Hegseth dismisses ‘purging’ narrative amid Trump’s Pentagon shakeup: ‘Time for fresh blood’
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth defended President Donald Trump’s firing of “woke generals” and Pentagon officials, saying that the “status quo” at the Department of Defense “hasn’t worked” and that it is “time for fresh blood.” This comes after Trump made a series of changes in the Pentagon’s top leadership last week, including firing Joint Chiefs of Staff Chair Gen. Charles Brown and announcing he would replace him with retired Lt. Gen. Dan “Razin” Caine. Trump also fired the Navy’s top leader, Admiral Lisa Franchetti, Air Force Vice Chief of Staff General James Slife and the judge advocates general of the Army, Navy and Air Force. Speaking with Fox News on Sunday, Hegseth said that these changes “are a reflection of the president wanting the right people around him to execute the national security approach we want to take.” DEFENSE SECRETARY HEGSETH WORKING WITH DOGE TO CUT THE ‘BS’ Speaking about the judge advocates general, Hegseth said that just like the chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, these military positions have traditionally been filled by a “small group of insulated officers who perpetuate the status quo.” “Well, guess what, status quo hasn’t worked very well at the Pentagon,” he said. “It’s time for fresh blood, so we’re going to open up those positions to a broader set in a merit-based process.” In response to criticisms from Democrats and the media, Hegseth denied the firings were part of any political purge, saying: “There’s no purge” and “Nothing about this is unprecedented.” “There is civilian control of the military,” he said. “The president deserves to pick his key national security and military advisory team. There are lots of presidents who have made changes from FDR to Eisenhower to H.W. Bush to Barack Obama, who fired – or dismissed – hundreds of military [officials] during his first term.” SHOULD WOMEN SERVE IN COMBAT? MILITARY EXPERTS WEIGH IN Hegseth pointed out that of the 160 three- and four-star generals in the military, Trump only dismissed or moved a total of six. He also criticized what he called “inflation in the ranks over time.” “We won World War II with seven four-star generals, we have 44 today, we have 163 three- and four-star generals and has it created better outcomes or not?” he asked. “We’re challenging a lot of assumptions at the Pentagon to streamline what we do to get as many resources as possible to the warfighters.” “There’s nothing about purging, there’s nothing about it illegal, we’ve made it clear from the beginning,” he explained. “The military will be apolitical, with a fidelity to the Constitution, prepared to close with and destroy our enemies.”
New DOGE bill would target more than $200B in annual improper payments from safety nets, lawmaker says
EXCLUSIVE: A new DOGE-centric bill will be introduced Monday targeting overpayments by the federal government, which the lawmaker sponsoring it says have added up to the trillions since the George W. Bush era. The Payment Integrity Information Reform Act (PIIA) will go “hand-in-hand” with the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to root out waste, fraud and abuse within the federal government, according to Rep. Dan Meuser, R-Pa. Meuser, chairman of the oversight panel of the House Financial Services Committee and a member of the House DOGE Caucus, said Monday that the “DOGE team” writ-large has uncovered $55 billion in waste in only one month and that the PIIA Reform Act would dig even deeper. “The federal government expended $236 billion last year in improper payments—money sent out improperly due to fraud, bureaucratic errors, and agencies failing to maintain eligibility integrity. “This is a gross failure of accountability that hardworking American taxpayers should not tolerate,” he said. BILL WOULD PROHIBIT US FINANCIAL AID TO AFGHANISTAN UNTIL ALL WRONGFULLY DETAINED AMERICANS RELEASED If passed, the bill could account for nearly one-quarter of the $1 trillion that DOGE writ-large has expressed the goal of exposing, recouping or saving on taxpayers’ behalf. The act would look to improve payment integrity laws and particularly target overpayments for social safety net programs, which have been in the news lately for similar issues. In 2023, federal agencies estimated $236 billion in improper payments were disbursed, according to the Government Accountability Office (GAO). That sum accounted for funds from 71 different government programs. More than $44 billion of that year’s share was also categorized as “unknown payments.” “The Payment Information Integrity Reform Act will put an end to this careless mismanagement at federal agencies by strengthening oversight, enforcing tougher penalties for noncompliance, and demanding accountability at every level,” Meuser said. DEMOCRATS LOVED IDEA OF DOGE BEFORE TRUMP, WHITE HOUSE QUIPS “The American people deserve government agencies that manage their money more responsibly and the House GOP remains committed to working with President Trump and DOGE to rein in spending and ensure tax dollars are spent as intended.” The GAO further reported that improper 2023 Medicaid and Medicare payments accounted for $50 billion each, with COVID-19 unemployment assistance accounting for $43 billion. While down $11 billion from 2022, that $236 billion was parcel to about $2.7 billion collectively disbursed incorrectly or erroneously since 2003. Meuser said the improper payment calculations are likely conservative estimates and that the total figure is unknown, given agencies’ systemic noncompliance with such payment integrity laws. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Last week, both DOGE leader Elon Musk and President Donald Trump remarked that some Social Security beneficiaries are listed as being older than the oldest known humans on the planet. “According to the Social Security database, these are the numbers of people in each age bucket with the death field set to FALSE!,” Musk wrote on X. “Maybe Twilight is real and there are a lot of vampires collecting Social Security.” Per Musk, there are 20 million beneficiaries with a listed age of older than 100 years, with about 1 million who were still alive during Reconstruction. Fox News Digital also reached out to House DOGE Chairman Aaron Bean, R-Fla., for comment.
US-Ukraine rift breaks out at United Nations on 3rd anniversary of the war
The U.S. is pushing United Nations (U.N.) member states to back its resolution marking the third anniversary of the Russia-Ukraine war that does not underscore Kyiv’s territorial integrity. The U.S. draft resolution, put forward on Friday, pits the U.S. against Ukraine and its European allies, who pitched a lengthier resolution that lays blame on Russia for the invasion and demands Moscow remove its troops from Ukrainian territory. While the U.S. resolution mourns “the tragic loss of life” throughout the conflict, it reasserts that the U.N.’s purpose is to “maintain international peace and peacefully settle disputes.” It also “implores a swift end to the conflict and further urges a lasting peace between Russia and Ukraine.” TRUMP SET TO MEET WITH WORLD LEADERS IN DC DURING BUSY WEEK AS RUSSIA-UKRAINE PEACE TALKS CONTINUE “This resolution is consistent with President Donald Trump’s view that the U.N. must return to its founding purpose, as enshrined in the U.N. Charter, to maintain international peace and security, including through the peaceful settlement of disputes,” State Department Secretary Marco Rubio said in a statement Friday. “If the United Nations is truly committed to its original purpose, we must acknowledge that while challenges may arise, the goal of lasting peace remains achievable. Through support of this resolution, we affirm that this conflict is awful, that the U.N. can help end it, and that peace is possible.” The U.S. is pushing allies to get on board by telling them the U.S. is committed to ending the war, but Ukraine’s resolution is an impediment to lasting peace, according to a European diplomat. It is also urging the U.N. General Assembly to oppose any amendments, including one proposed by Russia that calls for addressing the “root causes” of the Russia-Ukraine war, so the last line of the U.S. resolution would read “implores a swift end to the conflict, including by addressing root causes and further urges a lasting peace between Russia and Ukraine.” EXPERT REVEALS WHY ZELENSKYY IS IN LEGAL CONUNDRUM AS US, RUSSIA HOLD PEACE TALKS The U.S. called on Ukraine to withdraw its resolution, but it refused, according to The Associated Press. The resolutions will go up for a vote in front of the 193-nation assembly on Monday. “We strongly believe that this is the moment to commit to ending the war,” Rubio added in his Friday statement. “This is our opportunity to build real momentum toward peace. We urge all U.N. member states to join the United States in this solemn pursuit.” The growing rift between the U.S. and Ukraine has been underscored by the Trump administration’s decision to exclude Ukraine and Europe from recent peace talks between Russia and the U.S. Last week, Trump warned Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who he has labeled a “dictator,” that he “better move fast” to negotiate a peace deal with Russia, or risk losing the country. During a discussion with reporters in Kyiv on Sunday, Zelenskyy said he is prepared to “give up” his presidency in exchange for either peace in Ukraine or an invitation for it to formally become a part of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). “If to achieve peace you really need me to give up my post — I’m ready,” Zelenskyy said during the press conference. “I can trade it for NATO membership, if there are such conditions,” he added. However, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said during talks last week with the U.S. that Russia was unwilling to negotiate any path forward that includes bringing Ukraine into NATO.
