Fears of China spying on US military prompt GOP hawks to demand retaliation against the shipping giant
FIRST ON FOX: Three top House Republicans are demanding a Chinese shipping giant be stripped of special privileges at American ports over concerns the vessels are allegedly spying on U.S. military communications, according to a letter exclusively obtained by Fox News Digital. COSCO, a shipping and logistics company owned by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and based in Shanghai, has received favorable treatment under a Coast Guard program designed to reward trusted commercial operators. But China hawks in Congress want to revoke those privileges following a September report that the vessels are being used to gather intelligence. In an Oct. 14 letter, three top Republican lawmakers identified that as of July 15, 2026, there were 11 COSCO vessels listed in the Coast Guard’s Quality Shipping for the 21st Century program, known as Qualship 21 — despite the Pentagon designating them as a Chinese military company. House China Committee Chairman John Moolenaar, House Intelligence Committee Chairman Rep. Rick Crawford, R-Ark., and Rep. Carlos Gimenez, chairman of the Homeland Security Subcommittee on Transportation and Maritime Security, are pressing Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin to revoke COSCO vessels’ enrollment in the Coast Guard’s program. It follows a September’s reporting that COSCO vessels used sophisticated, concealed equipment to intercept military communications and gather intelligence about encryption technologies off American coastlines. The Coast Guard program was created to allow vessels with strong safety and compliance records to undergo fewer routine inspections when entering U.S. ports. But the lawmakers argue in their letter that COSCO’s alleged espionage activities and ties to China’s military raise serious questions about why its ships have qualified for preferential treatment. CHINA ‘WIRETAPPED RED SEA’ WITH SPY HUB 6 MILES FROM US BASE: EX PENTAGON OFFICIAL WARNS The allegations, attributed to senior U.S. officials, have fueled concerns that Chinese commercial vessels could serve as intelligence-gathering platforms while operating near sensitive American military facilities. COSCO has denied the allegations, calling them unfounded and maintaining that its onboard communications and navigation equipment is used exclusively for legitimate commercial purposes. The company has said none of its equipment was used to intercept military communications or gather intelligence. COSCO is one of the world’s largest shipping companies and is owned by the Chinese government. Its sprawling commercial fleet operates along major global trade routes, including routes serving American ports. The Pentagon added COSCO to its Section 1260H list of Chinese military companies in January 2025, citing its ownership by a Chinese state agency, activities allegedly conducted on behalf of the People’s Liberation Army and contributions to Beijing’s military-civil fusion strategy, which seeks to harness civilian industries and technologies for military purposes. WALL STREET BANKS HELPED CHINESE MILITARY-LINKED FIRM RAISE BILLIONS DESPITE RED FLAGS, LAWMAKERS FIND The designation does not automatically bar COSCO vessels from entering American ports. But the lawmakers are questioning why a company identified by the Pentagon as having ties to China’s military should continue benefiting from a Coast Guard program that reduces inspection frequency. The Coast Guard updated Qualship 21 eligibility rules earlier this year, expanding the circumstances under which vessels could be removed from the program, including certain associations with sanctioned entities. The lawmakers are now pressing DHS on whether Pentagon national security designations should also factor into eligibility decisions. In the letter first obtained by Fox News Digital, the lawmakers urged DHS to revoke COSCO vessels’ enrollment, refuse future renewals and increase scrutiny of other shipping companies with ties to the CCP and Chinese military. They are also demanding to know whether the Coast Guard received intelligence warnings about COSCO’s alleged surveillance operations before the allegations became public in September — and whether those warnings were considered when deciding if its vessels should retain their privileged status. The lawmakers specifically questioned whether the Coast Guard reviewed COSCO’s eligibility following its Pentagon designation and whether intelligence officials have identified similar risks involving other Chinese or Hong Kong-based shipping operators. Their concerns extend to what the Coast Guard is doing to detect potential espionage aboard commercial vessels already operating in American waters. The letter questions whether authorities have conducted additional boardings of COSCO ships, investigated crew members potentially involved in intelligence collection or examined historical shipping routes for unusual movements that could indicate surveillance activities. The lawmakers also questioned whether the Coast Guard has sufficient legal authority to counter suspected intelligence operations aboard foreign commercial ships, or whether additional coordination with other federal agencies is necessary. The inquiry reaches beyond COSCO. The lawmakers raised the possibility of removing Hong Kong from the Coast Guard’s list of qualified flag administrations, citing concerns about Beijing’s control over the territory. The letter was copied to the director of national intelligence and the Coast Guard commandant. Fox News Digital reached out to COSCO, DHS and the Coast Guard for comment but did not hear back at time of publication.
