Rubio, Kaine clash on South African refugees: ‘You don’t like that they’re white.”
Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., clashed in a heated and racially charged exchange over South African refugees on Tuesday – with Kaine accusing Rubio and the Trump administration of prioritizing white South African farmers for refugee entry. The spat was prompted after the United States last week welcomed dozens of white South African refugees who the State Department said are victims of “government-sponsored racial discrimination” in their homeland. Their arrival comes as the administration has suspended most refugee resettlement programs. Kaine, during a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing, called the persecution claims “specious,” noting that South Africa now has a government of national unity and the agriculture minister is an Afrikaner. TRUMP TO BRING WHITE AFRIKANERS TO US AS REFUGEES FROM SOUTH AFRICA, IN WAKE OF EXPROPRIATION LEGISLATION He inferred that the Trump administration was giving preference to Afrikaners because of their skin color. “Can you have a different standard based upon the color of somebody’s skin? Would that be acceptable?” Kaine said before Rubio shot back. “I’m not the one arguing that, apparently you are because you don’t like the fact that they’re white and that’s why they’re coming,” Rubio said. “I’m asking you to say that that would be unacceptable, that would seem to be a very easy thing to say,” Kaine said. “The United States has a right to pick and choose who they allow into the United States,” Rubio said before Kaine cut across him. “Based on the color of somebody’s skin?” Kaine asked. “You’re the one that’s talking about the color of their skin, not me. These are people whose farms were burned down and they were killed because of the color of their skin,” Rubio said. TRUMP ADMINISTRATION MAKES NEW MOVE TO BRING SOUTH AFRICAN REFUGEES TO US AS PRESIDENT BLASTS NATION’S RULERS AGAIN President Donald Trump directed the State Department to bump up Afrikaners to the front of the line for resettlement after a law was passed by the South African government allowing it to take private land for public use, sometimes without compensation. Trump claimed the law would be used to target South Africa’s white minority Afrikaner group, descended from Dutch and other European settlers who arrived more than 300 years ago. Amid his immigration crackdown, Trump said in January the U.S. will only admit refugees who “can fully and appropriately assimilate.” Kaine played down the threat the Afrikaners face and said that the U.S. did not establish a special refugee program for Black South Africans during the apartheid era. “Now we’re creating a special pathway for white Afrikaner farmers in a country governed by a unity government that includes the Afrikaner parties,” Kaine said. “Would you agree, Mr. Secretary, that if we’re interpreting the phrase ‘a well-founded fear of persecution’, we should apply that standard evenhandedly?” “I think we should apply it in the national security interest of the United States,” Rubio said. “The United States has the right to choose who it allows in and to prioritize that choice,” Rubio asserted. “And should that be applied evenhandedly?” Kaine asked, with Rubio responding, “Our foreign policy does not require evenhandedness.” Rubio also said that Kaine seems to think everyone should be allowed into the country for any reason, and reasserted that the government’s immigration policy should reflect what benefits the United States. In March, Rubio expelled the South African ambassador to the U.S., calling him a “race-baiting” politician who hates America and Trump after he said the commander-in-chief is leading a global white supremacist movement. South Africa’s foreign ministry has said the accusations of racial discrimination against Afrikaners are “unfounded.” Elsewhere in the hearing on Tuesday, Rubio requested a budget totaling $28.5 billion, which he said will allow the State Department to fulfill its mission while also outlining a bureaucratic overhaul, proposing the recission of $20 billion in duplicate, wasteful and ideologically driven programs. Rubio announced the creation of new consolidated funds that will absorb many U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) functions. Last month, Rubio announced he was overhauling the agency and shuttering more than 130 offices around the world in order to streamline operations and align the department more closely with the administration’s foreign policy objectives. Rubio said that all the changes will not be universally welcome, but the intent of the changes is to make the agency more efficient. “It is not to dismantle American foreign policy and it is not to withdraw us from the world, because I just hit 18 countries in 18 weeks, that doesn’t sound like much of a withdrawal,” Rubio said. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP “We are engaged in the world, but we’re going to be engaged in a world that makes sense and that’s smart. And that isn’t about saving money, it is about ensuring that we are delivering to our people what they deserve. A foreign policy that makes America stronger, safer and more prosperous.” He also discussed various foreign affairs matters, including the Ukraine-Russia war, which he said can only end through a negotiated settlement. “Neither side can win militarily,” Rubio said. Fox News’ Brie Stimson contributed to this report.
