Powell warns Lisa Cook’s Supreme Court case could be most consequential legal threat in Fed’s history
Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell warned Wednesday that a Supreme Court showdown over sitting Fed governor Lisa Cook could have far-reaching consequences for the central bank’s independence and the U.S. economy. “I would say that that case is perhaps the most important legal case in the Fed’s 113-year history. As I thought about it, it might have been hard to explain why I didn’t attend,” Powell told reporters Wednesday at the Federal Reserve. “Paul Volcker famously attended a Supreme Court case in, I guess, 1985 or so, so there is precedent,” Powell said, referring to the former Federal Reserve chair who served under Presidents Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan. POWELL REVEALS WHAT IT WOULD TAKE TO STEP DOWN FROM THE FED AS PRESSURE MOUNTS Last week, the nation’s highest court heard oral arguments for two hours on whether President Donald Trump has the authority to remove Cook from the Federal Reserve’s Board of Governors. The court is expected to issue a ruling in the case by summer. Cook’s legal fight traces back to late August, when Trump said he was firing her from the board. He alleged she misrepresented information related to a trio of mortgages she obtained before joining the central bank. Cook has denied any wrongdoing and has not been charged with a crime. TRUMP VS THE FEDERAL RESERVE: HOW THE CLASH REACHED UNCHARTED TERRITORY She sued Trump in federal court in Washington, D.C., to block her removal. On Sept. 9, a district court judge barred Trump from firing her while the case proceeds, a decision later upheld by a federal appeals court. Her ascent to the Federal Reserve was historic from the start. Appointed by former President Joe Biden in 2022, she became the first Black woman to serve as a Fed board governor, the seven-member panel that sets national interest rates and oversees the banking system. Now, she stands at the center of an even more consequential moment, as Trump seeks to fire her — a step that would be unprecedented in the Fed’s history. What’s more, Powell’s long-standing insistence on finishing his term, which ends in May, now comes amid a Justice Department criminal investigation into his congressional testimony on the Federal Reserve’s headquarters renovation. Powell confirmed the investigation and said he respected the rule of law and congressional oversight, but described the action as “unprecedented” and driven by political pressure. Asked by reporters at the Federal Reserve for further comment, Powell declined to discuss the Justice Department investigation, pointing instead to remarks he made in a video statement on Jan. 11. His decision to address the issue so publicly, after days of private consultations with advisors, marked a sharp departure from the central banker’s typically measured approach. What comes next remains unclear, as the Federal Reserve navigates largely uncharted territory.
Schumer rolls out list of ICE demands as White House says Dems ‘blocked’ deal-making session
The White House invited rank-and-file Senate Democrats to discuss government funding options, but they declined, instead opting to unveil a list of demands to rein in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in exchange for their votes to avert a shutdown. “The White House hopes to avoid another debilitating government shutdown, and invited Democrats for a listening session to better understand their position,” a senior White House official told Fox News Digital in a statement. “It’s unfortunate their leadership blocked the meeting.” Meanwhile, Senate Democrats unveiled their laundry list of demands to rein in the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) immigration operations in exchange for their support to keep the government open. Democrats in the upper chamber have been quietly formulating a list of legislative demands to bring Republicans to corral DHS and ICE after another deadly shooting in Minnesota over the weekend. That incident, where Alex Pretti was fatally shot during an immigration operation in Minneapolis, spurred Democrats to reject the forthcoming six-bill funding package teed up for a key test vote on Thursday. SENATE REPUBLICANS TEE UP KEY SHUTDOWN TEST VOTE AS DEMOCRATS DIG IN ON DHS FUNDING Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., laid out three requirements for Democrats as the upper chamber hurtles toward a Friday deadline to fund the government. He noted that his entire caucus was unified on the “set of common sense and necessary policy goals that we need to rein in ICE and end the violence.” Schumer’s first demand was an end to roving patrols, tightening the rules governing the use of warrants, and requiring that ICE coordinate with state and local law enforcement. Second on the list was a uniform code of conduct and accountability for federal agents, akin to the same standards applied to state and local law enforcement. Schumer contended that when those policies are broken, there should be independent investigations. And third, Democrats want “masks off, body cameras on,” and for federal agents to carry proper identification. THUNE STEAMROLLS DEMS’ DHS REVOLT AS FETTERMAN DEFECTS, SCHUMER UNDER PRESSURE “These are common sense reforms, ones that Americans know and expect from law enforcement,” Schumer said. “If Republicans refuse to support them, they are choosing chaos over order, plain and simple. They are choosing to protect Ice from accountability over American lives.” Over the last few days, Senate Republicans have signaled their willingness to negotiate reforms to the agency beyond those baked into the existing