Happy New Year 2025

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JD Vance’s Capitol Hill connections proving crucial to Trump Cabinet confirmations

Vice President JD Vance has emerged as a key player in President Donald Trump’s effort to close the deal with senators and move his Cabinet nominees through the at-times difficult confirmation process.

Vance is becoming an increasingly trusted voice among Republican senators, sources familiar shared with Fox News Digital.

Republicans in the upper chamber also view the vice president as an honest broker in their talks about how to push Trump’s agenda forward, sources added, noting that this had established trust in Vance.

TRUMP, GOP SENATORS TO DINE AT MAR-A-LAGO BEFORE CAMPAIGN RETREAT

Vice President JD Vance, center, was a key facilitator to getting vulnerable Cabinet nominees past committee. (Getty Images)

When it came to getting two of Trump’s most controversial nominees past their respective committees, Vance stepped up to assist, sources said.

Both Director of National Intelligence (DNI) nominee Tulsi Gabbard and Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) nominee Robert F. Kennedy Jr. faced uncertainty ahead of key hurdles in the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence and the Senate Committee on Finance, respectively.

Each committee housed potentially hesitant Republicans, who expressed initial uncertainty about the nominees. During the crucial committee-level votes, Gabbard and Kennedy could not afford to lose even one Republican’s support.

INSIDE SEN. TOM COTTON’S CAMPAIGN TO SAVE TULSI GABBARD’S ENDANGERED DNI NOMINATION

Tulsi Gabbard, President Donald Trump’s nominee to be director of national intelligence, arrives to testify during her confirmation hearing before the Senate Intelligence Committee in the Dirksen Senate Office Building on Jan. 30, 2025 in Washington, D.C. (Getty Images)

Ultimately, Gabbard earned the support of moderate Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, in addition to the last-minute backing of Sen. Todd Young, R-Ind.

Similarly, Kennedy managed to snag Young’s support before the committee vote, and holdout Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., a doctor, announced his plan to vote for the nominee just minutes before it took place.

To lock down these votes, a significant effort was underway behind closed doors — which included Vance’s crucial counsel to the senators.

The vice president spoke to both Young and Cassidy several times in the days leading up to the recent committee votes that saw Gabbard and Kennedy advance to the Senate floor, the sources told Fox News Digital. In those conversations, Vance talked through any remaining concerns the senators had with the nominees.

LEADER THUNE BACKS SENATE GOP BID TO SPEED PAST HOUSE ON TRUMP BUDGET PLAN

Vice President JD Vance had several conversations with both Sen. Bill Cassidy and Sen. Todd Young, right. (Getty Images/ Reuters)

A number of other administration officials had phone calls with Young and Cassidy, as well, also helping to parse through their lingering doubts.

Vance’s conversations proved persuasive, in part because of his long-maintained relationships with both senators, whom he served with up until January, the sources detailed.

“I think he’s been tasked with this role because of his preexisting relationship with us,” Young told reporters.

According to the senator, Vance was respectful and actually “listened a lot more than he talked.”

FORMER GOP LEADER MCCONNELL FALLS WHILE EXITING SENATE CHAMBER AFTER TURNER CONFIRMATION VOTE

Vice President JD Vance served in the Senate until last month. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

The vice president was also “effective” in getting the necessary concessions that Young, in particular, needed to get to a yes on the nominees.

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“He came through, he delivered for me, and I’m grateful for that,” Young said, noting he also delivered for Trump.

The Indiana senator further explained he has “a certain affinity for Senator Vance,” adding, “He’s a Midwesterner. He is a U.S. Marine. And we share a lot of concerns about people who are left behind and overlooked and underprivileged.”

Julia Johnson is a politics writer for Fox News Digital and Fox Business, leading coverage of the U.S. Senate. She was previously a politics reporter at the Washington Examiner.

Follow Julia’s reporting on X at @JuliaaJohnson_ and send tips to [email protected].

February 10, 2025
Border state’s crucial crackdown on illegal immigrants could get new federal protections: ‘Finish the job’

FIRST ON FOX: A Texas lawmaker is relaunching efforts to make sure his state can build a border buoy barrier without interference from the federal government after the state tackled a lawsuit by the Biden administration.

