House Republicans sue to block Utah congressional map that favors Democrats
Two Republican members of Congress sued Utah’s top election official on Monday, seeking to block a court-ordered congressional map they argue was unlawfully imposed by a judge and tilts the state’s House delegation in favor of Democrats. Reps. Celeste Maloy, R-Utah, and Burgess Owens, R-Utah, along with several other elected officials including county commissioners, filed a 31-page federal lawsuit challenging a redistricting plan known as “Map 1.” The plaintiffs argue the map violates the U.S. Constitution’s elections clause by bypassing the state legislature, which they say holds exclusive authority to draw congressional districts. They also contend that Judge Dianna Gibson violated the Constitution by rejecting congressional maps drawn by the Utah Legislature and imposing “Map 1,” a redistricting plan drafted by attorneys and experts for advocacy groups. BATTLEGROUND GOP LAWMAKER MOVES TO BLOCK WHAT HE CALLS DEMOCRATIC REDISTRICTING ‘POWER GRAB’ The plaintiffs said the redistricting plan had “never been introduced, debated, or voted upon by a single member of the Utah House or Senate.” JEFFRIES SAYS GOP ‘DONE EFF’D UP IN TEXAS,’ VOWS THEY WON’T WIN FIVE SEATS: ‘THEY CAN’T IGNORE IT’ “Map 1 was instead drafted by attorneys and expert witnesses for the League of Women Voters and Mormon Women for Ethical Government, private activist organizations that possess no lawmaking power under either the United States or Utah Constitutions,” the lawsuit reads in part. The plaintiffs are asking the court to convene a three-judge panel, invalidate “Map 1” and permanently block its implementation, a move that would prevent its use in the 2026 elections. They are also seeking to return redistricting authority to the Utah Legislature and, if lawmakers do not enact a new map, reinstate the state’s 2021 congressional districts. Republicans currently control all four of Utah’s seats in the U.S. House under district lines approved by lawmakers following the 2020 census, according to The Associated Press. The AP reported that Gibson found those districts ran afoul of voter-approved anti-gerrymandering standards and replaced them with a new map that largely keeps Salt Lake County, a Democratic stronghold, intact within a single district rather than dividing it among all four. “This lawsuit is not an effort to control political outcomes. It is not an attempt to advantage one party or disadvantage another,” Maloy, Owens and the other plaintiffs wrote in an op-ed for Deseret News. “It is not a referendum on whether districts should be competitive or compact or on how political balance ought to be measured. Those debates belong in the Legislature, where proposals can be introduced publicly, amended openly and resolved by representatives accountable to voters.” “We filed this federal lawsuit not because it was easy but because it was necessary. We seek no special treatment. We ask only that the U.S. Constitution be followed, that the Legislature be allowed to fulfill its lawful role under the federal Constitution and that Utahns retain their right to choose representatives through a process that is legitimate and accountable,” they added. “That is not radical. It is foundational. And it is worth defending.”
GOP must race for new ‘big, beautiful bill’ to slash costs before midterms, top House Republicans warn
FIRST ON FOX: House Republicans who are spearheading the charge of another “big, beautiful bill” say they only have a short window of time to pass a massive piece of legislation aimed at lowering costs for Americans across the board. “We need to see good movement within the month of February that puts us on a path to achieve this by late spring, early summer,” Republican Study Committee (RSC) Chairman August Pfluger, R-Texas, told Fox News Digital. President Donald Trump led Republicans through passing the One Big, Beautiful Bill Act last year, sprawling legislation that made good on versions of several Trump campaign promises like reducing taxes on tipped and overtime wages, extending his 2017 tax cuts, and surging more money toward his immigration crackdown. The budget reconciliation process makes such a feat possible by lowering the Senate’s threshold for passage to line up with the House’s own simple majority line, empowering the party holding the levers of power in Congress to pass sweeping fiscal changes to U.S. law. GOP UNVEILS PLAN TO CUT DEFICIT BY $1 TRILLION WITH SECOND ‘BIG, BEAUTIFUL BILL’ A large contingent of Republican lawmakers, including Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., have said they want to use that process again sometime this year. Pfluger’s RSC, the largest caucus in the House GOP, released a framework last month with recommendations on a bill that would lower costs in areas like housing, healthcare and energy. Pfluger told Fox News Digital that affordability would likely be a “major driver” of another such GOP bill, but said he was still working on getting input from other areas of the House Republican Conference. “I’m sure that there will be refinement as we hear feedback from the different groups. But we do believe that it’s a solid framework. We believe that it’s a winning issue based on good policy,” Pfluger said. ‘ONE MORE’: SENATE REPUBLICANS EYE TACKLING ANOTHER RECONCILIATION BILL But both he and House Budget Committee Chairman Jodey Arrington, R-Texas, have acknowledged they will need to work fast — particularly with the 2026 midterm elections coming in November. “I would be embarrassed as a leader and as a conservative if