The Senate rejected a proposal by Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., that would have blocked the Trump administration’s planned $8.8 billion arms sale to Israel. 

Sanders’ proposal was split into two votes, each of which failed, with 15 senators voting for the measure.

Fourteen Democrats voted with Sanders. They were Sens. Richard Durbin, Ill., Martin Heinrich, N.M., Mazie Hirono, Hawaii, Ben Ray Luján, N.M., Tim Kaine, Va., Andy Kim, N.J., Ed Markey, Mass., Jeff Merkley, Ore., Chris Murphy, Conn., Brian Schatz, Hawaii, Tina Smith, Minn., Chris Van Hollen, Md., Elizabeth Warren, Mass., and Peter Welch, Vt.

RUBIO SIGNS DECLARATION TO EXPEDITE $4B IN ARMS TO ISRAEL 'WRONGLY WITHHELD' BY BIDEN

Prior to the vote, Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Jim Risch, R-Idaho, warned that in passing the resolutions, senators "would abandon Israel, our closes ally in the Middle East, during a pivotal moment for global security."

On Wednesday, Sanders released a video discussing his proposal, in which he demanded that the U.S. "end our complicity in these atrocities" in Gaza. He also accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government of behaving in a "barbaric" fashion, saying that humanitarian aid has been blocked from reaching Gazans.

From Jan. 19, 2025 until March 2, 2025, while the Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal was in place, a total of 25,200 aid trucks entered Gaza, according to the Coordinator for Government Activities in the Territories. This included 4,200 weekly aid trucks.

NEW STUDY SHUTS DOWN ICC CHARGES AGAINST ISRAEL OVER GAZA STARVATION CLAIMS

Before it fell apart earlier last month, the ceasefire deal saw the release of 33 hostages and nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners. 

Israel has long enjoyed bipartisan support in the U.S., but its latest war with Hamas has divided Democrats. Some, like Sen. John Fetterman, Pa., have been fierce defenders of Israel, while others, like Sanders, have been harsh critics.

SENATE REJECTS BERNIE SANDERS' EFFORT TO BLOCK WEAPONS SALES TO ISRAEL

Sanders introduced a similar proposal in November 2024 during the Biden administration, which also failed. Many of the same senators who voted in favor of his April 2025 proposal voted for the resolution under the Biden administration, except for Sens. Angus King, Maine, Jeanne Shaheen, N.H. and Raphael Warnock, Ga. Fox News Digital contacted their offices to inquire about what changed between November 2024 and now. 

When speaking about his joint resolution of disapproval in November, Sanders claimed the Israeli government was controlled "not only by right-wing extremists, but by religious zealots." He also accused Netanyahu of violating international law. 

Expect an all-night session tonight in the Senate as Republicans try to take the next step to pass President Donald Trump’s "big, beautiful bill."

The Senate is expecting up to 15 hours of round-the-clock voting starting tonight to approve a revamped budget framework to cut taxes, slash spending and raise the debt ceiling. 

The voting marathon likely begins this evening and could run through the day on Saturday. The record is 44 consecutive roll call votes, set in 2008. 

REPUBLICANS CHARGE AHEAD ON TRUMP BUDGET, SETTING UP MARATHON SENATE VOTE 

Democrats will try to force Republicans to take votes on amendments to cut Medicare and even tariffs. By getting Republicans on the record, Democrats will try to weaponize those votes against vulnerable GOPers in the 2026 midterms. 

If the Senate approves the plan, the package goes back to the House, where it must sync up and adopt the retooled Senate version. 

HERE'S A CLOSER LOOK AT TRUMP'S TARIFF PLAN: WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT THE NEW DUTIES 

But that could be a rocky road. 

House Republicans received reinforcements this week, winning both special elections in Florida. However, a knowledgeable source expressed skepticism to Fox News that the House had the votes to pass the Senate version. The reason is that some conservatives don’t think the spending cuts are deep enough. 

A Colorado Democrat likened parent groups to "the KKK" during an hours-long committee hearing for a controversial bill that could see parents accused of "coercive control" in custody fights for using a trans child's "deadname."

