JD Vance spearheads 'war on fraud,' promises to root out taxpayer money 'stolen' by illegal immigrants

Vice President JD Vance spelled out his role in leading the administration’s newly declared "war on fraud" Wednesday after President Donald Trump announced the effort during his State of the Union address.

"I don't know what the top line number is, and I think that's unfortunate, that nobody has ever tried to take a systematic look at how much fraud there is in the federal government," Vance said on "America's Newsroom."

"How many illegal aliens are on Medicaid? We know that it's billions and billions of dollars that should go to American citizens. It's going to illegal aliens. How many fraudulent daycare centers have been set up where that money should go to American citizens to help their kids get into childcare? Instead, it's being stolen from them by illegal aliens in our country..."

Vance raised concerns that government officials may have "gotten wealthy" or have received campaign donations from fraud benefactors by being "complicit" in the malpractice.

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He told Fox News that the president has tasked him with taking a "full, whole government approach" to investigating fraud concerns, enlisting the Justice and Treasury Departments to lead probes and locate fiscal records.

"We're going to be trying to understand how it is that the American people have been defrauded. How it is that people have used resources and programs that should go to American citizens instead have been going to fraudulent uses?" Vance said.

"There's a whole host of tools that we have that have never been used, and the president and I talked about this a couple of months ago and said, 'What if we just did everything that we could to stop the fraud that's being committed against the American taxpayer?' The president said, 'Great idea, let's do it,' and we're going to work on that very aggressively over the next year."

JD VANCE ANNOUNCES MULTI-STATE FRAUD TASK FORCE IN WAKE OF MINNESOTA SCANDAL

Vance clarified that the administration's "war on fraud" will continue beyond the next year, but that Trump officials aim to "uncover as much as possible" within the upcoming months.

While speaking on a host of subjects, the vice president also admonished congressional Democrats for their behavior during Tuesday's State of the Union, in which an overwhelming majority remained seated and refused to applaud throughout the speech, including when Trump challenged lawmakers to "stand up and show [their] support" if they agreed that American citizens' interests were more valuable than those of illegal immigrants.

"What a shame that is," Vance said of Democrats' refusal to stand.

DR OZ DETAILS 'WEAPONIZATION OF FRAUD' IN MINNESOTA, ESTIMATES TOTAL MEDICAID FRAUD TO BE $100 BILLION

"What a sad commentary that is on the Democratic Party that the idea that the American government should stand for American citizens, not illegal aliens. That shouldn't be controversial, but apparently it was to the Democrats."

Vance said he noticed a handful of Democrats who "politely clapped" but chose not to stand.

"I guess maybe they were worried about being primaried by the far left fringe of their party, but they were all looking around. They weren't actually saying, 'You know what? I'm going to stand and support this because this is a common sense, obvious statement.' They were all around for cues from their colleagues because they didn't have the courage to stand on their own," he said.

"That, more than anything, Bill, is the saddest commentary on the Democratic Party."

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Nick Reiner pleads not guilty to murdering parents

Nick Reiner pleaded not guilty Monday to double murder charges in the December stabbing deaths of his parents, Rob and Michele Reiner.

Reiner, 32, appeared in court with a shaved head and wore a brown uniform with a white shirt. He entered the plea with Judge Theresa McGonigle. During his arraignment last month, his powerhouse lawyer announced he was stepping down from representing Nick. 

Alan Jackson told reporters during a press conference that he had "no choice" but to withdraw from the case, and cited circumstances beyond his and Nick's control as to why he abruptly resigned.

NICK REINER LOSING POWERHOUSE DEFENSE ATTORNEY MAY COME DOWN TO MONEY, EXPERTS SAY

"Circumstances beyond our control, but more importantly, circumstances beyond Nick's control have dictated that," Jackson said during a press conference outside the courthouse. "Sadly, it's made it impossible for us to continue our representation of Nick. I'm legally and I'm ethically prohibited from explaining all the reasons why."

Jackson remained adamant that Nick was "not guilty" of murdering his parents. 

ROB REINER, WIFE MICHELE'S MURDER CASE LIKELY HINGES ON SON'S MENTAL COMPETENCY: EXPERTS

"We've investigated this matter top to bottom, back to front," Jackson said. "What we've learned — and you can take this to the bank — is that pursuant to the laws of this state, pursuant to the law in California, Nick Reiner is not guilty of murder."

