Charges dropped against Ontario man who defended himself during home invasion

Sheila Gunn Reid and Tamara Ugolini react to news that charges against Jeffery McDonald have been withdrawn after a months-long police investigation into the high-profile self-defence case.

Jeffrey McDonald was awoken in the middle of the night by a home intruder on August 18, 2025. He was then charged with assaulting Michael Breen, who was allegedly armed with a crossbow during the break and enter.

Premier Doug Ford suggested the case proved “something is broken” in the justice system, though the Ontario leader, despite possessing a strong majority government, has failed to introduce stronger home defence laws in the aftermath of the incident.

On Thursday's Rebel Roundup livestream, hosts Sheila Gunn Reid and Tamara Ugolini shared their thoughts on the positive development in the case.

“This was an obvious act of self defence,” said Tamara, noting the “hefty legal fees” accrued by McDonald for his defence, which Rebel News viewers helped crowdfund.

Premier Ford's comments about being able to defend yourself were right, said Sheila. “But it was Doug Ford's Crown prosecution service that laid this charge,” she continued, suggesting the premier could “fix this problem quite easily” in a manner similar to Alberta Premier Danielle Smith.

“We are not going to prosecute people and put them through the ringer just to have the charges dropped,” Sheila said, backing Premier Smith's public comments following the Lindsay, Ont. case.

“There are things that Doug Ford could do other than complain about the system — he's the system,” Sheila said, heaping praise on those who supported McDonald's legal defence.

“Do something about it,” she encouraged the Ontario premier. “Say you're not going to prosecute people who are saving their own lives and the lives of their families inside of their homes.”

The offender's past criminal history was also a factor, added Tamara. “That is a massive issue in Canada, where you have these repeat violent offenders out on the street, just ready to commit again because there is no repercussion.”

To have your home broken into is “highly disconcerting,” Tamara said, wondering how challenging it must be to get past such an incident. Delivering words of support to McDonald, she said “all the power to him as he moves forward with his life” following the ordeal.

Please sign the petition to demand the strengthening of the law that a man's home is his castle!

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Goal: 30,000 signatures

To: The Government of Ontario and the Attorney General of Canada

We, the undersigned, believe no Canadian should face criminal charges for defending their own home and family from violent intruders.

We call on lawmakers to:

  1. Drop the charges against Jeremy McDonald immediately.

  2. Reform Canada’s self-defence laws to strengthen protections for homeowners and families.

  3. Ensure police and prosecutors uphold the principle that Canadians have the right to defend their homes without fear of being treated as criminals.

No Canadian family should ever fear both criminals outside their doors and charges from the justice system inside the courtroom.

We demand action now!

Will you sign?

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COMMENTS

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  • Bruce Atchison
    commented 2026-02-27 19:58:12 -0500
    That’s good news. Too bad the whole thing had to happen in the first place. People must be allowed to use extreme force to drive out intruders. Uninvited people have no right to expect fair treatment. And of course common sense must prevail. Doors left unlocked and some drunk mistaking another house as home won’t require lethal force. But folks with doors locked and having a criminal invade in the middle of the night do have the right to use whatever force they can muster to protect life and kin.