Over 200 House Dems vote against criminalizing transgender surgery for kids
More than 200 House Democrats voted against a bill aimed at criminalizing transgender medical treatment for minors on Wednesday evening. The bill passed in a 216 to 211 vote that had some bipartisan crossover. Three Democrats, Reps. Vicente Gonzales, D-Texas, Don Davis, D-N.C., and Henry Cuellar, D-Texas, voted with Republicans for the bill. Four Republicans, Reps. Mike Kennedy, R-Utah, Brian Fitzpatrick, R-Pa., Gabe Evans, R-Colo., and Mike Lawler, R-N.Y., voted against it. TRANS DEM REP. MCBRIDE SUGGESTS PARTY WENT TOO FAR WITH TRANSGENDER AGENDA BEFORE PUBLIC WAS READY It was widely opposed by most Democrats, however. Forty-five House Republicans signed on to formally back the legislation before the vote. And while the majority of Republicans supported it on the House floor, it’s unclear as of now if it will be taken up in the GOP-led Senate. Transgender issues, particularly related to minors, have been one of the topics driving a wedge between moderate and progressive Democrats. But the severity of the bill’s language appears to have turned off a significant number of Democrats in the House. The bill creates new federal crimes that carry up to 10 years in prison for doctors performing transgender-affirming surgeries on minors, while also making it a crime to prescribe puberty blockers. GENDER DYSPHORIA TREATMENTS POSE ‘SIGNIFICANT RISKS’ TO KIDS AND TEENS, HHS REPORT REVEALS Parents or guardians of children under 18 could also be held criminally liable if they consent to or otherwise facilitate transgender treatment for them. “This extreme bill puts the threat of prosecution between hundreds of thousands of families and their doctors and would put doctors behind bars for exercising their best medical judgment,” said Mike Zamore, National Director of Policy & Government Affairs at the American Civil Liberties Union. “Passing this bill would be a grave escalation of an already severe effort to not only push transgender people out of public life but also allow the state to control our bodies and our lives further.” Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., who argued in favor of the bill on the House floor, said on Wednesday, “It is obscene. It is disgusting. You’re seeing in real time Democrats wanting and defending grooming of children. And it is abhorrent.” “There is a lie at the heart of the debate we’re having today that I have to correct — no child is born in the wrong body. There are only two sexes, male and female. There are no others,” Mace said.
Suspect accused of causing massive fatal pileup was illegal immigrant who obtained CDL in New York: feds
Federal officials announced Wednesday that the suspect accused of causing a massive fatal pileup in Tennessee last week was an illegal immigrant who obtained a commercial driver’s license (CDL) in the “sanctuary state” of New York. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of Transportation (DOT) said the suspect, 54-year-old Yisong Huang, illegally entered the country from Mexico in 2023. Officials added that Huang, who reportedly could not speak English, was released under the Biden administration and provided work authorization papers. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, who has previously warned that illegal immigrants are obtaining commercial driver’s licenses (CDL), said this incident represents yet another example. “It’s not just that Joe Biden let millions of migrants flood into our country illegally,” Duffy said in a statement Wednesday. “His administration doled out the documentation these unqualified foreign drivers needed to obtain trucking licenses and operate 40-ton missiles on the highway. The fact that this individual failed a basic English test also calls into question how he even got the license in the first place.” ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT CAUGHT DRIVING COMMERCIAL TRUCK WITH VALID NEW YORK CDL AT CALIFORNIA CHECKPOINT Investigators reported that, on Dec. 9, Huang was driving an empty bus on a major highway when he became “distracted by a video on his phone.” The New York Post reported Huang was operating a tour bus. He allegedly rear-ended a tractor-trailer and triggered a chain-reaction crash that led to two injuries and the death of one American citizen, Kerry Smith, according to officials. Huang was later arrested and charged with vehicular manslaughter, according to the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office. Huang entered the U.S. illegally two years ago, according to the DHS. Officials said he admitted to Border Patrol agents that he was a Chinese national but was later released and given work authorization papers and a Social Security card. This allowed Huang to get a Class B CDL, a process that ultimately led to the deadly multi-vehicle crash, the agency alleges. ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT TRUCK DRIVER IN FATAL CALIFORNIA CRASH SHOULD NEVER HAVE HAD LICENSE: DOT REPORT The New York State Department of Motor Vehicles told Fox News Digital Wednesday that Huang’s license was issued on April 11, 2025, and that he presented all the proper federal documents to obtain one. His papers established a “lawful presence” until July 15, 2029, the agency said. DHS Secretary Kristi Noem said in a statement on Tuesday, “Far too many innocent Americans have been killed by illegal aliens driving semitrucks and big rigs. And yet, sanctuary states around the country have been issuing illegal aliens commercial driver’s licenses. The Trump Administration is ending the chaos. The brave men and women of ICE are working nonstop to get criminal illegal aliens out of our communities and off our roads.” Duffy announced Friday that a nationwide audit found more than 50% of New York’s non-domiciled trucking licenses — commercial licenses issued to non-legal residents of the state — were issued illegally. According to Duffy, the state DMV “has been routinely issuing CDLs to foreign drivers illegally. The federal audit exposed a shocking 53% failure rate in the records sampled, indicating a total collapse in the administration of New York’s CDL program.” In response, New York State DMV spokesperson Walter McClure said Friday, “Secretary Duffy is lying about New York State once again in a desperate attempt to distract from the failing, chaotic administration he represents. “Here is the truth: Commercial drivers Licenses are regulated by the Federal Government, and New York State DMV has, and will continue to, comply with federal rules. Every CDL we issue is subject to verification of an applicant’s lawful status through federally-issued documents reviewed in accordance with federal regulations. This is just another stunt from Secretary Duffy, and it does nothing to keep our roads safer. We will review USDOT’s letter and respond accordingly.” Fox News Digital reached out to the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, Tennessee Highway Patrol and the Tennessee DOT for more information.
Senate confirms Jared Isaacman as NASA chief months after Trump-Musk rift that may have pulled his nomination
The Senate confirmed billionaire private astronaut Jared Isaacman Wednesday in a 67-30 vote to serve as NASA administrator, months after President Donald Trump withdrew the same nomination during his public feud with Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk. The confirmation places Isaacman, an investor in SpaceX and leader of two private spaceflight missions, at the helm of the nation’s space agency. Reuters reported that Isaacman becomes NASA’s 15th administrator and is known as an advocate of Mars missions. Trump previously pulled Isaacman’s nomination in May, citing what he described at the time as “a thorough review of prior associations.” Fox News Digital reported at the time that the decision was made amid escalating tensions between Trump and Musk, who had recently departed his role leading the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and publicly criticized Trump’s “One Big, Beautiful Bill.” TRUMP TEASES MUSK AT FORUM AS ONCE-FROSTY DYNAMIC SEEMS TO TAKE A TURN Isaacman later suggested the timing of the withdrawal was no coincidence. Speaking on the “All-In Podcast,” he said, “I don’t need to play dumb on this. I don’t think that the timing was much of a coincidence.” He added that “there were some people that had some axes to grind, I guess, and I was a good, visible target,” Fox News Digital previously reported. The nomination was revisited in the fall as relations between Trump and Musk appeared to thaw. In October, NASA officials confirmed Isaacman was again under consideration after meetings with Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, who was tasked with vetting candidates for the permanent NASA role at Trump’s direction. Trump formally renominated Isaacman in November, praising him in a social media post. “Jared’s passion for Space, and his commitment to American Leadership in Space, make him ideally suited to lead NASA into a bold new Era,” Trump wrote. DOGE VS DC: INSIDE TRUMP AND MUSK’S AMBITIOUS SWAMP-DRAINING DREAM THAT ENDED IN A BITTER FEUD Fox News Digital has extensively reported on the broader Trump-Musk feud that surrounded the nomination’s earlier withdrawal. In May and June, the two men publicly exchanged harsh words over Trump’s “One Big, Beautiful Bill.” Musk accused Trump of pushing a “disgusting abomination,” while Trump said Musk had gone “CRAZY” and was “wearing thin.” Signs of reconciliation followed when Trump and Musk shook hands and spoke briefly at Charlie Kirk’s memorial, with Trump later saying, “We had a little conversation. We had a very good relationship, but it was nice that he came over.” Musk also attended a White House dinner hosted by Trump and appeared at other administration events. Trump later teased Musk publicly, telling an audience, “You’re so lucky I’m with you, Elon. I’ll tell you. Has he ever thanked me properly?” Musk responded on X by saying, “I would like to thank President Trump for all he has done for America and the world.” Axios reported Tuesday that Musk has begun financially backing Republican House and Senate candidates ahead of the 2026 midterms, showing warming relations after what the outlet described as a “messy breakup” earlier this year. Politico similarly reported that Musk has said his relationship with Trump “went up in flames” in June but has since been rebuilt. Isaacman’s confirmation brings that arc to a close, cementing his leadership role at NASA. Isaacman previously commanded Inspiration4, the first all-civilian mission to orbit Earth, and later led the Polaris Dawn mission, both in partnership with SpaceX. The White House and representatives for Musk and Isaacman did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s requests for comment.
