ObamaCare subsidies at center of Dem shutdown fight ‘fuel’ healthcare cost inflation, conservatives say
The government has been shut down for a week and so far shows no clear sign of stopping, as Democrats continue to demand that any funding bill include an extension of enhanced ObamaCare subsidies, which are set to expire at the end of 2025. But conservative groups are pushing back hard, arguing that those subsidies are fuel on the fire of higher healthcare premiums. “What the Biden COVID credit did is they made the situation worse in two ways: They shifted a portion of the premium away from the enrollees to the taxpayer, and they brought more people into the subsidy structure by lifting the cap at four times the poverty line,” Brian Blase, president of Paragon Health Institute, told Fox News Digital. “So if the underlying ObamaCare subsidies were inflationary, then the Biden enhancements to it just pour fuel on that underlying inflationary structure.” SCHUMER’S SHUTDOWN SCHEME EXPLAINED: DEMS DOUBLE DOWN ON OBAMACARE CREDITS AS STANDOFF DRAGS ON ObamaCare, formally called the Affordable Care Act (ACA), established a marketplace where healthcare insurers offer plans under certain rules set in place by the federal government, among other provisions. People and families are eligible for subsidies based on their income relative to the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). Former President Joe Biden’s American Rescue Plan, passed during the COVID-19 pandemic, expanded access so more Americans could qualify for subsidized ObamaCare plans while also lowering out-of-pocket costs. A Democrat-led Congress later extended those benefits to 2025 under the Inflation Reduction Act. Now, however, Democrats are warning that many Americans’ healthcare costs are at risk of drastically rising if those enhanced subsidies are allowed to expire. But conservative groups who have long objected to ObamaCare’s effects on the market are now arguing that the subsidies themselves have driven up the amount of money that healthcare companies charge for premiums. Brittany Madni, executive vice president at the Economic Policy Innovation Center (EPIC), told Fox News Digital, “You do have patients who are still continuing to pay high prices, and a huge reason that they’re paying higher prices is because the entire system has been artificially inflated by the unaffordable mandates in ObamaCare and the continued subsidies.” “The supersized COVID credit subsidies aren’t reducing prices whatsoever. They’re just adding funds to the insurance revenues,” Madni said. ObamaCare did originally include a federal-level tax penalty for Americans who remained uninsured after its passage. That was repealed under the first Trump administration, but some states have levied their own penalties in its place. But conservatives say rising healthcare costs have been most acutely felt by U.S. taxpayers rather than ObamaCare enrollees. “When insurers increase premiums, the cost is not paid by the enrollee, it’s paid by the taxpayer. So that gives insurers less incentive to negotiate lower prices with healthcare providers,” he said. He said Biden’s legislation “made the situation worse because you make the taxpayer share even greater than it already was, and he lifted the cap at four times the poverty line, which brought more people into this subsidized market. So when you have all these people in a market where they don’t care what the premiums are, that is, of course, going to be inflationary.” Madni agreed that the COVID-era subsidies served to increase costs on taxpayers. “What do you do if someone who is younger and healthier is choosing not to go into the risk pool and therefore driving up the overall cost of the risk, all because now it’s just full of sick people instead of healthy people in the middle?” You offer the plans for such a low rate that it seems silly not to jump into the deal,” she said. “You can’t actually get rid of the cost. You can only shift the cost. So it shifts from the enrollees who are in the risk pool to taxpayers.” House Ways & Means Committee Chair Jason Smith, R-Mo., whose committee has jurisdiction over the enhanced subsidies, told Fox News Digital, “Democrats are doubling down on their failure to reduce the cost of healthcare, with premiums for ObamaCare marketplace plans increasing 80% since they were created a decade ago.” “When it comes to healthcare, Americans are paying more but getting less, paying higher deductibles, having their claims denied, and unable to see their doctor while insurers profit from generous taxpayer subsidies handed to them by Washington Democrats,” Smith said. But outside conservative circles, people in the healthcare sphere argue that Americans will feel financial pain if the subsidies expire and deny the COVID-era enhancements’ contribution to inflated prices. Cynthia Cox, who oversees ObamaCare research for KFF — an independent health policy research, polling and news organization — said that extending the subsidies would cost more taxpayer dollars but that they did not raise costs for insurers or enrollees. “I think from a taxpayer perspective or from a federal spending perspective, they certainly do raise costs,” Cox said. “But from an insurance