Fox News Politics Newsletter: Dem in Trump District Deletes Past Praise of Progs
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… –Veteran advocacy leader defends Trump’s shake-ups at VA, calls for reform to support veterans -Trump pushes tax hikes for wealthy as ‘big, beautiful bill’ deadline looms -Former Supreme Court Justice David Souter dead at 85 FIRST ON FOX: A Democrat running for Congress in New Jersey who has been positioning herself as a moderate to unseat the sitting Republican in a pro-Trump district, has deleted several social media posts promoting progressive candidates and causes. Democrat Rebecca Bennett, who is running in the Democratic primary to unseat GOP Rep. Thomas Kean Jr. in New Jersey’s 7th Congressional District, is a Navy veteran and current member of the Air National Guard who has been labeled by local media as a “moderate” in a race the Cook Political Report ranks as “Lean Republican.” A Fox News Digital review of Bennett’s X account, which was created in July 2011 and recently converted from @BigRedBecks to @RebeccaForNJ07, shows several deleted posts that seemingly drift away from the “moderate” label, including praise of progressive Democratic Sen. Elizabeth Warren…READ MORE ‘I DON’T KNOW HER’: Trump claims ‘I don’t know her’ and ‘listened to’ RFK about surgeon general pick who’s getting MAGA pushback WORKHORSES: Rubio just got an additional job in Trump’s administration — and he’s not the only one with multiple hats ‘WITCH TRIAL’: Letitia James town hall derailed by Trump supporter’s question: ‘Will you apologize?’ NOT EVERYONE’S PLEASED: Inclusive tone of new pope isn’t sitting well with some in the America First movement ‘SUPER-HAPPY DAY’: Pope Leo XIV, a Villanova grad, introduces himself adorned in symbolism, proverbial religious devotion HOLY HOMILY: Pope Leo gives first homily as American pontiff, says loss in faith has led to crisis in humanity MILITARY MIGHT: Russia’s Putin hosts China’s Xi at massive Moscow military parade on Red Square NOT OUR FIGHT: Vance says India-Pakistan conflict ‘none of our business’ as Trump offers US help ‘NORMALIZING HOODIES’: OpenAI’s Sam Altman thanks Sen John Fetterman for ‘normalizing hoodies’ ‘A DISGRACE’: Dems erupt after Trump fires the Librarian of Congress ‘WARNING’: $8 gas? New study reveals it may come to a blue state next year, triggering bipartisan concern CALIFORNIA DREAMIN’: Newsom debuts rapid-response website as critics accuse him of prioritizing presidential ambitions ‘OUTRAGEOUS’: Columbia suspends anti-Israel agitators after takeover, spreading of pamphlets glorifying alleged terrorist ‘VERY PLEASANT CONVERSATION’: Blue state governor touts meeting with CCP official cozying up to Dems: ‘Grateful for the opportunity’ ‘AUTHORITARIAN ETHOS’: Columbia faculty rights group condemns university’s handling of library takeover ZERO TOLERANCE: Republican DA bucks blue state’s ‘broken sentencing’ with tough-on-crime approach Get the latest updates on the Trump administration and Congress, exclusive interviews and more on FoxNews.com.