Speaker Johnson ekes out healthcare bill victory after House GOP Obamacare rebellion
House Republicans passed a bill they say will lower healthcare costs for a broad swath of Americans by roughly 11%. It’s a victory for Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., who has been managing deep divisions within the House GOP on the topic of healthcare as insurance premiums are set to spike across the country in a matter of weeks. One glaring issue that remains unresolved is Obamacare subsidies, which were enhanced during the COVID-19 pandemic but are set to expire at the end of this year. The legislation passed 216 to 211. Just one Republican, Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., voted against it along with all House Democrats. THE SPEAKER’S LOBBY: WHAT CONGRESS’ DECEMBER SCRIPT MEANS FOR HEALTHCARE NEXT YEAR The bill’s passage comes hours after a group of moderate Republicans joined a Democrat-led discharge petition to force a vote on extending the subsidies for another three years. A discharge petition is a mechanism for overriding the will of House leaders to get a chamberwide vote on specific legislation, provided it has support from a majority of lawmakers. It sets up the legislation for a vote sometime in the new year. Each of the four House Republicans made clear that backing Democrats’ bill was not their first choice, but they felt they were left with few options after Johnson made clear this week that there would not be a separate vote on extending the subsidies before the end of this year. But the majority of House Republicans are against extending the subsidies, at least without significant reforms. Conservatives have argued the subsidies amount to throwing more money at a long-broken system that does little to tackle the actual cost of healthcare. “Obamacare has been an unmitigated disaster for 15 years, crushing families with high premiums and rampant fraud while enriching insurance companies. It’s time for conservatives to get serious about advancing policies that can become law and therefore actually reduce costs,” Republican Study Committee Chairman August Pfluger, R-Texas, who called the House bill a “solid first step,” told Fox News Digital. MODERATE REPUBLICAN ERUPTS ON HOUSE GOP LEADERS, SAYS NOT HOLDING OBAMACARE VOTE IS ‘ABSOLUTE BULLS—‘ Republicans who are for extending them have also conceded that reforms are needed, but have positioned a short-term extension as the best course of action to buy more time to work on an off-ramp. The House GOP bill, the Lower Health Care Premiums for All Americans Act, includes provisions to codify association health plans, which allow small businesses and people who are self-employed to band together to purchase healthcare coverage plans, giving them access to greater bargaining power. Republicans also plan to appropriate funding for cost-sharing reductions beginning in 2027, which are designed to lower out-of-pocket medical costs in the individual healthcare market. House GOP leadership aides said it would bring down the cost of premiums by 12%. SENATE MULLS NEXT STEPS AFTER DUELING OBAMACARE FIXES GO UP IN FLAMES New transparency requirements for pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) are also in the legislation, aimed at forcing PBMs to be more upfront about costs to employers. PBMs are third parties that act as intermediaries between pharmaceutical companies and those responsible for insurance coverage, often responsible for administrative tasks and negotiating drug prices. PBMs have also been the subject of bipartisan ire in Congress, with both Republicans and Democrats accusing them of being part of a broken system to inflate health costs. The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimated that enacting the bill would reduce the federal deficit by $35.6 billion for a 10-year period through 2035. If the bill became law, it would also decrease the number of people with health insurance by an average of 100,000 per year between 2027-2035 and lower gross benchmark premium costs by an average 11% through 2035, CBO said. However, it’s not immediately clear whether it will be taken up by the Senate. Republicans in the upper chamber failed to advance their own healthcare plan last week after also rejecting Democrats’ plan to extend the Obamacare subsidies.
