NationalWatch

President Donald Trump on Wednesday announced he will designate antifa, a left-wing activist group, as a “major terrorist organization.”

Trump described the group as “A SICK, DANGEROUS, RADICAL LEFT DISASTER,” in a Truth Social announcement.

The president added he will be “strongly recommending” that those funding antifa be thoroughly investigated in accordance with the highest legal standards and practices. 

The announcement comes just days after Trumo said he would “100%” consider the designation.

This is breaking news. This story will be updated to reflect the latest details.

Welcome to the Fox News Politics newsletter, with the latest updates on the Trump administration, Capitol Hill and more Fox News politics content. Here’s what’s happening…

–Gun seller takes stand in Trump assassination attempt trial with key testimony about rifle purchase

-DHS blames political rhetoric for surge in assaults on ICE agents after Charlie Kirk murder

-House Dem warns both sides on ‘road to ruin’ as political divide deepens over Kirk assassination

Kash clashes with the Senate

FBI Director Kash Patel is testifying before House lawmakers on Wednesday in a hearing focused on the bureau’s dramatic reforms in the second Trump administration and the recent assassination of Charlie Kirk.

Patel is facing questions in five-minute rounds from Republicans and Democrats on the House Judiciary Committee as part of an annual oversight hearing, marking the director’s second appearance in as many days on Capitol Hill after he testified before the Senate one day prior.

House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, raised what he said was a weaponization of the FBI against conservatives, reviving concerns his committee regularly brought up during FBI Director Christopher Wray’s tenure. Jordan praised Patel for what he said was a course correction…Read more

White House

PROFESSOR VEEP: Donald Trump’s first vice president snags new job

Capitol Hill

POLITICAL SHOWDOWN: Patel spars with House Democrats on allegations he’s involved in Epstein ‘cover-up’: ‘Categorically false’

INFANT HEALTH POLICY: Rand Paul clashes with top Democrat over CDC pushing vaccines on infants

BROKEN HOUSE: ‘Squad’ member, Nancy Mace clash on social media: ‘You belong in rehab’

Across America 

GROOMING CRACKDOWN: Pentagon unveils new ‘clean shaven’ standards, only allows medical exemptions for one year

GOP COLLISION: Republican who defied Trump over 2020 election results launches battleground state governor bid

MAYOR VS FAITH: Whitmer quiet on Muslim mayor telling critic of terrorist sympathizer he’s ‘not welcome’

Charlie Kirk

BIGGER THAN EVER: ‘This is the turning point:’ TPUSA says campus chapter requests surge over 54,000 after Kirk’s assassination

SPEECH SHIELD: Liberal professors’ group backs faculty speech after Charlie Kirk assassination, silent on condemning attack

‘SOMBER’ REFLECTION: Utah Valley University mourns Charlie Kirk as campus reopens after assassination: ‘Extremely traumatic’

LEGACY IN MOTION: Arizona highway could honor Charlie Kirk after assassination rocks conservative movement

HATE IN SCHOOLS: Celebratory, dismissive reactions to Charlie Kirk’s death putting educators under scrutiny

FREE SPEECH FIGHT: Mamdani labeled Kirk a ‘far-right extremist’ who should be canceled from speaking in NYC

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

Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, blasted organizations and individuals allegedly funding protests at various Charlie Kirk memorials, in addition to backing “violent” and “extreme” anti-ICE and anti-Israel demonstrations. 

In July, Cruz introduced legislation that would allow the Department of Justice (DOJ) to impose Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) charges on individuals and organizations allegedly behind funding violent protests.

“I urge the FBI and the Department of Justice to do is follow the money,” Cruz told Fox News Digital. “This violence, we’re saying, the assassination of Charlie Kirk was horrific.

“It was a politically motivated assassination.”

STUDENT EXPELLED AFTER BEING CAUGHT ON VIDEO ACTING OUT CHARLIE KIRK’S ASSASSINATION AT TEXAS STATE VIGIL

“This follows a string of politically motivated violence, including the Black Lives Matter and antifa riots of several years ago,” Cruz continued. “Including the anti-Semitic riots on college campuses that played out over the last couple of years, including the pro-open-borders riots in American cities.”

Since the assassination of the conservative activist Kirk last week, local and campus police have arrested a number of students and demonstrators who have disrupted vigils and memorial events. 

Cruz’s bill, the Financial Underwriting of Nefarious Demonstrations and Extremist Riots (STOP FUNDERs) Act, also addresses the violent anti-ICE riots that took place in California as well as the antisemitic protests that have plagued college campuses since the Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel by Hamas. 

TED CRUZ SAYS HATE SPEECH ‘ABSOLUTELY’ PROTECTED BY FIRST AMENDMENT FOLLOWING CHARLIE KIRK’S ASSASSINATION

At a heated Senate Judiciary hearing this week with FBI Director Kash Patel as the lead witness, Patel agreed with Cruz’s legislative targeting alleged funding groups.

Cruz questioned Patel during Tuesday’s hearing, asking if the FBI would benefit from “Congress passing into law the STOP FUNDERs Act and if rioting was added to the list of predicate offenses for RICO.”

Patel responded during the hearing in agreement with Cruz’s assertion about the bill. 

President Donald Trump himself and White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller have also spoken out about groups funding extreme demonstrations.

KASH PATEL FACES HOUSE GRILLING AFTER TENSE SENATE CLASHES OVER KIRK ASSASSINATION

“They have organized drop points for weapons, organized drop points for gas masks, organized drop points for all the materials necessary to launch a riot,” Miller told reporters Monday. “I think the key point the president has been making is somebody is paying for all of this. This is not happening for free.”

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Cruz has been outspoken about condemning the assassination of Kirk, and when asked if the accused assassin should receive the death penalty, Cruz told Fox News Digital, “the death penalty is absolutely merited.”

“I am glad they’re seeking the death penalty,” Cruz added. “The very worst crimes deserve the ultimate punishment.”

Preston Mizell is a writer with Fox News Digital covering breaking news. Story tips can be sent to Preston.Mizell@fox.com and on X @MizellPreston

Jurors in the federal trial of Ryan Routh — accused of attempting to assassinate President Donald Trump at his West Palm Beach golf club in 2024 — heard pivotal testimony Wednesday from the man prosecutors say sold Routh the semiautomatic rifle tied to the case.

Ronnie Jay Oxendine, a North Carolina roofing contractor recently convicted on a firearm charge, told jurors, “I have to come to this court and tell the truth” as part of his plea deal. Shown the weapon, Oxendine said, “That used to be my rifle.”

Oxendine testified that in August 2024, intermediary Tina Cooper arranged a sale in the fenced parking lot of his office. 

FBI PHONE EXTRACTIONS, DNA TESTIMONY HEADLINE DAY 7 OF RYAN ROUTH TRIAL

“Ryan gave me $350 for the rifle and gave Tina $100,” he said. 

He added Routh worked the bolt, asked for ammunition and said he wanted the gun because his son “was being intimidated by his roommates.” Oxendine said Routh told him he “would remove the serial number… so it wouldn’t come back.”

He also told prosecutors he had roughly 300 firearms, denied ever removing a serial number himself, and admitted the FBI later charged him with possession of a sawed-off shotgun. He faces up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

During cross-examination, Routh began by telling Oxendine, “Great to see you again… I know you’re extremely mad at me,” before asking if the year he has already spent in custody could be applied to Oxendine’s sentence. Judge Aileen Cannon struck the comment from the record and warned Routh against further outbursts.

