Trump Mega-Supporter Dies After Brutal Assault

Townhall 

Kerry Sheron, a 69-year-old veteran who owned a home in California laden with pro-Trump signage, succumbed to his injuries after a brutal assault left him hospitalized.

Sheron was attacked on May 20 by 32-year-old Thomas Butler in what authorities described an an “unprovoked attack.” Sheron’s wife, however, believes that he was targeted for his ardent support for President Donald Trump, according to the New York Post.

Sheron’s home was commonly referred to as the “Trump House” by locals who observed the numerous Trump-related decorations and his other patriotic displays.

Authorities have obtained footage of the attack on Sheron, and have described Butler confronting Sheron outside of his home before throwing a sucker-punch causing Sheron to collapse. Butler then pummeled Sheron’s skull as he laid on the ground. At that point, a bystander attempted to intervene before Butler fled on foot. Authorities would manage to find and detain Butler following the attack.

Butler is currently being held in custody without bail and faces charges of attempted murder, elder abuse, criminal threats and battery. Those charges will likely be increased following Sheron’s death.

CBS News Host Tried Goading Two Medal of Honor Recipients Into Bashing America. Here's What Happened

Townhall 

I hope everyone enjoyed their Memorial Day with their families. Yes, it’s the weekend that everyone points to as the start of summer. The beaches are crowded, the BBQs are raging, and it’s a great time to enjoy each other’s company. It’s also a day to remember that your day at the beach is brought to you by the hundreds of thousands who have died in wars defending our freedom. Yet, leave it to CBS News’s Margaret Brennan, who tried to bait two Medal of Honor recipients, William Swenson and Matthew Miller, into bashing America on Sunday. 

They did not take the bait. Jorge Bonilla of Newsbusters clipped and transcribed the exchange:

MARGARET BRENNAN: And before I let you go, we are coming up on this 250th anniversary of the American experience. I know I can't ask you a question like, are you optimistic? There's no way that two Medal of Honor winners could say they're not optimistic. So what specifically makes you optimistic? Because this country, at times, can feel dark, these days, there's a lot of darkness. What makes you feel optimistic?

WILL SWENSON: Well, ultimately, because we're in Washington, D.C., and everything revolves around politics, we have to remember that politics aren't everything. American lives continue on. Children are born, children go to school. Lives are achieved. Dreams are achieved. This country is a great place. It's not politics. It's not just what's the news bites coming off of media. Ultimately, we continue forward as a country, continually imperfect, continually evolving forward, always trying to achieve a more perfect union. That's what's important to remember, what we can achieve aspirationally. No other place in history, time or on this planet have ever gotten to where we are today. We need to be proud of that, and we need to remember that is what we stay focused on, what we can be. 

BRENNAN: What we can be, and the promise of it. What makes you optimistic?

MATT WILLIAMS: You know, I agree with Will. I think, you know, it's- it's so important to remember who we are as a country, and take an opportunity to celebrate that, and think about all the- the challenges that we've overcome, how far we've actually come. You know, I think if you- if you frame it that way, you think very deeply about our trials and tribulations from beginning to today, we've made tremendous strides. Our country is, you know, we're a super- global superpower. Our economy is doing well. All those things are great. And- and take politics aside out of this whole conversation. Just talk about our communities, that- that we live in, and the people that you surround yourself with, and your families, and the opportunity to be free and, you know, choose what school you go to, and where you want to live and do what you want to do, and what career path you go down or don't if you want to, you know, I mean, there's so much to be positive about. And I think the opportunity to celebrate America's 250th birthday, you know, over the course of this next year is- is amazing. There's so many great places to visit. You know, the National Mall is going to be full of Americana. And what we're going to- celebrating ourselves, which I think we should take the time to do. I think it's very important. You know, across the country, you know something we're very passionate about at the National Medal of Honor Museum in Arlington, Texas, is- is a- is a phenomenal beacon that stands to- to talk about and house our, not only our story, the story of the Medal, and what the Medal represents itself. And I would challenge people to go there and celebrate our history as well. You know, it's so important. There's so many great things to go do and great things to visit and don't just take part in it, because it's something to do on a weekend, right? Think about why you're doing it, and when you're there in the crowds and you're- you're enjoying yourself, and you're taking your family to go talk about our country and celebrate our country, actually celebrate it. Be grateful for what you've got and the opportunity that was provided for you. If you do that, I don't see how you can't be optimistic about our future.

