House lawmakers express disgust over Swalwell not being exposed sooner: ‘It’s shameful’
Lawmakers from both parties expressed disgust and alarm that Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., has been able to hold elected office for 16 years, build a national profile — even mount a front-running gubernatorial campaign — all the while masking the alleged sexual misconduct that forced him from office earlier this week. “There needs to be a zero-tolerance policy in the Capitol for that type of behavior,” Rep. Sarah McBride, D-Del., said. “I’m glad that he resigned. He needed to resign. My heart breaks for any victim, all the women who have come forward thus far. And I’m horrified by his behavior.” McBride’s thoughts were echoed by Rep. Beth Van Duyne, R-Texas, who noted Swalwell’s conduct had crossed obvious red lines. SEX CRIMES COULD COST LAWMAKERS TAXPAYER-FUNDED PENSIONS UNDER HAWLEY’S NEW PROPOSAL “I think it’s pretty clear. Don’t sleep with your staff. Don’t sexually harass people that work for you. And don’t rape women. It’s not really that hard of a list to follow,” Van Duyne said. The remarks from lawmakers come as Capitol Hill grapples with how to prevent similar stories from repeating themselves down the road. Bombshell reporting from CNN and the San Francisco Chronicle last week laid out accounts from multiple victims detailing how Swalwell had made sexual advances toward intoxicated women, pressured employees into intimate situations and invited them to send him explicit images over text. In their wake, Swalwell announced he would abandon his campaign to become the next governor of California on Sunday. A day later, he also announced his resignation from Congress. Rep. Joaquin Castro, D-Texas, was left baffled by how Swalwell had managed to keep his conduct under wraps — despite an apparent reputation for pushing the envelope. “I don’t know — I mean it’s a shame and it’s shameful. I know folks say that there were rumors and so forth,” Castro said. LEAVITT PUTS DEMOCRATS ON DEFENSE AS ‘DISGUSTING’ ALLEGATIONS AGAINST SWALWELL MOUNT At the same time, he noted that members have limited visibility into each other’s lives. “This place — people don’t generally, unless they intend to, they don’t generally hang around with each other a lot,” Castro said. To Rep. Debbie Dingell, D-Mich., future instances of misconduct might be prevented by a greater culture of transparency between offices. “I think that people need to know that they can come to women members like me and do something,” Dingell said. “And I’ll tell you one thing. If Nancy Pelosi had had any indications, she would have cut his ‘blanks’ off,” she added, referring to the former speaker of the House. Even after his resignation, Swalwell has continued to rebuff the claims against him. “These accusations are false, fabricated, and deeply offensive — a calculated and transparent political hit job designed to destroy the reputation of a man who has spent twenty years in public service,” Sara Azari, Swalwell’s attorney, wrote on social media Tuesday. “The timing, nature and coordinated rollout of these vile and heinous allegations speak for themselves.” Other members reacting to Swalwell’s comments said they were not concerned about when the claims surfaced. “It’s always unfortunate whenever allegations like this emerge at whatever time. But I don’t think there’s a wrong time for truthful allegations to ever come out,” Rep. Shomari Figures, D-Ala., said. ERIC SWALWELL CAMPAIGN PAID HOTEL WHERE ACCUSER LONNA DREWES CLAIMS ASSAULT TOOK PLACE With Swalwell having resigned office, California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced that the state would hold a special election to fill to fill the vacancy on Aug. 18. A special primary is scheduled for June 16.
