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How much gold reserves does the United States hold?

Making Money host Charles Payne addresses conspiracy theories over whether there is gold at Fort Knox.

Elon Musk and his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) could soon audit the U.S. government’s gold reserves based on the billionaire’s interactions on social media.

Musk on Saturday wrote a post on X questioning whether U.S. gold reserves are reviewed each year, to which Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., replied, “Nope. Let’s do it.”

“Who is confirming that gold wasn’t stolen from Fort Knox? Maybe it’s there, maybe it’s not. That gold is owned by the American public! We want to know if it’s still there,” Musk wrote on Monday. The post came in response to Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, claiming he has been repeatedly denied access to Fort Knox.

He later posted about “Looking for the gold at Fort Knox” with a South Park meme saying, “Annnnd it’s gone.” Musk also responded to Alex Jones on X to say, “It would be cool to do a live video walkthrough of Fort Knox!”

ELON MUSK’S DOGE PREPARES TO AUDIT US GOLD RESERVES AT FORT KNOX AFTER URGING BY SEN. RAND PAUL

SpaceX and Tesla founder Elon Musk questioned whether gold is missing from Fort Knox and signaled DOGE could audit U.S. gold reserves. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

Amid conspiracy theories about missing gold, the federal government periodically releases reports detailing its reserves of gold bullion and gold coins at its various repositories around the country. Those monthly reports include whether the gold is held in deep storage or in working stock that’s available to the U.S. Mint for the purpose of minting congressionally authorized coins.

It includes the weight of the gold reserves in troy ounces along with its book value in dollars. The book value isn’t the market value of the gold but instead refers to the total number of troy ounces multiplied by a value established by law ($42.222) that was established in 1973.

The market value of gold is about $2,900 per troy ounce as of Feb. 17, which is roughly 68 times the book value as prescribed under the 1973 law.

The Fort Knox military base in Kentucky is home to a gold bullion depository. (Jon Cherry/Getty Images)

WHAT HAS DOGE CUT SO FAR?

The Treasury Department’s most recently released update was published on Jan. 31 and noted the following:

Fort Knox – Treasury reported more than 147.3 million troy ounces of gold bullion held in deep storage at the bullion depository in Kentucky, which has a book value of over $6.2 billion.

West Point Mint – Treasury reported over 54 million troy ounces of gold bullion in deep storage at the depository in West Point, New York, with a book value over $2.2 billion.

Denver Mint – The report indicates over 43.8 million troy ounces of gold bullion are held in deep storage at the depository in Colorado, with a book value of more than $1.8 billion.

The treasury holds gold reserves, some of which are used by the U.S. Mint to create coins. (iStock)

DOGE ASKS PUBLIC FOR ‘INSIGHTS’ ON POTENTIAL WASTE AT SEC

Mint Working Stock – Across all treasury facilities, the report noted over 2.7 million troy ounces of gold held as working stock for the U.S. Mint to create gold coins. The reserves held as working stock had a book value of $117.5 million.

Federal Reserve Bullion – Treasury’s report listed two line items for gold held by the Federal Reserve at its New York vault – one item listed over 13.3 million troy ounces with a book value of $564.8 million, while the other listed over 73,400 troy ounces with a book value of about $3.1 million.

Federal Reserve Display Coins – The report also listed two line items for gold coins held for display at Federal Reserve banks. One of the line items listed 1,993 troy ounces with a book value of $84,162, while the other had 377 troy ounces and a book value of $15,936.

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February 17, 2025
Netanyahu will reportedly hold a security meeting at Trump’s deadline

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will reportedly hold a meeting at 12:00 p.m. eastern on Saturday, President Donald Trump’s deadline for Hamas, to discuss the rest of the ceasefire agreement, his spokesperson confirmed to Fox News.

In a statement, Prime Minister Netanyahu warned that Israel is “preparing with full intensity for what comes next, in every sense,” TPS-IL reported.

