Happy New Year 2025

Tag: front

No longer taken advantage of: Trump signs order prioritizing ‘unified’ US foreign policy front

President Donald Trump on Wednesday signed an executive order reinforcing a “unified” voice for U.S. foreign policy that prioritizes his “America First” agenda.

The executive order emphasizes the State Department’s responsibility to uphold the Trump administration’s foreign policy priorities, and that the agency has the proper channels to ensure that “officers and employees faithfully implement the President’s policies,” according to a White House fact sheet.

Additionally, the executive order instructs Secretary of State Marco Rubio to execute reforms to recruitment, evaluation, performance and retention standards to ensure that the State Department employs the most qualified individuals to represent the U.S., according to the fact sheet.

Likewise, Rubio has the authority under the order to update the Foreign Affairs Manual or other procedural documents pertaining to foreign service.

TRUMP MEETS WITH JORDAN’S KING AMID TENSE TALKS ABOUT RESETTLING PALESTINIANS

Secretary of State Marco Rubio has the authority under the order to update the Foreign Affairs Manual or other procedural documents pertaining to foreign service. (Mark Schiefelbein/The Associated Press)

“President Trump is committed to safeguarding the integrity of U.S. foreign policy by ensuring that America’s interests are prioritized through a unified diplomatic voice, with related personnel held accountable to the President’s vision,” the White House said in the fact sheet.

“No longer will America be taken advantage of by foreign nations or by rogue actors who undermine our sovereignty or security.”

The executive order expands upon Trump’s America First policy directive that he signed after his inauguration, which states that “the foreign policy of the United States shall champion core American interests.”

The Trump administration has put forward some bold foreign policy proposals during his second term, including unveiling an effort to shutter the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), a group that works to deliver aid to impoverished countries and development assistance.

Rubio, now acting director of the independent agency, said on Feb. 3 that USAID was not “functioning” and that the organization isn’t a “global charity.”

TRUMP NOT COMMITTING TO PUTTING US TROOPS ON THE GROUND IN GAZA, WHITE HOUSE SAYS

President Donald Trump announces plans to “take over” the Gaza Strip in a “long-term ownership position” to deliver stability to the region during a joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, left, on Feb. 4. (Ting Shen/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

“It needs to be aligned with the national interest of the U.S.,” Rubio said. “They’re not a global charity, these are taxpayer dollars. People are asking simple questions. What are they doing with the money? We are spending taxpayers’ money. We owe the taxpayers assurances that it furthers our national interest.”

Likewise, Trump also announced plans on Feb. 4 to “take over” the Gaza Strip in a “long-term ownership position” to deliver stability to the region during a joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

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The proposal prompted swift backlash from Arab countries, including Jordan, and Egypt announced plans on Sunday for an emergency Arab Summit to discuss “new and dangerous developments” regarding the resettling of Palestinians on Feb. 27.

Trump met with Jordan’s King Abdullah II on Tuesday, who said he would wait for the Egyptians to take the lead on a proposal moving forward as they negotiate with the U.S. on plans to take over Gaza. However, Abdullah did reveal plans to accept 2,000 sick Palestinian children to Jordan.

“I think let’s wait until the Egyptians can come and present it to the president and not get ahead of us,” Abdullah said.

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

February 13, 2025
Republican AGs fight ‘freedom’s front line’ for Trump admin facing Dem lawsuits

GOP state attorneys are taking on a renewed role during President Donald Trump’s second administration as “freedom’s front line,” Republican Attorneys General Association (RAGA) incoming executive director Adam Piper told Fox News Digital, arguing that Democrats – deflated from losing control of both houses of Congress – are turning to left-leaning state attorneys to “undermine” the White House’s America First agenda.

Right now, there are 29 Republican attorneys general in the United States who are “uniquely qualified to be the tip of the spear, to be freedom’s front line and be a foundation for the future and a foundation for freedom every single day,” Piper told Fox News Digital. “These men and women are working tirelessly to ensure their states are the safest places possible. But they’re also working tirelessly to defend freedom, to help President Trump to ensure the American people have the system of government they voted for, they expect, and they deserve one that is free and one that is fair.”

In Trump’s first three weeks in office, Democratic attorneys general have sued the Trump administration on several matters related to the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). That includes New York Attorney General Letitia James leading 19 state attorneys in suing over DOGE leader Elon Musk’s access to Treasury Department records. U.S. District Judge Paul A. Engelmayer issued a preliminary injunction in that case Saturday.

