Trump calls widow of Corey Comperatore, the man killed during assassination attempt thumbnail

Trump calls widow of Corey Comperatore, the man killed during assassination attempt

Former President Donald Trump called Helen Comperatore on Tuesday to offer his condolences over the death of her husband, Corey.

Corey Comperatore was the man killed during the assassination attempt at Trump’s political rally on Saturday. He was 50 years old and survived by his wife and two daughters. He was a former fire chief and volunteer fireman in Butler County. He was killed while shielding his family from the gunfire that was intended to assassinate Donald Trump.

She posted about Trump’s phone call on her Facebook account, according to the New York Post. 

“He was very kind and said he would continue to call me in the days and weeks ahead,” she said.

“I told him the same thing I told everyone else. He left this world a hero and God welcomed him in. He did not die in vain that day,” she said

On Monday, it was reported that President Joe Biden attempted to contact her and offer his condolences. She declined to speak to him, however, saying that she was a Trump supporter, as was her husband. 

“I didn’t talk to Biden,” Comperatore said. “I didn’t want to talk to him. My husband was a devout Republican, and he would not have wanted me to talk to him.” 

She elaborated on why she decided not to talk to Biden. She claimed she did not have any ill will toward Biden; she just preferred not to talk to him and was apolitical.

“I don’t have any ill will toward Joe Biden,” she told the Post. “I’m not one of those people that gets involved in politics.”

“I support Trump. That’s who I’m voting for, but I don’t have ill will toward Biden,” Comperatore said. “He didn’t do anything bad to my husband. A 20-year-old despicable kid did.”

Widow of victim at Trump rally refused call from President Joe Biden thumbnail

Widow of victim at Trump rally refused call from President Joe Biden

The widow of the victim that was killed during the assassination attempt at the Trump rally on Saturday refused a phone call from President Joe Biden

Corey Comperatore, 50, tragically lost his life on Saturday when a would-be assassin tried to murder Donald Trump during a campaign rally on Saturday in Butler, Pa. Comperatore died shielding his family from bullets.

Biden reportedly tried to contact Corey’s widow, Helen, to offer his condolences, the New York Post reported. She rejected the call. 

“I didn’t talk to Biden,” Comperatore said. “I didn’t want to talk to him. My husband was a devout Republican, and he would not have wanted me to talk to him.”

Comperatore was a beloved figure in his community. The father of two daughters was the former fire chief for Buffalo Township in Butler County in Pennsylvania. A friend of the family raved about Comperatore’s courage and character. 

“It’s just so typical of him, the way it all happened, with protecting his wife and his daughter and just throwing himself on top of them when they hear the shooting,” said Eileen Shamanski, a family friend whose children played sports with Comperatore’s daughters.

“He was an all-around good guy who was always there to lend a hand and support not just his own children but all the other kids who were friends of their girls and on the team,” she said in an interview with Fox News. “He had a just give it your all attitude, a lot of kids respected him for that, just always being there supporting, giving those pep talks to get them going. It’s going to be a big loss.”

Regarding her husband, Helen Comperatore also mentioned how brave he was. She told the Post that her family was looking forward to the event and that it was supposed to be an “exciting” day to support their favorite presidential candidate, but instead ended in tragedy.

She described how her husband lept into action to shield and protect his family, shouting “get down” when shots were fired, according to the New York Post.

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When Biden called, Comperatore declined to take his call.

“I don’t have any ill will towards Joe Biden,” she told the Post. “I’m not one of those people that gets involved in politics.”

“I support Trump. That’s who I’m voting for, but I don’t have ill will towards Biden,” Comperatore said. “He didn’t do anything bad to my husband. A 20-year-old despicable kid did.”

Gas prices: Costs increase for the third straight day thumbnail

Gas prices: Costs increase for the third straight day

Gas prices increased again this week, marking the third straight day that the average cost for a gallon of regular gas went up. 

It costs $3.544 per gallon for regular gas on Thursday, according to AAA. This was slightly higher than yesterday’s price of $3.538 per gallon. Prices have increased nearly four cents per gallon since Monday, when the average price for a gallon of regular gas was $3.506.

Mississippi was the state that had the cheapest gas prices for a gallon of regular gas on Thursday, with a cost of $3.009 – rising above $3 for the second straight day for the first time in weeks. California had the country’s most expensive gas on Thursday, with a gallon of regular gas costing $4.778.

Gas prices continue to vary significantly in each state. To see how expensive gas is in each state, click here.

