Former GOP firebrand governor eyeing run for Congress in key swing district

Former two-term Republican Gov. Paul LePage of Maine is considering a 2026 run for Congress. A source on Friday confirmed to Fox News the conservative firebrand is mulling a bid in Maine’s 2nd Congressional District. The mostly rural district comprises roughly 80% of the state’s total land area and is the largest congressional district east of the Mississippi River. The seat is held by Democratic Rep. Jared Golden, a Marine veteran who served combat tours in the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. Golden is a moderate Democrat who is often at odds with his party’s leadership. HOUSE GOP CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE CHAIR MAKES 2026 PREDICTION LePage, first elected governor in 2010 and re-elected four years later, was prevented by term limits from seeking a third straight term in 2018. The pugnacious LePage became known both inside Maine and across the country for stirring controversy due to his off-the-cuff remarks. He also often touted that “I was Donald Trump before Donald Trump became popular.” HOUSE DEMOCRATIC RE-ELECTION CHAIR REVEALS MIDTERMS BLUEPRINT He made an unsuccessful comeback in 2022 against his successor, losing the gubernatorial election to Democratic Gov. Janet Mills. There’s speculation that Golden, who won re-election in November by a razor-thin margin, is considering a run for governor in 2026, when Mills is term-limited. HEAD HERE FOR THE LATEST FOX NEWS REPORTING ON MAINE Maine is one of just two states, along with Nebraska, that divides its electoral votes in the presidential election by congressional district. And Trump won the single electoral vote at stake in Maine’s 2nd Congressional District by carrying the district in the 2016, 2020 and 2024 presidential elections. The GOP, when at full strength, will hold a razor-thin 220-215 majority in the House, which means the Democrats only need a three-seat gain in 2026 to win back the chamber for the first time in four years. And Republicans are also dealing with plenty of political history because the party in power traditionally faces electoral headwinds in the midterms.
Trump assassination attempt suspect legal team battles DOJ over evidence, test-firing gun

Ryan Routh, the man accused of trying to assassinate then-candidate Donald Trump in September 2024, appeared in court as his team battled with the Justice Department over evidence. The defense team and the DOJ lobbed accusations back and forth over alleged withholding of evidence as they prepared for the Sept. 8, 2025, trial. A major point of contention between the defense and the prosecution is the issue of firearm testing. The defense is calling for the firearm, which is in the DOJ’s position, to be tested. The defense’s reason for testing is that they believe the gun was too old to fire the distance the DOJ claims it would have. However, the prosecution maintains that firearm testing is unusual, and it could destroy evidence. “As we told defense counsel, their request to inspect the firearm in this manner was highly unusual in the experience of the FBI, but nonetheless we made it happen,” the prosecution wrote in a court filing. TRUMP SAYS HE’D BE WILLING TO RELEASE REPORTS ON ASSASSINATION ATTEMPTS AGAINST HIM The DOJ apparently has 90 gigabytes of bodycam footage from their search of Routh’s home in Hawaii. The search was carried out in September, weeks after the botched alleged assassination attempt. In addition to the footage, the prosecution says it has hundreds of law enforcement reports to sift through but is confident that they will turn it over in the next two weeks. The prosecution says in a court filing it is submitting evidence as it becomes available, but that the defense has not submitted anything. The defense team maintained that they were not under any obligation to provide evidence to the DOJ. While they had ruled out using an insanity defense, Routh’s team refrained from offering any theories, saying that they needed to go over all the prosecution’s discovery. SON OF ACCUSED ATTEMPTED TRUMP ASSASSIN HAS OUTBURST IN COURT AFTER PLEADING GUILTY TO SERIOUS CHARGES Now, Routh’s defense team is calling for a full list of evidence and information on where everything is located. The defense claims that when they went to try to see the firearm in question, some items that went with the gun were not in the evidence box. However, in its court filing the prosecution claims that any remaining physical evidence as at the FBI’s facility in Miramar, Fl., or is in transit on its way there. Fox News contributor Jonathan Turley told “America Reports” that Routh’s defense team “has not been forthcoming” in the case. Additionally, Turley says that many of Routh’s actions after being caught negate a possible insanity plea. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Routh is accused of waiting over 12 hours on the perimeter of the Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, where he was hoping to assassinate then-candidate Trump while he was playing golf on Sept. 15, 2025. A Secret Service agent allegedly saw Routh before Trump came into range. Routh then allegedly targeted the agent before fleeing the scene. He was later arrested and indicted by a grand jury. President Trump said he would be willing to release findings on the two assassination attempts made against him during the 2024 campaign. However, there are no firm details at this time.
