Happy New Year 2025

Tag: Trump

Trump tariff threats on Canadian oil could impact three US regions, gas analyst says

Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, discusses the potential impacts placing tariffs on Canadian oil could have on gas prices in the U.S.

Americans in the Midwest, Rockies and Great Lakes regions may want to brace for gas price hikes if the U.S. places tariffs on Canadian oil, energy expert Patrick De Haan warned Thursday.

“[The impact would be] certainly unbalanced,” De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, told FOX Business’ Stuart Varney.

“And who will be impacted?” he continued. “Primarily, motorists in the Great Lakes could see gas prices shooting up in excess of $0.20 a gallon. A lot of that Canadian crude oil flows directly down into areas like the Great Lakes, the Midwest, the Rocky Mountains regions, where it may be difficult to find different sources of crude oil.”

CANADA READIES TRUMP TARIFFS RESPONSE: ‘IN A TRADE WAR, THERE ARE NO WINNERS’

Gas prices (iStock / iStock)

“Having said that, the pressure on Canada is undermining the price of western Canadian oil. It’s down to about $60 a barrel today, but this certainly is still likely to have some bite for motorists in the Great Lakes, the Rockies and the Midwest.”

Even the Northeast, which is reliant on Canada’s St. John and Irving oil refineries, could potentially take a hit.

“That would be an impact, though, on refined products, so the Northeast could be subject to those tariffs that finalize products like diesel fuel and jet fuel, and gasoline does flow from that Canadian refinery to the northeastern United States as well, so there could be some spillover to other regions,” De Haan explained.

WHY IT MAY NOT BE EASY TO RESTART THE KEYSTONE XL PIPELINE

President Trump has long threatened to impose 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico, two of the U.S.’s largest suppliers of crude oil, unless the countries take action to stop the flow of illegal immigrants and fentanyl into the U.S.

During her first press briefing on Tuesday, White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt reaffirmed Trump’s plan to impose the tariffs on Feb. 1.

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Thru the Cycle President John Lonski explains how tariffs against Canada and Mexico will impact the U.S. economy on ‘Varney & Co.’

Reuters contributed to this report.

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

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

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

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

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

RFK’S CONFIRMATION HEARING QUICK GOES OFF THE RAILS

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Paul Steinhauser is a politics reporter based in New Hampshire.

January 31, 2025
Trump issues unexpected ultimatum to senior FBI ranks

The Trump administration has told top officials at the FBI to resign or lose their jobs, Fox News has learned.

The exact number has not been disclosed, but the ultimatum was allegedly given to senior employees promoted under former director, Christopher A. Wray.

President Donald Trump’s administration took these steps as his nominee to lead the bureau, Kash Patel, said he would not begin his tenure with retribution or focus on past transgressions.

“I have no interest, no desire and will not, if confirmed, go backwards. There will be no politicization at the FBI. There will be no retributive actions taken,” Patel said at the Senate Judiciary Committee.

MAJOR FBI CHANGES KASH PATEL COULD MAKE ON DAY 1 IF CONFIRMED AS DIRECTOR

Kash Patel, President Donald Trump’s choice to be director of the FBI, appears before the Senate Judiciary Committee for his confirmation hearing, at the Capitol in Washington, Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025. (AP)

According to reporting from The New York Times, an email to colleagues from one of the senior agents outlined that he had learned he would be dismissed “from the rolls of the F.B.I.” as soon as Monday morning.

“I was given no rationale for this decision, which, as you might imagine, has come as a shock,” he wrote.

The FBI seal is displayed on a podium before a news conference at the agency’s headquarters in Washington. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

During the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing, Patel said he is unaware of any plans of retribution by the Trump administration.

“Are you aware of any plans or discussions to punish in any way, including termination, FBI agents or personnel associated with Trump investigations?” asked Democratic Sen. Cory Booker.

SPARKS EXPECTED TO FLY AT KASH PATEL’S SENATE CONFIRMATION HEARING TO LEAD FBI

Kash Patel, President Donald Trump’s choice to be director of the FBI, arrives for his confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee at the Capitol in Washington, Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis)

“I am not aware of that, senator,” Patel replied.