perspective, they bring down average cost and, from an enrollee perspective, it also brings down the cost that they’re paying.” Cox also said the ACA itself did have some “inflationary” aspects but that the COVID-era enhancements were not part of them. DEMOCRATS REFUSE TO BUDGE OVER OBAMACARE FIGHT AS SHUTDOWN DRAGS ON “The tax credits do not have an inflationary effect on insurance premiums. In fact, they help keep they have a downward effect on insurance and the amount that the insurance company is charging,” Cox told Fox News Digital. She pointed to the ACA’s protections for people with preexisting conditions, such as bans on insurance companies denying coverage or charging more based on individuals’ health, as potential drivers of healthcare cost inflation. “But then the tax cuts are meant to kind of offset that by reducing how much individuals pay and subsidizing them,” Cox explained. “The idea is that it will make health insurance more attractive to healthier people, so therefore would not wait until they get sick to get coverage. They would start paying into the insurance pool when
White House blames Dems for potential WIC lapse, announces ‘creative solution’ to keep program running
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Tuesday that President Donald Trump has authorized a plan to use tariff revenue to keep the WIC nutrition program running during the government shutdown, vowing the administration “will not allow mothers and children to go hungry.” In a post on X, Leavitt accused Democrats of “cruelly voting to shut down the government,” saying their actions forced the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, or WIC, to run out of funds this week. Leavitt added that Trump had directed officials to tap Section 232 tariff revenue to sustain WIC. The White House confirmed to Fox News that the plan is a short-term “creative solution” developed by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). TRUMP’S WEEK IN REVIEW: SHUTDOWN SHOWDOWNS AND ARMED CARTEL CONFLICT “The Trump White House will not allow impoverished mothers and their babies to go hungry because of the Democrats’ political games,” Leavitt said in a statement. How much tariff money will be used has not yet been disclosed, but the infusion is expected to cover costs “for the foreseeable future.” The program had been projected to exhaust its funds within weeks. WIC provides vouchers for healthy food, breastfeeding assistance and nutrition education to roughly 6 million low-income women and children nationwide. WHITE HOUSE SAYS FEDERAL LAYOFFS COULD HIT ‘THOUSANDS’ AHEAD OF TRUMP, VOUGHT MEETING The federal government spent more than $7 billion on the program during fiscal 2024, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Democrats have criticized Republicans in past budget fights over WIC eligibility and funding levels, while Republicans blame Democrat resistance to spending restraints for fueling the current shutdown. The White House has not said how long tariff funds will last or whether another infusion would be needed if Congress remains deadlocked. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP An official described the transfer to Axios as a temporary fix to protect vulnerable families while negotiations continue. The White House did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s/FOX Business’ request for comment.
Democrat Aftyn Behn advances to special election in battle for vacant congressional seat in deep-red district
Democrats on Tuesday picked their nominee in a special congressional election for a vacant seat in Tennessee. Aftyn Behn, a former healthcare community organizer and current Democrat state representative, captured her party’s nomination, according to The Associated Press. The Dickson County Democratic Party described Behn as “our very own AOC of TN,” in a reference to U.S. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., according to The Tennessee Star. The primary field included three state representatives and a consultant in Tennessee’s solidly red 7th Congressional District. Behn will now be considered the underdog in the Dec. 2 general election in the race to succeed former Republican Rep. Mark Green, who resigned from office in June to take a private sector job. HEAD HERE FOR FOX NEWS COVERAGE OF THE 2025 ELECTIONS President Donald Trump carried the district, which is located in central and western Tennessee and stretches from Kentucky to Alabama, by roughly 20 points in last year’s presidential election. TRUMP FRONT-AND-CENTER IN THESE 2025 ELECTION SHOWDOWNS Trump’s immense political clout in Republican nomination races faced a test Tuesday in a crowded and competitive GOP primary. This after the president last week endorsed Matt Van Epp, a former commissioner of the Tennessee Department of General Services, and one of 11 names on the ballot in the GOP primary. Van Epp claimed victory on Tuesday. Republicans currently control the House 219-213, with two vacancies: the seat in Tennessee and Texas 18th Congressional District, following the death earlier this year of Democratic Rep. Sylvester Turner. Democrat Rep.-elect Adelita Grijalva, who won a special congressional election in Arizona last month, has yet to be sworn in.