Fox News Politics Newsletter: ‘Final Moments’ With Iran

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… -New report reveals illegal immigrant population hit new high during Biden-era crisis -House education chair backs Trump move to abolish federal agency –Kamala Harris reveals timetable for making major political decision in deep Blue state President Donald Trump signaled that a nuclear deal with Iran could emerge in the near future, just over a month after his administration reinstated a “maximum pressure” campaign against Tehran. Trump on Friday told reporters that the U.S. is “down to the final moments” negotiating with Iran, and that he hoped military intervention would prove unnecessary. “It’s an interesting time in the history of the world. But we have a situation with Iran that something is going to happen very soon, very, very soon,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office. “You’ll be talking about that pretty soon, I guess. Hopefully, we can have a peace deal. I’m not speaking out of strength or weakness, I’m just saying I’d rather see a peace deal than the other. But the other will solve the problem.”…Read more STEELE THE SHOW: Trump cuts off federal resources for law firm that helped fuel 2016 Russia hoax COULD FOREIGN AID FREEZE SEE A THAW?: U.S. judge orders Trump admin to pay portion of $2B in foreign aid by Monday GRANTS CUT: Trump cuts more than $400 million in grants to Columbia over antisemitism concerns, more to potentially come ‘BEFORE IT’S TOO LATE’: Trump threatens sanctions on Russia, demands peace after major hits in Ukraine ‘MOST INTERESTED’: Zelenskyy confirms Ukraine will attend U.S. peace talks in Saudi Arabia, 1 week after Oval Office clash MONEY TROUBLES?: UN prepping for spending cuts as DOGE roots out waste in US, internal docs show HEALTH BATTLE: Pope Francis still getting oxygen therapy, will not read Sunday prayers ‘MADE US LOOK HEARTLESS’: Rep. Ro Khanna describes interaction with flight attendant following Trump speech THIS LAND IS OUR LAND: Congress exposes China’s potential loophole for Trump tariffs: ‘Drawing a line in the sand’ ‘INVESTIGATE AND ENFORCE’: HHS expands Title IX probe in Maine to include state association governing athletics, embattled high school BRAGG IS BACK: Fort Bragg is back: Army renames N.C. base to honor World War II hero ‘JUST THE BEGINNING’: Trump Organization, Eric Trump sue Capital One for ‘unjustifiable’ 2021 debanking based on ‘woke’ beliefs BREAKING NEWS: Bryan Kohberger case: Idaho court releases surviving housemates’ text messages from night of student murders ‘FALSE AND MISLEADING’: Noem team demands end to ‘fake news’ reports she spent $650K as governor on credit card — it was $2K WASTING MONEY: DOGE says government paying for 11,020 Adobe Acrobat licenses with zero users, plus more ‘idle’ accounts ‘ABSOLUTELY FACTUAL’: Stranded astronaut says he believes Musk’s claims Biden refused to conduct rescue mission COME NORTH: Top Dem governor issues order aiming to help fill ‘critical’ state jobs as DOGE cuts federal bureaucracy ‘DEEPLY UNFAIR’: Newsom calls biological men in women’s sports ‘deeply unfair’ in podcast with conservative activist Get the latest updates on the Trump administration and Congress, exclusive interviews and more on FoxNews.com.
