Top Biden EV Bus Maker Nears Bankruptcy, Leaving School Districts and Tens of Millions of Taxpayer Dollars in Limbo

The Biden administration awarded Canadian electric bus company Lion Electric nearly $160 million to manufacture hundreds of battery-powered buses for school districts nationwide as part of its sweeping climate agenda. In recent weeks, Lion has initiated bankruptcy proceedings, laid off all employees tasked with building its buses, and paused manufacturing operations.

The post Top Biden EV Bus Maker Nears Bankruptcy, Leaving School Districts and Tens of Millions of Taxpayer Dollars in Limbo appeared first on .

Trump DOJ Sues Chicago Over Sanctuary City Law

'Countless criminals being released'

Trump's DOJ sues Chicago over sanctuary city laws 'thwarting' ICE



President Donald Trump's Department of Justice has ramped up its efforts to dismantle sanctuary laws by filing a lawsuit on Thursday against Illinois, Cook County, and Chicago that alleges their policies "impede" federal immigration enforcement.

The complaint also named Governor J.B. Pritzker, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, and other local officials.

'The conduct of officials in Chicago and Illinois minimally enforcing — and oftentimes affirmatively thwarting — federal immigration laws ... has resulted in countless criminals being released.'

Specifically, the DOJ accused the Illinois TRUST Act, the Chicago Welcoming City ordinance, and the Way Forward Act of hindering Immigration and Customs Enforcement's efforts to detain and deport illegal aliens.

The Illinois TRUST Act, signed into law in 2017, says, "State law does not currently grant State or local law enforcement the authority to enforce federal civil immigration laws." It includes a "prohibition on enforcing federal civil immigration laws."

"A law enforcement agency or law enforcement official shall not detain or continue to detain any individual solely on the basis of any immigration detainer or civil immigration warrant or otherwise comply with an immigration detainer or civil immigration warrant," it reads.

Chicago's Welcoming City ordinance was passed in 2012 by former Mayor Rahm Emanuel (D).

The ordinance states that city agencies and agents cannot "arrest, detain, or continue to detain a person solely on the belief that the person is not present legally in the United States."

Both laws prevent local jurisdictions from honoring ICE detainers, which request that a criminal illegal alien currently in local custody be held up to 48 hours beyond their release date to allow immigration officials to safely transfer the individual to federal custody.

The Way Forward Act was enacted in 2021 and amended the TRUST Act to provide additional protection to illegal aliens. It states that "a law enforcement agency or law enforcement official may not inquire about or investigate the citizenship or immigration status or place of birth of any individual in the agency or official's custody or who has otherwise been stopped or detained by the agency or official."

The DOJ's lawsuit claimed that the state and local laws are "designed to and in fact interfere with and discriminate against the Federal Government's enforcement of federal immigration law in violation of the Supremacy Clause of the United States Constitution."

The agency further stated that the policies "obstruct the Federal Government's enforcement of federal immigration law" and "impede consultation and communication between federal, state, and local law enforcement officials that is necessary for federal officials to carry out federal immigration law and keep Americans safe."

It continued, "Upon information and belief, the conduct of officials in Chicago and Illinois minimally enforcing — and oftentimes affirmatively thwarting — federal immigration laws over a period of years has resulted in countless criminals being released into Chicago who should have been held for immigration removal from the United States."

The complaint accused sanctuary jurisdictions of effectively being "safe havens" for criminal illegal aliens seeking to evade federal law enforcement agents.

It argued that the laws prevent ICE and the Department of Homeland Security from identifying illegal aliens who are subject to removal by restricting the information local governments can share with federal agents. The DOJ contended that such local laws contradict federal laws that "prohibit state and local governments from refusing to share information."

A DOJ official told the New York Post that the administration's immigration enforcement effort includes "an all-hands-on-deck approach," noting that the lawsuit is "one tool in our tool belt."

