Top Spanberger ally targeted in FBI corruption probe has long history of controversy
On Wednesday, the FBI raided the office of a Democratic state lawmaker with a history of financial and ethical controversies. During her more than four decades in politics, Virginia state Sen. L. Louise Lucas has faced controversies ranging from her handling of campaign funds to the way she runs her marijuana dispensary. Federal authorities have been investigating Lucas on suspicion of corruption and illegal marijuana sales for years, beginning under the Biden administration, sources familiar told Fox News Digital. Lucas’ office did not respond to a request for comment sent by Fox News Digital on Wednesday. The raid comes after years of scrutiny over Lucas’ political conduct, business dealings and public behavior. FORMER CONGRESSWOMAN TURNED VA GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATE ABIGAIL SPANBERGER ACCUSED OF ETHICS VIOLATION Lucas has been a central figure in the commonwealth’s redistricting fight and is widely considered the driving force behind Virginia’s new map, which voters narrowly approved but is currently held up in court. When Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, lambasted Virginia Democrats over what he and others have largely characterized as a push to gerrymander the commonwealth for political ends, Lucas issued a profane response that she “f—ing finished” what Republicans started on a federal level. She also has dropped several memes and GIFs on social media condemning former Gov. Glenn Youngkin and Virginia Republicans like Rep. Jennifer Kiggans of Virginia Beach — and has enlisted background tracks such as Famous Dex’s “Hoes Mad.” VIRGINIA DEMOCRAT GIVES PROFANITY-LACED RESPONSE TO CRUZ’S CRITICISM OF THE STATE’S REDISTRICTING PUSH One such post includes an artificially generated image of Kiggans and Reps. Ben Cline, Rob Wittman and John McGuire, wearing McDonald’s uniforms, while a dig at Kiggans had the caption “you want fries with that.” Wittman was shown being pulled away from the House Armed Services Committee gavel, the panel for which he is considered the chair-in-waiting. Another meme showed a red-eyed Lucas split next to a U-Haul truck at the governor’s mansion while Youngkin was in office. “She completely controls what’s happening in Virginia right now,” a Republican strategist, commenting on her fervent ambassadorship of the redistricting referendum, told CNN. During her tenure as the top Democrat on the Virginia Senate’s Finance and Appropriations Committee, Lucas has pushed for the expansion of casinos in the commonwealth. Due to her position on the committee, the senator has considerable sway over whether casino projects advance. While trusted to help regulate gambling, Lucas has pocketed hundreds of thousands of dollars in donations from major players in the gaming industry. Lucas, for instance, reportedly played a pivotal role in advancing an $11 billion casino project being developed by Comstock Holdings in northern Virginia. Comstock Holdings and its top executive are some of Lucas’ largest donors. In November 2023, Comstock CEO Christopher Clemente cut a $100,000 campaign check to Lucas, per campaign finance records. Comstock itself donated an additional $100,000 to Lucas between August 2024 and December 2025. VIRGINIA DEMOCRATS TALK AFFORDABILITY — AND VOTE TO NEARLY TRIPLE THEIR OWN PAY Rivers Casino Portsmouth, which Lucas has repeatedly bragged about helping to establish, has funneled tens of thousands of dollars into her campaign account since opening in 2023. Lucas also accepted $165,000 from the company Pace-O-Matic and its executives as she pushed to legalize gambling machines made by the company. Text messages obtained by the Virginia Mercury in June 2024 indicate that local officials viewed Lucas as a key powerbroker when it came to approving gambling projects. Lucas’ pot shop was also subject to a journalistic investigation, given that Virginia still outlaws cannabis in most forms. According to the commonwealth’s cannabis regulatory agency, medical marijuana is legal, as well as possession in a private residence and public possession of up to 1 oz. Sales of “adult-use” cannabis and pop-up shops are illegal, as is driving under the influence of the drug or transporting it in a rideshare. LEGAL GROUP ACCUSES VIRGINIA PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT OF FELONY AFTER HOSTING DEM POLITICAL RALLY FOR FREE With that, the cannabis shop co-owned by Lucas and located next to her senatorial office