US DOJ to probe Fed Reserve’s Cook, urges Powell to remove her: Report
Cook, who has been accused of mortgage fraud, has said she will not be bullied by Trump into resigning. The United States Department of Justice plans to investigate Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook, with a top official informing Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell of the probe and encouraging him to remove her, Bloomberg News has reported. A letter to Powell from Ed Martin, a Department of Justice (DOJ) official who has led similar investigations into Senator Adam Schiff of California and New York Attorney General Letitia James, said Cook’s case “requires further examination”, Bloomberg reported on Thursday. “At this time, I encourage you to remove Ms Cook from your Board,” Martin wrote, according to Bloomberg. “Do it today before it is too late! After all, no American thinks it is appropriate that she serve during this time with a cloud hanging over her.” The DOJ did not immediately reply to a request for comment. Asked about the report, a Fed spokesperson referred to Cook’s statement on Wednesday, when she said she had no intention of being “bullied” into resigning after President Donald Trump called for her to step down on the basis of allegations made by a member of his administration about mortgages she holds in Michigan and Georgia. The Federal Reserve Act provides no authority for a Fed chair to remove another member of the Board of Governors. Cook, the first Black woman to be a Fed governor, is serving a 14-year term that began after her second Senate confirmation in 2023. The effort to remove Cook comes as the administration has unleashed a campaign against diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), and intensifies Trump’s ongoing effort to gain influence over the US central bank and push it to lower interest rates. Advertisement Fed under pressure Central bankers from around the world gathered on Thursday in Grand Teton National Park for the opening of the Kansas City Fed’s annual Jackson Hole symposium, where Powell will give a keynote speech on Friday, sketching out his view of the economy and, investors hope, where rates are headed. “I would just say that I know her to be an outstanding economist and a person of high integrity,” Cleveland Fed President Beth Hammack told Yahoo Finance at the event. US Federal Housing Finance Agency director William Pulte, who referred the allegations of Cook’s wrongdoing to the Department of Justice this week, said they arose as part of regular investigations into mortgage fraud by his agency and were not a “witch-hunt”. “Defrauding people is nothing new,” Pulte told Bloomberg Television. “I believe that she committed mortgage fraud.” He said that public records clearly show fraud and that a special exemption should not be made for the powerful. He said the fraud is “self-evident”. Cook has yet to expressly address Pulte’s accusation, saying only in Wednesday’s statement: “I do intend to take any questions about my financial history seriously as a member of the Federal Reserve, and so I am gathering the accurate information to answer any legitimate questions and provide the facts.” The Fed has held borrowing costs steady all year in the 4.25 percent to 4.5 percent range out of concern that Trump’s tariffs could reignite inflation that is still running above the Fed’s 2 percent goal. Recent weaker labour market data – including a report showing job gains averaged a paltry 35,000 from May to July – has increased Fed policymaker concern that borrowing costs may be a bit too high, and financial markets are priced for the likelihood of a quarter-point interest-rate cut at the Fed’s September meeting. That would be far short of the several percentage points that Trump has called for. Trump can name a new chair when Powell’s term ends in May. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who is leading the search, has nearly a dozen candidates, and all have voiced their support for big rate cuts and big changes to the central bank. Traditionally, Fed chairs resign when their leadership term ends, but there is some speculation that Powell would stay on until his term as governor ends in 2028, denying Trump the chance to install more loyalists to consolidate his control over the central bank. Trump has nominated Council of Economic Advisers Chairman Stephen Miran, a Fed critic and enthusiastic supporter of Trump’s tariffs and other policies, to serve at the Fed in the seat vacated by the surprise resignation this month of Adriana Kugler. Advertisement Adblock test (Why?)
GOP state Rep. Briscoe Cain files for redrawn 9th Congressional District
The Houston-area district, currently occupied by Democratic Rep. Al Green, is being redrawn by GOP lawmakers to favor Republicans and cover almost entirely new territory.
Hurricane Harvey destroyed this Texas county’s courthouse. Eight years later, it’s still not finished.
The Aransas County courthouse was supposed to open in 2023. But officials have faced voter backlash and a constant stream of design and construction problems that have delayed the opening.
