California mayor’s hot mic catches candid exchange after audience sends meeting off rails
A live microphone exposed a behind-the-scenes conversation between Sacramento’s mayor and vice mayor as they discussed whether disruptive protesters could be barred from future city council meetings after a heated immigration-related debate descended into chaos. “We should go over this disruptions thing, because if we want to ban somebody in the future, like to take them out, we have to point out specifically…” Vice Mayor Karina Talamantes is heard saying. “I know, but the city attorney said we can’t do that,” Mayor Kevin McCarty replied. “We did it last time,” Talamantes responded. GOP SENATORS RALLY AROUND NEW DHS PROPOSAL TARGETING SANCTUARY CITIES: ‘SHOULD PAY A PRICE’ “We can’t,” McCarty said, shaking his head. “I spent my first six months going over this. I wanted to give people, like, probation, like, you can’t come…” Talamantes then appeared to realize the microphone was still live and quickly reached over to switch it off before continuing the conversation, according to the publicly available city council livestream reviewed by Fox News Digital. The awkward exchange unfolded Tuesday after Sacramento City Council recessed and ordered the public removed from the chambers following repeated disruptions during a fiery debate over the city’s continued participation in a regional intelligence-sharing center. The confrontation escalated after Talamantes defended accepting federal funding for the Central California Intelligence Center, or CCIC, arguing Sacramento’s sanctuary city policies and immigrant protections made the city better suited to oversee the grant than other jurisdictions. “The city of Sacramento is a sanctuary city,” Talamantes said during the meeting. “If we don’t pass these dollars, other counties will apply for these dollars, they will get those dollars and we will have no safeguards to protect our immigrant communities here in Sacramento.” Dozens of speakers had earlier urged the council to reject the agreement, arguing the intelligence center could facilitate information sharing with federal immigration authorities and undermine Sacramento’s sanctuary city policies. Police officials repeatedly disputed those claims during the meeting, telling council members Sacramento does not share personal identifying information for civil immigration enforcement and complies with California’s sanctuary law, known as SB 54. DHS LAWYER SAYS UCLA ‘UTTERLY FAILED’ TO STOP PROTEST CHAOS AT LAW SCHOOL APPEARANCE As public comment grew increasingly heated, one speaker repeatedly demanded McCarty pay attention. “Kevin, I need your f—ing eyes. Kevin, listen to me. Stop being an a–hole, dude. Listen to your f—ing constituents,” the speaker shouted. Following Talamantes’ remarks, another round of shouting erupted inside the council chambers. WATCH: HEARING DERAILS AS PURPLE-HAIRED DEM POINTS FINGER, SCREAMS AT CHAIR TO PUT DHS CHIEF ‘IN HIS PLACE’ “You’re a pick-me b—-,” one attendee shouted at Talamantes, while others yelled, “Shame on you.” McCarty responded with what he described as a “final notice.” “This is the final notice,” the mayor said. “We’re going to continue with the deliberation, and if there’s any more outbursts, we’re gonna have to ask the audience to leave.” Seconds later, the disruptions intensified. “You can’t do this behind closed f—ing doors!” one attendee shouted. “We are the community,” another yelled. “You represent us. You are our f—ing audience,” another voice exclaimed as council members attempted to continue the meeting. Council officials then paused the meeting and cleared the chambers after repeated disruptions prevented deliberations from continuing. Following the meeting, McCarty said the private conversation focused on existing meeting procedures, not new restrictions. “Every Tuesday, Vice Mayor Talamantes and I are responsible for overseeing and ensuring transparent, accessible, and open Council meetings,” McCarty said in a statement to Fox News Digital. “Unfortunately, when meetings are repeatedly disrupted, we must discuss existing policies and rules to ensure Council meetings remain effective, orderly, and respectful for both the residents in attendance and the Councilmembers. We are committed to ensuring that all members of the public can access and engage safely without distraction or intimidation.” The Sacramento City Attorney’s Office declined to address McCarty’s reference to legal advice during the hot-mic exchange. “The City Attorney’s Office has no comment and will not be providing comment on this matter,” the office said in a statement to Fox News Digital. The city’s published meeting rules state that members of the public receive two minutes per agenda item and may speak on no more than four items during a meeting, limits intended to help the council conduct city business. The hot-mic exchange quickly drew criticism from some activists, who argued Talamantes appeared interested in silencing vocal opponents. Joshua Masias, a volunteer organizer with the Sac Immigration Committee, told The Sacramento Bee the conversation showed an authoritative approach toward members of the public. “It’s very authoritative how she wants to use her power,” Masias told the outlet. “It stuck out to me that she was the only one to try to silence the crowd.” Resident Leanna Hunt, one of the council’s most outspoken critics, also defended the protesters’ frustration. “I’m fed up,” Hunt told the Bee. “It’s not even a tactic — I’m just tired of being treated like we are an audience and that the king is deigning to see us peasants today and when the peasants are unruly, the king gets upset.” Fox News Digital reached out to Vice Mayor Talamantes’ office, Sacramento Police Department and the Sac Immigration Committee for additional comment.
