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‘Riley Gaines Act’ signed: WV governor inspired by 14-year-old shot-putter who refused to compete against male

FIRST ON FOX: West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey hosted former University of Kentucky swimmer Riley Gaines in Charleston on Wednesday to sign into law the Riley Gaines Act — codifying the definitions of “man” and “woman” into state law. The bill, sponsored by Senate President Randy Smith, R-Blackwater Falls, and Minority Leader Mike Woelfel, D-Huntington, passed overwhelmingly in the 31-3 GOP-majority upper chamber. A sole Democrat, Sen. Joey Garcia of Fairmont, voted “nay,” and the House approved the Senate’s bill 90-8 along party lines. According to text of the measure, it “reaffirms longstanding meaning[s]” of sex, male and female in state law, preserves women’s restrooms, sleeping quarters, locker rooms and other private facilities for the sole use of women – to prevent “abuse, harassment, sexual assault and violence committed by men.” US-CHINA ENERGY RACE HINGES ON APPALACHIAN COAL, WV GOV SAYS, AS CHARLESTON SEEKS TO BOLSTER TRUMP PLANS Morrisey said Wednesday he was inspired by the story of 14-year-old shot-put athlete Emmy Salerno from Shinnston, outside Clarksburg.  Salerno and her teammates refused to participate in the 2023 Harrison County middle school championship event as a protest against being primed to compete against a transgender student athlete. Morrisey, then attorney general, threw his support behind a lawsuit over the situation. “This is an incredible day for West Virginia,” Morrisey said Wednesday, noting that Gaines, along with Independent Women’s Forum president Heather Higgins, stood beside him. He went on to credit House Speaker Roger Hanshaw, R-Clay; state Sen. Patricia Rucker, R-Charles Town; and Del. Kathie Hess Crouse, R-Buffalo, as crucial in getting the law passed: “I worked on this issue for a very long time, and even right now we have multiple cases up at the U.S. Supreme Court,” Morrisey said, adding that in the end, the true heroes of the movement are the athletes themselves, like Gaines and Salerno. Hess Crouse told Fox News Digital that she was happy to see the bill succeed. “I have stood firmly in support of this bill alongside Riley Gaines,” she said. “There are undeniable biological differences between men and women, and allowing men and boys to compete in women’s sports or enter female-only spaces is not only unfair but also a serious safety concern.” MOUNTAIN STATE CRACKDOWN: WV GOV’S ORDER LEADS TO 60 SUSPECTED ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT CRIMINAL DETENTIONS “Protecting the integrity of women’s sports and single-sex spaces is essential, and this law is a victory for women’s rights, fairness, and safety,” Hess Crouse added. Rucker told the Wheeling Intelligencer the bill is “not a question of hating [transgender people] or calling them names or wanting them abused.” “I know several [transgender people] and I respect them and I believe they should be safe to live their lives and choose what they want to do — but it does not override the right of women who do not want to share space with… a biological male.”  Meanwhile, Garcia — the lone Senate Democrat in opposition — said transgenderism is not “a decision people make but who they are,” and questioned the bill’s necessity. Additionally, West Virginia Democratic Party Chair Mike Pushkin denounced Wednesday’s ceremony as a “photo op” for Republicans. “I hope Riley Gaines enjoyed her quick stop in West Virginia to celebrate Gov. Morrisey’s bill to make bathrooms great again,” quipped Pushkin, who is also a delegate representing Charleston. “While Republicans lined up for selfies and high-fives over legislation about who uses which restroom, West Virginians were still waiting on lawmakers to tackle real issues — like jobs, healthcare, and roads we can drive on without risking damage to our cars,” Pushkin said. “Maybe next time Ms. Gaines visits, she’ll remind Republicans that working families need fewer political stunts and more actual solutions.” At the ceremony, Morrisey noted that President Donald Trump also led on the issue with his executive order similar to West Virginia’s legislation and his recent White House spat with Maine Democratic Gov. Janet Mills. “This is an issue that has nearly universal support,” he said. “Yes, the woke left, they always dig in their heels, and they try to force the rest of the country to adhere to the radical gender ideology. Well, that’s not going to happen here. That’s not going to happen in West Virginia.” Gaines remarked that when she took to Morrisey’s podium, it seemed a “little bit silly” that she got a standing ovation for “merely saying men and women are different.” Gaines rose to the fore on the issue after competing against University of Pennsylvania swimmer Lia Thomas, a transgender athlete, at the 2022 NCAA Women’s Swimming Championships. She offered a “shout out” to Salerno for her courage to stand up against a similar situation, and said it is refreshing that Morrisey and others are leading on this issue. On the flip side, she said, some governors have dug in their heels with “woke” changes to biological definitions and scholastic sports regulations. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP She pointed to Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers, a Democrat, who caused a firestorm when his statewide budget proposal changed the term “mother” to “inseminated person” and “husband” to “spouse.” Evers drew heat from Republicans across the country, as well as Mississippi-born Wisconsin icon Brett Favre, who called Evers’ move “nonsense.” Evers later defended the move as a way to give “people a chance that are using IVF, which I think Republicans are kind of OK with — [and] have legal certainty about a mom being able to have a year of care.” At the Charleston event, Gaines added: “We’ve been called a lot: ‘cervix-havers’, ‘uterus owners’, ‘menstruaters’, ‘chest-feeders’, ‘birthing persons’ — but ‘inseminated persons’ really takes the cake for me.” In response, Morrisey turned to the assembled lawmakers and quipped, “You’re not going to send me a bill with ‘inseminated person’ written in it, not in West Virginia.” Fox News Digital also reached out to the West Virginia Democratic Party for comment.

