Trump Confronts NATO Allies; Feds Dismantle Violent Crime Network | 7/8/26 FIRST LOOK

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0:33Hey everybody, I'm Dave Rubin and this is First Look. It's Wednesday, July 8th, 2026. We've got a packed show for you today. President Trump heads to the NATO summit with serious frustrations over weak European allies who refuse to support U.S. strikes on Iran. A midtown Manhattan high-rise under construction partially collapses, forcing dramatic evacuations. Federal agents wipe out the murderous Bishnoi Gang in massive raids across California and beyond. Let's dive in. President Trump is arriving at the NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey with fresh frustration towards several so-called allies who failed to back America during critical operations against Iran.

1:21The summit is officially focused on defense spending, Ukraine, and NATO's strategy toward Russia, but the Iran rift is casting a long shadow. U.S. Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker said Trump is disappointed in allies who denied overflight rights and base access during the strikes, as well as those who issued public criticisms. The president has expressed disappointment in both a couple of our allies' unwillingness to support us using our bases in their countries, Whitaker said. And as importantly, he's also incredibly disappointed in the political statements that came out around the time of the launch of Operation Epic Fury.

2:04Spain's Prime Minister, Pedro Sanchez, called the U.S. actions illegal, absurd, and cruel. The U.K. initially refused base access before reversing course. Italy limited support to non-combat roles, and Germany played a limited logistics role without full endorsement. Some allies later helped with maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz, but the initial reluctance speaks volumes. Trump has been blunt. He said he's only attending because of his relationship with Turkish President Erdogan, adding, there's a problem with Spain. He's long criticized NATO for freeloading off American power and has repeatedly said if they don't pay, I'm not going to defend them.

2:50The president is pressing allies to hit a new 5 % of GDP defense spending benchmark. As he posted on Truth Social, the United States spends more money on NATO than any other country by far to protect them without getting any benefit from so doing. This is classic Trump, putting America first and demanding real reciprocity. Too many European allies want U.S. protection, but won't support us when it counts. The summit will show whether NATO is truly an alliance or just another one-way street. A terrifying scene unfolded in midtown Manhattan yesterday. a 38-story commercial building at 235 East 42nd Street near 2nd Avenue had to be dramatically evacuated after massive support beams buckled and multiple floors began caving in.

3:45Construction workers spotted I-beams bending like cigarettes on the 21st and 22nd floors around 8-11 a.m. The building is being converted from offices to apartments and was undergoing a major renovation to add at least 10 more stories, possibly up to 16. Steamfitter Cliff Johnson said they clearly didn't add enough steel, causing the north side to crumble. The collapse sent bricks raining down onto the street. Officials evacuated surrounding buildings, including a nearby school with roughly 400 children, as a precaution. Mayor Zoran Mamdani confirmed structural issues and said the 21st through 26th floors were sagging.

4:30Thankfully, all construction workers got out safely with no injuries reported. This is an active construction site with a troubling record. The general contractor, 235GCLLC, racked up at least seven construction safety enforcement violations last year and paid over$30 ,000 in penalties. The Department of Buildings is investigating. In a city still struggling under progressive leadership, this is yet another reminder of what happens when safety and competence take a back seat. New Yorkers deserve better than buildings coming apart during morning rush hour. Big win for law enforcement. Federal agents delivered a major blow to transnational crime with massive raids that dismantled the California arm of the violent Bishnoi Gang.

5:22In a coordinated operation called Operation Hardball, agents conducted at least 50 raids across the US, Canada, and Europe, arresting at least two dozen suspects, including at least a dozen in California, five in the Bay Area, and eight in LA. They seized over 2 ,200 pounds of cocaine and heroin,$40 ,000 in cash, and a dozen firearms. The India-based Bishnoi Gang, led from prison by Lawrence Bishnoi, is known for extortion, drug trafficking, targeted assassinations, and barbaric violence. They've been linked to high-profile killings, including the 2023 assassination of Hardeep Singh Najjar in Canada, and have infiltrated communities through fear and racketeering.

6:13The gang is designated a terrorist organization by Canada. Prosecutors also hit the rival Bhagwan Puria gang and other syndicates involved in contract killings, weapons trafficking, and massive drug smuggling from LA to Canada. LA prosecutor Bill Assaylee was blunt. The defendants charged in today's indictment are alleged to have engaged in some of the most violent and barbaric activities we've seen. There will be zero tolerance for violent gangs in our communities, especially those from foreign nations who are not legally present in our country. This is exactly what strong federal action looks like.

6:54Under President Trump's leadership, America is cracking down hard on these foreign criminal networks that exploit our borders and prey on our citizens. And that's your first look this Wednesday. Quick recap. Trump presses reluctant NATO allies at the summit after their weak support during strikes on Iran. A Manhattan high-rise under renovation sees beams buckle and floors cave in, prompting major evacuations. Federal agents take down the violent Bishnoi gang in sweeping raids across California and beyond. We'll keep following all of it. I'm Dave Rubin. Thanks for starting your day with First Look.

7:34See you tomorrow.

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