Firebrand rep unloads on socialist prime minister as ‘hordes of military aged men’ swarm European country
As shocking videos circulate of migrants pouring over the collapsed border of the Spanish enclave of Ceuta, Rep. Brandon Gill, R-Texas, took a swipe at the country’s socialist prime minister, saying, “That’s what happens every single time a politician offers amnesty.” Ceuta, a Spanish territory on the tip of Africa, formally requested a national emergency declaration on Thursday after about 60,000 migrants crossed the border from Morocco in the past several weeks. Video shows hordes of men smiling and posing for cameras, some carrying swimming flippers, and sprinting through the streets as authorities struggle to corral the unruly masses. Other footage shows crowds of migrants emerging from the sea, climbing up onto Ceuta’s rocky shores and working their way around border fences. Gill, a young Republican known for his viral takedowns during congressional hearings, blamed the breakdown on Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, who leads the Spanish Socialist Workers’ Party. “Spain’s socialist Prime Minister announced he would be giving amnesty to millions of illegal aliens. Now, his country is being invaded by hordes of military aged men from Africa,” Gill posted on X. “Because that’s what happens every single time a politician offers amnesty.” WISCONSIN DEM SOCIALIST GUBERNATORIAL HOPEFUL DODGES WHETHER SHE STILL WANTS TO ‘ABOLISH POLICE’ Sánchez’s socialist government launched an “extraordinary regularization” program earlier this year that allows eligible undocumented migrants already living in Spain to obtain legal residence and work authorization. The government says the policy promotes economic integration, while critics describe it as a mass amnesty. Ceuta President Juan Jesús Vivas formally requested that Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez declare a national emergency to help respond to the border crisis, Spanish media outlets reported. Madrid, however, denied the request. “The declaration of a national emergency is part of the state civil protection regulations, which do not consider migratory flows as a risk to the National Civil Protection System, nor do they establish special plans, basic guidelines, or specific civil protection instruments for their management. Therefore, it is not possible to activate this mechanism, as requested by the president of the Government of Ceuta, Juan Jesús Vivas,” Spain’s Ministry of the Interior said in a statement, according to Spanish outlet El Pais. Ceuta’s government, in their request for a national emergency declaration, noted that immigration from Morocco is always a problem for the Spanish enclave, but claimed the last 10 days represented a peak “of particular intensity.” That peak has seen about 60,000 migrants cross the border in the past 10 days. EU ADMITS IT ‘DIDN’T HAVE CONTROL’ ON MIGRATION AS BLOC RUSHES CRACKDOWN AHEAD OF NEW RULES “The Government of Spain is fully committed to providing an immediate response to the situation in Ceuta. We are mobilizing all necessary resources, working with Moroccan and international authorities, and preparing the necessary measures to restore normalcy as soon as possible,” Sánchez wrote in a Thursday post on X. Back in the U.S., the White House has also criticized Sánchez for the collapse, saying in a statement that “President Trump has long warned Europe what would happen if they continue to implement far-left, globalist policies – including enabling mass migration.” “Spain and other countries who have adopted this destructive philosophy should immediately reverse course or risk their own demise,” said the White House. TRUMP CRITICIZES SPAIN AMID IRAN, NATO RIFT AS PM SANCHEZ FACES QUESTIONS OVER POLITICAL MOTIVES Sánchez, however, has previously claimed that accepting migrants is necessary to keep Spain’s economy alive, arguing the country’s low birth rates necessitate accepting immigrants. “The West needs people. Currently, few of its countries have a rising population growth rate. Unless they embrace migration, they will experience a sharp demographic decline that will prevent them from keeping their economies and public services afloat. Their gross domestic product will stagnate. Their public healthcare and pension systems will suffer. Neither AI nor robots will be able to prevent this outcome… The only option to avoid decline is to integrate migrants in the most orderly and effective way possible,” Sánchez wrote in a February op-ed in The New York Times. Fox News Digital’s Robert McGreevy contributed to this report.