Civil war threatens GOP over millionaire tax hikes in Trump’s ‘big, beautiful bill’
Discussions over a potential tax hike for ultra-wealthy Americans are threatening to foment a civil war among Republicans on Capitol Hill. Some GOP lawmakers, as well as conservative groups that are frequently in touch with congressional Republicans, have been loudly voicing opposition to any tax increases. Meanwhile President Donald Trump and his allies are signaling that the idea could be a way to pay for significant tax breaks targeting middle and working-class Americans. “Raising taxes on one bracket is a slippery slope. What will stop future tax increases on middle-income earners as the federal government accumulates more and more debt?” a senior House GOP aide told Fox News Digital. “Republicans certainly shouldn’t be the party leading this effort.” SCOOP: REPUBLICANS DISCUSS DEFUNDING ‘BIG ABORTION’ LIKE PLANNED PARENTHOOD IN TRUMP AGENDA BILL But the idea found support among more populist Trump allies like House Freedom Caucus Chairman Andy Harris, R-Md. “Personally, I’ve always believed that if we can’t find spending reductions elsewhere, we should look at restoring the [pre-2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA)] tax bracket on million dollar income to help pay for the President’s agenda,” Harris wrote on X. It comes after Trump signaled to GOP leaders that he was open to raising taxes on the ultra-wealthy to offset the cost of new policies eliminating taxes on tips, overtime pay and retirees’ social security. A source familiar with the president’s thinking told Fox News Digital that to accomplish those goals, as well as preserving Medicaid for millions, Trump is considering a new top income tax bracket of 39.6% for single taxpayers making $2.5 million or more per year. The TCJA lowered the tax rate for the top income bracket — currently $609,350 for single filers — to 37%, a cut that’s expiring at the end of this year. Trump himself toyed with the idea publicly on Truth Social Friday morning, though made clear he saw the potential drawbacks. “The problem with even a ‘TINY’ tax increase for the RICH, which I and all others would graciously accept in order to help the lower and middle income workers, is that the Radical Left Democrat Lunatics would go around screaming, ‘Read my lips,’ the fabled Quote by George Bush the Elder that is said to have cost him the Election,” Trump posted, referencing ill-fated comments by late former President George H.W. Bush. “NO, Ross Perot cost him the Election! In any event, Republicans should probably not do it, but I’m OK if they do!!!” Discussions about raising taxes have traditionally been anathema to mainstream Republican beliefs. But it’s now a direction the GOP will have to contend with as Trump continues to bring more middle- and working-class people into the party base – but disagreements on the wisdom of such a move remain. “‘Tax the rich’ is a tired slogan with no evidence of spurring economic growth, as higher taxes on any group hinder innovation and investment,” Rep. Eric Burlison, R-Mo., told Fox News Digital on Friday. “We don’t have a revenue problem, we have a spending problem. Ultimately, I don’t think this will even happen. We must focus on cutting spending and downsizing government, not raising taxes.” BROWN UNIVERSITY IN GOP CROSSHAIRS AFTER STUDENT’S DOGE-LIKE EMAIL KICKS OFF FRENZY Several Republicans told Fox News Digital late last month that they were wary of raising taxes – including Reps. David Kustoff, R-Tenn., and Tim Moore, R-N.C. Spokespeople for both said their opinions are unchanged as of Friday morning. “When we passed what was called the Tax Cuts Jobs Act of 2017, we did lower taxes for everybody. We reduced the tax rates. We condensed the brackets,” Kustoff said. “And what we saw is, that lifted everybody. And the U.S. Treasury still saw revenues continue to grow. So I don’t want to see taxes raised on anybody.” Moore told Fox News Digital, “I do not support any tax increases. I think that we do not have a revenue problem, we have a spending problem.” Moreover, nearly 200 past and present House Republicans signed onto a pledge to oppose all tax increases, run by think tank Americans For Tax Reform. But another Republican, Rep. Marlin Stutzman, R-Ind., told Fox News Digital that day, “I would want to see some numbers behind it and how it would have an effect on the economy.” “What I’ve heard from people in the upper tax brackets is, you know, they’re willing to pay more as long as they know that it’s paying the debt down. They don’t want to see it go towards more spending,” Stutzman said. It’s one of several ongoing debates over how to advance Trump’s agenda via the budget reconciliation process, which allows the party in power to advance a massive piece of fiscal policy legislation while sidelining the minority by lowering the Senate’s threshold for passage from 60 votes to 51. SENATE GOP PUSHES TRUMP BUDGET FRAMEWORK THROUGH AFTER MARATHON VOTE SERIES Republicans are working to use the maneuver to advance Trump’s priorities on border security, immigration, energy, national defense and taxes, as well as raising the debt ceiling. On taxes, expected to be the costliest portion, Republicans want to extend Trump’s 2017 TCJA cuts expiring in 2026 as well as implement his aforementioned newer policies. Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif., a longtime Trump ally, told Fox Business’ Stuart Varney on Friday, “We are not going to do tax increases.” But it’s not clear how many of those Republicans will change their minds if Trump begins exerting pressure on such tax hikes. Meanwhile, conservative groups like The Heritage Foundation and Americans For Prosperity (AFP) are already exerting pressure on Capitol Hill to resist any tax hikes. “Republicans have a chance to lock in pro-growth tax policy and reignite prosperity for a generation of Americans – something every conservative can agree on. There is no appetite anywhere for raising taxes on anyone,” AFP Chief Government Affairs Officer Brent Gardner told Fox News Digital. “The sooner Republicans can get back to this broad
Texas attorney general wins $60 million judgment in pollution lawsuit
A Texas business illegally dumped industrial waste into Skull Creek in Colorado County six years ago, then residents complained to the attorney general’s office.
