Barrett and Sotomayor tag-team interrogation of Trump lawyer on tariff powers
Justice Amy Coney Barrett had pointed questions Wednesday about the law Donald Trump invoked to impose global tariffs, joining several other justices on the right and left in voicing skepticism about the president’s ability to use a tool he has deemed critical to carrying out his economic agenda. Solicitor General John Sauer repeatedly argued during the lengthy 2½-hour oral arguments that the emergency law Trump used to enact the tariffs for nearly every U.S. trading partner contained language about regulating imports, which Sauer said included using tariffs. The relevant statute permits the president to “regulate … nullify [and] void … importation,” but it does not use the word “tariff.” Barrett pressed Sauer on this point. “Can you point to any other place in the code or any other time in history where that phrase together, ‘regulate importation,’ has been used to confer tariff-imposing authority?” Barrett, a Trump appointee, asked. SUPREME COURT PREPARES TO CONFRONT MONUMENTAL CASE OVER TRUMP EXECUTIVE POWER AND TARIFF AUTHORITY Sauer noted one other trade law that had served as a precursor to the emergency law in question, but Barrett appeared unconvinced, repeating her question as Sauer failed to offer direct responses. Justice Sonia Sotomayor, an Obama appointee, interjected, asking Sauer to “just answer the justice’s question.” Sotomayor at one point noted that no president has ever used the emergency law, known as the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, to impose tariffs, though Sauer argued that President Richard Nixon’s tariffs were used that way even if the IEEPA did not exist at that stage. “It’s a congressional power, not a presidential power to tax,” Sotomayor said. “And you want to say tariffs are not taxes. But that’s exactly what they are. They’re generating money from American citizens, revenue.” The liberal justice noted that Congress has always used the phrase “regulate and tax” together, suggesting that the absence of any mention of tariffs or taxes in a law’s language was deliberate and that Congress purposely did not grant that power to the president. “Are you telling us that, with respect to its use of ‘regulate’ in other statutes, the taxing reference is superfluous? They didn’t need to do that?” Sotomayor asked. TRUMP ASKS SUPREME COURT FOR URGENT RULING ON TARIFF POWERS AS ‘STAKES COULD NOT BE HIGHER’ Both Barrett and Sotomayor also drilled down on other verbs in the statute, underscoring the absence of tariff powers. “To me, things like ‘nullify’ and ‘void’ have definite meanings. I agree with you that ‘regulate’ is a broader term, but those words, I think, are powerful,” Barrett said. Sotomayor was more blunt: “The verbs that accompany ‘regulate’ have nothing to do with raising revenues in the form of taxes.” The case has become one of the most closely watched of the term and has presented a novel question to the high court that Trump framed this week as “life or death.” “Our Stock Market is consistently hitting Record Highs, and our Country has never been more respected than it is right now,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “A big part of this is the Economic Security created by Tariffs, and the Deals that we have negotiated because of them.” Sauer told the justices that Trump views the trade deficit and opioid epidemic as “country killing and not sustainable” and that he has chosen to address them by using the IEEPA to impose tariffs. Sauer highlighted the success of the trade agreements Trump has made with top foreign competitors, like China, because of the president’s tariff choices. “Unwinding those agreements, [Trump] warns, would expose us to ruthless trade retaliation by far more aggressive countries and drive America from strength to failure with ruinous economic and national security consequences,” Sauer said. Sauer argued the emergency law gives the president the power to regulate importation and that “the power to tariff is a core application of that,” even if not explicitly stated in the law. In addition to the liberal justices and Barrett, other Republican-appointed justices conveyed skepticism, including Chief Justice John Roberts, who questioned how far presidential emergency powers go under the law. “The exercise of the power is to impose tariffs, and the statute doesn’t use the word tariffs,” Roberts said.
