State Department breaks down plan to deal with Columbia, Hamas, Rubio taking on NSA
As the Trump administration speeds past the 100-day mark, various conflicts around the globe are in a much different place than when the president took office. It has been nearly 600 days since the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel. Not only did the act of terrorism launch a full-scale war in the Middle East, but it also facilitated a chaotic wave of pro-Palestinian and pro-Israeli clashes at home. “We’re guided by two principles that are guiding our approach to this conflict. The first is that we stand with Israel and Israel’s right to defend itself. And the second is that Hamas must release the hostages,” U.S. Department of State Deputy spokesperson Tommy Pigott told Fox News Digital. “Those are the two guiding principles. And then we’re looking at the long-term here in terms of what this is going to look like as a long-term solution to this conflict. Hamas cannot continue to exist.” A New York Times opinion article ran last week, titled “This Israeli Government Is Not Our Ally,” just days before nearly 80 students were arrested during pro-Palestinian protests at Columbia University in New York, illustrating that the strains between the two groups remain and the rise in antisemitism is still rampant. “When it comes to some of these protests, and I use that word even somewhat lightly in terms of I don’t even know if that’s the best way to describe them, the secretary has been clear, the president has been clear, there’s going to be zero tolerance for people that are here on visas that break our laws, that support or promote terrorism in the United States,” Pigott added. NETANYAHU PLEDGES ‘FULL FORCE’ TO ‘COMPLETE’ FIGHT AGAINST HAMAS IN COMING DAYS TRUMP OFFICIAL TARGETED IN BIDEN-ERA ‘DISINFORMATION’ DOSSIER STILL UNDER WRAPS DAYS AFTER RUBIO REVELATION “When you’re looking at that visa process, again, speaking from the State Department’s perspective, there’s a vetting process to enter the United States for a visa,” Pigott explained. “We’re constantly monitoring the fact of, are you actually abiding by that visa? Are you [a student] doing things that are breaking our laws? And if you do, your visa may be revoked.” Overseas, Hamas freed the last living American hostage, Edan Alexander, reportedly to appease President Donald Trump. Israel issued an evacuation warning for Yemeni ports after bombing the nation’s main airport last week. While the U.S. and the Houthis reached ceasefire agreements, Israel continues to punch back. Pigott made clear that the U.S.’ past and future decisions to attack the Houthis are heavily dependent on Islamist organizations’ actions. CHILDREN’S YOUTUBE STAR ‘MS. RACHEL’ TALKS TO ANTI-ISRAEL REPORTER ABOUT GAZA POSTS “The president’s been clear, the secretary has been clear that the bombing that we saw was about freedom of navigation, protecting American interests, making sure we can have ships going through that area,” Pigott explained. “The Houthis have capitulated, but this is about their actions.” Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s role as head of the agency got even more complicated after Mike Waltz left the National Security Administration (NSA) to serve as ambassador to the United Nations, and Trump assigned Rubio to fill the role. Despite the increase in workload and responsibility, the State Department’s deputy spokesperson says “the results speak for themselves.” CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP “Of that collaboration, of the fact that President Trump has that vision, is involved with the policy, is saying, we need to accomplish this, and Secretary Rubio helping to implement that vision,” Pigott added. “These are men and women that are dedicated on delivering results for the American people. I mean, this past 100-plus days have been the most successful 100 days, I would argue, in history from a president.”