Newly sworn-in FBI Director Kash Patel welcomes Dan Bongino as deputy director: ‘He’s a cops cop’
FBI Director Kash Patel, who was just sworn in on Friday, issued a post on Monday declaring that he is “proud to welcome Dan Bongino as the next Deputy Director of the FBI.” “His leadership, integrity, and deep commitment to justice make him the ideal choice to help lead the FBI at this critical time. He’s a cops cop,” Patel said of Bongino. “Welcome aboard, Dan. The country needs strong leadership, and I know you will serve with honor and dedication.” Bongino, who previously served in the New York City Police Department and as a Secret Service agent, is a successful conservative commentator who hosts “The Dan Bongino Show.” KASH PATEL SWORN IN AS NINTH FBI DIRECTOR “I’ve spent my life in public service, beginning with the NYPD and continuing through my time as a Secret Service agent, working under both Republican and Democrat administrations. I’ve witnessed firsthand the dedication and sacrifice of the men and women in these agencies who serve with integrity and honor,” he stated, according to a post on X. “There are dedicated people in the FBI who take their oath to the constitution seriously. They deserve leadership that will back them up, protect their mission, and ensure they can do their jobs,” Bongino noted. President Donald Trump announced the news Sunday night on Truth Social. TRUMP ANNOUNCES DAN BONGINO WILL BE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF THE FBI “Dan Bongino, a man of incredible love and passion for our Country, has just been named the next DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF THE FBI, by the man who will be the best ever Director, Kash Patel,” Trump declared in the post. Bongino “is now one of the most successful Podcasters in the Country, something he is willing and prepared to give up in order to serve,” Trump noted. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth congratulated Bongino, saying in a post on X that “Patel-Bongino atop the FBI is pure [fire].” KASH PATEL TAKES REINS AT SCANDAL-RIDDEN FBI WITH ‘AMERICA ALWAYS’ MINDSET: ‘LET GOOD COPS BE COPS’ CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP House Freedom Caucus Chair Rep. Andy Harris, R-Md., also congratulated Bongino, saying he “will bring leadership, accountability, and restored confidence to the FBI.” While most Republicans voted to confirm Patel last week, two Republican senators – Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Susan Collins of Maine – voted against confirmation.
Trump budget bill hits turbulence ahead of House vote as Senate backup looms
A massive piece of legislation that House Republicans hope will advance a broad swath of President Donald Trump’s agenda is facing its final hurdle on Monday before a chamber-wide vote. The House Rules Committee, the final gatekeepers for most bills before a House floor vote, is meeting to debate a measure that GOP leaders want to have on Trump’s desk by sometime in May. The bill aims to increase spending on border security, the judiciary and defense by roughly $300 billion, while seeking at least $1.5 trillion to $2 trillion in spending cuts elsewhere. MEDICAID BECOMES FLASHPOINT IN HOUSE DEBATE OVER TRUMP BUDGET BILL As written, the bill also provides $4.5 trillion to extend Trump’s 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) provisions, which expire at the end of this year. It comes after the Senate held an all-night session to advance its own version of the Trump plan last week. In the Senate Republicans’ budget plan, the first reconciliation bill includes Trump’s priorities for border security, energy and national defense, while the second bill, to be drawn up later in the year, would focus on extending Trump’s tax policies from TCJA. Since the commander in chief has already telegraphed his preference for House Republicans’ proposal, the Senate bill has been relegated to a de facto backup plan if the House is not able to pass its own. This much was relayed to senators by Vice President JD Vance last week as he gave them the White House’s blessing to push their bill forward, a source told Fox News Digital. SENATE BORDER BUDGET TRIUMPHS AFTER ALL-NIGHT SESSION WHILE TRUMP-BACKED HOUSE BILL LAGS Current margins dictate House Republicans can only lose one vote to still pass a bill without Democratic support. TRUMP BUDGET BILL WITH $4.5T IN TAX CUTS SURVIVES KEY HURDLE DESPITE HOUSE GOP INFIGHTING Rep. Victoria Spartz, R-Ind., wrote on X Sunday night that she was against the bill as written. “Why I am a NO on the current version of the house budget instructions – I have a TRILLION DOLLAR QUESTION – where is the money – $1T? Interesting FACT: roughly 85% of spending is not ever even looked at by Congress – convenient if you would like to hide waste, fraud and abuse,” Spartz announced. Other Republicans have expressed concerns over the $880 billion in spending cuts under the Energy & Commerce Committee, which many have taken to mean at least some cuts to federal programs like Medicaid. TRUMP BUDGET CHIEF VOUGHT TELLS GOP SENATORS $175B NEEDED ‘IMMEDIATELY’ FOR BORDER SECURITY The House version of the bill differs from the Senate in that the latter version does not include funding for Trump’s tax cuts. Senate GOP leaders argue that