Gorsuch scolds Supreme Court litigator in rare, heated exchange
Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch scolded an experienced lawyer during oral arguments Monday in a case centered on disability discrimination in public schools – a rare and heated exchange that surprised many longtime court-watchers. The tense exchange took place during oral arguments in A.J.T. v. Osseo Area Schools, a case centered on whether school districts can be held liable for discriminating against students with disabilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Gorsuch scolded Williams & Connolly lawyer Lisa Blatt, an experienced Supreme Court litigator representing the Minnesota public schools, for accusing the plaintiffs of “lying” in their assertions before the high court. Plaintiffs in the case are representing the parents of a girl with severe epilepsy, who sued the public school for refusing to provide at-home school during the morning, an accommodation she would receive in other districts in the state. 100 DAYS OF INJUNCTIONS, TRIALS AND ‘TEFLON DON’: TRUMP SECOND TERM MEETS ITS BIGGEST TESTS IN COURT The exchange between Gorsuch and Blatt took place after she accused them of lying about the public school’s stance. Counsel “should be more careful with their words,” Gorsuch told Blatt in a warning. “OK well, they should be more careful in mischaracterizing a position by an experienced advocate of the Supreme Court, with all due respect,” Blatt responded. TRUMP ADMINISTRATION ASKS SUPREME COURT TO REVIEW EL SALVADOR DEPORTATION FLIGHT CASE Later, he referenced the lying accusation again. “Ms. Blatt,” Gorsuch told her, “I confess I’m still troubled by your suggestion that your friends on the other side have lied.” “OK,” she fired back. “Let’s pull it up. In oral arguments…” Gorsuch cut in, telling her, “I think we’re going to have to, here. And I’d ask you to reconsider that phrase.” “You can accuse people of being incorrect, but lying–” Gorsuch said, before Blatt attempted to interject. “Ms. Blatt, if I might finish,” Gorsuch said, before continuing: “But lying is another matter.” He then started to read through page one of their brief, before she interrupted again. “I’m not finished,” Gorsuch told her, raising his voice. “Withdraw your accusation, Ms. Blatt,” he then told her of the lying accusation. “Fine, I withdraw,” she shot back. Plaintiffs said on rebuttal only that they would not dignify the name-calling. The exchange sparked some buzz online, including from an experienced appeals court litigator, Raffi Melkonian, who noted of the exchange on social media, “I’ve never heard Justice Gorsuch so angry.”
Gorscuh scolds Supreme Court litigator in rare, heated exchange
Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch scolded an experienced lawyer during oral arguments Monday in a case centered on disability discrimination in public schools – a rare and heated exchange that surprised many longtime court-watchers. The tense exchange took place during oral arguments in A.J.T. v. Osseo Area Schools, a case centered on whether school districts can be held liable for discriminating against students with disabilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Gorsuch scolded Williams & Connolly lawyer Lisa Blatt, an experienced Supreme Court litigator representing the Minnesota public schools, for accusing the plaintiffs of “lying” in their assertions before the high court. Plaintiffs in the case are representing the parents of a girl with severe epilepsy, who sued the public school for refusing to provide at-home school during the morning, an accommodation she would receive in other districts in the state. 100 DAYS OF INJUNCTIONS, TRIALS AND ‘TEFLON DON’: TRUMP SECOND TERM MEETS ITS BIGGEST TESTS IN COURT The exchange between Gorsuch and Blatt took place after she accused them of lying about the public school’s stance. Counsel “should be more careful with their words,” Gorsuch told Blatt in a warning. “Okay well, they should be more careful in mischaracterizing a position by an experienced advocate of the Supreme Court, with all due respect,” Blatt responded. TRUMP ADMINISTRATION ASKS SUPREME COURT TO REVIEW EL SALVADOR DEPORTATION FLIGHT CASE Later, he referenced the lying accusation again. “Ms. Blatt,” Gorsuch told her, “I confess I’m still troubled by your suggestion that your friends on the other side have lied.” “Okay,” she fired back. “Let’s pull it up. In oral arguments…” Gorsuch cut in, telling her, “I think we’re going to have to, here. And I’d ask you to reconsider that phrase.” “You can accuse people of being incorrect, but lying—” Gorsuch said, before Blatt attempted to interject. “Ms. Blatt, if I might finish,” Gorsuch said, before continuing: “But lying is another matter.” He then started to read through page one of their brief, before she interrupted again. “I’m not finished,” Grouch told her, raising his voice. “Withdraw your accusation, Ms. Blatt,” he then told her of the lying accusation. “Fine, I withdraw,” she shot back. Plaintiffs said on rebuttal only that they would not dignify the name-calling. The exchange sparked some buzz online, including from an experienced appeals court litigator, Raffi Melkonian, who noted of the exchange on social media, “I’ve never heard Justice Gorsuch so angry.”