Democrat defeats incumbent Republican Omaha mayor
Democrat challenger John Ewing defeated incumbent Republican Omaha mayor Jean Stothert in a victory that the Democratic Party is describing as an indictment against the Trump administration and the GOP. Ewing, who is currently the treasurer of Douglas County, will make history by becoming the first Black mayor of Nebraska’s largest city, while Stothert was denied a fourth term. “I called John Ewing and I congratulated him. John Ewing is inheriting tonight a great city, and we leave a strong foundation for the city that we all love. We are proud, are grateful and we are hopeful,” Stothert said in her concession speech. The race between Stothert and Ewing primarily revolved around local issues like street repairs and garbage service, but in the final stretch the campaign touched on more national, hot-button issues such as President Donald Trump’s administration and transgender rights. JAMES CARVILLE WARNS DEMOCRATS AGAINST USING ALIENATING LEFTIST WORDS LIKE ‘EQUITY’ AND ‘INTERSECTIONALITY’ Although the mayor’s office is nonpartisan, the candidates made it clear to voters that Stothert is a Republican and Ewing is a Democrat. One Stothert TV ad said “Ewing stands with radicals who want to allow boys in girls’ sports,” according to the Associated Press. Meanwhile, Ewing aired ads that connect Stothert to the Trump administration, showing the mayor on a split screen with Trump and saying “Let’s say no to the chaos and elect a mayor who will actually get things done.” In the latest results from WOWT, Ewing was leading Stothert in the vote count by 48,693 to 37,758. DAVID HOGG SLAMS ‘FAST-TRACK’ EFFORT TO OUST HIM AS DNC VICE CHAIR The Democratic Party said with Ewing’s win, “Democrats further extend a significant streak of overperformances and victories in elections in 2025. “From the school board to city council, and now to the mayor’s office, Nebraska voters are making their message heard loud and clear: They want strong Democratic leaders who will fight for them, protect their rights, and build opportunities within their communities. As Trump and his MAGA Republican allies continue to fail working families at every turn, voters are channeling their frustration into action at the voting booth,” the Democratic Party said in a statement. “After tonight, vulnerable House Republicans like Don Bacon are on notice,” added DNC Chair Ken Martin. “Voters are sick of cowardly Republicans willing to bend the knee to Trump at their expense. They want true leaders who will govern on behalf of working families and not billionaire donors, which is why Democrats like John Ewing Jr. are winning elections up and down the ballot.” The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Trump visits Qatar as country’s jet offer puts spotlight on nation’s growing influence in Washington
The deepening U.S. relationship with Qatar is drawing fresh scrutiny this week as President Donald Trump began a Middle East tour amid reports that he may accept a free jet from the Qatari royal family to replace his current plane as Air Force One. The prospect has drawn bipartisan pushback, which Trump has met with indifference. “Qatar is not, in my opinion, a great ally. I mean, they support Hamas. So what I’m worried about is the safety of the president,” Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., told reporters on Tuesday. Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., told Fox News, “I think it’s not worth the appearance of impropriety.” TRUMP DEFENDS QATAR JUMBO JET OFFER AS TROUBLED BOEING FAILS TO DELIVER NEW AIR FORCE ONE FLEET “[The Qataris] said to me, ‘we would like to, in effect, we would like to make a gift. You’ve done so many things. and we’d like to make you a gift to the Defense Department,’ which is where it’s going. and I said, ‘Well, that’s nice.’ Now, some people say, ‘Oh, you shouldn’t accept gifts for the country.’ My attitude is, why wouldn’t I accept the gift? We’re giving to everybody else, why wouldn’t I accept a gift?” Trump explained to Fox News’ Sean Hannity on Tuesdsay. U.S. relations with Doha have come a long way since 2017, when Trump accused Qatar of harboring terrorism: “The nation of Qatar, unfortunately, has historically been a funder of terrorism at a very high level,” Trump said at the time. From there, Qatar became a major non-NATO ally to the U.S. in 2022 under President Biden and is home to Al Udeid Air Base, one of the U.S.’ largest Middle East bases and a key hub for U.S. Central Command operations. Qatar has been at the forefront of peace and hostage negotiations, especially in the war between Israel and Hamas. An Israeli delegation traveled to Doha on Tuesday to hash out a potential agreement on a hostage exchange and ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. “Qatar is an indispensable security and energy partner to the United States. It’s a strategic partnership that has grown stronger and more expansive over time,” Ali Al-Ansari, media attaché at the Qatari embassy, told Fox News Digital. “His highness the Amir and President Trump have a longstanding relationship over many years, and both leaders have the shared goals of peace, security and stability.” “Qatar is working closely with the president and his team to advance these shared goals, whether in Gaza, Ukraine, Congo or other areas of instability.” TRUMP SAYS HE’LL DROP SANCTIONS ON SYRIA IN MOVE TO NORMALIZE RELATIONS In March, weeks of negotiations led by U.S. and Qatari mediators led to the release of American George Glezmann, who had been imprisoned by the Taliban in Afghanistan for more than two years. Doha’s negotiators were also involved in the U.S.