Trump says Ukraine’s Zelenskyy is ready to negotiate a deal to end war with Russia
President Donald Trump said Thursday that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is ready to negotiate a deal to end the war with Russia, adding that Russian President Vladimir Putin would like to meet soon. Trump spoke to reporters after signing multiple executive orders Thursday afternoon in the Oval Office. When a reporter asked if Zelenskyy told him he was ready to negotiate a solution to the war with Russia, Trump provided confirmation. “Yes, he’s ready to negotiate a deal. He’d like to stop this,” Trump said. “He’s somebody that lost a lot of soldiers, and so did Russia. … Russia lost more soldiers. They lost 800,000. Would you say that’s a lot? I’d say it’s a lot.” He was also asked if sanctions on Russia would force Putin to negotiate. PUTIN REPORTEDLY CONCERNED OVER RUSSIA’S ECONOMY AHEAD OF POSSIBLE TRUMP TARIFFS “I don’t know, but I think he should make a deal,” Trump said. Trump also told reporters Chinese President Xi Jinping could have an influence on the war between Russia and Ukraine since it has power over Russia. He explained that the two countries are big trading partners. Russia, Trump noted, supplies China with a lot of energy, and the latter pays the former a lot of money. “I think they have a lot of power over Russia, so I think Russia should want to make a deal,” Trump said. “From what I hear, Putin would like to see me, and we’ll meet as soon as we can.” PUTIN SAYS RUSSIA READY TO COMPROMISE WITH TRUMP ON UKRAINE WAR When he described the war in Ukraine, Trump said soldiers were being killed on a battlefield that “is like no battlefield since World War II.” “Soldiers are being killed on a daily basis at numbers that we haven’t seen in decades,” he said. “It would be nice to end that war. It’s a ridiculous war.” Putin is reportedly worried about the state of his country’s economy as Trump returns to the Oval Office. According to a Reuters report citing various sources, Trump’s push to end the war in Ukraine is only adding to Putin’s concerns. PUTIN, XI VOW TO ‘DEEPEN’ ALLIANCE HOURS AFTER TRUMP RE-ENTERS THE WHITE HOUSE Throughout his campaign, Trump pushed to end world conflicts, including the Russia-Ukraine war, which began with Putin’s 2022 invasion. Last month, Putin said he was ready to compromise over Ukraine in possible talks with Trump on ending the war and had no conditions for starting talks with Ukrainian authorities. “We have always said that we are ready for negotiations and compromises,” Putin said at the time, after saying that Russian forces, advancing across the entire front, were moving toward achieving their primary goals in Ukraine. “In my opinion, soon there will be no one left who wants to fight. We are ready, but the other side needs to be ready for both negotiations and compromises.” Fox News Digital’s Rachel Wolf contributed to this report.
11 Dem state AGs criticize ‘vague’ threats over prosecution for noncompliance with immigration enforcement
Eleven Democratic states on Thursday issued a statement criticizing the “vague” threats from the Trump administration related to possible prosecutions for not complying with immigration enforcement. The statement was signed by state attorneys general from California, Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Mexico, New York, Rhode Island and Vermont. It addressed a recent Justice Department memo directing federal prosecutors to investigate state and local officials who refuse to enforce President Donald Trump’s immigration policies, including hs mass deportation plans. TRUMP’S ICE RACKS UP HUNDREDS OF ARRESTS, INCLUDING ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS ARRESTED FOR HORROR CRIMES “Right now, these vague threats are just that: empty words on paper,” the statement said. “But rest assured, our states will not hesitate to respond if these words become illegal actions.” In the memo, Acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove, Trump’s former defense attorney, said that “federal law prohibits state and local actors from resisting, obstructing, and otherwise failing to comply with lawful immigration-related commands and requests, pursuant to, for example, the President’s extensive Article II authority with respect to foreign affairs and national security, the Immigration and Nationality Act, and the Alien Enemies Act.” ‘PROMPT REMOVAL’: TRUMP DHS EXPANDS EXPEDITED DEPORTATION POWERS AS OPERATIONS RAMP UP Bove said U.S. attorneys offices “and litigating components of the Department of Justice shall investigate incidents involving any such misconduct for potential prosecution, including for obstructing federal functions in violation of federal statutes.” The attorneys general cited Printz v. United States, saying the federal government can’t force local or state authorities to carry out immigration actions. “Despite what he may say to the contrary, the President cannot unilaterally re-write the Constitution,” they wrote. “The President has made troubling threats to weaponize the U.S. Department of Justice’s prosecutorial authority and resources to attack public servants acting in compliance with their state laws, interfering with their ability to build trust with the communities they serve and protect.” Fox News Digital’s Jake Gibson, David Spunt and Danielle Wallace contributed to this report.