in Portsmouth has long received scrutiny. A Virginia Mercury investigation showed some “Lucky Charms”-labeled bars contained the substance Delta-9 THC, which it said conflicts with Virginia’s ban on sales but allowance of small-scale possessions. Lucas has advertised her shop on X, writing in a 2022 post that she was a “78-year-old grandma who legalized pot and now has her own cannabis (sic) store. And I’m the last thing standing between The GOP and total control of Virginia. That’s worth an [retweet].” She followed that up with a message saying, “did I mention my store is on High Street in Portsmouth,” with a GIF of former President Barack Obama dropping a microphone. The Virginia Mercury’s investigation found “rampant mislabeling” among dealers across the commonwealth, and the professor said findings from Lucas’ store were in line with the 66 total samples collected statewide. Lucas had also been accused of fomenting unrest during a George Floyd protest in her home city of Portsmouth. Lucas and several protesters were charged with conspiracy to commit a felony and injury to a monument exceeding $1,000, following a June 2020 protest at a Confederate monument. Protesters tore heads off of some of the monument’s statues, according to The Associated Press, and at one point, a statue was toppled to the ground, seriously wounding a protester. Lucas’ charges were eventually dropped, but she had also called for Portsmouth Police Chief Angela Greene to resign amid the fallout. Greene later said she had been fired and would be suing over her termination – after she considered the situation a conspiracy in which people drew hundreds of others to the site to commit “felonious acts.” SCANDAL-PLAGUED VIRGINIA AG HOPEFUL’S WIFE REPORTEDLY DONATED TO FUND THAT FREED ACCUSED CRIMINALS, MURDERERS An account from the AP quoted Lucas as telling police officers responding to the unrest that “they are going to put some paint on this thing and y’all can’t arrest them… [they’re] gonna do it and
Longtime Dem Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles to resign months into new term
Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles, 73, said Thursday she will resign effective June 30, a surprise move less than six months after the five-term Democrat won reelection to lead the nation’s 14th-largest city. “Serving as Charlotte’s mayor has been the honor of my life,” Lyles, 73, said in a statement to The Charlotte Observer and other local outlets on Thursday. “I am proud of our record navigating various challenges, strengthening our economy, investing in our neighborhoods, and building a foundation for Charlotte’s continued success during a time of rapid growth.” “As in all things politics, I am sure there will be speculation as to why I am making this decision now,” the statement continued. “Simply put, I am going to spend time with my grandchildren. Like many of us, I have missed some moments with them and intend to not miss anymore.” Lyles easily won reelection in 2025 after facing questions over whether she would run again, and there were growing questions about her recent visibility and active leadership of the city. CHARLOTTE’S ‘PRO-CRIME’ POLICIES UNDER FIRE AS CAREER CRIMINAL CHARGED WITH KILLING COMMUTER: EXPERT The Charlotte Ledger reported that Lyles had been missing more City Council meetings than usual after years of regularly presiding over them. She also had not attended most monthly zoning meetings for several months — possibly longer. WFAE reported that some in the community, private sector and city government had raised concerns about Lyles’ health and whether she could continue carrying out the responsibilities of the office. The outlet reported that Lyles had appeared confused at times during procedural discussions, including at one recent council meeting when she had to be reminded that she needed to cast a tiebreaking vote. Asked Monday at the Government Center by a WFAE reporter whether she intended to complete her term, Lyles declined to answer directly. CHARLOTTE TRAIN STABBING SUSPECT’S STATE CASE STALLS AMID MIND CONTROL CLAIMS — BUT UNCLE SAM SAYS NOT SO FAST “We will see,” she said, just days before her resignation. The station reported that Lyles was then escorted away from the reporter by an assistant and later by a Charlotte-Mecklenburg police officer. Her resignation will leave the Charlotte City Council to decide who completes the remainder of her term. Lyles has served as Charlotte’s mayor since 2017 after previously serving on the City Council.