Trump questions Thune’s leadership as SAVE America Act stalls
For months, President Donald Trump has fixated on one legislative priority. Now, its repeated failure may be costing Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., the president’s support. Trump has badgered Republicans to pass the SAVE America Act, his missing legislative crown jewel, turning support for the bill into a loyalty test. Thune has become the target for those irritated that the bill hasn’t moved in the Senate. For months, Trump largely spared him from criticism over the bill’s stalled progress. That appears to have changed. The hairline fractures in their relationship stem from Thune doing what few Republicans are willing to do: tell Trump no. GOP RIFT GROWS AS THUNE HITS BRAKES ON TRUMP’S ELECTION BILL TO AVERT SHUTDOWN “Well, that’s too bad for him,” Trump said when asked about Thune not having the votes to move the SAVE America Act. “I mean, that’s too bad for him and too bad for the Republican Party.” “He’s got the votes,” he continued. “He should get it done. He should be able to get it done.” And, though he’s backed him before, Trump appeared to waver in his support of Thune when asked if he was the right man for the job. “Well, we’re going to find out, and I’ll let you know,” Trump said. TRUMP THREATENS TO YANK HIS OWN AG NOMINEE AS GOP REVOLT GROWS On his way to and from the Senate floor, Thune was pressed on Trump’s comments. When asked about Trump wavering on him as the leader of the Senate GOP, Thune signaled it wasn’t up to him. “I don’t know what you say on that,” he said. “That’s a decision made by my colleagues.” He also pushed back on the president’s assertion that Republicans could pass the SAVE America Act. “That must be a different form of math,” Thune said. Thune has repeatedly argued Republicans simply don’t have the votes to pass the SAVE America Act, a position that has increasingly put him at odds with Trump. A bloc of Republicans has never supported the legislation, while Senate Democrats overwhelmingly oppose it, leaving Thune without the votes. TRUMP DEMANDS THUNE KEEP SENATE IN SESSION UNTIL SAVE AMERICA ACT PASSES “I think it’s wrong to blame Thune for this — Senator Thune,” Sen. Roger Marshall, R-Kan., told Fox News Digital. “This is not his fault.” Still, Thune has moved major legislation backed by the president and has the Senate on a record pace for nominee confirmations, all while dealing with vulnerable Republicans taking tough political votes and Democrats who are bound to kneecap Trump’s agenda at every turn. “I hope that the next Congress, the people with the election certificates as U.S. senators who actually make that decision, show some independence and courage,” Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., told Fox News Digital. “And recognize that Thune has helped navigate an almost impossible scenario to navigate with this president.” The legislation has been tested several times in a variety of forms, and has never gotten the needed votes to pass. And Thune has said the votes aren’t there to nuke the filibuster, which Trump has pushed for throughout his second term. Even as Trump publicly questions Thune, the Senate GOP leader intends to seek another term as the top Republican. Leadership is elected internally by Senate Republicans, not by the president. Thune came out of a crowded field to replace Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., battling Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, and Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., to get the top spot in the Senate GOP. And his colleagues, so far, have his back. Scott, who ran against Thune, told Fox News Digital that he had no intention of running for the top gig in the Senate again. He also noted that even though he wanted it, it’s a difficult profession to take on. “John’s a smart guy,” Scott said. “He is working really hard. So I think he shouldn’t — you know, it’s tough to be the leader.” “We’ve got a lot of issues we haven’t addressed, so it’s hard,” he continued. “I assumed it was gonna be hard.”
Army vet, trucking executive raves over Trump plan to bolster blue collar industry by fast-tracking veterans
An Army veteran and trucking company executive who attended President Donald Trump’s Wednesday announcement about a new initiative called “Freedom Haulers” at the White House praised the new plan to provide a boost to the industry. “I came down here to support the cause of getting into an industry that is always in need,” said Tom Jacques, the director of Department of Transportation (DOT) compliance at Waste Management. Jacques is also the chairman of the board of directors for the Pennsylvania Motor Trucking Association. Jacques, whose biography says he enlisted in the Army and joined the 3rd U.S. Infantry as an escort to the President, called the plan “wonderful.” TRUMP TAPS VETERANS TO FIX ILLEGAL ALIEN TRUCKING PROBLEM PLAGUING US ROADWAYS “It’s wonderful to get skilled workers who are disciplined [and] dedicated into an industry that requires discipline and dedication,” Jacques told Fox News Digital at the White House. “You don’t get behind the wheel of a tractor-trailer — 80,000 pounds — without understanding the need to be disciplined and to be safe. So it’s nice to have that, to tap into a large workforce as they transition out of the military and into the next career field.” Under the initiative, qualified veterans with heavy-vehicle experience gained during military service can apply to waive the CDL road-skills test, allowing them to avoid duplicating training they received in the military. Certain veterans in participating states — 34 of them so far — may also qualify for a waiver of the written knowledge test. Veterans without military truck-driving experience will be eligible for expedited training that administration officials said could be completed in several weeks. TRUMP PROMOTES FREEDOM HAULERS INITIATIVE TO FAST-TRACK MILITARY VETERANS INTO TRUCKING JOBS “Data shows that truck drivers who are veterans account for 42% fewer