Game on in North Carolina as former Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper launches Senate bid for GOP-held seat
Former two-term Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper is running for the Senate in battleground North Carolina. Cooper announced his candidacy on Monday morning in the open-seat race to succeed Republican Sen. Thom Tillis, who announced late last month that he wouldn’t run for re-election in the 2026 midterm elections. “I have thought on it and prayed about it, and I have decided: I am running to be the next U.S. Senator from North Carolina,” Cooper said in a social media post. Cooper’s campaign launch is seen as a major coup for the Democratic Party, as he was the party’s top recruit in next year’s elections, bolstering their chances of flipping a key GOP-held seat as they try to take a big bite out of the Republicans’ 53-47 Senate majority. DNC CHAIR TELLS FOX NEWS DIGITAL DEMOCRATS HAVE HIT ‘ROCK BOTTOM’ – HERE’S HIS PLAN TO REBOUND His announcement was expected, as numerous news organizations, including Fox News, recently reported that the former governor would launch a campaign in the coming days. And this past weekend, at the North Carolina Democrats “Unity Dinner,” Cooper teased his run during his speech. He grabbed cheers when he asked people to stand up if they were running for office in 2026 and said, “Hey, I’m not sitting down, am I.” Cooper, in a video announcing his candidacy, argued that “politicians in DC are running up our debt, ripping away our healthcare, disrespecting our veterans, cutting help for the poor, and even putting Medicare and Social Security at risk, just to give tax breaks to billionaires,” in a jab at President Donald Trump and Republicans in Congress. Senate Minority Leader Sen. Chuck Schumer of New York and Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC) chair Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand of New York said in a statement that “Governor Cooper is a formidable candidate who will flip North Carolina’s Senate seat, and his announcement is the latest indication that the Republicans’ Senate majority is at risk in 2026.” The Senate Leadership Fund (SLF), the top super PAC supporting Senate Republicans, fired back. “Chuck Schumer might be celebrating, but North Carolinians are still reeling from extreme liberal Roy Cooper’s botched response to Hurricane Helene that left over 100 people dead, his pardons of violent criminals, and his vetoes that allowed boys in girls’ sports and forced higher taxes on working families,” SLF Executive Director Alex Latcham claimed in a statement. Ahead of his launch, the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC), which is the Senate GOP’s campaign arm, targeted Cooper in a digital ad. And in a statement Monday morning, NRSC Communications Director Joanna Rodriguez claimed that “Roy Cooper is a Democrat lapdog who spent his time as Governor sabotaging President Trump, doing Joe Biden and Kamala Harris’ bidding, releasing violent illegal aliens into North Carolina streets, and championing radical transgender ideology.” Cooper isn’t the only Democrat to announce their candidacy. Former one-term Rep. Wiley Nickel launched a campaign for the Senate in North Carolina in April. But Wiley is expected to drop his bid and endorse Cooper. FIRST ON FOX: REPUBLICAN LAUNCHES SECOND STRAIGHT BID TO FLIP DEMOCRAT HELD SWING STATE SENATE SEAT Cooper, who was a popular governor during his eight years steering North Carolina, was floated last year as a possible running mate for then-Vice President Kamala Harris after she succeeded then-President Joe Biden as the Democrats’ 2024 presidential nominee. Cooper is likely to face off in next year’s general election with Republican National Committee (RNC) Chair Michael Whatley, in what would be one of the most competitive, bruising, and expensive Senate battles of 2026. President Donald Trump, who is the ultimate kingmaker in GOP politics and whose endorsements in Republican primaries are extremely powerful, on Thursday gave Whatley his “Complete and Total Endorsement.” “Mike would make an unbelievable Senator from North Carolina. He is fantastic at everything he does, and he was certainly great at the RNC,” Trump added, in a social media post. And NRSC chair Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina called Whatley “a strong America First conservative who will be a champion for North Carolina in the U.S. Senate. RNC CHAIR WHATLEY TO SEEK OPEN GOP-HELD SENATE SEAT IN KEY BATTLEGROUND STATE Scott noted that “the Tar Heel State has supported President Trump in all three of his elections and elected Republicans to both its U.S. Senate seats for over a decade. With Michael as our candidate, we will win it again in 2026!” Trump called Tillis’ announcement last month that he wouldn’t seek a third six-year term in the Senate “great news.” Tillis is a GOP critic of the president, and Trump torched the senator last month for not supporting his so-called “big, beautiful” spending and tax cut bill. Lara Trump, the president’s daughter-in-law and a North Carolina native who served last year alongside Whatley as an RNC co-chair, was considered to be Trump’s top choice to run for Tillis’ seat. But in a statement on Thursday, Lara Trump said “after much consideration and heartfelt discussions with my family, friends, and supporters, I have decided not to pursue the United States Senate seat in North Carolina at this time.” Whatley, who served as chair of the North Carolina GOP before being elected last year as RNC chair, said recently in a Fox News Digital interview that the Senate showdown in the Tar Heel State is “going to be one of the marquee races in the country.”
