Blue state congressman claims he’s against noncitizens voting but then tries to block law preventing it
Democratic New York Congressman Tom Suozzi said claims that illegal aliens are voting in his state’s elections are a “myth” and “completely inaccurate,” pointing specifically to an argument from Elon Musk several weeks ago claiming Democrats in states like New York and California have engaged in a strategy of “turning” illegal aliens into registered voters. “I don’t want [noncitizens to vote in U.S. elections]. That’s actually a myth that Elon Musk [said] on a show where he was talking about noncitizens voting in New York — it’s just not true,” Suozzi told a reporter on Capitol Hill, who asked him why he “wants noncitizens to vote in U.S. elections.” The question came shortly before Suozzi voted against the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, which ultimately passed with enough congressional support and restricts federal voting to only fully legal U.S. residents. Suozzi, during the last legislative session, voted in favor of a congressional measure that banned noncitizen voting in local D.C. elections. SCOOP: ARIZONA TO BEGIN REMOVING AS MANY AS 50K NONCITIZENS FROM VOTER ROLLS FOLLOWING LAWSUIT “It’s an actual lie,” Suozzi said about Musk’s claim of noncitizen voting in New York, before walking into the Capitol building. Liberal localities, including New York City, have become flash points in the debate over noncitizen voting. In January 2022, an ordinance passed by New York City’s city council sought to allow green card holders, DACA recipients and other non-U.S. citizens residing in New York to vote in municipal elections. However, the controversial measure only lasted for roughly six months before the courts shot it down, and then, last month, the state’s appeals court affirmed the move, which would have added roughly 800,000 noncitizens to the city’s voter rolls, according to the New York Times. DEMS FIGHT BILL TO STOP ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT VOTING DESPITE POLLS SHOWING VOTER SUPPORT “Why is the Democrat propaganda machine so fired up to destroy me? The main reason is that entitlements fraud… for illegal aliens is what is serving as a gigantic magnetic force to pull people in from all around the world and keep them here,” Musk said during a Feb. 28 episode of “The Joe Rogan Experience” podcast. “If you end the illegal alien fraud, if you turn off that magnet, then they leave… and if that happens a massive — they will lose a massive number of Democratic voters.” Musk’s argument on Rogan’s podcast sought to underscore a view from many Republicans more broadly about an effort by Democrats to increase the number of Democrat-friendly voters on the nation’s voter roles by enticing illegal aliens, who historically vote largely for Democrats, into the country with generous public assistance programs, and then permitting them to engage in elections. “They’re already turning them — so in New York State illegal aliens can already vote in state and city elections. A lot of people don’t know that,” Musk added. “They’re trying to stop that, but currently, I think it’s 600,000 are registered to vote — illegal aliens — in New York.” Musk also cited California, where in San Francisco and Oakland noncitizens can vote in local school board elections. According to Ballotpedia, in addition to California, only Maryland and Vermont also have jurisdictions where noncitizens can vote. STATE CONSERVATIVES DEMAND ACTION ON NONCITIZEN VOTING: ‘TIME FOR CONGRESS TO LISTEN’ “I won’t accuse him of lying — I’ll just say he’s just completely inaccurate, as he is on many things,” Suozzi told Fox News Digital. “He’s spreading it like a gospel and pissing all these people off behind a complete fabrication.” Suozzi pointed out how Musk is a high-profile figure that many Americans look to for guidance, noting that this makes it important for people to understand the facts of the matter when it comes to noncitizen voting. The need to remain vigilant and educated on the topic was echoed by Musk during his appearance with Rogan as well. “I invite people to do their research,” Musk told Rogan when he remarked how fascinating it was that people were not aware of the scenario which Musk was discussing. “The more they do their research, the more they will see that what I’m saying is absolutely true.” When reached for comment on Suozzi’s remarks about Musk’s claim on noncitizen voting in New York and other areas, White House spokeswoman Liz Huston remarked that noncitizen voting “is a very real problem,” and added that “anyone who says otherwise is delusional and lying.” “He’s choosing to ignore the facts and pander to his far-left base at the expense of the truth,” National Republican Congressional Committee spokesman Mike Marinella added.