accidents. Think of that, 42%,” Trump said at the event. “And that number, they say, is their very minimal number, even as they drive double the number of miles of non-veteran drivers.” Jacques said the trucking industry is always in need of new drivers, and discussed the important role that truckers play in the everyday lives of Americans. “If you take a look at the trucking industry, the behind the scenes, that’s what gets the commodities where they’re at,” he said. He also noted that during COVID-19, when non-essential workers were furloughed and much of America worked from home, truckers didn’t have that option. Americans depended upon their work in order to have access to necessities, otherwise the country could have “shut down,” he said. “There’s no shortage of positions for truck drivers,” said Jacques. “It’s an aging workforce. It’s something that people need to understand that we’ve got to be continually replenishing that workforce, and [it’s] a great opportunity getting our veterans … into a good, highly-paying job right out of the service. It’s going to be really nice to see more service members behind the wheel.” OUT OF CONTROL, UNQUALIFIED ILLEGAL ALIEN TRUCKERS ENDANGERING KIDS ON US ROADS, INSIDER WARNS: ‘JUST MADNESS’ That truckers are paid well is a fact not lost on Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, who also spoke at Wednesday’s event. “These are great paying jobs. They’re anywhere from $80 to $100,000 plus a year,” he said. “And it’s important because you have men and women who drove big rigs in the military who would then get out and have to go through a months-long training for their skills and their knowledge test to drive this vehicle over here.” The initiative has another component — getting illegal alien truck drivers off the roads. “For many years, American highways and roadways have been terrorized by unqualified illegal aliens dangerously driving big rigs,” Trump said, pointing out that many illegal alien drivers can’t speak English or read the road signs. “You have to have a talent for it, and these people don’t have that. They’re driving big rigs, semi trucks and tractor trailers, all because radical left maniacs at the state level have issued them commercial driver’s licenses, even though they’re not entitled to have them.” He said that last year alone, at least 30 Americans were killed at the hands of illegal alien truck drivers, and that 24,000 illegal aliens drivers have already been taken off the streets. “So to end this, very simply, the radical left wants more jobs for illegal aliens and more migrants in 18-wheelers, Trump said. “And the Trump administration wants safer roads and more jobs for the American veteran.” Fox News Digital’s Brittany Miller contributed to this report.
GOP gubernatorial candidate fighting to flip blue state unveils healthcare plan to lower costs, expand access
EXCLUSIVE: While Massachusetts boasts some of the premier hospitals in the world, it also suffers from some of the highest healthcare costs in America. GOP gubernatorial candidate Mike Minogue believes that is no coincidence. In an exclusive interview with Fox News Digital, the former longtime medical devices CEO says the commonwealth can boost access, cut costs and reduce regulation through innovation as opposed to government mandates. MIKE MINOGUE HEADS TO MASS GOP CONVENTION READY TO TAKE ON MAURA HEALEY: ‘SHE’S BANKRUPTING OUR STATE’ “I think the most important thing that can help health care is to have a ‘patients first mindset.’ When I was the CEO of Abiomed, everyone rallied around the patients-first culture, commitment and every action. “Every decision that we took really was focused on, ‘Does this improve the patient outcome? Does this help the physicians and the nurses make it easier to use? Does it help us save money for the system?’” He cited the weighty regulatory burden imposed on nurses and doctors as part of the problem. “We [must] have a focus that we’re really going through areas that allow for patients to get access to their physicians, their nurses, and also utilize innovation, things that are breakthrough and things that can minimize the burden on the physicians and the nurses with regulations and documentation. “I’m optimistic because I’ve seen it firsthand. I’ve worked with healthcare systems all over the world. I specifically know how hard physicians and nurses work, and they’re the heart of that system. So, what we’re going to focus on is a patients-first health care plan that brings access to quality, affordable care.” Healthcare is a top concern for Bay State voters, and Minogue hopes to use the issue to his advantage in a tough battle to challenge incumbent Democrat Gov. Maura Healey. He notes that the often stark disparity between healthcare access and quality between the metro Boston area and the rest of the state is a perpetual problem that needs a remedy. “Right now, if you look at what’s happening around Massachusetts, we’re losing innovation and treatment in areas that do not now have opportunity for high-risk procedures, whether it’s maternity, cardiac or stroke. “We have areas now in communities that might have a 50-plus minute drive to get to the nearest area. An example is Norwood. The hospital closed. So, if you have a cardiac event in Norwood, you’re looking at a 55-minute-plus drive at best to get to Boston.” Minogue promises that, during his tenure, he will work to improve coverage and care statewide. “This is the role of the governor — to provide hub-and-spoke innovation in healthcare for the whole commonwealth, not just Boston.” COMBAT VETERAN TURNED CEO HAS A NEW MISSION: FLIP GOVERNOR’S OFFICE IN BLUE STATE Yet, Minogue argues, the current system poses not merely a geographic problem, but a fiscal one. “Our regulations strangle the rest of the commonwealth and almost mandate that all procedures are being done in Boston in the highest-cost environment. If you go to outpatient centers and surgery centers, you reduce the cost of procedures, you lower the overhead and it’s a much easier