Trump’s sights set on Iran after US airstrikes decimate more than 30 Houthi targets
U.S. airstrikes over the weekend took out Houthi drone, missile and air defense systems, but it remains to be seen whether they struck a lethal blow at their main target: the Iranian regime’s resolve. Joint Staff Director for Operations Lt. Gen. Alexus Grynkewich told reporters “dozens of military casualties” had so far been counted, and that he had seen “no credible indications of any civilian casualties.” He added that an initial wave of strikes “hit over 30 targets at multiple locations, degrading a variety of Houthi capabilities.” “These included terrorist training sites, unmanned aerial vehicle infrastructure, weapons manufacturing capabilities, and weapons storage facilities.” US MILITARY SHOOTS DOWN HOUTHI DRONES AS TRUMP’S STRIKES AGAINST TERRORIST GROUP CONTINUE Yemen’s Houthi rebels claimed 53 people had been killed, including five children. Attacks began Saturday and continued into Monday. Pentagon chief spokesperson Sean Parnell said the message in the strikes was, “If you shoot at American troops there will be consequences.” At the same time, he emphasized, “this is also not an endless offensive. This is not about regime change in the Middle East, this is about putting American interests first.” But President Donald Trump had been clear that while the Houthis were the target of the attacks, Iran would be held responsible for any retaliation. “Any further attack or retaliation by the ‘Houthis’ will be met with great force, and there is no guarantee that that force will stop there. Iran has played ‘the innocent victim’ of rogue terrorists from which they’ve lost control, but they haven’t lost control,” he wrote on Truth Social. “They’re dictating every move, giving them the weapons, supplying them with money and highly sophisticated Military equipment, and even, so-called, ‘Intelligence.’ Every shot fired by the Houthis will be looked upon, from this point forward, as being a shot fired from the weapons and leadership of IRAN, and IRAN will be held responsible, and suffer the consequences, and those consequences will be dire!” IRANIAN GENERAL RESPONDS TO TRUMP THREATS AGAINST HOUTHI REBELS The Houthis announced last week they would ramp up attacks on the Red Sea once more, claiming they were doing so to pressure Israel to allow humanitarian aid to flow back into Gaza. The group had halted strikes in January when the Gaza ceasefire was first announced. Trump last week tried the diplomatic route with Iran, writing a letter to its supreme leader asking for engagement in nuclear talks. But Iran, enraged by Trump’s stated intentions to return to a “maximum pressure” sanctions campaign, said it would not engage with the U.S. Trump has said its strikes will continue “with overwhelming lethal force” until the Houthis are eliminated as a threat. But what elimination would look like – especially if the Houthi attacks persisted – was vague. US NAVY SHIPS REPEL ATTACK FROM HOUTHIS IN GULF OF ADEN Parnell refused to say whether U.S. troops could be deployed to Yemen. “It’s very difficult, if not impossible, for us to talk about force, posture from this podium,” he said. “It’s very important to keep the enemy guessing.” Zineb Riboua, research fellow and program manager of the Center for Peace and Security in the Middle East, explained that the U.S. strikes aimed to destroy missile and launch sites used to target Red Sea shipping and disrupt supply chains that feed Iranian weaponry to the Houthis. “However, the effectiveness of these operations depends on two key factors: Did they cripple Houthi capabilities? The group has proven resilient, especially if Iran continues to funnel weapons and intelligence support,” Riboua said. The Houthis responded with unsuccessful strikes on the aircraft carrier USS Harry S Truman. Secretary of State Marco Rubio claimed Sunday that over the past 18 months, Houthi fighters had attacked the U.S. Navy “directly” 174 times and had targeted commercial shipping 145 times using “guided precision anti-ship weaponry.” The Houthis in recent years have attacked unarmed Western ships carrying goods through the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden – and the U.S. military has responded with strikes that were seemingly limited in scope, not a full-scale declaration of war. The attacks have led to perilous waters along a trade route that typically sees some $1 trillion in goods pass through it, as well as shipments of aid to war-torn Sudan and the Yemeni people. “We are already on day 3 of the military campaign and it has been unrelenting. This is much different than the smaller and more limited strikes during the Biden administration,” said Hudson fellow Rebecca Heinrichs. “The days of pinprick responses where we allow that to occur is over. That’s, I think, a pretty clear statement from the administration as a whole as well,” State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce told reporters Monday of the renewed offensive. Iran sought to distance itself from its proxy forces. Pamilitary Revolutionary Guard Gen. Hossein Salami said Iran “plays no role in setting the national or operational policies” of the groups it allies itself with. But some restraint-minded voices don’t believe the U.S. should be spending its resources to fight the Houthis, who haven’t publicly attacked maritime positions since November. “The people affected, I think, are more European and Chinese than American,” said Ben Friedman, policy director at Defense Priorities. “So it’s not clear to me why the U.S. should be doing this. If the Europeans want to deal with it, fine, but I don’t think everything needs to be our responsibility, especially when they’re not doing much damage [to us].” “He’s doing what should have been done under the Biden administration,” said Gene Moran, former Navy captain and former advisor to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs. But at the same time, “We shouldn’t be fooled into thinking we can knock down an ideology with kinetic weapons. We’ve made that mistake time over time, something needs to be done with Iran. “Trump has proven with his relationship with Russia, he can flip the table over a weekend, change the whole conversation. So I would think that Trump would do something very