Rep. Jared Golden vows to stop Trump ally Paul LePage from entering Congress
Democratic Rep. Jared Golden of Maine is passing on a potential statewide bid for governor or the Senate and instead will seek re-election in a key swing congressional district that Republicans are working to flip in the 2026 midterm elections. “I have decided the best way to continue serving the people of Maine is to do my part to restore balance in Congress by helping to win back the House of Representatives. My focus will remain on checking the extremes and putting working-class families first,” Golden said Tuesday morning in a social media post, as he announced his re-election. Golden, a U.S. Marine veteran who deployed to the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, is a moderate Democrat who often bucks his own party in Congress. He has held the seat in Maine’s 2nd Congressional District, which is one of the most competitive in the nation, since first winning it in 2018. THIS LONGTIME TRUMP ALLY AND FORMER GOP GOVERNOR AIMS TO FLIP DEMOCRAT-HELD KEY SWING CONGRESSIONAL SEAT Golden won re-election by a razor-thin margin last year in the district, which is the second-most rural in the U.S. and the largest east of the Mississippi River. And President Donald Trump carried the district in the 2016, 2020 and 2024 presidential elections by nine, seven and 10 points. “While the election is still 18 months away and I remain focused on my responsibilities to my constituents and my family, I also know the path to the GOP majority runs through Maine,” said the 42-year-old Golden, who had been floated as a potential gubernatorial or Senate candidate. HOUSE GOP, AIMING TO HOLD MAJORITY, TOUTS THIS KEY METRIC As Republicans aim to defend their razor-thin House majority in the midterms, Golden’s district is in their crosshairs. National Republican Congressional Committee spokeswoman Maureen O’Toole said that “we look forward to making out-of-touch Democrat Jared Golden wish he ran for governor.” But the top Democrats in House leadership countered that “Jared’s dedication to representing all of his constituents — no matter their party affiliation — makes him uniquely suited to once again win one of the toughest seats in the country for Democrats to hold.” “He’s also helping Democrats flip Republican seats in competitive districts throughout America,” House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries (NY-08), Whip Katherine Clark (MA-05), Chairman Pete Aguilar (CA-33) and Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) Chair Suzan DelBene (WA-01) added in a joint statement. CONGRESSIONAL DEMOCRATS TARGETING THESE HOUSE REPUBLICANS IN 2026 MIDTERM BATTLE Challenging Golden is former two-term Republican Gov. Paul LePage, who is a major Trump supporter and ally. “I am going to do what it takes to make sure no one like Paul LePage blusters his way into Congress,” Golden said in his announcement. LePage, in his first interview after announcing his candidacy earlier this month, told Fox News Digital, “I never, ever had any aspirations to go to Washington until now.” “Donald Trump, I think, is doing what is necessary in addressing the debt this country is facing. And I think that’s a big, big thing for me,” LePage said as he was interviewed in Lewiston, the Maine city where he was born and raised. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP LePage — the brash and blunt politician who won over blue-collar workers struggling with economic woes, which helped the Republican businessman win election and re-election in the blue-leaning state — was one of the first major GOP elected officials to endorse Trump when the president first ran for the White House nearly a decade ago. “I have a friend in the White House right now. I know President Trump. I think I can have an audience of President Trump. I know several of his secretaries very well. And so I think this is a good time. It’s a good time for me to go help,” LePage told Fox News.
Trump administration secures release of US veteran held in Venezuela, family says
The family of a U.S. Air Force veteran who was wrongfully detained in Venezuela since November 2024, on Tuesday, said he was released. Joseph St. Clair, a four-tour Afghanistan War veteran from Hansville, Washington, first went missing in November while getting PTSD treatment in Colombia. “This news came suddenly, and we are still processing it—but we are overwhelmed with joy and gratitude,” said Scott and Patti St. Clair, Joseph’s parents. The family also thanked President Donald Trump, as well as his administration, for securing St. Clair’s release. This story is breaking. Please check back for updates.
