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How Marco Rubio is riding laughter and memes to social media dominance

Tue, 12 May 2026 03:00:40 -0400

Marco Rubio has conquered the online world.

The word most frequently associated with him is "hilarious."

He’s become a one-man meme, with endless fake images of him wearing different outfits to exaggerate his many jobs.

When a top government official goes so utterly viral, it’s usually for doing something cringeworthy.

WHAT RUBIO’S RISE AS THE INTERNET’S 'FIXER' TELLS US ABOUT TODAY’S POLITICS

But here’s the difference: Rubio is in on the joke.

In fact, he’s done everything he can to fan the flames of his cyberfame.

The secretary of state holds many jobs, including national security advisor, and, for a time, acting national archivist, acting head of the USAID program and de facto ruler of Venezuela.

VIRAL MARCO RUBIO CLIP ON HIS VISION FOR AMERICA SPARKS MORE 2028 SPECULATION

First, he has a really good sense of humor.

Football coach, sailor, Viking, Eskimo, Canadian mountie, armed bandit, astronaut, medieval disciple, grime-covered plumber – all posted by users with funny captions.

And all this comes as President Trump has been asking his advisors: JD or Marco?

Not that anyone’s been thinking about 2028, right?

Peak Marco came when he briefed the press while filling in for Karoline Leavitt, who just had a baby.

Rubio played dumb for some of it. He said he had a chart and some had red X’s next to their names, quickly admitting he made that up.

He called on one reporter in black, then said, "you don’t have black, and you have blue on," even though he’s "color blind… This is chaos, guys… There’s no way I can figure out who to call on… Do they get two questions?... I’m wingin’ it, guys… Let’s go to the front, these guys are gonna get mad."

The wittier moments have been strung together by online geeks to the point where it feels like a Netflix comedy special.

He answered one question in Spanish. Perhaps I should mention that Rubio would be the first Latino president.

RUBIO’S TRUMP ADMIN JUGGLING ACT GROWS AS MEME-WORTHY ROLE LIST BECOMES REALITY

"Rubio memes are the most delightful thing to hit modern politics in decades," says Washington Post columnist Megan McArdle. "The entire family can enjoy them, from your MAGA uncle to your #NeverTrump niece, from your ‘resistance lib’ cousin to your ‘abundance bro’ brother. For one shining moment, we can all glance at our phones and crack a whimsical smile together."

"Rubio Memes Conquer the Internet," says Newsweek.

"Marco Rubio’s Meme-Worthy Rise to the Center of Trump’s Second Term," says Miami New Times.

But the secretary is also very disciplined, as when he was talking tough about Iran. He finessed a question on whether the U.S. firing on Iranian ships should be deemed an act of war by reframing the situation.

"These guys shut down the Strait of Hormuz… The only people who are allowed to go through there without paying 100% are the Iranians. If you do that, they’ll keep the Strait closed forever. It’s not an act of war, it’s a defensive measure. You know what is an act of war? Putting mines in the water… This is crazy stuff, but this is what they’ve done."

MARCO RUBIO SPOTTED BEHIND DJ BOOTH AT FAMILY WEDDING AS SOCIAL MEDIA REACTS TO VIRAL CLIP

But many analysts, not just in Tehran, do consider the American attacks an act of war.

President Trump, backed by Rubio, was more negative, saying yesterday the Iranian ceasefire "is on life support… If you can believe it, how stupid. Are they stupid people? They didn't want to believe it. They think that, well, I'll get tired of this, or I'll get bored, or I'll have some pressure. But there's no pressure. There's no pressure at all."

Now it’s possible that Vance may not run – he and his wife are expecting another baby – but whether it’s Rubio or Vance, they’d both be saddled with defending the Trump record.

It’s not that the former Florida senator is incapable of acting like a typical politician. I remember grabbing him in the hallway in the run-up to the 2016 campaign and asking if he planned to run. He said he wasn’t thinking about it, which we both knew was BS.

During the campaign, I watched him work an audience and thought this guy knows what to do behind the mic. When a woman fainted, he stopped and made sure she got help before continuing.

I do know one thing: once you run for president, you’ve been bitten by the bug.

Vance, as vice president, is the obvious front-runner. Rubio has said he won’t run if Vance does, and they have a friendly relationship. Trump wants Rubio to be second on the ticket.

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

But there’s a Marco surge going on, and he is more than happy to ride that wave.

Oh, there’s one more thing. At a family event, Rubio was seen working the music board as people danced – what we used to call a spinner.

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A reporter asked about his moniker.

"You’re not ready for my DJ name," he said with a big grin.

Now that’s a rock ’n’ roll Republican.

Trump administration rejects UN migration declaration, says 'mass migration was never safe'

Mon, 11 May 2026 21:36:58 -0400

The U.S. State Department ‌announced on Monday that it refused to back an International Migration Review Forum "progress" declaration, accusing the U.N. of efforts to "advocate and facilitate replacement immigration in the United States and across the broader West."

The U.S. did not participate in the second International Migration Review Forum, held May 5–8 at U.N. Headquarters in New York, and will not support the declaration, the department said in a statement on Monday.

The forum is the U.N.’s main global platform for member states to review implementation of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration, according to the U.N. Network on Migration. The 2026 forum was scheduled to produce an intergovernmentally agreed "Progress Declaration."

President Donald Trump ended U.S. participation in the U.N. process to develop the Global Compact for Migration during his first term in 2017, and now the State Department says the federal government will again affirm its opposition.

TRUMP PULLS US OUT OF UN-LINKED MIGRATION FORUM IN BOLD IMMIGRATION MOVE

The Global Compact was adopted in 2018 after the U.S. withdrew from the process. The U.N. and International Organization for Migration describe the compact as a cooperative framework intended to improve migration governance across countries.

"As Secretary Rubio said, opening our doors to mass migration was a grave mistake that threatens the cohesion of our societies and the future of our peoples," the department's statement reads. "In recent years, Americans witnessed first-hand how mass immigration laid waste to our communities: crime and chaos at the border, states of emergency in major cities, and billions of taxpayer dollars funneled towards hotels, plane tickets, cell phones and cash cards for migrants."

"Much of this was driven by UN agencies and their partners, which did not just facilitate the invasion of our country, but proceeded to redistribute our own people’s wealth and resources to millions of foreigners from the worst corners of the world," it continued.

The department argued there was nothing safe, orderly or regular about any of this, adding that the costs "were borne primarily by working Americans forced to compete for scarce jobs, housing, and social services."

"The UN has little to say about them," the department wrote.

TRUMP UNVEILS ‘REVERSE MIGRATION’ PLAN TO HALT ‘THIRD WORLD’ IMMIGRATION, REVOKE BIDEN-ERA ENTRIES

"President Trump is focused on the interests of Americans, not foreigners or globalist bureaucrats," the statement reads. "The United States will not support a process that imposes, overtly or by stealth, guidelines, standards, or commitments that constrain the American people’s sovereign, democratic right to make decisions in the best interests of our country."

The department concluded its statement by saying its goal is not to "manage" migration, but to "foster remigration."

In a thread on X also announcing the move to object to the declaration, the department said UN agencies "systematically facilitated mass migration into America and Europe, even as citizens of these nations called for restrictions on migration." It added that U.N. materials related to the Global Compact call for expanding regular migration pathways and reference "regularization" of migrants.

The International Organization for Migration says the forum is held every four years for countries to review progress and shape next steps on migration policy. IOM, which coordinates the U.N. Network on Migration, says the network includes 39 U.N. agencies working to support countries on migration issues.

The department alleged that "UN agencies – working with the NGOs they fund – established a migration corridor through Central America and to the U.S. border," the post reads. "As the American people suffered under an unprecedented wave of mass migration, the UN was on the ground pipelining migrants to our southern border."

"After facilitating mass migration to the United States, UN agencies condemned the deportation of illegal immigrants," the post continued. "While the United Kingdom faced unprecedented illegal boat crossings, UN agencies condemned plans for deportations. UN officials lobbied aviation regulators to prevent the deportation of migrants – an appalling violation of the UK’s national sovereignty."

The U.N. Network on Migration describes the compact as "non-legally binding." A U.N.-hosted text of the compact also says it respects states’ sovereign right to determine their national migration policies and to distinguish between regular and irregular migration status.

The declaration itself says the Global Compact is a cooperative framework and acknowledges that no state can address migration alone, while also upholding the sovereignty of states.

The department pushed back on the compact’s framing of migration as "safe, orderly and regular."

"For the citizens of Western nations, mass migration was never safe. It introduced new security threats, imposed financial strains, and undermined the cohesion of our societies," it wrote.

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"The United States will not legitimize global compacts that enable mass migration into America or Western nations," the post added.

U.N. materials frame the compact as a cooperative framework for issues that often cross borders, including labor migration, border management, migrant protections and development. U.N. agencies, including the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, describe the IMRF as a state-led review process with participation from relevant stakeholders.

Fox News Digital has reached out to the U.N. for comment.

State Department set to revoke passports of thousands of parents with unpaid child support debt

Thu, 07 May 2026 20:44:40 -0400

The U.S. State Department is set to begin revoking the passports of thousands of Americans who owe substantial unpaid child support, according to officials.

Revocations will begin Friday and will initially focus on parents who owe $100,000 or more in past-due child support. That group includes about 2,700 passport holders, according to figures supplied by the Department of Health and Human Services.

Under Federal law, anyone with more than $2,500 in unpaid, court-ordered child support can be denied a passport or have an existing one yanked, according to a release by the State Department Thursday. Officials said the department is expanding coordination with the Department of Health and Human Services to include parents above that threshold.

The enforcement push is intended to pressure delinquent parents to comply with court-ordered child support obligations, officials said.

Once a passport is revoked, it may no longer be used for travel, even if the debt is later paid, according to State Department guidance. The State Department advised any American with significant child support debt to contact the relevant state agency and arrange payment before any passport action is taken.

STATE DEPARTMENT TO PULL ADDITIONAL PASSPORTS FROM PARENTS WHO OWE CHILD SUPPORT

"Eligibility for a new passport will only be restored after child support debt is paid to the relevant state child support enforcement agency and the individual is no longer delinquent according to HHS records," they said.

Affected individuals must work with the state child support enforcement agency where the debt is owed. HHS must then update its records before the State Department can process a new passport, a process the department says can take at least two to three weeks.

It was not clear on Thursday how many passport holders owe more than $2,500 because HHS is still collecting data from state agencies that track the figures, but it could encompass many more thousands of people, officials told the Associated Press.

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A passport holder who is abroad at the time of revocation will need to contact the state where the debt is owed and may visit a U.S. embassy or consulate for passport application procedures. The State Department says such individuals may be eligible only for a limited-validity passport for direct return to the United States until HHS verifies repayment of the debt.

"The State Department is putting American families first through our passport process," they said.

The passport denial program has existed for decades and is used by federal and state officials as a tool to enforce past-due child support obligations. The Administration for Children and Families says state child support agencies submit qualifying cases, and federal officials forward those records to the State Department.

