Fox News Politics

The U.S. military conducted a strike in the Eastern Pacific on a low-profile vessel operating along established narco-trafficking routes, killing two individuals described as "narco-terrorists." This operation was executed under the direction of Gen. Francis L. Donovan and Joint Task Force Western Hemisphere, which aims to impose systemic friction on these networks.

William Lawrence, a far-left candidate for the House of Representatives in Michigan, faced resurfacing documents detailing his 2013 arrest during a protest against the Enbridge Line 5 pipeline. During that time, he was charged with trespassing, resisting, and obstructing a police officer. The scrutiny accompanies him challenging Rep. Tom Barrett, amidst political attacks regarding past activism like calling to defund the Police.

The Senate Leadership Fund (SLF), a group aligned with Senate Majority Leader John Thune, announced raising over $500 million ahead of the 2026 U.S. Senate elections to defend a Republican majority. SLF plans to use its resources and messaging strategy—focusing on issues like crime and inflation—to counter efforts by Democrats. The group stated confidence that combining record funding, strong candidates, and a winning message will allow Senate Republicans to maintain their majority.

A political fight is emerging in Texas over data centers due to concerns about skyrocketing power and water costs associated with AI technology. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton released a four-point plan addressing data center expansion while running against state Sen. James Talarico, who has used the issue as a political point of attack. The conflict highlights differing views on whether big tech money should influence political action.

A small town in New Jersey, where Trump has a golf course, could decide the fate of Congress for the latter half of Donald Trump's term. Tom Kean Jr. is seeking re-election in the Garden State's 7th Congressional District, which Mike Johnson stated was a top three race. Democrats are betting on this district and sending Rebecca Bennett as a challenger, noting that victory would potentially halt Republican goals.

Secretary of Education Linda McMahon vowed that the federal government will crack down on sexual misconduct by adults in schools. She criticized school districts for allegedly reassigning rather than firing teachers accused of misconduct involving students. The Department of Education opened a Title IX investigation into the Los Angeles Unified School District regarding similar allegations.

A Catholic organization called CatholicVote is pressuring Massachusetts bishops regarding a new law signed by Gov. Maura Healey that eliminates previous restrictions on abortions after 24 weeks. CatholicVote argues that Healey should face formal discipline, including being considered an "accomplice" in abortion under canon law. Bishop Robert Barron sharply condemned the law, calling it barbaric and expressing alarm over potential procedures up to birth.

Puerto Ricans have voiced significant opposition to becoming America’s 51st state, fearing economic turmoil and tax spikes. The debate involves potential changes to the federal tax structure and was highlighted by a nonbinding referendum in November 2024, which found 59% of voters in favor of statehood while also showing support for independence.

Donald Trump aims to revive diplomacy with Kim Jong Un amid a nuclear standoff, a move some experts suggest may be an effort to shift attention from Iran. Given North Korea’s mature nuclear arsenal and ties with Russia, experts note that eliminating the threat militarily or achieving a sweeping denuclearization agreement is unlikely.

Sen. John Fetterman warned that slowing U.S. efforts in artificial intelligence would benefit China, rejecting the concept of 'AI doomsdaying' and political pandering. He stressed that maintaining U.S. leadership is critical to national security, a view aligned with Donald Trump’s focus on developing data centers for jobs. The discussion highlighted concerns about global competition and the need for rapid AI development.

Former Republican Sen. Nancy Kassebaum Baker of Kansas died at age 94 from natural causes. She served in the U.S. Senate for three terms, initially winning election in 1978 and serving until 1997. Throughout her career, she was known as an independent-minded Senator who worked across party lines and maintained a focus on Kansas.

Parents at Middle Creek Elementary School in Wake County, North Carolina, are disputing a music class taught by a transgender teacher and requesting official opt-out alternatives. The conflict was debated before the Wake County Board of Education, where speakers argued whether accommodating these requests upholds parental rights or discriminates against teachers based on gender identity. Aaron Driver criticized opponents for suggesting that objecting families should instead homeschool or leave public education.

Democratic nominee Mary Peltola's attendance record includes missing 18.6% of state House votes and 36.67% of Bethel City Council meetings. Critics, including the Republican National Committee, questioned her commitment to public service due to these absences and a lack of successfully sponsored bills. Peltola's campaign defended the missed votes by citing maternity leave and other priorities like fishing.

Mike Rogers is urging Democrats to vote for him in a must-hold Senate seat in Michigan after falling short of victory there two years ago. Key Democratic candidate Abdul El-Sayed’s criticisms regarding Israel's actions against Hamas in Gaza and his association with Hasan Piker have alienated some Jewish voters. These issues are enabling Rogers to launch a campaign targeting disaffected Democrats.

Amy Klobuchar is facing criticism for focusing on addressing a massive fraud scandal in Minnesota despite having no official press releases mentioning it since the crisis emerged. A review of her office's archive found no direct addresses or solutions regarding the social-services fraud scandal or Feeding Our Future. Lisa Demuth criticized Klobuchar, stating that she had failed to mention the theft of tax dollars during her long tenure.

Sen. Jim Banks is pushing for a package of seven immigration bills aimed at codifying policies concerning birthright citizenship, visas, and commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs). A centerpiece measure, the "Dalilah Law," aims to require states to stop providing CDLs to illegal immigrants and certain foreign nationals. Furthermore, Banks wants Congress to gain greater control over Temporary Protected Status authority.

Ernesto Alejandro Perez-Garcia, a Mexican national, was arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Redondo Beach, California, after illegally re-entering the country five times. During the arrest, Perez-Garcia admitted to lying to agents until he was confronted with his own mugshot, stating that his alcohol use was what led him into trouble. He maintained that despite national headlines about ICE operations, he did not expect this Thursday morning arrest.

President Donald Trump will honor four astronauts—Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen—with the Congressional Space Medal of Honor. The award recognizes their Artemis II mission, a record-breaking voyage during which they traveled 252,756 miles from Earth around the moon. This celebration highlights the achievement of reaching farther from Earth than any humans in history.

The White House announced a 22% plunge in fentanyl-linked deaths and a 14% fall in total drug overdose deaths over one year. The administration credits this decline to its border crackdown, counter-narcotics policies, and arrests of convicted fentanyl traffickers. These measures were highlighted as evidence that disruption upstream is reducing the amount of drugs reaching American communities.

Two nonprofits, BreakThrough News and Peoples Forum Inc., formally objected to congressional subpoenas related to a House Ways and Means Committee investigation into Neville Roy Singham's funding network. The organizations argued the demands violated the First Amendment and amounted to a 'witch-hunt.' Chairman Jason Smith defended the inquiry, asserting that compliance is mandatory to investigate if foreign actors are exploiting the tax code.