Rubio heads to Rome with Trump’s Iran clash looming over Pope, Meloni talks
Secretary of State Marco Rubio previewed a high-profile trip to Rome from the White House briefing room Tuesday, delivering sharp warnings to Iran and flashing easy command of the podium that drew praise from conservative allies online. “The trip is really not tied to anything other than the fact that it would be normal for us to engage, and other secretaries of State have done that in the past,” Rubio said at the White House press conference on Tuesday of his trip to Italy. The briefing came two days before Rubio is set to visit the Vatican and Italy for meetings amid heightened tensions between President Donald Trump, Pope Leo and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni over the U.S.-Iran conflict. Rubio used the briefing to defend the administration’s posture toward Tehran, downplay the timing of the Italy visit and signal that Washington is not backing off its pressure campaign. RUBIO TO VISIT ITALY, VATICAN AMID TROOP DRAWDOWN CALL, TENSION WITH TRUMP, POPE LEO: REPORTS “The message to Iran … these guys are facing real catastrophic destruction to their economy, generational destruction to their economy, generational destruction to the wealth of their country imposed on themselves by the actions that they’re taking,” said Rubio of Iran on Tuesday. “They should check themselves before they wreck themselves in the direction that they’re going,” Rubio quipped, referencing Ice Cube’s rap song, “Check Yo Self.” Rubio, a Catholic, is expected to meet with Pope Leo on Thursday morning, at a time when the pontiff has criticized the Trump administration’s Middle East peacemaking efforts. RUBIO OVERHAULING ‘BLOATED’ STATE DEPARTMENT IN SWEEPING REFORM “There has also been this threat against the entire people of Iran, and this is truly unacceptable,” the pope said in April. “There are certainly issues of international law here, but even more so a moral issue for the good of the whole entire population.” RUBIO’S TRUMP ADMIN JUGGLING ACT GROWS AS MEME-WORTHY ROLE LIST BECOMES REALITY The comments were seemingly in reference to one of Trump’s Truth Social posts, where he wrote, “A whole civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back again. I don’t want that to happen, but it probably will… God Bless the Great People of Iran!” Trump told reporters on Wednesday in the Oval Office he only has one message for the Pope. “I can tell you this, that as far as the Pope is concerned, and it’s very simple. Whether I make him happy or I don’t make him happy, Iran can not have a nuclear weapon. And he seemed to be saying that they can. And I say they cannot, because if that happened, the entire world would be hostage. And we’re not going to let that happen,” he said. TRUMP MEETS WITH ITALIAN PM GIORGIA MELONI AT HIS MAR-A-LAGO RESORT Rubio will also meet with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who has been distancing herself from the U.S. amid mounting domestic and political pressure over the widening Middle East conflict. The meeting comes as President Donald Trump intensifies pressure on NATO allies to align with the U.S. against Iran, including ordering the withdrawal of 5,000 troops from Germany — a drawdown expected to unfold over the next six to 12 months. Meloni said Tuesday she would not support any effort to reduce the U.S. military presence in Italy, drawing a contrast with Trump’s broader push to reposition American forces in Europe. Italy remains a key U.S. security hub in Europe, hosting nearly 13,000 active-duty American troops across six bases as of the end of 2025. Rubio heads to his high-profile meetings fresh off of social media commenters and conservative leaders applauding how well he stepped in for Karoline Leavitt behind the podium after she took maternity leave late last month. The secretary joked with reporters, fielded questions in multiple languages and delivered pointed warnings to Iran, giving supporters a glimpse of the presence he will likely carry into the Rome trip. “Marco Rubio is showing the nation & the world what we’ve known about him for decades,” said Republican Florida Rep. Carlos Gimenez on X. “Rubio is one of the most eloquent, articulate, & incredibly capable statesmen of our times.” “President Trump made an EXCELLENT choice in him. He proves it every single day,” he added.
Rudy Giuliani out of ICU, continuing to recover in hospital: ‘He’s winning this fight’
Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani is out of the ICU but will continue to spend time in the hospital before being discharged, according to a spokesperson for the former politician. “The mayor and his family appreciate the outpouring of love and prayers sent his way,” Ted Goodman, a political strategist who launched a livestream program with Giuliani, said in an update posted to social media on Wednesday. “Mayor Giuliani—the man who took down the Mafia, saved New York City, and ran toward the towers on September 11th—is the same fighter he’s always been, and he’s winning this fight,” he continued. Goodman added that the “power of prayer is working” and the former mayor “feels it,” encouraging people to keep them coming. RUDY GIULIANI’S PRIMARY CARE PROVIDER GIVES UPDATE ON HIS CONDITION Giuliani, 81, was hospitalized in critical but stable condition on Sunday because of severe breathing issues. On Monday, Giuliani’s doctor, Maria Ryan, told Fox News correspondent Danamarie McNicholl that he began feeling ill after returning from a trip to Paris, with his breathing deteriorating to the point that he required hospitalization and was placed on a ventilator. Ryan said his condition turned critical, prompting a priest to be called to his bedside to perform last rites. But by Tuesday, his condition had improved enough for doctors to remove him from the ventilator. He is now breathing independently and able to speak. RUDY GIULIANI HOSPITALIZED IN CRITICAL BUT STABLE CONDITION: ‘HE’S FIGHTING’ Ryan said she expects Giuliani to make a full recovery. “He’s a fighter — the way he was yesterday in such a critical condition, he did have a priest come anoint him,” Ryan said. “And all the prayers from around — it’s like a miracle. This guy’s got 9 lives, today he’s doing much better.” Giuliani has faced a number of health challenges in recent years but has remained active in public life. Earlier this week, Goodman noted Giuliani’s health history following the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, when he was exposed to debris while responding at Ground Zero, later leading to a diagnosis of restrictive airway disease. He had also been seriously injured in a car crash in New Hampshire in August of last year, leaving him with a fractured thoracic vertebra, multiple lacerations and other injuries. President Donald Trump said after learning of Giuliani’s hospitalization on Sunday that he was the “Best Mayor” in New York City’s history. “Our fabulous Rudy Giuliani, a True Warrior, and the Best Mayor in the History of New York City, BY FAR, has been hospitalized, and is in critical condition,” Trump said, in part. Fox News’ Greg Wehner contributed to this report.
