Normal view
PM urged to close online child sex abuse loopholes
- Latest Political News and Updates from BBC
- Her aunt's regime 'disappeared' people - so why did Starmer make her a minister?
Her aunt's regime 'disappeared' people - so why did Starmer make her a minister?
Call for more women footballers on birthday cards
'Dress smartly', Speaker tells assembly members
- Latest Political News on Fox News
- White House OPM orders all DEI offices to begin closing by end of day Wednesday
White House OPM orders all DEI offices to begin closing by end of day Wednesday
WASHINGTON, D.C.—The White House’s Office of Personnel Management notified heads of agencies and departments that they must begin taking steps to close all Diversity, Equity and Inclusion offices by the end of the day Wednesday and place government workers in those offices on paid leave, Fox News Digital has learned.
TRUMP VOWS 'NEW ERA OF NATIONAL SUCCESS,' SAYS AMERICA'S 'DECLINE IS OVER' IN INAUGURAL ADDRESS
Acting Director of the Office of Personnel Management Charles Ezell sent a memo to heads and acting heads of departments and agencies Tuesday evening directing them to, no later than 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 22 to:
The memo also directed the heads of agencies and departments, by 12:00pm Thursday to share with OPM:
By Friday at 5pm, agency heads must submit to OPM:
TRUMP TO TAKE MORE THAN 200 EXECUTIVE ACTIONS ON DAY ONE
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
The memo comes after President Trump signed an executive order to eliminate all DEI programs from the federal government.
The president also signed an order making it "the official policy of the U.S. government to only recognize two genders: male and female."
- Latest Political News on Fox News
- Career Justice Department officials reassigned to different positions: reports
Career Justice Department officials reassigned to different positions: reports
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) reportedly reassigned multiple senior officials across various divisions ahead of the anticipated confirmation of President Donald Trump’s nomination for U.S. attorney general, Pam Bondi.
Fox News is told that multiple career staffers in the criminal and national security divisions at the DOJ were removed from their current posts and reassigned.
While it is difficult to fire a career person "just because," reassigning is possible, and that appears to have happened.
Of those who were moved to other positions within the DOJ was Bruce Schwartz, head of the office of internal affairs, which handles extradition matters, a person familiar with the matter who spoke on condition of anonymity told The Associated Press. The same person reportedly told the wire service that about 20 officials had been reassigned.
DONALD TRUMP SWORN IN AS 47TH PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES
Also, reportedly moved was George Toscas, a veteran deputy assistant attorney general in the national security division who not only helped oversee major terrorism and espionage investigations but also was a key figure in politically motivated probes over the last 10 years.
Toscas was involved in the investigation into Hillary Clinton’s handling of classified information as well as the investigation into Trump’s possession of classified documents at Mar-a-Lago in Florida.
Toscas’ reassignment was confirmed to The Associated Press by another person familiar with the matter.
TRUMP TO TAKE MORE THAN 200 EXECUTIVE ACTIONS ON DAY ONE
"He has seen everything in both counterterrorism and counterintelligence," a former colleague of Toscas’ who spoke on condition of anonymity, told The Washington Post. "There is no one in the department who knows as much about prosecuting and investigating terrorists and spies as George Toscas."
The Washington Post also learned from sources familiar with the matter that Eun Young Choi, another deputy assistant attorney general in the national security division, was reassigned within the department, and was notified of the change by way of email on Monday afternoon.
The DOJ declined to comment on the changes.
PRESIDENT TRUMP DISCOVERS LETTER FROM FORMER PRESIDENT BIDEN IN RESOLUTE DESK
Hours after Trump took the oath of office, the DOJ removed at least four senior officials from the division that operates the nation’s immigration courts, which are currently backlogged.
The Washington Post reported that there is a 120-day moratorium on some staff reassignments after newly confirmed leaders begin their appointments, under federal guidelines. Bondi has not yet been confirmed; therefore, the moratorium is not yet in effect in the DOJ.
Currently, James McHenry is running the DOJ as acting U.S. attorney general after Merrick Garland left the department on Friday.
