Happy New Year 2025

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Top Trump Cabinet officials tell Congress they need money to continue securing border

FIRST ON FOX: President Donald Trump’s newly sworn-in top Cabinet members are asking Congress to provide more resources to continue the administration’s full court press to secure the border and facilitate large-scale deportations.

Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Attorney General Pam Bondi penned a letter to top appropriators in the House and Senate, pleading with them to designate more funds to the cause of securing the U.S. southern border.

“The American people strongly support sealing our borders and returning to a lawful immigration system,” Noem, Hegseth and Bondi told the lawmakers in the letter obtained exclusively by Fox News Digital.

LORI CHAVEZ-DEREMER: THE LITTLE-KNOWN TRUMP NOMINEE WHO MAY NEED TO RELY ON DEMS

Members of President Donald Trump’s Cabinet leading his border security efforts are asking Congress for more resources. (Reuters)

“Even if the price of some of these measures may seem high, they are nothing when compared to the costs our country is facing in the long term of continuing the status quo,” they explained.

According to the Trump Cabinet officials, their departments need a variety of resources to continue securing the border at the current level.

These include additional law enforcement officers; military personnel, including Active Duty and State and National Guard; aircraft and additional means of transportation to facilitate deportations; both materials and workers to finish construction of “a permanent barrier” at the border; additional immigration judges to quickly decide cases and clear the backlog; and more facilities to detain illegal immigrant waiting for deportation.

TRUMP NOMINEE TULSI GABBARD CLEARS LAST HURDLE, HEADS FOR FINAL CONFIRMATION VOTE

Immigrants are seen boarding a U.S. military aircraft. The White House announced that “deportation flights have begun” in the U.S. (White House)

The correspondence to congressional leaders comes as a March 14 spending bill deadline approaches, and the chambers are expected to lay out a new spending deal to avoid a partial government shutdown.

Passing a spending bill next month with satisfactory border funding could prove difficult, however, because 60 votes will be needed in the Senate. That means the Republican conference cannot pass it single-handedly and will need the support of several Democrats to get it done.

SCHUMER REVEALS DEM COUNTER-OFFENSIVE AGAINST TRUMP’S DOGE AUDIT

The U.S. Capitol. (Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc)

The letter from Noem, Hegseth and Bondi also coincides with congressional Republicans’ efforts to put together a budget deal with provisions for border security and pass it in an expeditious manner. However, the House and Senate GOP have begun to butt heads on how to go about the key budget reconciliation process and whether to pursue one big bill with all of Trump’s priorities or to use a two-bill approach, with another being passed later in the year to address Trump’s tax agenda.

By lowering the threshold for Senate passage from 60 votes to 51 out of 100, reconciliation allows the party in power to skirt its opposition to advance its agenda – provided the items included relate to budgetary and other fiscal matters. The House of Representatives already has a simple majority threshold.

TRUMP’S KEY TO CABINET CONFIRMATIONS: SENATOR-TURNED-VP VANCE’S GIFT OF GAB

Sens. Susan Collins, right, and Patty Murray are the GOP and Democrat leaders of the Senate appropriations committee. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)

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Fox News Digital reached Senate Committee on Appropriations Chairwoman Susan Collins, R-Maine, and Ranking Member Patty Murray, D-Wash.; Senate Committee on the Budget Chairman Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., and Ranking Member Jeff Merkley, D-Ore.; House Committee on Appropriations Chairman Tom Cole, R-Okla., and Ranking Member Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn., and House Budget Committee Chairman Jodey Arrington, R-Texas, and Ranking Member Brendan Boyle, D-Pa., but did not immediately receive responses.

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 11, 2025
Top translation apps for travelers

Traveling abroad can be an incredible adventure, but the language barrier can make even the most intrepid explorer nervous. The fear of being unable to communicate or understand signs and menus keeps many would-be travelers from ever leaving their home country. But fear not. With the rise of powerful translation apps, you can harness the latest technology right on your smartphone to bridge the language gap wherever your journey takes you.

I’ve tested out the top contenders to bring you my picks for the best translation apps for global travelers. Whether you have an iPhone or an Android, these apps have got you covered with features like live speech translation, text input and even AI-powered sign and menu translation.

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A man using a translation app on his cellphone (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

The best overall translation app

Google Translate

Google Translate (Google) (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

Google Translate is the best translation app for most people. It supports the most languages, with 133 languages supported. It also features an incredibly user-friendly interface and design, and best of all, it’s completely free. There are multiple ways to translate languages with Google Translate, be it by typing text into the translation box or utilizing text-to-speech translation, and you can even take advantage of Google’s AI translator, which can translate text from photos that you take.

If you are using an iOS device, you can download Google Translate here. If you are using an Android-based device, you can download Google Translate from the Google Play Store here. Additionally, you can access Google Translate in your web browser from any device by going to translate.Google.com.

THE BEST TRAVEL GEAR FOR 2025

The best free translation app for iOS users

Apple Translate

Apple Translate (Apple) (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

If you’re an iOS devotee, you may have already encountered Apple Translate, which comes pre-installed on all iOS devices. This powerful translation app is one of the best available exclusively to iOS users, capable of translating written text and images of text and facilitating direct speech translation to help you converse with speakers of other languages. Apple Translate currently supports 19 languages, including popular options like Spanish, French, German, Chinese and Arabic, making it a valuable tool for planning international vacations or communicating while traveling.

Additionally, the Translate app is available on the Apple Watch, allowing you to access your favorite translations on the go. With its seamless integration across Apple devices, you can easily switch between your iPhone and Apple Watch for quick and convenient translations. Whether you’re navigating a foreign city or engaging in conversation with locals, Apple Translate is designed to enhance your travel experience.

