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Kelsey Grammer sends message to Trump detractors obsessed with Reflecting Pool, shares prayer for country

Wed, 24 Jun 2026 02:58:31 +0000

Actor Kelsey Grammer shared a message for Americans dissatisfied with the country as some critics obsess over President Donald Trump’s allegedly botched $14.8 million restoration of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool.

"There is a virus that has infected a very small number of people, I think, who just want to tear things down. They've been consumed by hatred, and of course, hatred ends up basically destroying you," he told "Jesse Watters Primetime" on Tuesday.

"I pray for them. I pray for everyone to find a decent sentiment in their hearts about this country about the people who run it these days."

Grammer’s remarks come amid widespread scrutiny towards Trump’s renovation of the Reflecting Pool over large amounts of algae and peeling paint floating in the water. The president has said vandals damaged the recently renovated attraction and that six people have been arrested in connection to the alleged vandalism.

CNN PANEL ERUPTS OVER TRUMP'S $13M LINCOLN MEMORIAL REFLECTING POOL RENOVATION AFTER DOGE-ERA CUTS

The dissatisfaction comes at the same time as soccer fans from around the world visit the U.S. for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and share positive impressions of the country, its hospitality and culture – a sentiment Grammer wants more Americans to share.

"It's worth loving, and it's great that we've been given this chance to see [the United States] in the eyes of so many of our European fellows and South American fellows," Grammer said.

The "Frasier" star, who plans to spend America’s 250th anniversary in Washington, D.C., shared a prayerful wish for the nation’s future ahead of its milestone birthday.

BILL MAHER TELLS LIBERALS TO STOP 'PARTISAN SULKING' AND JOIN AMERICA 250 PARTY

"On the 250th anniversary, I want to be with my family, and I want to see a few fireworks, but my real prayer is for the future, for 251 and what happens after that," the actor told host Jesse Watters.

Grammer also revealed details about the non-profit he is working to create that he hopes will bolster patriotism among Americans.

"We're working on this nonprofit thing called the American Revelation…," the actor explained. "We're trying to point the way to a process by which you could actually fall in love with your country. And that's a very important thing to me."

KELSEY GRAMMER WARNS AMERICA COULD LOSE 'EXTRAORDINARY GIFT' IF WE FORGET WHO WE ARE

Grammer, who hosts several Fox Nation programs focused on American history, said he is consistently "moved to tears" when he talks about the country.

The actor explained how key figures in his childhood helped instill in him a deep reverence and love for the United States at an "early age."

"My grandparents raised me, and they loved the country… my granddad fought in World War II, he was 28 months in the South Pacific," Grammer shared.

FOX NATION'S 'MEET THE AMERICAN' UNCOVERS SURPRISING ORIGINS BEHIND BELOVED AMERICAN TRADITIONS IN NEW SEASON

"I was lucky enough to have some pretty good teachers who felt like they were on a first-name basis with our Founding Fathers. And I carry that with me," he continued. "I respect these people so much and the fact that they did this for me. And I want to just do something to pay them back."

Grammer hosts Fox Nation’s six-part series "The Patriot War," which chronicles America’s fight for independence through the lives of pivotal Revolutionary-era figures, including George Washington and Alexander Hamilton.

"I think we've done a really nice job following their passions and their heartbeats and their dedication and their sacrifice to see that we had a better shot at the world, and I'm very happy with the program," he said.

"The Patriot War" is streaming now exclusively on Fox Nation, with new episodes premiering on Sunday.

Phillies shock rival Nationals, score 8 runs with 2 outs in miraculous ninth-inning comeback

Wed, 24 Jun 2026 02:58:02 +0000

The Philadelphia Phillies went into the top of the ninth inning down 8-6 to the Washington Nationals after Orion Kerkering gave up a three-run home run to blow the lead late in the game.

All momentum was washed away, and that was even more the case when the first two batters for Philadelphia struck out to begin the ninth inning. Trea Turner, the team’s trusty veteran shortstop was down to his final strike, as it appeared the Phillies were going to fall to their NL East rival.

But the fat lady wasn't singing at Nationals Park for the Phillies. In fact, Trea Turner kept the game alive with a single to center field.

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What ensued wasn’t just a rally to tie the game. Brandon Marsh did that in the next at-bat with a two-run homer. Instead, Marsh’s bomb opened the flood gates for the Phillies to score eight runs in the top of the ninth inning to absolutely stun the Nationals and its home crowd in a miraculous 14-9 victory on Tuesday night.

It was the Phillies' highest-scoring ninth inning since Sept. 27, 2015, when they also scored eight runs against these same Nationals. What made this rally especially remarkable, however, was that every run came with two outs.

BRYCE HARPER HITS FOR CYCLE, KYLE SCHWARBER BLASTS THREE HOMERS IN PHILLIES BLOWOUT WIN OVER METS

After Marsh’s home run, Bryce Harper kept the rally alive with a single, as the Phillies looked to take the lead. Then, Derek Hill added a single, which brought up Bryson Stott with the chance at accomplishing that goal for the first time since the top of the eighth when Philadelphia scored three.

Stott couldn’t have been more clutch in the moment, smashing a ball down the left-field line and leaning to his left in hopes that it would stay on the right side of the foul pole. It did exactly that, and Stott’s three-run home run took the air out of the crowd, as the Phillies went up 11-8.

But the onslaught wasn’t done. The Phillies couldn’t stop rallying, as Edmundo Sosa drove in two more runs to make it 13-8, and Turner got to bat again where he singled home Sosa.

Finally, Marsh struck out to end the inning, but the Nationals and its fan base were completely dejected entering the bottom of the ninth. Luis Garcia Jr. hit a solo home run to pad his own stats, but the Nationals fell after a dramatic collapse they will wish to forget very quickly.

The Nationals allowed 10 consecutive batters to reach base, eight of them via hits, including three extra-base hits and the two pivotal home runs. J.T. Realmuto and Justin Crawford also drew walks during the rally.

While it is still early in the season, it was a pivotal game in terms of NL East standings, as the Phillies now sit 43-36, six games out of first place, which is held by the Atlanta Braves. However, the Nationals are not too far behind, sitting only 2.5 games back of the Phillies at 41-39. The Miami Marlins hold the same record as Washington.

Baseball is a game of momentum, but what the Phillies showcased in the nation’s capital was much more than that. They took the "not until the last out" mantra and ran with it for a crazy eight-run ending the team will be talking about for quite some time.

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Mamdani's political gamble pays off as his endorsed candidates sweep their primaries

Wed, 24 Jun 2026 02:41:32 +0000

All three progressive candidates backed by New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani — including two who took on Democratic incumbents — won their primaries in safe seats almost guaranteeing their election in November.

(Image credit: Kena Betancur)

Mamdani-backed socialist with history of anti-American rhetoric wins vicious Dem primary race

Wed, 24 Jun 2026 02:40:48 +0000

A controversial socialist who once called the United States "a f-----g disgrace" and was backed by New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, ousted a five-term Democratic incumbent in New York's 13th Congressional District.

Darializa Avila Chevalier, 32, is a community organizer who studied at Columbia University where she was known for leftist agitation and her membership in a group called Columbia University Apartheid Divest that would later post "Death to America" on its social media. She defeated Rep. Adriano Espaillat, D-N.Y. on Tuesday.

Avila Chevalier, who positioned herself further to the left than powerful progressives including former Vice President Kamala Harris, has faced scrutiny for her stance on private property, police, borders and calls to nationalize large swaths of the private sector in now-deleted posts from 2018 to 2022.

In a 2021 repost, Avila Chevalier said that abolishing borders, prisons and police is "possible, necessary, and the only moral way forward," and later echoed posts that said "all deportation is wrong" and, "Yes, literally abolish the border," according to one report.

FROM WASSERMAN SCHULTZ TO GOLDMAN, DEMOCRATIC INCUMBENTS ARE FIGHTING FOR SURVIVAL

"This country is a f-----g disgrace," she said in a post.

"I forgot to get napkins so I just wiped my hand on the American flag behind me," she reportedly said in yet another.

She reportedly called former President Joe Biden a "rapist" and "war criminal," chastised Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., for his "liberal Zionism," and said "F--k Kamala Harris."

Despite this, with Mamdani's backing and an increasingly left-leaning voter bloc in New York, Avila Chevalier secured the Democratic nomination.

MAMDANI REVEALS IN RESURFACED VIDEO HOW ONE OF HIS 'GREATEST VICTORIES' BENEFITTED ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS

In a recent debate with Espaillat, who came to the United States illegally before becoming a naturalized citizen and running for office, Avila Chevalier doubled down on her belief that no illegal aliens should be deported from the U.S., even if they have committed violent crimes and served prison or jail time.

She also once blasted Black and Arab men for "fetishizing ugly colonizer women," referring to white women.

Despite the controversy, Mamdani, who first endorsed Avila Chevalier in May, stuck by his endorsement and tested his socialist coattails.

"When it comes to Darializa's campaign, I had not seen those tweets and what I've heard from her and what I know a lot of others in the district that have heard from her is that her views have evolved and that the campaign she is running on is reflective of what she's going to be fighting for," Mamdani said when confronted by the candidate's controversial comments.

"And frankly, when I see a candidate who has a record like she does of freeing New Yorkers who are unjustly detained by ICE, of standing up for the working person who has often been left out of our politics, especially in a district that has so many of the same themes that we're speaking of today — a fear of displacement, a fear of being pushed out of a place you helped to build — I think that she would be an incredible champion for that district and for the city as a whole," he continued.

Under its geographic boundaries, NY-13 encompasses Upper Manhattan and part of the West Bronx.

The district has never been represented by a Republican, and Avila Chevalier is all but guaranteed to win November's general election now that she's clinched the Democratic nomination.

GOP voters pick Trump-backed nominee in battle to flip crucial House seat

Wed, 24 Jun 2026 02:39:09 +0000

Peter Oberacker, a Trump-backed Republican New York state senator, won a GOP primary on Tuesday evening, securing the GOP nomination to challenge incumbent Rep. Josh Riley, D-N.Y.

New York’s 19th Congressional District, which encompasses an area north of Manhattan, is one of many competitive seats Republicans hope to flip as they look to maintain control of the U.S. House of Representatives, where they hold a narrow majority.

Despite a historically Democratic bent, Republicans last won the district in 2022.

Oberacker, who has a background in food business, has served as a New York state senator since 2021. In his campaign, he has pitched himself as a pragmatic public servant with a diverse resume.

