Redistricting battles brewing across the country as parties compete for power ahead of 2026 midterms
Ahead of the rapidly approaching 2026 midterms, Republicans and Democrats in states across the country are engaged in heated redistricting battles. What started with Texas’ effort to redraw its congressional map earlier in 2025 has led to other states, including California and Missouri, to do the same. Now, redistricting battles are shaping up in Florida, Illinois, Kansas, Maryland and Virginia. Florida Republicans are engaged in a fight over the creation of a House map that has the potential to net the GOP several seats, The Hill reported. Currently, Republicans hold 20 of Florida’s 28 congressional districts. Despite the fact that a Florida House redistricting panel has already met twice to begin the process, Gov. Ron DeSantis, R-Fla., and state Senate Republican leadership appear to be interested in holding off on the discussion until a special session in spring. However, some fear that this could be too late, as April 20 is the deadline for federal candidates to qualify and file paperwork. Florida Republicans are also facing challenges because of language in the state’s constitution that puts tight restrictions on gerrymandering, NBC News noted. INDIANA SENATE REPUBLICANS REJECT TRUMP-BACKED REDISTRICTING PUSH, DECLINE TO MEET IN DECEMBER Democrats could possibly pick up more seats in Illinois, but the move has gained little ground. Black lawmakers have expressed concerns that a new map could undermine minority representation, according to NBC News. Gov. JB Pritzker, D-Ill., said his state could be forced to respond if neighboring Indiana were to move forward with its own redistricting effort. However, he later applauded Indiana when it rejected a new map. “Our neighbors in Indiana have stood up to Trump’s threats and political pressure, instead choosing to do what’s right for their constituents and our democracy,” Pritzker wrote on X. “Illinois will remain vigilant against his map rigging — our efforts to respond and stop his campaign are being heard.” After Indiana rejected their map, Illinois state Sen. Willie Preston, D, urged Pritzker to drop the idea, The Hill reported, noting that others have suggested that the Prairie State is still mulling the move. Jon Maxson, a spokesperson for Illinois House Speaker Emanuel Chris Welch, told The Hill in an email that “all options remain on the table in Illinois.” Illinois faces a larger issue, as the November candidate filing deadline has already passed. TRUMP’S REDISTRICTING PUSH GAINS STEAM IN ANOTHER KEY STATE: ‘WE WILL STAND WITH THE PRESIDENT’ Kansas is the other major redistricting target for Republicans. GOP lawmakers in the Sunflower State have said that they would discuss redrawing the map when they reconvene this month. However, just last year, lawmakers tried but failed to bring the issue forward. Kansas Republicans need two-thirds support in the Legislature to hold a special session to address the map. While State House members didn’t have enough support for the issue, Republicans were able to secure enough signatures in the state Senate, The Hill reported. Additionally, they will need to override a veto by Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly. Kelly recently told the Kansas Reflector that she would be “surprised if they even really bring it up.” “I don’t think a lot has changed in terms of where legislators stand on the issue,” she added. In November, Kansas Senate President Ty Masterson (R), who’s running for Kansas governor, claimed in a statement that “California Democrats are working overtime to silence Republicans and steal the House majority.” “Even Governor Laura Kelly admitted that there’s a bigger risk in doing nothing. On that, we agree. States across America are standing up, and Kansas will be part of that fight,” he added. SCOTUS ALLOWS TEXAS TO USE TRUMP-PUSHED REDRAWN CONGRESSIONAL REDISTRICTING MAP FAVORING REPUBLICANS Maryland Democrats have resisted pressure to redraw maps. In November, Gov. Wes Moore, a Democrat, formed a redistricting commission to explore the issue despite a lack of appetite for the move within his own party. The commission voted in secret to move forward with the plan, to the dismay of Democrat critics. Maryland Senate President Bill Ferguson, a Democrat, has been a vocal opponent of redistricting. “The overwhelming majority do not want a new congressional map,” Ferguson said in a statement, according to The Hill. “They want their government focused on fostering growth, affordability, and real protections against this lawless federal Administration.” The commission is asking the public about congressional map proposals ahead of the state’s Feb. 24 candidate filing deadline. In late October, just before the state’s gubernatorial election, Virginia Democratic lawmakers took a major first step in a complex political maneuver aimed at redrawing the state’s congressional map. Democrats were able to pass an amendment to the state’s Constitution to allow lawmakers to temporarily redistrict mid-decade by 2030, The Hill noted. The amendment will need to be passed again in the spring or summer before voters can have their say. The lawmakers now have the help of additional Democrats in the state’s Legislature following the November 2025 elections. “Our congressional delegation is 6-5 — six Democrats, five Republicans. Ten-1 is not out of the realm,” Virginia House Speaker Don Scott said in early December, according to NBC News. If voters approve of the referendum, lawmakers would be able to pass a new map ahead of the 2026 midterms. The Hill noted that Republicans are highly likely to challenge a new map in court.