DOGE uncovers massive VA contract for ‘salary survey data and analysis’ — says it canceled it, saving millions
The Department of Veterans Affairs canceled an “unreasonably priced” $15.3 million contract in an effort to overhaul how the agency cares for its warfighters, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) said Monday. “Great work by the @DeptVetAffairs cancelling an unreasonably priced multi-year $15.3M services contract for ‘salary survey data and analysis,” a DOGE post on X states. SENATE CONFIRMS DOUG COLLINS TO LEAD THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS The contract cost the agency $3.9 million annually. It was replaced by a “market price” of $5,000, DOGE said, saving $11.1 million over the life of the agreement. ‘CHANGES THAT ACTUALLY HELP OUR VETERANS’: VA SECRETARY DEFENDS PROPOSED 15% WORKFORCE REDUCTION Earlier this month, DOGE said the VA was paying $380,000 per month for minor website modifications. The contract was renewed and the work was not being done by one internal VA software engineer spending 10 hours per week. In February, the VA announced that the dismissal of more than 1,000 employees would enable the agency to redirect more than $98 million annually in resources back to health care, benefits and services for VA beneficiaries. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP VA Secretary Doug Collins has defended DOGE cuts at the VA as part of the new administration’s efforts to reform the department and better serve veterans. Fox News Digital’s Greg Wehner contributed to this report.
Daylight Savings: It’s about the sunlight
It’s not about the math. But it is about the sunlight. “My goal is just to make sure people get more sunshine,” said Sen. Ed Markey, D-Mass. “I am fond of saying you can’t shovel sunshine,” said Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Tex. “The American people love having an extra hour of sunlight,” said Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla. ‘STOP THE CLOCK’: GOP, DEMS COME TOGETHER TO END DAYLIGHT SAVING OVER HEALTH, ECONOMIC RISKS Tax day is upon us. So millions of Americans are hoping they score a refund from the federal government. And millions of Americans are hoping Washington can help them pocket an extra hour of daylight too. This is why Congress is trying to maximize the sun. Some lawmakers believe it’s time to “lock the clock.” Either choosing Standard Time or Daylight Saving Time. But the twice-a-year clock switching may be living on borrowed time. That’s why the Senate Commerce Committee held the first Congressional hearing on the biannual time change for the first time in three years last week. “We need to stop the clock. We need to find a solution and stick with it,” said Sen. Lisa Blunt Rochester, D-Del. “People across our country are tired of the constant cycle of falling back and springing forward. I mean, who hasn’t forgotten to change their clock on their microwave. I think mine is still on the wrong time.” WE LIVE IN TIME: DAYLIGHT SAVINGS AND THE ‘TIME LORDS’ OF CONGRESS President Trump has weighed in several times in opposition to the clock switching – both during this term in office and during his previous tenure. In March, the President called it a “50-50 issue.” But Mr. Trump again wrinkled the time conversation with a post on Truth Social. Despite not taking a stand when the U.S. “sprang forward,” President Trump was emphatic about what should happen now. “The House and Senate should push hard for more Daylight at the end of a day. Very popular and, most importantly, no more changing of the clocks, a big inconvenience and, for our government, A VERY COSTLY EVENT!!!,” wrote the President. Rick Scott has grappled with the time issue before. Scott served two terms as governor of Florida before entering the Senate. Scott signed a bill into law that would let the Sunshine State (go figure) opt out of the time change. A similar piece of legislation has bipartisan support on Capitol Hill. Scott looked to the president’s lead. “We have a great opportunity to finally get this done with President Trump on board to lock the clock,” said Scott. But locking it an hour ahead? Or an hour behind? There’s little agreement. TRUMP SAYS CONGRESS SHOULD PUSH ‘FOR MORE DAYLIGHT AT THE END OF A DAY’ The Senate voted to permanently park the U.S. on Daylight Saving Time in 2022. Secretary of State and then-Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., surprisingly advanced a bill without objection from any senator. “Without objection, so ordered!” exclaimed former Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, I-Ariz., who presided over the Senate that day. “Yes!” she declared, yanking her arms toward her like a coach who’s kicker just drilled a field goal late in the game. But the plan died in the House. “The spring clock change to Daylight Saving Time is bad. But permanent Daylight Saving Time is worse,” testified Karin Johnson a Professor of Neurology at UMass Chan School of Medicine. “The later sunrises and sunsets of Daylight Saving Time lead to higher risks of chronic diseases, including but not limited to