Rubio hails Trump as ‘only leader in the world’ who can broker Ukraine peace deal after talks
Secretary of State Marco Rubio applauded President Donald Trump for the progress he has made towards peace when it comes to the war in Ukraine, while he accused the former Biden administration of doing nothing to change the circumstances of the war. Rubio appeared on Fox News’ “Jesse Waters Prime Time” Monday evening after the day-long talks between U.S. and European officials that included Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. During the appearance, he praised Trump as “the only leader in the world” who has proven he can broker a peace deal between Zelenskyy’s Ukraine and Vladimir Putin’s Russia, adding that the Monday talks were “unprecedented.” “After three years of deadlock, and no talks, and no change in circumstances, this is the first time where there seems to be some movement,” the secretary said. “This has been going on for three-and-a-half years. A lot of people have died, a lot of territories exchanged back-and-forth, so it’s not an easy thing to unwind, but nothing was happening on this war. Literally, the only option we were given under the previous administration was continue to fund Ukraine for however much they need, for however long it takes.” TRUMP: ZELENSKYY MEETING NOT ‘END OF THE ROAD’ FOR US SUPPORT IN SECURING A PEACE DEAL Rubio pointed out that finally, under a new administration, people are “actually talking about pathways toward ending [the war in Ukraine].” “It’s going to take a little bit more work, and a little bit more time, but we are making progress,” Rubio argued. “It’s not me saying it, that is virtually every leader there [on Monday] said that.” Rubio said that prior to Trump, the fighting in Ukraine was nothing more than a “stalemated war of death and destruction.” He also complained that under Biden there was no plan other than to continue giving weapons to Ukraine. “That’s the other dynamic that’s changed – we’re no longer giving Ukraine weapons, we’re no longer giving Ukraine money, we are now selling them weapons and European countries are paying for it through NATO. They are using NATO to buy the weapons and transferring them to Ukraine,” Rubio pointed out. “That’s another big change from the way this war was approached under the Biden administration.” RUBIO SHOOTS DOWN REPORT THAT TRUMP BACKS PUTIN’S PLAN FOR RUSSIA TO CONTROL UKRAINE’S DONBAS REGION Following the Monday peace talks in D.C., reports surfaced that Putin had agreed to a future meeting with Zelenskyy, followed by a trilateral meeting involving the United States. For Rubio, just the fact that the two countries are open to talking to each other is a win and a big change from the previous administration. “I’m not saying they are going to leave that room with a peace deal, but I think the fact that people are now talking to each other – this wasn’t happening for three-and-a-half years,” Rubio told host Waters, adding that Trump has “made it a priority” to bring about peace in Ukraine. The secretary also cited six previous peace agreements that he said Trump has brokered, which Rubio said proves Trump’s commitment to peace and fewer wars. “President Trump is the only leader in the world – acknowledged by all the Europeans – the only leader in the world that can talk to both [Putin and Zelenskyy] and bring them both to a meeting,” Rubio said Monday evening. “We should be proud that we have a president who has made peace a priority in his administration.”
5 key moments inside Trump’s ‘big day’ with Zelenskyy, European leaders
After meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska last week, President Donald Trump touted that he had a “very good meeting” with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and other European leaders at the White House on Monday. Trump, who has voiced he would like to put an end to mass bloodshed in Eastern Europe, called the multilateral meetings on Monday “a very good, early step for a War that has been going on for almost four years.” In a Truth Social post after the discussions, Trump wrote, “I had a very good meeting with distinguished guests,” and that “everyone is very happy about the possibility of PEACE for Russia/Ukraine.” Here are the top five takeaways from the president’s “big day” with European leaders. Monday’s summit marked a dramatic and noticeable shift from Trump and Vice President JD Vance’s now-infamous Oval Office meeting with Zelenskyy in February. TRUMP SPARS WITH EUROPEAN LEADER DURING UKRAINE TALKS OVER KEY STEP TO PEACE During that meeting, the leaders were caught on camera getting into a heated argument over several topics, including Zelenskyy allegedly not being sufficiently grateful for U.S. support. On Monday, all the tension seemed to have disappeared. Both Trump and Zelenskyy were all smiles throughout the day, and the Ukrainian leader received a warm welcome from Trump’s Cabinet, including Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Both Zelenskyy