Labor Secretary Chavez-DeRemer’s first memo calls on staff to comply with Trump policies: ‘Let’s get to work’

FIRST ON FOX: Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer set the tone for her leadership at the agency, reaffirming in a memo to agency executive staff and agency heads that they must comply with President Donald Trump’s executive orders and work with the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to eliminate waste, fraud and abuse, Fox News Digital has learned.  Fox News Digital exclusively obtained the memo Chavez-DeRemer sent to senior staff at the Department of Labor Wednesday — her first official day on the job.  TRUMP’S UNION-ENDORSED PICK CONFIRMED BY SENATE TO LEAD LABOR DEPARTMENT “I am honored to join you as the 30th Secretary of Labor,” Chavez-DeRemer wrote. “It is with a deep sense of responsibility that I step into this role, and I am excited about the opportunity to work alongside each of you to implement President Trump’s agenda and carry out the important mission of the Labor Department.”  “I want to take this opportunity to emphasize our mission: to protect workers’ rights and ensure safe working conditions; ensure proper wages for all American workers; promote employee training; improve working conditions; advance opportunities for job growth; and assure work-related benefits including pensions,” she continued. “To achieve this, we must stand strong in our commitment to Putting American Workers First.” Chavez-DeRemer said that principle “is at the core of everything we do, and it guides our efforts to enhance the lives of workers across our nation.”  “Under the leadership of President Trump, our focus remains on promoting job creation, enhancing workforce development, and ensuring safe working conditions, wages, and pensions so that every American has the opportunity to succeed,” she continued. “I challenge each of you to actively engage with your teams to identify innovative solutions that can help us achieve our goals.”  Chavez-DeRemer said that the Labor Department must align with the priorities of the Trump administration and “must focus on practicing fiscal responsibility, reducing unnecessary spending, and optimizing our resources to ensure that taxpayer dollars are utilized effectively.”  “At the direction of the President, the Department of Labor has already saved the American taxpayer $125 million, and this important work must continue to root out waste, fraud, and abuse,” she wrote. “I urge each of you to conduct a review of your budgets and operations and identify opportunities for cost savings that can be redirected toward initiatives that directly benefit the American worker and businesses that drive our economy.”  Chavez-DeRemer said that those priorities “are central to our mission and are essential for ensuring that we serve the American people by creating a level playing field for businesses, unions, and the American worker.” FOLLOWING KEY WINS, TRUMP POISED FOR CABINET COMPLETION IN RECORD TIME “By adhering to the principles of fiscal responsibility and efficiency, we can make a meaningful difference in the lives of millions of Americans,” she wrote. Fox News Digital has learned that the Labor Department canceled $125 million in contracts, including $32 million in diversity, equity and inclusion training and consulting, along with discriminatory DEIA duties from more than 100 contracts. It also shut down internal gender ideology programs. The Labor Department also canceled $56 million in communication support redundancies and $4.4 million for “policy handbook modernization.”  Chavez-DeRemer is instructing agency heads within the Department of Labor to conduct a review of budgets and identify opportunities for cost savings, including “wasteful contract spending,” and recommendations to “cut redundancies and low-performing employees,” a source told Fox News Digital.  Meanwhile, Chavez-DeRemer said that she looks forward to meeting with staff individually in the coming days to discuss “your agency priorities and how we can collectively advance the Department’s mission.”  “Thank you for your dedication to our mission of Putting American Workers First as we work together on behalf of President Trump to usher in a new Golden Age of economic prosperity,” she wrote. “I look forward to collaborating to create a positive impact on the lives of millions of workers and their families.”  She added: “Let’s get to work.”  The Department of Labor has nearly 14,000 employees.  “The Secretary is fired up and ready to start fighting for the American Worker under the leadership of President Trump and his America First Agenda, and that starts with implementing the President’s executive orders and partnering with DOGE to ensure the Labor Department is safeguarding hardworking Americans’ tax dollars,” a Department of Labor spokesperson told Fox News Digital.  Chavez-DeRemer was the final person of Trump’s formal Cabinet to be confirmed. She was confirmed by the Senate Monday night with a 67–32 vote margin. Seventeen Democrats voted with Republicans to confirm her.  Chavez-DeRemer was sworn-in Tuesday at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building by Florida Rep. Laurel Lee.

