Shifting Thanksgiving traditions reflect broader political, economic and cultural divides
Thanksgiving is often cast as a holiday of unity, but it has also become a microcosm of the country’s fractures. What winds up being served for Thanksgiving dinner, who shows up — or doesn’t — and whether politics gets mentioned, can reflect broader shifts in ideology and culture. Simultaneously, Thanksgiving is still intended to bridge divides and emphasize the magnificence of the great American experiment launched centuries ago. One example of this is the food Americans choose to eat on Thanksgiving and how they make it. 6 CLASSIC THANKSGIVING SIDE DISHES THAT HAVE DISAPPEARED FROM AMERICAN TABLES Take-out and dine-in options have become more widely adopted in contemporary Thanksgiving celebrations, with research from restaurant software company Popmenu finding a 42% increase from 2024 in the number of folks who plan to order from, or dine-in at, a restaurant on Thanksgiving. Costs were a primary reason for the shift, along with wanting to spend more time with family and not worry about cooking. The length of time spent at the dinner table can also be quite telling. In 2018, university researchers analyzed smartphone location data pings and determined that “politically diverse” Thanksgiving dinners tended to be significantly shorter than those dinners involving a family of entirely like-minded individuals. The study, conducted in 2018, showed the average dinner was 30 minutes to 50 minutes shorter at tables full of politically diverse folks, while a study measuring the same thing in 2020 found politically diverse dinners to be about 24 minutes shorter on average. Meanwhile, other Thanksgiving survey data from 2025, published by YouGov, found that 19% of Democrats expect to have political arguments at the dinner table, compared to 9% of Republicans. GUY FIERI INSISTS THANKSGIVING IS ‘ONE OF THE MORE AFFORDABLE HOLIDAYS’ FOR FAMILIES TO COOK ON A BUDGET It is hard to say overall whether Thanksgiving diners have gotten longer or shorter, but according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Economic Research Service, people typically spend around 128 minutes on meal preparation and cleanup, 89 minutes on eating and drinking, and about 148 minutes socializing, according to a long-term analysis conducted between 2003 and 2015. According to the National Turkey Federation, 94% of Americans plan to celebrate Thanksgiving. The group added that 87% of those who celebrate say turkey is part of their holiday tradition, with 74% planning to serve an entire bird. However, simultaneously, other findings from turkey producer Jennie-O indicated that there is a growing openness for less traditional Thanksgiving meal options, which the group said shows a “blend of old and new is redefining what Thanksgiving dinner looks like across America.” The turkey product brand noted that 55% of Americans were “open to trying Thanksgiving recipes from different cultures,” particularly via side dishes. Even the changing treatment of the turkeys used for the presidential pardon has shifted slightly over the years. In the early-2000s, turkeys that were presented were sometimes unnamed, or treated more anonymously, but more recently it has become standard to dub the turkeys with names and humanize them a bit. That trend also mirrors a shift toward better care for the pardoned turkeys over the years.
Trump admin set to let protected status for 350,000 Haitian migrants expire in February
The Department of Homeland Security on Wednesday announced the termination of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitian migrants living in the United States. The agency posted a federal register notice stating that the 353,000 Haitian migrants who currently hold TPS will see their status expire in February. TPS protects eligible migrants from deportation and lets them work legally in the United States while conditions in their home country remain unsafe. “After consulting with interagency partners, Secretary [Kristi] Noem concluded that Haiti no longer meets the statutory requirements for TPS,” DHS said in a news release. “This decision was based on a review conducted by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, input from relevant U.S. government agencies, and an analysis indicating that allowing Haitian nationals to remain temporarily in the United States is inconsistent with U.S. national interests.” DHS told Haitian migrants under TPS to prepare to depart if they have no other lawful basis for remaining in the United States. FEDS UNSEAL CHARGES AGAINST ‘BARBECUE,’ HAITIAN GANG LEADER WITH $5M BOUNTY ON HIS HEAD The agency advised them to use the U.S. Customs and Border Protection CBP Home mobile application to report their departure from the United States. “This secure and convenient self-deportation process includes a complimentary plane ticket, a $1,000 exit bonus, and potential future opportunities for legal immigration to the United States,” DHS said. Haiti was first granted TPS in 2010 after an earthquake and has been repeatedly extended or redesignated by successive administrations. VIOLENT CRIMINAL GANGS HAVE ‘NEAR-TOTAL CONTROL’ OF WORLD NATION’S CAPITAL, UN SAYS Former President Joe Biden’s administration extended TPS for Haitians in 2024, citing “simultaneous economic, security, political, and health crises” in the country fueled by gangs and a lack of a functioning government. That extension lasts through Feb. 3, 2026. Haiti has been in turmoil for years, with natural disasters and political violence rocking the Caribbean nation. Governance effectively collapsed in 2021 with the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse, leaving power vacuums. Kidnappings, gang rule and a lack of law enforcement have surged. The number of people displaced by violence and instability in Haiti has reached an unprecedented level, with more than 1.4 million people forced from their homes this year, according to the International Organization for Migration. UNICEF, according to the DHS notice, estimated in October that more than 6 million people — over half the population, including 3.3 million children — need humanitarian assistance. Some Haitians have attempted to flee to the U.S. despite the Trump administration’s hardline approach to immigration. For instance, in February, the Coast Guard intercepted 132 Haitians on a boat south of the Florida Keys. The Coast Guard boarded the 30-foot vessel and processed the migrants before they were repatriated to Haiti, officials said. Fox News’ Adam Sabes and Reuters contributed to this report.