Trump-backed candidate wins crowded GOP primary in battle for vacant House seat
President Donald Trump’s political muscle in Republican nomination races was on full display Tuesday as a candidate he endorsed last week won a crowded and competitive GOP special election primary for a vacant congressional seat in Tennessee. Trump-backed Matt Van Epps, a former commissioner of the Tennessee Department of General Services, came out on top in a field of 11 Republican candidates vying to fill the seat in the state’s solidly red 7th Congressional District, according to the Associated Press. Van Epps will now be the favorite in the Dec. 2 general election in the race to succeed former Republican Rep. Mark Green, who resigned from office in June to take a private sector job. Trump’s endorsement of Van Epps in a field that also included state Reps. Jody Barrett, Gino Bulso and Lee Reeves, shaped the outcome of the primary battle even though the president’s backing came after the finish of early voting in the contest. THIS REPUBLICAN CONGRESSMAN RESIGNS FROM CONGRESS, FURTHER SHRINKING FRAGILE GOP MAJORITY The race among the major GOP contenders turned into a test of loyalty to Trump, and with the president’s endorsement, Reeves suspended his campaign and backed Van Epps. TRUMP FRONT-AND-CENTER IN THESE 2025 ELECTION SHOWDOWNS “Matt knows the WISDOM and COURAGE required to Defend our Country, Support our Incredible Military/Veterans, and Ensure PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH,” Trump said in his endorsement statement. Van Epps, who was also endorsed by Green and Republican Gov. Bill Lee, called Trump’s support “an incredible honor.” And on Monday night, on the eve of the primary, the president joined Van Epps for a tele-rally that was co-hosted by the politically influential conservative outside group Club for Growth, which also backed Van Epps. HEAD HERE FOR FOX NEWS COVERAGE OF THE 2025 ELECTIONS Trump carried the district, which is located in central and western Tennessee and stretches from Kentucky to Alabama, by roughly 20 points in last year’s presidential election. Van Epps, a lieutenant colonel in the Tennessee Army National Guard and a former Army helicopter pilot, was also backed by prominent House Republican Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio. But Barrett, who touted that he is the “most conservative state rep. in Tennessee history,” had the support of the political arm of the House Freedom Caucus, which spent heavily in the primary race. Four major Democrats were running for their party’s nomination. They were state Reps. Vincent Dixie, Aftyn Behn, Bo Mitchell and businessman Darden Copeland. Republicans currently control the House 219-213, with two vacancies: the seat in Tennessee and Texas 18th Congressional District, following the death earlier this year of Democratic Rep. Sylvester Turner. Democratic Rep.-elect Adelita Grijalva, who won a special congressional election in Arizona last month, has yet to be sworn in.
Patel, FBI ‘flex resources’ for Windy City crime crackdown as part of Trump administration’s ‘focused effort’
EXCLUSIVE: As the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement efforts are met with continued resistance in Chicago, FBI Director Kash Patel passionately defended the bureau’s supporting role in the Windy City, telling Fox News Digital that agents are “just doing their job to safeguard the streets.” Patel and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche were on the ground touring the Chicago field office on Tuesday morning and explaining why the FBI needed to “flex resources” to help DHS. “The environment here in Chicago needs a focused effort, not just on crushing violent crime, but also, removing the illegal aliens that are correlated to that violent crime,” Patel told Fox News Digital. “And that’s a result over years of failures in policies by the prior administration to allow so many illegal aliens and so much criminal activity to occur here in Chicago, in the state of Illinois.” BONDI CLASHES WITH DURBIN ON NATIONAL GUARD DEPLOYMENT: ‘LOVE CHICAGO AS MUCH AS YOU HATE PRESIDENT TRUMP’ While immigration enforcement isn’t a typical part of the FBI’s job, Patel said that “every single three-letter agency” in the Trump administration is “driving towards the same mission.” He called the concerted campaign a “whole-of-government approach.” And Patel added that the mission goes well beyond immigration enforcement, also touching on narcotics distribution, government officials who are suddenly being targeted for death and agents whose lives are being endangered. Patel lauded the efforts of the officers serving with the Chicago Police Dept., calling them “great partners” and saying “they are doing their job with us every single day.”He drew a stark contrast, however, between the rank-and-file and their bosses.” DHS TAKES ON PRITZKER’S ‘SMORGASBORD OF LIES,’ RELEASES LIST DEBUNKING HIS CLAIMS But they report to the elected leadership,” he said. “And I think it’s our duty to call those out who prioritize illegal immigrants and crime over those that they serve in the city they’re supposed to protect. So I’ll call it out for as long as it takes.” President Donald Trump’s efforts to deploy National Guard troops to protect federal officials and property in Chicago has already been kicked to the courts. But Blanche said it’s clear that the Guard is needed to help clean up the high-crime streets of Chicago. “I mean, at this point, it’s almost laughable, laughable that the state government is standing up and saying, don’t let the National Guard in,” Blanche said. “I mean, they have access to the same TV that I have access to. And of course, we need the National Guard.”