Obama’s billion-dollar baby: Chicago center’s price tag hits monumental milestone, tripling original estimate
FIRST ON FOX – The price tag for the beleaguered Obama Presidential Center is now projected to top $1 billion, nearly triple its original estimate, the foundation overseeing construction of the Chicago facility told Fox News Digital. Confirmation of the 10-figure cost marks another chapter in the troubled history of the much-delayed project, which opened five years behind schedule amid controversy over its use of public parkland and claims that subcontractors were stiffed out of millions of dollars. It comes as newly released financial records reviewed by Fox News Digital offer a fresh look at the finances of the Obama Foundation, the former president’s private nonprofit that oversaw construction of the billion-dollar project. The sprawling campus on the Windy City’s south side was originally expected to open in 2021, with construction costs estimated at $300 million to $350 million. But years of federal reviews, legal challenges and construction delays preceded its eventual opening in June 2026, by which time projected costs had skyrocketed to approximately $850 million. Hailed by Democrats and supporters as a historic investment in the community and a tribute to the former president’s legacy, the center was promoted as a catalyst for jobs, economic growth and new opportunities for underserved communities. BUREAUCRATS HIDE TRUE PRICE OF OBAMA PRESIDENTIAL CENTER AS TAXPAYERS HIT WITH INFRASTRUCTURE BILL “While we continue to reconcile costs and plan ahead for additional capital improvements, we anticipate our total cost for constructing the campus is approximately $1 billion — again, all raised in private contributions,” Emily Bittner, the Obama Foundation’s vice president of communications, told Fox News Digital. “This includes investments in additional public art, insurance, scope changes in our Home Court, project management and exhibit installation, among other categories.” The campus serves as both a museum dedicated to Obama’s presidency and the headquarters of the Obama Foundation. It also features a public library branch and an athletic center, but unlike traditional presidential libraries, it does not house his original presidential records, although digital versions and artifacts are featured in its museum. The climb toward the $1 billion mark has seemed inevitable in recent years, with approximately $909 million in construction-related costs recorded by the end of 2025, when the project was about 80% complete, according to its newly released audited financial statements. The Obama Foundation’s newly released financial disclosures cover the nonprofit’s entire operation, not just the Chicago campus. It also runs leadership, education and community programs across the United States and around the world. The tax filings show donations and grants fell to approximately $151 million in 2025, down from $195 million in 2024. Fundraising has fluctuated sharply in recent years, falling from $311 million in 2022 to $129 million in 2023 before rebounding in 2024 and declining again last year. OBAMA PRESIDENTIAL CENTER SUBCONTRACTORS FILE FRESH PAYMENT CLAIMS TOTALING NEARLY $900K Total liabilities climbed to approximately $103.5 million in 2025, during the final stages of the center’s construction, up from $35 million in 2024 and $20 million in 2022. The Obama Foundation’s outstanding borrowing also rose from $15 million at the end of 2025 to approximately $63.5 million by July 2026, according to its audited financial statements. The nonprofit said it borrowed the money to cover short-term costs during the final stages of construction and that the loans were not secured against its rights to the property. Its money and investments available to cover everyday expenses also fell from approximately $265 million in 2024 to $101 million in 2025. Brian Mittendorf, a nonprofit accounting professor at the Ohio State University who reviewed the Obama Foundation’s tax filings and audited financial statements, said the nonprofit remains on solid financial footing, with more than $1.1 billion in net assets at the end of 2025. “In terms of the organization’s overall financial health, again, I would say financial health looks quite good,” Mittendorf told Fox News Digital. “They have a decent amount of cash, investments, liquidity, and so on. So it’s not like they’re in financial difficulty by any means.” However, he noted that much of the foundation’s wealth is tied up in the Presidential Center, rather than assets that could readily be converted into cash. “Bottom line to me: I don’t see a short-term financial distress here, but I do see an organization that has tied up a lot of its resources in its buildings, which means more costs to come and the need for more revenues to make this sustainable,” he said. OBAMA CENTER SUBCONTRACTOR SHUTS DOWN AMID $4M FIGHT, LAYS OFF 25 Mittendorf warned that raising money to maintain the sprawling campus could prove more challenging than funding its construction. “It’s much easier to raise money when it’s for building a building than it is for doing upkeep or paying for insurance or paying utilities,” he said. Obama Foundation officials said its operating costs are covered by revenue and private donations, although they did not provide a figure for the center’s annual operating and maintenance expenses. The Obama Presidential Center sits on 19.3 acres of historic public parkland in Jackson Park. It secured the site through a 99-year agreement with the city for a one-time payment of just $10. While the foundation funded construction, the land and buildings are legally owned by the City of Chicago. Critics have long raised concerns over the foundation’s failure to fully fund a proposed $470 million endowment — a financial safety net designed to generate income for the center’s upkeep and reduce the risk of taxpayers footing the bill if the project runs into trouble. A previous Fox News Digital investigation found that just $1 million had been set aside for years. Newly released financial statements show the Foundation’s overall endowment grew to approximately $14.2 million by the end of 2025, although it remains unclear how much of that money is specifically reserved for the Presidential Center. Obama Foundation officials said the agreement with the city of Chicago required them to establish an endowment, not fully fund it, before taking control of the site.
