A federal judge appointed by President Donald Trump in 2018 announced that he had resigned from the largest association of federal judges, decrying how the group issued a rare statement last week condemning recent alleged threats against judges but stayed quiet for years while conservative members of the judiciary faced scrutiny and attack. 

Judge James C. Ho, of the New Orleans-based U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, announced his departure from the Federal Judges Association during a speaking event Saturday hosted by the conservative Federalist Society at the University of Michigan Law School. It comes in response to the 1,100-member group issuing a statement on March 5 saying in part that "judges must be permitted to do their jobs without fear of violence or intimidation of any kind." Trump and his allies have grown increasingly critical of judges who have blocked the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and other aspects of the administration's agenda, while DOGE leader Elon Musk last month called for an "immediate wave of judicial impeachments." 

"I was very surprised by that statement. And the next morning, I sent an email to the organization saying that I wanted to resign," Ho said of the Federal Judges Association. "I researched for myself, and I also asked the association if they ever issued any such statements when Justice Thomas received attacks, or Justice Alito. Justice Kavanaugh dealt with an assassination attempt. We’ve had federal district judges in Texas and in Florida – as well as, I’m sure, other states, but those are the ones that come to mind immediately – all faced the kinds of things that that statement was complaining about and more. Did we see these statements in 2024 or 2023 or 2022? From what I can tell, no." 

WHO IS JUDGE AMIR ALI? THE BIDEN-APPOINTED FEDERAL JUDGE AT THE CENTER OF TRUMP'S USAID BATTLE

"You can’t say that you’re in favor of judicial independence only when it comes to decisions that you like. That’s not protecting the judiciary, that’s politicizing the judiciary," Ho said, arguing that such statements actually harm the cause they try to further. "Because one of two things turns out to be true when you’re selective in this way. And either of these options, I think, is a bad thing. Option number one is that you’re basically lying, that you actually don’t care about this principle because you didn’t stand up for it when the shoe was on the other foot, and so you’re telling the world essentially we’re not seriously committed to judicial independence." 

"The alternative is perhaps even worse, which is that you are telling the truth – you do care about this, this principle, whether it’s judicial independence or free speech. I think this concept applies to a lot of things," Ho continued. "If you’re telling the truth, you really care about this principle, but there are just some people who have views that are so anathema to you that you don’t think they are worthy of this principle that you expound on." 

"And so what you may think is a statement born of righteousness I think is perceived by a lot of people as merely sanctimonious," he concluded. 

Fox News Digital reached out to the Federal Judges Association for comment, but they did not immediately respond.

JUDGE RULES DOGE LIKELY SUBJECT TO PUBLIC RECORDS REQUESTS, SAYS DEPARTMENT OPERATING IN 'UNUSUAL SECRECY'

The president of the Federal Judges Association, U.S. Circuit Judge J. Michelle Childs, who was appointed by former President Joe Biden, wrote in an email to members last week that the "judiciary faces growing threats, including violence, intimidation, disinformation, and unprecedented impeachments that challenge its independence," according to Reuters. 

The Federal Judges Association then released a lengthier public statement the next day that did not elaborate on specific threats against specific judges. 

It began by saying that "recent events are a clear and urgent reminder that federal judges play a crucial role in upholding our democracy as guardians of the rule of law." 

"In the history of our Republic, there has always been tension between the three separate and equal branches of the federal government, including criticism of judicial interpretations. The FJA strives to ensure that accurate information is shared with all American citizens regarding the role of the judiciary as defined in the U.S. Constitution: to impartially interpret the laws that have been created by the U.S. Congress and enforced by the Executive branch," the group said. "Specific decisions issued by judges are not formed from individual opinions, but rather are prepared against evaluation of what the ‘laws on the books’ require." 

The group commended those, including Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts, "who have commented recently on the rise in criticism, threats and violence aimed at members of the judiciary."

"Irresponsible rhetoric shrouded in disinformation undermines the public’s confidence that our justice system can fulfill its constitutional duties," the statement said. "The security of federal judges and all those serving in the judicial branch of our government is fundamental to their ability to uphold the rule of law, and to fulfill their constitutional duty without fear or undue influence. Any erosion in the independence of the judiciary is a threat to our Constitution and to democratic rule of law. Ensuring judicial security is not just about protecting individuals, it is about preserving the integrity of our legal system and the public’s trust in an impartial judiciary." 

Rep. Keith Self, R-Texas, abruptly adjourned a congressional hearing on Tuesday after Rep. Bill Keating, D-Mass., vehemently objected to Self recognizing Rep. Sarah McBride, D-Del., as "the representative from Delaware, Mr. McBride."

McBride, who identifies as a transgender woman, responded to Self — who chairs the House Foreign Affairs Committee's Europe Subcommittee — by saying, "Thank you Madam chair."

As McBride sought to continue speaking, ranking member Keating interrupted, asking Self, "could you repeat your introduction again please?"

HOUSE REPUBLICAN INTRODUCES TRANSGENDER LAWMAKER AS ‘THE GENTLEMAN … MR. MCBRIDE’ FOR FLOOR SPEECH

"Ah, yes," Self replied, adding, "we have set the standard on the" House floor.

"What is that standard Mr. Chairman?" Keating questioned, before again asking Self to repeat what he had said when introducing McBride.

"I will," Self replied. "The representative from Delaware Mr. McBride," Self repeated.

"Mr. Chairman you are out of order," Keating declared. "Mr. Chairman, have you no decency?" he asked, going on to say "this is not decent."

Self said they would continue the hearing.

"You will not continue it with me unless you introduce a duly-elected representative the right way!" Keating declared.

In response to the ultimatum, Self announced, "This hearing is adjourned."

GOP LAWMAKER SCRAPS WITH DEMOCRAT IN HEARING OVER TRANSGENDER ‘SLUR,' BATHROOM RIGHTS: ‘NOT GOING TO HAVE IT’

Last month Rep. Mary Miller, R-Ill., recognized McBride for a House floor speech by referring to the Democrat as "the gentleman from Delaware, Mr. McBride for five minutes."

In a tweet after the episode on Tuesday, Miller sided with Self, saying that Self "is right to state the biological reality that Tim ‘Sarah’ McBride is a man. Enough with the lies. As God ordained and President Trump declared, there are only TWO GENDERS: Male and Female!" 

 Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., said in a post on Tuesday, "You know what’s indecent? A mentally ill man pretending to be a woman. Biology. Science. The Left should try it some time(sic)."

AFTER DECLINING TO STATE WHETHER TRANS REP-ELECT IS A MAN OR WOMAN, JOHNSON SAYS ‘A MAN CANNOT BECOME A WOMAN’

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McBride stated in a Tuesday post on X, "No matter how I'm treated by some colleagues, nothing diminishes my awe and gratitude at getting to represent Delaware in Congress. It is truly the honor and privilege of a lifetime. I simply want to serve and to try to make this world a better place."

Lawmakers in Oregon are considering three bills that, if passed, would ease public safety requirements for convicted sex offenders and significantly downsize the state's backlog for reassessing offenders.

Senate Bills 819, 820 and 821 all revolve around creating an easier process for the state Board of Parole and Post-Prison Supervision to classify convicted sex offenders, but the suggestions in the bills ultimately reduce the number of convicted sex offenders in the community that are being monitored.

A letter from the Oregon District Attorneys Association (ODAA), which was listed as public testimony on the state legislature's website, to the Senate Committee on Judiciary asks that all three bills be reconsidered.

LOUISIANA BILL TO CASTRATE SEX OFFENDERS MOVING TOWARD GOVERNOR’S DESK FOR SIGNATURE 

Senate Bill 819 aims to eliminate the hearing required when a sex offender's requirement to report or classification level is changed. 

The ODAA said it is concerned that the suggestion would make the process not as thorough as the Parole Board is currently required to consider ten criteria before making such decisions. The association is also worried that victims of sex offenders would not be allowed to give input on the decision if the hearing is no longer required.

The bill does state that the attorney general, district attorney or a victim could request a hearing, but the ODAA said lack of resources or notice could result in a hearing not being possible.

"For instance, who is going to be tasked with tracking down all the victims years after these cases have been completed and the offender is seeking to get off the sex offender registration list," the letter states.

LAWMAKER'S BILL MANDATES AUTOMATIC DEATH PENALTY FOR CHILD SEX CRIMES FOLLOWING EPSTEIN FILES RELEASE 

Senate Bill 820 seeks to change the way sex offenders are currently classified by the state by limiting the criteria for who needs a classification. It suggests only the following sex offenders be classified: those with two or more convictions for sex crimes, those being released from the Department of Corrections and those younger than 35 years old on Jan. 1, 2026.