Virginia AG candidate embroiled in violent text message scandal cancels latest fundraiser amid backlash
Democratic candidate for Virginia attorney general Jay Jones canceled a fundraiser scheduled for Thursday night in the wake of backlash he has faced over past text messages in which he fantasized about putting “two bullets” in the head of a Republican colleague. The fundraiser was planned to be held at the home of author David Baldacci, but donors expected to attend reportedly received a memo that their contributions would be refunded since the event will be canceled, a person familiar with the matter told Axios. The canceled fundraiser suggests the Jones campaign could still be in crisis repair mode after news of his violent rhetoric, which even fellow Virginia Democrats running alongside Jones have condemned. However, those same Virginia Democrats have stopped short of calling for Jones to exit the race. VIRGINIA AG REVEALS WHAT’S ‘STARTLING’ ABOUT DEM OPPONENT’S TEXTS On Tuesday, in a new campaign advertisement titled “Two bullets,” Republican gubernatorial candidate Winsome Earle-Sears blasted her Democrat opponent, former Virginia member of Congress from the state’s seventh congressional district, Abigail Spanberger, for failing to explicitly call for Jones to bow out of the race. “Jay Jones says he wants to put two bullets in a political opponent,” the ad starts out, before pivoting to Spanberger saying, “Let your rage fuel you.” The narrator then comes back and begins citing headlines that “Jones says he hopes an opponent’s children die,” before, again, highlighting Spanberger’s “rage” comments. “Abigail Spanberger continues to support Jones,” the ad’s narrator continues. “She stands with him, not us.” DEMOCRATS STAND BY VIRGINIA AG HOPEFUL WHO FANTASIZED ABOUT KILLING GOP LAWMAKER Jones’ opponent, Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares, released his own massive $1.5 million ad buy in response to Jones’ text messages as well. The text messages came from Jones in 2022, as he was attempting to describe a hypothetical situation about who he would kill if Jones had a gun with just two bullets and there were three people standing in front of him. “Three people, two bullets,” the text messages read. “Gilbert, hitler, and pol pot. Gilbert gets two bullets to the head,” Jones wrote, referring to then-Virginia House Speaker Todd Gilbert. He added: “Spoiler: put Gilbert in the crew with the two worst people you know and he receives both bullets every time.” The surfaced text messages from 2022 come at a time of heightened sensitivity to inflammatory and violent political rhetoric following the assassination of Charlie Kirk and two attempted assassinations of President Donald Trump. Even Democrats have warned – in the wake of Kirk’s recent assassination – that “violent words precede violent actions” and “we should have a culture of condemning any rhetoric that glorifies violence.” Jones did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment on this story. Representatives for Miyares declined to comment.