"This lawsuit will put the spotlight on obstruction by state and local officials and their refusal to support the administration and compliance with the law. The law says people who are here illegally are not allowed to stay here; they should be deported. So we want to make sure those impediments are taken away," the official told the news outlet.

"These states and localities advertise themselves as sanctuary jurisdictions. They are inviting people here who are illegal, and they're promising to protect them from federal law enforcement," the official continued. "That's inconsistent with federal law, and it's impeding federal law enforcement efforts, and these laws need to be struck from the books because they're incentivizing illegal immigration into the country."

The DOJ anticipates that the lawsuit may go all the way to the Supreme Court, the official added.

During Attorney General Pam Bondi's first day on the job, she directed the DOJ to halt federal funding to sanctuary cities.

The DOJ official told the Post that it was "no coincidence" that the lawsuit was filed shortly after Bondi's swearing-in.

"She is right out of the gate sending a clear message to other sanctuary jurisdictions," the official stated.

Pritzker's office responded to the lawsuit, stating, “Unlike Donald Trump, Illinois follows the law. The bipartisan Illinois TRUST Act, signed into law by a Republican governor, has always been compliant with federal law and still is today. Illinois will defend our laws that prioritize police resources for fighting crime while enabling state law enforcement to assist with arresting violent criminals. Instead of working with us to support law enforcement, the Trump administration is making it more difficult to protect the public, just like they did when Trump pardoned the convicted January 6 violent criminals. We look forward to seeing them in court.”

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle stated that the county plans to “fight back.”

“We will pursue every legal opportunity to defend the programs that we believe in and defend our values,” Preckwinkle said.

Johnson’s office did not respond to requests for comment from The Hill or Newsweek.

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Trump DOJ Sues State of Illinois, City of Chicago for Not Enforcing Immigration Law

The Department of Justice under newly confirmed Attorney General Pam Bondi sued the state of Illinois and the city of Chicago on Thursday, arguing that their sanctuary laws "interfere" with the Trump administration's immigration enforcement policies.

The post Trump DOJ Sues State of Illinois, City of Chicago for Not Enforcing Immigration Law appeared first on .

Yes, There Is A Clear Path To Victory For The Pro-Life Movement This Year

This year, pro-life organizations across the country are poised to fight abortion by defunding Planned Parenthood and more.

Chicago Mayor Johnson passes buck to feds over illegal alien sex offender living unchecked in city: 'That's their job'



Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson (D) passed the buck to the federal government when asked why his administration failed to prevent an illegal alien who was convicted of sex crimes from roaming the city's streets.

A reporter questioned Johnson on Tuesday about the recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids led by President Donald Trump's border czar, Tom Homan.

'The problems with the sanctuary city — people like this walking the streets.'

"Tom Homan showed up in Chicago and within 24 hours found a convicted sex offender who has been living in our city since 2009, flouting the sex offender registry. If he can do this, why can't you?" the reporter asked.

Johnson responded, "Because that's their job."

"That is their job," he continued. "The federal government has a responsibility to make sure that individuals who are undocumented who have been charged with, convicted of a crime, it is the federal government's responsibility to do their part to uphold the law. Our local police department, along with our public health department, along with our other sister agencies are working to build a better, stronger, safer Chicago, and as we've stated repeatedly, those critical investments, continue to see the results of those investment as violent crime continues to fall in Chicago."

Over the weekend, ICE conducted deportation operations that resulted in the arrest of hundreds of criminal illegal aliens. Dr. Phil McGraw joined Homan and federal immigration agents in Chicago.

A video posted online showed McGraw questioning a newly detained convicted child sex offender from Thailand, Sam Seda.

Seda admitted to McGraw that he was not an American citizen.

"This is an example of sanctuary cities," Homan told McGraw. "We've got an illegal alien convicted of sex crimes involving children, and he's walking the streets of Chicago."

"Again, the downfall, the problems with the sanctuary city — people like this walking the streets, rather than local law enforcement working with federal agents. This is what we're dealing with," Homan added.

