U.S. adversaries such as China and Russia have started to target the northern U.S. border with Canada, FBI Director Kash Patel told lawmakers Wednesday.
During testimony in front of the House Intelligence Committee, Patel told lawmakers that the "effective resolution" to the crisis at the southern border has caused adversaries such as China, Russia and Iran to shift their resources to targeting the U.S. northern border.
"The enemy adapts," Patel said.
FBI DIRECTOR KASH PATEL SENDS MEMO CALLING CNN REPORT OF ATF CUTS 'ENTIRELY FALSE'
While Patel noted that adversaries have not stopped using the southern border altogether, the "monumental effort" to secure the border and stop known or suspected terrorists from coming into the country has made moving people and substances, such as fentanyl, illegally more difficult since President Donald Trump took office.
Patel's comments come as Trump has overseen a dramatic shift at the U.S. southern border since taking office in January, with the number of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) recorded encounters plummeting by 90% in most sectors compared to the same time period last year.
That shift has been aided by deployments of thousands of U.S. military troops to the border, who have assisted CBP agents with everything from reinforcing barriers to surveillance of potential illegal crossers.
FBI LAUNCHES TASK FORCE TO CRACK DOWN ON VIOLENT TESLA ATTACKS, MIGRANT THREATS
The sudden silence at the southern border comes after record-setting numbers of illegal crossings during the four years of the Biden administration, a trend that also saw a dramatic increase in attempted crossings from immigrants outside of North and Latin America.
Chinese nationals were among the most likely to attempt illegal crossings, with the number of crossings from citizens of the country rising to over 24,000 in 2023, an over 5,200% increase from the 450 encounters just a year earlier, according to CBP data.
Overall, Patel told lawmakers that between 2022 and 2025, roughly 178,000 Chinese nationals attempted to cross the southern border.
Patel warned that the new security of the southern border could now open up threats to the north, arguing that U.S. adversaries will use the same tactics they previously used on sectors not receiving as much security attention.
The FBI did not immediately respond to a Fox News Digital request for comment.
Democrats are once again giving the silent treatment to violence and vandalism against Tesla cars and dealerships. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., and former Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., refused to condemn the violence against Tesla when confronted on Capitol Hill.
Few Democrats have unequivocally denounced the ongoing attacks on Tesla showrooms, charging stations and vehicles, even as the FBI has launched a task force to crack down on Tesla crime, the Justice Department announced charges against arson suspects, and Attorney General Pam Bondi labeled the attacks "domestic terrorism" – an issue Democrats have railed against for years.
House Democratic leaders Jeffries and Pelosi gave Fox News Digital the cold shoulder when asked to respond to the string of violent attacks against Tesla, as Democrats' silence on the "domestic terrorism" against Tesla grows louder by the day.
Jeffries refused to acknowledge the question when asked to denounce the violence as his staff ushered him inside the Capitol, earning a disapproving shake of the head from one staffer. Pelosi brushed off a question about her take on the situation with a polite wave, telling Fox News Digital she was running late. Yet, both Democratic leaders have been steadfast in their rejection of "domestic terrorism" – until now.
"We have to act decisively to address the poison of White supremacy and domestic terrorism in America. It's a poison, it's a cancer, it's destroying our society. It shouldn't be a partisan issue. It's not a Democratic issue or Republican issue, dealing with the crisis of violent White supremacy. It is an American issue," Jeffries said in 2022.
DEMS WHO HAVE SPOKEN PASSIONATELY AGAINST DOMESTIC TERRORISM GO SILENT AS TESLA TORCHERS ARE CHARGED
Pelosi applauded her Democratic colleagues in 2018 for "refusing to accept the House GOP's continued failure to investigate domestic terrorism." Pelosi has yet to condemn the House Democrats for failing to condemn domestic terrorism against Tesla.
Jeffries and Pelosi are just the latest Democrats to brush off questions from Fox News Digital about the attacks on Tesla. Fox News Digital asked 13 Democrats who sponsored legislation to combat domestic terrorism if they agreed the attacks are "domestic terrorism" and if the government should target the people vandalizing Tesla. None of the lawmakers responded.
Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Calif., responded after publication to imply President Donald Trump should serve time for his own convictions after the president last week floated 20-year prison sentences for "people that get caught sabotaging Teslas," including their "funders."
"People who violate the law and have 34 convictions should serve time. In addition, the convicted criminals who were documented participants of the Jan 6th insurrection should not be pardoned by the president," Waters told Fox News Digital.
Waters has yet to call for an investigation into how Tesla protests are being funded as many conservatives are pointing the finger at liberal activist groups. Musk recently blamed left-wing billionaire George Soros, billionaire Democratic mega-donor and LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman and others, claiming they are bankrolling the destructive "protests."
Waters did, however, call for an investigation in 2022 into how domestic extremists are funded. "We are deeply concerned about the financing of domestic violent extremist activities in the U.S.," Waters and her Democratic colleagues said in 2022.
Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn., however, was clear in calling for an end to the violence when asked about the string of Tesla attacks.
"I'm opposed to violence. I don't believe in violence. People can voice their opposition, but we can't live in a violent nation," DeLauro told Fox News Digital. "People can be opposed to something, and people boycott stuff all the time… but the violence needs to stop. We can't really make that a part of what our national discourse is."
Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., has also been firm in his condemnation of Tesla attacks and urged his Democratic colleagues to follow suit.
"There is zero tolerance for acts of vandalism against Tesla. Spraying the words "nazi cars" or lighting fire to dealerships and chargers is wrong. Period. All Democrats should condemn it," he said in an X post earlier this month.
When asked by Fox News Digital last week if the Tesla attacks are domestic terrorism, Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., acknowledged that everyone has a right to protest but no one has the right to violence.
"Well, I don't know what domestic terrorism? It's outrageous. It's absurd. People have a right to protest. Musk, they have a right to protest, you know, in front of Tesla, nobody has the right to engage in any form of violence, period. But that's all. No one has the right to engage in violence," Sanders said.
From Oregon to Massachusetts, Tesla cars and facilities have been vandalized in at least 10 locations this year. What began as protests against Elon Musk and his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) have escalated into violent incidents against the Trump ally's company, including shots fired at a building, destroyed dealership windows and charging stations set on fire.
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While no serious injuries have been reported, the FBI identified an anti-Musk website that was registered on March 17, 2025. It featured an interactive map with a Molotov cocktail cursor of Tesla owners' names, addresses, phone numbers and e-mails, Tesla supercharger and dealership locations, and addresses of individuals associated with DOGE.
Long a sport in which celebrations of practically any sort would result in an up-and-in fastball, baseball has adapted to "letting the kids play," at least more often than in the past.
Jazz Chisholm Jr. is among the league's young stars unafraid to be flashy, which goes against many of the old-time unwritten rules of baseball.
The New York Yankees infielder launches into a basketball-inspired eurostep celebration when he touches home plate after every home run, and it's not uncommon to see his hat tilted a bit.
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But that hasn't stopped Chisholm, who is not bashful about adding chains and non-uniform colors to his look, from getting criticism.
And he seemed to insinuate he feels it's because of his skin color.
"I don’t want to say this. Baseball is a White sport. I feel like White people criticize everything that a Black man does. Black men are outspoken. They say what’s on their minds," he told The Athletic.
"The unwritten rules of baseball are White. And I always broke the unwritten rules of baseball."
When Chisholm made his MLB debut with the Miami Marlins in 2020, he wasted no time showing off his flair with customized cleats. But longtime MLB veteran Miguel Rojas cut up one pair with scissors and ruined another by pouring milk on them.
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Maybe it was rookie hazing, or maybe Rojas was sending a message. It's likely a combination of both, but it's no secret Chisholm and Rojas do not get along. It's also not a secret that Chisholm was happy to be traded from Miami to the Bronx last year.
"Nobody would ever cut up my cleats or throw my things away if I were White," Chisholm claimed. "I’ll tell you right now, if this was a White boy’s stuff, you weren’t gonna cut that s--- up because if a White boy goes and complains, now everybody’s f---ed. I go and complain, and it’s not that big of a deal. It’s, ‘Let’s try and find a solution for this.’ But if a White boy goes and complains, nah, f--- that."
Just 6% of players on opening day rosters last year were Black, the lowest figure since 1991. The league's percentage of Black players hasn't been in double-digits since 2008, and the figure ranged from 17 to 19% from 1973 to 1988.
Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
Congress advanced two bills this week aimed at expanding the rights of law-aiding gun owners.
One of them, according to a legislative expert from the National Rifle Association, would mark the "most monumental" win for Second Amendment rights in more than 20 years, if signed into law.
H.R. 38, the Constitutional Concealed Cary Reciprocity Act, and H.R. 2184, the Firearm Due Process Protection Act, were debated and passed out of committee on Tuesday. This was the first step before the bills could be considered by the full House of Representatives and ultimately the Senate. H.R. 38, which seeks to implement nationwide reciprocity for concealed carry permits, would allow law-abiding gun owners with a permit in one state to carry in another state that also permits concealed carry but may not have reciprocity.