our conference and Republicans in Washington won’t rally in these 10 or 11 months we have before November, where we still have this window of opportunity to strike,” Arrington said in a forthcoming episode of the RSC’s “Right to the Point” podcast, which Fox News Digital got an exclusive first look at. He said elsewhere in the podcast that Republicans “probably have a three-month window” to take meaningful action, lining up with Pfluger’s own prediction that action should happen by springtime. KENNEDY URGES GOP TO RESTART SPENDING BATTLE AMID SOARING COST OF LIVING, WARNS AGAINST WASTING MAJORITY Pfluger said he hoped to get the first key step done this month after sending instructions on what kind of cuts to enact to various House committees. But Republicans are currently dealing with a one-seat majority in the House until a special election to replace former Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., takes place in March. That could get reduced back down in April after a special election for a blue-leaning seat to replace New Jersey’s new Gov. Mikie Sherrill. Republicans won’t get more breathing room until early August, when California holds a special election for the GOP-leaning seat that was held by the late Rep. Doug LaMalfa, R-Calif. Their first reconciliation bill notably passed with all but two House Republicans on board. “We have a path. We’ve dug that path, and we should just do it for the things that we can all agree on,” Arrington argued. He said a second bill “doesn’t have to be as big and comprehensive, it needs to be targeted on the things that were either left undone, things that fell out, that we should put back in… like not allowing tax dollars to go to transgender procedures and not allowing the fungible federal dollars to support states that use their state Medicaid dollars to fund illegals.” But it’s not yet clear that such policies could make it in or gain the support of moderate Republicans who are wary of an election cycle that’s expected to be an uphill climb for the GOP. Pfluger, however, told Fox News Digital that he hoped they could even get some Democratic support if the bill stayed focused on affordability measures. “I believe that we are going to produce something that is going to make it very difficult for Democrats to vote against,” he said. “I would hope that we would have something on the board that would get Democrat support in some cases.”
Homan announces drawdown of federal presence in Minnesota, hails ‘unprecedented cooperation’ from local police
White House border czar Tom Homan announced a drawdown of federal agents deployed to Minnesota on Wednesday, a change he said is made possible thanks to “unprecedented cooperation” from local law enforcement. Homan made the announcement during a Wednesday morning press conference in Minneapolis, saying 700 federal agents would be departing the Twin Cities. He added that the ultimate goal is a “complete drawdown” of federal presence. Homan highlighted meetings he had with Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, Attorney General Keith Ellison and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, urging them all to allow local jails to communicate with federal law enforcement about when they planned to release illegal immigrants being detained there. “We currently have an unprecedented number of counties communicating with us now and allowing ICE to take custody of illegal aliens before they hit the streets. Unprecedented cooperation,” Homan said Wednesday. “I’ll say it again: This is efficient, and it requires only one or two officers to assume custody of a criminal alien target, rather than eight or 10 officers going into the community and arresting that public safety threat.” MINNEAPOLIS MAYOR TO VISIT DC TO PUSH FOR END OF ‘UNLAWFUL ICE OPERATIONS’ AFTER TRUMP’S BLUNT WARNING Homan said the practice was safer for officers, the community and the migrants themselves. “Given this increase in unprecedented collaboration, and as a result of less need for law enforcement officers to do this work in a safer environment, I have announced immediately we will draw down 700 people effective today,” he said. SPRINGSTEEN TELLS ICE TO ‘GET THE F— OUT OF MINNEAPOLIS,’ SLAMS ‘GESTAPO’ TACTICS AT CONCERT Homan went on to note that federal authorities are not requiring jails to hold illegal migrants beyond their normal release time. “We’re not asking anyone to be an immigration officer,” he said. Walz expressed support for the drawdown soon after it was announced on Wednesday, but he said more needs to be done. “Today’s announcement is a step in the right direction, but we need a faster and larger drawdown of forces, state-led investigations into the killings of Alex Pretti and Renee Good, and an end to this campaign of retribution,” Walz wrote on X. Frey also described it as a “step in the right direction,” but he said it fell short of full “de-escalation.” President Donald Trump deployed Homan to the Twin Cities last week after federal agents shot and killed anti-ICE agitator Alex Pretti. He was the second protester to be killed by federal agents in Minneapolis last month. ‘MOB MENTALITY’ ENDANGERS OFFICERS AMID ANTI-ICE UNREST AND CHAOS IN MINNEAPOLIS, RETIRED COPS WARN U.S. Border Patrol commander Greg Bovino left Minnesota shortly after Homan’s arrival. Federal agents have met with stiff resistance in their operations across Minneapolis and St. Paul, with organized agitators harassing and obstructing law enforcement. Republicans on Capitol Hill have called for investigations into the funding streams behind the organized resistance.