Rubio heads to Rome with Trump’s Iran clash looming over Pope Leo, Meloni talks

Thu, 07 May 2026 04:00:44 -0400

Secretary of State Marco Rubio previewed a high-profile trip to Rome from the White House briefing room Tuesday, delivering sharp warnings to Iran and flashing easy command of the podium that drew praise from conservative allies online.

"The trip is really not tied to anything other than the fact that it would be normal for us to engage, and other secretaries of state have done that in the past," Rubio said at the White House press conference on Tuesday of his trip to Italy.

The briefing came two days before Rubio is set to visit the Vatican and Italy for meetings amid heightened tensions between President Donald Trump, Pope Leo and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni over the U.S.-Iran conflict. Rubio used the briefing to defend the administration’s posture toward Tehran, downplay the timing of the Italy visit and signal that Washington is not backing off its pressure campaign.

RUBIO TO VISIT ITALY, VATICAN AMID TROOP DRAWDOWN CALL, TENSION WITH TRUMP, POPE LEO: REPORTS

"The message to Iran ... these guys are facing real catastrophic destruction to their economy, generational destruction to their economy, generational destruction to the wealth of their country imposed on themselves by the actions that they're taking," said Rubio of Iran on Tuesday.

"They should check themselves before they wreck themselves in the direction that they're going," Rubio quipped, referencing Ice Cube's rap song, "Check Yo Self."

Rubio, a Catholic, is expected to meet with Pope Leo on Thursday morning, at a time when the pontiff has criticized the Trump administration’s Middle East peacemaking efforts.

RUBIO OVERHAULING 'BLOATED' STATE DEPARTMENT IN SWEEPING REFORM

"There has also been this threat against the entire people of Iran, and this is truly unacceptable," the pope said in April. "There are certainly issues of international law here, but even more so a moral issue for the good of the whole entire population."

RUBIO’S TRUMP ADMIN JUGGLING ACT GROWS AS MEME-WORTHY ROLE LIST BECOMES REALITY

The comments were seemingly in reference to one of Trump's Truth Social posts, where he wrote, "A whole civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back again. I don’t want that to happen, but it probably will... God Bless the Great People of Iran!"

Trump told reporters on Wednesday in the Oval Office he only has one message for the pope.

"I can tell you this, that as far as the Pope is concerned, and it's very simple. Whether I make him happy or I don't make him happy, Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon. And he seemed to be saying that they can. And I say they cannot, because if that happened, the entire world would be hostage. And we're not going to let that happen," he said.

TRUMP MEETS WITH ITALIAN PM GIORGIA MELONI AT HIS MAR-A-LAGO RESORT

Rubio will also meet with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who has been distancing herself from the U.S. amid mounting domestic and political pressure over the widening Middle East conflict.

The meeting comes as President Donald Trump intensifies pressure on NATO allies to align with the U.S. against Iran, including ordering the withdrawal of 5,000 troops from Germany — a drawdown expected to unfold over the next six to 12 months.

Meloni said Tuesday she would not support any effort to reduce the U.S. military presence in Italy, drawing a contrast with Trump’s broader push to reposition American forces in Europe.

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Italy remains a key U.S. security hub in Europe, hosting nearly 13,000 active-duty American troops across six bases as of the end of 2025.

Rubio heads to his high-profile meetings fresh off of social media commenters and conservative leaders applauding how well he stepped in for Karoline Leavitt behind the podium after she took maternity leave late last month. The secretary joked with reporters, fielded questions in multiple languages and delivered pointed warnings to Iran, giving supporters a glimpse of the presence he will likely carry into the Rome trip.

"Marco Rubio is showing the nation & the world what we’ve known about him for decades," said Republican Florida Rep. Carlos Gimenez on X. "Rubio is one of the most eloquent, articulate, & incredibly capable statesmen of our times."

"President Trump made an EXCELLENT choice in him. He proves it every single day," he added.

White House torches Jayapal over Cuba oil outreach: Dems ‘sip margaritas with terrorists’

Wed, 06 May 2026 17:36:19 -0400

The White House slammed progressive Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., who admitted she spoke with foreign ambassadors about getting oil to Cuba despite U.S. sanctions, defending the outreach as "literally our right and responsibility."

"The Democrats continue to show Americans who they really are – the America Last party who sip margaritas with terrorists, advocate for illegal alien criminals, and undermine the United States to aid a failed, communist regime," White House spokesperson Olivia Wales told Fox News Digital.

"Pramila Jayapal’s actions are shameful from a sitting Congresswoman clearly suffering from [Trump Derangement Syndrome]," Wales added.

Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., said during a recent Seattle briefing following a congressional delegation trip to Cuba, that she discussed the island’s worsening fuel shortages and U.S. policy toward the communist regime.

REP. JAYAPAL DEFENDS COMMENT CALLING ICE 'A TERRORIST FORCE,' SAYS WHITE HOUSE 'OWES AN APOLOGY' TO AMERICANS

"I was in conversations with the ambassadors from Mexico and some other places … trying to figure out how to get oil there," Jayapal said during the briefing, calling the situation on the island "a crisis beyond imagination."

Jayapal said the event was part of a broader briefing on the humanitarian situation in Cuba following her recent visit.

"As many of you know, I traveled to Cuba as part of a congressional delegation last month," she said. "It is part of my role to see how U.S. foreign policy is actually affecting the people in the countries where that policy is being implemented."

PAIR OF DEMOCRAT LAWMAKERS SLAM 'BLOCKADE OF FUEL' TO CUBA, 'ECONOMIC BOMBING' AFTER VISIT TO ISLAND

She said she met with Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel, senior government officials, political dissidents, civil society groups and foreign diplomats during the trip.

"As the President stated, Cuba is a failing nation that has been horribly run for many years and whose rulers have had a major setback with the loss of support from Venezuela," a White House official told Fox News Digital.

Video of the remarks circulated widely on X, where users criticized the progressive lawmaker’s comments and raised legal concerns.

REP. JAYAPAL SLAMMED FOR TELLING AMERICANS TO 'THINK ABOUT WHO PICKED' THEIR FOOD IN ANTI-DEPORTATION REMARKS

Conservative accounts amplified the clip, including End Wokeness, which claimed she was "conspiring against the U.S." and suggested her actions could constitute a federal felony. Libs of TikTok wrote that her actions "seems a little like treason to me."

DEM CONGRESSWOMAN DENIES RHETORIC INCITED ANTI-ICE VIOLENCE, DOUBLES DOWN ON CONDEMNING AGENCY

Social media users also pointed to potential legal implications. "Traitor. She should be prosecuted," wrote "The Charlie Kirk Show" executive producer Andrew Kolvet on X.

Those claims are political commentary and have not been independently verified, and no investigation or charges have been publicly announced.

Jayapal responded to the backlash in a post on X, writing, "Breaking news: Members of Congress meet with ambassadors of other countries every day. That’s literally our right and responsibility."

Her remarks came as she sharply criticized U.S. sanctions on Cuba, describing them as "economic bombing of the infrastructure."

"It is illegal. It is against the law," she said. "This is essentially doing the same thing. It is bombing the infrastructure of Cuba with economic sanctions that essentially ensure that the infrastructure collapses."

DEM SENATOR'S EL SALVADOR TRIP MIGHT VIOLATE LAW LIBERALS USED AS PRETEXT FOR MICHAEL FLYNN PROBE: CRITICS

The controversy has also prompted discussion of the Logan Act, a rarely used federal law that bars unauthorized individuals from negotiating with foreign governments in disputes involving the United States.

Andrew McCarthy, a former federal prosecutor, told Fox News Digital the statute has never resulted in a conviction and has been used only sparingly in U.S. history.

"There has never been a conviction under it — in fact, there have only been two indictments, the last one about 174 years ago," McCarthy said.

JUSTICE DEPARTMENT REACHING OUT TO DEMOCRAT LAWMAKERS SEEN IN VIDEO TELLING TROOPS TO 'REFUSE ILLEGAL ORDERS'

He added that any potential legal exposure would depend on whether a lawmaker took concrete action that violated U.S. sanctions.

"There would be no criminal case … unless it can be shown that she took some action that violated, or aided and abetted a violation of, the sanctions," McCarthy said.

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He argued disputes over engagement with foreign governments are more appropriately handled through political accountability rather than criminal law.

CHINA'S SPYING IN CUBA SPARKS ALARM ON CAPITOL HILL AFTER FRESH SATELLITE IMAGES SHOW SURVEILLANCE BUILDUP

The Trump administration has previously described the Cuban government as a national security concern due to its ties to adversarial countries and actors, including relationships with Iran and alleged links to groups such as Hezbollah. The Cuban government has also faced longstanding criticism over political repression and restrictions on free speech.

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The island’s economic conditions have contributed to a surge in migration, with hundreds of thousands of Cubans arriving in the United States in recent years.

Jayapal, who traveled to Cuba in April with Rep. Jonathan Jackson, D-Ill., has argued U.S. policy is worsening conditions for civilians on the island while also acknowledging concerns with the Cuban government.

CUBAN PRESIDENT ADMITS TALKS WITH TRUMP ADMIN AS FUEL BLOCKADE CHOKES DOMESTIC ENERGY SUPPLY AND ECONOMY

"I do also have criticisms of the Cuban government … In our meetings, I have always raised those," she said, referencing issues including political prisoners and limits on dissent.

"The Cuban government has sent many signals that this is a new moment for the country," Jayapal said in a statement following the trip, adding that U.S. restrictions on fuel amount to "cruel collective punishment."

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She has called for lifting the U.S. embargo and removing Cuba from the State Sponsor of Terrorism list, while backing legislation to block potential U.S. military action against the country.

Fox News Digital has reached out to Jayapal’s office and the State Department for comment.

GOP senator in brutal primary praised Islamic charity after feds cut terror-scrutinized parent, review finds

Wed, 06 May 2026 06:00:39 -0400

Texas Sen. John Cornyn has repeatedly praised the American arm of Islamic Relief Worldwide — a charity the State Department cut ties with in 2021 amid concerns including praise of terrorists and antisemitism.

After the State Department aired its concerns regarding Islamic Relief Worldwide, Cornyn had kind words for its American branch. A Fox News Digital review uncovered two video messages and two letters where Cornyn commended Islamic Relief USA or endorsed the organization’s operations.

"Thanks to my friends at Islamic Relief USA for all their humanitarian work," Cornyn said in a May 2021 video address to the organization. A year later, the senator wrote a letter to Islamic Relief USA to "recognize and thank" the organization for its "humanitarian efforts across Texas and our nation." In a 2023 letter, Cornyn again referred to IRUSA as "friends" and commended the group for its "dedication to serving our most vulnerable neighbors."

Cornyn is locked in a heated Senate primary runoff election against Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. Paxton has repeatedly questioned Cornyn's conservative bona fides, while Cornyn has responded by highlighting the attorney general's corruption scandals. Both candidates have made opposition to what they perceive as radical Islam focal points of their campaigns.

CORNYN WARNS PAXTON WOULD BE 'KISS OF DEATH' FOR GOP AS BLOODY PRIMARY RACE RAMPS UP

In late 2025, Islamic Relief USA moved to sever ties with Islamic Relief Worldwide, arguing that the conduct of its parent organization has significantly damaged Islamic Relief USA's reputation.

