Chicago restaurant owner slams city leadership over crime: ‘We want law and order’
A local Chicago resident blasted Democrat leaders in the city as President Donald Trump considers federal intervention to clean up rampant crime that has plagued the windy city. Sam Sanchez, owner of the local restaurant and late-night club Moe’s Cantina, Third Coast Hospitality Group, and a member of the Illinois Restaurant Association, told Fox he has “been a Democrat for so many years,” and that “this is not what Chicago used to be.” “The city is not safe,” Sanchez told Fox News Digital in an interview. “For the mayor and the governor to go on TV and use us as statistics, as numbers, I mean, we’re human beings, we’re talking about real time.” DC ARRESTS SURPASS 1,000 AS TRUMP-BACKED CRACKDOWN ENTERS 12TH HOMICIDE-FREE DAY “What’s happening right now, real time, the mom who lost a five-year-old child doesn’t care how many murders were done ten years ago, what we care about right now,” Sanchez added. Last weekend, Chicago saw its unfortunate routine crime cycle, leaving 6 dead and nearly 30 injured as a result of violence, including a 5-year-old boy who was shot in the head. President Trump indicated he was considering the same type of federal intervention he recently deployed in Washington, D.C., to the city of Chicago at a press conference last Friday, saying the city could be “our next one after [D.C.], and it won’t even be tough.” PRITZKER RAILS AGAINST ‘UN-AMERICAN’ POSSIBLE NATIONAL GUARD DEPLOYMENT BY TRUMP Democratic Illinois Governor JB Pritzker slammed the president at a presser outside Trump Tower on Tuesday, telling reporters that “what President Trump is doing is unprecedented and unwarranted. It is illegal. It is unconstitutional. It is un-American.” Sanchez blamed the consistent crime on weak prosecution, telling Fox that the Safety, Accountability, Fairness and Equity‑Today (SAFE-T) Act signed into law by Pritzker in 2021 has kept dangerous criminals on the streets. The law allows judges to decide pretrial release based on risk rather than a criminally charged individual’s ability to pay cash bail. It also places limitations on the use of police force and bans chokeholds by officers. OPINION: CHICAGO’S CRIME CRISIS IS A NATIONAL DISGRACE — TRUMP MUST STEP IN NOW The SAFE-T Act also enables incarcerated criminals to reduce their sentence by participating in various programs, drug treatment, or for exhibiting good behavior. “The request for detention to keep [criminals incarcerated], they keep ignoring it, they’re released, so, we’re headed in the wrong direction, and we’ve been heading in the wrong direction for years,” Sanchez told Fox. It does have to be curved. If they cannot amend the SAFE-T Act, then it should be removed from the books.” The White House released a lengthy fact sheet detailing Chicago crimes committed as well as testimony from residents on Monday as President Trump weighs whether to intervene in the city, despite criticism from Democrats and Illinois leaders. “We’re tired of the crime,” Sanchez explained. “We want law and order.” “If President Trump could help us prosecute these violent repeat offenders, any gun crime should be prosecuted by the federal government.”
What did Obama know about the Trump–Russia probe? And when did he know it?