The reasons for the moves were not immediately known, though it is common for a new administration to appoint its own hires to lead the DOJ.
The moves could also foreshadow additional changes, given Trump’s interest in the department, which investigated him during his first term and indicted him twice last year in separate cases that never reached trial and were withdrawn after Trump’s election win in November.
- Latest Political News on Fox News
- Coast Guard surging assets to Gulf of America, other waterways to support Trump’s executive orders
Coast Guard surging assets to Gulf of America, other waterways to support Trump’s executive orders
The U.S. Coast Guard on Tuesday announced the deployment of personnel and equipment to various maritime borders in the United States, a day after President Donald Trump dismissed the military branch's leader.
In a statement, Coast Guard Acting Commandant Adm. Kevin Lunday said coast guardsmen would work to detect and deter illegal migration in support of Trump's executive orders issued this week.
"The U.S. Coast Guard is the world’s premiere maritime law enforcement agency, vital to protecting America’s maritime borders, territorial integrity and sovereignty," Lunday said. "Per the President’s Executive Orders, I have directed my operational commanders to immediately surge assets—cutters, aircraft, boats and deployable specialized forces—to increase Coast Guard presence and focus…"
RETIRED COAST GUARD HELICOPTER COMMANDER DETAILS RISKS TO AIR CREWS FIGHTING LA FIRES
Key areas where authorities will focus their efforts include the waters off Florida to deter and prevent migrants from Haiti and Cuba from entering the U.S., and maritime borders around Alaska, Hawaii, as well as the U.S. territories of Guam, Puerto Rico, American Somoa and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Lunday also wrote in the release that the agency would target the "maritime border between Texas and Mexico in the Gulf of America."
On Monday, Trump signed an executive order renaming the Gulf of Mexico. In the federal executive order: "Restoring Names That Honor American Greatness," Section 4 rebrands the "area formerly known as the Gulf of Mexico… an integral asset to our once burgeoning nation …and an indelible part of America" – as the "Gulf of America."
The reference appears to be the first time a federal agency has acknowledged the name change.
The Coast Guard said it would also target the Bahamas and South Florida, and between the U.S. and Mexico in the Pacific Ocean.
In addition, the Coast Guard will support U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) authorities on maritime portions of the southwest U.S. border.
"Together, in coordination with our Department of Homeland Security and Department of Defense teammates, we will detect, deter and interdict illegal migration, drug smuggling and other terrorist or hostile activity before it reaches our border," a news release states.
On Monday, Trump also issued a flurry of executive orders cracking down on illegal immigration.
Among the many charges was the termination of Adm. Linda Lee Fagan, 61, who was fired by Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Benjamine Huffman.
Huffman didn't cite a reason for the dismissal, but a senior DHS official told Fox News that Fagan was removed for failure to address border security threats, insufficient leadership in recruitment and retention, mismanagement in acquiring key acquisitions such as icebreakers and helicopters, excessive focus on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives and an "erosion of trust" over the mishandling and cover-up of Operation Fouled Anchor, which was the Coast Guard's internal investigation into sexual assault cases at the Coast Guard Academy.
Fox News Digital's Charles Creitz contributed to this report.
- Latest Political News on Fox News
- Republican senators issue warning to historic museums ahead of pro-life march: ‘Respect’ free speech
Republican senators issue warning to historic museums ahead of pro-life march: ‘Respect’ free speech
FIRST ON FOX: Republican Sens. Ted Cruz, R-Texas and Todd Young, R-Indiana are urging historical museums in Washington, D.C., to "respect" the First Amendment rights of pro-life protesters who are expected to descend upon the city on Friday.
"This peaceful exercise of First Amendment rights has historically provided participants with a positive, welcoming experience in our nation’s capital," the senators wrote in a letter to the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum and the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA).
Two years ago, the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum booted several Catholic students and their chaperones for wearing pro-life attire. Students and chaperones from Our Lady of the Rosary School in Greenville, South Carolina, traveled to Washington, D.C., to participate in the annual National March for Life. The group stood out in matching blue beanies emblazoned with the words "Rosary PRO-LIFE."