DOJ opens investigation into Eric Swalwell over sexual assault allegations
The Department of Justice is investigating the multiple sexual assault allegations against former California Rep. Eric Swalwell, a source familiar with the matter confirmed to Fox News Digital. Within the last few weeks, Swalwell has been accused by five different women of sexual assault and harassment over the last several years. District attorneys for both Los Angeles and New York have also launched their own respective investigations. The string of allegations includes that he allegedly drugged and raped one woman and sexually assaulted one of his staffers, which have spurred at least two local criminal investigations. He has denied all the allegations, but has admitted to making mistakes. Following the allegations, Swalwell suspended his campaign for California governor and resigned from his position in Congress. ‘THE VIEW’ CO-HOST CLAIMS SHE PERSONALLY WITNESSED TROUBLING BEHAVIOR FROM SWALWELL “I am deeply sorry to my family, staff, and constituents for mistakes in judgment I’ve made in my past,” Swalwell said in a statement announcing his resignation. “I will fight the serious, false allegations made against me. However, I must take responsibility and ownership for the mistakes I did make.” “I am aware of efforts to bring an immediate expulsion vote against me and other members. Expelling anyone in Congress without due process, within days of an allegation being made, is wrong,” he continued. “But it’s also wrong for my constituents to have me distracted from my duties. Therefore, I plan to resign my seat in Congress.” While Swalwell was originally silent as the allegations began, his office broke its silence earlier this week speaking to the New York Post. ROSIE O’DONNELL HEARTBROKEN OVER SWALWELL SCANDAL, DECLARING ‘MEN SUCK’ AFTER BILL CLINTON COMPARISON “This false, outrageous rumor is being spread 27 days before an election begins by flailing opponents who have sadly teamed up with MAGA conspiracy theorists because they know Eric Swalwell is the frontrunner in this race,” Micah Beasley, a spokesperson for Swalwell, said at the time. Swalwell first became a member of the House of Representatives in 2013 after serving as a prosecutor in the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office. He was also a city councilmember in Dublin, California, in 2010.
Trump says Israel, Lebanon agree to 10-day ceasefire
Israel and Lebanon have agreed to a 10-day ceasefire, President Donald Trump announced on Thursday. “I just had excellent conversations with the Highly Respected President Joseph Aoun, of Lebanon, and Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu, of Israel. These two Leaders have agreed that in order to achieve PEACE between their Countries, they will formally begin a 10 Day CEASEFIRE at 5 P.M. EST,” Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social. “On Tuesday, the two Countries met for the first time in 34 years here in Washington, D.C., with our Great Secretary of State, Marco Rubio. I have directed Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Rubio, together with the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Dan Razin’ Caine, to work with Israel and Lebanon to achieve a Lasting PEACE. It has been my Honor to solve 9 Wars across the World, and this will be my 10th, so let’s, GET IT DONE!” he added.
Dozens of Dems flip on Israel, vote to ban arms sales in protest of Iran war
More Senate Democrats than ever before voted to halt arms sales and military bulldozers to Israel as an act of protest against President Donald Trump’s war in Iran. The late-night vote on Wednesday, which saw both of Sen. Bernie Sanders’, I-Vt., resolutions fail, signaled a shift among Senate Democrats, who in several previous attempts by the progressive had joined Republicans to support the Jewish state. Combined, Sanders’ resolutions would have blocked nearly $500 million in arms and equipment sales to Israel. One resolution would have halted the sale of roughly $295 million in Caterpillar bulldozers, while the other would have stopped the sale of nearly $152 million worth of 1,000-pound bombs. Though they failed without Republican support, Sanders viewed the swell of Democratic backing as “progress.” GOP HOLDS WITH TRUMP ON IRAN WAR, BUT CRACKS EMERGE AS DEADLINE NEARS “Today, more than 80% of the Democratic caucus stood with the American people and voted to block U.S. military aid to [Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu and his horrific, illegal wars,” Sanders said in a statement. “When we started this effort there were just 11 votes,” he continued. “Now, there are 40. That shift reflects where the American people are.” The shift comes after Israel’s strikes in Lebanon threatened a fragile ceasefire, and broader peace talks, to end fighting in Iran. Senate Democrats weren’t fully aligned on both resolutions — 40 supported halting the sale of bulldozers to Israel, while 36 voted to block bomb sales. Notably, the last time the Senate voted to disapprove arms sales to Israel, 27 Democrats voted yes. Before that, only 19 did. ROGUE DEM BUCKS PARTY ON TRUMP WAR POWERS, CALLS IRAN ‘47-YEAR-OLD WAR CRIME’ Notably, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., who has been a vocal critic of the war, voted against Sanders’ resolutions. Lawmakers who flipped their votes were quick to stress that they still support Israel but viewed their votes against the sale of weapons and military equipment as a referendum on the war in Iran. Sen. Maggie Hassan, D-N.H., who previously voted against Sanders’ attempts to halt arms sales to the Jewish state, said in a statement that her decision to flip was “informed by President Trump’s and Prime Minister Netanyahu’s reckless decision to go to war.” “I have serious questions about any supplemental expenditures for this war, let alone additional sales of weapons for the same war to Israel,” Hassan said. SCHUMER BLASTS TRUMP’S IRAN WAR AS FAILURE, MOVES TO REIN IN HIS WAR POWERS AMID CEASEFIRE The vote, coupled with overwhelming Democratic support to rein in President Donald Trump’s war powers in the Middle East earlier on Wednesday, could be viewed as a preview of the power Democrats may wield over an expected supplemental spending request to fund the war in Iran, which the administration has yet to send to Congress. The price tag of that package has fluctuated from as much as $200 billion to as low as $50 billion. Because of the influence Senate Democrats could have over funding the war effort, Republicans are considering including the request in a party-line package. Sen. Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich., explained her vote against “1,000 pound so-called ‘dumb bombs’ and military bulldozers” was meant to highlight a stark contrast between supporting Israel and supporting the war. “But being pro-Israel today is not simply about supporting the political or military agenda of Prime Minister Netanyahu, just like being pro-American should not be equated with loyalty to President Trump,” she said.
