Top DOGE lawmaker says Trump 'already racking up wins for taxpayers' with efficiency initiatives

The Senate’s lead "DOGE" lawmaker said Friday her quest for government efficiency is beginning to come full-circle, as the Agriculture Department instituted a return-to-work mandate she said was first spurred by a 2024 whistleblower who contacted her office.

"The Trump administration, DOGE, and I are already racking up wins for taxpayers," Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, told Fox News Digital on Friday.

"Growing up on a farm, I know what working from home really means."

President Donald Trump too, highlighted the difference between telework in white-collar jobs and Americans in agriculture and manufacturing who don’t have the luxury of working from a desk.

In remarks to reporters, Trump said federal workers appear less productive when working-from-home and that the dynamic is "unfair to the millions of people in the United States who are in fact working hard from job sites and not from their home."

‘DOGE’-MEETS-CONGRESS: GOP LAWMAKER AARON BEAN LAUNCHES CAUCUS TO HELP MUSK ‘TAKE ON CRAZYTOWN’

He also warned federal workers they would have to report to the office or, "you’re fired."

In that regard, Ernst looked back on a whistleblower who came to her and alleged USDA's District of Columbia offices were largely vacant.

That, she said, spurred her to outline policy proposals that eventually became "DOGE" – a term popularized by Trump ally Elon Musk.

"When I first discovered that the Department of Agriculture was a ghost town, I took action to end federal employees’ abuse of telework and get the agency working for Iowa farmers," said Ernst.

"I have put bureaucrats on notice that their four-year vacation is over, and we are just beginning to get Washington back to work and serving the American people."

A memo from Acting Agriculture Secretary Gary Washington obtained by Politico on Thursday ordered senior staff "with assigned duty stations" to work from their offices full-time. Additional guidance would follow for workers without a preassigned workstation.

Ernst characterized the memo as that full-circle moment.

DOGE SENATOR SEEKS TO ENSURE FEDS CAN CONTINUE PURSUING COVID FRAUDSTERS, DEBTORS AS IG SOUNDS ALARM

Ernst reportedly brought up her early concerns about teleworking bureaucrats and unused Washington office space running up tabs on the federal ledger during a meeting with Trump and Musk at Mar-a-Lago last year.

She previously compiled a report following an investigation into government waste and abuse through which $2 trillion in savings could be realized if the issues were attended to.

In a December statement highlighting that report, the House Budget Committee – now led by Rep. Jodey Arrington, R-Texas -- said the Biden administration’s condoning of mass telework "generated complacency in the workforce while costing taxpayers billions in unnecessary maintenance and upkeep costs."

"Early success means there is much more to come," a person familiar with the Senate’s DOGE work added.

According to a report from the Government Accountability Office, only 11% of the USDA's office space was occupied in the first quarter of 2023, and 75% of available space across 17 federal agencies has remained empty since the pandemic.

Ernst built her initial pre-formal-"DOGE" probes off of the USDA whistleblower, which is why she believes the latest development mandating return-to-work for agriculture bureaucrats is the issue now coming full-circle.

Rep. Aaron Bean, R-Fla., – the chairman and founder of the DOGE Caucus – praised Ernst's work and said taxpayers deserve to have a government operating at "full capacity."

"President Trump’s executive order requiring federal employees to return to work is the first step in improving government efficiency."

"This is just common sense, and the exact type of waste DOGE will continue to crack down on," Bean said.

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Ernst’s first DOGE "win" came with the passage of an otherwise Democrat-favored bill named for former President Joe Biden’s longtime friend Sen. Tom Carper, D-Del., and signed as both Delawareans were departing public service.

Within the Thomas R. Carper Water Resources Development Act was a provision to compel the General Services Administration to sell the Wilbur J. Cohen Federal Building.

The block-long "stripped classicist" building southwest of the U.S. Capitol was designed by Philadelphia architect Charles Z. Klauder in the 1930s, and originally hosted the Social Security Administration.

However, its total occupancy dwindled to 2% -- largely Voice of America workers – by 2025.

Another "DOGE" amendment sponsored by Ernst that requires agency oversight and reporting regarding telework was successfully added to a major appropriations bill passed in December.

Fox News Digital reached out to the White House for comment for purposes of this story but did not receive a response by press time. 

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Democrats rally around lightening rod issue during unruly DNC debate despite voter backlash in 2024

There was a heavy focus on systemic racism and diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs during the final debate among the eight candidates vying to chair the Democratic National Committee (DNC), as the party aims to exit the political wilderness.

The forum, moderated and carried live on MSNBC and held at Georgetown University in the nation's capital city, develed into chaos early on as a wave of left-wing protesters repeatedly interrupted the primetime event, heckling over concerns of climate change and billionaires' influence in America's elections before they were forcibly removed by security.

Thanks in part to their repeated targeting of DEI efforts under former President Joe Biden's administration, President Donald Trump recaptured the White House in November's elections, with Republicans also retaking control of the Senate from the Democrats and the GOP holding onto its razor-thin majority in the House.

Jaime Harrison, the DNC chairman for the past four years, declined to seek another term steering the Democrats' national party committee. The DNC will vote for a new chair on Saturday, as they hold their annual winter meeting this year at National Harbor, Maryland, just outside of Washington, D.C.

FIRST ON FOX: AFTER 2024 ELECTION SETBACKS, DEMOCRATS EYE RURAL VOTERS

"Unlike the other party, that is demonizing diversity, we understand that diversity is our greatest strength," Harrison said at the start of the debate before bringing the candidates out.

Biden and many Democrats portrayed DEI efforts as a way to boost inclusion and representation for communities historically marginalized. However Trump and his supporters, on the 2024 campaign trail, repeatedly charged that such programs were discriminatory and called for restoring "merit-based" hiring.

DEMOCRATS' NEW SENATE CAMPAIGN CHAIR REVEALS KEYS TO WINNING BACK MAJORITY IN 2026

Since his inauguration on Jan. 20 and his return to power in the White House, Trump has signed a slew of sweeping executive orders and actions to end the federal government's involvement in DEI programs, reversing in some cases decades of hiring practices by the federal government. Trump's actions are also pushing large corporations in the private sector to abandon their diversity efforts.

At Thursday's showdown, there was plenty of focus on diversity and racism.

At one point, the candidates were asked for a show of hands about how many believed that racism and misogyny played a role in former Vice President Kamala Harris' defeat in the 2024 election to Trump.

All eight candidates running for DNC, as well as many people in the audience, raised their hands.

"That's good. You all pass," MSNBC host Jonathan Capehart, one of the moderators of the forum, quipped.

However, far from everyone in the party wants to see such issues dominate the discussion without the added inclusion of economic concerns such as inflation, which were top of mind at the ballot box in November.

DEMOCRATS' HOUSE CAMPAIGN CHAIR TELLS FOX NEWS HER PLAN TO WIN BACK MAJORITY

"The Democrats pathway to power runs directly through kitchen table economics and the notion we can fight for economic opportunity and ensuring everyone is treat with dignity and respect," said Democratic strategist Joe Caiazzo, a veteran of Sen. Bernie Sanders' 2016 and 2020 presidential campaigns, who is attending the party's winter meeting.

Former Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley, considered one of the frontrunners in the DNC chair race, in speaking with reporters after the forum, pointed to the gains made by Trump and Republicans among diverse voters in the 2024 election and argued that the party did not spend enough time concentrating on "the kitchen table issues."

"Whether you're Hispanic, whether you're transgender, whether you're gay, whether you're straight, whether you're Black, whether you're White. Everybody needs to eat. And the people we lost in every segment were people who struggled the most to put food on their family's table. And they were the ones we lost across the board," O'Malley argued.

The protests, staged in waves, include calls for the DNC chair candidates to bring back the party's ban on corporate PAC and lobbyist donations that was in effect during former President Barack Obama's administration.

The youth-led, left-wing climate action organization known as the Sunrise Movement, said the first three protesters were affiliated with their group.