RYAN ROUTH TRIAL CONTINUES AFTER AGENT TESTIFIES SUSPECT AIMED RIFLE AT HIM ON TRUMP’S GOLF COURSE

Routh asked Oxendine about whether he knew him to be violent. 

“Have you ever known me to hurt anyone?” Routh asked. Oxendine replied, “I know you were loud.”

When asked if he knew Routh to be gentle, Oxendine said, “I don’t know you that well. I heard of you threatening people.”

The courtroom also heard from FBI Task Force Officer Patrick Lantry about surveillance at a South Bay, Florida truck stop, where investigators found orange earplugs and empty Vienna sausage cans.  

Routh’s questioning took a turn when he addressed the empty Vienna sausage cans on the ground around the truck stop. He said there were bugs and ants crawling around and then asked if it was possible food was left out to feed them.

Lantry replied that it was possible, and then Routh said it was a nice gesture but that whoever left the food did not clean up, and that he should have.

RYAN ROUTH TRIAL: JURY SELECTION BEGINS IN TRUMP ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT CASE

AT&T employee Aaron Thompson testified that Routh bought a prepaid line under the name “John White.” When Routh told him, “I don’t know how trustworthy you are,” Cannon struck it from the record.

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Prosecutors are expected to wrap up their case on Thursday. The defense has been told to have its witnesses ready on Friday. Routh has indicated he’ll call a firearms expert and character witnesses, but it’s still unclear if he’ll testify on his own behalf.

Fox News’ Samantha Daigle contributed to this report. 

Gaming out what might happen over the next couple of days on an effort to avert a government shutdown…

The newest wrinkle today is that Democrats intend to release their version of an interim spending bill soon. The question is when? One senior source said it may not come until Friday. 

The House is now expected to vote on the GOP’s “clean” CR to simply renew all funding at the present levels through November 21 on Friday. First of all, the House must pass the bill. That could be tough because Democrats believe all of their members will vote no. It’s about the math: Republicans can only lose two votes on their side and still pass a bill without assistance from across the aisle. But let’s just operate under the presumption that the House can approve the bill Friday.

Then the measure goes to the Senate.

HOUSE PLANS THURSDAY VOTE ON GOVERNMENT FUNDING BILL TO EXTEND SPENDING THROUGH NOVEMBER

Getting to final approval of this bill would require two rounds of “cloture” to break a filibuster. By the book, this process could take days and certainly bleed into the weekend for the initial round.

However, Senate Republicans want to attend Charlie Kirk’s funeral on Sunday. And both sides are anxious to blame the other for blowing up an interim spending bill.

SENATE REPUBLICANS PUSH MAJOR RULE CHANGE TO FAST-TRACK TRUMP NOMINEES IN BATCHES THIS WEEK

So, staring into the crystal ball – and speaking with senior sources from both sides – the following could happen in the Senate:

The Senate gets the interim spending bill from the House on Friday afternoon. Both sides waive all of the rules and clocks in order to have two “show” votes sometime on Friday or Friday night.

Republicans will insist on having a vote to break a filibuster on the motion to proceed to the House-passed bill. That needs 60 yeas. There are 53 Senate Republicans. Fox is told that Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., is expected to be a no on the procedural vote.

That means eight Democrats would have to join Republicans to vote to break the filibuster to hit the 60-vote threshold. That is not going to happen.

TRUMP PRESSURES REPUBLICANS TO PASS A CONTINUING RESOLUTION TO AVERT A GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN

The Senate would then vote in similar fashion on starting debate on the Democrats’ still-unwritten plan. The Senate would subject that vote to a 60 threshold. That too will fall short, since there are only 47 senators who caucus with the Democrats.

That produces an impasse.

“It’s good to have a logjam this early in the process,” said one senior Senate Democrat to Fox. “It shows that nothing can pass yet.”

That gambit allows both sides to make their points and get the other side on the record.

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Such a scenario would prevent a weekend session in the Senate. Both the House and Senate are scheduled to be out of session next week. Rosh Hashanah begins at sundown Monday. However, the House and Senate could come back to session after Rosh Hashanah (Wednesday at nightfall) if necessary. The House and Senate have until 11:59:59 p.m. ET on September 30 to both pass a Band-Aid bill and send it to the President to avoid a shutdown.

Ahead of Charlie Kirk’s memorial service, his organization, Turning Point USA (TPUSA), added new commemorative merchandise to its online store this week. 

The 11 new items are available ahead of Kirk’s celebration of life ceremony, which is scheduled for Sunday at State Farm Stadium in Arizona. President Donald Trump will speak at Kirk’s memorial service along with Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard.

‘THIS IS THE TURNING POINT:’ TPUSA SAYS CAMPUS CHAPTER REQUESTS SURGE OVER 54,000 AFTER KIRK’S ASSASSINATION

One T-shirt features a line-art illustration of the Kirk family walking hand in hand, with a halo above Charlie Kirk’s head. Under the image, in bold block letters, the shirt reads “NEVER SURRENDER,” and beneath, in script, it says “Love, An American Mother.” A black shirt dubbed as the memorial tee, features a bold distressed graphic with the words “This Is Our Turning Point.” The new merchandise also includes baseball hats and stickers.

TURNING POINT USA SAYS INTEREST IN WORKING AT THE ORGANIZATION SURGED AFTER CHARLIE KIRK’S DEATH

In addition to the new merchandise, Kirk’s books are charting in Amazon’s top 20, and his podcast has soared to the No. 1 position in multiple categories. Meanwhile, millions have gravitated to Kirk’s social media presence in the wake of his assassination. The spike has been especially pronounced on YouTube, where subscriber growth has translated into higher view counts and a jump in estimated earnings.

‘THIS IS THE TURNING POINT:’ TPUSA SAYS CAMPUS CHAPTER REQUESTS SURGE OVER 54,000 AFTER KIRK’S ASSASSINATION

Kirk was assassinated on Sept. 10 during an outdoor event at Utah Valley University. The gathering was the first stop on TPUSA’s planned “American Comeback Tour,” and, at first, nothing seemed out of the ordinary. The charismatic founder of TPUSA gained recognition for his signature political debates on college campuses. Before the shot that killed him was fired, Kirk sat under a white tent marked with the slogan “Prove Me Wrong,” fielding open-mic questions from thousands. 

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After his death, TPUSA has seen a massive surge in inquiries for new college chapters as the organization works to advance Kirk’s vision. Andrew Kolvet, executive producer of “The Charlie Kirk Show,” said the organization has received more than 54,000 requests to establish new campus chapters, adding to its current network of 900 official chapters. 

He also told Fox News Digital that he has “personally received hundreds of offers to work” for TPUSA.  

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer stayed silent for days after a controversy in Dearborn, where the city’s Muslim mayor scolded a Christian resident who objected to new street signs honoring an Arab-American newspaper publisher known for past statements viewed as sympathetic to terrorists.

Fox News Digital tried to reach Whitmer’s office and staff Wednesday, a week after the Detroit Free Press first reported the Dearborn meeting kerfuffle.

Mayor Abdullah Hammoud reportedly told resident Ted Barham that he is “not welcome here,” and that if Barham moved out of the city, where around 40% of the population is Muslim, he would hold a parade.