Although Patel has been nominated, a director has not been officially confirmed to take charge, so the news of the ultimatum was alarming for those involved.

Until the vote comes to a close, Brian Driscoll remains the bureau’s acting director.

The FBI declined to comment when reached by Fox News.

January 31, 2025
WNBA star who hurt Caitlin Clark’s eye calls for league to ‘take action’ against Trump administration policies

Connecticut Sun player DiJonai Carrington incited fierce backlash by wearing an anti-Trump shirt last weekend, and now she’s taking that message even further.

During a press conference before an “Unrivaled” league game Thursday, Carrington declared it’s time for WNBA players to “take action” in response to President Donald Trump’s policies.

“We see that some of the policies are already going into action, and, of course, that means that as the WNBA and being at the forefront of a lot of these movements, it’s time for us to also take action,” Carrington said.

“It definitely needs to happen as women, women’s rights being taken away, like, now, LGBTQ rights being taken away now. They haven’t happened yet, but definitely in the works.”

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DiJonai Carrington (21) of the Connecticut Sun dribbles during Game 2 of the first round of the WNBA playoffs against the Indiana Fever Sept. 25, 2024, at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. (Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)

Carrington wore a shirt that said, “The F— Donald Trump Tour” Friday while walking into Wayfair Arena in Miami, Florida.

The player is most known for her interactions with women’s basketball phenom Caitlin Clark during Clark’s rookie WNBA season in 2024.

Carrington gave Clark a black eye after poking her during a game between Clark’s Indiana Fever and Carrington’s Connecticut Sun in the first round of the playoffs in September. Carrington laughed with Fever teammate Marina Mabrey after the incident.

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Connecticut Sun guard DiJonai Carrington (21) fouls Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) in the second half in Indianapolis Aug. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

Carrington has said she didn’t intentionally poke Clark in the eye and that she wasn’t laughing about the incident. However, she made light of the controversy over Clark’s black eye in an Instagram Live video in October.

In the video, Carrington and her girlfriend, NaLyssa Smith, who plays on the Indiana Fever with Clark, were in their kitchen when Smith poked Carrington in the eye.

“Ow, you poked me in the eye,” Carrington said. Smith apologized, and the two laughed.

“Did you do it on purpose?” Carrington asked.

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Connecticut Sun guards Marina Mabrey (4) and DiJonai Carrington (21) celebrate during the second half of a first-round WNBA basketball playoff game against the Indiana Fever Sept. 25, 2024, in Uncasville, Conn. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)

Carrington provoked Clark fans prior to the eye-poking incident with multiple statements berating Clark and her fan base.

During a game in June, Carrington fouled Clark after Clark received an inbound pass from teammate Kristy Wallace. Clark caught the pass and started toward the basket. Carrington was late getting to Clark due to a screen by Aliyah Boston, and she bumped into Clark.

Later that month, Carrington posted on X, saying Clark should do more to speak out about people using her name for “racism” and other forms of prejudice. She also called the Fever fans the “nastiest” in the league.

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Jackson Thompson is a sports writer for Fox News Digital. He previously worked for ESPN and Business Insider. Jackson has covered the Super Bowl and NBA Finals, and has interviewed iconic figures Usain Bolt, Rob Gronkowski, Jerry Rice, Troy Aikman, Mike Trout, David Ortiz and Roger Clemens.

January 31, 2025
Trump VA pick Doug Collins advances to full Senate vote

President Donald Trump’s choice to head up the Department of Veterans Affairs, Doug Collins, passed a Senate cloture vote Thursday night.

The vote was 83-13.

He will proceed to a full vote on the Senate floor for confirmation, which he is expected to easily secure with a strong bipartisan showing.

A former U.S. congressman, the Gainesville, Georgia native also serves as a chaplain in the U.S. Air Force Reserve.

Collins was not expected to face a difficult confirmation fight and saw bipartisan support in his committee hearing, with the lone exception of Democratic Sen. Mazie Hirono of Hawaii, who voted against him.

