Welcome to the Fox News Politics newsletter, with the latest updates on the Trump administration, Capitol Hill and more Fox News politics content.

Here's what's happening…

-Newsom foe picked by Trump for key prosecutor job vows to 'dismantle' sanctuary state shields

-Trump's DOGE push slashes millions in DEI contracts funding 'divisive ideologies' in blue states

-Hawley, Senate Judiciary panel to hear from muzzled Meta whistleblower next week

President Donald Trump’s national security advisor, Mike Waltz, has repeatedly landed in hot water in recent days, beginning with an uproar from Democrats over a Signal chat leak with high-ranking national security officials that has since snowballed. 

Trump and his administration, however, repeatedly have defended the national security leader publicly. 

Waltz, who previously served as a Florida congressman and as a decorated combat Green Beret, has come under fire from Democrats and critics since March, when the Atlantic magazine's editor-in-chief Jeffrey Goldberg published a firsthand account of getting added to a Signal group chat with top national security leaders, including Waltz, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and CIA Director John Ratcliffe, while they discussed strikes against Yemen terrorists…Read more

'NAZI NEPO BABY': Unearthed photo shows smiling Obama touring SpaceX alongside 'Nazi nepo baby' Elon Musk

'CASH AVALANCHE': President Trump, conservatives celebrate ‘absolutely massive’ Florida special elections sweep

'THE PATIENT LIVED': Trump issues ‘prognosis’ for US after tariffs in medical metaphor

CHANGE OF POLICY: Trump admin moves to more easily fire federal workers at 2 agencies: report

COURT TURBULENCE: Trump faces Judge Boasberg over migrant deportation flights defying court order

'REAL LEADERSHIP': Trump invites El Salvador's Bukele to White House for 'working visit'

COSMIC CLASH: Space Force chief fires off dire warning about Chinese capability to knock out US satellites

'RESTORING DIALOGUE': Kremlin official says he's meeting Trump admin in first Russian visit to US since Ukraine war

UNLIKELY ALLY: Trump gets rare Democrat support for new tariffs: 'This is a good start'

'LONG-OVERDUE': Trump's GOP allies praise new tariff strategy, Dem critics say they will only make life more difficult

'UNBELIEVABLY DISLOYAL': Senate approves resolution against Trump's Canada tariffs hours after 'Liberation Day' event

CALIFORNIA CLASH: Congress barrels toward showdown over Biden-era rule letting California ban gas cars

POWER STRUGGLE: Bipartisan senators' bill would require Congress to approve new tariffs

GOOD TIMING: House Democrats to head to U.S.-Mexico border in California to scrutinize Trump security policies

'FULL SUPPORT': Top House Republican backs Byron Donalds for Florida governor

FIRST ON FOX: Washington Post article hyping anti-DOGE protesters in deep red state omits crucial details

DOWNWARD DOGE: Musk's political baggage: Polls show Americans sour on Trump's most visible advisor

WATCHDOG: Pentagon watchdog opens probe into Hegseth’s use of Signal to discuss Houthi attack plans

ONE-WAY TICKET: ICE says it deported 174 criminal migrants from Texas, including a man with 39 illegal entries

Get the latest updates on the Trump administration and Congress, exclusive interviews and more on FoxNews.com.

FIRST ON FOX: The Trump administration has set new preconditions for Harvard to combat antisemitism in exchange for access to federal funding.

In a letter addressed to Harvard President Dean Garber, senior administration officials claimed Harvard had "fundamentally failed to protect American students and faculty from antisemitic violence and harassment" in violation of the Civil Rights Act. 

"U.S. taxpayers invest enormously in U.S. colleges and universities, including Harvard," the letter, signed by Josh Gruenbaum, Commissioner of the Federal Acquisition Service at the General Services Administration (GSA); Sean Keveney, acting general counsel at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS); and Thomas Wheeler, acting general counsel at the Department of Education (ED), said.

"It is the responsibility of the government to ensure that all recipients are responsible stewards of taxpayer funds," the memo, obtained by Fox News Digital, read. 

The letter stipulated that Harvard must ban the use of masks that could conceal identities at protests and establish a clear "time, place and manner" policy for protests. Harvard must also eliminate all Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) programs, adopt "merit-based" admissions and hiring reform and end any admissions based on race or national origin.

TRUMP CUTS MORE THAN $400 MILLION IN GRANTS TO COLUMBIA OVER ANTISEMITISM CONCERNS, POTENTIALLY MORE TO COME

The university must commit to "full cooperation" with the Department of Homeland Security and all other agencies in government, according to the letter.

It also said Harvard must review and make changes to programs and departments that "fuel antisemitic harassment," and cooperate with law enforcement. It must hold all recognized and unrecognized students accountable for violations of policy and ensure senior administration officials are responsible for disciplinary decisions. 

The three federal agencies — HHS, GSA and ED — last week announced a review of some $8 billion in "multi-year grant commitments" as part of a probe launched by the Federal Task Force to Combat Antisemitism.

The review also includes some $255 million in contracts. 

"The message is clear: reform is not optional," the task force told Fox News Digital when reached for comment. 

"The era of elite impunity is over. With billions in taxpayer dollars at stake, Harvard must either confront its institutional failures — including its inability to protect students from anti-Semitic abuse — or risk losing funding."

The university could not immediately be reached for comment. 

TRUMP COLLEGE CRACKDOWN: LIST OF STUDENTS DETAINED AMID ANTISEMITISM ON CAMPUSES

Weeks ago, the Trump administration clawed back more than $400 million in funding from Columbia University, demanding changes to disciplinary policy and placing some programs under administrative control. 

Columbia acquiesced to many of the trio of agencies’ demands — prompting backlash from liberal critics — and the university replaced its interim president, Katrina Armstrong. 

The university’s board of trustees denied caving to the administration, calling the new changes "Columbia-driven decisions made in accordance with our values and our mission."

"Where this work aligns with recommendations of others, we believe constructive dialogue makes sense," the trustees wrote.

Meanwhile, the Trump administration has targeted international students who study at U.S. universities and participate in Gaza protests that they say veer into pro-Hamas territory. 

Trump signed an executive order on Jan. 30 to "combat the explosion of anti-Semitism on our campuses and streets" since Oct. 7, 2023, and since then the State Department has revoked some 300 visas, many of them held by college students. 

"If you apply for a visa to enter the United States and be a student, and you tell us the reason you are coming to the United States is not just because you want to write op-eds, but because you want to participate in movements that are involved in doing things like vandalizing universities, harassing students, taking over buildings, creating a ruckus — we're not going to give you a visa," Secretary of State Marco Rubio said before adding, "Every time I find one of these lunatics, I take away their visa."

Harvard Faculty of Arts and Sciences Dean Hopi E. Hoekstra said this week that the department was working on a contingency plan in case of federal funding cuts. 

"I know this news is extraordinarily disconcerting and that it’s hard to process," Hoekstra said, according to the Harvard Crimson. "There is some important work that we, and only we, can do right now: maintain the continuity of our teaching and research mission."

Harvard and Columbia were among 10 universities the task force said it is reviewing. Harvard has already instituted a hiring freeze in response to the review, given the uncertain funding environment. 

Senate Republicans cleared the way on Thursday for an eventual vote on the latest version of a budget to push through several key agenda items for President Trump, including the southern border and extending his 2017 tax cuts. 

A motion to proceed was agreed to in the upper chamber just one day after Senate Budget Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham unveiled the Senate's amendment to the House's budget plan. 

The changes made by the Senate include raising the debt ceiling by up to $5 trillion and making Trump's tax cuts permanent by using what's known as a current policy baseline, as determined by the chairman. 

TED CRUZ CLASHES WITH KEY DEMOCRAT OVER 'SECOND PHASE OF LAWFARE' THROUGH FEDERAL JUDGES' ORDERS

The Thursday motion kicks off roughly a day's worth of debate, before a "vote-a-rama" begins. The marathon amendment votes are expected to take place at some point on Friday afternoon or evening after debate concludes. 

During a vote-a-rama, senators ae able to introduce an unlimited number of amendments, and many are expected to get floor votes. 