Trump regrets handing Dems health ‘ammunition’ with October scan — clarifies it was a CT, not an MRI
President Donald Trump revealed he had received a CT scan, and not an MRI scan, during a medical checkup in October that the president and his administration have repeatedly underscored showed normal and healthy results. “It wasn’t an MRI,” Trump told the Wall Street Journal in an article published New Year’s Day. “It was less than that. It was a scan.” Trump’s health has drawn fresh scrutiny in recent months, including after reports said he underwent an MRI during an October visit to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Maryland. The October checkup was Trump’s second of 2025, after an April visit in which the White House physician, Navy Capt. Sean P. Barbabella, said the president “remains in exceptional health.” Trump’s CT clarification comes as Democrats and liberal media outlets question his fitness, citing his 79 years of age, bruising on his hands and reports of swollen ankles. Trump told the Wall Street Journal he regrets taking the scan. TRUMP CLAIMS WHITE HOUSE DOCTORS REPORT HIM IN ‘PERFECT HEALTH,’ SAYS HE ‘ACED’ THIRD STRAIGHT COGNITIVE EXAM “In retrospect, it’s too bad I took it because it gave them a little ammunition. I would have been a lot better off if they didn’t, because the fact that I took it said, ‘Oh gee, is something wrong?’ Well, nothing’s wrong,” Trump said. MRI and CT scans are both imaging tests, with CT scans using X-rays to create internal cross-section images, while MRI scans use magnet technology and radio waves to capture similar internal images. MRI scans typically gather more detailed images, while CT scans are more frequently used in emergency situations or a patient’s initial evaluations as they produce faster results than MRIs. Trump has repeatedly battled concern over his mental and physical fitness, including Friday morning, when he reported that he had “aced” his third cognitive exam. 2025 LOOKBACK: MEDIA’S CREDIBILITY FRACTURES AGAIN AFTER BIDEN MENTAL DECLINE EXPOSED “The White House Doctors have just reported that I am in “PERFECT HEALTH,” and that I “ACED” (Meaning, was correct on 100% of the questions asked!), for the third straight time, my Cognitive Examination, something which no other President, or previous Vice President, was willing to take,” Trump posted to Truth Social Friday. He added that he “strongly” supports a mandatory cognitive exam for any politician running for vice president or president, citing the U.S. can’t be run by “‘STUPID’ or INCOMPETENT PEOPLE!” Barbabella told Fox News Digital in a statement Friday that doctors had initially told Trump that they would perform either an MRI or a CT scan on him during the October visit, and yielded “perfectly normal” results. “In order to make the most of the president’s time at the hospital, we recommended he undergo another routine physical evaluation to ensure continued optimal health,” Barbabella said. “As part of that examination, we asked the president if he would undergo advanced imaging — either an MRI or CT Scan — to definitively rule out any cardiovascular issues. The president agreed, and our team of consultants performed a CT Scan. As we revealed in the post-examination report, the advanced imaging was perfectly normal and revealed absolutely no abnormalities.” Barbabella added that Trump’s overall examinations show that his health is that of a man 14 years younger than his 79 years of age. EXCLUSIVE: INSIDE TRUMP’S PRIVATE SCHEDULE AS MEDIA FIXATES ON HIS HEALTH “President Trump’s medical evaluations and laboratory results continue to show excellent metabolic health, and have revealed his cardiovascular health puts him 14 years younger than his age. Overall, the President remains in exceptional health and perfectly suited to execute his duties as Commander in Chief,” Barbabella told Fox News Digital. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement to Fox News Digital Friday that the additional details on Trump’s October scan continues his vow to be a transparent leader “and has nothing to hide, unlike his predecessor Joe Biden, who hid from the press and lied about his clear physical and mental decline,” the New York Post reported. Trump’s health and age has sparked mounting criticism among media outlets and Democrats on social media, swollen legs in July while attending a soccer game, as well as other photos that showed him with bruises on his hands, and others that allegedly show him nodding off during public events. Outlets such as The New York Times have reported that Trump is allegedly “facing the realities of aging” while in office. Leavitt said in July that Trump’s swollen legs were part of a “benign and common condition” for individuals older than age 70, while the bruising on his hands was attributable to “frequent handshaking and the use of aspirin.” Trump said during his Wall Street Journal interview that he historically has taken more aspirin than doctors recommend, citing that he doesn’t want to change his decadeslong routine as he’s “a little superstitious” “They say aspirin is good for thinning out the blood, and I don’t want thick blood pouring through my heart,” Trump told the outlet. “I want nice, thin blood pouring through my heart. Does that make sense?” TRUMP MOCKS CBS REPORTER ON AIR FORCE ONE AS HE DEFENDS MRI RESULTS Trump also hit back against claims he falls asleep during meetings and other public events, saying photos promoted by critics allegedly showing him falling asleep are simply moments that capture him blinking. “Sometimes they’ll take a picture of me blinking, blinking, and they’ll catch me with the blink,” Trump said. The focus on Trump’s health follows the media’s relative silence over concerns regarding former President Joe Biden’s mental acuity, which conservatives had cited as a cause for concern ahead of the 2020 election. Biden did not face an outpouring of criticism from both the left and right of the political spectrum until June 2024, however, when the federal election was at a fever pitch, and Biden delivered a failed debate performance that showcased him tripping over his words, appearing to lose his train of thought and other