Houston-area midwife arrested for providing illegal abortions in first criminal case under state ban: Texas AG
A Houston-area midwife has been arrested for allegedly providing illegal abortions, the first such arrest under Texas’ near-total abortion ban. Maria Margarita Rojas, 48, who identified herself as “Dr. Maria” is charged with the illegal performance of an abortion, a second-degree felony, as well as practicing medicine without a license, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced. CLINTON-ERA LAW ‘WEAPONIZED’ BY BIDEN AGAINST PRO-LIFERS MUST GO, PENCE GROUP URGES HOUSE GOP “In Texas, life is sacred,” Paxton said in a statement. “I will always do everything in my power to protect the unborn, defend our state’s pro-life laws, and work to ensure that unlicensed individuals endangering the lives of women by performing illegal abortions are fully prosecuted.” “Texas law protecting life is clear, and we will hold those who violate it accountable,” he added. Rojas allegedly operated a network of clinics in the Houston suburbs of Waller, Cypress and Spring. The clinics “unlawfully employed unlicensed individuals who falsely presented themselves as licensed medical professionals,” Paxton’s office said. FDA CHIEF COUNSEL WHO DEFENDED ABORTION PILL ACCESS UNDER BIDEN RESIGNS TWO DAYS INTO JOB Rojas herself is accused of performing illegal abortions in the clinics, in violation of the Under the Texas Human Life Protection Act of 2021. Abortions are banned in Texas, except in certain circumstances to save the life of a pregnant woman. Texas holds abortion providers, not patients, criminally responsible for illegal procedures, Paxton’s office said. Waller County District Attorney Sean Whittmore referred the case to Paxton’s office. “In Waller County, we respect all life,” Whittmore told Fox News Digital. “We expect people to follow the law in the state of Texas.” Fox News Digital has reached out to the clinics where the alleged abortions were performed. In addition to the arrest, the Healthcare Program Enforcement Division of the Attorney General’s Office filed for a temporary restraining order to shut down the clinics.
‘CLOSING TIME’: White House, Border Patrol troll with deportation meme video
The official White House and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) X accounts trolled critics on Monday by posting a meme video showing deportations to the famed ’90s song “Closing Time,” a longtime staple at closing bars and weddings. “It’s closing time. We are making America safe again,” CBP said in its post. The video, which was posted by the White House as well as U.S. Border Patrol Chief Michael Banks and Customs and Border Protection, shows authorities processing shackled illegal immigrants to the tune of “Semisonic” lead singer Dan Wilson singing, “Closing time, you don’t have to go home but you can’t stay here.” The video then cuts to show agents loading illegals on a plane for deportation as Wilson sings, “I know who I want to take me home,” with the words Border Patrol clearly visible. PRESIDENT TRUMP COMFORTS MOTHER WHOSE SON DIED OF FENTANYL POISONING: ‘UP THERE WATCHING YOU’ Since retaking the Oval Office, President Donald Trump has made securing the border and cracking down on illegal immigration one of his top priorities. In an interview with CBS in late February, Banks said illegal border crossings had plummeted by 94%. Meanwhile, the Department of Homeland Security said last week that Immigration and Customs Enforcement had arrested just under 33,000 illegal immigrants. CLICK HERE FOR MORE IMMIGRATION COVERAGE Further, a senior Trump administration official confirmed to Fox News that a total of 261 illegal aliens were deported to El Salvador on Saturday – 137 were via the Alien Enemies Act of 1798, 101 were Venezuelans removed via Title 8, 21 were Salvadoran MS-13 gang members, and two were MS-13 ringleaders and “special cases” for El Salvador, according to the official. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt explained the video during Monday’s White House press briefing, saying it “sums up our immigration policy pretty well: You don’t have to go home, but you can’t stay here.” TOM HOMAN WARNS MAJOR SANCTUARY STATE WILL ‘GET EXACTLY WHAT THEY DON’T WANT’ “The White House and our entire government clearly is leaning into the message of this president and we are unafraid to double down and to take responsibility and ownership of the serious decisions that are being made,” said Leavitt. “The president was elected with an overwhelming mandate to launch the largest, mass deportation campaign in American history. And that’s exactly what he is doing.” She said that over 50 days into the administration, Trump continues to receive “overwhelming public support for the policies that he is enacting.” “So, we are unafraid to message effectively what the president is doing on a daily basis to make our, communities safer,” she explained.
