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Tag: donald j. trump

  • Trump threatens to sue JPMorgan Chase for ‘debanking’ him

    Jamie Dimon, Chairman and CEO, JPMorganChase, speaks during the Reagan National Defense Forum at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California, U.S. December 6, 2025.

    Jonathan Alcorn | Reuters

    President Donald Trump on Saturday threatened to sue JPMorgan Chase over allegedly “debanking” him following the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol.

    “I’ll be suing JPMorgan Chase over the next two weeks for incorrectly and inappropriately DEBANKING me after the January 6th Protest, a protest that turned out to be correct for those doing the protesting,” Trump said in a social media post. “The Election was RIGGED!”

    “While we won’t get specific about a client, we don’t close accounts because of political beliefs,” said JPMorgan spokesperson Trish Wexler. “We appreciate that this Administration has moved to address political debanking and we support those efforts.”

    In August, Trump signed an executive order requiring banks to ensure they are not refusing financial services to clients based on religious or political beliefs, a practice known as “debanking.”

    Trump claimed without evidence in an August CNBC interview that he was personally discriminated against by banks. He said JPMorgan Chase and Bank of America refused to take his deposits following his first term in office.

    At the time, JPMorgan said it does not close accounts for political reasons, while Bank of America said it doesn’t comment on client matters. BofA also said it would welcome clearer rules from regulators on how to conduct its activities.

    Trump and his family have a history of railing against financial institutions for allegedly refusing to work with them on the basis of their political orientation.

    Last year, Donald Trump Jr. said his family had difficulty accessing big bank services — a situation that allegedly prompted the Trumps to enter the cryptocurrency industry.

    “So, [my family] got into crypto, not because it was like, ‘hey, this is the next cool thing,’ we got into it out of necessity,” Trump Jr. told CNBC in an interview last June.

    JPMorgan shares are down about 5% over the past week, even after the bank on Tuesday topped expectations for its fourth-quarter earnings and revenue. The shares, and others in the banking sector, fell in response to Trump’s demand to cap credit card rates at 10%, giving financial firms until Jan. 20 to comply.

    Trump’s legal threat against JPMorgan comes as the president, in the same Truth Social post, denied a Journal report on Wednesday that said the president had offered JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon the position of Federal Reserve chairman months ago during a meeting at the White House.

    Dimon took the proposition as a joke, according to the Journal report.

    In his post, Trump denied the report, underscoring his reservations about Dimon and JPMorgan.

    “This statement is totally untrue, there was never such an offer,” he wrote. “Why wouldn’t The Wall Street Journal call me to ask whether or not such an offer was made? I would have very quickly told them, “NO,” and that would have been the end of the story.”

    JPMorgan’s Wexler said the “offer” reported by the Journal was a miscommunication. “I should have been more vigilant in correcting that word while attempting to dispute the WSJ’s anonymous sources,” she said.

    The Journal did not immediately respond to a request for comment sent outside of normal business hours.

    Current Fed Chairman Jerome Powell’s term ends on May 15.

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  • Trump’s shake-up of the old world order sends shock waves through Europe

    Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Finland’s President Alexander Stubb, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, US President Donald Trump, France’s President Emmanuel Macron, Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Germany’s Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte gather and chat with each other in the Cross Hall of the White House in Washington, United States on August 18, 2025.

    Ukrainian Presidency | Anadolu | Getty Images

    As 2026 kicks off with several unexpected geopolitical earthquakes, Europe looks woefully unprepared to deal with the upending of old rules — and the new world order — being created by U.S. President Donald Trump.

    Less than a week into the new year and not only has the U.S. deposed Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro and threatened Colombia, Iran, Cuba and Mexico, but has also turned its sights on taking over Danish territory Greenland, potentially using military force, and threatening the very fabric and future of NATO.

    Then there’s Ukraine, with European leaders’ efforts this week to cement security guarantees in a potential peace deal to end the war looking like small fry as other potential territorial takeovers garner global attention.

    Largely seen as the “Old World” by the rest of the globe, Europe appears to have fallen far behind other power blocs on a number of levels, with its economy in the slow lane and its geopolitical isolation — and apparent impotence — in stark contrast with bullish regional superpowers like the U.S., Russia and China.

    It’s a dangerous moment for Europe and the existing international order, analysts say, as the established rules-based international order is torn up.

    “What happened in Venezuela and now talk about Greenland, Cuba or Colombia, we are really into getting into uncharted territory, and we have to be really extremely careful,” Wang Huiyao, founder and president at the Beijing-based Center for China and Globalization, told CNBC Wednesday.

    “The international community has to work together now and probably stop this kind of unilateral approach. It’s a wake-up call for the European countries so closely allied with the U.S. who have suddenly realized now that its fundamental basis has been eroded and has been really challenged.”

    Europe senses danger

    There’s no doubt that Europe knows the trouble it’s in as it confronts both the dangers of ongoing war in Ukraine, and an elusive peace deal, as well as the real possibility of a confrontation with the U.S. over Greenland, which belongs to EU and NATO member Denmark.

    European leaders met on Tuesday to discuss security guarantees for Ukraine, but also issued a statement pushing back against any American territorial ambitions over the Arctic island, insisting: “Greenland belongs to its people. It is for Denmark and Greenland, and them only, to decide on matters concerning Denmark and Greenland.”

    A flurry of fraught diplomacy ensued on Wednesday morning, with France’s Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot stating that he had spoken to U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The French politician said Rubio had “ruled out the possibility of what happened in Venezuela happening in Greenland.”

    Trump's Greenland threats sparks European condemnation

    Rubio reportedly told lawmakers at a closed briefing on Capitol Hill on Monday that the Trump administration did not plan to invade Greenland, but aimed to buy it from Denmark, the Wall Street Journal reported late Tuesday.

    Meanwhile, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told CNBC on Tuesday that the administration was considering “a range of options” in order to acquire Greenland — including “utilizing the U.S. Military.” 

    Greenland and Denmark have requested a meeting with Rubio to discuss the U.S.’ intentions. On Monday, Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen warned that “if the U.S. chooses to attack another NATO country, everything will stop.”

    Existential crisis?

    It’s not the first time that the transatlantic partnership has looked shaky under Trump’s leadership, with the president barely containing his disdain for Europe’s perceived shortfalls in recent years, particularly when it comes to defense spending, investment, and economic prowess.

    In December, the U.S. warned in its new national security strategy (NSS) that the region faced oblivion. Trump then called Europe’s leaders “weak” and said the region was “decaying.”

    European officials responded to Trump’s comments with irritation, but the uncomfortable question was whether the U.S. had a point.

    In its NSS, the U.S. listed Europe’s waning economy, migration policies, and “loss of national identities and self-confidence” as reasons to worry for the continent. It then warned that European countries faced “civilizational erasure” and questioned whether they can “remain reliable allies.”

    Trump vs. Europe: President brands Europe 'weak'

    Ian Bremmer, founder and president of the political risk consultancy Eurasia Group, told CNBC that Washington was essentially telling Europe not only what it already knew, but what it was already trying to fix.

    “Civilizational erasure’ sounds offensive, but many European leaders – in France, Germany, Italy – have been raising similar concerns for years. In fact, EU migration policy has tightened considerably since [former Chancellor Angela] Merkel’s open-door approach,” he told CNBC.

    European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen meets with U.S. President Donald Trump during the 80th United Nations General Assembly, in New York City, New York, U.S., Sept. 23, 2025.

    Alexander Drago | Reuters

    “The key difference is that Europeans want to address these and other challenges by making Europe stronger, not by tearing it apart,” Bremmer said.

    “European leaders see this for what it is,” he added.

    “If Washington is no longer aligned with Europe on values Europeans consider essential, then the United States can no longer be counted on as an ally. That’s an existential crisis for the transatlantic alliance … What the Europeans are prepared to do about it is another matter entirely.”

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  • New Dept. of Education directives: How could students be affected by them?

    WASHINGTON – Last week, the Trump administration announced a number of new actions aimed at dismantling the Department of Education.  