McGraw asked Seda whether he had been charged with sex crimes involving children.

"Not really," Seda replied.

Seda told Homan and McGraw that he had never been deported from the U.S. before.

The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee announced this week that it has launched an investigation into several sanctuary cities, including Chicago, and their impact on public safety and federal immigration enforcement. As part of this investigation, the committee has invited Mayor Johnson to testify at a hearing scheduled for February 11.

Additionally, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, Denver Mayor Mike Johnston, and New York City Mayor Eric Adams have been asked to testify, as their cities are also subjects of the committee's ongoing probe.

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Chicago-area Democrat mired in scandal reportedly joins all-out brawl at public meeting, loses shoe, thrown to floor



Chicago-area Democrat Tiffany Henyard — already mired in scandal — reportedly joined an all-out brawl at a public meeting Tuesday night, losing her shoe and getting thrown to the floor in the process.

During the public comment portion of the Thornton Township Board of Trustees meeting, activist Jedidiah Brown ended his time behind the microphone by telling Henyard — the township supervisor — "You gone, bitch."

'It was one thing when the guys were fighting, but when she jumped in it, I was just taken aback. I was floored.'

Video shows Brown walking forward, apparently back toward his seat, before he turns around. At that point, WBBM-TV reported the Brown started getting into it with Henyard's allies — including her boyfriend, Kamal Woods — and the fisticuffs commenced.

Witnesses told WBBM that Henyard — who was seated with trustees at the front of the room — ran toward the melee in the back of the room. WBBM said it was unclear if Henyard was trying to break up the fight or get involved in it, but "she did lose a shoe and was thrown to the floor."

Resident Gerald Williams told WLS-TV that Henyard "jumped in" to the fight and "hit her head on the table, so I don't know. She might be injured." Williams added to the station that such behavior "should never happen. I just couldn't believe that it came to that."

"It was one thing when the guys were fighting, but when she jumped in it, I was just taken aback. I was floored," resident Alicia Nichole also told WLS.

South Holland police told WLS that officers responded to the Thornton Township building "upon reports of a fight between two individuals. However, those individuals had dispersed from the scene prior to police arrival, so no arrests were made."

WBBM said the fight ended the board meeting, which never formally adjourned, and that police removed everyone from the building. Thornton Township is a little less than a half-hour south of Chicago.

WLS added that there have been no reports of any serious injuries as a result of the fight; the station said it also spoke to Henyard's attorney, who said he might have a statement later.

More from WLS:

The meeting came the day after former Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot delivered a scathing report to Dolton's board of trustees, alleging a pattern of mismanagement and deception by Henyard, who is also Dolton's mayor. Henyard's attorney has not commented on the report.

Lightfoot said Henyard and members of her administration have routinely kept Dolton trustees in the dark about large expenditures including for travel, meals at local restaurants, and purchases at various retailers.

And Lightfoot says her months-long investigation uncovered similar practices in Thornton Township.

Adding to the drama, WBBM reported that Henyard had hired her boyfriend, Woods, to run the township youth program — and many on the board and in the community have questioned the work that Woods and another Henyard ally, William Moore, ever did in Thornton Township.

At Tuesday's meeting, the board's newest trustee, Stephanie Wiedeman, made a motion to put Woods and Moore on administrative leave, and the board did so immediately, WBBM said.

But Henyard tried to prevent the trustees from voting on the matter, WBBM said, adding that Henyard contended that placing Woods on leave is a personal attack.

"No, and this is political retaliation, so again, thank you for the lawsuit," Henyard said after the vote, according to WBBM. "Because you all just picked certain individuals. You all didn't come in here and do no research, so I appreciate it."

You can view video reports here and here about the brawl.

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Democratic mayors called to testify as House committee launches investigation into sanctuary cities



The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee announced Monday that it is launching an investigation into sanctuary jurisdictions and their impact on public safety and federal immigration enforcement.

