Happy New Year 2025

Tag: administration

FBI agents’ association ‘optimistic’ about AG Bondi despite early controversy with Trump administration

FIRST ON FOX: The head of the FBI Agents Association (FBIAA) is cautiously optimistic that newly minted U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi will steady the ship at the Department of Justice (DOJ) after turbulent weeks since President Donald Trump took office.

FBIAA president and CEO Nicole Campa told Fox News Digital in an interview this week that she is eager to see if Bondi will make good on her pledge to end political weaponization at the FBI and the Justice Department.

This new leadership could reduce some of the heat agents have felt in recent weeks, she said, citing firings and forced departures of some personnel – as well as a questionnaire requiring agents to detail their roles in the Jan. 6 investigation.

Campa pointed specifically to Bondi’s vows to not go after Trump opponents or chase down any so-called “enemies lists,” two promises Bondi cited repeatedly last month during her confirmation hearing.

BONDI SWORN IN AS ATTORNEY GENERAL WITH MISSION TO END ‘WEAPONIZATION’ OF JUSTICE DEPARTMENT

Pam Bondi, President Donald Trump’s attorney general nominee, listens during her Senate Judiciary Committee confirmation hearing on Wednesday, Jan 15, 2025. (Jabin Botsford/Washington Post/ Getty)

“I’m optimistic about her statements moving forward, in that she has stated that people would not be targeted for simply doing their job,” Campa said. “So I think we are optimistic in moving forward.”

Even so, she added, “there are still real concerns about compiling lists when looking at this stuff and being able to potentially release agents’ names.”

FBIAA, a voluntary professional association, represents more than 14,000 active and retired FBI special agents. The agency joined nine anonymous FBI employees earlier this week in suing the Justice Department to block access to records of agents involved in the Jan. 6 investigation, citing fears of internal punishment or retaliation, as well as threats to the agents or the agents’ families should their names be made public.

The judge in the case, U.S. Judge Jia Cobb, is expected to rule on their request for emergency injunctive relief early Friday afternoon.

DEMS DELAY PATEL COMMITTEE VOTE, DERIDE TRUMP FBI PICK AS DANGER TO US SECURITY

The FBI’s interactions with the Council for American-Islamic Relations was restricted due to allegations from the DOJ. (Getty Images)

The interview comes as rank-and-file DOJ and FBI employees have been roiled by recent firings at DOJ, forced resignations or retirements of FBI personnel and a detailed questionnaire sent to thousands of FBI agents asking them to detail their involvement in the Jan. 6 investigations.

Justice Department acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove attempted to assuage FBI agents’ fears. He stressed in a recent email that the effort was simply to obtain and review what role agents played in the Jan. 6 investigation, and was not intended to be a precursor to a mass expulsion of employees.

The lawsuit filed this week emphasized their intent to ensure their identities were not released to the public and that they were not retaliated against for doing their jobs.

FBI AGENTS GROUP TELLS CONGRESS TO TAKE URGENT ACTION TO PROTECT AGAINST POLITICIZATION

Acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove, a former Trump attorney, directed the FBI acting director to fire seven specific employees by Monday. (Angela Weiss – Pool/Getty Images)

Campa underscored these deep-running concerns to Fox News, noting that FBI employees and the agent association “didn’t have much clarification on what that list was going to be utilized for, besides a broad statement of just personnel actions,” when the DOJ issued its request.

“So it raised a lot of concern within the bureau – mainly because we have seen over the past few weeks the associate U.S. attorneys on the investigation be terminated, and then our seventh floor leadership be presented with ultimatums to either retire or be terminated.”

Other former department officials cited similar concerns in recent days, expressing fear that any mass purge of employees could compromise decades of agency experience across the bureau’s more than 52 field offices, who have deep knowledge of complex issue areas ranging from counterterrorism and violent crime to drug trafficking, cartel activity and more.

