Trump brings peace to Caucasus: Inside the Armenia–Azerbaijan deal 30 years in the making
In exclusive interviews with Fox News Digital, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev described a U.S.-brokered peace deal as a “historic” opportunity to end more than three decades of conflict and to launch a new era of cooperation in the South Caucasus. Speaking separately, both leaders credited former President Donald Trump and U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff for guiding months of negotiations that produced the framework agreement. They outlined plans for trade, infrastructure and investment while acknowledging that key political and humanitarian issues may still need to be resolved before the deal is finalized. Aliyev said the agreement cannot be formally signed until Armenia amends its constitution, which he claims still questions Azerbaijani sovereignty. “It’s kind of their homework,” Aliyev said. “As soon as it is done … the final peace agreement will be signed.” Pashinyan rejected that condition, insisting Armenia is already committed to respecting territorial integrity and has “no territorial claims” towards any neighbor. He confirmed that his government is drafting a new constitution but called it an “internal issue” unrelated to the peace terms. One central pillar of the deal is the creation of the “TRIPP corridor,” or Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity, a transport and trade route designed to connect Armenia and Azerbaijan more directly while integrating the South Caucasus into broader international shipping and energy networks. Aliyev called the project “one of the important parts of international transportation,” saying it would link the Caspian Sea region with markets in Europe, the Middle East and Asia. The corridor is expected to carry goods, energy supplies, and potentially serve as a rail hub for cross-regional trade. Pashinyan described the agreement to open communications “based on principles of territorial integrity, sovereignty, jurisdiction, reciprocity and internationally recognized borders” as a breakthrough. “Now we have de facto peace … it is time to have common investment projects, to have economic cooperation,” he said. “The involvement of the U.S. will make this whole story even more attractive for potential investors.” The status of refugees and detainees from the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict remains unsettled. Tens of thousands of ethnic Armenians fled the region after Azerbaijan regained control in the 2020 war and a 2023 military operation. Many resettled in Armenia, but disputes continue over the right to return, property claims and the fate of those detained during and after the fighting. Azerbaijan maintains that prisoners in its custody are combatants or saboteurs, while Armenia and international human rights groups describe many of them as political prisoners. Pashinyan cautioned that raising “very sensitive issues” too aggressively could risk reigniting tensions. “The issue of refugees is important, but we need to concentrate on signing the peace agreement … to poke continuously some very sensitive issues could revive the conflict, you know, and I think it is very important now for both Armenia and Azerbaijan to concentrate on implementation what already has been agreed.” FROM TALK TO TACTICS: TRUMP PIVOTS ON RUSSIA STRATEGY TO END WAR Aliyev praised Trump’s direct involvement in the peace process and criticized what he called unfair portrayals of Azerbaijan under the Biden administration. He pointed to Azerbaijan’s cooperation with U.S. military efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan and said Trump’s return to active diplomacy made the current breakthrough possible. “It was only President Trump … immediately he jumped in the [peace] process,” Aliyev said, adding that if Trump had remained in office after the 2020 election, “probably what we are experiencing today … [would have happened] earlier.” The interviews came hours after Pashinyan and Aliyev joined Trump at the White House to announce the agreement — a rare moment of public unity in a region long defined by war, blockades and mistrust. While the framework sets the stage for normalized relations, both leaders acknowledged that decades of hostility will not disappear overnight. “It isn’t possible to change everything during a day, a week or even a year,” Pashinyan said. “But this is a very bright expression of what we want — both leaders, President Aliyev and myself — we want to change this whole situation.” For Trump, the event marked a high-profile example of his deal-making credentials on the world stage. For Armenia and Azerbaijan, it was a step toward a future that both say they are ready to build — if the remaining disputes can be resolved.