HOW TO STAY CONNECTED NO MATTER WHERE YOU TRAVEL IN THE WORLD

The best translation app for professionals

Microsoft Translator

Microsoft Translator (Microsoft) (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

Microsoft Translator is a totally free-to-use translation app that is popular with business professionals. Featuring over translation for more than 120 languages, this is one of the most robust free-to-use translation apps. You can translate via text, spoken word or images with Microsoft Translate, and where the app really stands out is its ability to be used with multiple devices. You can create translation groups with Microsoft Translator and everyone can talk and translate together. The Microsoft Translator is available for both iOS and Android devices.

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The best paid translation app

iTranslate

iTranslate (iTranslate) (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

With over 500,000 reviews on the Apple App Store, iTranslate is one of the most popular translation apps for travelers. It offers translation options for more than 100 languages, and its premium features make it well worth the cost of the app. You can use iTranslate for free, but you will be limited to just text translations. With the paid option, you can access both voice translations and text-via-camera translations. For those willing to pay $6 per month, users can save their translations and dictionaries offline, so you can use them from anywhere, even without service. iTranslate is available for both the iOS platform and the Android platform.

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Kurt’s key takeaways

There are a lot of different translation apps out there on the market aimed at travelers, and we highlighted our favorites today. While the majority of the apps in this list are free-to-use, and all the apps in this list have a free-to-use mode, you will need to pay for additional features from apps such as iTranslate.

What challenges have you faced while communicating in a foreign language during your travels? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact.

For more of my tech tips and security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading to Cyberguy.com/Newsletter.

Ask Kurt a question or let us know what stories you’d like us to cover.

Follow Kurt on his social channels:

Answers to the most asked CyberGuy questions:

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Copyright 2025 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.

Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson is an award-winning tech journalist who has a deep love of technology, gear and gadgets that make life better with his contributions for Fox News & FOX Business beginning mornings on “FOX & Friends.” Got a tech question? Get Kurt’s free CyberGuy Newsletter, share your voice, a story idea or comment at CyberGuy.com.

February 11, 2025
Top 20 apps tracking you every day
If something is free, you’re the product being sold. This is especially true for most online services we use. For example, Google’s primary source of revenue is ads. They make money by collecting data about you and me and selling targeted advertising to companies, which then show us products relevant to our interests.

You might have noticed that the moment you search for a product on Google, you start seeing ads for it on Facebook. The same applies to apps like Instagram, Threads and LinkedIn. In fact, research shows that the apps collecting the most data about you are also among the most widely used.

Let’s look at the top 20 of them and explore how you can take control of your personal information.

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A man scrolling through his apps on his phone (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

The most invasive apps you’re probably using

Apps collect all sorts of data about you, but let’s get one thing straight. Not all data collection is bad. Some apps genuinely need access to certain information to function properly. For example, Uber stores your location data to help you find a ride faster, while WhatsApp requires access to your contacts so you can send messages.

The real issue is data collection that serves no purpose other than showing you ads or selling your information to third parties. According to Marin Marinčić, head of IT Infrastructure at Nsoft, the top 20 most invasive apps collect data that is not necessary for their core functions.

WHAT IS ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI)?

Leading the list is Meta with all four of its major apps. Facebook, Messenger, Instagram and Threads share 68% of collected data with third parties while also using it for targeted ads. LinkedIn follows, sharing around 37% of user data, with Amazon in third place, followed by YouTube.

What makes this concerning is how deeply embedded these apps are in our daily lives, making it nearly impossible to find alternatives or avoid data collection altogether.

The list also includes Elon Musk’s X at No. 5, followed by Uber Eats, PayPal, Uber, Google and Amazon Prime Video. TikTok, despite ongoing scrutiny over its data policies, ranks 14th. While many of these names were expected, one surprising entry is the mobile game Candy Crush, which uses 28% of collected data for ads. You can find the full list in the image below.

The top 20 most invasive applications (Nsoft)

THE HIDDEN COSTS OF FREE APPS: YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION

Looking for alternatives is the only solution

Avoiding data collection is nearly impossible if you use the apps above. The only way to dodge these invasive apps is to switch to apps that respect your privacy. While it may seem impossible to replace some of the biggest platforms, there are alternatives that collect little to no unnecessary data.
- For messaging, Signal is one of the best options. Unlike WhatsApp, it does not store metadata or share information with third parties. If you need a search engine that does not track your activity, check out these options instead of Google.
- When it comes to social media, Mastodon and Bluesky offer decentralized alternatives to Twitter.
- For those looking to replace YouTube, PeerTube and Nebula are worth exploring.
- If you shop frequently on Amazon, consider smaller online retailers or direct brand websites that may be less likely to track your every move.
- Instead of Google Drive, consider these solutions which offer cloud storage with strong encryption.
Switching to these alternatives may require some effort, but it is the best way to limit how much of your personal data is being collected. Taking control of your privacy starts with making conscious choices about the apps you use.

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Apps on the home screen of an Android phone (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

HOW TO GET RID OF ROBOCALLS WITH APPS AND DATA REMOVAL SERVICES

5 ways to reduce data sharing

If you’re not able to delete the apps listed above, follow the simple steps below to minimize how much information is being collected and shared.

1. Review app permissions: Most apps request access to data they do not actually need. Go to your phone settings and check app permissions on your iPhone and Android. Disable access to location, microphone, contacts and other sensitive data unless absolutely necessary.

2. Turn off ad personalization: Many companies track your online activity to show targeted ads. You can limit this by disabling ad personalization in Google, Facebook, and other accounts. This reduces the amount of data collected about your interests and behavior.

