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Today — 23 January 2025Latest Political News on Fox News

Fox News Politics Newsletter: JFK Files Declassified

23 January 2025 at 14:30

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

Here's what's happening…

-Karine Jean-Pierre reveals mom's cancer diagnosis — and why she kept it secret

-Illegal immigrant suspect in fatal hit-and-run arrested 800 miles from crime scene on bus headed to Mexico

-Top 5 moments from Trump's 'Hannity' interview 

President Donald Trump on Thursday signed an executive order to declassify files on the assassinations of former President John F. Kennedy, and civil rights icon Martin Luther King Jr. 

Trump had promised to declassify the previously-classified documents during his 2024 campaign.

"Everything will be revealed," Trump told reporters as he signed the order in the Oval Office of the White House…Read more

RIGHTING A WRONG: Trump expected to pardon pro-life activists convicted under FACE Act…Read more

'FORGOTTEN ABOUT': Anti-CCP group debuts ad with dire call for GOP lawmakers to back Trump on saving US farms…Read more

TWO DOWN: John Ratcliffe confirmed as next CIA director, becomes second Trump cabinet pick to gain congress's approval…Read more

BRACING FOR INFLUX: Mexico scrambles to build tents to handle mass deportations from US…Read more

'FALSELY SMEARED': Benjamin Netanyahu comes to defense of Elon Musk…Read more

MONEY PROBLEMS: Putin reportedly concerned over Russia's economy ahead of possible Trump tariffs…Read more

STATUS REVOKED: GOP leaders rally to revoke China's 'most favored nation' status after 20-year run…Read more

SPREADING THE WORD: New Republican leader Lisa McClain talks messaging 'playbook' in the Trump era…Read more

RESULTS OVER PROCESS: Tim Scott emphasizes 'results' over reconciliation process as he stays out of debate…Read more

'FACTUALLY INACCURATE': Key Senate chairman criticizes 'anonymous sources with ulterior motives,' stands by Hegseth nomination…Read more

'GODFATHER OF THE ULTRA-RIGHT': Trump budget chief pick Russell Vought faces fire from Dem senators…Read more

SENATE SHOWDOWN: Hegseth clears Senate hurdle and advances to a final confirmation vote…Read more

'CONCERNED': Moderate GOP senator says she will vote against nomination of Pete Hegseth for Defense Secretary…Read more

'RIDICULOUS': Lawmakers refuse to say how many genders there are when confronted on Capitol Hill…Read more

SHOCKING MOVE: VA Dems reject Youngkin's antisemitism expert pick from George Mason Univ board amid troubling incidents…Read more

EXCLUSIVE: Medal of Honor recipients would see their pensions increase six-fold under new proposal…Read more

‘I’M A FIGHTER': House GOP firebrand invokes Trump while mulling run for South Carolina governor's mansion…Read more

'INFANTICIDE': Pro-lifers pounce on Fetterman for opposing 'Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act'…Read more

'WE'RE GOING TO FIND THEM': First images of ICE mass deportation efforts show arrests of MS-13 gang members, murder suspects…Read more

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

Miss America Abbie Stockard wore 'MAHA' dress designed by Andre Soriano to inaugural ball

23 January 2025 at 14:21

An Atelier dress designer and supporter of President Donald Trump shocked partygoers and social media users once again with a silhouette unlike anything he'd handcrafted before.

Andre Soriano, a shop owner in Occoquan, Virginia, and originally from the Philippines, designed a green "Make America Healthy Again" dress for recently crowned Miss America Abbie Stockard.

"She’s the sweetest," Soriano told Fox News Digital of Stockard. "She’s the best representation of America. She’s going to be a great example for all the kids."

'MAGA' DRESS DESIGNER FORCEDTO REMOVE TRUMP SIGNS FROM BUSINESS, RESIDENCE WHEN ‘KAREN' CALLED THE POLICE

Stockard, who represented Alabama and was crowned Miss America Jan. 5, wore the custom gown to the MAHA inaugural ball, held for a night in celebration of Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., Trump’s pick for secretary of Health and Human Services Jan. 20.

She has since shared photographs from the event opposite RFK Jr. and his wife, Cheryl Hines, among others.

"I’m truly, truly honored and grateful to be part of her dressing up," Soriano said.

The controversial designer is well known for the infamous "Make America Great Again" ensemble he crafted for singer-songwriter Joy Villa, which she wore to the 2017 Grammy Awards.

TOP 5 INAUGURATION DAY MOMENTS

"I’ve been in Hollywood before," Soriano told Fox News Digital. "I’ve been dissected, especially after I made the Trump dress."

Soriano has been the recipient of hateful rhetoric both online and in person for his patriotic tailoring.

"We’re going to tell the,. ‘God bless you, and peace be with you,'" he said of the backlash.

Soriano received the measurements for Stockard just two days before she arrived in Washington, D.C., for the inaugural events.

TRUMP INAUGURATION: JEWEL SURPRISES MAHA INAUGURAL BALL WITH PERFORMANCE

He made the dress in eight hours.

"She came the next day," Soriano said. "I did the fitting, and it fit her like a glove. I've worked with a lot of women, and I really nailed it down to the T."

January was hectic for Soriano because eight to 10 dresses were commissioned by him in preparation for Inauguration Day.

"The whole month of January I was flooded," he said. "I’m so glad that America finally made that decision."

'Complete failure': Government shutdown crisis threatens Capitol Hill as Trump plans policy overhaul

23 January 2025 at 13:45

There are less than two months until the next government funding deadline on March 14, and House lawmakers are growing increasingly concerned about the speed of their progress on spending talks.

"I think it’s a complete failure for us to not have a topline number," said Rep. Cory Mills, R-Fla. 

Congressional Republicans have been busy negotiating a massive conservative policy and budget overhaul via a process called "reconciliation," which allows the party holding both the House and Senate to enact sweeping changes by lowering the Senate's threshold for passage from 60 votes to 51.

But all the while, Republicans who spoke with Fox News Digital are worried about falling behind on the federal appropriations process for fiscal year (FY) 2025, with no topline funding numbers to work from yet and just 19 days left in session until the deadline.

TRUMP'S REMAIN IN MEXICO POLICY COULD BE REVIVED UNDER NEW HOUSE GOP BILL 

Congress has extended the FY 2025 deadline twice since the period began Oct. 1 – most recently passing a short-term funding extension of FY 2024 funding levels, known as a continuing resolution (CR), in late December.

"Appropriation bills have to get done. If we end up with another CR, that would be catastrophic. That would mean, in essence, a reduction on defense [funding]," said Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, R-Fla., a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee. "But for us to start doing it, we need a topline number. But I’m optimistic we’ll get there."

If nothing is done by March 14, Congress could be forced to contend with a partial government shutdown in the middle of their reconciliation talks – and within the first 100 days of President Donald Trump's second term.