TRUMP HAS HIGHER APPROVAL RATING THAN AT ANY POINT DURING FIRST TERM: POLL

President Donald Trump speaks at the National Prayer Breakfast on Feb. 6, 2025. (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

Democratic attorneys general also partnered with the country’s largest federal labor unions to sue over Trump’s deferred resignation offer that would allow workers eight months of paid leave if they agree to leave their jobs voluntarily.

In turn, Montana’s Republican attorney general, Austin Knudsen, led 22 states in an amicus brief Sunday asking the court to deny a motion for a temporary restraining order and allow Trump to manage the federal workforce how he sees fit. U.S. District Judge George O’Toole in Boston federal court on Monday proceeded to push back the deadline a second time on Trump’s “Fork in the Road Directive,” which gives most federal employees the option to resign with pay and benefits until Sept. 30.

“During the Biden administration, Republican AGs were the last line of defense. We were the goal line stand, keeping the equivalent of a ‘tush push’ out of the end zone,” Piper told Fox News Digital.

“During the Trump administration, we have to play offense, defense and special teams,” he continued. “We have to be freedom’s front line. Working with the administration to ensure this DOGE regulatory reform agenda gets done, that we return to America’s Golden Age. But we also have to play defense and special teams. You’re going to see Democratic AGs take our playbook, bastardize it, and push back on the Trump administration. You will see states like New York and California get more aggressive, and Republican AGs are there to defend the rule of law, to promote freedom, and to ensure we work with President Trump to return America’s Golden Age.”

New York Attorney General Letitia James speaks following a verdict against former U.S. President Donald Trump in a civil fraud trial on Feb. 16, 2024. (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)

As for the DOGE injunction led by James, Piper said it equates to “partisan gamesmanship from Democratic attorneys general who want to do everything possible to thwart President Trump’s agenda.”

“This is why Republican attorneys general are so critical to the success of the Trump administration in pushing back against Democratic attorneys general and their attempts to crowbar what President Trump and his team are trying to accomplish in Washington, D.C., which is returning freedom to the American people, returning government efficiency, eliminating fraud, waste and abuse,” he said.

REPUBLICAN AGS BACK TRUMP FEDERAL EMPLOYEE BUYOUT AS JUDGE DECIDES ‘FORK IN THE ROAD’ DIRECTIVE’S FATE

Regarding James, in particular, Piper noted how New York’s attorney general led cases against Trump during his 2024 re-election campaign that are now defunct and have failed.

President Donald Trump speaks before Pam Bondi is sworn in as U.S. Attorney General in the Oval Office at the White House on Feb. 5, 2025. (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

“A lot of her push back on the Trump administration is more about political theater than it is the rule of law in a court of law,” he said. “And today and moving forward, you will see Republican attorneys general being President Trump’s best friend from a policy standpoint. We will be his best champion from a policy standpoint. There’s no more effective elected official in the United States than the state attorney general. We’re more effective than the members of Congress, more effective than U.S. senators, more effective than even governors… You know, we can push back on some of this lawfare that you’ll see from Democratic attorneys general.”

The Republican Attorneys General Association has seen alumni advance to the federal level in the Department of Justice. Most notably, that includes the newly sworn-in U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi. Piper said he also hopes to see the Senate confirm Aaron Rice, an alum of the Texas Attorney General’s Office, to join the DOJ’s Office of Legal Policy. He noted 51 Republican attorneys general or staff alumni held Senate confirmed positions in the first Trump administration.

“Republican attorneys general and their staffs are truly America’s farm team. You know where the best incubator of talent to ensuring President Trump has known conservative fighters who are willing to fight every day for the American people,” Piper said. “And from Attorney General Bondi. There’s no better person to be the attorney general of the United States of America.”

As RAGA looks ahead, Virginia Attorney General Jason Myares is defending his office this year in what’s expected to be a competitive race, and then 30 attorneys general races will be on the ballot in 2026.

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“There’s an urban myth that Richmond goes the opposite way of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. We are going to make sure that myth is just an urban myth and just a fable. Attorney General Jason Myers is truly one of our best when you look at the issues across the board. We will have probably an uphill battle,” Piper said. “Virginia is a state the Republicans carried by two points four years ago. We have to have a good ground game. We have to have a good turnout operation… We have to make sure voters in the Commonwealth of Virginia understand the importance of attorney general, understand the public safety issues and understand that they need someone who every day will ensure Virginia is the safest place to live, work and raise a family.”

Danielle Wallace is a breaking news and politics reporter at Fox News Digital. Story tips can be sent to [email protected] and on X: @danimwallace.

February 11, 2025
Tyreek Hill says playing in front of Donald Trump is a ‘bucket list’ item: ‘I’ve always been a fan’

The stars are out in New Orleans for Super Bowl week, and the biggest one is expected to be there for the game itself.