Israeli forces detain and strip-search children in the occupied West Bank
[unable to retrieve full-text content] Two Palestinian boys were left in underwear after hours of Israeli detention and interrogation in the occupied West Bank
Palestinians in Gaza suffer extreme hunger under Israeli blockade
[unable to retrieve full-text content] Millions of people in Gaza are facing severe food and water shortages as Israel continues to block aid.
State Department says Ukraine ready to accept 30-day ceasefire deal: ‘Ball is now in Russia’s court’
State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said Monday that “the ball is now in Russia’s court” to accept a U.S.-proposed ceasefire deal that Ukraine agreed to last week. The U.S.-backed proposal, which includes an immediate 30-day ceasefire and guaranteed resumption of U.S. military aid and intelligence to Ukraine, was finalized during diplomatic talks in Saudi Arabia last week. “Ukraine expressed readiness to accept the U.S. proposal to enact an immediate interim 30-day ceasefire to the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The ball is now in Russia’s court,” Bruce said during the State Department’s second briefing of Trump’s second term. “Following this historic meeting, Secretary [of State Marco] Rubio traveled to the G7 in Canada, where our partners expressed support for a swift and a durable end to this conflict.” UKRAINE UNVEILS 600-MILE CRUISE MISSILE THAT CAN REACH MOSCOW AMID PEACE TALKS After President Donald Trump’s Special Envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, met with Russian President Vladimir Putin last week, Putin said during a news conference that he agreed with the truce in principle, noting, “The idea itself is correct, and we certainly support it.” Meanwhile, Trump’s national security advisor, Michael Waltz, said following the meeting that there is “cautious optimism” a ceasefire could be close at hand. While a ceasefire appears imminent, Russia and Ukraine still need to resolve key disagreements before finalizing the deal. RUSSIA WANTS ‘IRONCLAD’ GUARANTEE THAT UKRAINE WILL BE BARRED FROM NATO: OFFICIAL These include negotiations related to Ukraine’s entrance into NATO — which Russia has said is a non-starter — territorial integrity disputes and security guarantees, such as whether NATO peacekeeping troops will be allowed in Ukraine to maintain the ceasefire. Potential prisoner swaps will also need to be ironed out between the two warring nations. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Trump has also signaled that control of certain land and power plants in Ukraine would also be part of the negotiations. While Trump and his team have expressed optimism about the deal, GOP South Dakota Sen. Mike Rounds said only “time will tell” whether Putin plans on “deceiving us.”
