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Why is Israel bombing Gaza again?

NewsFeed Hundreds of people have been killed as Israel launched the most intense strikes on Gaza since the ceasefire began. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is accused of shattering the ceasefire. But why now? Soraya Lennie explains. Published On 18 Mar 202518 Mar 2025 Adblock test (Why?)

‘Operation Take Back America’ results in over 80 illegal alien arrests

Agents with the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency (ICE) and other federal enforcement authorities arrested 81 illegal aliens in just five days as part of an enhanced targeted enforcement effort titled “Operation Take Back America” in Kentucky. As President Donald Trump’s crackdown on illegal immigration continues, ICE announced the arrests in a statement Tuesday, which said that 25 of those arrested are charged with criminal offenses. Among those with criminal charges was an illegal alien who had previously been deported, excluded, removed or denied admission seven times. The agency said those not criminally charged will continue to be held by ICE pending removal proceedings. Offenses include sexual misconduct with a minor, drug trafficking and domestic violence. The statement said the migrants arrested were present in the country illegally and came from Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Cuba, India and Palau. ‘CLOSING TIME’: WHITE HOUSE, BORDER PATROL TROLL WITH DEPORTATION MEME VIDEO The Department of Homeland Security also made an announcement in which it said the arrests were part of Operation Take Back America, which, according to the department, involves “multiple federal law enforcement agencies in Kentucky” working together to “repel the invasion of illegal immigration throughout the Commonwealth.” The department said that Operation Take Back America is a nationwide initiative that streamlines efforts and resources within DHS to not only crack down on illegal immigration but also “achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.” The operation was coordinated out of Louisville. Michael Bennett, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Kentucky, praised the operation, saying it impacts not just Kentucky but the entire country.   “I commend the work of our federal law enforcement partners, prosecutors, and support personnel who worked tirelessly to make this operation a success,” said Bennett. “The aggressive investigation and prosecution of those who violate immigration laws positively impacts the security of our communities and of the Nation.”  ‘SAFER WITHOUT HIM’: COLUMBIA STUDENT CLAIMS CLASSMATE ARRESTED BY ICE ‘HATES AMERICA’ According to DHS, several of those arrested had illegally re-entered the country once or several times after being deported. One of those aliens – a 54-year-old Mexican national named Humberto Avila-Duran – was arrested in Jefferson County, Kentucky, around Mar. 14 for possessing a firearm illegally. He was found to have been denied admission, excluded, deported and removed from the United States on or about Jan. 21, 2011, Mar. 3, 2011, Mar. 8, 2011, Aug. 14, 2012, May 9, 2014, May 13, 2014, and Nov. 13, 2020. CLICK HERE FOR MORE IMMIGRATION COVERAGE Another migrant arrested, Edi Diaz-Lopez, 30, a citizen of Mexico, was charged with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, illegal possession of a firearm and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. If convicted, Diaz-Lopez faces up to 40 years in prison. PRESIDENT TRUMP COMFORTS MOTHER WHOSE SON DIED OF FENTANYL POISONING: ‘UP THERE WATCHING YOU’ Another migrant arrested was a 44-year-old Indian national convicted of sexual misconduct with a minor, intimidation and battery. ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Chicago Field Office Director Sam Olson also commented on the arrests, saying, “We are committed, as a united group, to removing individuals from our communities who pose a threat to public safety and national security.” “Public safety relies on the expertise of ICE officers who are able to coordinate across federal agencies to accomplish these arrests,” he said. “Operations that lead to the arrest and detention of alien offenders can be complex and may, at times, prove to be challenging. Our agency is more than capable to meet those challenges. I’m grateful for all our federal partners here in the Commonwealth of Kentucky.” 

Republicans eviscerate Schumer for ‘mocking hardworking Americans’ on ‘The View’: ‘Seriously Chuck?’