Israel calls prominent Democrat ‘mouthpiece for Hamas’ in blistering Oct. 7 post
Israel’s Foreign Ministry blasted Democratic mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani on the second anniversary of the Oct. 7 terrorist attacks, after he marked the day with a post criticizing Israel and the U.S. and calling to end what he described as “occupation and apartheid.” “Two years after Hamas launched its barbaric massacre against Israel and the Jewish people, Mamdani has chosen to act as a mouthpiece for Hamas propaganda — spreading Hamas’s fake genocide campaign,” wrote the ministry. The Israel Foreign Ministry said that “by repeating Hamas’s lies, he excuses terror and normalizes antisemitism.” ZOHRAN MAMDANI EMPLOYED WOMAN CAUGHT ON CAMERA TEARING DOWN HOSTAGE POSTERS “He stands with Jews only when they are dead. Shameful,” the ministry added. Fox News Digital reached out to Mamdani’s campaign for comment but did not immediately receive a response. In his statement, Mamdani acknowledged that “two years ago today, Hamas carried out a horrific war crime, killing more than 1,100 Israelis and kidnapping 250 more.” He wrote, “I mourn these lives and pray for the safe return of every hostage.” ‘EXISTENTIAL THREAT’: JEWISH LEADERS WARN OF NYC ‘MASS EXODUS’ IF ZOHRAN MAMDANI WINS IN NOVEMBER At the same time, Mamdani also criticized Israel and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for having “launched a genocidal war” with a death toll that, he said, “far exceeds 67,000: with the Israeli military bombing homes, hospitals, and schools into rubble.” “Every day in Gaza has become a place where grief itself has run out of language,” Mamdani wrote, adding, “our government has been complicit through it all.” Mamdani also wrote that “the occupation and apartheid must end” and that the U.S. “must hold those responsible to account.” “The last two years have demonstrated the very worst of humanity. We must answer it by modeling the very best: a relentless pursuit of our higher ideals and an unwavering commitment to universal human rights,” wrote Mamdani. Jewish leaders and advocates have criticized 33-year-old socialist Zohran Mamdani since he secured the Democratic nomination for mayor of New York City, particularly for his hesitancy to condemn the phrase “globalize the intifada.” NEW YORKERS SKEPTICAL AFTER ZOHRAN MAMDANI DISTANCES HIMSELF FROM PHRASE ‘GLOBALIZE THE INTIFADA’ After months of refusing to condemn the anti-Israel rallying cry, which, according to the American Jewish Committee, “calls for people from around the globe to participate in rising up against Israel,” Mamdani shared with business leaders during a closed-door meeting in July that he would not use the slogan and would discourage others from using it moving forward. However, his previous record has left many still very concerned. “If Zohran Mamdani is elected, expect a Jewish exodus out of New York City,” Yuval David, an actor, filmmaker and Jewish activist told Fox News Digital. In an interview with “Meet the Press” host Kristen Welker in June, Mamdani was asked to condemn the phrase three times but refused. He attempted to justify his position, saying, “My concern is, to start to walk down the line of language and making clear what language I believe is permissible or impermissible, takes me into a place similar to that of the president, who is looking to do those very kinds of things, putting people in jail for writing an op-ed, putting them in jail for protesting.” JEWISH LEADER PREDICTS VIOLENT FUTURE FOR NYC RESIDENTS IF MAMDANI WINS IN NOVEMBER: ‘REAL CONCERN’ “Ultimately, it is not language that I use. It is language, I understand there are concerns about, and what I will do is showcase my vision for the city through my words and my actions,” he said. Mamdani has also been criticized for supporting a slate of anti-Israel positions such as supporting BDS, an acronym for boycott, divestment and sanctions, and sanctions against Israel. After Mamdani’s Oct. 7 post, the antisemitism awareness group Canary Mission also criticized him, saying he “pays lip service to condemning the Hamas massacre” while he “reserves much more vitriol for Israel, which he accuses of perpetuating a Nakba, occupation and apartheid on a regular basis- including in his October 7 statement itself!”
Patel dismisses perp walk rumors, says no ‘theater’ in Comey indictment
EXCLUSIVE: Top Department of Justice officials brushed off rumors on Tuesday that James Comey would be arrested and paraded in front of the media, providing their remarks on the former FBI director’s court case one day before his scheduled arraignment. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche and FBI Director Kash Patel told Fox News Digital in a sit-down interview at the FBI Chicago Field Office that media reports about a possible camera-ready Comey arrest, sometimes known as a perp walk, were mere distractions. “We conduct arrests, the FBI conducts arrests at every courthouse in this country every single day of the year,” Blanche said, calling the rumors about Comey’s circumstances “gossip.” COMEY INDICTED FOR ALLEGED FALSE STATEMENT, OBSTRUCTION OF CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDING “Mr. Comey has been directed to appear, and I expect that he will. But the noise from MSNBC and from retired agents or unnamed anonymous sources about perp walks is just that,” Blanche said. “It’s just noise.” Reuters, MSNBC and other outlets reported in recent days that an FBI official was fired for refusing to partake in a showy arrest of Comey and staged walk. Comey has been summoned to appear at a courthouse in Virginia on charges of making a false statement to Congress, but it is unclear if an arrest is also planned. HOW JAMES COMEY’S INDICTMENT COULD GO SOUTH FOR THE DOJ Patel, meanwhile, spoke as part of a visit to Chicago’s field office to show support for FBI personnel who have been partaking in “Operation Midway Blitz,” a massive immigration enforcement operation that has been rife with tension among city leaders, federal law enforcement and activists. He called the media reports about Comey a “detraction” from the FBI’s work. “The mainstream media wants to take the eye off the ball and create theater,” Patel said. “We’re not about theater. We’re about producing our results in court. And that’s what you’re going to see tomorrow start, the revelation of details, and it will be forthcoming in the judicial process as everyone in America is entitled to, including Mr. Comey, and we want him to have his day in court, and it starts tomorrow.” Fox News Digital reached out to Comey’s attorney for comment.
