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MayorRas Barakasaidon social mediathat U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents attempted to pull over a van in the state's largest city when the driver fled. He said the ICE agents gave chase, resulting in an accident involving several vehicles, including one carrying three children.

Baraka said the driver of the van was injured and taken to the hospital.

It was not immediately clear the extent of the driver's injuries or why the person was being pursued by ICE. Baraka said Newark police were not involved with ICE's investigation and only responded to the crash.

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Spokespersons for Baraka, Newark police, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and ICE didn't immediately respond to emails seeking comment.

But the Democratic mayor, in his statement on X, criticized ICE's actions as reckless and dangerous. He noted that New Jersey state law bans law enforcement officials from chasing vehicles unless a suspect poses an immediate threat.

"Federal authorities should adhere to local laws regarding vehicle pursuits and exercise common sense," Baraka said. "Based on the damage they are inflicting on our communities, ICE has no business engaging in chases at anytime, anywhere — but especially in densely populated areas, and on roads still being cleared from a significant snowstorm."

Baraka wasarrested and chargedwith trespassing while protesting last May in front of Delany Hall, a newly opened federal immigration detention center in his city. The charge waslater dismissed.

Former U.S. Air Force officer and pilot Gerald Eddie Brown Jr., also known by the call sign "Runner," was arrested in Jefferson, Indiana on Feb. 26 in connection to allegations he taught members of the country's foreign military overseas, the U.S. Department of Justiceannounced in a news release.

Brown, 65, was charged with providing and conspiring to provide defense services to Chinese military pilots without authorization, in violation of the Arms Export Control Act (AECA), officials said. The overseas training took place over a more than two-year period that began around August 2023, when officials said Brown "willfully conspired with foreign nationals and U.S. persons to provide combat aircraft training to pilots in the Chinese Air Force," also called the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF).

"The United States Air Force trained Major Brown to be an elite fighter pilot and entrusted him with the defense of our Nation. He now stands charged with training Chinese military pilots," Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A. Eisenberg said in a statement. "When U.S. persons – whether military or civilian - provide training to a foreign military, that activity is illegal unless they have a license from the State Department. The National Security Division will use all tools at its disposal to protect our military advantages and hold to account those who would violate the AECA."

Brown was set to appear for his first court appearance in the Southern District of Indiana on Feb. 26.

FBI New York Assistant Director in Charge James Barnacle said Brown's arrest emphasized the FBI's "steadfast promise to defend the homeland against all foreign and domestic adversaries."

"Brown allegedly sold out his country to train Chinese pilots with his expertise in United States' combat aircraft techniques," Barnacle said in a statement. "Brown's alleged betrayal exposed sensitive military tactics, threatening the security of our nation, our armed forces, and our allies."

FBI conducts search warrants:The execution took place at LAUSD headquarters, superintendent home

Who is Gerald Eddie Brown Jr.?

A U.S. citizen, officials said Brown served for more than two decades in the U.S. Air Force, leaving active duty in 1996 with the rank of major.

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During his military career, Brown "commanded sensitive units with responsibility for nuclear weapons delivery systems, led combat missions, and served as a fighter pilot instructor and simulator instructor on a variety of fighter and attack aircraft," officials said.

Those aircrafts included the following:

• F-4 "Phantom II"

• F-15 "Eagle"

• F-16 "Fighting Falcon"

• A-10 "Thunderbolt II" (Warthog)

Later in his career, Brown served as a commercial cargo pilot and, most recently, as a contract simulator instructor for two American defense contractors training U.S. military pilots on flying other aircrafts: the A-10 and the F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter.

'Sensitive military and export-controlled data'

According to a criminal complaint, around August 2023, Brown worked with a co-conspirator to negotiate with a Chinese national to hack into the computer networks of major U.S. defense contractors and to steal "sensitive military and export-controlled data" for China.

The Chinese national,Stephen Su Bin, pleaded guilty to charges in the case in 2016 and was sentenced to nearly four years in prison, the complaint continues.

Then in December 2023, Brown traveled to China to begin training military pilots for China, the charging documents continue. Officials said Brown spent several hours answering questions about the U.S. Air Force on his first day in the country. On his second day, Brown prepared and "presented a brief about himself for the PLAAF."