Pentagon watchdog warns drone incursions require ‘immediate attention’ at US military bases
In December 2023, nearly three weeks of unidentified drones hovering over sensitive areas of Langley Air Force Base laid bare a problem U.S. officials were not prepared to handle: determining who was responsible for investigating the incursions — and who had authority to act. A new Pentagon Inspector General report indicates those same gaps in authority and coordination remain unresolved across much of the War Department, even as drone activity near U.S. military installations continues with striking frequency. The watchdog report warns that the Pentagon lacks clear, consistent policies governing counter-drone operations at domestic installations, leaving many bases unsure whether they are authorized to respond when drones appear overhead. The findings reinforce what defense officials and outside experts have cautioned for years: while the military can often detect drones, confusion over jurisdiction, approval processes and legal authority can delay — or prevent — action. The report warns that “immediate attention [is] required” to protect War Department assets from unmanned aircraft systems, citing unclear policies, conflicting guidance, and a lack of operational approval at many installations. Pentagon leadership last year established Joint Interagency Task Force 401 to better coordinate counter-drone efforts across the department, but the watchdog concluded the recommendation to consolidate policies and authorities remains unresolved. In December, the Department of War issued updated counter-UAS guidance intended to address longstanding confusion over authority and jurisdiction highlighted in previous drone incursions and oversight reviews. The Inspector General’s report reflects conditions prior to that update and does not assess the revised guidance. The revised policy expands commanders’ ability to assess and respond to unauthorized drone activity beyond installation fence lines, clarifies how “covered facilities or assets” can be designated based on risk, and improves interagency coordination and data-sharing with partners such as the Department of Homeland Security and the Justice Department. US PRISONS BATTLE EVOLVING DRONE TECHNOLOGY USED TO SMUGGLE CONTRABAND TO INMATES Michael Healander, CEO of Airspace Link, said the Inspector General’s findings reflect challenges he has seen while working with military bases and civilian authorities on drone airspace awareness. Airspace Link works with the FAA, municipalities and select military installations to track authorized drone activity, flag unidentified drones near bases, and improve coordination across civilian and government airspace. “When we read the document, we noticed these are issues that we’ve been starting to solve with some of these military bases,” Healander told Fox News Digital. “It’s that understanding of what are the rules and regulations per base — whose drones are whose — and really having that airspace awareness is an issue.” Healander said identifying whether a drone near a military installation is authorized, misrouted or potentially hostile is often less about detection technology and more about coordination in crowded domestic airspace. PENTAGON EXPLORING COUNTER-DRONE SYSTEMS TO PREVENT INCURSIONS OVER NATIONAL SECURITY FACILITIES “There are tools out there. The technologies are out there,” he said. “It’s just they don’t have the frameworks, and it seems to be different from base to base.” The Inspector General report found that the War Department has failed to provide clear, consistent guidance on which installations qualify as “covered assets” eligible for counter-drone protections, resulting in conflicting lists maintained across the department. In some cases, high-value bases conducting critical missions were excluded because their activities did not neatly fall into narrow mission categories defined in federal law. The watchdog concluded these policy gaps have left many installations unsure whether they are authorized to act during drone incursions. The scope of the issue is far from isolated. U.S. Northern Command head Gen. Gregory Guillot said during a roundtable last year that drone activity near War Department installations occurs almost daily. “We’re between one and two incursions per day” at War Department installations, Guillot told reporters. Healander said confusion often intensifies when drones appear outside a base’s perimeter, where military authority intersects with FAA-regulated airspace and local law enforcement jurisdictions. “What happens if there’s a drone outside the fence line?” he said. “Most military bases don’t have jurisdiction out there.” Modern drone identification tools — including systems that detect remote identification signals, radio frequencies, radar and optical tracking — can often determine where a drone originated and