Newsom makes generic $24 Narcan available after pro-drug policies push ‘safe’ use
Gov. Gavin Newsom has made California the first state to offer a generic version of the overdose-reversal drug Narcan for public purchase through a state-run storefront, while the state’s health department continues to promote a “Harm Reduction” model for the so-called “safe” use of drugs. “Life-saving medications shouldn’t come with a life-altering price tag,” Newsom said in a statement Monday. “CalRx is about making essential drugs like naloxone affordable and accessible for all — not the privileged few. California is using our market power as the 5th largest economy in the world to disrupt a billion-dollar industry to save lives…and we’re just getting started.” The program comes nearly a year after California’s CalRx brand began selling over-the-counter naloxone nasal spray to businesses and government groups. SCOOP: NEWSOM ASKS WORLD LEADERS TO EXEMPT CALIFORNIA EXPORTS FROM RETALIATORY TARIFFS But the state’s public health department sanctions the “safe” use of drugs through its promotion of the California Harm Reduction Initiative (CHRI), which works to reduce overdoses by handing out syringes and fentanyl test strips, among other initiatives. “The California Department of Public Health (CDPH), Office of AIDS (OA) has determined that safer injection, safer smoking and sniffing materials, provided in a harm reduction context alongside health education and other care, may reduce the spread of communicable diseases such as HIV and hepatitis C, and reduce the risk of injury and fatal drug overdose,” a state fact sheet about syringe services programs (SSPs) in 2022 reads. NEWSOM SIGNS $2.8B BAILOUT FOR HEALTHCARE PROGRAM OVERRUN BY ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS In 2017, California became the first state to pass legislation permitting supervised consumption services (SCS), allowing local jurisdictions to establish pilot programs for drug users to consume substances under supervision. By 2022, SB 57 was passed, authorizing overdose prevention programs in select cities, including San Francisco, Oakland, and Los Angeles. This legislation further integrated harm reduction into the state’s health policies. The progressive program has drawn criticism from conservative leaders over the last several years. “This is a nuanced issue of public safety on which Newsom’s approach is here… so often, ironic,” Will Swaim, president of the think tank California Policy Center told Fox News Digital. “This is like Newsom suing Trump over tariffs — the guy who has done so much to destroy business wants to pretend now he’s pro-business?” Swaim added that “like Narcan accessibility, that’s not a good fit for him.” NEWSOM’S ‘UNFAIR’ REMARK ON GIRLS’ SPORTS BELIES RECORD AS GOVERNOR: ‘ABSOLUTE BULLS—‘
‘Main hotspot’ at northern border records 95% drop in illegal migrant apprehensions in March: White House
The number of illegal immigrants caught along one northern border sector that was once “overrun by illegal migrants” has dramatically declined under the Trump administration after it saw thousands of unlawful crossings last year, the White House said Tuesday. Only 54 illegal immigrants were apprehended last month in the Swanton Sector, which stretches more than 300 miles, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters, citing U.S. Customs and Border Protection. “This is a drastic 95% drop from the more than a thousand border crossings that were caught in March 2024,” she said. “This is a main hotspot area that recorded more than 80% of all apprehensions along the northern border during the 2024 fiscal year.” NOT A MARYLAND MAN: GOP BLASTS DEMOCRAT SENATOR FIGHTING FOR RETURN OF SALVADORAN NATIONAL In fiscal year 2024, 19,222 illegal immigrants were apprehended along the sector. The migrants hailed from 97 countries, sector Chief Patrol Agent Robert Garcia said at the time. The apprehensions amounted to more than the past 17 years combined, authorities said. In FY 2020, the agents assigned to the sector apprehended 574 illegal immigrants, followed by 365 the next year. KILMAR GARCIA NOW GETS 5 TOTAL DEM PROPONENTS IN EL SALVADOR The Swanton Sector encompasses 24,000 square miles and includes Vermont; Clinton, Essex, Franklin, St. Lawrence and Herkimer counties of New York; and Coos, Grafton and Carroll counties of New Hampshire. It also borders the Canadian provinces of Quebec and Ontario. On Monday, Garcia called the difference between the 1,109 apprehensions in March 2024 and last month a “stark contrast.” “Our mission of border security never stops; people are still smuggling humans & contraband entering the country illegally,” he wrote on X. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Under Trump, the catch and release of illegal migrants dropped by 99.99%, compared to the Biden administration, in which 189,604 migrants were released into the United States in December 2023, at the height of the border crisis, Leavitt said. In February, Border Patrol agents caught and released only 20 illegal immigrants, she added.