and European leaders appeared more at ease with Trump throughout the day and took an optimistic tone. After the meetings, European Union President Ursula von der Leyen posted on X, “We are here, as allies and friends, for peace in Ukraine and in Europe. This is an important moment, as we continue to work on strong security guarantees for Ukraine and a lasting and durable peace.” Another marked shift from February was Zelenskyy breaking from his trademark jumpsuit attire to wear a suit, something he even joked with the press about while sitting in the Oval Office with Trump. Zelenskyy, who has been criticized for wearing casual attire to meetings with world leaders, wore all-black attire, including a button-down shirt and jacket. TRUMP: ZELENSKYY MEETING NOT ‘END OF THE ROAD’ FOR US SUPPORT IN SECURING A PEACE DEAL “First of all… President Zelenskyy, you look fabulous in that suit,” a reporter told Zelenskyy after he sat down with Trump in the Oval Office. “You look good,” the reporter said before Trump added, “I said the same thing.” At another point during the Zelenskyy-Trump bilateral press meeting, the Ukrainian president ribbed a reporter for wearing the same suit he had in February. “You’re in the same suit. You see, I changed, you’re not,” Zelenskyy quipped as both he and Trump burst into laughter. On a more substantive note, Trump doubled down on his position that a ceasefire is “not needed” to broker a permanent peace between Ukraine and Russia. He cited his recent successes in negotiating peace agreements between other countries across the globe. “I don’t think you need ceasefire. You know, if you look at the six deals that I settled this year, they were all at war,” Trump said during his press conference with Zelenskyy. SENATE SIGNALS READINESS TO HIT RUSSIA WITH HARD SANCTIONS IF PEACE DEAL FAILS “I didn’t do any ceasefires,” he went on, adding, “And I know that it might be good to have, but I can also understand strategically why, you know, one country or the other wouldn’t want it.” In a rare tense moment during the day, Trump clashed with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz over the need for a ceasefire. Speaking with Trump and other leaders gathered around a large conference table in the White House, Merz said, “To be honest, we all would like to see a ceasefire at the latest from the next meeting on,” adding, “I can’t imagine that the next meeting would take place without a ceasefire. So, let’s work on that.” He urged the leaders, “Let’s try to put pressure on Russia, because the credibility of this effort, these efforts we are undertaking today are depending on, at least, a ceasefire from the beginning of the serious negotiations from the next step on. So, I would like to emphasize this aspect and would like to see a ceasefire from the next meeting, which should be a trilateral meeting wherever it takes place.” In response, Trump shot back that he is determined “to go directly to a peace agreement” without a ceasefire, saying, “Well, we’re going to let the president [Zelenskyy] go over and talk to the president [Putin], and we’ll see how that works out.” NATO SECRETARY GENERAL TOUTS TRUMP TALKS WITH ZELENSKYY, EU LEADERS: ‘VERY SUCCESSFUL DAY’ In addition to Zelenskyy, seven major European leaders were present at the White House on Monday, a rare occurrence signaling a united European front and something Trump called an “honor” for the U.S. This follows Zelenskyy doubling down on Sunday that Ukraine will not agree to cede Crimea or any of its territory to Russia as part of a peace deal. “Since the territorial issue is so important, it should be discussed only by the leaders of Ukraine and Russia at the trilateral [talks with] Ukraine, United States, Russia,” Zelenskyy said. Trump said that though the U.S. would be involved with providing Ukraine with security guarantees after the war’s end, he said going forward, Europe must take much of that “burden.” “I think that the European nations are going to take a lot of the burden,” Trump said. “We’re going to help them, and we’re going to make it very secure. We also need to discuss the possible exchanges of territory, taking into consideration the current line of contact. That means the war zone, the war line center. Pretty obvious. Very sad, actually, to look at them and negotiating positions.” Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron said Europe is aware that it will shoulder much of the weight of responsibility tied to various security guarantees — and acknowledged it is necessary
Transgender Democrat accuses Trump of ‘all-out assault’ against ‘American democracy’