Other members of the committee suggested they were similarly in the dark about a topline number, but were cautiously hopeful.

"We are less than eight weeks away from the CR expiring. We need to be able to get those toplines as soon as possible and get to work," said Rep. Stephanie Bice, R-Okla. "I have full faith and confidence that Tom Cole will be able to make that happen in the next week or two."

Rep. Mark Alford, R-Mo., said House Appropriations Committee Chairman Tom Cole, R-Okla., has been "in consultation" with his counterparts on a towline number.

Asked about the possibility of another CR, he said, "We have several things going on at once – the reconciliation package, raising the debt ceiling, and the appropriations process. So let’s just hope for the best and deal with the worst if we have to."

Republican leaders have previously been forced to seek Democratic support to pass CRs, which normally hit a wall of opposition among a cross-section of the GOP.

TRUMP'S ICE RACKS UP HUNDREDS OF ARRESTS, INCLUDING ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS ARRESTED FOR HORROR CRIMES

Conservative hardliners told Fox News Digital they're bracing for another CR or, worse in their eyes, a massive package combining Congress' 12 regular appropriation bills into one massive "omnibus."

Rep. Ralph Norman, R-S.C., said he and other conservatives were working on a bill to keep border security operations funded in the event of a government shutdown.

"We’re running out of time," he said, adding that Republicans should "probably stay in next week" instead of flying to their annual issues conference in Miami.

Rep. Keith Self, R-Fla., pointed out that House lawmakers have just over two weeks' worth of days in session to come up with a plan.

"I'm very concerned. I'm also concerned that if we screw up the CR on March the 14th, does it poison the reconciliation negotiations?" Self posed.

But not all conservatives are concerned. House Freedom Caucus Chair Andy Harris, R-Md., said he would be in favor of a full-year CR if "we write it properly."

"You tell me what the topline is, and I'll tell you whether I'm concerned," he said.

Fox News Digital reached out to congressional Republican leaders and the House Appropriations Committee for comment.

Hawaii's Hirono only senator to vote no on Collins, continuing partisan streak at hearings

23 January 2025 at 13:43

Democrat Hawaii Sen. Mazie Hirono was the only lawmaker on the Senate's Veterans’ Affairs Committee to oppose the confirmation of President Donald Trump's nominee for secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs, former GOP congressman from Georgia Doug Collins.

Amid the slew of confirmation hearings that have taken place, Hirono has been unafraid to poke and prod about nominees' sex lives, and at one point she accused Trump's defense secretary nominee, Pete Hegseth, of being willing to shoot at lawful protesters.

"Would you carry out such an order [to shoot protesters] from President Trump?" Hirono asked Hegseth during his hearing in front of the Senate Armed Services Committee, citing reports that the president asked former Secretary of Defense Mark Esper to shoot protesters in the leg during the 2020 riots in Washington, D.C., that ensued after the death of George Floyd.

JD VANCE'S FIRST BIG VP MOMENT ON THE HORIZON WITH POSSIBLE CABINET TIEBREAKER VOTE 

Hegseth tried to offer a response to Hirono's question, but the senator would not let him get a word in and instead answered the question for him, "You will shoot protesters in the leg," she asserted to Hegseth. "Moving on."

Hirono also has been unafraid to ask each of Trump's nominees she questioned throughout their confirmation hearings, including Collins, about unfounded allegations of sexual assault.

"As part of my responsibilities to ensure the fitness of nominees before any of the committees, I ask the following two questions," Hirono posited during the hearing for Trump's interior secretary nominee, Doug Burgum. "First is, since you became a legal adult have you ever made unwanted requests for sexual favors or committed any verbal or physical harassment or assault of a sexual nature? Have you ever faced discipline or entered into a settlement related to this kind of conduct?"

For Trump's attorney general nominee, Pam Bondi, Hirono asked the same questions about unfounded sexual allegations. She similarly answered her own questions as she did with Hegseth.

STEFANIK LOOKS BACK TO FIERY EXCHANGES WITH COLLEGE LEADERS IN SENATE CONFIRMATION HEARING: ‘WATERSHED MOMENT’

Bondi, however, clapped back with criticism of her own during the senator's questioning, noting that Hirono refused to meet with her privately to discuss her concerns ahead of the public hearing.

"Sen. Hirono, I wish you had met with me. Had you met with me, we could have discussed many things and gotten to the meat [of your questions]," Bondi told Hirono as she was lobbing questions at the nominee. "You were the only one who refused to meet with me."

WATCH: Lawmakers refuse to say how many genders there are when confronted on Capitol Hill

23 January 2025 at 13:32

WASHINGTON — Lawmakers refused to say how many genders there are when confronted just days after President Donald Trump proclaimed that there are only two "not changeable" sexes: male and female.

Former President Joe Biden refrained from defining gender as strictly binary and issued directives supporting the recognition of individual gender identity on federal documents. This included allowing Americans to select "X" as a gender option on their passports, alongside male and female. In contrast, Trump's order, declaring the existence of only two genders, will reverse efforts allowing the use of a gender different from that assigned at birth on documents like driver's licenses.

In the wake of Trump's order, Fox News Digital surveyed lawmakers on Capitol Hill about the number of recognized genders, but most members of Congress refused to answer the question.

"I have one meeting to go to, that's all I'm worried about right now," Rep. Sylvia Garcia, D-Texas, told Fox when asked how many genders there are.

TRUMP PUTS HIGHER EDUCATION ON NOTICE FOR ‘DANGEROUS, DEMEANING, AND IMMORAL’ DEI TEACHING

Another Democrat, Rep. Don Beyer, D-Va., told Fox that there are "two" genders but that "people are often uncertain what there is."

TRUMP TARGETS CULTURE WAY LIGHTENING RODS IN EARLY SLATE OF EXECUTIVE ORDERS

"These people are ridiculous," Democrat Rep. Greg Casar of Texas said as he walked away. 

Other lawmakers who did not say how many genders there are included Rep. Maxwell Frost, D-Fla., and Rep. Pete Stauber, R-Minn.

Trump is taking aim at several of Biden's federal orders surrounding gender identity, such as revoking the Enabling All Qualified Americans to Serve Their Country in Uniform order, which allowed transgender people to serve in the military. 

Fox News' Morgan Phillips contributed to this report.

'Not my job': Sheriff vows Las Vegas Police will not assist with Trump's illegal immigration 'roundups'

23 January 2025 at 13:23

After President Donald Trump's return to the White House and swift, sweeping actions to crack down on illegal immigration, the head of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD), Sheriff Kevin McMahill, doubled down on a policy guiding officers to limit cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (IC) and not assist with federal immigration "roundups."

The department emphasized its policy of not investigating immigration violations, according to a statement posted on X Tuesday. The department said its statement was in response to "questions regarding immigration enforcement."