3. Limit social media tracking: Social media platforms track your activity even when you are not using them. Adjust privacy settings to restrict data collection.

4. Avoid signing in with Google or Facebook: Many websites offer login options using Google or Facebook. While convenient, this shares even more data with these platforms. Instead, create separate accounts using email whenever possible.

5. Use a Virtual Private Network (VPN) and private browsing mode: A VPN hides your IP address, helping to obscure your location and online activity, making it harder for websites to track you. Combined with private browsing or incognito mode, this reduces the amount of data companies can collect about your online activity. Using a VPN service can also enhance your privacy by encrypting your internet traffic, making it harder for hackers and third parties to intercept your data, especially on public Wi-Fi.

While VPNs don’t directly prevent phishing emails, they reduce the exposure of your browsing habits to trackers that may use this data maliciously. With a VPN, you can securely access your email accounts from anywhere, even in areas with restrictive internet policies. For the best VPN software, see my expert review of the best VPNs for browsing the web privately on your Windows, Mac, Android & iOS devices

6. Regular app cleanup: Uninstall apps you no longer use to reduce passive data collection.

HOW TO REMOVE YOUR PRIVATE DATA FROM THE INTERNET

App-specific suggestions to safeguard your digital footprint

Protect your personal information across the popular platforms mentioned above with these essential privacy adjustments.

Facebook/Instagram/Threads:
- Disable activity tracking by going to Settings > Privacy > Activity Tracking.
- Turn off “Apps, Websites and Games” to limit third-party data sharing.
LinkedIn:
- Turn off ad targeting in Settings > Advertising preferences.
- Disable profile viewing history.
Amazon/Prime Video:
- Opt-out of personalized ads in your account settings.
- Limit sharing by disabling Alexa voice data storage (if applicable).
YouTube/Google Products (e.g., Gmail, Google Maps):
- Disable ad personalization under Google Account > Data & Personalization > Ad Settings.
- Turn off location history and web/app activity tracking.
Uber/Uber Eats:
- Use the app only when needed, and avoid storing payment methods if possible.
- Disable tracking after rides/deliveries are complete.
PayPal:
- Restrict sharing under Settings > Privacy & Security by opting out of data sharing for marketing purposes.
Snapchat:
- Disable location sharing via Snap Map and turn off ad personalization under Ad Preferences.
TikTok:
- Restrict personalized content recommendations in Privacy > Personalization and Data.
- Avoid posting unnecessary personal information.
Spotify:
- Adjust data sharing preferences in Account Settings > Privacy Settings.
- Opt out of tailored ads.
Roblox:
- Set strict privacy controls in the account settings, especially for children.
- Use a separate, disposable email for account registration.
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Kurt’s key takeaway

The best way to reduce companies from collecting your data is to remove invasive apps from your phone. Many apps request unnecessary permissions that can track your activity, so deleting them limits exposure. Instead of downloading standalone apps, try using the browser versions of popular social media platforms, as they typically have fewer permissions.

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However, web tracking still exists through cookies and fingerprinting, so using a privacy-focused browser like Brave, Firefox with enhanced tracking protection, or Safari with Intelligent Tracking Prevention (ITP) can further reduce data collection. However, some apps are so deeply integrated that replacing them is difficult. For example, if you use an Android phone, avoiding Google’s ecosystem is nearly impossible. Apple, on the other hand, offers more privacy controls, giving users better options to limit data collection.

Do you check app permissions before installing? How do you decide which permissions are acceptable? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact

For more of my tech tips and security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading to Cyberguy.com/Newsletter

Ask Kurt a question or let us know what stories you’d like us to cover

Follow Kurt on his social channels

Answers to the most asked CyberGuy questions:

New from Kurt:

Copyright 2025 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.

Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson is an award-winning tech journalist who has a deep love of technology, gear and gadgets that make life better with his contributions for Fox News & FOX Business beginning mornings on “FOX & Friends.” Got a tech question? Get Kurt’s free CyberGuy Newsletter, share your voice, a story idea or comment at CyberGuy.com.
February 9, 2025
Top cities where LA wildfire victims are relocating: celebrity realtor

Josh Altman told Fox Business he predicts displaced Palisades residents will move to nearby cities, Orange County, Arizona and Las Vegas.

Celebrity real estate agent Josh Altman is seeing a huge spike in interest among displaced Pacific Palisades residents in seven specific areas following the devastating fire last month.

During an interview with FOX Business, Altman explained that he gets multiple phone calls daily from families who are looking to move to Santa Monica, Brentwood, Beverly Hills, Lower Bel-Air, Newport Beach, Scottsdale and Las Vegas.

“Well, listen. It’s not what they would move to? It’s what we know they’re moving to. It’s the deals that are getting closed. The first place they’re looking is Santa Monica and Brentwood. And I’m telling you, I get requests for Santa Monica and Brentwood throughout the day, every day for the past month,” Altman said.

Josh Altman predicts what cities displaced Palisades residents will move to. (Getty Images / Getty Images)

“And the bumps in the values have been something that has been more aggressive than when we got out of COVID, when that market for, you know, real estate was amazing. The bumps have been more aggressive than when rates were at 2%. We’re talking about a whole new landscape.”

WATCH: Celebrity realtor highlights top cities Palisades residents are fleeing to after devastating LA Fires

Josh Altman told Fox Business he predicts displaced Palisade residents will move to nearby cities, Orange County, Arizona and Las Vegas.