    A series of six new agreements will shift major K-12 and higher education responsibilities and grant programs to federal government agencies like the Department of Labor, Health and Human Services, the Department of the Interior and the State Department.

    The Department of Education will continue to oversee federal student loans and college accreditation, while also managing the country’s $1.6 trillion student loan portfolio and gathering data on school performance in the U.S.

    RELATED: Trump administration plans to dismantle parts of Education Department. What it means for student loans

    “The Trump Administration is taking bold action to break up the federal education bureaucracy and return education to the states,” U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon said in a statement.

    “Cutting through layers of red tape in Washington is one essential piece of our final mission. Together, we will refocus education on students, families and schools – ensuring federal taxpayer spending is supporting a world-class education system,” she added. 

    How students could be affected by these shifts 

    Dig deeper:

    The Trump administration has argued that these changes are necessary in order to ensure that American students recover from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

    According to the Annie E. Casey Foundation, the pandemic “has had a wide-ranging and long-lasting impact on education in the United States.” The sudden change to online learning, for example, proved difficult for students and teachers alike, as well as “dra­mat­i­cal­ly decreased instruc­tion­al time” and “hin­dered stu­dent understanding.” 

    John King, who served as secretary of the Department of Education during the Obama administration, told NPR’s All Things Considered that the changes outlined by the Trump administration are “the opposite of focus” when it comes to bouncing back from the pandemic. 

    “This is the wrong approach to what really is a very urgent crisis,” he said. “Our performance today is below where it was before COVID. We should be doing more, not less.” 

    According to a report by the Center on Reinventing Public Education (CRPE), a research team based out of Arizona State University, “the average American student in school during the pandemic is less than halfway to a full academic recovery.” 

    WASHINGTON, DC – NOVEMBER 20: Secretary of Education Linda McMahon (L) speaks during a White House press briefing with White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt (R) on November 20, 2025 in Washington, DC. McMahon addressed questions related to a r

    Big picture view:

    King additionally told NPR that these changes are generally “going to be very confusing for schools, school districts and higher ed institutions.” 

    “The early evidence from one of their moves — which was to move some career and technical education programming over to the Department of Labor — is that it has slowed the distribution of money and made things more confusing for educators,” he said. “It’s not helping.” 

    He added that his colleagues are already seeing the results of dismantling the Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights – he says that regional offices have been closed and employees have been laid off. 

    “If you are a victim of discrimination on the basis of race or sex or disability, you don’t have anywhere to go,” he said.

    The other side:

    In response to the Trump administration’s announcement last week, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) released a statement calling it “an unprecedented move that undermines the department’s core mission and threatens students’ civil rights.” 

    “The Trump administration claims core education programs can be carried out elsewhere, yet it has offered no explanation for how agencies like Labor, Interior, Health and Human Services or State will uphold the education access requirements Congress explicitly entrusted to the Department of Education,” ReNika Moore, director of the ACLU Racial Justice Program, said in a statement.

    “By transferring these offices across agencies that lack the expertise to lead education policy, the administration is breaking the law, eliminating academic supports to close education achievement gaps, deliberately weakening civil rights oversight and putting millions of students at risk,” Kimberly Conway, ACLU senior policy counsel and former attorney advisor with the ED’s Office for Civil Rights added. 

    Conway then called on Congress to “immediately intervene to halt this unlawful restructuring, safeguard the integrity of the department’s civil rights and education offices and demand that the department comply with the law and keep its central role in ensuring equal educational opportunity for every student.” 

    The Source: Information above was sourced from the Department of Education, The White House, the Annie E. Casey Foundation, NPR’s All Things Considered, the Center on Reinventing Public Education, the ACLU and Daniel Miller with FOX Local. 

    EducationDonald J. TrumpPoliticsWashington, D.C.News

    Isabel.Soisson@fox.com (Isabel Soisson)

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  • Presidential Turkey Pardons: Trump to spare Waddle, Gobble in White House tradition

    WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump is kicking off Thanksgiving week with the classic White House tradition of pardoning turkeys.

    Waddle and Gobble, the birds spared from the dinner table, enjoyed luxury accommodations at the Willard InterContinental before their Tuesday afternoon Rose Garden appearance.

    The public helped choose the turkeys’ names online.

    First turkey pardon

    Presidents have pardoned turkeys as far back as the Lincoln era, but the first official pardon was granted by President George H.W. Bush in 1989.

    Presidential Turkey Pardons: Trump to pardon Waddle and Gobble in White House tradition (White House)Presidential Turkey Pardons: Trump to pardon Waddle and Gobble in White House tradition (White House)

    White House Christmas Tree

    On Monday, first lady Melania Trump received the official 2025 White House Christmas Tree, marking the start of the holiday season.

    The 25-foot concolor fir was grown at Korson’s Tree Farms in Sidney Township, Michigan, about 150 miles northwest of Detroit.

    The farm won a national contest to provide the tree, which will be displayed in the Blue Room of the White House.

    READ MORE: First lady receives 2025 White House Christmas tree

    The Source: Information in this article comes from the Associated Press, FOX News and previous FOX 5 reporting.

    NewsHolidaysDonald J. TrumpWashington, D.C.
    [ad_2] Sam.Kosmas@fox.com (Sam Kosmas)
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  • Pentagon investigating Arizona Senator Mark Kelly over video

    article

    PHOENIX – The Associated Press is reporting that the Pentagon is investigating Sen. Mark Kelly (D-AZ) for possibly breaching military law.

    The backstory:

    The investigation, according to the AP, came about after Sen. Kelly joined five other Democratic lawmakers in a video, where they told members of the military that they can “refuse illegal orders.”

    The clip, approximately 1 minute and 30 seconds long, includes various statements from veterans now serving in Congress speaking to the armed forces warning the Trump Administration “is pitting our uniformed military and intelligence community professionals against American citizens.”

    “You can refuse illegal orders,” Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.) said in the video. “No one has to carry out orders that violate the law.”

    It ends with a military phrase saying, “don’t give up the ship.”

    In response to the video, President Donald Trump labeled the recording “SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR” that’s “punishable by DEATH!”

    “It’s called SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL. Each one of these traitors to our Country should be ARRESTED AND PUT ON TRIAL. Their words cannot be allowed to stand – We won’t have a Country anymore!!! An example MUST BE SET. President DJT,” read a post made by President Trump on TruthSocial.

    What we know:

    The Pentagon’s statement, which was posted on social media on Monday, cited a federal law that allows retired service members to be recalled to active duty on orders of the defense secretary for possible court-martial or other measures. Kelly served in the U.S. Navy as a fighter pilot before going on to become an astronaut. He retired at the rank of captain.

    “All servicemembers are reminded that they have a legal obligation under the UCMJ to obey lawful orders and that orders are presumed to be lawful.  A servicemember’s personal philosophy does not justify or excuse the disobedience of an otherwise lawful order,” read a portion of the social media post.

    The statement did not mention specifically why Kelly is being investigated.

    The Source: Information for this article was gathered from previous FOX 10 news reports and from the Associated Press.

    NewsArizonaPoliticsDonald J. Trump

    Kenneth.Wong@fox.com (Kenneth Wong)

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  • What we know about Friday’s Trump-Mamdani meeting

    NEW YORK – A long-awaited meeting between President Donald Trump and New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani is expected on Friday in Washington.

    It’s the first face-to-face between the two polar politicians since Mamdani’s election victory.

    Trump and Mamdani meeting on Friday

    What we know:

    Trump said Wednesday on social media that the sit-down would take place in the Oval Office. 

    The two are expected to discuss the city’s affordability crisis, public safety, and economic security.

    The meeting will take place at 3 p.m. ET and will currently be closed to the press.

    What they’re saying:

    Mamdani said Thursday that he’s “not concerned” his upcoming meeting with Trump could be a political trap, vowing instead to center the meeting on how they could work to make the city more affordable.

    At a news conference outside New York City Hall, the 34-year-old democratic socialist said he hopes to “share the facts about the affordability crisis in the city” while waving off the idea that the president could use the meeting to embarrass him.