Nearly two-thirds of American voters back social media ban for kids under 16, Fox News poll shows
Nearly two-thirds of voters and parents support banning social media for children under 16 and removing cellphones from K-12 classrooms, with Republicans showing the strongest backing, according to a new Fox News poll. The survey is based on interviews with 1,001 registered voters randomly drawn from a national voter file. Respondents participated by landline, cellphone or through an online questionnaire sent by text. When asked about banning social media for children under 16, 64% favored the measure, while 35% opposed it. The numbers did not waver among parents, with 64% in favor of banning social media for children under 16 – 36% were opposed. FOX NEWS POLL: AS PRICES PINCH, VOTERS SEE TRUMP FOCUSED ELSEWHERE Among party groups, 73% of Republicans supported the ban compared with 56% of Democrats. Participants were also asked about banning cellphones in K-12 classrooms, and 69% supported the idea while 31% opposed it. Among parents, 63% supported the ban and 37% opposed it. Support was even higher among Republicans at 81%, compared with 59% of Democrats. AFTER AUSTRALIA PASSES SOCIAL MEDIA BAN LAWMAKERS PROBED ON WHY CONGRESS HASN’T DONE MORE TO PROTECT KIDS The results were released a week after Australia’s landmark new social media age requirement took effect, barring anyone under 16 from holding an account. The measure is now among the world’s strictest online safety rules. The Australian government’s Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Act passed in November 2024 and began being enforced on Dec. 10, 2025. “From Dec. 10, if you’re under 16, you’re no longer allowed to have a social media account,” Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said in a video statement played in classrooms ahead of the restrictions, according to 9 News Australia. “You’ll know better than anyone what it’s like growing up with algorithms, endless feeds and the pressure that can come with that.” USHA VANCE BACKS BOOKS OVER PHONES AS MORE SCHOOLS IMPLEMENT NO-CELL POLICIES Platforms banned for youth in Australia include Facebook, Instagram, Kick, Reddit, Snapchat, Threads, TikTok, Twitch, X (formerly Twitter) and YouTube. Australia’s eSafety commissioner, the country’s independent online safety regulator, says the new minimum-age rule requires platforms to take “reasonable steps” to stop anyone under 16 from holding an account. That includes deploying age-assurance tools, removing existing underage users and blocking attempts to re-register through methods such as VPN detection. Companies that fail to comply face penalties of up to 49.5 million Australian dollars, or roughly $32 million. AUSTRALIAN MOTHER CALLS FOR SOCIAL MEDIA AGE RESTRICTIONS AFTER DAUGHTER’S SUICIDE In the U.S., concerns about youth social media use have grown, with lawmakers in both parties warning about its impact on children’s mental health. At a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing last week, lawmakers argued that tech companies have not done enough to protect children from online exploitation. Senators pressed experts on whether stronger age restrictions, tougher accountability rules for social media platforms and changes to Section 230 are needed to better protect young people online. LAWMAKERS UNVEIL BIPARTISAN GUARD ACT AFTER PARENTS BLAME AI CHATBOTS FOR TEEN SUICIDES, VIOLENCE An April 2025 Pew Research Center report found growing concern among parents and teenagers about social media’s impact on youth well-being, with nearly half of teens saying it has a mostly negative effect on people their age. A separate 2023 Gallup survey of more than 1,500 adolescents found that 51% of U.S. teens spend at least four hours a day on social media, with the average teen logging 4.8 hours across seven major platforms. “Across age groups, average daily social media use runs from 4.1 hours for 13-year-olds to 5.8 hours for 17-year-olds. Girls spend nearly an hour more on social media than boys (5.3 vs. 4.4 hours),” the survey said. The latest Fox News poll was conducted from Dec. 12-15, 2025, under the direction of Beacon Research (D) and Shaw & Company Research (R). Results are based on the full sample and have a margin of sampling error of ±3 percentage points, with higher error margins for subgroups. Beyond sampling error, question wording and order can influence results. Fox News Digital’s Ashley Carnahan contributed to this report.
