Unity tested: Democrats face off over Israel and AIPAC dark money during DNC meeting

Democrats are united in their opposition to President Donald Trump and his unprecedented second-term agenda. 

But as the Democratic National Committee (DNC) huddles in New Orleans for its spring meeting, the party is once again coping with deep internal divisions over Israel's military actions and a powerful pro-Israel lobbying group's recent meddling in Democratic Party primaries.

The DNC's Resolutions Committee debated and held test votes Thursday on resolutions recognizing a Palestinian state, putting limits on military aid to Israel and taking aim at what one resolution calls the "growing influence" of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, which is best known by its acronym AIPAC, and other so-called dark money groups.

Two resolutions on placing conditions on military aid to Israel and recognizing a Palestinian state were referred to the DNC's Middle East Working Group. The resolution calling out AIPAC was defeated after the Resolutions Committee passed a broader resolution targeting all dark money groups. The nonbinding resolutions were among more than 100 on a range of issues that are being considered.

SUPPORT FOR ISRAEL DROPS AS DEMOCRATS TURN AGAINST KEY US ALLY: POLL

The resolutions were the latest face-off between DNC leaders who support Israel and a growing base of progressives who give Israel a thumbs down. One DNC committee member, speaking anonymously, called the resolutions "problematic" for the party.

The potential for divisive dialogue and verbal explosions over these issues comes eight months after similar showdowns at the DNC's 2025 summer meeting in Minneapolis.

This year's spring meeting also comes as a Pew Research national survey released this week showed that 80% of Democrats and independents who lean toward the party hold unfavorable views of Israel, up nearly 30 points since 2022. An NBC News poll conducted earlier this year indicated that 57% of Democrats held a negative view of Israel, up from 35% after Hamas killed roughly 1,200 people in a sneak attack on Israel Oct. 7, 2023.

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But negative opinions have surged since Israel's ensuing military campaign in Gaza over the past two and a half years has resulted in more than 72,000 people being killed, according to health officials in the Palestinian territory. And Israel joined the U.S. in attacking Iran in a nearly month-and-a-half long war which polls suggest is unpopular with most Americans.

"Israel’s behavior has turned Americans against it," longtime DNC member James Zogby, the president of the Arab American Institute and a critic of Israel, said in a social media post this week. "It seems that Americans don’t like folks using our money & weapons to commit genocide & steal Palestinian land."

The resolution criticizing AIPAC and other corporate-aligned spending in Democratic primaries was authored by Allison Minnerly, a DNC member from Florida who at last year's summer meeting grabbed a spotlight as she unsuccessfully pushed for a resolution urging an arms embargo on Israel.

DEMOCRATS FACE-OFF OVER ISRAEL AT KEY PARTY MEETING

After Minnerly's resolution was defeated, DNC Chair Ken Martin pulled his own resolution, which called for "unrestricted" aid to Gaza and a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian crisis. Martin then created the Middle East Working Group, which will meet for a fourth time at the spring meeting.

Some Democrats blame the party's support for Israel for their 2024 election setbacks, when they lost control of the White House and Senate and fell short in winning back the House majority.

Fox News reached out to the DNC and AIPAC for comment.

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Strait of Hormuz toll would set 'dangerous precedent,' UN shipping agency warns

The United Nations’ shipping agency warned Thursday that imposing a toll on ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz would "set a dangerous precedent." 

The remark comes after President Donald Trump suggested Wednesday that there may be a U.S.-Iranian toll system coming for ships that travel through the key waterway. Trump told ABC News, "We’re thinking of doing it as a joint venture," and, "It’s a way of securing it — also securing it from lots of other people." 

"There is no international agreement where tolls can be introduced for transiting international straits. Any such toll will set a dangerous precedent," a ‌spokesperson ⁠for the U.N.'s International Maritime Organization told Reuters on Thursday. 

The Strait of Hormuz, which lies between Iran, Oman and the United Arab Emirates, is one of the world’s most critical energy choke points, carrying roughly 20 million barrels of oil a day along with about one-fifth of global liquefied natural gas.

LIVE UPDATES: US MILITARY 'LOADING UP AND RESTING,' TRUMP SAYS, AS IRAN TESTS CEASEFIRE

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis also warned on Wednesday that a reported Iranian plan to charge ships to pass through the Strait of Hormuz would be "completely unacceptable." 