"The right of self-defense shouldn't end simply because you cross the state line," said John Commerford, executive director of the NRA's congressional lobbying arm. "Passage of H.R. 38 — concealed carry reciprocity — would be the most monumental win for gun rights in Congress since 2005, when the Protection of Lawful Commerce and Arms Act was passed."
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While more than half of U.S. states have reciprocity laws, H.R. 38 would allow people with concealed carry permits in gun-friendly states to carry concealed firearms in places like Los Angeles and Chicago — cities in states that do not have reciprocity laws but do allow concealed carry.
Under current law, if a lawful gun owner from Pennsylvania were to cross the Delaware River into New Jersey with a concealed weapon, they could face "at least" a three-year mandatory prison sentence, according to Commerford.
And while Second Amendment advocates like Commerford say they are hopeful about the potential for federal-level reciprocity for concealed carry, he and others like him fear it will add to the nation's ongoing gun violence crisis.
"This legislation is a dramatic infringement on states’ rights and would be disastrous for gun crime and law enforcement safety in our country," said Emma Brown, executive director at the gun control advocacy group Giffords. "Violent crime rises when state concealed carry standards are weakened, and this would weaken the standard in every single state. It would also endanger police and make their jobs harder."
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The second bill advanced this week on Capitol Hill was H.R. 2184. It aims to enhance the rights of people wanting to purchase a firearm who may be denied as the result of errors in the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS).
If a buyer appeals a judgment denying their right to purchase a firearm on the grounds that there was an error, H.R. 2184 would require federal officials to make a determination on their appeal within 60 days. If an answer is not provided within the two-month timeline, gun owners can then seek a court judgement to obtain one.
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"If your name is John Smith and you fill out a NICS check on Black Friday at Cabela's to buy a firearm, you're going to be in for a wait, and sometimes you're going to be in for clerical errors that could restrict that [purchase]," Commerford said. "With a pro-gun House, a pro-gun Senate, and a pro-gun president in the White House, now is the time to put the foot on the gas and try to restore Second Amendment rights of America's gun owners."
Fox News Digital reached out to the White House for comment but did not receive a response in time for publication.
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…
-Hunter Biden atty Lowell drops from LA case; replaced by Alex Murdaugh's lawyer Harpootlian
-Trump administration asks SCOTUS to approve DEI-related education cuts
-How Mike Johnson and Jim Jordan could hit back at judges blocking Trump's agenda
Trump administration officials say the Atlantic "conceded" that its article providing a firsthand account of a Signal group chat involving the nation's top national security leaders discussing an attack on terrorists in Yemen did not contain "war plans."
"The Atlantic has conceded: these were NOT 'war plans,'" White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt posted to X Wednesday morning. "This entire story was another hoax written by a Trump-hater who is well-known for his sensationalist spin."
National security advisor Mike Waltz posted to X Wednesday, "No locations. No sources & methods. NO WAR PLANS. Foreign partners had already been notified that strikes were imminent. BOTTOM LINE: President Trump is protecting America and our interests."…Read more
FIRST ON FOX: Top agency staffer trying to block crucial Trump directive previously managed DEI team
SEARCH UNDERWAY: 4 American soldiers missing from training area in Lithuania found dead, NATO leader says
'MY STATEMENT WAS CLEAR': Rep Jasmine Crockett refuses to apologize for 'Gov Hot Wheels' comment
OFFENSIVE LINE OF QUESTIONING': CIA director blasts Democrat's 'offensive line of questioning' about Hegseth's 'drinking habits'
ELMO COMMUNIST SPY?: Democrats invoke children’s shows in bizarre defense of PBS, NPR: ‘Fire Elon, Save Elmo’
'WITH REGARD TO THAT ARTICLE': Ratcliffe says new Signal texts show he 'did not transmit classified information'
'APPALLING': Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene scolds NPR CEO over personal views during fiery DOGE subcommittee hearing
'MASSIVE ERROR': Veteran Dem senator demands Hegseth resign over Signal chat leak
'MAKE AMERICA HEALTHY AGAIN': West Virginia passes first-of-its-kind law banning food dyes and preservatives; Gov cites MAHA movement
CUT 'GREEN TAPE': Cutting the 'green tape': Conservation group offers top 10 ways for Dept of Interior to streamline
'VETO CORLEONE': Youngkin kills left-wing dreams with record-setting bill nixing spree
CUT THE CRAP: Republican bills put taxpayer-funded junk food on the chopping block
TUFTS LUCK: ICE detains Tufts University student amid Trump admin's campus crackdown
DEATH'S DOOR: Florida Republicans open door to firing squads, lethal gas as they push death penalty expansion
UNNECESSARY ROUGHNESS: Former NFL player LeShon Johnson charged in FBI's largest dog fighting bust, 190 animals seized: indictment
Get the latest updates on the Trump administration and Congress, exclusive interviews and more on FoxNews.com.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio, for the first time, on Wednesday addressed the Signal-chat controversy and conceded that "someone made a big mistake" when a journalist from the Atlantic was added to Signal text chain that included Washington’s top national security heads.
"This thing was set up for purposes of coordinating," Rubio told reporters from Jamaica, noting the point of the text exchange carried out on the encrypted messaging application was purely so officials knew how to communicate with their various counterparts.
But the revelation that potentially classified information was exchanged on a site that has been the target of Russian hackers, and that the chain included an editor from the Atlantic, sent shockwaves globally – though the Pentagon maintains that no classified intelligence was exchanged in the messages.
ATLANTIC REPORTER PUBLISHES MORE TEXTS ABOUT ATTACK ON HOUTHI TARGETS
"Obviously, someone made a mistake. Someone made a big mistake and added a journalist," Rubio said. "Nothing against journalists. But you ain't supposed to be on that thing."
"I contributed to it twice. I identified my point of contact, which is my chief of staff, and then later on, I think three hours after the White House's official announcements had been made, I congratulated the members of the team," he continued.
Rubio said that though the information was not technically classified nor did it at "any point threaten the operation of the lives of our servicemen," the information was "not intended to be divulged" and the White House was investigating the matter.
President Donald Trump has downplayed the severity of the lapse, noting it was "the only glitch in two months" his administration has faced and told NBC News the debacle "turned out not to be a serious one."
National security advisor Mike Waltz, who reportedly set up the text chain and accidentally added the Atlantic editor, told Fox News’ Laura Ingraham that he took "full responsibility" for the "embarrassing" mishap.
Similarly, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard on Wednesday told the House Intelligence Committee it was a "mistake" to include a reporter in a text group that included "candid and sensitive" information.
She also maintained that the texts did not include any classified information while testifying in front of senators on Tuesday.
TRUMP ADMIN DECLARES THE ATLANTIC'S SIGNAL ARTICLE A 'HOAX' AFTER IT DROPS 'WAR PLANS' RHETORIC
Debate between the Atlantic's reporting and the White House erupted after the Trump administration and Pentagon said that no "war planning" information was shared.
Waltz in a Wednesday tweet said, "No locations. No sources & methods. NO WAR PLANS. Foreign partners had already been notified that strikes were imminent."
The Atlantic maintains the texts did include "attack plans."
"TEAM UPDATE: TIME NOW (1144et): Weather is FAVORABLE. Just CONFIRMED w/CENTCOM we are a GO for mission launch. 1215et: F-18s LAUNCH (1st strike package). 1345: ‘Trigger Based’ F-18 1st Strike Window Starts (Target Terrorist is @ his Known Location so SHOULD BE ON TIME – also, Strike Drones Launch (MQ-9s)," Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth reportedly wrote in the text exchange released Wednesday by The Atlantic.
"1410: More F-18s LAUNCH (2nd strike package). 1415: Strike Drones on Target (THIS IS WHEN THE FIRST BOMBS WILL DEFINITELY DROP, pending earlier ‘Trigger Based’ targets). 1536 F-18 2nd Strike Starts – also, first sea-based Tomahawks launched," he later added.
But Rubio, in alignment with other administration officials, pointed to the Pentagon’s assessment on whether its leader released classified information and said, "They made very clear that [the texts] didn't put in danger anyone's life or the mission at the time.
"There was no intelligence information," Rubio added.
Chappell Roan's call out of her fans' "predatory" behavior has left people "scared" of her.
The pop star, who shot to stardom following her 2024 Coachella set, opened up about her experiences out in public after sending a stern message to fans to not approach the singer.
"I think people are scared of me," Roan, legally known as Kayleigh Amstutz, admitted during an episode of "Call Her Daddy." "I think I made a big enough deal about not talking to me that people do not talk to me."
The "Pink Pony Club" singer revealed her celebrity friends also get to enjoy the new-found perk. "When they’re with me, they’re like, ‘It’s a force field around us. People don’t come up to me when I’m with you.'"