Newly declassified documents have stated that former President Barack Obama was present for key meetings with his top intelligence and national security officials that led to critical steps in the opening of the Trump–Russia investigation. Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard and CIA Director John Ratcliffe have declassified new documents related to the origins of the original Trump–Russia probe at the FBI — known inside the bureau as “Crossfire Hurricane.” Trump has accused Obama of being the “ringleader” of the Russiagate narrative — an allegation vehemently denied by the former president. PATEL FOUND THOUSANDS OF SENSITIVE TRUMP–RUSSIA PROBE DOCS INSIDE ‘BURN BAGS’ IN SECRET ROOM AT FBI “Out of respect for the office of the presidency, our office does not normally dignify the constant nonsense and misinformation flowing out of this White House with a response,” Obama spokesman Patrick Rodenbush said in a July statement. “But these claims are outrageous enough to merit one.” “These bizarre allegations are ridiculous and a weak attempt at distraction,” Obama’s spokesman continued. “Nothing in the document issued last week undercuts the widely accepted conclusion that Russia worked to influence the 2016 presidential election but did not successfully manipulate any votes.” OBAMA DENIES TRUMP’S ‘BIZARRE ALLEGATIONS’ THAT HE WAS RUSSIAGATE ‘RINGLEADER’ IN RARE STATEMENT He added: “These findings were affirmed in a 2020 report by the bipartisan Senate Intelligence Committee, led by then-Chairman Marco Rubio.” Here’s a look at the known key meetings the former president attended and was reportedly made aware of: On Aug. 3, 2016, then-CIA Director John Brennan reportedly briefed then-President Obama on intelligence that then-Democratic nominee former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton allegedly was stirring up a plan to tie Trump to Russia. Then-Vice President Joe Biden, then-FBI Director James Comey, then-Attorney General Loretta Lynch and then-Director of National Intelligence James Clapper also were reportedly present for the briefing. Brennan’s notes from that briefing were declassified in 2020 by John Ratcliffe, who, at the time, was serving as director of National Intelligence. Ratcliffe is now the director of the CIA. Fox News Digital, at the time, exclusively reported on those notes. SOROS’ ALLEGED TIES TO RUSSIAGATE EXPOSED IN DECLASSIFIED ANNEX OF DURHAM REPORT “We’re getting additional insight into Russian activities from (REDACTED),” Brennan notes read. “CITE (summarizing) alleged approved by Hillary Clinton a proposal from one of her foreign policy advisers to vilify Donald Trump by stirring up a scandal claiming interference by the Russian security service.” The notes state “on 28 of July.” In the margin, Brennan writes “POTUS,” but that section of the notes is redacted. “Any evidence of collaboration between Trump campaign + Russia,” the notes read. The remainder of the notes are redacted, except in the margins, which reads: “JC,” “Denis,” and “Susan.” The notes don’t spell out the full names but “JC” could be referring to then-FBI Director James Comey or former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper. “Susan” could refer to National Security Adviser Susan Rice. And “Denis” could possibly refer to then-Obama chief of staff Denis McDonough. The meeting came just days after the FBI, July 31, 2016, opened a counterintelligence investigation into whether candidate Trump and members of his campaign were colluding or coordinating with Russia to influence the 2016 campaign. It was opened by then-Deputy Assistant Director for Counterintelligence Peter Strzok. Days after that briefing, the CIA properly forwarded that information through a Counterintelligence Operational Lead (CIOL) to Comey and Strzok, with the subject line: “Crossfire Hurricane.” Fox News Digital exclusively obtained and reported on the CIOL in October 2020, which stated: “The following information is provided for the exclusive use of your bureau for background investigative action or lead purposes as appropriate.” FLASHBACK:DNI DECLASSIFIES BRENNAN NOTES, CIA MEMO ON HILLARY CLINTON ‘STIRRING UP’ SCANDAL BETWEEN TRUMP, RUSSIA “Per FBI verbal request, CIA provides the below examples of information the CROSSFIRE HURRICANE fusion cell has gleaned to date,” the memo continued. “An exchange (REDACTED) discussing US presidential candidate Hillary Clinton’s approval of a plan concerning US presidential candidate Donald Trump and Russian hackers hampering US elections as a means of distracting the public from her use of a private email server.” But days before the Aug. 3, 2016, briefing, and before the July 31, 2016, opening of the