"I don’t think that the international community would be ready to accept Iran setting up a toll booth for every ship that crosses the strait," Mitsotakis, representing the world's leading shipping power, told CNN. 

HEGSETH DECLARES 'DECISIVE MILITARY VICTORY' OVER IRAN

"This agreement cannot, I repeat, cannot include a sort of a fee that ships will have to pay every time they cross the strait," he continued. "This was not the case before the war started, and it cannot be the case after the war finishes." 

The Trump administration had reached a ceasefire deal with Iran on Tuesday.

 "The United States of America will be helping with the traffic buildup in the Strait of Hormuz. There will be lots of positive action! Big money will be made. Iran can start the reconstruction process," Trump wrote on Truth Social on Wednesday morning. "We’ll be loading up with supplies of all kinds, and just ‘hangin’ around’ in order to make sure that everything goes well. I feel confident that it will." 

Fox News Digital’s Amanda Macias and Alexandra Koch contributed to this report. 

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Bodycam shows Athena Strand’s killer FedEx driver flip personas, say discarding girl’s clothes was ‘funny’

Haunting body camera footage of a former FedEx delivery driver who pleaded guilty to killing a young girl showed him flipping between alter ego personalities as it was played in a Texas courtroom Thursday as jurors weighed whether he will receive the death penalty. 

Tanner Horner, 34, pleaded guilty to the kidnapping and murder of 7-year-old Athena Strand in a Fort Worth courtroom. 

Jurors are now being shown body camera footage and additional evidence to determine whether Horner will receive the death penalty or life in prison without parole. 

On Thursday, jurors were shown footage of authorities confronting Horner about where he had disposed of Athena’s clothing following her death on Nov. 30, 2022.

ATHENA STRAND’S KILLER FEDEX DRIVER TOLD POLICE HE ‘KIND OF TOSSED’ 7-YEAR-OLD’S BODY INTO WOODS, VIDEO SHOWS

"Are you saying you stripped her naked and threw her clothes out the window on the highway?" the officer can be heard asking. 

"I thought it was funny," Horner replied. 

"Did you take all her clothes off of her? Shirts, pants, panties – everything?" the officer asked. 

"Mm-hmm," Horner said. 

The officers then shift to addressing Horner’s alter ego, "Zero." 

"Hey Zero, when you took her, was she wearing a jacket or anything?" the officer said. 

"No jacket, no shoes," Horner, speaking as Zero, replied. 

ATHENA STRAND PHOTO SHOWS DEADLY RIDE WITH FEDEX DRIVER WHO ADMITTED KILLING GIRL DURING CHRISTMAS DELIVERY

Authorities continued to push Horner for more details about Athena’s abduction, asking whether the girl had told him she did not want to get into his car. 

In response, Horner informed them he told Athena, "We’re going on a ride." 

"She was trying to fight you when you told her you were going on a ride?" the officer asked. 

"No," Horner replied as he mumbled details about what Athena had said to him. 

The officers then attempted to get more details from Horner, who appeared to be speaking to them as his alter ego. 

MAN CONFESSES TO KILLING 7-YEAR-OLD WHILE ON THE LAM AFTER DNA LINKS HIM TO 30-YEAR COLD CASE: AUTHORITIES

"So did you hit her before you dropped the package? I’m sorry, did Tanner hit her before the package was dropped off, or after?" the officer asked, before shifting to address Horner as Zero. 

"Do you want to talk to him?" Horner replied, referring to himself. 

"No, I want to talk to Zero. I want to talk to you. Because you’re being more honest, you’re more helpful," the officer said. 

While on the stand, Texas Ranger Job Espinoza, the lead investigator who was with Horner when Athena's body was located and interrogated him after his arrest, testified that Horner had told him Athena’s underwear was still on her body, according to FOX 4. 

However, Espinoza told the courtroom he knew the claim was untrue because Athena’s body was nude when her remains were discovered by authorities.

Espinoza then added that Horner had allegedly admitted to taking Athena’s pants and placing them inside a backpack thrown in the trash at his house. Investigators later found some articles of Athena’s clothing inside Horner’s home. 