POP STAR CHAPPELL ROAN ACCUSES FANS OF STALKING, HARASSMENT IN SCATHING VIDEOS
Roan noted she understands her stance "really hurts people," saying: "They feel like it’s me disrespecting them, that I owe it to them, and that how dare I call it abuse? Or ‘complaining about success.’ I get that a lot, but I'm not complaining about success. I'm just complaining about creepy behavior. I love admiration. Everyone loves admiration."
The 27-year-old musician explained people tend to come up to her in public, even in situations when they shouldn't. Roan gave the example of mid-fight with her girlfriend as a time not to approach her. "Don’t f------ be like, ‘Can I have a photo?’ when I’m crying talking to my girlfriend! That's f------ crazy."
"The Giver" singer called out fans for harassment and stalking in a TikTok video shared last summer after her meteoric rise to fame. Roan, who boasts 7.1 million followers on Instagram and an additional 4.8 million on TikTok, also shared a statement further clarifying her point.
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"I don't agree with the notion that I owe a mutual exchange of energy, time, or attention to people I do not know, do not trust, or who creep me out – just because they're expressing admiration," she wrote on Instagram at the time.
Roan pointed out "predatory behavior," which she clarified is "disguised as ‘superfan’ behavior."
She added: "Please stop touching me. Please stop being weird to my family and friends. Please stop assuming things about me."
"There is always more to the story & I am scared and tired. And please don't call me Kayleigh," Roan noted, as she referred to her legal first name. "I feel more love than I ever have in my life. I feel the most unsafe I have ever felt in my life."
"There is a part of myself that I save just for my project and all of you. There is a part of myself that is just for me, and I don't want that taken away from me."
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Roan signed with Atlantic Records at the age of 17 after posting videos of herself singing on YouTube. The young artist began touring with larger artists, including Fletcher and Olivia Rodrigo.
Rodrigo tapped Roan as an opener for both her "Sour" and "Guts" tours.
She was dropped by Atlantic Records in 2020 and, in a move that would change her career, began developing her music independently. Island Records picked her up a year later.
"The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess," her debut album, was released in 2023 and gained the singer a cult following. Roan has been open about struggling with how quickly her career has evolved.
"I just want to be honest with the crowd: I just feel a little off today," she told fans from the stage in June. "I think my career is just kind of going really fast, and it’s really hard to keep up. I’m just being honest … I’m having a hard time today."
Last year, for the first time in American history, the northeast surrendered its 250-year title as the financial and industrial capital of the United States. That title now belongs to the Southeast, America's new economically dominant region, as measured by GDP. That's in large part due to the massive growth of Florida, Texas and North Carolina. (Texas is technically part of the Southeast these days for reasons too complicated to explain here.)
Our new website at Unleash Prosperity, called VoteWithYourFeet.com chronicles the massive migration over the past 25 years of businesses, people and capital from the high-tax and heavy regulation zones of the northeast and the west coast, to the low-tax and light-regulation regions - the south and more recently to the mountain states like booming Idaho and Utah.
From 2020-23, the southeast gained a net 2.5 million more residents, while the northeast lost in net-migration from other states, almost exclusively people leaving the northeast, California and Illinois.
This declining influence of the blue states is embarrassingly amplified by what is happening in college sports. The South has won 17 of the last 20 national championships with the Southeast Conference gaining most of those titles.
Now look at this year's "sweet sixteen" in the NCAA basketball tournament. Amazingly, 15 of the 16 teams that have still survived the first two rounds of the tournament's first weekend of madness are located in states won by Donald J. Trump in November.
The survivors include Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Auburn, Brigham Young, Duke, Florida, Houston, Kentucky, Michigan, Michigan State, Mississippi, Purdue, Tennessee, Texas A&M and Texas Tech. The only outlier was Maryland. Admittedly, Arizona, and Michigan are purple states but all the rest are ruled by Republicans and have a long history of low taxes.
2025 MEN’S MARCH MADNESS ODDS: TITLE CHANCES FOR SWEET 16 TEAMS
It wasn't that long ago that the college basketball champion trophy resided in Westwood, California -- with John Wooden's UCLA Bruins stampeding over opponents in the 1960s and early 1970s mostly with home-grown Golden State talent. Then, in the mid-1980s, it was the rugged Big East with schools like Syracuse, Georgetown, St. Johns and Villanova bulldozing through the NCAA tournament with kids from New York City, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C. In 1985 for the first and only time ever -- three of the Final Four teams were from the same conference: the Big East. Now these teams have sunk into mediocrity.
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The one glaring exception is Connecticut, which won two straight national championships, but even this beast from the East failed to survive the opening weekend of the tournament.
The outlook for a blue state sports comeback anytime soon looks bleak. According to Rivals, a top recruiting database, 28 of this year’s top 40 high school basketball prospects were located in red states, with Florida, Texas, Georgia and North Carolina producing the most gifted and talented athletes.
The regional disparity in football high school star recruits is even more pronounced. Amazingly, 75 percent of the Top 40 high school football seniors are from red states.
Not only are blue-state progressive policies chasing out businesses, jobs and capital, but now they are driving away young talent and turning blue-state America into sports wastelands.
Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., huddled privately with House Judiciary Committee members on Tuesday afternoon for what was described as a "brainstorming" session on how to take on "activist judges" blocking President Donald Trump's agenda.
The House is scheduled to vote next week on a bill to limit U.S. district judges in ordering nationwide injunctions. But the consensus among Republicans on the committee is that the bill by Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif., is a good start, but more reform would be needed.
"He came to offer his thoughts to the committee and [Chairman Jim Jordan, R-Ohio], about… what's available to us related to the judges," Rep. Scott Fitzgerald, R-Wis., told Fox News Digital. "So it was more like a brainstorming kind of thing. No decisions were made."
He said there was also "general" discussion about court funding – as senior Republicans publicly float the idea of using Congress' appropriations powers to rein in activist judges.
WHO IS JAMES BOASBERG, THE US JUDGE AT THE CENTER OF TRUMP'S DEPORTATION EFFORTS?
"The purse strings related to the courts – how does that work, what do we have available to us, what don't we, if we want to have that impact," Fitzgerald said. "But I mean, nobody spelled out ‘Here’s what we're going to do when it comes to funding.'"
The Wisconsin Republican said the idea of legislating in a fast-tracked appeals process was also floated during the meeting.
It's an idea also backed by his fellow Judiciary member Rep. Kevin Kiley, R-Calif., who declined to share details of the meeting with Fox News Digital but said "there's other solutions" beyond next week's vote.
"I think that it's worth exploring some sort of expedited appeals process, right? So you can fast-track an appeal if there's an injunction issue, to the D.C. circuit and ultimately to the Supreme Court," Kiley said. "I think that'd be another way to approach the problem."
"But yeah, it's an unfortunate state of affairs when you have someone, whose decisions are very much subject to appeal and reversal, who can keep administration policy in stasis."
A source briefed on the discussion told Fox News Digital that Johnson also signaled to House Judiciary Republicans that he was in close contact with the White House on the GOP judiciary strategy.
The source described part of the conversation as a bid to rally Republicans behind the No Rogue Rulings Act, which is expected to get a House-wide vote either Tuesday or Wednesday next week, as of now.
Led by Issa, the legislation would force most district court judges to narrow most orders to the most relevant scope, therefore blocking them from pausing Trump’s policies across the U.S.
Fitzgerald said part of the discussion with Johnson also focused on legislation to limit the ability of progressive plaintiffs to so-called "judge-shop."
It's a similar idea to an amendment by Rep. Derek Schmidt, R-Kan., a first-term Republican on the committee, that is already attached to Issa's bill.
"On the forum shopping issue, the amendment I've got on the Issa bill addresses that, and makes it more difficult to engage in judge shopping because it requires that any request for a nationwide injunction is properly brought," Schmidt told Fox News Digital. "It would go to a three-judge panel that's randomly selected."
'WOEFULLY INSUFFICIENT': US JUDGE REAMS TRUMP ADMIN FOR DAYS-LATE DEPORTATION INFO
The Kansas Republican suggested House Judiciary members were interested in looking at what could be long-lasting reform.
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"I do think there are other opportunities. And one of the things I think is very important is that – not just on this issue, but more generally – we think…about how we can make long-term, lasting change that will outlast any of us who are serving in office right now and leave the system better than we found it," he said.
Fox News Digital reached out to the speaker's office and the Judiciary Committee for comment but did not immediately hear back.
Jordan is expected to hold a hearing on April 1 examining judicial activism.
As he gears up for what may potentially be his roughest re-election of his decades-long career, longtime GOP Sen. John Cornyn of Texas landed the backing of the top Republican in the Senate.
"I’ve been honored to work alongside @JohnCornyn—one of the most effective and respected conservative leaders in the country," Senate Majority Leader John Thune wrote in a social media post on Wednesday.
Thune, who topped Cornyn last year in the Senate GOP race to succeed longtime leader Mitch McConnell, emphasized that his one-time rival "was tireless and instrumental in building our majority. We need to keep him in the Senate & in the fight to deliver on President Trump’s agenda."