Sanctuary policies prohibit local officials from cooperating with Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents.

'Misguided and obstructionist policies.'

A press release from Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) explained that the committee sent letters to mayors of several sanctuary cities: Boston Mayor Michelle Wu (D), Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson (D), Denver Mayor Mike Johnston (D), and New York City Mayor Eric Adams (D).

The mayors were requested to turn over “documents and communications related to their cities’ sanctuary policies” and asked to testify before the committee during a hearing scheduled for February 11.

The committee’s press release noted that there are roughly “12 states and hundreds of cities and counties with sanctuary laws or policies across the country” that are “shielding removable aliens, especially criminals, from federal law enforcement.” It stated that the cities’ leaders “refuse to fully cooperate with federal immigration enforcement.”

In the letters to the mayors, the committee explained that it decided to specifically investigate those four sanctuary cities because they “stand out in their abject failure to comply with federal law,” adding that the cities’ citizens have “suffered” as a result.

“Sanctuary jurisdictions and their misguided and obstructionist policies hinder the ability of federal law enforcement officers to effectuate safe arrests and remove dangerous criminals from American communities, making Americans less safe,” Comer stated.

“On the first day of his second term, President Donald Trump took decisive actions to restore the rule of law with respect to immigration enforcement,” he continued. “In addition to the efforts of the Trump Administration to ensure federal immigration enforcement can proceed unimpeded, Congress must determine whether further legislation is necessary to enhance border security and public safety. It is imperative that federal immigration law is enforced and that criminal aliens are swiftly removed from our communities.”

A spokesperson for Wu’s office released a statement in response to the House committee’s letter.

“We are proud that Boston is the safest major city in the United States. We have received the letter and are reviewing it,” the statement read.

Boston City Councilor Ed Flynn told WCVB, “When someone commits a crime, regardless of immigration status, we can’t stand in the way of justice for a survivor of crime or respect for the rule of law and society.”

“A respectful and cooperative working relationship between Boston Police and federal authorities, including ICE, is critical. We can’t play politics with the security and safety of residents,” Flynn added.

A spokesperson for Adams’ office told Fox News Digital, “Mayor Adams has made clear that New York City is committed to working with our federal partners to fix our broken immigration system and focus on the small number of people who are entering our localities and committing violent crimes.”

“We will review the letter and respond accordingly,” the spokesperson said.

A representative for Denver Mayor Johnston said Monday night, “The most helpful thing congressional Republicans could do right now is fix our broken immigration system. While they work on that, we will focus on running the cities that manage the consequences of their failure to act.”

Chicago Mayor Johnson’s office did not respond to a request for comment from the Daily Caller News Foundation.

Last week, acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove issued a three-page memo signaling a crackdown on sanctuary cities. The correspondence directed the Department of Justice’s prosecutors to open investigations into state and local leaders who obstruct the Trump administration’s deportation plans.

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Chicago officials spread false claim ICE raided school: 'A misunderstanding'



Chicago Public Schools and Gov. JB Pritzker (D) spread false claims last week that President Donald Trump's Immigration and Customs Enforcement attempted to raid an elementary school.

On Friday, Chicago Public Schools Chief Education Officer Bogdana Chkoumbova told local reporters that ICE agents "showed up" at Hamline Elementary School.

'Agents identified themselves to the school principal and provided business cards with their contact information.'

Chkoumbova explained that "school staff followed CPS established protocols" by keeping "ICE agents outside of the school" and contacting the district's law department and Office of Safety and Security.

"The ICE agents were not allowed into the school and were not permitted to speak to any students or staff members. Here is the bottom line: Our students and staff are safe," Chkoumbova stated. "We will not coordinate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents."

Hamline Principal Natasha Ortega repeated the same claim during the Friday press conference.

"We will not open our doors for ICE, and we are here to protect our children," Ortega stated.

Chicago Public Schools Chief Executive Officer Pedro Martinez told MSNBC that agents "presented credentials and shared that they were from ICE."

