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First on Fox: Republican launches second straight bid to flip Democrat-held Senate seat in key battleground

First on Fox: Republican launches second straight bid to flip Democrat-held Senate seat in key battleground

EXCLUSIVE – Former Rep. Mike Rogers, who was the GOP Senate nominee in Michigan in last year’s election, is launching a second straight Republican run for the Senate in the crucial Great Lakes battleground state. Rogers, a former FBI special agent who later served as chair of the House Intelligence Committee during his tenure in Congress, announced his candidacy in the 2026 Senate race to succeed retiring Democratic Sen. Gary Peters in a video that was shared nationally first with Fox News. “As your next senator, I won’t just represent Michigan, I’ll fight for it,” Rogers emphasizes in his video announcement. Highlighting his long career in the military, the FBI, and as an elected state and federal lawmaker, Rogers says that he is “running to serve as your next senator because service is what I’ve always done. Michigan, let’s get to work.” A LIKELY BRUISING SENATE BATTLE IN BATTLEGROUND MICHIGAN HEATS UP AS THIS CANDIDATE ENTERS THE RACE And in his video, Rogers also spotlights his support for President Donald Trump, saying “I’ll stand with President Trump, and we will deliver on the mandate given to him by the American people….for me it will always be America and Michigan first.” Rogers won the 2024 GOP Senate nomination in Michigan but narrowly lost to Rep. Elissa Slotkin, the Democrats’ nominee, in last November’s election in the race to succeed longtime Democratic Sen. Debbie Stabenow, who retired. Slotkin, who vastly outspent Rogers, edged him by roughly 19,000 votes, or a third of a percentage point. WILL THIS BLUE STATE REPUBLICAN END THE GOP’S 20-YEAR LOSING STREAK IN HIS STATE? The Senate seat in Michigan is one of three held by the Democrats that the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) is planning to heavily target as it aims to expand the GOP’s current 53-47 majority in the chamber. The other two are in New Hampshire, where longtime Democratic Sen. Jeanne Shaheen is retiring rather than running for re-election in 2026, and Georgia, where the GOP considers a first-term Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff vulnerable. While Rogers is the first major Republican to enter the Senate race in Michigan, he may not have the field to himself. Longtime Republican Rep. Bill Huizenga told Fox News last week that as soon as Peters announced earlier this year that he wouldn’t seek re-election, “my phone started to ring and it hasn’t stopped ringing.” LONGTIME HOUSE REPUBLICAN WEIGHS SENATE BID IN KEY BATTLEGROUND Huizenga, who was first elected to the House in 2010 and represents Michigan’s 4th Congressional District, which covers parts of the southwestern part of the state, highlighted that he’s getting “encouragement” to seek the Senate from “grassroots folks,” as well as donors. As for his timetable, Huizenga said: “I’m still going to do my evaluation here, and need to kind of push through on the fundraising and need to make sure that I’m able to get the support that I really need to have to be able to do this kind of run.” ONLY ON FOX NEWS: SENATE REPUBLICAN CAMPAIGN CHAIR REVEALS HOW MANY SEATS HE’S AIMING FOR IN 2026 An endorsement by Trump, whose sway over the GOP is stronger than ever, is expected to play a significant role if there’s a contested Republican Senate primary in Michigan. And while Trump has yet to weigh in on the race, Rogers earlier this year hired veteran Republican strategist and 2024 Trump co-campaign manager Chris LaCivita as a senior advisor. LaCivita remains close to the president and his political team in the White House. Rogers in 2022 and early 2023 mulled a 2024 Republican presidential nomination run of his own, and had a few critical comments of Trump at the time. But Rogers later became a strong supporter of the then-former president and Trump endorsed Rogers in the 2024 Michigan Senate race in March of last year, after clinching the GOP presidential nomination. WHY PETE BUTTIGIEG SAID NO TO RUNNING FOR THE SENATE NEXT YEAR IN MICHIGAN Besides Rogers and Huizenga, business executive, conservative commentator and 2022 Republican gubernatorial nominee Tudor Dixon has said she’s seriously mulling another run for governor, or for the Senate, in 2026. And Republican businessman and auto dealership executive Kevin Rinke, who ran for governor in 2022, is also thought to be considering another statewide run next year. Earlier this month, Michigan state Sen. Mallory McMorrow launched a campaign for the Democratic Senate nomination. Reps. Kristen McDonald Rivet and Haley Stevens are considering a run, as is Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel.  Last month, Pete Buttigieg, a 2020 Democratic presidential candidate who later served as Transportation Secretary in former President Joe Biden’s administration, ruled out a campaign after seriously considering a bid.