splitting Trump’s priorities into two bills will allow the party to secure early victories on the border and defense, places where there is more agreement within the conference. However, House Republican leaders contend that Republicans have not passed two reconciliation bills since the 1990s and under far more favorable margins. Both chambers are contending with razor-thin margins and an ideologically diverse Republican conference as they look to make major conservative policy changes via the budget reconciliation process this year. By leveling thresholds for passage in the House and Senate at a simple majority, reconciliation allows the party in power to pass fiscal legislation without any support from the opposing side. The Senate has a two-thirds majority threshold to advance most measures. It is not clear, however, whether Trump’s support for the House plan will be enough to get it over the line.
France’s Macron meets with Trump at the White House
French President Emmanuel Macron is meeting with President Donald Trump Monday at the White House. The meeting comes after Macron called for an emergency gathering of world leaders after the Trump administration excluded Europe from sitting at the negotiating table to settle the war between Ukraine and Russia. Macron first arrived at the White House around 8 a.m. local time Monday and was inside for several hours. He and Trump participated in a call with Group of Seven (G7) leaders. While he was leaving, Macron was seen giving a thumbs up to reporters and said the phone call with the G7 leaders was “perfect.” ON THIRD ANNIVERSARY OF UKRAINE INVASION, EUROPEAN LEADERS SHOW SUPPORT, EXPRESS UNEASE Macron will later hold a bilateral meeting with Trump in the Oval Office, followed by a joint press conference at 2 p.m. ET. Monday is the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Trump said Friday that Macron and U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer “haven’t done anything” since 2022 to end the war between Russia and Ukraine. “Trump, I know him. I respect him and I believe he respects me,” Macron said the day before. “I will tell him: deep down you cannot be weak in the face of President (Vladimir Putin). It’s not you, it’s not what you’re made of, and it’s not in your interests.” Fox News’ Emma Colton and Caroline McKee contributed to this report.
Judge blocks DOGE from accessing Education Department records
A federal judge appointed by former President Joe Biden is temporarily blocking Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) from accessing personal records at the Department of Education (DoEd) as part of their cost-cutting sweep. Judge Deborah Boardman of Greenbelt, Maryland, issued a temporary restraining order on Monday against DOGE’s access to records at the DoEd containing personal sensitive information on Americans, including financial data related to federal student loans. The order established a two-week restraining order against the DoEd and the Office of Personnel Management from sharing information with the newly formed cost-cutting department. “This continuing, unauthorized disclosure of the plaintiffs’ sensitive personal information to DOGE affiliates is irreparable harm that money damages cannot rectify,” Boardman wrote in the decision. CAESARS PALACE, MLB STADIUM, AN ICE CREAM TRUCK: DOGE REVEALS HOW SCHOOLS SPENT BILLIONS IN COVID-RELIEF FUNDS The order stems from a lawsuit filed against the administration alleging that “the agencies unlawfully granted access to records that contain their personally identifiable information (“PII”) to personnel implementing the President’s Executive Orders on the DOGE agenda.” “The plaintiffs have made a clear showing that they are likely to suffer irreparable harm without injunctive relief,” the decision reads. “DOGE affiliates have been granted access to systems of record that contain some of the plaintiffs’ most sensitive data—Social Security numbers, dates of birth, home addresses, income and assets, citizenship status, and disability status—and their access to this trove of personal information is ongoing.” “Upon consideration of the amended complaint, the TRO briefing, the limited record evidence, oral argument, and the recent decisions of other courts in similar cases, the Court finds that the plaintiffs have met their burden for the extraordinary relief they seek,” the ruling reads. “The TRO is granted in part and denied in part.” DOGE SLASHES OVER $100M IN DEI FUNDING AT EDUCATION DEPARTMENT: ‘WIN FOR EVERY STUDENT’ The latest ruling against DOGE comes from the same judge who in early February blocked President Donald Trump’s executive order ending birthright citizenship. Boardman argued in the earlier ruling that citizenship is a “national concern that demands a uniform policy.” DOGE has seen several legal victories in the face of attempts to block efforts to cut “wasteful” federal spending. U.S. District Judge Tanya S. Chutkan recently denied a request to issue a temporary restraining order preventing Musk and DOGE from accessing data systems at several federal agencies. The department was issued another win after District Judge Christopher Cooper, an Obama appointee, shot down a request from several federal labor unions to pause the mass firings of federal workers by the Trump administration.