President Donald Trump is slated to attend Super Bowl LIX on Sunday, which will mark the first time that a sitting president will have attended the big game.

Trump has shown his face at plenty of sporting events over the years, getting face time at numerous UFC events. Late last year, he attended the Alabama-Georgia game, the Army-Navy game, and a Steelers-Jets contest.

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Dec 22, 2024; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill (10) reacts on the field before the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Hard Rock Stadium. (Sam Navarro-Imagn Images)

Had Tyreek Hill stuck with the Kansas City Chiefs, he’d likely be playing in front of the president. For now, though, it’s only in his imagination.

And he really wants to do it.

“That’s tremendous. To be able to play in front of Donald Trump, that would be something to knock off the bucket list,” Hill said to Fox News Digital at an event in New Orleans. “Not every day you get to play football in front of the guy who people respect and is at the top of the helm of this country.

“I’ve always been a fan of Donald Trump, by the way. That’ll be awesome.”

Republican presidential nominee and former President Donald Trump attends a game between the NFL Pittsburgh Steelers and the New York Jets in Latrobe, Pennsylvania on October 20, 2024. (Evan Vucci-Pool/Getty Images)

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Brittany Mahomes and her mother-in-law Randi both supported the president during his re-election campaign.

Before the game kicks off, Trump will speak with Fox News Channel’s Bret Baier. The pre-taped interview took place at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida, and will air in the 3 p.m. ET hour on Super Bowl Sunday.

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

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Trump didn’t attend many NFL games the first time around as he clashed with players’ decision to kneel for the national anthem as a form of protest against social injustice.

Fox News’ Ryan Gaydos and Larry Fink contributed to this report.

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February 8, 2025
Trump unafraid of putting Musk in front of press: ‘He’s not shy’

President Donald Trump on Friday said Elon Musk is doing a ‘very good job’ with the Department of Government Efficiency.

President Donald Trump is not apologizing for Elon Musk. In fact, he seems ready to show off the tech billionaire.

On Friday, while taking questions during a bilateral meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, Trump was pressed by a reporter on whether the media would have a chance to question Musk.

“Oh, sure. He’ll be— He’s not shy. Elon’s not shy,” Trump answered.

President-elect Donald Trump, right, walks with Elon Musk before attending a viewing of the launch of the sixth test flight of the SpaceX Starship rocket in Brownsville, Texas, on Nov. 19, 2024. (Brandon Bell/Pool via Reuters TPX Images of the Day / Reuters)

Trump was also asked about a recent Time magazine cover depicting Musk sitting behind the Resolute Desk in the Oval Office at the White House. In response, Trump, who was named Time’s 2024 Person of the Year, quipped that he didn’t realize the magazine was still around.

“Is Time magazine still in business? I didn’t even know that,” Trump joked. However, he went on to give the tech billionaire some serious praise. “Elon is doing a great job. He’s finding tremendous fraud, and corruption, and waste.”

The president specifically praised Musk’s work in going through U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) spending, saying that “the whole thing is a fraud.”

“Every single line that I look at as far as events and transactions is either corrupt or ridiculous,” Trump told reporters before adding, “He’s doing a very good job. I’m very happy with him.”

President-elect Donald Trump, left, and Elon Musk talk ringside during the UFC 309 event at Madison Square Garden in New York City on Nov. 16, 2024. (Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC / Getty Images)

DEMOCRATS TRY TO SCARE FEDERAL WORKERS FROM ACCEPTING DOGE’S BUYOUT OFFER

Just over two weeks into Trump’s second term, the head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) became the target of Democrats’ ire, with many protesting against him.

On Saturday, Musk claimed that DOGE had uncovered that the Treasury Department had instructed staff to approve payments to “known fraudulent or terrorist groups.”

ELON MUSK IS FIXING THE FEDERAL BUDGET AT LIGHT SPEED: KEVIN HASSETT

Democrats were outraged that Musk, a private citizen, was given access to sensitive Treasury Department payment systems.

“Anytime a person can pay $250 million into a campaign, and they be given full access to the Department of the Treasury of the United States of America, we are at war,” Rep. LaMonica McIver, D-N.J., said during a rally hosted by MoveOn Civic Action, Indivisible and the Working Families Party on Tuesday.

Demonstrators rally outside the Treasury Department in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday. (Reuters/Kent Nishimura / Reuters)

In a letter Tuesday to federal lawmakers, a Treasury Department official said a tech executive working with DOGE will have “read-only access” to the government’s payment system.

