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Year: 2025

Trump’s DOGE push slashes millions in DEI contracts funding ‘divisive ideologies’ in blue states

Trump’s DOGE push slashes millions in DEI contracts funding ‘divisive ideologies’ in blue states

FIRST ON FOX: The Trump administration is slashing millions of dollars in DEI grants from a library and museum system as part of its overall Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) push to rid the government of waste, fraud and abuse. The administration is cutting $15 million from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) in the form of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) grants in a move the agency says is aligned with both DOGE and President Donald Trump’s executive orders aimed at eliminating DEI from the federal government.  The grants include $6.7 million to the California State Library to enhance equitable library programs and $4 million to the Washington State Library for diverse staff development and incarcerated support.  A $1.5M DEI grant to the Connecticut State Library system to “integrate social justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion” into their daily operations is also being cut along with $700,000 for a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit to study “post-pandemic DEI practices” in American children’s museums that would formulate “enhanced equity-focused strategies.” TOP FINANCIAL OFFICIALS SOUND ALARM ON ‘UNCONSCIONABLE’ ECONOMIC IMPACT OF DOGE PROTEST VIOLENCE: LETTER Additionally, a DEI grant of $265,000 going to Queens College in New York to conduct a research project on why “BIPOC” teens read Japanese comic books will be cut along with $250,000 to fund the “Gay Ohio History Initiative” to erect 10 “LGBTQ+ historical markers” will be cut. “In keeping with the vision of the President’s executive orders, we are taking action to end taxpayer funding for discriminatory DEI initiatives in our nation’s museums and libraries,” Acting IMLS Director Keith Sonderling told Fox News Digital in a statement. TRUMP LABOR DEPARTMENT SECURES EYE-POPPING SUM TO RETURN TO TAXPAYERS AMID DOGE PUSH “Our cultural institutions should bring Americans together—not promote divisive ideologies. Moving forward, we must champion programs that uphold our founding ideals and reaffirm that the American Dream is within reach for all, through hard work and determination, not identity politics.” The grant cuts come after IMLS reportedly cut 80% of its staff in a move aimed at slashing the bloated federal government while saving taxpayers additional millions.  A recent study by the American Academy of Arts & Sciences found that federal funds represent only 0.3% of the total operating revenue for public libraries. The vast majority of funding comes from state and local sources. The Institute of Museum and Library Services was one of seven government agencies targeted in Trump’s “Continuing the Reduction of the Federal Bureaucracy” executive order last month. Trump’s DOGE efforts have saved the American taxpayer $140 billion, according to its website, which represents almost $900 saved per taxpayer. The Trump administration says it has slashed hundreds of millions of dollars in DEI contracts, including at least $100 million at the Department of Education. 

Trump admin moves to more easily fire federal workers at 2 agencies: report

Trump admin moves to more easily fire federal workers at 2 agencies: report

President Donald Trump’s administration is moving to reclassify federal workers at two agencies in order to more easily fire them, Reuters reported Thursday. The efforts are reportedly taking place at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the Department of Energy (DOE). Trump had announced plans during his earliest days in office to recategorize tens of thousands of federal workers, arguing many of them oppose his policies. “I understand that there is a lot of concern and uncertainty about Schedule Policy/Career and want to provide the best information currently available,” acting assistant administrator Emily Menashes wrote in an email to affected employees at the NOAA on Tuesday. Most federal workers have protections requiring that they only be fired for cause. Trump signed an executive order on his first day in office creating a new classification of worker that can be fired at will, however. SCOOP: TOP REPUBLICAN CHUCK GRASSLEY SETS PROMPT HEARING ON JUDGES BLOCKING TRUMP In their new category, NOAA employees would remain career staff, not political appointees, but would be expected to support the administration’s agenda, an email to some NOAA staff said. The DOE and the White House did not respond to a request for comment from Fox News Digital. The NOAA declined to comment. ‘FLOODING THE ZONE’ TRUMP HITS WARP SPEED IN FIRST WEEK BACK IN OFFICE The reported effort comes as Trump has already sought to fire tens of thousands of federal workers, many of whom have sued to keep their jobs. At least one federal judge has ordered Trump’s administration to reinstate federal probationary workers that were fired in recent mass layoffs. GOP SENATOR SAYS DR OZ IGNORED HIS QUESTIONS ON TRANSGENDER ISSUES, ABORTION U.S. District Court Judge James Bredar issued an order on Tuesday directing 18 federal agencies to “undo” the “purported terminations” of thousands of probationary federal workers before Tuesday, April 8, though the order only applies to states whose attorneys general brought the case. The states impacted by Wednesday’s ruling include Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. Since Trump entered office, he has faced a slew of nationwide injunctions to halt actions of his administration. So far in his new term, the courts have hit him with roughly 15 wide-ranging orders, more than former Presidents George W. Bush, Barack Obama and Joe Biden received during their entire tenures. Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich condemned the wave of injunctions as a “judicial coup d’etat” during testimony before a House Judiciary subcommittee on Tuesday. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP The former lawmaker highlighted that the vast majority of judges filing injunctions or restraining orders against Trump’s executive actions have been appointed by Democrats. Reuters contributed to this report.

