Texas Senate approves new congressional lines as House Democrats remain out of state
Democrats’ absence has halted work in the Texas House, which must also approve the new boundaries, for more than a week.
TribCast: Will 13 Democrats be expelled from the Texas House?
In this week’s episode, Matthew and Eleanor ask University of Houston law professor David Froomkin to help them break down the legal cases seeking to remove 13 Democrats from the Texas House.
Texas Republicans and Democrats, locked in redistricting battle, weaponize flood response
With Democrats’ walkout over redistricting bringing the House to a standstill, both parties are accusing each other of abandoning Central Texas flood victims.
Midland school board votes to restore school name honoring Confederate general
Five years ago, during the height of the Black Lives Matter movement, the board voted to change the high school to Legacy High. On Tuesday, it reversed course.
Mamdani pressed on pledge to be Trump’s ‘worst nightmare’ and landlord pushback on rent freeze plan
New York City socialist mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani was pressed Tuesday on his pledge to be President Trump’s “worst nightmare” along with his plan to freeze rent, which has been criticized by many landlords in the city. “What I’ve said time and again is I will not take a reflexive approach in refusing to speak to any one person, depending on their politics,” Mamdani told Fox News National Correspondent Brian Llenas at a Tuesday press conference when asked about his previous claim that his administration will be Trump’s “worst nightmare” and if that threat rings hollow given the amount of federal power and funding the president yields. “I am looking to work with anyone so long as it’s to the benefit of New Yorkers,” Mamdani continued. “That’s the distinction between myself and Andrew Cuomo. One of many is that he called Donald Trump not on the question of how can we serve New York City, not on the question of how can we protect this city from these cuts, but rather, how could we work together to subvert the will of Democratic primary voters?” Llenas followed up by asking how voters can be assured Mamdani won’t be reflexive and can work with the White House, given he is currently on a press tour across the city’s five boroughs specifically attacking Trump. MAMDANI’S PAST ‘VISCERAL DISDAIN’ FOR POLICE ‘SCARES A LOT OF NEW YORKERS’ FOR GOOD REASON: NYC CRIME EXPERT “What this tour is reflective of is the fact that Donald Trump is attacking this city,” Mamdani answered. “It’s attacking its people. It’s attacking the very fabric of what we call home. And we’ve spoken about it in a fiscal sense, in terms of what it will mean to steal food from the hungry, what it will mean to throw sick people off of their insurance, what it will mean to make it even more difficult to afford the city. And so, yes, this is a tour against the Trump administration’s attack on New York City voters.” Mamdani added that if Trump “wants to pick up the phone” to work on issues like cheap groceries that he is “willing to work with him on that” but it cannot be a “partnership at the expense of the people in the city.” Mamdani has faced strong criticism, including from New York Apartment Association CEO Kenny Burgos in a recent interview with Fox News Digital, about his plan to “freeze” rent in the city for some New Yorkers. CUOMO FLIPS SCRIPT ON MAMDANI FOR OWNING PROPERTY IN UGANDA DESPITE ITS ANTI-LGBT LAWS: ‘SILENCE IS VIOLENCE’ Mamdani was asked what he would say to those who argue rent freezes keep housing supply lower while denying landlords and builders the necessary funds to build more housing or maintain their properties, a concern echoed by Burgos in his comments to Fox News Digital. “The rent freezes that we’re speaking about, these are rent freezes that have already taken place in New York City,” Mamdani answered. “They happened three times under the previous administration. The issues that we’re having of housing supply, these are long-term issues in New York City, some of which have to do with politics and policy. Some of which also have to do with process.” “And these are critically important for us to confront as the leaders of this city, because what we are seeing is a vacancy rate that is so low that it is suffocating the city’s ability to continue to grow and ensure that we can welcome more people here.” Mamdani continued by saying what he has “heard from landlords” is primary concerns about insurance. “The fact that insurance has doubled in recent years and I see an example in a number of those landlords coming together to create their own insurance entity,” Mamdani said. “I may butcher the name, but Milford Street Captive, which has managed to reduce insurance costs, that’s something that the city can build upon with more significant investment.” “I’ve also heard from these same landlords that an issue they have is not that a tenant cannot afford the 3 or 4 or 5% increase that the Rent Guidelines Board is passing, as per the directive from Eric Adams. It’s that there are some tenants who can’t afford their rent at all,” Mamdani said. Mamdani went on to call for more rent vouchers, saying that there are “so many” New Yorkers living in rent-stabilized housing that can benefit from CityFHEPS. “That could actually increase the amount of money that these landlords take home in rent, but the city hasn’t paid enough,” Mamdani said. “Those previous rent freezes were temporary, were they not?,” Mamdani was pressed by Llenas. “I’ve spoken about a four-year rent freeze,” Mamdani responded before moving on to the next question.