How the White House turkey pardon became an American tradition
President Donald Trump pardoned two turkeys Tuesday — Gobble and Waddle — as part of an annual tradition that has occurred at the White House for more than 35 years. The Thanksgiving Turkey Pardoning is a ceremony originating from the National Thanksgiving Turkey Presentation dating back to the 1940s, when the National Turkey Federation would present the president with a live turkey for Thanksgiving. President John F. Kennedy is often credited with pardoning the first turkey in 1963, when he said that he would “let this one grow.” Although Kennedy didn’t use the word “pardon,” the L.A. Times reported on the matter with the headline, “Turkey gets presidential pardon,” according to an NBC News archive. President Ronald Reagan also made a joke about pardoning that year’s turkey, Charlie, in response to a question from a reporter, according to the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library & Museum. TRUMP JOKES THAT BIDEN TURKEY PARDON IN 2024 ‘INVALID’ DUE TO AUTOPEN “If they’d given me a different answer on Charlie and his future, I would have pardoned him,” Reagan said in 1987. However, the tradition was codified during George H.W. Bush’s administration, according to the White House Historical Association. Bush used the word pardon, and the tradition continued each year afterward. “But let me assure you, and this fine tom turkey, that he will not end up on anyone’s dinner table, not this guy — he’s presented a presidential pardon as of right now — and allow him to live out his days on a children’s farm not far from here,” Bush said in 1989. Gobble and Waddle clocked in at 50 pounds and 52 pounds each, and traveled from North Carolina to the Washington’s Willard InterContinental Hotel for the annual tradition. Following the pardoning, they will head to North Carolina State University’s Prestage Department of Poultry Science. During the ceremony in the Rose Garden, Trump also took aim at former President Joe Biden, and said Biden used the autopen to pardon the 2024 turkeys, and as a result those pardons were “totally invalid.” As a result, Trump quipped that he had pardoned those turkeys too, and said he “saved them in the nick of time.”