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Another protester, who was not believed to be affiliated with the Sunrise Movement, as he was dragged out of the debate hall by security, yelled, "What will you do to get fossil fuel money out of Democratic politics? We are facing a climate emergency!"

Much of the audience, which consisted of many DNC voting members, appeared frustrated by the repeated interruptions.

"Protest the Republicans. Protest the people who are actually hurting you!" a member of the audience shouted out.

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Angel Reese pays off mother's mortgage in surprise birthday gift

Angel Reese surprised her mom with a birthday gift that nearly brought her to tears. 

Reese’s mother, Angel Webb Reese, was a guest on the WNBA star’s "Unapologetically Angel" podcast.

At the end of the episode, Reese let her mother know that she had paid off her mortgage as part of her gift. 

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"You said that if your mortgage was paid off that you would retire, or you won’t work, or you can pick if you want to work still, so your mortgage has been paid," Reese said. 

Webb Reese nearly dropped the cake she had been given, in disbelief.

"What?" Webb Reese said, flabbergasted.

"Today, your mortgage has been paid. You ain’t gotta worry about your mortgage no more. And if you want to still work and keep yourself busy, you can keep yourself busy," Reese continued. 

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"Are you serious?" Webb Reese said, overwhelmed by Reese’s gift.

"And when I move to Chicago this year — actually I’m getting a house, y’all — you can come stay with me whenever you want to," Reese added. 

"That was my biggest goal in life, to retire you. To pay your mortgage or whatever you wanted for you not to work."

Webb Reese started to tear up and then Reese came over to her and sang "Happy Birthday."

Webb Reese played for the University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC) and was inducted into the UMBC Athletics Hall of Fame. 

Reese wore #10 at LSU once it became available to honor her mother, as Webb Reese wore #10 in her playing days.

Now with the Chicago Sky, Reese dons #5.

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Chiefs potential Super Bowl celebrations will not feature public rally following 2024 mass shooting: report

The Kansas City Chiefs are pursuing history next weekend when they take on the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LIX. A victory will make the Chiefs the only NFL team in league history to ever win the coveted Vince Lombardi Trophy in three straight seasons. 

However, if that does happen, celebrations involving fans will potentially look different from years past.

HOW TO WATCH SUPER BOWL LIX BETWEEN CHIEFS, EAGLES STREAMED ON TUBI

Sources told FOX 4 that officials have decided against hosting a public rally following last year’s mass shooting that left one person dead and dozens of others injured when several people opened gunfire at the rally on Feb. 12, 2024. 

According to the report, plans include a celebration at Arrowhead Stadium for only players, families and some local and state officials. Players will then move to Crown Center, where they will gather for the parade route – which has been designed to minimize crowd density. 

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The decision follows a meeting held Thursday which was attended by head of the Kansas City sports commission Kathy Nelson. Fox News Digital contacted Nelson and the Chiefs for comment. 

During last year’s Super Bowl where the Chiefs defeated the San Francisco 49ers to become back-to-back champions, a mass shooting erupted at the Chiefs’ rally in downtown Kansas City. The parade drew in an estimated 1 million people. 

SUPER BOWL I: THE KANSAS CITY CHIEFS LOST THE FIRST-EVER GAME TO THE GREEN BAY PACKERS

Police said the shooting happened when one group of people confronted another for staring at them. Officials said 12 people brandished firearms and at least six fired those guns. Prosecutors added that some of the guns recovered from the scene included at least two AR-15-style rifles.

Several individuals were charged.

Lisa Lopez-Galvan, a local radio host and mother of two, was killed in the gunfire. Officials at the time said around two dozen more were injured. 

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Raiders owner Mark Davis says Jon Gruden’s resignation set organization back: ‘His head was chopped off’

Las Vegas Raiders owner Mark Davis hired Jon Gruden as head coach in 2018, locking him with a massive 10-year contract with the confidence that bringing Gruden back would bring stability and success to the organization. 

Instead, Gruden would be forced to resign years later over an email scandal – a sequence of events that Davis believes largely set the organization back. 

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Speaking to the media on Monday, Davis praised the additions of new head coach Pete Carroll and new general manager John Spytek. However, he also praised the team’s new "infrastructure," which includes Tom Brady as a minority owner. 

"Bringing in Tom Brady was bringing in somebody that was on the football side that I had been lacking having here at the organization," Davis said. 

"Back in 2018 with Jon Gruden, he was someone that I brought in and really expected to be that person on the football side that would bring stability to the organization. He had a 10-year contract and all that – and his head was chopped off."  

EX-NFL COACH JON GRUDEN RIPS STATE OF COLLEGE SPORTS

Gruden, who is currently suing the NFL, resigned after leaked emails sent by the former head coach included racist, misogynistic and homophobic remarks directed at NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and NFL Players Association Executive Director DeMaurice Smith, among others.

Davis said that Gruden’s resignation in 2021 triggered a series of turnovers in the organization.

"We were put in a really bad position as an organization. And we tried to get it right with Josh McDaniels and Dave Ziegler – that didn’t work out. Antonio Pierce was given the interim job and I believe the job that he did as an interim coach warranted him earning the job as head coach of the Raiders… We just felt that it was time for a change." 

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Davis said Monday that he believes Brady fills the void left behind by Gruden and that the new personnel brought in will have the lasting effect he had hoped for in 2018.

"We want to build something here. That’s been the process and mindset all along. Like I said, that got offset or kind of blown up when Jon Gruden was sent away. So, we’ve been trying to get it right since then. We’ll see, but I’ve got patience to get it right." 

Carroll takes over as the team’s 14th head coach since Gruden was traded to Tampa Bay in 2002. He is the fifth coach, including those in an interim role, since the Raiders moved to Las Vegas in 2020.

The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

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Scorched-earth Shanahan: RFK Jr.'s former running mate threatens political war against confirmation opponents

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s former presidential running mate Nicole Shanahan called out various senators by name, warning that she will fund primary challenges against them if they oppose confirming RFK Jr. to serve as secretary of Health and Human Services.

"Dear U.S. Senators, Bobby may play nice; I won’t," she wrote in a post on X.

In a video, Shanahan said that in 2020 she "cut large checks to Chuck Schumer to help Democrats flip two Senate seats in Georgia from red to blue." Peach State Democratic Sens. Raphael Warnock and John Ossoff both initially took office after winning runoff contests in early 2021.

Shanahan bluntly warned the two senators, "please know I will be watching your votes very closely. I will make it my personal mission that you lose your seats in the Senate if you vote against the future health of America's children."

TRUMP NOMINEES RFK JR, LOEFFLER, LUTNICK FACE SENATE GRILLING TODAY; BONDI COMMITTEE VOTE EXPECTED

She then proceeded to call out Sens. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, Susan Collins, R-Maine, Bill Cassidy, R-La., Thom Tillis, R-N.C., James Lankford, R-Okl., Cory Booker, D-N.Y., John Fetterman, D-Pa., Bernie Sanders, I-Vt. and Catherine Cortez Masto, D-Nev.

"While Bobby may be willing to play nice, I won't. If you vote against him, I will personally fund challengers to primary you in your next election. And I will enlist hundreds of thousands to join me," she declared.

Shanahan, who urged people to reach out to their senators to press them to support RFK Jr.'s nomination, followed up her video with a post tagging each of the 13 senators she had mentioned — the post also included phone numbers.

WHO IS NICOLE SHANAHAN? MEET THE WEALTHY ENTREPRENEUR RFK JR SELECTED AS HIS VP RUNNING MATE

Kennedy, a Democrat-turned-independent presidential candidate, ultimately dropped out and backed then-candidate Donald Trump in the 2024 White House contest.

Trump later announced Kennedy as his pick to serve as HHS secretary. 

But the HHS nominee still needs to earn enough support in the Senate to clear the confirmation hurdle.

DOCTOR DEFENDS RFK JR.'S VACCINE STANCE: ‘HE’S NOT AGAINST VACCINES'

Shanahan voted for Trump during the 2024 presidential election.