Leaders at both Islamic Relief USA and Islamic Relief Worldwide historically have maintained ties to the Muslim Brotherhood, a multinational Islamist political movement, and expressed hostility toward Jewish people, according to social media posts and photographs unearthed by the Middle East Forum. Some branches of the Muslim Brotherhood have been designated as foreign terrorist organizations by the United States.

"As we witness a rise in anti-Semitism in every corner of the globe, it is incumbent on all people of good conscience to stand strong and exhibit zero tolerance for the blatant and horrifying anti-Semitism and glorification of violence exhibited at the most senior levels of IRW," the State Department wrote in December 2020 of IRW. "We encourage all government bodies currently examining IRW activities and their relationship with IRW."

Multiple governments and banking entities have cut ties with IRW over terror financing concerns.

Khaled Lamada, the one-time chairman of Islamic Relief USA whose tax documents show he served on the organization’s board until October 2022, circulated text praising the "Mujahidin of Egypt" for "causing the Jews many defeats" through "jihad" in 2014, according to a Facebook post found by the Middle East Forum. The same year, he reportedly reposted messages on social media praising Hamas for inflicting a "huge defeat" against the "Zionist entity."

Egyptian media and the George Washington University Program on Extremism have identified Lamada as an affiliate of the Muslim Brotherhood.

CAIR'S TAX-EXEMPT STATUS TARGETED AS CORNYN MOVES TO STRIP GROUP AFTER TERROR DESIGNATIONS

Several other Republican lawmakers interacted with Islamic Relief USA after the State Department denounced the organization.

Sens. Ted Cruz and Chuck Grassley, for instance, sent holiday greetings to the group in 2022. Staff working for then-Sen. Marco Rubio and Sen. Rick Scott met with members of the group to discuss pending public health legislation in March of that same year, according to a social media post. Representatives for Islamic Relief USA were even reportedly invited to a 2025 meeting with Trump administration officials to discuss the future of foreign aid, according to the National Catholic Reporter.

"More than four years ago, members of our healthcare team took a Zoom meeting with constituents who said they had questions about domestic healthcare policy," a spokesman for Scott told Fox News Digital. "Neither those staffers nor Senator Scott knew that representatives from IRUSA would be joining the conference call. The Senator’s record on combating antisemitism and Islamist threats to American society more than speaks for itself."

Fox News Digital reached representatives for Cruz, Grassley and Rubio for comment on Friday.

TRUMP INTRODUCES CORNYN, PAXTON BUT STAYS MUM ON ENDORSEMENT IN HEATED GOP PRIMARY

Islamic Relief Worldwide has consistently denied having any links to terror organizations.

"Islamic Relief [Worldwide] operates to the highest standards of governance, compliance and oversight across all our work," a spokesperson for the organization told Fox News Digital. "We are a purely humanitarian organization, and we stand firmly against all forms of extremism, including antisemitism. Our staff deliver aid in some of the world's most dangerous places and some of our own colleagues have lost their lives to acts of terror. We have been victims of terrorism, not supporters of it. The leading financial institutions that work with us demand our work to be rigorously audited by governments, institutions and leading accounting firms, which have all confirmed that our funds are used for entirely humanitarian purposes."

Islamic Relief Worldwide claimed in a 2017 report that, in its various legal battles, "to date there has been no tangible evidence to substantiate any of the allegations made."

HSBC Bank ended its relationship with Islamic Relief Worldwide in 2016 amid terror financing concerns. Swiss banking giant UBS had done the same four years earlier. Israel, the United Arab Emirates, the Netherlands and Germany have all taken actions against Islamic Relief Worldwide for its alleged ties to the Muslim Brotherhood and Hamas.

With Lamada as a leader, Islamic Relief USA was Islamic Relief Worldwide's largest source of funding, providing its parent organization with tens of millions of dollars per year in cash in 2021 and 2022, according to an Islamic Relief Worldwide financial disclosure.

The entire Islamic Relief Worldwide board resigned in August 2020 following reporting of widespread antisemitism among its senior leadership by The Times of London. One director, for instance, reportedly described Jews as the "grandchildren of monkeys and pigs" in a social media post, while others heaped praise on Hamas and the Muslim Brotherhood.

A few months earlier, in June 2020, Cornyn filmed a video wishing Islamic Relief USA a happy Ramadan, the name for the Islamic holy month marked by fasting and prayer.

TOP GOP SENATOR SAYS CROCKETT ANNOUNCEMENT EXPOSES HOW 'RADICAL' DEMS ARE NATIONWIDE

In October 2025, Islamic Relief USA moved to sever its relationship with Islamic Relief Worldwide, stating "certain allegations regarding the conduct of IRW" would "affect negatively IRUSA’s well-deserved good reputation," according to a legal complaint filed in March.

"IRW has not only refused to cooperate in taking steps to avoid such existential risks but took further steps to increase those risks to IRUSA, which in turn threatened its ability to provide relief to its beneficiaries worldwide," reads the complaint, filed by Islamic Relief USA.

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Tax records show that Islamic Relief USA has provided funding to the East Plano Islamic Center in Texas, the mosque behind EPIC City, a planned Islamic community that has become a flash point in Texas politics. Both Cornyn and Paxton have taken actions to obstruct construction of the community.

Cornyn’s office and Islamic Relief USA did not respond to requests for comment after being reached by Fox News Digital on Friday.

Rubio’s Trump admin juggling act grows as meme-worthy role list becomes reality

Tue, 05 May 2026 13:27:01 -0400

Secretary of State Marco Rubio has become one of the Trump administration’s most visible multitaskers, racking up a string of additional titles that have fueled viral memes, and on Tuesday, he is set to add another spotlight role when he takes the podium of the White House press briefing.

"As an invaluable member of President Trump’s national security team, Secretary Rubio will provide an update on the humanitarian successes of Project Freedom and other foreign policy priorities," White House Principal deputy press secretary Anna Kelly told Fox News Digital.

Tuesday’s press briefing will mark the first since press secretary Karoline Leavitt took maternity leave at the end of April ahead of the birth of her second child.

MARCO RUBIO SPOTTED BEHIND DJ BOOTH AT FAMILY WEDDING AS SOCIAL MEDIA REACTS TO VIRAL CLIP

While Leavitt is on maternity leave, the White House is planning to have a rotation of Trump admin officials take the podium, such as Vice President JD Vance and even Trump himself.

The Secretary has been a robust figure in the Trump administration, holding multiple public-facing official and unofficial titles that have led to a parade of memes on social media.

For example, Rubio was named U.S. Administration for International Development (USAID) acting administrator shortly after being sworn in at the State Department. He was also tapped to serve as the acting archivist of the United States for roughly a year, recently handing off the post in February.

SECRETARY OF STATE RUBIO CONFIRMS BECOMING ACTING USAID CHIEF

Rubio does still serve as the interim national security advisor, a role he has held since May after the departure of Michael Waltz.

Rubio has taken social media by storm, as critics and allies of the administration share viral memes showing doctored photos of Rubio sitting in the Oval Office wearing various outfits to fit a new job role he could pick up, such as a Spirit Airlines pilot, a White House beekeeper or a Kentucky Derby jockey.

DAN GAINOR: FROM SECRETARY OF STATE TO SECRETARY OF MEMES, RUBIO WINS OVER MAGA

Over the weekend, Rubio went viral for a video of him stepping behind a DJ booth at a family wedding and hyping up the crowd.

The video, posted by White House Deputy Chief of Staff Dan Scavino on X, shows Rubio wearing headphones and standing behind a DJ setup, leaning over the controls as music plays and guests dance nearby.

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At several points, he pumped his fist, nodded along to the beat and appeared to cue up the next track, drawing cheers from people gathered around the booth.

Fox News Digital’s Emma Colton, Alex Schemmel, and Greg Wehner contributed to this report.

State Department fires back at accusations of ‘empty planes’ rescuing Americans from conflict zones

Mon, 04 May 2026 06:00:53 -0400

FIRST ON FOX: The State Department's account of its evacuation efforts is at odds with on-the-ground reports from private rescue teams who helped extract U.S. citizens from conflict zones during the opening days of the U.S.-Iran conflict.

Bryan Stern, founder and CEO of Grey Bull Rescue, a nonprofit evacuation service, is contesting claims that the State Department offered assistance to every American who asked for it, asserting instead that thousands of U.S. citizens were left trapped by missiles, bombs and security threats crowding airspace in the region.

"It’s not for lack of effort. Our State Department colleagues are tremendous. But their process doesn’t work. There is also no one — there's no job specialty," Stern told Fox News Digital, noting a lack of a dedicated government position for handling evacuations.

The State Department believes it has faithfully administered assistance, noting that a majority of Americans turned away offers of support, choosing to explore other options available to them.

The contrasting assertions raise questions about the logistical efficiency of American rescue efforts while prompting calls from lawmakers for more specialization to get U.S. citizens out of conflict zones in the future.

VETERAN-LED MISSION EVACUATES AMERICANS FROM ISRAEL AS BIDEN'S 'WEAKENED' FOREIGN POLICY BLAMED FOR RISK

Stern believes slow-moving bureaucracy is preventing the government from fully utilizing its rescue options.

As one data point, Stern pointed to a video sent to Fox News Digital depicting a mostly empty flight from Israel to Florida near the start of the conflict.

A source, who recorded the video, confirmed they had been evacuated by the State Department from Israel on flight LY1017 from Tel Aviv to Miami, Florida, on March 8 — a point at which Stern said Grey Bull Rescue was being flooded with hundreds of evacuation requests.

In response to inquiries about the video, State Department officials said they had booked as many seats on that particular flight as had been available to them by Israel's airlines, given security concerns, and noted that flight LY1017 wasn't a government charter flight. While the government sometimes purchases individual tickets on a commercial flight for evacuations, they rarely buy the entire aircraft’s capacity, sources familiar with the Department’s evacuation practices told Fox News Digital.

"We invited and assisted hundreds of Americans to depart on El Al flights on March 7, including a flight to Miami, maximizing the capacity made available to us," a State Department official said. "As part of this partnership, we were only given a percentage of seats to fill, not the whole plane. Capacity limitations were affected by security considerations from local authorities."

Beyond that particular instance, Department officials said their offers of assistance outstripped demand on the ground.

WIFE OF AMERICAN HELD HOSTAGE IN AFGHANISTAN REVEALS 'INCREDIBLY CRUSHING' CALL WITH BIDEN AFTER TWO-YEAR WAIT

"Under President Trump and Secretary Rubio’s leadership, the Department of State has completed approximately 70 government evacuation flights and has safely evacuated thousands of Americans from the Middle East. We have also arranged ground transportation where needed and assisted thousands with onward departure options," a State Department official said.

"The State Department has reached out to every American who has registered interest in our support. Most Americans who requested assistance have declined seats when offered, opting either to remain in country or book commercial flight options which offer greater flexibility in terms of destination and luggage."