Congress investigates betting scandals rocking NBA and Major League Baseball following federal charges
Odds are that most Thanksgiving dinners will include a heaping helping of Packers-Lions. A side of Chiefs-Cowboys. A run back out to the fridge for a plate of stuffing alongside the nightcap game of Bengals-Ravens. A veritable football smorgasbord paired with mashed potatoes, green bean casserole and a slab of pumpkin pie. But the real side dish to go with the games may be your wagers. Drop the dark meat. Put your money where your mouth is. More and more Americans are placing wagers on practically anything related to sports. You can take the over-under on individual games or see if the Lions cover the point spread. But many fans are now lured by very specific bets. You can wager money on how many passing attempts Lamar Jackson has or how many penalties the Lions will commit. Maybe bet how many times they’ll show Taylor Swift on the screen during the Chiefs contest. The American Gaming Association says sportsbooks scored a staggering $13.71 billion in revenue last year. Heightened gambling interest is what worries lawmakers. Astonishing betting scandals recently rocked the NBA and Major League Baseball. FORMER COLLEGE BASKETBALL PLAYER GIVES REASON FOR POINT-SHAVING THAT LED TO NCAA BAN: ‘I WAS MONEY-HUNGRY’ Portland Trail Blazers head coach and Hall of Famer Chauncey Billups pleaded not guilty earlier this week to charges of taking part in an illegal poker scheme with possible ties to organized crime. Terry Rozier of the Miami Heat is due for arraignment on Dec. 8. Prosecutors accuse Rozier of yanking himself out of a game two years ago because of a foot injury. But bettors placed hundreds of thousands of dollars in wagers on how many points Rozier might score, as well as rebounds and assists. The feds allege that Rozier benched himself to help a gambling ring that bet on the paucity of his performance that night. And the feds busted Cleveland Guardians pitchers Luis Ortiz and Emmanuel Clase for allegedly conspiring with bettors to throw specific pitches at specific times during the games. It’s believed this resulted in bettors pocketing hundreds of thousands of dollars. So there’s the gaming of the games. That’s why lawmakers question whether fans can trust what they see on the field or the court. “People have to have faith in the product, and they have to have the belief that the players are playing, and the coaches are on the up and up and the refs are on the up and up,” said Sen. Eric Schmitt, R-Mo. UFC CUTS FIGHTER AFTER SPORTSBOOKS FLAG ‘UNUSUAL’ BETTING ACTIVITY ON HIS FIRST-ROUND LOSS “You may not be able to throw a strike 10% of the time. But even a lousy pitcher as I am could throw a ball 100% of the time,” said Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Ted Cruz, R-Texas. “These cheating scandals threaten to undermine the integrity of sports.” That’s why Cruz and the top Democrat on the panel, Sen. Maria Cantwell, of Washington state, wrote to Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred. They want answers on suspicious wagers and whether there are any other instances of alleged rigging. Cruz and Cantwell fired off a letter to the NBA as well. “We need these organizations to make sure that there’s rules and regulations in place that are followed,” said Cantwell. “What you should do to make sure that people are complying.” “If you’re watching a game and you think, ‘Is this the glorious uncertainty of sport, or is this some theater designed by gambling mobsters and their addicted athletes?’ then the joy of sport is dead, ladies and gentlemen,” said University of New Haven professor Declan Hill after a meeting with lawmakers. The latest line is on the emerging phenomenon of prop bets. People don’t wager on overall outcomes of games or who might win the division or conference, but instead place their money on individual events during the game. “We are a long way from the Black Sox scandal,” said John Affleck, Knight Chair in Sports Journalism and Society at Penn State. NBA MEMO SHEDS LIGHT ON LEAGUE’S INTEGRITY CONCERNS AFTER GAMBLING-RELATED ARRESTS That’s where eight members of the Chicago White Sox allegedly took money to throw the 1919 World Series to the Cincinnati Reds – although the evidence of what the White Sox players may have done is mixed at best. “We’re now in a place where the first corner kick or the number of points you score in the first half can be manipulated if you have a willing athlete,” said Affleck. Sports leagues have all cozied up to commercial gambling operations over the past few years. Many established partnerships. Some lawmakers believe betting scandals were inevitable once the leagues and the gaming industry parlayed their fortunes together. “These growing scandals simply highlight the need for national standards that stop the sports betting industry from exploiting vulnerable gamblers and the potential corruption among the players themselves,” said Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn. “The sports betting industry has grown huge without any kind of safeguards against the use of algorithms and micro bets to target individuals, whether