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Despite Democrats’ fury, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent defended Musk during an appearance on FOX Business’ “Kudlow.”

“Elon Musk is the greatest entrepreneur of this generation,” Bessent said. “DOGE is not going to fail. They are moving a lot of people’s cheese here in the capital, and when you hear this squawking, then some status quo interest is not happy.”

Fox News’ Louis Casiano contributed to this report.

February 7, 2025
DeepSeek is the newest front in the AI competition between the US and China

Ask Sage founder Nicolas Chaillan addresses the emergence of the Chinese A.I. app DeepSeek, its threat to American A.I. dominance and his skepticism over the model.

DeepSeek’s release of a high-profile new AI model underscores a point we at OpenAI have been making for quite some time: the U.S. is in a competition with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) that will determine whether democratic AI wins over the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) authoritarian version of the technology. The U.S. must come out on top–and the stakes could not be higher.

As President Donald Trump rightly said on Monday, DeepSeek “should be a wake-up call for our industries that we need to be laser-focused on competing to win.”

We couldn’t agree more.

For those familiar with AI and how the models get built, it wasn’t a huge surprise that someone was able to replicate parts of OpenAI’s o1 model several months after it was released. What’s notable is that it was not an American one that did so.

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CCP leader Xi Jinping has made clear China wants to be the dominant player in AI by 2030, and the country is plowing enormous amounts of money into the AI infrastructure to compete with the U.S. They’re giving developers unfettered access to data; building enormous amounts of energy (ten nuclear facilities came online last year with another ten on course for this year); and are seeking to develop their own chip-manufacturing capabilities.

OpenAI CFO Sarah Friar explains how AI is taking center stage at Davos, what the Stargate project means for the macroeconomy and details new products for key customers.

Though I suspect we will learn more about DeepSeek’s work that may ultimately impact how we understand the state of their technology (experts are already noticing that their system is slower to respond to user requests than other models), how new it actually is (some users have pointed out that the DeepSeek model says that it’s ChatGPT when asked), and what it cost (projects in of authoritarian countries have a tendency to be opaque), this weekend’s news shows that the CCP is all-in on the AI competition.

WHAT IS CHINESE AI APP DEEPSEEK?

It’s important to understand that the stock market panic over the release of DeepSeek’s R1 model is missing the big picture: when AI systems grow more efficient, we need more of the infrastructure that powers those tools, not less.

Think of it this way: in post-WWII America, just because companies in the U.S. and abroad designed more affordable cars over time did not mean that we stopped building highways. If anything, it made highways more valuable because people can travel farther and faster than they could before. In fact, the U.S. went big and built out the interstate highway system.

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The same holds true with AI. More efficient models make computers more valuable than ever because we can achieve significantly greater outcomes with the same hardware, as President Trump noted in his remarks about DeepSeek on Monday.

FOX Business’ Madison Alworth reports on what China’s DeepSeek is used for and how it raises cybersecurity concerns.

Scaling up our AI infrastructure will scale up our AI capabilities, powering bigger breakthroughs than would have been imaginable even a few months ago in everything from healthcare and biotech to energy and national security.

Moreover, the most pressing issue in AI is the push towards AGI and superintelligence, which is the evolution of the technology to a point where it is able to help humans solve problems in science, health, and education that just a short time ago would have seemed like a miracle. This is the Super Bowl of AI, and the U.S. has to lead if we want to maximize the technology’s economic gains and ensure the world’s AI is built on democratic values.

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The road to AGI and superintelligence requires investing in supercomputers, data centers, advanced chips, power generation facilities, transmission lines, human talent, and other key parts of the AI ecosystem. That’s the mission of the Stargate Project, the new venture that we unveiled at the White House last week that will immediately invest an initial $100 billion in new infrastructure, with activity already in the works on the ground in Texas. When it comes to accelerating the construction of democratic AI that can prevail over authoritarian AI, Stargate is a 21st century version of World War II’s Arsenal of Democracy.

Let’s make sure we understand the game being played, the nature of our competitors, and the stakes. If we do not accelerate our AI infrastructure build-out now, we’re effectively handing the future to the CCP.

The stakes are too high to let short-sighted market narratives or misinformation dictate our path. The game is on, and we need to play to win.

Chris Lehane is Chief Global Affairs Officer at OpenAI. Before joining OpenAI, he was Chief Strategy Officer and Operating Partner at Haun Ventures and previously led policy and communications at Airbnb from 2015 to 2021. He also co-founded a strategic consultancy, held various roles in the Clinton administration, and currently serves on Coinbase’s Board of Directors.

January 28, 2025