Reporter’s Notebook: All night long
The policy agenda of President Donald Trump and congressional Republicans is keeping Democrats up at night. Literally. If you snooze, you lose. Or at least you might have missed the recent nocturnal front mounted by Democrats to oppose the GOP’s budget package. THE HITCHHIKER’S GUIDE TO THE SENATE TRYING TO ADVANCE TRUMP’S AGENDA It was the second overnight session in three weeks for the Senate. While you were sleeping last Thursday night – drifting into Friday – Democrats hoped their resistance to the president wasn’t a legislative lullaby. In the overnight Senate session, Democrats forced two dozen votes over nearly nine hours on every subject under the moon. “The right to IVF,” was an amendment offered by Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill. “Deficits and debt,” came the proposal from Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., the top Democrat on the Budget Committee. MILLIONS MORE FOOD STAMP RECIPIENTS REQUIRED TO WORK UNDER NEW HOUSE GOP PROPOSAL “Public lands,” was the focus for Sen. Michael Bennet, D-Colo. “Deadly and devastating wildfires,” caught the attention of Sen. Adam Schiff, D-Calif. “The cost of housing,” was the issue for Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va. “Tax cuts,” declared Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn. “The FAA,” said Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., the leading Democrat on the Appropriations panel. However, Republicans threw a shuteye shutout. The GOP-controlled Senate rejected every Democratic proposal all night long. Marathon voting sessions – often called “vote-a-ramas” in the Senate – present an opportunity for the party out of power to engineer challenging votes for the other side. They like to put the majority on the spot with tough votes. Some amendments are even drafted with a specific senator in mind. Especially someone who might face a competitive bid for re-election in the next cycle. Democrats tried to trip up Republicans with votes on tax cuts. They even compelled Republicans to weigh in on their support – or lack thereof – for Ukraine. “This amendment ensures continued support for the government of Ukraine to stand firm against Russian aggression. For three years, Ukraine has fought tooth and nail for its very survival heroically,” said Sen. Jack Reed, D-R.I., the top Democrat on the Armed Services Committee. Reed’s plan scored a brushback from Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Roger Wicker, R-Miss. “There’s no greater supporter of Ukraine in this Senate than I am. But this is not the right vehicle,” argued Wicker on the floor at 12:34 a.m. ET Friday. “Passage of this amendment – though members might wish to – will make it harder to pass this very valuable budget.” But it was lights out for Democrats as Republicans passed their budget framework just before dawn Friday. The vote was 52-48. Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., was the lone GOP nay. FOLLOWING KEY WINS, TRUMP POSED FOR CABINET COMPLETION IN RECORD TIME “We’re going to vote all night long to set up a bill to increase spending by $340 billion,” argued Paul in a floor speech Thursday. “Senate Republicans are coming forward today to pass a budget to allow them to raise federal spending.” Paul asserted that senators should vote on his amendment to cut spending rather than greenlight an outline to actually spend more on the military and border security. He also reminded his colleagues that the budget plan wasn’t binding. It was just an aspiration with no real money or spending reductions. “The talk of the savings is ephemeral. It isn’t real. Until Congress has the courage to vote on it, it has to be certified by a vote. If Congress doesn’t vote, it sort of wishes and washes around in the ether. And it may or may not wind up being savings,” said Paul. Democrats claimed they shined a spotlight on Republican political vulnerabilities via the overnight exercise. “One amendment at a time, Democrats exposed Republicans’ true colors here on the Senate floor,” bragged Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y. But in the middle of the night. Did anyone see it? Did anyone pay attention? If a tree falls in the woods… But now it’s up to the House to approve its plan. It tackles the same provisions which are in the Senate package. But it emphasizes tax cuts. It also has the support of Trump. It will be hard to advance anything through the House. “If we don’t do our job, everyone’s taxes are going up. And so that is absolutely going to be catastrophic to the American people,” said Rep. Russell Fry, R-S.C., on FOX Business. Republicans hold a narrow majority