DOJ gives California 48 hours to review list of possible noncitizens on voter rolls
The Justice Department is threatening California with possible legal action after it says the state mailed ballots to noncitizens ahead of the midterm elections. The DOJ sent a letter on Tuesday to California Secretary of State Shirley Weber informing her that federal officials provided Los Angeles County election officials with a list of names of individuals who authorities believe to be noncitizens. Acting Deputy U.S. Attorney Trent McCotter warned that the state has 48 hours to confirm whether any of the individuals on the list were mailed ballots for the November 3 election. That deadline will expire later on Thursday. “If you cannot implement this process by then, given the ongoing federal election, the United States will have no choice but to seek emergency relief,” the letter states. MORE THAN A QUARTER-MILLION NONCITIZENS MAY BE REGISTERED TO VOTE IN 4 KEY STATES, DHS ALLEGES Weber released a statement protesting the federal demands on Wednesday, connecting it to earlier efforts by the DOJ to expunge noncitizens from California’s voter rolls. DOJ GIVES NEW JERSEY 5 DAYS TO HAND OVER VOTER DATA AFTER NONCITIZEN REGISTRATION SCANDAL “In July of this year, President Trump and DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin made (still) unsubstantiated claims that California had 190,000 noncitizens on its voter rolls. Given the many high-profile examples of states purging U.S. citizens from their voter rolls based on DHS/SAVE data, SOS immediately requested written information about their methodology and data sources to back up their claims. They refused and provided California with nothing,” Weber said in a statement. “Now the USDOJ, under threat of ’emergency’ litigation, demands that California blindly trust this administration without any evidence or legal authority to justify its request,” she continued. WATCH: TRUMP DOJ VOWS TO PURSUE ‘EVERY SINGLE’ VOTING VIOLATION AFTER NJ ROLL SHOCKER “The USDOJ’s relentless efforts to unlawfully gain access to states’ protected voter data and purge voter rolls serve only to cause chaos and fuel public distrust in our elections,” Weber added. “California has robust state law requirements that only U.S. citizens can register to vote and that any non-eligible registrants are removed from the State’s voter rolls. My office and California election officials remain committed — as always — to ensuring a fair and smooth 2026 General Election.” President Donald Trump’s administration has heightened scrutiny on state voter rolls since gaining office, as part of the president’s wider interest in election integrity. TRUMP SCORES SUPREME COURT WIN IN ELECTION INTEGRITY FIGHT AS STATES GAIN NEW VOTER ROLL TOOL The administration received approval by the Supreme Court in late September to move forward with its massive voter verification system. The September 25 emergency order allowed states, for now, to use a Department of Homeland Security program called Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) in their efforts to verify the eligibility of voters on their rolls, as the DOJ has done in the California case. TRUMP SCORES SUPREME COURT WIN ON MAIL-IN VOTING RESTRICTIONS BEFORE MIDTERMS The court’s order put on hold a federal judge’s June ruling that had deemed the Republican administration’s recently revamped version of SAVE illegal. U.S. District Court Judge Sparkle L. Sooknanan had blocked the use of the tool, saying it violated Americans’ privacy rights and could result in voters being wrongly removed from the rolls. The Trump administration moved to expand SAVE after the president signed an executive order directing the creation of a federal voter registration list and imposed new restrictions on eligibility for voting by mail as part of a broader effort to combat voter fraud. Fox News’ Greg Norman and the Associated Press contributed to this report.