Scoop: GOP group dedicated to electing Republicans at state level spotlights record fundraising haul

Scoop: GOP group dedicated to electing Republicans at state level spotlights record fundraising haul

FIRST ON FOX: A GOP organization dedicated to electing Republicans to state legislative and executive offices across the nation is spotlighting what it calls a “record” fundraising haul during the first three months of the year. The Republican State Leadership Committee (RSLC) announced on Monday that, along with its strategic policy partner, the State Government Leadership Foundation, it raked in a combined $13 million in fundraising during the January-March first quarter of 2025.  The group, in sharing their figures first with Fox News, highlighted that it was their “best-ever first-quarter fundraising haul,” and follows what they describe as “a historic 2023-2024 election cycle,” when the two groups combined raised $102 million. Showcasing their grassroots appeal, the group noted that they brought in over $2.2 million online, with 5,130 new online donors and an average online donation of $24.68. THIS WELL-KNOWN REPUBLICAN GOVERNOR WILL NOT SEEK RE-ELECTION IN 2026 “This record-breaking fundraising achievement highlights the enthusiasm behind the results Republicans are delivering at the state level,” RSLC President Edith Jorge-Tuñón emphasized in a statement to Fox News.  “While we’re proud of this milestone, we must stay alert. Recent elections show Democrats are ready to invest unlimited resources in down-ballot races, taking advantage of low turnout to build momentum for the 2025-2026 cycle. We need to be proactive in countering these efforts,” she added. THIS DEMOCRATIC SENATOR IS RUNNING FOR GOVERNOR  At the time this story was posted, the rival Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee had yet to report its first-quarter fundraising figures. Two legislative chambers changed control in the 2024 elections, both in favor of the Republicans. Minnesota’s House flipped from Democratic control to a tie, and Michigan’s House flipped from the Democrats to the GOP. CAN REPUBLICANS END THEIR TWO-DECADE-LONG ELECTORAL LOSING STREAK IN THIS STATE? According to the nonpartisan National Conference on State Legislatures, Republicans currently control 58 of the nation’s 98 state legislative chambers (Nebraska’s technically non-partisan is not included), with the Democrats in control of 38 chambers and two divided. Republicans control 28 of the 50 state legislatures, with Democrats in control of 18 and three legislatures divided. Additionally, Republicans have total control (state house majority in both chambers and control of the governor’s office) in 23 states, compared to 15 for the Democrats, with 11 states divided.

Trump’s 13th week in office expected to include tariff negotiation blitz, visit from El Salvador leader

Trump’s 13th week in office expected to include tariff negotiation blitz, visit from El Salvador leader