"Some sex offenders may only have one crime conviction date, or one conviction for a sex crime, or a conviction for a lesser sex crime because of consideration from a plea agreement. This does not mean that they did not engage in serious conduct and have multiple sex crimes, victims, or dates of offense," the ODAA wrote, in part.

Lastly, Senate Bill 821 suggests that the Dec. 1, 2026, deadline for the Parole Board to complete all classifications for existing sex offenders be removed. Another deadline is not provided, but the ODAA suggested it be postponed three years.

"ODAA understands that handling sex offender relief or classification hearings is only one of the Parole Board’s important duties and there are limited resources to get all the work done. At the same time, these are very important decisions for both the victims of these serious crimes and the community," the association wrote.

Local outlets in Oregon report that the Parole Board is facing a massive backlog of unclassified sex offenders that cannot be handled. Of the 33,000 registered in the state, approximately 18,000 were unclassified in January 2025, according to The News-Review in Roseburg, Oregon.

All three bills have received massive backlash from community members, family members of victims, law enforcement agencies and other advocates for women and children. Though a few people have shown support for the suggestions, including Democratic Gov. Tina Kotek.

The Senate Committee on Judiciary is set to hold a hearing Thursday afternoon.

EXCLUSIVE — The House GOP's campaign committee is taking aim at congressional Democrats for voting against a measure to fund the federal government through Sept. 30 and avoid a government shutdown at the end of this week. 

The National Republican Congressional Committee is launching digital ads against 35 House Democrats who may face challenging or competitive races in the 2026 midterms, when the GOP aims to defend its fragile majority in the chamber.

The spots, shared first with Fox News Wednesday morning, are going up hours after the House, almost entirely along party lines, voted 217-213 to pass a Republican-crafted bill that cuts non-defense spending by roughly $13 billion, boosts defense spending by around $6 billion and gives President Donald Trump more leeway in how to spend the funds.

Thanks to heavy last-minute lobbying by Trump and his allies inside and outside the chamber, the House GOP didn't need a single Democrat's vote to pass the bill.

TRUMP-BACKED BILL TO KEEP GOVERNMENT FUNDED CLEARS KEY HURDLE

One Democrat, moderate Jared Golden of Maine, who represents a district carried by Trump the past three presidential elections, voted for the Republican measure.

And the one Republican to vote against the bill, far right Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky, is being threatened by Trump and his allies with a possible primary challenge next year when he's up for re-election.

CLICK HERE TO READ WHAT'S IN THE FULL BILL 

The digital ads by the NRCC, which are identical for all the targets, will run online in the districts of Democratic representatives Josh Harder (CA-09), Adam Gray (CA-13), Jim Costa, (CA-21), Raul Ruiz (CA-25), George Whitesides (CA-27), Derek Tran (CA-45), Dave Min (CA-47) and Mike Levin (CA-49) of California; Darren Soto (FL-09) and Jared Moskowitz (FL-23) of Florida; Eric Sorensen (IL-17) of Illinois; Frank Mrvan (IN-01) of Indiana; Kristen McDonald Rivet (MN-08) of Michigan; Don Davis (NC-01) of North Carolina; Chris Pappas (NH-01) and Maggie Goodlander (NH-02) of New Hampshire; Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05) and Nellie Pou (NJ-09) of New Jersey; Gabe Vasquez (NM-02) of New Mexico; Dina Titus (NV-01), Susie Lee (NV-03) and Steven Horsford (NV-04) of Nevada; Tom Suozzi (NY-03), Laura Gillen (NY-04), Pat Ryan (NY-18) and Josh Riley (NY-19) of New York; Greg Landsman (OH-01), Marcy Kaptur (OH-09), and Emilia Syles (OH-13) of Ohio; Janelle Bynum (OR-05) of Oregon; Henry Cuellar (TX-28) and Vicente Gonzalez (TX-34) of Texas; Eugene Vindman (VA-07) of Virginia; and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (WA-03) of Washington state.

The NRCC says there's a modest ad buy behind the digital spots.

"House Democrats threw a tantrum at the expense of the American people, shutting down the government just to score political points. After months of failure, they’ve learned nothing and doubled down on their embarrassing dysfunction." NRCC spokesman Mike Marinella said.

HOUSE GOP CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE CHAIR MAKES PREDICTION ABOUT 2026 MIDTERM ELECTIONS

Democrats disagree.

"The strong House Democratic vote in opposition to this reckless Republican spending bill speaks for itself," House Minority Leader Rep. Hakeem Jeffries of New York, the top Democrat in the chamber, told reporters after the vote.

And House Democratic Caucus Chair Rep. Pete Aguilar of California took aim at what he called a "partisan" measure and emphasized that "we put up a strong vote in opposition of this bill because this hurts families." 

While issues at NASA grew under former President Joe Biden, the space agency prioritized embedding diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives into its workforce, according to a new report from watchdog group OpenTheBooks.

Amid preparations for its Starliner capsule mission — which ultimately went awry, leaving two astronauts stranded in space — NASA spent more than $13 million on related efforts between 2021 and 2024. During the ongoing Starliner spaceship debacle, an Inspector General report highlighted even further shortcomings by the agency, particularly related to quality control around NASA's efforts to return astronauts to the moon.

Simultaneously, while NASA was facing these mission-critical deficiencies, it was also reportedly taking substantial steps to embed DEI into agency practices through a variety of avenues, including grants, contracts, employee guidance, agency-wide strategic equity commitments, book talks and more.

NEW STUDY REVEALS ‘STAGGERING’ SCOPE OF HOW MUCH DEI WAS INFUSED INTO GOVERNMENT UNDER BIDEN

During President Donald Trump's first term, he sought to root out DEI programs in the federal government, similar to his efforts today. Before ending his first term, in September 2020, Trump signed an executive order to combat race and sex stereotyping within federal government programs. His order was rescinded just a few months later by the Biden administration. During former President Joe Biden's first few days in office, he signed several executive orders aimed at embedding the equity considerations Trump sought to get rid of in federal government programs.

Following Biden's directives, NASA went full force at embedding these principles into its day-to-day operations, OpenTheBooks' report illustrates. At the same time, NASA was preparing its Starliner capsule to transport two astronauts to the International Space Station for what was intended to be a week-long mission. Instead, due to multiple malfunctions with the rocket that carried them there, the astronauts were stranded in space for months. Elon Musk's SpaceX was ultimately tapped to help bring the astronauts home, and they are expected to return sometime this month.

In 2021, the same year NASA's Starliner capsule was undergoing test flights, NASA employees were engaged in a book talk about "open[ing] the lines of communication on anti-racism," alongside author Uju Asika. Asika, who was also invited back the following year, spoke to parents at NASA about her book, "Bringing Up Race: How to Raise a Kind Child in a Prejudiced World," in which she laments her "Eurocentric" education in the U.K., "colonialism," and the results of the 2016 election. An earlier book talk at the space agency in 2020 included talks by infamous anti-racist scholar Ibram X. Kendi. 

NASA ASTRONAUTS NOT ‘FRETTING’ OVER EXTENDED MISSION, ‘GRATEFUL’ FOR MORE TIME IN SPACE AFTER STARLINER WOES

Around the same time as Asika's talks to NASA employees, the agency also unveiled its 2022-2026 "Strategic Plan for Diversity, Equity Inclusion & Accessibility." Major goals of the plan included race and sex-based hiring and promotion initiatives. The same year, NASA unveiled its 2022 Equity Action Plan, which included new DEI-related contractor policies. Those policies, among other things, included "a requirement for contractors to provide a DEIA plan upon award to demonstrate commitment to diversifying their workforce." The Equity Action Plan also retooled NASA's grant and procurement process, aimed at encouraging grant proposers to consider DEI principles, even when seemingly unrelated.

In 2022, employees were also provided guidance "for Supporting Gender Transition/Affirmation in the Workplace." The guidance encouraged employees to "be willing and available to collaborate with the transitioning employee on the development, implementation, and evolution of a Workplace Gender." It added that any "transitioning employees" should be allowed to use the restroom, locker room, or other facility of their choice, and not compelled to use one that does not align with their choice.

In total, NASA spent at least $13 million on DEI-related programs under Biden, according to OpenTheBooks. One contract uncovered by the organization provided more than $2.3 million for a consulting group to help "incorporate and deeply engrain diversity, inclusion, equity, and accessibility in the culture and business" at NASA. 

‘GUTFELD!’: HOLLYWOOD DITCHES DEI

"NASA's mission is too risky to get distracted by identity politics," John Hart, CEO at OpenTheBooks, said. 