Fox News Politics Newsletter: JFK Files Declassified
Welcome to the Fox News Politics newsletter, with the latest updates on the Trump administration, exclusive interviews and more Fox News politics content. Here’s what’s happening… –Karine Jean-Pierre reveals mom’s cancer diagnosis — and why she kept it secret -Illegal immigrant suspect in fatal hit-and-run arrested 800 miles from crime scene on bus headed to Mexico -Top 5 moments from Trump’s ‘Hannity’ interview President Donald Trump on Thursday signed an executive order to declassify files on the assassinations of former President John F. Kennedy, and civil rights icon Martin Luther King Jr. Trump had promised to declassify the previously-classified documents during his 2024 campaign. “Everything will be revealed,” Trump told reporters as he signed the order in the Oval Office of the White House…Read more RIGHTING A WRONG: Trump expected to pardon pro-life activists convicted under FACE Act…Read more ‘FORGOTTEN ABOUT’: Anti-CCP group debuts ad with dire call for GOP lawmakers to back Trump on saving US farms…Read more TWO DOWN: John Ratcliffe confirmed as next CIA director, becomes second Trump cabinet pick to gain congress’s approval…Read more BRACING FOR INFLUX: Mexico scrambles to build tents to handle mass deportations from US…Read more ‘FALSELY SMEARED’: Benjamin Netanyahu comes to defense of Elon Musk…Read more MONEY PROBLEMS: Putin reportedly concerned over Russia’s economy ahead of possible Trump tariffs…Read more STATUS REVOKED: GOP leaders rally to revoke China’s ‘most favored nation’ status after 20-year run…Read more SPREADING THE WORD: New Republican leader Lisa McClain talks messaging ‘playbook’ in the Trump era…Read more RESULTS OVER PROCESS: Tim Scott emphasizes ‘results’ over reconciliation process as he stays out of debate…Read more ‘FACTUALLY INACCURATE’: Key Senate chairman criticizes ‘anonymous sources with ulterior motives,’ stands by Hegseth nomination…Read more ‘GODFATHER OF THE ULTRA-RIGHT’: Trump budget chief pick Russell Vought faces fire from Dem senators…Read more SENATE SHOWDOWN: Hegseth clears Senate hurdle and advances to a final confirmation vote…Read more ‘CONCERNED’: Moderate GOP senator says she will vote against nomination of Pete Hegseth for Defense Secretary…Read more ‘RIDICULOUS’: Lawmakers refuse to say how many genders there are when confronted on Capitol Hill…Read more SHOCKING MOVE: VA Dems reject Youngkin’s antisemitism expert pick from George Mason Univ board amid troubling incidents…Read more EXCLUSIVE: Medal of Honor recipients would see their pensions increase six-fold under new proposal…Read more ‘I’M A FIGHTER’: House GOP firebrand invokes Trump while mulling run for South Carolina governor’s mansion…Read more ‘INFANTICIDE’: Pro-lifers pounce on Fetterman for opposing ‘Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act’…Read more ‘WE’RE GOING TO FIND THEM’: First images of ICE mass deportation efforts show arrests of MS-13 gang members, murder suspects…Read more Get the latest updates on the Trump administration and Congress, exclusive interviews and more on FoxNews.com.