SCOOP: Congress barrels toward showdown over Biden-era rule letting California ban gas cars

SCOOP: Congress barrels toward showdown over Biden-era rule letting California ban gas cars

FIRST ON FOX: A key House committee is moving to block one of former President Joe Biden’s parting gifts to the U.S.’s largest progressive stronghold. Rep. John Joyce, R-Pa., vice chairman of the House Energy & Commerce Committee, introduced a resolution of disapproval on Wednesday night targeting a Biden administration-era waiver granted to California that would help the state realize its goal of a full ban on the sale of new gas cars by 2035. It’s backed by committee Chairman Brett Guthrie, R-Ky., who called the Biden administration waiver a “de facto EV mandate” for the Golden State. KAMALA HARRIS REVEALS TIMETABLE FOR MAKING MAJOR POLITICAL DECISION IN DEEP BLUE STATE “The American people should choose what vehicle is right for them, not California bureaucrats. Congressman Joyce’s resolution would block a disastrous ban on the gas-powered vehicles that millions of Americans rely on each and every day,” Guthrie told Fox News Digital.  “The Energy and Commerce Committee has been committed to addressing this issue since California first attempted to create a de facto EV mandate.” Joyce said his resolution was “long overdue.” “Since arriving in Washington, I have fought to protect consumer freedom and allow American families to choose the vehicle that best fits their budget and needs,” Joyce said. A resolution of disapproval, under the Congressional Review Act, allows lawmakers a mechanism to oppose unilateral rules made by federal agencies. Biden’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved a waiver for California in December 2024, just over a month before he left office, that would make it possible for the state to phase out new gas-powered car sales by 2035. The waiver was granted despite concerns raised by major automakers earlier that year about the feasibility of California’s goals – but state officials pushing the plan have insisted it’s critical to take on climate change. At the time, the Biden administration argued the waiver amounted to an order rather than a regulatory rule, meaning it would not be subject to congressional review. But it’s been the subject of a standoff between the Trump administration and the federal bureaucracy since then. The Trump administration asked Congress to review the waiver in late February of this year – paving the way for a potential repeal under the GOP-controlled House and Senate. But the Government Accountability Office (GAO) said last month that California’s waiver is not subject to the Congressional Review Act. HHS DOWNSIZING BEGINS AMID RFK JR. ‘MAKE AMERICA HEALTHY AGAIN’ PUSH: ‘WIN-WIN FOR TAXPAYERS’ Backers of the Trump administration’s goal, however, still insist it’s Congress’ job alone to review agency rules. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP “Despite misleading reports, the Congressional Review Act is crystal clear: once an agency action is submitted to Congress, it is Congress—and Congress alone—that holds the unassailable power to approve or disapprove that action,” American Energy Alliance President Tom Pyle said last month. “The GAO’s role is purely advisory, with no legal authority to block Congress from exercising its constitutional duty.” Joyce’s resolution is the first step toward testing those waters. And with the backing of the powerful House Energy & Commerce Committee, the legislation is likely to see wide Republican support.