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Harvey Weinstein begs for rape trial to be moved up, 'can't hold on anymore' amid cancer battle

Harvey Weinstein begged the court to push his trial date forward as he battles cancer.

Judge Curtis J. Farber set Weinstein's rape retrial for April 15 during Wednesday's hearing. However, the disgraced entertainment mogul claimed he would not be here in April.

"I’m asking and begging you to switch," Weinstein told the judge in a rare direct address to the court. "I can’t hold on anymore. I’m holding on because I want justice for myself."

Weinstein told Judge Farber that he was given the "wrong pills" earlier Wednesday morning but "caught" the mistake at the "right moment."

HARVEY WEINSTEIN HOSPITALIZED AFTER ‘ALARMING BLOOD TEST’ AS REP CONFIRMS LEUKEMIA DIAGNOSIS

"I am begging for you to move your date, so we can proceed with trial as quickly as possible, so I can get out of this hellhole," he claimed. "There are so many people suffering in Rikers island. They don’t have the same mouthpiece. It’s a medieval situation. This is something that has to be stopped."

Farber told Weinstein and his lawyers he was trying to resolve and move the trial up, but as of now, April 15 is the date that works.

"Judge Farber demonstrated exceptional responsiveness, and we deeply appreciate his thoughtful consideration of Harvey’s condition and circumstances," Weinstein's representative, Juda Engelmayer, told Fox News Digital in a statement. "He is literally batting for his life. We remain confident in a swift and efficient trial process and firmly believe that Harvey will be fully exonerated."

HARVEY WEINSTEIN RUSHED FROM PRISON TO HOSPITAL FOR EMERGENCY HEART SURGERY

Weinstein was rushed to Bellevue Hospital in December after receiving an "alarming blood test." At the time, his rep confirmed the former film producer had been diagnosed with leukemia.

"Mr. Weinstein, who is suffering from a number of illnesses, including leukemia, has been deprived the medical attention that someone in his medical state deserves, prisoner or not. In many ways, this mistreatment constitutes cruel and unusual punishment," Engelmayer previously told Fox News Digital in a statement.

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Weinstein's team has been adamant about his declining health in recent months, claiming he is "basically getting no treatment" for his various medical issues.

"All I can tell you is he is not getting the treatment he deserves," Weinstein's lawyer, Arthur Aidala, said after a court hearing in July. "He needs some relief. We are very confident of the outcome of this trial… he will get acquitted. There is a lot of light at the end of the tunnel for Mr. Weinstein."

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A New York appeals court overturned Weinstein’s 2020 rape conviction this past April, ordering a new trial in a stunning reversal of a landmark #MeToo case.

In a 4-3 decision, the court found that Weinstein's trial judge allowed prosecutors to call women who said Weinstein had assaulted them to testify, even though their accusations did not specifically relate to the entertainment mogul's charges.

Weinstein was sentenced to 23 years in prison after being convicted in February 2020 of forcing oral sex on TV and film production assistant Mimi Haley in 2006 and third-degree rape of hairstylist Jessica Mann in 2013. He was acquitted of first-degree rape and two counts of predatory sexual assault from actor Annabella Sciorra’s allegations of rape in the 1990s. Weinstein has denied ever engaging in non-consensual sex.

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RFK Jr rips Dem senator for pushing 'dishonest' narrative on past vaccine comments: 'Corrected it many times'

HHS Secretary nominee Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Oregon Democratic Sen. Ron Wyden were involved in a tense exchange on Capitol Hill where Kennedy accused the senator of intentionally misrepresenting his past comments.

Wyden, the ranking member of the Senate Finance Committee which held a confirmation hearing for Kennedy on Wednesday, pressed the nominee on comments made on podcasts in recent years. 

"During a podcast interview in July of 2023, you said, quote, no vaccine is safe and effective, in your testimony today in order to prove you're not anti-vax, you note that all your kids are vaccinated, but in a podcast in 2020, you said, and I quote, you would do anything pay anything to go back in time and not vaccinate your kids," Wyden said to Kennedy. 

"Mr. Kennedy, all of these things cannot be true. So are you lying to Congress today when you say you are pro-vaccine or did you lie on all those podcasts? We have all of this on tape, by the way."

MULTIPLE OUTBURSTS ERUPT AT RFK JR. HEARING: 'YOU ARE!'

Kennedy took issue with Wyden’s comments and pointed out that the comment about "no vaccine" being safe and effective was said before he was cut off in the interview, with podcaster Lex Fridman, before he could finish. 

"Yeah, Senator, as you know, because it's been repeatedly debunked, that the statements that I made on the Lex Fridman podcast was a fragment of the statement," Kennedy responded. 

"He asked me, and anybody who actually goes and looks at that podcast and will see that he asked me, are there vaccines that are safe and effective? And I said to him, some of the live virus vaccines. And I said, there are no vaccines that are safe and effective and I was going to continue for, every person. Every medicine has people who are sensitive to them, including vaccines."

RFK JR. LIKELY TO BE CONFIRMED AS HEALTH SECRETARY, DR. SIEGEL SAYS

Kennedy continued, "He interrupted me at that point. I've corrected it many times, including on national TV. You know about this, Sen. Wyden, so bringing this up right now is dishonest."

A transcript from the interview with Fridman shows Kennedy saying, "I think some of the live virus vaccines are probably averting more problems than they’re causing. There’s no vaccine that is safe and effective. In fact." 

Kennedy is then cut off and the conversation goes elsewhere. 

Kennedy has corrected the record on subsequent shows, including in an interview with HBO's Bill Maher, where he explained he was interrupted and assured the public, "I would never say that."

Fox News Digital reached out to Wyden's office but did not immediately receive a response. 

Opposition to Kennedy's nomination has been fierce, with advocacy groups running ad campaigns urging senators to vote against his confirmation.

"I want to make sure the Committee is clear about a few things. News reports have claimed that I am anti-vaccine or anti-industry. Well, I am neither; I am pro-safety," Kennedy said in his opening statement in front of the Senate Finance Committee.

Fox News Digital's Paul Steinhauser contributed to this report

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Colombia president welcomes first flights of deported migrants after losing public spat with Trump

After teetering on the brink of an all-out trade war with the United States, Colombia welcomed its first flights of deported illegal immigrants, with its president heralding their "dignified" return and insisting they are not criminals. 

The arrivals are taking place just two days after President Donald Trump threatened crippling tariffs and sanctions on Colombia to punish the country for earlier refusing to accept military flights carrying deportees as part of his sweeping immigration crackdown.

Two Colombian Air Force planes carrying deported Colombian nationals arrived in Bogota early on Tuesday, Reuters reported, citing local media.

One plane, flying from San Diego, California, brought home 110 Colombians and the other, which departed from El Paso, Texas, brought home 91, the Colombian Foreign Ministry said on X.

A VICTORY FOR TRUMP'S 'FAFO': HOW THE WHITE HOUSE STRONG-ARMED ONE-TIME CLOSE ALLY COLOMBIA OVER IMMIGRATION

"They are Colombians, they are free and dignified and they are in their homeland where they are loved," Colombia President Gustavo Petro wrote on X with images of the migrants disembarking a flight.

"The migrant is not a criminal, he is a human being who wants to work and progress, to live life."

The Colombian government hailed the returns as Petro fulfilling his commitments and said it is working on a "structured and accessible credit plan" to support the migrants' reintegration.

This weekend, American officials sent two flights of Colombian illegal aliens as part of Trump's ongoing deportation program. Petro rejected the flights, writing that the U.S. cannot "treat Colombian migrants as criminals."

Trump immediately clapped back, writing in a Truth Social post he was going to slap 25% tariffs on all goods from Colombia, a travel ban on Colombian government officials and other steep financial sanctions. He said the tariffs would reach as high as 50% by next week and insisted the migrants being sent back were "illegal criminals."

At first, Petro retaliated with his own 25% tariffs on U.S. goods coming from Colombia. Petro had insisted he would not accept the return of migrants who were not treated with "dignity and respect" and who had arrived shackled or on military planes. 