Miss America Abbie Stockard wore ‘MAHA’ dress designed by Andre Soriano to inaugural ball
An Atelier dress designer and supporter of President Donald Trump shocked partygoers and social media users once again with a silhouette unlike anything he’d handcrafted before. Andre Soriano, a shop owner in Occoquan, Virginia, and originally from the Philippines, designed a green “Make America Healthy Again” dress for recently crowned Miss America Abbie Stockard. “She’s the sweetest,” Soriano told Fox News Digital of Stockard. “She’s the best representation of America. She’s going to be a great example for all the kids.” ‘MAGA’ DRESS DESIGNER FORCEDTO REMOVE TRUMP SIGNS FROM BUSINESS, RESIDENCE WHEN ‘KAREN’ CALLED THE POLICE Stockard, who represented Alabama and was crowned Miss America Jan. 5, wore the custom gown to the MAHA inaugural ball, held for a night in celebration of Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., Trump’s pick for secretary of Health and Human Services Jan. 20. She has since shared photographs from the event opposite RFK Jr. and his wife, Cheryl Hines, among others. “I’m truly, truly honored and grateful to be part of her dressing up,” Soriano said. The controversial designer is well known for the infamous “Make America Great Again” ensemble he crafted for singer-songwriter Joy Villa, which she wore to the 2017 Grammy Awards. TOP 5 INAUGURATION DAY MOMENTS “I’ve been in Hollywood before,” Soriano told Fox News Digital. “I’ve been dissected, especially after I made the Trump dress.” Soriano has been the recipient of hateful rhetoric both online and in person for his patriotic tailoring. “We’re going to tell the,. ‘God bless you, and peace be with you,’” he said of the backlash. Soriano received the measurements for Stockard just two days before she arrived in Washington, D.C., for the inaugural events. TRUMP INAUGURATION: JEWEL SURPRISES MAHA INAUGURAL BALL WITH PERFORMANCE He made the dress in eight hours. “She came the next day,” Soriano said. “I did the fitting, and it fit her like a glove. I’ve worked with a lot of women, and I really nailed it down to the T.” January was hectic for Soriano because eight to 10 dresses were commissioned by him in preparation for Inauguration Day. “The whole month of January I was flooded,” he said. “I’m so glad that America finally made that decision.”
‘Complete failure’: Government shutdown crisis threatens Capitol Hill as Trump plans policy overhaul
There are less than two months until the next government funding deadline on March 14, and House lawmakers are growing increasingly concerned about the speed of their progress on spending talks. “I think it’s a complete failure for us to not have a topline number,” said Rep. Cory Mills, R-Fla. Congressional Republicans have been busy negotiating a massive conservative policy and budget overhaul via a process called “reconciliation,” which allows the party holding both the House and Senate to enact sweeping changes by lowering the Senate’s threshold for passage from 60 votes to 51. But all the while, Republicans who spoke with Fox News Digital are worried about falling behind on the federal appropriations process for fiscal year (FY) 2025, with no topline funding numbers to work from yet and just 19 days left in session until the deadline. TRUMP’S REMAIN IN MEXICO POLICY COULD BE REVIVED UNDER NEW HOUSE GOP BILL Congress has extended the FY 2025 deadline twice since the period began Oct. 1 – most recently passing a short-term funding extension of FY 2024 funding levels, known as a continuing resolution (CR), in late December. “Appropriation bills have to get done. If we end up with another CR, that would be catastrophic. That would mean, in essence, a reduction on defense [funding],” said Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, R-Fla., a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee. “But for us to start doing it, we need a topline number. But I’m optimistic we’ll get there.” If nothing is done by March 14, Congress could be forced to contend with a partial government shutdown in the middle of their reconciliation talks – and within the first 100 days of President Donald Trump’s second term. Other members of the committee suggested they were similarly in the dark about a topline number, but were cautiously hopeful. “We are less than eight weeks away from the CR expiring. We need to be able to get those toplines as soon as possible and get to work,” said Rep. Stephanie Bice, R-Okla. “I have full faith and confidence that Tom Cole will be able to make that happen in the next week or