Israel accuses Mamdani of pouring ‘antisemitic gasoline’ after he revokes Adams executive orders
Israel tore into New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani after he revoked a pair of executive orders signed by former Mayor Eric Adams that supported the Jewish state. “On his very first day as New York City mayor, Mamdani shows his true face: He scraps the IHRA definition of antisemitism and lifts restrictions on boycotting Israel,” Israel’s Foreign Ministry wrote in a post on X. “This isn’t leadership. It’s antisemitic gasoline on an open fire.” On day one in office, Mamdani revoked all orders issued by Adams after he was indicted on federal corruption charges, including one that barred city agencies from boycotting or divesting from Israel. GOP SENATOR CALLS MAMDANI’S NETANYAHU ARREST VOW A ‘GRAVE THREAT’ AS HE INTRODUCES DEFUND BILL Another order had adopted a sweeping definition of antisemitism defined by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA), which included “demonizing Israel and holding it to double standards as forms of contemporary antisemitism” or denying the Jewish people’s right to have a national homeland. While all orders on or after Sept. 26, 2024 — the day of Adams’ indictment — have been revoked to “ensur[e] a fresh start for the incoming administration,” City Hall officials insist Mamdani will reissue the executive orders that he still supports. Another rescinded order had directed the NYPD to bolster enforcement around religious sites by establishing protest-free buffer zones near churches, synagogues and mosques. Adams’ critics had said the IHRA order violated First Amendment protections of free speech. SOCIALIST MAYOR MAMDANI INAUGURATED ALONGSIDE BERNIE SANDERS AND AOC ON NEW YEAR’S DAY The city’s right-leaning Jewish leaders slammed the revocations. Brooklyn City Councilwoman Inna Vernikov said the IHRA definition of antisemitism “protects from discrimination Jews who believe in self-determination and provides clarity on the definition.” “We need to enforce federal law that’s already in place here, because the pro-Hamas antisemites emboldened by [Mamdani] are coming!” she added. The city’s first Muslim mayor, who was sworn in on a pair of family Qurans, has been branded a “jihadist communist” and a “terrorist” sympathizer by critics like New York GOP Rep. Elise Stefanik. Mamdani has taken positions sharply critical of Israel that break with the long-standing consensus among New York elected officials in a city with the largest Jewish population in the U.S. Mamdani has repeatedly described Israel as an apartheid state, accused it of committing genocide in Gaza, and said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu should be arrested. Pressed repeatedly during the campaign on whether he supports Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish state, Mamdani responded: “I’m not comfortable supporting any state that has a hierarchy of citizenship on the basis of religion or anything else. I think that in the way that we have in this country, equality should be enshrined in every country in the world.” Mamdani has also said he will not tolerate antisemitism in New York and vowed to increase funding to combat hate crimes.
Trump claims White House doctors report him in ‘perfect health,’ says he ‘aced’ third straight cognitive exam
President Donald Trump kicked off 2026 by claiming that White House doctors gave him another clean bill of health. “The White House Doctors have just reported that I am in ‘PERFECT HEALTH,’ and that I ‘ACED’ (meaning, was correct on 100% of the questions asked!), for the third straight time, my Cognitive Examination, something which no other President, or previous Vice President, was willing to take,” Trump wrote in a Truth Social post on Friday. “P.S., I strongly believe that anyone running for President, or Vice President, should be mandatorily forced to take a strong, meaningful, and proven Cognitive Examination,” he added. “Our great Country cannot be run by ‘STUPID’ or INCOMPETENT PEOPLE!” JAKE TAPPER SUGGESTS HE COVERS TRUMP’S AGE TO MAKE UP FOR OVERLOOKING BIDEN Trump, who will turn 80 on June 14, 2026, has faced growing scrutiny over his health, something that was the focus of his recent interview with The Wall Street Journal. He told the newspaper that he regretted undergoing advanced imaging in October, saying it gave way to increased questions about his health. “In retrospect, it’s too bad I took it because it gave them a little ammunition,” Trump told the Journal. “I would have been a lot better off if they didn’t, because the fact that I took it said, ‘Oh gee, is something wrong?’ Well, nothing’s wrong.” In October, Trump had a cardiovascular and abdominal scan, something that Navy Capt. Sean P. Barbabella, the physician to the president, noted in a memorandum to White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt. In his report, Barbabella stated that the evaluation, which he described as being part of the president’s “ongoing health maintenance plan,” included advanced imaging, lab tests and preventative health assessments. Barbabella stated that “Trump continues to demonstrate excellent overall health” and noted that the president “continues to maintain a demanding daily schedule without restriction.” Leavitt read Barbabella’s report during a press briefing on Dec. 1. The summary that Leavitt read clarified that, “Advanced imaging was performed because men in his age group benefit from a thorough evaluation of cardiovascular and abdominal health.” The summary noted that the imaging was done as a preventative measure “to identify any issues early, confirm overall health and ensure the president maintains long term vitality and function.” The summary noted that Trump’s cardiovascular and abdominal imaging were “perfectly normal.” Additionally, it said that “all major organs appear very healthy.” EXCLUSIVE: INSIDE TRUMP’S PRIVATE SCHEDULE AS MEDIA FIXATES ON HIS HEALTH While Trump maintained that scrutiny and speculation about his health were unwarranted, the Journal reported that those close to the president said they had to speak loudly in meetings because he struggles to hear. The outlet also noted that the president has been criticized for seeming to fall asleep during recent White House events, something Trump denies. Trump told the Journal that he didn’t fall asleep at recent events, saying that he likes to close his eyes because he finds it “very relaxing.” He also blamed some of the incidents on photo timing, saying that, “Sometimes they’ll take a picture of me blinking, blinking, and they’ll catch me with the blink.” The president also denied that he struggles with his hearing. The Journal reported that “Trump grew sarcastic” when asked about it, saying “I can’t hear you. I can’t hear you. I can’t hear a word you’re saying.” He then said that he sometimes has trouble hearing “when there’s a lot of people talking.” Health was a central issue of the 2024 presidential race, particularly before then-President Joe Biden dropped out. Trump has often accused Biden of concealing the true extent of his health issues with the public. Speculation about Biden’s struggles were fueled by his lack of interactions with the press and reluctance to take part in unscripted exchanges. The 46th president’s apparent cognitive issues became increasingly clear when he struggled during a debate with Trump in June 2024. During the debate, Biden appeared to lose his train of thought and stumbled over words. The White House did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
Critics say Mamdani’s vow to swap ‘rugged individualism’ with ‘warmth of collectivism’ has sinister undertone
Freshly inaugurated New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, a self-described Democratic socialist, promoted “collectivism” over “rugged individualism” during a speech on Thursday, and prominent conservative figures nationwide responded by sounding the alarm about collectivist ideology. “We will replace the frigidity of rugged individualism with the warmth of collectivism,” Mamdani declared in his inaugural address. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis — a Republican who pursued the GOP presidential nomination during the past election cycle but ultimately dropped out and endorsed President Donald Trump — raised the matter of the massive death toll associated with collectivism. HOURS AFTER TAKING OFFICE, NYC MAYOR MAMDANI TARGETS LANDLORDS, MOVES TO INTERVENE IN PRIVATE BANKRUPTCY CASE “The ‘warmth’ of collectivism that always requires coercion and force. How many dead over the past 100 years due to collectivist ideologies?” DeSantis wrote in a post on X. House Republican Conference Chair Rep. Lisa McClain of Michigan called Mamdani a “communist,” a label which he has previously rejected. DESANTIS WARNS GOP FACES ‘ISSUE’ KEEPING TRUMP VOTERS ENGAGED IN FUTURE ELECTIONS “Zohran Mamdani is a dangerous communist who is likely to DESTROY NYC through his dedication to communist ideology. Let’s be clear: COMMUNISM HAS FAILED everywhere it has been tried. NYC will be no different,” she asserted in a post on X. Mamdani said last year during an appearance on “The View” that he is “not a Communist.” Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, responded to Mamdani’s controversial remark on Thursday by asserting, “When communists rule, individual rights — invariably — are taken away.” NYC MAYORAL CANDIDATE ZOHRAN MAMDANI DENIES TRUMP’S ‘COMMUNIST’ LABEL ON ‘THE VIEW’ “Collectivism isn’t warm,” Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, declared in a post. “It’s as cold as ice and locks the poor into perpetual poverty,” he continued. “Free markets have elevated more people out of poverty than any government program ever could.” CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, who is running for Lone Star State attorney general, asserted in a post, “The Marxist and the Islamist are the enemy. The Mayor of New York is both.”