GOP DEFECTORS HELP SENATE ADVANCE RESOLUTION TO CANCEL TRUMP TARIFFS DESPITE WHITE HOUSE VETO WARNING

After the amended budget resolution passes in the Senate, which it is expected to do at some point on Saturday, the House will need to take it up again. 

This is a significant step forward for Republicans in their quest to get Trump's priorities done through the budget reconciliation process. This key budget process lowers the vote threshold in the Senate from 60 to 51, allowing the GOP to pass things without support from their Democrat counterparts. Reconciliation is considered a key tool for the Republican trifecta in Washington to get Trump's policies passed. 

SENATE DEMS FORESHADOW MORE FORCED VOTES TO BLOCK TRUMP'S EMERGENCY ORDERS

Early on, Republicans in the House and Senate were split on how to organize the key resolution. House Republican leaders largely preferred doing one reconciliation bill that addressed both the border and tax cuts, while Senate Republicans wanted to separate the issues into two bills. 

Republicans in the lower chamber made it clear they would only accept one reconciliation bill that included border funding and tax cut extensions, as they have less room for dissent in their slim majority. 

SCOOP: LINDSEY GRAHAM AMENDMENT SIGNALS GOP BUDGET BREAKTHROUGH, SETS STAGE FOR TRUMP AGENDA

Each chamber passed their preferred resolution, but Trump's support for one bill on multiple occasions put the House's strategy over the top. Senate Republicans themselves even described their resolution as a backup plan to the House's. 

President Donald Trump said he wants Elon Musk to stay on his team "as long as possible" during a conversation with reporters Thursday, adding that DOGE had found something "horrible," without divulging further details.

The president's remarks came during a conversation with reporters on Air Force One, during which Trump was asked how much longer Musk would stay on as a "special government employee." 

The questions followed a report from Politico this week claiming Trump had told his inner circle that Musk will be leaving his role as a "special government employee" with DOGE soon. The report cited internal frustrations with Musk's "unpredictability" and his potential to be a "political liability."  

"Elon is fantastic, he's a patriot," Trump told reporters, adding that Musk can stay at the White House "as long as he'd like" and that he personally wants him to stay "as long as possible."

JD VANCE FIRES BACK AT CRITICS OF TRUMP TARIFFS, ADDRESSES ELON MUSK'S DOGE FUTURE

"I like smart people and he's a smart person. I also like him, personally," Trump continued. "We're in no rush. But there will be a point at which time Elon's going to have to leave."

"Special government employees" are permitted to work for the federal government for "no more than 130 days in a 365- day period," according to data from the Office of Government Ethics. Musk's 130-day timeframe, beginning on Inauguration Day, runs dry May 30.

When asked if he would consider appointing Musk to a different post in order to keep him around longer, Trump said that could be a possibility. 

"I would – I think Elon's great," Trump responded. "But he also has a company to run, or a number of companies to run."

MUSK NOT LEAVING YET, WRAPPING UP WORK ON SCHEDULE ONCE ‘INCREDIBLE WORK AT DOGE IS COMPLETE’: WHITE HOUSE  

According to the president, upon Musk's exit from DOGE "the Secretaries" within his cabinet will take over the work Musk has been doing with DOGE. 

That work, Trump added, found something "horrible" and "incredible" today, but he would not divulge any further details to reporters.

Musk's work with DOGE officially began after President Trump signed an executive order establishing the office on Jan. 20. The role of "special government employee" was created in 1962 to permit the executive or legislative branch to hire temporary employees for specific short-term initiatives.

When asked for a specific date of Musk's potential departure, the president responded that it could be as long as "a few months."

"I'd keep him as long as I can keep him," Trump told the media earlier this week. "He's a very talented guy. You know, I love very smart people. He's very smart. And he's done a good job."

The president added on Air Force One that he envisions many of the employees working under Musk at DOGE will eventually find their way into full-time positions across the various federal agencies.

U.S. District Judge James Boasberg on Thursday grilled Trump administration lawyers over whether they defied a court order blocking deportations under a wartime immigration law — a potential step toward holding the administration in contempt.

At issue is the administration’s use of the 1798 Alien Enemies Act to deport Venezuelan nationals, including alleged members of the violent Tren de Aragua gang. Boasberg pressed Deputy Assistant Attorney General Drew Ensign on why the government appeared to ignore an emergency injunction last month halting those deportations.

The administration has appealed the underlying case to the Supreme Court. But for now, Boasberg is weighing whether there is probable cause to move forward with contempt proceedings — a question that remained open after a tense exchange in court.

Boasberg said he would issue a decision as early as next week on how to proceed if he finds grounds to hold the administration in contempt.

WHO IS JAMES BOASBERG, THE US JUDGE AT THE CENTER OF TRUMP'S DEPORTATION EFFORTS?

During the hearing, Ensign was repeatedly questioned about who in the Trump administration had information about the flights and when the three deportation flights left U.S. soil for El Salvador. At least 261 migrants were deported that day, including more than 100 Venezuelan nationals who were subject to removal "solely on the basis" of the law temporarily blocked by the court.

"You maintain that the government was in full compliance with the court’s order on March 15, correct?" Boasberg asked Ensign. 

Ensign said yes, to which the judge responded: "It seems to me the government acted in bad faith that day." 

"If you really believed everything you did that day was legal and would survive a court challenge, you would not have operated the way that you did," Boasberg said.  

'WOEFULLY INSUFFICIENT': US JUDGE REAMS TRUMP ADMIN FOR DAYS-LATE DEPORTATION INFO

He repeatedly questioned Ensign about his knowledge of the flights and whether any related materials were classified, which could have triggered state secrets protections.

Government lawyers have refused to share information in court about the deportation flights, and whether the plane (or planes) of migrants knowingly departed U.S. soil after the judge ordered them not to do so, citing national security protections. 

But according to Ensign, that may not have been an issue. He told Boasberg the flight information likely wasn’t classified, prompting the judge to wonder aloud why it hadn’t been shared with him in an ex parte setting.

"Can you think of one instance" where the state secrets privilege was invoked using unclassified info? he asked Ensign, who struggled to respond.

"Pretty sketchy," Boasberg said aloud in response.

Another focus of Thursday’s hearing was timing — both when President Donald Trump signed the proclamation authorizing use of the Alien Enemies Act, and when federal agents began loading planes with migrants bound for El Salvador.

Boasberg noted that the Trump administration began loading the planes the morning of March 15, hours before the flights left the U.S.

"So then it’s not crazy to infer there was prior knowledge and actions ahead of the Saturday night deportations?" he asked Ensign.

The judge pressed the lawyer over the names, locations and agencies of individuals who were privy to the removals, as well as internal conversations with other administration officials who may have been listening in to the court proceedings.

"Who did you tell about my order?" Boasberg asked. "Once the hearing was done, who did you tell?"

Ensign says he relayed the information to Department of Homeland Security contacts and State Department officials, among others.

He listed the names of the individuals, at Boasberg's request, which the judge then carefully transcribed onto a pad of paper, interjecting at times to clarify the spelling or ask for their job titles.

The hearing is the latest in a flurry of legal battles over the Trump administration’s use of the Alien Enemies Act. It follows Boasberg’s order requiring officials to explain why they failed to comply with his directive to return the deportation flights — and whether they knowingly defied the court.

Boasberg told both sides he would see them again next week for arguments on the plaintiffs’ preliminary injunction motion, set for Tuesday.

The hearing also marks the latest clash between Trump and Boasberg, whom the president has publicly denounced as an "activist" judge and called for his impeachment. 

President Donald Trump’s national security advisor, Mike Waltz, has repeatedly landed in hot water in recent days, beginning with an uproar from Democrats over a Signal chat leak with high-ranking national security officials that has since snowballed, including multiple Thursday firings within the National Security Council. 

Trump and his administration, however, have repeatedly defended the national security leader publicly. 

On Thursday, Trump confirmed that members of the National Security Council had been fired, but remarked it was not many individuals. The president added that he continues to have trust in his national security team amid the turmoil. 

Waltz, who previously served as a Florida congressman and as a decorated combat Green Beret, has come under fire from Democrats and critics since March, when the Atlantic magazine's editor-in-chief Jeffrey Goldberg published a firsthand account of getting added to a Signal group chat with top national security leaders, including Waltz, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and CIA Director John Ratcliffe, while they discussed strikes against Yemen terrorists. 