Officials said Brown remained in China until traveling back to the U.S. earlier this month.

It was not immediately known whether Brown had obtained legal counsel in the case.

Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@usatoday.com and follow her on X @nataliealund.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:US Air Force pilot arrested for training Chinese pilots

Police near Atlanta kindly asked parents on Wednesday to double-check lunches they pack for their children, after one tyke came to school with a martini to wash down a midday snack.

The South Fulton Police Department released a picture of what, at a quick glance, looked like a normal school lunch.

But on closer examination the aluminum can wasn't juice, soda or any other non-intoxicating beverage. It was a can of lemon martini made with "vodka, triple sec and lemon juice," according to its label.

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"That is NOT Capri Sun. That is NOT Apple Juice," according to apolice department statementabout the youngster'sone-martini lunch. "That is a whole 'Parent had a long night' starter pack."

The beverage,made by San Diego-based Cutwater, is 11% alcohol or about twice the ABV of most beers.

"Check the lunchbox before theFulton County Schools Policeresource officers gotta do inventory at recess," South Fulton police added.

A Cutwater representative could not be immediately reached for comment on Thursday.

U.S. District Court Judge Richard J. Leon's ruling comes after the National Trust for Historic Preservationfiled a lawsuitin December against Trump and several federal agencies asking to stop construction on the90,000-square-foot ballroom. The non-profitgroup argued that Trump should have sought Congress' authorization prior to the demolition of the East Wing.

The judge said the group did not sufficiently prove the president was exceeding his powers. Rather, it based its challenge "on a ragtag group of theories" under federal law and the Constitution. Still, he said the court would consider additional efforts if the group decides to amend its complaint.

Leon had predicted last month that his verdict wouldn't be the end of the saga.

"I know it will be appealed. Whichever side wins, the other side will appeal," Leon said. "So this case is going to go to the DC Circuit, for certain, and, maybe, perhaps even to theSupreme Court. Who knows?"

On Feb. 19, the Commission of Fine Arts, a panel whose members were all appointed byTrumplast month, unanimously approved a plan for a90,000-square-foot White House ballroom, clearing one of the hurdles on the controversial project.

And on March 5, the National Commission on Capital Planning (NCPC), the central planning agency of the federal government, is holding a public hearing. The 12-member commission, the majority of whom are Trump-appointed allies, will also vote on the project on the same day.

The White House announced the construction in July and by October had launched asudden and complete clearingof the East Wing to make way for the ballroom, sparking concern from critics,preservationistsand a few former residents, including former first ladiesMichelle Obama and Hillary Clinton.

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President Donald Trump released a new rendering of the East Wing on Truth Social Feb. 3, 2026. Trump said the price of his new White House ballroom has risen again to $400 million − double the initial estimate.

Trump's earlier estimates for the ballroom began at $200 million when it was announced in July, rose to $250 million in September and then to $300 million in October. The ballroom will be financed by private donations, Trump said.

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See renderings for the new White House ballroom under construction

President Donald Trump released a new rendering of the East Wing on Truth Social Feb. 3, 2026.Trumpsaid the price of his new White House ballroom has risen again to $400 million − double the initial estimate.

Trump's earlier estimatesfor the ballroom began at $200 millionwhen it was announced in July, rose to$250 million in Septemberand then to$300 million in October. The ballroom will befinanced by private donations, Trump said.

During a hearing last month, Leon questioned whether the president has the authority to level the East Wing and construct the ballroom using a deliberately complicated funding setup with private money while avoiding congressional authorization.

Trump's team countered in court that the president did not need approval from lawmakers because the project is not using taxpayer dollars and instead is being funded by private donation.

Democratic lawmakers have raised alarm about accepting funds from companies with business before the federal government.

"Trump's gold-encrusted ballroom has become a vehicle for corruption," said Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Massachusetts. Donors include Palantir, Lockheed Martin and Meta, according to a a list provided by the White House. The Trust for the National Mall, a nonprofit organization, is managing the $400 million in donations for the project.

