Senate confirms Trump pick to lead independent Nuclear Regulatory Commission
The Senate confirmed its first nominee of the week ahead of what is expected to be a jam-packed schedule to ram through as many of President Donald Trump’s picks as possible. David A. Wright, Trump’s pick to lead the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) for a five-year term, was confirmed in the upper chamber on a 50 to 39 vote on Monday. It’s not Wright’s first time as chair of the commission, having first served in the role beginning in 2020. KEY TRUMP NOMINEES STALLED BY SENATE DEMS PUTS PRESSURE ON GOP LEADERS Trump had previously tapped Wright during his first term, and again selected him to lead the NRC earlier this year. His new term is set to end in 2030. The NRC is an independent regulatory agency tasked with regulating commercial nuclear power plants, reactor licensing and renewal and other elements related to protecting public health and safety when it comes to nuclear energy. Wright’s confirmation comes on the heels of Trump’s announcement that the U.S. and European Union were entering a trade deal that would see the bloc purchase $750 billion of U.S. energy over the next three years. While the commission is independent from other arms of the government, Senate Democrats have balked at recent attempts to make the regulatory body, in their view, more partisan. ‘ALL THE OPTIONS’: GOP EYES CUTTING AUGUST RECESS TO MOVE DOZENS OF TRUMP NOMINEES STALLED BY DEMS Earlier this year, Trump signed an executive order that demanded the agency consider making its safety standards less stringent, shortening the timelines for environmental reviews and a quadrupling of the nation’s nuclear power capacity by 2050: all part of the president’s quest to ensure America’s energy dominance. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee Chair Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.V., argued that over the last seven years that Wright has been a part of the commission, first as a commissioner beginning in 2018 and then as chair, he would fulfill the president’s wishes. “Achieving this will require experienced and highly qualified Commissioners who are empowered to lead the Agency through a period of high expectations,” she said in a statement. “Well, David Wright meets that mark.” Then Trump fired a Democratic member of the commission last month, and a staffer from the president’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) was reportedly detailed from the Department of Energy to the regulatory agency. That prompted Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, the top Democrat on the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, to warn of a “hostile takeover” of the commission by the Energy Department. The move hurt what began as bipartisan support for Wright’s nomination — Whitehouse initially backed him but changed his position. GOP LAWMAKERS CLASH OVER STRATEGY TO AVERT GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN CRISIS “I hoped to see Chairman Wright rise to the occasion, but circumstances right now at the NRC continue to deteriorate,” he said in a statement. “I cannot presently support his renomination.” Still, Wright’s confirmation is a win for both Senate Republicans and the White House after Trump called on the Senate GOP to ram his nominees through blockades set up by Senate Democrats. There are now over 140 pending “civilian” nominations for positions across the gauntlet of federal agencies, ambassadorships and judgeships. The Senate has moved at a blistering clip over the last six months to confirm nominees—they’ve clocked nearly 100 so far — the president has called on Senate Republicans to consider canceling the forthcoming August break to get more done. Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., warned that if his colleagues across the aisle continued to slow walk the process in the upper chamber for the slew of remaining “uncontroversial” nominees, or be prepared to stick around Washington. “Or they can rein in their reflexive anti-Trump sentiment and allow some of his rank-and-file nominees to proceed by unanimous consent or voice vote — just as Republicans did when the roles were reversed,” he said. “And I’d remind my colleagues about the dangerous and ugly precedent that they’re setting here. But the choice is theirs. But whether it’s the slow way or the fast way, we’re getting President Trump’s nominees confirmed.”