The policy, which was instituted during the first Trump administration in 2019 and then amended in 2023, states that "although Nevada peace officers have the authority to assist in enforcing federal laws, LVMPD officers will not enforce immigration violations." And "officers will not stop and question, detain, arrest, or place an immigration hold on any individuals on the grounds they are an undocumented immigrant.

"It is the policy of this department to recognize the dignity of all persons, regardless of their national origin or immigration status," the policy states. "LVMPD is committed to community-oriented policing as a strategy that focuses on developing relationships with community members regardless of the immigration status of a suspect or victim."

'LOUD AND CLEAR': BORDER STATE'S LEGISLATURE MOVES TO BACK TRUMP'S ICE ON DEPORTATIONS

According to the LVMPD policy, the department "will share criminal intelligence regarding transnational organized crime and international terrorism with any and all law enforcement agencies to include ICE." 

The policy further states that the department will also notify ICE when a foreign-born individual is arrested and charged with a violent felony, domestic violence or driving under the influence at the time of booking and release.

DOJ TO INVESTIGATE STATE OR LOCAL OFFICIALS WHO OBSTRUCT IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT: MEMO

However, the LVMPD policy says that the department "will not delay the release of an inmate for ICE" and will release a migrant "if ICE is not present at the time of the inmate’s release."

In an interview with local outlet 8 News Now, McMahill said his officers would not assist federal authorities with "roundups" of illegal immigrants, saying, "That’s not my job. I have too much to do.

"I don’t intend to change that policy any time soon. What I do hope happens is that there’s a bipartisan effort to secure our border."

CLICK HERE FOR MORE IMMIGRATION COVERAGE

In previous statements, ICE has said law enforcement agencies refusing to honor its immigration "detainers," or hold requests, unnecessarily place agents and communities in danger by necessitating potentially violent confrontations and arrests in public spaces.

Tom Homan, Trump’s border czar, has spoken out unequivocally against public officials who have vowed not to cooperate with federal immigration authorities.

"When you release a public safety threat back into the community, that puts the community at great risk of crime, and it puts our officers at great risk. Now, they’ve got to arrest the bad guy on his turf, where he has access to who knows what weapons, and it puts the public at risk," Homan told Fox News Wednesday.

"To sanctuary cities, I’ve said this many times: Let us into the jail, where it’s safer for an agent to arrest a bad guy, it’s safer for the bad guy to be arrested in jail and it's safer for the community.

"I want to save lives. A secure border saves lives. And when President Trump locks this border down, less women and children will be sex trafficked in this country, less aliens will die making that journey," he added. 

"Sanctuary cities are going to get exactly what they don't want — more agents in the communities, more people arrested, more collaterals arrested. So, that's a game they want to play? Game on."

Top trade association sends letters calling on big changes in three key departments: 'Unleash American energy'

23 January 2025 at 13:15

FIRST ON FOX: A top national trade organization has sent letters to three departments in the Trump administration advocating for specific policies that the group believes will most effectively achieve President Trump’s goal to "unleash American energy" in the United States. 

The American Exploration & Production Council, a national trade association representing the leading independent oil and natural gas exploration and production companies in the United States, sent letters to the Department of Energy, Department of Interior and Environmental Protection Agency with specific guidelines on how to best jumpstart energy production.

In the letter to the Department of Energy, AXPC made several requests, including that the department "resume timely approval of liquefied natural gas (LNG) export approvals."

"U.S. LNG plays a critical role in geopolitical stability and supporting global emission reductions — a fact that has been confirmed numerous times over the past decade," the letter states. "As the world’s largest natural gas producer, the U.S. is well positioned to meet the dual challenge of supplying the world with affordable, clean, and reliable energy all while reducing global emissions. This misguided permitting pause should be lifted immediately, and DOE should ensure that any public interest study uses well-reasoned assumptions."

SEN KATIE BRITT: TRUMP AND HIS TEAM READY TO SUPERCHARGE AMERICA'S ECONOMY AND ENERGY SECTOR

Other recommendations to DOE included promoting U.S. energy exports, creating fair access to export authorizations and avoiding unnecessary delays, providing greater certainty for critical energy and infrastructure, and enhancing energy reliability with advanced natural gas storage.

"Our recommendations focus on policy priorities and actions within the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), and some Department wide that we believe strike this critical balance and directly impact responsible onshore exploration, development, and production of oil and natural gas in the United States," the letter to the Department of Interior explained. 

"In alignment with the Trump administration’s goal to ‘Unleash American Energy’, including expanding oil and natural gas production on federal lands, these recommendations aim to support responsible American energy production while maintaining crucial environmental protections and fostering economic growth here at home."

NORTHERN HIGHLIGHTS: ALASKA'S ENERGY, SECURITY POLICIES ARE THE GUIDE FEDS NEED AMID TRANSITION, GROUP SAYS

Recommendations to the DOI include revoking the BLM’s Conservation & Landscape Health Rule and its implementing instructional memorandums, streamlining drilling permits, replacing the recent resources management plan amendments to align with western states’ priorities, and allowing for the commingling of oil and gas production for greater efficiency and environmental protection. 

In the letter to the EPA, AXPC wrote that its recommendations "focus on policy priorities that we believe strike this critical balance and directly impact responsible onshore exploration, development, and production of oil and natural gas in the United States."

ENERGY EXPERT WEIGHS IN ON 23 STATE ATTORNEYS GENERAL SUING EPA OVER NEW METHANE EMISSIONS FEE

Some of those recommendations include revising the source performance standards to "improve feasibility for emission controls" and "provide greater allowance for alternative technologies and approaches."

The letter also calls for reforms to the Clean Water Act and modifications to the Greenhouse Gas reporting rule. 

"America is stronger, the world is safer, and the environment is cleaner when the United States is the world leader in energy production, and that is best achieved with sensible, workable, and durable policies out of Washington," AXPC CEO Anne Bradbury told Fox News Digital in a statement. 

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 "That's why America's oil and natural gas producers look forward to working with the Trump administration’s goal of energy dominance and providing affordable, reliable, and ever-cleaner energy for the American people."

Trump's nominees in all three departments have signaled that they intend to implement new policies and guidelines that significantly increase oil and gas production while easing regulations at the same time. 

"When energy production is restricted in America, it doesn't reduce demand. It just shifts production to countries like Russia and Iran, whose autocratic leaders not only don't care at all about the environment, but they use their revenues from energy sales to fund wars against us and our allies," DOI secretary nominee Doug Burgum said in his opening statement at his confirmation hearing. 

"President Trump's energy dominance vision will end those wars abroad and will make life more affordable for every family in America by driving down inflation. And President Trump will achieve those goals while championing clean air, clean water and protecting our beautiful lands."