Republican lawmakers are calling out Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., for “mocking hardworking Americans” during an appearance on “The View,” where the Democratic leader criticized individuals who want to keep more of the money they make. House Majority Whip Rep. Tom Emmer, R-Minn., wrote that Schumer “is so out of touch with the American people that he would MOCK hardworking taxpayers for wanting to keep more of the money THEY EARN and run the businesses THEY OWN.” “Seriously Chuck?” Emmer said in a post on X. Schumer, during his appearance on the daytime talk show on Tuesday, criticized individuals who want more control over running businesses they “built” with their “bare hands.” SCHUMER PRESSED ON WHETHER HE SHOULD STEP DOWN AMID SPENDING BILL FALLOUT DURING ‘THE VIEW’ “Their attitude is, ‘I made my money all by myself. How dare your government take my money from me? I don’t want to pay taxes. Or, I built my company with my bare hands. How dare your government tell me how I should treat my customers, the land and water that I own, or my employees,” Schumer said on “The View” on Tuesday. “They hate government. The government’s a barrier to people, a barrier to stop them from doing things. They want to destroy it,” Schumer said. “We are not letting them do it and are united.” “You know it’s bad when even Whoopi Goldberg tries to get Schumer to stop talking,” Rep. Pat Harrigon, R-N.C., reacted to the interview. Rep. Ralph Norman, R-S.C., said Schumer was “mocking hardworking Americans who want to keep their own money is exactly what’s wrong with the left” and that he is “out of touch.” SCHUMER DISMISSES POSSIBLE AOC PRIMARY CHALLENGE, SAYS HE’S FOCUSED ON BRINGING TRUMP’S NUMBERS DOWN “Chuck Schumer’s at it again, mocking hard-working Americans for wanting to keep more of their own money,” wrote Rep. Kevin Hern, R-Okla. “He can keep pushing his government-first agenda, but Americans know better. They don’t need Washington to tell them how to spend their dollars.” “Spoken like the leader of a party with an 29% approval rating,” wrote Rep. Burgess Owens, R-Utah, in a post on X. Schumer also defended his reasoning for breaking with members of his party to help pass the Republican-led government funding bill on Friday and said that he wakes up “at 3 in the morning, sometimes so worried about the future of the country under these oligarchs.” “Chuck Schumer says he wakes up at 3am thinking about Elon. Rent free,” said Libs of TikTok in a post on X alongside a clip of the Democratic leader’s media appearance. “The absolute horror of returning to government spending levels from a few years ago!” Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, wrote in a post on X in response to the Democratic leader. “Chuck Schumer says he’s dealing with a ‘different, horrible kettle of fish’ because President Trump and Republicans want to eliminate waste, fraud, and abuse from government,” Trump’s Rapid Response team said on X. Schumer was also asked by the hosts if it was time for him to step aside as the Senate Minority Leader, to which he responded, “No.” Fox News Digital reached out to Schumer for comment, but did not immediately receive a response.

Trump, Putin on same page about Iran’s nuclear weapon capabilities, White House says

President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin are in sync when it comes to Iran obtaining nuclear weapons, according to the White House.  Trump and Putin, who spoke over the phone Tuesday morning about how to draw an end to the war in Ukraine, agreed that Iran must not obtain access to weapons permitting Tehran to obliterate Israel, the White House said.  “The leaders spoke broadly about the Middle East as a region of potential cooperation to prevent future conflicts,” the White House said in a statement after the call. “They further discussed the need to stop proliferation of strategic weapons and will engage with others to ensure the broadest possible application. The two leaders shared the view that Iran should never be in a position to destroy Israel.” TRUMP REINSTATES ‘MAXIMUM PRESSURE’ CAMPAIGN AGAINST IRAN  Meanwhile, Russia is urging the U.S. to loosen its sanctions on Iran, which have crippled Tehran’s economy. Representatives from Russia met with Chinese and Iranian counterparts in Beijing Friday, and pressed the U.S. to withdraw the “unlawful” sanctions and resume nuclear discussions, according to a statement from the three countries.  “The three countries reiterated that political and diplomatic engagement and dialogue based on the principle of mutual respect remains the only viable and practical option in this regard,” China’s Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu read aloud in a joint statement Friday.  Russia has maintained a cozy relationship with Iran and has utilized Iranian drones in the war against Ukraine. For example, Russia started to employ the Iranian-made Shahed-131 and Shahed-136 series drones in 2022 to hit Ukrainian artillery targets and areas of Ukraine’s electricity distribution grid, according to the nonprofit organization Washington Institute for Near East Policy.  The Defense Intelligence Agency also released a report in 2023 detailing how Iran had given Russia access to “hundreds” of one-way attack air drones. Although Iran denied that the drones originated from Tehran, the Defense Intelligence Agency said it obtained debris from attacks in Ukraine that “clearly prove Iran’s support to Russia.”  Trump cautioned in February he believed that Iran was “close” to developing a nuclear weapon, and his administration reinstated a maximum pressure campaign against Iran through sanctions targeting Iran’s oil exports in February.  Additionally, Trump revealed March 7 that a nuclear deal with Iran could emerge in the near future and that he sent a letter to Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, urging Tehran to agree to a nuclear agreement.  TRUMP SAYS ‘SOMETHING’S GOING TO HAPPEN VERY SOON’ WITH IRAN AS HE PUSHES TO NEGOTIATE NUCLEAR DEAL  Failure to do so could mean military intervention, he said.  “I would rather negotiate a deal,” Trump told Fox Business in an interview March 9. “I’m not sure that everybody agrees with me, but we can make a deal that would be just as good as if you won militarily.”  CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP “But the time is happening now, the time is coming up,” he said. “Something is going to happen one way or the other. I hope that Iran, and I’ve written them a letter saying I hope you’re going to negotiate, because if we have to go in militarily, it’s going to be a terrible thing for them.” The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