two.” Rep. Mark Alford, R-Mo., said House Appropriations Committee Chairman Tom Cole, R-Okla., has been “in consultation” with his counterparts on a towline number. Asked about the possibility of another CR, he said, “We have several things going on at once – the reconciliation package, raising the debt ceiling, and the appropriations process. So let’s just hope for the best and deal with the worst if we have to.” Republican leaders have previously been forced to seek Democratic support to pass CRs, which normally hit a wall of opposition among a cross-section of the GOP. TRUMP’S ICE RACKS UP HUNDREDS OF ARRESTS, INCLUDING ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS ARRESTED FOR HORROR CRIMES Conservative hardliners told Fox News Digital they’re bracing for another CR or, worse in their eyes, a massive package combining Congress’ 12 regular appropriation bills into one massive “omnibus.” Rep. Ralph Norman, R-S.C., said he and other conservatives were working on a bill to keep border security operations funded in the event of a government shutdown. “We’re running out of time,” he said, adding that Republicans should “probably stay in next week” instead of flying to their annual issues conference in Miami. Rep. Keith Self, R-Fla., pointed out that House lawmakers have just over two weeks’ worth of days in session to come up with a plan. “I’m very concerned. I’m also concerned that if we screw up the CR on March the 14th, does it poison the reconciliation negotiations?” Self posed. But not all conservatives are concerned. House Freedom Caucus Chair Andy Harris, R-Md., said he would be in favor of a full-year CR if “we write it properly.” “You tell me what the topline is, and I’ll tell you whether I’m concerned,” he said. Fox News Digital reached out to congressional Republican leaders and the House Appropriations Committee for comment.
Hawaii’s Hirono only senator to vote no on Collins, continuing partisan streak at hearings
Democrat Hawaii Sen. Mazie Hirono was the only lawmaker on the Senate’s Veterans’ Affairs Committee to oppose the confirmation of President Donald Trump’s nominee for secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs, former GOP congressman from Georgia Doug Collins. Amid the slew of confirmation hearings that have taken place, Hirono has been unafraid to poke and prod about nominees’ sex lives, and at one point she accused Trump’s defense secretary nominee, Pete Hegseth, of being willing to shoot at lawful protesters. “Would you carry out such an order [to shoot protesters] from President Trump?” Hirono asked Hegseth during his hearing in front of the Senate Armed Services Committee, citing reports that the president asked former Secretary of Defense Mark Esper to shoot protesters in the leg during the 2020 riots in Washington, D.C., that ensued after the death of George Floyd. JD VANCE’S FIRST BIG VP MOMENT ON THE HORIZON WITH POSSIBLE CABINET TIEBREAKER VOTE Hegseth tried to offer a response to Hirono’s question, but the senator would not let him get a word in and instead answered the question for him, “You will shoot protesters in the leg,” she asserted to Hegseth. “Moving on.” Hirono also has been unafraid to ask each of Trump’s nominees she questioned throughout their confirmation hearings, including Collins, about unfounded allegations of sexual assault. “As part of my responsibilities to ensure the fitness of nominees before any of the committees, I ask the following two questions,” Hirono posited during the hearing for Trump’s interior secretary nominee, Doug Burgum. “First is, since you became a legal adult have you ever made unwanted requests for sexual favors or committed any verbal or physical harassment or assault of a sexual nature? Have you ever faced discipline or entered into a settlement related to this kind of conduct?” For Trump’s attorney general nominee, Pam Bondi, Hirono asked the same questions about unfounded sexual allegations. She similarly answered her own questions as she did with Hegseth. STEFANIK LOOKS BACK TO FIERY EXCHANGES WITH COLLEGE LEADERS IN SENATE CONFIRMATION HEARING: ‘WATERSHED MOMENT’ Bondi, however, clapped back with criticism of her own during the senator’s questioning, noting that Hirono refused to meet with her privately to discuss her concerns ahead of the public hearing. “Sen. Hirono, I wish you had met with me. Had you met with me, we could have discussed many things and gotten to the meat [of your questions],” Bondi told Hirono as she was lobbing questions at the nominee. “You were the only one who refused to meet with me.”