Jackson arrived at the Reiner home less than 24 hours after the couple's bodies were discovered. Soon after, he signed on to represent Nick. 

Kimberly Greene, the deputy public defender assigned to the case, spoke briefly with Nick after Jackson resigned and said Nick "was understanding that there was going to be a change in counsel."

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The 32-year-old was charged in December with two counts of first-degree murder and faces a maximum sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole or the death penalty. He remains in custody at the Twin Towers Correctional Facility after formally being charged with two counts of first-degree murder in the stabbing deaths of his parents.

Rob and Michele Reiner were found dead inside their Brentwood home on Dec. 14. Multiple agencies worked to find and arrest Nick, who was apprehended near the University of Southern California at approximately 9:15 p.m., hours after his parents' bodies were discovered.

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Conan O'Brien broke his silence last week on Rob and Michele's deaths. The talk show host was one of the last people to see the couple alive after hosting a holiday party the Reiners attended with Nick prior to their murders.

"I knew Rob and Michele, and then increasingly got closer and closer to them, and I was seeing them a lot," he told The New Yorker. "My wife and I were seeing them a lot, and they were so — they were just such lovely people. And to have that experience of saying good night to somebody and having them leave and then find out the next day that they’re gone."

He added, "I think I was in shock for quite a while afterward. I mean, there’s no other word for it. It’s just very — it’s so awful. It’s just so awful. And I think about how Rob felt about things that are happening in the country, how involved he was, how much he put himself out there — and to have that voice go quiet in an instant is still hard for me to comprehend."

NICK REINER'S DEFENSE LAWYER 'AIN'T CHEAP' BUT WORTH EVERY PENNY IN MURDER CASE, LEGAL EXPERT SAYS

Family and friends told the Los Angeles Times that Nick had gotten into a big fight with his parents at the party and that many people noticed him behaving strangely.

"Nick was freaking everyone out, acting crazy, kept asking people if they were famous," a source also told People magazine.

Two days later, Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman charged Nick with two counts of first-degree murder.

A spokesman for the Reiner family told Fox News Digital, "They have the utmost trust in the legal process and will not comment further on matters related to the legal proceedings." 

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Florida Senate passes 'Teddy Bridgewater Bill' allowing coaches to use personal funds for student welfare

Teddy Bridgewater has become something of a martyr in Florida.

While coaching at Miami Northwestern High School, the former NFL quarterback admitted to providing players with financial benefits, including Uber rides, meal costs and physical therapy for the team.

His actions led to his suspension last summer, but they are closer to being legal after a bill was signed in the state.

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Florida lawmakers on Thursday passed Senate Bill 178, the "Teddy Bridgewater Bill," which requires "the Florida High School Athletic Association to adopt bylaws authorizing a head coach to support the welfare of a student by using personal funds to provide certain effects to the student."

The bill says the coach must report the use of funds to the association, "providing that such use of personal funds is presumed not to be an impermissible benefit, etc."

The bill will now go to Florida's House of Representatives.

Speaking to the media last August after signing a one-year deal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Bridgewater explained his thought process behind the events that led to his suspension.

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"Honestly, I think everyone knows that I'm just a cheerful guy, a cheerful giver as well. I'm a protector. I'm a father first before anything," he began. "When I decided to coach, those players became my sons and I wanted to make sure that I just protect them in the best way that I can. I think that's what came about." 

He reached out on social media asking for donations "so I no longer have to take from my personal funds to keep smiles on these young men's faces and remind them that they matter."

"Miami Northwestern is in a tough neighborhood, and sometimes things can happen when kids are walking home and different things like that," Bridgewater said at the time. "So, I just tried to protect them, give them a ride home instead of them having to take those dangerous walks. I just want people to continue to see me for the person that I've been from the time I arrived in the NFL, from the time that I arrived at the University of Louisville – just a humble guy who has a big heart and a cheerful giver."

Bridgewater was a one-time Pro Bowler in 10 years in the NFL and coached the school to a state title.

Fox News' Ryan Gaydos contributed to this report.

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Plastic surgeon apologizes for failing to 'speak up’ against youth trans surgeries at major NYC hospital

A plastic surgeon who trained at a major Manhattan hospital is apologizing for failing to "speak up" after witnessing minors as young as 13 undergo "irreversible" gender surgeries.