Rep. Michael Cloud, R-Texas, is reintroducing the Prevent Aliens Through Rivers of Lands (PATROL) Act that would bar the Department of Justice (DOJ) from using the Rivers and Harbor Act to sue states.

Texas set up buoys on the Rio Grande in 2023 due to the surging migrant crisis at the southern border at the time.

Texas claimed the barrier would protect sovereignty and save lives by preventing people from entering the water. Humanitarian groups and the DOJ argued the barriers were a safety risk and sued.

TRUMP DOJ SLAPS ILLINOIS, CHICAGO WITH LAWSUIT OVER SANCTUARY LAWS

Rep. Michael Cloud, R-Texas, speaks during a news conference after a meeting of the House Republican Conference at the U.S. Capitol Sept. 27, 2023. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)

The DOJ lawsuit argued the buoy barrier violates the Rivers and Harbors Act, which protects navigable waters from obstructions and outlines authorities for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

The buoys were allowed to stay by an appeals court as the case moved forward, and it is not expected to be pursued by the Trump administration.

The bill would remove the ability to sue under that act, meaning the barrier and similar barriers could go ahead unimpeded both during this administration and future administrations.

“For the last four years, the White House had refused to secure our border and instead fought against the states that were stepping up to do it themselves,” Cloud said in a statement. “The PATROL Act makes it clear: Texas doesn’t need permission from the federal government to defend its communities. The DOJ should never again be used as a weapon against border security.

Migrants try to cross the border between Piedras Negras and Eagle Pass in Piedras Negras, Mexico, Aug. 4, 2023. (David Peinado Romero/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

TRUMP-ERA SOUTHERN BORDER SEES MIGRANT ENCOUNTERS PLUMMET BY OVER 60% AS NEW POLICIES KICK IN

“Now that we have an administration under President Trump who cares about law and order and protecting our communities, it’s time to remove the last roadblocks and allow Texas to finish the job.”

The bill has the backing of conservative groups, including NumbersUSA and Heritage Action, which said Congress should “build on [Trump’s] momentum to strengthen our immigration system and enforce the rule of law.”

“States should have the right to secure the border and protect American citizens when the federal government fails to do so,” the group said.

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Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced last month his state has installed more buoys along the river.

“The Biden Administration tried — and FAILED — to prevent Texas from deploying these effective buoy barriers,” he said on X.

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“Glad to finally have a President who will work with Texas to secure the border.”

Adam Shaw is a politics reporter for Fox News Digital, primarily covering immigration and border security.

He can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter.

February 6, 2025
Falcons’ Michael Penix Jr shares crucial advice Kirk Cousins gave him after taking over as starter

NEW ORLEANS – No player in the NFL wants to have their starting role removed, especially not a team’s franchise quarterback.

Atlanta Falcons veteran Kirk Cousins had to deal with that reality ahead of Week 15, amid a division title race no less, when head coach Raheem Morris said he was turning to Michael Penix Jr. to play under center.

Cousins had been struggling despite coming off a 15-9 win over the Las Vegas Raiders the week prior. Before that game, four straight losses saw Atlanta dip under .500. So, Morris had Penix face the New York Giants for his first career start.

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Falcons quarterbacks Michael Penix Jr. and Kirk Cousins on the field before the Pittsburgh Steelers game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. (Dale Zanine-Imagn Images)

Speaking with Fox News Digital on Radio Row ahead of Super Bowl LIX, Penix explained the key advice he gathered from Cousins, who he had watched and studied all season.

“Just let the game come to you and be patient,” Penix said while also discussing his partnership with Sharpie. “Even if you call a shot play, or a big play, you don’t have to take the big play if it’s not there. A lot of the stuff I learned from him was a lot of visual things, just the way he moved through his progression, getting to his fifth read, that’s hard to do, especially at the level we’re playing at. Hearing him in meetings talking about how he got to that last read, how he canceled out stuff early and stuff like that, it helped me out when I got in there early.”

Penix’s first start didn’t see his first career touchdown pass, but he went 18-for-27 for 202 yards with an interception. With help from his defense, which scored two touchdowns on the lowly Giants, the Falcons won 34-7, hitting 8-7 on the season.

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Penix said the usual jitters weren’t there thanks to seeing a few snaps in losses earlier in the season, as well as preseason play. But he also knows nothing can prepare you for that first start… unless you’re acting like a starter each week.