Earlier on Saturday, Hamas released three more hostages, including American citizen Sagui Dekel-Chen. Their release was almost delayed “indefinitely” by the terror group due to alleged ceasefire violations by Israel.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump during a news conference in the East Room of the White House in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025. (Ting Shen/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

TRUMP DEMANDS HAMAS RELEASE REST OF ISRAELI HOSTAGES

Trump then said on Monday that if Hamas did not return all of the remaining hostages by noon, Israel should cancel the ceasefire and “let all hell break out.”

“If all the Gaza hostages aren’t returned by Saturday at 12 p.m., I would say cancel the ceasefire,” Trump said in the Oval Office. “Let all hell break out; Israel can override it.”

When Trump made the statement, it was unclear if he meant 12 p.m. eastern or Israeli time. The time of Prime Minister Netanyahu’s meeting indicates that Israel understood Trump’s deadline as 12 p.m. eastern, making it 7 p.m. local time.

Israeli hostages Iair Horn, 46, left, Sagui Dekel Chen, 36, center left, and Alexander Troufanov, 29, right, are escorted by Hamas and Islamic Jihad fighters as they are handed over to the Red Cross in Khan Younis in the Gaza Strip on Saturday, Feb. 15. (AP/Abdel Kareem Hana)

HAMAS FREES 3 MORE HOSTAGES IN EXCHANGE FOR MORE THAN 300 PRISONERS AS PART OF CEASEFIRE DEAL WITH ISRAEL

On Thursday, Hamas announced it would release hostages on Saturday as planned. The group eventually named the hostages set to be released. Iair Horn and Sasha Troufanov were released alongside Dekel-Chen. All three men were taken from Kibbutz Nir Oz during Hamas’ Oct. 7 attacks.

While Trump was the one who originally suggested the deadline, he said on Saturday in a post on Truth Social that the United States would “back” any decision that Israel made regarding further actions.

“Hamas has just released three Hostages from GAZA, including an American Citizen. They seem to be in good shape! This differs from their statement last week that they would not release any Hostages,” Trump wrote. “Israel will now have to decide what they will do about the 12:00 O’CLOCK, TODAY, DEADLINE imposed on the release of ALL HOSTAGES. The United States will back the decision they make!”

President Donald Trump (left) and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (right). (Getty Images/Fox News Digital)

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Last week, Trump expressed outrage over the condition of the hostages released by Hamas, all of whom looked frail and gaunt. Trump said that the three men “looked like Holocaust survivors” and “like they haven’t had a meal in a month.”

Israel and Hamas are engaged in a ceasefire deal that went into effect on Jan. 19. Throughout the six-week deal, Hamas is expected to release 33 hostages in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners.

Rachel Wolf is a breaking news writer for Fox News Digital and FOX Business.

February 15, 2025
January inflation gives Fed more reason to hold on interest rate cuts

Egg prices soared by more than 15% in January. (iStock)

Annual inflation increased to 3% in January, rising above expectations and giving the Federal Reserve further reason to slow down interest rate cuts.

Inflation increased 0.5% monthly, slightly exceeding expectations and above the previous month’s increase of 0.4%, according to the Consumer Price Index (CPI) released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Core CPI, which excludes food and energy, rose by 0.4% in January, coming in at the same level as December’s increase. This brought the year-over-year rate to 3.3%.

Shelter costs rose 0.4% and were the most significant contributor to the monthly increase in January, accounting for nearly 30% of the monthly increase in all items. Gas was up 1.8% over the month. Food prices continued to rise, increasing 0.4% last month. The food at home index rose 0.5%, driven primarily by the soaring costs of eggs, which increased 15.2% in January.

“The unexpected acceleration in inflation marks the third consecutive monthly uptick in the consumer price index and extends a reflationary trend since two consecutive flat months for the index in May and June 2024,” Jim Baird, Plante Moran Financial Advisors’ chief investment officer, said in a statement. “Against a backdrop of solid demand, inflation has accelerated. It’s a reality that may spook consumers who remember the Covid-19 era price spike all too well.