Signal is an encrypted messaging app that operates similarly to texting or making phone calls, but with additional security measures that help ensure communications are kept private to those included in the correspondence. 

NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISOR MIKE WALTZ TAKES RESPONSIBILITY FOR 'EMBARRASSING' SIGNAL CHAT LEAK

The Atlantic's report characterized the Trump administration as texting "war plans" regarding a planned strike on Houthi rebels in Yemen. The Trump administration has maintained, however, that no classified material was transmitted in the chat, with Trump repeatedly defending Waltz amid the fallout. 

NSC CONFIRMS MIKE WALTZ AND STAFF USED GMAIL FOR GOVERNMENT COMMUNICATION

"As the president has made it very clear, Mike Waltz continues to be an important part of his national security team," Trump administration press secretary Karoline Leavitt told the media in brief remarks outside of the White House's press room Monday afternoon. "And this case has been closed here at the White House, as far as we are concerned." 

"There have been steps made to ensure that something like that can obviously never happen again," she continued. "And we're moving forward. And the president and Mike Waltz and his entire national security team have been working together very well, if you look at how much safer the United States of America is because of the leadership of this team." 

TRUMP REVEALS WHO WAS BEHIND SIGNAL TEXT CHAIN LEAK

Fox News Digital has compiled a timeline of accusations and outrage directed at and involving Waltz since the Atlantic's first report on the chat leak. 

Fox News Digital reached out to the White House for comment on the matter, but did not immediately receive a reply. 

President Donald Trump laid out his plans for imposing a host of new tariffs on imports to the U.S. Wednesday — a day his administration touted as "Liberation Day" and vowed would restore the American dream. 

Trump unveiled the new tariffs in a ceremony at the White House’s Rose Garden for a "Make America Wealthy Again" event, where he declared that these new duties would usher in a wave of jobs for U.S. workers. 

"For nations that treat us badly, we will calculate the combined rate of all their tariffs, nonmonetary barriers and other forms of cheating," Trump said Wednesday. 

"And because we are being very kind, we will charge them approximately half of what they are and have been charging us," he said. "So, the tariffs will be not a full reciprocal. I could have done that. Yes. But it would have been tough for a lot of countries."

THESE ARE THE ‘DIRTY 15’ COUNTRIES TRUMP MIGHT TARGET WITH LIBERATION DAY TARIFFS

The Trump administration’s tariff plan sets out a baseline duty of 10% on all imports to the U.S., while customized tariffs will be set for countries who have higher tariffs in place on American goods. The baseline tariffs of 10% will take effect on Saturday, while the others will take effect on April 9. 

The Trump administration previously imposed a 25% tariff on imported auto vehicles, up to 25% tariffs on certain goods from Mexico and Canada, as well as a 20% tariff on shipments from China. The White House said that tariffs already imposed on Canada and Mexico remain unaltered. However, new tariffs on China will be coupled with existing duties on Beijing. 

Here is a look at the tariff rates that the Trump administration imposed as part of Liberation Day:

The Trump administration provided a chart of the tariff rates other countries charge on U.S. imports, suggesting that the tariffs the U.S. was imposing were not nearly as stringent as they could have been in order to reach reciprocity. 

For example, the chart says that Japan has imposed a 46% tariff on U.S. goods, while the U.S. is only implementing a 24% tariff on Japanese goods imported to the U.S. 

Trump and his administration have long railed against other countries' trade practices and accused them of engaging in unfair trade practices against the U.S. — and argued that tariffs will help return manufacturing jobs to the U.S. As a result, he and his administration have called for employing tariffs to address the nation’s 2024 record $1.2 trillion trade deficit. 

"For decades, our country has been looted, pillaged, raped and plundered by nations near and far, both friend and foe alike," Trump said Wednesday. 

Tariffs function as a tax that governments collect on foreign goods and services that manufacturers import. They are collected while undergoing customs clearance in foreign ports, according to the International Trade Administration. 

The tariffs are expected to affect a host of goods, ranging from electronics, like iPhones that are predominantly manufactured in China, according to the Council on Foreign Relations, to wine and other alcoholic beverages originating from European Union countries, like Italy. 

Trump’s new tariffs prompted backlash from members of both parties in Congress, who have warned that the tariffs will raise prices for American consumers. 

Specifically, the Senate moved to approve a resolution by a 51–48 margin Wednesday evening following Trump’s announcement that would rescind the emergency declaration on fentanyl trafficking that Trump used to justify duties on Canada. Four Republicans joined the voting with Democrats in support of the resolution, although it has low odds of passing in the Republican-controlled House. 

Meanwhile, other countries have spoken out against the tariffs, including allies like Canada and Australia. 

TRUMP TOUTS RETURN OF ‘AMERICAN DREAM’ IN HISTORIC TARIFF ANNOUNCEMENT 

"In our judgment, it will be negative on the U.S. economy that will have an impact on us," Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney told reporters Wednesday. 

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese characterized the Trump administration’s new duties as "not the act of a friend" during a press conference Thursday. 

Meanwhile, Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent cautioned other countries against retaliating in response to the new tariffs, warning that the U.S. would not hesitate to take action again. 

"My advice to every country right now: Do not retaliate," Bessent said in an interview with Fox News on Wednesday. "If you retaliate, there will be escalation."

The Associated Press and Fox News’ Emma Colton and Caitlin McFall contributed to this report. 

Dr. Mehmet Oz will serve as the next administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services after the full Senate voted along party lines to confirm his nomination on Thursday. 

The former daytime TV doctor turned politician will be in charge of nearly $1.5 trillion in federal healthcare spending. His duties will entail overseeing Medicare, Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), including directing decisions related to how the government covers procedures, hospital stays and medication, as well as the reimbursement rates at which healthcare providers get paid for their services.   

Medicare is a federal healthcare program for seniors aged 65 and up, and currently provides coverage to about 65 million Americans, according to the Center for Medicare Advocacy. Medicaid, a public health assistance program for people with low incomes, covers roughly 72 million Americans, according to Medicaid.gov. Meanwhile, CHIP, which provides free or low-cost health coverage for eligible low-income children and family members, assists around 7.2 million individuals. 

HHS DOWNSIZING BEGINS AMID RFK JR. ‘MAKE AMERICA HEALTHY AGAIN’ PUSH: ‘WIN-WIN FOR TAXPAYERS’

A graduate of Harvard University, Oz received medical and business degrees from the University of Pennsylvania. He is a former heart surgeon who saw his fame rise through his appearances on daytime television, including "The Oprah Winfrey Show," and 13 seasons of "The Dr. Oz Show."

Oz later transitioned into politics, launching an unsuccessful bid for Pennsylvania’s open Senate seat in 2022. He lost to John Fetterman, then the state's lieutenant governor.

NEW BIPARTISAN PROPOSAL TARGETS ‘ONE OF THE MOST EGREGIOUS’ KINDS OF FRAUD RAVAGING HEALTHCARE INDUSTRY

"Dr. Oz has a strong desire to modernize CMS and encourage healthy lifestyles for all Americans, including by focusing on the underlying causes of chronic disease and implementing innovative technologies," Senate Finance Committee Chairman Sen. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, said Thursday.

Crapo, who led Oz's nomination process at the committee level, commended Oz for his "diligence and accessibility" throughout the process, including his willingness to answer "hundreds" of questions for the record.

Those questions came from both Republicans and Democrats. They included asking about Oz's stance on abortion, transgender medical treatments, Medicare privatization, prescription drug pricing and more. Potential financial conflicts of interest were also a concern among Democratic lawmakers throughout Oz's confirmation process. Oz has committed to divesting any holdings that may pose an issue. 

Thursday's confirmation comes as the Trump administration continues to work to finalize the rest of its political appointments, including notably the president's pick to be the next United Nations ambassador and his pick for director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. 

Per The Washington Post's "political appointee tracker," there are currently still 233 nominees being considered by the Senate.

The House and Senate are a long way from approving President Trump’s "big, beautiful bill" to cut spending, slash taxes and likely raise the debt ceiling.

But the next step in the process begins unfolding this afternoon and over the next 48 hours.