Trump House GOP ally on board with tax hike for ultrawealthy to fund ‘big, beautiful bill’
Rep. Dan Meuser, a Pennsylvania Republican, is supporting the White House’s proposed tax hike for people making more than $1 million. “I believe we must help the President deliver on his promise of a tax and regulatory plan that supports pro-American economic and manufacturing growth, and delivers for the vast majority of Americans – while creating savings and promoting fiscal responsibility. Any adjustments in taxes to accomplish these goals should be considered,” Meuser told Fox News Digital in a statement on Tuesday. Last week, White House aides began quietly floating a proposal to House Republicans that would raise the tax rate to 40% for Americans making more than $1 million, sources told Fox News Digital about the preliminary discussions. The plan would shore up income to fund President Donald Trump’s ambitious campaign promises to eliminate taxes on overtime, tips and Social Security. On Thursday, Meuser said on “Mornings with Maria” that he suggested a less than 2% tax hike for the “wealthy, high-end income” tax bracket months ago. He noted that Trump’s 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act lowered the top tax rate from 39.6% to 37%, so raising it to 38.6% would still keep it below the pre-TCJA level by nearly one percentage point. WHITE HOUSE QUIETLY FLOATS MILLIONAIRE TAX HIKE PROPOSAL IN CONGRESS AS GOP LEADERS SIGNAL OPPOSITION “We’re fighting for small business. We’re fighting for all of America and for the job creators that might be in those categories. So, if you were to bring it up by 1 point, it brings $15 billion in revenues, right? Without any elasticity, which could take place. So, if it did come up to 39[%], it’s almost $25 billion,” Meuser said, touting the billions in revenue that a small tax hike could reap for the economy. SCOOP: PENCE URGES REPUBLICANS TO HOLD THE LINE ON TAX HIKES FOR THE RICH AS TRUMP WEIGHS OPTIONS The Pennsylvania Republican, who joined Trump on the 2024 campaign trail and is considered a potential candidate to challenge Gov. Josh Shapiro in 2026, stressed Trump’s all-of-the-above tax approach. “The president is determined not to have a standard – and this is my view, from what I’ve based upon him, I’m not putting in words in his mouth – a standard Republican-style budget. What he wants to see is something that is in the interest of all America, middle-income America, small businesses, and by the way, we would be talking about an exemption for pass-through small businesses so they would not be paying at the higher rate, as they do now, at their income level rate,” Meuser said. While Meuser has indicated his warmth to the idea of tax hikes for the ultra-wealthy, other conservatives have remained steadfast in their rejection of any tax increases. Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., told Fox News Digital last week that tax cuts are “what Republicans are good at” as he urged his fellow Republicans to protect tax cuts for working-class Americans who fuel Trump’s base. More Republicans, including Sen. Mike Rounds of South Dakota and Rep. Tom Tiffany of Wisconsin are pushing to make Trump’s 2017 tax cuts permanent, which is considered a Republican priority during budget negotiations. GOP PUSH TO MAKE TRUMP’S 2017 TAX CUTS PERMANENT, SAY GOING BACK WOULD BE A ‘DRAMATIC’ CHANGE FOR MANY Former Vice President Mike Pence, who refers to the 2017 tax cuts as the “Trump-Pence tax cuts,” last week urged House Republicans to stand firm against raising taxes on the country’s top earners and make the 2017 tax cuts permanent. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Advancing American Freedom, Pence’s conservative policy advocacy group, sent a letter to congressional Republicans, including House Ways and Means Committee Chair Rep. Jason Smith, R-Mo., and Senate Finance Committee Chair Sen. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, last week, urging Congress to “stand firm against tax hikes.”