Trump meets with UK Prime Minister Starmer on heels of EU trade deal
President Donald Trump is meeting with U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Monday, just a day after Trump secured a trade deal with the European Union. Trump greeted Starmer on the front steps of his golf resort in Turnberry, Scotland on Monday. The two spoke briefly to reporters, commenting on both immigration issues in the U.K. and the ongoing hunger crisis in Gaza. “I’m looking for getting people fed right now,” Trump said. “To me, that’s your number one position because you have a lot of starving people. You have people that you know, the United States recently, just a couple of weeks ago, we gave $60 million. It’s a lot of money. No other nation gave money.” Starmer agreed that the situation in Gaza is a “humanitarian crisis,” and the pair said they planned to discuss the issue during their meeting. TRUMP HEADS TO SCOTLAND, CONTINUES IRONING OUT TRADE DEALS AFTER NOTCHING SIX MONTHS BACK IN OFFICE Trump also touched on the war in Ukraine, saying he continues to be “disappointed” in Russian President Vladimir Putin. He said he may reduce the 50-day window the U.S. gave for Ukraine and Russia to reach a ceasefire agreement. “I think I already know the answer, what’s going to happen,” Trump said. Trump also commented that the world would be experiencing six major wars if he weren’t serving as president, citing his efforts to end India’s conflict with Pakistan as well as friction between Serbia and Kosovo. In May, the U.K. became the first to announce a trade deal with the U.S. following Liberation Day, when Trump announced widespread tariffs for multiple countries earlier this year. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt also told reporters last week that Trump and Starmer will meet “to refine the great trade deal that was brokered,” though the White House did not answer Fox News Digital’s questions about what specifically will be discussed over the weekend. “The U.K. is the only country to have secured this deal with the U.S., reducing car export tariffs from 27.5% to 10%, saving manufacturers hundreds of millions each year and protecting hundreds of thousands of jobs,” the British government said in a statement. “At the same time, the aerospace sector has seen the removal of 10% tariffs on goods such as engines and aircraft parts, helping make companies such as Rolls Royce more competitive and allow them to continue to be at the cutting edge of innovation.” UK TO ROLL OUT RED CARPET IN ‘UNPRECEDENTED’ SECOND TRUMP VISIT HOSTED BY KING CHARLES Starmer championed his relationship with Trump in a BBC interview earlier this month and said that it was “in the national interest” for the two men to get along. “We are different people, and we’ve got different political backgrounds and leanings, but we do have a good relationship and that comes from a number of places,” Starmer told BBC podcast “Political Thinking.” “I think I do understand what anchors the president, what he really cares about.” Fox News’ Caitlin McFall contributed to this report
Obama issues rare statement on foreign policy issue
Former President Barack Obama issued a rare statement weighing in on the hunger situation in Gaza on Sunday, suggesting aid must flow to Palestinians regardless of whether Israel can secure a hostage deal for now. Obama made the statement on social media in reference to reporting from the New York Times stating that “Gazans are dying of starvation.” Israel, which blockaded aid to Gaza earlier this year, has recently begun to airdrop aid resources into the region, and its leaders argue reports of starvation are a false campaign promoted by Hamas. Reporting from Fox News’ Trey Yingst has indicated that hunger is indeed spreading across the region, however. “While a lasting resolution to the crisis in Gaza must involve a return of all hostages and a cessation of Israel’s military operations, these articles underscore the immediate need for action to be taken to prevent the travesty of innocent people dying of preventable starvation,” Obama wrote on X, providing a link to the Times. “Aid must be permitted to reach people in