process than driving all the way into Boston. We have incredible hospitals here, but we also have some of the lowest numbers of outpatient clinics and surgery centers as a state. We need to improve that.” Given his business background, Minogue is intimately familiar with the economics of providing healthcare coverage for thousands of families. “As a CEO, I bought health insurance for 19 years for my employees. I never saw an increase that wasn’t double-digit every year. … We need to lower the costs. “We also have to minimize mandating every single treatment and procedure onto every healthcare plan. We need to allow people to have the ability to select what care they want.” FOX NEWS POLL: GOP DIVISIONS SHAPE TEXAS SENATE RACE Minogue believes patients should have more flexibility in choosing their coverage while ensuring families are protected from financially devastating medical emergencies. “We do need to cap the catastrophic. … At Abiomed, what we did every year is we paid the extra amount so that we would always cap what it would cost the patient. We combined that with a health savings account, which is a great way for people to take more control over their own healthcare plan. Everything that you do in a patient’s first mindset solves a lot of problems.” With a mental health crisis surging across the state, Minogue has a solution for matching patients and therapists. “We do have an extensive amount of counselors, but most of them are on private pay. … We don’t allow general practitioners or counselors to get paid outside of private pay, so that’s why most of these patients are going to the emergency rooms. “It would be simple and more efficient if we also allowed the subsidized government pay to allow those patients to see the same people in the clinics that private-pay people have access to.” Minogue’s plan has specific provisions for addressing an area where the mental health crisis has been particularly acute. “One of the areas that I’m most focused on for mental health or PTSD is our correctional facility officers in Massachusetts have some of the highest suicide rates in America. “We know veterans with PTSD also have high suicide rates. These people are all ending up in emergency rooms, and that’s not a very good solution.” Hands-on experience with frontline healthcare workers is what Minogue believes gives his plan the credibility to set the Bay State on the right track again. “I’ve been very fortunate because I have a network of physicians and nurses and counselors that have been working with me for months. “We’ve collaborated so that we can come up with this patients-first plan. “If you put the patient at the center of that, the treatment plans can be very specialized for better outcomes at lower cost.” Finally, Minogue has a specific plan to
WATCH: GOP holdout rejects Trump threat as AG nominee standoff explodes
Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., brushed aside President Donald Trump’s threat to withdraw acting Attorney General Todd Blanche’s nomination Thursday, arguing the White House must instead honor what he says was an earlier commitment to win his vote. “That’s his prerogative,” Tillis said of Trump’s threat to withdraw Blanche’s nomination. Tillis’ comments come after Trump called out both Tillis and Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, on Truth Social Thursday morning for blocking the president’s efforts to make Blanche the nation’s top prosecutor. Trump then threatened to pull Blanche’s nomination until the two Republican senators leave office next year. Tillis is retiring, and Cornyn lost his primary in his run for re-election. TRUMP THREATENS TO YANK HIS OWN AG NOMINEE AS GOP REVOLT GROWS Tillis argued Trump cannot resolve this nomination standoff “unless we fulfill what we thought was the commitment from the administration.” The North Carolina senator has withheld his support for Blanche unless the administration agrees to permanently eliminate the nearly $2 billion anti-weaponization fund and rewrite Trump’s audit immunity language in a settlement agreement. Negotiations over those demands remain ongoing. “The best thing is, take the win, get Blanche confirmed and get this agreement out of the way,” Tillis told Fox News Digital. When asked what it would take to get Tillis to vote to confirm Blanche, he said, “exactly what Blanche committed to.” TRUMP ADMIN PUSHES BACK ON ‘SLUSH FUND’ ATTACKS AGAINST ANTI-WEAPONIZATION FUND AND LAYS OUT WHO QUALIFIES Tillis stressed that Blanche is not to blame for the impasse, saying he believes he “was honest” during his confirmation process and that he blames someone on Trump’s team. “This is not Blanche’s problem. It’s clear to me that Blanche was honest when he answered without hesitation, working with us to end this,” Tillis said. “I believe that one of the president’s advisors who were part of this agreement is the problem. And they need to own it.” Tillis also pointed out that there is no certainty that the Senate would be any more accepting of Blanche next year, particularly as Republicans have more seats in danger than Democrats in the Senate. “The best-case scenario is you come back with the same number of people next year, and our members are not going to be any more supportive of this than they are today.” TRUMP-TILLIS TIFF DEEPENS AS PRESIDENT SAYS HE ‘QUIT,’ CONCEDES FED FIGHT COULD DOOM NEW CHAIR CONFIRMATION Trump could still keep Blanche as acting attorney general for months even if he withdraws the nomination. The Federal Vacancies Reform Act allows acting officials to serve for 210 days, and withdrawing a pending nomination resets that clock. If Trump were to pull Blanche’s nomination Thursday, Blanche could remain in the role until late February. Despite Trump’s public threat, Tillis said negotiations with the administration remain ongoing and said he is “not a no” on Blanche. “In this place, nothing’s ever as good or as bad as it seems, so we’re continuing to negotiate,” Tillis said. Fox News Digital’s Alex Miller and Adam Pack contributed to this report.