Democratic Rep. Sarah McBride of Delaware, who identifies as a transgender woman, accused President Donald Trump of waging an attack against “American democracy.” “This president is taking notes from his favorite dictator. Let’s be clear: a president with popular policies wouldn’t need to illegally gerrymander districts, ban voting machines, or abolish vote-by-mail,” a Monday night post on the lawmaker’s @Rep_McBride X account declared. “This is an all-out assault not just on free and fair elections—but on American democracy itself.” Fox News Digital reached out to the White House for comment early on Tuesday morning. TRANS DEM REP. MCBRIDE SUGGESTS PARTY WENT TOO FAR WITH TRANSGENDER AGENDA BEFORE PUBLIC WAS READY Trump, who has been aiming to help bring an end to the Russia-Ukraine war, met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and multiple other European figures in Washington, D.C., on Monday after meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Friday. During an interview with Fox News Channel’s Sean Hannity on Friday after meeting with Putin, Trump said of the foreign leader, “Vladimir Putin, smart guy, said you can’t have an honest… election with mail-in voting.” TRUMP ANNOUNCES HE’LL HELM MOVEMENT TO ELIMINATE MAIL-IN VOTING AND VOTING MACHINES: ‘FIGHT LIKE HELL’ Trump declared in a Truth Social post on Monday that he will “lead a movement to” eliminate voting machines and mail-in balloting from U.S. elections. “WE WILL BEGIN THIS EFFORT … by signing an EXECUTIVE ORDER to help bring HONESTY to the 2026 Midterm Elections,” he declared in part of the lengthy post. TRUMP MOVES TO BROKER PUTIN-ZELENSKYY MEETING FOLLOWING DC PEACE TALKS “ELECTIONS CAN NEVER BE HONEST WITH MAIL IN BALLOTS/VOTING, and everybody, IN PARTICULAR THE DEMOCRATS, KNOWS THIS. I, AND THE REPUBLICAN PARTY, WILL FIGHT LIKE HELL TO BRING HONESTY AND INTEGRITY BACK TO OUR ELECTIONS. THE MAIL-IN BALLOT HOAX, USING VOTING MACHINES THAT ARE A COMPLETE AND TOTAL DISASTER, MUST END, NOW!!!” the president exclaimed in another portion of the post.
Zohran Mamdani supporters unfazed by Trump’s ‘communist’ label, defend the candidate’s affordability fight
Since Zohran Mamdani’s primary upset earlier this summer, the New York City Democratic mayoral nominee has been branded a “communist” by President Donald Trump. Mamdani supporters, who spoke to Fox News Digital at a canvass launch in Prospect Park on Sunday, dismissed the term, arguing that his primary win represented more than arbitrary labels. “It’s not necessarily communism that won the New York City primary, but the vision that he’s delivering for a more affordable New York,” Nina, a door-knocker wearing an “Educators for Zohran” T-shirt, said. “That’s what people voted for, and that’s what he won on, and that’s what he’s going to win on.” Mamdani is a self-described democratic socialist who has been endorsed by progressive leaders, including Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y. Trump was quick to label him a “100% Communist Lunatic” after Mamdani declared victory in June. ZOHRAN MAMDANI LAUNCHES ANTI-TRUMP TOUR ACROSS FIVE BOROUGHS IN NEW YORK CITY Perry, another Brooklyn canvasser, flipped the script on Trump’s nickname for Mamdani, telling Fox News Digital to “look at the people who are saying he can’t do it or who are calling him a socialist or communist.” NY DEMS WHO HAVE YET TO ENDORSE MAMDANI UNITE IN HIS DEFENSE AGAINST TRUMP Bridget, a New York City teacher, and Perry both shook their heads in disagreement when asked if those labels worry them. “It’s not about ideology,” Nicholas, a Mamdani supporter who volunteered in Prospect Park on Sunday for the campaign’s canvass launch, said. “It’s not trying to demonize these terms, communism and socialism, which, quite frankly, I think the American public does not have a very good idea of what those terms exactly mean.” Nicholas said Mamdani’s campaign is “much bigger than that.” Among the few dozen supporters who attended the canvass launch, many were teachers. “I want a mayor who’s going to stand up for students,” Bridget said, telling Fox News Digital that it’s critical New York City has a mayor who is “going to fight against the Trump administration for the rights and safety of our students.” Mamdani concluded his “Five Boroughs Against Trump” tour across New York City last week, visiting a borough a day to spotlight how the Trump administration’s sweeping second-term agenda, on key issues including immigration and the economy, is impacting everyday New Yorkers. “I have a lot of students coming from immigrant backgrounds who are worried about their safety, about their parents’ safety,” Nicholas said. “I have kids who are worried that ICE agents will come into the school and take them out of the classroom.” Nicholas explained that’s why having a candidate like Mamdani, who is committed to protecting immigrant communities from “what Trump and his cronies are trying to do, in disappearing people,” is so important to him. “Having a mayor who stands up against that firmly and boldly, that’s why I’m out here,” he added. “That’s why I want Zohran to be mayor.” Perry said she supports Mamdani because he “has a large vision for the city,” particularly on housing. “Let’s be big again,” Perry added, telling Fox News Digital that she loves his “upbeatness” and “openness,” the likes of which she said, “We haven’t