Trump appears to jab defeated Republicans, saying it’s ‘easy’ to win elections ‘when you talk about the facts’
President Donald Trump appeared to take a swipe at Republican candidates who lost on Tuesday while addressing the America Business Forum in Miami, Fla., on Wednesday. After listing a series of his accomplishments, Trump said it’s “so easy to win elections when you talk about the facts.” “Almost 2 million American-born workers are employed today, more than when I took office. That’s nine months ago. Can you imagine?” Trump said. “And I tell Republicans, if you want to win elections, you gotta talk about these facts. You know, it’s so easy to win elections when you talk about the facts.” He then added that, “These are things you have to talk about. It doesn’t just happen, you got to tell them. It’s wonderful to do them, but if people don’t talk about them, then you can do not so well in elections.” OPIONION: ARE YOU BETTER OFF SINCE DONALD TRUMP TOOK OFFICE? On Tuesday, Republicans lost several major races, including gubernatorial elections in New Jersey and Virginia, as well as the mayoral race in New York City. While Trump backed former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo for mayor over Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa, he still made the jab at Republicans generally. “One year ago, we were a dead country. Now we’re a country that’s considered [one of] the hottest countries anywhere in the world,” Trump said, crediting his administration with getting 600,000 Americans off of food stamps and creating jobs for 1.9 million Americans. He highlighted the supposed increase in jobs, saying that nearly 2 million more Americans were employed than when he entered office less than a year ago. SOCIALIST SHOCKWAVE: ZOHRAN MAMDANI STUNS NYC AS VOTERS HAND POWER TO DEMOCRATS’ FAR-LEFT FLANK While Trump touted his achievements for the working class, Zohran Mamdani, hot off his victory in New York City, gave a different analysis earlier Wednesday. During an appearance on “Good Morning America,” Mamdani contrasted himself and Trump. Mamdani argued that, unlike the president, he is ready to solve the “cost of living crisis” for Americans who are struggling. Mamdani also said that Trump is “someone who ran an entire presidential campaign on the promise of cheaper groceries and is now, as the president, making it harder for Americans to afford those groceries by cutting SNAP benefits.” Trump, who was marking the anniversary of being elected for a second presidential term, did not shy away from taking a swipe at Mamdani as well. “We lost a little bit of sovereignty last night in New York, but we’ll take care of that. Don’t worry about it,” he told the crowd in Miami on Wednesday. Republicans have largely blamed the lapse in SNAP benefits on Democrats as the parties battle it out in D.C. amid the longest government shutdown in U.S. history.
Vulnerable House Dem criticizes ‘extreme’ left in shocking 2026 announcement
A House Democrat representing a district that President Donald Trump won in 2024 is not seeking re-election next year. Rep. Jared Golden, D-Maine, announced his plans in an op-ed for the Bangor Daily News on Wednesday, a day after Democrats’ sweeping electoral victories in Virginia, New Jersey, California and New York City. “I have never loved politics. But I find purpose and meaning in service, and the Marine in me has been able to slog along through the many aspects of politics I dislike by focusing on the good work that Congress is capable of producing with patience and determination,” Golden wrote. “But after 11 years as a legislator, I have grown tired of the increasing incivility and plain nastiness that are now common from some elements of our American community — behavior that, too often, our political leaders exhibit themselves.” HEAD HERE FOR FOX NEWS ELECTION 2025 COVERAGE Golden has represented Maine’s 2nd Congressional District since 2019. He’s managed to hold on to the seat through his constituents voting for President Donald Trump in both 2020 and 2024. The moderate Democrat — also a Marine Corps veteran — has been known to frequently break from his own party, including on the recent government shutdown vote in September. He shared more of his concerns with the left in his retirement announcement, criticizing both Republicans and Democrats for the current state of politics in the country. “We have seen mainstream Republicans stand by as their party was hijacked first by Tea Party obstructionists and then by the MAGA movement and its willingness to hand much of Congress’ authority to the president,’ Golden wrote. “I fear Democrats are going down the same path. We’re allowing the most extreme, pugilistic elements of our party to call the shots. Just look again at the shutdown. For as long as I can remember, we have opposed shutting down the government over policy disputes. We criticized Republicans for taking hostages this way. But this year, reeling from the losses of the last election, too many Democrats have given into demands that we use the same no-holds-barred, obstructionary tactics as the GOP.” And despite his seat being a prime target for Republicans every two years, Golden said that did not factor into his decision. “I don’t fear losing. What has become apparent to me is that I now dread the prospect of winning. Simply put, what I could accomplish in this increasingly unproductive Congress pales in comparison to what I could do in that time as a husband, a father and a son,” he wrote. “I have long supported term limits and while current law allows me to run again, I like the idea of ending my service in Congress after eight years — the length of term limits in the Maine Legislature.” SOCIALIST SHOCKWAVE: ZOHRAN MAMDANI STUNS NYC AS VOTERS HAND POWER TO DEMOCRATS’ FAR-LEFT FLANK Golden’s seat had been ranked a “toss-up” by the nonpartisan Cook Political Report, which also rated his district slightly in favor of the GOP at R+4. House Republicans’ campaign arm wasted no time in seizing on Golden’s announcement, releasing its own statement shortly after his op-ed was published. “Serial flip-flopper Jared Golden’s exit from Congress says it all: He’s turned his back on Mainers for years and now his chickens are coming home to roost. He, nor any other Democrat, has a path to victory in ME-02 and Republicans will flip this seat red in 2026,” National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) spokeswoman Maureen O’Toole said in a release to reporters. Beyond his frustration with partisan politics, however, Golden also revealed that the heightened political environment also pushed him to re-consider his congressional career. Golden said earlier this year that he and his family had to spend Thanksgiving in a hotel room after receiving a bomb threat at their home. House Democrats’ campaign arm thanked Golden for his service in its own statement upon his retirement. “I sincerely commend Jared for all the work he has done for Mainers, from lowering costs to protecting lobstermen’s jobs and fighting for veterans,” Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) Chair Suzan DelBene, D-Wash., said. “He has devoted his life so far to service, first as a Marine, then in the Maine legislature, and in Congress since 2019. He embodies Maine’s independent spirit and I wish him and his family all the best in their next chapter.”