“It will also make President Trump’s proposed import tariffs a tougher sell than was the case during his first term, when both inflation and interest rates were exceptionally low,” Baird continued.

If you are struggling with high inflation, you could consider taking out a personal loan to pay down debt at a lower interest rate, reducing your monthly payments. Visit Credible to find your personalized interest rate without affecting your credit score.

SENIORS TO GET MODERATE COST OF LIVING BUMP IN SOCIAL SECURITY PAYMENTS NEXT YEAR

The Fed pauses on further rate cuts

The increase in inflation, combined with a stable jobs market and economic growth, has given the Federal Reserve more room to work.

The Federal Reserve held interest rates at 4.5% to 4.75% in January, prompted by strong economic indicators that gave the central bank more room to wait. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said that the central bank intend to remain cautious about additional rate cuts so long as the job market remains solid and prices continue to climb.

“The murkiness of evolving trade policy creates a significant unknown for Fed policymakers who will have to grapple with the potential conflicting policy challenges of slower real growth and higher inflation,” Baird said. “While even bearish forecasts are a far cry from the stagflationary environment of the 1970s, the playbook would seemingly still apply.

“Arresting inflation is likely to remain the priority for the Fed, even at the expense of near-term growth,” Baird said. “The fear of inflation expectations becoming unanchored is just too much for policymakers to ignore.”

You can take out a personal loan before future rate hikes to help pay down high-interest debt. Visit Credible to find your personal loan rate without affecting your credit score.

FHFA ANNOUNCES HIGHER MORTGAGE LOAN LIMITS FOR 2025

How higher for longer impacts your wallet

All signs point to the Fed holding interest rates higher for longer, which means consumers will continue to be impacted by stubbornly elevated interest rates impacting a range of credit products, including credit cards, mortgages, unsecured personal loans and auto loans, according to Charlie Wise, TransUnion’s senior vice president of research and consulting.

“Consumers should avoid building and carrying large credit card balances, particularly in light of very high interest rates on this type of debt, and whenever possible pay more than the monthly minimums due on their cards,” Wise said in a statement.

Additionally, Wise advised that consumers keep a close watch on their credit profiles and keep them in the best shape possible so that when rates finally drop to a more manageable level, they are ready to refinance their existing debts into more affordable loans.

Using a personal loan to pay off high-interest debt at a lower rate could help you reduce your expenses and put money back in your wallet. You can visit Credible to find your personalized interest rate today.

BIDEN CANCELS MORE STUDENT LOANS WITH ONE WEEK LEFT TO HIS TERM

Have a finance-related question, but don’t know who to ask? Email The Credible Money Expert at [email protected] and your question might be answered by Credible in our Money Expert column.

February 13, 2025
Senate to hold final vote on RFK Jr nomination to serve as Trump’s Health secretary

The Senate is expected on Thursday to confirm Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Health and Human Services (HHS) secretary in President Donald Trump’s cabinet.

The final showdown over Kennedy’s controversial nomination was set in motion after the Republican-controlled Senate on Wednesday – in a 53-47 party-line vote – invoked cloture, which started the clock ticking toward the final confirmation roll call.

Kennedy, the well-known vaccine skeptic and environmental crusader who ran for the White House in 2024 before ending his bid and endorsing Trump, needs a simple majority to be confirmed by the Senate.

TRUMP HEALTH SECRETARY NOMINEE RFK JR. SURVIVES HEATED HEARINGS

Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., President Donald Trump’s nominee to serve as secretary of Health and Human Services, testifies during a Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions hearing for his pending confirmation on Capitol Hill on Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025 in Washington, D.C. (AP Photo/Rod Lamkey, Jr.)

Kennedy survived back-to-back combustible Senate confirmation hearings late last month, when Trump’s nominee to lead 18 powerful federal agencies that oversee the nation’s food and health faced plenty of verbal fireworks over past controversial comments, including his repeated claims in recent years linking vaccines to autism, which have been debunked by scientific research.