Armenia and Azerbaijan leaders seek to ease Russian and Iranian concerns after US-brokered peace deal
The leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan brushed off any threat of backlash from neighboring powers Iran and Russia following a U.S.-brokered peace accord – an agreement hailed as the start of a new era, ending more than three decades of war and hostility in the South Caucasus. In exclusive Fox News Digital interviews, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev both praised President Donald Trump and his envoy for their role in brokering the framework agreement. They emphasized that the deal, which promised increased regional economic integration and political cooperation, is not directed at any third party – and may actually provide strategic advantages to Moscow and Tehran. “This is not a zero-sum game,” Pashinyan said. The agreement “contains quite tangible benefits for Iran and for Russia as well.” “Iran would have access through railway from the Persian Gulf to the Black Sea and Russia and Iran will have opportunity to have a railway connection between the two countries.” TRUMP TO HOST ARMENIA, AZERBAIJAN LEADERS AHEAD OF PEACE PLEDGE AS WHITE HOUSE EYES NOBEL PEACE PRIZE Russia – a long-standing ally of Armenia and a presence in the region through its border guards – welcomed peace but sent a warning about U.S. involvement. Its foreign ministry described the accord as “positive,” expressing hope for stability in the Caucasus, but warned that foreign involvement should complement, not complicate, the peace process. The ministry emphasized that regional solutions should include neighbors like Russia, Iran and Turkey, and cautioned against repeating the pitfalls of Western-led interventions in the Middle East. Aliyev echoed Pashinyan’s remarks and declined to see U.S. diplomatic involvement as a provocation toward Moscow. “It will be very difficult for any country – whether far away or in our region – to say something bad about today’s agreement,” he told Fox News Digital. “We’ve taken the final step toward peace.” He added: “It’s not against anyone. It’s a connectivity project which will be one of the most important parts of international transportation.” At the heart of the pact is the planned Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP) – a roughly 27-mile transit route linking mainland Azerbaijan with its Nakhchivan exclave, passing through Armenian territory. Armenia has granted the U.S. exclusive development rights via a 99‑year lease, allowing for infrastructure projects such as roads, rail lines, pipelines, fiber optics and possibly power transmission, aimed at opening new trade and transit paths in the region. This bold move shifts regional dynamics, offering Washington a powerful strategic foothold while bypassing traditional Russian and Iranian routes. Iran, in contrast, has responded with hostility. Ali Akbar Velayati, a key advisor to Iran’s supreme leader, warned of serious consequences if the “Zangezur Corridor” – as Iran calls the route – is enacted, asserting that it “will not become a passage owned by Trump, but rather a graveyard for Trump’s mercenaries,” according to the semi-official news agency Tasnim. Iran has even signaled readiness to use military means to block the route. ZELENSKYY NOT INVITED TO UPCOMING TRUMP, PUTIN TALKS – WHITE HOUSE SAYS THIS WAS THE REASON Domestically, Pashinyan faces opposition. Armenian nationalists, already fierce critics of any deal with Azerbaijan, view the agreement as a betrayal. The Republican Party of Armenia has declared that Pashinyan lacks the mandate to sign such a treaty, demanding full transparency and an end to concessions made under external pressure. Pashinyan, however, is undeterred. He said the accord could transform Armenia’s investment climate and attract foreign capital. “We expect to have some criticism, and that’s part of democracy,” he told Fox News Digital. “But we are confident we made the right decision.” Once the dominant power in the South Caucasus, Russia is losing its grip. The war in Ukraine, mounting sanctions and resource strains have depleted its regional influence, enabling the U.S., Turkey and the European Union to expand their diplomatic reach. Relations with Azerbaijan particularly soured following the December 2024 downing of Azerbaijan Airlines Flight 8243. Aliyev accused Moscow of accidentally shooting the passenger jet with Russian air defenses during operations against Ukrainian drones, killing 38 people. Aliyev told Fox News Digital he didn’t believe the incident was an intentional attack by Russian leadership, but demanded a formal admission of guilt, punishment for those responsible and full compensation – moves Russia has resisted, apologizing only vaguely for what they called a “tragic incident.” And amid political divisions, Pashinyan finds himself in a conflict with one of the country’s most respected institutions – the Armenian Apostolic Church, where figures like Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan have led public protests against Pashinyan’s decision to return border villages to Azerbaijan. On June 25, authorities arrested Galstanyan, a leading figure in the church and of the “Sacred Struggle” opposition movement, accusing him of orchestrating a terrorist plot to overthrow the government. Armenia’s Investigative Committee alleged he had recruited more than 1,000 former police and military personnel to stage bombings, disrupt power grids and paralyze transportation networks. Pashinyan assured that the judiciary system acted independently of his government and “in full accordance with the law of Armenia, respecting all the rights of all people.”