LA REAL ESTATE AGENT REVEALS NO. 1 REASON WHY PACIFIC PALISADES RESIDENTS WON’T RETURN

“And also, by the way, comps, you can forget about comps. Comps don’t exist anymore. If it wasn’t a comp from this new year on, it’s not a comp. So that’s a new market that we’re kind of navigating through,” he continued.

A Super Scooper plane dropped water on the Palisades fire on Jan. 7. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images / Getty Images)

“As far as the other places, first, Brentwood, Santa Monica, second, Beverly Hills, Lower Bel-Air, third, Newport Beach, fourth, Scottsdale, Vegas. That’s what I’m seeing a lot of.”

“As far as the other places, first, Brentwood, Santa Monica, second, Beverly Hills, Lower Bel-Air, third, Newport Beach, fourth, Scottsdale, Vegas. That’s what I’m seeing a lot of.”

– Josh Altman

Altman told FOX Business that he spoke to someone who shared that a public school in Newport Beach has received 76 new applicants from Los Angeles families, displaced by the LA Fires, in the last 10 days alone.

The realtor explained that it Is too early to know if these moves are permanent but did share that families are looking for stability for their children.

A burned down playground in Pacific Palisades. (Sunny Tsai / FOXBusiness)

“You get comfortable and you have kids. There’s you know, you don’t want to move a lot. And then it also comes down to the school situation. Where are the schools going to be now that you know that they’re moving not in the Palisades, you know, whether they’re being put in buildings locally where the kids are going to be. Look, as a parent, that’s the most important thing. It’s all about the kids,” Altman said.

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Altman told FOX Business he still believes 70% of Palisades residents will not return to the community following the fires.

Former “Million Dollar Listing” star Josh Altman told FOX Business a “whole new group” of people will move into the Palisades once rebuilding begins. (Randy Shropshire/Getty Images for FMB Development / Getty Images)

“There’s just going to be a whole new group. Because I got to tell you, and I keep saying this, it’s one of the most special places in the country. There is a totally new market, which we’re still trying to navigate through,” he said.

WATCH: Josh Altman still believes 70% of Palisades residents won’t return following the fires

Josh Altman told Fox Business that there’s going to be a “whole new group” of people that move into the Pacific Palisades.

“What is the dirt worth for the people who are not going to rebuild when they sell it? Who’s going to be the first person to take the offer when we’re allowed to close a deal? Because there’s been a moratorium out there where you can’t close as of right now. And how is that going to affect all the rest of the sales in that area? And unfortunately, I think they’re going to be a little lower than people expect,” Altman continued.

READ MORE FROM FOX BUSINESS

According to Cal Fire, the Palisades Fire is 95% contained as of Feb. 5. The fire burnt down 6,831 structures and homes. It burned 23,448 acres. 12 people died during the Palisades Fire and four were injured.

February 9, 2025
Top federal agency with history of wasteful spending could be next DOGE target

Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) chief Elon Musk’s efforts to clean up waste and fraud in the federal government will soon shift its focus to the Social Security Administration (SSA) in a move likely to create a firestorm with Democrats similar to reactions to the recent measures taken against the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).

The SSA, created by the Social Security Act under President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1935 and tasked with establishing a federal benefits system for older Americans, will soon become a focus of DOGE, according to a report from Semafor that was not denied by the White House when contacted by Fox News Digital.

While several Democrats — including Rep. Dan Goldman, D-N.Y., in a post on X — have been quick to accuse this move as being aimed at slashing Social Security benefits for the elderly, several areas with potential waste exist in the agency that don’t involve cutting current benefits.

Just Facts, a nonprofit research institute, previously reported that the agency disbursed roughly $2 billion in fraudulent or improper payments in 2022, which it calculated was enough “to pay 89,947 retired workers the average annual old-age benefit of $21,924 for 2023.”

‘DISTURBING’: WHISTLEBLOWER FUMES AT BIDEN-ERA AGENCY PROMOTING DEI PROGRAM AS DEPARTMENT’S ‘MISSION’

Elon Musk’s DOGE efforts are set to focus on Social Security. (Getty Images)

Just Facts explained that through a policy known as “administrative finality,” once the “SSA mistakenly overpays a beneficiary for more than four years, it does not recover past overpayments and deliberately continues to make future overpayments excepting cases of fraud.”

The SSA sent roughly 7,000 federal employees disability benefits in 2008 while they were still taking wages from federal jobs, according to a 2010 report by the Government Accountability Office (GAO).

The GAO estimated that about 1,500 of those individuals “may have improperly received benefits” since their wages went beyond maximum income thresholds. The GAO investigation also found that over 71,000 “stimulus checks” were sent by the Obama administration to people who were deceased, including 63,481 people whose deaths had been previously reported to the agency.

MEET THE YOUNG TEAM OF SOFTWARE ENGINEERS SLASHING GOVERNMENT WASTE AT DOGE: REPORT

Musk’s team has moved to slash USAID’s $40 billion spending budget. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

“Social Security will not be touched, it will only be strengthened,” President Donald Trump said during a press conference on Friday. “We have illegal immigrants on Social Security and we’re going to find out who they are and take them out.”

Trump added, “We’re going to strengthen our Social Security, etc. We’re not going to touch it other than to make it stronger. But we have people that shouldn’t be on, and those people we have to weed out, most of them, or many of them, so far, have been illegal immigrants.”

On Friday afternoon, White House Principal Deputy Communications Director Alex Pfeiffer posted a report on X from the Center for Immigration Studies in 2021 that said, “We estimate that there are 2.65 million illegal immigrants with Social Security numbers.”

Trump added that DOGE will go through “everything” when it comes to waste and fraud in the federal government.