Here are the gas prices for a gallon of regular-grade gas in and around Washington, D.C. heading into the weekend.

Washington, D.C.

On Thursday, the average price for a gallon of regular gas was $3.709 in the nation’s capital, a slight decrease from the day before when gas was $3.712. A week ago, regular gas was $3.699 per gallon in Washington, D.C. A month ago, it cost people in the capital $3.678 per gallon for regular gas.

Virginia

On Thursday, the average price for a gallon of regular-grade gas in Virginia was $3.477. This was an increase from yesterday’s average price of $3.467 per gallon. A week ago, regular-grade gas was $3.382 per gallon in Virginia. A month ago, it was $3.333, and last year at this time, a gallon of regular gas was $3.348.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER

Delaware

The average price for a gallon of regular gas in Delaware on Thursday was $3.553. This was a slight increase from Wednesday’s price of $3.514. A week ago, the price for regular gas was $3.46 per gallon. A month ago, people in the First State were paying $3.424 for a gallon of regular gas.

Maryland

The average price for a gallon of regular gas in Maryland on Thursday was $3.631. This was an increase from Wednesday’s price of $3.618. A week ago, the price for regular gas was $3.577 per gallon. A month ago, people in Maryland paid $3.526 for a gallon of regular gas. Last year at this time, a gallon of regular gas cost Marylanders $3.574 per gallon.

Political Perspective: What is the possiblity of President Kamala Harris? thumbnail

Political Perspective: What is the possiblity of President Kamala Harris?

Washington Examiner Chief Political Correspondent Byron York joins Editor-In-Chief Hugo Gurdon to discuss whether or not President Joe Biden is able to stay and run for another term; Democratic leaders push and pull feelings of Biden’s ability to run; is Vice President Kamala Harris the solution if Biden can not serve out his term?

Soccer players take to stands to brawl and fight after Copa tournament match thumbnail

Soccer players take to stands to brawl and fight after Copa tournament match

After a tough 1-0 loss to Colombia in the Copa América semifinal on Wednesday night at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, about a dozen soccer players from Uruguay’s national team went into the stands and brawled with some of the fans in attendance. 

The skirmish lasted several minutes before the venue’s security team members broke up the melee. Players from the Uruguay team claimed that rival fans threatened family members watching the game, which prompted the players to climb into the stands. Among the participants were one of Uruguay’s star players, Darwin Núñez, and team captain Jose Maria Gimenez.

Gimenez claimed the fans were the aggressors and that the players entered the stands to protect and defend their families.

“Let me say something before they cut you off because they won’t let us speak into the microphone. They don’t want me to say anything about what’s going on, but this is a disaster,” Gimenez said after the skirmish in the stands. “Please be careful, our families are in the stands, there are little newborn babies. It was a disaster. There was no police, and we had to defend our families.”

“This is the fault of two or three people who had a few too many drinks and don’t know how to drink,” Gimenez said.

CONMEBOL, the organizers of the Copa Cup, the governing body of South American football, condemned the incident and announced it was launching an investigation into the skirmish. 

“CONMEBOL strongly condemns any act of violence that affects football,” the organization said in a released statement after the game. “Our work is based on the conviction that soccer connects and unites us through its positive values.”

There was also a confrontation between players from both teams on the pitch after the game ended. It was the culmination of a tense, highly competitive match between the teams of the South American countries.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER

Marcelo Bielsa, Uruguay’s coach, discussed the altercation in a press conference after the game. He acknowledged the hostilities between the players but thought it ended once the game was over. 

“I thought that the incident ended with some argument on the midfield, and when I saw that happening, I went to the locker room,” Bielsa said. “I thought that they were thanking the fans for their support. But then I learned that there were some problems over there unfortunately.”

Bill in Pennsylvania to protect property owners from ‘squatters’ heads to governor’s office for approval thumbnail

Bill in Pennsylvania to protect property owners from ‘squatters’ heads to governor’s office for approval

In recent months, the issue of so-called squatters’ rights has been a point of contention in various states throughout the country. 

After multiple high-profile cases of squatters – people who illegally entered a property and remained there for an extensive period without any rental agreement – gained notoriety, some governors in the country decided to take action. Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) and Gov. Kathy Hochul (D-NY) were among those who passed legislation protecting property owners in their states from squatters. Pennsylvania might be the next state to take action.

Pennsylvania Sen. Dan Laughlin proposed legislation in the Spring to help protect property owners in the Keystone State from squatters. Laughlin’s bill would “codify Pennsylvania case law to establish more certainty for homeowners, landlords, and law enforcement who encounter squatters.”