BRENNAN: Well, thank you. Thank you both and thank you for your service.

WILLIAMS: Thank you.

BRENNAN: We'll be back.

Well done, gentlemen. 

Matthew Williams’ Medal of Honor citation:

The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Sergeant Matthew O. Williams, United States Army. Sergeant Williams distinguished himself by acts of gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty on 6 April 2008, while serving as a Weapons Sergeant, Special Forces Operational Detachment Alpha 3336, Special Operations Task Force-33, in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. Sergeant Williams was part of an assault element inserted by helicopter into a location in Afghanistan. As the assault element was moving up a mountain toward its objective, it was engaged by intense enemy machine gun, sniper, and rocket-propelled grenade fire. The lead portion of the assault element, which included the ground commander, sustained several casualties and became pinned down on the sheer mountainside. Sergeant Williams, upon hearing that the lead element had sustained casualties and was in danger of being overrun, braved intense enemy fire to lead a counter-attack across a valley of ice-covered boulders and a fast-moving, ice cold, and waist-deep river. Under withering fire, Sergeant Williams and his local national commandos fought up the terraced mountainside to the besieged element. Arriving at the lead element’s position, Sergeant Williams arrayed his Afghan commandos to provide suppressive fire, which kept the insurgent fighters from overrunning the position. When the Team Sergeant was wounded, Sergeant Williams braved enemy fire once again to provide buddy-aid and to move the Team Sergeant down the sheer mountainside to the casualty collection point. Sergeant Williams then fought and climbed his way back up the mountainside to help defend the lead assault element that still had several serious casualties in need of evacuation. Sergeant Williams directed suppressive fire and exposed himself to enemy fire in order to reestablish the team’s critical satellite radio communications. He then assisted with moving the wounded down the near-vertical mountainside to the casualty collection point. Noting that the collection point was about to be overrun by enemy fighters, Sergeant Williams led the Afghan commandos in a counter-attack that lasted for several hours. When helicopters arrived to evacuate the wounded, Sergeant Williams again exposed himself to enemy fire, carrying and loading casualties onto the helicopters while continuing to direct commando firepower to suppress numerous insurgent positions. His actions enabled the patrol to evacuate wounded and dead comrades without further casualties. Sergeant Williams’ complete disregard for his own safety and his concern for the safety of his teammates ensured the survival of four critically wounded soldiers and prevented the lead element of the assault force from being overrun by the enemy. Sergeant Williams’ actions are in keeping with the finest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force-Afghanistan, Special Operations Command Central, and the United States Army.

William Swenson’s Medal of Honor citation:

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Captain (Infantry) William D. Swenson, United States Army. Captain Swenson distinguished himself by acts of gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as embedded advisor to the Afghan National Border Police, Task Force Phoenix, Combined Security Transition Command-Afghanistan in support of 1st Battalion, 32d Infantry Regiment, 3d Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, during combat operations against an armed enemy in Kunar Province, Afghanistan on September 8, 2009. On that morning, more than 60 well-armed, well-positioned enemy fighters ambushed Captain Swenson’s combat team as it moved on foot into the village of Ganjgal for a meeting with village elders. As the enemy unleashed a barrage of rocket-propelled grenade, mortar and machine gun fire, Captain Swenson immediately returned fire and coordinated and directed the response of his Afghan Border Police, while simultaneously calling in suppressive artillery fire and aviation support. After the enemy effectively flanked Coalition Forces, Captain Swenson repeatedly called for smoke to cover the withdrawal of the forward elements. Surrounded on three sides by enemy forces inflicting effective and accurate fire, Captain Swenson coordinated air assets, indirect fire support and medical evacuation helicopter support to allow for the evacuation of the wounded. Captain Swenson ignored enemy radio transmissions demanding surrender and maneuvered uncovered to render medical aid to a wounded fellow soldier. Captain Swenson stopped administering aid long enough to throw a grenade at approaching enemy forces, before assisting with moving the soldier for air evacuation. With complete disregard for his own safety, Captain Swenson unhesitatingly led a team in an unarmored vehicle into the kill zone, exposing himself to enemy fire on at least two occasions, to recover the wounded and search for four missing comrades. After using aviation support to mark locations of fallen and wounded comrades, it became clear that ground recovery of the fallen was required due to heavy enemy fire on helicopter landing zones. Captain Swenson’s team returned to the kill zone another time in a Humvee. Captain Swenson voluntarily exited the vehicle, exposing himself to enemy fire, to locate and recover three fallen Marines and one fallen Navy corpsman. His exceptional leadership and stout resistance against the enemy during six hours of continuous fighting rallied his teammates and effectively disrupted the enemy’s assault. Captain William D. Swenson’s extraordinary heroism and selflessness above and beyond the call of duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, Task Force Phoenix, 1st Battalion, 32d Infantry Regiment, 3d Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division and the United States Army.