Judge orders reinstatement of USAID functions, says DOGE effort to shutter agency likely unconstitutional

A federal judge in Maryland has ruled that the Trump administration’s efforts to shut down the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) were likely unconstitutional, and has ordered it to ultimately reinstate the agency’s lawful functions. On Tuesday, U.S. District Judge Theodore Chuang concluded DOGE’s efforts “to shut down USAID on an accelerated basis, including its apparent decision to permanently close USAID headquarters without the approval of a duly appointed USAID officer, likely violated the United States Constitution in multiple ways.” Chuang said these actions “not only harmed the plaintiffs, but also the public interest, because they deprived the public’s elected representatives in Congress of their constitutional authority to decide whether, when, and how to close down an agency created by Congress.” The judge issued a preliminary injunction blocking DOGE and the administration from further actions against USAID, likely an emergency Department of Justice (DOJ) appeal to the 4th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals, then potentially to the Supreme Court. FEDERAL JUDGE ORDERS TRUMP ADMINISTRATION TO PAY ‘UNLAWFULLY’ RESTRICTED USAID FUNDS In his ruling, Chuang, a 2014 Obama bench appointee, also ordered immediate restoration of email and computer access to all USAID employees, including those placed on administrative leave. DOGE is now prohibited from any further cuts to USAID. The lawsuit was filed by current and former agency employees and contractors. Chuang’s decision marks the first time a judge has ruled that Musk is likely exercising enough independent authority to require him to be confirmed by the Senate under the Constitution’s Appointments Clause, the Hill reported.  SCOTUS RULES ON NEARLY $2B IN FROZEN USAID PAYMENTS This decision comes after a different federal judge ordered the Trump administration to pay the remainder of foreign aid owed to contractors for completed work last week, noting in a new court ruling that the administration likely violated the separation of powers doctrine by “unlawfully impounding” nearly $2 billion in funds appropriated by Congress. U.S. District Court Judge Amir Ali, a Biden appointee, said in the ruling that the Trump administration likely exceeded its constitutional authority in attempting to block the payments owed by the State Department and USAID to grant recipients and foreign aid contractors. “Here, the executive has unilaterally deemed that funds Congress appropriated for foreign aid will not be spent,” Ali said. “The executive not only claims his constitutional authority to determine how to spend appropriated funds, but usurps Congress’ exclusive authority to dictate whether the funds should be spent in the first place.” Ali had previously ordered the Trump administration to pay all owed foreign aid funds for previously completed work, totaling $1.9 billion, by Feb. 26, at 11:59 p.m.  USAID HEAD PETER MAROCCO TELLS LAWMAKERS HE’S EYEING POTENTIAL CRIMINAL CHARGES FOR FOREIGN AID FRAUD: REPORT The Supreme Court took up the case for emergency review last week, but ruled 5-4 to reject the administration’s request to extend the freeze. Instead, the court remanded the case back to the D.C. federal court and Ali to hash out the specifics of what must be paid and when. USAID aid became an early target of the Trump administration, with the president being a longtime critic of overseas spending, arguing that it does not benefit the American taxpayer and going so far as to call those who run the top agency “radical lunatics.” Republicans argue it is wasteful, promotes liberal agendas and should be enfolded into the State Department, while Democrats say it saves lives abroad and helps U.S. interests by stabilizing other countries and economies. In all, the Trump administration said it will eliminate 5,800 of 6,200 multi-year USAID contract awards, for a cut of $54 billion. Another 4,100 of 9,100 State Department grants were being eliminated, for a cut of $4.4 billion, according to a State Department memo reviewed by the Associated Press. Several examples of questionable spending have been uncovered at USAID, including more than $900,000 to a “Gaza-based terror charity” called Bayader Association for Environment and Development and a $1.5 million program slated to “advance diversity, equity, and inclusion in Serbia’s workplaces and business communities.” Fox News Digital’s Michael Dorgan and the Associated Press contributed to this report. 