Trump buries Biden foreign policy in first 100 days
One hundred days into his new administration, President Donald Trump has reset negotiations with allies and foes across the globe, and experts say one is certain: it is all transactional. Gone are the days when the U.S. could be drawn to throw its force around the world solely in the name of defending or spreading democracy. Global leaders are learning to speak a new language with U.S. leadership, one that is less about ideology and more about how their interests benefit U.S. interests. “There is a lot more transactional engagement rather than I think we’re ideological-based, policy decisions that were sort of the hallmark of the Biden administration,” said Gregg Roman, executive director of the Middle East Forum. Here is a round-up of how Trump has changed U.S. foreign policy since taking office: FOX NEWS POLL: THE FIRST 100 DAYS OF PRESIDENT TRUMP’S SECOND TERM Former President Joe Biden toyed with reviving a nuclear deal with Iran and criticized Trump’s decision to pull the U.S. out of the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, but his administration made little progress toward serious negotiations. Trump has now expressed interest in a new nuclear deal. He told Israel the U.S. would not come to their aid in attacking Iran until diplomatic negotiations played out. As Trump’s team met with Iranian counterparts in Oman this weekend for a second round of nuclear talks, he issued another threat: if negotiations whither away, the U.S. would not be dragged by Israel into war with Iran but will be “leading the pack.” An offensive campaign against Yemen’s Houthi terrorists launched six weeks ago has struck more than 800 targets and cost nearly $1 billion – a sharp departure from the tit-for-tat retaliatory strikes seen under the Biden administration, when Houthis attacked U.S. naval ships and Western commercial vessels. “Biden pursued a policy of retaliatory strikes: If you hit us, we’ll hit you,” said Roman. “What Trump is trying to do is what I call a salting the earth strategy. If you dare challenge American military supremacy or the ability for us to conduct free trade to the bottom of or through the Gulf of Aden, Gulf of Yemen, Red Sea, Suez … We will attempt to end your ability to wage war on the United States in its interests.” US STRIKES KILL HUNDREDS OF HOUTHI FIGHTERS, HIT OVER 800 RED SEA TARGETS: CENTRAL COMMAND While Biden had promised the U.S. would stand by Ukraine “as long as it takes” in the war against Russia, Trump expressed a desire to see the war come to an end, promising that he could end the war on “day one” of his presidency. One hundred days in, the war is not over. Negotiations are ongoing, and Trump has jumped between sounding off in frustration with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin. As Putin continues to strike even civilian regions of Ukraine, Trump questioned on Saturday whether the Russian leader truly wants peace or is “tapping me along.” He again questioned whether he would need to slap “secondary sanctions” on nations that do business with Russia to starve its war coffers. On Monday, Russia offered a three-day ceasefire from May 8-10, but the White House was not satisfied. Press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Trump wants a “permanent ceasefire.” Trump met face-to-face with Zelenskyy in Rome on Saturday, the first time since their infamous Oval Office spat in February, after slamming Zelenskyy’s latest rejection of his peace proposal, one that would have formally ceded Crimea to the Russians. The Monroe Doctrine is back, analysts say, and Trump wants both Greenland and the Panama Canal under U.S. control. The proposals drew shock across the world, but at least in Panama, Trump’s bold words prompted a proposal to offer the U.S. “first and free” passage for its warships, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said earlier this month. It also spurred the proposed sale of two ports of entry from Hong Kong-based CK Hutchison to U.S.-based BlackRock, though that deal has been delayed by Chinese regulatory and political scrutiny. Efforts to attain Greenland have proved less successful. Tough talk against Denmark and its ownership of Greenland has ratcheted up tensions with the NATO ally and Greenland’s leadership has expressed little interest in becoming a part of the U.S. However, Trump has called out the threat of Russia and China’s increasing arctic military capabilities – the shortest range for a missile to travel from Russia to the U.S. would be over the icy island’s territory. Trump is also interested in the rare earth mining potential of the massive swath of land. Trump’s threats to pull out of the NATO alliance – or refuse to come to the defense of allies that do not