Russian oligarch’s $325M seized superyacht heads to auction as Trump–Putin summit nears
A $325 million superyacht seized by the U.S. from a sanctioned Russian oligarch—part of Washington’s effort to punish Moscow’s elite over the invasion of Ukraine—is headed to auction, marking the first sale of its kind since the war began. The auction of Amadea, once owned by Russian oligarch Suleiman Kerimov, comes as President Donald Trump heads to Alaska this week to negotiate an end to the Kremlin’s three-and-a-half-year war. The government argued in a legal filing last year for selling the yacht, citing monthly maintenance costs of approximately $600,000 plus a $143,750 insurance premium. The stunning 348-foot-long yacht features eight state rooms, a beauty salon and spa, a gym, a helipad, a swimming pool, hot tub, fire pit, and two elevators. Built in 2017 by the famed German shipyard Lürssen, the yacht boasts interiors by legendary designer Francois Zuretti, offering opulent spaces adorned with extensive marble work. RUSSIA MAY GAIN UKRAINE’S FERTILE, RESOURCE-RICH TERRITORY AS TRUMP PROPOSES LAND SWAP The six-deck yacht is designed to accommodate 16 guests and 36 crew – and the lower deck is entirely reserved for the owner’s personal use. The owner’s deck includes a lounge area with a grand piano, bar and fireplace, a separate living room and office. This deck also features a beauty center, a dressing room with several closets and an island. The owner’s bathroom has his and her toilets and separate vanities. The owner’s stateroom has several seating areas, a television and opens up to a deck with a Jacuzzi hot tub. Amadea also comes with its own spa that includes a sauna, a Turkish-style steam room, a chromotherapy plunge pool that utilizes colored LED lighting to influence mood, as well as a dedicated massage room. The yacht also has a cinema that features plush seating that moves and vibrates in sync with the action on screen. Guests aboard the Amadea can also enjoy the 33-foot infinity swimming pool and swim-up bar. Interested bidders must first put down a 10 million euro deposit, which is roughly $11.6 million, to be considered. The auction is slated to close on Sept. 10. In the days following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the Biden administration launched a new task force, dubbed KleptoCapture, to enforce sprawling sanctions on Russian elites accused of bankrolling Putin’s war. Under KleptoCapture, U.S. authorities undertook the gargantuan task of tracking high-value assets around the globe belonging to sanctioned Russians with ties to the Kremlin. After investigators unraveled the Amadea’s opaque ownership, the $325 million superyacht entered U.S. crosshairs and was seized in Lautoka, Fiji, in 2022. U.S. authorities claimed Amadea belonged to Kerimov, a Russian billionaire sanctioned by the U.S. in 2018. At the time, the Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control described Kerimov as an oligarch who profited from Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea. National Maritime Services, a Florida-based company that specializes in seized vessels, took custody of Amadea in 2022. The yacht is currently docked in the Port of San Diego, where it has accrued $1.1 million in fuel, security, and other fees since arriving in June 2022. A U.S. Marshals Service spokesperson said that following Amadea’s sale, the agency’s Asset Forfeiture Division will disperse the funds to various areas. “Some of the areas the money goes to are victim compensation, program expenses, and other agency expenses,” the spokesperson said, declining to elaborate on specifics.
‘Not a politician’: Father of young cancer survivor DJ Daniel runs for Texas 18th district seat
FIRST ON FOX: When Devarjay “DJ” Daniel was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of cancer, his father, Theodis Daniel, said he found the courage to fight for his son. Now, speaking first to Fox News Digital, Daniel said he’s ready to fight for Texas’ 18th congressional district. Daniel joins a crowded field of candidates from across the political spectrum, but the father and veteran said his campaign is unlike the others. “I’m a regular guy. I am not a politician,” Daniel said. “I don’t have six-figure deals. I’m just a regular dude trying to make it. Single dad. I got three kids to myself. I’m a disabled veteran just trying to make a difference regardless of what I’m going through.” SCOOP: REPUBLICAN LAUNCHES HOUSE BID IN KEY SWING DISTRICT GOP AIMS TO FLIP IN 2026 MIDTERMS And ultimately, Daniel explained, he is going to “get up every day and get out there and make it happen” for the people of Texas’ 18th congressional district. JOE ROGAN URGES PROGRESSIVE TEXAS DEMOCRAT TO RUN FOR PRESIDENT, CALLING HIM A ‘GOOD PERSON’ “I don’t call myself a politician,” Daniel said. “I’m a public servant first, because my duty is to the people.” The Republican candidate said he is running “for those who struggle,” explaining that his campaign priorities – supporting law enforcement, safety, healthcare and education – aren’t just abstract ideas but “battles my family and I face every day.” Daniel’s 13-year-old son, DJ, was named an honorary U.S. Secret Service agent during President Donald Trump’s joint address to Congress earlier this year. Daniel proudly raised his son up over his shoulder as politicians jumped to their feet for a standing ovation. The moment catapulted Daniel into the national conversation, and the 13-year-old was invited to visit Trump at the White House the following day. “Joining us in the gallery tonight is a young man who truly loves our police. His name is DJ Daniel, he is 13 years old, and he has always dreamed of becoming a police officer,” Trump said. “Tonight, DJ, we’re going to do you the biggest honor of them all. I am asking our new Secret Service director, Sean Curran, to officially make you an agent of the United States Secret Service,” Trump continued. Daniel has now been sworn in at more than 1,300 law enforcement agencies across the country, the White House confirmed in May. “DJ initially had five months to live, and we’ve beaten that,” Daniel shared with Fox News Digital. The veteran said he has learned resilience in the face of adversity. “I want to run because I feel like everything that my son and I have been doing for the last six years or so, we have brought joy to people’s lives and gave them hope, which I didn’t think it was going to turn into nothing like this, but it feels good,” Daniel said. Daniel said the constituents of Texas’ 18th congressional district have been “duped,” and they are ready for real progress. He also committed to a term-limit if he’s elected to Congress this November, explaining that many elected officials lose sight of their mission and get too comfortable in office. “Sometimes, when you marinate meat, you kind of ruin it. Some people just wear out their welcome. It’s like somebody coming to your house, wanting to stay for a little bit, and they stay there for two or three days,” Daniel said. “Well, these folks got comfortable. When people get comfortable, they get lazy. When they get lazy, they get forgetful and disrespectful,” Daniel added. Texas is holding a special election on Nov. 4 to replace the late Rep. Sylvester Turner, who succeeded the late Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee. Lee represented Texas’ 18th congressional district for nearly three decades before her death in July 2024. Turner also died in March 2025, leading to the current special election. Texas’ 18th congressional district represents parts of northern and eastern Houston, including downtown, as well as the nearby city of Humble and Harris County.