“Imagine coming home, only to find strangers occupying the space where you’ve created cherished memories, and then being told that removing them will require a costly and prolonged legal battle,” Laughlin said. “It’s a situation that would fill anyone with frustration and despair.”

Currently, if squatters enter a property and take it over illegally, the rightful owners face significant challenges in evicting the lawbreakers and reclaiming their property. Exorbitant legal fees and bureaucratic runarounds require property owners to follow a list of tedious rules to reclaim their property. 

Under present Pennsylvania law, squatters legally become trespassers “once the landowner warns them they are not welcome and instructs them to vacate the property. Should the squatters remain in any place where they are not licensed or privileged to be, they commit the offense of defiant trespass.”

“The escalating problem of squatters unlawfully occupying properties is more than a legal challenge – it strikes at the heart of justice and fairness for property owners across our great state,” said Laughlin. “Just last month in Erie, we saw how destructive squatters can be, with two homes destroyed and two more damaged by a fire started by squatters in one of the residences. Fortunately, no one was injured by the fire, but dozens of people were displaced by it.”

“This is one example of the personal and emotional ordeal that countless families and individuals face when they find their homes and investments under siege,” Laughlin said. “Under our current legal framework, too many property owners are exposed, struggling against a system that doesn’t fully shield their rights or protect their homes.”

Laughlin’s legislation, known as Senate Bill 1236, changes the current obstacles for property owners.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER 

“Establishing a precise legal status for squatters empowers property owners, granting them the tools needed to safeguard their homes and investments quickly and effectively, without wading through needless red tape,” said Laughlin. “Senate Bill 1236 is about restoring a sense of security and justice for those who have invested their dreams, savings, and emotions into their properties. It’s a balanced approach that respects the rights of all parties involved, ensuring legitimate tenants are protected while closing the door to those who exploit our system to occupy homes illegally.”

The bill was previously approved by Pennsylvania’s Senate and House of Representatives. It is now headed to Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro’s desk.

South Korea president to discuss the threat of North Korea at this week’s NATO summit thumbnail

South Korea president to discuss the threat of North Korea at this week’s NATO summit

Yoon Suk Yeol, the president of South Korea, will attend the 2024 NATO Summit in Washington, D.C. The meeting is being celebrated as “Marking 75 years of the Alliance” and will be an important discussion of geopolitical strategy amid heightened tensions worldwide.

“Seventy-five years ago, 12 countries signed the North Atlantic Treaty in Washington, D.C. to ensure their collective defense in an unpredictable world,” read a release for the summit. “This year, 32 NATO Allies will meet again in Washington, D.C. to make key decisions on how to continue to protect their one billion citizens as the world faces the most dangerous security environment since the Cold War.”

One of the topics Yoon will discuss is the looming threat North Korea poses to Europe after the communist country’s recent decision to strengthen its alliance with Russia after a summit between Russian President Vladimir Putin and the supreme leader of North Korea, Kim Jong Un.

“Military cooperation between Russia and North Korea poses a distinct threat and grave challenge to the peace and security on the Korean peninsula and in Europe,” Yoon said in a statement reported by Reuters

Aid to Ukraine will also be one of the main topics discussed. Yoon stressed that South Korea would base its decision on providing aid to the Eastern European country on the progression of the military agreement between North Korea and Russia, Reuters reported. The NATO meeting is set for July 9 through July 11. While not a NATO member, South Korea will be joined by Australia, Japan, and New Zealand, the alliance’s Asia-Pacific partners.  

Russia’s war with Ukraine has strained its relationship with South Korea. Yoon vehemently objected to the meeting between Putin and Jong Un. He also accused Russia of receiving weapons from North Korea, a claim which Russian officials have denied. 

Putin has downplayed South Korea’s criticism of the relationship between his country and North Korea. In June, he dismissed South Korea’s concerns about the military alliance between Russia and North Korea. 

“South Korea, the Republic of Korea has nothing to worry about because our military assistance under the treaty we signed only arises if aggression is carried out against one of the signatories. As far as I know, the Republic of Korea is not planning aggression against the DPRK [North Korea],” Putin said at the time.

Still, Putin warned South Korea of interfering in Russia’s conflict with Ukraine, especially if it started sending weapons to the country. 

“As for the supply of lethal weapons to the war zone in Ukraine, that would be a very big mistake,” Putin said. “I hope that this will not happen. And if it does happen, then we will also take appropriate decisions, which are unlikely to please the current leadership of South Korea.”