contribute enough military spending – has left nations across the world planning for the contingency that they may have to defend themselves without U.S. aid. The European Union announced a plan for its nations to spend $840 billion to “re-arm Europe” after Trump halted all aid to Ukraine in March. Countries like Spain, Belgium and Sweden have all announced plans this year to increase defense spending to meet NATO’s 2% target, while eastern European states near Russia’s border, including Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia and Poland, have announced plans to increase defense spending to around 5%. Concern over China’s hegemonic ambitions bridges the partisan divide, but the Biden White House never considered such drastic measures as 145% tariffs. Trump has said the goal of the tariffs is to both bring back US manufacturing after decades of offshore production and punish China for intellectual property theft, a massive trade imbalance, and fentanyl flowing from China to the U.S. A free trade push in the early 2000s had wrongly assumed liberal trade policies would bring democratic values and free markets into Chinese borders, his supporters argue. Trump has insisted that President Xi Jinping wants to cut a deal to lower the soaring tariffs, even as China has rejected the prospect of talks. It is
Trump poll numbers on economy fall during trade fight, surveys find
President Donald Trump‘s poll numbers on the economy have fallen as his administration continues trade negotiations on his wide-ranging reciprocal tariffs approach. Approximately 55% of Americans think Trump’s policies “worsened economic conditions in the country,” according to a CNN poll conducted by SSRS between April 17-24. That marked an increase from 51% of respondents who said so when the pollster last asked the same question between March 6-9. Approximately 60% of Americans believe Trump’s policies have “affected the cost of living” in their communities, while just 12% say they think Trump’s policies have decreased the cost of living. The poll found 28% of Americans think Trump’s policies have had no effect on the cost of living in their communities so far. REVENGE PORN BILL BACKED BY MELANIA TRUMP HEADS TO PRESIDENT’S DESK AFTER OVERWHELMING HOUSE VOTE Just 34% of Americans described themselves as enthusiastic or optimistic about the economy right now, while 66% of respondents said they were pessimistic or afraid. The poll found 69% of Americans believe it is very or somewhat likely the U.S. economy will go into a recession in the next year. According to the CNN poll, 75% of Americans believe Trump’s policies on tariffs will hurt the U.S. economy in the short term, while just 12% said they would help in the short term. Meanwhile, 53% of Americans believe Trump’s policies on tariffs will hurt in the long term, while 34% of Americans say they will help in the long term. A separate poll, conducted by NPR/PBS News/Marist from April 21-23, found 45% of Americans give Trump a failing grade as he celebrates his 100th day in office. The pollster said that figure was “driven mainly by Democrats (80%).” That survey found 55% of respondents disapprove of how Trump is handling the economy, including 88% of Democrats, 59% of independents, and 17% of Republicans. With just 39% of Americans approving of his handling of the economy, Trump’s overall approval rating sits at 42% – down from the 45% who approved of the job he was doing in March, according to NPR/PBS News/Marist. About 61% of Americans believe Trump has been “rushing to make changes” without considering the consequences of those shifts – a significant uptick from the 56% of respondents who said so in March, according to the pollster. Ahead of his 100th day in office, Trump warned, however, that “the Polls from the Fake News are, like the News itself, FAKE! We are doing GREAT, better than ever before.” FOX NEWS POLL: THE FIRST 100 DAYS OF PRESIDENT TRUMP’S SECOND TERM “The USA lost Billions of Dollars A DAY in International Trade under Sleepy Joe Biden,” Trump wrote on TRUTH Social. “I have now stemmed that tide, and will be making a fortune, very soon. Stay tuned as we MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!!!” The Trump administration’s reciprocal tariffs policies and deregulation plans have brought with them significant disturbances in the market. Joined by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent at Tuesday’s briefing commemorating the 100th day, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the American people should “trust President Trump” on the economy. “There’s a reason he was reelected to this office. It’s because of the historic success of his economic formula in the first term,” Leavitt said. “There’s a proven formula that works. Massive