Crossfire Hurricane probe, foreign sources allegedly connected to left-wing billionaire George Soros were emailing about the FBI opening a probe into the salacious Trump–Russia narrative. That information came from emails dated July 25, 2016, to July 27, 2016, contained in the newly declassified appendix of Special Counsel John Durham’s report. The appendix reveals that the foreign sources were allegedly tied to George Soros’ Open Society Foundations. The appendix said that Russian government actors in 2016 reportedly hacked emails from the Open Society Foundations, formerly known as the Soros Foundation. “Two of the apparently hacked emails appear to have originated from the Open Society Foundations,” the appendix states, noting that the purported author of these emails was Leonard Benardo, who was the regional director for Eurasia at the Open Society Foundations. “During the first stage of the campaign, due to lack of direct evidence, it was decided to disseminate the necessary information through the FBI-affiliated…technical structures… in particular, the Crowdstrike and ThreatConnect companies, from where the information would then be disseminated through leading U.S. publications,” Benardo reportedly wrote in an email, per the appendix. FBI’S CONTROVERSIAL TRUMP-RUSSIA ACTIONS PREDICTED WITH ‘ALARMING SPECIFICITY’ BY FOREIGN ACTORS: SOURCES “The media analysis on the DNC hacking appears solid …. Julie (Clinton Campaign Advisor) says it will be a long-term affair to demonize Putin and Trump. Now it is good for a post-convention bounce,” Benardo allegedly wrote, per the appendix. “Later the FBI will put more oil into the fire.” Another email reportedly from Benardo on July 27, 2016, states: “HRC (Hillary Rodham Clinton) approved Julie’s idea about Trump and Russian hackers hampering U.S. elections.” “This should distract people from her own missing email, especially if the affair goes to the Olympic level,” Benardo reportedly continued, per the annex. “The point is making the
House GOP recruits candidates in Ohio, Michigan Trump districts held by Democrats
EXCLUSIVE: From Toledo to Flint, Republicans are targeting two Democratic-held congressional seats in the industrial Midwest that President Donald Trump won last year. With a razor-thin 219-212 majority in the U.S. House, Republicans are eyeing crossover districts – the 13 congressional districts where Trump won at the top of the ticket, but Democrats held on down-ballot. Top of mind for Republicans ahead of the midterm elections is Ohio’s 9th Congressional District, held by the longest-serving woman in Congress, Rep. Marcy Kaptur, and Michigan’s 8th Congressional District, represented by freshman Rep. Kristen McDonald Rivet. Freshman GOP Rep. Brian Jack of Georgia, Trump’s former political director who is now leading candidate recruitment for House Republicans as deputy chair of the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC), visited those crossover districts this week. 4 KEY SENATE SEATS REPUBLICANS AIM TO FLIP IN 2026 MIDTERMS TO EXPAND THEIR MAJORITY In a phone interview with Fox News Digital from Toledo, Ohio, while “looking out on the Maumee River,” Jack said Kaptur and McDonald Rivet are out of step with the constituents they represent. TRUMP, REPUBLICANS RACE TO REDRAW TEXAS CONGRESSIONAL MAP AS DEMOCRATS THREATEN LEGAL WAR “Kaptur has represented Toledo for 42 years, which is longer than some of our candidates have been alive,” Jack said. Jack described how Kaptur has seen a “significant decline in her vote percentages.” In 2016, Kaptur won with 68% of the vote. Last year, in 2024, the Democratic congresswoman received just 48% of the vote. “I believe that’s because, over the past seven, eight years, voters have become familiar with her posture toward President Trump,” Jack said. “President Trump carried this district with 53%, a clear majority, and yet she still voted twice to subvert the will of her voters, by voting to twice impeach President Trump and remove him from office against the will her own constituents.” While Kaptur remains in line with the Democratic Party on key issues, like rejecting Trump’s “big, beautiful bill,” his marquee legislation – which includes tax cuts, green energy reform and border security – Ohio has shifted red in recent election cycles. “This used to be the perennial bellwether swing state,” Jack said. “As we have seen from 2016 through 2024, it has increasingly aligned with President Trump and voted overwhelmingly to send President Trump to the White House three separate times. That accurately reflects the will of the people of this incredible state.” Candidates for Ohio’s 9th Congressional District include former GOP nominee and four-term