LEADERS FROM AROUND THE WORLD REACT TO PRESIDENT TRUMP'S WHITE HOUSE RETURN
At the time, the American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ), representing some students' parents, claimed museum staff mocked the group, used expletives, and argued the museum was a "neutral zone" prohibiting political or religious messages.
In a settlement reached on March 18, 2024, the Smithsonian Institution resolved a lawsuit with students removed from the National Air and Space Museum for wearing pro-life beanies. As part of the agreement, the Smithsonian committed to providing the students a tour and an apology, updating its policy on clothing with religious and political speech for public-facing security staff, sharing video footage and investigative details of the incident, and paying $50,000.
TRUMP PARDONS NEARLY EVERY JAN 6 DEFENDANT BUT SAYS HE'S JUST GETTING STARTED
"While we are pleased that the victims of this harassment received justice, it clearly never should have happened in the first place. No sum of money could truly undue the atrocious acts: officers bearing the badge and force of the federal government openly intimidated and violated the First Amendment rights of peaceful students," the senators wrote to the museums last week.
"Moreover, American taxpayers footed the bill for the Smithsonian Institution employees’ egregious behavior and apparent lack of adequate training. This cannot happen again," they said.
TRUMP TO DEPLOY MILITARY TO BORDER, END BIDEN PAROLE POLICIES IN FLURRY OF DAY ONE EXECUTIVE ORDERS
That same year, NARA settled a lawsuit in December 2023 after staff reportedly asked visitors to remove pro-life clothing during the March for Life protest earlier that year. The visitors, represented also by the ACLJ, claimed their First Amendment rights were violated. NARA apologized, admitted the incident breached its policies, and agreed to pay $10,000 in legal fees while implementing staff training to prevent future violations.
The senators are urging the institutions to answer questions about whether they have honored prior settlements regarding the treatment of visitors displaying religious or political messages and whether staff have been reminded of policies protecting free speech. NARA is also being asked to commit to maintaining these protections after a key injunction expires in January 2025. Both agencies have been asked to provide detailed explanations of their actions and preparations.
In an email to Fox News Digital, Smithsonian Institution spokesperson Pamela Baker-Masson said, "We will correspond with the Senators."
NARA did not respond to a request for comment by press deadline.
- Latest Political News on Fox News
- Trump signs 'full and unconditional' pardon of Silk Road creator Ross Ulbricht
Trump signs 'full and unconditional' pardon of Silk Road creator Ross Ulbricht
President Donald Trump on Tuesday signed a full and unconditional pardon of Ross Ulbricht, the founder of the anonymous marketplace website Silk Road, which the president promised to do on the campaign trail "on day one."
"I just called the mother of Ross William Ulbright to let her know that in honor of her and the Libertarian Movement, which supported me so strongly, it was my pleasure to have just signed a full and unconditional pardon of her son, Ross," Trump wrote in a social media post on Tuesday. "The scum that worked to convict him were some of the same lunatics who were involved in the modern day weaponization of government against me. He was given two life sentences, plus 40 years. Ridiculous!"
Ulbricht was convicted because his website, which was founded in 2011 and used cryptocurrency for payments, was used to sell illegal drugs, even though he did not sell any of the illicit substances himself.
- Latest Political News on Fox News
- Rep. Andy Biggs eyes run for Arizona governor, says he understands 'what the state needs to thrive'
Rep. Andy Biggs eyes run for Arizona governor, says he understands 'what the state needs to thrive'
Republican Arizona Congressman Andy Biggs announced his interest Tuesday in running for governor in 2026 as the GOP looks to defeat incumbent Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs.
Biggs, an ally of President Donald Trump and former chair of the conservative Freedom Caucus, filed a statement of interest, which is required before he can start collecting signatures to qualify for the ballot.
However, filing a statement doesn't mean a candidate will follow through.
In a statement posted on X, Biggs said he "will bring my experience home to my native state to help it fulfill its tremendous capacity. I have a firm understanding of what the state needs to thrive."