deregulation, energy independence and tax cuts, which are coming in…. If you want to talk about that, that’s a huge deal to put more money back into the pockets of hardworking Americans.” As for the trade deals, Leavitt said the president is working to right the wrongs “of the mess that he inherited” from the Biden administration, as well as a “mess that has been created for the past four decades that has sold out the middle class.” “Today, President Trump wants to restore the golden age, and it’s a process to do that. And that process is underway,” Leavitt said. Bessent said he was working with Republican leadership in the House and the Senate on a new bill that would make the 2017 tax cuts permanent and hopefully quell some of the uncertainty in the markets as a result. “I think one thing that has been a little disconcerting for the market is, you know, President Trump creates what I would call strategic uncertainty in the negotiations. So he is more concerned about getting the best possible trade deals we have for the American people. You know, we had four years of bad deals for decades,” Bessent said. “We are going to the unwind those and make them fair.… We’ve created a process.” “I think the aperture of uncertainty will be narrowing and as we start moving forward with announcing deals, then there will be certainty. But, you know, certainty is not necessarily a good thing in negotiating,” he added.
Millionaires could see rate hike in Trump agenda bill, House GOP tax writer says
EXCLUSIVE: Congressional Republicans are working on a multitrillion-dollar bill advancing President Donald Trump’s agenda – and it could include a modest tax hike on wealthy Americans, one of the House GOP’s tax writers said. “There’s potentially some talk about a tax hike on wealthier Americans. I think our goal in this committee, and the president’s goal, has been to provide tax relief for the working and middle class,” Rep. Nicole Malliotakis, R-N.Y., told Fox News Digital on Tuesday. “We have to find a way to pay for that, so we’ll have to see how this all shakes out.” A senior House GOP aide who spoke with Fox News Digital also alluded to possible tax hikes on the table. MEET THE TRUMP-PICKED LAWMAKERS GIVING SPEAKER JOHNSON A FULL HOUSE GOP CONFERENCE “The reason we are in the majority and have the ability to do this entire process is because of working-class voters, not the wealthiest Americans,” they said. “I believe our tax package will reflect that reality.” Malliotakis sits on the House Ways and Means Committee, one of the most critical panels in the budget reconciliation process. Reconciliation lowers the Senate’s passage threshold from 60 to 51, making it possible for the party that controls both chambers of Congress and the White House to pass massive policy overhauls while sidelining the opposition, in this case Democrats. The process traditionally begins in the House, where seven committees are preparing to meet in the next two weeks to hash out policies under their relevant jurisdictions. Those will then be slotted into a larger budget framework, which is then considered by the House Budget Committee before a chamber-wide vote. The Ways and Means Committee is responsible for the tax portion, a key priority for Trump. The president wants Republicans to extend his 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) while also providing for a slate of new tax policies like eliminating duties on tips, overtime pay and Social Security checks for retirees. Republicans are currently studying avenues to pay for those priorities. Malliotakis signaled a corporate tax rate increase was likely off the table, but she’s among several Republican lawmakers who said they would be open to a small tax hike on the wealthy to pay for Trump’s middle- and working-class priorities. “Personally, I think that that should be on the table if we’re not going to make spending cuts. But I hope we make spending cuts,” House Freedom Caucus Chairman Andy Harris, R-Md., told Fox News Digital. But others said they were opposed. SENATE GOP PUSHES TRUMP BUDGET FRAMEWORK THROUGH AFTER MARATHON VOTE SERIES “I don’t think we have a revenue problem. I don’t think we should be looking for places to add revenue. I think we have a spending problem. Congress spends way too much money, too large of a portion of our GDP. We need to find ways of cutting spending,” Rep. Eric Burlison, R-Mo., said. It’s not immediately clear what shape such a tax hike could take. Republicans have discussed potential proposals, including raising the top tax bracket by roughly 1% after it was lowered by about 2% in TCJA. Another proposal would create a new tax bracket for millionaires, potentially of up to 40%. House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith, R-Mo., would not share any