Talarico dismisses past comments about God and gender as ‘provocative’ while invoking Charlie Kirk
Texas’ Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico dismissed his past comments referring to God as “nonbinary” and using the Bible to justify his pro-choice stance on abortion during a Wednesday night CNN town hall. Participating in a “Jubilee”-style town hall in which voters confronted him one-on-one, Talarico met with a fellow Christian from Texas who pressed him on his past statements. “You’ve said some concerning things in the past kind of related to faith and social issues. Things such as God is nonbinary, questions about how many genders there really are and your justifications using the Bible for abortion,” Sarah Gardner, a small business owner, said to Talarico. TALARICO SAYS HE ‘HATES CHRISTIANITY’ IN UNEARTHED INTERVIEW WITH TRANSGENDER ‘LATINX’ THEOLOGIAN “And so, I think that’s led a lot of Christian voters to question the authenticity of your faith. And I wanted to ask you a very direct question. Do you believe that the Bible is the absolute source of truth and God’s final authoritative word, even when our culture says otherwise?” she asked. “Yes,” Talarico replied. “And I think it’s important to remember that even the early church, the disciples who actually knew Jesus of Nazareth, the early church, we often talk about as a singular body when, in reality, was more like early churches because there was a lot of disagreement, there was a lot of debate.” TED CRUZ, CONSERVATIVES RESPOND AFTER TALARICO CRITICIZES BIBLE-RELATED EDUCATION IN SCHOOLS AS ‘PROPAGANDA’ Talarico then went on to explain his past comments as being “provocative,” drawing a parallel to his own interpretation of scripture to Charlie Kirk’s. “I actually want to clarify a few of the things that you said, because I know that this has been used in these attack ads all over the state,” he began. UNEARTHED CLIP SHOWS TALARICO CALLING PARENTS ‘ABUSIVE’ FOR DENYING CHILDREN’S GENDER IDENTITY “The first comment about God not being defined by gender, when I said that I was being provocative. And I want to admit that and come clean about that. But I think what I was saying is actually not controversial theologically. The idea that we can’t define God using human categories, not only did I say that, but the late Charlie Kirk said that, the late Pope Benedict said that. And so, yes, I was doing it, maybe in an annoying way, I can admit that,” he said. Talarico, a state senator in Texas, previously said, “God is both masculine and feminine, and everything in between. God is nonbinary. In Genesis 1:26, God speaks of God’s self in the plural, saying, ‘Let us make man in our image.’” EXPERT TEARS APART TALARICO’S VIRAL CLAIM HIS AGENDA IS BASED ON JESUS’S TEACHINGS: ‘BUTCHERING THE BIBLE’ He also dismissed the notion that the Bible refers to abortion. “The idea that there is a set Christian orthodoxy on the issue of abortion is just not rooted in Scripture,” he said during a 2025 appearance on The Joe Rogan Experience. Fox News Digital reached out to the Talarico campaign for further comment.
This sparsely populated red state quietly climbed to the top of America’s financial rankings
Of the 50 U.S. states, 24 don’t have enough money to cover their bills. Meanwhile, one under-the-radar red state stands apart from the rest, according to a new analysis of state finances. North Dakota ranked No. 1 in Truth in Accounting’s 2026 Financial State of the States report, ending fiscal year 2025 with $21 billion more than it needed to pay the state’s bills. That financial cushion gave North Dakota the highest “Taxpayer Surplus” in the country at $72,300. The taxpayer surplus figure does not mean that the state’s residents receive that amount of money back in their pockets at the end of the year — rather, it represents each taxpayer’s share of the state’s surplus under the group’s methodology. The divide between the states with surplus versus those with burden matters, especially when the economy weakens. States with stronger balance sheets have more room to weather downturns, maintain public services and meet retirement obligations, while states carrying large unfunded debts can face tougher choices over taxes, spending and borrowing when revenues fall. THINK YOUR STATE IS EXPENSIVE? NEW DATA REVEALS WHERE AMERICANS FACE THE HIGHEST COST-OF-LIVING North Dakota’s financial position was bolstered by its Legacy Fund, a state investment fund built with oil tax revenue. Although oil, gas and coal tax revenues declined amid lower energy prices, strong investment earnings and federal grant revenue helped offset the drop, according to the report. North Dakota was followed in the rankings by Alaska, Wyoming, Utah and Tennessee. The five states all had taxpayer surpluses ranging from $11,400 in Tennessee to topping out in North Dakota with $72,300. Those handful of states’ financial position stands in sharp contrast to nearly half the country. The report found that 24 states did not have enough available assets to cover their financial obligations. New Jersey ranked last, with a $162.3 billion shortfall. Truth in Accounting translates that gap into a $45,800 “Taxpayer Burden,” the highest in the country. Connecticut ranked 49th, followed by Illinois, Massachusetts and California. The bottom five states had taxpayer burdens ranging from $16,000 in California to $45,800 in New Jersey. THE RED STATES CHARGING AHEAD WITH AMERICA’S WEALTH AS RIVALS WATCH BILLIONS SLIP AWAY Long-term retirement obligations are a major source of pressure on state finances. Across the country, states had $775 billion in unfunded pension liabilities and $490 billion in unfunded retiree health care obligations in fiscal 2025, according to the report. Despite those shortfalls, most states improved financially in 2025. Strong investment returns boosted pension assets and helped reduce unfunded pension obligations, though Truth in Accounting cautioned that those gains can reverse when markets fall. AN OVERLOOKED RED STATE QUIETLY BUILT ONE OF AMERICA’S MOST COMPETITIVE TAX SYSTEMS
