken to address public safety isn’t correct.
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"Being pro-safety means telling the truth about what actually protects a community, and it is not soldiers trained for combat doing the work of police officers," Tamboli said. "That mismatch is dangerous for the people of Memphis and dangerous for the troops themselves, who were sent here to do a job they were never trained for. The founders wrote their objection to standing armies among the people into the Declaration of Independence itself, because they understood that a free country does not let the military police its own citizens. That principle is older than any political party, and I am not willing to abandon it because it became inconvenient."
On his restaurant’s website, Tamboli said that his family came to the mid-South in 1909 and were part of a group of people who eventually were called the Delta Italians.
"Months ago I joined dozens of other local businesses in a public commitment to stand against the military policing our streets, an act of patriotism and conscience both, and I would make the same decision tomorrow," Tamboli said.
Tamboli admitted in an interview with News Channel 3 in Memphis that it had been bad for business.
"None of it changes my position. If anything, it confirms why this matters," Tamboli told the outlet.
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Users on X shared outrage over the incident, with one person writing, "I’m from Memphis. Tamboli’s Pasta & Pizza refused to serve uninformed Tennessee National Guard members who were just trying to eat. Their owner turned them away. That’s unacceptable. I stand with the National Guard. Businesses that disrespect the men and women protecting our city don’t deserve our support," and included the hashtag, #BoycottTamboli.
Another person wrote, "I hope every patriotic pizza lover in Memphis knows that @nicktamboli owner of Taboli's Pizza is a leftist scumbag, who refuses to serve members of the Tennessee National Guard. It would be a shame if his business suffered a boycott, because ‘in this classroom we believe’... patriotism is real."
Rep. Tim Burchett, R-Tenn., also took to X to comment on the situation, writing, "When I get home I’m driving to Memphis and not eating there."
Fox News Digital reached out to the Tennessee Military Department and Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee for comment.