"I really am curious about how much stakeholdering went on both sides of the issue, and not just one side," Republican state Rep. Jarvis Caldwell said during the hearing, which began Monday night and ran into early Tuesday. "I'm curious with if the businesses in the community were included in these and if parent groups that are not part of the LGBT community if they were involved."

Later during the House Judiciary hearing, Democrat state Rep. Yara Zokaie said the committee that night had "heard a lot about stakeholding and who was left out of stakeholding" and that "this process is important for us to understand the implications of the bills that we are passing."

"But a well-stakeholdered bill does not need to be discussed with hate groups," Zokaie said. "And we don't ask someone passing civil rights legislation to go ask the KKK their opinion," she added as several in the committee room applauded.

HAWLEY OFFICIALLY A YES ON DR OZ AFTER SECURING COMMITMENTS ON TRANSGENDER, ABORTION ISSUES

The bill in question, HB25-1312, An Act Concerning Legal Protections for Transgender Individuals, requires courts to consider "deadnaming, misgendering, or threatening to publish material related to an individual's gender-affirming health-care services as types of coercive control" when making child custody decisions. It passed in a 7-4 vote out of the committee, clearing the first major hurdle to becoming law. It now goes to the Assembly for a second reading.

If the bill passes, it would make Colorado the first state to pass such legislation.

In California, similar legislation was passed in 2023 requiring courts to consider a parent's affirmation of a child's chosen gender identity in custody battles. However, liberal Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoed the bill.

The Colorado bill, which would create the Kelly Loving Act, named after a transgender man who was killed in the 2022 Colorado nightclub shooting by a nonbinary gunman, also prohibits Colorado courts from enforcing laws from other states that remove children from parents who allow transgender treatments for minors. 

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

If a child in school wants to go by a different name other than their legal one, the bill says educators must be "inclusive of all reasons that a student might adopt a chosen name."

"If the individual provides a chosen name that is different from the individual's legal name, the chosen name must be used on all subsequent forms administered by the public entity," the bill text summary says.

After the hearing, Caldwell told Fox News Digital in a statement that Zokaie's reference to certain stakeholders was "deeply concerning" and "reckless."

"Particularly when it involves labeling parents – the people who care the most about the future of their children – as hate groups," he said. "Parents who stand up for their children's education and rights should be respected, not vilified."

SCOTUS RULINGS THIS TERM COULD STRENGTHEN RELIGIOUS RIGHTS PROTECTIONS, EXPERT SAYS

Zokaie also said during the hearing, "There was a lot of discussion of folks losing their children, and I just want us to note that these are parameters for a judge to consider."

"The word 'consider' is used repeatedly. There are no mandates in this bill," she said.

Fox News Digital reached out to Zokaie for comment but did not receive a response by publication deadline.

EXCLUSIVE: California Gov. Gavin Newsom will announce plans Friday afternoon directing the state to pursue "strategic" relationships with countries announcing retaliatory tariffs against the U.S., urging them to exclude California-made products from those taxes, Fox News Digital has learned.

Sources in Newsom's administration told Fox News Digital the announcement is a direct response to President Donald Trump's "Liberation Day" tariff plan, which sets out a baseline duty of 10% on all imports to the U.S. and some higher percentages for other top traders. 

The Newsom administration is worried that California's almond industry, a major agricultural exporter, will lose billions of dollars as nations like China, India and the European Union move to impose retaliatory tariffs.

HERE’S A CLOSER LOOK AT TRUMP’S TARIFF PLAN: WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT THE NEW DUTIES

Almonds, California's most valuable food export, account for about 20% of the state's $23.6 billion in agricultural sales abroad and 2.5% of its total exports, according to the California Department of Food & Agriculture. The state produces 80% of the world's supply and exports the majority of its almond crop. Other top agricultural exports include dairy products, pistachios, wine and walnuts.

California boasts of being the fifth-largest economy in the world, a vital engine for much of U.S. economic growth, with a gross domestic product of $3.9 trillion — 50% larger than Texas, the nation's second-largest state. The Golden State is the largest importer and second-largest exporter among U.S. states, with more than $675 billion in two-way trade supporting millions of jobs, state officials said.

Trade with Mexico, Canada and China are also key partners for California, as nearly half of the state's imports come from these countries, totaling $203 billion of the more than $491 billion in goods imported by California last year. 