seen in a while.” Mamdani has vowed to freeze rents if elected this November. He has accused Adams of appointing Rent Guidelines Board members to raise rents on stabilized apartments. Former Mayor Bill de Blasio’s board voted to freeze the rent three times during his tenure. Former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who lost the primary to Mamadani, called the socialist’s plan to freeze rent “politically convenient posture,” and said such a move would hurt landlords, who would be “unable to maintain their buildings.” Nina said Mamdani’s campaign promises, including fast and free buses and universal child care, “address the affordability crisis in New York City” that creates a trickle-down impact on New Yorkers, like her high school students. “I’m out here as an educator,” Nina said. “I’m here as a New Yorker who was raised here, who wants to stay here.” Under Mamdani’s leadership, Nina said she believes it’s possible.
Zelenskyy agrees to Trump-Putin meeting without cease-fire, but will Kremlin dictator go along?
I’m with President Trump: “There’s no deal until there’s a deal.” And now that he has changed his stance and is openly siding with Vladimir Putin, despite vehement objections from Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who visited the White House yesterday, a deal seems rather elusive. Putin’s interest in peace is underscored by his continued bombardment of Ukraine, the country he illegally invaded, with the latest round killing 10 people. Which is to say the Kremlin dictator has no conceivable interest in peace, except on his maximalist terms. Look, I’m rooting for Trump. If he can somehow square the circle of this brutal and bloody war, and bring things to an end, he will deserve the Nobel Peace Prize. And Hillary said she’d nominate him. HERE IS THE ‘BIGGEST DIFFERENCE’ BETWEEN ZELENSKYY’S TWO WHITE HOUSE VISITS But the negative reviews of the Alaska sitdown has rankled Trump and prompted him to lash out at Fake News on Truth Social: “If we had the Summit elsewhere, the Democrat run and controlled media would have said what a terrible thing THAT was. These people are sick!” Okay, he doesn’t like the press. Except we now know, thanks to his in-flight comments to Fox’s Bret Baier, that he enjoys the sparring, likening it to a golf game. The reporters are all trying to get him to make a mistake. If he makes no breaking news, he wins. If he does say something that’s breaking news, he didn’t put the ball in the hole and they’ve got him. I watched Sunday morning as Zelenskyy and top European officials said only Russia can end the war and that Ukraine would not be surrendering the Donbas region, home to more than 200,000 people. As Gen. Wesley Clark told me on “Media Buzz,” once you get past the Donbas region, it’s a “straight shot” to Kyiv, so the brave Ukrainians, who have held off the far bigger Russian war machine, would be defenseless. It’s mildly encouraging that media reports say Putin has accepted the need for security forces to protect Ukraine, meaning the Europeans – and the U.S. – would send troops for a peacekeeping unit. When special envoy Steve Witkoff, who was in the room during the Putin session, was asked about Trump’s change of position, I thought he’d deny it, but he didn’t. That confirms the stories are true, and certainly complicates matters. TRUMP SPARS WITH EUROPEAN LEADER DURING UKRAINE TALKS OVER KEY STEP TO PEACE German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said over the weekend that Trump “said himself that a ceasefire was his absolute most important and highest priority. So, it was a joint demand, which isn’t happening now. We would have indeed hoped for a cease-fire first. The Russian side was obviously unwilling to do that.” So what exactly is Putin giving up? Nothing, as far as I can see. Every day without a cease-fire is another day that the indicted war criminal gets to cement his battlefield gains. And, under these circumstances, Trump expects Ukraine’s president to join in a trilateral meeting with him and Putin? Responding to Fox’s Peter Doocy, Trump said: “I think if everything works out well today, we’ll have a trilat and I think there will be a reasonable chance of ending the war when we do that.” Zelenskyy, who repeatedly praised Trump–he wasn’t going to make the same mistake twice after getting kicked out of the White House following his meltdown back in February–reminded reporters that “we live under, each day, attacks. You know, that today have been a lot of attacks and a lot of wounded people. And the child was dead, small one, one year and half. “So we need to stop this war, to stop Russia. And we need to support American and European partners that will do our best, for this. So, and I think we show that we are strong people and we supported the idea of the united system of personnel, President Trump to stop this war, to make a diplomatic way of finishing this war. And we are ready for trilateral as presidents.” BACK FROM ALASKA, TRUMP STARTS WEEK