-Hamas deal to release the last living American hostage, Edan Alexander, on Monday. “They’re very smart at making themselves useful,” said Michael Makovsky, CEO of the Jewish Institute for National Security of America. The Trump Organization has cinched a new deal to build a luxury golf resort in Qatar, partnering with Qatari Diar, a real estate company backed by that country’s sovereign wealth fund. “Their financial connections to people in Trump’s orbit, their making themselves useful as our mediators, communicating that strategically, the Qataris have been very effective at making themselves important,” Makovsky added. And despite its relatively small population – less than 3 million – Qatar controls over 10% of the world’s natural gas reserves. “They have an enormous amount of influence as a result of the money they spend,” said Jonathan Schanzer, executive director at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies. Energy Secretary Chris Wright praised Qatar as a “valued energy partner” – the second-largest producer of liquid natural gas in the world. “I look forward to building on this new era of U.S.-Qatari relations together,” he said. Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff has praised Qatar as a valued partner in negotiations. Sen. Roger Marshall, R-Kans., joined Trump officials in defending Qatar during a Senate hearing on campus antisemitism recently. As a witness described links between the Qataris donating billions to universities and antisemitic protests, Marshall shot back: “Qatar has been a great ally to America. So I don’t know why you’re attacking them.” But others are skeptical. “The Qataris have been sponsoring a wide range of terror groups for decades,” said Schanzer. “It’s been a bipartisan decision to turn a blind eye to the problem.” Israel supporters have long accused Qatar of funding Hamas. Prior to the outbreak of war after Oct. 7, 2023, Doha for years sent millions of dollars per month to the Gaza Strip to prop up Hamas’ governing structure there. They’ve also spent billions in the U.S., including an aggressive lobbying operation in Washington. “We have seen them invest billions of dollars into higher education. We know that they’re investing in K-12 education in this country,” said Schanzer. “They’re buying up parcels of valuable real estate. They are … spending massive amounts of money in states like Texas and South Carolina, where you have the defense industry and the energy industry.” “Over the last two decades or so they have spent a lot of money, expended a lot of effort, and it’s now paying dividends.” Schanzer said he was pleased the discussion over the Boeing plane had spurred a national conversation over Qatar’s influence in the U.S. “This is a longstanding problem that has gone unaddressed by Barack Obama, by Joe Biden, by George W. Bush and by Trump.”
New House bill would make Trump ban on transgender troops permanent
FIRST ON FOX: A new House GOP bill would make President Donald Trump’s executive order banning transgender troops in the military a permanent federal policy. Rep. Barry Moore, R-Ala., is introducing the legislation this week and told Fox News Digital that his office has been in contact with the Trump administration on the measure. “What we had with this trans movement was we had a bunch of people coming in, signing a six-year contract, and then starting the surgeries and starting the hormone replacements … they weren’t fit for service, so they spent four or five years on the taxpayer’s dime getting these surgeries and these chemicals and all this stuff, and then by the time they could really actually serve, they were ready to get out,” Moore told Fox News Digital. He said the bill would benefit both taxpayers in funding the military and overall recruitment to the armed forces. ANTI-ABORTION PROVIDER MEASURE IN TRUMP’S ‘BIG, BEAUTIFUL BILL’ COULD SPARK HOUSE GOP REBELLION “I think in many ways the taxpayers get a much bigger bang for their buck, No. 1,” said Moore, a veteran. “And No. 2, I think that if I’m looking at joining, these guys are really focused on fighting, and if I’m in the foxhole with these guys, these are people I’ve trained with, they’re capable. You’ve got to have that on a battlefield.” A source familiar with his office’s discussions with the administration showed Fox News Digital an email that suggested tacit approval of the bill from the White House Office of Management and Budget, Pentagon, Department of Homeland Security and National Security Council. The bill is titled the Readiness Over Wokeness Act, according to draft legislation previewed by Fox News Digital. The text said the bill would “prohibit individuals with gender dysphoria from serving as members of the Armed Forces.” It would enact a similar ban on people with “a history of gender-affirming care including cross-sex hormone therapy or sex reassignment or genital reconstruction surgery as treatment for gender dysphoria or in pursuit of a sex transition.” BROWN UNIVERSITY IN GOP CROSSHAIRS AFTER STUDENT’S DOGE-LIKE EMAIL KICKS OFF FRENZY Trump signed an executive order banning transgender people from serving in the U.S. military shortly after he was sworn in for his second term. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth followed suit by enacting the order, including discharging current transgender personnel. The ban was challenged in court but recently upheld by the Supreme Court this month in a decisive victory for Trump. “No More Trans [at the Defense Department],” Hegseth wrote on X soon after the order came down. Trump instituted a similar policy during his first term, though it was later reversed by former President Joe Biden. But it would be much harder for a future Democrat administration to reverse Moore’s bill if it passed the House and Senate and was signed into law by Trump. Fox News Digital reached out to the White House for additional comment.
