The United States accused Russia this week of illegally deploying chemical weapons on the battlefield in Ukraine and announced the sanctioning of hundreds of individuals and entities tied to the weapons. The State Department said that Russia violated the Chemical and Biological Weapons Control and Warfare Elimination Act of 1991 (CBW Act) by using the chemical weapon chloropicrin against Ukrainian troops. Chloropicrin is a “choking agent” that was commonly used during World War I, The New York Times reported, and is banned from being used in war, according to the treaty that even Russia signed. The State Department said that the use of the chemical weapons “is not an isolated incident and is probably driven by Russian forces’ desire to dislodge Ukrainian forces from fortified positions and achieve tactical gains on the battlefield.” The sanctions were being enacted against individuals and entities connected to Russia’s chemical and biological weapons programs. “The United States will continue to use the tools at its disposal to disrupt support for Russia’s military-industrial base and curtail Russia’s use of the international financial system to further its war against Ukraine,” the statement said. “We continue to stand in solidarity with Russians striving for a more democratic future and with Ukrainians defending their homeland from Russia’s aggression.” CLICK HERE TO GET THE DAILYWIRE+ APP Ukraine has reported well over a thousand instances of suspected chemical attacks by Russian forces since Russia’s invasion more than 26 months ago. The Times reported that the use of the illegal weapons has accelerated recently as Russia looks to break through lines and make rapid gains before long-awaited U.S. military assistance arrives on the frontlines which is expected to a significant boost for Ukraine.

President Joe Biden announced on Friday that he would make certain illegal immigrants eligible for government-backed health care coverage, prompting criticism from Republicans who said it was a “slap in the face” to American citizens.  Biden said that illegal immigrants in the United States who had received Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA) status because they had been taken into the country with their parents, would be able to now enroll in Obamacare. In a statement, Biden said that the illegal immigrants might be eligible for financial assistance to give them coverage.  “While President Biden continues to call on Congress to provide a pathway to citizenship to Dreamers and others, he is committed to protecting and preserving DACA and providing Dreamers with the opportunities and support they need to succeed, including access to affordable, quality health care coverage,” Biden said.  The decision was made possible by a Biden admin rule changing the definition of “lawfully present” to include DACA recipients for Obamacare and will go into effect just before the presidential election as DACA recipients will be able to register for coverage on November 1. “Thanks to the Biden-Harris Administration’s actions, today’s final rule will remove the prohibition on DACA recipients’ eligibility for Affordable Care Act coverage for the first time, and is projected to help more than 100,000 young people gain health insurance,” the president added.  The decision prompted harsh criticism from conservatives, including former President Donald Trump.  “This is unfair and unsustainable,” Trump campaign spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said. “Joe Biden‘s handouts for illegal immigrants are especially devastating to Black Americans, Hispanic Americans, and union workers who are forced to watch their jobs and public resources stolen by people who illegally entered our country.” CLICK HERE TO GET THE DAILYWIRE+ APP “President Trump will put America and the American worker first. He will seal the border, stop the invasion, and expand economic opportunity for American citizens, not illegal aliens,” Leavitt added.  Last summer, Republicans in both the House and Senate urged Biden to not finalize the rule. On Friday, Senator J.D. Vance (R-OH) said that Biden should be focusing on getting the border under control and reducing inflation instead of giving benefits to illegal immigrants.  “There’s an unprecedented crisis at our southern border, we’ve got major conflicts around the world, and families all across Ohio are getting crushed by inflation,” he said. “Joe Biden’s response to all this is to give your hard-earned money away to illegal immigrants in the form of taxpayer-funded healthcare. This is a slap in the face to every hardworking American who plays by the rules, and it would never happen if Donald Trump were president.”