Fox News Politics Newsletter: Narrow Decision
Welcome to the Fox News Politics newsletter, with the latest updates on the Trump administration, Capitol Hill and more Fox News politics content. Here’s what’s happening… –‘Let us be the parents’: Supreme Court should let parents opt kids out of LGBTQ school lessons, lawyer argues -Republicans troll Dems’ El Salvador visits with offer to foot travel bill – in exchange for one thing -Trump Energy chief recounts evolution of US environs over 55 ‘Earth Days’: ‘A handily-energized society works Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch and Chief Justice John Roberts on Tuesday sided with left-leaning justices in an immigration appeals case, a narrow ruling that could portend the court’s future thinking amid a flurry of legal cases centered on immigration. The 5-4 ruling in Monsalvo Velazquez v. Bondi centered on the government’s interpretation of a 60-day “voluntary departure” deadline, which authorities can use to allow certain immigrants deemed to be of “good moral character” to depart the U.S. on their own terms within that timeframe. The Supreme Court ruled, with the backing of Roberts and Gorsuch, that any voluntary departure deadlines for immigrants under the 60-day departure timeframe that fall on a weekend or on a legal holiday in the U.S. should be extended to the next business day…Read more PAPAL ‘INFLUENCE’: The long line of the papacy: Francis’ death renews focus on the Church’s most powerful figures A LONG HISTORY: White House-Vatican relationship stretches a century, including fighting communism SURVEY SAYS: Trump’s third term trial balloon gets resounding response in new poll CLIMATE OF COMPARISON: Al Gore compares Trump admin to Hitler’s Third Reich ALLIANCE IN FOCUS: JD Vance champions ‘roadmap’ toward US-India trade deal, says partnership critical to deterring ‘dark time’ DEMOCRATS’ IDENTITY CRISIS: Youth revolt rocks party after Trump comeback HIGHER ED FEUD: The Trump admin froze funding for Harvard. These schools’ funding is also on the chopping block ‘CLEAR FACTS AND EVIDENCE’: House Republican asks Trump DOJ to criminally prosecute ex-New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo ‘BIENVENIDOS!’: Democrats’ El Salvador trip lampooned by Senate GOP group in faux tourism ad: ‘¡Bienvenidos!’ ‘NEW MODEL FOR AMERICAN MANUFACTURING’: GOP lawmaker touts $19M Trump tariff success story in her district: ‘New model for American manufacturing’ ‘YOU CAN LEAVE’: Florida protester screams at Rep. Byron Donalds during tense town hall POLLING PLUNGE: Schumer sinks, AOC soars in new poll as liberal voters demand harder line on Trump END TO ‘CHAOS’: House Dem jumps into crowded Michigan Senate race ‘NEEDS TO BE IMPRISONED’: Dems fume over ‘due process’ for Abrego Garcia despite long history of party bucking the legal principle ‘HE WILL NOT LET YOU DOWN!’: Trump issues full-throated endorsement of Sen. Steve Daines CHURCH AND STATE: Republican civil war brewing over taxpayer-funded Catholic school BOOKED: Parents tell SCOTUS: LGBTQ storybooks in classrooms clash with our faith SWEEPING REFORM: Rubio overhauling ‘bloated’ State Department in sweeping reform MOVE ‘EM OUT: Noem, DHS outline next step to speed up deportation process ‘STAY WOKE’: Likely Dem gubernatorial candidate in key swing state praises DEI at Sharpton event PICKING SIDES: Federal judge orders ICE to reinstate legal status of 133 foreign students Get the latest updates on the Trump administration and Congress, exclusive interviews and more on FoxNews.com.