Minnesota fraud scandal intensifies debate over stripping citizenship
A massive fraud scandal tied to taxpayer-funded daycare, Medicaid and social services programs in Minnesota — involving potentially billions of dollars in suspicious billing — is prompting renewed scrutiny of whether some naturalized Americans obtained U.S. citizenship under false pretenses and whether denaturalization could now be used more aggressively. The fallout has already led the Department of Health and Human Services to freeze certain childcare payments to Minnesota, citing alleged fraud involving daycare providers throughout the past decade. Immigration authorities have confirmed they are reviewing whether fraud uncovered in Minnesota could provide the legal basis to revoke U.S. citizenship from naturalized individuals who concealed or misrepresented material facts during the immigration process. Denaturalization is legally constrained, requires individualized civil court proceedings and historically has been used sparingly. KAROLINE LEAVITT WARNS ‘PEOPLE WILL BE IN HANDCUFFS’ AS FEDS ZERO IN ON MINNESOTA FRAUD SCANDAL Attorney David Schoen said it remains legally viable but under extraordinary circumstances. He said on Fox News the process would likely trigger “significant” court challenges but “it is legally possible. In an extraordinary circumstance, we’d have to know the facts.” Schoen emphasized that immigration law already provides clearer mechanisms for removing noncitizens, particularly lawful permanent residents who violate the law, describing denaturalization as a far more extraordinary step requiring fact-specific scrutiny. COMER SUMMONS MINNESOTA OFFICIALS AS HOUSE PROBES MASSIVE SOCIAL SERVICES FRAUD White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said on “Fox & Friends” that the administration is “not afraid to use denaturalization,” and confirmed that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the State Department are “looking at” whether citizenship could be revoked in connection with those of Somali origin in the Minnesota fraud probe. DHS confirmed it is actively reviewing immigration and naturalization cases involving migrants from 19 countries of concern, including Somalia, to determine whether any individuals obtained U.S. citizenship through fraud that could warrant denaturalization. “Under U.S. law, if an individual procures citizenship on a fraudulent basis, that is grounds for denaturalization,” DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said in a statement to Fox News. The review focuses on whether fraud occurred during the immigration or naturalization process, including false statements or marriage fraud used to obtain legal status or citizenship. DHS stressed that denaturalization is governed by strict legal standards and applies only under limited circumstances. President Donald Trump weighed in on the Minnesota investigations Wednesday, sharply criticizing the state’s handling of fraud and linking the scandal to illegal immigration in a Truth Social post. “Much of the Minnesota Fraud, up to 90%, is caused by people that came into our Country, illegally, from Somalia,” Trump wrote. “Lowlifes like this can only be a liability to our Country’s greatness,” he added. “Send them back from where they came, Somalia, perhaps the worst, and most corrupt, country on earth.” Federal prosecutors say their investigation has expanded to suspicious billing across 14 Medicaid-funded programs, where providers billed about $18 billion since 2018. A preliminary assessment cited by prosecutors suggests “half or more” of that amount could be fraudulent. The widened probe builds on yearslong scrutiny of Minnesota following some of the largest benefit-fraud cases ever prosecuted in the state, including a pandemic-era food aid scheme involving roughly $250 million in alleged losses. Federal officials say those cases exposed systemic weaknesses in oversight that may extend across multiple aid programs. HHS CUTS OFF MINNESOTA CHILD CARE PAYMENTS OVER ALLEGED DAYCARE FRAUD SCHEME Minnesota is home to one of the largest Somali communities in the country. Census Bureau–based estimates suggest roughly 260,000 people of Somali descent live in the U.S. and close to 100,000 are in Minnesota. Republican lawmakers argue that fraud on such a scale raises broader questions about whether individuals involved were truthful throughout the immigration process — and whether citizenship should shield offenders who obtained it through deception. House Majority Whip Tom Emmer, R-Minn., called for the deportation of all Somali immigrants involved in fraud cases in Minnesota. SENATE PRESSURE MOUNTS AS MINNESOTA FRAUD SCANDAL CONTINUES TO UNFOLD “I have three words regarding Somalis who have committed fraud against American taxpayers: Send them home. If they’re here illegally, deport them immediately; if they’re naturalized citizens, revoke their citizenship and deport them quickly thereafter. If we need to change the law to do that, I will,” he wrote on X. The renewed focus on denaturalization also aligns with broader efforts inside the Trump administration to tighten the naturalization process itself. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Director Joseph Edlow has previously criticized the current citizenship test as “too soft,” calling for deeper civics knowledge and more rigorous English evaluation throughout the naturalization interview. Historically, the federal government has pursued only a small number of denaturalization cases each year. Civil liberties groups warn that expanding its use could raise due-process concerns, teeing up a potential legal battle.