Dems ask Trump USDA pick who will do 'backbreaking' farming amid mass deportations

23 January 2025 at 13:06

Democratic lawmakers are worried American farms will suffer under President Donald Trump’s mass deportation initiative.

Approximately 40% of crop farmworkers are not approved to work in the U.S., according to the U.S. Department of Labor’s National Agricultural Workers Survey, and Democratic lawmakers are curious about who will step in to work in the heat or cold. 

As a result, senators questioned Trump’s pick to lead the Agriculture Department, Brooke Rollins, about whether mass deportation under the Trump administration will undermine the farming workforce. 

"Can we expect this administration to be raiding farms, going after the immigrant farmers?" Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., said during Rollins’ confirmation hearing before the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee Thursday. 

‘NATIONAL EMERGENCY:’ TRUMP DECLARES AMBITIOUS ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION CRACKDOWN IN INAUGURAL ADDRESS

"Listen, the president’s vision of a secure border and a mass deportation at a scale that matters is something I support," Rollins said. 

Rollins then promised to help Trump execute his agenda, while also "defending" American farmers and ranchers. 

"But when you’re talking about massive deportation, we’ve gone beyond dangerous criminals," Durbin said. "I just wonder if we ought to give fair warning to farmers and ranchers across America that if you have immigrant labor, you can expect federal agents to come and search your property."

"I have not been involved in the president’s current plan, I cannot answer that one way or the other," Rollins said. 

Trump has promised to take an aggressive approach to border security and illegal immigration, and the Department of Homeland Security issued a notice Tuesday to green-light expedited deportation of illegal immigrants

‘PROMPT REMOVAL:’ TRUMP DHS EXPANDS EXPEDITED DEPORTATION POWERS AS OPERATIONS RAMP UP 

Other Democratic senators, including Peter Welch of Vermont and Adam Schiff of California, echoed similar sentiments regarding the implications of mass deportation on farms. 

While the lawmakers acknowledged that those who pose a public safety threat shouldn’t remain in the U.S., they also said Americans are less inclined to work in the harsh conditions that farming requires than illegal immigrants. 

Schiff said estimates suggest half of California’s farm workforce is undocumented, and asked Rollins how farmers were supposed to survive if half their workforce is cut, because "Americans don’t want to do that work," since it's "too backbreaking." As a result, Schiff asked who would work on California's farms. 

Rollins said she would work with the committee and with the Labor Department on the matter.

"We will work together to understand and hopefully solve for some of these problems. The dairy cattle have to be milked, but if we’ve got a mass deportation program underway, then there’s a lot of work that we need to do," Rollins said. 

TRUMP BORDER CZAR REVEALS ICE TEAMS ARE ALREADY ARRESTING ‘PUBLIC SAFETY THREATS’

Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle also voiced concerns about how farmers will fare, should Trump follow through on his plans to implement tariffs. Trump’s economic plan calls for imposing tariffs ranging from 10% to 20% on all imported goods. 

When Trump’s first administration imposed tariffs, China issued their own retaliatory tariffs that cost the federal government billions of dollars in government aid to farmers.

"I’m trepidacious that this is going to come back to our farmers," Democratic Sen. Elissa Slotkin of Michigan said. 

"My commitment is that there will be no sleeping, that we will work around the clock to ensure that our AG communities across this country are represented in those discussions and at the table," Rollins said. 

Rollins previously worked as the director of the Office of American Innovation and acting director of the Domestic Policy Council during Trump’s first term. After working for the Trump administration, Rollins co-founded the America First Policy Institute think tank. 

The secretary of the Agriculture Department is responsible for managing farm and nutrition, forestry, food safety, rural development, and agricultural research. 

Former VP Harris reportedly asking Hillary Clinton for advice on what to do after losing to Trump

23 January 2025 at 13:04

Former Vice President Kamala Harris’ future remains unclear months after her election loss to now-President Donald Trump.

As she grapples with navigating next steps, Harris has spoken with family and close friends, including the one other person who has been in her exact position: Hillary Clinton, New York Magazine reported. The two have reportedly spoken several times since Harris’ defeat.

Some have speculated that she will stage a gubernatorial run next year in California, as her close friend, Democrat Gov. Gavin Newsom, is limited on terms and can’t run again. Others think she still has her eye on the Oval Office and will launch another bid for the presidency. Shortly after the election, Harris reportedly told advisors not to make any plans that would preclude her from seeking the presidency in 2028, according to New York Magazine.

The former vice president has not spoken directly about her future, but she has hinted that she’s not done with politics. Last week, just days before the end of her time as then-President Joe Biden’s VP, Harris addressed a room of staff as she participated in the decades-long tradition of signing her desk drawer. During her brief remarks, Harris said she would not "go quietly into the night," saying that "our work is not done."

The comments she made to staff echoed a message from her concession speech in which she told supporters, "While I concede this election, I do not concede the fight that fueled this campaign."

HARRIS FORMALLY CONCEDES ONE DAY AFTER TRUMP'S SWEEPING VICTORY

After her 2020 bid for the presidency failed, Harris was given a clear path forward as Biden's pick to be his running mate. While Biden seemed to imply that he would be a one-term president, he announced his re-election campaign in April 2023.

However, after a disastrous debate that highlighted ongoing issues, Biden made the historic decision to drop out of the race in July 2024. This was just one week after a gunman nearly killed Trump during a rally in Pennsylvania.

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Shortly after dropping out of the race, Biden endorsed his VP, moving her to the top of the ticket. Some believed this move could have hurt her prospects, as voters saw her nomination as a coronation, in stark contrast to the "save democracy" message channeled by the Democrats.

HOLLYWOOD FINDS FAILURE TO ELECT KAMALA HARRIS 'UNSETTLING': 'NOT THE DRIVER ANYMORE'

Harris and Clinton have more than election losses in common. Both were backed by a long list of Hollywood A-listers, whose endorsements ultimately did not help. Not even Taylor Swift could make the "Harris Era" happen.

"The outcome of this election is not what we hoped, not what we fought for, not what we voted for," Harris said in her concession speech. "But hear when I say … the light of America’s promise will always burn bright as long as we never give up and as long as we keep fighting."

204 House Dems vote against bill to give lifesaving treatment to infants who survive abortions

23 January 2025 at 13:02

The House of Representatives has passed a bill that would penalize doctors who do not provide life-saving care to infants born alive after an abortion attempt.

All but one Democrat voted against the bill, which passed 217 to 204, with all Republicans in favor. One Democrat, Rep. Vicente Gonzalez, D-Texas, voted "present."

The bill directs health care practitioners to operate with the "same degree of professional skill, care, and diligence" for a baby born with a heartbeat after an abortion as during a normal birth. Doctors who run afoul of the rule would be fined or given up to five years behind bars.