Kristi Noem says 2 leakers accused of disclosing ICE operations ID’d: ‘Put law enforcement lives in jeopardy’

Two people within the Department of Homeland Security have been accused of disclosing DHS operations amid the Trump administration’s mass-deportation plans, Secretary Kristi Noem said. In a video exclusively provided to Fox News, Noem is seen giving an update on the matter. “We have identified two leakers of information here at the Department of Homeland Security who have been telling individuals about our operations and putting law enforcement lives in jeopardy,” she said. “We plan to prosecute these two individuals and hold them accountable for what they’ve done.” “We’re going to continue to do all that we can to keep America safe,” she added. ICE MAKES MAJOR MOVE ON DETAINING ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS IN HEART OF BLUE STATE The names of the two alleged leakers were not disclosed. DHS spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin told Fox News that they are expected to face charges. “We are preparing to refer these perpetrators to the DOJ for felony prosecutions,” she said. “These individuals face up to 10 years in federal prison. We will find and root out all leakers. They will face prison time, and we will get justice for the American people.” Earlier this week, Noem said her agency wasn’t deterred by leaks after a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raid was leaked ahead of time. The leaks drew anger from ICE, with one official telling Fox they feared the result of an ICE agent being killed. NEW HOUSE REPORT EXPOSES HOW CONTROVERSIAL ‘AMNESTY’ PROGRAM EXPLODED UNDER BIDEN Previous leaks to the news media have involved raids in Los Angeles and Aurora, Colorado. Last month, Border czar Tom Homan said the administration was closing in on the individual responsible for the leak of the Aurora raid. Noem had pointed the finger at the FBI. “The FBI is so corrupt,” Noem wrote on X. “We will work with any and every agency to stop leaks and prosecute these crooked deep state agents to the fullest extent of the law.” In February, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi appeared on “Fox Report,” where she discussed immigration enforcement and was asked about leaks originating within the government. “Well, you know, if anyone leaks anything, people don’t understand that it jeopardizes the lives of our great men and women in law enforcement, and if you leaked it, we will find out who you are, and we will come after you,” Bondi said. “It’s not going to stop our mission. It’s not going to stop the president’s mission to make America safe again.”
GOP’s two top Dem Senate targets justify blocking bill to bar men from women’s sports

The two most vulnerable Democratic senators voted against advancing a bill this week to prevent biological males from participating in women’s and girls’ sports, despite popular public support for such a policy. Now, they’re justifying why they did it. “I listened to what I heard in New Hampshire, and what we heard from people who were keeping track of how many — Charlie Baker, for example, who heads the NCAA, who said that it only applies to one person,” Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., told Fox News Digital. “I don’t think we need legislation to do that. I think we can police it through the organizations,” she said. SENATE BID TO PREVENT BOYS FROM PLAYING GIRLS’ SPORTS GETS STUCK ON FILIBUSTER “This bill was overreach,” Sen. Jon Ossoff, D-Ga., told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution in a statement. “School districts and athletic associations can ensure fair, safe competition without subjecting the bodies of adolescent student athletes — children — to intrusive investigation by the federal government,” he said. Fox News Digital reached out to Ossoff’s office but did not hear back in time for publication. In a recent New York Times/Ipsos survey, the vast majority of Americans said men and boys who identify as transgender women and girls “should not be allowed to compete in women’s sports.” However, in a Senate procedural vote on Monday, every single voting Democrat blocked the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act from moving on to a final vote on passage. All voting Republicans voted in favor of limiting debate on the measure and thereby overcoming the legislative filibuster, which is what the 60-vote threshold on Senate cloture motions is often called. TRUMP FDA NOMINEE TURNS VACCINE QUESTION ON DEM, RECALLING CONTROVERSIAL BIDEN DECISION Because the vote was only 51 to 45, the bill won’t move forward to a final vote at this time. Among Democrats in the NYT/Ipsos poll, 67% agreed with Republicans that biological males shouldn’t be allowed to participate in female sports. The bill, introduced by Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., would require Title IX to treat gender as “recognized based solely on a person’s reproductive biology and genetics at birth” and would not allow for it to be applied to a differing gender identity. “This past week showed us how evil the Democrat party truly is. Every single senator voted to strip away the rights of