He said his biggest takeaway from the season was having the mindset of always being ready, which may need to happen next year as well with Cousins remaining under contract despite Morris turning to his young rookie at the end of the season.

“I feel like I always had to be ready because I didn’t know when my time was going to be,” he said. “Whenever it did come, I wanted to be ready for that moment. Each and every day, I prepared like I was the starter. I prepared like I was going to be out there. So, whenever that moment did come, it didn’t seem like a surprise for me.”

Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. runs against the Carolina Panthers, Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

Penix couldn’t lead the Falcons to the NFC South title, losing his final two starts of his rookie campaign. However, he showed flashes of why the Falcons were so high on him with the eighth overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.

Heading into his sophomore season, Penix will continue working hard with his mindset not changing. But his experience with Cousins shows that, while the veteran gunslinger wants to remain a starter in the league, he’s willing to teach the next generation in his quarterbacks room.

‘PASSING THE PEN’ WITH SHARPIE

Penix was among Sharpie’s “Rookies of the Year,” which marked the inaugural class as they headed into their professional journeys. From signing day, to his My Cause My Cleats this season, Sharpie has allowed Penix to add a personal touch to his rookie moments.

Now, he’s ready to “pass the pen” to the next class, which includes top NFL prospects Ashton Jeanty out of Boise State and Tetairoa McMillan from Arizona. He shared his love for their respective game.

“Those two in particular, I played against T-Mac, McMillan, just seeing him live, he makes big-time plays,” he said. “He’s a great receiver and he’s going to do a great job in this league, and with Sharpie. I’m looking forward to it. With Ashton, the year that he had, coming second in Heisman, I did that last year, too. The year he had as a running back at the college level, it was something that was very special, and he was almost put at number on as far as yards and stuff like that. Big kudos to you guys.”

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

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As a lefty, Penix has had to deal with smudges all over his work from a young age. But he showed his appreciation for the Sharpie S-Gel with it’s “No Smear, No Smudge Technology.”

“It was crazy. It sucked when you didn’t have that Sharpie pen in your hand, but I found the solution now, so I’m super excited to be able to do that,” he said.

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

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Scott Thompson is a sports writer for Fox News Digital.

February 5, 2025
Senate Republicans could leapfrog House on crucial budget process as House effort stalls

FIRST ON FOX: The Senate will look to beat House Republicans to the punch next week on plans to enact President Donald Trump’s agenda via the budget reconciliation process.

Ahead of a weekly lunch meeting hosted by Senate Steering Committee Chairman Rick Scott, R-Fla., a plan was unveiled by Senate Budget Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., to push for a vote next week on a first bill, with plans for an additional reconciliation bill later in the year, a Senate Republican source told Fox News Digital.

The first bill would include Trump’s priorities for border security, fossil fuel energy, and national defense. The second bill would focus on extending Trump’s tax policies from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA).

HOUSE DELAYS KEY VOTE ON TRUMP BUDGET BILL AFTER CONSERVATIVE FURY OVER SPENDING CUTS

A plan to leapfrog House Republicans on the reconciliation process was unveiled to senators on Wednesday. (Reuters)

House leaders had intended to make the first move in the process. The Senate passing their own bill first, however, would essentially force the lower chamber to contend with whatever product comes from the other side of Capitol Hill rather than start from a position of their own choosing.

It would also shift gears to a two-pronged reconciliation bill blueprint, in opposition to what many House Republicans have favored in a large, one-bill approach.

Graham has notably been liaising with the House Freedom Caucus leaders on the subject all week, two sources told Fox News Digital. The caucus has notably preferred a two-pronged approach, in line with many Senate Republicans.

Worry about this scenario playing out had already begun to surface in the House Republican conference. “I think there’s a lot of frustration right now,” one GOP lawmaker told Fox News Digital.

“They’ve been trying to be inclusive, but not every open forum they’ve offered is giving members the ability to say, ‘I feel like people are listening to me,’ because I don’t know that’s the case right now.”

They added, “There’s some concern now that if we don’t move forward with something soon, that the Senate is going to jam us.”

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Trump has espoused a preference for a one bill approach previously but held off from demanding it. He noted to lawmakers that he wanted to get the reconciliation process done and to do so quickly, leaving it in Congress’ hands.

The Senate GOP source shared that senior White House staffers were present at the steering lunch on Wednesday.