Meet the former Soros foundation exec connecting Obama world with Mamdani campaign
A former top executive for liberal billionaire George Soros’ Open Society Foundations (OSF) between 2017 and 2020 is back in the spotlight amid reports highlighting his involvement with Zohran Mamdani’s New York City mayoral campaign and connecting Obama world to the campaign. Patrick Gaspard, who has served in several high-profile political positions, including advising former President Barack Obama’s historic 2008 campaign, serving as the Democratic National Committee’s executive director, and being tapped as the Center for American Progress (CAP) president in 2021, has been informally advising Mamdani on the side and recently introduced Obama campaign architect David Axelrod to him, a recent New York Times article revealed. A New York Times opinion piece that was published on Wednesday explained how Obama world operatives were starting to coalesce around Mamdani and have been in communication with his campaign behind the scenes. Obama reportedly called Mamdani after his Democratic primary victory in June, offering advice about the importance of governing and giving constituents optimism in dark times. Gaspard, who was reportedly at Mamdani’s victory party in late June, has played a growing role advising Mamdani and accompanying him to meetings, the piece noted. He also introduced Axelrod to Mamdani last month when the former Obama advisor visited the campaign headquarters in Manhattan. MAMDANI PREACHES FROM PULPIT OF RADICAL PASTOR PUSHING REPARATIONS, ABOLISHING POLICE: ‘BROTHER AND FRIEND’ “What I found when I went over to that office was a familiar spirit that I hadn’t seen in a while of just determined, upbeat idealism,” Axelrod told the Times. “You may not agree with every answer he’s giving, or every idea he has, but he’s certainly asking the right questions, which is how do we make the country work for working people?” Earlier this year, Fox News Digital reported that the Mamdani campaign has been dishing out millions to a media strategist with ties to the Obama world through Axelrod and David Plouffe. The piece also noted how former Obama speechwriter Jon Favreau and former Obama advisor Dan Pfeiffer, who are often referred to as the “Obama bros” of the “Pod Save America” podcast, were in contact with a top Mamdani advisor and have been keeping close tabs on the race. While Obama world’s influence could play a major role over the next couple of months ahead of the general election, Gaspard’s past ties to the Soros foundations could help Mamdani tap into wealthy donors who support his agenda. Gaspard, who made millions of dollars serving as the OSF president between 2017 and 2020, has been a staunch defender of Soros, saying earlier this year that he was “inspired by the selection of my friend George Soros, who is one of our leading defenders of inclusive and accountable democracy and vibrant civil society,” after then-President Joe Biden announced he would receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom. “His accomplishments, in the face of distortions and threats from extremists, will be lauded well into the future,” he continued. In a long 2023 X thread, Gaspard also attempted to deflect blame away from Soros amid reports that Soros and his network were pouring millions of dollars into the campaign coffers of radical DAs and far-left groups that emphasized social justice programs and gave lenient sentences to violent criminals. “George Soros is as concerned about public safety as anyone else. But he recognizes that our criminal justice system is badly broken, and in need of new ideas and new approaches – a view that enjoyed bipartisan consensus in the before times,” Gaspard claimed. MAMDANI’S FATHER SITS ON COUNCIL OF ANTI-ISRAEL GROUP TIED TO TERROR, LEGITIMIZES ROLE OF SUICIDE BOMBERS “It is also important to note that in Chicago, Los Angeles, Philadelphia and all over the country voters keep electing and re-electing reformers,” he continued. “To suggest that the reason they are doing so is because of Soros contributions is an insult to ordinary people.” The Mamdani campaign has already benefited from several far-left groups who have received tens of millions of dollars in funding from OSF over the years, including the democratic socialist-friendly Working Families Party, which has received over $23 million from OSF, the New York Post reported last month. The report went on to say that Gaspard has played a “key role” in guiding Mamdani through the campaign and listed several of the groups that are aligned with or have endorsed Mamdani, which include Jewish Voice for Peace Action, Make The Road Action and Community Voices Heard. Jewish Voice for Peace Action has established itself as one of the most prominent groups in the country speaking out against Israel and Fox News Digital previously reported that the group was active at college campuses in 2024 backing anti-Israel protests. Influence Watch describes the group as “a left-wing, nominally Jewish group that opposes U.S. assistance to the state of Israel and supports allowing Palestinians to live on land within Israel vacated by Arabs during the Israeli War of Independence.” The Center for American Progress, Fox News Digital previously reported, played a significant role in staffing and policymaking in the Biden administration, with at least 70 CAP employees leaving the group to fill key posts within the administration. Fox News Digital reached out to the Mamdani campaign and Gaspard for comment.