The Senate likely votes between 4 and 6 p.m. ET Thursday to actually "proceed" to a retooled budget framework. The framework is necessary under special budget rules the Senate is using to avoid a filibuster, which would kill the bill.

REPORTER'S NOTEBOOK: APRIL FOOLS' ON CAPITOL HILL

If the Senate fails to proceed, Republicans have major problems. But if the Senate can forge ahead, then it can actually launch up to 50 hours of debate on the updated budget package and go to what’s called a "vote-a-rama" Friday evening. The Senate would presumably finish this step in the process and adopt the new framework in the wee hours of Saturday morning or perhaps during the day on Saturday.

A "vote-a-rama" is really just a very Senate way of saying "long vote series which probably runs all night." The Senate rifles through roll call vote after roll call vote for hours on end. Most vote-a-ramas run 10-15 hours. They are always related to the budget process. And, because of special budget rules, senators can offer an unlimited number of amendments – and that’s why there are so many votes.

Republicans will try to get through this process as quickly as possible – although some conservatives may offer amendments for additional debt reduction or something related to the debt ceiling.

DEMOCRAT REP VOWS TO WORK WITH TRUMP ON KEY PART OF TARIFF PLAN: ‘HOPING THAT I CAN HELP’

Democrats will likely offer a host of amendments to get vulnerable Republicans on the record about controversial issues like possible cuts to Medicare and Medicaid and even tariffs.

The bottom line is this:

There is high interest in Congress advancing the "big, beautiful bill." It’s the touchstone of President Trump’s legislative agenda and probably the most significant piece of legislation to come before Congress over the next two years. But getting to a point where the House and Senate can actually try to approve the bill itself is an exhaustive process and months away. However, this incremental step is essential to getting there. And that’s why interested parties will focus on the vote-a-rama starting Friday night and when it ends.

Also, why start this process so late on a Thursday and compel the Senate to meet on a Friday night and into the weekend? Especially when the Senate has had multiple weekend sessions already this year and several overnight sessions? That includes the all-night, record-breaking speech by Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., earlier this week.

There is some method to the madness.

First, the Senate needs to get through this step. Time is of the essence. But secondly, Fox is told that holding off until later in the week could limit the length of the vote-a-rama if the Senate doesn’t start until Friday night. That isn’t to say the vote-a-rama won’t be long and tiring. But it could abbreviate the process.

Let’s take a step backward so we can look forward on what the House and Senate must still do to pass the tax cut and spending cut plan. There are potentially eight steps here. The Senate motion over the next few days is step three.

In February, the Senate adopted an initial budget outline so it could use the special "budget reconciliation process" and avoid a filibuster.

The House approved its own version of a budget outline in late February – even though the consequences of the filibuster mean nothing to the House. But the issue was that the House and Senate approved different budget frameworks. They still need to sync up.

So those were steps one and two of this protracted process.

The Senate’s vote-a-rama – culminating with the adoption of a new, updated budget blueprint – is step three.

Step four likely comes next week when the Senate’s updated package goes to the House. Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., indicated Wednesday night he’d like the House to align with the Senate framework next week. So that entails another vote. However, some archconservatives might look askance at the Senate’s spending cut numbers. Those close to the Senate process have told Fox that those figures represent a "floor" for spending cuts. Not a "ceiling." But the ultimate Senate number might not please as many House conservatives.

Why does the Senate do it this way? To comply with specific, strict Senate budgetary rules.

Johnson seemed buoyed last night after he swore in new Reps. Jimmy Patronis, R-Fla., and Randy Fine, R-Fla., Wednesday night.

"The margin is a little more comfortable. It's an embarrassment of riches. Now we can lose, what, three votes now or something."

Yours truly asked Patronis if he and Fine would vote for the still incomplete package when it comes over from the Senate.

"I vote for my speaker," replied Patronis.

"Right!" piped up Johnson.

It’s possible the speaker was glad to have some backup after one of the worst weeks of his tenure. Johnson lost an internecine fight over proxy voting for members who are pregnant or new moms. That blocked the House from considering other major bills and forced him to shut the House down for the rest of the week on Tuesday.

Regardless, if the House adopts the plan now before the Senate, they go to steps five and six. That’s where the House and Senate actually assemble, debate and presumably pass the bill itself. Those steps will be the most challenging set yet. And it likely involves yet another vote-a-rama in the Senate.

Then, we may have steps seven and eight. That’s where the House and Senate may need to take yet another set of votes to align again – if both bodies have approved different bills.

That’s why passing the "big, beautiful bill" may take until summer. And there will undoubtedly be additional hiccups along the way.

President Donald Trump’s national security advisor, Mike Waltz, has repeatedly landed in hot water in recent days, beginning with an uproar from Democrats over a Signal chat leak with high-ranking national security officials that has since snowballed. 

Trump and his administration, however, repeatedly have defended the national security leader publicly. 

Waltz, who previously served as a Florida congressman and as a decorated combat Green Beret, has come under fire from Democrats and critics since March, when the Atlantic magazine's editor-in-chief Jeffrey Goldberg published a firsthand account of getting added to a Signal group chat with top national security leaders, including Waltz, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and CIA Director John Ratcliffe, while they discussed strikes against Yemen terrorists. 

Signal is an encrypted messaging app that operates similarly to texting or making phone calls, but with additional security measures that help ensure communications are kept private to those included in the correspondence. 

NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISOR MIKE WALTZ TAKES RESPONSIBILITY FOR 'EMBARRASSING' SIGNAL CHAT LEAK

The Atlantic's report characterized the Trump administration as texting "war plans" regarding a planned strike on Houthi rebels in Yemen. The Trump administration has maintained, however, that no classified material was transmitted in the chat, with Trump repeatedly defending Waltz amid the fallout. 

NSC CONFIRMS MIKE WALTZ AND STAFF USED GMAIL FOR GOVERNMENT COMMUNICATION

"As the president has made it very clear, Mike Waltz continues to be an important part of his national security team," Trump administration press secretary Karoline Leavitt told the media in brief remarks outside of the White House's press room Monday afternoon. "And this case has been closed here at the White House, as far as we are concerned." 

"There have been steps made to ensure that something like that can obviously never happen again," she continued. "And we're moving forward. And the president and Mike Waltz and his entire national security team have been working together very well, if you look at how much safer the United States of America is because of the leadership of this team." 

TRUMP REVEALS WHO WAS BEHIND SIGNAL TEXT CHAIN LEAK

Fox News Digital has compiled a timeline of accusations and outrage directed at and involving Waltz since the Atlantic's first report on the chat leak. 

Fox News Digital reached out to the White House for comment on the matter, but did not immediately receive a reply. 

There's no denying that billionaire Elon Musk has been the most visible member of President Donald Trump's administration during Trump's first ten weeks back in the White House. But with familiarity can come contempt, as recent polling shows the DOGE point man underwater with approval ratings.

Musk, the world's richest person and the chief executive of Tesla and SpaceX, has grabbed outsized attention as he's steered DOGE, the acronym for Trump's recently created Department of Government Efficiency, which has swept through federal agencies, rooting out what the White House argues was billions in wasteful federal spending.

The unit has also taken a meat cleaver to the federal workforce, resulting in a massive exodus of employees. The controversial moves by Musk and DOGE have triggered a slew of lawsuits in response.

But it's becoming increasingly clear that a majority of Americans are far from happy with Musk's moves. And two new national public opinion polls released this week offer further proof.

MUSK NOT LEAVING YET, WRAPPING UP WORK ON SCHEDULE ONCE 'INCREDIBLE WORK AT DOGE IS COMPLETE': WHITE HOUSE

According to a Reuters/Ipsos poll conducted March 31-April 2, Musk's favorable rating stands at 39% among Americans, with 57% viewing him in an unfavorable light.

And only 36% of respondents said the Trump administration was doing a competent job in reducing the number of federal employees. Even fewer — 31% — offered that the Trump administration was competently downsizing the federal government without affecting vital services.

According to a Marquette Law School national survey, 41% approve of the job Musk is doing at DOGE, with 58% giving him a thumbs down.

And Musk's favorable rating was in negative territory — at the 38% to 60% — in the poll, which was conducted March 17 through 24.