The Republican National Committee alongside the Trump presidential campaign filed a lawsuit on Friday against Nevada for allowing mail-in ballots that arrive up to four days after Election Day to be counted. The suit, also joined by the Nevada Republican Party, is challenging a Nevada law that says mail-in ballots can be counted if they are postmarked before the end of the day on Election Day and arrive up to four days after the election. According to the suit, this law violates federal election law and disproportionately harms Republicans.  “Nevada’s ballot receipt deadline clearly violates federal law and undermines election integrity in the state. Ballots received days after Election Day should not be counted — the RNC and our partners are suing to secure an honest election, support Nevada voters, and oppose unlawful schemes,” said RNC Chair Michael Whatley.  Filed in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Nevada, the suit names Democratic Nevada Secretary of State Francisco Aguilar and the county clerks and registers of Washoe and Clark County.  One issue raised in the lawsuit is the provision of Nevada law that allows ballots with illegible postmarks to be counted. The suit pointed to a provision of Nevada law saying that a “mail ballot shall be deemed to have been postmarked on or before the day of the election” if the postmark cannot be read and it was received before 5 p.m. the third day after election day.  “The result of Nevada’s violation of federal law is that timely, valid ballots are diluted by untimely, invalid ballots, which violates the rights of candidates, campaigns, and voters under federal law,” the suit says. “Counting mail ballots received after Election Day doesn’t just dilute the valid ballots — it specifically and disproportionately harms Republican candidates and voters.”  CLICK HERE TO GET THE DAILYWIRE+ APP The suit hopes to block state election officials from counting ballots that are received after election day for the November 2024 election.  “Our office will not comment on ongoing litigation, but I hope the RNC is putting as much time and energy into educating voters on how to participate in elections as they put into suing the state of Nevada,” Aguilar said in response to the suit’s filing.  The suit is the latest RNC effort to challenge state election laws ahead of the 2024 election with Nevada expected to be closely contested by both President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump.

The Republican National Committee alongside the Trump presidential campaign filed a lawsuit on Friday against Nevada for allowing mail-in ballots that arrive up to four days after Election Day to be counted. The suit, also joined by the Nevada Republican Party, is challenging a Nevada law that says mail-in ballots can be counted if they are postmarked before the end of the day on Election Day and arrive up to four days after the election. According to the suit, this law violates federal election law and disproportionately harms Republicans.  “Nevada’s ballot receipt deadline clearly violates federal law and undermines election integrity in the state. Ballots received days after Election Day should not be counted — the RNC and our partners are suing to secure an honest election, support Nevada voters, and oppose unlawful schemes,” said RNC Chair Michael Whatley.  Filed in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Nevada, the suit names Democratic Nevada Secretary of State Francisco Aguilar and the county clerks and registers of Washoe and Clark County.  One issue raised in the lawsuit is the provision of Nevada law that allows ballots with illegible postmarks to be counted. The suit pointed to a provision of Nevada law saying that a “mail ballot shall be deemed to have been postmarked on or before the day of the election” if the postmark cannot be read and it was received before 5 p.m. the third day after election day.  “The result of Nevada’s violation of federal law is that timely, valid ballots are diluted by untimely, invalid ballots, which violates the rights of candidates, campaigns, and voters under federal law,” the suit says. “Counting mail ballots received after Election Day doesn’t just dilute the valid ballots — it specifically and disproportionately harms Republican candidates and voters.”  CLICK HERE TO GET THE DAILYWIRE+ APP The suit hopes to block state election officials from counting ballots that are received after election day for the November 2024 election.  “Our office will not comment on ongoing litigation, but I hope the RNC is putting as much time and energy into educating voters on how to participate in elections as they put into suing the state of Nevada,” Aguilar said in response to the suit’s filing.  The suit is the latest RNC effort to challenge state election laws ahead of the 2024 election with Nevada expected to be closely contested by both President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump.