Trump says 80% tariff on China ‘seems right’ ahead of weekend talks with Beijing
President Donald Trump on Friday morning said that an “80% Tariff on China seems right!” adding on Truth Social that the final number would be up to U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. An 80% tariff on Chinese goods coming into the U.S. would be nearly half of the current 145% tariff on the Asian country. Minutes earlier, he posted: “CHINA SHOULD OPEN UP ITS MARKET TO USA — WOULD BE SO GOOD FOR THEM!!! CLOSED MARKETS DON’T WORK ANYMORE!!!” It was the first time the president has put out a specific number, after previously suggesting the tariff could be lowered. PIVOTAL TRADE TRADE WITH BEIJING LOOM AS TRUMP SWEARS IN NEW US AMBASSADOR TO CHINA: ‘WHAT TIMING’ Trump’s suggested lower tariffs come ahead of weekend talks between Bessent and chief trade negotiator Jamieson Greer and Chinese economic tsar He Lifeng in Switzerland. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a press briefing Friday, “That was a number the president threw out there, and we’ll see what happens this weekend,” adding that Trump wouldn’t unilaterally lower the tariff and China would be required to make “concessions.” TRUMP IS COMMITTED TO 10% BASELINE TARIFF, WHITE HOUSE SAYS, DESPITE UK TRADE DEAL ANNOUNCEMENT Earlier this week, Trump said that China is eager to make a deal with the U.S. “Scott’s going to be going to Switzerland, meeting with China,” Trump told reporters Thursday at the White House. “And you know, they very much want to make a deal. We can all play games. Who made the first call, who didn’t make them? It doesn’t matter. Only matters what happens in that room. But I will tell you that China very much wants to make a deal. We’ll see how that works out.” The Trump administration announced widespread tariffs for multiple countries on April 2, following criticism that other countries’ trade practices are unfair towards the U.S. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP The administration later adjusted its initial proposal and announced on April 9 it would immediately impose a 145% tariff on Chinese goods, while reducing reciprocal tariffs on other countries for 90 days to a baseline of 10%. China responded by raising tariffs on U.S. goods to 125%. Fox News’ Diana Stancy contributed to this report.
Gavin Newsom removes ad after being knocked for using Ukraine footage while bragging about California
California’s progressive Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom posted an ad bragging about California’s economy and knocking President Donald Trump’s tariffs, but then quickly deleted it after an X user pointed out that the video used footage from Ukraine and Estonia rather than California. The footage has since been replaced with video shot in America. The governor, a vocal Trump critic who has been rumored to have presidential aspirations, released the ad this week. In the 30-second clip, Newsom claimed that Trump’s tariffs “punish families and risk ending America’s run as the world’s greatest economy.” He also touted California’s economic prowess, bragging that the state is now the fourth-largest economy in the world. NEWSOM DEBUTS RAPID-RESPONSE WEBSITE AS CRITICS ACCUSE HIM OF PRIORITIZING PRESIDENTIAL AMBITIONS While Newsom brags about California innovation and manufacturing, the ad plays footage of what looks like a high-tech office and a large warehouse. One X user was quick to point out, however, that the footage used in the ad was actually shot in Ukraine and Estonia, not California. Another X user, Brandon Phillips, a Georgia GOP operative, quipped, “Minor detail!” in response to parts of the California ad actually being shot in Eastern Europe. A simple internet search shows that the warehouse imagery was created in Ukraine by a Ukrainian photographer and videographer named “Artie Medvedev.” TRUMP DARES NEWSOM TO RUN IN 2028, SLAMS RECORD ON LA WILDFIRES Meanwhile, the office footage used in the ad was made by a company called “Gorodenkoff Productions,” which is based in Tallinn, Estonia. Newsom’s office did not respond to Fos News Digital’s request for comment. However, his team ended up removing the video with Ukrainian and Estonian footage, replacing it with one that lacked the foreign footage noticed by X users. Newsom has been heavily criticized for allegedly prioritizing his political ambitions above his role as governor. A new survey conducted by UC Berkeley’s Institute of Governmental Studies and co-sponsored by the Los Angeles Times found that 54% of California registered voters believe Newsom is more focused on his personal presidential ambitions than solving the ongoing problems at home in the Golden State. Trump has said he would “love” Newsom to launch a White House bid for the Democrats, but said the governor’s response to wildfires and other issues would “pretty much put him out of the race.”