Trump set to address the nation in primetime White House speech as Americans report economic squeeze
President Donald Trump is set to deliver a primetime speech from the White House Wednesday that’s expected to reflect on his administration’s accomplishments in the past year, while simultaneously looking toward the next three years. “My Fellow Americans: I will be giving an ADDRESS TO THE NATION tomorrow night, LIVE FROM THE WHITE HOUSE, at 9 P.M. EST. I look forward to ‘seeing’ you then. It has been a great year for our Country, and THE BEST IS YET TO COME!” Trump wrote. Trump did not specify exactly what he will discuss during the address. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, however, said on Fox News’ “American Reports” Tuesday that he will address his accomplishments since reclaiming the Oval Office in January, adding that he might “tease some policy that will be coming in the new year, as well.” “I was just in the Oval Office with the president discussing it,” she said. “He’s going to talk a lot about the accomplishments over the past 11 months, all that he’s done to bring our country back to greatness and all he continues to plan to do, to continue delivering for the American people over the next three years.” TRUMP ANNOUNCES PRIMETIME ADDRESS TO THE NATION Trump previously held a White House address in November, when two members of the National Guard were shot, killing one and seriously injuring the other in the attack. He also held another White House address in June, flanked by Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, when the U.S. military carried out strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. The speech comes after Trump traveled to Pennsylvania earlier in December as part of an anticipated tour promoting his economic policies. The administration has come under scrutiny for its messaging on the economy, most notably since the November off-year elections that handed left-wing Democrats ballot box wins after they ran on platforms of “affordability.” TRUMP ASKS WHEN HE’LL BE CREDITED WITH CREATING ‘PERHAPS THE GREATEST ECONOMY’ EVER IN US HISTORY “They caused the high prices, and we’re bringing them down,” Trump told the crowd in attendance at a casino resort in Mount Pocono, Pennsylvania, in December. “Lower prices, bigger paychecks — you’re getting lower prices, bigger paychecks, we’re getting inflation — we’re crushing it — and you’re getting much higher wages. The only thing that is really going up big – it’s called the stock market and your 401(k)s.” The president has celebrated that tariffs leveled on foreign nations, massive deals attracting businesses to open shop in the U.S., unleashing American energy by cutting red tape surrounding oil and other resources, tax cuts under the “big, beautiful bill,” among other initiatives are already lowering prices or will in the coming weeks. Voters, however, have reported that they are feeling an economic squeeze. Some 76% of voters reported that they view the economy negatively, up from the 67% who reported the same in July and the 70% who said the same at the end of former President Joe Biden’s term, a November Fox News national survey found. The survey found that voters overwhelmingly blamed Trump over Biden for the economic anxiety. About twice as many voters polled reported that Trump, rather than Biden, is responsible for the current economy, with three times as many voters reporting that Trump’s economic policies have hurt them, on par with their feelings during Biden’s final year in office. In the fall, a handful of elections — most notably the Virginia gubernatorial, New Jersey gubernatorial and New York City mayoral races — handed Democrats sweeping wins. Each Democrat campaigned on the platform of affordability, vowing to address the housing crisis woes and prices at checkout lines while slamming Trump and other Republicans as promoting policies that hurt the average family’s pocketbook. TRUMP COMPARES REAL WAGES UNDER HIS ADMIN VERSUS BIDEN’S DURING SPEECH CALLING OUT DEM AFFORDABILITY ‘HOAX’ Following the Democrat wins, the president and his administration increasingly have leaned into pinning blame for economic concerns on policies from the Biden administration that have affected the economy in the long run. WHITE HOUSE TURNS UP HEAT ON BIDEN’S ECONOMIC RECORD AS VOTERS SOUR ON ‘AFFORDABILITY’ “The word affordability … I inherited a mess,” Trump told Politico in December. “I inherited a total mess. Prices were at an all-time high when I came in. Prices are coming down substantially. Look at energy. You and I discussed before the interview, energy … energy has come down incredibly. When energy comes down, everything… ’cause it’s so much bigger than any other subject. But energy has come down incredibly. Prices are all coming down. It’s been 10 months. It’s amazing what we’ve done.” Trump has floated sending payments of $2,000 from tariff revenues to Americans as he touts the nation’s economic outlook, while administration officials have said that households will feel tax breaks from the “big, beautiful bill” in 2026. “The bill was passed in July,” Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said earlier in December. “Working Americans didn’t change their withholding, so they’re going to be getting very large refunds in the first quarter,” Bessent told NBC10. “I think we’re going to see $100 (billion)-$150 billion of refunds, which could be between $1,000 and $2,000 per household. “Then they’ll change their withholding, and they’ll get a real increase in their wages. So, I think 2026 can be a very good year.” Fox News Digital’s Alec Schemmel and Anders Hagstrom contributed to this report.