New GOP proposal unshackles victims of sanctuary policies to demand accountability: ‘Reset our system’

EXCLUSIVE: Victims of sanctuary policies could soon be able to sue the state, county and local governments that enacted them, according to a new proposal by Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif. The Sanctuary City Accountability Act (SCAA) would allow Americans nationwide to sue over the policies that limit the ability of local law enforcement to comply with federal immigration laws. Specifically, the bill would permit victims and their immediate families to take legal action over crimes that impacted them as a direct result of the policies. “For years, sanctuary cities have openly defied federal law and endangered the American people by not only shielding illegals from the consequences of their crimes, but also ensuring they are allowed to remain free to victimize even more innocent Americans,” Issa told Fox News Digital in a statement. “It’s time to reset our system and put the law on the side of American citizens, not criminal illegals. ‘BRING IT ON’: SHERIFF PUSHES BACK AFTER BLUE STATE LEADERS SUE TO STOP IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT The legislation is expected to go through the House Judiciary Committee, of which Issa is a senior member. “Any individual who is a national of the United States may bring a civil action in an appropriate district court of the United States against a sanctuary jurisdiction in which an alien was located if that alien commits a crime against that individual, or an immediate family member of that individual, in the sanctuary jurisdiction, or in any other jurisdiction to which the alien later relocates, for such injunctive relief or compensatory damages as may be appropriate,” the bill’s text states. In the legislation, sanctuary policies are considered ones that limit Immigration and Customs Enforcement “detainer compliance” and not allowing ICE “access to interview incarcerated aliens.” RED STATE HUNTS TREN DE ARAGUA TERRORISTS AS JUDGES LIGHT ‘CREDIBILITY ON FIRE’ FIGHTING DEPORTATIONS: SENATOR CLICK HERE FOR MORE IMMIGRATION COVERAGE  It is also meant to build on the proposed Clear Law Enforcement for Criminal Alien Removal (CLEAR) Act, which would make it federal law to allow local authorities to work with the federal government on illegal immigration issues. The proposal comes as San Diego County, which Issa represents parts of, failed to scrap its “super sanctuary” policy established in December during a vote earlier this month. “This is deeply disappointing,” Republican Supervisor Jim Desmond said in a statement about the failed repeal vote. “This was not about politics. This was about ensuring that criminals—rapists, child abusers, burglars, and violent offenders—are removed from our communities. Instead, fear and misinformation won the day, leaving law-abiding residents at greater risk.” LAKEN RILEY ACT UNLEASHES FEDS TO HUNT VENEZUELAN GANG MEMBERS IN FLORIDA: LAWMAKER Desmond and Supervisor Joel Anderson voted to get rid of the policy that was put in place by the board’s Democratic majority in December, Democratic Supervisor Monica Montgomery Steppe argued that repealing it would then give a role outside the scope of the county’s purview. The vote for the repeal was 2-1-1, meaning that nobody reached the necessary majority, as there was also a vacancy on the five-person board. “Even in the very wording of policy L-2, it doesn’t protect criminals. What it was about is ensuring that this county stays in its lane and protects our region and that the federal government stays in its lane,” Montgomery Steppe said before voting “no.” Her Democratic colleague, Supervisor Terra Lawson-Remer, abstained. Recent legislative policy changes have been prompted by crimes committed by illegal immigrants, including the Laken Riley Act, which prompts the Department of Homeland Security to detain illegal immigrants facing charges or conviction for a range of crimes, including burglary, assault and “any crime that results in death or serious bodily injury to another person.” The bill passed with some bipartisan support. 