GOP firebrand vows to strip Swalwell and Gonzales of lifetime taxpayer-funded benefits
Rep. Lauren Boebert, R-Colo., vowed to cancel the pensions of former Reps. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., and Tony Gonzales, R-Texas, both of whom resigned Tuesday amid sexual assault and sexual harassment allegations. Boebert shared a video Wednesday on X, announcing that she was “working on” efforts to ensure that Swalwell and others like him lose their taxpayer-funded pension. “Former Congressman Eric Swalwell abused his position of power in Congress to assault and victimize women,” Boebert said. “Now as things stand, taxpayers will be sending him tens of thousands of dollars every year for the rest of his life. This is totally unacceptable.” SWALWELL OUT AMID SEXUAL ASSAULT ALLEGATIONS AFTER 13 YEARS IN CONGRESS Swalwell and Gonzales are both eligible for federal retirement benefits offered under the Federal Employees Retirement System, or FERS, or the Civil Service Retirement System. Both plans require at least five years of federal service. Neither congressman would be able to access his taxpayer-funded pension until age 62. They would receive roughly $22,000 each year for the rest of their lives. FLASHBACK: SWALWELL TOUTED EPSTEIN SURVIVOR AS SOTU GUEST WEEKS BEFORE SEXUAL ASSAULT ALLEGATIONS EMERGED Boebert told a CNN reporter earlier in the week that she did not think Swalwell or Gonzales should have been allowed to resign. Instead, she said there should have been a vote to expel or censure them. “And I think that we actually need to look into ways to censure, with other aspects to say you can’t have your pension, you can’t leave here with all your taxpayer-funded benefits after such shameful acts that cause you to bow out and resign from Congress,” Boebert told CNN reporter Manu Raju on the House steps. Only six House of Representatives members have been successfully expelled. An expulsion vote can be based on a member of Congress engaging in “disorderly conduct.” Members of Congress do not automatically lose their pension benefits based upon a censure or expulsion vote. Under several federal laws, such as the HISS Act and STOCK Act of 2012, members will only lose their pensions and other benefits if they are convicted of crimes committed while in Congress. Fox News Digital reached out to Boebert for further details of her plan to end the former members’ retirement benefits.
US kills 3 alleged drug traffickers in another Eastern Pacific strike
The U.S. military carried out its third strike in days against suspected narco-terrorist targets in the Eastern Pacific, killing three men aboard an alleged drug-trafficking vessel in a lethal operation, according to U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM). The lethal kinetic strike targeted a vessel operated by what SOUTHCOM called Designated Terrorist Organizations, though it did not immediately provide additional details about the identities of those killed or the specific groups involved. “Intelligence confirmed the vessel was transiting along known narco-trafficking routes in the Eastern Pacific and was engaged in narco-trafficking operation,” SOUTHCOM said in a statement on X. “Three male narco-terrorists were killed during this action,” the command said. HEGSETH SAYS US STRIKES FORCE SOME CARTEL LEADERS TO HALT DRUG OPERATIONS No U.S. military forces were harmed during the operation, it added. The latest strike comes after SOUTHCOM said the U.S. military conducted similar strikes in the Eastern Pacific earlier this week. US MILITARY KILLS 2 SUSPECTED CARTEL OPERATIVES IN LATEST EASTERN PACIFIC LETHAL STRIKE, SOUTHCOM SAYS Two individuals believed to be involved in narcotics trafficking were killed in a strike on Monday, while four alleged narco-terrorists were killed in another strike on Tuesday, the command previously said. The U.S. military has carried out dozens of strikes in recent months on suspected drug-smuggling vessels as part of a broader campaign to dismantle cartel-linked trafficking operations. SOUTHCOM is responsible for military operations in Central and South America and the Caribbean, including counter-narcotics missions aimed at disrupting drug trafficking networks that threaten U.S. interests. Fox News Digital’s Michael Sinkewicz and Greg Wehner contributed to this report.