Bondi DOJ files complaint alleging misconduct by Federal Judge James Boasberg
The Department of Justice has filed an official complaint alleging misconduct by US District Court Chief Judge James Boasberg. Fox News has reviewed the complaint which was written by Attorney General Pam Bondi’s Chief of Staff Chad Mizelle and addressed to the Chief Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, Sri Srinivasan. Fox News has learned that the complaint was written and filed at the direction of Attorney General Pam Bondi. WHO IS JAMES BOASBERG, THE US JUDGE AT THE CENTER OF TRUMP’S DEPORTATION EFFORTS? “The Department of Justice respectfully submits this complaint alleging misconduct by U.S. District Court Chief Judge James E. Boasberg for making improper public comments about President Donald J. Trump to the Chief Justice of the United States and other federal judges that have undermined the integrity and impartiality of the judiciary,” says Mr. Mizelle. Judge Boasberg is presiding over a high-profile case involving the deportation of several migrants to El Salvador and has talked about holding DOJ lawyers in contempt because of his assertion that his order to turn airborne planes around was not followed. President Trump has also made critical comments about Judge Boasberg. The complaint details two occasions on which Judge Boasberg made comments the Justice Department alleges undermine the integrity and impartiality of the judiciary. “On March 11, 2025, Judge Boasberg attended a session of the Judicial Conference of the United States, which exists to discuss administrative matters like budgets, security, and facilities. While there, Judge Boasberg attempted to improperly influence Chief Justice Roberts and roughly two dozen other federal judges by straying from the traditional topics to express his belief that the Trump Administration would “disregard rulings of federal courts” and trigger “a constitutional crisis.” Although his comments would be inappropriate even if they had some basis, they were even worse because Judge Boasberg had no basis—the Trump Administration has always complied with all court orders. Nor did Judge Boasberg identify any purported violations of court orders to justify his unprecedented predictions.” TRUMP FOE BOASBERG ORDERS DOJ TO DETAIL STATUS OF CECOT MIGRANTS SENT TO VENEZUELA “Within days of those statements, Judge Boasberg began acting on his preconceived belief that the Trump Administration would not follow court orders. First, although he lacked authority to do so, he issued a temporary restraining order preventing the Government from removing violent Tren de Aragua terrorists, which the Supreme Court summarily vacated. “Taken together, Judge Boasberg’s words and deeds violate Canons of the Code of Conduct for United States Judges, and, erode public confidence in judicial neutrality, and warrant a formal investigation.” JUDGE BOASBERG ORDERS RUBIO TO REFER TRUMP OFFICIALS’ SIGNAL MESSAGES TO DOJ TO ENSURE PRESERVATION The DOJ is asking Chief Judge Srinivasan to refer the complaint to a special investigative committee as an inquiry is essential to determine whether Judge Boasberg’s conduct constitutes “conduct prejudicial to the effective and expeditious administration of the business of the courts.” The complaint also asks that Judge Boasberg be taken off the case involving Venezuelan migrants who were deported to El Salvador, “to prevent further erosion of public confidence while the investigation proceeds.” The case in question is J.G.G. v Trump. This is the second time the Bondi DOJ has filed an official complaint against a federal judge. In late February, the DOJ filed a complaint about US District Judge Ana Reyes, concerning what the DOJ calls Judge Reyes’ “misconduct” during the proceedings in Nicolas Talbott et al. v. Donald J. Trump et al., which is a case brought by two LGBTQ groups challenging the Trump Administration’s Executive Orders barring transgender individuals from serving in the US military. News of the complaint comes at a time when the Trump administration has excoriated dozens of so-called “activist” judges who have blocked or paused some of Trump’s sweeping executive orders from taking force in his second White House term. Judge Boasberg in particular found himself at the center of Trump’s ire and attacks on so-called “activist” judges this year, following his March 15 temporary restraining order that sought to block Trump’s use of the Alien Enemies Act to quickly deport hundreds of Venezuelan nationals to El Salvador. Boasberg had ordered all planes bound for El Salvador to be “immediately” returned to U.S. soil, which did not happen. WHO IS JAMES BOASBERG, THE US JUDGE AT THE CENTER OF TRUMP’S DEPORTATION EFFORTS? His emergency order touched off a complex legal saga that ultimately spawned dozens of federal court challenges across the country – though the one brought before his court on March 15 was the very first – and later prompted the Supreme Court to rule, on two separate occasions, that the hurried removals had violated migrants’ due process protections under the U.S. Constitution. Boasberg, as a result, emerged as the man at the center of the legal fallout. Trump administration officials have repeatedly excoriated Boasberg both for his order and his attempt to determine whether they acted in good faith to comply with his orders, and Trump himself has floated the idea that Boasberg could be impeached earlier this year – prompting Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts to issue a rare public warning. The complaint, focused on months-old behavior and allegations surrounding Judge Boasberg— first tapped as a judge by then-President George W. Bush in 2002, comes at a time when he could again have a say in a major class action case brought by lawyers representing the former CECOT migrants. Lawyers for the ACLU and others in the class asked Judge Boasberg earlier this month to reopen discovery in the case, citing allegations from a United Nations report regarding custodial status of migrants at CECOT, and the recent decision to remove the 252 migrants sent from the U.S. to El Salvador to Venezuela under the prisoner exchange. Asked at a status hearing in court last week whether the Justice Department would comply with the court’s orders, DOJ lawyer Tiberius Davis said they would, “if it was a lawful order.” They also said they would likely seek an