"As a father to three young children and as a physician who took an oath to do no harm, I failed to speak up, and I just want to thank President Trump for having more clarity on this," Dr. Ira Savetsky said Thursday on "Fox & Friends."

Savetsky, who trained at NYU Langone Health, said the culture inside elite medical programs left little room for voicing his concerns.

"You're at the number one plastic surgery program, you're just grateful to be there. There's no room to speak up. You're a soldier…" he said.

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"You work so hard to get there… you don't want to make waves."

Savetsky's comments come as the Manhattan hospital announced it would end its Transgender Youth Health Program, a move that follows regulatory pressure from the Trump administration, which has threatened to pull federal funding from hospitals offering such care.

"Given the recent departure of our medical director, coupled with the current regulatory environment, we made the difficult decision to discontinue our Transgender Youth Health Program," a hospital spokesperson told The New York Post.

THE MEDICAL SYSTEM PUSHED TRANSGENDER SURGERY ON KIDS — NOW IT'S FACING LEGAL JUSTICE

"We are committed to helping patients in our care manage this change. This does not impact our pediatric mental health care programs, which will continue."

While reflecting on the patient procedures, Savetsky questioned the pressure families receive when their child questions their gender.

"I can only imagine what the parents were going through. I mean, they're told that their child is going to kill themselves if they don't have these surgeries," he said.

"They're pressured, and what are you supposed to do? You've dropped everything to do the right thing for your child, and I think that, unfortunately, there was a lot of financial motivation with these institutions."

NYU Langone did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment.

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WWE star Logan Paul explains reason behind viral Bad Bunny reaction before Super Bowl

WWE star Logan Paul went viral before Super Bowl LX when he was asked by Fox News Digital whether he was excited for Bad Bunny’s halftime show.

He responded with a resounding, "No!" as he walked off a red carpet the night before the game.

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Paul explained his thinking behind the one-word comment on the latest episode of "IMPAULSIVE."

"Bad Bunny is a world-renowned superstar. He also can be a WWE superstar when he wants. He’s a good wrestler. He can f---ing wrestle. There have been talks about maybe us wrestling. Like, it’s been floated around. I’ve been candid about the fact that I’d love to do that. I think it would be the greatest WWE match of all time. I really believe that.

"In that regard, any time I’m asked about Bad Bunny, I think that in the back of my mind. So, it’s like to set that up, when I’m asked if I’m excited for the halftime show, saying ‘No,’ one word, it’s like, OK, now people are talking about it. However, there is truth to the fact that I’m a 30-year-old man, I’m not excited about any halftime show. I don’t care. I also didn’t even watch the game really that much."

Paul said his remark was 80% him working his audience and 20% being he didn’t really care whether it was Bad Bunny or anyone else.

BAD BUNNY'S SUPER BOWL HALFTIME SHOW IGNITES TRUMP'S FURY, DIVIDES VIEWERS

He had some lament about his brother, Jake Paul, firing off posts about Bad Bunny. The boxer wrote on X that he had an issue with Bad Bunny "openly hating America" with regard to the singer’s comments about U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

"It was very circumstantial because I didn’t work myself into a shoot. My brother worked my work into a shoot, brother," Logan Paul added.

He said that he felt it was "important" to separate his own stance about Bad Bunny from his brother’s comments made on X.

"I love him, but that doesn’t mean we agree on things," Logan Paul said. "And it complicates things because people confuse us. They already think we’re the same person. I’ll walk outside right now and get called ‘Jake’ five times. He’ll go outside in the Netherlands and get called ‘Logan.’

"I felt in this scenario I had to put my flag in the sand. And I’m glad I did."

Paul said he still would like to meet Bad Bunny in a pro wrestling ring.

"I think it would be insane. I think it transcends WWE," he said.

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California surfer murdered in apparent robbery at his home in Costa Rica: reports

A prominent surfer from California was murdered at his home in Costa Rica during an apparent break-in over the weekend, according to reports.

Kurt Van Dyke, a 66-year-old expatriate who owned a hotel in the Costa Rican town of Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, was found dead Saturday inside his apartment, the Tico Times reported.

A preliminary exam indicated that Van Dyke’s body showed signs of asphyxiation and multiple stab wounds, the outlet reported.

Van Dyke, a native of Santa Cruz, California, was in the apartment Saturday morning when two armed men stormed inside, the San Francisco Chronicle reported. The men then held Van Dyke and his 31-year-old girlfriend, whom he shared the apartment with, in a room.