Julia Johnson is a politics writer for Fox News Digital and Fox Business, leading coverage of the U.S. Senate. She was previously a politics reporter at the Washington Examiner.

Follow Julia’s reporting on X at @JuliaaJohnson_ and send tips to [email protected].

February 5, 2025
Trump White House renews crucial pledge as left-wing activists sue over border crackdown

A group of left-wing activist groups, led by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), sued the Trump administration on Monday over its efforts to limit the use of asylum at the southern border – leading the Trump White House to renew a crucial pledge.

On day one of his administration, President Donald Trump signed executive orders declaring a national emergency at the border and allowing officials to remove immigrants without allowing them to request asylum, citing an “invasion” at the border.

It was part of a crackdown at the border that included deploying the military and ending parole programs. Fox News Digital reported last week that border numbers in the first seven days in office were down 60% compared to the last week of the Biden administration.

TRUMP ADMIN HITS BACK AS ACLU LAUNCHES LAWSUIT ON BIRTHRIGHT CITIZENSHIP: ‘READY TO FACE THEM’

Army soldiers patrol the U.S.-Mexico border at Eagle Pass, Texas, on Jan. 24, 2025. President Donald Trump ordered 1,500 more military personnel to the border with Mexico as part of a flurry of steps to tackle immigration, his spokeswoman said on Jan. 22. (Charly Triballeau/AFP via Getty Images)

The ACLU and other groups say that the use of the power is unlawful, given U.S. asylum law allows immigrants to apply for asylum, even if they entered the U.S. illegally.

The lawsuit claims that the “unlawful” and “unprecedented” order is doing just what Congress by statute decreed that the United States must not do.

“It is returning asylum seekers—not just single adults, but families too—to countries where they face persecution or torture, without allowing them to invoke the protections Congress has provided. Indeed, the Proclamation does not even exempt unaccompanied children, despite the specific protections such children receive by statute,” it says.

ICE SCOOPS UP I”LLEGAL IMMIGRANTS WITH MURDER, ROBBERY CONVICTIONS IN WEEKEND CRACKDOWN

President Donald Trump holds an executive order on “Continuing the President’s National Council for the American Worker and the American Workforce Policy Advisory Board,” which he signed during an American Workforce Policy Advisory Board meeting in the East Room of the White House in Washington, D.C., on June 26, 2020. (Photo by MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images)

“This is an unprecedented power grab that will put countless lives in danger,” said Lee Gelernt, deputy director of the ACLU’s Immigrants’ Rights Project. “No president has the authority to unilaterally override the protections Congress has afforded those fleeing danger.”

Groups signed onto the lawsuit include the National Immigrant Justice Center, Texas Civil Rights Project, the Center for Gender & Refugee Studies, the ACLU of the District of Columbia and the ACLU of Texas.

TRUMP ADMIN ENDS DEPORTATION PROTECTIONS FOR MASSIVE NUMBER OF VENEZUELANS AMID ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION CRACKDOWN

The White House indicated in a statement that it has no plans to change course from its current trajectory.

“President Trump was given a resounding mandate to end the disregard and abuse of our immigration laws and secure our borders,” White House spokesperson Kush Desai told Fox News Digital. “The Trump administration will continue to put Americans and America First.”

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It is the latest lawsuit by the ACLU against the Trump administration. The ACLU filed a lawsuit last month over Trump’s order ending birthright citizenship for the children of illegal immigrants and those holding temporary visas.

The lawsuit claimed the order is unconstitutional and against both congressional intent and Supreme Court precedent. The lawsuit was separate to one filed by two dozen states on the same issue. The White House said in response that the lawsuits are “nothing more than an extension of the Left’s resistance – and the Trump administration is ready to face them in court.”

Adam Shaw is a politics reporter for Fox News Digital, primarily covering immigration and border security.

He can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter.

February 4, 2025
‘This is about fentanyl’: Tariffs are crucial to combating ‘drug war,’ Trump and Cabinet officials say

The Trump administration is billing the new tariffs on Mexico, Canada and China as critical to preventing fentanyl and other drugs from pouring into the U.S. border, rather than a step in an international trade war.