VULNERABLE HOUSE DEM FACING HEAT FOR 'DODGING' QUESTIONS ABOUT SOCIALIST MAMDANI'S RISE

"They say there are two things you should never see being made: laws and sausage. Well, I know both. Service has always called me. As a volunteer firefighter and EMT and as a town supervisor and county legislator," Oberacker said in a campaign video.

Oberacker received President Donald Trump’s endorsement earlier this year.

"As your next Congressman, he will fight tirelessly to Grow the Economy, Cut Taxes and Regulations, Unleash American Energy DOMINANCE, Keep our Border SECURE, Stop Migrant Crime, Ensure LAW AND ORDER, Strengthen our Brave Military/Veterans, Advance Election Integrity and Protect our always-under-siege Second Amendment," Trump wrote.

INSIDE THE REPUBLICAN VICTORIES IN SUBURBAN NEW YORK: 'FED UP WITH ONE PARTY DEMOCRATIC RULE'

Most of Oberacker’s work in the state Senate has focused on rural agriculture, farms and ratepayer energy costs. In the past, Oberacker has introduced bills that looked to ban retroactive bills for businesses and a ban on using taxpayer funds to cover corporate losses. He has also spearheaded calls to investigate climbing utility prices.

"Results matter. That’s why I have introduced several bills as a part of my utility ratepayer bill of rights. This legislation requires transparency and accountability from the utilities and gives power back to people — where it belongs," Oberacker wrote in a recent post to Facebook.

He has raised just shy of a million dollars, according to Federal Election Commission records.

DEMOCRAT REP JOSH RILEY BLASTED AS ‘HYPOCRITE’ OVER TIES TO ENERGY FIRM HE CRITICIZES ON CAMPAIGN TRAIL

Having cleared the primary, Oberacker now heads to the general election, where he will face off against Riley on Nov. 3.

Riley, a first-term representative, won his seat in a narrow 51.1% to 48.8% victory over Rep. Marcus Molinaro, R-N.Y., in 2024.

Longtime Dem incumbent's chosen successor wins crowded NYC primary as big-name rivals fall short

Wed, 24 Jun 2026 02:28:18 +0000

New York Assemblyman Micah Lasher won the Democratic primary Tuesday to replace retiring Rep. Jerry Nadler, defeating a crowded field that included anti-Trump lawyer George Conway, Kennedy family scion Jack Schlossberg and fellow New York State Assemblyman Alex Bores.

The race drew outsized attention because incumbent Rep. Jerry Nadler’s retirement created a rare open-seat contest in a Manhattan district he has represented for more than three decades, since 1992.

The crowded Democratic primary featured a mix of local elected officials and national names, including George Conway, a conservative attorney turned high-profile Trump critic who was formerly married to Kellyanne Conway, one of Trump’s top White House advisers during his first term.

TRUMP TRASHES NADLER ON HEELS OF DEM'S HOUSE RETIREMENT ANNOUNCEMENT: ‘ONE OF THE MOST DISGUSTING CONGRESSMAN’

It also featured a run from Jack Schlossberg, the grandson of former President John F. Kennedy, whose famous family name and large social media following brought national attention to the otherwise hyperlocal Manhattan primary.

Lasher also fended off a challenge from New York state lawmaker Alex Bores, whose campaign became a test case in the political power of the AI industry after the former computer engineer helped push New York’s RAISE Act, a state-level AI safety law aimed at forcing major developers to publish safety plans and disclose risks tied to the most powerful models.

His push for tougher AI guardrails drew heavy opposition from tech-aligned super PACs, which responded by pouring millions into the race against him, turning the Manhattan primary into a proxy war over whether states should be allowed to crack down on the rapidly growing industry.

MAMDANI-BACKED SOCIALIST PREVAILS IN CROWDED PRIMARY TO REPLACE RETIRING REP

Lasher entered the race as the most obvious establishment heir to Nadler, drawing support from the retiring congressman and other major New York political figures. His win would suggest that local institutional backing still mattered in a race where several rivals had stronger national profiles.

Lasher previously worked for Nadler, Gov. Kathy Hochul and served as director of state legislative affairs under former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg. He entered the race with support from all three, giving him significant backing from prominent New York Democrats.

Lasher will be heavily favored in November's general election in the solidly Democratic district, which includes some of Manhattan’s wealthiest and most liberal neighborhoods, including the Upper West Side, Upper East Side, Midtown and Chelsea.

Ex-Dem lawmaker beats Bernie-backed rival for shot at Utah's most competitive House seat

Wed, 24 Jun 2026 02:27:31 +0000

Former U.S. Rep. Ben McAdams won the Democratic nomination for Utah's newly created 1st Congressional District on Tuesday, prevailing in a competitive four-way primary that became one of the state's most expensive congressional contests of the 2026 election cycle.

McAdams defeated Utah state Sen. Nate Blouin, Michael Farrell and former big tech worker Liban Mohamed to advance to the general election in November.

The former congressman will now face Republican nominee Riley Owen in a race expected to be among Utah's most closely watched congressional contests.

The Democratic primary attracted significant attention from donors and outside political groups, underscoring the district's importance in the battle for control the lower Congressional chamber. According to campaign finance filings, candidates and outside organizations spent approximately $4.6 million on the race.

McAdams held a substantial fundraising advantage throughout the campaign.

He raised roughly $1.9 million, exceeding the combined fundraising total of his three Democratic opponents. Outside groups also invested heavily in support of his candidacy as national Democrats viewed the district as their strongest opportunity to gain a congressional seat in Utah.

RED STATE JUDGE CHOOSES NEW CONGRESSIONAL MAP IN FIGHT THAT COULD RESHAPE HOUSE CONTROL

The race also drew attention because of high-profile endorsements. Blouin, a state lawmaker, received backing from progressive figures including Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., while McAdams emphasized his record as a centrist Democrat who has won competitive races in a traditionally Republican state.

McAdams previously represented Utah's 4th Congressional District from 2019 to 2021, becoming one of the few Democrats elected to Congress from Utah in recent decades. He narrowly lost his reelection bid in 2020.

The newly created 1st District comes after years of litigation over Utah's congressional boundaries. A court ruling struck down the legislature's previous congressional map, leading to the creation of a Salt Lake City-based district that leans Democratic. Critics of the earlier map had argued that it diluted the voting strength of Salt Lake County residents by dividing the area among multiple districts.

JUDGE SET TO CHOOSE NEW CONGRESSIONAL MAP IN FIGHT THAT COULD RESHAPE HOUSE CONTROL

The revised boundaries have reshaped Utah's congressional landscape and created a rare competitive district in a state that has long been dominated by Republicans.

Kim Jong Un calls for North Korea to build 2 large warships per year in major naval expansion push: report

Wed, 24 Jun 2026 02:20:08 +0000

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on Tuesday called for a major expansion of the country's naval forces, suggesting the regime should build two large warships each year for the next five years.

Speaking at a commissioning ceremony for a new destroyer, Kim suggested North Korea should build two warships comparable in size to its 5,000-ton Choe Hyon-class vessel each year over the next five years, according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).

Kim was celebrating the deployment of the new multipurpose destroyer at the port of Nampho. In April, he observed launches of two cruise missiles and three anti-ship missiles from the vessel.

The destroyer successfully completed military operational tests over the past 14 months, according to KCNA.

KIM JONG UN OVERSEES CRUISE MISSILE LAUNCHES FROM PRIZED NEW NORTH KOREAN WARSHIP

Kim previously hailed the development of the Choe Hyon as a major step toward expanding the operational reach and preemptive strike capabilities of North Korea's military.

Kim also said the navy's nuclearization is "advancing along its own course," contributing to the country's nuclear deterrence.

The naval buildup comes as Kim seeks to strengthen what analysts have long viewed as one of the weaker branches of North Korea's military.

NORTH KOREA RELAUNCHES WARSHIP THAT SUFFERED EMBARRASSING FAILURE DURING INITIAL LAUNCH

KCNA reported that Kim intends to deploy another 5,000-ton destroyer, the Kang Kon, along with larger 10,000-ton strategic warships.

The Kang Kon was first unveiled in May of last year but was damaged during a failed launch at the northern port city of Chongjin. The vessel was later relaunched following repairs.

By adding new capabilities, North Korea's navy would become "something incredible beyond imagination," Kim said.

NORTH KOREA RELEASES IMAGES OF DEVELOPMENT OF NUCLEAR-POWERED SUBMARINE

"Building a modernized naval base has emerged as a desperate and ⁠essential task," he added.

State media reported that Kim is also reviewing plans to construct new naval bases.

Speaking during a meeting of the Workers' Party's Central Committee on Monday, Kim said the navy would undergo changes to its status, role and scope of operations.

He did not elaborate on what those changes would entail.

Fox News Digital's Greg Norman-Diamond and Reuters contributed to this report.

Dem candidate clears crowded field to face Trump-backed incumbent in NY

Wed, 24 Jun 2026 02:17:40 +0000

U.S. Army veteran Cait Conley emerged Tuesday from a crowded primary in New York's 17th Congressional District, setting up a high-stakes general election showdown against Republican Rep. Mike Lawler in a race expected to help determine control of the U.S. House.

Conley defeated four Democratic rivals to secure the nomination and will face Lawler in November.

Lawler, a two-term Republican and ally of President Donald Trump, has previously criticized Conley over her connection to the deadly U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021, which occurred during her tenure on former President Joe Biden's National Security Council.

The Hudson Valley district is among the most competitive congressional battlegrounds in the country and one of Democrats' top pickup opportunities. National parties and outside groups are expected to pour millions of dollars into the race, viewing the seat as critical in the battle for House control during the final two years of Trump's term.

VULNERABLE HARRIS-DISTRICT REPUBLICAN BRINGS IN MORE THAN $1M AS DEMS SCRAMBLE TO FLIP SEAT

The Democratic primary drew a five-candidate field with varying political backgrounds and bases of support.

The leading contenders in fundraising, polling and endorsements ahead of Election Day were Conley and Rockland County Legislator Beth Davidson.

A third candidate, Tarrytown Trustee Effie Phillips-Staley, positioned herself to the left of her rivals and built support among progressive groups and voters. Also on the ballot were attorney and former journalist Mike Sacks and Air Force veteran John Cappello.