Gaza. There is no justification for keeping food and water away from civilian families,” he added. HAMAS LOSING IRON GRIP ON GAZA AS US-BACKED GROUP GETS AID TO PALESTINIANS IN NEED President Donald Trump touted U.S. efforts to provide aid to Gaza when asked about the situation on Sunday. Meeting with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen at the time, he stated that Europe has not provided aid to Gaza. He also said that Hamas is stealing much of the aid being sent to Palestinians, a claim Israel has put forward repeatedly. “When I see the children and when I see, especially over the last couple of weeks people are stealing the food, they’re stealing the money, they’re stealing the money for the food. They’re stealing weapons, they’re stealing everything,” Trump told reporters. “It’s a mess, that whole place is a mess. The Gaza Strip, you know it was given many years ago so they could have peace. That didn’t work out too well,” he added. NEWS OUTLETS ‘DESPERATELY CONCERNED’ FOR THEIR JOURNALISTS IN GAZA, URGE ISRAELI AUTHORITIES TO HELP The IDF says it conducted 28 drops in a matter of hours on Sunday, in addition to transferring some 250 aid trucks over the course of the week. “Let me be clear: Israel supports aid for civilians, not for Hamas. The IDF will continue to support the flow of humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza,” an IDF spokesperson said Sunday. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has also pushed back on criticism of his regime, arguing that the United Nations has been falsely pushing claims of widespread starvation. He told the Jerusalem Post on Sunday that it has long been Israel’s policy to allow aid into Gaza so long as it did not benefit Hamas. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP “We’ve done this so far,” Netanyahu told the paper. “But the U.N. is spreading lies and falsehoods about Israel. They say we don’t allow humanitarian supplies in, yet we do. There are secure corridors. They’ve always existed, but now it’s official. No more excuses.”
Rubio downplays 2028 talk, touts Vance as Trump’s successor
Secretary of State Marco Rubio dismissed speculation that he could be the Republican Party’s 2028 presidential nominee, instead throwing his support behind Vice President JD Vance. “I think JD Vance would be a great nominee if he decides he wants to do that,” Rubio said during an interview with Lara Trump that aired on the Fox News Channel Saturday. Rubio also described Vance as one of his “closest friends in politics.” RUBIO REFLECTS ON REMARKABLE POLITICAL JOURNEY FROM TRUMP CRITIC TO TRUSTED CABINET MEMBER He went on to commend Vance’s performance as vice president during the segment on “My View with Lara Trump” and made clear he is satisfied with his current role in President Donald Trump’s Cabinet. “I want to do this job as long as the president allows me to,” Rubio added. Trump appointed Rubio to serve as the nation’s top diplomat shortly after defeating then–Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 election. Rubio, previously a Republican senator representing Florida, was among the first confirmed to Trump’s Cabinet. “I believe that if I am able to be here, through the duration of this presidency, and we get things done at the pace that we’ve been doing the last six months, I’ll be able to look back at my time in public service and say I made a difference, I had an impact, and I served my country in a very positive way,” Rubio told Trump. “And I would be satisfied with that as the apex of my career,” he added. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Freedom Caucus lawmaker Ralph Norman vows to ‘shake things up’ in South Carolina governor bid