cancer, diabetes, heart disease, obesity, and these outweigh the short term risks of what happens with the time change.” Johnson also told senators that “year-round Standard Time is a natural, healthy choice promoting physical health, mental health performance and safety.” CONGRESS DEBATES FUTURE OF DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME Johnson argued that the U.S. should not “pick something that’s been tried and failed twice before.” Johnson’s right. The U.S. has “sprung” forward to Daylight Saving Time – or its equivalent – on two separate occasions. In 1918, Congress voted for the nation to embrace Daylight Saving Time to conserve energy during World War I. Farmers pushed a repeal of Daylight Saving Time. So Congress undid it. President Woodrow Wilson vetoed the bill. But Congress overrode him. It’s one of only 112 successful presidential veto overrides by Congress in the history of the republic. Lawmakers greenlighted the Emergency Daylight Saving Time Energy Conservation Act – triggering year-round Daylight Saving Time – in the mid 1970s. This was in response to the OPEC oil shocks. The nation was supposed to remain on Daylight Saving Time for two years. But the new time proved so unpopular that lawmakers unwound the clocks to Standard Time after only a few months. However, permanent Daylight Saving Time has its advocates. Jay Karen of the National Golf Course Owners Association told senators that shifting the clocks an hour ahead would prompt an extra 27 million rounds of golf on the links each year. Karen estimated that golf course owners would pocket an additional $1 billion. “Americans overwhelmingly prefer evening recreation over early morning,” testified Karen. But do you know who absolutely hates Daylight Saving Time? Convicts! A University of Washington study found that the single toughest sentencing day of the year is the Monday after we spring forward each March. Blame it on cranky judges who lost an hour of sleep. DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME: THERE OUGHTA BE A LAW “Some people receive harsher sentences than they otherwise would,” said Scott Yates of the Lock the Clock Movement. Justice may be blind. But it can certainly tell time. Arizona and Hawaii don’t observe Daylight Saving Time. Sen. Todd Young, R-Ind., is leery of a nationwide fix. Two time zones cleave the Hoosier State. “We have 12 counties in the western part of the state that are in the Central Time Zone,” said Young. “Maybe a one-size-fits-all national policy on time changes doesn’t take into account the regional differences that significantly impact daily life.” It all hinges
SCOOP: Newsom launches campaign to entice reluctant Canadians to visit California amid Trump tariff push
EXCLUSIVE: Liberal Gov. Gavin Newsom is making it clear in a new campaign that Canadian tourists are welcome in the Golden State, as he looks to boost international travel following a sharp decline in U.S. tourism sparked by President Donald Trump’s tariff policies. “We get it. The White House isn’t exactly laying out the welcome mat, but Canadians should know that California will continue to welcome them and that we remain grateful for their partnership,” a Newsom administration official told Fox News Digital on Monday. The campaign, in partnership with the nonprofit tourist organization Visit California, will roll out the campaign internationally, similar to Newsom’s call asking nations not to place retaliatory tariffs on California products this month. NEWSOM SIGNS $2.8B BAILOUT FOR HEALTHCARE PROGRAM OVERRUN BY ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS Newsom’s office said that since Trump took office, tourism has dropped significantly to levels not seen since the COVID-19 pandemic. Tourism from Canada, which brought in 1.8 million tourists last year and $3.72 billion in revenue, dropped 12% in February compared to last year, with that percentage expected to rise as tariffs remain in place. The $5.2 million campaign is part of Visit California’s annual marketing investment in Canada, according to Newsom’s office. Newsom, who has been rumored to be eyeing a 2028 presidential bid, also met with British Columbia Premier David Eby Monday to discuss opportunities for expanding California’s partnership with Canada. The two politicians discussed ways to partner in the lumber industry, national transportation corridors and housing, a Newsom official said. NEWSOM’S ‘UNFAIR’ REMARK ON GIRLS’ SPORTS BELIES RECORD AS GOVERNOR: ‘ABSOLUTE BULLS—‘ While Trump has quipped that Canada could become the “51st state,” the U.S. remains Canada’s largest trading partner, supplying nearly two-thirds of its imports and buying over 70% of its exports. Under Trump’s new tariff rates, 25% has been levied on Canadian goods. Vancouver-based Travel Group reported a 90% drop in future bookings, according to a report from Politico this week. Ottawa’s Travac Tours canceled all U.S. trips through July, while Maple Leaf Tours, based in Kingston, Ontario, has seen its business dip 70% to 80%. In mid-March, Canada issued reciprocal tariffs on $30 billion worth of U.S. goods.