Newark mayor arrested as Dem Congress members storm New Jersey ICE prison to conduct ‘oversight visit’
The mayor of Newark, New Jersey, was arrested Friday at a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facility where three members of Congress also stormed the facility’s gate, demanding they be allowed to conduct an “oversight visit.” Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, a top Democratic gubernatorial candidate, was arrested at the scene for trespassing, authorities said. “The Mayor of Newark, Ras Baraka, committed trespass and ignored multiple warnings from Homeland Security Investigations to remove himself from the ICE detention center in Newark, New Jersey this afternoon,” Alina Habba, the U.S. attorney for New Jersey, wrote on X. “He has willingly chosen to disregard the law. That will not stand in this state. He has been taken into custody. NO ONE IS ABOVE THE LAW.” A crowd, including several lawmakers, gathered outside the HSI Newark Field Office where Baraka was being held Friday evening. The group chanted, yelled and banged on the gate, calling for Baraka’s release. ‘BOGUS CLAIMS’: BLUE CITY MAYOR UNDER FIRE FOR TRYING TO HALT REOPENING OF ICE FACILITY Several politicians have also joined the growing calls for Baraka to be released. Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., described Baraka’s arrest as “disturbing, unnecessary and indicative of tactics that are undermining the safety and security of our communities, not adding to it.” New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy, a Democrat, said he was “outraged by the unjust arrest.” He noted that he had signed a law four years ago that banned private immigration detention centers in the state. Last week, the state defended the law before a federal appeals court. Democrat Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson called Baraka a friend who encouraged him to fight for change in his community. “His arrest today is an example of how the federal government’s overreach continues to undermine due process afforded by our Constitution,” Johnson said in a statement. Meanwhile, Bob Hugin, chairman of the New Jersey Republican Party, called Baraka’s actions a “stunt,” noting that he had ignored repeated warnings from authorities. “He’s not a mayor – he’s running for governor, and this stunt shows exactly what kind of leader he’d be: one who puts political theater ahead of public safety and the rule of law,” Hugin said. The White House also criticized Democrats over their defense of deported illegal immigrant criminals. “As always, Democrats are prioritizing the welfare of illegal aliens over American citizens – except now they’re crossing the line between meaningless political street theatre and outright breaking the law,” White House spokesman Kush Desai told Fox News Digital. Earlier in the day, Reps. Rob Menendez Jr., Bonnie Watson Coleman and LaMonica McIver, all New Jersey Democrats, entered ICE’s Delaney Hall detention facility in Newark and were held up inside the first checkpoint, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin told Fox News. “These members of Congress storming into a detention facility goes beyond bizarre political stunt and puts the safety of our law enforcement agents and the detainees at risk,” a DHS statement to Fox News said. “Members of Congress are not above the law and cannot illegally break into detention facilities. Had these members requested a tour, we would have facilitated a tour of the facility.” The three lawmakers were outside the facility with a group of protesters when the gates opened to allow an ICE bus in. The lawmakers then rushed through the gates and past security, DHS said. In a press conference later, Coleman said that ICE was “out of control.” McIver said the three lawmakers had waited more than two hours to gain access to the facility to conduct an oversight visit. She said all three of them were also assaulted by ICE personnel. “There are people who are supposed to be officers, who are supposed to protect us, and they have done none of that,” Mclver told reporters. “If they can treat three members of Congress like that, just imagine how they can treat people on the street each and everyday, both undocumented and people who are citizens here in this country.” Menendez, the son of disgraced former Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J., said ICE officers at the facility performed an “act of intimidation” on Friday. “We know what ICE has been doing in our communities. We know that the president lied and that this administration