Massachusetts Democratic Party chairman admits to sufficient facts in June drunken driving case
The leader of the Massachusetts Democratic Party was arrested during a traffic stop on alleged drunken driving charges last month and days later admitted to prosecutors there were sufficient facts to support a conviction, according to state court records. A judge on June 15 — two days after the traffic stop in the town of Southborough — continued the operating under the influence (OUI) liquor charge without a finding after Steve Kerrigan, chairman of the state’s Democratic Party, entered an “admission to sufficient facts,” a Massachusetts legal disposition in which a defendant acknowledges prosecutors have enough evidence to obtain a conviction, according to Westborough District Court records. In addition to the OUI charge, Kerrigan, 54, faced a negligent operation charge and a marked lanes violation. The negligent operation charge was dismissed, and he was found not responsible for the marked lanes violation. The judge sentenced Kerrigan to a year’s probation, suspended his driver’s license for 45 days, ordered him to pay $600 in fees and required him to complete an impaired driving education program. COLORADO DEMOCRATS FORMALLY CENSURE GOV POLIS OVER TINA PETERS COMMUTATION Kerrigan was elected chair of the Massachusetts Democratic Party in 2023. He was the Democratic nominee for lieutenant governor in 2014, and previously served as an executive with the Democratic National Convention Committee. He also serves as president and CEO of the Edward M. Kennedy Community Health Center. According to a Southborough Police Department report, an officer stopped Kerrigan shortly after midnight on June 13, after observing his BMW traveling on or over the lane divider. The officer wrote that Kerrigan’s eyes appeared “glassy” and “bloodshot red” and that his speech was slow and slurred. The report states the officer could not detect the smell of alcohol because of what was described as an “overwhelming odor of cologne.” FLORIDA MAN ARRESTED FOR DUI AFTER TROOPERS ALLEGEDLY FIND 34 OPEN ALCOHOL CONTAINERS IN VEHICLE Kerrigan told the officer he was driving home from a restaurant and said he had consumed two beers around 6 p.m. before dinner, according to the report. Police administered field sobriety tests before Kerrigan provided a breath sample that registered a 0.089% blood alcohol content, according to the report. The legal blood alcohol limit in Massachusetts is 0.08%. Kerrigan acknowledged the incident in a statement provided to Boston.com through his attorney, Andrea Levy. “In June, I was pulled over for a marked lanes violation and blew a .089 on the breathalyzer,” Kerrigan said. “I regret and take full responsibility for my actions and their consequences and appreciate the Southborough Police Department and the Westborough Court for their professionalism and service.” The Massachusetts Democratic Party did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
Rubio unveils visa restrictions targeting cybercrime networks
Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced on Thursday a new visa restriction policy targeting foreign nationals responsible for or complicit in cybercrime and cyber-enabled crime. “This policy targets individuals responsible for, or complicit in, cybercrime and cyber-enabled crime, such as those involved in cyberscams, and sextortion,” Rubio said in a statement. Certain immediate family members of people covered by the policy may also be subject to the State Department’s new visa restrictions, according to Rubio. TRUMP LAUNCHES GOLD EAGLE TO HUNT CYBER FLAWS WITH AI President Donald Trump signed an executive order earlier this year titled “Combatting Cybercrime, Fraud, and Predatory Schemes Against American Citizens” directs federal agencies to develop measures against foreign scam centers, transnational criminal organizations and cyber-enabled financial fraud. The administration, Rubio said, “is taking action to counter an unprecedented threat from online investment scams.” WHAT A SCAMMER SEES THE MOMENT THEY GOOGLE YOUR NAME “Often orchestrated by Chinese transnational criminal organizations, scammers have defrauded U.S. citizens of at least $10 billion in 2024 alone while fueling corruption, money laundering, and human trafficking,” the secretary said. “American children also have been specifically targeted by offenders operating overseas for sextortion scams, devastating families and futures,” he continued. Rubio said the administration is “deploying every tool at our disposal—sanctions, prosecutions, asset seizures, extradition requests, and international law enforcement cooperation—to dismantle criminal scam networks and impose costs on those who enable them.” “By restricting visa issuance to those who are responsible for or complicit in these criminal enterprises, we are sending a clear message: The United States will go after those who prey on our citizens,” he said.