President Donald Trump is imposing a 25% tariff on all goods entering the United States from Mexico and Canada; a 10% tariff on Canadian energy; and a 10% tariff on all goods entering the U.S. from China. Those tariffs are set to go into effect Tuesday at midnight.

TRUMP DEFENDS TARIFFS, ACCUSES CANADA OF BEING ‘VERY ABUSIVE OF THE UNITED STATES’

The president spoke with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau Monday morning, he said, and is expected to speak to him again at 3 p.m. ET on Monday.

President Donald Trump speaks to reporters as he signs executive orders in the Oval Office of the White House, Friday, Jan. 31, 2025. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

“Canada doesn’t even allow U.S. Banks to open or do business there,” Trump posted on his Truth Social Monday. “What’s that all about? Many such things, but it’s also a DRUG WAR, and hundreds of thousands of people have died in the U.S. from drugs pouring through the Borders of Mexico and Canada.”

The president also spoke with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum Monday morning – a conversation that led to Trump delaying the imposition of tariffs on Mexico for one month.

“It was a very friendly conversation wherein she agreed to immediately supply 10,000 Mexican Soldiers on the Border separating Mexico and the United States,” Trump posted on his Truth Social. “These soldiers will be specifically designated to stop the flow of fentanyl, and illegal migrants into our Country.”

“We further agreed to immediately pause the anticipated tariffs for a one month period during which we will have negotiations headed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of Treasury Scott Bessent, and Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick, and high-level Representatives of Mexico,” Trump wrote. “I look forward to participating in those negotiations, with President Sheinbaum, as we attempt to achieve a ‘deal’ between our two Countries.”

‘OVERDOSE EPIDEMIC’: BIPARTISAN SENATORS TARGET FENTANYL CLASSIFICATION AS LAPSE APPROACHES

On Sunday, Vice President JD Vance echoed a similar sentiment regarding drugs, posting on X that Mexico “sends tons of fentanyl into our country. Canada has seen a massive increase in fentanyl trafficking across its border.”

“There are three ways of stopping this,” Vance wrote. “The first is ask nicely, which we’ve done. It’s gone no where.”

He added: “Now we’re onto the consequences phase.”

And Interior Secretary Doug Burgum on Monday said the imposition of tariffs “isn’t a trade war with Canada, or Mexico or China.”

TRUMP IMPOSES TARIFFS ON IMPORTS FROM CANADA, MEXICO AND CHINA: ‘NATIONAL EMERGENCY’

“This is about fentanyl,” Burgum said on “Fox & Friends.” “We’ve had a mass invasion of our country. We’ve been taking mass casualties. We lose almost 300 people a day to overdose deaths.”

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau met with President-elect Trump at Mar-a-Lago in Florida in November 2024 to discuss topics like the economy, illegal immigration and tariffs. (Justin Trudeau X)

Burgum added: “President Trump wants to end this.”

The president authorized the tariffs in an executive order on Saturday. Under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, a 25% additional tariff will be levied on imports from Canada and Mexico, with a 10% tariff on imports from China.

In the executive order, Trump said the tariffs stem from an “extraordinary threat posed by illegal aliens and drugs, including deadly fentanyl, [that] constitutes a national emergency.”

The tariffs have invited international criticism from leaders and citizens alike in Canada and Mexico. During his exchange with reporters on Sunday evening, Trump accused Canada of being “abusive” toward the U.S. in terms of trade.

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

“Canada has been very abusive of the United States for many years. They don’t allow our banks,” Trump said. “And you know that Canada does not allow banks to go in, if you think about it. That’s pretty amazing. If we have a U.S. bank, they don’t allow them to go in.”

“Canada has been very tough for oil on energy. They don’t allow our farm products in, essentially. They don’t allow a lot of things in. And we allow everything to come in as being a one-way street.”

Fentanyl seized in Nogales, Arizona. Border agents and officers seized more than 1,900 pounds of the illicit drug in October 2022. (Customs and Border Patrol)

Trump also said that the U.S. subsidizes Canada “by the tune of about $200 billion a year.”

“And for what? What do we get out of it? We don’t get anything out of it,” he added. “I love the people of Canada. I disagree with the leadership of Canada and something is going to happen there.”

But in a statement on Saturday, Sheinbaum said her country “categorically reject[s] the White House’s slander against the Mexican government of having alliances with criminal organizations, as well as any intention of intervention in our territory.”

