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Mamdani demands Trump release illegal immigrant shot by ICE agent as protests erupt in the Bronx
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani demanded that President Donald Trump end all ICE enforcement in the state after a federal agent shot an illegal immigrant in the Bronx on Thursday, sparking protests and confrontations with law enforcement.
At a news conference late Thursday night, Mamdani condemned the shooting and said he spoke with Trump for about two hours following the incident.
Mamdani said he urged Trump to have the man released – an effort that was unsuccessful – and said New York City wants ICE agents out.
"All they do is terrorize this city," the mayor said of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
ICE OFFICER SHOOTS, INJURES MAN DURING TARGETED IMMIGRATION OPERATION IN BRONX: DHS
Mamdani also accused ICE of acting "with impunity" and spreading "chaos and terror" across the country, alleging that ICE has killed more people than it has saved.
"Today's shooting is only further devastating confirmation of what we have long known," the mayor said.
"ICE is rotten to its core," he added.
Mamdani also confirmed that the man who was shot has been transported out of the hospital by ICE agents.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul also said she spoke to Trump and Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin.
"Tonight, I spoke with President Trump and DHS Secretary Mullin about the shooting in Marble Hill," she said on X. "I expressed outrage on behalf of New Yorkers and urged them to halt ICE enforcement operations in New York. I also asked that any body camera footage of the shooting be released to the public so we can establish the facts and get to the truth."
ICE SHOOTING ROCKS AUSTIN AS DEMOCRAT DEMANDS BODYCAM VIDEO, INDEPENDENT PROBE
ICE was attempting to arrest a wanted man from the Dominican Republic at around 4 p.m. on Thursday when an agent opened fire and wounded him, according to DHS, which did not provide details on what led to the shooting.
"ICE officers immediately rendered aid. The individual is alive and at a local hospital. The FBI and HSI are on the scene. The incident remains under investigation. More information will be shared as it becomes available," DHS said in a statement.
DHS said the man, who was described as an illegal immigrant, had a prior grand larceny conviction and previous arrests involving assault, robbery, drug possession and weapons possession. The agency also alleged that he had ties to the Trinitarios gang.
Later Thursday night, New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch identified the man as a 28-year-old and said a 5-year-old boy believed to be his son was inside the vehicle with him during the shooting.
"Based on evidence collected at the scene, we know that at least one ICE agent discharged the seven rounds, striking the driver in the neck below his left ear," Tisch said, adding that the boy was not injured and is in the care of a family member.
The agency said the man was arrested by New York City police on Dec. 7, 2023, but was released several days later. DHS blamed New York City's sanctuary policies for his release.
Hundreds of demonstrators gathered outside NewYork-Presbyterian Allen Hospital, where the wounded man was being treated, and chanting "ICE off our streets" and "No justice, no peace." Protesters and police were seen shoving one another during the demonstration as officers began to set barricades, and some demonstrators threw water bottles at the officers.
"From Palestine to Mexico, all these walls have got to go," the group chanted.
Police made some arrests during the demonstration.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Guardians force decisive ALDS Game 5 as White Sox miss chance to reach first ALCS since 2005
With three of the four spots in the league championship series already clinched, Thursday night’s White Sox-Guardians matchup was the lone game on MLB’s postseason schedule. It gave Chicago an opportunity to end its long American League Championship Series drought.
Instead, the White Sox came up short, falling 9-5 in Game 4. A victory would have sent Chicago to the ALCS for the first time in more than two decades. The team’s last appearance came in 2005.
Cleveland’s two fifth-inning home runs powered the Guardians to their second straight win in the series and forced a decisive Game 5 on Saturday.
MLB PROPOSES REVERTING SCHEDULE BACK TO ITS OLD WAYS, BUT NOT WITHOUT A WILD POSTSEASON TWIST
The White Sox started fast, building on their 1-0 lead when Sam Antonacci’s sacrifice fly in the third inning extended it to 2-0.
The Guardians quickly answered, with Patrick Bailey and José Ramírez hitting home runs in the top of the fifth inning.