WHITE HOUSE OPM ORDERS ALL DEI OFFICES TO BEGIN CLOSING BY END OF DAY WEDNESDAY

House GOP leaders lauded the bill, with Majority Whip Tom Emmer, R-Minn., telling Fox News Digital, "Requiring medical care for babies born alive after a failed abortion isn’t controversial, it’s common sense."

"The fact that Democrats would rather support infanticide than vote in favor of this bill shows how extreme and out-of-touch their party has become," Emmer said.

Democrats have argued that the bill is redundant, given existing laws against infanticide and murder, and could imperil the lives of women seeking late-term abortions due to medical emergencies while unfairly penalizing doctors.

TRUMP TO DEPLOY MILITARY TO BORDER, END BIDEN PAROLE POLICIES IN FLURRY OF DAY ONE EXECUTIVE ORDERS

"No one goes through pregnancy and all that comes with it…and then after eight or nine months of that is like ‘nah, I don’t want to do this,’" Rep. Sara Jacobs, D-Calif., said during debate on the bill, adding that late-term operations made up about 1% of abortions. "It is because of a serious fetal abnormality or the health of the mother."

She said the bill was "not based on science or reality."

Several Democrats who spoke out against the bill themselves went through emergency abortion procedures with a nonviable pregnancy.

Among them was Rep. Teresa Leger Fernandez, D-N.M., who said the bill would allow women to "die on the operating table because doctors are scared of going to jail."

Republicans, meanwhile, argued the bill would stop babies from being "left to die in a closet, alone and discarded like medical waste," as Rep. Michelle Fischbach, R-Minn., said during debate.

"These precious babies, fellow Americans, deserve protection because they are alive," said Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas.

The vote comes after Democrats tanked the bill in the Senate earlier this week. The legislation failed to pass a procedural hurdle that needed 60 votes to allow for debate on its final passage.

Trump signs order to declassify files on JFK, RFK and MLK assassinations

23 January 2025 at 12:52

President Donald Trump on Thursday signed an executive order to declassify files on the assassinations of former President John F. Kennedy, his brother Robert F. Kennedy and civil rights icon Martin Luther King Jr. 

Trump had promised to release the previously-classified documents during his 2024 campaign following decades of speculation and conspiracy theories about the killings. 

"Everything will be revealed," Trump told reporters as he signed the order in the Oval Office of the White House.

TRUMP PLEDGES TO RELEASE FILES ON JFK, MLK, RFK ASSASSINATIONS 

During his first administration, Trump had promised to release all the files related to John F. Kennedy, but an undisclosed amount of material remains under wraps more than six decades after Kennedy was killed Nov. 22, 1963, in Dallas, Texas. The primary suspect, Lee Harvey Oswald, was killed two days later by Jack Ruby. 

After appeals from the CIA and FBI, Trump blocked the release of hundreds of records. Trump said at the time the potential harm to U.S. national security, law enforcement or foreign affairs is "of such gravity that it outweighs the public interest in immediate disclosure."

"I have now determined that the continued redaction and withholding of information from records pertaining to the assassination of President John F. Kennedy is not consistent with the public interest and the release of these records is long overdue," Trump's order states. "And although no Act of Congress directs the release of information pertaining to the assassinations of Senator Robert F. Kennedy and the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., I have determined that the release of all records in the Federal Government’s possession pertaining to each of those assassinations is also in the public interest."

TRUMP VOWS THE ‘BIGGEST FIRST WEEK' IN PRESIDENTIAL HISTORY DURING VICTORY RALLY: ’EXTREMELY HAPPY'

U.S. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., praised the declassification of the JFK files. 

"Our government, led by corrupt bureaucrats, has hidden this information from the American people for far too long. Americans deserve to know the truth, whether it makes the government look good or not," she said in a statement. "As part of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, I want to continue to deliver transparency to Americans. The truth belongs to the people, and we won’t rest until they have it."

Trump’s promise to also release outstanding documents related to King and former U.S. Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy leaves questions as to how the president will speed up the releases.

Robert F. Kennedy, then a Senator from New York, was on the presidential campaign trail as a Democratic candidate when he was fatally shot on June 5, 1968 by Sirhan Sirhan, a Palestinian Christian, at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles.  

Under the Martin Luther King Jr. Records Collection Act, the remaining files pertaining to King are not due for release until 2027. King was fatally shot by James Earl Ray at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee, on April 4, 1968.

The deaths of King and John F. Kennedy have spawned conspiracy theories over the years, many of which allege government involvement or cover-ups.  

Fox News Digital's Stephen Sorace contributed to this report. 

Moderate GOP senator says she will vote against confirmation of Pete Hegseth for Defense Secretary

23 January 2025 at 12:15

Republican Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, will not support the confirmation of Pete Hegseth, President Donald Trump's pick to lead the defense department, citing a lack of experience and concerns over his past comments regarding women.

Several Republican senators remained on the fence about Hegseth's nomination as he faced a grilling from members of the Armed Services Committee during his confirmation hearing in January. 

Collins cited a lack of experience and Hegseth's previous comments about women serving in the military as reasoning for her decision to not back the Trump nominee.

"While I appreciate his courageous military service and his ongoing commitment to our servicemembers and their families, I am concerned that he does not have the experience and perspective necessary to succeed in the job," Collins wrote in a post on X on Thursday. 

KEY SENATE CHAIRMAN CRITICIZES ‘ANONYMOUS SOURCES WITH ULTERIOR MOTIVES,’ STANDS BY HEGSETH NOMINATION

"His limited managerial experience involved running two small non-profit organizations that had decidedly mixed results," Collins wrote in a lengthy social media post. 

MODERATE REPUBLICAN MURKOWSKI WON'T BACK TRUMP PICK HEGSETH FOR DEFENSE SECRETARY

In November, Hegseth said that he believes that "we should not have women in combat roles" during an appearance on the Shawn Ryan Show, a comment that has raised concerns from senators whose support is crucial in advancing his nomination.

"I am also concerned about multiple statements, including some in the months just before he was nominated, that Mr. Hegseth has made about women serving in the military," the senator said. "He and I had a candid conversation in December about his past statements and apparently evolving views. I am not convinced that his position on women serving in combat roles has changed."

Another Republican, Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, revealed on Thursday that she would also not be supporting Hegseth due to "allegations of sexual assault and excessive drinking," which he has denied.

On Thursday, the Senate passed a motion to invoke cloture for Hegseth's nomination, advancing his confirmation to a final vote.

Schumer supports Democrats delaying all Trump nominees who lack unanimous support

23 January 2025 at 12:07

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said he supports the delay of all of President Donald Trump's Cabinet nominees who do not have unanimous support in the Senate.

Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., filed cloture on John Ratcliffe's nomination for CIA director, Kristi Noem's nomination for Homeland Security secretary and Pete Hegseth's nomination for defense secretary on Tuesday. But a last-minute objection from Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., held up a vote on Ratcliffe, triggering hours of debate that could delay confirmation votes on Trump's national security nominees late into the week and possibly into the weekend.