Dem’s stunning ideal standard for immigration detention conditions resurfaces amid Texas senate bid
During a 2019 interview following a visit to border enforcement, James Talarico, candidate for U.S. Senate in Texas, said he gauged the suitability of immigration detention facilities based on how he would treat his own family. “I think I was struck by the conditions these folks were being held in,” Talarico said. “When I first walked in, I looked at one of the security monitors and saw these things strewn around the floor, and I realized they were human beings being held in these tiny rooms. The standard I use is: would I allow my child, my parent, my grandparent to be held in one of these facilities? And the answer, after my visit, was a resounding no,” Talarico said. His resurfaced comments continue to raise questions about his views on border policy as he looks to flip a Republican-held Senate seat in Texas. PROGRESSIVE TALARICO KNIFES BIDEN’S OPEN BORDER, TRIES MODERATING STANCE ON KEY ISSUES IN TEXAS SENATE RACE During his campaign, Talarico has drawn scrutiny for walking a tightrope between traditionally Democratic criticisms on President Donald Trump’s border enforcement measures and appearing too soft on border policy. Like progressives in the party, Talarico has called on lawmakers to “tear down” Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), has characterized voter ID requirements as a method to rig elections and, in the past, even criticized President Barack Obama’s record on immigration. In one 2019 remark, Talarico famously called Obama the “deporter-in-chief.” His past comments have left some observers believing his record makes the case for him. “There is a very concerning pattern with James Talarico siding with pedophiles, criminal illegal aliens and cartels while slandering the brave men and women of law enforcement who keep Texans safe,” Zach Kraft, a spokesperson for the Republican National Committee (RNC), said in a statement, referring to detentions highlighted by the Department of Homeland Security. ICE ARRESTS 15 ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS WITH CONVICTIONS INCLUDING HOMICIDE, RAPE AND CHILD SEX CRIMES OVER WEEKEND “Talarico is a true radical and fully committed to defunding the police, knocking down President Trump’s border wall and welcoming millions of illegal aliens into America,” Kraft added. At the same time, Talarico has voiced concern about the government’s effective use of resources on the border and whether its investments are being reflected in its detention operations. He raised the issue in the 2019 interview. “How are we spending close to a billion dollars every year on border security when these border patrol agents told us firsthand they didn’t have the resources, basic logistical items that would help the situation better for them and for the people being held?” Talarico said. Talarico argued that poor standards don’t speak to individual facility needs but rather reflect broader problems with immigration enforcement. “This is not a matter of some bad apples at a Border Patrol station. This is a systemic problem that even the Border Patrol agents identified as something morally wrong and something that needed to be solved,” Talarico said in an interview. “I believe this is a statewide problem; this is a stain on all of our reputations. It violates a lot of the values we have as Texans.” Texas spent roughly $800 million on border security in 2019, according to the state’s legislative budget board. TALARICO MAKES STUNNING CLAIM ABOUT WHY HE THINKS TEXAS ELECTIONS AREN’T ‘FREE AND FAIR’ When pressed for more details about Talarico’s ideal detainment conditions a reality, his campaign pointed to his border security plan he recently unveiled and noted that he has also raised concerns about border security ineffectiveness under the Biden administration. “James supports stronger border security and safe, secure, and humane detention facilities. He’s the only candidate in this race to unveil a border security agenda endorsed by Republicans and Democrats that will add more border patrol agents and improve technology at the border to better detect threats. For too long, both parties have failed our border communities by grandstanding on the issue instead of finding real solutions. James is running for Senate to keep our country safe by deporting criminals instead of locking up moms, babies and small business owners who have been contributing to our economy for decades,” a campaign spokesperson said. Having secured the Democratic nomination, Talarico will face Republican nominee Ken Paxton in the Nov. 3 general election.