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Chicago answered in the bottom of the fifth. After Sam Antonacci was hit by a pitch, the White Sox rallied to tie the game at 3-3. A sacrifice fly by outfielder Brenton Doyle then put Chicago ahead 4-3.
That proved to be the White Sox’s final lead of the night.
Miguel Vargas’ solo home run to left field in the bottom of the ninth gave Chicago a chance to mount a comeback. The White Sox put two runners on base later in the inning but ultimately could not complete the rally.
Game 5 of the ALDS shifts back to Cleveland, with the first pitch scheduled for 8 p.m. ET.
Brian Schottenheimer now sits on hottest seat in NFL after Cowboys collapse against Buccaneers
It’s official: Dallas Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer has the hottest seat in the NFL.
Schottenheimer was stumped on the sideline at AT&T Stadium on Thursday night as his squad fell 24-16 to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who entered the game 0-4 and started a rookie quarterback in his first career road game.
Jalon Daniels was quite efficient against a reeling Cowboys defense, which came into this game as the third-worst in the league in terms of yards allowed per game (389.5) and fifth-worst in points allowed (28). The defensive side of the ball was a problem during Schottenheimer’s inaugural season leading the Cowboys in 2025, and with 34-year-old Christian Parker as defensive coordinator, it’s more of the same in 2026.
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The reason Schottenheimer’s seat is the hottest is because the man facing him on the opposite sideline came into Week 5 in that position first.
Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles is fighting for his job security after a brutal start to the season. Yes, his starting quarterback, Baker Mayfield, is out, but the Buccaneers did not look good before his injury. And since Tampa Bay couldn’t make the playoffs last season despite a red-hot start, Bowles needs to start stacking wins.
The state of Tampa Bay, and a Dallas victory over the Houston Texans in Week 4, led Vegas to mark the Cowboys as a clear-cut favorite at home. But Dak Prescott never felt comfortable like he did in Week 4, with Bowles drawing up his signature blitzes throughout the four quarters, and the Dallas defense continued to be passive.
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Tampa Bay found itself down at halftime, 10-7, but shifty running back Bucky Irving changed the entire momentum of the contest when he sprinted 72 yards on the opening drive of the third quarter to set up an Emeka Egbuka touchdown. In just two plays, the Bucs went 86 yards and took the lead, shocking the sold-out crowd.
To make matters worse, the Cowboys would turn the ball over their next three possessions, leading to a lopsided game. Prescott threw an interception, and Daniels found Tez Johnson in busted coverage for a 64-yard catch-and-run. Irving scored his second touchdown of the game to further the Bucs’ lead, and Prescott wouldn’t even get the ball back after KaVontae Turpin fumbled the ensuing kickoff, which Tampa Bay recovered.
With a Chase McLaughlin field goal making it 24-10, the Cowboys felt desperate at the end of the third quarter, going for it on fourth down near midfield and failing to convert.
There was, however, some hope provided by a key stop from this lackluster defense. On fourth-and-goal from the one-yard line, Bowles decided to go for the kill shot, hoping to punch one into the end zone and make it a 31-10 game in the fourth quarter. But Sean Tucker, their short-yardage specialist in the backfield, was unable to punch it home.
From there, Schottenheimer put on his best play-calling hat and recognized that momentum was shifting toward Dallas despite the Buccaneers’ 99-yard drive. He and Prescott delivered.
George Pickens capped that 99-yard drive with a 17-yard touchdown catch, his first of the season, to make it a one score game after a two-point conversion failed.
The momentum continued, as the Buccaneers went three-and-out, and with ample time as well as timeouts, Prescott could go down the field and perhaps tie the game with a touchdown and two-point conversion. Instead, more disaster for the Cowboys in this primetime matchup, as tight end Jake Ferguson, usually as sure-handed as they come for Dallas, had a Prescott pass go right through his hands, hit his face mask and land in the arms of Buccaneers linebacker Alex Anzalone while in Tampa Bay territory.
This time, Daniels and the Buccaneers’ offense didn’t squander the chance to put the Cowboys away, as Irving picked up the necessary first down to allow his rookie quarterback some victory kneels to end the game.