Ohio sheriff defends new ICE partnership: ‘Just doing the right thing’
“It’s just doing the right thing.” That’s how Portage County, Ohio Sheriff Bruce Zuchowski summed up for Fox News Digital his decision to buck the trend of local leaders vowing to resist the Trump administration’s deportation efforts by allowing his deputies to assist ICE with immigration enforcement. While many state and local leaders have doubled down on their support for undocumented migrants and pledged to resist the Trump administration’s deportation efforts, Zuchowski has gone in the exact opposite direction. Zuchowski has entered his northeastern Ohio sheriff’s office into what is called a 287(g) agreement with ICE, which will allow several of his deputies to be “dual commissioned” to enforce immigration law in addition to their regular law enforcement duties. Portage County joins just two other counties in Ohio — Butler and Seneca — that have agreed to assist with immigration enforcement by signing onto the 287(g) program. According to Zuchowski, the agreement allows his deputies to make immigration arrests and to more efficiently coordinate with ICE to get criminal illegal aliens off the streets. NEW MEXICO JUDGE RESIGNS AFTER ALLEGED TDA MEMBER ARRESTED AT HIS HOME Despite all the controversy surrounding his decision, Zuchowski saw it as an obvious choice. “People expect — there is an expectation that law enforcement is going to keep them safe and we’re going to do it by whatever means we have available to us,” he explained. “There’s nobody, and I don’t care what party you are, that wants anybody criminal, whether they’re here legally or not, roaming around in their county and their communities. So, that’s all we’ve done,” he added. “At the end of the day, it’s just doing the right thing.” Zuchowski, himself a former deputy sheriff, said that in the past, deputies would have to wait hours or even days for ICE to be able to pick up a criminal illegal alien. During the Biden administration, he said that he was even told that unless the illegal criminal had “severed heads” in the back of their vehicle or had committed some extreme heinous crime, ICE agents could not even come to check on the illegal. MORE THAN 500K IMMIGRANTS MISSED THEIR COURT HEARINGS ON BIDEN’S WATCH: ANALYSIS Now, Portage County sheriff’s deputies will be able to make arrests of illegal alien and hold them until ICE agents arrive. Zuchowski, who won re-election to a second term last November, clarified that his office would not be doing anything outside the normal law enforcement duties they are already conducting. CLICK HERE FOR MORE IMMIGRATION COVERAGE “We’re not just going to randomly pull people out because of the color of their skin or the language that they speak, solely on that. It’s going to be, obviously, [because] they’re committing some sort of a criminal act, something that would, out of my deputy’s normal duty, [they] would have to respond to and have to react to. And that’s all we’re going to do,” he explained. “The left likes to run with this type of thing and make it the worst possible scenario to where it’s like we’re kicking in Mexican restaurants and we’re kicking in dorms at universities and we’re going to go door to door and start pulling people out of their houses. That’s not what we’re doing at all,” he went on. “By doing this, I’ve just given my deputies another tool for their toolbox in order for them to do their job more proficiently and help keep Portage County safer.” ALITO BLASTS ‘UNPRECEDENTED’ SCOTUS MOVE TO HALT TRUMP’S VENEZUELAN DEPORTATIONS: ‘LEGALLY QUESTIONABLE’ He noted that he is “surprised” more Ohio sheriffs have not already signed onto the 287(g) program because of how much safer he believes it will make their communities. He said he is hopeful more sheriffs will “do the right thing.” CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP “We’re just doing our part as law enforcement to keep people safe,” he said. “Basically, it’s like President Trump walked into a large conference of law enforcement officials and said, ‘Hey, who wants to be a part of this 287-G Act and help ICE to be able to get criminal, illegal immigrants, migrants out of America?’ And I simply raised my hand.”
GOP lawmaker warns that blue state’s likely move will make gas prices skyrocket: ‘Affordability issue’
Rep. Vince Fong, R-Calif., is one of the many voices sounding the alarm about a recent oil refinery closure announcement having a greater impact on American wallets. Valero Energy Corp. announced that it will likely close its Benicia refinery near San Francisco in April 2026, putting more than 400 jobs in jeopardy. “We understand the impact that this may have on our employees, business partners, and community, and will continue to work with them through this period,” Lane Riggs, board chair, CEO and president of Valero, said in a news release on April 16. Fong said the state’s energy policies are making it tough for the industry to survive. CALIFORNIA CAREER POLITICIAN BARBARA LEE WINS MAYOR RACE IN EMBATTLED OAKLAND “This is in addition to other refinery closures that have been announced. So, in totality, what we’re looking at is 20% of California’s refining capacity disappearing. And that’s significant,” Fong told Fox News Digital in an interview. Valero also operates a refinery in Los Angeles, but the move regarding the Benicia location is seen as a major hit. “It’s a warning