Supreme Court has ‘good chance’ of hearing Kim Davis’ case urging same-sex marriage be overturned: lawyer
The former Kentucky county clerk who was jailed 10 years ago for refusing to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples is now asking the Supreme Court to review its landmark decision that legalized same-sex marriage nationwide, with her attorney telling Fox News Digital there’s a “good chance” it will end up on their docket. Kim Davis, a devout Christian, made national headlines in 2015 when she refused to sign the marriage licenses of same-sex couples over her religious belief that marriage is between one man and one woman. Davis’ lawyer, Mat Staver, is helping her appeal a ruling that she must pay $360,000 in legal fees and expenses to plaintiffs David Ermold and David Moore. “The First Amendment should be an absolute defense to Kim Davis. And secondly, we’re asking the Supreme Court to overturn Obergefell, the 2015 decision that ultimately caused this problem in the first place,” Staver told Fox News Digital. “For them not to review the matter I think is terrible for Kim Davis and also terrible for the country because they’ve damaged the Constitution and only the court can fix it,” Staver added. DECADE AFTER LANDMARK RULING, REPUBLICAN SUPPORT FOR SAME-SEX MARRIAGE CRATERS Staver also told Fox News Digital, “I think we have a good chance at having the Supreme Court take up this case because you have three of the justices still on the bench that were part of the four dissenters in 2015” in Obergefell v. Hodges, “including the chief justice, who gave a very strong dissent.” “There’s only two justices still on the bench that were on the bench in the majority in 2015, and that would be Kagan and Sotomayor,” Staver added. “This is the case with the most compelling facts that can challenge and overturn Obergefell.” The case, if it reaches the Supreme Court, would be heard by Justices Clarence Thomas, John Roberts and Samuel Alito, who dissented to Obergefell v. Hodges; Justices Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagen, who affirmed the decision; and four newly appointed justices. In March, a three-judge panel from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit wrote in a ruling that “As Davis sees it, issuing Plaintiffs a marriage license would have violated her own constitutionally protected religious beliefs; thus, she asserts, she cannot be held liable. We disagree.” “Davis cannot raise a Free Exercise Clause defense because she is being held liable for state action, which the First Amendment does not protect,” the ruling added. REVISITING JUSTICE SCALIA’S SAME-SEX MARRIAGE DISSENT: PROPHETIC OR INFLAMMATORY? A petition for writ of certiorari filed last month on behalf of Davis is appealing that decision. “Obergefell was wrong when it was decided and it is wrong today because it was grounded entirely on the legal fiction of substantive due process,” the filing said. “Overturning Obergefell would not undo any marriage licenses in effect at the time. All marriage licenses, including those between same-sex couples, would continue to be recognized. They would be ‘grandfathered.’ Going forward, marriage would return to the states as it was prior to Obergefell. It would be up to each state to define marriage,” it added. William Powell, an attorney representing Ermold and Moore, and a Senior Counsel with the Institute for Constitutional Advocacy and Protection, told Fox News Digital that “We are confident the Supreme Court, like the court of appeals, will conclude that Davis’s arguments do not merit further attention. “Marriage equality is settled law,” he added. Fox News Digital’s Maria Lencki contributed to this report.