DEARBORN’S MUSLIM MAYOR TELLS CHRISTIAN HE’S ‘NOT WELCOME’ IN DEBATE ON HONORING PRO-TERROR ARAB LEADER

Barham expressed concern over the city honoring newspaper publisher Osama Siblani, saying that renaming streets for the controversial figure is akin to calling them “Hezbollah Street” and “Hamas Street.”

Hammoud accused Barham of not believing in “coexistence,” and advised him to close his eyes if he drove along the avenue where signs commemorating Siblani have been installed.

JEWISH LEADER PREDICTS VIOLENT FUTURE FOR NYC RESIDENTS IF MAMDANI WINS IN NOVEMBER: ‘REAL CONCERN’

Barham also reportedly said that Siblani may have still done good for the Dearborn community via his newspaper, but stood by his criticisms and read from the Lebanon-born man’s past quotations, according to the Free Press.

Some past statements catalogued by MEMRI, the Middle East Media Research Institute, quote Siblani as claiming Hamas is not a terrorist organization and that Hezbollah would – in 2024 – “take care of the job” in regard to protesters who were chanting “death to Israel.”

According to MEMRI, Siblani claimed the blood of jihadists at the time “irrigate the land of Palestine.”

In 2006, Siblani was quoted in the media as saying, “If the FBI wants to come after those who support the resistance done by Hezbollah, then they better bring a fleet of buses. I, for one, would be willing to go to jail,” according to documentation from the Anti-Defamation League.

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Siblani told the Free Press that he did not know Barham – who had said he previously lived in Palestinian territories – and that his comments cited by the resident “was quoted [via] bits and pieces,” and were taken out of context.

He also criticized MEMRI, co-founded by a former Jerusalem intelligence official, for allegedly engaging in the same practice.

Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., clashed with Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and former CDC Director Susan Monarez over recommending vaccines for infants on Wednesday.

The back-and-forth arose during a Senate hearing on Health and Human Servicies Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s decision to oust Monarez last month. Monarez claims she was forced out for refusing to fire individuals responsible for the CDC’s vaccine recommendations, arguing there is no scientific support for removing certain vaccines from the list.

Paul sought to turn the tables on the former official during his questioning.

“When we’re discussing the science here, we have to discuss what is the science in favor of giving the vaccine to a 6-month-old, and what are the benefits from that? And there is no benefit of hospitalization or death. And then what would the risks of that vaccine be? We have large population studies of the risks of the vaccine in younger people,” Paul said.

WHY BERNIE SANDERS IS CALLING ON RFK JR. TO RESIGN

“You won’t fire the people who are saying we have to vaccinate our kids at six months of age. That’s who you refused to fire,” he pressed.

“That assertion is not commensurate with the experience that I had with the individuals who were identified to be fired,” Monarez replied as Paul cut her off.

“Did any of the people you refused to fire,” Paul began before Sanders then interjected himself: “She’s about to answer the question.”

BIPARTISAN FURY AT CDC: SENATORS DEMAND PROBE, REJECT VACCINE GUIDANCE AS ILLEGITIMATE

Paul then argued that “we should” remove recommendations that infants receive the COVID-19 vaccine and others that he said are not relevant for children.

“What is the medical reason to give a Hepatitis-B vaccine to a newborn whose mom has no Hepatitis?” Paul asked.

Sanders then interjected again as Paul spoke over Monarez, who did not directly answer the question.

CDC DIRECTOR SUSAN MONAREZ REFUSES TO BE FIRED AS OTHER OFFICIALS CALL IT QUITS

“You had your time Bernie, I’ve got mine,” Paul said testily before turning back to Monarez. “What is the medical, scientific reason and proof for giving a newborn a Hepatitis-B vaccine if the mom is Hep-B negative?”

Monarez again refused to answer the question directly, and Paul argued that “the burden should be on you” to prove that vaccines recommended for infants are actually helpful.

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“You want to make all kids take this? The burden is upon you,” he said.

Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, who rejected a push by President Donald Trump to overturn the 2020 presidential election results in the key southeastern battleground state, launched a 2026 Republican bid for governor.

Raffensperger’s announcement on Wednesday adds more drama to an already combustible GOP gubernatorial primary between Lt. Gov. Burt Jones and state Attorney General Chris Carr. 

And while Raffensperger has a long track record as a conservative Republican, he’ll likely once again face the scorn of Trump, who last month endorsed Jones for governor.

“I’m a conservative Republican, and I’m prepared to make the tough decisions. I follow the law and the Constitution, and I’ll always do the right thing for Georgia no matter what,” Raffensperger said in a campaign launch video. “As governor, I’ll deliver a bold conservative agenda, and build Georgia even stronger.”

REPUBLICAN-TURNED-DEMOCRAT LAUNCHES GEORGIA GOVERNOR BID

Raffensperger’s agenda includes a push to eliminate the state income tax, capping property taxes for seniors, repealing taxes and fees on closing costs for homebuyers, expanding tax credits for parental school choice, banning drugs that block puberty from gender-affirming care and purging “woke curriculums” from schools.

A statement from his campaign also highlighted that Raffensperger pledged “to work alongside President Donald Trump and congressional leaders to bring jobs back to Georgia, deport criminal aliens, and restore law and order in communities across the state.”

The now-70-year-old engineering entrepreneur, along with Republican Gov. Brian Kemp, refused to aid Trump as the president tried to reverse now-former President Joe Biden’s razor-thin 2020 election victory in Georgia.

THE MOST VULNERABLE REPUBLICAN GOVERNOR IN 2026 LAUNCHES RE-ELECTION BID

Trump appeared to pressure Raffensperger in an early January 2020 call when the president urged Raffensperger to “find” enough votes to upend Biden’s victory. Raffensperger told Trump at the time that his data was wrong and that “we believe our numbers are right.”

That earned Trump’s scorn, and he backed Republican primary challenges against Kemp and Raffensperger when they both ran for re-election in 2022.

But Kemp and Raffensperger ended up easily defeating the Trump-supported primary challengers en route to general election victories.

The Democratic Governors Association’s Kevin Donohoe, pointing to Raffensperger’s 2026 campaign launch, argued that it “injects a new level of chaos into what was already a messy primary — and is bad news for Burt Jones and Chris Carr.”

Raffensperger’s announcement came the day after former Republican Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan launched a Democratic campaign for Georgia governor, in the race to succeed Kemp, who is term-limited.

Duncan, who as lieutenant governor was also a vocal GOP critic of Trump’s repeated efforts to overturn his 2020 loss in Georgia, decided against seeking re-election in 2022.

Duncan endorsed Biden in the 2024 presidential race and later supported then-Vice President Kamala Harris after she replaced Biden at the top of the Democrats’ 2024 ticket. Duncan spoke in a high-profile speech at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago last summer. Earlier this summer he announced he had switched parties and become a Democrat.

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Duncan joined a Democratic primary field that already includes former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, former DeKalb County CEO Mike Thurmond and former State Sen. Jason Esteves.

While Georgia was once right-leaning, it has become a key general election battleground. But Republicans have won every gubernatorial contest in the state since 2002.

EXCLUSIVE: The Department of Homeland Security on Wednesday identified what it called dangerous political rhetoric targeting immigration enforcement in the wake of conservative activist Charlie Kirk’s assassination, warning that such language is fueling violence against officers.

“This hateful rhetoric is contributing to political violence in our country and a more than 1,000% increase in assaults against our brave ICE law enforcement,” the department told Fox News Digital.

