Musk was never briefed on China war plans at Pentagon meeting, Trump and Hegseth say
President Donald Trump said he’s not interested in showing “anybody” plans for how the U.S. would navigate a conflict with China after a New York Times report that SpaceX and Tesla CEO Elon Musk’s meeting at the Pentagon Friday included details about contingency plans for any war with Beijing. Trump told reporters Friday that Musk met with Pentagon officials to discuss initiatives relating to the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) that Musk is spearheading. “We don’t want to have a potential war with China,” Trump said at the Oval Office Friday. “But I can tell you if we did, we’re very well-equipped to handle it. But I don’t want to show that to anybody. But, certainly, you wouldn’t show it to a businessman who is helping us so much. He’s a great patriot. He’s taken a big price for helping us cut costs, and he’s doing a great job.” TRUMP, PUTIN ON THE SAME PAGE ABOUT IRAN’S NUCLEAR CAPABILITIES, WHITE HOUSE SAYS Musk and China could be a conflict of interest, given Tesla’s business dealings with China and SpaceX’s relationship with the Pentagon on military space capabilities. And an adversary like China learning details about the U.S. military’s war plans could put national security at risk and undermine U.S. forces. But Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said Musk’s meeting at the Pentagon centered around DOGE, innovation and other ways to advance efficiency, not China. “There was no war plans. There was no Chinese war plans,” Hegseth said at the White House Friday. “There was no secret plans. That’s not what we were doing at the Pentagon.” Hegseth also announced plans Thursday to cancel more than $580 million in Department of Defense contracts, following recommendations from DOGE. The New York Times reported Thursday evening that Musk’s Pentagon briefing would involve a presentation with 20–30 slides on how the U.S. would combat China, various Chinese targets to strike and how the Pentagon would share these plans with Trump. The Times also reported the meeting would take place in the so-called Tank, a secure conference room reserved for the joint chiefs, senior staff and visiting combatant commanders. HEGSETH SAYS DEFENSE DEPT ELIMINATES HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS IN ‘WASTEFUL’ SPENDING AFTER DOGE FINDINGS The Times report said details on China could have been shared with Musk amid his efforts leading DOGE and possible cuts to the Department of Defense. The White House referred Fox News Digital to Trump’s remarks when asked for comment about the nature of Musk’s briefing. Trump and Hegseth pushed back on the report Thursday, with Trump describing the report as “completely untrue.” Hegseth also said in a post on X the meeting with Musk would primarily touch on innovation. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP In response to Hegseth’s post, Musk responded, “Exactly. Also, I’ve been to the Pentagon many times over many years. Not my first time in the building.” Musk also said in a separate post he looks “forward to the prosecutions of those at the Pentagon who are leaking maliciously false information to NYT.” “They will be found,” he said.
DOJ opens probe into intel leak related to Tren de Aragua, cites ‘Deep State’ and allies at the New York Times
The Justice Department is launching a criminal probe into a leak related to Tren de Aragua, the Venezuelan gang that has been a primary focus of the Trump administration’s mass deportation efforts. In a statement, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said the DOJ was opening an investigation related “to the selective leak of inaccurate, but nevertheless classified, information from the Intelligence Community” on the street gang, which was designated a terrorist organization by the U.S. State Department in February. PUERTO RICO NO LONGER SAFE BET FOR ILLEGAL MIGRANTS AS TRUMP CRACKDOWN EXPANDS TO US TERRITORY “We will not tolerate politically motivated efforts by the Deep State to undercut President Trump’s agenda by leaking false information onto the pages of their allies at the New York Times,” said Blanche. “The Alien Enemies Proclamation is supported by fact, law, and common sense, which we will establish in court and then expel the TDA terrorists from this country.” Earlier this month, President Donald Trump declared that he would use Alien Enemies Proclamation to fast track deportations of TdA members living illegally in the United States. HEARING SET FOR TRUMP ADMINISTRATION OVER FEDERAL JUDGE’S BLOCK OF DEPORTATION FLIGHTS The proclamation, a wartime law, authorizes expedited removal of Venezuelan citizens ages 14 and older deemed members of the group who are not U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents. The last time the act was invoked was during World War II, when it was used to put many noncitizens of Japanese, German and Italian descent in internment camps. A federal judge has temporarily blocked the deportations of Venezuelans under the wartime act.