“It takes a really long time to get an agent hired and through the process,” Campa told Fox News Digital, citing the lengthy background check and clearance process, as well as training at Quantico, Virginia.

“We can’t just pick somebody up off the street tomorrow and make them an FBI agent,” she said. “So when we lose FBI agents – whether it be through retirement or some sort of ‘mass purge,’ to use a term that’s been thrown around in the media, it will take years and years and years, if not decades, to replace that experience.”

“That’s scary for everyone at the bureau because we need to be able to have those people standing next to us to be able to get this work done.”

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

Campa said the “best case scenario” is that the identities of the FBI agents are kept private and that the installation of permanent leadership at DOJ and FBI will resolve the controversy as DOJ commits to a process for looking at the Jan. 6 investigations.

“I don’t know of an FBI agent who doesn’t stand by their work, so we welcome a review of the work,” she said. “But we are just concerned that it will be done in a thorough and fair manner.”

Breanne Deppisch is a politics reporter for Fox News Digital covering the Trump administration, with a focus on the Justice Department, FBI, and other national news.

February 7, 2025
Trump’s Small Business Administration nominee advances to Senate floor

The Senate’s Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee voted Wednesday by a 12–7 margin to advance the nomination of President Donald Trump’s pick for the Small Business Administration (SBA) administrator to the Senate floor.

Kelly Loeffler, a prominent business executive and philanthropist who served as a senator from Georgia for two years, appeared before the committee on Jan. 28 and pledged to donate her annual $207,500 salary to charity.

Loeffler and her husband, Jeff, created a Fortune 500 financial services and technology company together.

“Like President Trump, Senator Loeffler left behind a successful career in the private sector to advance the America First agenda,” Loeffler spokeswoman Caitlin O’Dea told Fox News Jan. 28. “Should she be confirmed, she will continue the practice of donating her federal salary to charities and nonprofits across the country — and put her full focus on working to make the Small Business Administration a gateway to the American Dream for entrepreneurs across the country.”

TRUMP CABINET NOMINEE LOEFFLER PLEDGED TO DONATE SALARY IF CONFIRMED

Kelly Loeffler is a prominent business executive and philanthropist who served as a senator from Georgia for two years. (Dustin Chambers/Reuters)

Loeffler, whose net worth is estimated at roughly $1 billion, previously donated her annual Senate salary of $174,000 between 2019 and 2021 to more than 40 Georgia charities and nonprofits.

Those organizations included food banks, faith groups and organizations opposed to abortion, foster care/adoption groups as well as organizations promoting health care, agriculture, education, law enforcement and disaster relief.

Loeffler also sparred with Sen. Ed Markey, D-Mass, during her confirmation hearing over the Trump administration’s announcement that it would freeze federal funds and grants.

On Jan. 27, the Office of Management and Budget released a memo ordering a pause on all federal grants and loans aiming to eradicate “wokeness” and the “weaponization of government” to improve government efficiency.

LEAVITT PUSHES BACK ON MEDIA’S ‘UNCERTAINTY’ ABOUT FEDERAL FUNDING FREEZE

Small Business Administration nominee Kelly Loeffler, whose net worth is estimated at roughly $1 billion, previously donated her annual Senate salary of $174,000 between 2019 and 2021 to more than 40 Georgia charities and nonprofits. (Rod Lamkey, Jr./The Associated Press)

The White House pulled the memo on Jan. 29, but White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said that the move didn’t equate a “recission of the federal funding freeze.”

Markey asked Loeffler whether she believed the move was lawful or not, amid concerns from members of Congress that the Trump administration attempted to circumvent Congress and withhold funds.

CLICK TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

“I fully agree with President Trump’s decision to stop wasteful spending,” Loeffler told Markey. “It resulted in a landslide victory that many Americans were waiting for relief against excessive government spending.”

Fox News’ Paul Steinhauser contributed to this report.

Diana Stancy is a politics reporter with Fox News Digital covering the White House.