HAWAII’S HIRONO ONLY SENATOR TO VOTE NO ON COLLINS, CONTINUING PARTISAN STREAK AT HEARINGS

Doug Collins, U.S. President Donald Trump’s nominee to be the Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs, is sworn in during his Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee confirmation hearing in the Dirksen Senate Office Building on January 21, 2025 in Washington, DC. Collins, a former U.S. Representative and veteran of the Iraq War, has strong bipartisan support and is not expected to face a difficult confirmation. (Samuel Corum/Getty Images)

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If confirmed as VA secretary, Collins would be tasked with overseeing a beleaguered system of healthcare and benefits for the nation’s veterans.

Long wait times to see providers, lack of access to community care, inadequate mental health support and budget shortfalls are just a few of many problems that have plagued secretaries past in both Republican and Democratic administrations.

Chris Pandolfo contributed to this report.

This article was written by Fox News staff.

January 31, 2025
Trump orders assessment of aviation safety, names acting FAA administrator

American Airlines fuselage in the Potomac

A crew retrieves wreckage of American Airlines Flight 5342, which was involved in a collision with a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter. (Leigh Green for Fox News Digital)

President Donald Trump on Thursday signed two executive orders appointing a new Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) deputy administrator and ordering an immediate assessment of aviation safety.

The orders came after an American Airlines plane carrying 64 people and an Army Black Hawk helicopter carrying three soldiers crashed in midair at about 9 p.m. Wednesday.

The aircraft plummeted into the frigid Potomac River near Reagan National Airport, leaving 67 people presumed dead.

In the Oval Office Thursday, Trump signed an order appointing Chris Rocheleau acting administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

VICTIMS IDENTIFIED IN DC PLANE CRASH INVOLVING AMERICAN AIRLINES JET AND MILITARY HELICOPTER

Search and rescue efforts at a wreckage site in the Potomac River near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport early Thursday morning, Jan. 30, 2025, in Arlington, Va. (Carolyn Kaster/AP Photo)

Rocheleau most recently served as National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) CEO and held multiple leadership roles at the FAA during his more than 20-year tenure, including director of the office of emergency operations and investigations.

Emergency responders assess airplane wreckage in the Potomac River near Ronald Reagan Washington Airport Jan. 30, 2025, in Arlington, Va. (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

The NBAA wrote in a statement it “welcomed” the announcement.

“Chris is an outstanding leader who will be good for the FAA, good for aviation and good for the country, especially at this challenging time,” said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen. “He has demonstrated excellence at every level in the government, military and aviation industry.”

DC PLANE CRASH TIMELINE: MIDAIR COLLISION INVOLVES 67 PASSENGERS, CREW MEMBERS, SOLDIERS

Trump called Rocheleau a “very capable guy” while signing the order.

A second executive order ordered an immediate assessment of aviation safety and an elevation of “competence” over diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI).

A crew retrieves wreckage of American Airlines Flight 5342 in the Potomac River in Washington, D.C., Jan. 30, 2025. (Leigh Green for Fox News Digital)

While signing the order, he said former presidents Joe Biden and Barack Obama’s DEI policies were “just crazy.”

The memorandum says the Obama administration introduced a biographical questionnaire at the FAA to shift the hiring focus away from objective aptitude, and the Biden administration later encouraged the recruitment of people with “severe intellectual disabilities.”

“During my first term, my Administration raised standards to achieve the highest standards of safety and excellence,” Trump wrote in the memo. “The Biden Administration egregiously rejected merit-based hiring, requiring all executive departments and agencies to implement dangerous ‘diversity equity and inclusion’ tactics, and specifically recruiting individuals with ‘severe intellectual’ disabilities in the FAA.”

A plane flies near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport after a collision of American Eagle Flight 5342 and a Black Hawk in Arlington, Va., Jan. 30, 2025. (Eduardo Munoz/Reuters)

While Trump ordered an immediate return to merit-based recruitment, hiring and promotion on his second day in office, he noted the recent plane crash “underscores the need to elevate safety and competence as the priority of the FAA.”

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Trump said Thursday the collision was a “confluence of bad decisions that were made, and you have people that lost their lives, violently lost their lives.”

Fox News Digital’s Louis Casiano contributed to this story.

Alexandra Koch is a breaking news writer for Fox News Digital. Prior to joining Fox News, Alexandra covered breaking news, crime, religion, and the military in the southeast.

