Happy New Year 2025

Tag: Ahead

Tulsi Gabbard explains why she won’t call Edward Snowden a ‘traitor’ ahead of tough committee vote

Tulsi Gabbard is seeking to assuage senators’ concerns about her nomination in a new opinion piece explaining why she thought “traitor” was too harsh a word for Edward Snowden.

Gabbard, President Donald Trump’s pick for director of national intelligence (DNI), did not endorse Snowden’s whistleblowing actions during her confirmation hearing, but her refusal to call him a traitor left some Republicans unsettled.

She admitted that Snowden’s release of classified information to the media “harmed our national security” but also “revealed illegal and unconstitutional government programs that conducted mass surveillance of millions of Americans’ data.”

Gabbard elaborated in a Newsweek op-ed. “Given the interest by committee members about whether Edward Snowden should be called a ‘traitor,’ here’s what I shared with the Senate Intelligence Committee in the closed session about why I do not casually throw around that term: Treason is a capital offense, punishable by death, yet politicians like former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and former US Senator Mitt Romney have slandered me, Donald Trump Jr. and others with baseless accusations of treason.”

TOP SENATE INTELLIGENCE DEM GRILLS GABBARD IF EDWARD SNOWDEN IS ‘BRAVE’: ‘VERY TROUBLING’

Former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard gave testimony to the Senate Intelligence Committee on Jan. 30, 2025. (AP)

“Snowden should have raised his concerns about illegal surveillance through authorized channels, such as the Inspector General or the Intelligence Committee, instead of leaking to the media,” she wrote.

Gabbard struck a different tone as a Democratic member of the House, when she introduced a resolution with former Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., calling for all charges to be dropped against Snowden. She also put forth a bill that would have offered additional whistleblower protection for people like Snowden.

‘WARRIOR WHOSE VOTE CANNOT BE BOUGHT’: HUNDREDS OF VETS POUR OUT IN SUPPORT OF TULSI GABBARD FOR DNI

“If it wasn’t for Snowden, the American people would never have learned the NSA was collecting phone records and spying on Americans,” she said on Joe Rogan’s podcast in 2019.

Snowden, who now lives in exile in Russia, leaked classified documents about global surveillance programs that pitted national security concerns against privacy concerns.

If confirmed as DNI, Gabbard said she would not protect those who go outside authorized whistleblower channels to leak classified information, but she would also establish a hotline directly to herself for whistleblowers.

Edward Snowden leaked classified documents about global surveillance programs that pitted national security concerns against privacy concerns. (Getty)

Gabbard added that she would institute proper oversight to protect against illegal intelligence collection programs and conduct security clearance reform to minimize access to highly classified intelligence.

She also promised to end “weaponization” of the intelligence community and pointed to the Iraq War as a prime “failure of intelligence.”

“This disastrous decision led to the deaths of thousands… And it led to the rise of ISIS, the strengthening of al-Qaeda and other Islamist Jihadist groups, and the emboldening of Iran.”

TULSI GABBARD CONFIRMATION FATE TO BE TESTED WITH KEY COMMITTEE VOTE

As a Hawaii Democrat in the House, Tulsi Gabbard had supported dropping charges against Edward Snowden. (AP Photo/Marco Garcia, File)

During her confirmation hearing, Gabbard was also pressed on her past meetings with then-Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad, her previous Section 702 of FISA stance and her views on Russia.

While Intel Committee Chair Tom Cotton, R-Ark., has continued to promote Gabbard for the role. Sen. Todd Young, R-Ind., initially a skeptic, announced Tuesday morning he would support Gabbard’s confirmation in a committee vote after receiving written assurances about her perspective on whistleblowers.

Gabbard will likely need the support of every single Republican on the committee, assuming no Democrats vote in her favor. None of the Democratic senators have said they will vote to advance her nomination.

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She clinched support from other GOP skeptics – Sens. James Lankford, R-Okla., Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, and Susan Collins, R-Maine, after her hearing.

Gabbard still has not won the support of Sens. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., Jerry Moran, R-Kans., Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, and John Curtis, R-Utah.

Fox News’ Julia Johnson contributed to this report.

February 4, 2025
NFL’s Roger Goodell slams ‘ridiculous’ theory around Chiefs ahead of Super Bowl LIX

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell attempted to dismantle any notion of favoritism from officials toward the Kansas City Chiefs on Monday during his pre-Super Bowl LIX press conference.

Goodell was asked about the theory of NFL officiating, which stems from the insinuation that the Chiefs are on the receiving end of favorable calls during games. It came to light during the team’s playoff wins over the Houston Texans and Buffalo Bills.

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NFL commissioner Roger Goodell speaks during a news conference, Monday, Feb. 3, 2025, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Matt York)

But Goodell dispelled the idea.

“This sort of reminds me a little bit of ‘the script,’ right? That I write a script and I have a script for the entire seasons,” he said. “I think a lot of those theories are things that happen in social media, and they get a new life. … Nobody wants it to be their theory.

“I understand it. I think it reflects a lot of the fans’ passion. I think it’s also a reminder for us on how important officiating is. I think the men and women officiating the NFL are outstanding. They have the highest possible standards. That’s a ridiculous theory for anyone who might take it seriously, but at the end of the day, it’s something we always have to continue to work on, how we make our officiating better at all times.”

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes is shown after defeating the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Championship on Jan. 26, 2025. (Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images)

HOW TO WATCH SUPER BOWL LIX BETWEEN CHIEFS, EAGLES STREAMED ON TUBI

The two calls in their win over the Texans ignited a firestorm. The penalties were called after hits on quarterback Patrick Mahomes. A few questionable calls in the win over the Bills also raised eyebrows, too.

FOX NFL analyst Rob Gronkowski told Fox News Digital he noticed officials were a bit more “lenient” toward the Chiefs.