WITH CRUCIAL FOREIGN POLICY TALKS OVER UKRAINE WAR Now that stunned me. He’s willing to sit down with Putin and Trump after insisting on a cease-fire first – which was also the president’s position until he flipped and abandoned it after the sitdown with the indicted war criminal? So what was the mood afterward? “I’m optimistic that collectively we can reach an agreement that would deter any future aggression against Ukraine,” Trump said. He added, “I have a feeling you and President Putin are going to work something out.” Zelenskyy “praised the constructive specific meeting,” adding: “There is a lot of people in prison. So we need them back and guarantees which will work for the years. We spoke about it and I showed president a lot of details on the battlefield, on the map.” But will Putin, who views Zelenskyy as an illegitimate leader, attend? All the chatter about the red carpet and other atmospherics is meaningless. Yes, Zelenskyy wore a suit, albeit a military-style one. We should all be rooting for Trump. Even if he falls short, and the war drags on, it can only end with a negotiated settlement. At one point, Trump broke away from the session and called Putin, rather than waiting till afterwards. Trump posted that this was “a very good early step,” and early may be the operative word. The war could certainly drag on. But it can’t end on the battlefield. We wouldn’t have gotten this far without Trump’s unique preference for leader-to-leader talks, even though he’s now openly siding with Vladimir Putin. Sometimes that produces results and sometimes it doesn’t, as with Kim Jong-un. But it’s given him – and us – a shot.
‘Slap in the face’: Major blue state governor signs bill opening financial aid to illegals
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, a major Democratic leader and rumored presidential candidate, signed a bill into law opening student financial aid to all residents, regardless of immigration status, opening a pathway for illegal immigrants residing in the state to receive educational financial benefits. The move was slammed by conservative Rep. Mary Miller, R-Ill., as rewarding illegal immigrants and a “slap in the face” to Illinois families and students. The bill purports to establish “equitable eligibility for financial aid and benefits” for all students in the state. The bill reads that “a student who is an Illinois resident and who is not otherwise eligible for federal financial aid, including, but not limited to, a transgender student who is disqualified for failure to register for selective service or a noncitizen student who has not obtained lawful permanent residence, shall be eligible for financial aid and benefits.” ILLINOIS GOV CALLS FOR MASS PROTESTS AGAINST TRUMP ADMIN: GOP ‘CANNOT KNOW A MOMENT OF PEACE’ One of the bill’s sponsors, state Sen. Celina Villanueva, a Democrat, celebrated Pritzker signing the bill by saying in a statement that “this law is about making sure no student is left behind because of where they were born.” A statement by Villanueva’s office said that the measure “eliminates the patchwork of confusing and sometimes conflicting requirements that have excluded undocumented, DACAmented, and mixed-status students from critical aid.” The law pertains to any student residing in Illinois, making him or her eligible for financial aid programs funded or administered by the state, local governments, or public universities, according to the statement. The statement said that the law “builds upon Villanueva’s long-standing advocacy for immigrant and first-generation students by creating a more consistent and inclusive pathway to accessing support.” DEM GOVERNOR JB PRITZKER VOWS TO ‘DO EVERYTHING I CAN TO PROTECT OUR UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS’ “If you live in Illinois and are pursuing higher education, you should have access to the same opportunities as your peers,” said Villanueva. “Illinois invests in all of our students, and we’re committed to helping them succeed.” Commenting on the legislation, Miller told Fox News Digital that “allowing taxpayer-funded financial aid for illegal aliens is a slap in the face to hardworking Illinois families and students.” “Our state is drowning in debt, yet JB Pritzker is determined to drain even more taxpayer dollars to reward illegals,” she said. “It’s absolutely shameful.” A spokesperson for the Illinois GOP also chimed in, telling Fox News Digital that “once again, Governor Pritzker proves that he is prioritizing illegal immigrants at the expense of Illinois families.” BLUE STATE REPUBLICAN CALLS ON COUNTY SHERIFFS TO DEFY SANCTUARY LAW, DEM GOVERNOR RUMORED FOR 2028 RUN “Illinois taxpayers should not have their hard-earned taxpayer dollars pay for benefits to illegal immigrants who shouldn’t be here in the first place,” added the spokesperson. Pritzker’s office declined Fox News Digital’s request for comment. Villanueva’s office had not replied to Fox News Digital’s request for comment by the time of publication.