Federal judge strikes down Texas’ mail ballot ID requirement
The judge found that the provisions of SB1, the state’s 2021 voter security law, discriminate against voters with disabilities.
Judge fumes over late-night deportation move signed ‘in the dark’
A federal judge grilled Trump administration lawyers Friday over the deportation of Venezuelan nationals to El Salvador despite an earlier court order explicitly blocking the move. It was the latest in a legal dispute that could reach the Supreme Court. During a motion hearing, U.S. District Court Judge James Boasberg questioned Deputy Assistant Attorney General Drew Ensign about why the Trump administration failed to comply with an emergency court order that temporarily blocked its use of the 1798 Alien Enemies Act to deport Venezuelan nationals, including alleged members of the gang Tren de Aragua, from U.S. soil for 14 days. At least 261 migrants were deported Saturday from the U.S. to El Salvador, including more than 100 Venezuelan nationals who were subject to removal “solely on the basis” of the law temporarily blocked by the court. Boasberg used the first portion of Friday’s hearing to press Ensign for details over the government’s deportation flights to El Salvador. ‘WOEFULLY INSUFFICIENT’: US JUDGE REAMS TRUMP ADMIN FOR DAYS-LATE DEPORTATION INFO “Why was this proclamation signed in the dark on Friday, early Saturday morning, and then these people rushed onto the planes?” Boasberg asked Justice Department attorneys. “To me, the only reason to do that is if you know the problem, and you want to get them out of the country before a suit is filed.” Ensign was also pressed at length over what he knew about the deportations during last week’s court hearing, when Boasberg ordered the Trump administration to temporarily halt any planned removals of Venezuelan migrants subject to the Alien Enemies Act. Boasberg also issued a bench ruling Saturday ordering the immediate return of any planes deporting the Venezuelan nationals targeted for deportation under the Alien Enemies Act. JUDGES V TRUMP: HERE ARE THE KEY COURT BATTLES HALTING THE WHITE HOUSE AGENDA “Can I ask you now how you interpreted that statement when we had a conversation on Saturday?” he asked Ensign. “Did you not understand my statement during that hearing? “You told me you had no details on the plane flights. Then we held a recess for 38 minutes for you to find details,” the judge reminded Ensign. “And then when you came back — and even though the flights were in the air — you represented that you had no details of the flights?” “That’s correct,” Ensign responded, telling the judge no one would give him the information he sought about the deportation flights. “I did not know they were in the air.” Boasberg has ordered Trump administration officials to explain by Tuesday why they failed to comply with his order requiring the deportation flights to return and whether they knowingly defied his ruling. Though the judge acknowledged the Trump administration has “wide latitude” to enforce immigration law, he has repeatedly expressed frustration with the government and its failure to answer major questions about the flights. WHO IS JAMES BOASBERG, THE US JUDGE AT THE CENTER OF TRUMP’S DEPORTATION EFFORTS? He reiterated these concerns Friday and raised new concerns about the administration’s apparent defiance of federal judges. “The hypotheticals are frightening,” Boasberg told Ensign. “If the courts can’t review” the administration’s use of the wartime-era deportation law, “then the president could say anyone is invading. If some foreign fisherman comes into U.S. waters, the president could say that’s an invasion. “Even you would say that’s alarming.” “That’s up to Congress,” Ensign responded. In a court order filed Thursday, Boasberg castigated lawyers for the Justice Department for failing to answer his questions about the deportation flights, even after he let them do so under seal, noting that the government had “again evaded its obligations.” It remains unclear whether the Trump administration will invoke the state secrets privilege in the court battle, which could allow it to withhold certain information for national security purposes. In a court declaration filed Friday morning, U.S. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche told Boasberg he is aware of Cabinet-level discussions invoking that privilege. The administration could present that argument at an appellate court hearing next week. Invoking that privilege “is a serious matter that requires careful consideration of national security and foreign relations, and it cannot properly be taken in just 24 hours,” Blanche told the court Friday. President Donald Trump, for his part, demanded in a social media post Friday that the Supreme Court move to rein in federal judges who have blocked over 300 of his executive orders and actions. In a Truth Social post, Trump implored the Supreme Court to “STOP NATIONWIDE INJUNCTIONS NOW, BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE.” “If Justice Roberts and the United States Supreme Court do not fix this toxic and unprecedented situation IMMEDIATELY, our Country is in very serious trouble!” he added.