Fox News Poll: As prices pinch, voters see Trump focused elsewhere
Even as more voters are happy with how things are going in the country, they’re worried. An overwhelming majority expresses concern about high prices. Four times as many say they’re losing financial ground as feel they’re getting ahead, and most think the economy is in bad shape. That’s according to the latest Fox News national survey released Wednesday. Seventy-two percent rate economic conditions negatively (only fair or poor). That’s an improvement from 76% who said the same last month and the 77% who held that view a year ago, but it’s worse than the 67% who rated it negatively this summer (July 2025). FOX NEWS POLL: HOW DO VOTERS FEEL ABOUT AI? IT’S COMPLICATED Meanwhile, 44% say they are falling behind financially, up from 36% in June and about where things stood in October 2024. In polling going back to 2018, that number has only been worse twice: 45% said they were falling behind in June 2023 and 47% in June 2022. FOX NEWS POLL: HOLIDAY TOGETHERNESS TOPS POLITICAL DIFFERENCES A lot of the negative sentiment is driven by 9 in 10 Democrats and independents giving the economy bad marks and more than half of each saying they are falling behind. At the same time, nearly half of Republicans give the economy negative marks and about 3 in 10 say they’re slipping financially. Those most likely to say they’re losing ground include women under age 45 (57%), households with income below $50,000 (56%), independents (53%), urban voters (49%), and those without a college degree (49%). Women are 12 percentage points more likely than men to say they are falling behind (50% vs. 38%). All this might shed light on why only 39% of voters approve of how President Donald Trump is handling the economy — one point above last month’s low of 38% — and why 58% think he is focused on the wrong things. That’s about the same response voters gave former President Joe Biden four years ago, when 54% said he was prioritizing the wrong issues. Approval of Trump’s performance is also below 40% on healthcare (37%), government spending (37%) and tariffs (36%). He received better marks on foreign policy (42%), immigration (45%) and crime (47%). His best job numbers are on border security, where a slim 51% majority approves. Trump’s overall job rating is upside-down by 12 points — 44% approve and 56% disapprove. That’s a bit of an improvement since a dip last month when it was 41–58% (his second-term low). His highest this term, 49–51%, came in March, while his best over both terms was 49-49% in April 2020. Views on the direction of the country are on a similar track, with 59% saying they are dissatisfied. That’s a 9-point improvement from a year ago, when 68% were unhappy at the end of Biden’s term. Meanwhile, 41% say they’re satisfied, up from 31% in December 2024. The improvement is driven more by Republicans, whose satisfaction jumped 53 points, than by Democrats, whose satisfaction fell 32 points. Among independents, there is also an uptick (+8). Despite the current inflation rate being lower than the long-term average, fully 90% of voters are extremely or very concerned about inflation and high prices. That’s the most in more than two years, and 61% are extremely concerned, up from 48% in June and the largest number in more than two years. About the same share is worried about healthcare prices (86% concerned, including 55% extremely concerned). That explains why the top three issues voters say the president should be paying more attention to right now are high prices (42%), healthcare (19%) and jobs (12%). And they think he should be paying less attention to immigration (30%), tariffs (28%) and foreign policy (17%). NEARLY TWO-THIRDS OF AMERICAN VOTERS BACK SOCIAL MEDIA BAN FOR KIDS UNDER 16, FOX NEWS POLL SHOWS The issue both Democrats and Republicans say should be Trump’s priority is high prices, and they also agree the next two issues should be healthcare (to varying degrees) and jobs. “Trump’s position is better than Biden’s a year ago, but worse than his own in late 2017,” said Republican pollster Daron Shaw, who conducts the Fox News Poll with Democrat Chris Anderson. “The problem is voters haven’t gotten used to a six-dollar box of cereal, and they don’t think the president’s policy initiatives — the One Big Beautiful Bill, and on tariffs and immigration — are addressing prices.” Majorities are concerned about the country’s political divisions (82%), the decline of moral values (75%), crime (74%), the federal deficit (71%), AI technology (63%) and climate change (58%). Concern about illegal immigration decreased from 67% in June to 57% in the new survey, while 66% say they are worried about ICE detentions and deportations. Democrats are nearly five times as likely as Republicans to say Trump should pay less attention to immigration, while three times as many Republicans as Democrats say foreign policy should be a lower priority. Roughly equal numbers in both parties think he should turn his attention away from tariffs. Tariffs are the issue on which Trump receives his lowest approval among all voters (36%) and among Republicans (72%). – In 2017, during Trump’s first term, 62% of voters felt he was keeping his “America First” promise. Today, that’s down to 49% who feel that way (51% say “he abandoned that pledge”). Most of the decline comes from a 20-point drop among Democrats and a 26-point drop among independents. Among Republicans, 91% said Trump was keeping his “America First” pledge in 2017 and 87% feel he is today. – While all administration members included in the survey have a net negative job rating, some fared better than others. Secretary of State Marco Rubio received the best marks, with a net negative score of -5 points. Next, it’s Vice President JD Vance, at -8, Trump and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. at -12 each, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem at -13, and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth at -19.