they are gamblers or players in sports.” Congress hasn’t passed a gambling law since 2006. Lawmakers say the leagues should tread carefully with gambling. Fans could lose interest if they think the sports are rigged. OKLAHOMA QB JOHN MATEER DENIES SPORTS BETTING ALLEGATIONS AFTER VENMO SCREENSHOTS GO VIRAL “All these scandals,” said Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C. “People are going to get tired of it and move on. I mean, my God, football, basketball, baseball should all be worried now that watching people play video games is a spectator sport.” And we reside in a period when people routinely take to social media to claim that the leagues only want certain teams to succeed or that the refs or umpires are biased against their club. “I think of the proclivity of conspiracy theories in our modern world. It just sort of fits that as soon as you get a bad call as a fan, you go
Alleged National Guard shooter worked with US government entities in Afghanistan, including CIA: Ratcliffe
EXCLUSIVE: The Afghan national accused of shooting two National Guard members blocks from the White House worked with various United States government entities, including the CIA, as a member of a partner force in Afghanistan, Fox News Digital has learned. Rahmanullah Lakanwal, 29, entered the United States on the heels of the disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan in August 2021 under the Biden administration. Lakanwal arrived in the U.S. a month later under “Operation Allies Welcome.” TWO NATIONAL GUARD MEMBERS SHOT NEAR WHITE HOUSE, AFGHAN NATIONAL SUSPECT IN CUSTODY: ‘ACT OF EVIL’ Intelligence sources told Fox News Digital that Lakanwal had a prior relationship with various entities in the U.S. government, including the CIA, due to his work as a member of a partner force in Kandahar. “In the wake of the disastrous Biden withdrawal from Afghanistan, the Biden administration justified bringing the alleged shooter to the United States in September 2021 due to his prior work with the U.S. government, including CIA, as a member of a partner force in Kandahar, which ended shortly following the chaotic evacuation,” CIA Director John Ratcliffe told Fox News Digital. “The individual—and so many others—should have never been allowed to come here,” Ratcliffe continued. “Our citizens and service members deserve far better than to endure the ongoing fallout from the Biden administration’s catastrophic failures.” Ratcliffe added: “God bless our brave troops.” Fox News Digital has learned that the FBI is taking the lead on the investigation. 2 NATIONAL GUARDSMEN CRITICALLY WOUNDED IN ‘TARGETED SHOOTING’ BLOCKS FROM WHITE HOUSE Multiple high level intelligence sources told Fox News Digital that the shooting is being investigated as a possible act of international terrorism. FBI officials confirmed the two West Virginia National Guardsmen remain in critical condition. In an online address to the nation late Wednesday, President Donald Trump called the shooting a “savage attack” and described how one of the Guardsmen “was shot at point-blank range in a monstrous ambush-style attack just steps away from the White House.” Trump added that the “heinous assault” was an “act of evil and act of hatred and an act of terror. It was a crime against our entire nation. It was a crime against humanity.” “The hearts of all Americans tonight are with those two members of the West Virginia National Guard and their families,” he added. “The love of our entire country is pouring out for them, and we are lifting them up in our prayers as we are filled with anguish and grief for those who were shot, we’re also filled with righteous anger and ferocious resolve. As President of the United States, I am determined to ensure that the animal who perpetrated this atrocity pays the steepest possible price.” “This is a targeted shooting,” D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser explained during a news conference Wednesday afternoon following the shooting. “One individual appeared to target these guardsmen. That individual has been taken into custody.”
Alleged DC shooter entered US under Afghan resettlement push Mayorkas vowed would be done ‘swiftly and safely’
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) under former-President Joe Biden promised to “swiftly and safely” resettle Afghan allies into the United States, but multiple sources have confirmed the D.C. National Guard shooter came in under that same Biden-era program in 2021. Biden responded to the “targeted” attack in D.C. just before news broke of how the alleged shooter, 29-year-old Afghan national Rahmanullah Lakanwal, entered the United States under humanitarian parole via Operation Allies Welcome, per DHS and FBI sources, giving him permission to be in country legally. In 2021, amid the Afghan withdrawal debacle, Biden’s Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas promised to “swiftly and safely” resettle thousands of Afghan allies into the United States and confirmed that DHS had denied evacuees from entering the U.S. due to “derogatory” information obtained during the vetting process. After the disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan that was followed by a Taliban takeover of the country, the Biden administration launched a large operation to support and resettle vulnerable Afghans, including those that had helped U.S. troops in the past. TWO NATIONAL GUARD MEMBERS SHOT NEAR WHITE HOUSE, AFGHAN NATIONAL SUSPECT IN CUSTODY: ‘TARGETED’ Due to the rushed nature of the evacuation, plus broader concerns over immigration and parole-release policies, fears arose over whom the country may have been letting in. Mayorkas said during a September 2021 press conference that 120,000 people had been evacuated from Afghanistan since the beginning of the U.S. withdrawal, just months earlier. The Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center found that nearly 800 aircraft evacuated thousands of people over just a 17-day period in August 2021. At the time, Mayorkas touted the robust biometric screening and vetting process in place — in both the U.S. and transit countries — in order to make sure every individual entering the country was properly screened. In response to a question at the time from Fox News’ Jake Gibson, Mayorkas confirmed that there already had been individuals flagged with “derogatory information” during the vetting process, but did not specify the number of people flagged. Mayorkas assured that 400 U.S. Customs and Border Patrol employees and the Transportation Security Administration would be brought up to assist. Part of the effort included moving refugees from military bases designated by the Pentagon to house and vet refugees before they enter the United States. Lakanwal, who entered the U.S. in September 2021 after America’s withdrawal from Afghanistan, had his permission to stay in the U.S. granted under Operation Allies Welcome, sources said. Authorities are investigating the shooting as a possible act of international terrorism. FBI officials confirmed two West Virginia National Guardsmen remain in critical condition after being shot in the head during an apparent targeted attack just a few blocks from the White House. During comments Wednesday night, President Donald Trump called Biden “a disastrous president” and “the worst in the history of our country.” WHITE HOUSE BLASTS MS NOW CORRESPONDENT’S ‘BEYOND SICK’ REACTION TO DC SHOOTING OF NATIONAL GUARDSMEN He also ridiculed the former president for flying Lakanwal “on those infamous flights that everybody was talking about.” “Nobody knew who was coming in, nobody knew anything about it,” Trump pointed out about the Afghan evacuation process under Biden. He also slammed broader parole and immigration policies under Biden, claiming Lakanwal’s “status was extended under legislation signed under President Biden. “ “This attack underscores the single greatest national security threat facing our nation,” Trump added, announcing that the government “must now reexamine every single alien who has entered our country under Biden.” Trump also appeared to suggest the death penalty for Lakanwal, stating toward the end of his address that “we will bring the perpetrator of this barbaric attack to swift and certain justice – if the bullet’s going in the opposite direction – (unintelligible).” Meanwhile, former President Biden did respond to the tragic D.C. attack, but his comments came before news of how the shooter entered the United States. “Jill and I are heartbroken that two members of the National Guard were shot outside the White House,” Biden posted on X, just before news broke that the shooter entered the country under his administration’s rapid resettlement program. “Violence of any kind is unacceptable, and we must all stand united against it. We are praying for the service members and their families.” Fox News Digital Reached out to the Department of Homeland Security for comment on the news that Lakanwal came into the United States under the Biden-era program, but did not receive a response. Attempts to reach former DHS Secretary Mayorkas also were unsuccessful in time for publication.
Bipartisan support, outrage pour in after ‘targeted’ DC shooting of National Guardsmen: ‘Horrific’
Lawmakers from across the political spectrum began expressing support amid news that two West Virginia National Guard members were shot blocks away from the White House Wednesday afternoon. After news of the shooting, members of the West Virginia delegation were quick to respond, as was Vice President JD Vance and President Donald Trump, who referred to the suspected shooter as an “animal.” “The animal that shot the two National Guardsmen, with both being critically wounded, and now in two separate hospitals, is also severely wounded, but regardless, will pay a very steep price,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform as details of the shooting emerged. “God bless our Great National Guard, and all of our Military and Law Enforcement. These are truly Great People. I, as President of the United States, and everyone associated with the Office of the Presidency, am with you!” SHOOTING OF TWO NATIONAL GUARDSMEN IN DC ‘ABSOLUTELY REPREHENSIBLE,’ FORMER FBI AGENT FUMES West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey, a Republican, said he and his wife were “devastated” to hear the news. FBI Director Kash Patel said the two West Virginia National Guardsmen remain in critical condition, correcting an earlier report from Morrisey that the pair had died. Both of West Virginia’s two Republican senators also chimed in, offering thoughts and prayers but did not shed any additional details. Democrats from the state expressed messages of support as well. “Tonight, our hearts are heavy for the two members of the West Virginia National Guard shot in Washington, D.C.,” Del. Mike Pushkin, D-Kanawha, the West Virginia Democratic Party chairman, told Fox News. “This cowardly and tragic act of violence should never happen in this country, and our hearts grieve for the families who are dealing with this senseless tragedy. “This tragedy transcends party lines. Two families will now have to spend Thanksgiving in agony for their loved ones, who did nothing wrong and answered their call of duty. We honor these soldiers’ service, sacrifice and courage. We hope and pray for the best. These young men and their brothers and sisters in uniform represent the very best of us and the very best of West Virginia.” Democrats outside West Virginia spoke up as well, including some of the party’s top national leaders, such as Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and California Gov. Gavin Newsom, who slammed “political violence” in his response despite no confirmed reports about a motive. VANCE SAYS HE IS PRAYING FOR NATIONAL GUARD TROOPS SHOT IN DC “There must be zero tolerance for violence — of any kind — against the brave men and women in uniform who selflessly serve our communities and our country,” Newsom said of the shooting. “The shooting of National Guard members in Washington, D.C. is horrific and unacceptable. Jen and I are praying for the service members, their families, and the entire National Guard community.” Maryland Democratic Gov. Wes Moore reached across the aisle as well to offer assistance to Morrisey. “We condemn this violence in the strongest possible terms and we are holding the Guard, their families, and their loved ones close in our hearts,” Moore said. “I have reached out to [Morrisey] and [Capito] to offer any support. We are closely monitoring the situation for updates.” Metropolitan Police Department Executive Assistant Chief Jeffery Carroll said Wednesday the lone gunman allegedly “came around the corner” in an “ambush” style attack and opened fire on the two National Guardsmen. Other members of the National Guard nearby reportedly heard the gunfire and intervened, restraining the suspect after he had been shot, Carroll said. It remains unclear who fired the shot that wounded the suspect, and suspect individual has not yet been identified. Fox News Digital’s Alexandra Koch contributed to this report.
Fox News Politics Newsletter: US envoy gave Russian aide tips on selling Ukraine deal
Welcome to the Fox News Politics newsletter, with the latest updates on the Trump administration, Capitol Hill and more Fox News politics content. Here’s what’s happening… –Noem greenlit deportation flights after judge’s emergency order, DOJ reveals — fueling contempt fight -Universities, school districts nationwide call for ‘decolonizing’ Thanksgiving: ‘Day of mourning’ -Judge dismisses 2020 election interference case against Trump, granting Georgia’s request U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff gave a senior Kremlin official tips on how to sell a Ukraine peace deal to President Donald Trump, a report said. Witkoff spoke by phone to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s top foreign policy aide Yuri Ushakov on Oct. 14, advising him on how Putin should bring up the topic with the U.S. president, according to Bloomberg. “We put a 20-point Trump plan together that was 20 points for peace, and I’m thinking maybe we do the same thing with you,” Witkoff was quoted by Bloomberg as saying, in reference to the Trump administration’s Gaza peace deal…READ MORE. NEXT IN LINE: Bessent wraps up Fed chair interviews as Trump’s decision expected before Christmas TRADE RIFF: Trump’s record tariff haul meets Supreme Court review as White House braces for a ruling LEGAL LOSS: Appeals court upholds $1 million penalty against Trump over ‘frivolous’ Clinton, Comey lawsuit ‘DANGEROUS’: Muslim groups, other leaders demand Abbott rescind CAIR’s ‘terrorist’ designation: ‘Defamatory’ ‘REALLY IMPORTANT’: Mike Johnson: US-Israel alliance is ‘really important’ for multiple reasons, antisemitism ‘must be called out’ TEACHER’S PLOT: DHS brass slam Virginia Beach principal accused in ‘chilling’ plot to lure, ambush ICE agents PAST HAUNTS RACE: Texas Democrat — a Latin Grammy winner and party recruit — caught defacing Trump’s Hollywood star NEW PLAYBOOK: Former Democratic presidential candidate talks about the future of his party after off-year election success FEELIN THE PINCH: Weakening incomes add new strain to households already hit by high prices VIDEO SUPPORT: “Unlawful orders” Dem sounds off after slew of vets leave voicemails defending her against ‘treason’ Get the latest updates on the Trump administration and Congress, exclusive interviews and more on FoxNews.com.