A Newsom official said the new Trump tariffs will also affect access to critical supplies, like construction materials, needed to rebuild after the Los Angeles wildfires. The U.S. currently imposes a duty of over 14% on Canadian lumber, with the rate potentially rising to nearly 27% this year.

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

State officials also said the retaliatory tariffs will cause "major disruptions" to cross-border supply chains in the California-Baja region, arguing that if component goods are taxed each time they cross the border, the final price of the finished product will increase and be passed onto Californians.

"The markets are going to boom. The stock is going to boom, the country is going to boom, and the rest of the world wants to see is there any way they can make a deal," Trump said Thursday leaving the White House.

"This is one of the most important days, in my opinion, in American history. It's our declaration of economic independence. For years, hardworking American citizens were forced to sit on the sidelines as other nations got rich and powerful, much of it at our expense," Trump said. "But now it's our turn to prosper, and in so doing, use trillions and trillions of dollars to reduce our taxes and pay down our national debt, and it'll all happen very quickly."

All but one Senate Republican voted on Thursday to confirm President Donald Trump's nomination of Harmeet Dhillon to serve as an assistant attorney general.

While the 52-45 vote was almost entirely along party lines, Sen. Lisa Murkowski, of Alaska, joined Democrats in voting against Dhillon's confirmation.

Fox News Digital reached out to a Murkowski spokesperson on Friday morning to request a comment from the lawmaker, but did not receive a response by the time of publication.

DR. OZ BECOMES NEXT HEAD OF MEDICARE AND MEDICAID SERVICES FOLLOWING APPROVAL FROM FULL SENATE

Then-President-elect Donald Trump announced in December that Dhillon was his choice to serve as assistant attorney general for civil rights at the Justice Department.

"I am pleased to nominate Harmeet K. Dhillon as Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights at the U.S. Department of Justice. Throughout her career, Harmeet has stood up consistently to protect our cherished Civil Liberties, including taking on Big Tech for censoring our Free Speech, representing Christians who were prevented from praying together during COVID, and suing corporations who use woke policies to discriminate against their workers," Trump declared in his Truth Social post at the time.

SENATE CONFIRMS DR MARTY MAKARY AS TRUMP'S FDA CHIEF

"Harmeet is one of the top Election lawyers in the Country, fighting to ensure that all, and ONLY, legal votes are counted. She is a graduate of Dartmouth College and the University of Virginia Law School, and clerked in the U.S. Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals. Harmeet is a respected member of the Sikh religious community. In her new role at the DOJ, Harmeet will be a tireless defender of our Constitutional Rights, and will enforce our Civil Rights and Election Laws FAIRLY and FIRMLY. Congratulations, Harmeet!" he added.

Trump recently accused Murkwoski, Maine Sen. Susan Collins of Maine, and Kentucky Sens. Rand Paul and Mitch McConnell of having "Trump Derangement Syndrome."

TRUMP PRESSURES 4 GOP SENATORS AHEAD OF ANTI-CANADIAN TARIFF VOTE, ACCUSING THEM OF ‘TDS’

The president called out the four GOP senators ahead of a vote on a measure to scuttle his tariff policy on Canadian products. 

All four Republican senators voted for the joint resolution anyway, and it cleared the Senate with all Democrats voting in favor.

The party helped Labour to pass the Welsh government's budget last month.

A Maryland bill creating a commission to study and recommend potential slavery reparations is now at the desk of Democratic Gov. Wes Moore.

Lawmakers in the Old Line State advanced the bill to Moore after it passed the state's House by a 101-36 vote. Moore has said he will consider the legislation, according to The Associated Press.

In the bill, potential reparations are described as official statements of apology, monetary compensation, property tax rebates and social service assistance, including assistance with down payments on homes, business incentives, child care, debt forgiveness and college tuition payment waivers.

HOUSE DEMS REINTRODUCE REPARATIONS LEGISLATION: 'WE REFUSE TO BE SILENT' 

The measure, which was a top priority for the Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland, also seeks to study the lingering effects of racial discrimination in the state.

Baltimore County Del. Aletheia McCaskill, a Democrat, described the goal of a reparations commission when outlining the Black caucus' legislative session priorities at the beginning of the year.