January 31, 2025
Chicago mayor lambasts Trump, claims US being run like Confederacy won

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson continued his attack on President Donald Trump on Wednesday, saying anyone questioning what the U.S. would look like had the Confederacy won, should have no question at this point under his administration.

A reporter asked Johnson during a press conference on Wednesday if he planned to go to Washington, D.C. to testify about sanctuary cities as the Trump administration continues to conduct operations targeting criminal illegal aliens.

House Republicans, including U.S. Rep. James Comer, R-Tenn., chair of the GOP-controlled House Committee on Oversight and Reform, called on sanctuary city mayors to testify next month about the policy’s impact on public safety and the refusal to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement.

This oversight committee, of all the things that they want to have sight over, they should look at the White House right now,” Johnson said. “That White House is being ran in one of the most raggedy forms of government that I’ve ever seen. If anybody is questioning whether or not what our country would look like had the Confederacy won, there should be no question now. They want us to be afraid. Do not be afraid, Chicago.”

CHICAGO MAYOR RIPS ICE OPERATIONS, SAYS TRUMP ‘IS ATTEMPTING TO GET US TO SURRENDER OUR HUMANITY’

Brandon Johnson, mayor of Chicago, during an inauguration ceremony at the Credit Union 1 Arena in Chicago on May 15, 2023. (Jamie Kelter Davis/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

CHICAGO MAYOR IMPROPERLY ACCEPTING DESIGNER GIFST LIKE HUGO BOSS CUFF LINKS, GUCCI BAGS AND MORE: OIG REPORT

The mayor said he will not be intimidated by an individual who refuses to stand up to another individual who believes “he’s a supreme being.”

Johnson also accused Trump of rejecting the U.S. Constitution by carrying out his responsibilities.

“If they want to have a real discussion about undocumented individuals who are criminals, they should look at the very individuals who enslaved my people and colonized this land,” Johnson said.

Earlier in the press conference, another reporter asked the mayor if he had toned down rhetoric about relitigating the civil war.

COMER LAUNCHES INVESTIGATION INTO SANCTUARY CITIES, ASKS MAYORS TO TESTIFY

Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump arrives at an election night watch party at the Palm Beach Convention Center, Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, in West Palm Beach, Fla. (Evan Vucci/AP)

“I still believe that there are people who have not accepted the results of the Civil War, and here’s the thing: I said that before this administration took office,” Johnson said. “Unfortunately, I’m right. I mean, you have an entire administration that is looking to take away federal protections for the people who are most vulnerable.

“So, no, my position has not changed,” he added.

The mayor’s statement comes more than a week after he doubled down on a vow to oppose Trump’s sweeping reform aimed at removing dangerous illegal immigrants accused of crimes from the U.S. once he returns to the Oval Office.

TRUMP’S ICE NABS CHILD SEX OFFENDERS AMONG 530+ ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS CAUGHT IN SINGLE DAY

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, right, is criticizing the ICE operations that began on Sunday in his city. (Christopher Dilts/Bloomberg via Getty Images/Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)

On day one of his second term, Trump issued ten executive orders aimed at overhauling U.S. immigration law and policy, and since then, armed federal immigration agents have swept cities in the first deportation raids.

In a letter, Comer, Johnson and other mayors of sanctuary cities, to provide documents and information related to the sanctuary policies of each city.

Sanctuary cities limit cooperation between local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities. Supporters argue that enforcement of immigration is the job of the federal government.

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Opponents say sanctuary policies harbor criminals, as well as those in the country illegally, and put the public, including legal and illegal immigrants, at risk.

Fox News Digital’s Louis Casiano contributed to this report.

Greg Wehner is a breaking news reporter for Fox News Digital.

Story tips and ideas can be sent to [email protected] and on Twitter @GregWehner.

January 31, 2025
LARRY KUDLOW: Don’t believe the fake news, Trump is cutting spending and the bureaucracy

The Beltway swamp hates it, but President Donald Trump is bound and determined to shrink the federal budget and its massive deficit, and to shrink the 2 million-plus federal workforce.

A score of liberal news outlets are all claiming that Trump’s directive to freeze certain federal spending was rescinded on Wednesday. Except, no such thing took place.

A memo from the Office of Management and Budget was pulled back, mainly because it was badly written.