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“Mexico not only does not want fentanyl to reach the United States, but anywhere,” the statement read. “Therefore, if the United States wants to combat criminal groups that traffic drugs and generate violence, we must work together in an integrated manner, but always under the principles of shared responsibility, mutual trust, collaboration and, above all, respect for sovereignty, which is not negotiable.”

Canada’s Trudeau slighted the U.S. by encouraging Canadians to “buy Canada,” and announcing his own set of tariffs on $20 billion “of goods imported from the United States,” including produce, meats and cheeses.

“Now is the time to choose products made right here in Canada,” Trudeau wrote on X. “Check the labels. Let’s do our part. Wherever we can, choose Canada.”

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

February 3, 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
Ravens fans return kind gesture, donate thousands to Dalton Kincaid charity after crucial drop in Bills’ loss

Buffalo Bills fans rallied around Baltimore Ravens tight end Mark Andrews after his critical drop during the AFC divisional round ended the team’s hopes of reaching the Super Bowl. Now Baltimore fans are returning that support.

Last week, a GoFundMe campaign was created to support Andrews’ charity, Breakthrough T1D, which is aimed at supporting children with diabetes. The campaign raised over $140,000 through more than 4,000 donations.

Mark Andrews #89 of the Baltimore Ravens drops a pass on a two-point conversion during the second half of an NFL football divisional playoff game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium on January 19, 2025 in Orchard Park, New York. (Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)

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Bills fans donated to the cause and shared messages on the campaign voicing their support for Andrews.

“Donated from Bills Mafia, we’ve been there. Keep your head up, you’re an amazing player and you caught so many to get your team to get close in this game. Move on and continue to do all your good works,” one message of support read.

But after the Bills’ loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship game, Buffalo tight end Dalton Kincaid found himself in a similar situation.

Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Nick Bolton, right, breaks up a pass intended for Buffalo Bills tight end Dalton Kincaid during the first half of the AFC Championship NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 26, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

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On fourth down with the Bills trailing by three late in the fourth quarter, Josh Allen, who was under pressure by the Chiefs defense, threw a pass into the air. Kincaid was right there, but the pass fell through his hands, effectively ending Buffalo’s playoff run.

Likely facing similar criticism, Ravens fans saw the opportunity to return the favor.

“As many of you know, Bills TE Dalton Kincaid made a phenomenal attempt to catch Josh Allens last pass of the season but couldn’t haul it in, upsetting a lot of Bills fans,” a GoFundMe campaign created this week read.

BILLS FANS START GOFUNDME TO DONATE TO MARK ANDREWS’ CHARITY AFTER CRUCIAL DROP

“We want Ravens flock to donate to Summit Center for autism, the charity Dalton works with and try and return the favor Bills mafia did for us and Mark Andrews. Let’s raise what we can, please repost!”

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As of Tuesday, more than 400 donations have been made totaling over $13,000.

Kincaid has supported the Summit Center before through the NFL’s “My Cause My Cleats” initiative this past season.

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January 28, 2025
Top Texas GOP official rallies around Trump’s AI, crypto plans amid state’s crucial investments

One of the top officials in Texas says he is on board with President Donald Trump’s aggressive plan to expand the AI and crypto capabilities of the United States.

“There’s no daylight between President Trump and I on this issue,” Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick told Fox News Digital this week. “

“I totally support the president and his Stargate Plan. We are completely aligned in our desire to see Texas and America lead in AI, data centers and crypto. These industries understand they will have to supply their own power needs and are diligently working toward that goal so costs are not disproportionally shifted onto residential and small businesses customers.”

Patrick, long considered a loyal ally of Trump, raised eyebrows last year when he warned of the burden that crypto mining and data centers could put on the state’s electrical grid. However, he repeatedly emphasized that there is “no daylight” between him and Trump on these issues.

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Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick told Fox News Digital he backs President Donald Trump’s AI infrastructure plan. (Getty)

“We need to take a close look at those two industries,” Patrick posted on X in June 2024 while expressing concerns that data centers and crypto mining expansion add more to the grid than they pay off in jobs.

“They produce very few jobs compared to the incredible demands they place on our grid. Crypto mining may actually make more money selling electricity back to the grid than from their crypto mining operations… Texans will ultimately pay the price. I’m more interested in building the grid to service customers in their homes, apartments, and normal businesses and keeping costs as low as possible for them instead of for very niche industries that have massive power demands and produce few jobs.”