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The Senate Majority Leader's endorsement came a couple of hours after Cornyn — who previously served six years as the No. 2 Republican in the Senate — officially launched his 2026 re-election campaign, as he bids for a fifth six-year term representing Texas on Capitol Hill.
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The backing from Thune, which was widely expected, comes as the 73-year-old Cornyn faces a possible primary challenge from Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. The conservative and MAGA firebrand who's an ally of President Donald Trump has repeatedly for a couple of years flirted with taking on Cornyn.
"I can’t think of a single thing he’s accomplished for our state or even for the country," Paxton said in a September 2023 interview on the Fox News Channel. "Somebody needs to step up and run against this guy," adding, "everything’s on the table for me."
And in a Fox News Digital interview earlier this year, Paxton said that he's "looking potentially at the U.S. Senate."
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While Paxton is very popular with the conservative base of the party, political strategists note that toppling Cornyn in a GOP primary would likely be a very expensive proposition, and it's not clear if Paxton could raise the money needed for victory.
Paxton has claimed Cornyn does not represent the conservative values of Texans and accused him of not being an ally of Trump.
He has also regularly labeled Cornyn a "RINO," a "Republican in name only" and an insult MAGA and "America First" Republicans have regularly used to criticize more mainstream or establishment members of the GOP.
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Cornyn, during the early stages of the 2024 Republican presidential nomination race, had said he would prefer that the GOP take a new direction, which angered Trump. But the senator endorsed Trump in late January of last year, after the then-former president won both the Iowa caucuses and the New Hampshire primary, the first two contests in the Republican White House calendar.
Since Trump returned to the White House two months ago, Cornyn has been supportive of the president's cabinet nominees and agenda.
And in the senator's campaign launch video, the announcer highlights that during Trump's first term in office, "Texas Sen. John Cornyn had his back."
"Now I'm running for re-election and asking for your support so President Trump and I can pick up where we left off," Cornyn says to camera in the video.
Cornyn is a former state senator, former Texas Supreme Court justice, and former state attorney general, who first won election to the U.S. Senate in 2002.
Fox News' Peter Pinedo contributed to this report
Grammy Award-winning artist Ciara called her husband, NFL quarterback Russell Wilson, her "greatest inspiration" after it was reported that the Super Bowl champion had signed with the New York Giants on a one-year deal.
The popular singer-songwriter took to social media on Tuesday and shared Wilson’s Instagram Story that pictured MetLife Stadium with the caption "Been here before… can’t wait to do it again."
In another post, Ciara shared a photo of Wilson from his time with the New York Yankees.
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"New York State of Mind! My greatest inspiration," she wrote in the post, tagging Wilson.
Wilson had a promising career in professional baseball, and in 2018 he suited up for the Yankees during spring training.
Wilson is back in New York after agreeing to terms with the Giants on a one-year deal worth up to $21 million with $10.5 million guaranteed on Tuesday, one source told The Associated Press.
SUPER BOWL CHAMPION RUSSELL WILSON, GIANTS REACH AGREEMENT ON ONE-YEAR CONTRACT: REPORT
The move marks Wilson’s fourth team in five years. Last season, he helped the Steelers reach the playoffs, finishing his lone season in Pittsburgh with 2,482 passing yards, 16 touchdown passes, and five interceptions.
The signing followed another for the Giants, who brought on veteran quarterback Jameis Winston last week on a two-year deal.
But the Giants are still reportedly eyeing quarterback Shedeur Sanders in the draft next month with the third overall pick.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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A Georgia state subcommittee and its attorney expressed during a hearing Wednesday that having Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis arrested for flouting subpoenas remains an option, though they fell short of saying they'd take that action yet.
The Georgia Senate Special Committee on Investigations had its attorney, Josh Belinfante, provide an update on the months of back-and-forth in the courts and with Willis' lawyers on a subpoena for documents related to her investigation into President Donald Trump for alleged election interference, as well as a second subpoena for her to testify.
Willis has been challenging the subpoenas since Sept. 3, 2024, but the court has ruled the subpoenas are lawful.
FANI WILLIS ORDERED TO PAY $54K FOR VIOLATING OPEN RECORDS LAWS IN TRUMP CASE
Committee Chair Sen. Bill Coswert instructed Belinfante to reach out to Wade's counsel again and "suggest either a Thursday or Friday at the beginning of the last week of April or the first two weeks of May."
"And if they will agree to a date, then we’ll issue the subpoena, and I think they will honor their word. If not, we’re going to have a whole other problem," he said. "And same thing on the documents, just say we’ve hit the end of our road. We need them by April 15th. You’ve already agreed to give them to us, and if they say they won’t, we’re going to have to circle back with you."
Sen. Steve Gooch asked what would typically happen if a district attorney, such as Willis, issued a subpoena for someone to show up in court and if that person neglected to appear.
"That person could be held in criminal contempt," Belinfante said.
"Arrested?" Gooch asked. To that, the attorney replied, "Could be."
Members, including Sen. Greg Dolezal, stressed that the committee had already been given the runaround as Willis had challenged their subpoenas and the court backed them, then she challenged them again.
"The DA has thumbed her nose at this committee, she has thumbed her nose at Georgia’s open record law, and I just have limited confidence that she’s acting in good faith. So I do believe that we may be at the point that we do need to escalate this to the next step," he said.
GEORGIA APPEALS COURT DISQUALIFIES DA FANI WILLIS AND HER TEAM FROM TRUMP ELECTION INTERFERENCE CASE
The hearing comes as the Daily Mail obtained photos of Willis and former special prosecutor in the Trump case Nathan Wade traveling together at Los Angeles' airport.
"What is our legal obligation to show deference to her personal travel schedule?" Dolezal said.
"There’s not one," Belifante said.
Dolezal said the courts, in a separate open records case, called her office "openly hostile" and "substantially groundless and vexatious." "I think that we have here is an individual who thinks she’s above the law, and I don’t think that the people of Georgia want this committee to wait for her to decide that she wants to appear based on her travel schedule with Mr. Wade, her travel schedule otherwise," he said.
Belifante said that in December, as repeated judges recused themselves from the case and it was passed to a different county, the committee assured Willis that they would not send the sergeant at arms or consider her in contempt. But months have passed since then.
Belifante said Willis' attorney told him this month her "travel schedule" meant she wouldn't be available to testify until late April or May. The attorney testified that some of the documents the committee is seeking Willis has already handed over to the U.S. House of Representatives and Court of Appeals, and her counsel has no further legal avenue to appeal the subpoenas.
"That has expired and there is no appealable order at this time because we reached [an] agreement with them. There is nothing to appeal on the prior documents subpoena. It is moot because there is that agreement," Belifante said. "On the witness, we think they’ve waived the argument long ago, and so that time is gone and even then, it would take both superior courts to decide whether to allow an appeal to proceed, but that time is gone. There’s no final order right now."
An anonymous woman filed a rare medical negligence lawsuit last week against an Illinois abortionist after a late-term abortion took a "horrific" turn when an emergency hospital visit revealed "half of a deceased pre-born human being" was found left inside her.
Chicago injury attorney Richard Craig filed the lawsuit on behalf of Jane Doe from Indiana, naming both the Champaign-based Equity Clinic and its founder, Dr. Keith Reisinger-Kindle, as defendants.
Craig told Fox News Digital in an interview Thursday he's "never been presented" with a case like this.
DEFUND ‘BIG ABORTION’ INDUSTRY THAT THRIVED UNDER BIDEN, 150 PRO-LIFE GROUPS URGE CONGRESS
The suit alleges that during a 22-week abortion performed in April 2023, Reisinger-Kindle left parts of the fetus inside the woman's body, leading to severe complications. After the procedure, when the woman reported persistent cramping, Reisinger-Kindle allegedly advised her to take over-the-counter pain relievers and laxatives. She later underwent emergency surgery to remove the body parts. Doe is seeking damages for medical negligence and emotional distress.
"This is someone who performed an abortion that at 22 weeks of gestation – which at that point renders a two-day process – and then on the second day, when most of the work is done, at the culmination of his work, he entered a note, saying, these are his words, ‘products of conception were visibly inspected and confirmed to be complete,’" Craig said. "That's his note. Well, clearly that didn't happen."
"When she presented to the emergency room two days later, they found what they described to be as a half of a pre-deceased fetus," Craig said. "And the films that are in the records actually suggests more like two-thirds. So, how could he say that he visibly inspected her?"
Doe, a mother of four, also alleged that Reisinger-Kindle refused to provide pertinent information to the attending surgeons without her consent.
In a medical report included in the lawsuit filings, an obstetrician/gynecologist asserts that Reisinger-Kindle "deviated from a reasonable standard of care" during the abortion by perforating the plaintiff's uterus and failing to recognize the injury.