California immigration judge sues DOJ, alleging she was fired for being a registered Democrat, a woman over 40
A California immigration judge who was terminated by the Trump administration is alleging in a lawsuit against the Department of Justice (DOJ) that she was fired because she is a registered Democrat and because of her affiliations with immigrant-rights groups. The 14-page lawsuit, filed by Kyra Lilien, names the DOJ and acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche as defendants. Lilien claims she was not retained past her probationary period due to a number of factors, including being a woman over the age of 40, being fluent in Spanish and her associations with the Hispanic community. JUDGE BLOCKS TRUMP ADMINISTRATION’S MASS DISMISSALS OF PROBATIONARY FEDERAL EMPLOYEES Kevin Owen of Gilbert Employment Law in Maryland, one of Lilien’s attorneys, told FOX San Francisco she didn’t fit their mold and that the actions taken against her were impermissible and unlawful. The lawsuit alleges that her termination violated Lilien’s civil and First Amendment rights. Lilien was initially appointed to serve at the San Francisco Immigration Court on July 23, 2023, before being transferred to the Concord Immigration Court in February 2024. In total, she served nearly two years, which is the standard probationary period immigration judges serve under Justice Department policy before their appointments are typically converted to permanent roles. The lawsuit names nearly 30 other immigration judges from around the country who were either fired or not converted from probationary periods, including 14 from the Concord and San Francisco immigration courts. The filing states that immigration judges who were not converted or were terminated around the same time as the plaintiff were overwhelmingly female. Fox News Digital has reached out to Lilien’s attorney, the DOJ and the DOJ’s Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR). GROUP OF DEI WORKERS SUE TO STOP TRUMP EXECUTIVE ORDERS Throughout her employment and during her probationary period, Lilien met or exceeded all performance standards, according to the lawsuit. She received satisfactory assessments — the highest possible rating — in her probationary period reports for fiscal years 2024 and 2025. As a judge, Lilien denied 34% of asylum claims brought before her, according to data from TRAC Immigration. On July 11, 2025, Lilien received a notice that her probationary period would not be converted permanently, and the message said the attorney general had decided not to extend her term or convert it to a permanent appointment pursuant to Article II of the Constitution. The suit also alleges that Sirce Owen, who was serving as the acting EOIR director at the time, issued controversial memoranda in early 2025 that demonstrated hostility toward immigrant advocacy groups and certain hiring practices. Owen allegedly characterized these groups in a memo as “extremist leftist organizations” that promote illegal immigration and attempt to undermine immigration courts. He also issued another memo criticizing the appointment practices under the Biden administration. Lilien’s suit states that these memoranda together laid bare management’s hostility toward hiring individuals with immigrants’ rights backgrounds, women, ethnic minorities and others who may be considered “DEI” hires.