Stern believes the scope of the assistance provided is misleading.

"That answer is inaccurate in totality," Stern said.

"There’s a difference between a State Department-contracted aircraft that is filled with Americans to come out and getting them to safety. That’s an evacuation. That’s different from: ‘Hey, go book a commercial ticket. Good luck to you,’" Stern said.

PRIVATE SECURITY FIRM HELPING AMERICANS EVACUATE THE MIDDLE EAST AMID WAR WITH IRAN

Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., who joined Grey Bull Rescue’s operations in Israel last month, applauded government efforts but believes there is room for reform.

"It really opened my eyes to some of the challenges that we have, the bureaucracy that we have," Mace said.

"I'm going to come back to Washington with some ideas on how to streamline what we currently have and how to ensure that we're allocating resources to the State Department, to [the Department of Homeland Security]."

Like Stern, Mace suggested that part of the problem stems from a lack of a single position in the State Department that deals with rescue efforts.

Stern, whose group has worked on over 800 missions to evacuate Americans from Afghanistan, Israel and Venezuela, believes current operations have too many moving pieces.

He said his team’s efforts allow him to communicate more directly with Americans requesting assistance.

"We know them, we talk to them 10 times a day. The current manifest we're working right now has 338 people on it. We do a Zoom call once a day with all the families. Because of that kind of thing, the chain between the person and the airplane is zero, because it's us," Stern said.

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"With [the Department of State] you’re calling a center in West Virginia, talking to somebody reading a script who doesn’t know anything; they refer you to a website that goes to a data processing thing somewhere which gets [put] onto an Excel spreadsheet."

Over 150,000 Americans have safely returned to the United States since late February, according to State Department officials. Of those, government operations directly assisted 50,000 Americans.

Marco Rubio spotted behind DJ booth at family wedding as social media reacts to viral clip

Sun, 03 May 2026 20:39:02 -0400

Secretary of State Marco Rubio is going viral — not for diplomacy, but for stepping behind a DJ booth at a family wedding and hyping up the crowd in a clip shared online that’s quickly gaining attention.

At several points, he pumps his fist, nods along to the beat and appears to cue up the next track, drawing cheers from people gathered around the booth.

"MOMENTS AGO, BEHIND THE SCENES—Our Great Secretary of State @MarcoRubio DJ’s weddings too! Here he is in action tonight at a family wedding… Let’s goooooo!!!" Scavino wrote in the post.

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The track playing in the video is "Shiver" by John Summit and Hayla, a high-energy dance song known for its pulsing beat and dramatic drop — a fitting backdrop as the crowd moves in sync and reacts to the music.

The unexpected scene has set social media on fire, with users reacting to the unusual sight of a sitting U.S. secretary of state taking on DJ duties at what appears to be a family celebration.

ONE-MAN CABINET: MARCO RUBIO WENT FROM RIVAL TO TRUMP'S POINT MAN, BUT CAN HE HANDLE IT?

One user wrote, "Marco becoming the official White House DJ," while sharing an AI photo of Rubio dressed in black, wearing sunglasses and headphones and standing beside DJ equipment. The image shows Rubio in a club-like setting, with lighting and staging that mirrors a professional DJ setup.

Other X users shared AI images of Rubio mixing it up behind two turntables and a microphone.

MARCO RUBIO EMERGES AS KEY TRUMP POWER PLAYER AFTER VENEZUELA OPERATION

Another user wrote, "Marco can do it all!" posting another AI image showing Rubio at the turntables as Vice President JD Vance sits nearby on an ottoman, surrounded by haze and lighting effects.

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Rubio, who is also serving as acting national security advisor and has held several other roles, has taken on a wide range of responsibilities over the course of his career — and now, at least for one night, he can add DJ to the list.

US warns travelers to avoid picturesque country as security rapidly worsens

Sat, 02 May 2026 07:38:40 -0400

U.S. State Department officials are warning Americans to reconsider travel to an off-the-beaten-path travel destination that often draws adventurous tourists.

The State Department updated its travel advisory for Azerbaijan on April 28, warning Americans to reconsider trips to the country.

Azerbaijan sits in the South Caucasus at the crossroads of Eastern Europe and Western Asia.

OFFICIALS CHANGE TRAVEL ALERT FOR SPRING BREAK HOT SPOT WHILE WARNING OF 'SEXUAL ASSAULTS'

The advisory stands at a Level 3, which urges Americans to reconsider travel due to safety and security risks.

Azerbaijan, a former Soviet state known for its mud volcanoes and unique landscapes, has become a niche destination for adventurous travelers.

Though Azerbaijan has long been under a Level 3 advisory, the latest update adds new warnings, with the U.S. State Department advising Americans not to travel to its southern border with Iran given the risk of armed conflict.

The country borders Russia, Georgia, Armenia and Iran.

Officials say the region has faced a continued risk of Iranian drone and missile strikes since U.S.-Iran hostilities escalated in late February.

"Do not travel to the southern border region due to risk of armed conflict, unless this is your best overland exit from Iran," the advisory states.

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The advisory also notes that terrorism is a concern in Azerbaijan, as individuals "may attack with little or no warning."

U.S. officials also warn against traveling to the Armenian-Azeri border "due to the risk of landmines."

"Landmines and unexploded ordnance exist throughout this region," the advisory notes.

"Many of them are not marked, so it can be hard to know where they are."

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Other areas of Azerbaijan that contain landmines are Aghdam, Aghdara, Fuzuli, Gubadli, Jabrayil, Kalbajar, Khankendi, Khojali, Khojavend, Lachın, Shusha and Zangilan.

Fox News Digital reached out to the U.S. State Department for additional comment.

Azerbaijan is the latest in a string of destinations flagged by American officials.

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Last month, officials issued an alert for Tirana, Albania, another budget-friendly destination, over Iran-related security concerns.

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The State Department also updated its Haiti travel advisory in April, warning Americans not to visit due to widespread kidnappings and ransom demands.

Newsom mocks Trump's limited-edition passport with fake California driver's license featuring gov's portrait

Wed, 29 Apr 2026 18:49:00 -0400

California Gov. Gavin Newsom attempted to mock President Donald Trump this week by parodying a limited-edition U.S. passport featuring the commander-in-chief's image.

The exchange began after the State Department announced that it will roll out special passports to commemorate the 250th anniversary of American independence, prominently featuring Trump's image on the inside cover.

Not to be outdone, Newsom — a frequent critic who often takes to social media to needle the president — jokingly posted an image of a California driver's license featuring his own portrait.

BESSENT MOCKS NEWSOM AT DAVOS AS 'PATRICK BATEMAN MEETS SPARKLE BEACH KEN'

"IN HONOR OF CALIFORNIA’S 175TH ANNIVERSARY, WE WILL BE ROLLING OUT A VERY SPECIAL DRIVER’S LICENSE FOR EVERY CALIFORNIAN THIS SUMMER!" Newsom's press office wrote on X. "IT WILL FEATURE A HANDSOME, HIGH-QUALITY PHOTO OF ME, GAVIN C. NEWSOM. MANY PEOPLE ARE SAYING IT’S THE BEST LICENSE EVER MADE IN THE HISTORY OF THE WORLD. THIS IS ABOUT CELEBRATING OUR BEAUTIFUL STATE (IT IS NOT ABOUT ME, DESPITE THE VERY HANDSOME PHOTO!). ENJOY! — GOVERNOR GCN."

In a statement to Fox News Digital, the White House said that Trump "is focused on saving our country—not garnering recognition."

"Anyone who finds an issue with President Trump celebrating the greatness of our country during our historic semiquincentennial celebration clearly suffers from a severe and incurable disease known as Trump Derangement Syndrome," a White House spokesperson added.

Since last summer, Newsom has increasingly adopted a Trump-like rhetorical style on social media, mimicking the president’s tone and penchant for self-celebration while criticizing his policies.

EXCLUSIVE: TRUMP STATE DEPARTMENT UNVEILS BOLD NEW DESIGN FOR AMERICA250 PASSPORTS

"It’s fun to laugh at our s----for-brains president who is trashing our great country," a Newsom spokesperson told Fox News Digital. "The best way to deal with Trump’s absurd leadership is to call it out with a mirror until he takes his job seriously."

In another provocative post, Newsom's office shared a mock image of a U.S. passport featuring Trump alongside the deceased financier Jeffrey Epstein.

In a separate weekend post, Newsom hurled insults at Trump, calling him a "loser," a label Trump himself famously uses against his critics.

"VERY IMPORTANT PEOPLE ARE COMING UP TO ME, GAVIN C. NEWSOM, IN DC (INCLUDING A TOP REPUBLICAN, I WON’T SAY WHO!) TELLING ME, ‘GAVIN, SIR, YOU ARE AMAZING. AS GOVERNOR OF THE FREE WORLD, YOU MUST GO TO THE WHCA DINNER,’" his office wrote, referring to Saturday's White House Correspondents' Association Dinner.

The event gained additional notoriety after a gunman allegedly shot a U.S. Secret Service agent nearby before being arrested.

SOUTH CAROLINA DEMOCRAT SAYS NEWSOM MUST EXPLAIN 'MANY FAILURES IN CALIFORNIA' BEFORE PRESIDENTIAL RUN

"‘YOU WILL DO MUCH BETTER THAN THAT LOSER TRUMP!’ VERY KIND! I WAS NOT PLANNING ON GOING… BUT NOW EVERYONE IS BEGGING ME BECAUSE I AM MAKING THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY 'HOT' AGAIN. WE’LL SEE. I AM VERY BUSY TONIGHT! THANK YOU!"

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Fox News Digital reached out to Newsom's office for further comment.

EXCLUSIVE: Trump State Department unveils bold new design for America250 passports

Tue, 28 Apr 2026 12:39:37 -0400

FIRST ON FOX — The State Department is rolling out limited-edition U.S. passports to commemorate the 250th anniversary of American independence. The new passport designs, obtained exclusively by Fox News Digital, prominently feature President Donald Trump's image on the inside cover.

Mock-ups show Trump's image surrounded by the text of the Declaration of Independence and American flag along with the president's signature in gold. Another page features the famous painting of the founding fathers at the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

The passports, which are set to be released this summer, are part of the Trump administration’s broader "America250" celebration, which also includes a Grand Prix race on the National Mall in August and a UFC fight on the White House South Lawn in June.

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"As the United States celebrates America's 250th anniversary in July, the State Department is preparing to release a limited number of specially designed U.S. passports to commemorate this historic occasion," State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott told Fox News Digital.

Featuring customized artwork and enhanced imagery, Pigott maintains the identification booklets will include the "same security features that make the U.S. Passport the most secure documents in the world."

The cover of the commemorative U.S. passports has been slightly altered with the words "United States of America" enlarged and placed at the top of the passport, above the crest. The back cover will feature an American flag with "250" centered between the 13 stars featured on the 1777 version of the flag.

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A State Department official told Fox News Digital that the new designs will be available for "any American citizen" who applies for a passport when the rollout happens and will continue for as long as there is availability. The passports will only be available at the Washington Passport Agency, the official detailed.