Fox News Politics Newsletter: Rivals unite to support Shapiro after arson
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… -Police arrested a 25-year-old man for allegedly sending threatening messages to director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard. Governors across the country who are rumored as fellow potential 2028 presidential candidates united behind Gov. Josh Shapiro, D-Penn., after an arsonist set fire to the governor’s mansion in Harrisburg early Sunday morning. Cody Balmer, 38, was arrested after allegedly setting fire to the residence while Shapiro and his family slept inside. Shapiro, who is Jewish, said he and his family were forced to evacuate their home after celebrating the first night of Passover. Gov. J.B. Pritzker, D-Ill., who is rumored to be mulling a 2028 presidential run along with Shapiro, thanked first responders and said it must have been disturbing for the governor to wake up to such a scene on the first night of Passover. Another potential presidential candidate, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, D-Mich., added that no one “should ever be targeted for doing their job or standing up for what they believe in.” …Read More ‘MEN ABUSING WOMEN’ Trump, Bukele find common cause on trans sports ban and border crackdown IMMIGRATION BATTLE ‘Up to El Salvador’: Trump admin punts on return of wrongfully deported Maryland resident ‘EAGER TO HELP’ Bukele says Trump has 350 million Americans to ‘liberate’ by ending crime, terrorism SQUAD GOALS Ilhan Omar quashes Senate bid rumors with re-election announcement DOGE ‘DODGERS’ ‘Rules for thee’: Senate DOGE leader seeks crackdown on tax-dodging government workers JUMPING IN First on Fox: Republican launches second straight bid to flip Democrat-held Senate seat in key battleground ‘POLITICS OVER PATIENTS’ Top US hospital hit with scathing ad campaign over ‘extreme woke’ agenda ‘URGENCY AND SPEED’ Freshman GOP senator rips predecessor while reflecting on ‘whirlwind’ first 100 days NEW TWIST Florida’s largest Venezuelan stronghold poised to join forces with ICE: report
Whitmer explains her Oval Office folder fiasco
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, D-Mich., said she regrets hiding her face during a meeting with President Donald Trump in the Oval Office last week. Whitmer poked fun at the now-viral moment by once again holding folders up in front of her face when asked about her trip to Washington, D.C., during an event at the Detroit Economic Club on Monday. “… I don’t want my picture taken, that’s all it was. I kind of wished I hadn’t put my folder up in front of my face, but whatever. You know I was there … I just wrote a book about learning to laugh at yourself, so I’m pretty good at it. We all have our moments,” Whitmer said. Whitmer was criticized for shielding her face as the photo became a meme on social media. Alex Meyer, deputy assistant to the president and White House director of the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs who was standing to Whitmer’s left in the photo, joked that it’s his new profile photo. WHITMER DITCHES DEM PLAYBOOK ON TRUMP’S TARIFFS AMID 2028 SPECULATION The Michigan governor’s trip to Washington last week brought her 2028 presidential ambitions into the national conversation as she struck a diplomatic tone with Trump. She carefully criticized Trump’s tariffs while saying she understood the “motivation behind the tariffs” and even agreeing with Trump that we “need to make more stuff in America.” DEM GOVERNORS REVOLT AGAINST TRUMP’S ‘LIBERATION DAY’ TARIFFS Whitmer’s viral Oval Office moment marked her second meeting with Trump in less than a month. As Trump signed executive orders and answered questions from the press, he said Whitmer had “done an excellent job” as governor and called her a “very good person,” a break from his typical lines of attack on her character. “One of her opponents will dig that clip up and put it in a television