Trump moves to broker Putin-Zelenskyy meeting following DC peace talks
President Donald Trump said he spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin Monday, after meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European leaders at the White House, to begin coordinating next steps in the peace process aimed at ending the war in Ukraine. The president posted on his Truth Social platform Monday evening saying that he had called Putin at the conclusion of a day of meetings to begin “the arrangements for a meeting” between the Russian president and his Ukrainian counterpart. Trump’s call to Putin mirrored his decision to call Zelenskyy following Friday’s Alaska summit with Putin. “At the conclusion of the meetings, I called President Putin, and began the arrangements for a meeting, at a location to be determined, between President Putin and President Zelenskyy,” Trump confirmed, following media reports hinting at the call. TRUMP: ZELENSKYY MEETING NOT ‘END OF THE ROAD’ FOR US SUPPORT IN SECURING PEACE DEAL The president added that after the meeting between the two warring presidents, there would be a trilateral meeting with the United States as well. “After that meeting takes place, we will have a Trilat, which would be the two Presidents, plus myself,” the president continued. “Again, this was a very good, early step for a War that has been going on for almost four years.” Yury Ushakov, a top aide to Russian President Vladimir Putin, said Trump and Putin were on the phone for about 40 minutes and held a “candid and very constructive” dialogue, according to CNN. Putin “expressed support for direct negotiations between the delegations of Russia and Ukraine,” Ushakov reportedly added. TRUMP SAYS CEASEFIRE NOT NECESSARY FOR PEACE DURING HIGH-STAKES MEETING WITH ZELENSKYY Officials familiar with Monday’s talks also reportedly said Trump’s call to Putin came in-between talks with the European leaders present at the White House. Meanwhile, one of those leaders, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, reportedly said Putin agreed in the call with Trump to meet Zelenskyy in two weeks. Earlier in the day, Trump was caught in a hot-mic moment telling French President Emmanuel Macron that Putin wants to find a resolution to bring the war in Ukraine to an end for him. “I think [Putin] wants to make a deal,” Trump whispered to Macron in the East Room as they were preparing for Monday’s talks. “I think he wants to make a deal for me, you understand that? As crazy as it sounds.” Following Monday’s talks, Zelenskyy thanked Trump and all the other leaders present in D.C. for their work in trying to bring peace to his country, noting that the talks were “long and detailed.” “Today, important negotiations took place in Washington. We discussed many issues with President Trump. It was a long and detailed conversation, including discussions about the situation on the battlefield and our steps to bring peace closer,” Zelenskyy said in a post on X Monday night. “We appreciate the important signal from the United States regarding its readiness to support and be part of these guarantees. A lot of attention today was given to the return of our children, to the release of prisoners of war and civilians held by Russia. We agreed to work on this,” Zelenskyy continued. “The U.S. President also supported a meeting at the level of leaders. Such a meeting is necessary to resolve sensitive issues.” Fox News Digital reached out to the White House for comment on this but did not receive a response.