North Carolina primed for showdown over Dem AG’s ability to sue Trump
A North Carolina bill could become the nation’s test case on whether a legislature can prevent a politically-opposed state prosecutor from suing the presidential administration on behalf of the state. The bill, SB 58, would limit present and future North Carolina attorneys general from participating in litigation seeking to invalidate any executive order issued by the president of the United States. “The Attorney General shall not, as a party, amicus, or any other participant in an action pending before a state or federal court in another state, advance any argument that would result in the invalidation of any statute enacted by the General Assembly,” the bill reads. “The attorney general shall not… an action that would result in the invalidation of an executive order issued by the President of the United States [or] advance any argument in a pending action that would result in the invalidation of any executive order issued by the president.” NC SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER RIPS ‘MEDIOCRE WHITE MEN’ IN SCREED AGAINST DEI CRITICS The bill passed on a party-line vote last week in the GOP-controlled state Senate, and appears primed for consideration by the House — which lost its veto-proof majority by one vote last election. Attorney General Jeff Jackson has already put his name to several suits against the feds since taking office in January. Jackson, a Democrat and former member of Congress for the western Charlotte suburbs, has to put politics aside in his role and instead represent the state as a whole, his spokesman, Ben Conroy, said Monday in pushing back on the legislation. “The attorney general’s duty is to be a nonpartisan shield for the people of North Carolina. Nearly 90 federal executive orders have been issued. Attorney General Jackson has filed four federal lawsuits to protect billions in funding for western North Carolina, our public universities, and rural jobs,” Conroy said. “In each case, judges across the country have agreed that the federal government’s actions were likely unlawful or unconstitutional. Any legislation that undermines the independence of the Attorney General’s Office is bad for our state and its people.” In a WCNC interview earlier this year, Jackson defended joining a multi-state lawsuit against President Donald Trump’s federal funding freeze, saying the funds add up to billions of dollars for North Carolina. Jackson said some of that money would go toward victims of domestic violence, veterans, law enforcement and “could really impact FEMA and the recovery work they’re doing in Western North Carolina.” The bill’s sponsor, Sen. Tim Moffitt — who hails from Helene-ravaged Hendersonville — previously described it as a “housekeeping” measure and a response to attorneys general writ-large using the courts to determine public policy. The Senate-approved bill has been sent to the House Rules Committee, chaired by Majority Leader John Bell IV, R-Goldsboro. Bell did not respond to a request for comment, but a spokesperson for House Speaker Destin Hall, R-Lenoir, said the people of North Carolina voted for Trump three times, and therefore it is clear where they stand on his governance. “And, it’s disappointing when Democratic officials try and obstruct his agenda,” spokesperson Grant Lefelar said. “North Carolina House Republicans are taking a look at several ways to hold the Attorney General accountable for wasting time on partisan lawsuits instead of working to crack down on violent crime and illegal immigration,” Lefelar added. Fox News Digital also reached out to the bill’s other topline sponsors, including Reps. Eddie Settle, R-Elkin, and Bobby Hanig, R-Currituck. Bill opponent Sen. Graig Meyer, D-Hillsborough, told the Carolina Journal that Jackson’s power should not be curtailed when “he has the opportunity to defend our state for jobs, for funding, for healthcare, for things that our people desperately need.” While Democratic Gov. Josh Stein is expected to veto the bill if it reaches his desk, he also did not respond to a request for comment. If House Republicans can get one Democratic vote, they could override any Stein veto. Fox News Digital also reached out to House Minority Leader Robert Reives II, D-Pittsboro, for his view on the legislation and whether any Democrats might cross the aisle. Mitch Kokai, a representative for the North Carolina-centric libertarian-leaning John Locke Foundation, said it is “no surprise” GOP leaders are trying to restrain Jackson from continuing to affix his name to lawsuits against Trump. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP “The new law also forces Jackson to defer to the general assembly’s lawyers and legal strategy when legislators decide to take part in a courtroom dispute,” he said. Kokai said an attorney general’s core role is defending North Carolina and fighting in-state scams and crime and that there is “no compelling reason” to use taxpayer resources to “cozy up” to other AGs. “He can build his resume for the next stop in his political career on his own time,” he said, as Stein, Democratic predecessor Roy Cooper, and prior Republican Gov. Mike Easley all served as the state’s top lawman before moving into the governor’s mansion. While in many states the attorney general’s office mirrors the state legislative majority, North Carolina is one of a handful of states where the attorney general and governor are both Democrats, but the legislature is held by the GOP. Arizona and Wisconsin notably have the same governmental setup as North Carolina but do not appear to have forwarded similar legislation as of yet.