that California’s fuel supply is in jeopardy, and it’s all caused because of [Democrat Gov.] Gavin Newsom’s poor energy policies. That’s the root cause, and the rigid regulatory environment, all the mandates, all the new regulations that have been put on these refineries, and now it’s putting our fuel supply in jeopardy. And this isn’t just an energy issue. This is an affordability issue. This is a jobs issue. This is a reliability issue,” he continued. ALASKA SENATOR LITERALLY SHREDS BIDEN’S ENERGY ORDERS, BOOSTS WH EFFORTS TO LEVERAGE ARCTIC GAS PIPELINE The Golden State’s policies are major contributors to higher gas prices in the state, according to a recent study by University of Southern California professor Michael Mische. “California’s energy policy is at a breaking point,” Fong said. “This is not a market failure. This is because of regulations and mandates that are pushing refineries to close. They can’t survive in this and make it economically feasible to function in California. And those who are going to suffer are everyday Californians.“ As the state is a major energy supplier, the congressman said its regulations have occasionally gained bipartisan scrutiny from neighboring Arizona and Nevada. “This is going to impact California drivers significantly,” Fong said. “When there’s gasoline shortages, what you’re going to see is the price of gasoline go up. And in California, you know, we pay the highest price of gas compared to the other states.” US, SAUDI ARABIA COULD CEMENT ‘LONG-TERM PARTNERSHIP’ ON NUCLEAR ENERGY As of Sunday, Californians are paying an average of $4.83 per gallon, which is significantly higher than the $3.15 national average, according to AAA. Fox News Digital reached out to Newsom’s office for comment, but it referred the inquiry to the California Energy Commission, which said Valero’s legally required advance notice will help the state better prepare for its next steps. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP “The California Energy Commission (CEC) is committed to its efforts to collaborate with the industry and stakeholders so that the state continues to have a safe, reliable and affordable supply while transitioning away from fossil fuels,” CEC Vice Chair Siva Sunda stated. “As required under Senate Bill X1-2, Valero Refining Company notified the CEC of its intent to idle, restructure or cease operations at its Benicia Refinery by the end of April 2026. This advance notification helps the state to continue to closely monitor the evolving conditions in the fuel supply market and proactively plan and take steps to support the transition in the state’s fuel supply.” “The CEC will continue to work in partnership with the industry and stakeholders to protect consumers during this transition,” he continued. Valero faces $82 million in fines from different governmental bodies in California over environmental regulations, according to KXJZ.
The Supreme Court appears to side with parents in religious liberty dispute over storybooks
The Supreme Court’s conservative majority offered strong support for parents seeking the religious liberty right to be informed about and opt their children out of reading material in elementary schools that they say conflicts with their faith. The Montgomery County, Maryland school board withdrew its original opt-out policy for books related to gender and sexuality, prompting a federal lawsuit. In a marathon two-and-a-half oral argument, the justices debated whether parents have been unfairly burdened in exercising their constitutional rights. It is one of three high-profile religious-themed cases the high court will decide this term—including disputes over tax exemptions for religious groups, and taxpayer funding for private religious charter schools—which will be argued next week. GORSUCH, ROBERTS SIDE WITH LEFT-LEANING SUPREME COURT JUSTICES IN IMMIGRATION RULING Justice Sonia Sotomayor and her liberal colleagues appeared to back the county’s position on the storybooks. She noted a lower appeals court had refused a preliminary injunction to temporarily reinstate the opt-out policy. “They never reached the issue of whether or not there was disruption, or what the motive was for taking away the opt out,” said Sotomayor. “What they decided was that there wasn’t coercion here, that there was mere exposure. I understood from the record that all that was required is that the books be put on the bookshelf. If that’s all that’s required, is that coercion?” But Justice Samuel Alito echoed the views of several of his conservative colleagues, about returning to the previous policy that he said most schools around the country permit. “What is the big deal about allowing them to opt out of this?” he asked. Alito also questioned the content of several of the books raised in the appeal dealing with same-sex marriage. “I don’t think anybody can read that and say: well, this is just telling children that there are occasions when men marry other men,” said Alito. “It has a clear moral message, and it may be a good message. It’s just a message that a lot of religious people disagree with.” Hundreds on both sides of the issue rallied outside the court, some carrying signs like “Let Parents Parent” and “Include All Families.” The suburban Washington county introduced new books with LGBTQ+ characters and themes into the elementary school curriculum in 2022, as part of the district’s “inclusivity” initiative. PROSECUTION CALLS THEIR SECOND WITNESS AT KAREN READ’S RETRIAL FOR MURDER One of the challenged storybooks raised in the appeals is “Prince & Knight,” described as a “modern fairy tale” for ages 4-8, of the two males falling in love after working together to battle a dragon threatening their kingdom, and later marrying. Another book mentioned repeatedly in the court’s public session was “Uncle Bobby’s Wedding,” about a little girl’s reaction to her favorite relative’s plans to marry a man. The school district refused to allow parents to opt out of their The school district refused to allow parents to opt out of their elementary school from the reading program – the same way older students can forego sex ed instruction. While the school board initially allowed parents to keep their children out of this curriculum, the plaintiffs say officials quickly reversed course, announcing in March 2023 that exceptions would not be granted and that parents would not be notified before the books were introduced into their children’s classrooms. Officials cited increased absenteeism as one of the reasons for the change. “We felt as parents that we would present these things to our children like we always have, when they’re ready to receive them. And especially a child with special needs, it’s even more difficult for her to understand,” said Grace Morrison, one of the plaintiffs. She and her husband, both Catholics, now homeschool their daughter, after the school refused an accommodation. “Starting to present issues of gender ideology to a child like this could be extremely confusing and damaging, let alone to the faith that we’re raising her in,” she told Fox News Digital. A federal appeals court ruled for the school district, concluding educators did not apply any pressure on children to abandon their religious beliefs, and “simply hearing about other views does not necessarily exert pressure to believe or act differently than one’s religious faith requires.” State officials told the court that parents who choose to send their children to public school are not “coerced” simply by their classroom exposure there to religiously objectionable ideas. The practical feasibility of an opt-out policy at was the key focus of the high court’s public session. “Once we articulate a rule like that,” said Justice Elena Kagan, “it would be like, opt outs for everyone.” SCOTUS HEARS ARGUMENTS OVER PARENTS’ FIGHT TO OPT CHILDREN OUT OF LGBTQ CURRICULUM But Kagan also raised concerns about young children being exposed to some of the books offered in Montgomery County. “I too, was struck by these young kids picture books and, on matters concerning sexuality. I suspect there are a lot of non-religious parents who weren’t all that thrilled about this.” Justice Brett Kavanaugh, who noted he grew up in the affluent county and still lives there with his wife and two school-age daughters, said he was “mystified” at the why the county canceled its original opt-out policy. Some on the bench raised concerns about a sweeping “a la carte” discretion parents would have to object to what goes in schools. “What about a trans student in the classroom?” said Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson. “There’s a student who’s in the class. Must the teacher notify the parents of the student’s existence and give them an opt out to not be in the same classroom with this child?” Dozens of briefs were filed by advocacy groups on both sides of the issue, including competing coalitions of states and lawmakers. Many educators say they should be given deference to develop lesson plans that reflect the community at large, and that navigating a flood of individual religious rights claims would make classroom instruction and collaboration extremely problematic. Parents rights and religious groups
House Republican enters race for Mitch McConnell’s Senate seat, setting up high-stakes GOP primary
FIRST ON FOX: Rep. Andy Barr, R-Ky., is officially entering the race to replace longtime retiring Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky. Barr, who has served in the House for over a decade, is expected to kick off his campaign in Richmond, Kentucky this evening. He’s also releasing a video to launch the campaign that paints him as a staunch ally of President Donald Trump and a fierce opponent of “woke” trends on diversity, transgender inclusion, and U.S. energy dominance. “The United States is the greatest country on Earth, and it’s not even close. But here’s the problem. The woke left wants to neuter America – literally,” the Kentucky Republican said in the video. MEET THE TRUMP-PICKED LAWMAKERS GIVING SPEAKER JOHNSON A FULL HOUSE GOP CONFERENCE “They hate our values. They hate our history. And goodness knows they hate President Trump. But here in Kentucky, that’s why we love him. I’m Andy Barr, and I’m running for Senate to help our President save this great country.” His candidacy sets up a high-profile primary race against former Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron. In the video, Barr promised to “deport illegal aliens, instead of putting them up in luxury hotels,” and “get rid of this anti-coal, do-gooder ESG garbage once and for all.” “Working with President Trump, I’ll fight to create jobs for hardworking Kentuckians, instead of warm and fuzzies for hardcore liberals,” Barr said in the video. “And as a dad, let me be clear. I’ll fight to lock