February 5, 2025
Trump’s proposed US takeover of Gaza Strip elicits positive response across administration

Support for President Donald Trump’s vision for the U.S. to “take over the Gaza Strip,” level it and rebuild the area came flooding in on Tuesday after a news conference announcing the plan.

The comments were made following a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House in which Trump claimed the U.S. would take over the Strip and make it safe again.

“The U.S. will take over the Gaza Strip, and we will do a job with it, too,” Trump stated. “We’ll own it and be responsible for dismantling all of the dangerous, unexplored bombs and other weapons on the site.”

Trump’s sentiments were echoed by many officials across the social media platform X.

ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER LAUDS TRUMP’S LEADERSHIP WHEN ASKED IF BIDEN SHOULD TAKE CREDIT FOR CEASEFIRE

U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu answer questions during a joint press conference in the East Room at the White House in Washington, U.S., February 4, 2025 ( REUTERS/Leah Millis)

“Trump’s proposed USA takeover of the Gaza Strip may sound out of the box, but it is brilliant, historic and the only idea I have heard in 50 years that has a chance of bringing security, peace and prosperity to this troubled region,” Former U.S. Ambassador to Israel David Friedman wrote.

White House Deputy Chief of Staff and Cabinet Secretary Taylor Budowich also expressed that it was “Time to think different, stop the killing!”

“Pres. Trump’s pursuit of peace and prosperity for all is truly visionary. Gaza shouldn’t be a pile of rubble that provides refuge to terrorists, especially when it so easily can become Dubai 2.0. Time to think different, stop the killing!,” he wrote on X.

People inspect the debris and rubble at the site of Israeli bombardment on a residential block in Jalaa Street in Gaza City on Jan. 14, 2025 amid the ongoing war in the Palestinian territory between Israel and Hamas. (OMAR AL-QATTAA/AFP via Getty Images)

In a second post, he said that there is a need for lasting peace.

“President Trump’s bold and unwavering pursuit for peace continues with a humanitarian’s heart. The killing must stop, the war must end, and we must realize lasting PEACE. That’s why the United States will work with Israel to secure Gaza and find a lasting home for the Palestinian people,” Budowich stated.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio agreed with the president, saying that “Gaza MUST BE FREE from Hamas. As @POTUS shared today, the United States stands ready to lead and Make Gaza Beautiful Again. Our pursuit is one of lasting peace in the region for all people.”

‘LEVEL IT’: TRUMP SAYS US WILL ‘TAKE OVER’ GAZA STRIP, REBUILD IT TO STABILIZE MIDDLE EAST

Netanyahu said during the news conference with Trump that the Gaza Strip has become “a symbol of death and destruction for so many decades and so bad for the people anywhere near it.”

He also lauded Trump’s tenacity and ability “to think outside the box” during his comments to the press.

Sen. Rick Scott seemingly agreed with Netanyahu, writing in an X post, “Hamas terrorists murdered babies and burned people alive. They are evil monsters. Thank God we finally have a president who is committed to standing with Israel and working with Netanyahu on how to support their efforts to get terrorists out of Gaza and bring every hostage home.”

Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL) arrives for the Senate Republican leadership elections at the U.S. Capitol on November 13, 2024 in Washington, DC. The Senate Republican caucus met to vote on new leadership for the 119th Congress. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

Congresswoman Beth Van Duyne is one of many who stand for the president’s radical movement to change how this country is being run and agrees this is the right move for peace.

“The world is looking to the United States for leadership and President @realDonaldTrump is delivering lasting peace! Today’s announcement put Hamas, Iran, and all our enemies on notice — the U.S. will NOT continue the status quo that has empowered terrorists and created a humanitarian disaster,” she said.

Not everyone is onboard, though Saudi Arabia’s foreign ministry issued a statement to Trump, noting a call for an independent Palestinian state was a “firm, steadfast and unwavering position.”

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs affirms that the position of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on the establishment of the Palestinian state is a firm, unwavering position, and His Highness the Prime Minister – may God protect him – has affirmed this position in a clear and explicit manner that does not allow for any interpretation under any circumstances,” the statement said.