DOGE MUST 'DEFUND' PLANNED PARENTHOOD, MIKE PENCE'S WATCHDOG GROUP URGES MUSK
The report also states that Reisinger-Kindle "failed to adequately examine the fetal parts" after the procedure. According to the lawsuit, there was a hole in the woman's uterus roughly the size of a large coin. The report notes that if Reisinger-Kindle "performed an adequate exam of the remains, it should have been obvious that fetal parts were left behind."
In the aftermath of the Supreme Court's 2022 decision overturning Roe v. Wade and leaving it up to states to decide on abortion, Illinois has solidified its position as a haven for the procedure, enacting a series of legislative measures to shield both providers and out-of-state women seeking abortion services from lawsuits.
FEDS GAVE $700M TO PLANNED PARENTHOOD DURING YEAR OF RECORD ABORTIONS
Reisinger-Kindle, who was featured in a Chicago Tribune article, was one of many providers who opened abortion clinics in the Midwest following the high court's ruling.
Craig – who said taking the case won't make him "any friends in Illinois" – also alleged Reisinger-Kindle didn't administer any pain-relief medication to the fetus, which would have stopped its heartbeat, prior to its dismemberment.
"The current laws would prevent me, for instance, from pursuing a claim against this doctor on behalf of the child for what had to be excruciating pain that the child underwent while he was being dismembered piece by piece, without any pain relief," Craig said. "And so those laws do, in fact, prevent me, or anybody from taking that position and seeking redress for that on the behalf of the child."
Fox News Digital has reached out to Reisinger-Kindle for comment but did not hear back by time of publication.
Colorado District Attorney George Brauchler is speaking out against activist judges and sanctuary policies in his state that he says enabled abolish ICE activist and illegal immigrant Jeanette Vizguerra to evade capture for over a decade, "making a mockery of the rule of law."
Colorado law prohibits local and state law enforcement from working with federal immigration authorities to remove illegals.
In an interview with Fox News Digital, Brauchler, who is the district attorney for Colorado’s 23rd District, said the policies being pushed by Colorado Democratic Gov. Jared Polis and the Democratic-controlled legislature have made it so that the state has "embraced illegal immigrants over the laws of the country."
He said the policies have stunted local and state law enforcement’s ability to keep dangerous illegal criminals off the streets.
"Local law enforcement all say the ‘right’ thing publicly, and that is, ‘Hey, we're not arms of the federal government. We don't work for ICE. That's not why we were hired.’ But they also say behind the scenes, ‘Dang, we have lost the ability to rid this community of the criminal element when we create these kinds of barriers with ICE.’"
In the case of Vizguerra, who just won a temporary ruling by a federal judge in Colorado guaranteeing ICE cannot deport her while her case is ongoing, Brauchler said that far-left sentiments in the state allowed U.S. immigration laws to be openly flouted.
"Let's be honest man, Colorado has shifted so far to the pro-illegal immigrant side of things, that it's created a very permissive environment where you can be here for a long time, be illegal, be even contacted by local law enforcement, and remain free out on the streets," he said. "So, it's not a shock to me that there's a person that is like this in the system."
He noted that he is sympathetic to Vizguerra having to leave after establishing a life and family in Colorado, but said, "We are either going to be a nation and a state that is governed by laws that we hold each other accountable for, or we're going to be guided by emotion and whatever the politics of the day are."
"That doesn't seem to me to be the America that was ever intended and not the one I grew up in," he went on. "We have to admit that the first step for any person who claims to want to be an American cannot be to violate America's laws. And she fits that bill."
In addition to the Colorado judge’s ruling, Brauchler also questioned a growing string of other rulings by federal judges inhibiting the Trump administration’s immigration actions across the country.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE IMMIGRATION COVERAGE
He said the decision of "one single district court judge in a handpicked venue by the people that think they're going to get the outcome that they want, to issue a nationwide ban that freezes the federal government from border to border, coast to coast, seems to me to be abuse of judicial discretion."
He pointed to cases such as D.C. Circuit Court Judge James Boasberg, who recently issued a temporary restraining order blocking the Trump administration from using the Alien Enemies Act to deport a group of suspected immigrant gang members. By issuing a temporary restraining order rather than a permanent or temporary injunction, Brauchler said that activist judges guarantee their rulings cannot be appealed, effectively freezing the administration from seeking a review by an appellate court.
TRUMP CALLS FOR JUDGE IN DEPORTATION LEGAL BATTLE TO BE IMPEACHED
"What judges should do at the federal level is, if they think that something should be enjoined, they should limit that enjoinder to their own jurisdiction and let the rest of this play out across the country," he said.
Turning back to Colorado, Brauchler emphasized that the "bottom line" is "if we don't like our immigration laws, well by God change them, Congress, and fix them. … But the answer to ‘I disagree with our federal immigration laws’ cannot ever be — for a people that claim to adhere to the rule of law — it cannot ever be, ‘Well, let's just ignore them or find a way to thwart them by creating barriers between local law enforcement and the feds.’"
"Our extreme left-wing progressive legislature, dominated by the Democrat Party out here, has a bill they're waiting to drop that would prohibit every attorney in the criminal justice system, from the judge to the prosecutor, to the defense attorney, to interns in from law school, in my office — no joke — from sharing any information ever about any individual with ICE."
"That's where Colorado's going," he said. "They're not making us safer. They're not making us better. They're not making us more just. And they're making a mockery of the rule of law."
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth doubled down Wednesday that no war plans or classified information were shared during a Signal group chat of Trump administration officials about possible strikes on Houthi targets, which was mistakenly shared with a journalist.
The Atlantic’s editor-in-chief, Jeffrey Goldberg, published a story this week detailing the group chat messages, prompting pushback from the administration and calls from Democrats for Hegseth and other defense officials to resign.
"Nobody's texting war plans," Hegseth said Wednesday before boarding a plane in Hawaii. "I noticed this morning out came something that doesn't look like war plans. And as a matter of fact, they even changed the title to attack plans because they know it's not war plans."
"There's no units, no locations, no routes, no flight paths, no sources, no methods, no classified information," he added, saying no sensitive information was divulged in the chat.
Hegseth said he was keeping President Donald Trump's national security team informed in real time.
"My job, as I said, on top of that, everybody's seen it now," Hegseth said. "[The] team update is to provide updates in real time - general updates in real time. Keep everybody informed. That's what I did. That's my job."
U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., an Army veteran who served in Iraq, said Hegseth should "resign in disgrace."
"Pete Hegseth is a f****** liar. This is so clearly classified info he recklessly leaked that could’ve gotten our pilots killed," Duckworth said in a statement. "He needs to resign in disgrace immediately."
TRUMP NOT PLANNING TO FIRE WALTZ AFTER NATIONAL SECURITY TEXT CHAIN LEAK
"Hegseth and every other official who was included in this group chat must be subject to an independent investigation," she added. "If Republicans won’t join us in holding the Trump Administration accountable, then they are complicit in this dangerous and likely criminal breach of our national security."
Goldberg said he received a request to join the group chat on the encrypted messaging service Signal on March 11 from what appeared to be national security advisor Michael Waltz. Goldberg released screenshots of some of the message exchanges he observed.
He reported that officials were discussing "war plans" but didn't publish some of the highly sensitive information he saw, including precise information about weapons packages, targets and timing, due to potential threats to national security and military operations.
Earlier in the day, Hegseth scolded Goldberg in a post on X, who he said has never "seen a war plan."
"So, let’s me get this straight. The Atlantic released the so-called ‘war plans’ and those ‘plans’ include: No names. No targets. No locations. No units. No routes. No sources. No methods. And no classified information," he wrote. "Those are some really s----- war plans."
"This only proves one thing: Jeff Goldberg has never seen a war plan or an "attack plan" (as he now calls it). Not even close," he added.
Fox News Digital's Landon Mion contributed to this report.
The Byzantine Museum in Nicosia, Cyprus, has opened a new exhibit spotlighting early Christian relics with a distinct history.
Many of the artifacts were once stolen by looters and trafficked on the black market after a Turkish invasion in 1974, Reuters reported.
Mosaics, icons and wall frescoes were recovered after being stolen from churches north of the island.
MYSTERIOUS PYRAMID, ANCIENT BRONZE COINS DISCOVERED BY ARCHAEOLOGISTS
The museum is still searching for many of the stolen items, according to the museum's director, Ioannis Eliades, Ph.D., Reuters reported.
"The looting, the destruction was on a great scale… We have calculated that more than 20,000 icons have been stolen and disappeared from the churches," said Eliades.
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Cyprus gained independence from British rule in 1960, but Greek-Turkish Cypriot tensions led to violence, with Turkey intervening in 1974 after a Greek-backed coup and seizing over a third of the island, according to the CIA World Factbook.
The Turkish-held north declared itself independent in 1983 but is only recognized by Turkey.
Cyprus joined the European Union in 2004, but EU laws apply only in government-controlled areas, the factbook notes.