President Donald Trump’s 13th week in office is expected to include ongoing tariff negotiations revolving around his reciprocal, customized duty tax plan, as well as a visit from El Salvador’s president.  On Wednesday, Trump put a 90-day pause on reciprocal, customized tariffs he had imposed on dozens of nations, which was an abrupt change of course after saying there would not be a pause to them, just negotiations. Simultaneously, the Trump administration upped the ante on its tariff on China to 125%.  Now, the administration, including Trump, is diving into negotiations with foreign nations to strike deals that are beneficial to the U.S. and lower the country’s chronic trade deficit, according to officials.   An administration official told Fox News Digital last week that Trump will be personally involved in the negotiations, including taking direct phone calls from fellow world leaders. Trump will serve as the “final decision maker” of the negotiations, and he is “very invested” in securing the best trade deals for the U.S., the admin official said.  ‘DEAL-MAKER-IN-CHIEF’: BEHIND THE SCENES OF TRUMP’S TARIFF PAUSE, WHERE HE HAS FINAL SAY OVER NEGOTIATIONS “The American people elected President Trump because he’s a deal-maker, and he’s going to be the deal-maker-in-chief to make this happen,” the source said. SCOTT BESSENT SAYS UP TO 70 NATIONS WANT TO NEGOTIATE OVER TRUMP’S TARIFFS Tariffs are expected to be a focal point of the week as Democrats continue lobbing attacks at Trump over the duty taxes and pausing the customized tariffs on the same day they took effect.  On Monday, Trump will meet with El Salvador President Nayib Bukele at the White House. Bukele has emerged as a key ally to the administration regarding immigration policies, including by accepting illegal immigrants of any nationality facing deportation in the U.S. and booking them into El Salvador’s notorious prison system. Those deported to El Salvador from the U.S. have suspected ties to vicious gangs, such as Tren de Aragua or MS-13.  El Salvador’s CECOT prison is known as the nation’s most notorious prison. The prison, which can hold 40,000 inmates, was built to house gang members in a country that held one of the highest murder rates in the world before violence dropped in recent history. Prisoners at CECOT are blocked from receiving visitors and can only attend hearings virtually, while the prison itself blocks any cell signal to ensure gang members cannot contact criminals still on the street, various media reports have detailed.  EL SALVADOR TAKES IN HUNDREDS OF VENEZUELAN GANG MEMBERS FROM US, EVEN AS JUDGE MOVES TO BLOCK DEPORTATIONS “Looking forward to seeing President Bukele, of El Salvador, on Monday! Our Nations are working closely together to eradicate terrorist organizations, and build a future of Prosperity,” Trump posted to Truth Social on Saturday, confirming the meeting this week.  “President Bukele has graciously accepted into his Nation’s custody some of the most violent alien enemies of the World and, in particular, the United States. These barbarians are now in the sole custody of El Salvador, a proud and sovereign Nation, and their future is up to President B and his Government. They will never threaten or menace our Citizens again!” The Department of Government Efficiency’s Elon Musk, as well as Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, both previewed that the “Trump Gold Card” would be operational in the coming days. Trump explained earlier this year that the U.S. would offer a $5 million card that grants foreigners the ability to live and work in the U.S., as well as a path to citizenship.  TRUMP VOWS TO REFUND, DEPORT ANY ‘UNSAVORY’ IMMIGRANTS WHO TRY FOR CITIZENSHIP UNDER POTENTIAL ‘GOLD CARD’ “We’re going to be selling a gold card,” Trump said from the Oval Office back in February. “You have a green card. This is a gold card. We’re going to be putting a price on that card of about $5 million and that’s going to give you green card privileges, plus it’s going to be a route to citizenship. And wealthy people will be coming into our country by buying this card.” “[I’m] working with Howard [Lutnick] to get that, the Trump gold card, operational hopefully in the next week or so,” Musk said during a Cabinet meeting with Trump last week.  “That’ll be very exciting,” Trump responded. “That’s a pathway to citizenship into the United States.” Trump is kicking off his 13th week back in the Oval Office with a clean bill of health after White House physician Capt. Sean Barbabella released the president’s annual physical results on Sunday.  “President Trump remains in excellent health, exhibiting robust cardiac, pulmonary, neurological and general physical function,” Barbabella said, reporting that Trump “exhibits excellent cognitive and physical health and is fully fit.” The president spent the weekend in Florida, including attending a UFC match on Saturday in Miami alongside members of his cabinet, and flew back to Washington, D.C., on Sunday evening. 

President Trump bids ‘HAPPY EASTER!’ as Christian holiday approaches: ‘We need God’

President Trump bids ‘HAPPY EASTER!’ as Christian holiday approaches: ‘We need God’

President Donald Trump declared “HAPPY EASTER!” in a Truth Social post on Palm Sunday, which falls a week before Easter Sunday. “This Holy Week, Christians around the World remember the Crucifixion of God’s Only Begotten Son, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ and, on Easter Sunday, we celebrate His Glorious Resurrection and proclaim, as Christians have done for nearly 2,000 years, ‘HE IS RISEN!’” the president declared in the social media post. “Through the pain and sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross, we saw God’s boundless Love and Devotion to all Humanity and, in that moment of His Resurrection, History was forever changed with the Promise of Everlasting Life,” he continued. WHITE HOUSE PLANS ‘EXTRAORDINARY’ HOLY WEEK AS TRUMP HONORS EASTER WITH ‘THE OBSERVANCE IT DESERVES’ “As we approach this Joyous Easter Sunday, I want to wish Christians everywhere a Happy and very Blessed Holiday. America is a Nation of Believers. We need God, we want God and, with His help, we will make our Nation Stronger, Safer, Greater, more Prosperous, and more United than ever before. Thank you, and HAPPY EASTER!” The president also spoke out on the topic in a “Presidential Message on Holy Week, 2025” that the White House issued on Sunday. “This Holy Week, Melania and I join in prayer with Christians celebrating the crucifixion and resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ—the living Son of God who conquered death, freed us from sin, and unlocked the gates of Heaven for all of humanity,” the message begins. TRUMP CHAMPIONS JESUS’ ‘MIRACULOUS RESURRECTION’ IN PALM SUNDAY MESSAGE VOWING TO ‘DEFEND THE CHRISTIAN FAITH’ In the message, the president pledged that his “Administration renews its promise to defend the Christian faith in our schools, military, workplaces, hospitals, and halls of government. We will never waver in safeguarding the right to religious liberty, upholding the dignity of life, and protecting God in our public square.” Trump, who narrowly escaped assassination last year, has previously said that he believes his life was saved by God. INSIDE DONALD TRUMP’S RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD, IN HIS OWN WORDS: ‘I WAS SAVED’ CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP “I was saved by God to make America great again. I believe that,” he said last month during his address before a joint session of Congress. The president recently underwent an annual physical exam and has been deemed to be “in excellent health,” by the physician to the president.