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER

Yet Yoon has not been deterred. On Sunday, he continued his criticism of North Korea and urged Russia to take a side regarding geopolitical agreements and alliances. 

“North Korea is clearly a menace to the international society,” Yoon said. “I hope that Russia will sensibly decide which side – the South or the North – is more important and necessary for its own interests.”

“The future of ROK [Republic of Korea] – Russia relations depends entirely on Russia’s actions,” Yoon said.

Gas Prices: Decrease at the pumps to the end the holiday weekend thumbnail

Gas Prices: Decrease at the pumps to the end the holiday weekend

Gas prices decreased slightly on Sunday, with the average price for a gallon of regular gas dropping to $3.506, according to AAA

On Saturday, a gallon of regular gas cost $3.509. A week ago, it was $3.492. A month ago, it was $3.471, and a year ago, it cost $3.537 per gallon. 

California had the country’s most expensive gas on Sunday, with a gallon of regular gas costing $4.788. Conversely, Mississippi had the cheapest gas prices, with a gallon of regular gas costing $2.993 on Sunday. 

Incidentally, the state with the most expensive gas had a decrease compared to Saturday, when gas was $4.789 per gallon. The state with the cheapest gas prices in the country increased compared to Saturday, when gas was $2.991 in Mississippi. 

Gas prices continue to vary significantly in each state. To see how expensive gas is in each state, click here.

Here are the gas prices for a gallon of regular-grade gas in and around Washington, D.C., and a few other states.

Washington, D.C.

The average price for a gallon of regular gas in the nation’s capital was $3.716 on Sunday. It was an increase from Saturday’s price of $3.710. A week ago, gas was $3.654 per gallon. A month ago, a gallon of regular gas was $3.688 per gallon, almost the same price as a year ago, when it cost $3.685.

Virginia

The average price for a gallon of regular-grade gas in Virginia on Sunday was $3.389. This was a slight decrease from Saturday’s average price of $3.39 per gallon. A week ago regular-grade gas was $3.332 per gallon in Virginia. A month ago it was $3.373 and las year at this time, a gallon of regular gas was $3.333.

Maryland

The average price for a gallon of regular gas in Maryland on Sunday was $3.576. This was a very slight decrease from Saturday’s price of $3.577. A week ago, the price for a gallon of regular gas was $3.565 per gallon. A month ago, people in Maryland were paying $3.548 for a gallon of regular gas. Last year at this time, the average price for a gallon of regular gas was $3.542.

Delaware

The average price for a gallon of regular gas in Delaware on Sunday was $3.461. On Saturday, the average price for a gallon of regular gas was $3.457. A week ago, regular gas in the First State was $3.515 per gallon. A month ago, it cost $3.436 per gallon for regular gas. A year ago, gas prices in the First State were slightly cheaper as it cost $3.439 per gallon.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER

Pennsylvania

The average price for a gallon of regular gas in Pennsylvania on Sunday was $3.663. On Saturday, the average price for a gallon of regular gas was slightly cheaper at $3.664. A week ago, regular gas in the Keystone State was $3.639 per gallon. A month ago, it cost $3.693 per gallon for regular gas. A year ago, gas prices in Pennsylvania cost $3.639 per gallon.

New York

On Sunday, it cost $3.624 for a gallon of regular gas in New York. This was the same price as it was on Saturday. A week ago, however, the average price for a gallon of gas in the Empire State was $3.589. A month ago, it was $3.634. A year ago, a gallon of regular-grade gasoline cost New Yorkers $3.681.

Reporter’s Notebook: Unexpected turn for current endorsements in the Arizona Senate race thumbnail

Reporter’s Notebook: Unexpected turn for current endorsements in the Arizona Senate race

Washington Examiner Congressional Reporter Samantha-Jo Roth joins Magazine Executive Editor Jim Antle to discuss the current endorsements in the Arizona Senate race that seem unexpected, polls indicating few Trump and Ruben Gallego split-ticket voters, and if other Democrats are concerned from races like Gallego’s.

Reporter’s Notebook: Supreme Court ruling cause for victory lap for Trump thumbnail

Reporter’s Notebook: Supreme Court ruling cause for victory lap for Trump

Washington Examiner National Politics Correspondent Mabinty Quarshie joins Magazine Executive Editor Jim Antle to discuss the Supreme Court ruling on presidential immunity and why former President Donald Trump is happy about it; what is the source of tension causing division in the Republican platform? Who is going to be Trump’s running mate?