Fox News Politics Newsletter: Government crawls into crisis as shutdown continues
Welcome to the Fox News Politics newsletter, your source for the latest updates on the Trump administration, Capitol Hill and more Fox News politics content. Here’s what’s happening … –Supreme Court to decide if faith-based counseling on gender identity is protected speech -Dem senator’s hefty donation to disgraced AG candidate’s campaign comes back to haunt him -Who is the Trump-appointed judge blocking deployment of the National Guard to Portland? The Senate remains deadlocked on a path to end the shutdown as it nears its second week, and Republicans’ meager support across the aisle to reopen the government may be crumbling. Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., needs at least eight Senate Democratic caucus members to join Republicans to reopen the government, given that Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., has consistently voted against the GOP’s bill. So far, a trio of Democratic caucus members, Sens. John Fetterman, D-Pa., Catherine Cortez Masto, D-Nev., and Angus King, I-Maine, have crossed the aisle to reopen the government … Read more FEDERAL OVERRIDE: Trump says he’d consider invoking the Insurrection Act as courts, governors seek to block his crime crackdown ‘SUBSTANTIAL’: Trump says ‘substantial’ number of jobs will be permanently lost if shutdown persists. Dems ‘have no leader’ COVER-UP EXPOSED: Biden blocked dissemination of intel showing Ukrainian officials’ concerns about his family’s ‘corrupt’ business ties PRESIDENT’S PICK: Trump looms large over special congressional election Republican primary in deep red district CLASH OF POWERS: White House slams ‘egregious’ court order blocking troop deployments amid Portland unrest BREAKTHROUGH: Trump, Brazil’s Lula move to mend fences after trade clash, judicial firestorm with ‘friendly’ call TALKS END: Trump ends Venezuela talks, military options loom, new report NEW DESTINATION: Cuban-led caravan aims for Mexico City as Trump policies deter migrants from US WAR ON DRUGS: War on cartels? The White House says it has an iron-clad case to strike narco-terrorist groups ‘ACCOUNTABILITY’: FBI fires agents, dismantles corruption squad after probe unveils monitoring of GOP senators, Patel says CAMPAIGN FALLOUT: Kaine defends Jay Jones amid AG candidate’s texts envisioning murder of top Republican: ‘Still a supporter’ ‘ABUSE OF POWER’: Hawley rips Jack Smith’s ‘Biden’s Stasi’ probe, calls alleged spying ‘abuse of power beyond Watergate’ NOTHING TO HIDE: House committee withdraws James Comey subpoena for Jeffrey Epstein testimony ‘NOT NORMAL’: Dem shellacked by McConnell in 2020 mounts new Senate bid: ‘cowards in Washington are bowing to Donald Trump’ DEMS DIG IN: Schumer’s shutdown holds as Senate Dems block GOP bid to reopen government CASE IN LIMBO: Georgia prosecutors request 90-day extension to replace Willis in Trump election case ‘IT’S MY JOB’: Bondi clashes with Durbin on National Guard deployment: ‘Love Chicago as much as you hate President Trump’ CLAIM VS. REALITY: DHS takes on Pritzker’s ‘Smorgasbord of Lies,’ releases list debunking his claims DEATH WISH: Jay Jones said if more police were killed it would reduce shootings of civilians, according to Virginia lawmaker ROOMMATES RISING: The only two Dems running for governor this year are former roommates with mirroring political careers PHOTO FINISH: Cuomo slams Mamdani for photo with anti-LGBTQ Uganda official: ‘If he’s smiling, he’s lying’ TAMPERING DETECTED: Maine investigates claim that 250 unmarked ballots found in Amazon box COURT FIGHT AHEAD: New Jersey Dem hopeful vows to sue Trump over troop deployments, says states would pay the price LONE STAR RISING: Abbott Deploys ‘Elite Texas National Guard’ After Trump Call for Reinforcements: “Ever Ready” COMMON GROUND: New MAHA initiative around biomedical research is uniting the GOP with some unusual bed fellows DEFYING FEDERAL LAW: Federal agent says Chicago’s ‘ICE-free zones’ endanger operations, embolden protesters ‘ROCK BOTTOM’: Ex-Chicago police officer rips city’s stand-down order for swarmed ICE agents: ‘Most disgusting act’ Get the latest updates on the Trump administration and Congress, exclusive interviews and more on FoxNews.com.