Deep red state proposal triggers ESG concerns: ‘Raises a lot of questions’
Oklahoma’s state treasurer is raising concerns about legislation he says could open the door further for the controversial practice of “environmental, social and governance” in the deep red state. Senate Bill 714 would amend the Energy Discrimination Elimination Act of 2022 to take away the treasurer’s “enforcement authority” of the law and give it to the state Attorney General’s office. The treasurer maintains a list of several banks that cannot do business with the state government of Oklahoma if the institution has publicly expressed opposition to oil and gas companies. Critics argue that wording in the legislation would lower the standards necessary for an institution to be on the list and how agencies enforce it. RED STATE LEADER CALLS FOR STATES TO STAND BEHIND TRUMP’S BAN ON FUNDING ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION “The bill actually removes the treasurer from oversight of the investment behaviors of big financial institutions and proposes to put it under the attorney general’s office,” Oklahoma State Treasurer Todd Russ told Fox News Digital regarding Senate Bill 714. “So, I mean, that alone raises a lot of questions. “As a constitutional officer in the state treasurer in Oklahoma, why would you want someone that doesn’t have the constitutional commitment and obligation to oversee the financial investments and affairs of the state to be under the treasury and move it to a different constitutional office?” he continued. The 2022 state law is facing “ongoing” legal challenges, which makes its fate unclear. The law is meant to avoid supporting institutions some leaders see as looking to harm the state’s energy industry. SLASHING ENERGY DEVELOPMENT RED TAPE, BEATING CHINA IN ‘AI ARMS RACE’ TOP PRIORITIES FOR NATIONS’ GOVERNORS “Over the years, those subject matters have become very politicized. I mean, it’s not a financial issue. It’s a social agenda that they’ve woven into the investments,” Russ said of ESG. “The state of Oklahoma’s not trying to get on the other side of that behavior. We’re trying to take a stand to say, ‘Look, stay out of the political arena with my investments. Our investments.’ We are solely concerned about the financial performance and profits of our investment, and we don’t want outside people using it for political leverage. So, when it comes to environmental issues, oil and gas is very important to Oklahoma. We don’t want them acting against the interests of the oil and gas industry.” Fox Business reported in 2023 that the list from Russ resulted from inquiries about energy investment practices to numerous banks, and it bars the banks on the list from partaking in key state investments like pension funds. Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond’s office said, “This bill is only necessary because of the treasurer’s dismal failure to successfully defend the Oklahoma Energy Discrimination Act of 2022. That was the real slap in the face to the oil and gas industry. “The act prohibits state contracts and pension system investments with financial institutions that discriminate against the oil and gas industry.” ENERGY SECRETARY REVEALS ‘BIGGEST’ CHALLENGE TRUMP ADMIN FACES Republican state Sen. Dave Rader, the bill’s sponsor, told Fox News Digital in an email he plans on making some amendments to the legislation, including “further clarifying the definition of boycott energy company to include voting on shareholder proposals which penalize or inflict harm, adding legislative intent to make clear that the purpose of the bill is to protect retirement systems, eliminate the word ‘predominantly’ in the definition of ordinary business purpose to make clear that any pro-ESG action is not allowable [and] eliminate the inclusion of transaction costs when determining a loss which presumably could keep delay divestment indefinitely.” However, Rader’s suggested amendments in the email have not yet been made official, according to the Oklahoma State Legislature’s website, where the legislative text is shown. The legislation would need to go to a vote in the full Senate by March 27 before potentially heading to the state House of Representatives.