Upon being asked if there was any evidence that Athena’s clothes were thrown on the highway, Espinoza denied the claim. 

"Based on the course of this investigation, I knew that was a lie," Espinoza said. 

In his earlier testimony on Thursday morning, Espinoza told Wise County District Attorney James Stainton that Horner had been untruthful throughout the investigative process. 

"At this point, other than telling you where Athena was located, is there anything else truthful that Tanner Horner has told you?" Stainton asked. 

"No sir," Espinoza answered. 

"Up until this point, how many different versions has Tanner Horner told you of how things went down at Athena's residence?" Stainton replied. 

"He's given me numerous different versions of how the events of that day transpired," Espinoza said.

In an interrogation video shown Thursday, Horner asked investigators to release him from jail for about a month so he could spend Christmas with his family, while promising to provide the details of his crime if they agreed. 

"Did you know what you did was wrong?" Espinoza asked him, according to FOX 4. 

"Of course," Horner said. "I haven't been on that medicine for five days, and it's starting to wear off. I've actually been crying. Do you know what it's like, not being able to cry for months and months and months?"

Espinoza then asked if Horner was remorseful for what he did to the young girl. 

"I’m a father," Horner said as he grew emotional. "All I want is to spend one last Christmas with my son, and I’ll tell you everything."

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Horner initially claimed he accidentally struck Athena with his delivery truck, but later admitted to abducting and strangling her while delivering a package to her father’s home in November 2022 in Paradise, Texas.

He previously said he "kind of tossed" the young girl into the woods after killing her, according to an interrogation video shown to jurors.

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Prosecutors have aimed to paint Horner as a violent and calculating killer. 

"First thing Tanner Horner says to Athena when he picks her up, puts her in that truck, leans down, and he says, ‘Don’t scream or I’ll hurt you,’" Stainton told jurors in opening statements Tuesday.

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"I’m going to tell you right now. One thing you’re going to hear that is something you can’t unhear is the level of fight that a 7-year-old girl has. When she’s facing down a certain death."

Stainton also revealed Horner may have sexually assaulted the young girl after her abduction.

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"We have DNA. Not only do we have initial DNA from Athena that has Tanner Horner’s DNA under her fingernails. We also have Tanner Horner’s DNA in places where you shouldn’t find DNA on a 7-year-old girl," Stainton said in court.

Prosecutors have pointed to evidence showing Horner covered a camera inside his FedEx truck, threatened Athena and carried out an extensive attack before disposing of her body in a wooded area near Boyd, Texas.

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Horner then allegedly returned to work to continue delivering packages as authorities launched a desperate search for the missing child. Her body was discovered three days later. 

Defense attorney Lindsay Thompson pointed to Horner suffering from brain damage, mental illness and extreme lead exposure – while mentioning his autism diagnosis.

Thompson added that Horner should be spared from the death penalty because he had accepted responsibility by pleading guilty. 

Authorities have revealed Horner was delivering a package of Barbie dolls meant to be a Christmas gift for Athena when he abducted and killed her.

Fox News Digital's Sarah Rumpf-Whitten contributed to this report.

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Olympic gold winner dismisses athletes' negative comments on representing US: 'I think we're the best country'

Not everybody representing the red, white and blue sounded necessarily ecstatic about doing so in the Olympics.

Freeskier Hunter Hess said he had "mixed emotions" representing the U.S. in Milan, while skier Mikaela Shiffrin said she wanted to represent her own "values" in Milan, and it was "tough to reconcile" violence in America while "competing for medals at an Olympic event."

But for two-time gold medalist Jordan Stolz, there were no problems.

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In a recent interview with Fox News Digital, the speedskater who won gold twice in Italy, Stolz said he paid no mind to any other athletes' comments.

"I didn't really pay attention to it, but I'm always happy to represent the USA," Stolz said.

"I think we're the best country."

It was not just winter Olympians who shared unease about representing the United States on the grandest stage. In an interview with Fox News Digital months before the 2024 Summer Olympics, Noah Lyles said representing the U.S. was "bittersweet" and came with a "heavy heart," saying Black people in America have "a lot to deal with."