    “I have many disagreements with the president, and I believe that we should be relentless and pursue all avenues and all meetings that can make our city affordable for every single New Yorker,” he said.

    Mamdani wins mayoral race

    The backstory:

    Earlier this month, Mamdani won a stunning victory in New York City’s mayoral race with a campaign heavily focused on the city’s affordability crisis, promising to turn the power of government toward helping the working class while also fighting back against a hostile Trump administration.

    FILE_Zohran Mamdani, New York City mayoral candidate, during an election night event at The Brooklyn Paramount Theater in the Brooklyn borough of New York, US, on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025. (Adam Gray/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

    Trump has railed against Mamdani for months, warning that his hometown would slide into chaos under the young progressive’s leadership and suggested he would withhold federal money from the city if Mamdani won.

    Mamdani will take office as mayor next year, succeeding current Mayor Eric Adams, who has been traveling abroad and posted a picture on X Thursday morning of himself alongside an Uzbek official.

    The Source: This article is based on information from The Associated Press and previous reporting from FOX 5 NY. This story was reported from Los Angeles.

    NewsDonald J. TrumpPolitics

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  • At Trump’s urging, Bondi says US will investigate Epstein’s ties to Clinton and other political foes

    DOJ to investigate Epsteins ties to Clinton, other political foes at Trumps urging

    Acceding to President Donald Trumps demands, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi said Friday that she has ordered a top federal prosecutor to investigate sex offender Jeffrey Epsteins ties to Trump political foes, including former President Bill Clinton. Political Science Prof. at Menlo College, Melissa Michelson, says this is a deflection on Trumps part that may backfire.

    NEW YORK – Acceding to President Donald Trump‘s demands, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi said Friday that she has ordered a top federal prosecutor to investigate sex offender Jeffrey Epstein’s ties to Trump political foes, including former President Bill Clinton. 

    Bondi posted on X that she was assigning Manhattan U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton to lead the probe, capping an eventful week in which congressional Republicans released nearly 23,000 pages of documents from Epstein’s estate and House Democrats seized on emails mentioning Trump.

    Trump, who was friends with Epstein for years, didn’t explain what supposed crimes he wanted the Justice Department to investigate. None of the men he mentioned in a social media post demanding the probe has been accused of sexual misconduct by any of Epstein’s victims.

    Hours before Bondi’s announcement, Trump posted on his Truth Social platform that he would ask her, the Justice Department and the FBI to investigate Epstein’s “involvement and relationship” with Clinton and others, including former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers and LinkedIn founder and Democratic donor Reid Hoffman.

    Trump, calling the matter “the Epstein Hoax, involving Democrats, not Republicans,” said the investigation should also include financial giant JPMorgan Chase, which provided banking services to Epstein, and “many other people and institutions.”

    “This is another Russia, Russia, Russia Scam, with all arrows pointing to the Democrats,” the Republican president wrote, referring to special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation of alleged Russian interference in Trump’s 2016 election victory over Bill Clinton’s wife, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

    Asked later Friday whether he should be ordering up such investigations, Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One: “I’m the chief law enforcement officer of the country. I’m allowed to do it.”

    In a July memo regarding the Epstein investigation, the FBI said, “We did not uncover evidence that could predicate an investigation against uncharged third parties.”

    The president’s demand for an investigation – and Bondi’s quick acquiescence – is the  latest example of the erosion of the Justice Department’s traditional independence from the White House since Trump took office. 

    It is also an extraordinary attempt at deflection. For decades, Trump himself has been scrutinized for his closeness to Epstein – though like the people he now wants investigated, he has not been accused of sexual misconduct by Epstein’s victims. 

    None of Trump’s proposed targets were accused of sex crimes

    A JPMorgan Chase spokesperson, Patricia Wexler, said the company regretted associating with Epstein “but did not help him commit his heinous acts.”

    “The government had damning information about his crimes and failed to share it with us or other banks,” she said. The company agreed previously to  pay millions of dollars to Epstein’s victims, who had sued arguing that the bank ignored red flags about criminal activity. 

    Clinton has acknowledged traveling on Epstein’s private jet but has said through a spokesperson that he had no knowledge of the late financier’s crimes. He also has never been accused of misconduct by Epstein’s known victims.

    Clinton’s deputy chief of staff Angel Ureña posted on X Friday: “These emails prove Bill Clinton did nothing and knew nothing. The rest is noise meant to distract from election losses, backfiring shutdowns, and who knows what else.”

    Epstein pleaded guilty in Florida in 2008 to soliciting prostitution from an underage girl, but was spared a long jail term when the U.S. attorney in Florida agreed not to prosecute him over allegations that he had paid many other children for sexual acts. After serving about a year in jail and a work release program, Epstein resumed his business and social life until federal prosecutors in New York revived the case in 2019. Epstein killed himself while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. 

    Summers and Hoffman had nothing to do with either case, but both were friendly with Epstein and exchanged emails with him. Those messages were among the documents released this week, along with other correspondence Epstein had with friends and business associates in the years before his death. 

    Nothing in the messages suggested any wrongdoing on the men’s part, other than associating with someone who had been accused of sex crimes against children.

    Summers, who served in Clinton’s cabinet and is a former Harvard University president, previously said in a statement that he has “great regrets in my life” and that “my association with Jeffrey Epstein was a major error of judgement.”

    Messages seeking comment were left for Hoffman through his investment firm, Greylock. Hoffman bankrolled writer E. Jean Carroll’s sexual abuse and defamation lawsuit against Trump.

    After Epstein’s sex trafficking arrest in 2019, Hoffman said he’d only had a few interactions with Epstein, all related to his fundraising for MIT’s Media Lab. He nevertheless apologized, saying that “by agreeing to participate in any fundraising activity where Epstein was present, I helped to repair his reputation and perpetuate injustice.”

    Bondi, in her post, praised Clayton as “one of the most capable and trusted prosecutors in the country” and said the Justice Department “will pursue this with urgency and integrity to deliver answers to the American people.”

    Trump called Clayton “a great man, a great attorney,” though he said Bondi chose him for the job.

    Clayton, the chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission during Trump’s first term, took over in April as U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York – the same office that indicted Epstein and won a sex trafficking conviction against Epstein’s longtime confidante,  Ghislaine Maxwell , in 2021. 

    Trump changes course on Epstein files

    Trump suggested while campaigning last year that he’d seek to open up the government’s case files on Epstein, but changed course in recent months, blaming Democrats and painting the matter as a “hoax” amid questions about what knowledge he may have had about Epstein’s yearslong exploitation of underage girls.

    On Wednesday, Democrats on the House Oversight Committee released three Epstein email exchanges that referenced Trump, including one from 2019 in which Epstein said the president “knew about the girls” and asked Maxwell to stop. 

    White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt accused Democrats of having “selectively leaked emails” to smear Trump.

    Soon after, Republicans on the committee disclosed a far bigger trove of Epstein’s email correspondence, including messages he sent to longtime Trump ally Steve Bannon and to Britain’s former Prince Andrew, now known as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor. Andrew settled a lawsuit out of court with one of Epstein’s victims, who said she had been paid to have sex with the prince. 

    The House is speeding toward a vote next week to force the Justice Department to release all files and communications related to Epstein. 

    “I don’t care about it, release or not,” Trump said Friday. “If you’re going to do it, then you have to go into Epstein’s friends,” he added, naming Clinton and Hoffman.

    Still, he said: “This is a Democrat hoax. And a couple, a few Republicans have gone along with it because they’re weak and ineffective.” 

     

    Donald J. TrumpPoliticsBill ClintonNews

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  • Epstein files: discharge petition gains signatures needed to force US House vote

    White House reacts to Epstein emails

    White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt called new information today on Epstein emails regarding President Donald Trump a “manufactured hoax.”

    WASHINGTON – A bill concerning the release of files related to Jeffrey Epstein is set to spark a future debate in the U.S. House.