Republicans rip 4 blue states for keeping taxes on tips, overtime after Trump reprieve
Four Democrat-led states that rejected President Donald Trump‘s policy of no taxes on tips and overtime pay are getting called out by Republicans for going against efforts to increase affordability. The governors of the three largest Democrat-run states, California, New York and Illinois, are continuing to tax tips and overtime against Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act, while Colorado will require taxpayers to report how much is deducted federally so it can be added back for state taxes in future years. “Gov. Hochul and Albany Democrats believe your money is their money: They are picking the pockets of waitresses, bartenders, and first responders who work overtime just to make ends meet in a state that already has the highest tax burden in the country,” Rep. Mike Lawler, R-N.Y., told Fox News Digital. “No wonder working people and jobs continue to flee New York in record numbers, and we’re consistently among the worst in outmigration every year.” AVERAGE TAX REFUND TOPS $3,700 MIDWAY THROUGH FILING SEASON, TREASURY SAYS With “affordability” a key political issue, Republicans countered with a Tax Day narrative against the governors of those four blue states that are facing midterm gubernatorial campaigns, including Hochul, who is running for re-election and California Gov. Gavin Newsom, who terms out this year. “California Democrats talk a lot about making life more affordable, but when given the chance to let hardworking Californians keep more of what they earn, Gov. Newsom and the state legislature refused to update the state’s tax code,” Rep. David Valadao, R-Calif., told Fox News Digital. “No tax on tips or overtime would provide real relief to service workers, first responders, and families across our state, and it’s disappointing to see Sacramento turn its back on them.” DOORDASH DRIVER HAILS KEY TRUMP POLICY AFTER DELIVERING MCDONALD’S TO WHITE HOUSE: ‘I’M GOING TO ENJOY IT’ Illinois Republican Party Chair Kathy Salvi says that while Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker is running for re-election in the nation’s third-largest blue state, he is really positioning himself for a 2028 presidential campaign on the agenda of obstructing Trump. “Last year, President Trump delivered the largest tax cut in American history, putting millions of dollars back in the pockets of Americans; this commonsense legislation is good for Illinois, but wannabe president, JB Pritzker would rather slam the door shut on opportunity and relief, knowing full well that he supported and empowered Joe Biden’s economic disaster,” Salvi told Fox News Digital. “The sad truth is that if President Trump is for it, JB Pritzker will always be against it.” NASHVILLE ARTISTS PRAISE TRUMP’S NO-TAX-ON-TIPS POLICY ONE YEAR INTO PRESIDENCY Colorado Gov. Jared Polis, who is termed out and among names potentially running in the 2028 Democratic presidential primary, was called out by Rep. Gabe Evans, R-Colo., for action to tax overtime pay in future years. “As a former cop in Colorado, I know firsthand how important overtime pay is to first responders, blue-collar workers, and hardworking families across America — that’s why I was proud to stand with Republicans to deliver no tax on overtime at the federal level,” Evans told Fox News Digital. “But while we fought to give Coloradans relief, Gov. Polis and state Democrats held a special session to re-tax overtime pay, ensuring families never see the benefits they earned. The contrast couldn’t be clearer.” Fox News Digital reached out to the offices of Hochul, Newsom, Pritzker and Polis for comment, but they did not immediately respond. SCOOP: HOUSE SPEAKER MIKE JOHNSON’S ALLIES UNLEASH $10M CAMPAIGN TO SPOTLIGHT TRUMP TAX CUTS While the governor’s seats in those four blue states are likely safe due to deep Democratic voter registration advantages, down-ballot races do have a narrative to carry under the Trump banner and the no tax on tips or overtime policy. The Senate Finance Committee charted the One Big Beautiful Bill Act “wins” in all 50 states, including those four blocked by Democratic leaders where there still remains a permanent 20% deduction for many small business owners and a $1,500 increase in the standard deduction for millions of families.