When Daily Wire host Michael Knowles spoke last month at the University of Utah, he was met with a host of leftist protesters and university-approved transgender flags filling the building he was speaking in — a demonstration that was in part supported by the school faculty.  The protest took place as Knowles, who had been brought to campus by the Young America’s Foundation, gave a speech on the problems with transgender ideology on April 8 at the university. At the same time, Philip Osteen, the dean of Utah’s College of Social Work, reportedly extended the school’s Pride celebration so that it coincided with Knowles’ speech and approved for transgender and LGBT flags and banners to fill the building Knowles was set to speak in.  Osteen, the dean of the building where Knowles spoke, approved the trans flag demonstration, but said he couldn’t give the go-ahead for students to put up American flags when pressed by YAF representative Breana Marsh.  Meet Philip Osteen, the College of Social Work dean at the University of Utah—a public school—who was so bothered by my presence on campus that he prevented @YAF students from flying American flags in the foyer, where his college had sponsored a trans propaganda extravaganza. pic.twitter.com/awuioyARWk — Michael Knowles (@michaeljknowles) May 4, 2024 “I think it’s a gross misuse to say that we’re going to make a safe place, we’re going to make students feel represented and protected, and everyone feels safe, at the absolute hanging of your conservative students,” Marsh said in audio shared by YAF with The Daily Wire.  Osteen said she should bring her concerns to the dean of students, saying that YAF could put up American flags in the room where Knowles was speaking but “not in the decoration of this building.” He then said that if YAF got approval from facilities and the dean of students that they could put up American flags. When asked why he could approve Pride flags, but not the American flag, he said “because I approved these to go up as a celebration of our pride.” CLICK HERE TO GET THE DAILYWIRE+ APP When asked about why Pride week had been continued into a second week, Osteen said it was because the school wanted students to know it was “an inclusive place to support trans rights, LGBTQ2s rights.” Later, during his speech Knowles commented on the amount of students who had shown up to oppose him. He said he was surprised that even in “meek and mild Utah,” he saw a video of “some wild banshee-like lady accosting, assaulting one of the students here as the student was hanging up flyers for this lecture tonight.” One protester, who did not listen to Knowles’ speech, sat down with The Daily Wire host after to discuss their views. During their conversation, Knowles pushed him to reconsider his acceptance of transgender ideology.  WATCH: 

When Daily Wire host Michael Knowles spoke last month at the University of Utah, he was met with a host of leftist protesters and university-approved transgender flags filling the building he was speaking in — a demonstration that was in part supported by the school faculty.  The protest took place as Knowles, who had been brought to campus by the Young America’s Foundation, gave a speech on the problems with transgender ideology on April 8 at the university. At the same time, Philip Osteen, the dean of Utah’s College of Social Work, reportedly extended the school’s Pride celebration so that it coincided with Knowles’ speech and approved for transgender and LGBT flags and banners to fill the building Knowles was set to speak in.  Osteen, the dean of the building where Knowles spoke, approved the trans flag demonstration, but said he couldn’t give the go-ahead for students to put up American flags when pressed by YAF representative Breana Marsh.  Meet Philip Osteen, the College of Social Work dean at the University of Utah—a public school—who was so bothered by my presence on campus that he prevented @YAF students from flying American flags in the foyer, where his college had sponsored a trans propaganda extravaganza. pic.twitter.com/awuioyARWk — Michael Knowles (@michaeljknowles) May 4, 2024 “I think it’s a gross misuse to say that we’re going to make a safe place, we’re going to make students feel represented and protected, and everyone feels safe, at the absolute hanging of your conservative students,” Marsh said in audio shared by YAF with The Daily Wire.  Osteen said she should bring her concerns to the dean of students, saying that YAF could put up American flags in the room where Knowles was speaking but “not in the decoration of this building.” He then said that if YAF got approval from facilities and the dean of students that they could put up American flags. When asked why he could approve Pride flags, but not the American flag, he said “because I approved these to go up as a celebration of our pride.” CLICK HERE TO GET THE DAILYWIRE+ APP When asked about why Pride week had been continued into a second week, Osteen said it was because the school wanted students to know it was “an inclusive place to support trans rights, LGBTQ2s rights.” Later, during his speech Knowles commented on the amount of students who had shown up to oppose him. He said he was surprised that even in “meek and mild Utah,” he saw a video of “some wild banshee-like lady accosting, assaulting one of the students here as the student was hanging up flyers for this lecture tonight.” One protester, who did not listen to Knowles’ speech, sat down with The Daily Wire host after to discuss their views. During their conversation, Knowles pushed him to reconsider his acceptance of transgender ideology.  WATCH: 