Secret Service agent on JD Vance’s detail investigated for allegedly leaking operational security info
A U.S. Secret Service (USSS) agent assigned to Vice President JD Vance’s security detail is being investigated over allegations of leaking sensitive information. “A member of the Vice Presidential Protective Division is the subject of an administrative investigation, and potential criminal inquiry, involving allegations of compromising operational and information security,” Secret Service Chief of Communications Anthony Guglielmi said in a statement to Fox News. The agency would not comment on the specifics of the case, Guglielmi said, but noted that “any conduct that potentially threatens the safety of a protectee will not be tolerated.” TRUMP SAYS HE’S IRAN’S ‘NO. 1’ TARGET AS RENEWED CONFLICT RAISES ASSASSINATION FEARS The probe came a week after an MS Now report detailed alleged frustrations within Vance’s security detail over last-minute personal and family travel requests. One day after the story was published, MS Now reported Vance’s office canceled a helicopter flight scheduled for his son’s golf lesson. The Trump administration said the proposed use of Marine Two — the call sign for the helicopter carrying the vice president — was for operational reasons. “Compared to a motorcade, it drastically decreased the burden on local law enforcement and eliminated the inconvenience of road closures and disruptions to motorists along the long driving route,” the administration wrote in a statement to Fox News. USHA VANCE MOCKS NEW YORK TIMES FOR DRAWING ‘POLITICAL SIGNIFICANCE’ FROM HER PREGNANCY FASHION The MS Now report noted that current and former Secret Service agents pointed out that prior vice presidents “eschewed using such expensive government perks for the convenience of their children’s schedule.” Agents said the “off-the-record” (OTR) trips sometimes force them to cancel personal plans and require them to construct security plans in a hurry. “The detail is tired of them not giving notice on things and making everything an OTR,” a person familiar with the detail’s frustration told the news outlet. “[Vance] thinks he can still move around like a U.S. senator.” A Vance spokesperson told Fox News the family is grateful to the Secret Service. IRAN-BACKED PROXIES SABOTAGING LEBANON PEACE AS JD VANCE LEADS US DELEGATION TO SWITZERLAND, HERZOG SAYS “While protecting a vice president with a large policy portfolio and a young and growing family presents a unique challenge, agents of the Secret Service do so with excellence every day,” the spokesperson said. Meanwhile, USSS Deputy Director Matthew Quinn said that all special agents understand the commitment required to serve on a protective detail. “Our agents work tirelessly to ensure protectees’ safety and security, while also preserving normalcy to the extent possible,” Quinn told Fox News. “We are committed to supporting our personnel, which requires around-the-clock dedication and discipline. This is a job that requires absolute dedication and discipline. There is no room for compromise.” The frustration among agents reportedly led some to create custom coins and stickers mocking the frequency of Vance’s last-minute travel, referencing the vice president’s Secret Service code name, “Bobcat.” Some coins reportedly read, “Bobcat OTR Survivors Club.” The Trump administration acknowledged that last-minute trips can arise unexpectedly. “Most past presidents and vice presidents have not had young children, and therefore the detail has not been presented with this nature of protective mandate,” the administration told Fox News. “The Vice President is also a very active and involved Vice President, more so than recent officeholders,” the statement continued. “His unprecedented diplomatic role, for example, while critically important, has added new demands for a detail used to operating with lead times that are impossible in high-stakes diplomacy.”