“Following the evil act of political violence in the country and two brutal assaults on our brave ICE law enforcement last week, we are once again calling on the media and the far left to stop the hateful rhetoric directed at President Trump, those who support him, and our brave DHS law enforcement,” added Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin.

McLaughlin said such “demonization” is inspiring violence nationwide:

NOEM SAYS ICE AGENTS ARE FACING ‘1000% INCREASE IN ASSAULTS’

“We have to turn down the temperature before someone else is killed,” she said.

In examples provided to Fox News Digital, DHS cited the “evil act of political violence witnessed… last week” when Kirk was murdered in Utah, plus two incidents during attempted capture of immigration suspects that led to severe injuries to officers.

“DHS is calling on the media, leftist groups, and sanctuary politicians to end their demonizing DHS law enforcement,” the department said.

In a set of examples provided to Fox News Digital of such inflammatory political rhetoric, the department led off with Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas, who told MSNBC earlier this month that immigration enforcement officers are akin to slavecatchers.

“As someone who understands history, when I see ICE, I see slave patrols,” Crockett said Saturday.

DHS also flagged Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz’ comments during a commencement speech at the University of Minnesota when he called ICE the “modern-day Gestapo” – a direct reference to the Geheime Staatspolizei who enforced authoritarian law in Nazi Germany.

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker has also been vocal in his criticisms of President Donald Trump’s immigration enforcement operations, and DHS cited his recent remarks characterizing the U.S. as “essentially” becoming a country akin to Nazi Germany where people had to carry around “papers” to “prove [they] belong.”

UNION BOSS COMPARES ICE TO AL PACINO MOBSTER AS MORE DEMS PILE ON IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT

The department also condemned comments from Boston Mayor Michelle Wu in June:

“I don’t know of any police department that routinely wears mask – We know that there are other groups that routinely wear masks. NSC-131 routinely wears masks,” she said, referring to a Massachusetts-based “National Socialist Club” tied to neo-Nazism.

DHS also condemned House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., for pledging to fight against Trump’s agenda “in the streets,” suggesting it is fomenting violence.

It also cited Rep. John Larson, D-Conn., who was pictured in August screaming during a press availability that immigration enforcement is acting like the “S.S.” (Nazi secret police) and Gestapo.

“This is not Germany. That’s the SS and the Gestapo. This is the United States of America. Unmask yourselves,” Larson shouted at an event in Newington.

Larson added it is a good time to “rise up,” after federal immigration enforcement raided a car wash in the New England community.

Further cataloging physical violence against ICE and DHS officers, the department provided to Fox News Digital an accounting of the most egregious attacks, including a group of armed men who staked out a facility in Texas earlier this year.

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A separate Texas incident cited involved a gunman opening fire at a Border Patrol annex in McAllen – near the Mexican border.

“The suspect was neutralized by law enforcement who acted heroically to stop the shooter before there was any loss of life. However, three were injured,” the department said.

On August 29, a woman in Maine allegedly tried to run over a federal agent with her car as he was making an arrest.

The department also cited several instances of suspects causing harm to officers or damage to property.

The Justice Department plans to call a fresh lineup of witnesses Wednesday as the federal trial of Ryan Routh, accused of attempting to assassinate President Donald Trump at his West Palm Beach golf club in 2024, enters its eighth day.

Prosecutors told the court they expect testimony from Ronnie Jay Oxendine, the man who allegedly sold Routh the rifle tied to the case, as well as multiple FBI agents and specialists. The list includes Patrick M. Lantry, a task force officer with the FBI; Aaron Thompson; Matthew S. Perry, an FBI special agent; Garett L. Foo, an FBI special agent; and Laura E. Haller, an FBI special agent and digital forensic examiner.

Also scheduled are Lazaro and Samuel Plata, whose testimony will be aided by two Spanish-English translators in the courtroom.

FBI PHONE EXTRACTIONS, DNA TESTIMONY HEADLINE DAY 7 OF RYAN ROUTH TRIAL

Tuesday’s proceedings centered on forensic evidence from Routh’s alleged phones and DNA. Jurors saw WhatsApp messages and texts allegedly recovered from Routh’s seized devices, including one exchange where Routh wrote, “I hate him… shan’t get elected again,” referring to Trump. Another message read, “If I can help just let me know what to do.”

TRUMP TRIAL CONTINUES WITH MORE FBI TESTIMONY AFTER RIFLE CALLED ‘PREPARED TO FIRE’

FBI experts also testified that Routh’s DNA was strongly linked to the rifle grip, a bag, a glove and other items prosecutors say were found in the alleged sniper’s nest. Trump-appointed Judge Aileen Cannon kept a tight rein on the pace of testimony, pressing prosecutors to shorten questioning and reminding Routh — who is representing himself — to stop interrupting.

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With prosecutors expected to rest their case by the end of the week, Wednesday’s testimony could prove pivotal as jurors weigh the government’s evidence against the self-represented defendant who will bring his witnesses forward beginning next week.

Senate Republicans are calling foul on Senate Democrats’ opposition to the GOP’s short-term plan to keep the government funded, calling it hypocritical. 

House Republicans on Tuesday unveiled their seven-week funding extension, known as a continuing resolution (CR), which congressional Republicans argue is as “clean” as can be. That means that the bill largely lacks any additional spending or policy riders.

But Senate Democrats have dug in deep on their rejection of the proposal, increasing the likelihood of a government shutdown come Sept. 30. It comes after Democrats previously warned Republicans not to use government funding as a political weapon when Democrats were in charge of the Senate.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., will ultimately need Democrats to pass a government funding patch. 

GOP UNVEILS PLAN TO AVERT GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN, INCLUDES $30M SECURITY HIKE AFTER CHARLIE KIRK KILLING

He argued that under former President Joe Biden’s administration, Senate Democrats overwhelmingly voted for 13 CRs.

“Ninety-six percent of the Democrats voted for all 13 of those,” Thune said. “This is, again, a new practice that’s been invented because of Trump Derangement Syndrome, and because these Democrats hate giving this president anything.”  

Senate Republicans are now titling the possibility of a partial government shutdown as a “Schumer Shutdown,” given Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and his caucus’ unwillingness to support the GOP-authored bill.

“Now, all of a sudden, they can’t vote for it? It’s ridiculous,” Sen. John Hoeven, R-N.D., told Fox News Digital. “That’s exactly where they’re coming from, and it should be called the ‘Schumer Shutdown.’”

HOUSE REPUBLICANS SPLIT WITH TRUMP TEAM OVER ‘VERY FRUSTRATING’ FUNDING FIGHT AS SHUTDOWN LOOMS

When asked why Democrats were entrenched against the Republicans’ bill, given their previous push for clean stopgaps, Schumer argued that “we’re in a much different situation” after the GOP passed President Donald Trump’s “big, beautiful bill,” the $9 billion clawback of foreign aid and public broadcasting funding, and the administration’s move to clawback an additional $5 billion in foreign aid.

He also ripped Thune and Johnson for not sitting down with him and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., to negotiate a spending deal. Thune countered that his office is right around the corner from Schumer’s.

“They even refuse to have bipartisan negotiations,” Schumer said. “We’ve always had bipartisan negotiations on this. [House Speaker Mike] Johnson put his bill in. No Democratic input, and that is why the Republicans are heading for us for a shutdown. We don’t want it.”

Part of the disagreement with the bill also stemmed from Trump’s edict that Republicans shouldn’t “even bother” with Democrats and that “we have to get Republican votes.”