whether it is registered. But Healander said that without standardized rules governing who operates those systems and how information is shared, detection alone does not translate into timely decisions. “If you have those technologies together, you can start to see where the drone came from,” he said. “It’s just making sure that these bases have a framework to follow.” The Inspector General also found that the approval process required for installations to use counter-drone systems is fragmented and burdensome, with different military services following different procedures. In many cases, installations must procure and test systems before receiving authorization to use them — a hurdle that has led some bases to forgo seeking approval altogether, even after experiencing incursions. Healander said improving situational awareness and coordination will become increasingly urgent as civilian, commercial and public-safety drone operations expand near military installations, further complicating an already crowded low-altitude airspace environment. “Getting their house in order first — understanding who’s flying, where, and under what authority — is the starting point,” he said.
ICE re-arrests two Venezuelan men after federal judge’s release order
Two Venezuelan nationals accused of assaulting a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer during a chaotic Minneapolis arrest last month were ordered released by a federal judge this week, only for ICE to re-arrest them, according to court records cited by The Minnesota Star Tribune. Alfredo Alejandro Ajorna, 26, and Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis, 24, were released under court-ordered conditions Tuesday after a judge found they did not pose a heightened flight risk, the outlet reported. The men were re-detained by ICE almost immediately after the hearing and never left the courthouse before agents took them back into custody. The Tribune reported that attorneys for the men said ICE detained them “without explanation” shortly after the judge’s release order, prompting a habeas corpus petition filed late Tuesday. Minnesota Chief U.S. District Judge Patrick J. Schiltz then barred ICE from removing the men from the state and ordered the federal government to explain its actions by Friday. CRIMINAL ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT ALLEGEDLY RAMS ICE VEHICLE IN MINNESOTA AS ATTACKS ON AGENTS SURGE “This re-detention is unconstitutional, and they should be immediately released,” attorney Brian Clark wrote in the emergency habeas petition, per the outlet. The pair were arrested after a Jan. 14 altercation that began when ICE agents attempted a targeted traffic stop in north Minneapolis, DHS said at the time. According to DHS, federal officers were attempting to arrest Sosa-Celis when he fled the scene in his vehicle, crashed into a parked car and ran on foot. DHS said the pursuing officer caught up with Sosa-Celis and attempted to take him into custody, at which point Sosa-Celis allegedly began to resist and violently assault the officer. As the two struggled on the ground, DHS said two individuals emerged from a nearby apartment and began striking the officer with a snow shovel and the handle of a broom. DHS said Sosa-Celis then broke free and allegedly struck the officer as well before the agent, fearing for his life, fired a defensive shot that struck Sosa-Celis in the leg. Despite being wounded, DHS said Sosa-Celis and the other two men retreated into the apartment and barricaded themselves inside. FEDERAL JUDGE BACKS AWAY FROM THREAT TO HOLD ICE LEADER IN CONTEMPT ICE ultimately arrested all three suspects and took them into custody, DHS said. The officer and Sosa-Celis were both hospitalized following the confrontation. The agency described the incident as an “attempted murder of federal law enforcement,” saying an ICE officer was ambushed and struck with a snow shovel and the handle of a broom before firing a defensive shot that struck Sosa-Celis in the leg. DHS publicly identified three Venezuelan nationals — Sosa-Celis, Ajorna and Gabriel Alejandro Hernandez-Ledezma — as the suspects who allegedly assaulted the ICE agent and were taken into federal custody after the Jan. 14 incident. The Tribune reported that the federal affidavit in the case makes no mention of Hernandez-Ledezma, and that he has not been charged with any federal crime. The newspaper said he is being held at a federal detention facility in Texas and that it could not independently verify his presence or involvement in the incident. Defense attorneys told the court that photographic evidence and witness statements raise questions about the timing and circumstances of the shooting, including allegedly suggesting the shot may have been fired after the suspects had gone inside a residence, according to the Tribune. Fox News’ Greg Wehner contributed to this report.