Biggs chaired the Freedom Caucus from 2019 to 2021 and was one of eight Republicans who helped oust former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., in 2023.
If Biggs does run, it could result in a fight between him and Karrin Taylor Robson, also a Trump ally.
JOE ROGAN SAYS HARRIS SITDOWN WAS SCRAPPED AFTER CAMPAIGN TOLD HIM SHE 'ONLY WANTED TO DO AN HOUR'
"Are you running for governor? I think so Karrin, because, if you do, you’re going to have my support, OK?" Trump told a crowd last month at Turning Point USA’s Americafest event in Phoenix.
Robson ran for governor in 2022 but lost to Kari Lake, who Trump endorsed. Lake lost that year's election to Hobbs and recently lost a bid for the U.S. Senate.
In his statement, Biggs said he looks "forward to conversing with my fellow Arizonans as I consider this weighty decision."
State Sen. Jake Hoffman, a Republican and founding chair of the Arizona Freedom Caucus, endorsed Biggs on X.
"Andy will make an INCREDIBLE Governor and ensure Arizona is safe & prosperous for everyone," he wrote.
- Latest Political News and Updates from BBC
- Offshore wind firms told WWII bomb disposals must be less noisy
Offshore wind firms told WWII bomb disposals must be less noisy
- Latest Political News on Fox News
- Trump revokes John Bolton's Secret Service detail amid Iranian death threats: former national security advisor
Trump revokes John Bolton's Secret Service detail amid Iranian death threats: former national security advisor
President Donald Trump revoked former National Security Advisor John Bolton's Secret Service protection after his inauguration as the 47th president on Monday, Bolton told Fox News Digital.
"I am disappointed but not surprised that President Trump has decided to terminate the protection previously provided by the United States Secret Service," Bolton said in a statement provided to Fox News Digital on Tuesday. "Notwithstanding my criticisms of President Biden's national-security policies, he nonetheless made the decision to extend that protection to me in 2021. "
Bolton has faced threats from Iran going back years, including an alleged plot to assassinate him in 2021 and the Department of Justice subsequently charging a member of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps for the plot in 2022. Trump had ousted Bolton from his first administration in 2019, and Biden had granted him a security detail in 2021.
Fox News Digital reached out to the White House regarding Bolton's claim, but did not immediately receive a reply.
US OFFERS $20M FOR IRANIAN IN PLOT TARGETING TRUMP’S EX-NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISOR JOHN BOLTON
"The Justice Department filed criminal charges against an Iranian Revolutionary Guard official in 2022 for attempting to hire a hit man to target me. That threat remains today, as also demonstrated by the recent arrest of someone trying to arrange for President Trump's own assassination," Bolton continued in his statement. "The American people can judge for themselves which President made the right call."
The Iranian threats against Bolton were likely sparked by the January 2020 U.S. strike that killed Qassem Soleimani, the head of Iran’s Quds Force, the Department of Justice reported in 2022.
Bolton served as Trump's national security advisor between 2018 and 2019, before Trump ousted him because they "disagreed strongly" on policy issues.
"I informed John Bolton last night that his services are no longer needed at the White House," Trump tweeted in 2019. "I disagreed strongly with many of his suggestions, as did others in the Administration, and therefore I asked John for his resignation, which was given to me this morning. I thank John very much for his service. I will be naming a new National Security Advisor next week."
In the following years, Trump repeatedly has slammed Bolton, including claiming he would have sparked "World War Six," and calling him "one of the dumbest people in Government" back in 2023.
Bolton also has taken his shots at Trump, claiming in a 2020 interview that Trump lacks "the competency to carry out the job."
"I don’t think he’s fit for office," Bolton said in 2020. "I don’t think he has the competency to carry out the job. There isn’t really any guiding principle that I was able to discern, other than what’s good for Donald Trump’s reelection."
- Latest Political News on Fox News
- New Ohio and Florida Senate-appointees sworn in as Vance and Rubio’s replacements
New Ohio and Florida Senate-appointees sworn in as Vance and Rubio’s replacements
Sens. Ashley Moody, R-Fla., and Jon Husted, R-Ohio, were sworn in on Tuesday following the resignations of both Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Vice President JD Vance.