ad,” Brad Bannon, a Democrat strategist and the president of Bannon Communications Research, told Fox News Digital. Bannon warned that Whitmer, a potential 2028 presidential candidate, getting too close to Trump could jeopardize her status as a “first-tier presidential candidate” alongside fellow governors Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania, Andy Beshear of Kentucky and Gavin Newsom of California. GRETCHEN WHITMER RIBBED ONLINE FOR SEEMING TO HIDE FACE IN OVAL OFFICE As Trump signed executive orders calling for the investigation of two first-term administration aides who were critical of his actions, Whitmer’s office said she was brought into the room “without any notice” and that her appearance was “not an endorsement of the actions taken or statements made.” But Trump called the issues “bipartisan” and jokingly added, “We’ll all stand there together and cut a ribbon. OK, Gretchen?” Whitmer’s diplomatic moves last week seemed to put her out of step with her party as Democrat governors, many rumored to harbor 2028 presidential ambitions, spoke out against Trump’s tariffs as governors JB Pritzker of Illinois and Newsom worked independently with trade partners to try to soften the damage to their state economies. “If you’re not at the table, you’re on the menu,” Whitmer said after her speech in Washington last week, seeming to explain her diplomatic tone. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Whitmer’s office explained that she was meeting with Trump to discuss recovery aid for the northern Michigan ice storm, investing in Michigan’s defense assets and building the American economy for everyday Michiganders.
Newsom signs $2.8B bailout for healthcare program overrun by illegal immigrants
Liberal Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a $2.8 billion bailout Monday to close the state’s bloated deficit in California’s Medicaid program, which surpassed projections due to the program’s expansion last year to include illegal immigrants. The move, confirmed by Newsom’s office to Fox News Digital Monday afternoon, comes after the Democratic governor asked lawmakers last month for a $3.4 billion loan from the state’s general fund to cover some $6.2 billion in outstanding costs for Medi-Cal, one of the state’s primary healthcare programs that takes both federal and state taxpayer dollars. The additional funds will help keep the program running through June for some 15 million Californians, including noncitizens. But Republicans have been critical of the loan, arguing the current Medicaid program isn’t sustainable with illegal immigrants included in the coverage. NEWSOM ASKS FOR NEARLY ANOTHER $3B FOR STATE HEALTH PROGRAM OVERWHELMED BY ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS “Meanwhile, healthcare access is plummeting. Wait times are growing. Democrats have made their choice: legal residents come second,” California Republican state Senate Minority Leader Brian Jones wrote on X. “We must stop new enrollments of illegal immigrants and rein in this unsustainable program before it collapses entirely.” According to state data, roughly 1.6 million illegal immigrants are currently enrolled in Medi-Cal, part of the program’s total 15 million enrollees. The state had initially projected the expansion would cost just under $6 billion for fiscal year 2024–2025. But just one year in, the costs have surged far past that estimate. Newsom’s latest budget proposal now puts the cost of covering illegal immigrants at $8.4 billion for 2024–2025, and $7.4 billion the following year. NEWSOM’S ‘UNFAIR’ REMARK ON GIRLS’ SPORTS BELIES RECORD AS GOVERNOR: ‘ABSOLUTE BULLS—‘ Meanwhile, state House Republicans are pushing back. A new GOP proposal aims to cut $880 billion, primarily from Medicaid, over the next decade to rein in what they say is reckless government spending. Fox News Digital has reached out to Newsom’s office for comment. This is a breaking story. Check back for updates.