in the House. It’s about the math. They can only lose a vote or two on any given day. And keep in mind that a key demand in this bill is to drive up military and border spending – but also reduce overall spending. Plus, renew tax cuts. That’s why some skeptics say the only way is to tackle the entitlements. So-called “mandatory” spending. This is spending that Congress doesn’t approve for each year. Based on laws passed years ago, the money for mandatory spending just floods out the door – based on what the government owes (such as interest on the debt) and who qualifies for particular entitlements. That’s why there’s a serious hunt for the triumvirate of “waste, fraud and abuse” in federal spending. There simply isn’t enough money to trim from the “discretionary” side of the ledger. That’s the money which Congress allocates on an annual basis to run the government. Mandatory spending dwarfs discretionary spending. “If we cut all of that, we still won’t balance the budget. We have a deficit of $2 trillion. We have got to touch our mandatory spending,” said Rep. Eric Burlison, R-Mo., on FOX Business. That’s why securing an agreement to advance the package through the House is so tough. And the House and Senate must both advance the same plan to use budget reconciliation to skip over the filibuster. If the House adopts its plan, the House and Senate could then work to sync up. The chambers could try to merge their respective plans in
Federal workers who fail to return to office will be placed on administrative leave, Musk states
Elon Musk, who is leading the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), warned federal workers on Monday morning that those who fail to return to the office will be placed on administrative leave. “Those who ignored President Trump’s executive order to return to work have now received over a month’s warning,” Musk wrote on X, the platform which he also owns. “Starting this week, those who still fail to return to office will be placed on administrative leave.” Musk’s warning comes after he announced Saturday that federal employees must report their accomplishments from the last week or face losing their jobs. Musk said on Saturday that federal employees would receive an email directing them to list their accomplishments from the week prior, with the DOGE leader adding later that day that the assignment should take less than five minutes to accomplish. Employees have until 11:59 pm on Monday to send the list or lose their employment, according to emails regarding Musk’s directive that were sent by the Office of Personnel Management. MUSK’S DEMAND THAT FED EMPLOYEES LIST THEIR ACCOMPLISHMENTS ROIL WORKFORCE: ‘MASS CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE’ Mass confusion followed on the eve of the deadline as some agencies resisted the order, others encouraged their workers to comply, and still others offered conflicting guidance. Several key U.S. agencies, including the FBI, State Department, Homeland Security and the Pentagon, which instructed their employees over the weekend not to comply. The Department of Health and Human Services, led by Robert F. Kennedy Jr., instructed its roughly 80,000 employees to comply shortly after acting general counsel, Sean Keveney, had instructed some not to. Later Sunday evening, agency leadership issued new instructions that employees should “pause activities” related to the request until noon on Monday. Officials at the Departments of State, Defense and Homeland Security were more consistent. The State Department reportedly told employees on Saturday that department officials “will respond on behalf of the Department,” according to a message sent by Ambassador Tibor P. Nagy, who serves as acting under secretary of state for management. ELON MUSK SAYS FEDERAL EMPLOYEES MUST FILL OUT PRODUCTIVITY REPORTS OR RESIGN The Department of Defense (DOD) told its civilian workforce to ignore the billionaire’s request, while Kash Patel, who was confirmed by the Senate last week as the new director of the FBI, also told employees to stand down. While Musk and DOGE have been criticized for how they’re going about cutting federal spending, President Donald Trump on Saturday wrote on Truth Social that though Musk is “doing a great job,” he should be “more aggressive.” “ELON IS DOING A GREAT JOB, BUT I WOULD LIKE TO SEE HIM GET MORE AGGRESSIVE. REMEMBER, WE HAVE A COUNTRY TO SAVE, BUT ULTIMATELY, TO MAKE GREATER THAN EVER BEFORE. MAGA!,” Trump wrote. Musk responded with an enthusiastic “Will do, Mr. President!” hours after Trump posted. Fox News Digital’s Greg Wehner and Andrea Margolis, along with The Associated Press, contributed to this report.