Thousands join march in Turkiye’s Istanbul to protest mayor’s arrest
Thousands gather near Istanbul’s town hall in support of the city’s recently arrested mayor. Thousands of protesters have joined a march in Istanbul in support of the city’s arrested mayor, defying a warning from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan that authorities would crack down on “street terror”. Demonstrators took to the streets in Turkiye’s commercial hub on Friday for the third consecutive day to show their support for Ekrem Imamoglu – Erdogan’s chief political rival – who was arrested on Wednesday, days before he was due to announce his 2028 presidential run. Opposition leader Ozgur Ozel said more than 300,000 people had joined protests across Istanbul. “We are 300,000 people,” the CHP leader told the vast crowds in front of City Hall, saying protesters had gathered at several places across the country’s largest city due to the road and bridge closures preventing people from all being in one place. The mayor was arrested early on Wednesday over alleged corruption and “terror” links. Dozens of other prominent figures, including journalists and businesspeople, were also detained. After the detentions, the government announced a four-day ban on political demonstrations. Advertisement The arrests came a day after a university in Istanbul invalidated Imamoglu’s diploma, in effect disqualifying him from the presidential race because having a university degree is required to run for the nation’s highest office under the Turkish Constitution. Imamoglu said he would challenge Istanbul University’s decision. Erdogan on Friday said the government would not tolerate street protests and accused Imamoglu’s Republican People’s Party (CHP) of links to corruption and “terror” organisations. “An anticorruption operation in Istanbul is being used as an excuse to stir unrest in our streets. I want it to be known that we will not allow a handful of opportunists to bring unrest to Turkiye just to protect their plundering schemes,” Erdogan said. Government critics viewed Imamoglu’s arrest as an attempt to remove a key challenger to Erdogan from Turkiye’s next national ballot. Government officials rejected accusations that legal actions against opposition figures are politically motivated and insisted that Turkiye’s courts operate independently. Reporting from Istanbul, Al Jazeera’s Aksel Zaimovic said there were “many university students” at the protest outside Istanbul’s municipality building. “They say they are protesting the arrest of Imamoglu as well as the decision by Istanbul University to revoke Imamoglu’s diploma,” he said. Zaimovic also noted that protesters told him “this movement is intended to send a message about ‘systemic injustice’ in Turkish society rather than supporting any one political party.” Advertisement “Many say their right to elect an individual to represent them is being challenged by these latest developments,” he added. Supporters of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu gather outside the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality building to protest on March 19, 2025 [Murad Sezer/Reuters] Protests over Imamoglu’s arrest began in Istanbul on Wednesday and quickly spread to 32 of Turkiye’s 81 provinces, according to an AFP news agency count. The CHP, Turkiye’s main opposition party, which was intending to make Imamoglu its presidential candidate on Sunday, has described his arrest as a “coup”. “Don’t be silent! Otherwise, they’ll come for you,” protesters yelled. Many held aloft placards with slogans such as “Don’t be afraid, the people are here” and “Rights, law, justice”. Since the protests erupted, at least 88 protesters have been arrested, Turkish media reported, with Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya saying 16 police officers had been hurt. Police have also detained another 54 people for online posts authorities deemed “incitement to hatred”, he said. Imamoglu was elected mayor of Turkiye’s largest city in March 2019 in a historic blow to Erdogan and the president’s Justice and Development Party, which had controlled Istanbul for a quarter-century. Adblock test (Why?)
Netanyahu’s targeting of an Israeli spy chief and the attorney general
NewsFeed “Israel under Netanyahu is becoming more and more authoritarian.” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s attempts to fire the Shin Bet spy chief and Israel’s attorney general have many worried the country may not survive as a democracy. Published On 21 Mar 202521 Mar 2025 Adblock test (Why?)
What challenges lie ahead for the new IOC president?
Zimbabwean lands top job in world sport. Kirsty Coventry becomes the first woman and first African to lead the International Olympic Committee, the world’s largest sports body. Bans on Russia but not Israel and the role of money in the Olympic Games are two challenges she faces. What other hurdles lie ahead? Presenter: Sami Zeidan Guests: Philip Barker – editor-in-chief of the Journal of Olympic History Donald Rukare – president of the Uganda Olympic Committee Bassil Mikdadi – founder of the FootballPalestine.com website Adblock test (Why?)