The launch is expected to coincide with the 250th Anniversary in July, the official confirmed to Fox News Digital.

Americans all over the country are preparing for the major kickoff this summer of a nationwide celebration that's been years in the making.

NEARLY 500 PUBLIC FIGURES FROM POLITICS TO HOLLYWOOD WILL READ BIBLE COVER TO COVER TO MARK AMERICA'S 250TH

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An Interior Department spokesperson told Fox News Digital, "Under President Donald J. Trump, America’s 250th birthday will be marked by a once-in-a-lifetime celebration that encapsulates the American spirit — including a spectacular fireworks display at Mount Rushmore that honors our history at the monument that symbolizes those who built it."

Between June 25 and July 10, 2026, the National Mall in Washington, D.C. will transform into the "Great American State Fair" and feature rodeo-style events, a Ferris Wheel and pavilions from all states and territories.

State Department urges Americans to avoid Mexican city just across Texas border

Tue, 28 Apr 2026 09:15:09 -0400

The State Department warned Americans to avoid a city in Mexico just over the border from Texas after receiving reports of "violent criminal activity."

The U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Mexico said U.S. government employees have been ordered to stay away from the area of Reynosa, a city of about 700,000 residents located near McAllen, Texas.

"U.S. Consulate Matamoros has received reports of violent criminal activity including roadblocks in Reynosa," it said in the advisory, urging any Americans there to "be aware of your surroundings," maintain "a high level of vigilance" and to "keep a low profile."

The McAllen-Hidalgo International Bridge links Reynosa to Texas. The State Department has issued a "Level 2 - Exercise increased caution" for all of Mexico, but in Tamaulipas state – where Reynosa is located – that risk is elevated to "Level: 4 - Do not travel," due to "terrorism, crime and kidnapping."

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"There is a risk of violence in the state from terrorist groups, cartels, gangs and criminal organizations," the State Department said.

"Organized crime activity is common along the northern border and in Ciudad Victoria. It includes gun battles, murder, armed robbery, carjacking, kidnapping, forced disappearances, extortion, and sexual assault," it added.

MEXICO PYRAMID SHOOTER WHO TOOK HOSTAGES AND KILLED 1 IS IDENTIFIED

The State Department advisory noted that U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents "have been victims of kidnapping."

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"Heavily armed members of criminal groups often patrol the state, especially along the border region from Reynosa to Nuevo Laredo," it also warned. "They act without fear of punishment in these areas, and local law enforcement has limited capacity to respond to crime."

Hezbollah disarmament deadlock risks civil war, analysts say, as US prepares for Israel–Lebanon talks

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 06:00:32 -0400

As Israel and Lebanon return to U.S.-brokered talks Thursday in Washington, the central question is the one that has derailed every previous attempt at a lasting deal: What happens to Hezbollah, an Iran-backed terror organization?

An Israeli official told Fox News Digital that the meeting, hosted by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, will include senior U.S. officials — U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee, U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Michel Issa and Counselor Michael Needham — alongside Israeli Ambassador Yechiel Leiter and Lebanese Ambassador Nada Hamadeh.

A State Department spokesperson called the initial April 14 meeting "productive." "We will continue to facilitate direct, good-faith discussions between the two governments," the spokesperson told Fox News Digital.

The meeting comes as a fragile U.S.-brokered ceasefire, reached in mid-April, is holding for now, offering what officials describe as a narrow window for diplomacy after weeks of cross-border fighting.

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But the truce has not resolved the underlying conflict — only paused it.

The latest escalation began March 2, when Hezbollah launched attacks on Israel’s northern border, opening a new front in the regional war days after U.S.–Israeli strikes on Iran Feb. 28, according to prior reporting.

Israel responded with sustained air and ground operations across southern Lebanon aimed at pushing Hezbollah forces away from the border, while Hezbollah continued firing rockets and drones into northern Israel.

The fighting displaced more than a million people in Lebanon and forced Israeli civilians into shelters, underscoring the scale of the escalation.

MACRON UNDER FIRE OVER IRAN, HEZBOLLAH POLICY AS TRUMP ADMIN HOSTS ISRAEL-LEBANON TALKS

Now, even as the guns have temporarily quieted, the core conditions that led to the war remain unchanged — leaving negotiators to grapple with the same unresolved question at the heart of the conflict.

A senior U.S. official familiar with the negotiations described the core dilemma: Hezbollah will not agree to disarm without a full Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon, while Israel will not withdraw without Hezbollah disarming.

International mechanisms — including the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) and a multilateral coordination group — have been working to bridge that gap since late 2024, without success.

The same official also indicated that Lebanon’s president, Joseph Aoun, is not necessarily the decisive factor in these discussions, but Nabih Berri, speaker of the nation's House, is the one with true authority, not Aoun.

At the same time, Hezbollah has remained opposed to any contact with Israel and continues to exert significant influence over Lebanon’s political and security decisions, complicating U.S. efforts to advance talks.

Inside Lebanon, however, frustration with Hezbollah appears to be growing.

ISRAEL 'MOVING FORWARD' ON POSSIBLE HEZBOLLAH CEASE-FIRE, OFFICIAL SAYS

"There is a growing sense across Lebanon that any U.S.-brokered negotiation track could be a rare opportunity to restore balance to the state," said Rami Naeem, a Lebanese journalist and analyst with Jusoor News.

"Hezbollah’s continued military and political dominance is widely seen as a central driver of the collapse, and even a gradual or indirect opening with Israel could help rebuild state institutions and their role."

Mariam Kasrawani, a Lebanese analyst at Jusoor News, said criticism is becoming more explicit.

"It is becoming harder to ignore the depth of the crisis," she said. "Some are now saying it plainly: Hezbollah has taken Lebanon as a whole — and Shia in particular — to a very bad place."

"I’m not at all optimistic," said Barak Seener of the Henry Jackson Society think tank.

"Lebanon is far too weak and divided to force Hezbollah to disarm. And Hezbollah… is so enmeshed in Lebanon’s political system. Any attempt to disarm Hezbollah risks civil war."

CARTEL CONNECTION: HEZBOLLAH AND IRAN EXPLOIT MADURO’S VENEZUELA FOR COCAINE CASH

Instead, Seener said, the talks are focused on limited, tactical goals.

"Talks are focused on ceasefire expansion, Hezbollah withdrawal from border zones, and an expanded presence of the Lebanese army… talks are not at all focused on disarmament."

That gap underscores what he described as the real nature of the process.

"I think that these talks are doomed to failure," Seener said. "I think Israel is currently engaged in conflict management."

Adding to the uncertainty are reports from the Saudi daily Asharq Al-Awsat that the U.S. may press Lebanon to repeal its 1955 Israel Boycott Law, which bans contact with Israelis.

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The report frames such a move as a step toward normalization but provides no details and has not been confirmed by U.S. or Lebanese officials.

Fox News Digital reached out for comment from the State Department and the Lebanese Embassy in D.C. but did not receive a response in time for publication.

'Narco-terrorist' family members targeted in Rubio's latest visa crackdown

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 13:47:26 -0400

Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced visa bans on 75 family members and associates tied to the Sinaloa cartel, expanding the Trump administration's crackdown beyond drug traffickers to those that profit from ill-gotten gains.

The Sinaloa cartel was one of eight drug cartels designated as Foreign Terrorist Organizations in February 2025. The classification allows the United States to pursue tougher criminal penalties and greater military intervention against drug cartels and their members.

"The Sinaloa Cartel smuggles illicit fentanyl, which the President designated as a Weapon of Mass Destruction, and other deadly drugs that harm American communities," Rubio said in a statement. "Imposing visa restrictions on drug traffickers, their family members, and close personal and business associates will not only prevent their entry into our nation, but also serve as a deterrent to continued illicit activities."

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Rep. Maria Salazar, R-Fla., celebrated Rubio's decision to place visa restrictions on those linked to one of Mexico's top drug cartels on X.

"For too long, narco-terrorists have built fortunes off the pain and deaths of innocent Americans while their families lived in luxury off blood money," Salazar wrote. "The era of impunity is OVER. No more hiding behind money, power, or family ties. If you profit from cartel terror, the consequences are coming. America’s safety comes first."

The Sinaloa cartel is one of the two largest drug cartels operating in Mexico, with tens of thousands of members operating in more than 40 countries. A Drug Enforcement Administration operation last summer resulted in the arrests of 600 people tied to the cartel. Over the span of a week, federal officers seized 714,707 counterfeit pills, 926 pounds of fentanyl powder, 4,870 pounds of methamphetamine, 16,466 pounds of cocaine and 36.5 pounds of heroin.

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The State Department based its decision to prevent those tied to the Mexican drug cartel from entering the United States on a 2021 executive order signed by former President Joe Biden titled "Imposing Sanctions on Foreign Persons Involved in the Global Illicit Drug Trade." More than 325 people, including members of the Sinaloa cartel, have faced sanctions under the Biden-era executive order, according to the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control.

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Last September, the Trump administration sanctioned a faction of the Sinaloa cartel known as Los Mayos, as well as 15 companies affiliated with the group.

The Treasury has sanctioned more than 600 Sinaloa cartel-linked individuals and companies that played "critical roles" in the cartel's operations, under the authority of the Foreign Narcotic Kingpin Designation Act of 2000 and Biden's 2021 executive order.

Mexican president in the dark about drug operation after which US, Mexican officials were killed

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 11:36:30 -0400

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum indicated Monday that she would call for explanations regarding what U.S. and Mexican officials were doing when they died due to a car accident in Mexico.

Sheinbaum said her government would investigate the incident to ensure no laws were broken after the deaths on Sunday, adding that state governments must have authorization from Mexico’s federal government to collaborate with U.S. and other foreign entities "as established by the Constitution," according to The Associated Press.

The deadly incident, which killed two U.S. embassy personnel and two individuals with the Chihuahua State Investigation Agency (AEI), occurred after a drug-related operation in Mexico.

"It was not an operation that the security cabinet was aware of," Sheinbaum said, according to the AP. "We were not informed; it was a decision by the Chihuahua government."

TWO US EMBASSY PERSONNEL KILLED IN 'ACCIDENT' IN MEXICO, AMBASSADOR SAYS

In a statement issued Sunday, César Jáuregui Moreno, the Chihuahua state attorney general, announced the deaths "of the members of the State Investigation Agency, as well as two instructor officers from the United States Embassy, who died in an accident while returning from the operation to destroy clandestine laboratories in the municipality of Morelos," according to an English translation.

The attorney general indicated in another statement that there were no foreign agents involved in the operation and that it was not connected to the accident.

DHS SAYS ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT SOUGHT AMID PRETTI SHOOTING HAD VIOLENT DOMESTIC HISTORY

"In order to avoid speculation and misunderstandings surrounding the operation that led to the discovery of a drug lab in the community of El Pinal, in the Sierra de Chihuahua, the Attorney General of the State, César Jáuregui Moreno, specified that only elements of the State Investigation Agency (AEI) and the Mexican Army participated in it," the April 20 statement said, according to an English translation.