With the two new senators, Republicans officially have 53 members in their Senate conference.
Gov. Ron DeSantis, R-Fla., recently announced Moody to be the next senator from Florida, taking over Rubio's seat. She was the state's attorney general prior.
LAKEN RILEY ACT SET TO BECOME ONE OF FIRST BILLS TO HIT PRESIDENT TRUMP'S DESK
Shortly after DeSantis made his pick, Gov. Mike DeWine, R-Ohio, revealed his choice of his then-Lt. Gov. Jon Husted to replace Vance.
The final breakdown in the upper chamber is 53 Republicans and 47 senators in the Democratic caucus.
NEXT OHIO SENATOR, A 'FISCAL CONSERVATIVE,' AIMS TO 'GET GOVERNMENT OUT OF PEOPLE'S LIVES'
While the GOP has a several seat majority, they will need the assistance of some Democrats to defeat the legislative filibuster's 60-vote threshold to consider most legislation.
However, on nominations and budget reconciliation, that threshold is lowered to 51.
DOGE CAUCUS PLANS FOR BIGGEST IMPACT, EYEING KEY TOOLS TO EXPEDITE CUTTING WASTE
"Thank you so much. I will bring the same persistence and passion and tenacity as a United States senator that I have brought as Florida's Attorney General," Moody said after accepting DeSantis's appointment.
"If you have worked with me and fought with me over the last six years, you know, I don't think of this as a job. I think of it as a calling," she added.
OHIO GOV DEWINE PICKS LT GOV TO FILL VICE PRESIDENT-ELECT JD VANCE'S VACANT SEAT
Following DeWine's announcement, Husted said, "Governor, I just want to say thank you. It is my honor to accept the appointment to serve the people of the state of Ohio in the U.S. Senate. I just appreciate that you have placed so much trust in me. First as a running mate, and then as lieutenant governor, and now as your appointee to the Senate."
Fox News Politics Newsletter: Trump Confidential
Welcome to the Fox News Politics newsletter, with the latest updates on the Trump administration, exclusive interviews and more Fox News politics content.
Here's what's happening…
- 'Class act' Barron Trump sets social media ablaze for shaking hands with Biden at dad's inauguration
- Trump 'articulated a playbook,' experts say of his policy-oriented inaugural address
- Top 5 Inauguration Day moments
President Donald Trump pulled the security clearances of more than 50 national security officials who said Hunter Biden’s laptop had "all the classic earmarks of a Russian information operation."
A total of 51 former national security officials released a public letter in 2020 claiming that even though the laptop did not have "any evidence of Russian involvement," it looked like a "Russian information operation."
The letter came after the New York Post reported they had emails showing Hunter Biden coordinated for Joe Biden to meet with a top executive at Ukrainian energy company Burisma months before pressuring Ukrainian officials to oust a prosecutor investigating the company…Read more
FAILED TO DELIVER: Trump did not keep 'Day 1' promise to grant clemency to Ross Ulbricht, founder of Silk Road…Read more
READY, SET, GO: President Trump signed a record number of EOs on his first day in the Oval Office…Read more
'UNACCEPTABLE RISK': Federal judge blocks release of second volume of special counsel report to certain lawmakers…Read more
'COMMON SENSE': Trump DHS repeals key Mayorkas memo limiting ICE agents, orders parole review…Read more
JUST FOR THE TASTE OF IT: Trump brings back famous soda button to Oval Office desk…Read more
NEW HIRES: Trump nominees Collins, Stefanik to face Senate grilling while Bessent gets committee vote…Read more
TRUMP PROSECUTIONS: 4 Trump rivals that Biden didn't pardon…Read more
'READY TO FACE THEM': Trump admin hits back as ACLU launches lawsuit on birthright citizenship: ‘Ready to face them’…Read more
'HEARD AROUND THE WORLD': Stefanik looks back to fiery exchanges with college leaders in Senate confirmation hearing: 'watershed moment'…Read more
STEPPING IN: Trump's House GOP allies push birthright citizenship bill after progressive fury at presidential order…Read more
