Rubio Revokes Legal Status of Walz-Pardoned Child Predator, Ensuring Deportation

Secretary of State Marco Rubio this week revoked the legal status of Laotian national Tou Lue Vang, a convicted child sex predator pardoned last month by Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, paving the way for federal agents to arrest and deport him from the United States.

The move comes just weeks after the Minnesota Board of Pardons — which includes Walz, Attorney General Keith Ellison, and Chief Justice Natalie Hudson — unanimously granted clemency to Vang on June 10, effectively wiping his criminal record and potentially shielding him from longstanding deportation orders.

Vang, who arrived in the U.S. as a child refugee from Laos in 1994, was convicted in 2006 of first-degree criminal sexual conduct for repeatedly sexually assaulting a 10-year-old girl between 2002 and approximately 2005.

Court records show he pleaded guilty in a deal that spared him prison time but resulted in a stayed 12-year sentence, eight months in a county workhouse, and 30 years of supervised probation, which was discharged in 2019.

He reportedly attempted to pay his victim for her silence and later described the crimes as “minor things.”

Following his conviction, Vang lost his legal status and was placed in removal proceedings.

An immigration judge issued a final order of removal in 2006.

He was facing imminent deportation when the pardon was granted, which critics say was designed to strip away the convictions that made him removable under federal law.

In a video posted to X, Rubio detailed the administration’s response: “Just weeks ago, a foreign child rapist was freed to once again endanger America’s children after receiving a pardon from Minnesota Governor Tim Walz. Just days before he was scheduled to be deported, the Minnesota Governor pardoned him, setting him free to endanger American families once again. Well, this week I revoked his legal status in the United States and as a result, federal agents took him into custody and as of today, he has been removed from the United States. Because of our action, this foreign criminal will never pose a threat to any American ever again.”

Rubio added that Vang “even tried to pay his victim for her silence” and referred to the crimes as “minor things.”

He told Fox News Digital that “Americans should never have to live in fear that foreign sex predators — shielded from deportation by their own elected officials — could endanger them or their children. That’s why I terminated his legal status in the United States. Vang has now been removed from our country and will never pose a threat to any American ever again.”

The Department of Homeland Security condemned the pardon, with Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis stating: “Governor Tim Walz’s decision to pardon an illegal alien convicted child rapist so he can remain in our country is disgusting. These are the criminal illegal aliens he and his Minnesota sanctuary politicians are protecting. Tou Lue Vang lost his legal status following his conviction for repeatedly sexually assaulting a 10-year-old girl. Following the conviction, he was placed in removal proceedings and issued a final order of removal by a judge. This pardon will take away this child rapist’s qualifying convictions that made him removable from the United States.”

The pardon has drawn sharp bipartisan criticism, with Minnesota House Republican Floor Leader Harry Niska calling it “despicable” and “morally indefensible,” accusing Walz and Ellison of putting criminals ahead of public safety and using clemency to obstruct federal immigration enforcement.

Rubio’s revocation of Vang’s legal status underscores the Trump administration’s commitment to restoring federal authority over immigration and prioritizing the removal of dangerous criminal aliens.

State pardons, while restoring certain civil rights under state law, do not automatically erase immigration consequences under federal statute.

By acting decisively, Rubio ensured that Walz’s clemency did not create a loophole allowing a convicted child predator to remain in the country.

This article may contain commentary which reflects the author's opinion.

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BREAKING:💔Trump Issues Statement Regarding Health of Mitch McConnell

Mitch McConnell Health Update: Speculation Continues Amid Limited Public Information

Weeks after former Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell was hospitalized following a medical emergency at his Washington, D.C. home, questions persist about the 84-year-old Kentucky Republican’s condition and his ability to complete his Senate term, which ends in January 2027.
McConnell was reportedly found unconscious on or around June 14, with initial accounts indicating CPR was administered. His office has released few details since then, describing him as receiving “excellent care,” continuing to improve, and working with staff on Kentucky and Senate matters remotely while in recovery.
Later updates from McConnell’s team clarified that the senator suffered a fall, was briefly unconscious, and was treated for a mild case of pneumonia. He has since moved to a rehabilitation facility to regain strength and stated he does not plan an immediate return to the Senate floor.
Political Reactions and Calls for Transparency

White House: President Trump recently said he had “no idea” about McConnell’s current status and had not spoken with him since the hospitalization.
Kentucky Governor: Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear sent a letter to McConnell requesting a full public update on his health, citing transparency obligations to constituents.
Senate Colleagues: Responses from fellow Republicans have been mixed. Senate Majority Leader John Thune said early on that McConnell “sounded good” in a conversation. However, Sen. Mike Lee noted that many members remain uninformed about details.