AP post on USAID cuts backfires as critics question taxpayer-funded Nepal transgender jobs
An Associated Press social media post about transgender aid workers in Nepal turning to sex work after losing their jobs due to U.S. foreign aid cuts sparked a wave of conservative backlash, with critics arguing the video made the case for defunding USAID rather than saving it. The AP post said that in Nepal, where “a conservative culture leaves openly transgender people with few legal job options,” around 100 LGBTQ aid workers left jobless by U.S. funding cuts had turned to sex work to survive. An accompanying video focused on Rubi Lama, a former HIV outreach worker who said USAID-funded programs had provided free condoms, lubricant and HIV-prevention medication before the cuts. “When USAID funding was there, condoms were free, lubricant was also distributed … for free,” Lama said in the video, adding that HIV treatments, including PrEP, were also available without cost. “But, now it is gone.” TRUMP ADMINISTRATION TOUTS MORE THAN $1B IN UN BUDGET CUTS AS REFORM PUSH GAINS MOMENTUM The framing quickly drew criticism from conservatives who said the story raised the opposite question: why American taxpayers were funding those programs in the first place. Rep. Brandon Gill, R-Texas, was among the conservatives who argued the AP report made the opposite point from the one intended. “Our tax dollars no longer fund employment for transgender Nepalese sex workers,” Gill wrote on X. “Thank you for reminding us why defunding USAID was long overdue.” “Wow very grateful that my tax dollars are no longer funding a bunch of random trannies in Asia,” mocked Daily Wire host Matt Walsh “Is that the point you were trying to make or did you expect us to be somehow sad about this?” SOCIALIST-BACKED MICHIGAN SENATE HOPEFUL CALLS AMERICAN POLITICS A ‘DISEASE’ AFTER PROFESSING LOVE FOR US The backlash comes after President Donald Trump, immediately upon returning to office, ordered a 90-day pause on new foreign development assistance obligations and disbursements while his administration reviewed whether programs aligned with his foreign policy. USAID later told partners to pause new funding obligations and issue stop-work orders or suspensions for existing awards, while critics have said the review led to major disruptions, staff reductions and the cancellation of critical foreign-assistance awards. But Federalist editor-in-chief Mollie Hemingway argued the AP post exposed misplaced priorities, particularly among the media, saying the outlet presented U.S. tax dollars flowing to a “trans Nepalese job protection program” as though it was a good use of public money. “The AP announces that your hard-earned tax dollars were flowing to a trans Nepalese job protection program as if that was an even remotely good use of your money,” Hemingway wrote in a post on X. “AP is sick Democrat propaganda.” “How dare Elon cut USAID funds to the Nepalese trans sex worker community,” quipped Republican activist Jack Posobiec.
Mamdani slow to respond to suspected antisemitic stabbing as Hochul, other NY officials condemn attack
New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani remained silent for serveal hours on what officials described as an antisemitic stabbing in New York City on Thursday afternoon, choosing to instead post about his millionaire housing tax initiative — even as the attack drew attention from other state officials. “I have been briefed on today’s horrifying stabbings on the Upper West Side, where an Asian man and a Jewish man were attacked. According to witness and victim statements, the perpetrator yelled “Allahu Akbar” during both attacks. I am relieved that both victims are in stable condition,” Mamdani wrote in a statement. “The NYPD responded immediately and arrested Raul Morales in connection with both assaults—and I am grateful to the officers for their swift response.” The delayed response from Mamdani played into the fears of some observers that his critical stances towards Israel, views shared by many progressives, are feeding into hesitations about supporting Jewish communities in the U.S. LIBERAL MS NOW WRITER CALLS MAMDANI PRIMARY SWEEP A ‘GENUINELY SCARY NIGHT FOR NEW YORK CITY JEWS’ Councilwoman Inna Vernikov, another member of the New York City Council, more pointedly laid blame with Mamdani. “According to credible reports I received, the attacker was yelling ‘Allahu Akbar’ during his attempted murder. I pray for the speedy recovery of the victims. [Mamdani,] you got blood on your hands,” she wrote. Authorities reported that a 57-year-old man was reportedly attacked near West 84th Street and Central Park West just after 1:30 p.m. local time. He was found conscious and alert with a stab wound to his back. He was taken to a local hospital in stable condition. Investigators later found another 50-year-old man nearby with a stab wound to his torso. He was also conscious and alert and was taken to a nearby hospital. City officials described the violence as an “antisemitic stabbing,” though police have not yet identified a motive or said whether the attacks are being investigated as a hate crime. Raul Morales, the suspect, is in custody, the New York City Police Department (NYPD) told Fox News Digital. NYC REPUBLICAN LAWMAKER SLAMS MAMDANI ANTISEMITISM OFFICE AS A ‘BLACK HOLE’ LACKING PUBLIC-FACING RESOURCES Almost immediately, the incident drew alarm and condemnation from observers, expressing dismay at another instance of violence against the Jewish community in New York City. “Disgusted by what appears to be another senseless attack on New Yorkers simply because they’re Jewish,” New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said in a post to X. “While we await additional details to be confirmed, we know that what is happening in our city is abhorrent. The fear in the Jewish community is real. Every New Yorker deserves to feel safe in their neighborhood, regardless of their faith or identity.” “While we await additional details to be confirmed, we know that what is happening in our city is abhorrent. The fear in the Jewish community is real. Every New Yorker deserves to feel safe in their neighborhood, regardless of their faith or identity,” Julie Menin, speaker of the New York City Council, wrote in a post to X “A man yelling ‘allahu akbar’ stabbed a man in a kippah at 86th and Amsterdam Avenue on the Upper West Side at 1:30 pm today, then likely stabbed someone else at 84th and Central Park West. Has apparently been caught. On the Jewish day of mourning. In Zohran Mamdani’s city,” another observer wrote. Even as the incident captured attention online, Mamdani remained notably silent on the attack. Instead, he made a post on his recent housing tax plan, a strategy to dissuade wealthy New Yorkers from purchasing and keeping an outsized number of residences. “If you have a second home in New York City worth more than $5M, check your mailbox when you’re back in the five boroughs — because you’ve got mail. Today, we sent notification letters to property owners, letting them know that our new pied-à-terre tax is coming soon,” Mamdani wrote at 3:55, almost two and a half hours after the attack. JON STEWART PRESSES MAMDANI ON WHERE HE BREAKS WITH FELLOW DEMOCRATIC SOCIALISTS ON PRISONS AND BORDERS In the first quarter of 2026, the New York Police Department has received 146 hate crime complaints and made 71 arrests, according to police data — an uptick from 137 complaints and 51 arrests in the first quarter of 2025. Mamdani’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment on whether factors behind the scenes had caused a delay in response.