Hawley says muzzled Meta whistleblower will testify over China dealings next week

Hawley says muzzled Meta whistleblower will testify over China dealings next week

FIRST ON FOX – Sen. Josh Hawley. R-Mo., told Fox News Thursday that Meta whistleblower and former employee Sarah Wynn-Williams will testify next week before a Senate Judiciary Subcommittee about problems with the social media giant’s internal culture and its work overseas – the same issues that prompted her explosive tell-all to be blocked from publication earlier this year.  In a statement to Fox News Digital, Hawley took aim at what he said was an “amoral and corrupt company that crafted a custom censorship system for Communist China.”  He also criticized their attempts to silence a former employee. “Sarah Wynn-Williams alleges that Facebook is an amoral and corrupt company that crafted a custom censorship system for Communist China,” Hawley told Fox News Digital in a statement. “Is it a surprise to anyone that Meta secured a gag order against her? Censorship is what Big Tech does best, and since Facebook is trying to quash her story, my subcommittee is going to officially investigate it,” he added. HAWLEY BLASTS ‘INSANE’ LIBERAL ATTORNEY DURING SENATE HEARING ON ANTISEMITISM The memoir, “Careless People,” attempted to make public what Wynn-Williams has described as Facebook’s relationship and alleged cooperation with certain regimes—primarily, the Communist regime in China— and what she alleges were Meta’s “plans to build censorship tools, punish dissidents, and make American user data available to the CCP.” Hawley, a member of the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, invited Wynn-Williams to testify next week after her memoir was blocked from publication. In a statement on X, Hawley said Wynn-Williams will testify before the panel “in public, under oath” to detail what the Missouri Republican described as some of the “explosive” evidence that was shared in her book that was blocked from publication earlier this year. PENCE GROUP LASHES OUT AT TRUMP TARIFFS AHEAD OF ‘LIBERATION DAY’ EVENT: ‘TAX ON AMERICAN CONSUMERS’ The hearing, officials with knowledge of the proceedings told Fox News Digital, is an attempt to get to the heart of the same claims while respecting the restrictions reached by the arbiters. News of her testimony next week, first shared with Fox News Digital, comes shortly after Meta blocked Wynn-Wiliams from publishing a memoir earlier this year detailing her six-year tenure at the company.  Republicans on the panel announced their investigation into Meta’s censorship work just one day earlier. They said their work will focus primarily on Meta’s dealings with China and whether it provided certain AI tools to the CCP. Hawley and a group of other panel Republicans also demanded Meta provide them with all “records and communications pertaining to Meta’s operations within China, including the potential use of AI models developed by or in collaboration with the CCP.” The memoir, titled “Careless People: A Cautionary Tale of Power, Greed, and Lost Idealism,” was among the most eagerly anticipated books of the year, earning early accolades and positive reviews from the New York Times and other book reviewers. For a time, it was available for pre-sale on Amazon and other major retailers.  CONGRESSMAN CALLS FOR ZUCKERBERG TO ANSWER ON CHINA DEALINGS The memoir attempted to shed new light on what Wynn-Williams claimed is a problematic culture at the social media company, both internally – where the book develed into allegations of personal harassment that stretched to the company’s top leadership – as well as its dealings with certain unsavory regimes.  In March, however, Meta secured a victory in arbitration proceedings to block the memoir’s release. They have since attempted to refute the validity of Wynn Williams’s remarks, characterizing her as a “disgruntled employee.” APPEALS COURT BLOCKS TRUMP ADMIN’S DEPORTATION FLIGHTS IN ALIEN ENEMIES ACT IMMIGRATION SUIT Lawyers for Meta cited nondisclosure agreements signed by Wynn-Williams as a condition of her employment prohibiting her from sharing certain information about her time at the company, including disparaging remarks.  The news comes as Senate Republicans have pushed for more information regarding Meta’s business in China and the extent of its work.  The muzzling attempts from Meta employees have done little to thwart the GOP-led Senate Judiciary probe, however. Citing internal documents received by the subcommittee, members said this week that Facebook’s plan “reportedly included more engagement with the CCP, and later included plans to partner with a Chinese company to build censorship tools and provide the CCP with user data.” “Further, Facebook’s censorship efforts on behalf of the CCP allegedly extended to dissidents outside of China, including in the United States,” they said. Meta did not immediately respond to a request for comment. 