BIDEN ALUM SEEKING MIKE LAWLER'S NY SWING SEAT RIPPED FOR TIES TO BOTCHED AFGHANISTAN WITHDRAWAL

The 17th District in New York spans portions of four counties on both sides of the Hudson River and contains a politically diverse electorate.

The district stretches from affluent, semi-rural communities in northern Westchester County, home to former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton; to denser, less affluent areas such as Spring Valley in Rockland County, which encompasses a diverse immigrant community.

The mix of deep-blue Democratic strongholds and reliably Republican enclaves has made the district one of the state's most unpredictable political battlegrounds — and one where Lawler has repeatedly defied expectations.

Lawler first flipped the district in 2022 and won re-election in 2024, establishing himself as one of the GOP's strongest performers in a swing district. Republicans have highlighted his bipartisan record and constituent-focused approach, while Democrats argue the district's political makeup gives them a strong opportunity to reclaim the seat.

Conley primary victory marks the beginning of what is expected to be one of the most expensive and closely watched House races of the 2026 midterm election cycle.

Federal Judge Bars ICE From Making Arrests in Immigration Courts

Wed, 24 Jun 2026 02:16:54 +0000

The ruling in a class-action lawsuit filed in California applies to immigration courts nationwide.

Bills legend Jim Kelly reveals he suffered a stroke this spring, says he feels 'really good' now

Wed, 24 Jun 2026 02:15:03 +0000

Former Buffalo Bills quarterback Jim Kelly revealed that he suffered a stroke this spring and had to spend a few days in the hospital, though he feels "really good" now.

Kelly spoke to reporters in Orchard Park, New York, during the ribbon-cutting ceremony of the new Highmark Stadium, where the Bills will play beginning this season. While the day was ceremonial as the Bills begin a new era in their new stadium, Kelly's announcement wasn't news anyone expected.

"I had a little setback about a month and a half ago," Kelly explained, via ESPN. "But right now, I feel good. Eyesight’s not great. My hearing still sucks, but that’s part of life."

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The 66-year-old Pro Football Hall of Famer has dealt with health problems in the past, including multiple cancer diagnoses. His latest came in 2018 when he needed surgery to remove oral cancer and reconstruct his upper jaw. He also underwent chemotherapy in 2014 for cancer found in his maxillary sinus, and had an initial surgery in 2013 to remove squamous cell carcinoma from his upper jawbone.

Kelly said that his recent cancer screenings came back "all good."

JIM KELLY REFLECTS ON WHY HE 'DECIDED TO CHANGE MY LIFE' AND TURN TO FAITH

"Everything’s good," he added.

Kelly is well known in Bills lore, having been the team’s franchise quarterback from 1986-96, where he helped lead his team to four consecutive Super Bowls. Unfortunately, all Bills fans remember how those ended – four straight defeats.

Thus, the Bills still don’t have a Vince Lombardi Trophy in their team facility despite having made runs in recent seasons with Josh Allen now at the helm for Buffalo. The Bills made it as far as the AFC Championship Game twice since Allen was drafted in 2018, but they lost to the Kansas City Chiefs in both of those games.

Kelly, who still lives in the Western New York area and is actively involved with the Bills, is looking forward to the team’s first home game in their new stadium. The Bills will host the Detroit Lions in their regular-season opener on Sept. 17, when he hopes the new Highmark Stadium sees a victory in its debut.

"It’s going to be special, not only for the players, but imagine the fans in there, how crazy and wild and loud they’re going to get," Kelly said. "And that’s what I’m looking forward to. I want to see how loud this stadium can get. And from what I’ve been told, it’s going to be unbelievable, but I don’t expect anything less."

Buffalo fans are notorious for their pregame rituals, whether it’s jumping through foldable tables, eating pizza out of filing cabinets, or spraying "Pinto Ron" with ketchup and mustard during tailgates. "Let’s Go Buffalo!" rang through the old Highmark Stadium for years, and that will only carry over to the new digs, which will hold a capacity 60,108 patrons on game days. The capacity, however, is over 10,000 fewer from the previous stadium, but there isn’t expected to be a bad seat in the house.

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Fired Navy Admiral Wins Democratic Runoff in South Carolina’s 1st District

Wed, 24 Jun 2026 02:14:46 +0000

Democrats expect Nancy Lacore to run a competitive general election despite the district’s Republican leaning.

Local Republican Wins Primary for Nancy Mace’s House Seat in South Carolina

Wed, 24 Jun 2026 02:13:01 +0000

Jenny Costa Honeycutt, a Charleston County councilwoman and lawyer, topped a Republican rival in a runoff primary election for a seat that leans to the right but could be competitive in November.

Investigators revisit Florida serial killer case as search resumes for possible additional victims

Wed, 24 Jun 2026 02:01:00 +0000

Florida began searching a Hernando County property this week for possible additional victims linked to convicted serial killer Billy Mansfield, decades after four bodies were discovered during an investigation tied to his family.

The search began Monday, and involves investigators from the Hernando County Sheriff's Office, the FBI and the State Attorney's Office, who are excavating an area at Dry Creek Ranch after cadaver dogs alerted them during a recent search.

FOX 13 Tampa Bay reported that authorities have been searching wooded areas near ranch property as part of the investigation.

The search stems from a years-long effort by authorities to revisit information connected to Mansfield, whose family lived on Centerwood Avenue in Hernando County.

COP WHO SURVIVED SERIAL KILLER AS A TEEN IS NOW ON TRACK TO BECOME A DETECTIVE

According to Hernando County Sheriff Al Nienhuis, Billy Mansfield and his brother, Gary Mansfield, traveled to California in the late 1970s, and became involved in a homicide investigation there.

Information developed during that case led Hernando County investigators to obtain a search warrant for property connected to the Mansfield family, where four bodies were discovered in the early 1980s.

Two of the four victims were identified relatively quickly, while investigators later identified a third. Authorities have recently developed genetic genealogy leads that could help identify the remaining victim and locate surviving relatives.

Authorities have long suspected there may be additional victims.

DETECTIVES’ TRUE CRIME PODCAST HELPS DIG UP BREAKTHROUGH IN CASE THAT HAUNTED FAMILY: ‘DREW AUDIBLE GASP’

Nienhuis said Billy Mansfield previously indicated there could be more bodies in Hernando, Pasco and Pinellas counties, but investigators were unable to reach an agreement that would have provided additional information in exchange for reduced charges.

The sheriff's office reopened portions of the investigation roughly three years ago, reviewing thousands of case files and conducting interviews with Mansfield with assistance from federal and state authorities.

Investigators previously excavated another location identified during the review but found no human remains. A continued examination of records eventually led authorities to search additional areas north and west of prior search sites.

FIRE AT HOME OF FLORIDA MAN MISSING FOR 2 YEARS COULD OFFER INVESTIGATORS CLUES

Cadaver dogs searched an area near Fort Dade Avenue and Citrus Way on Monday but found no indication of buried human remains. At Dry Creek Ranch, however, the dogs produced enough alerts to prompt investigators to begin digging.

"We're cautiously optimistic we might actually find something," Nienhuis said.

The sheriff noted that any future prosecution is unlikely because of the age of the case, but said investigators remain committed to identifying potential victims and providing answers to families who may have spent decades wondering what happened to their loved ones.

FLORIDA WOMAN WHO SURVIVED PARENTS' MURDERS AS TODDLER REVEALS 'MISSING PIECE' AFTER KILLER'S EXECUTION

The search remains ongoing.

Mansfield's name resurfaced nationally last year, after he confessed to the killing of an Ohio teenager whose spring break disappearance had remained unsolved for decades.

In January 2024, Mansfield confessed to killing 18-year-old Carol Ann Barrett more than four decades earlier.

TED BUNDY UNMASKED IN DECADES-OLD TEEN MURDER AS COLD CASE FINALLY SOLVED BY DNA: REPORT

Barrett's body was found in a ditch along Interstate 95 in Jacksonville, Florida, on March 24, 1980. A day earlier, the Ohio native had been enjoying spring break in Daytona Beach when she was kidnapped from her motel.

For decades, investigators had little more than Barrett's body and a composite sketch of a suspect based on interviews with her friends. The case remained unsolved until investigators revived it around 2017.

Mansfield eventually confessed to Barrett's abduction and murder after roughly two years of interviews with investigators. He was 24 years old at the time of her death.

Mansfield is currently serving a life sentence in California and four concurrent life sentences in Florida in connection with the murders of five women and girls between 1975 and 1980.

He buried several of his victims beneath his Spring Hill home on Florida's Gulf Coast, about 2½ hours from Daytona Beach, where Barrett was abducted.

Mansfield pleaded guilty to a California murder to avoid the death penalty in Florida and has been incarcerated since 1982.

Republican moves closer to replacing Nancy Mace as GOP looks to hold coastal South Carolina seat

Wed, 24 Jun 2026 01:49:13 +0000

Charleston County Councilwoman and small business owner Jenny Costa Honeycutt is one step closer to winning a ticket to Congress and succeeding nationally known GOP Rep. Nancy Mace.

Honeycutt defeated state Rep. Mark Smith to win the Republican runoff in South Carolina's 1st Congressional District, the Associated Press reported on Tuesday.

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Mace, a longtime supporter of President Donald Trump who's had a turbulent relationship with the president during her six years in the U.S. House, unsuccessfully ran for governor rather than seek re-election this year.

Honeycutt and Smith, who previously served as a member of the Mount Pleasant Town Council, finished atop a very crowded field of candidates in the GOP primary earlier this month.

But with no one topping 50%, Honeycutt and Smith, as the top two finishers, advanced to Tuesday's runoff.

The 1st Congressional District, which covers much of South Carolina's coastal region, has been held by Republicans for four and a half decades, other than a two-year interlude when Democrats briefly captured the seat during the 2018 blue wave election.

Among the Republicans who once held the seat are now-Sen. Tim Scott and former Gov. Mark Sanford.

Honeycutt, who describes herself as an "unapologetic conservative," will face the winner of the Democratic runoff between Mac Deford, an attorney, and retired Coast Guard Vice Admiral Nancy Lacore.

While Honeycutt will be considered the favorite in the general election, the Cook Political Report, a top nonpartisan election handicapper, recently shifted its rating of the race from "Solid Republican" to "Likely Republican."

Pelosi-backed Democrat loses after $10M flood of crypto, pro-Israel money

Wed, 24 Jun 2026 01:45:14 +0000

Del. Adrian Boafo, D-Md., emerged from a crowded Democratic primary Tuesday to clinch the nomination for former House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer’s deep-blue Maryland seat, aided by millions in outside spending from cryptocurrency and pro-Israel groups.