Harvard won’t comply with Trump admin’s demands amid threats of cutting federal funding
Harvard University’s top official told members of the community that the Massachusetts-based school will not comply with the Trump administration’s demands, despite risking the loss of grants and contracts to conduct research on “groundbreaking innovations.” Harvard President Alan M. Garber sent a defiant letter to members of the university community on Monday, saying “no government… should dictate what private universities can teach, whom they can admit and hire, and areas of study and inquiry they can pursue.” “For three-quarters of a century, the federal government has awarded grants and contracts to Harvard and other universities to help pay for work that, along with investments by the universities themselves, has led to groundbreaking innovations across a wide range of medical, engineering, and scientific fields,” Garber wrote. “These innovations have made countless people in our country and throughout the world healthier and safer. “Over the last several weeks, the federal government has threatened its partnerships with several universities, including Harvard, over accusations of antisemitism on our campuses. These partnerships are among the most productive and beneficial in American history,” he continued. TRUMP ADMIN PAUSES $1B FROM CORNELL, $790M FROM NORTHWESTERN AMID CIVIL RIGHTS INVESTIGATION: REPORT Garber pointed to research the university has conducted, including life-changing advancements like treatments for Alzheimer’s, Parkinsons and diabetes, as well as breakthroughs in artificial intelligence, quantum science, engineering and other areas. The university president said the federal government was risking not just the health and well-being of millions of individuals by retreating from partnerships with Harvard and other universities, but also the economic security and vitality of the country. “Late Friday night, the administration issued an updated and expanded list of demands, warning that Harvard must comply if we intend to ‘maintain [our] financial relationship with the federal government,’” Garber wrote. “It makes clear that the intention is not to work with us to address antisemitism in a cooperative and constructive manner. Although some of the demands outlined by the government are aimed at combating antisemitism, the majority represent direct governmental regulation of the ‘intellectual conditions’ at Harvard.” DHS: DEPORTED BROWN UNIVERSITY DOCTOR ATTENDED HEZBOLLAH CHIEF’S FUNERAL, SUPPORTED TERROR LEADER He encouraged the community to read the letter, pointing out that it requires Harvard to “audit” the viewpoints of the student body, staff, and faculty, while also reducing the power of certain students, faculty and administrators due to their ideological views. “We have informed the administration through our legal counsel that we will not accept their proposed agreement,” Garber said. “The University will not negotiate over its independence or its constitutional rights. The administration’s prescription goes beyond the power of the federal government. It violates Harvard’s First Amendment rights and exceeds the statutory limits of the government’s authority under Title VI. And it threatens our values as a private institution devoted to the pursuit, production, and dissemination of knowledge. “No government—regardless of which party is in power—should dictate what private universities can teach, whom they can admit and hire, and which areas of study and inquiry they can pursue,” he added. FOX NEWS ‘ANTISEMITISM EXPOSED’ NEWSLETTER: FULL LIST OF STUDENTS DETAINED OVER CAMPUS HATE Garber said the university has made it clear that it does not take its moral duty to fight antisemitism lightly. Over the past 15 months, he said, the university has taken many steps to address antisemitism at Harvard, and it plans to do more. For instance, he said the university will continue to nurture a thriving culture of open inquiry on campus and broaden the intellectual and viewpoint diversity within the community. He also said the university will respect free speech and dissent while also ensuring protest occurs in a time, place and manner that does not interfere with teaching, learning and research. And finally, he said Harvard will work together to find ways, consistent with the law, to foster and support a vibrant community that exemplifies, respects and embraces differences. IVY