AMERICANS WANT SMALLER GOVERNMENT BUT NEW POLLS SHOWS WHETHER THEY LIKE HOW MUSK IS GOING ABOUT IT

The two surveys are the latest to indicate Musk's poll numbers deeply underwater.

A majority — 54% — questioned in a Quinnipiac University survey conducted early last month said that Musk and DOGE are hurting the country, with just four in ten saying their efforts are helping the country.

And according to a Fox News national poll conducted in mid-March, Musk's approval of his work at DOGE was in negative territory, at 40% approval and 58% disapproval.

While nearly six in 10 questioned in the Fox News poll felt that a great deal or almost all of government spending is wasteful and inefficient, 51% opposed substantially shrinking the number of government employees, 56% disapproved of the job the Trump administration is doing identifying and reducing wasteful spending, and another 65% worried that not enough thought and planning has gone into the cuts.

While Trump continues to praise Musk's efforts with DOGE, some Republicans are starting to voice concerns about Musk's political liabilities.

Democrats have increasingly spotlighted and targeted Musk in their political attacks. And that was before he inserted himself front-and-center in this week's high-profile and historically expensive state supreme court election in Wisconsin.

ELON MUSK HANDS OUT MILLION-DOLLAR CHECKS AMID 'SUPER IMPORTANT' WISCONSIN JUDICIAL RACE

With a massive infusion of money from Democrat- and Republican-aligned groups from outside Wisconsin, which turned the race into the most expensive judicial election in the nation's history, the contest partially transformed into a referendum on Trump's sweeping and controversial moves during the opening months of his second tour of duty in the White House, and on Musk's efforts.

Dane County Circuit Court Judge Susan Crawford, the liberal-leaning candidate, ended up defeating Brad Schimel, the conservative-leaning Trump-backed candidate, a former state attorney general who currently serves as a state circuit court judge in Waukesha County, by roughly ten points.

The large margin was not expected, in a race that was expected to be close, in a state that last November had an extremely tight margin in the presidential race.

Musk, who last year was Trump's top donor, dished out roughly $20 million in the Wisconsin race through aligned groups in support of Schimel.

DONALD TRUMP, FACING TERRIBLE COVERAGE, SOFTENS TONE AND TACTICS FOR ELON MUSK’S DOGE CRUSADE

In a controversial move, Musk handed out $1 million checks at a rally in Green Bay on Sunday evening to two Wisconsin voters who had already cast ballots in the contest and had signed a petition to stop "activist judges."

Musk's lighting rod efforts in Wisconsin are being blamed for partially contributing to the 10-point shellacking Schimel suffered.

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The White House confirmed to Fox News on Wednesday that Musk will exit his role with DOGE on schedule later this spring, once his efforts are complete.

The White House, pushing back against reporting by Politico that Trump had told his inner circle and cabinet members that Musk would be "stepping back in the coming weeks from his current role," said that Musk had long been anticipated to step back from DOGE when his 130 days as a "special government employee" run out in May. 

Two senior lawmakers have introduced a bipartisan bill that would reassert Congress' powers over U.S. tariffs, a day after President Donald Trump announced a new wide-ranging tariff strategy during his "Liberation Day" speech on Wednesday.

Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, and Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., on Thursday introduced the Trade Review Act of 2025, which would require the president to notify Congress about any new tariffs within 48 hours of imposition. 

The bill also requires that Trump provide an explanation of the rationale along with an analysis of the tariffs’ potential impact on the U.S. economy. Congress would have to approve the new tariffs within 60 days or allow them to expire.

If enacted, the bill would shift certain trade policymaking powers from the executive branch to the Congress. 

WHAT IS TRUMP'S NEW LIBERATION DAY AND WHAT TO EXPECT APRIL 2?

"For too long, Congress has delegated its clear authority to regulate interstate and foreign commerce to the executive branch," Grassley, a Trump ally who's skeptical of tariffs, said in a statement. 

"Building on my previous efforts as Finance Committee Chairman, I’m joining Senator Cantwell to introduce the bipartisan Trade Review Act of 2025 to reassert Congress’ constitutional role and ensure Congress has a voice in trade policy," he continued.

TREASURY SECRETARY BESSENT TELLS COUNTRIES NOT TO RETALIATE AFTER SWEEPING 'LIBERATION DAY' TARIFFS

Cantwell said in a statement that Trump’s tariffs would hurt sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing and technology and have reverberating effects on consumers.

"Ultimately, consumers will pay the price," Cantwell said in a statement. "It's time for Congress to take action to counter the president's trade war."

READ THE BILL – APP USERS, CLICK HERE:

Grassley's home state of Iowa heavily relies on farm crop exports, while Cantwell's Washington state is home to many export-heavy companies such as Boeing.

Trump on Thursday compared the tariffs to a medical operation, and said the "patient lived, and is healing." "The prognosis is that the patient will be far stronger, bigger, better, and more resilient than ever before," he wrote on Truth Social.

Thursday's bill was introduced after four Republican senators joined Democrats in approving a separate resolution Wednesday that would repeal Trump's emergency declaration levying tariffs on Canadian imports. Grassley was not one of the Republican defectors. The resolution is likely dead on arrival in the House.

A delegation of House Democratic lawmakers will visit a portion of the southern border on Friday to conduct oversight of the Trump administration's border policies "firsthand" as authorities continue the president's mass deportation program. 

Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-MS., the ranking member of the House Homeland Security Committee, will lead the delegation. 

Also going will be Reps. Lou Correa and Sara Jacobs, both of California; Delia Ramirez of Illinois; LaMonica McIver and Nellie Pou, both of New Jersey; and Tim Kennedy of New York.

TRUMP ADMIN ENDS DEPORTATION PROTECTIONS FOR MASSIVE NUMBER OF VENEZUELANS AMID ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION CRACKDOWN

Fox News Digital has reached out to Thompson's office. The lawmakers will visit the U.S. Border Patrol's San Diego Sector. 

San Diego County Supervisor Jim Desmond, who has called for greater border security in the past, criticized the timing of the visit. 

"For years, I invited leaders from both parties to witness the crisis at our Southern Border," he wrote on X. "Few listened. Now—just one month into the new administration—border crossings are down 95%. Now the Democrats want to come see it? The invasion is over. The border is secure."

TRUMP REPORTS ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT ENCOUNTERS AT HISTORIC LOWS DURING FIRST FULL MONTH IN OFFICE

The Trump administration has deported more than 100,000 illegal migrants in the weeks since Trump returned to the White House on Jan. 20, according to a New York Post report citing a Department of Homeland Security official.

"He’s doing what he was voted in to do. Point blank!" a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) source told the outlet.

Trump’s second term, much like his first, has consisted of executive orders, enforcing current laws and hard-line messaging to clamp down on illegal crossings. On his first day back in office, he declared a national emergency at the southern border.

Fox News Digital's Michael Dorgan contributed to this report. 

Georgia state House Democrats staged a walkout to protest a vote on a bill headed to the governor's desk for his signature prohibiting taxpayer-funded sex change surgeries for inmates. 

The bill passed on a 100-2 vote, and both recorded no votes were from Democrats.

The legislation, SB 185, sponsored by Republican state Sen. Randy Robertson, bars the Georgia Department of Corrections from providing taxpayer-funded transgender medical treatments, including surgeries and hormonal treatments, to prison inmates. Robertson contends there are about five inmates incarcerated in the DOC that receive treatments.

The bill now heads to Republican Gov. Brian Kemp's desk for his signature.

PRISONERS HAVE NO 'CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT' TO SEX CHANGES, RED STATE AG TELLS COURT IN BRIEF BACKING TRUMP

"This disappointing stunt underscores a troubling disconnect between Democrats and the values of the people they serve," Republican House Majority Whip James Burchett told Fox News Digital. "They knew they had no response to the substance of the bill. So, rather than debate its merits, they chose to abandon their duties by leaving the chamber."

However, Democratic House Whip Sam Park contended it was Republicans playing politics, not Democrats.

"Republicans continue to waste time on their manufactured culture wars while Georgians struggle with increasing costs of housing, food, healthcare and an increasingly uncertain economy due to Republican leadership in D.C.," Park said. "We walked out to make it clear: Georgia Democrats are here to fight for working families, not political distractions."