Schumer says ‘oligarchs’ keep him up at night, despite his own ties to billionaires

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer told the hosts of “The View” on Tuesday morning that “oligarchs” running the United States keep him up at night, despite his ties to the billionaire Soros family.  “I wake up at 3 in the morning sometimes so worried about the future of this country under these oligarchs,” Schumer said on “The View.”   Mega-donor George Soros donated millions to Schumer’s Senate Majority PAC during the 2024 election, and Schumer maintains a well-documented relationship with the billionaire’s son, Alex Soros.  Campaign finance reports revealed Democracy PAC II, primarily funded by Soros, gave $2.5 million to Senate Majority PAC in 2024, Fox News confirmed. Democracy PAC II gave $3.5 million in calendar year 2022, and $2.5 million in calendar year 2021, for a combined $6 million, records show.  SUNNY HOSTIN SCOLDS SCHUMER THAT HE ‘CAVED’ ON SHUTDOWN FIGHT A 2023 Fox News Digital review of Alex’s Instagram found dozens of pictures with top Democrats in the House and the Senate between 2018 and 2022, including at least nine meetings with Schumer. SOROS, OTHER LEFT-WING BILLIONAIRES POUR TENS OF MILLIONS INTO SCHUMER PAC IN BID FOR DEMS TO HOLD THE SENATE “Good to see majority leader [Schumer] earlier this week! Energized to elect at least two more Democratic senators so we can secure voting rights and a woman’s right to chose!” Soros posted on his Instagram in July 2022 along with a picture of the pair. In a December 2021 Instagram post, Alex called Schumer his “good friend” and said he had a “great meeting” with him at the Capitol. A few months earlier, Alex took a selfie with Schumer wearing a bicycle helmet and said it was “good to see our senate majority leader [Schumer] the other day, biking and in good shape, and so focused on [voting rights] legislation.” A Fox News Digital review of visitor logs found Alex visited the White House six times from October 2021 to December 2022, during former President Joe Biden’s administration. A White House official confirmed to Fox News Digital that two of the visits were with Ron Klain, Biden’s chief of staff.  Alex’s social media presence has consistently showcased his relationship with leading Democrats, including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and candidates from the most contested down-ballot races of 2024, such as Sen. Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz.  Biden awarded George Soros with the Presidential Medal of Freedom in January, which Alex accepted in his honor.  “His inspiring generosity reminds us all of our capacity and our obligation to stand up to the abuse of power and to be guardians of democracy and all people yearning to be free,” Biden said during the ceremony.  GEORGE SOROS’ SON BECOMES KINGMAKER WITH TOP DEMS AS HE MAKES MULTIPLE BIDEN WH VISITS, MEETS WITH LAWMAKERS “A travesty that Biden is giving Soros the Medal of Freedom,” Elon Musk, who has been at the center of Democrats’ accusations of rising oligarchy, posted on X in response to Soros accepting the nation’s highest civilian honor.  MoveOn.org, a group that has accepted millions from Soros and his Open Society Policy Center in recent years, led the “Congress Works for Us, Not Musk” initiative that shut down town halls and Republican offices across the country.  National Students for Justice in Palestine (NSJP), a national organization on the forefront of the pro-Palestine Columbia University protests, accepted fiscal sponsorship from the Westchester Peace Action Committee Foundation (WESPAC). Fox News Digital reported last year that WESPAC received a six-figure donation from a nonprofit funded by Soros’ network. The Democratic Party also leaned on wealthy surrogates on the campaign trail in 2024. Former Vice President Kamala Harris hosted events with celebrities, including Beyoncé, Eminem, Bruce Springsteen and Mark Cuban.  FEC filings show the Harris campaign made two $500,000 payments to Oprah Winfrey’s production company on Oct. 15, a month after Winfrey appeared with Harris at a town hall event and weeks before Oprah was on stage with Harris at a Philadelphia rally before election day. ‘$1 BILLION DISASTER’: HERE’S WHAT FEC FILINGS SHOW ABOUT HARRIS CAMPAIGN’S 3-MONTH SPENDING SPREE Despite the Democrats’ own recorded ties to billionaire donors, the term “oligarchy” has been used by Democrats to describe President Donald Trump‘s second term.  Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., has drawn thousands of supporters to his “Fighting Oligarchy” rallies across the country, with stops in Michigan and Wisconsin this past weekend. The events are billed as an opportunity to “discuss how we take on the greed of the billionaire class and create a government that works for all and not just the few.” Democrats were outraged by Trump inviting billionaires like Musk, Jeff Bezos and Mark Zuckerberg to his inauguration, and Biden used the term “oligarchy” in his farewell address to the nation.  “Today, an oligarchy is taking shape in America of extreme wealth, power, and influence that literally threatens our entire democracy, our basic rights and freedoms, and a fair shot for everyone to get ahead,” Biden told Americans on Jan. 13.  Schumer defended his leadership on “The View” following his decision to vote for a Republican spending bill to avert a government shutdown and subsequently canceling stops on his book tour over “security concerns.” “We are fighting them tooth and nail in every way we can, but you’ve got to fight them smart and if you led yourself into a shutdown, which, by the way, Musk, DOGE, Vought, they wanted a shutdown. They said they wanted a shutdown, and they thought we’d play into their hands,” Schumer continued to “The View” on Tuesday.  Schumer said “MAGA right-wing Republicans,” including Musk and Director of Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Russell Vought, wanted to shut down the government to deliver “tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans.” “The MAGA right-wing Republicans dream of decimating the government. You know why they do it? They want tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans. They want to destroy government, give it all to the wealthy and get rid of any regulations they might