The economic policies shaping Trump’s return to the White House
From sweeping tax cuts and aggressive trade policy to sharp market swings and renewed inflation concerns, President Donald Trump’s return to the White House was defined by economic decisions that reshaped the U.S. economy and sent ripple effects through global markets. In his first year back in office, Trump moved quickly to translate that agenda into policy, reviving and expanding key initiatives that affected fiscal policy, trade and household finances. Here’s a look at some of his key economic policies so far. Central to Trump’s economic agenda, his trade policy relies heavily on tariffs as a tool to generate revenue and exert leverage over foreign trading partners. Since Trump announced his “Liberation Day” tariffs in April, total duty revenue reached $215.2 billion in fiscal year 2025, which ended Sept. 30, according to the Treasury Department’s Customs and Certain Excise Taxes report. That momentum has carried into the new fiscal year, with the government collecting $96.5 billion in duties since Oct. 1, according to the latest Treasury statement. Trump administration officials argue the tariffs will reduce chronic trade imbalances, revive U.S. manufacturing and strengthen national security. Critics, however, warn that higher tariffs could raise costs for American consumers and invite retaliation from U.S. trading partners — risks they say are not reflected in the budget’s assumptions. The tariff strategy now faces a legal test, with the Supreme Court expected to rule in the new year on Trump’s authority to impose certain tariffs. TRUMP SAYS TARIFF REVENUE TO FUND $2K CHECKS FOR AMERICANS, LOWER NATION’S $38T DEBT The cases — Learning Resources Inc. v. Trump and Trump v. V.O.S. Selections Inc. — brought by an educational-toy manufacturer and a family-owned wine and spirits importer, center on whether the International Emergency Economic Powers Act granted Trump power to issue tariffs, or whether it crossed constitutional limits. Trump has described the cases as “life or death” for the nation’s economic and national security agenda. Signed into law on July 4, Trump’s landmark One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) is a sweeping tax and spending package that builds on the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), enacted during his first term, while introducing new federal initiatives. The bill extends tax cuts originally enacted under the TCJA that were scheduled to expire at the end of this year, preventing a broad tax increase for individuals. Several provisions are made permanent, including lower individual income tax rates and an expanded standard deduction. Other provisions are extended temporarily, reshaping the tax landscape for households and businesses while adding new programs aimed at long-term savings. FIVE MAJOR POLICIES TO KNOW FROM THE ONE BIG BEAUTIFUL BILL ACT Beyond tax policy, the legislation and its implementation also reflect the administration’s broader priorities. The Trump administration has ramped up efforts to bar undocumented immigrants from a range of taxpayer-funded benefits, framing the move as part of a broader campaign to reduce government waste. Tucked into the OBBBA, Trump accounts are a new government-created investment program for children. Individuals can contribute up to $5,000 per year to a Trump account. The accounts are funded through a combination of federal seed money, private contributions from families and, when applicable, supplemental deposits from employers or nonprofit organizations. ‘TRUMP ACCOUNTS,’ EXPLAINED: WHO QUALIFIES, HOW THEY WORK AND WHEN YOU CAN CLAIM The program is scheduled to become available in mid-2026, with initial contributions beginning after July 4, 2026. The money is largely locked in until the child reaches adulthood. During what the IRS calls the “growth period” — from birth until Jan. 1 of the year the child turns 18 — funds generally cannot be withdrawn, even in cases of financial hardship. ‘TRUMP ACCOUNTS’ FOR NEWBORNS COULD GROW TO $1.9M, TREASURY SAYS The Department of Treasury estimates that the Trump accounts could accumulate into a seven-figure balance by early adulthood if families maximize contributions and allow the funds to grow. A fully funded account could reach as much as $1.9 million by age 28, according to the Treasury’s Office of Tax Analysis. At the lower end of projected returns, the savings account could still yield nearly $600,000 over the same period. Even without additional contributions beyond the federal government’s initial $1,000 deposit, Treasury estimates the account could grow to between $3,000 and $13,800 over 18 years. Trump has made affordability a central promise of his return to the White House, but delivering on that pledge has put him on a collision course with the Federal Reserve. Trump has repeatedly pressed the central bank to cut interest rates, arguing that high borrowing costs are squeezing households and slowing key sectors such as housing and autos. While the Fed doesn’t set the price of groceries or cars, its interest-rate decisions heavily influence how expensive it is to borrow money — and for now, borrowing remains costly. TRUMP SAYS HE’S CHOSEN NEXT FED CHAIR AS AFFORDABILITY PRESSURES RISE Elevated rates have pushed up monthly payments on mortgages, car loans and credit cards, even when the price of a home or vehicle hasn’t changed. As a result, everyday life can still feel more expensive. That dynamic has become a political vulnerability for Trump, as high borrowing costs in the housing and auto markets continue to fuel voter frustration. The president has placed much of the blame on Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell, accusing him of moving too slowly to cut rates while simultaneously pointing to a strong economy. Powell and other Fed officials have said their decisions are guided by incoming economic data, including inflation and labor-market trends, rather than political pressure. Powell, who Trump appointed in 2017, is set to complete his term in May 2026, keeping the standoff between the White House and the central bank firmly in place.