A lawmaker in the conservative House Freedom Caucus is launching his campaign to be governor of South Carolina. Rep. Ralph Norman, R-S.C., who came to Congress in 2017, kicked off his Palmetto State bid with a Rock Hill campaign rally on Sunday. “I am running for governor to shake things up, clean up Columbia, and finally take down the corrupt political establishment once and for all,” Norman is telling voters, according to prepared remarks obtained by Fox News Digital. “I owe nothing to the lobbyists. I owe nothing to the Columbia bureaucratic elite. My allegiance is to you, the people of South Carolina.” As part of his campaign platform, Norman is promising to establish a Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) “commission” in the state “that roots out waste, fraud, and abuse.” THOM TILLIS ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT FROM SENATE AFTER CLASH WITH TRUMP Norman is also running on the promise of fixing South Carolina’s infrastructure, implementing term limits for state lawmakers, tort reform, and pledging to “let the people vote on judges.” Currently, a majority of state judgeships in South Carolina are decided by the General Assembly. Some positions, including magistrate judges, are appointed by the governor. Norman is also promising “to use the bully pulpit to bring my case directly to the people” and to “use the veto pen.” His campaign speech also touches on socially conservative goals like advocating for school choice, and restricting school bathrooms by gender at birth. “And if that all doesn’t work, I’m telling you now that any so-called “Republican” RINO legislator that doesn’t stand for reforms the people are calling for doesn’t deserve to be in office and we’ll beat them in Republican primaries if that’s what it takes,” Norman’s speech says. Norman is joining a crowded Republican primary field with his Sunday announcement. South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson, Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette and state Sen. Josh Kimbrell are also in the race. Meanwhile, Norman’s House colleague, Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., is also said to be considering a campaign for governor. COMER DISMISSES BIDEN DOCTOR’S BID FOR PAUSE IN COVER-UP PROBE: ‘THROWING OUT EVERY EXCUSE’ And in a state that President Donald Trump won by nearly 20 points in 2024, the commander-in-chief’s endorsement – both in the primary and general election – will likely be critical. Norman pointed out in his speech that both he and Trump have a background in real estate; both men led development companies that were founded by their fathers. “We need business leaders – people who have signed both the front and the back of a paycheck. Folks who have built something, taken risks, made money, and yes, lost money too,” Norman said. “Thankfully, we have a great businessman – and fellow developer – back in the White House! Just look what a difference President Trump has made in six months.” He also cast himself as a disruptor who helped move “the needle by making our budget more conservative,” in reference to the House Freedom Caucus’s push to move Trump’s “big, beautiful bill” to the right. And while the group was successful in doing that in the House, the Senate watered down several of those wins during its time considering the bill. The Senate version ultimately passed the House, with Norman and other Freedom Caucus members voting in support. “Some say I have earned a reputation of being uncompromising, always trying to make a bill more conservative,” Norman’s speech says. “Well folks, I’ll take that as a compliment and I am proud of it.” As a member of Congress, Norman sits on the House Committee on Financial Services, House Budget Committee, and House Rules Committee. A longtime ally of former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, Norman was the only House Republican to formally endorse her before Haley dropped out of the race, after which Norman backed Trump. He told Fox News Digital of his endorsement in January 2024, “When I supported Nikki Haley, I had the respect of Donald Trump to call him, and I told him what I was gonna do, and I decided I was going to do it.” It’s worth noting, however, that Norman had been a vocal supporter of Trump since Haley’s exit – and unlike other House Freedom Caucus allies, he did not incur Trump’s wrath for his loyalty to Haley. He was most recently at the White House earlier this week with other House Republicans for a reception celebrating their legislative successes. The South Carolina gubernatorial general election will take place in November 2026.