White House approves Medal of Honor for fallen Army Staff Sgt Michael Ollis after years-long push
The White House has approved the Medal of Honor for fallen Army Staff Sgt. Michael Ollis, a Staten Island, New York, native who died in Afghanistan in 2013, while shielding an allied soldier, according to Rep. Nicole Malliotakis, R-N.Y., who said she was notified of the decision in a statement posted to social media. The decision follows years of advocacy from veterans’ groups, elected officials and the Staten Island community to formally recognize Ollis’ actions, which supporters have long argued met the standard for our nation’s highest military honor. In a Facebook post, Malliotakis said she had been notified directly by the White House. “We were notified by the White House that Staten Island’s hometown hero, U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Michael Ollis, has been approved for the Medal of Honor for his extraordinary act of heroism,” Malliotakis wrote. REP BRIAN MAST: CONGRESS HAS THE PERFECT WAY TO HONOR OUR NATION’S FALLEN HEROES Ollis was killed in Afghanistan on Aug. 28, 2013, when he used his body to shield a Polish Army officer during a suicide bombing. He was 24 years old. “In 2013, Staff Sergeant Ollis gave his life to save an allied soldier, and his courage, selflessness, and sacrifice represent the very best of our nation,” she continued. Malliotakis credited years of advocacy efforts, adding: “After years of advocacy from the American Legion, our elected officials, and the Staten Island community, we are grateful to President Donald Trump for recognizing Staff Sergeant Ollis’ extraordinary heroism with our nation’s highest military honor.” The Medal of Honor is the nation’s highest military decoration and is awarded for acts that go above and beyond the call of duty. While the standards for awarding the medal have evolved over time, it has always recognized “conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life,” according to the Congressional Medal of Honor Society. The current criteria were established in 1963 during the Vietnam War. TRUMP SIGNS MEDAL OF HONOR ACT TO RAISE PENSIONS FOR AMERICA’S MILITARY HEROES Under those standards, the medal may be awarded for actions taken against an enemy of the U.S., during military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force, or while serving alongside friendly foreign forces engaged in armed conflict in which America is not a belligerent party. Awarding the Medal involves a rigorous review process. Each recommendation requires detailed reports on the act itself and battlefield conditions, at least two sworn eyewitness statements, and additional corroborating evidence. Recommendation packets must be approved through the full military chain of command before reaching the president, who serves as commander-in-chief. Federal law also imposes strict timelines on the process, with recommendations requiring submission within three years of the valorous act and the medal awarded within five years. Any submission outside those limits requires an act of Congress to waive time restrictions. NATIONAL GUARD MEMBERS ATTACKED BY AFGHAN REFUGEE IN DC HONORED BY UNANIMOUS HOUSE VOTE Ollis’ family also addressed the reports in a statement shared by the SSG Michael Ollis Freedom Foundation. “We are extremely grateful to the President of the United States for recognizing the heroism of our son, U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Michael Ollis, with the Medal of Honor,” the statement said. “Knowing that Michael’s life, legacy and final act of courage have not been forgotten leaves us with a feeling of overwhelming pride and eternal gratitude.” The statement also thanked supporters in a separate statement who have advocated for the recognition. “We also greatly appreciate the letters, emails and phone calls of support from government and military officials, local leaders, non-profit organizations and the many friends we are blessed to know here in Staten Island and beyond. It is deeply moving to know that you haven’t forgotten Michael or our family.” Fox News Digital has reached out to the White House and the Department of War for additional details regarding the Medal of Honor process, including timing and ceremony plans. The Ollis family did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for additional comment.