New Navy Under Secretary Cao to ‘supercharge’ force by ditching DEI, raising standards, modernizing IT
Navy Secretary John C. Phelan has tapped new Navy Under Secretary Hung Cao to lead a sweeping overhaul of the service and “supercharge the Navy and Marine Corps,” including modernizing its business and IT systems. Cao, sworn in Oct. 3. by Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, returns to the Department of the Navy with direct orders to “cut red tape and raise standards.” Phelan said in a memo shared exclusively to Fox News Digital that the reforms are to “sharpen readiness, fix faster, and put sailors, Marines, and their families first” as well as restore the Navy and Marine Corps’ warrior ethos. Cao, a former U.S. Navy captain, is also a well-known Republican figure, who ran for the U.S. Senate in Virginia in 2024 and in 2025, was nominated by Trump and confirmed as the 35th Navy under secretary. HEGSETH ORDERS ABOUT FACE ON PENTAGON’S SLIPPING GROOMING STANDARDS The move follows remarks by Hegseth Sept. 30 to flag and general officers at Marine Corps Base Quantico. “First and foremost, we must restore a ruthless, dispassionate and common-sense application of standards,” Hesgeth said. “Standards must be uniform, gender-neutral, and high. If not, they’re not standards — they’re suggestions. Suggestions that get our sons and daughters killed.” Cao’s reforms will start at home and include launching a new inspection system with 60-day repair timelines to overhaul military family housing. Base dining will shift to healthier, locally sourced menus designed to mirror combat readiness and improve nutrition. HEGSETH VOWS TO REBUILD MILITARY DETERRENCE SO ENEMIES ‘DON’T WANT TO F— WITH US’ Outdated IT and business systems will be replaced with modern, mobile-ready platforms to streamline daily operations and empower sailors with tools that work for the first time. Beyond quality-of-life upgrades, the Navy is targeting full audit compliance by FY2026 to strengthen transparency and accountability. Recruiting reforms will eliminate DEI-based waivers in favor of merit-only accessions, while reserve forces will integrate more closely with active-duty training pipelines. Permanent Change of Station (PCS) orders will move faster, and new policies will expand school choice for military families. On Guam, infrastructure upgrades, from runways to fuel and housing capacity will harden the island’s role as a vital Indo-Pacific power-projection hub. AIR FORCE TIGHTENS RULES ON TRANSGENDER AIRMEN; SUPPORTERS SAY IT PRIORITIZES READINESS: REPORT “These aren’t talking points, they’re timelines,” Cao said of the reforms. “We’re ending bureaucratic drift and restoring excellence.” Cao’s initiatives will also aim to unify family welfare and combat readiness under what Phelan describes as “one quarterback, one playbook.” On Capitol Hill, Rep. Jack Whitfield, R-Texas, chair of the House Armed Services readiness panel, said Congress would “support the Navy’s renewed focus on lethality and accountability.” HEGSETH TELLS TROOPS TO RESIGN IF THEY OPPOSE HIS PLAN TO SCRAP ‘WOKE’ POLICIES AND RESTORE WARRIOR ETHOS A Democratic staffer on the Senate Armed Services Committee called it “an overdue reset” and confirmed oversight “will track results closely.” The sweeping, new portfolio integrates quality-of-service improvements, modernization, and reserve reform under a single chain of command. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP “This is about speed, standards, and service,” Phelan said. “When the basics work the first time, ships sail more, aircraft fly farther, and the world’s greatest maritime force only gets stronger.” Hegseth and Phelan did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.