Here are the key 2026 House and Senate races to watch that could decide control of Congress
With margins tight in both chambers, control of Congress in 2026 is expected to hinge on a small group of competitive Senate contests and House districts sensitive to national trends. As America plunges into a new year, here are the races that are most likely to define the midterm races. Senate Republicans are looking to maintain their razor-thin majority after flipping the upper chamber in 2024. There are 33 seats in-cycle in the forthcoming midterms, which often act as a check on an incumbent president’s performance. The GOP is hoping to replicate the Election Day successes that helped preserve its majority at the midpoint of President Donald Trump’s first term, entering 2026 with what many analysts consider a favorable map. Why it matters: Georgia is the top prize of Senate Republicans and their campaign arm, the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC). Incumbent Sen. Jon Ossoff, D-Ga., is vulnerable in his first attempt at re-election to the Senate and will be met with the full weight of the NRSC’s campaign war chest. SENATE REPUBLICAN CAMPAIGN CHAIR REVEALS HOW MANY SEATS HE’S AIMING FOR IN 2026 What to watch: Before the general election, Republicans will first have to let the dust settle on a bloody, four-way primary fight among Reps. Buddy Carter, R-Ga., Mike Collins, R-Ga., former University of Tennessee head football coach Derek Dooley and horse trainer Reagan Box. Republicans’ prized candidate, Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp, opted not to enter the contest, leaving a wide open playing field for the GOP to fight over. Why it matters: In the heat of the Senate advancing Trump’s “big, beautiful bill,” Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., announced his retirement. What would likely have been a gimme race for the GOP has now turned into a wide open contest for an open seat. SOCIALIST WINS PILE UP AFTER GOP’S BRUTAL 2025 OFF-YEAR ELECTION LOSSES What to watch: Democrats believe they can flip the seat for the first time since 2008 and hope that former North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper will carry them to victory and provide a crucial win to tip the balance of power. Republicans scored their preferred candidate, too, in former Republican National Committee Chair Michael Whatley. He will have a primary challenge though from Michele Morrow. Why it matters: Similar to North Carolina, Democrats lost their incumbent Sen. Gary Peters, D-Mich., to retirement. Both parties are now gunning for the open seat, but Democrats’ have a tangled primary to survive first before their true candidate emerges. 4 KEY SENATE SEATS REPUBLICANS AIM TO FLIP IN 2026 MIDTERMS TO EXPAND THEIR MAJORITY What to watch: Rep. Haley Stevens, D-Mich., state Sen. Mallory McMorrow and physician Abdul El-Sayed, are all in on the Democratic side, while Trump and Republicans have coalesced behind former Rep. Mike Rogers, who narrowly lost to Sen. Elissa Slotkin last year. Why it matters: Incumbent Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, is Senate Democrats’ top target in the midterms. Collins, who is looking to score a sixth term in the Senate, could face a formidable opponent in the general election with the full backing of Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., or an upstart progressive candidate that’s looking to throw a wrench into Democrats’ plans. THE GOP’S TAKE ON HIGH-PROFILE SENATE DEMOCRATIC PRIMARIES: ‘THEY’RE IN SHAMBLES’ What to watch: There are several local candidates that have jumped in on both sides of the race, but the main contenders are Collins, popular Democratic Gov. Janet Mills and oyster farmer Graham Platner, who has rubbed shoulders with progressive heavyweights Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y. Why it matters: Sen. Jon Husted, R-Ohio, who was appointed to replace Vice President JD Vance earlier this year, will look to finish out the remaining two years of his predecessor’s term. But he’ll face a tough opponent in former Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, who narrowly lost last year. TIM SCOTT TELLS MAGA VOTERS TRUMP ‘IS ON THE BALLOT’ AS GOP FIGHTS TO GROW SENATE MAJORITY IN 2026 What to watch: Schumer and Democrats scored their best chance at picking up a seat in Ohio, again trying to turn the state purple after Brown’s loss to Sen. Bernie Moreno, R-Ohio. And there will be eye-popping amounts of money thrown at this contest. Why it matters: Democrats took yet another hit from the retirement train when Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., announced she’d leave Congress at the end of her term. That has opened up the field to several familiar Republican names jumping into the contest in the hopes of turning part of the Granite State red. What to watch: Republicans have two prime candidates, former Sen. John Sununu, R-N.H., and former Rep. Scott Brown, R-Mass., who also served as an ambassador for Trump, to pick from. Meanwhile, Rep. Chris Pappas, D-N.H., is the likely heir apparent on the Democratic side. Control of the House is likely to hinge on fewer than two dozen districts nationwide, as both parties focus their resources on a small set of competitive seats that could decide the chamber. The battlegrounds span suburbs, rural communities and diverse metro areas, underscoring how varied the path to a majority has become. Why it matters: With GOP Rep. Gabe Evans defending the seat, Colorado’s 8th District remains one of the most competitive House districts in the country. Drawn as a true swing seat after redistricting, it has flipped parties in back-to-back cycles and is often decided by slim margins. CORNYN TORCHES DEMOCRATIC FIELD, SAYS PARTY NOW ‘RULED BY SOCIALISTS’ What to watch: Whether Latino and working-class voters break decisively toward one party and whether the race is decided by a narrow margin. A comfortable win here typically signals momentum heading into other battleground House races. Why it matters: With a history of close results, Iowa’s 1st District is once again a top battleground as Republican Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks seeks re-election. 5 PIVOTAL 2026 SENATE RACES WILL DETERMINE WHETHER REPUBLICANS MAINTAIN GOVERNING TRIFECTA UNDER TRUMP What to watch: The district spans college towns, rural counties and small manufacturing hubs, creating an electorate
Trump says US will intervene if Iran starts killing protesters: ‘Locked and loaded’