OLYMPIC GOLD MEDALIST DISCUSSES BALANCE BETWEEN CELEBRATING ONE VICTORY WHILE VYING FOR OTHERS

Hess said it was "a little hard" to represent the United States, because "there’s obviously a lot going on that I’m not the biggest fan of, and I think a lot of people aren’t." Those comments prompted President Donald Trump to call him a "real loser."

"Just because I’m wearing the flag doesn't mean I represent everything that’s going on in the U.S. I just kind of want to do it for my friends and my family and the people that support me getting here," Hess said in February.

Shriffin said, "I think there's a lot of hardship in the world globally, and there's a lot of heartbreak. There's a lot of violence. It can be tough to reconcile that when you're also competing for medals at an Olympic event."

Ahead of the World Baseball Classic, Bryce Harper, who played for Team USA, said it was "crazy" to not fully embrace wearing the Stars and Stripes.

The Philadelphia Phillies first baseman said no matter where one may stand politically, it is always the greatest honor to represent the United States.

"Obviously, there's things that are going on in the country that, you know, aren't good or people don't believe in or whatever, right? Politics aside, for me, when you're going and representing your country, you're representing your country, man. Like, block all that out. It's sports.

"We want to put something on the TV that is happy and good and just great for everybody to watch, right? So, representing your country, there's nothing greater than representing your country. There's really nothing at all.

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Husband taken into custody in connection with disappearance of American woman and more top headlines

1. Husband taken into custody in disappearance of American woman in the Bahamas 

2. Trump signals new warning to Iran as regime hedges on ceasefire demands

3. Artemis II astronaut details 'unbelievable sight' up in space: 'actually getting chills'

‘MIGHT GET ARRESTED’ — Files labeled 'Batch 1 for Reporter' found on accused leaker's computer, feds say. Continue reading …

TRACKS OF NEGLECT — Florida bus driver charged with 29 counts of child neglect after train clip. Continue reading …

CONSTITUTIONAL CLASH — Colorado’s latest Supreme Court loss adds to growing string of culture war defeats. Continue reading …

DEADLY PATTERN — Americans slain in crimes allegedly tied to illegal immigrants as outrage surges. Continue reading …

RUNAWAY REVEALED — Teen vanished 30 years ago, turns up living quiet life 1,100 miles away: report. Continue reading …

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'PATHETIC' — Spanberger takes victory lap for $7.1B in investments that her GOP predecessor secured. Continue reading …

RIGGED LINES — VA Dem rejects ‘power grab’ claims on Spanberger redistricting as GOP warns 10–1 map would split rural vote. Continue reading …

IN THE HOT SEAT — Son of former Iranian official dubbed 'Screaming Mary' under fire for LA lifestyle. Continue reading …

TAXED OUT — Record 70% of voters say their taxes are too high as filing deadline looms, poll finds. Continue reading …

Click here for more cartoons…
 

HALL PASS — Nashville public school excuses Muslim students for daily prayer time during Ramadan. Continue reading …

DOUBLE DOWN — Dem candidate takes swipe at Joe Rogan after refusing to disavow Hasan Piker's past comments. Continue reading …

'WE'RE COMING AFTER YOU' — Dr. Oz revokes Medicare access for LA doctor tied to $71M hospice billing. Continue reading …

'SO NASTY' — Pete Hegseth rebukes 'rude' reporter who interrupted Pentagon briefing on Iran. Continue reading …

HUGH HEWITT — Morning Glory: President Trump leads the West to a big win against Iran. Continue reading … 

SEN. RICK SCOTT — The lesson of Artemis? Purge woke politics and let NASA do its job. Continue reading …

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SWINGIN' SAVINGS — Masters fans cheer low prices as Augusta National concessions 'feel unreal' with $1.50 sandwiches. Continue reading …

NATIONAL RISK — Secretary Wright warns California's energy crisis under Newsom could threaten national security. Continue reading …

AMERICAN CULTURE QUIZ — Test yourself on Tidal Basin traditions and baseball benchmarks. Take the quiz here …

ROYAL RIFT — Prince Harry, Meghan Markle caused ‘unforgivable’ stress for Queen Elizabeth in final years. Continue reading …

CRYING SHAME — Viral trend has parents distracting fussy toddlers with name games. See video ...