'UNCONSTITUTIONAL ORDER': Blue-state governor bashes Trump birthright citizenship move…Read more
DEFENDING 'BINARY REALITY OF SEX': 'Unlawful DEI-motivated' workplace discrimination to be rooted out by Trump's new acting EEOC chair…Read more
UTTER NEIN-SENSE: Stefanik excoriates Dem for Elon Musk 'Nazi salute' accusation…Read more
TAKING IT BACK': Russia sounds off on Trump’s threat to retake the Panama Canal…Read more
'WEIGHS ON ME EVERY DAY': Israeli military chief steps down, citing responsibility for October 7 Hamas massacre…Read more
LAST ACT OF CRUELTY: What was in the brown bags handed to Israeli hostages released by Hamas?…Read more
AMERICA FIRST: World leaders react as Trump re-enters the White House…Read more
DC CRACKDOWN: Bipartisan lawmakers join forces to break up 'out-of-touch' DC power structure…Read more
'WEAPON OF ABUSE': Chip Roy leads House Republicans in effort to repeal law used by Biden administration to prosecute pro-lifers…Read more
TERMINATED: Coast Guard commandant terminated over border lapses, recruitment, DEI focus…Read more
CAUGHT: Massachusetts must pay feds $2.1B after mistakenly using pandemic funds to cover unemployment benefits…Read more
'SKIRTING' SCOTUS: Medical schools evading high court precedent on race-based admissions…Read more
'LOUD AND CLEAR': Border state's legislature moves to back Trump's ICE on deportations….Read more
BACK HOME: 2 Americans released in exchange for Taliban prisoner…Read more
COLD MURDER: Border Patrol agent killed in Vermont identified…Read more
TIDE CHANGE: DeSantis cites ‘Gulf of America’ in winter storm order after Trump rebranding…Read more
NUMBERS GAME: 4 states sue to block illegal migrants from census count used to assign congressional seats, electoral votes…Read more
'LOUD AND CLEAR': Border state's legislature moves to back Trump's ICE on deportations….Read more
Get the latest updates on the Trump administration and Congress, exclusive interviews and more on FoxNews.com.
- Latest Political News on Fox News
- 'Desperate attempt': Senators receive affidavit with allegations about Hegseth’s previous marriage
'Desperate attempt': Senators receive affidavit with allegations about Hegseth’s previous marriage
Democratic senators on the Armed Services Committee are currently reviewing an affidavit that alleges Secretary of Defense nominee Pete Hegseth made his second wife fear for her safety.
Fox News has obtained an affidavit from Hegseth's former sister-in-law, Danielle Hegseth, which alleges that he both has an alcohol abuse problem – and he at times made his ex-wife, Samantha, fear for her safety. Danielle Hegseth was married to Pete Hegseth's brother. She is not the sister of Samantha, Pete Hegseth's second wife.
The Senate Armed Services Committee was provided the affidavit and members are in the process of reviewing it.
LAKEN RILEY ACT SET TO BECOME ONE OF FIRST BILLS TO HIT PRESIDENT TRUMP'S DESK
In a statement to Fox News, Pete Hegseth's lawyer, Tim Parlatore said, "Sam has never alleged that there was any abuse, she signed court documents acknowledging that there was no abuse and recently reaffirmed the same during her FBI interview. Belated claims by Danielle Dietrich, an anti-Trump, far-left Democrat who is divorced from Mr. Hegseth’s brother and never got along with the Hegseth family, do nothing to change that. After an acrimonious divorce, Ms. Dietrich has had an ax to grind against the entire Hegseth family. Ms. Dietrich admits that she saw nothing but is now falsely accusing Sam of lying to both the Court and to the FBI because of private, undocumented statements that she allegedly made 10 years ago."
Danielle Hegseth provided an anecdote in the document, recalling that Samantha once hid in a closet from her husband.
NEXT OHIO SENATOR, A 'FISCAL CONSERVATIVE,' AIMS TO 'GET GOVERNMENT OUT OF PEOPLE'S LIVES'
But, Danielle Hegseth added that she never witnessed any abuse herself, physical or sexual, from Pete against Samantha.