Take the headline from the Washington Post, for example: “Trump White House rescinds order freezing federal spending, reversing course.”

But Mr. Trump’s executive order to put a hold on various grants, loans, and credits that have not yet been spent or dispersed continues to stand.

He still wants to freeze and then review funding for things like Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) and the Green New Deal.

He is still going after the misnamed Inflation Reduction Act and a whole bunch of other programs that are based on some kind of status called “disadvantaged businesses or communities.”

DEI and affirmative action strike again, but they are both illegal. And the President is well within his executive authority.

‘Kudlow’ panelists Sandra Smith, Taylor Riggs and John Carney evaluate the White House’s efforts to stop government waste.

In other words, he’s not pulling back. And it’s the executive order that counts.

Not to mention, all this could save close to $1 trillion in federal spending and deficits.

As far as shrinking the federal workforce, another Trump executive order provides a generous eight-month severance package to workers who want to resign, rather than work for the administration.

Once again, while the liberal media and the Washington swamp howl, Mr. Trump absolutely has the authority to do this under the Civil Service Reform Act of 1978. Hat-tip to the Wall Street Journal editorial page for pointing this out.

The President can redesignate jobs if the role involves policymaking at any level, be it a Cabinet secretary or an assistant secretary or a mid-level career bureaucrat.

And Mr. Trump is restoring a job category known as “Policy/Career,” which was formerly known as “Schedule F”. Which allows him to say: if you disagree with my policy agenda, and you work against it, you’re fired.

Well, over 50,000 civil servants will have to deal with this. And over two million civil servants will have to figure out if they want to resign or not.

Odds are, 5 to 10% will resign. That alone could save taxpayers $100 billion.

If you want to stay in the game, you have to show up for work and toe the line for President Trump’s election mandate for policy change.

And don’t listen to any fake news.

January 30, 2025
Fox News Politics Newsletter: Trump Blasts DEI at the FAA

Welcome to the Fox News Politics newsletter, with the latest updates on the Trump administration, exclusive interviews and more Fox News politics content.

Here’s what’s happening…

-Trump says Reagan National Airport crash could have been prevented: ‘CLEAR NIGHT’

-Anti-Trump FBI agent responsible for opening Jack Smith elector case against president: Whistleblower

–Patel flips script on Durbin with Biden reference after being pressed on J6 pardons: ‘Brutal reality check’

Held to the ‘Highest Standards’

President Donald Trump set his sights on DEI standards at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on Thursday after a deadly in-air collision at the nation’s capital.

Trump, speaking to reporters in the White House briefing room, highlighted efforts by the Biden administration to lower aviation standards, though he acknowledged that the cause of Wednesday night’s crash has yet to be determined.

“We must have only the highest standards for those who work in our aviation system,” Trump said. “Only the highest aptitude — you have to be the highest intellect — and psychologically superior people, were allowed to qualify for air traffic controllers.”…Read more

Emergency response units search the crash site of the American Airlines plane on the Potomac River after the plane crashed last night on approach to Reagan National Airport on January 30, 2025 in Arlington, Virginia. The American Airlines flight from Wichita, Kansas collided in midair with a military helicopter while approaching Ronald Reagan National Airport. According to reports there were no survivors among the 67 people on board both aircraft. (Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images)

World Stage

KICKED OUT: Israel orders UNRWA to cease operations in country over terror ties: ‘miserably failed in its mandate’…Read more

EMOTIONAL RETURN: Moment IDF soldier is reunited with family seen on video…Read more

Arbel Yehoud’s family hug her upon her release from Gaza on Thursday. (IDF)

FINALLY FREE: Third round of hostage releases begins as part of Hamas’ Gaza ceasefire agreement with Israel…Read more

HELD UP: Netanyahu furious about chaotic handover of Israeli hostages from Hamas…Read more

Capitol Hill

MAKING THE CASE: Internal House GOP memo outlines case for Trump to buy Panama Canal…Read more

BACK FOR MORE: Trump HHS nominee RFK Jr returns to Capitol Hill for round 2 after heated first day of hearings…Read more

TULSI HITS TURBULENCE: Tension builds around Tulsi Gabbard’s confirmation with key GOP Senators undecided…Read more