‘PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH’: TRUMP AND NETANYAHU EXPECTED TO DISCUSS IRAN, HAMAS AT WHITE HOUSE MEETING

Saudi Arabia and the U.S. are in negotiations over a deal to diplomatically recognize Israel in exchange for a security pact among other terms.

“The duty of the international community today is to work to alleviate the severe human suffering endured by the Palestinian people, who will remain committed to their land and will not budge from it,” the Saudi statement said.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

Hamas also wrote a statement criticizing Trump’s comments.

“We reject Trump’s statements in which he said that the residents of the Gaza Strip have no choice but to leave, and we consider them a recipe for creating chaos and tension in the region,” the group said.

Hamas has recently reaffirmed control over the Gaza Strip following the start of the ceasefire and has said they will not release hostages without an end to the war and Israeli forces’ full withdrawal.

February 5, 2025
Unions sue Trump administration over ‘arbitrary and capricious’ employee buyout offers

Trump administration offers buyouts to federal employees

Fox News’ Peter Doocy reports the latest on the offer from the White House. Doocy and the ‘Fox & Friends’ co-hosts also discuss the decision to pull Gen. Mark Milley’s security detail and Karoline Leavitt’s first White House press conference.

As a deadline looms for government employees to fold to an ultimatum given by the Trump administration to either accept a buyout or return to the office, unions representing those workers have filed a lawsuit, calling the offer “arbitrary and capricious.”

The Trump administration is offering buyouts for nearly 2 million federal employees, including those who work remotely, as part of President Donald Trump’s efforts to get employees back into the office, but they only have until Feb. 6 to opt-in.

Under the buyout offer, the employee will stop working this week and receive pay benefits through Sept. 30.

Exempt from the offer are public safety employees, like air traffic controllers.

‘GET BACK TO WORK’: HOUSE OVERSIGHT TO TAKE ON GOVERNMENT TELEWORK IN 1ST HEARING OF NEW CONGRESS

The deadline is Thursday for government employees to fold to an ultimatum given by the Trump administration to either accept a buyout, or return to the office. (Allison Robbert/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

During Trump’s first week in office, he issued several directives to the federal workforce, including a requirement that remote employees must return to in-person work.

With a deadline quickly approaching, the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) and two other unions filed a complaint, claiming the buyout offer is “arbitrary and capricious” and violates federal law.”

The unions allege the administration cannot guarantee the plan will be funded and has failed to consider the consequences of mass resignations, including how it may affect the government’s ability to function.

TRUMP TO SIGN MEMO LIFTING BIDEN’S LAST-MINUTE COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENTS

President Donald Trump signs an executive order in the Oval Office at the White House, Jan. 31, in Washington, D.C. (Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post via Getty Images)

On Tuesday, AFGE filed a lawsuit calling for a temporary restraining order (TRO) to halt the Trump administration’s “Fork Directive” deadline of Feb. 6 and require the government to articulate a policy that is lawful, not arbitrary and unlawful.

The union said the “Fork Directive” is the administration’s latest attempt to remove public service workers and replace them with partisan loyalists. The group also says the directive amounts to a clear ultimatum to a sweeping number of federal employees: “resign now or face the possibility of job loss without compensation in the near future.”

But the unions say the package being offered violates the law because the funds used to pay the employees who accept the offer have not been appropriated for that reason.

TRUMP ADMINISTRATION OFFERS BUYOUTS TO FEDERAL EMPLOYEES, INCLUDING REMOTE WORKERS: ‘DEFERRED RESIGNATION’

“AFGE is bringing this suit with our partners today to protect the integrity of the government and prevent union members from being tricked into resigning from the federal service,” AFGE National President Everett Kelley said. “Federal employees shouldn’t be misled by slick talk from unelected billionaires and their lackeys. Despite claims made to the contrary, this deferred resignation scheme is unfunded, unlawful, and comes with no guarantees. We won’t stand by and let our members become the victims of this con.”