GEN. JACK KEANE — Trump has every right to be furious with NATO. See video …

SEN. JOHN FETTERMAN — Iran is a 47-year-old war crime. See video …

Tune in as global market uncertainty surrounding the Strait of Hormuz pushes investors to rethink strategy and focus on the physical infrastructure powering the AI era. Check it out ...

What's it looking like in your neighborhood? Continue reading…

 

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Bryson DeChambeau adds 3D-printed club to bag for Masters

Bryson DeChambeau is putting together a solid season at LIV Golf, and is looking to carry some of that momentum into the Masters this week in search of the first green jacket of his career.

DeChambeau is second in the LIV Golf standings behind Jon Rahm. But he enters Augusta National with back-to-back wins in Singapore and South Africa. As he heads into the first major of the golf season, DeChambeau is carrying something new in his bag.

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He will use a 5-iron made with a 3D printer. It’s a club he built himself.

"There's this nature that I have about myself where innovation is a habit of mine, and I really find and take pride in that ability to learn — even through failure, even through making a bad decision or a good decision — what I can get from that," he told ESPN.

"We'll see where it goes. We'll see where it takes me. All I could say now is, if I don't put them in the bag, it's my fault now."

DeChambeau had manufacturing deals with LA Golf and Cobra. According to ESPN, his deal with Cobra ended in February.

Tinkering with his clubs isn’t a new strategy for DeChambeau. He said he had been tinkering with the idea of building his own clubs for a few years and tried a new wedge as he won in South Africa.

BRYSON DECHAMBEAU TALKS RYDER CUP, SQUASHING RIVALRIES WITH PGA PLAYERS AND LACK OF RESOLUTION WITH LIV

DeChambeau has had progressively better finishes at Augusta National since he made his first appearance in 2019. Since missing the cut in 2023, he finished tied for sixth in 2024 and tied for fifth in 2025. He missed the cut in 2022 and 2023.

"I feel like my game’s in the best place of its career, outside of maybe Greenbrier (in 2023) when I shot 58," he said. "I’m excited to get the week going and see where I can put myself."

He said his recent performances at the Masters were attributed to a more measured approach.

"More patience, like not as aggressive all the time. Knowing where to be aggressive and when not to be aggressive," he said. "Making better decisions, having a caddie that reins me in sometimes."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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JD Vance's task force flags nearly $6.3B in government contracts going to potentially fraudulent businesses

Fox News has learned Vice President JD Vance’s new anti-fraud task force has identified nearly $6.3 billion in government contracts that are going to potentially fraudulent businesses, marking a major milestone in the Trump administration's mission to slash wasteful spending contributing to the national debt.

The task force and General Services Administration are beginning to send out letters to nearly 400 businesses with government contracts that they believe could be fraudulent, who will have 30 days to prove to the task force that they have a physical address and are legitimate, as first reported by the Daily Caller.

A Vance spokesperson told Fox News the task force "will leave no stone unturned in the hunt for fraud."

"If fraudsters are robbing hardworking Americans of their tax dollars and services, we will find them," the spokesperson said.

SBA FREEZES OVER 100,000 CALIFORNIA BORROWERS IN SWEEPING $9B PANDEMIC FRAUD CRACKDOWN

The announcement comes less than a month after President Donald Trump signed an executive order establishing the team, led by Vance as chairman.

The unit's mission is to target what the administration described as widespread exploitation of the American safety net by "illegal aliens, criminals, foreign gangs, bureaucrats," and non-governmental organizations.

The executive order argued certain states have embraced loopholes, allowing people to self-certify for benefits including as housing, food and medical care while refusing to implement basic fraud controls.

The order specifically highlights Minnesota as a primary example of "staggering fraud and waste," citing an alleged $250 million scam by nonprofit Feeding our Future, rampant Medicaid fraud, and a massive childcare fraud ring involving Somali immigrants accused of funneling stolen taxpayer funds to an African terror group.

The administration noted Minnesota and 20 other states previously sued the federal government to block basic eligibility reviews for food stamp enrollees.

Along with Vance, task force participants include Federal Trade Commission Chairman Andrew Ferguson and Homeland Security advisor Stephen Miller.

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