House Democrat to introduce reparations push, declares ‘moral obligation’ to send trillions to Black Americans
A House Democrat plans to introduce a resolution calling for the U.S. to spend trillions of dollars on reparations for Black Americans this week. Rep. Summer Lee, D-Penn., plans to introduce the Reparations Now Resolution on Thursday. Lee met with other lawmakers and activists on Capitol Hill on Tuesday at an event titled “Why We Can’t Wait: Advancing Reparative Justice in Our Lifetime.” She argues that reparations are a “moral and legal obligation” for Americans. “This is a moment in time where societies are shaped [and] new societies are built. We should be the ones who are shaping it,” said Lee. “Their real intention is to build up whatever comes next in their image,” she said, referring to the Trump administration, “and we better fight like hell to make sure that we’re building it in our image.” Lee added that “it took nothing but a stroke of a pen,” for President Donald Trump to dismantle diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs across the federal government. ‘TIPPING THE SCALES’: HOUSE GOP LEADERS RIP ACTBLUE AFTER DEM FUNDRAISING GIANT HIT WITH SUBPOENA “That’s why we recognize that the fight to restore Black folks has to be so much more substantive,” she added. Lee’s resolution cites U.S. slavery, Jim Crow laws, and other racially discriminatory laws and policies to justify spending trillions of dollars supporting the descendants of Black Americans in the U.S. BLACK CAUCUS CHAIR ACCUSES TRUMP OF ‘PURGE’ OF ‘MINORITY’ FEDERAL WORKERS Lee’s push comes after Rep. Ayanna Pressley, D-Mass., introduced her own legislation in February calling for a federal commission to study U.S. slavery and reparation proposals. “We are in a moment of anti-Blackness on steroids and we refuse to be silent,” Pressley said at the time. “We will not back down in our pursuit of racial justice.” The bill aims to create a federal commission charged with investigating the enduring impacts of slavery and its aftermath, along with developing concrete proposals for reparations to African Americans who are descendants of slaves, Pressley said. Democratic politicians in blue states, including California, in recent years have floated reparations as a way to atone for what proponents describe as a legacy of racist policies that created disparities for Black people in housing, education and health. HOUSE DEMS ORGANIZE RAPID RESPONSE TASK FORCE AND LITIGATION GROUP TO COMBAT TRUMP AGENDA Democrats on the Hill and in California have pushed for passage of reparations legislation, with other cities and states proposing ideas for reparations.
Texas bill seeking to keep toxic “forever chemicals” off farmland misses key deadline
Supporters say the bill would protect farmland in Texas. Opponents say limiting PFAS chemicals in biosolids will force water utilities to look at other disposal methods, which will lead to higher utility bills.
Pressing deadlines, unfinished business: Where the Legislature stands on abortion, water, property tax and more
A raft of social conservative priorities backed by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick hang in the balance, including efforts to infuse more religion into public schools.
An agency tasked with protecting immigrant children is becoming an enforcement arm, current and former staffers say
The Office of Refugee Resettlement’s welfare mission appears to be undergoing a stark transformation as President Donald Trump seeks to ramp up deportation numbers, current and former officials told The Texas Tribune and ProPublica.