BLM activist leading resistance to Trump’s DC crime plan repeatedly called for abolishing police
FIRST ON FOX: One of the prominent activists behind the protests against President Trump’s move to federalize Washington, D.C., to combat crime is a Black Lives Matter organizer who has a long history of calling for defunding and abolishing the police and other far-left agenda items. In recent days and on Monday, shortly after Trump’s press conference announcing federal resources being sent to the nation’s capital in accordance with the Constitution, protesters took to the streets opposing the crime crackdown, including Nee Nee Taylor, the executive director of Harriet’s Wildest Dreams and Free DC’s co-founder and operations organizer. “Free D.C.,” Taylor told protesters gathered around her on the streets of Washington, D.C., on Monday. “This is our city.” “Take it to the streets. This our D.C. No justice, no peace,” she continued. “If we don’t get no justice, they’re not going to get any peace… The only violence that’s happening in D.C. right now is the violence against our communities that this president is directing.” TOP DEMOCRATS RIPPED ON SOCIAL MEDIA OVER ‘BONKERS’ REACTIONS TO TRUMP’S DC CRIME PLAN: ‘MASSIVE LIAR’ Over the years, Taylor has repeatedly called for police to be defunded and abolished on her X account, formerly known as Twitter, with the username “SpiritOfHarrietTubman.” In 2018, Taylor posted on X, “Let’s [sic] clear I want to abolish the police” “Black Morning! I woke up like this, in my Greatness and also still having to shout to the World that we are FREE! Abolish the enslave Patrols that beat, kill and arrest Black people,” Taylor posted on X in 2021. “Call & demand that all Protesters be release. [sic]” “Ayeee! May all Jails and Prisons be abolish! [sic]” Taylor posted on X in 2021 in response to the anniversary of Chelsea Manning, who was found guilty of espionage before being pardoned by former President Obama, being released from prison. Taylor has specifically called for the defunding of the police department in Washington, D.C., where she is now opposing Trump’s move to send in federal resources. MSNBC CONTRIBUTOR RAGES AT TRUMP’S FEDERAL TAKEOVER OF DC POLICE TO FIGHT CRIME “Wasn’t the conclusion to tow cars and hold club owners responsible for violence? Being reactive and not pro active won’t keep people safe,” Taylor posted on X in 2022. “Defund @DCPoliceDept and invest in resources that keep people safe. #DefundMPD invest in community.” “Access to food is a fundamental human right, yet due to poverty many people aren’t afforded this right,” Harriet’s Wildest Dreams posted on Facebook in 2022. “The state, using police, maintains poverty and therefore hunger. In today’s episode of #PoliticalEducationMondays we discuss why “Defunding Police is Food Justice.” Taylor’s group went on to slam the police in a series of other social media posts, saying it has “always targeted queer and trans folks” and that “police have existed to violently protect property and its owners.” Taylor has also been vocal about abolishing ICE, railing against the Los Angeles ICE raids in a June Facebook post. The June 9 post said the raids were “chaos” and were being “provoked by this administration.” She went on to say law enforcement “doesn’t keep us safe. Not the police, not ICE, not any system built to control us.” Harriet’s Wildest Dreams and Taylor have also both celebrated Assata Shakur, also known as JoAnne Chesimard, who was convicted in the 1973 killing of New Jersey state trooper Werner Foerster, who left behind a wife and 3-year-old son. “Assata Shakur is a freedom fighter and political activist. A prominent figure in the Black Liberation Movement, Assata sought refuge in Cuba in 1984 after escaping political persecution in the U.S,” the group wrote last year on Facebook with the “HandsOffAssata” hashtag. “She became the first woman on the FBI’s Most Wanted list. Denying criminal accusations, she embodies a symbol of resistance against racism and injustice.” In another Facebook post from last week, the group included a graphic with Shakur’s face and a caption that read, “Black August is a time to honor those who chose freedom, no matter the cost. We carry the stories of those who risked everything for liberation.” Taylor posted several times about Shakur being a “freedom fighter” and downplayed her murder conviction by saying she was stooped for a broken taillight, ignoring her involvement in the shooting. Shakur later escaped prison and fled to Cuba, where former Cuban Prime Minister Fidel Castro granted her asylum. She is currently still wanted by the FBI. A flyer distributed by the Free DC Project, an organizer along with Harriet’s Wildest Dreams, said that the opposition’s “guiding principles” are: Do not obey in advance. Prioritize joy. Take up space. Be in solidarity, and organize. “Silence is compliance, so we need to get loud, starting tonight and every night of this occupation, go outside at 8:00 PM and bang pots and pans, sing, chant, or make noise for five minutes,” the flyer, posted on Instagram on Monday, explained. Harriet’s Wildest Dreams refers to itself as a group formed out of Black Lives Matter with the intent “to begin the next chapter of