Federal judge with history of anti-Trump remarks assigned to Hannah Dugan criminal case
The Milwaukee judge accused of helping an illegal immigrant evade Immigration and Customs Enforcement is back in the spotlight — this time because of the liberal federal judge presiding over her trial. U.S. District Judge Lynn Adelman, 85, was randomly assigned to preside over the jury trial of Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan, who was indicted earlier this month for allegedly shielding an illegal immigrant from ICE in her courtroom. Adelman, a former Democratic lawmaker and outspoken judge, faces mounting criticism and scrutiny of his record as he handles the high-profile case. Adelman spent 20 years as a Democrat in the Wisconsin state Senate before then-President Bill Clinton nominated him in 1997 to serve on the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin. Though the judge hasn’t been active in politics for years, critics note recent rulings and writings in which he’s taken aim at President Donald Trump, Chief Justice Roberts and others. TRUMP CONSIDERS FORMER DEFENSE ATTORNEY EMIL BOVE FOR FEDERAL APPEALS COURT VACANCY Some fear this continued political bias could risk his impartiality in presiding over Dugan’s trial — or at least the perceptions of it, in the eyes of Trump allies. Adelman did not respond to a request for comment. In 2020, Adelman published an article for Harvard Law & Policy Review, titled, “The Roberts Court’s Assault on Democracy” that set off a torrent of criticism from Trump allies and court commentators alike. The article accused Chief Justice John Roberts of breaking with his Senate confirmation testimony in 2005 — instead ushering in a “hard-right majority” on the Supreme Court, and “actively participating in undermining American democracy.” Adelman also took aim at Trump, whose temperament he said “is that of an autocrat,” but who he said “is also disinclined to buck the wealthy individuals and corporations who control his party.” Adelman used the article to advocate for “righting the ship” of the high court, in part by embracing an approach similar to the Warren Court — known both for its landmark civil rights rulings and a slew of other progressive decisions. 100 DAYS OF INJUNCTIONS, TRIALS AND ‘TEFLON DON’: TRUMP SECOND TERM MEETS ITS BIGGEST TESTS IN COURT Adelman was later admonished by the Civility Committee for the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals for his remarks in the article. They found his remarks did not violate prohibited political activity under the Canons of Judicial Conduct, but issued the following rebuke: “The opening two sentences regarding the Chief Justice and the very pointed criticisms of Republican Party policy positions could be seen as inconsistent with a judge’s duty to promote public confidence in the integrity and impartiality of the judiciary and as reflecting adversely on the judge’s impartiality,” the committee said. Adelman later issued a public apology for those remarks. Adelman was also at the center of a major case involving Wisconsin’s voter ID law, which sought to make it harder for citizens to vote. He blocked the law from taking force ahead of the elections — a decision that was later reversed by the U.S. Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals, which again issued a sharp rebuke of his ruling. In “our hierarchical judicial system, a district court cannot declare a statute unconstitutional just because he thinks (with or without the support of a political scientist) that the dissent was right and the majority wrong,” the appeals court said, noting that Adelman did not rely on any Supreme Court precedent to base his decision. In light of his previous remarks and progressive rulings, court-watchers expect his behavior here to be closely scrutinized. It’s unclear whether his behavior could assuage the concerns of longtime critics — among them, Mike Davis of the Article III Project, and conservative scholar Josh Blackman, who took aim at Adelman’s 2020 remarks in a blog post at the time. This is due in part to the canons of judicial ethics, Fox News contributor Jonathan Turley noted in an op-ed for The Hill. “Because of these ethical principles, judges are usually highly restrained in their public comments, particularly about political or ideological matters,” he said. JUDGES V TRUMP: HERE ARE THE KEY COURT BATTLES HALTING THE WHITE HOUSE AGENDA Dugan’s trial comes at a time when Trump and his allies have blasted so-called “activist” judges who they see as acting politically to block his agenda — suggesting her trial, and Adelman’s behavior — will be under especially close scrutiny. But others noted that federal judges often take great caution to avoid the appearance of political bias, even more so in public remarks, understanding that doing so could violate the canons for judicial behavior. Many also see their roles on the court as a serious job that requires them to be impartial arbiters of the law — looking to precedent, rather than politics — as their guide. In presiding over Dugan’s case, experts hope Adelman will do the same. “When I have served on panels with sitting federal judges, they often balk at even discussing the scope of constitutional rights out of concern for these canons,” Turley noted in the an op-ed. “Federal judges are expected to speak through opinions in court decisions rather than in editorials or law review articles.”