Sen. Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii, told Fox News Digital that all Democrats needed was for Trump “to take back what he said about the process needing to be more partisan rather than less.”

“If they go it alone, then it’s not unreasonable for us to say, ‘We wish you the best, but you won’t be getting our votes,’” Schatz said. 

Despite the saber-rattling, they haven’t said precisely what they dislike about the House GOP’s offering. They say it’s not so much about what’s in the bill, but rather what’s not.

TRUMP’S FOREIGN AID CLAWBACK RATTLES SENATE AHEAD OF FUNDING FIGHT

The top Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Committee, Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., told Fox News Digital that it was a “lack of language on impoundments and the pocket rescission, things like that that we’ve been talking about.”

The other part is that the CR does not contain an extension to Obamacare premium subsidies passed during the COVID-19 pandemic that are set to expire in December.

Democrats argue that an extension should be attached to the stopgap because insurance providers are teeing up new insurance rates ahead of the Nov. 1 open enrollment start date for the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

Senate Appropriations Chair Susan Collins, R-Maine, argued that lawmakers could wait until November to move on an extension.

“You can wait,” Collins said. “Because … they can keep the eligibility criteria steady for next year and have the revised eligibility.”

While Schumer and Democrats are expected to give Thune headaches throughout the ordeal, he may have to wrangle some fiscal hawks weary of CRs on his side of the aisle, too. 

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Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., argued that the spending levels set in the House GOP’s bill were the same as those set under former President Joe Biden, which Republicans “all decried in the election.”

“So any Republican who votes for this, I guess maybe they should apologize to Biden for being against his spending levels,” Paul said. “Because they’re actually voting for his spending levels now.”

And Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., told Fox News Digital that he hadn’t thoroughly reviewed the text of the bill yet, but he noted he was not typically a fan of funding extensions.

“The goal was always that we start having a real budgeting process, and so it’s really frustrating that we haven’t done that,” he said. 

Those who dismiss celebrations of Charlie Kirk’s murder as harmless free speech may have forgotten that the Pentagon’s crackdown on extremism began in 2021 after the Jan. 6 Capitol riot.

That year, the then-Defense Department, which was renamed the Department of War under the Trump administration, rewrote its standards for “extremism” within the ranks, making clear that even liking or retweeting certain content could prompt discipline. At the time, the initiative largely targeted right-wing extremism.

Now, Pentagon leaders are once again scouring social media — this time suspending officers who appear to cheer on the political assassination that has shaken the country over the past six days. 

“It is unacceptable for military personnel and Department of War civilians to celebrate or mock the assassination of a fellow American. The Department of War has zero tolerance for it,” Sean Parnell, chief Pentagon spokesman and senior advisor, declared in a post on X.

“Hunting down and prosecuting service members for their individual political beliefs is dangerous and un-American,” Rep. Jason Crow, D-Colo., a former Army Ranger, warned on X in response to the directive.

In 2021, after several service members were implicated in the Capitol riot, then-Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin ordered a department-wide “stand-down” and created a Countering Extremist Activity Working Group. Its recommendations led to changes in the War Department’s code (DoDI 1325.06), which formally defined “extremist activities,” such as advocating violence, terrorism or the overthrow of the U.S. government.

PENTAGON CALLS CHARLIE KIRK POSTS ‘DOMESTIC TERRORISM’; DEM WARNS DISCIPLINE IS ‘UN-AMERICAN’

For the first time, the Pentagon explicitly stated that social media activity — including likes or shares — could be treated as an endorsement of extremism and grounds for discipline. The code also standardized recruit screening questions on extremist ties and issued new warnings to departing service members about the risks of extremist recruitment.

By the end of 2021, fewer than 100 service members had been found in violation of the new standards.

A June 2025 update left most of those rules intact, reaffirming that liking or sharing extremist content could be punished if it implied endorsement. But it did make one notable change: removing “gender identity” from a list of protected categories in the section banning advocacy of widespread unlawful discrimination. The 2021 version had barred discrimination based on “sex (including pregnancy), gender identity, or sexual orientation.”

Other agencies are taking even more aggressive steps. The State Department has announced it will revoke visas of foreigners who celebrate Kirk’s death, while Attorney General Pam Bondi said the Justice Department will pursue cases against those engaged in hate speech.

JAY LENO CALLS CHARLIE KIRK ASSASSINATION THE ‘DEATH OF FREE SPEECH’

Critics warn that the wave of firings and suspensions — across the Pentagon, other federal agencies and even private industry — risks going beyond curbing calls for violence to punishing those who merely criticize Kirk or fail to publicly mourn him.

“Government employees, including military personnel, don’t give up their First Amendment rights when they take the job,” Aaron Terr, FIRE’s director of public advocacy, told Fox News Digital. “The military does have leeway to impose discipline for speech that directly undermines discipline or the chain of command, but simply expressing an opinion that others consider ugly or wrongheaded doesn’t meet that standard.”

Another First Amendment lawyer noted that in some instances, service members may enjoy stronger speech protections than private-sector employees, who can be fired “at will.”

“Usually, the way a government employer gets around [free speech arguments] is to say the government has the right to protect itself from statements that cast the institution in a negative light or pose a security issue,” said Jeff Lewis, a California-based attorney.

“So, although public employees have stronger First Amendment protections than private-sector employees, the government as an employer usually wins when free speech rights come up against its ability to hire and fire.”

Already, Army Col. Scott Stephens was suspended following posts purportedly belonging to him that praised the killing. 

“The death of Charlie Kirk in Utah was tragic. However, we can take comfort in the fact that Charlie was doing what he loved best — spreading hate, racism, homophobia, misogyny and transphobia on college campuses,” one post read.

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Another Army Reserve officer was suspended over the weekend.

“A monster died today,” read one post allegedly belonging to Maj. Bryan Bintliff, who went by “Bryan Harlow” on social media. “It’s sad Charlie’s kids are traumatized for life, but it’s not a sad thing that he’s dead.”

President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump will receive a full royal welcome from King Charles III following their arrival to Windsor Castle on Tuesday night.

Wednesday’s festivities will kick off with Trump, the first lady and several top U.S. officials participating in a carriage procession with the king, queen and other members of the royal family. Ahead of the couple’s arrival, hundreds of staff worked through the halls and grounds of the nearly 1,000-year-old castle to ensure the monarch welcomed the couple in true royal fashion.

Trump is set to ride in the foremost carriage along with King Charles, while Melania will ride in a following carriage with the queen. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, White House chief of staff Susie Wiles and special envoy Steve Witkoff will also ride in follow-up carriages.

Ahead of his visit, Trump hailed the “great honor” of being hosted by his “friend” at “the ultimate” Windsor Castle for his second state visit, the U.K.’s Standard reported.

U.K. POLICE DEPLOY ‘COMPREHENSIVE’ DRONE OPERATION ACROSS WINDSOR CASTLE FOR TRUMP VISIT

“My relationship is very good with the U.K., and Charles, as you know, who’s now king, is my friend,” Trump told reporters, quoted by the outlet. “It’s the first time this has ever happened where somebody was honored twice. So, it’s a great honor.”

“And this one’s at Windsor,” Trump added. “And I don’t want to say one’s better than the other, but they say Windsor Castle is the ultimate, right? So, it’s going to be nice.”

“Primarily it’s to be with Charles and Camilla,” he continued. “They’ve been friends of mine for a long time, long before he was king, and it’s an honor to have this king.”