TRANS INMATE IN PRISON FOR KILLING BABY MUST GET GENDER SURGERY AT 'EARLIEST OPPORTUNITY': JUDGE

Georgia Republicans have taken an aggressive approach toward transgender issues this legislative session with the introduction of several bills that seek to align with President Donald Trump's executive orders. 

Some of those bills, in addition to SB 185, include blocking taxpayer-funded medical treatments for state employees, prohibitions on prescribing puberty blockers to minors and a ban on biological males competing in girls high school sports.

It's unclear how much cosmetic or surgical transgender treatments cost each taxpayer in Georgia, but the Gender Confirmation Center estimates alterations can be anywhere from $8,000 to $50,000, depending on the type of procedure.

Other states this year have moved to introduce similar bills banning taxpayer-funded transgender treatments for inmates, including Utah and Kentucky. California was among the first states to provide transgender procedures for prison inmates in 2017 after a legal battle launched by an inmate two years earlier.

ACLU SUES INDIANA OVER DENIAL OF SEX REASSIGNMENT SURGERY FOR INMATE WHO STRANGLED 11-MONTH-OLD TO DEATH

In January and February 2025, Trump signed executive orders rolling back federally-funded "gender ideology" initiatives. These orders define "sex" strictly as male or female, mandate federal agencies to conform to this definition and prohibit transgender individuals from using single-sex federally-funded facilities. They also prevent federally funded transgender treatments for both inmates and minors and ban biological males from competing in women's sports.

"Yesterday’s walkout by Georgia Democrats during a vote to ban taxpayer-funded sex reassignment surgeries for prisoners is a disgraceful display of misplaced priorities," Rep. Houston Gaines, vice chairman of the Georgia House Majority Caucus, said. 

"By storming out of the legislative session, these lawmakers abandoned their duty to represent their constituents and engage in the democratic process, all to grandstand over an issue that most Georgians find absurd."

"Mind-boggling" is the word Space Force Gen. Chance Saltzman used to describe China’s explosive advances in space as he warned the U.S. is on a path to losing its dominance in orbit.

Testifying before the bipartisan U.S.-China Commission on Thursday, Saltzman said China is "heavily investing" in both ground-based and space-based weapons designed to disable enemy satellites, including kinetic strikes, radio-frequency jamming and directed energy weapons.

The U.S., meanwhile, is "resource limited" and still weighing "which ones we could get the most utility out of," he said.

The general’s testimony came as Congress weighs how to counter growing Chinese aggression in space and whether the Space Force has the tools to keep pace. China increased its military spending by 7% this year, stockpiling anti-satellite missiles and claiming to possess directed energy weapons that use concentrated energy beams to jam satellite signals.

THE US IS NOT READY FOR A NUCLEAR SHOWDOWN WITH CHINA, KEY CONSERVATIVES WARN TRUMP

There’s also a risk if China were to destroy a satellite in orbit, an action that could trigger a global catastrophe, Saltzman warned, pointing to lingering debris from Russia’s 2021 anti-satellite missile test and China’s 2007 test, which continue to threaten spacecraft safety.

China’s space-based targeting capabilities have "grown most impressively" in recent years, Saltzman said, with hundreds of satellites now dedicated to tracking U.S. assets in orbit. That expansion has given the Space Force a "new mission set": to deny China the ability to surveil American satellites in real time.

Yet Saltzman warned the U.S. is falling behind. The Space Force budget has shrunk in absolute terms, even as space becomes an increasingly contested military domain. Lawmakers, he said, still operate with an "out of sight, out of mind" mindset.

"It’s just still a low priority in terms of the policy regime," Saltzman said. "The modern battlefield has to account for the space domain. If we can’t continue to protect our use of the domain – and we can’t deny an adversary – that’s going to be tied to the military objectives in any of the other domains.

LASERS, SPACE RADARS, MISSILE INTERCEPTORS: DEFENSE LEADERS LAY OUT VISION FOR TRUMP'S 'GOLDEN DOME' PROJECT

"I believe we have more missions unfunded than funded," Saltzman said, adding that Space Force still lacks the size and capabilities needed to carry out its expanding responsibilities.

The U.S., for example, does not have an operational quantum satellite, but China does. Quantum satellites can enable ultra-secure communications and advanced navigational technologies.

China’s investment in space-based tech for long-range precision strikes and reusable launch vehicles "represent an inflection point in space access that may result in China overtaking U.S. leadership," Saltzman said.

Just weeks ago, Space Force Vice Chief of Operations Gen. Michael Guetlein revealed that China has been practicing satellite "dogfighting," a sign of its growing ability to conduct complex operations in orbit.

Space Force has observed "five different objects in space maneuvering in and out and around each other in synchronicity and in control," he said.

"That’s what we call dogfighting in space," Guetlein said. "They are practicing tactics, techniques and procedures to conduct on-orbit operations from one satellite to another."

California gubernatorial candidate and former Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra said the state may need to rein in its Medicaid program as it faces concerns about costs partly related to those in the country illegally using the system.

Becerra, a Democrat who previously served as the Golden State’s attorney general, explained his stance in an interview with Fox 11 Los Angeles this week.

"I believe we should eventually get there," he said about allowing people to enroll in Medi-Cal even if they’re undocumented.

HOUSE REPUBLICANS GRILL HHS SECRETARY BECERRA OVER MIGRANT CHILDREN: 'WOULD NOT WANT TO BE YOU'

"Can we afford to do it? That's where a governor has to decide... if we can’t afford it, we have to be realistic. If we can't afford it, how do we do it?" he added.

"But when you do the scrub… this is where it’s important, if you don’t have the dollars to do it, how do you do it? You need the money. California needs a balanced budget. You scrub it. If you find a way, you do it and don’t delay. But if you scrub it and you can’t figure out how to do it, then that’s the reality and that’s the choices we have," the former Biden official continued.

The overall Medi-Cal program was originally expected to cost $6 billion until a California budget official revealed that it’s projected to cost $9.5 billion this fiscal year. The governor’s office then asked for two separate loans, totaling $6.2 billion.

ALLEGED MS-13 GANG LEADER LINKED TO NEARLY A DOZEN MURDERS, ON THE RUN FOR YEARS NABBED IN LONG ISLAND: DOJ

When asked by KCRA, Gov. Gavin Newsom, who is term-limited and will leave office in January 2027, said that while illegal immigrants in the program are not the whole issue, it’s a contributing factor.

"That’s partial," Newsom said last month.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE IMMIGRATION COVERAGE

"With tough fiscal choices ahead, Governor Newsom, jointly with Pro Tem McGuire and Speaker Rivas, will evaluate proposals to rein in long-term spending – including in Medi-Cal – while working to protect the core health and social services Californians rely on," Newsom spokesperson Izzy Gardon said in a statement to Fox News Digital. The governor and his office have said rising costs have led to higher than expected Medicaid costs in other states that do not allow illegal immigrants to enroll.

"Immigration status doesn't matter," according to the California Department of Health Care services website, but Republicans have staunchly criticized allowing illegal immigrants in the program.

COLLEGES IN ICE'S DEPORTATION CROSSHAIRS SHELLED OUT DISCOUNTS, FINANCIAL AID TO ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS: GOP REP

"Even Jerry Brown refused to expand Medi-Cal to all illegal immigrants because he knew it was fiscally irresponsible and unsustainable," California Senate Minority Leader Brian Jones tweeted last month. "Now under Newsom, legal residents are paying the price both financially and in reduced access to healthcare. The public deserves answers: Why are the costs so much higher than what Newsom promised? What is Newsom’s plan to fix the financial disaster he created?" 

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The 2026 California governor’s race is expected to be contentious, as Becerra, former Rep. Katie Porter, former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, and Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis are already in the race on the Democratic side. Reports swirl that former Vice President Kamala Harris could make her comeback into politics after losing the 2024 election by running for governor. On the Republican side, Riverside Sheriff Chad Bianco is currently in the race, and many others are expected to join him.

New York State Republicans are demanding the ouster of the city's transit chief, citing poor subway service despite an infusion of cash from Gov. Kathy Hochul’s "congestion pricing" Manhattan toll zone.