‘Big win’: Trump touts federal funding bill passage in the House

President Donald Trump touted the House’s passage of a funding bill to keep the government up and running, labeling it a “big win” for America.  The House passed the funding measure by a 217 to 213 margin Tuesday evening, mostly along party lines. The legislation is now headed to the Senate, where lawmakers must pass the measure before Friday or else face a partial government shutdown.  “Big WIN for Republicans, and America tonight,” Trump said in a Truth Social post Tuesday night. “Congratulations to ALL!”  The White House referred Fox News Digital to Trump’s post when asked for additional comment.  TRUMP-BACKED BILL TO AVERT GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN PASSES HOUSE DESPITE MUTINY THREATS  The funding bill largely extends funding levels approved during fiscal 2024 as part of the House’s continuing resolution (CR) until Sept. 30.  However, there are some funding changes included in the resolution, including an additional $8 billion in defense spending, $6 billion in veterans healthcare and nearly $1 billion to support Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) deportations. The measure also cuts $13 billion in non-defense spending. Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., broke with Republicans and voted against the measure Tuesday evening, while Rep. Jared Golden, D-Maine, also split with his party and voted in favor of the measure.  Meanwhile, Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., has said he plans to vote against the measure in the Senate because he claims it doesn’t do enough to curb government spending. As a result, the bill will require support from at least eight Democrats to pass the 60-vote threshold.  TOP CONSERVATIVE GROUP VOWS TO WORK CLOSELY WITH PRESIDENT AFTER PAST CLASHES WITH TRUMP White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters Tuesday that Trump pushed all Republicans to vote for the continuing resolution, cautioning that voting against it would stall progress the Trump administration has made so far.  “He is encouraging all Republicans to vote yes on this clean CR, which freezes funding at current levels and will prevent the Democrats from getting their long-awaited government shutdown,” Leavitt said Tuesday. “Voting against this CR will hurt the American people and kill the incredible momentum that President Trump has built over the past 51 days.” The House Rules Committee passed the legislation on Monday evening.  Fox News’ Elizabeth Elkind and Kelly Phares contributed to this report. 