Regardless, Goodell defended officials and highlighted the competition.

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Super Bowl LIX will be streamed on Tubi. (Tubi)

“If you look at the Chiefs’ record, which I think is an amazing thing,” he said. “People talk about the competitiveness in our league, the Chiefs with their 15 wins, 11 of those 15 games were within one score. I think that talks about the competitiveness of our game and the importance of how we officiate but also the competitiveness of how we play it.”

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Ryan Gaydos is a senior editor for Fox News Digital.

February 4, 2025
Starbucks to put out limited-time drinks ahead of Valentine’s Day

Starbucks CEO Brian Niccol says the company’s app needs to be more transparent on pricing.

Starbucks is getting into the Valentine’s Day spirit through limited-time drinks.

The coffeehouse chain said Monday that Chocolate-Covered Strawberry Creme Frappuccino and Chocolate Hazelnut Cookie Cold Brew drinks will go on sale at U.S. locations starting Tuesday in honor of the upcoming holiday.

The limited-time Chocolate-Covered Strawberry Creme Frappuccino consists of a “blend of strawberry puree, Frappuccino chips, milk and ice” on top of a “splash of strawberry puree and finished with whipped cream and mocha drizzle,” Starbucks said.

A sign embellished with the Starbucks logo hangs near the entrance to the Starbucks coffee shop in Aspen, Colorado. (Robert Alexander/Getty Images / Getty Images)

Meanwhile, for the Chocolate Hazelnut Cookie Cold Brew, customers can expect Starbucks cold brew “sweetened with vanilla syrup and topped with silky, chocolatey hazelnut flavored cream cold foam and chocolate cookie crumbles,” according to the company.

STARBUCKS ROLLS OUT CHANGES, INCLUDING FREE REFILLS; BRINGS BACK CONDIMENT BARS

U.S. Starbucks stores will continue to sell the two drinks “for a limited time while supplies last,” according to the Seattle-based company. Both previously appeared on Starbucks menus ahead of Valentine’s Day last year.

Their reintroduction on Tuesday will coincide with the company’s planned rollout of its new Blackberry Sage Refresher, Blackberry Sage Lemonade Refresher and Midnight Drink.

Those three beverages will also stay on Starbucks menus for a limited time. Unlike the frappuccino and cold brew drinks, however, Canadian stores will also carry the new refreshers and Midnight Drink in addition to U.S. locations, according to the company.

The Midnight drink “features flavors of sweet blackberries and sage with green coffee extract and blackberry inclusions mixed with coconutmilk and shaken with ice,” according to the company.

Starbucks noted the pair of Blackberry Sage refreshers mark the first instance of Refreshers pairing a “berry flavor with an herb.”

People pass by a Starbucks coffee shop in Manhattan, New York, United States on Jan. 15, 2025. (Mostafa Bassim/Anadolu via Getty Images / Getty Images)

The company has plans to take a close look at its menu this year.

“In the coming months, you’ll see us begin to optimize our menu offerings, resulting in roughly 30% reduction in both beverages and food SKUs by the end of fiscal year 2025,” CEO Brian Niccol said in late January, adding the company will “work to lead this market with breakthrough beverage and food innovation” as it does that.

STARBUCKS CUTTING 30% OF ITS ‘OVERLY COMPLEX’ MENU

“We’ll do this by being responsive to customer trends and their changing preferences. We’ll rely on our highly-engaged green apron partners for inspiration like we did with our Lavender lineup last year, and we’ll be more responsible and tuned in to cultural moments like we did with the Dubai matcha,” he said.

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SBUX STARBUCKS CORP. 108.16 +0.48 +0.45%

In late January, Starbucks implemented some changes at the coffee chain’s U.S. and Canadian locations.

Starbucks Coffee signage is being pictured in Warsaw, Poland, on July 31, 2024. (Aleksander Kalka/NurPhoto via Getty Images / Getty Images)

They included the return of condiment bars as well as baristas putting drinks ordered “for here” in coffee mugs or glasses and providing free refills of hot brewed or iced coffee or hot or iced team for dine-in customers.

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Niccol detailed other changes the company is looking to make during the company’s first-quarter earnings call in late January. One of those was “fully” introducing digital menu boards at U.S. company-owned stores over the next year-and-a-half to “make our offerings more easily understood and to better show customization add-ons,” he said.

The company reported over 18,500 stores across North America and over 22,000 outside of that region as of late December, according to its first-quarter earnings report.

February 4, 2025
Busy week ahead for Trump, cabinet picks

President Donald Trump has a busy week planned to start February, including speeding through more confirmations for the president’s Cabinet picks.

Trump made good on his promise of new tariffs over the weekend, hitting Canada and Mexico with 25% duties and China with a 10% tariff over concerns about fentanyl and continued illegal immigration.

Those tariffs are expected to be fully in force by Tuesday and have already drawn retaliation from Canada, with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announcing a 25% tariff on some goods coming into the country from the U.S. on Sunday. Mexico, meanwhile, has also signaled a plan to impose tariffs on the U.S., though specific increases have yet to be announced.

STEFANIK LOOKS BACK TO FIERY EXCHANGES WITH COLLEGE LEADERS IN SENATE CONFIRMATION HEARING: ‘WATERSHED MOMENT’

President Donald Trump (Evan Vucci/AP)

The beginning of the week will also see the deadline pass for six senior FBI officials to retire, resign or be fired, according to a report by USA Today, making good on Trump’s plans to push aside leaders who were promoted by former FBI Director Christopher Wray.

Monday will also see the Senate vote on Trump’s pick for treasury secretary, Scott Bessent, as well as a vote to advance former Rep. Sean Duffy, R-Wis., Trump’s pick to serve as transportation secretary.