details of the forthcoming plan when asked about a possible tax hike. “There’s a lot of things that I’ve been reading in the press that have not been accurate, but I’m not going to say whether it’s accurate or not, and they’ll see the bill whenever we deliver it right before markup,” Smith told Fox News Digital. “But what I will say is, is that we will have a tax bill that is pro-growth, pro-jobs, pro-family, pro-small business, and pro-workers. And Republicans believe in making sure that Americans keep more of their hard-earned dollars, and you’ll see a tax package that does that.” He said Americans would likely get to see that plan in a matter of “days, not months.” Fox News Digital’s Deirdre Heavey contributed to this report
Dems slam Trump admin over alleged $436B spending block
Two top Democrats have blasted President Donald Trump and Elon Musk for what they claim is the administration’s withholding of more than $430 billion in already congressionally approved funding. The frozen allotments span the federal government, according to the first estimate of the potential impoundments in the project led by Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., and Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn., who released the figures to coincide with the administration marking its 100 days in office. They accuse the Trump administration of ignoring constitutional spending rules and denying Americans the funding they are legally owed. HOW A DOGE REVIEW CAN ACTUALLY IMPROVE THE PROGRAMS THAT FIGHT HIV/AIDS Murray and DeLauro estimate that the Trump administration has withheld at least $436.87 billion in congressionally approved federal funding across multiple agencies, including for the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Transportation Departent. Trump campaigned on slashing government waste and reducing the size of the federal government. He appointed Musk to be head of the Department of Government Efficiency to root out waste, fraud and corruption in the federal government in order to expedite his agenda and also sought to pull all monies for diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. “While President Trump is pushing to pass massive new tax breaks for billionaires like himself, he is unilaterally blocking hundreds of billions of dollars in investments owed to the American people,” Murray and DeLauro said in a joint statement. “No American president has ever so flagrantly ignored our nation’s spending laws or so brazenly denied the American people investments they are owed.” The lawmakers released a tracker to keep the public up to date with the figures. Fox News Digital reached out to the White House to verify if the figures were accurate. According to the tracker, almost $42 billion was frozen or canceled for the State Department, including the frozen support for USAID, along with another $62 billion-plus in competitive grant funding for the Transportation Department. DOGE SLASHES ‘WASTEFUL’ ‘PROBLEM-SOLVING’ CONTRACT WORTH $50K IN LATEST ROUND OF ELIMINATIONS The Democrats also detailed $943 million frozen for the Head Start early-education program and more than $10 billion in frozen and canceled funding for the Natural Resources Conservation Service. The $436.87 billion is the minimum amount of federal funding the Committees believe the administration is currently freezing, canceling, or fighting in court to block, they said. “Instead of making our communities and our nation safer, President Trump is holding up public safety grants and critical investments Congress has made to strengthen our national security,” the Democrats said. “Bottom line: instead of investing in the American people, President Trump is ignoring our laws and ripping resources away from them—insisting our country cannot afford to help families make ends meet at the same time he seeks over $5 trillion in new tax breaks for billionaires.” The Democrats also singled out Russ Vought, the head Office of Management and Budget. The administration’s refusal to spend congressionally authorized funds amounts to a challenge of the Constitution, which gives Congress oversight over spending, the lawmakers said. The administration has not submitted any formal rescission requests, as required under the Impoundment Control Act of 1974. The Democrats also said that DOGE promised to be transparent but has failed to provide Congressional oversight requests and refused to answer basic questions from the press. “The unprecedented lack of transparency and responsiveness makes tracking what funding is being blocked all the more difficult, and it remains the Trump administration’s responsibility to not only follow our spending laws but to explain its actions to date,” Murray and DeLauro said. Reuters contributed to this report.