COLOMBIAN LEADER QUICKLY CAVES AFTER TRUMP THREATS, OFFERS PRESIDENTIAL PLANE FOR DEPORTATION FLIGHTS

But amid intense political pressure from within his own government, the former Marxist guerrilla fighter acquiesced to all U.S. demands.

The White House confirmed on Sunday that Colombia's president had caved "to all of President Trump’s terms, including the unrestricted acceptance of all illegal aliens from Colombia returned from the United States, including on U.S. military aircraft, without limitation or delay," 

President Trump hailed it as a victory for his "f--- around and find out" [FAFO]-style of governing. 

After the debacle, the 47th president posted a celebratory AI-generated image of himself dressed as a mobster next to a sign that read "FAFO."

Trump officials cheered the deal as a victory and said Trump used Colombia as an example of U.S. power, while Colombian officials have said the agreement is a win for both sides. Dozens of frustrated Colombians had long-awaited visa appointments at the U.S. embassy in Bogota canceled on Monday.

Colombia is one of the top recipients of U.S. aid in the world due to a security partnership. Since 2000, Colombia has received more than $13 billion in foreign assistance from the Departments of Defense and State and from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), largely focused on counternarcotics efforts, continued implementation of the government’s 2016 peace accord with the FARC rebel group, integration of Venezuelan migrants and refugees, and environmental programs.

Fox News' Morgan Phillips, Andrea Margolis, Bill Melugin, Lorraine Taylor, Landon Mion, and Reuters contributed to this report. 

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JonBenet Ramsey's father, police meet for 'important' discussion over unsolved child pageant star's murder

JonBenet Ramsey's father, John Ramsey, met with Boulder Police Department Chief Stephen Redfearn on Monday to discuss the 6-year-old's unsolved 1996 murder case.

Twenty-eight years have passed since JonBenet was found strangled and bludgeoned to death in the basement of her family's Boulder, Colorado home on Dec. 26, 1996, and her killer remains unknown.

"We can confirm that Chief Redfearn and members of our Operations Division met with the family this week as the department has previously to share updates on the case," a Boulder PD spokesperson told Fox News Digital. "Beyond that we cannot answer specific questions because this is an active and ongoing homicide investigation."

John Ramsey told Fox News Digital about his plans to meet with Redfearn in December and noted that he meets with Boulder police at least once per year to discuss updates in the case.

JONBENET RAMSEY'S DAD SUGGESTS DAUGHTER'S KILLER MOTIVATED BY MONEY IN RESURFACED INTERVIEW

"That's an important meeting. We're going to have a representative with us for one of these cutting-edge labs to explain what they can and can't do. Hopefully, he will accept their help," Ramsey said at the time, adding that if the BPD chief agrees to allow an independent lab to conduct testing on the nearly three-decades-old crime scene items — something he's been pushing to do for years — he will feel "comfortable we've got things moving."

Ramsey has been pushing police in recent years to retest certain evidence for traces of DNA, including external male DNA that federal officials disclosed in 1997, and test other items for the first time. 

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Private genetic genealogy databases have grown significantly over the last decade, and the technology used to identify and link DNA to specific individuals is more advanced than it has ever been, making the possibility of identifying a suspect in JonBenet's murder using genetic evidence more promising than ever before. 

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There are more than 20 items in the case that have never been tested, including, but not limited to, a garrote found around JonBenet's neck, a ransom note found in the Ramsey house on the morning of the murder, a suitcase found in the basement that authorities believe the killer used to escape out a window, an unknown flashlight found on the Ramsey family's kitchen counter the morning of the murder and unknown rope found in brother Burke Ramsey's room that day, according to public records initially obtained by journalist Paula Woodward, who has published two books about the Ramsey case.

JONBENET'S FATHER CHALLENGES COLORADO GOVERNOR TO MEET: 'TIME FOR ANSWERS IS RUNNING OUT'

While it is unclear if officials will be able to find or identify any suspects in the case by partnering with an independent lab with access to private databases, Ramsey is hopeful that it is the next step for him in his pursuit for justice for his daughter, whether it yields results or not.

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"DNA is pretty complicated stuff. I have learned that," Ramsey said, "but that's the reason that needs to be retested. That's the one step that we're asking the police to do is engage one of these one or two cutting-edge labs in the world and see what we come up with … and we come up empty-handed, then I'll say, 'Thank you. You tried. That's the best we can do right now with today's technology. Thank you.' But until we do that, we haven't done everything that could be done."

Officials have sorted through 2,500 pieces of evidence and approximately 40,000 reports with more than a million pages documenting the investigation. The Colorado Cold Case Review team has also provided BPD with a list of tips for the department to pursue, according to Redfearn. 

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Senate confirms Trump pick Sean Duffy for Transportation secretary

The Senate confirmed President Donald Trump's pick to lead the Transportation Department, former Rep. Sean Duffy of Wisconsin, on Tuesday afternoon. 

Duffy appeared before the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee this month and outlined his priorities for the Transportation Department, including aviation and highway safety, addressing the air traffic controller shortage, and restoring trust in Boeing following several major scandals. 

The Transportation secretary pick was confirmed by a bipartisan vote of 77 to 22. 

Duffy amassed the support of two dozen Democratic senators on the final vote, in addition to the entire Republican conference. 

"No federal agency impacts Americans’ daily lives and loved ones like the Department of Transportation," Duffy told lawmakers on Jan. 15 at his confirmation hearing. 

TRUMP NOMINATES SEAN DUFFY FOR USDOT

"We want the best and the brightest air traffic controllers. We must modernize our systems with cutting edge technologies. I'll work with Congress and the FAA to restore global confidence in Boeing, and to ensure that our skies are safe," he said.

He also pledged to address rebuilding Interstate 40 that runs from Wilmington, North Carolina, to Barstow, California. Parts of the interstate are still washed out across the Great Smoky Mountains following Hurricane Helene in September. 

‘ULTRA-RIGHT:’ TRUMP BUDGET CHIEF PICK RUSSELL VOUGHT FACES FIRE FROM DEM SENATORS

"We’re continuing to try to work through this process to get that rebuilt, but we need to know this will be front and center with you so we can get that interstate rebuilt and reopened," Duffy said. 

Additionally, Duffy promised Sen. Ed Markey, D-Mass., that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s investigation into Tesla’s self-driving software that launched this month would continue under his watch. 

TRUMP TREASURY PICK: EXTENDING TRUMP TAX CUTS ‘SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT ECONOMIC ISSUE’

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Duffy represented Wisconsin’s 7th congressional district for five terms before joining Fox News, where he co-hosted "The Bottom Line" with Dagen McDowell on FOX Business. 

Fox News’ Charles Creitz contributed to this report. 

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Ex-NFL star Julian Edelman makes bold Tom Brady Super Bowl LIX prediction

Former New England Patriots star Julian Edelman will be covering the Super Bowl as an analyst for FOX Sports when Super Bowl LIX takes place on Feb. 9 in New Orleans.

Edelman will also get to work alongside, in some capacity, with his former teammate Tom Brady, as the legendary quarterback will be on the call with Kevin Burkhardt when the Kansas City Chiefs look to make history against the Philadelphia Eagles.

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The game will put the finishing touches on Brady’s first full season as a broadcaster. He will get to put everything he has learned over the course of the season into a finished product with millions of viewers set to tune in to the FOX broadcast and the Tubi livestream of the game.

Edelman appeared on Fox News Channel’s "Fox & Friends" and had high expectations for the seven-time Super Bowl champion.

"I guarantee he’s probably going to be very fired up," Edelman said. "He’s probably going to be imagining himself in those situations.

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"I think it’s going to be a great performance by him because he’s gonna get to show us inside looks to things only he knows Patrick Mahomes is going through."

Brady has reportedly been barred from meeting with teams ahead of the game, which is usually reserved for broadcasters to gather knowledge to help them through their calls, because of his minority ownership stake in the Las Vegas Raiders.