GOP urges Democrat governor to deploy National Guard to Charlotte as crime surges
FIRST ON FOX: Citing frustrations with persistent crime, a trio of North Carolina lawmakers is urging Democratic Gov. Josh Stein to deploy the National Guard in Charlotte, saying the state of the city has become “increasingly dire.” “Recently, the city faced eight homicides in seven days. The murder rate in uptown Charlotte is now 200% higher than it was a year ago,” the letter states. “According to the Fraternal Order of Police, aggravated assaults involving knives or guns have risen from 86 in 2024 to 111 in 2025, and personal strong-arm robberies have increased from 26 to 31 in the same period.” Rep. Mark Harris, R-N.C., one of the letter’s authors, said the request doesn’t just come from the state’s congressional delegation. “This is not just my idea. This is the Fraternal Order of Police that had come, saying that they believed this is important and asking the governor and mayor to step up and do it,” Harris said, alluding to a similar letter published by Charlotte-Mecklenburg law enforcement earlier this year. MAJOR CITY POLICE UNIONS SUPPORT FEDERAL TROOP DEPLOYMENTS, BUT LOCAL LEADERS ARE PUSHING BACK The letter’s three signatories, Harris, Rep. Pat Harrigan and Rep. Chuck Edwards, all represent the Charlotte area. The North Carolina letter comes as President Donald Trump has used the National Guard to bring attention to crime in cities like Washington, D.C., Memphis, Chicago and others. So far, the administration has deployed the National Guard to six urban areas and floated deployments in another five — even as courts weigh the use of federal troops to address domestic crime. The letter from the North Carolina lawmakers pointed to those deployments as a template for success. “Other cities have deployed the National Guard and seen positive results. In Washington, D.C., when President Trump deployed troops under his lawful authority, the city promptly saw a reduction in crime, including twelve consecutive days without a single homicide,” the letter states. That’s also the thinking of members of the House Republican Conference leadership. Rep. Steve Scalise, R-La., called it a continuation of the administration’s work. Scalise serves the conference as majority leader — the No. 2 Republican in the chamber. “Millions of Americans don’t feel safe in many once-great cities, and President Trump is working with House Republicans to change that. As we’ve seen in D.C. and Memphis, President Trump took decisive action, cleaned up our streets, and made those cities safer,” Scalise said. “I commend my colleagues from North Carolina for calling out the violent crime in Charlotte and working to make the city safer for residents and visitors, and encourage more leaders to do the same,” he added. MEMPHIS RESIDENTS SPLIT OVER NATIONAL GUARD DEPLOYMENT TO FIGHT CITY’S CRIME According to the Charlotte Police Department’s quarterly statistics report, violent crimes, commercial burglaries and larcenies from automobiles have all gone up in Charlotte since last year. But other crimes like homicides, rapes, property crimes and arson have come down modestly from levels in 2024. In many categories, Charlotte’s current crime levels are meaningfully lower than rates in 2022 and 2023, with some exceptions. Harris thinks they could go lower. He doesn’t envision the National Guard deployment as a long-term solution to fighting crime. Instead, Harris believes the increased law enforcement presence could create an opening for the local police force to find their footing. “What I hope comes out of it is that in that time, the police are able to go after whoever these bad guys are, that are threatening this environment of crime. And then, at the end of the day, it’s going to create a hope, an outcry from the public that says, ‘We’re not going to accept our crime-ridden city anymore.’” When asked what needs to change to make Charlotte’s safety a constant, with or without the National Guard, Harris said the city needs to prioritize its policies and resources on keeping violent offenders off the streets. “After the murder of Iryna Zarutska, it brought to light a real issue with not keeping criminals behind bars,” Harris said, referring to the 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee who was stabbed to death on a Charlotte train. CHARLOTTE CITY COUNCIL MEMBER CALLS OUT ‘PAPER-THIN’ CRIME STATISTICS AFTER UKRAINIAN REFUGEE’S KILLING “In her case, the guy had been arrested 14 times, been put out on the street. These are things that have a lot of issues to be addressed. That’s a judiciary issue.” Although past efforts to deploy the National Guard have been met with protest from Democratic governors in other states, Harris hopes that Stein will work with the Trump administration as needed if it becomes clear a deployment is needed. Stein’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Trump compares Dems to kamikaze pilots: ‘They’ll take down the country if they have to’