‘FAKE CHRISTIAN’: First-term House Dem attacks WH press secretary Karoline Leavitt as ‘Fake Christian’…Read more

CLOCK IS TICKING: Bipartisan senators target fentanyl classification as lapse approaches…Read more

‘LIES AND SMEARS’: Tulsi Gabbard rails against Dem narrative she’s Trump’s and Putin’s ‘puppet’…Read more

Tulsi Gabbard, President Donald Trump’s choice to be the Director of National Intelligence, arrives to appear before the Senate Intelligence Committee for her confirmation hearing on Capitol Hill Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/John McDonnell)

‘CORRUPT’: Graham grills FBI nominee Patel over ‘disgusting’ and ‘corrupt’ Crossfire Hurricane probe…Read more

‘VERY TROUBLING’: Top Senate Intelligence Dem grills Gabbard if Edward Snowden is ‘brave’: ‘very troubling’…Read more

DH-YES: Senate confirms Kristi Noem as Trump’s Department of Homeland Security secretary…Read more

‘COUNT ON THAT’: Senate set for confirmation vote on Doug Burgum, Trump’s pick to lead the Interior Department…Read more

FREEZING FUNDS: Risch proposes bill to block US foreign aid from funding abortions…Read more

HAT IN THE RING: Former Michigan Rep. Mike Rogers considering GOP Senate run…Read more

CLOSING THE CABINET: Where Trump’s Cabinet nominees stand in Senate confirmation process…Read more

FBI Director nominee Kash Patel, left, HHS nominee RFK Jr, and Director of National Intelligence nominee Tulsi Gabbard (Getty)

‘GROTESQUE’: Patel hammers ‘grotesque mischaracterizations’ from Dems amid fiery FBI confirmation hearing…Read more

IN THE HOT SEAT: Gabbard sheds light on Assad visit, expresses shock intelligence community showed no interest at the time…Read more

Across America

‘UNPRECEDENTED’ SITUATION: Los Angeles fire cleanup complicated by ‘unprecedented’ number of EVs with combustible lithium-ion batteries…Read more

CRASH TIMELINE: DC plane crash timeline: Midair collision involves 67 passengers, crew members, soldiers…Read more

‘PERSONAL ATTACKS’: Anti-Israel groups spray paint Columbia University building, ‘cemented’ sewage system…Read more

‘INAPPROPRIATE’ RISK: Army sec nominee questions whether military pilots should train near DC airport…Read more

Daniel Driscoll, insert, and military helicopter, background (Pool Screen shot /Getty )

PREVENTED: Gabbard says 9/11 likely could have been prevented if not for intelligence ‘stovepiping’…Read more

‘JUST DEVASTATED’: Miracle on the Hudson’s Capt. Sully reacts to deadly DC aircraft collision…Read more

Get the latest updates on the Trump administration and Congress, exclusive interviews and more on FoxNews.com.

This article was written by Fox News staff.

January 30, 2025
Trump FCC chair targets NPR, PBS for investigation ahead of Congressional threats to defund

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) launched an investigation into media outlets PBS and National Public Radio (NPR) over member stations potentially airing “prohibited commercial advertisements,” according to a letter obtained by The New York Times.

“I am concerned that NPR and PBS broadcasts could be violating federal law by airing commercials,” FCC chair Brendan Carr wrote, according to the Times. “In particular, it is possible that NPR and PBS member stations are broadcasting underwriting announcements that cross the line into prohibited commercial advertisements.”

The FCC allows businesses to support noncommercial radio and television stations — such as NPR, PBS or college radio stations — via on-air announcements known as underwriting sponsorships. The sponsorships, though similar to advertisements, face different FCC rules than typical TV or radio ads.

Carr sent the letters Wednesday to NPR CEO Katherine Maher and PBS CEO Paula Kerger, according to the Times. He has been a member of the FCC since 2017, and was appointed by President Donald Trump to serve as the commission’s chair under his second administration.

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Brendan Carr was appointed by President Donald Trump to serve as the Federal Communications Commission chair Trump’s second administration. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)

Carr continued in his letter that he will alert Congress to the investigation, noting that lawmakers already are weighing whether NPR and PBS should receive taxpayer funds.