House divided over consequences for controversial congressman

WASHINGTON – Republican lawmakers appear open to stripping Rep. Al Green, D-Texas, of his committee positions after disrupting President Donald Trump’s joint address to Congress, while Democratic members remain widely opposed to the idea. “In my view, I believe that Congressman Green, by speaking for people on Medicare and Medicaid, showed a lot more respect for the American people than Elon Musk, who calls Social Security a Ponzi scheme,” Rep. Greg Casar, D-Texas., told Fox News Digital on Capitol Hill of the GOP efforts to remove Green from his committee assignments. Green was removed from the House chamber after interrupting Trump’s speech to a joint session of Congress earlier this month. The Democrat was later censured by a bipartisan group of House lawmakers, but some Republicans on the House Freedom Caucus are seeking to take it a step further by threatening a resolution that would remove Green from his committee positions, Fox News Digital recently reported. Democratic lawmakers who spoke with Fox News Digital said they were opposed to further punishment against Green, saying it’s “a step too far.” REP. AL GREEN BLAMES ‘INVIDIOUS DISCRIMINATION’ FOR BEING CENSURED AFTER DISRUPTING TRUMP’S SPEECH “I think that’s a step too far. We didn’t do that to Joe Wilson when he called President Obama a liar,” said Rep. Don Beyer, D-Va. Beyer added that Congress should require a greater majority of members in order to censure lawmakers.  “Right now, it’s just Democrats censure Republicans, Republicans censure Democrats. It should be something that offends the whole body, not just the other side,” Beyer said. Rep. Chris Pappas, D-N.H., said Green “received censure, he accepted the punishment, and we all need to figure out how we can move forward together and focus on the work of the American people.” SCOOP: DEMS WHO DERAILED AL GREEN CENSURE COULD BE STRIPPED OF HOUSE COMMITTEE ROLES Republicans who spoke with Fox News Digital, however, remained critical of Green’s interruption of the president’s speech. Rep. Russell Fry, R-S.C., said he hadn’t seen the resolution, but that “at the end of the day, what he [Green] did was absolutely unconscionable.” “The decorum in the House was violated in such a reckless way,” Fry said. “For me, all options should be on the table.” “I did sit during the censorship vote, and that was the first time I ever saw something like that take place,” Rep. Rob Bresnahan, R-Pa., said. “Throughout the whole State of the Union, when you can’t even stand to recognize a 13-year-old boy who had multiple brain surgeries, I found that very appalling.” One Republican, Rep. William Timmons, R-S.C., said he didn’t think Green would actually be stripped of his committee position.  “I think that what he did was really an embarrassment last week. So we’ll see where we go,” said Rep. Pete Stauber, R-Minn., adding that he “voted to censure him,” but that “I don’t know where it’s going to go from there.” Fox News Digital reached out to Green’s office for comment, but did not immediately receive a response. Fox News’ Elizabeth Elkind contributed to this report.

Blue state county faces backlash after failed vote to scrap ‘super sanctuary’ policy: ‘Fringe Democrats’

San Diego County’s “super sanctuary” policy will remain in place for now following a failed vote to scrap it from Republican county officials.  “The Biden Administration forced San Diego County onto the front lines of its relentless border crisis and now fringe Democrats in the County are trying to do the same,” Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif., told Fox News Digital in a statement.  “The people in my district want no part of policies that have contradicted our laws, blocked law enforcement, and gotten innocent Americans killed. Mark these words: Sanctuary policies are going away,” Issa, whose district includes part of San Diego County, continued. The county’s policy further constrains the ability of authorities in San Diego, a border county, to comply with federal law enforcement when it comes to turning over illegal immigrants, and opponents believe the policy opens the door to the county protecting those suspected of serious crimes. ICE, DEA ARREST CRIMINAL ILLEGAL ALIENS ON IDYLLIC NEW ENGLAND ISLAND “This is deeply disappointing,” Republican Supervisor Jim Desmond said in a statement. “This was not about politics. This was about ensuring that criminals—rapists, child abusers, burglars, and violent offenders—are removed from our communities. Instead, fear and misinformation won the day, leaving law-abiding residents at greater risk.” Although Desmond and Supervisor Joel Anderson voted to get rid of the policy that was put in place by the board’s Democratic majority in December, Democratic Supervisor Monica Montgomery Steppe argued that repealing it would then give a role outside the scope of the county’s purview. “Even in the very wording of policy L-2, it doesn’t protect criminals. What it was about is ensuring that this county stays in its lane and protects our region and that the federal government stays in its lane,” Democratic Supervisor Monica Montgomery Steppe said during the meeting before voting “no.” Her Democratic colleague, Supervisor Terra Lawson-Remer, abstained. VENEZUELAN GANGS ARE FAR FROM A ‘FAKE’ PROBLEM, COLORADO DA SAYS: ‘GIANT ISSUE’ The move comes as immigration and border policies changes have had a sweeping impact, as Immigration and Customs Enforcement continues to conduct raids around the country and border crossings have plummeted. In addition, Trump border czar Tom Homan has been a vocal opponent of governments with sanctuary city policies.  The Jewish Family Service of San Diego’s migrant center shut its doors last month as the number of migrants arriving in the area took a massive tumble.  “This failure also makes it harder and more dangerous for federal immigration authorities to do their job. It is far safer and less invasive for ICE to detain criminals while they are still in jail — rather than forcing federal agents to enter our communities, neighborhoods, and workplaces to make arrests,” Desmond continued. There is currently one vacancy on the board left open by former Chair Nora Vargas, who exited her position just weeks after putting forth the policy, according to KPBS.