women and girls everywhere,” Tuberville said in a statement. “Both Sen. Jon Ossoff and Sen. Jeanne Shaheen pretend to care about women, but they clearly don’t give a rip about their privacy, safety, or right to fair competition. They think protecting female athletes is an ‘overreach,’ but are perfectly okay with forcing women to share locker rooms and shower with fully intact males. One thing is clear: Jon Ossoff and Jeanne Shaheen are completely out of touch with their voters.” After their votes, the National Republican Senatorial Committee took a shot at its top Senate targets. “Jon Ossoff could have joined the overwhelming majority of Georgians in the fight for common sense and keeping men out of women’s sports,” NRSC Regional Press Secretary Nick Puglia said in a statement. “Instead, he told parents and their daughters that Democrats believe they must play sports and share locker rooms and bathrooms with biological males.” TRUMP’S BIPARTISAN-BACKED LABOR PICK CLEARS LAST HURDLE BEFORE CABINET CONFIRMATION Both Shaheen and Ossoff are up for re-election in 2026 in New Hampshire and Georgia. While Ossoff has been gearing up for a tough Senate battle for months, Shaheen has yet to announce whether she will be running. She is expected to announce her decision at some point this month, sources in New Hampshire confirmed to Fox News Digital. Shaheen is the only remaining Senate Democrat in a competitive seat who has not yet publicly revealed her re-election plans. Gov. Brian Kemp, R-Ga., is the GOP favorite to take on Ossoff for the southern state’s Senate seat, but he has not said whether he will launch a bid. He said he has “really got a lot on my plate right now,” in a recent interview with Fox News Digital. INSIDE ELON MUSK’S HUDDLE WITH GOP SENATORS: DOGE HEAD TOUTS $4M SAVINGS PER DAY “I’m in the middle of my legislative session. We’ve got a big tort reform fight going on. I’m chairing the Republican Governors Association. I made a commitment on that.” “I know I can’t keep holding out forever, so we’ll have something to say on that down the road,” he added. Nonpartisan political handicapper the Cook Political Report has rated the Georgia Senate race as a “Toss Up,” while the New Hampshire seat is considered “Lean Democratic.”
Hospitals warned they must protect children from chemical and surgical mutilation: HHS agency memo

A major agency within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) sent a memo to hospitals and medical providers in the U.S. this week reminding them of “the dangerous chemical and surgical mutilation of children, including interventions that cause sterilization,” and vowed the agency would continue aligning its policies with President Donald Trump’s executive orders. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), which provides health coverage to more than 100 million people through Medicare, Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program, sent a memo Wednesday that was obtained by Fox News Digital reiterating “the program requirements of hospitals to serve all patients, especially children, with dignity and adherence to the highest standard of care that is informed by robust evidence and the utmost scientific integrity.” The memo is effective immediately. “Other developed nations have taken decisive actions to prohibit or significantly limit these mutilation practices to ensure that children are protected from harmful, unscientific medical interventions,” the memo adds. TRANS SURGERIES INCREASE RISK OF MENTAL HEALTH CONDITIONS, SUICIDAL IDEATIONS: STUDY The notice also said ” CMS may begin taking steps in the future to align policy, including CMS-regulated provider requirements and agreements, with the highest-quality medical evidence in the treatment of the nation’s children in order to protect children from harmful, often irreversible mutilation, including sterilization practices. “In recent years, medical interventions for gender dysphoria in children have proliferated,” the memo adds. “Initiated with an underdeveloped body of evidence and now known to cause long-term and irreparable harm to some children, CMS may begin taking steps in the future to adjust its policies to reflect this reality and the lack of medical evidence in support of these harmful treatments.” GENDER DYSPHORIA AND EATING DISORDERS HAVE SKYROCKETED SINCE PANDEMIC, REPORT REVEALS: ‘RIPPLE EFFECTS’ Dr. Kurt Miceli, the medical director at the conservative medical activist group Do No Harm, told Fox News Digital the memo “did a nice job” of highlighting medical data from other countries regarding “gender-affirming” care for kids. “And we really salute them for really looking at the data and being very clear that we need to protect children, really, from these irreversible harms that, unfortunately, we see from sex-change surgeries or hormonal therapies that are used,” Miceli said. The notice comes as the Trump administration has been moving to weed out “radical gender ideology” across U.S. institutions and outlawed gender-transition treatments and surgeries for minors. Many hospitals across the country are still conducting these procedures and ignoring Trump’s orders. NEWSOM CALLS BIOLOGICAL