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Mosaics from the early 6th century AD from the Church of Panagia Kanakaria at Lythrangomi are featured and are known as rare by archaeologists, surviving when Byzantine emperors banned the use of religious images.
A depiction of Christ, the Virgin Mary, archangels and apostles was chopped into pieces and sold on the black market in the late 1970s.
The majority of those pieces were later discovered in private collections acquired by Cyprus officials after litigation.
"We want the new generation to understand what happened on our island, and why it is important to safeguard even the smallest piece which we can bring [home]," added Eliades.
Reuters contributed to this report.
Kansas has joined nearly 20 other U.S. states in reporting rising measles cases.
The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) reported 10 cases of measles throughout Grant, Morton and Stevens counties as of March 21.
All 10 cases were identified in children aged 0 to 17.
Nine of these kids were unvaccinated.
MORE STATES NOW REPORTING MEASLES CASES: SEE WHERE OUTBREAKS HAVE SPREAD
One individual was confirmed as under-vaccinated, having only received one of the two MMR vaccine doses.
No hospitalizations or deaths have been reported in the state.
KDHE noted that additional cases are "likely to occur" in the outbreak area and surrounding counties due to measles being "highly contagious," especially for those who are unvaccinated.
Measles infections have continued to spread across the U.S., as the CDC marked 378 total cases in 2025 on March 21.
Numbers are still climbing in West Texas, where the largest outbreak currently has 327 confirmed cases as of March 25.
FLY SAFELY AMID MEASLES OUTBREAK WITH THESE IMPORTANT TRAVEL TIPS
Most cases nationwide have occurred in school-aged children who are unvaccinated.
KDHE advised healthcare providers to look out for patients with "febrile rash illness" and other symptoms of measles, including fever, cough, runny nose, red, watery eyes and a rash on the face and body.
Healthcare professionals should also be on "high alert" for patients who’ve recently traveled internationally, or to U.S. locations where outbreaks have occurred, have frequent contact with unvaccinated individuals, or are unvaccinated themselves.
KDHE instructed suspected and infected patients to isolate themselves at home for four days following the start of a measles rash.
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"Persons that are susceptible to measles and exposed should be excluded from working in an adult care home, correctional facility, or health care facility and attending or working in a school, childcare facility, or adult day care for 21 days following the last exposure," the health department noted.
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To prevent measles, KDHE recommends two doses of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine for adults and children, especially for residents of affected counties.
In a recent on-camera interview with Fox News Digital in New York City, Dr. John Whyte, WebMD chief medical officer and practicing physician, emphasized that measles is "one of the most contagious respiratory viruses."
"Measles is much more contagious than COVID," he said. "It’s a factor of several times more contagious."
One infected person can impact about 10 to 15 other people, according to Whyte.
There are multiple ways to protect yourself from infection, the doctor noted, including being aware of your surroundings and wearing a mask in areas in which cases have been detected.
Whyte also recommended "good handwashing" after touching surfaces, as well as keeping surfaces clean, since virus droplets can stick and spread when contact is made.
Fox News Digital reached out to KDHE for comment.
LeBron James fired back at ESPN star Stephen A. Smith in an interview Wednesday with the sports pundit’s colleague, Pat McAfee, after a video of the Los Angeles Lakers star confronting Smith surfaced earlier this month.
James appeared on "The Pat McAfee Show" and addressed how the media covers the NBA.
He said Smith was on a "Taylor Swift tour run right now" and appeared to mock how Smith addressed the viral clip when he said he didn’t want to initially address it.
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"Motherf---er, are you kidding me? If there’s one person that couldn’t wait until the video to drop so you could address it is your a--. Like, seriously?"
Then, James got a bit more serious.
"And another (thing). He completely missed the whole point, the whole point. Never in my … never would I ever not allow people to talk about the sport, criticize players about what they do on the court. That is your job – to criticize or be in a position where, OK, a guy is not performing … that is all part of the game. When you take it and when you get personal with it, it’s my job to not only protect my damn household but protect the players.
THUNDER BECOME 1ST TEAM TO REACH 60 WINS IN NBA THIS SEASON
"I think a lot of the media, including him, and I know he’s gonna be happy as hell, he’s gonna be smiling from ear to ear when he hears me talking about him. … Like, relax bro."
The dispute was over Smith’s remarks about LeBron’s son, Bronny. The elder son of LeBron was a standout high school athlete who played one season at USC while overcoming a cardiac arrest before he decided to turn pro.
The Lakers selected Bronny James in the draft last summer, and he and Lebron made history earlier in the season by becoming the first father-son duo to be on the court together.
Smith has said Bronny James is only in the NBA "because of" LeBron. The four-time NBA champion let Smith know he didn’t like the remarks.
"That wasn’t a basketball player confronting me. That was a parent. That was a father," Smith said earlier this month on ESPN. "I can’t sit here and be angry or feel slighted by LeBron James in that regard. By all accounts, he’s obviously a wonderful family man and father who cares very, very deeply about his son.
"And, based on some of the comments he had heard — or shall I say I think he thought he heard — clearly took exception to some of the things he heard me say, and he confronted me about it."
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Elon Musk is helping lead the investigation into the Signal chat leak involving top national security leaders and the editor-in-chief of The Atlantic, White House press secretary Karonline Leavitt said Wednesday.
"The National Security Council, the White House Counsel's Office, and also, yes, Elon Musk's team" will be leading the investigation into the Signal leak, Leavitt said during Wednesday's White House press conference.
"Elon Musk has offered to put his technical experts on this, to figure out how this number was inadvertently added to the chat — again, to take responsibility and ensure this can never happen again," she continued.
The Trump administration is facing backlash from Democrats and other critics after The Atlantic's editor-in-chief, Jeffrey Goldberg, revealed in an article published Monday that he was added to a Signal group chat with top national security leaders, including national security advisor Mike Waltz, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and CIA Director John Ratcliffe.
JUDGE FIGHTING TRUMP OVER EL SALVADOR DEPORTATIONS ASSIGNED TO LAWSUIT OVER SIGNAL CHAT LEAK
Signal is an encrypted messaging app that operates similarly to texting or making phone calls, but with additional security measures that help ensure communications are kept private to those included in the correspondence.
The Atlantic's initial report characterized the Trump administration as texting "war plans" to one another. The Trump administration has maintained that no classified material was transmitted in the chat, with President Donald Trump defending Waltz amid the fallout.
Trump revealed Tuesday that a member of Waltz's office invited Goldberg to the chat, but did not provide additional information.
TRUMP ADMIN DECLARES THE ATLANTIC'S SIGNAL ARTICLE A 'HOAX' AFTER IT DROPS 'WAR PLANS' RHETORIC
Waltz joined Fox News' "The Ingraham Angle" on Tuesday, where he took responsibility for the inadvertent addition of Goldberg to the chat, arguing he believed the account belonged to someone else.
"I built the group. My job is to make sure everything’s coordinated," Waltz said.
"Of course I didn’t see this loser in the group. It looked like someone else," Waltz added. "The person I thought was on there was never on there."
Waltz also said during the interview that he had just spoken to Musk about the matter and that the "best technical minds" would look into it.
Musk is helping lead the Department of Government Efficiency, which has been poring through federal agencies in search of government overspending, fraud and mismanagement.
"If this story proves anything, it proves that Democrats and their propagandists in the mainstream media know how to fabricate, orchestrate and disseminate a misinformation campaign quite well," Leavitt continued. "And there's arguably no one in the media who loves manufacturing and pushing hoaxes more than Jeffrey Goldberg."
Following Monday's report in The Atlantic concerning the Signal chat, Goldberg published a Wednesday follow-up story that included messages directly from the chat. The article notably did not characterize the correspondence as "war plans," instead opting to refer to them as "attack plans" in the headline.
The Trump administration responded that the follow-up story proved that there were "no war plans" in the correspondence, taking a victory lap that the story was exposed to be a "hoax."
"The Atlantic has conceded: these were NOT 'war plans,'" Leavitt posted to X on Wednesday morning. "This entire story was another hoax written by a Trump-hater who is well-known for his sensationalist spin."
HEGSETH FENDS OFF REPORTER'S QUESTIONS ABOUT SIGNAL CHAT LEAK
Waltz posted to X on Wednesday, "No locations. No sources & methods. NO WAR PLANS. Foreign partners had already been notified that strikes were imminent. BOTTOM LINE: President Trump is protecting America and our interests."
A spokesperson for The Atlantic defended that the outlet did expose a "war plan" in its Wednesday report, pointing Fox News Digital to a screenshot included in the piece of Hegseth's messages related to F-18s and drone strikes that were accompanied by timestamps for the operation.
"If this information — particularly the exact times American aircraft were taking off for Yemen — had fallen into the wrong hands in that crucial two-hour period, American pilots and other American personnel could have been exposed to even greater danger than they ordinarily would face," the report stated.
Leavitt said during the press conference that Signal is an "approved app" for government employees, citing that the "CIA has it loaded onto government phones because it is the most secure and efficient way to communicate."