TRUMP ADMIN BLOCKS CITIZENSHIP FOR NON-CITIZEN VOTERS

The centerpiece of Trump’s visit is set to be the banquet in St. George’s Hall. The Waterloo Table, about half the length of a football field, can seat up to 160 guests. The Associated Press reported it takes five full days to set the table, which is laid with more than 4,000 pieces, including 200-year-old silver.

The visit comes as the U.S. and U.K. continue trade negotiations, though the White House has not indicated that any deals will be announced during the event.

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Trump is the first U.S. president to be invited for two state visits by a British monarch. The late queen hosted him and Melania in 2019 during his first administration. 

Fox News’ Stephanie Nolasco contributed to this report

FIRST ON FOX: The Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services agency (USCIS) unveiled a letter from President Donald Trump that newly naturalized legal migrants will receive upon obtaining citizenship in the U.S.

The letter, obtained by Fox News Digital, is written by President Trump and congratulates the new citizens while reminding recipients of the oath they’re taking to “forge a sacred bond with our Nation, her traditions, her history, her culture and her values.”

“America has always welcomed those who embrace our values, assimilate into our society and pledge allegiance to our country,” Trump writes in the letter. “This rich heritage is now yours to protect, promote and pass down to the next generation. Our history is now your history. Our customs are now your customs. And our Constitution is now yours to safeguard, honor and Respect.”

DHS ‘BLITZES’ CHICAGOLAND, NETTING ‘MANY ARRESTS’ AS NOEM ONSITE FOR IMMIGRATION CRACKDOWN

“The United States is now your homeland, and you stand as a part of one Nation under God,” Trump added. “You have pledged your heart to America—and in return, she offers the boundless promise of freedom and opportunity.”

DHS and Trump himself have maintained an immigration policy stance consistent with the 47th president’s campaign promise to deport illegal immigrants who entered the country under the Biden Administration, while promoting migrating to the U.S. legally. 

“I’m fine with legal immigration,” Trump said during his first press conference of his second term. “We need people and I’m absolutely fine with it – we want to have it.”

TRUMP ADMIN BLOCKS CITIZENSHIP FOR NON-CITIZEN VOTERS

“American citizenship is a sacred trust, and it should never be treated like that,” DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin told Fox News Digital in a statement. “To be an American citizen is to commit yourself to upholding our values, culture, and Constitution.”

“We are doing everything in our power to make sure that anyone who is offered the privilege of becoming an American citizen fulfills their obligation to their new country,” McLaughlin added.

Sources at DHS told Fox News Digital that enhanced vetting practices like reinstating neighborhood interviews to determine whether migrants who are seeking citizenship possess good moral character and identifying non-citizens who registered to vote have raised the bar for qualifying for naturalization. 

ICE RIPS PRITZKER FOR ‘SIDING WITH CRIMINAL ILLEGAL ALIEN’ AFTER OFFICER DRAGGED, SUSPECT SHOT DEAD

Sources also told Fox that USCIS overhauled the citizenship test to ensure applicants meet high standards to become citizens. 

President Trump’s letter will be sent to all new citizens starting Wednesday, which also marks the day the Constitution was signed in Philadelphia in 1787. 

“We applaud your devotion to our country, our people, our history and our great American story,” President Trump wrote. “As long as the American people continue to love our country and uphold our values, there is nothing that our Nation cannot achieve. Our communities will flourish. Our people will prosper.”

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“Our traditions will endure,” the letter continued. “And our future will be brighter, more radiant and more hopeful than ever before.”

Preston Mizell is a writer with Fox News Digital covering breaking news. Story tips can be sent to Preston.Mizell@fox.com and on X @MizellPreston

A fight between Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., and FBI Director Kash Patel erupted on Tuesday during a hearing as Booker grilled Patel about controversies surrounding his tenure at the bureau.

Booker accused Patel of making the country “weaker and less safe” and predicted he would not last as FBI director, before a yelling match ensued.

“I think you’re not going to be around long,” Booker said during the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing. “I think this might be your last oversight hearing, because as much as you supplicate yourself to the will of Donald Trump and not the Constitution of the United States of America, Donald Trump has shown us in his first term, and in this term, he is not loyal to people like you.”

‘MOST TRANSPARENT FBI EVER’: PATEL UPDATES SENATE ON KIRK ASSASSINATION PROBE

Patel shot back that Booker’s “rant of false information does not bring this country together,” before adding, “It’s my time, not yours.”

“My God! My God!” Booker exclaimed.

The clash came as Booker was grilling Patel over firings at the FBI and sealed grand jury testimony he gave during the prosecution against President Donald Trump related to classified documents. 

The Department of Justice was recently sued by three ousted top FBI officials who alleged they were unconstitutionally fired by Patel without explanation despite each serving at the bureau for about two decades without performance issues. Their firings are part of a broader trend at the bureau involving DOJ leadership firing several FBI officials who have been caught up in high-profile incidents perceived by the Trump administration to have contributed to a weaponization of FBI power. Booker also raised concern about Patel redirecting a large fraction of rank-and-file agents’ focus onto immigration enforcement, which is typically overseen by the Department of Homeland Security.

FBI’S TRUMP PROBE ‘ARCTIC FROST’ ALSO INVESTIGATED KIRK’S TPUSA, GRASSLEY SAYS

Patel, meanwhile, has faced scrutiny for his lack of law enforcement experience and for the personnel firings and priority shifts. The FBI Agents Association has been among those who called for bureau leadership to “strengthen due process protections” for agents.

Booker also accused Patel of sowing division through his social media, another point of controversy as Patel has had some missteps online, including, most recently, miscommunicating about the arrest of a suspect in Charlie Kirk’s assassination. The White House has been outwardly supportive of Patel’s performance, but internal concerns have cropped up.

At the hearing, the FBI director attempted to talk over Booker as they engaged in a shouting match.

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“You can’t lecture me!” Booker yelled.

Committee Chairman Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, interjected, calling for order. The New Jersey Democrat stormed out after his questioning concluded.

FIRST ON FOX: The House Oversight Committee on Tuesday released a roughly 120-page transcript of former Attorney General Bill Barr’s deposition, and it appears to affirm Republicans’ claims that the former Department of Justice (DOJ) official had no knowledge of any incriminating ties between President Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein.

That’s despite the top Democrat on the committee claiming last month that the full transcript did not clear Trump of wrongdoing.

The House Oversight Committee has been investigating the DOJ handling of Epstein’s case, having subpoenaed multiple people and entities in the process.

Among them is Barr, who told investigators that he’s had two conversations with Trump about Epstein – once after the late convicted sex offender committed suicide, and another time he could not place.

HOUSE MOVES TO EXPOSE EPSTEIN FILES, AUTHORIZES OVERSIGHT PROBE

Barr also denied Trump expressed any views on the DOJ’s Epstein probe, nor did he give instructions or state preferences in its conduct, according to the transcript obtained by Fox News Digital.

During a line of questioning led by Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas, Barr said he never recalled telling Trump his name appeared in documents related to Epstein.

“I’m curious to know, in those conversations that you do recall with the president, do you recall ever informing him that he was in the Epstein files at all, number one?” Crockett asked, according to the transcript.

Barr replied, “Well, I’m not sure what ‘Epstein files’ refer to these days. But, no, I didn’t – I didn’t have that kind of conversation with him. I think at some point logs were made public that he was on Epstein’s plane making commutes from – or flying between Miami and New York or Miami and New Jersey or stuff like that, and I think that that got out publicly. I don’t recall discussing that with him.”