DHS funding bill, but they have added the caveat that Senate Democrats have to actually produce a list, first. And Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., has made clear that Republicans would plow ahead with the current six-bill funding package, which among other bills includes funding for the Pentagon, for Thursday’s vote. However, he hasn’t entirely closed the door on stripping the DHS bill as Democrats have called for. DEMS’ DHS SHUTDOWN THREAT WOULD HIT FEMA, TSA WHILE IMMIGRATION FUNDING REMAINS INTACT Though conversations are ongoing at the rank-and-file level across the aisle, Thune said that Schumer and Senate Democrats should bring their asks to the White House and President Donald Trump. “If there’s a way that the Democrats have things that they want the White House could accommodate, short of having to modify the bill, that would be, I think the best way to do what we need to do here, and that is to make sure the government gets funded,” Thune said. Plus, if the DHS bill were stripped from the broader package and advanced through the Senate as Schumer has promised Democrats would do, it would still need to return to the House. Lawmakers in the lower chamber are still on their week-long recess and aren’t slated to return until next week. There is a possibility that Democrats’ demands could also be split into a separate bill, similar to what Republicans offered during the previous shutdown when Schumer and company demanded a clean, three-year extension to the expiring Obamacare subsidies. When asked if he would be amenable to that option, Schumer charged that the “White House has had no specific, good, concrete ideas.” “In terms of what we want, there’s two simple things to do to get this done, and we want to get it done, and we want to get it done quickly,” Schumer said. “Number one, Leader Thune has to separate the Homeland Security bill out from the other five. He can simply put an amendment on the floor to do that.” “So it’s simple to do, and I am quite confident it would pass overwhelmingly,” he continued. “Already I’ve seen 6 or 7 Republicans say they would vote for it. So that’s what we should do. And then we should sit down and go and come up with strong proposals to reform ICE and rein in ICE and end the violence.”
US moves fast to reopen Venezuela embassy after yearslong freeze
The U.S. will “very quickly” reopen its embassy in Venezuela and establish a diplomatic presence on the ground, according to Secretary of State Marco Rubio. “We have a team on the ground there assessing it, and we think very quickly we’ll be able to open a U.S. diplomatic presence on the ground,” Rubio told members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Wednesday. The goal, he said, would be not just to interact with officials on the ground but also “civil society and the opposition.” Such a move would mean restoring diplomatic relations with Venezuela, which were broken off in 2019 when the U.S. embassy’s doors shuttered. VENEZUELA’S DELCY RODRÍGUEZ SNAPS AT WASHINGTON, DECLARES ‘ENOUGH’ OF US INFLUENCE The Trump administration has been in dialogue with Delcy Rodríguez, Nicolás Maduro’s former vice president whom U.S. officials describe as an interim leader, since the capture of the wanted Venezuelan dictator. Reopening the embassy would require the U.S. to acknowledge a governing authority in Caracas, Venezuela, capable of receiving diplomats — a step that would mark a clear shift from Washington’s long-standing refusal to engage Venezuela’s executive. The current Venezuelan leadership has “been very cooperative on that front,” Rubio said. “Obviously there’s been some hard asks along the way.” Rubio said the administration is not seeking further military action in Venezuela but stressed that force has not been taken off the table. “The president never rules out his options as commander in chief to protect the national interest of the United States,” Rubio told lawmakers, while emphasizing that the U.S. is “not postured to, nor do we intend or expect to have to take any military action in Venezuela at any time.” Rubio also offered details about the first $500 million of the U.S.-brokered sale of Venezuelan oil, saying $300 million went back to Venezuela to pay for public services, while $200 million remains in a U.S.-run account. CIA DIRECTOR WAS IN VENEZUELA TO MEET WITH ACTING PRESIDENT DELCY RODRIGUEZ, OFFICIAL SAYS He declined to share details on how long Rodríguez would remain in power, but said a diplomatic presence would help keep a check on the new government. “I can’t give you a timeline of how long it takes. It can’t take forever,” Rubio said. “But it’s not even been four weeks.” His comments come amid mixed signals from Venezuela’s interim leadership. In recent days, Rodríguez has struck a defiant tone toward Washington, declaring she had “enough” of U.S. influence in Venezuelan politics during a speech to oil workers broadcast on state television. The remarks appeared aimed largely at a domestic audience, even as Venezuela remains constrained by U.S. sanctions and dependent on American decisions over oil licenses and revenue controls. Rubio said the administration’s goal is to push Venezuela toward a democratic transition, describing the Maduro regime as “a base of operation for virtually every competitor, adversary and enemy in the world.” He said the U.S. is aiming for a “friendly, stable, prosperous Venezuela and democratic… with free and fair elections,” while acknowledging the process will take time. Pressed on corruption concerns, Rubio said an audit mechanism is being established. “The audit will be on,” he told senators, stressing that spending would be restricted to approved public needs.