Have you been waiting for the right time to upgrade your dining room furniture? Or maybe you’re finally ready to put a dining set on your patio or deck? Now is the time to stock up, thanks to the Wayfair Dining Sale.
The sale features up to 50% off on indoor dining tables and chairs, and 40% off on outdoor dining sets. You can find everything from quaint two-person dining sets or save hundreds on sets that can fit all your family and friends.
Original price: $1,421
The Sylvan extendable kitchen table is a gorgeous farmhouse-style table that’ll make a statement in your dining room. The chunky, carved legs make the table look like a work of art, making it the perfect place for the whole family to gather. The removable leaf extends the table from 66 inches to 84 inches, so you can always have enough room, whether you’re having family dinner or a big party.
Original price: $955.99
Want a high-quality table that’ll last for years? This solid wood dining table is a simple table that can withstand years of use. It complements both boho and farmhouse-inspired styles and comfortably seats eight people.
Original price: $849.99
For a mid-century modern look, the Brimmer wood dining table is the perfect fit. It’s made from solid eucalyptus wood and has a warm brown finish that fits in well with any style living room. The table measures just over 86 inches wide, so it’s great for larger gatherings.
Original price: $999
Add some rustic charm to your dining room with the Kinston pedestal dining table. The chunky legs give your table a unique feel, and it comes in a distressed finish for a reclaimed look. It’s on the smaller side and is ideal for small spaces.
10 FURNITURE PICKS FOR YOUR TINY HOME
Original price: $762
The Caio extendable wood table is a modern-looking table that can seat up to eight guests with the extendable leaf. The charcoal finish blends in with any style or colors and the squared legs give it a unique design many will love.
Original price: $550
This two-piece set of Walsh velvet dining chairs will bring you right back to the 70s. Metal, wood and velvet all come together to form eye-catching chairs that are as stable as they are stylish. The armless design makes it easy to push these chairs under your table, opening up more room in your living or dining room.
Original price: $499.99
Two tufted wing upholstered dining chairs make great heads of the table chairs. The high backs are comfortable to lounge in while still adding some elegance to your dining setup. You can choose between a variety of neutral colors, including white, black, gray, dark blue and taupe.
Original price: $549.99
Pair this four-piece set of Aunnika chairs with any mid-century modern table to complete the look. The chairs come in seven different color options and have a weight capacity of 250 pounds each. The wooden legs and soft fabric chairs pair well together to make for durable, comfortable chairs.
Original price: $499.99
Looking for a simple four-piece set of chairs that would look good with any dining table? The Bende Look fabric dining chairs may be the answer. Bring a contemporary vibe to your dining space with these chairs. The black steel frame offers a clean and modern look, and you can choose between black and cream-colored upholstery.
Original price: $350
Add a pop of fun to your dining area with these two velvet dining chairs. They give a slight nod to the mid-century modern look, while bringing in contemporary with bright color options like yellow, emerald, sapphire and blush. The velvet cushions provide added comfort for the whole family.
Original price: $2,315
Save more than $1,000 on this seven-person farmhouse outdoor dining set. The set fits six people and comes in six different neutral colors. It’s designed to withstand all weather conditions, and the table comes with an umbrella hole so you can stay cool while you’re eating or relaxing outdoors.
10 PRIVACY FENCE OPTIONS FOR YOUR DECK, PATIO OR BACKYARD
Original price: $373.99
If you just need a small bistro set for your patio or deck, go with the Chestnut Street two-person outdoor dining set. You get a table and two chairs with a unique design that includes a spot for an ice bucket, so you can keep your drinks cool. The aluminum frame is durable yet lightweight, so it’s easy to move your table as needed. It’s also weather-resistant against mild weather conditions like rain and wind.
Original price: $900
These Spector outdoor dining chairs are one-of-a-kind. The contoured and curved design makes them extra comfortable while giving your outdoor space a modern look. They’re easy to clean, just soap them down and spray them off. When you’re not using them, you can also stack them together for easy storage.
Original price: $799.99
For an eye-catching outdoor dining setup, go with the Cotswald four-person round dining set. You can accommodate a small family or a few friends and relax in the comfortable chairs while you eat or have a few drinks. You can choose a beautiful teak color or a rustic gray set.
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Gwyneth Paltrow and Nikki Glaser are spilling the tea when it comes to their connections to Ben Affleck.
During a recent episode of Paltrow's "Goop Podcast," the duo openly discussed Glaser's past history of using Raya, an exclusive dating app.
While discussing her 2025 Golden Globe Awards opening monologue in which she joked about Affleck yelling the titles of movies "after he orgasms," Glaser said, "When I used to be on Raya and [Ben] would come across, [I would give him a] very concentrated check mark ‘yes’ and, like, never [got] it back."
GWYNETH PALTROW SAYS BEN AFFLECK WAS 'EXCELLENT' IN BED COMPARED TO BRAD PITT
Paltrow, who dated Affleck between 1997 and 2000, was shocked that "many celebrities" used the dating site.
"I think Andrew Garfield's face came up for me so many times. Multiple times," Glaser said, to which Paltrow responded, "That would have been a good one. He's gorgeous."
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"I'm sure he just didn't see my profile, even though I clicked on his a [million times]. They'll keep serving you up the same people, like, again and again for some reason," Glaser added.
"So every time I'm like, 'Yes, Andrew Garfield, like, duh.' This is years and years ago. I don't want to put anything out there, but, like, yes. Yes. Yes. And I know for a fact he had to have seen my profile and gone, 'Nope,' because sometimes they send people that you keep saying no to? So, like, I would have matched with him if he was interested."
In 2023, Paltrow, who has been married to Brad Falchuk since 2018, said Affleck was "excellent" in the bedroom.
During an appearance on the "Call Her Daddy" podcast, Paltrow spilled the secrets on whether exes Brad Pitt or Affleck were better kissers and who was better in bed.
"We’re going to play a game… ‘Brad or Ben?’" podcast host Alex Cooper asked Paltrow.
The Goop founder responded with "Brad" thinking that was the game.
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After Paltrow and Cooper laughed, the podcast host asked, "Who was a better kisser?"
"Let me think. Gosh, I have to remember so far back. They were both good kissers," Paltrow confessed.
"Who was better in bed?" Cooper questioned.
"That’s really hard… That is really hard, because… Brad was sort of major chemistry, love of your life… at the time," Paltrow explained.
"And Ben was like technically excellent," she continued to laugh. "I can’t believe my daughter’s listening to this… Am I blushing?"
Fox News Digital's Stephani Giang-Paunon contributed to this report.
"The View" co-hosts offered rare criticism of Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas, who recently came under fire after appearing to mock Texas Gov. Greg Abbott's disability.
While giving a speech at a Human Rights Campaign event on Saturday, Crockett seemed to make fun of Abbott, a Republican who is paraplegic and uses a wheelchair, by calling him "Governor Hot Wheels."
"Y'all know we got Governor Hot Wheels down there – come on now! And the only thing hot about him is that he is a hot a-- mess, honey," Crockett said.
Reacting to the clip, co-host Sara Haines said that while Crockett is an "effective" and "talented" communicator, the wisecrack was "beneath her."
"I agree with that. I respect her, but it's never okay to mock a disability, whether Donald Trump or Jasmine Crockett," co-host Alyssa Farah Griffin chimed in.
After co-host Whoopi Goldberg stressed that politicians and public figures must be "so careful" with what they say, Griffin noted that Crockett had made similar jokes about Abbott on several occasions.
"Not a good idea," co-host Joy Behar replied.
"You don't mock people with disabilities," co-host Sunny Hostin added.
"You don't mock people. I was just going to say don't mock people at all, and I admire Jasmine Crockett. I do think she is an effective messenger. I think this was a mistake, and I think when you make a mistake, you have to own it because it gives you more credibility when you do that," Hostin continued.
Hostin also claimed that she had no knowledge of Abbott's disability, but admitted that Crockett, as a politician in the state of Texas, must have been aware.
Facing a possible censure in the House of Representatives, Crockett's chief of staff said on Wednesday that the liberal Democrat's comments were misinterpreted.
Crockett's chief of staff, Kimberly McClain, told Fox News Digital, "Please be assured that the congresswoman, in no way, meant any harm toward the Governor OR meant to take lightly any medical conditions that he may have."
McClain pointed to a statement by Crockett on X in which she said, "I wasn't thinking about the governor's condition—I was thinking about the planes, trains, and automobiles he used to transfer migrants into communities led by Black mayors, deliberately stoking tension and fear among the most vulnerable. Literally, the next line I said was that he was a 'hot a-- mess,' referencing his terrible policies. At no point did I mention or allude to his condition."
JASMINE CROCKETT DISMISSES AMERICANS IMPACTED BY TRANS ATHLETES IN WOMEN'S AND GIRLS' SPORTS
Despite her statements, Crockett seems to have a pattern of making comments about Abbott "rolling" places.