The affidavit provided additional anecdotes about Hegseth's alleged heavy drinking, referring to several specific occasions, including one in a strip club.
In the document, Danielle Hegseth also concluded her former brother-in-law is not fit to be Secretary of Defense, in her opinion.
The committee's Ranking Member Jack Reed, D-R.I., said in a statement, "As I have said for months, the reports of Mr. Hegseth’s history of alleged sexual assault, alcohol abuse, and public misconduct necessitate an exhaustive background investigation. I have been concerned that the background check process has been inadequate, and this affidavit confirms my fears. The alleged pattern of abuse and misconduct by Mr. Hegseth is disturbing. This behavior would disqualify any servicemember from holding any leadership position in the military, much less being confirmed as the Secretary of Defense."
Samantha Hegseth denies any physical abuse in a statement first reported by NBC News. "There was no physical abuse in my marriage. This is the only further statement I will make to you, I have let you know that I am not speaking and will not speak on my marriage to Pete. Please respect this decision," she reportedly said.
DOGE CAUCUS PLANS FOR BIGGEST IMPACT, EYEING KEY TOOLS TO EXPEDITE CUTTING WASTE
Sen. Jacky Rosen, D-Nev., who is on the committee, told reporters, "This only confirms what we already know about Mr. Hegseth's behavior and the way he has lived his life, and the kinds of opinions that he had towards women."
"So we'll let the Republicans make their own statement, but I think it just confirms we already know that he is absolutely 100% unqualified for this job, his disposition, his demeanor, the issues we have with sexual abuse, with financial mismanagement," she said.
"I am telling you, there is a great deal in this affidavit, and, any part of which would disqualify a candidate to lead our military," Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., another member of the committee, told reporters.
OHIO GOV DEWINE PICKS LT GOV TO FILL VICE PRESIDENT-ELECT JD VANCE'S VACANT SEAT
However, Republicans on the committee aren't necessarily going to be swayed by the allegations.
New Sen. Tim Sheehy, R-Mont., who also sits on the committee, wrote on X: "This is a desperate, last-minute attempt by Dems and the media to smear Pete Hegseth and tank his nomination. Pete’s ex-wife is on record saying the claims are false, but the media doesn’t care because it hurts a Republican. Nobody should fall for this."
- Latest Political News on Fox News
- Trump border czar Tom Homan reveals ICE teams are already arresting ‘public safety threats’
Trump border czar Tom Homan reveals ICE teams are already arresting ‘public safety threats’
Border czar Tom Homan on Tuesday said that the mass deportation operation has already started, as the Trump administration looks to make good on promises to tackle the border crisis and crack down against illegal immigration.
"No, it started [Immigration and Customs Enforcement] teams are out there as of today," Homan said on "America’s Newsroom." "We gave them direction to prioritize public safety threats that we're looking for. We've been working up the target list."
The administration has promised to launch a "historic" mass deportation operation, and sources told Fox News Digital that arrests were being planned on "day one." Some media outlets reported on Friday about an operation in Chicago, but Homan said that was re-evaluated due to the leak of information.
TRUMP DHS REPEALS KEY MAYORKAS MEMO LIMITING ICE AGENTS, ORDERS PAROLE REVIEW
"There was some discussion about Chicago because the specific operational plan was released. So we had to look at and reevaluate, ‘Does this raise officer safety concerns?’ And it does. But we've addressed that and teams are out there, effective today," he said.
As for who will be targeted in the operation, Homan said that the priority are public safety threats, but he has said repeatedly that no-one is "off the table" when it comes to arrests if they’re in the U.S. illegally.
"Right out of the gate it’s public safety threats, those who are in the country illegally that have been convicted, arrested for serious crime," he said. "But let me be clear. There's not only public safety threats that will be arrested, because in sanctuary cities, we're not allowed to get that public safety threat in the jail, which means we got to go to the neighborhood and find him."