Mamdani’s ‘this is only the beginning’ announcement cracking down on food delivery tips sparks outrage
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani is facing fresh criticism after taking credit for a reported $104 million increase in delivery worker tips that critics say was made possible by legislation enacted before he took office and will likely only exacerbate cost of living issues in the city. The criticism comes after Mamdani declared at a press conference Wednesday and in a social media post, “We’ve put $104 million back in delivery workers’ pockets,” citing changes to Uber Eats’ and DoorDash’s apps that made tipping more prominent. “This is only the beginning,” Mamdani wrote. Those changes stem from a city law approved by the New York City Council before Mamdani became mayor. Former Mayor Eric Adams neither signed nor vetoed the measure, allowing it to become law after 30 days. The rules took effect in January under the Mamdani administration, which implemented and enforced the requirements. MAMDANI’S ‘RATION SHOP’ GROCERY PLAN FACES BLISTERING ECONOMIC CRITIQUE AS OPPONENTS BLAST SOCIALIST POLICY Before the law took effect, the New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection found that Uber Eats and DoorDash had hidden tip buttons and set default tips below 10%, contributing to a 79% decline in tips for delivery workers. The law required the companies to make tipping more prominent, and city officials say the resulting changes have since generated an estimated $104 million in additional tips. Mamdani’s office rejected the criticism that the mayor was taking credit for someone else’s work, arguing that while the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection pushed for the reforms before he took office, the rules were implemented under his administration beginning Jan. 26. “A law is only as good as its implementation,” a spokesperson for Mamdani told Fox News Digital. “We have been intentional about enforcing the laws on the books so that we are putting money back into the pockets of working New Yorkers.” Conservatives and political commentators on social media quickly blasted Mamdani for the already high costs of goods and services in New York City, and some accused the mayor of taking credit for legislation that was born before his term. “This guy is a fantastic lying politician,” actor Michael Rapaport posted on X. “He had literally nothing to do with this. City Council passed the bill last August and 419 Eric Adams never signed it. 30 days the bill became law. It went into effect when Mamdani was in office. He just taking the credit.” MAMDANI’S RENT FREEZE, TAX HIKES A ‘ONE-TWO WEALTH DESTRUCTION PUNCH,’ ECONOMISTS WARN “In other words you are trying to say that you forced Uber and Doordash to make it that New Yorkers pay more for their food deliveries by having the default tip amount be a lot higher,” conservative influencer account Leftism posted on X. “Socialism 101 — have others pay for things and make as if it’s your accomplishment.” “Coming soon — $50 avocado toast,” Washington Free Beacon reporter Jon Levine posted on X. “So you increased prices for your citizens?” National Review contributor Pradheep Shanker posted on X. “Congrats.” “What really happened,” finance podcaster Joseph Carlson posted on X. “They forced delivery drivers to be paid minimum wage of $22/hr. This wage is paid by higher fees passed on to DoorDash or Uber customer. Since the customer was already paying these higher fees, these apps made tipping optional. Then New York required them to also be tipped on top of the higher fees. “So now New York (residents) get to enjoy paying both a high base pay and a tip on top of it. The customer is double-paying for delivery. All of this cost is passed onto the New Yorker resident. They’re paying more than the market demands for a product and service because of market manipulation.”
