Trump faces Judge Boasberg over migrant deportation flights defying court order
A federal judge will hear from government lawyers Thursday to determine whether the Trump administration defied court orders when it deported hundreds of migrants to El Salvador last month. The hearing marks the latest clash between President Donald Trump and U.S. District Judge James Boasberg, who Trump has publicly attacked as an “activist” judge and called for his impeachment. At issue is whether the administration knowingly violated Boasberg’s emergency order, which temporarily blocked the deportations and required that any individuals removed under a centuries-old immigration law be “immediately” returned to U.S. soil. Flights carrying migrants, including those deported under the 1798 Alien Enemies Act, still landed in El Salvador that same night. “Oopsie…” El Salvador’s president, Nayib Bukele, wrote on X after they landed in his country. “Too late.” Boasberg, who issued the emergency orders at the center of the controversial and complex case, has said he intends to find out whether the administration knowingly violated them, and who, if anyone, should be held accountable. ‘WOEFULLY INSUFFICIENT’: US JUDGE REAMS TRUMP ADMIN FOR DAYS-LATE DEPORTATION INFO “The government isn’t being forthcoming,” Boasberg told Justice Department attorney Drew Ensign during an earlier hearing. “But I will get to the bottom of whether they complied with my order, who violated it and what the consequences will be.” At Thursday’s hearing, Boasberg is expected to revisit many of the same questions he raised earlier, including how many planes left the U.S. carrying individuals deported “solely on the basis” of the Alien Enemies Act. Other questions include how many individuals were on each plane and what time and from which location each plane took off. Although the administration has already appealed the case twice – first to the D.C. Circuit, which upheld Boasberg’s order, and then to the Supreme Court – the judge is still pressing for answers. Thursday’s hearing is part of his effort to determine whether the government defied the court when it carried out the deportation flights. APPEALS COURT BLOCKS TRUMP ADMIN’S DEPORTATION FLIGHTS IN ALIEN ENEMIES ACT IMMIGRATION SUIT The Alien Enemies Act, passed in 1798, has been used only three times in American history – during the War of 1812 and the two world wars – making its modern application by the Trump administration a rare legal maneuver. Trump officials have argued invoking the law is necessary to expel dangerous individuals, including alleged members of the Tren de Aragua gang, who were flown to El Salvador under the administration’s new deportation policy. Meanwhile, plaintiffs have pushed back on the administration’s use of the 1798 law, calling its use during peacetime “unprecedented.” In a brief filed to the Supreme Court earlier this week, plaintiffs argued the law permits immediate deportations only in cases of a “declared war” or an “invasion or predatory incursion” by a foreign nation, conditions they say don’t apply to the Venezuelan nationals targeted for removal. Government lawyers have declined to disclose key details about the deportation flights, including whether any planes departed after Boasberg’s order, citing national security protections. Boasberg had previously warned the administration of consequences if it violated his order and criticized earlier filings as “woefully insufficient,” noting the government also refused his offer to submit information under seal. APPEALS COURT BLOCKS TRUMP ADMIN’S DEPORTATION FLIGHTS IN ALIEN ENEMIES ACT IMMIGRATION SUIT The case has become a political flash point over the balance of power between the courts and the executive branch. Trump allies dismiss much of the judiciary’s involvement as the work of “activist” judges seeking to rein in the president and overstep their constitutional role. Trump’s demand for Boasberg to be impeached prompted a rare public rebuke from Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts. “For more than two centuries, it has been established that impeachment is not an appropriate response to disagreement concerning a judicial decision,” Roberts said in a statement. “The normal appellate review process exists for that purpose.” CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP The White House has kept up its criticism of the lower courts, with press secretary Karoline Leavitt last month accusing judges of overstepping their bounds and infringing on the president’s authority. “The administration will move quickly to pursue Supreme Court review, defend the Constitution, and protect the American people,” Leavitt said in a statement.
Former Biden cabinet member mounts California gubernatorial bid
Xavier Becerra, who served as Department of Health and Human Services secretary throughout most of former President Joe Biden’s White House tenure, has announced a California gubernatorial bid. “From housing to healthcare, childcare to college, working families are facing an affordability crisis. The California Dream is slipping away. I’m running for Governor to fight for that dream, to build a stronger, affordable California for everyone, and to take on bullies who get in our way,” Becerra noted, according to his campaign website. “We need a leader who will reward hard work, innovation, and endurance again. We need a leader who has rolled up his sleeves as a construction worker, an executive, and a lawmaker. I’m that leader, and as Governor I’ll be ready to build a California that’s rising again,” he asserted. HOUSE REPUBLICANS GRILL HHS SECRETARY BECERRA OVER MIGRANT CHILDREN: ‘WOULD NOT WANT TO BE YOU’ Prior to helming HHS, Becerra served as the Golden State’s attorney general, and before that he spent more than two decades serving as a lawmaker in the U.S. House of Representatives. Becerra joins the field of candidates vying to replace current California Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat who is currently serving his second term and is not eligible to run again since the state’s constitution stipulates, “No Governor may serve more than 2 terms.” KAMALA HARRIS REVEALS TIMETABLE FOR MAKING MAJOR POLITICAL DECISION IN DEEP BLUE STATE Former U.S. Rep. Katie Porter and California’s current Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis are some of the other candidates jockeying for the job. Politico reported that at a pre-Oscars party, Harris was asked by someone when she would decide about a gubernatorial bid. Her answer was the end of the summer, according to two people with knowledge of the talk, the outlet reported. Former Vice President Kamala Harris has told allies that she will decide by the end of the summer whether to mount a bid for the role, a source in her political orbit confirmed to Fox News Digital. HHS DOWNSIZING BEGINS AMID RFK JR. ‘MAKE AMERICA HEALTHY AGAIN’ PUSH: ‘WIN-WIN FOR TAXPAYERS’ CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Harris is mulling whether to seek the governorship next year, the presidency in 2028, or a position outside elected office, according to an individual with knowledge of her deliberations, the New York Times reported. Fox News’ Paul Steinhauser contributed to this report
Blagojevich has new job working for ‘Bosnian Bear’ politician with ties to Putin
Former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, fresh off a pardon from President Donald Trump, has a new job representing the interests of a politician known as the “Bosnian Bear,” who also has close ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Blagojevich, who was pardoned by Trump in February, has agreed to lobby on behalf of the Republic of Srpska, a Serb-majority territory in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Politico reported. The region has long been mired in ethnic tension. “RRB Strategies LLC will provide communications and public affairs support on behalf of the Republic of Srpska,” according to the registration statement filed by Blagojevich’s firm. Registration is required under the Foreign Agents Registration Act. ROD BLAGOJEVICH RIPS BIDEN, DEMOCRATS FOR LYING ABOUT PARDONING HUNTER: MADE ‘CHUMPS OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE’ In a post on Wednesday, Blagojevich said Interpol, the global police organization, denied a request from “the unelected Bosnian High Representative to arrest Milorad Dodik, known as the ‘Bosnian Bear’ for his big physique, the duly elected President of the Republic of Srpska.” Interpol’s denial came as Dodik traveled to Israel to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and to attend a conference on how to combat antsemitism, the former governor said. Earlier this week, Blagojevich said left-wing courts, prosecutors and officials were trying to “jail populist conservative leaders elected by the people & bar them from holding office.” He cited efforts to push back against Trump, Marine Le Pen in France and Dodik, who has long advocated for Srpska to separate from Bosnia and Herzegovina and join Serbia. TRUMP PARDONS FORMER ILLINOIS GOV. ROD BLAGOJEVICH: ‘HE WAS SET UP BY A LOT OF BAD PEOPLE’ In February, he was sentenced to a year in prison for defying the country’s Constitutional Court. He has since fled to Moscow. In March, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Dodik was undermining Bosnia and Herzegovina’s institutions and threatening its security and stability. “Our nation encourages political leaders in Bosnia and Herzegovina to engage in constructive and responsible dialogue,” he said. “We call on our partners in the region to join us in pushing back against this dangerous and destabilizing behavior.” Trump reportedly weighed tapping Blagojevich to serve as U.S. ambassador to Serbia before picking former Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich.
DOGE uncovers VA’s agreement to pay $380K per month for minor website modifications
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) paid hundreds of thousands of dollars a month for website changes before canceling the contract and having an internal staffer take over, according to the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). While combing through loads and loads of data, DOGE discovered a previous contract by the VA for its website maintenance. “Good work by @DeptVetAffairs,” DOGE said in a post on X on Wednesday. “VA was previously paying ~$380,000/month for minor website modifications. That contract has not been renewed, and the same work is now being executed by 1 internal VA software engineer spending ~10 hours/week.” Fox News Digital has reached out to the VA for comment about the former contract. SENATE CONFIRMS DOUG COLLINS TO LEAD THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS VA Secretary Doug Collins has defended DOGE cuts at the VA as part of the new administration’s efforts to reform the department and better serve veterans. In February, the VA announced that the dismissal of more than 1,000 employees would enable the department to redirect over $98 million per year in resources back to health care, benefits and services for VA beneficiaries. Billionaire Elon Musk has been the face of DOGE since President Donald Trump signed an executive order establishing the department on Jan. 20. ‘CHANGES THAT ACTUALLY HELP OUR VETERANS’: VA SECRETARY DEFENDS PROPOSED 15% WORKFORCE REDUCTION Trump tasked the organization with optimizing the federal government, streamlining operations and slashing spending and gave the agency 18 months to do it. Along with discoveries like the former contract VA signed for website maintenance, DOGE continues to find waste and fraud among federal agencies. Last week, DOGE announced the termination of 113 contracts valued at $4.7 billion, including a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) consulting contract for Peru’s climate change activities. WHITE HOUSE ADVISOR LOSES PATIENCE WITH REPORTER OVER QUESTIONS ABOUT TRUMP’S TARIFF STRATEGY DOGE also announced the Department of Labor had canceled $577 million in “America Last” grants, totaling $237 million in savings. The funding that was canceled included $10 million for “gender equity in the Mexican workplace,” $12.2 million for “worker empowerment in South America” and $6.25 million for “improving respect for workers’ rights in agricultural supply chains” in the countries of Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador. As of April 2, DOGE claims on its site it has saved Americans $140 billion, or $869.57 per taxpayer. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP DOGE critics contend the organization has too much access to federal systems and should not be permitted to cancel federal contracts or make cuts to various agencies.
Transportation Sec Sean Duffy slams blue state governor, says criminals ‘continue to terrorize’ city residents
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy on Wednesday slammed New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), accusing both of discounting safety risks in New York City subways. “The @MTA & @GovKathyHochul continue to say NYC subways are perfectly safe. Meanwhile, criminals continue to terrorize innocent New Yorkers,” Duffy wrote in a post on X over a news story detailing recent violence on the NYC subway. “We’re fighting to make commuting safe again.” In December, a 57-year-old woman was allegedly burned alive by an illegal migrant from Guatamala in a horrific subway attack. Less than a month later, on New Year’s Eve, a New York City man was charged with attempted murder after allegedly shoving a 45-year-old man onto the subway tracks. GUARDIAN ANGELS RESUME NEW YORK CITY PATROLS AFTER SUBWAY BURNING DEATH: ‘NEVER SEEN IT THIS BAD’ In 2024, subway felony assaults increased and homicides doubled to 10, Fox News Digital previously reported. However, overall, subway crime was down by 5.4%, according to the NYPD. Duffy in March sent a letter to the MTA noting New York City’s transit authority must reduce crime, or it would face federal funding cuts. “The trend of violent crime, homelessness, and other threats to public safety on one of our nation’s most prominent metro systems is unacceptable,” Duffy wrote in the letter. “After years of soft-on-crime policies, our Department is stepping in to restore order.” The letter requested a copy of MTA’s data on fare evasion, worker assaults, customer assaults and police patrols, Fox News Digital previously reported. NYPD INVESTIGATES AFTER HOMELESS MAN CATCHES FIRE IN MANHATTAN SUBWAY STATION It also requested an explanation of how MTA, which is given billions of dollars from the federal government, has used taxpayer funding to address safety and security concerns. “Commuters are sick and tired of feeling like they have to jeopardize their safety to get to work, go to school, or to travel around the city,” Duffy wrote in the letter. “We will continue to fight to ensure their federal tax dollars are going towards a crime-free commute.” The DOT, MTA and Hochul’s office did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment. Fox News Digital’s Anders Hagstrom and Lindsay Kornick contributed to this report.
Ted Cruz clashes with key Democrat over ‘second phase of lawfare’ through federal judges’ orders
Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, and Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., sparred during a hearing on federal judges’ nationwide orders against the Trump administration, and the Democrat dismissed her colleague’s claims of “lawfare.” “Understand this is the second phase of lawfare,” Cruz said during the Senate Judiciary Committee’s hearing, “Rule by District Judges II: Exploring Legislative Solutions to the Bipartisan Problem of Universal Injunctions.” “Now that their efforts to indict President Trump and stop the voters from re-electing him have failed, they’re going and seeking out individual radical judges,” the Texas Republican claimed. GOP DEFECTORS HELP SENATE ADVANCE RESOLUTION TO CANCEL TRUMP TARIFFS DESPITE WHITE HOUSE VETO WARNING Klobuchar disputed this, telling Cruz the injunctions from federal judges were a result of President Donald Trump “violating the Constitution.” “Why would Trump-appointed judges …,” the Minnesota Democrat began before being interrupted by Cruz. SENATE DEMS FORESHADOW MORE FORCED VOTES TO BLOCK TRUMP’S EMERGENCY ORDERS “Why don’t you file them in red districts?” Cruz asked. “Why are the Democrat attorneys general seeking out left-wing, blue swing districts?” Klobuchar claimed the spike in nationwide injunctions from district judges halting Trump administration actions are not because “these judges are crooked or lunatics or evil.” And she warned that making such claims could instigate threats and violence against them. SCOOP: LINDSEY GRAHAM AMENDMENT SIGNALS GOP BUDGET BREAKTHROUGH, SETS STAGE FOR TRUMP AGENDA Cruz criticized Democrats for not sufficiently denouncing threats against conservative Supreme Court justices in recent years. But Klobuchar called that a lie, explaining, “We came together and got more funding for the judges and changed things so that they had more protection.” While multiple Democrats criticized “judge shopping” during the hearing, they were careful not to get behind Republican bills to end all nationwide injunctions. “It’s impossible to separate the hearing from President Trump’s record in office,” said ranking member Dick Durbin, D-Ill. TRUMP, SENATE GOP BUDGET LEADERS HUDDLE AT WHITE HOUSE ON RECONCILIATION BILL But ending judge shopping, as Democrats have proposed in the past, wouldn’t completely address the issue, said majority witnesses John N. Matthews, a law professor at Notre Dame Samuel Bray, and Jesse Panuccio, partner at Boies Schiller Flexner. He was previously the acting associate attorney general at the Department of Justice (DOJ), chairman of the DOJ’s Regulatory Reform Task Force and vice chairman of the DOJ’s Task Force on Market Integrity and Consumer Fraud. “I think the incentive for forum shopping is that you think you can get a judge who can be a ruler for the whole nation. So, fix the problem of judges overreaching,” Panuccio.
SCOOP: White House rallies House GOP on Trump tariff plan in secret call
FIRST ON FOX: The White House is taking a top-down approach in making sure Republicans are united on President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs plan. U.S. trade representative Jamieson Greer briefed House Republican staffers on the administration’s strategy on Wednesday evening, Fox News Digital was told. Greer opened the call stressing that Trump was ushering in a magnitude of economic change not seen since the post-World War II era. He also said the U.S. had been subjected to unfair trade practices for decades since lowering its own tariffs against other countries in a bid to bolster global trade, Fox News Digital was told. WALL STREET FIRMS SEE RECESSION RISK RISING OVER TARIFFS, TRADE WAR Examples Greer cited for Capitol Hill aides included both Brazil and the European Union, while stressing that exemptions would be made for foreign products already subject to U.S. penalties — rather than double up on the taxes. While political communications offices often hold coordinated messaging calls on important issues, a source familiar with the matter told Fox News Digital that it was the first such communications policy call between this White House and House Republican staff. It underscores tariffs’ importance in the Trump administration’s policy platform, as the White House works to ensure the GOP is in lock-step on its messaging. When reached for comment by Fox News Digital, a White House official emphasized that the Trump administration has been the most transparent in history, and that the president wants to ensure his allies are armed with the most up-to-date information. And while the vast majority of Republicans are praising Trump’s moves, some GOP lawmakers have conceded to at least some concerns. “I think tariffs that are equal to what they’re charging are defensible. We want a level playing field,” Rep. Don Bacon, R-Neb., told Fox News Digital on Wednesday evening. “The automobile one can be messy because the parts are from all over.” Meanwhile, Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine., spoke out in support of a Democratic bid to exempt Canada from tariffs on the Senate floor Thursday, hours before Trump’s formal announcement. “The price hikes that will happen for Maine families, every time they go to the grocery store, they fill their gas tank, they fill their heating oil tank, if these tariffs go into effect, will be so harmful,” Collins said of the Canada tariffs specifically. “And as price hikes always do, they will hurt those the most who can afford them the least. Therefore, I will support this resolution, and I urge my colleagues to do so likewise.” Another GOP lawmaker who spoke with Fox News Digital on Thursday, however, downplayed any longstanding concerns. “I think as long as it’s a short-term tool, folks will be OK with it,” the GOP lawmaker said. During the Thursday evening call rallying House GOP aides, first-term Rep. Julie Fedorchak, R-N.D., sent out a statement backing Trump’s move but conceding she understood the concerns. TRUMP TO DELIVER ‘LIBERATION DAY’ ANNOUNCEMENT FROM ROSE GARDEN FLANKED BY CABINET MEMBERS “The U.S. is taking action to address decades of unfair trade barriers that have put American manufacturers, producers, and businesses at a huge disadvantage. I support President Trump’s efforts to create a level playing field and his long-term strategy to strengthen our critical domestic supply chains,” Fedorchak said. “At the same time, I recognize the challenges these tariffs create for North Dakota’s farmers and producers, and I will continue to advocate for expanding market opportunities for our products as well as other policies to help counter the negative impacts tariffs may create for producers.” A number of Republican lawmakers were at the White House in support of the announcement on Thursday, including Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La. “President Trump is sending a clear message with Liberation Day: America will not be exploited by unfair trade practices anymore,” Johnson said in a public statement. “These tariffs restore fair and reciprocal trade and level the playing field for American workers and innovators. The President understands that FREE trade ONLY works when it’s FAIR!” CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Ariz., a close Trump ally, wrote on X, “President Trump’s reciprocal tariffs are a brilliant economic strategy. Joe Biden left the United States with a whopping $1.2 trillion trade deficit at the end of his regime.” Fox News Digital also reached out to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative for comment but did not immediately hear back. Trump’s plan involves a 10% blanket tariff on all foreign imports into the U.S., as well as tariffs up to 50% on both adversaries and allies. It also introduces some level of reciprocal tariffs on countries that tax U.S. exports, though in most cases, the U.S. rate is lower than the foreign country’s.
‘False’: Trump admin rebukes claims intel officials are frequently using Signal to send classified info
The White House is clapping back against media reports alleging intelligence officials have been using the end-to-end encrypted messaging app Signal to send classified information, describing the allegations as “false” in a statement to Fox News Digital. The statement from National Security Council (NSC) spokesman Brian Hughes comes after Politico published a report suggesting Trump National Security Advisor Mike Waltz and his team have used the app frequently to discuss sensitive communications on a variety of different issues. “This is a clear attempt by some in media and the Democrats to obscure the simple truth: The President and his national security team are delivering for the nation by confronting our adversaries and standing with our allies to bring peace through strength,” Hughes said in a statement to Fox News Digital. WHITE HOUSE CONSIDERS SIGNAL CHAT LEAK CASE ‘CLOSED,’ REITERATES SUPPORT FOR WALTZ, PRESS SECRETARY SAYS Hughes added that Signal is “an approved” messaging app, particularly as it pertains to unclassified info, “and any claim NSC officials are sending classified information over these channels is false.” Questions have circulated about the Trump administration’s use of Signal since The Atlantic’s Jeffrey Goldberg released his exposé alleging he was accidentally invited by Waltz to a sensitive group chat on the encrypted messaging app. Critics of the Trump administration have said the messages included “war plans” for an attack on Houthi rebels in Yemen. There have also been debates over whether the information discussed in the chat uncovered by Goldberg was classified information or contained “war plans.” Media reports from The Wall Street Journal, Politico and The Washington Post have claimed Waltz and his team have frequently used Signal and other public messaging platforms to discuss sensitive topics and official government business. TRUMP PICK FOR JOINT CHIEFS CHAIR TELLS SENATE ‘ELEMENT OF SURPRISE’ SHOULD BE GUARDED AMID SIGNAL CHAT LEAK “Using Signal to send unclassified information is appropriate, and these same facts have been reported multiple times in the last few days,” Hughes said, noting there are federal agencies that “automatically install” Signal on government devices. “Some in NSC, like those in the media and many areas across the federal government, use the Signal app,” Hughes added. “All communications are a reflection of a thoughtful dialog of those committed to the effective implementation of the president’s agenda.” In December, before President Trump took over the White House from Joe Biden, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency called on senior government and political officials to switch to end-to-end encrypted messaging platforms like Signal. DEMS HAVE LONG HISTORY OF SUPPORTING ENCRYPTED SIGNAL APP AHEAD OF TRUMP CHAT LEAK Still, critics of the Trump administration are demanding answers. On Tuesday, Democrats on the House Oversight Committee sent letters to “non-principal agency officials” who were part of the original Signal group chat that accidentally included Goldberg. The letters call for the individuals, who Democrats say may have “firsthand knowledge concerning the discussion of sensitive and/or classified national security information on Signal,” to appear before Congress for transcribed interviews. Rep. Gerry Connolly, D-Va., ranking member of the House Oversight Committee, sent another letter to Waltz Tuesday as well, demanding he and his staff stop using Google’s Gmail for official government business after The Washington Post published a report claiming members of the president’s National Security Council were using personal Gmail accounts to discuss official business. The letter to Waltz demanded he turn over all communications relating to official government business that he or his staff sent over Signal or other “unauthorized messaging and email applications and platforms.” Waltz has taken responsibility for the leaked Signal chat that Goldberg accidentally accessed, but he also insisted “no classified information” was ever discussed in the messaging thread.
GOP defectors help Senate advance resolution to cancel Trump tariffs despite White House veto warning
A Democrat-led resolution undoing President Donald Trump’s tariffs against Canada advanced past the Senate on Wednesday after multiple Republicans joined their counterparts in support of it. Republican Sens. Susan Collins of Maine, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Mitch McConnell and Rand Paul of Kentucky supported the resolution, bucking the president to do so. The final vote was 51 to 48. “As I have always warned, tariffs are bad policy, and trade wars with our partners hurt working people most. Tariffs drive up the cost of goods and services,” former GOP Senate leader McConnell said in a statement afterward. SENATE DEMS FORESHADOW MORE FORCED VOTES TO BLOCK TRUMP’S EMERGENCY ORDERS Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso slammed the resolution’s passage, saying in a statement, “Senator Kaine’s goal was not to make law. It was simply an effort to undermine President Trump’s successful work to secure the Northern Border.” “Speaker Johnson already declared Senator Kaine’s resolution dead on arrival in the House of Representatives. It will never make it to President Trump’s desk,” he explained. “This meaningless messaging resolution will not stop Senate Republicans from making America’s communities safer.” The privileged resolution was introduced by Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., and would end the emergency Trump declared at the northern border on Feb. 1. In a statement of administrative policy ahead of the vote, Trump’s White House said his advisors would urge the president to veto the resolution if it passed the Senate. “President Trump promised to secure our borders and stop the scourge of fentanyl that’s poisoning our communities, and he’s delivering. Democrat Senator Tim Kaine is trying to undermine the President’s Emergency Declaration at our Northern Borders—a measure that prioritizes our national security—for reasons that defy logic,” a White House official told Fox News Digital in an exclusive statement on Tuesday. “Under Joe Biden’s failed leadership, criminal networks, fentanyl, and terrorists ran rampant along the northern border. Today’s stunt by Tim Kaine proves once again how woefully out of touch the Democrat Party is with the American people as they use a matter of national security for political gamesmanship. The stakes are too high to reverse course; the declaration must stay in place,” they continued. SCOOP: LINDSEY GRAHAM AMENDMENT SIGNALS GOP BUDGET BREAKTHROUGH, SETS STAGE FOR TRUMP AGENDA Kaine pushed back, telling Fox News Digital in a statement, “The Trump Administration’s own threat assessment report on fentanyl did not mention Canada—not even once. Trump’s order is a blatant abuse of his authority, and it is critical that Congress push back before he inflicts even more damage to our economy and to the relationship with one of our top trading partners and closest allies.” The resolution was required to be brought to the floor for a vote, due to its privileged nature, and it only required a simple majority vote of 51 senators to pass. TRUMP, SENATE GOP BUDGET LEADERS HUDDLE AT WHITE HOUSE ON RECONCILIATION BILL Trump took to Truth Social on Wednesday to call out multiple Republicans he warned against voting in favor of the resolution. “Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, Susan Collins of Maine, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, and Rand Paul, also of Kentucky, will hopefully get on the Republican bandwagon, for a change, and fight the Democrats wild and flagrant push to not penalize Canada for the sale, into our Country, of large amounts of Fentanyl, by Tariffing the value of this horrible and deadly drug in order to make it more costly to distribute and buy,” he said in a post. Collins revealed in floor remarks earlier in the day that she would vote in favor of the resolution. “Mr. President, the price hikes that will happen for Maine families, every time they go to the grocery store, they fill their gas tank, they filled their heating oil tank, if these tariffs go into effect, will be so harmful. And as price hikes always do, they will hurt those the most who can afford them the least. Therefore, I will support this resolution, and I urge my colleagues to do so likewise,” she said. DISTRICT JUDGES’ ORDERS BLOCKING TRUMP AGENDA FACE HEARING IN TOP SENATE COMMITTEE Paul has been a vocal critic of tariffs during his entire tenure, including during the Trump administration. He is a co-sponsor of the Kaine resolution. He told reporters before the vote, “I think tariffs on trade between US and Canada will threaten our country with a recession. I think they’re a terrible idea economically and will lead to higher prices. Tariffs are simply taxes. Republicans used to be and conservatives, in particular, used to be against new taxes.”