Sure, the Cowboys' record still reads 2-3 compared to the Buccaneers' 1-4. But Jerry Jones demands winning in Dallas, and this was a brutal loss for a coach already stirring speculation about whether he’s right for one of the most coveted jobs in the sport.
There’s still many games left to play, but it’s truly heating up for Schottenheimer after this one.
A'ja Wilson wins record fifth MVP as first three-peat in WNBA history strengthens all-time greatness case
On Thursday, A’ja Wilson added another line to her already lengthy basketball resume, reaching yet another level of WNBA greatness by becoming the league’s first five-time MVP.
The Las Vegas Aces superstar has claimed the coveted trophy for a third consecutive season, becoming the first player in league history to win three straight MVP awards. It marks her fourth MVP title in the past five years.
Aces coach Becky Hammon believes Wilson’s résumé already places her among the greatest players in basketball. In addition to her WNBA accomplishments, Wilson won an NCAA Division I national championship at South Carolina.
DREAM MOVE WITHIN ONE WIN OF FIRST WNBA FINALS APPEARANCE SINCE 2013 AFTER OVERTIME VICTORY
"(As) I said, take her off Mount Rushmore — she’s Everest," Hammon said earlier in the playoffs. "Now I’m taking her off Everest, and I have to put her on a different planet. She just has all of it."
Hammon also emphasized that talent alone does not guarantee the kind of sustained team and individual success Wilson has achieved. "Because you can be a really talented and skilled basketball player and not win as much as she has, and not become as individually great as she has."
Wilson may not have put together the most statistically impressive season of her career, but she remained dominant across the board.
Her 26.2 points per game led the WNBA in scoring, while her 79 blocks were also a league high. She ranked among the league’s top five rebounders in rebounds per game during the regular season. Atlanta Dream forward Angel Reese led the WNBA with 12.1 rebounds per game and was named the 2026 WNBA Defensive Player of the Year.
When Wilson won her fourth MVP award in 2025, she broke a tie with Hall of Famers Sheryl Swoopes, Lisa Leslie and Lauren Jackson for the most MVP trophies in WNBA history at the time. The three standout players largely traded the award between 2000 and 2010, winning every MVP except in 2008, when Candace Parker claimed the honor, and 2009, when Diana Taurasi won.
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In NBA history, only three players have been awarded at least five MVPs: Bill Russell, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Michael Jordan. With her fifth MVP, Wilson is now among select group of legendary basketball players.
"If you’re able to set a standard, if you’re able to rewrite things, and kind of etch yourself into history books, it means a lot," Wilson said at a news conference in Las Vegas on Thursday. "I’m so grateful that I can share these moments with so many different people. But it’s always fun when you’re able to set the standard, and give people and yourself something to chase after."
Wilson was the overwhelming MVP choice, receiving all but nine of the first-place votes. Minnesota Lynx rookie Olivia Miles finished second with six first-place votes, followed by Indiana Fever guard Kelsey Mitchell with two. Mitchell’s teammate, Caitlin Clark, received the remaining first-place vote and finished fourth.
A’ja Wilson’s latest challenge is guiding the Aces through unprecedented territory. They would have to become the first team in WNBA history to erase a 2-0 deficit against the Golden State Valkyries and win a best-of-five playoff series. If Wilson leads the comeback, it would further cement her place in basketball lore.
Game 3 is scheduled for Friday night as the series shifts to Las Vegas.
Tony Romo got disqualified from his Korn Ferry qualifier the same day he 'parted ways' with CBS Sports
Man, it has not been a great run recently for former Dallas Cowboys star quarterback Tony Romo.
Romo became the talk of the internet when he was arrested over the summer for operating a vehicle while intoxicated in Wisconsin. Police body cam footage of the arrest went viral, and his mugshot was quickly passed around, with a seemingly endless run of memes made about the 46-year-old.
As one of CBS Sports' lead football analysts, speculation immediately started about his future on television, with the network announcing that he'd been put on indefinite leave.
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That leave turned into a permanent separation in early October, when news broke that the two sides had agreed to mutually part ways. Obviously, not the best news for Romo, who, while he started off hot, had recently come under criticism from fans for his analysis and was still owed tens of millions of dollars on his contract.
Well, the news got even worse for him that same day.