Hamas agrees to complete disarmament under ‘historic’ Gaza agreement: Trump
President Donald Trump on Thursday announced a historic agreement for the complete disarmament of Hamas and all other armed groups in Gaza. The diplomatic breakthrough, brokered by his Board of Peace alongside mediators Egypt, Qatar and Turkey, will pave the way for a new Palestinian government in Gaza, Trump said. “Today, the Board of Peace reached a HISTORIC agreement for the COMPLETE DISARMAMENT of Hamas and all other armed groups in Gaza. This is a monumental step toward lasting PEACE and SECURITY,” Trump said in a Truth Social post. HAMAS SAYS IT WILL DISSOLVE GAZA GOVERNMENT, BUT ISRAEL WARNS GROUP STILL SEEKS HEZBOLLAH-STYLE CONTROL The agreement represents a “major milestone” in implementing Trump’s 20-Point Plan, a framework introduced last year aimed at ending the war and rebuilding Gaza. The president said the multiphased disarmament agreement marks a “critical step” toward Gaza being governed by a new Palestinian government with the support of the Board of Peace. He added the city will no longer be used as “a base for terror attacks.” A new police force will also be established in Gaza with the support of the International Stabilization Force, keeping the region “safe for its residents and its neighbors.” ISRAEL’S MILITARY ELIMINATES HAMAS TERRORIST WHO HELPED ABDUCT AMERICAN-ISRAELI HOSTAGE, 3 OTHERS Israeli forces will withdraw from the region as the disarmament process moves forward through the structured phases. Trump praised the progress his administration has made since Hamas-led militants carried out a deadly assault on southern Israel from the Gaza Strip Oct. 7, 2023. “One year ago there was a violent raging war, humanitarian crisis and hostages kept in brutal captivity. We have made historic progress and there is still much work to do,” Trump said. “The threat that emerged from Gaza on October 7 will NOT be allowed to rebuild! “Under this agreement, Gaza will finally be in the hands of a new Palestinian government that serves its PEOPLE.” Trump further thanked all the parties involved in the historic agreement. “I want to thank the mediators — Egypt, Qatar, and Türkiye — for their important efforts, and especially my outstanding team, whose tireless work made this historic breakthrough possible.” Hours later, the Board of Peace released a statement saying the agreement holds significant “promise” for a better future across Gaza and Israel. “For the first time, Hamas officially has committed to an actionable plan for relinquishing all its weapons, which will be followed by Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. It holds the promise of delivering significant benefits to the people of Gaza, who have waited for too long for a better future, and security to the people of Israel,” the Board of Peace said in a post on X. The Board of Peace said the next phase will focus on implementation, with Gaza beginning a phased transition toward “full authority,” while accelerating efforts to establish the rule of law, improve security and advance humanitarian conditions. “The agreement concludes months of intensive, good faith negotiations to advance President Donald J. Trump’s vision for establishing new governance, security, humanitarian relief, reconstruction, and economic recovery in Gaza as set out in the Comprehensive Peace Plan and U.N. Security Council Resolution 2803.”
Schiff-backed candidate abruptly ends gubernatorial campaign amid rumblings of a damaging report
Mandela Barnes, who served as lieutenant governor of Wisconsin from 2019 to 2023, suspended his gubernatorial campaign Thursday, citing a lack of support to capture the Democratic Party nomination. “It’s become very clear who our nominee is going to be,” Barnes said in a video statement. “While I may be suspending my campaign, I’ll never give up my fight for Wisconsin.” WISCONSIN DEM SOCIALIST GUBERNATORIAL HOPEFUL DODGES WHETHER SHE STILL WANTS TO ‘ABOLISH POLICE’ Barnes, who was endorsed by Sen. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., as the “kind of bold leader we need to take on the Trump administration,” did not name the candidate he believes will capture the party’s nomination later this month. His departure from the race comes as a surprise amid a crowded Democratic field to fill the empty seat of outgoing Democratic Gov. Tony Evers. Barnes was considered a frontrunner in the race because of his proximity to Evers and his name recognition. It also coincides with rumblings that Barnes may have abused his position in the past to make sexual advances toward women in the workplace, an allegation currently under investigation by The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, which published its report shortly after Barnes’ video post. Barnes’ campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment on whether his decision to suspend the campaign was in any way connected to the reporting. However, a Barnes spokesperson told Politico “there are no allegations of misconduct or wrongdoing against Mandela.” With Barnes’ departure, the remaining major candidates include Wisconsin state Rep. Francesca Hong, a democratic socialist, and Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley. TOP DEM HOPEFUL FLIPS SCRIPT AFTER YEARS IN SOCIALIST ORBIT WITH PUZZLING CLAIM Hong has received backing from a number of nationally recognized progressives, including Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., and Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif. She had raised nearly $709,000 as of late June, according to state records. By comparison, Crowley has secured $250,000 and enjoys the support of a number of local organizations and figures. Evers, pointedly, endorsed Crowley over Barnes, citing Crowley’s experience. In his departure video, Barnes urged Democrats to unite against Republicans in the November general election. “Now, I said from the very beginning when I launched this campaign that the No. 1 goal was taking on and defeating Tom Tiffany to deliver big wins for Democrats up and down the ticket,” Barnes said, referring to the presumptive Republican nominee. “Now it’s our time to come together and focus our efforts on that one goal. We have to do everything to beat Tom Tiffany. This is life or death for Wisconsinites who are losing their healthcare under a Trump administration.” SCOTT WALKER: DEMOCRATIC SOCIALISTS ARE COMING FOR MY STATE. THIS IS HOW WE BEAT THEM Barnes built his campaign on a platform of increasing taxes on the country’s top earners, freezing energy costs, providing universal childcare and lowering the cost of housing. The gubernatorial primary will take place Aug. 11.