Boafo, 32, defeated a crowded field of roughly two dozen challengers vying to represent the heavily Democratic district Tuesday, including former U.S. Capitol Police officer Harry Dunn, according to The Associated Press.

Dunn, who defended the U.S. Capitol during the Jan. 6 riots in 2021, put opposition to President Donald Trump at the center of his campaign, including criticizing the pardoning of Jan. 6 riot defendants and the president’s defunct $1.8 billion "anti-weaponization" fund. Dunn resigned from the Capitol Police force in 2023.

Boafo’s primary victory comes after the crypto-aligned super PAC Protect Progress and the United Democracy Project — an outside spending group linked to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) — spent more than $10 million to support his candidacy, according to The Washington Post.

FROM WASSERMAN SCHULTZ TO GOLDMAN, DEMOCRATIC INCUMBENTS ARE FIGHTING FOR SURVIVAL

He also had the backing of Maryland’s Democratic establishment, including endorsements from Hoyer, Gov. Wes Moore, D-Md., Sen. Angela Alsobrooks, D-Md., and the state’s largest teachers union.

Boafo previously worked as a campaign aide to Hoyer and a federal lobbyist for the software and technology company Oracle before being elected to the Maryland House of Delegates in 2022.

Hoyer, 86, who has represented the southern Maryland seat for 45 years, announced his retirement in January, setting off a scramble among roughly 24 Democratic candidates for the open seat. He served in House Democratic leadership with his one-time rival, former Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., from 2007 to 2011 and 2019 to 2023.

MARYLAND BALLOT BLUNDER SPARKS HOUSE GOP PROBE AHEAD OF PRIMARY

Pelosi broke with Hoyer in the primary contest to endorse Dunn, calling him a "true American hero." Dunn previously mounted a failed primary bid for an open Maryland House seat in 2024.

Dunn notably lived outside the district he sought to represent, residing in Wheaton, Md., but said he would move to Maryland's 5th Congressional District if he won the primary and general election.

Former Prince George’s County Executive Rushern Baker, who launched failed gubernatorial bids in 2018 and 2022, and businesswoman Quincy Bareebe, also ran in the open Democratic primary.

Given the district’s significant Democratic tilt, the primary winner is not expected to face a competitive GOP challenge in the November general election.

Trump’s Pick for Top I.R.S. Lawyer Works at Firm That Represents Him

Wed, 24 Jun 2026 01:36:15 +0000

James R. Gadwood, the president’s nominee for chief counsel at the Internal Revenue Service, works at Miller & Chevalier, which has represented Mr. Trump in tax matters.

Ex-cop and 9/11 first responder secures Dem nod in bid to unseat firebrand conservative

Wed, 24 Jun 2026 01:34:03 +0000

Michael DeCillis, a former New York Police Department officer, won a Democratic primary on Tuesday evening, securing his party’s nomination to take on incumbent Rep. Nicole Malliotakis, R-N.Y.

The race is among many pivotal matchups set to determine the balance of power in the House of Representatives, where Republicans hold a slim majority. Although New York Republicans have often found themselves the target of Democratic efforts to flip seats, DeCillis faces an uphill challenge in November.

DeCillis has argued that congressional resistance to President Donald Trump is key to preventing executive overreach.

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"He understands that our democracy is disappearing in real time," DeCillis’ campaign website reads.

"In the next Congress, Mike will fight to build guardrails to protect our rights and ensure the government serves everyone — not just billionaires."

Throughout his campaign, DeCillis has touted his diverse background in public service and deep ties to the community in New York, pointing out that he is a fourth-generation Staten Islander and a third-generation union member.

"I’ve worked in EMS as a paramedic for over a decade, was a 9/11 first responder, helping firefighters at Ground Zero, I’ve walked the streets of New York City as a police officer and taught as a special education teacher in our public schools," DeCillis said in a campaign video.

LAWMAKER DECRIES RISE IN ANTISEMITISM IN NYC, CALLS FOR ACCOUNTABILITY

DeCillis has run for the seat twice before — once in 2018 and in 2022. In both races, he dropped out before the general election.

Now in his third challenge, DeCillis is painting Malliotakis as a MAGA-aligned Republican, out of touch with the split voter demographic in the state, and calling her a "MAGA loyalist."

"President Trump and Republicans like Nicole Malliotakis are destroying democracy at home and diplomacy and security abroad," DeCillis said in a post to X.

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Malliotakis last won reelection in 2024 with a 63.8% to 35.8% victory over Democratic challenger Andrea Morse, an attorney and small-business owner.

Having cleared the primary, DeCillis will face off against Malliotakis in the Nov. 3 general election.

Ex-Hoyer Aide Buoyed by Super PACs Wins Democratic House Primary in Maryland

Wed, 24 Jun 2026 01:32:01 +0000

Adrian Boafo, a state delegate, won a primary to succeed the retiring Representative Steny Hoyer with help from more than $11 million in spending from pro-Israel and cryptocurrency interests.

Stephen Colbert's 'Late Show' writers launch 'For Your Consideration' campaign for Emmys after cancellation

Wed, 24 Jun 2026 01:30:53 +0000

Writers behind "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" pushed a homemade "For Your Consideration" ad for the Emmy Awards after saying CBS won't do one after its cancellation.

Over the weekend, former writer Felipe Torres Medina posted a "DIY" advertisement on Instagram in an '80s sitcom opening style, featuring members of the writing staff including Ariel Dumas, Gabe Gronli, Delmonte Bent, Steve Waltien, Caroline Lazar, Tom Purcell, Michael Brumm, Matt Lappin, Aaron Nemo, Aaron Cohen, Paul Dinello, Pratima Mani, Opus Moreschi, Brian Stack, Kate Sidley, Asher Perlman, Carley Moseley, Jay Katsir, Eliana Kwartler, John Thibodeaux, Michael Cruz Kayne and Barry Julien.

The video ended with an image of "Stephen T. Colbert" as "Da Boss" along with the message "We'd love an Emmy!"

VIRAL STAFF PHOTO REVEALS JUST HOW BLOATED STEPHEN COLBERT'S 'LATE SHOW' OPERATION REALLY WAS

In the post, Medina wrote, "CBS is not doing a For Your Consideration campaign for us, so 'for strictly financial reasons' the @colbertlateshow writers made our own #FYC campaign."

Fox News Digital reached out to CBS and Paramount for comment.

The "for strictly financial reasons" comment is likely a reference to CBS canceling "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" last year for what it described as financial reasons rather than political ones. Reports claimed the series was losing the network $40 million per year.

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However, several liberal commentators, along with Colbert himself, have accused the network of canceling the show to appease President Donald Trump ahead of a massive merger requiring FCC approval.

Although Medina said that CBS wasn't doing a "For Your Consideration" campaign for the "Late Show," reports have indicated that the network has already launched a campaign on behalf of the series, including ads.

STEPHEN COLBERT TAKES FINAL BOW AS 'LATE SHOW' HOST IN STAR-STUDDED, NONPOLITICAL FINALE

"The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" is currently one of 18 shows under consideration for "Outstanding Variety Series." The official nominees will be announced on July 8.

"The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" aired its final episode on May 21. Before his show's cancellation, Colbert took home the Emmy for Outstanding Talk Series at the 2025 Emmy Awards last year, beating out Jimmy Kimmel, host of "Jimmy Kimmel Live!," and Comedy Central's "The Daily Show."

Mamdani-backed socialist prevails in crowded primary to replace retiring rep

Wed, 24 Jun 2026 01:30:20 +0000

Mamdani-endorsed state assembly member Claire Valdez secured the Democratic nomination Tuesday after defeating a crowded field in the primary for New York’s 7th Congressional District.

The democratic socialist, who had been leading in the polls, defeated Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso, City Council Member Julie Won and civil rights attorney Vichal Kumar to fill the seat being vacated by Rep. Nydia Velázquez, D-N.Y.

Velázquez, the first Puerto Rican woman elected to Congress, announced she would not seek re-election in November after more than three decades in office.

In an endorsement posted on her campaign website, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani praised Valdez for supporting him during his mayoral campaign and sharing his progressive vision.

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"Claire Valdez stood with me on day one because she understands how change is won — by building power, raising expectations and delivering for working people," Mamdani said. "She comes from the labor movement and knows how to turn struggle into real gains on housing, health care and workers’ rights. That’s the kind of partner I need in Congress, and why I’m proud to endorse her."

Velázquez, who also supported Mamdani's mayoral campaign, publicly slammed the mayor in January after he endorsed Valdez over Reynoso.

"Honeymoons are short, and people need to pay attention to the work at hand," she told The New York Times.

MAMDANI'S PRIMARY WIN EXPOSES DEMOCRAT DIVIDE AS TOP LEADERS WITHHOLD ENDORSEMENTS

"Primaries sometimes can be a distraction from the work that you need to do," Velázquez said, adding that the mayor's involvement "opens up fights" with the people he governs.

Valdez, a vocal critic of Israel, has called to abolish U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), expand universal healthcare, raise taxes on the wealthy, boost affordable housing and strengthen unions.

"It’s a district that doesn’t just want strongly worded letters but a real economic vision to win the working class away from Trumpism," according to her campaign website.

"That’s what Claire will deliver."

SOCIALISTS CHEER ‘SHOCKWAVE’ PRIMARY NIGHT AS DSA-BACKED CANDIDATES WIN, ADVANCE ACROSS THE MAP

Controversial Twitch streamer Hasan Piker and the Justice Democrats, the progressive group that helped launch Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s insurgent House campaign in 2018, have also thrown their support behind Valdez in the race to represent the district, which spans progressive strongholds across Brooklyn and Queens.

At a Brooklyn rally this month for candidates endorsed by the New York chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America, Piker called Valdez and activist Darializa Avila Chevalier, who is seeking to oust five-term incumbent Rep. Adriano Espaillat, D-N.Y., in New York’s 13th Congressional District, "giants" of the socialist movement.

"For the longest time, I thought we were so far away from socialism, and we might still be far away from socialism, but we do have an opportunity right here, right now, more than ever before," Piker said at the rally.

Piker added that this could be one of many victories for the socialist movement.

"By the end of these midterms, Zohran will seem unremarkable because, by then, we will have elected so many brilliant fighters into legislative offices throughout New York City and the state," Piker said.