Lawmakers probe National FFA over Chinese Communist Party ties and DEI programs
Federal lawmakers are demanding answers from the National Future Farmers of America (FFA) over its partnership with a Chinese Communist Party-controlled agribusiness and its push for DEI initiatives, citing national security concerns and questions about its tax-exempt status. The inquiry is being led by the House Ways and Means Committee and the Congressional FFA Caucus, which say the organization’s relationship with Syngenta Group raises concerns about foreign influence and whether FFA is operating in line with its stated mission as a tax-exempt nonprofit. House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith and Congressional FFA Caucus co-chair Tracey Mann sent a letter to National FFA CEO Scott Stump demanding documents and answers related to the partnership, Syngenta’s role in shaping internal policies and the organization’s compliance with federal tax law. “Working with our nation’s foreign adversaries and prioritizing woke policies over your mission raises serious concerns regarding whether the National FFA is complying with the requirements to maintain tax-exempt status,” the lawmakers wrote. MOST SHOCKING EXAMPLES OF CHINESE ESPIONAGE UNCOVERED BY THE US THIS YEAR: ‘JUST THE TIP OF THE ICEBERG’ In the letter, the committee emphasized FFA’s role in educating future agricultural leaders, noting the organization serves more than one million students through thousands of chapters across the country. The lawmakers devoted a significant portion of the letter to detailing Syngenta Group’s ownership structure and its ties to the Chinese government, arguing the relationship raises red flags for a U.S.-based, tax-exempt youth organization tied to agriculture. Syngenta has been wholly owned since 2017 by China National Chemical Corp., or ChemChina, a Chinese state-owned enterprise that later merged into Sinochem Holdings. AMERICA HAS TO RESPOND WITH A UNITED FRONT TO CHINA’S MASSIVE ECONOMIC WARFARE Both ChemChina and Sinochem were designated during the first Trump administration as Communist Chinese military companies, a classification used to identify firms linked to Beijing’s military-civil fusion strategy and restrict their access to U.S. government funding. Lawmakers noted that while those designations were removed in 2021 under the Biden administration, Syngenta was later redesignated as a Chinese military company, underscoring ongoing concerns about its ties to the Chinese state. The letter also pointed to actions by U.S. states and federal agencies to limit Chinese ownership and influence in American agriculture. It included efforts to force Syngenta subsidiaries to divest farmland and initiatives aimed at preventing the sale of U.S. agricultural land to Chinese entities on national security grounds. MORE THAN 160 HOUSE DEMS VOTE AGAINST CRACKDOWN ON FOREIGN INFLUENCE IN US SCHOOLS Against that backdrop, lawmakers said Syngenta’s access to FFA leadership, programming and students raises concerns about the influence a Chinese state-owned company could exert over future American agricultural leaders. “The CCP has a well-documented history of economic espionage to steal biotechnology and agriculture-related intellectual property, and the fact that the National FFA has provided one of their state-owned companies direct access to the future leaders of America’s farming industry is alarming,” the letter states. The lawmakers also criticized FFA’s embrace of DEI initiatives, arguing the programs risk shifting the organization away from agricultural education and toward identity-based priorities that could divide students. HOUSE GOP LAUNCHES BLITZ OF BILLS TO SHUT DOWN CCP INFILTRATION OF US SCHOOLS: ‘COMMONSENSE’ They questioned whether Syngenta’s role in DEI-related efforts gave the company undue influence over FFA’s strategic direction. “The goal of the National FFA should be to bring student members together as a community — not force them into specific categories,” the lawmakers wrote. Smith and Mann said the inquiry is part of broader congressional oversight of tax-exempt organizations and their exposure to foreign influence, particularly as farm and food security are increasingly viewed as matters of national security. FCC, STATE AGS TO JOIN FORCES IN CRACKDOWN ON CHINA-LINKED COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY Smith and Mann cited a statement from USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins that “farm security is national security.” Ultimately, the letter directs National FFA to turn over documents and provide detailed answers about its partnership with Syngenta Group, including contracts and financial contributions, the role Syngenta employees play in leadership or advisory positions, and the company’s involvement in shaping FFA’s diversity and strategic programs. In a statement provided to Fox News Digital, Smith said the committee is expanding its investigation to include the FFA over concerns about foreign influence and its impact on the organization’s mission. “The Ways and Means Committee is expanding our investigation into the malign foreign influence in the U.S. tax-exempt sector to include the FFA in light of deeply concerning reports that the organization has maintained ties to an entity controlled by the Chinese Communist Party — a relationship that appears to have influenced its decision-making,” Smith said. “The FFA plays a vital role in educating the next generation of farmers, strengthening American agriculture, and safeguarding our nation’s food supply and national security. That important mission must not be compromised.” Fox News Digital reached out to the National FFA for comment on the matter.