Tuesday will see Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu meet with Trump at the White House, the first meeting between the two leaders since Trump regained control of the Oval Office.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Trump’s pick to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, will appear before the Senate Committee on Finance on Wednesday, a day that will also see Howard Lutnick, Trump’s choice for commerce secretary, appear before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, and former Sen. Kelly Loeffler, R-Ga., Trump’s choice to lead the Small Business Administration, will testify in front of the Senate Committee on Small Business.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (Rebecca Noble/Getty Images)

TRUMP HEALTH SECRETARY NOMINEE RFK JR SURVIVES HEATED HEARINGS AHEAD OF CRUCIAL CONFIRMATION VOTES

Wednesday will also see the Senate Committee on the Judiciary vote on whether to send former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi, Trump’s pick to lead the Department of Justice, to the full floor for a confirmation vote.

Thursday is the deadline for federal workers to decide whether they would prefer to return to work in the office or accept a buyout and severance package that would see them paid through the end of September, part of Trump’s plan to trim the federal workforce.

Thursday will also be a busy day for Trump Cabinet picks, with Kash Patel, Trump’s pick to lead the FBI, appearing before the Senate Judiciary Panel. Meanwhile, Kennedy will make an appearance in front of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, while former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard of Hawaii, Trump’s choice to be the director of national intelligence, will appear before the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence.

Kash Patel, President Donald Trump’s choice to be director of the FBI, appears before the Senate Judiciary Committee for his confirmation hearing at the Capitol on Jan. 30, 2025. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

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The Senate’s Budget panel will also vote whether to move Russ Vought, who Trump nominated to lead the Office of Management and Budget, to a vote on the full floor, while the Senate Foreign Relations Committee will decide whether to advance Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., Trump’s choice for U.S. ambassador to the United Nations.

The busy week will see another highlight Friday when the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ first monthly jobs report comes out since Trump took office, with the U.S. looking to hit 49 consecutive months of job gains.

Michael Lee is a writer for Fox News. Prior to joining Fox News, Michael worked for the Washington Examiner, Bongino.com, and Unbiased America. He has covered politics for more than eight years.

February 2, 2025
Caitlin Clark responds to critics ahead of Iowa jersey retirement: ‘I really don’t care’

Caitlin Clark has become one of the most polarizing figures in all of sports over the last year-plus.

Her popularity reached a peak nearly two years ago when she and Angel Reese duked it out in the national championship – and then, she became a household name.

Clark set numerous records in her senior year, including becoming the NCAA’s all-time leading scorer, and parlayed it all into becoming the No. 1 overall pick.

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Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark plays against the Dallas Wings in Indianapolis, Sept. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy, File)

But then came the culture wars that she found herself in the middle of, with many, including WNBA MVP A’ja Wilson, saying that her race played a role in her popularity.

Clark was the victim of some hard fouls and trash talk throughout her rookie season, but it didn’t seem to faze her, as she set plenty of records in Year One.

Clark returned to Iowa on Sunday to see her No. 22 go into the rafters, and she was asked about the criticism she’s received recently.

“I think it’s just life. Everybody goes through some of the things that I’ve gone through, a lot of people go through a lot worse. I just try to remind myself every single day how grateful I am to be in the position I am, I want to treat everyone the same way that I would want to be treated. It speaks to the way I was raised and my parents raised me. There’s gonna be good days, there’s gonna be bad days. But it’s just, you go with the flow. I think having a good circle around me, a small circle around me of people that I really trust that I can always count on and lean on is what’s been so important for me over this past year,” Clark told reporters on Sunday.

Caitlin Clark of the Iowa Hawkeyes celebrates after drawing a foul in the game against the West Virginia Mountaineers during the NCAA Division 1 Women’s Basketball Championship at Carver-Hawkeye Arena on March 25, 2024, in Iowa City. (Matthew Holst/Getty Images)

ANGEL REESE BECOMES FIRST PLAYER EJECTED FROM UNRIVALED LEAGUE AND THEN CALLS COVERAGE OF IT ‘CLICKBAIT’

“But also, I’ve said this before, I feel like one of my greatest skills is I really don’t care. Like, I don’t. I don’t care. I believe in myself, I’m confident in myself, I’m confident in my teammates, I try to instill that in them, I’m confident in the coaching staff of whatever team I was on, whether that was [at Iowa], whether that’s at the Fever now. You just rely on those people. Nobody gets to step inside your locker room… Everybody thinks they know everything and have an answer, but that’s just not reality. That goes for all of professional sports, that goes for all of you as well and people in life.”

As Clark’s rookie season progressed, there were allegations of racism from both Fever and Iowa fans, a claim made by the aforementioned Reese.

But Clark’s appearances in games brought historic viewership to both the college and pro levels. The final three games of her college career were the most-watched women’s college basketball games ever. She also had several of her regular-season games draw more viewers than WNBA playoff games, and her WNBA matchups with Reese were some of the most-viewed WNBA games ever.

Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark works to the basket against Dallas Wings guard Sevgi Uzun, Sept. 1, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

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WNBA teams even had to move to larger arenas simply because of the ticket demand Clark drew; the Fever sold 90 times more tickets this past year than in 2023.

Clark was named the Rookie of the Year for her historic campaign during which she set the record for the most assists in one season in league history. She carried the Fever to a playoff appearance after a slow start, and she quickly became a double-double machine. She even set a single-game record with 19 assists. She also became the first rookie to record a triple-double, registering two of them.

She received the most votes for the All-Star Game and was just the fifth rookie in league history to make the All-WNBA first-team.

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February 2, 2025
House GOP elections chair reveals which voter blocs Republicans are targeting ahead of 2026

DORAL, Fla. — The lawmaker in charge of House Republicans’ elections arm is feeling confident that the GOP can buck historical precedent and hold onto their majority for the entirety of President Donald Trump’s term.