"The commission will carefully examine and evaluate a range of reparations proposals that will not only consider financial restitution, but will also explore strategies to support and uplift vulnerable communities that continue to suffer the lingering and evasive effects of discriminatory practices rooted in systematic racism," McCaskill said.

NYC COUNCIL PASSES SLAVERY REPARATIONS LEGISLATION TO 'YIELD MATERIAL SOLUTIONS' FROM US HISTORY 

Moore, who is Maryland's first Black governor, has not said if he will sign the measure – only that he will consider it.

"I have said and long stated that the history of racism in this state is real," he said to reporters, adding that the impacts "are still very much being felt and they’ve been structurally felt within the state of Maryland."

Though, the governor has said the state is experiencing a tough budget year and he has the growth of Maryland's economy in mind when viewing legislation.

Maryland is not the first state to consider such legislation. California lawmakers passed a bill last year that resulted in a formal apology for past racist policies and the return of land or compensation to families who had property unjustly seized by the government.

Also, last year, lawmakers in New York City passed legislation with goals to study the city's role in slavery and consider reparations to descendants of slaves.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

The brands are warning of the impact of employer National Insurance Contribution rises which kick in on Sunday.

The Trump administration fired National Security Agency Director Gen. Timothy Haugh and civilian Deputy Director Wendy Noble, a senior defense official confirmed to Fox News.

The reasons for the firing remain unclear as of early Friday. They were first reported by The Washington Post on Thursday.

Haugh also served as commander of the U.S. Cyber Command – a position from which he was also dismissed. Noble was reassigned to serve in the office of the undersecretary of defense for intelligence, according to the Post.

Sen. Mark Warner and Rep. Jim Himes, top Democrats on the Senate and House intelligence committees, reacted to the alleged firings late Thursday night.

TRUMP ADMIN MOVES TO MORE EASILY FIRE FEDERAL WORKERS AT 2 AGENCIES: REPORT 

Himes, a ranking member on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, said he is "deeply disturbed" by Haugh's dismissal. 

"I have known General Haugh to be an honest and forthright leader who followed the law and put national security first—I fear those are precisely the qualities that could lead to his firing in this Administration," he said in a statement, adding an "immediate explanation" is needed for this decision.

Warner, the vice chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, described Haugh's firing as "astonishing" in a statement.

TRUMP CONFIRMS NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL FIRINGS AS WALTZ'S SIGNAL CHAT WOES SNOWBALL 

"General Haugh has served our country in uniform, with honor and distinction, for more than 30 years. At a time when the United States is facing unprecedented cyber threats, as the Salt Typhoon cyberattack from China has so clearly underscored, how does firing him make Americans any safer?" Warner said.

The senator described Haugh as a "nonpartisan, experienced leader" and said it is astonishing that President Donald Trump would fire him before holding "any member of his team accountable for leaking classified information on a commercial messaging app." 

He continued, "even as he apparently takes staffing direction on national security from a discredited conspiracy theorist in the Oval Office."

Warner is appearing to refer to Laura Loomer, a far-right activist who reportedly presented Trump with a list of disloyal National Security Counsel staff members who should be fired.

An undisclosed number of NSC employees were dismissed on Thursday, but Trump has said Loomer was not involved in those firings.

Fox News Digital reached out to the NSA for comment but was referred to the Office of the Secretary of Defense. 

Far-left Democrat Jasmine Crockett of Texas watched silently as an aide got into a Fox News Digital reporter’s face and attempted to intimidate him from asking a question about whether Democrat rhetoric has contributed to the ongoing spate of violent attacks against Tesla owners and dealers.

After weeks of Democrats condemning Elon Musk for his role at DOGE, there have been at least 80 acts of vandalism against Tesla vehicles in the U.S. and Canada and at least 10 incidents of vandalism and arson against Tesla dealerships, charging stations and properties. 

U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi has said the Justice Department is treating the incidents as "domestic terrorism."

Bondi warned Crockett in particular to "tread very carefully" after she called for Elon Musk to be "taken down" during a "Tesla Takedown" event.  

TRUMP WANTS MUSK TO STAY WITH ADMINISTRATION, SAYS DOGE FOUND SOMETHING 'HORRIBLE' TODAY

In light of this, a Fox News Digital reporter asked, "What’s your response to the attorney general saying you’re threatening lives with your rhetoric against Musk and Tesla?"