The former Patriots wide receiver said he believed Brady would be able to persevere without those meetings.

"I’m sure he can figure it out on his own. I’m pretty confident coaches and players of the other team don’t mind talking to Tom Brady," he said.

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Title IX probe into Florida's Todd Golden dismissed, lawyer says

A Title IX investigation into Florida Gators men’s basketball coach Todd Golden was dismissed, his lawyer said in a statement on Monday.

Attorney William Shepherd issued a statement to CBS Sports regarding the investigation into claims made about Golden.

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"The investigation has found no evidence to support the allegations against Coach Golden," the statement read. "The University’s conclusion proves that the complaint was meritless."

Golden was accused of sexual harassment, sexual exploitation, stalking and cyberstalking multiple women, including students, in November. A report in the school’s student newspaper claimed that Golden made unwanted advances on Instagram, requested sexual favors, and sent photos and videos of his genitalia.

The Title IX complaint was reportedly made on Sept. 29.

Shepherd ripped those who tried to generate a "false narrative" around the Gators head coach.

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"Coach Golden and I have respected the process throughout while actively engaging with the University. However, there were many who did not respect the investigative process. Instead, they sought to target Coach Golden and drive their agenda and this investigation for their own self-interest. Some leaked confidential material to the media; falsely posed as a UF lawyer in an effort to intimidate; harassed UF students and parents to try to generate a false narrative; and harassed my client, his family, and his friends.

"Coach Golden appreciates the support he and his program have received from so many at the University and from around the country. Now that this is concluded, Coach can continue to focus on the basketball season and consider his legal options in the off season – but now it’s time to move forward."

Golden denied the allegations in a statement in November and said he would weigh a defamation lawsuit.

"For the last month, I have actively participated in and respected the confidentiality of an ongoing school inquiry," the statement read. "I have recently engaged Ken Turkel to advise me on my ability to bring defamation claims while this confidential investigation is ongoing.

"My family and I appreciate the support we have received and remain confident the university will continue its efforts to finish its review properly."

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New CIA boss Ratcliffe says Biden-era report backing lab-leak theory released to 'restore' trust

The CIA's decision to release a Biden-era assessment favoring the once widely-dismissed COVID-19 lab-leak origin story marks a step toward transparency with the American people, newly-confirmed CIA Director John Ratcliffe told Fox News on Sunday.

Speaking in his first interview since being confirmed as the agency's director last Thursday, Ratcliffe spelled out the insights he made public shortly after taking over the post and affirmed the importance of restoring trust in American institutions.

"I had the opportunity on my first day to make public an assessment that actually took place in the Biden administration, so it can't be accused of being political, and the CIA has assessed that the most likely cause of this pandemic that has wrought so much devastation around the world was because of a lab-related incident in Wuhan, so we'll continue to investigate that moving forward," he told "Sunday Morning Futures" host Maria Bartiromo. 

COVID ‘MOST LIKELY’ LEAKED FROM WUHAN LAB, SOCIAL DISTANCING ‘NOT BASED ON SCIENCE,’ SELECT COMMITTEE FINDS

"I think it was important for the American people to see an institution like the CIA get off the sidelines and be truthful about what our intelligence shows and, at the same time, protect us from adversaries like China if they caused or contributed to this," he added.

The CIA now appears to slightly favor the lab-leak theory that suggests gain-of-function research at the Wuhan Institute of Virology in Wuhan, China may have directly contributed to the virus.

A CIA spokesperson told Fox News that the agency "assesses with low confidence that a research-related origin of the COVID-19 pandemic is more likely than a natural origin based on the available body of reporting. CIA continues to assess that both research-related and natural origin scenarios of the COVID-19 pandemic remain plausible."

"We have low confidence in this judgment and will continue to evaluate any available credible new intelligence reporting or open-source information that could change CIA's assessment."

DOJ: CHINESE HACKERS WORKED UNDER GUISE OF WUHAN TECH COMPANY TO TARGET POLITICIANS, US BUSINESSES

As the virus spread across the globe in 2020, top health officials widely argued that COVID-19 was a naturally occurring pathogen, despite many speculating otherwise.

Ratcliffe said releasing the CIA analysis is one of the ways to support President Trump's push to restore Americans' trust in intel agencies and law enforcement.

"That includes the CIA," Ratcliffe said. 

"The purpose of the CIA is to protect Americans, to keep us safe from foreign threats and foreign adversaries, but we also need to be truthful with Americans, and he [President Trump] has stressed to me and others that these aren't mutually exclusive missions. We can do both." 

"In the case of the CIA, which is the best foreign intelligence service in the world, after five years, [they did not] not have a public assessment, to be honest with the American people about where the likely source of a pandemic that killed millions around the world, including a million Americans, and really impacted all 345 million Americans in some way. People lost jobs. They lost houses. They lost their health, they lost their businesses, all of that…"

Fox News' Rachel Wolf and Jennifer Griffin contributed to this report.

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Andie MacDowell says daughter Margaret Qualley pushed her to leave LA, live a quiet life in South Carolina

After over 40 years in Hollywood and raising three children, Andie MacDowell has settled for a much simpler life outside of Los Angeles.

"I’m happier now than I have been in a long time," MacDowell, 66, said during a recent appearance on "The Drew Barrymore Show."

"I moved to South Carolina, and I really, I’m taking good care of myself. It took me forever," she added. "Once my kids left, I felt this huge void in my life, because they were so important to me."

ANDIE MACDOWELL, 66, DIAGNOSED WITH PAINFUL NEUROMUSCULAR DISORDER

The actress shares three children with her ex-husband, Paul Qualley — daughters Margaret and Rainey, along with their son Justin. 

"Everything changes, it’s a hard shift," she confessed. "You hear about how a lot of mothers… are happy… they’re free… I didn’t have that feeling,

MacDowell said her daughter Margaret was the inspiration behind the move and shift in mindset. 

"Margaret really was kinda telling me I was supposed to be having the time of my life, but I wasn’t," she told Barrymore. "But now I am. I’m having the time of my life now. It’s really good."

Barrymore, who is a mom of two, asked MacDowell if she'd be willing to walk her through that process once she becomes an empty-nester. 

"I’ll tell you what not to do," MacDowell said. "Come to me, because I have all the information on how not to waste your time. How to get on with it and have a good time. I’ll tell you."

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During her appearance, MacDowell also revealed that she is battling a painful neuromuscular disorder.

"I have piriformis syndrome, so it's a muscle that kind of clamps down on my sciatic nerve, and it was shooting down my leg," MacDowell revealed.

"I thought I was going to have hip replacement — thank God, my hips are fine," she said.

Piriformis syndrome occurs when your piriformis muscle compresses your sciatic nerve and results in inflammation. It can cause pain or numbness in your buttocks and down the back of your leg. It can happen on one side of your body or both, according to the Cleveland Clinic. 

The veteran actress added that she practiced daily exercises to mitigate any pain. 

"I have to work my tiny little bottom and my hips. I have to work the bottom and work my hip. I just do it every day… it doesn’t hurt anymore… it’s a miracle," said MacDowell.

Fox News Digital's Stephanie Giang-Paunon contributed to this post. 

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Trump fires 17 government watchdogs at various federal agencies

President Donald Trump fired 17 independent watchdogs at various federal agencies late Friday, a Trump administration official confirmed to Fox News, as he continues to reshape the government at a blistering pace.

Trump dismissed inspector generals at agencies within the Defense Department, State Department, Energy Department, Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Department of Veterans Affairs and more, notifying them by email from the White House Presidential Personnel Office, the Washington Post first reported.

"It’s a widespread massacre," one of the terminated inspector generals told the Post. "Whoever Trump puts in now will be viewed as loyalists, and that undermines the entire system."

Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, said that Trump's action may violate federal law that requires the president to give 30 days' notice to Congress of his intent to fire any independent watchdog, the Associated Press reported. 