During the hearings, Democrats 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-19 vaccine for children.

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With Democrats on the Senate Finance Committee voting not to advance Kennedy, the spotlight was on Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., a physician and chair of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP).

Cassidy issued a last minute endorsement before the committee level vote, giving Kennedy a party-line 14-13 victory to advance his confirmation to the full Senate.

Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., center, President Donald Trump’s nominee to serve as secretary of Health and Human Services, talks with Committee Chairman Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., left, following his testimony during a Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions hearing for his pending confirmation on Capitol Hill on Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025 in Washington, D.C. (AP Photo/Rod Lamkey, Jr.)

Cassidy had emphasized during Kennedy’s confirmation hearings that “your past of undermining confidence in vaccines with unfounded or misleading arguments concerns me,” which left doubt about his support.

However, after speaking again with the nominee, Cassidy rattled off a long list of commitments Kennedy made to him, including quarterly hearings before the HELP Committee; meetings multiple times per month; that HELP Committee can choose representatives on boards or commissions reviewing vaccine safety; and a 30-day notice to the committee, plus a hearing, for any changes in vaccine safety reviews.

“These commitments, and my expectation that we can have a great working relationship to make America healthy again, is the basis of my support,” the senator said.

RFK Jr. and Trump split image (Getty Images)

Earlier this week, another Republican senator who had reservations regarding Kennedy’s confirmation announced support for the nominee.

“After extensive public and private questioning and a thorough examination of his nomination, I will support Robert F. Kennedy Jr.,” GOP Sen. Susan Collins of Maine announced on Tuesday.

Another Republican who was on the fence, Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, also voted to advance Kennedy’s nomination.

Murkowski noted that she continues “to have concerns about Mr. Kennedy’s views on vaccines and his selective interpretation of scientific studies,” but that the nominee “has made numerous commitments to me and my colleagues, promising to work with Congress to ensure public access to information and to base vaccine recommendations on data-driven, evidence-based, and medically sound research.”

Former longtime Senate GOP leader Sen. Mitch McConnell, a major proponent of vaccines, also voted to advance Kennedy’s nomination.

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.

The push is part of his “Make America Healthy Again” campaign.

“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,” Kennedy said as he pointed to chronic diseases. “And I am in a unique position to be able to stop this epidemic.”

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. speaks at a campaign event for this independent presidential bid, on May 1, 2024 in the New York City borough of Brooklyn. (Fox News – Paul Steinhauser)

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

Trump regularly pilloried Kennedy during his independent presidential bid, accusing him of being a “Radical Left Liberal” and a “Democrat Plant.”

Kennedy fired back, claiming in a social media post that Trump’s jabs against him were “a barely coherent barrage of wild and inaccurate claims.”

Then-former President Donald Trump, right, welcomes Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to the stage at a campaign rally at the Gas South Arena on Oct. 23, 2024 in Duluth, Georgia. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

However, 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.

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After months of criticizing him, Trump called Kennedy “a man who has been an incredible champion for so many of these values that we all share.”

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

The final vote on Kennedy’s nomination comes one day after another controversial pick, director of national intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, was confirmed by the Senate in a 52-48 vote.

Paul Steinhauser is a politics reporter based in New Hampshire.

February 13, 2025
World Radio Day 2025: AIR, UNICEF Hold ‘Radio Charcha’ Event To Discuss Importance of Radio as Medium

Bhopal, Feb 12: On the eve of World Radio Day, an event organised by All India Radio (AIR) and UNICEF in Madhya Pradesh capital Bhopal on Wednesday discussed the key role played by the medium. Speaking at the programme, ‘Radio Charcha’, at the office of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) here, MP’s Cooperatives and Sports and Youth Welfare Vishwas Sarang called radio a powerful medium capable of bringing a change. World Radio Day is observed on February 13 every year.

He said radio can help disseminate important messages concerning climate change and ‘Mission LiFE, an India-led global mass movement to nudge individual and community action to protect and preserve the environment.