"Newtonian physics and atmospheric reentry do not care about antiracism talks and gender ‘affirmation’ policies," Hart added. "NASA has an opportunity to take one small step toward fiscal responsibility and one giant leap toward common sense."

Beyond the Starliner mission debacle that left two astronauts stranded in space, a report from the Inspector General last year detailed widespread quality control issues in NASA and contractor Boeing's efforts to return astronauts to the moon. The report pointed out that workers on NASA's Space Launch System program lacked sufficient experience, among other issues.

This week, the Trump administration began a "phased reduction in force" at NASA, which included shuttering the agency's Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility branch in the Office of Diversity and Equal Opportunity.

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Acting NASA administrator Janet Petro said in a memo to employees at NASA this week that while the force reduction, which includes the closure of multiple offices, will mean "difficult adjustments," the agency is viewing it as an opportunity to "reshape" its workforce and ensure it is "doing what is statutorily required … while also providing American citizens with an efficient and effective agency." 

"NASA is committed to engaging the best talent to drive innovation and achieve our mission for the benefit of all," Cheryl Warner, a NASA spokesperson, told Fox News Digital when reached for comment. "As new guidance comes in, we’re working to adhere to new requirements in a timely manner. Our agency has complied with the requirements of executive orders and additional guidance from the U.S. Office of Personnel Management."

FIRST ON FOX: Sen. Roger Marshall, R-Kan., is introducing new legislation to make President Donald Trump’s executive order banning the use of federal funds for transgender surgical procedures permanent, ensuring it remains in effect long after he leaves office.

Marshall's End Taxpayer Funding of Gender Experimentation Act will prohibit the use of federal funding for gender transition procedures and bars federal healthcare facilities, physicians, and providers from providing such procedures.

"Heaven forbid we don't get a Republican back in the White House here in four years, the next president could end that order just as easily," Marshall, who is also an OB/GYN, told Fox News Digital in an interview. "So that's why we need legislation to give this a permanent fix."

HOSPITALS WARNED THEY MUST PROTECT CHILDREN FROM CHEMICAL AND SURGICAL MUTILATION: HHS AGENCY MEMO

Marshall's bill would outlaw federal healthcare facilities, physicians, and providers from providing gender transition procedures. Exceptions to the ban include individuals born with medically verifiable sex-development disorders. Treatments for complications arising from gender transition procedures, regardless of the legality of the original procedure, are also allowed. 

The bill would cut off federal funding for sex change surgeries for currently serving military or veterans, as well for civilians through Medicare and Medicaid, Marshall said.

"Probably about a third of transgender folks are on Medicaid right now, which would be federal taxpayer dollars, so I think this is a big deal. This is a lot of people," Marshall said. "The military probably is spending $2 or $3 million a year on this particular treatment as well. I don't think that Americans want federal taxpayer dollars used for this purpose."

NEWSOM'S 'UNFAIR' REMARK ON GIRLS' SPORTS BELIES RECORD AS GOVERNOR: 'ABSOLUTE BULLS---'

President Trump has been cracking down on transgender issues since he went on the campaign trail. So far, he's issued several executive orders dealing with gender-identity, including banning trans women in women's sports, gender transition treatments and surgeries for children and an order defining two sexes as only male and female.

While Marshall's bill calls for the restriction of taxpayer dollars toward all gender transition surgeries — regardless of age — he reiterated that children are the most vulnerable.

"I just think the last thing we want to do is on a young person that's going through puberty to make irreversible changes," Marshall said. "I just don't think that they're ready to make those decisions yet, and they'd be better to hold off at least till adulthood, and maybe treat some of the other underlying challenges going on in their life as well."

Even Democratic voters appear moderate on the issue, recent polling suggests. A January New York Times/Ipsos poll found that 67% of Democratic respondents opposed transgender athletes competing in women's sports, but the issue remains a central party platform issue. 

NEWSOM CALLS BIOLOGICAL MEN IN WOMEN'S SPORTS 'DEEPLY UNFAIR' IN PODCAST WITH CONSERVATIVE ACTIVIST

"But the Democrats are so dug in, they just won't give an inch on this particular issue," Marshall said, referring to elected Democratic Party leaders.

The bill is co-sponsored by Republican Sens. Jim Risch of Idaho, Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, Kevin Cramer of North Dakota, Tim Sheehy of Montana, Cynthia Lummis of Wyoming, Mike Lee of Utah, Ted Budd of North Carolina, Josh Hawley of Missouri, Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee, Roger Wicker of Mississippi, Jim Banks of Indiana, and Cindy Hyde-Smith of Mississippi.

Rep. Doug LaMalfa, R-Calif., will introduce the companion legislation in the House.

Sen. Mark Kelly, a decorated Navy veteran as well as a former astronaut, just finished a visit to Ukraine.

While the country invaded by Russia is surviving through American and allied aid, the Arizona Democrat says, "I saw how cutting it off now risks everything so many Ukrainians have laid down their lives for. And while our support hasn’t been free, we haven’t sent even half of what President Trump says.

"Hospitals should never be targets in war, but Putin is a war criminal who targets hospitals routinely. I visited one in Kyiv. Injured soldiers told me how they want to get back to the fight. Nurses there shared their stories of the invasion with me through tears. Stories of violence that women and children of Ukraine suffered during the invasion."

Elon Musk had a venomous reaction: "You are a traitor." 

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

Seriously? A traitor? To whom? America? Donald Trump? The world’s richest man just loves to pick fights.

Kelly punched right back: "Traitor? Elon, if you don’t understand that defending freedom is a basic tenet of what makes America great and keeps us safe, maybe you should leave it to those of us who do."

As a United States senator, Kelly was doing his job and posted a moving account of the toll of the war. He also criticized Trump for cutting off military aid to Ukraine after that Oval Office slugfest which Volodymyr Zelenskyy botched, trying to talk over Trump as he was scolded, and ended up being evicted from the White House. 

We all know that Musk is a business genius and an impulsive guy. He often delivers punches on the X platform he has transformed, with a post-first-ask-questions-later approach.

He clearly relishes political combat. Musk has engaged in bitter exchanges with Marco Rubio (though they’re playing nice now) and with Steve Bannon. But Elon has become a lightning rod, especially since his DOGE team has made a series of high-profile mistakes, firing and rehiring crucial experts.

Trump decided to stand by his man, and posted this:

"To Republicans, Conservatives, and all great Americans, Elon Musk is ‘putting it on the line’ in order to help our Nation, and he is doing a FANTASTIC JOB! But the Radical Left Lunatics, as they often do, are trying to illegally and collusively boycott Tesla, one of the World’s great automakers, and Elon’s ‘baby,’ in order to attack and do harm to Elon, and everything he stands for…In any event, I’m going to buy a brand new Tesla tomorrow morning as a show of confidence and support for Elon Musk, a truly great American. Why should he be punished for putting his tremendous skills to work in order to help MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN???"

I get Trump’s defense, but he’s also opposed to electric cars and concentrates on saving American auto jobs for gas-powered vehicles.

VANCE PITCHES GOP REBELS ON DOGE, BORDER IN 11TH-HOUR PLEA FOR UNITY AGAINST SHUTDOWN

Musk goes off the reservation at times, such as calling Social Security, which Trump has vowed to protect, a "Ponzi Scheme" on Joe Rogan’s podcast.

And he told former Trump economic adviser Larry Kudlow, on Fox Business, that $500 to $700 billion in so-called "waste" needed to be cut from Social Security: "Most of the federal spending is entitlements. That’s the big one to eliminate."

Perhaps Musk should concentrate on the plunging stock market, caused primarily by uncertainty over Trump’s tariff wars but also by worries about the impact of DOGE’s mass firings. 

People pay into Social Security over a lifetime with the expectation it will be there when they retire. It’s the main source of income for many elderly people. Of course the program eventually has to be rescued from insolvency, but talking about "the big one to eliminate" – including Medicare – seems rather callous.

And in case you think the market is only for elite investors, if you have a 401-K, the calamity on Wall Street affects you, and your retirement fund just lost a helluva lot of value.

EXPERT CALLS OUT MEDIA FOR NEGATIVE COVERAGE OF TRUMP'S ADDRESS: 'THAT MAKES YOU LOOK LIKE A JERK, NOT TRUMP'

The market dropped again yesterday when Trump, responding to retaliation by Ontario taxing electricity to the U.S., raised the tariff on all Canadian steel and aluminum exports from 25 percent to 50 percent. The Ontario premier reacted by dropping the electricity threat.

Tesla stock has tanked since its mid-December high, with a 16 percent decline Monday, causing Musk’s net worth to plunge by $140 billion. But don’t worry–he’s still the richest guy on the planet.