Cuban-born rep to lobby Trump admin for major actions to ‘starve’ Havana regime: ‘The time is now’

Cuban-born rep to lobby Trump admin for major actions to ‘starve’ Havana regime: ‘The time is now’

EXCLUSIVE: The only Cuban-born member of Congress is calling on the Trump administration to “starve the regime” in Havana by cutting off some of its last economic lifelines connected to the U.S. Rep. Carlos Gimenez, R-Fla., who recently returned to the island for the first time in 64 years as part of a congressional delegation to Guantanamo Bay, said that despite the decadeslong economic embargo and travel restrictions, there are still many ways Americans can incidentally aid the regime. On Thursday, Gimenez will write to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, requesting the “cessation of all travel” to and from the communist island, as well as a ban on remittances from U.S. citizens to relatives or friends there—except for specific funds approved by Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Gimenez told Fox News Digital that dictator Miguel Diaz-Canel’s government ends up with a substantive cut of remittances, and any way to further turn the economic screws to the regime is something the U.S. government should look into. CUBAN-BORN REP RECOUNTS EMOTIONAL RETURN TO CUBA FOR FIRST TIME IN 64 YEARS “The regime in Cuba is a listed state sponsor of terrorism, harbors criminal fugitives of American justice, and prevents a clear threat to the safety of the United States and our citizens,” Gimenez will write to Bessent. “As you know, this issue is one of great importance to the Cuban-American community and to millions of Americans who hold freedom, democracy, and human rights as our guiding principles.” He praised President Donald Trump for reversing the Obama-era “disastrous appeasement” policies that allowed some daylight between Havana and Washington. Former President Barack Obama also notably visited with then-dictator Raul Castro, resulting in the famous photo of Castro awkwardly holding up Obama’s arm and smiling during a public appearance. “We applaud and welcome the administration’s most recent policies to ban vessels arriving from communist Cuba at U.S. ports, but more must be done. I urge you, Mr. Secretary, to take swift and decisive action in halting all travel to and from Communist Cuba and eliminating the flow of remittances to the island,” Gimenez will tell Bessent. VENEZUELAN OPPO LEADER JOINS CUBAN-BORN GOP LAWMAKER TO LAUD TRUMP POLICIES “The murderous dictatorship in Cuba is on life support. The regime cannot even keep the lights on, and America must stand with the Cuban people to topple this pathetic gang once and for all…. The time is now.” “There’s plenty of travel happening between Cuba and the United States,” Gimenez said when asked how strong the current restrictions are. “All you’ve got to do is go to MIA and you’ll see all kinds of flights from the United States to Cuba and back — that needs to stop.” A partial travel ban is not enough, as the regime will always find loopholes to exploit, he said – and that if there were to be exceptions to what he is asking, Rubio would be the right official to determine their viability. He said that large amounts of money in the form of remittances flow particularly out of Miami-Dade to Cuba every year. “So these are efforts to basically starve the regime. A lot of times when flights are going from Miami to Cuba, a lot of those people are taking goods and products, et cetera,” he said. “The regime can’t even provide electricity to their own people. It needs to fail on its own weight; America can’t provide any more oxygen to that regime.” Gimenez added there may be some short-term pain in Miami and elsewhere, but that there is the “long-term gain” of potentially accelerating the collapse of the Castro/Diaz-Canel government, which has been otherwise cut off from U.S. trade since 1959. When asked why Cuba appears to be treated differently than other official state sponsors of terror like Iran and Afghanistan, Gimenez said the 90-mile proximity to the U.S. and the large numbers of Cuban refugee families living in Florida and beyond do create a different dynamic. “Many family members in Miami and in the United States try to help their [Cuba-resident] family and friends as much as possible, and they want to visit every once in a while.” CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP “But I’ve never gone – [until] a month ago in Guantanamo. I’ve never gone back to visit any family. I’ve never sent one penny to Cuba for anything during my time in the United States; over 60 years.” “There are different circumstances for different people, but now it’s time to say enough.”

SPRIBE inks deal with UFC and WWE

SPRIBE inks deal with UFC and WWE

“SPRIBE’s strategic partnerships with household names around the world, like UFC and WWE as well as AC Milan, enable us to capitalize on emerging markets, including India, where demand for our unique online gaming experiences is growing exponentially,” said David Natroshvili,- founder & CEO SPRIBE.