WATCH: Lawmakers refuse to say how many genders there are when confronted on Capitol Hill
WASHINGTON — Lawmakers refused to say how many genders there are when confronted just days after President Donald Trump proclaimed that there are only two “not changeable” sexes: male and female. Former President Joe Biden refrained from defining gender as strictly binary and issued directives supporting the recognition of individual gender identity on federal documents. This included allowing Americans to select “X” as a gender option on their passports, alongside male and female. In contrast, Trump’s order, declaring the existence of only two genders, will reverse efforts allowing the use of a gender different from that assigned at birth on documents like driver’s licenses. In the wake of Trump’s order, Fox News Digital surveyed lawmakers on Capitol Hill about the number of recognized genders, but most members of Congress refused to answer the question. “I have one meeting to go to, that’s all I’m worried about right now,” Rep. Sylvia Garcia, D-Texas, told Fox when asked how many genders there are. TRUMP PUTS HIGHER EDUCATION ON NOTICE FOR ‘DANGEROUS, DEMEANING, AND IMMORAL’ DEI TEACHING Another Democrat, Rep. Don Beyer, D-Va., told Fox that there are “two” genders but that “people are often uncertain what there is.” TRUMP TARGETS CULTURE WAY LIGHTENING RODS IN EARLY SLATE OF EXECUTIVE ORDERS “These people are ridiculous,” Democrat Rep. Greg Casar of Texas said as he walked away. Other lawmakers who did not say how many genders there are included Rep. Maxwell Frost, D-Fla., and Rep. Pete Stauber, R-Minn. Trump is taking aim at several of Biden’s federal orders surrounding gender identity, such as revoking the Enabling All Qualified Americans to Serve Their Country in Uniform order, which allowed transgender people to serve in the military. Fox News’ Morgan Phillips contributed to this report.
‘Not my job’: Sheriff vows Las Vegas Police will not assist with Trump’s illegal immigration ’roundups’
After President Donald Trump’s return to the White House and swift, sweeping actions to crack down on illegal immigration, the head of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD), Sheriff Kevin McMahill, doubled down on a policy guiding officers to limit cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (IC) and not assist with federal immigration “roundups.” The department emphasized its policy of not investigating immigration violations, according to a statement posted on X Tuesday. The department said its statement was in response to “questions regarding immigration enforcement.” The policy, which was instituted during the first Trump administration in 2019 and then amended in 2023, states that “although Nevada peace officers have the authority to assist in enforcing federal laws, LVMPD officers will not enforce immigration violations.” And “officers will not stop and question, detain, arrest, or place an immigration hold on any individuals on the grounds they are an undocumented immigrant. “It is the policy of this department to recognize the dignity of all persons, regardless of their national origin or immigration status,” the policy states. “LVMPD is committed to community-oriented policing as a strategy that focuses on developing relationships with community members regardless of the immigration status of a suspect or victim.” ‘LOUD AND CLEAR’: BORDER STATE’S LEGISLATURE MOVES TO BACK TRUMP’S ICE ON DEPORTATIONS According to the LVMPD policy, the department “will share criminal intelligence regarding transnational organized crime and international terrorism with any and all law enforcement agencies to include ICE.” The policy further states that the department will also notify ICE when a foreign-born individual is arrested and charged with a violent felony, domestic violence or driving under the influence at the time of booking and release. DOJ TO INVESTIGATE STATE OR LOCAL OFFICIALS WHO OBSTRUCT IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT: MEMO However, the LVMPD policy says that the department “will not delay the release of an inmate for ICE” and will release a migrant “if ICE is not present at the time of the inmate’s release.” In an interview with local outlet 8 News Now, McMahill said his officers would not assist federal authorities with “roundups” of illegal immigrants, saying, “That’s not my job. I have too much to do. “I don’t intend to change that policy any time soon. What I do hope happens is that there’s a bipartisan effort to secure our border.” CLICK HERE FOR MORE IMMIGRATION COVERAGE In previous statements, ICE has said law enforcement agencies refusing to honor its immigration “detainers,” or hold requests, unnecessarily place agents and communities in danger by necessitating potentially violent confrontations and arrests in public spaces. Tom Homan, Trump’s border czar, has spoken out unequivocally against public officials who have vowed not to cooperate with federal immigration authorities. “When you release a public safety threat back into the community, that puts the community at great risk of crime, and it puts our officers at great risk. Now, they’ve got to arrest the bad guy on his turf, where he has access to who knows what weapons, and it puts the public at risk,” Homan told Fox News Wednesday. “To sanctuary cities, I’ve said this many times: Let us into the jail, where it’s safer for an agent to arrest a bad guy, it’s safer for the bad guy to be arrested in jail and it’s safer for the community. “I want to save lives. A secure border saves lives. And when President Trump locks this border down, less women and children will be sex trafficked in this country, less aliens will die making that journey,” he added. “Sanctuary cities are going to get exactly what they don’t want — more agents in the communities, more people arrested, more collaterals arrested. So, that’s a game they want to play? Game on.”