    A discharge petition regarding the release of the files gained its 218th signature on Wednesday, the threshold needed to force a U.S. House vote on the matter, according to The Hill. Rep. Adelita Grijalva (D-Ariz.) signed on immediately after being sworn in on Wednesday. 

    “It’s about time for Congress to restore its role as a check and balance on this administration and fight for we, the American people,” Rep. Grijalva said in her first speech on the House floor, where she also acknowledged the two Epstein survivors in attendance. “Justice cannot wait another day.” 

    The Epstein petition calls for a bill that would order U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi to release unclassified Department of Justice documents related to the federal government’s case against Epstein; the petition is led by Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) and Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.). 

    ‘Numerous references’ to the president 

    Dig deeper:

    Grijalva’s signature came just hours after House Democrats released emails which seem to indicate President Donald Trump knew more about Epstein’s sex-trafficking operation than he’s previously let on. These emails specifically accuse the president of spending “hours” at Epstein’s house with one of his sex trafficking victims. 

    In an exchange between Epstein and his partner Ghislaine Maxwell, he stated that “of course” Trump “knew about the girls.” 

    The other side:

    Speaking with reporters on Wednesday, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said that the emails didn’t prove anything about the president’s knowledge of the operation. 

    “What President Trump has always said is that he was from Palm Beach, and so was Jeffrey Epstein. Jeffrey Epstein was a member at Mar-a-Lago until President Trump kicked him out because Jeffrey Epstein was a pedophile, and he was a creep,” she said. 

    House Republicans released 23,000 pages from the Jeffrey Epstein estate on Wednesday as well; these files were obtained earlier this year via subpoena by the House Oversight Committee, according to The New York Times. These files also include “numerous references” to the president, The Times says. 

    Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-La., holds a ceremonial swearing-in for Rep. Adelita Grijalva, D-Ariz., left, who won the special election on Sept. 23 to replace her late father, Rep. Raul Grijalva, D-Ariz., at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesd

    A long shot bill 

    What’s next:

    The soonest the House could vote on the bill would be in December, and even if it passes, the Republican-controlled Senate would also need to pass it before it would head to Trump’s desk for a signature. 

    The president signing on would be a long shot. 

    In a Truth Social post, the president said that Democrats “are trying to bring up the Jeffrey Epstein hoax again because they’ll do anything at all to deflect on how badly they’ve done on the shutdown.” 

    Plus, prior to the vote on Wednesday, the president and other administration officials reached out to Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.), Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-G.A.), three of the four Republicans that joined House Democrats in signing the discharge petition, according to The Times and several other outlets.

    As noted by The Hill, any one of these lawmakers removing their names would have prevented the petition from moving forward. 

    Big picture view:

    Notably, House leadership has the ability to “turn off the procedural mechanism” within a discharge petition that allows U.S. House members to force a vote, as noted by The Hill. They may do just that in this case, as Republican leaders continue to oppose the bill to release the unclassified Epstein files. 

    Meanwhile, an NPR/PBS News/Marist poll shows that about three-quarters of Americans support the release of all the Epstein files. 

    The Source: Information above was sourced from The Hill, The New York Times, Truth Social, NPR/PBS News/Marist and previous FOX 5 DC reporting. Rep. Adelita Grijalva’s first speech on the House floor and comments from White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt were also referenced. 

    U.S. HousePoliticsDonald J. TrumpNews

    Isabel.Soisson@fox.com (Isabel Soisson)

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  • Federal judge blocks Trump from deploying troops to Portland

    PORTLAND, Ore. – A federal judge in Oregon ruled Friday that President Donald Trump’s administration failed to meet the legal requirements for deploying the National Guard to Portland after the city and state sued in September to block the deployment.

    The ruling from U.S. District Court Judge Karin Immergut, a Trump appointee, followed a three-day trial last week in which both sides argued over whether protests at the city’s U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement building met the conditions for using the military domestically under federal law. The administration said the troops were needed to protect federal personnel and property.

    In a 106-page opinion, Immergut found that even though the president is entitled to “great deference” in his decision on whether to call up the Guard, he did not have a legal basis for doing so because he did not establish that there was a rebellion or danger of rebellion, or that he was unable to enforce the law with regular forces.

    The White House didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.

    Democratic cities targeted by Trump for military involvement — including Chicago, which has filed a separate lawsuit on the issue — have been pushing back. They argue the president has not satisfied the legal threshold for deploying troops and that doing so would violate states’ sovereignty.

    Immergut issued two orders in early October that had blocked the deployment of the troops leading up to the trial. She previously found that Trump had failed to show he had met the legal requirements for mobilizing the National Guard. She described his assessment of Portland, which Trump has called “war-ravaged” with “fires all over the place,” as “simply untethered to the facts.”

    The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has already ordered that the troops not be deployed pending further action by the appeals court. The trial Immergut held further developed the factual record in the case, which could serve as the basis for further appellate rulings.

    Witnesses including local police and federal officials were questioned about the law enforcement response to the nightly protests at the city’s ICE building. The demonstrations peaked in June, when Portland police declared one a riot. The demonstrations typically drew a couple dozen people in the weeks leading up to Trump’s National Guard announcement.

    The Trump administration said it has had to shuffle federal agents from elsewhere around the country to respond to the Portland protests, which it has characterized as a “rebellion” or “danger of rebellion.”

    Federal officials working in the region testified about staffing shortages and requests for more personnel that have yet to be fulfilled. Among them was an official with the Federal Protective Service, the agency within the Department of Homeland Security that provides security at federal buildings, whom the judge allowed to be sworn in as a witness under his initials, R.C., because of safety concerns.

    R.C., who said he would be one of the most knowledgeable people in DHS about security at Portland’s ICE building, testified that a troop deployment would alleviate the strain on staff. When cross-examined, however, he said he did not request troops and that he was not consulted on the matter by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem or Trump. He also said he was “surprised” to learn about the deployment and that he did not agree with statements about Portland burning down.

    Attorneys for Portland and Oregon said city police have been able to respond to the protests. After the police department declared a riot on June 14, it changed its strategy to direct officers to intervene when person and property crime occurs, and crowd numbers have largely diminished since the end of that month, police officials testified.

    Another Federal Protective Service official who the judge also allowed to testify under his initials said protesters have at times been violent, damaged the facility and acted aggressively toward officers working at the building.

    The ICE building closed for three weeks over the summer because of property damage, according to court documents and testimony. The regional field office director for ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations, Cammilla Wamsley, said her employees worked from another building during that period. The plaintiffs argued that was evidence that they were able to continue their work functions.

    Oregon senior assistant attorney general Scott Kennedy said that “without minimizing or condoning offensive expressions” or certain instances of criminal conduct, “none of these incidents suggest … that there’s a rebellion or an inability to execute the laws.”

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    The Source: This story comes from the Associated Press.

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  • PHOTOS: Trump’s Ballroom renderings show structure nearly twice the size of the White House

    WASHINGTON – The White House East Wing has been demolished as President Donald Trump moves ahead with plans to build a ballroom that, according to renderings, will be nearly twice the size of the White House itself.

    East Wing demolished

    The two-story East Wing had traditionally been home to drawing rooms, offices, and workspace for first ladies and their staffs.

    President Trump tapped McCrery Architects, a Washington, D.C.-based firm known for its classical design, to lead the project.

    PHOTOS: White House East Wing before the demolition

    Interior View Looking West | The White House State Ballroom Renderings (The White House)

    “Presidents in the modern era have faced challenges hosting major events at the White House because it has been untouched since President Harry Truman,” CEO Jim McCrery said in a White House statement. “I am honored that President Trump has entrusted me to help bring this beautiful and necessary renovation to The People’s House, while preserving the elegance of its classical design and historical importance.” 

    The construction team will be headed by Clark Construction, and the engineering team will be led by AECOM.

    READ MORE: Government Shutdown 2025 Update: No deal on pay, airports brace for travel disruptions on day 24

    View from Northeast | The White House State Ballroom Renderings (The White House)

    Ballroom images released

    The proposed ballroom was first announced in July with a $200 million price tag. President Trump raised that estimate to $250 million, and on Thursday, he said the cost was now around $300 million.