Josh Shapiro knocks Biden’s record, says Democrats failed to deliver results Americans could ‘see or feel’
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, a potential 2028 Democratic presidential contender, is criticizing former President Joe Biden and his administration for failing to deliver results for Americans. “The Biden-Harris administration didn’t provide those specific tangible things that people could see or feel,” Shapiro said this week during an appearance on the “Raging Moderates” podcast that comes amid a slew of interviews the governor’s giving as part of the rollout of his new memoir, “Where We Keep the Light: Stories From a Life of Service.” Shapiro, who is running for re-election this year in the crucial northeastern battleground state, has taken some jabs at Biden and former Vice President Kamala Harris, who may end up being a rival for the 2028 Democratic presidential nomination. The governor, in his interview, gave what he called “a very specific, concrete example” of the Biden-Harris administration’s failing optics. SHAPIRO REJECTS CLAIM HIS BOOK IS A RESPONSE TO KAMALA HARRIS CRITICISM “One of the biggest things holding back our rural communities is a lack of high-speed, affordable internet,” Shapiro said as he pointed to his home state. The governor added that he “was incredibly proud of President Biden when they got that infrastructure bill passed to provide the billions of dollars that were needed to plug everybody in, connect everybody in Pennsylvania. But, he added, “Do you know how many people … this many years later, have been connected to high-speed affordable internet thanks to President Biden’s law in Pennsylvania? Zero. Because the dollars were never driven out.” JOSH SHAPIRO ACCUSES HARRIS’ VETTING TEAM OF MAKING DISRESPECTFUL COMMENTARY TOWARDS HIS WIFE Shapiro used the episode to contrast the former president’s style of governing with his own. “That broadband example is just one where I think there’s a real difference in approach. I’m about concrete, get s— done, show your work and not just talking about it,” the governor added. Fox News Digital reached out to the former president’s spokesperson for comment but hadn’t received a response by the time this story published. But a longtime Democratic strategist and veteran of the Biden-Harris 2024 presidential campaign told Fox News Digital he found Shapiro’s comments “pretty weird and bizarre.” “Every Democrat, including Josh Shapiro, has a long record of praising and defending Joe Biden and the same legislation that Shapiro is now taking issue with,” the strategist, who asked to remain anonymous to speak more freely, said. Broadband funding for Pennsylvania was delayed in part due to federal rules changes, administrative bottlenecks and shifting technology focus. IT’S JANUARY 2026, BUT THE 2028 WHITE HOUSE RACE IS WELL UNDERWAY Shapiro, in his book, shared new details about briefly considering challenging Harris for the 2024 Democratic presidential nomination after Biden dropped out of the race one month after a disastrous debate performance against President Donald Trump. But he wrote that he ultimately agreed with his wife that it wasn’t the right time to seek the presidency. Shapiro was among a handful of top Democrats that Harris considered as a running mate before she chose Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz. The former vice president alleged in “107 Days,” her memoir published last year, that, during the running mate vetting process, Shapiro insisted on being “in the room for every decision” if he were to become vice president. Shapiro in an interview late last year rejected her claims as “bulls—” and “blatant lies.” And Shapiro’s book includes critiques of Harris, including the accusation that, during the Harris team’s vice-presidential vetting process, Shapiro was asked if he had ever been an agent of the state of Israel. Fox News’ Alexander Hall contributed to this story.