Romo is an accomplished, very talented golfer, to the point where he recently participated in a pre-qualifier tournament for a Korn Ferry Tour event. Far from the PGA Tour, or more likely the Champions Tour, but still impressive for an "amateur" player.
Less impressive? The fact that on the same day he "parted ways" with CBS, Romo was disqualified from that Korn Ferry pre-qualifier.
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While trying, unsuccessfully, to make the cut, Romo was accused of signing an incorrect scorecard.
Per Golf.com, Romo's qualifier was held at the Club at Forest Ridge in Broken Arrow, Okla., where he started with rounds of 76 and 75, putting him well back, 13 strokes to be exact, of the leaders after 36 holes. That score was still good enough to put him in a decent spot to move on to the next stage of Q-School for the Korn Ferry tour. Put in a solid showing on Friday? He'd have given himself a realistic chance to advance.
The problem? Three people had three different versions of Romo's score in that third round.
Romo signed his score card showing that he made a 4 on the 16th hole and a 4 on the 17th hole. But his playing partner and marker, Brandon Rice, put him down for a 4 on the 16th, but a 5 on the 17th. That's odd, but even more bizarre is that a PGA Pro and walking referee told tournament organizers that after being assigned to track Romo's group after they were put "on the clock" for slow play, he recollected Romo having a 5 on the 16th and a 5 on the 17th.
What on earth?
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Well, Rob Keller, the pre-qualifier administrator, told Golf.com what he thought happened. Keller believed that the slow-play, inability to make birdies, and "all that was going on with him," Romo simply didn't take the time to thoroughly check his marker's version of his score. Keller also added that Romo "took responsibility" when the two spoke on the phone while being "very complimentary" as to the quality of the tournament.
Romo wouldn’t have made it through given his third-round score, but still, what a day for the former QB. How do you get your scores wrong? Especially when you know you have a marker there observing all of it. Sounds like Romo might be the ideal scramble tournament partner, one where the winning score is in the 40's somehow.
Maybe the worst news? It doesn't seem like golf will be a post-CBS career option.
Rumbling volcano forces immediate trail closures at popular vacation hot spot
Officials are monitoring renewed volcanic activity at one of Hawaii's most popular tourist destinations as hundreds of earthquakes and rockfall risks prompt temporary trail closures.
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) issued a volcanic activity notice earlier this week for the Kīlauea volcano at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, reporting renewed spattering at two vents following recent activity beneath the summit.
The National Park Service (NPS) announced Wednesday that Halemaʻumaʻu Trail and part of Byron Ledge Trail would temporarily close amid increased seismic activity and concerns about rockfalls.
The closures affect a combined 1.3 miles of trails.
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Over 200 shallow earthquakes were recorded beneath Kīlauea's summit during the past week, according to the NPS, citing the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory. A magnitude-3.4 earthquake on Sept. 30 caused small rockfalls along the caldera's north wall.
Kīlauea remained at an ORANGE aviation color code, the second-highest level on the USGS' four-tier scale, as of Thursday.
The designation indicates heightened volcanic activity and the potential for an eruption, or an eruption underway with limited hazards to aviation.
The intrusion, which occurred from Sept. 30 to Oct. 1, is believed to have caused new cracks along the caldera floor, according to scientists.
Scientists said they cannot forecast when — or if — the volcano's 55th episode of lava fountaining will occur.
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"Forecast windows for episode 55 fountaining can no longer be modeled due to changes in conditions," the USGS advisory said.
Officials also outlined several hazards for residents and visitors, including potentially dangerous gas emissions and small, glassy volcanic fragments that can cause skin and eye irritation.
"Small glassy volcanic fragments may be remobilized during windy conditions following recent eruptive episodes," the statement added.
"Residents and visitors should minimize exposure to these fragments, which can cause skin and eye irritation."
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Visitors must also stay out of closed areas and away from unstable cliff edges, which can collapse without warning, according to the NPS.
Kīlauea, one of the world's most active volcanoes, has erupted dozens of times since 1952, according to the USGS.
Eruptive activity was nearly continuous along the volcano's East Rift Zone from 1983 to 2018, a 35-year stretch that ended amid significant eruptive activity and a collapse at the summit, the agency said.