Top trade association sends letters calling on big changes in three key departments: ‘Unleash American energy’
FIRST ON FOX: A top national trade organization has sent letters to three departments in the Trump administration advocating for specific policies that the group believes will most effectively achieve President Trump’s goal to “unleash American energy” in the United States. The American Exploration & Production Council, a national trade association representing the leading independent oil and natural gas exploration and production companies in the United States, sent letters to the Department of Energy, Department of Interior and Environmental Protection Agency with specific guidelines on how to best jumpstart energy production. In the letter to the Department of Energy, AXPC made several requests, including that the department “resume timely approval of liquefied natural gas (LNG) export approvals.” “U.S. LNG plays a critical role in geopolitical stability and supporting global emission reductions — a fact that has been confirmed numerous times over the past decade,” the letter states. “As the world’s largest natural gas producer, the U.S. is well positioned to meet the dual challenge of supplying the world with affordable, clean, and reliable energy all while reducing global emissions. This misguided permitting pause should be lifted immediately, and DOE should ensure that any public interest study uses well-reasoned assumptions.” SEN KATIE BRITT: TRUMP AND HIS TEAM READY TO SUPERCHARGE AMERICA’S ECONOMY AND ENERGY SECTOR Other recommendations to DOE included promoting U.S. energy exports, creating fair access to export authorizations and avoiding unnecessary delays, providing greater certainty for critical energy and infrastructure, and enhancing energy reliability with advanced natural gas storage. “Our recommendations focus on policy priorities and actions within the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), and some Department wide that we believe strike this critical balance and directly impact responsible onshore exploration, development, and production of oil and natural gas in the United States,” the letter to the Department of Interior explained. “In alignment with the Trump administration’s goal to ‘Unleash American Energy’, including expanding oil and natural gas production on federal lands, these recommendations aim to support responsible American energy production while maintaining crucial environmental protections and fostering economic growth here at home.” NORTHERN HIGHLIGHTS: ALASKA’S ENERGY, SECURITY POLICIES ARE THE GUIDE FEDS NEED AMID TRANSITION, GROUP SAYS Recommendations to the DOI include revoking the BLM’s Conservation & Landscape Health Rule and its implementing instructional memorandums, streamlining drilling permits, replacing the recent resources management plan amendments to align with western states’ priorities, and allowing for the commingling of oil and gas production for greater efficiency and environmental protection. In the letter to the EPA, AXPC wrote that its recommendations “focus on policy priorities that we believe strike this critical balance and directly impact responsible onshore exploration, development, and production of oil and natural gas in the United States.” ENERGY EXPERT WEIGHS IN ON 23 STATE ATTORNEYS GENERAL SUING EPA OVER NEW METHANE EMISSIONS FEE Some of those recommendations include revising the source performance standards to “improve feasibility for emission controls” and “provide greater allowance for alternative technologies and approaches.” The letter also calls for reforms to the Clean Water Act and modifications to the Greenhouse Gas reporting rule. “America is stronger, the world is safer, and the environment is cleaner when the United States is the world leader in energy production, and that is best achieved with sensible, workable, and durable policies out of Washington,” AXPC CEO Anne Bradbury told Fox News Digital in a statement. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP “That’s why America’s oil and natural gas producers look forward to working with the Trump administration’s goal of energy dominance and providing affordable, reliable, and ever-cleaner energy for the American people.” Trump’s nominees in all three departments have signaled that they intend to implement new policies and guidelines that significantly increase oil and gas production while easing regulations at the same time. “When energy production is restricted in America, it doesn’t reduce demand. It just shifts production to countries like Russia and Iran, whose autocratic leaders not only don’t care at all about the environment, but they use their revenues from energy sales to fund wars against us and our allies,” DOI secretary nominee Doug Burgum said in his opening statement at his confirmation hearing. “President Trump’s energy dominance vision will end those wars abroad and will make life more affordable for every family in America by driving down inflation. And President Trump will achieve those goals while championing clean air, clean water and protecting our beautiful lands.”