Justice Thomas warns progressivism is a threat to America in rare public remarks
Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas issued a blistering critique of modern-day progressivism in a rare public speech on Wednesday, describing the modern political philosophy as a threat to America’s founding principles. Speaking to a packed auditorium of students and faculty at the University of Texas at Austin to mark the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, Thomas, the Supreme Court’s longest-serving justice, urged the nation to revisit the philosophical foundations of U.S. governance. He said Wednesday that values embraced by the nation’s founders have “fallen out of favor” in recent decades and urged younger generations to stand up for their principles. “I think if we don’t stand up and take ownership of our country, and take responsibility for it, we are slowly letting others control how we think and what we think,” he told the audience. SUPREME COURT SKEPTICAL OF TRUMP BIRTHRIGHT CITIZENSHIP ORDER, ROBERTS QUESTIONS ARGUMENT IN LANDMARK CASE “Progressivism seeks to replace the basic premises of the Declaration of Independence, and hence our form of government,” Thomas said Wednesday evening, drawing a direct line between contemporary political movements and what he described as a departure from the Constitution’s original meaning. “It holds that our rights and our dignities come not from God, but from the government,” Thomas said. “It requires of the people a subservience and weakness incompatible with a Constitution premised on the transcendent origin of our rights.” The conservative justice also lamented what he said was the growing prevalence of “cynicism, rejection, hostility and animus” in the U.S., and perpetuated “by Americans,” and particularly, so-called “pragmatists” or self-described intellectuals. SUPREME COURT SIGNALS IT MAY LIMIT KEY VOTING RIGHTS ACT RULE “They recast themselves as institutionalists, pragmatists or thoughtful moderates, all as a way of justifying their failures to themselves, their consciences, and their country,” he said. Thomas’s remarks were part of a broader lecture series marking the Declaration’s 250th anniversary. And though the tone of his remarks was somber, Thomas closed them with a soaring call to action, urging law students in the audience, and viewers watching the televised address at home, to have courage and stand up for their principles and ideals. “In my view, we must find in ourselves that same level of courage that the signers of the Declaration have so that we can do for our future what they did for theirs,” he said. The durability of American democracy, Thomas added, depends on it. SUPREME COURT SKEPTICAL OF TRUMP BIRTHRIGHT CITIZENSHIP ORDER, ROBERTS QUESTIONS ARGUMENT IN LANDMARK CASE “I think if we don’t stand up and take ownership of our country and take responsibility for it, we are slowly letting others control how we think and what we think,” he said. “If you think it’s losing confidence, then you get up and you participate. You don’t sit on the sidelines.”
Didn’t file your taxes on time? Here’s what a tax expert says you should do next
If you missed the April 15 tax deadline, the clock is already ticking on penalties and interest — but there are still steps you can take to reduce the damage. Experts say taxpayers should file immediately, even if they can’t pay their full bill, and pay as much as they can to avoid the steepest penalties. Those who still owe can apply for a payment plan to manage the remaining balance. TAX DAY IS THIS WEEK: AVOID THESE 5 COMMON MISTAKES THAT CAN COST YOU MONEY The IRS says most applicants receive immediate approval or denial when applying for a payment plan online. “You can still file your return and at least eliminate the failure-to-file penalty, which can reach up to 25% of any tax owed, with interest compounding,” said Mark Steber, chief tax officer at Jackson Hewitt Tax Services. The IRS can impose multiple penalties, including failure-to-file, failure-to-pay and underpayment penalties, which are assessed separately and can accrue interest daily, Steber said. He added that consulting a tax professional early can help taxpayers navigate their options and potentially reduce the total cost. THE SIMPLE TAX HABIT THAT COULD SAVE YOU THOUSANDS OVER YOUR LIFETIME “In many cases, the total cost — including taxes, penalties, interest and professional fees — ends up being higher than if you had sought help earlier,” Steber said. “The worst thing you can do is ignore the deadline,” he added. “Many people think they’ll deal with it later, but that can lead to mounting penalties and unnecessary financial risk.” Filing as soon as possible and exploring IRS payment options can help taxpayers regain control of their situation and minimize added costs. Steber said taxpayers should view filing as part of a long-term financial strategy, not just a once-a-year obligation. “Your tax return is one of your largest financial transactions each year,” he said. “Giving it proper attention can pay dividends over time.”