Fox News Digital’s Adam Pack contributed to this report.

Mamdani-backed 'liberal Zionist' ousts Dem who led Trump impeachment in bid to take NYC House seat

Wed, 24 Jun 2026 01:22:54 +0000

Former New York City Comptroller Brad Lander, a previous Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) member backed by Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and socialist New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, defeated a high-profile Trump impeachment figure in one of the nation’s bluest House seats.

Lander, who describes himself as a "liberal Zionist," defeated Rep. Dan Goldman, D-N.Y., who was the only other Democrat in the House primary race. The deep-blue district spans Lower Manhattan and parts of western Brooklyn, taking in liberal strongholds from Greenwich Village and the Lower East Side to Brooklyn Heights, Park Slope and Sunset Park.

The primary victory for Lander was also a win for the city’s ascendant progressive wing, with Sanders and Mamdani helping Lander take on Goldman, a wealthy former federal prosecutor and high-profile Trump adversary who served as lead counsel during the first impeachment inquiry into the president.

Goldman was first elected to Congress in 2022 after emerging from a crowded Democratic primary in the newly redrawn district. Before entering Congress, he gained national attention as a House Democratic counsel during Trump’s first impeachment and later became a frequent critic of the president on Capitol Hill.

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The race became one of New York City’s most closely watched Democratic primaries, with Goldman and Lander clashing over Israel, Gaza, immigration enforcement, housing affordability and how aggressively Democrats should confront President Donald Trump.

During the pair's campaign blitz, Lander attacked Goldman for voting for U.S. military aid to Israel and slammed him for refusing to call the war in Gaza a genocide. Meanwhile, Goldman defended his support for Israel’s existence as a Jewish state and argued that voters in the district were more focused on domestic issues.

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The two also sparred over immigration enforcement, with Lander saying he has supported abolishing ICE since 2018. But Goldman accused Lander of using his anti-immigration protest arrest at 26 Federal Plaza, where he and other elected officials were seeking access to inspect ICE holding areas, for political fundraising.

Goldman’s own campaign platform also called to "abolish ICE as we know it," though the incumbent cast his approach as more institutional than Lander’s, pointing to congressional oversight, litigation and legislation aimed at curbing ICE tactics.

While Tuesday's Democratic Party Primary in New York's 10th Congressional District was a test of the city's growing far-left ascension, it also drew attention because of the split between major New York Democrats, with Gov. Kathy Hochul backing Goldman while Mamdani and Sanders lined up behind Lander.

Lander entered the final stretch with public polling showing him ahead, though Goldman argued he was better positioned to take on the Trump administration from Congress.

Lander will enter the general election as the heavy favorite in the solidly Democratic district.

Jennifer Moore is running as the Republican and Conservative Party nominee in November.

Alan Wilson Wins Republican Primary for South Carolina Governor

Wed, 24 Jun 2026 01:16:37 +0000

The runoff was one of the few races this year featuring both candidates endorsed by President Trump. His picks have had mixed results in governor’s contests.

Florida man allegedly kidnapped teen girl and hid her inside a clothes dryer before she called 911

Wed, 24 Jun 2026 01:12:43 +0000

A Florida man was arrested after allegedly kidnapping a teenage girl and hiding her inside a clothes dryer at his Key Largo home, authorities said.

Christopher Michael Veit, 53, faces charges including kidnapping, false imprisonment and unlawful sexual activity with a minor, according to the Monroe County Sheriff's Office.

Authorities responded to a home on Miramar Drive at approximately 11:45 a.m. Sunday, after the alleged victim called 911 and reported that she was being held hostage.

Deputies later found the teenage girl hidden inside a clothes dryer at the residence, according to investigators.

FBI RESCUES MISSING TEEN FROM FLORIDA HOTEL AFTER MONTH-LONG HUNT FOR ACCUSED KIDNAPPER

Authorities said Veit restrained the girl before placing her inside the dryer.

Investigators said Veit allegedly took the girl's cellphone after she said she wanted to leave the home.

The victim was found without life-threatening injuries, according to the sheriff's office.

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Authorities said the girl is not from Key Largo, though her connection to Veit was not immediately clear.

Investigators said they uncovered evidence of an ongoing sexual relationship between Veit and the victim.

The teenage girl was taken to a local hospital for evaluation before being released into the custody of a family member, officials said.

FLORIDA’S OPERATION DRAGON EYE RESCUES DOZENS OF ‘CRITICALLY MISSING’ CHILDREN IN MASSIVE STING

The Florida Department of Children and Families was notified following the incident.

Detectives responded to the scene and collected evidence, officials said, including "several sheets" of counterfeit currency.

The U.S. Secret Service was notified upon the discovery, authorities said.

The case remains under investigation, and additional charges may be forthcoming.

MLB's offense has increased dramatically in recent weeks, raising questions about a 'juiced' ball

Wed, 24 Jun 2026 01:10:01 +0000

Hitting in Major League Baseball in 2026 is as hard as it's ever been.

There are starting pitchers like Jacob Misiorowski, throwing 104 mph fastballs with devastating 93 mph sliders. Just 10 years ago, the average fastball velocity across the league was 93 mph. Through his first 15 starts this year, Misiorowski's allowed a grand total of 15 earned runs.

Then there are relievers. San Diego Padres closer Mason Miller is on an otherworldly run himself, allowing just three earned runs in 32 innings. Miller's faced 123 hitters this season and struck out 63 of them. Major league average hard hit percentage allowed is around 40%. Miller's is 7%.

There's dominance, then there's what Misiorowski and Miller are doing. While they're extreme examples, pitching across the league has continued to outpace hitting. Pitch development has become a science, and the mountain of available data makes it easier than ever to find a mix of pitches that work best for each individual player.

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But over the last month or so, offense across baseball has gone up dramatically. So how's that possible, given the advantages pitchers enjoy?

Because the baseball has changed. A lot.

Eno Sarris from The Athletic researched drag on the baseball over the past few weeks, and found that it's the lowest it's been since 2019. Less drag means the ball flies farther, since there's less resistance as it goes through the air. That 2019 season was an offensive showcase, with 10 players hitting 40 or more home runs and 58 hitting 30 or more. The league as a whole hit .252/.323/.425 that year. In 2025, with a much higher drag baseball, the league hit .245/.315/.404. That's a 21-point decrease in slugging percentage, across all big league hitters.

More research from Sean Zerillo on X found that virtually all offensive analytical data has surged over this time period too. As he posted, "barrel distance increased by +10.2 ft from April 2026 to present."

It's easy to wonder if weather is a factor; warmer weather generally means the ball flies farther, after all. But that 10.2-foot increase is, Zerillo found, "the biggest in-season April to June jump of the Statcast era." Instead, the typical weather-related increase average is just 4.6 feet. And the extra six feet of distance corresponds perfectly to the reduced drag on the baseball starting in early June.

Zerillo also found that the ball traveled 10.4 feet farther even in domed stadiums or games played under a closed roof, eliminating weather as a major factor.

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There is some fluctuation year to year in the baseball itself, though the league now owns and controls production of the on-field ball. And there are humidors installed at all 30 stadiums. Does that mean Rob Manfred is specifically demanding that drag be reduced? No, of course not. Production tolerances could change, and it's still a relatively small sample size.

But it's no secret that MLB wants more offense. Rule changes in 2023 were specifically designed to achieve that goal, such as banning the shift, and it worked. At least at first. In 2022, runs per game were 4.28. In 2023, it was 4.62. By 2025, though, it had declined again to 4.45. And with pitching continually improving, maybe the league has made a concerted effort to level the playing field with a lower-drag baseball.

Yes, purists love pitching duels. But many casual fans are there to see Shohei Ohtani or Aaron Judge or Juan Soto hit home runs. And an extra six feet of distance of previous years makes that much more likely. It doesn't sound like much, but it's the difference between a harmless warning track fly ball and one landing just over the fence.

Or the difference between a double into the gap and an outfielder catching up to make the play. Whether it stays that way will be one of the most fascinating storylines the rest of the season. Especially into October, when home runs are most valuable.

AOC cruises to primary victory as speculation swirls about political future

Wed, 24 Jun 2026 01:07:18 +0000

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez easily beat back a Democratic primary challenge Tuesday from a former Wall Street executive who argued the progressive firebrand had become more focused on national politics than the needs of her New York district.

Marty Dolan sought to unseat Ocasio-Cortez in New York's 14th Congressional District, which includes jurisdictions in Queens and the Bronx, after serving there for four terms.

But after the biggest U.S. city elected a socialist mayor in Zohran Mamdani in the last election, the Democrat making a more moderate bid didn't stand a chance against the progressive incumbent.

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Ocasio-Cortez, one of the most prominent figures on the left who's been pegged as a potential future contender for higher office, entered the race with overwhelming advantages, including a massive fundraising edge and strong name recognition.

The victory marks another decisive win for the congresswoman, who first burst onto the national stage in 2018 after toppling then-House Democratic Caucus Chairman Joe Crowley in a stunning primary upset.

Dolan's challenge came as Ocasio-Cortez's influence within the Democratic Party continues to grow. The New York Democrat has become a leading voice for progressives in Congress and a frequent critic of President Donald Trump and Republican policies.

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Despite criticism from some Democrats who argue the party has drifted too far left, AOC — frequently referred to by her initials — remains a dominant force in her deep-blue district, where challengers have repeatedly failed to gain significant traction.

The victory comes as Ocasio-Cortez's national profile continues to grow and speculation swirls about whether the progressive lawmaker could seek higher office.

Asked in June by Fox News Digital if she might run for president in 2028, she declined to rule it out.

"Could I be president? Could I not be president? Maybe, maybe not," she replied coyly.

The comments fueled speculation that Ocasio-Cortez could emerge as a contender in what is expected to be a crowded Democratic presidential field when Trump's second term ending.

Other Democrats frequently mentioned as possible 2028 candidates include California Gov. Gavin Newsom, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro and former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.

NATO Secretary Mark Rutte praises Trump's Iran strategy, addresses president's frustration with allies

Wed, 24 Jun 2026 01:00:27 +0000

NATO Secretary Gen. Mark Rutte praised President Donald Trump’s actions in Iran as necessary to keep NATO allies safe and addressed the commander-in-chief's disappointment in what he describes as a lack of support from NATO allies.

"I think the president is doing exactly what is needed, degrading Iran's nuclear capability," Rutte said Tuesday on "Special Report."