Stefanik undercuts Speaker Johnson in stunning public House GOP spat
Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., appeared to accuse Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., of lying about discussing the New York governor’s race with her on Tuesday. Johnson said he was having “conversations” with Stefanik and her fellow New Yorker, Rep. Mike Lawler, R-N.Y., when asked whether he discussed the upcoming gubernatorial election with the two potential candidates. Stefanik cited a Punchbowl News report on Johnson’s comments at the public press conference and wrote on X, “This is not true. I have had no conversations with the Speaker regarding the Governor’s race.” “Looking forward to the conversation about [State and Local Taxes] with NY Members tomorrow. Stay tuned,” Stefanik wrote. MEET THE TRUMP-PICKED LAWMAKERS GIVING SPEAKER JOHNSON A FULL HOUSE GOP CONFERENCE Fox News Digital reached out to both Johnson and Stefanik for further comment but did not hear back by press time. It’s a stunning public clash between two members of House GOP leadership that comes shortly after Stefanik returned to her House role full-time. SENATE GOP PUSHES TRUMP BUDGET FRAMEWORK THROUGH AFTER MARATHON VOTE SERIES She had been poised to easily sail through the Senate confirmation process to become President Donald Trump’s new ambassador to the United Nations. But the House’s razor-thin majority and concerns about the race to replace Stefanik in her upstate New York district eventually forced Trump to have her drop out of the process. Stefanik had given up her role as House GOP Conference chair and two high-level committee positions on the House’s intelligence and education panels to take the new job. But Trump directed Johnson to find a new top role for Stefanik, and he soon announced her as chair of House Republican leadership. Days after that, however, sources told Fox News Digital and other outlets that Stefanik was considering a run for New York governor. When asked about speaking to her and Lawler about potentially running, Johnson told reporters on Tuesday, “I have lots of conversations.” “I love them both. They’re two of my favorite people in my most trusted colleagues. And, and they’re both super talented, which is why they get talked about for doing other things…I mean, my preferences at the all stay here with me, right,” Johnson said. “But I don’t begrudge anybody for having other opportunities. And we ultimately support them in whatever they do. But, are we having conversations? We are. Yeah. And that’s all I’m going to say about it.”