Democrats push bill blocking ICE near polling places — despite clear constitutional conflict
Virginia Democrats are pushing legislation that would prohibit federal immigration enforcement near polling places, a move Republicans say is unconstitutional and sets up a direct conflict with federal law governing the arrest and detention of illegal immigrants. At issue is House Bill 1442, patroned by Del. Alfonso H. Lopez, D-Shirlington, which would bar “any person” from enforcing federal immigration laws within 40 feet of polling places, election board meetings or recount facilities — a restriction critics argue Virginia has no authority to impose on federal agents under the Constitution’s Supremacy Clause. The bill from Lopez, who represents a deep-blue district just south of Washington, D.C., is one of several Democratic-backed measures targeting federal immigration enforcement since the party took full control of state government last month. In an exclusive interview with Fox News Digital, House Minority Leader Terry Kilgore, R-Gate City, suggested the bill won’t hold legal water even if passed due to federal supremacy. HOUSE OVERSIGHT PROBE PUTS MINNESOTA ELECTIONS UNDER SCRUTINY OVER NONCITIZEN VOTING CONCERNS “Ignoring the obvious constitutional problem of having a state tell the federal government what it can do, this bill makes it clear that Democrats not only want illegal immigrants voting, Democrats think they’re already voting and want them to continue,” Kilgore said. The longtime lawmaker cited the Supremacy Clause of the Constitution, which declares federal statutes the “supreme law of the land” and maintains precedence over conflicting state laws that attempt to usurp federal authority. In that regard, 8 U.S.C. § 1226 says an “alien may be arrested and detained pending a decision on whether the alien is to be removed from the United States,” while Section 287(a) — of which the oft-cited subsection 287(g) is a part — permits agents to “interrogate, without warrant, any alien or person believed to be an alien concerning his or her right to be, or to remain in the United States.” Those two sections would run directly counter to Lopez’s bill. When asked for a response to the legislation, a DHS spokesperson told Fox News Digital the agency is not planning any operations targeting polls — but said it’ll be business-as-usual if an individual illegal immigrant finds themselves near one. “ICE conducts intelligence-driven targeted enforcement, and if a dangerous criminal alien is near a polling location, they may be arrested as a result of that targeted enforcement action,” the spokesperson said. Since Virginia Democratic Gov. Abigail Spanberger took office last month, Democrats led by Senate leader L. Louise Lucas and House Speaker Don Scott, both of Portsmouth, have spearheaded several left-wing proposals anchored by their redrawn congressional map that likely unseats every Republican in the state except Rep. Morgan Griffith of the heavily rural southwest. Lopez, whose biography mentions that his father was a “former undocumented” immigrant from Venezuela, previously supported legislation to make ballot drop boxes permanent and to make DREAMers eligible for college financial aid, according to his campaign website. CONSERVATIVES RIP VIRGINIA GOVERNOR’S ‘MODERATE’ LABEL AFTER RADICAL LAUNDRY LIST OF DAY 1 MOVES “Virginia Democrats just gave away the game on illegal alien voting,” the Virginia Senate Republican Caucus said in response to the new bill. “Now why would Democrats be concerned about illegal aliens being arrested near polling locations?” read a statement from the caucus, which is led by Sens. Ryan McDougle of Hanover and Mark Obenshain of Rockingham. Local ABC News affiliate reporter Nick Minock asked a similar question on social media: “Why would an illegal immigrant be within 40 feet of a polling place if they’re not supposed to vote in Virginia elections?” DEMOCRATS PUSH ANTI-ICE BILLS NATIONWIDE AFTER DEADLY MINNEAPOLIS SHOOTING Lopez’ bill isn’t the only one targeting election-day procedures: State Sen. Barbara Favola, D-Ballston, put forth a bill extending the deadline for Virginia absentee ballots to be received to three days after an election at 5PM ET. Another bill from Virginia State Del. Cia Price, D-Newport News, would prohibit hand-counting paper ballots “for any reason or purpose not specifically authorized by law.” DEMS BLASTED FOR TRYING TO ‘DEPORT’ ICE FROM SWING COUNTY, REFERENCING ‘BLOOD MONEY’ RENT Price’s bill requires ballot-scanners be used instead, as several critics cried foul over the fact that hand-counting ballots moots any claims that machinery or technology could be “hacked” as has arisen in recent elections. In comments to the Daily Signal, former Rep. Dave Brat, R-Va., rebuked the bills and tied federal supremacy to what’s happening in Minnesota. “Minneapolis right now is rioting all across the streets because local law enforcement won’t cooperate with the federal,” he said. “Everywhere where the local does cooperate with the federal, there’s peace and quiet and harmony.” Other “bad bills” cited by Republicans include a bevy of bills creating new niche sales taxes, bans on gas-powered leaf-blowers à la New Jersey, expanding ranked-choice voting à la New York City, several Second Amendment-related taxes and removal of a “grandfather” provision for certain otherwise legally held firearms. Fox News Digital reached out to Lopez for comment.