Noem exposes the ‘monsters’ Democrat senator is fighting to protect in immigration battle
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem criticized U.S. Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., on Monday, after he and other lawmakers tried to inspect a migrant detention facility, accusing the lawmaker of prioritizing the rights of criminal illegal immigrants over Americans. Van Hollen, a vocal critic of the Trump administration’s illegal immigration raids, was part of a Maryland congressional delegation that was denied entry to inspect a Baltimore U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facility. The lawmakers, which included Van Hollen and Sen. Angela Alsobrooks, and U.S. Reps. Glenn Ivey, Johnny Olzewski Jr., Sarah Elfreth and Kweisi Mfume, staged a sit-in upon being denied entry. DEMOCRATS CELEBRATE RETURN OF SUSPECTED HUMAN TRAFFICKER KILMAR ABREGO GARCIA “President Trump lied to the American people when he said the Trump administration was simply going to focus on the worst of the worst,” Van Hollen said outside the facility. In response to the sit-in, Noem posted the image of four unidentified illegal immigrants arrested for various crimes, including rape, possession of child pornography, sexual abuse of a minor and murder. “These are the monsters that @ChrisVanHollen is protecting over American victims,” she wrote on X. U.S. Rep. Johnny Olszewski, D, Md., who was part of Monday’s delegation, said they were denied entry despite following the legal requirements to enter. “Congress has a legal right to inspect ICE facilities,” he wrote on social media. “Amid reports of inhumane conditions, this refusal is alarming. We won’t stop fighting for accountability.” NOEM DISMISSES JEFFRIES’ WARNINGS AS DHS CONSIDERS ARRESTS OF DEMOCRATIC LAWMAKERS AFTER ICE FACILITY CLASH A post in response by the Department of Homeland Security accused the lawmaker of wanting a “photo op.” “Congressman, if you need a photo op with the violent criminal illegal aliens you are protecting—schedule a TOUR,” the post states. “As for visits to detention facilities, requests should be made with sufficient time to prevent interference with the President’s Article II authority to oversee executive department functions—a week is sufficient to ensure no intrusion on the President’s constitutional authority. To protect the President’s Article II authority, any request to shorten that time must be approved by the Secretary.” Van Hollen has come under heavy criticism for his advocacy for suspected gang member Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia. Van Hollen was the first of several Democratic lawmakers to fly to visit Abrego Garcia after he was deported to a high-security prison in his home country, El Salvador, in March. Abrego Garcia, 29, has been returned to the U.S. and is facing charges in a sealed federal indictment in Tennessee for alleged conspiracy to unlawfully transport illegal aliens for financial gain and unlawful transportation of illegal aliens. Though many Democrats claim Abrego Garcia is an innocent man who was wrongly deported, the administration has pointed to considerable evidence that he is a member of the MS-13 gang. According to court records filed by his wife, Jennifer Vasquez Sura, he also allegedly physically abused her on multiple occasions. “As I have repeatedly said, this is not about the man. It’s about his constitutional rights, and the rights of all,” Van Hollen told Fox News Digital in June about the case. “The administration will now have to make its case in the court of law, as it should have all along.”
University runs damage control amid concerns it hides illegals, upholds reverse discrimination
FIRST ON FOX: After Belmont University in Tennessee was accused of attempting to rebrand its DEI initiatives in an effort to skirt President Donald Trump’s demands to get rid of them, the university denied the allegations, telling Fox News Digital that the school was “in compliance with federal laws.” But, according to an email sent to faculty and staff last week, from Belmont’s Office of the President, the school has decided to tap an “external partner” to ensure its compliance with President Donald Trump’s executive orders demanding diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives be terminated across all institutions of higher education. The review also aims to ensure the university is abiding by all state and federal immigration laws, after evidence was also uncovered that the school was allegedly admitting illegal immigrants and hiding such information from outside entities. “I am reaching out to update you about next steps in response to the concerns raised by elected officials regarding Belmont’s compliance with state and federal immigration laws, as well as executive orders addressing DEI in higher education,” the letter, penned by Belmont University President Greg Jones, stated. “While we make every effort to ensure compliance and continue to maintain our belief that Belmont complies with all applicable laws, we take these concerns seriously. With this in mind, we are bringing in an external partner to initiate an independent compliance review.” WATCH: DEI EFFORTS WERE REBRANDED AT 2 RED-STATE COLLEGES TO SKIRT TRUMP ORDERS, STAFFERS ADMIT The effort to hold Belmont accountable for allegedly maintaining its DEI policies in light of federal directives to terminate them has been spearheaded by Tennessee Republican Rep. Andy Ogles, who has been receiving information from whistle-blowers at the school. Ogles sounded the alarm earlier this month, after