Crockett, who was surrounded by aides and security personnel, did not answer the question, but an aide approached the reporter, getting right into the camera, prompting the reporter to ask, "Why are you in my face?" to which he responded, "I’m not."

"[I’m] just asking her a question, she’s an elected member of Congress," the reporter said, to which the aide responded, "Talk," without moving any farther away.

"Congresswoman, do you see any connection to you saying you want to take down Musk to the violence that’s going on in the streets?" the reporter asked.

DEM CONGRESSMAN LASHES MUSK IN OPENING SALVO OF POPULIST BID IN 2026 SWING-STATE SENATE RACE

Crockett did not respond or make eye contact, but her aide continued to stare intently at the reporter as they walked away.

Notably, Crockett, whose recent controversial statements have attracted a great deal of attention and criticism, appeared to be escorted by a Capitol police officer despite previously advocating for the "defund the police movement," calling it a movement of "healing."

Crockett's remarks came during a nationwide call with the Tesla Takedown movement, a self-described "peaceful protest platform" calling for Tesla owners to sell their vehicles and for all to dump their stock in the EV provider.

"On March 29, it’s my birthday," Crockett told the group in reference to a "Global Day of Action" intended to hit back at the company. 

HUNDREDS OF 'TESLA TAKEDOWN' PROTESTS ERUPT NATIONWIDE: 'MOVEMENT OF ANGER AND HATE'

"All I want to see happen on my birthday is for Elon to be taken down," she added. "I have learned, as I serve on the DOGE Oversight committee, that there is only one language that the people that are in charge understand right now, and that language is money."

Crockett went on to clarify that her calls to action are "nonviolent" and are about figuratively "fighting" for democracy.

"We know that we are peaceful, loving people, and this is not about violence," she added.

However, the continuing incidents of firebombing, vandalism and even a shooting at Tesla dealerships bring the peaceful nature of the anti-Tesla movement into question.

JONATHAN TURLEY WARNS DEMOCRATS 'SHREDDING' THEIR OWN BELIEFS WITH 'DANGEROUS' ANTI-MUSK CAMPAIGN

Amid the Justice Department's crackdown on the violence, three people accused of damaging Teslas and EV charging stations now face up to 20 years in prison for alleged "domestic terrorism."

"People need to know that the three people in custody right now … will receive severe and swift consequences. … We are not coming off these charges. We are looking at everything, especially if this is a concerted effort. This is domestic terrorism," Bondi said.

Fox News Digital editor Taylor Penley contributed to this report.

A green energy company is threatening landowners with legal action as they deny access requests.

More than half a billion dollars in federal funding to Brown University is being halted by the Trump administration over the Ivy League's response to antisemitism since Hamas' 2023 attack in Israel.

A White House official said nearly $510 million awarded to the university through federal contracts and grants is on the line, The Associated Press reported, adding that the official spoke on condition of anonymity.

Fox News Digital reached out to Brown University, but did not immediately hear back.

Brown Provost Frank Doyle said in an email on Thursday to campus leaders that the school is aware of "troubling rumors" about its research money, but they don't have any "information to substantiate" the claims, according to The AP.

IVY LEAGUE SCHOOLS RECEIVED $6.4 BILLION IN FEDERAL FUNDING IN 2024 

President Donald Trump has suspended federal funding to every Ivy League, besides Penn and Dartmouth, over investigations into anti-Israel protests that have taken place on their campuses since October 2023. Funding for dozens of other universities has also been impacted by investigations for the same reason.

Columbia University, which had more than $400 million in federal funding taken away, was the first Ivy League to lose money over its failure to make Jewish students feel safe on campus. The university caved to demands from the Trump administration late last month in hopes of restoring the funding. 

This week, a federal antisemitism task force announced a review of Harvard's federal grants and contracts, worth nearly $9 billion, as the university faces an investigation into campus antisemitism, and Princeton University confirmed dozens of its research grants have been halted. 

DHS: DEPORTED BROWN UNIVERSITY DOCTOR ATTENDED HEZBOLLAH CHIEF'S FUNERAL, SUPPORTED TERROR LEADER 

The Trump administration has promised to be more aggressive in ending campus antisemitism after saying President Joe Biden did not hold universities accountable for their violent protests.