"Could you imagine if Iran would get its hands on a nuclear weapon?" he continued. "This is an exporter of chaos. It is an exporter of terrorism. It would be devastating for the region. It would be devastating for the whole world."

Rutte’s remarks come after Trump unloaded a fresh round of insults against NATO amid lingering tensions between the alliance and the White House.

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"The numbers that we spend are so crazy on NATO, and they weren't there for us," the president said Monday. "We spent all of this money and then when we want to maybe have help on small stuff… they say, ‘No, we'd rather not help.’"

"Stupid thing to say because we can say that to them if we want, and we might," Trump added.

The NATO leader told "Special Report" executive editor Bret Baier he "totally" understands the president’s disappointment with the alliance but clarified that allies have provided military to the U.S. during the conflict with Iran.

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"When it comes to NATO, I know there is disappointment," Rutte said. "But let's also see that these are isolated cases, because there is something more to say about this. Country after country, ally after ally after ally, have made their bases available for Epic Fury."

Rutte shared that 500 U.S. planes utilized Italian bases during Operation Epic Fury and Bucharest had to cut down on commercial air flights for U.S. forces to store tanker facilities at the city’s airport.

He also said allies are continuing to assist the U.S. with defending the Strait of Hormuz.

"You see now massive European allies pre-positioning their assets close to the Strait so to be able to help, for example, when it comes to demining," Rutte said.

Rutte, who said he is "completely behind" Trump’s Iran strategy, credited him with making NATO "stronger," making the U.S. safer and encouraging allies to invest more in defense.

"When you look at the numbers of the investments NATO countries are now making in their own defense, it is staggering," the NATO secretary general said.

"When it comes to the jobs from the defense industry, when it comes to ramping up the defense industrial production, when it comes to ramping up defense spending, [Trump] is really encouraging everyone to do that and the results are there."

Rutte emphasized the victory of Trump’s actions in Iran, including the deal Trump is calling his "historic peace agreement" with Iran.

The NATO head, who is set to meet with Trump on Wednesday, said the president has done "exactly what is necessary."

"All of this is leadership necessary to make sure we stay safe as an alliance to the United States, the alliance as a whole," Rutte said.

'Criminal Minds' star Paget Brewster apologizes for telling reporter 'you suck' in deleted post

Wed, 24 Jun 2026 01:00:07 +0000

"Criminal Minds" star Paget Brewster has issued an apology after publicly criticizing an entertainment reporter and telling the journalist to find a new career.

Brewster, best known for appearing on the CBS show "Criminal Minds" and now its Paramount+ reboot "Criminal Minds: Evolution," took to X on Saturday to rail against an article written by ScreenRant.

Directly addressing writer Shealyn Scott, she wrote in the now-deleted post, "You’re young. You don’t know that bad pics and bad reviews can lead to 350 people losing their jobs. Sell vintage. Work at a shelter. Do something better than what you do now. Because right now you suck," according to Variety.

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Following criticism from entertainment critics and social media users, Brewster issued a public apology on Sunday.

"Hi guys, I was mean to Shealyn Scott last night and I profoundly regret it," Brewster wrote on X. "Shame on me for insulting a human being for doing their job. I’m very sorry, Shealyn. And I’m sorry to those who follow me that you saw me behave like that. Turns out, last night, I sucked."

Her X bio also includes a call for humans to be kind, reading, "I also love that we humans are all different but the same, too. Choose kindness."

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Scott posted to X that Brewster had since reached out to apologize, and noted she will continue covering the show, writing: "To be clear, Paget also reached out privately to apologize to me! Criminal Minds is still one of my all-time favorite shows, and I’m very excited to continue covering s19 (and hopefully beyond!)"

The original ScreenRant article featured a photo of Brewster and criticized the reboot's shortened episode count, ratings change to TV-MA, and other alterations to the series.

Scott opened her article by writing, "Criminal Minds: Evolution sometimes feels unrecognizable from the original series, but the biggest format change is finally catching up with Paramount+."

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"Plenty of the continuation's changes have been received warmly, and Criminal Minds unquestionably still works as a gripping crime drama, but there are just as many tweaks that feel more like downgrades—including the new 10-episode season structure. Though logical in theory, the shortened seasons are unfortunately working against Criminal Minds' greatest strengths," she later added.

The original run of "Criminal Minds" played on CBS and ran from 2005 to 2020. Its successor was revived solely on streaming in 2022, and together the franchise is now in its 19th season.

Trump will welcome farmers and ranchers to White House dinner to celebrate trade, tax wins

Wed, 24 Jun 2026 00:56:40 +0000

FIRST ON FOX: Donald Trump will host farmers, ranchers, cattlemen and agricultural producers from across the country for dinner at the White House on Thursday, a White House official confirmed to Fox News Digital, as the administration looks to spotlight an industry that has long been a cornerstone of both the U.S. economy and the president's political base.

The Rose Garden feast comes as the White House seeks to highlight Trump's America First trade agenda, which officials argue is creating new opportunities for farmers in the U.S. through expanded market access and reduced trade barriers.

The event underscores the administration's effort to strengthen ties with rural America while making the case that Trump's trade, tax and regulatory policies are delivering tangible benefits for farmers. It also underscores how significant these economic issues are for voters in the 2026 midterm elections.

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Thursday's gathering will coincide with the first day of the Great American State Fair kicking off on the National Mall this week to celebrate the 250th Independence Day.

The dinner also follows several recent agriculture-focused events involving the president, including remarks during National Agriculture Week at the White House in March, a visit with farmers in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, earlier this month and a roundtable discussion with producers and Cabinet officials in December.

Attendees are expected to include farmers from more than a dozen states, along with Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Service Administrator Mehmet Oz and lawmakers from major agricultural states.

"President Trump is proud to host American farmers from across the nation at the White House on Thursday," White House spokeswoman Olivia Wales told Fox News Digital. "There is no greater champion for American farmers, growers and ranchers than President Trump."

Thursday's dinner menu will feature fresh produce from the White House Kitchen Garden and honey from the White House Beehive, according to a Trump official.

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Agriculture has long been a key component of the U.S. economy and a major driver of exports, with farmers relying on foreign markets to purchase everything from grains and oilseeds to meat and dairy products. Access to those markets often plays a significant role in determining farm profitability, making trade policy a major issue for producers and rural communities.

The White House says Trump's trade policies have expanded access to more than 2 billion consumers worldwide, with countries including Japan, the United Kingdom, India, Taiwan, Vietnam and several others reducing or eliminating tariffs on U.S. agricultural exports.

Administration officials say food and agricultural exports rose by double digits in 2025.

The administration is also highlighting $12 billion in bridge payments for farmers during trade negotiations, arguing the assistance helped agricultural producers weather the transition as new trade agreements were pursued.

TRUMP TO UNLEASH $12B FARM RESCUE AS CHINA TRADE RESET HITS US GROWERS

In addition to trade, the administration has emphasized tax policies designed to benefit rural communities and family-owned farms.

White House officials say the president's Working Families Tax Cuts package allows producers to fully expense farm equipment and structures, expands deductions tied to rural economic activity and increases the federal estate and gift tax exemption to $15 million.

The estate tax issue has long been a priority for many farm organizations, which argue that taxes on inherited land can make it more difficult for family farms to pass from one generation to the next without selling acreage or other assets.

For the White House, Thursday's dinner is as much about policy as politics. Rural counties were a critical component of Trump's electoral coalition and administration officials have increasingly pointed to trade, tax and regulatory reforms as evidence that the president is delivering on promises made to farmers and agricultural communities during his reelection campaign.

If You Love America, Cringe for It

Wed, 24 Jun 2026 00:55:00 +0000

Let’s remember who we once were, because it’s what we may yet be again.

If You Love America, Cringe for It

Wed, 24 Jun 2026 00:54:59 +0000

Let’s remember who we once were, because it’s what we may yet be again.

Trump Is Making Big Claims About the Iran Talks. Iran Keeps Contradicting Him.

Wed, 24 Jun 2026 00:38:49 +0000

President Trump appears to be describing his preferences as fully negotiated deals, in hopes of locking the Iranians in. The question is whether a succession of such disputes will sink the whole venture.

Congress Clears Housing Bill, Cementing a Rare Bipartisan Feat

Wed, 24 Jun 2026 00:36:37 +0000

A lopsided House vote cleared the measure for President Trump’s signature after a lengthy back and forth and several nearly fatal blows to the legislation.

Congress Clears Housing Bill, Cementing a Rare Bipartisan Feat

Wed, 24 Jun 2026 00:32:23 +0000

A lopsided House vote cleared the measure for President Trump’s signature after a lengthy back and forth and several nearly fatal blows to the legislation.

Suspected California library gunman influenced by Columbine shooting and wore matching shirt, officials say

Wed, 24 Jun 2026 00:22:42 +0000

The suspected gunman who unleashed a barrage of gunfire inside a Northern California library on Monday, killing two people, was influenced by the 1999 Columbine High School shooting and other mass shootings, officials said Tuesday.

The suspect, 18-year-old Bradley Scott Sayer, had no known connection to the library or any of the victims, the Chico Police Department said.

Before opening fire, he allegedly conducted a walkthrough of the building, went to his vehicle and grabbed a shotgun. Once at the front of the Chico branch of the Butte County Library, Sayer fatally shot a man at the main door and another inside, authorities said.

FOUR DEAD AND 29 SHOT IN CHICAGO WEEKEND VIOLENCE AS LEADERS TOUT CRIME PROGRESS

Following multiple 911 calls, officers arrived at the scene and set up a perimeter. Sayer then exited the building and was taken into police custody.

"From the first 911 call to having him in custody was less than four minutes," said Chico Police Chief Billy Aldridge, who noted that gunshots and screams could be heard on one 911 call and that the fast police response prevented the taking of more lives.

The man at the entrance was shot in the leg and head, and another man inside the building was shot in the head, police said.

The victims were identified as 46-year-old Jacob Hull and 74-year-old Robert Johnson. An underage girl was injured and treated at a hospital. In total, eight shots were fired, police said.

GIRL OBSESSED WITH SANDY HOOK, COLUMBINE ALLEGEDLY PLOTTED SCHOOL MASSACRE WITH OTHER STUDENTS: REPORT

Sayer had just graduated from Chico High School on June 5, said Sid Patel, the special agent in charge of the FBI’s Sacramento office.