At 90,000 square feet of new construction, Trump's project "will overwhelm the White House itself," which is 55,000 square feet, said National Trust for Historic Preservation CEO Carol Quillen, adding: "(The addition) may also permanently disrupt the carefully balanced classical design of the White House with its two smaller, and lower, East and West Wings."

Trump's project has gone through various changes since the White House first announced its plans in July, includingfinancing, seating capacity and cost.The price tag jumped from $200 million to $400 million, and the ballroom is now expected toaccommodate 1,000 people.

The NCPC earlier this month posted new renderings of the East Wing submitted by the architect Shalom Baranes. The renderings, which showed an imposing new East Wing roughly a city block long, would be longer than the West Wing and almost completely obfuscating the view of the Treasury Building from the White House's South Lawn.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:US judge won't block ongoing Trump White House ballroom construction

Former U.S. Air Force officer and pilot Gerald Eddie Brown Jr., also known by the call sign "Runner," was arrested in Jefferson, Indiana on Feb. 26 in connection to allegations he taught members of the country's foreign military overseas, the U.S. Department of Justiceannounced in a news release.

Brown, 65, was charged with providing and conspiring to provide defense services to Chinese military pilots without authorization, in violation of the Arms Export Control Act (AECA), officials said. The overseas training took place over a more than two-year period that began around August 2023, when officials said Brown "willfully conspired with foreign nationals and U.S. persons to provide combat aircraft training to pilots in the Chinese Air Force," also called the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF).

"The United States Air Force trained Major Brown to be an elite fighter pilot and entrusted him with the defense of our Nation. He now stands charged with training Chinese military pilots," Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A. Eisenberg said in a statement. "When U.S. persons – whether military or civilian - provide training to a foreign military, that activity is illegal unless they have a license from the State Department. The National Security Division will use all tools at its disposal to protect our military advantages and hold to account those who would violate the AECA."

Brown was set to appear for his first court appearance in the Southern District of Indiana on Feb. 26.

FBI New York Assistant Director in Charge James Barnacle said Brown's arrest emphasized the FBI's "steadfast promise to defend the homeland against all foreign and domestic adversaries."

"Brown allegedly sold out his country to train Chinese pilots with his expertise in United States' combat aircraft techniques," Barnacle said in a statement. "Brown's alleged betrayal exposed sensitive military tactics, threatening the security of our nation, our armed forces, and our allies."

FBI conducts search warrants:The execution took place at LAUSD headquarters, superintendent home

Who is Gerald Eddie Brown Jr.?

A U.S. citizen, officials said Brown served for more than two decades in the U.S. Air Force, leaving active duty in 1996 with the rank of major.

Advertisement

During his military career, Brown "commanded sensitive units with responsibility for nuclear weapons delivery systems, led combat missions, and served as a fighter pilot instructor and simulator instructor on a variety of fighter and attack aircraft," officials said.

Those aircrafts included the following:

• F-4 "Phantom II"

• F-15 "Eagle"

• F-16 "Fighting Falcon"

• A-10 "Thunderbolt II" (Warthog)

Later in his career, Brown served as a commercial cargo pilot and, most recently, as a contract simulator instructor for two American defense contractors training U.S. military pilots on flying other aircrafts: the A-10 and the F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter.

'Sensitive military and export-controlled data'

According to a criminal complaint, around August 2023, Brown worked with a co-conspirator to negotiate with a Chinese national to hack into the computer networks of major U.S. defense contractors and to steal "sensitive military and export-controlled data" for China.

The Chinese national,Stephen Su Bin, pleaded guilty to charges in the case in 2016 and was sentenced to nearly four years in prison, the complaint continues.

Then in December 2023, Brown traveled to China to begin training military pilots for China, the charging documents continue. Officials said Brown spent several hours answering questions about the U.S. Air Force on his first day in the country. On his second day, Brown prepared and "presented a brief about himself for the PLAAF."

Officials said Brown remained in China until traveling back to the U.S. earlier this month.

It was not immediately known whether Brown had obtained legal counsel in the case.

Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@usatoday.com and follow her on X @nataliealund.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:US Air Force pilot arrested for training Chinese pilots