lies every day when they’re saying they’re going after criminals. It’s not true,” Menendez said through tears. “They feel no weight of the law. They feel no restraint in what they should be doing, and that was shown in broad daylight today when they not just arrested the mayor of Newark, but when they put their hands on two members of Congress.” Activists have demanded entry into the facility in recent days, saying the GEO Group, the building’s new owner, is unlawfully preventing it from being inspected. “We’re at Delaney Hall, an ICE prison in Newark that opened without permission from the city & in violation of local ordinances,” Coleman wrote on X before Friday’s events unfolded. “We’ve heard stories of what it’s like in other ICE prisons. We’re exercising our oversight authority to see for ourselves.” IDENTITY OF SECOND DEPORTED MAN WHO JUDGE WANTS RETURNED TO US REVEALED AS TRUMP ADMIN FIGHTS ORDER McIver said the “lack of transparency around what’s happening with ICE in this facility is unacceptable. People deserve dignity and we need answers.” The prison currently holds alleged killers, MS-13 gang members and child rapists, among other criminal offenders. In a press conference on Monday, Baraka said GEO Group is “following the pattern of the president of the United States, who believes that he can just do what he wants to do and obscure the laws, national and constitutional laws, and they think they can do the same thing in the state of New Jersey and in Newark.” CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP A lawsuit filed on behalf of the City of Newark on April 1 alleges that GEO Group failed to permit entry to safety inspectors and violated city construction code, including
Dem Congress members storm New Jersey ICE prison to conduct ‘oversight visit’: ‘People deserve dignity’
The mayor of Newark, New Jersey, was arrested Friday at a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facility where three members of Congress also stormed the facility’s gate, demanding they be allowed to conduct an “oversight visit.” Newark Mayor Ras Baraka was arrested at the scene for trespassing, authorities said. “The Mayor of Newark, Ras Baraka, committed trespass and ignored multiple warnings from Homeland Security Investigations to remove himself from the ICE detention center in Newark, New Jersey this afternoon,” Alina Habba, the U.S. attorney for New Jersey, wrote on X. “He has willingly chosen to disregard the law. That will not stand in this state. He has been taken into custody. NO ONE IS ABOVE THE LAW.” Reps. Rob Menendez Jr., Bonnie Watson Coleman and LaMonica McIver, all New Jersey Democrats, entered ICE’s Delaney Hall detention facility in Newark and were held up inside the first checkpoint, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin told Fox News. ‘BOGUS CLAIMS’: BLUE CITY MAYOR UNDER FIRE FOR TRYING TO HALT REOPENING OF ICE FACILITY “These members of Congress storming into a detention facility goes beyond bizarre political stunt and puts the safety of our law enforcement agents and the detainees at risk,” a DHS statement to Fox News said. “Members of Congress are not above the law and cannot illegally break into detention facilities. Had these members requested a tour, we would have facilitated a tour of the facility. This is an evolving situation.” The lawmakers were outside the facility with a group of protesters when the gates opened to allow an ICE bus in. The lawmakers then rushed through the gates and past security, DHS said. In a press conference later, Coleman said ICE was “out of control.” McIver said the three lawmakers waited more than two hours to gain access to the facility to conduct an oversight visit. She said all three of them were also assaulted by ICE personnel. “There are people who are supposed to be officers, who are supposed to protect us and they have done none of that,” Mclver told reporters. “If they can treat three members of Congress like that, just imagine how they can treat people on the street each and everyday, both undocumented and people who are citizens here in this country.” Menendez, the son of disgraced former Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J., said ICE officers at the facility performed an “act of intimidation” on Friday. “We know what ICE has been doing in our communities. We know that the president lied and that this administration lies everyday when they’re saying they’re going after criminals. It’s not true,” Menendez said through tears. “They feel no weight of the law. They feel no restraint in what they should be doing and