Trump announces trade deal with European Union
President Donald Trump and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced a trade deal between the U.S. and European Union on Sunday. The announcement came moments after the two had addressed the media, agreeing that the likelihood of an agreement was about 50-50. Von der Leyen said the negotiations had taken some “heavy lifting,” but the two leaders agreed they were happy with the result. “We are agreeing that the tariff straight across for automobiles and everything else will be a straight-across tariff of 15%,” Trump said. “So we have a tariff of 15%. We have the opening up of all of the European countries, which I think I could say were essentially closed. I mean, you weren’t exactly taking our orders. You weren’t exactly taking our agriculture,” he added, addressing von der Leyen. TREASURY SECRETARY BESSENT DETAILS TRUMP ADMINISTRATION’S PLAN TO TACKLE CHINA’S ECONOMIC IMBALANCES Von der Leyen said Europe will also purchase $150 billion worth of U.S. energy as part of the deal, in addition to making $600 billion in other investments into the U.S. TRUMP HEADS TO SCOTLAND TO TALK GOLF, POLITICS AND TRADE Trump and von der Leyen had sounded unsure of whether a deal would be reached even as they spoke to the press in Scotland on Sunday. “We look forward to talking to see if we can do something,” Trump had said of the negotiations. “We’ve had, a very good relationship over the years, but it’s been a very one-sided transaction, very unfair to the United States.” Responding to a reporter’s question, von der Leyen agreed with Trump that there must be a “rebalancing” of the bilateral trade, which is worth billions of dollars. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP “It is about rebalancing,” von der Leyen said as she sat next to Trump. “You can call it fairness, you can call it rebalancing. We have a surplus and the United States has a deficit, and we have to rebalance it.”
Trump hits EU for lack of Gaza aid, says Israel needs to ‘make a decision’ with Hamas not releasing hostages
President Donald Trump blasted the European Union for not providing aid to Gaza on Sunday, adding that Israel must “make a decision” about how to handle the region with Hamas still holding hostages. Trump made the comments while meeting with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in Scotland. He said that the U.S. has given millions in aid to Gazans, but claimed there has been no assistance from European countries. “We gave $60 million two weeks ago for food for Gaza, and nobody acknowledged it. Nobody talks about it. And it makes you feel a little bad when you do that. And, you know, you have other countries not giving anything. None of the European countries, by the way, gave – I mean, nobody gave but us and nobody said, gee, thank you very much. And it would be nice to have at least a thank you.” Trump went on to note that a deal needs to be made between Israel and Hamas to end the war and return the last remaining hostages to Israel, despite many of them being dead. “But we have a lot of bodies, and the parents want those bodies as much as they would want their child if that child were alive,” Trump said of the hostages and their families. NEWS OUTLETS ‘DESPERATELY CONCERNED’ FOR THEIR JOURNALISTS IN GAZA, URGE ISRAELI AUTHORITIES TO HELP He suggested that Hamas is reluctant to make a deal for the final hostages because they feel it would be “the end for them” if they lose leverage against Israel. “You know, they had a routine discussion the other day and all of a sudden they hardened up. They don’t want to give them back. And so Israel is going to have to make a decision,” Trump said. The meeting comes as the IDF highlighted its efforts to deliver aid into Gaza after restricting the flow in recent months. HAMAS LOSING IRON GRIP ON GAZA AS US-BACKED GROUP GETS AID TO PALESTINIANS IN NEED Israel is now conducting airdrops for aid throughout the region, and the IDF says it conducted 28 drops in a matter of hours on Sunday. “Let me be clear: Israel supports aid for civilians, not for Hamas. The IDF will continue to support the flow of humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza,” an IDF spokesperson said, claiming Israel transferred roughly 250 trucks full of aid into Gaza this week. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP The IDF argues the reports about starvation in Gaza were a false campaign promoted by Hamas, but hunger is spreading across the region after the United Nations and the IDF previously failed to reach an agreement about aid distribution, Fox News’ Trey Yingst reported.