Democrats warn state ‘trigger’ laws could end opioid treatment for thousands if Medicaid sees cuts

Democrats warn state ‘trigger’ laws could end opioid treatment for thousands if Medicaid sees cuts

EXCLUSIVE: A panel of bicameral Democrats will release a report Monday that seeks to claim substantive cuts to Medicaid could lead to more than 100,000 beneficiaries immediately losing access to subsidized medication treatment for opioid use amid the fentanyl crisis. Sen. Maggie Hassan, D-N.H., the top Democrat on the Congressional Joint Economic Committee, told Fox News Digital both the Trump administration and Congress agree that addiction treatment is crucial in combating the fentanyl crisis.  “[A]s this new report highlights, Medicaid is what enables one million people to get medication-assisted treatment for opioid addiction, the gold standard of addiction care,” Hassan said of the minority panel’s findings. “President Trump and Congressional Republicans have proposed gutting Medicaid— in order to pay for tax breaks for corporate special interests and billionaires — which would jeopardize addiction care just as our country is finally starting to see progress in addressing the fentanyl crisis.” DEMOCRATIC SEN. HASSAN SPOTLIGHTS DIFFERENCES WITH BIDEN BUT SAYS PRESIDENT ‘ALWAYS WELCOME’ IN NH Several states have laws that would go into effect and immediately halt certain Medicaid expansion subsidies if federal Medicaid funding to those states is cut. In the report, Hassan’s caucus provided footnoted figures for several states, including her home state, where Medicaid expansion would be curtailed under any Medicaid appropriation cut. Eight states would automatically terminate Medicaid expansion if its federal funding share falls below 90%. Arizona, as one other example, reportedly has a trigger law set at 80%. “President Trump and Congressional Republicans have proposed gutting Medicaid— in order to pay for tax breaks for corporate special interests and billionaires,” Hassan claimed. ZOMBIE DRUG SMUGGLED ACROSS SOUTHERN BORDER A GROWING THREAT TO AMERICANS, DOCTOR WARNS “[That] would jeopardize addiction care just as our country is finally starting to see progress in addressing the fentanyl crisis.”  The report also found the CDC recently announced an estimated 24% drop in overdose deaths from 2023 to 2024 – the lowest since COVID. CDC reportedly pointed to addiction patients’ access to medication and “evidence-based treatment” contributing to the decline. Besides its high-profile immigration and trafficking enforcement endeavors, the White House last week released a dossier focusing on its drug policy priorities. One priority includes efforts to provide “treatment that leads to long-term recovery.” According to the policy outline, the Trump administration will seek to “increase the number of individuals receiving evidence-based treatment and achieving long-term recovery from addiction and substance-use disorders.” “Effective treatment and robust community-based recovery support services are key to ensuring that individuals struggling with addiction and substance-use disorders can find recovery and lead productive, healthy lives,” the White House said in the document. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP “The Administration will ensure effective, timely, and evidence-based treatment is available to all Americans who need it.” The administration will also bolster overdose prevention education and meds like Naloxone (Narcan).  “We will encourage state and local efforts facilitating law-enforcement-assisted diversion to connect people who use drugs with supportive services that divert them from incarceration and reduce recidivism,” the White House said in its proposal. But, Hassan’s panel warned Trump’s well-intended plans to expand access to medication-assisted opioid treatment could face a roadblock if state trigger laws nix Medicaid coverage.