Things Do Not Go Well for Dem Senator When He Shows Up at Detention Center Amid Anti-ICE Action

RedState 

Most Americans are spending time with their families this weekend for Memorial Day, remembering and honoring those who gave their lives for our country. 

But some were busy doing other things. For example, there were activists at the ICE detention center in Newark, N.J., over the weekend. Democratic politicians also made an appearance. Sen. Andy Kim (D-NJ) was trying to get into the facility on Sunday. 

Kim was back on Monday. Gov. Mikie Sherrill also showed up. 

A Department of Homeland Security (DHS) spokesperson said Kim personally called Secretary Markwayne Mullin, and that he was allowed in the facility to conduct his congressional oversight responsibilities. However, the spokesperson criticized Sherrill over the appearance at the detention center. 

"Governor Sherrill’s visit to Delaney Hall is nothing more than a political stunt on Memorial Day when visitation is currently suspended due to riots outside the facility," the spokesperson told Fox News Digital. "Yesterday, approximately 125 agitators surrounded Delaney Hall Detention Facility, many carrying anti-ICE signs and Antifa flags. They formed a human chain around entrances to the facility and set up barricades, blocking all entries and exits."

The activists were at it again on Monday. Here's one digging up large blocks to help add to their blockade of an exit from the facility. 

Here's the blockade they assembled, with all the random garbage they were able to grab. 

They were chanting, "Quit your job," and "Why are you hiding your face?" at the federal agents — even though some of the activists were wearing masks. The hypocrisy seemed to escape them. 

Kim was telling the activists to let the agents through the blockades, saying he would make sure there were no detainees in the vehicles. Here on X.

Police reportedly had to deploy pepper spray, and carted away some of the agitators. Here on X. 

And it looks like Kim may have been affected.

This was the same facility where Democrats created a scene last year. Rep. LaMonica McIver (NJ-10) was later indicted on charges related to that incident. 

DHS denied there were any bad conditions in the facility, 

All detainees are provided with 3 meals a day, clean water, clothing, bedding, showers, soap, and toiletries, "DHS said. 

"Illegal aliens also have access to phones to communicate with their family members and lawyers," the agency said. "Certified dieticians evaluate meals. In fact, ICE has higher detention standards than most U.S. prisons that hold actual U.S. citizens."

♦️𝐖³𝐏 𝐃𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐲 𝐍𝐞𝐰𝐬 𝐎𝐩𝐞𝐧 𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝

 

W³P Daily News Open Thread. 

posted by DarkGoldenMan

Welcome to the W³P Daily News Open Thread. 

Post whatever you got in the comments section below.

This feature will post every day at 6:30am Mountain time. 

 

U.S. Forces Launch Self-Defense Strikes Against Iran

Townhall 

U.S. forces have reportedly conducted self-defense strikes against Iranian mine-laying ships and missile launch sites.

Two Iranian ships were struck in the Strait of Hormuz, which CENTCOM has considered to be eliminated. Surface-to-air missile batteries that targeted American aircraft were also reportedly destroyed. Officials were quick to announce that this was not an end to the on-going ceasefire, but merely acts of self-defense.

Explosions and fires had been observed in a number of locations across Iranian territory, including in the large port city of Bandar Abbas and the vital economic location of Kharg Island.

The strikes come as the United States and Iran were on the cusp of coming to an agreement to end the three-month-long conflict that began after Operation Epic Fury.

Iran Now Walking Back and Repackaging One of Their Demands, Sounding Like Dems

RedState 

The U.S. and Iran are reportedly in the process of working out a deal to end hostilities and reopen the Strait of Hormuz. 