that was shown in broad daylight today when they not just arrested the mayor of Newark, but when they put their hands on two members of Congress.” Activists have demanded entry into the facility in recent days, saying the GEO Group, the building’s new owner, is unlawfully preventing it from being inspected. “We’re at Delaney Hall, an ICE prison in Newark that opened without permission from the city & in violation of local ordinances,” Coleman wrote on X before Friday’s events unfolded. “We’ve heard stories of what it’s like in other ICE prisons. We’re exercising our oversight authority to see for ourselves.” IDENTITY OF SECOND DEPORTED MAN WHO JUDGE WANTS RETURNED TO US REVEALED AS TRUMP ADMIN FIGHTS ORDER McIver said the “lack of transparency around what’s happening with ICE in this facility is unacceptable. People deserve dignity and we need answers.” The prison currently holds alleged killers, MS-13 gang members, child rapists, among other criminal offenders. In a press conference on Monday, Newark Mayor Ras Baraka said GEO Group is “following the pattern of the president of the United States who believes that he can just do what he wants to do and obscure the laws, national and constitutional laws, and they think they can do the same thing in the state of New Jersey and in Newark.” CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP A lawsuit filed on behalf of the City of Newark on April 1 alleges that GEO Group failed to permit entry to safety inspectors and violated city construction code, including by conducting electrical and plumbing renovations without proper oversight. The Department of Homeland Security said the allegations by Newark politicians that Delaney does not have the proper permitting is false. “We have valid permits and inspection from plumbing, electricity to fire codes has been cleared,” the agency said. Fox News Digital’s Max Bacall contributed to this report.
Trump is committed to 10% baseline tariff, White House says, despite UK trade deal announcement
President Donald Trump is “determined to continue with a “10% baseline tariff” against all countries despite his announcement this week of a trade deal with the United Kingdom, the White House said Friday. “The president is committed to the 10% baseline tariff, not just for the United Kingdom, but for his trade negotiations with all other countries as well,” White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters. “Permanently? Even after the deals are done. Like, that is going to remain?” Leavitt was asked by Fox News Senior White House Correspondent Jacqui Heinrich. “The president is determined to continue with that 10% baseline tariff,” Leavitt responded. TRUMP UNVEILS NEW UK TRADE DEAL, CALLS IT ‘INCREDIBLE DAY FOR AMERICA’ Trump announced a new trade deal Thursday with the U.K., calling it “an incredible day for America.” Trump told reporters at the White House that “today’s agreement with the U.K. is the first in a series of agreements on trade that my administration has been negotiating over the past four weeks.” “With this deal, the U.K. joins the United States in affirming that reciprocity and fairness is an essential and vital principle of international trade. “They’ll also be fast-tracking American goods through their customs process so our exports go to a very, very quick form of approval,” the president added, noting that “The final details are being written up in the coming weeks.” TRUMP CONFIRMS TRADE DEAL WITH UK: ‘FULL AND COMPREHENSIVE’ As of April 5, the U.S. has imposed a 10% reciprocal tariff on imports from the U.K. The Trump administration’s 25% global tariff on cars took effect on April 3, impacting all imported vehicles, even from traditional U.S. allies, including the U.K. A 25% tariff on U.S. imports of steel, aluminum and derivative products took effect on March 12. Prior to April 2025, most U.K. goods exported to the U.S. were subject to standard, relatively low tariffs, mostly ranging from 0 to 2.5%, with higher rates only for specific products like steel, aluminum, and some vehicles. The U.K., meanwhile, imposed tariffs on U.S. imports based on the World Trade Organization’s “Most Favored Nation” or MFN rules. The U.K.’s average MFN applied tariff rate was 3.8% in 2023, according to the most recent data available. The UK has some high tariffs that affect U.S. exports, such as rates of up to 25% for some fish and seafood products, 10% for trucks, 10% for passenger vehicles, and up to 6.5% for certain mineral or chemical fertilizers. Fox News’ Danielle Wallace and Bradford Betz contributed to this report.