state Rep. Derek Merrin, Ohio state Rep. Josh Williams, Air National Guard Lt. Col. Alea Nadeem, and retired Air Force Lt. Col. Wayne Kinsel. State Senate President Sen. Rob McColley is also considered a potential candidate. Jack met with local party officials, the four declared candidates and the potential candidate in the race while visiting the Buckeye State. Jack said Republicans are excited and inspired by these candidates, telling Fox News Digital, “When you look at the districts that are seeking a change in elected office, Ohio’s 9th is one of the first districts that comes to mind.” In McDonald Rivet’s crossover district, Jack also met with U.S. Navy veteran Amir Hassan, who is the only declared Republican candidate. “As voters continue to learn about the Rep. McDonald Rivet’s voting record, I suspect that they’re going to raise questions about why she’s voting against the president, who the district overwhelmingly elected,” Jack said. Jack said when he hosted Vice President JD Vance in his hometown of Peachtree City, Georgia, more than a thousand voters showed up in 90-degree heat, drawing a sharp contrast to the fewer than 50 people who were protesting in the swing state. And as Democrats campaign against Trump’s “big, beautiful bill,” and Medicaid cuts take center stage for Democrats ahead of the midterms, Jack told Fox News Digital, “It’s incumbent upon us to continue to promote, not just the victories of the bill, but the details within it, because it is an encapsulation of everything on which Trump campaigned.” When reached for comment, McDonald Rivet’s campaign spokesperson, Tom Grandon, told Fox News Digital that she is “working every day to make life more affordable for working families.” “She has proven countless times throughout her career that she will work with anyone, regardless of party, to accomplish that, and she has bipartisan bills that will lower key costs, like medicine, taxes, and eggs. However, she will also fight tirelessly against any agenda that prioritizes billionaires over lower costs for working people,” the campaign added. Kaptur and the Democratic National Congressional Committee (DCCC) did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
Veteran burns American flag in front of White House on day of controversial Trump executive order
A U.S. military veteran was filmed burning an American flag outside the White House on the same day that President Donald Trump signed an executive order seeking new consequences for doing so. Trump signed the order on Monday, directing Attorney General Pam Bondi to prosecute violations of laws involving flag desecration and to pursue litigation that would clarify the scope of the First Amendment as it relates to flag desecration. The order additionally directs Bondi to refer flag desecration cases that violate state and local laws to appropriate local authorities. Footage from outside the White House on the same day shows a man who identified himself as a veteran speaking through a megaphone while burning the flag. “I am a 20-year veteran of the United States Army,” the man says as the flag burns at his feet. “It is our First Amendment right to burn this flag, regardless of what the president says.” TRUMP FLAG BURNING EXECUTIVE ORDER COULD FLIP FIRST AMENDMENT ON ITS HEAD WITH NEW COURT At one point in the video, another man approaches the veteran, but it is unclear what he says. The veteran responds by repeatedly telling him to “get away from me.” Trump’s order followed months of protesters burning American flags at various anti-Israel and anti-ICE demonstrations. VETERANS DISGUSTED BY ANTI-ISRAEL PROTESTS, FLAG-BURNING: ‘DISGRACE’ TO AMERICA Trump has nevertheless faced pushback from the right on social media after signing the order, with conservatives largely defending flag-burning as a First Amendment right. “I would never in a million years harm the American flag. But a president telling me I can’t has me as close as I’ll ever be to lighting one on fire. I am a free American citizen. And if I ever feel like torching one, I will. This is garbage,” conservative radio host Jesse Kelly wrote on X. “Flag burning is vile but the government has no right to control speech or expression,” radio host Dana Loesch wrote. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP The Supreme Court ruled in the 1989 case Texas v. Johnson that burning the American flag is a form of symbolic speech that is protected by the First Amendment. Trump’s executive order, which directs the attorney general to “pursue litigation to clarify the scope of the First Amendment exceptions” in the realm of flag burning, signals there will likely be upcoming litigation challenging the 1989 ruling. Fox News’ Lindsey Kornick contributed to this report