The 2024 elections saw Republicans make significant inroads with Hispanic and Black voters.

National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) Chairman Richard Hudson, R-N.C., said progress would continue heading into the 2026 midterm elections.

BLACK CAUCUS CHAIR ACCUSES TRUMP OF ‘PURGE’ OF ‘MINORITY’ FEDERAL WORKERS

NRCC Chairman Richard Hudson spoke with Fox News Digital about efforts to keep the House in 2026. (Getty Images)

“We’ve done well with African Americans, comparatively,” Hudson told Fox News Digital, referring to years prior. “We’ve put a lot more effort in reaching out to that community as well and letting them know that we want your votes, and we want to represent you, and we care about the issues that matter to you and your family.”

“I think we can do better, and we’ll continue to attempt to do better. But, look, our message, our values, our principles are all universal.”

He said Republicans’ values also lined up with Hispanic and Latino voters, 42% of whom supported Trump, according to the Associated Press.

“We are focused on the issues you care about,” Hudson said the pitch was. “It’s crime in your neighborhoods. It’s education for your children. It’s securing the borders. It’s the price of things for your family. I mean, these are all things we campaigned on. But we deliberately went out into the Hispanic community and said, ‘We want your vote.’ And they responded.”

Earlier in the interview, he credited Trump with delivering on those values in 2024, and argued that Trump’s policies would get Republicans over the line again next year.

Hudson credited Trump with Republicans’ victories in Congress. (Scott Olson/Getty Images)

Historically, the first midterm after a new presidential term serves as a rebuke of the party in power.

Democrats won the House of Representatives in a “blue wave” in 2018 during Trump’s first term. Four years later, Republicans wrestled it back under former President Joe Biden.

But the circumstances are somewhat different this time, something Hudson noted.

“We’re in a unique time in history, where you had a president serve four years with all his policies, and then he was replaced by another president who had completely different policies. . . . And then the two ran against each other,” Hudson said. “So the American people sort of had a referendum on which president they wanted, which policies they chose, and they overwhelmingly selected Donald Trump.”

NONCITIZEN VOTER CRACKDOWN LED BY HOUSE GOP AHEAD OF 2026 MIDTERMS

Trump is in his second term, and Hudson argued that the 2024 presidential race was a referendum between two clear White House records.

“He has a mandate that I think is unique in history. And so this isn’t a first-term president going into his first midterm. I mean, this is someone the American people know, and they’ve chosen,” Hudson said.

Hudson pointed out that just three House Republicans are in districts won by former Vice President Kamala Harris, compared to 13 House Democrats in seats Trump won. (Leigh Vogel/Abaca/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Hudson also pointed out that Democrats will be defending 13 lawmakers whose districts Trump won, while Republicans only had to hold onto three seats that voted for former Vice President Kamala Harris in 2024.

“The battlefield out there for us going into 2026 favors Republicans,” Hudson said.

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He spoke with Fox News Digital at Trump National Doral golf course and resort in South Florida, where Republicans held their three-day retreat to strategize their agenda.

Hudson was one of the senior Republicans who gave a presentation to fellow lawmakers during the event, where his message was: “We’re on offense this cycle.”

“We’re going to lean in. We have a lot of opportunity in those Donald Trump seats,” Hudson said he told colleagues. “We’re going to hold Democrats accountable for their voting against the policies the American people want.”

Elizabeth Elkind is a politics reporter for Fox News Digital leading coverage of the House of Representatives. Previous digital bylines seen at Daily Mail and CBS News.

Follow on Twitter at @liz_elkind and send tips to [email protected]

February 2, 2025
Bill Belichick wins over UNC fraternities with free pizza ahead of Duke basketball game

Bill Belichick has found a way to win over students at the University of North Carolina long before he makes his debut as the Tar Heels’ new head football coach.

The former New England Patriots coach is catering a pizza night for UNC fraternities as they watch the men’s basketball team take on second-ranked Duke Saturday night, according to an email shared on social media.

New North Carolina head football coach Bill Belichick walks on the court at Dean Smith Center during halftime of a college basketball game between LaSalle and North Carolina in Chapel Hill, N.C., Dec. 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Ben McKeown)

“Coach Belichick wants to get your fraternity pizza for the UNC vs. Duke game tomorrow at 6:30 p.m.,” the email, sent by UNC director of football operations Alex Kerr, said. “With that being said, our plan is to deliver the pizzas on behalf of Coach Belichcik to your house.”

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The generous offer by Belichick comes a week after the former NFL coach signed a contract to become UNC’s new football coach, formalizing last month’s hiring.

New North Carolina head football coach Bill Belichick speaks to the crowd at Dean Smith Center at halftime of a college basketball game between La Salle and North Carolina in Chapel Hill, N.C., Dec. 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Ben McKeown)

BILL BELICHICK’S NORTH CAROLINA CONTRACT DETAILS SHOW STAGGERING SALARY, INTERESTING CLAUSES

Belichick’s contract is a five-year deal that includes $10 million guaranteed for each of his first three seasons with another $3.5 million available in bonuses. News of the signing followed rumors Belichick might still return to the NFL.

But UNC’s general manager, Michael Lombardi, a former NFL executive, quickly shut down speculation in a post on X, saying, “His focus is on North Carolina football, hiring staff members and developing the team. The NFL isn’t an option so please stop making it one. Thank you.”

North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick answers questions during a press conference at Loudermilk Center for Excellence. (Jim Dedmon/Imagn Images)

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Belichick will make his college football debut when UNC hosts TCU on Labor Day at 7:30 p.m.

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The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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February 1, 2025
Noncitizen voter crackdown led by House GOP ahead of 2026 midterms

FIRST ON FOX: House Republicans are rolling out a new package of election security legislation this week, with GOP lawmakers already setting eyes on 2026.