our journey as organizers in the movement for Black lives and liberation in DMV (DC, MD, VA).” On the Harriet’s Wildest Dreams website, Taylor is described as “our modern-day Harriet Tubman.” Harriet’s Wildest Dream was also active in 2024 pushing back against the arrest of anti-Israel protesters on college campuses, including George Washington University in Washington, D.C. The nation’s capital in the following years has been rocked by shootings that have left innocent children shot and dead, a trend of juveniles committing carjackings that have turned deadly in some cases, shoplifting crimes and attacks on government employees, summer interns and others, including the fatal shooting of 21-year-old congressional intern, Eric Tarpinian-Jachym, in June. Trump responded on Monday by announcing that he is federalizing the D.C. police department to curb spiraling violence, sparking pushback from Democrats who have claimed crime is down in the nation’s capital. Fox News Digital’s Emma Colton contributed to this
Texas Dems begin to crack, confirm return to state after fleeing to obstruct GOP redistricting: report
Texas House Democrats have reportedly confirmed they intend to return to their state after fleeing in an attempt to halt legislative proceedings, which included GOP attempts to redraw congressional districts in the state. Multiple sources confirmed to ABC 13 Houston on Tuesday that the absent House Democrats will return to the Lone Star State after feeling like they accomplished their mission of killing the special legislative session called by Republicans to pass redistricting legislation. The special session expires next Tuesday. The outlet reported the exact time of the Democrats’ return to the capital in Austin is not clear. TEXAS GOP SEEKS TO ‘DOMESTICATE’ ROGUE DEMS FOR BREAKING QUORUM THROUGH NATIONWIDE CIVIL ARREST WARRANTS News of the lawmakers’ imminent return to the state comes on the same day that Texas Senate Republicans were able to get the new congressional maps approved. They must now be passed in the House before Republican Gov. Greg Abbott can sign them into law. Earlier this week, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and Republican House Speaker Dustin Burrows indicated they would adjourn the special legislative session this Friday if Democrats had not returned by then. ABBOTT VOWS INDEFINITE SPECIAL SESSIONS, SAYS FLEEING DEMS COULD FACE ARREST ‘FOR LITERALLY YEARS’ Meanwhile, Abbott has signaled plans to immediately call a second consecutive special session and has teased that he may also add additional agenda items. The strategy by Texas Democrats to leave the state and abdicate their duties in an effort to stall Republican legislative efforts is a strategy they have used before. In 2021, more than 50 Texas Democrats left the state for the nation’s capital in an effort to stall Republican election security legislation following President Donald Trump’s 2020 election loss. The effort led to Abbott ultimately calling three consecutive special legislative sessions, with the election security bill passing during the second one in August.
Mexico to extradite 26 top cartel leaders to US in Trump administration deal
Mexico is handing over 26 top cartel leaders to the United States this week in a deal with the Trump administration. The cartel figures were scheduled to fly to the U.S. on Tuesday. “Today is the latest example of the Trump administration’s historic efforts to dismantle cartels and foreign terrorist organizations,” Attorney General Pam Bondi told Fox News Digital. “These 26 men have all played a role in bringing violence and drugs to American shores — under this Department of Justice, they will face severe consequences for their crimes against this country. We are grateful to President Sheinbaum and the Mexican government for their collaboration in this matter.” Abigael González Valencia, a leader of the “Los Cuinis,” cartel, which is aligned with the notorious Jalisco New Generation cartel (CJNG) and Roberto Salazar, who is accused of participating in the 2008 killing of a Los Angeles sheriff’s deputy, are among those being handed over to the U.S. US ACCUSES VENEZUELAN REGIME OF NARCO-TERRORISM OVER ALLIANCES WITH TREN DE ARAGUA, SINALOA CARTEL The Trump administration has classified the CJNG as a terrorist organization. Mexico’s Attorney General’s Office and Security Ministry confirmed the men were being handed over, saying the deal was made after the U.S. Justice Department said it wouldn’t seek the death penalty for any of the men. The deal comes amid the Trump administration’s focus on border security and attempt to crack down on Mexican cartels that send drugs across the border. “President Trump’s top priority is protecting the homeland, which is why he took the bold step to designate several cartels and gangs as foreign terrorist organizations,” deputy White House press secretary Anna Kelly previously said in a statement to Fox News Digital. AMERICANS IN VACATION HOT SPOT MAY SEE MORE MILITARY THAN MARGARITAS THIS SUMMER Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum on Friday said the U.S. military would not be entering Mexican territory following reports that Washington could take action to combat the cartels. “We co-operate, we collaborate, but there is not going to be an invasion,” she said. “It’s off the table, absolutely off the table.” President Donald Trump has also reportedly secretly authorized U.S. military force against cartels in Latin America designated by the U.S. as terrorist organizations, which would allow U.S. forces to engage with them. It also comes ahead of 25% tariffs on Mexican goods coming into the U.S. imposed by Trump. Trump spoke with Sheinbaum, who has been more aggressive than the last president about going after cartels, and told her he would delay 30% tariffs on the country for 90 days for negotiations. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Mexico also extradited 29 cartel leaders in February, including Rafael Caro Quintero, who prosecutors say was behind the torture and murder of a DEA agent in 1985. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Texas state Senate passes new Republican drawn congressional map as House Dems remain on the lam
The Texas state Senate approved new Republican-drawn maps Tuesday night, which have led House Democrats in Texas to flee the state. While Texas House Democrats remain on the lam in an effort to obstruct legislative proceedings spearheaded by Republicans to redraw the state’s congressional maps, the Senate was still able to obtain a quorum and pass the maps. They now must be passed in the House, but it is unclear when that will be possible. During the vote, nine Democrats exited the floor in protest, but two remained on the floor, which allowed the Senate to reach a quorum. The vote to pass the new maps eventually gained approval by the Senate following a 19-2 vote. ABBOTT, PAXTON LAUNCH LEGAL BLITZ ON FLEEING DEMOCRATS IN REDISTRICTING SHOWDOWN “This mid-decade redistricting isn’t about fair representation—it’s about politicians picking their voters instead of voters choosing their leaders,” the Senate Democratic Caucus said in a statement, according to The Texas Tribune. “And it doesn’t stop here. If they can gerrymander now, they can and will do it before every election.” Texas Republicans began pushing for new maps after the Trump administration directed state officials that they were in violation of the Voting Rights Act. Civil arrest warrants were issued by the Texas House Republican majority last week in an effort to compel the absent Democrats to return, but they are only enforceable within state lines and do not lead to jail time, since the warrants are not criminal. TEXAS DEMS ALSO SKIPPED TOWN IN 2021 TO AVOID A VOTE, AND SEVERAL CAUGHT COVID-19 IN DC However, Texas Republicans are seeking to utilize “every legal remedy at our disposal to hold these rogue legislators accountable,” Texas GOP Attorney General Ken Paxton said. In addition to blocking Texas Republicans’ redistricting bill, the exodus of Texas Democrats is obstructing crucial legislation from making its way through the legislature, state Sen. Mayes Middleton told Fox News Digital. This includes flood-disaster relief aid, bills to protect women’s spaces, and more.
Ashley Biden files for divorce from husband, Howard Krein, after 13 years of marriage: reports
Former first daughter Ashley Biden this week filed for divorce from her husband of 13 years, according to reports. The 44-year-old also posted an Instagram story on the same day with the song “Freedom” by Beyonce. In her post, Biden walks through a park giving a thumbs up while the song plays, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer, which reported the filing first. MICHELLE OBAMA MOCKS RUMORS THAT HER MARRIAGE IS IN TROUBLE She also posted the quote: “New life, new beginnings means new boundaries. New ways of being that won’t look or sound like they did before” over “Freedom Time” by Lauryn Hill. Biden has been married to plastic surgeon Howard Krein since 2012. The estranged couple were wed in Greenville, Delaware, in a ceremony that combined her Catholic faith and his Jewish roots, according to People magazine. A reception was held at the Biden family’s Wilmington lake house. ASHLEY BIDEN SLAMS REPORTING ABOUT HER DAD’S MENTAL ACUITY AS ‘DISRESPECTFUL AND UNTRUE’ “I kept telling Ash, we’ve got to open up the church and practice walking up and down the aisle so I can handle it,” former President Joe Biden, who was vice president at the time, told People, saying he expected to be emotional at the ceremony. “This is the right guy. And he’s getting a helluva woman,” the former president said at the time. Biden met her husband through her late brother Beau Biden and started dating him in 2010. She mentioned her wedding when she introduced the former president at the Democratic National Convention last year. “At the time, my dad was vice president, but he was also that dad who literally set up the entire reception,” she said. “He was riding around in his John Deere 4-wheeler, fixing the place settings, arranging the plants, and by the way, he was very emotional.” She added, “Before he walked me down the aisle, he turned to me and said he would always be my best friend. All these years later, Dad, you are still my best friend.” CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Fox News Digital has reached out to a rep for the former president for comment.