GOP lawmakers praise Trump call with Putin after Biden ‘refused to even pick up the phone’

Republican lawmakers hailed President Donald Trump after a nearly two-hour phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss a peace deal in Ukraine, drawing contrasts between his efforts and those of former President Joe Biden.  “I’m encouraged by President Trump’s willingness to engage in diplomacy to negotiate peace between Ukraine and Russia — especially after Biden refused to even pick up the phone to try,” Rep. Scott Perry, R-Pa., said of the call. The House Foreign Affairs Committee, in reaction to the discussion, wrote, “President Trump got Vladimir Putin to agree that a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine is necessary,” and that “Iran cannot be in a position to destroy Israel.” “This is called THE ART OF THE DEAL!” the committee wrote. UKRAINE’S ZELENSKYY REPLACES TOP MILITARY OFFICIAL AHEAD OF TRUMP-PUTIN CALL Trump spoke with Putin over the phone earlier Tuesday “about the need for peace and a ceasefire in the Ukraine war,” according to a readout of the meeting shared by White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt. “This conflict should never have started and should have been ended long ago with sincere and good faith peace efforts. The leaders agreed that the movement to peace will begin with an energy and infrastructure ceasefire, as well as technical negotiations on implementation of a maritime ceasefire in the Black Sea, full ceasefire and permanent peace,” it continued. “These negotiations will begin immediately in the Middle East.” Democrats, however, remained skeptical about whether Russia would honor a peace deal. “Imagine a robber breaking into your home twice—each time blaming you for the break-in. Would you trust them to stop?” Rep. Jason Crow, D-Colo. said. “Vladimir Putin has never kept a promise or honored a deal. Any deal must be fair & enforceable.” TRUMP ‘HOPES’ PUTIN AGREES TO CEASEFIRE AS MOSCOW SIGNALS NO TRUCE YET Sen. Chris Coons, D-Del., said that “from these readouts, it’s clear that Russia remains the obstacle to peace in Europe.” “I’m glad to see a halt on infrastructure strikes, but many of Putin’s ‘requests’ like a ban on arms or intel sharing make clear what he is after—a neutered Ukraine that cannot defend itself,” Coons wrote. National Security Council spokesman Brian Hughes, in a statement shared with Fox News Digital in response to the Democratic lawmakers, said that under Trump, a deal is even closer to being reached. “Just two weeks ago, both Ukraine and Russia were miles apart on a ceasefire agreement, and we are now closer to a deal thanks to the leadership of President Trump,” Hughes said. “The goal remains the same: stop the killing and find a peaceful resolution to this conflict.”  Trump, in a Truth Social post following the call, described the meeting as “very good and productive.” “Many elements of a Contract for Peace were discussed, including the fact that thousands of soldiers are being killed, and both President Putin and [Ukrainian President Volodymyr] Zelenskyy would like to see it end,” Trump wrote in a social media post. “That process is now in full force and effect, and we will, hopefully, for the sake of Humanity, get the job done!” Fox News Digital reached out to Biden’s office for a response to Perry’s criticism but did not immediately hear back.