Last week, a government-wide email was sent out to ensure all federal workers were on board with the Trump administration’s plan.

The email pointed to four pillars that Trump set forth, to bring accountability back to the federal government, including a return to in-person work, restored accountability for employees who have policymaking authority, restored accountability for senior executives, and a reformed federal hiring process based on merit.

The email noted that the majority of federal employees who have worked remotely since COVID will be required to return to their physical offices five days a week.

For those who returned to office, the Trump administration thanked them for their “renewed focus” on serving the American people. But the future of their position could not be guaranteed, according to the email.

Last week, a government-wide email was sent out to ensure all federal workers were on board with the Trump administration’s plan. (iStock)

The buyouts do not apply to military personnel of the armed forces, postal service employees, positions related to immigration enforcement and national security, and any other positions specifically excluded by the agency the federal workers are employed by.

The White House is expecting a “spike” in federal resignations ahead of a Thursday deadline for a buyout offer, Fox News Digital has learned.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

“The number of deferred resignations is rapidly growing, and we’re expecting the largest spike 24 to 48 hours before the deadline,” a White House official told Fox News Digital on Tuesday morning.

Axios reported earlier Tuesday that roughly 20,000 federal employees have taken the offer, accounting for about 1% of the federal government’s workforce.

The White House official told Fox News Digital following the report’s publication that the 20,000 figure “isn’t current.”

Fox News Digital’s Emma Colton and Brooke Singman contributed to this report.

Greg Wehner is a breaking news reporter for Fox News Digital.

Story tips and ideas can be sent to [email protected] and on Twitter @GregWehner.

February 5, 2025
Bill Gates weighs in on new Trump administration, Elon Musk’s role

Rep. Pete Sessions, R-Texas, argues the current federal government is inefficient and not meeting the needs of the American people on Making Money.

Billionaire Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates opened up on his recent meeting with President Donald Trump and his thoughts on Elon Musk’s involvement with the new administration.

Gates was interviewed on NBC’s “Today” show on Tuesday and was asked by host Savannah Guthrie about his recent meeting with President Trump at Mar-a-Lago to discuss his philanthropic endeavors through the Gates Foundation, which aims to fight poverty and disease around the world.

“The Gates Foundation works on saving lives, and the U.S. government has been an incredible partner, buying HIV medicine to keep tens of millions of people alive. And there’s so much innovation that can be done, you know, a vaccine for HIV,” Gates said.

“So I went to see President Trump to say, ‘Look, we both believe in saving lives. What can we do to accelerate innovation?’” he explained. “With the COVID vaccine, he did accelerate the availability of that.”

MICROSOFT CO-FOUNDER BILL GATES ON DOGE: ‘COULD BE A VALUABLE THING’

Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates discussed his recent meeting with President Trump in the interview. (Thierry Monasse/Rebecca Noble/Getty Images / Getty Images)

Guthrie asked if Gates felt like Trump was just placating him by saying he was receptive to the idea and whether he’s still hopeful after the president signed executive orders withdrawing the U.S. from the World Health Organization and Elon Musk shutting down USAID.

“I’m still hopeful. I think all Americans can agree that keeping people alive for very little money, we should be proud of that. It started back with President [George W.] Bush. There’s some disruption going on now, and I want to engage positively to get things back on track,” the Microsoft co-founder said.

BILLIONAIRE BILL GATES DETAILS DINNER THAT LEFT HIM ‘IMPRESSED’ BY PRESIDENT-ELECT TRUMP

Guthrie asked Gates about his comments criticizing Musk’s involvement with far-right politicians overseas as being “insane s—” and whether he’s comfortable with Musk wielding power as the head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).

“Well I admire the great private sector stuff he’s done — you know, SpaceX, Tesla, both amazing companies. I think in the case of USAID, he doesn’t appreciate the phenomenal work that goes on. It’s not partisan work,” Gates said, noting its work on promoting nutrition around the world.