The limited information has sparked online speculation and criticism, including unverified claims about his condition. McConnell’s office has pushed back against rumors, noting ongoing improvement.
Broader Context
This situation has renewed debate over health transparency for aging lawmakers. McConnell has a history of health challenges, including previous incidents like a concussion in 2023. As of mid-July 2026, he remains absent from the Senate as it resumes work, narrowing the Republican majority’s margin on key committees.
No official timeline for his return has been confirmed, and public frustration continues over the lack of recent visual updates or more detailed medical disclosures.
This remains a developing story. For the most current details, check official statements from Sen. McConnell’s office or major news outlets.

'NATIONAL EMERGENCY' DECLARED, TRUMP SURGES US TROOPS AFTER 'MASS CASUALTIES’

Over 500 Dead In Venezuela As Rescuers Race To Find Quake Victims

Rescuers scramble to reach survivors before the “golden window” to save people closes, as at least 589 people have died in Venezuela’s twin quakes.

The country is mired in a political and financial crisis. The second quake was the strongest in the country in more than a century.

Close to 3,000 people have been wounded, many more are missing, and others remain trapped under tons of rubble.

President Donald Trump has vowed to ramp up help to Venezuela following Thursday’s quake.

“We took over Venezuela in less than one day, and the oil is flowing, and we’re getting along with them great,” Trump said in remarks from the Rose Garden Thursday evening.

“We’re going to, by the way, help them with their big – they had a tremendous earthquake last night. Did you read about massive, massive in Caracas? But we’re going to help them out,” Trump added.

A Marine Corps general flew into Caracas on Thursday to help lead the US military’s earthquake relief effort in Venezuela, where, just six months ago, US special forces launched a deadly raid to capture President Nicolás Maduro.

Maj. Gen. Kevin J. Jarrard is the senior Southern Command official on the ground.

The military said he is to “plan, coordinate, and direct the flow of rescue teams, equipment, and aid into the hardest-hit areas.”

US aircraft are flying search crews and supplies in, while State Department personnel are coordinating the broader response.

Southern Command, which directs US military activities in Latin America and the Caribbean, said it was “surging” forces to the region at the request of the interim government.

Relief teams from around the world are also mobilizing aid, and foreign aid pledges are pouring in.

“We haven’t slept a wink in our efforts to save lives,” acting President Delcy Rodríguez said on Friday.

Rodríguez also praised the arrival of international assistance and emergency crews, saying, “We have saved dozens of lives.”

More than 100 buildings collapsed in the La Guaira state, the area hardest hit by the double quake that struck Venezuela on Wednesday, Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello said.

During a broadcast on state-run Venezolana de Televisión (VTV), Cabello said Caraballeda and Catia La Mar were the hardest-hit areas in the state and said 11,500 security personnel would be deployed to La Guaira on Friday to “guarantee peace.”

Venezuelan forces deployed to the area hit by Wednesday’s double earthquake are still searching for people who may be trapped under the rubble.

In an interview granted to Venezuelan public television (VTV), the Sectoral Vice President of Public Works and Services, Juan José Ramírez, stated that operations are being carried out with different machinery, such as percussion equipment that allows for the controlled breaking of concrete, with the hope of finding and rescuing more people alive.

Ramírez appealed to the public to let specialized civil protection teams do their job.

“Many times, volunteers trying to help can actually make things worse,” the official said.

Ramírez emphasized that the priority is “to save lives,” while efforts are also underway to restore basic services such as water and communications.

The US Treasury Department said Thursday it will permit “all transactions” with Venezuela “related to earthquake relief efforts.”

The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) authorizes only partial and temporary relief from restrictions from June 26 through October 23.

The general license allows the processing and transfer of funds on behalf of third-country individuals “to or from” Venezuela, as long as they support operations covered by the specific authorization.

Venezuelans are frustrated by the slow pace of the government’s rescue response in the immediate aftermath of the twin quakes that struck on Wednesday.

“People are really frustrated. They are scared because they know that they don’t have a state that will fulfill its role. So they know that nobody is going to go there and help them,” said Venezuelan economist Jorge Jraissati.