up the sickos who allow biological men to share locker rooms with our daughters.” His Senate campaign has also been blessed by House GOP leaders, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., and House Republican Leadership Chair Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y. SENATE GOP PUSHES TRUMP BUDGET FRAMEWORK THROUGH AFTER MARATHON VOTE SERIES “There is no bigger supporter of President Donald J. Trump and our MAGA movement than my dear friend Andy Barr,” Scalise told Fox News Digital. “I am all-in for Andy in his campaign for the US Senate — proud to support him.” Stefanik said, “I am proud to call Andy a friend and I wholeheartedly endorse his campaign for US Senate. Kentucky needs a Senator who stands 100% with President Trump — that my friend, Andy Barr.” Barr said their support “is a strong signal to all Kentuckians that there is only one America First candidate in this race — and only one candidate with a proven record of getting our America First agenda across the finish line.” The conservative lawmaker has been known as a reliable leadership ally in the House and serves as chair of the House Financial Services Committee’s subcommittee on financial institutions. He’s also a leader of several groups in the House, including the Congressional Taiwan Caucus, the Congressional Bourbon Caucus, and the American Worker Task Force. McConnell is the longest-serving senator in Kentucky history and the longest-serving party leader in the upper chamber, only stepping down from leading the Senate GOP conference at the end of last year. His final years in office have been marked by his rocky relationship with Trump, who has called for an end to McConnell’s political career on multiple occasions. Trump and McConnell have also broken on matters of foreign policy and defense. McConnell opposed two major Trump nominees in the national security sphere, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard and Pentagon Secretary Pete Hegseth. McConnell also opposed Trump’s Health and Human Services secretary, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. Barr and Cameron’s campaigns are a stark departure from that – both have painted themselves as staunch Trump allies. And in Kentucky, where Trump outran former Vice President Kamala Harris by roughly 30%, the president’s endorsement will likely prove decisive.
‘Striking’: DC appeals court interrogates Trump admin on Pentagon’s transgender military ban policy
A three-judge appeals panel in Washington, D.C., grilled the Trump administration over its expected implementation of the Pentagon’s transgender military ban policy and a lower court’s finding of animus behind the ban. Judges Cornelia T.L. Pillard, an Obama-appointee, and Trump-appointees Gregory G. Katsas and Neomi Rao presided over Tuesday’s oral arguments over an order blocking President Donald Trump’s executive order banning transgender individuals from serving in the military from going into effect. “We have a sitting president issuing an executive order that has animus on its face, not directing anyone, any panel of experts, to study this issue, but simply directing the Secretary of Defense to implement a ban on transgender service by transgender persons,” Pillard told Justice Department attorney Jason Manion. “And within a month, the Secretary of Defense doing so with no further study other than the Mattis policy.” FEDERAL JUDGE DENIES TRUMP ADMIN’S EFFORT TO BAN TRANSGENDER PEOPLE FROM MILITARY D.C.-based District Judge Ana Reyes had previously blocked the Trump administration from implementing its ban in March, with Reyes writing in her opinion that the order was “soaked in animus” and discriminated based on a person’s transgender status. Rao asked Manion if the government conceded that there was animus behind the order, to which Manion said they did not. “The relevant question is whether the policy can be explained by any reason other than animus,” Manion responded. Counsel for the appellees, Shannon Minter, also focused on the finding of animus by the lower court, arguing that the policy at hand “does something that is so extraordinarily unusual.” “The government openly, just with complete transparency, expressing animosity towards a group of people and relying on that as a justification and the district court properly noted that,” Minter said. Pillard, who notably asked a majority of the questions, also honed in on the “irreparable harm” the government argues it will suffer if the appeals court does not stay Reyes’ order. HEGSETH SUGGESTS JUDGE REPORT TO MILITARY BASES AFTER RULING THAT PENTAGON MUST ALLOW TRANSGENDER TROOPS Manion argued that Reyes’ order not only affects the military’s competence and readiness as the ban is put on pause, but it also conflicts with the president’s constitutional powers. Manion argued that the “main injuries” include the inability to enforce what the Department believes “to be a valid policy.” Pillard responded back, asking why the government has not previously expressed such concerns of military readiness and competence in past years before the policy came about. “How has the military worked under a different policy?” Pillard asked. “It’s striking to me that the government…has not stymied that.” Katsas specifically asked the government how it expected to go about implementing the policy, asking what procedure would take place “on the back end when there is a servicemember serving