He’s also become a highly visible target. As the New York Times notes, "Someone set fire to Tesla charging stations near Boston; shots were fired at a Tesla dealership in Oregon; and protesters were arrested at a nonviolent protest at a Tesla dealership in Lower Manhattan."

Tesla cyber trucks were also torched in Seattle. 

I don’t care what you think of his politics, this kind of targeted violence is completely unacceptable, not to mention illegal.

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Trump is still backing his high-profile colleague, while quietly trying to rein him in and shift power to his agency heads.

Elon Musk is a guy who wants to colonize Mars. But he often seems detached from the political realities here on Earth.

The Environmental Protection Agency is terminating $20 billion in grants awarded by the Biden administration for climate and clean-energy projects, Administrator Lee Zeldin announced Tuesday.

In a video posted to X, Zeldin said $20 billion in U.S. tax dollars were "parked at an outside financial institution in a deliberate effort to limit government oversight, doling out your money through just eight pass-through, politically connected, unqualified, and in some cases brand-new NGOs."

The money has since been frozen, he said, noting that the Department of Justice and FBI are investigating.

STACEY ABRAMS SLAMMED AFTER DEFENDING $2 BILLION IN BIDEN-ERA EPA FUNDS TO BUY GREEN ENERGY APPLIANCES

The program, approved by Congress under the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act, was formerly known as the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund but is more commonly referred to as the green bank. Two initiatives, worth $14 billion and $6 billion, respectively, aimed to offer grants to nonprofits, community development banks and other groups for projects focusing on disadvantaged communities.

The eight nonprofits that were awarded the money included the Coalition for Green Capital, Climate United Fund, Power Forward Communities, Opportunity Finance Network, Inclusiv and the Justice Climate Fund. These organizations have partnered with various groups, including Rewiring America, Habitat for Humanity and the Community Preservation Corporation.

The EPA "just notified 8 recipients of $20 BILLION in Biden EPA 'gold bars' that their grants have been TERMINATED!" Zeldin wrote on X.

LEE ZELDIN LIKENS BIDEN ENERGY 'SCHEME' CONNECTED TO STACEY ABRAMS TO 'THROWING GOLD BARS OFF THE TITANIC'

In his video, Zeldin cited reports that Power Forward Communities, a group linked to Democrat Stacey Abrams, received $2 billion after reporting just $100 in total revenue the year before.

He also said the founding director of the EPA's program allocated $5 billion to his former employer after working on the legislation that created the program from his role in the White House.

"These two examples have only been the tip of the iceberg," Zeldin said. "I'm here to report back to the American people that, as of today, I have officially terminated these grant agreements entirely. Not only does the EPA have full authority to take this action, but frankly, we were left with no other option."

BIDEN SENT $2 BILLION TO STACEY ABRAMS-LINKED GROUP IN GREEN ENERGY 'SCHEME,' EPA SAYS

"This termination is based on substantial concerns regarding program integrity, objections to the award process, programmatic fraud, waste and abuse and misalignment with the agency's priorities, which collectively undermine the fundamental goals and statutory objectives of the awards," he continued.

Zeldin said the "only way" to reduce waste, increase oversight and meet the intent of the law as it was written is by terminating the grants. He said it is his "unwavering commitment" to President Donald Trump, Congress and the American people.

"The EPA will once again be an exceptional steward of your tax dollars. I will have it no other way," Zeldin said.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced plans to bolster airport air traffic control systems with the latest technology over the next four years, while also using artificial intelligence (AI) to identify "hot spots" where close encounters between aircraft occur frequently.

The announcement came after an update on an investigation into a crash near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Arlington, Virginia, when a U.S. Army helicopter and an American Airlines-operated passenger jet collided over the Potomac River Jan. 29.

"We’re here because 67 souls lost their lives on Jan. 29," Duffy told reporters Tuesday, noting that the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) unveiled its preliminary findings into the crash earlier in the day.

The findings noted that, over the last 2½ years, there have been 85 near misses or close calls at Reagan National. Close calls were identified as incidents when there are less than 200 feet of vertical separation and 1,500 feet of lateral separation between aircraft.

VP VANCE CALLS ON US ‘TO DO A BETTER JOB’ WITH AVIATION SAFETY AFTER ‘INCREDIBLY HEARTBREAKING’ DC PLANE CRASH

Appearing shocked at the findings, Duffy questioned how the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) did not know about the "hot spot," where near misses happen frequently.

"We’re having near misses, and if we don’t change our way, we’re going to lose lives," he said. "That wasn’t done. Maybe there was a focus on something other than safety, but in this administration, we are focusing on safety."

The FAA has deployed AI tools to sift through data and find additional hot spots in U.S. airspace near airports to find similar situations to what has been happening at Reagan National.

REAGAN NATIONAL AIRPORT CRASH: MILITARY BLACK HAWK HELICOPTER COLLIDES MIDAIR WITH AMERICAN AIRLINES JET

Once the hot spots are identified, Duffy’s team will implement changes to reduce the close encounters between aircraft.

Duffy also said he has learned that air traffic control systems across the country are 25 to 30 years old, and some of them even use floppy disks as if they were stuck in the 1980s.

While the system is antiquated, the secretary stressed it was safe. Despite the system being safe, Duffy said it needs to be upgraded.

"This should have happened four years ago, 10 years ago, 15 years ago," he said. "But, right now, we’re at a point where we can actually do it. And we can do it really fast."

NTSB CALLS FOR BAN ON SOME HELICOPTER ROUTES NEAR REAGAN AIRPORT AFTER MIDAIR COLLISION THAT KILLED 67 PEOPLE

Duffy said the task could take up to four years to complete.

The job entails bringing in a brand-new air traffic control system, switching from copper wires to a combination of fiber, wireless and satellite systems.

The current radar system from the 1970s or early 1980s works, but Duffy wants to put state-of-the-art radar in place and terminals with the right screens and the best technology.

'GATE LICE' RUN-INS HAVE FLYERS DEMANDING MORE AIRLINES 'CRACK DOWN' ON PESKY TRAVEL TREND

"We’re going to deploy resources for runway safety — new technology that will allow our air traffic controllers not to use binoculars in the tower to see where aircraft are at, but to actually have ground radar sensors at our airports that will allow air traffic controllers to see where airplanes are at," he said. 

"We've heard a lot of new stories of just near misses on the tarmac. And how do you alleviate that? Take away the binoculars and give them technology so they can see on their screens where every aircraft is located.

"By doing this, we are going to greatly improve our safety in the system." 

Technology, on the other hand, is not cheap, which the secretary acknowledged.

In an environment in which the Department of Government Efficiency is looking for ways to cut costs and save money, Duffy explained making upgrades in the name of safety is worth the investment.

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Over the next couple of weeks, Duffy said, he plans to introduce his plan to Congress and take in their feedback.

Once he goes through the feedback, Duffy said he plans to return to Congress and ask for the money up front to expedite the process of upgrading the air traffic control systems.

"It’s not that the FAA didn’t want to do the upgrades," he said. "It just takes too long. So, they have to give us the money. We’re going to later lay out our plan to actually do it really quickly."

President Donald Trump announced his nomination of Michael George DeSombre to serve as the next U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for East Asia and the Pacific.

Trump made the announcement on Tuesday, posting on Truth Social that DeSombre served during the president’s first term as the ambassador to the Kingdom of Thailand.

DeSombre is a partner at Sullivan Cromwell, where he leads mergers and acquisitions in Asia.

He also graduated from Harvard Law School. Additionally, DeSombre attended Stanford University, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in quantitative economics, and master’s degree in East Asian Studies.

NORTH KOREA FIRES MISSILES AS US, SOUTH KOREA BEGIN THEIR 1ST JOINT MILITARY EXERCISE OF TRUMP'S 2ND TERM

"I know Michael will work incredibly hard for our country," Trump wrote.

The president also announced that he has tapped Paolo Zampolli to serve as special envoy for global partnerships.

Trump said Zampolli’s extensive experience working with the United Nations, Kennedy Center, and various international initiatives will help the Trump administration advance America’s interests on the global stage.

TRUMP ANNOUNCES US AMBASSADOR NOMINATIONS THAT INCLUDE MAYOR OF MICHIGAN CITY

Trump announced that he has chosen Dearborn Heights, Michigan, Mayor Bill Bazzi to serve as the U.S. ambassador to the Republic of Tunisia, as well.

Bazzi, Trump wrote, is a decorated U.S. Marine who served the country for 21 years.

He also worked as a quality manager at Boeing and a product development engineer at Ford Motor Company.

NEW BOOK DETAILS SECURITY LAPSES AHEAD OF TRUMP ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT: 'CLEAR THERE WAS A PROBLEM'

After working at Ford for 22 years, Bazzi took an early retirement to serve as the mayor of Dearborn Heights.