CLICK HERE FOR MORE IMMIGRATION COVERAGE
"And when we find him, he may be with others. And unlike the last administration, we're not going to tell ICE officers not to arrest an illegal alien. So if they find, others will be arrested. So sanctuary cities will get exactly what they don't want, more agents in their neighborhoods and more collateral arrests," he said.
Homan spoke hours after Fox News reported on two DHS memos, including one that rescinded a 2021 memo by then-DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas -- which provided an expanded list of areas that are "protected areas" where ICE could not engage in immigration enforcement. It said the policy was designed to make sure enforcement did not limit "people’s access to essential services or engagement in essential activities."
‘NATIONAL EMERGENCY': TRUMP DECLARES AMBITIOUS ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION CRACKDOWN IN INAUGURAL ADDRESS
Those areas include schools, universities, healthcare facilities, places of worship, "places where children gather," social service establishments, food banks, religious or civil ceremonies and disaster or emergency response and relief centers.
The memo issued Monday rescinded that guidance and said that common sense should be used instead.
"Going forward, law enforcement officers should continue to use that discretion along with a healthy dose of common sense," the new memo said. "It is not necessary, however, for the head of the agency to create bright line rules regarding where our immigration laws are permitted to be enforced."
Tensions over when to make Southport details public
Can opposites Trump and Starmer find common ground?
- Latest Political News on Fox News
- 'New golden age': Anti-woke beer company teams up with 'MAGA Babe' influencers to launch new calendar
'New golden age': Anti-woke beer company teams up with 'MAGA Babe' influencers to launch new calendar
FIRST ON FOX: The anti-woke beer company Ultra Right has officially released its annual swimsuit calendar highlighting "MAGA Babes" after the calendar went viral on social media last year.
The calendar, named "Conservative Dad’s™ MAGA Babes: Make America Hot & Healthy Again," is being billed by Ultra Right as "a bold and unapologetic celebration of health, beauty, and American values."
"America is entering a new golden age in 2025—leaving woke culture in the dust. Companies like Sports Illustrated clearly missed the memo," Ultra Right said in a press release. " Their 2025 bikini calendar features a morbidly obese woman, promoting poor health as something to celebrate. The MAGA Babes Calendar is here to set the record straight: it’s time to take health and fitness seriously—and look hot doing it."
The calendar is available for purchase on the company’s website and has over $200 in discounts.
'CRAZY PLANE LADY' TIFFANY GOMAS COMES OUT AS 'ANTI-WOKE' WITH BIKINI-AND-BEER PIC
"Each month highlights a different MAGA Babe wearing a MAGA hat and how they stay ‘Hot & Healthy’, hilarious woke-free holidays and fun, includes an exclusive discount or promo code, and showcases the "Dad Joke of the Month,’" the press release states.
Seth Weathers, Ultra Right’s CEO, told Fox News Digital in a statement that "MAGA Babes are in and woke is out."
ULTRA RIGHT BEER CREATOR RECOUNTS TRIALS AND TRIBULATIONS OF LAUNCHING SUCCESSFUL BRAND IN 12 DAYS
"The left tried to drag us down to their drab, overweight, blue-haired level—but on November 5th, America said no!" Weathers said. "Throughout history, men have conquered nations and waged wars for the love of beautiful, cheerful women. We're bringing that attitude back. We'll probably start with Greenland, but who knows what we'll conquer for these MAGA Babes!"
"Led by our iconic First Lady, real beauty is finally being celebrated once again."
Ultra Right, a 'woke-free' beer company that was launched as an alternative to Bud Light after its promotion of transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney that received significant pushback from conservatives, released a similar calendar last year featuring former NCAA swimmer Riley Gaines and several other conservative influencers.
The company devoted 10% of its calendar sales to the Riley Gaines Center to defend women's sports from "extreme leftist ideology seeking to destroy women's athletics."
Gaines told FOX Business after the calendar was released that the campaign raised $20,000 for her group.
"Beer companies used to be about great beer, American patriotism, fun, fast cars, and beautiful real women," Weathers said at the time. "We're bringing back all these things, but better than ever."