MEN IN WOMEN’S SPORTS ‘DEEPLY UNFAIR’ IN PODCAST WITH CONSERVATIVE ACTIVIST Lawsuits are already underway challenging Trump’s other gender-related executive orders, too, which include booting transgender troops out of the military and banning biological men from women’s sports. HHS is also undergoing sweeping staffing changes due to Elon Musk’s DOGE layoffs. The CMS memo said its alert “is informed by a growing body of evidence and protective policies across the world” and cited studies outlining the effects of gender-transition treatments for kids in England and Finland, as well as several from U.S. medical journals and the Mayo Clinic. Between 2016 and 2020, nearly 3,700 children between the ages of 12 and 18 underwent surgery, with more than 3,200 having breast or chest surgery and more than 400 undergoing genital surgery, resulting in permanent changes to their reproductive organs, the memo states. More than 120,000 children between 6 and 17, from 2016 to 2020, were diagnosed with gender dysphoria, with more than 17,000 starting treatments like puberty blockers or cross-sex hormones. “In several notable instances, research used to promote these harmful procedures on children contained obvious and significant methodological flaws or demonstrated outright scientific misconduct,” the memo stated.
‘I’m excited’: Hollywood star rallies around new national landmark with support from both parties

FIRST ON FOX: It’s not easy in today’s political climate to get Democrats and Republicans into a friendly, collaborative space together. But that’s exactly what happened this week when Lynda Carter, star of the 1970s ABC hit “Wonder Woman,” joined a bipartisan reception on Capitol Hill aimed at getting the Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum built. “It’s often said that certain kinds of men built America. And that is not exactly the truth, because we were there,” Carter told Fox News Digital in an interview during the event. “Most people don’t know about our stories, about the women of America that helped to build our great nation. Those are the stories that I’m excited to have you hear about.” Despite a bustling day of events Monday, a day before President Donald Trump’s speech to a joint session of Congress, more than two dozen lawmakers found time to stop by a modest room on the first floor of the U.S. Capitol, where Carter was engaging with others in a bid to get the museum built. GOP REBELS HEAD TO WHITE HOUSE FOR MEETING TO AVOID GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN Funding for the women’s museum was appropriated in 2020 and signed into law during Trump’s first term. Now, Rep. Nicole Malliotakis, R-N.Y., is leading a bill to actually give the museum a spot along the National Mall so it can finally be built. “We’re very fortunate to be here with a bipartisan effort. And we have 80 co-sponsors of our legislation, both Democrats and Republicans,” Malliotakis told Fox News Digital. “It’s very important, so we can share the stories of the women who have come before us,” she added before listing famous females like Rosie the Riveter, a group of Black nurses who worked with tuberculosis patients in the 1900s, known as the Black Angels, and former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor. And their effort is getting recognized by the very top levels of Congress. Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., briefly stopped by the event and spoke with attendees, at one point appearing cheerful during a conversation with Carter. Former Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., was also at the event, as were both male and female members of Congress on both sides of the aisle. “This is the second and final step of the process,” Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, R-Pa., who is co-leading the effort, told Fox News Digital. “Obviously, it’s an important one, because this is the site selection. The hard part was getting it authorized, that’s already done.” Former Rep. Carolyn Maloney, D-N.Y., who has championed women’s rights for decades, said she had spoken with Johnson during the event and “it seemed like he was gonna look for the votes.” “I know how effective he is,” Maloney praised. “We’re gonna get it done this time.” Rep. Debbie Dingell, D-Mich., another Democrat leading the effort in Congress right now, affirmed: “We are going to get it done.” VANCE TAKES VICTORY IN BORDER VISIT AS ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT NUMBERS PLUMMET Dingell did not hesitate when asked whether she was confident about whether the project could be completed despite the current political environment. “It has to,” she said. It was an evening of bipartisanship for Carter as well, a noted Democrat who campaigned for former Vice President Kamala Harris’ 2024 campaign. She credited both Republicans and Democrats, however, for coming together on the issue of the museum. The event culminated with the co-chairs of the bipartisan Women’s caucus – Malliotakis, along with Reps. Monica De La Cruz, R-Texas, Emilia Sykes, D-Ohio, and Janelle Bynum, D-Ore. – presenting Carter with a frame memorializing her contributions to women in the Congressional Record.