Trump DOJ expands religious liberty protections after major Supreme Court rulings
The Trump administration on Thursday directed federal agencies to give greater consideration to religious liberty when writing regulations, enforcing federal law and accommodating employees’ religious beliefs, marking the first major update to Department of Justice (DOJ) guidance on the issue since 2017. The updated guidance instructs executive agencies to ensure their policies comply with the First Amendment, the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act and recent Supreme Court decisions that have expanded protections for religious exercise. The DOJ, led by Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, said the guidance reflects nearly a decade of new Supreme Court precedent and is intended to ensure federal agencies protect religious Americans in areas including employment, federal contracting, grants, rulemaking and enforcement actions. DOJ ALLEGES ‘SYSTEMATIC CULTURE’ OF ANTI-CHRISTIAN BIAS ACROSS FEDERAL AGENCIES UNDER BIDEN Among the changes, the department said agencies should consider religious-liberty concerns earlier when developing regulations, accommodate religious expression in the federal workplace when required by law, and ensure religious organizations can compete for federal grants and contracts on equal footing with secular organizations. The guidance also reaffirms constitutional protections for churches to govern their own internal affairs and highlights recent Supreme Court rulings recognizing parents’ rights to direct the religious upbringing of their children. “The updated guidance will ensure that the federal government will respect the religious liberty rights of all Americans when implementing the President’s policies,” Kelly Shackelford, president, CEO and chief counsel of First Liberty Institute, said in a statement. GOP LAWMAKERS URGE SUPREME COURT TO STRENGTHEN FIRST AMENDMENT PROTECTIONS FOR STREET PREACHERS Shackelford thanked President Donald Trump “for his strong efforts to protect America’s first freedom—religious freedom.” First Liberty said the guidance references two Supreme Court victories involving the organization. One was Kennedy v. Bremerton School District, in which the Supreme Court ruled that a public high school football coach’s postgame prayer was protected by the First Amendment. The other was Groff v. DeJoy, which held that employers generally must provide religious accommodations unless doing so would impose substantial hardship. According to the DOJ, the Office of Legal Policy will continue working with federal agencies to review proposed regulations and other government actions for compliance with federal religious-liberty protections. The updated memorandum replaces guidance issued during Trump’s first administration in 2017 and incorporates Supreme Court decisions issued since then that the department says have clarified and strengthened constitutional and statutory protections for religious exercise. A DOJ spokesperson did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for additional comment on the practical impact of the updated guidance.