Trump-trolling Gov Gavin Newsom suggests ‘coin’ is coming to online store: ‘Trump corruption coin’
California Gov. Gavin Newsom, an outspoken critic of President Donald Trump who has been trolling the president through mocking mimicry online, indicated during remarks on Wednesday that he is poised to release a “coin” on his online shop that features Trump-trolling merchandise. Trump has previously promoted a Trump cryptocurrency meme coin, and Newsom made the comment after recalling talking to Trump “about his crypto grift.” “I think we’ll add a coin,” he said adding, perhaps a “Trump corruption coin or something.” NEWSOM SAYS GOP LEADER ‘DOES NOT DESERVE TO HOLD OFFICE’ AFTER PROPOSING CA SPLIT IN TWO OVER REDISTRICTING Newsom has promoted Trump-trolling merchandise for sale in an online store. “THE PATRIOT SHOP IS NOW OPEN!!!!” he recently wrote on his personal X account. “MANY PEOPLE ARE SAYING THIS IS THE GREATEST MERCHANDISE EVER MADE. PLEASE ENJOY, AMERICA!” TEXAS CHALLENGES NEWSOM’S GAS CAR CRACKDOWN, WARNING CALIFORNIA CAN’T DICTATE US AUTO MARKET One of the items for sale at the shop is a red MAGA-style cap that reads, “NEWSOM WAS RIGHT ABOUT EVERYTHING!” The governor has also been leveraging his gubernatorial press office account to troll the president with Trump-style tweets. NEWSOM SIGNS CALIFORNIA CONGRESSIONAL REDISTRICTING BILLS, COUNTERING TRUMP-BACKED PUSH IN TEXAS For example, one of the posts declared, “EXCEPT WHAT IS WRITTEN AND BROADCAST IN THE FAKE NEWS, I NOW HAVE THE HIGHEST POLL NUMBERS I’VE EVER HAD, SOME IN THE 60’S AND EVEN 70’S. THANK YOU. MAKE AMERICA GAVIN AGAIN!!! — GCN”
Trump admin plans to impose 4-year limits for foreign students studying in US
The Trump administration on Wednesday announced a proposed rule to limit the length of time international students can remain in the U.S. for their studies to four years. If finalized, the proposed rule set to be published on Thursday would limit how long certain visa holders, including foreign students, are allowed to stay in the U.S., according to a press release from the Department of Homeland Security, which said the proposal seeks to curb “visa abuse” and increase the agency’s ability to “properly vet and oversee these individuals.” The agency said foreign students have “taken advantage of U.S. generosity” and become “forever students” by remaining enrolled in colleges so they could stay in the U.S. RUBIO’S STATE DEPARTMENT YANKS MORE THAN 6K STUDENT VISAS DUE TO ASSAULT, BURGLARY, SUPPORT FOR TERRORISM “For too long, past Administrations have allowed foreign students and other visa holders to remain in the U.S. virtually indefinitely, posing safety risks, costing untold amount of taxpayer dollars, and disadvantaging U.S. citizens,” a DHS spokesperson said in a statement. “This new proposed rule would end that abuse once and for all by limiting the amount of time certain visa holders are allowed to remain in the U.S., easing the burden on the federal government to properly oversee foreign students and their history,” the spokesperson continued. Since 1978, foreign students, or F visa holders, have been allowed to remain in the U.S. for their “duration of status,” which means the time they were enrolled as a full-time student. The proposed rule would allow foreign students and exchange visitors to stay in the country up to the duration of the program they are participating in, although the federal government would not permit it to exceed four years, which is typically less time than it takes to pursue any additional education beyond a bachelor’s degree. HOUSE DEMOCRATS CALL ON RUBIO TO ALLOW INJURED CHILDREN FROM GAZA INTO US FOLLOWING VISA HALT In addition to students, the proposed rule would set the initial admission period for foreign journalists at up to 240 days, although they may seek an extension of up to another 240 days, but no longer than the length of their assignment. Requiring regular assessments by DHS for foreigners to remain in the U.S. for a longer period would allow the agency to conduct “proper oversight” and reduce the number of people in the country on visas, the press release said. Foreign students, notably, typically pay more tuition and receive fewer scholarship opportunities, meaning the proposed rule may have a financial impact on U.S. colleges if it leads to a dip in international enrollment. “It will certainly act as an additional deterrent to international students choosing to study in the United States, to the detriment of American economies, innovation, and global competitiveness,” Fanta Aw, executive director and CEO of NAFSA: Association of International Educators, said in a statement to POLITICO.