Columbia President Minouche Shafik said Friday that the occupation of a campus building by anti-Israel protesters was a “violent act” that placed the campus community in danger.  In a video put out Friday, Shafik spoke about the unrest that had roiled the campus after students and others protesting Israel’s war with Hamas set up an encampment on campus and demanded the university cut off any ties to Israel. Shafik has faced criticism from some who said she allowed the encampment to go on too long while others accused her of reacting too strongly.  “These past two weeks have been among the most difficult in Colombia’s history. The turmoil and tension, division and disruption have impacted the entire community. You, our students, have paid an especially high price,” she said. “We tried very hard to resolve the issue of the encampment through dialogue.” She then said that the university was ultimately unable to reach an agreement with the protesters before referencing the occupation of Columbia’s Hamilton Hall by anti-Israel protesters. Early Tuesday morning, protesters barricaded themselves inside while they demanded the school to divest from Israel while smashing windows and unfurling an “intifada” banner from the building. They used tables, chairs, and other objects to block entry into the building.  “A group of protesters crossed a new line with the occupation of Hamilton Hall,” Shafik said. “It was a violent act that put our students at risk, as well as putting the protesters at risk. I walked through the building and saw the damage which was distressing.” The storming came after Shafik said that the university would not be divesting from Israel.  CLICK HERE TO GET THE DAILYWIRE+ APP Hours after the building was occupied, the New York Police Department stormed the building in riot gear, arresting protesters and clearing out the occupation. Shafik pinned much of the blame of the occupation on outside activists. “We believe that while the group who broke into the building includes students, it is led by individuals who are not affiliated with the University,” she said.  New York City Mayor Eric Adams agreed, saying that police found evidence that professionals had shown up and conducted trainings.  “This is a global problem that young people are being influenced by those who are professionals at radicalizing our children and I’m not going to allow that to happen as the mayor of the city of New York,” he said. 

Columbia President Minouche Shafik said Friday that the occupation of a campus building by anti-Israel protesters was a “violent act” that placed the campus community in danger.  In a video put out Friday, Shafik spoke about the unrest that had roiled the campus after students and others protesting Israel’s war with Hamas set up an encampment on campus and demanded the university cut off any ties to Israel. Shafik has faced criticism from some who said she allowed the encampment to go on too long while others accused her of reacting too strongly.  “These past two weeks have been among the most difficult in Colombia’s history. The turmoil and tension, division and disruption have impacted the entire community. You, our students, have paid an especially high price,” she said. “We tried very hard to resolve the issue of the encampment through dialogue.” She then said that the university was ultimately unable to reach an agreement with the protesters before referencing the occupation of Columbia’s Hamilton Hall by anti-Israel protesters. Early Tuesday morning, protesters barricaded themselves inside while they demanded the school to divest from Israel while smashing windows and unfurling an “intifada” banner from the building. They used tables, chairs, and other objects to block entry into the building.  “A group of protesters crossed a new line with the occupation of Hamilton Hall,” Shafik said. “It was a violent act that put our students at risk, as well as putting the protesters at risk. I walked through the building and saw the damage which was distressing.” The storming came after Shafik said that the university would not be divesting from Israel.  CLICK HERE TO GET THE DAILYWIRE+ APP Hours after the building was occupied, the New York Police Department stormed the building in riot gear, arresting protesters and clearing out the occupation. Shafik pinned much of the blame of the occupation on outside activists. “We believe that while the group who broke into the building includes students, it is led by individuals who are not affiliated with the University,” she said.  New York City Mayor Eric Adams agreed, saying that police found evidence that professionals had shown up and conducted trainings.  “This is a global problem that young people are being influenced by those who are professionals at radicalizing our children and I’m not going to allow that to happen as the mayor of the city of New York,” he said. 