‘Corruption in broad daylight’: Dems outraged by Trump ‘playing car salesman’ for Tesla

The social media reactions are pouring in after President Donald Trump took the driver’s seat to support Elon Musk. Tesla’s stock rebounded Tuesday after facing a steep decline to start the week amid the ongoing protests at Tesla showrooms across the country.  While Tesla stocks rose, Democrats looked down at Trump’s latest charade – accusing him of running a Tesla ad at the White House.  “I’m sure all the people losing their retirement, jobs, and health care because of Trump are glad to see the White House turned into a car dealership for the richest man on the planet,” DNC Chair Ken Martin said in an X post.  Fox News’ Peter Doocy asked Trump about his message to Americans who are facing financial uncertainty and worried about their retirement accounts while the president was buying a new Tesla. Trump told Doocy he had to order foreign tariffs to boost the American economy.  TESLA REBOUNDS AFTER TRUMP DEFENDS MUSK, BRINGS EVS TO WHITE HOUSE “Well, I think they’re going to do great. I think our country had to do this. We had to go and do this. They’ve taken away – other countries have taken away our business. They have taken away our jobs,” Trump replied. “This economy, in my opinion, is going to blow it away.” TRUMP BUYS RED TESLA MODEL S AT WHITE HOUSE ALONGSIDE ELON MUSK: ‘I LIKE SIGNING A CHECK!’ “I have to do this. I have to get the workers back. I have to get the factories open. We have 90,000 factories and plants are closed… We’re taking it back. We’re taking our jobs back,” Trump added.  Democrats, including Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., were quick to oppose Trump’s Tesla photo op. “Grocery prices are soaring. Housing costs are skyrocketing. Retirement savings are plummeting. But Donald Trump thought today would be a good day to play car salesman,” Warren said in a post.  “Elon Musk just used taxpayer money to host a car sale at the White House after cutting funding for schools and preparing to fire 80,000 VA workers,” the Democratic National Committee (DNC) posted.  “Earlier today, while hard-working Americans were watching their retirement savings plummet, President Trump was filming a Tesla ad in front of the White House to help Elon Musk’s failing stock. This is a brazen conflict of interest and corruption in broad daylight,” Democrats on the House Committee on Financial Services said.  The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) posted a photo of Musk and Trump standing by the president’s new red Tesla, calling them the “most corrupt administration in American history.” “While Republicans were voting to take health care away from families and veterans, Donald Trump hosted a Tesla car show at the White House for his biggest donor. Peak corruption,” House Whip Rep. Katherine Clark, D-Mass., said.  An image of Trump holding handwritten notes about the Tesla cars earned the ire of Democrats on social media. President Joe Biden was often mocked during his term for relying on note cards during press conferences and other public events.  “After mocking President Biden for using note cards, Trump got caught red-handed today – holding his own notes on what to say about buying a Tesla, a car he clearly knows nothing about. So, is the media gonna make a big deal out of this? Or nah?” Democratic political strategist Chris D. Jackson posted on X.  But Trump admitted he didn’t “need notes,” making a jab at his predecessor.  “Do you want my notes? They gave me notes. I’m not Biden. I don’t need notes,” Trump told reporters before hopping in the driver seat of his new Tesla Model S. “You think Biden could get into that car? I don’t think so,” Trump added.  Despite the criticism from the left, Musk is taking a victory lap. Musk posted a side-by-side photo of Biden snubbing Tesla at his electric vehicle summit in 2021 next to a photo of the Teslas parked in front of the White House on Tuesday.  Despite Tesla’s status as the leading manufacturer of electric vehicles in the United States, they were not invited to the White House event in 2021. White House press secretary Jen Psaki explained to reporters those invited were the “three largest employers of the United Auto Workers, so I’ll let you draw your own conclusions.” Musk reposted a clip of CNN contributor Scott Jennings defending him to Abby Phillip on “CNN NewsNight.”  “There’s a video of Joe Biden driving a Jeep around the South Lawn… It’s pretty common for the president to boost American industries… He obviously has a close relationship with Elon, who, by the way, is, I think, unfairly under attack and this company is unfairly under attack. You have these insane people all over the country chasing people down in their Teslas in New York City. I had a friend who tried to trade his Tesla in New York the other day, and there were protesters screaming at his children.” Conservatives on social media were quick to defend Trump’s Tesla purchase on Tuesday, reminding liberals that Biden drove a hybrid Jeep Wrangler 4xe around the White House grounds to promote his EV initiative.  “I don’t remember you being a Karen when Biden was a car salesman for Jeep,” co-owner of Trending Politics Collin Rugg replied to Warren’s post.  “Teslas are the #1 most American-made cars. Unlike GM, Ford, and Stellantis, every Tesla sold in America is built in America by American workers. Tesla’s Fremont factory in California is the single most productive auto plant in North America,” EV journalist Sawyer Merritt said in a post.  “I’m going to buy a brand new Tesla tomorrow morning as a show of confidence and support for Elon Musk, a truly great American,” Trump announced late Monday night.  TRUMP SAYS HE WILL BUY A TESLA TO SUPPORT ELON MUSK AND HIS ‘BABY’ “To Republicans, Conservatives, and all great Americans, Elon Musk is ‘putting it on the line’ in order to help our Nation, and he is doing