Pritzker says ‘action will be met with a response’ after Trump threatens to send National Guard to Chicago
Illinois’ Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker said the state “will not stand idly by” if President Donald Trump makes good on his threat to deploy the National Guard to Chicago to respond to crime in the Windy City. “Unlike Donald Trump, we keep our promises,” the governor wrote Wednesday on X. “We will not stand idly by if he decides to send the National Guard to intimidate Chicagoans.” “Action will be met with a response,” he continued. Pritzker’s comments are just the latest in his recent feud with Trump, as the federal government weighs whether to send troops to Chicago. TRUMP SAYS ‘INCOMPETENT’ ILLINOIS GOVERNOR, ‘NO BETTER’ CHICAGO MAYOR SHOULD CALL HIM FOR HELP WITH CRIME Last week, the governor said there is no crime emergency in Chicago and Trump is “attempting to manufacture a crisis, politicize Americans who serve in uniform, and continue abusing his power to distract from the pain he is causing working families.” “The safety of the people of Illinois is always my top priority,” Pritzker said on Saturday. “There is no emergency that warrants the President of the United States federalizing the Illinois National Guard, deploying the National Guard from other states, or sending active duty military within our own borders. We will continue to follow the law, stand up for the sovereignty of our state, and protect the people of Illinois.” On Monday, Pritzker said the potential federal deployment is “unconstitutional” and “un-American.” “Donald Trump wants to use the military to occupy a U.S. city, punish its dissidents and score political points,” he said. “If this were happening in any other country, we would have no trouble calling it what it is — a dangerous power grab.” Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, also a Democrat, has cited data showing that violent crime has declined in the last year, including homicides and robberies dipping by more than 30%, and shootings dropping by nearly 40%. Although, crime is still up compared to 2021, according to statistics posted by Chicago police. GOV. PRITZKER SAYS TRUMP TRYING TO ‘MANUFACTURE A CRISIS’ AS ADMIN PLANS NATIONAL GUARD DEPLOYMENT TO CHICAGO “The problem with the President’s approach is that it is uncoordinated, uncalled for, and unsound,” Johnson said on Friday. “Unlawfully deploying the National Guard to Chicago has the potential to inflame tensions between residents and law enforcement when we know that trust between police and residents is foundational to building safer communities.” “When we fight back against tyranny, the people united will always prevail,” the mayor later said. Other Illinois leaders have also made criticisms of the potential move to send troops to Chicago. Trump responded to Pritzker and Johnson on Tuesday, writing in a social media post that the governor is “incompetent” and the mayor is “no better.” “A really DEADLY weekend in Chicago,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “6 DEAD, 27 HURT IN CRIME SPREES ALLOVER THE CITY. Panic stricken Governor Pritzker says that crime is under control, when in fact it is just the opposite. He is an incompetent Governor who should call me for HELP. Mayor Johnson is no better. Make Chicago Great Again!” CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP This comes after Trump’s move to boost the presence of federal law enforcement in Washington, D.C., in an attempt to reduce crime. Hundreds of federal agents and National Guard troops have been deployed to the streets of D.C. as part of the federal takeover of the district.