"I don't think it's too much to ask to make sure that we have a full, real debate that lasts two days on the Senate floor," Murphy said on the Senate floor, adding that Democrats have "serious concerns" about Trump's CIA pick. 

The Senate voted to confirm Ratcliffe, 74-25, on Thursday afternoon. 

SEN THUNE SUGGESTS STAYING THROUGH WEEKEND TO CONFIRM TRUMP PICKS AFTER DEMS DELAY VOTES: 'SHOULDN’T BE HARD'

Asked on Thursday if he supports slowing the confirmation process for Trump's nominees down, Schumer indicated that he does.

"Look, there are some nominees like [Secretary of State Marco] Rubio that got broad support, but a detailed discussion – I have some doubts about Mr. Ratcliffe, particularly when I asked him how he'd react if Tulsi Gabbard were put in charge of him in the DNI," Schumer said, referring to Trump's pick to lead the Office of National Intelligence. 

NEW GOP SENATOR TEARS INTO DEMS 'SEEKING TO DELAY' PETE HEGSETH DOD CONFIRMATION

"For a day or two, or a few hours to examine these nominees who have such power thoroughly, absolutely," he added. "Our idea is to let the whole truth come out if they try to rush them through. We don't want that to happen." 

Thune on Tuesday expressed frustration with Democrats over their delay tactics.

CONFIRMATION DELAYS STACK UP FOR TRUMP NOMINEES AS PAPERWORK LAGS IN FEDERAL OFFICES

"Do we want a vote on these folks on Tuesday or vote on them on Friday, Saturday and Sunday? Because that's what we're going to do. This can be easy or this can be hard," Thune said. "This is about America's national security interests, and we're stalling, so that's not going to happen."

Ratcliffe was approved by the Senate Intelligence Committee by a bipartisan vote of 14-3. Because of that, Thune said the vote to confirm him "shouldn't be hard."

"Democrats and Republicans, in a very big bipartisan fashion, agree that he is very qualified for this job," Thune said, adding that he isn't sure what stalling accomplishes.

Hegseth clears Senate hurdle and advances to a final confirmation vote

23 January 2025 at 12:00

Pete Hegseth cleared a procedural hurdle Thursday to advance his confirmation to lead the Defense Department for a final Senate vote, setting up a high-stakes showdown. 

A motion to invoke cloture, or begin up to 30 hours of debate, passed 51-49. Republican Sens. Susan Collins, R-Maine, voted no on advancing Hegseth's confirmation, Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., voted yes. 

Hegseth’s nomination was dealt another hurdle this week when reports emerged that his ex-sister-in-law alleged Hegseth abused his second wife. 

Two sources told CNN Hegseth’s ex-wife, Samantha Hegseth, gave a statement to the FBI about Hegseth’s alleged alcohol use. The outlet said one of the sources said Samantha Hegseth told the FBI, "He drinks more often than he doesn’t."

On Tuesday, Fox News obtained an affidavit from Hegseth's former sister-in-law, Danielle Hegseth, which alleges he has an alcohol abuse problem and at times made his ex-wife, Samantha, fear for her safety. Danielle Hegseth was previously married to Pete Hegseth's brother and has no relation to Samantha.

KEY SENATE CHAIRMAN CRITICIZES 'ANONYMOUS SOURCES WITH ULTERIOR MOTIVES,' STANDS BY HEGSETH NOMINATION

But Danielle Hegseth added that she never witnessed any abuse herself, physical or sexual, by Pete against Samantha. 

Samantha Hegseth has also denied any physical abuse in a statement to NBC News.

Senate Armed Services Chair Roger Wicker said in a statement Wednesday night that reports "regarding a confidential briefing on the FBI background investigation of Pete Hegseth that I received last week are starkly and factually inaccurate" and that he stands by Hegseth’s nomination.

"It is disturbing that a sensitive, longstanding process used by committee leadership to vet presidential personnel is being litigated in the press by anonymous sources with ulterior motives," Wicker said, adding he has been briefed by the FBI three times about a background check into Hegseth.

The new reporting came after a slew of reports damaging to Hegseth’s character, including a sexual assault allegation that he denies and reports about his alleged penchant for drinking and financial mismanagement. Hegseth has said he would abstain from alcohol if confirmed. 

Hegseth is expected to face one of the most vicious confirmation fights of any Trump Cabinet nominee. His confirmation hearing was heavy on personal character questions and interrogation over his opposition to female-specific standards for women in combat and light on policy inquiries. 

HEGSETH LAWYER SLAMS ‘FLAWED AND QUESTIONABLE AFFIDAVIT’ FROM EX-SISTER-IN-LAW

Earlier Thursday, Sen. Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., urged Republicans to join him in opposing the former Fox News host and Army national guardsman. 

"Hegseth is so utterly unqualified, he ranks up there [as] … one of the very worst nominees that could be put forward," Schumer said.

"People's lives depend on it — civilians and, of course, the men and women in the armed services — and Pete Hegseth has shown himself not only incapable of running a large organization, he often shows himself incapable of showing up or showing up in a way where he could get anything done. He is so out of the mainstream and so unqualified for DOD that I am hopeful we will get our Republican colleagues to join us. There will be a vote this afternoon."

Hegseth, who has been married three times, has admitted he was a "serial cheater" before he became a Christian and married his current wife, Jenny. 

The 44-year-old Army National Guard veteran, who did tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, is relatively young and inexperienced compared to defense secretaries in the past, retiring as a major. But Republicans say they don’t want someone who made it to the top brass who’s become entrenched in the Pentagon establishment. 

Hegseth has made it clear he will work to fight "woke" programs in the Pentagon that promote diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). He originally said he opposed women in combat before later clarifying he only opposes standards for women in combat that are different from men. 

"I’m straight up just saying that we should not have women in combat roles," Hegseth said on the "Shawn Ryan Show" podcast. "It hasn’t made us more effective, hasn’t made us more lethal, has made fighting more complicated."

Additionally, in 2019, he successfully lobbied Trump to pardon three service members convicted or accused of war crimes in Afghanistan and Iraq. 

Trump may have looked ahead to sparing himself the headache this role caused him during his first administration. Only Jim Mattis and Mark Esper lasted more than a year. Three others served in an acting capacity. Hegseth is more likely to align himself with Trump's goals for the department. 

Fox News' Stephen Sorace, Julia Johnson and Tyler Olson contributed to this report. 

'Blatantly unconstitutional': US judge temporarily blocks Trump's ban on birthright citizenship

23 January 2025 at 11:57

A federal judge in Seattle on Thursday temporarily blocked President Donald Trump's executive order banning birthright citizenship for children of illegal immigrants, describing the action as "blatantly unconstitutional."