Dem gov says MD, with $3B deficit, has been doing DOGE ‘before anyone knew what [it] was’

Maryland Democratic Gov. Wes Moore, whose tenure predates the second Trump administration by two years, claimed he had begun engaging in DOGE-type governance soon after Republican Gov. Larry Hogan Jr. departed in 2023. Moore, a purported 2028 presidential contender who has sought to stifle such talk and instead focus on a potential second term, spoke to news outlet Semafor about potential parallels between his work and that of the Trump administration. Editor Ben Smith asked Moore about addressing “fiscal burden[s]” within the Annapolis bureaucracy in a manner similar to the federal DOGE, while also discussing solutions to Maryland’s $3 billion budget deficit—an issue where Republicans and Democrats each blame the other. “I come from the business world. And I do believe that in this moment we have to think about what type of [public] workforce is necessary and required,” Moore said, adding that when he took office, there were 10,000 vacancies in Annapolis, and many “basic functions” weren’t getting done. MD GOV DEFENDS $190K TRUMP-CENTRIC IRISH CONSULTANT CONTRACT AS POTUS MOVES IN NEXT DOOR Moore said that while some politicians may want to immediately hire 10,000 people, he saw it as an opportunity to “right-size” the government and eliminate waste. “One of the first hires I made was a chief performance officer. We’ve been doing DOGE in Maryland long before anyone knew what that word was,” Moore said. In previous comments to Fox News Digital, the Moore administration stated its intent to collaborate with Trump and the White House when possible, but emphasized its commitment to protecting Marylanders—particularly in light of how DOGE’s federal workforce cuts will disproportionately impact the Old Line State. Moore had hired an Irish consulting mega-firm to be Annapolis’ eyes and ears on the White House just 35 miles westward. “Where there is common ground to be found, he will find it,” a spokesman for Moore said in response to claims the Irish contract foreshadowed a confrontational relationship with their new neighbors. Moore told Smith that Maryland is so inextricably tied to the federal government that “when the country catches a cold, the DMV [DC-MD-VA] catches pneumonia.” LAWMAKERS FROM STATE WITH MOST FEDERAL WORKERS PER CAPITA WARN AGAINST TRUMP BUYOUT BID Moore added that his 2025 budget is smaller than his 2024 budget, and has recently taken issue with Hogan’s reported contention that he left his successor a surplus that has been squandered into a $3 billion deficit. Hogan said in a recent social media post he left Moore a $5 billion surplus and hoped it would not go to waste.  Moore has claimed some of that “surplus” was miscategorized as leftover COVID-19 funds which are not structural in nature. Hogan also produced a set of budget recommendations at the end of his term for the new administration to take on, which Democrats in Annapolis saw as pitches for future “priority items” they instead deemed fiscally reckless. In that regard, a Moore spokesman told Fox News Digital on Tuesday that the Democrat remains focused on DOGE-ing Annapolis even amid the $3 billion deficit. “While it’s clear the governor inherited an economic flatline, he is committed to growing Maryland’s economy by reducing waste, investing in working Marylanders, industries of the future, and businesses across the state,” the spokesman said. “The governor’s new government modernization initiative will cut real waste, and save taxpayers money—something Governor Moore believes DOGE and even other states can learn from.” Maryland House Minority Leader Jason Buckel, R-Cumberland, disagreed. “It’s not very credible to claim that we’ve been cutting the size and scope of Maryland government and rooting out fraud and waste when you look at our budget chock-full of new hires and increased spending, balanced only by massive tax increases proposed by Governor Moore and Democrats in Annapolis,” said Buckel.  Senate Minority Leader Steve Hershey, R-Chestertown, told Fox News Digital that Marylanders are “still waiting” for Moore’s stated efforts to cut waste, fraud and abuse à la DOGE. “There are claims of saving $50 million, but so far, there’s been no data to prove his performance cabinet has made government more efficient or saved taxpayers money,” Hershey said. “Governor Moore appears unwilling to make tough decisions and stand up to rein in state spending. His thinly veiled assurance to not support the new business-to-business service tax went over like a lead balloon.” CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Hershey claimed Moore did not consider a statewide hiring freeze to help with the deficit, but instead added more bureaucrats while risking future furloughs. “His administrative departments have been plagued with atrocious audits since taking office—hundreds of millions have been mismanaged and misspent. We are still waiting to see the necessary course corrections,” Hershey added. Meanwhile, Moore predicts that Maryland will see that $50 million in savings through FY-2026 via “government modernization” and reinvestment of resources toward top state priorities. A Moore spokesman suggested that previous Republican leadership was responsible for Maryland’s reported economic underperformance, citing a 3% growth rate for the state between 2017 and 2022—compared to the national average of 11%. Fox News Digital reached out to DOGE leaders in Congress and the White House for comment. White House spokesperson Liz Huston responded to Moore’s claim Tuesday: “President Trump led the charge to make government more efficient, and all state leaders should want to end waste, fraud and abuse of taxpayer dollars.”