Republican Study Committee Chairman August Pfluger, R-Texas, introduced the bills this week, with four lawmakers co-sponsoring the entire package and various other members supporting specific pieces.

The three pieces of legislation are a bill to prohibit noncitizen residents of Washington, D.C. from voting in local elections, a bill to block noncitizens from helping administer elections, and a constitutional amendment to prevent noncitizens from voting.

KASH PATEL ENRAGES ADAM SCHIFF IN CLINTONIAN BATTLE OVER THE WORD ‘WE’ AND A JANUARY 6 SONG

Republican Study Committee Chairman August Pfluger is rolling out a series of bills to crack down on noncitizens voting. (Getty Images)

It’s currently illegal for noncitizens to vote in federal elections. Though the law does not apply to state and local elections, there is currently no state in the U.S. that allows noncitizens to vote in statewide elections.

Some areas, however, allow for noncitizens to vote in local-level elections – including Washington, D.C.

“Free and fair elections are the cornerstone of our democracy, which is why protecting them from noncitizen influence is essential to our nation’s sovereignty and will ensure America has a flourishing democracy for decades to come,” Pfluger told Fox News Digital.

“These bills are three commonsense steps we can take to ensure noncitizens are not influencing our elections by voting in them or administering them. We must safeguard the integrity of our electoral system, and these bills will work to do just that.”

Congress has jurisdiction over Washington, D.C. (Fox News Digital)

Earlier this year, House Republicans passed the Safeguarding American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, which requires proof of citizenship in the voter registration process.

The majority of Democrats have cried foul at GOP-led efforts to crack down on noncitizen voting, with progressive lawmakers accusing Republicans of trying to spread doubt about the country’s election processes by targeting something that’s already illegal in most cases.

Democrats also criticized Republicans for pushing bills like the SAVE Act just weeks before the November election.

MAJOR CHANGES KASH PATEL COULD MAKE ON DAY 1 AT FBI

But Pfluger and his GOP allies are now side-stepping that criticism by introducing the bills well ahead of the 2026 midterm races, where historical precedent suggests that House Republicans face an uphill battle to keeping their majority.

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Among the co-sponsors of the entire package is House Budget Chairman Jodey Arrington, R-Texas, who is playing a critical role in congressional Republicans’ efforts to pass a massive conservative policy overhaul via the budget reconciliation process.

Border security and immigration reform are expected to be a significant part of that forthcoming legislation.

Elizabeth Elkind is a politics reporter for Fox News Digital leading coverage of the House of Representatives. Previous digital bylines seen at Daily Mail and CBS News.

Follow on Twitter at @liz_elkind and send tips to [email protected]

January 31, 2025
Take a look at the history of the Super Bowl ahead of the Chiefs, Eagles match-up

Super Bowl LIX will be played on Feb. 9 when the Philadelphia Eagles take on the Kansas City Chiefs.

The Eagles are looking for their second title and a chance to avenge their loss to the Chiefs in Super Bowl LVII.

The Chiefs are going for a chance at history as they seek to become the first team to win three consecutive Super Bowls, which would be their fifth title overall.

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Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes and tight end Travis Kelce celebrate with the Lombardi Trophy after winning Super Bowl LVII over the Philadelphia Eagles at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz., on Feb. 12, 2023. (IMAGN)

This year’s game will be played at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans. It’s the city’s 11th time hosting the Super Bowl.

Before the game on Feb. 9, read below for a little history of the Super Bowl.

Super Bowl winners

The New England Patriots and Pittsburgh Steelers are tied for the most Super Bowl wins with six titles each. Following close behind are the San Francisco 49ers and Dallas Cowboys with five titles each.

There are a dozen teams that are still seeking their first Super Bowl win. Those teams are the Arizona Cardinals, Atlanta Falcons, Buffalo Bills, Carolina Panthers, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Detroit Lions, Houston Texans, Jacksonville Jaguars, Los Angeles Chargers, Minnesota Vikings and Tennessee Titans.

Of those teams, the Browns, Lions, Texans and Jaguars have never appeared in the championship game.

The New England Patriots, with Tom Brady at quarterback, have won six Super Bowl titles, tied with the Pittsburgh Steelers for the most wins by any team. (Reuters/Win McNamee PJ)

Patriots (6)

Steelers (6)

Cowboys (5)

49ers (5)

Giants (4)

Packers (4)

Chiefs (4)

Broncos (3)

Commanders/WFT/Redskins (3)

Raiders (3)

Buccaneers (2)

Colts (2)

Dolphins (2)

Ravens (2)

Rams (2)

Bears (1)

Saints (1)

Jets (1)

Seahawks (1)

Eagles (1)

Super Bowl results

Since Super Bowl I, teams have battled it out for the championship title. Certain games, like the one played between the Chiefs and Eagles in Super Bowl LVII, ended with a close score. Others saw a much larger gap, like Super Bowl XXIV, where the 49ers defeated the Broncos, 55-10.