In a statement to Fox News Digital, a spokesperson for the SSA said, “We remain focused and vigilant on the integrity of our programs and take seriously our responsibilities to deter fraud, waste, and abuse.”

The Social Security Administration was created by the Social Security Act under President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1935. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

DOGE has dominated news headlines over the past week as Musk’s team has moved to slash USAID’s $40 billion spending budget and put on leave the vast majority of its employees, as photos of the sign at the door of the agency’s Washington, D.C., headquarters being taken down have circulated on social media.

Musk has said that both he and Trump “agreed” that the agency should be “shut down.” Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who has been named acting director of the independent agency, on Monday echoed the sentiment, telling reporters, “USAID is not functioning.”

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

Democrats held a rally outside the Treasury Department earlier this week blasting the DOGE efforts as a threat to democracy.

“Elon Musk is a Nazi nepo baby, a godless lawless billionaire, who no one elected,” Rep. Ayanna Pressley, D-Mass., said at a rally, sparking pushback from conservatives on social media.

“Elon, this is the American people. This is not your trashy Cybertruck that you can just dismantle, pick apart, and sell the pieces of.”

Fox News Digital’s Stephen Sorace contributed to this report.

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

February 7, 2025
Top NFL Draft prospect talks value of tight ends as Travis Kelce, Dallas Goedert prepare for Super Bowl LIX

NEW ORLEANS – Penn State star and top NFL Draft prospect Tyler Warren is preparing to enter his pro career in just a few short months, but before then, he’ll be able to watch two of the best tight ends in the league battle it out for glory on the biggest stage.

Speaking to Fox News Digital ahead of Super Bowl LIX this weekend, Warren shared his thoughts on veteran tight ends Travis Kelce and Dallas Goedert and the impact they’ve had not only on the game, but on the value of the position.

Penn State Nittany Lions tight end Tyler Warren (44) catches a touchdown pass over Boise State Broncos safety Ty Benefield (0) during their Vrbo Fiesta Bowl matchup at State Farm Stadium. (IMAGN)

SIGN UP FOR TUBI AND STREAM SUPER BOWL LIX FOR FREE

“I think his ability to always seem to get open, whether it’s one way or the other way – he knows what he does well, and he keeps doing that,” Warren said of the Kansas City Chiefs star. “It’s not about looking a certain way, it’s about doing it and what works for you.”

“To keep being able to be this elite receiving tight end and do all that for this long of a period is really impressive. I think it speaks to his craft and how he attacks each game.”

Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) celebrates a touchdown catch in the first quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022, at Paul Brown Stadium. (Kareem Elgazzar/The Enquirer / USA Today Network via Imagn Images)

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

Warren went on to praise Goedert’s physicality and versatility, recalling his brutal stiff-arm against Packers cornerback Carrington Valentine, which resulted in 24-yard touchdown in the Eagles’ 22–10 victory over Green Bay in the Wild-Card Round.

“It’s been awesome to watch,” he said. “I think tight ends have really been on [an upward] trend in just their usage, and they’re valuable. It’s been awesome to watch.

PENN STATE ALUM MICAH PARSONS RAVES ABOUT ABDUL CARTER, SAYS NO. 11 MAY BE PUT ON ‘BREAK’ AT SCHOOL

Warren is surely hoping the value in tight ends carries over to the draft where he is projected to get selected in the first round.

Penn State Nittany Lions tight end Tyler Warren (44) celebrates his touchdown catch against the Boise State Broncos during their Vrbo Fiesta Bowl matchup at State Farm Stadium in Glendale on Dec. 31, 2024. (IMAGN)

Warren had a standout year at Penn State, earning the John Mackey Award as the nation’s best tight end. En route to the College Football Playoff semifinal, Mackey finished the season with 104 receptions for 1,233 yards and eight touchdowns. He rushed for another 218 yards and four touchdowns.

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He’s drawn comparisons to some of the NFL’s most elite tight ends, including George Kittle and Rob Gronkowski.

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

Ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft on April 24, Warren has made a special commitment to his health and fitness journey by partnering with Planet Fitness.

“When you go there, it could be a guy that’s been going for 20 years, or it could be your first day, and you know there’s going to be a spot for you in there and a welcoming environment,” Warren told Fox News Digital.

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

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February 7, 2025
Top political handicapper reveals prediction for ‘volatile’ 2026 battle for House majority

The fight for control of the House of Representatives in the 2026 midterm elections will be fought on a limited battlefield, a leading nonpartisan political handicapper predicts.

The Cook Political Report, as it unveiled its first rankings for the next midterm elections on Thursday, listed 10 Democrat-held seats and eight Republican-controlled seats as toss-ups.

The GOP, when at full strength, will hold a razor-thin 220-215 majority in the House, which means the Democrats only need a three-seat gain in 2026 to win back the chamber for the first time in four years.

“Another Knife Fight for the Majority” is the headline the Cook Report used to describe the House showdown ahead.

HOUSE GOP CAMPAIGN CHAIR TOUTS HOMEFIELD ADVANTAGE

And Cook Report publisher and editor-in-chief Amy Walter spotlighted in a social media post that a “Small playing field + volatile political climate = epic battle for House control.”

WHAT THE DEMOCRATS’ HOUSE CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE CHAIR TOLD FOX NEWS

The 10 House Democrats whose re-elections are listed as toss-ups are: Reps. Adam Gray of California (CA-13); Derek Tran of California (CA-45); Jared Golden of Maine (ME-02); Gabe Vasquez of New Mexico (NM-02); Laura Gillen of New York (NY-04); Don Davis of North Carolina (NC-01); Marcy Kaptur of Ohio (OH-09); Emilia Sykes of Ohio (OH-13); Vicente Gonzalez of Texas (TX-34); and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez of Washington State (WA-03).