Democratic governor declares state of emergency in crime-ridden county
Just two days after President Donald Trump seized control of Washington, D.C.’s police force to combat violent crime in the Democrat-run capital, New Mexico’s Democratic governor on Wednesday declared a state of emergency over rampant violence and drug trafficking in a large swath of her state. Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham announced the sweeping emergency declaration in crime-ridden Rio Arriba County, which includes two Native American Pueblo communities. The county, which stretches from the city of Española to the Colorado state line, has long struggled with some of the nation’s highest opioid overdose death rates. Grisham said local leaders have pleaded for assistance in tackling the crises and that public safety threats have “overwhelmed local resources.” NATIONAL GUARD DEPLOYED TO BLUE CITY OVERRUN WITH JUVENILE CRIME, FENTANYL IS ‘NOT ENOUGH,’ STATE GOP SAYS “When our local leaders called for help to protect their communities, we responded immediately with decisive action,” Grisham said in a statement. “We are making every resource available to support our local partners on the ground and restore public safety and stability to these areas that have been hardest hit by this crisis.” The emergency declaration makes $750,000 available to the Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management to coordinate response efforts and to provide resources to the communities impacted. Grisham said a surge in criminal activity has contributed to increased homelessness, family instability and fatal drug overdoses, placing extraordinary strain on local governments and police departments that have requested immediate state assistance. She said police calls in Española and surrounding areas have more than doubled in the past two years. Police dispatches to businesses in the area have quadrupled in the same period. Rio Arriba County currently has the highest overdose death rate in the state, with residents struggling with addiction to fentanyl and other illicit substances. THREE STATES SIGN NEW AGREEMENTS WITH ICE FOR EXPANDED IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT OPERATIONS There were no immediate calls for troop deployments in the county, though the new emergency declaration allows for authorities to call up the National Guard. Emergency funds will help local law enforcement agencies spend on overtime, equipment and coordinated police responses, a Grisham spokesperson said. The tribal governor of Santa Clara Pueblo on the edge of Española urged the state to address a growing public safety crisis stemming from the use and abuse of fentanyl and alcohol in the community at large. “The Pueblo has expended thousands of dollars trying to address this crisis… and to protect Pueblo children who are directly and negatively affected by a parent’s or guardian’s addiction,” said Santa Clara Gov. James Naranjo in a July letter to Lujan Grisham. “But we are not an isolated community and the causes and effects of fentanyl/alcohol abuse, increased crime and increased homelessness extend to the wider community.” Grisham’s emergency declaration comes after she sent the National Guard to Albuquerque in April to address a spike in juvenile crime and fentanyl. The National Guard were tasked with scene security and traffic control, prisoner transport assistance and other roles that don’t involve arrests in order to free up Albuquerque Police Department resources. Wednesday’s state of emergency was welcomed by New Mexico Republicans, including Española City Councilor Sam LeDoux. “I am pleased that the governor is addressing the out-of-control crime in our community,” LeDoux said. It has long been overrun and not addressed. Fentanyl has overwhelmed our law enforcement, and this seems to be a step in the right direction to protecting our citizens.” New Mexico Republican Party Chairwoman Amy Barela also welcomed the announcement but urged the governor to ensure the deployment results in real change. “This community is long overdue in receiving help to combat the out-of-control crime caused by the failed policies of our state leadership,” Barela said in a statement. “While I hope the deployment of the National Guard will provide real assistance, the people of Española deserve more than just street counselors — they deserve action that addresses the root of the problem.” “Thanks to President Trump’s America First policies and his decisive action to secure the border, we have already begun to see crime rates decrease nationally. Now, it’s time to put New Mexicans first by ensuring those who commit crimes are caught and held accountable.” The Associated Press contributed to this report.