Trump ‘took notes from the Grinch’: States sue over SNAP program changes
A coalition of 21 Democratic attorneys general sued the Trump administration Wednesday to block new U.S. Department of Agriculture guidance that they argue illegally lists thousands of immigrants — including refugees and asylum seekers — as being “permanently” ineligible for anti-hunger benefits. The lawsuit, filed by the attorneys general Wednesday in Eugene, Oregon, seeks to block the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s new, more narrow eligibility criteria for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, which the agency published in a memo late last month. They argued that the new USDA guidance, intended to comply with a provision under the GOP-led Big Beautiful Bill tax and spending legislation, goes beyond what lawmakers intended by incorrectly classifying certain individuals — including refugees and asylum seekers who have been granted lawful permanent resident status in the U.S. — as “permanently ineligible” for SNAP. Rather, they said, the guidance “threatens to destabilize SNAP nationwide,” and risks jeopardizing food access for families who “have done everything right.” TRUMP, STATES BACK IN COURT OVER SNAP AS BENEFITS REMAIN IN LEGAL LIMBO The attorneys general said Wednesday that the new USDA guidance in question makes clear that “refugees, asylees, humanitarian parolees, individuals whose deportation has been withheld, and other humanitarian entrants become eligible for SNAP once they obtain their green cards and meet standard program requirements.” California Attorney General Rob Bonta told reporters on a call Wednesday that the USDA guidance “blatantly misapplies the agency’s own regulations” for SNAP, the nation’s largest anti-hunger program that provides food aid to some 40 million Americans each month. While it is unclear how many individuals in each state would be affected, the attorneys general estimated the number would be well into the thousands, including more than 30,000 residents in New York alone. The new guidance “misclassifies entire groups of lawfully present immigrants as ‘not eligible’ when the law says they are eligible once they become lawful permanent residents,” Bonta said Wednesday, describing the guidance as reading “like someone took notes from the Grinch.” STATES SUE TRUMP ADMIN OVER BILLIONS IN LOOMING CUTS TO SNAP, FOOD STAMPS The lawsuit asks a federal judge in Oregon to grant emergency relief and issue an order blocking the USDA guidance. It also warned that the patchwork system of benefits created as a result of the guidance “threatens to destabilize SNAP nationwide,” and risks financial harm, including penalties issued to states who do not comply with the guidance. The new USDA memo “attempts to rewrite those rules, ignoring Congress and threatening to cut off food assistance for people who are fully eligible under the law,” the attorneys general said Wednesday. States also took aim at the USDA’s decision to publish the narrower guidance on Oct. 31, four months after the spending bill was signed into law. States had just one day to comply with the narrower guidance, they noted on the call. The guidance “imposes these errors on states with virtually zero time to implement them,” Bonta said.
Weakening incomes add new strain to households already hit by high prices
For months, Americans have voiced frustration over the stubbornly high cost of living. But economists say a more troubling shift is emerging. Consumers are increasingly reporting that their incomes aren’t keeping up with the financial pressures they face. Joanne Hsu, director and chief economist of the University of Michigan’s Surveys of Consumers, says the change is showing up more clearly in recent readings. “Consumers have been expressing frustration from high prices consistently for the past several years. What makes this season different is that consumers are also increasingly mentioning weakening incomes as well,” Hsu told Fox News Digital. AS THE HOLIDAYS APPROACH, THANKSGIVING BECOMES TRUMP’S ECONOMIC TEST “This year, they are reporting pressures on their pocketbooks from multiple sources.” That sense of mounting pressure is backed up by recent analysis. According to the Bank of America Institute, inflation has risen faster than middle- and lower-income households’ after-tax wages since January 2025. As a result, nearly one in four U.S. households is now living paycheck to paycheck, a number that has grown during the past year. NEARLY 1 IN 4 AMERICAN HOUSEHOLDS LIVING PAYCHECK TO PAYCHECK, REPORT REVEALS What that means is that the erosion of purchasing power is pushing more Americans to the edge of their budgets, making it harder to keep up, let alone get ahead. That growing strain presents a political challenge for President Donald Trump, who returned to the White House on promises of greater affordability. He is now confronting voter doubts about whether he can deliver. A Fox News national survey shows 76% of voters now rate the economy negatively, up sharply from 67% in July and 70% at the end of former President Joe Biden’s term. Trump’s economic approval has also slipped to a new low, and his overall job approval has climbed to record levels of disapproval, even among voters who have historically backed him. For now, the daily reality for many Americans remains the same: Prices feel too high, paychecks feel too thin and confidence in the future is fragile. How quickly that changes and whether voters give Trump credit for it may determine the tone of the country’s economic and political debate in the months ahead.