President Donald Trump compared Democrats to Japanese kamikaze pilots who conducted suicide missions during World War II, amid the ongoing government shutdown. Trump’s remarks come on the heels of his Asia trip, where he visited Japan, as the government shutdown has lasted for 36 days – marking the longest one in U.S. history. “I think they’re kamikaze pilots,” Trump told Republican senators at a breakfast at the White House on Wednesday. “I just got back from Japan and talked about the kamikaze pilots. I think these guys are kamikaze. They’ll take down the country if they have to.” Additionally, Trump said he didn’t think Democrats were taking enough of the blame for their role in the shutdown. DEMOCRATS AT A BIG DISADVANTAGE IN SHUTDOWN AS TRUMP STARTS SLASHING THEIR PROGRAMS “It is Democrat-created, but I don’t think they’re getting really the blame that they should,” Trump said, adding that the government must open soon. The government ran out of funding that prompted the partial shutdown on Oct. 1, due to gridlock between Senate Republicans and Democrats over a short-term funding bill to fund the government through Nov. 21. The stalemate between Republicans and Democrats stems from healthcare provisions in a potential funding measure. Trump and Republicans claim Democrats want to provide illegal immigrants healthcare, and have cited a provision that would repeal part of Trump’s tax and domestic policy bill known as the “big, beautiful bill” that reduced Medicaid eligibility for non-U.S. citizens. TRUMP FLIPS HIS SHUTDOWN APPROACH, LEAVING CONGRESS TO TAKE THE HEAT But Democrats say this isn’t the case and have said they want to permanently extend certain Affordable Care Act subsidies that are set to expire at the end of 2025. Trump also stated that the shutdown was the reason that Republicans lost several key races – including the Virginia and New Jersey gubernatorial elections – on Tuesday. SENATE REPUBLICANS PLOT LONGER-TERM FUNDING BILL AS GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN CONTINUES “Exactly one year ago, we had that big, beautiful victory,” Trump said. “But I thought we’d have a discussion after the press leaves about what last night represented and what we should do about it. And also about the shutdown and how that relates to last night.” “I think if you read the pollsters, the shutdown was a big factor. Negative for the Republicans, and that was a big factor,” Trump said. Meanwhile, Senate Democrats refused to back Republican’s stopgap funding bill on Tuesday to reopen the government. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said that his party remains firm that it will not support a measure that doesn’t include extensions for the Affordable Care Act subsidies. “The only plan Republicans have for healthcare seems to be to eliminate it, and then to tell working people to go figure it out on their own,” Schumer said Tuesday. “That’s not a healthcare plan. That’s cruel.”
As NYC elects socialist Mamdani, neighboring county doubles down on Trump-style leadership with Blakeman’s win
As New York City embraced the left-wing politics of Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, voters just across the city line in Nassau County reaffirmed a starkly different vision and re-elected a President Donald Trump-backed leader. Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman secured a second term Tuesday night, extending his tenure as the county’s first Jewish executive. Blakeman, a close ally of Trump who’s worked to combat antisemitism and other crime and bolster cooperation with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), won re-election as neighboring New York City turned to a self-described Democratic socialist. Mamdani, notably, has refused to denounce the slogan “globalize the intifada.” “I just got off the phone with President Trump, and he was delighted,” Blakeman told the crowd at his victory party. “And I said to the president, thank you for all you’ve done. We had faith in President Trump’s policies, and the people of Nassau County wanted us to cooperate with ICE. They wanted to get criminals out of our county. They wanted it to be the safest county in America. Lower taxes.” The mood in Nassau County was very different from the one across the East River. In New York City, voters embraced Mamdani’s left-leaning agenda focused on housing, affordability and “Trump-proofing NYC.” In the platforms listed on his campaign website, Mamdani vowed to freeze rent for all stabilized tenants, build more affordable housing, introduce city-owned grocery stores, make buses free and to raise the minimum wage to $30 by 2030. SOCIALIST SHOCKWAVE: ZOHRAN MAMDANI STUNS NYC AS VOTERS HAND POWER TO DEMOCRATS’ FAR-LEFT FLANK “Zohran Mamdani will fight Trump’s attempts to gouge the working class, and deliver a city where everyone can afford a dignified life. He’ll ensure our immigrant New Yorkers are protected by strengthening our sanctuary city apparatus: getting ICE out of all city facilities and ending any cooperation, increasing legal support, and protecting all personal data. He’ll make NYC an LGBTQIA+ sanctuary city and protect reproductive rights,” the “Trump-proofing NYC” portion of Mamdani’s website reads. While Blakeman had the president’s endorsement, Mamdani garnered the support of several major Democrats, including New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y. He was also backed by Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt. Blakeman earned high praise from Trump just days before the election. The president described the county executive as “100% MAGA” and said he was “doing a fantastic job” in the position. “He is working tirelessly with the brave heroes of law enforcement, ICE, and border patrol to safeguard our communities, ensure LAW AND ORDER, defend our always under siege Second Amendment, keep our now very secure border, SECURE, end migrant crime, and stop Communism from ruining our once great cities. Bruce is fighting hard to cut taxes and regulations, promote MADE IN THE USA, advance American energy DOMINANCE, and champion our nation’s golden age,” Trump wrote. In 2024, a little more than 52% of Nassau County voters cast their ballots for Trump over then-Vice President Kamala Harris. The county has since seen Trump-aligned policies in action. OPINION: THE HIDDEN REASON NEW YORKERS VOTED FOR A SOCIALIST — AND IT’S NOT