Johnson says Ghislaine Maxwell deserves life sentence over Epstein crimes, rejects potential pardon
House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., said Sunday that Jeffrey Epstein’s former girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell deserves a life sentence, rejecting the idea of a potential pardon for the convicted sex trafficker. In an appearance on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” Johnson was asked if he supported a pardon for Maxwell, but the speaker emphasized that the decision ultimately belongs to President Donald Trump. “I think 20 years was a pittance,” Johnson said of Maxwell’s time behind bars. “I think she should have a life sentence, at least. I mean, think of all these unspeakable crimes.” “I mean it’s hard to put into words how evil this was and that she orchestrated it and was a big part of it, at least under the criminal sanction, I think is an unforgivable thing,” Johnson added, acknowledging that federal prosecutors identified more than 1,000 victims, many of whom were underage. “So again, not my decision, but I have great pause about that as any reasonable person would.” GHISLAINE MAXWELL SUBPOENAED BY HOUSE OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE AMID EPSTEIN FILES PUSH While leaving the White House on Friday en route for Scotland, Trump was asked if he considered a pardon or clemency for Maxwell. The president left the door open, responding: “I’m allowed to do it, but it’s something I have not thought about.” Johnson said he supports the position of the president, the FBI and the Justice Department that “all credible evidence and information” be released, but emphasized the need for safeguards to protect victims’ identities. As for Maxwell, she was questioned by Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche at federal prison in Tallahassee, Florida, for two consecutive days last week. Her lawyer told reporters she answered questions on about 100 potential Epstein associates as she angles for clemency. “That’s a decision of the president,” Johnson said of a potential Maxwell pardon. “He said he had not adequately considered that. I won’t get in front of him. That’s not my lane. My lane is to help direct and control the House of Representatives and to use every tool within our arsenal to get to the truth. I’m going to say this as clearly and plainly and repeatedly as I can over and over. We are for maximum disclosure. We want all transparency. I trust the American people. I and the House Republicans believe that they should have all this information to be able to determine what they will. But we have to protect the innocent. And that’s the only safeguard here that we’ve got to be diligent about, and I’m insistent upon doing so.” JEFFREY EPSTEIN CASE REOPENS FOCUS ON GHISLAINE MAXWELL AS DEPUTY AG STEPS IN Johnson criticized a petition for the release of all the Epstein files brought by Reps. Thomas Massie, R-W.Va., and Ro Khanna, D-Penn., as “reckless” and poorly drafted, arguing that it ignored federal rules protecting grand jury materials and “would require the DOJ and FBI to release information that they know is false, that is based on lies and rumors and was not even credible enough to be entered into the court proceedings.” The speaker said the petition also lacked safeguards for minor victims who were subjected to “unspeakable crimes, abject evil” and who risk being “unmasked.” Johnson said Massie and Khanna “cite that they don’t want child abuse, sex abuse information uncovered, but they cite the wrong provision of the federal code, and so it makes it unworkable.” The speaker argued Republicans on the House Rules Committee are committed to a better drafted approach that will protect the innocent. Asked about a potential pardon for Maxwell, Massie told NBC’s Kristen Welker earlier in the program that it “would be up to the president, but if she has information that could help us, I think that she should testify.” “Let’s get that out there, and whatever they need to do to compel that testimony, as long as it’s truthful, I would be in favor of,” Massie said. Khanna said he did not believe Maxwell’s sentence should be commuted and that he was concerned that Blanche was meeting with her. He said he agreed with Massie that Maxwell should testify but noted she has been indicted twice for perjury. “This is why we need the files. This is why we need independent evidence,” Khanna said.