    Trump says the 90,000-square-foot ballroom will be funded entirely by private donations, with no public money used. He says the new space will allow the White House to host foreign leaders in grander fashion.

    The project has expanded since its announcement, growing from space for 650 seated guests to a capacity of 999 which is large enough to host an inauguration if needed.

    The White House says the ballroom will be ready well before Trump’s term ends in January 2029.

    READ MORE: Entire East Wing of White House to be demolished for Trump’s $200M ballroom

    Interior View Looking South | The White House State Ballroom Renderings (The White House)

    The Source: Information in this article comes from the Associated Press and The White House.

    NewsDonald J. TrumpWashington, D.C.

    Sam.Kosmas@fox.com (Sam Kosmas)

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  • Trump commutes George Santos’ prison sentence

    NEW YORK – President Donald Trump said Friday he had commuted the sentence of disgraced former Rep. George Santos, who is serving more than seven years in federal prison after pleading guilty to fraud and identity theft charges.

    What we know:

    The New York Republican was sentenced in April after admitting last year to deceiving donors and stealing the identities of 11 people, including his own family members, to make donations to his campaign.

    He reported to the Federal Correctional Institution in Fairton, southern New Jersey, on July 25 and is being housed in a minimum-security prison camp with fewer than 50 other inmates.

    What they’re saying:

    “I just signed a commutation, releasing George Santos from prison immediately,” Trump posted on his social media platform.

    Santos had appealed to the Trump administration within hours of receiving his sentence, insisting in social media posts and interviews that it was overly harsh and politically motivated.

    A prominent former House colleague, U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, also urged the White House to commute his sentence, calling the punishment “a grave injustice” and a product of judicial overreach in a letter sent just days into his prison term.

    The judge in Santos’ case agreed with federal prosecutors that a stiffer sentence was warranted because Santos didn’t seem remorseful, despite what he and his lawyers claimed.

    Santos’ commutation is Trump’s latest high-profile act of clemency for former Republican politicians since retaking the White House in January.

    In late May, he pardoned former U.S. Rep. Michael Grimm, a New York Republican who in 2014 pleaded guilty to underreporting wages and revenue at a Manhattan restaurant.

    Trump pardons

    He also pardoned former Connecticut Gov. John Rowland, whose political career was derailed by a corruption scandal and two federal prison stints.

    Trump himself was convicted in a New York court last year in a case involving hush money payments, which he derided as part of a politically motivated witch hunt.

    Santos was once an up-and-coming star in the GOP. He became the first openly gay Republican elected to Congress in 2022, flipping a House seat representing parts of Queens and Long Island.

    But he served less than a year before revelations that he had fabricated much of his life story led to investigations into how he had financed his campaign.

    The backstory:

    A son of Brazilian immigrants, Santos claimed he was a successful Wall Street consultant and real estate investor. In reality, he had never graduated from Baruch College, never worked at Citigroup or Goldman Sachs, and was struggling financially, even facing eviction.

    He was charged in 2023 with stealing from donors and his campaign, fraudulently collecting unemployment benefits, and lying to Congress about his wealth. Within months, he was expelled from the U.S. House of Representatives — just the sixth member in history to be ousted by colleagues.

    Santos pleaded guilty the following year, just as his trial was set to begin.

    The Source: This report is based on information from The Associated Press.

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  • Trump hosts Zelenskyy at the White House after call with Putin

    WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump is hosting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House on Friday. The meeting between the two leaders comes after Trump’s call with Russian President Vladimir Putin discussing the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict.

    In recent days, Trump signaled openness to selling Ukraine long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles, despite warnings from Putin that the move could further strain U.S.-Russia relations.

    But after Thursday’s call with Putin, Trump appeared to downplay Ukraine’s chances of receiving the missiles, which can reach up to 995 miles (1,600 kilometers).

    President Donald Trump participates in a bilateral meeting with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine, Monday, August 18, 2025, in the Oval Office. (Official White House Photo by Daniel Torok)

    Here’s the latest updates from the meeting of the two leaders on Friday:

    Zelenskyy suggests he’s interested in trading Ukrainian military drones for Tomahawk missiles

    2 p.m. ET: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that while his country has thousands of military drones, they don’t have the strong missiles that the U.S. makes and suggested both countries can work together for their military goals.

    Trump, when asked if the U.S. was interested in such a deal, said, “We are.”

    He said that drone warfare has “really come to the fore” over the last few years because of the Russia-Ukraine war.

    It’s unclear if Zelenskyy will join Trump’s meeting in Hungary with Putin

    1:45 p.m. ET: President Donald Trump told reporters, “To be determined” as he met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the Cabinet room at the White House.

    He said it most likely would be a “double meeting,” but that Zelenskyy would be in touch throughout.

    Trump said there is “bad blood” between Putin and Zelenskyy, the Associated Press reported. 

    “These two leaders do not like each other and we want to make it comfortable for everybody,” he said.

    Zelenskyy arrives at the White House to meet with Trump

    1:25 p.m. ET: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived at the White House on Friday, greeted by members of the U.S. military holding state flags.

    It’s the fourth meeting between Zelenskyy and Trump as they’ve sought to resolve Russia’s war in Ukraine. Trump spoke separately on Thursday by phone with Russian leader Vladimir Putin and plans to meet with him in roughly two weeks in Budapest, Hungary.

    Tensions over missile deal

    “We need Tomahawks for the United States of America too,” Trump said. “We have a lot of them, but we need them. I mean we can’t deplete our country.”

    Zelenskyy has been pushing for weapons that would let Ukrainian forces strike deep into Russian territory, targeting military sites, energy facilities, and key infrastructure.

    He argues such strikes could pressure Putin to take Trump’s calls for direct negotiations more seriously.

    But during the call, Putin warned Trump that sending Tomahawk missiles to Kyiv “won’t change the situation on the battlefield, but would cause substantial damage to the relationship between our countries,” according to Yuri Ushakov, his foreign policy adviser.

    Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said the discussion around supplying Tomahawk missiles had already helped push Putin toward talks. 

    “The conclusion is that we need to continue with strong steps. Strength can truly create momentum for peace,” Sybiha wrote on X late Thursday.

    READ MORE: The relationship between President Trump and Ukraine President Zelenskyy

    President Donald Trump participates in a bilateral meeting with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine, Monday, August 18, 2025, in the Oval Office. (Official White House Photo by Daniel Torok)

    It marks the fourth in-person meeting between Trump and Zelenskyy since the Republican returned to office in January, and their second in less than a month.

    Following Thursday’s call with Putin, Trump announced plans to meet the Russian leader soon in Budapest to discuss ending the war. 

    Both sides also agreed their senior aides, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, will meet next week at an undisclosed location.

    Fresh off brokering a ceasefire and hostage deal between Israel and Hamas, Trump says ending the war in Ukraine is now his top foreign policy priority, and he’s newly confident about the chances of making it happen.

    Before his call with Putin, Trump had shown growing frustration with the Russian leader.

    READ MORE: Trump and Zelensky’s White House meeting expected to ‘stay on the rails’ this time, experts say

    Push for peace talks

    Last month, Trump said he believes Ukraine can reclaim all territory lost to Russia, a sharp shift from his earlier calls for Kyiv to make concessions to end the war.

    Since his 2024 campaign, Trump has vowed to end the war quickly, but his peace push appeared to stall after a flurry of diplomacy in August, including a summit with Putin in Alaska and a White House meeting with Zelenskyy and European allies.

    Trump left those meetings confident he was paving the way for direct talks between Zelenskyy and Putin. 

    But the Russian leader has shown no interest in meeting and Moscow has only stepped up its bombardment of Ukraine.

    Trump, for his part, struck a more neutral tone on Ukraine after what he called a “very productive” call with Putin.

    He also suggested that talks between Putin and Zelenskyy may need to be conducted indirectly.