President Donald Trump assured people he wasn't going to make the mistakes of the Obama Iran deal, and has placed focus on getting the highly enriched uranium to deter the nuclear threat. In fact, he was even pursuing a broader peace across the region, asking other countries like Saudi Arabia to sign on to the Abraham Accords once the Iran deal is finalized. 

This also may have pushed Iran to try to clean up its language when it comes to its idea of charging tolls for transiting the Strait of Hormuz. So the regime just came up with a slick move that sounds like a move Democrats would make. 

Vessels crossing the Strait of Hormuz will need to pay fees for “navigational services,” Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said Monday.

Such payments for transiting the waterway were not tolls, he said at a press briefing.

“The services that are provided, navigational services, in addition to the measures necessary to protect the environment of the Strait of Hormuz, the Persian Gulf, and the Sea of Oman, require the collection of certain fees,” Baghaei said, adding that Tehran was “not seeking to collect tolls.”

Oh, so they'll scream "environmental fees" like Democrats to get money, leaving out that the only environmental problem is the Iranian regime stopping and attacking ships. Oh, and maybe the regime is possibly releasing oil into the Persian Gulf because they've run out of storage capacity. 

They're desperate for money with how much they've been crushed, and they want to establish, officially, that they have control over the Strait.

The New York Times is reporting they're in talks with Oman about it. The Strait involves the territorial waters of Iran and Oman. 

Bottom line, though, it doesn't matter what you call it; it's still basically trying to hold people up. 

Under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), all ships have the right to unfettered passage, and states cannot charge for it or impede it, even if it is in their territorial waters. While Iran is not a signatory to UNCLOS, Oman is, and Iran still can't do it even if they haven't signed it. Oman has already said they would not charge tolls because they'd agreed to UNCLOS, so it remains to be seen if that report from the NY Times is correct. The allure of the money might attract Oman, but it would not make their neighbors happy with them. 

Meanwhile, the U.S. and many other nations have spoken out previously against any efforts to charge. And they can't have Iran have control over it, as this episode with their bad behavior has demonstrated. But it's so typical of Iran when they realized they had to walk back tolls, to try to repackage it into something more legally palatable. 

But that's not going to fly either. 

President Trump Updates on Current Status of Negotiations With Iran and Desire to Bring all Nations into the Abraham Accords

Both President Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio have provided updates on the current status of negotiations with the Iranian regime.

President Trump delivered an update from his Truth Social Account:

PRESIDENT TRUMP – “Negotiations with the Islamic Republic of Iran are proceeding nicely! It will only be a Great Deal for all or, no Deal at all — Back to the Battlefront and shooting, but bigger and stronger than ever before — And nobody wants that!

During my discussions on Saturday with President Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud, of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, of The United Arab Emirates, Emir Tamim bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim bin Jaber Al Thani, and Minister Ali al-Thawadi, of Qatar, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir Ahmed Shah, of Pakistan, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, of Türkiye, President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, of Egypt, King Abdullah II, of Jordan, and King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, of Bahrain, I stated that, after all the work done by the United States to try and pull this very complex puzzle together, it should be mandatory that all of these Countries, at a minimum, simultaneously, sign onto the Abraham Accords.

Those Countries discussed are Saudi Arabia, The United Arab Emirates (already a Member!), Qatar, Pakistan, Türkiye, Egypt, Jordan, and Bahrain (already a Member!). It may be possible that one or two have a reason for not doing so, and that will be accepted, but most should be ready, willing, and able to make this Settlement with Iran a far more Historic Event than it would, otherwise, be.

The Abraham Accords have proven to be, for the Countries involved (The United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Morocco, Sudan, and Kazakhstan), a Financial, Economic, and Social BOOM, even during this time of Conflict and War, with the current Members never even suggesting leaving, or taking so much as even a pause.

The reason for this is that the Abraham Accords have been great for them, and will be even better for everybody, and bring true Power, Strength, and Peace to the Middle East for the first time in 5,000 years. It will be a Document respected like no other that has ever been signed, anywhere in the World. Its level of Importance and Prestige will be unparalleled! It should start with the immediate signing by Saudi Arabia and Qatar, and everybody else should follow suit. If they don’t, they should not be part of this Deal in that it shows bad intention.”