‘FLOODING THE ZONE’ TRUMP HITS WARP SPEED IN FIRST WEEK BACK IN OFFICE

"There may be good reason the IGs were fired. We need to know that if so," Grassley said in a statement. "I’d like further explanation from President Trump. Regardless, the 30 day detailed notice of removal that the law demands was not provided to Congress." 

The White House did not respond to a request for comment. 

Inspector generals at federal agencies are called on to investigate government waste, fraud and abuse. They operate independently and can serve in multiple administrations.

The mass firing is Trump's latest attempt to force the federal bureaucracy into submission after he shut down diversity, equity and inclusion programs, rescinded job offers and sidelined more than 150 national security and foreign policy officials. Trump began his second term with the intent of purging any opponents of his agenda from the government and replacing them with officials who would execute his orders without hesitation. 

TRUMP TO DECLASSIFY JFK FILES: FAMED DOCTOR WHO INVESTIGATED ASSASSINATION PREDICTS WHAT AMERICANS COULD LEARN

Among those spared from Trump's wrath was Department of Justice inspector general Michael Horowitz, the New York Times reported. Horowitz led the investigation of the FBI's Russian collusion probe, which exposed at least 17 "significant inaccuracies and omissions" in the FBI's application for a FISA warrant in the Crossfire Hurricane investigation. 

Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., slammed Trump's firings, calling them a "purge of independent watchdogs in the middle of the night." 

TRUMP MEETS WITH CALIFORNIA RESIDENTS, FIRE AND LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS TO SEE LA WILDFIRE DAMAGE FIRST HAND

"President Trump is dismantling checks on his power and paving the way for widespread corruption," Warren posted on X.

During his first term, Trump fired five inspectors general in less than two months in 2020. This included the State Department, whose inspector general had played a role in the president's impeachment proceedings.

Last year, Trump's predecessor Joe Biden fired the inspector general of the U.S. Railroad Retirement Board, after an investigation found the official had created a hostile work environment.

In 2022, Congress passed reforms that strengthened protections for inspectors general and made it harder to replace them with political appointees, requiring the president to explain their removal.

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Pete Hegseth sworn in as defense secretary: 'An honor of a lifetime'

Pete Hegseth was sworn in as defense secretary Saturday morning, declaring it an "honor of a lifetime," and he promised to put America first by bringing peace through strength. 

Hegseth, 44, a former Minnesota National Guard officer who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, secured the role to lead the Pentagon following weeks of intense political drama surrounding his nomination and public scrutiny into his personal life. 

"All praise and glory to God. His will be done and we're grateful to be here," an ecstatic Hegseth said after taking the oath of office, surrounded by his wife Jenny and children.

PETE HEGSETH CONFIRMED TO LEAD PENTAGON AFTER VP VANCE CASTS TIE-BREAKING VOTE

"And as I said in my hearing, it was Jesus and Jenny. I would not be here without you, sweetheart. Thank you so much."

"I want to thank the President of the United States, our commander-in-chief, Donald Trump. We could not have a better commander-in-chief than him. It is the honor of a lifetime, sir, to serve under you. We look forward to having the backs of our troops and having your back in executing peace through strength, in putting America first and in rebuilding our military."

Hegseth, a former Fox News host, also thanked Vice President JD Vance, who oversaw the swearing-in ceremony and whose deciding vote on Friday got his nomination over the line. 

The Senate was deadlocked at 50-50 with three Republicans — Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, Susan Collins, R-Maine, and Mitch McConnell, R-Ky. — joining the Democrats in opposing Hegseth's confirmation.

The stalemate forced Vance to cast the tie-breaking vote, securing his confirmation.

"It's not the first time the headline reads, ‘Junior enlisted marine bails out junior Army officer,'" Hegseth joked to laughter from attendees. 

Republicans React To Pete Hegseth's Confirmation As Defense Secretary: 'He Is The Change Agent'

Vance, the first vice president to have served as a Marine, was a combat correspondent from 2003 to 2007, including a tour in Iraq, before transitioning to civilian life and attending Ohio State University. 

Trump congratulated Hegseth on Truth Social on Friday and said he "will make a great" defense secretary. Other Republicans praised his confirmation, predicting he will bring transformative change to the Pentagon.

Hegseth went on to praise veterans and those who served alongside him in the past, as well as the 1.3 million active-duty service members and the nearly 1 million civilians who work for the military which he now leads.

"The first thing that goes through my head are the guys that I served with on the battlefield, the men and women who I locked shields with, who put my life on the line with, who never get the spotlight, who never had the cameras, who people don't know what they did in dark and dangerous places," Hegseth said. 

"At the Pentagon, we're going to remember, and we're going to think about those warriors with every single decision that we make."

"We will put America first. We will bring peace through strength."

He outlined three principles that he said he will bring to the Pentagon. 

"Restore the warrior ethos in everything that we do, rebuild our military and reestablish deterrence. We don't want to fight wars, we want to deter them," Hegseth said.

"We want to end them responsibly but if we need to fight them, we're going to bring overwhelming and decisive force to close with and destroy the enemy and bring our boys home. And to my other family that's here as well, who I love, it's the honor of a lifetime."

Shortly after he was sworn in, Hegseth released a statement via the defense department website addressing members of the Pentagon. The statement addressed his three principles.

"All of this will be done with a focus on lethality, meritocracy, accountability, standards and readiness," the statement reads. 
 
"I have committed my life to warfighters and their families. Just as my fellow soldiers had my back on the battlefield, know that I will always have your back. We serve together at a dangerous time. Our enemies will neither rest nor relent. And neither will we. We will stand shoulder to shoulder to meet the urgency of this moment."
 
"Like each of you, I love my country and swore an oath to defend the Constitution. We will do that each and every day, as one team. Together, we will accomplish the President’s mission to deter war and, if necessary, defeat and destroy our enemies. Godspeed!"

Fox News’ Landon Mion contributed to this report. 

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TSA officer reportedly caught with firearm in busy Atlanta airport is arrested

A TSA officer was arrested at the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport on Tuesday after police received a report of an officer with a firearm beyond the security checkpoint. Atlanta police say that the officer, who was identified as 58-year-old Matthew Gilbert, was charged with reckless conduct. It is unclear why Gilbert was allegedly carrying a firearm.

Gilbert was taken to Clayton County Jail and has since been released, according to Fox 5 Atlanta. The local outlet added that Gilbert is not alone when it comes to airport employees carrying firearms, noting that police say dozens have been caught.

"We do not want guns in the secured area of the airport," said Capt. Toya Young of Atlanta Police told Fox 5 Atlanta. "Prior to getting to the secured area, you're free to carry, but once you're entering into a secured area, it is against the law to carry a firearm."

TSA REVEALS TOP UNUSUAL FINDS AT AIRPORT SECURITY CHECKPOINTS IN 2024

A graphic on the TSA’s website indicates that officers confiscated 440 firearms at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, more than any other in the nation. The agency claims it intercepted more than 6,670 firearms in 2024.

"One firearm at a checkpoint is too many," TSA Administrator David Pekoske said in a statement. "Firearms present a safety risk for our employees and everyone else at the checkpoint. It’s also costly and slows down operations."

EVERYDAY BEHAVIORS BY FLIGHT PASSENGERS THAT ARE RED FLAGS FOR TSA

For those who must travel with firearms, the TSA has clear instructions on how to legally do so.  However, TSA says there are "limited exceptions for law enforcement officers" when it comes to traveling with firearms.

When asked for comment, a TSA spokesperson told Fox News Digital, "TSA is aware of the arrest of an officer at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) on Tuesday morning."

"TSA has zero tolerance for misconduct on or off duty and the officer involved has been removed from screening status, placed on leave pending further action, based on resolution of the case. Passenger and employee safety is top priority for TSA, and we are working closely with our Atlanta Airport Police partners on this incident."

Fox News Digital reached out to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, but has yet to receive a response.