Fox News Politics Newsletter: Collins vs. ‘Fake News’
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… -Americans want smaller government but new polls show whether they like how DOGE is doing it -DHS’ Kristi Noem says Trump admin will resume construction of seven miles of southern border wall -Five years after COVID, there’s a bipartisan push to fund doctors’ mental health amid rising suicides Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Doug Collins clapped back at critics he accused of circulating “fake news” about the Trump administration’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) cuts inordinately affecting veterans’ care. Collins, who remains an active colonel in the U.S. Air Force Reserves, announced his agency is opening what will be a fourth new VA clinic in the few months he has been in office. “As government union bosses, the legacy media and some in Congress have been spreading false rumors of health care and benefits cuts at VA, we’ve opened multiple brand-new clinics that will serve tens of thousands of veterans,” Collins said in a statement…Read more ‘DANGEROUS DECISION’: ‘Dangerous’ order by liberal judge to rehire federal workers should go to SCOTUS, Trump says SIGN OF THE TIMES: Trump claims Biden pardons are ‘VOID,’ alleging they were signed via autopen 9 WEEKS BACK IN OVAL: Trump continues whirlwind of activity nearing two-month mark ‘MAXIMUM CONSEQUENCES’: Trump policy on border jumpers empowers use of ‘maximum consequences,’ border agent tells Fox TRUMP BUMP: President’s approval rating matches his all-time high, new poll finds TALKS WITH PUTIN: Trump says he will be speaking with Russia’s president on Tuesday REGIME HITMEN: Iran official exposes Tehran’s global assassination program as US trial of alleged assassins continues ‘IRONCLAD’ GUARANTEE: Russia wants assurance that Ukraine will be barred from joining NATO: official DEPORTED DOC: Deported Brown University doctor attended Hezbollah chief’s funeral, sympathized with terrorists POWER STRUGGLE: Netanyahu seeks to fire top security official DEEP STRIKES: Ukraine unveils 600-mile cruise missile that can reach Moscow ahead of Trump-Putin call on peace negotiations 26 in ’26: House Republicans take aim at 26 Dems in initial midterm target list RESCHEDULED: Schumer book events called off over ‘security concerns’ week of book release ‘STAY HOME, STAY CALM…’: The 5 most bizarre ‘Stop-the-Spread’ moments 5 years after the COVID lockdown ‘GREAT PARTNER’: Trump putting troops on border was game changer, San Diego sector chief says: ‘Force multiplier’ ‘ONSET OF PARANOIA’: Minnesota Republicans to introduce bill defining ‘Trump derangement syndrome’ as mental illness ANTI-CHRISTIAN HATE: FBI investigating possible hate crime attack at St. Patrick Catholic Church LUCK OF THE IRISH: America celebrates Irish culture and politics on St. Patrick’s Day ORDERED TO PAY: Fani Willis ordered to pay $54K for violating open records laws in Trump RICO case ‘NOT COMPLIANT’: VA rescinds 2018 memo on transgender treatments, aligning with Trump ‘two sexes’ EO DOWN TO EARTH: Stranded astronauts prepare for long-awaited return to Earth DEI CRACKDOWN: University of Wisconsin-Madison’s ex-diversity officer scrutinized over spending, judgment amid DEI crackdown ‘CONSTITUTIONAL CRISIS’: Judge who ordered deportations flights of Venezuelan gang members be returned faces calls for impeachment Get the latest updates on the Trump administration and Congress, exclusive interviews and more on FoxNews.com.
Former Gov Andrew Cuomo reports eye-popping fundraising figure in race for mayor
Former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo is showcasing his fundraising prowess as he runs for mayor of the nation’s most populous city. The former three-term New York governor, who resigned amid multiple scandals in 2021, on Monday announced that he’s hauled in over $1.51 million in fundraising during the 13 days since he declared his candidacy for New York City mayor, in the race to oust embattled incumbent Mayor Eric Adams. Cuomo’s campaign, in an email release on Monday, described the fundraising during the ex-governor’s comeback bid as “unprecedented.” The campaign said donations came from 2,821 supporters. It also highlighted that more than a quarter of the money raised will be eligible for up to 8-to-1 in public matching funds, if it’s approved by New York City’s Campaign Finance Board. WHO’S THE FRONT-RUNNER IN NEW YORK CITY’S MAYORAL RACE “I’ve been humbled by the depth and breadth of the outpouring of support we’ve received upon entering this race.” Cuomo’s March 1 campaign launch, into an already crowded field of contenders, rocked the race. CLICK HERE FOR THE LATEST FOX NEWS REPORTING, ANALYSIS, ON ANDREW CUOMO New York City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, who jumped into the race four days after Cuomo, raised $128,000 the first five days of her campaign, which is not enough to qualify for matching funds. The candidates have until Monday night to report their fundraising and spending in the mayoral race. As New Yorkers continue to sour on Adams, according to the latest polls, those same surveys also indicate Cuomo is the clear frontrunner. Thanks in part to his near-universal name recognition among New Yorkers, Cuomo was topping the mayoral polls even before he announced his candidacy on March 1. And Cuomo, who enjoys the backing of a well-financed super PAC supported by deep-pocketed allies, has maintained his frontrunner status in the most recent polls, ahead of the city’s June 24 Democratic mayoral primary, which will likely determine the winner of November’s general election. CUOMO LAUNCHES MAYOR BID IN AMERICA’S BIGGEST CITY But now that the 2025 mayoral race is apparently Cuomo’s to lose, his rivals are zeroing in on the former governor’s immense political baggage. Cuomo has spent the past four years fighting to clear his name after 11 sexual harassment accusations – which he has repeatedly denied – forced his resignation as governor in August 2021. He was also under investigation for his handling of the COVID pandemic amid allegations his administration vastly understated COVID-related deaths at state nursing homes. Adams’ poll numbers were sinking even before he was indicted last year on five counts, which accused the mayor of bribery and fraud as part of an alleged “long-running” scheme to personally profit from contacts with foreign officials. The mayor made repeated overtures to now-President Donald Trump, and in recent weeks the Justice Department moved to dismiss the corruption charges, so he could seemingly work with the Trump administration on its illegal immigration crackdown. The top federal prosecutor in New York City resigned rather than comply, and argued that the mayor had agreed to a quid pro quo with the Justice Department.