Anil Gulati, Officer in Charge of UNICEF’s Madhya Pradesh chapter spoke about the use of radio, which he called a credible source of information, to bring visibility to issues concerning children.

He pointed out how radio had helped raise focus on issues like immunisation, education, breastfeeding, child rights and climate change. Rajesh Bhatt, Programming Head of AIR-Bhopal, said radio has contributed to the state’s efforts to protect the environment and child rights.

UNICEF officials Dr Prashanth Kumar and Narendra Singh Chouhan made a presentation on climate change, human health, the role of radio in creating awareness and lifestyle changes one can make to contribute towards climate action. Around 40 radio professionals participated in the programme.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)

February 13, 2025
First on Fox: Senate GOP campaign committee looks to streamline operations to hold majority in 2026

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EXCLUSIVE: Republicans are showcasing their “team effort” as they aim to defend and expand their Senate majority in the 2026 midterm elections.

The National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC), the Senate GOP’s campaign arm, unveiled its new vice chair program as the panel held its annual winter meeting this past weekend in Palm Beach, Florida.

According to sources attending the event, who shared details first with Fox News Digital, the five vice chairs serving under NRSC Chair Sen. Tim Scott will operate as an informal board of directors, providing ideas, oversight and accountability as the committee works to expand its services and seeks to modernize and become more streamlined.

“We’re one team. President Donald J. Trump and Senate Republicans are united to deliver for the American people and protect our Senate majority. The team effort is stronger than ever thanks to this tremendous group of Vice Chairs who have stepped up to raise the resources and build the organization needed to win,” Scott said at the winter meeting.

SENATE REPUBLICANS JUMP OUT TO FAST START IN THIS KEY CAMPAIGN METRIC

President Donald Trump speaks at a dinner with Senate Republicans at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida, on Friday, Feb. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis)

Scott was named NRSC chair for the 2026 cycle soon after Republicans, in November’s elections, flipped four seats from blue to red to win back control of the Senate and hold a 53-47 majority in the chamber.

The five vice chairs, previously announced by Scott, are Sens. Jim Banks of Indiana, Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee, Katie Britt of Alabama, Bernie Moreno of Ohio and Pete Ricketts of Nebraska.

TRUMP-BACKED 2024 GOP SENATE NOMINEE IN KEY BATTLEGROUND STATE MOVING TOWARDS ANOTHER RUN IN 2026

During a panel discussion this past weekend with Majority Whip Sen. John Barrasso of Wyoming, the vice chairs highlighted their pledge to help Scott protect incumbents facing difficult re-elections in the upcoming midterm elections, and to raise the resources needed to win.

“Each of these Vice Chairs contributes their unique experiences and passions to the fight to defend our incumbents, raise resources, and recruit top tier talent in the seats we want to flip,” Barasso emphasized.

National Republican Senatorial Committee vice chairs, from left to right, Sens. Bernie Moreno of Ohio, Jim Banks of Indiana, Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee, Pete Ricketts of Nebraska, and Katie Britt of Alabama, join Senate Majority Whip Sen. John Barrasso of Wyoming at a panel discussion at the NRSC winter meeting, in Palm Beach, Florida. (NRSC)

Among the vice chairs’ duties going forward are holding regular meetings to discuss and review NRSC budget items, fundraising progress and relevant political updates,

They also pledged to each raise $5 million for the committee, help with candidate recruitment and take part in a new incumbent protection program, in which each vice chair will be responsible for walking alongside four to five Senate Republicans up for re-election in 2026.

“Failure isn’t an option, and that’s why I am committed to this role – to making sure the NRSC wins in battleground states and keeps the Majority so we can continue working with President Trump to turn Promises Made into Promises Kept,” Britt said.

MEET THE REPUBLICAN SENATOR TASKED WITH DEFENDING THE GOP’S SENATE MAJORITY IN 2026

Blackburn emphasized that “I’m committed to working with our incumbents to develop aggressive new media strategies. We will deliver our message of prosperity and opportunity through as many platforms as possible and meet the American people where they are.”