LEAGUE SCHOOLS RECEIVED $6.4 BILLION IN FEDERAL FUNDING IN 2024 “These ends will not be achieved by assertions of power, unmoored from the law, to control teaching and learning at Harvard and to dictate how we operate. The work of addressing our shortcomings, fulfilling our commitments, and embodying our values is ours to define and undertake as a community,” Garber wrote. “Freedom of thought and inquiry, along with the government’s longstanding commitment to respect and protect it, has enabled universities to contribute in vital ways to a free society and to healthier, more prosperous lives for people everywhere. All of us share a stake in safeguarding that freedom. We proceed now, as always, with the conviction that the fearless and unfettered pursuit of truth liberates humanity—and with faith in the enduring promise that America’s colleges and universities hold for our country and our world.” President Donald Trump has suspended federal funding to every Ivy League, besides Penn and Dartmouth, over investigations into anti-Israel protests that have taken place on their campuses since October 2023. Funding for dozens of other universities has also been impacted by investigations for the same reason. Columbia University, which had more than $400 million in federal funding taken away, was the first Ivy League to lose money over its failure to make Jewish students feel safe on campus. The university caved to demands from the Trump administration late last month in hopes of restoring the funding. Earlier this month, a federal antisemitism task force announced a review of Harvard’s federal grants and contracts, worth nearly $9 billion, as the university faces an investigation into campus antisemitism. The Trump administration has promised to be more aggressive in ending campus antisemitism after saying President Joe Biden did not hold universities accountable for their violent protests. The administration has also made moves to detain and deport foreign students who participated in or orchestrated anti-Israel protests at American universities. Fox News Digital’s Elizabeth Pritchett and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
EXCLUSIVE: Nancy Mace targeted by Pennsylvania man arrested for threatening Trump
EXCLUSIVE: A man charged with making threats to murder President Donald Trump was also found to have threatened Rep. Nance Mace, R-S.C., a source with knowledge of the matter told Fox News Digital. Mace’s office was informed by U.S. Capitol Police that Shawn Monper of Butler, Pennsylvania, made threats against her on social media in January, the source said. The man allegedly wrote of Mace on YouTube, “If I ever see her unprotected in public I would live to be the one to put a bullet in her skull. What a disgusting peice [sic] of trash.” FLORIDA CHARGES TRUMP ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT SUSPECT WITH ATTEMPTED MURDER, TERRORISM Mace appears to be the only member of Congress targeted by the suspect for now, the source told Fox News Digital. It’s not immediately clear why Mace, an outspoken Trump ally, was threatened. But it comes amid concerns about escalating threats against elected officials on both sides of the aisle. Trump, who was subject to two failed assassination attempts during the 2024 election, was targeted by Monper in a series of threats on YouTube, according to a release by the Department of Justice (DOJ). STATE-CONTROLLED IRANIAN NEWSPAPER CALLS FOR FIRING BULLETS INTO TRUMP’S ‘EMPTY’ SKULL The FBI “received an emergency disclosure regarding threats posted to YouTube by user ‘Mr Satan’” between Jan. 15 and April 5, according to the release. Monper also got a firearms permit “shortly following” Trump’s inauguration, and posted in Februrary under the aforementioned username, “I have bought several guns and been stocking up on ammo since Trump got in office,” the DOJ said. Posts in March showed Monper threatening a mass shooting. Further posts uncovered by federal authorities show him targeting Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials and Elon Musk, the release showed. The U.S. Secret Service was alerted to the suspect’s threats against Mace as well, the source told Fox News Digital. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP U.S. Capitol Police said it would not comment on potential investigations when reached for confirmation. Mace’s office did not immediately return a request for comment.