The decision by U.S. District Judge John Coughenour, a Ronald Reagan appointee, comes in response to four U.S. states — Arizona, Illinois, Oregon and Washington — who sued to block Trump's executive order, which was signed by Trump shortly after being sworn in as president. 

Coughenour said Thursday that the executive order banning birthright citizenship "boggles the mind," and told the court he could not remember in his more than 40 years on the bench seeing a case so "blatantly unconstitutional."

TRUMP DHS REPEALS KEY MAYORKAS MEMO LIMITING ICE AGENTS, ORDERS PAROLE REVIEW 

The 14-day restraining order granted by Coughenour will apply to the entire U.S. 

The ruling is a blow to the new Trump administration, and comes as 22 U.S. states and immigrants rights groups have sued the Trump administration over the ban on birthright citizenship, arguing in court filings that the executive order is both unconstitutional and "unprecedented."

Trump's ban is slated to come into force Feb. 19, and would impact the hundreds of thousands of children born in the U.S. annually.

Trump's order seeks to clarify the 14th Amendment, which states: "All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside."

It clarifies that those born to illegal immigrant parents, or those who were here legally but on temporary nonimmigrant visas, are not citizens by birthright.

The U.S. is one of roughly 30 countries where birthright citizenship is applied. 

States who have challenged the law have argued that the 14th Amendment does in fact guarantee citizenship to persons born on U.S. soil and naturalized in the U.S. 

 This is a breaking news story, more updates to come.

John Ratcliffe confirmed as next CIA director, becomes second Trump nominee to gain congressional approval

23 January 2025 at 11:27

John Ratcliffe was confirmed to be the next director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) on Thursday, making him the second of President Donald Trump's cabinet picks to secure their position. 

By a vote of 74-25, Ratcliffe was confirmed. 

The Senate's full approval of Ratcliffe came after a 14-3 vote by the Senate Intelligence Committee on Monday evening, which advanced Ratcliffe's nomination to the Senate floor Thursday. 

Ratcliffe previously served as Trump's Director of National Intelligence (DNI) from May 2020 until January 2021, during the president's first term in office. At the time, Ratcliffe faced scrutiny over whether he was adequately qualified for the role and whether his loyalty to Trump might cloud his judgment. Ratcliffe's eventual nomination was approved along party lines.   

BREAKING DOWN THE SENATE HEARINGS FOR TRUMP'S CABINET NOMINEES

Prior to Ratcliffe's role as DNI, he was a member of the House of Representatives since 2015, serving Texas's 4th Congressional District. During Ratcliffe's tenure in Congress, he served on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence from 2019 until his move to DNI the following year.

Ratcliffe's confirmation this time around has garnered support from some Democrats, including from the top Democrat on the Senate's intel committee, Rep. Mark Warner of Virginia, who voted in favor of Ratcliffe's confirmation.

MODERATE REPUBLICAN MURKOWSKI WON'T BACK TRUMP PICK HEGSETH FOR DEFENSE SECRETARY

During Ratcliffe's first confirmation hearing last week, when lawmakers probed him over how he would handle the role as CIA director if confirmed, Ratcliffe said he would eliminate politicization and "wokeness" in the agency's workforce. Ratcliffe added that he plans on focusing on the agency's approach to technology, saying that he thinks it has struggled to keep pace with the tech evolution occurring in the private sector.

Ratcliffe will also take a hawkish stance towards China, too, according to people close to Ratcliffe, the Wall Street Journal reported last week.

Ratcliffe's confirmation makes him the second of Trump's nominees to garner congressional approval, after Marco Rubio. The Republican-controlled Senate said it plans to work overtime to get the rest of Trump's nominees approved quickly, with Senate Majority Leader John Thune insisting in a post on X, formerly Twitter, Tuesday evening, that they would work "nights, weekends, recesses" until the process is complete.

Border encounters drop sharply as Trump launches crackdown on illegal immigration

23 January 2025 at 11:09

EXCLUSIVE: The U.S. southern border has seen a sharp drop in illegal immigrant encounters in the first days of the Trump administration, compared to the final few days of the Biden administration, a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) source tells Fox News Digital.

The number of Border Patrol encounters at the southern border in the first three days of the Trump administration is 35% lower than the final three days of the Biden administration, the source said. The numbers do not include encounters at the northern border, or encounters at ports of entry by CBP's Office of Field Operations.

On Jan 17, there were 1,288 encounters nationwide, then 1,266 on Jan 18 and 1,354 on Jan 19. That is 3,908 encounters in total.

TRUMP'S ICE RACKS UP HUNDREDS OF ARRESTS, INCLUDING ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS ARRESTED FOR HORROR CRIMES

Trump took office on the 20th, when there were 1,073 encounters. It then declined further to 736 encounters on the 21st and again to 714 on the 22nd – making up 2,523 encounters.

Numbers fluctuate sharply at the border on a daily and weekly basis, but numbers have been relatively low since June, when President Biden signed an executive order limiting asylum. That followed a historic migrant crisis from 2021 that had shattered records repeatedly.

President Donald Trump implemented additional restrictions. On taking office, he signed orders declaring a national emergency at the border, deploying the military to the border and ended the use of the CBP One app to process migrants at ports of entry via humanitarian parole.

His administration has also launched a mass deportation operation, with ICE agents active in multiple cities and states across the United States.

‘PROMPT REMOVAL’: TRUMP DHS EXPANDS EXPEDITED DEPORTATION POWERS AS OPERATIONS RAMP UP

The Department of Homeland Security has also issued memos rescinding limits placed on ICE by the Biden administration, ordering a review of parole, and expanding the use of expedited removal for recently-arrived illegal immigrants.

Trump’s administration has also moved to restore border wall construction and reinstate the Remain-in-Mexico policy, which requires migrants to stay in Mexico for the duration of their asylum cases.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE IMMIGRATION COVERAGE

Trump also signed an executive order ending birthright citizenship for illegal immigrants -- a move which quickly sparked a lawsuit from nearly two dozen Democratic-led states.

Although the data is preliminary, lower numbers will likely fuel speculation about a "Trump effect," in which migrants are discouraged from making their way to the border if they believe they are less likely to be admitted, or more likely to be deported if they are.
 

‘Tides are shifting’: Push to codify key Trump-era policy snags dozens of cosponsors, including Dems

23 January 2025 at 11:00

FIRST ON FOX: A bill to restore the Trump-era "Remain in Mexico" policy, introduced recently in the House, is racking up cosponsors as it becomes the latest immigration bill to pick up bipartisan support in the chamber.

Rep. Brandon Gill, R-Texas, a freshman lawmaker, introduced the Remain in Mexico Act this month.