President Donald Trump warned early Friday that the U.S. would intervene if Iran started killing protesters. Writing on Truth Social, the president said if Iran shoots and “violently kills peaceful protesters, which is their custom, the United States of America will come to their rescue.” “We are locked and loaded and ready to go,” Trump said. Trump’s warning comes as demonstrations triggered by Iran’s deteriorating economy expand beyond the capital and raise concerns about a potential heavy-handed crackdown by security forces. At least seven people — including protesters and members of Iran’s security services — have been reported killed during clashes, according to international reporting. IRANIAN PROTESTERS CLASH WITH SECURITY FORCES AS TEAR GAS FILLS TEHRAN STREETS AMID NATIONWIDE UNREST Ali Larijani, a former parliament speaker who serves as the secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, pushed back on Trump’s post, writing on X that, “With the statements by Israeli officials and Donald Trump, what has been going on behind the scenes is now clear. We distinguish between the stance of the protesting shopkeepers and the actions of disruptive actors, and Trump should know that U.S. interference in this internal matter would mean destabilizing the entire region and destroying America’s interests.” “The American people should know — Trump started this adventurism. They should be mindful of their soldiers’ safety,” Larijani added. The threat came after Iran launched an attack on Al-Udeid, the American airbase in Qatar, in June 2025. The base is home to 10,000 American forces and is the U.S.’s largest military installation in the Middle East. Located southwest of Doha, it serves as a hub for logistical operations for the U.S. mission to fight ISIS in Iraq and Syria. At the time, Iran vowed to retaliate against the U.S. after American B-2 bombers dropped 14 bunker buster bombs on three Iranian nuclear sites. In the recent Iranian demonstrations, some of the most severe violence has been reported in western Iran, where videos circulating online appeared to show fires burning in streets and the sound of gunfire during nighttime protests. “We are to blame… Do not look for America or anyone else to blame. We must serve properly so that people are satisfied with us…. It is us who have to find a solution to these problems,” Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Thursday, according to Reuters. The unrest marks Iran’s most significant protests since 2022, when the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in police custody sparked nationwide demonstrations. Officials say the current protests have not yet reached the same scale or intensity, but they have spread to multiple regions and include chants directed at Iran’s theocratic leadership. Iran’s civilian government under reformist President Masoud Pezeshkian has signaled a willingness to engage with protesters, but the administration faces limited options as the country’s economy continues to deteriorate. Iran’s currency has sharply depreciated, with roughly 1.4 million rials now required to buy a single U.S. dollar, intensifying public anger and eroding confidence in the government. TRUMP HINTS AT REGIME CHANGE IN IRAN WHILE DECLARING ‘MAKE IRAN GREAT AGAIN’ AFTER US STRIKES State television reported the arrests of several people accused of exploiting the unrest, including individuals it described as monarchists and others allegedly linked to Europe-based groups. Authorities also claimed security forces seized smuggled weapons during related operations, though details remain limited. The demonstrations come amid heightened regional tensions following a 12-day conflict with Israel in June, during which the United States bombed Iranian nuclear sites. Iranian officials have since said the country is no longer enriching uranium, attempting to signal openness to renewed negotiations over its nuclear program to ease sanctions. However, talks have yet to resume, as both Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have warned Tehran against reconstituting its nuclear capabilities — adding further pressure on Iran’s leadership as protests continue.
SBA suspends nearly 7,000 Minnesota borrowers over suspected $400M pandemic loan fraud
The Small Business Administration (SBA) announced Thursday that it suspended 6,900 Minnesota borrowers after uncovering what it says is widespread suspected fraud. SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler said the agency reviewed thousands of Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) loans approved in Minnesota, and identified nearly $400 million in potentially fraudulent loans tied to borrowers in Minnesota. “These individuals will be banned from all SBA loan programs, including disaster loans, going forward,” Loeffler wrote on X. Loeffler said the agency will refer appropriate cases to federal law enforcement for prosecution and repayment. TRUMP TARGETS MINNESOTA FRAUD ALLEGATIONS, SAYS ‘WE’RE GOING TO GET TO THE BOTTOM OF IT’ “After years, the American people will finally begin to see the criminals who stole from law-abiding taxpayers held accountable — and this is just the first state,” she stated. The suspected fraudulent activity included 7,900 PPP and EIDL loans approved during the COVID-19 pandemic, Loeffler said. The announcement comes as Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and his administration face scrutiny over billions of dollars in social services fraud. MINNESOTA FRAUD COMMITTEE CHAIR CLAIMS WALZ ‘TURNED A BLIND EYE’ TO FRAUD WARNINGS FOR YEARS Loeffler sent a letter Tuesday to Walz on Dec. 23, telling him that her agency will “halt” more than $5.5 million in annual support to resource partners in the state “until further notice.” “I am notifying you that effective immediately and until further notice, the SBA is halting the disbursement of federal funds to SBA resource partners operating in the state of Minnesota, totaling over $5.5 million in annual support,” Loeffler wrote. The SBA said that at least $2.5 million in PPP and EIDL funds issued during the pandemic era were connected to a Somali fraud scheme based in Minneapolis. HHS CUTS OFF MINNESOTA CHILD CARE PAYMENTS OVER ALLEGED DAYCARE FRAUD SCHEME Loeffler told Walz that $430 million in PPP funds tied to roughly 13,000 loans were flagged as potentially fraudulent but still funded anyway, including some that were forgiven during the Biden administration. “The volume and concentration of potential fraud is staggering, matched in its egregiousness only by your response to those who attempted to stop it,” she wrote. Fox News Digital has reached out to Walz’ office for comment. Fox News Digital’s Charles Creitz contributed to this report.