Democrat Rep Ritchie Torres endorses Cuomo for New York City mayor over Eric Adams: report
Rep. Ritchie Torres, D-N.Y., has endorsed Andrew Cuomo to run for mayor of New York City in the latest blow to incumbent Democrat first-termer, Mayor Eric Adams. “The two most important things we need are competence and courage,” Torres, who represents the Bronx, told the New York Post. “Andrew Cuomo has the competence to govern the city. He has the courage to stand up to extremist politics – both from the far left and far right,” Torres said, adding: “We don’t need a Mr. Nice Guy. We need a Mr. Tough Guy.” Cuomo has not formally declared his candidacy for mayor but is rumored to announce soon. “He has my endorsement as soon as he enters the race,” Torres told the Post. CUOMO RESPONDS AFTER EX-NEW YORK OFFICIAL CALLS FOR HIM TO BE NYC MAYOR The former governor resigned in 2021 amid scandals connected to COVID-19 nursing home deaths and sexual harassment claims. Cuomo has always denied the allegations against him. “I predict the comeback story of the 2025 election will be the resurrection of Andrew Cuomo,” Torres told the Post. “America loves a comeback, New York loves a comeback.” Fox News Digital reached out to Torres’ office for comment Monday and was referred to the congressman’s appearance on CNBC. “Andrew Cuomo is a common sense Democrat,” Torres told CNBC Monday. “For me the two most important virtues in politics are competence and courage. And Andrew Cuomo has the competence to run New York City in a moment of crisis, and he has the courage to stand up to the extremes of American politics whether it’s the far right or the far left. There’s a mayoral candidate who openly identifies with the Democratic Socialists of America, which celebrated the mass murder of Jews on Oct. 7, and so when it comes to confronting political extremism in New York, when it comes to confronting the crisis of crime, we need not a nice guy, but a tough guy like Andrew Cuomo.” Asked whether it was an endorsement of Cuomo or an indictment of Adams, Torres said it was both, arguing that New York City is “in crisis” after four deputy mayors resigned and “the city is less safe than it should be.” “What we now need more than ever is the kind of stable and strong and steady leadership that Governor Cuomo can provide, and the effectiveness of Andrew Cuomo as an executive need not be taken on faith. It is a fact,” Torres said. “We as New Yorkers every day live and feel the legacy of Andrew Cuomo as a great builder of New York City. Last week, Cuomo disseminated a letter from former state comptroller Carl McCall, a prominent Democrat and Black elder statesman, backing him for mayor. McCall endorsed Adams, who is New York City’s second Black mayor, in his 2021 campaign for the office. MAYOR ERIC ADAMS SAYS NYC’S ROOSEVELT HOTEL MIGRANT SHELTER WILL SOON CLOSE Adams already faces multiple challengers in June’s Democratic primary, but Cuomo is polling as the front-runner. A federal judge on Friday canceled a corruption trial for Adams and appointed counsel to advise the court about President Donald Trump’s Justice Department’s controversial request to drop charges against the mayor filed under the Biden administration. Adams has denied allegations of a quid pro quo agreement with the Trump administration, as the Democratic mayor cooperates with federal law enforcement on the president’s criminal illegal immigration crackdown. “I want a mayor who can governor independently of the far right and Donald Trump represents the far right,” Torres told CNBC. “What I found striking is Donald Trump made the decision not to pardon Eric Adams or to permanently drop the charges, but only to do so temporarily, and so the fear of a reindictment keeps Mayor Adams permanently under the thumb of Donald Trump.” Judge Dale E. Ho’s written order Friday means he will not decide before mid-March whether to grant the dismissal of the case against the embattled mayor of the nation’s largest city. Ho said he appointed Paul Clement, a former U.S. solicitor general under former President George W. Bush, to present arguments on the government’s request to drop the case.