The Chiefs won Super Bowl LVII against the Eagles and are seeking another title in the 2025 game, which is also against the Eagles. (Tammy Ljungblad/The Kansas City Star/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)

Super Bowl LIX: TBD

Super Bowl LVIII: Chiefs def. 49ers, 25-22, OT

Super Bowl LVII: Chiefs def. Eagles, 38-35

Super Bowl LVI: Rams def. Bengals, 23-20

Super Bowl LV: Buccaneers def. Chiefs, 31-9

Super Bowl LIV: Chiefs def. 49ers, 31-20

Super Bowl LIII: Patriots def. Rams, 13-3

Super Bowl LII: Eagles def. Patriots, 41-33

Super Bowl LI: Patriots def. Falcons, 34-28, OT

Super Bowl 50: Broncos def. Panthers, 24-10

Super Bowl XLIX: Patriots def. Seahawks, 28-24

Super Bowl XLVIII: Seahawks def. Broncos, 43-8

Super Bowl XLVII: Ravens def. 49ers, 34-31

Super Bowl XLVI: Giants def. Patriots, 21-17

Super Bowl XLV: Packers def. Steelers, 31-25

Super Bowl XLIV: Saints def. Colts, 31-17

Super Bowl XLIII: Steelers def. Cardinals, 27-23

Super Bowl XLII: Giants def. Patriots, 17-14

Super Bowl XLI: Colts def. Bears, 29-17

Super Bowl XL: Steelers def. Seahawks, 21-10

Super Bowl XXXIX: Patriots def. Eagles, 24-21

Super Bowl XXXVIII: Patriots def. Panthers, 32-29

Super Bowl XXXVII: Buccaneers def. Raiders, 48-21

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Super Bowl XXXVI: Patriots def. Rams, 20-17

Super Bowl XXXV: Ravens def. Giants, 34-7

Super Bowl XXXIV: Rams def. Titans, 23-16

Super Bowl XXXIII: Broncos def. Falcons, 34-19

Super Bowl XXXII: Broncos def. Packers, 31-24

Super Bowl XXXI: Packers def. Patriots, 35-21

Super Bowl XXX: Cowboys def. Steelers, 27-17

Super Bowl XXIX: 49ers def. Chargers, 49-26

Super Bowl XXVIII: Cowboys def. Bills, 30-13

Super Bowl XXVII: Cowboys def. Bills, 52-17

Super Bowl XXVI: Redskins def. Bills, 37-24

Super Bowl XXV: Giants def. Bills, 20-19

Super Bowl XXIV: 49ers def. Broncos, 55-10

The 49ers defeated the Broncos by a large margin in Super Bowl XXIV. (Focus on Sport/Getty Images)

Super Bowl XXIII: 49ers def. Bengals, 20-16

Super Bowl XXII: Redskins def. Broncos 42-10

Super Bowl XXI: Giants def. Broncos, 39-20

Super Bowl XX: Bears def. Patriots, 46-10

Super Bowl XIX: 49ers def. Dolphins, 38-16

Super Bowl XVIII: Raiders def. Redskins, 38-9

Super Bowl XVII: Redskins def. Dolphins, 27-17

Super Bowl XVI: 49ers def. Bengals, 26-21

Super Bowl XV: Raiders def. Eagles, 27-10

Super Bowl XIV: Steelers def. Rams, 31-19

Super Bowl XIII: Steelers def. Cowboys, 35-31

Super Bowl XII: Cowboys def. Broncos, 27-10

Super Bowl XI: Raiders def. Vikings, 32-14

Super Bowl X: Steelers def. Cowboys, 21-17

Super Bowl IX: Steelers def. Vikings, 16-6

Super Bowl VIII: Dolphins def. Vikings, 24-7

Super Bowl VII: Dolphins def. Redskins, 14-7

Super Bowl VI: Cowboys def. Dolphins, 24-3

Super Bowl V: Colts def. Cowboys, 16-13

Super Bowl IV: Chiefs def. Vikings, 23-7

Super Bowl III: Jets def. Colts, 16-7

Super Bowl II: Packers def. Raiders, 33-14

Super Bowl I: Packers def. Chiefs, 35-10

BRANDON MARSHALL ON JOSH ALLEN’S WOES AGAINST PATRICK MAHOMES: ‘SOMETIMES YOU RUN INTO A MICHAEL JORDAN’

Multiple Super Bowl MVPs

There are six players who have earned multiple Super Bowl MVPs. Of those six players, Patrick Mahomes is the only one to still be an active player in the league as quarterback of the Kansas City Chiefs.

Tom Brady (5)

Joe Montana (3)

Patrick Mahomes (3)

Bart Starr (2)

Eli Manning (2)

Terry Bradshaw (2)

Super Bowl MVPs

The person named Super Bowl MVP is chosen by a combination of fan vote and a panel of 16 football writers and broadcasters.

The panel of 16 holds the majority of weight in the decision, with their ballots counting for 80% of the vote and the fan vote accounting for the remaining 20%. Electronic votes from fans have been part of the decision since 2001.

The MVP often goes to a quarterback, but the award has been given to those in other positions.

Eli Manning earned two Super Bowl MVPs in his NFL career. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel/File)