‘I’m excited’: Liberal Hollywood star rallies around new national landmark with support from both parties

FIRST ON FOX: It’s not easy in today’s political climate to get Democrats and Republicans into a friendly, collaborative space together. But that’s exactly what happened this week when Lynda Carter, star of the 1970s ABC hit “Wonder Woman,” joined a bipartisan reception on Capitol Hill aimed at getting the Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum built. “It’s often said that certain kinds of men built America. And that is not exactly the truth, because we were there,” Carter told Fox News Digital in an interview during the event. “Most people don’t know about our stories, about the women of America that helped to build our great nation. Those are the stories that I’m excited to have you hear about.” Despite a bustling day of events Monday, a day before President Donald Trump’s speech to a joint session of Congress, more than two dozen lawmakers found time to stop by a modest room on the first floor of the U.S. Capitol, where Carter was engaging with others in a bid to get the museum built. GOP REBELS HEAD TO WHITE HOUSE FOR MEETING TO AVOID GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN Funding for the women’s museum was appropriated in 2020 and signed into law during Trump’s first term. Now, Rep. Nicole Malliotakis, R-N.Y., is leading a bill to actually give the museum a spot along the National Mall so it can finally be built. “We’re very fortunate to be here with a bipartisan effort. And we have 80 co-sponsors of our legislation, both Democrats and Republicans,” Malliotakis told Fox News Digital. “It’s very important, so we can share the stories of the women who have come before us,” she added before listing famous females like Rosie the Riveter, a group of Black nurses who worked with tuberculosis patients in the 1900s, known as the Black Angels, and former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor. And their effort is getting recognized by the very top levels of Congress. Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., briefly stopped by the event and spoke with attendees, at one point appearing cheerful during a conversation with Carter. Former Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., was also at the event, as were both male and female members of Congress on both sides of the aisle. “This is the second and final step of the process,” Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, R-Pa., who is co-leading the effort, told Fox News Digital. “Obviously, it’s an important one, because this is the site selection. The hard part was getting it authorized, that’s already done.” Former Rep. Carolyn Maloney, D-N.Y., who has championed women’s rights for decades, said she had spoken with Johnson during the event and “it seemed like he was gonna look for the votes.” “I know how effective he is,” Maloney praised. “We’re gonna get it done this time.” Rep. Debbie Dingell, D-Mich., another Democrat leading the effort in Congress right now, affirmed: “We are going to get it done.” VANCE TAKES VICTORY IN BORDER VISIT AS ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT NUMBERS PLUMMET Dingell did not hesitate when asked whether she was confident about whether the project could be completed despite the current political environment. “It has to,” she said. It was an evening of bipartisanship for Carter as well, a noted Democrat who campaigned for former Vice President Kamala Harris’ 2024 campaign. She credited both Republicans and Democrats, however, for coming together on the issue of the museum. The event culminated with the co-chairs of the bipartisan Women’s caucus – Malliotakis, along with Reps. Monica De La Cruz, R-Texas, Emilia Sykes, D-Ohio, and Janelle Bynum, D-Ore. – presenting Carter with a frame memorializing her contributions to women in the Congressional Record.
Christi Craddick, Don Huffines announce bids for Texas comptroller after Hegar tapped for A&M chancellor

Hegar’s impending departure from the comptroller’s seat creates a rare opening for one of Texas’ coveted statewide offices.