"We've been training our principals, our security guards, any front office staff ... making sure that they know that we are not to share any information with anybody from the immigration department or ICE. Unless they have a judicial order, they're not even allowed to enter the building," Martinez added.

Pritzker amplified the false claims in a post on X, writing, "After a week of Republicans sowing fear and chaos, the first reports of raids in Chicago are at an elementary school. Targeting children and separating families is cruel and un-American."

On Saturday, Chicago Public Schools officials backtracked on their earlier allegations, declaring there was a "misunderstanding."

Martinez and Chkoumbova stated, "Agents presented school staff with credentials from the Department of Homeland Security, the federal department that oversees Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)."

"We later learned that these officials were not from ICE, but rather from the U.S. Secret Service — a different federal law enforcement agency also overseen by the Department of Homeland Security," their statement continued. "While this incident was due to a misunderstanding, it reflects the fear and anxiety that is present in our city right now, and it reflects the degree of caution that we are taking given recent federal policy changes."

"Despite yesterday's misunderstanding, the school's response demonstrates that our school system, in partnership with community organizations and our labor partners, is prepared and ready to keep our students and staff safe," they added.

Pritzker has not provided an updated statement regarding the incident, and his team did not respond to a request for comment from Fox News Digital.

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson (D) posted on X, "Chicago will always be a welcoming city, and we will always uphold the welcoming city ordinance, and we will always protect our students and every resident of our city."

"Today Secret Service agents, not ICE, were present at John H. Hamline Elementary School. While people across the city are worried about heightened immigration enforcement, it is imperative that individuals not spread unverified information that sparks fear across the city," Johnson wrote.

ICE stated that it did not send its officers to the school and the agency was in no way involved in the incident.

Anthony Guglielmi, chief of communications for the U.S. Secret Service, confirmed Secret Service agents were sent to the elementary school on Friday while "investigating a threat made against a government official we protect."

"In the course of their investigation, agents first visited a residence in a local neighborhood and then made a visit to Hamline Elementary School," Guglielmi stated. "Agents identified themselves to the school principal and provided business cards with their contact information. The agents left without incident. The Secret Service investigates all threats made against those we protect. We do not investigate nor enforce immigration laws."

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Daycare worker accused of putting 4-year-old boy outside in 19-degree weather before placing him in empty indoor trash can



A 58-year-old Illinois daycare worker is accused of putting a 4-year-old boy outside in 19-degree weather before placing him in an empty indoor trash can — allegedly as punishment over the child not taking a nap.

Around 1 p.m. Jan. 13, Anna Petrou placed a 4-year-old child in the alley of the Learning Lab for about 20 seconds, WLS-TV reported, citing Homewood police. The daycare center is in the 18700 block of Dixie Highway, and the village of Homewood is about a half hour south of Chicago.

The parents noted to the station that the worker in question told them it was a joke.

Police said the approximate temperature at the time of the incident was 19 degrees, WLS reported.

Petrou then brought the child inside and placed the victim in an empty garbage can as a form of punishment, police added to the station.

The incident was reported to police that night, WLS said.

Petrou was charged with one misdemeanor count of endangering the life of a child and released pending a future court date, police said.

The child's parents said they were shocked by what they called outright cruelty, WLS reported.

The parents told the station they didn't find out about the incident until they picked up their son, and he told them the worker put him in a garbage can because he didn't want to take a nap.

The parents noted to the station that the worker in question told them it was a joke.

Surveillance video inside the Learning Lab shows a daycare worker picking up the 4-year-old and placing him in a garbage can, WLS said. You can view a video report here that shows the garbage can incident.

The boy's parents added to the station that other children and teachers witnessed the incident — and they're concerned about psychological damage their son may have suffered as a result.

The parents added to WLS that they were told the worker in question was fired — but they're also concerned that other teachers failed to intervene or report the incident.

The parents added to the station that they're considering a civil lawsuit against the daycare.

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