EXCLUSIVE: Trump touts ‘zero tax’ benefits for majority of seniors on social security’s 90th anniversary
Donald Trump will issue a presidential proclamation Thursday honoring the 90th anniversary of the Social Security Act, which will tout his administration’s achievements in improving the program, including legislative provisions that will help the vast majority of seniors pay “zero tax” on their social security benefits. The Social Security Act was signed into law by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1935, during the Great Depression. The bill was aimed at creating a federal safety net to help Americans with unemployment, illness, disability, death and old-age. The president’s Thursday proclamation, obtained and reviewed in advance by Fox News Digital, proclaimed the Act as “a monumental legislative achievement.” SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION PHISHING SCAM TARGETS RETIREES “To this day, Social Security is rooted in a simple promise: those who gave their careers to building our Nation will always have the support, stability, and relief they deserve,” the proclamation states. “Thanks to my Administration’s efforts, Social Security now stands stronger and more resilient than ever before.” During Trump’s second term, Democrats have slammed his approach to helping improve the program, arguing cuts to the Social Security Administration’s workforce and provisions in the Republican’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act will negatively impact the critical program. However, the administration is fighting back at those notions, pointing to technological improvements, lower customer service wait times, and disability claim backlogs that have been cleared. “While Democrats flail and peddle lies about Social Security, President Trump is demonstrating his unbreakable commitment to protecting and strengthening this vital program for the nearly 72 million Americans who benefit from it,” White House spokesperson Liz Huston said. “By massively improving the customer service experience through technological improvements, preventing illegal aliens from accessing benefits, and delivering no taxes on Social Security through the One Big Beautiful Bill – President Trump has Made Social Security Great Again.” Trump’s critics have suggested he is damaging the program, but according to the administration, things have drastically improved. A source in the administration told Fox News Digital that the administration completed over 3.1 million payments ahead of schedule thus far, totaling $17 billion, to eligible beneficiaries. Additionally, the wait time for social security’s service delivery has been dramatically reduced under Trump, with the average telephone response time reduced from 30-minutes last year, to six minutes as it stands currently. That amounts to an 80% reduction in wait times. TOP DEM DEMANDS ANSWERS FROM SOCIAL SECURITY, CLAIMING WAIT TIMES SPIKED DURING DOGE CUTS Meanwhile, the president touts in his proclamation that provisions in the Republican spending package, signed into law last month, will allow “the vast majority of seniors who receive social security” to pay absolutely nothing in taxes on their benefits. “The largest tax break for seniors in the history of our country,” as the president described it in his proclamation. Trump also expressed that his administration is actively working to root out fraud, waste and abuse in the system, including the longstanding issue of improper and fraudulent payments to deceased individuals. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP “On this 90th Anniversary of the Social Security Act, we recognize the countless contributions of every American senior who has invested their time, talent, and resources into our Nation’s future,” Trump writes in his proclamation. “On this momentous milestone, we recommit to strengthening our retirement system, protecting programs like Social Security and Medicare against fraud and abuse, and ensuring that every future generation of American citizens has the income security they need and earned.”
400 National Guard members descend upon DC; expanded crime crackdown expected Wednesday night
Around 400 D.C. National Guard members have reported for duty in the nation’s capital as of Wednesday afternoon in response to President Donald Trump’s directive to help make Washington “safe, clean and beautiful,” a U.S. Army official told Fox News. Hundreds more D.C. National Guard troops are expected to report for duty later Wednesday and Thursday, with a significantly higher presence on the ground Wednesday evening. By the end of the week, it is expected all 800 who have been activated will have reported for duty. Law enforcement officials have made 103 arrests since Aug. 7, when Trump’s order to “federalize” D.C. and crack down on crime was announced and more law enforcement officers took to the streets. INSIDE THE WASHINGTON, DC HOMELESS HOT SPOTS TRUMP HAS VOWED TO CLEAN UP Guardsmen were spotted rolling in on military vehicles near the National Mall Wednesday evening. Troops gathered at the D.C. armory before deploying near monuments and near a U.S. Park building in the crime-ridden neighborhood of Anacostia in southeast D.C. In addition to sending in the Guard, Trump placed D.C.’s Metropolitan Police Department under federal control, using the Home Rule Act that allows him to do so for up to 30 days. On Monday, federal and local authorities made 23 arrests, including suspects wanted for murder, gun offenses and other crimes. On Tuesday, they made 43 arrests, and 24 guns were seized. While only 30 National Guard troops were on the ground Tuesday night, more than 1,450 participated in the operations, including 750 Metropolitan Police Department officers and federal law enforcement officers. Beginning Wednesday night, the operations will be active around the clock rather than just evening hours. TRUMP ACTIVATES NATIONAL GUARD TROOPS TO ADDRESS ‘TOTALLY OUT OF CONTROL’ CRIME IN WASHINGTON The White House-led operation will not only tackle crime but also homelessness within the district. For those camping in D.C. federal parks under the National Park Service’s jurisdiction, the options are to leave, go to a homeless shelter or go to jail. Trump has described the federalization of the police as “Liberation Day in D.C.,” declaring, “We’re going to take our capital back.” Fox News’ David Spunt and Fox News Digital’s Emma Colton contributed to this report.