Super Bowl LIX: TBD

Super Bowl LVIII: Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs

Super Bowl LVII: Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs

Super Bowl LVI: Cooper Kupp, Rams

Super Bowl LV: Tom Brady, Buccaneers

Super Bowl LIV: Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs

Super Bowl LIII: Julian Edelman, Patriots

Super Bowl LII: Nick Foles, Eagles

Super Bowl LI: Tom Brady, Patriots

Super Bowl 50: Von Miller, Broncos

Super Bowl XLIX Tom Brady, Patriots

Super Bowl XLVIII: Malcolm Smith, Seahawks

Super Bowl XLVII: Joe Flacco, Ravens

Super Bowl XLVI: Eli Manning, Giants

Super Bowl XLV: Aaron Rodgers, Packers

Super Bowl XLIV: Drew Brees, Saints

Super Bowl XLIII: Santonio Holmes, Steelers

Super Bowl XLII: Eli Manning, Giants

Super Bowl XLI: Peyton Manning, Colts

Super Bowl XL: Hines Ward, Steelers

Super Bowl XXXIX: Deion Branch, Patriots

Super Bowl XXXVIII: Tom Brady, Patriots

Super Bowl XXXVII: Dexter Jackson, Buccaneers

Super Bowl XXXVI: Tom Brady, Patriots

Super Bowl XXXV: Ray Lewis, Ravens

Super Bowl XXXIV: Kurt Warner, Rams

Super Bowl XXXIII: John Elway, Broncos

Super Bowl XXXII: Terrell Davis, Broncos

Super Bowl XXXI: Desmond Howard, Packers

Super Bowl XXX: Larry Brown, Cowboys

Super Bowl XXIX: Steve Young, 49ers

Super Bowl XXVIII: Emmitt Smith, Cowboys

Super Bowl XXVII: Troy Aikman, Cowboys

Super Bowl XXVI: Mark Rypien, Redskins

Super Bowl XXV: Ottis Anderson, Giants

Super Bowl XXIV: Joe Montana, 49ers

Super Bowl XXIII: Jerry Rice, 49ers

Super Bowl XXII: Doug Williams, Redskins

Super Bowl XXI: Phil Simms, Giants

Super Bowl XX: Richard Dent, Bears

Super Bowl XIX: Joe Montana, 49ers

Super Bowl XVIII: Marcus Allen, Raiders

Super Bowl XVII: John Riggins, Redskins

Super Bowl XVI: Joe Montana, 49ers

Super Bowl XV: Jim Plunkett, Raiders

Super Bowl XIV: Terry Bradshaw, Steelers

Super Bowl XIII: Terry Bradshaw, Steelers

Super Bowl XII: Randy White & Harvey Martin, Cowboys

Super Bowl XI: Fred Biletnikoff, Raiders

Super Bowl X: Lynn Swann, Steelers

Super Bowl IX: Franco Harris, Steelers

Super Bowl VIII: Larry Csonka, Dolphins

Super Bowl VII: Jake Scott, Dolphins

Super Bowl VI: Roger Staubach, Cowboys

Super Bowl V: Chuck Howley, Cowboys

Super Bowl IV: Len Dawson, Chiefs

Super Bowl III: Joe Namath, Jets

Super Bowl II: Bart Starr, Packers

Super Bowl I: Bart Starr, Packers

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Super Bowl locations

The very first Super Bowl was held at Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, where the Green Bay Packers beat the Kansas City Chiefs.

Since then, the big game has been played in many different cities across the country. Super Bowl LIX marks the 11th time New Orleans will host the championship game.

The Kansas City Chiefs defeated the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LVIII. (Marc Sanchez/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Super Bowl LIX: Caesars Superdome, New Orleans

Super Bowl LVIII: Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas

Super Bowl LVII: State Farm Stadium, Glendale, Arizona

Super Bowl LVI: SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, California

Super Bowl LV: Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida

Super Bowl LIV: Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida

Super Bowl LIII: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta

Super Bowl LII: U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis

Super Bowl LI: NRG Stadium, Houston

Super Bowl 50: Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, California

Super Bowl XLIX: University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Arizona

Super Bowl XLVIII: MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey

Super Bowl XLVII: Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans

Super Bowl XLVI: Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis

Super Bowl XLV: Cowboys Stadium, Arlington, Texas

Super Bowl XLIV: Sun Life Stadium, Miami

Super Bowl XLIII: Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida

Super Bowl XLII: University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Arizona

Super Bowl XLI: Dolphin Stadium, Miami

Super Bowl XL: Ford Field, Detroit

Super Bowl XXXIX: Alltel Stadium, Jacksonville, Florida

Super Bowl XXXVIII: Reliant Stadium, Houston

Super Bowl XXXVII: Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego

Super Bowl XXXVI: Louisiana Superdome, New Orleans

Super Bowl XXXV: Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida

Super Bowl XXXIV: Georgia Dome, Atlanta

Super Bowl XXXIII: Pro Player Stadium, Miami

Super Bowl XXXII: Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego

Super Bowl XXXI: Louisiana Superdome, New Orleans

Super Bowl XXX: Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, Arizona

Super Bowl XXIX: Joe Robbie Stadium, Miami

Super Bowl XXVIII: Georgia Dome, Atlanta

Super Bowl XXVII: Rose Bowl, Pasadena, California

Super Bowl XXVI: Metrodome, Minneapolis

Super Bowl XXV: Tampa Stadium, Tampa, Florida

Super Bowl XXIV: Louisiana Superdome, New Orleans

Super Bowl XXIII: Joe Robbie Stadium, Miami

Super Bowl XXII: Jack Murphy Stadium, San Diego

Super Bowl XXI: Rose Bowl, Pasadena, California

Super Bowl XX: Louisiana Superdome, New Orleans

Super Bowl XIX: Stanford Stadium, Stanford, California

Super Bowl XVIII: Tampa Stadium, Tampa, Florida

Super Bowl XVII: Rose Bowl, Pasadena, California

Super Bowl XVI: Pontiac Silverdome, Pontiac, Michigan

Super Bowl XV: Louisiana Superdome, New Orleans

Super Bowl XIV: Rose Bowl, Pasadena, California

Super Bowl XIII: Orange Bowl, Miami

Super Bowl XII: Louisiana Superdome, New Orleans

Super Bowl XI: Rose Bowl, Pasadena, California

Super Bowl X: Orange Bowl, Miami

Super Bowl IX: Tulane Stadium, New Orleans

Super Bowl VIII: Rice Stadium, Houston

Super Bowl VII: Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles

Super Bowl VI: Tulane Stadium, New Orleans

Super Bowl V: Orange Bowl, Miami

Super Bowl IV: Tulane Stadium, New Orleans

Super Bowl III: Orange Bowl, Miami

Super Bowl LIX will be streamed on Tubi. (Tubi)

Super Bowl II: Orange Bowl, Miami

Super Bowl I: Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles

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<br /> <br />

Ryan Canfield is a digital production assistant for Fox News Digital.

January 31, 2025
Trump health secretary nominee RFK Jr survives heated hearings ahead of crucial confirmation votes

The back-to-back combustible Senate confirmation hearings are over.