Banks highlighted that “it’s critical we leverage every resource available to protect and expand our Senate majority. Senate Republicans and President Trump are unified. I’m ready to make sure we’re using every tool we have to win and continue delivering for the American people.”

Moreno stressed that “it’s essential we hold our majority in 2026 to ensure President Trump has allies for four full years in the Senate.”

Additionally, Ricketts pledged that the vice chairs “will ensure the NRSC has the resources necessary to protect and expand our majority.”

Senate Republicans enjoyed a very favorable map in the 2024 cycle as they won back control of the majority. An early read of the 2026 map shows they will continue to play offense in some states, but will be forced to play defense in others.

The GOP will target an open Democrat-held seat in battleground Michigan, where Sen. Gary Peters announced two weeks ago that he would not seek re-election in 2026. They will also target first-term Sen. Jon Ossoff in battleground Georgia and longtime Sen. Jeanne Shaheen in swing state New Hampshire.

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However, Democrats plan to go on offense in blue-leaning Maine, where GOP Sen. Susan Collins is up for re-election, as well as in battleground North Carolina, where Republican Sen. Thom Tillis is also up in 2026.

February 10, 2025
Russell Vought confirmed to head government’s leading budget office after Dems hold 30-hour protest

Despite Democratic tactics to delay the confirmation vote, the Senate confirmed Russell Vought to lead the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).

Republicans backed Vought’s nomination, arguing he proved a qualified candidate for the role since he previously held the position during President Donald Trump’s first term. Democrats, however, raised multiple concerns about his nomination and said his views on the Impoundment Control Act, which reinforces that Congress holds the power of the purse, disqualified him from the role.

Democrats held a 30-hour-long protest against Vought’s nomination, delivering speeches in the middle of the night on Wednesday in an attempt to delay the confirmation vote.

The Senate, in a chaotic final floor vote on Thursday evening, voted to confirm Vought to lead the OMB.

SENATE DEMOCRATS SPEAK ALL NIGHT AGAINST TRUMP OMB NOMINEE, DELAYING CONFIRMATION VOTE

Russell Vought repeatedly told lawmakers during two confirmation hearings that he believes the Impoundment Control Act is unconstitutional. (Stefani Reynolds/Bloomberg)

Democratic Senators repeatedly injected themselves during the confirmation vote, protesting the nomination until the last second.

“No debate is permitted during a vote,” Republican Sen. Ashley Moody told the lawmakers.

The Office of Management and Budget is responsible for developing and executing the president’s budget, as well as overseeing and coordinating legislative proposals and priorities aligned with the executive branch.

Vought appeared before the Senate Budget Committee and the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee for confirmation hearings, where he defended statements asserting that the Impoundment Control Act is unconstitutional.

TRUMP HEALTH SECRETARY NOMINEE RFK JR CLEARS SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE CONFIRMATION VOTE

The law, adopted in 1974, stipulates that Congress may oversee the executive branch’s withholdings of budget authority. But Vought encountered criticism from Democrats for freezing $214 million in military aid for Ukraine in 2019 — a decision that ultimately led to Trump’s first impeachment.

Russell Vought also faced scrutiny for his views on social issues from Democrats, particularly given his ties to Project 2025 that the Heritage Foundation released in 2023.

“You’re quite comfortable assuming that the law doesn’t matter and that you’ll just treat the money for a program as a ceiling … rather than a required amount,” Senate Budget Committee ranking member Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., said Wednesday. “Well, the courts have found otherwise.”

In the 1975 Supreme Court ruling Train v. New York, the court determined the Environmental Protection Agency must use full funding included in the Federal Water Pollution Control Act Amendments of 1972, even though then-President Richard Nixon issued orders to not use all the funding.

Even so, Vought told lawmakers that Trump campaigned on the position that the Impoundment Control Act is unconstitutional — and that he agrees with that.

Vought’s statements on the issue left Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., “astonished and aghast” during one confirmation hearing.

“I think our colleagues should be equally aghast, because this issue goes beyond Republican or Democrat,” Blumenthal said on Jan. 15. “It’s bigger than one administration or another. It’s whether the law of the land should prevail, or maybe it’s up for grabs, depending on what the president thinks.”

Vought also faced questioning from Democrats on his views regarding abortion as an author of Project 2025, a political initiative conservative think tank The Heritage Foundation released in 2023 that called for policy changes that would implement a national ban on medication abortion.

Russell Vought told lawmakers that he would uphold the law and carry out President Donald Trump’s policies. (Elijah Nouvelage/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Other proposals included in Project 2025 include eliminating the Department of Education, cutting diversity, equity and inclusion programs, and reducing funding for Medicare and Medicaid.

“You have said that you don’t believe in exceptions for rape, for incest, or the life of the mother,” Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., said during a confirmation hearing on Wednesday. “Is that your position?”

“Senator, my views are not important,” Vought said. “I’m here on behalf of the president.”

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Trump repeatedly has stated that he backs abortion in certain instances, and stated that “powerful exceptions” for abortion would remain in place under his administration.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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

February 7, 2025
Senate to vote on key Trump nominee after Democrats hold contentious overnight debate

The Senate is poised to vote on whether to confirm Russell Vought to a top administration role after Democrats held a rare overnight session to oppose his nomination.

Vought was tapped by President Donald Trump to lead the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), the office that helps create and manage the federal budget.

While many Trump nominees have received bipartisan support, Vought’s nomination has been controversial among Democratic lawmakers who are opposed due to his stance on the Impoundment Control Act – a 1974 law that reinforces Congress’ power of the purse.

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

Russell Vought, President Donald Trump’s choice for director of the Office of Management and Budget, speaks during a Senate Budget Committee hearing on his nomination, on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025. (Jacquelyn Martin/AP)

On Wednesday, the Senate voted to advance Vought’s nomination to a final vote on the floor, prompting a 30-hour, overnight debate period that Democrats vowed to use entirely for protest.

Democrats scheduled speakers to hold the floor throughout the entire night in an effort to delay Vought’s confirmation.

DEMS’ ‘DELAY TACTIC’ TO ‘MALIGN’ PATEL AND STALL FBI CONFIRMATION DISMISSED AS ‘BASELESS’ BY TOP SENATE LEADER

However, the Senate is likely to hold a confirmation vote for Vought on Thursday evening once the debate period ends.

Sen. Gary Peters said Democrats are going to “do everything we can” to make sure Russell Vought does not get confirmed. (Umit Bektas)

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“We’re gonna do everything we can to make sure he doesn’t get confirmed,” Sen. Gary Peters, D-Michigan, said in a video posted on X. “We know that Republicans have the votes, but we’re going to fight every step of the way.”

President Donald Trump’s nominee for Office of Management and Budget director, Russell Vought, testifies during the Senate Banking Committee nomination hearing in the Dirksen Senate Building on Jan. 22, 2025 in Washington, D.C. (Kayla Bartkowski/Getty Images)

Fox News’ Diana Stacey and Julia Johnson contributed to this report.

Aubrie Spady is a Writer for Fox News Digital.

February 6, 2025
Palantir CEO touts Elon Musk’s DOGE, ability to hold ‘sacred cows of the deep state’ accountable

‘Making Money’ host Charles Payne discusses the current state of global trade and The Fitz-Gerald Group principal Keith Fitz-Gerald analyzes Palantir on ‘Making Money.’

When asked whether the Elon Musk-led Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) would serve as roadblocks to their business, Palantir’s CEO and chief technology officer were overwhelmingly optimistic about the check-and-balance foundation that DOGE is laying.