CDC Director Susan Monarez refuses to be fired as other officials call it quits
Longtime government scientist Susan Monarez is refusing to leave her position as director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) after the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced she had been removed from the role less than a month after she was sworn in. Attorneys Mark Zaid and Abbe Lowell said they are representing Monarez and claimed she “has neither resigned nor yet been fired.” The attorneys released a statement on social media, claiming HHS and Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. are weaponizing public health for political gain and putting millions of American lives at risk. “When CDC Director Susan Monarez refused to rubber-stamp unscientific, reckless directives and fire dedicated health experts, she chose protecting the public over serving a political agenda,” the statement said. “For that, she has been targeted. Dr. Monarez has neither resigned nor received notification from the White House that she has been fired, and as a person of integrity and devoted to science, she will not resign.” ABOUT 600 CDC WORKERS TERMINATED AFTER COURT CLEARS PART OF TRUMP ADMIN RESTRUCTURING PLAN The Washington Post reported that sources within the CDC, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said HHS leaders, including Kennedy, sought to get Monarez to commit to rescinding approvals for certain COVID-19 vaccines. When Monarez did not immediately commit, she was told by administration officials that she must resign or she would be fired. Sources also claimed she then attempted to involve the chairman of the Senate’s top health committee, Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La. The move reportedly further angered Kennedy. When reached for comment, a spokesperson for the HHS directed Fox News Digital to the agency’s response shared on its official X account. “Susan Monarez is no longer director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,” HHS said. “We thank her for her dedicated service to the American people. Secretary Kennedy has full confidence in his team at the CDC who will continue to be vigilant in protecting Americans against infectious diseases at home and abroad.” The White House confirmed to Fox News Digital that Monarez was being removed. “As her attorney’s statement makes abundantly clear, Susan Monarez is not aligned with the President’s agenda of Making America Healthy Again,” White House spokesman Kush Desai said in a statement. “Since Susan Monarez refused to resign despite informing HHS leadership of her intent to do so, the White House has terminated Monarez from her position with the CDC.” Monarez was tapped by the Trump administration to lead the CDC after its initial nominee, Dave Weldon, withdrew from contention in March amid fears he might not garner enough support in the Senate to be confirmed. Shortly after Weldon stepped down, Monarez was formally nominated to be the CDC’s permanent director and was eventually confirmed in the final week of July. During Monarez’s confirmation hearing, she expressed support for vaccines and told lawmakers she has “not seen a causal link between vaccines and autism.” MEDICAL GROUP GOES AGAINST CDC, RECOMMENDS COVID SHOTS FOR YOUNG KIDS Prior to Monarez’s Senate confirmation, CDC directors did not typically require Senate approval, but that changed in 2022 when Congress passed a law making it necessary. Monarez was the first-ever Senate-confirmed CDC director in the agency’s history. Monarez was also the first CDC director without a medical degree in more than seven decades. However, she does hold a Ph.D. in microbiology and immunology. After getting her doctorate, Monarez entered the federal government, where she found herself in roles at the White House’s Office of Science and Technology Policy, the National Security Council, the Department of Homeland Security and the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H). Her biography on the CDC’s website says she worked on “leading efforts to enhance the nation’s biomedical innovation capabilities, including combating antimicrobial resistance, expanding the use of wearables to promote patient health, ensuring personal health data privacy, and improving pandemic preparedness.” Hours after the news that Monarez would no longer head the CDC, sources confirmed to Fox News Digital that at least three other top CDC officials tendered their resignations, including the CDC’s director of its National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Demetre Daskalakis; the director of the National Centers for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Disease, Dr. Daniel Jernigan; and the CDC’s chief medical officer, Debra Houry. Daskalakis posted his lengthy resignation letter on X, citing various reasons for his departure, including “the views” of Secretary Kennedy and his staff. Daskalakis said he could not continue to work in an administration that treats the CDC “as a tool” to establish policies that “do not reflect scientific reality.” He specifically cited recent changes Kennedy’s HHS has brought to vaccine scheduling for children and adults, arguing it “threaten[s] the lives of the youngest Americans and pregnant people.” The former CDC director also cited the administration’s efforts to “erase transgender populations, cease critical domestic and international HIV programming, and terminate key research.”
Bill Gates met with Trump to talk ‘importance of US global health programs and health research’: spox
Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates went to the White House on Tuesday for a meeting with the president, according to a Gates spokesperson. In a statement obtained by Fox News Digital, the spokesperson noted, “Bill met with the president to discuss the importance of U.S. global health programs and health research that is necessary to save lives, protect Americans’ health, and preserve U.S. leadership in the world.” BILL GATES REVEALS ‘NEXT PHASE OF ALZHEIMER’S FIGHT’ AS HE SHARES DAD’S PERSONAL BATTLE Fox News Digital reached out to the White House for comment on Wednesday. Prior to the president’s inauguration for his second term, Wall Street Journal Editor-in-Chief Emma Tucker asked the mega-wealthy figure whether he had met with Trump since Trump’s victory in the 2024 presidential contest. BILL GATES REVEALS HOW MUCH INHERITANCE HE’LL LEAVE FOR KIDS Gates said that they had a “quite intriguing dinner,” noting that it lasted more than three hours. BILL GATES: ‘FOOLISH’ TO SPEND TIME WITH JEFFREY EPSTEIN An individual who Gates explained “helps manage things for me” was also present, as well as Susie Wiles, Gates added.