Massie urges subpoena against Epstein estate, joins progressive Dem in push for ‘full release’ of files
Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., joined with progressive Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., in calling for subpoenas against Jeffrey Epstein’s estate on Sunday. Massie and Khanna announced the move and accompanying legislation during a joint appearance on ABC News’ “This Week” with host Jonathan Karl. In addition to the call for subpoenas, the pair’s legislation would force a House vote on the release of the government’s Epstein files. “Well, I think we should get a lot more than just the book. Let’s get the financial records of the estate. Where is it – follow the money, as they say up here,” Massie said. “We should look at the plea bargain. Open that up. See what was the deal. What was the deal that was cut? I think there’s a lot more than just that letter.” Massie also said Americans should see the supposed birthday letter President Donald Trump wrote to Epstein in 2003. The letter was first reported by the Wall Street Journal, but Trump denies that it exists and has sued the paper for defamation. ‘CLEAR CORRUPTION’: JEFFRIES FACES COMPLAINT FOR PRESSING JUDGES TO OUST ALINA HABBA The lawmakers say their legislation would force the Epstein estate and the federal government to release all files relating to Epstein’s crimes. “It would force a full release of the files. It has the force of law. It’s not a subpoena. It’s not a ‘Pretty please, would you release the files?’ It’s the force of law and it’s got protections to redact victims’ names and to prevent, you know, release of child pornography,” Massie said. MARK GREEN RESIGNS FROM CONGRESS, FURTHER SHRINKING HOUSE GOP MAJORITY House Speaker Mike Johnson avoided a scheduled vote on the legislation last week by beginning the August recess one day early. Johnson appeared on NBC News’ “Meet the Press” on Sunday and called Massie and Khanna “reckless” for pushing the legislation. He argued that he is in favor of “maximum disclosure” for the Epstein files, but claimed that Massie and Khanna’s legislation lacks safeguards. Many Republicans have criticized Democrats for focusing so heavily on the Epstein case, now that it has become an issue for the White House. Critics say Democrats are latching onto the topic after years of showing little interest in the issue, though Khanna denies those claims. “We have been pushing for transparency during the Biden administration. Both in 2021 and 2024, the court ordered release of documents, but Donald Trump raised the stakes, and he did it in a way in the campaign that was justified. He said, ‘Look, when I get there, I’m going to release the files,’” Khanna told ABC.
White House orders Hegseth to stop polygraphs on Pentagon staff suspected of leaking: report
The White House pulled the plug on Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s use of polygraph tests to root out leakers, according to a report. Patrick Weaver, a current adviser to Hegseth, alerted high-ranking administration officials that he could soon have to submit a polygraph test, the Washington Post reported. That prompted a call to Hegseth to drop the lie detector tests. PENTAGON FREEZES OUT DC THINK TANKS IN NEW MOVE, CITING ‘AMERICA LAST’ CONCERNS Weaver, who has previously held roles on the White House’s National Security Council and in the Department of Homeland Security during President Donald Trump’s first administration, took offense to the potential measure. The investigation to identify leakers within the Department of Defense began in late March with a memo from Joe Kasper, then Hegseth’s chief of staff. “Recent unauthorized disclosures of national security information involving sensitive communications with principals within the Office of the Secretary of Defense demand immediate and thorough investigation,” Kasper wrote in the March 21 memo. SCOOP: TOP HEGSETH AIDE RESIGNS FROM PENTAGON AFTER 6 MONTHS OF SERVICE “The use of polygraphs in the execution of this investigation will be in accordance with applicable law and policy,” Kasper added. The White House and the Pentagon did not immediately respond to Fox News’ request for comment. The revelation is the latest controversy at the Pentagon, which earlier this year endured the ‘Signalgate’ scandal. Discussions about military action between Hegseth and a group of top Trump officials were leaked, despite being conducted on the encrypted app. Then-national security advisor Michael Waltz assumed “full responsibility” for the misstep of including the Atlantic’s editor-in-chief Jeffrey Goldberg on the Signal chat alongside Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, CIA Director John Ratcliffe and Hegseth. NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISOR MIKE WALTZ TAKES RESPONSIBILITY FOR ‘EMBARRASSING’ SIGNAL CHAT LEAK In the aftermath of the accidental leak to a journalist about impending U.S. military strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen, Trump has remained firmly in Hegseth’s corner, offering public support. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP