DHS defends McLaughlin against allegations husband’s company profited millions from ad contracts: ‘Baseless’
EXCLUSIVE: Newly obtained financial statements shed light on claims that former Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin’s husband’s company made millions from a DHS advertising campaign. DHS Secretary Kristi Noem faced intense questioning during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing Tuesday, and Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., specifically called out the agency for contracting a public relations firm headed by McLaughlin’s husband, Benjamin Yoho. “I have personally reviewed the allegations against Ms. McLaughlin, and I find them to be baseless,” DHS General Counsel James Percival told Fox News Digital. “Nothing illegal or unethical occurred with respect to these contracts. Ms. McLaughlin was not involved in selecting any subcontractors. “She is, however, a superstar in the public affairs world, so I am not surprised that she married a successful businessman whose services were attractive to these outside firms.” DHS DEFENDS AD BLITZ AMID SENATE SCRUTINY, SAYS CAMPAIGN DROVE 2.2M SELF-DEPORTATIONS AND SAVED TAXPAYERS $39B Kennedy alleged that Yoho’s firm, The Strategy Group, “got most of the money” out of what the Louisiana Republican senator says was $220 million in “television advertisements that feature [Noem] prominently.” “I’m sorry,” Kennedy said. “Safe America Media was a company formed 11 days before you picked them. And that the Strategy Group got most of the money. And the head of that is married to your former spokesperson.” “It’s just hard for me to believe knowing the president as I do, that you said, ‘Mr. President, here’s some ads I’ve cut, and I’m going to spend $220 million running them,’ that he would have agreed to that,” Kennedy explained. “I don’t think Russ Vought at OMB [Office of Management and Budget] would have agreed to that.” ‘YOU SHOULD BE ASHAMED!’: PROTESTER DRAGGED FROM KRISTI NOEM’S SENATE HEARING The Strategy Group is a conservative advertising agency for which Yoho serves as CEO. Figures obtained by Fox News Digital show a slightly lesser total advertising expenditure of approximately $185 million, with a total of roughly $146.5 million going to a campaign called “Save America.” However, of the total that went to “Save America,” roughly $348,000 went to production costs, while the remaining $142 million went to “media buys.” Sources at DHS say that media buys are the cost of actually buying the ads themselves, whether purchased from social media or for a TV ad. Kennedy also alleged that the bidding process for the contracts never took place and that Safe America Media’s recent founding was a cause for concern and collusion between McLaughlin and her husband’s business. WATCH THE MOST VIRAL MOMENTS AS KRISTI NOEM’S HEARING GOES OFF THE RAILS “Yes they did,” Noem responded during the hearing. “They went out to a competitive bid, and career officials at the department chose who would do those advertising commercials.” The Strategy Group posted to X Tuesday that it never had a contract with the department. While it did receive several hundred thousand dollars for production costs associated with the advertising campaigns, The Strategy Group never made millions. “The Strategy Group has never had a contract with DHS,” the post said. “We had a subcontract with Safe America [Media] for limited production services. Safe America paid us $226,137.17 total for 5 film shoots, 45 produced video advertisements and 6 produced radio advertisements. DHS SPOKESWOMAN TRICIA MCLAUGHLIN TO LEAVE TRUMP ADMIN, SOURCE CONFIRMS “If you’re going to try to question our integrity, bring actual evidence — we did,” the post concluded. Because these ads were purchased using public funds, all contract totals are publicly available. Lauren Bis, who took up the role of assistant secretary once McLaughlin left office, told Fox News Digital Tuesday that scrutiny from Republicans and Democrats over the advertising spending was unjustified because the campaigns resulted in “the most successful ad campaign in U.S. history.” “Sanctuary politicians are attacking this ad campaign because it has been successful in CLOSING our borders and getting more than 2.2 million illegal aliens to LEAVE the U.S.,” Bis said. “The DHS domestic and international ad campaign was the most successful ad campaign in U.S. history. The results speak for themselves: 2.2 million illegal aliens self-deported, and we now have the most secure border in American history.” KRISTI NOEM TO FACE SENATE GRILLING OVER MINNEAPOLIS SHOOTINGS AS DHS SHUTDOWN HITS WEEK 3 Bis also compared the cost of arresting and deporting an illegal migrant to that of the minimal cost of an illegal migrant self-deporting. The department says the advertising campaign played a key role in marketing self-deportation. A spokesperson at DHS also told Fox News Digital that contractors decide who they hire, fulfilling the terms of a contract, not the department itself. “By law, DHS cannot and does not determine, control or weigh in on who contractors hire or use to fulfill the terms of the contract,” a DHS spokesperson told Fox. “Those decisions are made by the contractor alone. We have only become aware of these companies because of this inquiry and did not hire those companies.” The spokesperson also noted that McLaughlin “recused herself” from interactions with subcontractors to avoid “any perceived appearance of impropriety.” “Upon hearing who the subcontractors were for production of the ad, Ms. McLaughlin recused herself from any interaction or engagement with any subcontractors to avoid any perceived appearance of impropriety,” the spokesperson continued. “DHS Office of Public Affairs is the program officer. Ms. McLaughlin oversees the DHS Office of Public Affairs, which is simply the vehicle for this contract.” McLaughlin told Fox News Digital the criticism of her and her family by senators at the hearing is a matter of public manipulation. “This is yet another example of politicians intentionally trying to dupe and manipulate the public to try to manufacture division and anger,” McLaughlin told Fox News Digital. “The ad spend and contracts are a matter of public record, and the process was done by the book. “These politicians would rather smear private citizens and American small businesses than do any basic research.”
FBI spox unleashes on media’s ‘transparent spin job’ that recent firings were ‘devastating’ to Iran work
An FBI spokesman tore into the media on Wednesday for claiming a string of recent firings at the bureau were detrimental to its work on Iran, alleging the reports were poorly sourced and “total BS.” Ben Williamson, FBI assistant director of public affairs, excoriated CBS News and MS Now on social media after their reporting raised alarm about FBI Director Kash Patel’s recent decision to fire about a dozen employees for allegedly violating their ethics and the bureau’s mission. The spokesman accused the media of attempting to stir up worries that the nation’s premier federal law enforcement agency was ill-prepared to combat threats Iran posed to the United States in the wake of President Donald Trump launching a war against the country on Saturday. “I can play the ‘sources’ game too – the difference is mine know what they’re talking about,” Williamson wrote, saying he spoke with several FBI executives and supervisors who confirmed that “only 3” of those fired worked on Iran matters. SUSIE WILES’ LAWYER DENIES APPROVING FBI RECORDING, SAYS HE’D LOSE LICENSE OVER ‘STUNT’ His remark came in response to a CBS News report that a source called the firings “‘devastating’ to the FBI’s Iran program and said that these agents have confidential informants in the U.S.-Iranian community who are not replaceable.” Williamson said that characterization was “total BS,” adding the FBI “surges resources and personnel from all over the country to prepare for these things.” The firings occurred last week after Patel revealed that his and White House chief of staff Susie Wiles’ phone records were subpoenaed as part of the Biden Department of Justice’s sweeping investigations into President Donald Trump and his allies. While the subpoena documents have not been made public, Patel and Wiles were private citizens at the time and known witnesses in the DOJ’s investigation into Trump’s handling of classified documents. The Biden FBI also allegedly recorded a phone call between Wiles and her lawyer in 2023 with her lawyer’s permission, unbeknownst to Wiles, two law enforcement sources said. A lawyer representing Wiles at the time disputed that claim, telling Axios he was unaware of a call with his client being recorded. PATEL DOUBLES DOWN ON FBI ELECTION HUB RAID, SAYS TRUMP CALLED AGENTS DIRECTLY TO THANK THEM FOR OPERATION Most of those Patel fired worked on the classified documents probe and the majority worked in counterintelligence, a source familiar with the firings told Fox News Digital. Williamson wrote on X that ahead of the terminations, the FBI had a “record year” in counterintelligence in 2025, notching 35% more arrests than the prior year and capturing six fugitives on the FBI’s “Ten Most Wanted” list. The spokesman said the operations were “not something run by three people out of one unit” and that the media reports were a “transparent spin job by people mad about firings.” Asked for comment, Williamson pointed to his public remarks. Fox News Digital reached out to MS Now and CBS News for comment on Wednesday but did not immediately receive replies. Patel’s firings have drawn praise from some in Trump’s base who say the Biden DOJ and FBI abused their authority to target Trump while he was running for president and that the terminations represent overdue accountability. The firings, however, have also drawn condemnation from critics, including the FBI Agents Association (FBIAA), which represents thousands of employees and has maintained that agents’ actions are typically the result of following orders within a chain of command. “The FBIAA condemns [the Feb. 25] unlawful termination of FBI Special Agents, which—like other firings by Director Patel—violates the due process rights of those who risk their lives to protect our country,” the FBIAA said. “These actions weaken the Bureau by stripping away critical expertise and destabilizing the workforce, undermining trust in leadership and jeopardizing the Bureau’s ability to meet its recruitment goals—ultimately putting the nation at greater risk.”
Pam Bondi faces bipartisan subpoena over frustration with DOJ’s release of Epstein files
The House Oversight Committee voted along bipartisan lines to subpoena Attorney General Pam Bondi Wednesday in a motion spearheaded by Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., amid continued frustrations with the Department of Justice’s efforts to release the Epstein files. Mace said she introduced the motion to hear from Bondi on “the department’s handling of the investigation into Jeffrey Epstein and his associates and compliance with the Epstein Files Transparency Act.” The vote succeeded 24-19, with five Republicans joining Democrats to advance the subpoena. Besides Mace, the Republicans who voted with Democrats included Lauren Boebert, R-Colo.; Tim Burchett, R-Tenn.; and Scott Perry, R-Pa. NEW DETAILS EXPOSE HOW A FORMER TOP TRUMP OFFICIAL GOT CAUGHT IN EPSTEIN’S WEB OF INFLUENCE Lawmakers like Mace have raised questions about whether Bondi is doing all she can to release its documentation on Epstein in accordance with the Epstein Files Transparency Act. That bill, which became law in November 2025, required the department to release any documents and files related to its investigation on the disgraced financier so long as it didn’t reveal the identities of Epstein’s victims. EPSTEIN VICTIMS USE SUPER BOWL COMMERCIAL TO PRESSURE PAM BONDI OVER WITHHELD FILES But after the deadline came and went, lawmakers like Mace and Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., believe the DOJ has more on the books it hasn’t made public. Epstein, who had an expansive social circle among the rich and powerful, died in 2019 while incarcerated on charges of sex trafficking minors, leaving behind questions of whether he could have used his vast network to facilitate illegal sexual encounters with minors. Years later, public demands for accountability and justice for any potential co-conspirators persist. President Donald Trump promised to deliver on those demands on the campaign trail, but after months without any document releases, lawmakers grew impatient. Bondi attracted frustration early on in Trump’s second term when she told audiences she had a list of Epstein accomplices “sitting on my desk right now.” AG PAM BONDI ANNOUNCES ‘ALL’ EPSTEIN FILES HAVE BEEN RELEASED, LISTING OVER 300 HIGH-PROFILE NAMES Now, with the passage of the Epstein Files Transparency act, questions remain among some lawmakers about Bondi’s good-faith effort to comply with transparency requirements that carry the force of law as she claims that “all” the files have been released. “The American people want answers, and so do we,” Mace said in a post on X. The Department of Justice did not immediately respond to a request for comment. It is unclear when Bondi will be scheduled to appear before the House Oversight Committee.
Walz mocked online after GOP lawmaker floats theory in heated hearing about why Kamala Harris chose him as VP
GOP Rep. Pat Fallon, R-Texas, blasted Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz in a heated fraud hearing Wednesday during an exchange that was quickly amplified by conservatives on social media. “It’s been widely reported that, in 2008, when Barack Obama was choosing his vice presidential candidate, he had three criteria. He wanted to make sure he picked someone that wasn’t as smart as him and had less talent and charisma and couldn’t possibly outshine him, so he picked Joe Biden,” Fallon said in the House Oversight Committee hearing. “And then Joe Biden in 2020 used the exact same criteria,” Fallon continued. “He wanted to make sure he picked somebody that wasn’t as smart as him, had less talent and charisma and wouldn’t outshine him. And he picked Kamala Harris.” Fallon went on to say that, in 2024, “I think it’s very evident why Kamala Harris picked you.” WALZ ACCUSED BY JORDAN OF TRYING TO ‘HIDE BEHIND’ COURT ORDER IN FEEDING OUR FUTURE PAYMENTS Walz appeared to take the criticism in stride, laughing and responding with, “I wouldn’t know, Congressman.” “The talent pool isn’t just shallow, brother. We have hit the shore,” Fallon said before ending his questioning. The clip immediately made waves on social media, particularly from conservatives. REPORT EXPOSES BILLIONS IN UNCOVERED FRAUD, WASTE AS WATCHDOG COALITION OFFERS SUPPORT TO TRUMP’S CRACKDOWN “Tim Walz just got SCORCHED,” conservative commentator Nick Sortor posted on X. Conservative influencer account Libs of TikTok called the exchange “one of the most INCREDIBLE OWNS in American politics.” “Rep. Pat Fallon torches Tim Walz,” Brandon Straka, the founder of the #walkaway campaign, posted on X. Much has been made in media reports and books in recent months about what went into Harris’ decision to name Walz her running mate instead of other candidates, particularly Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro. Ultimately, according to the book “2024: How Trump Retook the White House and the Democrats Lost America,” Harris “went with her gut” and chose Walz believing he was the “better fit” in a decision her staff was “unanimously behind.”
Fox News Poll: Voters give poor marks to economy, Congress and Trump
With prices still a concern and economic confidence subdued, voter anger toward Washington has reached new highs. Majorities say the economy is struggling, inflation is not under control and the federal government is falling short. A new Fox News survey finds a record 70% disapprove of the job congressional Democrats are doing, up 6 percentage points since December (29% approve). Views of congressional Republicans have mostly held steady, with 36% approving and 64% disapproving. FOX NEWS POLL: BEYOND RED VS. BLUE, FINDING ME + YOU ACROSS THE POLITICAL DIVIDE The gap reflects greater party unity on the right: 77% of Republicans approve of their party’s leaders, while just 62% of Democrats approve of theirs. The sour mood extends beyond Congress. Eight percent are “enthusiastic” about how the federal government is working, and another 26% are “satisfied.” But a majority is “dissatisfied” (33%) or “angry” (32%) with Washington. While these views are similar to the one-year point in Joe Biden’s presidency (February 2022), there are two key differences. First, the 8% enthusiastic and the 32% angry are at record highs. And, second, the partisan intensity has flipped. Republicans were more than four times as likely as Democrats to be angry in 2022, while Democrats are more than five times as likely as Republicans to feel that way now. FOX NEWS POLL: VIEWS ARE DIVIDED ON US ACTION AGAINST IRAN “Political science research indicates anger is a more powerful mobilizing force than hope or fear,” says Republican pollster Daron Shaw, who conducted the survey with Democrat Chris Anderson. “The anger on the left may be one reason Democrats have been doing so well in recent special elections and early 2026 primaries.” Much of that frustration appears rooted in the economy. Only 30% rate it positively, down from 32% earlier in President Trump’s term (July 2025). More than twice as many say economic conditions are only fair or poor. Voters are still feeling cost pressures. Compared to a year ago, most say grocery prices have increased (81%), including more than half who say they are up a lot (56%). Large numbers also say costs have increased for utilities (79%), healthcare (71%), housing (65%) and gas (51%). And while 22% say inflation is completely or mostly under control, the highest going back to 2022, most say it is not. More than half, 57%, rate their personal finances negatively, and those ratings are especially high among independents (61%), Black voters (66%), voters under 30 (66%), women (66%) and households with income below $50,000 (74%). Just 9% say there are a lot of jobs in their community that pay decent wages, while 15% say there are almost none. Reflecting those concerns, half of voters identify the cost of living (50%) as the most important economic issue facing the country, far ahead of government spending (18%), jobs (10%), income inequality (9%), tariffs (8%) and taxes (4%). Currently, 43% approve and 57% disapprove of the job Trump is doing overall. It was 44% and 56% in both January and December. Another 6 in 10 say he is focused on the wrong things. By comparison, 54% said Biden had the wrong focus in November 2021. Virtually all Democrats are unhappy with the job Trump is doing (95% disapprove) and say he is focused on the wrong issues (94%). Republican unity is strong but not absolute: 87% approve and 83% say he has the right focus. There is a fault line within the GOP over support for the MAGA movement. Among Republicans who identify with MAGA, approval of the president climbs to 98% compared to just 63% among non-MAGA Republicans. And there is a similar 38-point gap in whether he is focused on the right issues (95% MAGA vs. 57% non-MAGA). Most independents disapprove of Trump’s job performance (72%) and think he is focused on the wrong issues (78%). Border security is the president’s only positive issue, with 52% of voters approving (48% disapprove). His ratings are underwater by 35 points on the cost of living (32% approve, 67% disapprove), 27 points on tariffs, 23 points on the economy and healthcare, 20 points on foreign policy, 19 points on taxes, 13 points on jobs and 6 points on immigration. Republicans rate Trump far more negatively on the cost of living (33% disapprove) than other measures. On tariffs, 63% of voters disapprove of how Trump is handling them, while another 56% oppose tariffs in general. The top concerns about tariffs are higher consumer costs, the risk of a trade war and reduced product availability. The main reasons for supporting them are preventing unfair trade practices from other countries, protecting U.S. jobs, increasing government revenue and reducing the trade deficit. After the Supreme Court’s Feb. 20 ruling limiting the administration’s tariff authority, 62% say Trump is being treated fairly by the high court, including majorities of Democrats (76%) and independents (58%) and half of Republicans (50%). CLICK HERE FOR CROSSTABS AND TOPLINE Still, the Court’s own ratings have slipped: 57% disapprove, up 7 points since last summer. The higher disapproval is driven largely by a near doubling among Republicans, from 20% disapproving in 2025 to 39% today. Conducted February 28-March 2, 2026, under the direction of Beacon Research (D) and Shaw & Company Research (R), this Fox News survey includes interviews with a sample of 1,004 registered voters randomly selected from a national voter file. Respondents spoke with live interviewers on landlines (104) and cellphones (642) or completed the survey online after receiving a text (258). Results based on the full sample have a margin of sampling error of ±3 percentage points. Sampling error for results among subgroups is higher. In addition to sampling error, question wording and order can influence results. Weights are generally applied to age, race, education and area variables to ensure the demographics are representative of the registered voter population. Sources for developing weight targets include the most recent American Community Survey, Fox News Voter Analysis and voter file data. Fox News’ Victoria Balara contributed to this
Dem known for Trump impeachment disrupts GOP hearing on illegal immigrant truck licenses
A Democratic lawmaker who previously drafted impeachment articles against President Donald Trump disrupted a House Homeland Security subcommittee hearing Wednesday, accusing Republicans of using concerns about illegal immigrants holding commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs) to distract from what he called Trump’s broader failures. “This past weekend a convicted felon with bone spurs illegally attacked Iran, launching a protracted war of regime change,” Rep. Shri Thanedar, D-Mich., said during his opening remarks, arguing Republicans were diverting attention from congressional war powers. The hearing — hosted by the House Homeland Security Subcommittee on Oversight, Investigations and Accountability — focused on whether illegal immigrants are obtaining non-domicile CDLs and whether the Department of Homeland Security has properly coordinated with transportation authorities and ICE to enforce immigration laws tied to commercial trucking. EXCLUSIVE: NOEM BACKS TRUMP’S ‘DALILAH LAW’ AFTER CRASH LEAVES YOUNG GIRL UNABLE TO WALK, TALK Officials from Oklahoma and Florida were invited to testify about illegal immigrants holding non-domicile CDL licenses, which they said has caused deadly crashes on the nation’s highways. St. Lucie County Sheriff Richard del Toro was one of the witnesses, and he investigated a high-profile case in which an illegal immigrant from India with a California CDL allegedly killed a family on Florida’s Turnpike after failing to properly complete an illegal U-turn on the tollway. As Chairman Josh Brecheen, R-Okla., gaveled the hearing in, Thanedar interrupted with a parliamentary inquiry, questioning why the Homeland Security panel — rather than Transportation — was holding the proceeding. “Per Rule X, the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee has jurisdiction over transportation regulatory agencies, and roads and safety thereof,” Thanedar said. “Any bills to improve highway safety would need to be considered and voted on by that committee.” NOEM PREPS TO BATTLE HOUSE DEMS AFTER BIPARTISAN BASHING IN SENATE OVER DOGS, ICE The Detroiter added that he wanted to go on record about his objections to holding the hearing, saying it is really about “scapegoating immigrants” to deflect from issues with Trump’s handling of the economy, “which is running off the road.” Brecheen appeared nonplussed, and reiterated that the committee remains a proper venue, and whether or not the House Transportation Committee could investigate similarly. “While DOT is the primary federal regulator of CDLs, DHS plays a critical role in granting work authorizations and immigration benefits through U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services,” Brecheen said. “ICE partnered with state highway patrol agencies in several states to conduct joint enforcement operations targeting illegal aliens operating commercial motor vehicles, resulting in significant arrests and taking unsafe drivers off the road.” He noted one case in his home state where an illegal immigrant with a New York driver’s license that had a REAL ID endorsement and the name “No Name Given” was discovered and arrested along Interstate 40. He observed the REAL-ID Act itself was signed by former President George W. Bush after 9/11 and that anyone authorized to haul hazardous materials could effectively be driving an 80,000-pound “chemical bomb” if they so chose. DEMOCRATS ACCUSE ICE OF TARGETING DREAMERS WHILE DHS HIGHLIGHTS GANG MEMBERS, CHILD RAPISTS ARRESTED THIS WEEK “This is absolutely under the jurisdiction of this committee,” he said. After Brecheen’s own opening statement, Thanedar followed. In 2025, Thanedar first drafted Articles of Impeachment against Trump, saying he is “unfit to serve” and “represents a clear and present danger to our nation’s Constitution.” Thanedar’s articles include usurpation of appropriations, abuse of trade powers, violation of First Amendment rights, creation of an unlawful office (DOGE), bribery and tyrannical overreach. Thanedar was also the only Democrat to appear for the subcommittee hearing.
House Oversight Committee calls Bill Gates, Leon Black to testify over Jeffrey Epstein ties
A House Oversight Committee has called seven more individuals to testify in Washington, D.C., about their ties to convicted sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein and his associate Ghislaine Maxwell, including Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates; Leon Black, co-founder of investment firm Apollo Global Management; and Kathryn Ruemmler, former White House counsel to former President Barack Obama. James Comer, R-Ky., the chairman of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, fired off a new round of letters Tuesday after interviewing former President Bill Clinton and his wife Hillary last week as part of the panel’s expanding probe. Others called to testify include Lesley Groff, a former longtime executive assistant to Epstein; Sarah Kellen, another former Epstein employee; Doug Band, a longtime personal aide and counselor to Clinton; and tech billionaire Ted Waitt, a former boyfriend of Maxwell. Addressing each individual, Comer wrote, “Due to public reporting, documents released by the Department of Justice, and documents obtained by the Committee, the Committee believes you have information that will assist in its investigation.” BILL GATES PULLS OUT OF INDIA AI SUMMIT KEYNOTE ADDRESS AMID EPSTEIN FILES SCRUTINY A spokesperson for Gates told Fox News Digital he will appear before the committee for a transcribed interview scheduled for May 19. “Gates welcomes the opportunity to appear before the committee,” the spokesperson said. “While he never witnessed or participated in any of Epstein’s illegal conduct, he is looking forward to answering all the committee’s questions to support their important work.” According to the roughly 3 million emails the Department of Justice released during the Epstein investigation, Gates reportedly had affairs and sought medication to treat a sexually transmitted infection for himself and his wife at that time, Melinda French Gates, without her knowing. On Feb. 24, Gates reportedly acknowledged having affairs with two Russian women, which Epstein later discovered, but said they did not involve Epstein’s victims. “I did nothing illicit. I saw nothing illicit,” Gates said, according to a town hall recording reviewed by The Wall Street Journal. Gates also admitted he was “foolish” to have spent time with Epstein, the outlet reported. BILLIONAIRE LEON BLACK DETAILS JEFFREY EPSTEIN RELATIONSHIP DURING EARNINGS CALL Billionaire Leon Black, scheduled to testify May 13, has been accused of raping an autistic 16-year-old girl in 2002 at Epstein’s Manhattan townhouse, according to a high-profile lawsuit filed in the summer of 2023. The victim alleged that Epstein and Maxwell groomed her to serve as a living “doll” for the late financier and his wealthy associates. Black, who left Apollo Global Management in 2021, previously hired Epstein for personal tax advice, the firm said last month. BILLIONAIRE LEON BLACK ACCUSED OF RAPING AUTISTIC TEEN IN JEFFREY EPSTEIN’S HOME: LAWSUIT Ruemmler, who resigned as a top attorney at Goldman Sachs over her ties to Epstein, will appear before the committee April 21, her spokesperson said Tuesday. “Ruemmler welcomes the opportunity to appear before the committee,” spokesperson Jennifer Connelly told Reuters. “She has done nothing wrong and had no knowledge of any ongoing criminal activity on his part.” Ruemmler previously served as a White House counsel to Obama and an associate counsel to Clinton. According to DOJ documents, she reportedly received gifts from Epstein and counseled him on managing media questions regarding his criminal activities. Connelly told the outlet she was a practicing criminal defense attorney at the time and had even represented a client in common with Epstein. FOX Business’ Rebecca Rosenberg and Reuters contributed to this report.
NATO defenses shoot down Iranian missile fired toward Turkey, defense ministry says
Turkey’s Defense Ministry said on Wednesday that a ballistic missile launched from Iran towards its airspace was intercepted by NATO defense systems, marking a first in the conflict with Iran. A senior NATO military official confirmed to Fox News Digital that the alliance conducted the interception. Turkey’s Head of Communications Burhanettin Duran said that the missile was detected after it crossed into Iraqi and Syrian airspace before it was intercepted by NATO units in the eastern Mediterranean. “Turkey’s resolve and capacity to ensure the security of our country and our esteemed nation remain at the highest level. All necessary steps to defend Turkish territory and airspace will be taken without hesitation,” Duran said in a statement posted on X, adding that the country’s response to “any potential hostile acts” would be in accordance with international law. “We reiterate our warning to all parties to refrain from steps that could escalate tensions in the region and lead to the spread of the conflict to a wider area. It is of great importance that all parties act with a sense of responsibility,” Duran added. US SUBMARINE SINKS IRANIAN WARSHIP BY TORPEDO IN A FIRST SINCE WORLD WAR II Turkey’s Defense Ministry issued a similar warning, saying that “Every step taken to defend our territory and airspace will be taken resolutely and without hesitation.” “We remind all parties that we reserve the right to respond to any hostile actions against our country,” it said. Turkish foreign minister Hakan Fidan reportedly spoke with Abbas Araghchi after the incident and conveyed his displeasure, according to Reuters, which cited a Turkish diplomatic source. US ‘WINNING DECISIVELY’ AGAINST IRAN, WILL ACHIEVE ‘COMPLETE CONTROL’ OF AIRSPACE WITHIN DAYS, HEGSETH SAYS A NATO spokesperson told Fox News Digital that the alliance condemned the incident and affirmed that it stood by Turkey. “We condemn Iran’s targeting of Turkey. NATO stands firmly with all allies, including Turkey, as Iran continues its indiscriminate attacks across the region. Our deterrence and defense posture remains strong across all domains, including when it comes to air and missile defense,” a NATO spokesperson told Fox News Digital. NATO has parts of a broader European ballistic missile defense system on Turkish soil, including an early-warning radar at the Kurecik base that can detect missiles from Iran. Since the launch of Operation Epic Fury on Feb. 28, Iran has carried out a series of retaliatory attacks against U.S.-allied countries in the region. Turkey is the first NATO ally to have an Iranian missile encroach upon its airspace. On March 1, an Iranian retaliatory attack killed six U.S. Army Reserve soldiers supporting Operation Epic Fury in Kuwait. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Trump brings Big Tech executives to White House to curb power costs for American households amid AI boom
President Donald Trump will host executives of major tech companies at the White House Wednesday afternoon to sign a pledge ensuring the tech giants protect Americans against higher electricity bills tied to data center power demand. Google, Microsoft, Meta, Oracle, xAI, OpenAI and Amazon are expected to sign the Ratepayer Protection Pledge Wednesday afternoon, Fox News Digital learned. The pledge will have the companies agreeing to “build, bring, or buy new generation resources and cover the cost of all power delivery infrastructure upgrades required for data centers,” the White House said. The Trump administration has promoted the proliferation of artificial intelligence to keep the U.S. as the world’s tech leader, which has included the creation of new data centers and mounting concern energy prices could increase for everyday Americans. The pledge works to combat these concerns and protect Americans against spiking electricity bills. SCOOP: TRUMP BRINGS BIG TECH TO WHITE HOUSE TO CURB POWER COSTS AMID AI BOOM The pledge will also have the companies vow against passing expenses to American households. It also commits companies to hiring and training talent from within communities where they build and operate data centers, which will create thousands of jobs and enhance workforce skills. “President Trump’s ratepayer protection pledge will deliver more affordable, reliable, and secure energy for the American people and help stop the rising electricity prices that started during the previous administration,” Energy Secretary Chris Wright said ahead of the event. “This plan will strengthen American energy dominance, while also ensuring the United States wins the AI race.” Wright added: “We will continue partnering with technology leaders to strengthen America’s competitive edge, while keeping energy costs low for hardworking families.” Michael Kratsios, assistant to the president and director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy said Trump “continues to ensure the U.S. leads the world in AI while strengthening the grid and driving down energy costs for American families.” TRUMP TROUNCES BIDEN ENERGY RECORDS IN JUST MONTHS AS ADMIN CELEBRATES 1 YEAR OF ‘HISTORIC GAINS’: DATA As for the tech companies, Matt Garman, chief executive officer of Amazon web services, said they are signing the pledge “to reinforce our commitment to paying our full energy costs and ensuring our data centers do not increase electricity bills for consumers.” “We welcome the Administration’s leadership on this issue and support the pledge’s commitments, which establish a clear baseline to protect ratepayers while enabling responsible, long-term energy partnerships that strengthen the grid and the communities where data centers operate,” he said. Microsoft vice chair and president Brad Smith also touted the pledge, calling it an “important step,” with Meta president and vice chair Dina Powell McCormick saying the pledge “ensures families aren’t the ones footing the bill for AI’s energy consumption.” McCormick said the pledge “gives companies like Meta the certainty we need to keep up the momentum, ensuring that American AI dominance and the prosperity of American families go hand-in-hand.” And Ruth Porat of Alphabet and Google said the pledge affirms the company’s “long-held commitment to protect energy affordability for American households, accelerate breakthroughs to secure America’s energy future, and deliver energy infrastructure – all of which are critical to maintaining America’s global leadership in this era of innovation.” “Building the infrastructure to advance AI is vital for America’s economic competitiveness and for ensuring the benefits of AI reach everyone,” OpenAI chief operating officer Brad Lightcap said. “As demand for AI continues to grow, we believe the infrastructure that enables AI should benefit the communities that make it possible, and that’s why we’re proud to support the White House’s Ratepayer Protection Pledge.” The White House said the pledge will contribute to “lower electricity costs, stronger grid infrastructure, and enhanced grid resilience during emergencies.” TRUMP’S SCIENCE AND TECH MAN LAYS OUT WHITE HOUSE’S GLOBAL AI STRATEGY The president announced the Ratepayer Protection Pledge during his State of the Union address in February. “Tonight, I’m pleased to announce that I have negotiated the new ratepayer protection pledge,” he said. “You know what that is? We’re telling the major tech companies that they have the obligation to provide for their own power needs.” “We have an old grid,” he said. “It could never handle the kind of numbers, the amount of electricity that’s needed. So I’m telling them, they can build their own plant. They’re going to produce their own electricity. It will ensure the company’s ability to get electricity, while at the same time, lowering prices of electricity for you.” The AI race has pitted the U.S. against China as tech leader, with the Trump administration amplifying efforts to not cede ground to the Asian nation since January 2025. Texas, Louisiana and Pennsylvania are among states seeing expanded data center campuses and AI growth. A White House official previously told Fox Digital that the president and administration have been working on the initiative for a while, including Trump posting about the issue on Truth Social in January. The pledge comes as affordability concerns continue to be a top issue for voters heading into the midterm election season. Democratic candidates in just a handful of races in the off-year 2025 cycle campaigned on promises of lowering costs for everyday Americans, which proved to be a winning strategy on election night. Trump has consistently pushed back on Democrats promoting affordability, pointing to sky-high inflation under the Biden administration as evidence that liberal policies have left Americans’ pocketbooks with less cash.
Gorsuch name-checks Founding Fathers who were ‘habitual’ drinkers in SCOTUS fight over marijuana users
Justice Neil Gorsuch spent a portion of the Supreme Court’s oral arguments this week exploring what a “habitual drunkard” is as part of a case centered on whether a drug user is allowed to own a gun. Gorsuch questioned a Department of Justice lawyer on how gun restrictions for habitual drunkards in early American history compared to today’s law restricting drug users from owning guns. The DOJ was required to point to a strong historical comparison to prove the modern law was constitutional, and it chose to use the founding-era laws about habitual drunkards. “The American Temperance Society, back in the day, said eight shots of whiskey a day only made you an occasional drunkard,” Gorsuch said. A habitual drunkard, Gorsuch said, had to “double that.” GUN RIGHTS ON PRIVATE PROPERTY DEBATED AT SUPREME COURT The conservative justice pointed to the Founding Fathers’ drinking habits to convey his skepticism about the DOJ’s argument that a habitual drunkard was similar to a modern-day drug user and that both were worthy of being disarmed. “John Adams took a tankard of hard cider with his breakfast every day. James Madison reportedly drank a pint of whiskey every day. Thomas Jefferson said he wasn’t much of a user of alcohol. He only had three or four glasses of wine a night,” Gorsuch said. SUPREME COURT RULING ON SECRETIVE CALIFORNIA GENDER POLICY COULD RESHAPE PARENT RIGHTS FIGHTS NATIONWIDE “Are they habitual drunkards who would be properly disarmed for life under your theory?” Gorsuch said. The case, U.S. v. Hemani, centered on a Texas man who had been charged after the FBI discovered he possessed a handgun and smoked marijuana every other day. The law at issue, 922(g)(3), gained national attention after President Joe Biden’s son Hunter was convicted under it for possessing a gun in 2018 while addicted to crack cocaine. “We don’t even know the quantity of how much he uses every other day. What if he took one gummy bear with a medical prescription in Colorado?” Gorsuch asked. “Let’s say he had one to help him sleep every other day. Disarm him for life?” The DOJ argued the man, Ali Hemani, illegally owned the gun while a habitual user of marijuana and that he was rightly charged for it. Second Amendment advocates are closely watching the case. The National Rifle Association and Gun Owners of America are supporting Hemani, while several Democratic states are backing the DOJ in the case, setting up strange alliances in a test of what exceptions to gun ownership are allowed by law. An attorney for Hemani argued to the Supreme Court that the DOJ could not adequately define what a habitual drug user was. GUNS AND GANJA: SUPREME COURT SKEPTICAL OF FEDERAL LAW BANNING FIREARM POSSESSION FOR REGULAR MARIJUANA USERS “The only historical tradition it has offered is one of imposing restrictions on habitual drunkards,” the lawyer said. “That entire line of argument rests on a category mistake because the laws to which the government points applied only to habitual drunkards, not to habitual drinkers.” The DOJ, meanwhile, downplayed the implications of the law, saying in court papers that it would impose only a “limited, inherently temporary” restriction on a drug user that the person could remove by curtailing drug use. “This restriction provides a modest, modern analogue of much harsher founding-era restrictions on habitual drunkards, and so it stands solidly within our Nation’s history and tradition of regulation,” DOJ lawyers wrote. “And habitual illegal drug users with firearms present unique dangers to society—especially because they pose a grave risk of armed, hostile encounters with police officers while impaired.” Gorsuch was among several justices to express skepticism of the DOJ’s argument, though the justices could keep their ruling narrow and only address Hemani’s case rather than the broader constitutionality of the law. The high court is expected to issue a decision by the summer. Fox News’ Bill Mears contributed to this report.