WHAT YOU THINK Recently, Blakeman spearheaded legislation that banned transgender athletes from competing in women’s sports. While a New York appeals court has since put a freeze on the ban, the passage of the legislation stands in stark contrast to the policies of deep blue New York City. Blakeman vowed to push the law forward despite the freeze, telling the New York Post that “Nassau County will continue to protect the integrity and safety of women’s sports.” Additionally, last week, Blakeman spoke with Fox News Digital about his county’s cooperation with ICE, saying that under Trump, Nassau County had increased its relationship with the federal immigration enforcement agency. He said the partnership with ICE was a “great asset” in protecting Nassau County. In his victory speech, Blakeman highlighted the policies supported by Nassau County voters that distinguished their part of the Empire State from the Big Apple. “Four years ago, we made promises. We said that we wouldn’t be a sanctuary county. We said we would take the masks off the kids and stop oppressing our children here in Nassau County. We said wouldn’t raise taxes. We haven’t raised taxes one penny in four years. That’s a pretty good record. And we’ve gotten seven bond upgrades,” Blakeman said. NEW YORK LEADER PLEDGES MORE COPS, TOUGHER ICE PARTNERSHIP IF NYC ELECTS SOCIALIST MAYOR “We are the safest county in America! I want to thank the PBA, the SOA, the DAI, the corrections officers, all of our law enforcement professionals for keeping us safe each and every day. Thank you to each and every one of them,” he added. “We have the greatest police department in the world, led by our great Commissioner Pat Ryder. And we are also blessed to have so many volunteer firefighters and EMTs who keep us safe here in Nassau County. Thank you and God bless you for all you’re doing. Thank you to all the unions that backed us, the hardworking men and women of Nassau County. Thank you, to our building trades.” At the end of his victory speech, Blakeman echoed Trump and even used one of the president’s most iconic lines: “Fight, fight, fight!” “We are going to continue the work that was started to make us an even more prosperous county, to bring job creation, economic development, keep taxes down, support our law enforcement, and continue to make this the best place to live in all of New York State. Leadership counts, and we’ve got great leaders. So, to each and every one of you, again, my sincerest thanks, and may God bless you all, and may god bless this great United States of America. Fight, fight, fight!” Blakeman is a former commissioner of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. He defeated then-Democratic incumbent Laura Curran in the 2021 election and took office in 2022. Fox News Digital’s Ryan Morik contributed to this report.
GOP lawmakers rally behind Trump’s Venezuela strikes as critics question legality
As U.S. warships strike suspected drug-smuggling boats off Venezuela, critics call the Trump administration’s campaign illegal under international law — a charge supporters dismiss as irrelevant to America’s security. While international law helps create legal, technical or even moral consensus, it is powerless to restrain President Donald Trump’s decision to attack vessels the administration sees as threats to the U.S. Since September, the Trump administration has destroyed several boats off the coast of Venezuela, eliminating what it described as narco-trafficking operations. IS TRUMP’S ‘HEAT’ ON VENEZUELA THE START OF A WIDER CAMPAIGN FOR REGIME CHANGE? Last week, Volker Türk, the United Nations commissioner for human rights, blasted those strikes. “Based on the very sparse information provided publicly by the U.S. authorities, none of the individuals on the targeted boats appear to pose an imminent threat to the lives of others or otherwise justified the use of lethal armed force against them under international law,” Türk said. But even if the strikes do violate international law, some U.S. lawmakers don’t believe that should stop the president. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, who sits on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, argued the U.S. must prioritize its own security. “We’re not going to subject our sovereignty to international bodies. We’re going to make our decision — what’s in the best interest for the United States,” Cornyn said. “[International law] is more of a convention. Extraordinary circumstances call for extraordinary measures,” he added. TRUMP TOUTS ANOTHER US STRIKE NEAR VENEZUELA THAT KILLED SIX ALLEGED DRUG SMUGGLERS Over in the House, Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif., echoed Cornyn’s thinking. “President Trump, as commander in chief, has an inherent constitutional authority under Article II to defend America’s national security interests and protect American lives. The cartels we are targeting have been designated a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) and hold real responsibility for the deadly fentanyl crisis that since 2021 has claimed more American lives than all our service members lost in combat since World War II,” Issa said. Julian Ku, faculty director of international programs at Hofstra University, said international law helps build and maintain norms but has little enforcement power. “International law governs the relations between nation states. And it takes the form of agreements, treaties and also customary agreements about how countries will handle certain problems,” Ku said. “For instance, how far off the coast does international waters begin? That’s actually been developed by custom to 12 nautical miles and later ratified in