Backlash erupts after Ohio Democratic AG candidate posts about ‘killing’ Trump: ‘Absolute psychopath’
A Democratic candidate for attorney general in Ohio sparked immediate backlash over a Facebook post explaining his plan to “kill Donald Trump.” “I want to tell you what I mean when I say that I am going to kill Donald Trump,” Elliot Forhan, Democratic candidate for Ohio attorney general and a former state representative, posted on Facebook Monday. Forhan continued, “I mean I’m going to obtain a conviction rendered by a jury of his peers at a standard of proof beyond a reasonable doubt based on evidence presented at a trial conducted in accordance with the requirements of due process resulting in a sentence duly executed of capital punishment.” “That is what I mean when I say I am going to kill Donald Trump.” WEST VIRGINIA LIBRARIAN ARRESTED FOR ALLEGEDLY RECRUITING PEOPLE ON SOCIAL MEDIA TO ASSASSINATE TRUMP Forhan’s comment quickly sparked strong pushback on social media. “Absolutely psychopath, aka moderate Democrat,” conservative commentator Dave Rubin posted on X. “Democrat candidate for Ohio AG who said he’s going to kiII President Trump also posted this when Charlie was ass*ssinated,” conservative influencer account LibsofTikTok posted on X. “He’s an evil deranged psycho.” “People with TDS are a lot like drug addicts,” conservative commentator Robby Starbuck posted on X. “The high of impeachment declarations and jail just don’t give them the same high anymore. Now we have Democrats running on killing the President. This guy belongs in an insane asylum.” Some called for Ohio Democrats to disavow Forhan and others highlighted Democratic attorney general Jay Jones being recently elected in Virginia despite calling for the murder of his political opponent. ‘ASSASSINATION CULTURE’ IS ON THE RISE, ESPECIALLY AMONG WOMEN, STUDY WARNS “Democrats, your silence is telling,” Ohio Republican treasurer candidate Jay Edwards posted on X, calling the comment “unhinged.” “Dr. Amy Acton and Sherrod Brown—disavow this extremist now, or admit you’re okay with this violent hate in your party.” “That is normalizing political murder,” Ohio Republican attorney Mehek Cooke posted on X. “We will never vote for death.” Ohio State Auditor Keith Faber, running for attorney general as well, called the post “vile.” Faber posted on X, “I’m calling on @amyactonoh to renounce Democrat candidate AG Elliot Forhan’s VILE comment that he’s going to ‘kill Donald Trump.’ (months after celebrating Charlie Kirk’s assassination). Turn down the rhetoric.” Fox News Digital reached out to Acton’s campaign for Ohio governor and Brown’s campaign for Senate but did not immediately receive a response. Forhan previously faced criticism last year over a social media post where he said “F— Charlie Kirk” shortly after the conservative activist was murdered on a college campus. In a statement to Fox News Digital, Forhan did not withdraw the comment and said he is running for attorney general to “apply the law equally to everyone” including the president. “If Donald Trump tries again to end American democracy, then as Ohio attorney general I will hold him accountable to the fullest extent of the law,” Forhan said. Forhan continued, “On the other hand, the views expressed by my Republican opponent in a recent op-ed are no more than those of a simple Trump thug. He does not believe in the truth or the rule of law. He asks Ohioans to disbelieve what they saw with their own eyes, that an ICE officer killed Renee Good without justification, shooting her twice in the face after he was clear of her vehicle. Keith Faber wrote, ‘In Minneapolis, ICE agents were doing their jobs.’ Was the ICE officer who shot Alex Pretti 10 times doing his job? No. ICE is not enforcing the law. They are breaking the law. Mr. Faber is telling Ohioans that, if elected, he will let Trump get away with murder. Ohio voters should take Mr. Faber at his word.”