"Americans have watched in horror for more than a year now, as Jewish students have been assaulted and harassed on elite university campuses – repeatedly overrun by antisemitic students and agitators. Unlawful encampments and demonstrations have completely paralyzed day-to-day campus operations, depriving Jewish students of learning opportunities to which they are entitled," Education Secretary Linda McMahon said in a statement last month.

She said schools that receive federal funding "have a responsibility to protect all students from discrimination" and described the failure to do so as a reason to question if the university should be "doing business with the United States government."

The administration has also made moves to detain and deport foreign students who participated in or orchestrated anti-Israel protests at American universities.

The Department of Homeland Security announced last month that an assistant professor at Brown, who held an H-1B visa, was deported to Lebanon for her support of and attendance at the funeral of a slain Hezbollah leader.

Brown made headlines last year for a deal it struck with anti-Israel protesters, who were taking over the university, promising to have its governing board vote on whether it should divest from companies linked to Israel.

The Corporation of Brown ultimately rejected the divestment proposal.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

How could Trump's tariffs impact economic growth? Our political editor, Chris Mason, explains.

The brands are warning of the impact of employer National Insurance Contribution rises which kick in on Sunday.

Residents in Sparkbrook say the stench and the number of rats are unbearable and pose a health risk.

Sir Sadiq Khan may be able to "call in" decisions over night-time economy licensing applications.

The party wants a government campaign to encourage people to buy UK-made products to support firms.

President Donald Trump said he supports letting new moms in Congress vote by proxy, putting him at odds with House Speaker Mike Johnson.

"You’re having a baby, I think you should be able to call in and vote," Trump told reporters Thursday on Air Force One. "I'm in favor of that."

"I don’t know why it’s controversial," he added.

He said he had spoken with Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., one of the lead GOP voices behind the plan.

ANNA PAULINA LUNA FORCES HOUSE LEADERSHIP'S HAND ON PROXY VOTING AS GOP WAR ESCALATES

Luna and Rep. Brittany Pettersen, D-Colo., are pushing a proposal that would let new parents vote by proxy for 12 weeks while caring for their newborns. With 218 lawmakers backing the move, it has enough support to force a vote.

Johnson, however, has historically opposed proxy voting, previously calling it unconstitutional and warning it was misused under then-Speaker Nancy Pelosi during COVID. But after Trump’s endorsement, Luna revealed that Johnson reached out to her.

"@SpeakerJohnson has called me after POTUS statement and we discussed limiting the vote to just new moms who cannot physically travel in event of emergency etc. This is smart," Luna tweeted. "Remember: only 13 in US history."

ANNA PAULINA LUNA RESIGNS FROM HOUSE FREEDOM CAUCUS, SAYS 'MUTUAL RESPECT' WAS 'SHATTERED'

Johnson had tried to kill the effort earlier this week, but nine Republicans joined all Democrats to block him, voting 206-222. After the loss, Johnson canceled votes for the rest of the week.

Despite the setback, Luna made it clear the issue isn’t about advancing any legislation for the president, saying she personally told Johnson as much.

It is unclear whether the issue will be brought back for a vote on the House floor before the April Recess.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

The offices of House Speaker Mike Johnson and Representative Anna Paulina Luna did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment.

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," a letter signed by Josh Gruenbaum, Commissioner of the Federal Acquisition Service at the General Services Administration, Sean Keveney,  acting general counsel at the Department of Health and Human Services and Thomas Wheeler, acting general counsel at the Department of Education. 

"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," 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."

"Harvard received the letter from the federal task force this afternoon," a university spokesperson told Fox News Digital. 

Garber said earlier this week that Harvard would engage with the task force "to ensure that they have a full account of the work we have done and the actions we will take going forward to combat antisemitism." 

"Much is at stake here. In longstanding partnership with the federal government, we have launched and nurtured pathbreaking research that has made countless people healthier and safer, more curious and more knowledgeable, improving their lives, their communities, and our world," Garber said. "But we are not perfect. Antisemitism is a critical problem that we must and will continue to address."

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 October 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," 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 already instituted a hiring freeze in response to the review, given the uncertain funding environment. 

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

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'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

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