Children take over White House briefing room with questions about Trump’s favorite ice cream, superpower
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt fielded questions from the children of journalists and White House officials to celebrate Take Our Sons and Daughters to Work Day on Tuesday. The children’s questions focused mainly on President Donald Trump, with Leavitt being forced to reveal the president’s favorite flavor of ice cream, what super power he most wants to have, and whether he likes to give hugs. “Oh, does he like to give hugs? You know, I think he does. I have seen him give many hugs to children and his family and our beautiful first lady. So, yes, I do think he likes to gives hugs,” Leavitt told her first questioner. “What is the funnest part about your job, and the hardest part?” the next child asked. MEET THE TRUMP-PICKED LAWMAKERS GIVING SPEAKER JOHNSON A FULL HOUSE GOP CONFERENCE “I think the most fun part about my job is doing things like this with all of you in the briefing room and answering so many great questions. I think that the hardest part of my job is also doing things like this in the briefing room and answering all of these questions,” she responded, to laughter. HOUSE GOP TARGETS ANOTHER DEM OFFICIAL ACCUSED OF BLOCKING ICE AMID DELANEY HALL FALLOUT “And reading the news is a big part of my job every day. I wake up and read the newspaper and watch the news and listen to all of the things that your parents are reporting on in the news, and that’s a big part of my job every day,” she added. The next child asked about Trump’s favorite food, and Leavitt said he prefers steak to anything else. Leavitt informed the next child that Trump’s favorite ice cream flavor is a classic ice cream sundae. “If the president could have a superpower, what would it be? That is a very good question,” Leavitt responded to the next child. “I think if he had a superpower it would be to just snap his fingers and solve all of our country’s problems just like that, because he likes to get things done very quickly but sometimes it takes a little bit longer. “Like today, he had to go to Capitol Hill to convince people to vote for his one big beautiful bill. I bet if he had a superpower he would snap his fingers and get it passed immediately, but Life doesn’t work that way, unfortunately,” she added. First lady Melania Trump also spent time with kids outside the White House. Many of them could be seen wearing dark blue hats that said “Gulf of America” in bright red letters.
Hegseth orders Pentagon to launch comprehensive review into ‘catastrophic’ 2021 Afghanistan withdrawal
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth is instructing the Pentagon to launch a comprehensive review into the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021. Then-President Joe Biden removed U.S. troops from Afghanistan in 2021, following up on existing plans from the first Trump administration in 2020 with Taliban leaders to end the war in the region. Thirteen U.S. service members were killed during the withdrawal process due to a suicide bombing at Abbey Gate, outside of Hamid Karzai International Airport, and the Taliban quickly seized control of Kabul. TRUMP PUSHES TO RECOVER ‘BILLIONS OF DOLLARS’ OF MILITARY EQUIPMENT LEFT BEHIND IN AFGHANISTAN WITHDRAWAL “The Department of Defense has an obligation, both to the American people and to the warfighters who sacrificed their youth in Afghanistan, to get to the facts,” Hegseth said in a Tuesday memo. “This remains an important step toward regaining faith and trust with the American people and all those who wear the uniform and is prudent based on the number of casualties and equipment lost during the execution of this withdrawal operation.” Hegseth said the Pentagon has already completed a review into the “catastrophic” withdrawal, and concluded that a full investigation is necessary to provide a full picture of the event and to hold those responsible accountable. As a result, Hegseth is directing Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell to spearhead a special review panel to evaluate previous investigations and to “analyze the decision making that led to one of America’s darkest and deadliest international moments.” “This team will ensure ACCOUNTABILITY to the American people and the warfighters of our great Nation,” Hegseth said in the memo. HOUSE GOP RELEASES SCATHING REPORT ON BIDEN’S WITHDRAWAL FROM AFGHANISTAN The Biden administration’s White House released a report in 2023 evaluating the Afghanistan withdrawal, which stated that top intelligence officials did not accurately assess how quickly the Taliban would retake control of Kabul. In February, Trump told reporters that he wouldn’t instruct Hegseth on what actions the Pentagon should take when asked if he was considering firing military leaders who oversaw the withdrawal. But Trump said he would “fire every single one of them.” This is a breaking news story and will be updated. Fox News’ Liz Friden contributed to this report.