“Palantir’s real competition is a lack of accountability in government, these forever software projects that cost an insane amount that don’t actually deliver results. They’re sacred cows of the deep state,” CTO Shyam Sankar said in the fourth-quarter earnings webcast on Tuesday.

“And I think DOGE is going to bring meritocracy and transparency to government. And that’s exactly what our commercial business is,” he continued. “The commercial market is meritocratic and transparent, and you see the results that we have in that sort of environment. And that’s the basis of our optimism around this.”

The artificial intelligence-enabled data analytics firm reached its own milestone this week, as investors reacted positively to Palantir’s Q4 earnings and caused shares to surge as high as 28% before settling at a 24% gain by market close.

WHAT IS U.S.A.I.D. AND WHY IS IT IN TRUMP’S CROSSHAIRS?

Forbes reported that Palantir’s market capitalization jumped up to $240 billion, a company record, making it more valuable than popular names like McDonald’s, American Express and Disney.

Top Palantir executives reportedly have no fears about risks DOGE could pose to its government contract-led business. (Getty Images)

More than half of Palantir’s business comes from government contracts. During an appearance on FOX Business in December, its CEO Alex Karp shared his wholehearted support for DOGE, adding that there’s no “better person” than Musk to lead it.

Palantir CEO Alex Karp opens up about the company’s success and weighs in on DOGE on ‘The Claman Countdown.’

“We love disruption, and whatever is good for America will be good for Americans and very good for Palantir,” Karp said on Tuesday’s webcast. “Disruption, [at] the end of the day, exposes things that aren’t working. There’ll be ups and downs. There’s a revolution. Some people can get their heads cut off.”

“We’re expecting to see really unexpected things and to win, basically, that’s what we’re going to do,” he expanded. “And we’re pretty optimistic about the U.S. environment.”

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Palantir CTO Shyam Sankar warns that if the United States entered a war with a near-peer adversary, our weapons stockpile would last weeks — not years — on ‘The Claman Countdown.’

“The work that we’ve done in government, it’s deeply operational, deeply valuable, and we’re pretty excited about exceptional engineers getting in there under the hood and being able to see that for a change,” Sankar also said.

As of Wednesday’s opening bell, Palantir stock was down slightly from its all-time Tuesday high of $105.79.

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February 5, 2025
Wizards hold moment of silence for victims of deadly midair collision in Washington

The Washington Wizards held a moment of silence Thursday for the victims of the deadly crash involving a passenger jet and an Army helicopter near Reagan National Airport.

The Wizards hosted the Los Angeles Lakers at the Capital One Arena, and it was the first sporting event in D.C. since Wednesday night’s crash.

Emergency vehicles near the site of the crash after American Airlines Flight 5342 collided with a helicopter while approaching Reagan Washington National Airport outside Washington Jan. 29, 2025. (Reuters/Carlos Barria)

The Wizards had a message on their jumbotron before the game began.

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“We are deeply saddened by the tragedy near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport last night,” the statement said. “We extend our thoughts and prayers to those families, loved ones, and all those impacted.

LIVE UPDATES: MILITARY HELICOPTER COLLIDES WITH AIRCRAFT NEAR REAGAN NATIONAL AIRPORT

Rescuers on boats work as the sun rises at the site of a crash after a Black Hawk helicopter collided with American Airlines Flight 5342, which was approaching Reagan Washington National Airport outside Washington Jan. 30, 2025. (Kevin Lamarque/Reuters)

“And we thank all the first responders for their heroic efforts across this massive coordinated effort.”

An American Airlines jet carrying 60 passengers and four crew members collided with an Army Black Hawk helicopter, which was carrying three soldiers. All airline passengers and soldiers were presumed dead.

At least 14 members of the figure skating community were on board the plane. Six people with ties to the Skating Club of Boston were among them.

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The Washington Commanders and Washington Nationals also paid tribute to those who lost their lives and showed their support for the first responders who sprang into action to find any potential survivors and recover bodies from the Potomac River.

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Ryan Gaydos is a senior editor for Fox News Digital.

January 31, 2025