Schumer’s ‘No. 1 target’ says voters will see her Democrat Senate challenger as too extreme
HARRISON, Maine — As she runs for a sixth six-year term in the U.S. Senate in left-leaning Maine, Republican Sen. Susan Collins is once again a top target for Democrats. “I have been the No. 1 target of Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer, not only in this campaign, but the last two campaigns as well. I’m always his No. 1 target,” Collins told Fox News Digital in an exclusive national interview this week. And it’s no different this time around, as Collins seeks re-election in a competitive and high-profile 2026 race that is one of a handful across the country that will likely determine whether Republicans keep control of their slim Senate majority. Facing Collins will likely be military veteran and oyster farmer Graham Platner, the all-but-certain Democratic nominee after two-term Gov. Janet Mills, who was backed by Schumer and the Democratic Party establishment, dropped out of the race last week after significantly trailing Platner in fundraising and polling. SIX MONTHS TILL MIDTERMS: THE TEN RACES THAT WILL DETERMINE THE SENATE’S MAJORITY Platner is supported by progressive Senate champions Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts. The first-time candidate advocates an economically populist agenda as he takes aim at corporate influences and advocates for the working class. Asked if Platner is too far to the left for voters in her northern New England state, Collins said, “I believe that will be the conclusion of Maine voters. But, obviously, I don’t take anything for granted.” A Republican group supporting Collins is already blasting Platner in a new ad over controversial comments he made over a decade ago on Reddit about women and rape and a well-publicized tattoo on his chest that resembled a Nazi symbol. Among the comments is one from 2013, which Platner later deleted, that people concerned about rape should not “get so f—ed up they wind up having sex with someone they don’t mean to.” The candidate apologized for his controversial Reddit posts after they made headlines last fall soon after he launched his Senate campaign. Platner has said he got the skull and crossbones tattoo in 2007 while drinking with fellow Marines stationed in Croatia. He said that he covered up the tattoo with a new design after learning last year that it resembled a Nazi symbol. Asked if she’ll take aim at Platner over his political baggage, Collins said, “Obviously I’m going to be contrasting my record of achievement and accomplishments with Graham Platner’s approach.” DEMOCRACY ’26: STAY UP TO DATE WITH THE FOX NEWS ELECTION HUB Collins stopped, before saying, “I don’t want to preview too much of our strategy.” But the senator added that she’s “hoping that we can have a campaign that is civil, where we discuss issues and accomplishments. That’s my goal.” Platner, who is running as an outsider, emphasizes that Collins is part of a “broken Washington” and “a generation of politicians who have failed us.” He has described Collins’ moderate Republican image as a “charade,” highlights her support for some of President Donald Trump’s agenda and accuses her of being part of a political system that benefits the wealthy. “She and Republican politicians like her have prioritized the interests of billionaires and corporations over people,” he has charged. Republicans — as the party currently in power in Washington, D.C. — were already up against traditional political headwinds that typically lead to a loss of congressional seats. Add to that the challenging climate fueled by persistent inflation, rising gas prices tied to what polls show is an unpopular war with Iran and Trump’s underwater approval ratings. Asked how she can overcome the blame pointed at Republicans over the high cost of living, Collins noted she’s championed the low-income heating assistance program, which “helps low-income families and seniors stay warm during the cold winter months. I just recently made sure the final tranche of money was released because there is a lot of need in the state of Maine, and the cost of living is high here.” Collins also emphasized her opposition to cuts “in food stamp benefits and in other programs that designed for low-income families because I know how important they are.” DEMOCRATS BUILD MIDTERM MOMENTUM, BUT REPUBLICANS STILL IN DRIVER’S SEAT IN SENATE MAJORITY BATTLE The senator was interviewed at a food bank that expanded with federal funding Collins helped obtain. “It is so satisfying to be here today and to know that I played a very small role, but an essential role, in allowing this food bank to expand its community room, its kitchen, and to help it be even more successful,” she noted. “This food bank is extraordinary. It serves more than 1,000 families every week.” The Democrats’ narrow path to regain control of the Senate flows through Maine, and Collins will once again face an avalanche of attack ads. Pointing to Schumer, Collins said, “Last time he poured into Maine with his affiliated groups, more than $160 million, all in negative ads trashing me and misrepresenting my record. He’s already doing that now.” But she added that, “fortunately, the people of Maine are smart, and they know lies and distortions when they see it.”