"With the above, he rules out the intervention of foreign elements, however, he specified that instructors from the United States were in the state and in a neighboring community, but for other purposes, such as teaching in the handling of drones," the office said. "He stated that around 80 officers participated in the seizure of the drug lab, 40 of them from the AEI and another 40 from the Secretariat of National Defense (DEFENSA)."

MEXICO PYRAMID SHOOTER WHO TOOK HOSTAGES AND KILLED 1 IS IDENTIFIED

Jáuregui Moreno said AEI Director Pedro Román Oseguera Cervantes "met with instructors from the U.S. Embassy, who were in Polanco giving a course on drone operation" and "they had a flight on Sunday morning from the city of Chihuahua and asked for assistance to travel along with the convoy in which the Director was traveling"

"They got into the vehicle at approximately two in the morning, and suffered the accident in which they lost their lives when it went off the road into one of the ravines in the area," Jáuregui Moreno said, also noting "there was never any involvement of any foreign agent in El Pinal."

He noted there "were no U.S. agents in the operation to secure the narco-lab," according to the AP.

US MILITARY ANNOUNCES ANOTHER DEADLY STRIKE AGAINST 'NARCO-TERRORISTS'

The outlet reported that the Mexican Security Cabinet confirmed that the army and state prosecutor's office executed a joint effort over the weekend in Chihuahua targeting drug labs in the same place, Morelos.

U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Ronald Johnson said in part of a Sunday post on X, "We are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of two U.S. Embassy personnel, the Director of Chihuahua’s State Investigation Agency (AEI), and an AEI officer in this accident."

"We honor their dedication and tireless efforts to confront one of the greatest challenges of our time. Our thoughts and prayers are with them and their loved ones. This tragedy is a solemn reminder of the risks faced by those Mexican and U.S. officials who are dedicated to protecting our communities. It strengthens our resolve to continue their mission and advance our shared commitment to security and justice, to protect our people," he added.

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The U.S. State Department did not provide further comment to Fox News Digital on Tuesday.

The Associated Press contributed to this report

Stefanik fires back in heated clash with CNN's Tapper over Trump's viral Iran post

Sun, 19 Apr 2026 15:02:49 -0400

Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., defended President Donald Trump during a heated exchange Sunday, pushing back against claims that the president’s rhetoric toward Iran amounted to a call for genocide.

Stefanik directly rejected the accusation when pressed by CNN's Jake Tapper on "State of the Union," saying, "President Trump didn’t call for genocide, Jake. You are putting those words in his mouth."

The tense exchange followed scrutiny of Trump’s recent comments about Iran, with critics arguing his language about destroying threats could be interpreted as targeting civilians. Administration officials have maintained the president’s remarks were directed at Iran’s ruling regime, which the U.S. Department of State designates as a state sponsor of terrorism.

MORNING GLORY: TRUMP HAS RESTORED THE GOP AS THE PARTY OF DEFENSE AND DETERRENCE

Stefanik reinforced that distinction during the interview, saying, "He’s targeting the terrorist regime."

Tapper questioned whether references to wiping out threats crossed a line, citing concerns raised by some observers. Stefanik dismissed that interpretation and accused the media of misrepresenting the president’s intent.

"You’re adding genocide. That’s not what he's stating," Stefanik said.

WATCH: LEAVITT SLAPS DOWN CRITICS WHO CALLED TRUMP'S IRAN THREAT A BLUFF

Stefanik contrasted Trump’s remarks with past congressional hearings involving university leaders.

"The difference with those university presidents is they couldn’t answer the simple, direct question," Stefanik said. "President Trump didn’t call for genocide."

Stefanik pivoted to Iran’s record, emphasizing the regime’s actions.

"The Iranians have killed tens of thousands of their own people," she said. "President Trump effectively brought the Iranians to the table. He effectively delivered a ceasefire."

STOP CALLING THIS BRINKMANSHIP. TRUMP'S HORMUZ MOVE IS THE REAL PRESSURE

She also criticized those raising concerns about the president’s rhetoric, adding, "If you want to prop up the Iranian terrorist regime, that’s on you."

The Trump administration has said its strategy is focused on deterring Iran’s nuclear ambitions and limiting its influence in the Middle East. In recent statements, officials have emphasized that U.S. actions are aimed at the regime rather than the Iranian people, while applying pressure to force negotiations.

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Stefanik reiterated that position, saying, "The president has been very effective in calling out the Iranian terrorist regime."

Rubio targets Nicaraguan official over alleged torture tied to 'brutal' Ortega regime

Sat, 18 Apr 2026 14:51:27 -0400

Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced Saturday that the Trump administration is sanctioning a senior Nicaraguan official over alleged human rights violations.

Rubio said the U.S. is designating Vice Minister of the Interior Luis Roberto Cañas Novoa for his role in "gross violations of human rights" under the government of President Daniel Ortega and Vice President Rosario Murillo, the latest effort to hold the regime accountable.

"The Trump administration continues to hold the Murillo-Ortega dictatorship accountable for brutal human rights violations against Nicaraguans," Rubio said in a post on X.

"I’m designating Nicaraguan Vice Minister of the Interior Luis Roberto Cañas Novoa for his role in human rights violations."

RUBIO TESTIFIES IN TRIAL OF EX-FLORIDA CONGRESSMAN ALLEGEDLY HIRED BY MADURO GOVERNMENT TO LOBBY FOR VENEZUELA

The designation was made under Section 7031(c), which allows the State Department to bar foreign officials and their immediate family members from entering the United States due to involvement in significant corruption or human rights abuses.

The State Department has said the Ortega-Murillo government has engaged in arbitrary arrests, torture and extrajudicial killings after mass protests that began in April 2018.

"Nearly eight years ago, the Rosario Murillo and Daniel Ortega dictatorship unleashed a brutal wave of repression against Nicaraguans who courageously stood against the regime’s increased tyranny, corruption and abuse," the statement said.

The State Department said the sanction marked the anniversary of the 2018 protests, after which more than 325 protesters were murdered.

A panel of U.N.-backed human rights experts previously accused Nicaragua’s government of systematic abuses "tantamount to crimes against humanity" after an investigation into the country’s crackdown on political dissent, according to The Associated Press.

The experts said the repression intensified after mass protests in 2018 and has since expanded across large parts of society, targeting perceived opponents of the government.

TRUMP ADMIN ANNOUNCES EXPANSION OF VISA RESTRICTION POLICY IN WESTERN HEMISPHERE

Nicaragua’s government has rejected those findings.

The designation follows a series of recent U.S. actions targeting the Ortega-Murillo government. In February, the State Department sanctioned five senior Nicaraguan officials tied to repression, citing arbitrary detention, torture, killings and the targeting of clergy, media and civil society.

Earlier this week, the department also announced sanctions on individuals and companies linked to Nicaragua’s gold sector, including two of Ortega and Murillo’s sons, accusing the regime of using the industry to generate foreign currency, launder assets and consolidate power within the ruling family.

The State Department said the move is part of ongoing efforts to hold the Nicaraguan government accountable for its actions.

Fox News Digital reached out to the Nicaraguan government and its embassy in Washington for comment but did not immediately receive a response.

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The Trump administration has taken an increasingly aggressive posture in the Western Hemisphere in recent months, including a Jan. 3, 2026, operation that resulted in the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores.

The U.S. has also carried out a series of strikes targeting suspected drug-trafficking vessels in the region, part of a broader crackdown tied to regional security and narcotics enforcement efforts.

Trump admin announces expansion of visa restriction policy in Western Hemisphere

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 22:31:32 -0400

The Trump administration on Thursday announced a "significant expansion" of its visa restriction policy in ⁠the Western Hemisphere, targeting people working on behalf of U.S. adversaries.

In its announcement, the State Department said the expanded policy allows it to restrict U.S. visas for people intentionally acting on behalf of adversarial countries to "undermine America's interests."

"President Trump’s National Security Strategy makes clear: this Administration will deny adversarial powers the ability to own or control vital assets or threaten the security and prosperity of the United States in our region," the department said in a press release. "The Department of State is working to advance American leadership in our hemisphere, protect our homeland, and ensure access to vital routes and areas throughout our region."

RUBIO IDENTIFIES 'SINGLE MOST SERIOUS THREAT' TO THE US FROM WESTERN HEMISPHERE

"In support of this critical objective, the Department of State is announcing a significant expansion of an existing visa restriction policy that targets those working on behalf of U.S. adversaries to undermine our national interests in our hemisphere, including regional security and democratic sovereignty," the department continued.

The administration also said that family members of individuals subject to visa restrictions under this policy will not be allowed to enter the U.S.

"This expanded policy enables us to restrict U.S. visas for nationals of countries in our region who, while within Western Hemisphere countries and while intentionally acting on behalf of adversarial countries, their agents, or enterprises, knowingly direct, authorize, fund, or provide significant support to, or carry out activities that are adversarial to and undermine America’s interests in our hemisphere. These individuals – and their immediate family members – will be generally ineligible for entry into the United States," the department said.

Activities the administration has deemed adversarial and that could trigger visa restrictions include enabling adversarial powers to acquire or control key assets and strategic resources in the Western Hemisphere, destabilizing regional security efforts, undermining American economic interests and conducting influence operations designed to weaken the sovereignty and stability of nations in the region.

STATE DEPARTMENT TO ASK FOR BONDS OF UP TO $15,000 FOR VISA APPLICATION FROM A DOZEN MORE COUNTRIES

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The department said it has imposed visa restrictions on 26 people under this policy.

"To demonstrate our commitment to this expanded policy, we have taken steps to impose visa restrictions on 26 individuals across our hemisphere who have engaged in these activities," the department said. "The Trump Administration will use every available tool to protect our national security interests, defend American interests, and promote our region’s safety and prosperity."

This comes after a series of moves by the administration in recent months to restrict visas for people around the world, including a visa ban on people from dozens of countries listed by the State Department, which civil rights groups have previously sharply criticized.

Critics, including civil rights advocates, have raised concerns about similar visa restriction policies, saying broad definitions of prohibited activity can create questions about how individuals are identified and what due process protections are available.

"This administration’s targeting of people based on their national origin is part of an autocratic playbook designed to make America smaller – to shut out ideas, perspectives, and communities," Skye Perryman, president and CEO of Democracy Forward, said in a statement earlier this year about the suspension of immigrant visa processing for people from around 75 countries.

ROBERT MAGINNIS: Why Islamabad talks were always doomed to fail

Sun, 12 Apr 2026 11:49:43 -0400

Clausewitz wrote that war is the continuation of policy by other means. The corollary—which Washington perpetually forgets—is that diplomacy without strategic clarity is just theater. This weekend in Islamabad, we got the theater.

Vice President JD Vance flew to Pakistan to lead the highest-level direct talks between the United States and Iran since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. He had warned Tehran before departing: "If they're going to try to play us, they're going to find the negotiating team is not that receptive." After 21 hours across multiple sessions, he boarded Air Force Two and flew home without an agreement, leaving behind what he called Washington's "final and best offer." Tehran has not accepted it.