A press conference came on Wednesday, days after Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy visited Dover, N.J., to assess a massive sinkhole that had closed down I-80. Republicans are also calling for an audit of the entire transit agency. 

There, Duffy criticized Hochul for failing to rescind congestion pricing and said New York officials need to get a better handle on subway crime. 

"If you want people to take the train, to take transit, then make it safe, make it clean, make it beautiful, make it wonderful, don’t make it a s---hole, which is what she’s done," he said. 

"We don’t have to be at war over this," Hochul reportedly said in that regard.

NY LAWMAKERS BLAST MTA AFTER COMMENTS ‘DISMISSIVE’ OF CRIME ISSUE

State Sen. Steve Chan, R-Bath Beach, announced a bill at the Albany conference that would add two more members to the state-owned MTA’s board: one representing NYPD transit police and another representing the transit police union.

Chan, a retired NYPD sergeant and immigrant from Hong Kong, condemned a string of dangerous incidents on the rails in and around his Brooklyn district, including the nationally reported case of a passenger set on fire in nearby Coney Island.

"If it takes two men two days to dig a half a hole, then how long would it take one guy to dig a hole?" Chan asked at the presser.

"The question can be answered by [MTA Chair] Janno Lieber, because that's what he does every year: dig himself a hole," he said.

"The motto of the MTA seems to be, ‘the higher the cost, the less we have to offer you.’ So every year around this time, the MTA comes with their hand with a tin cup, ‘We need more money,’ and year after year, the Democrats in Albany bend the knee to a mismanaged, misguided and bloated, lackluster transit system."

Chan said that during his decades as a cop, he saw the best and worst of the subways, but today they're leaning toward the worst. 

He said there was once a time only a few years ago when solo passengers could feel safe underground at 3 a.m., but not today. 

"I know private companies that could run the MTA better. I bet I can take a company and give them one single bus line. They'll turn a profit right away."

Chan lamented what he called a criminal "free-for-all" in the subway system, arguing that claims of reduced crime are the result of lax enforcement and downgraded charges.

SUBWAY MAYHEM SPURS CUOMO TO URGE HALT TO NEW NYC DRIVING TAX

Sen. Bill Weber, R-Clarkstown, said his constituents north of the city have had to pay a surtax to the MTA for what he called inefficient service and have to choose whether to brave the indirect transit options or the congestion pricing tolls.

He suggested the MTA is blaming NJTransit, which operates MTA trains that pass through the Garden State on their way to either Spring Valley or Port Jervis, and he also called for Lieber’s ouster.

"Two bills that I'm proposing today … will bring more money back into the pockets of Rockland [County] taxpayers and hopefully will get the MTA moving in the right direction," he said.

Sen. Jack Martins, R-Mineola, added that he hopes the MTA succeeds but has long doubted it.

"Their success is our success. Their success is New York State's success," he said, calling the agency’s $19.9 billion budget an appropriation without results.

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"[For] every dollar that comes out [of a New Yorker's] pocket that goes to fund the MTA, and frankly, we get nothing for it. It's time for congestion pricing to be repealed. It's time for an audit and a real audit that goes into the waste, fraud and abuse that exists at the MTA."

Senate Minority Leader Rob Ortt, R-Niagara Falls, closed the conference by saying the GOP caucus wants the MTA to succeed, and that harsh criticism should not be misconstrued as wishing for failure.

"[But] every time we throw them more money, we're part of the problem. If we want accountability, the easiest way is to say, ‘The spigot's turned off until you show us that you're willing to make changes with the billions of dollars that you get, then we can have a conversation about other things we can do financially.’"

In a statement to Fox News Digital, a top MTA official rejected the collective claims and criticized Martins in particular.

"The LIRR is operating with record on-time performance and crime on the subway is down 24% since last year. And the MTA has a balanced operating budget, so it’s mind-boggling how some politicians are apparently not capable of reading a budget," MTA chief of policy John J. McCarthy said.

"Mr. Martins has a track record of being wrong. He fought improvements on the LIRR, opposing the Third Track Expansion Project [in Nassau County] – a project that only moved forward when Martins left office."

"Now Mr. Martins is back in office, the project is done, and he is trying to make believe there is no improvement – meanwhile it only happened because he was out of the picture." 

An MTA official acknowledged that NJ Transit does run service to Rockland and Orange counties and that it could be better, in regard to Weber's critique.

The Pentagon’s inspector general has launched an investigation into whether Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth violated department policy by discussing military attack plans in a private Signal chat, following a report by The Atlantic.

The probe will examine whether Hegseth improperly discussed operational plans for a U.S. offensive against the Houthis in Yemen and will also review "compliance with classification and records retention requirements," according to a memo from Inspector General Steven Stebbins.

The investigation was launched after the top Republican and Democrat on the Senate’s Armed Services Committee requested it last week. 

"This chat was alleged to have included classified information pertaining to sensitive military discussions in Yemen," Chairman Roger Wicker, R-Miss., and ranking member Jack Reed, D-R.I., wrote in a letter to Stebbins. "If true, this reporting raises questions as to the use of unclassified networks to discuss classified and sensitive information."

TRUMP TEAM'S SIGNAL SNAFU SPARKS DEBATE OVER SECURE COMMS: 'RUSSIA AND CHINA ARE LISTENING'

A memorandum addressed to Hegseth asked him to designate two points of contact for the investigation and said it would take place in Washington, D.C., and U.S. Central Command headquarters in Tampa, Florida. 

Hegseth sent details related to an offensive campaign against Yemen's Houthi rebels last month to principal advisers of the president via a Signal app chat national security adviser Michael Waltz had started. The chat unintentionally included Atlantic editor-in-chief Jeffrey Goldberg. 

Stebbins is the acting Pentagon watchdog after President Donald Trump fired 17 inspectors general, including the Defense Department’s IG, shortly after taking office. 

Hegseth's Signal messages revealed F-18, Navy fighter aircraft, MQ-9s, drones and Tomahawks cruise missiles would be used in the strike on the Houthis.

TRUMP OFFICIALS ACCIDENTALLY TEXT ATLANTIC JOURNALIST ABOUT MILITARY STRIKES IN APPARENT SECURITY BREACH

"1215et: F-18s LAUNCH (1st strike package)," Hegseth said in one message notifying the chat of high-level administration officials that the attack was about to kick off.

"1345: ‘Trigger Based’ F-18 1st Strike Window Starts (Target Terrorist is @ his Known Location so SHOULD BE ON TIME – also, Strike Drones Launch (MQ-9s)" he added, according to the report. 

"1410: More F-18s LAUNCH (2nd strike package)"

"1415: Strike Drones on Target (THIS IS WHEN THE FIRST BOMBS WILL DEFINITELY DROP, pending earlier ‘Trigger Based’ targets)"

"1536 F-18 2nd Strike Starts – also, first sea-based Tomahawks launched."

"MORE TO FOLLOW (per timeline)"

"We are currently clean on OPSEC" – that is, operational security.

Waltz later wrote that the mission had been successful. "The first target—their top missile guy—was positively ID’d walking into his girlfriend's building. It’s now collapsed."

Trump administration officials have insisted that nothing classified was shared over the chat. 

"No locations. No sources & methods. NO WAR PLANS," Waltz wrote on X last week. 

Government officials frequently use Signal to communicate, even for sensitive information, as they don't always have access to a sensitive compartmented information facility (SCIF).  

The father of a 31-year-old Marine veteran from Arizona who was murdered at an illegal checkpoint while driving to the beach in Mexico in 2024 said he did not expect Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to reference his son’s name when announcing new sanctions against the Sinaloa cartel this week.  

Doug Quets, a U.S. military veteran himself, whose son, Nicholas Quets, served for four years in the Marines, said he was "really humbled and pleasantly surprised" that Bessent remembered him, as well as another American, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent Enrique "Kiki" Camarena. Camarena was abducted, tortured and killed in 1985. 

Bessent named both men in a video statement released Monday – what would have been Nicholas Quets’ 32nd birthday – that announced Treasury Department sanctions against six individuals and seven entities allegedly involved in a money-laundering network supporting the Sinaloa cartel. 