Gates also discussed Musk’s role with DOGE and his criticism of USAID. (Getty Images / Getty Images)

Guthrie noted that Musk said that USAID is “beyond repair,” and Gates responded that his philanthropic work has given him a closer perspective of the agency’s work, which Musk may not be fully aware of.

GET FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO BY CLICKING HERE

“I give billions of dollars to the same thing that USAID does,” Gates said. “I go out in the field and study these things. I hire scientists, and so I think if he really knew the work there, he wouldn’t be telling 10,000 people to not come and do that work.”

February 4, 2025
JD Vance says Trump administration eyeing China crackdowns, with stocks in crosshairs

Vice President JD Vance on American investment in artificial intelligence, China’s tech developments and ways the Trump administration can put pressure on China.

The Trump administration is weighing tough crackdowns on China, including pulling Chinese stocks from U.S. exchanges, Vice President JD Vance told FOX Business’ Maria Bartiromo.

“I think we need to look at everything,” he said in an interview segment that aired during “Mornings with Maria” on Monday.

“We need to look at tariffs. We need to look certainly at some restrictive activities when it comes to their stock exchanges. We need to look at ways of pushing back against intellectual property theft. We need to look at ways maybe of expelling certain Chinese nationals who are using our openness as a society to take advantage of the United States of America.”

CANADA, MEXICO ANNOUNCE RETALIATORY TARIFFS ON US IMPORTS IN RESPONSE TO TRUMP’S TARIFFS ON AMERICAN NEIGHBORS

Vice President J.D. Vance speaks to Fox Business’ Maria Bartiromo in an interview that appeared on “Sunday Morning Futures” and “Mornings with Maria.” (FOXBusiness)

Vance sat down with Bartiromo for an exclusive “Sunday Morning Futures” interview when tensions with China – especially in light of President Trump’s tariffs – came into focus.

While he declined to “make any commitments” on Trump’s behalf, he disclosed that Trump is considering everything as a possibility while his administration “fight[s] back against the threat to our country.”

The White House announced on Saturday that the Trump administration is implementing a 25% additional tariff on imports from Canada and Mexico and a 10% additional tariff on imports from China, in a move intended to hold the three countries “accountable to their promises of halting illegal immigration and stopping poisonous fentanyl and other drugs from flowing into our country.”

HOW TRUMP’S TARIFF THREATS COULD IMPACT FOREIGN POLICY

U.S. President Donald Trump talks to reporters after signing an executive order, “Unleashing prosperity through deregulation,” in the Oval Office on January 31, 2025 in Washington, DC. Trump spoke to reporters about tariffs against China, Canada and (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images / Getty Images)

Neighboring countries Mexico and Canada responded with retaliatory tariffs.

A spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, meanwhile, argued that unilateral tariff hikes “severely violate” World Trade Organization rules and “cannot solve the U.S.’s problems at home and more importantly, does not benefit either side, still less the world.”

GET FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO BY CLICKING HERE

Former U.S. ambassador to NATO Kurt Volker joins ‘Mornings with Maria’ to react to President Donald Trump’s tariffs set to take effect in China, Mexico and Canada as the he vows levying tariffs on the E.U.

Fox News Digital’s Danielle Wallace contributed to this report.

February 3, 2025
Trump administration to pause federal government websites in effort to eliminate DEI, anti-Trump content

The Trump administration will put a pause on most federal government websites Friday evening in an effort to eliminate DEI content and any language opposed to President Trump’s agenda, Fox News Digital has learned.

A Trump administration official told Fox News Digital that federal government websites are expected to go dark at around 5:00 p.m. Friday evening.

The official told Fox News Digital that the length of the pause on federal websites is unclear at this time, but will seek to remove content that is “anti-Trump administration.”

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.

Brooke Singman is a political correspondent and reporter for Fox News Digital, Fox News Channel and FOX Business.