California business group unveils Times Square billboard comparing Newsom to NY Jets during Super Bowl week
As speculation swirls over whether California Gov. Gavin Newsom will run for president in 2028, a business group on Tuesday unveiled a billboard in New York City’s Times Square, comparing the Democratic leader to one of the NFL’s most consistently underperforming – some would say sorriest – franchises: the New York Jets. The California Business and Industrial Alliance (CABIA), which announced the ad, said it coincides with Super Bowl week and represents Newsom’s track record on homelessness and higher taxes. NEWSOM WARNS ‘PATHETIC’ FOREIGN LEADERS TO GROW A BACKBONE IN BIZARRE TAKEDOWN LIKENING TRUMP TO A T.REX “Before trying to quarterback national politics, Gavin Newsom should take a hard look at how his game plan worked out in California,” said Tom Manzo, founder of CABIA. “Much like New Yorkers feel about the Jets, Californians expected more than what they’ve seen from Governor Newsom.” The billboard features a green background in Jets colors and features Newsom wearing a Jets Jersey with “California” emblazoned” on the front. “His record is worse than the Jets,” the billboard states. #1 in High Taxes and Homelessness.” ROB GRONKOWSKI PRAISES PATRIOTS’ TURNAROUND, SAYS TITANS FIRING MIKE VRABEL WAS FRANCHISE-ALTERING Newsom has been heavily criticized by Republicans over the state’s homelessness crisis, which has grown over the past few years despite billions in spending. A 2024 state audit found that California failed to track results from an unprecedented $24 billion spent on combating the issue. In addition, California has one of the country’s highest tax burdens and costs of living. Meanwhile, the comparison to the Jets is meant to highlight Newsom’s perceived failures at governing the state. The Jets finished the 2025 NFL season with a 3-14 record, frustrating the team’s already demoralized fan base. The team lost its first seven games of the season before finally notching a win. The Jets last made the NFL playoffs during the 2010 postseason. Fox News Digital has reached out to Newsom and the Jets front office.
Mike Johnson backs ‘America Is Back!’ message as Trump debuts new hat design
A new slogan and accompanying red hat made its debut at the White House on Tuesday as President Donald Trump signed the Consolidated Appropriations Act, reopening the federal government with a room full of Republican lawmakers in attendance. The hat, bearing the phrase “America Is Back!” sat on the Resolute Desk in the Oval Office during the bill-signing ceremony, as House Speaker Mike Johnson praised the message while standing alongside the president. “This is good for the country, and America is back,” said Johnson, who added that the hat was “appropriate” and “the right slogan.” Trump confirmed the item’s novelty during the signing event, looking toward the hat held in Johnson’s hands. “It’s a new hat,” Trump said. “[It] just came out. America is back.” Trump noticed CNN’s Kaitlan Collins in the press pool and quipped, “Look, CNN is thrilled [about the hat]. Look at her. She never smiles. I’d never see her [smile]. But someday I’ll see her smile.” ‘OPENING PANDORA’S BOX’: MIKE JOHNSON BACKS TRUMP AFTER WARNING WHITE HOUSE ABOUT DEAL WITH DEMOCRATS While the event focused on passage of the sweeping government funding package, the hat quickly became a visual focal point. As of Tuesday afternoon, however, the “America Is Back!” hat had not yet appeared for sale on the Trump Store official site, which currently features other Trump-branded merchandise, including MAGA hats. Johnson’s remarks came as Republicans sought to champion the passage of the Consolidated Appropriations Act (CAA) after days of uncertainty, with Johnson standing behind Trump as the president signed the bill reopening the government. The CAA signed Tuesday funds most federal agencies through the end of the fiscal year, though separate negotiations remain ongoing over longer-term funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN ENDS AS TRUMP SIGNS BILL, BUT DHS FUNDING DEADLINE LOOMS Trump later argued that the new phrase does not replace his longtime political slogan, “Make America Great Again.” “We’ll never forget MAGA,” he said. “But I thought this was very appropriate.” Sen. Barasso, R-Wyo., added, “Love it.” It is unclear when or if the “America Is Back” hat will be made available for purchase in the Trump online store. Upon request for comment, the White House referred Fox News Digital to Trump’s stated remarks. Fox News Digital’s Diana Stancy contributed to this reporting.