"Bazzi worked hard during the 2024 Presidential Election to help us secure our Historic Victory, and I look forward to seeing the great things he will accomplish for our Nation," Trump wrote on Truth. "Congratulations Bill!"

In one more post, Trump announced that Dr. Anji Sinha is his pick to serve as the U.S. ambassador to Singapore, calling her "a highly respected entrepreneur with an incredible family."

"The United States’ relationship with Singapore is vital, and I have no doubt that Anji will strongly represent our Nation’s Interests, and put America First," the president wrote on Truth. "Congratulations Anji!"

California's Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom claimed that his office had never used the term "Latinx" during a recent interview, but a Fox News Digital review found this claim to be false.

"By the way, not one person ever in my office has ever used the word Latinx," Newsom said in his viral podcast episode with Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk. 

"I just didn’t even know where it came from. What are people talking about?" he added.

But posts from the governor and official documentation from his office pour cold water on this claim.

DYLAN MULVANEY REACTS TO GAVIN NEWSOM'S REMARKS ON TRANS ATHLETES PARTICIPATING IN WOMEN'S SPORTS

In an X post from 2019, Newsom tweeted the term in reference to a study on childhood poverty on his official government account.

On his personal account, the California Democrat used the term when discussing the COVID-19 pandemic.

"#COVID19 disproportionately impacts the Latinx community," he tweeted. "Rising rates in the Central Valley are concerning. CA is making $52M available to increase testing, contact tracing and quarantine efforts, and sending strike teams to 4 counties with increased cases and hospitalizations."

In 2023, he said that the Republican Party has "politicians that are banning not assault rifles, but the word Latinx."

Brooks Allen, Education Policy Advisor to the Governor, used "Latinx" in a 2023 letter about the state's Ethnic Studies model.

"The model is grounded in the foundational curricular areas of the ethnic studies tradition – African American Studies, Native American Studies, Asian/Pacific Islander American Studies, and Latinx American Studies," he wrote at the time.

NEWSOM CHANGES TONE ON TRUMP FROM CAMPAIGN RHETORIC WITH FEDERAL WILDFIRE RECOVERY FUNDS AT STAKE

The term has also come up in official press releases and documentation from Newsom’s office. In Oct. 2020, it was used to promote a conversation the governor had with singer Becky G about the "youth vote" that was posted to the official governor’s office website. 

A month prior, it was used in a news release on bills related to small businesses in the midst of the pandemic.

"Minority-owned businesses are disproportionately impacted: the number of active businesses owned by African-Americans dropped by 41%, Latinx by 32%, Asians by 25%, and immigrants by 36%," the release stated.

The term was used again in 2021 when it came to addressing learning gaps related to pandemic school closures.

"The campaign will reach out to parents in areas hardest hit by the pandemic – especially Latinx, African American, Asian American and Pacific Islander parents of school-aged children – with $25 million from AB 86 to support the safe opening of schools during the next fiscal year," it stated.

NEWSOM'S 'UNFAIR' REMARK ON GIRLS' SPORTS BELIES RECORD AS GOVERNOR: 'ABSOLUTE BULLS---'

It’s also used on the governor’s web page for First Partner Jennifer Seibel Newsom’s "Farm to School" effort.

"Today, over 2 million children in California do not have access to healthy, whole foods, with Black and Latinx children reporting food insecurity twice that of children in white households," the website states.

On the Governor’s Council for Career Education website, it uses the term on its "Research Findings Summary" page. A former education policy associate for Newsom, who currently serves as his assistant deputy cabinet secretary, said "Latinx" in a 2021 X post.

"Economic recovery with higher education that is more equitable, resilient and coordinated to improve outcomes for Black, Latinx, API, Indigenous and Adult learner students who disproportionately are denied access and impacted by the pandemic," Michael Wiafe said.

A spokesperson for Newsom's office told Fox News Digital that "Latinx" is "not a term that is widely used in his Administration. Some staff have used it from time to time."

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The term is considered widely unpopular among Latinos and Hispanics and even offensive in some cases, according to NBC News. 

A Pew Research Center study from 2024 determined that 51% of Hispanic American adults were unfamiliar with the term "Latinx" and only 4% actually say the term, which proponents say is meant to be a gender-neutral alternative to Latino.

Democratic New York Rep. Tom Suozzi said Tuesday that there is a catastrophe brewing for the country's aging population, and he wants to do something about it.

Alongside Republican Rep. John Moolenaar, Suozzi introduced the "Well-Being Insurance for Seniors to be at Home Act" on Tuesday, which seeks to help more of the country's increasingly older population obtain long-term home care insurance.

"Currently, 10,000 Americans every day are turning 65-years-old," Suozzi told reporters during a press call on Tuesday, and, in five years, 6,000 Americans will turn 85 every day. Suozzi also noted that right now, only about 4% of seniors are covered by long-term care insurance.

AGING MAY SPEED UP IN AREAS WITH EXTREME HEAT, RESEARCH SUGGESTS

"One of the main causes of people becoming homeless — new homeless people — is turning 80 years old, because a lot of people are becoming destitute as they get old, and they face what are called, ‘Their inability to conduct daily activities of living,'" Suozzi said. "And right now, very few people have long-term care insurance, and people will end up going into nursing homes. And not only can the nursing homes not handle this volume of people, but the Medicaid system will go bust, and two thirds of the people in America that are in nursing homes are paid for with Medicaid."

In addition to the increasingly growing senior population in the U.S., Suozzi also cited societal factors that are making it harder for aging and disabled seniors to receive the at-home care they need. One is the fact that Americans are having fewer kids, so there will be fewer of them to take care of their aging or disabled parents. Another was the fact that kids are increasingly moving to other parts of the country away from their parents, again increasing the burden for seniors to figure things out on their own.

"There's a lot of people becoming senior citizens right now because the baby boomers, there's less kids available to take care of them, and the kids that are alive don't necessarily live where their parents live. So we've got this big perfect storm brewing, and Medicaid will never be able to solve this problem," according to Suozzi. "And nursing homes — there's just not enough nursing homes. There's not enough money to pay for the nursing homes for all these people. So my legislation is designed to try and encourage the private sector to create long-term care insurance that is affordable."

DEMS WEAPONIZE MEDICAID ANXIETY IN BID TO TAKE DOWN TRUMP-BACKED FEDERAL FUNDING PLAN

Known by its acronym, WISH, Suozzi and Moolenaar's new bill seeks to create a federal "Catastrophic Care Fund" that will help cover some of the cost-burden of long-term care. The goal is to encourage private insurers to develop and market affordable and accessible long-term care insurance, which, overtime, they have ceased providing more broadly. The reason, Suozzi said, is it was just not profitable enough for them, as most seniors with long-term care insurance were outliving their expected life terms and costing insurance companies a lot of money as a result.

Suozzi likened his new plan to Medicare Part B, another similar cost-sharing program that has pushed insurers to incentivize customers to enroll. Seniors would be able to benefit from the newly created fund on a tiered basis, according to each person's income level.

MEASLES MORE LIKELY TO BE SEVERE AMONG MALNOURISHED, RFK SAYS

The Democrat lawmaker pointed out how the WISH Act will help reduce the cost burden of federal healthcare programs like Medicare and Medicaid, which can help pay for the fund. He also suggested a payment plan involving an increased income tax shared by both employees and employers, but Suozzi noted that plan was unlikely to get the GOP support necessary. Another potential payment option for the new long-term care fund could stem from reforms to Social Security, the congressman added.

Besides the "perfect storm" that is brewing for seniors, a second storm is also brewing on Capitol Hill right now in regard to how to fund the federal government. Republicans are ramping up reconciliation efforts and, as part of that framework, they are looking for roughly $800 billion in Medicaid cuts. While the Wish Act could help lower the amount of necessary cuts during reconciliation, Suozzi said he feared it was too tight of a window to get enough lawmakers on board. 

"I guess there's an argument that it could go in there, if we could demonstrate between now and then that it'll be a big savings in Medicaid," Suozzi told reporters. "I see this is taking the full term of getting people educated about the issue, getting more people interested in the issue, and getting senior advocacy groups and private insurers to advocate on behalf of this idea. So it's not going to happen on its own. It will have to be part of something bigger, but not, I think, until we've educated people about the seriousness of the issue."

EXCLUSIVE: Virginia Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears released the first ad directly confronting her Democratic opponent, former U.S. Rep. Abigail Spanberger, Tuesday.

The ad intends to link Spanberger, who formerly represented Washington exurbs around Fredericksburg, Culpeper and King George, to an uptick in violent crimes committed by illegal immigrants in an otherwise safe region.