“In particular, Congress is actively considering whether to stop requiring taxpayers to subsidize NPR and PBS programming,” he wrote, according to the Times.

“To the extent that these taxpayer dollars are being used to support a for profit endeavor or an entity that is airing commercial advertisements, then that would further undermine any case for continuing to fund NPR and PBS with taxpayer dollars,” he continued.

Fox News Digital reached out to the FCC regarding the letter and the Times’ report, but did not immediately receive a response.

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NPR chief Maher said in response to the letter that NPR’s sponsorship practices “complies with federal regulations.”

“NPR programming and underwriting messaging complies with federal regulations, including the FCC guidelines on underwriting messages for noncommercial educational broadcasters, and Member stations are expected to be in compliance as well,” Maher said in a statement provided to Fox News Digital on Thursday.

“I am concerned that NPR and PBS broadcasts could be violating federal law by airing commercials,” FCC chair Brendan Carr recently wrote, according to The New York Times. (Getty Images)

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“We are confident any review of our programming and underwriting practices will confirm NPR’s adherence to these rules,” Maher said. “We have worked for decades with the FCC in support of noncommercial educational broadcasters who provide essential information, educational programming, and emergency alerts to local communities across the United States.”

PBS told Times it is proud of its “noncommercial educational programming,” and worked “diligently to comply with the F.C.C.’s underwriting regulations.”

NPR and PBS are both public broadcasting organizations, and both are bracing to potentially lose public funding under the Trump administration.

“NO MORE FUNDING FOR NPR, A TOTAL SCAM!” Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social in April 2024, potentially previewing their fate under his second administration. “THEY ARE A LIBERAL DISINFORMATION MACHINE. NOT ONE DOLLAR!!!”

Republican members of Congress also have introduced bills that would defund the public broadcasting organizations, such as Louisiana Sen. John Kennedy and Pennsylvania Rep. Scott Perry introducing the No Propaganda Act in December 2024.

“The American Taxpayer is footing the bill for a woke media corporation that pretends to be impartial while pushing Chinese propaganda,” Perry said when introducing the legislation. The Corporation for Public Broadcasting “cannot be allowed to keep using your hard-earned tax dollars to push a biased and political agenda that goes against what’s best for Americans.”

NPR and PBS are both public broadcasting organizations, and both are bracing to potentially lose public funding under the Trump administration. (Pavlo Gonchar/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

Carr’s name recognition grew large right ahead of the Nov. 5, 2024, election, when he lambasted NBC’s decision to host former Vice President Kamala Harris on “Saturday Night Live” in the final episode ahead of Election Day, but did not offer equal time to Trump or other candidates in the presidential cycle.

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The FCC’s equal-time rule was established in 1934, and requires radio and television broadcast stations to provide the same amount of time for competing political candidates. There are exceptions to the rule, such as newscasts, documentaries and political debates.

Brendan Carr wrote that he will alert Congress to the investigation, noting that lawmakers already are weighing whether NPR and PBS should receive taxpayer funds. (Celal Gunes/Anadolu via Getty Images)

“NBC has structured this in a way that’s plainly designed to evade the FCC’s rules. We’re talking 50 hours before Election Day starts, without any notice to other candidates, as far as I can tell,” Carr told Fox News Digital at the time. “And after previously coming out and saying they weren’t going to do this precisely because they did not believe that they could do this consistent with election laws and the FCC’s equal time rule.”

NBC ultimately filed an equal time notice amid outrage over Harris’ appearance.

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President Donald Trump, pictured here, appointed Brendan Carr to lead the FCC shortly after his November 2024 election win, with Carr taking the helm of the commission in January. (Evan Vucci/The Associated Press)

Trump appointed Carr to lead the FCC shortly after his November 2024 election win, with Carr taking the helm of the commission in January. Carr was first nominated to the commission by Trump during his first administration, and served as the senior Republican member of the FCC until his appointment as chair.

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“Commissioner Carr is a warrior for Free Speech, and has fought against the regulatory Lawfare that has stifled Americans’ Freedoms, and held back our Economy,” Trump said in a statement about the appointment. “He will end the regulatory onslaught that has been crippling America’s Job Creators and Innovators, and ensure that the FCC delivers for rural America.”

January 30, 2025