HOUSE OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE RELEASES THOUSANDS OF EPSTEIN DOCUMENTS

Crockett then asked, “And you have no direct knowledge of any of the young women or women that claimed that they had encounters with the president through Epstein, correct?”

“I was never told that there was evidence to support that claim,” Barr said, according to the transcript.

Barr later told investigators that he believed any incriminating evidence about Trump would have leaked if it existed, and he suggested the same would have been true of former President Bill Clinton, who, like Trump, was also known to be friendly with Epstein at one point.

“I think it would come out if there was any feeling that, within the government, on either side, that someone was covering up. I think it would get out. I mean, [the Southern District of New York] is also – and New York – is also well-known as being the home of many, many a leak on investigations,” Barr said.

A House Oversight lawyer asked, “So, in your experience, you have no doubt, if SDNY prosecutors saw evidence of a crime, they would’ve followed that evidence, and if it led to an indictment, they would’ve indicted, and if it led to a conviction, they would’ve followed the facts where they led. Is that fair?”

Barr said he would have anticipated such moves, even for high-profile individuals.

“I also feel, you know, that, you know, they would’ve done the same for Clinton, I believe,” he said.

“I think – you know, remember, this stuff also went on under President [Joe] Biden’s administration, and they were looking for something to bring against President Trump, and this was – if they had evidence, this would’ve been low-hanging fruit. I just don’t – I was never informed of the evidence, and I’m skeptical there is any.”

The former Trump administration official also conceded, however, “I think it is possible that the SDNY did not inform me, you know, how deep they were in the investigation of particular individuals. That would not surprise me.”

“By the same token, I feel that my view of that office and the people involved would be that, if they had evidence establishing a crime, they would pursue it as such,” Barr added.

Partisan sparks flew after Barr’s testimony after the top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee, Rep. Robert Garcia, D-Calif., argued that his remarks did not clear Trump of wrongdoing.

“[T]o be clear, yesterday, during his deposition with the committee, Attorney General Barr could not clear President Trump of wrongdoing. Chairman [James Comer, R-Ky.,] should release the full unedited transcript of his interview for the public,” Garcia wrote in an August statement.

But the transcript appears to show that, at least to Barr’s recollection, Trump was not tied to Epstein in any criminally liable way.

Of the two conversations with Trump regarding Epstein, Barr said, “One was when I heard about the suicide. I called him up and said, ‘You better brace for this,’ and I told him words to that effect, and I told him about it and told him we were going to be investigating it very vigorously. And the second one, I can’t say for sure whether it happened before his suicide, during – meaning around the time of his arrest or whether it happened after his suicide during the continued developments there.”

The transcript also showed Barr defending current Attorney General Pam Bondi reportedly informing Trump that his name appeared in the Epstein files in recent months as standard procedure.

“I think that would normally be what the attorney general would do, you know, is to give the president a heads-up if something is going to happen like that, the release of documents that have his name in it and that will be, you know, a lot – there would be a lot of speculation about it,” Barr said. 

“It’s completely normal to tell the chief executive that his name is about to be released. There’s nothing inherently wrong with that.”

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Barr did not recall many specifics of the investigation throughout, but he did concede at one point that there were shortcomings in the federal probe. More specifically, he described the period when authorities were unable to locate Ghislaine Maxwell as “embarrassing.”

And despite controversy erupting over the DOJ declaring the case closed earlier this year, Barr dismissed any conspiracy theories about Epstein’s death.

“Absolutely,” he answered when asked if he still believed Epstein committed suicide.

Donald Trump grew up in Queens – a very nice neighborhood, to be sure, but still an outer borough.

Across the East River is the glittering skyline of what those who don’t live there call “the city.” And in the midst of that island is the New York Times building.

When the Times found the real estate developer worthy of profiling, in 1976, it was puff piece at first sight:

“He is tall, lean and blond, with dazzling white teeth, and he looks ever so much like Robert Redford. He rides around town in a chauffeured silver Cadillac with his initials, DJT, on the plates. He dates slinky fashion models, belongs to the most elegant clubs and, at only 30 years of age, estimates that he is worth “more than $200 million.”

TRUMP ANNOUNCES $15 BILLION LAWSUIT AGAINST THE NEW YORK TIMES FOR DEFAMATION, LIBEL

The Redford reference is now sadly dated because of the actor’s passing in his sleep (“Good way to go, I guess,” says Trump.) But in the piece, the “fast talker” acknowledged that his father, Fred Trump, who built middle-class housing in Queens and Brooklyn, only recently tried to crack the Manhattan market because of “psychology.”

(My favorite sentence: “Mr. Trump, who says he is publicity shy, allowed a reporter to accompany him on what he described as a typical work day.”)

I bring all this up, as a Brooklyn guy who has lived in Queens, to underscore how the president has always craved the paper’s approval.

TRUMP TAKES AIM AT CNN AND NEW YORK TIMES OVER IRAN STRIKE COVERAGE, BUT JOURNALISTS ARE SHRUGGING

And he got it – though the tabloids loved his feuds even more – until he went into politics.

Now the president has filed a $15 billion lawsuit against the New York Times.

It’s a strange suit, and it has a snowball’s chance in hell of succeeding. 

A Times statement says: “This lawsuit has no merit. It lacks any legitimate legal claims and instead is an attempt to stifle and discourage independent reporting.” What’s odd is that there was no triggering story, no specific inaccuracy alleged. That’s in sharp contrast to the president’s successful suits against CBS and ABC.

Of course, filing a suit – forcing even the biggest companies to spend a fortune on legal fees – is often the point.

Back in the 1980s, Trump sued the Pulitzer-winning Chicago Tribune architecture critic, Paul Gapp, for $500 million, for criticizing his plan to build America’s tallest building – a 150-story tower – in Manhattan. “One of the silliest things anyone could inflict on New York or any other city,” Gapp wrote.

Trump said he had “virtually torpedoed” the project, subjecting him to “public ridicule and contempt.” A judge later dismissed the suit as involving protected opinion.

The new suit names such reporters as chief White House correspondent Peter Baker and investigative journalist Michael Schmidt. It also names Susanne Craig and Ross Buettner, in part for their book “Lucky Loser: How Donald Trump Squandered His Father’s Fortune and Created the Illusion of Success.”

Craig revealed some of Trump’s tax returns, and she and her team won a Pulitzer for reporting on his finances.

In the ABC case, the network settled for $16 million for George Stephanopoulos having said Trump was found liable for rape, not “sexual abuse,” in the civil suit brought by E. Jean Carroll.

CBS also agreed to pay $16 million after the unethical editing of the Kamala Harris interview on “60 Minutes,” to make her sound more coherent.

He has also sued the Wall Street Journal’s parent company for reporting on his birthday message to Jeffrey Epstein – which he continues to deny, although the message from the predator’s files has surfaced with many similarities. 

CBS PARENT COMPANY SPARKS MASSIVE OUTRAGE WITH TRUMP LAWSUIT SETTLEMENT

In the lawsuit against the Times, filed in Florida, the president just trashes its campaign coverage. He says on Truth Social he is moving against “one of the worst and most degenerate newspapers in the History of our Country, becoming a virtual ‘mouthpiece’ for the Radical Left Democrat Party. I view it as the single largest illegal Campaign contribution, EVER. Their Endorsement of Kamala Harris was actually put dead center on the front page of The New York Times, something heretofore UNHEARD OF! The ‘Times’ has engaged in a decades long method of lying about your Favorite President (ME!), my family, business, the America First Movement, MAGA, and our Nation as a whole. I am PROUD to hold this once respected ‘rag’ responsible…” 

I’m going out on a limb to say that running an editorial on the front page falls under the category of free speech, and lots of papers have occasionally done it.