Justice Neil Gorsuch breaks silence on violent threats against judiciary, Supreme Court leaks
Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch spoke out against rising threats targeting judges, breaking his silence on violence against the judiciary in a sit-down interview with Fox News Digital. Gorsuch’s remarks come amid heightened security concerns for members of the Supreme Court after the 2022 leak of the court’s decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, which sparked protests outside justices’ homes and intensified fears about their safety, particularly after the attempted assassination of Justice Brett Kavanaugh. Gorsuch emphasized that the current environment — marked by increasingly heated public discourse and breaches of court confidentiality — poses broader risks to the institution. “We have to be able to hear one another,” Gorsuch said. “And violence is never the answer.” JUSTICE GORSUCH HIGHLIGHTS HUMANITY, HISTORY IN CHILDREN’S BOOK CELEBRATING AMERICA’S 250TH ANNIVERSARY His remarks come as members of the federal judiciary have faced heightened security risks in recent years, including an assassination attempt targeting Kavanaugh during the lead-up to the Dobbs decision, when the court overturned Roe v. Wade and ended the federal constitutional right to abortion. On June 8, 2022, Nicholas John Roske, a transgender individual from Simi Valley, California, traveled to Kavanaugh’s Maryland home with a gun and ammunition in a checked suitcase. Authorities later found a gun, tactical knife, zip ties, duct tape, a hammer, crowbar, lock-pick tools and other items in Roske’s belongings, according to the Department of Justice. After seeing deputy U.S. Marshals outside the home, Roske walked away and called 911, telling a dispatcher about having homicidal and suicidal thoughts and had come from California to kill a Supreme Court justice. Before the incident, Roske searched online for information about how to harm people — one search read “Does twisting or dragging a knife cause more damage” — and expressed a desire to affect the outcome of the Dobbs decision. Roske was sentenced to eight years in prison and a lifetime of supervised release for the assassination attempt. Though Gorsuch stopped short of weighing in directly on specific incidents, he stressed to Fox News Digital that maintaining civil discourse and institutional boundaries are critical to preserving the Supreme Court’s role and the independence of the federal judiciary. “There’s a balance between transparency and [the] confidentiality in our work, right?” Gorsuch said. “I mean, it’s wonderful, I think, that we have the opportunity for people to listen in to our own arguments. You can listen to every word uttered in arguments from the bench today, in real time. “At the same time, we also have to be able to talk with one another privately and discuss our views candidly around the conference table.” Gorsuch suggested these breaches of confidentiality — including the high-profile Dobbs leak, and more recent leaks of confidential Supreme Court memos exchanged by justices in 2016 — risk further eroding public trust in the judiciary. JUSTICE BARRETT TEASES NEW MEMOIR IN ABRUPT CONFERENCE EXIT “You think about how robust our system is, where everybody, all factions come into making laws,” Gorsuch said. “That makes our decisions wiser than you are ever gonna get in a dictatorship or a monarchy or an oligarchy. They’re much more fragile, aren’t they?” At the same time, Gorsuch underscored that maintaining boundaries for the court’s internal deliberations is critical, particularly after high-profile leaks. “There’s a balance between transparency on the one hand … and confidentiality in our deliberations,” he said. “You can read every word I think about a case at the end of the day. … But do we need some confidentiality? Of course.” He warned that losing that balance could undermine both trust in the court and the ability of justices to engage in candid debate behind closed doors, a practice he noted dates back to the nation’s founding. “The framers thought it was very important that they lock the doors when they were discussing the Constitution,” Gorsuch said, adding that James Madison later believed there “would have been no Constitution” without that privacy. Gorsuch tied those concerns to the broader constitutional principle of judicial independence, arguing the judiciary’s role depends on its insulation from political pressure and public backlash. “Why do we have an independent judiciary?” Gorsuch said. “The framers did not want [judges beholden to political forces]. … They said you have to have independent judges so that when you come to court, no matter how unpopular you are, you’re going to get fair, neutral application of the law.” JUSTICE BARRETT OPENS UP ABOUT ‘AWKWARD’ START ON SCOTUS, SHADOW DOCKET AND MORE IN FORTHCOMING MEMOIR Despite ideological differences among the justices, Gorsuch said there remains a shared respect for the Constitution, a dynamic he suggested is essential in an era of growing polarization. “When I sit around the table with my colleagues, and we disagree, the one thing I know is that the person across from me loves this country … as much as I do,” he said. Still, Gorsuch made clear that the tone of public debate — and the rejection of violence — will ultimately shape whether that system endures. “We can debate, we can disagree,” he said. “But we have to be able to do it in a way that respects one another.” Ashley Oliver and Jake Gibson contributed to this report.