treaties.” “If there are two governments, neither government is in charge of the other, so we need a set of rules for those governments to work together,” Ku said. “The United States is often trying to get other countries to follow certain rules. Usually it’s easier to do that if you’re seen as following the rules. The theory of international law is that it’s better for everyone if they cooperate more than constantly fight.” Ku explained that extends to topics like human rights abuses. Despite a lack of power from international law to meaningfully restrain the U.S., other lawmakers expressed concern that the Trump administration hasn’t provided more justification for its attacks. Rep. Gregory Meeks, D-N.Y., and other Democrats have called Trump’s attacks “extrajudicial,” demanding more information from the administration on its justification for its strikes. When asked about the strikes, a spokesperson for Meeks referred Fox News Digital to a statement he made following a closed-door briefing on Venezuela. Meeks serves as the ranking member on the House Foreign Affairs Committee. “The briefing was incredible — incredible for how little information was shared, how little time the briefers stayed to answer questions, and how completely absent any credible legal rationale was for the administration’s unauthorized, ongoing expansion of these strikes,” Meeks wrote. “The American people deserve transparency and accountability and the truth about what their government is doing in their name,” he said. TRUMP UNLEASHES US MILITARY POWER ON CARTELS. IS A WIDER WAR LOOMING? The Trump administration earlier this year designated several drug cartels operating in and out of Venezuela as terrorist organizations. In the public-facing information about its most recent strike, U.S. War Secretary Pete Hegseth identified the targets as fitting under that designation. “This vessel — like EVERY OTHER — was known by our intelligence to be involved in illicit narcotics smuggling, was transiting along a known narco-trafficking route, and carrying narcotics. Three male narco-terrorists were aboard the vessel during the strike, which was conducted in international waters,” Hegseth said in a post to X. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP The U.S. has launched at least 15 such strikes. In order to assist with the strikes, the president has repositioned one of the country’s aircraft carriers, the USS Gerald R. Ford, closer to Venezuela. Despite the mobilization, Trump told CBS’ “60 Minutes” he does not anticipate a war with Venezuela.
The results are in: 2025’s biggest winner and losers from the off-year elections
The 2025 off-year election cycle has come to a close, with Democrats emerging victorious in a handful of high-profile elections. The election season was much more muted compared to 2024’s wild federal election that delivered President Donald Trump a victory over then-Vice President Kamala Harris, with 2025 spotlighting the mayoral election in New York City, and a pair of gubernatorial elections in Virginia and New Jersey. Fox News Digital compiled Election Day 2025’s biggest winners and losers following months of campaigning on top voter concerns, namely affordability and the economy. WHAT THE RESULTS OF THE 2025 ELECTIONS MAY MEAN FOR DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS Following 2024’s federal election that left the Democratic Party working to find its footing after Harris’ loss, Democrats now have New Jersey Rep. Mikie Sherrill and former Virginia Rep. Abigail Spanberger ascending as the top leaders of their respective states, broadening the party’s pool of leaders with new roles. New Jersey Democrats were on the edge of their seats in the deep blue state after Trump made inroads with voters during the 2024 election, teeing up what Republicans saw as the opening to potentially flipping the state. Democrats, however, held their ground in the historically blue state with Sherrill defeating Trump-backed Republican Jack Ciattarelli. “This was a tough fight and this is a tough state,” Sherrill said in her victory speech. “But I know you, New Jersey. I have fought for you. I’ve spoken with thousands of you over this last year. I know your struggles, your hopes, and your dreams.” Spanberger notched a victory over Republican Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears just roughly an hour after polls closed in the Old Dominion State. “We sent a message to every corner of the commonwealth,” Spanberger said in her acceptance speech. “A message to our neighbors and our fellow Americans across the country. We sent a message to the whole world that in 2025, Virginia chose pragmatism over partisanship. We chose our commonwealth over chaos. You all chose leadership that will focus relentlessly on what matters most: lowering costs, keeping our communities safe and strengthening our economy.” THE TRUE COST OF THE 2025 ELECTIONS Upon her inauguration in January, Spanberger will become the first female governor of Virginia. The pair were viewed as potential new leaders of the Democratic Party as they worked to secure their gubernatorial wins. Now, they will head to their respective state Capitols armed with years of congressional know-how and an opportunity to better cement their leadership within the party. Socialist candidate Zohran Mamdani, who ran as a Democrat, secured his win as the Big Apple’s next mayor in an election expected to deliver him favorable results as he ran against former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo — who was forced to run as an independent after losing the Democratic primary to Mamdani in June — and Republican Curtis Sliwa. “My friends, we have toppled a political