Republicans bet higher tax refunds will boost midterm chances as blue states resist relief
Republicans are betting tax cuts they championed will be a difference-maker in November’s midterm elections amid a rise in refunds this filing season. But Republicans still face a key challenge — convincing voters to credit them for the tax relief when they head to the ballot box. “You can talk about it, but you’ve got to feel it and that’s what’s going to happen,” House Majority Whip Tom Emmer, R-Minn., told Fox News Digital in an interview on Wednesday, referring to the slate of new tax breaks signed into law by President Donald Trump in 2025. “We believe by the time of the midterms, people are not only going to be talking about it, they are going to feel it,” Emmer insisted. STRATEGY SESSION: TRUMP’S TEAM HUDDLES ON MIDTERM MESSAGING WITH SPOTLIGHT ON ECONOMY As they look to defend their slim House majority, the GOP is ramping up its messaging to promote the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, also known as the Working Families Tax Cuts. Republicans spent Tax Day on Wednesday touting larger refunds this year while highlighting Democratic lawmakers’ opposition to the tax bill that passed with solely GOP votes. The average refund this year is over $3,400, amounting to an 11% increase compared to last tax season, according to data released by the Internal Revenue Service on Wednesday. Republicans have pointed to those returns as early proof their tax policy is reaching voters’ wallets. A vast swath of Americans is also benefiting from new tax cuts that Trump first floated on the 2024 campaign trail. More than 53 million tax filers claimed new deductions for tips, overtime pay, automobile loans or being over the age of 65, according to the Treasury Department. Some are also receiving a larger child tax credit and relief for state and local taxes. “When you’re seeing it in your tax return, when you’re seeing it in your paycheck, when you’re actually able to feel that, I think that’s going to make a difference to put us in a good spot for 2026,” Rep. Riley Moore, R-W.Va., said Wednesday. Democrats, however, argue those benefits may not be enough to overcome Americans’ broader economic concerns. The party is voicing increasing confidence it will retake House control and put the Senate in play this November, citing voter discontent about cost-of-living issues and Trump’s declining approval ratings. Republicans must also overcome the trend of the party in power shedding seats during a midterm year. “A lot of people want to count us out in November,” Emmer said during a GOP messaging event highlighting the new tax benefits on Wednesday. “We’re going to be just fine, because we’ve got a great map in the House. We’ve got great candidates across the country.” AVERAGE TAX REFUND TOPS $3,700 MIDWAY THROUGH FILING SEASON, TREASURY SAYS Democrats have largely opposed the tax cuts, arguing they disproportionately benefit corporations and the wealthy. But Republicans say working Americans and small businesses will see a smaller tax bill this year as a result of their policies. Loudoun County Sheriff Mike Chapman told Fox News Digital that the overtime deduction has been a “morale booster” for law enforcement putting in extra hours. More than 25 million Americans have claimed the new tax break with an average deduction of more than $3,100, according to the IRS. Republicans are also highlighting a slate of business tax breaks, which beneficiaries argue could boost job growth and provide economic benefits to their community. “It gave me the certainty and the confidence to go out and make capital investments,” Courtney Silver, who owns a machine shop in North Carolina and invested more than $1 million in equipment following the passage of the tax bill, told Fox News Digital. “For everything we invested in, we need to create those new positions on our team,” Silver added. The United States could have shed nearly 6 million jobs if Republicans had failed to extend the 2017 tax cuts through the party’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act, according to the National Association of Manufacturers. Still, seven in 10 Americans say their taxes are too high, the highest dissatisfaction in more than two decades, according to a recent Fox News poll. Some Democratic-led states have notably refused to conform to the new federal tax breaks enacted by Republicans, citing concern about their impact on state revenue. GOP lawmakers have argued it’s an attempt by Democrats to prevent voters from feeling the tax relief passed by Republicans. “I’ve got a governor that refuses and a Democrat-controlled legislature that refuses to do tax compliance, so I’m not getting the benefit, nor is any other Minnesotan,” Emmer said, referring to the average increase in returns. “That’s a game changer and my state’s not getting that.” Trump is heading to Nevada and Arizona beginning Thursday to highlight his “no tax on tips” and “no tax on overtime” policies as he goes to bat for Republicans to help them keep their bicameral congressional majority in this year’s midterm elections.