Most dramatic moments from Rep Mike Lawler’s fiery debate against Dem Cait Conley in battle for House control
Tensions flared on the debate stage Wednesday night, where Rep. Mike Lawler, R-N.Y., faced off against Democrat military veteran Cait Conley to represent their suburban New York district in Congress. Lawler is vying for a third term representing the Empire State‘s 17th Congressional District. One of the few swing seats left in Congress, the race could prove decisive for which party controls the House of Representatives for the latter half of President Donald Trump’s term. Below are some of the most dramatic moments during their one-hour head-to-head on PIX11 News: HOW ONE NYC SUBURB COULD DECIDE WHICH PARTY CONTROLS THE HOUSE While the debate was filled with the two political rivals criticizing each other, one tense moment came when Lawler turned his ire on moderator Dan Mannarino. Mannarino had asked both Conley and Lawler what should be done to rein in Immigration and U.S. Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents who run afoul of their own guidelines, invoking the recent shooting of an illegal immigrant in the Bronx by federal officers while the man’s 5-year-old was in the car. Lawler pointed to the man’s rap sheet and accused Democrat state leaders of creating the situation with their sanctuary policies and Gov. Kathy Hochul’s recent bail reforms. He also accused Conley of supporting those policies. The moderator began, “Mr. Lawler, I just want to follow up. The question was, how do you ensure if ICE agents do not follow through objectives, and what’s the discipline —” “I understand the question,” Lawler said amid the cross-talk. PROTESTS ERUPT IN THE BRONX AFTER ICE AGENT SHOOTS MAN DURING IMMIGRATION OPERATION “But you didn’t answer the question,” Mannarino said. “I understand the question. But here’s the problem, Danny,” Lawler shot back. “You guys want to focus on a gangbanger who has put people in harm’s way? I want to make sure that our communities are safe.” ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT ACCUSED OF MURDERING COLLEGE STUDENT DIALS INTO HEARING FROM HOSPITAL BED The GOP incumbent notably used the immigration standoff to pivot to the case of Sheridan Gorman, a teen from his district who was shot and killed near her college campus in Chicago earlier this year. The accused is an illegal immigrant who was previously arrested for shoplifting but was never turned over to ICE due to Chicago‘s sanctuary policies. Conley called Gorman’s death an “atrocious crime,” while Lawler repeatedly said over her, “It was preventable.” SHERIDAN GORMAN’S MOM SCORCHES DEM LAWMAKERS SHE SAYS REFUSED TO HEAR FAMILIES OF SLAIN AMERICANS “Can I finish?” an irate Conley shot back. “It was an atrocious crime committed in Chicago. And that man should have been deported. And I do support federal agents and federal law enforcement, federal immigration enforcement, making sure that we deport violent criminals.” Lawler then pointed out, however, that the man would only have been deported if the sanctuary laws were not in place — laws he has repeatedly accused Conley of supporting along with her fellow Democrats. “This is important,” Lawler began as the moderator tried to regain control. “If you think he should have been deported when he was arrested for shoplifting, he should have been turned over to ICE. Under the new law that you support, he will not be turned over to ICE, and he will be released under cashless bail.” “Mr. Lawler, there’s not a cross-examination round, so thank you,” the moderator said. Conley quipped at her GOP rival, “If you wanted to be the moderator, you should have volunteered.” At another point, the candidates were asked whether there should be a federal definition or law for consent to help stop sexual assault. Conley took the moment to attack Lawler for being allied with Rep. Max Miller, R-Ohio, a fellow House Republican who has been accused of domestic violence by his wife. Miller has denied the allegations. Lawler said their matter was “tragic” and should be dealt with in family court without blaming either side. He then accused Conley of taking money from former New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer, who was revealed to be a client in a 2008 federal probe into a prostitution ring. Spitzer was never criminally prosecuted and resigned from his governorship amid the scandal. “I’m sorry. I do not need — I do not need you to mansplain to me, domestic abuse and sexual assault against women,” Conley snapped. “Don’t start. I do not need you to mansplain to me, Mike.”