January 31, 2025
WNBA star who hurt Caitlin Clark’s eye calls for league to ‘take action’ against Trump administration policies

Connecticut Sun player DiJonai Carrington incited fierce backlash by wearing an anti-Trump shirt last weekend, and now she’s taking that message even further.

During a press conference before an “Unrivaled” league game Thursday, Carrington declared it’s time for WNBA players to “take action” in response to President Donald Trump’s policies.

“We see that some of the policies are already going into action, and, of course, that means that as the WNBA and being at the forefront of a lot of these movements, it’s time for us to also take action,” Carrington said.

“It definitely needs to happen as women, women’s rights being taken away, like, now, LGBTQ rights being taken away now. They haven’t happened yet, but definitely in the works.”

SIGN UP FOR TUBI AND STREAM SUPER BOWL LIX FOR FREE

DiJonai Carrington (21) of the Connecticut Sun dribbles during Game 2 of the first round of the WNBA playoffs against the Indiana Fever Sept. 25, 2024, at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. (Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)

Carrington wore a shirt that said, “The F— Donald Trump Tour” Friday while walking into Wayfair Arena in Miami, Florida.

The player is most known for her interactions with women’s basketball phenom Caitlin Clark during Clark’s rookie WNBA season in 2024.

Carrington gave Clark a black eye after poking her during a game between Clark’s Indiana Fever and Carrington’s Connecticut Sun in the first round of the playoffs in September. Carrington laughed with Fever teammate Marina Mabrey after the incident.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Connecticut Sun guard DiJonai Carrington (21) fouls Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) in the second half in Indianapolis Aug. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

Carrington has said she didn’t intentionally poke Clark in the eye and that she wasn’t laughing about the incident. However, she made light of the controversy over Clark’s black eye in an Instagram Live video in October.

In the video, Carrington and her girlfriend, NaLyssa Smith, who plays on the Indiana Fever with Clark, were in their kitchen when Smith poked Carrington in the eye.

“Ow, you poked me in the eye,” Carrington said. Smith apologized, and the two laughed.

“Did you do it on purpose?” Carrington asked.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

Connecticut Sun guards Marina Mabrey (4) and DiJonai Carrington (21) celebrate during the second half of a first-round WNBA basketball playoff game against the Indiana Fever Sept. 25, 2024, in Uncasville, Conn. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)

Carrington provoked Clark fans prior to the eye-poking incident with multiple statements berating Clark and her fan base.

During a game in June, Carrington fouled Clark after Clark received an inbound pass from teammate Kristy Wallace. Clark caught the pass and started toward the basket. Carrington was late getting to Clark due to a screen by Aliyah Boston, and she bumped into Clark.

Later that month, Carrington posted on X, saying Clark should do more to speak out about people using her name for “racism” and other forms of prejudice. She also called the Fever fans the “nastiest” in the league.

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

Jackson Thompson is a sports writer for Fox News Digital. He previously worked for ESPN and Business Insider. Jackson has covered the Super Bowl and NBA Finals, and has interviewed iconic figures Usain Bolt, Rob Gronkowski, Jerry Rice, Troy Aikman, Mike Trout, David Ortiz and Roger Clemens.

January 31, 2025
Lee Zeldin confirmed to lead key environmental agency in Trump administration

The Senate voted on Wednesday to confirm former Rep. Lee Zeldin to head the government’s leading agency on environmental rules and regulations.

President Donald Trump tapped Zeldin, who previously served as a congressman from New York’s 1st Congressional District from 2015 to 2023, to lead the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under his administration. During his tenure in Congress, Zeldin, an Army Reserve lieutenant colonel, launched a campaign for governor in New York, when he trailed only five percentage points in the largely Democratic state.

Zeldin underwent a confirmation hearing earlier this month, when he was questioned on climate change by members of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee.

In a 56 to 42 vote on Wednesday, the senate confirmed Zeldin to head the EPA in a final floor vote on his nomination.