Rubio fires back after Dem senator says he regrets voting for him, sparking tense exchange
Secretary of State Marco Rubio fired back at Sen. Chris Van Hollen after the Maryland Democrat said he regretted voting for Rubio as President Donald Trump’s chief foreign affairs adviser, leading to a fiery exchange during a Senate hearing on Tuesday. Rubio testified before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on the State Department’s budget proposal when Van Hollen used his time to tear into the State Department for revoking visas of those found disrupting college campuses or committing acts of violence. “Your campaign of fear and repression is eating away at the foundational values of our democracy,” Van Hollen said, likening Rubio to the era of Sen. Joseph McCarthy. He added, “And I have to tell you directly and personally that I regret voting for you for Secretary of State.” “First of all, your regret for voting for me confirms I’m doing a good job,” Rubio replied. JUDGE ON WARPATH PRESSES TRUMP DOJ ON ABREGO GARCIA DEPORTATION, ANSWERS LEAVE COURTROOM IN STUNNED SILENCE “That’s just a flippant statement, Mr. Secretary,” Van Hollen shot back. Committee Chairman Jim Risch, R-Idaho, interjected, asking Van Hollen to let Rubio respond to his claims without interruption. When Van Hollen asked if he can, in turn, respond to Rubio, Risch said, “Your time is up, Mr. Senator, and woefully used I might add.” Rubio continued, saying that in the case of El Salvador, “we deported gang members … including the one you had a margarita with,” referencing Van Hollen’s visit to see deported “Maryland man” Kilmar Abrego Garcia in El Salvador. “And that guy is a human trafficker, and that guy is a gangbanger, and the evidence is going to be clear in the days to come.” Van Hollen then jumped in, shouting to the chairman that Rubio “can’t make unsubstantiated comments like that.” “Secretary Rubio should take that testimony to the federal court of the United States because he hasn’t done it under oath,” Van Hollen said before Risch banged the gavel to allow Rubio to continue. TRUMP ADMINISTRATION BEGINS NEW WAVE OF INTERNATIONAL STUDENT VISA REVOCATIONS: ‘NO ONE HAS A RIGHT TO A VISA’ Rubio continued: “About the student visas, let me say this. I don’t deport anybody and I don’t snatch anybody. The State Department does not have officers in the streets snatching everybody. What I do is revoke visas. And it’s very simple. A visa is not a right. It is a privilege.” “People apply for student visas to come into the United States and study. And if you tell me you’re coming to the United States to lead campus crusades, to take over libraries, and try to burn down buildings and acts of violence, we’re not going to give you a visa,” he continued. Van Hollen shot back that Rubio “was just blowing smoke here now.” Rubio responded: “The bottom line is, if you’re coming here to stir up trouble on our campuses, we will deny you a visa. And if you have a visa, and we find you, we will revoke it.” Rubio said the Trump administration will continue to revoke the visas of those who are here as guests and are disrupting college campuses. A senior State Department official reacted to the exchange in a statement to Fox News Digital. “Once again, Senator Van Hollen proves that he cares more about illegal immigrants than his own constituents,” the senior State Department official said.
Trump, Putin discussed possible prisoner swap involving 9 Americans: report
President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed a possible prisoner swap involving nine Americans during their phone call this week, The Associated Press reported. Russian presidential adviser Yuri Ushakov, who previously served as Russian ambassador to the U.S., made the announcement after Trump and Putin spoke for two hours Monday. Putin and Trump talked about a Russia-U.S. prisoner exchange, which Ushakov said was “in the works” and envisioned Moscow and Washington releasing nine people each. He did not offer any other details. The State Department did not immediately respond Tuesday to a request for comment from Fox News Digital. TRUMP SAYS RUSSIA, UKRAINE TO START CEASEFIRE NEGOTIATIONS AFTER PUTIN CALL The development comes following the release of Russian American Ksenia Karelina, who was freed from Russia in April after being detained for more than a year. TRUMP MEETS WITH FREED RUSSIAN AMERICAN WHO WAS DETAINED ABROAD FOR OVER A YEAR Both Trump and Putin described the call on Monday in a positive light, with the Kremlin chief saying it was “frank” and “useful,” but it is not immediately clear what results were achieved. Trump took to social media to praise the call as having gone “very well” and said, “Russia and Ukraine will immediately start negotiations toward a Ceasefire and, more importantly, an END to the War.” Putin, in a statement after the call, also noted that “a ceasefire with Ukraine is possible” but noted that “Russia and Ukraine must find compromises that suit both sides.” Fox News Digital’s Elizabeth Pritchett, Caitlin McFall and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Inside Trump’s urgent meeting with House GOP to pass the ‘big, beautiful bill’