Watchdog group exposes red state college administrator explaining ‘loophole’ around anti-DEI law
FIRST ON FOX: Newly released video appears to show an administrator in the Florida university system bragging about the ways her school is skirting a state law prohibiting the practice of DEI. The video, obtained by conservative watchdog Accuracy in Media (AIM) and posted online, shows University of South Florida St. Petersburg administrator Heather Klišanin explaining to an undercover investigator how the school had attempted to skirt Florida law banning public funds from promoting DEI by using a “loophole.” “It is a student-funded area, so it changes some things in regards to what we are able to do because student-funded things are not affected by the changes in regulation and law,” Klišanin, director of student conduct and ethical development and dean of student ambassadors at USF St. Petersburg, can be seen saying on video, suggesting that the school is using student fees to fund DEI programs. “I was hoping it would be similar here that they weren’t totally getting rid of DEI,” the unidentified woman says to Klišanin at another point in the video. WISCONSIN STATE AGENCIES, UNIVERSITY SYSTEM FAILED TO TRACK DEI SPENDING, AUDIT REVEALS Klišanin responds, “Yeah, and even our students, we just have to make sure, like any of our programming and things like that, is mostly done through student government because if it’s student-funded, they can’t stop it. But like, our departments can’t spend any money on that.” Klišanin went on to explain that she has students who do “outreach and education” on DEI issues, but the department can no longer directly fund those efforts, “but if they partnered with student government and student government paid for it, then we can.” Klišanin described the loophole as “red tape” but said “Yeah” when asked whether the school administrators could still have a “supportive role” in the DEI efforts. “Loopholes?” the undercover individual asked. RED STATE LAWMAKERS WARNED ABOUT ALLEGEDLY ACCEPTING ‘DEI DOLLARS’ FROM HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION: WATCHDOG “Yeah,” Klišanin responded. In a statement to Fox News Digital, a university spokesperson said they are complying with the law. “The University of South Florida follows all state and federal guidance, policies, and laws related to DEI. USF does not operate a DEI office,” the spokesperson said. “As soon as USF was provided the hidden camera video of Heather Klišanin, we began a review of the matter, which is ongoing. Upon initial review of the edited video, it appears that she is referencing Florida law and Florida Board of Governors regulation on DEI that includes an exemption for student-led programs funded by student fees. However, after seeing the video and to ensure USF continues to comply with state and federal laws, USF will require her to complete additional training.” The Florida law does provide a carveout for student-funded activities, but in a press release, AIM suggests that the “loophole” talked about in the video might not be legal either. “However, this ‘loophole’ employed by USF is still likely in violation of state law, because not all student fees are paid through private sources,” the press release states. “As of fall 2022, over 74% of Florida residents enrolled at USF received a taxpayer-funded scholarship through the Bright Futures program.” “‘Federal funds’ are those funds provided to the university or direct support organization for a university directly or indirectly by an appropriation by Congress,” the Florida regulation states on the university system’s website. “This includes financial aid provided to the university by or on behalf of a student attending the university if that financial aid is provided to the student via a governmental aid or grant program. State and federal funds do not include student fees to support student-led organizations notwithstanding any speech or expressive activity by such organizations which would otherwise violate this section, provided that the student fees must be allocated to student-led organizations pursuant to written policies or regulations of each state university, as applicable.” Later in the video, Klišanin says, “We’re not going to stop supporting the students that we’ve been supporting in that space and right now it’s student-funded, so even if a name changes, they won’t have to take away the support.” The video also shows AIM President Adam Guillette confronting Klišanin, who denies she has been pushing to skirt the DEI laws. “You’re going to need to talk to Carrie O’Brion,” Klišanin says, pointing Guillette to the school’s communications director. Later in the video, Guillette speaks to O’Brion, who seemingly acknowledges that something improper had taken place. “That’s not the policy,” O’Brion said when confronted about the idea of switching DEI programs to student-funded efforts or changing the names of certain programs. “DEI is a poisonous ideology that leads to division, hate and antisemitism,” Guillette told Fox News Digital in a statement. “It has no place in our education system, and both Gov. DeSantis and the Trump administration must ensure these programs are rooted out of public universities and K-12 schools.” In a statement to Fox News Digital, DeSantis communications director Bryan Griffin told Fox News Digital, “Circumventing state laws & rules prohibiting DEI in public universities is unacceptable. We are looking into the matter and, to the extent public dollars are being used toward DEI, there will be consequences. ‘Additonal training’ will not be a sufficient response.” CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP The newly uncovered video comes weeks after Fox News Digital exclusively reported on a Florida professor bragging about how he too had found ways around the state’s DEI ban. The professor, Dr. Haywood Brown, former associate vice president of academic affairs at the University of South Florida, resigned shortly after Fox News Digital’s reporting. “With the details of Mr. Brown’s actions and public commitments to violating state law and academic standards surfacing to our attention, our office has immediately ensured his relationship with our university system has ended,” Griffin told Fox News Digital at the time. “This individual’s employment at the University of South Florida is over today, and he is no longer welcome to work in Florida education.”