Iran Did Not Come to Concede

Tehran's delegation—71 people, led by Parliamentary Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi—presented four non-negotiable conditions before the session even began: full Iranian sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz, complete war reparations, unconditional release of frozen assets and a durable ceasefire across the entire West Asia region. Those are not opening bids. They are a declaration of intent. Iran's state media put the breakdown squarely on Washington's "excessive demands."

GEN JACK KEANE 'SKEPTICAL' THAT IRAN CEASEFIRE WILL HOLD, WARNS TEHRAN WILL 'DELAY AND OBFUSCATE'

Ghalibaf left no doubt about the atmosphere. "We have goodwill, but we do not trust," he told Iranian state media. The distrust is mutual: Tehran has not forgotten that President Donald Trump walked away from the 2015 nuclear deal, and Washington has watched Iran exploit diplomatic pauses for decades.

The American framework was equally firm. Trump's proposal calls for Iran to surrender its highly enriched uranium, accept caps on its defense capabilities and fully reopen the strait. The president was blunt: "No nuclear weapon. That's 99% of it." Vance confirmed after the breakdown: "The simple fact is that we need to see an affirmative commitment that they will not seek a nuclear weapon—not just now, not just two years from now, but for the long term. We haven't seen that yet." These two sides were not negotiating the same deal. They were not even negotiating whether a deal is possible.

The Strait Remains the Center of Gravity

The entire framework rested on one condition: Iran would reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Six weeks into this war, that passage—through which roughly 20% of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas moves—remains effectively closed to normal commerce. During the talks, the IRGC warned that any military vessels attempting to transit would meet a "strong response." Two U.S. Navy guided-missile destroyers conducted operations in the strait on Saturday—the first American warship transit since the war began.

Trump was direct: "We're sweeping the strait. Whether we make a deal or not makes no difference to me." Two parties asserting irreconcilable positions over the same 21 miles of water is not a negotiating gap—it is a trigger.

Lebanon: The Faultline That Cannot Be Papered Over

ONE MONTH AT WAR WITH IRAN — CAN WASHINGTON DEFINE VICTORY?

Iran insisted the ceasefire cover Hezbollah in Lebanon. Washington and Jerusalem said it does not. Israeli strikes killed at least 10 people in southern Lebanon on Saturday—on the same day the delegations were meeting at the Serena Hotel in Islamabad. Tehran called them a ceasefire violation.

Israel was not represented in Islamabad—Pakistan does not recognize it. The structural problem is insoluble: Iran cannot deliver any agreement that leaves Hezbollah exposed to ongoing Israeli bombardment, and Washington cannot bind a sovereign Israel to terms Jerusalem did not negotiate.

VANCE WARNS IRAN WILL 'FIND OUT' TRUMP IS 'NOT ONE TO MESS AROUND' IF CEASEFIRE DEAL FALLS APART

One thread remains open: Lebanese and Israeli diplomats are set to meet separately at the State Department. If that track moves, it could remove the Lebanon veto from the larger negotiation.

A Playbook Iran Has Run Before

This outcome is not a surprise. From Vienna to Geneva, Iran's consistent strategy is to use the table to buy time, preserve leverage and avoid commitments that weaken the regime. The regime absorbed weeks of U.S.-Israeli strikes, retained internal control and sent 71 negotiators to Islamabad with a maximalist demand sheet—not a delegation on the brink, but one that believes time is on its side. Former State Department negotiator Aaron David Miller read the room clearly: Iran "holds more cards than the Americans" and is "clearly in no hurry to make concessions."

One development suggests the pressure is real. Saudi Arabia's finance minister arrived in Islamabad as a show of economic support—Gulf states do not send ministers to symbolically back a negotiation they expect to fail.

The Options Have Not Changed

Concession—accepting Iranian Hormuz sovereignty, force drawdowns, proxy networks and nuclear program intact—reads as abandonment in every Gulf capital that depends on American security guarantees. Full escalation can destroy Iranian military capacity but cannot remove the regime or govern what follows; Vietnam and Afghanistan proved airpower compels, it does not govern. Coercive pressure sustained over time—maximum economic isolation, naval enforcement, coalition discipline—remains the most coherent path, but it demands patience measured in years, not news cycles. None of these options are clean. All of them were foreseeable.

The Bottom Line

WHY TRUMP, IRAN SEEM LIGHT-YEARS APART ON ANY POSSIBLE DEAL TO END THE WAR

Islamabad is over. The ceasefire is in limbo. Vance left Tehran a "final and best offer" and departed. It has not been accepted, and future talks are uncertain.

Washington has yet to define what a durable settlement requires—only what it will not accept. That is not a strategy. If the ceasefire collapses without a diplomatic track to replace it, pressure to resume strikes will build fast. But more bombs will not force Iran to surrender. The logic of sustained escalation leads to one place: a large-scale ground war.

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Iran is not Iraq. Iraq favored maneuver warfare across open terrain. Iran is mountainous, with limited mobility corridors. Naval power is largely irrelevant. Ground forces would have to grind through prepared defenses at enormous cost in lives and treasure—and the American people are not prepared for that war.

Clausewitz again: no one starts a war without being clear in his own mind what he intends to achieve by it. Six weeks in, that clarity is still missing from Washington's public posture. I warned that Iran is too dangerous to ignore, too resilient to collapse quickly and too complex to resolve from the air. Islamabad confirmed that assessment.

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US allowing some Nigeria embassy staff to evacuate over 'deteriorating security situation'

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 10:46:30 -0400

The State Department said it authorized the departure of some staff at its embassy in Nigeria over the "deteriorating security situation" in the African country.

The development comes weeks after the U.S. military reportedly sent MQ-9 Reaper drones to Nigeria amid fears of a renewed insurgency by the terrorist group Boko Haram. The day before the authorization was issued, gunmen attacked two villages about 155 miles from Abuja, where the U.S. embassy is located, killing 20 people, residents told The Associated Press.

"On April 8, 2026, the U.S. Department of State authorized the voluntary departure of non-emergency U.S. government employees and family members from U.S. Embassy Abuja due to the deteriorating security situation," the U.S. Embassy and Consulate in Nigeria said. "The U.S. Embassy in Abuja will remain open but will have limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in Nigeria."

"The U.S. Consulate General in Lagos will continue to provide routine and emergency services to U.S. citizens in Nigeria," it added. "The Department of State Travel Advisory for Nigeria remains at Level 3, recommending travelers reconsider travel to Nigeria due to crime, terrorism, civil unrest, kidnapping, armed gangs, and inconsistent availability of health care services."

GUNMEN ON BIKES STORM NIGERIA VILLAGE ON PALM SUNDAY, KILLING AT LEAST 20

The embassy also said, "U.S. citizens in Abuja should consider departing if you do not need to remain for emergency or essential purposes."

The recent attacks occurred in the early hours of Tuesday in Bagna and Erena, located in the Shiroro area of Niger state.

"They came on motorbikes and began shooting. It was a surprise attack, because it was in the early hours of the morning," Jibrin Isah, who lives in Erena, told the AP.

100 US TROOPS LAND IN NIGERIA AS ISLAMIC MILITANTS THREATEN WEST AFRICA REGIONAL SECURITY

Residents said at least 20 people were killed, with more missing. However, local police said only three people were killed.

The State Department said in a travel advisory issued Wednesday that there is "risk of terrorist violence, including terrorist attacks and other activity in Nigeria," adding, "Terrorists collaborate with local gangs to expand their reach" and "They may attack with little or no warning."

The MQ-9 drones reportedly were deployed to Nigeria in late March after 200 U.S. troops arrived in February to provide training and intelligence. Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country, is battling a complex security crisis, especially in the north of the country.

A spokesperson for AFRICOM, the U.S. Africa Command, had told the AP that U.S. troops "are working alongside their Nigerian counterparts to provide intelligence support, advisory assistance, and targeted training in support of the Nigerian Armed Forces."

Among the most prominent Islamic militant groups active in Nigeria are Boko Haram and its breakaway faction, which is affiliated with the Islamic State and is known as Islamic State West Africa Province, or ISWAP.

There is also the ISIS-linked Lakurawa, as well as other "bandit" groups that specialize in kidnapping for ransom and illegal mining.

President Donald Trump has spoken out against violence targeting Christians in Nigeria, telling Fox News Radio last year, "I’m really angry about it" and "What’s happening in Nigeria is a disgrace."

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Secretary of War Pete Hegseth also met with Nigerian national security advisor Nuhu Ribadu last November amid threats from Trump to cut off aid to Nigeria if the country "continues to allow the killing of Christians." Nigerian officials have pushed back on the accusation.

Fox News Digital's Anders Hagstrom and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

American journalist kidnapped in Iraq is set free, must leave country 'immediately,’ her employer says

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 14:47:31 -0400

Shelly Kittleson, the American journalist who was kidnapped last week in Iraq, has been released.

"I am pleased to announce the release of American journalist Shelly Kittleson, who was recently kidnapped by members of the foreign terrorist organization Kata’ib Hizballah near Baghdad, Iraq," Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced on Tuesday.

"The U.S. Department of State extends its appreciation to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Department of War, U.S. personnel across multiple agencies, and the Iraqi Supreme Judicial Council and our Iraqi partners, for their assistance in securing her release," Rubio continued. "This resolution reflects the Trump Administration's steadfast commitment to the safety and security of American citizens, no matter where they are in the world."

Kittleson's release was first announced by Al-Monitor, the Middle East publication where she works as a freelance contributor.

Viral surveillance footage appeared to show Kittleson being forced into a car by two men at a busy intersection in Baghdad last Tuesday. The State Department previously said an individual with ties to the Iranian-aligned militia group Kataib Hizballah was believed to be involved in Kittleson’s capture.

Kataib Hizballah issued a statement that Kittleson was set free in "appreciation of the patriotic positions" of Iraq’s prime minister, Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, who pushed for her release. The group said she would be set free "on the condition that she leaves the country immediately," according to Al-Monitor.

AMERICAN JOURNALIST KIDNAPPED IN IRAQ, EMPLOYER SAYS

"This initiative will not be repeated in the future… we are in a state of war waged by the Zionist-American enemy against Islam and in such situations many considerations are disregarded," Kataib Hizballah security commander Abu Mujahid Al-Asaf added, according to The New York Times.

A U.S. official previously confirmed her release to Fox News.

"There were U.S. efforts behind the scenes, I am told, to secure her release from Kataib Hezbollah," Fox News chief foreign correspondent Trey Yingst reported.

The 49-year-old freelance journalist, an American citizen and Wisconsin native based in Rome, reported from war zones for years, spending time in Afghanistan and Syria before Iraq. She "often worked without formal assignments from editors and on a shoestring budget, taking shared taxis to lawless corners of Iraq where militia rule outweighs government control," the Associated Press reported after speaking to her friends, family and colleagues.

REPORTER KIDNAPPED IN BAGHDAD KNOWN FOR PURSUING GUTSY, LOW-BUDGET ASSIGNMENTS WHILE LIVING ‘FRUGAL EXISTENCE’

Recent headlines published by Kittleson include, "On eve of Iran’s Pezeshkian visit, Iraq jostles for Shiite space amid rivalries," "Iraqis protest proposed 'anti-women' amendment to personal status law" and "Honor killings in Iraq rekindle efforts to criminalize domestic violence."