Senate Democrat demands Trump fire ‘creep’ Stephen Miller in exchange for his DHS funding vote
A Senate Democrat offered his vote to keep the government open in exchange for a top Trump official’s firing. Senate Democrats are in the midst of coalescing around a package of restrictions and reforms that they want to impose on the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as part of their quest to rein in the agency’s powers. Though there are several bipartisan restrictions baked into the current DHS funding bill, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and his caucus are largely unified in their opposition to the legislation following the fatal shootings of Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti during immigration operations in Minnesota. SENATE REPUBLICANS TEE UP KEY SHUTDOWN TEST VOTE AS DEMOCRATS DIG IN ON DHS FUNDING While he and his colleagues work to find the exact guardrails they want to put onto DHS, Sen. Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz., upped the ante on what it would take to get his vote: firing White House deputy chief of staff for policy Stephen Miller, who also serves as Homeland Security advisor to President Donald Trump. “We all know who’s really running things in this White House,” Gallego said in a post on X. “Stephen Miller is the brains behind the most unhinged and depraved policies we’ve seen in generations.” “Americans are tired of his insane, extremist vision for this country,” he continued. “It’s time for him to go. Trump needs to fire him. Now. No funding DHS with that creep calling the shots.” GRAHAM PUSHES BACK ON TILLIS’ CRITICISM OF NOEM, MILLER FOR LABELING MAN KILLED BY BORDER PATROL A ‘TERRORIST’ Senate Republicans are actively trying to get their colleagues across the aisle to play ball and recognize that negotiating now could make a difference compared to their tactics during the previous government shutdown. Still, Senate Democrats are furious with Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and Miller. It remains to be seen whether the pair still having jobs is a determining factor in how Democrats vote. Miller and Noem have both come under scrutiny for their handling of the fatal shootings in Minneapolis, particularly their comments in the aftermath of Pretti’s death, when they labeled him a domestic terrorist. And while the White House runs damage control on the situation, some Republicans are ready for the duo to go, too. Sens. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., and Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, want Noem to resign or be fired. DEMS’ DHS SHUTDOWN THREAT WOULD HIT FEMA, TSA WHILE IMMIGRATION FUNDING REMAINS INTACT Tillis turned his ire to both Noem and Miller and charged that accusing Pretti of being a domestic terrorist and then relaying that message to Trump was “amateur hour at its finest.” When asked if Noem should be removed from her position, Tillis said, “100%,” but stopped short of supporting impeachment, which is gaining momentum among House Democrats. “I’m not going to get into impeachment,” Tillis said. “I think it should be a management decision. She needs to go.” And Murkowski noted that while she voted to confirm Noem, Trump needs to re-examine who “he has in place as the secretary of Homeland Security.” “I would not support her again, and I think it probably is time for her to step down,” she said.