With Texas Dems back, Trump urges Legislature: ‘Pass this Map, ASAP’
Following Texas Democratic lawmakers’ return on Monday after vacating the state for two weeks, President Donald Trump urged the state legislature to move quickly to pass a highly controversial redistricting bill, saying, “Please pass this Map, ASAP.” Amid a packed day meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European leaders, Trump urged Texas leaders to act quickly, writing in a Truth Social post that the redistricting bill is “one of the most popular initiatives I have ever supported.” He thanked Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, state House Speaker Dustin Burrows and the Texas Legislature for their “GREAT work.” “Republican State Legislators in the Great State of Texas, which I love, and WON BIG three times, including with 6.4 Million Votes in 2024 (by far the most Votes in History!), just introduced a new Bill for ONE BIG, BEAUTIFUL CONGRESSIONAL MAP!” wrote Trump. TEXAS DEMS END WEEKSLONG QUORUM STANDOFF IN REDISTRICTING FIGHT “It is wonderful to see Republicans everywhere standing up to Save our Country. It is one of the most popular initiatives I have ever supported,” he went on, adding, “Republicans love watching us fight for a Great Cause. Please pass this Map, ASAP. THANK YOU TEXAS — MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN! This comes after a two-week-long standoff between Texas Republican leaders and dozens of members of the Texas House Democratic Caucus who fled the state in efforts to deny the legislature the quorum necessary to pass a Trump-backed redistricting bill, which would potentially give the GOP five additional congressional seats. After the Democrats fled, Abbott and other leaders vowed not to back down and threatened to remove them from office and have them arrested. For their part, the AWOL Democrats pledged not to return until another Democratic state moved to “nullify” Texas’ new Republican seats. The Democrats also vowed they would not return to Texas until the special legislative session, which the governor had called to pass the redistricting bill, as well as other priorities, had ended. OBAMA PRAISES DEMOCRATS WHO FLED TEXAS REDISTRICTING VOTE AS ‘INSPIRING’ The special session ended on Friday; however, Abbott called a second special session, which began immediately. The Texas Senate has already voted to pass the measure. Meanwhile, the California legislature is back in session in Sacramento, and Democrats in both chambers are expected to approve redistricting maps suggested by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee – which would create up to five more left-leaning congressional districts at the expense of the Republican minority – by the end of this week. California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced last week that California voters will get to vote in November on whether to overrule a state constitutional amendment to allow the legislature to move forward with its redistricting plans. CALIFORNIA DEMOCRATS UNVEIL REDISTRICTING MAP TO WIPE OUT 5 GOP SEATS, COUNTER TEXAS PLAN During a press conference announcing the Democratic redistricting push, Newsom vowed to “meet fire with fire” in response to Trump’s support for the Texas redistricting effort.
Illegal immigrant truck driver accused in deadly Florida crash got Biden work permit after Trump denial: DHS
The illegal immigrant truck driver accused of causing a crash that killed three people in Florida was given a work permit under the Biden administration, officials said Monday. Harjinder Singh, who was arrested on Saturday in Stockton, California, on three counts of vehicle homicide, entered the United States illegally and his work authorization was rejected under the Trump administration on Sept. 14, 2020, said Tricia McLaughlin, the Homeland Security assistant secretary for public affairs. ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT ACCUSED OF KILLING 3 IN FLORIDA HIGHWAY CRASH CROSSED BORDER INTO CALIFORNIA IN 2018: DHS McLaughlin noted Singh’s work approval in response to California Gov. Gavin Newsom, who said the first Trump administration “confirmed that this guy meets federal and state immigration requirements — YOU issued him a work permit (EAD).” “As usual, the Trump Administration is either lying or clueless,” Newsom’s press office wrote on X. McLaughlin noted that the federal government doesn’t issue commercial driver’s licenses. “False. Harjinder Singh is in the United States illegally and his work authorization was rejected under the Trump Administration on September 14, 2020,” she wrote. “It was later approved under the Biden Administration June 9, 2021. The state of California issues Commercial Drivers Licenses. There is no national CDL. Sincerely, Genius.” Singh, who officials believe crossed the U.S.-Mexico border in 2018, obtained his commercial driver’s license in California despite his illegal status in the U.S. ILLEGAL ALIEN ACCUSED OF CAUSING FATAL SEMI TRUCK CRASH THAT KILLED 3 PEOPLE: ‘SHOCKING AND CRIMINAL’ He remains in custody on both state vehicular homicide charges as well as immigration violations. Singh was driving a commercial truck with a trailer on the Florida Turnpike in Fort Pierce when he allegedly attempted a U-turn in an unauthorized area. The move resulted in the trailer jackknifing and colliding with a minivan — leaving all three of the minivan’s passengers dead, according to officials. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said the three deaths could have been avoided if California had followed federal immigration laws. “3 innocent people were killed in Florida because Gavin Newsom’s California DMV issued an illegal alien a Commercial Driver’s License,” she wrote Monday on X. “This gut wrenching tragedy should have never happened. My team at @DHSgov will work with @USDOT to root out and prevent illegal aliens from obtaining these licenses from sanctuary jurisdictions that put American drivers and passengers in danger.”