Dems accuse JD Vance of ‘congressional level shoplifting,’ call for more to join AWOL lawmakers
Democratic lawmakers from the Texas and Indiana legislatures slammed Republican redistricting efforts before the 2026 Midterm Elections, with one Indiana lawmaker accusing Vice President JD Vance of being “engaged in congressional-level shoplifting.” The lawmakers held a press conference in Chicago on Wednesday to protest an ongoing effort in Texas to pass a redistricting bill that would likely hand the GOP five additional congressional seats. During the event, Texas state Rep. Gene Wu, who is chair of the Texas House Democratic Caucus, said that by fleeing the state to deny a voting quorum in the Texas House, his caucus is “blocking a racist, unconstitutional and illegal gerrymandering effort.” He said the AWOL Democrats are also “stopping the DC swamp from dictating who we get to vote for.” GOV. ABBOT STILL BEAT NEWSOM IN DISASTER RELIEF DESPITE TEXAS DEMOCRATS STALLING, HIDING OUT This comes as Texas Governor Greg Abbott and other state authorities have called for the arrest and removal of Democratic lawmakers who disappeared from the state and brought legislative progress in the state House of Representatives to a grinding halt. Because of the missing Democrats, the Texas House has not been able to pass the redistricting bill though it passed in the Texas Senate on Tuesday. In an interview with Fox News Digital, Abbott said that, in addition to political backlash, Democratic lawmakers who accepted money to assist with their exodus could face felony bribery charges. Now, several Democrats are reportedly planning to return to the state as Abbott calls for a second special legislative session to pass the redistricting bill. Despite this, the Democrats are asserting that their efforts have been a success. Speaking on Wednesday, Wu said, “I’m so happy to be here today because in the past week we have heard from California, we have heard from New York, we have heard from Illinois, that people are ready to stand up. People are ready to fight back.” DEMS FACE SCRUTINY OVER CONGRESSIONAL REPRESENTATION GAPS IN BLUE STATES: ‘DON’T HAVE CLEAN HANDS’ Wu called on more people to join in the efforts and to take “more aggressive actions” to fight the GOP. “We cannot do this alone; that this is not a fight that we can sustain and win on our own,” said Wu. “What we need is we need more people to join us. We need more states to come to our aid, and we need more people to say we will start taking more aggressive actions, we will defend against this.” Wu went on to say that if Texas and other red states are “determined to do this,” then “other states will make sure that it does not matter what they do, that we will nullify their actions.” “We will make it pointless for them to attack our democracy,” he said. In response, Andrew Mahaleris, a spokesperson for Abbott, told Fox News Digital that “Democrats fundamentally misunderstand Texans.” “Texans expect their elected leaders to show up to work, and the Democrats refuse to do so,” said Mahaleris. “Voters, especially Hispanic Texans, are increasingly deserting the Democrats and deserve to be able to vote for candidates who better align with their values. At the end of the day, candidates win on the merits, not the map. If Democrats have any hope of winning elections, they need to change their platform. Running away from a fight is not a solution and is the antithesis of being a Texan.” Amidst this controversy, Vance has also called for red states to counter what he called “aggressive” Democratic gerrymandering in blue states like California, New York and Illinois. Speaking with Maria Bartiromo on Fox News’ “Sunday Morning Futures” this past weekend, Vance said, “We’re just trying to rebalance the scales and frankly push back against a very unfair system created by the Democrats.” JD VANCE CALLS ON REPUBLICANS TO TAKE ‘DECISIVE ACTION’ TO COUNTER DEMOCRATIC GERRYMANDERING Vance said Democrats have had the upper hand in the game for many years and, under President Donald Trump‘s leadership, Republicans are finally playing offense. “It’s ridiculously unfair,” he said of illegal immigrants being included in the total population used to determine how many seats each state receives in the U.S. House of Representatives. “The only real way to fight back against it is for us to redistrict, in some ways, as aggressively as these hard blue states have done,” he added. On Wednesday, Indiana state Rep. Ed DeLaney, a Democrat serving in a majority Republican legislature, accused Vance of engaging in “congressional-level shoplifting.” “JD Vance, in my view, and I’m being serious about this, the man is engaged in congressional-level shoplifting, and I say that again. That’s what he’s doing,” said DeLaney. “Never in my life did I think that the Vice President of the United States would come to my state to ask our legislators to shoplift a congressional district like this, steal them off the shelf, run outside and wave them in front of the country. We cannot have this kind of conduct,” he said. O’ROURKE, SOROS-LINKED GROUPS FACE CALL FOR DOJ PROBE OVER ALLEGED FUNDING OF TEXAS DEM WALKOUT DeLaney asserted that “this game of, you know, ritual gerrymandering” puts at risk “the mutual respect of the legislature of our state and of Texas and of other states.” He went on to say, “If these idiots get their wishes, what happens if they lose one of those five congressional races? Oh my God, let’s have another redistricting next year. This has got to be put to a stop.” He went on to say that the Texas Democrats “are the people who are going to try to put it to a stop,” adding, “I know how hard it is, but we need to support them and stand with them. Otherwise, our people will be subjected to ever-changing districts, none of which are representative.” Fox News Digital also reached out to Vance’s office for comment, but did not immediately hear back.