“In speaking to numerous of the Great Leaders mentioned above, they would be honored, as soon as our Document is signed, to have the Islamic Republic of Iran as part of the Abraham Accords. Wow, now that would be something special! This will be the most important Deal that any of these Great, but always in Conflict Countries, will ever sign. Nothing in the past, or in the future, will surpass it.

Therefore, I am mandatorily requesting that all Countries immediately sign the Abraham Accords, and that, if Iran signs its Agreement with me, as President of the United States of America, it would be an Honor to have them also be part of this unparalleled World Coalition. The Middle East would be United, Powerful, and Economically Strong, like perhaps no other area, anywhere in the World!

By copy of this TRUTH, I am asking my Representatives to begin, and successfully complete, the process of signing these Countries into the already Historic Abraham Accords. Thank you for your attention to this matter!

DONALD J. TRUMP
PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke of the current status during his trip to India, shortly before his visit to the Taj Mahal. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio addressed reporters in New Delhi before departing for Agra, discussing Iran nuclear negotiations, Hezbollah tensions, India-U.S. relations, Pakistan concerns, and President Donald Trump’s stance on diplomacy. Rubio stressed that Washington will “give diplomacy every chance to succeed” while warning against a nuclear Iran and reaffirming strong ties with India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Oil-Rich Alberta Now Preparing Vote on Leaving Canada

RedState 

Canada's prairie provinces, including Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba, are in some ways more like the western United States than the rest of Canada. They are more independent, more reliant on agriculture and the energy sector, with lower populations, and with a population more inclined to conservative viewpoints.  

For some time now, the energy-rich province of Alberta has been making noises about seceding from Canada. Now, it looks like that may come to a vote. The Telegraph's Michael Taube has some thoughts on that.

Alberta is about to decide whether it wants to stay in Canada or take steps to become an independent nation.

The provincial premier, Danielle Smith, recently announced that Alberta will hold a referendum to determine its future in Canada. The question to be asked will be: “Should Alberta remain a province of Canada or should the government of Alberta commence the legal process required under the Canadian constitution to hold a binding provincial referendum on whether or not Alberta should separate from Canada?”

I’ve known Smith for nearly 30 years. She’s an intelligent and talented former policy wonk, political commentator and talk radio host with conservative and libertarian leanings. Her position on this referendum is not with the separatist cause. “I have been clear with Albertans from the start that I am in support of remaining in Canada,” she told reporters in Calgary. “That has and will continue to be the position of my government and my caucus.”

Nevertheless, the Alberta premier realises this discussion about separatism, as difficult and painful as it might be, needs a resolution. Separatist sentiment in Alberta, and indeed in the other western provinces, is due to perceived favouritism by the federal government to eastern Canadian provinces like Ontario and Quebec. The people of Alberta, Smith told the media, “want to settle it once and for all”.

That may be easier said than done. The referendum is only the first step. If such a referendum passes, then there is a federal review, in which the House of Commons evaluates the results of the vote, ensuring that the question was clear and that a clear majority voted to secede. Then there are negotiations between Ottawa and the breakaway province to determine such things as the division of national land, where the borders will be, what the status of Native communities will be, questions of citizenship, defense, and so forth. The last legal step actually requires a constitutional amendment, which requires a majority of the Parliament to approve, as well as at least 7 percent of the provinces, representing at least 50 percent of Canada's population; those more urbanized, high-population eastern provinces are given an effective veto over the whole thing.

That's if Alberta's referendum passes at all.

It’s unlikely that Alberta’s referendum question will succeed. If history serves as a guide, the pro-Canada side led by Smith and others will have a bigger turnout and quell the separatist forces. The notion of Alberta’s independence and Canada splitting apart isn’t nearly as absurd as you may think, however.

Here's the thing: Quebec has its own, home-grown independence movement. An attempt by Alberta may lead to the Quebecois separatist movement gaining some new legs.

And, if Alberta holds this vote while Donald Trump is still president, they should expect an offer to join the USA as the 51st state if the vote passes, which is sure to toss a bowl of poutine onto Ottawa's hockey rink.

While this is interesting stuff, and while we'd all like to eat more duty-free Alberta beef, it's pretty unlikely to happen. If it did, though, Saskatchewan and Manitoba may follow; now, if we could just get British Columbia and the Yukon Territory on board to join the USA, then we could drive the entire Alaska Highway without going through Customs. That wouldn't be the worst thing ever.