Republican state AGs back Trump on Tren de Aragua flights; judges ‘basically supporting’ terrorists

FIRST ON FOX: A group of Republican state attorneys general is filing an amicus brief in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia on Tuesday afternoon, urging the circuit court to reverse a judge’s order blocking Trump from deporting alleged Tren de Aragua gang members, with one AG saying “the judges are basically supporting foreign terrorist organizations over the public safety of the American citizen.” The supporting court documents, led by South Carolina and Virginia Attorneys General Alan Wilson and Jason Miyares, respectively, are concerned that the judge’s order – issued by U.S. District Judge James Boasberg – will contribute to crimes committed by violent illegal immigrants in their states.  “When a judge unilaterally steps in and does a temporary restraining order on a nationwide injunction, basically that prohibits the president from performing the one function that the states really can’t do themselves, that undermines our ability to better protect our citizens,” Wilson told Fox News Digital. RED STATE HUNTS TREN DE ARAGUA TERRORISTS AS JUDGES LIGHT ‘CREDIBILITY ON FIRE’ FIGHTING DEPORTATIONS: SENATOR “In this particular case, the judges are coloring way outside the law lines of their authority,” Wilson said in an interview Tuesday. “They are inhibiting the ability of federal law enforcement to support the initiatives of state law enforcement.” “The judges are basically supporting foreign terrorist organizations over the public safety of the American citizen,” he added. Miyares said Trump acted “fully within his constitutional and statutory authority” when he did not ground airplanes deporting alleged migrant gang members to El Salvador as Boasberg requested. Trump’s Department of Justice cited the Alien Enemies Act, which gives him the ability to deport any illegal immigrant without a court process, and filed an emergency petition in the D.C. appellate court, urging it to “halt this massive, unauthorized imposition” on the president’s “authority to remove people that Defendants had determined to be members of TdA.” “TdA is a violent transnational criminal organization responsible for heinous crimes across the United States,” Miyares said. “The law is clear, and so is our position.” TRUMP INVOKES WARTIME ALIEN ENEMIES ACT OF 1798 TO TARGET VIOLENT ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT STREET GANGS In the supporting brief of Trump’s appeal, Wilson said there’s an incident in Charleston where several Tren de Aragua gang members were arrested. Last August, during a visit to the southern border in El Paso, Texas, Wilson said he met with DEA agents, Texas public safety officers and Border Patrol, who showed a heat map of the country. At that time, there were no known Tren de Aragua members in South Carolina. However, as Wilson points out in the brief, by early February, several gang members were arrested in the state. “Just six or seven months ago, they weren’t here, but now they are,” Wilson said. “Trump did a great job, and this administration did a great job of plugging the hole in the boat when they shut down the border, but all the water is still in the boat, and we’re trying to bail it out, and the judges are trying to prevent us from doing that,” Wilson said. The Trump administration has designated Tren De Aragua a Foreign Terrorist Organization.  The Republican attorneys general who signed the amicus brief represent Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Florida, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Montana, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, South Dakota and Utah.