Medical watchdog challenges key study used to justify DEI health policies: ‘Scientifically unsound’
A prominent medical watchdog group is pushing back against a widely cited study claiming racially diverse medical facilities improve outcomes for Black patients, arguing the research is being used to justify race-based diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) policies despite failing to prove its central claim. Do No Harm, a nonprofit organization focused on opposing ideological influence in medicine, released a report Tuesday disputing a recent study by economists Michael Frakes and Jonathan Gruber that suggests increasing the share of Black physicians in military medical facilities leads to better outcomes for Black patients. The Do No Harm study takes issue with the findings by alleging several flaws, including that Frakes and Gruber’s “The Effect of Provider Diversity on Racial Health Disparities: Evidence from the Military” measures changes in health outcomes when patients are transferred to bases with different proportions of Black doctors, but argues it never directly measures whether Black patients treated by Black doctors fare better than those treated by non-Black doctors. The report stresses that the authors’ design looks at facility-level shares of Black physicians rather than one-to-one patient-doctor racial matching. WATCHDOG FINDS DEI, CRT BAKED INTO ACCREDITATION RULES FOR HUNDREDS OF UNIVERSITY SOCIAL WORK PROGRAMS In a press release, Do No Harm summarizes their critique into three core problems with the study: it never actually tests whether Black patients fare better when treated by Black doctors, it downplays findings showing Black patients achieve their best outcomes when treated by non-Black doctors at facilities with more Black physicians, and it relies on speculative explanations for those results while failing to rule out non-racial factors that could account for the outcomes. “We cannot allow politically motivated activists to push debunked racial theories that have no positive impact on patient care,” Jay Greene, director of research for Do No Harm, said in the press release. “Studies like this are designed to codify DEI doctrine to pave the way for re-establishing affirmative action and enshrining race-based hiring. The report ignores the very question it purports to answer: whether black patients actually fare better with black doctors. Our report systematically exposes the study’s shoddy methodology and baseless conclusions. Americans of all races and backgrounds deserve high-quality medical research, not political ideology disguised as science.” BLUE-STATE UNIVERSITY SPARKS OUTRAGE WITH ‘DECOLONIZING MEDICINE’ COURSE CHALLENGING THE ‘WHITE BODY’ STANDARD Do No Harm argues that the new study appears designed to influence judicial and policy debates, noting that Frakes and Gruber themselves say their findings could shape discussions about affirmative action in medical school admissions amid pending court decisions. The Do No Harm critique concludes that, on the basis of the evidence presented by Frakes and Gruber, there is not a scientifically supported case for using racial concordance as a rationale for maintaining racial preferences in medical education and hiring. “Advocacy groups wishing to maintain racial preferences in medical hiring will almost certainly cite the Frakes and Gruber study in future court cases and legislative debates about the issue,” the report’s conclusion reads. “Frakes and Gruber consciously produced their study with this use in mind. But as is often the case with advocacy-oriented research, this study is not a reliable basis for making policy decisions. The Frakes and Gruber study appears scientifically rigorous and is authored by economists from high-status universities, but a closer examination of its methods, results, and motivation reveal it to be scientifically unsound and an abuse of academic authority.” Fox News Digital reached out to Frakes and Gruber but did not receive a response.
Trump White House readies school choice tax credit as some Dem states push back. Here’s where it stands
FIRST ON FOX: The White House unveiled a new website page and map of the U.S. showing which states have not opted into a federal school choice tax credit set to begin in 2027 — singling out a handful of Democrat governors labeled “failures” for resisting the new program. “President Trump is lowering the cost of education for American families, but children in your state will not benefit unless your governor takes action,” the new website states. “Thanks to the Working Families Tax Cut Act, parents choosing the private, charter, or public school that best meets the needs of their child will soon have financial help.” The Trump administration is pushing states to “opt in” to a new federal K-12 scholarship tax credit created under the “big, beautiful bill,” warning families could miss out if their governors don’t take action. The Department of Education celebrated Monday that 23 states have so far opted in to a program the department called the “largest national expansion of education freedom in history and provides families with more affordable education options.” HOUSTON SCHOOL DISTRICT TRYING TO WOO PARENTS WHILE LOSING STUDENTS AMID SCHOOL CHOICE COMPETITION Under the Education Freedom Tax Credit, taxpayers can get up to $1,700 back as a federal tax credit by donating that money to approved Scholarship Granting Organizations (SGOs) instead of sending it to Washington in income taxes. Those SGOs then turn the donations into K-12 scholarships and other education help families can use for a broad range of costs tied to public, private or charter schools. “Beginning January 1, 2027, Americans can reduce their tax burden by contributing to an approved Scholarship Granting Organization,” the new website explains. “While anyone in America can take advantage of this tax