Bondi, Patel tap Missouri AG as additional FBI co-deputy director alongside Bongino
EXCLUSIVE: Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel are bringing on Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey as an additional deputy director of the bureau, Fox News Digital has learned. Bailey will serve as a co-deputy director, alongside Deputy Director Dan Bongino, Fox News Digital has learned. “I am thrilled to welcome Andrew Bailey as Co-Deputy Director of the FBI,” Bondi told Fox News Digital. “He has served as a distinguished state attorney general and is a decorated war veteran, bringing expertise and dedication to service. His leadership and commitment to country will be a tremendous asset as we work together to advance President Trump’s mission.” FBI DIRECTOR KASH PATEL BACKS TRUMP’S DC POLICE TAKEOVER: ‘WHEN YOU LET GOOD COPS BE COPS, THEY DELIVER’ “The FBI, as the leading investigative body of the federal government under the Department of Justice, will always bring the greatest talent this country has to offer in order to accomplish the goals set forth when an overwhelming majority of American people elected President Donald J. Trump again,” Patel told Fox News Digital, adding that Bailey will be an “integral part of this important mission” and said he looks forward to “the continued fight to save America together.” Bailey, as Missouri’s attorney general, launched an anti-human trafficking task force and addressed more than 1,100 reported incidents in Missouri. He also cleared the backlog of Sexual Assault Forensic Evidence (SAFE) kits to improve prosecution of sexual assault cases. Bailey’s office also defended the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department in civil litigation and has consistently advocated for law enforcement. Bailey was endorsed by the Missouri Fraternal Order of Police. TRUMP CLAIMS DC CRIMES TROUNCE STATS FROM NOTORIOUSLY VIOLENT CITIES WORLDWIDE Bailey’s office also reported a 133% increase in trial court-level criminal prosecutions. Bailey also has held public officials accountable during his time as attorney general. He demanded the resignation of a sheriff for financial mismanagement and misconduct, and, separately, announced a grand jury indictment against a St. Louis county executive for stealing and election law violations. “I am eternally grateful for the opportunity to serve as the Co-Deputy Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation,” Bailey told Fox News Digital. “I extend my deepest gratitude to President Trump, U.S. Attorney General Bondi and Director Patel for the privilege to join in their stated mission to Make America Safe Again.” TRUMP’S PLAN TO DEPLOY NATIONAL GUARD IN DC SPARKS BACKLASH FROM RESIDENTS—BUT SOME WELCOME IT A senior administration official told Fox News Digital that President Donald Trump “wants to see bad guys prosecuted, illegals deported, and corrupt politicians held accountable.” “We need all hands on deck to accomplish all of these important goals,” the official said. “Andrew Bailey will serve as another set of credible, experienced hands to help Attorney General Bondi and FBI Director Patel carry out the President’s mission.” The FBI, under Patel’s leadership, already has seen 19,000 arrests nationwide — that’s double the arrests made in all of 2024. Of those, 1,600 individuals have been arrested for violent crimes against children — including 270 arrests for human traffickers, according to the FBI. One thousand have been arrested from investigations of foreign terrorist organizations, and three of the “Top 10 Most Wanted” have been arrested in 2025. Patel’s FBI has rescued 4,000 child victims — a 33% increase from 2025; seized 1,500 kilos of fentanyl; and seized 6,300 kilos of methamphetamines. ‘BRAZENLY UNLAWFUL’: DC OFFICIALS ESCALATE FIGHT WITH TRUMP OVER POLICE TAKEOVER A senior official told Fox News Digital that the murder rate is currently on track to be the lowest ever recorded in history. “President Trump wants to see America quickly become the safest country in the world, and he has put together the best law and order focused team in the business to accomplish that goal,” White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told Fox News Digital. The addition of Bailey comes amid the expanding nature of Trump’s law and order agenda. As for the federal takeover of Washington, D.C., Bondi is in charge, and the FBI is playing a large role. Bondi, on Friday, announced there have been nearly 200 arrests “and counting” in the nation’s capital, including those of murder suspects and illegal gun offenders, since the Trump administration federalized the city to tackle crime. Among those arrested were two homicide suspects, 17 suspected drug traffickers, 39 suspected illegal gun offenders and two sexual predators, according to Bondi. Fox News Digital’s Alexandra Koch contributed to this report.