    “They don’t get along too well those two,” Trump said. “So we may do something where we’re separate. Separate but equal.”

    READ MORE: Trump, Zelenskyy meet in DC amid heavy traffic, tight security

    President Donald Trump participates in a bilateral meeting with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Wednesday, June 25, 2025, during the 2025 NATO Summit at the World Forum in The Hague, Netherlands. (Official White House Photo by Daniel Torok)

    The Source: Information in this article comes from the Associated Press. 

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  • Arc de Trump: Proposed gateway to nation’s capital unveiled at White House

    WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump on Wednesday unveiled a proposed arch that would serve as a symbolic gateway to the nation’s capital.

    Trump unveils DC arch

    He presented the idea during a White House dinner attended by donors and corporate representatives who pledged funds for a new ballroom.

    The arch would be built at one end of the Arlington Memorial Bridge, which spans the Potomac River between Virginia and Washington, D.C., directly across from the Lincoln Memorial, he said.

    Design revealed

    Trump displayed three miniature models of the design, each topped with a statue of Lady Liberty. He noted that while all were impressive, the largest was his favorite.

    “It’s going to be really beautiful,” Trump said.

    Trump DC Arch: Proposed gateway to nation’s capital unveiled

    The Source: Information in this article comes from FOX News and the Associated Press.

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    Sam.Kosmas@fox.com (Sam Kosmas)

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  • ‘We are going to get through this moment’: Kamala Harris returns to Atlanta to talk “107 Days”

    Former United States Vice President Kamala Harris on stage at the Tabernacle on Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2025.
    Photo by Donnell Suggs/The Atlanta Voice

    Former United States Vice President Kamala Harris was back in Atlanta on Wednesday night. Harris, who also served as the former Attorney General of California and United States Senator, was on her tour for her latest book, “107 Days.” The book is a diary-like rehashing of her historical presidential run that ended with a loss to the current President of the United States, Donald J. Trump. 

    The line outside the Tabernacle was reminiscent of the lines outside the many arenas, stadiums, and event spaces in Georgia that Harris spoke at during her campaign. The line stretched down Luckie Street and around the corner. It was clear that Harris remained popular in Atlanta.

    Upon taking the stage, Harris, in one of her signature looks, a pant suit, said, “It’s good to be back in the ATL.”  

    The evening’s moderator was social media influencer and Spelman College alumna, Lynae Vanee. 

    There was a long line outside the Tabernacle hours before the ‘107 Days’ book tour event was scheduled to take place on Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2025. Photo by Donnell Suggs/The Atlanta Voice

    Harris’s 107-day campaign was self-described as “American history.” By the looks and sounds of the capacity crowd in attendance, it has left an indelible mark on Georgians. Between applause and laughter from the crowd, Harris retold stories from her book and acknowledged that she had her toughest day at the end of the campaign on Election Day.

    “It took a lot of time for me to think, reflect, and feel,” said Harris of her new post-election reality. “Writing this book was part of what helped me do that.”

    On more than one occasion, Trump was mentioned by name and in jest. On one more serious note, Harris said of the current administration’s actions towards immigrants, for example, “I predicted all of this.”

    That comment was followed by loud applause. 

    “When this is over, meaning his presidency, there will be a lot of debris,” she added. 

    Photo by Donnell Suggs/The Atlanta Voice

    During the conversation, Harris discussed portions of the book, including the pages in which she invited Megan Thee Stallion to perform at a campaign event at the Georgia State University Convocation Center. Harris got pushback from people who supported her and Megan, but thought the rapper wasn’t a good look, Harris recalled. 

    “I did ask her to come, and I was happy to have her because she is very talented,” said Harris of the Houston-born rapper. “It wasn’t traditional, and it didn’t comport with what people thought was the norm.” 

    Nothing about Harris’s campaign was normal, and she would have Hip-Hop performers, actors, actresses, and the like make appearances on her campaign throughout the 107 days. Many of these moments are in her book. Other moments described in “107 Days” include former running mate and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, the vetting of a potential running mate, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, her relationship with her family, and her relationship with other people in the White House.

    With 91 days till Election Day, Harris shared the sights and sounds of the first time she and her running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, took the stage in Philadelphia. “The roar that met us when we walked out onstage was so deafening we could barely hear ourselves,” Harris recalled (page 100).

    In the book, Harris also reveals behind-the-scenes moments from the campaign and her relationship with former United States President Joseph R. Biden, her running mate and friend. One revelation that will get readers’ attention is the lack of support for her campaign by members of Biden’s camp (pages 40-41), and her suspicion that former First Lady Jill Biden hadn’t gotten over some of the barbs Harris and Biden exchanged during the 2019 presidential primary (page 39).

    The former vice president was reflective during her time on stage. 

    “During the 107 days I did not allow myself, nor was there any room for reflection,” Harris said of the whirlwind that was her life last year. 

    Harris also added that losing that election brought on emotions that she hadn’t felt since she lost her mother. 

    “I was grieving for our country, because I knew what was going to happen,” she said. 

    There was no grieving this evening, however. Harris was showered with applause from the start to the finish of her time on stage.

    “This is true talk right here,” she said. “It may get worse before it gets better. But we cannot afford to put the blanket over our head and say, ‘Wake me up when it’s over.’ If we give up, then all is lost. We cannot let our spirits be defeated by one election.” 

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  • James Comey Indictment: Former FBI Director pleads not guilty over alleged lies to Congress

     

    ALEXANDRIA, Va. – Former FBI Director James Comey pleaded not guilty Wednesday to charges he lied to Congress in a criminal case that has intensified scrutiny of the Justice Department’s role in targeting President Donald Trump’s political opponents.

    James Comey case

    What we know:

    The case has fueled concerns that the Justice Department is being weaponized to pursue Trump’s adversaries, allegedly at the direction of a White House intent on retribution for perceived slights against the president.

    Comey entered his plea through an attorney at the federal courthouse in Alexandria, Virginia, responding to charges that he lied to Congress five years ago.

    READ MORE: Bondi testifies at congressional hearing on DOJ

    Legal battle ahead

    What’s next:

    The move sets off a legal battle in which defense lawyers are expected to seek dismissal of the indictment, potentially arguing it amounts to selective or vindictive prosecution.

    The indictment, handed down two weeks ago, followed a dramatic series of events.

    Trump publicly urged Attorney General Pam Bondi to take action against Comey and other perceived enemies. He then replaced the veteran attorney overseeing the investigation with Lindsey Halligan, a White House aide with no prior experience as a federal prosecutor.

    Halligan filed charges just before a legal deadline expired, despite warnings from career attorneys that the evidence was too weak to support an indictment.

    What’s in the James Comey indictment? 

    The two-count indictment accuses James Comey of lying to the Senate Judiciary Committee on Sept. 30, 2020, by denying he authorized an associate to act as an anonymous source to the media.

     It also alleges he obstructed a congressional proceeding.

    Comey has denied any wrongdoing and says he was looking forward to a trial. 

    The indictment does not name the associate or detail what information may have been shared, making it difficult to estimate the strength of the evidence or fully understand the allegations.

    READ MORE: Ex-FBI Chief James Comey being investigated over Trump social media post

    The Source: Information in this article comes from the Associated Press and previous FOX 5 reporting. 

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  • ICE tracking app removed from Apple App Store

    article

    DALLAS – Apple has removed ICEBlock, a controversial app used to track U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement activities, from its App Store. The removal follows a deadly shooting at an ICE facility in Dallas where the alleged gunman reportedly looked up tracking apps ahead of the shooting.

    What we know:

    Apple cited “objectionable content” when informing ICEBlock of the removal, according to a post by the app on the social media platform Bluesky. ICEBlock stated it believes the app was removed due to pressure from the Trump administration.

    The Department of Justice confirmed it demanded the removal of the app, arguing that it endangers law enforcement agents and helps shield immigrants.