Fox News Poll: Voters oppose the Iran war, see prolonged commitment
Disapproval of President Donald Trump’s handling of Iran hit a record high in July. A majority of voters oppose U.S. military action, and nearly two thirds think the conflict will last at least a year. The latest Fox News survey finds 56% oppose U.S. military action against Iran, including 40% who “strongly” oppose. More Democrats oppose the war (84%) than Republicans support it (76%). FOX NEWS POLL: A CLOSE SENATE CONTEST IS BREWING IN IOWA Voters increasingly expect a long-term commitment. Today, 64% think the war will last a year or more, up 13 percentage points since May. Expectations vary sharply depending on attitudes toward the Iran war. Among supporters, 56% think it will be over in weeks or months, while 80% of opponents expect it to last at least a year. FOX NEWS POLL: VOTERS WANT MAJOR CHANGE AMID ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL DISCONTENT There is also doubt the conflict will produce an agreement. About half think the U.S. will not reach a deal with Iran, while the rest split between expecting a good deal (27%) and a bad one (25%). Roughly half of Democrats, Republicans and independents predict there will be no agreement with the Islamic Republic. Among those anticipating a deal, Democrats are 20 points more likely to expect a bad one, while Republicans are 27 points more likely to expect a good one. Just 34% of voters approve of Trump’s handling of Iran, while 66% disapprove, his worst marks to date. Trump’s overall standing remains steady, but underwater. Thirty-nine percent approve of his job performance, unchanged for the past three months. Sixty-one percent disapprove, tying a previous high. That includes 49% who “strongly” disapprove, matching a record high. For historical context, Trump’s best rating, 49% approve and 49% disapprove, came in April 2020. His current 39% approval is close to former President Joe Biden’s 40% (July 2022) and former President Barack Obama’s 42% (July 2014), during the summer of a midterm election year. Trump continues to receive some of his strongest support from MAGA Republicans (97% approve) and conservatives (72%). But compared to June, his approval has declined to a near record low among rural voters (down 7 points to 44%) and an all-time low among White voters (down 3 points to 41%). Yet the largest change comes among non-MAGA Republicans. Their support has fallen 13 points since last month to 51% approval after hitting 70% at the beginning of Trump’s second term. Trump’s ratings are also underwater on the economy (33% approve, 67% disapprove) and inflation (27-73%). Voters are now divided over which party can better handle immigration. Fifty percent say the Democrats and 49% the Republicans, a meaningful shift since April, when the GOP held an 8-point advantage. Women and voters under age 45 prefer the Democrats on immigration, while men and those ages 45 and older favor the Republicans. “During the Biden administration years, immigration attitudes were often defined by border security considerations,” Republican pollster Daron Shaw, who works on the Fox News Poll with Democratic counterpart Chris Anderson, said. “Today, immigration enforcement and ICE often dominate, eroding the GOP’s edge on the issue.” Immigration remains Trump’s best performing issue in the survey, but his rating is still negative: 42% approve, while 57% disapprove. Views of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) follow a similar pattern. ICE approval stands at 41%, unchanged since early this year, but down from 49% last September. Majorities of Democrats (90%) and independents (68%) disapprove of ICE, while most Republicans approve (79%). Fully 78% of Democrats, and 50% of independents “strongly” disapprove, compared with 53% of Republicans who “strongly” approve. Few voters support allowing all illegal immigrants to remain in the U.S. Just 7% take that position, including 11% of Democrats, 5% of independents, and 2% of Republicans. Instead, 62% favor deporting those who have been charged with crimes while allowing others to stay and eventually qualify for citizenship. That position draws majority support from every demographic group except Republicans (39%), conservatives (41%), and White evangelical Christians (48%). Thirty-one percent favor deporting all illegal immigrants, with support highest among MAGA Republicans at 68%. When asked about their concerns about illegal immigration, voters are most worried about the strain on government services (39%). Smaller shares cite crime (19%), job losses for U.S. citizens (14%), changes to the country’s culture (13%) and terrorism (10%). CLICK HERE FOR CROSSTABS AND TOPLINE Overburdened government programs rank as the top concern across demographic groups. College graduates, those living in high income households, suburban voters and independents are among those most likely to cite it. The immigration findings also reveal a consistent divide within the Republican Party. ICE approval is 91% among MAGA Republicans compared with 59% among other Republicans, one of the widest gaps in the survey. A similar split appears in ratings of Trump’s handling of immigration, with 91% of MAGA Republicans approving compared with 63% of other Republicans. MAGA Republicans are also nearly 30 points more likely to favor deporting all illegal immigrants (68% vs. 41%). Conducted July 17–20, 2026, under the direction of Beacon Research (D) and Shaw & Company Research (R), this Fox News survey includes interviews with a sample of 1,003 registered voters randomly selected from a national voter file. Respondents spoke with live interviewers on landlines (70) and cellphones (681) or completed the survey online after receiving a text (252). Results based on the full sample have a margin of sampling error of ±3 percentage points. The survey includes an oversample of 200 voters aged 18–29, bringing the sample size for that subgroup to 350 (±5). Sampling error for results among subgroups is higher. In addition to sampling errors, question wording and order can influence results. Weights are generally applied to age, race, education and area variables to ensure the demographics are representative of the registered voter population. Sources for developing weight targets include the most recent American Community Survey, Fox News Voter Analysis and voter file data. Fox News’ Victoria Balara contributed to this report.