Delhi: Woman, 2 daughters found dead inside room in Molarband; police suspect suicide

A 42-year-old woman and her two daughters were found dead at their home in southeast Delhi’s Molarband on Wednesday, with initial investigations suggesting that they committed suicide due to financial distress, police said.

‘Will be useful for…’: Ashwini Vaishnaw welcomes Elon Musk’s Starlink to India

Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Wednesday welcomed Elon Musk’s Starlink to India and said it will help railway projects in remote areas of the country.

Texas Senate majority unveils bill requiring voters to prove their citizenship

All 20 GOP senators signed on to Senate Bill 16, which would apply to currently registered voters, and restrict some to only congressional elections.

Biden’s EPA pushed to ‘de-gender’ agency bathrooms, hire more LGBTQ staff, unearthed memo reveals

Former President Joe Biden’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sought to “de-gender” bathrooms and locker rooms in agency offices as part of its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) push, according to an unearthed memo confirmed to Fox News Digital. A Biden-era EPA internal memo, obtained by the watchdog Functional Government Initiative and first reported by the Washington Free Beacon, recommended that the federal environmental agency “increase participation in voluntary self-disclosure of sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI)” and “incorporate LGBTQIA+ prospective employees into hiring and recruiting activities.” The Biden administration also pushed to “de-gender restroom/locker room access” at agency offices, “add gender pronouns in MS 360” and “change style manual requirement for gendered honorifics in Agency Correspondence,” according to the 38-page report, which the EPA confirmed to Fox News Digital. The agency highlighted their efforts toward “increased access to gender-neutral bathrooms,” revealing that a nationwide survey conducted by the Office of Facilities Management found that, at the time, there were 155 gender-neutral bathrooms and locker rooms for the entire agency.  EPA TERMINATES BIDEN ADMIN’S GREEN GRANTS WORTH $20B, ZELDIN SAYS Additionally, according to the memo, only four of their 10 regional offices did not have gender-neutral bathrooms. Another objective of the Biden EPA included ensuring “inclusion of LGBTQIA+ employees in recruitment efforts, career development and training, data collection, analysis, and measurement, DEIA employee engagement, sustainability, accountability, and accessibility.” STACEY ABRAMS SLAMMED AFTER DEFENDING $2 BILLION IN BIDEN-ERA EPA FUNDS TO BUY GREEN ENERGY APPLIANCES In accordance with Biden’s order making DEI a priority of his administration, the EPA charged “all agencies with taking steps to ensure that Federal employees have their gender identities accurately reflected and identified in the workplace, including by exploring opportunities to expand access to gender-neutral facilities inside federal workplaces.” “Under the leadership of then-EPA administrator Michael Regan, in 2021, the agency created an employee-led ‘DEIA implementation team’ that was empowered to establish workgroups and take DEI-related actions,” Functional Government Initiative said in a statement that was posted on X and shared with the Free Beacon. “The goal, according to the Biden EPA, was to ‘embed’ DEI agency-wide, create ‘cultural change,’ and establish the agency as a DEI model for the entire federal government.” The report comes as President Donald Trump’s EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin reworks the key environmental agency with the termination of hundreds of millions in DEI and environmental grants issued by the previous administration.  The EPA has been working closely with the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), the cost-cutting department led by Elon Musk, to make the spending cuts. “I am canceling over 400 DEI and Environmental Justice grants across 9 grant programs totaling $1.7 BILLION, bringing @EPA’s total savings to over $2 BILLION!” Zeldin wrote in a post on X on Monday. “This fourth round of EPA/@DOGE cuts was our biggest yet.” Fox News Digital reached out to Biden and the Functional Government Initiative for comment but did not immediately receive a response.