Fox News Poll: GOP divisions shape Texas Senate race
President Donald Trump won the Lone Star state by nearly 14 percentage points in 2024, but a new Fox News Poll of Texas registered voters suggests this year’s Senate race is far less settled. Republican Senate candidate Ken Paxton has yet to fully unify the GOP despite the president’s endorsement in the GOP primary against incumbent Sen. John Cornyn. In addition, more voters are concerned Paxton lacks the character to serve than worry Democratic challenger James Talarico is too extreme, and more Democrats than Republicans are extremely motivated to vote (by 7 points) and extremely interested in the midterms (by 6). Those dynamics give Talarico a 3-point edge over Paxton (51% vs. 48%) in the Senate contest (within the survey’s margin of sampling error). Talarico’s advantage in the race grows to 6 points among both extremely motivated and extremely interested voters (53% vs. 47% in each group). FOX NEWS POLL: DEMOCRATIC ENTHUSIASM SHAPES NORTH CAROLINA SENATE RACE Most independents (68%) and virtually all Democrats support Talarico (98%), while fewer Republicans are unified behind Paxton (89%). In part, that’s because one quarter of non-MAGA Republicans back Talarico (24%). Paxton is the choice among White evangelical Christians, White men without a college degree, rural voters, regular worship attenders, men and voters ages 65 and older. Some of Talarico’s best groups are Black voters, moderates, voters under age 30, Hispanic voters, women and voters with a college degree. “Although Paxton dominated Cornyn in the GOP primary, that bruising contest left scars,” said Republican pollster Daron Shaw, who conducts Fox News polls with Democrat Chris Anderson. “He has considerable work to do with non-MAGA Republicans and independents, and that undoubtedly requires aggressively tying Talarico to the Democratic Party’s far left.” By a 12-point margin, more voters are concerned Paxton lacks the character to serve as a senator than believe Talarico is too extreme (59% vs. 47%). Twice as many Republicans are concerned about Paxton’s character as Democrats are that Talarico is too extreme (36% vs. 17%). FOX NEWS POLL: COOL YOUR SERVERS! VOTERS REJECT DATA CENTERS Still, about 8 in 10 Paxton and Talarico supporters say their backing is more about where the candidates stand on the issues than who they are as people. Trump received a 55% favorable vs. 44% unfavorable rating in the 2024 Texas Fox News Voter Analysis (FNVA) election survey. Today, those numbers have flipped: 45% favorable vs. 54% unfavorable, for a minus-9 net negative rating. Paxton garners a minus-6 net personal rating, 45% favorable vs. 51% unfavorable, while Talarico is in positive territory by 6 points, 49% vs. 43%. Talarico is more popular than the Democratic Party while the GOP edges out Paxton. While both parties are viewed negatively, the GOP is underwater by only 2 points (48% favorable vs. 50% unfavorable), compared with the Democratic Party at minus-9 (45% vs. 54%). Despite Texas being a border state, nearly 4 in 10 say inflation will be the most important issue to their Senate vote, while 2 in 10 say immigration and 1 in 10 say healthcare, political divisions and unemployment. By more than a 2-to-1 margin, Texas voters say they are falling behind financially rather than getting ahead (35% vs. 16%). Half are holding steady. In the race for governor, incumbent Republican Gov. Greg Abbott is favored by 1 point over Democrat Gina Hinojosa. Part of Abbott’s edge comes from a touch more crossover support: 12% of Talarico supporters back Abbott, while 9% of Paxton supporters back Hinojosa. Hinojosa has the advantage among extremely motivated (+6) and extremely interested voters (+5). Abbott has a net positive personal rating by a single point (50% favorable vs. 49% unfavorable). Hinojosa is in positive territory by 11 points (45% vs. 34%), although nearly 1 in 5 are unable to rate her. Texas last elected a Democratic governor in 1990 (Ann Richards), a Democratic Senator in 1988 (Lloyd Bentsen), and a Democratic presidential candidate in 1976 (Jimmy Carter). A closer look at the Hispanic electorate Hispanic voters say their Senate pick will be driven by inflation, as roughly 4 in 10 say it will be the most important issue to their vote and another 4 in 10 say they’re falling behind financially. This mostly matches views among all Texas voters. And as is the case with voters overall, there is an enthusiasm gap, as more Hispanic Democrats than Hispanic Republicans are interested and motivated to vote in the midterms. Overall, Hispanic voters prefer Talarico by 18 points (59% vs. 41%). Some 9% of