The ad opens with TV news clips reporting the arrest of a Honduran national charged with "abduction with intent to defile and rape," after he allegedly robbed and assaulted a woman on the popular W&OD Rail Trail near John Foster Dulles International Airport.

"He was found guilty of a separate sex crime just days earlier, but he was released 25 days early," one reporter is heard saying.

SEARS ANNOUNCES GOV BID TO BUILD ON YOUNGKIN RECORD: ‘IT’S ALL ABOUT BUSINESS'

The ad then plays a montage of clips and commentary on similar incidents in Loudoun, Fairfax and Arlington counties from reporters, including Fox News’ Laura Ingraham.

The ad then shifts to focusing on Spanberger, depicting former President Joe Biden, whom Republicans accuse of engineering a lax border policy, calling her "a friend."

A clip of CNN Capitol Hill reporter Manu Raju appears, with the reporter saying Spanberger "seems to be to the left of Joe Biden."

"I consider myself to be a progressive," Spanberger says in a clip.

"No, I do not support the border wall," she says in another.

Earle-Sears said Spanberger "voted for open borders, voted for sanctuary cities, voted our schools to be turned into shelters for these illegal criminal elements, and we’re not having that."

A Spanberger spokesperson called the ad a "distraction attempt" that is coming from a "campaign facing a heated, messy Republican primary."

Earle-Sears faces former state Del. David LaRock of Berryville and former state Sen. Amanda Chase of Colonial Heights in the GOP primary.

VA LT GOV DENOUNCES RACIALLY-CHARGED AP TEST QUESTIONS

"Abigail is a former CIA case officer and federal law enforcement officer who has defended our country from terrorism, tracked cartels and arrested criminals," the spokesperson said. 

"And as a member of Congress, she led bipartisan bills that were signed into law by both President Trump and President Biden to disrupt fentanyl trafficking at our ports of entry, combat Mexican cartels and secure our borders," the spokesperson added. "She understands the security threats facing Virginia families. And as the next governor of Virginia, she will use her experience to help keep Virginians safe and crack down on violent offenders."

Peyton Vogel, a spokesperson for Earle-Sears, countered that Spanberger supported "reckless immigration policies that have made Virginia less safe."

"She voted against deporting illegal immigrants convicted of violent crimes, putting politics ahead of public safety. The consequences of her decisions are devastating — real families, real victims and real tragedies that could have been prevented," Vogel said.

A pollster recently interviewed by the Washington Examiner about what is one of only two governors races this year — the other being New Jersey — indicated Earle-Sears is faring better among Republicans than Spanberger is among Democrats.

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The pollster, Brett Buchanan of Cygnal, also told the outlet President Donald Trump’s return to office is influencing the race.

Since Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s unexpected victory over former Gov. Terry McAuliffe in 2021, Virginia voters have consistently favored Democrats in every major race.

The left now narrowly controls the Richmond legislature by a two-vote margin in each chamber, and Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine soundly defeated Republican challenger Hung Cao in November statewide.

Trump also lost Virginia by about six points, but supporters have said he successfully narrowed the typical gap in both "blue" 2025 gubernatorial contest states, a purported sign of GOP resurgence.

Youngkin’s win was influenced by the public safety issue, especially in the Northern Virginia counties Earle-Sears highlighted in her ad. 

Youngkin also spent a lot of time campaigning 400 to 500 miles on the other side of the commonwealth in its southwestern counties, like Lee, Dickenson and Wise, which are sparsely populated but heavily Republican.

An illegal immigrant from Lebanon who admitted to being a member of the Hezbollah terror group network is slated to be deported a year after being caught and released into the country under former President Joe Biden's watch.

Basel Bassel Ebbadi, 22, was captured by border agents in El Paso, Texas, on March 9, 2024 and immediately held in federal custody. He reportedly told investigators he was going to travel to New York and make a bomb and that his training with the Iran-backed terror network was focused on "jihad" and "killing people that was not Muslim."

Ebbadi apparently told investigators he had an interest in leaving the group because he "didn’t want to kill people," though he added that "once you’re in, you can never get out."

NOEM SENDS MESSAGE TO THOSE CONSIDERING ENTERING US ILLEGALLY: ‘DON’T EVEN THINK ABOUT IT'

Nevertheless, Ebbadi was placed in isolation and referred to the Tactical Terrorism Response Team (TTRT) after allegedly making "terroristic threats to personnel."

"If an individual poses a potential threat to national security or public safety, we deny admission, detain, remove, or refer them to other federal agencies for further vetting, investigation and/or prosecution as appropriate," a U.S. Customs and Border Patrol spokesperson told Fox News Digital at the time. 

After illegally entering the United States, Ebbadi was convicted of entering the country illegally and sentenced to five months in federal prison on April 26, the New York Post reported. 

DHS SECRETARY NOEM APPEARS TO ACCUSE ‘CORRUPT’ FBI OF LEAKING LA ICE RAIDS

He was finally ordered deported by an immigration judge on Jan. 13 after serving his sentence. Upon entering the U.S., he claimed his documents were stolen somewhere in Costa Rica. 

Under the Biden administration, border authorities released 400 suspected terrorists crossing into the U.S. illegally through the southern border, according to the Post. In January 2024, ICE arrested a member of the Somali al-Shabaab terrorist group.

The unidentified suspect entered the U.S. illegally before being caught and released by border authorities in California. The person lived free for nearly a year before being caught in Minnesota. 

Among the measures implemented to strengthen the border, the Trump administration has halted the catch-and-release policy that allowed millions of illegal immigrants into the country under Biden's watch. 

Washington Attorney General Nick Brown is suing a county sheriff’s office in his state for "illegally collaborating" with federal officials and the Trump administration to enforce immigration law.

Brown’s lawsuit, which was filed in Spokane County Superior Court, claims that the Adams County Sheriff’s Office’s holding of illegal immigrants in custody based on their immigration status, helping federal agents question people in custody and "routinely" sharing personal confidential information of Washington residents with federal officials "expressly violates state law."

The suit cites a 2019 law called the Keep Washington Working Act, which prohibits law enforcement in the state from providing aid in immigration enforcement. Brown is asking the court to force the Adams County Sheriff’s Office, led by Sheriff Dale Wagner, to comply with the Keep Washington Working Act.

"Washington has the right and the responsibility to decide for itself how to use its own resources to keep residents safe and the economy strong," the lawsuit says. "The State cannot stand by when elected officials publicly boast that they are breaking state law and putting their own communities at risk."

MASSIVE ICE OPERATION NABS NEARLY 650 ILLEGAL ALIENS IN TEXAS, OVER 80% WITH CRIMINAL CHARGES OR CONVICTIONS

In a statement released by Brown’s office on Monday, the office said that almost all the sheriffs’ departments in the state are complying with the Keep Washington Working Act, except for a very select few.

"The Adams County Sheriff’s Office is illegally collaborating with federal immigration officials and aiding the Trump administration’s efforts to enlist local officials for federal civil immigration work," the office said. "The lawsuit is to enforce the Keep Washington Working Act. The act is based on a simple premise that it is not the job of state law enforcement, county sheriffs, or local police departments in Washington to enforce federal immigration law."

CLICK HERE FOR MORE IMMIGRATION COVERAGE

Brown claimed in the statement that "late last year Adams County was engaged in good faith settlement negotiations with our office," but "after the inauguration of Donald Trump, the county and its Sheriff’s Office suddenly hardened their stance, broke off settlement talks, and aligned themselves with an organization founded by a top Trump aide who is among the most virulent anti-immigrant voices in the administration."

YOUNG FATHER KILLED BY ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT HIGHLIGHTS 'BETRAYAL' OF SANCTUARY CITIES, SAYS REPUBLICAN

Said organization – a group called "America First Legal" – is a conservative law firm founded by Stephen Miller, a senior adviser to President Donald Trump during his first term.

In a Feb. 26 statement released by America First Legal, the law firm said it was "taking action to defend Adams County, Washington, against the unlawful and abusive effort by Washington state officials to enforce illegal and dangerous sanctuary laws and policies and compel Adams County to violate federal immigration laws."

"Federal law is clear: it is a crime to conceal, harbor, or shield illegal aliens, and it is a crime to prevent federal officials from discharging their duties. It is also against federal law to prevent local officials from communicating with DHS about the immigration status of individuals," said America First Legal Senior Counsel James Rogers.

"Our nation’s immigration laws reflect the democratic will of the people, and it is outrageous that the State of Washington has been working to subvert it while at the same time facilitating the invasion of our country," he went on. "It is even more disgraceful that the State of Washington would target one of its own counties because the officials there have the courage to follow the law and have been cooperating with ICE to help keep our country safe." 