Trump rips ‘loser’ Tim Walz for hurting Dems in 2024 election
President Donald Trump said former Vice President Kamala Harris’ running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, contributed to the Democrats’ loss in the 2024 election. Trump’s comments came in response to statements Walz provided in a podcast with California Gov. Gavin Newsom that aired on Tuesday, in which Walz predicted he could kick the “a–” of most Trump supporters. “Well, he’s a loser. Yeah. No, I think so. He lost an election,” Trump said Friday in the Oval Office of the White House. “He played a part. You know, usually a vice president doesn’t play a part. They say. I think Tim played a part. I think he was so bad that he hurt her. But she hurt herself. And Joe hurt them both. They didn’t have a great group, but I would probably put him at the bottom of the group.” A spokesperson for Walz did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Fox News Digital. WWE LEGEND KANE, NOW A TENNESSEE MAYOR, CHALLENGES TIM WALZ TO CHARITY WRESTLING MATCH AFTER GOV’S BOLD CLAIMS Walz’s comments originated during a discussion with Newsom about toxic masculinity. While Newsom discussed why he has brought on conservative figures like Charlie Kirk on his podcast because he believes one shouldn’t write someone off for having different views, Walz questioned how to challenge Trump backers. “How do you fight it? I think I could kick most of their a–. I do think that,” Walz said in response. “But I don’t know if we’re going to fall into that place where we want to— okay, we challenge you to a WWE fight here type thing.” Walz also told Newsom he believes “I scare them a little bit” and that he’s received scrutiny from Republicans, prompting Newsom to laugh. “No, I’m serious, because they know I can fix a truck, they know I’m not bulls—-ing on this,” Walz said. GAVIN NEWSOM ASKS CHARLIE KIRK TO GIVE HIS PARTY ‘ADVICE’ IN ONE-ON-ONE PODCAST INTERVIEW Meanwhile, Walz received some criticism for his comments on the podcast. Caitlyn Jenner, a trans woman formerly known as Bruce Jenner and former Olympic gold-medal decathlete, joked in an X post of being more “masculine” than Walz. Vice President JD Vance also addressed Walz’ comments in an interview with The Daily Caller’s Vince Coglianese that aired Thursday. “I have to say, Vince, I was never physically intimidated by Tim Walz,” Vance said. Vance also addressed speculation that Walz may attempt to run for the U.S. Senate, following his bid as Harris’ running mate in the 2024 election. “I’m not too worried about Tim Walz as a political talent,” Vance said.
Columbia University yields to Trump admin demands over revoked $400M in federal funding
Columbia University has caved in to demands from the Trump administration in an effort to restore $400 million in federal funding that was yanked over how the school addresses antisemitism on campus. The Ivy League school agreed to ban masks, empower 36 campus police officers with new powers to arrest students and appoint a senior vice provost with broad authority to oversee the department of Middle East, South Asian and African Studies as well as the Center for Palestine Studies, The Wall Street Journal reported. Columbia became the epicenter of anti-Israel protests following Hamas’ attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. Students, outsiders and faculty members voiced opposition to Israel during the demonstrations. Meanwhile, Jewish students voiced concerns about antisemitism on the New York City campus, as well as disruptions by protestors. Earlier this month, the Trump administration revoked $400 million in grants and contracts from the school over its failure to address antisemitism on its campus. “Since October 7, Jewish students have faced relentless violence, intimidation, and anti-Semitic harassment on their campuses – only to be ignored by those who are supposed to protect them,” said Education Secretary Linda McMahon said at the time. “Universities must comply with all federal antidiscrimination laws if they are going to receive federal funding,” she added. “For too long, Columbia has abandoned that obligation to Jewish students studying on its campus. Today, we demonstrate to Columbia and other universities that we will not tolerate their appalling inaction any longer.” Fox News Digital has reached out to the university.