Trump Organization, Eric Trump sue Capital One for ‘unjustifiable’ 2021 debanking based on ‘woke’ beliefs

The Trump Organization is suing Capital One after the bank “unjustifiably” terminated more than 300 of the company’s bank accounts and accounts belonging to numerous Trump family members in 2021. Eric Trump told Fox News Digital he will hold major corporations accountable for the “egregious nature of canceling based on political bias.” The Trump Organization filed the lawsuit against Capital One in the Circuit Court of the Eleventh Judicial Circuit for Miami-Dade County, Florida, Friday. The plaintiffs in the case are Eric Trump, the Donald J. Trump Revocable Trust, DJT Holdings, DJT Holdings Managing Member and DTTM Operations. HERE’S WHAT CAN BE DONE ABOUT DEBANKING, THE UN-AMERICAN ABUSE OF POWER BY REGULATORS On March 8, 2021, Capital One notified Trump and the plaintiffs that hundreds of bank accounts that they controlled, were beneficiaries of and actively used would be closed June 7, 2021. According to the lawsuit, Capital One did not provide Trump and the plaintiffs any “recourse, remedy, or alternative — its decision was final.” The accounts affiliated with the Trump Organization held millions of dollars belonging to them and their affiliated entities. Trump told Fox News Digital Friday that 300 business accounts were terminated, as well as various accounts belonging to numerous Trump family members. The Trump Organization, according to the lawsuit, has “deposited, transacted, and leveraged hundreds of millions of dollars with Capital One to grow and scale these businesses.” The lawsuit states that “Capital One has profited from Plaintiffs’ substantial deposits, impeccable creditworthiness, and the prestige associated with having a business relationship with President Trump.” According to the lawsuit, Capital One did not provide Trump and the plaintiffs any advance notice and “unilaterally terminated” the accounts. “Plaintiffs suffered considerable financial harm and losses caused not only by the interruption to their access to Capitol One’s banking services, but also by the devastating impact on Plaintiff’s ability to transact and access their monies,” the lawsuit states. “Plaintiffs have reason to believe that Capital One’s unilateral decision came about as a result of political and social motivations and Capital One’s unsubstantiated, ‘woke’ beliefs that it needed to distance itself from President Trump and his conservative political views. HOUSE OVERSIGHT CHAIRMAN SAYS THERE’S EVIDENCE OF CONSERVATIVE DEBANKING, HINTS AT INVESTIGATION “In essence, Capital One ‘de-banked’ plaintiff’s accounts because Capital One believed that the political tide at the moment favored doing so,” the lawsuit continued. “In addition to the considerable financial harm that Plaintiffs and their affiliated entities suffered, Capital One’s reckless decision is part of a growing trend by financial institutions in the United States of America to cut off a consumer’s access to banking services if their political views contradict with those of the financial institution.” The lawsuit added that “Capital One’s conduct is but one example of a systemic, subversive industry practice that aims to coerce the public to shift and re-align” political views. “Plaintiffs file this action to redress the harm they and their affiliated entities have suffered and shed light on a matter of great public interest and importance,” it states. SENATE BANKING PANEL HEARS DEBANKING TESTIMONY: ‘EXTREMELY DISRUPTIVE’ Eric Trump spoke exclusively to Fox News Digital Friday after filing the lawsuit to describe the “damage caused by the bank,” and the “weaponization seen in corporate America and by big banks that are otherwise monopolistic.” “Capital One is supposed to represent Americans fairly,” Trump told Fox News Digital. “Canceling golf courses, canceling residential buildings, retail outfits that impact the livelihoods of tens of thousands of employees is egregious and damaging and wrong in the United States of America — especially after having a flawless relationship for more than a decade.” Trump told Fox News Digital the American people are “tired of the weaponization in corporate America.” “I can’t tell you how hard it is to change more than 300 bank accounts — and for no reason whatsoever,” Trump said. “These were hotels and golf courses, residential buildings and commercial buildings, retail outlets and skating rinks and parking garages. There was no political affiliation. These were not political entities. “The only common denominator was that they wore the Trump name. TRUMP CONFRONTS BANK OF AMERICA CEO FOR NOT TAKING ‘CONSERVATIVE BUSINESS’ “America is sick and tired of political lawfare,” Trump added. “As a person and as a company, I won’t stand for major corporations that seek to inflict incredible harm and damage on people who might have opposing views. “I will hold them and others accountable. This is just the beginning.” Sources have indicated that Chase, Bank of America and TD Bank also debanked Trump at the time and could face similar legal action in the days and weeks to come. Capital One did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.