President Donald Trump rallied House Republicans behind closed doors to pass his “one big, beautiful bill” as soon as possible – and to quickly resolve their interparty disagreements in the process. Trump made a rare visit to Capitol Hill just days before the House of Representatives is expected to vote on a massive bill advancing his agenda on tax, immigration, defense, energy and the debt limit. It is a reflection of the high stakes that congressional Republicans and the White House are facing, with just razor-thin majorities in the House and Senate. Trump warned House Republicans to not “f— around” with Medicaid and state and local tax (SALT) deduction caps, two significant points of contention for warring GOP factions, two people in the room told Fox News Digital. MEET THE TRUMP-PICKED LAWMAKERS GIVING SPEAKER JOHNSON A FULL HOUSE GOP CONFERENCE Two people said Trump targeted Rep. Mike Lawler, R-N.Y., on SALT specifically. Lawler, one of just three Republicans in districts Trump lost in 2024, has been one of the most vocal proponents of a higher SALT deduction cap. “I know your district better than you do. If you lose because of SALT, you were going to lose anyway,” Trump said during his remarks, the sources told Fox News Digital. When asked about those comments by reporters after the meeting, Lawler said, “The issue of SALT is one of the biggest issues impacting my district. It’s the reason I won.” “I made very clear when I ran for office back in ’22 that I would never support a tax bill that does not adequately lift the cap on SALT,” Lawler said. Meanwhile, three sources in the room said Trump also targeted Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., who has frustrated both the president and House GOP leaders in the past by bucking the party line. Trump had called Massie a “grandstander” in public comments to reporters minutes before the meeting. Massie told reporters when asked for his response, “It would be ironic if one of you guys who stopped me, wants to report that I’m a grandstander. Because you are the ones who are performing this, standing. I would be walking.” “I don’t think he wants to talk about cutting spending,” Massie said of Trump. SALT deduction caps and Medicaid remain two of the biggest sticking points in Republican negotiations. SALT deduction caps primarily benefit people living in high-cost-of-living areas like New York City, Los Angeles and their surrounding suburbs. Republicans representing those areas have argued that raising the SALT deduction cap is a critical issue and that a failure to address it could cost the GOP the House majority in the 2026 midterms. Republicans in redder, lower-tax areas have said in response that SALT deductions favor wealthy people living in Democrat-controlled states and that such deductions reward progressive high-tax policies. It was Trump’s Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 that first instituted caps on SALT deductions – setting the maximum at $10,000 for both married couples and single filers. HOUSE GOP TARGETS ANOTHER DEM OFFICIAL ACCUSED OF BLOCKING ICE AMID DELANEY HALL FALLOUT SALT Caucus members like Lawler have rejected House Republican leaders’ offer to increase that to $30,000, but Trump told those Republicans to accept what offer was on the table, according to people in the room. Members of the conservative House Freedom Caucus, meanwhile, are pushing for the bill to be more aggressive in cutting waste, fraud and abuse in the Medicaid system, including a faster timeline for implementing work requirements for able-bodied recipients. Currently, the legislation has work requirements kicking in 2029. They also want to restructure Medicaid cost-sharing to put a bigger burden on the states. Moderates, meanwhile, have been wary of making significant cuts to the program. A White House official said Trump stressed he wanted complete unity on the bill, and “made it clear he’s losing patience with all holdout factions of the House Republican Conference, including the SALT Caucus and the House Freedom Caucus.” He also urged Republicans to debate SALT “later” while warning, “Don’t touch Medicaid except for eliminating waste, fraud, and abuse, including booting off illegal immigrants and common-sense work requirements,” the White House official said. However, lawmakers leaving the meeting appear to have taken away very different conclusions. “He’s just like, listen. I think where we’re at with the bill is good, and to keep pushing for more will be difficult,” Rep. Scott Fitzgerald, R-Wis., said of Trump’s Medicaid comments. House Financial Services Committee Chairman French Hill, R-Ark., similarly said, “I think he’s referring to members who want to change the approach that the Energy & Commerce Committee has taken.” “He thinks they’ve taken a good, balanced approach to preserve the program, enhance the program, while narrowing the scope and hunting out waste, fraud, and abuse,” Hill said. Meanwhile, House Freedom Caucus Chairman Andy Harris, R-Md., told Fox News Digital, “I think the president will not mind changes that…decrease waste, fraud, and abuse in the bill.” However, it is unclear how much Trump’s message moved Republicans who were skeptical of the bill