But Robert F. Kennedy Jr., President Donald Trump’s nominee for secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), still faces crucial committee and full Senate confirmation votes in his mission to lead 18 powerful federal agencies that oversee the nation’s food and health.

Testifying in front of the Senate Finance Committee on Wednesday and the Health Committee on Thursday, the vaccine skeptic and environmental crusader who ran for the White House in 2024 before ending his bid and endorsing Trump faced plenty of verbal fireworks over past controversial comments.

And while most of the tough questions and sparring over his stances on vaccines, abortion, Medicaid and other issues, came from Democrats on the two committees, Thursday’s hearing ended with the top Republican on the Health panel saying he was “struggling” with Kennedy’s nomination.

RFK’S CONFIRMATION HEARING QUICK GOES OFF THE RAILS

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., President Trump’s nominee for HHS secretary, testifies during a Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions confirmation hearing on Jan. 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Rod Lamkey Jr.)

“Your past of undermining confidence in vaccines with unfounded or misleading arguments concerns me,” GOP Sen. Bill Cassidy told the nominee.

The physician from Louisiana, who is a crucial vote and who has voiced concerns over Kennedy’s past stance on vaccines, asked whether Kennedy can “be trusted to support the best public health.”

And the senator told Kennedy, who seeks to lead key health agencies like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Food and Drug Administration, the National Institutes of Health and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, that “you may be hearing from me over the weekend.”

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Kennedy faced two days of grilling over his controversial past comments, including his repeated claims in recent years linking vaccines to autism, which have been debunked by scientific research.

And Democrats have also spotlighted Kennedy’s service for years as chair or chief legal counsel for Children’s Health Defense, the nonprofit organization he founded that has advocated against vaccines and sued the federal government numerous times, including a challenge over the authorization of the COVID vaccine for children.

Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., speaks during the confirmation hearing for Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on Jan. 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Rod Lamkey Jr.)

One of Thursday’s most heated exchanges came as independent Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont pushed Kennedy over his past of linking vaccines to autism.

Sanders stated that “vaccines do not cause autism” and asked Kennedy “do you agree with that?”

After the nominee didn’t answer, Sanders responded, “I asked you a simple question, Bobby.”

Kennedy replied, “Senator, if you show me those studies, I will absolutely … apologize.”

“That is a very troubling response because the studies are there. Your job was to have looked at those studies as an applicant for this job,” Sanders said.

Later in the hearing, the two also clashed over political contributions to the pharmaceutical industry, with Kennedy referring to Sanders simply as “Bernie.”

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. testifies during his confirmation hearing on Jan. 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Rod Lamkey Jr.)

“Almost all the members of this panel, including yourself, are accepting millions of dollars from the pharmaceutical industry and protecting their interests,” Kennedy said.

Sanders immediately pushed back, “I ran for president like you. I got millions and millions of contributions. They did not come from the executives, not one nickel of PAC [political action committee] money from the pharmaceutical [companies]. They came from workers.”

Another fiery moment came as Democrat Sen. Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire appeared to fight back tears as she noted her son’s struggles with cerebral palsy amid accusations that “partisanship” was behind the Democrats’ blistering questions to Kennedy.

Hassan, who at Wednesday’s hearing charged that Kennedy “sold out” to Trump by altering his position on abortion, on Thursday accused the nominee of “relitigating settled science.”

But many of the Republicans on the panel came to Kennedy’s defense, including conservative Sen. Rand Paul.

The ophthalmologist from Kentucky defended Kennedy and took aim at comments about vaccines not causing autism.

“We don’t know what causes autism, so we should be more humble,” Paul said to applause from Kennedy supporters in the committee room audience wearing “Make America Healthy Again” garb.

The 71-year-old Kennedy, a scion of the nation’s most storied political dynasty, launched a long-shot campaign for the Democrat presidential nomination against President Joe Biden in April 2023. But six months later, he switched to an independent run for the White House.

Kennedy made major headlines again last August when he dropped his presidential bid and endorsed Trump. While Kennedy had long identified as a Democrat and repeatedly invoked his late father, former Sen. Robert F. Kennedy, and his late uncle, former President John F. Kennedy – who were both assassinated in the 1960s – Kennedy in recent years built relationships with far-right leaders due in part to his high-profile vaccine skepticism.

Trump announced soon after the November election that he would nominate Kennedy to his Cabinet to run HHS.

Now-President Donald Trump welcomes Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to the stage at a campaign rally on Oct. 23, 2024, in Duluth, Ga. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

Kennedy, whose outspoken views on Big Pharma and the food industry have also sparked controversy, has said he aims to shift the focus of the agencies he would oversee toward promotion of a healthy lifestyle, including overhauling dietary guidelines, taking aim at ultra-processed foods and getting to the root causes of chronic diseases.

“Our country is not going to be destroyed because we get the marginal tax rate wrong. It is going to be destroyed if we get this issue wrong,” Kenendy said Thursday as he pointed to chronic diseases. “And I am in a unique position to be able to stop this epidemic.”

The Finance Committee, which will decide on whether to send Kennedy’s nomination to the full Senate, has yet to schedule a date for a confirmation vote.

With Republicans controlling the Senate by a 53-47 majority, Kennedy can only afford to lose the support of three GOP senators if Democrats unite against his confirmation.

And besides Cassidy, two other Republicans on the Health Committee – Sens. Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska – are potential “no” votes on Kennedy.

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Collins on Thursday questioned Kennedy about vaccines, herd immunity as well as his views on Lyme disease. Kenendy pledged that there’s “nobody who will fight harder for a treatment for Lyme disease.”

A 50-50 vote in the full Senate would force Vice President JD Vance to serve as the tiebreaker to push the Kennedy nomination over the top, as the vice president did last week with the confirmation of another controversial nominee, now-Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

Paul Steinhauser is a politics reporter based in New Hampshire.

January 31, 2025