credit next year, families cannot receive a scholarship if their governor blocks their state’s participation. Your voice is critical to ensure governors know about their responsibility to ensure that every family has affordable access to the best education for their child’s individual needs.” Among the governors highlighted on the page as resisting include: Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek, North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein, New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers. “Urge Your Governor to Opt-In to Your Child’s Future,” the new website continues, before listing a handful of Democratic state leaders branded with the label “failure.” Colorado Gov. Jared Polis became the first Democrat to opt into the program in December 2025, telling local media he “would be crazy not to” while citing that “it’ll empower more parents to be able to afford that after-school program or the summer program that they want for their kid.” Democrats have often resisted school-choice expansions, arguing they can siphon money from public schools and weaken accountability — concerns amplified by teachers unions and some education advocates. MAJOR CITY SCHOOL DISTRICTS LOSING STUDENTS AS PARENTS SEEK BETTER OPTIONS The new website page also includes a map of the U.S. showing which 23 states have opted-in and which 27 have not. It was released amid National School Choice Week, which runs from Jan. 25 through Jan. 31. The Education Department said, as part of its celebrations for the week, that it’s making an aggressive school-choice push in Trump’s second term — including touting a record $500 million charter school investment, backing the Education Freedom Tax Credit, and nudging states to use federal funds and waivers to expand parent options and turn around low-performing schools. TRUMP ADMIN CUTS RED TAPE AS IOWA JOINS EFFORT TO RETURN EDUCATION TO STATES Trump has framed school choice and parental rights as a central priority of his second-term education agenda, which has worked to decentralize the federal government’s control of public education and shift power back to the states and parents. “I want every parent in America to be empowered to send their child to public, private, charter, or faith-based school of their choice,” Trump said in 2025. “The time for universal school choice has come. As we return education to the states, I will use every power I have to give parents this right.”
Ilhan Omar backed by House Republicans after Minnesota town hall attack
House Republicans are coalescing around progressive “Squad” member Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., after she was attacked during a town hall in Minneapolis on Tuesday night. “This is totally unacceptable. I am glad Rep. Omar is okay,” Rep. Pete Stauber, R-Minn., wrote on X in response to a video of the incident. It’s a rare show of bipartisanship in the face of political violence that has become common in recent years amid increasingly volatile rhetoric on both sides. Support for Omar came from both conservative and moderate Republicans after a man appeared to confront her and spray a substance on her before he was quickly subdued at her public event. REP MAXWELL FROST ALLEGEDLY ASSAULTED AT SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL IN RACIALLY-CHARGED INCIDENT “Political, religious, and ideological differences never justify violence,” Rep. Nathaniel Moran, R-Texas, wrote of the attack. “Those who resort to violence to make a political point should understand that such actions only undermine the very rights that form the foundation of our Republic.” Rep. Tom Barrett, R-Mich., noted that political violence against members of Congress had been escalating for some time. “The assault on Congresswoman Omar is disturbing and unacceptable, and the attacker must be prosecuted and punished to the full extent of the law,” he said in his own statement. “This attack is the latest of thousands of acts and threats of violence directed against Congress over the past year, resulting in a 57% increase just since 2024.” GUNFIRE, ARSON AND VANDALISM: TRACKING POLITICAL VIOLENCE IN AMERICA Moderate Rep. Don Bacon, R-Neb., similarly said Wednesday morning, “I condemn the attack on Rep. Ilhan Omar that occurred yesterday.” “We always have the right to free speech and to petition the government, but political violence must be dealt with sternly. The criminal here needs to spend some time behind bars,” Bacon said. And Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., noted she “deeply disagreed” with Omar but said she was “deeply disturbed” by the attack. “No elected official should face physical attacks. This is not who we are,” Mace said. It comes in addition to a slew of Democrats condemning the incident, though several immediately sought to blame President Donald Trump and the GOP for previously criticizing the progressive Minnesota lawmaker. “Trump’s hateful, dangerous rhetoric fuels this kind of political violence, and we must all reject it,” said Rep. Rob Menendez, D-N.J. And Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., wrote on X, “It is not a coincidence that after days of President Trump and [Vice President] Vance putting Rep. Omar in their crosshairs with slanderous public attacks, she gets assaulted at her town hall.” The attack occurred minutes after Omar’s town hall began, and despite being urged to wrap up the event, she continued until the end. Her office released a statement afterward, “During her town hall, an agitator tried to attack the Congresswoman by spraying an unknown substance with a syringe. Security and the Minneapolis Police Department quickly apprehended the individual. He is now in custody. The Congresswoman is okay. She continued with her town hall because she doesn’t let bullies win.” The suspect who attacked her was arrested and charged with third-degree assault.