dynasty,” Mamdani said in his victory speech. “New York, tonight you have delivered a mandate for change,” he added. “A mandate for a new kind of politics. A mandate for a city we can afford. And a mandate for a government that delivers exactly that.” MEET THE CANDIDATES AIMING TO MAKE HISTORY IN THE 2025 ELECTIONS The election notched a massive win for the left-wing faction of the Democratic Party. Mamdani was a relatively unknown state assembly member and democratic socialist who ascended the political ladder amid his primary campaign. He championed progressive plans for the city, such as freezing stabilized rents, increasing the city’s minimum wage and canceling fares for bus rides. The race earned national coverage as conservatives slammed the socialist candidate as a threat to the city’s massive economy and status as America’s de facto symbol of capitalism, and warned he holds antisemitic views in a city with a massive Jewish population. Other socialist candidates also have made big waves this cycle, including in Minneapolis, where left-wing candidate Omar Fateh has been described as the “Mamdani of Minneapolis.” The mayor’s race advanced to ranked-choice voting on Tuesday after none of the candidates received at least 50% of the vote. Minneapolis allows voters to rank up to three candidates in its municipal races. Incumbent Democrat Mayor Jacob Frey and Fateh received the most first-choice results, Fox News reported. Long before Election Day, President Donald Trump made clear he was no fan of New York City’s Mamdani, teeing up an expected political battle between the pair for the foreseeable future. Trump is famous for his long-running political spats with Democratic foes, such as California Gov. Gavin Newsom and California Sen. Adam Schiff, frequently spotlighting the opponents as examples as to why Democratic policies fail while championing his MAGA approach. Now, Trump likely has another long-standing political foe as he continues his ongoing campaign against socialism and antisemitism. “Zohran Mamdani, a 100% Communist Lunatic, has just won the Dem Primary, and is on his way to becoming Mayor,” Trump wrote on Truth Social in June. “We’ve had Radical Lefties before, but this is getting a little ridiculous. He looks TERRIBLE, his voice is grating, he’s not very smart.” “Any Jewish person that votes for Zohran Mamdani, a proven and self professed JEW HATER, is a stupid person!!!” the president claimed in a Truth Social post on Tuesday. Mamdani is Muslim and has been accused of holding antisemitic views, including for declining to condemn the phrase “globalize the intifada.” The democratic socialist, however, has denied the claims and vowed to “do everything in my power to protect Jewish New Yorkers.” EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT ELECTION DAY 2025: CRITICAL ELECTIONS, BALLOT MEASURES AND MORE Republican candidates across the board in the handful of high-profile elections failed to rally enough support for their tickets, handing Democrats massive wins from the Virginia attorney general race to the party retaining control of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. The election cycle focused on the New York City mayoral race, and the pair of gubernatorial races in New Jersey and Virginia, where Democrats
Maine voters defeat voter ID ballot initiative, approve ‘red flag’ gun restrictions
Maine voters defeated a voter ID ballot initiative and approved “red flag” gun restrictions in Tuesday’s off-year election. The voter ID and absentee ballot initiative, referred to as “Question 1,” was resoundingly rejected by voters and projected to fail shortly after polls in the state closed. “Question 1” would have required voters to present a photo ID for both in-person and absentee voting. It would also have imposed limits on the number of election drop boxes to one per municipality and required absentee voters to submit a written application before each election, according to The Associated Press. Alex Titcomb, an advocate for the “Yes on 1” campaign, and Maine state Rep. Laurel Libby told The Portland Press Herald that Maine’s Secretary of State Shenna Bellows “used her powerful position to weaponize the ballot question.” FIRST TIME VOTING? HERE IS THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO BALLOT BOXES, CRITICAL ISSUES ON ELECTION DAY “Ultimately, Maine voters did not have the opportunity to vote on Voter ID. The opposition claimed that Question 1 would get rid of absentee voting, and centered their campaign on that fiction. Instead of honestly debating the merits of Voter ID, they spread lies and fear, convincing voters to vote against their own interests,” they said. Opponents of “Question 1” believed it would limit voting access. Ken Martin, the chair of the Democratic National Committee, said on his X account that the results were a “major win for all Mainers.” “The DNC was proud to support efforts to ensure Mainers have access to the ballot box, including absentee voting,” Martin wrote. Maine voters also resoundingly supported “Question 2,” which would enact an extreme protection order law, commonly referred to as a “red flag” law. It prohibits the “purchase, possession or control of a dangerous weapon” if a person is suspected of “posing a significant danger of causing physical injury to the person or to another person,” according to Maine’s election guide released by Bellows. Maine already has a “yellow flag” law that requires law enforcement to first take a person into protective custody if they are believed to be a danger to themselves or others. The person must then undergo a mental health evaluation before a judge can order the temporary removal of their firearms.