ZELDIN GRILLED BY DEMOCRATS ON CLIMATE CHANGE, TRUMP’S STANCE ON CARBON EMISSIONS DURING EPA HEARING

Former Rep. Lee Zeldin, President Donald Trump’s pick to head the EPA, appears before the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee on Capitol Hill, Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

If confirmed on Wednesday, Zeldin will head the agency that surveys environmental issues, provides assistance to wide-ranging environmental projects, and establishes rules that align with the administration’s views on environmental protection and climate change.

During his confirmation hearing, Zeldin pledged that if confirmed, he would “foster a collaborative culture within the agency, supporting career staff who have dedicated themselves to this mission. I strongly believe we have a moral responsibility to be good stewards of our environment for generations to come.”

Former Rep. Lee Zeldin, with athlete Riley Gaines, outside the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee on July 16, 2024. (J. Conrad Williams, Jr./Newsday RM)

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

The latest round of voting comes as Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., continues to advance the confirmation process to push through Trump’s Cabinet nominees.

Aubrie Spady is a Writer for Fox News Digital.

January 29, 2025
Trump signs Laken Riley Act into law as first legislative victory in new administration

President Donald Trump signed the Laken Riley Act into law Wednesday, marking the first piece of legislation to become law in his second administration.

The measure, which advanced through the House and Senate in January, directs Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to detain illegal immigrants arrested or charged with theft-related crimes, or those accused of assaulting a police officer.

The law also allows states to sue the Department of Homeland Security for harm caused to their citizens because of illegal immigration.

CONGRESS SENDS LAKEN RILEY ACT TO TRUMP’S DESK AS FIRST BILL OF GOP’S WASHINGTON TAKEOVER

Jose Ibarra, left, was found guilty on 10 counts in the death of Georgia nursing student Laken Riley, right. (Hyosub Shin/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP, Pool)

The law’s name honors a nursing student who was killed during a jog on the University of Georgia’s campus by an illegal immigrant. Jose Ibarra, who previously had been arrested but never detained by ICE, received a prison life sentence for killing 22-year-old Laken Riley.

The measure received support from all House Republicans and 48 Democrats, and all Senate Republicans and 12 Senate Democrats.

Meanwhile, critics of the measure claim that the law will pave the way for mass detention, including for those who’ve committed minor offenses like shoplifting.

Sarah Mehta, senior border policy counsel with the American Civil Liberties Union, said in a statement after the Senate voted to advance the measure ahead of a final vote, “This is an extreme and reactive bill that will authorize the largest expansion of mandatory detention we have seen in decades.”

LAKEN RILEY ACT PASSES HOUSE WITH 48 DEMS, ALL REPUBLICANS

President Donald Trump signs a second executive order during the inaugural parade inside Capital One Arena on the inauguration day of his second presidential term, Jan. 20, 2025. (Carlos Barria/Reuters)

“While we are disappointed this bill will pass the Senate, it is notable that so many senators opposed it and recognized the need for actual immigration reform — not the chaos and cruelty this legislation will unleash,” Mehta said.

Trump promised to crack down on illegal immigration during his campaign, and declared a national emergency at the southern border following his inauguration. He also immediately ordered the expulsion of migrants without the possibility of asylum.

On Tuesday, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt cautioned foreign nationals considering entering the U.S. that they will be detained and kicked out of the country.

TIDAL WAVE OF BORDER SECURITY BILLS HIT HOUSE AS REPUBLICANS MOVE FAST ON DC TAKEOVER

On Jan. 28, 2025, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt cautioned foreign nationals considering entering the U.S. that they will be detained and kicked out of the country. (Samuel Corum/Politico/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

“So to foreign nationals who are thinking about trying to illegally enter the United States, think again,” Leavitt told reporters Tuesday at the White House press briefing. “Under this president, you will be detained and you will be deported. Every day, Americans are safer because of the violent criminals that President Trump’s administration is removing from our communities.”

Elizabeth Elkind contributed to this report.

January 29, 2025