Democratic Rep. Jared Golden of Maine speaks at a news conference at the State House in Augusta, Maine, on Nov. 1, 2022. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)

The eight Republicans spotlighted by the Cook Report as vulnerable are: Reps. David Schweikert of Arizona (AZ-01); Juan Ciscomani of Arizona (AZ-06); Gabe Evans of Colorado (CO-08); Mariannette Miller-Meeks of Iowa (IA-01); Tom Barrett of Michigan (MI-07); Don Bacon of Nebraska (NE-02); Ryan Mackenzie of Pennsylvania (PA-07); and Scott Perry of Pennsylvania (PA-10).

CHECK OUT THE FIRST BILL FILED BY THIS NEW REPUBLICAN HOUSE MEMBER

Republican Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks of Iowa speaks with local farmers on the set of the “Barn Talk” podcast on the Whisler family farm near Washington, Iowa, on Nov. 1, 2024. (Nick Rohlman/The Gazette via AP)

Republicans are not only defending a razor-thin majority but are also facing historical headwinds, as the party in power traditionally faces electoral headwinds in the midterms.

President Donald Trump recaptured the White House, the Republicans flipped control of the Senate, and the GOP held on to its fragile House majority in November’s elections.

FIRST ON FOX: NEW MOVE IN BATTLE FOR HOUSE MAJORITY

But the Cook Report’s Erin Covedy and Matthew Klein noted that “though their majority is dangerously thin, in some ways, Republicans are starting out in a stronger position than they were in 2018. Trump’s latest victory was broad; he clawed back ground in suburbs that had lurched to the left since 2016 and made massive inroads in urban areas.”

They added that “almost all of the most competitive House districts moved to the right between 2020 and 2024 (Washington’s 3rd District was the lone exception).”

The U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., is seen on Dec. 12, 2024. (Fox News – Paul Steinhauser)

National Republican Congressional Committee spokesman Mike Marinella touted in a statement that “the math is in our favor, and it’s clear House Republicans are on offense for 2026.”

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He also asserted that “House Democrats are in shambles — they don’t have a clear message and they’re incapable of selling voters on their failed agenda. We will work tirelessly to hold the Democrat Party accountable and grow our Republican majority.”

Courtney Rice, communications director for the rival Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, claimed that “voters will hold House Republicans accountable for failing to lower costs while fostering a culture of corruption that benefits their billionaire backers.”

“The political environment is in Democrats’ favor heading into 2026 — and with stellar candidates who are focused on delivering for their districts, House Democrats are poised to take back the majority in 2026,” Rice predicted.

Paul Steinhauser is a politics reporter based in New Hampshire.

February 6, 2025
Top Arizona lawmaker spotlights ‘adorable moment’ as Trump signed women’s sports executive order

EXCLUSIVE: Arizona’s Senate president, Republican Sen. Warren Petersen, spoke to Fox News Digital after attending President Donald Trump’s signing of the “No Men in Women’s Sports” executive order, which Petersen called an “incredible” moment for female athletes nationwide.

“I think the impact is huge,” Petersen told Fox News Digital shortly after witnessing Trump sign the highly anticipated executive order to keep biological males out of women’s sports, fulfilling one of his most prominent campaign promises.

“We now have a multi-pronged approach to making sure that only girls play in girls sports and boys cannot play in girls sports,” Petersen said. “We’ve passed laws to do this. We’ve been litigating in the courts, and now we have the executive branch issuing an executive order saying that the way they’re interpreting Title IX is just boys and girls. Boys are boys and girls are girls. And if you violate this title, if you allow boys to play in girls sports, then you’re going to lose federal funding, and you’re going to be investigated. I think it’s great news.”

Citing recent polling, Petersen pointed out that 70% of Americans “want to see girls’ sports protected.”

RILEY GAINES: THE ALL-OUT WAR ON FEMALE ATHLETES ENDS NOW, THANKS TO PRESIDENT TRUMP

Sen. Warren Petersen, right, spoke to Fox News Digital about his experience at President Donald Trump’s executive order signing on Wednesday. (Getty Images)

“I think this is a perfect example of why you’re seeing Democrats with the 31% approval rating,” Petersen said. “I think this is a perfect example of what you saw in Arizona, that we increased our majorities, and we won virtually all of our competitive races. So I’m excited. I mean, President Trump is making girl sports great again and that’s good for America. That’s good for American girls. And girls can now pursue their dreams. It has been absolutely ridiculous that you’ve had girls work their whole lives, set goals, work hard only for some boy to come along and snatch their dreams away from them. In sports, it’s really been unthinkable that we have allowed this to happen to some of our girls and some of the women.”

Petersen, who posted a photo at the event with former NCAA swimmer and girls sports activist Riley Gaines, spoke to Fox News Digital about the “disconnect” between the average American voter and Democrat politicians on the issue of girls’ sports.

RILEY GAINES TEARS INTO WNBA STAR, WHO GAVE CAITLIN CLARK BLACK EYE, FOR WEARING ANTI-TRUMP SHIRT

President Donald Trump signs an executive order barring transgender female athletes from competing in women’s or girls’ sporting events, in the East Room of the White House on Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025 in Washington, D.C. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

“They’re totally out of touch with their voters,” Petersen said. “They have this really loud, small faction that’s well-funded and well-organized, but it is by far out of touch with what the vast majority of Americans believe. And quite frankly, it’s out of touch with logic and science. The biggest gaslight that we have had to deal with over the last several years are the Democrats trying to convince the rest of America that boys are girls. I mean, that is total lunacy, totally insane. It flies in the face of just common logic and the voters sent a message loud and clear that they’re not going to have it.”