The bill would require the Department of Homeland Security to reinstate the Migrant Protection Protocols, which were introduced during the first Trump administration and required migrants to wait in Mexico while their asylum cases were heard, part of an effort to end the practice known as "catch and release." The protocols were scrapped by the Biden administration, which argued they were cruel and ineffective. 

TRUMP'S REMAIN IN MEXICO POLICY COULD BE REVIVED UNDER NEW HOUSE GOP BILL 

President Donald Trump has signed an order requiring the protocols to be restored, but codifying the policy in federal law would make it significantly harder for critics to then repeal it under a different administration.

However, with the bill now before Congress, it has already picked up over 100 cosponsors, Fox News Digital is told. That includes two Democrats, Rep. Marie Glusenkamp Perez, D-Wash., and Rep. Jared Golden, D-Maine.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE IMMIGRATION COVERAGE

"I am overwhelmed with gratitude that over one hundred of my colleagues have shown bipartisan support for my REMAIN in Mexico Act that codifies President Trump’s executive border action into law," Gill said in a statement to Fox News Digital.

"The tides are shifting under President Trump—Congress knows we must strengthen our national security, prevent fraudulent asylum claims, and put our citizens first," he said.

TRUMP'S ICE RACKS UP HUNDREDS OF ARRESTS, INCLUDING ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS ARRESTED FOR HORROR CRIMES

The bill is one of a number of pieces of immigration legislation that have been introduced, with increasing signs of support from Democrats after a year in which illegal immigration was a top issue for voters and resulted in Republicans controlling the House, Senate and White House.

On Wednesday evening, the House passed the Laken Riley Act, which requires the detention of illegal immigrants accused of theft-related crimes. It had previously passed the Senate. In the House, 46 Democrats voted in favor of it.

The House is expected to be active on illegal immigration, reflecting a flurry of orders coming from the White House. Those orders include declaring a national emergency at the border, sending troops to the border and canceling a slew of Biden-era parole programs. 

GOP lawmaker rolls out MERIT Act to restructure federal workforce based on private sector model

23 January 2025 at 11:00

FIRST ON FOX: Rep. Barry Loudermilk rolled out a measure Thursday that would reform and restructure the federal workforce by focusing on hiring and retaining officials on a merit basis, modeling employee dismissal with that of the private sector, Fox News Digital has learned. 

Loudermilk, R-Ga., re-introduced the Modern Employment Reform, Improvement and Transformation (MERIT) Act on Thursday in an effort to hold "inefficient, corrupt government bureaucrats accountable." 

WHITE HOUSE OPM ORDERS ALL DEI OFFICES TO BEGIN CLOSING BY END OF DAY WEDNESDAY

The rollout comes after President Donald Trump signed several Day One executive actions focused on reforming the federal workforce. 

"Over the past four years, most Americans feared the federal government and its ability to unjustly wield power and have become tired of funding the fraud, waste, and abuse within our bloated federal bureaucracy," Loudermilk told Fox News Digital. "With President Trump back in office, and the passage of my MERIT Act, Americans will have a government they can be proud of again, not one they fear and distrust." 

Loudermilk says he intends to "return our government to one that works for the people, not one that works for self-interests or political agendas."  

The bill would address misconduct and poor performance by repealing the Chapter 43 special process for action against poor performers and bad actors, which Loudermilk said is "unnecessarily time-consuming," and instead, streamlines the Chapter 75 process for removal or suspension of employees and supervisors. 

The bill also permits agencies to remove a senior executive from the civil service for performance reasons, rather than merely demoting the individual to a non-Senior Executive Service (SES) position. 

The MERIT Act also authorizes agencies to order recoupment of bonuses and awards when performance or conduct issues are discovered and it is determined the bonus or award would not have been paid had those issues been known at the time. 

The bill also affects the retirement benefits of employees who are removed based on a felony conviction for actions taken in furtherance of official duties. The period of service during which the felonious activities occurred will be eliminated for purposes of any annuity computation under the bill.

"The reforming of the federal government must begin with a dedicated, efficient, and committed workforce, which is why the MERIT Act is an essential step in fixing our broken system," Loudermilk said. "Our federal employment system should reward hard work and dedication; however, the current federal employment code protects poor performers and corruption." 

Loudermilk said he has been working on the bill for "several years" and that "now is the time to reform our outdated system." 

"MERIT would create a more efficient and effective government that works for the benefit of the American people," he said. "It would restructure the federal employment code by modeling employee dismissal with that of the private sector, and lessen the time it takes to root out misconduct and poor performers." 

TRUMP VOWS 'NEW ERA OF NATIONAL SUCCESS,' SAYS AMERICA'S 'DECLINE IS OVER' IN INAUGURAL ADDRESS

Loudermilk told Fox News Digital he is "encouraged" that Trump and Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) will "complement MERIT." 

"I look forward to working with them and my colleagues to get it passed in the U.S. House," Loudermilk said. 

The bill’s original co-sponsors are Reps. Buddy Carter, Mike Collins, Erin Houchin, Burgess Owens, Anna Paulina Luna, Scott Franklin, Dan Webster, Tracy Mann, Dan Meuser, Brian Babin, Claudia Tenney, Jim Baird, Greg Steube and Tim Burchett. 

TRUMP TO TAKE MORE THAN 200 EXECUTIVE ACTIONS ON DAY 1

The rollout of the legislation comes as Trump has already taken steps to reform the workforce during his first week in office. 

Trump directed all agencies and departments to close their Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) offices by Wednesday evening and place all DEI office employees on paid administrative leave. 

Trump issued two other executive actions on Tuesday targeting DEI: An executive order to end discrimination in the workplace and higher education through race- and sex-based preferences under the guise of DEI, and a memo to eliminate a Biden administration policy that prioritized DEI hiring at the Federal Aviation Administration.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

By the end of the day Friday, Trump ordered all agency and department heads to notify their workforce of a return to in-person, in-office work. The White House has recommended a target return-to-work start date for 30 days from the original notice. 

Moderate Republican Murkowski won't back Trump pick Hegseth for defense secretary

23 January 2025 at 10:49

Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, said on Thursday she can't support Pete Hegseth to be President Donald Trump's secretary of Defense. 

"Given the global security environment we’re operating in, it is critical that we confirm a Secretary of Defense, however, I regret that I am unable to support Mr. Hegseth," she concluded in a lengthy statement posted to X. 

TIM SCOTT EMPHASIZES 'RESULTS' OVER RECONCILIATION PROCESS AS HE STAYS OUT OF DEBATE

In her reasoning, Murkowski cited infidelity, "allegations of sexual assault and excessive drinking" and Hegseth's previous comments on women serving in the military. 

The behaviors that he has admitted to alone, she said, show "a lack of judgment that is unbecoming of someone who would lead our armed forces."

While Hegseth has admitted to past infidelity, he has denied claims of excessive drinking and sexual assault. 

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