A search of Sayer's vehicle, located in the library parking lot, uncovered two additional firearms. Investigators were looking into how he acquired the weapons.

At the time of the shooting, Sayer was wearing a white T-shirt inscribed with the words "natural selection," mimicking a T-shirt with the same slogan worn by Eric Harris, one of two shooters in the 1999 Columbine massacre in Colorado, Patel said, The Associated Press reported.

"He had been a fan, and a fan for a long time" of the Columbine shootings on social media, Butte County District Attorney Michael Ramsey said.

Sayer is scheduled to be arraigned Thursday, Ramsey said.

Trump Says Vandals Sabotaged the Reflecting Pool. Internal Documents Raise Doubts.

Wed, 24 Jun 2026 00:20:42 +0000

The documents do not indicate that the peeling blue coating and algae blooms were caused intentionally.

Trump hopes Nancy Guthrie is found for family that ‘has gone through hell’ with ransom notes, pleas for help

Wed, 24 Jun 2026 00:20:13 +0000

President Donald Trump expressed hope Tuesday that investigators will be able to find Nancy Guthrie, the missing mother of "Today" co-host Savannah Guthrie, as the high-profile case continues to draw national attention nearly five months after her disappearance.

Speaking during a gaggle with reporters at Reading Regional Airport in Pennsylvania, Trump was asked whether there is still hope that the FBI and other investigators can find Nancy Guthrie.

"I hope they find her," Trump said. "That family has gone through hell."

Trump's brief remarks come as the search for the 84-year-old Arizona woman enters its 20th week and follows emotional pleas from Savannah Guthrie for the public to come forward with information.

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On the "Today" show Tuesday, Savannah Guthrie urged anyone with knowledge about her mother's disappearance to contact investigators.

"Somebody knows something," Guthrie said. "We are in agony."

Wizards select AJ Dybantsa first overall in 2026 NBA Draft

Wed, 24 Jun 2026 00:17:13 +0000

As expected, the Washington Wizards have begun the 2026 NBA Draft by selecting BYU’s AJ Dybantsa with the first overall pick.
In a draft class loaded with "cant-miss prospects," Dybantsa stood out above the rest, as the 6-foot-9, 217-pound forward put on a show with the Cougars in his one and only collegiate season.
Dybantsa averaged 25.6 points, 6.8 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.1 steals per game, while shooting 51% from the field for BYU. He became the fifth Division-1 player in the last 40 seasons to average at least 25 points while shooting 50% from the field in a single season.
This is a breaking news story. More to come…

Trump foe wins crucial Dem primary as 2028 presidential speculation swirls

Wed, 24 Jun 2026 00:17:12 +0000

Democratic Gov. Wes Moore of Maryland, whom pundits consider a potential 2028 presidential contender, is one step closer to winning re-election this year.
Moore on Tuesday captured the Democratic gubernatorial nomination in the solidly blue Mid-Atlantic state, the Associated Press reports.
Moore and his running mate, Lt. Gov. Aruna Miller, easily dispatched a primary challenge from Eric Felber and his running mate, LaTrece Hawkins Lytes. Felber, a physician, unsuccessfully challenged Democratic Rep. Jamie Raskin in the 2024 primary in the state's 8th Congressional District.
DEMOCRACY ’26: STAY UP TO DATE WITH THE FOX NEWS ELECTION HUB
Candidates for governor and lieutenant governor run on the same ticket in Maryland.
The Democratic ticket will face the winners of a nine-way Republican primary field.
Moore is running for re-election this year amid speculation that he also is eyeing a run for the White House in 2028, in the race to succeed term-limited President Donald Trump. Democrats are expected to field a large and competitive field in the race for their party's presidential nomination.
The governor has consistently ruled out running for the White House in 2028, saying that his political focus is on his home state and his 2026 re-election.
But regardless, Moore remains a top Democratic Party surrogate in national politics. And Moore, a 47-year-old Army veteran, who is also a Rhodes Scholar and was CEO of the charitable organization the Robin Hood Foundation during the coronavirus pandemic, is viewed as a rising star in the party.
Moore, the nation's only Black governor, has had a combustible relationship with Trump, which has included very public feuds and verbal sparring, and clashes over policy.
Earlier this year, Trump initially excluded Moore from a National Governors Association dinner at the White House, charging that the governor was "not worthy" of attending.

Josh Hawley calls it 'great outcome' MLB commissioner admitted wrongdoing in Giants Pride Night cap situation

Wed, 24 Jun 2026 00:10:03 +0000

Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., received a letter from MLB commissioner Rob Manfred regarding the San Francisco Giants players who wrote Bible verses on their Pride Night caps, saying they wouldn’t be facing any discipline for what has now been labeled a controversial moment.
Hawley, making an appearance on "The Will Cain Show," was happy with the response from Manfred and MLB.
"It looks like they’re admitting they’re wrong, Will, which is exactly the case," Hawley told Cain. "I mean, the commissioner admitted in that letter that he should not have warned ‘the players.’ That they are entitled to not wear the uniforms, that they’re entitled to express their religious beliefs. And he said, as you just quoted, ‘No player will ever be disciplined or fined for their religious beliefs.’
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"I don’t frankly care who he blames for it so long as he admits that he’s wrong, so long as players’ religious liberty rights are protected."
Hawley added that he believed this was a "great outcome" despite the fact that he needed to reach out to MLB about it.
MLB COMMISSIONER TELLS SEN. HAWLEY GIANTS PLAYERS WON’T BE DISCIPLINED OVER BIBLE VERSES ON PRIDE NIGHT HATS
"I want to emphasize this is the commissioner of baseball responding to me," he explained. "He said that no player, on any club, will be required to wear these kinds of political-messaging uniforms. Furthermore, no one will be discriminated against on the basis of their religious faith.
"Now, that ought to be common sense, Will. The fact we had to go through all of this — I had to threaten to bring him in front of the Senate, put him under oath. He’s being investigated, the league is for other things. All of that is ridiculous. It was stupid on the part of Major League Baseball to do any of this, but I’m glad they admitted they were wrong.
"It’s right that Major League Baseball admits they had a big screw-up here, and it’s right that the first amendment is protected in Major League Baseball. I hope it will be moving forward."
One Giants player opted out of wearing the Pride Night hat on June 12 at Oracle Park. Reliever Sam Hentges wore the team’s standard black and orange hat during the game instead.
But it was pitchers Landen Roupp, JT Brubaker and Ryan Walker who all wrote Bible verses during to the rainbow logo on the Giants caps during the team’s game that sparked controversy. Roupp penned "Gen 9:12-16" on his cap, which references a passage from Genesis describing the rainbow as a sign of God’s covenant after the flood.
MLB had initially said the writing violated league rules against players altering their uniforms or equipment. And in the letter to Hawley, Manfred noted the rule was collectively bargained with the MLBPA, and it prohibits players from writing, attaching, affixing, embroidering or otherwise displaying messages on apparel or equipment.
"The policy is enforced without regard to the substance of the messaging," Manfred wrote in his letter. The purpose of the rule is to prevent players from displaying any political or social messaging, but freedom of religion falls under the first amendment, which was Hawley’s argument, and others, all along.
"Let’s get back to God and country and playing some baseball, and stop all these woke garbage," Hawley concluded.
OutKick's Dan Zaksheske contributed to this report.
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Middle school principal slammed over apology to students offended by Holocaust lesson

Wed, 24 Jun 2026 00:05:38 +0000

A Massachusetts middle school principal has become the center of controversy after he reportedly issued an apology to students who "felt unseen" during a Holocaust education lesson.
A screenshot of the email, shared online by the advocacy organization StopAntisemitism, sparked criticism.
In the email, Diamond Middle School Principal Dr. Johnny Cole said the lesson was aimed at teaching the students to recognize hate and to speak out against it, something he called "an important goal." However, Cole then said that he was writing the email after some students' families had expressed that the lesson left them feeling "unseen."
RECORD ANTISEMITIC INCIDENTS IN CANADA FUEL CRITICISM OF CARNEY GOVERNMENT RESPONSE
"Some of you felt like your own history, your identity, or your community was left out or erased. Some of you left that session feeling less safe, not more. We have heard this from families, and we believe you," Cole wrote.
"We are sorry. Not because the topic was too hard; hard conversations are part of growing up and part of what we do here at Diamond. We are sorry because every one of you deserves to walk into this school and feel that who you are matters — Arab students; Jewish students; Lebanese students; Muslim students; Palestinian students — every student. And in this case, we missed the mark and did not achieve what we hoped to do," he added.
Cole said that the school was working with teachers and families to "build something better" that "includes all of our communities and all of our histories." He added that some students would be consulted in the building of the new program.
Critics slammed Cole's apology, with many of them saying that Holocaust education was not supposed to be comfortable.
"The lessons of the Holocaust are essential to understanding how antisemitism develops and manifests in modern society, and those who oppose teaching about the Holocaust and modern-day antisemitism often seek to distort historical facts to advance ideological narratives that undermine the Jewish experience and the lessons history teaches," StopAntisemitism said in a statement provided to Fox News Digital.
"School administrators have a responsibility to defend factual history, not retreat from it, and those unwilling to uphold that responsibility should carefully consider whether they are suited for positions of educational leadership. If this objective lunacy by bad actors isn’t stopped immediately, it’s going to spread like wildfire throughout the United States," the group added.
FIRST GRADE STUDENT DISCIPLINED OVER BLACK LIVES MATTER DRAWING DOES HAVE FREE SPEECH RIGHTS, COURT RULES
Fox News analyst Guy Benson was among those who criticized Cole's apology, arguing that Holocaust education should not be tailored around students' feelings.
"The point of Holocaust education is not to protect Muslim students’ feelings, or whatever this claptrap suggests. It’s not about them," he said.
Hen Mazzig, an Israeli activist, also criticized the apology, arguing that Holocaust education should not require an apology.
"Speaking about the Nazi genocide that murdered 6 million Jews should not require an apology. We can educate one another on our histories and experiences," Mazzig wrote. "If someone walks from that feeling excluded, then perhaps they needed the lesson most of all."
Cole did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment. Additionally, his email did not specify what aspects of the Holocaust lesson prompted complaints from students and families.
The controversy over Cole's apology follows a separate incident in which he allegedly made a student remove a sweatshirt that read "Save the bees. Plant more trees. Clean the seas. Punch Nazis."
The student who wore the sweatshirt, Teagan Murtagh, wrote about the incident in The Lexington Observer. Murtagh, the great-granddaughter of a Holocaust survivor, wrote that her great-grandmother "didn't let all the terrible things she had seen and experienced stop her from living."
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"It must have taken so much bravery to believe that the world would not let the past repeat itself," Murtagh wrote.
In the letter to the editor, Murtagh shared that she had continued wearing "other pointed shirts to school" as a form of "resistance against what I believe to be my principal's overreach." She said that subsequent meetings with Cole did not lead to any progress.
"My great-grandma endured so much when she was my age. I don’t know if I’ll ever be as strong as her, but at the very least I can do this," Murtagh wrote.