Woke megachurch pastor, Dem nominee called for repentance over White privilege in wake of George Floyd, BLM
A former pastor and candidate running to make history in deep-red Kansas once suggested that people should repent for their White privilege as protests against the death of George Floyd rippled through the country. During the tumultuous summer of 2020, just days after Floyd’s killing in Minnesota, Adam Hamilton called on his congregation at the Church of the Resurrection to recognize their White privilege and repent. “Like part of what I know is that, is that I grew up in a way that I’m blind to certain things in our society,” Hamilton said during a sermon dubbed “Jesus, Protests and Repentance.” “I just am. And I have certain benefits by virtue of being educated, White and male, right?” KANSAS DEMOCRAT BEGS KAMALA HARRIS NOT TO CAMPAIGN WITH HIM, ‘PLEASE DO NOT COME TO MY STATE’ “And we don’t like to hear that, especially White folks don’t like to hear that. But there are benefits that come along with that,” he continued. Hamilton is running against Sen. Roger Marshall, R-Kan., in what has become one of the tightest races of this midterm cycle, despite Kansas’ near-century-long history of not sending a Democratic candidate to the Senate. “Roger Marshall wants to talk about anything other than his history of suing and jailing mothers and protecting predators by voting against releasing the Epstein Files,” Tyson Brody, a spokesperson for Hamilton’s campaign, told Fox News Digital. “Once again, he’s attacking Adam for something Roger said himself. Roger’s own pastor called Adam ‘middle of the road.’ Kansans are tired of high gas and grocery prices and ready for a senator who won’t divide us by race, religion, income, or ability to pay a medical bill at 18% interest.” Republicans acknowledge that they are facing headwinds going into November’s election, but until recently, the contest between Marshall and Hamilton wasn’t of much concern for the GOP. SCHUMER WARNS OF REPUBLICAN ADVANTAGE THAT COULD CHANGE THE BATTLE FOR SENATE CONTROL Now, the race has taken a turn and been rated a toss-up by the Cook Political Report as voters fume over the cost of fuel, groceries and other economic pain. In response, national Republicans are beginning to dump more resources into the contest to ensure that they maintain the seat. Throughout the race, Marshall has largely aligned himself with President Donald Trump, only rarely breaking from the administration on certain decisions — last month he called for more advance notice and cooperation between the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Kansas government after federal immigration agents descended on the southern part of the state. Marshall has painted Hamilton as a “woke” megachurch pastor, delivering left-leaning ideals from the pulpit. ‘JESUS WAS A RADICAL’: PROGRESSIVES INVOKE CHRIST TO SELL LEFT-WING AGENDA ON CAMPAIGN TRAIL So has an outside group based in Massachusetts, the Main Street Fund, which ran an ad in Kansas that spliced portions of two different sermons and charged that Hamilton was “way too woke for Kansas,” shortly after Hamilton won his primary, The Kansas City Star reported. During the sermon from June 2020 amid the Black Lives Matter (BLM) protests, Hamilton pushed back against rioting and looting, and argued that while the BLM movement was the focal point at the time, all lives matters. “Of course all lives matter,” Hamilton said. “Everybody understands white lives matter, blue lives matter.” Hamilton continued in his sermon posted on the church’s YouTube page in June 2020 amid the Black Lives Matter protests, “When I’m stopped by the police, I’m never afraid that they’re gonna pull a gun on me.” “But every African American man that I know is worried about what might happen when a police pull him over,” Hamilton said at the time. “It’s not that all the police are bad, they’re gonna do something like that, but there’s this fear underneath there. And so the hands go on the steering wheel at 10 and 2. They’ve been taught that from the time they were children. Right?” “I wasn’t taught that, because I don’t have to be afraid of that. Right? And there’s a whole host of other things that are just a part of life. You know, I can … well, you get the idea. There are benefits and privileges to my place in life. I have to recognize that,” he continued. “To see that. And then I have to listen. I have to listen and understand, and finally be able to see the brokenness in myself, and my indifference. Before I can do anything to help anyone else, I have to have a conversion. I have to repent.” And Marshall, who was running for his first term in the Senate at the time, struck a similar somber tone as Hamilton six years ago. In various posts to social media and interviews with local outlets, Marshall condemned Floyd’s slaying and pushed for reforms that would ensure what happened in Minnesota and to federal Protective Services Officer Patrick Underwood, who was killed in a drive-by shooting just days after Floyd’s death. “Additionally, Republicans called on Congressional Democrats to work across the aisle to make sure that what happened to George Floyd and Patrick Underwood never happens again, and significant bipartisan reform can be passed,” Marshall said on Facebook following a House Judiciary hearing on police practices and law enforcement accountability.