As Trump was signing the executive order, dozens of young female athletes who were in the audience walked up to the table and surrounded Trump after he invited them over in a moment that Petersen called “incredible.”

“I think it was just a feeling of relief, I can’t believe this battle is over,” Petersen told Fox News Digital. “The boys playing in girls sports, you know, stolen titles from our girls and women. That time is over. And I thought it was really an adorable moment. We’re you’re just extremely grateful for this president.”

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President Donald Trump waves after signing an executive order barring transgender female athletes from competing in women’s or girls’ sporting events, in the East Room of the White House on Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025 in Washington, D.C. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

“I think this common sense move that he’s making is just, you know, the reason why his his polling is very high right now. And, you know, people are just so sick of politicians making promises saying they’re going to do things…and nobody can say that Trump is not fulfilling his promises because not only is Trump fulfilling his promises, but he’s doing it at a breakneck speed.”

Petersen, who has filed paperwork to run for attorney general in Arizona, told Fox News Digital that he will continue to fight for the “right side” of this issue in his home state.

“I’m the lead defendant in a case to protect the Save Women’s Sports Act in Arizona,” Petersen explained.

“It’s sitting at the Supreme Court right now. We’re going to see that trial all the way through. We have an attorney general who’s completely out of touch with the rest of the Democrats. She wouldn’t defend the law. She thought it was okay for boys to play in girl sports. So I am defending that law. It’s in the Supreme Court. We are going to see that all the way through.”

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

February 6, 2025
Freshman GOP lawmaker targets ‘propaganda’ from top adversary in first bill of congressional career

FIRST ON FOX: Freshman GOP Congressman Abe Hamadeh has introduced his first piece of legislation as a lawmaker aimed at combatting the Chinese communist government’s influence in the halls of Congress.

Hamadeh, who was sworn in to represent Arizona’s 8th Congressional District in Congress last month, introduced a bill that would prohibit China Daily and other CCP-backed publications from House facilities and spoke to Fox News Digital about his reasoning for the move.

“The first day I came into my office, I looked and I had a bunch of newspapers on my desk from the Washington Post, the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, and included in it was The China Daily,” Hamadeh told Fox News Digital. “And, you know, I’m looking at it like, ‘Why do we get the China Daily?’ And after researching it, we discovered that this was a Chinese communist owned newspaper that’s a registered foreign agent.”

“And I just find it unacceptable that it’s being passed around the halls of Congress for free, using our internal mail system, using third parties to pass out the propaganda. So, honestly, it was my first welcome to Congress and that’s kind of why I think I honed in on it to be my first piece of legislation because I don’t think we should have foreign propaganda in the halls of Congress.”

BILL MAHER DECLARES CHINA ‘THE NEW ISLAM,’ SAYS LEFT CAN’T BE HONEST ABOUT THE COUNTRY’S THREAT

Abe Hamadeh introduced his first bill in Congress this week (Getty)

The legislation would call on the Chief Administrative Officer of the House to immediately cease the distribution of CCP state-run media material and restrict the spread of the materials on House email while still allowing members to maintain private access if they wish.

Hamadeh told Fox News Digital that the “reason why the Chinese are doing it is because they know that they can influence members of Congress, they can influence their staff.”

USPS SUSPENDS INBOUND PACKAGES FROM CHINA, HONG KONG POSTS

Chinese President Xi Jinping attends the 29th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting in Bangkok, Thailand, Nov. 19, 2022. (Ju Peng/Xinhua via Getty Images)

“You see on Capitol Hill, it’s filled with a lot of young staffers who are energetic, but they may not know that this publication is owned by a foreign adversary of ours,” Hamadeh said. “

So, you know, the communist Chinese, it’s information warfare that they’re conducting on us,psychological operations and there’s a reason why they’re passing it out for free. They’re trying to influence the highest echelons of the United States government and it’s unacceptable.”

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Arizona Republican Rep. Abe Hamadeh with Kayla Mueller’s parents on Jan. 3, 2025. (Kayla Mueller Family)

China Daily has drawn the ire of conservatives over the last few years including criticism from then GO Sen. Marco Rubio, who is now Trump’s Secretary of State, who last year called on mainstream media CEOs to sever ties with the English-language newspaper owned by the CCP.

Rubio said China Daily’s goal is to “subvert U.S. news media by amplifying the goals and ambitions of the party.” The outlet has published several articles claiming the U.S.’s “anti-China” reporting on the persecution of Xinjiang Uyghurs is an “outright lie.”

“I want to get a vote on the record to see what other members of Congress, how they feel about a foreign publication like the China Daily being passed to their offices,” Hamadeh told Fox News Digital. “Nobody is saying that they don’t have to read the China Daily if they want to read it on their own privately, if they want to pay for a subscription, that’s fine. But to have it passed around through taxpayer dollars is unacceptable and to have them pass it around using our resources is unacceptable.”

Hamadeh told Fox News Digital he hopes to have bipartisan support for his bill to rid Congress of “foreign propaganda.”

“Remember what Joe Biden was so focused on, he got rid of the New York Post at the White House, one of the oldest newspapers in existence in the United States,” Hamadeh said. “He got rid of The New York Post. And yet here we are allowing the China Daily to freely operate in the halls of Congress. It’s unacceptable.”

“We understand that communist China is a threat. I understand it very well in Arizona. My district has all the Taiwanese companies moving into the district away from the sphere of China’s influence for a reason. So, you know, this is a start. There is obviously legislation out there that people are doing at a state level and even at the federal level. Some of them are trying to ban the ability for the communist Chinese to buy our farmlands and to buy land near our key assets like military bases. This is common sense, and that’s why I’m introducing it, because it should be an easy it should be an easy resolution to pass.”