obtaining undercover recordings showing a student services faculty member in Belmont’s “Division of Student Success and Flourishing” admitting the school has maintained its DEI initiatives but “just change[d] on how we talk about it.” “The HUB is hope, unity and belonging. That’s DEI. Let’s be real,” Jozef Lukey, Belmont’s assistant director of student success and flourishing, says in the recording. “We always try to just adapt to what’s happening around us. But that doesn’t mean, like, what we’re focusing on completely stops. We just changed the terminology and the language that we keep moving forward.” In the same recording, Lukey can also be heard admitting that Belmont enrolls illegal immigrants and hides that information from external entities, which Ogles suggested could violate state law against knowingly harboring illegal aliens for profit. FEDERAL JUDGE SLAPS TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDER ON MISSISSIPPI DEI BAN “I want to be clear — I think the world of Belmont. My daughter applied to Belmont. She was accepted at Belmont,” Ogles said in a recorded video updating folks on the ongoing situation at the Christian university based in Nashville. “Nashville is unique — we have Vanderbilt, we have Belmont, we have David Lipscomb, we have Meharry [Medical College], we have TSU — we have all these amazing institutions, to include Belmont, which now has a new medical school, so I want to sing their praises, but I also have to hold them accountable, and this wokeness is in violation of President Trump’s executive order.” Ogles also likened Belmont to Harvard in the video, adding that the school will be “held accountable if they don’t correct course.” Besides the undercover recordings, Ogles has received other whistle-blower documents and information about Belmont’s continuance of its DEI initiatives under Trump. For example, Ogles has cited official documents from Belmont he received, which show that professors must fill out a mandatory form if they wish to revise or propose a new course, which requires a “Diversity Impact Statement” outlining how the course supports “historically underrepresented populations.” Another source, according to Ogles’ office, shared screenshots of an email chain showing Belmont intends to keep its faculty DEI committee for the next academic year. Ogles also received a document outlining Belmont’s faculty hiring procedures for deans, which compels the completion of multiple DEI “assessment[s]” when engaging in “pre-search activities.” The hiring document adds that search committees tasked with seeking out new potential hires must be “diverse across race and gender and preferably include faculty of color.” A litany of other DEI requirements, such as required discussions among search committees about “ways to advertise and attract candidates from a diverse population” and “paying special attention to recruiting minority candidates,” are required as well. The document also instructs search committees to engage in a post-mortem for any positions for which a “diverse candidate” does not apply to “revisit how to best advertise the position to attract qualified, diverse applicants.” The amount of whistle-blower tips that Ogles office has been getting has prompted the congressman to launch a new web page on his congressional website that will provide an easy avenue for people to continue providing his office with inside information about the DEI efforts at Belmont. The website has not launched yet, but is expected to be live soon. When reached for comment, officials at Belmont pointed Fox News Digital to its July 22 email sent to faculty and staff, indicating the expected compliance review.
Fox News Poll: Support for deportation depends on who is being targeted
As the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency, or ICE, continues to crackdown on illegal immigration, about half of voters say the department is too aggressive in its deportation efforts. Furthermore, while support for deportation is high, it depends on who is being targeted. The latest Fox News survey, released Monday, finds 3 in 10 back deporting all illegal immigrants, while 6 in 10 supports only deporting those charged with crimes but would allow others to stay and apply for citizenship. One in 10 favors letting all illegal immigrants remain in the U.S. Since 2015, a majority has generally favored the deportation of illegal immigrants. FOX NEWS POLL: THE GOP IS SEEN AS MORE LIKELY TO HAVE A CLEAR PLAN FOR THE COUNTRY Republicans (54%) are about eight times more likely than Democrats (7%) to say all illegal immigrants should be deported, and one-quarter of independents agree (25%). Roughly 8 in 10 Democrats, 6 in 10 independents, and 4 in 10 Republicans agree that at least illegal immigrants charged with crimes should be deported, while others should be offered a path to stay. On the current approach to deportation, however, views are divided. Half, 49%, feel ICE has been too aggressive in its efforts to deport illegal immigrants while a quarter (24%) say it has not been aggressive enough. Nearly 3 in 10 say deportation efforts are about right (27%). Most Democrats think ICE is too aggressive (81%), while Republicans are split between saying its actions are about right (43%) or not aggressive enough (40%). Some 17% of Republicans think ICE has been too aggressive. Independents are more likely to say the agency is too aggressive (49%) than about right (28%) or not aggressive enough (23%). FOX NEWS POLL: TRUMP FACING HEADWINDS AT SIX-MONTH MARK When asked what concerns them about illegal immigration, the largest number of voters say that it overburdens government programs (39%). Fewer worry whether it leads to an increase in crime (16%) or terrorism (10%), takes jobs from U.S. citizens (14%), or changes the country’s culture (9%). Concerns about illegal immigration have shifted somewhat compared to 15 years ago. At that time, by a 10-point margin, a greater share were worried about economic issues