Since December 2024, an eruption has been intermittently active within Halema'uma'u crater at the summit.
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The National Park Service has said the number of visits surged during Kīlauea's eruptive episodes, with tourists drawn to opportunities to view the volcanic activity.
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park recorded more than 1.8 million recreational visits in 2025, according to NPS data.
Fox News Digital reached out to NPS for further details and comment.
2 foreign nationals breach UK base housing key US, NATO intel hub amid $556M expansion
Two Latvian nationals legally living in the United Kingdom were arrested under Section 4 of Britain's National Security Act of 2023 Thursday after allegedly breaching a perimeter fence at RAF Molesworth, a sensitive British military base housing critical U.S. and NATO intelligence operations, Reuters reported.
The arrests triggered a major counterterrorism investigation into the security breach at the strategic installation, which serves as a central intelligence hub supporting American military commanders across Europe and Africa.
The base is also undergoing a $556.5 million expansion centered on the Joint Intelligence Analysis Complex (JIAC), a location designed to consolidate 20 intelligence facilities and accommodate more than 1,000 personnel, according to reports.
IRAN UNDER SCRUTINY AFTER PLOT FOILED NEAR UK BASE USED BY US MILITARY
The suspects, ages 32 and 36, were discovered inside the base around 2 a.m. Thursday after an extensive security sweep.
Ministry of Defense Police officers conducting routine patrols first raised the alarm around 10 p.m. Wednesday after finding an abandoned vehicle near the perimeter.
Bomb disposal specialists cleared the vehicle before armed officers discovered a fence breach and located the men inside.
Initially detained on suspicion of trespass and criminal damage, both men were arrested again under the National Security Act for allegedly entering a prohibited place for a purpose prejudicial to the United Kingdom. They remain in custody as counterterrorism detectives execute search warrants at two residential properties in nearby Peterborough.
Managed by the U.S. Air Force's 423rd Air Base Group, RAF Molesworth is a nonflying installation dedicated to joint intelligence and command operations.
It houses intelligence elements for U.S. European Command, U.S. Africa Command and the NATO Intelligence Fusion Centre.
During World War II, the airfield was used by the U.S. 15th Bombardment Squadron. In 1973, the airfield was officially deactivated before transitioning into its current role as an intelligence center.
Construction on the JIAC broke ground April 12, 2024, with onsite work beginning that spring. The facility is scheduled for completion in summer 2028.
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A 2024 Defense Department release described the base development as part of the department's overall European Infrastructure Consolidation efforts.
"It will combine 20 facilities and over 1,000 DIA personnel into one location. Among others, it will host members of the NATO Intelligence Fusion Centre, Battlefield Information Collection and Exploitation System, U.S. Africa Command, U.S. European Command and U.S. Air Force elements in a cross-agency, multi-mission collaboration."
At the time, Defense Intelligence Agency Deputy Director Suzanne White said the facility would enable "the U.S. and allies’ shared mission of ‘outpacing our strategic competitors and addressing threats together wherever they may arise.’"
The Defense Department designed the project with a two-stage procurement strategy, allowing stakeholder agencies to provide feedback and streamline scheduling requirements.
Following the intrusion, U.S. European Command praised the swift British response.
US PULLS ALL BOMBERS FROM KEY UK BASE AFTER SUSPECTED IRAN-LINKED TERROR PLOT
"While we assess the global security posture, U.S. forces remain at the highest state of readiness," the command said in a statement.
"We would also express our gratitude to the UK for the close partnership with U.S. forces on matters of security."
British counterterrorism officials cautioned against drawing premature conclusions about possible espionage or terrorist motives.
"We're very aware of the recent heightened interest and concern around military sites," Counterterrorism Policing London commander Helen Flanagan said.
Flanagan added that investigators have not established a connection between the Molesworth breach and recent security concerns at RAF Fairford, another British base used by U.S. strategic bombers.
"We are keeping an open mind at this stage and inquiries are very much ongoing," she said.
Fox News Digital has reached out to the Pentagon and the CIA for comment.