"I had full faith in President Trump… I knew we weren’t forgotten, but when the secretary mentioned my son’s name, no, I was not. I was not expecting that," Doug Quets told Fox News Digital. "I have the faith in a lot of different levels of our government and in God that things could be done, because in fact, if you apply, if you pursue these problems and you confront these problems, they're basically bullies, right? And so if you let the bullies go, they become bolder and bolder. But if you confront them, you can defeat them. So the momentum against these groups is palpable right now. I mean, you can feel it, you know that that's occurring. And that's only because of the United States deciding to do something about it." 

SINALOA CARTEL SLAPPED WITH TRUMP ADMIN SANCTIONS IN BLOW TO DRUG EMPIRE

Quets noted the contrast between the Trump administration's message and what he heard from officials on both sides of the border five and a half months ago. He said his grieving family was told repeatedly by officials in the wake of Nicholas' slaying in the Mexican state of Sonora that "we’re sorry, but there’s nothing that can be done." 

"That, to me, is just infuriating because [as] somebody that's spent a lot of time providing security for others and promoting welfare, the knowledge that nothing can be done against bullies and criminals, that perspective is wrong. You just have to confront it," Quets told Fox News Digital. "We can win any fight. And we can win this fight. And knowing that President Trump is taking it very seriously, yeah, that gives me hope, gives my family hope that this will come to a good ending for so many people. It'll never come to good ending for me, the things we want back, you know, they're not coming back, but we can protect your family. We can protect other families." 

Quets praised Trump for using "all instruments of U.S. national power" against the cartels and described receiving "overwhelming" support from the National Security Council, Justice Department and the FBI.

"It's moving, it never moves as fast as you want as a parent, but he has taken our case very seriously, and I'm super happy for that. And everything we discussed, he has moved out on and as fast, I'm convinced, as fast as he could," Quets said. 

"The United States government's capable of doing anything it wants to do in this world if it makes it important enough. And it's just how important we want to make it," Quets said. "If you pull the right levers and you do the right things and you do them in the name of justice, in the name of security of American citizens, you're always doing the right thing."

About three weeks ago, Attorney General Pam Bondi said she had a "powerful and emotional phone call" with Judge Enrique Camarena, the son of murdered DEA Special Agent Camarena, following the extradition of his alleged killer, Rafael Caro Quintero. Quintero was among 29 defendants taken into U.S. custody in February to face prosecution in the United States for cartel-related crimes dating back to the 1980s. 

FAMILY OF MARINE VETERAN MURDERED IN MEXICO BACKS TRUMP, VANCE AFTER SILENCE FROM BIDEN-HARRIS ADMIN

Quets declined to reveal updates about his son’s case amid the active investigation but welcomed those extraditions as a sign of the growing momentum from U.S. agencies in confronting this "evil." 

"I am pleased. I'm not surprised because I did know it could be done. And I did feel like it would be done under President Trump, but I'm pleased that these extraditions have started," Quets said.

Nicholas Quets, who was employed by Pima County, Arizona, in water reclamation and ran his own side business as a welder at the time of his death, was making a drive many Americans had made before down to the Mexican beach town of Rocky Point when he was murdered on Oct. 18, 2024, during the height of the election campaign, after evading an illegal checkpoint in Caborca, according to his father. 

The family later learned the route had become more treacherous with rival cartels fighting over the area, and two elderly American women were killed at a similar checkpoint about a month beforehand, though that story received little news coverage at the time. Nicholas Quets was pursued by cartel members on an about seven-mile chase before they ran his pick-up truck into a cement median, and the alleged cartel members "shot him in the back as cowards," according to Doug Quets. 

Just days after his son’s murder, Doug Quets said he met with vice presidential candidate and then-Sen. JD Vance, of Ohio, while he was campaigning in Arizona. Trump also met with the grieving father, who praised both Republicans for their humanity in speaking with him for about 15 minutes each while they were in the "fight of their lives" in the swing state. 

Doug Quets said he was ignored by Democratic vice-presidential candidate and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz’ team when he made a campaign stop in the state. Trump later invited the Quets family to a rally in nearby Nevada, and Doug Quets said Trump unexpectedly introduced him to the crowd and invited him on stage to speak. 

"There was no script, there was nothing else. President Trump just put all his blind faith in me to just tell the truth," Quets said. "Nick was an innocent U.S. citizen driving to the beach and was executed by cowards in the back." 

"You have to accept the fact that, you know, there is good and there is bad and there is evil in the world. And my son, through no fault of his own, confronted evil. And that evil, you know, is now being held accountable and is going to be made to pay."

A moderate Democrat is expressing cautious optimism at President Donald Trump's stance on tariffs in a stark departure from most of his party's infuriated reaction.

Rep. Jared Golden, D-Maine, pointed out in a lengthy statement that he himself proposed a 10% blanket tariff on U.S. imports earlier this year and said he was happy Trump's baseline policy was the same – and even publicly pledged to work with Trump on enshrining it in federal law in a subsequent interview with Fox News Digital.

"What I can say now is I’m pleased the president is building his tariff agenda on the foundation of a universal 10% tariff like the one I proposed in the BUILT USA Act. This ring fence around the American economy is a good start to erasing our unsustainable trade deficits," Golden said in his statement.

"I’m eager to work with the president to fix the broken ‘free trade’ system that made multinational corporations rich but ruined manufacturing communities across the country. But tariffs must be paired with policies that prioritize American families’ prosperity."

TREASURY SECRETARY BESSENT TELLS COUNTRIES NOT TO RETALIATE AFTER SWEEPING 'LIBERATION DAY' TARIFFS

He noted, however, that Trump "introduced a number of new tariff policies" alongside the 10% universal tax, and that he would need time to review the policies in detail before weighing in on them further.

"We need to make sure that the new approach benefits working people — that means supporting unions, the trades and apprenticeship programs, cutting regulations that hold back production, unleashing American energy and using tariff revenue to support domestic manufacturers that create good-paying jobs for Americans," he said.

"Tariffs are a first step in rewriting a rigged trade system, but they cannot be the last one."

He told Fox News Digital in a brief interview Thursday that he was open to working with Trump on codifying the 10% tariffs measure in federal law.

"I'm really glad that he included that in his kind of broader strategy that he rolled out yesterday. And on the reciprocal tariffs, I would assume that he wants flexibility, he probably likes doing that through an executive order," Golden said. "But I'm of the mind that the 10% global tariff is something that should be part of a longer-term strategy for the U.S. And so, you know, I'm hoping that I can help the president get some members of Congress to support doing that in a bill and maybe put it on his desk."

"I think that the president and his team would have to do some heavy lifting to make sure that the House Republicans supported it, but if they didn't have a lot of defections, you know, could I find some like-minded Democrats for a 10% global tariff? I think so."

While it's far from a full embrace of Trump's tariff plan, Golden's comments are still more optimistic than those of his fellow Democratic lawmakers.

FRANCE ASKS US TO BE 'COOPERATIVE' INSTEAD OF 'CONFRONTATIONAL' FOLLOWING TRUMP'S 'LIBERATION DAY' TARIFFS

"I have always said that when used strategically, tariffs are a critical tool," Rep. Debbie Dingell, D-Mich., told Axios. "However, the key word is 'strategically.' I'm concerned about the chaotic and immediate implementation of these wide-reaching tariffs."

Meanwhile, Rep. Gregory Meeks, D-N.Y., the top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, pledged to force a vote targeting the new national emergency Trump is using to justify the 10% blanket tariff.

"I'll soon introduce a privileged resolution to force a vote on ending the made up national emergency Trump is using to justify these taxes. Republicans can’t keep ducking this — it's time they show whether they support the economic pain Trump is inflicting on their constituents," Meeks said in a statement.

Golden has been known to break from his party on several key occasions. 

Maine's 2nd Congressional District, which he has represented since January 2019, was won by Trump by roughly 10% in 2024.

Trump's plan involves a 10% blanket tariff on all imports into the U.S., as well as tariffs of up to 50% on both adversaries and allies.

It also introduces some level of reciprocal tariffs on countries that tax U.S. exports, though in most cases, the U.S. rate is lower than the foreign country's.

"April 2, 2025, will forever be remembered as the day American industry was reborn. The day America's destiny was reclaimed. And the day that we began to make America wealthy again," Trump said in remarks announcing his plan Wednesday.