previously. Harris came out of the meeting insisting the House-wide vote should be delayed, so House Republicans could take more time to negotiate the bill. Additionally, SALT Caucus Republicans like Lawler, as well as Reps. Nick LaLota and Andrew Garbarino of New York, indicated to reporters they would oppose the bill as currently written. Some last-minute changes are expected to be made to the legislation before a 1 a.m. House Rules Committee meeting to advance the bill. The powerful panel acts as the final gatekeeper to most legislation before a House-wide vote. However, it is unclear now if changes will be made to SALT deduction caps or Medicaid after Trump urged Republicans to clear up both fights. Republicans are working to pass Trump’s policies on tax, immigration, energy, defense and the national debt all in one massive bill via the budget reconciliation process. Budget reconciliation lowers the Senate’s threshold for passage from 60 votes to 51, thereby allowing
Trump supporters find unlikely common ground with blue state congressman at town hall: ‘I love it’
ALLENTOWN, PA – President Donald Trump supporters and Americans for Prosperity (AFP) protesters lined the streets outside Democrat Rep. Ro Khanna’s town hall in the battleground state of Pennsylvania on Saturday night. However, three pro-Trump protesters who wandered inside the half-empty town hall found unlikely common ground with the Silicon Valley Democrat, who is considered a potential 2028 presidential candidate. Before taking the stage for his remarks, Khanna listened to the Trump supporters’ concerns and told them about the legislation he proposed last week to codify Trump’s executive order aimed at lowering prescription drug prices. Khanna has secured three co-sponsors for his bill, including GOP Reps. Paulina Luna and Andy Biggs. While some Democrat attendees looked on disapprovingly at the polite political debate breaking out at the back of the town hall, Khanna encouraged the Trump supporters to pull up a seat and stick around for his remarks. The Trump supporters did just that. BLUE STATE CONGRESSMAN DITCHES DEM PLAYBOOK, SEEKS TO CODIFY TRUMP’S LATEST EXECUTIVE ORDER “I love it,” Khanna told Fox News Digital ahead of his speech. “I love the First Amendment. They’re peaceful. I walked by them. They were very civil. That’s democracy, and they’re welcome to come in.” GOP REPS, ADVOCACY GROUP TO TARGET COMPETITIVE HOUSE DISTRICTS IN TRUMP TAX-CUT PUSH When Khanna took the stage, he thanked the Trump supporters for their conversation and spotlighted how Americans can find common ground on lowering prescription drug prices amid persistent political violence in the United States. Khanna said he was appreciative of the conversation in light of a terrorist attack on a fertility clinic in California earlier that day, the arson attack on Gov. Josh Shapiro’s home last month and the assassination attempt on Trump in Pennsylvania last year. Khanna’s Allentown event was the first of two “Benefits Over Billionaires” town halls hosted in Republican-held congressional districts in swing state Pennsylvania this weekend. While Khanna was a long way from his home district, he was born in Philadelphia and grew up in Bucks County. Republican Reps. Ryan Mackenzie and Brian Fitzpatrick, both likely to face competitive challenges to hold their House seats in 2026, represent the Lehigh Valley and Bucks County districts Khanna visited this weekend. “He should be back home in his own district doing a town hall with his constituents, but I think he’s campaigning for president most likely, so he’s trying to get his name ID out there all across the country,” Mackenzie told Fox News Digital before knocking on doors with AFP on Saturday. Mackenzie accused Khanna of “going around, mugging for the cameras, trying to get clicks on social media and trying to boost [his] own profile,” as he defended his own accessibility to his Pennsylvania constituents. However, Khanna deflected Mackenzie’s accusation about posturing for a political future when pressed by Fox News Digital. “This is about saving the jobs at the Mack plant. This is about making sure we don’t cut Medicaid. This is about making sure people aren’t getting hurt in this community and around the country,” Khanna said. Democrats have railed against proposed Medicaid reform as a key component of Trump’s “big, beautiful bill,” but Mackenzie said his constituents are more concerned about eliminating waste, fraud and abuse from the program. The California congressman, who spoke with members of the United Auto Workers union ahead of his town hall, called on Mackenzie and Trump to save at least 250 Pennsylvanians’ jobs at Mack Trucks in the Lehigh Valley. “The president’s trying to bring back manufacturing. How about we just stop manufacturing from leaving? We need action here, and I wanted to highlight that,” Khanna said, explaining his trip to Mackenzie’s district. While Khanna took aim at Mackenzie for the Mack Truck layoffs, an AFP digital ad truck outside the event spotlighted Mackenzie’s support for extending Trump’s 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act as activists doubled down on support for their elected Republican leaders.