House Republicans spark outrage with bilingual post as GOP infighting intensifies
People pilloried the House GOP in response to a tweet from the House Republicans X account that declared, “We need to get Americans off the sidelines.” As the post has been inundated with backlash, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., was among those who weighed in. “Americans got off the sidelines and handed us the majority in November. It’s the House GOP that is not passing President Trump’s executive orders, making DOGE cuts permanent, and hasn’t completed the big beautiful bill. Getting ratioed in comments is how Americans feel,” Greene wrote. REP. MARJORIE TAYLOR GREENE AIRS FRUSTRATIONS, WARNS THAT SHE REPRESENTS A ‘NOT HAPPY’ REPUBLICAN BASE BlazeTV host Auron MacIntyre slammed House Republicans, writing, “How about you pass one decent bill you clowns.” “Americans got off the sidelines to get you elected. You’re squandering it,” Mark Mitchell of Rasmussen Reports declared in a post. Separately, a bit less than an hour before sharing that widely-panned post, the House GOP X account tweeted a post that included both English and Spanish — that post also sparked criticism. HOUSE REPUBLICANS FACE DOWN DEM ATTACKS, PROTESTS TO PULL ALL-NIGHTER ON TRUMP’S ‘BIG, BEAUTIFUL BILL’ “House Republicans believe in every American’s potential to thrive by embracing the power of work. Los Republicanos en la Cámara creemos en que cada ciudadano americano tiene el potencial de prosperar y beneficiarse de las oportunidades de trabajo,” the post read. Rep. Brandon Gill, R-Texas, fired back, “Is this a joke, @HouseGOP? We’re in America. We represent Americans. We don’t pander in foreign languages. Speak English.” In another tweet, the congressman declared, “‘Press 2 for English’ is a losing message, @HouseGOP.” “America First! Now press one for English,” MacIntyre wrote, adding, “You don’t hate the Republican Party enough.” HOUSE REPUBLICANS UNVEIL NEW FOOD STAMP WORK REQUIREMENTS FOR TRUMP’S ‘BIG, BEAUTIFUL BILL’ Conservative commentator Matt Walsh of the Daily Wire wrote, “Fire everyone associated with this account.
Trump meets with Syria’s interim president after pledging to lift sanctions on war-torn country
President Donald Trump met with Syria’s interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa in Riyadh on Wednesday, a day after lifting all sanctions on Syria, marking a major shift in policy. The last time a meeting between the two countries’ leadership was with former President Bill Clinton in 2000. Trump met with al-Sharaa for an informal chat on the sidelines of the Gulf Cooperation Council, where he was set to address leaders as part of his four-day regional tour. TRUMP SAYS HE’LL DROP SANCTIONS ON SYRIA IN MOVE TO NORMALIZE RELATIONS Trump stated at the summit this was a step toward peace and rebuilding relations with Syria’s government. “We are currently exploring normalizing relations with Syria’s new government, as you know, beginning with my meeting with President Ahmed Al-Shara and Secretary Rubio’s meeting with the Syrian Foreign Minister in Turkey after discussing the situation with Crown Prince Mohammed,” Trump said at the broader summit. “I’m also ordering the cessation of sanctions against Syria to give them a fresh start. It gives them a chance for greatness. The sanctions were really crippling, very powerful,” he said. Syrians were seen and heard celebrating the announcement by Trump that he would move to lift sanctions on the beleaguered Middle Eastern nation. TRUMP’S MIDDLE EAST TOUR BEGINS WITH SYRIA LOOMING AS STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITY A statement from Syria’s Foreign Ministry called the announcement “a pivotal turning point for the Syrian people as we seek to emerge from a long and painful chapter of war.” Trump says he feels strongly that this new endeavor will give Syria a great chance at a fresh start. “I felt very strongly that this would give them a chance,” said the president. “It’s not going to be easy anyway, so it gives them a good, strong chance. And it was my honor to do so, so we will be dropping all of the sanctions on Syria, which I think really is going to be a good thing.” U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is also scheduled to meet with his Syrian counterpart later in the week.