like overburdening government programs or taking away jobs from citizens (63% in 2010 vs. 53% now), and fewer were concerned about increasing crime (6% in 2010 vs. 16% now). Meanwhile, majorities oppose immigration-related elements included in the new budget legislation, the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” as 55% are against increasing spending on the border wall and 59% oppose spending more on immigrant detention centers. By a 6-point margin, voters think the Republican Party is better able to handle immigration than the Democratic Party, and President Donald Trump’s best job ratings are on border security (56% approve, 44% disapprove) and immigration (48%, 51%). Fewer voters approve on foreign policy (45%, 54%), the economy (44%, 55%), and inflation and tariffs (36%, 62% for both). Overall, 46% approve of his job performance, while 54% disapprove. One reason Trump does so well on border security is that 1 in 5 Democrats approve of the job he’s doing – their highest rating on any issue tested. The same is true of independents as more than half approve, making border security his best issue. A look at Hispanic voters… On illegal immigration, attitudes among Hispanic voters look similar to those among voters overall: 60% support deporting illegal immigrants charged with crimes while 15% support deporting all those here illegally (23% say let all stay). The majority thinks ICE has been too aggressive (57%) with a quarter (24%) saying about right, and 1 in 5 not aggressive enough (19%). More than half of Hispanic voters like Trump’s performance on border security (54% approve) but dislike it on immigration (60% disapprove). Overall, 42% approve and 58% disapprove. And like voters overall, the biggest concern on illegal immigration among Hispanic voters is overburdening government (35%). Otherwise, concern spreads across other issues such as crime (15%), jobs (14%), culture (14%), and terrorism (11%). CLICK HERE FOR CROSSTABS AND TOPLINE Conducted July 18-21, 2025, under the direction of Beacon Research (D) and Shaw & Company Research (R), this Fox News survey includes interviews with a sample of 1,000 registered voters randomly selected from a national voter file. Respondents spoke with live interviewers on landlines (114) and cellphones (636) or completed the survey online after receiving a text (250). Results based on the full sample have a margin of sampling error of ±3 percentage points. Sampling error for results among subgroups is higher (among Hispanic voters it is ±9 percentage points). In addition to sampling error, question wording and order can influence results. Weights are generally applied to age, race, education, and area variables to ensure the demographics of respondents are representative of the registered voter population. Sources for developing weight targets include the American Community Survey, Fox News Voter Analysis and voter file data.
ICE sit-in ‘photo op’ by Maryland Dems blasted by DHS chief Noem
The Department of Homeland Security is bashing Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., and other Democrats for attempting to “squeeze” out headlines by demanding to enter and staging a sit-in at an ICE facility in Baltimore on Monday. Van Hollen has been making headlines for much of this year due to his outspoken support for suspected MS-13 gang member Kilmar Abrego Garcia, who is a Salvadoran illegal immigrant currently on trial for human trafficking charges. Van Hollen and several other House and Senate Democrats from Maryland showed up in Baltimore at the Fallon Federal Building on Monday but were denied entry into an ICE detainment facility in the building. The group of lawmakers also included Sen. Angela Alsobrooks and four members of Maryland’s House delegation: Reps. Glenn Ivey, Johnny Olszewski, Sarah Elfreth and Kweisi Mfume. In a video captured by the Baltimore Sun, Mfume can be heard telling a federal employee, “We expect, quite frankly, that we will be allowed entrance.” DEMOCRATIC PARTY TENSIONS SEEP INTO BIPARTISAN GROUP AS GOVERNORS RESISTING TRUMP’S AGENDA RECONSIDER DUES After being denied access to the facility, the group held a press conference outside the building in which Mfume said, “We had to stand outside, bang on the door, and ultimately sit in front of the door.” After the incident, Olszewski posted on his X, “My Maryland colleagues and I were DENIED ENTRY to the Baltimore ICE detention center—despite following all legal requirements.” He claimed that “Congress has a legal right to inspect ICE facilities,” adding that “amid reports of inhumane conditions, this refusal is alarming.” In response, DHS released a statement saying, “Congressman, if you need a photo op with the violent criminal illegal aliens you are protecting—schedule a TOUR.” DEMS’ SANCTUARY POLICIES SHIELD ‘GANGBANGERS,’ HARM LATINO FAMILIES, BUSINESSES, SAYS HISPANIC GOP LAWMAKER The agency said that requests to visit detention facilities “should be made with sufficient time to prevent interference with the President’s Article II authority to oversee executive department functions.” The statement said that a week “is sufficient to ensure no intrusion on the President’s constitutional authority” and that “any request to shorten that time must be approved” by DHS Secretary Kristi Noem. The agency released another statement asking: “How much publicity can sanctuary politicians squeeze out of one terrorist and suspected human trafficker?” The statement explained that visits to facilities have to be approved by the secretary due to a “surge in assaults, disruptions and obstructions to enforcement, including by politicians themselves.” ICE ARRESTS OVER 200 ILLEGAL ALIEN CHILD SEX OFFENDERS IN HOUSTON AREA IN PAST 6 MONTHS For her part, Noem posted pictures of several illegal immigrant criminals in Maryland she claimed are charged with heinous crimes such as rape, possession of child pornography, sexual abuse of a minor and conspiracy to commit murder. “These are the monsters that @ChrisVanHollen is protecting over Americans victims,” said Noem. In response, Van Hollen’s office directed Fox News Digital to a statement he made on social media in which he said, “Noem lies almost as much as her boss.” Van Hollen said he supports ICE targeting “the worst of the worst” but he claimed that “ICE’s OWN data shows that 72% of people held by ICE have no criminal records and 84% pose NO threat.” He also said that the delegation had requested a visit, while adding “but we didn’t need to—they’re required by LAW to let us conduct oversight.” “This is BS, plain and simple,” said Van Hollen. TRUMP DOJ SUES NEW YORK CITY OVER LONG-STANDING SANCTUARY IMMIGRATION POLICIES According to a DHS statement last week, 70% of U.S. ICE arrests have been of illegal aliens convicted or charged with crimes. This comes as the agency is facing intense criticism for its enforcement of immigration laws and officers are dealing with an 830% increase in assaults. Olszewski’s office also directed Fox News Digital to a statement the congressman made on X, in which he said the delegation was “not looking for a ‘tour,’ nor your permission to do our jobs.” “This is oversight. Congress has the legal authority to enter ICE facilities — with or without notice. But to be clear: we gave the week’s notice you claim to need. Why move goalposts? What are you hiding? This isn’t about any one person, it’s about due process — for everyone,” he said. Ivey’s office shared a letter with Fox News Digital dated July 21 in which the delegation informed Noem and acting ICE Director Todd Lyons of their intent to visit the Baltimore facility. The letter did not appear to be making any request. House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Chairman James Comer, R-Ky., and Ranking Member Robert Garcia, D-Calif., were also included in the letter. The congressman also shared a letter he and Elfreth sent to Noem on July 23 in which the two requested the immediate release of Daniel Fuentes Espinal, a Honduran immigrant and pastor they claimed was wrongfully arrested by ICE. Ivey told Fox News Digital that Noem “doesn’t explain why kids are being arrested at a baseball camp in New York or going to JV Volleyball practice in Massachusetts and a Christian pastor from Maryland’s Eastern Shore is being swept up by ICE. But Trump’s DOJ is dropping murder charges in New York against high level MS-13 gang leaders and deporting them before Justice is done.” Fox News Digital also reached out to the office of Sen. Alsobrooks as well as the offices of Reps. Elfreth and Mfume for comment, but did not receive responses by the time of publication.
Medvedev warns Trump’s new deadline to end Russia-Ukraine conflict is a ‘step towards war’
President Donald Trump’s new deadline for Russia to end the conflict with Ukraine is an additional “step towards war,” according to former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev. Medvedev, now the deputy chairman of the Security Council of Russia, cautioned that Trump’s announcement Monday that Russia must end the conflict with Ukraine in 10 to 12 days would not end well for the U.S. “Trump’s playing the ultimatum game with Russia: 50 days or 10… He should remember 2 things: 1. Russia isn’t Israel or even Iran. 2. Each new ultimatum is a threat and a step towards war. Not between Russia and Ukraine, but with his own country,” Medvedev said in a post on X on Monday. “Don’t go down the Sleepy Joe road!” TRUMP MEETS WITH UK PRIME MINISTER STARMER ON HEELS OF EU TRADE DEAL While Trump announced on July 14 that he would sign off on “severe tariffs” against Russia if Moscow failed to agree to a peace deal within 50 days, Trump said Monday that waiting that period of time was futile amid stalled negotiations. “I’m going to make a new deadline, of about 10 — 10 or 12 days from today,” Trump told reporters from Scotland. “There’s no reason for waiting. It was 50 days. I wanted to be generous, but we just don’t see any progress being made.” Trump’s remarks come as his frustration with Putin has grown in recent weeks amid no progress toward peace between Russia and Ukraine, and just a day after Russia launched more than 300 drones, four cruise missiles and three ballistic missiles into Ukraine, according to the Ukrainian air force. TRUMP ‘DISAPPOINTED’ IN PUTIN, SAYS HE’LL REDUCE 50-DAY DEADLINE Trump called out Putin for providing lip service during their discussions while not taking proactive steps to end the war. As a result, Trump said he’s grown “disappointed” in the Russian leader and that he’s “not so interested in talking anymore” with Putin. “He talks — we have such nice conversations, such respectful and nice conversation. And then, people die the following night,” Trump said Monday. Following Trump’s announcement about whittling down the deadline for a peace deal, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked Trump for his “clear stance and expressed determination” to resolve the conflict. “I thank President Trump for his focus on saving lives and stopping this horrible war,” Zelenskyy said in a post on X on Monday. “Ukraine remains committed to peace and will work tirelessly with the U.S. to make both our countries safer, stronger, and more prosperous.” ZELENSKYY POINTEDLY THANKS TRUMP, AMERICA FOR UKRAINE SUPPORT MONTHS AFTER VANCE’S JAB ABOUT LACK OF GRATITUDE Zelenskyy previously came under scrutiny from Vice President JD Vance in February during an Oval Office meeting for not voicing more gratitude for U.S. support for Kyiv as it battles Moscow. Although Trump has historically boasted about having a solid relationship with Putin, he has publicly voiced increased frustration with Putin in recent weeks as the war rages on between Russia and Ukraine. “We get a lot of bulls— thrown at us by Putin, if you want to know the truth,” Trump said during a Cabinet meeting on July 8. “He’s very nice to us all the time, but it turns out to be meaningless.” Fox News Digital’s Caitlin McFall contributed to this report.