Former Speaker Dade Phelan won’t seek reelection to Texas House
As speaker, Phelan oversaw passage of numerous conservative priorities, but he gave up the gavel under pressure from the far right over the House’s impeachment of Attorney General Ken Paxton.
Hill Country nonprofit pledges $40 million to help rebuild flood victims’ homes
The Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country has a four-pronged recovery plan: rebuilding homes, supporting mental health, economic recovery, and reviving the area’s quality of life.
Doggett won’t seek reelection to Congress if new district is upheld by courts, paving way for Casar
Doggett has represented his hometown of Austin for over 50 years, in both the Legislature and Congress, surviving numerous Republican redistricting efforts to target his seat.
Fox News Politics Newsletter: Newsom’s ‘Failures’ Under Fire
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… –Boasberg cleared to rule on CECOT migrant deportations after appeals court decision -Trump reveals plan to patrol Washington streets with police and military forces -Ex-Biden spokesman who called mental fitness doubts a ‘conspiracy’ only met with him twice: Comer An illegal immigrant who is facing three counts of vehicular homicide in Florida was extradited from California to the Sunshine State on Thursday. “We’re here today because of tragedy. Three lives lost, three Floridians’ lives ended early,” Florida Lt. Gov. Jay Collins told reporters. “We’re here in California because when this tragic accident happened and three Floridian lives were lost, he fled back to California, where, in 2018, he illegally crossed the border, came here and ended up getting a commercial driver’s license, a CDL.”…Read more DUTY CALLS: Trump’s tariff revenue has skyrocketed in just a few months, soaring past 2024 levels PAPER TRAIL: Biden’s auto-pen pardons disturbed DOJ brass, docs show, raising questions whether they are legally binding POWER TO THE PARENTS: Trump Department of Education rolls out latest step to expand school choice nationwide ‘TOTAL VICTORY’: NY appeals court throws out $500M penalty against Trump in Letitia James civil case STRATEGIC BETRAYAL: India strengthening ties with China, Russia after steep US tariffs ‘SO DESPERATE’: Jasmine Crockett disparages MAGA voters, Trump as ‘most unpatriotic people’ HEALTHCARE HUSTLE: Trump-aligned legal group probes Biden-era organ transplant program over ethical concerns ICE HEAT: Trump deportation policies spook Pennsylvania city into scrapping immigrant protection vote BALLOTING BATTLE: Swing-state gov slams Trump plan to nix mail-in voting: He ‘can sign whatever the hell he wants’ BACKFIRED: Expert turns tables on key Mamdani claim about his policing platform: ‘So much wrong’ CALL OF DUTY: Pentagon taps civilian employees to assist Trump administration immigration enforcement BATTLE LINES: Newsom, California Democrats move to counter Texas redistricting with partisan map FEDS TAKE CHARGE: Trump admin assigns military attorneys to prosecute DC crimes amid federal crackdown Get the latest updates on the Trump administration and Congress, exclusive interviews and more on FoxNews.com.