Press freedom groups that blasted Trump turn fire on Dem governor over alleged media retaliation
A coalition of prominent press freedom organizations that have blasted President Donald Trump’s treatment of journalists is now accusing Democratic Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, a Trump critic himself, of retaliating against news outlets scrutinizing his administration. The accusations came in an Oct. 13 letter from the Freedom of the Press Foundation and six other journalism and civil liberties organizations. The groups raised concerns about the Moore administration’s decision to subject even routine inquiries from reporters at Sinclair-affiliated news outlets and The Baltimore Sun to additional legal review. The additional review came amid a defamation lawsuit filed against Moore by David Smith, executive chairman of Sinclair Broadcast Group and majority owner of The Baltimore Sun. Maryland agencies have explicitly cited Smith’s lawsuit in written responses to reporters, informing journalists at Sinclair-affiliated outlets that their inquiries would be referred to legal counsel before receiving a response. Moore himself has previously criticized Trump’s treatment of journalists. During a Sept. 20 appearance on CNN’s “State of the Union,” the Maryland governor condemned the president’s decision to bar reporters from CNN, MS NOW and Politico from the White House, accusing Trump of treating the Constitution “like it is a suggestion box simply because he does not like the coverage.” WHITE HOUSE WON’T BACK DOWN AS ATTORNEY PREDICTS HOW TRUMP’S LATEST PRESS TUSSLE WILL PLAY OUT IN COURT “It’s particularly offensive that Moore seeks to boost his national profile by slamming the Trump administration’s unconstitutional attempts to ban disfavored media outlets from the White House when he’s engaged in such similar antics himself,” Seth Stern, chief of advocacy at the Freedom of the Press Foundation, said in a statement accompanying the letter. The press freedom groups that joined in condemning Moore, including the Committee to Protect Journalists, PEN America, Reporters Without Borders and the Society of Professional Journalists, argued that journalists should not face different treatment from government officials because of a dispute involving their outlets’ ownership, drawing a comparison to the Trump administration’s restrictions on certain White House reporters. Moore’s office strongly disputed the allegations in a statement to Fox News Digital on Wednesday, insisting that reporters have continued receiving responses from state agencies despite the additional legal scrutiny. BALTIMORE SUN OWNER THREATENS MD GOV WES MOORE WITH LAWSUIT OVER WHAT HE CALLS A DEFAMATORY EPSTEIN LINK “The central premise of this letter is completely false. There is no blanket refusal to engage,” Ammar Moussa, Moore’s senior press secretary and director of media strategy, told Fox News Digital. “In the last week alone, state agencies and the Governor’s Office have answered dozens of questions from Sinclair outlets, and we’re happy to let them share those responses.” “David Smith chose to sue the Governor. Having our legal team look over inquiries is basic due diligence, not a blackout,” Moussa continued. “A litigant doesn’t get to dictate how the state protects itself, but that hasn’t stopped our agencies from doing their jobs for the people of Maryland.” The dispute traces back to a defamation lawsuit Smith filed against the governor in July. Smith accused Moore of making false and damaging statements about him during a television interview, including remarks Smith interpreted as suggesting he had ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Smith, whose media holdings include The Baltimore Sun, has been a frequent target of criticism from Moore, who has accused the newspaper’s ownership of advancing a political agenda aligned with Trump. Smith maintains that the governor’s remarks crossed the line from political criticism into defamation. The lawsuit was filed by Smith personally, rather than the news organizations whose reporters have since faced additional legal review of their inquiries. SIGN UP TO GET THE POLITICS NEWSLETTER “We urge you to instruct all Maryland agencies that Smith’s lawsuit against you is a personal matter and not an excuse to send media requests into a legal review black hole, and to cease any other unlawful retaliation against news outlets you personally dislike,” the coalition letter stated. “It is particularly jarring that, while government agencies under your watch stonewall reporters based on flimsy pretexts, you take to the airwaves to condemn the Trump administration’s unconstitutional ban of news outlets the president doesn’t like from the White House,” the letter continued. “Yes, Trump frequently turns his personal grudges into censorial government policy, to the detriment of the public. But your own conduct appears not much different.”