Judge blocks Trump administration from arresting immigrants at courts

Tue, 23 Jun 2026 23:59:17 +0000

Senate Votes to Direct End to Iran War, Rebuking Trump on War Powers

Tue, 23 Jun 2026 23:58:19 +0000
A few Republicans joined Democrats in favor of a measure instructing President Trump to halt military operations against Iran or seek congressional authorization.

Federal Judge Bars ICE From Making Arrests in Immigration Courts

Tue, 23 Jun 2026 23:55:36 +0000
The ruling in a class-action lawsuit filed in California applies to immigration courts nationwide.

Trump fuels hopes for nationwide right-to-carry legislation with surprise declaration at Pennsylvania event

Tue, 23 Jun 2026 23:54:24 +0000

President Donald Trump said Tuesday that his administration is "working on" national right-to-carry legislation, a comment that could signal White House support for a proposal that would dramatically expand firearm carry rights across the U.S.
While speaking at the Mack Trucks facility in Macungie, Pennsylvania, Trump recognized National Rifle Association (NRA) President Bill Bachenberg in the crowd, saying the organization has endorsed him since the beginning because he "saved the Second Amendment."
Trump then asked attendees whether they supported national right-to-carry legislation before adding, "Yeah, we're working on it."
Fox News Digital has reached out to the NRA and the White House for comment.
HOUSE GOP MOUNTS TRUMP-BACKED PUSH TO EXPAND CONCEALED CARRY PERMITS FOR MILLIONS OF AMERICANS
Trump's comments come more than three months after Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, introduced the National Constitutional Carry Act, legislation that would eliminate concealed-carry permit requirements nationwide for eligible Americans.
"The Founders established a national right to keep and bear arms, not to ask for permission from hostile local officials or risk imprisonment for crossing the wrong state line," Lee said in a statement to Fox News Digital in March.
JOHN RICH: LET'S STRENGTHEN THE SECOND AMENDMENT AND MAKE AMERICA SAFE AGAIN
"Many states already protect the right to carry without a permit, and it's time to reaffirm this right for all law-abiding Americans," he continued. "The National Constitutional Carry Act will establish nationwide permitless carry to keep America safe and her people free."
Currently, 29 states allow some form of constitutional carry, meaning residents can carry a concealed firearm without a permit.
BIDEN TO SIGN EXECUTIVE ORDER AIMED AT REDUCING GUN VIOLENCE
Lee's legislation would allow eligible Americans who can legally possess firearms to carry concealed weapons nationwide without obtaining a permit. The bill would also prohibit states and local governments from imposing licensing requirements, fees or criminal penalties on otherwise lawful public carry while preserving restrictions in certain secured locations and on private property where firearms are prohibited.
The legislation would also ensure that individuals who are prohibited from possessing firearms under federal law would remain barred from carrying them.
The bill was previously introduced by Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., in the House in 2024, but did not become law.
Fox News Digital’s Alex Miller contributed to this report.

Nancy Guthrie ransom note, believed to be from abductor, said she died, sources say

Tue, 23 Jun 2026 23:47:14 +0000

Congress Clears Housing Bill, Cementing a Rare Bipartisan Feat

Tue, 23 Jun 2026 23:42:51 +0000
A lopsided House vote cleared the measure for President Trump’s signature after a lengthy back and forth and several nearly fatal blows to the legislation.

Elon Musk loses his trillionaire status as SpaceX stock comes back to Earth

Tue, 23 Jun 2026 23:39:40 +0000

Alan Wilson Wins Republican Primary for South Carolina Governor

Tue, 23 Jun 2026 23:36:38 +0000
The runoff was one of the few races this year featuring both candidates endorsed by President Trump. His picks have had mixed results in governor’s contests.

Trump endorsement streak gets unusual boost with South Carolina GOP governor nomination

Tue, 23 Jun 2026 23:30:53 +0000

COLUMBIA, S.C. - He wasn't on the ballot, but President Donald Trump was a winner in South Carolina's Republican gubernatorial runoff.
The candidate Trump endorsed, state Attorney General Alan Wilson, defeated Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette to capture the GOP nomination in the race to succeed term-limited Republican Gov. Henry McMaster, the Associated Press reported Tuesday.
But there was no way Trump could lose in the South Carolina runoff, which was shaping up to be the latest test of Trump's immense grip over the GOP and the power of his endorsements in Republican nominating contests.
That's because Trump endorsed both candidates.
DOUBLE ENDORSEMENT DRAMA: TRUMP HEDGES HIS BET IN SOUTH CAROLINA
Trump endorsed Evette late last month, a week and a half before the gubernatorial primary.
Evette finished on top of a crowded field of contenders in the primary election, with Wilson second. The field also included Reps. Nancy Mace and Ralph Norman, and multimillionaire businessman Rom Reddy. Since no candidate won a majority of the vote, as the top two finishers, Evette and Wilson advanced to Tuesday's runoff.
Mace and Norman endorsed Wilson after failing to advance to the runoff. And Wilson was also backed a week ago by Sen. Ted Cruz, the conservative firebrand from Texas.
Trump, meanwhile, made an 11th-hour endorsement on Friday, backing Wilson in addition to his earlier endorsement of Evette, in what appeared to be a move by the president to hedge his bet.
Mace, reacting to Trump's endorsement of both Evette and Wilson, wrote on social media, "LMAO," which is a common abbreviation for the phrase "laughing my a-- off."
The runoff between Evette and Wilson became combustible, and in last week's final debate, both candidates launched personal attacks and accused each other of lying and misrepresenting their records.
Wilson worked to contrast his tenure as attorney general with what he argued is Evette’s largely ceremonial role as lieutenant governor. And he spotlighted his experience as a combat veteran, prosecutor, and the state’s top law enforcement official.
Evette, who was backed by McMaster in February, showcased herself as an outsider and a Trump-endorsed businesswoman, while casting Wilson as a career politician.
Evette showcased herself as an outsider and a Trump-endorsed businesswoman, while casting Wilson as a career politician.
"The president had a lot of confidence in me when it was a crowded field, and I won it for him on June 9. I'm going to win it for him again on June 23," Evette told Fox News Digital on the eve of the runoff. "I have always been very loyal to the president. I've traveled wherever he's asked me to help stump for him, fundraise for him."
DEMOCRACY ’26: STAY UP TO DATE WITH THE FOX NEWS ELECTION HUB
Wilson, campaigning with Cruz on the eve of the runoff, pointed to Trump and said in a Fox News Digital interview, "I've been fighting and defending his agenda for the better part of a decade, and to have the president reflect that understanding in his endorsement a few days ago means so much to me."
Cruz, who endorsed Wilson a week ahead of Trump's backing, told Fox News Digital, "I was very glad to see the president endorsing Alan Wilson... My philosophy, as you know, is that I support the strongest conservative who can win, and I think in the governor's race that's Alan Wilson."
It's been 28 years since a Democrat won a gubernatorial election in South Carolina, and Wilson will now be considered the clear favorite in the general election against Democratic nominee Jermaine Johnson, a state representative.
The brute force of the president's endorsement power has been on display in GOP primaries over the past two months, with his candidates ousting incumbents he targeted in showdowns in Indiana, Louisiana, Kentucky and Texas that grabbed plenty of national attention.
But Trump's endorsement streak in statewide and congressional Republican primaries was snapped three weeks ago when his last-minute endorsement of Republican Rep. Randy Feenstra of Iowa in the race to succeed retiring GOP Gov. Kim Reynolds wasn't enough to propel the three-term congressman to victory.
Feenstra was narrowly edged by Zach Lahn, a businessman, farmer and former political strategist who was backed by the political wings of MAHA — the acronym for the Make America Healthy Again movement aligned with Trump Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. — and Turning Point USA, the powerful conservative organization co-founded by the late Charlie Kirk.
Trump rebounded two weeks ago, as Evette finished first in the GOP gubernatorial primary and longtime Trump ally Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina won a majority of the vote in the Republican Senate primary, and avoided a runoff.
Graham, who was endorsed by Trump, was facing primary challenges from five candidates, including conservative businessman Mark Lynch, who took aim at the senator over his support for the war in Iran. Lynch was backed by some MAGA leaders who have been critical of the president.
Last week Trump-backed candidates won two of the three top races in Georgia and Alabama, with the one setback coming against a billionaire businessman who shelled out over $100 million of his own money to boost his campaign.
Rep. Barry Moore, a House Freedom Caucus member and longtime Trump supporter who was endorsed by the president, comfortably defeated rival Jared Hudson, a former Navy SEAL sniper who was supported by some top names on the right, in solidly red Alabama's GOP Senate runoff.
In battleground Georgia's Republican Senate runoff, an 11th-hour endorsement by Trump this past weekend helped boost Rep. Mike Collins, a MAGA champion, to victory over former college football coach Derek Dooley, who was backed by popular conservative Gov. Brian Kemp.
Collins will face Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff in the general election in a race that's among a handful that will likely decide if the GOP holds its slim majority in the chamber in the midterms.
Jones regularly showcased his Trump endorsement, but Jackson, who launched his bid in February long after the president had endorsed Jones, repeatedly said that Trump had inspired him to run.
But in Georgia's GOP gubernatorial runoff, the candidate Trump backed, Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, who was also endorsed by Kemp this past weekend, was defeated by Rick Jackson, who ran as an outsider.
A Trump political operative, pointing to Tuesday's loss by Trump-backed Jones, noted that "Rick Jackson set a record for spending in a statewide Republican primary. He spent Tom Steyer level money in a state a fraction of the size of California. That's going to have an impact."
And the operative, who asked to remain anonymous to speak more freely, also emphasized that "Rick bearhugged Trump. All of his ads and material was about how he's going to be Trump's favorite governor. So the race was not really a referendum on Trump."
Fox News' Luke Trevisan contributed to this report.