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…

-AOC slapped with ethics complaint over 'troubling expenses' made to dance company

-US judge orders Trump administration to pay 'unlawfully' restricted USAID funds

-The Hitchhiker's Guide to the House voting to avoid a government shutdown today

Vice President JD Vance told House Republicans that putting a government funding bill up for a vote today was critical to President Donald Trump keeping the lights on for his border security goals and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).

Two lawmakers present at the closed-door meeting on Tuesday morning said DOGE and the border were part of Vance's pitch to Republicans who were still undecided about the bill.

One lawmaker said Vance also signaled that future federal spending cuts could be on the table at a later date, a similar pitch House Freedom Caucus leaders have been making to fellow fiscal conservatives…Read more

TRUMP VS COURTS: Who is Judge Amir Ali? The Biden-appointed federal judge at the center of Trump's USAID battle 

'BACK TO BASICS': Top Trump agency scraps memos pushing 'equity initiatives'

'SWIFT AND UNRELENTING': Trump's top accomplishments 50 days into his return to the Oval Office

'PSYCHICAL PHENOMENON': Trump energy chief declares climate change a 'global physical phenomenon' amid reversal of Biden-era policies

'GREAT AMERICAN': Trump says he will buy a Tesla to support Elon Musk and his 'baby'

BIG CHANGE$: China 'ripping off' American businesses — but the DOJ can fight them, GOP lawmaker says

GOING BACK TO RUSSIA: Trump envoy heading to Russia for second time later this week, source says

'COMMUNIST REGIME': Romania's now-barred presidential frontrunner Călin Georgescu claims he is facing Trump-like charges

FIRST ON FOX: U.S. continues to share data to protect Ukrainians against Russian strikes, despite intel pause: sources

LAND LINE: Dem seeks to halt Trump from 'invading' Greenland, Canada and Panama

SCOOP: Key House Freedom Caucus member 'seriously considering' run for governor in 2026

'DEFENDING FREEDOM': Mark Kelly accuses Trump of 'trying to weaken Ukraine's hand,' responds to Elon Musk branding him a 'traitor'

HEATING UP: GOP lawmakers take crucial step to 'unlock' American energy to reverse Biden-era 'disaster'

'RACIST AND DEROGATORY': House Dem pushes to censure Boebert over TV interview about Al Green

FLIP FLOP: Video of Dems railing against past shutdowns unveiled by GOP

'HE SHOULD BE PRIMARIED': Trump pledges to 'lead the charge' against Rep. Massie, likens him to Liz Cheney

BAD DOGE: Dems threatening government shutdown over Elon Musk hate, Republicans say

NOT PLAYING GAMES: Risch, GOP lawmakers demand Olympic committee comply with Trump order to ban trans athletes in women's sports

MAGA FOR MEDICAID?: Trump voter dons MAGA hat in warning to House Republicans against Medicaid cuts

'ABSOLUTE BULLS---': Newsom's 'unfair' remark on girls' sports belies record as governor

CHIPS ACT: Kamala Harris roasted for trying to tie love of Doritos to Big Tech innovation during AI conference

MAJOR ENDORSEMENT: Top conservative group aligns with Trump as it makes major endorsement in high-profile race

PULLING THE PLUG: DOGE and agencies cancel 200,000 federal government credit cards

DOGE IN THE DISTRICT: GOP spending bill would force DC to cut $1B from city government, officials say

'UNUSUAL SECRECY': Judge rules DOGE likely subject to public records requests, says department operating in 'unusual secrecy'

'JUST THE BEGINNING': Abbey Gate terrorist, human smuggling ring leaders, cartel bosses among Bondi DOJ's first-month successes

SACRAMENTO SWEEPS: Former Rep. Katie Porter joins crowded California governor's race

FOLLOW THE MONEY: 'He cannot buy an election here in Wisconsin': Sanders slams Musk in state Trump won by less than 1%

NATIONAL SECURITY CONCERN: Rubio reserves the right to revoke green card or visa of anti-Israel activist Mahmoud Khalil

NON-ESSENTIAL': Pentagon gives civilian employees a $1 limit on their travel credit cards

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

FIRST ON FOX: The House Freedom Caucus could force a vote on a bill to strip Rep. Al Green, D-Texas, of his committee assignments if Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., does not announce a punishment for the Democrat that conservatives see as sufficient.

"He will see what he deems appropriate, and then if that's adequate, that's fine," House Freedom Caucus Chair Andy Harris, D-Md., told Fox News Digital. "If not, then we likely will file our privileged resolution to strip him of his committees."

Freedom Caucus members told Fox News Digital that the group was in touch with Johnson's office about the issue.

The conservative caucus threatened to file a resolution to remove Green from all committees last week after his disruption during President Donald Trump's speech to Congress. 

PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP CONCLUDES REMARKS AFTER DECLARING 'AMERICA'S MOMENTUM IS BACK'

The protest got the Texas Democrat thrown out of the House chamber minutes after the address began.

"We're gonna ask what Mike Johnson wants to do moving forward. We talked about a lot of things, but different people had different thoughts. But I guess what weighed on our minds is, he said he's going to do it again," Rep. Ralph Norman, R-S.C., told Fox News Digital. "My one thing, that kind of action needs consequences."

Rep. Andrew Clyde, R-Ga., said, "There's all sorts of options, and I don't think any of them have been decided upon yet."

Green was censured in a 224 to 198 vote on Thursday morning after repeatedly disrupting the beginning of Trump's primetime speech.

He shouted, "You have no mandate to cut Medicaid!" at Trump and shook his cane in the air as the president touted Republican victories in the House, Senate and White House. Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., after giving a warning, had Green removed from the chamber

The 77-year-old Democrat was unrepentant, posting on X on Thursday afternoon, "Today, the House GOP censured me for speaking out for the American people against [Trump's] plan to cut Medicaid. I accept the consequences of my actions, but I refuse to stay silent in the face of injustice."

But members of the House Freedom Caucus want to go further, floating everything from fining Green to making good on their resolution threat.

Rep. Eric Burlison, R-Mo., told Fox News Digital he didn't want to give the Green issue "any more oxygen" but suggested a suitable punishment would be stripping the Texas lawmaker of any seniority privileges. 

"No seniority on offices, no seniority on parking spots, on committees – all of that," Burlison described.

TOP 5 MOMENTS FROM TRUMP'S ADDRESS TO JOINT SESSION OF CONGRESS

Meanwhile, Green's House Democratic allies briefly plunged the House floor into chaos after the censure vote. They crowded Green as he stood ready for Johnson to read out the censure, another formal part of the process, and sang "We shall overcome."

Johnson was forced to pause House floor proceedings after trying and failing multiple times to call the Democrats to order.,

Rep. Andy Ogles, R-Tenn., another Freedom Caucus member, filed a resolution in response to strip all the offending Democrats from their committees.

Harris and Clyde signaled the current discussions with leadership were focused on Green alone, however.

"No one [else] waved a cane at the president and didn't accept…having a censure resolution read without interruption," Harris said.

Clyde added, "And nobody else had to be thrown out."

Johnson, for his part, confirmed in an interview on Fox News on Friday that he was in talks with the House Freedom Caucus on a punishment for Green.

"I talked to Freedom Caucus members and other Republicans who are deeply concerned about this," Johnson told "Outnumbered." "They say we have to restore control one way or the other and there need to be real consequences, and it's something that we'll be looking at early next week."

Green currently serves on the House Financial Services Committee, where he is the top Democrat on the subcommittee for oversight.

Fox News Digital reached out to representatives for Johnson and Green for comment but did not immediately hear back.

House Republicans passed a federal funding bill backed by President Donald Trump largely on their own Tuesday.

It also marked one of the rare occasions in recent memory that a majority of House Democrats voted against a bill that would prevent a government shutdown.

The bill passed largely along partisan lines. 

The measure, a short-term extension of fiscal year (FY) 2024 funding known as a continuing resolution (CR), will now head to the Senate. It must pass there and get to Trump's desk before the end of Friday, March 14, to avert a partial shutdown.

DEMOCRATS PRIVATELY REBUKE PARTY MEMBERS WHO JEERED TRUMP DURING SPEECH TO CONGRESS: REPORT

In a major victory for Trump and House GOP leaders, however, several House Republicans who professed to never have voted for a CR supported the current bill.

Among them was Rep. Eric Burlison, R-Mo., who fully credited Trump with his decision to "barely" support the bill.

"The ‘barely’ is Donald Trump," Burlison said. "He is the difference maker. I would never support this language, but I do trust Donald Trump."

Rep. Greg Steube, R-Fla., was in a similar boat. He told reporters, "I'll be the first guy to tell you I don't like CRs. I've never voted for one."