who… is found to have some condition that would have been disqualifying at the exception stage.” “Is it a discretionary judgment by a military board? Is it administrative separation?” Katsas asked. Manion said he believed some conditions “undergo an individualized process” in those situations. Pillard expanded upon this line of questioning, asking if there were any other conditions that did not have to undergo a medical evaluation. Manion said he could not think of any at that moment. “This is a core area of presidential power,” Manion said. “[The military] has determined this will increase readiness and not being able to enact it will harm the military and all of those factors add up to irreparable harm here.” Minter likewise argued that there is “no other medical condition that puts a person automatically into separation,” saying “every other condition goes into a med process are you able to do your job.” SKEPTICAL JUDGE QUESTIONS EXECUTIVE ORDER BARRING TRANSGENDER SERVICE MEMBERS FROM JOINING THE MILITARY “We don’t talk about people with diabetes or heart conditions being dishonest… that’s just a red flag,” Minter said. No ruling was issued, but an opinion is expected in the coming days that will likely be appealed to the high court. Minter told Fox News Digital after the oral arguments that they were “encouraged by the argument and hopeful the court will deny the stay.” “The plaintiffs in this case are serving with honor and distinction. They have received medals and commendations, deployed worldwide, and been selected for positions of extraordinary responsibility and leadership,” Minter said. “Purging them from the military will not make our country, safer, stronger, or more secure.” At issue in the case is a Jan. 27 executive order signed by Trump requiring the Defense Department to update its guidance regarding “trans-identifying medical standards for military service” and to “rescind guidance inconsistent with military readiness.” In issuing her injunction, Reyes wrote in her opinion that the plaintiffs in the suit “face a violation of their constitutional rights, which constitutes irreparable harm” that would warrant a preliminary injunction.” The defendants in the suit, which include Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, filed a motion to dissolve the injunction on March 21. In the filing, the government argued that the policy is not an overarching ban but instead “turns on gender dysphoria – a medical condition – and does not discriminate against trans-identifying persons as a class.” After the government agreed to push the implementation deadline to March 28 upon Reyes’ request, Reyes denied the government’s motion to dissolve the injunction, prompting the administration to appeal shortly thereafter. Fox News Digital’s Diana Stancy contributed to this report.
Trump backs Republican rivals in Arizona governor’s race after Rep. Biggs enters contest: ‘I had a problem’
Faced with a dilemma following his endorsement of conservative Karrin Taylor Robson to run for governor of Arizona, President Donald Trump on Monday announced that he will also support Republican Rep. Andy Biggs after the lawmaker “unexpectedly” entered the contest. Robson, a small business owner and lawyer, received Trump’s endorsement when no one else was running, Trump said in a Truth Social post. “I like Karrin Taylor Robson of Arizona a lot, and when she asked me to Endorse her, with nobody else running, I Endorsed her, and was happy to do so,” Trump wrote. “When Andy Biggs decided to run for Governor, quite unexpectedly, I had a problem.” As a workaround, Trump decided to endorse both candidates. Biggs and Robson, both Republicans, have touted Trump’s backing. ‘I WILL NOT REST’: BORDER STATE GUBERNATORIAL HOPEFUL LAUNCHES CAMPAIGN WEEKS AFTER TRUMP BACKED HER “Two fantastic candidates, two terrific people, two wonderful champions, and it is therefore my Great Honor TO GIVE MY COMPLETE AND TOTAL ENDORSEMENT TO BOTH,” Trump said. “Either one will never let you down. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!” In a statement to Fox News Digital, Robson said she was grateful for Trump’s endorsement. “I am so grateful to have the President’s support! Today, President Donald Trump reaffirmed what he told me from the rally stage in December when he urged me to run: That he supports me and has fully endorsed my Arizona First campaign. I cannot wait to be in the Governor’s Office as a partner to his conservative, America First agenda. Onward!” TRUMP’S HOUSE ALLIES UNVIEL BILL ‘HAND IN HAND’ WITH DOGE CRACKDOWN “Thank you, @realDonaldTrump!” Biggs wrote on social media. “It’s been an honor to support you and fight for your agenda since 2016. I look forward to fighting along side you as Governor of Arizona, the greatest state in the nation!” Both candidates have pledged to focus on cutting taxes and stronger border security. “I thank President Trump for his strong endorsement and look forward to working with him to secure our border and make Arizona safe again,” Robson said in a statement at the time of Trump’s February endorsement. “Like President Trump, I know how to create jobs. And like President Trump, I will not rest until our border is secure and Arizona families are safe.” Arizona is currently led by incumbent Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs, who took office in 2023. The general election will be held on Nov. 3, 2026.