Former top Adams adviser, donors charged in bribery case as Cuomo mocks with chips stunt
A day after a local news outlet exposed an Eric Adams aide for handing a reporter a wad of cash stuffed inside a bag of potato chips, a handful of folks from Adams’ inner circle, including one of his former top advisers, have been indicted in their own alleged bribery scandal. The Manhattan District Attorney’s Office announced four new indictments Thursday, alleging a pay-to-play scheme and other charges against multiple Adams’ associates, including one of his former chief advisers and her son, local business owners, and two of Adams’ reported political donors. Meanwhile, in light of the news, Adams’ opponent in the upcoming race for New York City mayor, Andrew Cuomo, took a jab at Adams’ Thursday when he handed out bags of chips to reporters at a press conference. “Sometimes a bag of chips is just a bag of chips,” Cuomo told those in attendance. ADAMS, CUOMO TRADE JABS IN INTERVIEWS AS DEMS-TURNED-INDEPENDENTS COURT ANTI-MAMDANI VOTE “Frankly it is embarrassing for the City of New York,” Cuomo, who himself is no stranger to scandals, added Thursday. The fresh corruption-related allegations follow an incident Wednesday, when, according to local New York City paper The City, one of Adams’ aides, who has since been suspended, allegedly attempted to give money to one of their reporters hidden inside a bag of potato chips. The now-suspended Adams adviser, Winnie Greco, later called the move a “mistake,” according to The City. Meanwhile, the indictments levied Thursday alleged a former chief adviser to Adams, Ingrid Lewis-Martin, who resigned in 2024 amid other accusations related to a different pay-to-play scheme, received $75,000 in bribes between March 2022 and November 2024. Among the bribes was a $50,000 cash payment “diverted from a City contract and other benefits” that was directed to her son’s bank account, according to the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office. Other allegations laid out in the indictments include improper steering of government contracts and policy decisions that were spurred by monetary incentives. ERIC ADAMS HIT WITH ACCUSATION OF OPERATING ‘CRIMINAL CONSPIRACY’ AT NYPD “We allege that Ingrid Lewis-Martin engaged in classic bribery conspiracies that had a deep and wide-ranging impact on City government,” said District Attorney Alvin Bragg. “As alleged, Lewis-Martin consistently overrode the expertise of public servants so she could line her own pockets.” On Thursday, following news of the indictments, an Adams’ spokesperson, Todd Shapiro, contended that the mayor “has not been accused of any wrongdoing.” “While Ingrid Lewis-Martin no longer works for this administration, she has been a friend and colleague of the mayor for over 40 years, and he knows her as a devoted public servant; she has declared her innocence, and his prayers are with her and her family,” Shapiro added. “Mayor Adams also recognizes that Jesse Hamilton has pleaded not guilty, and like anyone accused, he is entitled to the presumption of innocence. His commitment to New Yorkers is unwavering—no distraction will ever take his eyes off the ball or his dedication to this great city we all call home.” Despite Shapiro’s claims that Adams’ was not involved, the mayor’s opponents in his upcoming race to keep his position have capitalized on the incident. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP “While New Yorkers struggle to afford the most expensive city in America, Eric Adams and his administration are too busy tripping over corruption charges to come to their defense,” the Democratic Party candidate for New York City Mayor, self-described socialist Zohran Mamdani, said Thursday. “Corruption isn’t just about what a politician gains, it’s about what the public loses. And right now, New Yorkers are paying the price as another flurry of indictments continue to erode their trust in our democracy and distract from the affordability crisis that demands action and urgency.” Meanwhile, Cuomo, who has not been the subject of any major bribery scandals himself, did resign from his position as governor amid numerous sexual assault allegations in 2021. He called the latest incidents involving Adams and his confidants “sad,” “embarrassing,” and “depressing.” “We were talking about how people feel frustrated with government, and alienated from government, and that government isn’t working for them. And then, there seems to be this never-ending series of government corruption that just continues,” Cuomo said Thursday. “And it’s sad, it’s embarrassing, it’s depressing. And then you wonder why people don’t believe in government.”
China condemns US military buildup off Venezuela coast as foreign interference in regional affairs
China on Thursday condemned an American military buildup off the coast of Venezuela amid the Trump administration’s effort to combat drug cartels, accusing Washington of engaging in foreign interference. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning was speaking with reporters when she was asked about the naval deployment. “China opposes any move that violates the purposes and principles of the U.N. Charter and a country’s sovereignty and security,” Ning said. “We oppose the use or threat of force in international relations and the interference of external forces in Venezuela’s internal affairs under any pretext.” U.S. WARSHIPS TO PATROL INTERNATIONAL WATERS AROUND VENEZUELA AS TRUMP VOWS TO STOP CARTELS “We hope that the United States will do more things conducive to peace and security in Latin America and the Caribbean region,” she added. Fox News Digital has reached out to the White House. At least three Aegis guided-missile destroyers — the USS Gravely and USS Jason Dunham among them — are part of the mission that includes thousands of Marines. “On day one of the Trump Administration, the president published an executive order designating drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations, clearly identifying them as a direct threat to the national security of the United States,” Chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said Tuesday. VENEZUELA HUMAN RIGHTS HIT NEW LOW AS US PUTS $50M BOUNTY ON MADURO’S HEAD: STATE DEPARTMENT “These cartels have engaged in historic violence and terror throughout our Hemisphere — and around the globe — that has destabilized economies and internal security of countries but also flooded the United States with deadly drugs, violent criminals and vicious gangs.” In response to “outlandish threats” by the U.S., Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro said he would deploy 4.5 million militia members. The show of military force comes as the Trump administration continues to demand that Maduro be held accountable for drugs being smuggled into the U.S. The administration has labeled Maduro’s regime as a “narco-terror cartel.” Earlier this month, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi announced a $50 million reward for information leading to the arrest of the South American leader. Meanwhile, the Justice Department said it has seized more than $700 million in assets tied to the embattled dictator, including two private jets and nine luxury vehicles. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Maduro, indicted in New York in 2020 on narco-terrorism and cocaine importation conspiracy charges, has clung to power with military backing and allegedly with support from Russia, China and Cuba. Fox News Digital’s Greg Wehner contributed to this report.