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The girlfriend survived the ordeal and told authorities that the men had bound her hands and feet with zip ties and assaulted her, according to the report. At some point during the incident, Van Dyke was killed, she said.

The girlfriend also said the men stole some of the couple’s valuables, including a 2013 Hyundai Elantra.

Security footage from the scene showed the two suspects fleeing the property in the Elantra and a second vehicle, the report said. 

No arrests have been made, and officials have yet to announce a motive.

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Van Dyke’s brother, Peter Van Dyke, remembered his brother as a kind soul in a text message to the Chronicle.

"My brother was a very benevolent, giving person who would help just about anybody," Peter Van Dyke said. "Kurt would never hurt anybody, and he was always there when you needed him. Everyone that he met knew this about him." 

Officials in Costa Rica said that Van Dyke’s death shocked the community.

"I am deeply saddened," Roger Sams, president of Costa Rica’s Southern Caribbean Chamber of Tourism and Commerce, told Costa Rican newspaper La Nación in Spanish. "We’ve had a long period of calm and tranquility.… This shocks and saddens us because the Caribbean has been so peaceful."   

Van Dyke had developed a notable reputation among Santa Cruz’s surfing community before permanently settling in Costa Rica, where his skill surfing big waves earned him the moniker of "King" from the local surfing community, the Chronicle reported.

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Obama claims Democrats face greater governing challenges than Republicans in current political climate

Former President Barack Obama said during a podcast on Saturday that Democrats have the "harder job" governing, and that Republicans have it easier because they just tear "stuff down."

"Look, I think we have to acknowledge that we’ve got the harder job, right?" Obama said. "So we believe in government as a tool for good — for as a potential force to more jobs and as a way to make sure that the planet doesn’t roast. To make sure that as we move forward and the economy grows, that everybody, and not just some, are benefiting, and the kids are getting a good education. And what that means is that we have to think about the consequences of our actions. We have to try to figure out how do we get working majorities to actually pass laws and to implement those laws and to make things happen?"

Obama spoke to podcast host Brian Tyler Cohen and was responding to a question about whether Democratic leadership understood how to fight back against the GOP.

He added, "Tearing stuff down doesn't require all that."

TRUMP URGES GOP TO ‘END THE SHUTDOWN’ BY GOING NUCLEAR ON SENATE FILIBUSTER

The former president said Republicans were unraveling a set of rules and norms that were already in place, and that it's easy to do.

"I say that because we should accept the responsibility and the challenge that our job is going to be a little bit harder, because in order for us to get stuff done, like, let's say the Affordable Care Act, well we've got to cobble together a majority, and we've got to persuade, and we've got to convince. And so, I do think that there's been some unwillingness on the part of Democrats in the past to break down some of the institutional barriers for us getting stuff done, just because, well, it's always been done that way," Obama said.

Obama explained that the filibuster in the Senate frustrated him as president, and said Democrats had been trying to preserve something that in some ways blocks the government from being effective.

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"The Senate is already structurally skewed and anti-majoritarian, right? Like the – it's hard for majorities to get stuff done, whether it's trying to pass civil rights legislation in the '60s or trying to get gun control legislation or what have you, because even though majority people support it, Delaware and Wyoming have the same number of senators as California, right? So that would require a constitutional amendment. You then compound that with a filibuster, and the truth is that Democrats, for some time, have been traditionalists in wanting to preserve that when it blocks us from making government effective, which in turn makes people feel like government is corrupt and not caring about them," Obama said.

He said it gave people like President Donald Trump "an opening."

Trump has called for ending the filibuster in the Senate, which has also gained some traction with other Republicans.

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Obama said he didn’t think Democrats should "duplicate" the behavior of Republicans but argued they shouldn’t cling to traditions either.

"I don't want us to simply duplicate the behavior of the other side. I don't want us to have a slash-and-burn strategy where we don't care about rule of law. We don't care about some of the guardrails around our democracy. We start lying and having no regard for the truth the way the other side seems to be comfortable with right now, because if that's how we fight, then we lose what we're fighting for. But that doesn't mean we have to get punked or be saps. And I do, or to cling to traditions just for the sake of tradition," he said.

Obama was also asked directly if aliens were real.

"They're real, but I haven't seen them," Obama said.

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