Fox News Politics Newsletter: Senate sends $901B defense bill to Trump
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… -Jack Smith denies politics played any role in Trump prosecutions at House hearing –Four Republicans buck Mike Johnson to join Hakeem Jeffries’ Obamacare push -EXCLUSIVE: First look at ‘MELANIA’ film The Senate sent a colossal defense package to President Donald Trump’s desk on Wednesday, checking off one of the last remaining items of the year in the process. Lawmakers banded together to pass the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), a roughly $901 billion package crammed to the brim with defense policy that unlocks funding for several of the Trump administration’s national defense priorities. The measure passed through the upper chamber on a 77-20 bipartisan vote. It’s a perennial legislative exercise lawmakers undertake, and one that normally comes and goes with little fuss, given that Congress typically bookends the year with it…READ MORE. LAWYERS IN TROUBLE: Firm behind climate lawsuits faces DOJ referral after court finds misconduct ‘bordering on criminal’ BABY BOOST: Billionaire investor Ray Dalio backs Trump admin investment accounts for kids, joining Michael Dell SILENT TREATMENT: Trump stays on sidelines as GOP falters in push to unite on healthcare plan VICTORY LAP: Trump to tout accomplishments since taking office in primetime address MAJORITY MATH: Trump’s push to ‘knock out’ filibuster gains new GOP traction as funding deadline nears ‘HEED OUR WARNINGS’: Israel’s Netanyahu demands Western governments act to battle antisemitism: ‘Heed our warnings’ UNEASE DEEPENS: Wave of terror plots across the globe raise alarms over the West’s growing vulnerability OBAMA WALLET TRAP: WATCH: Doctor-lawmaker blames Obamacare for driving health costs higher WHAT ARE THEY HIDING: Senate Republicans block Schiff’s push for controversial Caribbean strike footage release ENDANGERED SPECIES: House Republican who voted to impeach Trump in 2021 won’t seek re-election ‘OH, HELL NO’: AOC dismisses boat strike briefing as ‘a joke’ ‘LANDMARK ACTION’: Maryland to study slavery reparations after lawmakers override Dem governor’s veto ‘HONEST ANSWER’: Air traffic control towers will ‘never’ reach full staffing levels under current system, FAA chief says ‘I’M BLUE COLLAR’: Blue-collar businessman jumps into race to replace MTG, casting himself as the opposite of the GOP firebrand KAMALA DODGING: Harris sidesteps 2028 question after report saying she’s ‘stepping toward’ run CRACKDOWN ESCALATES: Border Patrol commander returns to Chicago as agents deploy pepper balls in immigrant neighborhood Get the latest updates on the Trump administration and Congress, exclusive interviews and more on FoxNews.com.
Dan Bongino to resign from FBI deputy director role in January
FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino is leaving the bureau in January after speculation rose this week concerning his departure. “I will be leaving my position with the FBI in January,” Bongino wrote in an X post Wednesday. “I want to thank President [Donald] Trump, AG [Pam] Bondi, and Director [Kash] Patel for the opportunity to serve with purpose. Most importantly, I want to thank you, my fellow Americans, for the privilege to serve you. God bless America, and all those who defend Her.” President Donald Trump hinted at the news on the tarmac at Joint Base Andrews earlier in the afternoon, saying, “Dan did a great job. I think he wants to go back to his show.” INSIDE DAN BONGINO’S TENSE MEETING WITH WHITE HOUSE OFFICIALS OVER JEFFREY EPSTEIN FALLOUT Bongino, a former Secret Service agent, had no FBI experience before Trump tapped him to serve in the No. 2 position there. Prior to Bongino, the role had for more than a century been filled by someone who worked at the bureau, according to the FBI Agents Association. The position does not require Senate confirmation. Fox News confirmed Andrew Bailey, co-deputy director, has been on the job since September and will stay on for now in the deputy role reporting to Patel. The White House and the FBI did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s requests for comment.
AFCON 2025: Who are the top players to watch in Morocco?
The CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) gets under way on Sunday, with the host nation Morocco facing Comoros in Group A at Rabat’s Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium. Across the four weeklong continental showpiece, some of the game’s biggest names will take centre stage. Here’s a look at our top-10 players who are set to light up the competition: ⚽ Mohamed Salah (Egypt) Arguably the biggest African football star of his generation, Mohamed Salah heads into the tournament hoping to lead Egypt to a record-extending eighth title. But the 33-year-old arrives short of his usual standards: he has scored just five goals in 20 matches across all competitions this season and has slipped down the pecking order under Liverpool’s new manager, Arne Slot. Yet Salah’s importance to Egypt has never been in doubt. The two-time African Footballer of the Year remains their talisman, and his nine goals in the CAF World Cup qualifying phase were crucial in securing a spot at next summer’s World Cup. At AFCON, Salah will be chasing both redemption and a return to the red-hot form that earned him the nickname “the Egyptian King”. Mohamed Salah, who has struggled for form at Liverpool, has raised doubts over whether he will play for the club again after AFCON [File: Amr Nabil/AP] ⚽ Achraf Hakimi (Morocco) Fresh off the high of being crowned African footballer of the year, Achraf Hakimi headlines the cast of star home nation players set to take the field in Morocco. The 27-year-old, widely regarded as one of the best right-backs in the world, was instrumental in PSG’s treble-winning campaign, capped off by their long-awaited UEFA Champions League triumph in May. Advertisement As Morocco’s captain, Hakimi carries the hopes of millions in the football-mad country. Morocco’s Atlas Lions will look to him not only for his defensive stability but also for his playmaking spark as they chase only the second AFCON title in their history – 50 years after their maiden crown. There had been concerns over Achraf Hakimi’s availability for AFCON due to an ankle injury, but Morocco’s head coach, Walid Regragui, is optimistic the full-back will recover in time to play [File: Aurelien Morissard/AP] ⚽ Victor Osimhen (Nigeria) Still recovering from the heartbreak of missing out on the 2026 World Cup, Victor Osimhen will look for solace and vindication at the continental championship. The Galatasaray forward, known for his trademark face mask, has been in prolific form this season with 12 goals in 16 matches across all competitions, including six in the Champions League. Despite sitting second on Nigeria’s all-time scorers list, Osimhen has struggled to translate that dominance to major tournaments: he has found the net only once, at the previous AFCON in 2023 when the Super Eagles reached the final. This edition offers him a chance to change that narrative. Victor Osimhen, pictured, and his Nigeria teammates are hurting after another unsuccessful World Cup qualifying campaign with the quickest route to redemption being an AFCON title [File: Luc Gnago/Reuters] ⚽ Bryan Mbeumo (Cameroon) Rediscovering his scoring touch, star forward Bryan Mbeumo could play a crucial role in Cameroon’s campaign as they begin a new chapter under a new coach following their failure to qualify for the World Cup. With seven goals across all competitions, Mbeumo has been Manchester United’s standout performer in an otherwise mixed and chaotic season for the Red Devils. An injury kept Mbeumo out of the previous AFCON, but this time, the 26-year-old has a golden opportunity to clinch his first trophy with Cameroon. The task, however, will not be straightforward. With veteran striker Vincent Aboubakar surprisingly left out of the squad, Mbeumo inherits the dual responsibility of leading the line and captaining the team. Cameroon forward Bryan Mbeumo has been Manchester United’s highest scorer this season [File: Gregory Bull/AP] ⚽ Wilfried Zaha (Ivory Coast) An impressive loan spell with Charlotte in Major League Soccer (MLS) has earned Wilfried Zaha a surprise recall to the national team for the first time in two years. The 33-year-old winger was omitted from the squad that won AFCON 2023, but his return to form, marked by 10 goals and 10 assists this season, proved too compelling to ignore. Advertisement Zaha’s years of experience, ability to take on defenders and current sharpness should provide a timely boost to the reigning champions’ aspirations of defending their AFCON title in Morocco. Wilfried Zaha won two caps for England before switching international allegiance to the Ivory Coast [File: Nell Redmond/AP] ⚽ Sadio Mane (Senegal) Sadio Mane once dominated headlines with his exploits in Europe for clubs such as Liverpool and Bayern Munich, but his move to Al Nassr in the Saudi Pro League has shifted much of the media spotlight away from him. Yet the 33-year-old, widely regarded as one of Africa’s greatest players, remains a decisive figure for Senegal: his five goals in CAF World Cup qualifying were the most by any Senegalese player. In Morocco, Mane will aim to replicate the form that earned him player of the tournament honours at AFCON 2021 when the winger guided the Teranga Lions to their first continental title. Senegal’s Sadio Mane has 12 goal involvements in 17 matches for Al Nassr this season [File: Kenzo Tribouillard/AFP] ⚽ Iliman Ndiaye (Senegal) With six goal involvements in the Premier League, Iliman Ndiaye has been one of Everton’s most reliable players in the Premier League this season, and the 25-year-old will hope to bring that positive influence to Senegal’s attack. The midfielder, known for his dribbling and finishing, has enjoyed a rapid ascent in recent years, moving from England’s second-tier league in 2023 to being a key contributor for the Toffees as they close in on a top-six spot in the top-flight. On the international stage, Ndiaye has been an integral part of Senegal’s setup for the past three years, and he will look to make his mark at his third AFCON appearance. Iliman Ndiaye is a key part of Everton’s attack and will hope to carry