Hispanic GOP voters crossover to support Talarico while 5% of Hispanic Democrats favor Paxton. CLICK HERE FOR CROSSTABS AND TOPLINE In 2024, Trump topped former Vice President Kamala Harris among Hispanic voters in Texas by 1 point, according to the Texas FNVA survey (49% Harris vs. 50% Trump). By 20 points, more Hispanic voters are concerned that Paxton lacks the character to serve as senator than feel Talarico is too extreme (61% concerned vs. 41%). For the governor’s race, Hispanic voters back Hinojosa by 16 points in the new survey. By comparison, they preferred Beto O’Rourke over Abbott by 14 points in 2022. More than half of Hispanic voters view Talarico (57% favorable), Hinojosa (53%), and the Democratic Party (53%) positively, while more than half have negative views of Paxton (56% unfavorable), Abbott (56%), Trump (61%), and the Republican Party (59%). Conducted July 23-27, 2026, under the direction of Beacon Research (D) and Shaw & Company Research (R), this Fox News survey includes interviews with a sample of 1,006 Texas registered voters randomly selected from a statewide voter file. Respondents spoke with live interviewers on landlines (72) and cellphones (681) or completed the survey online after receiving a text (253). Results based on the full sample have a margin of sampling error of ±3 percentage points. The survey includes an oversample of 296 Hispanic voters, bringing the sample size for that subgroup to 556 (±4). Sampling error for results among subgroups is higher. In addition to sampling errors, question
‘The irony’: Ketanji Brown Jackson roasted after stressing impartiality on Michelle Obama’s podcast
Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson is being mocked online over the “irony” of saying she is “very, very mindful and scrupulous” about being impartial during a guest appearance on former first lady Michelle Obama’s podcast, “IMO.” During an appearance of more than an hour on the podcast, Jackson, a Biden appointee to the Supreme Court, stressed the importance of being unbiased, saying, “You really have to be focused on that.” “There are lots of limits on what judges can do, and I try to be very, very mindful and scrupulous with respect to that because, as you say, our obligation is to be unbiased in our approach,” said Jackson. MICHELLE OBAMA ACCUSES MEDIA OF WEAPONIZING FASHION TO ‘DIMINISH’ HER AS A CAMPAIGN THREAT “And, so, you have to then navigate all the sources that could make for an appearance of partiality, which you want to avoid.” She added that “there are lots of things that I end up not accepting for that reason.” The former first lady asked Jackson about the practices she follows to remain unbiased. “You also have to watch your exposure to things, so that there isn’t a bias,” said Obama. “What does that mean for you in terms of reading the paper and listening to the news? And how do get your information and what do you have to be careful about? And how are you dealing with the potential conflicts so that you do stay above board?” SIGN UP TO GET THE POLITICS NEWSLETTER Jackson said there are employees in the court whose job is to be “assisting us in that way.” “When I get invitations to do things, I always have them screened by the legal office, the public information office, just to make sure that there are no ethical conflicts, that this is not a fundraiser, you know,” she told Obama. ALITO RIPS JACKSON’S ‘UTTERLY IRRESPONSIBLE’ SOLO DISSENT AS SUPREME COURT FIGHT SHAKES UP 2026 MAP Reactions poured in quickly. “Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown discusses the importance of being neutral while she is sitting on Michelle Obama’s podcast set!” Turning Point USA contributor John Amanchukwu wrote. “She doesn’t really expect anyone to believe that, does she?” conservative influencer Patricia Foster wrote. “Make it make sense,” commentator DeVory Darkins wrote. “Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson can’t be real. She says it is important to be neutral as a Supreme Court justice……..while she is literally on MAJOR leftist Michelle Obama’s podcast,” Darkins wrote. “We ALL know how impartial she is.” ‘WOKE’ SMITHSONIAN EXHIBIT LIONIZES EMBATTLED FAUCI AMID CONSERVATIVE SCRUTINY OF MUSEUM’S MESSAGING Harris Rigby, a columnist for the Babylon Bee’s non-satirical site “Not the Bee,” wrote, “There isn’t a strong enough word for the irony in this video clip.” He ripped Jackson as “the most public, loud-mouthed, self-assured judge in the history of the United States,” adding that she now “wants to lecture us about the dignity of the courts.” Fox News Digital reached out to Obama and the Supreme Court for comment.