Susan Collins heckled at Maine ribbon-cutting to delight of leftist challenger as pivotal Senate race heats up
Senator Susan Collins, R-Maine, faced repeated heckling from protesters on Tuesday during a ribbon-cutting ceremony marking the completion of a $9.2 million federally-funded Route 1 reconstruction project. Collins’ remarks on securing federal money for the project were repeatedly drowned out, showing both her challenges on the home front and the broader fight for Senate control. Collins, who chairs the Senate Appropriations Committee, has cast the Route 1 project as a major win for Maine communities. Protesters, however, shouted her down with chants of “Shame! Shame! Shame!” while raising grievances over Medicare, Israel policy and her voting history for Trump-supported bills. ‘MAINE’S MAMDANI’: MAINE GOP CHIEF ISSUES WARNING ABOUT NEW CHALLENGER LOOKING TO OUST SUSAN COLLINS Her Democrat challenger, Graham Platner, quickly seized on the moment, sharing a close-up video of the heckling on X that has nearly 4k likes. With the Senate hanging by a razor-thin margin, Maine’s race has emerged as one of the most closely watched in the country. Democrats see Collins’ seat as a potential pathway back to control, while Republicans, led by President Trump, are fighting to defend their fragile majority. “I’m so disgusted with the cuts the Republican Party has made to this big ugly bill…. Get outta here!” shouted one protester, referencing the “One, Big Beautiful Bill.” At one point during the ceremony, Collins attempted to reason with the demonstrators. “Could you please just listen, for just one—” she began, before being cut off by a protester shouting, “We’d like you to listen!” VETERAN WHO SERVED IN MIDDLE EASTERN WARS LAUNCHES CAMPAIGN AGAINST SEN. SUSAN COLLINS “I have a suggestion. Would you listen to the suggestion?” asked Collins before another protester responded, “Vote Graham Platner!” Graham Platner is a Democrat candidate seeking to challenge the longtime incumbent moderate Republican, who is facing a spirited reelection battle in an increasingly blue state. Platner, a Marine and Army veteran turned oyster farmer, frames his candidacy as a fight against what he calls the “billionaire economy.” While his biography as a working-class veteran could resonate in a state with many independents, his policy platform leans hard to the left. He has called for banning billionaires from financing elections, raising the federal minimum wage, establishing postal banking and defending abortion. He supports aggressive climate regulations, breaking up corporations he labels monopolies and ending what he terms “the mass deportation machine.” Platner has also demanded cuts to Pentagon spending, vowed to “stop pointless wars,” and backs expanding union powers. Those stances put him squarely in the progressive camp and open him to criticism that he is out of step with Maine’s moderates despite his veteran credentials. Maine Republicans, meanwhile, were quick to paint Platner as out of step with the state. “Graham is a far-left progressive backed by national progressive operatives and environmental extremists. His views would be perfectly suited for a Portland City Council race – not for representing all of Maine,” Jason Savage, the executive director of the Maine Republican Party, told Fox News Digital. A Collins spokesperson likewise dismissed him as “just another progressive entering the race.” Platner has also brought on Joe Cavello, a former senior aide to Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., as part of his campaign team, and tapped Democratic strategist Morris Katz, an advisor to New York City mayoral nominee Zohran Mamdani, to produce his launch video. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP With Republicans clinging to their slim Senate majority, Collins’ reelection fight could help determine whether Trump’s influence continues to shape the legislative agenda or whether Democrats reclaim the upper hand. Maine’s Senate primary is scheduled for June 9, 2026, with the general election set for Nov. 3, 2026. Sen. Collins and Platner did not immediately return Fox News Digital’s request for comment. Fox News Digital’s Pilar Arias contributed to this report.