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Mariano Rivera, wife break silence after being accused of covering up child sex abuse

New York Yankees legend Mariano Rivera and his wife Clara broke their silence on Thursday after they were named in a lawsuit and accused of covering up child sex abuse of a minor in their home and a summer camp connected with their church.

Joseph A. Ruta, their attorney, said in a statement that the first time they heard about the allegations was in 2022 – four years after the alleged incident took place. The attorney for the alleged victim at the time requested a financial settlement.

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"Mariano and Clara Rivera do not tolerate child abuse of any kind and allegations that they knew about or failed to act on reports of child abuse are completely false," the statement read, via the New York Post. "The very first time they heard about these allegations was nearly four years after the alleged incident, when in 2022 a New York attorney sent a letter requesting a financial settlement. This was followed by a second letter in 2023, from a different Florida law firm, again requesting a financial settlement.

"The lawsuit, which seeks financial damages for the Riveras’ alleged failure to act on alleged incidents that were never reported to them, is full of inaccurate and misleading statements which we have no doubt will not hold up in a court of law."

In the lawsuit, a woman identified as "Jane Doe" said she was sexually abused by an older girl known as "MG" during a summer internship in 2018. MG was a minor at the time of the alleged incidents. The internship took place at the Ignite Life Center in Gainesville, Florida, which was affiliated with Rivera's church.

The suit said that the alleged victim's mother informed Clara of the abuse and that Clara promised to investigate the matter. However, they allegedly covered it up.

ICHIRO SUZUKI 1 VOTE SHY OF BECOMING UNANIMOUS HALL OF FAMER, PROMPTING SOCIAL MEDIA UPROAR: 'MORONIC'

"Rather than take sufficient action to end the sexual abuse of Jane Doe, the Riveras each separately isolated and intimidated Jane Doe to remain silent about her abuse by MG to avoid causing trouble for Refuge of Hope and the Ignite Life Summer Internship," the suit read.

The suit also alleged that MG abused the victim at the Rivera residence in Rye, New York, that summer during a barbecue.

"At all times relevant, [the Riveras] knew or should have known that MG was a risk to sexually abuse children… before and during the time of the barbecue," the suit read.

"In order to avoid the potential scandal of child sexual abuse in its programs and otherwise protect [themselves] above all else, the Riveras… assured [Doe's mother] that [Doe] was safe and in no danger at Ignite Life Center, despite actual or constructive knowledge that Doe remained vulnerable to additional acts of sexual abuse by MG."

Several months later, in January 2019, Rivera became the first and still only player to be unanimously elected into the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Later that year, President Donald Trump, during his first presidency, awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Rivera, widely known as the greatest closer in the history of baseball, is the sport's all-time saves leader with 652. His 2.21 ERA is also the lowest by any pitcher with at least 500 innings since the live-ball era began in 1920.

Fox News’ Ryan Morik contributed to this report.

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American Airlines announces new alcohol-free options, health-conscious dishes for 2025

As the first month of 2025 nears an end, Americans may still be hanging onto healthier New Year's resolutions.

American Airlines has announced a healthier menu along with "Dry January" mocktails to help travelers "stay active and healthy on the go," according to a press release.

Five new mocktails have been added in Admirals Clubs containing turmeric, ginger, elderberry juice and other health-conscious ingredients. 

AIRLINE CALLS FOR AIRPORT BARS TO LIMIT NUMBER OF ALCOHOLIC DRINKS PER PASSENGER

Oat milk creamer and La Croix lime sparkling water have been added to the beverage list. 

American Airlines' menu options include vegetarian, vegan, kosher, lactose-free, Muslim, Hindu, diabetic and gluten-free meals.

The specific dietary meals are available to pre-order before flights. 

"Our health-forward dishes are made to taste great while also supporting fluid intake, aiding digestion, and being rich in nutrients," Kim Cisek, American’s vice president of customer experience, said in the release. 

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Cisek added, "At American, we want our passengers to arrive at their final destinations feeling fulfilled and refreshed so they can enjoy whatever adventures lie ahead."

The change comes as President Donald Trump focuses on his Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) initiative, aiming to improve nutrition, eliminate toxins, preserve natural habitats and fight the chronic disease epidemic, according to MAHA's website.

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Earlier this month, U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy issued guidance linking alcohol to at least seven types of cancer.

"Alcohol is a well-established, preventable cause of cancer responsible for about 100,000 cases of cancer and 20,000 cancer deaths annually in the United States…yet the majority of Americans are unaware of this risk," said Murthy in the advisory. 

The airline has also partnered with fitness app FitOn to offer travelers guided stretching videos and meditation practices.

"Sitting for an extended period of time, especially on longer flights, can lend itself to muscle stiffness and poor circulation — all of which can be prevented with a few simple stretches done from the comfort of your seat," added Cisek. 

Fox News Digital reached out to American Airlines for additional comment. 

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Birmingham mayor trashes Trump's DEI executive order, calls it the 'Alabama-fication' of US government

Birmingham Mayor Randall L. Woodfin criticized President Donald Trump's Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) executive orders on Thursday, suggesting that Americans are now seeing the "Alabama-fication" of the United States federal government.

During an appearance on "CNN This Morning," Woodfin claimed that White women and veterans benefit most from DEI policies – not just Black Americans and other minority groups.

"What message and who are you trying to communicate? And so it's beyond frustrating and disappointing. It just goes to show you that 47 told us what he would do, and he's doing it," Woodfin said.

WHITE HOUSE OPM ORDERS ALL DEI OFFICES TO BEGIN CLOSING BY END OF DAY WEDNESDAY

The Birmingham mayor also disagreed with critics who have claimed that DEI programs have gone too far in some areas.

"Look, we've made the words diversity, we've made the words equity, we've, as in others, have made those words inclusion, bad words. Inclusion is not a bad thing. There is no such thing as going too far as it relates to being inclusive," he said.

"There's no such thing as going too far as it relates to equity. This is America. Equity is the right thing to do. There's no such thing as diversity being bad. America is a very diverse place. I think Diversity, Equity and Inclusion has been weaponized for some to use to say it's taken away from others," Woodfin continued.

TRUMP'S DISMANTLING OF DEI IS DEEPER AND BIGGER THAN YOU EVEN KNOW

Trump signed an executive order on Monday to eliminate all DEI programs from the federal government.

Trump issued two other executive actions on Tuesday targeting DEI — an executive order to end discrimination in the workplace and higher education through race- and sex-based preferences under the guise of DEI and a memo to eliminate a Biden administration policy that prioritized DEI hiring at the Federal Aviation Administration.

Just two days into his term, Trump is making waves in Washington, and a new Fox News poll shows that the voters are behind him. Almost one-third of voters, 29%, agreed that it is "extremely important" that Trump focuses on getting DEI out of the government. When broken down by party, 44% of Republicans, 16% of Democrats and 24% of independents want the president to axe federal DEI initiatives.

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Alabama's GOP-controlled legislature passed sweeping legislation in March 2020 to prohibit state funding of diversity, equity and inclusion programs at public colleges and universities, local boards of education and government agencies, and that would limit teachings on "divisive concepts" at public colleges and universities.

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Referencing his state's laws, Woodfin said Americans have "seen this dance before" concerning DEI restrictions.

"Listen, the unfortunate part of this conversation of stripping DEI--Americans are witnessing the Alabama-fication of federal government," he said.

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House GOP firebrand invokes Trump while mulling gubernatorial run in South Carolina: ‘I’m a fighter’

Rep. Nancy Mace says if she moves ahead and launches a 2026 Republican run for South Carolina governor, she'll aim "to lock down support" from President Trump.

"I had Pres. Trump's endorsement in the House and I am working hard to lock down support in this race. He said I am a strong conservative voice, he knows I'm a fighter," Mace said Thursday in a statement to Fox News Digital.

A day earlier, Mace took to social media to reiterate what she first told the AP, that's she's seriously considering a gubernatorial run in the race to succeed GOP Gov. Henry McMaster, who is term-limited.