Pentagon unveils new medal for troops deployed in Trump’s southern border crackdown
The Pentagon has created a new medal for service members who’ve deployed to the southern border to assist federal law enforcement with President Donald Trump’s crackdown on illegal immigration. The Pentagon unveiled plans for a Mexican Border Defense Medal for U.S. troops serving with Joint Task Force Southern Border, according to a new memo the Pentagon released Aug.13 that was shared on social media. A U.S. defense official confirmed the authenticity of the memo to Fox News Digital Wednesday. TROOPS AT THE BORDER: HOW THE MILITARY’S ROLE IN IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT HAS EXPLODED UNDER TRUMP Now, service members will receive the Mexican Border Defense Medal (MBDM) instead of the Armed Forces Service Medal (AFSM) like they previously earned for supporting Customs and Border Protection at the border, the memo said. The Armed Forces Service Medal, created in 1996 by former President Bill Clinton, is awarded to troops who have participated in a military operation with “significant activity” but didn’t encounter foreign armed opposition or imminent hostile action, according to a U.S. Army description of the medal. The Pentagon said in July that approximately 8,500 military personnel are assigned to Joint Task Force Southern Border and have been tasked with responding to security threats there. The task force got underway in March and completed approximately 3,500 patrols between then and July, according to the Pentagon. PENTAGON SETS UP NEW 250-MILE MILITARY BUFFER ZONE AT BORDER WITH CROSSINGS AT RECORD LOWS Those eligible for the award must have deployed since Jan. 20 to support Customs and Border Protection and served within 100 nautical miles from the international border shared with Mexico in either Texas, New Mexico, Arizona or California. Those who’ve also served in adjacent waters up to 24 nautical miles away from the border also are eligible. “Service members must have been permanently assigned, attached, or detailed to a unit that deployed to participate in a designated DoD military operation supporting CBP within the (area of eligibility) during the (period of award) for 30 consecutive or nonconsecutive days,” the memo said. Those who already have received the Armed Forces Service Medal for service at the southern border may appeal to receive the new award but are ineligible to receive both, according to the Pentagon. “Service members and Veterans previously awarded the AFSM for DoD support to CBP may apply to their respective Military Service for award of the MBDM in lieu of the AFSM previously awarded to recognize such service; however, no Service member or Veteran may be awarded both the AFSM and the MBDM for the same period of qualifying service,” the memo said. NEW VOLUNTARY DEPLOYMENT LETS DOD CIVILIAN WORKERS BACK HOMELAND SECURITY EFFORTS AMID IMMIGRATION CRACKDOWN The Pentagon, per the direction of the president, has established four national defense areas along the border, bolstering U.S. troops’ capacity to assist Customs and Border Protection under the task force. The national defense areas operate under military jurisdiction, paving the way for U.S. troops to detain trespassers. Without placing these stretches of land under military jurisdiction, U.S. troops were barred from doing so under existing federal law. “Through these enhanced authorities, U.S. Northern Command will ensure those who illegally trespass in the New Mexico National Defense Area are handed over to Customs and Border Protection or our other law enforcement partners,” Air Force Gen. Gregory Guillot, commander of U.S. Northern Command, said in a statement in April. “Joint Task Force Southern Border will conduct enhanced detection and monitoring, which will include vehicle and foot patrols, rotary wing and fixed surveillance site operations.”