And remember, as the ultimate public figure, Trump would have to prove malice on the paper’s part, or reckless disregard for whether something is true or not.

Given that the president’s coverage is overwhelmingly negative, let’s say for the sake of argument that the Times is leading the resistance.

The Trump suit blames “persistent election interference from the legacy media.” 

But unless a plaintiff can point to a verifiable inaccuracy, it falls under the protective umbrella of First Amendment reporting and opinion.

SUBSCRIBE TO HOWIE’S MEDIA BUZZMETER PODCAST, A RIFF ON THE DAY’S HOTTEST STORIES

With Marine One in the background yesterday, ABC’s Jonathan Karl, whom Trump knows well, asked him about criticism of Pam Bondi’s investigations of left-wingers: “A lot of people, a lot of your allies, say hate speech is free speech.”

“She’d probably go after people like you! Because you treat me so unfairly! It’s hate! You have a lot of hate in your heart!”

A moment later, Trump said: “Maybe they’ll come after ABC. Well, ABC paid me $16 million recently for a form of hate speech, right? Your company paid me $16 million for a form of hate speech, so maybe they’ll have to go after you.”

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For the president, a lawsuit is wielded as a weapon. That’s why he’s suing the New York Times, the paper across the river, with which he’s always had a love-hate relationship – and lately, mostly hate.

Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, said on Tuesday that a person cannot be prosecuted for speech, but he is in favor of other consequences for those who celebrate the murder of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, putting the senator at odds with the Trump administration.

Cruz made the comments at Politico’s AI & Tech Summit on Tuesday, when he affirmed that hate speech is protected under the U.S. Constitution’s First Amendment.

“The First Amendment absolutely protects speech,” Cruz said.

“It absolutely protects hate speech,” he continued. “It protects vile speech. It protects horrible speech. What does that mean? It means you cannot be prosecuted for speech, even if it is evil and bigoted and wrong.”

PAM BONDI CLARIFIES ‘HATE SPEECH’ COMMENTS AFTER GETTING BLOWBACK

Instead of facing prosecution, Cruz said anyone who has celebrated Kirk’s murder, or suggested that he deserved to die for his political views, should be met with other forms of consequences, such as termination or expulsion. Several people in various jobs across the country have been fired for comments made in response to Kirk’s death.

“We have seen, as you noted, across the country, people on the left — not everybody — but far too many people celebrating Charlie Kirk’s murder,” Cruz said. “We’ve seen teachers in high schools and elementary schools posting online celebrating. We’ve seen university professors posting.”

“In my view, they should absolutely face the consequences for celebrating murder,” he added.

Cruz’s comments come after Attorney General Pam Bondi said on Monday that the Justice Department would target people who engaged in hate speech following Kirk’s assassination.

“There’s free speech and then there’s hate speech, and there is no place, especially now, especially after what happened to Charlie, in our society. We will absolutely target you, go after you, if you are targeting anyone with hate speech,” Bondi told podcast host Katie Miller, the wife of White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller.

BONDI ‘HATE SPEECH’ REMARKS SPARK TORRENT OF CRITICISM FROM CONSERVATIVES

Bondi later attempted to walk back her comments, saying hate speech “that crosses the line into threats of violence is NOT protected by the First Amendment.”

“It’s a crime,” she wrote on X. “For far too long, we’ve watched the radical left normalize threats, call for assassinations, and cheer on political violence. That era is over.”

“Free speech protects ideas, debate, even dissent, but it does NOT and will NEVER protect violence,” she added. “It is clear this violent rhetoric is designed to silence others from voicing conservative ideals. We will never be silenced. Not for our families, not for our freedoms, and never for Charlie. His legacy will not be erased by fear or intimidation.”

Asked about Bondi’s initial comments, President Donald Trump suggested potentially going after journalists who “treat me unfairly.”

“It’s hate,” he told reporters.

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Kirk, who was shot and killed during an event on the campus of Utah Valley University last week, was opposed to prosecuting hate speech.

“Hate speech does not exist legally in America,” he wrote on X last year. “There’s ugly speech. There’s gross speech. There’s evil speech. And ALL of it is protected by the First Amendment. Keep America free.”

In his remarks on Tuesday, Cruz pushed for more “naming and shaming,” citing English philosopher John Stuart Mill, who argued that the best response to speech is more speech.

“And naming and shaming is part of a functioning and vibrant democracy,” Cruz said.

Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, revealed Tuesday that the FBI’s election-related investigation into President Donald Trump, launched in 2022, swept in dozens of Republican entities, including the late Charlie Kirk’s Turning Point USA.

Speaking during a hearing focused on oversight of the FBI, Grassley said the investigation, which the bureau called “Arctic Frost,” was partisan in nature and that its expansive scope was evidence of that.

“In other words, Arctic Frost wasn’t just a case to politically investigate Trump,” Grassley said. “It was a vehicle by which partisan FBI agents and Department of Justice prosecutors could achieve their partisan ends and improperly investigate the entire Republican political apparatus.”

FBI INVESTIGATING LEFTIST GROUPS FOR POSSIBLE TIES TO CHARLIE KIRK’S ASSASSINATION: SOURCE

Since January, Grassley and Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., have been publishing records related to Arctic Frost, the investigation launched during FBI Director Chris Wray’s tenure that served as the basis for former special counsel Jack Smith to bring criminal charges against Trump related to the 2020 election.

Grassley unveiled a new set of documents during his opening statement on Tuesday that showed numerous Republican-affiliated organizations and people were targeted with subpoenas during Arctic Frost.

Some targets on the list were well known, such as Sidney Powell, who made controversial allegations about the 2020 election, and former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani. But the basis for targeting other groups, like Kirk’s group and the Republican Attorneys General Association (RAGA), was less clear.

CHARLIE KIRK ASSASSIN’S MOTIVES REMAIN ‘ELUSIVE,’ CBS NEWS ANCHOR CLAIMS

“For years, the deep state, unelected Biden bureaucrats — including the FBI — used lawfare to target Republican AGs and many other close friends because we were allies of Donald Trump,” RAGA Executive Director Adam Piper said in a statement to Fox News Digital. “The Biden Administration bastardized the rule of law, gave license to lawless liberals, and did everything possible to kneecap any and all opposition. Republican AGs will work to hold these bad actors accountable and help President Trump restore objectivity to our federal law enforcement and intelligence agencies.”

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Kirk was assassinated last week while speaking during an event at Utah Valley University. He was a prolific conservative activist and his massive organization remains a part of his legacy. Turning Point USA recruited conservative college students and was heavily involved in promoting election turnout. In the aftermath of the 2020 election, Kirk amplified some of Trump’s claims about election fraud.

Utah Gov. Spencer Cox and Department of Justice leaders have said the suspect in Kirk’s shooting, Tyler Robinson, was driven by leftist ideology but that the investigation remains in an early stage. Authorities said antifascist messaging found on bullet casings, Discord messages and other messages have helped to develop an understanding of Robinson’s motive as the investigation continues.

Fox News Digital’s Danielle Wallace contributed to this report.