Former White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt opens up about Trump, motherhood
Former White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt offered a glimpse into her relationship with President Donald Trump during a candid Instagram Q&A, praising her former boss as “kind and uplifting” while opening up about personal life decisions. Leavitt, 29, fielded a variety of questions from her Instagram followers while traveling Wednesday, touching on everything from Trump’s personality to her career plans and life as a mother of two. When asked whether Trump was nice or kind, Leavitt offered insight into his personality. “Yes! He’s the best boss,” she said. LEAVITT PULLS BACK THE CURTAIN ON TRUMP’S ‘TENSE,’ UNFILTERED PRIVATE TALKS WITH PUTIN, XI, STARMER “People don’t see this side of him because the media doesn’t show it but he has been nothing but kind and uplifting to me, even since departing,” she continued. “He’s also hilarious. Love him!” Leavitt, who served as press secretary from January 2025 until August 2026, also addressed a question about landing another job after her decision to leave the White House to spend more time with her children. “As Press Sec, I was working in the office 60+ hours a week, traveling the world, and always on call 24/7,” she said. “Now, I am home with my kids every day and doing some TV hits. These things are not the same, ma’am.” KAROLINE LEAVITT INVITED AS A GUEST ON ABC’S ‘THE VIEW’ AFTER LEAVING WHITE HOUSE ROLE Leavitt also confirmed that she would officially begin working as a Fox News Channel contributor next month. “I will be officially joining Fox News as a TV Contributor on November 1st, so I will continue making appearances on various shows!” she wrote. FOX News Media CEO Suzanne Scott announced Leavitt’s new role earlier this month, and she is expected to provide commentary across the network’s programming. Leavitt previously worked in Trump’s first administration as a presidential writer and assistant press secretary before running for Congress as a Republican in New Hampshire’s 1st Congressional District in 2022. She also served as communications director for then-House Republican Conference Chair Rep. Elise Stefanik. When asked for career advice for people hoping to succeed in public relations or politics, Leavitt encouraged them to gain practical experience before graduating. KAROLINE LEAVITT ANNOUNCES BIRTH OF SECOND CHILD, A GIRL “My advice to people who want to get into politics or comms is to get real world experience when you’re in college,” she said. “You’ll be taught a lot of things in the classroom, but work experience is where you’re really going to learn the game.” Leavitt said she interned at NBC Sports Boston because she initially considered becoming a sideline sports reporter. She also worked at a local news station before securing a White House internship. “Just try to apply for internships, say yes to every opportunity that you can and don’t spend your summers hanging out, spend your summers working and gaining that real world experience, which will help you later in your career.” Leavitt, who made history as the youngest White House press secretary, was also asked how she spends her free time. “I don’t have free time. As a mom of two littles, I’m lucky if I can take a shower in peace. But it’s the season of life I’m in and I wouldn’t have it any other way!!!!” Fox News Digital’s Brian Flood contributed to this report.
Pentagon sends hundreds of Army troops to Latin America for training as drug-trafficking campaign expands
The U.S. military is deploying several hundred Army soldiers to Latin America for training and joint exercises with regional forces as the Trump administration expands its campaign against drug-trafficking networks, Fox News confirmed. The deployment involves soldiers from the Army’s 10th Mountain Division based at Fort Drum, New York, with the first troops from a roughly 600-soldier battalion expected to deploy to Panama, according to The New York Times, which first reported the deployment. A senior U.S. official confirmed to Fox News that the troops are being forward-staged under U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), which will determine where they are ultimately deployed. According to The Times, the troops will first deploy to a new jungle training facility in Panama before eventually training with local forces in Colombia and Honduras. EXCLUSIVE: TRUMP’S NEW SECURITY ALLIANCE FACES FIRST REAL-WORLD TEST DEEP IN SOUTH AMERICA AS TROOPS DEPLOY The troops could also support U.S. special operations personnel who are advising local militaries conducting raids against suspected drug traffickers, the outlet reported. Separately, several hundred soldiers from the 10th Mountain Division are expected to help staff a new Western Hemisphere military command based in Miami. The deployment comes as the Pentagon continues military operations targeting suspected drug traffickers across Latin America and the Caribbean. US MILITARY STRIKES ALLEGED NARCO-TRAFFICKING VESSEL IN CARIBBEAN, KILLING 4 ‘NARCO-TERRORISTS’ Since the campaign began more than a year ago, U.S. forces have conducted dozens of strikes, with more than 235 people killed. Gen. Francis Donovan, commander of SOUTHCOM, previously said the military was considering operations against trafficking networks on land. “Do I see land strikes as options? Yes. We want all options at the table,” Donovan said in an interview with The Wall Street Journal. “Those actions might be strikes, arrests, or the takedown of a safe house,” he continued. “It could even be something as routine as increasing the use of cargo scanners at border checkpoints.” TRUMP ADMIN’S LIST OF US-DESIGNATED ‘FOREIGN TERRORIST’ GROUPS IN LATIN AMERICA EXPANDS TO 21 Donovan added that the goal was to create “total systemic friction” for the cartels. The Trump administration has pursued agreements with allied nations that could allow it to expand military operations against trafficking networks onto land in multiple Latin American countries. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth previously said during a visit to Panama in August that Colombia, Guatemala and Honduras had agreed to allow the U.S. to carry out joint military operations against criminal groups within their borders, although Guatemala denied reaching such an agreement.