Fox News Poll: Significant support for both voter ID laws and mail-in ballots
As Congress debates the SAVE America Act, which would require photo identification to vote in federal elections, the latest Fox News national survey shows broad support for that measure. In a July 16 primetime speech, President Donald Trump urged Americans to contact lawmakers to support the legislation, saying it would address election system vulnerabilities. The act passed the U.S. House of Representatives in February and is stalled in the Senate. The survey was conducted after his remarks (July 17–20, 2026). The new poll, released Thursday, finds roughly eight in 10 registered voters favor requiring photo identification to register to vote (83%) and to cast a ballot (77%). Support for requiring photo ID to vote has remained consistently high, between 77% to 85%, in Fox News polling since 2011. FOX NEWS POLL: VOTERS WANT MAJOR CHANGE AMID ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL DISCONTENT “It’s a testament to gridlock and partisan polarization that no one seems capable of crafting a legislative compromise that can win passage of a bill featuring policies where large majorities support them,” says Republican pollster Daron Shaw, who conducts the Fox News Poll with Democrat Chris Anderson. Backing for voter ID spans the political spectrum, though intensity varies. Nearly all Republicans think it should be mandatory (96% to register, 95% to vote), as do roughly eight in 10 independents (83%, 77%). Democrats are a bit less supportive, with 72% backing photo ID to register and 62% to vote. Outside party lines, most groups favor photo ID, including Hispanic voters (85% to register, 76% to vote) and voters under age 30 (82%, 75%). Looking toward the fall midterms, most are broadly confident eligible voters will be able to vote (76%), though fewer feel sure ineligible voters will be prevented from doing so (61%). Confidence in eligible ballot access is high across party lines, while Republicans are less certain than Democrats and independents about ineligible voting. FOX NEWS POLL: AN EARLY LOOK AT THE GEORGIA SENATE RACE Nearly two-thirds (64%) favor universal mail-in voting, holding steady since September 2025. Partisan divisions persist, as nearly nine in 10 Democrats and seven in 10 independents support mail-in voting, while about six in 10 Republicans oppose it. Despite majority backing, views are divided on the accuracy of mail-in ballots. A narrow 51% majority is confident they will be counted accurately, while 48% disagree. Two-thirds of Democrats trust the accuracy of the count, while roughly six in 10 Republicans and independents think it’s unlikely. Most also favor counting ballots postmarked by Election Day, even if they arrive later. Seven in 10 support the practice, including large majorities of Democrats (88%) and independents (74%), while closer to half of Republicans oppose (53%). In June, the Supreme Court upheld a Mississippi law permitting late mail-in ballots to be counted if postmarked by Election Day. Regardless of voting method, more express confidence that votes will be counted accurately in their state (64%) than at the national level (53%). Democrats trust both, while more Republicans and independents are assured by state tallies. In addition, by a 2-to-1 margin, more voters think state governments (68%) rather than the federal government (31%) should have election authority, a view shared across all major political groups. Overall, six in 10 are confident the final vote count will be fair and accurate, even if completing the tally takes several days after Election Day. Roughly seven in 10 Democrats are confident, while more than half of Republicans are not. Independents are divided (52% confident, 47% not). CLICK HERE FOR CROSSTABS AND TOPLINE Conducted July 17-20, 2026, under the direction of Beacon Research (D) and Shaw & Company Research (R), this Fox News survey includes interviews with a sample of 1,003 registered voters randomly selected from a national voter file. Respondents spoke with live interviewers on landlines (70) and cellphones (681) or completed the survey online after receiving a text (252). Results based on the full sample have a margin of sampling error of ±3 percentage points. The survey includes an oversample of 200 voters aged 18-29, bringing the sample size for that subgroup to 350 (±5). Sampling error for results among subgroups is higher. In addition to sampling error, question wording and order can influence results. Weights are generally applied to age, race, education, and area variables to ensure the demographics are representative of the registered voter population. Sources for developing weight targets include the most recent American Community Survey, Fox News Voter Analysis and voter file data.