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

February 6, 2025
USAID has ‘demonstrated pattern of obstructionism,’ claims top DOGE Republican in letter to Rubio

FIRST ON FOX: The Senate chair of the DOGE Caucus is exposing a “demonstrated pattern of obstructionism” at the U.S.’ top aid agency in a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, outlined how the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has been “stonewalling” her office for years as she sought documents to ensure taxpayer dollars weren’t wasted at the agency, which is now under the microscope of billionaire Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).

“USAID’s spending shows a blatant disregard for the wishes of American taxpayers, and it is time to disrupt the system,” Ernst told Fox News Digital. “The agency has been wasting millions of tax dollars on things like tourism in Lebanon, Sesame Street in Iraq, sending Ukrainians to Paris Fashion Week and so much more.”

In one instance, the Iowa Republican claims USAID misled her staff to believe that details about funds going to businesses in Ukraine were classified, funds that in some instances were used for travel to fashion shows and film festivals.

‘VIPER’S NEST’: USAID ACCUSED OF CORRUPTION, MISMANAGEMENT LONG BEFORE TRUMP ADMIN TOOK AIM

Ernst is chairwoman of the DOGE caucus. (Reuters)

In 2024, after months of delays, USAID finally agreed to offer Ernst’s staff a review of recipients of taxpayer-funded assistance to businesses in Ukraine, according to the letter.

But the agency insisted the documents be reviewed in a sensitive compartmented information facility (SCIF), suggesting the records would be classified.

“These requirements were all presented to my staff under the false pretense that this data was classified,” Ernst wrote to Rubio. “Only after demanding to speak to your USAID Office of Security, my staff uncovered that this data was, in fact, unclassified.”

Ernst said that based on her staff’s review, it appears that over 5,000 Ukrainian businesses received U.S. taxpayer-funded assistance, with awards of up to $2 million each.

WHAT IS USAID AND WHY IS IT IN TRUMP’S CROSSHAIRS?

That trade assistance was in some instances used to bankroll business owners attending glamorous film festivals and fashion shows in cities like Berlin, Paris and Las Vegas.

She also accused the agency of “misleading” her office on the costs of indirect aid. Negotiated indirect cost agreements (NICRA) allowed contractors to use more than 25 percent of the total award on costs like “rent for a partner’s corporate headquarters, advocacy costs, and other miscellaneous expenses.”

READ ERNST’S LETTER BELOW. APP USERS: CLICK HERE

Ernst said her staff reached out in November 2022 asking USAID for information on NICRAs with grant recipients. The agency responded, “USAID does not have a system to track or report on this data, as it is not possible to compare indirect costs between for-profit and nonprofit organizations,” according to Ernst.

In February 2023, Ernst followed up with a link to a publicly reported NICRA database that USAID confirmed does exist.

The agency then said that it “protects the confidential business information of its implementing partners, including NICRAs… outside the scope of a formal oversight request by a committee of jurisdiction.”

USAID is the top U.S. international aid agency, but Republicans argue its funds have been misappropriated. (AP Photo/Desmond Tiro)

Then, Ernst partnered with former House Foreign Affairs Chairman Michael McCaul to give USAID the request from a “committee of jurisdiction.”

“Even then, USAID refused to permit my staff to acquire the documents or take substantive notes on the NICRA rates. The lack of transparency was alarming because the NICRA rates far exceeded staff’s expected range of indirect costs allowed.”

USAID CLOSES HQ TO STAFFERS MONDAY AS MUSK SAYS TRUMP SUPPORTS SHUTTING AGENCY DOWN

Billionaire Elon Musk, the chair of DOGE, has been leading an investigation into USAID’s spending practices as the agency comes to a standstill. (Getty Images)

Ernst said: “In the wake of this series of significant misjudgments and oversight obstruction by USAID, it is of the utmost importance to conduct a full and independent analysis of the recipients of USAID assistance.”

She also pointed to Chemonics, a government contractor that USAID’s inspector general found over-billed the U.S. government by $270 million through fiscal year 2019. Chemonics led a $9.5 billion USAID project to improve global health supply chains that, “led to 41 arrests and 31 indictments related to illicit resale of USAID funded commodities on the black market, and fueled ongoing allegations that Chemonics falsely portrays its projects’ outcomes to secure future contracts with USAID,” Ernst wrote.

“No more stonewalling,” said Ernst. “We need to scrutinize every last dollar being spent by this rogue agency.”

In a notice posted on its website Tuesday night, USAID announced that all direct hire staff would be placed on leave globally, except for designated personnel responsible for mission-critical functions, core leadership and specially designated programs.

The Trump administration is now exploring merging the agency with the State Department and Rubio has been appointed its acting director.

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Rubio told reporters in El Salvador the “functions of USAID” must align with foreign policy and called it a “a completely unresponsive agency.”

Democratic lawmakers, meanwhile, staged a protest outside the USAID headquarters on Tuesday, arguing that the agency is essential for flexing U.S. soft power throughout the world, preventing and monitoring disease outbreaks, and safeguarding U.S. national security.

“USAID is the backbone of America’s soft power, helping to stabilize fragile regions and protect U.S. interests abroad,” said Reps. Greg Meeks, top Democrat on the Foreign Affairs Committee, and Sara Jacobs,Calif., top Democrat on the Africa subcommittee.

“Weakening it will fuel global crises, endanger American security, embolden other nations like China and Russia, and leave the Trump Administration solely responsible for the fallout.”

February 5, 2025