Secret Service debuts ‘Golf Force One’ armored vehicle to protect Trump while he plays his favorite sport
Move over, Air Force One — a new armored vehicle outfitted for presidential protection is in town, this one specifically for golf outings. The vehicle specifically designed for ballistic protection, dubbed “Golf Force One,” seemingly made its public debut during a round of golf between President Donald Trump and his son, Eric, at the Trump golf course in Turnberry, Scotland, over the weekend. The White House confirmed “Golf Force One” is “part of the presidential fleet of specialty vehicles,” but did not share any further details. It comes 10 months after an assassination attempt on Trump while he was playing golf at his Florida course. According to the General Services Administration, a Polaris UTV can be outfitted by Chicago company Scaletta Armor with an “add-on armor kit to Polaris XP 1000 Ranger UTV with protection scalable to mission.” The kit costs around $190,000. EVERYTHING TO KNOW ABOUT TURNBERRY, SCOTLAND, HOME OF TRUMP GOLF COURSE Trump was in Scotland for a meeting with United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer. During the golf outing, Trump was seen cruising around in a regular golf cart, with the armored vehicle following a fleet of carts carrying Secret Service agents. The president is known to enjoy driving his own cart, but the UTV was likely on hand in case of an emergency requiring additional protection in such a wide-open space. During the last Trump assassination attempt — on Sept. 15, 2024 at the Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida — a Secret Service agent conducting a sweep saw a man hiding in the brush along the fence line of the sixth hole. TRUMP SHOWS OFF GOLF SKILLS AT TURNBERRY RESORT DURING SCOTLAND VISIT, CITES GARY PLAYER’S PRIOR PRAISE “The agent observed the barrel of a rifle aimed directly at him,” a Justice Department press release suggested. “As the agent began backing away, he saw the rifle barrel move, and the agent fired at [Ryan Wesley] Routh.” That came after last July when shooter Thomas Matthew Crooks opened fire at the president during a Butler, Pennsylvania, rally, killing an attendee behind Trump. In 2020, Iran posted a digitized video of a drone targeting Trump on a golf course in a “vengeance” strike over the killing of Iranian General Qassem Soleimani. “Golf Force One” joins a fleet of armored vehicles that includes the Beast, the 10-ton mobile fortress equipped with walls eight inches thick and layered, five-inch windows of reinforced glass that can stop high-caliber rounds. It’s capable of distributing tear gas, grenades, and pump-action shotguns.