Fox News Voter Poll — Change candidate Mamdani defeats legacy political figures
Democrat Zohran Mamdani won the New York City mayoral election, securing broad swaths of the electorate and defeating independent candidate Andrew Cuomo and Republican Curtis Sliwa. His campaign for a new direction was the answer many New Yorkers were searching for. Preliminary results from The Fox News Voter Poll, a survey of more than 4,700 registered voters in the city, shows that Mamdani’s road to victory was aided by a young, racially diverse coalition of New Yorkers. He won most demographic groups by a wide margin. Mamdani, who will be one of New York’s youngest mayors, benefited from a strong coalition of young voters. Three-quarters of voters under age 30 voted for the Democrat, while older voters, namely seniors, broke for Cuomo by double digits. ZOHRAN MAMDANI STUNS NYC AS VOTERS HAND POWER TO DEMOCRATS’ FAR-LEFT FLANK Voters under 30 had the most intense support for the Democratic candidate, with over three-quarters supporting him. Mamdani was the favored candidate across all racial groups, performing best among Black and Asian voters. The race was closer among Hispanic voters, who ultimately broke for Mamdani by single digits. Cuomo lost White voters by a small margin, while a boost in support from White male voters helped him remain competitive. Mamdani was also favored among voters with college degrees, while voters without college degrees went for Cuomo. FOX NEWS POLL: HOW SPANBERGER WON VIRGINIA GOVERNOR Two thirds of Democrats sided with Mamdani over Cuomo, while just 3 in 10 Democrats voted for the former Democratic governor. After President Donald Trump gave a last-minute endorsement of Andrew Cuomo, 7 in 10 Republicans voted for the independent candidate rather than their own party nominee, Curtis Sliwa, who earned the support from about a quarter of his party. The largest portion of independents supported Cuomo, while a smaller number supported Mamdani. Around a quarter of New York City voters would describe themselves as a democratic socialist. Among Democrats, that number jumps to nearly 4 in 10. By wide margins, these voters back the self-described democratic socialist. Among New York City Republicans, about half identified as MAGA. They split their vote between Sliwa and Cuomo, with about two-thirds favoring the independent. Jewish voters backed Cuomo by a nearly two-to-one margin. Among this key voting bloc, there was a clear generational divide: about half of Jewish voters under 45 supported Mamdani while about 7 in 10 of those over 45 supported Cuomo. Cuomo also maintained winning margins among Catholics and other Christian voters. Mamdani, who will become the first Muslim mayor of New York City, won the majority of Muslims, non-religious voters and Protestants. Most New York voters felt the candidates’ positions on Israel were at least a minor factor in deciding their vote for mayor. Those who said it was a major factor in their vote were evenly split, while those who felt it was only a minor factor preferred Mamdani. Israel was a major factor in the vote for about half of Jewish voters, who overwhelmingly broke for Cuomo. In a hypothetical two-way matchup between Mamdani and Cuomo, voters split their support between the two leading candidates, with Mamdani still receiving a higher share than Cuomo, albeit by a smaller margin. But voter excitement for Mamdani was decisive – most of his supporters said their vote was for him rather than against his opponents. Cuomo supporters were split: slightly more said their vote was against his opponents than for him. Sliwa supporters were particularly enthusiastic about their candidate: three quarters of his supporters said their vote was for the Republican. Among voters who made their decision in the past week, Cuomo held a double-digit lead over Mamdani. For those who have known before October or earlier, Mamdani was their favored candidate. Despite national attention in the election, local issues drove most voters, not national figures: about two-thirds said President Donald Trump was not a factor in their vote, while about 3 in 10 said their vote was in opposition to Trump. Most New York City voters disapprove of the job he is doing as president. HOUSE REPUBLICANS LINK MAYOR-ELECT MAMDANI TO VULNERABLE CONGRESSIONAL DEMOCRATS In a city with three times as many Democrats as Republicans, Democrats were viewed favorably by just over half of voters. Results by party show there are some growing pains among Democrats. A sizable number – about 1 in 4 – view their own party unfavorably. The Republican Party is viewed unfavorably by about two-thirds of voters overall. First-time voters made up over 15% of the city’s electorate and overwhelmingly favored Mamdani. He also received majority support from non-native New Yorkers, while those who were born and raised in the city backed the former governor. Affordability was a defining issue in this race. Roughly 6 in 10 voters identified the cost of living as the most important issue facing the city, followed at a distance by crime. Voters prioritizing the cost of living went for Mamdani, while crime-concerned voters backed Cuomo. Against this backdrop of rising costs, economic sentiment leaned decidedly negative, with most describing the city’s economy as not so good or poor. Voters with a negative outlook split their support among Mamdani and Cuomo and those with a positive view preferred Mamdani. In terms of their own economic situation, the bulk of voters said they were holding steady. These voters gave about equal shares of their vote to Mamdani and Cuomo. For the remaining portion who are falling behind, Mamdani was again the candidate of choice. Closely entwined with affordability concerns, over 8 in 10 voters said the cost of housing where they live was at least a minor problem, including roughly 7 in 10 who described it as a major problem. After running on a platform prioritizing affordability and rent stabilization, Mamdani received the majority of voters who feel housing is a problem. About 6 in 10 New York City voters are renters, and this group backed Mamdani by substantive margins. For the other 4 in 10