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Republican Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick speaks at a news conference. (Reuters/Jon Herskovitz)

Crypto mining and data center expansion have been dominant themes of the Presidential Transition’s economic messaging, including earlier this month when Trump announced a new $20 billion foreign investment for the expansion of data centers across several U.S. states, including Texas. The announcement drew praise from many conservatives, including Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas.

Trump has also garnered significant support from the crypto community and raised large chunks of money from the industry along with his promotion of a message emphasizing energy independence, economic growth and framing the expansion of crypto mining as an essential tool toward ensuring the U.S. leads the industry.

“The need to quickly scale data center capacity to support the 21st-century economy continues to increase, given the growing demand for AI and other digital services by individuals, households, businesses, government, and organizations of all sizes,” Dan Diorio, senior director of state policy at the Data Center Coalition, told Fox News Digital.

President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump wave as they board Air Force One, Friday, Jan. 24, 2025, at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, for a trip to North Carolina and California. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

“The data center industry appreciates President Trump highlighting the essential role of the data center industry in advancing America’s national security and global economic competitiveness. We also appreciate his commitment to promoting the rapid development of additional data center and energy capacity to support the nation’s leadership in AI,” Diorio continued. “Texas is uniquely poised to benefit from this. With continued support for data centers, Texas can continue to drive innovation and investment while promoting American economic leadership and national security today and into the future.”

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Last week, Trump announced Stargate, a joint venture of OpenAI, SoftBank and Oracle that will invest up to $500 billion in AI-related infrastructure.

Texas will serve as ground zero, with 10 data centers by the venture already under construction in the state, 10 more on the way and the first project based in Abilene, Oracle CEO Larry Ellison said. Each building will occupy half a million square feet.

Patrick said in a statement last week to The Texas Tribune that he believes Texas should be the “world leader in AI, data center and crypto. The key is to ensure they have the power they need without a major impact to our electrical grid. The industries understand that and they are working on solutions.”

Texas’ main grid operator predicts power demand will nearly double by 2030, in part due to more requests to plug into the grid from large users like data centers, crypto mining facilities, hydrogen production plants, and oil and gas companies.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Andrew Mark Miller is a reporter at Fox News. Find him on Twitter @andymarkmiller and email tips to [email protected].

January 28, 2025
Chiefs catch break on crucial 1st-half play in AFC Championship; fans wonder if refs got it right

The Kansas City Chiefs received a favorable call late in the first half of the AFC Championship against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday.

On 3rd-and-5 with 3:13 left in the second quarter, Patrick Mahomes scrambled and found just enough space to throw up a ball to Xavier Worthy. The rookie wide receiver and Bills safety Cole Bishop both leaped for the ball. It appeared Bishop may have gotten the ball while he was in the air, but Worthy managed to get his arm around it as they came down the ground.

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Chiefs wide receiver Xavier Worthy works for a catch against the Buffalo Bills during the first half of the AFC Championship, Jan. 26, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

The officials ruled that Worthy had completed the catch, and it was the Chiefs’ ball instead of an interception for the Bills. Buffalo was also called for a holding penalty, so it was unlikely the ball would have gone back to them.

Bills head coach Sean McDermott challenged whether it was a completed catch. The replay appeared to show the tip of the football hitting the ground. But still, the play was ruled a catch.

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Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes scrambles for a touchdown during the first half of the AFC Championship against the Buffalo Bills, Jan. 26, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

A few plays later, the Chiefs scored on a Patrick Mahomes touchdown run. Kansas City had a 21-10 lead.

NFL fans were quick to point out that the questionable call went in the favor of the Chiefs.

NFL officials’ alleged favoritism toward the Chiefs was in the spotlight over questionable calls in their divisional round win over the Houston Texans.

Mahomes was asked about the alleged favoritism during the week.

“I don’t feel that way,” he said. “… I just try to play football at the end of the day. The referees are doing their best to call the game as fair and proper as best they can.

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“For me, it’s go out there, play hard, try to do whatever I can to win the football game and then live with the results based on my effort and how I play the game, and that’s what we preach here in Kansas City.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Ryan Gaydos is a senior editor for Fox News Digital.

January 27, 2025