Thailand, Cambodia reach ceasefire deal to end conflict that displaced 260K, Trump says
Thailand and Cambodia reached a ceasefire deal “through trade,” President Donald Trump announced Monday, ending a burgeoning conflict that displaced 260,000 people. The declaration from Trump comes after he said over the weekend that he had spoken to the leaders of Cambodia and Thailand, urging a ceasefire, adding the U.S. would not get back to the “trading table” with the southeast Asian countries until fighting stops. The fighting began Thursday after a land mine explosion along the border wounded five Thai soldiers. Both sides blamed each other for starting the clashes that have killed at least 35 people and displaced more than 260,000 people on both sides. “Numerous people were killed and I was dealing with two countries that we get along with very well, very different countries from certain standpoints. They’ve been fighting for 500 years intermittently. And, we solved that war … we solved it through trade,” Trump told reporters during his trip to Scotland. MULTIPLE PEOPLE KILLED IN MASS SHOOTING INCIDENT AT BANGKOK MARKET: POLICE “I said, ‘I don’t want to trade with anybody that’s killing each other.’ So we just got that one solved. And I’m going to call the two prime ministers who I got along with very, very well and speak to them right after this meeting and congratulate them. But it was an honor to be involved in that. That was going to be a very nasty war. Those wars have been very, very nasty,” Trump also said. “By ending this War, we have saved thousands of lives. I have instructed my Trade Team to restart negotiations on Trade. I have now ended many Wars in just six months — I am proud to be the President of PEACE!” Trump added in a post on Truth Social. As part of the ceasefire deal, military commanders from both sides will begin to hold talks Tuesday to defuse tensions while Cambodia will host a border committee meeting on Aug. 4, according to Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. He added that the foreign and defense ministers of Malaysia, Cambodia and Thailand have also been instructed to “develop a detailed mechanism” to implement and monitor the ceasefire to ensure sustained peace. TRUMP CALLS FOR IMMEDIATE CEASEFIRE BETWEEN CAMBODIA AND THAILAND AMID ESCALATING VIOLENCE It is “time to start rebuilding trust, confidence and cooperation going forward between Thailand and Cambodia,” Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet said during a press conference in Malaysia alongside Thai Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai. Secretary of State Marco Rubio wrote on X that the U.S. “applauds the ceasefire declaration between Cambodia and Thailand announced today in Kuala Lumpur.” “President Trump made this happen. Give him the Nobel Peace Prize!” added White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt. Fox News’ Brie Stimson and the Associated Press contributed to this report.
Bad Brand: Democrats plunge to new lows in another national poll
Democratic National Committee (DNC) Chair Ken Martin isn’t sugar-coating his party’s problems. “We do have a brand problem,” the DNC chair said in a recent Fox News Digital interview. And in what’s starting to sound like a broken record, the Democratic Party hit another historic low in a national poll this past weekend. Only a third of those questioned in a Wall Street Journal survey said they held a favorable view of the party, with 63% holding an unfavorable opinion of the Democrats. WHAT THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY CHAIR TOLD FOX NEWS DIGITAL That’s the highest unfavorable rating for the party in a Wall Street Journal poll dating back 35 years. While the favorable ratings for President Donald Trump (45%-52%) and the Republican Party (43%-54%) in the poll were nothing to brag about, they weren’t as deeply underwater as the Democrats’ favorability. “The Democratic brand is so bad that they don’t have the credibility to be a critic of Trump or the Republican Party,” said longtime Democrat pollster John Anzalone, who conducts Wall Street Journal polling along with veteran Republican pollster Tony Fabrizio. POLL POSITION: DEMOCRATIC PARTY’S NUMBERS SINK TO NEW LOWS The Wall Street Journal survey, which was conducted July 16-20, is the latest this month to indicate the plunge in Democratic Party polling. Just 28% of Americans viewed the party favorably, according to a CNN poll conducted July 10-13. That’s the lowest mark for Democrats in the entire history of CNN polling, going back over 30 years. And just 19% of voters questioned in a Quinnipiac University national poll in the field July 10-14 gave Democrats in Congress a thumbs up on how they’re handling their duties, with 72% disapproving. That’s an all-time low since Quinnipiac University first began asking congressional approval questions in their surveys 16 years ago. The Democratic Party has been in the political wilderness since last year’s elections. Not only did the party lose control of the White House and Senate and failed to win back the House majority, but Republicans made gains among Black, Hispanic and younger voters, all traditional members of the Democratic Party’s base. Since Trump’s return to power earlier this year, an increasingly energized base of Democrats is urging party leaders to take a stronger stand in pushing back against the president’s sweeping and controversial second-term agenda. Their anger is directed not only at Republicans, but at Democrats they feel aren’t vocal enough in their opposition to Trump. RNC CHAIR SAYS ‘BIG BEAUTIFUL BILL’ KEY TO GOP’S MESSAGING EFFORT HEADED INTO MIDTERMS That has fueled a plunge in the Democratic Party’s favorable ratings, which have hit historic lows in several surveys this year. “When you hit rock bottom, there’s only one direction to go, and that’s up, and that’s what we’re doing,” Martin said last week in his Fox News Digital interview. Martin said “people have bought into this idea that Donald Trump and the Republicans best represent their interests for the future.” And that’s reflected in the Wall Street Journal poll. Even though Trump’s overall approval ratings and his numbers specifically on how he’s handling the economy are in negative territory, the survey indicates voters still trust Republicans over Democrats on the economy by 10 points. But there is a silver lining in the poll for Democrats. By a 46%-43% margin, voters questioned in the survey said they would back a Democrat for Congress over a Republican. Democrats are aiming to win back the House and Senate majorities in next year’s midterm elections. In Wall Street Journal polling eight years ago, Democrats held an eight-point advantage, a year ahead of a blue wave that swept the party back into power as they grabbed the House majority in the 2018 midterms during the first Trump administration.