These are the 21 House Republicans who held out against Trump, Johnson on $1.2T spending bill
Twenty-one Republicans broke with President Donald Trump and Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., on Tuesday evening in an attempt to derail a $1.2 trillion spending bill to end a government shutdown, citing concerns that the legislation didn’t do enough to advance GOP priorities. Among a range of reasons, lawmakers argued the bill needed to include provisions shoring up election integrity, come with full-year funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and eliminate Democrat-requested earmarks. The lawmakers that voted against the measure included: Reps. Andy Biggs, R-Ariz., Lauren Boebert, R-Colo., Josh Brecheen, R-Okla., Tim Burchett, R-Tenn., Eric Burlison, R-Mo., Kat Cammack, R-Fla., Eli Crane, R-Ariz., Byron Donalds, R-Fla., Randy Fine, R-Fla., Brandon Gill, R-Texas, Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., Thomas Massie, R-Ky., Cory Mills, R-Fla., Andy Ogles, R-Tenn., Scott Perry, R-Pa., Chip Roy, R-Texas, David Schweikert, R-Ariz., Keith Self, R-Texas, Victoria Spartz, R-Ind., Greg Steube, R-Fla., and William Timmons, R-S.C. TRUMP UNDERCUTS GOP PUSH TO ATTACH SAVE ACT TO SHUTDOWN BILL AS CONSERVATIVES THREATEN MUTINY Thomas Massie, R-Ky., condemned what he saw as a failure to shore up election integrity with the exclusion of the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act — a bill requiring photo ID for registering voters looking to participate in federal elections. “And most importantly… BLOCKED: the inclusion of the SAVE Act to protect our elections from illegal aliens — a top priority for conservatives,” Massie said in a long list of reasons he posted to X on why he had voted against the package. Massie alongside other Republicans like Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., had called for Republicans to tie the SAVE Act into the 2026 funding bill. He wasn’t the only Republican to vent frustrations online. Other lawmakers voted against the bill because of a distrust that Democrats would negotiate in good faith over outstanding considerations to fund DHS. “The fact that Chuck Schumer is able to somehow get Republicans to pass a version that includes all of their stuff — but only a two-week funding measure for Homeland Security, I think, is a fool’s bet,” Rep. Eric Burlison, R- Mo. said. The bill, which now heads to the desk of President Donald Trump for his signature, includes funding for the departments of War, Education, Transportation, Housing and Urban Development and Health and Human Services. REPUBLICANS, DEMS BREAK THROUGH RESISTANCE, MOVE FORWARD WITH TRUMP-BACKED FUNDING PACKAGE Despite the opposition from the 21 Republicans, the bill passed by a bipartisan 217-214 vote. Tuesday marks the second time the House of Representatives has considered this legislation. The bill hit roadblocks after the House passed it for the first time in January, when Democrats in the Senate balked at its lack of safeguards for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in the wake of two fatal confrontations in Minnesota between immigration enforcement and civilians. Democrats across both chambers of Congress have demanded new restrictions on ICE’s operations, such as a prohibition against wearing masks, an elimination of ICE’s roaming patrols, body camera requirements, stronger warrant restrictions and visible law enforcement identification. As a part of the package, lawmakers included a two-week extension to DHS funding, giving negotiators time to work through disagreements on provisions for ICE while avoiding a broader government shutdown. Having passed that compromise bill, lawmakers have until the end of next week to hammer out an agreement on funding for DHS or else risk a lapse in its funding. In addition to ICE, the DHS bill covers funding for the Coast Guard, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Lawmakers concerned about that funding also voted against the bill on Tuesday, expressing disappointment Republicans hadn’t used the moment to push for DHS fundng. “I voted NO on the 5-bill minibus,” Rep. Lauren Boebert, R-Colo., said in a post to X on Tuesday. “Republicans have the trifecta and we should fund DHS at Trump levels for strong border security,” Boebert said. Rep. Tim Burchett, R-Tenn., blasted the bill for, in his view, not utilizing Republican negotiating power. “We gotta start negotiating from power,” Burchett said in a video he posted. “Trump will tell you: negotiate from power.”