Trump admin mulls new travel ban, but no decisions made yet
No decisions have been made about whether to enact a potential travel ban on more than 40 countries, a White House official told Fox News Digital on Monday. The countries may face severe or total travel limitations instituted by the United States, according to reports from Reuters and the New York Times. Fox News Digital was not able to independently confirm details of the proposed program. The outlets reported that citizens of Afghanistan, Iran, Cuba, Bhutan, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Syria, Sudan, Venezuela, and Yemen would not be allowed to enter the U.S. under the proposal. These 11 countries would be placed under the “red” level in the color-coded system, according to the reports. During a State Department briefing on Monday, spokeswoman Tammy Bruce said that a list does not exist, but there is an ongoing review. “Well, first of all, there is no list,” she said. “What people are looking at over these last several days is not a list that exists here that is being acted on. There is a review, as we know through the president’s executive order, for us to look at the nature of what’s gonna help keep America safer when dealing with the issue of visas and who’s allowed into the country. “But what has being touted as something as an item through the State Department just simply isn’t the case.” Other countries, like Russia and Pakistan, would still have travel permitted — as opposed to a total ban — but would still face hurdles when it comes to getting a visa. That tier is considered the “orange” level. VICE PRESIDENT VANCE VOWS TRUMP ADMIN WILL ‘USE EVERYTHING’ IT CAN TO INCREASE NUMBER OF CRIMINAL DEPORTATIONS Various countries, including many in Africa, are reportedly also being monitored for potential restrictions on the “yellow” level and would have roughly two months to make changes to avoid being placed on the “orange” or “red” levels. The yellow level allegedly includes Caribbean nations, including St. Lucia, St. Kitts and Nevis, as well as Antigua and Barbuda. Reuters reports that 41 countries would be affected in some way, though the Times puts the number at 43 nations. MARINE INJURED IN ABBEY GATE BOMBING PRAISES TRUMP FOR NOT FORGETTING FAMILIES AFTER US NABS SUSPECT Early in the first Trump administration, an executive order banning travel from Iran, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Yemen, Iraq and Libya faced legal hurdles and was derided as a “Muslim ban” by opponents due to the demographics of those nations. Proponents at the time argued it was needed to ensure a strict process for keeping track of who’s entering the country. When President Trump signed the executive order banning travel and implementing “extreme vetting” for certain countries in January of 2017, he issued a statement that said in part, “To be clear, this is not a Muslim ban, as the media is falsely reporting. This is not about religion – this is about terror and keeping our country safe.” “There are over 40 different countries worldwide that are majority Muslim that are not affected by this order.” Trump said at the time. TRUMP-BACKED BILL TO AVERT SHUTDOWN BOOSTS FUNDING FOR ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT ARRESTS, DEPORTATIONS Meanwhile, criticism is already developing over the new looming proposal. “Today’s the International Day to Combat Islamophobia, all too timely and relevant in our current moment. With the threat of diminished civil liberties and a so-called Muslim travel ban allegedly in the works, New Yorkers must stay united and refuse to engage in hate and bigotry,” New York City Public Advocate Jumaane D. Williams posted to X on Saturday. “I hope someone at [the State Department] reviews this list and notices that any kind of [travel ban] on Bhutan, a peaceful, landlocked Himalayan Buddhist kingdom (population: ~800,000) wedged between India and China, is utterly insane,” American Enterprise Institute fellow Sadanand Dhume said in an X post. The Department of Homeland Security did not respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment in time for publication. Customs and Border Protection said they “cannot comment on internal documents.”