Federal grand jury hears evidence in probe of former Trump aide Cassidy Hutchinson's Jan 6 testimony: source
A federal grand jury in Washington, D.C., has heard evidence concerning possible false statements former Trump White House aide Cassidy Hutchinson made to the congressional committee investigating the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot, Fox News Digital has learned.
Additional evidence could be presented to the grand jury as soon as next week, according to a source familiar with the matter.
The proceedings remain in the grand jury phase, and no final decisions have been made about whether the matter will result in criminal charges, the source said.
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Hutchinson, a former top aide to former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows, emerged as one of the most prominent witnesses before the House select committee investigating the Jan. 6 Capitol riot and President Donald Trump's efforts to challenge the results of the 2020 election.
During a nationally televised hearing in June 2022, Hutchinson provided testimony about Trump's actions on Jan. 6, including an account she said she heard from another White House official about the president's reaction after being told he could not travel to the Capitol.
Her account of an alleged confrontation inside the presidential vehicle was subsequently disputed by other individuals familiar with the events.
It remains unclear which portions of Hutchinson's congressional testimony are being examined by the grand jury.
The New York Post reported Thursday that the Justice Department was investigating Hutchinson over possible false statements to Congress and that a federal grand jury had been convened to hear evidence.
Grand jury proceedings do not necessarily result in criminal charges, and the presentation of evidence does not establish that a crime occurred.
A representative for the Justice Department and Hutchinson's attorney did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's requests for comment.
Luka Dončić says he 'definitely' regrets playing through hamstring injury that ended his season
Luka Dončić heads into the 2026-27 NBA season as the lone star in Los Angeles, as LeBron James starts a new chapter with the Philadelphia 76ers.
Before this dynamic duo parted ways, many believed the Lakers would be adding another Larry O’Brien Trophy to its storied trophy case, but that never came to fruition.
Dončić, though, believes last season it could’ve happened — if it weren’t for something he feels he’s at fault for.
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On April 2, the Lakers owned a 16-2 record in a stretch where they looked unstoppable. They were facing the reigning NBA-champion Oklahoma City Thunder in a litmus test of sorts, especially for Dončić, who had been playing extremely well for the Lakers.
In fact, Dončić was playing for a potential MVP award.
However, the Thunder took the red-hot Lakers to the woodshed, defeating them 139-96. But that wasn’t the only loss the Lakers would have on the night.
Dončić said he felt a hamstring tweak in the second quarter, but instead of taking himself out in a game that was getting out of hand, he pushed even harder. The decision backfired.
In the second half, Dončić started to grab at his hamstring and was eventually taken out of the game. The result for pushing? A Grade 2 hamstring strain that didn’t just force him to miss the final five games of the season — he missed the entire postseason for Los Angeles.
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"When it comes to my spirit of trying to win, I am just stubborn," Dončić told Sports Illustrated in an interview. " I felt a little bit in the first half that I should have just stopped. I should have come out. I think we had a team that could compete for the championship. I definitely regret it."
Dončić, for the first time since suffering his injury, admitted he wishes to have done things differently. Of course, hindsight is always 20-20, but perhaps Dončić didn’t even know it would be his last chance to get a ring alongside James had they been healthy together in the postseason.
James, who had been the third offensive option on the Lakers when everyone was healthy, with Austin Reaves playing well on that side of the court, had to find a different gear in the playoffs with Dončić out. He was able to lead the way past the Houston Rockets, but the Thunder were too much for Los Angeles again in the second round.
If Dončić was healthy, could the Lakers have gone all the way instead of the San Antonio Spurs to take on the New York Knicks in the Finals? Unfortunately for Dončić and the rest of the franchise, we’ll never know.
Michigan Senate debate erupts into personal attacks as Rogers, El-Sayed clash over Israel, Iran and more
Republican Mike Rogers and Democrat Abdul El-Sayed traded personal attacks and accusations during a heated Michigan U.S. Senate debate Thursday night, clashing over everything from affordability, the war in Iran and U.S. support for Israel to their respective financial dealings and personal backgrounds.
The contentious showdown in Grand Rapids marked the first time the two candidates faced off onstage ahead of November's closely watched election after Rogers declined to participate in a debate last month hosted by FOX 2 Detroit, citing concerns about the moderator's impartiality.
At the top of Thursday's debate, what began as a discussion about affordability quickly devolved into personal attacks, with Rogers repeatedly questioning El-Sayed's medical credentials and accusing him of misleading voters. El-Sayed accused the former congressman of enriching himself through corporate connections.
"He's lying. So, he lied about being a physician. He lied now about being an Egyptian citizen or not being an Egyptian citizen," Rogers charged during one particularly heated exchange. "That's a con man."
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El-Sayed, who holds a medical degree from Columbia University, rejected the attacks and accused Rogers of attempting to distract voters from issues affecting their everyday lives.
"He wanted to make this about him or me. But the question is about you," El-Sayed responded. "Can you afford your gas? Can you afford your groceries under this guy who's going to rubber stamp everything Donald Trump tells him to rubber stamp?"
The candidates also sparred over their personal finances, with El-Sayed repeatedly accusing Rogers of profiting from corporate relationships after leaving Congress and referencing his Florida property and alleged yacht ownership.
Rogers, who denied owning any yachts, countered by questioning El-Sayed's investments and alleged overseas property holdings in the UAE, while also slamming him for accepting money from billionaires despite simultaneously stumping on not taking money from corporate PACs and getting money out of politics.
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The exchanges became so heated that moderator Rick Albin repeatedly intervened.
"Look, here's the situation. We've got dozens of questions we want to get to. You can't litigate all of these with 14 different rebuttals," Albin told the candidates.
After a commercial break, Albin remarked that, in 30 years of moderating debates, he had never witnessed candidates continue arguing throughout a commercial break.
The personal accusations remained constant throughout much of Thursday night's debate, but one of the evening's sharpest policy disagreements emerged over Israel and Iran.
Asked whether he would support providing defensive weapons to Israel if the country were attacked by Iran or another state actor, El-Sayed indicated he would not and reiterated his opposition to using American taxpayer dollars to fund foreign militaries.
"I don't want our tax dollars buying weapons for other countries. I don't know what's so hard about that," El-Sayed said.
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"I think both of them have proven dangerous in their own way. One at risk of attacking us, one getting us into wars we have no business fighting," he added, referring to Israel and Iran.
El-Sayed also declined to say whether Israel or Iran posed the greater threat to the United States despite repeated questioning from the moderator.
"I think both of them have proven dangerous in their own way," El-Sayed said. "One at risk of attacking us, one getting us into wars. We have no business fighting."
Rogers, by contrast, indicated he would support providing defensive weapons to Israel and reiterated his support for the Jewish state.
He repeatedly accused El-Sayed of having connections to individuals and organizations supportive of terrorist groups as well, allegations El-Sayed disputed.
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The pair also differed on whether the war could come to an end if Iran still maintains the ability to produce a nuclear weapon and continues to exert control over the Strait of Hormuz.
El-Sayed blamed the conflict for rising gas prices and accused Rogers of supporting an unnecessary war, arguing that diplomacy could resolve the conflict even if Iran retained the ability to produce nuclear weapons.
Rogers argued that Iran's nuclear capabilities had been significantly diminished and said the war should end, while maintaining that Iran could not be allowed to obtain a nuclear weapon.
On domestic policy, El-Sayed expressed openness to federal price controls on domestically produced oil, arguing that high gasoline prices constituted an emergency.
"Look, I definitely think that's something we should consider," El-Sayed said.
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Rogers rejected price controls, instead advocating temporary gas tax relief, diesel rebates and a pause on diesel exports.
Healthcare also became a major flash point.
El-Sayed defended his Medicare-for-all proposal, insisting that Americans who wanted to retain private insurance could do so. Rogers argued that the proposal would eliminate existing private coverage and impose significant new taxes on families.
The debate unfolded against the backdrop of an exceptionally competitive Senate contest.
A late-September Fox News poll showed El-Sayed leading Rogers 50% to 49% among likely voters, a statistical dead heat.
The candidates are competing for the seat being vacated by retiring Democratic Sen. Gary Peters, with Republicans hoping to flip the seat and Democrats seeking to maintain their hold on it.