Potential 2028 hopeful accused of ‘inciting violence’ after call for ‘mass protests’ against Trump
Gov. J.B. Pritzker, D-Ill., reignited speculation about his 2028 presidential ambitions this weekend, but his call for “mass protests” dominated headlines as Republicans accused him of “inciting violence.” Speaking at the New Hampshire Democratic Party’s annual fundraising gala this weekend, Pritzker became the first potential Democratic candidate to visit New Hampshire, or any early primary state, since Democrats’ big November losses. “Never before in my life have I called for mass protests, for mobilization, for disruption. But I am now. These Republicans cannot know a moment of peace. They have to understand that we will fight their cruelty with every megaphone and microphone that we have. We must castigate them on the soapbox and then punish them at the ballot box,” Prtizker said, triggering outrage among President Donald Trump’s supporters. “His comments, if nothing else, could be construed as inciting violence,” Stephen Miller, Trump’s deputy chief of staff for policy and homeland security advisor, told reporters outside the White House on Monday. 2028 AUDITIONS FOR DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENTIAL NOMINATION KICK OFF AS BLUE-STATE GOVERNOR VISITS KEY EARLY STATE Pritzker told the first-in-the-nation primary crowd this weekend, “It’s time to fight everywhere and all at once,” in a comment that seemed to refer to political action, like protesting, voting and challenging the Trump administration in the courts. Pritzker later clarified to reporters he was referring to political action, but Trump’s base wasn’t so convinced. ILLINOIS GOV CALLS FOR MASS PROTESTS AGAINST TRUMP ADMIN: GOP ‘CANNOT KNOW A MOMENT OF PEACE’ “Are you trying to inspire a 3rd assassination attempt on my dad? Two wasn’t enough for you?” Donald Trump Jr. asked on X. Sen. Dave McCormick, R-Pa., said Pritzker’s comments are the latest demonstration that Democrats are “out of touch” with American voters. “One of the biggest successes of President Trump’s first 100 days has been securing our southern border and keeping Americans safe. Democrats drumming up ‘mass protests’ opposing this obvious success story shows just how out of touch they are with everyday Americans,” McCormick said on X. “…and Pritzker cannot know a moment of a presidency. He is only the last Democrat to fuel the rage in calling ‘for mass protests, for mobilization, for disruption,’” Fox News contributor Jonathan Turley said, arguing that Democrats have consistently called for “mass protests” since Trump returned to the Oval Office in January. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., made headlines earlier this year when he called for Democrats to “fight” Trump’s agenda “in the streets.” Sen. Eric Schmitt, R-Mo., joked on X that Illinois Republicans are welcome in Missouri: “We welcome the Republican refugees from the Land of Lincoln suffering under the tyranny of the Pritzker regime to the free state of Missouri!” And the Illinois Republican Party chimed in as well, slamming Pritzker’s presidential ambitions and what the party chair described as a politically divisive speech. “JB Pritzker’s ego-driven obsession with becoming president is putting Illinois, and Republicans across the country, at risk. His inflammatory and dangerous speech is focused on further dividing our country and I hope to see Illinois Democrats condemn his call for violence,” Illinois Republican Party Chair Kathy Salvi said in a statement. Salvi said it’s “clear that Pritzker’s only priority is what’s best for him and his presidential bid,” and his trip to New Hampshire is “further proof that he’s already left Illinois behind.” DEM GOVERNOR SLAMS TRUMP’S ‘AUTHORITARIAN RULE’ DURING ‘BETTER WAY FORWARD’ SPEECH Trips to New Hampshire, which, for over a century, has held the first primary in the race for the White House, are seen as an early indicator of a politician’s interest in running for president in the next election. The billionaire Democrat has emerged during the president’s first 100 days as one of the most vocal critics of Trump’s executive actions, Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) cuts, and the administration’s policies, including immigration reform and federal funding. Pritzker’s comments are the latest in a long-standing feud between the two politicians. Trump often evoked Pritzker’s name on the campaign trail as an example of the downfall of Democratic-run states. “Sloppy J.B. Pritzker… has presided over the destruction and disintegration of Illinois at levels never seen before in any State,” Trump wrote on Truth Social last year. “Crime is rampant and people are, sadly, fleeing Illinois. Unless a change is made at the Governor’s level, Illinois can never be Great Again!” Pritzker’s office did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
David Perdue confirmed as Trump’s top China diplomat after key Senate vote