"But the Democrats aren't going to help us. And the Democrats are just going to put any shutdown on the president, which obviously isn't good for for the party," Steube said. "So I think it's important that we give the party, the president and the conference time to come up with a good budget."

It includes an additional $8 billion in defense dollars in an apparent bid to ease national security hawks' concerns, while non-defense spending that Congress annually appropriates would decrease by about $13 billion.

There's also an added $6 billion for healthcare for veterans.

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The White House has requested additional spending in areas that were not present in the last government funding extension, known as "anomalies."

Among the anomalies are some added funding for the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) federal benefits program, and nearly $1 billion to aid with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) deportations.

There is also some added funding for defense in a bid to ease national security hawks' concerns, and about $13 billion in cuts to non-defense spending.

Protesters against Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency rallied outside the Department of Education Tuesday and held a moment of appreciation and applause for the federal agency, which is rumored to be next on the chopping block.

The protesters, many of them former Education Department officials, chanted, "This is what democracy looks like" and held signs saying, "Boycott Tesla!," "Elon don’t rob kids" and "No DOGE no kings."  

After the protest, FOX Business Senior Correspondent Charles Gasparino posted on X that he had reviewed an email from education department officials telling employees they would have to vacate the agency's offices by 6 p.m. Tuesday and that the offices would remain closed Wednesday. 

He also reported that "employees have been receiving multiple emails alerting them of massive cuts in the workforce and opportunities to tap into buyouts and severance."

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Rally speakers railed against the Trump administration’s planned cuts to the department and instead called for more funding. At one point, organizers had attendees turn to face the department building and clap for the federal workers inside.

President Donald Trump is expected to issue an executive order directing Education Secretary Linda McMahon to "take all necessary steps to facilitate the closure of the Education Department" based on "the maximum extent appropriate and permitted by law," according to a draft of the order reported by The Wall Street Journal.

The draft order says the "the experiment of controlling American education through Federal programs and dollars — and the unaccountable bureaucrats those programs and dollars support — has failed our children, our teachers, and our families."

Trump has long talked about dismantling the Department of Education, saying it has failed America's students. 

"It’s a big con job," the president said in November. "They ranked the top countries in the world. We’re ranked No. 40, but we’re ranked No. 1 in one department, cost per pupil. So, we spend more per pupil than any other country in the world, but we’re ranked No. 40."

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However, the protesters, who stood outside the Education Department headquarters in Washington, D.C., claimed dismantling the agency "will lead to children and families being hurt."

"This cut in funding is the opposite of what we should be doing. We should be providing more federal funding for these services for these kids, not less," one protester, a former Education Department employee, told Fox News Digital.

She said her biggest worry was that DOGE cuts would make students "suffer" and also affect after-school programs such as special programs and English courses for immigrant children. 

"We're going to be going back to the 1800s, the early 1900s, when special ed kids can't get services, when English learners can't learn English. This is an outrage," she said.

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Another former federal employee at the rally told Fox News Digital that "seeing all these employees laid off right now breaks our heart," and "we really have to speak up for what's been done to the federal government."

One of the rally speakers, Rebecca Pringle, president of the National Education Association, pointed out that, on its own, the Trump administration does not have the authority to close the Education Department. Fully abolishing the department would require 60 votes in the Senate, requiring cooperation from Democrats.

Pringle told Fox News Digital her group is organizing a series of national walk-in protests for March 19 to hold Congress members "accountable."

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"Educators all over this country are rising up, and they're saying, no. … We will not stand by while this administration focuses on giving tax cuts to billionaires who already have more, when we know our students need more," said Pringle. 

Speaking directly to Trump and Musk, Katie Gates, an activist with the political activism group Voters of Tomorrow, told Fox News Digital her message to the administration is, "Please stop. Just don’t do it."

"You might think that you're making government more efficient, or you're getting rid of the deep state or whatever. But, like I said, this has far-ranging impacts on kids, on parents, on communities, on schools," she said. "Sometimes efficiency isn’t the highest value. Sometimes it's support. Sometimes it's learning."

Fox News Digital reporter Louis Casiano contributed to this report.

Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins has been steadfast in his commitment to shake up the department. And, despite firing at least 2,400 employees, Collins pledges to maintain the VA’s commitment to preserving and improving healthcare benefits for veterans. 

"VA's biggest problem is that its bureaucracy and inefficiencies are getting in the way of customer convenience and service to veterans. As I have said before, we owe American veterans and hundreds of thousands of amazing employees solutions. And mark my words, that is what we will deliver," Collins said in a video posted on X last week. 

Collins said the VA dismissals are part of President Donald Trump’s commitment to making government more efficient and effective, in conjunction with Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). The VA announced that last month's personnel moves will save more than $83 million annually, and they will "redirect all of those resources back toward health care, benefits and services for VA beneficiaries."

Collins, who has faced criticism for his proposed 15% workforce reduction, confirmed the VA’s goal to cut 80,000 jobs during a "Fox & Friends" interview with Brian Kilmeade on Monday. 

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"Please, before Democrats or anybody else start on this path, this is going to be a deliberative process that's going to take some time that's going to include career VA employees. It's going to include senior executives. It's going to include all across, even bringing in people if need be, to take a look at: are we being efficient?" Collins told Kilmeade. 

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Collins has shut down criticism from the mainstream media and Democrats who have slammed VA cuts, reminding Kilmeade on Monday that operational issues have long plagued the VA. 

"Let's all agree on something that for the past 10 years, the GAO has reported that the VA healthcare has been at a high-risk. In other words, they're on the high-risk list for not only the possibility of fraud, waste and abuse, but also in patient quality, patient care. This has been going on for 10 years. It's interesting to me that they're looking at wait times. These are things that have preceded me coming in. I've been here for weeks, but it's interesting that there's no solutions being proposed," Collins said. 

Veterans have reported poor healthcare conditions at the VA for decades, including long wait times, delayed care, slow processing times and corruption. While the Trump administration’s VA has only investigated 2% of their contracts so far, Collins said they have already identified 600 non-mission-critical or duplicate agreements to save almost $1 billion. Collins said that money can be re-invested into making "changes that actually help our veterans."

"The money we're saving by eliminating non-mission critical and duplicative contracts is money we're going to redirect to veterans facing healthcare benefits and services, resulting in massive improvements in customer service and convenience. Improving services to the veterans is exactly why the VA exists. That is what everyone – Congress, the media and VA employees – should be focused on," Collins said. 

Collins has emphasized there will be no cuts to healthcare or benefits for veterans. 

"We're going to accomplish this without making cuts to healthcare or benefits to veterans and VA beneficiaries. VA will always fulfill its duty to provide veterans, families, caregivers and survivors the healthcare and benefits they have earned. That's a promise. And while we conduct our review, VA will continue to hire for more than 300,000 mission-critical positions to ensure healthcare and benefits for VA beneficiaries are not impacted," Collins said. 

Despite Collins’ reassurances, Democrats have slammed the Trump administration and DOGE for VA cuts. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., led a press conference with fellow Democrats on the issue last week at the U.S. Capitol. 

"Why lay off veterans? I mean, 30% of the federal workforce is veterans, including a lot of people who've been laid off at the CFPB. Can you at least show some compassion to veterans?" Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., told Fox News Digital following a meeting with Consumer Financial Protection Bureau employees who were impacted by federal workforce reductions. 

"They're going to gut the Department of Veterans Affairs, jeopardizing the health and well-being of millions of veterans," Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., said at a rally in Wisconsin on Friday. 

"Cutting the VA and some of the proposals I've seen are going to hurt service to veterans. So let's agree that that's a bad idea. Bipartisan. It's a bad idea to do that," Sen. Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich., told NBC’s "Meet the Press" on Sunday. 

"I go to the VA myself, so I see every day the waiting lists, the long lines to get care, how long it takes to get an appointment. All of that is going to get worse," Rep. Seth Moulton, D-Mass., told MSNBC on Saturday. 

Veterans have been speaking out against the proposed VA cuts as well. Veterans are organizing a protest against VA cuts and "Project 2025" on Friday, March 14, in Washington, D.C., and at state capitals across the country. 

VoteVets, a progressive political action committee, released a memo last week outlining the "extensive damage in the department’s ability to process and pay out benefits." However, Collins said firing nonessential employees and reevaluating contracts is how the Trump administration is "finally going to give the veterans what they want."

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"The VA has been a punching bag among veterans, Congress and the media for decades. Things need to change. We owe America's veterans and the hundreds and thousands of excellent VA employees solutions. For many years, veterans have been asking for a more efficient, accountable and transparent VA. This administration is finally going to give the veterans what they want," Collins said.