WHY NANCY MACE CHALLENGED DEMOCRATIC CONGRESSWOMAN TO ‘TAKE IT OUTSIDE’ 

"President Trump needs bold leaders to implement his agenda in every state across the nation. It will take grit. It will take strength. It will take hard work. I can confirm, affirmative, yes, we are considering a run in 2026. South Carolina First," Mace said in her social media post.

Mace, who was first elected to the House in the 2020 election, didn’t vote to impeach Trump for inciting the Jan. 6, 2021 storming of the U.S. Capitol by right-wing extremists and other Trump supporters who aimed to disrupt congressional certification of former President Biden’s 2020 election victory.

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But she later blamed Trump for the attack on the U.S. Capital, and in 2022 faced - but survived - a Republican primary challenge from a rival backed by Trump.

Mace endorsed the former president as he ran for the 2024 GOP presidential nomination and campaigned for him in South Carolina’s crucial early voting presidential primary. 

Trump returned the favor, backing Mace as she ran for re-election last year.

Mace told Fox News Digital that "I’ve proven my leadership, from the state legislature to Washington, my bold conservative policies are rooted in the Constitution, liberty, small government, and common sense."

"I believe in a government small enough to fit into the Constitution," she added.

2026 GOVERNORS RACES: RAMASWAMY DONE AT DOGE, EXPECTED TO LAUNCH OHIO GUBERNATORIAL CAMPAIGN IN DAYS

And Mace emphasized that "I kick a-- and take names from South Carolina to DC and back. That's the leadership the Palmetto State is looking for."

Mace recently made headlines by introducing a resolution to ban transgender women from using women’s bathrooms at the U.S. Capitol or the adjoining House office buildings. It's an issue of high interest to many voters on the right.

Trump is very popular in Republican-dominated South Carolina, and his endorsement in a GOP gubernatorial primary would be immensely influential among the state's conservative electorate.

Attorney General Alan Wilson, Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette, and state Sens. Josh Kimbrell and Sean Bennett are among those also considering gubernatorial bids.

It's going to be a crowded field, veteran South Carolina-based Republican consultant Dave Wilson told Fox News. "There's going to be a lot of people who are going to throw their hat in the ring."

"It's going to be a battle of the conservatives - how conservative you can be in South Carolina," Wilson emphasized.

McMaster, another top Trump ally, is on track to become South Carolina's longest serving governor. The then-lieutenant governor succeeded Gov. Nikki Haley in 2017 when she stepped down to become ambassador to the United Nations in Trump's first term. McMaster went on to win election in 2018 to a full four-year term, and re-election in 2022.

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Bishop who lectured Trump defends sermon that set off firestorm: 'How could it not be politicized?'

Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde joined "The View" on Wednesday to discuss her "mercy" plea to President Donald Trump at a prayer service this week, saying it was impossible for her viral message not to be politicized.

Co-host Sara Haines asked if she believed her message was being "misconstrued" or "politicized."

"I think if you read what I said, I mean, how could it not be politicized, right? We’re in a hyper-political climate. One of the things I caution about is the culture of contempt in which we live that immediately rushes to the worst possible interpretations of what people are saying and to put them in categories such as the ones you just described," Budde responded.

Budde asked the president to have "mercy" on the LGBT community and immigrants during the prayer service on Tuesday. Trump and Vice President JD Vance, along with their spouses, listened stone-faced as Budde made her remarks.

WHITE HOUSE OPM ORDERS ALL DEI OFFICES TO BEGIN CLOSING BY END OF DAY WEDNESDAY

"That’s part of the air we breathe now, and I was trying to speak a truth that I felt needed to be said, but to do it as respectful and kind a way as I could. And also to bring other voices into the conversation, voices that had not been heard in the public space for some time," Budde added.

Co-host Alyssa Farah Griffin asked Budde whether her sentiment would have had more impact in a one-on-one setting with Trump and whether she had that opportunity. 

"I've never been invited for a one-on-one conversation with President Trump. I would welcome that opportunity," Budde said. "I have no idea how that would go. I can assure him and everyone listening that I would be as respectful as I would with any person, and certainly of his office, for which I have a great deal of respect, but the invitation would have to come from him."

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Budde's comments drew considerable attention given the venue.

REVEREND WHO URGED PRESIDENT TRUMP TO 'HAVE MERCY' REACTS TO HIS CRITICISM: 'IT WAS A RESPECTFUL RESPONSE'

"Let me make one final plea, Mr. President," she said on Tuesday. "In the name of our God, I ask you to have mercy upon the people in our country who are scared now. There are gay, lesbian, and transgender children in Democratic, Republican, and independent families, some who fear for their lives."

She went on to say that "the vast majority of immigrants are not criminals. They pay taxes and are good neighbors."

Afterward, Trump told reporters he didn't care for the service.

Trump also sharply criticized Budde in a post on Truth Social.

"The so-called Bishop who spoke at the National Prayer Service on Tuesday morning was a Radical Left hard line Trump hater. She brought her church into the World of politics in a very ungracious way," he wrote.

Fox News' Danielle Wallace and Alex Nitzberg contributed to this report.

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Garth Hudson, The Band's last surviving member, dead at 87

Garth Hudson, the last surviving member of Canadian-American rock group The Band, has died.

His death was confirmed Tuesday by The Canadian Press, which cited Hudson's friend, Jan Haust. Additional details were not immediately available. Hudson had been living in a nursing home in upstate New York.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Jason Aldean reflects on inauguration, sees celebs' attitudes toward Trump shifting

Country music star Jason Aldean isn’t one to shy away from controversy, particularly when it comes to his support for President Donald Trump, a stance that’s often put him at odds with much of the entertainment world.

Aldean, who has faced years of criticism for his outspoken views, said he felt a shift during Trump’s Inaugural Liberty Ball on Monday. 

"I do feel a little vindicated," Aldean said during an interview on "Fox & Friends" Tuesday. "For the last, six, four years especially, it's just been taking a lot of heat for stepping out and kind of telling people how we feel about the state of the country and the regime that had been in office… But it's cool to look here this week and see all the celebrities and people that are showing up that didn't really speak out."

CARRIE UNDERWOOD TRIUMPHS AT TRUMP INAUGURATION AFTER MUSICAL MISHAP

Aldean, who announced his Full Throttle North American tour kicking off later this year, believes the entertainment industry is becoming more open to publicly supporting Trump. 

While the president’s first inauguration in 2017 struggled to secure high-profile performers, this time the lineup included Aldean, rappers Nelly and Snoop Dogg, musician Kid Rock, and country star Carrie Underwood. 

"It just kind of feels electric," Aldean said, describing the atmosphere of the event. "Everybody’s just excited for this new chapter of where we’re headed."

Aldean performed an hour-long set at the Liberty Ball, featuring fan favorites and his hit "Try That in a Small Town." The track, which topped the Billboard Hot 100, faced criticism after its music video sparked accusations of promoting divisive themes. However, Aldean stood firm in defense of the song. 

"In the past 24 hours, I’ve been accused of releasing a pro-lynching song ... These references are not only meritless, but dangerous," Aldean wrote to his nearly 8 million social media followers. 

For Aldean, Trump’s return to office represents a pivotal moment – a chance to reset what he sees as a damaged political landscape. 

"I think for the last few years, as much as a lot of the media has tried to make it seem like everything's been so great, it hasn’t," he said. "A lot of us knew that for a long time. And I think a lot of other people are starting to see it now."

Before his political career, Trump was a fixture in Hollywood, hosting the long-running reality show "The Apprentice," making cameos in films and TV shows, and maintaining a high-profile public image. However, his transition to politics sparked division within the entertainment industry, with many celebrities vocal in their opposition. 

Yet, as Aldean points out, that divide may be slowly fading.

"I think it just means that, you know, hopefully it's getting everything back on track and people are all getting on the same page."

For Aldean, the inauguration wasn’t just about performing – it symbolized a cultural recalibration. 

"To have President Trump back in office, I just think it gives everybody a sense of relief and for a lot of people … to feel like we're headed in the right direction."

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