Trump to build national center for homeless veterans with funds previously spent on housing for illegal aliens
FIRST ON FOX: President Donald Trump on Friday signed an executive order to establish a national center for homeless veterans with redirected funds previously spent on services for illegal aliens, Fox News Digital has learned. The president’s order directs the secretary of veterans affairs to establish the National Center for Warrior Independence on the Veterans Affairs campus in West Los Angeles. TRUMP TO HOST MILITARY PARADE TO CELEBRATE ARMY’S 250TH BIRTHDAY, HONOR ACTIVE-DUTY SERVICE MEMBERS, VETERANS Los Angeles has approximately 3,000 homeless veterans — more than any other city in the country, and accounting for about 10% of all homeless veterans in America, according to the White House. “The new National Center for Warrior Independence will help them and other veterans like them rebuild their lives,” the White House said. The center will allow veterans from around the nation to seek and receive care, benefits and services “to which they are entitled,” the White House said. The order redirects funds previously spent on housing or other services for illegal aliens to constructing, establishing and maintaining the new center. “The Center will promote self-sufficiency through housing, substance abuse treatment, and support for productive work for the veterans housed there,” the White House explained. It said the goal is to house up to 6,000 homeless veterans at the center by 2028. TRUMP TO CREATE TASK FORCE TO PLAN ‘EXTRAORDINARY CELEBRATION’ FOR 250TH ANNIVERSARY OF AMERICA’S INDEPENDENCE The order also directs the secretary of housing and urban development to use vouchers to support homeless veterans and instructs the secretary of veterans affairs to “restore accountability at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).” The order also instructs the VA to take action against individuals who have committed misconduct and to investigate and rectify the Biden administration’s decision to “rehire and reinstate back pay for employees previously fired for misconduct.” The order also ensures that veterans will have access to increased options for care, benefits and services — including reduced wait times for Veterans Health Administration appointments through options such as expanded hours, weekend appointments and virtual healthcare. The order also directs a feasibility study at the Manchester VA Medical Center to expand services to support a full-service medical center in New Hampshire. “President Trump strongly believes that every veteran deserves our gratitude, and that the federal government should treat veterans like the heroes they are,” the White House said. The order comes a week after the White House announced that Trump will host a military parade on June 14 to honor military veterans and active-duty service members and commemorate the U.S. Army’s 250th birthday.
Trump’s tax hike proposal is ‘déjà vu’ of George H. W. Bush’s ‘read my lips’ moment, experts say
Americans lambasted President George H. W. Bush for infamously vowing on stage at the 1988 Republican National Convention not to raise taxes on Americans, then supporting a tax hike as president two years later. History could repeat itself as President Donald Trump this week signaled his support for congressional Republicans raising taxes to accomplish the ambitious goals of his “big, beautiful bill,” according to experts. “My opponent won’t rule out raising taxes, but I will. And the Congress will push me to raise taxes, and I’ll say no. And they’ll push and I’ll say no. And they’ll push again, and I’ll say to them: ‘Read my lips: no new taxes,’” then-Vice President Bush vowed at the 1988 convention, before raising taxes two years later with the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990. While acknowledging the political backlash his fellow Republican faced, Trump signaled in a Truth Social post on Friday his own willingness to raise taxes on Americans, following reports confirmed by Fox News Digital that the president is considering raising the tax rate on individuals making $2.5 million or more by 2.6%, from 37% to 39.6%. TRUMP CONSIDERS TAX HIKE ON AMERICANS MAKING $2.5 MILLION OR MORE PER YEAR “The problem with even a ‘TINY’ tax increase for the RICH, which I and all others would graciously accept in order to help the lower and middle income workers, is that the Radical Left Democrat Lunatics would go around screaming, ‘Read my lips,’ the fabled Quote by George Bush the Elder that is said to have cost him the Election. NO, Ross Perot cost him the