An illegal immigrant from Guatemala accused of child molestation was released from prison last month by authorities in Rhode Island before federal immigration officials could take him into custody. Immigration and Customs Enforcement said on Friday that they had arrested a 22-year-old illegal immigrant wanted on domestic assault and first-degree child molestation on April 10. The arrest came hours after the Sixth District Court of Rhode Island had ordered him released onto the streets of Providence before ICE could take him into custody. Providence is a sanctuary city and ignored the detainer that had been placed on the illegal immigrant by ICE. “This unlawfully present individual was arrested locally on first degree child molestation charges and was released back into the community despite an immigration detainer,” said ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Boston Field Office Director Todd Lyons. “We believe it is in the interest of the community that jurisdictions honor our immigration detainers so that ICE can take direct custody of individuals like this who pose a threat to residents.” “ERO Boston hopes to cooperate with our local partners in Rhode Island to help make safer neighborhoods for everyone in the state and throughout New England,” Lyons added. According to ICE, the illegal immigrant, who was not named, illegally entered the United States around Nogales, Arizona, where he was apprehended by Border Patrol in November 2018. He would have been around 16-years-old at the time and he was released into the country and given a court date. Four years later, the Providence Police Department issued a warrant for his arrest on sexual assault and child molestation charges on November 21, 2022. He was not arrested until February 28, 2024 when police nabbed him on domestic assault charges in addition to the previous charges. CLICK HERE TO GET THE DAILYWIRE+ APP After the arrest, ICE placed an immigration detainer on him, but he was released on April 10 by a Rhode Island court. “Later that day, ERO Boston deportation officers in Rhode Island arrested him without incident in Providence. He will be held in ICE custody pending a future hearing before a Department of Justice immigration judge,” ICE said. In recent weeks, ICE has been drawing attention to the release of illegal immigrants charged with serious crimes in New England, The Daily Caller reported. Last month, a 26-year-old Honduran accused first-degree sexual assault of a minor was released by Connecticut authorities who ignored an immigration detainer placed on him by ICE.

An illegal immigrant from Guatemala accused of child molestation was released from prison last month by authorities in Rhode Island before federal immigration officials could take him into custody. Immigration and Customs Enforcement said on Friday that they had arrested a 22-year-old illegal immigrant wanted on domestic assault and first-degree child molestation on April 10. The arrest came hours after the Sixth District Court of Rhode Island had ordered him released onto the streets of Providence before ICE could take him into custody. Providence is a sanctuary city and ignored the detainer that had been placed on the illegal immigrant by ICE. “This unlawfully present individual was arrested locally on first degree child molestation charges and was released back into the community despite an immigration detainer,” said ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Boston Field Office Director Todd Lyons. “We believe it is in the interest of the community that jurisdictions honor our immigration detainers so that ICE can take direct custody of individuals like this who pose a threat to residents.” “ERO Boston hopes to cooperate with our local partners in Rhode Island to help make safer neighborhoods for everyone in the state and throughout New England,” Lyons added. According to ICE, the illegal immigrant, who was not named, illegally entered the United States around Nogales, Arizona, where he was apprehended by Border Patrol in November 2018. He would have been around 16-years-old at the time and he was released into the country and given a court date. Four years later, the Providence Police Department issued a warrant for his arrest on sexual assault and child molestation charges on November 21, 2022. He was not arrested until February 28, 2024 when police nabbed him on domestic assault charges in addition to the previous charges. CLICK HERE TO GET THE DAILYWIRE+ APP After the arrest, ICE placed an immigration detainer on him, but he was released on April 10 by a Rhode Island court. “Later that day, ERO Boston deportation officers in Rhode Island arrested him without incident in Providence. He will be held in ICE custody pending a future hearing before a Department of Justice immigration judge,” ICE said. In recent weeks, ICE has been drawing attention to the release of illegal immigrants charged with serious crimes in New England, The Daily Caller reported. Last month, a 26-year-old Honduran accused first-degree sexual assault of a minor was released by Connecticut authorities who ignored an immigration detainer placed on him by ICE.