Former Georgia GOP Sen. David Perdue was confirmed Tuesday by the Senate 67-29 as President Donald Trump‘s ambassador to China. Perdue, a former business executive with companies like Tennessee-based Dollar General and experience in global supply chains, including through Beijing, has long been a close ally of the president. The ex-lawmaker, who is also the cousin of former Gov. Sonny Perdue, passed his critical cloture vote by 64-27 on Monday evening, which ended further substantial debate on his nomination. Perdue narrowly lost his 2021 runoff election with Sen. Jon Ossoff, D-Ga., by just over 1%, or about 55,000 votes, and also, despite a presidential endorsement, failed in his quest to defeat Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp in 2022’s Republican primary. DAVID PERDUE, FORMER SENATOR AND LONGTIME TRUMP ALLY PASSES KEY HURDLE TO CHINESE AMBASSADORSHIP Fox News Digital also reached out to Ossoff for comment on his former foe’s confirmation. During his confirmation hearing, Perdue said, “Marxist nationalism” is reshaping China and that their global ambitions threaten the world order. “Since 2000, China has doubled its nuclear arsenal and grown its military at a pace unseen since WWII. They have militarized the South China Sea and violated their agreement in Hong Kong.” “Their Social Credit Score system and extensive policing capability are designed to enforce domestic state control. Their Belt and Road Initiative and their Made in China 2025 statements demonstrate their global ambitions,” Perdue said. “They speak of a global ‘community of common destiny for all mankind.’ Put simply, they want a world more in line with their authoritarian principles.” Perdue went on to argue that Trump’s “America First” strategy that greatly affects the U.S.’s relationship with China is not isolationist, but “just the reverse.” TRUMP SAYS CHINA’S XI CALLED HIM AMID ONGOING CONFUSION OVER TRADE TALKS “America will be a stronger ally and partner by rebuilding our strategic supply chains at home and with our friends.” He said Chinese President Xi Jinping, like Trump, only respects strength and that, if confirmed, he will work on reciprocity and security agreements with Beijing. “Our approach to China should be nuanced, nonpartisan, and strategic,” Perdue said. On Taiwan, which China views as a breakaway province, Perdue said he will support the longstanding “One China” policy while remaining committed to a “peaceful resolution” of tensions that is acceptable to both Beijing and Taipei. “I will also ensure focus on our priority to eliminate fentanyl precursors and hold China accountable on human rights.” The Senate recently confirmed former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee to be the U.S. ambassador to Israel. Three more Trump-diplomat nominees will see votes on cloture and likely ensuing tallies on their confirmations later Tuesday. Former Reagan staffer and New York real estate investor Tom Barrack is up for an ambassadorship to Turkey, while Landry’s Restaurants and Houston Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta is looking to serve as ambassador to Italy and San Marino, and Arkansas investment banker billionaire Warren Stephens has his sights on being the U.S.’ top diplomat to its closest European ally, the United Kingdom of Great Britain.
Democrat Beto O’Rourke says he’ll run for Senate if Texans want him to
Former Rep. Beto O’Rourke, a Democrat, indicated that if Texans want him to run for the U.S. Senate, he will mount another election bid. “But if it comes to pass that this is what the people of Texas want, that it’s the highest and best use of what I can give to you, then yes I will,” O’Rourke said while responding to someone at a town hall event who asked the former lawmaker if he would run. O’Rourke served in the U.S. House of Representatives from early 2013 through early 2019, but he has fallen flat in bids for U.S. Senate, president, and governor. WHO IS BETO O’ROURKE? He lost a 2022 Lone Star State gubernatorial bid to incumbent GOP Gov. Greg Abbott. The Democrat announced but later dropped a presidential bid in 2019. He lost a 2018 U.S. Senate contest to incumbent Republican Sen. Ted Cruz. CORNYN’S RE-ELECTION CAMPAIGN SPARKS QUESTIONS ON BOTH PARTY FLANKS AS DEMS CHASE ‘THE GHOST OF A BLUE TEXAS’ Responding to a post on X regarding O’Rourke’s comment that he would run if that’s what Texans want, GOP Sen. Mike Lee of Utah tweeted, “They don’t.” Texas state Rep. Mitch Little, a Republican, tweeted, “‘THIS SUMMER…from the producers who brought you ‘BETO’ and ‘BETO,’ you’ll fall in love—again—with ‘BETO.’” Incumbent Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, who has served in the Senate for more than two decades, is up for re-election in 2026. TEXAS AG KEN PAXTON ANNOUNCES RUN FOR US SENATE Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has mounted a Republican Senate primary challenge against Cornyn.