Louisiana bill expands first-degree murder charges and death penalty eligibility after mall shooting
A Louisiana bill expanded after a deadly mall shooting would broaden first-degree murder charges and potentially increase death penalty eligibility, and lawmakers cited the attack as justification for toughening the state’s homicide laws. House Bill 102 was originally introduced to create a new crime targeting abuse or neglect that seriously harms elderly or vulnerable people. But the proposal evolved significantly as it moved through the state legislature. Lawmakers added provisions tying the new offense to existing murder laws, meaning a death during such abuse could be charged as murder. SHOOTING AT MARDI GRAS PARADE IN LOUISIANA LEAVES 5 WOUNDED, SUSPECT IN CUSTODY POLICE SAY The most sweeping changes came in the Louisiana Senate, where state Sen. Alan Seabaugh, R-Shreveport, introduced amendments after the April 23 shooting at the Mall of Louisiana in Baton Rouge. The incident prompted a massive law enforcement response after reports of an active shooter sent shoppers fleeing for safety. Authorities said multiple people opened fire during a dispute between groups inside the mall. The gunfire killed 17-year-old Martha Odom and wounded at least five others, according to officials. Several of those wounded were bystanders caught in the crossfire. SEPARATE SHOOTINGS NEAR NEW ORLEANS PARADE ROUTE LEAVE 2 DEAD, 10 WOUNDED Police said multiple suspects were taken into custody after the shooting, which unfolded in a crowded public area and sparked panic among shoppers and employees. Gov. Jeff Landry said at the time that the violence underscored ongoing concerns about public safety as investigators worked to determine what led to the gunfire. Seabaugh said the amendments were designed to address situations in which individuals fire into crowds and kill unintended victims, according to The Advocate. LOUISIANA CHILD KILLER SPARED BY BIDEN FACES DEATH PENALTY AGAIN AFTER ‘OUTRAGEOUS’ COMMUTATION: DA Under the revised bill, first-degree murder would be expanded to include killings in public places where the offender creates a risk of death or great bodily harm to three or more people. Additional provisions apply to offenders who use guns illegally or commit killings while on bail, probation or parole. The changes also establish a legal presumption that pointing and firing a gun at another person demonstrates intent to kill or inflict great bodily harm. In Louisiana, first-degree murder is a capital offense, meaning defendants can face the death penalty if convicted. The bill must still clear final legislative hurdles before heading to the governor’s desk.
WATCH: California Dems rally around healthcare for illegal immigrants during fiery debate
Every Democrat asked during this week’s California gubernatorial debate said they supported providing healthcare coverage for illegal immigrants, a position they took moments after candidates spent several minutes warning that California’s healthcare system is already too expensive and straining families, businesses and the state budget. “We had a broken immigration system, and now you want to victimize the people who are working here and making the state run,” Democratic candidate and billionaire businessman Tom Steyer said when asked if he supported giving coverage to illegal immigrants after the current California governor, Gavin Newsom, cut it to help reduce the state’s ballooning deficit. Katie Porter, a former California congresswoman and fellow Democratic candidate for California governor, was asked point-blank about the cost concerns related to providing illegal immigrants with free healthcare coverage. ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT HEALTHCARE COSTS IN BLUE STATE TRIGGERS INTENSE BUDGET DEBATE “We can’t afford to have people who are sick, who are making the rest of us sick,” Porter responded to the cost question before her Republican opponent, Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, interjected, “They shouldn’t be here,” leading Porter to pause and give him a look of bewilderment. “When anyone doesn’t have care, the rest of us are at risk when people don’t get vaccinations,” Porter continued. “When they don’t go to the doctor, they wind up in the emergency room. They cause longer lines for the rest of us. They make our health care system — they push it to the brink.” “Immigrants, whether documented or not, work hard. They pay taxes, and sometimes they get injured on the job or their children get sick,” former Biden administration Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra said when asked if he supported the measure. NEWSOM SIGNS $2.8B BAILOUT FOR HEALTHCARE PROGRAM OVERRUN BY ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS “It would be foolish to tell a family that they don’t have access to the pediatrician or the family doc or not be able to use the community health center where it wouldn’t cost us so much to give them help access to good health care,” Becerra continued. “Instead, what will happen is that child will get so ill that they will have to take that child to the hospital. And what door do they enter? The most expensive door in the health care system? The emergency room door. Why do that and spend so much money when you can do it up front?” The remaining Democratic Party candidates on the stage, San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan and former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, were not directly asked whether they supported providing healthcare to illegal immigrants in the state, nor did they indicate their stances during other portions of the debate that discussed healthcare. “The actual way we deal with healthcare in this state is to at least stop spending $20 billion a year on free healthcare for illegal immigrants who shouldn’t even be in the country in the first place,” Republican candidate and former Fox News host Steve Hilton said during debate about how to reform the state’s healthcare system. LAWMAKERS REVEAL WHETHER AMERICANS SHOULD PICK UP THE MEDICAID TAB FOR ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS “When are we going to draw the line at any other crime? It’s illegal. They enter the country illegally, we’re not going to incentivize them to come here to take more of the resources that regular Californians aren’t getting,” Bianco added. Before defending taxpayer-funded healthcare access for illegal immigrants, several of the Democratic candidates were already locked in a fight over who was more committed to government-run healthcare. Steyer said he supports single payer “absolutely,” while Becerra said California should “try to get to a Medicare for all program.” Porter repeatedly pressed Becerra to be more explicit, asking whether he supported “California having its own state-run single-payer system.” But the push for expanded coverage came as candidates also acknowledged the cost problem. Steyer said healthcare is “eating up our budget” and “eating up every single family,” while Villaraigosa warned a state-run single-payer system would carry a roughly $500 billion price tag and require approval from the federal government. “It’s pie in the sky,” Villaraigosa said.