    We just received a message from Apple’s App Review that #ICEBlock has been removed from the App Store due to “objectionable content”. The only thing we can imagine is this is due to pressure from the Trump Admin. We have responded and we’ll fight this! #resist

    — ICEBlock Official (@iceblock.app) October 2, 2025 at 5:27 PM

    “We reached out to Apple today demanding they remove the ICEBlock app from their App Store — and Apple did so,” Attorney General Pamela Bondi told Fox News Digital in a statement.

    ICEBlock indicated it is responding and fighting the app’s removal.

    What Is ICEBlock App?

    ICEBlock is an anonymous, crowdsourced app that tracks ICE activity across the country. According to its website, the app was created to keep communities informed about ICE’s movements.

    The app functions similarly to Waze, using user-submitted data to track enforcement agents. It alerts users of an ICE presence within a five-mile radius and automatically deletes reported sightings after four hours.

    ICE Tracking App Controversy After Dallas Shooting

    PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Inside the Dallas ICE facility following fatal shooting

    Controversy surrounding the app intensified after the deadly shooting at a Dallas ICE facility. Authorities alleged the suspect, Joshua Jahn, searched his phone for tracking apps, including ICEBlock, before firing on the facility from a rooftop.

    Authorities said Jahn’s primary targets were ICE personnel. The attack resulted in the death of two detainees and critically injured one other.

    Bondi criticized the app stating, “ICEBlock is designed to put ICE agents at risk just for doing their jobs, and violence against law enforcement is an intolerable red line that cannot be crossed.”

    U.S. Leaders React to ICE Tracking App Removal

    Apple defended its decision, citing safety concerns raised by law enforcement.

    “We created the App Store to be a safe and trusted place to discover apps,” Apple told FOX Digital. “Based on information we’ve received from law enforcement about the safety risks associated with ICEBlock, we have removed it and similar apps from the App Store.”

    The DOJ emphasized its commitment to protecting agents. “This Department of Justice will continue making every effort to protect our brave federal law enforcement officers, who risk their lives every day to keep Americans safe,” Bondi added.

    The Source: Information in this article comes from FOX Digital, posts made by ICEBlock and previous FOX 4 coverage.

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  • Newsom threatens to yank funding from universities that comply with Trump demands

    BERKELEY, Calif. – Pres. Donald Trump is trying to make a deal with colleges across the country: adopt a more conservative stance in return for better funding opportunities. But Gov. Gavin Newsom is using a bold new tactic to fight back—threatening to withhold state funding from any California university that goes along with Trump’s plan. 

    Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education: What is it? 

    What we know:

    The White House wants nine public and private universities—including the University of Southern California, Vanderbilt, Brown and Dartmouth—to sign the Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education, adopting conservative policies in exchange for better federal funding access. 

    Those policies include gender rules for bathrooms and women’s sports, taking race and gender out of the admissions process, requiring the SAT or ACT for undergraduate applicants, imposing a 15% cap on international students, and transforming or abolishing anti-conservative groups. 

    What they’re saying:

    “To see a type of change that’s like a conservative change or something, that’s very polar opposite to what we are as a school and what we stand for,” said one UC Berkeley student, who didn’t want to be identified. 

    Even though UC Berkeley isn’t on the list—at least not yet–it’s got some students concerned. 

    “It’s almost a slap to the face, seeing that this could be done to our school,” said another UC Berkeley student. 

    Newsom warns universities against signing “radical agreement”

    But in a social media post Thursday, Newsom said: “If any California university signs this radical agreement, they’ll lose billions in state funding—including Cal Grants—instantly. California will not bankroll schools that sell out their students, professors, researchers, and surrender academic freedom.” 

    Big picture view:

    “Using money to get organizations and people to do what they want, that’s something that presidents have always done,” said Menlo College Political Scientist Melissa Michelson. “It is somewhat unusual that the governor is also using this tool.”

    Michelson worries this battle between Newsom and Trump could leave California schools caught in the middle. 

    “USC is in a really tricky spot, right? Because they need support from the state. They need Cal Grants. But they also need support from the federal government,” said Michelson. 

    But many are backing Newsom’s approach. 

    Local perspective:

    “I like this pushback against the Trump administration,” said one UC Berkeley student. “We have our ideas. We know what we stand for. And I’m glad that he’s pushing against things that are not our way of life.”

    Late Thursday afternoon, a Cal spokesperson told KTVU: “The Berkeley campus has no comment and no position” on the issue. 

    What’s next:

    Notably, UC Berkeley has not been offered the deal, but Michelson says it’s likely more schools will be added to the list. 

    The Source: “Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education”, social media post by Gov. Gavin Newsom, and interviews by KTVU reporter John Krinjak

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    John.Krinjak@fox.com (John Krinjak)

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  • Here’s how long the government shutdown could go on

    WASHINGTON – At 12 a.m. Wednesday morning, the federal government shut down after Congress failed to pass a continuing resolution to keep agencies operating. 

    Republicans have introduced a stopgap bill that would fund the government through Nov. 21, but Democrats have so far blocked it, as the bill does not include what they believe to be adequate health care funding. 

    Democrats want to negotiate with Republicans to extend the Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies that are set to expire at the end of the year and reverse cuts that were recently implemented to Medicaid funding as part of President Donald Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill.” 

    About 750,000 federal employees could be furloughed each day of the shutdown, with their total compensation costing roughly $400 million each day, according to the Congressional Budget Office. 

    While it’s true that federal agencies have some discretion in deciding which services to suspend and which to maintain, depending on how long the shutdown lasts, it could have a negative impact on the economy as a whole.

    So, how long could this shutdown last? 

    The soonest things could be resolved 

    Dig deeper:

    It’s rare that federal government shutdowns go on for multiple weeks, but it does happen. For example, the country saw a monthlong government shutdown, the longest in U.S. history, during Trump’s first term. 

    This shutdown is expected to last at least three days, as the Senate isn’t likely to hold any votes until at least Oct. 3. This is because lawmakers are observing the Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur. 

    As of publication, however, Democrats and Republicans appear to be stuck in a blame game of sorts, so the exact timeline of the shutdown is hard to pinpoint. 

    What they’re saying:

    “If Republicans want Democratic participation, then they have to negotiate,” Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) told The Hill. “This is a core principle of why people elected us to office.” 

    “We’re not going to discuss and negotiate it while they’re holding the hostage of the federal government,” Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) said Tuesday morning on CNBC. “Release the hostage, and we will have that conversation about how we can keep these exchanges up and going.” 

    Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., gestures while speaking with reporters as the government lurches toward a shutdown at the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

    Thune added on the Senate floor that negotiations over the ACA subsidies would only occur after the federal government reopens, according to the Hill. 

    “Anything that’s going to be done is going to have to be done with significant reforms,” he said. 

    But Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer isn’t buying that. 

    “We think that when they say later, they mean never,” he said on the Senate floor. 

    While it’s true that a dozen more moderate Republicans have signed on to support a bill from Rep. Jen Kiggans (R-Va.) that would extend the subsidies for one year, more conservative Republicans appear to be vehemently against doing so. 

    House Speaker Mike Johnson said last month that there was “zero chance” he would consider supporting it, for example. 

    Unclear timeline

    Big picture view:

    Senate Democrats voted again on Wednesday to block the Republican bill that would have funded the government through the third week of November.

    The bill failed in a 55-45 vote—the same as Tuesday’s vote—and 60 votes are needed to advance it.

    Three Democratic caucus members voted with Republicans on the bill: Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (Nev.), Sen. Angus King (Maine), an independent, and Sen. John Fetterman (Pa.). Republican Sen. Rand Paul (Ky.) voted against the bill. 

    Since the House won’t convene again until Monday, the only real option the Senate has at this point in time is to pass the bill that’s already failed twice. Thune said Wednesday that he plans to keep the upper chamber in session over this weekend to vote again. He says this is the only scenario in which President Trump signs on. 

    “As of this morning, critical federal employees including members of the military, Border Patrol agents and air traffic controllers are working without pay,” Thune said on the Senate floor. “Democrats are well aware of the damage of a government shutdown.”