Just last week, the congresswoman shared a post featuring Abbott in the White House, which read, "Rolling up to the White House to cheer on the president destroying the agency that makes sure kids in wheelchairs have equal access to education is wild."
During his re-election campaign against former Democratic Rep. Robert Francis "Beto" O'Rourke, Crockett again slammed Abbott on X, saying, "The new nickname I have for Beto O'Rourke is the king of the clap backs! Beto is rolling around the state… Where is Abbott rolling to?"
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"The View" co-hosts said Crockett should not be censured for her comments and urged her to apologize.
The Trump administration has filed an emergency appeal with the Supreme Court seeking approval to slash hundreds of millions of dollars in grants from the Education Department as part of its efforts to crack down on diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives within the department.
The Justice Department is asking the court to lift a nationwide injunction which is preventing it from terminating the grants under two federal programs.
Earlier this month, Boston-based U.S. District Judge Myong Joun ordered the Trump administration to restore the grants – via a temporary restraining order -- which are disseminated via the Teacher Quality Partnership (TQP) and Supporting Effective Educator Development (SEED) programs.
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION SIGNIFICANTLY DISMANTLED IN NEW TRUMP EXECUTIVE ORDER
Days later the 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals declined to pause Joun’s order, leading to today’s filing. Joun was appointed by former President Joe Biden.
Eight states, including California, accused the Linda McMahon-led department of illegally terminating the grants that Congress had established as a solution to critical teacher shortages, especially in rural and underserved communities. The grants provide more than $600 million in grants for teacher preparation programs, often in subject areas such as math, science and special education, the states have argued.
The Trump administration blasted the injunction in its filing and argued that federal courts were exceeding their jurisdiction.
"This case exemplifies a flood of recent suits that raise the question: Does a single district-court judge who likely lacks jurisdiction have the unchecked power to compel the Government of the United States to pay out (and probably lose forever) millions in taxpayer dollars?" acting Solicitor General Sarah Harris wrote.
"Unless and until this court addresses that question, federal district courts will continue exceeding their jurisdiction by ordering the executive branch to restore lawfully terminated grants across the government, keep paying for programs that the executive branch views as inconsistent with the interests of the United States, and send out the door taxpayer money that may never be clawed back."
TRUMP STILL NEEDS CONGRESS' HELP WITH PLAN TO ABOLISH EDUCATION DEPARTMENT
The filing argues that the case presents an "ideal candidate" for the Supreme Court to impose restraint on federal courts and the Justice Department argues that its case will likely succeed on the merits.
"This court should put a swift end to federal district courts’ unconstitutional reign as self-appointed managers of executive branch funding and grant-disbursement decisions," Harris wrote.
The appeal will go to Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson based on jurisdiction and she will likely ask her colleagues to weigh in. A briefing schedule will be set and an order on temporary enforcement will follow.
The Supreme Court is requesting a response by the opposing parties by Friday at 4 p.m. As well as the state of California, the opposing parties are Massachusetts, New Jersey, Colorado, Illinois, Maryland, New York and Wisconsin.
The Education Department previously said the programs teach "divisive ideologies" such as diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and the "instruction on white privilege and white supremacy."
The Republican president signed an executive order calling for the dismantling of the Education Department, and his administration has started overhauling much of its work, including cutting dozens of contracts it dismissed as "woke" and wasteful.
A wave of lawsuits has slowed down the Trump administration’s agenda with the Justice Department filing four other emergency appeals of court rulings, including in relation to birthright citizenship and an appeal to halt an order requiring the rehiring of thousands of federal workers.
The justices previously rejected a bid to freeze nearly $2 billion in foreign aid and did not immediately allow Trump’s firing to proceed of the head of a federal watchdog agency.
Reuters and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
A massive luxury RV parking lot in City of Industry, California, has been taken over by homeless squatters.
The lot, which carries 130 campers worth $6.5 million, has become a crime-ridden homeless encampment over the past two years after a private party who bought the RVs abandoned the area, Fox 11 Los Angeles reported.
Videos of the scene show the parking lot riddled with massive piles of trash and one of the campers engulfed in flames.
Those who work and live nearby told the station that fires are a frequent occurrence at the lot, and that rampant crime, including robberies, has since plagued the surrounding area.
Millions of dollars in goods were stolen from a train that runs behind the property, according to the local outlet.
Nissan employees who said they use part of the parking lot for inventory overflow also indicated that the homeless often steal new car tires and gas from the tanks, Fox 11 LA reported.
"At night it’s kinda scary to go to our cars," Nissan receptionist Kiki told the local station. "Every morning the sheriff’s department drives through the lot and then they just leave, but they told us they can’t really do anything because it’s abandoned."
Surveillance cameras, private security and law enforcement have not made much progress in stopping the rampant crimes. The station said security teams had previously attempted to retrieve the campers but feared for their own safety and gave up.
"Honestly, it comes down to our politicians who are doing nothing about it," Nissan employee Khaled Ghrewahti said to Fox 11 about the increasing homeless population.
BIDEN ADMIN SENDS BILLIONS TO CALIFORNIA'S OVER-BUDGET, BEHIND-SCHEDULE 'TRAIN TO NOWHERE'
The man who bought the new campers just left the RVs and has not paid rent in two years, Fox 11 reported, citing the property manager.
Raymond Henderson, a man who works at a local meat market and stays in one of the campers, said the RV owner has come back in the past. He told Henderson that he could stay as a tenant for $300 a month.
LA County Supervisor Hilda Solis said the property owner recently won a court order to remove the occupants after initiating legal proceedings to regain possession of the site last year.
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"Although the City does not own the site, this issue is a private dispute between the property owners and a private party," Solis said in a statement. "While the County of Los Angeles does not have jurisdiction over land use matters in incorporated cities like the City of Industry, my office has been proactive in addressing concerns at the lot. To that end, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Homeless Outreach Services Team (HOST) will continue to conduct outreach this week."
The property manager said it would cost $80,000 to clean up the trash, Fox 11 reported. Cleanup efforts will begin Wednesday and crews hope to have everyone out within two days, the station said.
A "Wheel of Fortune" contestant got physical with game show host Ryan Seacrest.
Earlier this week, a former professional wrestler had a chance to spin the wheel and win big during the beloved game show.
"Wheel of Fortune" player Bill Page from Wilmington, Delaware, kicked off his game by putting Seacrest in a headlock.
‘WHEEL OF FORTUNE’ CONTESTANT KNOCKS RYAN SEACREST TO GROUND DURING BIZARRE MOMENT
In a clip shared by former host Pat Sajak's daughter, Maggie, she asked Page if he'd expected to show off his wrestling moves during his time on the show.
"I wasn't sure. I said I did pro wrestling, and they said, ‘What kind of moves can you put on Ryan?’" the contestant laughed. "I said, ‘I guess the easiest one would be a headlock.’"
In the viral moment, Page is seen grabbing Seacrest by the neck, with one arm underneath the host's chin and the other firmly on top of his head.
At first, Seacrest didn't resist and was all smiles. However, as Page continued to hold the host in a headlock and lowered his body to the ground, Seacrest began to tap out.
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The host continuously banged his hand on the game show table, as he indicated that he'd had enough of the intense wrestling move.
In the social media clip, Page explained to Maggie that he did wrestling in high school, then he started watching professional wrestling.
'WHEEL OF FORTUNE' CONTESTANT LOSES OUT ON $1 MILLION PRIZE BY MISSING ONE WORD
This led Page to get involved with an organization called The East Coast Wrestling Association.
Despite getting slammed and "kicked in the head" during his professional wrestling days, Page said he had a blast. He was also featured in its Hall of Fame during his time with the organization.
"Wheel of Fortune" fans enjoyed Page as a contestant on the game show, as they applauded the winner of the night on social media.
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"The headlock was the highlight of the show," one comment read on Instagram.
Another fan wrote, "Get em’ Bill wrestle Ryan Seacrest."
"Someone put Ryan in a headlock, and I MISSED IT???" a fan commented.
Although Page didn’t win the "Wheel of Fortune" bonus round, he still managed to take home a $24,600 cash prize and a trip to St. Maarten.
'WHEEL OF FORTUNE' HOST PAT SAJAK TACKLES CONTESTANT IN BIZARRE MOMENT THAT HAS FANS PUZZLED
Page’s big game show moment came after Sajak previously playfully tackled a contestant.
In March 2023, a game show player named Fred revealed he was a man of many talents, which included being a drama teacher, bar trivia host and professional wrestler.
While he admitted he gets paid "very little" to participate in the sport, Fred said at the time that he wrestled "for the fun."
Sajak made some snarky comments after Fred’s wins, calling him a "brute."
"Just because he’s a professional wrestler… you want me to body slam him for you?" the game show host asked the other players.
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The players responded with a "yes" to Sajak’s question.
Suddenly, Sajak ran over to the player and tackled him.
He attempted to bend his arm behind his back and grabbed his face with the other arm while putting him in somewhat of a headlock.