Election! In any event, Republicans should probably not do it, but I’m OK if they do!!!” Trump said. WHITE HOUSE QUIETLY FLOATS MILLIONAIRE TAX HIKE PROPOSAL IN CONGRESS AS GOP LEADERS SIGNAL OPPOSITION Ross Perot, the late billionaire Texas businessman and philanthropist, ran an independent campaign as a third-party candidate in the 1992 presidential election, winning an historic 19% of the popular vote. As Trump suggested, the political fallout of raising taxes contributed to Bush losing re-election to President Bill Clinton in 1992. Democrats slammed Bush in campaign ads for walking back his word as conservative Republicans criticized the president for being out of step with the party’s traditional tax policies. Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich led Republican criticism of Bush’s tax hike proposal, and Gingrich has urged Trump to stand down on raising taxes since rumors the administration was floating a small tax hike first swirled. TRUMP’S FIRST VICE PRESIDENT URGES HIS OLD BOSS AGAINST RAISING TAXES ON WEALTHY AMERICANS Gingrich recently told Larry Kudlow on FOX Business that Trump is a Ronald Reagan Republican, not a Bush Republican, and raising taxes would be an “act of destruction.” “It would absolutely shatter his coalition,” Gingrich said. “It would mean the entire conservative movement would rise in rebellion, and it would mean every small business in the country would start recalculating who they are going to lay off, if they are even going to stay in business. It would make no sense at all.” Negotiations are ongoing among House Republicans to finalize Trump’s “big, beautiful bill,” which is expected to include an extension of Trump’s 2017 tax cuts and fulfill campaign promises, including no tax on tips, overtime or Social Security. Republican politicians and pundits have joined Gingrich’s critique of Trump’s potential tax hike, arguing Trump is repeating the same mistakes as Bush. “[House] Speaker [Mike] Johnson and Republican members of Congress must have experienced collective déjà vu when President Trump urged Congress to raise taxes,” New England College President Wayne Lesperance, a veteran political scientist and political historian, told Fox News Digital. “Harkening back to the infamous ‘Read my lips’ pledge made by George H. W. Bush at the 1988 GOP Convention, today’s Republicans must be nervous at the president’s change on what is a sacrosanct issue for the party — tax cuts. Interestingly, George H. W. Bush’s decision to break his pledge was surrounded by notably different circumstances,” Lesperance added. But Lesperance reminded Republicans, who currently control the House and Senate, that Democrats could gain an edge in the 2026 midterms if tax hikes prove to be as unpopular among Republicans as they were in 1992. “Facing a Democratically controlled Congress, Bush reneged on his pledge as a compromise to reduce the deficit and pass the 1990 budget agreement. Bush’s decision to compromise on taxes is widely credited with costing him his bid for re-election. As Speaker Johnson and Republican members of Congress look ahead to midterm elections, there must be collective worry that President Trump’s shifting position on taxes will cost them at the polls,” Lesperance said. Longtime Republican consultant David Carney, a veteran of numerous GOP presidential campaigns, said the move by Bush “was probably the single most detrimental thing to his re-election.” Carney, who served in the elder Bush’s White House and worked on his presidential campaigns, told Fox News “the deal he cut was excellent. He cut spending, balanced out the taxes.” But Carney emphasized “all that’s inside baseball and the reality is it was a great opportunity for people from the right and the left to make hay out of it, and it was absolutely hurtful.” However, fiscal conservatives remain optimistic that Trump won’t raise taxes, despite the president softening to the idea on social media on Friday morning. “President Trump campaigned on not raising taxes, and we are confident that’s exactly what he’ll do,” Club for Growth President David McIntosh told Fox News Digital. When reached for comment about the Bush comparison, the White House pointed to press secretary Karoline Leavitt’s comments during the White House briefing on Friday. “The president wants tax cuts, the largest tax cuts in history,” Leavitt said. “He wants to extend his historic tax cuts from 2017, and he wants to see all the other tax priorities,” including no tax on tips, overtime or Social Security. “The president has said he himself personally would not mind paying a little bit more