    The Source: Information above was sourced from The Hill, USA Today, the Congressional Budget Office, POLITICO, the Jewish Telegraphic Agency, Congress and Senate voting records and previous FOX 5 DC reporting. 

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    Isabel.Soisson@fox.com (Isabel Soisson)

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  • Trump says troops on the ground in Portland. But are they?

    WA leaders react to Trump’s troops in Portland, OR

    Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell, Governor Ferguson and Senator Patty Murray are among a growing number of elected leaders admonishing the deployment of military force to Portland for reasons locals in the Pacific Northwest city say make no sense and are a waste of money.

    PORTLAND, Ore. – President Donald Trump announced Tuesday that National Guard troops are “now in place” in Portland, Oregon, but officials haven’t seen any yet.

    Keep reading to learn everything we know about the federal troop deployment in Portland.

    Are federal troopers in Portland?

    What we know:

    Trump announced on Truth Social that the National Guard is now in place:

    “As I determined on September 27th, when I activated and called into service the National Guard in Oregon, conditions continue to deteriorate into lawless mayhem. Our GREAT Federal Law Enforcement Officers have not been able to enforce the Laws in Oregon. ANTIFA and the Radical Left Anarchists have been viciously attacking our Federal Law Enforcement Officers, men and women who are simply doing their job, protecting Federal Property, and enforcing Federal Immigration Laws and the Rule of Law. We will never allow MOBS to take over our streets, burn our Cities, or destroy America. The National Guard is now in place, and has been dedicated to restoring LAW AND ORDER, and ending the Chaos, Death, and Destruction! We are a Nation of LAW, and we will PREVAIL. Thank you for your attention to this matter! President DJT”

    Trump claims the federal troop deployment is to protect ICE facilities and combat Antifa. His initial announcement on Saturday described Portland as “war-ravaged,” and armored vehicles were reportedly seen around the city Friday night.

    This follows a similar deployment in Los Angeles, and planned operations in Chicago and Memphis.

    What we don’t know:

    We cannot yet confirm that federal troops are deployed yet.

    Portland officials told sister station FOX 12 Oregon that there is no National Guard presence in the city yet, and that troops are at their respective facilities preparing for deployment.

    According to officials, Friday is likely the soonest there will see boots on the ground.

    Seattle leaders reject Trump's troop deployment

    Seattle leaders reject Trump’s troop deployment

    Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell and Attorney General Nick Brown publicly challenged President Trump’s threat to deploy federal troops to Portland, sending a clear message: “Stay out of Seattle.”

    The response from city leaders

    What they’re saying:

    City leaders in Seattle and Portland have condemned the president’s actions. Oregon Governor Tina Kotek stated she spoke directly with Trump and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, warning that deploying troops to the city would be unlawful.

    Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell, Washington Attorney General Nick Brown and other city leaders held a press conference Monday warning Trump to “stay out of Seattle.”

    MORE NEWS FROM FOX 13 SEATTLE

    Seattle, Portland leaders join state officials in rejecting Trump’s PNW troop deployment

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    To get the best local news, weather and sports in Seattle for free, sign up for the daily FOX Seattle Newsletter.

    Download the free FOX LOCAL app for mobile in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store for live Seattle news, top stories, weather updates and more local and national news.

    The Source: Information in this story comes from information provided by sister station FOX 12 Oregon, as well as previous coverage from FOX 13 Seattle.

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    Connor.Sarles@fox.com (Connor Sarles)

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  • Government shutdown looms: What this means for Washington

    SEATTLE – The federal government appears headed toward a shutdown, with Democrats and Republicans blaming one another, as the deadline to keep agencies open quickly approaches.

    If Congress can’t pass a funding bill, hundreds of thousands of federal workers will face furloughs. Some essential staff — including military service members, air traffic controllers, federal law enforcement and postal workers — would remain on the job, with many going without pay until a deal is reached.

    Democrats vs. Republicans on funding bill

    What they’re saying:

    “Look, is the President totally unfit to hold office? Yeah. But it is not about that. It’s about health care,” Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) said during a press conference. “He is choosing to shut down the government rather than work with Democrats to fix the health care crisis Republicans created.”

    Murray warned premiums could skyrocket. “In my state, a family is paying $238 per month for their health insurance right now. Thanks to Republicans, they could pay as much as $1800 per month next year.”

    She accused Trump of brushing off Democratic proposals. “Now, apparently, when President Trump was looking over Democratic health care proposals, he said, and I quote, ‘Go f— yourself.’ That tells you how much Donald Trump cares about whether families go bankrupt paying for their health care.”

    Democrats are demanding extensions of health care tax credits and a reversal of Medicaid cuts made in Trump’s tax and immigration bill. Republicans, meanwhile, are pushing for a short-term funding plan that extends current levels until late November.

    What will the government shutdown mean for WA?

    Local perspective:

    In Washington state, Attorney General Nick Brown said the impacts could be immediate.

    “That would have devastating impacts on Washingtonians. We have thousands of federal employees and grant funding that would be shut down or stopped,” said Brown. “Here in Washington, and on people and our economy, it would be very serious, so we’re hopeful the president and congressional leaders can reach a deal.”

    Jim Walsh, chairman of the Washington State Republican Party, says the concerns are being overblown.

    “These so-called government shutdowns out of Washington DC are a lot of theater,” Walsh said. “Generally, they don’t last terribly long, and generally the mid- to long term financial impacts are not that great. Very often they end up getting back pay for the time that they were let go without pay, and this tends to be days, rather than weeks or months. So a lot of this is political theater. It’s not great political theater. It’s still a bad idea, but I think people sometimes read a little too much into the real long term impacts.”

    Walsh argued Democrats were trying to reframe the shutdown as a fight over health care. “Don’t take anything that Patty Murray says very seriously, she’s a notoriously misinformed member of the U.S. Senate,” said Walsh. “The truth is, it’s the Democrats’ tax schemes that are driving up the cost of living here in Washington.”

    Walsh said Senate Republicans had successfully boxed Democrats in procedurally.

    “Senator Thune is a much better chess player on his worst day than Patty Murray is on her best day. He’s got her in check. There’s not a lot she can do, so she’s just releasing these ridiculous press statements and making these silly public statements about how people are going to die,” said Walsh. “No, Senator Murray, stop being hysterical. Make a deal with Senator Thune, and let’s keep the government open and operating.”

    The other side:

    The last shutdown — in late 2018 under Trump — stretched 35 days, one of the longest in U.S. history. It left federal employees without paychecks, forced local food banks and nonprofits to fill the gap, and disrupted everything from SNAP benefits to airport security lines.

    This time, Social Security checks, Medicare services, and veterans’ health care are expected to continue. But many other services — from FDA food inspections to economic reporting — could grind to a halt. Travelers may face delays, and programs like WIC and SNAP could eventually run out of funding.

    President Trump has also warned that a shutdown could lead to permanent cuts to the federal workforce.

    National parks are another area of concern. During the 35-day shutdown in 2018, officials reported vandalism, destroyed trails, littered with human waste—damage experts say could take centuries to repair. Combined with earlier budget cuts this year, many parks are already stretched to a breaking point.

    MORE NEWS FROM FOX 13 SEATTLE

    Seattle, Portland leaders join state officials in rejecting Trump’s PNW troop deployment

    Family calls for ‘justice for Sunshine’ as plea deal is discussed in graphic Queen Anne assault case

    Tolls now in effect for WA’s SR-509 Expressway. Here’s what to know

    Doja Cat announces Seattle tour stop at Climate Pledge Arena

    Seattle Mariners, Seahawks, Sounders all home this weekend: Traffic, parking, transit tips

    To get the best local news, weather and sports in Seattle for free, sign up for the daily FOX Seattle Newsletter.

    Download the free FOX LOCAL app for mobile in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store for live Seattle news, top stories, weather updates and more local and national news.

    The Source: Information in this story comes from original reporting by FOX 13 Seattle reporter Alejandra Guzman.

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    Alejandra.Guzman@fox.com (Alejandra Guzman)

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