DOJ dangles massive signing bonuses for lawyers ready to fight ‘lawless’ cities far beyond DC
The Department of Justice is offering signing bonuses of up to $25,000 to recruit lawyers across the country to bolster legal battles against what one department official described as “lawless jurisdictions.” New job postings show the high-dollar bonuses are being offered through the DOJ Civil Division components that handle immigration lawsuits and investigations into transgender medical treatments, two of President Donald Trump’s most contentious priorities, and highlight New York City, Raleigh, San Francisco and Dallas. The hiring push comes as the Civil Division, the DOJ’s most expansive division led by Brett Shumate, continues the resource-intensive task of defending White House policies in court as it faces hundreds of lawsuits, while also drawing scrutiny for employee departures and reported recruiting challenges. The new recruitment strategy puts a spotlight on the pressure DOJ is facing to sustain its aggressive legal defense strategy, particularly in blue cities and states that it has accused of undermining federal authority, while also combating narratives that the department is struggling to retain staff. TRUMP ADMIN UNLEASHES CRUCIAL RECRUITMENT CAMPAIGN WITH MASSIVE BONUSES TO BOLSTER ICE RANKS A DOJ official told Fox News Digital the hiring effort is not reflective of any internal strain but rather a way for the department to “look broader by enticing attorneys around the country who may not have considered” working for a D.C.-based federal agency. “The department is expanding resources across the country to combat lawless jurisdictions and nationwide injunctions, and there is a need to attract candidates from those new areas,” the official said, touting that Trump’s signature One Big Beautiful Bill Act gave the DOJ “millions of dollars to hire more attorneys specifically for those efforts.” The offers come as blue states, civil rights groups and Democrats flood courts across the country with lawsuits challenging Trump’s efforts to shrink and unify the executive branch, crack down on illegal immigration, implement tariffs and tighten policies surrounding election security and transgender people and more. Lower court judges have often stymied the administration’s work. The DOJ has chosen on rare occasions to raise the adverse rulings on an emergency basis with the conservative-leaning Supreme Court and won some two dozen cases — which represents a vast majority of the cases — when taking that route. JUDGES V TRUMP: HERE ARE THE KEY COURT BATTLES HALTING THE WHITE HOUSE AGENDA The Civil Division, which is in charge of defending the civil lawsuits against the administration, has also been offering incentives to current lawyers, according to Bloomberg Law. The outlet said the division was offering new biweekly bonuses up to $220 through Thanksgiving because lawyers “keep fleeing” and because the division was “growing more desperate to stave off further departures of valuable legal minds” who are uncomfortable with Trump’s priorities. The DOJ official addressed concerns about an employee exodus in a statement to Fox News Digital, after The Financial Times also reported that more than a quarter of its nearly 13,000 lawyers have quit or been fired since the beginning of last year. JUDGE RESTORES TRUMP ADMINISTRATION’S BUYOUT OFFER TO FEDERAL WORKERS The official attributed the departures, in part, to employees taking a “fork in the road” resignation option, which the Trump administration rolled out last year with the stated goal of reducing the size of government. “This has allowed DOJ to run more efficiently and hire new employees who wholeheartedly believe in the work they’re doing,” the official told Fox News Digital. Assistant Attorney General Shumate told Fox News Digital in a statement he was “always looking for talented and qualified attorneys to advance President Trump’s priorities and protect the American people.” “The Civil Division will continue to hire hardworking patriots from across the country and offer appreciation bonuses to our loyal attorneys who remain committed to our mission and upholding the rule of law,” Shumate said.