EXCLUSIVE VIDEO: AOC refuses to say whether Democrats’ rhetoric is responsible for Tesla attacks
Questioned by Fox News Digital, “Squad” member and leading Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York refused to answer whether she believes Democrats’ inflammatory rhetoric against Elon Musk has any connection to the violent attacks and vandalism against Tesla owners and dealers across the country. Ocasio-Cortez also refused to answer whether she still owns a Tesla, citing “security reasons.” Democrats have been critical of Musk for his role leading the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), with some labeling him a “Nazi” and a “threat to democracy.” The congresswoman has also been critical of the DOGE chief, saying in a March 1 X post, “this guy is a leech on the public.” MUSK NOT LEAVING YET, WRAPPING UP WORK ON SCHEDULE ONCE ‘INCREDIBLE WORK AT DOGE IS COMPLETE’: WHITE HOUSE “No matter how many billions he gets in tax cuts and government contracts, it will never be enough for him. Now he’s going after the elderly, the disabled, and orphaned children so he can pocket it in tax cuts for himself. It’s disgusting,” she wrote. During her “fight oligarchy” rally tour with Sen. Bernie Sanders, D-Vt., Cortez claimed “an extreme concentration of power and corruption is taking over this country like never before.” Fox News Digital asked Cortez whether she sees a connection between language against Musk and the violent incidents across the nation. Cortez began to answer, saying, “Yeah, I mean, again, I’ve seen Republicans call me communist and that I hate this country,” before trailing off. NUMBER OF TESLA ATTACKS SOARS PAST 50 AS VIOLENCE TARGETING MUSK’S COMPANY ESCALATES Pressed whether she still owns the Tesla Model 3 she bought in 2020, Cortez declined to answer, saying, “Um, for security reasons, I’m not commenting.” After weeks of Democrats condemning Musk for his role at DOGE, there have been at least 80 acts of vandalism against Tesla vehicles in the U.S. and Canada and at least 10 incidents of vandalism and arson against Tesla dealerships, charging stations and properties. EXCLUSIVE: GOP FIREBRAND DARES DEMS TO CONDEMN ATTACKS ON ELON MUSK’S TESLA U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi has said the Justice Department is treating the incidents as “domestic terrorism.” On March 20, the Justice Department charged three people with domestic terrorism after they allegedly used Molotov cocktails to attack Tesla properties around the country. “The days of committing crimes without consequence have ended,” Bondi said. “Let this be a warning: If you join this wave of domestic terrorism against Tesla properties, the Department of Justice will put you behind bars.” All three face charges carrying a minimum penalty of five years and up to 20 years in prison, the department said. Despite this, few Democrats have spoken out against the vandals, and key leaders like House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-New York, and Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., declined to comment on the issue. DEM SENATOR WHO DITCHED TESLA TO PROTEST MUSK REFUSES TO CALL VIOLENCE AGAINST CARS ‘DOMESTIC TERRORISM’ Though she would not comment on the acts of terror against Tesla owners and workers, Ocasio-Cortez, considered one of the country’s leading Democratic voices, has previously accused her Republican opponents of engaging in “stochastic terrorism,” using inflammatory language to incite violent action, by criticizing her, which she said prompted her to hire security. Speaking on CNN in 2023, she said, “It’s uncomfortable serving with people who engage in what many experts deem stochastic terrorism, which is the incitement of violence using digital means and large platforms so that individuals themselves may not be the one that’s wielding a weapon. “I’ve consistently had to ride in 20,000-pound armored vehicles, engaging in some of the most gruesome threats that you can imagine that were incited by Republican members,” she said. “This is not just about a tweet. It’s about what life looks like and the marshaling of hundreds, thousands, if not millions of people into doing something.” During the same interview, she also accused President Donald Trump of being aware his rhetoric stokes violence, saying, “He uses and used his rallies very strategically in order to engage in political intimidation that he deems his political enemies.” Fox News Digital’s Peter D’Abrosca and Sarah Rumpf-Whitten contributed to this report.