Dems ask Trump USDA pick who will do ‘backbreaking’ farming amid mass deportations
Democratic lawmakers are worried American farms will suffer under President Donald Trump’s mass deportation initiative. Approximately 40% of crop farmworkers are not approved to work in the U.S., according to the U.S. Department of Labor’s National Agricultural Workers Survey, and Democratic lawmakers are curious about who will step in to work in the heat or cold. As a result, senators questioned Trump’s pick to lead the Agriculture Department, Brooke Rollins, about whether mass deportation under the Trump administration will undermine the farming workforce. “Can we expect this administration to be raiding farms, going after the immigrant farmers?” Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., said during Rollins’ confirmation hearing before the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee Thursday. ‘NATIONAL EMERGENCY:’ TRUMP DECLARES AMBITIOUS ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION CRACKDOWN IN INAUGURAL ADDRESS “Listen, the president’s vision of a secure border and a mass deportation at a scale that matters is something I support,” Rollins said. Rollins then promised to help Trump execute his agenda, while also “defending” American farmers and ranchers. “But when you’re talking about massive deportation, we’ve gone beyond dangerous criminals,” Durbin said. “I just wonder if we ought to give fair warning to farmers and ranchers across America that if you have immigrant labor, you can expect federal agents to come and search your property.” “I have not been involved in the president’s current plan, I cannot answer that one way or the other,” Rollins said. Trump has promised to take an aggressive approach to border security and illegal immigration, and the Department of Homeland Security issued a notice Tuesday to green-light expedited deportation of illegal immigrants. ‘PROMPT REMOVAL:’ TRUMP DHS EXPANDS EXPEDITED DEPORTATION POWERS AS OPERATIONS RAMP UP Other Democratic senators, including Peter Welch of Vermont and Adam Schiff of California, echoed similar sentiments regarding the implications of mass deportation on farms. While the lawmakers acknowledged that those who pose a public safety threat shouldn’t remain in the U.S., they also said Americans are less inclined to work in the harsh conditions that farming requires than illegal immigrants. Schiff said estimates suggest half of California’s farm workforce is undocumented, and asked Rollins how farmers were supposed to survive if half their workforce is cut, because “Americans don’t want to do that work,” since it’s “too backbreaking.” As a result, Schiff asked who would work on California’s farms. Rollins said she would work with the committee and with the Labor Department on the matter. “We will work together to understand and hopefully solve for some of these problems. The dairy cattle have to be milked, but if we’ve got a mass deportation program underway, then there’s a lot of work that we need to do,” Rollins said. TRUMP BORDER CZAR REVEALS ICE TEAMS ARE ALREADY ARRESTING ‘PUBLIC SAFETY THREATS’ Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle also voiced concerns about how farmers will fare, should Trump follow through on his plans to implement tariffs. Trump’s economic plan calls for imposing tariffs ranging from 10% to 20% on all imported goods. When Trump’s first administration imposed tariffs, China issued their own retaliatory tariffs that cost the federal government billions of dollars in government aid to farmers. “I’m trepidacious that this is going to come back to our farmers,” Democratic Sen. Elissa Slotkin of Michigan said. “My commitment is that there will be no sleeping, that we will work around the clock to ensure that our AG communities across this country are represented in those discussions and at the table,” Rollins said. Rollins previously worked as the director of the Office of American Innovation and acting director of the Domestic Policy Council during Trump’s first term. After working for the Trump administration, Rollins co-founded the America First Policy Institute think tank. The secretary of the Agriculture Department is responsible for managing farm and nutrition, forestry, food safety, rural development, and agricultural research.