"Hope she can return to do her job and tell the story of many who are not heard in region," Al-Monitor top editor Joyce Karam posted when reporting her release.

The Associated Press, citing "an Iraqi official with direct knowledge of the situation," reported that she was freed in exchange for "several members" of Kataib Hezbollah that had previously been detained by Iraqi authorities.

US STRIKES AGAINST IRAN-BACKED MILITIAS IN IRAQ REPORTEDLY CONTINUE AS BAGHDAD WARNS OF 'RIGHT TO RESPOND'

Reporters Without Borders released the following statement: "We are overjoyed by reports that Shelly Kittleson has been released by her captors in Iraq. Shelly's abduction underscored the very serious risks facing even the best-trained and experienced journalists. RSF is deeply grateful to all the parties involved from the American and Iraqi governments who were able to secure this positive outcome. RSF, the Committee to Protect Journalists, and the Foley Foundation wrote to Secretary of State Marco Rubio on April 3, urging him to do everything in his power to bring Shelly home. We are now waiting for reassurance that she is all right and that she will be able to reunite with her loved ones soon."

Before she was abducted, Kittleson told friends that U.S. officials had told her a militia group intended to target her, but she didn’t believe the threat was credible.

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The Associated Press and Fox News chief foreign correspondent Trey Yingst contributed to this report.

ICE arrests relatives of slain Iranian general Soleimani living in US after Rubio revokes their green cards

Sat, 04 Apr 2026 13:38:47 -0400

Two relatives of slain Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps Maj. Gen. Qasem Soleimani living in Los Angeles were taken into custody by federal agents after Secretary of State Marco Rubio revoked their green cards, officials said.

Hamideh Soleimani Afshar, identified as Soleimani’s niece, and her daughter were arrested and are now being held by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), according to an announcement Saturday from the State Department.

The Trump administration says Afshar has been a supporter of Iran’s "totalitarian, terrorist" regime.

"Afshar is the niece of deceased Iranian Major General Qasem Soleimani," Rubio wrote on X. "She is also an outspoken supporter of the Iranian regime who celebrated attacks on Americans and referred to our country as the 'Great Satan.'

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"This week, I terminated both Afshar and her daughter's legal status and they are now in ICE custody, pending removal from the United States."

In January 2020, a U.S. airstrike in Baghdad killed Soleimani during President Donald Trump’s first term in office.

While living in the U.S., Afshar "promoted Iranian regime propaganda, celebrated attacks against American soldiers and military facilities in the Middle East, praised the new Iranian Supreme Leader, denounced America as the 'Great Satan,' and voiced her unflinching support for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, a designated terrorist organization," the State Department said.

"[Afshar] pushed this propaganda for Iran’s terrorist regime while enjoying a lavish lifestyle in Los Angeles, as attested to by her frequent posting on her recently deleted Instagram account," the department said.

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According to the Department of Homeland Security, ICE officers arrested Afshar and her daughter Friday in Los Angeles.

DHS said Afshar entered the U.S. on a tourist visa in June 2015, was granted asylum in 2019 and became a green card holder in 2021 under the Biden administration.

"In July 2025, she filed a naturalization application, where she disclosed she traveled to Iran at least four times since being issued a green card. Her trips to Iran illustrate her asylum claims were fraudulent," a DHS spokesperson told Fox News.

Her daughter entered the U.S. on a student visa in July 2015, was granted asylum in 2019 and became a green card holder in 2023, according to DHS.

"It is a privilege to be granted a green card to live in the United States of America," the spokesperson added. "If we have reason to believe a green card holder poses a threat to the U.S., the green card will be revoked."

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In addition to revoking Afshar and her daughter’s lawful permanent resident status, officials said Afshar’s husband has been barred from entering the U.S.

Earlier this month, the State Department also terminated the legal status of Fatemeh Ardeshir-Larijani, the daughter of a former senior Iranian official, and her husband.

Both are no longer in the U.S. and are barred from reentry.

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"The Trump Administration will not allow our country to become a home for foreign nationals who support anti-American terrorist regimes," the announcement said.

The State Department and ICE did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment.

Trump unveils $1.5T defense surge, deep domestic cuts — what’s on the budget chopping block

Sat, 04 Apr 2026 11:28:37 -0400

The White House on Friday proposed a sweeping fiscal year 2027 budget that would dramatically increase military spending to roughly $1.5 trillion while cutting billions from domestic programs, marking a sharp shift in federal priorities toward national security and border enforcement.

The proposal outlines roughly $1.5 trillion in total defense resources, a figure the administration says is needed to address growing threats from China, Russia and other adversaries.

The request includes about $1.1 trillion in base discretionary funding for the Department of War, along with an additional $350 billion in mandatory funding to support priorities such as munitions production and expansion of the defense industrial base.

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If enacted, the plan would represent one of the largest increases in U.S. defense spending in decades, though the total includes a mix of discretionary funding and mandatory resources that are not typically combined in standard Pentagon budget comparisons.

Weapons production, ships and emerging technologies

The budget places heavy emphasis on rebuilding weapons stockpiles and strengthening domestic manufacturing capacity, areas that defense officials have identified as key vulnerabilities in recent years.

It calls for accelerated procurement of critical munitions and expanded investments in the defense industrial base, alongside increased funding for nuclear modernization.

Shipbuilding is another major focus, with $65.8 billion requested to procure 18 Navy battle force ships and 16 non-battle force vessels as part of a broader effort to expand maritime capacity.

The proposal also continues funding for the "Golden Dome" missile defense system, which aims to develop a layered homeland defense using space-based sensors and interceptors.

Emerging technologies play a central role in the plan.

The budget highlights investments in artificial intelligence, drones and counter-drone systems, and next-generation aircraft, including continued development of the F-47 — a sixth-generation fighter designed to operate alongside autonomous systems — with the program targeting a first flight as early as 2028.

Defense increases paired with domestic cuts

TRUMP NATIONAL SECURITY BLUEPRINT DECLARES ‘ERA OF MASS MIGRATION IS OVER,' TARGETS CHINA’S RISE

The increase in defense spending is paired with a proposed 10% reduction in nondefense discretionary spending.

Budget tables show nondefense funding dropping to about $660 billion, while defense-related funding rises significantly, with base defense funding reaching roughly $1.15 trillion.

The fiscal year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) authorized approximately $890 billion to $901 billion in defense spending.

The administration also is proposing continued reductions in nondefense spending in future years, signaling a longer-term effort to rebalance federal spending toward national security priorities.

Several major agencies would see significant reductions under the plan, including: NASA, cut by about $5.6 billion, or 23%, State Department and international programs, down roughly $15.5 billion, or 30%, Environmental Protection Agency, cut by more than half, Department of Labor, reduced by about $3.5 billion and Department of Housing and Urban Development, down $10.7 billion.

The reductions are likely to face pushback from lawmakers, particularly over cuts to scientific research, housing programs and foreign aid.

"Donald Trump’s budget is rotten to the core, and Democrats will make sure it never passes," Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said in a statement. "Trump is already spending massive sums on never-ending wars abroad, and now he’s pushing for a record-breaking $1.5 trillion in defense spending while slashing programs that Americans and seniors care about and rely on."

Border security and law enforcement funding expands

The budget also increases funding tied to immigration enforcement and domestic security.

The Department of Homeland Security would continue to rely on more than $190 billion in multiyear funding provided through prior legislation to support border wall construction, detention capacity and enforcement operations, including tens of thousands of detention beds.

PENTAGON SEEKS AT LEAST $200B FROM CONGRESS FOR IRAN WAR

At the same time, the Department of Justice would receive $40.8 billion in discretionary funding, a 13% increase, with additional resources aimed at addressing violent crime, drug trafficking and cartel activity.

The proposal also includes continued support for military involvement in border operations, as well as expanded funding for the Coast Guard.

Foreign aid reduced as priorities shift

The budget proposes a roughly 30% reduction in funding for the State Department and international programs, including cuts to humanitarian aid, global health initiatives and contributions to international organizations.

At the same time, it creates a new $5 billion fund intended to support strategic partnerships and national security priorities, along with expanded financing for allied nations purchasing U.S. defense equipment.

The changes reflect a broader shift toward prioritizing security-focused spending over traditional foreign assistance programs.

Industrial policy tied to national security

Beyond military spending, the budget links national security more directly to economic and industrial policy.

It includes funding to expand domestic production of critical minerals and support supply chains, alongside investments in advanced computing, including artificial intelligence supercomputers at national laboratories.

Officials say those efforts are intended to reduce reliance on foreign suppliers and improve the United States’ ability to sustain long-term competition with adversaries.

Economic assumptions and next steps

The budget is based on projections that assume steady economic growth of about 3% annually and inflation stabilizing near 2%, estimates that could face scrutiny from outside analysts.

The proposal now moves to Congress, where it is expected to face significant debate over both the scale of defense spending and the extent of domestic cuts.

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Lawmakers also will likely scrutinize the administration’s use of mandatory funding and reconciliation to support defense increases, an approach that differs from traditional budget negotiations.

While presidential budgets are rarely enacted as written, the proposal provides a clear outline of the administration’s priorities heading into the next fiscal year, with a focus on military strength, border enforcement and a reduced role for many domestic programs.

Iran, proxy militias threaten US universities in Lebanon as Americans urged to flee now

Fri, 03 Apr 2026 15:06:37 -0400

Iran and its proxy terrorist militias have issued targeted threats against universities in Lebanon, and the State Department has warned Americans to get out now while commercial flights are still available, U.S. officials said.

Officials said Iran has "specifically threatened" American universities across the Middle East.

The U.S. Embassy in Beirut described the security situation in Lebanon as "volatile and unpredictable."

"Airstrikes, drones and rocket attacks occur throughout the country, especially in the south, the Beqaa, and parts of Beirut," officials wrote in a security alert.

STATE DEPARTMENT URGES AMERICANS TO LEAVE MIDDLE EAST AS AIRSPACE CLOSURES DISRUPT TRAVEL

The U.S. Embassy in Beirut added that it strongly encourages U.S. citizens in southern Lebanon, near the border with Syria, in refugee settlements and in the southern suburbs of Beirut — including Dahiyeh — to depart those areas immediately.

"We recommend that U.S. citizens in Lebanon who choose not to leave prepare contingency plans for emergency situations and be prepared to shelter in place should the situation deteriorate further," according to the State Department.

HEZBOLLAH, IRAN UNLEASH COORDINATED CLUSTER BOMB STRIKES ON ISRAEL IN MAJOR ESCALATION

Commercial flights are being offered by Middle East Airlines, operating out of Beirut Rafic Hariri airport.

Officials said Americans should strongly consider departing on one of the flights "if they believe it is safe to do so."

The U.S. Embassy in Beirut is providing limited passport services on an emergency basis to U.S. citizens.

All routine consular services, including visa operations, are suspended until further notice.

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Those who have plans to travel to Lebanon should cancel them, officials said.